Re: January 30, 2007 Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem &
Vicinity
Devotional
Rev. Carter opened devotion with hymn #211, ‘Leaning On the Everlasting Arms’
and the reading of John 6:26-29.
Devotion was closed with hymn #164, ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus’ and
prayer.
Call to Order & Inspirational Talk.
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 gave the theological reflection emphasizing a point in his
life when Jesus became human to him. In Matthew chapter 15:22-28 Kelly tells
how he appreciates Jesus as a first century Jewish human. Kelly says
this pericope depicts Jesus as a man of his time and culture. This is because
Jesus is participating in the prejudice of his day. The most amazing part of
the story, however, is the way it ends. Jesus overcame the prejudice of his day
by being open to the Gentile woman easing her concern for her daughter. Dr. Kelly declares that if Jesus could
overcome his prejudice, we can overcome ours. Kelly says he knows prejudice can
be overcome for he has witnessed it in the way he has been accepted as a vital cog
in the minister’s conference.
Reading of the Minutes:
The January 23rd conference minutes were read and accepted
with proper corrections.
Reports New/Old
Business
Review of
Conference Calendar
Motion was
made that a check of $300, pledged to the WSSU campus ministry for 2007. The
$150 for 2006 will be pledged making the donation of $300 complete for 2006.
February 10,
2007 state wide NAACP march in Raleigh. The bus will depart from the East
Winston Shopping Center, New Walkertown Rd. at 8 a.m. There is no charge for
the bus ride.
February 19,
2007 at 7pm at Wake Chapel the Darryl Hunt movie will air. This will be the
last local viewing.
Review of
Conference Projects
Dr. Carlton Eversley,
Political Action Chairman, reminded the conference of our work at Griffith
School. Eversley met with Mr. Scales of the American Legion Post 220, in hopes
they will support our position in respect to Lowrence Joel. The conference is
still aims to support Darryl Hunt’s best interest.
Dr. Beal
distributed conference flow sheets that she trust will inform members of the
direction in which we are going. She reviewed the sheet, compelling each member
to assess the sheet and report back to her.
Sick Report
Deltra Bonner, of CHANGE, mother came home from the hospital. The
conference was asked to continue to keep her and her family in their prayers.
Zimbabwe people need our prayers. Special guest Henry Mugabe, from
Baptist Seminary in Zimbabwe, informed the conference that Southern Africa has
the highest inflation in the world, 80% unemployment, and is devastated by
AIDS. They need our prayers.
Community
Presentation(s)
Jerry McLise
announced a integration seminar entitled How Can People of Faith Respond to
Integration Issues We Face? to be held March 13 at Green Street United
Methodist Church from 7-8:30pm.
Announcement(s):
Sherri Fowler
with CHANGE announced clergy caucus meeting to be held at the Unitarian
Universalist Fellowship and the metro council meeting at 6:30 at United
Metropolitan on February 15, 2007.
Rev.
Sanders led the hymn “Pass Me Not”. Rev. Reuben Gilliam was the preaching order
of the day focusing on the importance of people knowing who they are. The
scripture of the day was Ephesians 4:1-16.
Rev.
Gilliam is concerned for those who do not know who they are because they have
not taken the time to find their history. Gilliam asserts that if one knows
where he comes from, he can deal with who he is. We should know our heritage
and our roots. According to Gilliam, the greatest power we have is freedom to
know and be who we are. This freedom is the ability to think creatively.
Gilliam led by example in sharing his personal history. Gilliam did
research and has traveled to find his heritage. He traced is family back to
Norfolk (the ship they came on) back to England and he also applied to receive
his DNA.
Rev.
Gilliam reminds the body that we are all sisters and brothers created to dwell
together on earth. We should take pride in and believe in who we are. The body rose to give Rev. Gilliam a rousing vote of thanks
for his message.
Attendance – 22 persons
Offering - $62.00
Contribution: $00.00
Membership
– 60.00
Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)
Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and
benediction.