Re:
Rev Carter, opened devotion with hymn #191 ‘Glory to His Name,’ and
lifted scripture from the Book of Isaiah 6:1-5.
Devotion was closed with prayer and hymn #164, ‘I Have Decided to Follow
Jesus.’
Rev. Dr. Linda 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 by
continuing a reflection on Luke’s Parables.
Kelly says Luke was able to interpret a story of the Good Samaritan from
Mark’s primary source text about loving your neighbor. Kelly says that parable answers the question
“who is really our neighbor.” Now in
chapter 15, Luke is using a parable to clarify “what a joy there is when one
sinner repents and returns to God.”
Kelly says the parables in Luke’s gospel have the
theme “the lost and found,” which all end with rejoicing! Luke seems to be emphasizing that anytime
something is lost and then found that is a time of “rejoicing!”
Minutes of the Nov 21st conference were read and accepted
with proper correction(s).
Today, Rev.
Nathan Parrish Pastor Peace Haven Baptist Church will share a theological
dialogue about Baptist church autonomy.
Next week is Interfaith Day with a dialogue on Middle East Issues—
Deltra Bonner,
CHANGE Lead Organizer reported the Community Economic Task group will meet with
the
Also, university students are
looking for community immersion opportunities during the weeks from
Dr. John Mendez and Erica ??? reported on the organizing effort of the “Justice at the Smithfield Packing plant.” There are serious violations of poor working conditions and safety/health issues at this facility. Workers are treated humanely when injured on the job and even loose jobs after reporting for medical treatment. Workers have been fired for participating in union organizing to obtain better work conditions. A recent strike resulted in workers returning to jobs however, employers use threats of reporting illegal aliens as a means to keep works in line.
A local action in schedule Saturday, 12/2/06 from 11am to 12noon at Reynolds Commons Harris Teeter, to gain their support as a buyer of Smithfield meats. The conference voted and endorsed the protest and to support the Saturday boycott.
Dr. John Mendez announced Wensler Nosie has been elected Tribal Council Leader for the San Carlos Apache Nation. The body voted to send Wensler Nosie a congratulatory letter and gift in support of his election.
Dr. Carlton Eversley reported Wiley Brown & Associate litigation with Mechanics & Farmers Bank is ongoing. Eversley stated a delegation of Ministers, including Dr. Mendez, Bishop Hash and Dr. Churn were planning a meeting with bank executives in Durham with hopes of resolving the property dispute.
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:
Announcement(s):
Rev. Willard
Bass introduced Dr. Steven McCutchan, Retired Pastor Highland Presbyterian
Church as the Theological Order of the Day.
Dr.
McCutchan shared his newly published book, ‘Goods News for A Fractured
Society.’ The book’s focus is on
stories that we can use as instructions for living, says McCutchan. For example, the birth of Christ story in
Matthew’s gospel is a story of a power struggle—a Jewish man has the power to
take or reject Mary as his wife; Joseph had the right to have Mary stoned but
he chose to evaluate and decide through the eyes of God! He asked the question, how God would handle
this situation—an unmarried woman with an unborn child.
The
story of John the Baptist is about the baptism of the Christ. However, if anyone needed to be baptized it
was not Jesus—but Jesus identified with those who struggled and were hurting.
McCutchan
says, the question for us as Christians, is how can we go down and get in the
water to where people are struggling? It
should be noted that Matthew says it was when Jesus entered the water that God
acknowledged Jesus as the Son of God.
The test for Jesus came after God’s affirmation—Satan tempted Jesus with
the whole world but Jesus didn’t give in to temptation.
For
the Church, the things you do well—the strengths of the church—could be the
main threats to temptations. There are
three (3) ways Jesus’ temptations affect the church today: first, satisfying oneself before others. Placing ones own survival ahead of the
survival of others in need is a temptation that the church can suffer; second,
claiming God’s protection for oneself, first, when Jesus says one should not
tempt God—how many times have we used God’s promise incorrectly—for our own
means? Third, claiming God’s promise of
power for ourselves, first. How many
times have we bowed down to others instead of staying on the side of
righteousness—using the power of the church for unworthy means?
McCutchan
closes asking the question, “are we God’s of the church or are we servants of
the Most High God?”
The
body rose to give Dr. Steven McCutchan a rousing vote of thanks for his book
reflection of the temptation of the church.
Attendance – 17 persons
Offering - $56.00
Membership
– 0.00
Adjournment (Prayer and Benediction)
Having no further business the conference adjourned with prayer and
benediction.