This project comes from observing my mother take on the role of a widow after the death of my father. The term "widowhood takes on more than just being a word that describes the state of a women who's spouse is deceased. As a pastor, called to shepherd God's people; carries the responsibility of ensuring that all of God's people are active participants in the church and not view the state of widowhood as just being. The project attempts to assist the widowed women of the church to discover their God given gifts and talents for active ministry in the hope of them using their gifts and talents in the church. The project will examine the reasons why the widows are not involved in an ongoing ministry. The project will focus on the status and functions of the Christian widowed women of Maple Hill African Methodist Episcopal Church and their views of widowhood as they will be encouraged to become involved in an ongoing active ministry of the church. The project will take place for sixteen (16) weeks in five phases, (1st) a survey will be given to the congregation to help identify the ministries of the church. (2nd) phase, a survey to help identify the widows of the church; these widows will be ask to participate in the Doctoral Project.

The (3rd) phase will consist of the widows participating in a number of learning components. The (4th) phase will be the study from the book "Serving form the Heart; finding Your Gifts and Talents for Service:" In the (5th) and final phase the women will be challenged to identify their ministry based on their gifts and talents profile; and make the decision as to how to use their gifts in the church and the local community; and the final question, "Where shall I Go From Here?"