Mcconnels Bethesda Presbyterian church to ordain its first black elder

MCCONNELLS during the period when Alberta Anthony joined Bethesda Presbyterian church in MCCONNELLS three years back, she felt a great sense of peace. Standing beneath the sanctuary's chandelier, she gazed at the balcony where her forefathers and her husband's-The Anthony's and the Davidson's-once settled. That was standard in many York County churches prior to the Civil War: White parishioners sat in pews;their slaves worshiped in the balcony. During Sunday's 11 a.m. service, Anthony willbe one of six elders ordained at the historic church,which was initiated in 1769. Three men and three women comprise the latest class of elders that will serve for three years.Anthony is the first black church member elected as a Bethesda elder."I feel like this is drawing me closer to God,"Anthony said. "I'm not doing this in opposition,not with an ethic... In heaven it will be blacks and whites."

Bethesda's spiritual mentor, the Rev.Daniel Smoak, called today's installation"a fascinating moment for the church." "But in otherwise, we're doing what we have always done, setting apart by prayer and the laying on of hands leaders chosen by God for service to His church," he said. "I believe Alberta was elected for leadership in this church for the right reasons – not as a political statement about race – but simply because of her gifts and service to the church "She and her husband James are good members; she'll be a good elder."Anthony said she didn't intend to change churches when she visited Bethesda with friends three years back. Her home church was St. Paul's Baptist, where she attended until she married James in 1972. She and James attended Galilee Baptist.She was active at Galilee, but felt led to change churches.

At Bethesda, the former fifth-grade teacher at Hickory Grove-Sharon Elementary attended services, went to Sunday school and Bible classes. Others recognized her servant heart,and she was elected by the congregation as an elder.In her new role, Smoak said, Anthony will be

asked to "consider ways the church can share the gospel of Jesus with a broken,detrimental and fragmented community and world. She cares about those things."Anthony also is interested in enlarging the church's yearly food drive and using her Techniques as a mentor to associate with the church's youth.

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