www.mississippilink.com VOL. 23, NO. 5 NOVEMBER 24 - 30, 2016 50¢ College Hill Kids express thankfulness ordains new To celebrate Thanksgiving, Sykes Elementary third-graders were deacons By Jackie Hampton asked, “What are you most thankful for?” Here are their responses: Publisher By Shanderia K. Posey, Editor PHOTOS BY SHANDERIA K. POSEY The College Hill Baptist Church family recently cel- ebrated its first ordination of deacons since Pastor Michael T. Williams became the spiritual leader of the century-old church located at 1600 Florence Ave. in Jackson. On Nov. 20, at 4 p.m., the Col- lege Hill sanctuary was filled to capacity with family members, friends and church members of six active men who would soon Hope Benjamin, 8, –“My pet Mariah Hackett, 9, – “My mom Marjery Arzate, 9, – “My friends and Jerrell Sinclair Thomas, 9, – become deacons of College Hill. (guinea pig) because it’s fun because if it wasn’t for her family because I have a lot of family and “My teacher Ms. MacField because Also present was the Ordina- to play with.” I wouldn’t be here.” my friends are my best friends forever.” she’s funny, and she helps me learn.” tion Council which was com- prised of deacons from various churches to include Deacons Freddie Davis and Larry Grant of Mt. Nebo Baptist Church, Deacons McKenzie Crump and Donnie Moncure of Cade Cha- pel Baptist Church and Deacons Robert Green and Jacob McE- wen of College Hill. Deacon Freddie Davis gave the report of the Ordination Council in which he stated that through the examination of all Angel Hernandez, 9, – “My Jayla McLaurin, 9, – “My Jaylin Green, 9, – “My school Carla Garcia, 9, – “For school six candidates, each one had mom because without my mom I family and my mom because they because if we wouldn’t have school, because I get to learn more stuff successfully met all require- wouldn’t be living right now.” help me do things.” we wouldn’t learn.” that I don’t even know.” ments and were now ready to be ordained. A thunder of applause filled the building. The six can- didates had gone through nearly two years of training that includ- ed a test of their faith, work and word. The ordination message was given by Rev. John A. Wicks, pastor of Mt. Nebo. Wicks titled College Hill Continued on page 3 Kaleb Lowe, 9, – “For my family Fidel Gonzalez, 8, – “My mom C’adorelea K-Moore, 8, – “For Conner Watson, 8, – “For my because they do things for me like and my dad because they give me my family and my friends.” family because of who they are.” Consumers buy me toys.” stuff that I wanted and I love them.” encouraged to shop safely, smartly The Mississippi Link Newswire In a Thanksgiving week- end tradition that’s become as common as turkey and the Egg Bowl, millions of Americans will try to cash in on holiday Jada Edwards, 8, – “For my family Zumon Outland, 8, – “My shopping bargains this week as because we do a lot of stuff together Ka’nya Young, 8, – “I’m family and my school because if Jason Peoples, 8, – “I am they descend on retail stores for and have fun together and we love thankful for the world because I we didn’t have school, we couldn’t thankful for God, my mama, my “Black Friday” sales. each other.” live on it and my family.” learn.” daddy and my teachers.” According to the National Retail Federation, more than 137 million people will hit re- tail stores or go online to shop this weekend. “Black Friday” is the most popular shopping day of the year. The Monday after Thanksgiving, known as “Cyber Monday,” has become the big day for consumers to go online for deals. As the holiday shopping sea- son begins, Attorney General Travis Henderson, 10, – “For my Jim Hood encourages consum- Amya McDonald, 8, – “My teacher teacher, my brother and my mom because Kandace Bailey, 10, – “My Nehemiah Tucker, 9, – “All the things because she teaches us everything we I can teach my brother how to talk and I teacher and my friends.” that my mom does for me. She cooks for Shopping need to know and the world.” love my mom very much.” me and helps me with my homework.” Continued on page 2 Cedrick Gray prays African Americans Canton school Share this issue with a friend for continued with diabetes can celebrates by mailing it to: success at JPS prevent vision loss Thanksgiving with Inside grandparents Page 8 Page 13 Page 5 LOCAL 2 • THE MISSISSIPPI LINK NOVEMBER 24 - 30, 2016 www.mississippilink.com Shopping Continued from page 1 Hinds County Sheriff’s ers to shop smartly and safely. offers for safe, secure holiday return in an open box, or, if they • Always use computers or Hood urged consumers to take shopping: do, they may charge a “restock- mobile devices with up-to-date Office gets new sign the time to protect themselves • While out shopping, avoid ing fee.” Clearance items may software, anti-virus and anti- against fraud and scams and walking alone and always be not be eligible for return or ex- malware programs. Never open safeguard their personal infor- aware of your surroundings. change in some circumstances. links or attachments from un- mation. Many malls and shopping cen- • Carry only the cash and known sources, since this is a “Shopping for Christmas gifts ters provide security escorts credit cards that are necessary, way for criminals to steal iden- is stressful enough without hav- upon request. Park in well-lit ar- and immediately report lost or tities. ing to worry about criminals eas and avoid leaving valuables stolen cards to the card issuer • Maintain receipts and moni- lurking to steal or commit fraud or gift purchases in view inside and local law enforcement. tor credit card transactions. this time of year,” Hood said. the car. • Watch out for ATMs and Make sure credit card and bank “Fortunately, there are some • Remember that “Black Fri- credit-card readers that appear statements accurately match simple steps consumers can take day” deals aren’t always the best to have been tampered with, as sales receipts. Promptly report to avoid con artists. From be- deals. Sales times and quantities that could be a sign of “skim- any problems to the card issuer. ing aware of your surroundings may be limited, so spend some ming,” where criminals install The “Consumer Safety Tips while out shopping, or being time shopping around before small devices in the machines for Holiday Shopping” bro- aware of online safety measures committing to a particular pur- that steal sensitive financial in- chure, which contains more when on the internet, consum- chase. Keep in mind that some formation. advice, can be downloaded on ers can successfully manage the retailers may offer “sale adjust- • When shopping online, the Attorney General’s web- holiday shopping rush.” ments” if you buy an item at know the reputation of the seller site, www.AGJimHood.com, on Hood’s Consumer Protection regular price and it goes on sale and be aware of the site’s refund Facebook (www.facebook.com/ Division has produced a detailed later. Some stores may offer a policies and shipping/handling mississippiattorneygeneral) or brochure, “Consumer Safety credit or refund of the discount- fees. Twitter (www.twitter.com/Mis- Tips for Holiday Shopping,” ed amount. • Before submitting a pay- sissippiAGO). that is available to download on • Ask retailers about return ment over the internet, make To report fraud or scams this the Attorney General’s website, and exchange policies, which sure the website is encrypted holiday season, contact Attor- www.AGJimHood.com. differ depending upon the re- and secure (The site’s URL ney General Hood’s Consumer Here is some of the advice the tailer or the item purchased. should start with “https” and/or Protection Division at (800) Consumer Protection Division Some retailers may not accept a contain a padlock symbol.) 281-4418.x Ready for Thanksgiving A new sign for the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office was placed on the building Nov. 21, in downtown Jackson. Sheriff Victor Mason was elected to lead Sykes Elementary third-grade students in Ms. Hughes and Ms. MacField’s classes are ready for Thanksgiving. the law enforcement agency one year ago. PHOTO BY KEVIN BRADLEY LOCAL www.mississippilink.com NOVEMBER 24 - 30, 2016 THE MISSISSIPPI LINK • 3 College Hill Continued from page 1 his message “The Church Works When The Parts Work.” He said there are many parts to a church just like there are many parts to a car and that a car works when all the parts work. He said deacons must do their job so the pastor can do his job with ease, referring to the pastor as the head coach and deacons being assistant coaches, whose job is to assist the pastor. He also emphasized the important roll of Sunday School teachers, ministry leaders, ushers, choir members and others including bench members, all having specific jobs designed to make the church work. After the message, Williams gave the ordi- nation charge to the candidates which included a prayer with the laying on of hands from the College Hill Deacons’ processional current deacons and ministers. Upon comple- tion, Brothers Gregory Anderson, Jeremiah Barnes, Darryl Jenkins, Vincent McGee, Calvin Michael and LaVaughn Rankin were then ad- dressed as deacons by Pastor Williams. Many church members and visitors com- mented on how impressed they were with the ordination service. Davis of Mt. Nebo said to Pastor Williams, “I can certainly tell that this ceremony was very well planned and executed.” Deacon John Morris of College Hill said he had witnessed several ordination services in the past but this one was the best and most beauti- ful he had ever witnessed.