“And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?”

I tried to imitate a bird as he was singing perched upon the light wire as I walked down the road near my home.  

He seemed to stop to listen for a while to the imperfect whistle that challenged his shrill and beautiful tone.   He echoed back, or so I thought he did, so I whistled again thinking that we had some sort of duet going on.

 I knew I was no competition for that golden throated bird. The bird and his song is just one of the beautiful works of the Creator who has made all things beautiful in their time, even you and me.

 The Bible says we are made in the very image of God.  God’s greatest attribute is love, and the great and first commandment says that we are to love God with all of our hearts, souls, and minds, and that we are to love our neighbors as ourselves.  When we do that, we become God’s most beautiful song.  Let us pray for that agape love.

Mt. Zion AME Church

Mt. Zion AME Church in the North Santee community celebrated Father’s Day on Sunday, June 17, with a program dedicated to all of the fathers.  All fathers and all single young men processed with the choirs.  

Mrs. Priscilla Cromedy presided over the services.  Others on program were Sisters Minnie Smith, Mary Hill, Yvonne Sutton, Erma Barr, Emma Smith, Larene Holmes, Odell Moultrie, Rosa Barr, Anna Lee Wright, Ruth A. Grayson, Francis Swinton, Quinette Chattine, Sheryl Logan and Carrie Elliott. Reverends James Chattine and Rev. Michael Frost, visiting pastor, were also on program.

The honor of Father of the Year went to a longtime member of Mt. Zion, and my former  classmate, Mr. Edward L. Moultrie.  He was congratulated by last year’s winner, Mr. Vincent Drayton.  

Mr. Herbert Dennison was chosen as the “Most Active Father” and recognized by his children and the Mt. Zion AME Church family with praise and accolades for all of his dedicated U.S. Navy service years, and the great work he has done in the community, and is now doing.  

I was chosen to be the speaker for the most wonderful occasion, and would like to thank Rev. Alfred Darby, the pastor, and Mrs. Deloris Chattine, the chairperson, for a most blessed program.

Mt. Zion AME Church in the Bloomingvale community

Mt. Zion AME Church in the Bloomingvale community observed the annual Vacation Bible School Monday, June 18  through  Wednesday, June 20, at 6 p.m. each evening.

Although I was unable to attend, it was said that it was one of the best vacation Bible services ever.  

There were anointed teachers and wonderful activities for the students.  Many  thanks go to Sisters Shirley Graham, the Sunday School Superintendent, and Mrs. Mary Ervin White, our Christian Education Director.  Rev. Herman Ford, Jr., is the pastor.

Bible Bowl Competition

The 8th annual County Wide Bible Bowl Competition was held at Lighthouse of Jesus Christ’s Church  The atmosphere was charged with excitement as each church competed with the other for the winning trophy.  

The second place winner was Lighthouse of Jesus Christ, where Bishop Floyd Knowlin is the pastor, and the first place winner was Bethesda Missionary Baptist Church, where Rev. Alphonso N. Scott is the pastor.

Professor Zelma Carr said that the counselors should be commended for working so closely with their youth in preparing them for the annual event.  Sister Carr organized the Bible Bowl in Georgetown eight years ago.  

If the youth of your church would like to become a part of this organization, please give Professor Zelma Carr a call at 843-520-4811, or call Ms. Rose Walker at 843-546-9048

Love Chapel Deliverance Center

Holy Convocation is going on through Sunday, June 24 at Love Chapel Deliverance Center  at 7:30 nightly, and you are invited.  For more information, call Pastor/Prophetess Johnnie M. Tisdale at 843-240-0350.  Evangelist Avis Frasier is the pastor, and Bishop Richard Frasier is the overseer.

Auditions for play

Mrs. Pearlette Hunter of P.H. Productions, Inc. will be having auditions at the Georgetown County Library for the play, “Arms too Short to Box with God” on Thursday, June 28, from 4 to 7 p.m. The program will also boast one of Ms. Hunter’s famous fashion shows.  Pospective models can also attend.  The play will be presented on Oct. 6.  You will be updated.

Convention banquet

My thanks to United Order of Tents J.R. Giddings and Jollifee Union and Southern District No. 4 with Georgetown District as the host, for allowing me to speak at their annual Convention Banquet on Tuesday, June 19 at 7 p.m.  at the Clarion Hotel in Myrtle Beach, SC., with Sister Robertann Blake of Adeline Tent #52, presiding. Others on program representing the Georgetown District were Sister Refair Dease of Rose of Sharon Tent #11`7, Sister Sylvia Blake, Assistant Deputy of the Georgetown Area, and Mrs. Lillie M. Moultrie.  

Special thanks to Queen Ruth Williams, R.WN.G. President of the Executive Board, Sister Idella G. Bradford, and to Sister Annette Hicks of Forget Me Not Tent #204. 

Revival services

You are invited to revival services at Mt. Zion AME Church in the Bloomingvale community.  Services will begin Wednesday, June 27th through Friday, June 29 at 7 p.m. nightly.  The speaker will be Bishop Floyd Knowlin, pastor of Lighthouse of Jesus Christ Church.  Rev. Herman Ford, Jr., is the pastor.

Prayer

Remember to pray for the sick and shut in, the bereaved, those in nursing homes and hospitals, the elderly, our men and women on the battlefield in Iraq, our children and children service organizations, those who are presenting  worthy forms of entertainment, all who are traveling on the highways, in the air, by railway, by sea.  Let us always pray for one another.  May the good Lord bless and keep you from now until then.