bethel lr june beacon

7/28/2019 Bethel LR June Beacon

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2/9

On Sunday, June 23, 2013, the YPD, along with the Essie M. Young Missionary Unit will

recognize the Youth of Bethel in the following categories:

From Kindergarten to 1st gradeFrom 5th to 6th gradeFrom 8th to 9th grade

High SchoolCollege

Higher Degree(s)

Please join us for this auspicious occasion!


3/9

Parish ConcernsChristian Education

Department

The Vacation Bible School Team is looking forvolunteers to assist with VBS 2013. We willneed teachers, registration staff, kitchen crewand facility assistants to make this a success.Please contact Evelyn James at 501-612-6512 orthe church office to sign up!

Lay Organization

The 56th Annual Lay Convention of the 12thEpiscopal District will be held June 12-15, 2013

at the Wyndam Hotel in North Little Rock, AR.There will be outstanding workshops andworship services. The registration forms can beaccess in the church office.Also, if you planned to support the District Laywith an Ad in the Souvenir Journal, the entrydeadline is June 5,2013.If you have any other questions, please see Sis.Bates.

Emancipation proclamation

seminar

The Arkansas History Commission and the BlackHistory Commission of Arkansas invite you toattend the upcoming seminar EmancipationProclamation: What it Meant to FreedAfrican Americans in Arkansas onSaturday, June 1. The free seminar will be heldat the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center, 501West 9th Street, Little Rock from 9 a.m. to 3p.m.Ronnie Nichols will be the keynote speaker andpanel members will include Mark Christ, ArchieMoore, Dr. John W. Graves and Leita Spears.

Box lunches will be provided to participants whoregisterby May 24, 2013! We hope to see youthere!

Arkansas History CommissionOne Capitol Mall

Little Rock, Arkansas 72201Phone: 501-682-6900

Website: www.ark-ives.govEmail:[email protected]

Volunteer InitiativeVIPs Training to take place Monday,June 3 at 6:00 PM and Tuesday, June 4 at12 Noon. Please do not forget theRockefeller School Initiative. Volunteersare still needed.! Thanks in advance.

150th Church Anniversary

Listed below are the Committee names andChairpersons. Please feel free to contact achairperson and let them know you are willing to

work.Memorial Garden/Wall Committee

William CochranPublic Relations/Information Committee

Charlotte JamesFinance/Budget Committee

Johnnie M. BranchHospitality/Decorations Committee

Connie HamptonBanquet Committee

Suzanne OrnelasSouvenir/Fundraiser Committee

Mae GreenCalendar/Other Committee

Maudeen CeCe Young

Memorabilia CommitteeSis. Arcola Beasley

History/ResearchKathryn Fitzhugh

Out-of-Town/State ContactCharlene Harris

Thank you for your cooperation.

The Beacon ExtraEquipping & Empowering People for Victorious Living, to the Glory of God!

Special points of

interest:

Announcements: In aneffort to ensure that all

church related events

receive the maximum

amount of publicity, pleasehave all information

pertaining to the event

submitted to the church

office at least six (6) weeks

in advance. This will

guarantee that the event

information is

disseminated among all

media outlets and in the

church publications as

well. Thank you for your

cooperation and attention

to this matter.

The 150th AnniversaryOut-of State & Town

Committee is in need of

your help!

We are in the process of

contacting former

members of Bethel AME

who are residing in otherStates, other towns, or even

those that are residing here

in the City of Little Rock.

As you may know, we are

planning memorable and

meaningful activities

related to our anniversary

celebration and we would

like to include everyone

that has helped to make

Bethel the historic church

that it is.

If you have contact

information for any of the

former members of Bethel

please contact Charlene

Harris, Melba Thompson,

or the church office as

soon as possible.

Internet Access in Sanctuary:

2WIRE251

Wireless Network Key:

9292930179
mailto:[email protected]?subject=June%201%20Seminar%20Registrationhttp://www.ark-ives.gov/http://www.ark-ives.gov/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.ark-ives.gov/mailto:[email protected]?subject=June%201%20Seminar%20Registration


4/9

The Beacon ExtraEquipping & Empowering People for Victorious Living, to the Glory of God!

Reflections

I was given a copy of anarticle from the Arkansas Gazette,

dated Thursday, September 25,

1986. The article by John

Workman, was well written and

dealt with the final sermon of Dr.

Rufus K. Young as pastor of Bethel AME Church. Dr.

Young was set to retire at the upcoming Arkansas

Annual Conference under the leadership of Bishop

Hartford H. Brookins, and graciously granted aninterview. During the interview, Dr. Young was

quoted saying, As I see it, the battle in the world

today ---- and in our nation and state---- is between

the conservatives and liberals. How spot-on was that

assessment in 1986 and how relevant the words in

2013? As interesting as the entire article was, I was

captured by and inspired by one particular quote. Dr.

Young was assigned to Bethel in 1963 when the

church was located at Broadway and Ninth Street. Hesaid in the article that the relocation efforts to realize

Bethels current location at 815 West Sixteenth

Street, which took 10 years to complete, was the

most difficult time of his ministry. He also said, It

took more energy out of me than anything Ive ever

done.

How can and how should the struggles of

another give hope to those who follow to plow thesame row? I began to remember how other seasoned

pastors had shared their own struggles in ministry;

and how at times, they were gripped by the vice-locks

of despair. I began to remember how I watched my

own mentors fight through seasons of troubled waters

and times of tribulation. I began to think of how

Asaph, the psalmist, thought of how he would be able

to endure the night. Asaph simply concluded that in

order get through my night and discover my tomorrow;

Ill have to remember the God of my yesterday.

Sometimes, it becomes therapeutic to remember thestruggles of yesterday; and believe that God is yet the

same. The saints of old had to endure no less the

weight of social, economic and personal dynamics that

we are faced with today. Their resolution, as we see

and perceive it, should always encourage us to stay in

the race, wait on the Lord, and serve while you wait.

I believe all of us can take something useful

from the plight of Dr. Young. He endured his own

season of trial because he believed someone could and

would benefit from the sacrifice. Now, as I see it, he

was willing to stand in the fire so people like me would

not have to cross the same bridge the same way. An

opportunity was given to my generation because the

preceding generations were willing to sacrifice their

time, talent and resources. They knew how to pray

their way through. What choice do we now have but to

go thou and do likewise?

To those of you who are wondering how long

the night will last, I say, remember what others have

endured. Because of their commitments, we each have

opportunities to succeed and to help others. Also,

never forget that people who follow you will measure

the strength of your commitment by the fruit of your

labor. How long the night? How great the reward?

How blessed the children will be? Keep praying.


5/9

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In my

Fathers house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go

to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come

again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. And

where I go you know, and the way you know. John 14:1-4 NKJV

Honoring our members and lovedones called home in May 2013.

Sister Laurntean Garrett

Sister Viola Meekins

Sis. Carolyn BookerSister of Sis. Sybil Bunn

Sis. Florence Cobbin-law of Sis. Mae Green and Family

Bro. Eddie Daniel

Uncle of Bro. Nathaniel Daniel

Brother Fred PaigeBrother-in-law& Uncle

of the Beasley, Garrett, Frazier Family

Bro. Jason PerryNephew of Sis. Barbara Johnson

Bro. Cortez Smithin-law of Sis. Mae Green and Family

Sis. Cherisse RobinsonNiece of Sis. Johnnie Branch;

Sister-in-law of the McIntosh Family

Sis. Yvonne WilliamsSister of Sis Johnnie Branch


6/9

Historical Sketch

Bishop James A. Shorter (1817-1887)

One of the Founders of Wilberforce University

James A. Shorter was born on February4, 1817, in Washington, D.C. He was free;however, his quest for a different kind of life

away from the reminders of slavery caused himto leave, in his youth, for the western part of thecountry. He stopped in Galena, Illinois. In 1839he joined the M.E. Church. The same year hetraveled to Philadelphia and joined BethelA.M.E. Church which was under the pastoralcare of Bishop Morris Brown. Bishop Brownadmired Shorter for his outspoken zeal.

Shorter married Miss Julia Steward andtook her to his birth city. He joined Israel Bethel

A.M.E. where Reverend John Cornish waspastor. Many of the congregation lived in thelower part of the city a full mile from thechurch. They decided to find a place to worshipat a shorter distance. Brother Shorter had

become known for his sound judgment andleadership abilities. He was selected as one ofthe first trustees. Soon a lot was purchased and atemporary structure was built. The membershipgrew and the church and congregation were

considered among the best in the city. Today thestately Metropolitan A.M.E. is still there.

After serving as trustee, steward, classleader, trusted adviser, and local preacher,Brother Shorter was recommended for theitinerant service in the Baltimore Conference andadmitted in 1846. He was ordained as a deaconin 1848 and elder in 1850.

In 1857 Brother Shorter moved hisfamily to the Ohio Conference. He wanted a

better place to educate his children and removethem from the vestiges of slavery. WilberforceUniversity had opened and the family livedthere. Brother Shorters son Joseph served as aprofessor at Wilberforce. Shorters church,Allen Chapel, was three miles from Wilberforce.It is said that he walked home from worksummer and winter, showing a devotion to hisfamily worth emulating. Allen Chapel served asa sheltering place for many freedmen making

their way to the North. The women of thechurch organized and fed the hungry, clothed thenaked and found homes for as many as possible.

In 1868 when the General Conferencemet in Washington, D.C., Brother James A.Shorter was elected as the ninth bishop of theA.M.E. Church. As a bishop, he granted to allother men just what he had exercised withreference to bishops: the right of petition,appeal, explanation, protection, and defenses.

Bishop Shorters legacy, in addition tobeing one of the founders of Wilberforce

University includes organizing several southernannual conferences, including those of Tennessee,Mississippi, and Arkansas. He organized theArkansas Annual Conference in Little Rock in1868. Shorter College in North Little Rock isnamed for Bishop Shorter and continues today.Additionally, Bishop Shorters son Joseph servedas a professor at Wilberforce University.

Bishop Shorter died July 1, 1887 and isburied in Xenia, Ohio.

Sources:Cary Bradburn, Shorter College in theEncyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net .

Obituary of Bishop James A. Shorter, ChristianRecorder, 1887.

Richard R. Wright, ed., James A. Shorter inCentennial Encyclopedia of the African Methodist

Episcopal Church, Documenting the American South.Philadelphia, PA: Book Concern of the AMEChurch, p.201. http://docsouth.unc.edu/ ,

Compliments of Sis. Wanda Hamilton
http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/http://docsouth.unc.edu/http://docsouth.unc.edu/http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/http://www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net/


7/9

Please Remember Our Sick, Home-bound, Convalescent, and Hospitalized Members

...I was sick, and ye visited me Matthew 25:36b

Rev. Ora Bunch

Sis. Catherine Coleman

Sis. Earnestine Eubanks

Sis. Unia Mae Harris

Sis. Barbara Hill

Sis. Aldonia Lashley

Sis. Viola Meekins

Sis. Corine Perkins

Bro. A.J. Washington

Sis. Winifred Whitfield

Convalescence Homes

Sis. Cleo Elston

Valley Ranch Nursing Home

Sis. Latonya Mitchell-Douglas

North Ridge Rehab Center

Home Bound

Recommended Books

What We Love About the Black Churchby William H. Crouch, Jr. and Joel C. Gregory

The Holy Bible

Prayer Watch

We are asking every

member of Bethel to

join in a

24-Hour Prayer

Watch Meeting.

Prayers Teams will

begin on Friday, June

21, 2013 at 6:00 PM and

will continue through

Saturday, June 22 at

6:00 PM.

Please sign up for

preferred time in the

narthex.


8/9

Month @ a Glance Discipleship Training

Every Tuesday at 6pm

Love Feast

Wednesday before the 1st Sunday at 5pm

Berean Study Group

Every Wednesday at 5pm

Prayer Meeting

Every Wednesday at 6pm

Church-Wide Bible Study

Every Wednesday at 6:30pm

Official Board. Meeting.

Monday after 1st Sunday, at 6pm

Steward Board Meeting

Monday after 4th Sunday , at 6pm

Trustee Board Meeting

Monday after 2nd Sunday, at 6pm

H.E. Carolina WMS Meeting Monday after 3rd

Sunday, at 6pm

YPD Meeting and New G.E.M. 1st Saturday of

Every Month;12:30pm

Lay Meeting

4th Wednesday of Every Month; 7:30pm

Sun. School Board Meeting

Tuesday after the 4th Sunday; 6:30pm

Mass Choir Rehearsal

Every Thursday at 6:30pm

Male Chorus Rehearsal

Every Tuesday 6:30pm

Youth Choir Rehearsal

1st & 2nd Saturday at 11am

Mens Prayer Breakfast

Every 4th Saturday at 8am

Usher Board Meeting

2nd Saturday every Month at 10am

Girls Dance Ministry Rehearsa

1st, 2nd,& 4th Mondays at 5:30pm

June 2013June 2013June 2013

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1

Bro. A.J. Washington

2 3 4 5 6

Little Rock District

Church School

Convention

Bethel LR

Sis. Florea Harvey

7

Sis. Rose Ivory

8

Sis. Gladys N. Davis

Bro. Toney Ashley

9

Kameron Whitmore

10 11 12 13

Bro. Montrell Wright

14

Sis. Geraldine Garrett

Sis. Natalie James

15

Sis. Kenya Eddings

Bro. Khyyam Eddings

Kirsten McIntosh

16 17

Vacation Bible

School 6:30pm,

Nightly

18 19

Madison Roberts

20 21

Sis. Ruby Dorn - Jacobs

22

23

Graduate

Program

24 25 26 27

Sis. Mary Coleman

Sis. Alexandria James

28 29

Bro. William Cochran30

Happy Birthday to All

members celebrating

June Birthdays!

An ITALICIZED Name

24hr Prayer Watch 6pm-6pm

12th District Lay Convention, Wyndham Hotel, NLR


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bethel lr june beacon

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