Alabaster Women of Faith

The Women Moved With Compassion is the name of the women's ministry at Bethel Gospel Assembly.

History of the Women Moved With Compassion

A women's ministry was organized in Bethel by Dr. Ruth Onukwue on December 30, 1973. Sister Priscilla Brown, the mother of Pastor Carlton Brown, gave leadership to this auxiliary. The late Sister Ruth Harper, sister of Bishop Ezra N. Williams, was the secretary and Sister Viola Julien functioned as her assistant.

At its inception, Dr. Onukwue outlined goals and different projects, such as:

1. Clean the choir room
2. Packing barrels for Haiti
3. Raising funds to assist in the completion of the orphanage home in Salem, India

As time went on, a Hospitality Committee was formed. Sis Beth Greenaway was assigned to that responsibility because her apartment was used to house missionaries.

A Shelter Ministry was then organized, with visitation taking place twice each month, on the second and fourth Sundays.

After meeting with the women of Bethel, it was decided to vote for a name of the women's ministry. The majority agreed the ministry should be called: The Women Moved With Compassion (WMWC). It was then decided that the seniors should have a room for the convenience and comfort of the senior mothers of Bethel. The responsibility was given to Sis. Dorothea Williams, wife of Bishop Ezra N. Williams, for the cleaning and changing of the altar drapery.

Our beloved, the late Sister Nora Boatswain was a traveling missionary, and one of her missions took her to Africa and WMWC stood behind her with much prayer and support. Many of those faithful women of God are no longer with us, but have been called "home" to their reward.

In the following year, as Sister Priscilla Brown was involved in other commitments, it was decided by our Dr. Onukwue that Sister Juanita Deane would preside over this ministry. At this particular time there was no Men's Ministry, so many men joined WMWC and, for a short time, the ministry was called, The Women & Men Moved With Compassion. The men who participated were such a blessing, especially in the Shelter Ministry.

As the ministry began to develop, the members began meeting every Tuesday, from 5:30 to 7:00pm. Many women were blessed with various skills and talents, and classes were formed to cultivate these gifts. The late Sister Beryl Ryan and Sister Nerva Miller conducted professional cake decorating classes, of which Sister Dorothea Williams took full advantage, and is doing marvelous work, even now continuing to use this ministry to bless many. There were also sewing classes conducted by Sis Ryan and Sister Emily Floyd. Much was learned from these talented women.

The WMWC was instrumental in making all the children's clothing for Kenya and were proud to ship these items, by the barrel-full to Kenya. This was followed by a wonderful missions service entitled: "Talents on Display", which exposed the entire Bethel congregation to this area of the ministry. Later, Sister Pearl Arthur, also a designer by trade, conducted sewing classes, in an attempt to create an interest among our young people to get involved in this gift. She was also instrumental in showing the women how to make the baptismal robes we currently use at baptisms.

The WMWC continue to meet, every Tuesday from 5:30 to 6:30, for fellowship and prayer, where a word form the Lord is always shared. It is an avenue through which many are given the opportunity to develop their sharing, teaching and preaching gifts.

The previous shelter visitation has been replaced by visits to the Greater Harlem Nursing Home, every fifth Sunday, at 2:00pm. The WMWC also continues to participate, with the Hospital Ministry, in hospital and home visitations and endeavor to be a blessing to the women of Bethel.

Annually the WMWC has continued to have retreats, allowing for an opportunity for fellowship in a relaxed atmosphere. These "Getaways" have challenged participants to grow in Christ and have been a place where the "lost" have accepted Christ.