Reunion Plans 5

By dusk, many of the family left the Park and regrouped for night activities. The youth went back to the hotel and went swimming or to the movies. Several adults spent the evening at the home of Charles and Juanita Doyle, where around 30 family members met and enjoyed the Afterglow, reflecting upon the Reunion and enjoying each other's company for another couple of hours or so. As we sat there on the patio, many seemed a bit tired but alert and relaxed. The weather was nice, cool and soothing. Many resumed their competitive chicken foot game and others snacked on nachos, fruit, and meat snacks. When night ended, about an hour before midnight, we all had experienced a really nice day.

Sunday, the last day of the Reunion, was another pleasant surprise with over 60 family members in attendance, most ever at a reunion Sunday Service. The service was held at Macedonia Church of God in Christ, where one of our own family members, Bishop Samuel Doyle, is pastor and whose mother Johnnie Ayers attends, whom also is one of Bom's granddaughters.

Sunday Service was great, and family participated in all aspects of the program. Princess Ayers officiated the service and opened up with prayer by Kenneth Smith and Valorie Boyd leading praise and worship. Afterward, Kimberly Allen, who works as a youth director, spoke at length on how the family must take ownership in guiding the next generation She suggested we become more involved and take more interest in our youth, even in small ways. Her inspirational talk was followed by one of the youth, fourteen year old Aliyah Martin, wonderfully singing the popular gospel song, "That Name" by famed gospel singer Yolanda Adams.

The service continued. After the offering and before the sermon, Annie Lee Turner was requested to sing in the place of Slyvester Prosser, a grandson of Bom, who was unable to attend the Reunion. In his place, Annie Lee sung a touching rendition of "Because He Lives." She was then followed by her daughter, Karla Allen, who delivered the sermon. Incidentally, Annie Lee also is the mother of Kimberly Allen who spoke earlier.

As a side note, Annie Lee, Kimberly, and Karla's spiritual roots run deep. Annie Lee's parents, Peter and Mary Williams, were in ministry in the San Francisco area for decades, where Peter was pastor. Mary also was a granddaughter of Bom.

This Sunday, Mary's spirit clearly was seen in her grandchildren. Karla delivered the word of God as her grandmother once did, confidently and charismatically. Appropriately, she acknowledged her grandmother and others in the family lineage by choosing as a subject to speak on the "Legacy of the Faith."

Her message was simple, that we did not arrive where we are spiritually in one generation, but through many generations faithful to the Faith. She referenced our experience to Hebrews 11 and the pioneers of our faith - Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and David, and then the author of our faith, our Lord Jesus!

After the sermon, service ended and lunch was served. Lunch took place in the church's cafeteria, and, continuing with our theme, all of the tables were beautifully setup with purple and white table coverings and purple flower centerpieces. Now, close to two hours past noon, the family quickly filled all seated areas and was served lunch, buffet styled, and it was great all over again. The family was served mostly the same menu items as Saturday picnic with a few add-ons, like baked chicken and rice pilaf. Amazingly, there was plenty of food for everyone, particularly considering more than twice more than our estimate attended Sunday Service and lunch.

After everyone finished their meal, we all sat around a talked a couple of hours or so. Some met up later at the homes of local family members. Others traveled home hours away. As we journeyed, no doubt we all felt fantastic about the Reunion. We had honored our beloved Aunt Blanche. We enjoyed the meals and the wonderful conversations with our loved ones, many we had not seen in years. We played a lot of games without blazing summer heat. We worshipped together. It all was very nice.