The Fellowship was born out of the vision of Pastor Lorna Hart of Emmanuel Community Independent Church, Los Angeles, California in 2000 after the Rev. Sister Conference of December of 1999 held at The Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, CA hosted by Bishop and Mrs. Kenneth C. Ulmer. Pastor Hart initiated a breakfast meeting for fellowship started with six or so Rev. Sisters attended in several restaurants. Later in 2001, the group visited several churches such at Amos CME, First Presbyterian, Allen Chapel AME-Riverside, Faith and Love Christian Center, Bread of Life Four Square, and the Los Angeles Shabach Four Square. As the group increased, our schedules grew more demanding. therefore the Fellowship was moved to the Hawthorne Hometown Buffet in of February, 2003 to accommodate our Rev. Sisters lunch breaks from secular employment. Secondly, it provided some stability of meeting place. On 11/14/05, we moved our meeting location to La. Lousiane then to the Sizzler Banquet Room in Culver City, CA. The Fellowship has steadily grown to over 100 Rev. Sisters with an average of 25 in attendance each month. Numerous other Rev. Sisters are employed outside of the meeting area, but remain connected via E-mail with the monthly minutes of the Gathering. Pastor Hart due to illness passed the Mantle of leadership on to Rev. Barbara J. Jenkins, Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood, California in March of 2003. The group has grown and continues to do so. By 2004, extension groups in the Inland Empire and Las Vegas were added. One of the undertakings of The Gathering was been to locate Rev. Sisters who serve in many different churches. This is not an easy process. The current publication of the Clergywoman Directory is a revision of a 1988 directory completed by the late Rev. B.A. Wilson Clergywoman United Chapter now inactive. |
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