Standing Room Only at the Camp Dorothy Walls Dedication Service
September 7, 2009 AMEZNews - The dedication service of the new AME Zion Church mountain retreat center brought crowds near and far. The occasion brought smiles, amazement and fellowship throughout the crowd.
"I will bless the Lord at all times and His praises will continue to be in my mouth" (Psalms 34:1). There was a "whole lot of praising going on" around 10:30 am on Labor Day, September 7th, 2009 in Black Mountain, NC, as The Right Reverend Bishop George W.C. Walker, Sr., presided over the multitude of participants attending the Dedication Ceremony marking the completion of Phase I and the Groundbreaking for Phase II of the Camp Dorothy Walls Conference & Retreat Center (Camp). Many of you may recall that it was only a year ago last Labor Day that the Groundbreaking Ceremony for Phase I was held here. So much has been done in such a relatively short time. Praise the Lord!
The Dedication Ceremony, held in the spacious Bishop Ruben L. Speaks Gymnatorium, began with a two hour "praise & worship” service. Despite the ample seating ( ~2500), the addition of 400 more chairs and the bleachers was needed and supplied by the Buildings & Grounds Chair, Presiding Elder Herbert Grant, Presiding Elder James Mc Dougald and a couple of volunteers, there was a packed, SRO (Standing Room Only) crowd- and that did not include those volunteers working in the lobby, setting up the youth activities on the campus, the Men's Booster Club members parking cars and those folk just milling around and "hanging out” on the grounds! The ceremony also included attendance of many of our Bishops, Presiding Elders, General Officers, WH & OM Society officials, Camp Board of Directors and Presiding Elders’ spouses.
The program began in traditional AME Zion fashion with the musical prelude provided by Sister Joanne Harrison, the call to worship by Bishop Dennis Proctor, and the invocation given by Bishop Kenneth Munroe. Dr. Seth O. Lartey, the Camp Dorothy Walls Conference & Retreat Center Project Consultant, recognized the special guests e.g., representatives of public officials, the Landmark Construction Company. Old (Psalm 48) and New testaments (I Peter 2:1-20) scripture readings were given by Bishops Richard. K. Thompson and Roy A. Holmes. After greetings were given to the audience by
The Honorable Terry Bellamy, Mayor of Asheville, NC and Marcie O’Neill, Town Manager of Black Mountain, representing the Mayor of Black Mountain, Presiding Elder James M. Sloan presented the keys to Camp Dorothy Walls Conference & Retreat Center to the Right Reverend Bishop George W.C. Walker, Sr., who shared this special moment with the newly appointed Executive Director of the Camp, Mrs. Brianne F. Seabrook. Bishop Warren B. Brown led the Act of Dedication Litany. Bishop James E. Elroy and Bishop George E. Battle offered the Dedicatory and the Groundbreaking prayers, respectively. The act of groundbreaking was performed by Bishop Walker, Sr., and Bishop Brown, and was followed by remarks by Bishop Walker, Sr.
The age-old hymn, "To God Be the Glory” was sung, and then followed by the benediction ad the grace given by Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Sr.
After the Dedication ceremony, many people traveled up the hill with Bishop & Mrs. Walker, Sr. for the concluding ribbon-cutting ceremony and a tour of the new residential facility (hotel). Some attendees participated in the fun camp activities for youth held on the front lawn of the old dormitory. One could easily conclude that these activities were indeed, much fun, for I have seen pictures of several smiling children of all ages (youth & adults!) on the slides and inflated playground. Many participants got in line for the delicious lunch provided and served by FDY under the shaded tent area on the Bishop Ruben L. Speaks Gymnatorium front lawn, and the front parking lot area of the new facility. Prior to the event, Tee shirts orders were made via the presiding elders. T-shirts, were also available for purchase during this occasion. These T-shirt mementos commemorating this great occasion remain available for purchase (contact Dr. & Mrs. Seth O. Lartey for information).
In addition, an exciting new fundraiser for the Camp was launched this day: The Tree of Life Project. Tree of Life Project contributors may pledge from $250-10,000 and depending upon which tier is pledged, will have his/her name on specific parts of the tree. The Tree of Life image will be mounted on the wall next to the registration desk in the new residential facility. The Pledge tiers are as follows:
$250- silver leaf
$500- gold leaf
$1000- silver dove
$2500- Gold dove
$5000-Tree trunk section
$10,000- Gold blocks at the base of the tree
Many, many thanks continue to be extended for the labor of all who helped to make this event a reality: the Dedication Ceremony Committee, the Camp Buildings & Grounds Committee and the numerous volunteers from different districts who "came early” to help prepare the Camp for the everyone’s arrival, and for those who "stayed late” to assist in the preliminary clean-up. To God be the glory-for the things he has done!
September 26, 2010 As a symbol of unity, all women of the A.M.E. Zion Church are requested to wear white. Contact the A.M.E. Zion Church Department of Overseas Missions for information concerning this observance.
October 2010 On this occasion, programs shall be observed in memory of Anna L. Anderson and each member of the Society is asked to contribute five dollars ($5.00) to the Council.
November 2010 The Young Adult Missionary Society Annual Observance, shall be celebrated to recognize Dr. Willa Mae Rice as the Founder and Dr. Adlise Ivey Porter as the Organizing Coordinator. This program is developed by the General Coordinator, YAMS.
September 7, 2009 AMEZNews - The dedication service of the new AME Zion Church mountain retreat center brought crowds near and far. The occasion brought smiles, amazement and fellowship throughout the crowd.
The program began in traditional AME Zion fashion with the musical prelude provided by Sister Joanne Harrison, the call to worship by Bishop Dennis Proctor, and the invocation given by Bishop Kenneth Munroe. Dr. Seth O. Lartey, the Camp Dorothy Walls Conference & Retreat Center Project Consultant, recognized the special guests e.g., representatives of public officials, the Landmark Construction Company. Old (Psalm 48) and New testaments (I Peter 2:1-20) scripture readings were given by Bishops Richard. K. Thompson and Roy A. Holmes. After greetings were given to the audience by
The Honorable Terry Bellamy, Mayor of Asheville, NC and Marcie O’Neill, Town Manager of Black Mountain, representing the Mayor of Black Mountain, Presiding Elder James M. Sloan presented the keys to Camp Dorothy Walls Conference & Retreat Center to the Right Reverend Bishop George W.C. Walker, Sr., who shared this special moment with the newly appointed Executive Director of the Camp, Mrs. Brianne F. Seabrook. Bishop Warren B. Brown led the Act of Dedication Litany. Bishop James E. Elroy and Bishop George E. Battle offered the Dedicatory and the Groundbreaking prayers, respectively. The act of groundbreaking was performed by Bishop Walker, Sr., and Bishop Brown, and was followed by remarks by Bishop Walker, Sr.
The age-old hymn, "To God Be the Glory” was sung, and then followed by the benediction ad the grace given by Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Sr.
In addition, an exciting new fundraiser for the Camp was launched this day: The Tree of Life Project. Tree of Life Project contributors may pledge from $250-10,000 and depending upon which tier is pledged, will have his/her name on specific parts of the tree. The Tree of Life image will be mounted on the wall next to the registration desk in the new residential facility. The Pledge tiers are as follows:
