SISTERS BY CULTURE, SISTERS BY THE BLOOD, SISTERS IN CHRIST
In 1993, co-workers Carla Nix and Lorna McFadden found strength and encouragement from one another as they worked in an environment that was at times very stressful. The encouragement and strength came from their own personal walks with the Lord. Carla and Lorna were blessed with a rapport that brought them both laughter and trust. They talked about everything and knew that they could depend on one another for support.
One day, as they ate lunch in a restaurant, the idea of developing a support group for women.....Black women in particular.....and Black Christian women specifically, was born. They realized that too often Black Christian women wore a multitude of hats, yet their resources for understanding, love, support, and a shoulder to cry on were few and far between. Particularly since the Black Christian woman was more often than not all of the above for everyone else in her life.
Carla and Lorna also realized that as Black Christian women, they themselves did not readily ask for help nor discuss problems with others because of the titles they wore. Black and Christian. These titles imply that they are strong women who can handle their own business. Certainly they had the strength of their mothers. And absolutely, without a doubt, they had the necessary strong faith of a Child of God. This was all very true, but in talking among themselves, Carla and Lorna realized that it was a blessing to be able to talk to someone who may have experienced the same problems that they have. To have someone who could give them loving advise in a Christian manner. And, someone they could sit back with and laugh and cry, all in the same breath if they needed to. After all, they said, who better to understand a Black woman than another Black woman. Sisters! Sisters for Jesus!
Thus the genesis of the group, and the name, SISTERS FOR JESUS. Carla and Lorna organized meetings that took place in the homes of fellow Black Christian women. Not taking away from the church, they felt it best to have informal meetings in an at-home atmosphere. An atmosphere where there was a big box of tissue (as that was always needed), and plenty of good food to eat (as they live in New Orleans).
As time and life went on, the meetings unfortunately slowed to an eventual hault. Carla and Lorna are no longer co-workers, and both have gone their own ways — keeping in contact occasionally.
Carla, however, took the concept of Sisters for Jesus to another level. Online. Yes, there is an online Sisters for Jesus community with members from all over the country communicating, fellowshipping, and praying for one another on a daily basis via the Internet. Sisters for Jesus Online was organized in November of 1998. The online members are very encouraging and Carla feels blessed to be associated with each one of them.
Carla is also re-organizing the monthly local Sisters for Jesus meetings for continued support, fellowship, and prayer. The next meeting will be held at Carla's home in June.
God has placed on Carla's heart to continue to move forward with opportunities for more Sisters for Jesus to be blessed. And that is with a monthly newsletter and a distant goal of organizing chapters of the group in other cities. The group originates in New Orleans.
Great things are in store for Sisters for Jesus, and we want you to be a part of our growth. Please e-mail Carla. To learn more about Sisters for Jesus Online, go to http://www.egroups.com/group/Sisters4Jesus
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