June Eighth After Five, 2024, will be a day remembered as diamonds and pearls, gentlemen and ladies, glamor and elegance, lovers and friends celebrated Bethel AME’s first Senior Prom. The Senior Ministry @ Bethel AME, led by President Patricia Simmons and committee, planned, and organized the Senior Prom.
Bethel’s Senior Ministry was organized by Pastor Marvin Colbert in 2014 for the purpose of mature individuals over the age of 55 to engage in outreach ministry, social networking, and entertainment. Part of their ongoing outreach is involvement with Macon’s homeless community at Daybreak, a Project of DePaul USA including Loaves and Fishes Ministries. The Senior Ministry at Bethel AME not only works with the homeless population, but they also minister to the homebound members at Bethel as well as those needing aid surrounding the church and they have contributed the Brookdale Resource Center.
They do the work as Christian women and men, also they have fun and enjoy each other’s company. That’s exactly what happened at the Senior Prom with 88 attendees. It was a time of pure enjoyment.
The ladies wore their finest and the gentlemen wore their tuxedos and bow ties. One would have thought Brinks delivered the bling! The idea for the prom was introduced to the committee by Sister Pat after attending one in 2010, hosted by Mrs. Mary Whitfield of Macedonia Church – Macon. The idea was received within the group because a few members did not have the opportunity to attend a prom and others just wanted to experience a prom for old times’ sake.
Sister Simmons and her crew left no stones unturned, from red carpet entrance and professional photographer Nathaniel Harris of Improvise Creations (improvisecreations.pic-time.com), hostess Teneshia Lester to escorts for the single ladies. The swanky soiree’ was decorated by Leona Howard. T. J. & Son Caterer prepared a delectable meal, and there was dancing until the Super Seniors got tired. DJ Phil from Pleasant Hill provided music.
Highlights of the prom was Pastor Colbert surprising two of the oldest mothers of the church with limousine transportation to the prom, flowers, tiaras, dances, and seats at his table. Mother Frankie Harrison, who is 87 and Mother Florence Bundrige who is 93 were the official prom queens.
What an evening for diamonds to shine! Everyone there enjoyed a time to remember!
