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 – SCAMS:
HOW THEY HAPPEN:
Dr.
Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th
Editor of The Christian Recorder
There is a rash of
email scams circulating throughout the AME Church and around the world; and
everyone should be vigilant about protecting their identities and not being
duped by unscrupulous individuals; otherwise known as thieves..
If a scam messages is
read carefully, most people should be able to detect that the message as a scam
message.
So, why are so many
people duped?
The following
paragraphs will explain how it happens!
How does it happen?
Most often scam email
messages are generated when a person receives and responds to an
official-looking message from his or her bank or email provider, i.e. First
National Bank, Yahoo, Bellsouth, Version, Sprint, AOL, Gmail, etc., asking the
recipient to update his or her account because his or her bank account or email
account needs to be updated. The official looking message might also say that
their account is full or the account is going to be disabled, etc. Many of the
bogus emails have official-looking logos and most of the messages look
official. Some people respond to those
messages.
The Real deal!
Email providers and
banks never, ever email their clients/customers to ask them to provide account
updates because they already have that information. Banks and email providers
never, ever ask for ID information or passwords.
You should NEVER
provide your password or passcode to anyone or entity; especially if someone or
some entity asks you for your password / passcode. If anyone asks you to
provide your password, that should be a signal that something is wrong.
How do unscrupulous
individuals get your ID and take over your email account?
When you receive a
scam email, the sender already has your email address. The unscrupulous sender only needs your
password to wreck havoc on your email account.
If you fall victim to
email fraud by providing their password in response to any emails requesting
that information then the unscrupulous sender of the message that you respond
to simply opens your email account and at that point the crook has what he or
she needs to create a problem for you and all of the email addresses in your
Address Book and the email addresses imbedded in all of your emails. Simply
stated the crooks take over your email account, Address Book; and the thieves
can see who you have written and also see who has written you.
So, what should you do?
DO NOT PROVIDE YOUR
PASSWORD OR ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION in response to ANY email you receive!
What else can you do?
Everybody should follow
the BCC rule when sending email messages with multiple email addresses.
About.Com
defines “BCC,” “To” and “CC” address likes in email messages: “A BCC (blind carbon copy; also Bcc) is a
copy of an email message sent to a recipient whose email address does not
appear in the message. This is in contrast to “To” and “CC” recipients, whose
addresses do appear in the respective header lines. Every recipient of the
message can see all the “To” and “CC” recipients, but does see the email
addresses of the BCC recipients.”
I include the
following in all of my personal email messages because I do not want
unscrupulous individuals to have access to the email addresses of my friends
and acquaintances and I don’t want my friends and acquaintances to compromise
my email address: “I put all multiple addressees
in "BCC" format and delete all previous addresses. Please do
the same to prevent Spamming. If you forward this email, please delete the forwarding
history which includes my email address. It is a courtesy to me and others who
may not wish to have their email address sent all over the world. Erasing the
history prevents spammers from mining addresses and prevents viruses.”
If you have messages
in your Inbox that shows the names and email addresses, guess what,
unscrupulous individuals who have accessed your email account also has access
to those email addresses.
I have said it before
As many times as I have written about this
subject, I still receive email messages from family, friends, pastors, bishops
and general officers with multiple and sometimes a hundred or more exposed
email addresses.
The Internet is great, but the Internet can
create all kinds of problems if we are not diligent about protecting our
identities.
2. BISHOP SARAH DAVIS
PROVIDES HURRICANE ISAAC UPDATE:
Sun 8/26/2012 11:41 a.m.
This is the latest information concerning
Hurricane Isaac from Haiti, Dominican Republic and Jamaica.
We have been in touch with Sister Elvire
Douglas the District's Disaster Preparedness Coordinator, and as of late
yesterday afternoon, we have no lost of lives in either Haiti or Dominican
Republic that has been reported. Many persons yet in tents have experienced
severe damages and lost of personal property due to Hurricane Isaac.
We could not get through to Bethel AMEC) in
Cabaret because of communication challenges. We have not gotten complete
reports from the area where there has been more rain activity than in other
parts of Haiti. The rising water has been the challenge everywhere. We continue to seek information from that
area.
I spoke with Presiding Elder Coplin
(northern area of the Dominican Republic) yesterday morning and learned that
all was well in that area. We have not
yet gotten through to Presiding Elder Rodriguez (Southern region) as of this
morning.
Because phone service and Internet lines
have been sporadic over the last 36-hours (even here in Jamaica where we have
had significant lightening and thunder storms and much rain all night) we are
hindered in our communication efforts. This morning there were clouds, but no
rain in the St. Andrews parish.
Thank you for your prayers and concern. As
we learn more, we will keep the Church updated. We are concerned about an
orphanage that we have adopted that has 26 orphans and four adult staff
members. As of this morning, we have not gotten through to them because of busy
circuits and power outages. We were trying to get updates this morning, but our
Internet was inoperative 11:06 a.m.
Bishop Sarah F. Davis,
Presiding Prelate of 16th Episcopal
District, African Methodist Episcopal Church
3. CHURCH WORLD SERVICE
DEVELOPMENT AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE PROGRAM:
**Submitted by Dr. George F. Flowers,
Executive Director of AMEC Global Witness and Ministry who said, “Updates will continue until the
storm is ended or until Relief and Restoration abound.”
CWS Emergency Situation Report: Tropical
Storm Isaac
August 27, 2012
Situation Report: Tropical Storm Isaac struck the Dominican
Republic, Haiti and Cuba over the weekend and continued into the Gulf of Mexico
threatening the U.S. Gulf Coast. The Associated Press has reported eight
fatalities in Haiti and two in the Dominican Republic. Winds and flooding have
destroyed and damaged tents that still house some survivors of the 2010 Haitian
earthquake. There are news reports of damaged homes, flooding and mudslides in
Port-au-Prince but the damage to structures in the city is not extreme. In
northwestern Haiti, where CWS supports agricultural cooperatives, winds and
rain have damaged houses, destroyed gardens and killed livestock. The poor
construction of houses in this region has increased the impact of the disaster,
with roofs blowing off and other serious structural damage.
In the Dominican Republic, the southwestern
region was the most affected. The winds downed many trees and severely affected
agricultural areas, such as banana plantations. The storm surge cut off a
highway and downed electrical and telephone lines, cutting power to most of
this region. In Cuba, Isaac struck the entire country and was especially
intense in the east. Many families in vulnerable areas weathered the storm with
friends or in storm shelters. CWS has not received reports of serious damage in
Cuba.
Isaac is now expected to intensify to
hurricane strength and approach the U.S. Gulf Coast tomorrow. A hurricane
warning is in effect from the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana, including New
Orleans. FEMA is warning that southeast Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama
could see storm surges of 6 to 12 feet. Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and
Florida have all declared states of emergency.
CWS Response: CWS staff is currently
gathering more information from our partners in Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican
Republic regarding local needs. CWS may issue an appeal if necessary. CWS will
monitor the continued impact of Isaac and respond to immediate and long-term
needs.
How to Help: Contributions to
support CWS emergency work may be sent to your denomination or to Church World
Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN, 46515.
Church World Service is a member of the ACT
Alliance, a global coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development,
humanitarian assistance and advocacy.
For further information about disasters to
which Church World Service is responding please visit www.churchworldservice.org or call
the CWS Hotline, (800) 297-1516.
Program Director: dderr@churchworldservice.org
Associate Director for Domestic Emergency
Response: bshade@churchworldservice.org
Tim Shenk
Communications Officer, Church World
Service
Skype name: tshenkcws
Twitter: @timkshenk
(212) 870-2728 (office)
4. A TCR DEVOTIONAL: WE CAN LEARN
SOMETHING EVERY DAY!
In
July, I wrote an editorial in response to the Rev. Jacquie Warren Wilson’s pet
peeves of hearing AMEs sing the Offertory incorrectly by singing, "All
things come of Thee O Lord, and of Thine own AS we given Thee" and I commented that I was one of the guilty
parties, singing, “as” instead of
“have.” I still have to be careful because bad habits are hard to break.
I
had another surprise yesterday during my daily devotional scripture readings. I
Chronicles 29:14b. I was hit between the eyes again! The portion of the text in I Chronicles 29
did not stand out in my mind and I had not realized that the AMEC Offertory was
a biblical text; a quote from David:
“…for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.”
I
Chronicles 29 reports that the people rejoiced and gave willingly and David,
rejoicing, praised God and acknowledging the greatness of God asked the
question: “But who am I, and what are my people, that we should be able to
offer so willingly after this sort?” and David answered his own question, “…for
all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.” I Chronicles
29:14, KJV.
My
wife, Dr. Charlotte and I commented that the mothers and fathers of our Zion
were so biblically-based. The liturgy of
the AME Church, i.e., the Doxology, the Gloria Patri, the Decalogue, the
benedictions and yes, the AMEC Offertory are all based upon biblical
scriptures.
5. THE REV. DR. AND MRS. WILLIAM W. EASLEY, JR.,
OBSERVE THEIR FORTY-FIFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
Servants of the Church,
Mrs. Ora Easley and the Rev. Dr. William W. Easley, Jr. celebrated their 45th
Wedding Anniversary on Tuesday, August 21, 2012.
Dr. William Easley has
been a premier pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Mrs. Ora
Easley is a servant in the Church of Richard Allen in her own right serving as
the Administrator of the
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center. She coordinates the Clergy Family
Bereavement Notices, the Clergy Family Congratulatory Announcements for clergy,
to include announcements for bishops, general officers, and their families. Her
ministry touches AME families all over the world. She provides an important
ministry to the African Methodist Episcopal Church family.
Their story
William Jr. and Ora,
although both graduated from the same community high school in Lexington,
Tennessee, their paths did not cross until they were on the campus of Tennessee
State University (TSU) in Nashville. William was in his senior year at TSU and was
also the pastor of St. Peter AME Church on Whites Creek Pike in Nashville and
Ora was in her freshman year.
The two casually met one
day on campus, Ora impressed by the young student / pastor who lived off campus
and owned a station wagon in the days when very few students owned automobiles
and William impressed by the studious freshman with the bright smile, that the
football players whistled at when passing.
Their relationship
blossomed as Ora attended St. Peter AME Church on Sunday's with the pastor and
became "1st Girlfriend."
The young single pastor
proposed and the wedding was held on August 21, 1967; the day after the
student/pastor's summer graduation from TSU and four days after the bride's
birthday.
The wedding was held at
Lee Chapel AME Church in Nashville, the groom's home church. The Reverend E. M.
Alcorn conducted the wedding ceremony and the late Reverend Henry Allen Belin,
Sr., (father of Bishop Henry Allen Belin, Jr.) former pastor of Greene's Chapel
AME Church; Baton Rouge, Louisiana was a program participant.
A few days later, the
young bride and groom were enroute to Wilberforce, Ohio. The groom had been accepted to matriculate so
he could pursue Theological Studies at Payne Theological Seminary. The new
bride transferred to Wilberforce University.
They began their
marriage living in the unpretentious student lodging, namely, the hallowed
Mitchell Hall on the campus of Payne Theological Seminary.
Following the sage
advice given them as a young couple by the late Bishop Frederick Douglas Jordan
and the groom's late mother, Mrs. G. Lorraine Easley Keys, 13th
Episcopal District Women’s Missionary Society leader, lay leader, delegate to
numerous Lay Biennials, General Conferences and minister's widow; and their TSU
Professor, Dr. Jayme Coleman Williams, their marriage has been forty-five years
of "partnership" in ministry and service to the Church of Allen in
the 13th Episcopal District, the 3rd Episcopal District,
the 2nd Episcopal District and returning home to the 13th
Episcopal District.
They celebrate with joy
their 45-year journey together, their opportunities for world travel, the
friends met along the way, the parishioners in the pastoral charges who still
remember their special days, the mentors who have wisely advised and those
whose lives they have touched and influenced in a positive way.
Dr. William and Sister
Ora Easley have one son, William III a Director of Business Development in
Washington, D.C. and daughter-in-law, Sonja, a Program Specialist in
Washington, D.C. They reside in Bowie, Maryland and are members of Reid Temple
AME Church.
6. DOVER NATIVE
ELECTED AND CONSECRATED THE 132ND AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL
BISHOP:
On July 3, 2012 at the
49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church in Nashville, Tennessee, Dover native, Reginald T. Jackson was
elected Bishop. Prior to Reverend Jackson’s election, there had not been a
Bishop elected from Delaware since Bishop John Mifflin Brown, who was
consecrated in 1868. On July 13th, 2012
Bishop Jackson was honored at the church he grew up in Dover, Mount Zion AME on
Queen Street for this accomplishment.
Bishop Jackson shared a powerful reflection and gave thanks to the Mt.
Zion congregation for their support with his campaign for Bishop. “The election of Reginald T. Jackson to the
episcopacy of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is a great historic marker
for Mount Zion Church, Dover, Delaware, the Dover District and the Delaware
Annual Conference,” said Rev. Ellis B. Louden, Pastor of Mt. Zion. “We are filled with joy and admiration,
because a homeboy has made good in the church.”
Bishop Jackson said that
one of the main reasons he wanted to become a Bishop was because he feels the
black church as a whole was losing its legacy.
He said he believes that the church could do better, and that progress
made on behalf of African Americans was birthed in the Black Church.
Participants in the
service included: The Rev. Ellis B.
Louden, pastor of Mount Zion, Dover, Dover served as worship leader and issued
the statement of purpose; Evangelist Carla Benson Green, John Wesley
Deliverance Center, Dover, DE lined the hymn of celebration “Come, We that Love
the Lord”; the Rev. James Foster, pastor of Antioch, Frankford, Delaware lifted
the invocation and prayer of thanksgiving; the Rev. Ronniere Robinson, pastor
of St. Paul, Harrington, Delaware read the scripture lesson from I Peter 5:1-4;
Dr. Wilma Mishoe, chair, pro-tem, Board of Stewards. Mount Zion, Dover shared a
welcome.
Greetings were brought
by the Rev. Dr. Richard M. Avant, former president, Interdenominational
Ministers’ Alliance of Dover and Vicinity and Pastor of Calvary Baptist Church,
Dover, Delaware; Brother C. Wallace Hicks , Mount Zion, Dover Sunday School;
the Rev. Jean M. Sudler, Department of Evangelism; Sister Edna Sharp,
president, Delaware Conference Lay Organization; Sister April Brown, Women’s
Missionary Society; Sister Sabrena Taylor, Young Peoples’ Division; Brother
Irwin Bowers, Sons of Allen; Sister Trina Walker, conference director,
Christian Education; the Rev. Sharon Morgan, Women in Ministry. Musical
selections were shared by choirs of Mount Zion and John Wesley Deliverance
Center. A liturgical dance presentation was made by members of Mount Zion,
Ellendale, Delaware.
The Rev. Winton M. Hill,
III presiding elder of the Dover District lifted the offering; Brother Michael
Myers, steward of Mount Zion, Dover and friend presented Bishop Jackson for
Reflections; the Rev. Frances Benson, pastor of John Wesley Deliverance Center
of Dover, lead the congregation in prayer for the Episcopal ministry of Bishop
Jackson.
Also present at the
service were the Rev. Richard Worthy, presiding elder of the Wilmington
District; the Rev. Charles Drummer, Jr. presiding elder, retired; the Rev.
Silvester S. Beaman, pastor of Bethel Church, Wilmington, Delaware, and an
aspirant for Episcopal service; then Rev. Francena D. Orr, pastor of Mt. Hebron
Church, Linwood, Pennsylvania and president of the Delaware Conference
Ministerium; the Rev. Michael Rogers, president of the Interdenominational
Ministers’ Alliance of Dover and Vicinity.
Bishop Jackson is the
Pastor of St. Matthew AME Church in Orange, New Jersey, and he will continue to
live in New Jersey with his wife Christy Davis-Jackson, Esquire, and children,
Seth and Regina.
Since becoming Pastor of
St. Matthew 31 years ago, Bishop Jackson has overseen the construction of two
buildings and the congregation has grown from a few to 3,000. As the head of New Jersey’s Black Ministers
Council, which includes 600 churches, he has also worked at the state level to
help the black community. He exercised
his influence to abolish the death penalty, and is well known for his
leadership in the fight against racial profiling resulting in New Jersey being
the only state in the nation to pass legislation making racial profiling a
crime. He serves on numerous boards. He
is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Essex County College, member of the
Orange Township Board of Education, member of the board of Trustees of the St.
Barnabas Healthcare System (largest in the state), Board of Trustees Excellent
Education for Everyone and New Jersey Citizen Action, and is a life member of
the NAACP.
Bishop Jackson is
assigned to serve the 20th Episcopal District, as well as the Ecumenical
Officer. Bishop Jackson said that he was
happy that he got a chance to come back to Dover so soon after being elected
Bishop. “There is no place like home,”
he said.
From left to right: The Rev. Winston M. Hill, III, Presiding
Elder – Dover District; the Rev Richard H. Worthy, Presiding Elder – Wilmington
District; and the Rev. Ellis B. Louden, Pastor of Mount Zion AME Church share
together as the Rev. Frances E. Benson, Pastor of John Wesley AME Deliverance
Center, Dover, Delaware prays for the Episcopal ministry of Bishop
Jackson. Picture is courtesy of Mrs.
Edna Sharp, president of the Delaware Conference Lay Organization and Member of
the General Board – AME Church.
7. THE REVEREND DOROTHY MILLICENT
MORRIS:
At 3:00 p.m. , Saturday, August 11, 2012, at the Umana
Yama (meeting place), in Georgetown, Guyana, persons gathered from near and far
for the “100th Birthday Celebration” of the Reverend Dorothy M.
Morris, the first female Presiding Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, appointed by the Right Reverend Frederick Hilborn Talbot, retired
Bishop.
Attending the public celebration were The Honorable Prime
Minister Samuel Hines of Guyana; Bishop Sarah F. Davis, Prelate of the
Sixteenth Episcopal District AME Church; the Revered Rudolph Aaron, President
of Council of Elders – 16th District, London England; the Reverend
Dr. Kimberly Detherage, President of Women in Ministry of the AME Church; the
Reverend Dr. Marjorie Jones, First Episcopal District and former member of St
Peters AME Church, Guyana; Reverend Morris’ family from the States and Guyana;
members of the AME Church from both Suriname and Guyana; and citizens of
Guyana.
The Chairperson of the event was the Reverend Lucille
Holder who did an outstanding job with the decorations at the sit down dinner
celebration. The Programme commenced with a prayer by Presiding Elder Reverend
Andrew Morris Grant (Guyana/Suriname) who led the planning for the special
event and who insures that Reverend Morris gets proper care and attention.
Other programmed events included the welcome of the dignitaries, poems and
dances by the young people of the Guyana/Suriname Annual Conference; a special
selection by the Male Choir (Psalm 23 which is a favorite of Reverend Morris),
and tributes from friends, family, the Prime Minister and Bishop Davis.
Looking radiant in her green attire, Reverend Morris
stood at the end of the celebration and thanked everyone for coming and
admonished the crowd of 200 to always trust in the “ALMIGHTY God”.
8. A TEXAS-STYLE WELCOME FOR BISHOP VASHTI MURPHY MCKENZIE AND
SUPERVISOR STAN MCKENZIE:
By Rev.
Salatheia Bryant-Honors
The 10th
Episcopal District gathered in Texas-Style to Welcome Bishop Vashti Murphy
McKenzie and Supervisor Stan McKenzie.
Just
four weeks after being assigned as the Presiding Bishop of the 10th
Episcopal District, the Rt. Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie welcomed worshippers
from across the state of Texas to the 2012 Super Summer Convocation ushering in
a new era of Episcopal leadership in the Lone Star State.
During
the four-day conference held August 1- 4, 2012 in Addison, Texas.
Bishop
McKenzie called attendees together for 7 a.m. prayer, held business sessions to
organize the work of the district and closed the conference by preaching “Yes I Will” to a packed ballroom of youth,
young adults, missionaries, lay and clergy.
The
convocation’s theme was “Imagine AME” and it offered something for every age
group, from the elderly to the young people who showcased their singing,
rapping, and praise-dancing abilities in the Friday night gathering called
“Texas Got Talent.”
Bishop
McKenzie encouraged convocation attendees to increase their capacity for
spiritual imagination.
“It is
time to start to build on the foundation left by the previous administration
and launch a new agenda of service in the state of Texas,” said McKenzie. “As
we begin to do a statewide “needs assessment” and vision-cast our futures
together; let us remember that God is still able to do more than we ask, think,
or imagine.”
Bishop
McKenzie, who became the first female elected to the office of bishop in the African
Methodist Episcopal Church, was assigned to the Tenth Episcopal District on
July 4, 2012 during the 49th Quadrennial Session of the General
Conference that was held in Nashville, Tennessee; and becomes the first female
bishop to preside over Texas, the 10th Episcopal District.
A
welcome reception was held for Bishop McKenzie and Supervisor of Missions,
Brother Stan McKenzie on Friday, August 3rd and the Episcopal team
was presented with their first gift from the 10th Episcopal
District: Cowboy boots. Clergy and Laity form all of the annual conferences
attended and greeted the Bishop and Supervisor to offer well-wishes. Many took
photos with the Episcopal team.
“The
elders told us that we are going to Texan-ize us; I guess these boots are the
first step in the process,” said Bishop McKenzie.
Supervisor
Stan McKenzie graciously accepted the gift. “Everything is big in Texas. We
thank you for extending yourself to include us in the family,” he said.
The 10th
District Women’s Missionary Society President, Ms. Judith Bluitt Redd echoed
the sentiments of many who expressed excitement about the appointment of Bishop
McKenzie to the District.
“We are
excited about the ideas that they bring to us for new bold mission initiatives,
both locally and globally. They come to us already icons in their own rights,”
said Redd. “They are a global couple and they bring all that global experience
to us. People will see us because of who stands at the top of our district; and
that’s a good thing.”
One of
those initiatives Redd said includes a district-wide day of service called
“A.M.E. Cares” and a planned global outreach effort to the 18th
Episcopal District.
Presiding
Elder Ida Keener said she was excited about the leadership that Bishop McKenzie
and Supervisor McKenzie will bring to the district. “It has been awesome with
all capital letters. Ultimately we are excited about the anointing that is on
their lives,” Keener said. “The presence of God is always around her. She bring
with her, vision and compassion. They not only love God but they love people as
well.”
One of
the new additions to the convocation this year was the “Texas Got Talent”
service. YPDers from across the state showed off their vocal and dancing talent
before a packed house.
The
service was followed by an after-party that featured a DJ and gospel rap.
The
Convocation coordinators, the Rev. Eric and the Rev. Myra Billips said the
conference offered workshops and services for everyone.
“We
wanted the young people to know that they didn’t have to go outside the AME
Church to feel God’s presence,” said the Rev. Myra Billips. “We wanted the
young people to understand that you can still have fun and you can still be
saved. We were also trying to encourage our seniors. All age groups were
included in “Imagine A.M.E.” from the cradle to the grave.”
About
800 persons were registered for the convocation. The Southwest Conference had
the largest number of registrants with 230. The churches with the largest
number of registrants were: 3rd place Metropolitan in Austin; 2nd
place St. Paul-Dallas and 1st place, Wesley in Houston.
The
conference opened Thursday night with newly elected Bishop Clement W. Fugh,
Presiding Bishop of the 14th Episcopal District, who preached Take a Fool’s Advice. All the presiding
elders participated on program. Also included on stage were General Officer,
Dr. Daryl B. Ingram, AMEC Executive Director of Christian Education and the
Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake, pastor of Greater Allen AME Cathedral of New York.
Dr.
Flake conducted a plenary session on transformational leadership and preached
the noon service on Friday. His message was “Dare
to Worship God.”
One of
the main attractions of the convocation was the introduction of Praycation. Praycation is a
daily prayer discipline that Bishop McKenzie has led during the month of August
since 2009 that has attracted more than 300,000 subscribers. Convocation
attendees met at 7 a.m. to meditate on the prayer and scripture reading for the
day. In the quiet of the ballroom seekers found a spot where they could commune
with God in prayer. Praycation made
such an impact that some pastors called on their congregation to join in
prayer.
During
the closing worship service Bishop McKenzie was introduced by the presiding
elder of the North Texas conference, the Rev. Darrell G. Caldwell, Sr. He highlighted Bishop
McKenzie’s service record to the AME Church and the community.
“Where
ever she has gone on this terrestrial ball, situations and people have changed
and been transformed. We thank the Lord for the appointment of the 117th
Elected and Consecrated Bishop to the great state of Texas,” said Caldwell.
The
convocation ended with Bishop McKenzie preaching from the text Ezra 3:10-13. In
the message Bishop McKenzie challenged attendees to not allow their weeping to
overtake their shouting in moments of change. She called on believers to not
allow what has happened in the past mess up their today.
“It’s
hard to have the door of the past and the door of the future opened at the same
time. When both are opened you will find uncertainty about the present and the
future is in danger. When an argument has started between the past and the
future the future doesn’t stand a chance,” said Bishop McKenzie.
She
also called on the delegates to get in the flow of the “move of God.” Bishop McKenzie said believers could either
be a river or a lake.
“We
want things that can’t stay the same to stay the same anyhow. There is only one
who does not change and that’s Jesus. That’s bible,” she said. “It does not say
the church is the same. That’s not bible. The kingdom of God is a movement. It
is a river. We are called to flow in the river of the kingdom.”
Bishop
McKenzie serves as the 117th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church. She most recently was the Presiding Bishop
of the 13th Episcopal District, which includes the state of
Tennessee and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
9. ST. PAUL AME CHURCH (CAMBRIDGE) MEMBER, DR. BEVERLY SEALEY, BECOMES A
QUEEN MOTHER IN GHANA, W. AFRICA:
On
Wednesday, August 8, 2012, Dr. Beverly Sealey of St. Paul African Methodist
Episcopal Church, Cambridge, was entailed as a Queen Mother, in the Assin
Darmang Community, Assin South District, Central Region, of Ghana, W. Africa
under the Chieftaincy of Nana Fensi Asiampa II.
Dr. Sealey's stool name is Nana Adwoa Fensiwaa II.
Dr.
Sealey, a professor of social work at Simmons College, School of Social Work
(Boston, MA) will serve as the Development Queen of this village. She will work along with Nana Adwoa Fensiwaa,
I, Queen Mother for the Assin Darmang Community. As a social worker, I hope to bring my
knowledge of social welfare needs and organizational skills to my role as
Development Queen Mother.
At a
ceremony at Assin Darmang, the Development Queen Mother, under the stool name
of Nana Adwoa Fensiwaa, II swore the oath of allegiance to the chiefs,
sub-chiefs, elders, and people of the community, vowing to continue to help the
people of this community. Dr. Sealey
pledged to continue to mobilize resources when possible, to help bring development
and resources to this community.
St.
Paul AME Church, under the leadership of Rev. Melvin E. Wilson, has sponsored
missions to Ghana since 2010. Dr. Sealey
has served as the organizer and group leader for this mission. Part of the mission has included donations to
the Assin Darmang community of money, clothing for women and children, school
supplies, and other personal items. “The
community has been very grateful in receiving these donations. A community experiencing extreme poverty, any
development in education of girl children, occupational skills training of
adult females, clothing, schools supplies, and other resources are badly
needed” commented Dr. Sealey.
In
addition, St. Paul’s has developed an Eye Glass Project, collecting eyeglasses
from members of the Greater Boston community who no longer need their old
glasses that are donated to health facilities in Ghana for distribution to
persons who otherwise would not be able to acquire corrective lenses. And, for several years now the church
membership has supported an academic enrichment summer program, College for AMA
(CofA), established to provide academic enrichment in math, English, and the
sciences during the summer school vacation.
The program is for very bright young ladies in secondary school, who are
from very impoverished homes, who show academic promise.
Queen
Mothers in Ghana represent ancestral heads as the female leaders and
authorities of the community, town, or village.
The Akan name for Queen Mother is “Nana.” Queen Mothers represent royalty as usually ascend
to the throne through inheritance. This
position is one of high honor and esteem.
The
position of Queen Mother parallels that of the Chief in the political system
known as Chieftaincy, where the position is complimentary to the Chief. Chiefs
and Queen Mothers are blood relatives (sister of the Chief, female cousin, or
aunt), and are not husband and wife.
They each have their own stool, which represents the symbol of
authority. Queen Mothers, responsible
for selecting, advising, and reprimanding the Chiefs as appropriate, are also
responsible for the welfare of the women of their community, town, or
village. They are leaders and custodians
for girls and women, and oversee their livelihoods and transition from youth to
adulthood (retrieved August 21, 2012, from
http://www.un-uno.org/what-we-do/ecod/queenmothers/). A Queen Mother is responsible for the social,
educational, and health conditions of the female population in their community. Queen Mothers are also said to be responsible
for settling disputes and resolving conflicts in the Queen Mothers’ court,
particularly conflicts involving women.
For
more information, or to make a donation, please contact Dr. Beverly Sealey at
St. Paul AME church, Christian Life Center, 85 Bishop Richard Allen Drive,
Cambridge, MA, at 617-521-3917, or email at stpaul.Ghana@gmail.com .
Submitted
by Beverly Sealey
617-491-4071
10. STREET-NAMING CEREMONY IN HONOR OF AME BISHOP:
Bethel
AME Church and the City of Morristown to Hold Street Naming Ceremony in Honor
of Bishop Willis Nazery (Morristown, New Jersey, September 1, 2012)
Bethel
African Methodist Episcopal Church and the City of Morristown will hold a
street-naming ceremony to designate Center Street as “Bishop Nazery Way” in
recognition of his contributions to the City of Morristown and Bethel AME
Church. Bishop Nazery served as the first pastor of Bethel AME Church in 1845.
He is best known for his work on the Underground Rail Road where he assisted
former slaves escape to Canada.
After
being elected and consecrated as the 5th of Bishop of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church in 1852, he spent most of his remaining years establishing
churches in Ontario, Canada.
Bishop
Nazrey died in 1875 in Nova Scotia and is buried in Maple Leaf Cemetery in
Chatham, Ontario. His name appears in Washington DC on the “Episcopacy Window”
at the Metropolitan African Methodist Church, where funerals for Frederick
Douglass and Rosa Parks were held.
What:
Street Naming Ceremony for Bishop Willis Nazery, first pastor of Bethel AME
Church in Morristown, New Jersey
When:
Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.
Where:
59 Spring Street, Morristown, NJ 07960
11. JOSHUA AND ME – A GRANDMOTHER’S
4-DAY JOURNEY WITH JOSHUA:
*Dr. PAM DeVeaux
Sunday night, our daughter Robin and her two
children Alexis and Jalen left on a four day trip to Williamsburg, Virginia and
a water park as invited guests on a family vacation
I, the grandmother, volunteered to keep 2 year old
Joshua while they were gone
After all, an amusement park is not very amusing
with a two year old in tow.
That night Robin put Joshua to bed at 6:00 pm. She
claimed since he had not had a nap he
would sleep all night and not wake up until the next morning.
Robin, Alexis and Jalen left.
7:30 p.m. An hour and a half later, Joshua was
wide-awake calling for “Bunk” his name for his sister Alexis; 11:00 p.m. Joshua
went to sleep; 6:30 a.m. Joshua was awake and ready for his Cheerios; and 7:30
a.m. I found out the college student, who had agreed to work as a helper
changed her mind and was not coming,
Activities
Joshua enjoyed watering outside. He calls the water
wine (maybe he is spiritual). He prefers watering the cement around the urns
holding the flowers, rather than the flowers.
He took a two-hour nap every day. We only had one
mishap. He awakened before I came into my bedroom and the pearl bracelet on my
nightstand became a sea of individual pearls on my rug (fortunately they were
fake pearls)
Whenever Joshua breaks something, he looks up with
his big brown eyes framed by his mass of curly ringlets and says with great
innocence, "Hi."
Except for the bottle of bubbles he spilled on the
garage floor rendering it as slippery as glass, nothing else was broken or
spilled. Oh yeah, he did pour salt all over the kitchen table.
His greatest delight was jumping on the couch as his
grandfather was attempting to sit down and then looking up and saying,
"Hi." Maybe he was practicing tough love therapy.
He loved racing me to the phone, grabbing the receiver and saying
"Hi,” “Hi,” “Hi,"
I took him out for a walk only one time because once
he got outside he did not want to come inside without a fight. There was much
screaming, stretching out and mega-tears. No way was I going to let him down
and scrape, bruise or break anything “on my watch,”
So we spent our days mostly in the house
The day we went to his grandfather, Bill's physical
therapy and we rode the elevator from the lobby to the 2nd floor at
least fifty times. We did this because he wanted to use the physical therapy
machines and the therapists and clients were not smiling.
Joshua was quite fascinated by the water fountain in
the reception area. Turning on the spout
and letting the water spill on the floor was great fun. This was not a good
venue for Joshua and me. I found myself looking at the people and saying,
"Hi," especially after he pulled the live plants from their planters
in the building lobby.
At the end of four days, Robin and her baby Joshua
were reunited. Was it only four days? Somehow it seemed longer! He is back home now!
I miss him but, I am handling it well.
*Dr. PAM DeVeaux
is the Episcopal supervisor for the 2nd Episcopal District and the
wife of Bishop William P. DeVeaux.
12. CELEBRATING ANOTHER POSITIVE STEP IN 2012:
*The Rev Kenneth L. Whitley
June
10, 2012 marked an important date in the Boston-Hartford District. Churches from the Boston-Hartford District
came together to praise God and celebrate some positive achievements of our
young people.
This
year eleven high school graduates received partial scholarships from the
Herbert L Eddy Scholarship Fund. This annual program, named after the Presiding
Elder of the Boston-Hartford District, provides financial assistance for
graduates who are going on to further their academic and vocational
education. The fund’s chairperson, the
Rev Dannie Mae James-Green, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Lowell Massachusetts
was quick to point out that partial scholarships are available for graduates
who apply and are active in the Boston-Hartford District congregations. The
district connection is making an investment in the future of our young
people.
Scholarship
recipients participated in a 5:00 p.m. “Celebration Program” at Bethel AME
Church in Springfield Massachusetts where the pastor is the Rev Angelo S.
Dawson. This year’s theme was “Taking Another Step to
Fulfill Our Purpose.”
Recipients blessed attendees with song, dance, poetry, and
demonstrations of Japanese and Latin language proficiency. The host church also added a special treat to
the event. Their all male liturgical Dance team comprised of preschool through
high school members rendered a praise selection through dance.
Presiding
Elder Eddy offered “Words of Encouragement” and Brother Lawrence Bagwell, New
England Annual Conference Director of Music closed the celebration with a
special selection from Sister Schauntice Marshall.
Pictured
in the center are Presiding Elder Herbert L. Eddy and First Lady, the Rev
Amelia Eddy with the graduates, their parents and the scholarship committee
members. This year’s scholarship
recipients are: Adrian Anthony II,
Albert Christie, Khalil Flemming, Veronikka Gittens, Danielle Haskett, Wesley
Hopkins, Taylor Kennerly, Theodore Lee, Ayanna Martinez, Kaitlin Oliver and
Jacquelyn Wiley.
We
praise God for the graduates and their parents!
*The
Rev Kenneth L. Whitley is the associate minister at Peoples AME Church in
Chelsea, Massachusetts
13. ST. STEPHEN’S AME CHURCH,
LATROBE, PENNSYLVANIA STRUCTURE MOVED FROM ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER:
St. Stephen’s AME Church, a small 40-by-20-foot yellow wood-frame
church that stood along 33rd and Jefferson Street in Latrobe, PA
since 1906, looked out of place surrounded by concrete buildings and warehouses
between the City Brewing Company and the Loyalhanna Creek. St.
Stephens’ membership consisted of eight members, six active
members and two ill members. Four
members were in their eighties and two senior citizen members were in their
sixties. St. Stephen’s was the last
piece of a forgotten community.
Little by little, the brewing company purchased all properties
over the years until our 100-by-130 foot piece of land was surrounded by the
expanding brewery on three sides and a brook on the fourth side. Initially, houses were located to the left of
our church. There was a butcher shop at the end of Jefferson Street, a
greenhouse behind the church and more houses up the street on both Jefferson
and 33rd Street (formerly Buttonwood Street). St. Stephen’s was the last piece of a
now-forgotten neighborhood.
The Rev. Prudence L. Harris, St. Stephen’s pastor since 2008 was located adjacent to a brewery, which provided its share of tribulations to our small congregation.
Physically getting to the church became a challenge. The church
was barely visible from the main street.
The brewery had two entrances – both were gated. Our members had to put directional signs up
(in the neighborhood), when visitors were expected to get to our church for
services. If the security guard did not
recognize the vehicle, the guard would stop them. Other people would look at the gate and think
they could not enter through the gates – so they would leave. Even some Latrobe residents did not notice
the little yellow building.
Past owners of the brewery had offered to relocate the
congregation; however, past offers were not conducive at that time. The current
offer provided St. Stephen’s an opportunity to physically move our church and
to gain several improvements. The improvements were important, but the
visibility of the historic church was equally important. We all looked forward to this new change and
felt it would be great to actually be visible in our community.
City Brewing Company was interested in obtaining our church property
at 11 N. Jefferson and 33rd Street (formerly Buttonwood Street) in
Latrobe, to open up land for the construction of a $7.5 million water treatment
facility. After receiving approval from
the Bishop and the A.M.E. Trustees, Rev. Prudence L. Harris and the members of
St. Stephen’s A.M.E. Church accepted the City Brewing offer on November 29,
2010. City Brewing Company George Parke,
CEO, and Zack Mazzoni, Controller, were instrumental in our debt-free move.
Following
much prayer and discussion in regards the cost of building a new church, our
church congregation requested City Brewing Company to move our existing church
building rather than build a new one.
City Brewing agreed to pay for the move of our church to a new location
as well as to construct a 32-by-20-foot addition to the church. The agreement included a breezeway, an
office, a kitchen and dining hall to be used for banquets and special meetings.
Our
history was maintained and our future was enhanced.
The
pastor and members of St. Stephen’s A.M.E. Church, Latrobe, remain
faithful. We thank God for all things…We
are truly blessed.
Submitted
by Ruth R. Tolbert, Secretary, St. Stephen’s AME Church, 19 Oak Street in
Latrobe, PA 15650; telephone: (724)
694-5232
14. “HEAVEN BOUND” RETURNS FOR ITS 82nd
PERFORMANCE - AN ATLANTA TRADITION CONTINUES ON AUBURN AVENUE:
Big
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church presents its 82nd annual performance
of Heaven Bound, November 9 – 10¸ 2012 at 7:00 p.m., on both nights. The Friday
night performance is the traditional version and the Saturday night performance
is the contemporary version. This legendary African American folk drama tells
the story of pilgrims on their way to heaven. Comprised of cast members from
the congregation, Heaven Bound continues its time-honored legacy of the oral
tradition through hymns, spirituals, and dramatic storytelling. The play
portrays suspenseful conflict between the pilgrims and Satan. Who will make it
through the “pearly gates?” Surprises abound!
Written
and produced by two choirs members, Nellie Lindley Davis and Lula Byrd Jones,
Heaven Bound first debuted on February 17, 1930, at Big Bethel African
Methodist Episcopal Church. It was hailed soon after as "the first great
American folk drama" by Theatre Guild magazine and the New York Times as
“Atlanta’s most enduring tradition.” Come and experience this very powerful and
important performance as we mark the 82nd production. Call for tickets at (404)
827-9707 or www.bigbethelame.org (prices $12.00 adults, $10.00 children and
students with ID). Join us for this wonderful tradition in the life of Big
Bethel and the Atlanta community.
About
Big Bethel AME Church
Big
Bethel continues to play an important role in transforming the lives of others
and enhancing its community. It constructed Bethel Towers, low income housing
apartments and Big Bethel Village, an independent living facility for aging but
active adults; established Bethel Trinity House, a transitional housing and rehabilitation
program for men recovering from alcohol and drug addiction; and Integral Group
to build “Renaissance Walk” on Auburn Avenue, a community of upscale
condominiums and retail establishments. The Big Bethel church ministry is led
by the Rev. Gregory V. Eason, Sr., Senior Pastor and is located at 220 Auburn
Avenue in the Sweet Auburn district of downtown Atlanta.
15. PASTOR JAMAL BRYANT SET TO SPEAK HONORING THE DNC BLACK CAUCUS AND
THE 2012 AFRICAN AMERICAN DELEGATES:
Baltimore,
MD -- Social and civil rights activist Pastor Jamal Bryant is scheduled to
speak at FAITH! Honoring the DNC Black Caucus and the 2012 African American
Delegates, the event will be held September 2, 2012, at 6:00 p.m., in
Charlotte, NC at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church, 3400 Beatties Ford
Road.
The
event will be the first of this caliber to honor the history and pride of the
DNC Black Caucus and over 800 African-American Delegates representing the 50
states and US territories. The DNC Black
Caucus has been a key element in securing the African American vote for the
Democratic Party on a local and national level.
That legacy will be honored at this event as delegates prepare for the
upcoming Democratic National Convention.
Pastor
Bryant is one of this generation’s most dynamic speakers and a true leader in
the fight for social justice and economic equality in the African American
community. He believes there is a new
generation of young activist that are prepared to utilize their rights and
their voices to make a change in this countries political climate. He has made no secret of the importance of
the Black Church playing a major role in the 2012 election, through educating
its member’s about the issues facing their communities such as racial
profiling, unemployment, healthcare, minority funding for education, and
economic inequity.
About Pastor Jamal Bryant:
Pastor
Jamal Bryant is the founder of the Empowerment Temple Church in Baltimore,
MD. Under his leadership the church has
grown from 43 members to over 12,000 in a few short years making it the fastest
growing church in the history of the AME denomination.
16. GATES MILLENNIUM SCHOLARSHIP
The deadline for submission is January 16, 2013
Nationwide
(August 15, 2012) -- Every year, the Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) Program
selects 1,000 talented minority students to receive a good-through-graduation
scholarship to use at any college or university of their choice. The program
provides scholars with personal and professional development through our
leadership programs along with academic support throughout their college
career.
Administered
by the United Negro College Fund, the program was initially funded by a $1
billion grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since 1999, it has
funded the education of more than 16,000 students, awarding them more than $614
million dollars to pay for tuition, fees, books and housing.
The
program aims to reduce financial barriers for African American, American
Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American
students with high academic and leadership promise who have significant
financial need; increase the representation of these target groups in the
disciplines of computer science, education, engineering, library science,
mathematics, public health and the sciences, where these groups are severely
underrepresented; develop a diversified cadre of future leaders for America by
facilitating successful completion of bachelor's, master's and doctoral
degrees; and provide seamless support from undergraduate through doctoral
programs, for students selected as Gates Millennium Scholars entering target
disciplines.
Individuals
selected as Gates Scholars will receive funds in an amount to be determined
based on their financial need. The amount determined will be based on the cost
of tuition, fees, books and living expenses for the 2013-2014 academic year, as
well as the availability of grants and other scholarships reported on the
financial aid award letter. The average scholarship award in the 2000-2010
academic years was $11,000 per student.
The
application process is a three-part effort: 1) a Student Application is
completed and submitted by the student; 2) a Nominator Form must be completed
and submitted by an educator- Principal, teacher, guidance counselor or higher
education representative; 3) a Recommender Form must be completed and submitted
by any adult who is familiar with the student's community service and
leadership activities, such as a supervisor at work or a community leader.
The deadline for submission is January 16, 2013.
To
apply for the 2013 Gates Millennium Scholars program, visit: www.scholarshipsonline.org/2012/08/the-gates-millennium-scholars-program.html
TCR
Editor’s Note: This is important! You cannot be
considered if you fail to apply for the Gates Millennium Scholarship
17. TEN REASONS WHY YOU
SHOULD BECOME A TRAINED AND CERTIFIED TAX VOLUNTEER:
The Internal
Revenue Service is seeking community volunteers to provide free tax help to
qualified individuals during the tax filing season.
Managed by the
IRS, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the
Elderly (TCE) programs are community based partnerships that provide free tax return
preparation for low-to-moderate income taxpayers, seniors, and people with
disabilities and those with limited English skills. If you are looking for a
way to help in your community, then consider becoming a tax volunteer. People
helping people - it's that simple.
Here are 10
things the IRS wants you to know about becoming a community volunteer for VITA
or TCE.
1. No previous
experience is required. Volunteers receive specialized training and - if tax
preparation is not preferable - have the option of serving in a variety of
other roles.
2. If you are
fluent in a language other than English, you can help those who do not speak
English understand their tax return.
3. IRS provides
free tax law training and materials needed to prepare basic individual income
tax returns.
4. Volunteers
become familiar with deductions, allowable expenses and credits that benefit
eligible taxpayers, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit
and the Credit for the Elderly.
5. The hours are
flexible. Volunteers generally serve an average of three to four hours per week
from mid-January through the tax filing deadline, which is April 15, 2013.
6. Volunteer
sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries,
schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations.
7. Most VITA/TCE
sites offer free electronic filing for both federal and state tax returns.
8. As a tax
volunteer, veterans (and non-veterans alike) may choose to help military
personnel and their families.
9. Volunteers
will become part of an established program that has helped community members
file tax returns at no charge for more than four decades.
10. You can make
a difference as a tax volunteer.
Last year nearly
99,000 community volunteers answered the call and made a difference by
preparing over 3.3 million tax returns for free at more than 13,000 locations
nationwide. Anyone can volunteer for this exciting, educational and enjoyable
experience. Sign up to become a tax volunteer and see what a difference
learning about taxes and helping others makes in your life.
Additional
information about becoming a VITA or TCE volunteer is available on IRS.gov by
typing the key words "tax volunteer" in the search box. Those
interested must submit Form 14310, VITA/TCE Volunteer Sign Up, by email through
the IRS website.
Links:
YouTube
Videos:
Podcasts:
18. 12TH EPISCOPAL
DISTRICT 2012 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., Presiding
Prelate
Supervisor Phyllis N. Green, Episcopal
Supervisor
Arkansas Annual Conference
Bethel AME Church, Little Rock, AR
The Reverend D. Lavel Crawford, Host Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Eugene Brannon, Host
Presiding Elder
August 25, 2012: Youth Day Activities
August 27, 2012: WMS Annual Convention
August 28-30, 2012: Annual Conference
September 3-7, 2012: Rest Week
West Arkansas Annual Conference
Bethel AME Church, Malvern, AR
The Reverend Richard Sutton, Host Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Clarence Guy, Host
Presiding Elder
September 8, 2012: Youth Day Activities
September, 10, 2012: WMS Annual Convention
September 11-13, 2012: Annual Conference
East Arkansas Annual Conference
Pilgrim Rest AME Church, Monticello, AR
The Reverend Gregory Nettles, Host Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Nolan Watson, Host
Presiding Elder
September 15, 2012: Youth Day Activities
September 17, 2012: WMS Annual Convention
September 18-20, 2012 Annual Conference
September 24-28, 2012: Rest Week
Oklahoma State Annual Conference
Vernon AME Church, Tulsa, OK
The Reverend Dr. Michelle K.T. Moulden,
Host Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Marcellus Fields, Host
Presiding Elder
September 29, 2012: Youth Day Activities
October 1, 2012: WMS Annual Convention
October 2-4, 2012: Annual Conference
Fall Convocation and Planning
Conference
Oklahoma State Annual Conference
The Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference
Center
2501 Conference Drive
Norman, OK
Room Rate: $99.00 (Reservation Code: AME)
Telephone: 405-364-8040
October 5 – 6, 2012
The Reverend Dr. Roy Jones, Jr., Co-Host
Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Harvey G. Potts, Sr.,
Co-Host Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Roger O. Alford, Host
Presiding Elder
The Reverend Dr. Marcellus Fields,
Associate Presiding Elder
19. HISTORY IN THE MAKING
“A Healthy Church
in a Hurting World” was the theme for the Homecoming and annual Summer Revival
Services held on Aug. 5-Aug. 8, at St. John AME Church in Raleigh, NC, where
the pastor is the Rev. Allen E. Warren. This year’s revival was unprecedented,
because of the selection of four Presiding Elders as guest speakers for this
historic occasion. All those in attendance experienced three nights and one day
of Holy Ghost, spirit-filled praise and worship, and five pastors who boldly
preached the transforming power of God’s Holy Word.
The Rev. Allen E.
Warren, pastor of St. John AME Church officially kicked off Homecoming with
high-powered praise at the 11:00 a.m. worship service, and a dynamic message,
“I’ve Got Something Left.” He eloquently conveyed to the congregation that,
“The way in which you view your walk and your ministry is the way you will
ultimately fulfill it.”
Pastor Warren
emphasized the powerful and immobilizing effects of fear on workers in Christ,
in their spiritual and personal ministries.
In an uplifting and inspirational fashion, he elaborated on prescribed
steps for navigating through the obstacles of fear and indecision. His
blueprint for success is a Jesus mandate, a Holy Ghost comforter, and
unwavering faith, and thankfulness for the goodness and mercy of God.
The Homecoming
speaker for the afternoon and first Revival Speaker was Presiding Elder Larry
S. Hinton of the Northern District. Elder Hinton delivered an explosive
message, “When the Church Prays, Something is Going to Happen,” about the
supernatural and unifying forces of the power of prayer. Elder Hinton recalled
the boldness and courage of the early church, but emphasized that true power
occurred on the day of Pentecost with the “infilling presence” of the Holy
Spirit.
He offered a
sobering reminder that the church today has lost much of its spiritual power,
doing “church work” instead of the “work of the church.” He challenged the
congregation to stop using God’s house for “form and fashion,” and view the
church as a hospital that offers healing to the spiritually sick. In the words
of Elder Hinton, “It is difficult to praise God when you don’t pray to God.”
The St. John AME Church mass choir gave high praises to the power of our
Savior, as they lifted up their angelic voices during the opening night of
revival.
On Monday night,
Retired Presiding Elder Larnie G. Horton of the Central District opened the
revival with a rousing sermon, “The Trust Factor, The Multiplier in Our Faith.”
In a charismatic fashion, he encouraged everyone present to have a trusting
relationship with God, and stressed that you have to know the person in whom
you place your trust. He used Job as an example of a man that had complete
faith in God in spite of his difficult circumstances.
Presiding Elder
Horton shared a personal experience about a turbulent flight he was on, and a
little girl that seemed undisturbed by the conditions around her. He asked how
she could remain so calm, and her response was, “My daddy is the pilot of this
plane.” He urged the congregation to unconditionally place their trust in a
heavenly father who shed His precious blood on the cross for us. The beautiful voices of Mt. Zion and St.
Matthews AME Church choirs blessed the congregation with songs of praise that
brought glory and honor to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Presiding Elder
Conrad K. Pridgen, the guest preacher for the second night, captivated the
audience with his message, “If Walls Could Talk.” As he looked out over the
congregation, he marveled over the historic nature of the revival, “I have
never heard of four Presiding Elders being here, never heard of that
before.” Elder Pridgen highlighted the
dangers of what Jesus described as the “leaven of the Pharisees”, commonly
known as hypocrisy. In a humorous, but frank manner, he warned the congregants
of the pitfalls that await those who follow the same types of behavioral
patterns as the Pharisees; a behavior that exhibits outward displays of empty
ceremony void of any allegiance to God, while yielding to a sinful nature
behind closed doors.
The congregation
breathed a sigh of relief as he reassuringly revealed that we serve a God that
loves us in spite of our faults... because if “walls could talk” they would
have much to say. He encouraged all believers to seek a closer relationship
with God and walk confidently in His love. The soul-stirring baritone voices of
the Lincolnville AME Church Male Chorus kept the audience on their feet for
most of the evening.
The final night
of revival wrapped up with an evening of powerful praise and worship. The Emmanuel
AME Church Male Chorus’ opening selections put the congregants in a high state
of Holy Ghost praise. One of the soloists had the congregation on fire when he
sang a moving rendition of Walk around Heaven.
The speaker for
the evening was Presiding Elder J. Bernard Wilder, of the Eastern District.
Following thunderous applause Elder Wilder stepped to the podium and quipped,
“I don’t know why I allowed the pastor, Rev. Warren to put me at the tail end
of so many giants.” However, before the evening ended, Elder Wilder’s
transforming message “Listening to the Wrong Voices,” and his fiery delivery,
left no doubt in the minds of the congregation why he was chosen to be the
final revivalist speaker.
“Society has
turned a deaf ear to the voice of God, and has tuned into the voices of the
world. ‘They are living life their way,
a Burger King mentality,’” said Elder Wilder. He pointed out that success today
is measured by how much we acquire in material possessions, creating idolaters
more focused on self-worship, than the adoration that should belong only to
God. He emphasized that the church is listening to the wrong voices, voices of
the world that vie for our attention on a daily basis: television, media
outlets and radio; with very little time spent listening for the voice of God.
He closed with a resounding plea to the congregation to “Listen to a God who
broadcast centuries ago, from a station that sent out a message of love and
hope to the world .This voice is just as relevant today, the voice of a risen
Lord, the voice of Jesus.”
The evening
concluded with a call from Presiding Elder Hinton to the congregation to sing
in unison, Let the Church Say Amen. With hands raised all across the church, it
was evident that God moved in a mighty way during an amazing four days of
powerful preaching, and incredible praise and worship. What an awesome sight to
see worshippers each night gather at the altar to petition God for salvation
and the Holy Spirit to move in their lives. If those in attendance were looking
to be re-energized and renewed for the Lord during this four-night revival,
they weren’t disappointed. The evidence is clear that the church is still a
beacon of light, hope and a safe haven for a hurting world.
DVDs of the
entire revival services are available for purchase. Contact Richard Arnold at
(919) 606-6357, or Robin Gunter at (919) 796-0703 to place an order. Orders can
also be placed online at www.stjohnameraleighnc@gmail.com.
Submitted by:
Mrs. Pamela H. Saunders
20. SEX, NOT SAME-SEX
MARRIAGE, SHOULD BE TOPIC OF DEBATE:
By William H.
Lamar IV
I played tee ball
as a youngster. I recall vividly a teammate who crushed the ball off of the tee
with the bases loaded. And this is where it all went downhill. As the ball
sailed into the gap between the second baseman and the centerfielder my
teammate ran from home plate to third base. Yes. That’s what I said. He ran to
third instead of first and the base runners devolved into a confused state,
running aimlessly and being tagged out one by one by one. I was never much of
an athlete. But sitting in the dugout 33 years ago I could tell that error
would cost my team the game.
The current
debate over same-sex marriage in many Black churches gives me a feeling of déjÃ
vu. We are running to third instead of first. How can we talk about same-sex
marriage or homosexuality for that matter without talking about sex and
sexuality first? In my humble opinion we are running in the wrong direction and
starting in the wrong place. Christians are a people of the book, and that
book, the Holy Bible, never shies away from talking about sex. The language
about a husband and wife becoming one flesh found in Genesis is a euphemism for
sex. Ruth uncovering Boaz’s feet is a euphemism for sex. No euphemism is needed
for the voracious sexual appetite of King Solomon or the tragic sexual appetite
of King David. Prostitution, concubinage, levirate marriage, rape, and incest
permeate the scriptures. Speaking of rape and incest, when was the last time
you heard a teaching or a sermon on the rape of Tamar and her cries for justice
after experiencing the unspeakable? How might congregants be healed by an
excellent exegesis of that passage amidst all of the hurt and pain that
molestation and rape have caused in our communities? And this is not just a
Hebrew Bible affair. Christians at Corinth were not known for their Victorian
sexual mores.
The Black church
shies away from frank discussions about sex while claiming to be Bible-based
and scripture centered. You cannot be those things and not talk about God’s
good gift of sex and how it is to be used to God’s glory. How is being fixated
on homosexual activity helping young men and women facing puberty deal
faithfully and healthfully with their newly discovered urges? How is it helping
the chaste singles and the sexually active singles in the pews? How is talk
about gay marriage helping widows and widowers who cannot marry because it
would upset their incomes but who are sexually active in their later years
because they still crave human intimacy and they ain’t dead yet? Why aren’t we
talking about these sexual issues at all or at least alongside issues of
homosexuality?
The Black
community has always known about homosexuality. This is not a new discovery.
And we know that homophobia is rampant in our community. But I can say
unequivocally that the Black church’s unofficial stance on homosexuality has
always been Clintonian – don’t ask, don’t tell. Only in recent years has the
vitriol of the right caused this to be a predominant issue in our churches. Sex
matters and we should talk about sex. But what about the fact that in many
urban school districts 50% of our children will not graduate from high school?
What about the fact that there are 16.4 million poor children in America and
there are 7.4 million children in America living in extreme poverty? What about
the fact that Romney and Obama are pulling a politically dishonest sleight of
hand by gearing their campaigns toward a rapidly disappearing middle class and
not even uttering the word poverty? What about the fact that rich, guilty
people are treated better than poor, innocent people in our system of
jurisprudence? And what about the fact that the sinister war on drugs is really
a war that strips citizenship away from countless black men because enforcement
efforts are concentrated in ghettoes and not in suburbs where whites sell and
do the same amount of drugs statistically? If these issues are not our top
priorities and crafting public policy to address these disparities is not our
consuming passion then we are running in the wrong direction.
I am all for
talking about sex. People of the book should talk about sex. But talking about
homosexual brokenness without talking about heterosexual brokenness is
intellectually dishonest and more than that, it reeks of self-righteousness and
scape-goating. It seems that we have become expert at confessing the sins of
the homosexual bedroom while ignoring the sins of the heterosexual bedroom. We
have traded in robust discussions of justice for paper-thin discussions of
so-called morality. If we keep running in this direction I am not sure that our
team will be victorious.
The Rev. William
H. Lamar IV
Special to The Christian Recorder
Reprint
permission granted from the AFRO American Newspapers
*The Rev. William
H. Lamar IV is pastor of Turner Memorial A.M.E. Church in Hyattsville, Maryland
21. FORTY DAYS OF PRAYER: ENGAGING YOUR CONGREGATION’S MOST POWERFUL
RESOURCE:
By Beverly Donehoo Gibson
Director of Church Relations, Wycliffe Bible
Translators
Scripture continually points to the power of prayer in
our lives. It’s a foundational part of Christian life and ministry, helping to
further God’s kingdom. Is your congregation using this crucial resource well?
The vision of Wycliffe Bible Translators is that every
person would have access to God’s Word in the language of their heart. We
humbly approach this goal knowing that, like all kingdom work, Bible
translation begins and ends with prayer.
We invite you to engage your church in prayer focused
on fulfilling the Great Commission and lifting up Bible translation. Our free
online resource, 40 Days of Prayer, walks each
participant through daily prompts about different aspects of Bible translation.
They can complete the prompts at their own pace, or they can subscribe and
receive an e-mail each day with a new way to pray.
It’s our hope that 40 Days of Prayer
will help your congregation make prayer a more permanent, prominent part of
their walk by encouraging it as a daily habit. As you’ve probably experienced,
humble prayers can lead to mighty works of God.
You’ll learn about Fajak, a translator for his people
in Sudan. His ministry began because of the faithful prayers of people half way
around the world with a heart for Bible translation. They prayed that God would
begin a translation for the Tira language group, and that same year Fajak
received a vision from God before he was even a believer.
Numerous groups prayed for Fajak’s translation project
throughout the process until the Scriptures were complete. Each time a new
group began praying, Fajak saw God move in his work. Fajak also prayed for help
when his ministry faced trials, and he watched God provide time and time again.
Today, God’s Word is available in the Tira language!
To date, Wycliffe has matched about 50,000 prayer
partners to Bible-less people groups around the world. Through resources like our
40 Days of Prayer series, intercessors
pray for each stage of the translation process and for language groups who are
still waiting for a translation to begin.
As these prayer warriors have laid a strong foundation
for the work of Bible translation, we’ve watched as the number of translation
needs has continued to drop. This is why we value prayer so highly throughout
the entire translation process.
Visit http://www.wycliffe.org/40DOP to get started on this prayer
journey. We hope you’ll encourage your church to participate, and we pray it
will be a fruitful time for all
22. GETTING TO ZERO: A PRIMER ON BASICS OF HIV/AIDS (PART 2):
By A. Oveta Fuller
To “Get to Zero” (G20) will require understanding
basics of why HIV/AIDS can be stopped. In Part 1 and here we clarify key terms
and concepts so each person can start with a solid foundation to move towards
zero.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is infection with a
virus that is specific to humans; there are no other natural animal hosts.
Infection can eventually alter normal functions of the immune system so it
reaches a deficient state.
AIDS is acquired from contact with HIV in any one of
only four body fluids that can protect the fragile virus structure so it
remains intact and infectious. These four fluids are blood, semen, vaginal
fluid and breast milk. HIV, like other microbes such as polio, chickenpox or
tuberculosis, is not passed in genetic material (genes) from parents to a child
as are genetic traits such as sickle cell anemia, height or eye color. Such
infectious microbes are acquired by their getting by the body’s natural defense
barriers.
Immune deficiency means that functions of the immune
system are impaired. The immune system is the primary defense against foreign
substances. It is amazingly adaptable to recognize and get rid of pathogenic
viruses, bacteria, other microbes or particles such as transformed or infected
cells. CD4 cells are central to communications for the immune system.
This system also performs immune surveillance that
distinguishes “self” (our normal cells) from “non-self”. For example, we
recognize and try to destroy cells of others (from transplants, grafts) or
cells that have been altered (cancer cells or infected cells). The amazing
immune system is an intricate network that begins to develop at birth and
continues as we experience the world. Its strength is influenced by factors
such as overall nutrition, frequency and levels of exposure to microbes,
regular exercise, age, environmental and genetic factors.
Syndrome means that there is no one specific
presenting clinical symptom associated with AIDS. The deficient function of the
immune system results in many kinds of clinical presentations from outcomes of
different opportunistic infections (OIs).
A person with a normal healthy immune system would
typically not exhibit clinical signs from OIs. Such infections would be shut
down before reaching the disease state. However, a person with a CD4 deficient
immune system may not be able to handle replication of microbes that cause OIs;
thus visible clinical symptoms appear.
A frequent OI with AIDS is thrush- a white fungal
growth on the tongue that is seen often with babies whose immune system is not
yet well developed. When thrush appears in an adult, it usually has taken
advantage of weakened conditions from reduced immune system function.
Other common OIs include different kinds of pneumonia
accompanied by a persistent cough or shortness of breath, weight loss due to
microbe-induced diarrhea, mouth sores or loss of appetite, reactivated latent
virus to cause recurrent herpes lesions such as cold sores, genital herpes,
zoster, and others. These OIs are associated with early stages of AIDS. They
appear when the CD4 cell count drops to a level such that the immune system
does not function well to identify and get rid of invaders.
HIV infection (HIV+) and AIDS are not the same. The
next article will explore the differences.
Bottom Line #2:
The first clinical signs indicating progression to AIDS may differ in
people who are HIV+ since there are a variety of possible opportunistic
infections. By the time AIDS symptoms appear, the virus has killed enough CD4
cells to significantly damage the immune system.
About the author: The Rev. Dr. A. Oveta Fuller is an Associate Professor in
Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School and
Adjunct Faculty at Payne Seminary. She was pastor of Bethel AME Church in
Adrian, MI for seven years before primarily focusing on global HIV/AIDS
ministry. Currently, she serves at Brown Chapel AME Church in Ypsilanti, MI in
the 4th Episcopal District while continuing HIV/AIDS research in
Zambia and the USA.
.
23. MEDITATION BASED ON PSALM 27:
*The
Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
I’m
writing this meditation after South Carolina’s brief encounter with Hurricane
Isaac. The storm was hundreds of miles
away, but it had far reaching “rain bands” that dumped five inches of
precipitation on Charleston in a few hours with a predictable result -
widespread flooding that made driving an adventure.
Charleston
is a coastal city that sits only a hundred feet or so above sea level, is
touched by four rivers and is built in part on what was once marshland, so
flooded streets are a frequent but easily handled problem. All one has to do is learn and avoid roads
that are prone to flooding and, when flooded roads can’t be avoided, slow down
and ease along through the water.
Some
people don’t follow those simple rules, barrel along at full speed and either
end up causing accidents or blocking streets in flooded out vehicles, to the
delight of towing companies and auto repair shops. Those hurried and impatient drivers run into
needless and costly difficulties because they don’t take the time to learn how
to avoid flooded streets or to slow down when flooding happens.
The
behavior of those drivers who have problems with flooded streets is similar to
the behavior that we all sometimes exhibit.
All of us sometimes get hurried and impatient to make it to where we
want to be in life and we either take the wrong routes to reach life’s
destinations or barrel headlong into dangerous situations and end up wounded,
wrecked, stranded and disconsolate.
We’d
do well do approach life in the same way that good drivers handle flooded
streets - prayerfully let God show us the right routes to our hoped for
blessings and slow down enough to avoid life’s obstacles. The way may be a bit longer and more
complicated and may take more effort on our part, but when we slow down and let
God lead us, we’ll find new blessings and enduring peace of mind.
Take
the time when storms are raging in your life to trust God to lead you. You way will be more clear, your goals more
attainable, and you’ll understand why the Psalmist said, “Wait on the Lord and
be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.”
If
you are in the Charleston, South Carolina area this weekend, the First Sunday
in September for Church School at 8:45 a.m. and for Worship at 10 a.m. as we
worship together as a church family on the first Holy Communion Sunday of the
New Conference Year. The Combined Choir,
Gospel Choir and Mass Choir will offer praise.
Sunday’s
Scripture Lessons are:
Psalm
24
II
Thessalonians 1:1-10
Matthew
7:15-23
Sunday’s
Sermon is:
“Are
You Ready for the Kingdom”
*The
Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in
Charleston, South Carolina
24. CLERGY FAMILY
CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-
Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie and Episcopal Supervisor Stan McKenzie celebrated
their 44th Wedding Anniversary
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate, Tenth Episcopal District and Bro. Stan McKenzie, Episcopal Supervisor, celebrated their 44th Wedding Anniversary, August 30, 2012. "The 30th of August represented 44 wonderful years... many more to come."
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to:
-
The 99th Birthday of Superannuated minister, the Rev. Henry J.
Legolie, Presiding Elder, Emeritus, 15th Episcopal District
It
is with much praise and thanks to God that we share the news of the celebration
of the 99th birthday (30 Aug) of Superannuated minister Rev Henry J. Legolie,
emeritus presiding elder.
"I'd rather have Jesus than anything, this world affords today seems"
to be his credo. "Modern day ministers chase after flashy expensive cares,
double story homes and more degrees than a thermometer. The Rev Legolie always
boasts with his BA: Born Again, DD Devil Defeater. Thus haste the day
dear Lord when your servants will once again hunger and thirst after souls
about to be lost to the kingdom like this man of God."
The
Rev Legolie joins Mother Bethel who celebrated their centenary not so long ago,
on Sunday morning at 9 a.m. as the preacher. The Lord's Name be praised.
- Mrs. Helen Burton celebrates her 90th Birthday
My
mother, Helen Burton, will be 96-years- old on September
1, 2012. She was so delighted with the
idea of that my cousins had with sending birthday cards to their mother, my
Aunt Ernie, who recently turned 90-years-old to receive at least 90
cards that I want to do the same for her.
So,
with that said, I'm asking family and friends to send birthday cards to
her in hopes that she will receive at least 96 cards
for her birthday. Mom, Nana, Aunt Helen or Mother Burton as she is known
to many has lived a long, blessed and fruitful life, and continues to do
so! She's sassy, loving, and humorous and says what's on her mind!!
She was
the wife of the late Rev. B.C. Burton who retired as a presiding elder in the
New Jersey Annual Conference.
Let's show her how much she means to us in
return by having each of you send a birthday card or an email
message; it’s never too late to say, “Happy Birthday!”
Email daughter Denise Lloyd: lloydsabrina46@yahoo.com
Or send a card to:
Mrs. Helen B. Burton
710 Finlay Place
South Orange, NJ 07079
- Chaplain Ammie
Davis selected for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the United
States Navy
Congratulations to
Chaplain Ammie Davis on her selection for promotion to the rank of Lieutenant
Commander in the United States Navy! Chaplain Davis is a graduate of the
Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA and is a member of the
8th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is
currently serving as the Chaplain Programs Officer for Navy Recruiting Command.
Congratulatory expressions may be sent to: ammie.davis@navy.mil
- Presiding Elder
Ralph and Pat Johnson Announces 35th Wedding Anniversary
Presiding Elder Ralph
and Pat Johnson, Presiding Elder and First Lady of the Louisville/Paducah
District of the West Kentucky Annual Conference will be celebrating their 35th
wedding anniversary on August 27, 2012. They were married on August 27, 1977 in
Gallatin, Tennessee at First Baptist Church where her father the late Rev.
Daniel Bender, Sr. was pastor. Pat's uncle, the Rev Curtis Bender performed the
ceremony with the assistance of Ralph's father, the Rev. L. W. Johnson. Ralph and Pat met through each other's best
friends at Fisk University (although Pat attended Tennessee State University).
Ralph was working toward a dual degree from Fisk University and Vanderbilt
University, while Pat was working on her degree in Social Work. So there was
very little dating but a lot of nightly phone calls once Ralph realized it was
not long distance to call Pat's house.
They are blessed with a daughter, Kanisha, son, Lawrence,
daughter-in-law LeTishia and a brand new grandson, Langston.
- The Reverend
Anthony R. Sanders, Senior Chief Petty Officer re-enlists in the U.S. Navy
The Reverend Anthony R.
Sanders, currently serving as the pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in Cape
Charles, Virginia will be re-enlisting in the U. S. Navy for 3 years on Monday,
August 27, 2012. He has already served nearly
22 years and is the Senior Chief Petty Officer.
25.
EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Charles B. Jackson,
the father of the Right Reverend Reginald T. Jackson, Presiding Prelate of the
20th Episcopal District / Ecumenical Officer of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church and Chair of the Commission on Social Action.
The Service of Celebration was held on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at
Calvary Baptist Church in Dover, Delaware.
Calvary Baptist Church in Dover, Delaware.
Condolences
may be sent to:
The Family of Mr. Charles B. Jackson, Sr.
35 North Queen Street
Dover, Delaware 19904
St.
Matthew AME Church
336 Oakwood Avenue
Orange, NJ 07050
336 Oakwood Avenue
Orange, NJ 07050
26. GENERAL OFFICER
FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The family is saddened
to announce the passing of Frederick D. Coleman, III, of Clarksville, Tennessee
on Friday, August 17, 2012. He was the son of the late Dr. Frederick D. and
Mrs. Anne G. Coleman. The late Dr. Coleman was the standard bearer for the
episcopacy for the 13th Episcopal District in 1960 and 1964.
Frederick was also the sister of Ms. Frieda Coleman Minga of St. Philip AME,
Atlanta, GA, and the nephew of Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams, retired General
Officer.
The Homegoing Service
for Frederick D. Coleman, III was held on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the
Foston Funeral Home in Clarksville, Tennessee
Expressions of sympathy
may be sent to:
Mrs. Frieda C. Minga
5073 Club Vista Point
Stone Mountain, GA 30088
Dr. Jamye Coleman
Williams
125 Wynfield Way, SW
Atlanta, GA 30331
27. GENERAL
OFFICER BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
are saddened to announce the passing of Mrs. Sylvia Askins Bynum,
the sister of Mrs. Delorse Askins Lewis and sister-in-law of Dr. Richard A.
Lewis, Treasurer/CFO AME Finance Department.
Mrs. Sylvia Askins Bynum: Homegoing Celebration was held on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at the Madison Free Will Baptist Church in Madison, Alabama
Condolences may be sent to the Family of Sylvia Askins Bynum, care of
Madison Free Will Baptist Church or to:
Dr. & Mrs. Richard A. Lewis
512
8th Ave South
Nashville, TN 37203
Nashville, TN 37203
Email:
cfo96amec@aol.com
28. GENERAL OFFICER FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The
Sydnor family is saddened by the death of Mr. Frederick Patterson, Jr.
of Chattanooga, Tennessee who died on Thursday, August 9, 2012. He is the brother of the Rev. Dr. Charlotte
B. Sydnor, pastor of Woodfork Chapel AME Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee and
the brother-in-law of Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder.
The
graveside Memorial Service and interment was held at the National Cemetery in
Chattanooga, Tennessee on Wednesday, August 15, 2012.
Messages
of Comfort may be sent to:
Dr.
Charlotte B. Sydnor email: cbsydnor@bellsouth.net
69 Ravenwood Hills Circle
Nashville, TN 37215-6167
Telephone:
615.714-5990
29. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you
of the passing of Dr. Henrietta S.
Attles, the wife of the Rev. LeRoy Attles, retired pastor from the First
District and mother of the Rev. Kanice D. Johns, pastor at Mt. Zion AMEC in
Norristown, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia
Conference, South District); the Rev. Louis P. Attles, pastor at LaMott AMEC
(Philadelphia Conference, Philadelphia District) and LeRoy Attles, Jr. who
resides in Atlanta, GA.
Dr. Henrietta S. Attles
was a long-time missionary leader in the 1st Episcopal District and a Charter
Member of Conn-M-Swawo+PK's.
The following
information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Saturday, September 8,
2012
Celebration of Life -
11:00 a.m.
New Bethel AME Church
2122 Martin Luther King
Jr. Avenue
Lakeland, Florida 33805
Telephone: 863-687-1994
Fax: 863-682-3557
The Rev. Jessie Harvin,
Pastor
Memorial Service,
September 15, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
St. Paul AME Church
85 Bishop Allen Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139
Office Telephone: (617)
661-1110 Fax (617) 354-8511
The Rev. Melvin E.
Wilson, Pastor
Expressions of Sympathy
may be sent to:
The Rev. LeRoy Attles
and family
3246 Bridgefield Drive
Lakeland, Florida 33803
30. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to share news
of the passing of the Rev. Tanya Holmes, an African Methodist Episcopal Church
Itinerant Deacon who served on the staff at Tanner Chapel AME Church in
Phoenix, Arizona.
Homegoing service for
the Rev. Tanya Holmes was held Tanner Chapel AME Church where the Rev. Dr.
Benjamin N. Thomas, Sr. is the senior minister.
.
Expressions of sympathy
may be sent:
The family of Rev. Tanya
Holmes
C/O Tanner Chapel A.M.E.
Church, address above.
Tanner Chapel A.M.E.
Church
700 East Jefferson
Street, Suite #300
Phoenix, AZ 85034
Telephone: (602)
253-8426; FAX: (602) 253-4079
31. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you
of the passing of Eugene Arrington, the son of the Rev. Annie C. Watson, a
retired pastor (Itinerant Elder) in the 5th District on the staff at Bethel AME
Church in San Diego, California where the Rev. Anthony L. Hughes, Sr. is the
pastor.
Services for Eugene
Arrington:
The Homegoing
Celebration, Friday, August 31, 2012 at 1:00 o'clock p.m.
Homegoing Service
Location:
Bethel Memorial AME
Church
3085" K"
Street
San Diego, California
92102
Telephone: (619) 232-0510
Fax: (619) 232-8717 Fax
Pastor Anthony L. Hughes
Internment
Ragsdale Mortuary
San Diego, California
Services are entrusted
to:
Anderson Ragsdale
Mortuary
5050 Federal Boulevard
San Diego, CA 92102
Phone: (619) 263-3141
Expressions of sympathy
may be sent to:
The Rev. Annie Watson
5989 Chaumont Drive
San Diego, CA 92114
32. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to
announce the passing of Mrs. Zoretta Marshall, age 84, the mother of Mrs.
Gwendolyn Latham, the wife of the Rev. Ernest M. Latham, pastor of Mary's
Chapel AME Church in Fayetteville, Tennessee. Mrs. Marshall departed this life
on Friday, August 24, 2012 at a Louisville, Kentucky Medical Center. She was an
active member of St. John United Methodist Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky.
Survivors include her
husband of 63 years, Jesse Marshall, Jr. of Louisville; five daughters, two
sons, one sister, and a host of grand children and great-grand children, other
relatives and friends.
The Family will receive
friends on Sunday, Aug. 26th from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. at Webb Funeral Home, 1144
West Main Street • Shelbyville, KY 40065 Phone: (502) 633-3750 • Fax: (502)
633-9218.
The Funeral Service was
held on Monday, Aug. 27, 2012 at Bethel AME Church in Shelbyville, Kentucky;
the Reverend Robert Marshall was the eulogist.
Expressions of sympathy
may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Ernest
M. Latham
Mary's Chapel AME Church
10 Wilson Road
Fayetteville, Tennessee
37334
Expressions of sympathy
may also be posted in the funeral home Guest Book: http://web1.lovinghonors.com/cgi-bin/CompanyInternal?stdout+116+morton-beckley.com+102+4+1155
33. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Please be in prayer for
Evangelist Sonya Rundles (a member of Bethel AME Church in Dallas, Texas where
the Rev. Reginald Houston is the pastor) during her time of bereavement in the
loss of her sister LaShunda Rundles, 2008 World Champion of Public Speaking.
LaShunda made history by becoming the first African-American Woman to win the
title of World Champion of Public Speaking, opening the door for many to
compete on the world stage. She embodied everything that Toastmasters
represents and stands for. She is also the subject and focus of the new
documentary "SPEAK!"
LaShunda Rundles:
LaShunda Rundles passed
away on Aug. 21, 2012, after a long battle with lupus
A Celebration of Life
Service will be held for LaShunda Rundles, Saturday, August 25th, 2012 at 11:00
am.
Friendship West Baptist
Church
2020 W. Wheatland Rd.
Dallas, TX 75232
Dr. Freddy Haynes,
Pastor
Donations can be made in
LaShunda's name to the Lupus Foundation. Flowers can be sent to the Church
address above.
The family fellowship
after the celebration service will be at Greater Community First Baptist
Church, 2828 W. Camp Wisdom Rd, Dallas, TX 75237.
Condolence may be sent
to:
Evangelist Sonya
Rundless
P. O. Box 593
Desoto, Texas 75115
Telephone: (972)
333-3867
34. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Please pray for the Rev.
Leonard Jackson in the passing of his wife, Mrs. Marie A. Jackson. The Rev.
Leonard Jackson is currently the associate minister at First AME Church, Las
Vegas, Nevada where the Rev. Dr. Ralph Williamson serves as pastor and formerly
served as the associate minister of Rev. Cecil Murray at First AME Church in
Los Angeles. Mrs. Marie A. Jackson
passed from labor to reward at 9:45 p.m. PST Saturday, August 18, 2012 from
complications of pneumonia.
Homegoing Services for
Mrs. Marie A. Jackson were held on Monday, August 27, 2012 at First AME Church
in N. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Expressions of sympathy
may be sent to:
The Rev. Leonard Jackson
3752 Hobiecat Circle
Las Vegas, Nevada 89121
Telephone: 323-791-3242
35. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We solicit your prayers
for Sister Denise Cox and her husband, the Rev. Robert Cox (First Lady and
pastor of Bethel AME Church in Oxnard, California) in the loss of her brother
Mr. Bobby Lee Hicks.
The Life Celebration
service for Mr. Bobby Lee Hicks was held on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at the
Woods and Valentine Mortuary in Pasadena, California.
Expressions of sympathy
may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Robert
Cox
Bethel AME Church
855 S. 'F' St. / P. O.
Box 264
Oxnard, California 93030
36. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with great sadness
that we inform you that we have lost one of the 8th Episcopal District
Minister's Spouses, Mrs. Charlene Mills, the wife of the Rev. Anthony Mills.
Homegoing Services were
held in her honor on Friday, August, 24, 2012 at Greater Hayes Chapel AME
Church in Oakdale, Louisiana and on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at Mt Olive AME
Church in Slidell, Louisiana.
37. CLERGY
FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you
of the passing of Mrs. Brenda Jean Hayden nee Raynor, the sister of the Rev.
Betty Furbert-Woolridge, Presiding Elder of the East-West District of the
Bermuda Annual Conference.
The Funeral Service was
held on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Vernon Temple AME Church in
Southampton, Bermuda SN 04. The Rev. Pedro Castro is the pastor of Vernon
Temple AME Church.
Expressions of Sympathy
may be sent to:
Presiding Elder Betty
Furbert-Woolridge
100 Harrington Sound
Road
Smith's Parish, HS01
Bermuda
Telephone:
441-293-0194
Fax: 441-293-7936
38. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Rev. Terrance A.
McClay of the Fourth Episcopal District passed on Friday, August 10, 2012. He
was the pastor of David C. Coleman AME Church in Chicago, Illinois, Eternal
Flame AME Church in North Chicago, Illinois and Ward Chapel AME Church in Chicago,
Illinois. He was an associate minister at Miller Chapel AME Church, University
Park, Illinois at the time of his passing. He leaves to mourn: three sons, one
daughter, a mother, two sisters, and a brother.
The Funeral was held on
Thursday, August 16th at the Grant Memorial AME Church in Chicago, Illinois
39. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you
of the passing of Mrs. Doris Regina Lancaster Dandridge, the mother of the Rev.
Dr. John Dandridge, pastor of St. Paul Agnew AME Church Pulaski, Tennessee and
mother--in-love of Dr. Janie Dowdy-Dandridge, pastor of Webb Grove AME Church
Murfreesboro, Tennessee and St. Paul AME Church Wartrace, Tennessee.
The Homegoing
Celebration was held on Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at Holy Comforter-Saint
Cyprian Roman Catholic Church in Washington, DC. Burial will be at Arlington
National Cemetery - TBA
Condolences may be sent
to the Family of Pastors John and Janie Dandridge, care of Holy Comforter-Saint
Cyprian Church or to Marshall March Funeral Home:
Holy Comforter-Saint
Cyprian
1357 East Capitol Street
Washington, DC 20005
Marshall-March Funeral
Directors
4308 Suitland Road
Suitland, Maryland 20746
Contact for Drs. John
and Janie Dandridge:
1512 Raby Avenue
Shelbyville, TN
37160-4939
Telephone: (615)
512-6807 or (615) 796-7098
40. 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
41. 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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