HISTORY OF THE CHURCH USHERS ASSOCIATION OF NEW YORK STATE

The first State Convention of the Church Ushers Association of New York State was held Friday and Saturday, June 14-15, 1957 at the Calvary Baptist Church, 539 William Street, Buffalo, New York, Rev. Peter Trammell, Pastor; Mr. Ben Washington, State President. The meeting was called to order by Mr. Waverly Jones, President of the Ushers Union of Buffalo and Vicinity at 10:15 A.M. Devotion was led by Mr. Flowers of Buffalo.

The following committees were appointed: Credential, Education, Resolution, Arts and Crafts, Publicity, Memorial, Time and Place, Hospitality and Health Unit. The seating of our delegates was done by our National President, Mr. Henry Ballard. Rev. Peter Trammell was the Host Pastor for this convention. Rev. George Bell, Pastor of the Second Baptist Church of Lackawanna, gave the Annual Sermon. His sermon was “Fitting into God’s Program”, 1st Corinthians 3rd Verse, and “We are laborers together for God”. At this convention the Junior Department was organized. The First President was Mr. Charles Jennings of Buffalo and the First Supervisor was Mrs. Elizabeth Stevens of Brooklyn.

The Credentials Committee reported, Brooklyn: 36 delegates, 1 delegate at large, 21 churches represented and 9 Juniors; Buffalo: 46 delegates, 3 delegates at large, 13 churches represented and 6 Juniors; a total of 127 delegates and 34 churches.

The Hospitality Committee reported the following visitors: Mrs. Wallace of Long Island; Mrs. Thelma Bell, and Mrs. Mary Johnson of the Buffalo Criterion. The convention was convened by Mrs. Johnson and Rev. J. T. Sparks, Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church of Buffalo.

We entertained the National United Church Ushers Convention in 1957 in Brooklyn, New York and again in 1976 in Manhattan, New York. Henry Ballard served as Senior National President (1952-1959). Filmore F. Gregory served as Senior National President (2009-2012).

The Young Adult Department was organized in 1969; the first President was Miriam Cherry. The first counselor was Mrs. Elizabeth Stevens.

In 1977, the Queens Unit was organized under the leadership of our fifth President, Mr. John L. Everett, Jr. Also, our State Chorus was organized; it was named after Mr. Everett, The John L. Everett Jr. State Chorus.

In 1980, under the leadership of Past President Robert Green, our State began to branch out to various cities, Binghamton and Syracuse.

In 1983, under the leadership of President Deacon Jimmie Underwood, Jr., and the efforts of our State Organizer, Bro. John L. Everett, Jr., the Syracuse Unit became a part of the Church Ushers Association of New York State, Inc.

Our membership tripled in the first 39 years under the dynamic leadership of our seven State Presidents: the late Mr. Ben Washington; Mr. Waverly Jones; Mr. Ivan Duncan; Mr. James Blue; Mr. John L. Everett, Jr.; Mr. Robert Green and Deacon Jimmie Underwood, Jr.

We are a devoted “Organization” and with our prayers we will continue to grow in faith.

In 1986, electing its first Female President, Mrs. SUSIE MAE BEDDEN, we did The 8th Wonder of New York State.

Mrs. Susie Mae Bedden, the first female President and the 8th President, instituted the Gleaners, as a fund-raising system for three charities: the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Sickle Cell and Diabetes Foundation. Mrs. Bedden also presented a donation to Upstate and Downstate Chorus of New York State.

New York State elected Sister Alberta Jones to our highest office in 1990, as our 9th President. Our second female President brought with her 12 years of experience as Chairperson of our Board of Directors. She also has the prestigious title of National Young Adult President Emeritus.

In 1994, this organization selected a dedicated young man, Brother Oneal Fields, as our 10th President. We looked forward to his positive influences as we prepared to enter the 21st Century.

New York State elected, Sister Patricia D. Hughes as the 11th State President in 1998. She formerly served as Third, Second and First Vice President for New York State. Patricia D. Hughes also served as Chairperson for the Public

Relations Department from 1990 to 1994; and was successful in establishing New York State with the news media in each convention city visited. In 2000, President Hughes recommended that the Welcome Program be named the “Susie Mae Bedden Welcome Program”.

In 2002, New York State elected Sister L. E. Tina Barnes as the 12th State President. She served the State as Fourth, Third, Second and First Vice President. She has served as our State, Regional and National Education Chairperson, State, Regional and National Supervisor of our Junior & Young People Departments. Sister Barnes brought with her a vast amount of knowledge to share with our State. She asked the Lord to keep her plain and simple as long as she lives, caring not for what she gets, but all that she can give.

In 2006, New York State elected Sister Luretha A. Daniels as the 13th State President. She served the State as Fourth, Second and First Vice President. We are confident that she will lead our State to higher levels. Her prayers are that God will keep her humble and obedient to His will.

In 2010, New York State elected Sister W. Ruth Beckham as its 14th State President; after serving as New York States Third, Second and First Vice President. Under her leadership she brings a spirit of “Unity” to the State. She helped along with the Alumni Department bring forth 1st Place New York States National Alumni Book of Seven in 2010 and again in 2013. Under her tutelage came the Men's Fellowship, Training and Development, 1st Place in donations to the Haiti Relief Fund, sponsored by NUCUAA,1st Place in RE Harshaw Foundation Fund Patron Fundraiser, and to her credit two Eastern Regional Breakfast Recognition Honorees, Jacquelyn Mock (2012) and Linda Prince Roberts (2014). During her administration she served under the Immediate Past National President from the Great State of New York, Brother Filmore F. Gregory. Her accomplishments are many; she was a Phenomenal President.

On May 16, 2014 New York State elected, Sister Betty R. Butler as the 15th State President. She formerly served as Corresponding Secretary, Assistant and Recording Secretary and Financial Secretary. In addition to serving as a State Officer, she previously served as Financial Secretary, Treasurer and Budget & Finance Chairperson in the Eastern Region. In the National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc. (NUCUAA) she served as Assistant Financial Secretary, Financial Secretary, Nominating Committee Member and six years on the National Board of Directors (2008-2014) three years as National Board Chairman. She was the first female from New York State to serve on the National Board of Directors. During her tenure on the National Board of Directors she served with two National Presidents: Filmore F. Gregory (NY) and Harold E. Hester, Jr. (GA). One of her proudest moments while serving as National Board

Chairman was when the Board voted to have the 2017 National Convention held in Rochester, NY, the first National Convention in New York State since 1976. With God as the leader, her vision is to organize other cities, increase membership, improve attendance in all three Departments at State Conventions, and Memorial Service Weekends; produce a Policy & Procedure guideline booklet for new officers, and also prepare a Request For Proposal (RFP) to send to hotels and Convention Visitors Bureaus throughout New York State in an effort to broaden our choices of locations for State Conventions. Additionally, promote teamwork, encourage each officer to embrace technology, promote stronger relationships between the Units and also use Free Conferencing to communicate frequently with Unit Presidents, State Officers and Delegates. She anticipates, setting up a New York State Website, and also utilize the Social Media to connect with delegates and keep them abreast on business and activities in New York State, Eastern Region and the National Organization.

“Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time.

We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.”

Barack Obama

On May 20, 2017, the 61st Annual New York State Convention was held in Syracuse, New York. Sister Delores Pryor was elected the 16th State President. She formerly served as Board Chairman and Board Member. Additionally, she also served as First, Second, Third and Fourth Vice President. In July 2017, New York State hosted the 98th National Annual Convention in Rochester, New York. In July 2019, the National United Church Ushers Association of America, Inc (NUCUAA) celebrated its 100th centennial anniversary. The convention was held in Philadelphia, PA and under President Pryor’s leadership, a large number of delegates attended. New York State ushers participated in the drill competition, whereas the senior team took home the 2nd place trophy. Jordan Nichols, New York State’s YA President, crowned King during the Vice-of-Duran; additionally, we had a chronicle displayed in the memorial museum. Originating in China, the COVID-19 virus reached the shores of the United States of America. On March 1, 2020 New York State confirmed the first Coronavirus case, known as the COVID-19 pandemic, spiraling into a nationwide crisis. On Saturday, March 7, 2020 Governor Andrew Cuomo declared a State of Emergency. Ultimately, the no large gatherings rule was imposed, businesses closed their doors, transportation system was limited, and the doors of the churches closed. The Eastern Region Conference was postponed on March 13, 2020. Subsequently, with the postponement of the 64th New York State Convention on April 8, 2020; President Pryor formed a committee comprised of Past New York State Presidents, Alberta Jones, Patricia D. Hughes, L.E. Tina Barnes, Luretha A. Daniels, W. Ruth Beckham and Betty R. Butler, Board Chairman, Bridget Martin, Board Vice Chairman, Janice Nibbs, New York State Parliamentarian, Filmore F. Gregory, Junior President, Nyicia Morgan and Young Adult President Jordan

Nichols. COVID-19 was a deadly disease taking the lives of a vast amount of New York State ushers. President Pryor had to extend many letters of condolences and conjure up a plan to move forward with the state’s business. Additionally, the bylaws were amended to extend President Pryor’s term to November 2020.

On May 15, 2021, under the leadership of President Delores Pryor, the 65th Annual New York State Convention was held, virtually, on ZOOM, a video telephone software; with New York becoming the first state to host an entire convention on a virtual platform. Jordan Nichols, New York States Information Technology Chairman, spearheaded the historical virtual convention. The convention kicked off with greetings from Rev. Dr. James A. Thornton, Pastor, Salem Missionary Baptist Church; followed with the Jr. & Young People and the Young Adult Departments presenting the Stay-at-Home Tea and Trivia. We had participation from the national organization, National President Ruth I Jones and National Board Member, Donna A. Hines submitting pre-recorded video greetings. Additionally, the Praise and Worship was rendered with musical videos. Elder Pamela J. Harris, Spiritual Advisor, delivered the sermonette. The election of officers was held via Election Buddy, where electronic ballots had to be created. Subsequently, New York State elected Sister Janice Nibbs as the 17th State President. She formerly served as a Board Member and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors.

This was a challenging era! May 2021 – 2022, newly elected President, Janice Nibbs, theme, Transition, Transform and Renewal: It’s Time to Press Forward. Recognizing the need to carry on the organization during the pandemic Janice Nibbs held several virtual meetings. Virtual meetings continued to keep the members connected and the organization on track, i.e., Executive Board Meetings, Presidential staff meetings, focus groups, Jr & Young People and Young Adult Departments, meetings with Committee Chairmen, Past Presidents Advisory and more. President Nibbs was introduced to the national organization during Ruth I. Jones, National President, executive meeting and New York State attended the historical 102nd National Convention held virtually for three days. Under President Nibbs direction, a statewide campaign started for the Leonard Sherman Charity Fund, resulting in the state presenting $1400.00 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Funder. The New York State Mid-Year meeting was held on Saturday, November 13, 2022, on ZOOM where clusters and the Ushers Corner were birthed to bring funds into the organization and unite the members; additionally, the development of the States Website was resurrected. Additionally, memorialized 92 of our members on Sunday, November 14, 2022, during the Memorial Service whereas Rev. Dr. James A. Thornton was the host Pastor. Technology was relied on heavily during this time; the state officer’s directory, digital cards and newsletters was distributed via email; also, the fabric of the directory and journal ads shifted to a new dimension. 66 members

attended the 65th Eastern Region Conference held in Bethesda, Maryland, March 18 – 19, 2022 where Heaven Mena, from member church First Baptist Church of Crown Heights, was NYS Education contestant. Barry Ward, Viola Starling Education Chairman prepared our contestant for the essay contest President Nibbs delivered the New York State report at the Eastern Region Conference on Saturday, March 19, 2022; this was her first report during her term.