Page 9 - Joshua's Journal

T the Commission. The Commissioner is also responsible for ensuring that each ministry is setting and achieving goals that are consistent with Reid Temple’s 5E mission.” Reid Temple is blessed to have a cadre of accomplished choir directors and musicians “who all have great experience,” says Burgess. Evangelist Myrna Summers he Commission (Minster of Music, Mass Choir Director), on Worship and is a gospel music legend, Patrick Lundy Liturgy at Reid Temple’s (Director of Fine Arts Ministry, Temple Glenn Dale Location encom- Choir and Chorale Director) has record- passes five choirs, a chorale, two orchestras ed a number of CD’s with his group The (adult and youth) and the Reflection of Ministers of Music, PJ Morgan (Director God Liturgical Dance ministry (adult and of Men’s Choir) is credited with playing/ youth). Additionally, the Angelos Ministry, producing/arranging music throughout Usher Board, P.U.S.H. and Prayer Minis- the Gospel industry, Richard C. Odom try are integral parts of the Commission. (Youth/Young Adult Director) is a clas- These ministries spread the gospel of sically trained singer who recently began Jesus Christ by ministering through song directing the Children for Christ Choir. (choirs), music (orchestra), movement Reid Temple’s musicians, which include (dance) and prayer (prayer ministry) award-winning percussionists, guitarists, supported by the communication mediums keyboardists, and organists, compliment the at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church. gifted and talented choirs. Reid Temple’s music department moves beyond being Marlene Burgess serves as the Commis- merely “sounding brass and clanging cym- sioner for the Commission of Worship and bals.” “They know what the Word says” Liturgy (Glenn Dale Location). She declares Burgess. "The musicians and proudly recalls joining Reid Temple directors are spiritually grounded and have on December 2, 1990, after hearing a personal relationship with the God in Rev. Washington preach a sermon entitled whom they sing about." “Word for the Weary.” Rev. Washington appointed Burgess to the Board of Stewards A Message in the Music in May of 1992, and she was the first to serve as the Commissioner for Church Commissioner Burgess says that Pastor Life. She was later appointed to serve as Washington has shared the importance of the Commissioner for Worship and Liturgy hymns with her and the music ministry. for which she has been re-appointed to “The ministry of music is diverse at Reid serve for the past nine years. In her words, Temple, and we touch every genre of “The role of the Commissioner is to pro- music,” says Burgess. From traditional vide spiritual guidance and administrative anthems and hymns to contemporary oversight to the ministries that fall under gospel and Gospel go-go and rap, the www.reidtemple.org • 7