Newspapers / Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.) / July 25, 2002, edition 1 / Page 11
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CME churches hold annual conference BY FELEC1A P. MCMILLAN, PH.D. COMMUNITY CORRESPONDENT More than 800 members of the Carolina Annual Conference gathered at Adam's Mark Hotel this week to be enlightened about the work of God that is taking place in Christian Methodist Epis copal churches in North Carolina . and South Carolina. Presiding Bishop Charles L. Helton, host pastor Rev. Bobby R. Best, pastor of Saint John CME Church; Rev. James E. Russell Sr., host presid ing elder. Winston Salem/Greenville District; Rev. Louvenia R. Coleman, presiding elder, Durham District; and Rev. Jimmy E. Gilbert, presiding elder. Charleston-Columbia District, served as the leadership team for the annual conference, being held July 22-26. Ministers and their spouses; elders; missionaries; lay ministers; conference ushers; conference trustees; church workers in publi cation services. Christian educa tion, evangelism and missions; ^te historical society; the music com mittee; conference officers; elders and other leaders participated in conference plenary sessions, lec tures, luncheons, dinners, Bible studies, church business seminars, and various committee meetings throughout the week. Also throughout the week, vendors of spiritual wares were accessible. Some of them sold neckties, hats, figurines, T-shirts with positive family values, and other items. Each morning Host Pastor Bobby Best led conference atten dants in the Power Pool beginning at 6 o'clock. On Tuesday morn ing, 60 people were present for this Bible study session. They focused on the book of Acts chap ters 1 and 2 as well as I Corinthi ans chapters 12 and 14 during the week. "We are focusing on the theme of 'Catching on Spiritual Fire.' This special time of prayer sets the tone for the rest of the day," Best said. "This is an annual accounting and stewardship con ference. We are all accountable for what we have done for the year. We are evaluated and taught about what should happen in our churches. We have come to get our tools sharpened to prepare for the next year." Bishop Helton expounded on the quadrennial theme. "Refocus ing From Survival to Revival and Renewal of the Church." Helton exhorted the ministers to fulfill their calling with love and patience. "Somebody had better catch on fire, or I will be in trouble try ing to find pastors for our church es. Pastors, you cannot continue to go to the church and then leave. We must be active and produc tive," Helton said. "We cannot be satisfied with mediocre ministry. We've got to catch on fire and do some things differently." Helton encouraged the minis ters to value the members in their various church bodies. "We have to stop this business of fussing with people at II on Sunday morning. This is not the time to fuss or tell somebody off. People are ready to hear the word of God," Helton said. "Some of them are hurt, sick, brokenheart ed, down and almost out. This is not the time to fuss with them. Please do not be guilty of this." Helton cautioned the leaders against berating the televangelists. "Some of the ministers may envy the packed houses of the tel evision ministers like T.D. Jakes. Do you not know that some of that same thing can be happening in our churches? We should not speak against our churches, but lift them up," Helton said. "When our members leave, they take money and support that we need. What is happening to us?....The time has come to think about catching on spiritual fire, pastors and lay peo ple working together." Rev. Dr. Beverly G. Rose, director of the Annual Conference Board of Christian Education, led the activities for the youths and children at the Carolina Annual Conference. The children involved ranged in age from 6 to 17. The children have Bible study each morning. They also have experienced such local speakers as Willard Tanner, university counselor at Winston-Salem State University; Benjamin Muham mad from the local Public Health Department; and John Raye, a motivational speaker and author. In addition, the youths partici pated in rap sessions on topics such as anger, attitude, thankful ness, loneliness, self-image, sexu al temptation, stress and worry, developing Christian character, and racism, prejudice, and favoritism. The discussion leaders from St. John CME included Alease Gilliam, Angela Brown Shouse, JoAnn Griffin, Diamond Cotton, Donna Andrews. Pamela Alexander and Shirley Mayfield from Holsey CME Church. The young people also participated in outings to CiCi's Pizza, Chuck E. Cheese, Hanes Mall, Northside Bowling Lanes, and a cookout with games at Walkertown Park. Sallie Ledbener, director of Chris tian education at St. John CME Church, assisted on the planning committee. Many of the delegates and conference attendees have partici pated for several years because they consider the conference important and viable for their spir ituality. Zilla Brown and Annie L. Williams of St. John CME met Rachel L. Davis and Corrine Laws of Russell Memorial CME in Durham at the conference. They all had their reasons for con tinuing to support the conference. "We go anywhere they.go. We track them down all around because I enjoy meeting the peo ple I see from one year to the next. I enjoy the fellowship." Williams said. Davis said. "I followed the conferences around until I had an illness, but now that I am better, I am back on the road again. I love the stimulation that I gain from the different services and meetings. I am always learning something." Brown said. "1 am always pleasured to be in the conference. I like to know about the church and how it operates. I started early in this program because I married a minister (Robert L. Brown), who is noiV deceased." Laws was eager to make her way to the pastoral reports busi ness session. "My pastor is Rev. Lloyd Watkins Sr., and he will be giving a report in this session. We have to be supportive of our pastor," Laws said. Pastor Isaiah Green ?of Guil ford Chapel in Middlesex. N.C., and Pastor Johnny Ware of Cross Roads CME in Anderson County, S.C., walked toward the pastoral reports session together. Green has been a pastor for 18 years and Ware has pastored for 32 years. They attend the conference each year. "This is where we ?et our pas toral appointments to be assigned to a church. We are assigned on a one-year basis," Green said. "It is required by church law that we appear before the annual confer ence to discuss church business and get reassignments for the fol lowing year." Ware said. "We are licensed to preach in the United States. Africa. Haiti and Jamaica, and we can be assigned anywhere. When you see those with the red pastor tags, they have been through a six year process. We begin as a minis ter on trial, a local preacher, get deacon orders, get elders' orders and we go through an ordination service. When you see the red tag. that means full connection. We are qualified to fulfill all obligations." Rev. Joniece Carroll, pastor of Beebee Chapel in Washington, N.C.. has pastured for three years She enjoys attending the confer^ ence because. "It is very spiritual and we receive updates and new s that affects our conference as a whole." Rev. Michelle V. William's, pastor of Larry Temple CME Church in Charleston. S C.. has been a pastor for only nine months. "This is my first conference as a pastor. I will he able to find out What other pastors are doing, and I can take some ideas back to my church," Williams said. "The teaching and preaching helps build you up spiritually. It gives you something to go on." ' Photos by Felecta McMillan^ Rev. J.J. Jackson (Israel Metropolitan CME, Greenville, S.C.) buys a hat for his wife from vendor Karen Black. Members of the bishops cabinet gather to pose with Bishop Charles Helton. j More than 800 people attended this year's event. Host pastor Bobby Bost (St. John CMS Church) gnats Bishop Charlas Halton, presiding bishop. * r I imagine the possibilities three days only Thursday, July 25 through Saturday, July 27 take an extra 15%off women's, men's and kids' fashions, accessories and shoes and take an extra10%off the rest of the store when you use your Sears card Offer applies to regular, sale and clearance prices. Excludes Exceptional Values. 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Winston-Salem Chronicle (Winston-Salem, N.C.)
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July 25, 2002, edition 1
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