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Rev. Dr. Alfreda Wiggins
The Rev. Dr. Alfreda Lynette Wiggins, one of the pioneering women pastors in the Baltimore-Washington Conference, died last week.
Wiggins is remembered by her peers as “a preacher’s preacher” and was a forerunner in the sharing of the Word with conviction, clarity and a commitment to transform lives. She was highly regarded across the denomination and beyond for her powerful pulpiteering.
Entering the ordained ministry in 1981, she was the first female pastor to serve the historic John Wesley Church, which was one of the largest African-American churches in Baltimore and served there for 16 years. Several members of the church entered ordained ministry under her leadership. She retired in 2011 and went on to serve St. Luke’s UMC in Baltimore.
The Rev. Dr. Alfreda Wiggins embodied servant leadership throughout her entire ministry,” said Bishop LaTrelle Easterling. “While she exemplified excellence in every aspect of pastoral leadership, her greatest legacy may be the number of men and women she encouraged to answer their call. These ministers serve among us in bold, transformational ways. Rev. Dr. Wiggins’ legacy is strong and will bear fruit for years to come. I offer my deepest condolences to her family and all those who mourn her passing.”
Rev. Wiggins claimed Philippians 3:13-14 as one of her life’s guiding Scriptures: “I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Details concerning her memorial service, which is expected to be held toward the end of the month, will be announced soon.
Rev. Sandra Marie Sullivan Greene
The Rev. Sandra Marie Sullivan Greene passed away on June 23 at the age of 79.
Beginning in 2004, Rev. Greene served several prominent churches in the BWC, including nine years at AP Shaw UMC in Washington, D.C., which, under her leadership, became a national congregation resource center for the Strengthening the Black Church for the 21st Century Initiative.
Rev. Greene was a servant leader, said Bishop LaTrelle Easterling. Greene once wrote that, “Spiritual leadership embraces wisdom and compassion. It includes a vision and a love-led, empowered, team-driven approach that allows congregations to thrive in an environment of continuous learning and growth.” Rev. Greene “embodied the strength, integrity and empathy that empowered her to be a bold and prophetic leader. Her legacy lives on in our understanding of leadership,” the bishop said. “I pray that God will offer comfort to her family and loved ones as we mourn her passing.”
A funeral service to honor and celebrate her life will be held on Friday, July 19, at Epworth UMC at 3317 St. Luke’s Lane in Baltimore. The wake will be held there from 11 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., and the funeral will start at 11:30 a.m. She will be laid to rest next to her late husband, the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Hayward Greene, Sr., at Druid Ridge Cemetery.
Viewing/Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 18, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Vaughn Greene Funeral Home, 8728 Liberty Road in Randallstown.
The family invites all who knew and loved Rev. Green to join them in commemorating her life and legacy and to wear shades of pink and purple to the service to honor her memory.
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