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The Suffolk Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance installed new officers at a ceremony on Feb. 17 at Tabernacle Baptist Outreach Center.

Dr. Madelene F. Beard served as the officiant and installed the slate of officers. They were President Rev. Henry E. Diggs; First Vice President Rev. Anita Lewis; Second Vice President and Recording Secretary Rev. Larry Parker; Corresponding Secretary Rev. Anthony Sommerville; Treasurer Dr. Lewis Knight; Financial Secretary Rev. Willie Covington; Chaplain Dr. Felton Whitfield; Assistant Chaplain Rev. Michael Claude; Parliamentarian Rev. Willie Diggs; and Historian Dr. Joseph Ferguson.

The new president, the Rev. Henry E. Diggs, said the organization has been in existence for about 40 years. It exists to help make the city a better place and does that through a number of avenues, including helping the poor, giving scholarships and donating to a number of nonprofit organizations.

“It’s just to help to make people in the community of Suffolk to get along better,” the Rev. Henry Diggs said. “We’re in connection with Suffolk Clergy United to try to do what we can for the city of Suffolk and the surrounding areas.”

At the Feb. 17 event, Dr. Felton Whitfield preached a sermon titled “The C’s in My Life,” focusing on preachers being called, caring, committed and consecrated.

The Rev. Trevon Boone, outgoing president, served as worship leader and gave the installation prayer, after which he passed the gavel to the new president. Diggs then presented Boone with a plaque and symbolic medallion.

Elder Jonathan Powell read scripture, and the prayer was led by Dr. Joseph Ferguson. The Rev. Donald Everett rendered a musical selection.