Re: February 21, 2006 Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem & Vicinity

Devotional

Rev. Carter opened devotion with hymn #211, ‘Leaning on the Everlasting Arm’ and read scripture from Jude chapter 1:1-7. Devotion was closed with hymn #191, ‘Glory to His Name’ and prayer.

Call to Order & Inspirational Talk

Rev. Moses Edwards called the conference to order and welcomed the body to this week’s conference and business session. Dr. Sid Kelly stood in for Dr. Churn and provided the morning inspiration and said there has been a lot of study on the parable of the Good Samaritan. However, Kelly wants to offer another perspective of this parable of the Good Samaritan.

There were two groups of Jewish leaders—those critical of the church and those supportive the church and the rituals of the religious practices of the day. On this particular day, a certain man fell among thieves and was overlooked by both the Jewish priest and the Levite leader. A Samaritan came and ministered to him and put him up in an Inn. When Jesus proclaimed the “Kingdom of God is like this!” What does this kingdom look like when neither religious leader responds to the man in the ditch with compassion yet the ostracized stranger minister appropriately? Looking at this situation from the perspective of the man in the ditch, what is the kingdom of God like for this injured man?

Reading of the Minutes

The minutes of the February 14^th conference were read and accepted with proper correction.

Reports New/Old Business

A. Review of Conference Calendar

Rev. Beatrice Murray, Associate Minister EBC, is today’s Women Preaching Order of the Day. Rev. Nathan Parrish, Pastor Peace Haven Baptist Church is next week’s Theology and the Death Penalty order of the day. Bishop Todd Fulton, Pastor

Mount Moriah Outreach Center is March 7, 2006 order of the day.

B. Review of Conference Projects

Dr. Fulwood reminded the conference of the 2006 $250.00 contribution to be paid to the WSSU Campus Ministry.

The Church Rezoning issue has been postponed until community dialogues are completed. This issue is of utmost importance to the all churches—conference members must stay connected with this matter.

The “Afro-Semitic: A Plea for Peace” Jazz Experience is March 24-26, 2006. The Afro-Semitic Experience is a Cross-Cultural band that delivers a positive and meaningful musical message about Black-Jewish relations. The conference has been asked to support this event of storytelling and jazz throughout the community.

Rev. Sanders spoke briefly about the MLK Golf fundraiser and asked committee members to join him at his home to continue planning this event scheduled to start at 8am on Friday, May 19, 2006 at Reynolds Park Golf Club. The participation goal is 72 teams. We have 33 teams committed to-date. Team application packets were distributed and the advertisement sign was approved for purchase.

Community Presentation(s)

Ms. Clara Wallace, Candidate for the Director of the Forsyth County Board of Elections, introduced herself to the body and requested the conference support. After giving some background and stated concerns with the current elections process the body voted to support Ms. Wallace candidacy.

Ms. Todd, Rep. “Holdout the Life-Line” Ministry introduced an initiative to reduce infant mortality in the black community through education. Member congregations are encouraged to sponsor these workshops to train members to conduct these seminars in churches. An additional conference on Domestic Violence is scheduled Thursday, February 23, 2006.

Order of the Day

Rev. Dr. Brenda Roudy, Associate Minister EBC, served as the Order of the Day. Dr. Fulwood introduced Dr. Roudy with the spiritual ‘You Got Shoes, I Got Shoes.’ Dr. Roudy lifted scripture from Psalm 34:1-4, 6 and 8 and proclaimed I ‘Bless the Lord oh my soul.’

Roudy says blessing the Lord is something that should be done continuously. I bless the Lord when I lay down and when I get up each day. But, sometimes when we don’t know God we don’t think about praising the Lord. But, God is still with us in our sin—protecting us and saving us in spite of ourselves. Then, in my suffering I sought the Lord and the Lord heard my cries and delivered me first from my fears.

Roudy concludes, God said ‘oh taste and see—internalize my goodness so you have evidence of what I am capable of—see what I the Lord have done!

Rev. Edwards thanked Dr. Roudy for her courage to be the “ram in the bush’” due to Rev. Murray’s unexpected illness. The body rose to give Rev. Dr. Roudy arousing vote of thanks for his uplifting and inspiring message.

Attendance & Offering

Attendance – 17 persons

Offering - $61.00

Membership – $ 0.00

Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)

Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and benediction.