Founder's Day 2001
Lake County, IL and Kenosha, WI areas join for spirited celebration

By Reverend Gregory Wilson 

They came from the north, the came from the south, they came from the east, and they came from the west. They came by car, they came by van, they came by bus, and they even walked. 

The place, Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church (Waukegan, IL), the purpose, the Lake County (IL) and Kenosha (WI) Area Founder's Day Worship Celebration. 

On Sunday, February 11, 2001 the congregations of Thomas Memorial (Zion, IL), Pastor John Hurst, Eternal Flame (North Chicago, IL), Pastor Terrance McClay, Coleman Chapel (Kenosha, WI) Pastor Gregory Wilson and host church Trinity, Pastor Reginald Blount gathered along with special invited guest preacher Pastor James Wade and the congregation from Ebenezer A.M.E. Church (Evanston, IL). 

The worship experience opened with the Followers of Jesus Liturgical Dancers (Coleman Chapel) ministering in dance as the prelude "Welcome Into This Place" was sung. 

Those assembled filling the sanctuary of Trinity sensed a spirit of excitement. 

The service followed along as the choirs and pastors processed into the Spirit filled setting. The traditional Call to Worship was led by Pastor Blount, which was followed by the congregation joining in  the hymn of praise, a spirited version of "Blessed Assurance," accompanied by piano, organ, drums, guitar, bongo drums, and a stand up bass. 

We truly lived out the words of the Psalmist. Pastor Hurst offered a powerful prayer of invocation, which was followed by the music ministry of the Thomas Memorial Choir. 

The service continued as Pastor McClay read the scripture, Joshua 1: 1-9, which led to the music ministry of the Trinity Choir. 

In an effort to be inclusive, Laypersons Sis. Ethel Cabine from Eternal Flame was called on to share the Welcome and Bro. Gregory Gordon from Thomas Memorial the Occasion. 

The choir from Eternal Flame followed and they were  dressed in hand made African attire. Pastor Blount came forward to lift the Founder's Day offering (more on this later).

The service continue with Pastor Wilson leading the Founder's day Litany this was followed by the music ministry of the Coleman Chapel Mass Choir. 

The spirit-filled worship service continued as Pastor Blount came forward to introduce and present the guest preacher. 

Following a very uptempo introduction of Rev. James Wade, Senior Pastor of the Ebenezer A.M.E. Church, the Ebenezer Liturgical Dancers came forward and filled the aisle. The highlight of the dancers was a little boy (about 4 years of age) that led the dancers in an African dance. 

The dancers continued to minister in the dance and then the youth choir of Ebenezer came forward to minister in song. 

Pastor Wade came forward and invited a soloist from Ebenezer to come forward to minister in song. We were then ready for the highlight of the experience, the preached Word. 

Pastor Wade, recently appointed by the Rt. Rev. Philip R. Cousin, Sr. (Presiding Prelate of the 4th Episcopal District) to serve as the District Evangelism Coordinator, invited our attention to Exodus 14: 8-15, he used as a subject Positive Instructions For A Negative Time. 

The main thrust of his message was as African Methodist we must "Go Forward." He shared that we cannot continue to look at the past as if it was so great because "even at their best the old days were not that good." 

He posed the question, "Would we survive our present circumstances?" Pastor Wade proclaimed that "God has better for the A.M.E. Church." He shared with us that yes, "there is emotional stress" when it comes too moving forward and some are satisfied with the status quo. He reminded us as he closed that we must change our way of thinking and operating. He challenged us to become "a tithing church," "a Bible literate church," and "a church that operates in all the Gifts of the Holy Spirit." 

Pastor Wade closed by exhorting us to establish new ways to minister to our seasoned saints, to reach out to our young professionals in ways that meet their unique needs and that we must invest in our youth as the church is all they really have to lead them to empowered and effective lives. 

Following the Invitation to Christian Discipleship, Pastor Blount called on Pastor Wilson for a special presentation. As the pastor's planned this event they came together in agreement that the Founder's Day offering would be used to bless a member of one of the congregation. 

Pastor Wilson came forward to remind us that Richard Allen saw four basic functions that the church could perform 1) Spiritual Support, 2) Black Pride, 3) Evangelism, and 4) Education, in an effort to make these functions come alive he announced the 1st Annual Lake County ~ Kenosha Founder's Day Investment In Life Award. 

The award was presented to Sis. Angela Townsand, of Thomas Memorial. This young lady a mother of two, a charter member of Thomas Memorial is not only a mother but works a full time job and is a student at Gateway Technical College (Kenosha) working toward a degree in Human Services, her ultimate goal is to be a Social Worker. 

She was presented the check, from the monies raised in the offering by her pastor Rev. Hurst, with her mother by her side. With tear-filled eyes she thanked everyone present. 

Participating church pastors were called on for "brief" closing reflections and then Pastor Wade was called on for his closing reflections and the Benediction. 

A time of fellowship followed in the church hall as old friendships were revived and new friendships were made. Yes, in the Lake County ~ Kenosha Area the church of Allen is alive and well.