THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (3/22/12)

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

March – Women’s History Month

March is National Nutrition Month

Easter Sunday – April 8, 2012

1. EDITORIAL –THIS HAS GOT TO STOP:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III,

The 20^th Editor, The Christian Recorder

The members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church must be involved and committed to a justice that does not discriminate; and the AME Church must be a committed advocate for equal treatment for everyone; not only in the United States, but around world. The AME Church is a global church.

It is time for the members of the AME Church to re-embrace the courageousness of Richard Allen, the Free African Society and the early members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  They were courageous men and women who did not sit idly by waiting for someone to speak up for them; they spoke for themselves and they put their words into action.

The situation in Sanford Florida demands a response

The ugly account of the brutal murder of Trayvon Martin, 17 is indicative of the perception of racism in America.  A young black teenager was killed as he was walking down the street, carrying a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea that he had purchased from a 7-11 Store.

He was brutally shot down.  His only offense: he was WDSMHOBWB - Walking Down the Street, Minding His Own Business While Black. Trayvon was walking to his father’s house.

At the same time Trayvon was walking down the street, minding his own business, George Zimmerman, a man, allegedly, with a history of violence was trolling the neighborhood in his SUV with a 9-millimeter handgun. 

Zimmerman called 911, spoke to a dispatcher and told the dispatcher that a suspicious male was lurking in the neighborhood.  When he told the dispatcher that he was following the “suspect,” he was told not to do so, but he did so anyway; and gunned-down Trayvon.

So, it’s not racist

The Associated Press reported that the parents of George Zimmerman said that their son was Hispanic and therefore could not be a racist.

Racism comes in every color and shade. Every ethnic group has racists.

Why did George Zimmerman think that Trayvon was acting suspicious?  Did Zimmerman stop every young person he saw walking in the neighborhood?  Had he ever stopped anyone before?  Why was Zimmerman carrying a weapon?  Why did he feel the need to fire the weapon?  Why did Zimmerman feel that he had to kill the young black teenager?

So, it’s not racist?  My gut tells me that it was racial or racist profiling!

Let’s turn it around

Let’s back up the event and restart it.  A young white 17 year-old walks down the street with a bag of Skittles and some iced tea talking on the cellphone to his girl friend.  

Do you think that Zimmerman would have called 911 to report suspicious behavior of the young white teenager? 

I don’t think so!

He probably would have just thought that the young man lived in the neighborhood or was visiting someone in the neighborhood. End of story.

Let’s restart the events of that afternoon with another scenario

In this scenario, a black man is the watch captain. Let’s give him the name - George Jones. Jones is trolling the area and he sees what he thinks is a teenager acting suspiciously. 

Jones calls 911 and the dispatcher asks him if he is following the teenager and Jones responds that he is following him.  The 911 dispatcher tells him not to follow the teenager and not to take matters into his own hands. 

Disregarding the dispatcher, Jones chases the white teenager anyway and shoots the young white teenager; shoots him dead.

The police arrive and upon inspecting the body discovers that the white teenager had a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea. 

You would not need to be a Hollywood screen-writer…

No, you would not need to be a Hollywood screen-writer to finish out what would take place at this point in the scenario. 

If you were a reporter who happened to be on the scene and saw what happened; or even if you had arrived about the same time as the police and the police confronted and questioned George Jones, the Black neighborhood watch captain and seeing the dead young white teenager lying in the street with a bag of Skittles and some iced tea, you could rush back to your office and finish the story without waiting to see what would happen next.

We all know…

We all know what would have happened next.

George Jones, the Black neighborhood watch captain would have been arrested by the Sanford Police immediately! No questions asked. Sanford Police Chief Bill Lee would have been anxious to give a press briefing and the Sanford Police would have been congratulated for the arrest of Jones; and Florida’s Self-Defense Law would not have been mentioned.

Case closed; good lawyer or bad lawyer, Jones would have been found guilty of murder and would spend a long time in prison. 

You don’t go around shooting young white teenagers who are just carrying a bag of Skittles and a can of iced tea! “You do the crime, you do the time!”

“You do the crime, you do the time” is not always true 

Too often, young Black men are murdered by people like George Zimmerman and even by police officers who are most often found “not guilty” when their cases go to trial. 

And, in George Zimmerman’s case, he was not even arrested; not even detained.  He kills a young Black teenager and the Sanford police invoke the Florida’s Self-Defense Law on Zimmerman’s behalf. I would bet that Zimmerman had no knowledge about Florida’s Self-Defense Law.

Unwarranted killing has got to stop because if it doesn’t, any one of us, especially Black males, young and old, might be the next Trayvon Martin. 

The Stand Your Ground laws, as Florida’s Self-Defense Law, are an excuse to kill; and most of the persons killed are blacks and other minorities.

We must be involved and committed to equal treatment for all. Each one of us must make our voices heard, even if we have to go to the streets again.

In the United States they first came…

I have updated the statement attributed to the German anti-Nazi theologian and Lutheran pastor, the Rev. Martin Niemöller’s poem, “First they came…”  as a great reminder that this racist nonsense has got to stop and it is incumbent upon each one of us to take responsibility to make our voices heard.

In United States they first came for the African American slaves,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an African American slave.

Then they came for the Native Americans,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Native American.

Then they came for the Roman Catholics,

and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant.

Then they came for the immigrants,

and I didn't speak up because I wasn't an immigrant.

Then they came for the undocumented immigrants,

and I didn't speak up because I was a U.S. Citizen.

Then they came for the Gays,

and I didn’t speak up because I was straight

Then they came for the Muslims,

and I didn't speak up because I was a Christian.

Then they came for me —

and by that time no one was left to speak up 

(Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III)

TCR Editor’s Note: As an AME I was happy to see that Allen Chapel AME Church in Sanford, Florida where the Rev. Valarie J. Henry serves as pastor was playing a significant role in the demonstrations being held in the city where Trayvon Martin was murdered. 

2. ERRATA:

The photos published in the March 19, 2012 print issue of The Christian Recorder in the article entitled “Murdock Chapel’s Groundbreaking Ceremony Draws Record Crowd” were taken by Lakisha Love Wingard; her name should have been listed as the photographer.

Updated policy for submitting photos to TCR: All photos must have credit-lines, even if the photo(s) of the article was taken by the writer of the article. All articles with photos taken by someone other than the writer will include the photographer’s name and attest that the photo(s) are used “with permission.”  The Editor

3. THE REV. DR. RONALD BRAXTON MAKES A REQUEST FOR A LIVING KIDNEY DONOR FOR HIS WIFE, THE REV. MARIE BRAXTON:

Dear Clergy and Laity:

       

Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus the Christ:  I am writing to you on behalf of my wife, the Rev. Dr. Marie M. Phillips Braxton who has been diagnosed with kidney failure.  Our family is now fervently praying to and waiting on God to send to our mother and wife a kidney donor.

Over 1,300 people in Maryland are waiting for a kidney transplant.  The wait-time for the Rev. Marie (as she is lovingly called) to receive a kidney transplant from the usual source (a deceased donor) could be over five (5) years.  Trusting that God already has her donor, I am reaching out to our faith community to explore opportunities for a living kidney donation.  Living kidney donors are usually healthy people between the ages of 18-60 who are free from kidney disease, diabetes, cancer and heart disease.  Many people who choose to donate a kidney do so because they want to help others.  We believe that God already has someone and our appeal is to that person to please come forward as the donor.

If you are interested in being evaluated as a living kidney donor for the Rev. Marie, or for more donor information, please contact Washington Hospital Center - Transplant Services located at 110 Irving Street NW, Washington, DC 20010-2975. Ask for Eloida V. Gonzales, Clinical Transplant Coordinator. She can be reached at 202 877-9035 or 1 800 252-2442. Her fax number is 202 877-2099 and the email address is eloida.gonzales@medstar.net.

I thank you in advance for your attention to this important matter and ask your continued prayers for my wife.  

The Rev. Ronald E. Braxton, D.Min.                             

Pastor, Metropolitan AME Church

4. JAMAICA ANNUAL CONFERENCE - 100 YEARS OF AFRICAN METHODISM AND ANNUAL CONFERENCES:

100^th Session Opens Thursday, March 22, 2012

The 100^th Session of the Jamaica Annual Conference opened on Thursday, March 22, 2012, under the District's 2012-2013 Theme: "Our Best is Yet to Come!" 

The Reverend Dr. Wayne Anthony, Presiding Elder of Trinidad/Tobago will be teaching during our daily Institutes. He will unfold this year's theme and take us to the Bible to examine the Scripture which informs this year's theme based upon I Corinthians 2:9: "But, it is just as the Scripture says, what god has planned for the people who love Him is more than eyes have seen or ears have heard. It has never even entered our minds." (CEV) 

The Haiti (February 1, 2012), Dominican Republic (February 8, 2012), Suriname/Guyana (March 1, 2012) and Windward Island (3/8/12) Conferences have all done exceptional jobs in addressing this year's theme and have been blessed to have experienced extraordinary Annual Conferences.

We look now to this week and all that God has in store for us here in Kingston. The last two Conferences are schedule for later this month and next: Virgin Islands (March 29, 2012 and Europe (April 19 2012).

The historic 100^th Session of the Jamaica Conference will convene at the Chapel of Christ African Methodist Episcopal Church where the Rev. Dr. Monica Spencer is the pastor. She was given her pastoral appointment on January 1, 2012.

Dr. Monica will answer the "Are there any transfers” question affirmatively on the opening day of the Annual Conference. She will then present her transfer certificate from Bishop A. J. Richardson, 2^nd Episcopal District to Bishop Sarah Davis and the Jamaica Annual Conference, which will affix her name to its roll.

The pastor and members of the Chapel of Christ AME Church have been working for weeks with the presiding elders in Jamaica, the Rev. Lebert Dawkins and the Rev. Dr. Millard Davis and clergy and laity of the Jamaica Annual Conference to get ready for this historic 100^th Opening Session in Kingston Jamaica.

Local governmental officials and the United States Ambassador have been invited and are expected to attend and share in the historic opening 10 a.m. worship service Thursday morning.

The Rev. Lazree Davis has been selected to bring the opening sermon. He is the pastor of St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, and is currently a student at the United Theological Seminary of the West Indies.

Bishop Sarah is expected to share 100 moments in the History of the Jamaica Annual Conference during the four days the Church will be in worship, business and fellowship.

This Jamaica Annual Conference promises to be a very exciting time in life of African Methodism in Kingston. Many visitors are expected.

Coming in advance of the Conference opening is Ms. Sheniqua Bouges, a second year medical student and “Sojourner” from South Carolina who has been doing outreach work at the Mustard Seed Community just outside Kingston. She will be moving to the University Hospital in Kingston to continue her mission outreach services.  We thank Dr. George Flowers, Executive Director of Global Witness and Ministries Department for introducing Sheniqua to us.

Supervisor Claytie Davis, Jr., Episcopal President Sister Lizann De Bourg (Trinidad) and our local President Sister Carol Brown-Clark convened the Women's Missionary Society (WMS) Convention on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. at the Chapel of Christ AME Church. The WMS Convention lasted all day and concluded with the “Night in White” service where the Rev. Dr. Monica Spencer brought the message. 

The prayers of the Prayer Warriors of the AME Church are solicited for the Jamaica Annual Conference as presiding elders, pastors and people gather to reflect, worship, do the business of the Church, and look to the future’ believing that "the best is yet to come!"

Bishop Sarah F. Davis

Presiding Prelate of 16^th Episcopal District

5. JACQUELYN DUPONT-WALKER NAMED AS THE 47^TH ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 2012 "WOMAN OF THE YEAR":

Many women in the 47^th Assembly District exemplify professional excellence and help create new opportunities for others while continuing to be a respected leader in the community. For this reason I am proud to announce Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker as the 47th Assembly District, 2012 "Woman of the Year"!

"Jackie" Dupont-Walker, for over 42 years, has been a professional in the public and private sectors. Mrs. Dupont-Walker's strong commitment and calling to "faith centered and empowering" development has made her a prophetic voice locally and nationally. Early in life she was impacted by the models of an entrepreneurial and visionary father and maternal grandfather who taught her self-determination and self-reliance in the context of a strong faith and a commitment to community service. Her maternal role models included a clever "sistah," Grandmom and Mother-dear who demonstrated and expected excellence. "Jackie" pioneered in desegregating a major university, and has trail blazed on behalf of women and people of color in many arenas.

She is the founding president of Ward Economic Development Corporation and for 25 years has led it in developing over 280 units of affordable housing, 1 major shopping mall, encouraging indigenous leadership, creating neighborhood networks, facilitating job creation, conducting asset mapping, and spearheading an intergenerational community building effort. In addition to WEDC "Jackie" serves as the AME Church international Social Action Officer; Lafayette Square Association (President), Delta Sigma Theta - Century City (Social Action chair) and a host of civic organizations. As a lifelong member of the AME Church, "Jackie" created AME V-Alert (voter mobilization). She is an officer of Ward AME Church in LA where she serves on the Board of Stewards (Membership Education chair), chair - Social Action Commission, Lay and Missionary ministries. She has served on a host of committees and commissions; all with the inspiration she receives from her husband and partner, Buford "Sonny" Walker and their desire to make the world a better place for their blended family of 8 adult children, 24 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

On Monday, March 26, Mrs. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker will be honored at the Capitol by The California Legislative Women's Caucus for her significant contributions to the district.

Assembly member Holly J. Mitchell, 47^th Assembly District

6. TWO DAYS OF GOSPEL RENEWAL:

The Southern California Conference Lay Organization will host a “COMMUNITY REVIVAL” beginning at 7:00 P.M.  Revitalization, two days of “Gospel Renewal”, On Wednesday April 11 and Thursday, April 12, 2012, at Price Chapel AME Church, located on 4000 west Slauson Avenue, Los Angeles, California. 

The Laity of the Southern California Conference, which includes more than 60 African Methodist Episcopal Churches, is celebrating its second annual revival with an evening of powerful praise and preaching.

The revivalist for this “Great Awakening, is the Right Reverend Theodore Larry Kirkland Sr., Presiding Prelate, of the Fifth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  The Rt. Rev. Kirkland has been a Bishop of the AME Church for the past 16 years and he is celebrating, this year, 50 years in ministry.  He has been the Shepherd and Spiritual Leader of Ministers and Elders from Africa to several different states within the United States of America.

Everyone is encouraged to attend: Evangelist, Bible Scholars, Anointed Pastors, Priests, and all those who just love Jesus.

Submitted by Ms. Laura Terry

7. QUINN CHAPEL AME HOSTS 5^TH ANNUAL MEN OF QUINN BREAKFAST WITH SPEAKER COACH ROY CURRY, FORMER NFL PLAYER:

The Men of Quinn (MOQ) will host its annual prayer breakfast on Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.  

Roy Curry has quite an impressive history and athletic background.  During his college career, Curry was one of the most revered quarterbacks to play at Jackson State University.   In 1963, he was drafted into the National Football League (NFL) by the Pittsburgh Steelers and played until sustaining an injury that ended his professional football career.

 

After leaving the NFL, Curry became a physical education specialist and assistant football coach at Parker High School (now Paul Robeson High School).  After a promotion, Curry coached the team to city championships in 1970 and 1981 and was runner up in the 1982 Illinois Class 5-A State High School Football League Championship. Coach Curry is an avid member of the Chicago Public League Coaches Association, the Champ Sports Medicine Doctors Association, the Sun-Times All-Area Coaches Board, the Illinois Coaches Hall of Fame, the Jackson State University Hall of Fame, and the SWAC Football Hall of Fame.

Coach Curry resigned from the position of head football coach of the Robeson High School, after thirty-three years and has shared his expertise with all of Chicago by heading the Football Program for the entire public league.

When asked to honor us as our speaker Coach Curry said "Quinn Chapel has been like a second church for me.  Quinn was the church home for my mother, sister, and brother; and now for my nieces and nephews. I look forward to meeting you and participating at you breakfast".

We honor and applaud Coach Roy Curry for his many years of successful coaching at Robeson High School and thank him for dedicating his professional career to the education of young people.

Quinn Chapel AME is located at 2401 S. Wabash in Chicago, Illinois.

Please mark your calendar please feel free to extend the invitation to every person in your family and community. Admission is free and open to young and adult men only. 

The Rev. James Moody is the pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church in Chicago.

8. 11^TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS – MARCH 17, 2012:

- The Rev. John White II was transferred from Mt. Herman AME Church, Miami Gardens, Florida to Allen Temple AME Church in Tampa, Florida

- The Rev. Michael K.  Bouie was transferred from Allen Temple AME Church in Tampa, Florida to Mt. Herman AME Church in Miami Gardens, Florida

- The Rev Santarvis Brown was transferred from the Florida Conference, St. James AME Church, Panama City to the Central Conference, Mt. Olive AME Church, Coleman. 

-  The Rev. Jackie Clinton appointed to St. Luke AME Church in the North District in the South Conference. 

Bishop McKinley Young is the Presiding Prelate of the 11^th Episcopal District.

9. A SON OF THE PARSONAGE, BUT A PREACHER PAR EXCELLENCE IN HIS OWN RIGHT:

On a breezy yet sunny Friday afternoon in the City of Philadelphia, the same city in which Richard Allen stood up for justice, Pastors, Ministers and Lay Members assembled at the First Episcopal District Headquarters, at the seat of the Founder’s Day celebration. During the business session, those in attendance were thrilled when the announcement was made, that the Reverend Vernon R. Byrd Jr. will be seeking the office of Judicial Council. The news of his candidacy, which had been circulating for some time, was looked forward to with anticipation, particularly at this climactic moment in our Church’s history.

The Rev. Byrd, who has given exceptional service as the pastor of Grant Chapel AME Church in the City of Trenton, NJ, is not only a son of the parsonage, but also too a preacher par excellence in his own right. An accomplished attorney, who serves as Assistant General Counsel at Johnson and Johnson, when the Rev. Byrd was called upon to address the meeting, he stood humbly, yet confidently, and stated in his soft yet soothing voice, as if addressing a room full of intelligent jurors in a high profile case, that the theme of his candidacy was borne out of a desire to serve “Without Fear or Favor.”

The Rev. Byrd began his introduction by taking those in attendance along with him on his long journey in the AME Church. He shared with us his youthful days growing up in the Delaware Conference at Macedonia AME Church, the Bermuda Conference at St. Paul AME Church, the New Jersey Conference at Macedonia AME Church, the Philadelphia Conference at Morris Brown AME Church, and finally once again in the New Jersey Conference  at St. James AME Church in Newark, New Jersey.

The Rev. Byrd spoke of his love for the Church and his passion for the law and for justice and fairness, which was fueled during the formative period of his legal training at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania Law School and Harvard University. He spoke of his family; his wife and their two daughters, and of their desire to serve the Church and the fact that he and his wife, the Reverend Dr. Melinda Contreras Byrd gave prayerful consideration to his decision to seek to serve in this capacity.

As the Reverend Byrd spoke of the theme of his candidacy, “Without Fear or Favor”, many of us in attendance were riveted to our seats as we hung on his every word. One could not help but be reminded of the Old Testament Prophets of Amos and Micah, who eloquently spoke of justice and of a love for God’s people. As he spoke, there hung over the room, a feeling of restrained fervor in the atmosphere, like a slow burning spark, aching to explode in applause.

At the conclusion of the Rev. Byrd’s remarks, he was greeted with warm applause, but more importantly than the applause, was the look upon the faces of the people assembled; a look of hope, that somehow things are going to get better for our Zion.

Submitted by the Rev. Sherwyn James

10. VOTERS’ AWARENESS SEMINAR AT ADAMS CHAPEL AME CHURCH, ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA:

The Social Action Ministry at Adams Chapel AME Church in Rock Hill, SC will be sponsoring a Voters’ Awareness Training and Seminar on March 31, 2012 from 10 AM to 12 PM.  The theme for the event is “Bring Your Voice: Be Apart of Change.” On site registration will be coordinated by the NAACP on the day of the event.  Training on voter registration sign up, telephone bank use, and election troubleshooting will be provided. City, county, and state government elected officials will provide community updates, local mayors will share the importance of voting, and election board representatives will respond to voters’ concerns.

The event will be held in the fellowship hall of Adams Chapel AME Church, 950 West Main Street, Rock Hill and is of no cost to participants. Those who desire more information may contact the Reverend Valarie Walker, the Social Action Team Coordinator at Adams Chapel, at (704)519-7532.

The goal of the seminar is to prepare all potential voters to be good stewards of the gift God has given us in the democratic election process by knowledgably exercising the right to vote and by sharing what you have learned with others.

The Rev. Jacques R. Days, M.D. is the pastor of Adams Chapel AME Church, 950 West Main Street in Rock Hill, South Carolina

11. BASKETBALL BULLDOG RECOGNITION:

WILBERFORCE, OH -- By nearly everyone’s estimation, 2011-2012 was a great rebuilding season for the Wilberforce University Men’s Basketball Team.

For the first time in fifteen years, the Bulldogs entered the American Mideast Conference playoffs – and came within one win of qualifying for the NAIA National tournament -- losing in the championship game to the top seed Daemen College on their home court. It was also the first time since the 1998-1999 Season that Wilberforce played host to a league playoff game – and the Bulldogs won that Semi-final game at the Multiplex over Point Park University.

In recognition of the team’s turnaround this year, Bulldogs Coach Terry Futrell was named Coach of the Year by the AMC. It’s a great feather in the cap of Coach Futrell, who is completing his first year as Athletic Director and Men’s Basketball Coach at Wilberforce. Coach Futrell returned to the Bulldogs after spending 2008-2011 as an assistant coach at Cedarville University. He was an assistant coach and recruiting director at Wilberforce from 2006-2009.

“This was a great turnaround year and we’re excited about the future,” Coach Futrell said.

The AMC also recognized five student athletes from Wilberforce – three from the men’s basketball team, and two from the women’s program.

The men include: Darius Foster, a 6’3” senior from Richmond, CA.  The team captain was selected 1st Team All Conference. Foster averaged 16.2 points per game and shot 38.5% from the three point line and 83% from free throw line.

Christopher Olafioye, a 6’4” senior from Detroit, MI was also recognized by being selected 2nd Team All Conference. Chris averaged 15.8 points per game and five rebounds per game.

Ronald Hightower, a 6’3” senior from Dothan, AL, and team captain was also honored by being selected 1st Team All Conference. Ronald averaged 10.37 points per game and eight rebounds per game. Hightower also made 60 percent of his shots from the field.

“It was a pleasure coaching these young men,” Coach Futrell said. “Due to their hard work and perseverance they were able to accomplish some great things and helped build a great future for Wilberforce athletics,” he added.

There were also honors on the Lady Bulldogs squad. Two team members of the Lady Bulldogs were nominated as scholar athletes by the National Association for Intercollegiate Athletics.

Danielle Lewis, a 5’5” senior from Toledo, OH and Angelica Rucker, a 5’7”senior from Shawnee, KS were both honored for their academic accomplishments. Student athletes must maintain a 3.5 grade point average to qualify for the scholar athlete designation.

“These young ladies have been shining examples of what we want all of our student athletes to achieve,” said Coach Futrell.

Submitted by Marcia Copeland Hudson, Wilberforce University Development Media Relations Office

12. NAACP COMMENDS DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FOR HEEDING CALLS TO OPEN INVESTIGATION INTO SHOOTING OF TRAYVON MARTIN:

(Sanford, FL) –   The NAACP commends the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice for heeding calls from the NAACP and community leaders to investigate the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin at the hands of a vigilante in Sanford, Florida.

“We are pleased the Department of Justice has heeded our calls and agreed to investigate this outrageous case,” stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous.  “The rules of justice in this nation have failed when an innocent teenage boy can be shot to death by a vigilante and no arrest is made for weeks. Pursuing, and killing a 17-year-old boy should never be construed as self-defense.  Our society deserves better, our community deserves answers and Trayvon’s family deserves justice.”

On February 26, Trayvon Martin was visiting his father in Sanford when he was shot to death by neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman. The unarmed teen was returning from a local 7-Eleven carrying nothing but Skittles, a cellphone and an iced tea at the time of the shooting. Despite 911 calls confirming that he pursued Trayvon, Zimmerman has yet to be arrested in connection with Trayvon's death.

This morning, following requests from the NAACP, the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice has opened an investigation into the shooting.  Copies of the letters can be found here.

http://www.naacp.org/news/entry/naacp-to-host-march-20-townhall-on-shooting-of-trayvon-martin

Florida State Attorney Norm Wolfinger also announced today the convening of a grand jury investigation into the shooting.  The grand jury is scheduled for April 10th.  

“This is another step in the right direction,” stated Jealous, “but we will not rest until Trayvon's family gets justice.”

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, conducting voter mobilization and monitoring equal opportunity in the public and private sectors.

If you would rather not receive future communications from NAACP, let us know by clicking here.

NAACP, 1156 15th St. NW, Washington, DC 20005 United States

13. LAWYERS’ COMMITTEE CALLS FOR JUSTICE IN TRAYVON MARTIN CASE:

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law continues to follow developments in Trayvon Martin’s murder.  Following this week’s announcement of the FBI and Department of Justice’s decision to open an investigation, the Lawyers’ Committee released the following statement:

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law calls for a full and thorough investigation in the death of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African-American male who was shot and killed in Sanford, Florida on February 26, 2012.  We are pleased that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the FBI are opening an investigation into this slaying which appears to be racially motivated and a crime of hate.

“The facts, as so-far revealed in this case, are greatly disturbing,” said Lawyers’ Committee Executive Director Barbara Arnwine.   “I question the motives of the assailant George Zimmerman, who admitted to shooting the unarmed youth, and also the apparently botched investigation and possible collusion by the Sanford County Police Department in covering up this incident.  The Lawyers’ Committee has long been deeply concerned about racial profiling and protection of the right of citizens of color to walk the streets peacefully without being accosted because of their race, particularly in predominately white communities.  This case seems to fall within the patterns of racial profiling cases in which we have been involved in the past. 

We are glad that the Community Relations Service is already in Florida and urge the DOJ to require full re-training of the entire department, including hate crimes and racial profiling.”

The Lawyers’ Committee has been fighting for racial justice and equality for nearly 50 years since its 1963 founding at the request of President John F. Kennedy.  It is critical that the nation’s criminal justice system is property applied to all persons regardless of race. We are encouraged that a grand jury will look into this matter on April 10, 2012.   In light of the serious questions regarding whether Zimmerman’s claim of self-defense is applicable in this case, the Lawyers’ Committee implores officials to allow this case to be fully vetted and tried in a court of law and allow our great justice system to do what it was designed to do.

We urge every American citizen to speak up and demand that justice be served in this outrageous case.  Our thoughts and prayers are with Trayvon’s family as they continue to mourn his tragic death as a consequence of Zimmerman’s racially motivated vigilante behavior, which we believe should be federally prosecuted.

About the Lawyers’ Committee
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (LCCRUL), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law, particularly in the areas of fair housing and fair lending, community development, employment discrimination, voting, education and environmental justice.  For more information about the LCCRUL, visit www.lawyerscommittee.org.

Submitted by Stacie B. Royster, Director of Communications, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

14. OMG! WHAT IS THE CHURCH'S MESSAGE TO THE FACEBOOK AND TWITTER GENERATION:

New York, March 20, 2012 -- You can identify them by the thin white cords dangling from their ears and by their studious squints as they stare into tiny screens in their palms. At home they ignore the television and surrender to the couch to gaze intently at flashing objects on their laptops. Every few seconds they switch their attention to a buzzing cell phone to absorb the latest text message.

You can also identify them by their youth. They are the millennial generation, the under 30's born between 1980 and 2000.

And they are the focus of the Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner's opening essay in the National Council of Churches' 2012 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches: "Can the Church Log In with the 'Connected Generation?' The Church and Young Adults."

The 80^th Annual Edition of the Yearbook, one of the oldest and most respected sources of church membership and financial trends in the U.S. and Canada, may be ordered for $55 each at www.yearbookofchurches.org.

It comes as no surprise that Millennials "blog, email, text, download, upload, and consume electronic messages at a rate and volume far in excess of any other (age) cohort," according to Lindner. "As a generation they are self aware of the distinctiveness of their ever-present connectedness and seek far-flung relationships with persons, electronic 'friends,' quite unlike themselves.

The virtual connectedness has a wide range of effects on the religious and political views of the generation.

Lindner cites a Pew study of the millennials that will sound like an understatement to their parents and other church-goers: "This age cohort is considerably less likely to maintain religious affiliation than older Americans."

Regular church-goers have already noted the dearth of young adults in worship, and they are even harder to find in Sunday school, prayer meetings and bible study.

But Lindner points out that the Millennial generation is no less religious than the preceding generations, Gen X'ers and Baby Boomers.

"Suggestions that the Millennial generation are signaling the secularization of American culture are premature and ignore the rather nuanced religious identity of this age cohort," she writes reassuringly. "Belonging to a religious organization is a behavior. Belief is a conviction."

Most Millenials -- 53 percent according to General Social Surveys and 64 percent according to Pew -- believe in God, Lindner reports.

Pew also discovered that Millenials are as likely as their parents to believe in life after death, heaven, hell, and miracles. Parents have heard their young adult children put it like this: "I'm not religious. I'm spiritual."

But in many other respects, Millennial viewpoints are more traditional or more conservative than their Boomer parents.

 

If you ask Boomers to give an example of effective leadership, studies show, they will cite Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., or Nelson Mandela. More than a third of Millennials will nominate civilian war and Cold War leaders such as Lincoln, FDR, and JFK. Nearly half name President Obama as a model for 21st century leadership.

Millennial religious attitudes are mixed when compared to their parents.

"Affiliated Millennials are actually more inclined than their elders to believe their own religion is the single path to eternal life," Lindner writes. "Yet affiliated Millennials are more open to various interpretations of religious doctrine and less likely to perceive the Bible as literal truth."

Millennials may have withdrawn from traditional habits of worshipping at regular times and places but, Lindner believes, "pastoral care ... holds the promise of reaching Millennials in unexpected ways."

Having come to maturity following the terror attacks of 9/11 and the Great Recession of 2008, "Millennials are the first generation to have to lower their expectations of transcending their parents' level of occupational attainment."

Lindner quotes Rich Osmer of Princeton Theological Seminary: "An important part of the dissatisfaction of today's young people with mainline churches stems from the absence of a spiritually challenging and world-shaping vision that meets their hunger for the chance to participate in ... 'a worthy adventure.'"

How the Millennials define and pursue those adventures," Lindner says, "will shape and reshape American culture and with in the American religious landscape for the remainder of the 21st century."

TCR Editor's Note: If you are a pastor or church officer who doesn’t appreciate or understand the impact of technology on the church and evangelism, please carefully read this NCC article.

15. INTERESTING DATA FROM U.S. CENSUS THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL IN SERMONS AND OTHER PRESENTATIONS:

Many or all of us filled out a census form.  Well, here are the results of that process. 

When you click on the link below, you will see is a map of the US. You can zoom in and out to get the information from any area in the United States.  

 

Use your cursor can move map around and you can zoom in on specific counties to get current statistics. Just glide your cursor over the map and it displays every county.  

Click the "2010 US Census Map” link below:

2010 U.S. CENSUS MAP

16. MID-WEEK MEDITATION BASED ON PSALM 8:

God has a way of turning life’s aggravations into life’s learning opportunities.  I was reminded of that this week when Sandee Jackson, our very capable webmaster, dropped me a note to let me know that Morris Brown’s website had been hacked and she wasn’t able to access and update it.  She said, “I am trying to get it fixed, but I am waiting for correspondence from the web host.”

What she’s going through with our website typifies what we all encounter in life sooner or later.  We try our best to be careful, capable and responsible, to order our lives and pursue our goals in ways that maximize our chances for success and well-being.  Unexpected challenges and issues, however, crop up in spite of our best efforts to prevent them and threaten to control our lives and diminish our well-being.

Life will knock all of us for a loop and cause us confusion and frustration at times, but just as our webmaster turned to the web host for help, we have to turn to God in prayer.  When we prayerfully turn life’s situations that are beyond our control over to the God who controls all that exists, God will bring us comfort, steady us in our rough times, show us new possibilities, and lead us to renewal and recovery.  Our troubling situations might not immediately disappear, but we’ll know that we don’t face them alone.

Remember what our webmaster did in a situation beyond her control - she turned to the web host for information.  Remember as well a story told by AME Bishop John Hurst Adams.  He described how his father left him a very old and valuable but dirty and neglected pocket watch, how he took it to a jeweler to see if it could be repaired, and how the jeweler said, “repairing this is more than I can do, but it can be fixed if I send it back to the people who made it.” When we turn to the God who made us and can fix us, we’ll learn that God answers prayer, controls our lives and can give us all that we need and more.

If this has been a blessing to you, feel free to share it!

Get Ready for Sunday wherever you live!

Sunday’s Scripture Lessons are:

Isaiah 42:1-7

Colossians 2:6-15

Matthew 12:9-21

This Sunday’s Sermons at Morris Brown AME Church:

8 a.m. - “We Have Victory in the Cross”

11 a.m. - “Find Victory in the Cross”

If you are in the Charleston South Carolina area, please accept our invitation to be our guest.

The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina

17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Sister Geneva Thomas, mother of the Rev. Lisa Marie Thomas, pastor of Solid Rock AME Church in Bolingbrook, Illinois and the Rev. Derrick Thomas.

Services are scheduled for Saturday, March 24, 2012.

Second Baptist Church

26 Washington Avenue

La Grange, IL 60525

Visitation: 10:00 a.m.

Service:11:00 a.m.

Correspondence can be sent to the home of Mr. Jack Thomas (Husband)

The Rev. Lisa Marie Thomas and the Rev. Derrick Thomas

125 Hayes Avenue

La Grange, IL 60525

Arrangements are entrusted to:

Corbin Colonial Funeral Chapel

1001 Madison St.

Maywood, IL 60153

(708) 410-0287

18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Cornelius Donald Bell, the uncle of the Rev. Dietra C. Bell, pastor at Bethel Tabernacle AMEC in Brooklyn, New York. Mr. Bell was a member of St. James AMEC in Atlantic City, NJ. The following information has been provided regarding Homegoing arrangements.

Viewing and Funeral - Saturday, March 24, 2012

Viewing - 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. (There will be no final viewing.)

Homegoing - 11:00 a.m.

St. James A.M.E. Church

101 N. New York Avenue

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Church Phone: 609-345-0179

Church Fax:    609-345-1345

The Rev. James C. Coaxum, Pastor

The Rev. Dietra C. Bell, Eulogist

Professional Care is entrusted to:

Mikal's Funeral Parlor

30 N. Pennsylvania Avenue

Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Phone: 609-344-1131

Fax: 609-344-3310

Condolences may be sent to:

The family of Cornelius Donald Bell

c/o Mikal's Funeral Parlor

See address above

or emailed to

The Rev. Dietra C. Bell at REVDCB123@aol.com

19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of John Jones, the husband of the Rev. Helen M.C. Jones, a local elder at Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church in Norristown, PA (Philadelphia Conference, South District) and the President of the Philadelphia Conference Department of Evangelism. The following information has been provided regarding Homegoing arrangements.

Viewing and Services - Saturday, March 24, 2012

Viewing - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Musical Tribute:   4:00 p.m.

The Homegoing Service will follow the musical tribute.

Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church

1312 Willow Street

Norristown, PA 19401

Phone: 610-279-8313

Fax: 610-279-6548

The Rev. Kanice D. Johns, Pastor

Condolences may be sent to:

The Rev. Helen M.C. Jones

1522 Willow Street

Norristown, PA 19401

 20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Mr. Franklin E. Crawford, the father of the Rev. D. Lavel Crawford, Pastor of Bethel AME Church-Little Rock, Arkansas, passed away on Friday, March 16, 2012.

 

The Funeral Service for the late Franklin E. Crawford will be held, Friday, March 23, 2012.

Visitation: 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

Funeral: 11:30 a.m.

Gwen Mooney Funeral Home

4389 Spring Grove Avenue

Cincinnati, Ohio 45223

Phone: (513) 853-1035

Fax: (513) 853-1024

Condolences & Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Rev. & Mrs. D. Lavel Crawford, Sr.

2820 Covenant Cove

Little Rock, Arkansas 72204

Telephone Number: 501-562-7902

Email: pastor@bethelamec.com 

21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Lula Mae Reynolds Jenkins, the widow and partner in the ministry for fifty-eight years of the Rev. Charles Edward Jenkins, Sr., retired Presiding Elder and Presiding Elder Emeritus, North Nashville District, Tennessee Annual Conference, Thirteenth Episcopal District.

Mrs. Lula Mae Reynolds Jenkins, mother of the Reverend Frederick L. Jenkins, Sr. (Adrienne Cummings Jenkins) pastor of Scott's Chapel AME Church, Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; Charliese King (George N. King, Jr.) Bethlehem, PA; Mary Louise Jenkins, Nashville, TN; and Charles Edward Jenkins, Sr. (Katrina Gaither Jenkins), Easton, PA, departed this life on March 14, 2012.

Service arrangements for Mrs. Lula Mae Reynolds Jenkins:

Friday, March 23, 2012

Public Viewing: 2:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Robert E. Lewis Memorial Chapel

2500 Clarksville Pike

Nashville, Tennessee 37208-1060

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Family Visitation: 12 Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Funeral Service:  1:00 p.m.

St. John AME Church

1822 Formosa Street

Nashville, Tennessee 37208

Telephone: (615) 320-1026

The Rev. W. A. Sinkfield, Pastor

Professional Services are entrusted to:

Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors

2500 Clarksville Pike

Nashville, Tennessee 37208-1060

Phone: (615) 255-2371

Fax: (615) 255-4926

Expressions of sympathy may be sent in care of the family of Mrs. Lula Mae Reynolds Jenkins to Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors (address above)

Or to:

The Family of Mrs. Lula Mae Reynolds Jenkins

206 Blue Hills Dr.

Nashville, Tennessee 37214

Phone:  (615) 871-4114

Expressions of sympathy may also be emailed to:

The Rev. Frederick L. Jenkins, Sr., preacherman499@comcast.net

Charliese King, charliese@msn.com

22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Mark E. Whitlock, Sr., the father of the Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., pastor of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, Irvine, California.

Service Arrangements for Mr. Mark Whitlock, Sr:

Saturday, March 31, 2012, 12:00 Noon

Memorial Service

Saint Paul A.M.E. Church

1260 Hamilton Avenue

Saint Louis, Missouri 63112

(314) 385-8900 - Phone

(314) 385-5367-FAX

The Rev. Dr. James Arthur Rumph, Pastor

Cards and other expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., pastor

Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. Church

46 Maxwell

Irvine, California 92618

Other Contact:

Main number: 877-4CORAME

Administrative Office: (949) 955-0014

Fax: (949) 955-0021

Or messages of sympathy may be emailed to: MarkW@corchurch.org

23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Frances Titus, brother of Tom and William Titus, and the uncle of the Rev. Nigel B. Titus and the Rev. Nathan M. Titus of the Cape Annual Conference, Fifteenth Episcopal District, Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr., Presiding Prelate.

The funeral service has been held.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be emailed to:

nigel@cndv.co.za   (the Rev. Nigel B. Titus)

24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Cynthia Larkins, the wife of the Rev. George Larkins, former pastor of First AME Church in Lockport, NY (Western New York Conference, Buffalo-Albany-Rochester District).

The following information has been provided regarding Homegoing arrangements.

The Funeral was held on Friday, March 16, 2012

Faith Temple Church

1876 Elmwood Ave.

Rochester, NY 14620

Church Phone: 585-473-7680

Church Fax:  585-473-5807

The Rev. Stephen Edlin, Pastor

Condolences may be sent to:

The Rev. George Larkins

260 Highland Parkway

Rochester, NY 14620

25. 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

26. 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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