The Historic Ebenezer A.M.E. Church

The Grant Missionary Society assisted the 4th District in the hosting of the 1959

fallen on hard times. The Society also participates in the 4th District’s More

A sending forth on a Religious Errand to Witness in the World.

One of God’s chosen who is a caring committed Christiana, energized

to do His work through service and sevanthood; by meeting needs and

concerns of others which encompasses Local to Global Outreach. “Go

ye into all the world….”

We are called to strengthen our faith and sent to continue the ministry

of Jesus Christ by service and witness in the world.

Former WMS President Betty Hyter (center) at Bible Study

As women called to discipleship to grow in knowledge and experience

of God through Jesus Christ, committed to support the mission of the

church, and empowered by the Holy Spirit, we are challenged to help

one another engage in ministry and action, and grow and respond in

faith to God’s redemptive plan for the church, the society and the world.

The Women’s Missionary Society WMS started with Sarah Allen, wife of

Richard Allen, Bishop Allen was the first Bishop of the AME Church.

Sarah was unhappy because of the shabby appearance of the ministers

who attended the Annual Conference to give their reports, etc. She wanted

them to look more adequately dressed. So, she sought other women to

help her mend the preacher’s clothes. Along with her husband’s help, the

Dorcas Society was organized in 1824. The organization lasted only a few

years and became inactive.

On February 17, 1874, the editor of the Christian Recorder, Rev. B.T. Taner

wrote an open letter to the women of the AME Church posing the question:

“What are the women doing?” It was suggested that a Women’s Missionary

Society should be organized.

On August 11, 1874, at Bethel AME Church in Pennsylvania, the Women’s

Parent Mite Society was organized. The women in the Western and

Southern part of the United States felt isolated and desired their own

organization, thus, in 1893 Bishop Henry Michael Turner organized the

Women’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society. These two organizations

operated separately for many years. They finally saw the need to combine

their efforts, thus the two presidents: Christine Smith of the Women Parent

Mite Society and Lucy Hughes of the Women’s Home and Foreign

Missionary Society appointed a merger committee. The merger committee

met in Birmingham, Alabama in February 1943 and submitted their report

to the Bishop Council at the General Conference in Philadelphia, PA. in

1944, the merger was approved and the two societies became one: Women

Missionary’s Society.

The one Society is all over the connectional and supporting foreign mission

work in Canada, West Indies, South America and West Africa. The first

had served 20 years as President of the Women’s Home and Foreign

Missionary Society prior to becoming President of the newly formed

WMS. She died in 1945, and Sister Anne E. Heath became President.

The Young People’s and Children Division (YPD) is a youth organization,

which has been established as a Christian Education Agency of the African

Methodist Episcopal Church to ensure the Christian development of youth.

Established in 1915, it is under the auspices of the Women’s Missionary

Society. Every local church that has a Women’s Missionary Society should

have a functioning Young People’s Division.

To provide meaningful youth training programs in all areas of church life

that will provide for full participation in the total mission of the church.

To provide specific training in evangelism, Christian Social Relations and

Educational programs designed to increased knowledge of the A.M.E.

history and Holy Scriptures, as well as to provide opportunities

for leadership experiences.

YPD Director Carol Griffin

As a unified body with Christ like qualities, we will build a Connectional

bond that demonstrates pride through Education, Communication and

Mission Work.

There are four divisions among the membership ages 2 to 26 years:

Sunbeams Ages 2 to 6

Allen Stars Ages 6 to 12

Youth Auxiliary Ages 13 to 17

Young Adults Ages 18 to 26

Allen Stars at the Christmas Party

“Grow, Glow, and Go for Christ”

Forest Green and White

and/or

Black and White