THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (6/21/12)

Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder

1. EDITORIAL – THE GENERAL CONFERENCE IS A COLOSSAL UNDERTAKING AND WE OWE A DEBT OF THANKS TO ALL WHO ARE MAKING IT HAPPEN:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

The 20^th Editor of The Christian Recorder

Folks are arriving to the General Conference in Nashville, Tennessee from around the world. The bulk of the ministerial and lay delegates will be arriving on Tuesday and the Opryland Hotel and Conference Center will see activities they have probably never seen before. The AMEs will arrive and we will take occupancy of the entire facility and will also take full occupancy of a number of nearby hotels. 

Some of the bishops have already arrived and most of them will be here before Tuesday.

 Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram, Chair of the General Conference Commission and Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Host Bishop are already” on the grounds” along with Dr. Richard Lewis, Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer fine-tuning and making final preparations for the General Conference.

The Revisions Committee members have already arrived and are on the grounds.  The Rules Committee and the Credential Committee members are on their way and should be in place by Sunday. The volunteers, working without pay, have been working around the clock because they love the AME Church. The leadership of the 13^th Episcopal District has been working hard fine-tuning all of the “nuts’ and bolts” needed to execute the General Conference.

Dr. Johnny Barbour and the employees of the AMEC Sunday School Union have been working around the clock to ensure that all of the publishing tasks have been completed. They have been making multiple deliveries from the AMEC Sunday School Union to the Opryland Hotel and Convention Center.

General Conferences are always exciting and the fellowship is “second to none.”

The General Conference is a thrilling place to be; but it’s a busy, busy time especially for those in leadership positions. I will say it again; the General Conference is not a vacation.

A lot of work goes into the planning and executing of a General Conference. 

The work for 49^th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference began more than 8 years ago and the intense planning intensified at the close of the 2008 General Conference that was held in St. Louis. 

Planning and executing a General Conference is a multi-million dollar project even before the General Conference begins.  Think about the Herculean task of selecting the venue, reserving the hotel rooms for delegates, alternate delegates, and visitors.  Safety issues have to be considered and medical personnel have to be employed.  Planning has to be coordinated to insure enough food and drinking water are available for the thousands of attendees.  Wheel chairs and motorized scooters have to be coordinated for the physically challenged.  Transportation to and from the airport, and around the site of the General Conference have to be coordinated. 

Coordination has to be made with restaurants for the dietary preferences of the folks who will be attending the General Conference. The palates of people from around the world have to be considered. The meals being planned in the AME Mall and the strategy for feeding thousands of people attending the General Conference is more than a notion and takes a lot of planning.

Security and emergency personnel have to be coordinated; lost and found operations have to be put in place; booklets have to be assembled; chairs have to be put up and taken down; elaborate sound-systems have to be constantly tweaked. And, this year technology prevails; the General Secretary’s Office under the leadership of Dr. Clement Fugh has developed an official blog so that people all over the world can receive updates of what is happening at the General Conference. The Christian Recorder is a part of the AMEC blog initiative and TCR will also be sending live updates as events happen.

The worship services will be video-streamed and people from around the world will be able to view AME worship.

General Conference marshals, ushers, stewardesses, clergy participants, choir and musicians’ duties have to be coordinated. Worship services have to be coordinated; the sacraments for Holy Communion have to be provided and supplies have to be ordered.

Signage and rules have to be coordinated in such a way that all procedures are understood by everyone.

And, I haven’t touched the surface about all that’s needed in preparing for a General Conference.  Registration procedures and all that goes with it, to include the technology needed insure that things will run as smoothly as possible needs to be tweaked every hour; twenty-four hours a day until the General Conference ends. 

And, after the General Conference, work still has to be done. The Discipline has to be prepared, which requires the monumental work of the Compilation Committee and the Office of the General Secretary. Dr. Johnny Barbour has the massive task of publishing The Discipline. He is planning to have both a hardcopy edition and an electronic edition. He is still working out the logistical details.

It may take a “village to raise a child,” but it takes AMEs from all over the world to prepare for and execute an AME General Conference.

We all owe a debt of thanks to the leadership of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, to include all of the bishops and general officers, the elected leadership of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; and to the Connectional Officers and all of the pastors, laity, volunteers, and especially to all of the deceased and retired bishops and retired general officers; connectional officers, retired presiding elders, retired pastors, and the retired laity and those who have “gone on to glory,” who laid the foundation and upon whose backs we stand, that makes all of the planning and execution of the 2012 General Conference possible.

And a special thanks to Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate of the 13^th Episcopal District and the General Conference Host; to Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram, Chairperson of the General Conference Commission, Dr. Clement Fugh, General Secretary and Dr. Richard Lewis, Chief Financial Officer for the AME Church; and for all of the people who work with them.

The AME Church says, “Thank you!”

And, one more thing

Let’s remember that the candidates have expended a lot of energy, time and finances in aspiring for leadership positions in the Church. Their families have made significant sacrifices too. Let’s be loving and caring to those who fail to be elected; and by our actions and compassion let’s help them to understand that their ministry is not defined by the outcomes of the election at the General Conference. Let’s embrace and affirm both, those who get elected and those who do not get elected.

The Christian Recorder

The Christian Recorder will now consist of TCR Breaking News, TCR News Breaks and TCR Daily General Conference reports, updates; and news items in the AMEC General Conference blog until the General Conference ends on July 4^th. Those who are subscribed to The Christian Recorder Online will receive TCR Breaking News, TCR News Breaks and Daily General Conference Reports; there will be no postings on The Christian Recorder Online Website until after the last week in July.

2. A COUPLE OF 2012 GENERAL CONFERENCE HOUSEKEEPING NOTES:

-- Church Vans/Buses

If your Church is planning to take a church van/bus to the General Conference you must pre-register that vehicle in order to be able to park at the Opryland Hotel and Conference Center without any fees.

The website to register your van:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFRHMUhOTzdyS3FlSXBYTmZsWWR0TlE6MQ

-- First Lady Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama will be the Keynote Speaker on June 28, 2012 and you must be a paid observer or delegate to attend that session.

Agenda for the 49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference (Attached) –

Note: Save the GC Agenda in your smartphone of mobile device and you will not need a paper program

Attached to this message is the Official Agenda for the 49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference

-- Observer Fees

Observer fee for the Business Sessions is $50.00 per day; Full Registration for all Business Sessions is:

Regular - $125.00

Student (w/valid college ID) - $50.00

Youth (ages 5-18) - $25.00

-- Observer fees are not needed for the following General Conference Sessions:

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

10:00 a.m. Opening Worship Service

Bishop John R. Bryant, Worship Leader

Bishop McKinley Young, Preacher

Sunday, July 1, 2012

8:00 a.m. Church School

Dr. Daryl B. Ingram, Executive Director

Department of Christian Education

10:00 a.m. Worship Service & Holy Communion

TBA, Presiding

Preaching TBA

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

9:00 a.m. Consecration Service

Worship Leader TBA

Bishop John R. Bryant, Senior Bishop, Preaching

-- Up-to-date, real-time General Conference news:

Option #1 – You must be subscribed to The Christian Recorder Online:  Simply go to: www.the-christian-recorder.org and put in your email address and respond to the automatic email that you will receive from The Christian Recorder.  No password is needed; just your email address and, if you want to, you may type your name in the appropriate box. Your name is not necessary.

Option #2 - Follow the activities at the General Conference by visiting the new General Conference Reporting Blog: www.ame-church.com/blog.  The blog is mobile-friendly and smartphone users should bookmark the site on their Home Screens.

-- TCR Editor’s Note: Support our corporate sponsors. Their sponsorship saves money for each of us and the AME Church. 

Our Corporate Sponsors:

AARP

AMEC Sunday School Union

BB&T

Tennessee - http://www.tnvacation.com/

The Story – Zondervan

Renasant Bank

Citizens Bank

3. FOLLOW THE ACTIVITIES AT THE 49^TH QUADRENNIAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE:

Follow the activities at the 49^th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference by visiting the new General Conference Reporting Blog

Follow the activities at the General Conference by visiting the new General Conference Reporting Blog. 

The latest news, information and updates will be posted in real-time during the General Conference. The blog is mobile-friendly and smartphone users should bookmark the site on their Home Screens.

Visit www.ame-church.com/blog for a preview.

4. “GET READY!” - “GET READY!” -  “GET READY!” - “GET READY!”:

The African Methodist Episcopal Church is ready for Bishops, General Officers, Connectional Officers, Presidents and Deans of our academic institutions, chaplains, ministerial and lay delegates, visitors and friends to attend the 49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference.

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, Chair of the General Conference Commission; Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Host Bishop and Bishop John Bryant, Senior Bishop have opened the doors of the General Conference and have issued the challenge to “Bring it on!”  Together they said, “Get on an airplane, the bus, train, your vehicles, bicycles, scooters, motorcycles, motor homes or whatever; just get here!

Click on the links below and get a sneak preview of the exciting events that will take place in Nashville – the site of the 49^th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference.

http://www.ame-church.com/news-and-events/general-conference/

http://www.ame-church.com/blog/ame-church-announces-first-lady-michelle-obama-as-keynote-speaker-at-general-conference/

5. THE DEPARTMENT OF CHURCH GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT BRINGS VOICES FROM AROUND THE WORLD TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE:

Bishop Sarah F. Davis, Commission Chair

Dr. James C. Wade, Executive Director

Starting June 28th through July 3^rd the General Conference will present “Voices from around the World." 

Times of teaching and preaching, proclaimed by dynamically, anointed individuals from our global Connectional Church!

Praise and Worship will begin at 7:45 a.m. led by the Music and Christian Arts Ministry.  "The Study of God’s Word" or "The Preached Word" will start promptly at 8:00 a.m.

Scheduled Facilitators and Preachers

- Brother Ritney Castine, 8th Episcopal District

- Presiding Elder Sarah Peddiny, AME India, Chennai, India (4^th Episcopal District)

- Sister Jackie Ross-Roy, 10^th Episcopal District

- The Rev. Nene Basunga, 16^th Episcopal District Lyon, France

- Presiding Elder Gertrude Komani, 15^th Episcopal District, South Africa

Join us as we bask in the glory of God and God’s Word as presented and preached by persons who will remind us of our connectedness to Christ and to one another as members of the Connectional AME Church!

The Office of the Department of Church Growth and Development is located at 280 Hernando Street, Suites 105 107, Memphis, TN 38126; telephone:  (901) 523—2777, (847) 338-2581; email: www.ameharvest.org

6. BISHOP JEFFREY N. LEATH, PRESIDING PRELATE OF THE 19^TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT WILL BE THE GUEST PREACHER AT WOODFORK CHAPEL:

The Right Reverend Jeffrey N. Leath the Presiding Prelate of the 19^th Episcopal District will be the 11 a.m. Church and Community Celebration worship service preacher at Woodfork Chapel AME Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee this Sunday, June 24, 2012.  The theme for the worship service will be “Exalting Christ as We Serve a Global Community.” Dr. Susan J. Leath, 19^th Episcopal District Supervisor of Missions will be accompanying her husband to Woodfork Chapel. The Rev. Dr. Charlotte Ann Blake Sydnor is the pastor of Woodfork Chapel AME Church. Church School begins at 9:45 a.m.

Bishop Jeffrey Leath was elected the 128^th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at the 48^th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference that met in St. Louis, Missouri in 2008. Bishop Leath was the first of three elected from a field of about 40 candidates.  He was then assigned a four-year term in the 19^th Episcopal District of the Church, which encompasses 7 provinces of the Republic of South Africa. 

Bishop Leath's last assignment before being elevated to the episcopacy was as pastor of Mother Bethel AME Church, the founding congregation of African Methodism, where he served for fifteen years from 1993 to 2008.

In addition to the 225 pastors in the 19^th Episcopal District supervised by Bishop Leath, his duties include oversight of a community college, a school of religion for training pastors and an emerging housing project. Bishop Leath spends a cumulative time of about eight-months annually in South Africa.  When he is not in his Johannesburg office, he is visiting churches, about a seven-hour drive in every direction. 

A struggling educational system and high unemployment are among the daunting social challenges Leath confronts.  He has been inspired by the courage and hope of the people of South African as they face these issues along with the scourge of HIV/AIDS.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church, founded in 1816 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania has maintained a ministry in South Africa for over 100 years.

Dr. Susan J. Leath, a physician and Bishop Leath have three children: the Rev. Jennifer, Victoria, and Jeffrey, II.

Bishop Leath earned his M.Div. at Yale Divinity School and his D.Min at United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

Woodfork Chapel AME Church is located at 1011 Lipscomb Street in Shelbyville, Tennessee; telephone: (931) 684-4817.  Pastor Sydnor’s office number (615) 714-0986.

7. AME CHURCH IS GETTING OUT THE VOTE:

The Social Action Commission (SAC)1 of the AME Church is committed to carry on the LEGACY of advocacy begun 225 years ago to insure that every ELIGIBLE VOTER gets the opportunity to VOTE.

At the General Conference, YOU can receive Voter Registration & Mobilization materials and access to Technical Assistance when you return to your home communities.

The SAC has forged a partnership between Operation E.M.R. (a project of the AME Church Lay Organization) and VESSELS (a project of People for the American Way's African American Ministers Leadership Council). This non-partisan joint effort of civic engagement will help YOU make every vote count.

Stop by the SAC Kiosk. Talk with us!! Take your Guide(s)!! Make a commitment to Voter Education, Mobilization, and Registration!! Become a Vessel - Believe…Speak…Vote!!

Join this network for voter empowerment!!

Sign Up for the TRAINING SESSION to be held on June 30^th  - more details at the SAC Kiosk!

We can make a difference... All we have to do is be faithful and available!!

See you in Nashville at the SAC Kiosk!

SIStah "Jackie" Dupont-Walker, Director - Social Action Commission

In partnership with Leslie Watson Malachi, Director - AAMLC

The Social Action Commission was created by the General Conference in 1960, based on legislation introduced by then the Rev. Frederick Calhoun James. He became its first Director/Consultant. 52 years later, we honor the vision of Bishop James and the successor SAC Director/Consultants whose vigilance has kept this vital mission in focus.

In 2012, our work must build upon that strong foundation and blaze new trails to protect the rights for which our fore bearers died. We must stop voter suppression and empower every eligible voter to vote.

For More Information: JDupontW@aol.com or 213-494-9493

8. STREAMING 101: MAKING A GLOBAL IMPACT ON A BUDGET – A “HOW-TO” SET UP VIDEO-STREAMING FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH:

The Christian Recorder is looking for a clearly written “how to” article to share with our readers on how to stream worship services. We have had a number of inquiries from smaller congregations wanting to know how and what equipment is needed to stream a worship service. The article should explain, in the simplest terms possible, what technical resources and equipment are needed. Smaller and mid-sized churches do not have large budgets so churches are looking for economical ways to reach out and extend the Gospel to the world.

Streaming video is an established, yet continually growing technology allowing people to share worship experiences, teachings, meetings, and other events with the world in real time. While Streaming Faith (http://streamingfaith.com) has emerged as the worldwide leader in faith-based streaming technology, its prohibitive costs are certainly intimidating for smaller ministries with limited funds but still a powerful message to share with the world. More economical streaming solutions do exist, and every ministry, large or small, with a commitment to technological innovation and worldwide evangelism is encouraged to fully explore these options and implement one of them.

I am finishing my fourth year as pastor of Tanner-Price AME Church in Windsor, Ontario, Canada (http://tanner-price.com), and our congregation certainly fits the category of smaller ministries with limited finances, yet we have been streaming our services and Bible Study teachings online the past two years, and it’s not very difficult to set up.

The two leading services for producing one's own online streaming content are Ustream, the streaming platform of choice for my ministry, recommended for its ease of use and various recording hardware options, and Livestream, helpful for its accessibility across both desktop and mobile platforms. Both services have free and premium accounts, based on each ministry's particular needs, audience, and budget.

Both services will operate just fine with either a webcam (built-in or externally attached, via USB) on your internet-connected laptop, or a digital camcorder connected to an internet-connected computer, via firewire cable. For an example of the equipment typically needed for streaming, Livestream has an excellent PDF resource of applicable devices: http://new.livestream.com/images/marketing/encoder/Procaster-Certified-Devices.pdf.) I recommend that you not purchase a camcorder for the sole purpose of live streaming, as the quality of your broadcast will not likely be high enough to justify spending $600 or more for one, compared to $100 at the absolute most for a top-quality webcam.

Ustream

Ustream (http://ustream.tv) is the simpler of the two services and offers the ability to stream content, as previously mentioned, from your webcam or camcorder connected to the desktop, as well as directly from his/her mobile phone, via the Ustream app for iOS and Android devices. To get started with desktop streaming, go to the following page and follow the instructions: http://www.ustream.tv/get-started. For more detailed instructions and help on other common topics, including a video tutorial on creating a channel, visit this page: http://helpcenter.ustream.tv/content. After making the channel, visit its page (see ours for an example: http://ustre.am/9HTX), scroll down to the middle and click on "embed", where you will find HTML code to copy and paste into your site's code. Doing this allows you to place the streaming window directly on to your site so viewers can watch your live broadcast straight from your website, rather than just the Ustream channel page you've created.

What will be apparent from the instructions is Ustream will allow you to broadcast without having to download any software; this option is sufficient for typical streams. Ustream used to encourage users to download its desktop app, Ustream Producer, which offers additional functionality to a stream, including screen switching, very useful for periodically displaying sermon titles, scriptures, and points during the message, if so desired. This app is no longer located directly on the Ustream homepage but can still be found here: http://www.ustream.tv/producer. If you decide to broadcast from the desktop using a webcam, you will, of course, want to buy an external webcam, instead of using the built-in one, so you can control the stream from your computer without being seen.

What makes Ustream truly invaluable for ministries desiring to do simple streaming is its mobile streaming capabilities, as you have the option to stream on the go with the Ustream mobile app for iOS and Android devices. If you decide to go with this option, you might want to mount your phone in some kind of way; simply do a Google search for a phone tripod to find what you’re looking for. You can stream with Ustream mobile over Wi-Fi or 3G/4G connection, which is very important if you're streaming from a location with no high-speed internet connection, or, as is the case with my ministry, an inconsistent and unreliable connection.

You can stream easily over a 3G/4G connection if you have an unlimited data plan through Sprint or a legacy unlimited plan (pre-2010) through AT&T. Please be advised, though, if you have that AT&T legacy plan and desire to stream on that connection, the company has recently begun "throttling" your data, meaning that if you use more than 3 gigabytes of data in a month, AT&T will begin slowing down your internet connection, and slower data speeds will compromise your ability to stream consistently and effectively. Video streaming is a very data-intensive process, so I would not advise anyone without an unlimited plan to stream with his/her cell phone data connection, so as to avoid an overage on one’s plan.

Livestream

The other recommended video streaming service is Livestream (http://livestream.com), which provides the same streaming services as Ustream, but does so with a different encoding system that enables streaming to all mobile devices. Whereas a streaming video player through Ustream only streams to desktop devices, a broadcast through Livestream is available on all devices, which is very important for those on the go who desire to worship with you but can't get to a computer to do so. Additional information about this very important feature can be found here: http://www.livestream.com/blog/?p=3901.

Understanding Livestream's services can be a bit confusing, as there is a New Livestream and an Original Livestream. Before signing up, you should visit http://new.livestream.com/broadcast-live/broadcast-live to learn the differences between and pricing of each service. Please keep in mind that only the Original Livestream offers free broadcasting services. Follow the link at the top of the Livestream homepage if you decide to use the original service.

Please also be aware if you sign up and decide to download the Livestream Producer desktop app, rather than broadcasting directly through the website, as with Ustream, the application will use a lot of your computer's resources and thus will slow down both your computer and your stream if you have any other programs, especially your internet browser, open on your computer while broadcasting. This is a bit of experiential information not available on the Livestream site, so please do not forget! All other pertinent info, however, including embedding and social media integration, should be available and relatively easy to find on the site.

In conclusion, Ustream and Livestream are the best, most cost-effective streaming solutions. If the ability to stream from a mobile device is important to you, Ustream should be your service of choice. If, however, allowing your stream to be accessed on mobile devices is most vital to your digital strategy, and your computer has enough memory to handle it, go with Livestream.

Be blessed and happy streaming!

The Rev. Marcus A. Cylar

Pastor, Tanner-Price AMEC, Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Presiding Elder, Canadian Conference, 4th Episcopal District

Editor’s Note: A special thanks to the Rev. Marcus A. Tyler for an excellent article on how to set up video-streaming for your local church. I hope everyone who wants to set up video-streaming will save this article. This is such a great resource!

9. THE BLACK CHURCH: SERVICE IT NOT OVER:

By: Ebonie Johnson Cooper

This article originally appeared at EBONY.com on June 13, 2012

While attending a recent service at Reid Temple AME Church, I was moved by the address from a representative of the Malawi Youth Aid organization where the church’s missionaries serve. I was proud to hear that the church I am a member of not only brings people to Christ but it also takes part in effective overseas mission work. This information made me think about all the other Black churches I know doing their part locally- and internationally. You see, the popularization of prosperity preaching, pulpit pimping and sexual scandal within some Black churches has overshadowed the fact that many more Black churches are actually doing the right things and not wavering from their social missions to serve their communities.

Research in a survey done by Pew Charitable Trusts and the Public/Private Ventures created to measure the impact faith- based organizations have on their communities found that 91 percent [of the churches surveyed] offered at least one social service program, from food pantries to summer camps to substance abuse prevention programs. The finding also estimates, if all of these institutions were suddenly to eliminate their outreach programs, it would cost more than $200 million to replace the social and community services they provide.

As such, Reid Temple’s community services and outreach touch the lives of more than 10,000 needy men, women and children in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Through programs that provide free meals, distribute clothing and toiletries, first aid, emergency services, and homelessness relief, Reid Temple is a beacon of support in the nation’s capital.

Also a strong force in its community is Greater Centennial AME Zion Church located in Mount Vernon, NY. Best known for producing greats such as Heavy D., Pete Rock and Diddy, Mount Vernon, NY is now a city with an ever-increasing crime rate and a Violent Crime Index more than twice the national average. As a result, Greater Centennial has become a place of refuge for Mount Vernon’s estimated 40,000 urban residents. Led by Rev. Dr. W. Darin Moore, Centennial has numerous Outreach Ministries, including David’s Kitchen; a weekly soup kitchen that serves hot home-cooked meals prepared by the churches CFO to needy residents.

Centennial also boasts a Children, Youth and Young Adults Ministry that is helping to shape the lives of the next generation.  The ministry partners with non-profits such as Habitat for Humanity to help clean up and beautify the surrounding neighborhood. “In order to take back our community, we have to be accountable and responsible for its youth,” shares Rev. Keisha J. Agard, Centennial’s Children, Youth and Young Adult Minister. “We [the church] have to spin the image the youth have of themselves so they can see what they can do and not stand by and watch life go by,” Rev. Agard.

While Reid Temple and Greater Centennial have the financial resources to do lots of work in the community, smaller Black churches, like Tanner-Price AME Church in Windsor, Ontario stretch their resources to answer the needs of the community. Led by a Pastor of the millennial generation, Rev. Marcus A. Cylar, Tanner- Price is striving to leave its mark. The Rev. Cylar believes we have to be in the community to spark change. He further states, “As a people we have gotten comfortable with consistency. There is more than just coming to church and serving [inside the church].” Thus, Tanner- Price is beginning its Men’s Ministry and opening an employment center this summer to meet the direct needs of the surrounding population.

Another church heavily focused on the immediate needs of the community is Brown Memorial Baptist Church in the Clinton-Hill section of Brooklyn, NY. Faced with the housing challenges associated with gentrification, “We make an intentional effort to focus on informing, educating, and increasing financial literacy through workshops, seminars and panels,” says Rev. Clinton M. Miller, Pastor of Brown.

A 95-year-old staple in its Brooklyn neighborhood, Brown strives to keep the tradition of the Black church as it relates to social justice initiatives. Following in the footsteps of Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake, Brown Memorial advocates for public policy changes, affordable housing and education issues. “A church that is not in touch with its community will become irrelevant,” says Rev. Miller. Being irrelevant is not anything Brown has on its agenda. Rev. Miller concludes, “We stress the importance of having a voice so our people can self-organize and use their resources for change.”

Acting locally isn’t all the Black church is doing. The church is becoming a global force as well.  Similar to the mission efforts of Reid Temple, Elizabeth Baptist Church of Atlanta, GA, is a church that thinks locally and acts globally. Housed in five locations throughout the Atlanta Metro area, Elizabeth Baptist has found a way to touch the lives of community members in a way that brings perspective and long-term personal growth. Under the direction of Dr. Letra Smith, Elizabeth uses mission trips to places such as Kenya and India, to open up the minds of the community. Dr. Smith explains, “Through these mission trips we want our community members to develop intensity for serving others.” And their strategy works! Its outreach ministry goes into the woods- yes the woods- on a monthly basis to feed the homeless that are often forgotten. They also travel to Clarkston, GA where there are over 53,000 refugees. There they feed not only their spiritual needs but also their nutritional needs.

As my dear Aunt Madea would say, Hallelujer!

These five churches highlighted may not be a representative sample of every Black church in America; but their works do represent the fact that our churches are not dead in our communities. Our churches still supply the needs of our communities in sprit and in service. As the Rev. Dr. Moore says, “If we begin to see the church as more than a space to worship on Sundays we will discover its endless opportunities.” It’s time that our churches begin to receive the headline news that praises the God it serves and not the devil it condemns.

You may now say, Amen.

http://www.philanthropy.org/publications/online_publications/african_american_paper.pdf   

Ebonie Johnson Cooper is a featured writer, millennial thought leader and philanthropist with a passion for community engagement and giving. She is the niece of Sis. Florence Warren, President of the Lay Organization at St. Stephen AME Church; immediate past CLO Director of Lay Activities as well as former secretary to the Episcopal Committee for the general conference. Ebonie currently resides in Washington, DC but home is Brooklyn, NY. Follow her on Twitter: @EbsTheWay and visit her sites: friendsofebonie.com & eboniejohnsoncooper.com   

10. DR. JUENARRL KEITH APPOINTED PRESIDING ELDER OF MT. PLEASANT DISTRICT:

Benjamin Harrison

Wednesday, November 16^th to Friday, November 18^th, the 7^th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (South Carolina, U.S.A.), convened in Florence, South Carolina for its 2011 Post Annual Conference. This event was held at the Florence Civic Center where for three days business was conducted, souls were renewed, and at the conference’s end over three thousand AMEs gathered to hear word from Bishop Preston W. Williams II as to where clergy would be assigned for service in the 7^th Episcopal District of the AME Church.

In his final series of pastoral appointments as the Presiding Prelate of the 7^th Episcopal District, Bishop Williams strategically repositioned numerous pastors and presiding elders for the continued advancement of the AME Church in South Carolina.

One of those movements, which was designed to promote youth, vigor and vitality within the 7^th District’s leadership, was the appointment of Presiding Elder Dr. Juenarrl Keith to the Mount Pleasant District, which is the largest Presiding Elder District in the state of South Carolina and one of the largest Presiding Elder Districts in the Connectional AME Church.

Five years earlier, at the 7^th District’s 2006 Post Annual Conference, Dr. Keith was appointed as the Presiding Elder of the Orangeburg District which is the lead district in the Central Annual Conference. Five years later, Dr. Keith’s 2011 appointment as Presiding Elder of the Mount Pleasant District stands as a clear validation of his anointing as a pastor, his competence as a presiding elder, and his service as one of the 7^th District’s exceptional servant leaders. Ever-reaching toward the fulfillment of God’s purpose for his life, Dr. Keith continues to advance through the ranks of A.M.E. leadership.

Presently 44 years old, Presiding Elder Keith holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey, is a licensed professional counselor and board-certified social worker, and is one of only a handful of African Americans in the state of South Carolina to hold the title of Supervisor which is the highest level one can reach within the field of counseling.

Generationally, Dr. Keith stands in the excellent position of being young enough to relate to the youth and young adults of the church, while being mature enough to understand the customs, cultures and traditions of the middle-aged and elder members of the church. Dr. Keith states, “The ability to understand, support and promote all generations within the church is essential to the growth, well-being and longevity of the church.” Particularly in light of the fact that recruiting and retaining young church members is a priority of the Connectional AME Church, Dr. Keith’s ability to relate to the younger generation’s use of music, language, and technology via cell phones, internet, and social media, enables him to remain in touch with current trends that can be used positively for kingdom expansion.

Dr. Keith’s vision and agenda for the Mount Pleasant District are sharply focused on Christian Education. Dr. Keith states, “The Mount Pleasant District needs strong churches under girded by strong Christian education programs. At the local, Presiding Elder, Episcopal, and Connectional levels, we must put Christian education first. This will improve the retention of current church members, create a better educated community of believers and ultimately result in greater levels of evangelism and church growth. Christian Education is an essential component for enlarging the kingdom of God.”

Additionally, Dr. Keith seeks to promote new and innovative youth and young adult ministries that affirm children and adolescence who are moving from boyhood to manhood and girlhood to womanhood. For young adults, Dr. Keith would like to provide social outlets for those who profess Christianity. Through a jazz music night, or other creative activities, church members may gather as responsible young adults and socialize, network, and still be saved. According to Dr. Keith, “These types of fun community building functions can help to retain young adults within our denomination and attract others to become part of our A.M.E. Church community.”

Dr. Keith would also like to move the Mt. Pleasant District toward becoming more of a community church in the sense that children are able to participate in church-related ministries and functions regardless of church membership. According to Dr. Keith, the local church must be inclusive of all children regardless of race, color, creed and denomination. By using an open, inclusive and ecumenical approach, local churches can better engage all of the children of the local neighborhoods.

Having established an honorable record of responsibility and having acquired a sufficient amount of knowledge to lead the church through the wisdom of experience, Dr. Keith continues his service to the AME Church as the Presiding Elder of the Mount Pleasant District.

Juenarrl Keith is the son of Nathaniel Keith Jr. and Cathlean Odeila McCants Keith. He attended the public schools in Georgetown, South Carolina and accepted Christ at the age of 15 years-old at Revival under the Reverend J.J. Grant. Juenarrl Keith accepted the call to ministry at the age of 17 and was ordained an Itinerant Deacon in 1989 and Itinerant Elder in 1990 by the Right Reverend Frederick Calhoun James.

In 1989, Rev. Keith was assigned to the pastorate of Thomas Chapel AME Church in East Andrews, South Carolina. Subsequently, because of his leadership skills in mobilizing, evangelizing and revitalizing rural congregations, he gave excellent leadership to Singleton Chapel, Hopewell (Hemingway), Saint Paul (Plantersville), Greater Zion (Awendaw), and Mount Pisgah (Sumter). Dr. Keith also served as the distinguished pastor of Williams Chapel AME Church in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Additionally, Dr. Keith has held numerous leadership positions within the AME Church including his appointment as Dean of Christian Education and Presiding Elder of the Mount Pleasant District by the Right Reverend Preston W. Williams II. D.Min.

Dr. Keith has practiced for over 25 years as a member of the Healing Arts Profession. In 1995, he was credentialed as a Licensed Professional Counselor by the state of South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Board of Examiners for counselors, therapists, and Psycho-Educational Specialists. In 1997, the same board credentialed him as a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor and in 2006 he was credentialed at the doctoral level. Dr. Keith is a licensed Board Certified Counselor by the American Psychotherapy Association, a licensed social worker by the South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners, and a Board Certified Professional Counselor for the American Psychotherapy Association.

Dr. Keith completed the requirements for the B.A. degree in 1988 from Morris College, a distinguished historically black college in Sumter, South Carolina.  He earned the Master of Arts degree from Webster University (Charleston Graduate Center) in Saint Louis, Missouri. In 1989, Dr. Keith completed a Post-Master Certificate in Child Mental Health, sponsored by the South Carolina Department of Mental Health and the University of South Carolina in Columbia S.C.  After three years of study at Erskine Theological Seminary in Due West, South Carolina, he was awarded the Master of Divinity Degree in 1997.  Dr. Keith then enrolled in graduate studies at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey completing his residence for the doctorate in 2000 and receiving the Doctor of Ministry degree in 2002. In 2001, he completed his clinical pastoral education training at Bon Secour Saint Francis Hospital in Charleston, South Carolina.  Dr. Keith completed additional studies at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia and Princeton Theological Seminary in Princeton, New Jersey.

Dr. Keith is a member of numerous professional, civic and communication organizations include but not limited to: The Association of Counseling and Development; The Action Council for Cross Cultural Training and Education; the Orangeburg Branch of the NAACP; Iota Tau Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, Georgetown, S.C.; and the Free & Accepted Masonry Order, Sampit Lodge # 426.

As a teacher and supervisor, Dr, Keith is known for his wealth and diverse experience as a post-modern practitioner. He has taught at Allen University in Columbia, S.C., where he also served as a Counselor/Consultant in the Division of Student Life. He has taught at Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C., and Williamsburg Technical College in Kingstree, S.C. Dr. Keith has also served as Field Counseling Practicum Supervisor/Advisor for South Carolina State University in Orangeburg, S.C., the University of South Carolina in Columbia, S.C., and Webster University in Saint Louis, MO.

Dr. Keith is married Mrs. Anna Marie Keith, and they are the immensely proud parents of two sons, Juenarrl Nathaniel and Jonathan William, and one daughter Ashley Marie.

11. JUNETEENTH IS THE OLDEST OF ALL AFRICAN AMERICAN CELEBRATIONS:

Juneteenth is the oldest of all African American celebrations. It commemorates the day of June 19, 1865, when African Americans in Texas first learned of their freedom from slavery under the Emancipation Proclamation, signed by President Lincoln and which had gone into effect on January 1, 1863, nearly two and a half years earlier. On June 19, 1865, two months and a week after Lee's surrender to Grant at Appomattox, federal troops under the command of Union Major General Gordon Granger arrived in Galveston, Texas, and informed the slaves of their freedom by reading General Order #3, which stated:

The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and hired labor. The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.

By June 19, 1866, only one year later, large festive celebrations were begun and many continued into the twentieth century. June 19th early was named Juneteenth, and it has been observed as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day by African Americans for more than 140 years. Celebrations have included parades, picnics, dancing, sporting events, music, plays, recounting of stories by former slaves, inspirational speeches, reading of the Emancipation Proclamation, and prayer services.

The observance spread all over the United States during the next 140 years; and fourteen states today list Juneteenth as an official holiday, including Texas, California, New York, New Jersey, and Alaska. It is observed in other states and in other countries.

**Extracted from United Methodist News Service.  Used with permission.

12. MEDITATION BASED ON EXODUS 14:5-14:

*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby

My email reminded me this week that life’s conveniences can easily become life’s aggravations.  I never open an email with a link or attachment that looks suspect - even if it appears to come from someone that I know - lest it be maliciously designed to hack into and hijack my address book. 

As careful as I am, however, I received a malicious e-mail this week that went active when it simply showed up in my Inbox and sent out bogus e-mails using my name.  My internet service provider detected the problem and disabled my email password, which I reset but which, still wouldn’t work quite right.

When I called technical support for help, the support agent said, “You have two choices - I can walk you through what you need to do or, if you’ll trust me, I can take remote control of your computer and fix the problem for you.”  I trusted him, we set up the remote control and he had things working right in five minutes flat, saving me time and frustration.

What that helpful tech support agent did for me, God can do for us on life’s larger scale.  Try as we may, we all run into unexpected and troubling situations that come out of nowhere, hack into our lives and threaten our security and peace of mind.  While it’s tempting to try to deal with those situations through our own knowledge, resources and skill, our doing so sometimes makes things worse instead of better.

When life’s unanticipated and challenging situations come our way, we’d do well to trust in the Lord to take control and fix things.  Regardless of who we are, what we have or what we know, the God who made us and knows us best also knows what we need when we need it and can bring us through life’s tough times when we trust Him to take control of our lives, just as God’s people did when they faced an unexpected and troubling situation after God set them free from slavery in Egypt.

We’ll all face our share of difficulties and rough spots in life, but when we let God control our lives we’ll see new solutions to our old problems.  We’ll understand why those who endured the chains of American slavery and had to cope with those who claimed to control them could still trust in the Lord to take control and sing, “He’s got the whole world in His hands.”

If you are in the Charleston, South Carolina area, please feel free to join us on the Fourth Sunday in June for Church School at 8:45 a.m. and for Women’s Day Worship at 10 a.m.  The Women’s Day Choir and the Praise Dance Ministry will offer praise, and the Reverend Doctor Sheila Elliott from Francis Burns United Methodist Church in Columbia, South Carolina will be our Women’s Day preacher.

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

13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Claudia Myers, the mother of the Rev. D. Albert Turk, pastor at Emanuel AME Church in New York City (New York Conference, Manhattan District).

The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Service, Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 12 noon

Nichols Temple AME Church
701 18^th Street, Ensley
702 Birmingham, AL 35218

Telephone: 205-786-1642

The Rev. J. R. Rumley, Pastor

Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to:

The Rev. D. Albert Turk
129 Meadow Lane
Marlton, NJ 08053

Or

Emanuel AME Church
37-41 West 119^th Street
New York, NY 10026

14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to share news of the passing of Mrs. Anna Roberts Lodge, mother of Augusta Georgia Annual Conference YPD Director Mrs. Terri Lodge Kelly of the 6th Episcopal District.

Mrs. Anna Roberts Lodge passed away on June 14, 2012. She was a faithful and dedicated member of Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church, Waynesboro Georgia. Mrs. Lodge was a member of the Missionary Society and work in many other capacities before her health declined. She will be sadly missed from our midst.

Service Arrangements for Mrs. Anna Roberts Lodge:

The funeral of Mrs. Anna Roberts Lodge will be Thursday, June 21, 2012, at 11:00 a.m.

Waynesboro Deliverance Evangelistic Church

752 Highway 25 South

Waynesboro, Georgia 30830

Telephone: (706) 554-5405

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 20, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Mount Olive African Methodist Episcopal Church

527 West 7th Street

Waynesboro, Georgia 30830

Telephone: (706) 554-1155

Condolences can be mailed to:

Mrs. Terri Lodge Kelly

955 Hwy 56 North

Waynesboro, Georgia 30830

(706) 554-2651

Phinazee and Son Funeral Home

404 W. 8th Street

Waynesboro, Georgia 30830

(706) 554-5500

15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of the Rev. Gabriel S. Hardeman, former pastor in the Belleview Circuit of Atlanta, Georgia; Singer-songwriter best known for co-writing R&B star Stephanie Mills' 1987 #1 hit "I Feel Good All Over" and Teddy Pendergrass' "Truly Blessed." He later devoted himself to writing and producing gospel music, and was a Stellar Award nominee for "To the Chief Musician." "Gabe" Hardeman is the composer of the AME Anthem, "God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer, Man Our Brother." The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Service, Saturday, June 23, 2012

Viewing - 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Funeral - 10:00 a.m.

Hickman Temple AME Church

5001 Baltimore Avenue

Philadelphia, PA 19143

Phone: 215-476-5340

Fax:  215-472-3617

The Rev. Stanley G. Smith, Pastor

The Rev. Ellis I. Washington, Eulogist

Pastor at Grant AME Church, Boston, Massachusetts

Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to:

Mrs. Annette Hardeman

701 Whitby Avenue

Yeadon, PA 19050

16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of the Rev. John C. Justice, a former pastor in the New Jersey Annual Conference and the brother of the Rev. J. Stanley Justice, pastor of Greater Mt. Zion AMEC, Trenton, NJ (New Jersey Conference, Camden-Trenton District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Service, Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Viewing - 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon

Funeral - 12:00 noon

Dickerson Chapel A.M.E. Church

28845 Dupont Blvd

Millsboro, DE 19966

Phone: 302-934-6360

Fax:  302-329-9251

The Rev. Gerald DeVan, Pastor

Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to:

Mrs. Dejeonge Justice

PO Box 232

Cranford, NJ 07016

Email: d.justice55@yahoo.com

 and/or

The Rev. J. Stanley Justice

33 Perdicaris Place

Trenton, NJ 08618

Fax: 609-394-2808 (Mt. Zion, Trenton)

17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mr. David McCune, the brother of the Rev. Ron McCune, pastor at Bethel AMEC, Bloomfield, Connecticut (New England Conference, Boston/Hartford District).

The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Service, Thursday, June 21, 2012

Funeral - 11:00 a.m.

First Centennial Baptist Church

273 High Street

Buffalo, NY 14201

716-884-7925

The Rev. Allan Core, Pastor

The Rev. Ron McCune, Officiating

Professional Service entrusted to:

H. Alfred Lewis Mortuary

968 Jefferson Ave.

Buffalo, NY 14204

Phone: 716-884-0901

Fax: 716-882-1815

Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to:

The Rev. Ron McCune

68 Weberfield Avenue

Freeport, NY 11520

Or

27 Colebrook Street

Hartford, CT 06112

18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Dr. Edward W. Robinson, Jr., the uncle of the late State Rep. David P. Richardson, Jr. Dr. Robinson was 94-years-old and faithfully served the AME Church with membership at AME Union.

The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Service, Friday, June 22, 2012

Viewing - 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.

Funeral - 11:00 a.m.

AME Union Church

1614 W. Jefferson Street

Philadelphia, 19121

Phone: 215-765-5868

Fax: 215-765-6935

The Rev. Paul Thomas, Pastor

Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to:

The family of Dr. Edward W. Robinson, Jr.

C/o AME Union Church

1614 W. Jefferson Street

Philadelphia, PA 19121

Interment

Merion Memorial Park

Bala Cynwyd, PA

19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Andrew L. Hughes, the father of the Rev. Anthony Hughes, pastor of Bethel Memorial AME Church in San Diego, California.

Services for Mr. Andrew L. Hughes:

June 21, 2012

Reception/repast at 5:00 pm

Homegoing Celebration: 6:00 pm

Cage Memorial Chapel

7651 South Jeffery Boulevard

Chicago, IL 60649

Phone: 773.721.8900

Fax: 773.721.9106

Condolences may be sent to:

Mrs. Gwendolyn Hughes

200 Park Avenue, Apartment 428

Calumet City, IL 60409

20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:

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  

21. 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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