Month: April 2020

Greetings Doorkeepers,

Prayerfully you and your family are in good health and spirits during this season of the Coronavirus, Pandemic.

Please note the following updates to the ICUA events and activities.

1.       The deadline to submit your ICUA Membership Rosters and Dues has been extended until April 30^th .  Please mail your Membership Rosters and Dues to the ICUA Headquarters, Attn:  Budget and Finance Department – 1923 – 16^th Street, NW – Washington DC 20009.
2.       Due to the Guidelines established today by Mayor Muriel Bowser, District of Columbia and Mayor Larry Hogan of Maryland for all to Shelter in Place, except for essential personnel, we have decided to cancel all appointments for Groups and individuals taking pictures on April 9th and April 11th for the Pictorial Documentary.  We apologize for this inconvenience.  You will be notified when we establish new dates to take pictures for the Pictorial Documentary.
3.       Our Business Meeting scheduled for April 13^th at Rehobeth Baptist Church has been cancelled.
4.       The June D. May Building Fund Prayer Breakfast scheduled for April 18^th has been cancelled.
5.       The Board of Trustees will be meeting via conference call on Thursday, April 2^nd.  If you have recommendation(s) or information for the Board of Trustees please submit it to Chairman Cynthia Archie before the meeting on Thursday.
6.         Join us for the ICUA Prayer Call on Monday, April 20th at 8:30 PM to 8:45 PM.  The Dial-in-Number is 1-605-313-4802 – Access Code:  880214#
7.         The Education and Scholarship Department meeting on Monday, April 27th will be held via conference call.  Director Phyllis P. Dorsey will notify the members of the Education and Scholarship Department on how to dial into the conference call.
8.   The Thelma D. Goodwin Policy and Rules Department meeting on Tuesday, April 28th will be held via conference call.  Director Vernard Jackson will provide the members of the Thelma D. Goodwin Policy and Rules Department on how to dial into the conference call.

Please continue to pray for the ICUA, all sick, shut-in, bereaved families and the Nation.

Continue to be healthy and safe!

God’s blessings upon each of you as we continue to lift each other up in “Love and Unity.”

Peace & Blessings,
President, Pansy Bradley-Cooper

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.”   1 John 4:7 {KJV}

Greetings Fellow Doorkeepers!

Happy Spring Time!

It’s hard to believe that we are in the 4^th month of 2020.  All praises to our heavenly Father for His blessings, and for keeping us safe from the COVID-19 {Coronavirus}.

The following members from the District of Columbia attended National President Ruth I. Jones’ Mid-Year Leadership Workshop on Saturday, February 22, 2020, at the Rosen Centre Hotel in Orlando, Florida – the Host Hotel for the 101^st National Convention:

• Charles J. Brown, National 1^st Vice President and Eastern Region Director
• Melinda H. Wilkins, National Chairman – Board of Directors
• Dr. Linda A. Smallwood – Parliamentarian 
• Juanita Prophet, Director – Information Technology / Marketing Strategies Committee
• Jeannette S. Riddick, Chairman – National Nominating Committee
• Geraldine V. Washington, Chairman – Elections
• Romaine A. Wilkins, Counselor – Young Adult Department
• Brenda Gilliam – ICUA Vice President
• Jean Jalloh – Assistant Director – ICUA Policy and Rules Department, and yours truly.
• Dr. Linda Smallwood conducted a very productive and engaging session on By-Laws.

A few highlights from the Mid-Year Leadership Workshop:

1.   The James E. Anderson Unity Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2020, at 2:00 PM.  Tickets are $55.00.  Colors for the Luncheon are Tan and shades of Green.  Colors are optional for the guests attending the Luncheon.
2.   The Junior and Young People’s Department Outing on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, is a trip to “Disney World.”  The cost is $100.00.
3.   The Jessie Burnett Arts and Crafts Department is asking for a $100.00 State donation instead of selling Raffle Tickets.  This year’s craft project is a “Wheel Chair Backpack.”  Each State is asked to donate three “Wheel Chair Backpacks.”  The Backpacks will be donated to a Senior Facility in Orlando, Florida.
4.   Updated NUCUAA Bylaws will be available at the seat of the 101^st National Convention in Orlando, Florida.   The cost is $5.00.
5.   Voting for National Officers with opposition will be on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, starting at 6:00 AM.
6.   The Henry Ballard Music Department – The music will be on CD’s and mailed to the State Presidents.  The color for the Musical is Tan with a touch of Orange.
7.   Willie J. Minnifield Training and Development – The cost is $20.00.  Classes offered are:
   1. How to Study the Bible
   2. Leadership
   3. Parliamentary Procedures – Beginner and Advance
   4. True Colors
   5. Book Club for Juniors
8.   Leroy Johnson Building Fund – The State donation is $100.00.  Young Adults and Juniors can become members of the Leroy Johnson Building Fund.
9.   The Memorial Program will be on Thursday, July 30, 2020, after the General Session.
10.   Outreach – The State donation is $50.00.  Donations will be given to the Veterans Medical Center.  
11.   George T. Grier School of Ushering Department –

Congratulations to the following members on being honored for dedicated and faithful services to the ICUA:

• Sister Lillian W. Cobbs –Lincoln Park United Methodist Church
• Sister Cassandra Harrison – The New Macedonia Baptist Church
• Sister Lestine D. Braddock – First Rock Baptist Church
• Sister Erma J. McCray – Vermont Avenue Baptist Church

Thanks to the Mabel C. Cooper Chorus for rendering the music, and the Catherine E. Mills School of Ushering for serving.   Kudos to the Events Department and the William H. Davis Working Unit for planning an outstanding and spirit-filled program to honor the pioneers of the Ushers’ Organization.  

At the Program, Sister Elrita James gave the Greetings and Occasion.  Sister James presented to me a framed copy of William H. Davis’ Obituary printed in the Evening Star Newspaper – November 20, 1948.   The framed Obituary will be on display at the Headquarters.  

The 63^rd Annual Eastern Region Conference was canceled due to a State of Emergency in Delaware.  The Conference was postponed until October 16– 17, 2020, at the DoubleTree Hotel Downtown in Wilmington, Delaware.  The Johnnie F. Knighton Prayer Breakfast Honorees will be honored on  October 17, 2020.  The State of Delaware will also celebrate their 57^th Memorial Weekend on October 17 – 18, 2020.

Thanks to everyone that assisted with making the numerous telephone calls to our Delegates attending the Eastern Region Conference to inform them of the cancellation!  Special thanks to Sister Quintina K. Brown, Correspondence Secretary, for sending out the Urgent E-Mail message to our membership about the cancellation of the Eastern Region Conference. 

On March 22, 2020, we observed our “108^th Annual Annie B. Bailey Memorial Service” at The First Baptist Church of Deanwood.  Rev. Dr. Ronald K. Miner delivered the Memorial Message.  The theme for the occasion was “A New Life Has Begun.”  Thanks to all who participated on the Memorial Program!  Special thanks to the Events Department – Annie B. Bailey Memorial Working Unit – for honoring our deceased Ushers for their dedication and commitment to the ICUA!

 NUCUAA’s 101^st National Convention is fast approaching.  Don’t forget to pre-register online, and purchase tickets for the various activities, events, and Willie J. Training and Development.  Important Convention Deadline Dates:

• Hotel Reservations – July 6, 2020
• Souvenir Journal Ads – May 1, 2020
• Online Pre-Registration – June 15, 2020
• Event Ticket Sales – July 1, 2020
• Scooter and Power Chair – 50% Deposit by June 1, 2020, and Final Payment by July 1, 2020

NUCUAA’s Website Address:

www.nationalchurchushers.org

We will provide assistance for those members without a credit or debit card.  You must bring cash for your pre-registration, activities, and events.  After making your initial pre-registration, add-ons will not be allowed.  

ICUA Delegates’ Meetings and assistance to members with their online Pre-registration and tickets are as follows:

Saturday, April 25, 2020, and Saturday, May 23, 2020 – at the ICUA Headquarters at 1923 – 16^th Street, NW. in Washington, DC for 1-hour – from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.

It is very important that all Delegates pre-registering and purchasing tickets for events and activities for the National Convention E-Mail Sister Corinne Mungo a copy of your detailed Online Receipt.

The State of Virginia 57^th Memorial Weekend has been canceled.  The Memorial Weekend was scheduled to be held on Saturday, April 4, 2020, with a Pre-Memorial Musical at 7:00 PM, and on Sunday, April 5, 2020, the Memorial Service at 2:30 PM.  Both services at Ebenezer Baptist Church, 909 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia.

We have been invited – and I have accepted – the invitation from Rev. Dr. Kendrick E. Curry, Pastor of The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church, to serve for their 2020 Omega Lenten Revival on Thursday,    April 9, 2020, at 7:00 PM.  We will serve in the National Uniform.  

The Budget and Finance Department is making a change to the hours for transacting business at the Business Meetings.  Starting with the April Business Meeting, the hours of operation for the Budget and Finance Department will be 6:00 PM to 6:45 PM.  This includes all transactions, i.e. turning in funds for any occasion, submitting Check Requests, or receiving checks for events and activities.  Please plan ahead, and comply with the new schedule.  

The ICUA is publishing a Pictorial Documentary covering the period of 1999 – 2020 to highlight our membership.  The Committee is working very hard to have the Pictorial Documentary for sale on Sunday, September 20, 2020, at the ICUA 108^th Anniversary.  We need all ICUA Elected and Appointed Officers and Members, Departments, and Committees to schedule an appointment to have their picture taken for the Pictorial Documentary.  We are also encouraging the Pastors and Ushers’ Ministries of our member Churches to consider taking a picture and placing an Ad in the Pictorial Documentary.  Please contact one of the following to schedule an appointment for your picture:

• Nelcina Wiggins
• Eric J. Kirby

Listed below are upcoming events and activities:

1. Catherine E. Mills School of Ushering Commencement scheduled for Saturday, April 4, 2020, has been canceled. 

2.    June D. May Building Fund Prayer Breakfast – scheduled for Saturday, April 18, 2020, at Faith Temple No. 2 OFWB Church, 211 Maryland Park Drive, Capitol Heights, MD at 9:00 AM, has been canceled.

3. Annual Rhonda M. Jackson Pre-Mother’s Day Luncheon – Saturday, May 2, 2020 – Macedonia Community Church, 1026 – 46^th Street, NE, Washington, DC at 1:00 PM.    Ticket required.

4.  2020 Alumni Class Reunion Luncheon – Saturday, May 16, 2020 – Epiphany Episcopal Church Canterbury Hall – 3125 Ritchie Road, Forestville, MD – Time:  1:00 PM to 5:00 PM – ticket required.

5.  Chop Tank Riverboat Cruise – Saturday, August 22, 2020 – 12:15 PM to 3:30 PM.   The bus will depart from Macedonia Community Church at 9:00 AM.  Ticket required.

Our condolences and prayers to all members who lost loved ones since our last Business Meeting.  

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

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

Let us continue to work together in the spirit of Love and Unity.

May God continue to bless each of you.