The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER WISHES ALL OF OUR READERS
A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A BLESSED NEW YEAR!
1. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES FOR PUBLICATION IN THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
Submitted articles must be sent electronically via e-mail in either Plain Text, or Word format. Articles may also be submitted in the body of an email message; no diskettes or CDs. Submissions should be sent to chsydnor@bellsouth.net . Normally, articles should be less than 500 words.
Photos may be mailed, but the preferred method is electronic submission of photos in tif. or jpeg. format. Color separation fees for color photos cost $35 each.
Articles should contain a strong lead, an article-body that develops and delivers on the lead, and a definitive conclusion with an international audience in mind. Writers are discouraged from using figures of speech that do not translate efficiently into foreign languages and other cultures. Examples are phrases like, “Bring home the bacon”,” …just pulling your leg” or “That’s mixing apples and oranges.”
All articles will be carefully evaluated for content, style and subject matter, and will be accepted or rejected based on that evaluation. An acceptance or rejection will be emailed to you as soon as possible after your submission has been received.
- Indentation
Left – 0
Right – 0
- Spacing
Before – 0 pt.
After - 0 pt.
- Special – None
- Line Spacing - Single
- Font – either Times New Roman, Courier, Arial, Georgia, or Verdana
Absolutely, no automatic formatting!
Type Size: 12 pt.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor-
Good column on the terms "senior pastor" and "minister" - you were right on target - even though I play with the "senior pastor" label myself! While it sounds catchy, it gave me pause the other day when a Deacon on his first assignment to a very small congregation gave me a business card noting that he was the "senior pastor." It also gives me pause, because since I'm the only one who gets an appointment, I'm not really the senior pastor, I'm the only pastor.
That spills over into a companion discussion of the terms "associate pastor" and "assistant pastor," neither of which are defined in the Book of Discipline but are also widely used. My personal practice is to simply refer to the ordained local and unassigned itinerant clergy at Morris Brown as members of the clergy staff, and to ask that they do the same. I learned years ago that when people are labeled as "pastors" in any way, they sometimes choose to exercise unilateral pastoral authority and cause major church headaches in doing so.
The terminology is worthy of CONVO discussion, since one of our major problems in faith and order is what it means to be an AME. We need to go back to the days when we set the course, instead of letting other churches set the course and "borrowing" from them.
Be blessed,
Joe Darby
- To the Editor -
Re: Editorial - Two Words Going Around the Church
After reading your editorial on the two words going on around in the Church, one of my colleagues asked what about the term "co-pastor?" Neither of us has seen the term listed in The Discipline and it seemed to us that the term and usage of said term, opens up a “can of worms” when it comes to matters of succession in the local church. For example, if one of the spouses or the co-pastor dies before the next Annual Conference is it right to assume that the surviving spouse or co-pastor will now serve as the pastor of the charge until the Annual Conference convenes? Does the bishop then give the surviving spouse a new appointment naming him/her as the only pastor?
Look forward to hearing your response.
- To the Editor –
Re: Editorial - Two Words Going Around the Church
The topic of your and Dr. Barbour's discussion was also a part of the Ecclesiology and Liturgy Workgroup's findings and report presented at CONVO 8, Feb. 17, 2004.
The document the group submitted at CONVO 8 spoke to your discussion, in item 4 of its Recommendations, stating:
"4). Terminology: we must be more intentional in the use of the “correct (by A.M.E. standards and traditions)” terms when addressing our clergy (i.e., “senior pastor” is not an A.M.E. term/title; “Minister So-and-so” is not a legitimate title for our unordained clergy (it can be easily confused with terms used for “Minister of Music”, etc.). We’ve picked up these terms from other denominations; and, they are not A.M.E. terms."
Note: CONVOS 7, in Birmingham, AL, Dec. 2003 and CONVO 8 in Charleston, SC, Feb. 2004 were entitled "On Faith, Order and Ministry," with Ecclesiology and Liturgy as one of several workgroups under this heading at both CONVOS.
Sincerely,
Vicki Houston
10th District
- To the Editor
Re: Editorial - Two Words Going Around the Church
I want to take this opportunity thank you for the article dated 12/11/06. Reference TWO WORDS GOING AROUND THE CHURCH. A few months ago I emailed you on that very subject and you responded to me the same way you explained it in the article. I would that hope this issue get addressed when we get to St. Louis in 2008.
I would also like to see some clarity on how stewards are confirmed. I remember the article you wrote about the conversation you and Dr. Barbour had on that issue also. I just wanted to thank for all information that you give us through your editorials.
AIRBORNE!
Bro Jesse A. Hill
New Bethel A.M.E. Church
Orlando, Florida
jhill2013@cfl.rr.com
- To the Editor -
This letter comes to congratulate the Christian Recorder for the current and meaningful editorials now appearing in the Christian Recorder. As a long time subscriber you have brought the AME Church into the 21st. century. The article; NOW IS THE TIME FOR PRINCIPLES by CONGRESSMAN JAMES E. CLYBURN touched on the much needed concerns and issues the A M E Church was founded upon and must be passed on to future generations.
Again thank you and keep up the good works.
Evelyn Whittington
St. Mark AME Church
Virginia Beach VA
3. THE AME COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND SEMINARIES IN THE UNITED STATES, LIBERIA AND SOUTH AFRICA:
Accredited Four-year Colleges: Allen University, Columbia, S.C.Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Fla.Morris Brown College, AtlantaPaul Quinn College, DallasWilberforce University, Wilberforce, OhioAME University, Monrovia, Liberia
Accredited Two-year Colleges:Shorter College, Little Rock, Ark.Wilberforce Community College, Evaton, South Africa
Accredited Graduate SeminariesPayne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, OhioTurner Theological Seminary, Atlanta
4. CHANCELLOR AMMONS MAKES LIST FOR FINALIST FOR FAMU'S PRESIDENT - “CANDIDATE HAS A.M.E. ROOTS":
Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, Staff Writer
Chancellor, James H. Ammons, Ph.D. , a leading administrator and educator, is a native son of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, is listed among the top six finalist for the position for President of Florida A. and M. University in Tallahassee, Florida. He developed his roots in Florida's citrus county of Polk County, Winter Haven, Florida. Among the churches Dr. Ammons has been affiliated with are; Hurst Chapel A.M.E. Church, Winter Haven, Florida, Bethel A.M.E. Church, Tallahassee, Florida. Dr. Ammons graduated as cum laude in 1974, earning a bachelor's degree in political science from Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. He was awarded, by the American Political Science Association, a Minority Graduate Fellowship. He later matriculated at Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida and graduated in earning the master's degree in public administration in 1975, and earned the Ph.D. in Government 1977.
Dr. Ammons began his professional teaching career in public policy and administration in 1977-1983, as an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. He relocated to FAMU in 1983, as an associate professor of political science, and in 1984, he was promoted to the position of Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1989, he was promoted to Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and also served as Director of Title III Programs. Dr. Ammons, was promoted to a full professor in 1993, and appointed to the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs on October 1, 1995.
Dr. Ammons was selected as an American Council on Education Fellow, and in 1987-88, he served as Political Science Faculty Program Consultant for the Florida Board of Regents.
He served as Chair of the evaluation and reaffirmation committees as a member of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. A member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Task Force on Professional Development Programs for Teachers. A member of the Joint Commission on Accountability Reporting of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the National Association of State and Universities and Land Grant Colleges.
Dr. Ammons has received many accolades and awards. A Recipient of the Booth Ferris Fellow, the University of Wisconsin Madison, 1993; a CIGNA Foundation Fellow, 1986-87; and Alpha Kappa Mu Scholar, 1970-1974. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award by the College of Social Sciences of Florida State University in 1995- 1999.
An outstanding leader and community activist, Dr. Ammons received the 2000 Distinguished Alumni Award and the recipient of the Millennium Award by Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida, Tallahassee, Florida.
The Search committee will meet this next week and the list will proceed to three candidates after the upcoming interview.
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E. is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder
5. NORTH ALABAMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE ST. JOHN A. M. E. CHURCH, HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA HOSTED A SPIRIT-FILLED ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
The members of the Exciting North Alabama Annual Conference heeded the call of the Right Reverend Theodore Larry Kirkland, the 114th elected and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, assembled in reverent, bold, yet humble fashion to this 128th session, on October 5, 2006, at St. John A.M.E. Church, located in the Rocket City, Huntsville, Alabama, where the Rev. Dr. Homer L. McCall serves as the pastor, with his beautiful First Lady, Mabel, at his side.
AMEs from Birmingham to the Tennessee state line and from Florence to Scottsboro came proudly singing, “And Are We Yet Alive,” setting the tone for a magnificent week in which the sessions of the North Alabama Annual Conference have proven to be inspirational, informational, educational and rewarding.
Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, a “down home preacher” with an “uptown message,” filled with power and might of Almighty God, led us through an orderly and peaceful Annual Conference, as he presided in an efficient, gentle, refreshing, and a sometimes, humorous manner.
The reports of the ministers of the conference were given and reflected their dedication, sacrifice, and spirit of commitment, while Bishop Kirkland listened intently to the sincerity of the reports.
The opening session was “on fire” with the Holy Ghost, as the Rev. Cornelius Curtis Cummings, pastor of St. Paul A. M. E. Church, (Smithfield) in Birmingham, AL, set our hearts on Holy Ghost fire with, “It’s Time to Take a Stand!”
We were continually fed by the Spirit, through a message from the Rev. Taurus L. Myhand, pastor of St. Paul A. M. E. Church, Scottsboro, AL, who electrified, stimulated, got the conference on their feet shouting, during the Sons of Allen Worship Service, exclaiming, “God Hath Spared Us Another Year,” explaining, “Worship must celebrate GOD, witness our experience with GOD, and proclaim the power of GOD.”
The Friday Noon day “Hour of Power” sermon was powerfully delivered by General Officer, Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Sunday School Union, who asked the conference, “What Kind of Servant Do You Want to Be?”, declaring unity and growth of the Church, depends on everyone assuming the roll of the servant.
The music was both traditional and contemporary as well as uplifting, delivered with enthusiasm and excitement, by the St. John AME Church Choir led by a most prestigious, energetic and animated director.
The Lay Organization, and the debonair, and most capable President Rodney Davidson, made a significant contribution to the Conference, on Lay Night when the Rev. Ronald Sterling, pastor of St. Stephens A. M. E. Church, (Airport), Birmingham, Alabama, pricked the spiritual conscience and intellect of the conference as he declared, “Praise - the Perfect Witness in the Midst of Adversity.”
The Conference was lifted to higher plains in the Ordination Service, when the Rev. Darryl Walker, pastor of Turner Memorial AME Church, Hyattsville, MD, ignited the conference as he challenged the candidates when he asked the question, “What are you going to do When Your Hedges Get Cut Down.”
The Young People’s Department of the North Alabama Conference, under the leadership of Director Lolita Seltzer, with the cooperation of the four Area Directors, and numerous local directors, continued to keep the Spirit high through song, dance, and drama, when they gave “The Invitation,” in A Youth Night Celebration on, “Living Life God’s Way.” Souls were rededicated, and revived.
The North Alabama Conference added to its roll as Bishop Kirkland issued the charge to Itinerant Deacons, the Reverend Malik Jo Sales, Xavier Carter, and Itinerant Elders, the Reverends Tameka Bruce, Willis N. Huggins, Jr., Raymond Nomel, Sandra E. Stanford, LaShondra Stanford.
The North Alabama Conference added transfers, the Reverends W. A. Butts, Frederick McCullough, Courtney R Mills-McCullough, Taurus L. Myhand, and F. D. Parker.
The Women’s Missionary Society recommitted themselves, during a candlelight vigil, to demonstrate the properties of the Fruit of the Spirit,
The Church School under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Susie Crenshaw, with the assistance of Rev. Sheryl Shipman, pastor of Hopewell AME Church, Florence, expounded on the qualities of availability, courage, and willingness, which made Deborah a most capable judge.
The Ministers’ Spouses, Widows, and PK’s Council melodious Choir, serenaded and inspired the conference with worship and praise during the Ordination Service as they magnified the LORD.
Submitted articles must be sent electronically via e-mail in either Plain Text, or Word format. Articles may also be submitted in the body of an email message; no diskettes or CDs. Submissions should be sent to chsydnor@bellsouth.net . Normally, articles should be less than 500 words.
Photos may be mailed, but the preferred method is electronic submission of photos in tif. or jpeg. format. Color separation fees for color photos cost $35 each.
Articles should contain a strong lead, an article-body that develops and delivers on the lead, and a definitive conclusion with an international audience in mind. Writers are discouraged from using figures of speech that do not translate efficiently into foreign languages and other cultures. Examples are phrases like, “Bring home the bacon”,” …just pulling your leg” or “That’s mixing apples and oranges.”
All articles will be carefully evaluated for content, style and subject matter, and will be accepted or rejected based on that evaluation. An acceptance or rejection will be emailed to you as soon as possible after your submission has been received.
- Indentation
Left – 0
Right – 0
- Spacing
Before – 0 pt.
After - 0 pt.
- Special – None
- Line Spacing - Single
- Font – either Times New Roman, Courier, Arial, Georgia, or Verdana
Absolutely, no automatic formatting!
Type Size: 12 pt.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor-
Good column on the terms "senior pastor" and "minister" - you were right on target - even though I play with the "senior pastor" label myself! While it sounds catchy, it gave me pause the other day when a Deacon on his first assignment to a very small congregation gave me a business card noting that he was the "senior pastor." It also gives me pause, because since I'm the only one who gets an appointment, I'm not really the senior pastor, I'm the only pastor.
That spills over into a companion discussion of the terms "associate pastor" and "assistant pastor," neither of which are defined in the Book of Discipline but are also widely used. My personal practice is to simply refer to the ordained local and unassigned itinerant clergy at Morris Brown as members of the clergy staff, and to ask that they do the same. I learned years ago that when people are labeled as "pastors" in any way, they sometimes choose to exercise unilateral pastoral authority and cause major church headaches in doing so.
The terminology is worthy of CONVO discussion, since one of our major problems in faith and order is what it means to be an AME. We need to go back to the days when we set the course, instead of letting other churches set the course and "borrowing" from them.
Be blessed,
Joe Darby
- To the Editor -
Re: Editorial - Two Words Going Around the Church
After reading your editorial on the two words going on around in the Church, one of my colleagues asked what about the term "co-pastor?" Neither of us has seen the term listed in The Discipline and it seemed to us that the term and usage of said term, opens up a “can of worms” when it comes to matters of succession in the local church. For example, if one of the spouses or the co-pastor dies before the next Annual Conference is it right to assume that the surviving spouse or co-pastor will now serve as the pastor of the charge until the Annual Conference convenes? Does the bishop then give the surviving spouse a new appointment naming him/her as the only pastor?
Look forward to hearing your response.
- To the Editor –
Re: Editorial - Two Words Going Around the Church
The topic of your and Dr. Barbour's discussion was also a part of the Ecclesiology and Liturgy Workgroup's findings and report presented at CONVO 8, Feb. 17, 2004.
The document the group submitted at CONVO 8 spoke to your discussion, in item 4 of its Recommendations, stating:
"4). Terminology: we must be more intentional in the use of the “correct (by A.M.E. standards and traditions)” terms when addressing our clergy (i.e., “senior pastor” is not an A.M.E. term/title; “Minister So-and-so” is not a legitimate title for our unordained clergy (it can be easily confused with terms used for “Minister of Music”, etc.). We’ve picked up these terms from other denominations; and, they are not A.M.E. terms."
Note: CONVOS 7, in Birmingham, AL, Dec. 2003 and CONVO 8 in Charleston, SC, Feb. 2004 were entitled "On Faith, Order and Ministry," with Ecclesiology and Liturgy as one of several workgroups under this heading at both CONVOS.
Sincerely,
Vicki Houston
10th District
- To the Editor
Re: Editorial - Two Words Going Around the Church
I want to take this opportunity thank you for the article dated 12/11/06. Reference TWO WORDS GOING AROUND THE CHURCH. A few months ago I emailed you on that very subject and you responded to me the same way you explained it in the article. I would that hope this issue get addressed when we get to St. Louis in 2008.
I would also like to see some clarity on how stewards are confirmed. I remember the article you wrote about the conversation you and Dr. Barbour had on that issue also. I just wanted to thank for all information that you give us through your editorials.
AIRBORNE!
Bro Jesse A. Hill
New Bethel A.M.E. Church
Orlando, Florida
jhill2013@cfl.rr.com
- To the Editor -
This letter comes to congratulate the Christian Recorder for the current and meaningful editorials now appearing in the Christian Recorder. As a long time subscriber you have brought the AME Church into the 21st. century. The article; NOW IS THE TIME FOR PRINCIPLES by CONGRESSMAN JAMES E. CLYBURN touched on the much needed concerns and issues the A M E Church was founded upon and must be passed on to future generations.
Again thank you and keep up the good works.
Evelyn Whittington
St. Mark AME Church
Virginia Beach VA
3. THE AME COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND SEMINARIES IN THE UNITED STATES, LIBERIA AND SOUTH AFRICA:
Accredited Four-year Colleges: Allen University, Columbia, S.C.Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Fla.Morris Brown College, AtlantaPaul Quinn College, DallasWilberforce University, Wilberforce, OhioAME University, Monrovia, Liberia
Accredited Two-year Colleges:Shorter College, Little Rock, Ark.Wilberforce Community College, Evaton, South Africa
Accredited Graduate SeminariesPayne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, OhioTurner Theological Seminary, Atlanta
4. CHANCELLOR AMMONS MAKES LIST FOR FINALIST FOR FAMU'S PRESIDENT - “CANDIDATE HAS A.M.E. ROOTS":
Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, Staff Writer
Chancellor, James H. Ammons, Ph.D. , a leading administrator and educator, is a native son of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, is listed among the top six finalist for the position for President of Florida A. and M. University in Tallahassee, Florida. He developed his roots in Florida's citrus county of Polk County, Winter Haven, Florida. Among the churches Dr. Ammons has been affiliated with are; Hurst Chapel A.M.E. Church, Winter Haven, Florida, Bethel A.M.E. Church, Tallahassee, Florida. Dr. Ammons graduated as cum laude in 1974, earning a bachelor's degree in political science from Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida. He was awarded, by the American Political Science Association, a Minority Graduate Fellowship. He later matriculated at Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida and graduated in earning the master's degree in public administration in 1975, and earned the Ph.D. in Government 1977.
Dr. Ammons began his professional teaching career in public policy and administration in 1977-1983, as an assistant professor at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida. He relocated to FAMU in 1983, as an associate professor of political science, and in 1984, he was promoted to the position of Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs. In 1989, he was promoted to Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and also served as Director of Title III Programs. Dr. Ammons, was promoted to a full professor in 1993, and appointed to the position of Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs on October 1, 1995.
Dr. Ammons was selected as an American Council on Education Fellow, and in 1987-88, he served as Political Science Faculty Program Consultant for the Florida Board of Regents.
He served as Chair of the evaluation and reaffirmation committees as a member of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. A member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Task Force on Professional Development Programs for Teachers. A member of the Joint Commission on Accountability Reporting of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and the National Association of State and Universities and Land Grant Colleges.
Dr. Ammons has received many accolades and awards. A Recipient of the Booth Ferris Fellow, the University of Wisconsin Madison, 1993; a CIGNA Foundation Fellow, 1986-87; and Alpha Kappa Mu Scholar, 1970-1974. He is the recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award by the College of Social Sciences of Florida State University in 1995- 1999.
An outstanding leader and community activist, Dr. Ammons received the 2000 Distinguished Alumni Award and the recipient of the Millennium Award by Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida, Tallahassee, Florida.
The Search committee will meet this next week and the list will proceed to three candidates after the upcoming interview.
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E. is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder
5. NORTH ALABAMA ANNUAL CONFERENCE ST. JOHN A. M. E. CHURCH, HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA HOSTED A SPIRIT-FILLED ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
The members of the Exciting North Alabama Annual Conference heeded the call of the Right Reverend Theodore Larry Kirkland, the 114th elected and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, assembled in reverent, bold, yet humble fashion to this 128th session, on October 5, 2006, at St. John A.M.E. Church, located in the Rocket City, Huntsville, Alabama, where the Rev. Dr. Homer L. McCall serves as the pastor, with his beautiful First Lady, Mabel, at his side.
AMEs from Birmingham to the Tennessee state line and from Florence to Scottsboro came proudly singing, “And Are We Yet Alive,” setting the tone for a magnificent week in which the sessions of the North Alabama Annual Conference have proven to be inspirational, informational, educational and rewarding.
Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, a “down home preacher” with an “uptown message,” filled with power and might of Almighty God, led us through an orderly and peaceful Annual Conference, as he presided in an efficient, gentle, refreshing, and a sometimes, humorous manner.
The reports of the ministers of the conference were given and reflected their dedication, sacrifice, and spirit of commitment, while Bishop Kirkland listened intently to the sincerity of the reports.
The opening session was “on fire” with the Holy Ghost, as the Rev. Cornelius Curtis Cummings, pastor of St. Paul A. M. E. Church, (Smithfield) in Birmingham, AL, set our hearts on Holy Ghost fire with, “It’s Time to Take a Stand!”
We were continually fed by the Spirit, through a message from the Rev. Taurus L. Myhand, pastor of St. Paul A. M. E. Church, Scottsboro, AL, who electrified, stimulated, got the conference on their feet shouting, during the Sons of Allen Worship Service, exclaiming, “God Hath Spared Us Another Year,” explaining, “Worship must celebrate GOD, witness our experience with GOD, and proclaim the power of GOD.”
The Friday Noon day “Hour of Power” sermon was powerfully delivered by General Officer, Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Sunday School Union, who asked the conference, “What Kind of Servant Do You Want to Be?”, declaring unity and growth of the Church, depends on everyone assuming the roll of the servant.
The music was both traditional and contemporary as well as uplifting, delivered with enthusiasm and excitement, by the St. John AME Church Choir led by a most prestigious, energetic and animated director.
The Lay Organization, and the debonair, and most capable President Rodney Davidson, made a significant contribution to the Conference, on Lay Night when the Rev. Ronald Sterling, pastor of St. Stephens A. M. E. Church, (Airport), Birmingham, Alabama, pricked the spiritual conscience and intellect of the conference as he declared, “Praise - the Perfect Witness in the Midst of Adversity.”
The Conference was lifted to higher plains in the Ordination Service, when the Rev. Darryl Walker, pastor of Turner Memorial AME Church, Hyattsville, MD, ignited the conference as he challenged the candidates when he asked the question, “What are you going to do When Your Hedges Get Cut Down.”
The Young People’s Department of the North Alabama Conference, under the leadership of Director Lolita Seltzer, with the cooperation of the four Area Directors, and numerous local directors, continued to keep the Spirit high through song, dance, and drama, when they gave “The Invitation,” in A Youth Night Celebration on, “Living Life God’s Way.” Souls were rededicated, and revived.
The North Alabama Conference added to its roll as Bishop Kirkland issued the charge to Itinerant Deacons, the Reverend Malik Jo Sales, Xavier Carter, and Itinerant Elders, the Reverends Tameka Bruce, Willis N. Huggins, Jr., Raymond Nomel, Sandra E. Stanford, LaShondra Stanford.
The North Alabama Conference added transfers, the Reverends W. A. Butts, Frederick McCullough, Courtney R Mills-McCullough, Taurus L. Myhand, and F. D. Parker.
The Women’s Missionary Society recommitted themselves, during a candlelight vigil, to demonstrate the properties of the Fruit of the Spirit,
The Church School under the dynamic leadership of Dr. Susie Crenshaw, with the assistance of Rev. Sheryl Shipman, pastor of Hopewell AME Church, Florence, expounded on the qualities of availability, courage, and willingness, which made Deborah a most capable judge.
The Ministers’ Spouses, Widows, and PK’s Council melodious Choir, serenaded and inspired the conference with worship and praise during the Ordination Service as they magnified the LORD.
The Rev. T. Eric Nathan, pastor of Grant Chapel AME Church, Birmingham, educated the conference institute on “Witnessing in the Community, to be effective must encompass Unity, Caring, Sharing, Fruit bearing and fellowship.”
The closing session of the Conference witnessed once again the awesome power of GOD, as we closed out in the Marriott Hotel, Huntsville, AL, as retired bishop, the Right Reverend Vinton R. Anderson exhorted the Conference from Acts 4:18-20, on a “New Boldness in Ministry” in which he shared that we need a deep-felt compulsion, irrefutable evidence, and an inexhaustible power to carry the message of Jesus Christ..
The Fire of the Holy Ghost which began on the opening day continued all the way through the closing worship service.
The Conference is proud to have been graced by the presence of many guests and luminaries who visited the 128th Session of the North Alabama Conference, including but not limited to the Right Rev. Bishop Vinton R. Anderson (retired), General Officers, the Rev. Clement Fugh, Secretary of the AMEC, the Rev. Darrell Ingram, Director of Christian Education, Dr. Richard Lewis, Treasurer of AMEC, the Rev. Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Sunday School Union, and out of state pastors, the Rev. Phillip R. Cousin, Jr., pastor of St. Peter AMEC, Durham, NC, the Rev Darryl Walker, of Hyattsville, MD, and Dr. Thomas Best.
The hard working ever busy, always looking to make things right, the Rev. Homer L. McCall along with his lovely wife, Mabel, who sets the standard of a helpmate, standing by her man, their daughter, Gayle, the stewards, trustees, and members of St. John A. M. E. Church, entertained our bishop and his guests; left no stone unturned as they hosted this conference, going to great lengths, treating everyone like royalty, with grace and patience, to ensure that their guests enjoyed all the comforts of home.
The recommendations that came out of the North Alabama Annual Conference included, that the members of the Conference follow the lead of the Young Peoples Department and the Women’s Missionary Society, and accept the invitation to “Live Life God’s Way” and embody the fruit of the Spirit and that members of the North Alabama Conference heed the exhortation delivered by the Rev. T. Eric Nathan, to become a more effective witness in the community, and that churches in the Conference continue to support one another spiritually, physically, and financially, and that all the Churches of the Conference put forth an effort to adopt the “Seven Goals” set forth by our Bishop, the Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland in The Episcopal Message of our Conference Booklet.
The members of the Exciting North Alabama Annual Conference, wish to thank the presiding elders and their spouses, the ministers of the Conference and their spouses, all delegates, missionary workers, lay persons, and members of the YPD, and the Church School, for their ceaseless effort to improve the growth of the “New Anointed Ninth” and that the members of the Conference thank Bishop Kirkland for the considerate manner in which he presided over the 128th Session of the Exciting North Alabama Annual Conference, and,
The Conference thanks the Rev. Homer McCall, Mabel McCall, and the officers, choirs, musicians, and members and friends of the St. John A. M. E. Church, Huntsville, for their hospitality, love, sacrifice, care, and concern that they have put forth in their hosting of this 128th Session of the North Alabama Annual Conference, and,
Submitted by the Committee on Resolutions: The Reverends Raymond B. Swafford, T. W. Parker, Roosevelt Williams, James Cornelius Smith, Charles Marie Davis, Eric Benison, Shelia Williams, Tony Latham, Eloise Williams, Sisters Joyce Ray, Mary Banks, Rosie Kelley, Shelia Roberts, Mildred Sanford, Sandra Griffin, Brothers William Smith and Lee Allen
6. CLERGY OF THE WEEK: FOURTH GENERATION OF PREACHERS, BRO. STEVEN COUSIN, JR., DELIVERS INNOVATED TRIAL SERMON:
Reverend Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, Staff Writer
Bro. Steven Anthony Cousin, Jr., is the fourth generation of preachers who has recently accepted his calling to ministry and delivered his trial sermon recently at Bethel A.M.E. Church, Abhor, Michigan where his father in ministry is his uncle, The Reverend Dr. Joseph Cousin, serves as Senior Pastor.
Brother Cousin is a fourth generation of preachers and is the proud oldest son of Presiding Elder Steven A. Cousin, Sr., Presiding Elder of the Kansas City, Kansas District of the A.M.E. Church and Mrs. Sybil Henderson of Bristol, Pennsylvania. His stepparents are Mrs. Linda Cousin, Kansas City, Kansas and Mr. Lorenzo Henderson of Bristol, Pennsylvania. The wonderful grandson of Senior Bishop, The Right Reverend Philip Robert Cousin, Sr., and the lovely, Episcopal Supervisor Dr. M. Joan Cousin of the Fourth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church.
Bro. Cousin, message was pertaining to “How God has called him to Ministry”. He expressed that; “There has been the desire in him, in always wanting to help people. But determining the career that would allow him to serve the maximum amount of people was the difficult part.” During his tenure at the University of Connecticut, he was accepted into the University of Connecticut Washington, D.C., Internship Honors Program. This program was designed for students to intern on Capitol Hill, for a semester. He interned with a member of Congress from the State of Connecticut, House Representative John B. Larson from the first district of Connecticut. Cousin related that: “Before I arrived I knew that this experience would determine if I was to go into the political arena or accept my call to the ministry. While working on the Hill, I realized that public policy was shaped or heavily influenced by “faith-based” communities. That was when I realized in order to best serve the masses; I needed to accept my call into ministry.” He acknowledges how amazing God works when you trust in him in all things and remain obedient to His will.
Bro. Steven A. Cousin, Jr., attended University of Connecticut on an academic scholarship and participated on the track team.
He is a 2006 graduate of the University of Connecticut where he graduated as an honor student in political science. He is enrolled at his father’s Alma Mater, Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia where he is pursuing the Master of Divinity degree and completing his first semester of studies with a 3.8 grade point average.
Members of the cousin family and friends traveled near and far for this joyous occasion and shared in this blessed and spiritual moment for Bro. Steven Cousin, Jr.
Congratulations, Bro. Cousin for being nominated as “Clergy, and PK of the Week”. Best wishes in your aspirations and endeavors.
*If you interested in nominating your pastor, clergy staff person, PK, as “Clergy or laity of the week” please forward your letter of request to; ebrown49@hotmail.com
*Reverend Edrena Houston Brown is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder
7. ALLEN CHAPEL AMEC BUILDS NEW SANCTUARY! LESSONS LEARNED DURING THE PRE-CONSTRUCTION PHASE:
A Four Part Series of Articles on Building a New Church
Background
With the hundreds if not thousands of Allen Chapels across the AME connection, how familiar this article title must sound! Allen Chapel-Silver Spring, Maryland is my home Church. We are building because we have to! After going to two services in our 85 seat sanctuary, we determined that three services would NOT fix the problem. Landlocked on one acre of land (half of it a cemetery), the County informed us that we could NOT build vertically because the then 130 year-old Church had logs under the foundation stones. We could NOT build horizontally because of green space and storm-water management restrictions. How many 100+ year-old connectional churches are in this same predicament?
We had to build or buy. Buying a new building would have been faster but not cheaper, and we live in a very expensive county----perhaps the most expensive in the state of Maryland. So, the congregation (with permission from the conference) sold the 130 year-old Church, which had been twice damaged by fires, and moved to a public high school for worship services.
Now, five and half years later, the site work has begun and the pre-engineered steel building has been delivered to the Church’s new property. Sounds simple, but it was NOT. It’s been a journey full of surprises, obstacles, frustrations, prayers answered, and praises lifted. Murphy’s Law went into full effect, but God’s grace has been sufficient. What could go wrong went wrong, but God improved our plans, our teams, our resources, and our strategies with every setback. We fasted and prayed, and continue to pray for his “favor” every step of the process.
Why has it taken five years? The good news is that many churches spend 10 to 14 years renting a public school facility while fundraising and growing their congregations. God has miraculously blessed our congregation to “get it done in six years.”
The AME Connection Helped!
Believe it or not, the AME Connection helped our building process in “tangible” ways. The Washington Conference Board of Trustees (under the leadership of Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson and Presiding Elders Goodwin Douglas and Louis-Charles Harvey) guaranteed approximately 20% of our final loan package with a commercial bank. Several churches in the conference loaned us $5,000 to $10,000 each and Ebenezer AMEC-Fort Washington (Pastors Grainger & Joanne Browning) loaned $35,000, totaling $105,000 of our $1,600,000 construction budget. In addition, through the Nehemiah Program, the Second Episcopal District under the anointed leadership of Presiding Prelate Adam Jefferson Richardson loaned us $10,000. The Allen Chapel congregation raised more than $297,000 in three years. God answered our fasting and prayers for “favor.”
The 4 Parts of the Building Process
Building a Church is an arduous process and not for the faint at heart. No matter how many times one hears this, experiencing it is far more painful, frustrating, and ultimately rewarding, than any words can do justice. A Church building program can be compared to the legs of a sturdy chair. A sturdy chair has four (4) legs. Using this analogy, there are four (4) legs of the Building Program: 1) a Fasting & Prayer Program, 2) an Evangelism Growth Plan 3) a Stewardship and/or Capital Campaign, 4) the Construction Project. These are placed in order of relative importance to God. If you reverse the order, then you have an order of relative importance usually used by the people of God. That’s why “teaching” during the building process is vitally important. Teaching must be provided for all four aspects of the building program.
Who, What, When, Where, & Why?
The congregation must wrestle with and decide “whom” are we building for, “what’s” the purpose, “when” are we planning to be completed, “where” do we want to build, and “why” we are building. The congregation must answer the classic: who, what, when, where, and why. Finally, the congregation must ask and answer the all important “how” question.
First Leg of the Building Chair: Fasting & Prayer
The answer to the “who” question is Christ. We are building for Christ. Any other answer is too shallow, short-sighted, and spiritually immature. A church congregation must be spiritually ready to build for Christ. Only the spiritually under-girded can endure the sacrifices, challenges, and pressures that will be faced.
“What are you talking about preacher?” Try these obstacles, challenges, setbacks, and opportunities to excel, on for size.
i. The costs of petroleum based products, steel, and concrete kept rising faster than tithes and offerings. Three hurricanes and OPEC oil pricing were the culprits.
ii. After three years of work with an architect/general contractor, they wouldn’t (or couldn’t) get bonding three weeks before the construction start date.
iii. The bank would not approve the loan until we proved that the gasoline spill at the gas station “across the street” from the church land was cleaned up per state environmental standards.
After several barrages of obstacles like these, our congregation decided to engage the enemy in spiritual warfare. We used the “biblical” weapons of spiritual warfare----fasting and prayer. The Steward Board and Trustee Board members each took one day of the week to fast and pray. All days were covered in fasting and prayers. The rest of the congregation joined in, selected days, and signed up for fasting and prayer. Signup sheets were posted on tables outside Sunday services. The fasting and prayers went on for approximately ten months until we had several major breakthroughs: 1) a new architect was hired, 2) a new Christian-based general contractor was hired, 3) the general contractor agreement was negotiated and signed. 4) the bank loan was negotiated and signed. And oh yeah, the connectional commitments were also secured during this period of fasting and prayers. GOD ANSWERS PRAYER!!!
During these five and half years, our Pastor, Rev. Dr. Baron D. Young and Assistant Pastor, Rev. Karen L. Young, led the congregation through some inspired Biblical teachings and preaching, while using such books as The Dream Giver, The Purpose Driven Life, Secrets of the Vine, and Spiritual Warfare (a study guide).
Experience is second only to Christ as the best teacher on the planet. Sharing that experience is a blessing to all who will listen and heed. To that end, we share 30 Lessons Learned in the Pre-Construction Phase during our project. Ten lessons will be shared in this article and the remainder will be shared in subsequent articles. Use these lessons to avoid well traveled pitfalls to a successful building program.
Ten Lessons Learned In the Pre-Construction Phase
1. It will cost more than you initially planned or budgeted. The longer you wait, the more it costs.
2. Check thoroughly the references of your General Contractor (GC), Architect, and subcontractors. Obtain a Dun & Bradstreet report on your GC to check for liens, judgments, etc.
3. Make sure your GC has been and can get bonding (payment & performance)
4. Payment bonds ensure that the subcontractors get paid if the GC skips town or uses the funds for other projects. It happens!
5. Performance bonds ensure that the project is completed if the GC goes out of business.
6. Builder’s Risk Insurance covers the “materials” in transit and onsite before completion of the project, in case of theft. Banks require this insurance.
7. Capital Campaigns are just as important as the building project and must be done simultaneously with a special team of persons and a spokesperson is critical.
8. Evangelism to increase the number of members and the amount of giving is the third leg of the stool for building programs and is the Biblical reason for building and growing anyway.
9. A Fasting & Prayer Campaign should mirror your Capital Campaign—the 4th leg of the stool.
10. Get everything, all commitments, agreements, etc. in writing and READ for accuracy and compliance. Don’t just trust verbal agreements. Trust God, all others must put it in writing!!!
The second leg of the building chair, an Evangelism Growth Plan, will be discussed in the next article. Stay tuned.
The Rev. Will Kenlaw is the Director of Christian Education in the Potomac District of the Washington Conference in the Second Episcopal District. He is also an itinerant elder, a former steward, and former Sunday School Superintendent of 10 years service. Rev. Kenlaw served as pre-construction project manager for the Allen Chapel new sanctuary project. Through his company, Third Day Company, LLC, Rev. Kenlaw is also a broker for Church Financial Services, LLC which provides construction and acquisition financing for Christian Churches and Christian 501(C) (3) organizations. His company website: www.ThirdDayCo.com provides further details. Rev. Kenlaw is also the author of A Father’s Guide to Raising Daughters: Because I Need One!!! (www.Trafford.com/robots/03-0497.html) and A Father’s Guide to Raising Daughters: For Women (www.XulonPress.com/bookstore.php).
The Rev. Will Kenlaw
1608 Peacock Lane
Silver Spring, Maryland 20904
Phone: 240-350-4624
Rev. Kenlaw can be reached via email at: wkenlaws@aol.com
8. HURRY THERE IS NOT MUCH TIME:
The United Negro College Fund and the Bill and Melina Gates Foundation have partnered to provide the Gates Millennium Scholarship. One thousand scholarships will be issued to outstanding low income African Americans (350), American Indian/Alaska Natives (150), Asian Pacific Islander Americans*(150), and Hispanic Americans (350) throughout the nation.
The eligibility requirements are:
Eligibility:
Students are eligible to be considered for a GMS scholarship if they: Are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American or Hispanic American,
Is a citizen/legal permanent resident or national of the United States,
Is a citizen/legal permanent resident or national of the United States,
Have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.00 scale (unweighted) at the time of nomination,
Will be entering a U.S. accredited college or university as full-time, degree seeking freshmen in the fall of 2007,
Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular or other activities, and
Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria.
Have all three required forms (Nominee Personal Information Form, Nominator Form, and Recommender Form) completed and submitted by the deadline.
The deadline to submit nomination material is January 12, 2007. For nomination material and more information go to https://www.gmsp.org/GMSP_app/default.aspx
9. LEXINGTON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY ACCREDITATION RE-AFFIRMED FOR TEN YEARS:
The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools announced Monday, December 11 that accreditation for Lexington Theological Seminary was re-affirmed for ten years. The Association of Theological Schools announced its re-affirmation of the Seminary's accreditation for a ten year period in June 2006. The Seminary completed its Compliance Certification in October 2005 and the On-Site Re-affirmation Review in March 2006.
10. CLAREMONT SEMINARY LOSES, REGAINS, ACCREDITATION:
A UMNS Report
By Linda Green*
A United Methodist theological school that lost and regained its accreditation this year has until February 2008 to show that it can operate within its budget and a new business plan.
The Western Association of Schools and Colleges reversed its decision in November to terminate the accreditation of Claremont (Calif.) School of Theology and placed the seminary on "Show Cause" status. The association's accrediting commission for senior colleges and universities had decided at a June 22-23 meeting to terminate Claremont's accreditation effective Aug. 10.
Following a visit to the 50-year-old theological school last March, the commission had publicly sanctioned the school for not being in compliance with commission standards around financial planning and management, and said Claremont had not satisfactorily explained or corrected deficiencies.
The basic criteria for accreditation revolve around organization, curriculum and instruction, support for students' personal and academic growth, and resource management and development.
The association's Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities accredits 150 degree-granting institutions in California, Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and East Asia.
Claremont School of Theology is one of 13 seminaries related to the United Methodist Church in the United States. The Rev. Jerry D. Campbell had been at the helm two weeks when the association acted to terminate the institution's accreditation. He is the school's sixth president and the current student enrollment is 289.
The school, he said, had failed to perform to its budget and had been in a deficit for three years. "That is not allowed by any accreditor," he said. "We didn't manage our budget."
Campbell, who formerly was dean of libraries and chief information officer at the University of Southern California, said the association's action to terminate accreditation does not happen with great frequency, but it is not rare for an accrediting body to point out an institution's deficiencies.
"One of the obligations of an accreditor is to help make certain that capacity to deliver on the educational mission is in place."
Campbell said "there were no surprises to me" in the association's decision. "I knew that this was going to be an opportunity worthy of some effort." He said he is a champion of hard work and likes to devote energy to "things worth doing, and returning this institution to fiscal and managerial health is something eminently worth doing."
'A public sanction'
During a Nov. 8-9 meeting, the commission for senior colleges and universities issued a Show Cause Order to Claremont, according to a Nov. 27 statement from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. "Show cause is a public sanction reflecting the judgment of the commission that an institution is not in compliance with one or more commission standards."
At that meeting, the commission, after considering a review of its decision filed by Claremont's leadership, withdrew its action to terminate the seminary's accreditation.
"While the school is out of compliance with Standards 1, 3 and 4, the commission extended accreditation for good cause. The commission has acted to allow the new leadership of the school the period until the Feb. 21-22, 2008, meeting of the commission to demonstrate that it has fully met the WASC Accreditation Standards," the association said.
Campbell, quoting the commission in a letter on the seminary's Web site, said that while the "significant uncertainties" around finances and management offset the positive steps taken by the school's administration, the commission found "sufficient basis to modify its previous decision to revoke accreditation to allow the new leadership team of the school to demonstrate that it can and will, act decisively and immediately to respond to the significant crisis before it."
In that same letter, Campbell said that although "this is still a serious situation," the school has an opportunity "to continue our financial progress and our vital education programs."
Claremont, he said, has overcome numerous obstacles to become "a premier theological school" and now has an "opportunity to take bold and innovative steps to improve on our strengths, overcome our deficiencies and meet the emerging needs of our communities."
The seminary's leadership appealed the association's action and presented a new budget and business plan, Campbell said.
"We developed a revised budget, and we shrunk the institution to fit inside it," he said. The staff was downsized, and "we trimmed everywhere in the operating budget that we could trim. We cut back on whatever we could cut back on," he said. The school, he said, made a "realistic budget" and is living within it, he said.
A vision for the future
What happens if Claremont does not meet the association's prescribed conditions in 15 months and loses its accreditation again?
Typically, an institution is required to plan a "teach out," using existing revenue to make arrangements with other institutions if necessary to provide a way for all students to finish their academic pursuit in an accredited environment, Campbell said.
Claremont, he said, "is not planning on that. We are putting our energy into getting things back in order."
He sees the seminary having a role to play in helping the United Methodist Church address its U.S. membership decline. If the seminary is recommitted to helping the denomination understand, come to grips with and reverse the decline, "it would be worth keeping this institution going," he said.
Claremont, he said, has decided that if it overcomes its current problems, "we are going to dedicate ourselves to the renewal of the church, the transformation of the church."
*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Used with permission of the United Methodist News Service
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Marjorie Davis Brown, the mother of Mrs. Prudence Wade and mother-in-law of Rev. Robert Wade, Presiding Elder and consultant of the Camden/Trenton District (New Jersey Annual Conference) on Wednesday, December 6, 2006. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing
Friday, December 15, 2006 – 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 16, 2006 – 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Funeral – Saturday, December 16, 2006 at 10:00 a.m.
Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church
150 North Clinton Avenue
Trenton, New Jersey
Phone: 609-393-7042
609-934-9816
Interment:
Greenwood Cemetery
1800 Hamilton Avenue
Trenton, New Jersey 08619
Condolences may be sent to:
Presiding Elder & Mrs. Robert C. Wade and the Brown Family
3 Boyd Court
Florence, New Jersey 08518
Phone: 609-499-0473
Fax: 609-499-0573
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Brother Barry Hill, son of Reverend Benjamin F. Hill, Jr., Pastor of Trinity A.M.E. Church in Smithtown, New York (Jamaica/Long Island District, New York Annual Conference). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing and Funeral – Sunday, December 17, 2006
Viewing – 4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Funeral – 5:00 p.m.
Bethel A.M.E. Church
420 North Main Street
Freeport, NY 11520
The Rev. Harry J. White, Pastor
Phone: 516-379-1513
Fax: 516-378-1572
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Hill, Sr.
22 Cedar Street
Central Islip, NY 11722
Phone: 631-234-6801
Fax: 631-265-6011
Please keep Rev. Hill and the family in your prayers.
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Homegoing Services for Mr. Calvin Weary
Mr. Calvin Weary, the Father of Rev. Willie Weary, Pastor of Conner Chapel A.M.E. Church, Sapulpa, OK and Father-in-law of Mrs. Jackie Weary, Central Northeast Oklahoma Conference Lay President departed this life on Thursday, December 7, 2006 in Memphis, TN.
Funeral Services:
Saturday, December 16, 2006
1:00 PM
Church Ministries
1219 Finley
Memphis, TN 38116
901-340-7658
Services Entrusted to:
Ford Funeral Home
3390 Elvis Presley Blvd
Memphis, TN 38116
901345-9558 Phone
901-345-9578 Fax
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev Willie and Mrs. Jackie Weary
2519 North Garrison Avenue
Tulsa, OK 74106
918-583-2515 Home
918-269-0824 Cell
Email: JW1059@aol.com
Please remember the Weary family in your prayers.
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information CenterBishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, AdministratorEmail: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
15. 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.
