Sunday, October 6, 2024, was a day to remember. It was the first Sunday in October, Holy Communion Sunday. Three churches gathered together to praise and worship God, who had brought each individual church through challenges. It was also the Sunday that the host church, Beth-El, recognized and celebrated Christian Education Sunday.
We often combine church services with another church of a different denomination and even our own denomination. But, for this writer (a third-generation Northern Zionist) and as far back as she and others could remember, it was the first time that three churches, outside of District function, gathered to praise He who has done so much for His churches, Beth-El (Cleveland District), Wesley Temple (Akron District) and Emmanu-El (Cleveland District).
With this being a time set aside to recognize and inspire people to be “Credible, Committed Disciples by Engaging, Educating and Elevating” ourselves and others, the theme “Elevate: A Mission-Minded Movement” was chosen. And who better to bring the morning message than one who has been actively involved with the Christian Education Department of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Rev. George William Smith-Whitfield, the pastor of Wesley Temple in Akron, Ohio.
Morning worship was led by Rev. Deborah Hines. Rev. Hines is the local Director of Adults for Beth-El. The congregants were led into praise and worship by songs rendered by Minister Paula Smith, Wesley Temple’s psalmist. Ms. Venita Philmore, local Director of Children and Superintendent of Church School at Beth-El, read the New Testament scripture Deuteronomy 6:4-9 followed by New Testament scripture Ephesians 4:4-15 read by Mrs. Veeda Edwards, Wesley Temple’s Director of Christian Education. The morning prayer was uttered by Wesley Temple’s Exhorter, Mercedes Gonzalez. We were led in the Apostles’s Creed by a youth of Beth-El, Miss Madison Broome, and Ms. Alexandria Broome, Beth-El’s Director of Children, received the special CED offering. The local Director of Christian Education for Beth-El, Rev. Emerald Hall, led the congregants in the Christian Education Litany. Throughout the service, the SGV Choir of Beth-El sang songs of praise and worship.
At Beth-El, we believe every day is a day of Black History, so we take time to acknowledge someone who has made an impact in our lives and the lives of others. This Sunday, Sojourner Truth was lifted. Did you know that she once made a speech in Akron? In fact, it was in 1851 when she was attending the Women’s Rights Convention, where she made a well-known speech, “Ain’t I A Woman.” On May 29, 2024, a statue in Akron, Ohio, was erected to commemorate her and her work.
The pastor of Beth-El, Rev. Dr. Curtis T. Walker, Sr., introduced the speaker, Rev. George William Smith-Whitfield, the pastor of Wesley Temple in Akron, Ohio. Rev. Smith-Whitfield received his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, with a concentration in child welfare, from Cleveland State University (CSU) and has over ten years of case management experience. He earned a Master of Divinity degree in Ministerial Leadership from Drew University. Rev. Smith-Whitfield is passionate about helping students at CSU reach their full potential. He is also passionate about God, His people, and His churches. Rev. Smith-Whitfield was introduced to Christian Education (CED) at his home church, St. Peter’s A.M.E. Zion Church in Cleveland as a young child and continues to work closely with CED. He truly has a passion for the work and the people.
Rev. Smith-Whitfield’s thought for the day was taken from Matthew 28:29-30, “It’s Time to Elevate”. He shared that to truly elevate as a mission-minded movement it is essential that we embody the character of a credible and committed Christian disciple. That our lives must reflect the teaching and character of Jesus. We must be consistent through our words, actions, and decisions. We should allow others to see Jesus in us. Discipleship is a life-long journey, and we must continue to grow and learn. Love, grace, and integrity must be shown. Being a credible, committed Christian and disciple means we must be willing to step out of our comfort zone to serve others. Credible, committed Christians mean being involved in the church and the community. Small groups inside and outside the church and outreach activities build our faith and commitment and result in a tangible impact on the world around us.
Rev. Smith-Whitfield told us to Elevate, we must:
- Be intentional with our mission
- Tailor our efforts.
- Have measurable goals.
- Be inclusive in our mission
- Start within the four walls of the church.
- All we have mastered in our churches is preaching to ourselves; that is why our churches are empty.
- We must do things differently. We shouldn’t care how they look; we just want to get them in the room, then we can teach them.
- God says we should meet the needs of those who are marginalized; we must think outside of the box.
- The Word is still the same, but we must minister differently to those we are losing.
- Innovative in our mission
- We have to do things differently and shouldn’t care how they look.
- Can no longer minister the way we have if we expect growth.
- Become change agents of the world.
- Jesus is all we need. We just need to trust and believe.
Following the very timely, spiritual, and poignant message, we celebrated The Lord’s Supper together. Rev. Dr. Walker was the celebrant along with con-celebrants, Rev. Anthony L. Flowers, pastor of Emmanu-El in Cleveland, and Rev. Whitfield. It was a joy to see so many receiving the bread and wine that symbolized the last supper Jesus had with His disciples. It reminded this writer of Connectional Meetings, where Communion was served, just on a smaller scale. After receiving Holy Communion Beth-El’s tradition was to step out of the pews, hug, kiss, and shake hands with each other. Since the pandemic, we now wave to each other from our seats. If you could have only beheld as this writer did, it was overwhelming to see so many like-minded people sincerely greeting each other.
Following closing remarks by Rev. Hall and benediction by the speaker, Rev. Smith-Whitfield, we continued down to the Fellowship Hall. We fellowshipped and dined on the foods of our heritage. The spirit that was in the sanctuary continued during the lunch hour. At the end of this day, we were all well-fed and full physically and, most importantly, spiritually.
Together we are stronger!
To God be the Glory!
