AME Conference was a motivational experience
Last Updated on 3/17/2010
Published on 8/21/2008
"Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall." I Cor. 10:12
By Gloria Barr Ford
The Lord is good to all that put their trust in Him. Let us pray for those that have been affected by the storm, and let us pray for Georgetown and all surrounding areas that God will take care of us.
Youth Summits
Bishop Preston Warren Williams II, the presiding prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District of the AME church, has implemented youth summits prior to each Annual Conference. These summits are open to all children ages 5 to 15. This year's summit was held at Carvers Bay High School.
Children and their chaperones came from the three districts of the Palmetto Annual Conference. These included Mount Pleasant, Kingstree and the Georgetown District.
Registration was held from 4 to 5 p.m. beginning Friday, Aug. 15. Friday's schedule included dinner, face-painting, kids voting awareness, teen activities, motivational moment and worship services.
A puppet show also was given by the Georgetown Outreach Ministries. Lights went out at midnight. Saturday's schedule included breakfast, morning devotions, self-esteem classes intramural period, basketball tournament, softball, kickball, etc.
There also was a worship service and a talent showcase that included praise dances, step dances, mime, art, flag art, PowerPoint presentations, spoken word, drama and other activities. Sunday's activities included Church School at the host church, Hopewell AME, morning worship and a Debutante and Master's Showcase at Hopewell at 5 p.m. We are glad that Bishop Williams has decided to put such focus on the youth. The Rev. Sandra Ladson is the Christian Education director for the Georgetown District and did an excellent job of hosting the Youth Summit. The Rev. Rosalyn Grant-Coleman is the presiding elder and the Rev. Dr. Kylon Middleton is the host pastor. Monday's schedule for the conference included various business sessions, and Monday night at 7 p.m., the Sons of Allen presented Men's Night.
The men were dressed in burgundy jackets with the SOA emblem and grey pants. Men from all three districts proceeded down the aisle to a lively tune as they took their places in the pews, in the choir stand and in the pulpit.
The speaker for the night was the Rev. Hoover Footman, Palmetto Conference Sons of Allen coordinator. The Rev. Footman delivered a soul-stirring message entitled "Making the Right Choice."
The Rev. Thomas Drayton is the Palmetto Conference Sons of Allen president, and Brother Zach Grate is the Georgetown District president.
We were dismissed after the benediction to return on Tuesday.
The opening worship convocation and the service of Holy Communion for the 98th Session of the Palmetto Annual Conference convened on Tuesday, Aug. 19. During the business session, Bishop Williams welcomed our Mayor Lynn Wood Wilson as he entered to be a part of the services. Bishop made it known that Mayor Wilson was one of a kind to travel to the Pleasant Hill area to be a part of our conference. In a later speech, Mayor Wilson acknowledged how pleased he was that the conference had come to Georgetown and that he was at our disposure for any need that might arise. Mayor also quoted a scripture and told about his anticipation of an upcoming mission trip to Africa.
The Rev. Rosalyn Grant-Coleman, host presiding elder of the Georgetown District, presided over the worship services, and the program proceeded as outlined. The speaker for the occasion was the dynamic Rev. Robert Kennedy, formerly of Mt. Zion AME, North Santee, but now pastor of St. Peter's AME of North Charleston. The Rev. Kennedy electrified the conference with a sermon entitled "More Going for You than You Think." Bishop recognized many of the visitors that came to visit the conference.
Appreciation Picnic
I'll have more conference news on next Friday, but I would like to thank the members of Trinity AME Church on behalf of the Rev. Herman Ford Jr., and myself for the wonderful "appreciation picnic" that was held at Huntington Beach State Park last Sunday morning. The weather was beautiful, and we had food, games and fun. Those on program were Sister Trudell Deas, presiding, along with Sisters Beatrice Rice, Vicky Hunt, Theotha Goss and Master Shemar Carr. Special guests were the Rev. Ervin Humes, Bernard and Joan Ford and Clifford and Dorothy.
Please remember to pray for the sick and shut-in, the bereaved, those in nursing homes, our young people returning to school, those facing any kind of surgeries, our men and women on the battlefield in Iraq and their families back home and for each other.
God bless you, and have a beautiful weekend and upcoming week.
Gloria Barr Ford is a Georgetown resident.
