Professor I. David Callis passed out of this life on Friday, August 20, 2010. He served in a number of capacities in the Universal Hagar’s Spiritual Church. He served nationally as the General Superintendant of the Sunday School. I had the privilege to serve as his assistant from 2008-2009 then in 2009 succeed him in that office.

Professor Callis was funny, witty, intelligent, business minded, a family man and spiritually attuned to the higher forces. He wasn’t one that loved titles however he did love working for Father Hurley. His work cannot be summed in a few lines or even pages. Professor Callis will be missed. His wisdom, his presence, his work will live on through eternity.

On behalf of my Temple #2 in Detroit, Michigan, I offer my heartfelt condolences to his immediate and extended family. The feelings of loss and grief will fade away and feelings of joy and love will enter in. May the spirits of Father Hurley, Mother Hurley, and all the saints of old bless and keep you.

Professor Callis – I will miss you. You are welcome in my oratory anytime!

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Reverend George H. Laitmer-Knight
Asst. Pastor Temple #2, Detroit, Michigan
General Superintendant of the Sunday School

Friday – May 7, 2010 at 6:30 pm
Musical Celebration & Wake
Universal Hagar Spiritual Church
8017 Rawlings Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44104

Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.
Memorial Services
Love Center Interdenominational Church
296 East 93rd Street
Cleveland, OH 44104

ATTIRE: Saints please wear white (robes). Ministers please wear clergy robes white or black respectively.

Cards and donations can be sent to
Mother Pamela Johnson

Floral Arrangements to
William A. Gaines Funeral Inc
9116 Union Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44105
Phone: 216-641-4802

Destanee Clark, a young woman from Toledo, Ohio, passed on today. Normally when I see stories like this they pass by me because the world is full of news. But this one did not because I took a Nursing Assistant course with her in September-October of this year 2009. She made mention several times of her lifelong heart condition but I did not realize it was this serious.

I pray many blessings on the family. This should show us that tomorrow is not promised unto us. Every day is a precious gift from God. An example I learned a while back comes to mind. What if I gave you a check for 30 million dollars? What would you do with it? But there’s the catch … you will only have five more years to live from the date of the check. What would you change? I’m sure you will change everything!

Why not make that change today? Why not come to the realization that you may only have five years left? Don’t get to your last night on earth and have a heart full of regret. Destanee did not come off or carry herself as a person facing death. She lived a normal life still getting her education and making plans for an unsure future. God bless your spirit Destanee! May you live on and on!

Your obedient servant—December 7, 2009

Mother Hurley, Happy Birthday!

Today is the 118th birthday of our Spiritual Mother, the Rev. Mother Cassie Bell Hurley (b. October 28, 1890). She was the devoted wife of Father Hurley. After his death, she carried on the Universal Hagar’s Spiritual Church hand-in-hand with his adopted brother in Christ, Prince Thomas Surbadger of Chicago.

Mother Hurley was a multifaceted woman. She was a master seamstress, created the pattern for the Hagar robes and caps, served as Treasurer of U.H.S. Church, Successor to Father Hurley, Supreme Mother, Pastor of Headquarters Temple, and active in the community. The church still has several of the plagues she received from various community leaders.

Mother Hurley was a teacher and believed in education. She even went to Wayne State University, later in life, to take public speaking courses to enhance her leadership. She was already a dynamic speaker and the courses only made her better. The University even invited her back from time to time to give lectures.

We thank God for Mother Hurley’s peaceful, claim, and helpful spirit. She lives on in every true, loving, and caring mother. She is personified by all who uplift the fallen humanity. A BEAUTIFUL WOMAN OF GOD!

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Rev. George H. Latimer-Knight
Written October 28, 2008 at age 26

It was today, 40 years ago, that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee. In his final speech he eluded to his own death. Rev. Jesse Jackson receives more than his fair share of criticism, but I was particularly moved by him in an interview with the Associated Press on yesterday (40 Years Later: Jackson remembers MLK—Thu Apr 3, 2008 10:35 AM EST).

Rev. Jackson gave me great pause when he spoke about Rev. King processing his own death. “We had no idea how much pain and death consideration he was internalizing. How much more he knew than we knew about the threats.” King received death threats in a continuous stream. In his first interview after President Kennedy’s assassination he said he accepted that he too may meet the same fate. Even a person given a dire medical report at least knows what is going to cause their demise. Dr. King knew death was coming, but had no idea when or by what violent method.

What a Godly courage—to live each moment expecting someone to kill you. Most of us could not function under the pressure, much less lead a movement. Dr. King ended his final speech with, “I’m not fearing any man. Mine eyes have seen the coming of the glory of the Lord.” King decided not to live in fear.

At the end of yesterday’s spot, Rev. Jackson broke down, as he and Rev. Samuel “Billy” Kyles were standing on the balcony where King was assassinated. Jackson ended with these powerful words, “You try to remember but not to think because the trauma, the suddenness, the impact.” As the tears began to flow he continued, “He was only 39 years old and they killed him. I mean, he, he was trying to create peace. They blew him away. 39 years old and they didn’t have to kill him. Its not right. They didn’t have to kill him. I don’t come back much. Its hard to take, it’s a lot to take. It’s a lot to take.”

Saints and friends let us remember Rev. Jackson’s words. Let us not forget that Dr. King was only 39 years old when he was assassinated. A young man on the forefront of a national movement with international renown. Oh glory! We should take pause today. In fact we should take pause for the next week or two to really reflect on King’s legacy. If you don’t have any books on or by King, go purchase them or at least go to the library. Listen to, read, and view some of his speeches and sermons. Think on him and what we can do to KEEP THE DREAM ALIVE. But even more so TO BRING IT TO PASS. May God bless his spirit. May God bless us all.

I have the honor to be your obedient servant,
Reverend George Hubert Latimer-Knight
Written April 4, 2008 at age 26