God placed a vision in the minds and hearts of the late Rev. and Mrs. Richard L. Saunders.  That vision came to life in 1954 when Mrs. Emma Saunders answered the call to organize the Christian Women’s Fellowship of Stuyvesant Heights Christian Church.  Its purpose was to provide opportunities for spiritual growth, enrichment, education and creative ministries to enable women to develop a sense of personal responsibility for the whole mission of the Church to Jesus Christ. From its inception in 1954 until October 2006, this great union of women produced twenty-two (22) presidents.
 

In October 2006, a new mission and direction for the Christian’s Women Fellowship was implemented regionally, and the name was changed from Christian’s Women Fellowship to the Women’s Ministry (Disciples of Christ), and was now placed under the directorship of a Chairperson.  Deacon Karen Story was appointed as our 1st Chairperson, and led the ministry from 2007 to 2010.  Elder Avis Johnson was next appointed Chairperson and served the ministry from 2011 to 2013.  We are truly grateful for the dedication, sacrifice and love shown by ALL the former Presidents and Chairpersons – for each, in her own way, has helped us to arrive at this particular place and time.  They are ALL indeed a vital part of our history here at Stuyvesant Heights Christian Church.
 

God has not only blessed the Women’s Ministry spiritually, but he has also helped us to successfully carry out many service projects over the years. On December 8, 2002, our Women’s Day celebration was elevated by the presence of our founder, Sis. Emma Saunders.  Sis. Saunders, along with nineteen (19) former Presidents were honored for their leadership throughout the years.  We praise God for Sis. Saunders’ love, faithfulness and loyalty in organizing the C.W.F.
 

In October 2005 the women did a special project (Gift of the Heart) for the victims of Hurricane Katrina and Rita.  A monetary offering, collected from our Blessing Boxes was also sent to the Church Finance Council in Indianapolis, IN to support the mission and evangelism for the whole church of the Disciples of Christ.
 

In December 2013, under the leadership of Elder Avis Johnson, the Women’s Ministry responded to the devastation from Hurricane Sandy, and to also promote the celebration of the holiday season, collected, prepared and donated over 100 bags of clothing (women and men), cosmetics and shoes to Urban Strategies, Inc. of Brooklyn, NY. 2014, 2015 & 2016 marked another great year for the Women’s Ministry.  We had a successful “Back to School” supply drive which was spearheaded by our former First Lady, Sis. Terri Brown.  With numerous donations and purchases, we assembled and distributed 100 bags of school supplies to children ready to return back to school.  In December 2014 and 2015, we sponsored a very productive Women’s Prayer Brunch and Workshops which set the stage for an awesome Women’s Day.  The women came together for renewal at Spa Castle, sponsored a successful Fashion Show, visited the Concord Nursing Home, fellowshipped in the Poconos Mountains and went to Broadway to see “The Color Purple”.
 

Under the leadership of our Chairperson, Sister Latisha Brown, the Women came together and fellowshipped through the Sight and Sound production play “JESUS” in Pennsylvania, implemented fun and fit “Zumba classes” and our service project the Angel Tree Drive which allows the women to sponsor gifts for children whose parents are incarcerated. The Women’s Ministry is continuing to strive and work diligently to be good stewards of God’s word, by studying to empower ourselves through the Holy Bible. Our ministry has lost great women and we celebrate and honor their legacy.  Let us pause for a moment of silence.
 

On Sunday, January 7, 2018 our church witnessed and welcomed our 1st female Pastor as the Pastor-elect of our church, and on Sunday, September 9, 2018 Pastor Sharon Codner-Walker was installed as the 1st female Senior Pastor of Stuyvesant Heights Christian Church. During Pastor Walker’s 1st year, she gave the women their theme and mission for the year, which was “My Sister’s Keeper”, along with conducting our 1st “House of Healing” workshop. Our prayer for 2021 is for the Ministry to continue to grow, training the women of the church for greater service in the upkeep of the whole ministry of Jesus Christ – it’s only by God’s grace and mercy that we are ALL still standing. To God Be The Glory for the great things that he has done and will continue to do!