THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (10/23/04)

1. SENDING NEWS TO THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE:

If you want to send articles to The Christian Recorder or to The Christian Recorder Online, send them directly to me at chsydnor@erols.com

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5. THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH: www.ame-church.com

6. AME SPOUSES WEBSITES:

http://www.amemswwpk.org
http://www.connmswawo3.org

7. THE AME/WIM WEBSITE:

www.amewim.org

8. WEBSITE FOR THE AMEC CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION:

http://www.amec-connectionallay.org/home.htm

9. MORE AME NEWS:

www.ameherald.com

10. NEWS FROM THE THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT, FORWARDED BY BROTHER ERIC AND SISTER STEPHANIE STRADFORD

On behalf of the Presiding Elders, Pastors, Missionaries and Laypersons of the Blessed Thirteenth Episcopal District, greetings in the empowering name of Jesus, the Christ. We humbly anticipate your participation at the next meeting of the General Board and Bishops? Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It is our privilege to serve as the host district for these historic meetings to be held December 7-8, 2004 at Gaylord?s Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee.

The Right Reverend Dr. Vashti Murphy McKenzie will honor the historic legacy of our Zion at a pre-conference Investiture Banquet, beginning promptly at 7 o?clock in the evening on Monday, December 6, 2004. The costs are as follows:

$100 Inner Circle Admission

$75 General Admission

Our Souvenir Journal introduces conference participants to preferred enterprises. We will want to showcase your Christ-centered ministry model or business in a memorable program portfolio. Advertising space is limited. For your immediate access, we are providing the Advertisers Response in alternative formats. Please open and print this form. Return it by mail it with your full payment no later than November 5, 2004.

Web (HTML)

Adobe Acrobat PDF

Microsoft Word

The official website of African Methodist Episcopal Church provides you with information on this and other events. We pray that our substantive and collective participation will bless the needs of our global ministry throughout the Christmas Season. God bless and keep you.

Brother Stan McKenzie

Supervisor of Missions

13^th Episcopal District

Investiture Invitation

11. PASTOR?S TRIBUTE:

"Great Ending, New Beginning" was the theme of the farewell tribute given by Holly Grove A.M.E Church, Windsor, Virginia to the Reverend Charlotte Ann Blake Sydnor on Saturday, October 23, 2004. The youth and adult choirs of Holly Grove marked the opening of the service as they processed in on, "We've Come this Far by Faith Trusting in the Lord."

The congregation was ready for a spiritual blessing because of the "concert" given prior to the service by the renowned Inspirational Choir from Carver memorial Presbyterian Church, Newport News, Virginia. Sister Katrina Robinson from Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church and the Herndon family provided music selections accompanied by Sister Evelyn Scott and other area musicians. The Reverend Paul Adkins, former Presiding Elder of the Norfolk, Portsmouth, Richmond District served as the Master of Ceremonies, and did a masterful job. The pews were full and there was a spirit of celebration as the congregation, family, friend and fellow pastors joined in to make the event a memorable one for Pastor Sydnor and her family.

She served the congregation for three and half years. During the period of her pastorate, she led the Holly Grove congregation to "higher heights" through the ministry of her preaching, teaching and administration. As Sister Nannie Walker has said more than once about Reverend Sydnor's ministry, "She has kicked it up a notch." Holly Grove was founded in 1892 and the Church is in the midst of it 112^th Anniversary.

Under the leadership of Reverend Sydnor, the Church sanctuary was remodeled and enlarged, a new Fellowship Hall was constructed, and a church van was refurbished and donated to congregation. Reverend Sydnor instituted cluster Bible studies and secured robes for the choir.

Reverend Sydnor has transferred to the Tennessee Annual Conference where she is looking forward to continue the work of ministry. She earned a B.A. degree in Sociology from Fayetteville State University, an M. A. degree in Religious Studies from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and the M. Div. from Wesley Theological Seminary. She has done addtional studies at Baylor University and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. She is happily married to the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor of The Christian Recorder. They are the proud parents of three adult Children and 12 grandchildren.

12. SISTER KATHRYN M. HARRIS SHARES HER ESTATIC VISTS WITH AME?S IN SOUTH AFRICA:

Kathryn M. Harris, a member of Faith Temple AME Church, Springfield, Illinois recently traveled to South Africa and worshiped with the congregation of Bethel Memorial AME Church in Cape Town, Hazendal, South Africa. Bethel Memorial, the oldest AME Church on the Continent, was founded in 1896 by AME Missionaries.

Sister Harris, a professional librarian, was the invited guest of the United States Office of the Consul General (US State Department) and the Library and Information Association of South Africa (LIASA). Sister Harris represented the Illinois Library Association and the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency while in South Africa. Although this was professional and business trip, Sister Harris made it a priority to worship with fellow AMEs while on her "once in a lifetime trip".

The journey, which included stops in Polokwane, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Johannesburg, Soweto, and Cape Town, was not only a blessing and a wonderful opportunity, but it was also educational and inspirational. After presenting to over 600 LIASA members on the opening day of the 7^th Annual LIASA conference in Polokwane, Sister Harris presented library advocacy workshops with her colleague from the US Office of the Consul General in the other South African cities.

Knowing that there was an AME Church in Cape Town, library colleagues in Cape Town identified Bethel Memorial and arranged for Sister Harris to worship there. It was a true blessing. "We are all connected"; these words were often repeated at Faith Temple AME by Sister Harris' former pastor, Reverend John L Lambert. This sentiment certainly rang true when Sister Harris called Reverend Andrew Lewin at Bethel Memorial to learn what time services were scheduled to begin.

After brief introductory remarks, Reverend Lewin immediately asked if she knew Reverend Lambert. "Of course", was the reply. Reverend Lewin stated that "John Lambert is my friend." It is incredible that half way around the world Sister Harris met someone who was well acquainted with her former pastor!

The service at Bethel was inspirational and spirit filled. Sister Harris felt "right at home" during the service and also partook of Communion service on that first Sunday in October. Bethel Memorial members were warm and welcoming.

It was an experience that will be remembered for years to come. Seeing the natural beauty of South Africa "from the arid places in Limpopo Province in the north to the beauty of Table Mountain and the oceans in the South" the sights were breath-taking. To stand in the jail cell where Nelson Mandela was held at Robben Island for eighteen years, to visit the Hector Pieterson Museum, and the Regina Mundi Church in Soweto, the trip provided an opportunity to see the places were history was made. God is so good. He blessed Sister Harris with the gifts and talents that allowed her to be an invited guest for this trip and she is forever cognizant "From Whom all Blessings Flow." This trip was a true blessing and I thank Him for the opportunity.

Kathryn M. Harris

Faith Temple AME Church

Reverend Larry L. Lewis, Pastor

901 South 23^rd Street

Springfield, IL 62703

217-528-4872 (home)

217-524-7219 (office)

cookie@fgi.net (home)

Kathryn_harris@ihpa.state.il.us (office)

Home address: 1315 East Adams

Springfield, IL 62703

13. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE

We regret to inform you of the passing of Reverend Nathaniel Pharms. He is a former pastor in the First District. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements:

Funeral-Saturday, October 23, 2004
Funeral - 11:00 a.m.
Bethel AME Church
435 Magnolia Street
Beverly, New Jersey 08010
Tel: 609-386-7766
Rev. Michael Washington, Pastor

Viewing - Saturday, October 23, 2004
9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Bethel AME Church
435 Magnolia Street
Beverly, New Jersey 08010
Tel: 609-386-7766
Rev. Michael Washington, Pastor

Condolences may be sent to the family:
The family of Reverend Nathaniel Pharms
c/o Bethel AME Church
435 Magnolia Street
Beverly, New Jersey 08010

Please remember the Pharms family in your prayers during this time of their bereavement.

God Bless!
Ora L. Easley, President
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Leadership Planning Retreat
December 3-5, 2004
Embassy Suites Hotel
Hot Springs, Arkansas
WEB SITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org
http://www.connmswawo3.org

14. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Presiding Elder Ernest L. Montague would like to inform you of the following information regarding the funeral of our beloved brother Rev. Frank Sartor.

Family Viewing
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Vaughn C. Greene Funeral Home
5151 Baltimore National Pike
410-233-2400
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Funeral
Monday, October 25, 2004
11:00 AM
Bethel AME Church
1300 Druid Hill Avenue
Baltimore, MD
Wake 10:00 AM-11:00 AM

God Bless you for your prayers.

God Bless!
Ora L. Easley, President
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Leadership Planning Retreat
December 3-5, 2004
Embassy Suites Hotel
Hot Springs, Arkansas
WEB SITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org
http://www.connmswawo3.org

15. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden death of The Reverend E.G. Bellamy, Pastor of New Bethel AME Church, Clewiston, Florida, who passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2004.

Funeral Arrangements:
Date: Saturday, October 30, 2004
Time: 11:00 A.M.

Place: Bethel AME Church
405 N.W. Esther Rolle Ave
Pompano Beach, Florida 33060
1-954-943-6220

Calling hours and Musical Tribute
Friday, October 29, 2004
6:00 p.m.
Bethel AME Church
405 N.W. Esther Rolle Ave
Pompano Beach, FL

Condolences may be sent to his wife.
Mrs. Lavette Bellamy
P.O. Box 595
Clewiston, FL 33440
1-863-983-5086

Funeral Home:
Gregg L. Mason Funeral Home
10936 NE 6th Ave
Miami, FL 33101
1-305-757-9000

Please remember the Bellamy family in your prayers.

Marva Campbell, President
South Florida Conference Ministers' Spouses Alliance


God Bless!
Ora L. Easley, President
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Leadership Planning Retreat
December 3-5, 2004
Embassy Suites Hotel
Hot Springs, Arkansas
WEB SITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org
http://www.connmswawo3.org

15. THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE ARTICLES FROM OUR EPISCOPAL DISTRICTS:

We are doing a lot of great things but we need to share the "good news." We need news in "real time," not weeks and months later. We are still looking for news from the Women in Ministry, the laity, the chaplains, youth, Missionaries, from overseas, and from some of the other groups in our Church. We would like to hear from some of our bishops. It would be newsworthy to hear from some of our overseas bishops about their work and challenges. It would be interesting to hear about the ministry of some of our overseas pastors and their challenges I am sure that our subscribers would enjoy reading about the experiences of our service members who are serving in Iraq.

Many of our churches are doing great things and we wish that you would share the "good news" and the challenges of your ministry.

We are asking our bishops, presiding elders, pastors, and lay leadership to be more proactive in sharing the work of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Send your news to The Christian Recorder.