THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER Online

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (7/19/07)

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. AN ANNOUNCEMENT FROM THE EDITOR:

Mr. John Thomas III, a 2006 Princeton University graduate, who earned a Master of Arts degree, will provide news coverage for the Connectional Women’s Missionary Society and YPD Convention being held in Philadelphia and will be writing articles for online and print editions of The Christian Recorder. Mr. Thomas is an active member of the AME Church and will be working on his PhD this fall at the University of Chicago. We are blessed to have him as a writer for The Christian Recorder and we are appreciative that he will be covering the Connectional Women’s Missionary Society and YPD Convention.

Unfortunately or fortunately, depending upon which way one looks at it, the editor will be on an Eastern Caribbean cruise with his family July 21 – 29 and apologizes for the conflict of dates with the Connectional Women’s Missionary Society and YPD Convention.

Our thanks to Mr. John Thomas for “carrying the ball” on the coverage of these two important meetings.

2. EDITORIAL - SOMETIMES WE ARE TOO BUSY IN MINISTRY AND SOMETIMES WE ARE NOT BUSY ENOUGH:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

There are times when pastors are too busy and there are times when pastors are not busy enough. Those of us in ministry have all “been down that street.” When pastors are too busy, a lot of things fail and things can fail when pastors are not busy enough.

A text in I Kings 20:40 gives an account of a prophet who, in chastising King Ahab for his leniency against Benhadad, tells the king a parable about a soldier failing to guard an important prisoner. When the soldier was given instructions for guarding the prisoner, he was told that if the prisoner escaped, he would be killed or has to pay a talent of silver. The prisoner escaped.

When the man guarding the soldier was asked what happened, his excuse was, “As thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone.” I exegete that passage to say that the guard was not busy at a particular task, but was just “busy here and there” and the hermeneutic response: like the man guarding the soldier, we, in ministry, and even the laity, can find ourselves similarly engaged in the tasks of the church, “busy here and there,” but not busy at a particular task; and those things that we are responsible for, get away from us, and the tasks often get neglected. We are often too busy at mundane things and not busy enough at the tasks to which we should be addressing our attention.

One of the reasons might be that we are too busy, or not busy enough, is because we do not want to “rock the boat.” I am convinced that many clergy want a ministry of the status quo, a ministry with smooth sailing and without conflict. It is comforting to sing the great hymn of the Church, “When the Storms of Life are Raging Stand by me,” but we really don’t want the storms to come into our lives and we will do all that is humanly possible to avoid the “storms of life,” especially in ministry. And, to avoid the storms, sometimes we get “busy here and there” doing too little, and at other times, we busy ourselves with multiple tasks that do not enhance ministry to avoid conflict.

Another reason might be that pastors have lost their focus on the “ugly” tasks of ministry. I suspect that some pastors, and some parishioners, see ministry as a Sunday morning event, and more pointedly as a Sunday morning preaching event. They see the church as the building and the grounds and the space that the building occupies. They don’t see the church as “the community” and certainly, they don’t see the church in terms of the world.

I suspect that another reason pastors busy themselves with “busy here and there” tasks, is because preachers (and church folks) have forgotten that Jesus Christ told us to go to all of the world, in other words, to “go to hell.”

Where is the "Hell" to which God calls us? Hell is where the poor are trapped in places of indifference. It is the high school and college campuses where some persons are socially crippled because they don't fit in. It is the psychiatric ward. It is a dingy downtown jail where frightened human beings cower. It's the crowded slum where teenage unwed mothers give birth to unwanted babies. It is in the hospital corridor when parents are told that their child has an incurable disease. Hell is a person finding out that he or she is infected with the HIV/AIDS virus. Hell is when a person feels worthless. Hell is a crack house where drug addicts nod and live. Hell is where the presence of Christ is so badly needed and where we are called to serve and to care for others.

The "Great Commission" does not tell the world to come to us, nor does it tell us to go to the "good people." The Great Commission tells us to "go to all of the world." "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit."

A problem with many of our pastors and with some of our local churches is that we focus and affirm the good people and tell the bad people to "go to hell." Perhaps we need to focus our attention to the bad folks and invite our good people to "go to Hell"; to go to where people are hurting and bring them back to God!"

Too often, I think that pastors forget that they have been given the privilege of helping people to discover and rediscover the eternal love of God. And, pastors need to be reminded of the eternal presence and love of God in their own lives, even in the midst of “the storms of ministry” and in the midst of “faults and failures,” God stand with us.

I believe that the ultimate problem might be systemic, which has cause our pastors to look inward instead of upward and out into the world.

In ministry, the expectation is that pastors are rewarded by how successful they have been; do well at smaller church and you will be promoted to a larger church. Do well at a larger church and the expectation is that you will be promoted to the largest church. From there, who knows, maybe to the presiding eldership or to be elected as a general officer or to the episcopacy! Ministers try to balance ministry with success, and in so doing get too busy or not be busy enough. Maybe pastors should redirect their focus for ministry.

I believe that our academic institutions and Boards of Examiners do not teach us the value of learning and accepting, how to fail. Perhaps we need to spend more time learning how to handle failure.

The discovery of failure may become evident to pastors when they acknowledge that some of their well-crafted sermons fall on glazed eyes and parishioners will commit the same sins over and over again; and in spite of the most inspirational sermons, the church membership stays the same. And on the flip side, pastors have to know how to handle failure when they, themselves, have not lived up to their potential and have fallen short of what God has required of them.

Knowing how to handle failure helps pastors to refocus their ministry when they have to admit, like the people all around them, that they, too, are living in the midst of faults and failures and have to ask God to stand by them.

Ministry is preaching and teaching the gospel, visiting the sick and shut-ins, visiting the prisoners in jail, assisting senior citizens, redirecting wayward youths, comforting the broken-hearted, mending broken spirits, spending time in prayer, spending time preparing sermons, spending time reading books, newspapers and the AMEC periodicals (all of them), coordinating your schedule for your own theological and academic updates, developing relationships in the community, taking care of administrative church responsibilities, prepare for official board and other church meetings, attend episcopal district and connectional AME meetings, make periodic visits to the courthouse. If there is a professional sports team or college in your area; visit their athletic practices and games; get to know the athletes and coaches and let them get to know you; take time to develop relationships with the athletes and staff, visit youth facilities and detention centers. Visit the fire stations and the police stations, and get to intimately know the political leaders in your community. Develop a relationship with the medical and dental people in your area. Attend area cultural events.

Added to this, allocate sufficient time with your family for fun and relaxing activities; take care for you by scheduling annual/semi-annual physicals and dental appointments and encourage the members in your local church to do the same.

If you tend to the work of ministry, you will not have the time to “be busy here and there.” If you do the work of ministry, you will not be “too busy” nor will you be, “not busy enough.”

3. THE TWELVE SINS OF A PASTOR:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

1. A pastor who thinks that his or her way is the only way and rejects the ideas and suggestions that do not agree with his or her way of thinking or of doing things.

2. A pastor who fails to care for all of the flock, and who only provides caring ministry to those who are most cooperative with his or her program.

3. A pastor who pushes through his or her program with “God-talk” or “religious babble,” i.e., “God spoke to me and told me that we should…” That can be a low-self-esteem pastoral strategy. If the pastor’s idea is a good idea, let him or her take responsibility to let the decision or idea stand on its own merit.

4. A pastor who fails to develop relevant, updated sermons and who repeatedly relies upon worn-out clichés like, “He’s the King of kings, the first and the last, the Alpha and Omega, the bright and morning star, the fairest of ten thousand, the doctor in the sickroom, the lawyer in the courtroom,” etc. and who repeatedly preaches his or her favorite themes. I heard about a preacher who preached about 6-months from Psalms.

5. A pastor who plagiarizes his or her sermons and Bible study materials from the Internet (I know that we don’t have that problem in the AME Church). I was listening to a noted televangelist, who will remain unnamed. I was impressed with his message, but it sounded familiar and out of character for his persona. I decided to check out the internet while he continued to preach; it took me 43 seconds to find the plagiarized sermon on the Internet. In another instance, a person sent an outstanding Bible study syllabus; it was superb; but he had plagiarized it, word for word, from the Internet. It took about 30-seconds for a layperson to find it.

6. A pastor who does not like to preach and who neglects the priestly and prophetic functions of ministry, i.e., a pastor who fails to visit the sick, fails to distribute Communion to the sick and shut-ins; and who fails to address the relevant issues confronting the church and society, i.e., HIV/AIDS, teenage pregnancy, alarming high school drop-out rates, the need for prison reform, and other social ills.

7. A pastor who fails to read books and the AME Church periodicals, and who fails to keep abreast of current events in the AME Church, other churches, and in events around the world.

8. A pastor who, generally, does not like people; does not like the AME Church, and who dismantles AME liturgy and tradition; and who embraces other non-liturgical traditions, thinking every other denomination is better.

9. A pastor who neglect him or herself and who fails to have annual/semi annual physical examinations and regularly scheduled dental appointments; and who fails to take vacations; fails to take time for relaxation, and who neglects his or her family.

10. The pastor who refuses to grow where he or she is planted thus negating his or her gifts and graces.

11. A pastor who mimics or imitates televangelists, especially those who mimic televangelists whose theological and ecclesiastical perspective is in total opposition to Methodism and, especially the doctrine of the Trinity.

12. A pastor who is not satisfied with his or her pastoral appointment and who is always looking ahead to the next pastoral appointment, especially one who covets another minister’s pastoral appointment.

Editor’s note: The Twelve Sins of a Pastor is Part I. Part II, in the next issue of The Christian Recorder, will feature The Sins of a Local Church Officer, and Part III will address The Sins of the Local Church Member.

4. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:

To the Editor:

Re: Public Statement of Council of Bishops of The African Methodist Episcopal Church…

I'm encouraged after reading the recent Public Statement of the Council of Bishops. This new leadership team is off to a great start! Also, I love the Anvil; it’s a creative way to unite us connectionally.

Thanks for keeping us informed.

Loving the Church,

Daphney Gwynn
Mt. Calvary AME
Towson, MD

Editor’s note: Check out the 2nd Episcopal District Lay Website: www.bclo.org

5. CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION 30TH BIENNIAL SESSION:

By Eva Williams

Last week (July 9 -15), the Second Episcopal District served as host for the 30th Biennial Session of the Connectional Lay Organization. The agenda was full; highlights of the week included pre-convention visits to Capitol Hill and Washington, D.C. tours

The opening worship service was delivered by Bishop Adam J. Richardson, offering an inspiring sermon, building on the Lay Organization theme. The sermon reminded people to get out of the church -- receive the Holy Spirit and go beyond the church walls to reach and teach the people.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, welcomed A.M.E. Church members to the nation's capital and presented the Democratic party agenda and expectations

Delegates received reports and reviewed legislative proposals that will be addressed in next year's General Conference.

Workshops included opportunities for participants to receive training in A.M.E. Church: order, structure, polity, evangelism, spiritual growth, and social issues.

In addition to the exposure to the Capitol Hill political arena, the session provided an opportunity for exposure to some of the episcopal district candidates for 2008, including the following:

The Reverends James Arnell 9th Episcopal District, AC Booyse 15th Episcopal District, Ronald Braxton 2nd Episcopal District, Kelvin Calloway, 5th Episcopal District; G. L. Champion, 11th Episcopal District; Philip Cousin, 2nd Episcopal District: Earl Harris, 3rd Episcopal District; Reginald Jackson, 1st Episcopal District; Jeffrey Leath 1st Episcopal District; Ann Lightner Fuller 2nd Episcopal District; Terence Mayes, 13th Episcopal District; Julius McAllister, 7th Episcopal District; W. R. Norful, 12th Episcopal District; Allen Wayne Parrott, 7th Episcopal District; James H. Russell, 11th Episcopal District; Harry Seawright 2nd Episcopal District; John White, 11th Episcopal District; and Stafford Wicker, 6th Episcopal District.

*Eva Williams is a correspondent for the AME Herald.

The article appended above is being used with permission of the AME Herald (The Reverend Denise Rogers)

6. CELEBRATING 125 YEARS – REFLECTING ON THE PAST, SERVING THE PRESENT, LOOKING FORWARD TO A GLORIOUS FUTURE”:

Dr. Johnny Barbour leads the charge in planning the celebration of 125 years of ministry of the AME Church Sunday School Union that will take place in Nashville, Tennessee on August 10-11, 2007.

The Sunday School Union campus is being completely refurbished for the celebration. The AME Sunday School Union facilities are abuzz with new carpet, paint, repaving and relining of the parking lot, new ceiling tiles and a renovation of offices and public areas. The chapel is getting a facelift as are the restrooms.

An exciting celebration has been planned with a worship service that will begin on Friday evening at Greater Bethel AME Church, 1300 South Street (Corner of South Street and 12th Avenue, South). The sermon will be delivered by the Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram, who serves as the Chair of the Commission on Publications and is the presiding prelate of the 10th Episcopal District. The featured choirs will be the Pearl Street AME Church choir from Jackson, Mississippi, where Dr. Barbour served as pastor when he was elected as Secretary-Treasurer of the Sunday School Union, and the Tennessee Conference Choir.

The Dedication Service will commence on Saturday morning at 10 a.m. at the AME Sunday School Union, 500 Eighth Avenue, South.

The AMEC Sunday School Union has an exciting history. In 1882, the Reverend Charles Spencer Smith proposed the creation of the Sunday School Union that was instituted by the 1884 General Conference. The AMEC Sunday School Union is the oldest African American publishing house in the United State. Reverend Charles Spencer Smith was elected as the first Secretary-Treasurer of the Sunday School Union and served until his election to the episcopacy in 1900. Bishop Charles Spencer Smith was succeeded by the Reverend William D. Chappelle, Mr. Ira T. Bryant, Mr. E. A. Selby, the Reverend Charles S. Spivey, Sr., the Reverend Henry A. Belin, Jr., the Reverend A. Lee Henderson, and the Reverend Johnny Barbour, Jr.

The Sunday School Union provides for the printing and distribution of The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, hymnals, Bibles, and special programs for the different departments of the Church. The AMEC Sunday School Union also published the Christian Recorder, The A.M.E. Church Review, The Women’s Missionary Magazine, The Voice of Missions, The Journal of Christian Education, The Secret Chamber and the YPD Gazette, the General Conference Minutes of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Sunday School literature for all age groups.

For additional information about the celebration, contact the AMEC Sunday School Union at (615) 256-5882.

Material for this article was extracted from The Journal of Christian Education, Volume 67, Winter 2005, Number 4. The Journal of Christian Education article was written by Dr. Johnny Barbour

7. GENERAL CONFERENCE PRE-REGISTRATION OF 10,000 OBSERVERS:

The 48th Quadrennial General Conference will be a very joyous and enlightening conference for the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The leadership of the AME Church is soliciting everyone’s support to pre-register 10,000 observers who are planning to attend the 2008 General Conference to be held in St. Louis at America's Center from July 4-11, 2008.

Registration and housing are available as of September 1, 2007.
Registering online is the most efficient and expedient way at www.ame-church.com with a discounted price of $115, prior to December 31, 2007; prior to March 31, 2008 at a discounted price of $120; and after April 1, 2008 at cost of $125. Mailing in your application, the cost is $125 at all times with no discount. The mailing address is 2008 General Conference Registration, 1134 - 11th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.

Note: credit cards and money orders will be the only forms of payment.

Students who are registering (with valid college ID) are $50 and youths (ages 5-18) are $25.

Presiding elders and pastors are strongly encouraged to promote the 2008 General Conference to their districts, congregations, friends, and family members. It is strongly advised that persons planning to attend the General Conference pre-register as soon as possible.

Pre-Registration For Observers packets are being distributed to AME Church leaders and Online Registration for Observers will be available on the official AMEC Website On September 1, 2007.

After October 15, 2007 and each month thereafter, each organization will be provided a report on the progression of the pre-registered observers. It is very important that the General Conference has a good representation of the make-up of the entire African Methodist Episcopal Church. So, please encourage your constituents to pre-register and attend in large numbers.

The Rt. Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie, General Conference Chair
The Rt. Rev. John R. Bryant, Host Presiding Prelate

Submitted by Dr. Richard Lewis, Treasurer, CFO

8. J MOSS ‘ROCKS’ 7TH DISTRICT LEADERSHIP CONGRESS:

* Benjamin Harrison

Thursday, June 14, the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, under the leadership of The Right Reverend Preston W. Williams II, brought the hottest new gospel artist of the year, the dynamic singer, songwriter, and producer extraordinaire – J Moss – to perform at the SED’s annual Christian Education Leadership Congress. Close to 2500 people packed a concert hall in the Florence Civic Center and all proceeds went directly to uplift the educational development of Christian youth throughout the state of South Carolina.

During each summer and fall, a total of 6 Youth Summits are held by the A.M.E. Church at high schools located throughout the Seventh Episcopal District, with a total of more than 2,000 youths and 600 adult chaperones who participate annually. According to Ms. Kabrina Bass, Christian Education Director in South Carolina, “The goal of the Youth Summits is to address the Christian education needs of children ages 6 to 15 with activities specifically designed for their overall growth process. We teach courses on: Salvation, Church Etiquette, Parts of the Church, Church History, Manhood, Womanhood, Church Liturgy, Biblical Studies, the Pentateuch, and Career Exploration. Proceeds from this J Moss concert will make it possible for us to meet the growing financial needs associated with providing services to the thousands of Christian youth we reach each year.”

The show began with the Mount Olive Drum Choir and Praise Dancers from Myrtle Beach, S.C., followed by Antonio Black and the Body of Christ. Anya Dixon, a talented singer, songwriter, and musician, who is also a student at Allen University, warmed up the crowd right before a special guest performance by Zomba recording group “21:03.” These three young men are signed to J Moss’ production company PAJAM, and once they were introduced, all of the young concert goers rushed to the front of the stage. 21:03 infused the evening with high-energy dance moves and high-quality vocals that heated up the stage in preparation for the act everyone had come to see.

Before J Moss was introduced, Bishop Williams took a few moments to address the audience and put things in proper perspective. He thanked everyone for coming and supporting this special music event and, because J Moss and 21:03 are particularly popular with the younger generation of gospel listeners, stated that, “Children are our future, and so we must relate to them in a context which they will understand. We must make the effort to know their customs and culture, and meet them in the place where the old connects with the new. In that way our young people can be prepared to assume the future roles and responsibilities of the church and as adults take up the torch of African Methodism, and carry it as far forward as possible.”

When J Moss hit the stage it was clear that you were witnessing the birth of a superstar in contemporary gospel music. His stage presence commands attention; his cutting-edge R&B/Gospel music pumped life into the crowd and few were able to sit still; and his vocal ability is second to none. He gracefully moved between up-tempo jams and broken-down ballads, making the crowd jump and dance and then quietly listen and pray. He ministered to all whose ears his voice could reach, most importantly the youth he sought to teach. At concert’s end, the Seventh Episcopal District had stepped outside the box of tradition to reach out to South Carolina’s youth who, indeed, are the future.

*Benjamin Harrison is the Public Relations Director for the 7th District AME Church - HarrisonAMEMedia@aol.com

9. METROPOLITAN AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND THE WASHINGTON HEBREW CONGREGATION JOIN FORCES AGAINST THE GENOCIDE IN DARFUR AT THE EMBASSY OF SUDAN:

On Sunday, June 24 from 2 to 3 p.m. A Human Chain for Change in Darfur was formed in front of the embassy of Sudan to protest the genocide in Darfur. About 300 members of Metropolitan A.M.E. and Washington Hebrew Congregation gathered as an interfaith community to not be silent and to challenge the global community to stand with the people of Darfur.

The gathering was led by Reverend Ronald E. Braxton, Rabbi Sue Shankman and Reverend Kimberly B. Barnes. Human rights activist and radio talk show host Joe Madison welcomed the crowd with words of inspiration and challenge to not be silent but be proactive. Mr. Madison urged members to support divestment and economic sanctions to stop the genocide. Bahar Arabie, a Darfurian with the Sudan Liberation Movement, and Daowd Salih, a Darfurian with the Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy expressed thanks to those gathered but challenged the global community to end economic relationships with the government of Sudan. Cantor Mannevich and Japera Rahming blessed the crowd with solos.

Members were encouraged by closing remarks from Reverend Kimberly B. Barnes to keep fighting for the people of Darfur, to not be silent and to encourage the faith community to take a stand in opposition to the genocide.

For additional information contact:
Reverend Kimberly B. Barnes
Metropolitan A.M.E Church
1518 M Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 331-1426

10. SENIOR PASTOR JOB OPENING FOR THE AMERICAN PROTESTANT CHURCH OF THE HAGUE (NETHERLANDS:

I am writing to ask you to post the below Senior Pastor job opening for the American Protestant Church of The Hague (Netherlands). I realize that recent graduates from your institution might not yet have the qualifications to apply for the position, but my hope is that you have other forums (such as website, magazines or newsletters) that reach your alumni.

Centered in one of Europe's most international and influential cities, the American Protestant Church of The Hague (Netherlands) is seeking a new Senior Pastor to lead its vibrant congregation of 300 members, from 20 denominations and representing over 30 countries. The position will commence on July 1, 2008 with an initial contract of four years. Candidates are to be ordained in a mainline Protestant denomination that is a recognized member of the National Council of Churches. Three to five years of hands-on experience in a church of equal or greater size is required, at least two years international experience is preferred. For more information about APCH and a detailed job description, please visit our website at www.apch.nl. To apply, send a letter of introduction and CV to:
callcommittee@gmail.com .

Todd Richardson
Council Chairman
American Protestant Church of The Hague

Trudy Hawkins Stringer
Assistant Dean for Student Life
Associate Director of Field Education
Vanderbilt University Divinity School
615 343 3962

Editor’s note: I hope that some of our AME clergy will apply for this position. You cannot be considered if you do not apply.

11. SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITY:

Mark Robbins, Dean of Syracuse University's School of Architecture is
desperately seeking young men and women of color interested in pursuing a five year professional degree in Architecture. He says he's deeply committed to bringing diversity to his field and has scholarship money set aside to fully cover education costs for 10 students. He says that Latino enrollment in the school has increased substantially, but it's harder to attract Blacks.

Syracuse University’s School of Architecture has a great reputation and this seems like a terrific opportunity, so please pass this on to
everyone you know. Contact: Mark Robbins, Dean School of Architecture.

Please contact Dr. Robbins directly at 315 443- 2255 or email: robbinsm@syr.edu

Editor’s note: If you don’t apply, there is no way that you can be considered for this great opportunity.

12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Ebenezer A.M.E. Church Detroit, Michigan, The Fourth Episcopal District and the Connectional African Methodist Episcopal Church regretfully announce the transition of the Reverend Dr. Mary Watson Stewart on Wednesday, July 11, 2007. Reverend Stewart, an itinerant elder and graduate of Wilberforce University and Payne Theological Seminary was one of the first women ministers in the A.M.E. Church graduating from Payne in 1943.

Reverend Stewart was known connectionally and internationally. She was a most effective preacher, singer and revivalist. Many souls were converted under her preaching and she shall be sorely missed.

Public Viewing
Monday, July 16, 2007
Swanson Funeral Home
Northwest Chapel
14751 West McNichols
Detroit, Michigan 48235
(313) 272-9000

Homegoing Service
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Family Hour 10:00 A.M.
Funeral Service 11:00 A.M.
Ebenezer A.M.E. Church
5151 West Chicago Boulevard
Detroit, Michigan 48204

(313) 933-6943 - Telephone
(313) 933-4532 Fax
ebename@sbcglobal.net
Dr. H. Michael Lemmons, Pastor
Reverend Delano Bowman, Presiding Elder
The Right Reverend Philip R. Cousin, Presiding Bishop

13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of the Rev. Dr. Frederick D. Tennie, Jr. For more than 40 years, Rev. Tennie served as pastor for several churches in the New Jersey and New York Conferences. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Viewing and Funeral - Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Viewing - 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Funeral - 11:00 a.m.
Bethel AME Church
512 N. Church Street
Moorestown, NJ 08057
Phone: 856-235-3152
Fax: 856-231-6734
Rev. Stanley Hearst, Sr., D.Min., Pastor

Bishop Richard F. Norris, Eulogist

Funeral Director:
Tunsil Funeral Home
410 Market Street
Palmyra, NJ 08065
Phone: 856-829-2118

Expressions of Sympathy and Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Bertha Tennie
21 Randolph Place
Willingboro, NJ 08046

Or

Mrs. Bertha Tennie
c/o Bethel AME Church
512 N. Church Street
Moorestown, NJ 08057

14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Please be advised that the Rev. Norman Ladson passed on Saturday, July 14th. He was a minister serving diligently under Dr. Frank M. Reid III at Bethel AME Church Maryland. He was a member of the Baltimore Annual Conference, Baltimore District.

He leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Harriet Ladson, son, Neal Ladson two daughters Marcelette and Danita Ladson and one grandson Robert Ladson and a host of other relatives and friends.

Services are:
Friday July 20, 2007
Bethel AME Church
1300 Druid Hill Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21217
Phone: 410-523-4273
Fax: 410-523-0650

Family Hour: 10:00 a.m.
Celebration: 11:00 a.m.
Dr. Frank M. Reid, III, Eulogist

Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Harriet Ladson
5401 Lynview Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21215
Phone: 410-358-6185

Mortician:
Taylor Funeral Home
108 W. North Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21201
Phone: 410-962-8290
Fax: 410-962-8292

For more information-410-523-4273

Submitted by: Lady Marlaa' M. Reid, Bethel A.M.E. Church, Baltimore, Maryland

15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We respectfully report the passing of Mr. Robert Alderman, father of Rev. Rhonda Alderman Harris, Pastor of Whitman Chapel A.M.E. Church of Belpre, Ohio, Dayton District, South Ohio Annual Conference, Third Episcopal District.

Service Arrangements held for Mr. Robert Alderman:
Funeral Service
12:00 NOON
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Bethel A.M.E. Church
200 South Sixth Street
Richmond, Indiana 47374

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Rev. Rhonda Alderman Harris
Whitman Chapel AME Church
Belpre, OH 45714

Submitted by:
Mrs. Cara Caldwell
Office of the Bishop
3rd Episcopal District

Please remember the family in your prayers.

16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:

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

Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751

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.