By Robbie Colson-Ramsey, Contributing Writer
Amid the chaos of worshipping virtually, conducting revisions of church legislation, being off schedule, needing an emergency recess, and entertaining the reports from the Episcopal Committee, we stopped to witness the beauty of the Christian Debutante-Masters Ceremony. Young people from around the Connectional church virtually gather to make their introduction into Christian adulthood.
These students from around the connectional church, although not in their conventional white ball dresses and tuxedos, accented in red, were still celebrated this sacred but sometimes not well-known ceremony. The team led by Mrs. Lyndajo Watson (Connectional Commissioner), Rev. Garland Pierce (Executive Director of Christian Education), and Bishop David R Daniels (Commission Chair) dedicated themselves to the many months it takes to work with the students to make this ministry successful both in the Conference and the Episcopal levels.
I must personally admit when I heard that the ceremony would not take place live and in living color, I was a little saddened. I want the songs that reminded me of my childhood participating in the CDMC, so when I logged on and heard, “Take my life and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee,”, I smiled on the inside.
The ministry team successfully adapted this traditional service from the Allennites and Sub-Debs/ Master pledges, music, and prayers. All aspects of the ceremony I remember were there–including the lighting of the Cross signifying passage into adulthood. This virtual service paid homage to the details that make the CDMC a special Rite of Passage in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The commission also awarded scholarships to four Debutantes and Masters that range from $500 to $1000.00, believing that education is essential to the student and the church.
mid the chaos, worshipping virtually, revisions of church legislation, being off schedule, emergency recesses, and reports from the Episcopal Committee, we stop to witness the beauty of the Christian Debutante-Masters Ceremony, young people from around the Connectional church virtually gather to make their introduction into Christian adulthood.
The commission also awarded scholarships to four Debutantes and Masters that range from $500 to $1000.00, believing that education is essential to the student and the church.
