Re: March 13, 2007 Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem & Vicinity
Rev. Nance, opened devotion with the hymn #329, ‘I Am Thine O Lord’ and
the reading of Psalm chapters 1 and 2. Devotion
was closed with completion of hymn #329 and prayer.
Rev. Dr. Linda Beal opened the conference with the
call to order and welcoming the body to this week’s conference and business
session.
Dr.
Sid Kelly provided the morning inspiration. He remembered one of his professors
when he was in divinity school telling him to always have a Bible in one hand
and newspaper in the other. Kelly then shared statistics on AIDS cases. He says
that many black churches are not taking a stand to assist those with AIDS.
There are stigmas attached to talking about sex in church; preachers avoid
talking about it all together. Kelly was reminded of what his teacher said and
came up with a response. He said that the reason he found the minister’s
conference so effective was in the way community matters are addressed, then
preaching happens-addressing the body and the soul.
Kelly then asked if those present had an AIDS
ministry in their churches. How do you address it? Kelly asked. He
wondered if it was through Sunday school, sermons, or special study groups. He
asked what was some of the problems pastors faced and what would be the message
that the Christian pastor brings to a solution like this. The body responded in
a variety of ways saying overall, people need to be educated and taught how to
avoid catching the disease.
The March 5th conference were read and accepted with proper corrections.
April 20, 2007
at 8am the 2nd Annual Golf Tournament will occur.
The body was
reminded of the obligation at Griffith School.
Sick Report
Community
Presentation(s)
Dr. Sir Walter Mack, Jr. announced City Wide Unity Revival to be held May
31-June 2.
Delta Bonner with CHANGE announced monthly Clergy Caucus meeting to be
held at St. Stephen’s Episcopal on Highland on Thurs. March 15 10 am promptly.
Bonner informed that 10,000 signatures is the goal for the non-particen issue,
looking at the way we choose our school board members.
The conference is asked to have a representative from the conference be
part of bonds membership committee. Their meetings are 2nd and 4th
Tuesdays at 5pm at school admin office.
Sci Tech applications must be submitted by April 1st.
Rev. Parrish attended public hearing at county commission meeting. In
regards to the baseball stadium matter: 4 to 3 in favor to go forward.
Announcement(s):
Rev. Sanders announced that he would be mailing out packets and has mailed others on behalf of the golf tournament. He also informed the conference that we have sponsorship from Hope Today Magazine (2,500.00).
Rev. Watlington suggested that Bishop Parks be given 15-20 minutes to present the Hope Today Magazine, religious magazine addressing issues from a spiritual perspective. It was agreed to give him this time in the near future.
Rev. Willa Reed announced that Emmanuel Baptist Church
will have a gathering focusing on teen suicide March 24, 2007 from 10 to 12.
Everyone is invited.
The
preaching order of the day was Rev. Pettiford, assistant minister of First
Baptist Church, W-S. Rev. Fullwood led the song “What A Friend We Have In
Jesus” and Dr. Rowdy introduced Rev. Pettiford.
Rev.
Pettiford spoke from the subject, The Sorrow and the Joy with emphasis
on Mark 10:35-40. James and John, ambitious brothers, asked Jesus for positions
they wanted. When they asked, Jesus does for them what he done for Pettiford
time after time. Jesus answers what really needs to be answered, gives
neither yes nor no: Can you take what I’m going to take? Pettiford says, that
anybody can be taken into sorrow but can he/she come out of it?
Pettiford believes James and John answered too
quickly. Pettiford raises the question, how can you, James and John, answer
so quickly when he just told you what is going to happen to Him? Pettiford
reminds us that none of us will have to do what Jesus did but we’ve had to
drink from the cup. Pettiford’s suffering has been less physical and more of
trying to help those who seem they don’t want to be helped. He says no one
should be angry with James and John, for what makes one great is
service. God makes no mistakes and there is joy laid up for all of us. Joy is laid
up but every once in a while the joy spills over!
The
body rose to give Rev. Pettiford a rousing vote of thanks for his message.
Attendance – 22 persons
Offering - $61.00
Membership
– $20.00
MLK-
$2,500.00
Golf
Tournament- $300.00
Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)
Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and
benediction.