THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER Online: 03/26/2006

3/29/2006

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (3/29/06)

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

1. GENERAL OFFICERS’ RETREAT:

The Editor and his fellow General Officers will be attending the General Officers’ Retreat this weekend. Please keep the General Officers and their families in your prayers.

2. THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY:

“Not to know is bad; not to wish to know is worse.”
(African Proverb)

“Impossibilities are merely things which we have not yet learned.”
(Charles W. Chestnutt)

3. SUPERB CLERGY OPPORTUNITY - PASSING THE MANTLE CLERGY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE (PTM):

The faculty and staff of the Center for Religion and Civic Culture at USC cordially invite you to apply for a position in the pilot year of our program on African American Church Leadership. Passing the Mantle Clergy Leadership Institute (PTM) is a church leadership program funded by The James Irvine Foundation designed to develop the leadership skills of African American clergy and lay leaders.

The program objectives include developing skills in civic engagement, community and economic development, leadership development, church management, and community organizing. Renowned USC scholars and leading church practitioners will address these issues and engage students. PTM also offers program participants the opportunity to be mentored by nationally recognized church leaders. Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, The Rev. Dr. James Lawson, the Rev. Dr. Velma Union, the Rev. George Regas, and Dr. Lula Ballton have agreed to serve as mentors to program participants. The Reverend Dr. Cecil L. Murray is one of the leaders of this program A.

PTM program will run from June 1 to November 30, 2006 and will consist of eight full days of lectures and seminars held on the USC campus. The program is open to full-time pastors and lay leaders who minister to congregations of approximately 250-500 people. Clergy and lay leaders who are engaged in civic programs, community development or other related projects will be given special attention. While applicants with Bachelor’s degrees or higher are encouraged to apply, all outstanding applications will be considered.

PTM graduates will receive a USC Certificate and a stipend of one thousand dollars ($1000.00) at the completion of the program.

Please complete and send the enclosed application by April 10th to:

Passing the Mantle Clergy Leadership Institute
USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture
835 West 34th Street, Suite 106
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0751

If you have any questions, please call Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Program Director, at (213) 740-8562 or 949.955-0014

Editor’s Note: I hope that many of our ministers will take advantage of this outstanding opportunity.

4. BISHOP RICHARDSON REPORTS THAT SCAMS AGAINST AME CHURCHES ARE STILL ACTIVE:

Please take note; this is the scam using my name is still on-going. A recent victim the Reverend Sonia Beaty. Her experience follows the modus operandi that has been reported in the online and print editions of The Christian Recorder. Reverend Beaty sent was money she had worked two weeks that she earned at a part-time job. She was too anxious to be helpful to my alleged ‘niece,’ Diane Williams and me

I told the officers working on the case the someone should check out these cell numbers given to her and to the other victims in dastardly fraud. The thieves are using Washington, DC area codes.

The problem is, these crooks are getting good at it, and they are getting bolder. I would think that there ought to be, and probably is, a security photo of the person who retrieves the money from the wire transfer service.

Please pass on the warning to pastors who may not be subscribed to either the online or the print edition of The Christian Recorder.

Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson

5. THE REVEREND SONIA BEATY’S ACCOUNT OF HER EXPERIENCE WITH THIEVES WHO CONNED HER OUT OF HER MONEY:

I am the pastor of Wesley Chapel AME Church in San Marcos, Texas.

On March 19, 2006, I received a call from a man who identified himself as the Rev. Charles Davis, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia. He told me he was sending me a member by the name of Diane Williams who would arrive with her letter of transfer. He further stated that:

- she is the niece of Bishop Richardson
- she is a pianist and organist
- she would be working for HUD as a loan officer in Austin, TX
- she would be residing in San Marcos, TX

He gave me the following cell phone numbers

- Diane William (202) 286-1472
- Rev. Charles Davis (202) 716 5819
- Bishop Richardson (202) 374 6219

He then put another male on the phone who identified himself as Bishop Richardson and confirmed what I had been told and explained that Diane Williams was en route to Texas as we were speaking.

About two-three hours later, I contacted Diane and told her who I was and explained to her what had been told to me. She told me she had had a little accident. She said she had tried to miss some debris in the road and forgetting about the trailer, she hit the guard rail. "But we're ok," she said. "Who are ‘we,’" I asked. She then told me that she had four children with her and that her husband had died from colon cancer six months ago. She assured me that everyone was OK and that the mechanics told that she would be back on the road in a few minutes.

About nine o'clock that evening I called her back to check on her progress. She did not answer immediately, but called right back stating that she was getting her daughter out of the bathtub. She further stated that they had gotten a hotel (in Vicksburg, Mississippi) because the part she needed for the car was not available until Monday morning.

Monday morning about nine o'clock she started calling my cell and leaving messages marked urgent. I called her back and she (she sounded very distraught and teary)said she had given the mechanic all the money she had and that she needed another $525 dollars to get her car out. She stated that she had a check for $22,500 and could not get it cashed until she got to Texas. She also stated that one of the mechanics had told her to leave him the check and he would make sure she got her money back in a couple of weeks. Of course, I told her I did not recommend that she do that. I agreed to help her. The mechanic got on the phone and assured me that he had contacted the bank and that the check she had was a valid check. Then we proceed to arrange to get the money to the mechanic shop.

I went to Wal-Mart and sent $675 ($525 for the car and $125 for gas and food for the kids) the cost to send the money was $45.84. Information from the receipt:

Date---3/20/06
Time---9:15 AM
Receiver Information---William Bryson
Test Question---Receiver's Middle Name
Answer---Anthony
Reference #---06366705

The Rev. Sonia Beaty
Wesley Chapel AME Church
San Marcos, Texas

6. THE SAVE DARFUR COALITION WILL SPONSOR A RALLY TO STOP GENOCIDE IN THE SUDAN:

The Save Darfur Coalition will sponsor a Rally to “Stop Genocide in the Sudan” on Sunday, Apr. 30, 2006 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM on the National Mall (between 3rd and 4th Streets, in front of the Capitol) in Washington, DC.

One of the leaders of the Save Darfur Coalition is the Reverend Dr. Gloria White-Hammond, a pediatrician who is also co-pastor of Bethel AME Church in Boston, MA. As part of the Save Darfur Coalition, Dr. White-Hammond is also serving as the National Chairwoman of the Million Voices for Darfur Campaign. She is featured on the Genocide Prevention Podcast at http://www.darfur.org/home.php. More information can also be found at http://www.savedarfur.org/rally.

Thank you, very much for your attention to this matter.

Dr. Donna L. Gilton

7. LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

I could not resist responding to your "conversion" at Uncle Tell's and Aunt Virginia's in Piney River, Virginia.

I on the other hand was in rural South Carolina in a place called Pageland. My grandparents, who reared me, would take our summer vacation there because my grandfather was from South Carolina. It too was a summer revival for all of the young people of the church who had not been saved and had to go to the mourner's bench. I was Nine-years-old, if I remember correctly.

It was Wednesday probably because by weekend. We were on our way to another city. I think someone pulled me up or I was just tired of kneeling. It was many years later before I really met the Lord

(Name withheld by request)

8. AROUND THE AME CHURCH:

- Supervisor Stan McKenzie Visited West Tennessee WMS tribute

The Thirteenth Episcopal District Supervisor, Brother Stan McKenzie shares his visit the West Tennessee WMS, led by Sister Gwendolyn Dilihunt, who put in a surprise tribute entitled, "Hats Off to You, Sister Marilyn Halfacre." The tribute was held at New Tyler AME Church in Memphis. New Tyler was PACKED!

Tributes were made by former District President, former Conference Presidents, and to the Conference YPD Directors (current and past). Tributes were also paid to the Reverend Dr. Kenneth Robinson, pastor of St. Andrew AME Church and to Presiding Elder Finch who was absent attending a funeral. Sister Willie Ann Madison spoke on behalf of Presiding Elder Finch, friends of the family, and the 13th Episcopal District leadership.

Supervisor McKenzie said, “What a sight, they did it up BIG TIME. Gifts were presented and the event shows that the West Tennessee Conference really appreciated and loved Sister Marilyn Halfacre’s leadership.”

Everyone acknowledged that the reception was outstanding. The members of New Tyler AME Church handled the catering. The food and décor was out of this world. Someone was hear to say, “My oh my, the talent we have in our churches.”

Supervisor McKenzie said, “Now Sister Halfacre can go on that cruise...then get back to Memphis and get ready to travel up and down the road as usual with her daughter, the District's President.” He went on to say, “We appreciated her leadership while in office...everything was done always in an excellent manner...reports were always on time; if not early, and always supported the District's programs 100%. What a joy it was to work with her.”

Submitted by Supervisor Stan McKenzie

- The 120th Session of the Bermuda Annual Conference

The 120th Session of the Bermuda Annual Conference of the AME Church came to a climactic end at the Fairmont Southampton Resort, with the Rt. Rev. Richard Franklin Norris, Presiding Bishop of the First Episcopal District presiding.
]The well-organized and highly-energised session was historic in that it was the first time since 1885 that the seat of the conference was not held in the sanctuary of one of the ten AME Churches on the island.
The seat of the conference was held in an amphitheatre of the hotel that was transformed from its otherwise secular nightclub façade into a more cathedral-like setting replete with a flower-bedecked altar and other symbols, and resounding to what the bishop termed, “Anointed singing and powerful preaching coupled with spirited altar calls.”

(Extracted from the Bermudian newspaper, The Royal Gazette)

9. DANIEL’S DIET - WEIGHT DOWN GEORGIA TIPS SCALES AT ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

By Stephanie and Eric Stradford

“But Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief official for permission to eat other things instead.” Daniel 1:8, NLT

FAS2, March 24, 2006, Columbus, GA – The Reverend Dr. Miriam J. Burnett, M.D. made a house call on the 110th Southwest Georgia Annual Conference. The Medical Director for the African Methodist Episcopal Church is calling on the historic black church to “be normal.”

Until now, “normal” has meant getting by instead of living well. The doctor says that “getting by is no longer acceptable. Living longer must also mean living better.”

On an average, African Americans are twice as likely to have diabetes as Whites of similar age are. Nearly three million African Americans have diabetes. African Americans with diabetes experience kidney failure about four times more often than other diabetics. More than 77,000 African Americans died from heart disease, accounting for 27 percent of all African American deaths.

“We have some issues,” said Burnett. For example, obesity is a result of a complex variety of social, behavioral, cultural, environmental, physiological, and genetic factors. The Weight Down Georgia program launched here offered church leaders a sneak preview to a series of events promoting healing and wholeness in the historic church. The program begins the healing process by introducing healers to health needs for the body of believers. With all the advances in information technology, television, radio, newspaper and Internet, the church stands as a trusted source for critical information.

The Conference system for the African Methodist Episcopal Church presents a well-established information channel dating back to 1816 and the first General Conference in Baltimore, MD. During their Annual Conference, members of St. John AMEC, Columbus, GA advocated healing and wholeness by providing blood pressure screening, weigh-ins and critical information on historic disparities in health care. Healthy meals served to the 110th Southwest Georgia Annual Conference increased awareness of health issues stemming from nutrition and obesity.

By design, the church convenes elected delegates every four years who elect bishops. Bishops preside over Annual Conferences within their assigned Episcopal Districts. Presiding Elders conduct quarterly conferences for each local church in a Conference. Local churches convene a monthly conference to elect local officers and delegates. An effective Class Leader System at each local church completes an organizational structure to support missions and ministries for some 3.5 million beneficiaries.

“It has been well documented that spirituality and religion are key sources of strength and tenacity for African-Americans,” said Burnett. Longstanding evidence suggests a salutary effect of spiritual religious factors on health and well-being, and faith-based health promotion interventions have been on the rise in the last decade.

But, for most church folks, health disparity lies between knowing what to do and doing what needs to be done. The conference system elects the bishop, who leads by following Christ. The doctor has said that fried chicken, in fact fried anything, is killing your people. Will you be the first to lay down that fried wing? Pastor, the doctor says there is clear and present danger in those Chitterlings. Will you push away from the table that serves them? Elder, the doctor says we need you to do the Weight Down at every quarterly conference to build trust for the healing process. Will you take “Living Well” from rhetoric to reality?

Or, perhaps, theology that is more relevant is needed to integrate health screening into our wholeness. You know the story well-- Hananiah was called Shadrach. Mishael was called Meshach. Azariah was called Abednego. Daniel, perhaps a chief pastor in his own country, was called Belteshazzar.

You might recall that these were healthy and good-looking young men, well versed in every branch of learning, and gifted with knowledge and good sense. They were suited for service in the royal palace. The king assigned them a daily ration of the best food and wine from his own kitchens. They were to be trained for a three-year period and then some of them would be made his advisers in the royal court.

But, Daniel made up his mind not to defile himself by eating the food and wine given to them by the king. He asked the chief official for permission to eat other things instead. The chief official had great respect for Daniel. But, as you can imagine, he was alarmed by Daniel's suggestion. "My lord the king has ordered that you eat this food and wine," he said. "If you become pale and thin compared to the other youths your age, I am afraid the king will have me beheaded for neglecting my duties."

Daniel talked it over with the attendant who had been appointed by the chief official to look after Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. "Test us for ten days on a diet of vegetables and water," Daniel said. "At the end of the ten days, see how we look compared to the other young men who are eating the king's rich food. Then, you can decide whether or not to let us continue eating our diet."

So, the attendant agreed to Daniel's suggestion and tested them for ten days. At the end of the ten days, Daniel and his three friends looked healthier and better nourished than the young men who had been eating the food assigned by the king. So, after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables and water instead of the rich foods and wines.

Of course, the story does not end here. The diet meant more than maintaining a healthy weight. Ultimately, Daniel’s Diet sustained three out of four Hebrew boys through a fiery furnace and converted a Babylonian King to a new method of ruling.

10. THE ELEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2006 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:

Florida Conference
August 26 – Sept. 1, 2006
St. James AME Church
514 S. 11th Avenue
Quincy, FL 32351
(850) 627-6382
Rev. Lee Plummer, Host Pastor
Rev. George Barkley, Host Presiding Elder
Bethel AME Church, Tallahassee – Host Site
Rev. Dr. John Green, Site Pastor

Central Conference
September 9-15, 2006
Mt. Olive AME Church
2525 W. Church Street
Orlando, FL 32805
(407) 295-6568
Rev. David Green, Host Pastor
Rev. Leroy Kennon, Host Presiding Elder

South Conference
September 23-29, 2006
Payne Chapel AME Church
801 9th Street
West Palm Beach, FL 33401
(561) 832-2035
Rev. Samuel Sullivan, Host Pastor
Rev. Raymond Heastie, Host Presiding Elder

West Coast ConferenceOctober 7-13, 2006
Mt. Zion AME Church
919 20th Street South
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(727) 894-1393
Rev. Clarence Williams, Host Pastor
Rev. Jerome Denmark, Host Presiding Elder

East Conference
October 21-27, 2006
Greater Bethel AME Church
701 SE 43rd Street
Gainesville, FL 32641
(352) 376-8846
Rev. Dr. George L. Champion, Host Pastor
Rev. Joseph Sanchez, Host Presiding Elder

Bahamas Conference
November 8-12, 2006
Cousin McPhee Cathedral
P.O. Box CR 56028
Carmichael Road
Nassau Bahamas
(242) 361-0809
Rev. Dr. Ranford Patterson, Host Pastor
Rev. Howard Williamson, Host Presiding Elder

Post Conference Planning Meeting.
Nov. 16-18, 2006
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
9300 Emerald Coast Parkway West
Sandestin, FL 32550
1-800-320-8115

African Sojourn
Nov. 24-Dec. 8, 2006
Travel N Style
Florence S. James

11. ST. JAMES AME, MEMPHIS MEN HEARD THE DANGERS OF, ”WHEN GOD’S MEN ARE MISSING”:

A few toes may have been stepped on. A few people probably were upset about what was said, but the preacher didn’t preach a popular sermon, it was a sermon the people needed to hear. That was the mood for the Men’s Day program on Sunday, March 12 at St. James AME Church, Memphis, where Rev. Walter Winstead Reid Jr., is Pastor.

Men’s Day Chairperson was Dr. James C. Wade, Executive Director, Department of Church Growth and Development; Co-Chairman was Bro. Sam Williams.

Speaker for Men’s Day was Dr. Jerome Harris, Executive Director, Department of Annuity, Investments, and Insurance, who apologized in advance for preaching an unpopular sermon, but he added, “I learned a long time ago that you’ve got to get up and say what the Lord thus gives you to say; and let the chips fall where they may.”

Dr. Harris’ sermon text was taken from I Kings 19:9, “And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him. What doest thou here, Elijah?” The sermon was also taken from Ezekiel 2:1, “And he said unto me, Son of man, stand upon thy feet, and I will speak unto thee.” The subject was “When God’s Men are Missing.”

Dr. Jerome said in the mid-60s he endured a three-year long experience that he has never been able to forget. It was the age of flower power, of love children, of rebellions and revolution. It was the age of lunch counter sit-ins and of Black churches being bombed. It was also the age of a misguided and misunderstood war called, Vietnam. It was there that “I became familiar with some strange words like Saigon, DaNang, and MIA (missing in action) and then there was AWOL, absent without leave.” He explained that AWOL is a term that defines the true character and commitment of a man and how he handles adversity and conflict in his life. This term conjures up visions of desertion in the time of trouble; cowardliness in the face of challenge; and a total abandonment of one’s faith in God.

What does the Lord require of thee? Our answer must always be to do justly, to love mercifully, and to love humbly. That is what our God requires. So with that thought in mind, I’ll speak to all God’s children in general, but to the male gender of our species, in particular -- THAT man the brother, THAT man the father, I want to speak to THAT man; and more specifically I want to speak to THAT Black man, descent of Africa, sons of Allen, heirs of a rich and glorious culture –THAT man of the church, THAT man of the street, and THAT man of the in-between.

“Black Men, you are absent without leave. These times try men’s souls. There are problems on every hand, and the question that is being asked is, “Where are the men?” Even God almighty, going to and fro, up and down the earth seeking those who are willing to serve him and be obedient to his will, is asking: Where are the men?

If the men in our world today would stand up and be counted, we could fight and win the war of drugs in our streets, would could stop the violence and killings in our communities, we could restore our families and save our children if the men would stand up.

The majority of our men have sat down. Instead of speaking out, the men are choosing to be silent. We will never solve our problems and truly overcome as a race of people as long as our men are silent, absent and unresponsive. If a man is absent and unavailable to his fellow man, he is absent and unavailable to God. When we isolate and separate ourselves from each other, we are absent and separate from the love of God.

The word to the Black man today is the same word that God gave to Ezekiel, “Son of man, stand on your feet”; but the problem that we still have today, even in 2006, is the same problem that we as a people have had for more than two centuries. After more than 200 years of depravation and humiliation and inhumane treatment, our Black men have sat down and have been beaten down by a plantation philosophy in a slave-minded circumstance. So, when the question is asked, where is the Black man?

The answer is:

We’ve sat down on the seat of guilt
We’ve sat down on the stool of sham and
We’ve sat down on the bench of inferiority.
The system has taught us to hate ourselves and we have bought into that lie and we have given up and sat down.

The call of God to our people today and to our Black men in particular is critically urgent, for our Black families are in trouble. And, I can think of no better reason for the men to stand up and address the issues of our young men killing ourselves with guns and drugs and we know our girls are having babies before they have a chance to live. And, we know our wives are being abused on the job and at home and I can think of no other reason for our Black men to stand up.

Our Black men need to stand up. Get up from their seats of do-nothingness. Come forth from the seat of complacency and rise up from their hiding places of isolation and indifference. God gives us the courage to stand up. In times like these, God is speaking to the men today as he spoke to Elijah and Ezekiel and he reminding us that “I created you before I created any body else form the dark clay of Africa, I have given you a strong back that you might be able to stand up beneath the heaviest load that life can put on you. I’ve given you everything you need to stand up.” The world has taught Black men to feel that their dark skin is ugly and that your black color is a badge of shame.

Let me tell you about my dark skin; it has a pigmentation that nobody else in the world has and because of that darkness and that pigmentation, it gives the Black man a presences, a strong confident presence that makes other men afraid and intimated.

Let me tell you about my kinky hair. I’ve got strong, obedient hair. It’s so good that it will do anything that I tell it to do. I can put it somewhere in the morning and it won’t move until I come back and move it myself. That’s why every morning you ought to look in the mirror and say I love me. I'm a good-looking Black man. Stand up Black man.

And, black man, love and respect your women. A real man doesn’t beat up and abuse his woman. God gave you a woman from your side so she can walk beside you and strengthen you. Black man, stop your whining and whimpering; stop that prancing around and take that earrings out of your ear.

God has already given you everything you need.

You show me a Benjamin Franklin; I’ll show you a Benjamin Banneker
Show me Abraham Lincoln and I’ll show you Frederick Douglass
Show me Theodore Roosevelt and I’ll show you Mary McLeod Bethune
Show me a Dwight Eisenhower and I’ll show you Adam Clayton Powell
Show me a John Kenney and I’ll show you Martin Luther King, Jr.
Show me Lyndon Johnson and I’ll show you Thurgood Marshall
Show me Bill Clinton I’ll show you Vernon Jordan
Show me a George Bush and I’ll show you Colin Powell
Stand up Black man.
If it's a mountain, you can climb it
If it’s a valley, you can cross it
If it’s a burden, you can bear it
If it's a problem, we can solve it

Just stand on your feet and hear the word of the Lord. You think we are not able to do what the Lord has called us to do. Jesus said if you follow me and I will make you fishers of men. Jesus knew the men he called and he knew their qualifications. The bottom line is the question for the Christian man that is absent without leave is not whether the Lord knows you, but whether you know the Lord.

If you truly know the Lord, something should rise up in your spirit every now and then to make you ask the question, if it had not been for the Lord on my side where would I be? And you begin to remember, that it was the Lord that heard my cry; that it was the Lord that made a way out of no way, that it was the Lord that picked me up and turned me around; it was the Lord that set my feet on solid ground; it was the Lord amid the dangers, toils and snares.

So the question is asked, whom can we send? Every man that truly loves the Lord should stand up and say here am I Lord, send me. I’ll go, if I have to go by myself. I know the Lord has been good to me and brought me through a mighty long way. We ought to close your eyes and look down the backstreets of our yesterdays and remember that God has been good to us because of his goodness, mercy and grace. I’ve heard the voice of Jesus tell us to still to fight on. He promised never to leave us alone; stand up Black man and be about your father’s business.

The morning program also included the presentation of special awards to outstanding men as Rev. Reid recognized them for their commitment to St. James AME Church. The following men received a certificate of appreciation:

Dr. Wade and Brother Williams for their leadership as Chairman and Co-Chairman respectively for Men’s Day.

Robert Boyd – Church Treasurer
Julius Jennings – Stewart Board
Parker Conley – Spirit of Giving
Tyrone Spencer – Katrina Relief Effort
Joseph Martin – Bible Study
David Huggins -- Trustee Board
Lawrence Davis – Trustee Emeritus
John Shields – Steward Emeritus

In closing, Dr. Wade thanked the Pastor for allowing him to serve as Men’s Day chairperson. It was an historic moment as an AME General Officer served as the chairperson of Men’s Day. Dr. Wade added that he was honored to serve in such a vital and meaning ministry in the life of St. James AME Church. Dr. Wade praised Dr. Harris for preaching and for invading our privacy with lessons, we needed to hear.

Submitted by:
Beverly T. Goines,
Public Relations Director, St. James AME Church, Memphis
Rev. Walter Winstead Reid Jr., Pastor

12. TRAVEL WITH BISHOP AND MRS. MCKINLEY YOUNG AND MEMBERS OF THE 11TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT OF THE AME CHURCH TO SOUTH AFRICA, LESOTHO, AND MALAWI - NOVEMBER 24 - DECEMBER 8, 2006:

Friday Nov. 24 Depart from Miami (other gateways also available); connect with South African Airways in Atlanta

Saturday Nov. 25 Arrive Cape Town, S. Africa; transfer to the luxurious Table Bay Hotel on the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Welcome dinner

Sunday Nov. 26 Visit with 15th Episcopal District – Bishop Samuel Green, Sr.
Tour of Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned

Monday Nov. 27 Tour of Cape Town and Table Mountain

Tuesday Nov. 28 Fly to Bloemfontein, S. Africa; transport by coach to Maseru, Lesotho And the Maseru Sun Hotel in the heart of downtown Maseru

Wednesday Nov. 29 Visit with 18th Episcopal District – Bishop Sarah Davis
Thursday Nov. 30 Day at leisure

Friday Dec. 1 Transport by coach to Bloemfontein, S. Africa; fly to Lilongwe, Malawi; Transfer to the Meridien Capital Hotel in the newer part of this busy city

Saturday Dec. 2 Visit with 20th Episcopal District – Bishop Wilfred Messiah
Sunday Dec. 3 Day at leisure

Monday Dec. 4 Fly to Johannesburg, S. Africa; transfer to the majestic Michelangelo Hotel In the vibrant Renaissance-styled Mandela Square area

Tuesday Dec. 5 Day at leisure (optional Safari and tour of Sun City)
Wednesday Dec. 6 Day at leisure (optional tour of Soweto) Farewell Dinner

Thursday Dec. 7 Depart for US
Friday Dec. 8 Arrive Home

Package includes: Round-trip airfare from US, intra-country airfares in Africa, airport transfers, land transportation in deluxe coaches, best available hotels in each city, tours as indicated (other optional tours also available), taxes and entry fees, full breakfast daily, Welcome dinner at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town; Farewell Dinner at the Michelangelo Hotel in Johannesburg.

Cost: $5,288 per person double occupancy; single supplement $1,632

Payment: $1,500 deposit per person is due immediately and the balance is due by August 15th

Cancellation: For details, please contact Mrs. Mavis Bush or Mrs. Florence James

Travel Insurance is available and strongly recommended to cover cancellations and emergencies

For reservations or additional information contact: Mrs. Mavis Bush (904) 355-8262 or
Mrs. Florence James (301) 390-5844

Arrangements by Travel N Style in conjunction with African Travel, Inc., Glendale, California

Email: www.florencejames@hotmail.com
AME Church - 11th Episcopal District
Southern Africa Tour
November 24 - December 8, 2006

General Terms and Conditions

PAYMENT A deposit of $1,500 per person is required as participants register - Full payment is due 75-days prior to departure

(Note: The per-person cost may increase should the group size fall below the minimum of 42-paying passengers.)

CANCELLATION more than 90 days prior to the departure, $500 of the deposit will be forfeited. 90-75 days prior to departure, the total individual deposit will be forfeited. 75-45 days prior to departure, 75% of the total tour cost will be forfeited. Less than 45-days, 100% of the total tour cost will be forfeited.

TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE is available and strongly recommended.

REFUNDS Will not be made for occasional missed meals, or sightseeing.

VISA/INOCULATIONS - Visa and immunization requirements vary from country to country and up-to-date information should be obtained from your local health department and consulate. Any costs associated with these items are not included in the tour costs. Anti-malarial tablets are strongly recommended.

BAGGAGE INFORMATION - Passengers will be allowed two pieces of luggage the total dimensions not to exceed 107 linear inches, total, for both pieces. One carry-on piece may also be carried free if it can be stored under the seat and its measurements do not exceed 45 inches.

AIRLINE RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE - The carriers concerned are not to be held responsible for any act, omission or event during the time the passengers are not aboard the aircraft or conveyance. The passenger ticket shall constitute the sole contract between the airline and the passenger. Air schedules are subject to change and airfares are quoted as of Jan. 01, 2006 and are subject to increase.

RESPONSIBILITY - AFRICAN TRAVEL, Glendale, CA, TRAVEL N STYLE, Upper Marlboro, MD., outfitters, and operators of the tour and/or suppliers of services act only as agents in regard to travel, whether by plane, car or motor coach, and assume no liability for injury, damage, loss, accident, delay, war, insurrection, revolt, or other civil uprising, other military action, strikes or any Act of God occurring in either the country of origin, destination or through passage, or for any reason whatsoever, or through the acts or default of any company or persons engaged in conveying the passengers or in carrying out arrangements of the tour. They cannot accept any responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in air schedules or other causes. All such losses or expenses will be the responsibility of the member of the tour. The right is reserved to make minor adjustments to the itinerary and the right is reserved to cancel any tour prior to departure. The Companies may not be held responsible for any loss or damage to luggage during the tour program. The acceptance of final documents, vouchers or tickets shall be deemed to be consent to the above conditions.

DISCLOSURE - Please be aware that during your participation in a Safari tour certain risks and dangers may arise, including, but not limited to, the hazards of traveling in undeveloped areas, travel by boat, train, automobile, aircraft or other means of conveyance, the forces of nature, political unrest and accident or illness in remote regions without means of rapid evacuation or medical facilities. Also be aware and clearly understand that AFRICAN TRAVEL, INC. will not have liability regarding provision of medical care or the adequacy of any care that may be rendered. It is understood that AFRICAN TRAVEL, INC. will use their best efforts to ensure that all adequate measures are taken to avoid such occurrences. By signing the Tour Contract you are VOLUNTARILY PARTICIPATING IN THESE ACTIVITIES WITH THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE DANGERS INVOLVED AND HEREBY AGREE TO ACCEPT ANY RISKS. AS LAWFUL CONSIDERATION for the agreement with AFRICAN TRAVEL, INC. to participate in such trips and activities, you hereby agree that you will not make a claim against AFRICAN TRAVEL, INC. and their employees from all claim actions and demands that you may have for bodily injury, death or property damage arising from your participation in a tour. Acceptance of the Tour Contract will serve as the release of Liability and Assumption of Risk agreement. This agreement is binding on your heirs, legal representatives and assigns. If any portion is unenforceable, the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.

CREDIT CARD AUTHORIZATION FORM
BOOKING #: 26813 RES AGENT: HILDA

I, the undersigned (Print Name) ________________________________ authorize AFRICAN TRAVEL INC to charge my credit card as follows for my and/or my companion's scheduled trip:

Credit Card: (check one) MASTER CARD VISA AMEX  DISCOVER

Card #: __________________________ Expiration: _________________ (DATE)

Amount: $ _____________________ Trip Starts: _________________ (DATE)

Billing Address: _____________________________________________________
(Must match cardholder billing information)

City: ____________________________State: ________________ZIP: _________

CANCELLATION INFORMATION
Time prior to departure: Cancellation fee:
90-days or more before departure $500 per person*
90-75 days before departure total deposit per person*
75-45 days before departure 75% of the total cost*
Less than 45 days before departure 100% of tour cost*

Special events: Based on contract
*Plus charges of third parties

I have read, fully understand and agree with the Cancellation Terms listed above.

The Card Holder The Travel Agent
Date: _____________________________ Date:______________________________

Print Name: ________________________ Agency: TRAVEL N STYLE___________

Signature: __________________________ Agent: Florence_____________________

Tel (Day): _________________________ Agency Tel: (301) 390-5844___________

Tel (Evening): _______________________ Agent Signature:_____________________

INSURANCE: I/We Decline: (initial) _______ IATA/CLIA #:52434141

*NOTE: Please see copy of General Terms & Conditions
1100 East Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205
® 800-421-8907 Fax: 818-507-5802 email: ati@africantravelinc.com Web: www.africantravelinc.com

13. KATRINA EVACUEES CAN VOTE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION – ABSENTEE BALLOT – KEEP YOUR VOTE AND STAY CONNECTED:

On April 22, the citizens of New Orleans will vote for the first time since Hurricane Katrina.

New Orleans residents who are registered voters and were displaced by the hurricane are still eligible to vote in their home parish if they have not registered to vote anywhere else. We need to reach as many of these voters as soon as possible to make sure they can vote in the elections April 22.

If you are an eligible New Orleans voter or know someone who is, you can request an absentee ballot up until April 18 to vote in the primary election. You also can call the Louisiana Secretary of State Elections Division at 1-800-883-2805 or visit its website at http://www.sec.state.la.us/elections/elect-before.htm for more information about voting.

Please help us spread the word by forwarding this e-mail to your friends and family. If you know people displaced by Katrina, please let them know they have time to vote in their local election.
Deadlines to register for the upcoming elections:

- March 22, 2006 is the deadline for the April 22, 2006 Primary Election.
- April 19, 2006 is the deadline for the May 20, 2006 General Election.

Please forward this e-mail to friends and family, and let those displaced by the hurricane know they are eligible to vote in the April 22 primary election. They can get more information about voting by calling the Louisiana Secretary of State Elections Division at 1-800-883-2805 or http://www.sec.state.la.us/elections/elect-before.htm.

Thank you for helping inform displaced voters of valuable information.

Please speak out to help the survivors, mourners and victims of Gulf Coast hurricane Katrina. They need your voice! Call, write or fax your elected officials. For more information visit: KeepingThemHonest.bravehost.com to help today!

14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

clinton@1stdistrict-ame.com
From: Bishop Richard F. Norris
1st Episcopal District

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Juanita Groover. Mrs. Groover was the mother of Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., pastor of Charles Street A.M.E. Church in Roxbury, Massachusetts (New England Conference). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Viewing and Funeral will be held at:
Bethel A.M.E. Church
420 North Main Street
Freeport, NY 11520
Phone: 516-379-1513
Fax: 516-378-1572
Rev. Harry J. White, II, Pastor

Viewing – Monday, March 27, 2006
7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Funeral – Tuesday, March 28, 2006
Funeral – 10:00 a.m.

Condolences may be sent to:

Rev. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. and family
466 Warren Street
Roxbury, MA 02121

Please lift up the Groover family in your prayers.

15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

From: mrsjfoster@yahoo.com

We regretfully share news of the passing of Mrs. Ruth J. Stripling (she was 102 years old), widow of the late Presiding Elder Rev. Cornelius S. Stripling of the Georgia Conference. She went to glory on Thursday, March 23, 2006, in Savannah, Georgia. She was a member of St. Philip AME Church where the Reverend Dr. John Foster is pastor. She was an active member of the Ministers' Spouses, Widows and Widows Plus PK's Organization. She was very devoted to her church and the Savannah community.

Her family, friends, and her beloved Savannah community will miss her caring spirit. Her secret for living a long life was: "Live your life, not your age."

Sentiments of condolences may be sent to:
Sidney A. Jones Funeral Home
124 W. Park Avenue
Savannah, GA 31401
(912)234-7226

Homegoing Service will be held on Tuesday, March 28, 2006, at 11:00 a.m.:

St. Philip AME Church
613 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Savannah, GA 31401
(912)233-2083

Submitted by:
Sister Shirley V. Taylor, President
Sixth Episcopal District MSWAWOPKS

16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:

Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action Clergy Family Information Center

Mrs. Ora L. Easley - Administrator Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, Tennessee Contact) Phone: (615) 837-9736 Fax: (615) 833-3781
(Memphis, Tennessee Contact) (901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)

Please remember these families in your prayers.

17. 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.