b"SYL'S PAGECOGIC CelebratesSupervisor Bettie F. Peterson By Dr. Syl Morgan Smith wasakeyhigh-pointmoment.Twodaughtersof Mother Washington recalled her 24 years of leader-ship. The eyes of all guests focused on daughter Ms. T heatmospherewaselectricaspeoplecameJoel-lyn McCormick, J.D., Senior Litigation Counsel bythehundredstoshareintheelevationoffor the US Department of Justice, as she moved to former District Missionary Bettie Peterson, escort- the podium attired in a heavily beaded edbyherhusbandPastorEarlPeterson,Jr.,Bertha Washington level white hat and a mag-tothewell-deservedpositionofColoradoStatenificent glimmering baby-blue designer dinner suit. Supervisor.Andtoheightentheexcitement,theShespokeoftheHousethatBerthaBuilt,in KeynoteSpeakerwasMotherDr.BarbaraMcCoosubmission to God, her Presiding Colorado Bishop, Lewis,GeneralSupervisoroftheInternationalnational superiors and supervisors in the Church Department of Women for Church of God in Christ,of God in Christ, Inc. Then came the kick off your Inc.Finally,theRightReverendBishopW.H.shoes and get on your feet,moment because it McDonald,ColoradoJurisdictionalPrelatewouldwas time to hear daughter and acclaimed Colorado makehisesteemedappointmentofficialatthisSongbird, Mrs. Tara Washington Hoover, who took banquet with record attendance, sumptuous food,us to a heavenly mountaintop in song.andaHolyGhost-filledeveningofheartfelttrib-utes, loving expressions, and glorious music by theThen came the insightful words fromMissionary Colorado Jurisdictional MusicJaniceMcDonald,FirstLady Ensemble. oftheColoradoJurisdiction. OnthissunnywarmclearWearingastrikingblack SaturdayeveningofMarchsequinedgown.Thencamea 26, 2022, the saints and sup- grabaKleenexandtambou-portersoftheEcclesiasticalrine as two daughters and a JurisdictionofColoradonephew came forward to honor Church or God in Christ, glee- in words and song, the guest fully assembled in the Ballroomof honor, Supervisor Peterson. oftheDenverMarriottTechShe wasvisibly overcome with CenterHotel.Plannershadpride and joy as her two daugh-transformed the ballroom intotersdressedinastonishing an amazing, hallowed hall withdesigner gowns, and her neph-atwo-tiereddaisandapic- ew told the audience about her turesquegardentouchwithlife of devotion to God, her hus-beautiful flowers and greenery.band,children,andCOGIC. HerdaughterEvangelist AstheguestsarrivedfullyMissionaryTakeithaPeterson regaledinexquisiteformalCarter,AssistantChairlady, upscale attire, they had a clearInternationalCOGICYouth viewofthemajesticColoradoDepartment,expressed grati-RockyMountains,butthatDr. Syl Morgan Smith tude to her mother for limitless viewpaledwhencomparedlove and selfless dedication to toseeingin-personfamily,God and their family while liv-friends,andco-workers.GuestsweredelightedinginEuropeduringherchildhoodandbackin to be together again to connect in laughter, hugstheUSA.NephewReverendEricWilliams,Pastor andfistbumps.Manyguestsworefacialmasksof the Rock Family church , Shreveport, Louisiana and others did not, but everyone was thrilled to beheaped on more praise, and Daughter/Missionary together after enduring the long separation drivenAndrea Peterson Johnson from the United Kingdom byCOVID-19relatedrestrictions,deathsandill- summed it up by delivering a stirring musical trib-nesses.ReverendandLadyMyronRuffincameute to her mother Supervisor Peterson.from Alabama, countless guests traveled from NewSuperintendentP.L.Demmerspokeofthe Jersey, Georgia, Tennessee and other states includ- humble greatness of Supervisor Peterson and then ingColoradocitiesandMetroDenvertoensureintroducedBishopMcDonald,whotoldtheaudi-they were present to share and witness this historicence of his satisfaction with and the prayerful pro-eveningwithSupervisorBettiePetersonandhercess ofselecting Peterson as new State Supervisor. family.SupervisorShirleyHarrisoftheWyoming Adorned in gold and crystal, the Banquet ToastJurisdictionpresentedthekeynotespeaker,fol-MistressDistrictMissionaryLavernMills,waslowedbyaSermonicSolobyMissionaryVanette ingeniousas she directed the program with preci- Stewart sion and power. The evening began with a grandThe highly anticipated Tribute Address by Mother processionoftheDepartmentofWomen,UnitMcCoo Lewis did not disappoint. She elevated the Leaders&DistrictMissionaries.Superintendentscelebration to new heights as she spoke in-depth &Wives,Bishop&SupervisorShirleyHarrisofabout HOPE,and how to secure and sustain that theWyomingJurisdiction,SuperintendentP.L.hope in Jesus Christ as we fulfill our call to service (Lady Cora) Demmer, 1st Administrative Assistantfor the Lord and His people. This anointed dynamic toBishopMcDonald,DistrictMissionaryLeonaWoman of God went to her seat leaving everyone Masters, the Banquet Chair, Pastor Odie Kennedy,hungry for more of her teaching and wise words.SuperintendentHerbertLoftonoftheSouthern DistrictofColoradoJurisdiction,BishopW.H.Then came the main event of the evening. Pastor and First Lady Janice McDonald, the CelebratoryOdie Kennedy, dressed in a sky-blue crystal covered Speaker,MotherBarbaraMcCooLewis,thelargeSt. John knit dinner suit, fired up the audience as ColoradoSpringsdelegation,plusotherdistin- she presented the Woman of the Hour, Supervisor guishedecclesiasticalandcommunityguests.Bettie Peterson. She stepped to the podium amidst TheprogramincludedInvocationbyMissionarythunderingapplause,inanelegantlystunning SylviaGrace,ScripturebyMissionaryStephaniedeep mauve satin gown, and gave the most sincere, Tate,theOccasionbyMissionaryVenitaOHara,humbleremarks that demonstrated her prepared-Dinner Blessing by Superintendent Roy Sudds, 2ndness for this purpose and assignment of Colorado Administrative Assistant, Remarks by Dr. TywannaSupervisor.Shethankedherhusbandandfam-Jones,PresidentoftheDenverMinistersWivesily, the event chair, the impressive guest speaker, and Ministers Widows Association, Congratulatorypresiding Colorado Bishop, his administration,all ReflectionsbyDistrictMissionaryLouveniaCraftDistrictMissionaries& Superintendents, Pastors, &MissionaryBettyMoore,withBenedictionbyElders, and friends for makingthe banquet a total Superintendent Albert Anderson.success. Honoring the memory and celebrating the legacyOh,whataneveningandmagicaltimetocel-ofthe late former Supervisor, Bertha A. Washingtonebrate!12 APRIL 2022 BOCNEWS.com"