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Annual Women’s Day Celebration presented by United Women in Faith of Anderson UMC

By Brinda F. Willis, Ph.D.

JA Contributing Writer

The United Women in Faith of Anderson United Methodist Church will host their 54th Annual Women’s Day Celebration on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 10:15 a.m. with guest speaker Rev. Dr. Clementine M. Mays.

The Annual Women’s Day Celebration theme is “Walking by Faith for Such a Time As This,” inspired by the biblical story of Esther. The theme celebrates the courage, purpose, and unwavering faith of women answering God’s call to serve in their homes, churches, and communities.

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“We are excited to welcome Rev. Dr. Mays and we invite the entire community to join us for this special day of worship, inspiration, and fellowship,” said Cynthia Bullock-Nelson, President of United Women in Faith at Anderson United Methodist Church.

Rev. Dr. Mays also is an author, counselor, and former Presiding Elder whose ministry has inspired congregations nationwide. Her powerful preaching and servant leadership promises to make this celebration a memorable and uplifting experience.

Additionally, Rev. Dr. Mays is a distinguished ecclesial leader and scholar whose ministry spans more than three decades within the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. She is a native of Bruce, MS. Rev. Dr. Mays began her spiritual formation at Bruce Chapel CME Church, where she received nurturing and spiritual growth. She accepted her call to the preaching ministry in November 1994, and has since become a respected voice in pastoral leadership, theological education, and community engagement.

Academically, Rev. Dr. Mays is very accomplished, holding an associate degree from Northwest Community College; a Bachelor of Liberal Arts from the University of Mississippi; the Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Memphis Theological Seminary; and the Doctorate of Christian Counseling from Jacksonville Theological Seminary. Her professional preparation also includes the Pastoral Excellence Certificate from the Phillips School of Theology, ICAM certification, and extensive continuing education in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Licensed Social Worker and a Volunteer Chaplain.

Her pastoral leadership includes a decade of service as Presiding Elder in the Northeast Mississippi Region, where she supervised more than 36 congregations. She currently serves as Pastor of Beckley Chapel CME Church in Booneville, Mississippi, where her leadership has guided significant renovations, ministry expansion, and community outreach. She is known affectionately as “A Builder of God’s Church,” leading multiple congregations through new construction, parsonage development, and major facility improvements.

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Rev. Dr. Mays’ service to the CME Church extends across local, and regional levels. She has served as Treasurer of the Northeast Mississippi Region Annual Conference, One Church One School Director for the Fourth Episcopal District, Presiding Elders Administrative Assistant, Commissioner on Women in Ministry, and a member of the CME Connectional Board. She has taught at convocations, conferences, and institutes across the denomination, including the Elias Cottrell Institute. Her ecumenical involvement includes participation in the World Methodist Council, the Council of National Black Churches, and the National Council of Negro Women. She is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. strengthening discipleship, and serving women, children, and youth. Through local outreach and global missions, the organization continues to be a faithful witness to Christ’s love in action. 

Anderson United Methodist Church is located at 6205 Hanging Moss Road, Jackson, Mississippi 39206. Come and experience inspiring music, meaningful worship, and a powerful message.

The event is open and free to the public. For additional information, please contact Anderson United Methodist Church at (601) 982-3997. 

Author

Dr. Brinda Fuller Willis was raised on a large farm in Attala County, just outside of Kosciusko, Mississippi. She is what some would call a “Double Identical” twin amongst a family of  sixteen siblings. She is a life-long member of the Palestine Missionary Baptist Church where she recited a many long and protracted Easter speeches because her speeches had to match her height; she has been 5’9” inches tall since grammar school.

Brinda graduated from McAdams High School and went on to Holmes Jr. College in Goodman, Mississippi graduating with a Social Science degree. Afterwards she graduated from Mississippi State University with degrees in Social Work and Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling. In 2007, she received a (Ph.D.) in Theology from New Foundations Seminary in Terry, Mississippi.

Once she made the move from Chicago, Milwaukee and Atlanta then back to Mississippi she began writing the “Ask the Twins” advice column with her twin sister, Linda that appeared inside the historic Jackson Advocate Newspaper for several years garnering numerous faithful readers who sought to get answers for questions regarding love, faith, career, disability and education. Her audience ranged from young adults to sage seniors. Eventually, she took a break from the advice column to pursue other interests and obligations with the onset of becoming a grandparent, managing a blues singer and world traveler.

Presently, she is a freelance writer for the Jackson Advocate Newspaper (2001-Present) and the Jackson Free Press (2012-2019). She is a member of the Speakers Bureau with the Mississippi Humanities Council and is the recipient of the Council’s 2019 Educator’s Award. Additionally, she has written for BOOM Jackson Magazine, Our Mississippi Magazine and Big City Rhythm & Blues Magazine.

Previously, she was married to Chick Willis, an internationally renowned blues singer with whom she had one daughter, Savannah. Dr. Willis is huge blues music fan and will travel anywhere to hear blues music at festivals, honky tonks and hole-in-the-wall jook joints. She and her twin sister are the owners of Twice As Nice Entertainment, LLC and are the managing agents for Keith Johnson “Prince of the Delta Blues” who is the great nephew of Muddy Waters.

Presently, she lives in Richland, Mississippi and is the proud grandmother of 5-year old, Charlotte Lucille Gray and 18-month old Liam Moberg.

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