Re:
Rev. Carter opened devotion with hymn #191, ‘Glory To His Name’ and the
reading of Proverbs 31. Devotion was
closed with hymn #164, ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus’ and prayer.
Rev. Dr. Linda Beal opened the conference with the
call to order and welcoming the body and special guests Mayor Allen Joynes,
Mayor Protem Vivian Burke, and council members Nelson Malloy, and Joyclen
Johnson to this week’s conference and business session.
Doctor’s Beal, Eversley, Churn, Mendez, and Rev.
Edwards and Parrish gave extemporaneous presentations on behalf of Darryl Hunt.
Hunt is in a sensitive spot for reparations. There is collective concern for
Hunt being adequately compensated for the eighteen years he was robbed of by
being falsely accused. There is a need to bring closure to this issue and not
leave an open wound, a need to put a period where there is a comma.
Allen Joynes, Vivian Burke, Nelson Malloy, and
Joycelyn Johnson all thanked the conference for the invite. They appreciated
the comments and took to heart everything that had been said by the
ministers.
The January 16th conference minutes were read and accepted
with proper corrections.
Dr. Carlton Eversley, Political Action Chairman, suggested we commission our committee to plan a possible demonstration (mid-next week) if we don’t get the proper response on the Darryl Hunt issue. Dr. Mendez suggested that prior to a demonstration, a letter from the conference is sent appealing to the city to do the right thing. By doing this, the absent councilpersons would hear from the conference. It was agreed that a letter to absent council members be composed and delivered, then march in support of Hunt next Wednesday if things are not in order.
Sick Report
Community
Presentation(s)
Pat Lowrance
of Med-Co informed conference of the assistance to senior citizens the company
provides to help senior citizens at no cost. She asked that pastors give Med-Co
opportunity to assist their congregations with diabetic needs.
Stephen
Hairston spoke of the need to put a committee together to work on an agenda of
what we expect black officials to do on behalf of education. Stephen Hairston
made an appeal that black officials be informed of how dissatisfied citizens
are in areas like education. He asserts the time to mobilize is now so a bus
will be chartered and on February 10th a march. Dr. Eversley moved the
conference endorse participation on this march, it was so ordered.
Announcement(s):
Rev.
McCullough announced
Rev.
Sanders led the hymn #211, “Leaning On the Everlasting Arms”. Dr. Brenda Rowdy
was the Preaching Order of the Day. Dr. Rowdy is a member of
Dr.
Rowdy spoke from the subject “It’s Time to Take a Stand!” (Daniel 3:1-7) King
Nebuchadnezzar did not allow his captives to worship their gods when taken into
captivity. The Hebrews boy’s refusal to obey the king’s request infuriated the
king to the point where he demanded that they be thrown into a fiery furnace.
In refusing the king’s request that they submit to pagan worship, these men
took a stand. With all sovereignty, God sends a heavenly visitor to accompany
these men revealing to all that Yahweh had the power over the natural and the
unnatural.
Rowdy
then raises the question, “Are you ready to take a stand?” She asserts
that these men where loyal, determined, bold leaders who courageously took
their stand. She tells of how taking a stand is speaking against social
injustices, homelessness, and other ills in our communities. Rowdy says that
each of us must take a stand for Godly principles having a passion for the well
being of others. God’s elect must spend time talking about the goodness of
Jesus remembering that Jesus took a stand so we could stand.
The
body rose to give Dr. Rowdy a rousing vote of thanks for her message.
Attendance – 26 persons
Offering - $61.00
Contribution: $00.00
Membership
– 00.00
Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)
Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and
benediction.