Month: August 2019

“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth forever.” Psalm 118:29 {KJV}

Greetings Fellow Doorkeepers!

I want to begin my September Greetings with a big thank you to the ICUA Ushers that served for the Missionary Baptist Ministers Conference of Washington, DC & Vicinity for their Closing Session and Scholarship Service on Monday, July 29th at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church! I was not sure whether the ICUA would be able to accept the invitation to serve from Reverend L. K Floyd – the President of this Conference – due to the National Centennial Convention scheduled to be in session in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the time of the request to serve. Thank God for the following Ushers who served for this special event, for it is our practice to serve for all requests, if possible! God made it possible!

   Marie Thomas {Usher-In-Charge} – Macedonia Community Church

   Betty Miller – Liberty Baptist Church

   Delores Y. O’Bryant – Liberty Baptist Church

   Evelyn Clark – Liberty Baptist Church

   Nancy Wiley – Liberty Baptist Church

   Grace Fort – Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

All praises to God for a blessed and successful 100th National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. Convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the week of July 28th through August 2nd. Thanks to our Heavenly Father for grace and traveling mercy! A few of our members spent several days in the hospital while in Philadelphia. We are blessed that they are doing much better and were able to return home after the Convention.

The focus of this Convention was centered around the 100 years that the NUCUAA Organization has been in existence. The Convention week consisted of the reenactment of the first Ushers’ Convention held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1919, and a Ribbon- Cutting Ceremony to officially open the “Centennial Museum” of numerous historical items from the four Regions {Central, Eastern, Southern, and Western} that make up the National Organization and Departments and Committees of NUCUAA. The following ICUA representatives participated in the reenactment of the first Ushers’ Convention: 

George J. Irick – Brother William H. Davis {The First National Vice President}

Ronald L. Jones – Brother Arthur Edmonds {Chaplain}

Pansy Bradley-Cooper – Sister J. Beal {President of the Ladies’ Auxiliary to the Ushers’ Brotherhood}

A Banner Ceremony representing the 28 States in the National Organization was held on Monday, July 29th. Board of Trustees’ Vice Chairman Cynthia C. Archie and Trustee Dwight D. Williams, Sr! carried the Banner for the District of Columbia. 

The District of Columbia – along with the States of Philadelphia, Delaware, New Jersey, and Massachusetts – were presented a Special Recognition Award for being the five Founding States of NUCUAA, Inc. 

The following members received a Certificate of Recognition for 50+ Years of Attendance at the National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. National Conventions:

Sister Frieda Y. Alston – 57 Consecutive Years

Sister Lestine D. Braddock – 50+ Years

Sister Christine E. Ford – 50+ Years

Brother Roy L. Kelly – 50+ Years

Sister June D. May – 50+ Years

Sister Dorothy T. Thomas – 50+ Years

Sister Romaine A. Wilkins – 50+ Years

All Delegates received a Certificate stating – “This Certificate Certifies That {The Delegate’s Name} Attended and Participated in the National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. Centennial Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania July 29 – August 2, 2019.” The Certificate is signed by Ruth I Jones, National President – Patricia A. Holmes, Chairman, Board of Directors – and Sylvester T. Williams, Centennial Chairman.

At the James E. Anderson Unity Luncheon on Tuesday afternoon, July 30th, a segment in the program titled “Crowing of Twelve” Centennial Coronation 2019 consisted of three individuals from the four Regions representing the Past – Present – and Future. Sister Elrita F. James from The New Macedonia Baptist Church represented our Past, and Sister Setota Johnson from Mt. Sinai Baptist Church represented our Future.

Our Pre-registration and On-site Registration for the Convention consisted of 137 Seniors, 2 Young Adults, and 15 Juniors for a total of 154 Delegates. A special thank you to all of our Delegates for making the sacrifice to attend the 100th National Convention, and most of all, representing the District of Columbia!  

I extend my sincere expression of thanks to Sister Corinne Mungo and Sister Juanita Prophet for their untiring labor of love and dedication. Sister Corinne Mungo served as our Credential Chairperson, and Sister Juanita Prophet researched and prepared the District of Columbia’s display for the Centennial Historical Museum. Ladies, you all are AWESOME!

Kudos to all assigned Delegates that represented the District of Columbia at Department / Committee meetings during the week of the Convention!

To Sister Druscilla J. Smalls and the Transportation and Housing Committee, thank you for organizing the roundtrip bus transportation for our Delegates attending the Convention!

To our First-Timers attending the Convention, I hope that your experience was one that you will remember for the rest of your life, that you will share your experience with your fellow Ushers, and encourage them to attend the 101st NUCUAA Convention next year in Orlando, Florida. 

Please join me in extending congratulations to the following Elected and Appointed National Officers:

Senior Department

Elected

Brother Charles J. Brown – NUCUAA’s 1st Vice President and Eastern Region Director  

Sister Melinda H. Wilkins – Chairman,  Board of Directors

Sister Roslyn Moore – Financial Secretary

Sister Jeannette S. Riddick – Nominating Committee

Appointed

Dr. Linda A. Smallwood – National Parliamentarian / Member, R. E. Harshaw Jr. Foundation / Bylaws Committee

Brother Leroy I. Stewart – Assistant Sergeant-At-Arms

Sister Geraldine V. Washington – Chairman, Election Committee

Sister Romaine A. Wilkins – Counselor, Young Adult Department

Dr. Eddie Lee Key – Dr. Earl T. Matthews Parliamentary Staff

Sister Juanita Prophet – Chairman, Information Technology / Marketing Strategies Team

Junior and Young People’s Department

Brother London A. Lampkin – Chairman, Board of Directors

Brother Vondell Livingston – Sergeant-At-Arms

Sister Gabrielle Mebane – Chairman, Memorial Committee

Brother Vashone Muse – Chairman, Resolution Committee

Arts and Crafts Committee

Sister Briajia Johnson

Sister Setota Johnson

Brother Jeremiah Roper – Arts and Crafts Committee / School of Ushering

Young Adult Department

Sister Christie C. Savage – Board Member and Nominating Committee Chairman

Sister Karisse A. Carmack – Doorkeeper Chairman

WINNERS * WINNERS * WINNERS

We are very proud of the accomplishments of our members in the various areas of competition: 

Senior Floor Demonstration Team – 1st Place {Score: 99.6}. Four States competed in the Senior Floor Demonstration.

Senior Drill Competition Team – 1st Place {Score: 99.6}. Five States competed in the Senior Drill Competition.

George T. Grier School of Ushering Department King and Queen Competition – Queen Cynthia L. Green, Galilee Baptist Church, was crowned 1st Place in “Class A” of the Competition. Her escort was Ronald L. Jones – Chairman – Board of Trustees. She raised a total of $6,725.

Congratulations to Vice President Brenda Gilliam from Hemingway Memorial A.M.E. Church on receiving the George T. Grier School of Ushering Department Rhunette Williams Advanced Instructors’ Seminar “2019 – 2020 Instructor of the Year Award.”  

Young Adult Department – Queen Karisse A. Carmack, Mount Carmel Baptist Church, was crowned 2nd Place Winner. She raised $3,750.

Junior and Young People’s Department – Queen Setota Johnson, from Mt. Sinai Baptist Church, was crowned 1st Place Winner in the “Vicie Juran Flower Garden Pageant.” She raised $11,149.67. Setota’s escort was Brother Michael Robinson – the 2018 ICUA King – from Mt. Moriah Baptist Church. The Court consisted of Jeremiah Roper {First Rock Baptist Church}; Briajia Johnson {Mt. Carmel Baptist Church}; Vice President Jeremiah Catoe, and Sister Maya Catoe {First Rock Baptist Church}; along with Supervisor Iona Carter {Trinidad Baptist Church}; and Assistant Supervisor Earline Green-Croom {Mt. Carmel Baptist Church}.

The District of Columbia won 2nd Place {$1,422} in the Allan A. C. Griffith, Sr. Education Department Penny Bucket Contest.

Many thanks to the members of the District of Columbia for donating 72 backpacks of the total 190 backpacks filled with school supplies donated to two middle-schools in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

The District of Columbia won the R. E. Harshaw Jr. Foundation 2nd Place Award for the $0.52 per Usher contribution.   

The District of Columbia won the William H. Davis Award – 1st Place in “Class A” for Membership.

On Saturday – August 17th – we celebrated “Family and Friends Day” at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. The event was well attended with 206 Officers, members, and guests. Of that total, 82 of the 206 attendees were non-ICUA members. The fellowship – food – and games were great! My sincere appreciation to the Membership Services and Outreach Department – under the leadership of Director Frances S. Penn – for spearheading this Annual Event. Special Thanks and Kudos to the Committee for your labor of love that went into making this event special! Job well done!

All ICUA Elected and Appointed Officers, please mark your calendars. The next Executive Committee Meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 17th at the Headquarters, at 7:00 PM.

Ushers’ Ministry Presidents and ICUA Guardians, please mark your calendars for Saturday, October 19th. This will be our final meeting for the year  The meeting will be held at the ICUA Headquarters, 1923 – 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC, starting at 8:30 AM with breakfast, and the meeting at 9:00 AM.

The New York State 99th Memorial Weekend – in conjunction with the Eastern Region Mid-Year Meeting – will be held November 9-10, 2019. The host Hotel is the LaGuardia Plaza Hotel, 104-04 Ditmars Boulevard, East Elmhurst, New York. The room rate is $172.00 across the board. One night room deposit is required with reservation. The reservation deadline is October 1, 2019. Make checks payable to “The Church Ushers Association of the State of New York,” and enter your arrival and departure date in the memo section. Contact Bridget Martin to make your reservations. The Pre-Memorial Musical will be held on Saturday, November 9th at 7:00 PM, and the Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, November 10th at 2:30 PM. Both Services will be held at Bethany Baptist Church, 460 Marcus Garvey Boulevard, Brooklyn, New York NOTE: The Eastern Region Mid-Year Meeting will be held on Saturday at the Hotel at 1:00 PM, and the Interstate Council Meeting will be held at the Hotel on Sunday morning at 11:00 AM.

Please join me in congratulating Brother London A. Lampkin {New Redeemer Baptist Church}on being this year’s recipient of the National R. E. Harshaw, Jr. Foundation and the District of Columbia Matching Scholarship Grant in the amount of $500.00.

Happy Birthday to all celebrating a birthday during the month of September!

Continue to pray for all sick, shut-in, and bereaved families.

Working together in Love and Unity pleases our Lord and Savior.

Yours in Christian Service,

Pansy Bradley-Cooper

President

“Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the Saints and seek to show hospitality.”

Romans 12:12-13 {ESV}

Good Evening Fellow Doorkeepers!

Happy Summertime! We have been very busy thus far this year, and we look forward to stretching a little more to accomplish all of our planned activities and events for the rest of the year.

Congratulations to the Junior and Young People’s Department on another successful Vicie Juran Luncheon and Fashion Show Gala held on Saturday, June 22nd at Macedonia Community Church. King Michael Robinson – the reigning King from Mt. Moriah Baptist Church – crowned Queen Setota Johnson as the 2019 Queen of the Vicie Juran Pageant. Queen Setota Johnson will represent the Junior and Young People’s Department at the National Convention on July 30th during the Junior and Young People’s Department Vicie Juran Pageant, and the Young Adult Department King and Queen Competition.

Thanks to the Training and Development Working Unit in the Education and Scholarship Department for providing the following free Seminars for the membership on June 29th at Imani Temple National Cathedral in Suitland, Maryland:

• Seminar 1 – “Active Shooter Training”
• Seminar 2 – Part II “Preparing For Unexpected Funerals {Are you prepared??}”

The 2nd “Fun and Games Evening” held at The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church on Saturday, June 29th was well attended with ICUA Members, Family Members, Church Family, and Friends. Thanks to all that attended this event! Special thanks to the Fun and Games Committee for making this event one to remember by all.

To all Ushers’ Ministry Presidents, you should have received your letter and Guidelines for nominating your Guardian for the “2019 Guardian of the Year Award.” The deadline for submitting this information to Vice President Brenda Gilliam is Monday, July 8th at the Business Meeting being held at The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church. You may also mail your nomination to the ICUA Headquarters to the Attention of Vice President Brenda Gilliam, 1923 – 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009. All nominations must be postmarked by midnight on Monday, July 8th, 2019.

Please join us for our first Fancy Napkin Folding and Centerpieces Workshop on Saturday, July 13th – 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon – at Macedonia Community Church, 1026 – 46th Street, NE, Washington, DC. The donation of $20.00 is to offset the expenses of the facility and refreshments. Sister Mary Samuel is the Facilitator. Please invite your family members and friends to the event. The deadline to register for the workshop is Monday, July 8th at the Business Meeting at The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church.

Thanks to all of the Delegates who will be attending NCUUAA’s Centennial Convention, July 28th through August 2nd in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I am impressed with the number of pre-registered Delegates attending the Convention. The preliminary report on our First-Times going to the Convention is a record high number over the past 2 years. Welcome all First-Times to the National Convention! You are in for a treat. Please take advantage of your Convention experience to meet and fellowship with Ushers from the different States that make up the National Organization.

Please continue to support the following Queens who are representing the District of Columbia at the National Convention.

• Queen Cynthia L. Green – Galilee Baptist Church – George T. Grier School of Ushering Department – King and Queen Competition
• Queen Karisse A. Karmack – Mt. Carmel Baptist Church – Young Adult Department – King and Queen Competition
• Queen Setota Johnson – Mt. Sinai Baptist Church – Junior and Young People’s Department – Vicie Juran Pageant

Congratulations to all of our representatives that will be competing in the various events at the National Convention!

The 107th ICUA Senior Anniversary – 51st Young Adult Department Anniversary – 93rd Junior and Young People’s Department Anniversary will be held on Sunday – September 15th, 2019, at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 1636 East Capitol Street, NE. in Washington, DC at 3:00 PM. The theme is: “200 Ushers in White.” The sacrificial asking is $50.00 for Seniors and Young Adults and $10.00 for Juniors. You can start paying your $50.00 and $10.00 now. Please see the 107th Financial Team of Sister Gwendolyn T. Newton or Sister Nelcina B. Wiggins to pay your sacrificial asking. The deadline to complete your sacrificial asking is August 31st, 2019. All names will appear in the 107th Anniversary Program.

The Membership Services and Outreach Department is spearheading this year’s “Family and Friends Day” on Saturday, August 17th at Watkins Regional Park, 301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD, from 11:30 AM to 5:30 PM – Picnic Shelter #0. Please come out and have an enjoyable afternoon with good food – fun – fellowship – and everything that Watkins Region Park has to offer for our enjoyment. I look forward to seeing everyone at the “Family and Friends Day Celebration.”

The 63rd New York Memorial Weekend in conjunction with the Eastern Region Mid-Year Meeting will be held on November 9–10, 2019, at the Hotel: LaGuardia Plaza Hotel, 104-04 Ditmars Boulevard, East Elmhurst, New York – Room Rate $172.00 across the board. {One-night room deposit required with reservation.}. The Reservation deadline is October 1st, 2019. Please contact Bridget Martin to make your reservations.

August is vacation month for the ICUA. Please be safe and enjoy spending some quality time with your family and friends. Take time to reflect on the goodness of the Lord, and return in September with a renewed spirit of dedication and commitment to the ICUA as we stretch – stretch in “Love and Unity.”

Have a Great and Blessed Summer!

Let us continue to work together in Love and Unity!

Happy Birthday to all celebrating a birthday during the months of July and August!

Please keep Mother Elaine S. Flanagan and Father Roy L. Kelly in prayer, as well as all sick, shut-in, and bereaved families.

Yours in Christian Service,

Pansy Bradley-Cooper

President

“I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Philippians 3:14 (KJV)

Good Evening Fellow Doorkeepers!

I received an e-mail message from the Mother of the ICUA, Mother Elaine S. Flanagan. I am sharing the words of Mother Flanagan as it appeared in her E-Mail: “Hi President Bradley-Cooper and the ICUA Family. Thank you so much for the Mother’s Day gift! My heart was overjoyed when I received it. Your generosity and thoughtfulness are appreciated more than I can express. I miss everyone! Please keep me in your prayers, and I will keep you in mind. Blessings, Mother Elaine S. Flanagan”

The members of the Junior and Young People’s Department and the Junior Supervisors are to be commended for keeping the memory and legacy of Sister Rhonda M. Jackson alive. The Rhonda M. Jackson Mother’s Day Bunch held on Saturday; May 4th was an outstanding pre-celebration to Mother’s Day. I also would like to pay special recognition to our Juniors who served with grace and professionalism at the Closing Hallelujah Convocation at Macedonia Community Church on Sunday, April 28th. Our Juniors are doing great things. Please continue to support and encourage our Juniors because they are our future.

The ICUA Open House held on Saturday, May 18th at the Headquarters was undoubtedly a blessing from God. We had 35 non-members of the ICUA to attend the Open House. Our Guests were excited and impressed with what we had to offer them about the ICUA. Some of these Ushers had not heard of the ICUA. One of the Ushers in attendance completed her Associate Membership Application before leaving the Headquarters. President Vashone Muse stole the show during his presentation of the Brief History of the Junior and Young People’s Department. He interjected some of his personal achievements as a member of the Junior and Young People’s Department. Our guests were impressed with the demonstration on Church Ushering. Some of our guests had the opportunity to share in the Church Ushering demonstrations. The Open House was ordained by God! The outcome of the Open House will be positive. This is the year of our increase in membership. We will continue to pray and seek God’s directions.

The planning and implementation of the Open House took dedication and commitment on the part of the Open House Committee. Words cannot express my sincere expression of gratefulness to the Committee. Everyone was given a task, and each executed his or her assignment in Love and Unity.

NUCUAA’s On-Line Pre-Registration deadline is Saturday, June 15th, and the deadline to purchase Event Tickets is July 1st. Members are encouraged to use NUCUAA’s On-Line Pre-Registration. NUCUAA’s Website Address is:

www.nationalchurchushers.org

Board Chairman Ronald L. Jones and members of the Budget and Finance Department will be at the Headquarters on Saturday, June 8th from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 PM to assist members with their NUCUAA Pre-registration. Cash or valid credit cards are the only forms of payment. June 8th is the deadline to pre-register through DC for the National Convention.

The second and last Delegates’ Meeting will be held at the Headquarters on June 8th, beginning at 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. Members attending the 100th National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in July are required to attend the meeting. It is mandatory that all First Timers going to the Convention attend the meeting. We will be sharing important and detailed information pertaining to the National Convention.

It is imperative that each member registering for the National Convention provide Sister Corinne Mungo an E-Mail copy of your detailed NUCUAA receipt. If you purchase any add-ons after your initial purchase, you must also provide Sister Mungo a copy of any add-on receipts. I cannot stress the importance of providing Sister Mungo a copy of your receipts.

The Executive Committee Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 21st was postponed to allow the members to serve for The Baptist Convention of the District of Columbia & Vicinity City-Wide Revival on May 21st – May 24th at Central Baptist Church in Camp Springs, Maryland.

I have in my possession the Guidelines for the Eastern Region Selection of Honorees for Awards Recognition at the 2020 Johnnie F. Knighton Prayer Breakfast in Delaware. Paperwork must be submitted to the Awards and Recognition Committee by June 30th. Please contact me for the forms if you are interested in nominating someone to be honored at the 2020 Johnnie F. Knighton Prayer Breakfast.

All Ushers’ Ministry Presidents and ICUA Guardians are asked to mark your calendars for the upcoming Presidents’ Council / Guardians’ Meeting on Saturday, June 15th at the Headquarters. The time is 8:30 AM for breakfast, and the meeting will start at 9:00 AM.

The Alberta T. Leonard Golden Age Luncheon will be held on Saturday, June 1st, 2019, at Martin’s Crosswinds, 7400 Greenbelt Center Drive, Greenbelt, Maryland at 1:00 PM. The theme for the occasion is “Honoring Our Past with Reverence” – 1 Timothy 5:17. Congratulations to the Honorees for being selected to be honored at this momentous celebration:

• Honorary President Christine E. Ford
• Sister Julia M. Abraham
• Sister Hazel W. Blakey
• Brother Tyrone J. Briscoe
• Sister Lizzie Mae Corbin
• Sister Alma J. Edwards
• Sister Elrita F. James
• Sister Martha R. Johnson
• Sister Rachel G. Palmer
• Sister Dorothy Thomas
• Brother Dwight D. Williams, Sr!
• Sister Alice Yates

Kudos to Alberta T. Leonard Golden Age Luncheon Chairman Sister Onetia J. Evans, Assistant Chairman Vice President Brenda Gilliam, and the entire Committee on a job well done!

Please join us on Saturday, June 29th for a Pre-Convention Event – an evening of “Fun and Games” – at The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, 3000 Pennsylvania Avenue, SE, Washington, DC –at 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. The donation is $10.00 for Seniors and Young Adults, and $5.00 for Juniors. Contact Nelcina Wiggins for tickets.

The Fancy Napkin Folding and Centerpieces Workshop will be held on Saturday, July 13th – 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon – at Macedonia Community Church, 1026 – 46th Street, NE, Washington, DC. The donation of $20.00 is to offset the expenses of the facility and refreshments. Sister Mary Samuel is the Facilitator. Please invite your family members and friends to the event. Please complete the bottom portion of the flyer and submit it along with your donation to Nelcina Wiggins No Later Than Monday, July 8th, the Business Meeting at The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church.

The 107th ICUA Anniversary will be held on Sunday – September 15th, 2019, at Mt. Moriah Baptist Church, 1636 East Capitol Street, NE. in Washington, DC at 3:00 PM. The theme is: “200 Ushers in White.” The sacrificial asking is $50.00 for Seniors and Young Adults, and $10.00 for Juniors. You can start paying your $50.00 and $10.00 now. Please see the 107th Financial Team of Sister Gwendolyn T. Newton or Sister Nelcina B. Wiggins to pay your sacrificial asking. The deadline to complete your sacrificial asking is August 31st, 2019. All names will appear in the 107th Anniversary Program.

The 63rd New York Memorial Weekend / Eastern Region Mid-Year Meeting will be held on November 9–10, 2019. Hotel: LaGuardia Plaza Hotel, 104-04 Ditmars Boulevard, East Elmhurst, New York – Room Rate $172.00 across the board. {One-night room deposit required with reservation.}. The Reservation deadline is October 1st, 2019.

Happy Father’s Day to all Fathers, Grandfathers, Godfathers, and Fathers figures! Enjoy your special day.

Let us continue to work together in Love and Unity!

Happy Birthday to all celebrating a birthday during the month of June!

Please keep Mother Elaine S. Flanagan and Father Roy L. Kelly in prayer, as well as all sick, shut-in, and bereaved families.

Yours in Christian Service,

Pansy Bradley-Cooper

President