AME Connectional MSWAWO +PK's

Lady Shirley Ann Saunders

 

Sister Shirley Ann Saunders was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, where she attended Public School 14 and Lincoln High School.  Shirley Ann is a graduate of Taylor Business Institute, New York City. She was employed at Columbia Broadcasting Systems (CBS), New York City, and the College of Medicine and Dentistry at the Dental School, Newark, New Jersey.

Her journey began as First Lady two weeks after her marriage to Pastor Kenneth L. Saunders, Sr. On August 15, 1977, she accompanied her husband to the island of Bermuda where he assumed the pastorate of Bright's Temple, Warwick, Bermuda.  It was here that Sis. Shirley received an strong foundation of Christian life and learned much as it relates to being a Pastor's spouse. She also served as the youth choir director and the Young People’s Division (YPD) Director.  After two years there, the Saunders' were transferred to Bethel A.M.E. in Madison, New Jersey, where they served for ten years. The congregation grew from 12 members to over 250 over the years.

Sis. Shirley, as she is affectionately called, has served in many capacities throughout these thirty seven years of service on a Conference and District level; she served for eight years as President of the New Jersey Conference Spouses and Registrar for the New Jersey Conference WMS.  For four years she served on the Ladies Auxiliary for the New Brunswick Theological Seminary.  She served as President of the First Episcopal District Minister’s Spouses, Widows and Widowers Organization Plus PK’s (M-SWAWO) for eight years and was recently elected as the Connectional Corresponding Secretary.

At North Stelton Church, Sis. Shirley is Advisor for the Women’s Ministry and the Anna Howard Missionary Society. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the Nubian Sisters for Christ Ministry.  This organization focuses on the Christian and Social development of female teenagers.  She is a member of the Board of Directors for The North Stelton Economic Development Corporation and the Vice President of KLS Positive Image Inc.  She is proud to say that she is the founder of the the girls’ liturgical dance group. They are named Shirley A. Saunders Praise Angels Liturgical Dance Ministry in Honor of their First Lady.

Sis. Saunders is the Office Administrator, where she works diligently alongside of the staff and Dr. Saunders.  Shirl enjoys games, music, traveling, good conversation and just having fun with her family and friends. She has a sense of humor unlike any other and can find the positive side of every situation.  Pastor and Sis. Shirley are the proud parents of Kenneth L. Saunders, Jr.

Her motto is “Be Encouraged” and that’s the message she tries to share with everyone.

LIfe's Principle-Treat others the way you want to be treated.