MEDITATION - "GRADUATION"

BY BISHOP TERESA E. SNORTON

 

IN MEMORY OF PRESIDING ELDER RICHARD E. HASSELL

Presiding Elder Richard E. Hassell of the Montgomery/Phenix City/Opelika District of the Southeast Alabama Region, Fifth Episcopal District, passed away from a brief illness on Friday, May 15, 2015.  He was the husband of Carolyn Hassell, father of three sons (Randall, Brent, and Marcus); and grandfather of three children (Kendall, Jelani, and Brynn).  A Celebration of Life Service was held on Thursday, May 21, 2015 at Greenwood CME Church, Memphis, TN  38111 with Bishop Teresa E. Snorton, officiating.

Presiding Elder Hassell came to the Fifth District in 2010 when Bishop W. E. Lockett appointed him as presiding elder. Prior to that he had been on the ministerial staff at the Metropolitan CME Church, Houston, Texas. He also previously pastored in his home state of Tennessee. We are grateful for the time he served in the Fifth as a faithful disciple and leader who always showed love and compassion to all and worked hard even during his illness!

Cards and condolences may be sent to Mrs. Carolyn Hassell, 350 Lee Road 294, Smiths Station, AL  36877.

WORSHIP SERVICES 

Communion is the Wednesday night of Annual Conference at 7 pm.  Ordination and APT Graduation is the Thursday night of Annual Conference at 7 pm.  The Departments of Christian Education and our children and youth are in charge of the Friday Commissioning and Closing Worship Service at noon.

Thank you to everyone who sent me birthday greetings, gifts,cards or attended my celebration cookout.  

You made me feel very special and loved! 

CONGRATULATIONS GRADUATES!!!!

Rev. Dr. Geraldine Daniels, pastor of Southside CME Church, Birmingham, AL received her Doctor of Ministry degree from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas.

Rev. Lloyd Hicks, pastor of Moody Temple CME Church, Fairfield, AL, received his Master of Divinity degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center, Phillips School of Theology.

Inita S. Knox, a member of Gray's Temple C. M. E Church in West Palm Beach, FL graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Master of Arts in Applied Learning and Instruction. She has the distinguished honor of being a Bill & Melinda Gates Millennium Scholar!

Desirae' O. Washington received her B.A. in Criminal Justice with a minor in Computing Technology and Applications on December 13, 2014. She plans to pursue my Masters of Public Administration with a concentration in Justice Administration at Troy University starting Fall 2015. Her home church is Oak Grove CME, Athens, AL.

Jasmine French, daughter of Dr. George and Mrs. Joyce French, Miles Chapel CME Church, Fairfield, graduated from Shades Mountain Christian School, Hoover, AL. She has been accepted at Spelman and Tuskegee.

Miranda Moore, a member of Oak Grove CME, Athens, AL graduated from Clements High School. Her future plans are to attend UNA to pursue a degree in Nursing and to pursue a lifelong goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner. 

Faith Frith, daughter of Michael & Lenita Frith, and member of Carter Tabernacle CME Church in Orlando, FL graduated from Seminole High School in Sanford, FL. She is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Candidate and a National Achievement Semifinalist. She was accepted Early Decision to Champlain College in Burlington, VT where she plans to major in Professional Writing.

Tariah Reynolds, daughter of Marcus and Tara Marbury and member of Pleasant Valley, Childersburg, AL graduated from Childersburg High School, Summa Cum Laude and other honors. She plans to attend college and major in Sports Medicine and minor in Business Management. 

Jasmine Marie Clay, graduated from FLorence High School, Florence, AL.

Mt Ararat CME Church, Alexandria, AL is proud of its 2015 high school graduates:

• Ashia Moore, Alexandria High, going to Gadsden State in Radiology Technology
• Ryah Phillips, Anniston High, going to Lawson State in Nursing
• Justin Banks, Munford High, going to Butler Community College in Business
• Kendaryl Banks, Munford High, going to the Army

The Thirgood CME Church, Birmingham is proud of its 2015 high school graduates:

• Brittany Dancy
• Teaira Franklin
• Te'Verius Lindsey
• Amber Warren
• Auyun Warren

OTHER CONGRATULATIONS

Rev. Eddie Richardson, pastor of Acks Chapel (Gordo, AL) and Martin Mission (Moundville, AL) had a 3.92 grade point average for the Spring Semester at the Phillips School of Theology, Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, GA.

Bishop Teresa Snorton received the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Hood Theological Seminary in Salisbury, North Carolina. 

PASTORAL CONCERNS

BEREAVED

Presiding Elder Richard Hassell, MPCO District and Pastor of Mt. Zion, Smiths Station, AL died on May 15, 2015. See article above.

Rev. William Kelly, retired Miami-Tampa District, Florida Region, died in April.

Mrs. Mary Sanders, member of Jefferson Chapel, Moundville, AL, and the oldest CME in the state, died at the age of 101 in March.

Rev. Hazel Kirksey, pastor of Cooper-Lewis CME Church, Chatom, AL, lost her husband.

Rev. Brenda Davis, pastor of Allman Chapel, Sulligent, AL, lost her sister Sharon Hood, in a bus accident.

Rev. Larry Threatts, pastor of Ebenezer CME, Loachapoka, AL, lost his brother in March and his mother, Pearl, in April.

Rev. Jasmine Agnew, minister at Southside CME, Birmingham, lost her grandmother, Lena Mae Shelly.

Mrs. Thea Sowell, first lady of Wesley Chapel (York) and Fairfield CME (Halsell) lost her brother.

Rev. Cassandra Weakley, pastor of Armstead CME, Florence, AL lost her nephew.

Rev. Hurley Grissom, pastor of Gurley CME, Gurley, AL, lost his nephew.

Rev. Paul Holt, pastor of Buxton Chapel, Morvin, AL lost his step-mother.

Rev. John Hayes, retired, Huntsville District, lost his brother and a brother-in-law.

 Mrs. Ethel Monroe, widow of Rev. Wilford Monroe, continues to desire our prayers.

SICK AND SHUT-INS

Rev. William Walker, pastor of Macedonia CME, Boligee, AL had a stroke. He is now in rehab in Huntsville.

Rev. Colin Grey, pastor of St. Paul, Sayreton, has had both legs amputated.

Rev. James Morris, pastor of Carter Tabernacle, Orlando, requests prayer for his sister, Lisa Berney, who has been hospitalized.

Rev. Ricky Melson, pastor of Spring Hill, Munford, AL, desires prayer for his wife who recently has surgery.

Rev. Teresa McMillon, pastor of Mount Zion, Quincy, FL, requests prayers for her son's health.

Please pray for all the bereaved, sick, shut-ins 

and persons facing challenges!

REGISTER NOW FOR 

THE 2015 PHENOMENAL WOMEN'S SUMMIT

September 3-5, 2015  (Thursday-Saturday)

Sheraton Hotel, Birmingham, AL

Visit www.phenomenalwomenssummit.com

for registration information and schedule.

Have a safe and joyful summer!

Watch your email for summer episcopal district updates!

The next newsletter will be the September-October issue.