From The Christian Index

and

The Christian Index Online

Register Now for the 17th Pastors' Conference
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

The 17th Pastors' Conference & 69th Founders' Celebration will convene January 14-17, 2013 at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel Atlanta Airport located at 1900 Sullivan Road in College Park, Georgia. The hotel room rate is $119 per night and the reservation deadline date has been extended to December 22, 2012.

Online registration is available for the Pastors' Conference here. After you register, you will be able to immediately reserve your room at the Sheraton Gateway Hotel. A registration form is available online if you prefer to mail it in with your registration fee.

The schedule of events is available at: www.thecmechurch.org/PastorsConference2013/eventschedule.pdf
We look forward to your presence at this event! For additional information about the Pastors' Conference and Founders' Celebration, call 404-527-7768 or e-mail mthomas@itc.edu.
Sincerely,

Dr. Marvin F. Thomas, Dean
Phillips School of Theology at ITC

Home Going of Louis Alexander Jackson, Sr.

Louis Alexander Jackson, Sr., was born to Alex and Lillie Jackson on December 10,
1929, in Louisville, MS. He was an only child. He was called to rest on December 11, 2012.
Louis joined Lonely Valley CME Church in Louisville, MS at an early age. After moving to Clarksdale, MS, he joined Mt. Moriah CME Church where he served as adult Sunday school teacher, Chairman of the Trustee Board, Bible class teacher, and in various other capacities. He loved his church and lived a life of dedicated service to God and his fellow man.
On December 22, 1956, Louis married Mertha Lockett of Florence, MS. To this marriage four children were born, two daughters and two sons. Louis was a devoted husband and father. He generously and lovingly supported his family.

Louis completed his high school education at Winston County High School in Louisville, MS; his college education at Jackson State University in Jackson, MS; a Master of Science degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, MI; and an educational specialist degree in administration from the University of Mississippi in Oxford, MS.
Louis’s professional career included science teacher at Louisville High School in Louisville, MS; science teacher at Higgins High School; principal at Higgins Junior High School; and principal at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Clarksdale, MS. He retired after 37 years of service in 1990. Louis touched the lives of many, many children. He helped parents and children whenever he could – he often said he was called to teach.
During his lifetime, Louis participated in many community, social, and professional activities which included Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., board of directors for Coahoma Opportunities, Inc., NAACP, volunteer for Boy Scouts of America, H.W. Nichols Elks Lodge, Jackson State College Alumni Association, Clarksdale Teachers Association, the National Association of Secondary Principals, and the National Science Teachers Association. He also served as a military policeman in the United States Army.
Louis leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife, Mertha L. Jackson of Clarksdale, MS; two daughters Rose (Richard) Flenorl of Cordova, TN, and Jeanette Victoria Jackson
of Cleveland, MS; two sons, Louis Alexander (Catresa) Jackson, Jr., and Gregory L. (Romona) Jackson of Memphis, TN; one grandson, Louis Alexander Jackson, III; two granddaughters Lillie Clarissa Flenorl and Arina Victoria Jackson; and a host of nieces and nephews, in-laws, cousins, and dear friends.
Louis touched, inspired, and influenced many people in so many positive ways by his life, his words, and his kind deeds.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 17, 2012, at noon at New Covenant M.B. Church at 803 Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard in Clarksdale, MS. The eulogist is Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Jones, pastor, Mt. Moriah CME Church, Clarksdale, Ms. A wake will be held on Sunday, December 16, 2012, from 5-7 p.m. at Mt. Moriah CME Church at 511 Yazoo Avenue in Clarksdale, Ms. The family has requested that memorial gifts be made to Jackson State University or Mt. Moriah CME Church.

UPDATE to Dr. Yvonne Kennedy Funeral Arrangements
Thursday, December 13th at 6 p.m.
Stewart Memorial Religious Community Wake and Public Tribute and Worship Service
Stewart Memorial CME Church,
1268 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Mobile, AL 36603
251-432-3791
Rev. Dr. Anthony Alford, Officiating
Rev. Bernard Johnson, Eulogist
CME’s: Please send all cards and resolutions to Stewart Memorial

Friday, December 14th at 1 p.m.
Bishop State and Educational Community Tribute
Bishop State Community College
351 North Broad St.
Mobile, AL 36603
Dr. James Lowe, President, Bishop State Community College, Presiding

Saturday, December 15th at 11 a.m.
National State Funeral
Mobile Convention Center
One South Water Street
Mobile, AL 36602
Bishop Vashti McKenzie, Chaplain, Delta Sigma Theta, Eulogist
Alexis Herman, Former Secretary of the US Department of Labor, Clinton Administration, Co-Presider
Mel Showers, Mobile News Anchor, Co-Presider

Flowers and other expressions may be directed to Johnson-Allen Mortuary
600 Chestnut Street
Mobile, AL 36603 
(251) 433-2574

Hotel options at a $99 rate include:
1.The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel,
26 North Royal Street
Mobile, Alabama 36602
Telephone: 251-338-2000

2. Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel,
64 South Water Street
Mobile, Alabama 36602
Telephone: 251-438-4000


Please keep the family and friends of Dr. Kennedy in your prayers.
Bishop Teresa E. Snorton
Presiding Prelate, Fifth Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Arrangements for Dr. Yvonne Kennedy

It is with a note of sadness that I convey to you the news of the transition of Dr. Yvonne Kennedy this morning, Saturday, December 8, 2012.  We all know Dr. Kennedy as a faithful stalwart member of the CME Church, the 5th Episcopal District, the Southeast Alabama Region and the Stewart Memorial CME Church in Mobile.  In addition, she has been an outstanding citizen serving in the Alabama State House of Representatives, as past president of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, as past president of Bishop State College and active in numerous religious, community and civic organizations and activities.

PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS are as follows:

Homegoing Services are being planned for 11 am Saturday, December 15th at the Stewart Memorial CME Church, 1268 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, Mobile, AL 36603 (251-432-3791); Rev. Dr. Anthony Alford, pastor. There will be special extended visitation and viewing for the public on Friday, December 14th, specific location to be announced.  The Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and the LINKS are planning memorial observances for Friday evening, December 14th. Final details are pending and will be confirmed on Monday, but both events are to be held in Mobile, AL.

The body is in the care of Johnson-Allen Mortuary, 600 Chestnut Street, Mobile, AL 36603 (251-433-2574). Arrangements for convenient hotel accommodations for those coming from out of town are being secured and will also be announced on Monday. Please keep the family and friends of Dr. Kennedy in your prayers.  She will be surely missed!

Bishop Teresa E. Snorton

Presiding Prelate, 5th Episcopal District

Christian Methodist Episcopal Church