A Service of Worship Celebrating the Appointment of The Rev. Dr. Cecelia R. Brooks As District Superintendent July 17, 2022 4:00 PM Heritage United Methodist Church
Boundaries of new districts outlined by Brenda Capen | Jul 8, 2022 | AC 2022 News, Districts, News, Virginia News Following the vote of the Annual Conference on Friday, June 17, 2022, that set the number of districts to eight effective July 1, 2022, in keeping with Paragraph 415.4 of the 2016 UMC Book of Discipline, and in consultation with the Cabinet, the boundaries of the new districts shall be as follows, effective July 1, 2022:
The Rev. Dr. Cecelia Brooks, Ph.D. Dr. Brooks loves God, people and Methodism. Reared in Hanover County, the Brooks’ are known as good Christians, farmers, singers and for selling vegetables at the old Virginia State Fair Ground. Unlike the Coastal Virginia District there were no Methodist Churches for African Americans to attend in Hanover because during slavery it had been illegal for slaves to join Methodist churches. Dr. Brooks said, “I attempted to serve God with all my heart, mind and soul but there was something missing.” That something was Methodism. After serving in Baptist Churches, Dr. Brooks found “Jesus as Grace” with the discovery of the diary of circuit rider, Rev. James Meachum. Dr. Brooks learned that her seven times removed grandfather’s name was John Wesley Brooks and his brother’s name was Charles Wesley Brooks. Dr. Brooks immersed herself in Methodism from that point onward. Including being a graduate from Duke Divinity School.
Dr. Brooks has a heart for people. She traveled the world with the church as far as Africa, the Holy Land, Greece, and the Middle East. In 1995 she was ordained Deacon in the Virginia Conference. However, because Oklahoma lacked African American clergy, she was ordained as an elder there. In Oklahoma, Dr. Brooks planted a successful new church start
Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow ... First, we honor our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Then, many thanks need to go out today for the workers who put together and participated in this program of installation. The truth is that it took a modern miracle for the creation of the Coastal Virginia District. Sometimes we take the miraculous for granted. As Coastal Virginia District we need to thank God for touching the water and the parting of the Atlantic Ocean and Chesapeake Bay to ultimately bridge us. May we never use God's solution, a tunnel, as a problem for doing God's will! Thank You Lord because one of the greatest engineering wonders of the world was created by us, for us, our families, our friends, and neighbors to live out our faith and by the power of the Holy Spirit make Disciples for Jesus Christ. Today, we accept God's means of grace of parting waters with a bridge because it allows us to be the Coastal Virginia District of the Virginia Conference of The United Methodist Church. God, please bind us together to serve our Lord and King. Then let us live in such a way that we embrace all that God has in store for us, Methodism and our collective gifts. Let your Spirit use us! --Rev. Dr. C. R. Brooks
Order of Service Gathering ......................................................,,,,,,,,,, Rev. Denise Bates, Dean of the Virginia Cabinet Prelude And Are We Yet Alive .............................Mrs. Jean Townsend Welcome and Introduction ...........Rev. Kotosha Griffin, Host Pastor Worship Leader ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Rev. Denise Bates *Processional Hymn “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms” UMH #133 Opening Prayer,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Rev. Joel Coleman Old Testament Genesis 1:1 Samuel Oh Psalms,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Psalm 119:129-136 Elizabeth Rogers, MD Gospel,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, John 14:12-17 Rev. Dwayne Stinson New Testament ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Acts 5: 29-40 Rev. Joshua McCauley Introduction District Superintendent ,,,,,,Rev. Dr. Sherry L. Daniels Solo “Because He Lives” ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Ms. Jennifer Allen Sermon “Order Our Steps” ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,The Rev. Dr. C.R. Brooks *Hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”..............UMH #400 The Great Thanksgiving ......................................................UMH #13 Communion Stewards ,,,Rev. Brenda Laws and Rev. Jason Stanley Ms. June Kernutt and Rev. Bob Talbott The Covenant Service ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,Rev. Dr. Clarence Brown Leader to the District Superintendent Rev. Dr. Brooks, you have been appointed to be among us for the ministry of Word and Sacrament; and called to a special ministry of supervision and leadership. You are called to guard the faith, to seek the unity, to exercise the discipline of the Church, and to supervise and support the Church's life, work, and mission. Do you affirm your call and commitment to these ministries in our midst?
I affirm my call and commitment to these ministries in your midst.
Leader to the People: Brothers and sisters in Christ, as a people committed to participate in the ministries of the Church by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness, will you support and uphold Rev. Brooks in these ministries? Rev. Brooks, we welcome you. We celebrate your appointment to the Coastal Virginia District. We affirm your call to be a leader among us. We pledge to you our support in our mutual ministry in the name of Jesus.
Presentation of Signs of the District Superintendency Presentation of the Bible . . . . . . . . . . . .Rev. Dr. Richard Daily PhD Presentation of the Cross . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .Rev. Lynda Moore Presentation of the Boat. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . Parker Williams Presentation of the Book of Discipline. . . . Pastor Annette Austin Presentation of the Globe .. . . . . . . . . . . . . Tacoma Perry Presentation of the Towel and Basin . . . . ..Rev. Bertrand Griffin II Presentation of the Stole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rev. Scott Rimer Presentation of the Fishing Pole . . . . . . . . .Kayla Hicks, Sean Hicks and Sage Bennett Presentation of the Bread . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Rev. Randy Timmerman Presentation of Cup . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .Rev. Harold White Presentation of Lighthouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Wendy Howard Presentation of Lamb . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . Grace Oh
Special Music Triple A Praise Team of Norfolk UMC Anointed, Appointed, Assigned Laying on of Hands ...............................Rev. Denise Bates Closing Remarks ................................Rev. Dr. C.R. Brooks *Closing Selection “Bind Us Together” TFWS No. 2226 *Benediction and Blessing.............. Rev. Dr. C.R. Brooks *Postlude “Perfect Praise.............. .Mrs. Jean Townsend Please join us in the fellowship hall for refreshments and an opportunity to greet District Superintendent, Rev. Dr. C.R. Brooks.