Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
James 1:27
Patsy and Troy Clark were married for 61 years and faithful members of Council Road for over 20 years. Patsy, and their three children cared for Troy the last four years of his life. Now as Patsy enters a new phase of life, she has shifted her focus of service and started an official Council Road Widow’s Group. Natalie interviewed Patsy to get all the details of this new group!
What made you start an official group?
After being married 61 years to Troy, transitioning to a widow was a lonely existence. Time passed slowly for two years. Born out of my own need for community, I began reaching out to fellow recent widows.
What is the cadence of the group?
We meet Tuesday mornings at the church. To begin we open with a question, to allow each of us time to share at the table. Road trips have taken place, future trips are being planned and time together is always evolving using many of the women’s giftings in the group.
How can our church better care for our widows?
Please connect widows quickly after they have lost loved ones. The transition is more easily borne with people who are on the same path of grief. We laugh, cry and offer friendship in a time of need “so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)
What encouragement would you give to someone who doesn't know where to start?
First, acknowledge your own needs. Then, open your eyes to the needs around you. God uniquely qualifies and equips us to minister to others in similar circumstances. And finally, we are blessed by our giving. Jesus himself says it is better to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).
Council Road is blessed by many faithful women who operate in different spaces. May we actively look to celebrate women who are gifted differently than we are, because we need one another. Who is a woman you see being faithful? Affirm her! Thank God for her as in Matthew 5:14-16, “that they may see her good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
Ask a friend, “How am I gifted?” Reflect deeply, “Like Patsy, what are my current needs? What are the needs of my church?”
Further Resources
If you are grieving, or know someone grieving, here are further reading resources: What Grieving People Wish You Knew about What Really Helps by Nancy Guthrie, Trusting God: Even When Life Hurts by Jerry Bridges, Suffering Is Never For Nothing by Elizabeth Elliot
Meet the author!
Natalie Ford is a wife and mom with a passion for making Christ known. She is an avid reader, enjoys the outdoors and loves to be with her people at CRBC.