Re:
Dr. James Fulwood, opened devotion with hymn #164, ‘I Have Decided to
Follow Jesus’ and the body recited the 23rd Psalm. Devotion was closed with prayer.
Rev. Dr. Linda Beal opened the conference as the first woman president
in the history of the conference. Dr.
Beal called the conference to order and welcomed the body to this week’s
conference and business session.
Dr. Sid Kelly provided the morning inspiration
sharing his interest in educating youth in the church. Kelly has an opportunity to dialogue the next
two Sundays with youth on the bible and scripture interpretation. The focus for the session will be to engage
the youth in exercise of “biblical reason.”
Kelly says there is much evidence in history that
helps dispel myths that directed the lives of early Christians. However, Kelly says the bible should not be
taken literally but with some degree of reason.
Stories that will be used to guide the discussion are: the two Genesis
creation stories; the New Testament Resurrection story; the Laws from the book
of Leviticus; issues of morality such as women’s inferior roles to men and
divorce; killing of other peoples in the name of God; no-first accounts by the
Apostles of Jesus’ life and resurrection; the religious notion of Christian
Zionism and the rapture of God.
These are discussion points to start a dialogue
with the youth of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church on Sunday concludes Kelly.
The December 19th conference were read and accepted with
proper corrections.
Dr. AT Griffey
volunteered to be the Preaching Order of the Day January 16, 2007. The
conference calendar is pending at this time.
Dr. James
Fulwood announced annual membership fees of $20 are now due.
Dr. Carlton Eversley reported the issue with the Political Action and Public Affairs committees needed the action of the body. Dr. Serenus Churn made a motion to combine the two committees since in the past they worked so close together. The body voted and accepted the motion to combine the Political Action/Public Affairs Committees with Dr. Eversley and Rev Herbert Miller as Co-Chairs.
Rev. Artis Smith Annual MLK Jr. Celebration Committee reported the following events on July 15th: the MLK Breakfast and Youth Talent Contest, 8:30 am at Mt Zion Baptist Church; the March downtown, gathering Mt Zion at 10:45am and the MLK Worship Service, 7pm at St. Stevens Missionary Baptist Church.
The conference membership is asked to enter youth from their congregations to write an essay on the life and legacy of MLK Jr. Also, churches and ministers are asked to contribute to the MLK Jr. scholarship fund as follows: large churches - $500; mid-size churches - $300; small churches - $100 and ministers - $50.
Checks should be endorsed to the Ministers Conference of WS & Vicinity.
Dr. Carlton Eversley, Political Action Chairman reported the city’s Marketing Department has begun a marketing campaign that eliminates the use of the name of the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum. A new branding campaign uses the WS Sports and Entertainment Center instead. The body voted to endorse sending a letter to the city requesting future marketing campaigns includes the use of the African American for whom the coliseum has successfully fought for in the 1980’s.
The Larry Fields Education Advocacy Committee will begin the Friday Motivational talks with the Griffin Middle School Academy and High School this month. The body is asked to provide role-modeling by volunteering to participate in either the 12n or 1:30pm session.
Rev. Tony Sanders Chairman of the J Ray Butler Annual Golf Scholarship Fundraiser reported plans are underway for this year’s event and asked conference members to sponsor holes as well as enter individual teams. Last year’s event is deemed a success with $9000 in gross revenues.
Deltra Bonner, Lead Organizer CHANGE reported Change has been approached by Mayor Allen Joines to support the proposed Ballpark project. However, Change has decided to hold off making a decision until several issues are resolved.
Also, individual survey forms have been sent to member churches and should be returned to Change as soon as possible. These forms are critical to identifying needed resource gift and talents within to organization.
The Clergy Caucus will be Thursday January 18th10am at Our Lady of Mercy and the Metro Council will be 6:30pm at United Metropolitan Baptist Church. Conference members are asked to come out and support these important community action groups—one for ministers and the other for laypersons, etc.
Sick Report
Community
Presentation(s)
Announcement(s):
Attendance – 15 persons
Offering - $79.00
Contribution: $00.00
Membership
– 0.00
Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)
Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and
benediction.