WS Chronicle

FELECIA PIGGOTT-LONG, PH.D. 

FOR THE CHRONICLE 

The theme for the 78th anniversary of the Southeast Regional Conference of the Churches of Faith was “When Iron Sharpens Iron in the Kingdom of God.” The theme is based on Proverbs 27:17, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” The conference was held at Alpha and Omega Church of Faith from Aug. 1-3. Rev. Richard Brooks and I delivered sermons on “True Friendship” and “God’s Chemistry:  When Iron Sharpens Iron in the Kingdom of God.” 

The highlight of the conference was the performance of the play “The Creation” by James Weldon Johnson, the author of the Negro National Anthem. The play was presented on Friday night and Saturday night. “The Creation” takes the form of a sermon from a collection of sermons called “God’s Trombones.” Johnson was one of the first African Americans to break through many barriers restricting Blacks.  

Having graduated from Atlanta University, Johnson excelled in various fields as a Renaissance man. Johnson was a teacher in Georgia, a school principal in Jacksonville, Florida, a songwriter in Harlem, New York, a diplomat in Venezuela and Nicaragua, and an executive secretary of the NAACP. He was also an attorney and the first African American to be admitted to the Florida bar since Reconstruction.  

I directed the production by using some of the grandchildren of church members. “The children were eager to use their imaginations to pretend that they were bringing the world into existence after God spoke the words of creation over the earth. Deacon Russell Johnson did an outstanding job of playing the role of God. He spoke each item into being and clapped his hands or pointed to the elements on the stage,” said the pastor. Paintings of horses, fishes and even African American children in nature added to the atmosphere in the creation scene.” 

The cast members included Deacon Russell Johnson, Eugenia Smith, Collin Buchanan, Lira Buchanan, Nola Buchanan, Ricky Buchanan, Franki Ruffin, and me. 

Grandmother Joan Ruffin was excited about her grandchildren participating in the performance. “We had a nice time in the performance. The children had so much energy,” said Ruffin. “I wish I had their energy.” 

The children also sang songs to bring the scene to life. For example, “This Little Light of Mine” was sung when the stars lit the sky.  “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” was sung at the end when God was evaluating what He had made. “Now that’s good,” God said. 

Rev. Brooks preached on the value of true friendship. “Some friends play at friendship, but a true friend sticketh closer than a brother,” said Brooks. “The truth is that real friendship is hard work. Strong friendship can survive circumstances and endure realignments. And the strength of relationships is often tested by some threatening forces.” 

Brooks spoke on the value of real covenant relationship. “This kind of relationship is the wealth that causes street people to smile in the rain and laugh in the snow,” said Brooks. “They may have no coats to warm them, but they have someone on the streets with them. The person is not alone.” 

I shared that friendship, marriage, business relationships and family relationships are relevant to the need for iron to sharpen iron. I used the story of the “Three Hebrew Boys in the Fiery Furnace” as an apt story to show how iron sharpens iron. One of the boys described what happened to them: “The fire was all over us. Even the ropes they tied around us were ablaze, but our skin was not disturbed. We did not know what was happening. I thought I saw something moving in the ashes. We never got His name. He never said it. But His presence brought us comfort in the fire.” I said that He only showed up when we needed Him most. Love is not limited by time. 

Saturday was set aside for workshops and learning experiences. Raja Huntley presented a workshop on “How to get the Most out of Your Cell Phone.” They shared various ways to connect with social media sites, ways to text and ways to take useful notes. Belva Marlin and her sister, Joan Ruffin, did a workshop on Financial Literacy. They focused on high yield saving methods and how to get free money from promotional services at banks. I conducted a workshop on the history and purpose of African headwraps. Males and females participated in this teaching. 

This year marks our 78th year of having the convention. To God be the glory that the tradition continues.