On Saturday, March 29, 2025, a time was had by all as the United Women in Faith ministry at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church in Delair, NJ, celebrated the close of Women’s History Month by hosting the “She Prays” Prayer Fellowship. All hearts remain complete as the “She Prays” Prayer Fellowship was an overwhelming success, with an anticipated attendance of 60 guests and 20 women who are members of United Women in Faith. God’s House was overflowing with nearly 100 Women who poured into each other with prayer!
There were women from different denominations, united in a blended love for the Lord and one another. For some, it was a reunion for those who hadn’t seen each other since childhood, and for others, it was a flavorful mix of God’s introduction to new sisterly love at their tables that created new friendships. This is what “She Prays” was all about: Empowered Women praying for and with each other!
We were blessed with four dynamic Prayer Warriors whose prayers were:
The Prayer of Faith –
Lay Leader, Christina Vaughn
St. Matthew’s UMC, Delair, NJ
The Prayer of Guidance –
Sis, Ashley Zeigler
St. Matthew’s UMC, Delair, NJ
The Prayer of Strength –
Evangelist, Caroline G Adam Drumgoole
Emmanuel United Pentecostal Church. Camden, NJ
The Prayer of Hope –
Minister Theresa Shields
First Nazarene Baptist Church, Camden, NJ
The atmosphere was set with a lovely Continental Breakfast organized by Co-Chairs, Michelene Stargell and Sister Claressa Walker, to ensure that the guests were well fed physically. The ladies were greeted by Chair Malinda Dean and United Women in Faith President Shelly Blackstone as they entered the fellowship hall for a dynamic move of God.
Phase I. They were encouraged to pull a prayer request slip from the White Blessings Jar. The prayer request will be continued daily in prayer until December 31, 2025, by each lady. After being fed, the ladies were moved from the fellowship hall under the instruction of the gracious & fabulous Mistress of Ceremony, Claudia Bryman to move into the Sanctuary where a Libation kicked off Phase II which was led by the President of United Women in Faith, Shelly Blackstone as they remembered those who they have loss.
The hour was well spent as they moved to the highlight of the day – “It Was Praying Time,” and boy, did those Chosen Prayer Warriors set the room on edge with expectation. Followed by an on-fire 🔥 Powerful Devotion led by Lay Speaker Ida Allen and Sister Tanya Lyons. These two sang as others testified to what God has done for them.
The day ended with an Honors Award in Memory of one of St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church’s own, the late Sister Sergeant Hilda Griggs from the Six Triple Eight Battalion, “6888.” This honor was awarded to Sister Victoria Holmes of St. Matthew’s for her service to the ministry.
President Shelly Blackstone acknowledged the four Prayer Warriors for their participation and presented them with Certificates of Appreciation. Following our Pastor Brenda Sclafford, the Shepherd who leads the flock at St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, offered remarks and prayer to close this wonderful fellowship.
The Empowered Women departed with a small token, a “Thank You” box from United Women in Faith, to express their gratitude to all who attended and participated in the “She Prays” Prayer Fellowship 2025. The box included the names of those present, as each individual drew an attendee’s name from the Blue Blessings Jar. They will pray for that Sister in Christ until December 31st, 2025.
Amen, Saints! Everyone certainly had a wonderful time.
Photo Credits: Judythe Grice
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