Mother/Daughter Banquet

The woman of Friendship Inspirational C.O.G.I.C held their annual Mother/Daughter Banquet on Saturday, May 8, 2004, 5:00 p.m.

The theme for this year’s banquet was "Mother and Daughters hidden Treasures".

The mistress of ceremonies was Jan Denham. There was also a fashion show.

The speaker of the hour was Mother Annie P. Moody, Assistant Supervisor – Women Department of the South Carolina Jurisdiction of the Church of God in Christ.

Pastor Edward Johnson gave a tribute to the mothers after the word.

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Cummins Commencement 2004

Cummins Theological Seminary of the Reformed Episcopal Diocese of the Southeast held it Annual Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 8, 2004, on The Campus Lawn.

Presiding over the program was Rev. Canon J. Ronald Moock, Theological Seminary Dean. Bishop James C. West is the president of the Reformed Episcopal Diocese of the Southeast.

The commencement address was delivered by Rev. Dr. James Solomon Gadsden, Sr. District Superintendent, Retired, United Methodist Church.

Tony Copeland received a Bachelor of Theology degree. Master of Divinity degrees were presented to: Richard Kevin Barnard, John Peter Boonzaaijer, Byron Lynn Foster, Thomas Jurone Handy, Sr. and James Timothy Payne.

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Tears in the cemetery

When one enters the graveyard they usually shed tears of sadness because of the departure of a love one. During the last weekend in May this year, there were plenty of tears, but these tears were of joy and commitment.

The tears of emotions flowed in the Hillcrest Cemetery on May 30^th, 2004, as the Hillcrest Cemetery Association held its annual Memorial Day Service at 4:00 p.m. The annual ceremony was in honor and remembrance of love ones that have passed.

The mistress of ceremony was Ms. Jeanette James. William Brown is the president. The speaker of the hour was Mrs. Deloris Green. Her daughters Natasha and Vonda provided the ministry of music. Natasha sang "If I Can Help Somebody", with Vonda accompanying on the keyboard.

Mrs. Green told those in attendance that it is right to recognize those who have gone on before us, but recognizing God is the highest priority. "Let us remember those who have given their lives to defend our country," Mrs. Green said. "We are here to remember them – all of them, but most importantly, we are to give God thanks for all he has done. God bless you and God bless America."

It really got emotional when Mr. William Brown got choked up over the message and the song, which brought back memory of a special promise he made to Mrs. Carrie Lou Aiken, a former prominent business woman he idolized, decades ago. "She said to me ‘Junior promise me that you will keep it association going,’" a tearful Mr. Brown said.

Well, Mr. Brown and his handful of dedicated volunteers, whose has family members interned in the cemetery, keeps the association going, bearing in mind the commitment that their ancestors had to the association.

It was a special day in the graveyard, with happy tears flowing. The tears were in remembrance of the covenant because they are preserving their heritage. What a great legacy.

The thing is when you see dedicated people sacrificing their time; you realize that money is not everything. As a matter of fact, Mrs. James wouldn’t take up a collection because she said it was such a spiritual moment. A sentiment echoed by speaker Deloris Green as she refused to take money for her participation in the service.

What went on in the graveyard is the spirit of days gone. A spirit that seems to have been buried in America over the last two decades - a period pinned as "The Me Generation".

The association members showed that emotions, memories and tears in remembering ones love one is worth more than receiving hollow riches.

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Branch AME Usher Anniversary

The Branch AME Ushers, joined by the Ushers of the Tri-county Usher Association, celebrated its annual Usher Anniversary on May 23, 2004. The program began at 4:00 p.m.

Although the lights went off just before the beginning of the program due to a lightning storm, the service went on, creating even a more spiritual evening.

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