#BLACKOUT



Thanksgiving LOVE

 

Dear Missionary Sisters:

We thank God for the opportunity to share in a celebration of Thanksgiving 2014.  While the designated holiday itself originated as a secular decree from legislation enacted by government officials, we nevertheless consider the day as one to give thanks for the many blessings The Lord has showered upon his children.

We recognize that on this Thanksgiving there are those among us who are saddened by the fact that a loved one that was present last year is no longer among the living however we thank God for the wonderful memories of lost loved ones and the joy we take from their having been a presence in our lives.

On this day we give praise, honor and glory to our sovereign God.  Our first thanks is for the gift of His son Jesus in our lives.  We thank the Lord for family, friends and our churches. As we sit down to tables overflowing with delicious turkey, dressing, ham, ribs, collards, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, homemade breads, pound cake, sweet potato pie and so much more let us not only pray for but reach out to the needy.

If you are traveling to distant places to connect with home folks or if you are hosting dinner in your home, may your day be filled with peace, joy, good health and most of all LOVE!

Be Blessed!
~Dr. Pam DeVeaux

National Adoption Day



CONVO 16

November 16-18, 2014. Missionaries in Nashville attending CONVO 16 .

Robin Porter Smith, D. Faye Conley, Paulette Bryant,
Doris Porter and Supervisor DeVeaux





113th Anniversary Celebration

Star of Bethlehem AME-Baltimore, MD (affectionately known as "The Star") celebrated its 113th Anniversary on Sunday November 16, 2014 under the pastorate of Rev. Marlene R. Jefferson.  Bishop DeVeaux was the invited guest preacher. He spoke on the topic "Look What the Lord had Done", based on II Corinthians 6:4 reminding us that you can't make it in this life unless the Lord has been good to you.

"The Star" was graced by a surprise visit from Presiding Elder Emeritus Goodwin and Cynthia Douglas who mention that it was not by coincidence but by divine design that they 113th Anniversary was celebrated in the presence of the 113th Bishop! AMEN!!!

BLESSED AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!!



Pastoral Anniversary

Rev. Dr. Lois Ann Poag-Ray, Senior Pastor of Wayman Good Hope AME-Severna Park, MD, celebrated 30 years of pastoral service on Saturday November 15, 2014 at La Fountainbleu with friends and family.



Rev. Poag-Ray was the first woman to serve as the Dean of the Washington Conference Branch of Examiners; founding Pastor of First AME- Gaithersburg, MD where she served for 9 years; founded and served for 10 years as the Executive Director of the Pilgrim AME Church Job Connection Program. These are just a few of her many accomplishments.

Along with First Gentleman, Frederick Chester Ray she continues to praise God and use the gifts and talents God has blessed them with to make a difference in the lives of the church and community.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! BE BLESSED!

St. Paul AME Anniversary

We were privileged to attend the 150th Anniversary of St. Paul AME Church where Bishop DeVeaux was the guest preacher. A wonderful day of praise and fellowship!

May God continue to BLESS this great church!!!



MidWeek Service

November's midweek service featured Reverend Nicole Piles of Empowerment Temple- Baltimore, MD. Rev. Piles was accompanied by 47 members of Empowerment Temple, St. John's AME and Bethel AME. A lovely lunch and visit with Bishop DeVeaux, Dr. Pam and office staff. Blessed!

Wonderful friends and fellowship

 



Congratulations!

At the 2014 celebration of the Second Episcopal District Mid-Year a reception was held for the newly elected grand Baselius of Omega Psi Phi, Anthony Knox. He is a member of St. Matthew AME church in Durham, NC. CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Bishop and Supervisor DeVeaux with Basileus  and Mrs. Knox





Get Covered America!

Please visit getcoveredamerica.org to make sure you know your new health insurance options!

Veteran's Day

To all who have stood on the wall, protecting and serving through dangers

seen and unseen, THANK YOU!!! God BLESS YOU!!

~HAPPY VETERAN'S DAY~



Mid Year Conference

This year's conference was hosted by the Western North Carolina Conference by host pastor, Rev. Dr. Ronald Owens who served as conference coordinator. It convened November 5th and 6th with the Lay Convention featuring component meetings. Highlights included presentations by Rev. Lee P. Washington (Reid Temple-Glendale, MD) and Starr Battle on the topic: Clarity, Competence & Character.

Presiding Elder Evelyn Gail Dunn (North Carolina-Southern District) was the closing service preacher on the subject-Take Up the Cross, taken from Luke 5:4 & 5. Cast out your nets and do what The Word of The Lord tells you to do. Don't worry about failed labor.  Leadership is given those who try again. The evening concluded with the 15th Lay Convention Awards Gala honoring our Lay servants such as Alfreda Dennis Bowyer-Baltimore Conference; Melvin Clay-Washington Conference; Marcie W. White-Virginia Conference; Edna Wilson- North Carolina Conference; and Myrtle Mayo- Western North Carolina Conference. Maria A. Wallace, Director of Lay Activities and Patricia D. Matthews, 1st Vice-President were also honored for completing their maximum 8 years of service.



The Midyear Conference opening worship service featured a riveting sermon by Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington, Senior Pastor-Reid Temple-Glendale, MD preaching on the subject-Vision Sickness taken from Daniel 8.  He mentioned that there are people who don't want your situation to change but they don't know you have a revelation.  God anoints you not just for services but for your situation. Your integrity nullifies your misery but your enemy cannot eliminate what God initiates.

 

The opening plenary session was based on how the AME Church provides a model or economic development through the black church. Reverend Dr. Jonathan Weaver, Mt. Nebo- Bowie, MD and Nation President of the Collective Empowerment Group served as moderator.  Dr. Michael A. Grant, President of the National Bankers Association served as the keynote speaker.  The panel of experts were Ron Busby, President- U.S. Black Chamber, Inc., Marie Johns- Founder/President- L&L Consulting LLC, former Deputy Administrator-U.S. Small Business Administration and Donnell Thompson-Co-Founder/Co-Owner, RWDT Foods, Inc.

 

Friday night's session concluded with the WMS Dorcas Extravaganza- Symphony of Praise-A Celebration of Missions. Featuring the District's kings, queens, princes and princesses. Also featured were soul stirring testimonies from residents and staff of the AME Incentive Shelter-Raleigh.



The closing worship service featured a sermon by Rev. Mary Williams Faircloth-Anderson Chapel- Greenville, NC.  Her topic was- Can Anything Good Come Out of Nazareth, taken from John 1:43-51.  God does His good work on the left side and back door of society not caring about who you are or from where you have come. AMEN!!!

THANKS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!!!!

 



Funny Friday



Election Day!!!

Today is Election Day!! Exercise your right to VOTE!

Let your voice be heard.



American Diabetes Month takes place every November and is a time to come together as a community to Stop Diabetes! American Diabetes Month was established to raise awareness of this ever growing disease.  Here are just a few of the recent statistics on diabetes:

• Nearly 30 million children and adults in the United States have diabetes. Increasing rates.
• Another 86 million Americans have prediabetes and are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
• The American Diabetes Association estimates that the total national cost to diagnose diabetes  in the United States is $245 billion.

Individuals  can experience different sign and symptoms of diabetes and sometimes there may be no signs. Some of the signs may include:

> Frequent urination

>Excessive thirst

>Increased hunger

>Weight loss

>Tiredness

>Lack of interest and concentration

>A tingling sensation or numbness in hands or feet

>Blurred vision

>Frequent infections

>Slow-healing wounds

>Vomiting and stomach pain (often mistaken for flu)

 

If you show any of these signs and symptoms, consult a health professional.

 

Source: International  Diabetes Federation