Ordination event planned for Friends House Chapel pastor

A Farrell clergywoman will be the keynote speaker.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — The Inter-denominational Clergywomen’s Alliance Inc. of Youngstown will have a prelate bishop ordination ceremony for the Rev. Lillie B. North, pastor of Friends House Chapel, at 6 p.m. Saturday at New Bethel Baptist Church fellowship hall, 1507 Hillman St.

The title of and position of prelate bishop is being conferred on the Rev. Mrs. North. She is a founder of the alliance along with 11 other charter members.

The alliance, founded in 1980, includes women in the ministry from Youngstown, Akron, Cleveland, Dayton and Cincinnati, and an affiliate in Farrell, Pa., was chartered in March.

The theme is “Having Done All to Stand ... Stand” taken from Ephesians 6:13 and also will recognize the Rev. Lonnie Simon, pastor emeritus of New Bethel, and community leaders and clergy.

Bishop Martha J. Sanders will be guest speaker. She is pastor of Hour of Power Full Gospel Tabernacle Inc. in Farrell, and is president of Shenango Valley Interdenominational Clergywomen’s Alliance Inc. She also is the founding executive director of the Mayor’s Human Relations Commission in Farrell.

Mrs. North is founder and executive director of North Star Patchwork Training Center.

She attended Youngstown State University and worked as a scrub nurse at St. Elizabeth Medical Center (now St. Elizabeth Health Center), was a visiting nurse and a school nurse with Youngstown city schools.

Mrs. North accepted her call to the ministry and was licensed in 1977. She graduated in 1980 from the American Baptist Theological Seminary, Youngstown Extension Unit. She was ordained in 1981 by the Rev. Mr. Simon.

Mrs. North founded Friends House Chapel in 1983. She also serves with Youngstown Police Chaplaincy Corps.