Bishop
T. Larry Kirkland - Chair, Commission on Publications
The
Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The
Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
Reminder for Church Bulletins:
Advent beings Sunday, December 2, 2012
Advent beings Sunday, December 2, 2012
1. EDITORIAL –THE LAITY FACES THE
SAME LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES AS THE CLERGY:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
Effective
and dynamic ministry in the local church requires teamwork. When clergy and
laity work effectively together churches grow. When clergy and laity are in
conflict with one another, churches programs stagnate, and if not corrected in
a timely fashion, a congregation can slowly “die.”
The
same issues and challenges that affect the clergy are the same ones that affect
the laity.
If
the ministry is a hard profession, being an AME layperson is also hard. There
are challenges on both sides of the chancel rail. It’s a challenge for
laypersons who are engaged in the work of the local church and the dropout rate
among the laity is also troublesome.
Pastors
have to “walk a delicate line” when dealing with the laity and the laity has to
walk a delicate line when dealing with the clergy. The Duke University study found that
eighty-five percent of seminary graduates entering the ministry leave within
five years might find more staggering figures for the laity who “abandons the
old ship of Zion.” Some leave and go to
other churches, and others remain a part of the congregation, but refocus and
reduce their participation and become “passive pew sitters.”
Some
of the same reasons ministers abandon the ministry are the same reasons
laypersons abandon their active participation in the local church.
Like
the clergy, disappointment is factor when those who feel called to serve in the
lay leadership positions of the local church believe they can make a difference
in the life of the church and in the lives of their fellow parishioners, only
to discover that many parishioners and even some pastors are not amenable to
change or progress.
Conflict
for lay church officers in the ministry programs and the tension it causes for
families has just as much impact on the attrition rate of the laity who
withdraws from leadership positions as clergy who diminish their participation
or withdraw from the pastoral ministry.
Local churches bear
some responsibilities
Some
congregations are historically and systemically dysfunctional. Other
congregations are transitionally dysfunctional because of a particular set of
circumstances or because of unresolved conflict. Churches tend to remain
dysfunctional when they fail to resolve conflict; and failure to resolve
conflict pushes parishioners away from the local church.
Many
congregations have talented parishioners with special gifts and graces. Some parishioners have expertise in areas
needed by many churches, but they are overlooked. Pastors and church officers
need to get to know the folks sitting in the pews. For instance, if a
parishioner in the local church is a structural engineer, it’s a no-brainer
that he or she should be sought out to be a trustee. I knew of an instance
where a parishioner was vice-president of a bank no one sought her services to
serve on the steward board or finance committee.
Some
laypersons who work in the local church experience frustration because their
work in the church is done in isolation; unfortunately, for them, church work
is job; it’s a task that they do without spiritual underpinnings.
Church
work without knowing and understanding the biblical connection will always be a
frustrating exercise. Some parishioners work in the church, but haven’t been
grounded in the Word of God or The
Discipline of the church. Functioning and serving without a spiritual and
administrative focus is working in isolation, which is almost always
frustrating.
Let me say this
Pastors
should insure that every local church officer should own a Study Bible and The Discipline. Every church officer
should have his or her own Bible and his or her own copy of The Discipline; and officers should be
required or expected to bring both books to every business meeting.
And, that’s not all
I
would go further. When people join the church, the pastor should ask each
person if they own a personal Bible. It cannot be assumed that everyone owns
his or her personal Bible.
I
would go even further. When people join
the church, not only should they own a Bible, but, if they are serious about
discipleship in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, they should want to
have their own copy of The Discipline, especially
when people come from other denominations. People who join our fellowship
should know the rules of our Zion. Parishioners in should understand that we
are a connectional church. They should understand that we do not have
congregational meetings to address issues; we have the rules of The Discipline.
Pastors
need to insure that people from other AME Churches are knowledgeable about The Discipline because even some of our
AME Churches – clergy and laity have not immersed themselves in our history,
doctrine and polity. This idea is not new with me. When we moved to Rahway, New
Jersey in 1956 and I joined Ebenezer AME Church, I was given The Discipline and instructed to read
it. The pastor went through The Discipline with me; I was a high school
student. I was also instructed to
memorize The Apostles Creed.
I
suspect if pastors and parishioners followed the rules of the Bible and The Discipline; a lot of conflict and
problems would disappear. A trained congregation and competent pastoral
leadership provide the best option for a successful pastoral program.
When
congregations and especially the lay leadership are untrained for ministry in
the AME Church, dysfunction fills the void where training is lacking. Conflict is exacerbated in instances where
pastor and congregation do not know how to deal with conflict resolution and do
not follow the rules of The Discipline.
The
AME system of Church, quarterly, district, and annual conferences are
mechanisms to vet those persons entering the ministry, but perhaps there should
be a more structured method to examine persons who are selected to serve as
officers in the local church.
Like
the clergy, being a competent and effective lay church officer requires
preparation, sacrifice, and discipline; and being a competent and effective
church officer requires character, spiritual balance, discipline, and
toughness. Working in the ministry of the church, no matter what side of the
chancel rail; is tough work.
Being a church officer
is tough
Sometimes
people attrite from serving as a local church officer because they are not prepared
for the rigors and sacrifices of service. I have noticed that some officers
give up passively, they don’t quit; they just cease to function.
Categories
of church officers
There are at least two categories of
church officers. There is the church
officer who wants to do the right thing and who loves the Lord and who has an
endearing love for the local and connectional church.
The second type of local church
officer fills the position, but does not have a concern for the local church or
the connectional church; he or she serves because “a body” is needed to fill
the position and someone may have told him or her that he or she would not have
to do much. The most striking attribute of the poor-functioning officer is that
he or she does not give a darn about the local church programs.
It’s not the second type of church
officers I want to address, but I want to address the challenges of the church
officer who wants to do the right thing and who loves and is concerned about
the local church.
The Challenges for the church
officer who wants to do the right thing are the same as the challenges faced by
the clergy.
Challenges
faced by church officers who want to do right
Before addressing the traits that
inhibit ministry let me say that I have had excellent models of effective and
outstanding officers in the local church. I always like to mention and honor
their “ministry” to the preacher because I know that I made some dumb decisions when I was a young pastor and I
am thankful that I had church officers like Cornelia Faulkner, Naomi Smith,
Alberta Rice, Ralph Smith, Robert Fomas, Deaconess Hutsell, young Melvin
Harris, and so many others who had the love and commitment for the church to be
patient with me. They taught me the “ins and outs” of ministry and
pastoring. At the time, I thought that I
was teaching them, but they were teaching me. Those
officers not only mentored and were loyal to me, but they were loyal to all of
their preachers; before my arrival and after my departure. The one trait they all
had was that they were consistently loyal.
Some laypersons love the clergy.
Many times, love for the clergy ran in families. Everybody loved the preacher.
They loved the previous preachers and they will love any preacher the bishop
assigns to the church.
Other laypersons just don’t like
clergy, many times it’s not personal, and it’s just the way it is. I have seen the dislike of clergy run in
families. Grandmother, aunts and uncles, sons and daughters and other family
members all complained about the church and the pastoral programs; past and
present. They don’t like preachers!
Personality
traits that inhibit ministry
Discouragement. It was Paul who said that we need
to “encourage ourselves.” Leadership is
complicated and, like pastors, local church leaders need to have “thick skin”
and understand that leadership is not a popularity contest. Church officers
sometimes have to appropriately confront…
To
be continued. Among
the traits and challenges of church officers include, “The Lone Ranger,” the
“Tonto” syndrome, the “Outlaw,” and the Deaf and Blind syndrome.
2. THE
AMEC SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION ONLINE BOOK STORE:
Order
books, Church School materials, study materials, women’s studies, hymnals can be
ordered online from the AMEC Sunday School Union. You can also subscribe to the
print edition of The Christian Recorder.
Click Here:
http://www.amecpublishinghouse.com
or put the web address in your browser.
Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr. is the Secretary-Treasurer of the AMEC Sunday
School Union.
3. HOW
THE FAITHFUL VOTED: 2012 PRELIMINARY ANALYSIS:
A new http://www.pewforum.org/Politics-and-Elections/How-the-Faithful-Voted-2012-Preliminary-Exit-Poll-Analysis.aspx
by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life based on
results from the National Election Pool exit polls finds that Democrat Barack
Obama lost ground among white evangelical Protestants and white Catholics,
compared with 2008. But the basic religious contours of the 2012 electorate are
similar to recent elections – traditionally Republican groups such as white
evangelicals and weekly churchgoers strongly backed Republican Mitt Romney,
while traditionally Democratic groups such as black Protestants, Hispanic
Catholics, Jews and the religiously unaffiliated backed Obama by large margins.
Mormon voters were firmly in Romney’s corner, with 78% voting for him.
Catholics as a whole were evenly divided (50% voted for Obama and 48% backed
Romney), while white Catholics swung strongly in the Republican direction
relative to 2008.
The full analysis, available on the Pew Forum http://www.pewforum.org/, includes more
details on how major religious groups and the religiously unaffiliated voted,
vote choice by religious attendance, and the religious composition of the 2012
electorate. For more news and data on the 2012 election, visit the Pew Forum
resource page http://projects.pewforum.org/rp2012/
.”
If you need further information or would like to speak with a Pew
Forum researcher about any of the findings from the analysis, please let us
know.
The Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life
1615 L Street, NW, Suite 700 | Washington, DC | 20036 |202.419.4562 | www.pewforum.org
4. TRIBUTE TO OUR VETERANS - SUNDAY,
NOVEMBER 11, 2012 IS VETERANS' DAY:
*Bishop
William Phillips DeVeaux
I am the
son of a World War II and Korean Conflict veteran. My father went away to serve
his country and our family lived with my grandmother until he came home safely.
In 1969, it was my turn to join the service men and women as a part of
generation’s war. For me it was Vietnam. It was also my brother John who also
served a long and industrious career as an AME Army chaplain who also served in
Viet Nam and retired as a colonel.
The reasons
for each war may be different but the effects on families are the same.
Separation, anxiety, loneliness and disruption are critical problems resulting
from military service. As the season of Veterans Day approaches on November 11,
2012 we African Methodists surely mourn the loss of those brave fighters who
have paid the ultimate sacrifice; and support families who are separated from
loved ones.
Now, the
country is again engaged in combat, this time in Iraq and Afghanistan. We are
also obliged to seek out these contemporary warriors and invite them to our
houses of worship where they can find fellowship, comfort and safe sanctuary.
Many of today’s returning vets suffer with mental health illnesses, substance
abuse, poverty and homelessness. Clearly these conditions are not easily or
quickly addressed. Nevertheless, I pray
that we find ways to provide those who have served abroad and those who protect
us at home with an affirming place in which to rehabilitate their lives.
Finally, I
would like to express proud gratitude to the men and women of the 2nd
Episcopal District who have given the best of their service for us and future
generations. Sir Winston Churchill’s tribute to the English soldiers of WWII:
never have so many owed so much to so few, probably best pays homage to our
military veterans. We should be grateful and join together in saying God Bless
you and thank you again to these stalwart servants.
*Bishop William
Phillips DeVeaux is the Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District
5. THANK ALL OF YOU WHO VOTED,
HELPED SOMEONE VOTE AND HELPED TO UNDERGIRD OUR DEMOCRACY:
SIStah
“Jackie” Dupont Walker
The day and
days after Election Day, we celebrate God at work in each of you as you
participated in the democratic process. You "showed up and you showed
out," even as there were those who attempted to dampen and hamper out
right and ability to vote! The shenanigans of those who wanted to thwart the
democratic process probably helped people of color, young people and women to
get out and vote.
One last
story to share. Yesterday, a young sister came by our GOTV Center to the take SOMEONE to the POLLS. Three of us left to
find a 72 year old homeless lady in Gardena, CA with another volunteer on the
phone at base, keeping her encouraged. Well we found our voter, educated her on
the short ride to her polling place, helped her connect with a Shelter source,
exchanged contact information, then said good night, and on the way back to
“base” talked about our personal journeys. Well this young lady had family in
my hometown; in fact she was related to one of my best childhood friends. It
was a good journey that became a great one when we realized that she was Anika Noni
Rose (Tatiana in The Prince and the Frog). She left with tears of joy – having
made that journey and connected with her legacy. I did too!
Thank you
for showing up!
Well,
today, we sign off on this journey toward Election Day 2012. Thank you for being
great travelers, some as navigators, and others in the jump seats. Even those
who lounged along the way were ready when it counted.
As we know,
there is still much to do in many communities across the globe. When the Call
comes about anything that affects our brothers and sisters, you have already
been oriented to ACTION on this journey, and shown the world, that we
Christians know what we are called to do.
If there is
SOMETHING that the Social Action Commission can do to help you make life better
where you live, work, and play and pray - CALL on us.
Together,
the AME Church – Social Action Commission, People for the American Way – AAMLC
and – Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc joined with you to protect our community,
all people, and the quality of life everywhere. Now rest, but don’t quit until
all God’s Children are OK
Now to our
partners - every component of the AME Church, People for the American Way –
AAMLC, and each one of you – thank you for your continued commitment to justice
and human rights, and we continue with you because… the AME Church must fully
identify with the poor and the oppressed in their struggle for human dignity.
That this participation in human development is not optional, nor is it an
addendum to an already crowded agenda. It must be the very heart of the life
and work of our Church.”
Our
Countdown Action Alerts have been an effort to provide you with information
& resources to motivate you to be proactive during this election season.
Continue to visit www.ame-sac.com to learn ways that YOU can make and
difference and help!
“Jackie”
Dupont-Walker, Director
Bishop
Reginald T. Jackson, Chair, the AMEC Social Action Commission
6. WCC CONGRATULATES U.S. PRESIDENT
OBAMA:
07 November
2012
The World Council
of Churches (WCC) general secretary the Rev. Dr Olav Fykse Tveit congratulated
Barack Obama following his re-election as president of the United Sates,
wishing him “all the blessings of God’s grace” as he continues work during his
second presidential term.
“Our
prayers are with you and your team as you dedicate yourselves to faithful
public service over the next four years,” said Tveit in his letter to Obama.
The WCC
general secretary also made a reference to the theme of the WCC’s upcoming 10th
Assembly, “God of life, lead us to justice and peace.”
“As
president of the United States, you can exercise remarkable influence in
promoting and establishing justice and peace throughout the earth,” he stated.
“And so we
pray that the God of life will lead you, as you lead your nation, into the ways
of justice and peace. In particular, we pray that you may provide inspired
leadership within the international community in the quest for peace with equal
justice and mutual respect in Israel and Palestine,” Tveit added.
Read full
text of the WCC general secretary’s letter to Obama
The African
Methodist Episcopal Church is a member of the World Council of Churches in the
United States
7. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 2ND EPISCOPAL
DISTRICT 2012 MIDYEAR CONFERENCE:
The
Spirit-led and Holy Ghost-fed Second Episcopal District celebrated with
absolute joy it's 2012 Mid Year Conference.
Highlights of the conference include:
The Rev.
Grainger and the Rev. Joanne Browning along with the members of Ebenezer AME
Church in Fort Washington, Maryland hosted the Mid-year Conference held
November 1-3, 2012 with exuberance, excitement and excellence.
Business,
education and political expressions were offered by Congressman Steny Hoyer at
the Welcome worship service. A festive
reception was held and opened to all.
The
Ebenezer Choir led by Minister of Music Byron Cage inspired, the newly
organized Clergy Family Singers (CFS) under the leadership of Mrs. Irene
Montague and direction of the Rev. Dana Ashton amazed; and Bishop Clement Fugh,
Presiding Prelate of the 14th Episcopal District blessed the people with his
anointed word, "The Incomprehensible Excess of God's Goodness."
Presiding elders
Douglas, Harvey, Dunn, Hinton, Pridgen, Wilder, Morris, Beatty, Montague and
Hunter shared reflective insights with the Bishop in a closed session.
The Plenary
Session that was focused on "We will vote, we will be heard" was
moderated by the Rev. Wendell Christopher and was composed of a panel of
political activists was informative and stimulating.
Component /
Ministry meetings were convened and held to formulate guidelines to enhance its
organizations objectives, goals and outcomes.
The Dorcas
Extravaganza under the leadership of 2nd Episcopal District President, D Faye
Conley and chairperson Mrs. Shirley Sheares was a financial, creative and
spiritual success. The Young Women's Initiative organization had competent
leadership of the evening's entertainment and provided hilarious insights of
the WMS. For example, “You know you are an AME when you plan your trip around
the locations of Cracker Barrel, Bob Evans or the Golden Coral."
The
participation, prayers and love of the Connectional leaders who reside in the
District, namely, Dr. Shirley Reed, Mrs Freida Johnson, former supervisors
Yvonne Parks and the Rev Rowena White and Judicial Counsel member Glenda Hodges
were appreciated.
Precise
reporting was the "order of the day" at the closing session on
Saturday morning by the component and ministry groups
The
Reverend Charles Sembly was appointed as the 2nd Episcopal District Historian.
8. A FIRST
DAY - FIRSTHAND HURRICANE SANDY REPORT:
*Mrs.
Jeanette T. Johns
Hurricane
Sandy is still being described as the worst storm ever seen by New Jersey / New
York, so you can believe everything you see and hear about how it has affected
this area. I can hardly understand all that I'm seeing on television. NYC is
completely shut down! Pictures of flooded subways are unreal. All bridges
leading to and from NYC are closed. And NYC schools, which hardly ever close,
have been closed for two days and will probably be closed again tomorrow. No
bus transportation. In NJ, Gov. Christie says he has lived in the shore area
all his life, but never expected to see houses that had left their foundations
and are now resting in the middle of a major state highway.
Closer to home, on Long Island most of the damage has to do with fallen trees - big trees that have landed on many houses and crushed many cars. They bring down the power lines and that causes untold problems. One hospital had backup generators, but they failed, so their patients had to be evacuated. So much destruction all over Long Island! We have our major flooding areas, too, and that's really wreaking havoc on streets and homes and property. All highways are closed all over Long Island and we are told to stay at home because even if it looks clear where you are, you can't go far without running into a street blocked by a tree or excessive flooding with wires floating all around and you don't know if they are live wires, or you may run into intersections where street lights are not working. The latest estimate is that 90% of Long Island is without power - 932,000 customers.
I don't know if you will see all this kind of news where you live, but right here in the NY area, that's all we can get on TV right now. The officials in every town and every state involved are trying very hard to keep everyone informed.
At our home in Farmingdale, New York we are living the life of God's blessed people! When I hear all those devastating reports, I can hardly believe that I have not lost power. That's a major blessing! Make that ... it's a double blessing because my daughter and her husband lost power about 5:00 yesterday evening and by 7:00 all four members of their family had packed up and come "home to Mama." They went to their separate rooms and made their spaces the way they want them to be and my lights stayed on! I couldn't stop thanking God for that one major blessing. When I went to bed I couldn't hear any wind or rain. All was peaceful here and everyone slept well.
Closer to home, on Long Island most of the damage has to do with fallen trees - big trees that have landed on many houses and crushed many cars. They bring down the power lines and that causes untold problems. One hospital had backup generators, but they failed, so their patients had to be evacuated. So much destruction all over Long Island! We have our major flooding areas, too, and that's really wreaking havoc on streets and homes and property. All highways are closed all over Long Island and we are told to stay at home because even if it looks clear where you are, you can't go far without running into a street blocked by a tree or excessive flooding with wires floating all around and you don't know if they are live wires, or you may run into intersections where street lights are not working. The latest estimate is that 90% of Long Island is without power - 932,000 customers.
I don't know if you will see all this kind of news where you live, but right here in the NY area, that's all we can get on TV right now. The officials in every town and every state involved are trying very hard to keep everyone informed.
At our home in Farmingdale, New York we are living the life of God's blessed people! When I hear all those devastating reports, I can hardly believe that I have not lost power. That's a major blessing! Make that ... it's a double blessing because my daughter and her husband lost power about 5:00 yesterday evening and by 7:00 all four members of their family had packed up and come "home to Mama." They went to their separate rooms and made their spaces the way they want them to be and my lights stayed on! I couldn't stop thanking God for that one major blessing. When I went to bed I couldn't hear any wind or rain. All was peaceful here and everyone slept well.
This
morning I got up, checked all around my house and found nothing amiss except
garbage cans that had blown around and come to rest in places in the yard that
are not their usual habitat. So easy to remedy. No water in the basement; no
problems at all. My life is as normal as any other day (except that I have 4
"refugees" living with me for the moment).
My other daughter in Queens decided to stay at her home, even though it is located in an area that was under mandated evacuation. She felt that she would be okay. This morning she let me know that her house had lost power yesterday evening about 8:00 p.m. However, she has wonderful landlords who will look after her very well. They have decided that they can use the landlord's grill and cook the food most likely to spoil. So that's my comfort as far as she is concerned - good, caring, helpful landlords - nice couple. Another blessing from God.
Because there is so much that we need to know about our own local situation right now, that's what the media is giving us at this time. So we are not getting much news about how other states have been affected. I just pray that you are all okay and doing as well as we are right here on Van Buren Street, Farmingdale.
*Mrs. Jeanette T. Johns is the author of The upward Journey – A Centenarian’s Chronicle – The personal stories of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols
My other daughter in Queens decided to stay at her home, even though it is located in an area that was under mandated evacuation. She felt that she would be okay. This morning she let me know that her house had lost power yesterday evening about 8:00 p.m. However, she has wonderful landlords who will look after her very well. They have decided that they can use the landlord's grill and cook the food most likely to spoil. So that's my comfort as far as she is concerned - good, caring, helpful landlords - nice couple. Another blessing from God.
Because there is so much that we need to know about our own local situation right now, that's what the media is giving us at this time. So we are not getting much news about how other states have been affected. I just pray that you are all okay and doing as well as we are right here on Van Buren Street, Farmingdale.
*Mrs. Jeanette T. Johns is the author of The upward Journey – A Centenarian’s Chronicle – The personal stories of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols
9. NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
Pastoral Appointments
Bishop
Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Prelate of the 13th Episcopal District
announced the following pastoral changes for West Tennessee Annual Conference
on Saturday, November 2, 2012.
- The Rev Darryl
Scott is the newly appointed pastor of Tyler AMEC in Memphis, Tennessee.
- The Rev.
Willie Woods requested to be Supernumerated.
- The Rev.
Sheila Harris, Quinn Chapel AMEC in Paris, Tennessee
Creative Annual Pastor’s Report
- Link to Saint John AME Church, Birmingham,
Alabama 2012 Annual Report. http://stjohnbirmingham.com/report2012/
10. ALL COKESBURY STORES CLOSING AS
UM PUBLISHING HOUSE FOCUSES ON ONLINE AND PHONE SALES:
November 6,
2012
The United
Methodist Publishing House is closing all its Cokesbury stores, ending a
signature bricks-and-mortar presence for the denomination, one that has been in
place for generations.
A
fast-changing landscape in bookselling prompted the publishing house to focus
its energy and investments in selling online and through its call center.
By April
30, 2013, all 38 “full-line” stores and 19 seminary stores will close.
“Cokesbury
has been serving for more than 200 years, and during that time has continuously
adapted to the changing landscape affecting congregations and their leaders,”
said UMPH President and Publisher Neil Alexander in a Nov. 5 statement.
He added:
“A shift toward all things digital and the convenience of placing orders at any
time is the reality of Cokesbury today. It is difficult to see the closure of
Cokesbury local stores, but doing so will allow us to make a greater investment
in the ways of shopping with Cokesbury that customers increasingly prefer.”
UMPH, a
self-supporting part of the United Methodist Church, said it will provide
severance, outplacement services and spiritual counseling to employees losing
their jobs.
The move
affects 185 full-time employees and 100 part-timers, Mr. Alexander said.
“The
decision to close all local stores in the Cokesbury chain was most difficult,”
said the Rev. R. Carl Frazier, Jr., lead
pastor at First UMC, Cary, N.C., and chair of the UMPH board. “The board
expressed deep appreciation for the local store staff teams and interest in helping
them face the challenge of transition to new employment over the next months.
“Nevertheless,
the decision was made with regret but no dissent after careful prayer and study
of compelling data about customer preferences and industry trends.”
In announcing
the store closings, UMPH also said it is launching CokesburyNext, an expansion
of products and services at Cokesbury.com and the Cokesbury Call Center
(1-800-672-1789), and through sales representatives.
Brick-and-mortar
bookstores, both independents and chains, have been under siege in recent
years, with the closing of the Borders chain perhaps the most obvious evidence.
UMPH had
reduced the number of Cokesbury stores in recent years, while increasing
investment in online and call center operations.
Lynn
Garrett, senior religion editor for Publishers Weekly, said she was “not very
surprised” to learn that the Cokesbury stores are being closed altogether.
She noted
that Amazon.com and other online sellers have cut deeply into traditional
bookstores’ sales.
“I don’t
think the challenges faced by Christian bookstores are any different than the
ones that were faced by general interest, indie bookstores,” she said. “It just
came later.”
The news
distressed Katie Shockley, who managed a Dallas area Cokesbury store from Nov.
2009 until January of this year, and now serves as associate pastor of First
UMC in Sachse, Texas.
“I’m
worried about the people who are employed at these stores,” she said. “I will
be in prayer for each of them.”
Ms.
Shockley said she also fears the personal touch of customer service will go
with the stores, as well as the experience of personnel who know customers’
preferences in books, other curriculum material and even robes for pastors.
She said
Cokesbury stores have long been gathering and getaway places for clergy, who
would stop by for a break, going to or from a hospital visit.
“I can’t
tell you the number of times that conversations would get started – pastors
would bump into each other and bounce ideas off each right there in our store,”
she said.
Wendy Lynne
Efird, a Methodist “preacher’s kid” and active layperson at Pulaski Heights UMC
in Little Rock, Ark., was another who lamented the news that Cokesbury stores
would close.
“I am
profoundly saddened,” she said. “I grew up going to Cokesbury with my parents.
My (pastor) dad loves it. We are losing the human touch to our peril.”
The Rev.
Lani Rousseau, pastor of First UMC in Sealy, Texas, said the Cokesbury website
“has a long way to go to be user friendly,” and added that she expects to be
buying more from Amazon.com.
She too
lamented the stores’ passing.
“I have
many stories I could tell about the way that Cokesbury in Houston helped
nurture my ministries, especially as a Christian educator before my appointment,”
she said.
Missy
Buchanan, an author (and Reporter columnist) who focuses on senior adults and
the church, said she considered Cokesbury “synonymous with all things
Methodist,” but also realizes the bookselling world has changed.
“Busy people
prefer the click of a mouse instead of perusing the shelves,” she said. “Though
the closing of the Cokesbury retail stores is difficult, we should remember
that the power of the written word has not gone away. I will not mourn the end
of Cokesbury’s retail stores. I will celebrate their long life!”
Mr.
Alexander said UMPH remains in the black, with sales for fiscal year 2012 at
$86.1 million – an increase of $1.8 million over the previous year.
But he said
the revenue coming from local stores, as a percentage of total revenue, has
dropped by 50 percent in 10 years, and that the cost of operating the local
stores division now exceeds the combined sales from stores.
In
announcing the news, UMPH issued “frequently asked questions” statements for
customers, vendors and authors.
These
noted, among other things, that Cokesbury will still be a presence at annual
conference gatherings. The timing of store closings will depend on local
circumstances, including lease agreements, the publishing house said.
“Cokesbury”
combines the names of Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury, early Methodist leaders
in America.
“Cokesbury
Press” was the publishing house trade name in the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, and “Abingdon Press” was the name for the Methodist Episcopal Church’s
equivalent.
When those
two groups merged in 1939, the trade names were merged into “Abingdon-Cokesbury
Press,” and eventually “Cokesbury” became the name for all official Methodist
bookstores.
Staff writer
Mary Jacobs and associate editor Bill Fentum contributed.
11. JUDGE MATHIS LAUNCHES MENTORSHIP
MENISTRY A NEW NATIONAL YOUTH
MENTORSHIP INITIATIVE:
(November
7, 2012) –Judge Greg Mathis, presiding jurist of the nationally syndicated,
reality-based court program “Judge Mathis,” now in its 14th season, has
launched MENtorship MENistry, a new national church-based mentorship program
designed to prevent adolescent teens from going down the wrong path. “Judge Mathis” Airs Weekdays.
MENtorship MENistry
is geared toward providing positive mentoring relationships to teenaged boys
with no fatherly presence living in single mother homes. Volunteer MENtors
serve as male role models to help instill a sense of values and provide
guidance to teens in need. MENtorship MENistry pairs a total of ten men and ten
boys for each six-month program cycle and the MENtor and MENtee begin to meet
on a weekly basis.
MENtorship
MENistry aims to recruit, screen and train volunteers willing to establish
genuine and fulfilling personal relationships with teens who may benefit from
their influence. The program also aims to enhance and improve the lives of
troubled teens by encouraging constructive behavior and helping them identify
problems, interact positively with others and set goals for their future.
“Judge
Mathis” returned to television Monday, September 3rd with an exciting 14th
season and a full docket of cases that will engage and excite viewers from
coast to coast. This season, the judge continues with his highly popular “Ask
Judge Mathis” segment, in which viewers can get their own legal questions
answered. To learn more about the MENtorship MENistry program, viewers can
visit http://askjudgemathis.com/ and
tune in to “Judge Mathis” weekdays (check judgemathistv.com for local
listings).
Link to
Video of Judge Mathis On His New MENtorship MENistry Program: http://youtu.be/qS3oL6dLBxM
Link to
Photo of Judge Greg Mathis (Courtesy: Warner Bros.): http://db.tt/cEXyCS6S
About
“Judge Mathis”
Inspired by
Judge Greg Mathis’ own gang-to-gavel story, “Judge Mathis” is a nationally syndicated,
reality-based court show presided over by former Detroit-area District Court
Judge Greg Mathis. Mathis’ decisions are legal and binding. “Judge Mathis” is
produced by AND Syndicated Productions and Telepictures Productions, an
industry-leading and Emmy Award-winning producer of syndicated programming, and
distributed by Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. Originating from
Chicago, “Judge Mathis” is currently in its fourteenth season.
Emily
Lehrman
Publicist
12. GETTING TO ZERO AND HOMOPHOBIA:
Oveta
Fuller
Now that we
know that HIV/AIDS can be stopped, and that there are promising approaches to
reversing trends of infection and disease, how do clergy and religious leaders
help to get to an AIDS-free generation? World AIDS Day 2012 on December 1 is a
time to take stock of what is required to bring about changes that move to
zero.
Zero
discrimination towards those who are HIV+ or who have AIDS is one of three main
goals of the World Health Organization (WHO) elimination strategy. www.unaids.org/en/media/unaids/contentassets/documents/unaidspublication/2010/jc2034_unaids_strategy_en.pdf.
Clergy at
all levels, but particularly those called to the pastorate, can positively or
negatively influence the congregations they serve. They lead others and thus
can impact a community. To progress towards zero, the church and especially its
leaders are called to address issues of stigma, misinformation and homophobia.
Let’s first
look at homophobia.
This is defined
as “the irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against
homosexuality or homosexuals” (same gender loving persons).
www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homophobia
“Homophobia
is a range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people
who are identified or perceived as being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender
(LGBT). Definitions refer variably to antipathy, contempt, prejudice, aversion,
irrational fear, and hatred.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophobia
How does
homophobia relate to HIV/AIDS and the impact of religious leaders in
eliminating HIV/AIDS? What does it have to do with “Getting to Zero?”
To answer,
we must go to the early 1980s for recognition of a new disease AIDS and the
virus that causes it, HIV. The first epidemics of HIV/AIDS were reported among
homosexuals, IV drug users and hemophiliacs and those who received blood
transfusions. This was before blood banks were routinely screened for donation
of HIV+ blood. This history associated HIV/AIDS with homosexuality and brings
in homophobia.
From early
media reports on the new disease, a perception was established that HIV infects
only certain subgroups of people. In reality, the virus is an equal opportunity
pathogen- it will infect and replicate in any body with whom it can gain
access.
Once within
a few members of a group of people (a community) who share blood, blood
products or sexual fluids, HIV tends to spread rapidly within that community.
The early cases of HIV/AIDS were among groups of people who had sexual
interactions with each other (gay men in San Francisco/Oakland) or persons who
came in contact with blood that contained the virus (hemophiliacs and those
receiving blood transfusions).
Even now in
2012, "men who have sex with men" (MSM) is one of the fastest growing
and most HIV/AIDS affected groups.
In the
early days (1980s), some ventured to think that HIV/AIDS was “God’s punishment
for sexual sin that includes homosexuality.” Thus, those who became infected
were “receiving a punishment for sexual activity outside the will of God” as
they acted counter to ethics/theology of the church. It was “their problem” and
“they deserved what they got”. Not so.
Now we
know. HIV is a virus that can infect almost any person with whom it comes in
direct contact. The idea that HIV/AIDS happens only to special groups-
homosexuals, hemophiliacs, IV drug users, sex workers is debunked. With few
exceptions, HIV can infect and reproduce in persons who are male, female,
young, middle age, older, any sexual orientation, any race, ethnicity or
nationality.
In 2012,
are clergy and religious leaders homophobic?
Whether you
answer yes or no, homophobia can impact what can be done to address HIV/AIDS?
In the USA, although African Americans (AA) are 13% of the population, 50% of
the persons who live with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are AA. With such disproportions,
any issue that directly influences effective prevention of HIV infection must
be examined. These include stigma, discrimination and homophobia.
In a 1998
address, author, activist, and civil rights leader Coretta Scott King stated
that "Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of
bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their
humanity, their dignity and personhood."[
In the next
columns, let’s look at homophobia and the Black Church and the impact on spread
or elimination of HIV/AIDS. Meanwhile, think on this. Are you homophobic? (More
next week)
The Rev.
Dr. A. Oveta Fuller is an Associate Professor in Microbiology and Immunology,
faculty in the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan Medical
School and Adjunct Faculty at Payne Theological Seminary. She was pastor of
Bethel AME Church in Adrian, Michigan for seven years before primarily focus
globally on HIV/AIDS elimination. She serves at Brown Chapel AMEC in the 4th
Episcopal District while continuing HIV/AIDS research in parts of Zambia and
the USA.
13. MEDITATION BASED ON PSALM 150:
*The Rev.
Dr. Joseph A. Darby
This week’s
Meditation is a day early because I’ll be attending the Seventh Episcopal
District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Post Conference Planning
Meeting in Florence, South Carolina on this Wednesday through Friday. The Planning Meeting begins on the day after
we elect the President of the United States and the polls show that the race is
as tight as can be.
Some people
will be excited and energized by the election’s results, others will be
disconsolate and discouraged, but the Planning Meeting’s Opening Worship
Service will still begin with the familiar words that call those in the AME
Church to worship. By tradition, AME’s
open worship with a “Doxology,” a short hymn of praise that begins with the
words, “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.”
Those words
will be exceptionally appropriate on the day after the General Election and
will serve as a reminder that regardless of the outcome of the election, God
still has all power and rules this world and that come what may, we can still
praise God.
Let that
“Doxology” set the tempo for your daily life.
The United States of America elects a President every four years, but
each new days brings us all our share of triumph and trials, of delight and
disappointment, of clear blessings and confusing situations. Life’s ups and downs and can easily leave us
wrestling with stress and uncertainty, but even in a world of changes, we can
be assured that God still has all power, still rules this world and still knows
just how much we can bear. When we know
that, we can still Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
Trust in,
call on, and walk with the Lord every day.
When you do, you’ll find new consolation, new direction, certain
reassurance and, regardless of life’s twists and turns, you can still look to
the Lord and say as does one contemporary Gospel song, “You are the source of
my strength, you are the strength of my life, I lift my hands in total praise
to you.”
If you are
in the Charleston, South Carolina area this weekend, join us on the second
Sunday in November for Church School at 9:45 a.m. and for Worship and
Recognition of our Veterans and Active Military at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. The Combined Choir, Gospel Choir, Children’s
Choir and Young Adult Choir will offer praise.
Sunday’s
Scripture Lessons are:
Isaiah
5:1-7
Galatians
5:16-23
John 15:1-8
Sunday’s
Sermons are:
8 a.m. “Bear Good Fruit”
11 a.m.
“Don’t Bear Sour Grapes”
*The Rev.
Dr. Joseph A. Darby Is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston,
South Carolina
14. THE CONNECTIONAL LAY
ORGANIZATION SADLY ANNOUNCES THE PASSING OF ANNETTE JONES:
We are
saddened to announce the passing of Sister Annette Jones on Monday, November 5,
2012. She served as CONN-M-SWAWO, Plus P.K.'s Legislative Advocate, General
Conference 2000; Connectional Lay leader; leader in the Washington Conference,
2nd Episcopal District Women's Missionary Society. She was a
faithful member of St. Paul AME Church.
15. EPISCOPAL AND CLERGY FAMILY
CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Former
Episcopal Supervisor, the Reverend Rosalynn Brookins presented her first
pastoral report to the 88th Session of the Southern California Annual
Conference and was elected and ordained an Itinerant Elder
Let me take
this opportunity to thank God, Bishop & Mrs. T. Larry Kirkland, and all of
the members of this great Zion, for your continued prayers, and support.
I am
excited to announce that history has been made in the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, once again! On Friday,
October 26, 2012, Walker Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church stood as a
Revived, Restored, and Renewed congregation. There were more than forty plus
members including the Rev. Thema Bryant-Davis, standing proudly in their orange
and black as the Rev. Rosalynn Kyle Brookins, former Episcopal Supervisor,
presented her “first Round” report to the 88th Session of the
Southern California Annual Conference.
The report
was read as followed: Conversions: 13, Baptisms: 13, Accessions: 57; Total
Membership: 101. To God be the Glory!
Also, after
having completed all of the requirements of "The Doctrine and
Discipline," the Rev. Brookins was elected and ordained an Itinerant Elder
on Saturday 27, 2012. In closing, let me offer a word of encouragement for
those who may be experiencing some anxiety as it relates to the ministry, your
life, your relationships, your employment, your health, etc. let me remind you,
waiting on God really does pay off. I want you to know that God is faithful and
he has not forgotten you! Trust Him! You shall see that which has been
promised, come to pass. In Jesus Name!
Blessings,
The Rev.
Rosalynn Brookins, M.Div., Senior Pastor, Walker Temple AME Church
Congratulatory
responses may be emailed to: rrosethequeen@aol.com
- The
Reverend Dr. Berlinda A. Hart Love, 2012/2013 NAPW Professional Woman of the
Year, Steadfast in her faith
The
Reverend Berlinda A. Hart Love, ordained itinerant elder in the African
Methodist Episcopal Church and author and publisher of Coping with My Mother's
Stroke, A Daughter's Story and Sermons from the Heart, A Collection of Divinely
Inspired Devotional Sermons, A Special Tribute, is being honored as a 2012/2013
Professional Woman of the Year in Journalism by the National Association of
Professional Women. This prestigious distinction is awarded by the
400,000-strong membership of NAPW who join together to develop innovative
business and social relationships.
The
Reverend Hart Love is a woman of many talents and skills. She is a retired
public school educator with more than 30 years of teaching experience and an
active member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church where she holds
ordination credentials as an itinerant elder for 14 years. Additionally, The
Reverend Hart Love is an author, publisher, public speaker, and seminar
instructor. Most recently, she became caregiver to her aging and ailing
parents, along with her three siblings, and it is this compelling experience
that led her to write her latest book, Coping with My Mother's Stroke, A
Daughter's Story. The Reverend Hart Love shares with readers that she was
thrust into becoming the primary caregiver for her parents, and that it is a
job in which she had no experience. The author speaks with wisdom and
compassion and tells her story honestly and with integrity. It is written both
to help others who face a similar situation and to say 'thank you' to the many
people who reached out to help her family in their time of need.
Coping with
My Mother's Stroke, A Daughter's Story is an indispensable guide for those
struggling to care for sick loved ones, and in it The Reverend Hart Love shares
many successful strategies used to care for her ill parents. Despite the many
difficulties and obstacles that she faced on her journey as a caregiver, The
Reverend Hart Love remains steadfast in her faith and belief in miracles and
the power of love to make them happen.
Links:
Congratulatory
responses may be emailed to:
The
Reverend Berlinda A. Hart Love: Anietalove@msn.com;
telephone: 609-672-3345
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We are
saddened to announce the passing of Sister Annette C. Jones who faithfully and
ably served African Methodist in numerous capacities at the local church,
Episcopal District and Connectional levels in the Women's Missionary Society,
the Connectional Lay Organization and CONN-M-SWAWO, Plus P.K.'s. Moreover she was a devoted Mentor and cheered
friend.
Services
will be held on Monday, November 12, 2012 at Sister Annette’s beloved St. Paul
A.M.E. Church located at 4901 14th St. NW, Washington, DC 20011. The Viewing will begin at 9:00 a.m. until
time of Service at 10:30 a.m. Interment will follow at Harmony Memorial Park in
Landover, Maryland.
Expressions
of condolence can be sent to Sister Jones's nephew:
Mr.
Jonathan Gibson
5422 2nd
St. NW
Washington,
DC 20011
For more
information, please contact:
The Rev. Dr.
Constance C. Evans, Senior Pastor
202-882-7088
202-291-8693
(F)
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We regret
to announce the death of the Ms. Lepang Mamogwa, who transitioned on Saturday, November
03, 2012. Ms. L Mamogwa was the mother of the Rev. Otlotleng Ernest Mamogwa,
Pastor of EM Makhuvha AME Church, Venda, Limpopo Province, Republic of South
Africa. Ms. Mamogwa is survived by Mr.
Pitso Petrus Diphokoane and 5 children. The Rt. Rev. PJM Kawimbe is the
Presiding Prelate of the 19th Episcopal District.
Service
Arrangements for Ms. Lepang Mamogwa:
Funeral
Service:
Saturday,
November 10, 2012 at 6:30 a.m.
AK Senatle
AME Church,
Utlwanang
Location, Christiana
RSA
Condolences
may be emailed to the Rev. OE Mamogwa otlotleng.mamogwa@gmail.com;
telephone: +27 78 0637236
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We regret
to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Jessie Lee Britt Frazier, age 91 of
Enterprise, Alabama. Mrs. Frazier was the aunt of Mrs. Mary H. Collins, widow
of Presiding Elder Clarence Collins, and a member of Zion Chapel AME Church,
Sun, Louisiana; Central New Orleans Bogalusa District.
The
celebration of life service for Mrs. Jessie Lee Britt Frazier will be held:
Saturday,
November 3, 2012, 11:00 a.m.
Friendship
Baptist Church
501
Friendship Street
Enterprise,
AL 36330
Dr. J.
Henry Williams, pastor
Services
have been entrusted to:
Coleman
Funeral Home
701
Daleville Avenue
Enterprise,
AL 36330
Phone
334-393-6583
Condolences
may be shared with the family via:
Mrs. Mary
H. Collins & Family
404 Park
Blvd.
New
Orleans, LA 70114
Email: maryhcollins@cox.net
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We regret
to inform you of the passing of the Rev. Edwin Singletary. He was a retired
pastor who served nearly 30 years in the New Jersey and Philadelphia
Conferences of the 1st Episcopal District. The Rev. Singletary died peacefully
in his home in Germantown, Maryland on October 25, 2012.
The
following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
The funeral
service was held on Friday, November 2, 2012 at Clinton AME Zion Church in
Rockville, Maryland where the Rev. T. Kenneth Venable serves as pastor
Expressions
of Sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs.
Girlena Singletary
18889
Waring Station Road #216
Germantown,
MD 20874
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We regret
to inform you of the passing of Sister Clara E. Mitchell, the wife of retired
pastor from the New York Conference, Rev. Jacovas Mitchell. Sister Mitchell
made her transition on Sunday, October 28, 2012. The following information has
been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
The funeral
service was held on Friday, November 2, 2012 at St. Luke A.M.E. Church in New
York City where the Rev. Marcellus A. Norris is the pastor
Expressions
of Sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev.
Jacovas Mitchell
1974
Lafontaine Ave., Apt. 2-B
Bronx, NY
10457
21.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley,
Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family
Information Center
Phone: (615) 837-9736
(H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936
(O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
22. 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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