Hanging out with my peoples!

 

Last week's trips were sort of a homecoming in many ways. The first trip was to attend the Presbyterian Camp and Conference Center Association (PCCCA) Annual Conference at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in Little Rock, AR. I consider one of the many people in ministry who began the journey of the call to ministry through camps and conferences - I was one of four Summer Lead Counselors for the Synod of Southern California and Hawaii Camps and also served as the Summer Camp Director for Holston Presbytery Camp and Retreat Center. Although I had heard of their annual conference this was my first time attending and I have to tell you that I had a great time! Upon arriving at the Little Rock airport, I was met by Ruth Hicks, the Stated Clerk of Boise Presbytery (and who I just saw the previous week while in Idaho!) and her husband John and visited the Heifer Project International Museum. What a great place! After a wonderful dinner at Boscos, I was taken to Ferncliff. The next day I was the Order of the Day during the Plenary time and I spoke of my experiences of being Vice-Moderator. Then later on that afternoon I was the leader of a workshop ("Round Table Discussion with the Vice-Moderator") where we had a great small group conversation. Worship was wonderful under the direction of Worship Leader Rev. Anne Russ, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in North Little Rock and the always strong and powerful Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson! I had the opportunity to reconnect with people that I have not seen in years and met many others. Joel Winchip introduced me as "one of the family" and I truly appreciated the warm hospitality given me. Most of all, I had the greatest time playing the card game "Class Struggle" until 3 a.m. in the morning! It was a fun conference and I hope to attend another one in the future.

Craig Bell (Director of Holston Camp) and me.

 

Joel Winchip (Executive Director of PCCCA) and me.

Yesterday I made my family and I made our way over to Covenant Presbyterian Church in Durham, NC under the direction of my good friend and colleague, Rev. Jimmie Hawkins. Rev. Hawkins and I came into New Hope Presbytery at the same meeting 13 years ago and Davie Street (where I currently serve) and Covenant have a sister relationship as we are the only two African-American Presbyterian Churches in the Triangle (Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill) area and our members know each other. I was asked to preach for their 116th Church Anniversary Worship Service and it was a great occasion! They had a wonderful dinner after church and we had a time of great fellowship. One of the concerns of the African-American Presbyterian Church is that we are dying off. But I can tell you that this congregation is thriving and seeking to do great things with God's help!

Me and Rev. Jimmie Hawkins in the Pastor's Office.

Covenant Elders Susan McLaurin and Ike Robinson with me in the middle.

Next trip: Friday, November 20 - Sunday, November 22 for the Moderators' Conference in Louisville, KY.

Comments

[Wanda B. Olive]

Hi Byron,
I'm looking forward to you coming to speak at Transylvania Presbytery in Lexington, Ky. I look forward to hearing what you have to say on the national/global level of PC(USA). I will be going before the local Presbytery body the next day. Any advice from you about responding to Candidacy questions from the Presbytery floor?

[Kristi Button]

Nice to see the Vice Moderator at PCCCA conference! Class struggle was fun, but I did not play the same round as you.

[Byron Wade]

Wanda - thanks! Best thing I can tell you in your quest for Candidacy is to answer what is being asked and don't add to it. Also relax and be yourself! Hope that helps ;-)

[Byron Wade]

Kristi - great to see you again and thanks for posting the pic! Next time we will have to play Class Struggle in the same round ;-)

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