The essence of Deaconess Clara Ester can be accurately described with a single word: service. In 1970, she embarked on her journey at the Dumas Wesley Community Center in Mobile, Alabama, which is affiliated with the church. Her roles there included neighborhood organizer, program director, associate director, and, ultimately, executive director until her retirement in 2006.
In 1986, Clara Ester was commissioned as a United Methodist deaconess. At one point in her illustrious career, she assumed the role of board chair for the United Women in Faith's (formerly United Methodist Women) Office of Deaconesses Home Missioners and Missionaries.
We celebrate Clara and many others like her who have quietly but faithfully served the church and God’s people, changing lives and sharing God’s love. If you wish to learn more about a few more of these unsung activists and leaders, use this link to read about them and also find a list of books and videos that teach us about Black History.
And don’t forget this coming Wednesday we enter into the season of Lent. Join us for the Ash Wednesday service at 7pm. As we prepare for the season of Lent, I want to remind us that this Lenten season, instead of giving up something, we invite you pick UP a practice that will be a blessing to you, us as a community, the larger community and perhaps at the end of the season it will become a habit.
People of God, it might mean we speak UP and show UP! Let us continue to follow Jesus who always addressed the injustices, exorcised evil from communities and shared love with all people. May we continue to be a place committed to sharing that love of God with all people to the best of our ability, and become agents of hope in this world. May we pray UP for the end of gun violence and for peace in Gaza and our neighborhoods. Beloveds, may we be blessed, and be a blessing to all we meet, and I look forward to seeing you all at church.
