Pastor Lon M. Harden and First Lady Shelia R. Harden
Guyton, Ga -- On August 8, 2024 a special banquet was held at the Pilgrim Missionary Baptist Church to celebrate Pastor Lon Harden for his 10 years of dedication, service and leadership at the Historic Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church. Pastor Harden, who has been a light of hope at Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church for the past ten years, was joined by his wife, First Lady Sheila Reese Harden, who has been his helpmeet in the ministry. 
The Program:
Introduction of Master of Ceremony ..................................... Sister Lula H. Seabrooks Master of Ceremony ........................................ Reverend Gerald Jenkins Entrance of Honorees Pastor Lon M. Harden and First Lady Shelia R. Harden Solo ............................................................................................... Deacon Anthny B. Kennedy Welcome & Occasion ...................................................... Sister Lameshia Hunter-Kelly Scripture ................................................................................. Reverend Tommy China Prayer & Blessing of Food ........................................... Reverend Edward L. Lyles Special Tribute Selection ................................................................................. MMBC Praise Team Introduction of Speaker ............................................... First Lady Helen Hall Keynote Speaker .............................................................. Reverend Richard Hall, Sr Remarks ............................................................. First Lady Shelia R. Harden & Pastor Lon M. Harden
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 the Homer L. Wallace Unity Breakfast brought together a community in celebration, reflection, and unity. Hosted with grace and warmth, the event showcased a series of meaningful moments that left a lasting impact on all who attended. The event was beautifully orchestrated by Mistress of Ceremony, Mrs. LaMeshia Hunter Kelly, who skillfully guided the proceedings, setting a tone of unity and camaraderie.  Pastor Jack Williford from the Kingdom Life Church in Pineora, GA, opened the event with a heartfelt invocation and blessing. His words resonated with the spirit of togetherness, offering a moment of reflection and gratitude. Lucy Powell extended a warm welcome to the attendees, setting the stage for a morning filled with positivity and connection. Her words created an inviting atmosphere, emphasizing the importance of coming together as a community.  The event was further enriched by the soulful performance of Kevin Cook, who shared a musical interlude that touched hearts and added a harmonious dimension to the Unity Breakfast. Humanitarian Award Presentation: Mrs. Lula Seabrooks A highlight of the morning was the recognition of Mrs. Lula Seabrooks with the Humanitarian Award. Her dedicated service and commitment to the community were acknowledged, inspiring others to follow in her footsteps. Dr. Sandra Wallace Nethels took the stage to introduce the keynote speaker, infusing the event with a sense of anticipation and intellectual curiosity.  Keynote Speaker: Cynthia Wallace, the distinguished keynote speaker, addressed the audience with wisdom and passion. Her words resonated with the theme of unity, equality, and progress, leaving an indelible mark on all those present. Pinning of 2024 Grand Marshals: Dr. Torian White, the 2023 Grand Marshal, as tradition goes, led the ceremony in the pinning of the 2024 Grand Marshals, Mr. Tracie and Mrs. Tamela Mydell. This symbolic gesture recognized their contributions and dedication to the community.   As the Unity Breakfast drew to a close, Pastor Lon Harden, MLK Committee President, delivered closing remarks, expressing gratitude for the collective spirit of unity. The event concluded with a heartfelt benediction, leaving attendees inspired and uplifted.
 The WSAV News segment shows two generations of White Supremacist behavior and ideology among children along with Systemic Racism within Effingham County School System revealed by adults. In the video White teens openly display that Black Live Doesn't Matter as they mock the brutal and vicious death of George Floyd [African American] by a white police officer. You can hear the laughter in the background as they reenact the senseless taking of human life. At such a young age a number of white teens already display the same spirit of hate and disregard toward African Americans --the spirit that brought about 400 years of slavery, Jim Crow, lynching, etc.Instead of standing in solidarity with African Americans for what is right [justice] many have volunteered to side with the murderers of George Floyd.  Systemic Racism by White School Officials The WSAV covered how Systemic Racism works in the real world. At a football game an African American student wore a Black Lives Matters shirt, which is to say that unarmed Black people should not be killed, devalued, nor be treated less than human. This is an ideal that every decent human being should agree with. However, a white Effingham County School official told the African American student to leave the football game because of the BLM shirt. At the same football game a white student wore a shirt with the slogan "Stomp my Flag I'll Stomp Your A**." As we [within the African American Community] already know...the white student was not asked to leave the game. One shirt is a statement for standing up for human life and against injustice while the other shirt states openly that they are prepared to commit a violent act even if no one is showing violence toward them. Stomping the Flag may be tasteless but it is also protected Free Speech and is an act that is non-violent. It's the same old song: "Excuse the White, Punish the Black."  Racist Text Messages In the WSAV News segment it was revealed that racist and hate-filled messages had gone viral which was riddled with African Americans being referred to as the "N-Word." Just how much has changed in Effingham after all of these years?  Conclusion As it was in 1957, many [not all] white teens also displayed the same racial indifference as the white adult school official in 2020. Both openly revealed that in their minds that Black Lives Doesn't Matter and that they were going to show their disdain in their behavior. Today, the New South mirrors the Old South. Remember that this was a white adult with Effingham County School authority that made the decision to target an African American student (a child) who stood up for human life. The child should have been applauded. Instead, that adult used their power to neutralize and deprive this American teen and student within the Effingham County School System. It's looking a lot like 1957 all over again in Effingham County Schools. It's time to change. Black Lives Matter, Too! Download WSAV News article here: Article 
 On Thursday, March 12, 2020 as Effingham Health System's employees were at their banquet, dressed to the nines and finishing their dinner the keynote speaker for the evening was American Idol's own Ms. Melinda Doolittle. Not only did the star (Doolittle) give an inspiring speech about overcoming obstacles in your life--she also gave a very memorable two song mini-concert. In those moments...she brought the house down. Her gift of song was quite evident. She was a great choice for this year's Employee Appreciation Banquet. Whoever was responsible for bringing her Effingham....BRAVO!! The evening was all about the many dedicated employees within the Effingham Health System--from the Effingham Hospital to the clinics. As Effingham Health System continues to advance, continues to modernize and continues to add more health-care services then the array of talented professionals employed there should and must be appreciated. 5-Year Employees Awarded Here are those who have given five years of their lives in the service of The Effingham Health System: 
10-Year Employees Awarded Here are those who have given ten years of their lives in the service of The Effingham Health System: 
15-Year Employees Awarded Here are those who have given fifteen years of their lives in the service of The Effingham Health System:  Robert Hales Agnes Porter 25-Year Employees Awarded Here are those who have given twenty-five years of their lives in the service of The Effingham Health System:  Crystal Robinson Frances Thomas Hayley Anderson The Leadership Awards The purpose of the Leadership Award is to emphasize and highlight the efforts of Leadership Staff members working for Effingham Health System in improving customer service and demonstrating exceptional leadership performances and competencies. 
Pillar Awards
Conclusion: Effingham Health System (EHS) CEO, Dr. Fran Witt through her vision and leadership is continuing to move EHS in an upward direction. With a steady climb in improvements across the board--in customer care, number of new services, revenue, etc this progressive posture is helping to place Effingham County, Ga on the national stage. Dr. Fran Witt closed out the evening with "real talk" about moving forward and staying the course with providing the best care possible.   Throughout the weekend of March 6-8, 2020 a three-day observance was held in Savannah (about 40 minutes outside of Effingham County) to commemorate the largest sale of more than 429 African men, women and children on US soil on March 2-3, 1859. Slave owner Pierce Butler, to settle gambling debts, liquidated nearly half of his enslaved assets, which totaled more than 900 enslaved persons on his Butler Island and St. Simon Island Plantations located in Darien, Ga. Days prior to the hellish sale in human property over 400 persons were brought to Savannah to a location large enough to further imprison such a massive amount people—the Ten Broeck Race Track (where the Otis J. Brock III Elementary School now sits). Throughout the two-day sale, families were ripped apart and sold off across America, as it rained torrentially stopping only after the last enslaved person had been sold. Over the past year of hard work and commitment by the Weeping Time Committee, spearheaded by Dr. Kwesi DeGraft Hanson of OCEANS1.org—a group that comprises of several organizations, community leaders, elected officials and concerned citizens received three written Proclamations recognizing March 2 and 3 as the “Weeping Time Weekend.” The first Proclamation and Recognition was signed by Chatham County, a second from the City of Savannah signed by Mayor Van Johnson and a third from the State of Georgia signed by Governor Brian Kemp. The 2020 Weeping Time Commemoration was a three-day observance. Day 1 was on Friday, March 6, which began with the participation of Otis J. Brock III Elementary School. Groups of children, school teachers and school Principal, Selina-Ruth Gillans gathered around the nearby Historical Weeping Time Marker where they received an overview of that part of American History. Later that day a symposium was held at the Beach Institute. Former Savannah Mayor Dr. Otis Johnson moderated the panel which consisted of Dr. Griffin Lotson, Dr. Kwesi DeGraft-Hanson, Pamela Oglesby, Moniqua Johnson and Christopher Monroe. Day 2: Saturday, March 7 The Weeping Time Commemoration was held on the grounds of the Otis J. Brock III Elementary School. The Program: Invocation and Opening Prayer by Bishop Willie Ferrell of Royal Church of Christ; Welcome and Synopsis by Dr. Kwesi DeGraft-Hanson founder of OCEANS, Inc.; Musical Interlude Drumming by Abu Majied and Yusef Major; Reading of the Proclamation by The State of Georgia by Senator Lester Jackson; Remarks by Dr. Dionne Hoskins-Brown, Chairwoman of The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission; Rev. Griffin Lotson, Former Mayor Pro Tem City of Darien; Honorable Savannah Mayor Van Johnson; Acknowledgement at the Empty Chairs Temporary Memorial by Clergy, Civic, and Community Leaders; Negro Spiritual “Down by the Riverside” by Ms. Pamela Oglesby and Ms. Brenda Roberts; Soprano Artist Delores Spencer with song “Lord, How Come Me Here?”; Special Remarks: Dr. Otis Johnson, Former Savannah Mayor; Ms. Elyse Butler, Georgia Historical Society; Alderwoman Bernetta Lanier, District 1, West Savannah; Reading of The Names of The Enslaved by Ms. Kiplyn Primus, Ms. Lucy Bising-Korn, Ms. Elyse Butler, Ms. Brenda Roberts, and Dr. Kwesi DeGraft-Hanson; Wreath Laying by Mayor Van Johnson and Representatives from the City of Savannah; Special Thanks by Ms. Brenda Roberts; Song and Closing Prayer by Mrs. Peggy Clemons, Minister from Atlanta. The Commemoration continued in Darien, Ga in front of the still standing Pierce Butler Plantation Home and Historical Marker of The Enslaved Persons at Butler Island. The Program: Welcome by Honorable Hugh Hodges, Mayor of Darien; Proclamations from City of Darien, Ga, McIntosh County Georgia, City of Brunswick Georgia, Glynn County Georgia; Prayer Service Theme “Prayer Makes the Difference; Scripture Matthew 6:5-9; Devotion by Deacon Freddy Palmer & Company; Libations by Sister Alberta J. Mabry, Eunice M. Moore & Valeska Moore-Carter; Island Stories at St. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church in Darien by Sister Margie B. Washington, Butler Island Sister Amy Roberts; Dinner Performance by Geechee Gullah Ring Shouters. Day 3: Sunday, March 8, the commemoration closed-out with the annual church service held at Solomon Temple COGIC on Savannah’s Augusta Avenue. Presider: Federal Commissioner Griffin Lotson; Invocation by Brother Lonnie V. Ware; Old Testament by Sister April McKellar; New Testament by Mother Johnny Mae Taylor; Choir Song “Lift Every Voice; Church Welcome by First Lady B. LaRonce Gordon, The Seidman family and Sister Stephanie McFarland; The Occasion by Sister Brenda L. Roberts; Solomon Temple Praise Team; Community Greeting by Attorney Zena McClain; Remarks by Former Savannah Mayors Otis Johnson and Eddie W. DeLoach; Introduction of Speaker by Mrs. Latrisa DeGraft-Hanson; Speaker, Dr. Kwesi DeGraft-Hanson; Introduction of the Ministry Speaker by First Lady B. LaRonce Gordon; Speaker, Superintendent Pastor Larry James Gordon. After the service congregants and guests walked two blocks to gather at the Weeping Time Historical Marker for closing remarks and with the joint pouring of Libations between the “Two Weeping Time Sister Cities”—Darien, Ga and Savannah, Ga. Article and photo submitted by Servant Emannu’el Branch –Minister, Historical Documentarian, Journalist, Speaker at www.yahshuauniversity.com and www.bhbpnews.com email at [email protected]
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