Page 25 - Bethel Annual 2019 Report

Congregational Care and Christian Fellowship

T
he Tallahassee District Lay Organization
presented Auryn West with the 2019
Ralph L. Wilson-Eileen Warner Scholar-
ship. Auryn is a graduate of Florida State
University High School and will enroll at
Clemson University in the fall.

Stewardess Board #1 provided each
member with a gift of appreciation dur-
ing the Christmas holidays. Members
fellowshipped with each other at their an-
nual Mother’s Day Brunch.

Bethel applauded the accomplishments
of the Reverend Marian Barkley Ellis,
who received the Master of Divinity de-
gree from the Turner Theological Semi-
nary in May and was ordained an Itiner-
ant Deacon by Bishop Adam J. Richard-
son, Jr., at the 154th Session of the Flori-
da Annual Conference. It came as no sur-
prise, three years ago, when Sister Ellis
Reverend Dr. McAllister and Reverend Marian Barkley Ellis
announced that she had been called to
preach. She comes from a family of min-
isters that include three brothers, a sister,
an uncle, and a brother -in-law. Early on,
God also placed the call to preach upon
her spirit. She confesses, however, that, like many before her, she was reluctant to answer, but was com-
pelled to do so at the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Then, understanding the need to properly prepare
herself for this high calling, she enrolled at Jacksonville Theological Seminary where she earned the Mas-
ter of Divinity degree before enrolling at Turner Theological Seminary in 2016.

Bethel considers it a privilege to have traveled with Reverend Ellis on her journey during the past three
years. We were beneficiaries of her sermons that reflected serious preparation and heartfelt desire to
edify the congregation. As she juggled family responsibilities, travel to Atlanta to attend classes, and em-
ployment, her love for God, His Word, and His Church never waned and were manifested in unparal-
leled commitment of service to Bethel. She remained steadfast in the performance of her responsibilities as
a member of the ministerial staff – serving at Sunday worship as well as special services and funerals. She
attended Church School and was present at Official Board meetings and Quarterly Conferences. At the
same time, she remained an active member of the Commission on Christian Education and the Media
Ministry.

The Bethel family is grateful to Reverend Ellis for her sterling example of how God works in the lives
of those who trust Him and rely on His enabling grace. We pray that she will continue to walk with
God, growing in wisdom and experience as He unfolds His marvelous plans for her life.

Reverend Ellis is married to Mr. Gerald L. Ellis and they are the proud parents of two sons.

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