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
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
April is National Minority Health Month!
Ascension Day – May 17, 2012
Pentecost – May 27, 2012
1. EDITORIAL – I CAN’T BELIEVE IT:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III,
The 20th Editor, The
Christian Recorder
I have served in the Army, taught at Hampton University and have
raised three children and a brother and I thought to myself, “Nothing can
surprise me.” I have worked with young
soldiers and their families; and with university students from all
backgrounds. I've heard every story that
you can imagine and I've heard every excuse. I honestly thought that nothing
anyone said to me would surprise me.
I have been in the AME Church almost all my life and I have
heard positive and negative comments made about the church, generally; and
about AME Church in particular. I've
heard comments about bishops, presiding elders, preachers and the laity. I've
heard comments about Christians and about so-called Christians.
I have counseled couples who wanted to get married, performed
marriage ceremonies, and counseled couples who wanted to get divorced.
I have counseled college students who begged for higher grades
and have counseled students who were contemplating going to graduate school or
searching for career opportunities. I have heard it all!
I have often thought; nothing can surprise me!
But, something has
surprised me
I am not only surprised, I am also shocked; but, not only am I
shocked, I am also disappointed.
As with many parents, there have been times when our children
have disappointed me, and most often those times of disappointment came when
our children did things that, we as parents, cautioned them not to do; but,
which they did anyway!
I suspect that surprises to all of us.
Bishops probably become surprised and disappointed when pastors
jeopardize their pastoral effectiveness because they choose to do things their
way instead of following the guidance of their episcopal leaders.
Pastors, I am sure, have moments of disappointment when
parishioners abandon pastoral leadership; and, the list can go on and on an on.
I am disappointed
I am disappointed because we are into the second decade of the
21st Century and we. AMEs, are getting ready to convene our third
General Conference of this century and we still have clergy and laity who
refuse to embrace technology. They fail to see technology as a vehicle for
evangelism.
Times have changed and the way we live our daily lives have
changed. Independent churches and some
other denominations have grasped technology and are making great strides in
bringing people to Christ.
I recently heard several comments about persons advocating their
position that pastors and parishioners should not utilize electronic Bibles in
worship services because they felt that the biblical texts on mobile phones and
eBook devices were not real Bibles. Wow! I
am equally certain that when Bibles were first published in book format, there
were people who claimed that printed Bibles were not real Bibles; and scrolls
were the only authentic Word of God.
That kind of limited thinking disappoints me.
The telephone book
mentality
The telephone company or some entity drops telephone books on my
front porch each year and I have been trying to get them to stop delivering
telephone books to my door. I haven't used a telephone book in years. When
telephone books are delivered to my door, I immediately put them in the recycle
bin because I have no use for them.
In years past, we used to look in the Yellow Pages to find out
where churches were located. People looked on the white pages to find the
telephone numbers of people they wanted to call.
I suspect that young people don't even know how to use the
Yellow Pages. I've never seen my grandchildren use the Yellow Pages or even ask
for a telephone book; they just go to their phones or to the computer and look
on the Internet and they can find anything and everything they need.
We have too many church leaders who follow the telephone book
mentality, they have not moved into the 21st Century.
So, why am I
disappointed?
I am disappointed because we have addressed this issue in this
venue and at connectional meetings and it seems that we still have a number of
people who refuse to “see the light” of and use a technology paradigm to
enhance evangelism.
I'm disappointed because technology is such an invaluable tool
and we have too many pastoral leaders and leaders in local churches that do not
see the relevance of technology to evangelism. They fail to understand that the
technology of the 20th Century is passé.
If we are going to reach the present generation of youth and
young adults, we need pastoral and local church leadership to “step up to the
plate” and to realize that we are in the age of technology.
Young people have grown up with technology and technology is second-nature
to them and they are not predisposed to sitting in church for three or four
hours of mundane colorless worship.
Young people and hip old folks too, have been conditioned by
flashing-lights, fast action, the Internet, and by email and text messaging.
They have been stimulated by color television and elaborate theatrical
productions and it’s ludicrous to expect them to come to church and listen to
choirs that haven’t rehearsed, boring and unimaginative sermons and even more
boring announcements.
Young people have been conditioned by an environment of
multi-tasking and media-hoping. They
have a hard time appreciating the slower presentations of the movement of some
of our worship services. When we think
about it; it’s easy to see why large numbers of young people and young adults
are not attending church services. And, it’s not a far-stretch to understand
why some older folks don’t attend church on a regular basis.
And, what’s more
disappointing
Local churches are dying because they are led by clergy and
local church officers who resist and refuse to change; and young people and
young adults are turned off. Some older folks are turned off too!
Local churches continue to waste paper and money printing
elaborate worship bulletins.
I even hear a number pastors say that they are not “in to” the
Internet and express their opinion that they are not “in to” this “new stuff”
called technology.
I have heard a number of people who complain that they are too
old to learn how to use the Internet and refuse to utilize email.
I am amazed when I hear about presiding elders who continue
submit handwritten paper reports and who accept paper reports from local
congregations at their quarterly conferences.
I continue to see a few handwritten subscription lists and
several others that obviously had been prepared using a typewriter. I didn’t
even know that stores still sold typewriters or typewriter supplies.
I have heard people complain that they cannot afford to purchase
a computer, but a person does not need a computer to be connected to the
Internet. I confirmed with Verizon technical support, and it’s the same for all
of the carriers, one does not need a computer to be connected to the Internet
and email, but a person do need to purchase a data plan, which can be purchased
for under $30.
There is always some good
news
I recall the 1999 General Board Meeting /CONVO VI meeting in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania when I was granted permission to assemble an email
list for disseminating information throughout the connection; I received about
20 email addresses. Today, I am amazed at the difference of the numbers of
African Methodists who are connected to the Internet; it is astounding and
amazing; that’s some good news.
I notice that almost all of the bishops of the AME Church and
many of the presiding elders and pastors have smart phones and seem to be
checking their emails and reading messages on the Internet.
We have come a long way, but we have a long way to go. We still have
too many people lagging behind.
More good news
Our connectional meetings are using less paper and the 13th
Episcopal District under Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and Episcopal Supervisor
Stan McKenzie has almost gone entirely paperless. Hopefully other episcopal districts are
moving in that direction.
The Clergy Family Information Center, the Connectional Lay
Organization, and the Women’s Missionary Society, the official AMEC Website and
several Episcopal District offices have a strong Internet presence; and that is
more good news.
Even more good news
Dr. Clement Fugh’s plan for disseminating and sharing
information at the 2012 General Conference is mind-boggling.
If you don’t bring anything else, bring your laptop, notebook,
or smartphone! You will be able to view General Conference schedules,
legislation, daily and hourly real-time updates from the General Secretary’s
Office and from The Christian Recorder
Online.
The same information will be available to those who are not attending
the General Conference, if they are connected to the Internet; and that’s even
more good news. Technology is here and the possibilities for the use of
technology are endless.
A few possibilities
available now
A bishop, presiding elder, pastor or anyone else can carry his
or her office with them at all times; the cellphone becomes your office
telephone number. You are accessible, can check emails, send messages, and
return telephone calls in a timely fashion.
Bible studies can be conducted online using the Internet. Church
meetings can be conducted by teleconferencing. Telephone calls to all members
with one telephone call.
Acquisition of information is endless. For instance, if you download the Bible app from
Gateway, the Matthew Henry Commentary can be accessed and a commentary is
available for any verse or chapter in the Bible. Greek and Hebrew word studies
are available, as well as various Bible reading programs.
Pastors and presiding elders can be paid electronically; no
standing around waiting for checks.
Those who are motivated can learn foreign languages and learn
how to play musical instruments by going to great websites on the Internet.
There are so many options and opportunities if technology is
utilized. I just can’t believe that all of us are not using Technology to the
“Glory of God!”
Editor’s Note: I will
be a presenter at the Hampton University Ministers’ Conference Church
Development and Leadership Academy (CDLA). The Title of my presentation will
be: Ethics and Leadership Strategies for
Global Ministries. I will be presenting on Thursday June 7, 2012 during two
time-frames: A session at 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at
the Student Center Theater.
2. OP-ED – THE CHAPLAINCY STILL SEEMS KIND OF
ILLUSIVE:
*Lic. Patrea Wilson
First, great honor to those who have served and continue to serve
in the military and federal chaplaincies.
My greatest concern is that chaplain ministry still seems
illusive.
I have found in my own experience, that the Ecumenical Office is
only known to those who are involved with it.
When seeking the options of chaplaincy, persons are directed to the AMEC
Ecumenical Office, but many times those interested persons find out that they
are ill-prepared and they turned away discouraged.
It is also my experience that some of the Boards of Examiners are
not familiar with the chaplaincy and its requirements and little or nothing is
said to encourage applicants to go into chaplain ministry.
Board of Examiners should be able to identify those persons
interested/called into such a ministry and set up an examination time during
Annual Conference or Christian Education Meeting so that candidates can be
identified and mentored toward their goals.
Currently this does not seem to be happening. I know of a person who is currently a
hospital chaplain and a pastor, but because the person is not in the federal
chaplaincy, is not accountable to the AMEC Endorsing Agent.
I am in total agreement that a military chaplain should attend an
AME Church when they can and participate in Annual Conferences. But, why
isn't this enforced?
I also noticed that the military chaplains report during the first
day of Annual Conference, answer the roll call and maybe attend a business
session and maybe the Hour of Power, and then they are released/gone.
To be excused is one thing; to be absent is another thing. Is it too much to ask that chaplains to
“include themselves” and remain in attendance throughout the annual conferences
and make and annual report that include updates / highlights their ministerial
achievements, just as pastors are required to do?
Personally, I would like to “cut to the chase” and would actually
like to know what they specifically do in their ministry.
I would also like to see them participate in the processionals and
involved in the programs of the conferences.
I would like to hear chaplains speak who are comfortable with our order
of worship.
I have seen Bishop White in action and I know he his fair,
impartial and above all, God-Fearing; and just the hearing of his name warrants
no questions or explanations of how things are going in the
Ecumenical Office.
But from the outside looking in, I would actually like to be able
to participate in some of the chaplain sessions so that I can learn more
about the chaplaincy and their ministry.
I would also like to see Chaplains teaching on the process of the
chaplain ministry in the military, hospitals, jails, etc.
By the way, the military has the coolest recruiting toys, so the
military chaplains should plan to bring lots those recruiting gadgets to the
meeting they attend.
I would also like to see the chaplains attend preaching and other
instructional plenary sessions/continuing education classes during the
Christian Education meeting. We should never stop learning from each
other. We should never stop giving of
our time, talent or treasure to each other.
Unity should always persist and prevail!
*Licentiate
Patrea Wilson is a member of St. Paul AME Church in Columbus, Georgia. She is
an aspirant for itinerant orders in the South West Georgia Annual Conference, 6th
Episcopal District.
3. NEW BETHEL AME JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI HOSTS
AIDS MEMORIAL “CALL MY NAME” QUILT WORKSHOP:
*The Rev. Lorenzo T.
Neal
On Saturday, April 14,
2012, people gathered at the New Bethel AME Church in Jackson, MS where the
Rev. Lorenzo T. Neal serves as pastor, to join together and remember the names
and lives of African Americans lost to AIDS during The Call My Name Memorial
Quilt Workshop. The workshop was presented by The NAMES Project Foundation
which is the sponsor of the traveling AIDS Memorial Quilt. It is also sponsored
by MERCK, the National Endowment for the Arts, and The Black AIDS
Institute. Actress Sheryl Lee Ralph
serves as the official spokesperson for the event. Participants created 3x6
foot panels with the names of persons from the Jackson Metro area and
surrounding areas who passed from the AIDS virus. Each panel will later be
added to the larger traveling AIDS Memorial quilt. The event was covered by the
local news media.
While still considered
taboo in the African American community, the event served to help raise awareness
of the high infection rates of HIV/AIDS in the Black community. The event was
presented in a positive atmosphere and every participant was tedious in
designing panels that were worthy pieces of art as well as memorial panels.
Sheryl Lee Ralph addressed the group about her involvement and passion for this
project. She stated how she lost many friends to the disease because of the
taboo associated with it. Pastor Lorenzo Neal assisted in a libation honoring
the names of ancestors past and the persons being remembered on the quilt
panels. The Rev. William Love is the Presiding and the Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tyler
Guidry is the Presiding Prelate.
Established in 1987, The
NAMES Project Foundation is the international organization that is the
custodian of The AIDS Memorial Quilt. The AIDS Memorial Quilt began with a
single 3 x 6 foot panel created in San Francisco in 1987. Today, The Quilt is
composed of more than 47,000 individual 3 x 6 foot panels, each one
commemorating the life of someone who has died of AIDS. These panels come from
every state in the nation, every corner of the globe and they have been sewn by
hundreds of thousands of friends, lovers and family members into this epic
memorial, the largest piece of ongoing community art in the world.
In a war against a
disease that has no cure, The AIDS Memorial Quilt has evolved as our most
potent tool in the effort to educate against the lethal threat of AIDS. By
revealing the humanity behind the statistics, The AIDS Memorial Quilt helps
teach compassion, triumphs over taboo, stigma and phobia; and inspires
individuals to take direct responsibility for their own well-being and that of
their family, friends and community.
Julie Rhoad, Executive
Director of The NAMES Project Foundation explains, “We are thrilled to have the
chance to share The AIDS Memorial Quilt with your community. These handmade
blocks, created by friends and family, tell the stories of individuals who have
lost their lives to AIDS. We bring you their stories in the hope of inspiring compassion,
healing and personal responsibility. We thank New Bethel AME Church for hosting
this event and we invite you all out to see what wonderful art we have created
together as a nation.”
Sections are
continuously on display across the country in schools, churches, community
centers, businesses, corporations and a variety of other institutional settings
all in the hope of making the realities of HIV and AIDS real, human and
immediate. To date, more than15 million people have seen The AIDS Memorial Quilt
at tens of thousands of display throughout the world.
*The Rev. Lorenzo T.
Neal is the pastor of New Bethel AME Church in Jackson, Mississippi
4. DAISY BATES: FIRST LADY OF LITTLE ROCK”
SCREENING AT METROPOLITAN AME CHURCH ON SUNDAY, MAY 6, 2012 AT 2:00 P.M.:
April 24, 2012, Washington, DC – “Daisy Bates: First Lady of Little
Rock,” a widely-acclaimed documentary film will be shown on Sunday, May 6 at 2
p.m. at Metropolitan AME Church, 1518 M Street, N.W.
Following the screening, a panel featuring Ernest Green, a member of the
Little Rock Nine, Ellen Fizer, whose father ministered to members of the Little
Rock Nine, and filmmaker Sharon LaCruise, will offer firsthand accounts and
respond to audience questions facilitated by award-winning journalist, Dorothy
Gilliam.
The film presentation is free and open to the public. Free parking
is available in the NEA garage across the street from the church.
The documentary, which premiered on PBS’ Independent Lens series earlier
this year, tells the story of Daisy Bates, a fearless fighter for justice who
earned her place in American history and became a household name during the
height of the civil rights era. She is more commonly referred to as “Mrs.
Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine” for courageously leading the integration
of the all-white Central High School in Arkansas in 1957. Her
public support culminated in a constitutional crisis — pitting a president
against a governor and a community against itself. It took the presence of
the National Guard, with protective assistance from President Eisenhower, to
usher the nine black students into Central High School.
As both, protector of the nine students who were on the front lines of
the school desegregation battle and president of the Arkansas chapter of the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Daisy Bates
achieved instant but fleeting fame. The documentary candidly explores and
resolves questions concerning her place in history: What motivated Daisy
Bates? What does her story tell us about the place of feminism in the
civil rights movement? After all she did, why was Daisy Bates never fully
embraced, even within the Little Rock community?
La Cruise’s film connects Bates to many of the well-known female civil
rights activists who followed in her footsteps: Gloria Richardson
Dandridge, Diane Nash, and Angela Davis. In telling the story of a woman
who paved the way for others to take a stand, the film fills in a gap in the
story of hundreds of women in the Civil Rights Movement, both past and present,
whose contributions continue to be overlooked. The film illustrates how
Daisy Bates’ long and lonely journey, full of triumphs and defeats, parallels
the ongoing struggle of generations of African Americans who challenged America
to live up to what it has claimed to be for more than 200 years.
This public service program is presented by Metropolitan’s Women’s
Season 2012 Committee, Public Relations Commission, and Church School in
partnership with the Daniel Alexander Payne Community Development Corporation.
Reverend Ronald E. Braxton, D.Min is the senior pastor of Metropolitan AME
Church.
For more information, visit the church website at www.metropolitanamec.org
Submitted to TCR by Dr. Darwin
Curry
5. ALLEN UNIVERSITY
CELEBRATES 142ND COMMENCEMENT:
Allen University Celebrates 142nd Commencement
Exercises and Anchors Graduates with Sage Advice from Motivational Speaker,
Author, Educator and Business-guru Dr. Dennis Kimbro
Allen University, Columbia, South Carolina, will hold its one
hundred and forty-second (142nd) Commencement Exercises Saturday, May 5, 2012
at 10:00 AM. The ceremony is scheduled
to take place inside the John Hurst Adams Gymnatorium; located on the Allen University
campus at 1530 Harden Street.
Allen University is honored to host Dr. Dennis Kimbro as the
keynote speaker for the occasion. Few individuals impact the day-to-day
management of organizations and institutions as Dennis Kimbro. A tireless educator, author, and B-school
professor, Dr. Kimbro is universally characterized as one of the most
insightful and scholarly writers in the field today. As a lecturer and
researcher in the field of management, entrepreneurship and human potential, he
encourages his readers to look within to extract the keys that underlie all
accomplishment. He received his B.A. and
M.A. degrees from the University of Oklahoma, and a doctorate from Northwestern
University where he studied wealth and poverty among underdeveloped countries. With his course work behind him, Dr. Kimbro
combed the country interviewing scores of America’s most notable
achievers. Eventually his inquisition
led to the question: How can
impoverished black Americans pull themselves out of their poverty and reach
their full potential? Dr. Kimbro teaches on the faculty at the Clark Atlanta
University School of Business Administration.
In 1996, he served as one of eight national judges for the prestigious
Ernst & Young USA Today Entrepreneur of the Year held in Palm Springs,
California. As a certified Napoleon Hill Science of Success trainer and
leadership coach, Dr. Kimbro's teachings have influenced men and women
internationally.
He has appeared on the Today Show, Larry King, CNN, and has been
featured in Success, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and USA Today on numerous occasions sharing
the keys to success and achievement.
Dr. Kimbro’s highest honor occurred when the National Black MBA
Association presented him with the 2005 H. Naylor Fitzhugh award, emblematic as
one of the top Black business professors in the nation. He is the author of
Daily Motivations and the highly acclaimed “What Makes the Great, Great”: Strategies for Extraordinary Achievement, his
fifth book, The Wealth Choice: Success
Secrets of Black millionaires, and the long awaited sequel to “Think & Grow
Rich A Black Choice,” will be released late Fall 2012 by MacMillan Publishers.
For additional information about Dr. Kimbro’s accomplishments and a full
biographical sketch, please visit: http://www.denniskimbro.com/.
Also, for a complete list of Allen University Commencement, Alumni Reunion and
Senior Week activities, please visit www.allenuniversity.edu
Reporters and media interested in covering the event will need
to present valid press and photo identification on site. Advance registration
for media and limited parking provisions for satellite/ media trucks will be
required no later than Monday, April 30, 2012 with the Office of Marketing and
Development at 803-376-5728 or nosborne@allenuniversity.edu
About Allen University
Allen University, founded in 1870, is a private, Historically
Black College and University (HBCU), located in Columbia, South Carolina. Allen
University is named after Richard Allen, the remarkable founder of the African
Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Allen University, recognized as the first
university in South Carolina founded by African American for the education of
African Americans, is also the first university named after an African American
and created out of the AME Church’s desire to educate newly freed slaves to
ensure a well-trained clergy. Initially, Allen University focused on training
ministers and teachers, but has since enlarged its scope to produce graduate in
other academic areas. The University is committed to providing the high quality
instruction to its students. Allen University is accredited by the Commission
on Colleges of the South Association of Colleges and Schools to award
baccalaureate degrees.
6. 100TH BIRTHDAY! - THE REVEREND DOROTHY MILLICENT MORRIS:
The
Rev. Dorothy Millicent Morris will celebrate her 100th birthday on
July 21, 2012. She is the first female
Presiding Elder appointed in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She was appointed in 1973 by Bishop Frederick
Hilborn Talbot in the Sixteenth District.
The
Reverend Morris was honored by the Government of Guyana with the Medal of
Service for her community service.
This is
an invitation to join her in whatever way you determine in celebrating her long
journey with God through the A.M.E. Church.
Her
address is:
E ½
Duncan Street
Newton,
Georgetown, Guyana
South
America
Telephone #: 011- 572- 226- 8025
7. THE DEADLINE FOR 2012 GENERAL
CONFERENCE SOUVENIR JOURNAL HAS BEEN EXTENDED:
There is still time to get your ad in the Souvenir Journal.
This is a great opportunity to memorialize a loved one, highlight your church,
promote your campaign, or promote your business to over 10,000 persons who will
be attending the General Conference.
Contact: team13sj2012@gmail.com;
www.amec-network.org;
Mrs.
Barbara Ivery, telephone: (931) 624-0155 or email: bivery329@att.net
for more information
8. INVITATION TO ATTEND THE 13TH
EPISCOPAL DISTRICT BELIEVE BANQUET -
JUNE 26, 2012:
The 13th
Episcopal District is hosting the 49th Quadrennial Session of the
General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church on June 27 - July
4, 2012 at Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville,
Tennessee. Team-13 Presiding Elders,
clergy and laity are preparing to welcome more than 30,000 visitors to Music
City, USA. As Episcopal Supervisor of the 13th Episcopal District, I
am asking everyone to support us as we prepare to host the General Conference
and to that you will plan to attend the Believe
Banquet.
I would like
for you to join me and my wife, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie at the Believe Banquet, which will be the
culminating event of our ministry in states of Tennessee and Kentucky on June
26, 2012. We believe that "God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek
Him" (Hebrews 11:6). I hope that you would join my family and the 13th
Episcopal District family at this Pre-General Conference event.
Join
Team-13 by purchasing tickets to the
banquet either at the General Unreserved Seating at $75 or the Inner Circle
Reserved Seating at $125 which also includes a pre-banquet reception. Tables
can be purchased at $750 (General Unreserved) or $1250 (Inner Circle).
Please
consider joining us.
Fill
out and return the page appended below to purchase tickets or tables. You can
contact my office at 615-242-6814 or stanmckenzie44@aol.com if you have any
questions.
Thank
you again for your kind consideration and look forward to your response.
Please contact
the 13th Episcopal District Office for additional information:
13th
Episcopal District AME Church
500
8th Ave South
Nashville,
TN 37203
Telephone:
(615) 242-6814
FAX:
(615) 242-2496 fax
Email: 13th_episcopal@bellsouth.net
Submitted
by Mr. Stan McKenzie
Episcopal
Supervisor, 13th Episcopal District
9. PAUL
QUINN COLLEGE TO HOST SECOND ANNUAL COMMUNITY BLOCK PARTY:
The “2011 HBCU of the Year” will thank area residents with a celebration
Dallas – April 25, 2012 - Join
Paul Quinn College as we thank members of the community who have supported us
during a great year of accomplishments, which includes the recent announcement
of 2012 HBCU Student Government Association of the Year and 2012 HBCU Male
President of the Year, with the College’s 2nd Annual Community Block Party, 4
p.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, April 27.
Paul Quinn is teaming up with KKDA (K104-FM) for the event that will
feature great music, delicious food and fun games for the entire family. The
event will be held on the Paul Quinn College campus at the Cottrell Student
Union Building. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
10. PAUL QUINN COLLEGE TAKES HOME TOP HONORS AT
ANNUAL HBCU AWARDS:
College
celebrates the win of 2012 Student Government Association and Male College
President of the Year
DALLAS
– April 24, 2012 – Paul Quinn College claimed top honors at the annual HBCU
Digest and the Center for HBCU Media Advocacy Awards held in Bowie, Maryland, last
weekend. Paul Quinn, which was the reigning 2011 HBCU of the Year going into
Friday’s ceremony, can now lay claim to the 2012 awards of HBCU Male College
President of the Year and Student Government Association of the Year.
The
earning of the awards comes after a rousing year that forged a new path in
servant leadership in the city of Dallas. PQC President Michael J. Sorrell and
student leader Dexter Evans, who attended the awards ceremony, led the Quinnite
Nation on a continued quest to better the landscape and level the playing field
for all citizens of Dallas. The year began with trumping a proposal to turn a
neighboring landfill into the largest garbage dump in the southwest and is
ending with a fight for justice against castle law injustices that affect the
nation as seen in the Trayvon Martin tragedy. These recent awards speak to the
culture and ethos of the Quinnite Nation, a call to choose the harder right
over the easier wrong, and has awakened a spirit of unity and community in the
Dallas/Fort Worth area.
“I am
so proud of our students,” President Sorrell said. “Their win as HBCU SGA of
the year confirms that there is a national audience for the students of Paul
Quinn College and our institutional mission of servant leadership.
“Personally,
I am humbled by my selection as the male HBCU president of the year. It
represents the payoff of five years of collective hard work and faith, by my
staff and our students, in the belief that we can become one of America’s great
small colleges.”
The
good news doesn’t stop at these awards. The Quinnite Nation is coming off of
the heels of the most successful College fundraiser to date in “A Community
Cooks,” held the day before the awards were announced. The College will also
host the entire Dallas Symphony Orchestra by kicking off the 2012 DSO Community
Concerts series on May 23. For more information on events at Paul Quinn College
visit www.pqc.edu.
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.
11. THE HOMEGOING OF MOTHER IDA B. PATTERSON WAS
AN AWESOME AFFAIR:
Perhaps
you were there and I did not see you. My heart was very heavy for I will miss
Mom. Let me share this with you.
Mother
Patterson went home to be with the Lord, Wednesday, April 11, 2012 while a
patient at the Care Pavilion; she made a peaceful transition.
The
Celebration of Life was held in the beautiful sanctuary of Hickman Temple AME
Church at 5001 Baltimore Avenue. The church was full to capacity of worshipers
who joined the Patterson family in celebrating Mom’s home going service. The
Rev. Jay B. Broadnax, Eulogist and the Mt. Pisgah AME Church family including
the Choir and Ushers were there to worship in Spirit and truth.
At the
end of the service the Rev. Joseph D. Patterson and his Brother, Samuel thanked
all who had any part in the preparations for the service and those who were in
attendance.
A
horse-drawn carriage was waiting outside to carry Mom Patterson to her final
resting place. What a sight to see: The
Rev. Eugene McDuffy, waiting outside with trumpet in hand, played "When
the Saints Go marching in."
The
police escort, two beautiful white horses pulling the carriage, white floral
car, three white stretch limousines and many, many cars escorted the remains to
the funeral. People along the route were snapping pictures.
The
name Ida B. Patterson was engraved on the window of the carriage.
At the
graveside, the Funeral Director and his staff sang, and after the releasing of
the doves, they told the story of the significance of the releasing of doves.
How beautiful
it was to see Mom's funeral procession going down Belmont Avenue through
Fairmount Park.
She as
a beautiful woman of God going home; and we bid farewell.
To God
Be the Glory, Amen
12. THE DEATH OF MR.
MIKE LISBY, EDITOR OF THE STAR OF ZION, THE OFFICIAL NEWSPAPER OF THE AME ZION CHURCH:
It is with sadness in my heart that
I must share with you that our ranks as the Association of Black Methodist
General Officers have been broken by death.
We solicit your prayers and support
as we mourn the loss of our colleague, Mr. Mike Lisby, Editor of The Star of
Zion – the official newspaper of the A.M.E. Zion Church.
|
Mr. Michael Lisby, long time
Editor of The Star of Zion, a
publication of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, died April 21,
2012 at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. He is survived by his loving
wife of five years and five months, Addie Lisby, two sons, Michael Pace and
Nigel Lisby and three grandchildren.
Homegoing Services will be held Monday, April 30, 2012:
Greenville Memorial A.M.E. Zion
Church
6116 Monteith Dr.
Charlotte, North Carolina 28213
The Rev.
Dr. Sheldon R. Shipman, pastor
Family Visitation will be at 10:00
a.m. and the funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m.
The Reverend Thelma Gordon, pastor
of Liberty Hill A.M.E. Zion Church, Lake Wylie, South Carolina will officiate
and Bishop Kenneth Monroe, Presiding Prelate of the South Atlantic Episcopal
District of the A.M.E. Zion Church will be the eulogist.
Long and Son Mortuary Service,
2312 Beatties Ford Road in Charlotte, North Carolina is the attending
funeral service.
|
Submitted
by Dr. Mary Love, President of the Association of Black
Methodist General Officers
13. MEDITATION
BASED ON PSALM 139:1-16:
Vice-President
Joe Biden tells the story of how he went to the U.S. Capitol’s Senate Dining
Room as a newly elected, thirty-year old Senator, ordered iced tea and was
thoroughly annoyed when the waiter passed him by a couple of times without
bringing it. He describes how he finally
stopped the waiter, reminded him that he was still waiting for his tea, and
said, “Maybe you don’t know who I am - I’m Senator Joseph Biden from the State
of Delaware!” He got a lesson in humility
when the waiter responded, “Maybe you don’t know who I am - I’m the guy you
have to trust to handle your iced tea.”
Vice-President
Biden’s story is a reminder of the worth of all people. He learned that even in an exclusive and
well-appointed dining facility with world class chefs, the people waiting
tables - who are easily overlooked and sometimes disregarded - still have
essential roles to play. The Honorable
Ernest Finney is a living example of that wonderful truth. When he was a college student, he waited
tables in Columbia’s exclusive Palmetto Club.
Years later, he served around the corner from that private club as the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of South Carolina.
Remember
Vice-President Biden and Chief Justice Finney and their stories in this world,
where we often get sidetracked and frustrated in our quest for success and
peace of mind. We all have a natural
desire to be well regarded and influential and we sometimes fall into the trap
of competing for recognition based on our profession or education or relationships. It’s easy in an unpredictable world that
offers both trials as triumphs to feel that no one cares about us, that what we
do doesn’t matter and to feel alone and inadequate.
When we
realize, however, that we’re creations of a Mighty God, we’ll discover peace of
mind that surpasses what this world has to offer. We’ll find joy in the simple things in life
and do what God has blessed and equipped us to do, knowing that when we serve
and please the Lord, we can hold our heads high, play our special and essential
roles in God’s kingdom and rejoice for new blessings each day.
When we
commit to the work that God has for each of us to do, we can stop chasing this
world’s elusive peace of mind, walk with the God who keeps us in perfect peace
and celebrate not what we’ve done, but what God can do. We’ll do so knowing that praise and plaudits
and prestige in this world can be fleeting and deceptive, but the words of one
writer are true - “Only what you do for Christ will last.”
If you
are in the Charleston, South Carolina area this weekend, join us on the Fifth
Sunday in April for Worship at 10 a.m., when the Young People’s Department will
lead the worship service. The Take Five
Choir and YPD Choir will offer praise and Morris Brown’s own Brother R. Carl
Burch, will be the speaker for the occasion.
Sunday’s
Scripture Lessons are:
Jeremiah
1:4-9
I
Timothy 4:1-12
Luke
24:13-27
The
Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in
Charleston, South Carolina
14.
GENERAL OFFICER FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We announce with regret the passing of Dustin Newton, age 42, on Sunday, April 15, 2012. Brother
Newton is the son of Sister Tommisene Newton and grandson of Sister Bobbie J.
Kelly members of Historic Allen Chapel AME Church, Forth Worth, Texas; Dr.
Sherryl Matlock, Pastor. He is also the nephew of Mrs. Patricia Kelly Ingram,
wife of General Officer, Rev. Dr. Daryl B. Ingram.
The following information has been shared regarding the Homegoing
Celebration for Dustin Newton.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
9:00 to 11:00 a.m. - A time of reflection
Homegoing Service: 11:00 a.m.
Wesley Chapel AME Church
711 NW 29th Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76106
PH: (817) 626-1985
9:00 to 11:00 a.m. - A time of reflection
Homegoing Service: 11:00 a.m.
Wesley Chapel AME Church
711 NW 29th Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76106
PH: (817) 626-1985
The Rev. Darrell Turner, pastor
The Rev. Dr. Daryl B. Ingram, General Officer; eulogist
Interment: Skyvue Memorial Gardens
Services entrusted to:
Angel Wings Funeral Home
5183 Ollie Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76119
Phone: (817) 536-6880
Angel Wings Funeral Home
5183 Ollie Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76119
Phone: (817) 536-6880
Online Guest Book:
Condolences may be sent to:
Sister Tommisene Newton, Mother
& Sister Bobbie J. Kelly, Grandmother
5909 Sycamore Creek Road
Forth Worth, Texas 76134
Phone: (817) 293-5200 (Home)
(817) 614-5170 (Cell)
& Sister Bobbie J. Kelly, Grandmother
5909 Sycamore Creek Road
Forth Worth, Texas 76134
Phone: (817) 293-5200 (Home)
(817) 614-5170 (Cell)
Or to:
Dr. Daryl B. Ingram & Mrs. Patricia Kelly-Ingram
Department of Christian Education
500 8th Avenue South
Suite 207
Nashville, TN 37203
Department of Christian Education
500 8th Avenue South
Suite 207
Nashville, TN 37203
Telephone: (615) 242-1420
Fax :( 615) 726-1866
Email: dingram@ameced.com
Fax :( 615) 726-1866
Email: dingram@ameced.com
15.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Marilyn Halfacre, the mother
of Sister Lesa Halfacre, the Second Vice President of the Connectional Women's
Missionary Society, AME Church. Mrs. Marilyn Halfacre, a Life Member of the
Women's Missionary Society and a former President of the West Tennessee
Conference WMS, passed around midnight last evening.
Funeral services for Mrs. Marilyn Halfacre
Funeral services for Mrs. Marilyn Halfacre, the mother of Sister Lesa
Halfacre, Second Vice President of the Connectional Women's Missionary Society
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church are as follows.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Family Hour: 12:00 Noon
Funeral: 1:00 PM
Saint Andrew AME
867 South Parkway East
Memphis, TN 38106
Phone: (901) 948-3441
Dr. Kenneth S. Robinson, Senior Pastor
Dr. Marilyn S. Robinson, Co-Pastor
Professional Services are entrusted to:
R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home
374 Vance Avenue
Memphis, TN 38126
Phone: (901) 526-3264
Fax: (901) 526-3265
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Ms. Lesa Halfacre
1772 Kingsview Drive
Memphis, TN 38114
Phone: (901) 774-6277
Fax: (901) 946-9835
16.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We prayerfully inform you of the passing of Mrs. Ethel Powell, widow of
the Rev. Otha L. Powell, pastor of Greater St. John AME Church-Chicago from
1989 to 1997. Mrs. Powell served as president of the Fourth Episcopal District
Women's Missionary Society for several years.
Mrs. Powell's Homegoing Service arrangements are as follows:
Wake: Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 10:00 a.m.
Funeral: Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
Location:
Greater St. John AME Church
6201 S. Throop St.
Chicago, IL 60636
Condolences may be sent to Greater St. John AME Church.
17.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
With heartfelt sympathy we inform you of the demise of Mrs. Evelyn Lee,
mother of the Rev. Willie Phillips, Sr., Pastor of Smith Chapel AME
Church-Somerville, Texas.
The following information has been shared regarding Homegoing Celebration
for Sister Evelyn Lee:
Homegoing Celebration: 3:00 P.M. Saturday, April 28, 2012
New Hope Baptist Church
327 E. 3rd Street
Rockdale, Texas 76567
Telephone: (512) 446-5244
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Willie Phillips, Sr., & Family
C/o Smith Chapel AME Church
291 Avenue F
Somerville, Texas 77879
Sister Lee's final earthly care has been entrusted to:
All Families Mortuary
109 North Alamo Street
Hearne, Texas 77859
Phone: (979) 280-5565
18.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We sorrowfully announce the passing of Mrs. Shirley Price, sister of the
Rev. Michael King, Pastor of Greater St. James Temple AME Church-Dallas, Texas.
There will be no Homegoing Celebration at this time. Sister Shirley Price
desired for her remains to be donated for research; however, there will be a
Memorial Service for the immediate family at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to:
Mr. Charles Price (Husband)
3026 South 68th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19142
and/or
The Rev. & Mrs. Michael (Earlean) King
202 Daphne Street
Pittsburg, Texas 75686
Telephone: (903) 856-5476
19.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Jerry Brown, the husband of the Rev.
Sandra Moore Brown, pastor of Union Chapel AME Church, Cambridge, Maryland. He
passed away on Monday, April 23, 2012. Please keep the Rev. Sandra Moore and the
family in prayer.
Service Arrangements for Jerry Brown:
Viewing:
Friday, April 27, 2012
9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.
Bethel AME Church
623 Pine Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
Telephone: (410) 228-2230
Funeral:
Friday, April 27, 2012
11:00 A.M.
Bethel AME Church
623 Pine Street
Cambridge, MD 21613
Telephone: (410) 228-2230
Services are entrusted to:
Henry Funeral Home
510 Washington Street
Cambridge, Maryland 21613
Telephone: (410) 228-8220
Fax: (410) 221-1991
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Sandra Moore Brown
716 Lincoln Terrace
Cambridge, Maryland 21613
Telephone: 410-228-1877
20.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Miguel Shields, the stepson of the
Rev. Jas A. Hemby, pastor of Maxwell Chapel AME Church in Graham, North
Carolina; and nephew of the Rev. Dr. Allonia Hemby Holmes, pastor of Living
Waters AME Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Funeral services for Miguel Shields have been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Jas A. Hemby (Irene)
3308 Cedar Spring Drive
Raleigh, NC 27603
Home 919-749-8053
The Rev. Dr. Allonia Hemby Holmes (James)
112 Gwinnett Place
Cary, NC 27518
Home 919-852-2337
21.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Mary L. Brown, the mother of
Sister Patricia Turk, the mother-in-law of the Rev. D. Albert Turk, pastor at
Emanuel AMEC in New York City.
The following information has been provided regarding funeral
arrangements.
Viewing and Funeral, Friday, April 27, 2012
Viewing - 10:00 a.m.
Funeral - 11:00 a.m.
Greenidge Funeral Home Inc.
301 Absecon Blvd
Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401
Phone: 609-345-6305
The Rev. D. Albert Turk, Officiating
Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to:
Greenidge Funeral Home
See information above
Or
The Rev. & Mrs. D. Albert Turk
129 Meadow Lane
Marlton, NJ 08053
Please keep the family in your prayers.
Dolores M. Clinton
1st Episcopal District - AMEC
Phone: 215-662-0506
Fax: 215-662-0199
22.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Jesse Hampton, brother of
Evangelist John Hampton and brother-in-law of the Rev. Bobette Hampton, Pastor
of Fresh Fire AME Church, Kalamazoo, MI.
Services for Mr. Jesse Hampton are as follows:
Family Hour and Viewing:
Thursday, April 27, 2012
5:00 - 7:00 PM
Harper Funeral Home
521 Douglass Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Phone: (269) 342-4192
Fax: (269) 342-0634
Homegoing Celebration:
Friday, April 28, 2012
11:00 o'clock AM
Fresh Fire AME Church
The Rev. Bobette Hampton, pastor
2508 Gull Road
Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Telephone: (269) 381-8050
Expressions of condolences may be sent to the church or to:
Evangelist John and Pastor Bobette Hampton
6330 East 'D' Avenue
Richland, MI 49083
Phone: (269) 629-8087
23.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with regret that we announce the passing of Heidi Farmer-Drew, the
daughter of the late Rev. Sylvia Farmer-Drew and the Rev. Loy C. Drew, 5th
Episcopal District.
Homegoing services for Heidi Farmer-Drew will be held at 1:00 p.m. on
Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Saint Paul AME Church, 1756 N. Piatt Street,
Wichita, Kansas with the Rev. Steven Shepard officiating. The Rev. Lincoln
Montgomery, the pastor of Tabernacle Bible Church in Wichita, Kansas will be
the Eulogist.
Please send condolences, sympathy cards and resolutions to Jackson
Mortuary, 1125 East 13th Street, Wichita, Kansas 67214. Phone: 316-262-5431.
Fax: 316-262-6038. Email: jmortuary@aol.com
Visit the World Wide Web at:
http://www.thejacksonmortuary.com/sitemaker/sites/Jackso1/obit.cgi?user=611666FarmerDrew - Online Guest Book.
24. 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
25. 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.
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
25. 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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