Pastor’s Corner
Volume #4 January – March 2013
The Living Stone
Greetings, Have you found your area of service to the Lord here at the Loving Place? There are many ministries available to you. Do not let the year 2013 pass you by without getting involved in a ministry. There is something for everyone here at Madkins Chapel. Will you allow the Lord to use you? As African Americans we mark two important anniversaries in our history in 2013, the 150 th anniversary of the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, that set the nation on the path of ending slavery and the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington. We have come a long way, but still have a long way to go. Know your history. During the month of February, we celebrated Black History each Sunday. We were blessed with the Challenges presented by Brother Calvin Miller and Sister Janette May. We were brought to our feet and to tears with a performance by Justin Howell Mime Ministry. The praise dancers, Liturgy in Motion, has grown in numbers and has been a blessing to our worship experience under the direction on Sisters Nakia Gurley and Bridgette Washington. Elder Sylvester McCaulley was hired as our Minister of Music at Madkins Chapel. We thank the Lord for Elder McCaulley, his gifts and abilities. Also, during February, we celebrated Ash Wednesday on February 13, 2013 and started our Lenten Journey. It is not too late for you to get on board. March arrived and members of the Madkins Chapel Church Session attended “The Event” a training workshop for pastors and elders sponsored by The Ministry Council of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and hosted by the Church Street Cumberland Presbyterian Church family. We are looking forward to attending another workshop so that we may better serve God’s people. As we continue in this month, we look forward to our REVIVAL. We are praying for families, those who are lost, those who are unchurched, and those who desire a closer walk with the Lord. “Lord, please send a revival and let it begin with me.” I invite you to attend the teaching arms of the church, Sunday School and/or Bible Study. There are classes for everyone. You will take something away that will help you get through your day, perhaps your week. So, come! In the Lord’s Service Endia J. Scruggs Pastor
Madkins Chapel CPCA Newsletter
MADKINS MEMBERS ATTEND THE INAUGURATION EVENTS OF PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA
The second Inauguration of the President of the United States, Barack Obama was held on January 21, 2013 in Washington, D.C. For those of us who attended the Inauguration festivities in the comfort of our homes, there were members of our church family in Washington, D.C. to enjoy the inauguration festivities live and in person. Attendees had the opportunity to see the sites of D.C., attending the Inauguration at the Capitol, and lining the streets for the Inaugural Parade and perhaps attending an inaugural ball or two were just some of the highlights of the inauguration weekend. The official theme for the 2013 inauguration was “Faith in America’s Future,” marking the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Madkins Chapel Cumberland Presbyterian Church of America
In the Spotlight…Kaelin Booth Huntsville, AL. 35810 256-534-1192 Visit our website www.madkinschapel.com
Update ◊
Uplift ◊
Unify
The goal of this newsletter is to Update our members of what is happening and upcoming at Madkins Chapel, Uplift members and non-members to the join the Loving Place in working for the Lord, and Unify the many voices and experiences represented within our congregation into one combined communication.
Kaelin Booth, is the daughter of Deacon Anthony Booth and Cheryl Booth. She is the oldest granddaughter of Kathy Davis and has three siblings, Ellis, Briana, and Brian. Kaelin is currently a senior at Sparkman High School. Kaelin completed her academic requirements in December of 2012. She will receive an advanced academic diploma on May 22, 2013. She lettered three years while playing Varsity Volleyball at Sparkman High. During the off season, she played with Rocket City Travel Volleyball for two years. Kaelin has applied and been accepted to the following Universities: Tuskegee University School of Nursing and she received an Academic Scholarship University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa Capstone Nursing Program University North Alabama Nursing Program Kaelin currently works at Fossil located at Bridge Street and Shoe Department located in Madison. Upon graduating from high school, Kaelin plans to attend the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa and pursue a degree in Nursing. Her career goal is to become a Nurse Anesthetist. Congratulations, Kaelin! Your Madkins Chapel Church Family is very proud of you! We pray God’s continued blessings up on your life and all your future endeavors!
MARCH is National Women’s History Month The 2013 National Women’s History Month theme, Women Inspiring Innovation through Imagination, honors generations of women who throughout American history have used their intelligence, imagination, sense of wonder, and tenacity to make extraordinary contributions Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. Navy Promotes First African-American Female Three-Star Officer Story Number: NNS120824-20Release Date: 8/24/2012 3:40:00 PM By Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Phil Beaufort, U.S. Fleet Forces Public Affairs NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Vice Adm. Michelle Janine Howard has been a trail-blazer throughout her entire career. She was the first African-American woman to command a U.S. Navy warship, the first female graduate of the Naval Academy to achieve the rank of rear admiral, and the first African-American woman to command an Expeditionary Strike Group at sea. Howard reached another milestone Aug. 24, when she became the first African-American woman promoted to three-star rank in the U.S. Armed Forces with the assumption of her new job as deputy commander, U.S. Fleet Forces headquartered here. During her career, Howard has seen dramatic changes in the Navy and the nation, but there is one more change she'd like to witness.
A Report of an Alabama House of Senate Page Greetings Church Family, I recently worked as a page for the Alabama House of Senate during the week of February 18, 2013. As a Senate Page, I assisted senators by getting copies of bills and giving them messages from the people waiting in the lobby. While being a Page, I witnessed passing of bills, committee meetings, and a filibuster. Also while I was there, the capitol celebrated Alpha Kappa Alpha and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Day. The most interesting bill to be passed was proposed by a woman in Madison County who had cancer and felt she was not given enough information from the doctor and the hospital to make a decision on a procedure she had done. The bill stated that all doctor's offices and hospitals were going to be given the same packet of information to distribute to all patients with information about everything they need to know about their condition. Being a Senate Page was a very fun, unforgettable experience. It is a great way to learn about what your district Senators do and it will help you understand the legislative process better. I would recommend becoming a Senate Page any day! - Racquel McCrary
"I would like to see our nation appreciate the importance of the Navy. We are blessed to live in a time where the average citizen really appreciates their Sailors; when we walk anywhere in a uniform we get thanked. If I could change anything I'd like to have Americans understand who they are thanking and why. How do you convince a nation this big that they are a maritime nation? Our founding fathers got it; they understood the importance of international commerce and that is why they said maintain a Navy in the Constitution. And ironically enough, we are even more dependent on maintaining safe water ways now than they were then." Howard may get her wish. As the newest vice admiral in the Navy and deputy commander of U.S. Fleet Forces she will have the opportunity to reach a much larger audience than ever before. As she has proven time and again, there is a first for everything. For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.
From the Kitchen…….. Watergate Salad 1 large can crushed pineapples 1 box pistachio instant pudding Stir together and add; 1 large cool whip ½ bag small marshmallows Nuts if desired Refrigerate before serving Submitted by Mother Ella Leslie
Did you know? A large-scale Norwegian study suggests that the more time you spend attending religious services, the lower your blood pressure is likely to be.
Ministries at the “Loving Place” Have you asked yourself, “What am I doing to serve the Lord?” Are you just a “pew member?” Get involved! There is a ministry at Madkins Chapel just for you. If you are interested in being a part of the ministries listed below, please call the church office at (256)534-1192, Monday-Friday from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Audio/Visual Christian Education Committee Choirs (Youth, Brotherhood, Gospel Praise, Celebration) Cumberland Presbyterian Youth Fellowship (CPYF) Junior Missionary Society Kitchen Committee Liturgy in Motion Planning/Program Committee Mission and Evangelism Missionary Society Men’s Fellowship Newsletter Security Ushers (Youth, #2 Ushers, Senior Ushers) Van Ministry
Welcome, New Members! And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. Colossians 3:15 New Living Translation (NLT) We welcome the following new members to our church family: January Kimberly Watters Jayde Watters Jakiah Watters Juanita Summers – New Convert Gregory Summers – New Convert Orande Cunningham Earl Keith Patrick Smith Davis Clinton
February Loretta Braxelton Laura Mae Murphy – New Convert Kendra Rodgers – New Convert Sandra Harty – New Convert
Madkins Chapel Photo Gallery
Kid’s Corner
In Memory Of…… Mr. Alma Jacobs Uncle of Brother Nathaniel Pride Jonathan Chandler (July 2, 1973 – January 23, 2013) Nephew of Brothers Jerry and Reginald Haley
Norman “Shorty” Scruggs (Dec 25, 1938 – February 13, 2013) Brother-in-law of Pastor Endia Scruggs and Uncle of Elder Stephanie Gilkes Everlean Parker Cunningham (July 12, 1942 – February 20, 2013) Sister of Elder Lillian Mitchell-Ray
Shirley Hamlet Layne (died January 30, 2013) A beloved Madkins Chapel member
Roxann Leslie Haygood (December 23, 1954 – February 20, 2013) Cousin of Sister Hattie Strong Emma Logan Watkins (September 11, 1947 – February 7, 2013) Niece of Sister Roberta Turner Mary Isabell Moore Hammonds (October 23, 1928 – February 25, 2013) Lewis Douglas (died February 12, 2013) Aunt of Sisters Irene Hammonds and Dorothy Ball Husband of Sister Malinda Douglas Leroy Crutcher (November 7, 1943 – February 27, 2013) Weldon Williams (died February 3, 2013) Brother of Sister Romelia Ivey Uncle of Sister Marie Fields Woodie Lane, Sr (June 2, 1939 – March 3, 2013) Great Uncle of Elder Stephanie S. Gilkes
A Lil Humor Practicing What you Preach????? An honest man was being tailgated by a stressed out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.
MADKINS CHAPEL SHEPHERD’S LIST As of January 2013 OFFICERS Elder Curtis Gurley Deacon Joyce Crawford
MEMBERS* Mother Aggrean Acklin – Mother Reacer Branford
OFFICERS Elder Larry Gopher Deacon Jasper Howell
MEMBERS* Deacon Johnny Jasper – Mother Shirley Leamon
Elder Deidra Gopher Deacon Rod Ewing
Sister Loretta Leonard – Brother Steve McDowell
Elder Barbara Haley Deacon Anthony Booth
Sister Loretta Brazelton - Brother Carl Collier
Elder Vanessa Midgett Deacon Jimmy Parks
Brother Lloyd Copeland – Sister Kim Ewing
Elder Margaret Lolo Deacon Johnny Jasper
Sister Tomanica McGee – Mother Ceola Oliver
Elder Roosevelt Fletcher Deacon Jeff Robinson
Brother Jeff Fant – Sister Ann Gurley
Elder Greg Mims, Sr. Deacon Walter Jones
Brother Danny Pace – Brother Charles Ray
Elder Syleria Jarmon Deacon Carl Elliott
Sister Julia Gurley – Brother Steven Henson
Elder Lillian Mitchell-Ray Deacon Tommy Mitchell, Jr.
Brother Gary Ray, Sr. – Brother Kevin Scruggs
Elder Stephanie Gilkes Deacon Moses Leamon
Brother Marlon Hereford – Brother Marcus Jarmon
Elder Corky Turner Deacon Mary Turner
Brother Terrance Scruggs - Sister Krystal Thompson
Elder John Turner Deacon Karin Fields
Sister Martia Thompson – Sister Delikua Winton
*If your name is between the names listed above, the elder and deacon listed is your point of contact for any concerns (personal or otherwise) or issues. Please call the church office at (256)534-1192, Monday –Friday from 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. to receive the contact information for your assigned elder and deacon. Knowing your elder or deacon will help us to better serve you. Madkins Chapel Church Session
The tailgating woman hit the roof, and the horn, screaming in frustration as she missed her chance to get through the intersection. As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up. He took her to the police station where she was searched, finger-printed, and photographed, and then placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects. He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him. I noticed the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'What Would Jesus Do?' bumper sticker, the 'Follow Me to Sunday School' bumper sticker, and the chromeplated Christian fish emblem on the trunk. Naturally, I assumed you had stolen the car!"
- AUTHOR UNKNOWN -
When I Got to Heaven I was shocked, confused, bewildered As I entered Heaven's door Not by the beauty of it all By the lights or its decor. But it was the folks in Heaven Who made me sputter and gasp The thieves, the liars, the sinners The alcoholics, the trash. There stood the kid from seventh grade Who swiped my lunch money twice Next to him was my old neighbor Who never said anything nice. Uncle Bill, who I always thought Was rotting away in hell Was sitting pretty on cloud nine Looking incredibly well. I nudged Jesus, "What's the deal? I would love to hear Your take How'd all these sinners get up here? God must have made a mistake." "And why is everyone so quiet So somber? Please give me a clue." "Hush, child," said He. "They're all in shock No one thought they'd see you!"
- AUTHOR UNKNOWN