The Holy gathering of the Lord’s people
for spiritual reflection and refinement renewal

Monday, Aug. 4, was the beginning of the 20th Holy Convocation of the Vermont Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, Church of God in Christ Inc.  Organized in 1907 by Bishop Charles Harrison Mason, the COGIC remains the oldest Pentecostal denomination in the United States.
Under the leadership of Bishop Loran E. Mann, Jurisdictional Prelate of the Vermont Jurisdiction, the Cathedral became home from August 4 through August 9, to faithful pastors, evangelists, missionaries and members.  They arrived from numerous states from across the nation, including Vermont, New York and Connecticut, to name a few.
Responsible for overseeing pastors, ministries and administration of the Vermont jurisdiction, the caring spiritual leader states that the vision of the Convocation is to “inspire and further the work of ministry…to rally spiritual truth.” Since his appointment in 2011, Bishop Mann declared the first week of August as a time to “inspire Christians to get busy in the work of the Kingdom, without a separation by denomination.”

Held at East Liberty’s Pentecostal Temple, the well-known Bishop, emitting a spirit of humility and praise, is proud of the fact that each year presents a “larger attendance, both numerically and spiritually.” The first day began the launching of a powerful week of worship, prayer and celebration. It was a time of empowering sermons, music that emanated from the depth of one’s soul, and inspirational testimonies that touched even the weak in spirit.
On the evening of August 4, the church came alive when Pentecostal’s Praise Team, led by Evangelist Keisha Sheffey, opened the program for The Convocation Concert and subsequent services throughout the week.
The multi-talented gospel ensemble of James Ziegler & Another Level, known for taking the audience to a higher level of praise, began the week’s activities in harmony.  When the praises went up, the blessings came down in that of Grammy Award singer Karen Clark Sheard.
The dynamic vocals of the stylish, gifted artist were enriched by the sincerity of her faith as the power of her voice rang throughout the Temple.
Dr. Herbert V.R.P. Jones, chairperson of the Convocation Planning Committee and the members of his team worked diligently to provide an atmosphere honoring Prelate Mann.
Tuesday evening’s inspirational service, delivered by Rev. Andrew Singleton of Greater Community Temple COGIC-North in Memphis, challenged the youth, and approximately 60 young people responded to that challenge.
The dynamic performance of Christian rapper Ashly “Blaze” Miles of the state of Washington provided a compelling experience for the young people in the attendance.
A former resident of Clairton, the young lady now resides in the District of Columbia.
Speakers throughout the week included, among others, Bishop Barbara Amos of Kingston, N.C.; Mother Judy Hines of Nyack, N.Y.; Jurisdictional Supervisor Lillian Gray and First Lady Barbara Mann.  Reverend Brian Edmunds, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in the Hill District, represented the city in true Pittsburgh fashion at the Ecumenical Service held on that Friday evening.
Women within the COGIC are a powerful force and one that Bishop Mann believes in deeply.  He is relentless in advancing the cause of women because he firmly believes that “The Holy Spirit overlooked gender.”  It was the morning  of the closing day when Evangelist Barbara J. Mann, wife of the esteemed leader, stood at the pulpit adorned in a spirit of gratefulness and thanksgiving.  The anointed woman of God radiates an air of sophistication as well as a genuine warmth that touches the hearts of so many.  Describing her husband as “appointed and anointed,” Bishop Mann took the pulpit, eloquently addressing the assembly on issues that currently plague families, communities and the world.
“Witnessing to a Deeply Troubled World,” was the message he sent out to the honored guests, visiting clergy and members of the congregation.  “The world, as we know it, is in tumult right now. I have never seen such time of violence, particularly in the African-American community.”
Speaking on an issue that clearly lays upon his heart, Bishop Mann talked about the ugliness of Black genocide.  The former newscaster echoed the problems of today’s society, including Black on Black crime, terrorism, disease, wars and the troubles facing President Barack Obama.  “We are troubled on every side,” he emphasized. “No one has a fear of hell anymore.  If the trend is going to be reversed, it is going to require God’s people to do so.”
As Bishop Mann’s sermon came to an end, rays of sunlight beamed down upon the beautiful cross at the head of the church, God’s gentle reminder that in spite of this deeply troubled world, the theme of the 2014 Holy Convocation remains true. “God Has Not Forgotten Us.”