By Angelena Spears
Women in Ministry of Philadelphia Host Second Annual Legacy Celebration
By Angelena Spears
Philadelphia Conference Reporter
The Women in Ministry of the Philadelphia Annual Conference (PAC/WIM) held its Second Annual Legacy Celebration on September 18. During the virtual program, six women were honored for their dedicated service to the ministry.
The honorees were the Rev. Alberta Jones, pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Reading, Pennsylvania; the Rev. Dr. Patricia S. McAllister, pastor of Mount Zion AMEC, Columbia, Pennsylvania; the Rev. Dr. Esther L. Seales, pastor of Tyree, AMEC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Rev. Gloria Walker, pastor of Bethel AMEC, Camden, New Jersey. Retired women in ministry who were honored were the Rev. Dr. Natalie Alford (the retired presiding elder of the Philadelphia District and the Rev. Lugenere Jones, who although she is now superannuated, continues to serve as the pastor of Bensalem AME Church.
The theme for the Celebration was “Built For This,” based on Jeremiah 1:5. The Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. Dill, the president of the First Episcopal District Women in Ministry brought a stirring message, titled: Finish Well – You Were Built for This. Her text was taken from 2nd Timothy 4:7-8. She expounded upon Paul’s familiar passage and said, “It is not where you begin that makes the difference – but where you end up that really matters. It is one’s staying power that mkes the difference,” declared Dr. Dill. “Dr. Dill told the women, that challenges must always be expected, however, they should never give up. “We must all focus on keeping the faith and finishing well,” she declared.
The six honorees were presented by the Rev. Lois Wilkinson, who has served as the Coordinator of PAC/WIM since 2017. The Rev. Wilkinson is also the pastor of Shorter AME Church. Following the Rev. Wilkinson’s presentation, each honoree was also introduced by someone who knew them well and lauded their achievements in ministry.
The Rev. Alberta Jones was introduced by her sister Lillie Jones who said they had been raised by a mother who insisted they go to Sunday school and church every Sunday. She said their mom had also taught them, ‘If you put God first, everything will fall into place.” She added they (the family) were not surprised when their sister announced her call to the ministry.
Dr. Seales was introduced by the Rev. Vernon Byrd, pastor of St Matthew AMEC, Philadelphia, who complimented her humility and calm disposition. “You are truly an example of what it means to be Christlike,” he said to Dr. Seales. “You are a guiding light in the Philadelphia Annual Conference. When you speak, we all listen.”
The tribute for Dr. Alford was given by the Rev. Jacqueline Capers, pastor of Disney Nichols AMEC, Philadelphia, who said Dr. Alford had been a visionary, servant leader, and supporter – and was always open to their ideas. “When Presiding Elder Alford came to a Quarterly Conference it was never ordinary – because the Holy Spirit would fall on us,” said the Rev. Capers, “During one district Conference, there were 16 baptism.”
The Rev. Patricia McAllister was introduced by her son, the Rev. Bryan S. McAllister, the pastor of Heard AMEC in Rozelle, NJew Jersey. He marveled at his mom’s strength and said she entered the ministry in 1990 and was appointed the pastor of Mt. Zion AMEC in Columbia, Pennsylvania, at her husband’s funeral. “She also buried two siblings during her pastoral ministry,” said the Rev. Bryan McAllister. “She kept doing ministry through the darkest days of her life,” he said.
The Rev. Gloria Walker was introduced by Evangelist Jackie Owens of Mt. Tabor AME Church, Philadelphia, who noted that during the Rev. Walker’s itinerancy, she had worked tirelessly at AME Union and had been a great support to their pastor at the time, the Rev. Paul Thomas. The Rev. Walker was congratulated for her new charge as pastor of Bethel AMEC, Camden, NJ. “She loves God’s people,” added Evangelist Owens. “She is a true woman after God’s own heart.”
The tribute for the Rev. Lugenere Jones was given by her son, George Jones, who joined the call from Atlanta. He complimented his mom’s steadfastness to the ministry. He noted that his father and grandfather had also been pastors. He said, “It has been a journey, and I have rode with her from the beginning.” He also pointed with pride to the extensive reparations that had been done at Bensalem AMEC, under her leadership.
The Rev. Wilkinson says she is proud of the work PAC/WIM has done under her leadership. “When God gave me the vision to lead WIM, he said to honor, encourage and help the women,” says the Rev. Wilkinson. “And this is what I have tried to do. Under my leadership, associate membership reached a record high of 35 and numerous female pastors have received financial assistance to use toward church repairs and as stipends,” she says.
At the conclusion of the Celebration Luncheon, the Rev. Wilkinson presented $500 checks to the Rev. Lilleth Baugh, pastor of Kenneth Square AME Church, and the Rev. Julia Smith, a local elder at Bethel Downingtown AME Church. The Rev. Baugh has faced health challenges and financial challenges at her church, and Hurricane Ida severely damaged the Rev. Smith’s home in September.
