Purple OrchidVOLUME 11 | ISSUE 3—FALL 2015The official publication of Delta Psi Epsilon

Christian Sorority, Inc.

The

Readers’ Guide

Purple OrchidThe

NATIONAL OFFICERS

Founder Vila-Sheree WATSON

National President

Soror Toni MOORE

National Secretary

Soror Aisha GULLETTE

National Internal Vice President

Soror Cherese GREGORYGreat Lakes

Regional Director

Soror Angela WILLIAMS

National External Vice President

Soror ShaQuitaTHOMAS

Southwestern Regional Director

READER’S GUIDEThe Purple Orchid is the official publication of Del-ta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc. Its mission is to reflect the CU experience, to bring the purpose and shared values of Delta Psi Epsilon to life; to in-still and sustain pride in the sorority; to educate and minister to the undergraduate members, alumnae and others interested in the sorority; to maintaina historical record of the activities of the sorority, its chapters and colonies, and its members; and to pres-ent current issues affecting women, the sorority, the church, and the Greek system.

RECEIVE THE PURPLE ORCHIDThe Purple Orchid is downloadable from the so-rority’s Yahoo list serve and via the sorority’s offi-cial Web site at deltapsiepsilon.com. If you are not a subscriber to the sorority list serve or would like to receive The Purple Orchid in your personal e-mailbox, please write to postmaster@deltapsiepsilon.com.

SEND A LETTER TO THE EDITORWe always welcome your comments (both positive and negative) about this publication. Send letters to the editor via e-mail. Please include your name, chapter or colony and year of initiation. The Purple Orchid reserves the right to publish any letter ad-dressed to the editor. Letters may be edited for space and clarity.

GET PUBLISHEDAll members are encouraged to submit news and stories to The Purple Orchid. Tell us about your ac-complishments, events, and experiences and please include photographs. Photographs should not be embedded in Word documents and should be sent as separate attachments. Photos should be at least 300 dpi to be published.

When contributing to any section of

The Purple Orchid, please submit the following:

Name | Chapter Initiated

Season Initiated | Current Chapter

Current Role/Office | Current photo

Founder Nicole GARDNER

National Treasurer

Soror Terri MAYNIE

National MinistriesDirector

Soror Skyla WRIGHT

National Director for Recruitment &

Expansion

Soror PhiXavier HOLMES

Eastern RegionalDirector

President’s Perspective

SECOND WIND | by Founder Vila-Sheree Watson, National President“But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

CHAPTERSAlpha (designated for the founders)

Alpha Omega (Chicago, IL)

Beta Omega (Washington, DC)

Delta Omega (Philadelphia, PA)

Epsilon Omega (Dallas, TX)

Zeta Omega (Atlanta, GA)

Iota Omega (Miami, FL)

Kappa Omega (Wilmington, NC)

COLONIESBaltimore City-wide (MD)Delaware Graduate ColonyHouston City-wide (TX)Raleigh-Durham Graduate Colony (NC)Shreveport City-wide (LA)

A second wind is a runner’s ability to breath freely during exercise, after having

been out of breath; or, the return of relative ease of breathing after the initial exhaustion has occurred in a run.

Donald Lawrence pinned the lyric, “You will be as strong now as you were then. Your gift will be as relevant now as it was back then. I blew breath in you before and I can do it again. I am God and I give you a second wind.”

As I listened to this lyric, I could not help but think about what God was doing through me as it pertains to being back in the presidential seat. Truly, I believe I have felt a second wind. Runners describe the feeling of a second wind as one of increased confidence, improved per-formance and less-strenuous breathing, often just as they were starting to feel overwhelmed by fatigue. I thank God for that!

You can’t run a race looking sideways

1 Corinthians 9:24 says, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it!”

The race that we have been tasked with is our race. We cannot run another’s race or compare our racing technique. We must remain fo-cused on what God has put in front of us—our goals—the finished line! There is so much to do, and we have to remain with our gaze fixed on the prize.

The love we have for one another, combined with our love for God creates within us the desire to give back to that which has given us so much. It is that desire to serve that sets Delta Psi Epsilon apart from others. We are not driven to serve in order to fulfill some sort of duty or to prove ourselves, but because

we genuinely love God and our service is an outflow of that love. That’s why we can “spread the love of God throughout the world.”

This brings with it great responsibility—great-er than many of us know. We are responsible for spreading the Gospel wherever we can and for bringing this unique message to all corners of the world. We are responsible for building a foundation of support, companionship, and unity amongst Christian women. Moreover, we are responsible for being a passionate, positive force for change when needed, and a firm pillar of stability when appropriate.

You can’t run with weight

In Hebrews the Bible says to “lay aside every weight and those sins that so easily beset us and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

In a time when the world is full of so many distractions, Delta Psi Epsilon provides the opportunity for accountability. I thank God for sisters that hold me accountable to the faith and to my deliverance. It’s a blessing to be reminded that in order to attain that glory before us, we have to let go of some weight. As women of Deliverance, Power and Enlight-enment, we know that the first step is to be delivered.

Is there a weight that is holding you back? Is there something that you still need to be de-livered from? Talk to your sister, ask her to go to God with you and leave your burdens there. She will help you to remain accountable to the race. Together, we can.

In the words of the Negro spiritual, I believe I will run on and see what the end will be! Will you run with me? M

UCCFS Conference - San Antonio, TX

This summer, I was very inspired by the book Daring Greatly by Dr. Brene Brown. In this book, she asserts that we must take off our armor in order to connect with others. Don’t be fooled, this is not the armor that we know about from Ephesians—the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, feet shod with the preparation of peace. No, this is the armor that we have created through our life experiences.

Much of the armor has a good reason for being there. Things happen in this sinful world. Life is not perfect. But, the only way we can truly connect is by removing the armor. Everyone has a bit… either a little or a lot. Only God can help you rid yourself of this armor ultimately. And, many times that’s through the expression of joy, gratitude, worthiness and the knowledge that you are enough. In order to get there, you have to be vulnerable.

There are several myths about vulnerability.

Myth #1: Vulnerability is weaknessVulnerability is actually strength, because now you are exposed. Vulnerability is uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. Vulnerability is also the birthplace of love, belonging, joy, courage, empathy, and creativity. One of the things, we are most afraid of is that, vulnerability means invisibility.

Truth and courage are not always comfortable. But, they are never weakness. It was vulnerability for Moses to go to Pharaoh and say, “Let my people go.” It was vulnerability for Esther to go to the king and save the lives of her people.

Here’s the paradox...We love seeing raw truth and openness in other people, but we’re afraid to let them see it in us. We love to hear people be genuine and share

their stories, but then when it comes to our turn—we are silent.

Myth #2: “I don’t do vulnerability.”This is a popular one that many people say, “I don’t do vulnerability. That’s not me. I’m from the hood.” Or, “Never let them see you sweat.” Or, “I’m a lawyer—I

eat vulnerability for lunch.” We revere that “boss” attitude. But, soror, there is no “get out of vulnerability free” card. Life is vulnerable. It is necessary to our existence.

Experiencing vulnerability isn’t a choice—the only choice we have is how we’re going to respond when we are confronted with uncertainty and

emotional exposure. What is your chief? Everyone has one. What is the thing that when you are confronted with it, you armor up?

Myth #3: Vulnerability is letting it all hang out.Not everyone has earned and not every deserves your story. That does not mean that you cannot still live a life of vulnerability. You can still be open and honest. While reserving your most private places to those that are closest to you.

Vulnerability is based on mutuality and requires boundaries and trust. It’s not over sharing. It’s not purging, It’s not indiscriminate disclosure. Vulnerability is about sharing our feelings and experiences with people who have earned the right to hear them.

Many times the over sharing, the venting can be armor. We tell strangers our darkest secrets to try to create a false closeness. Think closely about your true intentions. Starting a relationship is the most vulnerable thing you can do. If you keep your heart closed off, you will not find love. It’s true in all relationships. Without vulnerability, there is no connection. Trust is built one marble at a time.

Armor Off: How to Connect Through VulnerabilityUCCFS UNITY CONFERENCE - SAN ANTONIO, TX| by Founder Vila-Sheree Watson, National President

Myth #4: We can go it alone.In reality, walking alone can feel miserable and depressing. But, we admire the strength it seems to convey. The vulnerability journey is not the kind of journey we can take alone. We need support. We need folks who will let us try on new ways of being without judging us. We need a hand to pull us up of the ground when we get kicked down.

Going it alone is a value we hold in high esteem in our culture, ironically even when it comes to cultivating connection. There are many songs that are big hits that we display that being independent, on our own and without help from anyone else.

The Bible says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fail, one will lift up her friend. But, woe to her who is alone when she falls and has not another to lift her up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a woman might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand her—a threefold cord is not easily broken.” —Ecclesiastes 4:9:12

WHAT DO WE HAVE TO GIVE UP TO CONNECT?

#1 Our singular approach

We have gotten to a place where we put ourselves first and everyone else last. This is even touted as virtuous to be a “me” first person. The Bible says, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” –Philippians 2:3

My grandmother used to sing this hymn, “Lord, help me live from day to dayIn such a self-forgetful wayThat even when I kneel to prayMy prayer shall be for—others.

Others, Lord, yes others,

Let this my motto be, Help me live for others, That I may live like Thee.”

A group of researches conducted an analysis of 30 years of hit songs. They found a decrease in the usage of lyrics using “we and us” and an increase in “I and me”. Have we turned into a culture of self-absorbed, grandiose people who are only interested in power, success, beauty and being special?

When you look at this through the vulnerability lens, we see the shame-based fear of being ordinary. It’s OK to be a regular person. That’s why we see an increase in the armor of self-importance.

Too often, we throw around the term narcissism. We are using this as a catchall for everything from arrogance to rude behavior—when it is a medical diagnosis. But, it makes us feel good to have an explanation, especially one hat makes us feel better about ourselves and place the blame on those people. Tsk, tsk, tsk—be careful of what you put on others!

So instead of helping others, people will try to “fix” this behavior by cutting people down to size and reminding them of their inadequacies and smallness. Shame is actually cause of this “narcissistic” behavior, and it’s not

the cure. This is more detrimental than helpful.

“But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty.

For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” –1 Timothy 3:1-5

#2 Scarcity: The Never Enough Problem

We have to release this feeling of scarcity. It shows up in so many forms.

For many of us, our first waking thought of the day is, “I didn’t get enough sleep.” The next one is, “I don’t have enough time.” —Lynne Twist, The Soul of MoneyThere’s never enough hours in the day, never enough time, never enough money and the list goes on. We tell our-selves there isn’t enough and therefore we could never do enough to be enough.

Another form of scarcity is the idea that there can only be one. What makes this constant assessing and com-paring to others so self-defeating is that we are often comparing our lives, our marriages, our families, our communities to unattainable, media-driven visions of perfection, or we’re holding up our reality against our own fictional account of how great we think someone else has it. Comparison is the thief of joy.

You are enough.

Living in the world of “enough” is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivat-ing the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, No matter what gets done and how much is left undone. I am enough.

There is room for every woman to win. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up.” —1 Thessalo-nians 5:11

#3 Shame

Dr. Brown, in her book, talks about shame resilience and the ability to bounce back after you feel shame. We all have places of shame. But, we have to learn to be resilient to that shame. Guilt says, “I’m sorry. I made a mistake.” Shame says, “I’m sorry. I am a mistake.”

Often women shame each other. This is a horrible pa-thology that must stop. A study was done asking people what are the attributes of being feminine. Now while many of these are feminine aspects, we shame people

or people feel shame when they don’t fit in these boxes. The attributes were—being nice, pursuing a thin body

ideal, showing modesty by not calling atten-tion to one’s talents or abilities, being domes-tic, caring for children, investing in a romantic relationship, using our resources to invest in our appearances. It’s very interesting the demands that society places upon us as women and then we, in turn, place on each other. Ev-ery woman has the right to be who she is and who God created her to be.

As a result of these pressures, the armor of perfection emerges. We feel shame in these areas and try to project a level of perfection. To be perfect, we’re not allowed to look as if we are working for it. Everything should be effortless. The expectation is to be natural beauties, natural mothers, natural leaders, and naturally good parents, and we want to belong to naturally fabulous families. Be a perfect Christian, and don’t let anyone see your sins. Just be yourself, but not if it means you’re shy or unsure. Don’t get too emotional, but don’t be too de-tached. These are all judgments and false expectations that are not fair.

The truth is, we judge people in the areas where we feel most vulnerable to shame. Be careful of your words. Be careful of your thoughts. Take off the armor and live an

authentic life. You’re imperfect, that’s OK. We can only attain the perfec-tion that Christ gives, not in ourselves alone.

You are worthy of love and belonging. Connection is why we’re here. We are hardwired to connect with others, it’s what give us purpose and meaning,

and without it there is suffering.

Far from being an effective shield, the illusion of in-vulnerability undermines the very response that would have supplied genuine protection. These armors, these shields only bring more pain and disconnection. We are not truly protected behind them. That’s an illusion. We have to find the strength that only the Holy Spirit can give to remove the armor and drop the shields. M

Photos courtesy of Paul Watson.

Meet Your New National Officers

Founder Watson has served as the National President of Delta Psi Epsilon since its founding in 1999. She holds degrees in both Communications and Marketing. She has been married to her husband, Paul for 14 years. They reside in Silver Spring, MD with their cat, Noelle. A national founder, she also founded Beta Omega chapter in Washington, D.C. and the Montgomery-Frederick Colony. She works currently as Director of Marketing at The Arc of the United States. She never “backs down” from what God tells her to do. She believes in obedience to Jesus Christ above all else and is determined to help members discover their ultimate purpose.

Founder Vila-Sheree Watson, National PresidentSoror Aisha Gullette has been a member of Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc. since 2007 and is a chartered member of the Delta Omega Chapter in Philadelphia, PA. She has previously served on the local level as Chapter President and the national level as Executive Assistant to the National President and Eastern Regional Director. Soror Gullette has a B.S. in Nursing from Temple University and a M.B.A., Health Care Management from the University of Phoenix. She is a member of Mighty Exploits Ministries, Inc. and serves as an usher, Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, and Deaconess.

Soror Aisha Gullette, National Internal Vice President

Soror Angela Williams has been a member of Delta Psi Epsilon since 2007. She is a charter member of Zeta Omega Chapter in Atlanta, GA. She has previously served as Executive Assistant to the National President and has served as National External Vice President since 2011. Soror Williams has a B.A. in Religious Studies from Spelman College and is currently pursuing her M.Div., Theological Studies from Liberty University. She is a licensed minister and serves in the area of creative multimedia at her local church. Soror Williams enjoys traveling, cooking, bowling, and great music.

Soror Angela Williams, National External Vice PresidentSoror Terri Maynie has been a member of the Alpha Omega Chapter since 2009, where she previously served as Vice President and Chaplain. She accepted her call to ministry in 1990 and was licensed as an Evangelist in 1995 under the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World (PAW). Soror Maynie has received ministerial credentials from Anenon Bible Institute (Indianapolis, IN) and Victory Association (Matteson, IL), and has been working in the evangelistic field for the last 25 years. Soror Maynie has been a high school English and Drama teacher for the last 16 years.

Soror Terri Maynie, National Ministries Director

Founder Nicole Parham Gardner graduated with a B.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Oakwood College. Upon graduating, she moved to Atlanta, GA and married her husband, Matthew, and together have 3 children. Founder Gardner is a member of West End SDA Church. Besides being a full time house wife and mother, Founder Gardner works daily and tirelessly on behalf of Delta Psi Epsilon. In her spare time, she enjoys photography, traveling and cooking. A national founder, she also founded Zeta Omega Chapter in Atlanta, GA. God is the center of her life and she gives him all the praises and glory for the outcomes in her life.

Founder Nicole Gardner, National TreasurerSoror Toni Moore has been a member of Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc. since 2008. She is a member of Providence Baptist Church in Orlean, VA and has worked as a Budget Analyst at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum since 2002. Soror Moore has several degrees, including an A.A. in Accounting from Strayer University, B.A. in Biblical Studies from Washington Bible College, and is currently pursuing her M.B.A. in Finance from Grand Canyon University. Soror Moore cherishes the simple things of life and continues to grow in Christ by learning how to fight the good fight of faith.

Soror Toni Moore, National Secretary

Soror Skyla R. Wright has been a member of Delta Psi Epsilon since 2012. She pledged as an undergraduate and now is a member of Alpha Omega Chapter in Chicago, IL. She is excited to be working in the role of National Director for Recruitment & Expansion and about what God is doing with this unstoppable army known as Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc.!

Soror Skyla Wright, National Director for Recruitment & ExpansionSoror PhiXavier Holmes is a native of Louisiana, but currently serves in the Washington, DC Metropolitian Area. She has been a member of Delta Psi Epsilon Chrisitan Sorority, Incorporated for the past 5 years. She has served in leadership on the local level, as well as committees on the regional and national levels. An educator and community builder at heart, PhiXaveir seeks to put the foundational principals, the mission, and the vision of Delta Psi Epsilon into action, in order to educate and equip members and interest of the Eastern Region on what it means to be a part of “the sorority that puts God first.”

Soror PhiXavier Holmes, Eastern Regional Director

Soror Cherese Gregory has been a member of Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc. since August 2010. She has previously served as an officer in the Alpha Omega Chapter and for the Great Lakes Region. She attends Trinity United Church of Christ (TUCC) in Chicago IL where she is active in the Women’s Chorus. She is also a member of Top Ladies of Distinction (TLOD) and National Council of Negro Women (NCNW).

Soror Cherese Gregory, Great Lakes Regional DirectorSoror ShaQuita Thomas is a charter member of Epsilon Omega Chapter in Dallas, TX. She has served as Chapter President, Social VP, and Chapter Vice President. Soror Thomas is most excited about her new role in being able to help expand Delta Psi Epsilon Christian Sorority, Inc. in the Southwest Region. She plans to help the sorors in her region grow and take their chapters or colonies higher. Soror Thomas loves to help people grow and serve. Although shopping is her favorite past time, being able to read a great book is always is relaxing for her.

Soror ShaQuita Thomas, Southwestern Regional Director

Chapter Spotlight

Epsilon Omega at thier Adopt-A-Spot location

Highlights from the Epsilon Omega service initiative

Epsilon Omega working together to keep their spot in

Irving, TX clean.

Epsilon Omega ChapterDallas, TX

Service Initiative: Adopt-A-Spot Irving

Submitted by Soror Chantal Campbell

For our community service, we volunteered in the city of Irving, TX picking up trash in a designated area. Our task is to clean this area monthly to be free of trash and kept beautiful for the citizens to enjoy. As a chapter we are continuing to look for new ways to give back.

Giving back is something that is required of us as Christian women. Acts 20:35 says “In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

When we give back to our communities we are doing a work for the Lord. Our Adopt-A-Spot initiative not only gives us an avenue for advertisement, but allows us to do a work for God that simply says we are here to help

in any capacity that we can. Yes, it was hot! But we had a great time bonding with each other and it felt good to be able to say that area belongs to us!

Being responsible to us means reaching out past yourself to see what you can do. It is more than just doing our job, because that is what we are expected to do. It is doing the unexpected to make our city and even our country a better place to live.

We want to challenge every chapter in Delta Psi Epsilon to give back to the community in some capacity whether that is picking up trash, serving the homeless, volunteering at races, or going to see the sick and elderly. Do Something. Every little bit counts and we may never know how many lives we have touched through our simple acts of service. M