Monday, April 26^th, 2011
The event took place at Ebenezer
African Methodist Episcopal Church of Fort Washington,
Maryland, on the opening night of the Washington Annual
Conference. Shirley Cason-Reed brought forth a mighty charge.
In preparation of the 150+ new missionaries being inducted into
the Women’s Missionary Society, Mrs. Cason-Reed addressed
what it is to be a Missionary, or “Sales[wo]men for Christ.” She
affirmed the significance of having a personal relationship with
the product, Jesus Christ: “You can’t sell a product you know
nothing about.” She instructed the women to use God’s word for
 direction. She reminded the women that though a sea of women
 in white is a beautiful sight, “it’s not about looking nice,” rather
 “helping those in need and recruiting others to Christ.” She
directly summoned those being capped, “this is not a play thing--"
directing each to ensure that their commitment to the organization and its cause was beyond sporadic zeal, but according to knowledge, confessing “the harvest is plenty, but the laborers are few. (Luke 10:2)”

Supervisor Connie Richardson followed uplifting remarks and words of thanks by Presidents Katherine Fisher and D. Faye Conley, proclaiming the solemnity of her support to elect Shirley Cason-Reed the next Connectional President of the Women’s Missionary Society, “There are only two candidates… And we have the best one!”
Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson reiterated their commitment to Shirley Cason-Reed as their ballot selection for the 2011 election.  He concluded the service, describing the night as “set[ing] the bar for the [Conference] week,” acknowledging the worthwhile efforts of all involved with making the night a success.