SUPERVISOR
MAE SMITH
WELCOMES YOU TO THE WOMENS DEPARTMENT
2-22 East 130th Street
I-B Apt.
New York, N.Y. 10037
(212) 426-1125
It is with exceeding joy that I welcome you to our jurisdictional
womens department's international website.
Barbados, St. Thomas and St. Croix are unlike any other islands in the Caribbean.
The majority of the people of St. Thomas are descendants of African slaves who
were brought here to work the sugar cane, tobacco, and cotton plantations that
produced much of the Danish wealth. Stolen from the African coast and then sold
in the St. Thomas harbor hundreds of years ago, these are the people who have
contributed so much of the African culture, style, and rhythms that are reflected
in the island's music, dances, celebrations, language, food, art, and herbal
medicines.
History and Culture
Though Columbus claimed this island for Spain in 1493, it is the Danish influence
that is most evident today. The island had languished for centuries until the
arrival of permanent Danish Settlers in 1717. From that point, the natural harbor
began to evolve into a thriving business center. Even as the plantation economy
was fading on the islands of St. John and St. Croix and finally collapsed with
the emancipation of slaves in 1848, St. Thomas continued to prosper as a neutral
port focused on trade, shipping, boat repairs, shipbuilding, and banking.
American Influence
In 1917, the Americans purchased what was then called the Danish West Indies
for $25 million dollars. And the island group that contained St. Thomas, St.
John, and St. Croix was renamed The United States Virgin Islands.
The Church Of God In Christ has 9 churches in Barbados, 1 church in St. Thomas
and 1 church in St. Croix.
The Lord has blessed me to travel at least three time per year ......in February
I travel the second week of that month to Barbados for our Annual Worker's Meeting.
I travel in June to the islands of St. Thomas and St. Croix for our Holy Convocation
and then in August to the island of Barbados for their Annual Women's Conference
and Holy Convocation. It is truly a joy to fellowship and work with the saints
of these three islands...........GOD'S SPIRIT IS TRULY MOVING THROUGH THESE
ISLAND!!!!!
Virgin Islands of the United States, group of 3 islands and about 50 islets,
most of which are uninhabited, in the Lesser Antilles chain of the West Indies,
east of Puerto Rico and lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
The three islands, with their areas, are Saint Thomas (28 sq mi), Saint John
(20 sq mi), and Saint Croix (80 sq mi). The capital is Charlotte Amalie (1990
population, 12,000), on Saint Thomas. Other communities in the group are Christiansted
and Frederiksted, both on Saint Croix. The total area is 134 sq mi, and the
total population (2001) is 122,211.
The islands are generally hilly to mountainous. Crown Mountain (1,555 ft) on
Saint Thomas is the highest point. The climate is tropical, moderated by prevailing
trade winds. The average annual temperature is 80° F. Vegetation is luxuriant
and diverse. Mineral resources are lacking, although sand and stone are mined
for local construction.Education and Government on St. Thomas
Education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 16. Free
schooling is provided in elementary and secondary schools. In the 1992-1993
school year the islands' 62 public elementary schools had an annual enrollment
of 14,500 pupils. The College of the Virgin Islands (1962), a public institution
on Saint Thomas, had an annual enrollment of about 2,550 students.
From 1917, when the United States acquired the Virgin Islands, to 1931 the islands
were governed by the Department of the Navy. In 1931 jurisdiction was transferred
to the Department of the Interior, and a civil governor was appointed by the
president. Since 1970 the governor has been popularly elected. The unicameral
legislature is elected for two-year terms and is composed of 15 senators, 5
each from Saint Croix and Saint Thomas, 1 from Saint John, and 4 at large. Executive
power is vested in an elected governor and lieutenant governor, an attorney
general appointed by the governor, and other officials. The government comptroller
is appointed by the secretary of the interior, and the judge of the district
court is appointed by the president of the United States.
Virgin Islanders have been U.S. citizens since 1927. After World War II (1939-1945),
the Virgin Islands began to prosper again. Federal aid, local industry, and
the growth of tourism helped improve the islands' economy. In 1946 William Henry
Hastie became the first appointed black governor of the islands. The Organic
Act, which was passed in 1954, created a 15-member senate. Then in 1968 the
Congress of the United States passed a law granting the people of the Virgin
Islands the right to elect their own governor. Melvin Evans, appointed in 1969,
was the first native-born black governor of the territory and in 1971 became
its first elected governor; he served until 1975. In 1975 Cyril E. King became
governor and served until his death in 1978. King was succeeded by his lieutenant
governor, Juan Luis. Luis was elected governor in the 1978 and 1982 elections.
Alexander Farrelly was elected in 1986 and again in 1990. Roy Schneider became
governor after the 1994 elections.N O W
What I have provided to you is a COMPLETE overview of the islands I consider
my 'second home'.
When many of you think of the Virgin Islands, you think of sun and sand.........and
there is a lot of sun and even more sand...........but there is something else
that many people who come to these island don't see........POVERTY, SIN, HUNGER,
SIN, SICKNESS, AND MORE SIN!
The Lord provided Bishop Paul Fortson and I the opportunity to serve HIM in
these islands and it is through His GRACE AND MERCY that the light of salvation
is shining brighter and brighter.
There is such a GREAT NEED for the people of these islands to hear God's Word
AND to see the missionary saints from The Church Of God In Christ come to them
in brotherly love.
The Womens Department has been heavily involved 'up-building' of the church
by providing "Family Enrichment Programs". These are 'bible-based'
programs that help single and married individuals understand their relationship
with Jesus and each other. Our emphasis is centered on the dignity of man/woman.......in
AND out of the church.
During our Annual Womens Conference, we increase the staff and enlarge our health
clinic. Bible training (which is on-going, before and after the conference)
directs greater emphasis (during the conference) to the women and the elders
of the 'three-island church'.
We are looking to include in our 2002 clinic a feeding program and breast examination
and instructions in 'self-examination procedures'. We are not only interested
in saving the soul BUT the body also!
I especially enjoy the prayer and witnessing in the streets of the islands.
It is a thrill to see 'God work' ! We witness EVERYDAY during the conference!!!!!
Most of the problems we face in the islands can be traced directly back to drugs!
The women maintain a scheduled street ministry and there is a need for drug
rehabilitation literature AND bibles.
There are many, many programs The Womens Department have instituted in the islands,
but there are three "HOT" programs/projects that I am particularly
interested in sharing with 'the church' and I truly need any and all the help
I can get:
There is a need for Sunday School & Y.P.W.W. materials throughout the jurisdiction.
Fortunately the national language is English, so we could utilize such materials
in any quantity, either new or 'gently used'. We have literally hundreds of
men, women and children that could benefit from these materials. So often we
(in the United States) will use our materials and when the study period for
the materials is over or has passed.....we throw them away.......DON'T DO THAT!!!!!!
Please consider Barbados, St. Thomas and St. Croix and forward those materials
on to us........it will be blessing to SO MANY SOULS!
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The cost of living on the islands is TWICE the cost in the U.S., but the average
work pay is ONE FIFTH of what would be made in the U.S. and unemployment is
VERY, VERY HIGH. Many of the people can not afford clothes (not to mention proper
clothing). Many people are happy to have anything.
The Womens Department has attempted to supply clothing to those communities
surrounding our churches. THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS PEOPLE CAN BE MINISTERED TO.
We feel this is an effective and necessary ministry.
Clothing, new or 'gently used', for all ages, men-women-boys-girls would be
gratefully accepted.
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THE C.O.G.I.C. YOUTH CAMP MEETING
There is a Youth Camp Meeting that is held annually for the jurisdiction's children.
This is a ministry that imparts the 'word' to our children in a camp environment.
When other children are provided 'fun' opportunities, our children can not participate
because the environment is not 'appropriate'. The Womens Department's Camp is
fun, THE WORD, fun, SALVATION, fun, FELLOWSHIP, fun, CHRISTIAN ROLE-MODELING,
fun.........
For our camp to be more effective, we are in need of camp supplies, all types
of art & craft materials. Additional PERSONNEL is the most critical need
presently. We must limit the number of children that can participate because
we just do NOT have enough saints to teach, cook, serve as counselors, etc.
Last year (2000) we were blessed to be able to 'work' with 70 children. The
age range was from 7 year of age to 17 years of age.
TRAIN A CHILD UP IN THE WAY.............
SAINTS I NEED YOUR HELP WITH THESE PROJECTS!!!!!!
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Mother Mae Smith
International Supervisor
Barbados |
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