Sunday, August 31, 2008

A Tribute to Mrs. Otha L. Pettigrew


The task of caring for others, setting good examples, and striving for excellence seemed to have been thrust upon Otha at an early age for what would be a lifetime of preparation and service.  She was the eldest daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Carnelius V. Richardson, Magnolia Community, Brunswick, Georgia.  After completing High School requirements, she attended and graduated from Savannah State College, Savannah, Georgia earning a B.S. degree.  She later earned a M.Ed. degree from Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama.    Otha met and married the love of her life, Rev. Maceo C. Pettigrew.  This union lasted for 70 years.  She called him "Reverend" and he called her "Honey."  Over a professional career that spanned nearly forty years, Otha served in many capacities.  She was an elementary school teacher in Brantley, Tefair, Irwin, Jeff Davis, and Ben Hill Counties.  She was also employed as Curriculum Director in Turner County and Wilcox County.
He service to church and community are magnified over the years as she continues to give freely of her talents, energies, and income to support kingdom building in her church and her community.  To God be the glory.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

The Chapel eBookStore Launched


We welcome you to visit our online bookstore. The Chapel eBookstore is a ministry of Holsey Chapel C.M.E. Church in Fitzgerald, Ga. This online store is where we can show you some of our highest recommendations and best sellers in various categories. We don't offer our store's entire inventory online, but you can see and purchase some of our best sellers as well as course materials. Make this page your first stop for all your books. Bookmark it. It will be indexed under "eBookstore". You'll find it convenient to come back again and again. Purchases you make will help support our church programs. Be sure to take advantage of our search engine. If there is an item that you need but do not see on our online bookstore - choose the 'contact us' tab to email us with your request. As a bookstore, we can order almost any book that you need. We also love to hear customer reviews and recommendations, so please email us your thoughts and suggestions (ministry@cmefitzgerald.org).

Wednesday, August 27, 2008

2008 Ecumenical Methodist Conference Year Kick-Off


"The Black Church has historically been a source of hope and strength for the African American community. The objective of the Kick-Off Services was to celebrate our rich heritage and contribution to the Methodist Church over a three night period. Whether Christian Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal, or United Methodist, we are united in the mission to win souls for Christ in a fellowship of ecumenical service."
With a "revived spirit", our "dry bones" were made to "see" as three congregations, faiths, and preachers united to celebrate with pride the contributions that African Americans have made to the Methodist Church. Holsey Chapel was asked to participate representing the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Accordingly, our pastor brought a powerful word of "reviving our spirits, yet again" while the choir resounded in melodic voice, "yes, we are alive and see each other's face." The Christian Education Department provided a dramatic feature on our honoree, Bishop Lucious Holsey. We will forever be reminded of his words and life thanks to student Devin Jenkins and Griot Jim Turner using a narrative from his autobiography. We brought with us the witness of our home faith community and carried our ecumenical experience back with us. Our spirits were made stronger by collectively sharing our gifts, experiences, and opportunities. Click here for a copy of the full program.

Friday, August 15, 2008

A Word of "Thanks"


"Precious Moments of Precious Memories"
My words are inadequate to express my most sincere thanks and appreciation to all who helped me celebrate my sixty years of preaching. Monday evening, July 21, 2008 is forever etched in my heart. The Sixth Episcopal District gave to me precious moments of precious memories. To the Presiding Elders, pastors, members, Region officers, my family, friends, and, of a surety, Elfreda: I shall forever [be] grateful.
Bishop Othal Hawthorne Lakey
--Taken from The Sixth Epistle, The Official Publication of the Sixth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Volume XV No. 3 (August 2008)

Sunday, August 3, 2008

HOPE--August 2008


Welcome to the August 2008 edition of HOPE -- Holsey Chapel CME's Monthly Newsletter. Click here for your copy and please share as we seek to be willing vessels for His service. If you know of others to be added to our email distribution list, please reply with the names to ministry@cmefitzgerald.org. Also, know that you can always find up-to-date information about our church at http://www.cmefitzgerald.org/ . We look forward to online fellowship with you and yours. Articles included in this month's edition: Holsey Chapel Welcomes New Pastor; SMSgt Whitman Military Retirement; Featured Ministry: Stewards; Men & Women's Day; Sixth Episcopal District Quadrennial Annual Conference; Fitzgerald Grand Homecoming; Chapel Love Feast; Student Spotlight; Women's Sunday School Class.