Ministers Spouses Widows Widowers Department - The CME Church Official Website

Presidents Greeting

Hello, my name is Mrs. Felecia G. Johnson and I bring you greetings, on behalf of the CME Ministers’ Spouses Widows/Widowers Department, also known as MSWWD. I am the newly elected President representing all ministers’ spouses, widows, and widowers across the CME connection. I am so excited about the ministry as we move forward this new conference year embracing our Quadrennial Theme, "Be BOLD: Face Now - Embrace Next – See New" and how we as Ministers’ Spouses can become Change Agents for this organization. I believe we can no longer just do business as usual if we want to bring about change. God called us not only to be change agents in the world, fulfilling His purpose but also within the MSWWD, making a difference, being accountable in service, show we care and improving the way we carry out the ministry.
Let us remember that we are dependent upon each other to carry out our mission and that each of us has a role to fulfill with great expectations.

Lady Felecia G. Johnson
President of the Ministers’ Spouses Widows/Widowers Department

Presidents Bio

Mrs. Felecia G. Johnson was elected President of the CME Ministers’ Spouses Widows/Widowers Department during the General Conference held in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 28, 2022. She is the 7th President elected to serve since the ministry was organized in 1995.

Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to the parents of Mr. Charles Joseph Thompson and Mrs. Mable Jean Thompson. She is the youngest of four children born to this marriage. She lived in Baton Rouge until her family moved to Houston, Texas.
She attended public school K-2nd grades in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and 3rd-12th in Houston, Texas and is a graduate of the University of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona with a Bachelor of Information Technology and Master of Technology Systems. She is an IT Professional with 40+ years diversity in technology.

She is married to Rev. Dr. Charles W. Johnson, a pastor assigned to the Southeast Texas Region under the 8th Episcopal District. They reside in Houston, Texas, and has a blended family of 5 children (Patrick, Nichole, Jamie, Jason, and Jennifer) and 8 grandchildren (Chris, Jourdain, Madison, Trace, Hannah, Kaylen, Charlee, & Carsyn).

She has served faithfully at her local church as well as the Ministers’ Spouses ministry for 40 years. For the past 10 years she has served on the Executive Board serving as a Financial Secretary, Vice President and now President. Before serving in those capacities, she has held various offices across her district and region.

Structure Statement

The Ministers’ Spouses Widows/Widowers Department is designed so that each Episcopal District has representation, and that each officer represents his/her Episcopal District by holding an office on the Executive Committee. The intent is to ensure that information flows horizontally arid vertically throughout the connection.

Legislative History

The Ministers’ Spouses Widows/Widowers Department, authorized by the 1994 General Conference, is the Connectional organization for the spouses, widows and widowers of the ministers of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (C.M.E.). Its purpose is to provide at the Connectional level of the church a means by which ministers’ spouses may share mutual concerns, support, communication and fellowship. The Department is organized at the Connectional, Region and District level and is supported by membership dues and affiliation fees. It’s major program is the Widow’s Mite and the Barbara Hoye Scholarship Fund for children of C.M.E. Ministers. It meets annually at the C.M.E. Unity Summit.

An Official Emblem was adopted at the 11th Annual C.M.E. Convocation held September 30 through October 3, 1997 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Each Episcopal District was asked to design and/or propose a Logo.

Membership is an honor and privilege. It is always the intent to include members and provide a welcoming and nurturing environment. Special attention is given to widows and affiliate members. Our widows and widowers are our charge to assist and treasure. We welcome and need their participation to keep us relevant and able to minister to our families and the church in general. They are encouraged to participate in all levels and activities, but it is not mandatory. Connectional dues must be paid annually, and Regional departments are urged to pay these dues on the widows/widower’s behalf.