Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder – Since 1852
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder – Since 1852
SUMMER 2011 CONNECTIONAL MEETINGS:
- WMS and YPD Quadrennial Convention
July 21 - August 1, 2011
Orlando, FL
- World Methodist Council
August 1 - 8, 2011
Durban, South Africa
- Connectional Lay Organization 32nd Biennial Convention
August 12 - 18, 2011
Marriott-Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI
The date of the Candidates Forum will be held on Monday, August 15th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- WMS and YPD Quadrennial Convention
July 21 - August 1, 2011
Orlando, FL
- World Methodist Council
August 1 - 8, 2011
Durban, South Africa
- Connectional Lay Organization 32nd Biennial Convention
August 12 - 18, 2011
Marriott-Renaissance Center
Detroit, MI
The date of the Candidates Forum will be held on Monday, August 15th from 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
1. EDITORIAL – THE AME CHURCH HAS A LOT OF “GOOD NEWS”; BUT THE AME CHURCH ALSO HAS SOME “BAD NEWS” - PART 2:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
Good news often gets consumed by bad news, and when that happens the good news is not eradicated or negated, it’s just relegated to a secondary position.
For instance, you have just bought a new car and that is good news, but you get a flat tire on the way home, the bad news and the emotions of having a flat tire, at least for the moment, consumes the good news of having a new car. And, if you didn’t finance appropriately the bad news of paying a high car note each month and the high cost of fuel also over-shadows the good news of owning a new car. The good news of owning a new car is real, but the negative things associated with car ownership often becomes the reality.
I think the same thing happens with the AME Church. We have a lot of good news consumed by bad news; and for many, the bad news, to the detriment of the good news, becomes our reality.
When I hear the gospel song, “I won’t complain” I always get a smile on the inside because though the songwriter penned the title, “I won’t complain”; yet the song is full of complaints. The songwriter, and those who sing it, acknowledge the “good days,” but complain, “I’ve had some hills to climb; I’ve had some weary days; I’ve had some sleepless nights; sometimes my clouds hang low; I can hardly see the road; I ask the question, ‘Lord, why so much pain?’; … my weary eyes can’t see; been lied on; talked about; and misunderstood.” A better title for the song might have been, “God’s been so good to me” or “Thank you Lord” because I think that’s the point the songwriter was trying to make.
It’s like the person who says, “I won’t complain,” but continues the statement with, “Complaining won’t help” which, in itself is a complaint.
Sometimes, I think we have the same problem when attempting to define the good news of the AME Church. The bad news comes to mind like a “rushing mighty wind.” Questions about pastoral appointments, disengaged members, ineffective officers, dwindling attendance in some of our churches, questions about the finances in the local and connectional Church; disregard for authority, failure of pastors and laity to follow, or even read The Discipline; and the absence of programs for young people and young adults. The laity complains about long, boring and irrelevant sermons and the clergy laments about biblically illiterate parishioners.
And, yet like the song, “I Won’t Complain” in which there are lots of complaints, the power in the song is the goodness and blessings of God.
It’s kind of like the hymn entitled, “Love Lifted Me” and often referred to as, “I was Sinking Deep in Sin.” From a Christological perspective “Love Lifted Me” is the preferred designation for that great hymn; and why people want to emphasize the “…Sinking Deep in Sin” is beyond me; the hymnwriters James Rowe and Howard E. Smith entitled the hymn, “Love Lifted Me.”
Sometimes in the realm of AME-ism, we often confuse good news with bad news. In other words we often interpret good news as bad news and the bad news becomes our reality.
The good news
The AME Church is a connectional church and that is good news. We are methodical in our approach to issues and we have a set of rules based upon the Bible and The Discipline. The good news is that we are not encumbered with precedent-setting situations in the connectional or local church because the Bible and The Discipline presupposes that we will be proactive rather than reactive; or at least that’s what is supposed to happen.
The good news is that we have the rules in place, but the bad news that becomes our reality happens when we do not follow the rules set forth in the Bible and in The Discipline.
The rules we have for candidates entering the ministry and our procedures for ministerial training are superb and that’s good news, if we unwaveringly adhered to the rules.
The AME Church “fathers and mothers” established excellent procedures for screening persons entering the ministry. The bad news that becomes our reality happens when we fail to follow the procedures that were set in place. Local churches, pastors, presiding elders, boards of examiners and even bishops all share in the blame when ill-prepared candidates for ministry “slip through the system.” Some persons have gone through our system, gotten our ordination, and moved on; never intending to serve an AME Church; someone along the way should have said, “No” to those ministerial applicants.
The division of ministry; diaconal and elders’ ordination is biblically-based and the separation of the local and itinerant division of ministry is an excellent model, which allows those persons who want to “travel” and those persons who want to remain in “local” relationships to choose their ministerial tracks. The good news of that system has been preempted by the bad news because we are not following our own procedures and as a result we have itinerants serving in local relationships and local preachers serving as itinerants.
The “mothers and fathers” of the Church set up an wonderful plan of establishing stewards and trustees as officers for running local churches; a creative division of responsibilities; that’s the good news. The bad news that is our reality; is that in so many cases stewards and trustees either don’t understand their responsibilities or they don’t give a darn; and apparently some pastors don’t understand the division of labor of stewards and trustees, or they don’t give a darn either.
For example, the Church “mothers and father” set forth procedures for nominating and electing local church trustees and some pastors won’t take the time to follow the procedure of nominating twice the number needed and letting the people vote for the trustees; instead some pastors present a list of names and ask the people to approve and install the names on the list as trustees. Some steward boards are ineffective because some pastors “stack” the board with, for lack of a better term, cronies; and no real spiritual ministry gets done.
The AME Church’s program for middle management, the office of presiding elder, is an excellent model used by the United Methodist Church, corporate America, the federal government and probably governments and corporate entities in Europe, Africa, and around the Caribbean too.
Middle management is essential in any organization; organizations cannot function effectively without middle managers. The AME model is good news! But the reality, in many instances, is that the AME Church’s middle management program is perceived as bad news because it is the perception that presiding elders are often not given the responsibilities of middle managers, and their major responsibility is collecting money. And people all over the world, today and in antiquity, do not like people who collect money or taxes! The middle management bad news becomes exacerbated when clergy and laity get a sense that the persons chosen for middle management positions are not the best qualified for the job.
The pastoral appointment system of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is good news and is the envy of many of our brothers and sisters, both laity and clergy who belong to congregational systems.
When bishops follow the rules and intent of The Discipline, our pastoral appointment system is “second to none.” Our good news system becomes bad news when the pastoral appointment system becomes breached, e.g., a pastor remains at local church when he or she should be transferred; or a pastor is appointed to church, which is not a “good fit” for him or her; or for the local church. Our good news becomes bad news when pastors who are deserving of promotion are not promoted, and conversely when pastors who should be demoted are not demoted; that’s a management issue.
The system of conferences in the African Methodist Episcopal Church is good news at each level, beginning with the Church Conference and on up to the General Conference. Our system of church, quarterly, district, annual, and general conferences is appropriate to the function of efficiently operating the local and connectional church. The perception of bad news surfaces when we do not follow The Discipline and when we choose to take short-cuts and fail to be responsive to needs of our parishioners.
We have a lot of good news that should be celebrated, among which is our order of worship, which most AMEs love. But the bad news becomes our reality when pastors go off on their own tangents and mangle the worship liturgy without explanation.
As the connectional church, we have good news stories in the support of our colleges and seminaries. Many of us could not have gone to a Wilberforce, Morris Brown, Allen, Paul Quinn, Edward Waters, AME University, Shorter College, Payne Theological Seminary, Turner Theological Seminary, R.R. Wright Theological Seminary, Wilberforce Community College or one of our other AME schools without the support of the connectional church.
I am aware that we do not provide enough support to our schools; but generally, no denominational school, HBCU or majority institution, receives the funding they would like to receive or need to receive. The AME Church is doing its best and, it’s a struggle; but we are fulfilling our mission. Our good news turns to bad news when our members disparage the support that the denomination is attempting to provide our academic institutions.
The AME Church has the best preaching, the best singing, the best clergy, the best episcopal leaders, and the best laity. We just need to focus upon the fact that “God has been good to us” and we should constantly say, “Thank you Lord,” instead of focusing upon “the hills we have to climb, our weary days, and sleepless nights.”
For as far back as I can remember; the AME Church has been good to me!
Let’s focus upon the good news!
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
RE: TCR News Break: The Problem with Preaching
This article is quite interesting. I noted in the research, 78% of the parishioners never discussed a sermon with their pastor. While that number seems quite high, how, then, do pastors receive feedback regarding their weekly sermons? My concern is that there is so much, in my opinion, bad preaching in so many pulpits. By bad preaching, I mean, very boring, very long, and so very uninspiring; and I don't even know if that is a word.
Many times when a comment is raised about the length of many of our services, or the length of the sermon, the response is that "If we went to a ballgame, or a concert, we would not complain about the time that we spent there." That comment is correct, in that there is dialogue with others about the event being observed, it is interactive, and it is interesting. I have found that I am rapidly becoming the "Grumpy Old Lady" in the congregation. The music is so, so, so, loud, so that you cannot understand the words. I love contemporary music, that is not my complaint, but it is just too loud. There is much too much talking to introduce each part of the order of service, and many times the sermon is much too long and so very boring.
I would love the opportunity to discuss this further, while I get good preaching most of the time at my church and my pastor is a wonderful shepherd; as I visit around, and sit in other AME Churches, (AME), I am so disappointed at the level of preaching that I am subjected to.
And then there is the subject of the sermons and the worship experience at Connectional meetings. Oh, well, that is for another time and another day.
Name Withheld
- To the Editor:
Re: TCR NEWS BREAK: The Problem with Preaching
Thank you for sharing this article. Excellent! I co-pastor a monthly worship service for adults with developmental disabilities and families who have children with special needs who are not able to/ attending a regular church service. I have often wondered if my sermons are reaching the congregation. I appreciate when I receive feedback (usually in the form of verbal affirmation from one of the typical developing or abled-bodied peers who also attend/ participate in this worshiping community). The author has inspired me to consider deeper preparation for sermons and how that can lead to a transformative experience.
I appreciate your commitment to the growth and development of your AME family. It is reflected well in your choice of articles and the admonitions to develop into our best selves as clergy or lay.
Thank you,
The Rev. Cheree' Johnson
- To the Editor:
RE: Where are we going with our Connectional Meetings?
It seems the church is moving from business to busy-ness at our connectional meetings. The highlight of the pre-General Conference no longer seems to be the Revisions Committee, Credentials Committee or the Rules Committee. Rather, we will be golfing! The WMS Quadrennial and the Lay Biennial will not be without their own in couched fundraiser and social events. We look more like Alphas, Kappas, Omegas, Sigmas, AKAs, Deltas, and Zetas than the Church gathered for business.
The irony is that many in yesteryear used precious vacation time to travel with the Church. Now, Church meetings are one of a few stops for the working adults who have disposable income for leisure travel. Even many fixed income retirees come out of both devotion and habit with great sacrifice in this changed day. Again, no time for levity, perhaps a few bucks to leave with the vendors. People do not need the excuse of church business to travel for a good time. In fact, for many it is prohibitively expensive and a “turn off.”
Travel is a critical issue in our church today. Whether under the restrictions of Jim Crow segregation in the United States or restricted travel in apartheid ruled South Africa, AMEs made long journeys at a personal sacrifice to do the work of the Church. “Getting away” from home was a secondary benefit as many returned to the work with refreshment and an enhanced perspective. What are we doing now? What are the goals?
“All work and no play” may make us dull, but too much play with too little work makes us ineffective. If we do not have 3, 4, 7 days of business, our leaders should consider making shorter meetings. Let people have fun on their own time, with their own money. Let the Church come together and worship, do our business and minimize the fellowship along the way except as we are doing the work.
The times and the status of our people have changed. We are no longer on buses with shoe boxes brimming with fruit, boiled eggs and fried chicken.
We must balance the demands of multi-million dollar gatherings with the call to benevolence and Christian fellowship. Are we going in the right direction, or can we do this a different way?
Name Withheld
- To the Editor:
RE: Challenge VII of Reading the Bible from Cover to Cover – Congratulations to those who finished and a word of “hold on” encouragement to those who are still reading
Congratulations on your completion of "Challenge VII." Thanks for the inspiration you have provided in getting us AMEs and other Methodists (and more beyond our fellowship and family) interested in reading the Holy Scriptures from cover-to-cover.
As soon as I completed my "90-day read" in 97 days, I immediately returned to the book of Genesis and began again. I am in no hurry this time, but aim to complete the reading for the second time this year by December. I am currently completing the Book of Deuteronomy.
Bishop A. J. Richardson
3. A YOUNG BUDDING REPORTER WRITES ABOUT THE 2011 GENERAL BOARD MEETING:
*Daesjah C. Austin
Nine- year-old Daesjah C. Austin, grand-daughter of the Rev. Velma Grant reports on the General Board Events in South Carolina. The Rev. Velma Grant said, “She was a reluctant reporter but I thought it necessary for her to begin to learn to document these events. We are headed to Orlando, Florida for a few days and I am interested to see what she will write about.”
In South Carolina for the 2011 General Board Meeting
First, we checked in the hotel on Sunday. Then we went walking. For dinner, we had Jason’s Deli. The next day we went to the Convention Center. There were many booths. I got to get candy and buttons. Nana had a lot of WIM meetings. We also had to go to other meetings. Nana has been nice to me.
We had to share a room with another person, but that was okay. Everyone in WIM liked me. At the Breakfast the food was nasty but I took so many pictures. I was the photographer.
Also in the boring meetings I went to; all they did was talk, but the people thought it was important.
In one of the meeting, every two-seconds; the people talking would laugh, every second. But, another man started talking about a Christian website; it was pretty interesting.
Well I had fun the whole trip. Well this is the end of my trip report to South Carolina.
That’s it.
*Nine-year-old Daesjah C. Austin is the granddaughter of the Rev. Velma E. Grant, ThM, MDiv, the President of the Sixth Episcopal District Women In Ministry (WIM) and who also serves as the associate pastor of First Saint Paul AME Church in Lithonia, Georgia where the Rev. Dr. Marvin L. Crawford serves as the pastor.
4. CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION PLEDGES $50,000 FINANCIAL SUPPORT TO MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE:
The Executive Board of the Connectional Lay Organization voted unanimously to give a gift of $50,000 to Morris Brown College to help with the campaign to raise $500,000 by July 31, 2011.
Time is of the essence! Show your commitment to education by pledging an individual donation to Morris Brown College. All contributions are tax deductible.
Please make checks payable to “Morris Brown College” and forward to:
The Sixth Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Morris Brown College Support
2900 Chamblee-Tucker Road Building 3
Atlanta, Georgia 30341-4156
The Connectional Lay Organization
The purpose of the Lay Organization is to organize and train the lay members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, so that each member may utilize to the maximum the abilities and skills granted by God, in assisting with the improvement and extension of God's kingdom, and creating happiness, peace and harmony among its members.
“Morris Brown College: History at a Glance”
Morris Brown College was founded by former slaves affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The initiative to establish the college began with a resolution passed by the North Georgia Annual Conference of the AME Church on January 5, 1881, calling for the establishment in Atlanta of an institution for the moral, spiritual, and intellectual growth of Negro boys and girls. The school formally opened its doors on October 15, 1885, with 107 students and nine teachers. Morris Brown was the first educational institution in Georgia under sole African-American patronage. For more than a century, the college enrolled many students from poor backgrounds, large numbers of whom returned to their hometowns as teachers.
Fountain Hall, originally known as Stone Hall when it was part of Atlanta University, was completed in 1882 and is closely associated with the history of the college. It is listed as a National Historic Landmark and was renamed Fountain Hall when Atlanta University consolidated its facilities and Morris Brown College leased the building.
For information, please visit:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Brown_College
Editor’s Note: Please do not say the AME Church is not doing anything. Kudos to President Willie Glover and the Executive Board of the AMEC Connectional Lay organization for their generous gift of $50,000.
5. UNION BETHEL AME CHURCH (NEW ORLEANS) TO HOLD RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY FOR UNION BETHEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SANCTUARY:
NEW ORLEANS, LA. – Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church (Union Bethel) will hold the ribbon cutting ceremony for its renovated sanctuary on Sunday, August 28, 2011 at 9:00 a.m. at 2321 Thalia St (corner of Thalia and S Liberty Streets). The event is free and open to the public.
Six years post Katrina, the pastor, the Rev. Dr. Thomas B. Brown, Jr., officers and members of Union Bethel are officially cutting the ribbon on their recently renovate historic sanctuary.
Union Bethel is one of the oldest African American churches in New Orleans and one of the largest AME churches in the region. This church is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Prominent visitors such as Dr Martin Luther King, Jr. and former President George H. W. Bush have delivered speeches in the sanctuary.
6. METROPOLITAN AME CHURCH WORSHIP SERVICE WILL COMMEMORATE OMEGA PSI PHI FRATERNITY’S CENTENNIAL CONCLAVE:
On Sunday, July 31, 2011 at 9 a.m., the brothers of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, their family members and friends are invited to conclude the fraternity’s Centennial Conclave at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, DC, Metropolitan AME Church is “The Cathedral of African Methodism.”
The special speaker for the worship service will be Omega Phi Psi Brother, Kent B. Amos. Brother Kent B. Amos is a graduate of Delaware State University, has been honored by Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. as the “National Citizen of the Year.” Mr. Amos is a former executive for Xerox Corporation. Drawing on his corporate experiences, his work in urban neighborhoods, and his personal mentoring of dozens of children in his own home, he started the Dorothy I. Height Community Academy Public Charter School in 1998. Viewing education as a critical element in helping children realize their potential, but convinced that a new educational paradigm was needed, he opened the charter school to support his convictions. The school now has 1,800 students in grades pre-school through 8th grade on five campuses.
Metropolitan AME Church is located at, 1518 M St. NW, Washington, D.C. 20005. The Rev. Dr. Ronald E. Braxton is the Senior Pastor. The office telephone: 202-331-1426; Website: http://www.metropolitanamec.org
Free Parking is available at Metropolitan AME Church
**Submitted by Dr. Darwin Curry
7. BETHEL AME CHURCH OF MORRISTOWN IS ON A MISSION:
…to the Dominican Republic that is! On Saturday June 25th a youth group from Bethel AME Church of Morristown embarked on a Global Missions Trip to the Dominican Republic. The trip is the first of its kind for many of the young travelers, who range in age from 11 to 22. The group is accompanied by Reverend Sidney Williams who “wants every child to have the same experience that my own children have had by living/being in another country and for them to be changed by the experience.” First Lady, Teresa Williams, is also traveling with the youths. They are expected to return Saturday, July 2.
One of the key objectives of the mission is to build relationships and life-long friendships within the Dominican Republic. The group’s itinerary which begins and ends in Santo Domingo and included stops in Borahana, Puerto Plata, and Samana’, provides tremendous opportunity for the youths to fellowship and immerses them in the diverse cultures of the Country. The churches that were visited were: Bethel AME Samana, New Bethel AME Santo Domingo and Zion AME San Pedro de Macoris. One more stop was added to the itinerary. The group visited a deaf school in San Pedro. While in Borahana, the group completed a local community project. The group worked hand-in-hand with the Dominican residents by paying for and helped to put on a concrete roof.
For this portion of the mission, the group has partnered with Foundation for Peace, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to working in materially impoverished areas of the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Kenya.
In the months leading up to the trip, the young people prepared for the mission by absorbing as much as they could about Dominican history, culture, and language. When asked what he hopes to gain from the experience one traveler responded, “I am looking forward to being completely immersed in the Dominican culture and experiencing what life is truly like in another country. I want to come back with a greater appreciation for life both inside and outside of the United States.”
To learn more about Bethel AME Church of Morristown’s Global Missions and/or to lend financial support for future trips, please contact Reverend Williams or visit: www.bethelamechurchmorristown.org
8. THE MCKENZIE TEAM WILL BE HONORED AT THE 111TH SESSION OF THE EAST TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
The McKenzie Team will be honored at the 111th Session of the East Tennessee Annual Conference that will be held at Warren Chapel AME Church where the Rev. Dr. Terence L. Mayes, Sr. serves as the Senior Pastor. The Conference dates are September 14 – 17, 2011. Over 500 delegates are expected to attend the conference.
During the Conference, the 13th Episcopal District Episcopal Leaders: Bishop Vashti McKenzie and her husband Brother Stan McKenzie, Supervisor of Missions will be honored. The Annual Conference theme: “On The Move, God’s Grace From Place To Place”
Bishop McKenzie is the 117th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and was the elected female Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
If you ask anyone in the 13th Episcopal District about Bishop McKenzie, they will proudly declare, “She’s the baddest Bishop on the Bench!”
Bishop McKenzie has dedicated seven years of faithful service to the 13th Episcopal District. We praise God for sending us a leader who loves God and ensures that all who are under her leadership are encouraged to “Go ye therefore…” and proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. She has spent many untiring days exalting Christ, serving the community and touching the unreached persons.
Bishop McKenzie is the author of three books. Her latest book, Journey to the Well helps women seek new directions for personal growth following the footsteps of the Biblical Samaritan woman.
She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park; holds a Master of Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity and has earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
She is the wife of Brother Stan McKenzie, the Supervisor of Missions of the 13th Episcopal District. He was a human resource consultant and is a retired basketball player in the National Basketball Association (NBA); together, they have three children.
Brother Stan McKenzie will also be honored for his faithfulness and dedicated service as the Supervisor of Missions which comprises the State of Tennessee and Kentucky. He is a very devoted husband and father.
Brother McKenzie is grateful to God for thrusting him into unique opportunities of service to help others gain “scoring” advantage over obstacles trying to keep them from winning the game of life!
Our Special Guest Monday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m. will be Bishop Paul S. Morton
To show our Love and appreciation to Bishop McKenzie and Brother Stan McKenzie, Dr. Terence L. Mayes, Sr. and the Warren Chapel AME Church Family have asked the man of God, Bishop Paul S. Morton, a renowned gospel singer to preach God’s uncompromising Gospel and sing His praises for this blessed occasion.
Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Bishop Morton was the pastor of the “Mother Church,” a “Full Gospel Baptist Church" in New Orleans. He passed the mantle to his wife Debra B. Morton, who now serves as the senior pastor. God repositioned Bishop Morton was repositioned as the senior pastor of “Changing a Generation” in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the founding Presiding Bishop of, reportedly one of the fastest growing movements in America - The Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. His latest CD singles are: “Let it Rain”, “Don’t do it without Me” and “Still Standing”, to name a few.
We are grateful to Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and her husband, Brother Stan McKenzie and we will missed them immensely because AME Bishops cannot serve an episcopal district longer than 8 years and in 2012, the McKenzie Team will have been the leaders of the 13th Episcopal District for 12 years. We wish them well and God’s blessings in their future assignment. Wherever God chooses to send them, God will be glorified with their work in God's vineyard.
If you need additional information, please contact the Warren Chapel Church office by email at wchapel127@aol.com or all the church office (423) 267-4992.
Submitted by the Rev. Dr. Terence L. Mayes, Sr., Senior Pastor
Warren Chapel AME Church is located 503 N. Market Street in Chattanooga, Tennessee
9. “THE WORD ON THE STREET” AWARDS FOR UNSUNG HEROES:
By The Rev. Dr. Darlene Jenkins
The Reverend Dr. Darlene Jenkins, Pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania is presenting the first annual, “The Word on the Street” Award to “Unsung Heroes” during her Pastor’s Appreciation Dinner that will be held on August 20, 2011 at 4 p.m.
I am planning to share the joy of our Lord Jesus with others who exalt Christ and make a positive impact upon the world, Secondly; I wish to show my deep appreciation to Bethel AME Church and to acknowledge the Scranton area community for the opportunity to serve.
This year’s awards will be presented to local and global recipients who epitomize compassion and a “culture of serving.”
The honorees are: The Right Reverend C. Garnett Henning, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the Third Episcopal District; Mother Ernestine L. Henning, Episcopal Supervisor of the Third Episcopal District; Bethel AME Church, Scranton; Local Elder, The Reverend Daniel Waters.
The selected honorees have taken the Word of God, embodied the word, and shared the Word on the streets of the world. They are in essence exalting Christ to impact the world - “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).
Other Community honorees include the Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, Police Chief Daniel Duffy, Sr., Ann- Friends of the Poor; Jim Ryan- Scranton Medical College; and Mary Haas - Humanity for life.
It is with deep gratitude, that I thank God for these servants. “… Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God the Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” (Rev. 4:8), NIV.
*The Rev. Dr. Darlene Jenkins Bethel AME Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania
10. FROM HBCU DIGEST – TOP HBCU UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS:
The Digest Five – Top HBCU Uncomfortable Truths
July 19, 2011 Legacy No Comments
Supporters of historically black colleges and universities constantly face the same talking points from opponents of their institutions when trying to share the greatness of their schools. Low retention and graduation rates, poor customer service and crime are among the three basic arguments for anyone seeking to make a lazy case against the existence of HBCUs.
But what advocates frequently miss is the opportunity to tell the truth about specific failings of their institutions, and to elaborate on the growing national effort to correct these issues. In most cases, blemishes on the HBCU brand can be traced back to historically-limited resources, but here are five uncomfortable truths that afflict HBCUs beyond the dollars and cents. This list is not conclusive about every individual HBCU, but covers the collective culture of these institutions.
5). Technology is not a priority - Social networking, telecommunications upgrades and distance learning access are but a few of the glaring issues that hinder HBCU progress. Regrettably, no amount of Title III funds, grants or foundation partnerships can help leadership implement what they are too unqualified to recognize or too cheap to introduce for the long-term progress of their institutions.
4). Communities are not consistently engaged - Partnerships with local businesses, civic organizations, religious communities and social organizations are not consistently encouraged at an institutional level. Homecoming aside, community members are largely not welcomed onto the campus for input on research, community development initiatives or finance building opportunities.
3). Effort is defined more than advocacy - HBCUs are driven to continue their institutional legacy of community activism, but rarely translate the reservoir of student energy into consistent political or social effort. If the issue is voting, public health or any other pop cultural flash point, students are ready to assemble and make noise. But in the effort to create lasting solutions, HBCUs have not moved students to impact beyond the picket line and into financial and political leverage.
2). Leadership is not transparent – It’s bad enough that the cultural gap between HBCU executive leadership and student body is wide enough that progress in the preceding three truths is a naturally difficult proposition. It is worse when students and alumni aren’t consistently engaged in their role to execute a school’s strategic plan, capital campaign, or daily struggles in campus management. Genuine presidents and chancellors want to know when ineffective managers are retained, uncaring faculty undisciplined, and poor customer service is unchecked.
1). Change is not demanded – From all of the above mentioned communities, no one is driven to demand change. Students are stifled just enough that real progress comes in inconsequential victories, alumni are engaged just enough to maintain school pride and weak giving rates, and neighbors maintain ties to the schools to leverage strength for business and social agendas.
Read more: http://www.hbcudigest.com/the-digest-five-top-hbcu-uncomfortable-truths/
11. THE TWELFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2011 SERIES OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES:
Bishop Samuel Lawrence Green, Sr., Presiding Prelate
Oklahoma and Central Northeast Oklahoma
Annual Conference
August 6, 2011 – YPD Annual Day and
DMC Ceremony
August 8, 2011 – WMS Annual Convention
August 9, 2011 – Annual Conference
Avery Chapel AME Church, Host Church
Oklahoma City, OK
The Reverend James J. McLaughlin, Host Pastor
The Reverend Lonnie Johnson, Host Presiding Elder
The Reverend Roger Alford, Assoc. Presiding Elder
Central Arkansas
Annual Conference
August 20, 2011-YPD Annual Day and
DMC Ceremony
August 22, 2011-WMS Annual Convention
August 23-25, 2011-Annual Conference
Saint John AME Church, Host Church
Pine Bluff, AR
The Reverend W. R. Norful, Sr., Host Pastor
The Reverend Eugene Brannon, Host Presiding Elder
The Reverend Clarence Reynolds, Assoc. Presiding Elder
South Arkansas
Annual Conference
August 27, 2011-YPD Annual Day and
DMC Ceremony
August 29, 2011-WMS Annual Convention
August 30-September 1, 1011, Annual Conference
Gates Chapel AME Church, Host Church
Crossett, AR
The Reverend Harriel D. White, III, Host Pastor
The Reverend James R. Hooper, Host Presiding Elder
The Reverend Samuel L. Arnold, Assoc. Presiding Elder
West Arkansas
Annual Conference
September 10, 2011-YPD Annual Day and
DMC Ceremony
September 12, 2011-WMS Annual Convention
September 13-15, 2011-Annual Conference
Visitor’s Chapel AME Church, Host Church
Hot Springs, AR
The Reverend Angela Brewster, Host Pastor
The Reverend James Thomas, Host Presiding Elder
The Reverend James Giles, Assoc. Presiding Elder
East Northeast Arkansas and Arkansas
Annual Conference
September 17, 2011-YPD Annual Day and
DMC Ceremony
September 19, 2011-WMS Annual Convention
September 20-22, 2011-Annual Conference
Bethel AME Church, Host Church
North Little Rock, AR
The Reverend Tyrone Broomfield, Host Pastor
The Reverend Clarence Guy, Host Presiding Elder
The Reverend Thomas G. Allen, Assoc. Presiding Elder
The Reverend Napoleon Davis, Assoc. Presiding Elder
The Reverend Johnny Kelley, Assoc. Presiding Elder
Twelfth Episcopal District
Fall Convocation and Planning Conference
October 5-8, 2011
Tulsa, Hyatt Regency Hotel
Tulsa, OK
12. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Congratulations to the Rev. Dorothy Millicent Morris, the First Female Presiding Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Rev. Dorothy Millicent Morris of Georgetown, Guyana, South America celebrated her 99th birthday on July 21, 2011. She was the first female Presiding Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop Frederick Hilborn Talbot appointed her Presiding Elder in 1973.
The Rev. Dorothy Millicent Morris is still able to attend her local church, St. Peter's AME Church occasionally.
Anyone moved to lift her spirits by sending a greeting or a gift may send it to her at: 152 E1/2 Duncan Street, Georgetown, Guyana. Telephone: 011 592 226 6625. Bishop Sarah Frances Davis is Presiding Prelate of the 16th Episcopal District.
- Congratulations to the Rev. and Mrs. Damon Blakeley, Sr. and daughters
Proudly announcing the arrival of Little Damon Blakely, Jr., newborn son of the Rev. and Mrs. Damon Blakeley, Sr., first family of St. James AME Church-Fort Worth, Texas. Little Damon's sisters are beaming over their new brother.
He arrived July 19, 2011 at 8:16 a.m. weighing seven pounds and nine ounces. He is 19-inches long. He is very healthy and a replica of his father. Sister Blakeley is resting well.
Congratulatory messages may be emailed to the Rev. & Mrs. Blakeley and family at: blakedm7@gmail.com.
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This missive is to inform you of the home going of Retired Presiding Elder Alfred Tennyson Casson who passed away.
The arrangements are as follows:
Viewing, Friday, July 22, 2011, 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. at St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church 444 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206.
Celebration of Life, Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church 444 Lincoln Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206; the Rev. James Murray, pastor.
Professional Services have been entrusted to:
Coston Funeral Home
427 Lincoln Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
(412) 661-5916
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Ernestine Casson
3301 Iowa Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219
Telephone: (412) 687-2682
Or to:
St. James AME Church
444 Lincoln Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15206
Telephone: (412) 441-9706 Fax: (412) 661-1676
Or emailed to: ecason1@hotmail.com or janfaith@hotmail.com
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to share news of the passing of the Rev. John Curtis Foster, Jr. retired Presiding Elder in the Desert Mountain Conference of the 5th Episcopal District, who passed away on Tuesday morning, July 19, 2011.
Service arrangements for the Rev. John Curtis Foster, Jr.
Thursday, July 28, 2010, 6:00 p.m.
Memorial Service
Grant Chapel AME Church
1129 Alamitos Avenue
Long Beach, California 90813
Phone: (562) 437-1567
Services provided by:
Forest Lawn Memorial Parks and Mortuaries - Long Beach
1500 East San Antonio Drive
Long Beach, CA 90807
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to his wife:
Mrs. Bettie G. Foster
1336 Lime Avenue
Long Beach, California 90813--3331
Phone: (562) 599-3566
Or email to: mystic_venture@yahoo.com
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to share news of the passing of Mervin Lewis Jones, the brother of the Rev. Sherry J. Miller, pastor in the Lexington District-Kentucky Annual Conference. Mervin Lewis Jones passed away in his home in Miami, Florida. He was a lifelong member of Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Holly Springs, Mississippi. He served in the military and his career included serving as a policeman with the Memphis, Tennessee Police Department.
Homegoing Celebration Information:
Saturday July 23, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.
Brittenum & Son Funeral Home
125 N. Memphis Street
Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635
Phone: 662-252-2341
The Rev. Artwell Craft, Jr. Eulogist
Survivors include:
A son: Maceo Antron Jones
His mother: Mae F. Jones
Four Sisters, including the Rev. Sherry J. Miller
Five brothers
One brother, Mr. Willie C. Jones, preceded him in death, was a faithful member of St. James AMEC in Memphis, Tennessee.
Interment will be at the Mt. Moriah Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery:
Located at 123 Laws Hill
Holly Springs, Mississippi 38635
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Mae F. Jones
1152 Woodbury St.
Memphis, Tennessee 38111
Or
The Rev. Sherry Jones-Miller
P.O. Box 786
Louisville, Kentucky, 30203
Phone: 502-356-9162
Email: addnomore_05@yahoo.com
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
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
17. 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.
