Bishop
Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
March – Women’s History Month
March is National
Nutrition Month
Easter Sunday – April 8, 2012
1. EDITORIAL – I AM NOT CERTAIN, BUT
I SUSPECT…:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III,
The 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
Several years ago, after presenting a workshop on AME Polity
in which I used The Discipline as the
text for the course, a preacher came up to me during a break and ask me a
question that related to something I referred to in the presentation. And,
since we were talking at the place where he was sitting and I had left my copy
of The Discipline in the front of the
room, I asked him to let me use his copy of The
Discipline so I could find the reference to answer his question. He
replied, "I don't have the current issue of The Discipline. I never bought one because it never changes."
On another occasion, I was at a local church and was speaking
to one of the trustees who ask me a question and I referred him to The Discipline. He responded that he
didn't have The Discipline because he
didn't see any sense in buying a new discipline every four years because it
remained the same and that he didn't see any changes in The Discipline from one quadrennium to the other.
In those two encounters it's obvious that those two persons,
one a clergy and the other a layperson, had not read The Discipline. They
probably had not read any copy of The
Discipline. If they thought The
Discipline didn't change, they probably only looked at the first part of The Discipline and perused the table of
contents, looked at the section of the Bishops of the AME Church, and scanned
the Worldwide Mission, the Articles of Religion and the Catechism on Faith; and
seeing no changes, probably looked no further in The Discipline and concluded in their own minds that there were no
changes in The Discipline.
I am not certain
I am not certain, but I suspect that The Discipline is not being read by many of the laity, and I suspect
that a lot of preachers are not reading it either.
I am almost certain that most of our laypeople do not read The Discipline and I suspect that many
of our officers and leaders in our congregations do not read The Discipline. That’s my gut feeling.
Why I say that
I haven't done a formal study, but I have certainly done an
informal study and have spoken to a number of pastors and laity. I'm almost certain that there are members are
clergy are not reading The Discipline
because of the many comments I have read and am reading on FaceBook and other
social-networking websites.
FaceBook has several AME-related interest groups that deal
with issues of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Negative and positive
comments are posted. And, it is obvious that many of our members have high
energy around the issues of the AME Church.
I suspect…
If just a few of the comments posted on FaceBook are
accurate, it might be indicative that there are “pockets” of clergy and laity
who may not be following the rules of The
Discipline.
I am certain
I am sure that many of our pastors and many of our stewards,
trustees, and presidents of organization do read The Discipline; and that's the good news!
There are two sides
to every story
There are at least two sides to
every story. Experience tells me that there is one side, there is another side;
and the truth might be somewhere in the middle.
The Facebook articles related to
the AME Church are high-energy and people who post comments have strong
feelings about the issues they address.
The issue that most concerns me are
those issues that seemed to be in conflict with The Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; and
sometimes even in conflict with the Bible.
I had a Baptist deacon friend some
years ago who told me that he liked the AME Church system of the use of The Discipline. He went on to say that
unlike many issues in his Baptist church meetings, the AME Church seemed more
efficient to him because the AME Church didn't have as many precedent-setting
situations that his church experienced in many of the meetings at his
church.
Well, the law of The Discipline is the way it's supposed
to work, but I'm afraid in AME Churches where the clergy and members do not
follow The Discipline, precedent-setting
issues are just as prevalent in those AME Churches as in independent churches.
FaceBook conversations
Some of the conversations on
FaceBook are exciting and deal with relevant issues. Many of the people who post on the Facebook
pages I've read seem to be knowledgeable about the AME Church.
People who interact with each other
seem to learn from each other and it's the same on the Facebook posts I've
read.
As a matter of fact, when I read
some the comments, I think to myself and out loud to myself, “I hope the
leaders of our Church and our pastors are reading the comments on
Facebook. Many of the posts deal with
the History, Polity and Doctrine of the AME Church.
The good news
Many of the posts are instructive
and good information is shared and commented on by those who participate on the
various AME-focused Facebook pages. Participants often offer corrections when a
post seems off-target from our beliefs; and that's a good thing.
The posts generally show that
people love the AME Church and have strong feelings for our Zion, and that's a
good thing.
The posts also show that the laity
love the AME Church “to the core” and are frustrated when they think the Church
is moving from its core values.
The good news is that there are clergy
who love the AME Church and they are AME “to the core.” They love our Zion and they want the best for
the AME Church.
The bad news
Whenever there's good news is also
bad news.
The bad news is that there are stewards,
trustees and other local church leaders who do not read The Discipline. And, they
might not be reading the Bible; and that's not a good thing.
The bad news is that some members
of the clergy do not see the importance of reading, digesting, and following The Discipline.
This is not only true in the
African Methodist Episcopal Church, but I suspect it's true in the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the
United Methodist Church, and other connectional churches.
Every organization has individuals
who will not take the time, or think it's important, to follow the rules.
Unfortunately reading The Discipline
is not like reading a novel. The legalese language of The Discipline makes it difficult for some people to read. Clergy
need to “bite the bullet” and learn to read, digest and follow the rules of The Discipline.
Following the rules
I belong to several organizations
and the mantra common to all of them is, "If we would just follow the
rules!” The bad news is that there were
those among the clergy and the laity who won't follow the rules."
The Complication
Conflict is almost always a
possibility in organizations that cannot agree on the focus of the mission and
the direction of the organization; and when there is an absence a unity of
purpose.
The “mothers and fathers” of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church established the rules of The Discipline, which can be modified or
amended every four years. The Discipline
has been around since 1817 (R.R. Wright, Compiler., Encyclopaedia of African
Methodism 1948). The “disciplinary system” has been around a long time and is
“tried and tested” For the African
Methodist Episcopal Church to function efficiently, the presumption is that
everyone in the AME Church and most certainly those in leadership positions
must read and be familiar with the rules, The
Discipline; and to follow the rules.
When there is a perception by the
clergy or the laity that The Discipline is
not being followed by one or the other, conflict will most certainly be
present; and that presents a complication.
Let’s be real
Sometime the complication is
precipitated by the laity, particularly, those in leadership positions;
especially the stewards and trustees and the members of the official board.
How can an AME Church function
effectively when the leadership is not familiar with the administrative
document of the Church – The Discipline?
Let’s be real, real
Sometime the complication is
precipitated by a pastor who fails to follow the rules of The Discipline.
Some pastors choose to lead by
consensus - “Let’s all agree and not have any disagreement.”
The “consensus leadership” style
will cause a pastor with low self-esteem and high conflict-avoidance mentality
to fill important leadership positions with persons he or she likes and with
persons who are most likely to agree with him or her.
The “consensus leadership” style
maintains “peace” on the decisionmaking level, but wrecks havoc throughout the
rest of the organization.
If our churches expect to
experience growth and vitality, it’s incumbent upon the clergy and the laity to
know the rules and to follow the rules.
The better way
The better way to insure that the
rules are being followed is to provide training and update for both clergy and
laity on a continuing basis.
The Discipline
Certification training should be developed and formulized, if not for the
laity, should certainly be a requirement for the clergy. It would be the
responsibility of the clergy to train the laity.
The best way
The Discipline is
a living document; it’s the rule of law for the African Methodist Episcopal
Church and every pastor should be knowledgeable about The Discipline and every pastor should be required to follow The Discipline. Every pastor should be
recertified every four years to
insure that he or she knows the content and the intent of The Discipline.
And one more thing
AME History, Polity and Doctrine
should be standardized and the same course of study for AME History, Polity and
Doctrine should be developed and taught across the Church. As with other
legitimate professions, ongoing rigorous training and re-training should be
ongoing.
Most academic institutions in
America and around the world are utilizing online education and the African
Methodist Episcopal Church can do the same with the standardized teaching of
AME History, Polity and Doctrine.
And, if we really wanted to
“stretch our wings” and bring the future to the present, we could do a lot of Boards
of Examiners’ training via online education, but that’s another editorial.
And, finally
I am not certain, but I suspect that more of our clergy and
laity need to read The Discipline.
And, to read it more carefully!
I am not certain, but I also suspect that more of our clergy
and laity need to follow more closely the intent of The Discipline.
2.
READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
Letter
to the Editor:
RE: TCR
Editorial - Get Over It,
I wonder what would happen in the AME Church at all
levels, if every one fasted from saying anything negative (engaging in
destructive criticism) about the AME Church and its leadership and membership
from the top of the Connectional Church thru to the remotest mission or circuit
from now through Easter Sunday morning...do you think we could last through
GC?
Just an anonymous thought
Anonymous
Editor’s
Comment: What a great Challenge! No negative comments about
the AME Church; just positive comments!
3.
DR. JAMES WADE AND TWO MEMPHIS PASTORS HEADLINE REVIVAL SERIES:
Three leading Memphis-area ministers will headline a
revival series when the men of Greenwood AME Church host the Men’s Revival
2012. The 11:00 a.m. Men’s Day Service will be held on Sunday, March 18th will
serve as the kick-off of a “Three-Service Spring Revival.”
Dr. James Wade, AME Executive Director of the
Department of Church Growth and Development will be the guest preacher and
evangelist for the Sunday morning worship service.
The revival will continue Sunday afternoon with a 3
p.m. service, which features the Rev. Walter Reid, pastor of St. James AME
Church.
The Revival services will conclude on Monday
evening, March 19th at 7 p.m. with The Rev. Kenneth Robinson, M.D.,
pastor of St. Andrew AME Church in Memphis, Tennessee.
The three worship services will highlight
Greenwood’s yearly theme from Isaiah 43:19: “Revitalization: Reclaiming,
Renewing and Reaching!”
Greenwood African Methodist Episcopal Church is
located at 8005 Donnell Road in Millington, Tennessee
4. AT EDWARD WATERS
COLLEGE, CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE AHEAD:
President attracts new sources of capital; faculty,
students see what the college can offer.
By
Matt Soergel
At
Edward Waters College, challenges and opportunities are ahead
Ashley
Hamn is an Edward Waters College senior who has big plans for the project she’s
working on.
“We’re
going for CNN, right, Doc?” she says.
Her
professor smiles confidently. He’s Brian Seymour, a veteran of the California
biotech industry who’s now chair of the school’s biology department.
And
yes, he’s sure CNN will be calling about their project, an attempt to figure
out how environmental factors in lower-income urban areas contribute to the
high asthma rates of African-Americans.
That
effort involves rounding up blood samples from 200 people in the blocks around
Edward Waters. Soon that project could be housed in the college’s new Health
Disparities Center, a research center focusing on the health challenges that
face black communities.
That
center is good news for a college that needs some, said Marybeth Gasman, a
University of Pennsylvania expert on historically black colleges.
“For
some time I’ve been deeply concerned about Edward Waters,” she said. “I’m
encouraged there’s someone at the helm who has the energy to build it back up.”
Gasman
expects good things from its newest president, Nat Glover, the former
Jacksonville sheriff and a 1966 graduate of Edward Waters.
“That’s
what you need, getting people who can trust in his leadership,” said Gasman, a
professor at Penn’s Graduate School of Education. “And he needs to get out
there, getting not just local attention but national attention.”
‘Glover equity’
The
college, founded in 1866 to educate freed slaves, has often had money problems,
and it has seen its share of troubles over the years. Notable was an
embarrassing plagiarism scandal in 2004 that put the school into a battle over
its accreditation. It helped lead to a big drop in students and made big donors
to the college wary about where they put their money.
Glover,
though, often speaks about a “window of opportunity” at the college. A window that
he acknowledges is open because of his position in the community — though he
quickly says he doesn’t want to seem as if he’s bragging.
“We
have to use that Nat Glover equity,” he said.
It
seems to be having an effect. Fueled mostly by $100,000 checks from some of the
city’s biggest philanthropists, the college raised $985,000 toward building a
new Sheriff’s Office substation on campus that will also house classes for
criminology students.
And
a foundation started by CSX Transportation Chairman Michael Ward gave a $1
million challenge grant to improve the school’s facilities. For every $2 the
college raises by a deadline this summer, the foundation will give a dollar, up
to $1 million. So far it has $300,000 in commitments, the college says.
Preston
Haskell, chairman of the Haskell Co., met with Glover Thursday afternoon and
agreed to donate money — he hasn’t thought about how much yet, he said — toward
meeting that challenge grant.
“I
already had good feelings [about the college] and Nat confirmed those,” Haskell
said after the meeting. “He’s the right person at the right time for the job.
He’s really committed to making this the capstone of his career.”
Haskell
also had some encouragement for the well-known former sheriff and one-time
mayoral candidate. “I told him: ‘No one will refuse a phone call from you, or a
proposed meeting with you. Take advantage of your standing in the community.’ ”
Glover
became interim president in May 2010 and last fall was formally inaugurated as
the school’s 29th president. He’s an unabashed advocate of his alma mater:
Don’t write off Edward Waters, he says, or its students.
“Don’t
underestimate these kids’ tenacity,” Glover said.
Steps to improvement
Edward
Waters used to have open enrollment, meaning anyone with a high school diploma
was eligible for admission. Now incoming students need a 2.5 high school GPA,
though some students with a 2.0 are accepted on academic probation.
Ninety-eight
percent of students rely on financial aid to pay the $17,586-a-year tuition.
Graduation rates — students who enroll and get a degree in six years or less —
were as low as 9 percent less than a decade ago; they’re up to about 15
percent, Glover said.
But
he said they still need to go up — way up.
The
school has about 750 students, down from 1,300 students a decade ago. Just
fewer than 3 percent of students are white and almost 2 percent are Hispanic.
Glover
wants to rebuild the student body to 1,000 by 2015. He says the school is even looking
into buying adjacent property to expand.
Hamn,
the biology student, grew up at 60th and Pearl streets, about 5 miles from
campus. She came to Edward Waters so she could keep playing basketball. That
was life.
Once
she got there, though, academics — particularly biology and health — took her
interest. She’s already been accepted into a graduate health and nutrition
program at Life University outside Atlanta. She plans to come back to
Jacksonville. And after that?
Hamn
laughs, recalling how she met Glover at a basketball game when he was still
interim president. She told him: “Hi, my name’s Ashley Hamn, and I’m going to
be president here one day.”
She
said the school has improved in her time there. There’s more of an online
presence, a better cafeteria, renovated buildings, more parking, better
security.
“There’s
a sense that somebody has a hold on what’s happening on campus, that someone’s
responsible,” she said.
Prabir
K. Mandal, a biology associate professor whose courses include one on African-American
health, has noticed a change in his more than four years at the school. “The
students are now more interested in learning,” he said. “They’re familiar with
graduate schools, internships, fellowships outside.”
The
college is moving in the right direction. “Who is the pilot?” Mandal said.
“That’s very important. We have a good pilot now.”
Gasman,
the Penn scholar, said small black colleges need charismatic leaders who are
able to engage alumni and the philanthropists whose donations are the institutions’
fiscal lifeblood.
To
become more relevant, Edward Waters need to connect with all of Jacksonville,
as well as its immediate neighborhood, she said. The planned Health Disparities
Center, which will be as much a community resource as a research center, should
be a key, she said.
There’s
already a Family Services Center on campus, opened by the Florida Department of
Children and Families. In addition, the New Town Success Zone, meant to serve
the people in the neighborhood, is based at the school.
The
new police substation is now under city budget review, as the city will kick in
$900,000 toward it, Sheriff John Rutherford said.
“I
think with President Glover and the team he’s put together, they’ll turn this
thing around,” Rutherford said. “This may also help move toward their idea of
maybe finding a niche in the law enforcement, criminology area.”
‘Special type of student’
Seymour,
the biology chair, said he was looking for a challenge when he learned of Edward
Waters and its history. He moved from California in 2010 to take the job, after
17 years in the biotech field and a couple teaching at a state school there.
He
grew up in a poor farming community on the coast of Guyana, following his
brother to college in America. Eventually he earned a doctorate in immunology
from The University of California-Davis.
He’s
found the challenges he was looking for, as many of his students come from
tough backgrounds that wouldn’t immediately indicate success in later life.
“But I see possibilities,” he said. “I see doctors. I see physician assistants.
I see nurses.”
Floyd
Willis is a primary care doctor at the Mayo Clinic who’s an organizer of the
Health Disparities Center. His wife, Wanda, is an administrator at the college.
“She
and I both agree that there is a student, a special type of student, who is
going to thrive — not just survive — at a historically black college,” Willis
said. “There’s a connection they feel to their history that they might not be
able to find at a fine college, such as FSCJ or JU or UNF.”
One
day last week, Reynold Henrilus Jr. wore a suit and tie, as he does many days,
to classes. He grew up in Fort Lauderdale, and is the first in his family to go
to college. He wanted to go to a historically black college and chose Edward
Waters when he got scholarships to play sousaphone in the marching band.
Some
of the computer equipment isn’t as up to date as it should be, he said, but he
appreciates the small classes and the school’s connection to history.
“I
knew I could compete at other places, but I was kind of afraid to go to classes
with 200 students,” Henrilus said. “I’m the youngest in my family and I have
hopes and dreams that I want to accomplish in life. Going to college is only
the first step.”
Bishop
McKinley Young is the Presiding Prelate of the 11th Episcopal
District.
**Republished with permission of Matt Soergel and Times Union
5. AME
DR. QUALLS-BROOKS TO LEAD STATE WOMEN’S ECONOMIC COUNCIL:
The
Tennessee Economic Council on Women has named Phyllis Qualls-Brooks executive
director, effective Jan. 1. Dr. Quall-Brooks is a member of Greater
Bethel AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee. The Rev. Michael Broadnax is the
pastor.
Qualls-Brooks
has extensive experience in both state and federal government, education and
communications.
Carol Danehower, chair of the board and the search committee, said, “We are thrilled to have Dr. Qualls-Brooks join the staff and continue to lead this very significant organization.”
The Tennessee Economic Council on Women focuses on research, offering the premiere economic summit for women in Tennessee each year, and working to get women on boards and commissions. Its research covers a myriad of topics focusing on women, including job training, wages and earnings, domestic violence, political participation, preventive health care, women-owned businesses and women in Tennessee.
Qualls-Brooks said, “It is an honor to serve as executive director for this very significant agency. I look forward to continuing the work that has been done to keep abreast of issues and developments related to the economic status and well-being of women throughout the state in order to provide leadership and guidance to the TECW members, staff, volunteers and stakeholders.”
Qualls-Brooks recently served as a congressional affairs specialist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and special projects coordinator with the Office of the Treasurer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
She formerly served as assistant commissioner in the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and director of public relations at Tennessee State University.
She holds a doctorate in higher education from the Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in English from Tennessee State University. The Mississippi native earned her undergraduate degree in Theatre from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.
Qualls-Brooks replaces Jennifer Rawls, who served in the position for seven years. Rawls accepted a position with Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan.
The TECW was established in 1998 to address the economic needs of Tennessee women and assess their economic status. It also develops and advocates solutions to address women’s needs in order to help women achieve economic autonomy.
Carol Danehower, chair of the board and the search committee, said, “We are thrilled to have Dr. Qualls-Brooks join the staff and continue to lead this very significant organization.”
The Tennessee Economic Council on Women focuses on research, offering the premiere economic summit for women in Tennessee each year, and working to get women on boards and commissions. Its research covers a myriad of topics focusing on women, including job training, wages and earnings, domestic violence, political participation, preventive health care, women-owned businesses and women in Tennessee.
Qualls-Brooks said, “It is an honor to serve as executive director for this very significant agency. I look forward to continuing the work that has been done to keep abreast of issues and developments related to the economic status and well-being of women throughout the state in order to provide leadership and guidance to the TECW members, staff, volunteers and stakeholders.”
Qualls-Brooks recently served as a congressional affairs specialist with the Federal Emergency Management Agency and special projects coordinator with the Office of the Treasurer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
She formerly served as assistant commissioner in the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and director of public relations at Tennessee State University.
She holds a doctorate in higher education from the Peabody College of Education at Vanderbilt University and a master’s degree in English from Tennessee State University. The Mississippi native earned her undergraduate degree in Theatre from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg.
Qualls-Brooks replaces Jennifer Rawls, who served in the position for seven years. Rawls accepted a position with Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan.
The TECW was established in 1998 to address the economic needs of Tennessee women and assess their economic status. It also develops and advocates solutions to address women’s needs in order to help women achieve economic autonomy.
6. AME STEVEN TURNER TO RUN FOR THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINATION FOR STATE
HOUSE DISTRICT 58 (NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE):
Nashville, January 24, 2012:
Community leader and small businessman Steven Turner has announced his
intention to run for the Democratic nomination for State House District 58.
Turner, a native Nashvillian and long-time resident of the 58th
District, is seeking to build on his 2010 campaign in which he came within 170
votes of the 25-year incumbent Rep. Mary Pruitt.
“Now more than ever, Nashville
and the 58th District need a strong voice in the legislature to
speak out on behalf of underserved families against those who work to silence
their voices and ignore the rights of our city and its residents” said Turner.
“I remain committed to serving my community by running for the opportunity to
stand up for our seniors, our teachers, our students, and all of the other
Tennesseans who have been under attack in the past legislative session.”
The Democratic Primary will be
held August 2, 2012, with early voting starting July 13th and ending July
28th.
Steven Turner, 28, lives in East
Nashville with his wife, Jakil, a third-grade school teacher with MNPS, and son
Thomas James (TJ). Turner graduated with a degree in Network Communications
from DeVry University in Atlanta and returned to Nashville to be a part of his
family’s telecommunications firm, Universal Electric. He was recently appointed
by Mayor Karl Dean on July 5, 2011 to serve a five year term on the Metro
Traffic and Parking Commission. In addition, he has been recognized with an
NAACP Top 45 under 45 Award for his work in voter advocacy through his non-profit
organization Voting Is Priceless.
Submitted by Steven Turner
TCR NEWS BREAK: 13th
Episcopal District gets ready for the Mid-Year “Conference”
View Video-clip. Click here or put this web address in our browser:
7. OPPORTUNITY FIOR
MINORITY STUDENTS:
Opportunity for Minority
Students at Wake Forest University to attend MBA Program Free Contact Person:
Dr. Derrick S. Boone, Ph.D; call 1-866-925-3622derrick.boone@mba.wfu.edu.
Harvard University is offering
free tuition to families of Honor Students if their income is less than
$125,000 a year. Call 1-617-495-1581; www.fao.fas.harvard.edc
Syracuse University School of
Architecture seeking young men and women of color interested in pursuing a 5 year
professional degree in Architecture. Contact: Mark Robbins, Dean - School of
Architecture www.soa.syr.edu/indes.php
APPLY NOW-The Federal Aviation
Association is taking applications for Air Traffic Controller School Adults
between 18-31 years of age with High School diploma can earn $100,000 www.faa.gov/jobs_opportunities/airtrafficcontroller/
8. KEEPING HUNGER AT BAY WHEN SCHOOL’S OUT:
By Bishop Don DiXon Williams
Swimming pools, summer camp, ice cream, beaches,
waterslides, dragonflies, popsicles—these are some of the images that come to
mind when I think of summer. However, for many children, hunger may top that
list. This is because many low-income children don’t have access to the school
feeding programs that help keep them fed during the school year. The School
Breakfast Program and National School Lunch Program provide free and reduced-price
meals to more than 21 million students every year.
Hunger has much bigger implications for children than a
few stomach pains. Children who don’t receive adequate nutrition during the
summer are often set up for poor performance once school starts in the fall.
Improper nutrition can also lead to illness down the road.
Fortunately, the U.S. Department of Agriculture features
a Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) designed to fill this gap and provide
nutritious meals to children that are at risk of hunger during the summer—and
you can help! Faith-based, community, and private nonprofit organizations are
all eligible and encouraged to serve SFSP meals.
The SFSP reaches only a fraction of the children in
need—mainly because there aren’t enough feeding sites. Only about one-tenth of
those who receive free and reduced-priced meals during the school year
participate in summer feeding programs. Your churches and organizations can
play a tremendous role in ensuring that low-income kids don’t go hungry this summer.
If a program sponsor exists in your area, you may be able to participate as a
site under their sponsorship. Just be sure to register your site with the National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-Hungry or
www.whyhunger.org/findfood.
If
you’re unable to open a feeding site, you can also help by simply spreading the
word about the feeding sites in your area. You can find a comprehensive
national list of sites by calling the National Hunger Hotline.
It’s important to note that the most successful summer
feeding programs offer activities for kids. Children are much more likely to
come out for a meal when there is an activity, such as Vacation Bible School,
to keep them there. Churches are vital to many needy children, offering safe
and familiar environments to gather during months when school is closed.
For more information about childhood hunger, I encourage
you to visit Bread for the World’s website, www.bread.org. You can also learn
more about the SFSP or participate in one of USDA’s free webinar sessions on
opportunities to provide summer meals at www.summerfood.usda.gov.
Together we can continue to tackle childhood hunger and
ensure kids receive the nutritious meals they need all year round. Children
should enjoy their summer vacations—not worry about being hungry.
Bishop Don DiXon Williams is racial/ethnic
outreach associate at Bread for the World, and sits on the board of bishops of
the United Church of Jesus Christ, Baltimore, MD.
9. MARCH IS NATIONAL
NUTRITION MONTH. THE 2012 THEME - GET YOUR PLATE IN SHAPE:
*The Rev. Natalie Mitchem
If you like college Basketball, than you are probably
enjoying March Madness!
I would like to suggest that we stop the “madness” in the
area of nutrition and actively embrace the 2012 theme: Get Your Plate in Shape! It
is time to stop supersizing; it is time to stop thinking we can continue to eat
more food and more calories than our body requires each day and not suffer the
consequences.
Many diseases (Diabetes Type II, Heart Attacks, Stroke,
High Blood Pressure and more) can be linked to the amount of food and what we
eat. My friend and colleague Gwen
Foster, Ph.D. states our genes set the trigger however what we eat releases the
trigger. In other words, research proves that 70% of all disease is preventable
and what we put on our plate helps us to either prevent disease or promote
(express) disease.
The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics offers these 4
simple steps to help get your plate in shape! (Source: www.eatright.org)
1. Fill at least 50% or half of your plate with fruits
and vegetables
2. Add fiber rich grains or starchy vegetables on 25% of
your plate.
3. Portion the lean protein-rich foods on the remaining
25% of the plate.
4. Don’t forget to quench your thirst with a refreshing
glass of milk or water.
I recommend drinking water as a beverage daily with fresh
fruit. In addition, I recommend trying
non-dairy milk beverages (Hemp, Almond, Rice, Oat or Soy) with calcium and
vitamin D and limiting cow’s milk for adults to recipes and special treats that
require cow’s milk. My recommendations are based on evidence based research in
The CHINA STUDY by Dr. Campbell and the Forks over Knives DVD.
Let’s stop the “madness”…and in March let’s GET OUR PLATE
IN SHAPE to achieve our healthy body weight and live a healthier life!
*The Rev. Natalie Mitchem is the First Episcopal District
Health Director of the Connectional Health Commission
10. MID-WEEK MEDITATION
BASED ON PSALM 27
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
The signs of springtime are all around us in
warm and sunny Charleston, South Carolina.
Azaleas and camellias are in early bloom, squirrels and birds are more
active, bees are busily buzzing, spiders are building new webs, and at least
one preacher is staying out of their way!
I don’t like bees, spiders or
any insect that can bite or sting. If a
bee buzzes into my car, I’ll pull over, roll down the windows, step out and
patiently wait until he buzzes out. If I
walk through a spider web, I do a dance that my sons think is hilarious and if
a spider builds a web and sits there smirking at me, I’ll exact capital
punishment without trial or mercy - usually by bug spray saturation to make
sure there’s no escape.
Intellectually, I know that
insects are just doing their part in the cycle of life and have little interest
in me. I know that bees seldom sting
unless they’re provoked and that spiders mind their own business and will
scurry away to avoid human contact. My
fear, however, is that I’ll run into the stray misfit who skipped the “bug
conduct” class, has a bad attitude and is looking for trouble. It’s an irrational fear, but it works for me!
My irrational fear is good for a
few laughs from family and friends, but irrational fears can sometimes be more
than minor concerns. Living in an
unpredictable world can easily cause the strongest among us to ignore our
blessings and irrationally worry about our health, about or well-being, about
challenges that we have to face and about things that might go wrong with
disastrous consequences. Worry can
easily take control of our lives and make us afraid to face each day, to try
new things or to function as we should.
When we turn to God, however,
our faith will overrule our fears.
Life’s concerns and problems may not vanish, but we’ll know that God
knows what we need before we ask for it, that God never presents us with a challenge
without equipping us to tackle it, and that God will provide for and protect us
regardless of life’s fearsome situations.
When God guides us, then our fears may not vanish, but we can face them
assured that a loving God watches over us and appreciate why a writer named
John told early Christians facing persecution in the Roman Empire, “There is no
fear in love...perfect love casts out fear.”
If this has been a blessing to
you, feel free to share it!
Get Ready for Sunday!
Join us for Worship at 10 am on
the Third Sunday in March. We’ll
celebrate “Ministry Sunday” with a non-traditional worship service and with
offerings of praise by six of our choirs, our Praise Dance Ministry and our
Mime Ministry.
Sunday’s Scripture Lesson is
Mark 10:32-45
Sunday’s Message is “Serve the
Lord”
Go to church on Sunday and have
a great week. And, if you are in the
Charleston, South Carolina area, be our guest at Morris Brown AME Church!
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is
the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina
11. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the
passing of Mrs. Annie Ruth Harlan, mother of Mrs. Devora Barner (The Rev.
Talvin Barner Jr., Retired); and Mrs. Cheryl Goodman (The Rev. Victor Goodman,
Pastor, Wayman Chapel AME Church, Columbia, Tennessee) Mrs. Harlan was the
widow of the Honorable Walter B. Harlan, retired Maury County Tennessee
Commissioner and a member of Bethel Chapel AME Church in Columbia, Tennessee.
She is also survived by children: Mrs. Jacqueline (Shirley) Jones; and Mr.
Gerard (Debbie); Mr. Winston (Jerica); and Mr. Warren (Vickie) Harlan.
Services are as follows:
Friday, March 9, 2012
Family Visitation: 5:00 p.m.
Bethel Chapel AME Church
1125 Glade Street
Columbia, Tennessee 38401
931-381-2505 - Phone
Email: bethelbelieves@bellsouth.net
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Homegoing Service 12 noon
Friendship Missionary Baptist
Church
291 Wayne Street
Columbia, Tennessee 38401
Telephone: 931-388-9849
Services entrusted to:
Baxter Bros. Funeral Home
1105 East End Street
Columbia, Tennessee 38401
Telephone: 931-381-1353
Fax Number: 931-381-1353
Expressions of sympathy may be
sent to:
The Harlan Family
502 East 10th Street
Columbia, Tennessee 38401
Mrs. Devora Barner: revtalvin@hotmail.com
Mrs. Cheryl Goodman: vwgoodman1218@yahoo.com
12. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the
passing this morning (March 14, 2012) of the Rev. Lonnie McClain, retired
pastor of the Virginia Annual Conference.
Funeral arrangements for the
Rev. Lonnie McClain are as follows:
Monday, March 19, 2012
Family Visitation: 11:00 AM
Home Going Service: 12:00 Noon
St. Paul AME Church
402 West Edenton Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
(919) 832-2709 - Phone
The Rev. Gregory Edmond, Pastor
Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr.
will deliver the Eulogy.
Professional services are
entrusted to:
Haywood Funeral Home
2415 S Wilmington Street
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
(919) 832-2835 - Phone
(919) 828-4920 - Fax
Expressions of sympathy may be
sent to:
Mrs. Betsy McClain (his wife)
4305 Coben Drive
Raleigh, North Carolina 27610
(919) 692-5932 - HOME
(757) 692-5532 - CELL
Email: brmcclain@yahoo.com
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/
Phone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
BLOG: http://ameccfic.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
14. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/
Phone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
BLOG: http://ameccfic.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
14. 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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