Re:
Rev. Carter opened devotion with hymn #211, ‘Leaning on the Everlasting
Arm,’ and read scripture from the book of Ruth chapter 4:1-4. Devotion was
closed with hymn #164, ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus’ and prayer.
Rev. Dr. Moses Edwards called the conference to order and welcomed the
body to this week’s conference and business session. As the morning mediation, Dr. Sid Kelly
reflected on the many misinterpretations of biblical scripture of the Pauline
text. In the epistle to Timothy,
women—wives and marriage are held to strict and submissive roles—women should
not speak in public and in case of marriage should submit to their
husbands.
Kelly says from this vantage point Paul is known as
a male chauvinist, especially by women.
However, in I Corinthians chapters 7 and 14 there are examples of Paul’s
true beliefs about relationships under marriage because there appears to be
equity of treatment both male and female.
Also, in Galatians 27 Paul spells out what it means to be a
Christian—neither Jew nor Gentile, Roman nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor
female—all are Christ-like in the eyes of God.
Kelly concludes when Paul’s writings are critiqued
authentically they may reveal Paul to be a prophetic and liberating voice for
all including women.
The minutes of the April 11th conference were read and
accepted with proper correction(s).
Today is
International Partners Day with Reverends John Mazvigadza, General Secretary
and Dennis Dhlula President of the Baptist Convention of Zimbabwe as the order
of the day. Next week is Seminarian
Preaching Day.
Chris Bauman,
Organizer CHANGE, reported the focus of CHANGE is the Education Initiative and
the upcoming Delegates Assembly April 30, 2006, 4pm at Union Baptist
Church. Educating the community on city
spending and bond money allocation continues to be a top priority. CHANGE is developing an economic development
plan that provides vitality for the broader community.
Chancellor
Harold Martin will facilitate a meeting with the health community leaders to
formula a solution to support the Downtown Health Plaza. The meeting is scheduled May 8, 2006 3pm at
WSSU.
Rev. Sanders
reported the MLK Golf Scholarship Fundraiser is in a good position to make a
significant contribution to the conference scholarship program. Other
Conference members are encouraged to enter a team in support of this
educational event.
Sick Report
Community
Presentation(s)
Dr. Christy
Woods, Executive Director Angelou Research Center introduced the center whose
focus is reducing health disparities in the black community. A new research project called Voices of
African American Health is seeking individuals to share their medical condition
by participating in a photojournalism display.
Candidates are being sought to be apart of this public writing and
picture exhibit of major health conditions in the black community.
Dr. Woods invited the conference to
the Spring Lecture 2006 entitled ‘Making a Difference in Health Care: Tales
From the Front.’ Dr. Eve Higginbotham,
Dean and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Morehouse School of
Medicine will speak Friday, April 28, 2006 at Piedmont Plaza I in the Kitty
Hawk Room at 4pm.
Addie Hymes,
WSFC Schools Rep, invited the body to a Faith Community Luncheon called,
‘Connecting the Village.’ Hymes believes
the church can be a positive motivator for black students and their parents in
the process of education. The Luncheon will take place Thursday, May 11, 2006
11:30am at the Administration building.
Announcement(s):
Johnny Ray
announced the National Black Alliance Network will broadcast the ‘How to Live a
Disease-Free Life and Enjoy Good Health,’ program by telephone on Tuesday,
April 18, 2006 at 9pm. You can listen in by dialing 1-212-990-8000 and pin
1102#.
Rev. Dr. John Mendez introduced Reverend Marina Skinner,
Associate Minister, EBC as the order of the day and Dr. Fulwood led hymn, ‘Pass
Me Not.’ Rev. Skinner lifted scripture
from Ezekiel chapter 2:1-10 and chose as a subject, “When People Think You are
Crazy.” Skinner says the word crazy
means different things to different people.
However,
this was a title given to the Prophet Ezekiel at a time of utter disregard for
God and right living by the Israelites.
God chose Ezekiel to be God’s prophetic voice for a time such as this. God was ready to destroy Israel but not
without a warning—a second chance to turn back to God.
God
gave Ezekiel visions representing Israel’s sin and disobedience against
God. And, God commanded Ezekiel to shave
his head and beard as symbols of Israel’s demise but Israel still did not
repent and turn from their sinful and evil ways.
Skinner
says there are those in contemporary times who were called crazy from time to
time such as MLK, Jr, Mother Teresa and Mahatma Gandhi. God used these contemporary prophets to
communicate God’s will for God’s people just as Ezekiel was used in the Old
Testament.
Skinner
concludes, I don’t know about you but I want to be crazy for God, what about
you—can God count on you to be a little crazy by being a prophetic voice in
times such as these?
The
body rose to give Rev. Skinner a rousing vote of thanks for her encouraging
message.
Attendance – 22 persons
Offering - $54.00
Membership
– 0.00
Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)
Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and
benediction.