Vision 
Russell Memorial Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Volume IV Published Monthly February 2005
Number 37
BLACK HISTORY/LOVE MONTH
The month of February is significant for at least two reasons. First of all, it is “Black History” Month, and secondly, it is Love Month.
During this month, African Americans throughout our nation will be celebrating the achievements of many black heroes and heroines who made, and still are making outstanding contributions, not only to our race, but to the nation and world, also.
Their names and contributions are too numerous to mention in this brief article. But many, inspite of insurmountable odds and obstacles, succeeded.
The question is often asked, “Why just one month of celebration?” Every day should be a day of celebration. But the emphasis on one month provides us with a focus. It makes the celebration special. Without the Special Month, there would perhaps be no celebration at all.
During this month also, “Love” is emphasized, especially with the celebration of “Valentine’s Day.” Here again, “Love” is a virtue that needs to be practiced everyday. But the special emphasis this month affirms just how important and significant, it is.
Love is more than an “emotion.” It is also a “will” and an “act.” Love IS what Love DOES. It
reaches out. Speaking of “REACHING OUT,” the church owes a huge debt of gratitude to our several members, who give so freely of their time and service in love to our several outreach ministries: (1) Hot Breakfast Ministry; (2) Food Pantry Ministry; (3) Lydia Clothing Ministry;
(4) Day Care Ministry; (5) After School Ministry; (6) TOP-CAT Computer Ministry; and
(7) Women’s Ministry Outreach Ministry to McDougald. As a church we not only meet, eat, worship, and study, but we also show our love through praise.
Submitted
by Pastor Watkins
“ALL CHOIRS DAY”
CELEBRATION
You are invited to join us for our “All Choirs Day” Celebration
Second Annual Musical Extravaganza
The College Ministry is having its Second
Annual Musical Extravaganza featuring North Carolina Central University Worship
and Praise Inspirational Mass Choir and the
Come and let us make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Invite your family, friends, neighbors and co-workers to this outstanding program.
Submitted by Sis. Barbara Harris
YOUTH & YOUNG ADULT DINNER
THEATER
The Youth & Young Adults Dinner
Theater “The Church Meeting” is rescheduled for Saturday, February 12th
at
Clothing for the Needy
The Missionary Society is happy to
announce the re-opening of the newly remodeled Lydia Clothing Closet. The Clothing Ministry is located in the
basement of the
Donations of “gently used”, clean
clothing, and household items are accepted during the office hours (
Hours of operation for the Clothing Ministry is Wednesdays and Fridays of each week from
Director: Sis.
Submitted
by Minister Pamella Mack
DCIA (
The Durham
Congregations In Action held its Annual Dinner Meeting
at the
Professor Teresa Berger was Keynote Speaker. Her message was, “The Cries of the Poor and the Silence of God – Reflections on Suffering, Theology, and Hope.”
CROPWALK Awards
were presented to Community Agencies and Congregations of DCIA. The 2005 CROPWALK is scheduled for Sunday,
March 20th at
Rev. Nancy Ferree-Clark, President, gave reflections on DCIA. David Winer presented the Executive Director’s Message.
Rev. Joe Harvard conducted the Installation of Officers.
Minister Pamella Mack, Sister Fannie Lee and Sister Mamie Alston appreciated the opportunity to represent our
Russell Memorial Family at this informative, enjoyable and interesting
occasion.
Submitted by Sis. Mamie V. Alston, Member
DCIA
Quilt Show
Please view the Quilt Show at
the
Submitted
by Sis. Mamie Alston
Our Cub Scouts are participating in the
Pinewood Derby Contest Saturday, February 5th at the Northgate Mall.
Boy
Scout Pack and Troop 144 and their Leaders are making plans to attend the
Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus Friday, February 11 at
Submitted Sis. Mamie Alston
* * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
10:00 A.M. Worship
Service
MLK Celebrations
Thanks to Pastor Watkins and the Russell Memorial Church Family for
supporting the Durham Community Martin Luther King Celebrations with your
financial contributions and attendance at the programs and activities.
Submitted by Sis. Mamie V. Alston, Member
MKL
Steering Committee
Senior Citizens
Ministry
Our guest speaker for the December 8th meeting was Mr. Casey
Kaufman, a Prescription Assistance Coordinator of the Senior Pharm Assist. Mr.
Kaufman spoke in detail regarding the rise in cost of prescription drugs and
the benefits of the Senior Care Program subsidized by the State of
On
December 11th, the Senior Ministry’s first Christmas Luncheon was
held at the Oh’Brian’s Restaurant from
Sis. Ethel Bounsell,
our Activities Coordinator, for planning an enjoyable occasion.
The
January 12th meeting featured games and prizes which provided
enjoyable entertainment.
All
Senior Citizens are invited to attend our February 9th meeting at
Sis. Bettye Johnson will begin
Computer Classes on Friday, February 4th at
Submitted by Sis. Mamie
Alston, Reporter
Congratulations to the following students
for high achievements during the last grading periods.
A/B Honor Roll
H.O.S.T.S (Helping Our
Students to Succeed)
Laura Chapiro:
2nd Grade, R. N. Harris Lab
Beonca McCain:
4th Grade,
Mary McCain: 1st
Grade,
Justice Kithcart: 2nd Grade,
Andrew Rosemond: 2nd Grade,
Natalie Farrell: 3rd
Grade,
Linda Williams: 4th
Grade,
Kyle Farrell: 6th Grade,
Darryl Farrell: 8th
Grade,
Jameka Johnson:
9th Grade,
Mykia Johnson:
10th Grade,
DEAN’S LIST
Michelle Mack: Sophomore, UNC at Pembroke
To these honor students and all students, we
love you and may God continue to shower His blessings upon you.
Teacher of the Year
Coach Margratha
Chambers was voted Teacher of the Year at
Coach Chambers is a Physical Education and Health Teacher and an
Assistant Athletic Director. In
addition, she has served as Girls Varsity Basketball Coach and Girls Softball
Coach at
Now,
she along with other Teachers of the Year from the Durham Public Schools, will compete for the title, Durham Public Schools
Teacher of the Year.
Congratulations Coach Chambers!
Submitted by Sis. Mamie V. Alston
Congratulations
The Thurgood Marshall Achievers Society
presently known as the Triangle Urban League National Achievers Society,
Campaigning for Minority Achievement, was started nationally in April
1998. It was established to support and
promote youth who are exceeding in school, and the community.
An
induction ceremony of the Triangle Urban League National Achievers Society was
held
Mykia Johnson is the granddaughter of Hervey
and Kitty Graham.
Submitted by Sis. Kitty Graham
Each Wednesday at
WOMEN’S CONFERENCE 2005
The time is fast approaching for our Women’s Conference 2005. We need everyone to help make our conference a success. To join a committee, please contact the following Co-Chairs. Remember “God provides each of us with an opportunity to serve.”
Activity Decorations
Gloria Hamilton Maxine Walii
Conyers Rosemond Jacquelyn Williams
Finance Floral
Bettye Johnson Lucille Bethea
Evelyn Slappy Kitty Graham
Food Hospitality
Beatrice Smith Gloria Anderson
Alice Watkins Lillie Enoch
Elizabeth Florence
Music Photo/Bulletin Boards
Vanda Davis Mamie Alston
Louise Price
Publicity Souvenir
Tiphani Malette Betty Melvin
Clementine Self Maxine Walii
Our next general Women’s Conference
meeting will be held at the church Saturday, February 12th at
Prayerfully
submitted
Sis.
Elaine Harris
ANOTHER YEAR
God has blessed us
And brought us through 2004 to 2005
To see another new year
Let us praise his name and thank him
OH!
Our hearts should be happy and full of good cheer
He provides us with food, clothing, and shelter
He also protected us from the storms and rain
He healed our bodies
And eased us of so many of our aches and pains
There is NOTHING, not nothing,
that God cannot do
If we serve him and trust him
What he has done for others
He will do the same for you
Let us forever keep lifting up his holy name
Taking all of our burdens and troubles to him in
prayer
We should let go
And let God, and again this year
He will all of our problems share.
Submitted by Mary T. McDuffie
Dawning the New Year with Prayer
A new year brings new
challenges, new hopes, and new dreams.
To help us keep our hearts and minds stayed on
Him who is the author and finisher of our faith, the Stewardess Board presented
a Prayer Breakfast on
The program began with a devotional
service followed by prayers for families, marriages, governmental officials,
our troops, schools, church, communities, children, faith, peace and love.
We would like to thank the program
committee, program participants, visitors from our sister churches, Russell
family, and the community for making our program a success. To God be the Glory!
Submitted by Sis. Barbara H. Harris
The Tale of three Trees
This story relates the lofty aspirations of an olive tree, an oak tree and a pine tree. Each of these trees had a great dream to become something special in life. The olive tree dreamed of becoming a finely crafted treasure chest. It wanted to hold gold, silver and precious jewels. One day a woodsman chose the olive tree, out of all the trees in the forest and cut it down. The olive tree was so thrilled. But as the craftsmen began working on him, the tree realized they were not making him into a beautiful treasure chest; they were making him into a manger to hold food for dirty, smelly animals. Heartbroken, his dreams were shattered. He felt worthless and demeaned.
Similarly, the oak tree dreamed of becoming part of a huge ship that would carry important kings across the ocean. When the woodsman cut down the oak, he was so excited. But as time went on, he realized the craftsmen were not making him into a huge ship. They were making him into a tiny fishing boat. He was so discouraged, so disappointed.
The pine tree lived on top of a high mountain. It’s only dream was to always stand tall and remind people of God’s great creation. But in a split second, a bolt of lighting sent it tumbling to the ground, destroying its dreams. The woodsman came and picked it up and carried it off to the scrap pile. All three of these trees felt they had lost their value and their worth; they were so disappointed. Not one of their dreams had come to pass. But God had other plans for these trees.
Many years later, Mary and Joseph could not find any place to give birth to their little baby boy. They finally found a stable, and when Jesus was born they placed Him in a manger made from --
you guessed it – the olive tree.
The olive tree had wanted to hold precious jewels, but God had better plans, and it now held the greatest treasure of all time, the Son of God.
A few years went by and Jesus grew up. One day He needed a boat to cross to the other side of the lake. He did not choose a large, fancy ship; He chose a small, simple fishing boat made from – you guessed it – the oak tree. The oak tree wanted to carry important kings across the ocean, but God had better plans. The oak now carried the King of kings.
A few more years went by, and one day some Roman soldiers were rummaging around in the pile of scrap wood where the discarded pine tree lay. That pine tree just knew they were coming to cut him up for firewood. But much to its surprise, they cut only two small pieces out of it and formed them into a cross. And it was on this pine tree that Jesus was crucified. That tree is still pointing people to God’s love and God’s compassion to this day.
The point of this story is clear: All three trees thought they had lost their value, that their stories were over, yet they become integral parts of the greatest story ever told. God knows our values; He sees our potential. God has a plan and a purpose for our lives. Dreams may not always turn out the way we would like but we must always remember that God’s ways are better and higher than our ways. God is always standing before us with His arms open wide.
Prayerfully submitted
Sis. Sarah Mangum
REACH OUT AND TOUCH
(Women on A
The
Women’s Ministry continues to work with the McDougald
Terrace Food Bank and
A Christmas Fellowship Dinner was held at
the
Submitted
by Minister Linda Henry, President
Women’s
Ministry
Calendar of Events
Men’s Conference 2005 Activities Committees Meeting Dates
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Wallace
Braswell February 2
Ivarine Dixon February 2
Elizabeth Gilchrist February 2
Wilmon Rogers, Jr. February 4
Elizabeth Florence February 4
Emma
J. Harris February
6
Laura
Brewer February
7
April
Wall February
10
Deborah
Holloway February 11
Ralph
McMillion February
12
Bernice
Scott February
13
Tonja Wall February
14
Latasha Lee February
14
Ceola Edwards February
15
Laticia Harris February
15
Ruby
Messick February
17
Louise
Price February
22
Lloyd
Watkins, Jr. February
24
Hervey Graham February
27
Pamela
Joyner February
27
Kandace Harrell February
28
Cinderella
Lennon February 29
James
& Mary Dempson, Sr. February 5
Alford
& Ruby Messick February
8
Robert
& Earnestine Shaw February
28