THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 3, 1994 TAG: 9411020163
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SHIRLEY BRINKLEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
FOR YEARS, MEMBERS of the Annie Van Ricks Missionary Society of the Macedonia A.M.E. Church on Pine Street have quietly collected money, food and clothing for the needy.
The church does not broadcast its work, so those needing assistance hear about it through word-of-mouth, society president Eula Williams said.
``We do mission work within and outside of our church,'' she said. ``Our members donate food and clothing, and needy people are brought to us.''
Two years ago, a man traveling through Suffolk with his wife and five children stopped at the church during the Sunday worship service and asked for help.
``There are lots of bigger churches in Suffolk, but he passed down our narrow street,'' Williams said. ``He told us his family was hungry. It so happened that it was Homecoming Sunday and we were having dinner that day. They came in and ate and we put them up in a motel for the night.''
News of the family's plight traveled throughout the community. The next day, Pearl Lambert, who owns the Horseshoe Cafe on East Washington Street, prepared breakfast for the family and a bag lunch. The owner of a former neighborhood drugstore also donated some traveling money.
In early September, the Ricks society, which includes both men and women, sponsored a yard and bake sale to raise funds for helping families throughout a regional area.
``There are six churches in the `Nora Belle Taylor Area' and each has a special mission,'' Williams said. ``It includes churches in Richmond, Hampton, Newport News, Windsor and Suffolk. Our project was the annual yard and bake sale.''
The society raised $300 during the sale and, coupled with funds donated by individuals, presented $500 for worthy causes at the recent quarterly regional meeting at the Bethel A.M.E. Church in Hampton.
``Macedonia is the oldest black church in downtown Suffolk,`` Williams said. ``We began in a building at the entrance of Cedar Hill Cemetery. The congregation moved the building to Pine Street before there were cars. They moved it by horses and buggies or on their shoulders, and then put it back together.''
A native of Suffolk, Williams, 53, graduated from Booker T. Washington High School and attended Norfolk State University. She is a deputy clerk of the Suffolk Circuit Court.
She has been a member of Macedonia since 1956 and sings in both the Senior Choir and Fellowship Choir. A member of the Laymen's Society and Mother Ushers Board, Williams also helps teach a Sunday school class.
Williams has a grown daughter and two grandchildren. She also raised a cousin from the age of 3 after the girl's mother died.
The eldest member of the society, Clara Bailey, 84, was awarded a certificate and a bouquet of flowers at the regional meeting for her years of service to the church and community. As worship leader of the regional missionary meetings, she opens the programs with prayer and Scripture reading. A native of Nansemond County and a member of Macedonia for 44 years, Bailey is president of the Pastor's Aid Society, former treasurer of the church and a member of the Senior and Fellowship choirs.
Bailey initiated the food basket program, which provides groceries and cash to needy families, the sick, and shut-ins, Williams said.
Bailey is a trustee of the church, a member of the Laymen's Association, and often assists in teaching. And for the past 10 years, Bailey has volunteered to cook Sunday dinner for the church's pastor and his wife, the Rev. and Mrs. George M. Johnson Sr.
``I cook on Saturday and carry dinner to church on Sunday,'' Bailey said.
A widow, Bailey has three children, six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
Eula Williams, president of the Annie Van Ricks Missionary Society,
gives a hug to the group's oldest member, Clara Bailey, 84, who was
honored at the regional meeting.
by CNB