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ARTICLE BY CHAPLAIN FLEM OTEY,  May 21st, 2006
Marvelous Sights (and Sounds)
Near Eagle Heights.
SONIA'S MIRACULOUS HOMEGOING
On Eagles Wings
The spouses of several of my close friends have slipped away recently.  They include the wife of Dr. Carrol Fisher, Sonia Fisher; Rose Post's WWII hubby, Ed; and Veteran Hospital's Dr. Hernane Restar's bride of many years, Luz Restar; and also one of my own family members.  You as a reader may recall a very ill relative or friend. Yesterday (Saturday May 21st, 2006) was Covenant Community Connection's Let's Get Together Day.  As I told over 100 people in the multi-faith prayer circle at the Gazebo in City Park, to me, the sights and sounds of Sonia's home-going have been marvelous if not miraculous.
 
During Native American Ceremonies, if while dancing, a feather falls to the ground, everything stops. An elder or warrior lifts the eagle feather and points it toward the heavens, with prayer. It is believed that the spirit and soul of another elder and loved one has just gone to be with the creator.   God moves in mysterious ways, wonders to behold.  The psalmist says: The creator lifts you up on eagle's wings. . .borne on the breath of dawn and makes you shine like the sun. . . .  And, to paraphrase another poet-- "…for whom does the bell toll? It tolls for thee.   The biblical Moses, made a detour and beheld a tree blazing in the sun--The rest is history.
 
My question is this.  How many of us have ever experienced a strange unexplainable communication with a pet, or one of natures creatures or even something miraculous involving a loved one?  If you have, then please hear this truly remarkable story about Sonia Fisher's home-going.  Three events stand out. Also for me, the number three  may have religious significance, especially the "Holy Spirit."
 
THE FIRST MIRACLE: A CHANGE IN DIRECTION: (Like Moses at the burning bush.)  It was high noon Friday, April 28, 2006.  Two elder preachers, were simply going uptown to lunch--Rev. Robert Freeman and I.   We changed directions from the VA Hospital and went to meet Dr. Carrol Fisher and check on his wife, Sonia. But no one was home.
 
THE SECOND MIRACLE:   THE CONFRONTATION:  "On wings of the eagle."
Since no one was at the house, we went down to the barn-shed.  Beneath the huge shed, reside horses, goats, guinea, chickens and other critters.  Suddenly, a huge bird flew out of the back shadows. It startled both me and the critters. It flew  straight at me and then upward.  Young raptors such as eagles, osprey and red-tailed hawks look alike, especially the females.  They can swoop at you in the blink of an eye.  But this beautiful big bird was glowing.  She was different.  It swooped upward, all aglow and blazing in the sun.  She  circled overhead three times and screeched at me three times like an eagle.  Its wings, body and tail glowed ivory-white with speckles of gold, and dark strips here and there ,plus 3 strips on its tail--plus light-bands on its wings. It appeared translucent in the bright sunlight, against the blue sky. Then it flew away, upward and away to the East.  I described and exclaimed the sight to my friend.  The behavior was strange and awesome. Was it a mother hawk? Was it instinctively, protecting its' nest?  Yet, by what happened next, it appeared to be more like an Indian or biblical legendary sign of heralding.  The sudden appearance of a glowing bird is the sign of a message to be discerned.
 
About 3 minutes later, Dr. Carrol Fisher and his son Luke rolled up in an ivory-gold specked  4x4 SUV van.  I said to myself: "Good . . . that must be Carrol and the children bringing Grandmother Sonia home from the hospital." He was smiling but there were tears in his eyes.  Luke said, as he choked back a sob,  ". . . we are so glad to see you Chaplain Otey.  Mom just died and Dad needs a hug . . . ." After recounting, through the van window, what just occurred a few minutes earlier at high noon, Luke asked me to tell the story to his father Carrol.  After a big bear hug, I did.  Then he asked me to repeat it to the other children.
 
On this day the cream and golden glowing hawk, in my opinion, symbolized the foretelling of Sonia's loving, spiritually-devout-soul, going to Heaven-- Indian Style.  The three eagle-like calls and three circles in the sky representing the Christian Trinity of the Father, The Son and the Holy Spirit.  It was an awesome experience indeed!  We have our bodily temples and mansions on earth--from humble shacks to crystal cathedrals with many rooms. Yet there are even many more splendid mansions in heaven and beautiful beyond belief.
 
THE THIRD MIRACLE: THE CONFIRMATION 
AND FOLLOW-UP VISITATIONS:  (Not unlike Jesus on the holy-land roads.)
 
THE CHIMING BELL: So now I must tell you the "rest of the story".   Sonia preplanned her going home celebration to include the song: "Eagles Wings."   The vibrancy of the singing congregation at Sacred Heart, made the rafters seem to shudder.  The bells tingled by the priest, Father John Putnam, along with Father Mark Lawlor  and Father "Tom" Clements were actually echoes of another miracle. Sonia's friend of 45 years, a nun from Argentina, Sister  Susan Dandison, led the Rosary before the visitation Sunday night.  The emotion she uttered, each time she looked at the Fisher Family emphasized the love and presence of the spirit of the Lord amongst all in attendance in the funeral home chapel. It is  next to the West Innes rose garden. Sonia loved flowers.  Again the transcendent impact happened about three times.  Sister Mary Roberts was also, always near Sonia's bedside or at the home. 
 
           Sonia's  cousin from Florida, Tamara Sales related to me that Sonia had given her a special bell a few weeks earlier.  It was a Sterling Silver Heart shaped bell in a bright red velvet cover that fits snugly in the palm of your hand.  Tamara kept it in her purse-handbag every where she went for many days.  It had the sound of a soft bell tower chime. It would jingle softly as she walked from place to place.   But during the week preceding Sonia's home going, the chiming ceased. The bell was eerily silent--hidden away.  She searched but could not find it.  Yet suddenly, Friday morning, the palm size bell began to ring loudly and long and brilliantly and joyously.  The bell had begun chiming in its original purse. It rang without any unusual shaking.  It was so much so--that Sonia's French-Cuban cousin Tamara had to say to herself--"It's Time. Today is the day.  Sonia is going to her heavenly home."  We preachers repeat, with tears in our eyes: On Glowing Eagles Wings--borne on the dawn, made to shine like the sun--being held in the palm of God's own hand--You are Welcomed to your Eternal  Home--a heavenly land. 
AFTER THOUGHT: The follow-up visitation.   The day after Sonia's funeral,  her husband Carrol, reported the following:  To ease the loneliness, he began to cut the grass on the ranch with his riding lawn tractor.  When I spoke to him,  he complained and exclaimed:  "That big hawk is now circling over me.  Does that mean I am going to die too!". . .  I laughed and offered a different interpretation. Maybe that sighting"… symbolized Sonia's spirit.  She keeping watch over you. She is at peace in heaven.  Her memory and spirit will continue to be a comforting presence to you…"  The next day I sat in my back porch swing meditating and looking at the Catawba Woods.  The big hawk landed on the bird feeder about 10 feet away and stared me in the eye.  It then flew away and has not been seen since.  May the creator continue to be with you and yours.  Shalom.
P.S.  Along with so many other things that she did, Mrs. Sonia Fisher had been a volunteer at the Veteran's Medical Center.  Dr. Carrol Fisher is President of the area MOAA (Military Officers Association of America).  Dr. Flem Otey is President of the Rowan-Salisbury Ministers Association and a Chaplain at the VAMC. (Comments are welcome at
www.otey-ministry.info) or LukeFisher@CarrolFisher.com  or  CJWF@ carolina.rr.com


Greetings from
the Desk of the President
Salisbury-Rowan Ministerial Association

To all the ministers, clergy, spiritual people and community leaders of the region and indeed throughout the world, even into space, and the outer reaches of our universe we pray that bountiful blessings will be yours.

In addition to the traumas of war, our global communities have been shocked by devastation. There continue to be floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, fires, mudslides and threat of pandemic diseases.  The horrific specter is that of biblical times.  Many of us who have been blessed, have given willingly and sacrificaily to strangers who have lost everything.  Campassion fatigue has started to set in.  Folks feel physically and emotionaly drained.  Yet there is still so much to do.  And we see some of the benefits, one child saved at a time, one elderly person comforted, one pet rescued, one endangered species of wildlife saved, one day at a time - one moment at a time.

Locally, we find ourselves in united efforts to bring about prayer vigils to seek blessings from above.  May your holy days be bountifully blessed.  From the members and officers of the Salisbury-Rowan Ministerial Association, we pray for peace and health to come to every soul of creation.  To those who celebrate other inter-faith festivals throughout the year, may joy and peace also be yours.

We particularly remember our veterans and first responders such as our firefighters, care providers, the Red Cross and Homeless Ministries in these days of turmoil throughout the world...
We pray for blessings and peace for all nations .

Please see our assortment of group photos for a year filled with multi-cultural and inter-faith events. In particular we remember veterans of all wars. Some organizational officers and leaders include the following as listed. Others will be listed, including spiritual places, as our photo-journal web sites grow.

Many thanks to the Rowan Regional Medical Center for co-sponcoring our meeting for the upcoming year.  Chaplain James Cook of RRMC has been a valuable resource for our community ministers. Thanks also to the Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC) Director, Mr. Donald Moore and our recently retired, Chief of the VAMC Chaplain Service, Reverend Reginald H. Massey for allowing this year’s luncheon meetings to take place there and to host the annual gathering.

Special recognition goes to Mrs. Marie Clanton, the former VAMC, Chaplain Service Secretary, and Yoshiko Otey (my wife). They are both wonderful people who volunteer their time so freely.   Our site is becoming a reality for the Marie's ingenuity as web soncultant.   She provides support for several different sites, which are beneficial to others in many different categories. Thus, our dreams, plans and ideas take on real meaning and clarity - an international vision coming true. On a recent trip to Japan, I discovered that you can visit the "test site" from anywhere in the world.  May the sites become blessings to all as we meet in cyberspace-and we lift up blessings to every community spiritual place.

Our Goal and Mission for this web site:
This webpage has been developed to provide a positive resource for the greater Salisbury-Rowan area of North Carolina. We are proud of our fine community and welcome you to our site.

Our intention is for you to visit often, learn, and share your comments with us. God has given us great blessings.In the pages to come you will learn about the spiritual leaders in our community, our history, and our plans for the future!

 
Sincerely,
Rev. Dr. Fleming  Otey

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

      On October 13, 2004 the Salisbury-Rowan Ministerial Association honored Rose Post with a special presentation by the Honorable Mayor Susan Kluttz.

Members of the Salisbury-Rowan Ministerial Association honored two of Salisbury's finest Tuesday afternoon.  Admittedly, one they honored considerably more than the other.

Salisbury Post Reporter Rose Post and Salisbury Mayor Susan Kluttz were recipients of the ministerial association's Community Spirit awards, presented annually to individuals who go above and beyond the call of duty in service to the local community.

Kluttz said she was flattered by the honor, but even she admitted that it was Rose Post's day to shine.

Before the event -- held at the Hefner VA Medical Center -- was through, Kluttz presented Post a key to the city, and the ministerial group gave her a cake for her 78th birthday and her and her husband Eddie's 57th wedding anniversary.

The Community Spirit Award, the cake and the key to the city were surprises. So, too, was most of the rest of the event, where numerous individuals stood to sing her praises.

"She has a God-given talent not just to report the news, but to serve the community," Kluttz said.

She said Post's commitment to Rowan County has been decades in the making and makes her one of Salisbury's most beloved residents.

"They trust and respect her," Kluttz said of the individuals she writes about. "They know she'll never embarrass them by sharing what's in their hearts."

The seminar where Rose and Kluttz were honored is a gathering of local ministers of all races and denominations.

No one had anything but good things to say about Post, now in her 53rd year of writing for the Salisbury Post.

One minister offered a prayer that included a blessing of all storytellers. Then, the minister paused before saying, "And Miss Rose is a great one among them."

Salisbury Post Editor Elizabeth Cook said Rose Post's love of writing is one with which she was born. Cook said that from Rose's perspective, "Everybody is special."

Cook said Post's work and commitment to her job constantly amaze her. At an age where most people have long since retired, Rose continues working daily, frequently talking on the phone and pounding her keyboard until all hours.

"She likes to talk to people and share their stories," Cook said.

She said one of Rose's sons, Sam, recently wrote a guest column for the Post where he made a passing reference to the fact that his mother and grandmother both knitted. After the column ran, Rose's son got a call from an elderly woman wanting to know if Rose would help her learn to knit.

As she's done of most every request ever made of her, Rose happily obliged. "Rose went to a 95-year-old woman's house yesterday to remind her how she used to knit," Cook told those gathered at the VA.

Rose downplayed that accolade and the numerous others heaped upon her Tuesday.

"I'm not a speaker," she said in accepting the Community Spirit Award. "I try to be a writer, and every day I feel I haven't succeeded at that."

Rose laughingly recalled her early years at the Post, when she was the only woman allowed in the newsroom, though her acceptance wasn't complete.

Decades ago, she said, when a highway patrolman called to give details of a traffic accident, he would inevitably ask to speak to a man.

"My ears might be too fragile to take that wreck," Rose said, laughing at the memory.

She said she's often told her husband it was his fault she'd become such a fixture at the newspaper. Rose's maiden name was Zimmerman. She said that if she'd kept that name, or most any name besides her married one, no one would have remembered her like they have.

"When I work too late, I tell my husband, 'People can remember that name, so they call me up,' " she said.

The Rev. Dr. Fleming Otey, chaplain at the VA and president of the Ministerial Association, joked with Rose that she ought to explain her last name.

"You'll have to give us the history to the name Post," Otey said, "because we think she owns the Salisbury Post."

But Otey also paused to thank the reporter for all she does for the community, the VA and veterans as a whole. "For all you do for us, you're a fantastic lady and we love you to death," he said.

William Ragsdale, vice president of the Ministerial Association, thanked Post and Kluttz for their efforts.

"Both of you have done a wonderful job of lifting up the community spirit of God," he said.

And Donald Moore, the VA's director, briefly diverted attention from Post and Kluttz to brag on the huge veterans' hospital. He said the facility has in recent years experienced greater growth than any VA hospital in the United States.

"Over the last four or five years, we've more than doubled the number of patients we're seeing," Moore said. "They can't call us little ol' Salisbury anymore."

Contact Steve Huffman / Salisbury Post

 Crop Walk 2004


Rowan Countians took to the streets Sunday afternoon to raise food and money to fight hunger and get to know each other a little better.
The annual CROP Walk is an international effort to raise money for and create an awareness of hunger issues here and throughout the world.
In Salisbury, where the walk was co-sponsored by the Salisbury-Rowan Ministerial Association and the Covenant Community Connection, 12 area churches participated, along with people representing the Hefner VA Medical Center, Livingstone College, the Islamic community and folks with no affiliations at all.
Participants hiked 5 miles through City and Hurley parks and past Knox Middle and Overton Elementary schools along the Salisbury Greenway. It was a picture-perfect fall afternoon.
"The walk was wonderful, much better than last year's," the Rev. Sandy Kern, an organizer and pastor of Thyatira Presbyterian Church, said of the 2004 route.
Organizers encouraged the walkers to meet and greet each other along the way. Three girls, Chassity Reeves, Meredith Hovis and Whitney Stokes, were recognized as the friendliest CROP Walkers and received prizes donated by local businesses.
Twenty-five percent of all money donated for the Salisbury CROP Walk goes to Rowan Helping Ministries and Meals on Wheels in Rowan.
Another organizer, the Rev. Sherri Barnes of Bethel United Methodist Church , said the total amount of food and money donated to the CROP Walk will be calculated sometime later today. She still encouraged people to consider a food donation to Rowan Helping Ministries' pantry or a monetary donation, for which a check could be sent to CWS/CROP, care of Bethel United Methodist Church, 2380 Long Ferry Road, Salisbury, NC 28146.
Kern reported that the CROP Walk got off to a good beginning Saturday night when four western Rowan churches had members gather at Johnny Moore's farm for an old-fashioned corn-shucking, with music and square dancing.
A crowd estimated at 300 people attended and proceeds went to the CROP Walk.
Churches in the southern Rowan area revived their CROP Walk in 2003, and this year's event had even more walkers, according to the Rev. Vance Lowe of First United Methodist Church in China Grove. Last year, 150 folks walked the 3.1-mile route through downtown China Grove.
The China Grove walk had members representing many churches, including First Methodist, China Grove Church of God and St. Mark's, Mount Moriah, Concordia and Trinity Lutheran churches, along with youth groups from South Rowan High School, Mount Zion United Church of Christ and Lutheran Chapel.
Members of First Baptist Church provided a water station in front of their facility.
By Mark Wineka and Susan Shinn

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The next luncheon meeting will be held on Wednesday June 22, 2005 at noon

Rowan Regional Hospital Cafeteria
Details will be coming soon...


To:  Rowan County Churches                                                                         Re:  United Ministerial Alliance Revival

Dear Pastor and Church:

The United Ministerial Alliance of Salisbury-Rowan cordially invites you and your church to our Annual Revival which will be held at New Zion Baptist Church, Granite Quarry, NC the week beginning Monday, July 11, through Friday, July 15, 2005.      The speaker for the services will be Rev. Willie Littlejohn, Pastor of Mt. Calvary Holiness Church of Wake Forrest, N.C.  The service will be nightly at                                 Everyone is invited.

UMA President, Rev. Clarence Marlin

NEWS RELEASE:
 
SALISBURY ROWAN MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATION
NOTICE: PLEASE READ THE SALISBURY POST AND OTHER NEWS
FOR LOCAL DISASTER RELIEF EFFORTS FOR KATRINA VICTIMS
PLEASE RESPOND FOR YOUR CONGREGATIONS ACCORDINGLY.
 
VIP CHANGE: New Meeting Date and Location. Luncheon is Free.
WHO: Clergy, Ministers, Spouses,  Guests and Community Leaders.
WHAT: FREE LUNCHEON MEETING FOR THE NEW SEASON
 
WHERE: ROWAN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Parking Lot is Free. Lunch is Free.
Please ask the Information Desk in the
Main Lobby for direction to the meeting room.
 
WHEN: SEPTEMBER 21st, 2005 @ 12:00 Noon
 
FEATURE: This is our annual kickoff meeting
Rowan Hospital with Chaplain James Cook will be our host.
The Communications Director will present a construction update.
Rev. Sherri Barnes will present the Annual Crop Walk plans.
Ms. Cindy Stevenson will introduce a special seminar for churches,
ministers and others who counsel victims of domestic violence and
spousal abuse. (Please see attached letter)
Retirement award to our Past President David Crook.
 
Future Calender:
October: New location and community programs of Hood Theological Seminary.
The Pastoral Counseling Professional Development Program
November:  Chief Billy Blue of the Catawba Indian Nation will speak.
December:  12 Step recovery programs and ministries: Rev. William Ragsdale will speak.
He is now is the Chaplain at the N. C. State Veterans Home on the VAMC campus.
 
SRMA supports disaster relief and crisis intervention. Please attend and let us know how your church has dealt with the current situation. Our ministers  address  serious and very sensitive moral, spiritual and social concerns which face our community. We do so via individual and group representation in many organizations and outreach programs.  Such includes  the Mayor's Covenant Community Connection Sub-Committee led by Mrs. Betty Jo Hardy.
 
Officers; Advisory Board Members:
Rev. Dr.. F. Otey, President 704-645-0077 or 704-638-3330, Rev. W. Ragsdale, Vice President 704-630-0130
Rev. Sandra Kern, Co-Vice President 704-636-1595, Rev. R. Freeman, Secretary/Treasurer 704-637-6934;
Rev. Dr. A.Whitted,   Rev. David Crook.  Rev. Sherri Barnes,  Imam M. Hassan,  Rev. Randy Kirby
 
Distinguished Speakers, Resource Experts and Guest Community Leaders:
Mayor Susan Kluttz, Spirit Luncheon with the City Council; Salisbury Post,  Editor, Mrs. Elizabeth Cook, including the Faith Page; Reporter Rose Post; Dr. Dan Brown, Faith and Art;  Hood Seminary President, Dr. Albert J.D,Aymer, Dean Reginald Broadnax;   Dr. Clifton Hurndon, Dr. Michael Siegle; Chief Chaplain VAMC, Reginald Massey. Ch. Ethel Bamberg-Revis,  Red Cross Director, Rev. Evelyn McMahon, Catawba College, Vice President-Chaplain Dr. Kenneth Clapp,  Ch. James Cook RRMC
 
RSVP: VIP Please respond early. Call and leave a message or  return this self addressed sheet.
Thus the hospital will have a good estimate of the meals to prepare.
The luncheon is free.  The membership dues for the year is only $10.
This includes mailing and scholarship materials (for use at the New Hood Seminary Library.)
New Date:  Wednesday,  September 21,  2005
Phones / e-mail_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Number attending (Spouse or guests including self) _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Annual admin fee enclosed:  $10.00 now[  ]  Will pay at meeting [   ]   Unable to attend [  ]
NOTICE: Please send us your name and church photo for our web site.
Check the photo galley and addresses already there and let us know how you like it.
WEB SITE: SRMA- Community and Spiritual Leaders Resource - Salisbury NC
 
 
 
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FOLD ALONG DOTTED LINE--SEAL WITH TAPE OR STAPLE-- AND RETURN BY MAIL

                                                                                                                                        ---------------------------------------------------------
From Title and Printed Name
                                                                                                     Postage Stamp  Here
---------------------------------------------------------                                                                  
Preferred Address      
                                                                                         
---------------------------------------------------------
City, State, Zip
 

                                                                      TO: Mailing Address:  
                                                                      Salisbury - Rowan Ministers Association
                                                                      C/O Dr. Otey PMB 222
                                                                       2143-C Statesville Blvd.   
                                                                       Salisbury, NC 28144-1413
 

Let's Get Connected Day-2005
Salisbury, North Carolina -Saturday, May 21, 2005

No matter which language we may choose,
God always comes shining through!
By Imam Hassan Mohamed

       On a joyful Saturday morning, everything seemed fitting, the great hands of God were abundantly clear. Trees in all of its verities, shapes and sizes, dressed for the occasion in countless shades of pleasing colors, and if you took the time to observe, you could've easily seen blooms are everywhere, blue sky embracing a gentle sun, emitting its cool rays to keep everyone comfortable at peace. Somehow, I couldn't help but to think, nothing will spoil the day, and things will only go higher from this point forward.

       For a divine reason, several committed  faith and civic leaders of this community, made the hard decision by saying: God belongs to all, and can't be confined within any four walls regardless what we each may call it, Church, Synagogue, Massjed, or Temple. He is out there and everywhere!

       So, for the second year in the row, many members of this community decided to set aside their differences, getting together to put the strength of their own faith to the test, celebrating their commonalities, declaring unity and showing off their true humanity and good nature above all, knowing well that such a move will never compromise or contradict their own beliefs.

       A day to be called 'Let's Get Connected Day'.

       Around eleven O'clock, people from many different faiths and persuasions begun to assemble, some in multinational/multicultural customs adding to the festivity, smiles abound, and cheerful faces everywhere.  At twelve O'clock, the interfaith circle of prayer begun. First the call for prayer, with twelve rings of the bell, ringing of the Buddhist Bowl, and then the Muslim's Azan signaling the beginning. Now comes the payer, a circle of the hearts with all hands together in a magnificent human harmonious chain, wrapping around and embracing the smaller circle of the leaders of all individual prayers.  Dr. Otey recited the first prayer, followed by twelve other recitations, then Imam Mohamed concluded with the final recitation, lastly the glorious interfaith connectivity given a solemn farewell with three rings of the bell.

       These inclusive circle of prayer included Christians of several denominations, Jewish, Muslim, Hindus, Native Americans, and Buddhist prayers of love and hope, in six different languages. Anyone who is willing was included, and perhaps, in the years to come our highest hopes, many more will.

       Oh, what a day it was, assays, poetries, and artworks was written/drawn by students in all the three levels of education, nine winners was awarded, all recited or displayed their creative work.  Music filled the neighborhood, songs were sung, food and beverages shared among all, in a big happy communion, a sight to see!.

      On Saturday, May 21, 2005, at the city park of Salisbury, God has spoken amply and clear: Let me in, in every heart with peace, love, and unconditional acceptance... Are we listening!

       Hassan Mohamed
       Tuesday, June 7, 2005

* Let's Get Connected Day is an event sponsored by: The Covenant Community Connection, a subgroup of the Salisbury-Rowan Human Relation Counsel. Betty Jo Hardy is the chair of The Covenant Community Connection.

* Let's Get Connected Day-2005 is co-chaired by Rev. Dr. Fleming Otey, Chaplain, VA Hospital; and Imam Hassan Mohamed, Salisbury Muslims Community.

On behalf of all the members and officers of the Ministers Association:
GREETINGS AGAIN!!!
It is hard to believe the January 2006 is almost come and gone before wishing everyone
Happy New Year.

HAVE A BOUNTIFUL, BLESSED, HEALTHY, AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We are so glad for the past year to be over, even though looking around the world, and watching the days go by, life still seems like a roller-coaster of blessings and challenges.  Hopefully as we travel through the valleys of Stumbling Blocks that the challenges can become leverages like Stepping Stones to reach new heights of success.

Rev. Dr. Fleming Otey
President

Salisbury-Rowan Ministerial Association
Invites All area Ministers to:
WHAT: March 2006 Meeting
WHEN:  The 2nd Tuesday, March 14, 2006 at 12:00 pm
WHERE:  Hood Theological Seminary
LUNCHEON SEMINAR FEATURE
Supervisory Ministry
Dr. William McKenith - Hood Theological Seminary
Contacts:  Ch. F. Otey, President - (704)-645-0077 or (704)-638-3330
Rev. W. Ragsdale, V. President - (704) 630-0130
Rev. Sandra Kern, Co. V. President - (704) 636-1595
Rev. R. Freeman, Secretary/Treasurer - (704) 637-6934

                                                                              

Prayer Circle

     The Indian-Native American Yadkin Valley Eastern Council
centered at Salisbury, will gather at the Long-house, 312 W. Henderson St. Tuesday, September 16, 2008.  The grandson of an Indian chief and holy man will be the honored guest.  The potluck supper will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a spiritual prayer circle to follow.  Local leaders, chiefs and clan mothers include "Silver Willow" Jo Smith, Jerry Nail "Silent Wolf," George and Ann Waller, David and Barbara Waller and the Rev. Dr. Fleming Otey "Holy Eagle." 

For information call 704-640-0242 or 704-633-2409