MOBILE DISTRICT WOMEN’S HOME & OVERSEAS MISSIONARY SOCIETY West Alabama Conference – African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Communicator Fall 2026 Edition
From the President’s Desk
“Six Departments But One Society “
Greetings, my Missionary Sisters! I greet you with love and gratitude for your continued commitment to serving God and His people. As we focus on Empathy and Compassion, I want us to remember that some of the greatest missionary work we will ever do may happen outside of a church program or organized event. Sometimes ministry happens when we simply take the time to see someone, listen to someone, and love someone.
Ms. Terri Thompson– Life Members Council Mrs. Lola Petway – Secretary of Bureau of Supply Mrs. Andrea Robinson – Superintendent of BUDS Mrs. Diana Rivers – Secretary of Youth Missionary Society Mrs. Lourdes Thorn – Coordinator of YAMS Mrs. Stefany Gant – President-Parent Body Rev. Dr. Titus Thorn – Presiding Elder Mrs. Sandra Crowder – International President Mrs Donna Smith Walker– Missionary Supervisor Bishop Dewayne Walker – Presiding Prelate
Colossians 3:12 tells us, “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.”
Empathy asks us to look beyond ourselves and consider what someone else may be experiencing. Compassion takes us one step further—it moves our hearts to respond. Jesus demonstrated this throughout His ministry. Matthew 9:36 tells us that when Jesus saw the crowds, “He had compassion on them.” Jesus didn't simply see people—He saw their needs. He saw their pain. He saw their humanity. And Missionary Sisters, that is our challenge. There are people all around us carrying burdens we cannot see. The woman sitting beside us may be smiling while struggling privately. The young person who seems difficult may really be asking for someone to understand them. The elderly person who tells the same story again may simply need someone willing to listen.
member that perhaps God allowed us to see the need because He intends for us to be part of the answer. So my charge to you is simple: See people. Hear people. Love people. Serve people. Let us be missionaries who don't just talk about the love of Jesus—let us demonstrate it. May God give us eyes that notice what others overlook, ears that hear what others ignore, hearts that feel what others are carrying, and hands that are willing to help. And wherever our missionary journey takes us, may someone be able to say, “I experienced the compassion of Christ because one of His missionary women cared enough to see me.”
Before we criticize, let us seek to understand.
That is ministry. That is mission. And that is love in action.
Before we walk away, let us ask, “Is there something I can do?”
May God bless each of you, and may He continue to bless the work of our hands..
So before we judge, let us listen.
And before we say, “Someone ought to help,” let us re-
In Case You Missed It The Mobile District Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society convened on January 31, 2026, at Big Zion for its first Mass Meeting, which featured a Leadership Training session. Each officer presented and discussed their department's duties and how they contribute to the Women's Home and Overseas Missionary Society and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. The Parent Body, led by Mrs. Stefany Bea Gant , explored "The Leader in You," while YAMS, under Mrs. Lori Thorn , delved into "Rooted in Legacy, Active in Missions." The Buds of Promise, led by Mrs. Andrea Robinson, focused on "Where Faith Begins to Bloom," and the Youth, guided by Mrs. Diana Rivers, worked on "Strengthen Your Leadership Skills." The Life Members Council, led by Ms. Terri L. Thompson, conducted "Life Members 101" training. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for mental refreshment and knowledge acquisition, despite the cold weather, to further enhance the Missionary Society. Thank you to the pastors and the members of the Mobile
District who braved the cold weather to attend this training.
Our Second Mass Meeting was nothing short of electric! The Young Adult Missionary Society, under the leadership of District YAMS Coordinator Mrs. Lourdes Thorn, hosted the Second Mass Meeting at Hope Chapel. We were blessed to have the phenomenal Council Woman Dr. Samantha Ingram, who delivered a message that truly set the room on fire. Speaking to our theme, Agents of Change: A Legacy of Faith in a World of Chaos (Matthew 5:13-14), Dr. Ingram reminded us that while we can’t control the chaos around us, we have full authority over our faithfulness to God’s assignment. Her words were a powerful charge to everyone in attendance, especially our missionaries: "A legacy is built when you
In Case You Missed It We were blessed to partner with Rene Sprague, Parent Coordinator at USA Children’s and Women’s Hospital, to provide Black haircare products for the AfricanAmerican children at the hospital. The BUDS, led by Mobile District Superinten-
In April, the District Officers traveled to Black Mountain, North Carolina for the
Leadership Training Institute, held at the Ridgecrest Convention Center. It was a great opportunity to meet other missionaries, as well as learn valuable information about the WH&OMS. We witnessed the graduation of co-hort 2 of the Excel WH&OMS Leadership Academy. Additionally, those gathered were able to hear from candidates offering themselves for connectional positions with the WH&OMS.
dent Mrs. Andrea Robinson, spearheaded this outreach project—and this will be an ongoing outreach partnership for us. Thank you to all who donated!!
The Mobile District came out in strong numbers to celebrate the Missionary Anniversary, hosted by the Youth Missionary Society, under the leadership of Mrs. Diana Rivers. It was an awesome program, supported
In Case You Missed It by missionaries, both locally and nationally. The event celebrated our youth. The Youth performed different talents, from singing to spoken word to praise dancing. The Youth also sold ads for the Digital Souvenir Book Keepsake. Miss Kennedy Love was crowned Miss Victoria Richardson Senior Youth, and Mr. Aydon Allen was crowned Mr. Victory Junior Youth. It was a very successful program. The Mobile District Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society held its Annual Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the Bureau of Supply, under the leadership of Mrs. Lola Petway. Those gathered offered explored women in various leadership positions in the Bible, and then offered prayers that we, as missionaries, could embody those same leadership qualities. The Mobile District participated in the Dorm Room Project, sponsored by the Youth Missionary Society. As students either began their college experiences or re-
turned for another year, the Y’s outreach
project was right on time. The Mobile District purchased a dorm room bundle consisting of bedding, laundry items, and bath items to bless one student at Livingstone. Thank you to the Mobile District for making this possible.
Mobile District Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society A.M.E. Zion Church Greetings, Pastors, Missionary Leaders, and Church Family! The Mobile District Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society warmly invites you to our 3rd & 4th Mass Meeting on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Pilgrim Rest A.M.E. Zion Church. We are planning a fun and meaningful experience centered on empathy, compassion, and connection. There will be engagement for everyone—children, youth, and adults—so we encourage each church to bring members of all ages.
Something special is waiting! Come prepared to follow the clues, work together, and discover what compassion can unlock. We will not reveal all the details just yet, but you will not want to miss this exciting intergenerational experience! Please share the enclosed flyer and encourage everyone to attend. We look forward to a wonderful time of fellowship, learning, and serving together. In Christian Mission, Mrs. Andrea Robinson, Superintendent of Buds Mrs. Diana Rivers, Director of Youth Mrs. Stefany Gant, District President
Life Members Stoles Deadline: October 12, 2026 Note: There is a $3.00 shipping cost for each stole for 1-5 stoles; $2.00 each additional stole. We are challenging each local society to make THREE new Life Members this year. You can do it! Pricing is as follows: Life Member or Honorary Life Member (Red and White Stole)
$42.00
Matron or Patron (Purple and Gold Stole)
$102.00
Hearts for Overseas Stole and Pin
$115.00
Hearts for Overseas Pin Only
$55.00
Replacement Purple and Gold Stole and Pin
$55.00
Replacement Red and White Stole and Pin
$35.00
Replacement Pin
$6.00
Additionally, I am requesting that each local Life Members’ Council Chair provide the names of each of Life Member, Honorary Life Member and Matron/Patron within your local church. Looking forward to seeing you, Ms. Terri Thompson, Life Members’ Chair
Come with us to Atlanta, Georgia to attend the 31st Quadrennial Convention of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society. Registration is open and the hotel reservation link is live.
The Executive board will be wearing the attached stole for the Sunday afternoon service of the Quadrennial in Atlanta, Georgia. President Crowder would like as many as possible missionaries to wear them for the afternoon service. Please contact District President Stefany Gant , if you would like to purchase a stole.