Re: November 14, 2006 Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem & Vicinity

Devotional

Rev Carter, opened devotion with hymn #211 ‘Leaning on the Everlasting Arm, and lifted scripture from the Book of Joshua 1:1-3. Devotion was closed with prayer and hymn #164, ‘I Have Decided to Follow Jesus.’

Call to Order & Inspirational Talk

Rev. Dr. Linda Beal called the conference to order and welcomed the body to this week’s conference and business session.

Dr. Serenus Churn provided the morning inspiration by reflecting on the groundbreaking ceremony for the Martin Luther King, Jr. national memorial in Washington, DC. Churn says it was a historical moment with many prominent civil rights activists present.

Churn lifted up scripture from Joshua 4:4-8 noting the stone memorial that Joshua and the Israelites erected to God for bringing them to the promise land. Now, the nation will have a memorial honoring the one who single-handedly led the civil rights movement. However, Churn says this memorial is much more because it acknowledges the hard work and sacrifice made by MLKJr to gain equality for all of God’s children, especially in the US.

What we take for glibly, so lightly was more than a movement—it was a struggle, a sacrifice of a life not ready to die. So, what will this memorial really mean for the struggle and sacrifice made right here in WS—where memories of separation and segregation still linger!

Reading of the Minutes

Minutes of the October 31^st conference were read and accepted with proper correction(s).

Reports New/Old Business

A. Review of Conference Calendar

Rev. Pamela Blackstone Pastor St. Anne’s UM Church is the Women’s Preaching Order of the Day. Next week is Theological Reflection Day with Dr. Robertson Professor Shaw Divinity School.

B. Review of Conference Projects

Dr. Carlton Eversley reported the voter strategy to get more African Americans on the school board did not succeed. Eversly recommended more time for planning and more volunteers involved in future voter campaigns.

Shante Oliver, CHANGE Organizer reported a Clergy Caucus and Metro Council are scheduled this Thursday, Nov 16^th 10am at Grace Presbyterian Church and 6pm at GSC, respectively. Conference members are invited to support these events,

Attorney Raymond Marshall reported on his Contempt of Court case and stated the judge in the case has step outside the bounds of the law. Marshall is appealing the case and said the conference can assist by contributing to the legal fees and publicly discuss the case that has gotten very little press.

Sick Report

Community Presentation(s)

Steven Hairston, President NAACP reported a town hall meeting revealed student and parent concerns with the WSFC school system’s handling of the racial slurs appearing on school walls and administration insensitivity to African American students. A visit to the School Board meeting did not result in any action on the matter so other protests are being considered by students. Future NAACP activities include:

• Additional town hall meeting with the community;
• 1pm meeting at the NAACP office on Wednesday, November 15 to explore hiring an attorney for pursue resolution of the students and parents complaints;
• NC Representative Larry Womble introducing a resolution to name the WS Transit Center after the longest tenured bus drive (an African American);
• Students in an English class at Atkins High School to be presented copies of the book entitled “the Pact,” by three successful African Americans.

Announcement(s):

Order of the Day

Dr. Carlton Eversley introduced Rev. Herbert Miller Pastor First Baptist Church Lexington, NC as the Seminarian Order of the Day.

Rev. Miller lifted scripture from II Corinthians chapter 4:8-9 and chose as a subject “I’m Catching Hell.” The word “hell” is deemed by some as a curse word says Miller. But, it is a biblical word that appears many times in scripture.

Miller says Paul in the text is catching hell, you can tell it in his words. Listen to Paul’s words, I been pressed down on every side, I been down trodden and abused—sounds like he’s catching hell.

In everyone’s life trouble will show—but trouble done last always! Paul says I’m perplexed, confused and turned upside down—but I am not despaired and I’m not giving up on my life. You see, we have to be like Job, even though he lost everything he did not give up on his Lord.

Paul says he was persecuted—but not forsaken, ask the (3) Hebrew Boys, they were persecuted –but not forsaken. It matters not how much you are persecuted because you are never forsaken—God is always near!

Miller concludes, it does not matter how many times you get knocked down you can still get back up—with the “Master,” our Lord and Savior, you can get back up!

The body rose to give Rev. Willie Cole a rousing vote of thanks for his message.

Attendance & Offering

Attendance – 25 persons

Offering - ???

Membership – 0.00

Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)

Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and benediction.