The Depressed Church: An Intimate Portrait

By Zelphia Doreen Williams

The Depressed Church - An Intimate Portrait is an insightful story of a Christian woman's struggle with depression, anxiety, and its shames. In spite of its fears, it's an incredible journey of strength in the face of hardships.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zelphia D. Williams
• Release date: May 19, 2023
• ISBN: 9781088166123

Book preview

The Depressed Church

An Intimate Portrait

By Zelphia D. Williams

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without the prior written permission of the copyright owner, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

Copyright Ⓒ 2023 Zelphia D. Williams

To request permission, contact the publisher at

IngramSpark.com

Paperback:  ISBN  978-1-0881-6612-3

May 2023

Writing Coach - Anna J. Small Roseboro

Editor - Michele Clark

Cover Art and Layout from Publisher

Printed in the United States of America

IngramSpark

Lightning Source LLC

14 Ingram Boulevard

LaVergne, Tennessee  37086

Dedicated to the Loving Memories of

Frances and John C. Williams, Jr.

Beverly A. Williams

Rock

The Late Rev. Clifford L. Jackson, III, Pastor

Acknowledgements

Many thanks go out to all those who have encouraged me in this project. Thanks to my wonderful family, my siblings who have been a tremendous source of love and support throughout my journey. I love you guys! Thanks to the church family, Greater Olivet Missionary Baptist Church and Pastor J. D. White. There aren’t enough words to express your ministry to me. Precious. Many thankful memories to Rev. C. L. Jackson, III for not letting me give up. Rest with Jesus!. To my dear, sweet cousin, Tonya, thank you so very much for being there for me when I needed it. To my dear, dear sister-in-Christ, Jo Ann. Thanks is not enough to say for your priceless encouragement. Thank you so very much. Love you. To my Olivet College family, thank you guys for your love and support! And finally...thank you Jesus for loving me, keeping me and for being my light in the darkness.

Disclaimers

Credits are located on page 46

All Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible King James Version. Public Domain.

The names of some particular persons have been changed to respect their privacy.

These are my memories, from my perspective, and I have tried to represent events as faithfully as possible.

Foreword

This book is a result of the author’s hard work and it is a labor of love. When we think about praising God within the context of the heritage and traditions found in the Black church, we think in the terms of the Pastor preaching, the Deacons praying, and the choir singing. We think of the musicians playing and, of course, the clapping of hands; as the congregation joins in with joyful participation.

One of the areas we as a society, our government, and yes, even our churches have fallen short of, is in the area of mental health. We often fail to recognize and or get treatment for our sisters and brothers who are struggling with loneliness and depression. This is something we may overlook, or we may not even recognize it. When someone is experiencing this, at the same time, they are making every effort to sing and praise God, too! So, they could be in our midst and we may never know it.

It is with pleasure that I extend my congratulations to Minister Zelphia D. Williams, for shedding light on this issue.

I am grateful and deeply humbled that she asked me to be a part of such a necessary undertaking. In closing,