USHERS’ ECHO

Volume 1, Issue 1 September 2011

From the President ‘s Desk SHINNING STARS

“LET YOUR LIGHT SO SHINE BEFORE MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEE YOUR GOOD WORKS,

AND GLORIFY YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN” MATT: 5:16

As the Maryland State President, it is my esteem pleasure to congratulate the Maryland

Delegation as they return from the 92nd National Convention with stars in their eyes and pride

in their hearts. The State of Maryland won 1st place in 5 of the 8 competitions for medium

size states.

Junior Usher Amber Logan, from the Calvert County Unit, out shinned her Junior Department

Counterparts and won 1st Place in the Vicie Juran Pageant. Amber was escorted by Junior

Usher DeLante’ Edwards; her court included her mother, Usher Denise Logan and

grandmother, Usher Georgia Lee Washington.

The star of the King & Queen Contest for the School of Ushering was the Prince George’s

County Unit President, Usher Sandra Sellman who took 1st place in this category. Sandra was

escorted by Maryland’s Board Chair, Usher David Fuller of the Anne Arundel County Unit.

Maryland also brought home first place plaques and/or certificates in the following categories:

Allan C. Griffith, Sr. Education Department’s Penny Bucket Contest, the R. E. Harshaw 2011

Commemorative Book Contest and the R. E. Harshaw Membership Contest.

Forty-four senior (5 first timers), 1 young adult and 2 junior delegates (both were first timers)

traveled to Sparks, Nevada for the week long convention where Maryland had 4 delegates

elected or appointed to National Positions. They are: Louis Parker, National Chaplain, Julia

Kitchen, National Alumni Chair, Patrice Coleman, 1st Vice President of Young Adult

Department and Margurite Kirkland, Vice Chair Leroy Johnson Building Fund; David Fuller

retained his position on the National Board of Directors.

To those who were not able to attend the convention this year, but supported the various

activities and fundraisers, I, along with the entire State of Maryland sincerely thank you from

the depth of our hearts. Maryland’s team spirit from the local level, to the unit level to the

state level shinned bright throughout the convention.

I am forecasting starrier skies for the 2012 NUCUAA Convention in Orlando Florida, because

preparations will soon be underway for Maryland to participate in the Drill Team and Floor

Demonstration (Maryland did not compete in 2011) as well as the other 5 competitions we

won this year. Also, I am expecting more stars to shine in our 2012 School of Ushering

Graduating Class so Maryland will have more graduates at the convention.

Please consider this an invitation to join us in 2012 in Orlando, Florida at the 93rd NUCUAA

Convention. Let’s make it a “family affair”; and we will let our light shine so that others may

see our good works and feel our team spirit. Additional information will follow, so continue

to check our website and read our newsletter.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

AUGUST 25TH & 26TH - OFFICERS RETREAT @ SANDY COVE, MARYLAND

SEPTEMBER 3RD – STATE MEETING @ METROPOLITAN UMC, INDIAN HEAD, MD

SEPTEMBER 22ND – DEADLINE FOR RESERVATIONS FOR MASSACHUSETTS

MEMORIAL AND MID-YEAR MEETING (781) 329-7900. $119.00+11.7%

SEPTEMBER 30TH – EVENING OF ELEGANCE FOR PAST PRESIDENT MYERS,

THE FORUM CATERERS, BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

OCTOBER 15TH & 16TH – MASSACHUSETTS MEMORIAL WEEKEND & EASTERN

REGION MID-WINTER MEETING

DECEMBER 3RD – STATE MEETING – MEMBERSHIP FORMS & AIRLINE DEPOSITS

FOR ORLANDO, FLORIDA ARE DUE

DECEMBER 10TH – SENIOR DINNER & CLOTHING DONATIONS FOR SHELTERS

Margurite A. Kirkland State President

Prince George Unit

“All shall give as they are able, according to

the blessing of the Lord your God that he has

given you.” Deuteronomy 16:17

The Prince George’s Unit would like to

thank all who supported our fundraisers

(Ressurection Pens, Journals, Sheets and the

Hat Luncheon) in support of Maryland’s

Queen Contestant, Sandra Sellman.

We salute one of our very own, Colette

McCorvey (State Dean) for her second

coordination of the John R. Brown School of

Ushering Graduation program and souvenir

booklet. Congratulations to all of the 2011

graduates and to Genevieve Hale (Asst. State

Dean) and Sylvia Graves for a job well done.

Fifteen of the twenty-eight 2011 graduates

were from our Unit. Congratulations to

Jacqueline Jordan, Beverly Wilder, Judy

Wilson, Arlinda Allen, Channie Johnson,

Emily Basden, Nannetta Hall, Carole

Johnson, Wendy McLeod, Nena McNeil,

Debbie Nelson, Sandra Smith, Fannie Tarrant,

and Richard Thomas for receiving their

National Diplomas and a special salute to

Lowell Blagmon for becoming our Unit’s

second Instructor. We are truly excited for

this blessing of so many graduates and pray

that they will continue in their training with

the School and do all they can to promote the

ministry of ushering in their respective

churches and usher boards.

The four blankets given to Prince George’s

Unit by the State were given to patients at

Manor Care in Largo, Md. via one of Union

UMC Outreach projects. Union hosted a

Bingo Evening and the blankets in addition to

other items from Union were given to the

winners. Manor Care Officials thanked the

ICUA for their contribution and Union’s

Outreach were very appreciative also.

In an effort to promote growth for our Unit, we will

be hosting an “Open House” on Saturday, October

22, 2011 at Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church in

Bowie, Maryland. If you have a connection or

relationship with any non-ICUA church in the Prince

George’s County vicinity, please supply their contact

information so that we can invite them to our open

house.

We look forward to hosting the next State

Meeting on September 3, 2011 at

Metropolitan UMC in Indian Head, Maryland.

May God continue to bless the Prince George’s

County Unit that we may be faithful in our efforts to

support the uplifting of the ICUA of Maryland.

Peace and Blessings,

Sandra Nutt Sellman Unit President

O praise the Lord, all ye nations; praise him, all ye

people. Psalm 117:1

We have been having some spirit-filled Usher

Days beginning with John Wesley UMC in May.

We attended another one at Mt. Zion Baptist wit

Rev. Cleveland T. Mason from Perkins Square

Baptist Church with his choir and ushers. We also

attended Ebenezer Baptist Church on August 14,

2011.

We are very happy that Sis. Ollie Danage will

hold a National officers position for another year.

She also came in 1st place in the Penny Bucket

contest.

We thank the John R. Brown School of

Ushering for a beautiful graduation and also

Harford County Unit

Chews Memorial United Methodist Church

and Rev. Brenda Mack for their hospitality.

Please remember to keep all our sick and

shut-in in your prayers: Mary Fisher,

Dorothy Stevenson, Willie Scroggins, Sarah

Kenly, Bertha Harris, Franklin Stewart,

Mary Hodges, Robert Presbury, Cynthia

Shannon and Alice Venable.

Love and Peace,

Virginia Cevis Unit President

Anne Arundel County Unit

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye

lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come

before his presence with singing.” Psalm

100:1-2

The Junior Ushers held a walk-a-thon on

June 18, 2011 at Naval Marine Stadium in

Annapolis. The youth held their Usher

Anniversary at Wilson Memorial United

Methodist Church in Gambrills. The guest

speaker was Usher Justin Neck and it was

well attended,

Harford/Cecil Banquet was held on June,

17, 2011 and it was outstanding.

Anne Arundel County Day/president

Council Day will be held at Hope-St. Marl

United Methodist Church on Sunday, August

7, 2011 at 4:00pm.

The State School of Ushering Graduation

will be held at Chews United Methodist

Church on Saturday, August 13, 2011 at

1:00pm.

The next Usher Anniversary will be held at

Asbury United Methodist Church in Jessup

on Sunday, August 14, 2011 at 3:30pm.

To God Be the Glory,

Eugene Hogue Unit President

Baltimore Unit

GOD Be the Glory for all the marvelous

things He has done and will do.”

I greet you in the name of our Lord and

Savior, Jesus.

The Baltimore Unit is working to get non-

active churches reengaged with the

Association. We‘re also preparing for our

election of new Officers in the Fall.

Our Unit is in the process of obtaining a

location to HOST the Maryland Memorial

weekend in September 2012.

We’re preparing for the up-coming Usher

training starting in September. We are

working on projects to better ourselves & the

Association.

The Baltimore Unit is revering up for a

night of elegance to honor Past State President

Usher Ronny Myers on September 30, 2011.

We’re working to end the year on an even

higher note.

Please keep all sick and shut-in in prayer.

In God’s Service,

Gerald A. Hill, Sr. Unit President

Calvert County Unit

“Happy are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the Law of the Lord. Happy are

those who keep his decrees, who seek him

with their whole heart.” Psalms 119:1-2

NUCCA Convention first timer Amber

Logan won the coveted Vicie Juran Paegant as

Queen, representing the State of Maryland.

“In an effort to create a unique for all the

youth to play at the National Convention , a

contest was started where they would vie to

be crowned King or Queen, so all states could

take part. It was later named the Vicie D.

Juran Popularity Contest in honor of their

late youth Supervisor. To this date, it is a

featured event of each Convention and is held

on Tuesday evening during the five day

convention.”

The ICUA of MD congratulates Amber

Logan for winning the coveted Vicie Juran

Paegant at the National United Church Ushers

Association of America, Inc. in Sparks, NV

on Tuesday night, July 26, 2011. Amber won

resoundingly over all of her competitors by

raising $ 3,280 to benefit NUCCA projects.

Amber was assisted in raising these funds

through donations for a breakfast at a local

restaurant, donations from family and friends,

donations from Patuxent UMC (her church),

and donations from Usher Units throughout

Calvert County and the State of Maryland.

At the Vicie Juran competition, which

features young people from across the United

States in elegant evening wear, Ms Amber

Logan was escorted down the runway by Mr.

DeLante Edwards. Both DeLante and Amber

are members of the Junior Department of the

Calvert Unit and were “First timers” at the

NUCCA Convention this year.

Amber, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Barton Logan, is a sophomore at Huntingtown

High School. She is active in high school

track and field activities where her special

events are the shot put and discus throw. Amber’s

favorite subject in school is Math. Also, she loves

competitive dancing (jazz, tap, lyrical and hip-hop).

Amber is a member of Patuxent UMC and serves as

the President of the Junior Ushers at her church. Her

favorite Bible verse is the Psalms 23rd.

DeLante is the son of Darlene Edwards and is a

sophomore at Forestville Military Academy. His

favorite subject in school is Military Science.

DeLante’s favorite hobby is playing his Playstation

3. His favorite sport is basketball. Delante is a

member of St. Peter’s UMC, where he serves as an

Usher. DeLante is the Junior President in the Calvert

Unit and is a responsible youth leader. His favorite

Bible verse is the Psalms 84 verse 10.

To God Be the Glory,

Otis Hayes Unit President

Articles for the

December Newsletter are

Due by November 16th.

For information about the ICUA of Maryland,

Eastern Region or the national organization you can

search the web at www.icuaofmd.com. From there

you can click on the links for the Eastern Region

and the National.

Ushers Headquarters

2212 Eutaw Place

Baltimore, Maryland 21217

Phone: 410-523-9292

Fax: 410-523-2289

Alumni Department

The Alumni Department of Maryland was in full force at our 92nd National Convention held in Sparks,

Nevada.

Maryland Levites served at the Interfaith Service on Sunday morning.

First timers at the National Alumni meeting were Levites Ada McCoy and Sandra Sellman. Both came in

working. Levite McCoy worked on the “Book of Seven” committee. Levite Sellman on the “Tally Table”.

Also, Levite Martha Witt assisted with the devotion.

Levites Cynthia Hicks, Rosalind Moore and Linda Parker served as judges.

Levites Virginia Cevis, Carrie Lindsey, Naomi Morgan and Alice Wilson were runners.

Levites Carrie Lindsey and Alice Wilson also assisted with the collection of the offering.

Maryland had six Ushers to be inducted into the National Alumni Department:

Usher Eric Beavers Usher Jacqueline Jordan

Usher Tina Brown Usher Louis Parker

Usher Otis L. Hayes Usher Malcolm Rice

Elected Officers for the department are Levite Rosalind Moore, Financial Secretary, and Levite Martha

Witt as Assistant Chaplain.

Levite Julia A. Kitchen was re-appointed as National Alumni Chairman.

It was indeed a beautiful, successful convention. We all enjoyed it very much!

The Levites were on the move. But, that is our purpose, to assist when needed.

Our state project will be in October at Sarah’s House.

Next meeting will be held on Saturday, September 3, 2011 in Prince George’s Unit. All Graduates are

invited to attend and become a part of this #1 Department.

Levite Julia A. Kitchen

Chairperson

Elizabeth Lane Education

"“nd we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called

according to his purpose."“ Romans 8:28

I bring you greetings from the Elizabeth Lane Education Department. It is once again that the Lord has

blessed our department to continue reaching out to our Juniors and Young Adults by donating two book bags

filled with school supplies and three gift cards worth $95 dollars.

Many thanks to I.C.U.A., U.C.U.A., and Sis. Kitchen for the three gift cards. U.C.U.A. for school

supplies and donations for the book bags. Only what we do for Christ will last. Thank you Units for your

donation towards the "Penny Bucket Contest” that was held Thursday, July 28,2011. The Lord blessed

Maryland to come in first place with a donation of $556.52. The State of New York raised $530.00 and the

State of Illinois had $501.90. Again, thank you for supporting the Education Department with your prayers

and donations.

At our June State meeting, the 2012 Essay requirements were passed out to each Unit President and

members. Let's encourage our Juniors and Young Adults to participate in the Essay Contest. We can have a

contestant(s) to make it to the Region as well as the National. Like the four young people who represented

the Eastern, Central, and Western (2) in our Instrumental Music. It was truly a blessing to see all that talent

on the stage.

Eastern Region: Carmen P. Jones with a score of 74%.

Central Region: Kelly Ingram 81%

Western Region: DaQuan Robinson 91.3%

Brittany Emma 83.3%

Let's remember these words by Pericles: What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments,

but what is woven into the lives of others.

God Bless,

Ollie Danage Elizabeth Lane Chairman

John R. Brown School of Ushering

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (KJV)

Thanks to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for all He’s done for Maryland’s School of Ushering. The

school had a well attended graduation ceremony hosted by Chews Memorial UMC in Anne Arundel

County. We were blessed to have 28 graduates for the 2010-2011 school year. The graduates are as

follows:

Sherry Blackstone Tina Brown Linda Parker Shirley Spriggs

Louis Parker Eric Beavers Sandra Arnette Annette Gilkesson

Roxine D. Phillips Janice Y. Wright Otis Hayes Rhonda Scayles

Malcolm Rice Jackie Jordan Beverly Wilder Judy Wilson

Emily Basden Nannetta M. Hall Carole Johnson Wendy McLeod

Nena McNeil Sandra Smith Debbie Nelson Richard Thomas

Fannie L. Tarrant Arlinda Allen Channie Johnson Lowell Blagmon

I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Sylvia Graves, Genevieve Hale, Sandra Sellman, and Sandra

Logan. Your assistance, advice, encouragement, and faith are greatly appreciated. A special thank you

goes out to the members of Chews Memorial UMC, Rev. Brenda Mack, and Wilson Male Course for

making our program extra special.

We begin our “new” school year on Saturday, September 17th @ 12:00 p.m. with the Instructor’s class.

The School of Ushering will convene @ 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Usher’s Headquarters. I whole-

heartedly encourage all of our graduates (past and present) to continue to support and attend both your Unit

and State schools. I also persuade you to diligently study the new NUCUAA Usher Manual. The topics of

study for the next quarter are:

September 17 Introduction pg 4 National Mission pg 5

Brief History of NUCUAA pgs 7-8

Service & Prayer Position pgs 19-21

October 15 History of Church Ushering pgs 9-11

To Be the Best Usher That You Can Be pgs 12-16

Tact pg 16-17

November 19 Church Ushers’ Signs and Signals Code pg 18

Duties of the Usher-in-Charge pgs 22-24

Duties/Responsibilities of the Doorkeeper & Relieving the Doorkeeper pgs 25-29

Welcome Committee pgs 29-31

Peace and blessings

Colette McCorvey

State Dean

National Convention King & Queen Contest

“Ask, and it will be given; search, and you will find; knock,

and the door will be opened for you.” Matthew 7:7

I asked.

You gave.

Thank you for your generous support of my fundraising efforts which enabled me as Maryland’s

Contestant to win 1st Place in the National King and Queen Contest at the 92nd National Convention of

the Interdenominational Church Ushers Association that was held in Reno-Sparks, Nevada. The team

spirit of the Units, School, and State all made this a very rewarding experience.

Vicie Juran Pageant

Vicie Juran Pageant – Part 2

The Party’s on during Offering…………..

National Outreach

Greeting Fellow Doorkeepers:

I would like to take this opportunity and thank you for your generosity during our 92nd National

Convention in Reno-Sparks, NV. As we continue to serve Him in the Spirit of Giving. The committee

has adopted a theme for 2011-2012, Souls for Seniors. With the combined effort of all three

departments, we can shower elderly residents throughout America.

To serve in compliance with our National theme, I am asking each Region and State to adopt this

theme; and center your activities and events on the elderly.

Make it fun and creative to attract members, friends and volunteers

Capture your pictures from activities and events and submit them on DVD by Saturday, June 2,

2012.

Upon your arrival at the 93rd National convention, in Orlando, FL, I am asking the entire National

Delegation to support the Outreach project, a Silent Auction.

I am asking each State Chairperson to be responsible for three complete care packages from the items

from this list only:

1 lap blanket 1 wrapped tooth brush

1 tube of tooth paste 1 bottle of hand sanitizer

1 seek and find puzzle and 1 bar of non-deodorant soap

Please drop off care packages on Monday afternoon in the Outreach conference room, TBA; for

preparation for distribution. All volunteers are welcome to assist in assembling packages.

In addition, I am asking each State Outreach Chairperson to provide 2-4 volunteers to assist Tuesday

afternoon at the identified nursing facilities.

Lastly, we can make a difference in America by showering our elderly residents. As President Obama

said, Yes We Can! Yes We Will! So let’s get on board and let’s make our elderly residents our priority in

America.

Yours in Outreach Services,

Lawrence A. Wright

National Outreach Chairperson