The annual African American Convocation has been a Mid-America tradition for more than 40 years. This year's gathering, held on April 27 at Second Christian Church in Jefferson City, was a spirit-filled event with representation from across the Region.

Keynote preacher, Rev. Chris Dorsey, president of the Disciples Higher Education & Leadership Ministries (HELM) gave a rousing sermon based on the theme "Lest We Forget" from Deut. 8:11. His message was magnified with a dance by 16 year-old Re'Nayjah Burton. Disciples Executive for Evangelism and Congregational Transformation, Dr. R. Wayne Calhoun gave each participant a wonderful notebook on key Disciples mission and vision statements, formative history, and resources. (One personal takeaway was the affirmation that African-American Disciples were far more organized and formally established than the three streams of "white Disciples" before the unification in 1968.) Rev. Cedric Harris of Second Christian Church in Fulton preceded him on the faith-statement that Stewardship brings.

People repeatedly expressed how meaningful it was that Regional Minister Rev. Ron Routledge was installed at Convocation as an expression of who our Region is - All Means All. Rev. Dr. Teresa Dulyea-Parker, Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Illinois-Wisconsin presided on behalf of the College of Regional Ministers. Rev. Dr. Patrick Overton shared a poem he composed in Ron's honor and each RMT member presented Ron a symbol of his office.

Many thanks go to Convocation Co-Coordinators LeWanda Jackson and Paula Holliday for all the splendid work of leadership and preparation, and the ministers and people of SCC-Jefferson City for being exquisite hosts and providers of a delicious lunch.

Mark you calendars!! The next convocation will be April 18, 2020.

by Regional Minister Rev. Dr. Paul Koch