This month we shall attempt to enlighten the church's laypersons on the duties and responsibilities of the Stewardess Board. This board is comprised of persons in good and regular standing who have been nominated by the pastor of the local church. The number of members range from one to as many deemed necessary to carry out the duties and responscibilities of this body. Once nominted the local pastor then submits the names to the Board of Stewards who shall either confirm or reject the persons so
nominated. The Steward Board will hold the members of this board responsible for their duties. It is also advisable to appoint a junior board of Stewadresses which shall operate under the directions of the pastor and the senior board.
The main funcion of this board is to assist the stewards in the ritual of baptism and the Lord's Supper, which includes:
- Providing the implements and elements of the Holy Communion and Holy Baptism which entails; preparing the Bread of Life rather than providing it and providing a bowl of water, clean linen towels and other items for baptism.
- Dressing the pulpit and altar rail with clean white coverings which entails--insuring that all linen is always clean and white (The linen may be embossed with enbroided or crocheted Protestant religius symbols); polishing utensils; making certain a bowl of water and white linen towels are supplied for ministers to cleanse and dry their hands for serving Holy Communion; and dressing the pulpit/alter railing with coverings suitable for seasons of the Christian year as well as for funerals and/or memorials.
There shall be trainign provided for the Stewardesses under the supervision of the pastor and senior stewardesses. If it becomes necessary the pastor and Stewards may remove a stweardess for the good of the church and fill the vacancy. this differes from the previous board reprimands whereas in those cases the matter is brought before the Quarterly Conference.
There is no mention in the Discipline that states that the Board of Stewardess shall wear white during the rituals described above. Somehow this tradition has become an asthetic function of the board that distinguishes them from other members within the local church. We at Flipper certainly appreciate the dedicated members of this conference year's board. Those serving on the present Board of Stewardesses are:
- Sis. Gwen Worlds, president
- Sis. Ruth Armstong
- Sis. Gina Brown
- Sis. Glory Brown
- Sis. Gussie Bruce
- Sis. Leona Gordon
- Sis. Cheryl Davis
- Sis. Greta Campbell
- Sis. Roberta Hall
- Sis. Carrie Herring
- Sis. Ubzine Jones
- Sis. Coreen Johnson
- Sis. Cheryl Lucas
- Sis. Arryal Middleton
- Sis. Dorothy Pouncel
- Sis. Shenezia Rivers
- Sis. Delores Scott
- Sis. Carrie Smith
