Growing old and lovin' it at Trinity CME, Memphis, Tn.

Memphis, Tenn.—In our nation, youthfulness is a cherished commodity. Consumers spend big bucks to maintain, look and act young. Although growing old is inevitable, many would just rather not entertain the thought of it.
While, there may be some naysayers that promote youthfulness as a critical ingredient in vitality, there is a congregation in Memphis that clearly demonstrated that growing old is great and it is the perfect excuse to celebrate and have fun. Well, just how old is old?

"Walking Up the King's Highway — 110 Blessed Years" was the theme driving three days of fun-filled activities for Trinity CME Church on September 21-23, 2012. There was nothing ordinary about this celebration as the church chose a different approach to rejoice.
Entertainment was the order of the evening at the Friday night's activity held in the Marriott (Thousand Oaks) Hotel's Pyramid Ballroom. The weekend was jump started with a glitzy "Celebration Gala" that featured live music, performed by Will Graves and Soul Band. The antics of Ken Lackey, comedian and MC for the evening, kept the attendees doubled over with laughter. And aging was certainly not a factor as the attendees delved into dining, fellowship and dancing.
The pitched tent, two hitched 50-gallon steel grills on wheels outfitted with umbrellas for shading, ice-filled barrels scattered across the lawn cooling bottles of water and soft drinks, an inflated air bouncer with little people performing mock trampoline acts, chefs with aprons and carrying big forks, all signaled a more casual event. The Celebration Picnic held on the church's campus hosted finger licking good eating by people who donned their 110th Anniversary Celebration T-Shirts. Games and activities were played only by the "young at heart."
The Sunday morning Celebration Service highlighted former members, pastors and affiliates of the church as the worship leader (Ms. Authurine Roddy Jones, Chicago, IL) and program participants (Melvin Jones, Kim Fleming, Sarah Smith Coleman and Marshall T. Hall) engaged the congregation in total praise. Special music and a dynamic sermon from the pastor created a spiritual "high" as members rejoiced in thankfulness for surviving a full decade beyond a century of existence. This service also celebrated the official launch of the church's newly developed Web site.
Following the Celebration Sunday dinner, the weekend's final activity was launched at the afternoon Celebration Service as the Lugerta Strong Gospel Choir performed a praise-filled concert that had everyone getting up out of their seats, standing on their feet and clapping to the beat.
Yes, growing old can and should be celebrated, especially when you're "a decade beyond.
We've come a long way, Lord, a mighty long way.
Located at 1096 Thomas Street, on Uptown's northern boundary, Trinity CME Church's celebration of its 110-year history of service to the North Memphis Community was chaired by Mrs. Cheryl Rivers and co-chaired by Mrs. Celeste Jones. The pastor, Rev. Roland M. Johnson, Jr. and its members welcome you to come by and worship. For more information and to see photos of the celebration, please visit our website at trinitycmechurchmemphis.org. You may also contact us by sending an e-mail totrinitycmememphis@yahoo.com.
Submitted by Debra A. Davis, Public Relations/Communications Chair.