Virtual Book Club
​
Settling down with a great book allows you an escape—and the space to contemplate ideas that might have never crossed your mind had you not chosen the book in the first place. And sometimes you just want to discuss what you've read with another who loves to read just like you. Sharing a book helps us to bring ideas off the page and into the world. That's why we have created OUR BOOK CLUB. This will be a great space to connect in community, make some new friends, and open your world to greater possibilities. We look forward to seeing you there.
Pioneer Black Clergywomen
By Josephine Whitely- Fields
2023 Leadership Development Selection
​
Sunday, September 10
4:00-5:15pm ET
​
Facilitator: Author, Josephine Whitely-Fields
About the Author
Rev. Dr. Josephine Whitely-Fields is the first Black Clergywoman ordained in the West Ohio Conference United Methodist Church She retired in 2015 after 40 years in ministry. She pastored churches in Ohio, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. She was the first Black clergywoman to serve as Church Consultant, and the first Black Clergywoman to serve as the director of Missions and Outreach in the W.PA United Methodist Annual Conference. She was also founder and CEO of four 501 (c ) (3) non-profit corporations in the Western Pennsylvania Conference. Dr. Whitely-Fields has served as faculty for the Academy of Spiritual Formation sponsored by the Upper Room Ministries.
​
Dr. Whitely-Fields also served as the first Black United Methodist Clergywoman to serve as associate dean of Doctoral Studies, and adjunct faculty of Spiritual Formation at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. After retirement, Pastor Jo is giving loving service at Braden and Wesley United Methodist Churches in Toledo, OH.
​
Pastor Whitely-Fields earned a PhD in spiritual formation at Duquesne University, an M. Div. at the Methodist Theological School in Ohio, an MA in religion at the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, an MA in spiritual formation at Duquesne University, and an equivalent Doctor of Dental Medicine at the University of Pittsburgh.
​
Dr. Whitely-Fields is the author of a recently published a book entitled: “Pioneer Black Clergywomen: Stories of Black Clergywomen of the United Methodist Church 1974-2016.”
Pastor Whitely-Fields is the widow of Rev. Frederick Lee Fields with 2 sons, Daryle and DeWayne, 2 daughters, Jassie and Valerie, 10 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild.
​
Her greatest joy is being a born again Christian.
Would you like to host one of Our Book Clubs?
If you or your group have a book from the Reading Program that you have enjoyed, we would love to have you host one of our future Book Clubs. To learn more, email contact@westohioumw.org.