Second annual Western Region Ushers Conference heads to Las Vegas
April 11, 2011 by Las Vegas Black Image Magazine
Filed under Community
Headed by president Lena Brass, the 40-member Silver State Ushers are set to host the second annual Western Region Ushers Conference April 14-16 at the Sunset Station hotel and casino.
“The conference will consist of ushers from five states that include Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and Washington,” said Brass, who is president of the ushers ministry at Victory Missionary Baptist Church. “All of these … organizations are under the umbrella of the National United Church Ushers Association of America Incorporated.”
The church usher is, for many, the first person a visitor sees upon entering the church house. Always recognizable with their matching uniforms and trademark white gloves, ushers are an integral part of the black church. Their responsibilities encompass a variety of duties that prepare churchgoers for the day’s service. “All persons within the church come into contact first with the usher,” said Brass, “so we have to make sure we have the right attitude, spirit and a big smile.”
According to Brass, “The significance of wearing the white gloves in the church is visibility — for ushers’ hand signals to be seen. When you want to become a certified usher, you first are taught the basics, that includes hand signals. You have to get a little scripture in you to deal with roadblocks, obstacles and people. Everyone that comes into the doors of the church is not necessarily saved. We like to give the biblical foundation, even though you get it in church, but we still do it through the school of ushering. Everything we do in the church is decent and in order, and we learn techniques because what we do is a silent ministry.”
In 1919, Elijah Alexander Hamilton founded the National United Church Ushers Association in Philadelphia, Pa. The Silver State Ushers were first organized in 1998 by Willis Warren of Second Baptist Church. Each year the regional organizations meet before the national ushers convention.
“Wherever the national convention is, the Silver State Ushers attend,” said Brass. “This year, the national conference will be held in Reno-Sparks in July. Last year we went to the national convention in St. Louis.”
The interdenominational Western Region Ushers Conference is open to the public. For additional information, email Magnolia Kennedy at MLK1400@EmbarQmail.com.
Great, thanks for sharing this blog. Great.