From its inception, the Church of God movement has been an advocate for gender equity, seating and celebrating both women and men in all chairs of ministry and church leadership. This theology and practice are grounded in a deep vein of Scripture which elevates both men and women as the imago dei. At the dawn of the New Testament church, the apostle Peter quotes the prophet Joel, saying, “In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike—and they will prophesy” (Acts 2:18 NLT).
Over centuries, this truth has too often been lost; the embrace of this truth was one of the Movement’s first countercultural signatures and remains so today. As a people, we must not only speak the truth, we must also live and model it, opening doors for women in ministry and encouraging the exercise of their calling.
​To this end, Church of God Ministries has been proud, for many years, to be in a partnership named Qara (a Hebrew word meaning to call or to proclaim), together with Christian Women Connection and the Anderson University School of Theology and Christian Ministry. Qara seeks to advance the cause of women in ministry, providing support, fellowship, information, and inspiration for those answering the call. Leadership for this partnership is provided by the convener of Qara. MaryAnn Hawkins, dean of the School of Theology and Christian Ministry, was Qara’s first convener; she was succeeded, in 2016, by Randee Doe. And now, as the year 2019 opens, I am pleased to announce that Arnetta McNeese Bailey will take the mantle and serve as our new Qara convener.
Arnetta, of course, is no stranger to positions of leadership and influence in the church. Her role as executive director at Christian Women Connection has given her a national profile in the Movement, but her service in many ministries, including in the local church, has given her deep experience on many other front lines, as well. Her ascension to this new post as Qara convener is framed not just by her responsibilities at CWC, but as an ordained clergywoman in the Church of God.
You can catch up with the work of Qara in the weeks ahead by watching for new links in CHOGnews to the Qara newsletter. We thank God for MaryAnn and Randee, for their investment in Qara in days gone by; we thank God for Arnetta as she will help us all continue to move forward, strengthening, and empowering women in ministry.
Jesus is the subject. And he gave a woman the privilege of first proclaiming his resurrection. We all stand in the shadow of Mary Magdalene, saying, “I have seen the Lord.” May his Spirit propel all of us, like Mary Magdalene, to sure-footed and certain testimony of his goodness.
https://chognews.org/2019/02/27/women-in-ministry-support-expands-as-cwc-assumes-leadership-of-qara/
Editor: Carl Stagner

Born in the 1880’s, John Worthen and his wife, Pearl, moved from their Iowa home to Washington State at the dawn of the 20th century.  Captured by the mountains and the sea, they found their future at the edge of the continent, building their new home and fortune in the burgeoning young city of Seattle.
 
In 1921, while visiting extended family back in Ottumwa, they welcomed the fourth of what would be five children born into their loving arms.  They named her Mildred, after her father’s sister, who would become a beloved aunt.  Shortly thereafter, the Worthens returned to Washington, where all of the Worthen children would grow, attend school, and establish their own homes.  Mildred, like her three sisters and one brother, graduated from Seattle’s Lincoln High School.  As a young woman, she began her career at The Bon Marche downtown, an elegant department store which immersed her into a world of style and fashion that helped define her world for a lifetime.
 
More influential, though, was the Church of God.  Her parents were Church of God pioneers, both in Iowa and in Washington, deeply grounded in a community of faith which emphasized Jesus, the authority of Scripture, and the wonders of a life lived by the power of the Holy Spirit.  At times, she dared some of the boundaries of that holiness upbringing (which, when she was young, discouraged the wearing of jewelry and make-up, for instance), but chose to follow Jesus just the same.  From an early age, she treasured the Word, the Church of God, the church’s music and message, and a transforming relationship with Christ.  Her living faith, her loving family, and her profound allegiance to the truths and values with which she was raised anchored her throughout a long and eventful life.  She revered her parents and the rich fabric of life in Seattle that framed her.  Like theirs, hers is a story of decades of quiet generosity and grace; Heaven only knows the names of those she blessed and even rescued.
 
That life had its share of disappointments and loss.  Still, on bright mountaintops and in chill valleys, she proved herself fiercely independent, resilient, and strong.  Unable to conceive and longing to be a mom, she prayed without ceasing and waited a decade to adopt, at last receiving a son, Jim.  Abandoned by her first husband in the sad unraveling of a home, she prayed and waited, before marrying in the 1950’s the man who would honor her and her young son, Don Lyon.  Don was to her a prince and a true partner for life; he passed away in 2016.  She, for her part, excelled as a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mom, a grandmother, and a great-grandmother.  A terrific cook and hostess, she loved to entertain in her home, work in the church kitchen, and win others with gifts of generosity and hospitality.
 
Don and Mildred relocated to Anderson, Indiana, late in life, to be near their son and his family, who had moved from Seattle to Indiana earlier.  In Anderson, they found a new church home at Madison Park Church of God which they loved as they did their original church home in Seattle, Fairview Church of God.
 
Mildred passed away peacefully, after a brief illness, on the evening of January 11, in her Anderson home.  She lived independently until Christmas Eve 2018, when pneumonia sent her to hospital.  Her family thanks God for allowing her to be with them so long and in such good form. 
 
Mildred is survived by her son, Jim Lyon, his wife, Maureen (Anderson, IN), her four grandsons:  Jacob (wife Emily) Lyon (Anchorage, AK), Peter (wife Nicole) Lyon (Anderson, IN), Andrew Lyon (Seattle, WA), and Nathanael (wife Kimmi) Lyon (Dayton, OH), six great-grandchildren, and a large, extraordinary extended family, of which she was the last matriarch, the last of a generation of Worthens, modeling faith, family, and love.  She is also survived by a treasured niece, Janet Ropkins (husband Bill) Kockritz (Seattle, WA), who became as close and dear as a daughter would have been, to both Don and Mildred.
 
A service celebrating her life will be held in Seattle at the Fairview Church on Friday, January 18, at 3:00p.  Memorial gifts may be made to the Madison Park Church of God (P.O. Box 2479, Anderson, IN 46018) or the Fairview Church (844 Northeast 78th Street, Seattle, WA  98115).                 

​When first asked to write this tribute, everything in me wanted to say no, but I remembered something Dee would always say, “You’ve got this!” I thought to myself, that is easier said than done. How do you encapsulate by the stroke of a pen someone who exuded life?  How do you memorialize the essence of someone who would not be defined by labels or live within the boxes others built for her? I’m still not sure I have answered either of those questions. However, what I want to share with you about Dionesha Antoinette Clarke were the three, biggest lessons her life taught me, all of us that loved her, and those that will experience her legacy through us. Things she strived to live out daily and encouraged all of us to do the same.
 
Dee, as we affectionately called her, believed in counting your blessings. Her life taught us to look around and see the amazing blessings God had granted in family, friends, and life. Her greatest joy and assignment in the earth was that of mom to little Miss London. She would often be heard saying, “everything I do I do for her.” No matter how tired she was or how hard her day had been London and home was her first priority. She loved her parents, her sister, Joscelyn (BFF from day one), her nephew, Ryan and her grandpa, Pop Lawson. That’s a lesson we all need to be reminded of, that our first ministry is to our family. We can be so busy that we neglect the relationships God has given us to nurture and develop. (Exodus 20:12 & Proverbs 22:6)
 
Dee taught us the value of honor and support for your pastor. She didn’t do this just because her father is Bishop Timothy J. Clarke. She did this because she first loved God. He calls His children to honor godly leadership. Whatever she did for First Church or the Berean Fellowship, she did unto God. I believe that she hoped her example would propel all of us to do the same. (Hebrews 13:17)
 
Lastly, Dee taught us to pursue our purpose and while doing so, encourage others to do the same. Dee was passionate about fulfilling one’s destiny. Passionate about discovering the gifts and callings that God has locked up on the inside of you and doing them actually. She believed that if God called you to something, He gifted you for that your call. Your gift is needed on the earth. Over the last few days, I had heard countless individuals all over the country who will never forget how Dee encouraged them when they were at their lowest, wanting to give up, didn’t think they were good enough or equipped enough. She would often say, “You’ve got this.” Her blog that she started back in December, A Daily Dose of Dee…. Motivation for the Soul became just the right amount of daily medicine from God through her to keep those of us who read it, going. The ultimate encourager that was Dee. The ultimate goal-getter, that was Dee. She believed that God had called us to shine and in doing so our light would reflect His glory. (Colossians 3:17)
 
So, I am determined to live out the lessons my sister, not by blood but by love, have taught me. Love family, honor God’s servants, and live out the purpose for which you were born. In doing so, you honor God.
​Sleep well sis until we meet again!
 
Lovingly Submitted,
Rev. Tatum M. Osbourne
 

It was an honor to have Laura Withrow Hoak serve as Women of the Church of God's National President during the years 1988-1992 and 1993-1994. She inspired everyone down in their spirit to continue to hope when experiencing troubled times. Many will remember her warmth and love as she loved unconditionally in and throughout the women's ministry of the Church of God. She led with enthusiasm as a genuine role model for the leaders who came behind her. She served faithfully and we are truly saddened by the news of her transition from her earthly home to God's heavenly arms.          

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 
who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort
​those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Cor. 1:3-4

"With a very sad heart, I report that my wife, Laura, passed away early this morning. She was a survivor of kidney cancer, over seven years of peritoneal dialysis, Parkinson’s disease, and many other health challenges. However, when, a little over three weeks ago, she developed an internal fungal infection which created peritonitis, her systems began to fail, her body became weary, and her spirit prayed to go "Home." Our wonderful Lord answered her and our prayers and lifted her into His precious arms.
Praise Be To God!" – Duane Hoak (Facebook Post)

If you want to send a personal expression of sympathy to Laura's surviving family members, these are the addresses given: Dr. Duane Hoak, their addresses are: 826 Raleigh Rd, Anderson IN 46012, dchoak@anderson.edu; Rev. Carma Wood and Randy Hammel, PO Box 531, Alexandria IN 46001, cwood@ppchog.org; Cheryl and Jeffrey Eddy, 2025 Lake Dr, Anderson IN 46012, ceddy@acsc.net; Rev. Douglas and Rev. Stephanie Withrow, 1729 W Lark Dr, Chandler AZ 85286, dougwithrow@q.com; David and Jennifer Hayes Withrow, 7017 Berry Blossum Ct, Hamilton OH 45011, withrowhayes@gmail.com; Michelle Hoak Pierce, 2618 Jackson St, Anderson IN 46016, spierce1960@gmail.com; Mike Hoak, 425 N County Rd 500 E #52, Anderson IN 46017, coffeewelding@hotmail.com. Online condolences to family members can also be registered in a Guest Book on the Rozelle-Johnson Funeral Service website accessed via this link: http://www.currentobituary.com/member/142/obit/226371/guestbook/1.
- David L. Coolidge (Anderson College: BS '57, Anderson School of Theology: '60-'62,
Christian Theological Seminary: MSM '66, Anderson University: DSM '02)
Pastor of Worship and Arts Emeritus
Park Place Church of God, Anderson IN