The Lay Communiqué. The 11th Episcopal District Lay Organization Magazine Digital / Online Edition

Transcription

1 The Lay Communiqué The 11th Episcopal District Lay Organization Magazine Digital / Online Edition The First Edition of the Digital Magazine 69th Annual Convention Issue Summer 2013 Introducing: PHOTOGRAPHS AND RHYMES by AJSG A Pictorial Montage of the Convention With an article by Sis. Mary Silva & Sis. Angela Surcey-Garner Two noted photos by Bro. Robert Weston, East Conference Cover photo: Starlight-Jacksonville by Harry Myers of Jacksonville, FL Additional Articles will post in the next Digital Issue of The Lay Communiqué Digital Magazine design by AJSG ~ EEDLO Director of Public Relations East Conference

2 AJSG Opening Day: Tuesday, June 18 Registration & Kits were the first order of the day; Executive Board Meeting allowed our President his say! Followed by a luncheon for the Execs & a chosen few, it was a fabulous full-course meal with dessert & coffee too! Then, they opened the Hospitality Room, with more food there, our Lay Family is reunited with love & testimonies to share! This is the first day! The 69th Convention is now underway!

3 Opening Worship & Communion: Saint Stephen African Methodist Episcopal Church, Jacksonville ~ Preacher & Chief Celebrant: Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr. ~ We were blessed with the beautiful, full gospel choir sound as The St. Stephen AMEC Mass Choir took the stand; Bishop Richardson preached The Book of the Church from Joshua 1:8, a powerful message aligned with God s plan! Then, we shared the Sacrament of Holy Communion as one big family; closing with fellowship, honoring God, facing day two of a four day journey.

4 Opening Business Day: Wednesday, June 19 ~ All Officers are required to give an account of their Stewardship during the past year, the questions are asked for each individual to answer, record and submit, then make their reports here. President Nichols was first with his annual report, 1st Vice Langston, 2nd Vice Ingraham and 3rd Vice Cherry followed with theirs, as each Officer read their report, they were encouraged with attention and prayers. President Nichols and Dr. Goldsby our Parliamentarian, introduced two youth participants as we marvel in training, we must train them now, while we have time, our years are rapidly waning. Our DOLA: Patricia Wright, uses her gifts from God to provide awesome training for this family of 11th District Lay, our Y&YAR: Eboni Curry, trains our youth, leading and guiding in a fun-filled way. Our Financial Secretary: Chris Atkinson, keeps us all financially in line, our Recording and Asst. Secretaries: Delphine and Ella, record the minutes of our meeting and share by information of another kind. All Officers are not pictured, but read their reports to this august body of Lay, as we move next into the Hour of Power, led by our Youth & Young Adults of today!

5 THE YAR S HOUR OF POWER Wednesday Afternoon: June 19 ~ The Youth/Young Adult Representatives, led by the Episcopal YAR, Ms. Eboni Curry, truly presented an Hour of Power, with each youth on program, blessings from above, on us, God did shower. From the Praise Team to the Preacher, each participant did their part, the Worship was so intense, one could tell it was from the heart! We were welcomed by the YAR of the East Conference, Bro. James Campbell put us all at ease, the scripture, prayer, singing and God s spoken Word, brought us all to our knees! Pastor Jared Williams brought the Word of God from the same scripture Bishop Richardson used Tuesday night, his message: It s My Time, put Joshua 1:1-9 in a brand new light! He told us that Joshua was full of wisdom, which is the key to successful power, his message was encouraging and fired us up during that hour! He reminded us, When God anoints, no one can take it away, it was a powerful message we all received that day! This service was a joy for everyone, it blessed us like warm, sparkling heat from the sun.

6 Wednesday June 19: After The Hour of Power ~ The Business session resumes with the balance of Officer and Conference Presidents reports, appropriate before a special session of a Town Hall of sorts. President Nichols and Sis. Chris Atkinson shared the advantages of using Edward Waters College for our 2015 meetings, there was some discussion before we concluded, as our DOLA, Sis. Patricia Wright, blessed us with her greetings. We all aggregated to join in with Ask the Presidents, mediated by Sis. Lolita Brown; during these question and answer sessions, it s a blessing to have a mediator around. This Town Hall setting allowed us to converse with our six Conference Presidents ~ all were present and in place, the questions were pre-submitted, they were directed to (a) particular person(s), or anyone/all could answer, this process set the pace. Our Presidents addressed each question with answers that all could understand, as some delegates were able to interject, being recognized after raising their hand. Ask the Presidents went well, as did all of our sessions and meetings today, we now look forward to this evening, with The Laura P. Robinson Benevolent Activities of the Lay.

7 Photos by AJSG (2 Photos) by Robert Weston /edited by AJSG Wednesday Evening, June 19: Laura P. Robinson Lay Benevolent Activities ~ The evening was filled with the presence of GOD and high spirited Worship too, the sermon was conveyed by each Witness on the program, the order allowed the Holy Spirit to flow through. All of the songs were marvelously sung to the Heavens, each dance step and mime pointed to God above, for scripture read, and words said, it was all about God s Love! As the band played and the choir sang, if possible, the spirit heightened more, we are so grateful that our choir family showed up and showed out, so numerous we filled the center-stage floor! Our giving benefits the Laura P. Robinson s Benevolent Activities, which is what this night is all about; this Service was awesome from beginning to end, of that, there is no doubt!

8 Thursday, June 20: Workshops/Training ~ Publications/Business Center ~ Each Workshop was carefully selected, the topics were well executed by all presenters in a very inclusive way, they took the time to discuss answers to questions, and allowed the Disciples their say. During the workshops we were greeted by two Connectional Candidates running for President, they said brief hellos, introducing themselves, to make their presence evident. Moving through areas of fellowship, many were chilling and just hanging out, there have to be lull moments during Conventions, the Disciples need rest between sessions, without a doubt. One area that is always busy, people in and out, moving to and fro, the Business Center is the hub for publications, if you need to have office work done, it s the place to go. The Lay Communiqué our official Newsletter, is also published there, created with photos, graphics and articles from reporters, by people who truly care. We thank Sisters Mary Silva, Connie Jenkins-Pye, Ethel Wooten and the team, for working so diligently as the days are long, to produce three Newsletters (with limited reporters), creating Lay Communiqués that sold strong. Now available on our Website, edited and enhanced with color for online viewing, a fresh look for our Lay Communiqué is being guided by God, His plans are surely brewing. We congratulate Brother Donald Russell, Organization & Structure s new Director; we thank God for guidance, He is real & truly our Protector.

9 Thursday Evening, June 20: Awards Banquet ~ The Banquet flowed smoothly, from beginning to end, the live introduction of the Officers may start a new trend. The seating was planned, Officers sat where they were led, though some may have wanted to sit with other friends instead. The band and the soloists were awesomely led by the Spirit of God, playing and singing so that He would get the glory; the hotel s sound system made many people cringe, it was sad, and it s not a good story. The candidates for Connectional office were allowed two minutes each to speak, President Nichols introduced the 11th District s candidate, Sis. Eileen Warner, the Connectional Third Vice President is the office she will seek. There were prizes awarded for ticket numbers called, Sis. Peggy Rice-Johnson handled this, certain persons were chosen to pull the winners, those who didn t win wondered how they were missed. Our East Conference President, Brother Aaron Jones, Jr., made his remarks including a little faux pas that sort of slipped out; we hope it was received as comical, that s really what it was all about. The dinner was very good, the coffee and dessert were great, everyone seemed to enjoy it all, the awards were given, the recipients were happy, let s make room now to have a ball! We did the Wobble, Cupid s Shuffle and the Cha-Cha Slide, among others, line dancing is fun and good exercise, great fellowship to end a wonderful night with sisters and brothers.

10 69 th Episcopal District Annual Lay Convention Awards Banquet ~ Hosted by the East Conference Ms. Mary Silva, Reporter ~ South Conference & Mrs. Angela Surcey-Garner ~ East Conference ~ Episcopal Director of Public Relations The official Annual Awards Banquet for the 69 th Annual Convention of the 11th Episcopal District Lay Organization was held at the Crowne Plaza Airport Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida, where the evening and tone were set to honor persons that have served well within the community or in their churches. The former Director of Lay Activities for the East Conference, Mrs. Peggy Rice-Johnson, was invited to assist in hosting this fine gala. What a wonderful gala it was! From her special touch with the decorations, to the seating of the guests, announcing each Officer individually as they were led to their seat, everything was precise and in order. The Master and Mistress of Ceremonies were the newlyweds, Reverend Victor D. Cole, M.Div. & Mrs. Maria Pearson Cole of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Jacksonville, Florida. The opening hymn selection was Lift Every Voice and Sing, followed by the Lord s Prayer from the Fusion Band played on a Saxophone by a young lady in the band. Reverend Cole asked that everyone recite the 23 rd Psalm for the Scripture. Youth participation continued on the program with Master Kwesi Williams, St. James A.M.E. Church, Orange Park, Florida, singing Take Me to the King. He was awesome and brought everyone to their feet! After the grace was given by Reverend Sha Reef Rashad, Pastor of New Mt. Moriah A.M.E. Church, Jacksonville, Florida, dinner was served as we were serenaded with a selection of musical favorites. While we feasted on our dinner: a very tender, sautéed chicken breast, shrimp, seasoned/buttered mashed potatoes, seasoned green beans, warm dinner rolls, sweet tea and chocolate cake, President Charlie Nichols introduced persons running for election at the Biennial Lay Convention in late July. They were greeted and allowed to speak for two minutes about the office they were seeking: Connectional President Willie L. Glover, Ms. Valerie Gary Bell and Ms. Paulette Coleman all seeking the office of Connectional President; after a special introduction by President Nichols, our candidate, Sister Eileen Warner, greeted us and spoke briefly. She is seeking the office of Connectional 3 rd Vice President. We continued our meal while the Awards Ceremony began; the award recipients are listed below and pictured in the photo collage after this article. Conference Presidents accepted awards for recipients unable to attend the banquet. Preceding the Scholarship Awards, Miss Tanijah Barron of Historic Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Jacksonville, Florida, blessed us with a beautiful solo. The Selmo Bradley Scholarship and Marian Bacon White Textbook Awards recipients were named; they are listed on the following page. Closing remarks were made by the East Conference President, Brother Aaron Jones, Jr. and Episcopal President, Brother Charlie Nichols. The Reverend Wendell Carl Webster, Pastor of Historic Macedonia A.M.E. Church, Fernandina Beach, FL, gave us the closing prayer followed by the Lay Benediction, recited by all.

11 The tables and chairs were removed from the dance floor as we began fellowship through line dancing. Many were still sitting outside of the Ballroom talking; others were taking photos near the greenery. Photos of all of the aforementioned events are available in the photos and rhyme montage of this special digital Convention issue of the Lay Communiqué. We had a fabulous time at the 69 th Episcopal Lay Convention! Awards Outstanding Community Service Mrs. Betty Seabrook-Burney East Conference The Hall of Fame Priscilla Salter Florida Conference George Stakley - Florida Conference Eugene Knighton - Central Conference Ida Rhaming - Bahamas Conference Lionel Charlton - Bahamas Conference Wesley Gillis - South Conference Essie Clemons - South Conference Mary Clifton - West Conference Theresa White - West Conference The Anvil John Wesley Love The Soldier of the Cross Connie Jenkins-Pye Scholarships / Awards Selmo Bradley $2,500 each Shaqueria Howard Florida Conference ~ Flipper Chapel AME, Tallahassee Chidi Omah Florida Conference ~ Bethel A.M.E. Church, Tallahassee Gregory McDowell East Conference ~ St Paul A.M.E. Church, Jacksonville Malina Moss South Conference ~ Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, West Park Marian Bacon-White Textbook Award at Edward Waters College Academic Year Danielle Woodard - South Conference Darius Anderson - West Coast Conference Joselyn Saffore - West Coast Conference - (Graduated)

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13 Photos by AJSG

14 Friday Morning, June 21: Closing Assembly/ Memorial Service ~ The Closing Assembly includes the final reports, total counts, finance and the like, the highlight though, is when the next hosting Conference makes their invitation and takes the mike. Sis. Esther Ferguson was the spokesperson for their Conference, The Bahamas is where we will go; she spoke of the beautiful hotel, shopping and close-by restaurants, we were then blessed with a goody bag and video. The Memorial Service was solemn and nice, as candles were lit for those gone to Glory, each person standing, holding the candle represented one life s story. As the Convention adjourned, we all said goodbye, looking next towards CEC, with more Christian training, youth and fellowship, The Rosen Centre in Orlando is the place to be.

15 The African Methodist Episcopal Church Eleventh Episcopal District Lay Organization 70th Annual Convention ~ June 17-20, 2014 Hosted By: The Bahamas Conference Lay Organization Wyndham Nassau Resort Cable Beach, Nassau Bahamas Special Rate ~ $99.00 Plus Tax All are invited to share with us in this special time of Training, Fellowship and Leisure in the Beautiful Paradise called The Bahamas! Special Highlight: ISLAND TOURS Plan NOW to be part of this Glorious Event! More information will post on our Website as it becomes available: