THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (11/15/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:

“The only things that evolve by themselves in an organization are disorder, friction and malperformance.” Peter F. Drucker, 1910-2005

1. THE SPECIAL FREE KATRINA EDITION OF THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER HAS BEEN DELIVERED TO THE EPISCOPAL DISTRICTS:

The Special “Free” Edition of The Christian Recorder has been delivered to all of the Episcopal Districts for distribution to every AME household. This is the first time that this has been done. The President of the Council of Bishops and Chair of Publications, the Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram, with the Bishops of the Church wanted every member to know how the AME Church responded to the Katrina catastrophe and directed that the information be published in The Christian Recorder and distributed to the membership free of charge. In response to the directive of the Episcopacy, the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour published 60,000 copies of The Christian Recorder.

Every AME family should receive a copy of the Special Edition of The Christian Recorder.

2. REMINDER:

Advent begins this year on Sunday, November 27, 2005

3. THANK YOU FROM THE REV. PLEASANT L. HAILEY JR., PRESIDENT OF THE CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:

To Our Many A.M.E. Friends, Colleagues And Associates:

I wish to thank our many beloved friends, colleagues and associates of the AME Church connection who supported us in our recent campaign to be elected officers of your Connectional Council. We are most grateful and humbled by your expressions of confidence and encouragement. Your expressions of Confidence and encouragement continue to serve as inspiration to us in our daily determination to serve the church in these offices, and to the very best of our abilities.

In like manner, I wish to express my sincerest, personal gratitude and appreciation to my beloved Bishop. The right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris of the 1st Episcopal District for his support and assistance. Without his encouragement and direction, ours would have been but a fruitless effort. Thank you, so much, Bishop Norris!

And most assuredly, we wish to express our gratitude to the others of our Fathers & Mothers in God who variously assisted us, as we sought to present a slate of officers that reflected appropriately our contemporary Connectional realities.

Please be advised of the full slate of officers elected to serve this term as follows:

The Rev. Pleasant L. Hailey Jr., President
The Rev. Gregory V. Eason Sr., 1st Vice-President
The Rev. Vincent Mitchell, 2nd Vice-President

The Rev. Ellis I. Washington, Recording Secretary The Rev. Pamela Rivera, Chaplain
The Rev. J. Arthur Rumph, Assistant Recording Secretary The Rev. Caesar Richburg, Historiographer

The Rev. Floyd Alexander, Financial Secretary The Rev. George Tyler, Parliamentarian
The Rev. Samuel L. Sumner, Treasurer The Rev. John G. Ragin, Director of Public Relations

Please continue praying for us, your elected officers of the Connectional Council that we might do, with all our might, what God has prepared for our hands to do.

Plan to share with us in our first meeting – St. Louis, MO On 6 December 2005, the site of the forthcoming General Conference Commission Meeting and it workshops.

Again, thanks.

Your servant in Christ,
Rev. Pleasant L. Hailey Jr.

4. NEW MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE SIGNUP BEGINS TODAY:

Today is the first day that senior citizens can enroll in the new Medicare prescription drug benefit. Seniors are cautioned to weigh all of the options carefully and should avail themselves of hotlines, Websites and seminars. Like any legal document, the rules regarding the new prescription drug program are complex and can be confusing and difficult to read.

The AME Church has many senior citizens and many of them may need to be guided on making the right decisions that will benefit them. Pastors and other leaders in the congregation are encouraged to “get smart” so they can be of assistance to their older family members and senior citizens in their congregations. I have pulled out some highlights that might be helpful.

- Everyone with Medicare is eligible, regardless of income

- Today is the first day that seniors may join the plan.

- Coverage begins for those who join by December 31, 2005.

- Coverage for those who join after December 31 will begin the month after enrollment.

- There are several plans available and most people have to pick a plan.

- The Medicare Website, www.medicare.gov allows you to compare plans or you may call 800.633-4227 to have a trained representative to assist you.

- After you are enrolled in a program, you will receive a card that identifies you as a plan member. When you have a prescription filled, you present your card at participating pharmacies and after you have met your deductible, all you pay is your co-payment.

- Caution: participating pharmacies, premiums, deductibles and co-pays vary by the plan you choose, so choose your plan wisely.

Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Pastors, please take the time to get smart on this program and help the seniors in your church, your family, and in your community to select the particular plan that is best for them.

5. ANOTHER VIEW ON PROTOCOL:

One of the biggest problems with protocol is that no one seems to pay attention to the processional at the opening service of the General Conference. At the General Conference, the Connectional Officers process in, followed by the Judicial Council, followed by the General Officers, and followed by the Bishops. If your most prominent officers process in last, does not this order establish protocol?

The Judicial Council is elected at the General Conference in the same manner as the General Officers and the Bishops. I refer you to the Doctrine and Discipline of the AME Church. Does not this significant factor clarify our standing in the AME Church? Under these circumstances, why would we appear after the President, Connectional Lay Organization, President, Connectional Women’s Missionary Society and the Presidents and Deans of Seminaries, Colleges and Schools? Their specific connectional body, not the General Conference, elects the Presidents of the Lay Organization and WMS.

The protocol order should thus be Bishops, General Officers, Judicial Council, Connectional Officers, etc. Until our Church gets it correct, the Judicial Council continues to be slighted. We (the Judicial Council) serve without remuneration. We serve solely based on our love for the Lord and African Methodism. We merely request that we be valued for the work we do. It is a position to which each of us has been called. We do not take our position lightly. We are extremely serious about the work we do for the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Patricia M. Mayberry
President, Judicial Council


6. BITS AND PIECES FROM THE EDITOR:

Often in the AME Church we do things by tradition and sometimes we assume that everyone knows what is being done and why. I thought that I would lift up a few things that we see done in our churches. Many of the traditions are just that, traditions and are “not set in stone.”

The Doxology – has its origin in Latin and is defined as an expression of a short praise to God, especially a short hymn in praise to God. In the traditional AME worship, we sing the Doxology at the beginning and at the end of worship. Reverend Sylvester Laudermill, Jr., the pastor of Ward AME Church, Los Angeles says, “The singing of the Doxology in the beginning of worship is sung without the “Amen.” The Doxology at the end of the service is sung with the, “Amen.”

Receiving Holy Communion - Communion traditionally is received in the right hand of the communicant because traditionally in biblical times and even today in the Middle East, the left hand is considered unclean. People ate with the right hand and touched with the right hand. In biblical times and even today in the Middle East, it is bad manners to touch another person with the left hand.

The Missionary Benediction – The right hand and lower arm should be placed over the left hand/lower arm. The right hand in biblical times took precedence over the left for the reasons stated above.

Blessings – Blessings, i.e. in baptisms, Communion, etc. should be given by the extended right hand or both hands, but never by the left hand alone for the reasons stated above.

We often hear meetings closed with the Latin statement, “Sine Die.” The definition for Sine Die - The final adjournment without adjourning to a specific time or date; Adjournment without definitely fixing a day for reconvening; literally "adjournment without a day."

7. GENERATIONS OF FAITH - ST. JAMES A.M.E. CHURCH, DENTON, TEXAS CELEBRATES 130 YEARS OF SERVICE, FELLOWSHIP:

By Lucinda Breeding / Staff Writer

If you ask Denton resident Willie Taylor how he came to join St. James A.M.E. Church 59 years ago, he pulls a deadpan face and points to his wife, Malvina.

"When they tore the old church down, right here on this site, I saw her over here taking nails out of lumber and saving them. They (were) going to use the nails in the new church," he said. "I really wanted to talk to her. I went over and the preacher stopped me. He said, 'Uh-uh. If you want to talk to that woman, you got to pull nails. I can't have you bothering my workers.' I got a hammer and went up next to her and started pulling nails. That's the only way I could talk to her."

Willie Taylor stayed with Malvina and St. James, and he's cherished both relationships deeply.

Gary Payne / DRC St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church pastor Sherryl Matlock (center) greets members Tony Marshall (left) and Wayne Lipscomb during morning service on Sunday in Denton. The church, one of the oldest African-American churches in Denton, is celebrating its 130th anniversary.
Stories like the Taylor's are common in the history of St. James A.M.E., a southeast Denton neighborhood church that celebrates its 130th anniversary today. Longtime members said its friendships, marriages and families have been the glue that keeps the small congregation of 83 together.

"It feels like home"

St. James A.M.E, the only African Methodist Episcopal church in the city, has survived 130 years -- many of them tough financially -- because of its people, members said.

Alma Clark, a member for 43 years and the church missionary president, said she has been at the church ever since she was "hog-tied" and brought to the church by her late husband, an A.M.E. preacher, Willie Clark.

"We had three children, and this was home," Clark said. "I told him I did not want to move. I told him that wherever he went, I would go when it was convenient. He never pastored this church, but he was a son of this church. His stepfather was a charter member of the church. I just didn't want to move around. So this is where I stayed."
"I've been an A.M.E. all my life," said Lucretia Jones, a member for 43 years. "I'm from Palestine [Texas], and I grew up in the A.M.E. church. When I came here, it was just like coming home."

Jones' daughter, Cassandra, grew up in the neighborhood church and still attends.

"There are very few people who grew up in the church with me who are still here, but like everyone says, it's home," Lucretia Jones said.

Erma Peace, a lifelong member of the church, said she never saw the sense in hopping from church to church.

"I felt like changing churches doesn't change your religion. You can get as much at one as you can at another. My grandparents were members of this church. My father was a member of this church. My six brothers and sisters grew up in this church," Peace said.

Church gifts

Pastor Sherryl Matlock said the local church is a fairly traditional one, singing hymns and anthems and requiring its ministers to be servants of the church.

"Pastors are expected to be disciplined and submissive," said Matlock, who leads worship in traditional Methodist robes. She has served the church for just more than two years.

The idea of submission is a church value, Matlock said.

"They do a lot for the community as a church," she said. "And there are individuals who do things in the community, but they don't talk about it. But if you are out in the community, people will tell you how they helped. There are so many things I wouldn't ever know about if people didn't tell me. I think that even though the church is small, we have been able to do a little bit of everything. What you have here is a multiplicity of talent."

Church members have served one another throughout the years.

Willie Taylor said once he joined the church, the older men in the church took him under their wings, and helped him do things that weren't so easy. Money was tight for everyone in the early days, he said, but the men of the church helped him establish credit.

"They helped me borrow $100," he said. "They told me not to spend a penny of it, but to use the money to pay back the loan on time. That way, they said, I could borrow more the next time. Those men took care of me."

Willie Taylor remembers lean times, when the men of the church would set out, knocking on doors on southeast Denton street, to raise money.

"It's amazing how back then people weren't making a whole lot of money -- people were getting paid once a month -- but people still gave to the church. People moved the church forward," he said.

That same resourcefulness persists today, members said. Clark said the church found a way to use its empty parsonage, as Matlock lives in Fort Worth.

"As a result of Katrina, we have a family living in the parsonage," she said. "For three months, we have them set up."

Lucretia Jones said the church used to offer tutorials to neighborhood students. She taught business administration in Denton schools for 36 years and helped struggling students master their homework. She also recalls the church being an open-door place for the needy.

"In the evenings, people would come by. They would need diapers and things like that. We would make sure they got taken care of, whatever it was they needed, and gave them gas money so they could get on," Jones said.

Hopes for the future

Val Morgan, a church member since 1977, said there are a few disadvantages to being a small church. For one thing, everyone serves on multiple committees. For another, change comes slowly.

"We are seeing more praise and worship than the traditional devotionals that we're used to. And little by little, we're getting more computerized," she said.

"Things have changed a lot since sister Matlock got here," Malvina Taylor said. "She sends you cards all the time, and if you don't come to church for two Sundays in a row, for whatever, she lets you know she noticed and wants to know why."

"I know," Lucretia Jones said. "She's got my husband spoiled with those cards."

Clark said she'd like to see the membership grow, and to improve the church building.

Matlock said she'd like to see the church stretch in all directions.

"I'd like to see us become more technically inclined," she said. "It would be nice to enlarge our hall and add an educational wing, which we don't have. I think if we pray hard and tithe, we can accomplish our goals. We're already involved in the community, but I'd like to see even more involvement there."

The church celebrates today, with a guest speaker at 11 a.m., and the Rev. John Morris from St. Mark A.M.E. Zion in Dallas will speak today at 3:30 p.m. Members said they will spend the afternoon with friends and fellow congregants. They'll thank God for their blessings, members said, and anticipate those to come.
* * *
This article written by Ms. Lucinda Breeding, appeared in the Denton Record- Chronicle, Denton, Texas on Sunday, October 16, 2005

Reprinted permission granted by the Publisher of the Denton Record- Chronicle

8. ST. MARK YOUNG ADULT MINISTRY LAUNCHES BOOK CLUB:

Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Young Adult Book Club is an opportunity to fellowship with other young adults while enjoying books that are purposely chosen to enhance spiritual growth. The book club is scheduled to meet at Borders Bookstore, 8705 N. Port Washington Road on December 01, 2005, and December 15th, 2005 @ 6:30 p.m.

Come fellowship with other young adults while enjoying workshops and seminars that answers many of your burning questions. The book club is open to the community. Contact the church office for additional meeting dates at (414) 562-8030.

For additional information contact the Rev. Darryl Williams, telephone (414) 562-8030

9. HISTORIC U.S. DISTRICT COURT JUDGE DIES:

Judge William B. Bryant, a Howard University and Law School Alum died Sunday at the age of 94. Bryant was the first African-American to serve as a chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. President Lyndon B. Johnson nominated Bryant to the federal bench in 1965. University President H. Patrick Swygert, who was once a student of Bryant's, called him "one of the great legal minds and pioneers of justice." President Bush has signed legislation for a $110 million addition to be made to the federal courthouse in Bryant's name.

http://www.thehilltoponline.com//

10. NATIONAL CLERGY RENEWAL PROGRAM:

"O sing to the Lord a new song." - Psalm 96:1

Recognizing the importance and necessity for busy pastors to have an opportunity to take an extended break for renewal and refreshment, Lilly Endowment in 2000 introduced a new competitive grants program. The program awards grants to congregations that offer a program for the renewal of their pastor and, at the same time, give the congregations themselves an opportunity to better themselves as vital places of worship and mission.

In the National Clergy Renewal Program, the Endowment annually provides as many as 120 grants of up to $45,000 each directly to Christian congregations for the support of a renewal program for their pastor. The master of divinity degree is the basic minimum educational requirement to apply for a grant. Deadlines for proposals are generally in May, with announcements of recipients generally made by October.

It is not too early to start next year.

Check out the Clergy Renewal Program funded by the Lily Foundation:

www.lillyendowment.org

11. THE RIGHT REVEREND ROBERT VAUGHN WEBSTER, PRESIDING BISHOP OF THE THIRD EPISCOPAL DISTRICT MADE THE FOLLOWING APPOINTMENTS ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2005:

Pastor From/To Conference Charge

John Stephens North Ohio to West Virginia Wayman, Wheeling
Michael Simmons Ohio to South Ohio Payne, Hamilton
Eddie L. McDonald South Ohio to West Virginia St. Peters, Weirton
Carl Terry Pittsburgh to West Virginia Henderson, Wellsburg
Paul Poube Pittsburgh to North Ohio St. Stephens, Sandusky
Joella Williams West Virginia to Pittsburgh Christ Temple, McKeesport
Yolanda Wright West Virginia to Pittsburgh St. Paul, McKeesport
Samuel Chambers West Virginia to Pittsburgh Payne, Duquesne
Kristopher Johnson North Ohio Mason Chapel, Findlay
Lacreta Evans Clark 4th District to Ohio St. Paul, Urbana
Nigel Felder Ohio to West Virginia Youngs Chapel, Huntington
Jermaine Covington North Ohio to Ohio St. John, Worthington
John Swann Ohio St. Paul, Cedarville
Elmer Martin South Ohio Brown Chapel, Cincinnati
Debra Adams Pittsburgh Bethel, Meadville
Marvin P. Morris Pittsburgh Greater Morris Chapel, Farrell
Kevin Cooper Pittsburgh to South Ohio Lee Chapel, Cincinnati
Mark Thompson 6th District to South Ohio Allen Temple, Cincinnati

Respectfully Submitted,

The Rev. Dr. Taylor T. Thompson
St. John AME Church
Cleveland, Ohio

12. BROWN CHAPEL COMMEMORATES 124 YEARS WITH BISHOP GREGORY G. M. INGRAM AS COMMEMORATIVE CELEBRATION SPEAKER:

Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church of Houston, Texas observed its 124th year Anniversary on Sunday August 7, 2005. It was a grand event all day.

The Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram, presiding prelate of the Tenth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church was our honored guest for the afternoon worship service. He preached a dynamic sermon entitled, “It’s All Good.” Our cup was filled by our presiding prelate’s homiletical delivery and episcopal presence.

When members of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, the mother church of Houston, began thinking about the lack of transportation and the long distances parishioners had to travel to worship, plans were formulated that led to the organization of Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church on July 10, 1881. The first pastor, for whom the church was named, the Reverend Louis Brown, joined the church’s first ten members in establishing the congregation.

Since that time, Brown Chapel has grown and has been a constant source for being a guiding light in the Houston community. Today, it stands as one of the few remaining churches located near downtown Houston. Currently, the Reverend Dr. Ruben D. Braziel serves as its pastor.

The rich historical past of Brown was documented by various sources ranging from the Archives of the Houston Public Library to the mouths of church members who recounted their personal descriptions of events and experiences as well as information passed down to them by parents and grand parents. This resulted in a display of historically pertinent articles. There were church record books, Sunday School Minutes, programs from the early years, newspaper articles heralding the work and choir activities of Brown, Robe shawls, The baptismal font used since the early 20th Century, and was the one used to baptize Brother jack A. York in 1924, general chairman of this anniversary commemoration, is still in use.

Many former members, families, and friends along with city officials and numerous local pastors of the Texas Conference shared the 124th Annual Celebration occasion. At 11:00 a.m., the sermon entitled, the Reverend Terrence Kirk, pastor of the Williams Temple Church of God in Christ, Houston, Texas, eloquently delivered “Walking in faith--Working out your own salvation”.

A delicious Barbecue dinner was served after the morning service. A historical documentary DVD was played during the meal. The DVD was moderated by Brother Melvin Wheeler and highlighted the various boards, auxiliaries and departments of the church, both from an historical and a present day perspective.

The “flavor” of the afternoon service was enhanced by a gospel skit presented by the Lilly Van Hall Drama Department, under the direction of Sister Mary Braziel. This skit was enthusiastically applauded and well received.

The presence of visitors and special guests was a blessing for the congregation and “the icing on the cake.” Among the special guests were ministerial sons and daughters of either Brown Chapel or sons and daughters in the ministry of the Reverend Ruben Braziel, in the persons of the Reverend Dr. Marva G. Bywaters, Petra A.M.E. Church; the Reverend Chuma Okoli, East Orange A.M.E. Church, Houston, Texas; and the Reverend Gordon Thomas, Perfecting A.M.E. (Houston). Platform guests included the Reverend Dr. Alfred Baker, Presiding Elder of the North Houston District of the Texas Conference and the Reverend Dr. Marshall Hobbs; pastor of Payne Cathedral of Faith A.M.E. Church, Houston.

“Walking and Serving with Faith: The Christian Journey” explains how Brown Chapel made it 124 years. The loving spirit in which members toiled together then, was still seen in 2005 as members young and old, worked together to clarify the theme of this occasion. The entire membership had their “hands on the plow.” Brother Jack A. York, chair along with Sister Patricia Hall, co-chair and Sister Helena Butler, youth co-chair inspired the fullest participation of the members in the planning, preparation and work for the culmination of this important observance.

As the page turns on the 124th year anniversary of Brown Chapel, The African Methodist Episcopal Church can truly be proud of this part of its legacy.

To God be the glory, Great things He hath done.
Submitted by:
Barbara Y. Brown
History Committee

Rev. Dr. Ruben D. Braziel
Pastor

13. THE 85TH SESSION OF THE CENTRAL ARKANSAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE TWELFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT HELD OCTOBER 12-16:

Resolution

Whereas, the 85th session of the Central Arkansas Conference convened at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church located at 1125 Virginia Street in Pine Bluff, Arkansas on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 with the Reverend Gregory C. Nettles as the pastor. Rev and Mrs. Nettles, along with the Allen Temple church family rolled out the red carpet and welcomed the conference in grand style.

Whereas, prior to the opening of the annual conference on Tuesday, the Women’s Missionary Society conducted it’s annual meeting. The meeting was presided over by the capable, efficient, well-organized, competent, professional and resourceful president Mrs. Thelma Y. Denton.

Whereas, The Annual Night in white was presided over by the eloquent, graceful, and refined Mrs. Sheila Washington, First Vice President. The missionary presented a skit entitled, “Twelve Gates to the City”. This skit nailed home the lesson “Faith without works is dead.” You can be in church every day, you can serve on all the boards but never stop to feed the hungry, cloth the naked, visit the sick, or help the stranger. You cannot enter into the Gates of the Holy City.

Whereas, the worship services were spiritual experiences filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Rev. Charles Lovett delivered the annual sermon. This mild mannered preacher turned into a superman that was covered by the Holy Spirit. And from the subject “From the Mountain Tops to the Valleys”, he reminded the conference that in order to appreciate the mountain top experiences you must go down in the valley. There is work to be done in the valley. In the Thursday noon day hour of power, the Holy Spirit stopped by and blessed the conference when the Rev. Linda Profit a proficient, practiced, and experienced preacher motivated and encouraged the conference in her message entitled “Surviving in a Strange Land.” This power packed message nailed home the fact that you can with God’s help survive the worse situation. And while you are going through God will allow you to sing song of joy and peace in a strange land. On Friday, once again the Holy Spirit showed up and blessed the conference. When out the state of Oklahoma, The Rev. Ralph Thomas asked the question “Where is Your God?” Rev. Thomas encourages the congregation to be mindful that God is as close to us as we will allow him to be. God will not turn away from us. We turn way from Him. On Saturday out the East North East Annual Conference, Presiding Elder Napoleon Davis along with family, pastors, member of ENE and his brother Presiding Elder Rev. T. B. Lamb blessed the conference with their support. Rev. Davis called on the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit entered in and filled the house. The spirit was high. Worship was taking place. The Holy Spirit blessed Rev. Davis and his singing children when they lifted “Come Ye Disconsolate” and “Nearer My God to Thee.” He advised us That God Will Take Care of You. On Sunday, a master theologian, trailblazer, serious Christian preacher delivered the closing sermon, Bishop Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr. He challenged every pastor and congregation to keep their hands in potter’s hand.

Whereas, the Conference at Study, under the leadership of the Christian Education Department, conducted workshops. Rev. Dr. Hazel J. Linton a member of the Strategic Planning Committee addressed the area on Strategic Planning for the A.M.E. Church. The conference was given the challenge to” Learn and Live” by Mrs. Marilyn A. Clark from The American Heart Association and Mrs. Sherry L. Johnson from the Arkansas Department of Health. Mrs. Lois Meeking presented an overview on the book “Teaching Christian Stewardship, by Earl R. Jefferson.

Whereas, Rev. James Thomas, member of the General Board of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, who serves on the Employee Security Committee, gave explication on the AME retirement, insurance and annuity. A question and answers session followed the presentation.

Whereas, All the pastors in the Central Arkansas Annual Conference are currently enrolled in the AME Employee Security Insurance, annuity and submitted application for the Variable Annuity. Bishop Chappelle stated that this would serve as the report of the Conference Employee Security Committee.

Whereas, The education night Shorter College / Jackson Theological Seminary was filled with information, and reflection on the past and present of Shorter College. Mr. Ray Johnson, an alumnus, class of ‘58, spoke on the past. . He reflected his day in class as those that were “no nonsense, hit the book” environment.

Whereas, Ms. Dominique Springer A student at shorter and a member of the Shorter Inspirational Choir sum up her reflection on Shorter in the present day with a quote from Booker T. Washington “Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one reaches in life as by the obstacles which one overcomes while trying to succeed.” The Shorter College Inspirational Choir under the direction of Mr. Alvin Givens took us back to the day of the Black College Choir touring the country using their gifts and graces to keep the academic process growing in a struggling school. They bless the conference in song of yesterday and today’s contemporary gospel music. Ms. Lovie Aaron, Director of Alumni Affairs introduced factually and staff from Shorter Mr. Carl Latttin basketball coach of both Men and women basketball teams, Rev. Mary V. Williams, Instructor, Dr. Barbara Jeanne Chappelle, English Professor, Mrs. Barbara DeLue, Business Manger,

Whereas, Rev. Clarence H. Guy, Dean of Jackson Theological Seminary; gave an up-date on Jackson Seminary. Currently Jackson has 21 students enrolled working toward an M Div. He gave and update on where are they now? Students that graduated from Jackson sons and daughter of the Central Arkansas Conference include Presiding Elder Curley H. Roberts, Presiding Elder, and Thomas G. Allen. Rev. W.R. Norful, Sr. candidate for bishop 2008, Rev. Chestine Simms, Treasure Central Arkansas Annual Conference Finance Committee, Rev. Ida H. Talley, staff Chaplain Jefferson Regional Medical Center, Pine Bluff, Rev. Talley is a continuing student at Memphis Theological Seminary and she is a certified associated chaplain by the Association of Professional and Catholic Chaplains Association Inc. She is the only African American Female certified associate chaplain in the state of Arkansas and one of three in the nation. Rev. Norma Jean Gillom, Unit Chaplain for the Ouachita River Correctional Unit Arkansas Department of Corrections. Rev. Gillom is the only African American Female chaplain employed by the Arkansas Department of Corrections in supervisory position. She is a member in good standing with the American Correctional Chaplains Association and the Community and Correctional Chaplains Association.

Whereas, Dr. Levenis Penix, Conference Coordinator of Alumni Affairs, presented Mrs. Lovie with a check for $3300.00 for Shorter College. The Conference received an offering for Shorter and Jackson:

- $200.00 Shorter to purchased two uniforms for the basketball teams
- $551.00 cash donation
- $360.00 in Pledges
- Jackson received $205.00 cash donation

Whereas, The Annual Lay night under the leadership of Mrs. Dorothy Clay Henderson, president and a third generation AME, was one to remember. The songs sung by the Macedonia, Camden A.M.E. Male Course were ones that you settle back in the pew and the Holy Spirit puts his arms around you and fills your spirit with great joy. The Skit “I Need You to Survive” told the congregation that in order to be the church of Christ not the denomination but the church. We must remember that it takes all of us working, praying, fasting, and sharing with one other and tithing together to carry on the work of the church.

Whereas, The men in black male course of Pine Bluff along with the Sons of Allen from across the Twelfth Episcopal District marched in on “We Are Soldiers In The Army” This regiment of solider lead by Bishop, Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr. Rev. Randolph Martin, Sr. Episcopal District Coordinator, Rev. Michael Washington, Conference Coordinator and Bro. Jimmy Matthews Conference President was one that was ready for war in God’s Army. The Sons of Allen presented three Awards:

- Bro. Chilton Blunt- outstanding Youth Leadership
- Bro. Luther Green- Business/ Civic
- Bro. Clyde Nelson Toney – Community / Education

The Son’s of Allen are in the process of establishing a scholarship for a student to attend Shorter College in the spring.

Whereas, The Holy Sprit working with the YPDers touch them and the Holy Sprit reach down and into their sprit and stirred up their gifts. Then the Holy sprit moved and worked through the Allen Stars and the Sunbeams when they sang, “I am to close to the mirror to see what you see in me. The Praise dancers from Greater Ward Chapel expressed worship and spiritual Entergy. The church overflowed with YPDers from the Arkansas, East North East, and the West Arkansas Annual Conferences.

Whereas, the YPDers under the leadership of Mrs. Maranda C. Johnson, conference YPD. Director, Miss La Quilla Boyce conference YPD, president, Mrs. Sherrill Giles, Episcopal YPD. Director, Mr. Reginald Clever, JR. Episcopal YPD, President, and Mother, Barbara Jeanne Chappelle gave the conference something to feast on for day to come.

Whereas, The conference choir accompanied by Mr. Larry Rhodes, Mr. LaBarron Mizer and Mr. Chilton Blunt and directed by Mrs. Stephanie Collins, and Mrs. Etta Martin lifted up the worship experience.

Whereas, Bishop, Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr consecrated Mrs. Cora L. Walker as a deaconess. She has served her church for more than fifty years.

Whereas, Three Veteran laborers in the vineyard of pastoral ministry, the Rev. H. O. Gray, the Rev. W.R. Coleman and the Rev. C. L. Lovett requested retirement.

Whereas, The Conference was Co-hosted wonderfully by the Rev. and Mrs. W. R. Norful, Sr. and the St. John family by hosting the Ministers, Wives’ and Widows’ Breakfast and serving lunch and dinner to the Bishop’s out of town guests. St. John was the site for the closing of the Annual Conference. This beautifully renovated structure opened its cathedral doors for Church School, which had 200 students in attendance .The closing worship service had 400 in attendance.

Be it known, a host of Stale, local and National government officials and representatives and members of the clergy visited the Eighty- fifth Session of the Central Arkansas Annual Conference.

Be It Therefore Resolved, that the Central Arkansas Conference was blessed by the present of the Holy Spirit and inspired by the leadership of the Episcopal Team to show a more excellent way

Humbly Submitted
Rev. Norma J. Gillom
Rev. Hazel J. Linton
Rev. Darelle Howell
Sister Irene V. Green
Sister Freddie Sims

14. CHAPEL RECAP: MCKENZIE DELIVERS RECIPE FOR SERENITY:

By Andrea J. Hill

In the wake of recent events like the death of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks, the abundant misfortune befallen by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and tornadoes strewn across the Great Plains and Midwestern areas, people have been left with a state of uncertainty and doubt about the future.

On a more local level, the recent passing of a pillar of the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel has weighed heavily on the congregation.

Dean of the Chapel, Bernard Richardson, Ph.D, reflected on the life of Arphelius Paul Gatling III, the former director of the Howard University Chapel Choir. As the choir sang, "People Need the Lord" a range of emotions began to surface.

With the sorrow that filled the atmosphere, it was left up to the speaker of the day to deliver the choir from their sorrow. The highly anticipated Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie attacked the spirit of sadness that seemed to plague the Howard University Chapel Choir with the theme, "Making the Best of a Bad Situation."

McKenzie examined Psalm 34: 18-19. The text states that, "the Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all."

In the midst of trials, tribulations, and otherwise difficult situations, McKenzie stressed the importance of the "continuous, insistent, consistent determined act of praising God." She charged every person in the audience to praise God in every circumstance; whether good or bad."

It's easy to praise God when everything is going right," McKenzie said. "But even then, I will bless the Lord at all times."In addition to praising God, McKenzie emphasized that in order to make the best out of a bad situation; one must understand the essence of serenity.

The bishop explained that her "recipe of serenity" should be utilized not just when a person's life is full of turmoil, but also when they are experiencing happiness, what she defined as a state of which the godly life with moral restraints is lived with joy. In her recipe of serenity, McKenzie outlined the main ingredients: the three levels of hope.

The first level, according to McKenzie is incremental hope, which "takes basic steps to lead to a situation." The second level is high hope or distant hope, which "goes by leaps and bounds." This level of hope is characteristic of blind faith, or profound belief in the unseen and the unfathomable.

McKenzie stated that ecstatic hope, which is the third level, is supernatural, ridiculous, and unexplainable hope. It is the hope that will lead one out of their present situation.

Brandi Veley, senior health management major, tremendously enjoyed listening to McKenzie's message. "She is an extremely, extremely good orator. Her sermon really touched me, and undoubtedly everyone in the service," Veley said.

McKenzie made history as the first woman to be elected to serve as the 117th bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, marking the first time in the church's 200-year history that a woman has reached that level of office. She also served as the president of the Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, making her the highest-ranking woman in the denomination.

She received her Bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, and her Master of Divinity degree from the Howard University School of Divinity. She serves as the National Chaplain for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and as a member of the Board of Trustees for Wilberforce University.

Additional reporting done by Tomi Akinmusuru

Reprinted from The Hilltop, the online edition of the Howard University campus
The Hilltop - Campus newspaper, Issue: 11/14/05

15. PRE-THANKSGIVING SERVICE TO HELP REDUCE HOLIDAY STRESS:

From the pastor and congregation of Wayman Chapel A. M. E. Church;

We greet you in the blessed name of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ.
On Friday, November 18, 2005, 7:00 p.m. at Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Georgetown, Kentucky is hosting a “Pre-Thanksgiving Worship service.” The theme for this uplifting empowering spirit-filled worship service is “Too Blessed to be Stressed.”

During the holiday season many become stressed and depressed, therefore we invite you to come to church, praise God and get blessed. We must not forget that during this busy season, we need to keep Jesus on our minds and in our hearts.

We have invited three anointed preachers from various denominations to come and share the Word of God.

Listed below are the topics and speakers of the worship service.

Thank God for Past Blessings
Reverend Darrel Ashby
Associate minister at First Baptist Church, Sharpsburg, Kentucky

Thank God for Present Blessings
Reverend Dr. Morgan Gilkey
Pastor of Fairview Christian Church, Mount Sterling Kentucky

Thank God for Future Blessings
Reverend Lyle Morton
Pastor of Wesley United Methodist, Georgetown, Kentucky

If you have any questions please contact Reverend Antonio Q Stuckey at (home) 859- 231-9435 or (cell) 859-221-7101.

In Christian Fellowship,

The Reverend Antonio Q. Stuckey and the members of Wayman Chapel A.M.E Church Georgetown, Kentucky.

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD”
(Psalm 122:1)

Wayman Chapel
African Methodist Episcopal Church
321 Chambers Avenue
Georgetown, Kentucky 40324
(Home) 859-231-9435
(Cell) 859- 221-9435
Sunday, November 6, 2005

16. NEWS FROM THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES: IN GENEVA, FAITH COMMUNITIES URGE NEW COMMITMENT TO TOLERANCE:

Whether in European suburbs or Middle Eastern capitals, religious identity can often seem to be a source or fuel of conflict. And as many Western societies struggle to adapt to an emerging multicultural and multireligious reality, issues of tolerance and "living together" become ever more acute.Responding to these concerns, people from virtually all the world's faith traditions came together in Geneva this week and appealed to their own believers and the broader world to nurture actively the sources of tolerance and compassion common to all religions.

"We affirm that humankind, made up of many peoples, nations, races, colours, cultures and religious traditions, is one human family. Therefore, we reject all attempts to drive wedges between religious traditions by presenting them as mutually exclusive. We commit ourselves to lift up the teachings and practices in our religious traditions that nourish life and promote community," affirmed a statement of "common commitments" sent to religious communities in Geneva and the region. "We call upon all religious communities to make such acts of commitment their own and so further the vision of spirituality that would bring healing and wholeness to our fractured world."

> Interfaith celebrationThe text was made public during a series of events focusing on religious tolerance and dialogue on the theme "My neighbour's faith and mine: religious identity - for better or for worse?" in Geneva 12-14 November 2005, under the auspices of the World Council of Churches and the Geneva-based Interreligious Platform.

Through encounter, debate, prayer and sacred dance, participants from diverse religious horizons and origins shared their traditions, explored the role of faith in their lives and how it influenced societies and attitudes to "the other".

The programme, including an inter-faith celebration at Geneva's historic St Pierre's Cathedral, involved local leaders, scholars and other participants from the Baha'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish and Muslim faiths. Highlights of the three-day event included an international colloquium under the heading "An end to tolerance?", and a youth forum which allowed over 100 young people from 19 countries to dialogue on experiences of belief, identity and plurality.

> Changes in religious identityProfound changes in society are strongly impacting the nature of religious identity, according to Rev. Jean-Claude Basset, a Swiss Protestant pastor and specialist on interreligious dialogue. In his context, faith could no longer be considered as an inherited or imposed set of values, but was increasingly understood as a question of individual conscience and personal experience. Dialogue therefore requires new approaches.

For other speakers during the event, the fragmentation of traditional identities, strengthened by globalization, is one of the root causes of fundamentalism and an obstacle to dialogue, strengthening religious "fortresses" and the risk of confrontation, which, in some contexts, already exists.

> Spirituality as a response to fundamentalismThe problem of violence is not a problem of religion, but rather a problem of our attitudes to religion, the Algerian-born Muslim academic Larbi Kechat argued. "We need to rediscover the connection between our vertical and horizontal identities, the Divine and the human, which can be the basis for rediscovering our mutuality and complementarily. The crisis facing humankind is the loss of certitudes," which can lead to new forms of religious fundamentalism, he said.

When religion becomes ideology, it has the capacity to nurture exclusivity and therefore violence, according to Rabbi Marc Raphaël Guedj from Geneva. "There is a need to move from identity to spirituality. It is by deepening spiritual experience, and returning to the sources of faith, that a balanced relationship between particular identity and universality can be restored," Guedj proposed. "The deeper our religious experience, the more open we become. Mystics of all traditions have no problem with dialogue!"

> From mutual understanding to active collaborationWCC's general secretary, Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, underlined how interfaith dialogue is of growing significance for the WCC as a global fellowship of Christian churches. "Today the call for dialogue as a way of resolving conflict, as a way of soothing tensions, and as a way of offering a space where divisive issues could be discussed, is heard ever more loudly. Religious leaders are being challenged to more effectively exercise their ethical responsibility in addressing situations which could threaten peace and coexistence.""The challenge to all religious communities is to re-imagine and rethink a society that is able to cope constructively with religious and cultural plurality," added Rev. Dr Hans Ucko, head of WCC's interreligious relations office, who moderated the international colloquium. "There is an urgent need to move beyond a situation of parallel societies to one that is able to cope constructively with religious and cultural plurality, going beyond mere tolerance to a community of authentic respect."Dialogue needs to move from mutual understanding to active collaboration, Kobia stressed. "The increased awareness of religious plurality, the potential role of religion in peace-building, and the growing recognition of the place of religion in public life present immense challenges that require deeper understanding and inter-faith cooperation. That which we can do together, we should not do separately.

"The interreligious event "My neighbour's faith and mine: religious identity - for better or for worse?" was made possible with the support of Pictet & Cie.

The detailed programme, photos of the events and the main documents, including the full text of the "common commitments", are available on:

http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/interreligious/vivre-ensemble.html

Additional information on the WCC's interreligious relations and dialogue team which organized the event is available on:
http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/interreligious/index-e.html

This material may be reprinted freely.Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

17. THE PASTOR’S CORNER - COME TO ME - LIFE-GIVING LIVING VIII:

On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me...”

Jesus in the above passage presents an invitation to all who are thirsty. His invitation is “Come to me.” The Bible study groups at Quinn Chapel described the word “thirsty” in this instance to mean our deepest needs. We often request of God solutions to problems we are facing, not understanding our deeper needs. Jesus desires to satisfy our deepest and often unspoken needs, not simply the problems that manifest from those needs. Jesus says, “Come to Me.”

Jesus quotes Isaiah 55: 1-3. The reader is invited to “Come, buy…without money and without cost…come to me; I will make an everlasting covenant with you…” God wants to covenant with His people to satisfy our deepest needs.

How we’re To Come to God – Isaiah 55: 2-7

God is truly saying, “Come to me” and through the prophet Isaiah tells us we are to “listen and give ear” (v. 2-3). This is more than simply hearing God. This is choosing to adhere to what God says. It is about us humbling ourselves and yielding to God (v.6a). “Come to me,” means we are to look for, pursue, and search for God in our living (v. 6b). We are to make a connection through spending time with God in honest vulnerability. Finally, “Come to Me,” means we are to “turn to the Lord,” (v. 7) by surrendering to Him, trusting in Him by not leaning on our own understanding (Proverbs 3: 5-8).

What God Gives Us – Isaiah 55: 8-13

1. The Mind of God – Isaiah 55: 8-9 tells us how different God’s thoughts are from our own. Paul later explained in I Corinthians 2: 1-10 what having the “mind of God” makes us aware:

A. God’s Love (v.1-2) - as expressed through the crucifixion of His Son, Jesus Christ. We can be assured that the God who sacrificed His Son for us is willing to address our needs.

b. God’s Power (v.3-5) – we can have faith in the ability of God to address our needs. The God who made all things from nothing can handle my thing.

c. God’s Wisdom (v.6-10) – as revealed by God, the Holy Spirit. The all-knowing One speaks solutions into our spirits as we commune with Him.

2. The Word of God – Isaiah 55: 10-13 describe the efficacy of God’s word in our lives, as the application of His word is made real by His Spirit. As we sincerely answer Jesus’ invitation to “Come to me”, we experience the following:

a. God’s Purpose (v.10-11) –We operate in God’s purpose for our lives. We begin to recognize a God-ordained meaning behind even those things we may have once viewed as failures.

b. God’s Joy (v.12a) – We face life with the joy of God permeating our attitude. The circumstances of life no longer control us emotionally. Our joy found in our relationship with Jesus Christ.

c. God’s Peace (v.12b) – Peace is not the absence of difficulty, it is the presence of wholeness though we are still confronted with the problems that are a part of simply being alive, we are able to maintain a sense of wholeness in the middle of difficulties.
Jesus says, “Come to Me.” As we do, we experience the love, power, wisdom, purpose, joy and peace that are ours as we rest in our relationship with our loving Savior (Matthew 11: 28-30). Our rest is the result of being connected to the gentle and humble heart of the One who says ever so sweetly, “Come to Me.”

James Moody
Quinn Chapel Chicago

18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Condolences to the Family of the Late Rev. Dr. Donald E. Newberry, Sr., Pastor of Lee Chapel AME Church, Cincinnati, Ohio for fifty years; brother of Mr. Estus Newberry, a member of St. John AME Church Cleveland, Ohio and father of the Reverends Donald Newberry, Jr. and Andrew Newberry (Pastor, Bethel AME Church, Scranton, PA). Rev. Newberry, Sr., who had served as a member of the Episcopal Committee since 1976, passed on Thursday, November 9, 2005.

Services Friday, November 18, 2005 at Lee Chapel AME Church

Wake: 5-7 p.m.
Funeral: 7 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to

The Newberry Family
1829 Kinney Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207
513-961-8412

Lee Chapel AME Church
2009 Pogue Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45208
Office 513-871-5885
Fax 513-871-5531

Please keep the family in prayer.

Rev. Dr. Taylor T. Thompson
Third District Brotherhood
216-214-6886

The Right Reverend Robert V. Webster, Presiding Prelate
Third Episcopal District AMEC

19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

The Reverend Robert Jones, Pastor of Mt. View AME Church, Dechard, Tennessee for 8 years passed Sunday, November 13, 2005.

Services
Thursday, November 17, 2005
St. Paul AME Church
521 West College Street
Fayetteville, TN 37334

931-433-0675 (Phone)
901- 433-0675 (Fax)

Family Visitation 12 Noon
Funeral

1:00 PM
Funeral Home
Howard Funeral Home
501 Maple Street West

Fayetteville, TN 37334
931-433-1222 (Phone)
901433-1222 (Fax)

Condolences may be sent to the wife and family

Mrs. Hildred Jones
206 Brogan Avenue
Fayetteville, TN 37334

931-433-5615 (Phone)

Please keep the family in prayer.

Dr. Kenneth H. Hill, Presiding ElderEast Tennessee Annual Conference
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate
Thirteenth Episcopal District AME Church

20. 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.

21. 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

BREAKING NEWS! GEORGIA PASTOR ASSIGNED TO ALLEN TEMPLE AME

BREAKING NEWS!

The Reverend Dr. Mark Thompson, pastor of Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta, Georgia has been transferred from the 6th Episcopal District to the 3rd Episcopal District and has been assigned as the pastor of Allen Temple AME Church, Cincinnati, Ohio.