Page 12 - Bethel Annual 2019 Report

Christian Education

T
welve Church School students, who
passed from one grade to the next, were
recognized on Annual Promotion Sunday.
Students were presented with promotion
certificates and monetary gifts to mark their
outstanding achievement in and commitment
Chloe Moody, Speaker to Church School participation.
Church School Promotion Sunday
Superintendent Debra Austin used the opportunity to encourage parents to teach the importance of tithing.
The promotion speaker was Ms. Chloe Moody, a Church School student and sophomore broadcast jour-
nalism major at Florida A&M University. In her inciteful and inspiring message, The Importance of Church
School, Chloe shared that involvement in Church School is a “life altering experience.” She said that it helps
one acquire a better understanding of Scripture and can be applied to everyday life; it teaches the importance
of faith and prayer; it enhances self-confidence; and it provides opportunities for persons to bond together
and establish life-long relationships. Chloe continued by giving a moving testimony on how Church School
has influenced her life. Chloe’s proud parents are Mr. and Mrs. Euclid and Dara Moody. Thanks to Sisters
Chancey Ford and Jamye Brown for their outstanding job as chairpersons of Promotion Sunday.

New Members Orientation was conducted each quarter to introduce new members to the doctrine, disci-
pline, organization, and history of the AME Church. Special attention was given to congregational care at
Bethel as well as Bethel’s history, and opportunities to serve God and share the Gospel Message through
involvement in various church ministries and organizations.

The YPD, under the leadership of First Lady Deana McAllister and Sister Marie Plummer-Riou, worked
tirelessly to implement its theme, “Grow, Glow, and Go for Christ.” Members met on First Sundays at
11:00 a.m. to discuss the status of current projects and to plan future and on-going mission projects carried
out in collaboration with the Women’s Missionary Society. They also joined the congregation during
worship to hear the youth message and participate in Holy Communion. In addition to attending area YPD
meetings, members hosted the 2 Conference YPD meeting at Bethel, and facilitated all of the conference
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workshops. They were also blessed with the privilege of hosting the 154 Session of the Florida Annual
th
Conference YPD Day. Christian Education of our youth is a priority at Bethel; and we thank God that
Reverend Dr. McAllister and First Lady Deana have made it a fundamental aspect of their ministry from
the beginning of their tenure. In addition to YPD, opportunities for our youth to grow spiritually and
morally are provided through Church School, Vacation Bible School, the Music and Creative Arts Ministry,
First Sunday Youth Message, Usher Boards, Thanksgiving Basket Ministry, the Daughters of Sarah Allen
and many other church ministries and organizations.

Sisters Mary Smith and Delores Hudson served as delegates to the Tallahassee District Conference called
by Presiding Elder Carlton Taylor on January 24-26. Anderson Chapel AME Church, pastored by the

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