Theme: A Father’s Legacy, A Lasting Heritage for our Children
Written by The News Crew
The Stephen Trowen Nagbe United UMC Distant Members Fellowship held its Father’s Day program on Sunday June 23,2024 under the theme “A Father’s Legacy, A Lasting Heritage for our Children”.
Our Emcee and Liturgist Sister Florence Fonderson commenced the program promptly at 7:00PM cst. Sister Janice Jackson led the opening prayer and Sister Cecelia Kai offered the Opening remarks. Sister Kai welcome everyone and thanked the organizers for their far sightedness and splendid preparation in organizing the program. A Special Father’s Day poem was read by Sister Mandisa Bestman and our Guest Soloist Apostle Elaine Morgan blessed the attendees with her angelic voice. Proverbs which is often referred to as one of the books of Wisdom was used for our scripture reading (Proverbs 13:22) and was read by Sister Juliet Kerbay.
The program committee swapped a regular sermon for a panel discussion on “Fatherhood”. Father I. Ezax Smith, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Fellowship served as moderator. Panelists for the discussion included Fathers Dwanah S. Dwanah, and Roland T. C. Tolee. The discussion was based on 3 core questions.
- What does a Father’s Legacy mean to you and what does it look like?
- In what ways do fathers serve as role models for their children?”
- How far does a father’s legacy go beyond blood lines?
Father Tolee utilized scripture references like Matthew chapter 5 and Timothy 5:8 to emphasize the impact a father’s influence has, and the role a father plays in serving as a guide for divine spiritual fatherhood. On the other hand, Father Dwanah’s based his narrative on his legacy as a father. He stated that his ability to see his children mature and become role models would be his greatest accomplishment. Father Dwanah stressed that true value of a Father’s journey is being able to dispel the superficiality of life and embrace the importance of prayers and the Christian belief system.
Father I. Ezax Smith admonished the fathers that children should be able to see their actions and emulate them rather than hear their words and what they say. “Our children will copy us and instructions will come from actions not from our words”. He continued that “Fatherhood” goes beyond bloodline and touches the lives of all you come in contact with and not just limited to genetic connection.
After a brief period of Questions and Answers the moderator; Father Smith thanked the panelists and planning committee for organizing the program and acknowledged Mothers who also play fatherly roles.
The final segment of the program was focused on the Recognition of Father in various regions. Speakers for the regions were: Sister Tessa Monyou Zulu for Central Region, Sister Maima Williams for Southeastern Region, and Sister Elizabeth Kelly the Northeastern Region.
A father’s appreciation video was played, and Mother Yei Wuor offered special words of recognition of Father’s Day. A special Father’s Day prayer was given by Rev. Dr. Kemah Thoronka while Sister Willette Holt offered the vote of thanks. Our devout Chaplain, Minister Olivia Browne, ended the program with a closing prayer.
Attendance at the program rose from 24 to 35 persons. The program ended at 8:18pm cst.
