Old WEST FLORIDA PRIMITIVE BAPTIST ASSOCIATION

WOMENS CONGRESS

MOTHER HELEN FRANKLIN

PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS OCTOBER 15, 2010

SO GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE, IN THE IMAGE OF

GOD CREATED HE HIM, MALE AND FEMALE CREATED HE THEM. GENESIS 1: 27

I HONOR GOD BECAUSE HE IS THE CREATOR OF ALL THINGS THAT EXIST IN HEAVEN AND EARTH. HIS PRESENCE IS EVERYWHERE ANDHE KNOWS ALL THINGS. HE IS THE SUSTAINER AND PROVIDER FOR EVERYTHING THAT HE CREATED. APOSTLE JOHN WRITES THOU ART WORTHY, O LORD, TO RECEIVE GLORY AND HONOR AND POWER, FOR THOU HAST CREATED ALL THINGS, AND FOR THY PLEASURE THEY ARE AND WERE CREATED. REV. 4:11. AS WE WRAP OUR MINDS AROUND THIS TRUTH WE SHOULD COME BEFORE HIM WITH A SPIRIT OF THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE TO THE ALMIGHTY GOD.

I HONOR MO. MAYES, OURVICE-PRESIDENT ANDMO. CLOUD OUR FIRST LADY, AND I ALSO GIVE HONOR TO OUR SECRETARIES, OUR FINANCE COMMITTEE, OUR MARSHALL, OUR EMERTIUS STAFF, OUR AUXILARY PRESIDENTS AND THEIR STAFF, CONGRESS SISTERS, FAMILY, VISITORS AND FRIENDS. I THANK GOD FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AS YOUR SEVENTH WOMENS CONGRESS PRESIDENT. ACCORDING TO THE HISTORY,THE LATE REVEREND L. R. VAUGHN OFTEN CALLED (REV. LEE D. VAUGHN) SERVED AS THE FIRST PRESIDENT FOR A FEW FAITHFUL WOMEN. FRIDAY EVENINGS WERE GIVEN TO THE WOMEN TO BE USED FOR PRESENTING THEIR PROGRAMS. IN 1924 MO. ODELL BURGESS WAS THE FIRST FEMALE TO BE ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE WOMENS CONGRESS.

SUCCEEDED BY:

  1. SISTER ESSIE MAE BATSON (1945 – 1954)
  2. MOTHER FANNIE ALLEN (1954- 1972)
  3. MO. ODELL BURGESS SERVED A SECOND TERM (1972 – 1984) (WITH MY MOTHER-IN-LAW, THE LATE MO. ARATA FRANKLIN SERVING AS VICE-PRESIDENT)
  4. MO. PEARL YANT(1984 – 1995)
  5. MO. ORETHA ANDERSON (1995 – 2009)

I AM PROUD TO HAVE PERSONALLY KNOWN ALL OF THE PREVIOUS PRESIDENTS EXCEPT MO. BURGESS AND SIS. BATSON.

SIS. BERNICE HARRIS GRACIOUSLY LOANED ME MINUTES GOING BACK AS FAR AS 1972. AS I READ THESE MINUTES I SAW THEFOUNDATIONS THAT THESE SISTERS ESTABLISHED; THAT WE TODAY ARE STILL STANDING ON; A FOUNDATION THAT WE HAVE BUILT UPON AND ENLARGED FOR THE GLORY OF GOD. IN 1972 THE MINUTES REVEALED THAT THEY ALWAYS STARTED THEIR MEETINGS WITH DEVOTION SERVICE AND FINANCIAL REGISTRATION. AUXILARIES ENROLLED FROM EACH CHURCH; THE MOTHERS BOARD, THE CHOIR AND THE USHER BOARD:REGISTRATION OF $1.50, FLORAL CLUB .25, SCHOLARSHIP FUND MONEY, QUEEN MONEY AND FIELD AGENT MONIES WERE ALSO REPORTED.

IN 1975 THE JUNIOR CONGRESS FIELD AGENTS WERE:

  1. SISTER DELORES HARVEY; $20.00
  2. SISTER NELLIE PAIGE; $30.00
  3. SISTER JEWEL WILLIAMS; $26.00
  4. SISTER ETHEL BELL: $91.00
  5. SISTER CARRIE MCBRIDE; $37.00

FOR EACH YEAR’S MINUTES THAT I READ IT WAS EVIDENT THAT GROWTH IN THE CONGRESS WAS TAKING PLACE.

AS I REFLECT OVER THE PAST 10 MONTHS, I HAVE TO THANK GOD FOR THE GROWTH AND INCREASE THAT WE HAVE EXPERIENCED, INCREASE IN OUR LOVE, INCREASE IN OUR WORSHIP, INCREASE IN OUR SERVICE, INCREASE IN OUR FELLOWSHIP, AND INCREASE IN OUR GIVING. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A FEW ACTIVITIES THAT MADE UP THE INCREASE.

BEGINNING WITH THE MOTHERS/DEACONESSES, UNDER THELEADERSHIP OF MO. DOROTHY HENRY:

  1. QUARTERLY MEETINGS AND WORSHIP SERVICES
  2. OUTREACHMINISTRY, TO BRING WORSHIP SERVICE TO THE RESIDENTS OF MIRACLE HILL
  3. FACILITATING A BEAUTIFUL LUNCHEON/ WORSHIP SERVICE IN MY HONOR
  4. PLEDGING AND GIVING FOR THE BUILDING FUND

MINISTERS WIVES AND WIDOWS, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF MO. BERTHA WARD:

  1. MEETING TOGETHER AND STRIVING TO BAND TOGETHER IN UNITY
  2. ATTENDING A BROADWAY PLAY “CROWNS’’ AT THE LEE HALL AUDITORIUM
  3. PERFORMING IN CONCERT WITH THE MINISTERS FOR A BEAUTIFUL WORSHIP SERVICE
  4. PLEDGING AND GIVING FOR THE BUILDING FUND AND SUPPORTING THEIR QUEEN CONTESTANT.

WOMEN OF THE CHURCH,UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SIS. CONNIE DAVIS:

  1. MEETING TOGETHER AND STRIVING TO INCREASE MEMBERSHIP
  2. HOSTING TWO BEAUTIFUL WORSHIP SERVICES
  3. LUNCH AT LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE, IN HONOR OF MYSELF AND VICE-PRESIDENT MAYES
  4. PLEDGING AND GIVING FOR THE BUILDING FUND AND SUPPORTING THEIR QUEEN CONTESTANT

CHOIR, UNDER THE LEADER SHIP OF MO. MASSOTA GREEN

1. MEETING TOGETHER, REHEARSALS AND SINGING WHENEVER NEEDED

2. STRIVING TO INCREASE CHOIR MEMBERSHIP

3. HOSTING A BEAUTIFUL BRUNCH IN MY HONOR

4. PLEDGING AND GIVING FOR THE BUILDING FUND

5. SUPPORTING THEIR QUEEN CONTESTANT.

MATRONS, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SIS. LOUISE THOMAS:

  1. MEETING TOGETHER AND STRIVING TO INCREASE MATRON MEMBERSHIP
  2. FACILITING A WORKSHOP,WORSHIP SERVICE, ANDA BEAUTIFUL PRAYER BREAKFAST
  3. GIVING SCHOOL SUPPLIES
  4. PLEDGING AND GIVING TO THE BUILDING FUND
  5. SUPPORTING THEIR QUEEN CONTESTANT

THE MATRONS, MYSELF AND MO. MAYES TRAVELED TO GRETNA TO CELEBRATE WITH MODERATOR CLOUD AND MO. CLOUD FOR THEIR 13TH PASTOR’S ANNIVERSARY.

USHERS/NURSES GUILD, UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SIS.ANGELA HUTCHINSON

  1. MEETING TOGETHERAND STRIVING TO INCREASE THEIR MEMBERSHIP
  2. ALWAYS ON DUTY
  3. PREPARING LUNCH FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY WORKERS
  4. LUNCH & FELLOWSHIP AT SEINYARD’S SEAFOOD WITH MYSELF AND MO. MAYES
  5. PLEDGING AND GIVING TO THE BUILDING FUND
  6. SUPPORTING THEIR QUEEN CONTESTANT

YOUTH DEPARTMENT,UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF SIS. SHANESE PAYNE, ADVISED BY MO. CHANNIE COLLINS, MINISTER JIMMY WILSON AND A FAITHFUL SUPPORTER MO. CAROL WILLIAMS:

  1. MEETING AND PLANNING
  2. STRIVING TO INCREASE THEIR MEMBERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION
  3. TWO BEAUTIFUL WORSHIP SERVICES.

OTHER SERVICES AND ACTIVIITES INCLUDED CABINET MEETINGS AND PRESIDENTS MEETING.

THE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE SPONSORED A BEAUTIFUL WORSHIP SERVICE FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE ASSOCIATION.

THE HOSPITALITY COMMITTEE PREPARED DINNER FOR THE CORNERSTONE DEDICATION. SISTERS GATHERED FOR A WASH DOWN, CLEANUP, THROW AWAY, SWEEP AND MOP DAY AT THE ENRICHMENT CENTER. NEW FRIENDSHIPS WERE FORMED, “THE FABULOUS MAGNIFICENT NINE” BIRTHDAYS WERE CELEBRATED BY SOME BEAUTIFUL WOMEN THAT I HAD THE PLEASURE OF BEING A PART OF; MO. DOROTHY HENRY, A VIVIACOUS 70TH, MO. VIOLA DAVIS, A HALLELUIAH 90TH, MO. NATHALEE BARNES, A ENERGETIC, 70TH, SIS. CLARA B. FLOYD-GAYMON, A SPORTIE, 75TH, AND MO. PAT MAYES, A GRACIOUS 60TH. SIS. SHARON SNELLING AND I ARE BOTH CHRISTMAS EVE BABIES SO WE CELEBRATED TOGETHER WITH OUR HUSBANDS.

I JOINED MO. SHARON POLITE AS SHE WAS INSTALLED AS A MOTHEROF THE GREATER ST. MARKS P. B. CHURCH.

THE OUTREACH MINISTRY WAS ON ITS JOB BEING A BLESSING FOR THOSE IN NEED.WHAT A BUSY AND BLESSED 10 MONTHS. MO. MAYES AND I TEAMED UP TO ATTEND ALL BUT A FEW OF THESE ACTIVITIES TOGETHER.

I GIVE GOD ALL THE HONOR AND PRAISE FOR THE INCREASE OF THIS CONGRESS. I’M PETITIONING HIM FOR A GREATER INCREASE IN THE COMING YEAR.

WHEN I THINK ABOUT ALL THESE ACTIVITIES I’M REMINDED OF PAUL’S WORDS IN I CORNITHAINS 13:THOUGH I SPEAK WITH THE TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS,AND HAVE NOT CHARITY (LOVE) I AM BECOME AS SOUNDING BRASS, OR A TINKLING CYMBAL AND THOUGH I HAVE THE GIFT OF PROPHECY, AND UNDERSTAND ALL MYSTERIES, AND ALL KNOWLEDGE, AND THOUGH I HAVE ALL FAITH, SO THAT I COULD REMOVE MOUNTAINS, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY, I AM NOTHING. AND THOUGH I BESTOW ALL MY GOODS TO FEED THE POOR, AND THOUGH I GIVE MY BODY TO BE BURNED, AND HAVE NOT CHARITY, IT PROFITETH ME NOTHING. I BELIEVE PAUL WAS SAYING TO THE CHURCH THAT IN YOUR MINISTERING, IN CHARTIABLE WORK, IN YOUR GIVING, OR ANY GOOD DEED, IF YOU DO IT APART FROM THE LOVE OF GOD ITS WORTHLESS IN THE EYESIGHT OF GOD.

WELL, HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN WE ARE OPERATING IN THE LOVE OF GOD? PAUL GIVES US THE ANSWER. HE SAID, CHARITY SUFFERETH LONG (PATIENT) AND IS KIND: CHARITY ENVIETH NOT, (NOT JEALOUS) CHARITY VAUNTERH NOT ITSELF (DO NOT PUSH ITSELF FORWARD) IS NOT PUFFED UP (DOES NOT DISPLAY ITSELF HAUGHTILY) DOTH NOT BEHAVE ITSELF UNSEEMLY, (ARROGANT AND INFLATED WITH PRIDE) SEEKETH NOT HER OWN (UNMANNERLY), IS NOT EASILY PROVOKED, THINKTH NO EVIL; REJOICETH NOT IN INIQUITY, BUT REJOICETH IN THE TRUTH.

WHEN THE LOVE OF GOD (THE AGAPE KIND OF LOVE) IS IN OUR HEART THERE IS NO FAILURE.

IN ALL THE SERVICE THAT WE RENDERED THESE PAST TEN MONTHS, NOT ONE TIME DID I HEAR ANYONE SAY THAT A PROGRAM WAS A FAILURE OR THAT A WORKSHOP DIDN’T GO RIGHT, OR THAT WORSHIP SERVICE WASN’T GOOD. GOD BLESSED US BECAUSE OF OUR RIGHT MOTIVES AND THE LOVE THAT WE HAD FOR ONE ANOTHER. AS WE GO FORTH INTO THIS NEW YEAR, LET US GO WITH A MADE UP MIND THAT NOTHING WILL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD.

Paul ASKS the question“WHO SHALL SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF CHRIST? SHALL TRIBULATION, OR DISTRESS, OR PERSECUTION, OR FAMINE, OR NAKEDNESS OR PERIL OR SWORD”? THEN HE ANSWERED HIS QUESTION; “NAY, IN ALL THESE THINGS WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH HIM THAT LOVED US. FOR I AM PERSUADED, THAT NEITHER DEATH, NOR LIFE, NOR ANGELS, NOR PRINCIPALITIES, NOR POWERS, NOR THINGS PRESENT, NOR THINGS TO COME, NOR HEIGHT, NOR DEPTH, NOR ANY OTHER CREATURE, SHALL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE US FROM THE LOVE OF GOD, WHICH IS CHRIST JESUS OUR LORD.” IF WE ARE MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH CHRIST, VICTORY IS SURE IN WHATEVER WE ENDEAVOR TO UNDERTAKE.

MY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CONGRESS IN THE YEAR 2010 -2011 ARE:

  1. WE CONTINUE WITH THE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE
  2. WHENEVER TIME PERMITS THAT WE SUPPORT EACH OTHER’S PROGRAMS
  3. WHERE POSSIBLE SOME ACTIVITES BE COMBINED
  4. WE STRIVE EVEN HARDER TO INCREASE OUR MEMBERSHIP
  5. EACH AUXILARY BEGIN EARLY SEEKING QUEEN CONTESTANTS
  6. EACH AUXILARY REPORT $2,000 IN BUILDING FUND MONIES FOR OCT. 2011
  7. THE OFFICERS BE PREPARED TO REPRESENT AS FIELD AGENTS

*REMEMBER I CORTHIANS 13: AND NOW ABIDETH FAITH, HOPE, CHARITY, THESE THREE BUT THE GREATEST OF THESE IS CHARITY. IT IS MY DESIRE TO LOVE THE LORD MY GOD WITH ALL MY HEART AND WITH ALL MY SOUL AND WITH ALLMYMIND AND TO LOVE YOU, MY SISTERS, AS MYSELF.

I WOULD LIKE TO CLOSE BYACKNOWLEDGING AND SHOWING LOVE TO THE FOLLOWING SISTERS:

MO. SHIRLEAN CLOUD

MO. HELENA ANDERSON

MO. FAYE FRANKLIN

MO. DORA ROSIER

MO. ORETHA ANDERSON

GOD BLESS AND CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU IS MY PRAYER.

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