Burruss, Holloway and Wren Cover. Fur Fashion Shoot With 3 Prominent Midwest Ministers. Furs courtesy of The Fur Centre, 601 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63131 • (314) 997-3877 • Monday – Saturday: 9am – 5pm.

Rachel: Thank you Pastor Burruss for doing The Fur Centre shoot with us.   Pastor Burruss: You are welcome. Thank you.   Rachel:  Would you tell us about your congregation?   Pastor Burruss: I am the Pastor of Transformation Christian Church and World Outreach Center in St. Louis, MO. The church was started by my husband (Dr. Richard Burrus), and I. He passed away five years ago, and I became Senior Pastor.   Rachel: I am sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. That must have been a difficult time for you.   Pastor Burruss: It was.   Rachel: What is your congregation size?   Pastor Burruss: 900.   Rachel: That’s a nice size congregation. What is the church attire?   Pastor Burruss: I would say modest attire.   Rachel: So, you do not have a lot of members who dress up?   Pastor Burruss: No, the church isn’t a “dress up” type of attire. I do, however, believe that if you are going to worship you should come in your best.   Rachel: Do you feel that you are a fashionable Pastor?   Pastor Burruss: (laughing)  I preach in a robe to make sure I am not a distraction, or that what I am wearing doesn’t distract those who need to hear the word.   Rachel: Wow! I remember when robes were the norm on Sunday mornings, or special service occasions.   Pastor Burruss: Yes, I try to preach in one every Sunday.   Rachel: What is unique about Transformation Christian Church?   Pastor Burruss: Our ministry is based upon the word of God.  When you come to Transformation  we look to provide a “word” that will transform everything; changing all areas of your life.

I did I know that her life at one time had been a real MESS. Not until I later heard about her book, You Can’t Shout It Out!

Only a woman who has found the answers would be willing to tell all so God can help the rest of us. For all you ladies who thought your marriage was over and God didn’t hear you…Meet Sheila. And for those who thought you already knew her…take another look.

Hear what she talked to me about at the St. Louis Bread Company over coffee:

Sheila: I tell my own story in the book. I was really struggling as I went through a time of serious depression. It was a time when I just wanted to drive Wayne back to his parents house, put him out at the front door, and give him back to his mother and father. Actually, I really wanted to KICK him out of the car in front of their house!

I wasn’t only struggling with my relationship with him, but I was struggling with my relationships with other people, as well. I remember, I was always faced with the decision of whether or not to do right, in spite of what other people were doing. That’s a hard decision. I had to daily make that decision, because you want to get what’s just and right. You want to get what’s due to you.  It only fair.

Paulette: That part of your book was really touching. I think everyone can relate to it. Many of us say we hear God’s voice telling us to forgive, and we can do it at that time, on that day…but tomorrow comes and we have to start all over dealing with it again.

Sheila: Don’t even talk about tomorrow. What about tonight…the midnight hour? I found myself going down to the alter many days for someone to lay hands on me, to help me to forgive.

Paulette: Why did you give your book such an odd title…Can’t Shout It Out,You Have To Walk It Out?

Sheila: When I talk about the type of background I come from, many people seem to identify with it.

Paulette: It’s as though you are telling their story.

Sheila: Yes. It’s a shouting type background. We just got into the contemporary non-denominational churches in the last few years. Most of us came from the “churchy” background, and it is what I am describing in my book. My love for God came from that background. I have nothing negative to say about it. It is a sure foundation for me.

I had an attitude about ministers, through the years, preaching on
forgiveness, because I wanted to forgive. I understood that I should. I knew it was right. I worked hard at it. I really did, but I felt like it was an unfair message. It wasn’t balanced.

I was constantly being beat up on for not being able to forgive, while the offender was constantly being able to get away with it. The “Forgiveness” sermons were never geared toward the people who were not doing what they were suppose to do. Especially men. There has been very little teaching on how men are to treat women.

It has been very difficult for women in the church, because many of the messages have been biased. I have spent a lot of time sitting in church services praying, “God would this preacher please say something about what I am going through.” They never did, therefore, I spent years feeling guilty and wrong that “I can’t get past this”…not getting over it.  I couldn’t get past the hurt, because it had not been addressed.

When the hurt is addressed properly, you can move on.

Paulette:You write about the two kinds of women. The one who can move on and the one who cannot.

Sheila: There is especially a problem when the offender, the person who has done something wrong to you, doesn’t acknowledge what they have done to you. They just want you to go on and pretend that it didn’t happen. Then, they  have the nerve to treat you like, “What’s wrong with you? Why can’t you just let it go? Why do you keep bringing it up?”

Something inside of me kept telling me, “This isn’t right.” I keep seeing people in the church who keep repeating the same thing…the same offense…don’t deal with it and just keep going on. They never apologize. I can’t understand why Christians cannot apologize. There is something wrong with that.

There is something inside me that keeps crying out, “God is not okay with this.” It is not right. This prompting helped me, because it enabled me to search it out, and seek God in such a way that it came out in my writing. I did not write while I was going through the hurt. I wrote after I got the answers. After I got the victory!

It took years.  I learned that with all of the shouting I did, it wasn’t enough to fix my marriage. I learned to take one step at a time. I had to walk it out!

My heart…God’s heart, really goes out to women in the body who are
suffering silently. This book is for them. It will make it right!

Pick up a copy of Sheila Clarke’s book, Can’t Shout It Out,You Have To Walk It Out at these bookstores.

The Word Christian Bookstore
1265 N. 89th St.
E. Louis, IL

Brinell’s Christian Headquarters
Jamestown Mall
St. Louis, MO

Family Christian Bookstore
10807 W. Florissant
St. Louis, Mo

Online: www.cantshoutitout.com

or

Call: 314-359-5333

Meet the fabulously stylish First Lady of New Life Community Church, Wyvetta Granger. She and her husband, Pastor Kendall Granger, are part of “The New Breed” of ministers. Her style is classic and chic. Her testimony will make you laugh,cry, and remind you that God truly loves His girls!

Paulette: Were you ever interested in becoming a fashion designer or model?

Wyvetta Granger: As a teenager, I considered it until I realized I was going to be too short.

Paulette: Talk about your views on fashion.

Wyvetta Granger: For me, fashion is not only how you look on the outside. It is a state of mind. I do not have a favorite store, and I am not into designer labels. What I mean is, I don’t just have to wear designer clothes. I think you should just look nice in what you have. That’s what “fashion” is. You could feel just as beautiful, whether you are wearing something expensive or something from a discount store. You can create your own beauty statement.

Paulette: What is difference between beauty and vanity?

Wyvetta Granger: God created us to be beautiful. Beauty is when you just work with what you have…what God gave you. Vanity is when you try to be more than you are. It is when you over exaggerate what you have to try to look like, or be someone else.

Paulette: You seem to have a classic tailored style, but quite feminine.
Where do you usually shop?

Wyetta Granger: If I have to choose one, it would be Ann Taylor. I shop there often, because I don’t need to have the clothes altered. I am petite, so I enjoy the fact that their clothes are already cut to look good on me. I also enjoy shopping at Banana Republic.

Paulette: If you could have your way, what would be the biggest change you would like to see designers or retailers make?

Wyvetta Granger: I would ask them…

To read our complete interview with First Lady Wyvetta Granger, order the Summer Issue of COVERINGS today.

By Phone: 314-359-5333

By Mail:
P.O. Box
1502, Florissant, MO 63031

PayPal

From tailor cut casual wear to draped dresses and gowns, every piece does its part to pay homage to the feminine physique. Inspired by the grooviness of the 70s, Elie Saab Spring/Summer 2011 collection is all about wide leg satin jumpsuits, menswear cuts, and lots of sequins for a fabulously posh finish. The looks are finished off with chunky, statement jewelry, sky-high platforms, and high shine locks.

His take on evening wear is a mix of hiked up hemlines and flowing gowns to show off killer gams. Asymmetrical ruching shows off curves or graciously gives the illusion of curves where there actually are none. Paired with futuristic hardware and sleek hair, it’s a look that any woman can pull off. And isn’t that what great fashion is all about?

It’s almost too much to take, and we mean that in a good way. The 70s was awesome the first time around, but Elie Saab’s interpretation on the era makes us want to strike a pose under a disco ball. For more Elie Saab visit ElieSaab.com.

PAULETTE: The Church can’t always trust the dictates of the world. Therefore, here is the question. What is your sincere, “from the heart” definition of “Fashion?”

PASTOR KIM: I believe fashion is definitely what’s in style. I love to look at the magazines! I like to look at all of the new styles. I like to go through and pick out things that work for me, and what goes well with my personality. I also look for what lines up with my biblical views. Just because someone else says it’s “in,” doesn’t necessarily mean that it is
“in” for me.

I want to make God look good in everything I do. Also, I do not want to be a stumbling block to someone else. I have to be in front of thousands of individuals. I don’t want to draw attention to myself. I am to draw attention to Christ. I want to be cool, of course. I want my teenage friends to say, “Hey, that’s our Pastor’s wife. She is cool.” But, I want to be a good representative. When may kids were small, I learned that whatever mom does, the kids are going to do to the extreme. Well, we have 250 to 350 teens here. What I do to the minute, those kids are going to do to the extreme.

I have to live a life so that when I’m up front people are not thinking about, “Oh, look at what she has on, but they are thinking about Him. It is all about Jesus!”

PAULETTE: It is all about Him,  isn’t it?

PASTOR KIM: Yes, and you know it’s so easy. Just about everyday when I get up, before our service I say, “ Okay God, what should I wear today?”

PAULETTE: Do you really?

PASTOR KIM: I do. I pray about it.

PAULETTE: That’s amazing!

PASTOR KIM: I’m not necessarily a fashion guru. I’m a farm girl from Iowa! My graduating class was only 200 kids. The town had 10,000 people! So, you see, I wasn’t born into fashion. I grew up in an agricultural environment. I had to pray for God to teach me. He guides me and directs me.

PAULETTE: If you ask, He will tell you?

PASTOR KIM: Yes.

PAULETTE: The average one of us would not even think that  God  cared about it. I think He gets a lot of pleasure out of that. It makes Him real in everything that we touch, and everything that we do all day long.

PASTOR KIM: It does.

PAULETTE: Is that how you discover what styles work for you?

PASTOR KIM: I will go through a system. I put something on…pray about it,  and God gives me ideas. Some I would never even begin to dream about. And then I go, “Wow, God. That looks good! Thank you.”

When you are so in love with Jesus, you just want to make Him look good. You’re dressing to be a fisher of men. I’m dressing to cause young people to come to Christ. I am dressing to cause ladies to want to know Jesus. I want them to know it’s exciting. It’s life changing. It’s a fun life.

PAULETTE: Pastor Kim, you are talking about fashion and beauty from the inside out.

PASTOR KIM: The greater that you know Christ, the greater that beauty comes through. You’ve seen that person who comes in and excepts Christ as their personal savior. Three months later you don’t even recognize them. They are softer. The lines are gone.

PAULETTE: Do women have an innate need to feel beautiful?

PASTOR KIM: For sure. God put that in us. God gave man an ego. That ego is to protect his family, provide for his family, and to be the head of that family. He made woman to be attractive to man. God wants us to be beautiful. He put us together. He made woman for a man. We’re supposed to attract that man into our life. Then, we get married and become one. We should continue to be attractive to him.

PAULETTE: But we don’t always do that after marriage.

PASTOR KIM:  That’s right. We let it go.

PAULETTE: Do we get lazy?

PASTOR KIM: I believe we get too busy. Cell phones, ipads, computers…you name it, we’ve got it. We are supposed to have more time, but we’re just getting busier. We get so busy about the things of this life, that we forget our prayer time, our bible time and our husband time. If we’ll just do the Word; Be that help mate; Keep our priorities right.  My first call
is to my husband. That calling includes staying nice for him. Being attractive to him. Making him look good. Your husband doesn’t want to go someplace and he’s got a “hag” with him. He’s going to leave you at home. Those girls at work are smelling good. They are wearing their make-up. What is he going to do? Is he going to come  home to “hag” or is he going to start looking at the girl who has no morals, and is throwing the bait out there? We have to be smarter, especially in this day and age. If you want to keep your man…

To read our complete interview with Pastor Kim Blunt, order the Summer Issue of COVERINGS today.

By Phone: 314-359-5333

By Mail:
P.O. Box
1502, Florissant, MO 63031

PayPal

Ciera: I was actually excited  to go into a store full of beautiful clothes and accessories, and be able to pick out something for the shoot. It wasn’t really hard. I simply chose pieces that were very nice and
appropriate for church, as well as business.

Coverings: I understand that your father is a Pastor. What is the name of his church?

Ciera: Greater Liberty, Church Of God In Christ in St. Louis, Missouri.

Coverings: Then you are COGIC (acronym for Church of God In Christ)?

Ciera: Yes. I am definitely COGIC.

Coverings: You are a very fashion forward person. I am not sure if you know the history of your denomination, but you break the “dressing” molds. Do you feel that you are pioneering the dress-code for the younger women coming up in your denomination?

Ciera: Yes, I suppose I am. Mostly, I am just adding my own twist to things. I do not believe in actual tradition when it comes to clothing and things like that. I believe you should basically wear what you feel comfortable in.  I really believe that fashion is a statement. Whether you put your own twist to a trend,or not, is up to you. I also believe, as a saved young lady, that modesty matters; that your light should shine. You should dress appropriately. You should dress like a child of God.

Coverings: St. Louis is a little behind in fashion, being in a mid-west state, but you’re not. You are not a conservative dresser. You have panache; a confident style. You have fashion in your “core.” You’re
fearless and it shows. I am told you are a quiet person, but your style speaks volumes. How do you feel, in the mid-west “show-me State, standing out from the crowd?

Ciera: I like being unique. I do not want to look like other people. I feel like I am going to be set apart and there is nothing wrong with that. I think being just like the next person is boring, because everybody is different. So, I guess that’s what makes me, me.

Coverings: From whom did you inherit your extraordinary fashion sense, your mom or your dad?

Ciera: My mom! My dad is not really into fashion. He is into work and ministry. He could care less about fashion.

Coverings: You just started teaching. Did you ever want to go into the fashion industry full-time?

Ciera: Yes, but then I put it on the back burner. I wasn‘t tall enough to do the type of modeling I wanted to do. I went on a lot of interviews and they all accepted me, but I never took it further than that. I decided to put school first and become a teacher. Whenever someone asks me to do a fashion show or something, I do it because it can still be a hobby. It still interests me.

Coverings: There are  many other professions in the industry. Did you ever consider becoming a buyer?

Ciera:: (Laughing) I would probably buy up all the clothes and wear them!

Coverings:- Is there anything you would like people to know about  your commitment to Christ?

Ciera: I would like people to know that being saved is a wonderful thing. I wouldn’t trade this walk with Christ for anything in the world. God is just so wonderful! He gave me life, so He deserves my life.

Coverings: It is wonderful to hear such a young, beautiful person make such a bold statement. How old are you, may I ask?

Ciera: I am twenty-five years old.

Coverings: You’re getting married soon, to one of the most handsome young
men in the city.

Ciera: Yes! My wedding is July 23, 2011.

Coverings: Thank you for being a Coverings covergirl.

Ciera: I really enjoyed modeling for Coverings magazine. It was an honor
and a privilege to be asked. I thank you for the opportunity.

The Messy Side Braid (or Fishtail)

Why do we love this look? Because it’s a slightly messy braid that falls to the side. That means your just 5 minutes away from a chic, red-carpet look. It’s perfect for a day at the beach or a night out with your beau. And because the “messiness” is what makes it charming, there are no superior braiding skills required. Simply, give yourself a deep side-part (lining your part with the natural arch in your eyebrow is a good way to go). Sweep your hair to one side and start braidin’. Be sure not to pull your hair to tight. You want it loose and a little voluminous. Secure the end with a rubberband and you’re good to go.

The Front Braid with Beach Waves

If the messy side braid only takes 5 minutes, then this look with a partial front braid only takes about 2 1/2. It’s a quick hairdo that works at the beach or a summer church picnic. Give yourself a deep side-part and section off the front of your  hair. Do a partial braid across the front hairline, and secure the braid with a bobby-pin. To get perfect beach waves, loosely twist your tresses around a 1″ barrel curling iron or throw your hair into some hot rollers for a few minutes. It’s all about looking natural. Then, just finger comb the waves so they separate and look seaside fresh.

The Milkmaid Braid

This Swiss Miss look has us going cray cray and our Editor-in-Chief is itching to rock the look herself. While the milkmaid braid takes a little more time to create, it’s a little bit old-school Swede and a little bit 70s beatnik with a modern update. Start with a modestly off-center part. Braid your hair loosely. Pull each braid across the crown and secure on the opposite side. Pull out some face framing fringe and your ready for a day at the beach or a night of clog dancing.

Check out more summer hairdos.

It’s that time of year again…time to join us for our total woman workshop. It’s a day for the total woman; spirit, soul and body. Speakers include:

Paulette Whitfield Black,   Editor-in-Chief of COVERINGS magazine

Minister Wilma Walker,  Presiding Pastor of The Clinic in St. Louis, MO

Gwendolyn Robinson, R.N. Practitioner and Founder of Alpha Health and Wellness

Danielle Frasier, Director of Women’s Ministry at The Clinic in St. Louis, MO

You are in for a power packed day as you listen to these women share their tips and advice on how to live a stylish, healthy and God-fearing life. You’ll be treated to a high tea fashion show provided by Macy’s and a skincare class hosted by Lancôme.

Register at www.theclinicfamily.com or 314.388.4100
The Clinic Worship & Deliverance Center
10192 News Hall Ferry Rd.
Flourissant, MO 63136

As you turn the pages of COVERINGS, you will find that our goal is to assist you in creating your own, individual style. We want you to be comfortable in your own skin, and not desire to be in someone else’s. Admiring someone is one thing, but disliking ourselves because we do not look like them is another. After all, “It is He (God) who has made us, and not we ourselves.” He likes individual style. Why do you think no two women look exactly the same? It stands to reason that if we are styled uniquely on the outside, then our innate sense of style is just as unique. I guarantee, you have panache and COVERINGS is on a mission to help you find it.

I have always loved to wear pants; jeans and jackets with basic pumps and hoop earrings. And I won’t be caught without wild hair and lipstick! It’s my signature look. This goes beyond fashion. It is my basic style. Every woman has one. It’s easy to get in touch with yours. It is time for us to give our sisters space to become a butterfly. Create your signature style. We won’t let you down.

This designer label works for our lifestyle. Escada is well known for it’s classy international image. It does color exquisitely and is devoted to detail. Escada has a great sense of what many women of faith desire – femininity and elegance that doesn’t shy away from bright contrasts and striking silhouettes. Escada is the master of bold color and pattern combinations. These combinations can come off completely amatuerish if you do not know the rules of design elements. COVERINGS trusts Escada to show us how it is done.

This spring, the look is “Cool Glamour.” The trendy neutral tones are the perfect base for a shock of color.
This can be done with a brilliant tank, fabulous piece of jewelry or bag. Personally, we like the very clean crisp all over neutral look. There is an innocent freshness about it. This collection is understated chic. It has a more casual edge for women who are dramatic with a more youthful spirit. If you love easy,uncomplicated style then this collection is for you.

Many of the items can be mixed and matched. We like that, because you would definitely choose the white or neutral shirt to go over the one shoulder look for a Sunday service. The duster or jacket would work well, also. Escada shoes, bags and accessories can be interchanged as well. This season, add some of these pieces to spring clean you wardrobe.

Where to buy: www.esdada.com, Saks Fifth Avenue, or find the location nearest you.