Re:
Rev. Carter opened devotion with hymn #211 ‘Leaning on the Everlasting
Arm” and lifted up scripture from Psalm 133.
Devotion was closed with hymn #164, ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.’
Rev. Dr. Moses Edwards called the conference to order and welcomed the
body to this week’s conference and business session. Edwards took the opportunity to reflect on
conference accomplishments to-date that included the: 2006 Fall School Bond
that conference will support along with CHANGE in order to ensure city schools
capital needs will be met; Tsunami Relief Fundraiser; Zimbabwe Water Relief
Fundraiser; Mozambique Homeless Children’s’ Relief Fundraiser; Lott Carey
Missionary Support Fundraiser; First Annual MLK Scholarship Golf Fundraiser
(named the JR Bulter Scholarship Fundraiser); Ephesus Junior Academy
Scholarship Fundraiser; Downtown Health Plaza Crisis and others.
Rev. Dr. Serenus Churn provided the morning
inspiration by reflecting on the fourth chapter of Mark’s Gospel. Churn says, Mark describes some of Jesus’
most marvelous preaching in this book.
Mark says, that at one point Jesus had to get in a boat where he falls
asleep. Some of us don’t want to
acknowledge that Jesus in his humanity get tired along with other human
uniqueness. This notion of God’s
presence still shows itself in recent events like the 9/11/01 and hurricane
Katrina.
Moreover, we see in Mark’s story even Jesus
experienced the storms of life—the storm on the Galilean Sea. And, the hysterical disciples asked Jesus
during the storm, “Lord, don’t you care?”
But, Jesus not moved by question listened the storm anyway. Churns concludes, God love us and sometimes
uses a storm a show us just much he loves humanity!
The minutes of the June 27th conference were read and
accepted with proper corrections.
This week is
Theological Reflection Day with Dr. Carlton Eversley. Next week Rev. Kelly
Carpenter is the Preaching Order of Day.
Rev. Nathan Parrish reported the Larry Fields Alternative Education and Advocacy Committee is starting the Friday mentoring program at Griffith School soon. Parrish asked for volunteers to participate each morning and afternoon events.
Rev. Parrish introduced Alexandria Milner intern at Calvary Baptist Church and encouraged her to stay involved in ecumenical ministry such as the Ministers Conference. Alexandria is trying to move Calvary out of the church into the diverse community of WS.
Deltra Bonner, Organizer CHANGE announced the upcoming events: October 12, 2006 Delegates Assembly at 7pm at Knollwood Baptist Church; the Bus/transportation audit to take place after training sessions are completed in house meetings.
Chris Bauman announced his leaving to take a position with “United Here” as national union and organizing network. The change will be affective after the Delegates Assembly at which time Deltra Bonner will assume the lead organizer role and Sharee Fowler second organizer.
Rev. Edwards announced the Minister Conference would support the upcoming school bond referendum and in two weeks a news conference publishing the news would be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church.
Sick Report
Community
Presentation(s)
Ms. Betty
Marsh-Watson, Representative WSSU Grand parenting Project introduced this
program and said it has been ongoing (2) years with support from both state and
federal funding sources. Ms. Watson
asked conference members to spread the word about this free resource. Grandparents continue to be an important
part of nurturing family and children with limited income.
Karen Bell
Chandler, Representative Habitat for Humanity, introduced herself as the
outreach person to the community.
Chandler encouraged the conference to use their services to build a home
in partnership with faith-based communities.
Angela Parms,
Representative Coalition for Drug Abuse Prevention announced the annual Family
Day: “A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children.”
The conference is invited to a press conference and free dinner at
Bonefish Grill on September 25, 2006 at 5:30pm.
Ms. Parms also requested a $700.00 contribution from the
conference. Rev. Edwards referred the
request to the finance committee for a recommendation on the matter.
Mr. Harold
Kennedy, III Chairman Forsyth County Democratic Party reported some critical
issues in our community require a concerted effort and a strong voters turn-out
in November. Kennedy offered a slate
office candidates running for school, county commissioner and US Congress. Kennedy encouraged voters to vote early on
October 19, 2006 or to be sure to vote November 4, 2006.
Announcement(s):
Rev. Artis Smith reported Rev. Dr. JR Samuels’s retirement service would be in December.
Ephesus Seven Day Adventist Church invited the conference to share in their Pastor’s Appreciation Day on Saturday, October 14, 2006 at 11am. Drs. Beal and Churn moved that the conference honor our president (Rev. Dr. Moses Edwards) with an appreciation plaque at the service. The body accepted the motion and directed the financial secretary to plan for this important event.
Dr. Edwards
introduced Rev. Dr. Linda Beal, Pastor New Liberty Baptist Church, as the
Women’s Preaching Order of the Day.
After hymn, “The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow” was song Dr. Beal
remembered members who had gone on to be with our since our June conference,
Dr. Stinnis and Rev. Rosette Hairston.
Rev.
Beal lifted scripture from Matthew 4:22- 25 and chose as a subject “Walking on
the Waters of Life.” In this pericope
Jesus uses the storm to bring us as Christians to a greater level of
understanding about God. Jesus saw the
disciples struggling with the storm and tool this opportunity to show God’s
power. Down through history, God used
God’s extremities to show God’s power in the time of human struggle.
Beal
offers ways we as Christians can benefit from the experience of the storm:
first, when you are in a storm, you need to keep on sailing; second, you need
to keep on doing what you know how to do during the storm—such as keep dipping
or working; and third, you need to get out of your comfort zone so God can
raise your understanding of how to navigate a storm through God.
Once
you have done all you can then Jesus will come—in the storms of your life you
must call on Jesus. We must make contact
with the one who has the power. Jesus
reaches down to save us no matter how far down we have gone. Beal says some of us think God wants to give
us wealth but Jesus wants to get us through to the other side—Beal concludes,
are you walking by faith in the waters of life?
Attendance –28 persons
Offering - $83.00??
Membership
– 0.00
Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)
Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and
benediction.