Two North St. Louis County churches share a goal of helping women deepen their understanding of Bible teachings as it relates to them as women and to today’s daily living. Both churches hold women’s bible study sessions one evening each month – the Sistah to Sistah ministry at Christ Our Redeemer AME Church in Black Jack, Mo. and the When Women Gather ministry at Christ the King United Church of Christ in Florissant, Mo.
The bible studies have another important link – Rev. Traci Blackmon, pastor at Christ the King. Blackmon developed the Sistah to Sistah ministry several years ago while serving as an associate minister at Christ Our Redeemer.
“As a woman in ministry, I found myself encountering so many women who were struggling to find themselves and to locate themselves in scripture, in particular,” Blackmon said.
With the support of Pastor Edmund Lowe, Blackmon was able to address that need by designing a bible study with women in mind.
“We strive to view the text through the unique lens of womanhood,” Blackmon said.
Ladies bible night includes moms and the kids too.
“It’s on a Friday night in case there were single women who had children so they didn’t have to worry about children going to school the next day,” Blackmon explained. “There is always a light meal served and free babysitting in an effort to remove all barriers to study and fellowship.”
When Blackmon accepted the opportunity to pastor her own flock a couple of miles away at Christ the King last year, one of the first things she did after settling into her new role as an AME minister pastoring at a Church of Christ was to begin a monthly women’s bible study there as well – When Women Gather.
“There is a new element at Christ the King that we didn’t have at Christ Our Redeemer. When Women Gather now has an ecumenical leadership team so it’s no longer just me leading the ministry,” Blackmon said.
Rev. Karen Anderson, from Olive Chapel AME, Phyllis Jackson from St. Paul AME and Donna Dansberry from Christ Our Redeemer and Blackmon teach bible study as a team.
After considerable prayer, Natissia Small stepped forward to lead Sistah to Sistah at Christ Our Redeemer.
“As I am led, this ministry will continue to provide an opportunity for women to fellowship with one another in a positive and supportive environment, which may include various forums such as bible study sessions, conferences, workshops, etc.,” Small said.
“I am also blessed to have effective spiritual guidance and support from the leadership at Christ Our Redeemer, Pastor Edmund Lowe and Reverend Regina Lowe.”
No competition exists between the ministries or the churches; yet, there is a lot of joyful intermingling between the two groups of women at each church. It’s just more opportunities to deepen their love for God, His Word and His Will.
The Sistah to Sistah ministry at Christ Our Redeemer also spawned outstanding sell-out overnight women’s retreats, attended by women from Missouri and Illinois.
It also inspired study-goer Claudia Dilworth-Turner to start a Sister to Sister ministry at her church, New Bethlehem Missionary Baptist in St. Louis, where Minister Hosea’ E. Gales is pastor. The study is lead by Dilworth-Turner, Dorothy K. Ervin and Jurline Pullum.
“Our goal is to provide an opportunity for our sisters to study the Word, fellowship, and connect spiritually by lifting one another up as sisters in Christ,” Dilworth-Turner said.
New Bethlehem’s Sister to Sister bible study meets the second Saturday of each month (excluding January and February) from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Washington Montessori School located at 1130 North Euclid Avenue in St. Louis. Lunch is provided. Their next meeting, Sat. August 14, “The Samaritan Women at the Well” has focal verses from John 4:1- 42.
At Christ Our Redeemer, the next Sistah to Sistah bible study takes place Friday, August 6 from 7 – 9 p.m. at 13820 Old Jamestown Rd. “Embracing God’s Purpose and Plan for Your Life,” is the topic, with focal verse, Jeremiah 29:11.
The next When Women Gather takes place Friday, July 30, from 7 – 9 p.m. at Christ the King Church, 11370 Old Halls Ferry Road in Florissant. “Knowing Your Purpose,” is the topic with study text is from Judges 4 -5.
