Chaplain Shawn Menchion
4. BROTHER BILL AYERS AFFIRMS BISHOP RICHARDSON'S SUGGESTION ABOUT THE FORMAT OF THE ONLINE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
snap shot of the Official Recorder - something to pique the interest of
the reader - just as NewsWeek and Sports Illustrated have on their
website which is something I receive electronically a couple of days
before the next issue comes out - just a thought.
A question on the churches in Grenada - did they have insurance
coverage? I know we will be asked to give and will give generously when
asked - but I believe you get more dollars when everything is open and
above board. I am sure there will be more churches that will need our
support and prayers as these storms take their course.
Keep up the good work - and Rev. Pridgen sends his regards.
The East Tennessee Annual Conference began at Bethel A.M.E. Church, Walker Avenue, Chattanooga, TN on Tuesday, September 14, 2004. The Rev. Pamela Miller, pastor of Campbell Chapel A.M.E Church, Pulaski, TN., being the selected messenger for the Missionary Sermon.
The official opening worship service featured Music from one of the choirs of Bethel AMEC, Knoxville, TN. The Rev. Johnny Watson spoke to GOD in behalf the people. The Rev. Michael Broadnax, pastor of Bethel Knoxville, TN., focused on the woman at the well and exhibited the Broadnax style of sermonizing.
ThereÂ’s a church on Williams Street in Chattanooga, TN., and a few blocks away from the house where Aunt Jessie and Uncle Elmer lived. St Paul AMEC, now pastored by a native Memphian, the Rev. David Harrison Strong. At Noon time on Thursday, September 16, 2004 (11:00 a.m. CST, during the quietness of an empty class room, I closed my eyes and heard what I thought was singing in the air. I was attempting to pray and my thoughts were on the church praying.) The choir of St Paul Church Chattanooga, TN sang to the glory of GOD. The scripture for the message was selected from Acts 12:12. The Rev. David H. Strong preached "What If I had a Praying Church".(The PA System had to be attended to.)
I am thankful to be a witness to God's work. Strong is just a few years younger than me. Both of us were active in the church through the YPD and the RAYC. GOD called us to the preaching/pastoral ministries. We play the piano. Strong sings and I hit at it whenever necessary. But IÂ’m thankful to see people surpass me in certain areas. With the preaching that IÂ’ve heard and heard about. Strong sang "My Soul Has Been Anchored in The Lord". IÂ’ll wait until Saturday to see where Strong will go. Will he remain in the East Tennessee Conference? Will he land in the Tennessee Conference? Will he become a Presiding Elder in the West Tennessee Conference?
The weather is threatening activities for the nights of September 16, 2004 were cancelled. The Chief Pastor, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie (117th) will lead the sessions in a fashion to get all work-completed beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 17, 2004.
My friend the Rev. Lawrence W. Twigg, appeared to be fatigued on the opening day. I can recall when the late Rev. Charles A. Jones served as the Presiding Elder of the East Tennessee Conference. Jones became ill and it was difficult for him to attend to his duties. Jones was assigned back to the pastorate and enjoyed the remaining time that he had in ministry. Stress agitates other conditions.
If I live to see 62, I plan to retire from the pastoral ministry. ThatÂ’s 10 years from now. Frequently I remind people that we only have one day at a time. Today I had to respond to three inquiries. A man is dying and he wants to purchase a casket, does not want to be embalmed and plans to be buried on his farm. HeÂ’s to check on buying the casket on September 17, 2004. There is a 52-year-old man who has perhaps 5 weeks to live. Tentative arrangements for him were made. Lastly, there is a baby girl two weeks old, and plans are being made for her death at any time. I shared these three items with my wife, Willa. In the event that I go before any of these individuals who are expected to die, then she will know what to do.
The Rev. Roderick Belin, the son of Retired Bishop Henry Allen Belin, Jr., is scheduled to preach on Friday, September 17, 2004. Roderick, (I can remember when he was born in Columbia, TN, during the pastorate of his father at St Paul Church, Columbia, TN. IÂ’ve heard that he may land back in the 13th. I heard good reports about him during his work under a preacher named Flake, I believe. Chattanooga, TN is not far from the 6th District where, his parents reside close to where retired General Officer Dr. Jayme Coleman Williams and her spouse Dr. McDonald Williams reside.
Pray for Sister Willa Smith and her husband (WHS). She's been under the weather and I've been feeding her soup and pizza. Someone sent her turnip greens and the child got better! Pray for Mable Aide,age 92, blind, both legs have been amputated, and she suffered a stroke on Monday, Sept. 13, 2004. I visited her at Maury Regional early on the morning of Tuesday, Sept. 14, 2004. Remember the Rev. Archie C Griffin, Sr., and his family in prayer.
Because of the water there may be no school in Giles County. It would be great if someone in the East e mailed me with the facts just the facts. I won't complain and it will aid me in not become bored!
Be Blessed!
WHS
6. INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT "YOUR GOAL":
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
Voice:Home, 757-850-5554; Work, 757-728-6677, FAX 757- 728-6515:
Email:Home, chsydnor@erols.com; Work, calvin.sydnor@hamptonu.edu
