The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder – Since 1852
--Reminders—
- Pentecost Sunday: June 12, 2011
- Pentecost Sunday: June 12, 2011
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1. EDITORIAL – PLEASE BE PATIENT, TCR IS CORRECTING TECHNICAL ISSUES:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
We have been experiencing technical issues and some of you have not been receiving The Christian Recorder and others of you have received duplicate messages. We apologize for the inconvenience that has caused you. Hopefully by the time you receive this message, our technical issues will be solved.
We were away at Fort Benning, Georgia May 23- 26 and so no TCR Messages were sent. A number of TCR News Breaks / TCR Breaking News items were sent between May 27 – June 2, one of which was the passing the Reverend Dr. Robert H. Reid, Jr. who served and retired as the 18th Editor of The Christian Recorder. He was a gentleman of the highest order and a true man of God. He was a caring husband and father and a friend to all. The AME Church has suffered a great loss.
During the course of this week, I received a number of messages from subscribers and readers of The Christian Recorder who informed me that they had not received any TCR Breaking News items. This issue will recapture the breaking news and news breaks that many of you missed.
Next week Editor Sydnor is scheduled to be at the 97th Annual Hampton University Ministers’ Conference and 77th Annual Choir Directors’ Organists’ Guild Workshop is scheduled to attend the AME Luncheon which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday at 12 noon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (formally the Radisson Hotel), 700 Settlers Landing Road Hampton, VA.
Again we apologize for any inconvenience our technical problems have caused you.
In this issue, we will attempt to capture the missed news items and new items.
2. TCR OP ED: MUSINGS ON THE LEADERSHIP OF THE CHURCH:
John Thomas III
I was speaking with one of my Brazilian Methodist friends about the structure of the AME Church. As I explained the Senior Bishop/President of the Council of Bishops/President of the General Board system I myself began to be confused. After our discussion, I remembered the several pieces you've written on the need for the AME Church to have a "General" or some type of principal leader. There have also been calls around the Connection for an "AME Pope" or some means of visibly identifying who the "Chief" is. I thought back to the military planning class I took some years ago and began to think of the problem as an issue of lines of command. Up until the Episcopal District level, the AME line of Command is clear: Bishop-Presiding Elder-Pastor. At the Connectional level, there are many decision points and while all of the Bishops collectively make up our Executive, there is no Bishop who has the sole task of thinking about the "Church". We ask Bishops to balance Episcopal District concerns with setting a vision for the whole Church.
I thought back to my military planning class and your penchant for military and thought about the US service structure. The Commander-in-Chief true enough is the US President and the highest ranking officer is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The Chairman, however, has no direct authority over troops. His/her authority comes in access to the President and the ability to look at the "big picture". While the Service Chiefs of the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force are looking out for their parochial interest, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs communicates a global vision and attempts to integrate the parts together.
In the AME Church, we need someone who is tasked is to look out for the "Big Picture." The proposal elaborated by the Strategic Planning Committee nearly a decade ago was to create a Chief Administrative Officer/CAO. Much debate ensued as to whether this person should be a Bishop and to whom this person should support. The most viable proposal appeared to be vesting the responsibilities of the CAO with the Office of Ecumenical/Urban Affairs and placing this office in either Washington, DC or Nashville, TN. Immediately, there was some concern about a "super bishop" and Bishops/General Officers losing control and authority. What was lost in the discussion was a clear analysis beyond emotional and turf concerns. This office will not take away any of the statutory authority of the Bishops to do their principle work: supervising the Annual Conferences of the Episcopal Districts. The CAO would have the responsibility to look at the big picture and coordinate. This functional responsibility does not diminish the stature of neither the President of the Council of Bishops nor the Senior Bishop. Both are largely ceremonial positions whose influence is largely through reputation (also known as "soft power"). Many organizations (for instance the World Methodist Council and the National Council of Churches in the United States) have a President/Presiding Officer who is the titular leader of the organization and an Executive Director (also known as a General Secretary) who oversees the day to day affairs.
We can find a uniquely AME way to fix this problem that should not provoke turf-fights from the Episcopal leadership. One of the suggestions would be to make the CAO by statute Chair of the General Board Commission on Statistics and Finance. The CFO and the CIO should be related to the CAO through the General Board Commission because they form the administrative arm of the AME Church. This might cause some issues among our leadership as the Chairman of Statistics and Finance is a high profile position and highly sought after. Furthermore, the CAO would need a dedicated staff and would no longer be able to be derided as an Episcopal penalty box or "throwaway slot" (Within the last 12-16 years, the Ecumenical Bishop has gained an increased profile and respect, but old stigmas/habits die hard). But, if we are serious about better management of AME Inc., our Bishops will have to make some sacrifices regarding prestige appointments and who gets to run what, when, where and how.
This issue has come up in the last 2 General Conferences and is too important to let go because we can't trust each other or can't look past politics to the good of the Connectional Church. This bill should be resubmitted (maybe by our Connectional Lay Organization?) Hopefully the lay, clergy and Episcopal leadership can come together to make this plan a reality and do what is best for a better running of the Church of Allen.
John Thomas III is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago
3. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- Correction on credit for writer in the May 2, 2011, VOL. 160. No. 16 issue of The Christian Recorder:
The article on the front page of the May 2, 2011, VOL. 160, No. 16 issue of The Christian Recorder, “I Woke up This Morning with My Eyes Stayed on Freedom," was written by Mrs. Maxine Lyles, Co-campaign Manager of the Hopkins-Davis Campaign for WMS President 2011.
Mrs. Delores Williams was not the writer; she was one of the Freedom Riders, who were jailed.
Shirley Hopkins Davis, President
Women's Missionary Society, AME Church
4. GREETINGS FROM BISHOP E. EARL MCCLOUD:
Greetings from Atlanta, Georgia!
Supervisor Patricia and I are pleased to greet you in the blessed name of Jesus!
Since February 2011 to May 24, 2011 I have been throughout the 15th Episcopal District trying to familiarize myself with the people and the work facing us for the remainder of this quadrennial. There is indeed much work and repair to the hearts and souls of the people and churches to be done.
During this period, many of our friends received emails saying that we/I was stranded in England or somewhere else in the world. That email requested funds and asked other things from many of you. Unfortunately, some of our friends reacted without checking and provided resources to this hoax. For this we are sorry. This is the first time such a thing (my email and contacts were hacked into) has happened to me or Supervisor Patricia. We are thankful that you care and support our work and ministry. We are sorry for this hoax, but warn you against these tactics in the days ahead. Going forward, please wait several days before doing anything (should a similar scenario occur). After waiting some days, then check to make sure with others around the AME Church before acting. We have decided (as a result of this) not to travel together during the next year so that one of us is always on the ground. Thanks for your prayers.
May God continue to bless and keep you all.
E. Earl McCloud, Jr.
E. Earl McCloud, Jr.
Resident Bishop
15th Episcopal District, AME Church
Queenstown, Cape, Eastern Cape, Kalahari,
Namibia and Angola Conferences
Episcopal Office: 2721-951-4230
Cell: 2783-701-7019
5. LETTER FROM SENIOR BISHOP JOHN R. BRYANT:
This letter comes to solicit your support in the midst of very difficult economic times and amid many natural disasters and other challenges. Yet, we are still charged with the responsibility to equip the people of God to do the work of ministry. To that end, the Music and Christian Arts Ministry (MCAM) of the AMEC is presenting a Music and Christian Arts Institute, June 14-17, 2011, at Union Bethel AMEC in New Orleans, LA. The workshop will feature Dr. David Morrow, Director of the Morehouse College Glee Club and President of the National Association of Negro Musicians, along with the Grammy, Dove and Stellar Award-nominated, Dr. Joe Pace, II, who is the Director and CEO of the award winning COLORADO MASS CHOIR, and Ms. Melonie Daniels, nationally renowned vocalist and worship leader at Greater Allen Cathedral AME Church.
While we are aware that there are many AME meetings occurring this summer, it may be that every AME will not be attending the General Board, the YPD/WMS Quadrennial or the Lay Biennial. I am hoping that there will be representation from every church in every Episcopal district who will take advantage of this phenomenal opportunity for teaching, training and instruction for the enhancement of our various music and arts ministries in African Methodism.
I am asking every person who can, to register for and attend this monumental event. The Music and Christian Arts Ministry has worked hard to prepare a dynamic institute with presenters of the highest caliber. A flyer with detailed information is included.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact The Rev. Anthony B. Vinson, Sr., Director of Music and Christian Arts at 773.829.7665 or you may visit the MCAM website at: www.MCAM-AMEC.com.
Peace, Power and Love,
John R. Bryant, Senior Bishop
African Methodist Episcopal Church
6. MESSAGE TO 180-DAY COVER TO COVER BIBLE READERS FROM BISHOP SARAH FRANCIS DAVIS, HONORARY CHAIR OF CHALLENGE VII:
Now 53 days into our 180 Days Through the Bible reading plan, I am hearing testimonies of: “I am getting behind!” and vows of “I promise to never let this happen again!.” For those of you who are experiencing the challenge of staying on course, I recommend that you divide the daily readings into two-parts and read in the mornings and the evenings.
Saturday, DAY 51, we began our look at the rule of kings whom the Elders of Israel told Samuel they wanted because other nations were being ruled by kings! As we read these next few weeks we will be reminded that we sometimes get into trouble by wanting to be like others, when God has called us to Himself for His purposes and will. How many times have we all gotten in trouble wanting the right thing for the wrong reason? What is so loveable about God to me is that God does not force God’s will on any of us. God allows us to choose and to make our own decisions. God may give us what we want in order to teach us what we did not initially fully understand.
Bishop Sarah F. Davis
Presiding Prelate, 16th Episcopal District
7. BISHOP ADAM J. RICHARDSON, 90-DAY HONORARY CHAIR, IS MOVIN’ AND GROOVIN’ IN HIS READING OF THE BIBLE FROM COVER TO COVER:
I completed the Hebrew Scriptures this morning. To meet my goal, I will need to complete the New Testament by Saturday. My electronic version tells me that the OT is 75% of the Bible. With all of the Annual Conference minutiae to which bishops must attend, it will require a real act of daily discipline and sleep deprivation to read the other 25% in a week's time. I left the Old Testament none-to-soon; I was beginning to become depressed (too much blood, brandishing of swords and war, the forecast of doom and punishment for past sins, continuous idolatry, prostitution and adultery). Thank God for Jesus and the New Dispensation.
To be sure, there is a lot of good preaching to be done from the Hebrew Bible; but no sooner than I began reading the first three chapters of Matthew, I began singing, "Lord, I Want to be a Christian in my Heart!"
Editor’s Note: Those of us who have fallen behind should not be discouraged; we are going to keep pushing along. I need to finish Jeremiah and Ezekiel; Daniel and the Minor Prophets should be a “piece of cake.” And when I get to Matthew, I, too, will be shouting, “LORD, I want to be a Christian in my heart!” After getting thorough the Old Testament, the New Testament will be an easier read.
8. THE REV. DR. WILLIAM WATLEY APPOINTED AS PASTOR OF SAINT PHILIP AME CHURCH, ATLANTA:
The, the Rev. Dr. William Watley, former pastor of St. James AME Church in Newark, New Jersey was appointed as pastor of Saint Philip AME Church 240 Candler Road SE. Atlanta, GA 30317 at the Atlanta-North Georgia Annual Conference.
The Rev. Dr. George Moore, Sr. longtime pastor of St. Philip has retired.
9. THE REV RONALD SLAUGHTER APPOINTED PASTOR OF ST. JAMES AME CHURCH, NEWARK, NEW JERSEY:
The Rev. Ronald Slaughter former pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Macon, Georgia has been assigned as the pastor of St. James AME Church in Newark, New Jersey
The Rev. Ronald Slaughter was formerly the pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Macon, Georgia.
The Rev. Dr. William Watley, the former pastor of St. James AME Church was assigned was appointed the pastor of St. Philip AME Church in Atlanta, Georgia at the North Georgia Annual Conference. Dr. Watley replaced the Rev. Dr. George Moore, Sr, who has retired.
St. Paul AME Church in Macon as not been filled.
10. A SHORT STORY - A NEW TYPE OF FIRST LADY TYPE:
There we were, on a cold January morning being assigned to a new church with one child in our arms and another tagging along being greeted by surprised parishioners. They were not aware that we were coming and reportedly not aware that their pastor had changed. However, the Pastor knew. Scrambling to inform the members and settle things down so that we could proceed with a worship service my husband rushed along to do that in a peaceful manner. We did not know that it was just as cold inside as outside. So, we all huddled together trying to sing, Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow! This was our start of many more new adventures at a church that we grew to love.
At this church was a widow of one of the previous pastors. She embraced our family in her own special way. However, she felt it was her duty to teach this new First Lady how to stand, walk, and talk. So, one day I wore a certain dress to church. (Of course this was after we had heat and air conditioning in the church.) I sat down beside her to say good morning as I would always do. She turned the end/hem of my dress up and said, "You have enough hem to let that out." (The implication being that the dress was too short.) My response was that I liked it the way it was currently. She said again, "IF you can sew, then you need to let that out." I politely smiled and walked away in my short dress. I wore it again many more times. New First Ladies: You have to be comfortable in your own clothes. You have to remain true to yourself, otherwise you will get lost.
Sherell Vicks Crawford
Candidate for Connectional YPD Director
WMS of the AME Church
Quadrennial Convention 2011, Orlando, Florida
*Submitted by the Rev. Velma Grant
11. MICHIGAN CONFERENCE WOMEN IN MINISTRY (WIM) FED AND CLOTHED OVER 125 MEN, WOMEN, AND CHILDREN:
On Friday April 28, 2011, the officers and members of the Michigan Conference Women In Ministry (WIM) fed and clothed over 125 men, women, and children in the Cass Corridor in Detroit, Michigan for their April Outreach.
The Cass Corridor is an area in Detroit where many homeless people in Detroit call "Home." The WIM members, along with the Rev. Dr. Jeffery Baker Sr., pastor of St. Paul SW, Detroit, three young people and three guests prepared and served a full-course meal. The meal included spaghetti, green beans, fried chicken, dessert, fruit, soft drinks and water.
Clothes were donated by WIM members and the Ebenezer AME, Detroit Clothes Closet under the direction of Mrs. Bernice Gary.
The Rev. Minnie Autry, pastor of New St. James Detroit is the Michigan Conference WIM Coordinator. The Rev. Markita A. Primm, Associate Minister St. Paul AME SW, Detroit is the Michigan Conference WIM Outreach Chairperson. Outreach Committee members are the Rev. Mozie Lee Smith, pastor of Huggins Community, Detroit; Licentiate Gladys Burroughs Ebenezer, Detroit; and Evangelist Jerry Jones-Davis St. St. Stephen, Detroit. Each month, the WIM members have a different Outreach program.
Submitted by the Rev. Markita A. Primm
12. BETHEL AME CHURCH - BALTIMORE’S FOUNDING AND EARLY YEARS 1785 TO 1816:
*Mr. Saleem M. Wooden
AME Church founding Bishop Richard Allen preached the Baltimore Circuit in 1785 and probably met the future founders of Bethel Baltimore.
The decade of the 1780s began with the Continental Army defeating the British at Yorktown as the last major battle of The Revolutionary War. The country’s thirteen States were governed by the Articles of Confederation and the population of the country was about 3 million. The town of Baltimore, Maryland was the country’s tenth largest. The majority of African Americans in the town were slaves but there was a fairly large free population of persons of color.
Many of these free African Americans were Christians with some of them following the tenets of the Methodists religion. With the Methodists condemning slavery, free people of color were drawn to their meetings and allowed to worship in the Methodists meeting houses of Baltimore. The main Methodist meeting house or chapel was the one called Lovely Lane that was located on present day Redwood Street in downtown Baltimore.
The Methodists had a number of lay preachers. One of them was a mid 20 year old African American named Richard Allen. He often found preaching assignments and asked to accompany the Rev. Whatcoat on the Baltimore circuit. In 1785, Minister Allen was placed at a Baltimore Methodist meeting house called Methodist Alley. Undoubtedly, many free African Americans came to hear him preach and discuss matters of importance to them all. In his autobiography, Allen does not single out any African Americans that he met during his time in Baltimore before he departed for Pennsylvania in the fall of 1785.
He also does not mention the racially discriminatory practices that were becoming more evident in the Baltimore Methodist meeting houses as the number of African Americans increased at the worship services. A number of black Methodists stop worshipping at the meeting houses and began meeting amongst themselves for spiritual encouragement. One of those persons was Caleb Hyland. He operated a boot black business that was believed to be at the present day corner of Calvert and Baltimore Streets in Baltimore. Some of their gatherings occurred in his basement shop.
Other names associated with these initial prayer meetings are Thomas Clare, Henry Harden, Stephen Hill, Munday Janey, Pippin Hill, Richard Williams, Nicholas Gilliard, Solomon Sharper, Don Carlos Hall, Caleb Guilly, and Edward Williamson. It is noted that the group was lead by Jacob Fortie and they eventually called themselves the African Methodist Society. It is assumed their wives and families joined them in this endeavor. Those are the founding names of the Bethel we know today.
Just as in the African tradition of the griot, Bethel’s story from 1785 to 1787 is an oral tradition without documentation that has been located. It was in 1787 that the first documented prayer meeting of the African Methodist Society in Baltimore occurs. That meeting was held in one of the member’s home near the present day Belair Market in east Baltimore. By 1787, the new nation had discarded the Articles of Confederation and had just completed the U.S. Constitution that we use today. Delaware was the first State to ratify it in December 1787.
For ten years, the African Methodist Society of Baltimore worshipped in the similar manner mentioned above. In 1797, the group rented the former German Lutheran Church sanctuary and the adjoining lot to the property on Fish Street. The street is now known as Saratoga Street. They consecrated the facility and called it Bethel. Bethel means house of God in Hebrew. The group gave themselves the name of the Bethel Free African Society. In the same year, the town of Baltimore had reached such size that it incorporated itself to be recognized as a city.
Around 1799, the Bethel Free African Society of Baltimore passed the following resolution: “The many inconveniences arising from the white and colored people assembling in public meeting, especially in public worship of almighty God, we have thought it best to procure for ourselves a separate place in which to assemble. Therefore, we invite all our colored Methodists brethren, who think as we do, to worship with us.” The membership of Bethel grew as more African Americans began leaving the Methodist meeting houses which were now part of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
As more African Americans joined Bethel, the Methodist Episcopal Church took steps to halt the inclination of black Methodist to join the Bethel group. In 1802, the M.E. Church started the Sharp Street M.E. Church as a mission project for black Methodists. The pastor of the church was white. Today, that congregation is Bethel’s neighbor as the Sharp Street Memorial United Methodist Church.
In 1801, Bethel was joined by a man of many talents. He was ordained clergy, a dynamic preacher, educator, financial wiz, and a writer. His name was Daniel Coker. He had arrived in Baltimore a few years earlier from New York where he had gone to escape slavery from a central Maryland farm. It is believed that one of Bethel’s founders, Nicholas Gilliard along with others helped to buy his freedom which allowed him to come to Maryland.
Soon, the Rev. Daniel Coker became the leading minister at Bethel. He was not only most prominent at Bethel, but he was also becoming known throughout Maryland. In 1810, he wrote a book titled, A Dialogue Between a Virginian and an African Minister. The book became the first book published by an African American in the State. He also opened a school in the basement of Bethel’s church. By 1810, the school had 17 students which eventually grew to 150 students.
In 1811, the Bethel Free African Society had a congregation that numbered 633 members. In the same year, Bethel received full church status with its incorporation. Bethel’s new name became The African Methodist Bethel Church of Baltimore City. With the incorporation, the Rev. Daniel Coker is now officially recognized as Bethel’s first pastor. The new name of the church was submitted by one of Bethel’s founders, Stephen Hill. (It is interesting to note that with Bethel later becoming Bethel AME Church, the officially incorporated name above remained as Bethel’s corporate name well into the 20th Century.)
Early in the year of 1816, the Rev. Coker and Bethel received a letter invitation to come to Philadelphia to discuss the possible formation of a new church body. The letter was sent by the Rev. Richard Allen of Philadelphia. He was the pastor of an African American church in Philadelphia with similar beginnings and had also chosen the name of Bethel for its church. In April of 1816, delegates from Bethel arrived in Philadelphia to meet with the Rev. Allen’s delegation and at least three other black church delegations.
On 9 April 1816, delegations from Baltimore, Philadelphia, Delaware, New Jersey, and eastern Pennsylvania met with a total of 16 delegates present. Bethel had the largest delegation that consisted of the following: the Rev. Daniel Coker, Richard Williams, Henry Harden, Edward Williamson, Stephen Hill, and Nicholas Gilliard. It was decided that in accepting the Methodists doctrine and discipline almost in its entirety, the group decided to form an independent church denomination with the following adopted resolution:
“That the people of Philadelphia, Baltimore, and all other places, who shall unite with them, shall become one body under the name and style of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.” (It is interesting to note that the resolution sounds very similar to the Bethel resolution of 1799 mentioned above. The Bethel delegation was probably in the forefront for developing the resolution.)
Following the model set by the Methodist Episcopal Church with establishing the Book of Discipline and holding quadrennial General Conferences, the new AME Church needed to select a head prelate, a bishop. On the first ballot taken by the 16 person conference, Bethel’s Rev. Daniel Coker was elected to take the post of the founding Bishop of the AME Church. Either late in the day or during the evening hours before the session of the next day, the Rev Daniel Coker declined the new position.
Capable as he was in so many areas, many historians believe he declined the position because of his fair skin color. He was the offspring of a white indentured servant mother and an African slave father that made him very far skinned. With many black congregations forming together in groups or black church denominations forming in the mid 1810s, there was one distinction with them that was different from the AME Church. Those other groups were always headed by a white ministerial overseer, prelate, or bishop. It is believed that Coker did not want the AME Church to be seen as appearing to have the same type of leadership as these other groups.
On the next day of the conference, the 16 delegates conducted a revote. The Rev. Richard Allen was elected and later consecrated as the founding Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Rev. Richard Allen was of dark complexion and just as capable as the Rev. Coker. (It is interesting to note that if the Rev. Coker had not declined the position, he would have been recognized today as the founder of the AME Church with Bethel AME Church of Baltimore looked upon as the “Mother Church” of the 2.5+ million member, 8,000+ ministers, and 7,000+ congregations of the AME Connection.)
After the Bethel delegation returned to Baltimore from the founding convention, a general church meeting was held at Bethel for the purpose of hearing a report from the delegates. The meeting was held in June 1816. The meeting was opened with singing, prayer, and scripture. The report was given by Bro. Stephen Hill. After he finished, a motion on the report was adopted and the entire assembly arose and sang, “Praise God From Whom All Blessing Flow”. The meeting was closed with the benediction given by Pastor Coker. From then on, the African Methodist Bethel Church of Baltimore City became known and recognized as Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
*Mr. Saleem M. Wooden is the Church Historian at Bethel AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
13. JOIN THE 13TH DISTRICT BY HAVING A PROSTATE CANCER AWARENESS RALLY ON FATHER'S DAY - JUNE 19, 2011:
According to National Comprehensive Cancer Network, prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men. Over the past thirty years, significant improvements in screening and detection have greatly improved the outlook for many men who are diagnosed with the disease. African American men have a 60% higher prostate cancer incidence rate and a 150% higher death rate than all other men; this is the largest racial disparity for any type of cancer. To that end, we are asking all churches in the 13th Episcopal District to join the Connection church to help promote awareness about Prostate Cancer on Father’s Day- June 19, 2011 during worship service by participating in a district wide Father’s Day Rally Against Prostate Cancer.
To aid in this endeavor, we are working with the Prostate Health Education Network. Please take the following steps to aid ensure the success of your congregation's rally.
• Identify a Father’s Day Rally Against Prostate Cancer Liaison(s) in your congregation.
• Identify any survivors of prostate cancer in your congregation.
You can get additional information by going to the PHEN website: www.prostatehealthed.org . In addition, the Presiding Elders have materials which can be used to promote the rally.
On June 19th during the worship service, we are asking the churches to:
• Recognize prostate cancer survivors and their families in the congregation
• Recognize prostate cancer victims in the congregation
• Pray a special prayer of love and healing for all
• Highlight the impact of prostate cancer in your church and help remove the silence so that families can work together towards healing and support one another
• Pass out blue ribbons or boutonnieres to be worn on Father’s Day to support and recognize prostate cancer survivors and victims
• Distribute information about prostate cancer health and awareness messages for men, and for women to help educate the men in their lives.
Thank you in advance for your participation! We pray that through the efforts of our churches, lives will be changed through the sharing of knowledge and the communion prayers of the saints.
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
Episcopal Servant
14. PAUL QUINN COLLEGE PARTNERS WITH THE DALLAS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA:
College set to host an event in the DSO’s Community Parks Concert series
DALLAS – May 26, 2011 – The ears of those in the Quinnite Nation and the surrounding community will be graced with the sounds of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra this summer. Paul Quinn College is one of six locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth area scheduled to host a 2011 Community Parks Concert Series event.
“It is difficult to overstate how excited we are to be included in the Community Parks Concert Series,” said Paul Quinn College President Michael J. Sorrell. “As I’ve stated before, we view bringing cultural events to this community as part of our institutional obligation and purpose.”
According to the DallasSymphony.com, the series of outdoor concerts attracts more than 30,000 music lovers each year. The PQC-hosted event will be held at 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 7 on the lawn of the campus. The concert will last about an hour.
For more information, please send an e-mail to Ashley Harris at aharris@pqc.edu or call 214.379.5561. Visit www.pqc.edu for event updates.
Paul Quinn College
214-379-5561
aharris@pqc.edu
15. NEW COACHING STAFF SET TO LEAD PAUL QUINN COLLEGE MEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM:
Quinnite Nation to continue tradition of success with new leadership and creation of junior varsity squad
DALLAS – May 27, 2011 – Paul Quinn College is pleased to announce the newest members of the Quinnite Nation. Charles W. Keeley, III joins the College as the head men’s basketball coach. He will oversee the program with the help of John Franklin, the newly appointed assistant men’s basketball coach and junior varsity coach.
The change in leadership promises to keep the athletic program moving in a positive direction, and is in line with the College’s dedication to recruit, retain, develop, and produce student-athletes who will strive to achieve in the classroom and on the playing field.
“While the men’s basketball team experienced a successful season on the court, the institution had grave concerns about the former leadership’s ability to support the College’s mission of transforming students into servant leaders both on and off the court,” said Paul Quinn College President Michael J. Sorrell. “We are dedicated to building an athletic program that will compete for national championships and produce graduates who will become doctors, lawyers and business leaders. We now feel as if we have the coaches in place that will allow us to accomplish these goals.”
Keeley comes to PQC after spending three years as the assistant head coach at Cedar Valley College. The St. Petersburg, Fla., native earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from Florida A&M University. He also has a Master of Science degree in sports coaching from the United States Sports Academy and is a doctoral candidate at the same institution. Keeley is a member of the National Association of Basketball Coaches, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Black Coaches & Administrators, the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc.
“This is a humbling and exciting experience for me,” Keeley said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge of molding these young men into professionals on and off the court. We have a long road ahead of us, but I’m confident that we are assembling a team that can bring Paul Quinn College its first NAIA men’s basketball national championship.”
Prior to Keeley’s arrival, the Paul Quinn College Tigers finished the 2010 - 2011 season ranked fourth in the NAIA Red River Conference with a 15 – 7 record, and a 21 – 11 overall record.
Keeley will be assisted by Franklin, who comes to the College after a highly successful stint as the assistant coach for the boys’ varsity team and head coach for the boys’ junior varsity team at Episcopal School of Dallas. Franklin received his Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from the University of North Texas, where he lettered in basketball as a member of the men’s basketball team.
About Paul Quinn College
Paul Quinn College is a private, faith-based, four-year liberal arts college founded by and affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The College was founded in Austin, Texas, on April 4, 1872, and is one of the nation’s 110 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The College provides a quality, faith-based education that addresses the academic, social, and Christian development of students and prepares them to be servant leaders and agents of change in their communities. Academic excellence lies at the heart of the College’s mission, along with the values of integrity, responsibility, accountability, fiduciary responsibility, and an appreciation of cultural diversity. Members of the College’s student body, faculty and staff, called Quinnites, are achieving “Greatness…one step at a time,” by living the “Four Ls of Quinnite Leadership,” which are: Leave places better than you found them; Lead from wherever you are; Live a life that matters; and Love something greater than yourself.
Contact: Ashley Harris
Paul Quinn College
214-379-5561
aharris@pqc.edu
16. MOREHOUSE, NORFOLK STATE, PAUL QUINN AWARDED $50K “MODELS OF SUCCESS” GRANT:
31 May 2011 09:47 AM PDT: Posted by HBCU Digest
Morehouse College, Norfolk State University and Paul Quinn College were recently named as HBCU recipients of a three-year “Models of Success” study sponsored by Lumina Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, and USA Funds.
Selected to be among nine minority serving institutions across the United States, the institutions were chosen for their unique “success stories” of programs and/or practices that can be used as standards for retention and achievement at comparable institutions.
The institutions have also each received a $50,000 grant to build capacity and infrastructure on their campuses.
“We chose these three HBCUs because they exemplify creative approaches to increasing degree attainment and they are committed to empowering students,” says University of Pennsylvania professor and principal researcher, Marybeth Gasman.
Dr. Gasman, along with fellow researcher Professor Clifton Conrad from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, will conduct on-site visits at each institution to gather and promote insight into each MSI “success story” in literature and media resources. Paul Quinn College President Michael Sorrell calls the selection an honor for his school’s ongoing commitment to student success.
“The Quinnite Nation and our ‘Leave No Quinnite Behind Project’ is honored to have been recognized by some of leading voices nationally in higher education,” Sorrell says. “We view our selection as confirmation that there is a place at the table for a program and a school dedicated to addressing the root issues facing students from under-resourced communities in a holistic fashion. The LNQBP is Paul Quinn College’s way of saying to those students- “we hear you; we are here for you; and we love you- today, tomorrow and always.”
More than 60 minority serving institutions across the country applied for the grant.
The winning HBCU “success stories” are:
I. Norfolk State University
An urban, public, university located in eastern Virginia, Norfolk State University (NFU) is the home to two “models of success” that will be highlighted in the study. One is the Summer Bridge Program that helps academically challenged students to make the transition from high school to college. Held during a four week summer session, this nonresidential program addresses the academic, developmental, and social integration needs of students through courses in such fields as English and mathematics as well as through co-curricular programming and intrusive developmental advising. The other model of success is the Faculty Communities of Inquiry (COI) Program in which faculty and staff engage in a year-long interdisciplinary adventure in which they share pedagogical ideas for enhancing student learning and development at both the undergraduate and master’s level in such domains as “critical thinking assessment,” “service-learning,” and “scientific reasoning.”
II. Morehouse College
A private, all-male, college located in Atlanta, Morehouse College is the home of two “models of success” that will be highlighted in the study. Both have been highly successful in enhancing both the retention and achievement of students in the sciences along with increasing the likelihood that students will pursue graduate study. The first model of success is the Peer Led Team Learning (PLTL) initiative. An innovative alternative to conventional peer learning, faculty in PLTL use a facilitated learning approach in which individual faculty members develop and provide learning content “modules” for PLTL workshops that are tied to relevant course 2 content. The second is the MBRS RISE program, which has increased the number of Morehouse graduates majoring in science disciplines and the number of graduates choosing to pursue graduate study in biomedical research. The three major aspects of the program are: developmental activity during the freshman/sophomore year that includes intensive academic advising, mentored research during the sophomore year, and participation in a biomedical research seminar series; developmental activity during the junior/senior year that includes academic mentoring, graduate school advising, and peer mentoring of students in their freshman or sophomore year; and developmental activity designed to enhance the research culture through science enrichment activities.
III. Paul Quinn College
Over the past several years, Paul Quinn College (PCQ) has developed an innovative and highly successful campus-wide program entitled “Leave No Quinnite Behind” that helps to ensure that every PQC student is nurtured, developed, retained, and proceeds to graduation. Comprehensive in scope and layered to address both the on-campus and off-campus lives of students, the program includes many noteworthy features: a summer academic bridge program in which students have the opportunity to receive up to 12 hours of academic credit; an institution-wide writing program requirement along with a “Writer’s Hub” to support the “Writing Across Curriculum Format,” and an overhauled core curriculum that has been accompanied by the introduction of an innovative business-focused course aimed at helping ensure that students from modest economic backgrounds will disturb existing cycles of poverty and be prepared to pursue career paths that will yield both personal economic benefits as well as benefit their communities.
Article extracted from HBCU Digest
17. NATIONAL CATHEDRAL OF AFRICAN METHODISM KICKS OFF 173RD ANNIVERSARY:
Metropolitan AME Church "kicking off" its 173rd Anniversary with the UN International Year of People of African Descent and a concert featuring the Bel Canto Singers from the Bahamas
It is with great pleasure that we extend to you, your family, and to others in your Embassy this invitation to attend a very special event at Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1518 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., on Sunday, June 5, 2011 at 3 pm.
The occasion is a special concert by the Bel Canto Singers of Nassau, Bahamas in observance of the United Nations International Year of People of African Descent as well as the 173rd Anniversary of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church. An historic church, Metropolitan is known throughout the world as “The National Cathedral of African Methodism”. Importantly, we note with interest that several members of our church are originally from Caricom countries and without doubt would welcome your attendance at this significant event. We are confident that you and members of your staff will feel at home in visiting with us on June 5th.
It is our hope that you and others from your Mission will come and worship with us on June 5th. It would be helpful if you would call the church office, 202-331-1426, in advance so that we might make appropriate arrangements and be able to acknowledge your presence. We look forward to having you with us.
Ronald E. Braxton, Senior Pastor
Submitted by Maria Wallace, Director of Lay Activities, 2nd Episcopal District
18. THE 2011 FOURTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Bishop John Richard Bryant, Presiding Prelate
The Rev. Dr. Cecelia W. Bryant, Episcopal Supervisor
The 4th Episcopal District Christian Education Congress
July 6 - 9, 2011
Westin Lombard Yorktown Center
Lombard, IL
630-719-8000
The Rev. Dr. James F. Miller, Host Pastor
The Canadian Annual Conference
August 24 – 28, 2011
Hotel Espresso
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
514-938-4611
Host Information:
Robinson AME Church
514-634-4603
The Rev. Randolph Joel Phillips, Pastor
The Michigan Annual Conference
September 6-11, 2011
Marriott Renaissance
Detroit, MI
313-568-8000
Host Information:
Oak Grove AME Church
313-341-8877
The Rev. Dr. Robert Brumfield, Pastor
The Illinois Annual Conference
September 19 -25, 2011
Holiday Inn – City Centre
Peoria, IL
309-674-2500
Host Information:
Ward Chapel AME Church
309-676-1348
The Rev. James C. Bailey, Pastor
The Indiana Annual Conference
October 3 – 9, 2011
Wyndham Indianapolis West
Indianapolis, IN
317-248-2481
Host Information:
Central Indiana AME Alliance
The Rev. Lenore Williams, President
The Chicago Annual Conference
October 17 – 23, 2011
Holiday Inn – Tinley Park Convention Center
Tinley Park, IL
708-444-1100
Host Information:
Grant Memorial AME Church
773-285-5819
The Rev. Dr. Mickarl D. Thomas, Pastor
The 4th Episcopal Planning Meeting
November 3-5, 2011
Hilton Ft. Wayne at the Grand Wayne Convention Center
Ft. Wayne, IN
260- 420-1100
The Rev. Dr. Archie Criglar, Host Pastor
19. THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2011 SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES:
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate
Mr. Stan McKenzie, Episcopal Supervisor
AUGUST 23-27, 2011
KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE
St. Paul
Lexington, KY
SEPTEMBER 6-10, 2011
WEST KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Quinn Chapel
Louisville, KY
SEPTEMBER 13-17, 2011
EAST TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Warren Chapel
Chattanooga, TN
OCTOBER 4-8, 2011
WEST TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
St. Andrew
Memphis, TN
OCTOBER 18-22, 2011
TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Greater Bethel
Nashville, TN
NOVEMBER 3-6, 2011
PLANNING MEETING
North Nashville District
Nashville, TN
20. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Congratulations to Ms. Courtenay Ruth Paris
Ms. Courtenay Ruth Paris, daughter of the Reverend Alton E. Paris and Sara F. Paris of Grandview, Texas, graduated with honors from the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Cox School of Business receiving her Master of Science (MS) in Accounting degree, (Beta Gamma Sigma), on Saturday May 14, 2011.
Ms. Paris is employed by The Kenrich Group, LLC, (KRG), a Business Consulting and Litigation Firm while preparing for the Texas Certified Public Account (CPA) Examinations.
The Reverend Alton Paris is a retired Itinerant Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, 10th Episcopal District (Texas), currently affiliated with the Wade Chapel AME Church of Hillsboro, TX.
Congratulatory messages can be sent to:
The Reverend Alton (Al) Paris, Retired
African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church
817-202-8044/972-365-5770
FAX: 817-741-7744
CEO: Reverend Alton Paris, LLC
pastor101@gmail.com
- Congratulations to the Rev. Carolyn G. Stevenson
Congratulations to the Rev. Carolyn G. Stevenson, a Local Elder at Payne Memorial AME Church in Waterloo, Iowa. The Rev. Carolyn G. Stevenson graduated from Upper Iowa University with a B.A. in Human Services and double minor in Criminal Justice and Sociology.
Congratulations can be sent to:
The Rev. Carolyn G. Stevenson
2904 Niles Street
Waterloo, IA 50703
319-233-3524
Email: Stvnsncar@aol.com
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Anna J. Waters, the wife of the deceased and former pastor of New Bethel AME Church, the Rev. James Waters, Sr. The Rev. Waters was also a Presiding Elder in the New Jersey Annual Conference. Mrs. Waters served as a former Y.P.D. Director of the First Episcopal District. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing and Funeral, Saturday, June 4, 2011
Viewing - 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Service of Celebration - 10:00 a.m.
New Bethel A.M.E. Church
6153 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone: 215-438-2406
Fax: 215-438-2764
The Reverend Kahlil James, Pastor
The Reverend Gerald Bailey, Eulogist
Pastor of Friendship AME Church, Brown Mills, NJ
Expression of Sympathy can be sent to:
Mrs. Jean Adams (Niece)
7028 Lark Place
Philadelphia, PA 19153
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Elizabeth Smith. She was the mother of Mrs. Thaeh Norris, the grandmother of Richard F. Norris, III and the sister of the Rev. Alberta Jones, pastor of Mt. Zion AMEC, Darby, PA and Ms. Lillie B. Jones, the YPD Director of the Philadelphia Annual Conference.
The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing and Funeral, Friday, June 3, 2011
Viewing - 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Service of Celebration - 10:00 a.m.
Morris Brown A.M.E. Church
1756 North 25th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19121
Phone: 215-763-4707
Fax: 215-763-1465
The Reverend James P. Baker, Pastor
Expression of Sympathy can be sent to:
Mrs. Thaeh Norris
1964 Dallas Street
Philadelphia, PA 19138
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with regret that we inform you of the passing of Mrs. Burnece Burrell Holloway, on Wednesday, May 26, 2011. Sister Holloway was the spouse of the late Rev. Alex Holloway, and the previous President of the Oklahoma Conference M-SWAWO.
The funeral has been held
Interment: Fort Sill National Cemetery, 2648 NE Jake Dunn Road
Expressions of sympathy to the family may be mailed to:
9122 Orange Drive
Midwest City, OK 73130
Or online messages may be posted (link below).
http://barnesfriedrich.frontrunnerpro.com/runtime/210/runtime.php?SiteId=210&NavigatorId=33196&ItemId=757954&op=moreinfo&viewOpt=dpaneOnly
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Reverend Thomas I. Burt, Sr., of 6537 Lincolnville Road, Raleigh, NC, former Pastor in the Western North Carolina Conference, 2nd Episcopal District, departed this life on Wednesday, May 25, 2011.
Survivors; wife, Faye A. Hooker Burt of the home; daughters, Yvonne Burt of Raleigh; Jacqueline Scott (Kevin) of Midlothian, VA, Andreana Wilson of Richmond, VA and Virginia Burt of Raleigh; son, Thomas I. Burt Jr. of Raleigh; sisters, Myrtle Betty Jones and Jenesta Jones both of Philadelphia, PA; brothers, Harry Jones (Robin), Larry Jones, Sidney Earl Jones and Keith Jones all of Philadelphia, PA; 5 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends.
The funeral has been held
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Faye A. Hooker-Burt, Wife
6537 Lincolnville Road
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-851-8643
Mrs. Jacqueline Scott, Daughter
2700 Colgrave Road
Midlothian, VA 23112
804-744-5634
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are sharing news of the transition from life into life of the Rev. Reginald T. Farris, an Itinerant Deacon in the Tennessee Annual Conference and Associate Minister at St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
Service arrangements for Rev. Reginald Farris:
Friday, June 3, 2011
Visitation will be from 11:00 am - 11:45 am
The Men of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Service from 11:45 am - 12 noon
Funeral Service at 12 noon
The Visitation, Fraternity Service, and Funeral will be held at:
St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church
1822 Formosa Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37208
615-320-1026
Professional Services are entrusted to:
Millington Funeral Home
P.O. Box 1171
Millington, TN 35083
Phone #: 901-872-2273
Expressions of sympathy may be emailed to: farris.t.m@gmail.com or ambriellef@gmail.com
26. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to share news of the passing of Mrs. Gracie Muse, the mother of the Rev. Leona Fisher, Pastor of Morris Brown AME Church, New Orleans, Louisiana.
The funeral has been held
Flowers and Condolences may be sent to:
MJR Friendly Service Funeral Home, Inc.
7803 Florida Blvd.
Denham Springs, LA. 70727
Phone # 225 665-8002 Fax # 225 665-3285
Email: mjrl@bellsouth.net
Or cards and expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Morris Brown AME Church
The Rev. Leona Fisher, Pastor
1813 Urguart Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
Contact Phone number for the Rev. Leona Fisher: 225-222-6501
27. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Mrs. Mildlean B. Weaver of Hemingway, SC. She is the mother of the Reverend Shiril (Charles) Weaver Graves, pastor of Mount Pisgah AME Church (Loris, SC) and the Reverend John (Deborah) Taylor, pastor of Leonard Chapel AME Church and Mt. Zion AME Church (Greeleyville, SC).
Mrs. Weaver was a devoted member of Jerusalem AME Church, Hemingway, SC. She served in many capacities and was a dedicated and committed child of God. Mrs. Weaver died Sunday, May 22, 2011 in Florence, SC.
The funeral has been held
Expressions Of Sympathy And Condolences May Be Sent To:
The Reverend Shiril Weaver Graves and Family
863 Gresham Road
Gresham, SC 29546
Phone: (843) 362-1786
Cell: (843) 283-0823
Fax: (843) 362-1786
Email: revswg56@hotmail.com
28. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Sister Nancy Foster Brown, wife of the Reverend Joseph T. Brown, Local Elder, Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, New Brighton, Pennsylvania. Sister Nancy Foster Brown passed on Friday, May 20, 2011 in the Kindred Hospital at Heritage Valley in Beaver, Pennsylvania.
She was a dedicated missionary and very active in the Pittsburgh Conference M-SWAWO plus P.K.'S, where she served as treasurer until her health began to fail. Sister Brown will be greatly missed by family and friends.
The funeral has been held
Expressions of sympathy and condolences may be sent to:
The Reverend Joseph T. Brown
806 14th Street
Beaver Falls, PA 15010
Phone: 724-846-4426
29. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Following Bereavement Notice:
On Saturday, May 21, 2011, Mr. John Wallace of Baltimore, Maryland passed away after battling Prostrate Cancer. He departed this life one day after his 70th birthday. Mr. Wallace is the father of the Rev. Maxine L. Thomas, Assistant Pastor of Historic St. Paul AME Church in Lexington, KY and First Lady of the Lexington District, President of WIM 13th Episcopal District; and father-in-law of Presiding Elder Troy Thomas, Pastor of Historic St. Paul AME Church and Presiding Elder of the Lexington District, Kentucky Conference.
The funeral has been held
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Maxine L. Thomas
3312 Lyon Drive, Lexington, KY 40513
859-224-9961 phone
Email: exhalemlt@aol.com
30. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Services or the Reverend Granville W. Reed, III, Member of the Judicial Council
The Reverend Granville William Reed, III, member of the Judicial Council of the AME Church (Secretary), and Pastor of Mount Olive AME Church, Jacksonville, FL peacefully translated to his eternal home, Saturday, May 21, 2011 from Community Hospice of UF Shands Hospital in Jacksonville, Florida. At his bedside were Ida Reed, his beloved wife and his sister, Viola Ozell Beacher.
The Reverend Granville William Reed, III is survived also by his daughter, LaShane, and grandchildren, two brothers, the Reverend Rodger Hall Reed, Sr. (Shirley), pastor of Ward Memorial AME Church, Washington, DC and Richard Earl Reed, PhD (Umran) of Chicago, Illinois, one Sister, Viola Ozell Beacher of Forest Park, Illinois.
The funeral has been held
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Sister Ida Reed
2002 Mt. Hermon Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32209-5736
(904) 356-9479
The Rev. Rodger Hall Reed
Ward Memorial AME Church
241 42nd Street, NE
Washington, DC 20019
202-398-3899
rodgerr301@aol.com
31. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to share news of the passing of Mr. Elmer Koontz, the father of the Rev. Marty Koontz, assistant pastor of Bethel AME Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mr. Elmer Koontz passed on Thursday, May 19, 2011.
Services for Mr. Koontz are announced as follows:
The funeral has been held
32. 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
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/
Phone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
BLOG: http://ameccfic.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
33. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; 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.
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