Dorcas Stumbles

  General Notes:

Dorcas was named after her aunt and great-aunt; in the New Testament, Dorcas was a woman brought back to life by St Peters' prayer. (a translation of the Aramaic T "gazelle." The name occurs also in Greek literature.] A Christian
woman of Joppa who was a great friend and helper of the poor. The apostle Peter raised her from the dead, an event that greatly accelerated the spread of the Christian message (Acts 9:36–42)



"Dorcas lived in Joppa, a seaport town. (See picture below.) She was a loving person who showed kindness to others and especially to the poor. She made coats for the widows so they would have something to keep them warm in the winter.



One day she became ill and died. Her friends were so sad and upset. Their dear friend was gone.

They had heard that Peter had been performing miracles of healing sick people. At this time no apostle had raised anyone from the dead, but Dorcas' friends believed that Peter could do even that, so they sent two men to Lydda, a nearby town
where Peter was staying.



Peter went back to Joppa with the men, and when he got there, he was led to an upper room where her friends had laid Dorcas. The room was filled with widows who were crying and showing one another the coats and other clothing which Dorcas had
made for them while she was alive. Each stitch showed her faithfulness and the love she had for them.



Peter told them all to leave the room, then he got down on his knees and prayed, asking God to bring life back into her still body. He said to her, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes and when she saw Peter, she sat up. He took her by the
hand and she stood up.



He called for the people to come back into the room, and there they saw their friend, alive again.

What joy they felt! The news spread quickly through the town of Joppa. Dorcas is alive again! Because of the miracle many people believed in the Lord."



(http://www.gardenofpraise.com/bibl57s.htm; see also http://www.nisbett.com/people/bp-dorcas.htm or http://ky.essortment.com/biblewomendorc_rerm.htm)

  Noted events in her life were:

• connection. ⁹⁸⁴

Dorcas married Henry Matthew Parsons, son of Matthew Parsons and Puah Gardiner, on 24 Dec 1873 in Fairy Meadow, Wollongong, NSW Australia. (Henry Matthew Parsons was born on 4 Feb 1849 in Carter's Lane, Fairy Meadow, Wollongong, NSW Australia, died on 2 Jun 1933 in 66 Keira St, Wollongong, NSW Australia and was buried in Wollongong Cemetery, NSW Australia.)