09/21/2024
I’m saddened . . . In 1992 it was my first General Conference. I was assigned to Mt. Ararat and had been there with my “family church” since August of 1989.
I was an observer at the 44th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference. It was exciting to have been there “all night” as the candidates and delegates went through the process of electing Bishop’s. I didn’t know much about anything really, I remember when Bishop Robert Vaughn Webster was elected.
In 1998 we moved to Jacksonville and one Sunday Bishop Webster and Supervisor Webster walked into Greater Payne. I was shocked. I greeted them from the pulpit and asked if he desired to come into the pulpit, he waved me off as he and Supervisor Carole Webster took a seat with the congregants. I have no idea what the message was. I was nervous. It was not often to have Bishop’ s come to worship in your church when it wasn’t an Annual Conference. I’ve had the joy and honor of that experience many times since with many Bishops; from Bishop Richardson at Arnett, Bishop Cummings ( he was a member of Greater Payne and I was honored to be his pastor), Bishop Cousin blessed us with a visit at Mt. Ararat, Bishop DeVeaux at Greater Payne, Bishop Young at Greater Grant, Bishop Adams first in Panama City (I was visiting the West Florida Conference that day), Bishop Reid as well, and still I get nervous.
Bishop Webster said to me that he was just coming by to see how I was settling in to Jacksonville. They came to see about me but didn’t really know me. Every since then I’ve always enjoyed being in his (Bishop Webster’s) presence. I traced him down at the 52nd General Conference and we laugh, hugged and talked briefly. A number of people were stopping just to say hello to Bishop Webster. Two weeks ago I caught him at St. Stephen before he left. It happened again . . . we laughed, talked and hugged. I will miss him, but I believe he’s in a better place . . . Heaven. Rest In Power Bishop Robert Vaughn Webster, a Bishop of the People and Pastors. Thanks again for dropping in, just to see how I’ve been doing! 💜
