Bishop
T. Larry Kirkland - Chair, Commission on Publications
The
Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The
Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – WE CAN
LEARN FROM EACH OTHER’S PET PEEVES:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I read a post on “A.M.E.
Church Members Connecting Around the World” by the Rev. Jacquie Warren
Wilson in which she said that one of her pet peeves was hearing AMEs sing the
Offertory wrong. She pointed out that she hears parishioners sing, "All things come of Thee O Lord, and of Thine
own as we given Thee."
Her comment hit me “between the eyes,” because I stand guilty as
charged. I have been singing it that way for as long as I can remember.
After reading the Rev. Jacquie Warren Wilson's comment, I sang
the Offertory and sure enough, I am one of those persons who sing, or used to
before reading the post, "All things
come of Thee O Lord, and of Thine own as we given Thee."
I felt about as dumb-founded when I read Rev. Wilson’s post as I
felt in 2009 when Ms. Carol A. Bowie, the Director of Lay Activities at Oak Grove
AME Church in Detroit, Michigan pointed out that “grievous” in the General
Confession was a two syllable word. I had always pronounced “grievous,” and had
always heard it pronounced, with three syllables.
I still
hear parishioners, preachers, and even bishops across the AME connection
enunciating “grievously,” as a four
syllable word instead of correctly pronouncing the word as a three syllable
word.
Bad habits are hard to break
“Have,” not “as”
I went to the 1954 AME
Hymnal, the hymnal I grew up with, and the Rev. Jacquie Warren Wilson is
absolutely correct, the correct phrase of the hymn is, “All things come of Thee, O Lord; and of Thine own HAVE we given Thee.
Amen."
I am a bit embarrassed because I have been singing the Offertory
with the word, “as” instead of the correct word, “have,” and probably have been
doing so for years; and I suspect that I am not the only one.
The Rev. Jacquie Warren Wilson’s pet peeve is a legitimate one.
And, while we are on pet peeves, I
have a couple of pet peeves
The
definition of “henceforth” means, “from now on.” It is redundant to end a benediction with,
“Now, henceforth and forevermore.”
More
appropriate benediction endings might be, "Both now and forevermore," “Now and always,” “From this time forth
and forever,” “From henceforth and for ever,” “Now and forever, “ Henceforth
and forever,” “From now and unto eternity,” and “From this time forth and for evermore” based on different biblical
translations of Psalm 131:3.
And, of
course, the Apostolic Benediction is always appropriate: “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you
faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise
God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and
forever. Amen.” Jude 1:24-25
Another pet peeve
Cherub. Another common
mistake is putting an “s” on the plural word of cherubim, which is plural. Cherub is the
singular of “cherubim.”
Seraphim - a word that gives new
preachers trouble; can be used in the plural or singular. The plural of “seraphim”
does not take an “s.”
Sometimes
seraph may be used as the singular of seraphim
and seraphs may be used as the plural of seraph. The term,
Seraphim, does not require an “s” to make it plural.
Don’t cut out part of the
message
It is obvious that some pastors and some musicians have not
understood the appropriate use of hymns or gospel songs in worship. I suspect that there are some pastors who
have never sung all of the stanzas of any hymn.
I have heard pastors, and have done so myself, instruct the congregation
to sing the 1st, 2nd and 4th stanzas.
For some hymns that might be appropriate, but not for all hymns
and it is important for pastors and music directors to know the difference when
it is appropriate to skip a stanza. And, please do not confuse stanzas and
verses, but that’s another editorial.
The Difference
When one reads a novel, he or she does not skip chapters because
if he or she did so, it might make the storyline unintelligible. The same
principle can be applied to certain hymns that tell complete story.
When I read the comic strips, I don’t read all of them; I pick
and choose which comic strips to read because each comic strip has its own
message. I can skip over the ones I don’t want to read.
When I read a news article, I have to read the entire article; I
don’t skip over paragraphs because if I did, I would not fully understand the
article.
Some hymns stanzas tells
a complete story
It might be appropriate to skip a stanza when each stanza tells
a complete story. “Amazing Grace” is
such a hymn, each stanza tells a complete story.
The hymn, “I Know the Lord’s laid His Hands on me” is another
hymn in which each stanza tells a story.
Some hymns are written to
tell one story
Other hymns tell one story and worshippers have to sing the
entire hymn to get the complete message.
It is not appropriate to skip stanzas in the hymn, “The Church’s One Foundation” because
each stanza is a chapter and together the chapters tell a story. Skipping a
stanza would be like skipping a chapter in a book. “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” is another hymn that all the
stanzas should be sung.
“Let the Church say ‘Amen’”
The AME Church has historically sung the Doxology at the
beginning and at the end of worship as a way to affirm the Trinity. Trinitarian denominations almost always
include “Amen” when hymns end in a Trinitarian or Doxological verse.
Another pet peeve
I do not understand why many of our churches omit the “Amen”
when the Doxology is sung at the beginning of worship. I believe that we should
affirm “Praise God, from Whom all
blessings flow; Praise Him, all creatures here below; Praise Him above, ye
heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost” by including “Amen”
because “Amen” is an expression of concurrence or assent.
“Amen” is a term used in response to a religious statement and
is always an appropriate ending of prayers. To say, "Amen" is to
express strong approval of, or support for religious statements or expressions.
“Amen” simply means, “So be it” and “I agree.”
Historically, the “Amen” at the end of hymns was decided by each
denomination. Some denominations have had hymnbooks without “Amens.” and other
hymnals included “Amens.” The AME
Church Hymnal has some hymns with “Amen” and other hymns without “Amen.”
I can understand why a hymn as, “Farther Along” would not end with an “Amen” because that hymn provides
information and raises questions. The
hymn, “Get right with God” does not
have an “Amen” because it’s telling us to “get right with God” and it’s
conveying a warning.
“Amen” is appropriate for doxological hymns, and appropriate for
praise, assurance, and hope.
I have not done a formal study but my anecdotal observation is
that every sacramental denomination affirms all doxological hymns with. “Amen.”
One more pet peeve
In the AMEC Hymnal, The Book of Disciple of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church 2008, the
AMEC Book of Worship and printed church bulletins, the bold print in the
liturgy always indicates that the bolded text is to be read by the people and
the unbolded text is read by the worship leader.
The Prayer of Thanksgiving
in the Communion liturgy is bolded in the AMEC Hymnal, which indicates that the
people and clergy read the Prayer of Thanksgiving in unison.
In AME Churches the Lord’s Prayer is usually prayed in unison or
sung, yet The Discipline instructs
the elder to pray the Lord’s Prayer. Actually, The Discipline says, “Then
the elder say the Lord’s Prayer.”
I was always taught, and it made sense to me that we “pray” the Lord’s
Prayer.
The AMEC Book of Worship
rubric says, “Then the Minister and the people pray in unison,” but the print
is unbolded.
It’s time to get all of the worship liturgy materials
consolidated.
I want to thank the Rev. Jacquie Warren Wilson for posting her
pet peeve on the “A.M.E. Church Members
Connecting Around the World” FaceBook website.
One more thing
Some people struggle with negative FaceBook postings, but the
reality is that people have to have a safe place to vent and technology is here
to stay. No matter how negative a posting, it’s better than anonymous letters.
I see some far-out comments on FaceBook,
but I also see a lot of good, constructive comments on FaceBook. I have also seen some enlightening discussions on FaceBook and that’s a positive.
I am willing to keep my mind open and learn and I learned
something this week – “All things come of
Thee, O Lord; and of Thine own HAVE we given Thee." Amen.”
2. INFORMATION ABOUT THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
CAN BE ACCESSED ON THE OFFICIAL AME CHURCH WEBSITE:
Visit the AME Church Official Website http://www.ame-church.com/ to read the
Minutes, proposed Legislations, etc. of the General Conference. Delegates, Observers, and visitors are
invited to fill out the General Conference evaluation document online.
You can view all of the information about the 49th
Quadrennial Session of the General Conference by going to http://www.ame-church.com/. Everything is
located on the AMEC Official Website: http://www.ame-church.com/
3. GENERAL CONFERENCE DESIGNATES AME-INDIA A PART OF THE 4TH
EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
The
General Conference added AME India to the 4th Episcopal District.
Bishop John R. Bryant, AMEC Senior Bishop is the Presiding Prelate of the 4th
Episcopal District.
4. AME
GENERAL CONFERENCE CUTS 3% SALARY CUTS FOR BISHOPS AND GENERAL OFFICERS:
In addition to the salary cuts, the Connectional Office’s budgets were
also cut 5.49%. According to Mrs. Jackie Dupont Walker who said, “We will do
what is necessary to "make bricks without straws" because of the
importance of the work and the commitment made to fulfill the mission of
African Methodism.”
5. TCR ERROR CORRECTION:
The front
page article in the July 9, 2012 print edition of The Christian Recorder had a typographical error, which reported
that Bishop Clement W. Fugh’s tenure as General Secretary/Chief Information
Officer ended on Wednesday July 27th. Bishop Fugh ended his tenure as General
Secretary/Chief Information Officer ended on Wednesday June 27th.
6. AME
CHURCH URGES NATION TO UNITE AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE:
(Los
Angeles) The
African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) joins with the entire nation and the global
community in expressing our sympathy, and lifting our prayers for those who
were tragically and senselessly killed and wounded in the shooting last night
at the Century 16 Movie Theatre in Aurora, Colorado. “Words alone cannot express the depth
of our pain and our compassion for each victim, their families, those who
witnessed the carnage, and the stunned Aurora community, declares Bishop Samuel
Lawrence Green, Sr., President of the Council of Bishops. “At this time none of
us are strangers, but children of God who need and seek God’s love and
comfort for healing, comfort, and peace of mind. We stand readily available to minister
to those who have been victimized. If we've ever needed the Lord before;
we surely need him now. We also lift up prayers for James Holmes (the
perpetrator of this mass murder). Although we believe in redemption for every
misguided soul; we also believe in justice," proclaims Bishop Theodore
Larry Kirkland, Sr., Presiding Bishop of the 5th Episcopal District
which includes the state of Colorado.
“As we lift
all who are impacted in prayer, we also call upon the leadership of our nation
and state governments to take action to curb the increasing violence, hurt and
death which is being caused by our failure to enact gun control legislation,”
asserts Bishop Reginald Thomas Jackson, chair of the Social Action Commission.
“Today’s tragedy is more evidence that gun violence is out of control,” says
Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr., President of the General Board of the
AME Church.
We have
heard the retort of the gun lobby that guns don’t kill people, but guns are in
the hands of people. Gun laws have become so lax that it is easier to get a gun
than it is to get a driver’s license. Often individuals can get as many guns as
they want with very lax if any background checks. “The African Methodist
Episcopal Church does not question the right to bear arms, but we also believe
that there must be some checks and balances to ensure that guns are not in the
hands of persons who are a danger to themselves and others”, adds Bishop John
Richard Bryant, Senior Bishop.
The African
Methodist Episcopal Church calls upon the candidates of both parties to lay
before the nation their position as it relates to passing again the Assault
Weapons Ban, and other gun control measures, and we call upon the Congress and
state governors and legislatures to act in a bipartisan manner on gun control.
“We also call upon other church communions, civic groups and national
organizations to join with Faiths United Against Gun Violence in speaking out
and acting on this issue,” concludes the Social Action Director, Jacquelyn
Dupont-Walker. Daily, in our local communities, we experience maiming and
murders from gun violence. On April 20, 1999, the Columbine senseless
shootings took 12 lives and left 26 wounded. Exactly 13 years and 3
months later, the Aurora shootings create a new record of mass deaths by gun
violence. How many tragedies does our nation have to endure, before we
act on controlling the violence, injury and death caused by the increase and
use of guns in our nation?
July 21,
2012
Bishop Reginald
T. Jackson, Chair, AMEC Social Action Commission
Jacquelyn
Dupont-Walker, Social Action Director
7. KUDOS
FROM THE SOCIAL ACTION COMMISSION AND THE REMINDER TO REGISTER AND VOTE:
Thank you to The Christian Recorder for the
re-cap of the General Conference. I'd also like to add thanks to you for
your teamwork with the Social Action Commission to response to, and quickly
convey messages of importance to our Church's ministry in the U.S.A. and to the
world - especially the Letter to the U.S. House of Representative reference
Attorney General Eric Holder, the response re the AME Church and President
Obama, and the Resolution reference the Urgent Need to Conduct Voter Education,
Mobilization and Registration drives in the upcoming months (Operation EMR).
The attention to these matters by the 49th
Session of the General Conference was unprecedented. We did NOT forget
that our voice was needed for the good of humanity. We were mindful that
injustice anywhere must be addressed without hesitation. And we
recommitted ourselves to legacy work - helping the people to empower
themselves.
As we think about the global nature of our
ministry work and the whole kingdom of God, I also remember the Ecumenical
Service with the broad representation from other Christian faith bodies and
fellow communions along with the convicting sermon by Dr. Ivan Abrahams,
General Secretary for the World Methodist Council. The diversity of
representation signaled the level of respect that the AME Church has among
sister communications and faith bodies, especially the work our Ecumenical
Officer, Bishop John White. The attendance of the delegation showed our church
membership's appreciation of the whole body of Christ and the importance of the
ecumenical work. The challenges from his sermon gave all of us a new
"prayer" for the tasks and new ministry opportunities that face us.
On behalf of the Social Action Commission, the
opportunity to serve as the AME Church's representative on the General Board on
Church and Society of the United Methodist Church was not only a chance for
fellowship but to access resources that undergirded the work of the Commission.
With their fully staffed office, I could access their research, be invited to
dialogue on important issues and engage the AME Church, in many instances was
the only historically Black denomination, in places where our voices have been
silent or missing.
Finally, the work of Operation EMR has begun.
Please visit the Social Action Commission's website at www.ame-sac.com.
The Operation EMR Guide can be downloaded. Other resource
information, especially from VESSELS is available. YOU CAN REGISTER TO
VOTE online, no matter where you live. Visit the website regularly because we
update it on a regular basis.
Thanks and be well!!
Sistah "Jackie"
Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Director
Social Action Commission
8. THE 49TH QUADRENNIAL SESSION OF
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE AME ZION CHURCH:
The 49th
Quadrennial Session of the AME Zion General Conference met in Charlotte, North
Carolina - JULY 18-24, 2012,
The following Bishops retired:
Senior Bishop
George W.C. Walker, Sr.
Bishop S. Chuka Ekemam
Bishop Warren A.
Brown
Three Bishops elected
Bishop W. Darrin
Moore (Greater Centennial, Mt. Vernon, NY)
Bishop Seth O.
Lartey (Golen Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church in the Piedmont Episcopal District).
Bishop Michael A.
Frencher (Trinity, Greensboro)
Episcopal Assignments
Piedmont (Western
North Carolina): Bishop George E. Battle, Jr.
Mid-Atlantic I:
Bishop Louis Hunter, Sr.
Mid-Atlantic II: Bishop Richard
K. Thompson
North Eastern (New England, New York):
Bishop Roy A. Holmes
Eastern North
Carolina (also contains
Eastern Tennessee): Bishop James McCoy
South Atlantic (South Carolina and
Georgia): Bishop Kenneth Monroe
Midwest (Michigan, Illinois, Kentucky and Middle
Tennessee): Bishop Darryl B. Starnes
Alabama / Florida: Bishop Dennis
Proctor
Southwestern
Delta (Texas, Arkansas,
Oklahoma, Mississippi and Western Tennessee): Bishop Mildred Hines
Western (California, Alaska,
Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Arizona): Bishop W. Darrin Moore
Western West
Africa (Liberia, Ghana,
Togo and Cote d'Ivoire): Bishop Seth Lartey
Eastern West
Africa (Nigeria):
Bishop Michael Frencher
The AME delegation in attendance at the AMEZ
General Conference included:
Senior Bishop John R. Bryant, Presiding Prelate of the 4th
Episcopal District who delivered greetings at the AMEZ
General Conference Opening Night Ecumenical Service.
Bishop John
Franklin White, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the 18th Episcopal
District who served as the AMEC Ecumenical Officer 2008 - 2012
Daryl Ingram,
AMEC Executive Director of Christian Education
Presiding Elder Albert
Tyson, III (4th Episcopal District)
Mr. Bobby Rankin
(2nd Episcopal District)
Mr. John Thomas
III also attended on behalf of the World Methodist Council.
Keynote addresses
were given by Representative James Clyburn and United States Trade Representative
Ron Kirk.
**Submitted
by Mr. John Thomas III
9.
DISPOSITION OF THE 2012 GENERAL CONFERENCE BILLS
Report
submitted by Mrs. Starr Battle, Corresponding Secretary-CLO
At the 2012
AME General Conference, 4 of the 9 Connectional Lay Organization Sponsored
Bills, the CLO Constitution and By-Laws and the Resolution concerning the
District Budgets passed.
CSO-12-01 AME Women in Ministry By-Laws -PASSED
CSO-12-02 Constitution and By-Laws of Christian Debutante Master
Commission - PASSED
CSO-12-03 MCAM Constitution and By Laws, 2012-2016 - PASSED
CSO-12-04 Sons of Allen: General Conference, Annual Conference,
District Conference, Quarterly Conference Composition - PASSED
CSO-12-05 The Connectional Lay Organization of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church - PASSED
CSO-12-06 The Connectional Lay Organization of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church Constitution and By-Laws – Revised and Passed
CSO-12-07 Women in Ministry By-Laws 2012 – Final - PASSED
CSO-12-08 WMS Constitution and By-Laws – Amended - PASSED
IC-04-02 Correction
to Deed Form for Real Property - PASSED
IC-04-03 Local
Church Property – Transfer of Property - PASSED
CM-05-01 Admission
into the Church - PASSED
CM-05-02 Admission
into the Church (Full Membership) - PASSED
CM-05-03 Admission
into the Church (preparation for membership - PASSED
CM-05-04 Advancement
from Membership to Discipleship in the AME Church w/ revision - PASSED
Lay Organization Sponsored
CM-05-06 Deaconesses
- PASSED
CM-05-06 Growing
the local AME Church School - PASSED
MN-06-01 Admission
Policy for Itinerant Ministry - PASSED
MN-06-04 Clarification
of Authority of Active Bishops Section III (D) 16 to provide that all Issues
Related to Clergy Sexual Misconduct Complaints are Governed by the Clergy
Sexual Misconduct Policy - PASSED
MN-06-07 Consequences
of Failure to Accept a Pastoral Appointment - FAILED
MN-06-09 Distribution
of AMEC Ministerial Retirement Annuity Plan Benefits -PASSED
MN-06-10 Inventory
of AME Church Property and Asset Management w/amendment - PASSED
Lay Organization Sponsored
MN-06-16 Minister’s
Bill of Rights – Housing - PASSED
MN-06-17 Minister’s
Bill of Rights – 1
MN-06-19 Minister’s
Bill of Rights – Notice of Change w/ revision - PASSED
MN-06-20 Notarized
Statement Regarding Surrender of Ministerial Orders - PASSED
MN-06-24 Presiding
Elder Administrative Function - DELETED
MN-06-25 Presiding
Elder District Budget - PASSED
Lay Organization Sponsored
MN-06-26 Retirement
of Ministers in the AME Church - PASSED
GD-07-05 Duties
of an Active Bishop - PASSED
GD-07-10 Special
One time Assignment of Overseas Bishop - FAILED
GD-07-13 Voting
Privileges of Retired Bishops in the Council of Bishops, General Board and
General Conference. - PASSED
CDG-08-05 Ministerial Efficiency - Deleted? Or Failed
CC-09-01
(Captive Insurance) - FAILED
CC-09-03 Application
Requirements for Ecclesiastical Endorsement w/revision - PASSED
CC-09-04 To
Amend the Chaplains Delegation to the General Conference - FAILED
CC-09-06:
Clarifying the Usage of youth and Young Adults - PASSED
CC-09-07 Commission
on Higher Education - PASSED
CC-09-09 Election
of the General Secretary w/revisions - PASSED
CC-09-11 Enforcement
of Conference Attendance by Chaplains w/amendment - PASSED
CC-09-15:
Inclusion of Young Adult Clergy in the General Conference - PASSED
CC-09-17 Membership
on the Episcopal District Budget Committee - PASSED
Lay Organization Sponsored
CC-09-22:
Representation of Young Adults on Connectional Boards and Commissions - PASSED
CC-09-25 The
Annual Conference Board of Trustees - PASSED
CC-09-27 Grant
a Vote to the Director of Social Action - FAILED
CC-09-28 The
Quarterly Conference Composition - PASSED
GDC-11-01 Episcopal District Development Budgets for Districts
14-20 - PASSED
GDC-11-04 The H.B. Senatle AME Church Center - PASSED
JA-12-01 Clergy
Sexual Misconduct—I - PASSED
JA-12-04 Clergy
Sexual Misconduct—IV w/ revision - PASSED
JA-12-05 Clergy
Sexual Misconduct—V - PASSED
JA-12-08 Zero
Tolerance on Domestic Violence - PASSED
JA-12-09 Guiding
Principles to Consider whether a Clergy Person, Bishop, Lay Person Should be
Temporarily Suspended after a Sexual Misconduct Complaint is Filed - PASSED
JA-12-10 On
Divorce - DELETED
JA-12-11 Referencing
Judicial Council Decision in The
Discipline - PASSED
JA-12-12 Rescinding
Temporary suspension of Clergy Person if Clergy Sexual Misconduct Complaint if
not Referred to Trial - PASSED
JA-12-14
The Judicial
Council Duties - PASSED
Reprinted
from the Connectional Lay Organization
Online
Bishop
William Phillips DeVeaux Sr, Lay Commission Chairman
Dr. Willie
C. Glover, President of the Connectional Lay Organization
Mrs. Eileen
S. Warner, CLO Online Administrator
10. THE 8TH ANNUAL ST. PAUL MINNEAPOLIS DISTRICT CONFERENCE
By Charles
Hallman, District reporter, Wayman AME, Minneapolis
The eighth
annual St. Paul Minneapolis District Conference hosted at Payne Memorial AME,
Waterloo Iowa (June 19-22) was a four-day spiritual synchrony of preaching and
teaching.
It began
when the Rev. Stacey Smith (Minneapolis) spiritually asked the attendees what
is the purpose of their being at the conference as she began her sermon during
the opening worship service. “God don’t
want religion but a relationship with Him,” says Smith. “He wants you to come and adore him because
He is God.”
Smith’s
sermon was titled, “A Christmas story in a time like this” and she used Luke
2:15-20 and Esther 4:13-14 as her text.
The
shepherds’ visit to the manger was “the first district conference,” notes Smith.
“We should come expecting God to show up and show out . . . and leave here with
a blessing.”
Everyone –
clergy and laity has a role to help build the church, the preacher
continues. “If you want to see your
church grow, members stop talking about your pastors. Pastors stop talking about your members – God
says pray for your church and your members.”
Smith says
that we underestimate God: “Dream big –
our dreams are too small. God has done a
new thing, and we can dare to dream big . . . because there is nothing too big
for the great I AM.”
St. Paul
Minneapolis District Presiding Elder Alphonse Reff later told the conference
attendees at the evening’s Holy Communion service that there is too much
“immature sins” in the church. “Immaturity
is not accepted by God. You got some
spiritual growing up to do,” he preached on Ephesians 4: 14-16. “God wants you to grow up.”
The
presiding elder added that a lot of Christians “are out of position and can’t
grow. You have to be in position” in
order to receive God, who has developed “a growth plan” for each of us. You better let God tell you how to grow
up. Let God mature you.
“Grow up in
God because God wants you to grow up.
This is the time to grow up,” he concludes.
The Rev.
Carolyn Stevenson, pastor of Coppin AME (Fort Dodge, Iowa) boldly told the
church during her Hour of Power sermon on the conference’s second day, “The
body of Christ needs to be in unity with each other. Why we are, and where we are in Christ – God
is asking for unity. If there be one God
then we who serve Him needs to be one.”
Stevenson
stressed, “Spiritual unity isn’t based on doctrine,” which Stevenson compared
to the wind. “The only thing that
doctrine does is blow people in different directions. God doesn’t even have a
long list of doctoral demands – His demands are simple.
“Are we in
unity?” she asked. “No! Churches are not in unity with each
other. People are not in unity with each
other. Families are not in unity with
each other.” When it comes to our
churches, “We rather be divided than (be) united,” preferring instead to have
more “little chiefs . . . It is not about us but Him.”
The Devil
uses our differences to divide us,” says Stevenson. “We need to fight for unity and not let the
Devil use our differences to keep us apart.
We need each other – we need to enter the oneness that Jesus wants us
to. We live in a world to win. There are souls to win. We can win anything with Jesus.
“We are
joined together by God and held together by one another,” concludes
Stevenson. “God is still asking us to be
unified with one another . . . and with Christ, the Savior of the World.”
Mount
Carmel Baptist Church (Waterloo) Pastor Frantz Whitfield spoke from Romans 12:1
at the laymen service that concluded the second day’s evening service.
The Rev.
Whitfield preached that we haven’t given everything to God. “All of us have shortchanged God. God wants all you have – He doesn’t want just
a piece of you but all of your living.
He wants your worship, your praise and service.
“Worship
and church is not for us but for God.
God gets the glory and praise and the honor in this place,” he
continues. “Worship and service ought to
make sense. Whatever you’re doing and
you call it service, it’s not enough. A
reasonable service is when you praise God anyhow. Can you give God praise even when you can’t
see why?
“Since you
got something from God, you should give something to God. God sent a living sacrifice – Jesus to save
us, to heal . . . and raise the dead; to preach good news to the poor,”
concludes the pastor.
“You and I
are asked to be in an eternal race that has no starting block,” preached Rev.
Marchelle Hallman, pastor of St. James, Minneapolis during the annual Women in
Ministry service which closed the conference.
Titled
“Running the Race” (Philippians 3: 12-14), “I’ve had some false starts” in her
race, admits Hallman. “We can be
forgiven no matter how many times we fail.
It is important for us that the Spirit is telling us that we are asked
to be better than we have been.”
Although we are in a race, “When you get to the finish line . . . God
will call you back to reach for someone else,” she concludes.
Staying in
Elder Reff’s “educated pulpit, educated pew” philosophy, this year’s conference
also included several well-informative workshops.
“I know
people don’t look at Jesus . . . as a CEO,” taught Melvin Tennant (Wayman,
Minneapolis) in “Team Leadership in Ministry.”
As he asked everyone in the workshop to briefly share examples of
leadership, “We have (other) leadership examples in our lives,” notes
Tennant. He concluded that church work
can’t be done alone.
“God
created us to work and live in teams,” he points out.
“We need
help with our finances,” says host pastor Rev. Steve Perkins as he introduced
Maurice Holloman’s church finances workshop.
He reminded that ministers don’t run the church finances: “The pastor and the stewards have to work
together. That’s the only way the church
can grow and be successful.”
Kerry
Felder (St. James, Minneapolis), a Neighborhood Organized for Change community
organizer urged the church to be more involved in their communities. She suggests that word-of-mouth is the best
way to start a movement.
“We have to
go out and find them,” continues Felder.
“I am not afraid to go out by myself, but I come back with more.”
Responding
to Felder’s presentation, “The AME Church has to do a better job in connecting
our people” with community concerns, believes the Rev. William Smith, pastor of
Lily of the Valley (Apple Valley, Minn.).
St. Peter’s (Minneapolis) Pastor Toussaint Cheatom added, “We were an
active people – now we are a reactive people.”
He also points out that the church must work to meet people’s needs,
whether they are church members or not.
“People want to know how are you’re going to help me today,” he
surmises.
Cheatom
strongly suggests that no matter how frustrating it can be, “We have to keep
doing it. We got to go to them – they
are not going to come to us just because we are the AME Church.”
This also
was the second combined District Conference and Sunday School Convention.
The youth
conducted the week’s final worship service.
They sang, danced and spoke.
Thirteen-year-old
Tarik Cherry (Payne Memorial, Waterloo) gave a brief but inspiring
message. He admitted that he is working
on not getting angry too quickly. Using
Isaiah 43:19 – the conference’s overall theme, “This scripture means to me that
God will make a way and will work miracles,” explains Cherry. “I know if God can make a new way for me, He
can make one for you, too.”
“You did an
excellent job,” praised Presiding Elder Reff as he stood beside the young man
to offer the invitation to Christian discipleship.
Finally,
the elder predicted before the conference that all who attended “will learn
more about who we are and what we believe and why.” By all accounts, his prediction rang true.
11. LET’S TALK ABOUT TAXES … AND
POVERTY
By Bishop
Don DiXon Williams
July 17,
2012
If you have
been anywhere near a television, newspaper, radio, or computer screen in the
past year, you are sure to have heard some of the debates over tax cuts for the
middle-class versus wealthy Americans. The discussions have become ever-present
in the media as the November presidential election nears. Often absent from
these discussions, however, is any mention of programs that support hungry and
poor people—namely tax credits for working families.
On July 9,
2012, President Obama urged Congress to extend the Bush-era tax cuts for the
middle class and small business owners who make less than $250,000 for another
year, also calling on members to allow tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans to
expire by the end of the year. During his speech, he reaffirmed his commitment
to strengthening the middle class, stating that we need to “widen the circle of
opportunity” for the middle class.
Coincidentally,
since early 2011, Bread for the World and other organizations have urged
Congress and the Obama administration to “create a circle of protection” around
programs vital to hungry and poor people in the United States and around the world.
Bread has long supported certain tax cuts and credits—such as the Earned Income
Tax Credit (EITC) and the Child Tax Credit (CTC)—as long as hungry and poor
people are included.
Bread’s
2012 Offering of Letters includes support for tax credits for working families.
A series of tax cuts will expire at the end of 2012, including the EITC and the
CTC—two provisions that are critical for low-income working families. The EITC
is a refundable tax credit that supplements the wages of low-income workers. In
2010, this credit lifted 5.4 million people out of poverty—including 3 million
children. The CTC is available for children under age 17 to families earning at
least $3,000, and provides financial support for working families with
children. In 2009, the CTC lifted 2.3 million people, including 1.3 million
children, out of poverty.
There are
currently more than 46 million Americans living below the poverty
line—including 10.7 million employed Americans! When times get tough in
low-income households, the food budget is usually the first thing families cut.
Measures such as these tax credits ensure working families can support
themselves.
Particularly
in this economy, we understand the importance of continuing the tax cuts for
the middle class, but we must also protect programs that effectively address
hunger and poverty, such as the EITC, the CTC, and other safety nets.
Unfortunately, these programs—and the people they impact—are often left out of
the conversation.
No matter
which candidate you support in November, we urge you to keep hungry and poor
people—and the programs that support them—at the top of your mind. Your voice
can make a difference. For more information, please visit www.bread.org/ol.
Bishop Don
DiXon Williams is racial/ethnic outreach associate at Bread for the World, and
sits on the board of bishops of the United Church of Jesus Christ, Baltimore,
MD.
12. NAEP TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - TEMPORARY JOB OPPORTUNITIES: ASSESSMENT
ADMINISTRATORS:
Attached
are short print ad and a long print ad about the temporary NAEP employment
opportunity and a long web ad that could be widely circulated. Also attached
are the Assessment Administrator job description and a job flyer.
Temporary
Job Opportunities: Assessment Administrators
We are
seeking motivated individuals, who are committed to excellence and are
experienced in working with primary and secondary school students. Westat is
recruiting for the 2013 National
Assessment of Educational Progress, also known as NAEP or The Nation’s Report Card, for the National Center for Education Statistics, which is part of the U.S. Department of Education. The
position involves conducting assessment sessions with 4th-, 8th-, and
12th-grade students in participating schools across the country. Each session
lasts approximately 90 minutes, and involves about 30 students. You will work
on a team but will conduct some sessions alone. This opportunity is ideal for
retired educators.
Your duties
will include:
- Preparing
assessment materials and assessment locations,
- Checking
student attendance,
- Reading
directions aloud to the students from a prepared script,
- Monitoring
the sessions,
- Answering
student questions using prepared guidelines,
- Collecting
completed assessment materials, and
- Preparing
completed materials for shipping.
Westat
provides complete paid training for all job responsibilities, paid time and
mileage reimbursement for local driving to and from schools, weekly paychecks
with direct deposit available, and opportunities for advancement based on
performance.
Qualified
applicants should:
- Be fluent
in English (persons speaking fluent English and Spanish are encouraged to
apply),
- Be
detail-oriented,
- Have the
ability to work effectively on a diverse team,
- Be able to
work with students in a classroom setting,
- Be willing
to submit fingerprints for a required FBI background check,
- Have the
ability to lift a box weighing 15 pounds and carry it up the stairs with or
without a reasonable accommodation,
- Have a
valid (current) driver’s license that is not under suspension and regular
access to an insured, reliable vehicle in order to travel to and from schools,
- Be
available to work 20 to 30 hours a week, during daytime hours from January 28
to March 8, 2013, and
- Be
available to attend a local one-day training between January 2 and January 25,
2013.
This
opportunity is a part-time, temporary position with limited benefits. To apply
for this position, visit our website at www.westat.com/CAREERS
and select "Search Field Data Collection Jobs." Search for your
state, find the
NAEP
Assessment Administrator position and select the "apply to job"
button. For more information e-mail NAEPrecruit@westat.com
or call 1-888-237-8036.
Interested
applicants are invited to apply.
While we
are hiring all across the United States, the specific states that I am
responsible for are Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Linda
Rinker
NAEP Field Manager
NAEP Field Manager
Home/Office:
501-982-1494
Cell: 501-343-4654
TN #: 423-725-2256
LindaRinker@naepmail.westat.com
Cell: 501-343-4654
TN #: 423-725-2256
LindaRinker@naepmail.westat.com
13. THE REVEREND TERRI “LYNN STRONG
CD - IT WAS HIS HEART:
The Rev.
Terri “Lynn Strong” ministers in song as a gospel music artist and writer from
Memphis, Tennessee. She is not new to ministry or to the music world. She has
been an intercessor since age seven and has been writing and composing gospel
songs since she was 12 years old.
The Rev.
Terri “Lynn Strong” has an eclectic
style of traditional, contemporary and jazzy gospel music that she has
perfected, having sung with her church choir and one of the greatest community
choirs, the Memphis Community Singers, under the leadership of Minister David
Flagg. It has often been said that jazz is an open-ended music designed for
those with open minds; and approaching with such a mindset is the best way to
receive her jazzy gospel style.
The Rev.
Strong is a life-long AME and is an Itinerant Elder in the 13th Episcopal
District under the leadership of Presiding Elder Linda Martin and Bishop
Jeffery N. Leath.
The Rev.
Terri “Lynn Strong” hopes the songs of inspiration will travel throughout the
world connection.
The
CD, “It Was His Heart,” features songs,
which will humble hearts; “Audacity of Hope,” which dares one to hope when all
hope seems lost; I Believe,” which encourages listeners to see the glass
half-full; and of course a traditional hymn of the church, “Only What You Do
for Christ Will Last.” This album is sure to touch spirits and offer something
that every fan of gospel music will enjoy.
The songs
contained on the album, with the exception of a traditional hymn, were written,
arranged and produced by the Rev. Strong with help from the Rev. Calvin Davis,
an accomplished musician; and James Huffman of Humble Kats Production, who was
the recording producer. Each song lifts up Jesus and His love in a unique way
to be a blessing to His people by offering a positive message of hope and
encouragement.
The Rev.
Strong says sales from the album will help further the Living Waters AME
Ministries in Memphis, Tennessee where she serves as the planting senior
servant. In her own words, the Rev. Strong says, “God inspires me to write
positive messages of hope and love and to witness in song for Jesus Christ.”
The Rev.
Strong has also recently published two children’s devotionals; “Wee Wisdom” and
“Inspiration for Life’s Journey,” which she hopes will help youth study and
understand the Word of God. The devotionals can be used in personal study or
children’s moments in local Church School, Sunday School Convention, and
Vacation Bible School or as ministry gifts.
The album
and singles are available for electronic download on
www.cdbaby.com;www.amazon.com, and www.Spotify.com; and for sale on her website
at www.terristrong.org.
The Rev.
Terri “Lynn Strong” can be reached at 901-690-1306 or by email at
terristrong3082@att.net and ame@livingwatersame.org.
Visit the church website at www.livingwatersame.org
and on FaceBook. The books are available
on www.authorhouse.com, www.amazon.com
and www.terristrong.org .
The Rev. Strong
has a Master of Divinity degree from Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce
Ohio and is currently working on her Doctor of Ministry degree at Regent
University in Virginia Beach, VA.
14.
EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SCHEDULE:
The Right Reverend Julius Harrison McAllister, Sr.,
Presiding Prelate
Mother Joan Marla McAllister, Episcopal Supervisor
North
Mississippi Annual Conference
August 22-26, 2012
138th Session
Host
Church: St. Matthew AME Church
514
Nelson Street
Greenville,
Mississippi 38701
Telephone: (662) 335-4479
Host
Pastor: The Reverend Larry Story
Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend Archie Smith
Co-Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend William Hardiman, Jr.
Co-Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend John L. Moore
South
Mississippi Annual Conference
September 12-16, 2012
145th Session
Host
Church: Zion Chapel AME Church
Conference
Venue: Bonner Campbell Campus, Edwards,
Mississippi
621 New
Orleans Street
Hattiesburg,
Mississippi 39401
Telephone: (601) 897-0335
Host
Pastor: The Reverend Charles Bartley
Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend Joseph Young
Co-Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend George W. Tyler
Co-Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend William Love
Co-Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend Jacob W. Hilton, Jr.
Central
North Louisiana Annual Conference
September 26-30, 2012
142nd Session
Host
Church: Bethel AME Church
2700
Jones Avenue
Alexandria,
Louisiana 71302
Telephone:
(318) 448-0137
Host
Pastor: The Reverend Maurice Wright II
Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend Lloyd
Washington, Jr.
Co-Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend Michele Goodloe
Co-Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend Sylvester Marshall
Louisiana
Annual Conference
October 17-21, 2012
155th Session
Host
Church: Mount Olive AME Church
2457
Second Street
Slidell,
Louisiana 70458
Telephone:
(985) 641-4960
Host
Pastor: The Reverend Margaret Simms
Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend John K. Holiday
Co-Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend David Campbell
Co-Host
Presiding Elder: The Reverend Otis Lewis
15.
THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES
The Rt.
Rev. Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Bishop
Susan J.
Leath, M.D., Episcopal Supervisor
The Kentucky Annual Conference
145th Session
August 22-25, 2012
St. John
A.M.E. Church
210 West
Clinton St
Frankfort,
Kentucky 40601
502.223.5752
(First
United Methodist Church, 211 Washington Street, 502-227-7430)
The Rev.
Jermaine L. Wilson
Host Pastor
The Rev.
Troy I. Thomas
Host
Presiding Elder
The West Kentucky Annual Conference
132nd Session
September 12-15, 2012
Burks
Chapel A.M.E. Church
635 Ohio
Street
Paducah,
KY 42003
270.442.5565
The Rev.
Frank Price
Host Pastor
The Rev.
Ralph E. Johnson
Host
Presiding Elder
The East Tennessee Annual Conference
112th Session
September 26-29, 2012
Bethel
A.M.E. Church
3811 Boyds
Bridge Pike
Knoxville,
TN 37914
856.522.6396
The Rev.
Johnny R. Watson, Sr.
Host Pastor
The Rev.
Kenneth Hill, Ph.D.
Host
Presiding Elder
The West Tennessee Annual Conference
138th Session
October 10-13, 2012
Brown
Chapel A.M.E. Church
801 East
College Street
Union, TN
(Memphis
Marriott East, 2629 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Memphis, TN)
The Rev.
Clay A. Holliday, Sr.
Host Pastor
The Rev. C.
Robert Finch
Host
Presiding Elder
The Tennessee Annual Conference
144th Session
October 24-27, 2012
St. John
A.M.E. Church
1822
Formosa St
Nashville,
TN 37208
615.320.1026
The Rev. W.
Antoni Sinkfield
Host Pastor
The Rev.
Robert E. Keesee
Host Presiding
Elder
The 13th Episcopal
District Planning Meeting
November 2-3, 2012
Venue: TBD
Lexington,
KY
The Rev.
Troy I. Thomas
Host
Presiding Elder
16. Fifteenth Episcopal District
Schedule of annual conferences:
Bishop David R. Daniels,
Presiding Prelate
Mrs. Irene Moifoi Daniels,
Episcopal Supervisor
August 30–September 2, 2012
Namibia Annual Conference
August 29, 2012
WMS Annual Convention
St. Peter’s A.M.E. Church
Maltahohe
The Rev. Johannes J. Schmidt, Host Pastor
The Rev. Penias Topnaar, Host P.E.
September 6-9, 2012
Angola Annual Conference
September 5, 2012
WMS Annual Convention
Job A.M.E. Church
Luanda
The Rev. C. Martins, Host Pastor
The Rev. Pereira Jeremias, Host P.E.
September 13-16, 2012
Queenstown Annual Conference
September 12, 2012
WMS Annual Convention
St. Mary’s A.M.E. Church
Mthatha
The Rev. M.T. Ndamane, Host Pastor
The Rev. Harris Sishuba, Host P.E.
September 20-23, 2012
Kalahari Annual Conference
September 19, 2012
WMS Annual Convention
Gabashane Chapel A.M.E. Church
Vryburg
The Rev. M.W. Bikwa, Host Pastor
The Rev. T.J. Mogadile, Host P.E.
November 1-4, 2012
Eastern Cape Annual Conference
October 31, 2012
WMS Annual Convention
T.C. Tyantsi Memorial A.M.E. Church
Dimbaza
The Rev. Loyiso L. Vass, Host Pastor and Host P.E.
November 8-11, 2012
Cape Annual Conference
November 7, 2012
WMS Annual Convention
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
Malmesbury
The Rev. Joey Volmink, Host Pastor
The Rev. Willem Burger, Host P.E.
November 22-24, 2012
Planning Meeting
Vinton Anderson A.M.E. Church
Eerste River
The Rev. William Leoglie, Host Pastor
The Rev. Samuel Engelbrecht, Host P.E.
17. MEDITATION BASED ON I CORINTHIANS 1:18-25:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A.
Darby
Modern technology sometimes
gives new meaning to old words. When I
was a child, “Spam” was an unusual meat product that would turn up on the
dinner table with canned green peas when my mother was pinching pennies. Today, “spam” is the name given to emails
with unusual and inviting offers and requests - some of which seem to come from
trusted sources.
One of the “spam”
messages I received this week was a humorous reminder of human nature. The email, from a “Message Center” with a
United Kingdom email address, informed me that “Morris Brown A.m.e. Church” had issued me a $1,000
VISA gift card and instructed me to go to a website listed in the email to
claim my card and have it sent to me.
Needless to say, I deleted it after I laughed at it. Morris Brown AME Church doesn’t issue VISA
gift cards and if we did, I think I’d be aware that we do!
Getting “something for
nothing” is an element in human nature and a tempting but seldom realized
goal. Whether it’s a totally bogus offer
like the email I received, a fantastic deal from a merchant that ultimately has
expensive strings attached, or a billboard showing the lottery “jackpot” that
you might win if you spend a few bucks on a one in a million chance, we seldom
get something for nothing.
What’s amazing is that
some of those who will immediately go after “something for nothing” have
problems trusting in the Lord because they need “proof” that God is real. That “proof” is evident when we arise safe
and well each morning, when we make it through life’s close-calls, when we realize
that our blessings far outweigh our burdens and when we get caught up in
troubling situations - sometimes of our own making - but survive and thrive
anyway.
Take the time in a world
of false and disappointing offers of “something for nothing” to trust in and
stay in touch with the God who knows what we need before we think to ask for
it. Doing so leads us to real peace of
mind, real abundance in life and a true assurance that God sees, knows and
cares for us. That’s the assurance that
led one modern writer to say, “His love for me is like pure gold, yes, God is
real for I can feel him in my soul.”
Join us on the Fifth
Sunday in July for Church School at 8:45 a.m. and for Worship at 10 a.m. The Women’s Missionary Society will lead
worship, the “Take Five” Choir will offer praise and Morris Brown’s own Barbara
Kelley-Duncan, Chief Executive Officer of the Carolina Youth Development Center
will deliver the message.
If you are in the
Charleston, South Carolina area this weekend, we invite you to worship with us.
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A.
Darby is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston South Carolina
18. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
- The Rev. Godfrey Mitchell of Trinidad and
Tobago promoted to Chief Staff Officer
The Rev. Godfrey
Mitchell, Pastor of Bethesda AME Church, Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago, has
been promoted to Chief Staff Officer of the Auxiliary Fire Service of Trinidad
and Tobago. In this capacity he will be the administrator of all the fire
officers in the Auxiliary Fire Service for the entire country.
The Rev. Mitchell has
been a fireman for the last 42 years, having joined the Auxiliary Fire Service
of Trinidad and Tobago in January 1970. The Rev Mitchell has been an Itinerant Elder
in the AME Church since 1992 and has pastored several churches including Sealey
Memorial in Barbados, McKenzie, Christ and Metropolitan in Trinidad.
He is currently the
pastor of Bethesda AME Church in Chaguanas, Trinidad and Tobago, Windward Islands
Conference.
Congratulatory responses
can be emailed to: gem8350@live.com.
19. FORMER GENERAL OFFICER'S FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We sadly announce the
transition of Henderson S. Davis, Jr., son of the late Dr. Henderson S. Davis,
former Historiographer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and Mrs. Ruth
Davis. Henderson was a gifted actor, designer, radio personality hosting his
own show, singer, and in recent years worked with feeding the homeless in Evansville,
Indiana. He leaves three sisters to celebrate his life: Vinita Ruth Davis, Dr.
Martha Davis, and Lydia Davis Eady.
The Memorial Service
will be Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.:
Bethel AME Church,
301 North Vine Street
Plainfield, IN. 46168
The Rev. Tess Brooks,
Pastor
Expressions may be sent
to:
Mrs. Lydia Davis Eady at
mauilde@yahoo.com
Dr. Martha Davis at davis.mimi63@gmail.com
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce
the passing of the Rev. Peola Scott, who served on the ministerial staff member
at St. Philip Monumental AME Church, Savannah, GA, where the Rev. George Moore,
Jr. is the pastor. The Rev. Scott is the mother of Sister Renee Scott Smith,
1st Lady and Mother in Law of the Rev. James Smith, pastor at St. Paul AME
Church, Versailles, Kentucky. Homegoing services for the Rev. Scott will be on
Saturday, July 28, 2012 at 11 a.m.
Celebration Service will
be at:
St. Phillip Monumental
AME Church
1112 Jefferson Street
Savannah, GA 31401
Rev. George Moore, Jr. -
Eulogist
Entrusted to:
Sidney Jones &
Campbell Funeral Home
124 W. Park Avenue
Savannah, GA 31401
912-234-7226
Family contact:
Mrs. Renee Scott Smith
104 Brampton Pike
Versailles, KY 40383
Email: renee.scott@education.ky.gov
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you
of the passing of Brother Kimberly Pendleton, the son of the Reverend MacArthur
Pendleton, pastor of Bethel AME Church, Shelbyville, Kentucky.
Services for Brother
Pendleton will be held:
Saturday, July 28, 2012
New Life Church of Faith
1419 N Bowman Avenue
Danville, IL 61832
10:00 a.m. -Visitation
11:00 a.m. Celebration
of Life
Services Entrusted to:
Leek & Sons Funeral
Home
304 East Williams St
Danville, IL 61832
217-442-2667
Condolences may be sent
to:
The Reverend MacArthur
Pendleton
1406 Basswood Court
Jeffersonville, IN 47130
Email: mac.pendleton@insightbb.com
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you
of the passing of Sister Johnnie Mae Ferrill, the sister of the Reverend Truman
(The Rev. Bettie) Tolefree, pastor of Bethel AME Church, Bigelow, Arkansas.
Services for Sister
Johnnie Mae Ferrill will be held Saturday, July 28, 2012:
Family Hour - 9:30 a.m.
-11:00 a.m.
The Northwest Funeral
Chapel Inc.
6630 West Hampton Avenue
Milwaukee, WI. 53218
Phone: (414) 462-6020
Memorial Service – 12
p.m. - 1 p.m.
Kern Park Hall of
Jehovah Witness
5747 No. 29th Street
Milwaukee, WI. 53209
Condolences maybe sent
to:
The Rev. Truman and the
Rev. Bettie A. Tolefree
2924 Shadow Creek Dr
Little Rock, AR 72212
Phone: (501) 353-2913
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES FROM THE
15TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
It is with sadness that
we share the passing on of three stalwarts within the 15th Episcopal
District:
(1) The Rev. Niklaas
Christians, superannuated Presiding Elder of the Namibia Annual Conference who
passed on July 16th.
Family
contact/condolences can be sent to:
Brother Frederick
Sylvester: FrederickSylvester@standardbank.co.za
(2) Mother Anna De
Bruyn, beloved mother of the Rev. Elliot De Bruyn of Ming Chapel, Saldanha in
the Cape Annual Conference.
Contact detail: The Rev.
Elliot De Bruyn: elliotd@saldanhabay.co.za
(3) Brother Karl Martin,
beloved steward and trustee of Ebenezer Chapel Retreat.
We solicit your prayers
for the families concerned, praying that you will do everything within your
might to lend support where applicable.
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to
announce the passing of Mr. William "Mike" Lee on Monday, July 16th,
2012. Mr. Lee was the brother of the Rev. Mae H. Smith, pastor of Mt. Olive AME
Church, Mineral Wells, Texas, and (Northwest Texas Conference-Greater Fort Worth
District).
Homegoing Celebration
was held Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Greater Christ Temple Apostolic Church in
Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Condolences may be sent
to:
The Rev. Mae H. Smith
P.O. Box 8253
Fort Worth, Texas 76124
Telephone: 817- 966-8295
Email: nana5one@msn.com
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce
the passing of Bro. Wesley Sams, Sr. on July 11, 2012. Brother Sams was the husband of the Rev.
Gloria Cash-Sams, pastor of Wesley Chapel AME Church in Clute, Texas, (Texas
Conference-South Houston District).
The Homegoing
Celebration was held on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at Greater Bell Zion Baptist
Church in Texas City, Texas
Condolences may be sent
to:
The Rev. Gloria Cash-Sams
7310 Cardinal Circle
Texas City, Texas 77591
Telephone: (409)
771-9433
Email: glojcash@aol.com
26. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We announce with regret
the passing of Sister Joy Morgan on June 27, 2012. Sister Morgan was the wife of the Rev. George
Morgan, Sr., pastor of Allen Chapel AME Church in Rockdale, Texas, (Northwest
Texas Conference-Paul Quinn District).
Sister Joy Morgan's
Homegoing Celebration was at 10:00 A.M.; Friday, July 6, 2012 at Greater Vision
Community Church in Killeen, Texas - Rev. Dr. David G. Reynolds, Pastor.
Condolences may be sent
to:
The Rev. George Morgan,
Sr.
2121 Diana Loop
Harker Heights, Texas
76548
Email:
revgmorgan@earthlink.net
27. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce
the passing of Deacon Edward Wright, the father of the Rev. E. Jean Bonds,
pastor at Mt. Zion AMEC in Riverton, NJ (New Jersey Conference, Camden/Trenton
District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral
arrangements.
Sunday, July 15, 2012 -
Viewing, 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Monday, July 16, 2012 -
Homegoing Service, 10:00 a.m.
Bethel AME Church
241 Hilton Avenue
Vauxhall, NJ 07088
Phone: 908-964-1282
Fax: 908-964-8183
The Rev. Dennis Hughes,
Pastor
The Rev. E. Childress,
Eulogist
New Beginnings Faith
Fellowship, Newark, NJ
Expressions of Sympathy
can be sent to:
The Rev. E. Jean Bonds
208 Penn Street
Riverton, NJ 08077
Email: EJBonds@aol.com
28. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce
the passing of Deacon Ulysis Grant Wooten, the father of Mrs. Patricia Jones
and father-in-law of the Rev. Melvin Jones, pastor at Trinity AME Church in
Cinnaminson, NJ (New Jersey Conference, Camden/Trenton District).
The following information
has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Homegoing Service,
Saturday, July 14, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.
Isle of Hope Baptist
Church
Uvalde, Georgia
Professional Care
entrusted to:
Smalleys Funerals
610 MLK Ave.
Vidalia, GA 30474
Phone: 912-537-9800
Fax: 912-538-8119
Expression of sympathy
can be sent to:
The Rev. & Mrs.
Melvin Jones
307 N. Forklanding Road
Cinnaminson, NJ 08077
Email: melvinjonesgroup@yahoo.com
29. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce
the passing of Mrs. Marilyn Auguste, the mother of the Rev. Cheryl Auguste, who
serves on the ministerial staff at Bridge Street AMEC in Brooklyn, New York and
Mt. Pisgah AMEC in Princeton, New Jersey.
The following
information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Homegoing Service,
Friday, July 13, 2012
Viewing - 10:30 a.m. -
11:30 a.m.
Funeral - 11:30 a.m.
A. S. Cole Funeral Home
22 North Main Street
Cranbury, NJ 08512
Phone: 609-395-0770
Fax: 609-587-6343
Expressions of Sympathy
can be sent to:
The Rev. Marilyn Auguste
Or
Bridge Street A.M.E.
Church
277 Stuyvesant Ave.
Brooklyn, NY 11221
Phone: 718-452-3936
Fax: 718-453-4134
30. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce
the passing of the Rev. Arnold T. Evans, the pastor of First AME Church in
Sharon Hill, PA (Philadelphia Conference, West/Mainline District).
The following information
has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
The Homegoing Service
was held on Friday, July 20, 2012 at St. Paul AME Church in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania where the Rev. Eugene V. McDuffy is the pastor. The Rev. Charles
H. Lett was the eulogist
Presiding Elder,
Philadelphia Conference, West/Mainline District
Expression of sympathy
can be sent to:
Mrs. Fay N. Evans
136 Merion Way
Hainesport, NJ 08036
31. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce
the passing of the Rev. Ronald Woods of Perris, California. The Rev. Woods
retired last year as pastor of Quinn AME Church in Moreno Valley, California.
The funeral was held on
Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at First AME Church in Pasadena, California.
32. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND
CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley,
Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family
Information Center
Phone: (615) 837-9736
(H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936
(O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
33. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the
Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; the
Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr.
Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost
loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time
of your bereavement.
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