Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. THE FUND FOR THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF THE REVEREND DR. WILLIAM WHATLEY AS ONE OF ITS NEW TRUSTEES:
Three Distinguished Church Leaders Appointed to FTE Board
ATLANTA, December 8, 2005 – The Fund for Theological Education (FTE) announced today three new appointments to its Board of Trustees, elected by the Association of Theological Schools: the Rev. Verlee A. Copeland, the Rev. Dr. Jonathan Paul Strandjord and the Reverend Dr. William D. Whatley.
Each will serve a three-year term, advancing the Fund’s mission to encourage a new generation of gifted young people to consider vocations in ministry and theological scholarship. FTE annually awards more than $1.2 million in fellowships and support to undergraduate, seminary and doctoral students who are named as FTE Fellows.
“We value the leadership abilities of these talented and diverse trustees,” said the Rev. Ann Svennungsen, president of The Fund for Theological Education. “Their guidance and involvement will advance our efforts to help congregations, communities and campuses meet growing demands for talented and faithful pastors and scholars.”
Verlee A. Copeland is a leading pastor in the United Church of Christ and is senior minister of Union Church in Hinsdale, Ill. Prior to her appointment to Union Church, she served for 13 years as pastor of First Congregational Church in Greeley, Colo. Copeland held senior leadership positions in public education and administration in the Lincoln, Neb., Public School System. A trustee of the Chicago Theological Seminary, Copeland holds a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University Divinity School, and a Master of Counseling Psychology degree and bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska.
Jonathan Paul Strandjord is director for theological education for the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) Unit for Vocation and Education in Chicago, Ill. In this role, he directs programs that strengthen the capacity of ELCA seminaries to identify, prepare and support future church leaders. Strandjord chairs the steering committee of the ELCA Fund for Leaders in Mission, which distributes $500,000 annually in endowed scholarships. He has taught ethics and theology at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, and has served two extended co-pastorates in Wisconsin. The author of several published works on theological education, theological anthropology and preaching, he received a Ph.D. from Vanderbilt University, a Master of Divinity degree from Luther Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree from Luther College.
William D. Whatley is senior pastor of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Newark, N.J. He formerly served pastorates in Flushing and Warwick, N.Y., and in Elberton, Ga. A former president of Paul Quinn College in Waco, Texas, Watley has served on the faculties of Princeton Theological Seminary, New York Theological Seminary and New Brunswick Theological Seminary. He serves on the board of directors of Beth Israel Hospital and First Union Bank. Watley earned a Ph.D. from Columbia University, a Master of Philosophy degree from the Interdenominational Theological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree from St. Louis University.
The Fund for Theological Education is a leading advocate for excellence and diversity in Christian ministry and theological scholarship. FTE supports the next generation of leaders among pastors and scholars, providing fellowships and a network of support for gifted young people from all denominations and racial/ethnic backgrounds.
The Fund is also a resource for educational and faith communities, offering programs that encourage highly capable candidates to explore vocations in ministry and teaching. Since 1954, the Atlanta-based organization has awarded more than 5,600 fellowships in partnership with others committed to quality leadership for the church. Information about FTE is available on the Web at http://www.thefund.org/.
2. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY - 112TH FOUNDERS' DAY CONVOCATION;
“Celebrating Our History and Culture, Pursuing Our Future”
February 6, 2006
5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Executive Board Meeting
6:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Registration
7:0 0 p.m. Welcome Reception
February 7, 2006
8:30 a.m. - 9:45 Breakfast
9:45 a.m. -10:00a.m.
Break
10:00 a.m. -1130 a.m. Alumni Annual Meeting
1130 a.m. -1200 noon Break
1200 noon -1:00 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Depart for Henry McNeal Turner Gravesite
1:30 p.m. -2:00 p.m. Memorial Ceremony (Laying of Wreath)
2:10 p.m. Depart Gravesite
2:30- p.m. 4:3 p.m. Lecturer
5:00 p.m. -6:00 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Worship Service
3. THE REV. DR. CECELIA WILLIAMS BRYANT KEYNOTES 11 A.M. SERVICE DEC. 18; ADDRESS COINCIDES WITH WATTS CHURCH’S EFFORT TO PUSH HURRICANE KATRINA DONATIONS ABOVE $90,000 MARK:
LOS ANGELES — (December 9, 2005) — The Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, the Episcopal Supervisor of the Fifth District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, will be the keynote speaker at Grant A.M.E. Church – Watts at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 18.
“We are delighted that Rev. Dr. Bryant has accepted our invitation to share God’s Word during this advent season,” said the Rev. Leslie R. White, Grant’s pastor. “Her work in the Women’s Missionary Society is extraordinary and her involvement with Women in Ministry is legendary throughout Christendom.”
Bryant’s visit coincides with a Church-wide effort to remember the victims of Hurricane Katrina during the holiday season. Members were challenged to purchase gift cards in any denomination to support members of the clergy who were displaced as a result of the nation’s worst natural disaster.
“Some 43 ministers and their families have not yet begun to recover from the devastation of the storm,” White said in am impassioned plea during both the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services. “By blessing them with a Wal-mart or Target or VISA gift cards you let them know that they are not forgotten. No, they are loved at Christmastime and always.”
Though participation is voluntary, involvement is expected to be widespread. The church worked with community groups and organizations to raise nearly $90,000 for victims since August.
In the days after the disaster, for example, members’ Katrina-related contributions topped $16,000. Later, Grant partnered with Watts-area churches to raise in excess of $2,500 for Gulf-coast ministers and their families.
Collaboration with the Jewish Federation of Rabbis of Southern California yielded a $40,000 donation and Grant’s petition of local radio station KJLH resulted in $30,000 in gift cards that were distributed during a trip to the hurricane-ravaged region in October.
“What a blessing it would be to raise another $10,000 or more to bring hope to our brothers and sisters in Christ this Christmas,” White added.
Bryant, too, is familiar with meeting the needs of suffering, disenfranchised persons. Two years ago she initiated the Children of Promise Housing Mission for 30 children orphaned by AIDS in Cape Town, South Africa. She will lead a delegation of 150 women to Zambia next spring through the NaMayo Initiative to promote the health, economic development and healing of women in that country.
Already she has established Women’s Resource and Development Centers in Baltimore, Houston, the African nation of Liberia, and Free Town, Sierra Leone. She has also founded schools for children in Cambridge, Mass., Dallas, and Grand Bassa, Liberia. In addition to the centers in Free Town and Grand Bassa, a newly constructed early childhood education center in Seattle also bears her name.
The wife of Bishop John R. Bryant, one of the featured speakers during Grant’s Men’s Conference last March, “Dr. C” is the mother of Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison Bryant and Dr. Thema Simone Bryant-Davis.
Grant A.M.E. Church is located at 10435 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90002. Services are heard on the radio each Sunday morning at 6 a.m. on KJLH 102.3 FM. Join us for worship on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Hour of Power begins at 11:30 a.m. and Thursday night Soul Food starts at 6 pm. All are welcome.
Gift cards may be in any denomination, from any national business and are available at major retail outlets and on the Internet. Gift cards are also available at many banks, grocery and convenience stores. Cash may be contributed in lieu of gift cards and will be converted to gift cards prior to mailing to the victims on Monday, December 19. Checks should be made payable to Grant A.M.E. Church.
For driving directions or for more information visit www.GrantAMEChurch.org or contact the Church office at 323-564-1151.
4. RENOWNED ACTRESS SENAIT ASHENAFI DIRECTS THE DEBUT PERFORMANCE OF ILLUMINATION DRAMA MINISTRY DEC. 11 AT 11 A.M.; 17-MINUTE SKIT CONTINUES REVOLUTION OF WORSHIP SERVICE:
LOS ANGELES — (December 9, 2005) — The Illumination Drama Ministry of Grant A.M.E. Church in Watts proudly presents “A Conscience Revisited,” their debut dramatic performance at 11 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 11.
The ministry, under the direction of renowned actress, Senait Ashenafi (pronounced SE-NIGHT AH-SHEN-NAH-FEE), is composed of parishioners ages 19 to 63 who enjoy using their voices and dramatic talents for the Lord.
Turnout at the initial Thursday night rehearsals was so high that Ashenafi decided to divide the drama ministry into two parts: one for youth and the other for adults. The ministries will be combined on Sunday for their initial performance: a 17-minute skit about the effects of pure pressure on a Christian youth.
For five years, Ethiopian-born Ashenafi played the role of “Keesha Ward” on daytime’s General Hospital. She has graced the covers of over 30 top magazines including Woman’s World, Today’s Black Woman, Soap Opera Digest, Ebony Man (EMI) and Soap Opera Weekly, and is founder of Actor’s Advocate – the Business School of the Entertainment Industry.
“Senait brings her incredible repertoire and passion for the Lord to every facet of the Illumination Drama Ministry,” said the Rev. Leslie R. White, Grant’s pastor and a major impetus behind the development of the ministry. “The members are enthusiastic about their participation and diligent in their practice and character development. The ministry is a blessing and will be a blessing for years to come.”
White says Sunday’s skit is a natural progression of the revolution of the 11 a.m. worship service begun in May, and helps combat monotony in the Black Church.
“Churches have a natural culture of sameness,” White said recently. “It’s something that people hunger for in their daily lives, so the Church becomes the place that they can count on not to betray them as their employer, children or marital relationship may have. As a result, the worship experience becomes routine and the Holy Spirit is quenched for lack of creativity.”
“Here at Grant, we have decided that we are not going to be lulled into sameness any longer,” White continued. “We are creative in our praise, creative in our music, creative in our worship.”
Grant’s focus on creative expressions in worship has caught the attention of the Connectional A.M.E. Church, as well. Next February, Grant will travel to Atlanta for the Founder’s Day Celebration of the Tuner Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center, an A.M.E. Church institution of higher learning. Rev. White will be the keynote speaker, the Illumination Drama Guild and the Joyful Praise Dancers will perform and Voices for Christ Choir will sing.
Since May, original spoken word poetry stimulates congregants on second Sundays; Christian rap has been added on third Sundays and features nationally known holy hip hop artists, including Grant’s own Matthew Bodden, known in the industry as TripLL-H; and on fourth Sundays, the Joyful Praise Ministry worships the Lord through liturgical dance to such hits as “Wade in the Water” and “Hallelujah You’re Worthy.”
Over the summer, the Rev. Nathan E. Flowers joined the ministerial staff and now leads praise and worship at the start of each 11 a.m. service, along with the Voices for Christ Choir. Soon to join the lineup is Christian comedian and Grant member Sean Madison who left the congregation in stitches with his comedy routine in November.
White added that the Illumination Drama Ministry will present a unique play with a special professional guest star each second Sunday of the month. This Sunday’s performance features Marlo Stroud, star of numerous off-Broadway productions, commercials, feature films, sitcoms, and after school specials.
Members of all ages agree that the changes have been well-received as evidenced by increased attendance, increased stewardship and more than 60 persons of varying ethnic groups uniting with the Watts Church in the first six weeks alone.
“God has stopped here at Grant,” Lee Webster said exuberantly. “The Holy Spirit has come back. You can feel the warmth, the deep love and appreciation for God. I feel the difference. I see the difference. I think that we are going in the right direction. I feel it and I think it’s wonderful.”
Grant A.M.E. Church is located at 10435 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90002. Services are heard on the radio each Sunday morning at 6 a.m. on KJLH 102.3 FM. Join us for worship on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Hour of Power begins at 11:30 a.m. and Thursday night Soul Food starts at 6 pm. All are welcome.
For driving directions or for more information visit www.GrantAMEChurch.org or contact the Church office at 323-564-1151.
Dear Family and Friends:
5. FUNDING AVAILABLE THAT MUST BE USED BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2005:
The J.D. and Laurena Walker Foundation, named after our grandparents, has announced interdenominational funding that MUST be used before Dec. 31 for hurricane victims. Evelyn Walker Armstrong is Chair. Grants are $500 per church.
It is private funding and no match is required. St. James AME Church in Lake Providence, LA (Pastor James Coleman) has already been approved for a grant.
GRANT REQUIREMENTS (Submit via email by Thursday, December 15, 2005)
1. Preference to churches with 500 members or less.
2. Funding will be dispersed to diverse denominations.
3. You must currently be helping disaster relief victims with either food, clothing, housing, education, personal supplies, childcare, etc.
4. Provide in email the full name of your individual church, address and phone number.
5. Name of the pastor and home phone number.
6. Provide EIN (Employer ID Number).
7. Connectional churches should send the name and phone number of your Bishop or designated Elder.
8. How many persons are you helping from natural disasters?
9. Approximately, how many members are in your congregation?
10. Please review the following website ( http://www.katrinasafe.org/ ). Go to the link Locate Evacuee to determine if anyone you are helping are registered with the American Red Cross.
11. If none of them are registered, please list 1-3 persons at the following website: http://www.katrinasafe.org/ under the link Report My Location. You will need their address and phone numbers prior to the disaster to register the names.
12. Please REPLY to president@YouthUSA.org and provide us with the above information along with the names that you have registered and their city of residence prior to the disaster and their current city of location.
13. Once you reply, The J.D. and Laurena Walker Foundation will process your request.
14. Notification of approval or rejection is within seven (7) days.
15. This is private funding, not government, and does not require a match.
16. Check are written to the church and not to pastors or individuals.
17. If approved, you are required to write a letter with the above information, indicating how persons were helped.
In the interim, please review the Foundation's website:
www.TheEnterpriZe.com/FOUNDATION
Please feel free to explore the Foundation's scholarship program with The Annual Youth Achievement Awards. Deadline for scholarship entry is April 15, 2006 for ages 7-24.
http://www.youthusa.org/ . Entry does not guarantee funding.
Stephanie and Eric Stradford
Program Officers
The J.D. and Laurena Walker Foundation
6. HEALING AND HEALTHCARE ALERT:
HEALING and HEALTHCARE ALERT: There is an immediate and urgent need to register seniors age 65 and older for benefits before January 1, 2006. The procedure is on-line. Our seniors are likely to be challenged by this. Perhaps you can pass this link on to 12 folks and ask each to visit at least one senior before Watch Night. They will need assistance in completing the on-line process before the deadlines posted at http://www.medicare.gov/. We are interested in receiving the testimonies from 12 Internet-literate saints who ministered in anticipation of a healing. Reply to: isaiah617@fas2.net
A Season for Healing (Part I)
Centers for Disease Control and African Methodists forge alliance for Healing, Wholeness and Health Promotion
By Stephanie and Eric Stradford
FAS2, December 10, 2005, Nashville, TN – Eliminating barriers for faith and government partnerships can, according to one government faith-based director, mean eliminating the folks causing the barriers. That assessment of reality, voiced by one Bush Administration official, raises new concerns about the people managing faith-based initiatives. “There are no known barriers to faith-based organizations in partnering with the Veterans Administration,” said Darin Selnick, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
A spirit of bureaucratic arrogance seemed to have replaced the president’s live personal touch at the White House Conference on Faith Based and Community Initiatives hosted Dec. 8 in Nashville. Even White House Faith Based and Community Initiatives Director Jim Towey, who once did some ‘lawyering’ for Mother Theresa, geographically distanced himself from the first “targeted” technical assistance conference. The one-day workshop targeted representatives from social service groups with a track record of applying for government grants, particularly those who have not yet won grants.
The message was clear—there is no “faith-based money.” Now, those who received federal grants in the past and failed to measure successful progress are getting a “targeted” message. They too will be relying more on their collaboration with faith-based organizations.
Perhaps by coincidence, The White House seems to hold a “faith-based conference” whenever the president’s approval rating is in “arrest.” That’s a term used by medical professionals to describe a major problem with the heart. When they use the term, “flatline,” you’re pretty much dead.
Perhaps by coincidence, White House Office of Faith Based and Community Initiatives Director Jim Towey traveled to Atlanta and greeted the Nashville gathering via videotape. President Bush opted for the video greeting as well, signaling, perhaps a presidential program in “cardiac arrest.”
Perhaps by coincidence, Director Towey’s lessons learned from Mother Theresa brought him to a place where healing, wholeness and quality healthcare has taken a turn towards better—just in time for Christmas.
This week, The Center for Disease Controls received a long awaited “invitation” to partner with 80,000 members of the historic African Methodist Episcopal Church. The church’s Sixth Episcopal District, pastored by The Rt. Reverend William Phillips DeVeaux, is elbow-deep into revolutionary “procedures” for healing, wholeness, and health promotion.
To the 580 connected churches across rural, suburban, and urban Georgia, the “procedure” is hardly new. This “art” is anything but “exact.” It is even less exact than the “not an exact science” you hear about from some doctors “practicing” out in the world. The medical malpractice insurance folks are perhaps among the early anticipated casualties as this more perfect practice of healing the body, soul and spirit makes its mark. Some who make a living from federal, corporate and philanthropic health benefits are perhaps the least concerned about healing.
Reverend Dr. Miriam J. Burnett, MD, MDiv, MPH is Connectional Medical Director for the worldwide African Methodist Episcopal Church. In her practice, 3.5 million historically disadvantaged “patients” will offer their neighbors a soul-piercing definition of the word. They have “patiently” practiced a procedure for some 400 years that is now given birth to a season for perfect practice.
Dr. Burnett teamed Atlanta’s Interdenominational Theological Center with Episcopal Supervisor Dr. Pam DeVeaux of the Sixth Episcopal District with an uncommon approach to a common need for healing.
“Healing is seeking to achieve a total state of wellness for the entire being, an integrated process that involves all aspects of life,” stated Burnett. “As a result the approach to healing is governed by the need to attain wholeness for the individual as well as the community.” The doctor paused for a brief moment to make a house call on her mom in New York, but hardly missed a beat in integrating 21st Century telecommunications into flawless demonstration of partnering church and state. “Wholeness,” she concluded, “is exampled by a person whose physical body is free of disease or infirmity. This can also include those whose infirmities are under a state of good control.” Doctors at the ITC’s Institute for Faith-Health Leadership have added substance to a hoped for definition of Healthcare. It is “the creation and maintenance of an optimal state of aliveness and is primarily our individual responsibility.”
The procedure, now on the table at the Centers for Disease Controls National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP), seeds a more perfect practice of an imperfect science. Both Doctors DeVeaux and Burnett are qualified scientists in related disciplines. Both bring to the “operating table” a “double-edged” scalpel that cuts through the infirmities of Health Medical Obsolescence (HMO), presenting a value-added “by-pass” option for corporate and philanthropic investors. This emerging new market investment for healing careers has arrived just in time for Christmas.
The doctors plan to formally announce their HEALING, WHOLENESS and HEALTH PROMOTION plan Thursday, January 19, 2006 in Atlanta. The planning conference invites local churches and communities of faith to sponsor youth and young adults (ages 12-24) as candidates for internship with caring adult health care professionals.
Challenges Americans face are widespread, far-reaching and will not go away by denying that they exist. Ever since federal record keeping began, the health of African Americans has been a challenge for the nation. Recent evidence suggests that practice of governing and that of healthcare are desperately in need of defibrillation.
In a recent article, published by David Satcher, MD, Ph.D., former U.S. Surgeon General, and former Director for the Centers for Disease Controls and Prevention, “the 60,000 excess deaths reported in the 1985 Secretary’s Task Force Report on Black and Minority Health, by 2002, had risen to 83,000. Factors contributing to poor health outcomes among African Americans include racism and discrimination, cultural barriers, trust, economics and lack of access to health care providers.
The spill-over can be measured by the government’s ineffective practice of healthcare on veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. As one of the largest in the world, and a ready force of chaplains, the VA Medical system has failed to present a measurable program integrating Healing, Wholeness and Healthcare. The VA reported that 83% of 100,000 homeless veterans suffer from serious psychiatric or substance abuse disorders: 37% suffer from both. The agency’s approach to faith-based collaboration, particularly unhealthy attitudes toward the Black church, is worthy of congressional inquiry.
Faith, behavioral and social support systems play important roles in health and quality of life among African-Americans, and offer a viable base of study for healing America. The Black Church and other faith-based organizations have provided sustained support, guidance and direction to individuals and families facing health-related and/or life-threatening situations for centuries. Spirit-filled application of religion provides many people with comfort in the face of illness. The qualitative measure far too often goes unreported when the healed fail to testify to their miraculous healing.
Seven out of nine healers will testify that spirituality and religious factors influence the health of populations, particularly African-Americans. The remaining two of nine are either waiting for more data, a report in the journal, or are just out to lunch from a practice of an imperfect science.
More and more doctors, wrestling with soaring costs in malpractice insurance, face an assuring reality about healing. Journals of Medicine are beginning to report truth. The Black Church has historically served as the 'life-center' of the community, providing services that nourishes the mind, body and soul. Research reveals a salutary effect of spiritual/religious factors on health and well-being. There is growing evidence that spirited religious involvement, in addition to providing greater access to health care exerts positive and diverse health benefits for African-Americans.
The Georgia-based initiative increases opportunities for investors, contributors, and future practitioners to collaborate on healing solutions. This growing, potentially revolutionary body of research presents culturally-relevant methodologies to implement faith/health concepts into treatment and intervention programs .
A Season for Healing (Part II)
Healing The Wounded American Veteran
By Stephanie and Eric Stradford
FAS2, December 15, 2005, Atlanta, GA –The Purple Heart is the oldest military decoration in the world in present use. It is the first American award made available to the common soldier.
General George Washington created it as a Badge of Military Merit. It is awarded to members of the armed forces of the U.S. who are wounded at the hands of the enemy. It is awarded posthumously to the next of kin in the name of those who are killed in action or die of wounds received in action. It is specifically a combat decoration.
On December 8, officials of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs told citizens at The White House Conference on Faith Based and Community Initiatives Conference that 83% of 100,000 homeless veterans suffer from serious psychiatric or substance abuse disorders: 37% suffer from both.
As one of the largest in the world, and a ready force of chaplains, the VA Medical system has failed to present a measurable program integrating Healing, Wholeness and Healthcare. The VA reported that 83% of 100,000 homeless veterans suffer from serious psychiatric or substance abuse disorders. 37% suffer from both. The agency’s approach to faith-based collaboration, particularly unhealthy attitudes toward the Black church, is worthy of congressional inquiry.
The agency’s approach to faith-based collaboration, particularly unhealthy attitudes toward the Black church, is worthy of congressional inquiry.
VA Center for Faith Based Initiatives Director Darin Selnick sidestepped the issue when asked, “What barriers existed in the VA for faith-based organizations to partner with the federal government prior to the establishment of the VA’s Center For Faith-Based and Community Initiatives.” His response was, “There are no known barriers.” Any reporter’s logical follow-up is, “Why do you have a job?”
As a veteran, Selnick is perhaps the one person in the Bush Administration with a job to do. His oath as a veteran is to always look out for others who have served. It is an oath that comes with no sunset clause. It demands more from him than any of his colleagues entangled in the red tape of government bureaucracy. America will heal with or without a White House Initiative. It will heal more efficiently and effectively with cooperation between agency officials and the faithful among us empowered to render offices obsolete.
According to the VA, The Director for Center for Veterans Faith-Based Initiatives is an Air Force veteran. He is a past California state commander for Jewish War Veterans and a former member of the group's National Executive Committee. He joined VA in June 2001 as a special assistant assigned to VA's Learning University.
VA boasts of a long history of working with faith-based and community organizations, with about 40 percent of its grants for homeless programs going to faith-based and community organizations. Former VA Secretary Principi created a task force to assess the state of services being provided veterans by faith-based and community organizations. To date, the VA Center for Faith Based and Community Initiatives has failed to respond to public query on perceived or existing barriers between the agency and the faith community. A report on quantitative and qualitative measures for success of all VA programs is long overdue.
People with Jobs to Restore Faith in America.
7. THE PASTOR’S CORNER CRADLE TO CROSS, MANGER TO MESSIAH:
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. 27Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the Child Jesus to do for Him what the custom of the Law required, 28Simon took Him in his arms and praised God.
Simeon sees God’s purpose in its fulfillment for the Child as (Luke 2: 26) revealed by the Holy Spirit. The eternal nature of God sees all things in their complete state – from beginning to end. Our being able to possess God’s perspective on a matter is the work of the Holy Spirit in us (I Corinthians 12:9) that we call “the gift of faith.” This is what true faith is. It is seeing that which God has purposed and will fulfill by the working of the Holy Spirit in us. We are to see ourselves, each other, our children, our spouses, and life’s outcomes through faith, as did Simeon.
While others may have seen only a baby with its parents, Simeon saw so much more. Simeon saw from the manger to the Messiah. Simeon saw God’s fulfilled purpose for the Child. So, what did Simeon see? He saw:
1. Ransom – The death of Christ paid the price of the penalty for sin (Matthew 20: 28). Christ’s death was the payment of our penalty. It would be like walking outside only to find a boot on your car. Once you went downtown to pay the ticket (penalty) you found someone had already paid to get the boot removed from your car. You now only need to accept the gift and enjoy your newfound freedom.
2. RECONCILIATION – the world is repositioned so we can be saved (II Corinthians 5: 18-20). Just as our checkbook must be reviewed monthly against our bank statement and errors and discrepancies are discovered and the book must be balanced, Christ reconciled our account with God. Our trespasses are not counted against us (v. 19a). We now assume a new position in God’s sight. We go from being God’s enemies to God’s ambassadors (v. 19b). Christ has done all this for us (v. 20), but we still must believe to make Christ’s gift our own.
3. SUBSTITUTION – Christ died in place of the sinner (II Corinthians 5: 21). As punishment for constantly coming home late, a boy found himself staring at a meal of one slice of bread and a cup of water. As the boy looked sadly on his meager fare, his father switched plates with him taking the slice of bread and cup of water in exchange for a full meal the boy received. The sinless Savior has taken our sins. We in exchange receive God’s righteousness.
4. ATONEMENT – The Christ was the only offering that satisfied God concerning sin ( Hebrews 2: 17). The sacrificial system described in the Law of Moses found its fulfillment in the Child (Leviticus 16: 6-10 & 20-22). Two young goats were to be brought to the priest. One was to be put to death as a sin offering. The other was to have the sins of the people prayed on its head and then be sent out into the desert away from the people. God’s wrath is satisfied by Christ’s death (v. 6-10) – the sin offering. The removal of sin (separation, interruption of normal relations with God) was achieved by the only sacrifice that satisfied God (v. 20-22) – the scapegoat.
In all, Simeon saw what we are to recognize as we celebrate during the Christmas season. Simeon saw PROOF – of God’s love for us (Romans 5: 6-8). The extent of God’s love is shown in the fact that Christ, the “One” who went from “manger to Messiah,” died for men in whom there was nothing that evoked that love. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. This is the gift of Christmas.
Pastor James M. Moody, Sr.Quinn Chapel AME Church, Chicago
8. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE FOLLOW-UP:
Helaine Aleece Henning, the daughter of Bishop Cornal Garnett Henning, Presiding Bishop of the Eighth Episcopal District and Mrs. Ernestine Lee Henning
On Friday Morning, December 9, 2005 shortly after midnight, Helaine Aleece Henning, the oldest daughter of Bishop Cornal Garnett Henning, Presiding Bishop of the Eighth Episcopal District and Mrs. Ernestine Lee Henning transitioned to be with the Lord. At her bedside, to comfort her, were her parents, her daughter Jahbrielle and her sister Carma (Dr. C. Love).
Arrangements for Helaine Aleece Henning
Funeral Service
Wednesday, December 14, 2005
11:00 AM
Ward AME Church1177 West 25th Street Los Angeles, CA 90007 213-747-1367 (Phone)
Reverend Sylvester Laudermill, Pastor
Funeral Service
Friday, December 16, 2005
11:00 AM
Memphis, TN
(Church Location pending and will be forthcoming)
Condolences may be sent to:
Bishop C. Garnett Henning & Family
c/o Pearl Street AME Church
2519 Robinson Road Jackson, MS 39209 601-352-6087 (Phone)
Email Condolences: Lanroc@aol.com
Mrs. Ernestine Lee Henning & Family
9301 South 11th Avenue
Inglewood, CA 90305
310-677-4779 (Phone)
Contact number for further information:
213-617-1035
Please remember the Henning family in your prayers.
9. AMEZ BISHOP MILTON A. WILLIAMS HELD AT LIVINGSTONE COLLEGE:
Funeral Arrangements for:
Bishop Milton A. Williams, Sr.
Place of funeral services:
Livingstone College
Varick Auditorium
701 West Monroe Street
Salisbury, NC 28144
Viewing - Friday, December 9, 2005 @ 5-9 PM. (Livingstone College)
The remains will lie in state Saturday, December 10, 2005-10 AM -
12:00
Noon.(Livingstone)
Funeral Services will begin at 12:00 Noon.(Livingstone College)
Condolences and messages should be sent to:
Mrs. Lula G. Williams
c/o W.H. & O.M. Society - AME Zion Church
Renaissance Center
3225 West Sugar Creek Road
Charlotte, NC 28269
Fax: (704) 688-2554
Funeral Home:
Long and Son Mortuary Service
2312 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28216
Phone: (704) 394-1111
Fax: (704) 394-1316
10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action Clergy Family Information Center
Mrs. Ora L. Easley - Administrator Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, Tennessee Contact) Phone: (615) 837-9736 Fax: (615) 833-3781
(Memphis, Tennessee Contact) (901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)
Please remember these families in your prayers.
11. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of the Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
