South District Holds First Virtual Bible Discovery (Church School) Convention
By Rev. Roger L. D. Williams, 11th Episcopal District
The South District Conference of the 11th Episcopal District held the first Virtual Bible Discovery Convention on Friday, June 12, 2020, via the Zoom platform. The Rev. Eugene E. and Mrs. Evelyn Moseley, Jr., the presiding elder and consultant of the South District, together with the Rev. Roger L. D. Williams, the pastor of Phillip R. Cousin AME Church in Jacksonville and District Christian Education Coordinator. The District superintendent, Sister Pennelope Wilson of Wayman Temple AME Church in Jacksonville, extended the invitation for pastors, ministers, laity, and youth to join in this historic First Virtual Bible Discovery Convention for the District.
The Rev. Ron Rawls, the pastor of St. Paul AME Church in St. Augustine, served as the host administrator for the virtual convention. The Rev. Williams led the Convention Committee consisting of pastors, laity, and youth, who would not let the COVID-19 pandemic hold us back. The team moved forward with much determination to ensure the Convention took place.
The Convention theme was “Revolution” and was chosen by the Young People Department of the South District. The youth saw this as an opportunity to address the issues, positive and negative, they face every day. The Scripture was 2 Corinthians 10:4. This reminds us that the Lord did not leave us without something to fight. He left us the Word of God.
The Convention had something for everyone from youth to clergy. Sister Michelle Loston of Wayman Temple AME Church in Jacksonville included several pop-up trivia questions during the youth sessions and awarded them for their efforts.
Dr. Pamela Davis, CEO of Growth Matters in Jacksonville, facilitated a workshop on exploring the leadership game for grades 6-8. In a concurrent workshop, the Rev. Mattie Riley Hayes of Greater New Hope AME Church; the Rev. Tracy McGeathey of Mt. Zion AME Church, Southside; and Sister Jacquelyn Johnson of Phillip R. Cousin AME Church, all located in Jacksonville, taught grades 7-12 in Bible Trivia.
The young adults, adults, and clergy attended a workshop facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Mark L. Griffin of Wayman Temple AME Church in Jacksonville. “Virtual Worship and E-Giving” offered vital tools on what churches can do now in this era of uncertainty while looking confidently toward the future.
The popular Bible Trivia Bowl, facilitated by the Rev. Hayes, the Rev. McGeathey, and Sister Jacquelyn Johnson. They incorporated three rounds of trivia questions plus gospel hip-hop to keep the youth upbeat.
The Convention concluded as Sister Deborah Neal of Mt. Zion AME Church Southside in Jacksonville, Sister LuCretia McBride of St. Stephen AME Church in Jacksonville, and the District celebrated 20 of the brightest and best students during a virtual Awards Ceremony. These students attained A and AB Honor Roll and Perfect Attendance status. The District also recognized one 2020 high school graduate, Javar Collier from St. Paul AME Church in St. Augustine.“The South District is committed to investing in our young people,” said the Rev. Williams. Although this seems to have short-term benefits, these benefits will become visible in the future as our young people lead us into a greater tomorrow.
The Rev. Dr. David Green, the Rev. Dr. Griffin, the Rev. Rawls, the Rev. Gillard Glover, the Executive team of the South District, and the committee members of the Rev. Christopher Johnson, the Rev. Hayes, the Rev. McGeathey, Sister Loston, Sister Crystal Griffin, Sister Johnson, Brother Mark Johnson, Sister Neal, Brother Robert Jackson, Sister Kinsasha Wilson, Brother James McGill, and Sister Lucretia McBride who accepted the charge to establish our first virtual convention must be commended.
Finally, our visionary leaders of the South District, the Rev. Eugene and Mrs. Evelyn Moseley, Jr., set the example of going above and beyond in all they do; and without a doubt, they set a precedent that others will want to emulate. The Rev. Moseley said, “We can do what no one else can and we did.”
