NY-Washington Ministers' Spouses' Cradle

Care Ministry

What mother has reconsidered attending Annual Conference because of childcare issues?

The Minister Spouses Department of the mighty 7th district of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church has taken a universal problem and endorsed

an innovative solution by offering Nursery Care services for children from birth to 5 years.

Four years ago, two minsters' spouses, Mrs. Lavett Ballard, director of the Cradle Care, and Mrs. Michelle Bonner, co-director, decided, after another exhausting year with babies and toddlers in hotel rooms, to explore other avenues to assist themselves and other parents with small children. Mrs. Ballard and Mrs. Bonner started a petition that was signed by parents interested in Cradle Care Services. They wrote a proposal and presented it to the Minsters' Spouses. First Lady Ocie Hoyt and the spouses agreed to offer the Cradle Care service. They made plans during the Winter Accounting meeting and Spring Convocation for the first Annual Conference Ministers Spouses Cradle Care in 2007.

The spouses have developed a safe, creative, nurturing and fun environment. By including an area for nursing mothers, a rest area with cots and cribs, a diaper changing area, crafts, snack area and many toys, the Cradle Care has been a haven for parents of young children. Pastors Anthony L. Ballard Sr. and Matthew W. Bonner, the Minister Spouses, and Young Adults have been helpful in staffing the Cradle with trustworthy workers to monitor the children.

In 2009, the Cradle Care was a glowing success at the Annual Conference. Rev. Aaron Donnelly pastor of St. Paul CME Church and Presiding Elder John L. Ghee (Philadelphia District) hosted the New York-Washington Region Annual Conference under the auspices of the Right Reverend Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. in Wilmington, DE, from Sunday July 9 through Friday July 24. The Ministers' Spouses unanimously agreed to finance the Cradle Care room, thus eliminating the need to require a registration fee from the parents.

Overjoyed, Mrs. Lavett Ballard stated, "Thank you, to you all, for this gift to our ministry.

"This gift will allow more parents in these hard times the opportunity to come to conference and not have to be concerned with childcare while they attend the services and meetings expected of them."

Mrs. Michelle Bonner was encouraged by saying, "I hope one day that each Episcopal district will look to our example, and set this ministry up as part of the services offered through the Minister's Spouses."