The first Bishops’ Wives organization included the Church of God In Christ founder’s wife, Mother Elsie Mason along with Mother O.T. Jones, Sr. and Mother A.B. McEwen. This group of distinguished women were esteemed very highly and shown every respect. They exhibited a particular level or degree of excellence with more emphasis on public service than any concern for personal gain. They aroused the indolent, the repose, the discontent, the unconcerned; they encouraged the despondent and those in despair, desperate and hopeless; they incited the unreflecting workers to activity and their influence has been felt beyond its’ limits.

 

The next leadership of the Bishops’ Wives was by Mother Deborah Mason Patterson. Under the leadership and presidency of First Lady Patterson, The Bishops’ Wives Circle became devoted to the cause of charity sustained by truth and actuated benevolence, setting up scholarship funds, etc.

 

Mother Mattie McGlothen officially named the group the Bishops’ Wives Circle in 1985. After the passing of Mother Patterson, Mother Daisy Sherman was appointed as the president of the circle in May 1986 during the International Women’s Convention. Prior to being appointed as President, Mother Sherman carried the International banner for the Circle for a number of years.

 

Mother Sherman served the Circle for 30 years as President until her death in 2016.

 

In January 2017 at the National Leadership Conference held in Little Rock Arkansas, Mother Willie Mae Rivers, General Supervisor at that time,  appointed the following officers: Mother Willie Mae Sheard as President,   the first time ever in the history of the Circle, Mother Sharon Bordeaux as Vice President , Mother Sherel Lee to continue serving as Executive Secretary and Mother Yolanda Bryant to continue serving as Communications Secretary and begin serving as Financial Secretary. Mother Sheard served the Circle faithfully until her death on April 19, 2020.  

 

From April 19, 2020 - July 1, 2020 the Bishops’ Wives Circle observed a period of mourning and a time of remembrance for our beloved President Mother Willie Mae Sheard. On July 1, 2020, our General Supervisor Mother Barbara McCoo Lewis, after much prayer and hearing from God sent out a letter giving the Circle an opportunity to nominate individuals to fill the vacancy of the Bishops’ Wives Circle President. Four names were submitted as Nominees to be considered and interviewed to be the President. Mother Lewis along with three of her Administrator Facilitators who were also Bishops’ Wives and two other Bishops’ Wives interviewed each nominee on September 8, 2020 and the new President , Mother Yolanda Bryant of Houston, Texas was appointed on September 17, 2020. Later, on September 26 Mother Virginia Collins of Savannah, Georgia  was appointed a Vice President. Simultaneously, Mother Lewis formed a new extension of the Bishops’ Wives Circle called The Widowed Bishops’ Wives Circle and appointed Mother Sherel Lee of Dallas, Texas  as President along with  Mother Delores Williams of Milwaukee, Wisconsin as Vice President. Two Circles operating independently with Unity as our heartbeat.

 

Under the new Presidency, the Bishops’ Wives Circle has incorporated the Bishops’ Wives Circle Website, FACEBOOK page, Instagram and Twitter social media pages, The Bishops’ Wives Induction Academy(an Academy for the wives of newly appointed Bishops) to prepare the wives for their new role in ministry. In addition, the Circle now has a seal to represent the Bishops’ Wives Circle along with our motto “Diversified, Blooming, Fragrances” and our mission statement which says, "We endeavor to promote  love, unity, spiritual enrichment, wholesome fellowship and friendship in the sisterhood.” 

 

As we journey forward we will be an all inclusive Circle allowing all Bishops’ Wives a chance to share their diverse gifts, bloom with their talents and give off a sweet fragrant aroma.