His Grace,
The Right Reverend Steven Janeil Smith, II
The Late Adjutant Bishop and Chair of the General Board
Beth-El Churches of Christ

Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Servitude,

We greet you in the precious Name of Jesus and wish for you every good thing, coupled with long life and health. Thank you for your willingness and volunteerism in service for the Final Obsequies of our Adjutant Bishop, The Right Reverend Steven Janeil Smith, II.
 

The National Service
The National Service will commence at 6:00 p.m.  at Carter Memorial Church of God In Christ (13 S. Poppleton Street) in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ceremonial Protocol of this Celebration will be under the auspices of the Beth-El Churches of Christ (BCOC) National Adjutancy. I have personally asked Dr. Wilma Mathis and Overseer Will Roberson to assist us for the day as Deputy Adjutant-Generals.
 

• I am asking all BCOC Adjutant Brothers and Sisters to arrive at Carter Memorial Church of God in Christ at 9:30 a.m. to be vested and to serve as Pallbearers and Honor Guards in the receiving of His Grace’s remains.

• All visiting Adjutant Brothers and Sisters wishing to assist are asked to arrive beginning at 12 p.m. to receive instructions.

• His Grace will Lie In State for public viewing from 1:00 - 5:00 p.m.

• The seating of clergy will begin at 5:00 p.m., followed by the Episcopal Processional of the Program Participants, Beth-El College of Bishops, and Family. The Service will begin PROMPTLY at 6:00 p.m.

The Dress Code
As is our tradition, CHOIR DRESS will be utilized by ALL ATTENDING CLERGY during this High Holy Service. For those who will serve, but are not able to be vested, we ask that you would be dressed in your respective civic attire without extra adornment. Please wear the cord of your rank with your cross in your left pocket.

Please try to remember to wear black shoes and socks/stockings with your vestments. Shoes must not be two-tone but of one color. We will be photographed and video graphed and it is my desire that all of us appear as we should in the uniform of our trade.

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THE HOMEGOING CELEBRATION - Friday Evening
**Please arrive in the Lobby by 4:30 p.m. to be lined up for the Processional at 5:00 p.m.**

BETH-EL COLLEGE OF BISHOPS should have the Cassock, White Rochet with Wrist Bands, Coronation Chasuble and Mitre. The Bishop should also wear the Gold Pectoral Cross and Cord, along with the Episcopal Ring on the right hand.

BISHOPS and OVERSEERS should have the Cassock, White Rochet with Wrist Bands matching the Chimere, Tippet and the Zucchetto. The Bishop should also wear the Gold Pectoral Cross and Chain, along with the Episcopal Ring on the right hand. Overseers make use of the Silver Cross and Chain. Pectoral Cords may be used by Bishops and Overseers.

PASTORS should have the Black Cassock, White Surplice, and Black Tippet. The Cross Cord with a Silver Cross.

ORDAINED ELDERS should have the Black Cassock, White Surplice, and the Black Tippet, and the Black Cord with a Silver Cross.

MINISTERS should be vested in the Black Cassock and White Surplice.

DEACONS should have the White Alb and Deacon’s Stole (or Civic: Black Suit with Black Brothers Collar Shirt, or White Shirt and Black Tie).

The First Ladies, Missionaries, and Mothers should be dressed in BLACK for the Services. All other Lay Members are asked to wear Black.
 

The Basic Code of Order
For those who are unfamiliar with our form of Celebration, the Beth-El Churches of Christ is an orderly, precise, and deliberate assembly who practice celebration to the highest. We also practice the highest code of good manners and breeding. We respect each other in public and in private. We keep our voices at a reasonable tone, and we maintain a formal conduct among ourselves  especially in the presence of the observing public.

Conclusion
Our prayer is that we all will work together in the Spirit of Unity and Dignity!
Until we meet in Baltimore, “May the Grace of God and the Communion provided by the Holy Spirit be with you and yours; Amen.”

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                       In His Service I Remain

                       Most Reverend J.L. Jackson

                       Episcopal Consultant