Doorkeeper Oct 2025

The Interdenominational Church Ushers Association (ICUA) of Virginia, Inc. held its 75 th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, September 13, 2025, | 4:00 PM at the Fredericksburg Convention Center, Fredericksburg, Virginia. The Theme: Honoring the Past, Celebrating the Present, and Embracing the Future” “For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” Psalm 100:5 The 75th Anniversary of the ICUA of Virginia was a grand event! The event was a formal affair. The ballroom was beautifully decorated in red and black with a touch of silver. The members and guest were elegantly dressed. The ladies were in evening gowns and dresses of red, black, and silver, and the men in dark suits and tuxedos with black ties. The Mz Bree Ensemble serenaded us with beautiful songs through dinner and the evening. The event was graced by the presence of National President Dr. Linda Pates and Board of Directors Chairman Pansy Bradley Cooper, who both brought warm greetings., Also in attendance were BOD Vice Chairman Dr. Willie Strait, Jr., District of Columbia State President Ron Jones, Maryland State President Louis Parker, and other fellow ushers and friends.

Historical Highlights of the ICUA of Virginia, Inc. “Unfolding the Dream …”

The ICUA of Virginia, Inc. was organized in 1950 at First Baptist Church of Warrenton, Virginia under the leadership of Brother Horace E. Sheppard. Brother Sheppard was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Alexandria, Virginia. Realizing the need to give better service and to unify the system of ushering in all churches, a meeting was held in 1950, at the First Baptist Church, Warrenton, Virginia, to organize the Virginia State Ushers. Brother Allan A. C. Griffith, President of the District of Columbia Ushers, chaired the meeting at which sixteen churches were in attendance. He detailed the purpose of the organization and outlined the functions and duties. The purpose is to create a better service and to unify the system of ushering in all churches affiliated with the union. The body readily accepted the idea and elected officers to lead the union. Brother Horace E. Sheppard was elected to serve as the First President and Sister Ella L. Courtney was elected Recording, Financial and Corresponding Secretary to serve in those dual capacities until other persons could be elected.