Sisters Beloved

By M.R. Clyburn

Sisters Beloved is about seven women who are faced with opposition, obstacles, and uncertainty as women in the ministry, a field primarily dominated by men. Women not accepted by their male counterparts yet faced with unholy propositions and ultimatums in order to perform ministry. They were in a mans world but wouldnt give anything for their ministries as long as they had God. Seven women who, by chance, formed a sisterhood, they were wounded and needed healing, so they came together to heal themselves. They broke their silence, sharing their stories and showing each other love, guidance, support, and encouragement in a nonjudgmental manner throughout their ministry. They knew they were called and held to their convictions and their calling. They did not have the favor of man, but they had the favor of God. They kept their focus with only faith and perseverance, moving themselves forward and achieving against the odds. Their bonding creates an everlasting friendship and trust with one another. As confidantes they created an atmosphere where they opened up with each other, let their guards down, talked freely, and discussed their experiences while resolving issues that they encountered as women. The connection, respect, and trust the women have for each other allow them to flourish, to be accepted, to have confidence, and to become well respected in their ministry.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Balboa Press
• Release date: Jan 12, 2016
• ISBN: 9781504341189

M.R. Clyburn

M. R. Clyburn is an ordained minister. She resides with her family in Plainfield, New Jersey.

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

―Romans 12:6–8

They were seven sisters, not by blood, but by connection, kindred spirits, and a bond of love. Seven was the perfect number, the number of completion. They were all gifted women. They met under varied circumstances and trusted one another, which made them confidantes. They were in the ministry; they all had their various backgrounds and share of stories to tell. They supported, encouraged, and came to one another’s aid when circumstances called for more action than just being prayer warriors. As sisters, they were always there to support the others and watch each other’s backs.

Ministry was hard, not only from the outside but more so from the inside. They did not scrutinize one another. They did not judge each other no matter what the situation was. They lent their ears, minds, spirits, and hearts when necessary. They shared pain; they laughed, cried, and prayed together. Through common bonds and experiences they were sisters beloved who formed a fellowship and friendship, daring to break the code of silence among themselves. They provided counseling, knowledge, prayer, and comfort not only to each other but to sisters who came to them seeking guidance as well. But their inner circle of friendship was limited to just the seven, and they shared the same mentor.

The reverends Prudence Bradley Vickers, Geraldine Ackers Jameson, Julienne Tremell Gates, Somaya Gooding Walsh, Zaria Hawthorne, Shaquaya Myers Dennison, and Minister Artecia Broaddus were all inseparable. They paid their dues to make it through, but they made it. However, they did it their way. They were in love with God, and they did not let anyone stand in their way of ministry to serve Him.

CHAPTER 1

For where two or three are gathered together, in my name there I am in the midst of them.

―Matthew 18:20

They started gathering one by one in the guest house of Rev. Prudence Vickers in Georgetown, South Carolina. Hers was the more central location for everyone to meet, but periodically, when they wanted to go out for a fancy lunch, shopping, or just have a ladies day at the spa, they changed location and visited the town of one of the other women in the group. This was not an exclusive club but a friendship and, most of all, a fellowship of colleagues. Pastor Prudence knew all of the women personally. She and Pastor Geraldine were childhood friends, the others she had met either in her travels or while doing ministry. Each had been mentored by Rev. Dr. Hester Brinkley through counseling, guidance, and direction at some point in their ministries.

Dr. Brinkley was hesitant at first because they all attended different churches, and she felt that they should seek counsel from their own pastors. However, because it was a women’s thing, it became very clear that they were not getting the best counsel from their male pastors. In some cases, their pastors were the problem. They all had one thing in common that drew her to them: they had been hurt during the course of their ministries, and she knew too well how that felt. Her goal became not to interfere with them and their pastors, but to offer them the best guidance and support she could from her own experiences. After much prayer, fasting, and counseling, they had to work everything else out as the Lord led them.

The first to arrive was Prudence’s protégé, Minister Artecia Broaddus. Prudence had taken Artecia under her wing after she was misguided shortly after entering the ministry and she wanted to change her location and church.

Geraldine Ackers Jameson arrived next. She was Prudence’s longtime childhood friend. Geraldine was pastor of a non-denominational church in the more exclusive area of Charleston, South Carolina.

Then they came two by two. Somaya Gooding Walsh and Julienne Tremell Gates, who spent most of their time together, arrived next. Pulling up the rear were Zaria Hawthorne and Shaquaya Myers Dennison.

Music by Shekinah Glory Ministries was being piped throughout the room from the CD Praise Is What I Do. After everyone greeted each other and hugged, the women settled down getting coffee, tea, or water to drink. They all worked out, and they were naturalists who ate healthy food.

As they usually did, they sat in a circle facing one another. When they met the gathering was always opened up with a song of Rev. Somaya’s choice. Today it was Holy Spirit You Are Welcomed, followed by Scripture and prayer. Rev. Somaya was the song bird of the group, and her contralto voice was greatly appreciated by all. Here is where they shared their trials and tribulations, failures and successes, experiences and struggles with ministry.

Their meetings were informal, and the group looked forward to letting down their hair and their guard for a change. They wore jeans, boots, jogging suits, and casual slacks—whatever made them feel comfortable. This was a time to play, and they believed in keeping their lives balanced with pleasure and fun so they wouldn’t burn out spiritually. It was important to them to balance their spiritual and physical lives.

They governed themselves with seven rules. Rule number one was always give God thanksgiving and praise. Rule number two was be on a first name basis. Rule number three was that all that transpired stayed within the fellowship. Rule number four was that the sisters would not intervene in anything that they weren’t asked to. Rule number five was even though they might not always agree, they would respect one another’s opinions. Rule number six was always provide an atmosphere where they could relax and just have fun. Rule number seven was to hold a worship service quarterly for fellowship.

Sometimes they came together just to watch a movie or discuss a book they’d all read. Other times they focused on issues and would concentrate first on the one whom they felt had the greatest need. They had been wounded, all of them. They had healed or were in the process of healing. The common thread was that they had become healers, and they found there were times when healers needed healing themselves

Julienne shared with the group how she ran into an ex-colleague from her former church, Rev. Deborah Mason. Deborah knew they were a group with a strong kindred bond, and that she couldn’t join them. There was no room for a sister who couldn’t be trusted completely. This circle of women trusted each other with their lives.

Julienne said she ran into Deborah at the drugstore on her way to their gathering. With a smirk on her face, Deborah asked her, Are you still going to your monthly meeting? Julienne corrected her and said, It’s not a meeting, but a fellowship of sisters who can be trusted—unlike you. That being said, Deborah turned and quickly walked away from Julienne with a scowl on her face. They all sighed at the same time. Geraldine asked Julienne, When are you going to stop letting Deborah Mason get next to you? Julienne responded, It almost seems like never. There is just something about that woman that bothers my spirit, but I’m still praying for her and for help. Shaquaya said, I know that’s right. They all laughed and high-fived each other. Julienne responded, Now see, I’m not going to let you have a good laugh at my expense. Y’all know you’re wrong." This time the whole room burst with laughter, including Julienne.

After canvassing the room, no one had any pressing issues today, so they devised their plans for their quarterly open worship service. Then they all just chatted and settled down to have lunch. When the time was up they prayed together and departed just as they had