The 18th Annual Eleventh District Sons of Annual Retreat
By Rev. Lori M. Snell
Where there is great leadership, there is usually great follow-ship. This was evidenced by the attendance of over 400 men of all ages and young boys ranging from ages 7-17, at this year’s 18thEleventh Episcopal District’s Sons of Allen (SOA) Men’s Ministry Retreat. It was held May 16-18, 2019, in the beautiful city of Tampa, Florida, at Allen Temple AME Church, where the Rev. Dr. Glenn Dames serves as the pastor.
Pastor Jeffrey Dove, the highly-effective 11thEpiscopal District’s SOA president, as well as Pastor George Hardy, the organization’s astute vice-president, were extremely pleased with the large number of men who traveled from across the breadth and length of the Episcopal District, which encompasses all of Florida and the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, to gather for a time of free-flowing worship, much needed fellowship, and varied types of empowerment.
The tone of this auspicious retreat was set the day before it started, when the Rev. Dove and Dr. Dames, along with other members of the SOA, visited Foster Elementary School in Tampa, to help celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week. The men visited classrooms and spoke with the children. They also donated the educational children’s storybooksSomething’s Fishy about Subtractionand Eduardo Had a Grape Math Dayto the school’s second-grade students. These books were authored by one of the SOA’s staunch supporters, the Rev. Lori M. Snell, who is not only a certified teacher in Florida but also serves as a pastor there. The men also had a treat for the school’s teachers and staff. They sponsored a delicious lunch for them.
The Rev. Dove, the Rev. Hardy, and the SOA’s board were intentional about making sure they brought in relevant preachers, workshop presenters, and vendors, who would keep the youth and adult attendees engaged. From the various comments that could be heard around the event, they succeeded.
On Thursday, the Rev. Hardy spoke with the group at their Leadership Luncheon. It was inspiring and informative. Thursday evening, the beloved and erudite 11thEpiscopal leader, Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr., delivered a stirring sermon about manhood to a packed sanctuary of presiding elders, pastors, ministers, men, women, and youth. Bishop Richardson was extremely pleased to see so many supporters of an organization near and dear to his heart.
Friday’s workshops included highly interesting prostate education sponsored by PHEN (Prostate Health Education Network). This workshop was facilitated by the Rev. Backus. It captured the attention of the men in attendance because of its three panelists who had all dealt with or were dealing with the disease that plagues so many men of color. The panelists shared their experience with their diagnosis, treatments, and how the disease affected their personal lives.
During this workshop, the Ambassador Program was introduced. This program is designed to educate men throughout the state of Florida about the many facets of prostate cancer. Men were also engaged in a needed and transparent conversation about the stigmas, myths, and truths of mental health in the black community.
Later Friday afternoon, the men were enraptured by one of God’s men, who is without a doubt gifted with the ability to proclaim the Word of God, with power and clarity, the Rev. Dwayne Gaddis. Pastor Gaddis not only preached the congregation happy, but he also preached himself into a frenzy. What a word!
Several of the men, led by the Rev. Dr. Mark Crutcher, who is a candidate for the position of Executive Director of Church Growth and Development for the AME Church, visited a local homeless shelter. There, they ministered to its men.
This retreat was holistic. It dealt with the spiritual, physical, social, mental, and financial aspects of men. What a great leadership team the Eleventh Episcopal District’s SOA have in the Rev. Dove and the Rev. Hardy. Their down-to-earth personalities and passion for reaching, teaching, encouraging, and empowering men is second to none. It is sure to continue to attract more men to become a part of the SOA movement.
