“For a day in the courts is better than a thousand, I had rather be a DOORKEEPER in the house of my God than to dwell in the tents of wickedness” Psalm 84:10
They are the first ones you greet as you enter the church sanctuary. With their beautiful welcome smile week after week, service after service, the First Baptist Congregational Church Senior Ushers are there serving efficiently and effectively as “doorkeepers in the house of the Lord”. We are blessed as a congregation to have such dedicated and sincere members of the “Ushers Ministry”.
Currently under the leadership of Sis. Jacquie Arnold, the Ushers serve diligently at every service and outside fellowship. From our church’s beginning, the Ushers have had a crucial role in service. The Ministry was organized in September 1944 at Mozart Baptist Church with two members; Ms. Annie Bell “McNeese served as president for a short time after which Mrs. Bertha Thompkins accepted the responsibility as president.
As the Ushers Ministry grew, other officers were elected. The new members were Ms. Lucinda Nelson who served as treasurer for years, Sis. Carrie Phillips and Bro. S. B. Williams were elected as vice presidents.
As the Usher Ministry continued to grow, children began to join. A Junior Ushers Ministry was organized with Bro. Kenneth Blye as president, and Bro. Cliff Williams, Sr., and Bro. Henry Adams served as supervisors.
Other supervisors of the Junior Usher Ministry were Bro. Sam Steele,
Sis. Lucille McCrimmon, Sis. Doretha Penn, Mtr. Bertha Thompkins, Sis. Juanita Avery, Sis. Ora Gilbert, Bro. William Roberson, Sis. Diane Thomas, Sis. Ruth Travis, and Mtr. Melinda Smith.
In 1981 the Young Adult Ushers was organized with Mtr. Ruby Griffin as the president. The supervisors would be Sis. Jannie Evans, Sis. Doretha Penn, and Mtr. Bertha Thompkins. Past supervisors of the Young Adult Ushers were Sis. Georgia Jakes, Sis. Carlene Smith, Sis. Dorothy Hunter, Sis. Imogene Sykes, and Sis. Ernestine Tyler (now living in Selma, Alabama).
The current supervisor for the Young Adult Ushers is Brother Ken Crowder. The Senior Ushers have had the following to serve as president; Sis. Annie Bell McNeese, Bro. Henry Adams and Bro. S. B. Williams Mtr. Bertha Thompkins, Sis. Frances Abston, Bro. Byron Powell, Mtr. Amanda Williams, Bro. William Roberson, Mtr. Alberta Johnson, Sis Doretha Penn, Sis. Frances Marks, Bro. Ken Crowder, and Bro. Darris Shaw.
Our current president for the Senior Ushers Ministry is Sis. Jacqueline Arnold with Rev. Cliff Williams serving as minister, and Dea. Issac Sears serving as supervisor.
The Senior Usher Ministry has 38 active members, and we are blessed with three honorary Ushers; Mtrs. Frances Abston, Juanita Avery and Sis. Ora Gilbert. As Ushers we are representatives of JESUS CHRIST and the CHURCH, with enormous obligations in helping members, visitors and friends in preparation for service (Morning Worship etc). We consider it a privilege to serve the LORD and HIS people at this congregation says, Sis Arnold.
New members are welcome.
Because they are one in Ministry, on April 1st, in lieu of their regular monthly meeting, they will visit the Renaissance Rehab Center, located @ 4437 S. Cicero to honor Margaret Wilson.
Margaret was one of the most faithful members of the ministry until her health began to fail. During this visit, they will present her with a fruit basket and a beautifully engraved plaque as testament to her years of service. This fellowship is to demonstrate Christian love and appreciation for her service as a “faithful doorkeeper”. Certainly, Margaret will be blessed and rejoice in the glory of this fellowship.
Likewise they wish to pay homage to those (17) who have served over the years and are now “door keepers” in heaven.
In Loving Memory of:
Henry Adams, Florda Booker, Walter Fullilove, Alberta Johnson, Lucinda Nelson, Frank McCoy, Leroy Mitchell, Willie Rayford, Freddie Rice, Pearlie Roberson, Sam Steele, Bertha Thompkins, Dolores Ware, Amanda Williams, Clifford Williams Sr., John L. Williams and Venola Young
Gone...but not Forgotten” You fought a good fight, you finished the course….
Rev. George W. Daniels, Senior Pastor
FIRST
BAPTIST CONGREGATIONAL
CHURCH
OF CHICAGO
Usher Ministry
