W A Y M A N G O O D H O P E A. M. E. C H U R C H News of Good Hope MAY 2017- ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORT WAYMAN WELCOMES BACK PASTOR POAG-RAY & FIRST GENTLEMAN F. CHESTER RAY We say Welcome Back to our Pastor and First Gentleman who were re-assigned to Wayman Good Hope A.M.E. Church for the 2017-2018 Conference Year! The 67th Session of the Washington Annual Conference was held April 18-22 at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, Ft. Washington, MD. The Theme was Restoring Hope. Empowering the People, Advancing the Kingdom, Leaving a Legacy. The Washington Annual Conference was convened at the call of the Bishop, the Right Reverend James Levert Davis and Episcopal Supervisor Arelis Davis. This was the first conference convened by Bishop Davis and excitement was high. On Tuesday April 18th the day started with the Women s Missionary Society (WMS) Business Meeting and Luncheon at Martin s Crosswinds Lanham, MD. At 4:00 p.m. the Official Opening of the Annual Conference commenced with the Roll Call for Preachers, Board of Examiner Candidates and Lay Delegates to the Conference by conference secretary Rev. Wanda London, Pastor of Payne Memorial A.M.E. Jessup, MD. Pastor Poag-Ray, Rev. Linda Banks, Rev. Elisa Evans, Sis. Mary McIntyre and I, (Sis. Andrea Darden Lay Delegate), were present and answered the roll. Reports were presented by our Presiding Elder, The Rev. Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey of the Capital District; and Presiding Elder Ronald Braxton of the Potomac District. Later that night at 7:30 pm the Missionary Night in White and Capping Ceremony took place. It was a wonderful sight to see 89 women (7 of which were young adults) and 11 men in white capped and pinned. The Rev. Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd from Ebenezer AME, Glen Dale, MD preached a mighty word, Get Up And Do The Work Jeremiah 1:17-19. She told us that we must not accept the new normal or alternative facts. We must be the people of faith and not of fear. We must go back to our roots and do what God wants us to do and make sure that our hands are clean and our hearts are pure. The Annual Conference began early Wednesday morning April 19 th. The Bishop (Continued on page 2) WASHINGTON CONFERENCE BRANCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY On Tuesday April 18, 2017 the Irene D. Williamson Missionary Society attended the Annual WCBWMS Luncheon at Martins Crosswind in Greenbelt, Md. Registration began at 7:45 am followed by breakfast. The speaker for our worship service was Rev. Dr. Oberia Burge Butler, Ministerial Staff at Campbell A M E Church. Rev. Butler s topic was Is Your Missionary Work In Vain? Her scripture was taken from 2 Corinthians 13:5. Our guest included Bishop James L. Davis, Presiding Prelate, Second Episcopal District, Sis. Linda Johnson with Dr. Shirley Cason-Reed, WMS International President Mrs. Arelis B. Davis, WMS Episcopal Supervisor, and Dr. Shirley C a s o n -R e e d, WMS International President. Missionary Capping Ceremony First Gentleman F. Chester Ray & Rev. Dr. Lois Poag-Ray (L-R)Bro. Roger Nolan, Sis. Linda Johnson, Sis. Sylvia Nolan, Sis. Prudence Wood Members of the Irene D. Williamson Missionary Society in attendance were Sis. Linda Johnson, Sis. Sylvia Nolan, Sis. Prudence Wood, associate member Bro. Roger Nolan and our Pastor, Rev. Dr. Lois A. Poag-Ray. Sis. Linda Johnson- President Page
ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORT (CONT. FROM PG. 1) called the conference to order at 8:30 am and talked about Sexual Misconduct training requirements. Bishop then asked the Literary Committee to lead a discussion on the state of the church. A lively discussion ensued pertaining to large churches versus smaller churches and getting assistance with ministerial staff. Bishop thanked everyone for their honesty and discussion. The Business session started at approximately 10:00 am with the reading of the minutes and the business of the conference was addressed throughout the day with reading of committee reports such as Board of Examiners, WMS, Lay Organization (LAY), Sons of Allen, Chaplains Report, Women in Ministry, Christian Debutantes & Masters and the start of Pastors Reports for the Capital District. The Bishop said that he wants every church to have a WMS and LAY organization. Bishop also had many teaching moments throughout the conference as per answering the roll, excused absence protocol, the importance of report accuracy, financial assessments accuracy and the importance of having something of our own to hold events in. He formed a new committee to assess developmental readiness for the Washington Conference. Rev. Johnny Calhoun from Mt. Olive was appointed to organize and submit candidates to serve on the committee. Mid-Day Worship was organized and led by the Lay Organization. The Rev. Sheleta Fomby, Reid Temple AME preached on Prepare For The Shift 1Kings 18:44. She reminded us that sometimes the only thing that keeps us going is our worship. The Opening Annual Worship began at 7:30 pm, with the procession of the Bishop, Presiding Elders, and some 400 Clergy and Licensed Preachers of the Washington Conference. The Preacher for the Annual Sermon was Rev. Jonathan Weaver, Greater Mt. Nebo AME in Bowie, MD. Rev. Weaver had a fall the previous day and fractured his ankle. He told us that his ankle might but fractured but his praise was not. He preached the sermon Don t Settle For Good, Strive For The Best. Page 2 Bishop Davis and Ministers Thursday Morning April 20 th began bright and early at 8:30 a.m. with the Sexual Misconduct training videos by Church Mutual Insurance Company. The videos are available at www.churchmutual.com. The Bishop stated that all churches should look into getting Church Mutual as their provider so that we could possibly receive better rates and or discounts. We then had bible study by Rev. Carrington, Mt Moriah, and Annapolis. Rev. Dr. Carrington Carter enlightened us on major and minor prophets of the bible using several text such as Jeremiah 18: 1-10, Isaiah 1:39, 1 st Thessalonians, and ended with Corinthians 13. The Thursday business session opened with the reading of the minutes and continued committee reports such as, Christian Education, Conference Trustees, Deeds, Abstracts and Abandoned Property and Pastors Reports. Pastor Poag-Ray gave the Report for the People of Wayman Good Hope. Standing with her was First Gentleman Bro. F. Chester Ray, Delegate Sis. Andrea Darden, Delegate, Rev. Linda Banks, Rev. Elisa Evans and Sis. Mary McIntyre. Pastor and Sis. Darden presented highlights for the Conference Year, and Pastor offered thanks for the opportunity to serve. Pastor Reports continued from the Potomac District during the afternoon. Mid-Day Worship was organized and led by the Women in Ministry. The Rev. Dr. Linda Mouzon, Fair Havens AME, Curtis Bay, MD preached The I That Works, John 12:20-32. She reminded us that Failure is not an option when you look at the cross. We have to have a mind like Jesus, stop being so nearsighted and be thankful for what we have and we can t but Jesus can. Thursday Night of Conference was Men s Night, hosted by the Sons of Allen. The Men s Choir, the Step team and Praise in Mime were all excellent activities. The Rev. Derrick Brown, Pastor of New Hope in Waldorf, MD preached from the topic, Is There A Praise In The House, Acts 16:16-28. He reminded that we should go where we are sent, stay where we are put and always give God the praise and anytime we are up against the Devil, we should start praising God. Men s Night Step Team
ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORT (CONT. FROM PG. 2) The Ordination and Communion Service were held on Friday morning. The Rt. Rev. William P. DeVeaux, retired bishop, preached the ordination sermon from 1Peter 4:6-7, It Is Possible To Suffer And Still Praise The Lord. It was an encouraging message for everyone present. He reminded us that God will restore and build us up, we may suffer and sacrifice, but it helps to build our faith, don t quit, don t give up, the Lord will always make a way. We congratulate Rev. Linda Banks who was ordained as an Itinerant Elder in the AME Church. Friday Night was Youth Night. It was very inspiring to see the church packed with youth and young adults praising the Lord. The youth were encouraged and dedicated in their praise through song, dance, and then with the dynamic tag team sermon from the Rev. Tony Lee and his brother Rev. Bill Lee both from Community of Hope in Temple Hills, MD. They preached the sermon entitled It Was All A Dream from Genesis 37: 1-5, 45: 1-12. They reminded all of us that God will bring our dreams into reality if we don t give up and take Jesus wherever we go- Glow up so you can show up. Let your gifting do your lifting, God can use your gift to help you reach your goal. God want us to use our gifts to lift others and finally they told us that Beef expires. Let Go and Let God. This exciting and enjoyable Annual Conference closed with a powerful sermon preached by Bishop Harry L. Seawright, the Presiding Prelate of the 9 th Episcopal District. Bishop Seawright gave a powerful testimony of his collapse in the Detroit airport last October 2016 and how God dispatched his healing angels and touched his heart after being pronounced dead. His sermon came from Psalms 27 and Psalms 91. The Tragedy of No Vision. He reminded us that we should thank God every day for what we have and stop complaining, pray all the time, get out of the way and let God have his church, Love, Pray and Trust God and Stay in the Word. With the singing of the Commissioning Hymn, A Charge to Keep I Have, Pastors and Lay were presented certificates for the ongoing work of the Conference. Singing of the traditional hymn, Go Preach My Gospel, Saith The Lord, Pastors were assigned to the Churches of the Washington Conference. Thus, we welcome the Rev. Dr. Lois A. Poag-Ray as our Pastor for the 2017-2018 Conference Year, and her husband, Bro F. Chester Ray as our First Gentleman. We also welcome back the Rev. Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey as Presiding Elder of the Capital District, and Mrs. Michelle Harvey as the First Lady of the Capital District. We pray that we will all work together for the good of God s Church and the building of God s kingdom in this part of the vineyard! The 2018 Annual Conference will be hosted by the Capital District Churches and convene at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Glendale, MD. Sis. Andrea Darden Respectfully Submitted by Andrea Darden, Vice Chair Steward Board, Lay Conference Delegate Praise in Zion Dance Ministry on Youth Night On Saturday morning April 22 nd the conference convened for Memorial Service to acknowledge the work of conference members who died during the 2016-2017 Conference year. Those memorialized were Rev. Courtney Canty, Rev. Dr. Goodwin Douglas, Rev. Richard Dyson, Rev. Charles Smith and Rev. Leotis Walker. These saints are gone but will never be forgotten for their service to the Washington Annual Conference and the Second Episcopal District. The business of the Annual Conference concluded with final committee reports, resolutions, transfers, disciplinary reports, and expressions of gratitude, presentation of certificates and reading of appointments. For the first time at the Washington Conference all superannuates were given gifts of $300.00 and pastor s windows (ers) $150.00. Other gifts given were to the Bishop, the Presiding Elders, St. Luke AME, Ellicott City, MD, and Ebenezer, Ft Washington. (L-R) Rev. Gladen, Rev. Mary McIntyre, Rev. Cornell Brooks, CEO & President of the NAACP Rev. Elisa Evans & Rev. Linda Banks Page 3
View the News of Good Hope on the Church website www.waymangoodhope.org PRAYER REQUESTS Dorothy Brown James Brown, Jr. Warren Burnett Lloyd Carter Marjorie Coates Peggy Colbert Anne Coates Day Elizabeth Dennis Spanky Dennis Marion Floyd Mediterranean Jackson Elroy Johnson Talicia Johnson Juanita Little Joseph Lovett Gary Minniefield Naomi Smith Denaya Thaniels Grace White Shirley White Teresa Williams Roy Wilson 1st Joe Wallace Jr. 6th Cherry White Imari Thompson 8th Shaylah Keemer 10th Tyneka Pack Roberto Brown, Jr. 11th Eleisa Thomas 21st Clyde Gross 23rd Renada Coates 26th Roger Nolan MAY BIRTHDAYS Page 4
Upcoming Special Events We not offer multiple opportunities to connect and grow spiritually as a Church Family 15 Minute Mid-Week Refreshing Prayer Call Wednesdays 6:30 6:45 am 1-605-475-3235 Access Code 705504# (Dial in and put your phone on mute) Life Application Bible Study via Teleconference Wednesdays 7:30pm 1-605-475-3235 Access Code 705504# (Dial in for interactive dialogue) The Women s Fellowship will meet Friday, May 12th at 7pm We will have a special guest speaker From Care Patrol An organizations that helps families find assisted living, independent and memory care communities. All Women are invited Light Dinner is provided Church Conference/Official Board & Election of Trustees Thursday, May 18th @ 7pm All members are urged to attend The Men s Fellowship will meet Saturday, May 13th @ 9am All men are invited Breakfast is provided Blood Pressure Screening will be held May 21st following morning Worship Service. Sponsored by the Men s Fellowship (Screening by Anne Arundel Medical Center) Wayman Usher s Anniversary Will be held Sunday, May28th @ 4pm Check the Calendar for other scheduled meetings If you need a Ride to Sunday Service Contact the Church Office by 4pm on Thursdays The Men s Annual Fishing Trip to Solomon s Island Is Saturday, May 20th @ 7am Contact Bro. Thomas Little for more information Community Dumpster Will be in the Wayman parking lot Wednesday, May 17-Friday, May 19th. No tires, paint, automobile party or weekly garbage is allowed Page 5
HAPPY MOTHER S DAY Mother, You are Loved and Appreciated Children do not realize As children we can t comprehend or fully realize the meaning of a Mother s love, how tender and how wise, her patience and guidance, her helpful caring ways, the special thoughtfulness of the things she does to brighten up the days. Years go by before we know the depth of her concern, the love in her protectiveness it takes so long to learn. But as we grow, we understand-for we look back and see through older eyes and wiser hearts for love and loyalty. It s these and many other things that make her grow more dear, more admired and more appreciated with every passing day and year. You re a wonderful mother. You re a beautiful person. You listen with your heart. You re always giving and you deserve the best always. Happy Mother s Day Smile, Be Kind & Say Something Nice Sis. Jackie Harris To our new member, Sis. Margaret Oliver Scriptural Thought for the Conference Year 2016-2017: A Blessing May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just a Christ accepted you, in order to bring God. Romans 15:5-7 (NIV) How to Get Items Published in the Newsletter Submissions by Email (attachments) are preferred but not required. If you have original photographs, we will scan them while you wait- it only takes a couple of minutes. Please be aware that copies of pictures will not reproduce well and may not be included if too blurry Because of space limitations, editing of submissions may be required. Publication of all content is at the discretion of the Editorial Staff. Email submissions to waymangoodhope@aol.com News of Good Hope - Editorial Staff Editor - Pamela Spearman This Month s Contributor(s) Sis. Andrea Darden Sis. Jackie Harris Rev. Mary McIntyre (photos) Pastor - Rev. Dr. Lois A. Poag-Ray Page 6
In Memorial Our church was saddened to learn this week of the death of one of our most valued members, Someone Else. Someone's passing creates a vacancy that will be difficult to fill. Else has been with us for many years and for every one of those years, Someone did far more than a normal person's share of the work. Whenever there was a job to do, a class to teach, or a meeting to attend, one name was on everyone's list, "Let Someone Else do it." Whenever leadership was mentioned, this wonderful person was looked to for inspiration as well as results; "Someone Else can work with that group." It was common knowledge that Someone Else was among the most liberal givers in our church. Whenever there was a financial need, everyone just assumed Someone Else would make up the difference. Someone Else was a wonderful person; sometimes appearing superhuman. Were the truth known, everybody expected too much of Someone Else. Now Someone Else is gone! We wonder what we are going to do. Someone Else left a wonderful example to follow, but who is going to follow it? Who is going to do the things Someone Else did? When you are asked to help this year, remember -- we can't depend on Someone Else anymore. WAYMAN Recognition - To God Be The Glory 2017 Graduates Da Miya Williams is graduating from Middle School and will attend Chesapeake High School in the Fall Sydnee Green Coates is graduating from Severna Park High school and will be attending Bowie State University Christopher Johnson is graduating from Annapolis High School. Michael Somerville, Jr. is graduating from Annapolis High School and will enlist in the U.S. Army Sterling Williams is graduating from Chesapeake High School and will be attending Anne Arundel Community College Shawn Coates, grandson of Mark & Yvonne Coates is graduating from Broadneck High School Kayla White, daughter of Oliver White, is graduating from High School and plans to pursue a career in the medical field. Roberto C. Brown, grandson of Oressa White, is graduating from Severna Park High school and will be attending Anne Arundel Community College Jasmyn Mackell is graduating from Emory University with a Bachelor of Business Administration concentrating in Strategy, Management, Consulting. Congratulations to Jasmyn who received the Emory University NAACP People's Image Award for the Class of 2017. She is seeking a full-time post graduate position with hopes of pursuing a Masters of Sports Administration within the next 2 years. Fernando Kirkman is graduating from the University of Maryland Law School A Round of Applause Jasmyn Mackell Page 7
WAYMAN GOOD HOPE Rev. Dr. Lois A. Poag-Ray, Pastor 100 Hoyle Lane Severna Park, MD 21146 MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM CHURCH SCHOOL (Children & Youth) WAYMAN GOOD HOPE CHURCH SCHEDULE: SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES 10 AM Every 1 st Sunday Every 3 rd Sunday CHURCH SCHOOL & BIBLE STUDY 2nd & 4th Sunday after 10am Worship Service CHURCH SCHOOL (Adults) Sunday 9:00-9:50 AM PRAYER CALL (Call In Only) Wednesday 6:30-6:45 AM (Dial 605-475-3235 code 705504#) LIFE APPLICATION BIBLE STUDY (Call In Only) Wednesday 730pm (Dial 605-475-3235 code 705504#) BIBLE STUDY Thursday 12 Noon LOVE FEAST MONTHLY Wednesday before the 1 st Sunday at 6:30 PM OFFICIAL BOARD 3 rd Thursday 7:00 PM BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENING 3rd Sunday after 10am Worship Service Refer to the Calendar for other regularly scheduled meetings & rehearsals. MINISTERIAL STAFF Rev. Dr. Lois A. Poag-Ray, Pastor Rev. Elisa Evans, Director Youth & Young Adult Ministries Rev. Linda Banks, Director of Christian Education Pastor s Office Hours See the weekly bulletin or call the office for an appointment CHURCH OFFICE STAFF Sis. Sharon Cager-Best, Administrative Assistant Sis. Mary McIntyre, Financial Officer Church Office Hours Mon. - Thurs. 10am 2pm Church phone (410)647-4867 Church fax (410)647-4883 Email waymangoodhope@aol.com Website waymangoodhope.org To all who struggle and desire victory; to all who sin and to all who mourn and long for comfort; to all who are thirst after righteousness; to whomsoever will this Church Christ Jesus our Lord! Enter this Church, therefore, not as a stranger, but as the hearts and thanks on your lips, offering God your love and worship here, and may that blessing rest on you forever. need forgiveness; to all who are anxious and need peace; sensitive and look for service; to all who hunger and opens wide its doors and bids you welcome in the name of guest of God. Come then into God s presence with joy in your service. Beseech God s blessing on those who minister and Page 8