Circle Leaders Council

The Circle Leaders Council (CLC), like the circles, is a constitutional organization of Shiloh Baptist Church. It was organized on December 3, 1931, by the Reverend Earl L. Harrison, pastor of Shiloh and ratified by the church on December 31, 1931.

The circles are formed by the entire membership of the church and the Circle leaders Council is formed by the leadership of the circles. By 1948, 39 circles had been formed. It is significant to note that three of these circles existed as clubs prior to December 3, 1931 and were instituted into the council maintaining their original names. They are Sacrifice and Social Reapers Circles organized in 1890 under the leadership of Ella Walker Branom and Susan Peterson, respectively; and Willing Workers Circle organized in 1907 under the leadership of Nollie Downs. These circles are the oldest of the first sixteen circles according to the records of December 31, 1931. On December 3, 1931, in addition to the three circles, thirteen circles were formed. They were:

Excelsior	Royal	Ruth
Friendly	Hope	Shiloh
Golden Deed	Naomi	Sunshine
Golden Rule	Phoebe
Helping Hand	Queen Esther

Two Circles -- Royal and Happy Hearts -- were later dissolved, leaving a total of 37 circles.

The title Circle was chosen because a circle is a complete figure. The circles of the church were assigned to involve and motivate its members in promoting the ministries and programs of the church. Generally, the system for each circle to receive its members is by membership application, individual choice, or transfers. However, there is an exception for Sunshine Circle. If the candidate for membership is under 18 years of age, the individual is assigned to Sunshine Circle. In early years the age limit was 20.

The purpose of the circle is to help the membership of the church to grow socially, spiritually, morally, and financially, as needed.

The Circle Leaders Council provides guidance and direction to circles in implementing programs and activities of the church.

The circle leaders of respective circles are active and supportive in presenting the programs of the church to their members. The membership of each circle consists of senior deacons, associate deacons, appropriate officers, and members. Each member is a disciple who has a task to perform. Working with the circle leaders, with Christ as the center, the Christian is strengthened. Therefore, by being helped the Christian can help others to grow.

Since the inception of the Circle Plan, the motto, and indeed the heartbeat of the church has been "Fellowship." In this vein we saw the birth of the Harvest Festival and Bazaar, which was set for the third Sunday in October 1953.

The first years, the festivals were opened with a "Quiet Hour" on Sunday afternoon with circle leaders in charge. The following Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were devoted to the bazaar, programs, and dinners.

Later, the Harvest Festival and Bazaar opened on Saturday with a Smorgasbord Dinner, Sunday 10:55 AM Service, and Monday as bazaar night.

The organizer of the Circle Leaders Council, Dr. Earl Leonard Harrison, died on November 14, 1971. During the period of November 1971 to early 1973, the Circle Leaders Council's activities were under the guidance of Mrs. Anna B. Holley, President. The Reverend Kenneth E. Burke Jr., Minister of Christian Education and Assistant to the Pastor, guided the church during the interim period.

The work of Earl L. Harrison's vision and foresight was furthered with vigor and vitality by one of Shiloh's great sons, Henry C .Gregory, III. After Reverend Gregory was elected to the pastorate in 1973, he met with individual circles in his home for the purpose of getting better acquainted with the membership.

During the Gregory Administration, there were restructuring and reorganization of programs, and the establishment of tenure for newly appointed leaders.

On December 2, 1978, Sunshine Circle, which functioned since 1971 as three age divisions within the circle—Sunshine Elementary (Ages 5—11), Sunshine Junior High (Ages 12—14̓), and Sunshine Senior High (Ages 15—18̓I-.—was officially divided into three separate circles and instituted into the council retaining the names under which they had previously functioned. The Tithers Circle was abolished and two Tithing Consultants were designated.

In December 1979, the Sunshine Senior High Circle (Ages 15—18) was renamed the Genesis Circle (Ages 15-18). The New Members Circle and the Silent Mission Circle were added to the council. This increased the total number of circles to 41.

The New Members Circle was officially renamed the Torch Bearers Circle in 1980. Torch Bearers, Genesis, and Silent Mission Circles were installed on Sunday, September 6, 1981, at the 10:55 AM Service.

The major activities of the Circle Leaders Council—Spring Festival and Harvest Festival—were renamed Spring Activity and Fall Activity in 1980.

In more recent years, the Fall Activity has opened on Friday and continued through Saturday, with the third Sunday in November designated Circle Leaders Council Day. The Circle Leaders Council is the worship leader organization at the 10:55 AM Service. In 1980, the Circle Leaders Council Day was renamed Loyalty Day.

The events of the activities provide inspiration, education, and information in addition to the fellowship which is enjoyed by the entire congregation and the community.