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
December:
National HIV/AIDS Awareness Month
To be early is to be on time; to be on time is
to be late; and to be late is unacceptable!
1. EDITORIAL – "ONLY CLEAN LINENS SHOULD BE HUNG
OUT TO DRY":
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I had experiences when I was growing up when I would rush into
the house and share with my mother a rumor or some neighborhood gossip I had
heard while playing with my friends. Some of the news was juicy. My mother
would dampen my enthusiasm by reminding me that we shouldn’t believe everything
we hear. She went to add, “And, you can’t believe everything you see because
what you see might not be the reality of what you think you saw.”
As I grew older, I began to understand the wisdom of her
comments because most of the time, the original “juicy” story often changed
when the whole truth came out.
Reminds me of the early days of my pastorate, when just before
annual conference I would hear stories about, “this was going to happen,” “that was going to happen,” and the bishop
was going to do “thus and so.” I would get excited and share the stories I
heard with my preacher friends and we couldn’t wait so see the action that was
going to take place at the annual conference. We went to the annual conference
and nothing about what we heard happened. How quickly I forgot my mother’s
teaching about not believing everything I heard and not believing everything I
thought had seen.
The lesson my mother taught me about not believing the rumors I
heard and not believing everything I saw was reinforced in college and in
seminary because I discovered the you can’t believe everything you read in
newspapers or books, no matter how “official” the article or book looks; and no
matter what “doctor” or “authority” wrote the article. Credible academic institutions
require their students to do research in order to ferret out the truth.
Those lessons leaned in
childhood are still relevant
The same lessons of not believing everything that said or
written certainly should apply in the church, in general; and in the AME
Church, specifically. FaceBook (FB) and other social media platforms instantly
deliver news. Technology has raised the bar and high-speed information can be
mind-boggling and if parishioners are not biblically, theologically, or spiritually
mature; they can be easily confused and mislead.
In the last few weeks I have seen some interesting conversations
on FaceBook and have read some interesting comments by people I assumed to have
been parishioners of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Some of the
conversations were critical of the AME Church and extremely critical of the
Christian faith.
It occurred to me that some of the postings on some of the AME
Social media websites were posted by non-AMEs; or hopefully, they were not members
of the AME Church. Unfortunately, some of their postings had an air of
authority and I was concerned about the lack of “pushback” from some of our AME
members and the seemingly acquiescence of several persons who seemed to have
been “converted” by the negative postings, which raised a concern for me. Are
our pastors spending enough time with biblical and theological teaching; strong
Bible teaching?
I heard an AME preacher at one of our connectional meetings
lament about the “atheists and agnostics” who sit in our pews Sunday after
Sunday, who remain ignorant about the teachings of the Bible and the gifts of
the Holy Spirit because preachers are not dealing with substantive theological
and biblical issues; but rather are dealing with clichés and their warmed-over
favorite texts.
I am concerned too. I suspect that many of our members have a
hard time standing their biblical-ground when confronted by Jehovah’s Witnesses
or Mormon missionaries. Some of our members might not be able to share what
they believe because some of our pastors have removed the Apostles’ Creed,
which is our statement of belief; not to mention the Nicene Creed or the Te Deum and other portions of our
worship, which identifies us as AMEs.
We fail to tell and reinforce our biblical foundation that is
the bedrock of our worship. Every act of
worship in the AME Church is biblically-based and goes back to the Bible. The
Call to Worship, the Decalogue, and the Offertory are all found in the Bible –
they are all biblical texts. And the “old school” preachers always gave an
apostolic benediction taken directly from the Epistles.
Holiness
The AME Church was founded upon the foundation of holiness, but
instead of reinforcing our doctrine of holiness, some of our pastors focus upon
the Pentecostal-style of worship rather than holy-living and deep reflective
biblical teaching. I suspect that people leave worship “thrilled” rather than
“filled.” They feel good, but are not positioned to “do good” in hostile
environments.
The pastors of yesteryear may not have all been college and
seminary graduates, but what they lacked in academic and theological
credentials; they replaced with biblical scholarship.
Let’s get back to the
social media
Pastors have an awesome responsibility to teach as well as
preach. People are looking for biblical learning, biblical scholarship and
challenges to live more godly lives. Bible study and prayer meetings are not
just learning venues, but should also be opportunities to challenge
parishioners to truly repent of their sins and to be in love and harmony with
their neighbors and to live more godly lives because parishioners face all
kinds of inter-personal, intra-personal and spiritual challenges.
The social media has become popular around the world and people
love connecting with each other. The social media allows people to connect with
friends and with people they have never met. People interact with Christians
and non-Christians; and AMEs have gravitated to social networking in large
numbers. And, with the popularity of social media generally and FaceBook in
particular, it’s incumbent that AME Churches be more engaged in the lives of
their parishioners and insure that our parishioners have a strong biblical and
spiritual foundation, because as in life, in the social networking realm, one
can meet all kinds of people; good people, bad people, religious people, not so
religious people and anti-religious people.
The good news
AMEs are engaged in the social media, especially Facebook, which
is an excellent venue for parishioners to share, express themselves and to
learn from each other; and here is where my mother, college and seminary
lessons about not believing all that one hears, and think they see or read,
come into play. The social media sites can be great venues for people
interacting with one another, but they can also be destructive venues, if the
rules of decency and good judgment are ignored.
The bad news
Some of our
AMEs and others have gone beyond the bounds of decency on some of the Facebook
pages. The unfortunate aspect is that
the FaceBook sites are using the domain names; and copyrighted images of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church, e.g., AME, AMEC, A.M.E., A.M.E.C., African
Methodist Episcopal Church, etc. on their Facebook accounts, without the
permission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The other
unfortunate aspect of inappropriate posting is that some of the FaceBook sites
are “open” and anyone can post anything on the sites; and people, have be been
doing just that; AMEs, non-AMEs, obvious disgruntled AMEs, former AMEs, people
who are anti-Christian, agnostics and atheists.
All of these groups are posting FaceBook messages, many of the messages
inappropriate, on FB pages bearing the domain name and image of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church. There is something wrong with this picture.
At least I
thought there was something wrong with this picture and visited other
denominational-named websites, blogsites and FaceBook sites and saw nothing
denominationally negative. I checked the
United Methodists, COGIC, National Baptist, USA and T.D. Jakes websites and
blogsites and have not found any instances of individuals using the domain
names of those religious bodies.
I cannot
set up a site and name it, “United Methodists Sharing Good News and Bad
News.” The United Methodist Church would
have me in court before I could blink an eye.
T.D. Jakes Ministries would also have me in court in a heartbeat. I couldn’t
make hats or key chains with the T.D. Jakes name or his domain image; it’s
illegal.
And, at a
minimum the sites should post disclaimers saying, the views and statements made
on this site do not present the views or position of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church.
The problem
Many of our
members, particularly those who have set up social networking websites have not
yet mastered the ethics, legalities, or privacy implications of social
networking nor learned to exercise just plain old common sense.
In my
perusals of the United Methodists, COGIC, National Baptist, USA and T.D. Jakes
websites, I did not see any posted foolishness or badmouthing of their
churches/clergy. It appears as if those groups have
better control over their social media websites and blogsites.
Another problem
We should
not be surprised when the biblically ignorant and the spiritually immature
persons join in attacking us on “our” FB pages since “we” are giving them a
free venue to attack us and to attack our faith.
Why would
people want to join the AME Church with the public negative image we are
projecting for everyone to see? It seems that we are more interested
accentuating the negative instead of accentuating the positive. A famous person
reminded me that he had been taught, "Only clean linens should be hung
out to dry."
An
important reminder in church work and ministry is that almost everything we do
and say goes back to evangelism or hindrances to evangelism.
The real problem
Some of our
members who comment and make responses on FB and other social media networks
did not have the benefit of my mother’s teaching moments of “Don’t believe
everything you hear… and don’t trust everything you see.” They also didn’t learn that you can’t believe
everything you read.
And, the other
part of the problem is that the African Methodist Episcopal Church must do a
better job of providing biblical training and inculcating the positive
attributes and benefits of African Methodism.
We need to
get back to the basics, get back to the Bible, get back to The Discipline and the rules that we already have in place and
focus upon loving others as we love ourselves.
Another
lesson my mother taught me:”If you can’t say something nice, don’t say
anything!”
2.
BISHOP VASHTI M. MCKENZIE WARNS OF A SCAM AND ADVISES AME MEMBERS TO BE
CAREFUL:
Just wanted to make you aware that there is a new series of
scams utilizing my name and potentially the names of other Bishops. This time a
Yahoo email account with my name is being used to solicit funds for an
orphanage in Nigeria. They are also trying to establish a FaceBook Page seeking
people who will be "friends" them and asking people if they want
prayer.
Of course, I have nothing to do with either the Yahoo
account or the bogus FaceBook page. Both have been reported as a case of abuse,
impersonation and a scam to solicit funds.
Everyone needs to be reminded and to be aware, especially at
this time of the year, that persons may try to use your name, the names of
family members and others to illegally obtain money. If you are contacted
report the incident to Yahoo, FaceBook as well as the police. If you have given
money, contact the police immediately.
Thanks,
Bishop Vashti McKenzie
TCR
Editor’s Comment:
There are a high number of AT&T messages warning people that their email
accounts are at risk or being closed and asking people to provide personal
information. Those messages are scams; do not respond to any of them. Think about it: AT&T or any internet
entity you deal with already has all of your information and would not need for
you to provide any additional information.
3.
THE PASSING OF ONE OF THE OLDEST MEMBERS IN THE 13TH EPISCOPAL
DISTRICT:
The Rev. Ralph Smith
On Friday, Historic St. Peter lost
the oldest matriarch of the church, Sister Margaret Harris 106 years of
age. Sister Harris was the oldest member
in the Kentucky Annual Conference and was probably the oldest member in the 13th
Episcopal District; and might have been the oldest member in the AME Church
when he passed. If she wasn't the oldest, she was one of the oldest.
Sister Harris was a very loyal
dedicated member who with her wisdom gave a lot to her children, children and
community. She will be greatly
missed. She made history in Kentucky
registering to vote in the Presidential Election and campaigned earnestly for
President Barack Obama. She was very
encouraging by letting young people and adults know that every vote
counted. She also got an opportunity to
go to Cincinnati, Ohio where she saw President Obama in a town hall meeting
before the November 2012 election.
The last time Margaret Harris voted
before the 2012 election was in the 1928 presidential election pitting
Republican Herbert Hoover against Democrat Al Smith.
When she was 105 years old, Harris was
determined to get into the political fray of last year's presidential election.
Kentucky Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes and Mercer County Clerk
Chris Horn helped Harris register so she could vote in the 2012 presidential
election.
"Every vote counts and no one
who is eligible to vote should be prevented from doing so because of factors
related to age, disability or illness," Grimes said. "I know how
important it is and was to my grandmothers to vote, and I know they are proud
that I was able to help Mrs. Harris register and educate her about absentee
voting."
Harris was born in 1906, 14 years
before women were guaranteed the right to vote in the U.S. She said it felt
good to cast that ballot back in 1928, and she was excited about voting in the
2012 presidential election.
Harris credits God, family and work
to her long life. She was 10 years old when she moved to Harrodsburg,
Kentucky's oldest city. Harris lives on the city's oldest street. She has been
a member of the same church, where she also attended school, since moving to
Harrodsburg. She attended every Sunday until her death.
Harris worked in Harrodsburg for 37
years and is the matriarch of five generations. She raised nine children, and
she says she is especially proud that each of her five sons served in the
military. She has more than 50 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren, and
nearly 20 great-great-grandchildren. Her family raves about her cooking, and
offers glowing reviews of her fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans,
candied yams, and corn pudding. She says she always grew and canned her own
vegetables and raised her own chickens.
Since retiring, Harris spent time
traveling across the United States with her daughter Mary. She lived
independently and still did some of her own cooking.
"Mrs. Harris has been a fixture
in her community for nearly a century, and by voting in the (the last)
election, she added to her already impressive legacy for its future,"
Grimes said. "I hope her example inspires others to take an active role in
elections, and shaping the path of our state and nation."
Funeral Service for Mrs. Margaret
Harris was held on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 with the Rev. Ralph Boyd Smith,
officiating
4. THE 17TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE 21ST SESSION OF THE SOUTHWEST ZAMBIA CONFERENCE:
The 21st
Session of the Southwest Zambia Annual Conference was hosted by Richard Allen
A.M.E Church in Ndola, Zambia on August 15 – 19, 2012 at the Levy Mwanawasa
Stadium
Bishop
Wilfred J. Messiah is the Presiding Prelate of the 17th Episcopal
District and Mrs. Carol I. Messiah is the Episcopal Supervisor. The Rev. Wefala Walima was the host presiding
elder and the Rev. Taylor Siulapwa was the host pastor. The Rev Margaret Mwanza
served as the Annual Conference Secretary. The theme for the Annual Conference
was “Fulfilling the Great Commission.”
At the
close of the 49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of
the AME Church held in Nashville, Tennessee (USA), it was probable that Bishop
Wilfred Jacobus Messiah, one of the prominent Bishops in the history of African
Methodism born on the soil of the African continent would be assigned to yet
another overseas episcopal district.
It came to
pass that the 80-member Episcopal committee did so as the denomination wrapped
up its General Conference. Bishop Messiah was assigned to the 17th
Episcopal District effectively taking over from Bishop Paul Kawimbe who had
been leader for two quadrennials. Bishop Kawimbe has been assigned to the 19th
Episcopal District in South Africa.
The 17th
Episcopal District is composed of the following countries of Africa: Zambia,
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Congo Brazzaville, Burundi, Rwanda, and Kenya
Immediately
following the close of the General Conference, Bishop Messiah headed to the
Motherland and directly to the 17th Episcopal District so that he
could conduct the 2012 series of annual conferences.
The South
West Zambia Annual Conference was the second annual conference Bishop Messiah
held since becoming the Presiding Prelate of the 17th Episcopal
District. The South West Zambia Conference comprises three Presiding Elder’s
districts namely: the Copperbelt Central where the Rev. Leonard Chola is the
presiding elder, as well as the Bishop’s administrative assistant; Copperbelt
West where the Rev Mfula Peter Mwenya is the presiding elder; and Copperbelt
East where the Rev. Wefala Walima serves as the presiding elder.
Pre-Conference Activities
The WMS
held their gathering from 13 – 15 August 2012 at Kirkland Chapel AME Church
where the Rev Margaret Mwanza is the pastor. Supervisor Carol and Bishop
Messiah took time to interact with the WMS as well as Ministers spouses. The
outcome was uplifting and the delegates came out more energized to get into the
main South West Zambia Annual Conference under the new leadership of Bishop and
Supervisor Messiah.
Host Church
The Rev.
Taylor Chola Siulapwa and Richard Allen Chapel AME Church were the honored hosts
for the South West Zambia Conference. The newly constructed Mwanawasa Stadium
was more conducive and the best venue for the newly-assigned Bishop to begin
his work. The Rev Siulapwa and the local church’s Annual Conference Committee
did everything possible to make the delegates and observers comfortable. The
majority of delegates lodged at the adjacent Ndola Rehabilitation Centre where
catering services were also provided.
The South West Zambia Conference
Begins
The South
West Zambia Annual Conference had all departments adequately represented and
the turnout was huge. The Clergy, laity, WMS, YPD, Sons of Allen, members and
observers in attendance kept on soaring from the 16th -19th August 2012. All
attendees were eager to take a glimpse of the new Bishop and Supervisor Messiah
as well as to follow the proceedings of the Conference.
Thursday, 16th August 2012
They
keynote Holy Communion worship service was attended by 492 participants and was
held on Thursday morning, the 16th August 2012. The preacher of the hour was
the Rev. Mable Chanda of St Paul AME Church in Mufulira. The sermon title was
“Lord Give Us More Time” taken from the Book of John 1: 1.
The
Communion Service set high, the tone of the SWZ Annual Conference. Conference
organization and business reports followed in the second session immediately
after lunch. Before addressing the conference the Bishop’s Administrative
Assistant, the Rev Leonard Chola introduced Supervisor Carol and presented Bishop
Wilfred Jacobus Messiah.
The second
session of the day started with roll call and establishment of conference
boundaries. That was followed by conference organisation as follows:
Conference
Secretary, the Rev Margaret Mwanza; Vice-Secretary, the Rev Mable Chanda;
Statistician, the Rev A. Tembo; Interpreters were the Rev Amigo Mwansa and the
Rev. Royd Mwandu; Marshalls, the Rev. J Kanungwe, the Rev. S. Chinyanta, the
Rev. R. Chikunga; Sister Loveness Mumba, Sister Mary Zulu, Sister Angela
Kayula, Sister A Musonda. Conference Trustees, the Rev. Isaiah Phiri, the Rev.
A. S. Mwansa, Brother B. Musunga. Public Relations: the Rev. E. Fundi, the Rev.
R. Mwandu, the Rev M Mwanza, Brother M. Mbobola. Judicial: the Rev L Chola, the Rev. M. P. P.
Mwenya, the Rev W. Walima, the Rev I. Simukwai, the Rev J. Lukwesa, the Rev A.
Mulapwa, and the Rev M. N. Mwanza
Board of Examiners Report
Deaconess,
Esther Nsenda from St. Peter Church in Kitwe; First Year Class: Brother Daniel Musunga,
Brother Jeremiah Bwalya, Brother Baxter Alimasi, and Brother Richard
Mwape.
The Bishop
stated that at the 49th Session of the General Conference, it was resolved that
Local Ministry should be deleted. There will be implications to those who want
to join the ministry as local elders as this has been scrapped and the rule is
they can even enter the ministry at 51 to 60 years, and they should go for
theological education for three years. He also stated that the AME Church is
very much biblical. He added that we
were bound with the age barrier; therefore those in local ministry should
remain in the local ministry.
Bishop
Messiah requested that the Board of Examiners should also state that those
admitted were admitted on trial. He went on to say that the church should look
at the millions of people who come to our Church with a view of working for
God. Three years gives a candidate time
to review whether a right decision has been made to work for God. Therefore before they are ordained they
should make sure that this is what they want.
Second
Year: Brother Matafwali Mulusa, Sister Salome Mangwende, and Brother Keith
Phiri.
The Rev. G.
Mukabila moved the motion that they be moved to third year. Sister Maudy Nkonkomalimba seconded that they
be elected and ordained Itinerant Deacons and continue with their studies.
Third Year:
The Rev Abbot Chintala, the Rev Allan Simukoko, the Rev Samson Kaile, and the
Rev. Bernard Chibuta. The Rev. A. S.
Mwansa moved the motion that they move to 4th Year Studies.
Fourth Year
to Final Ordination as Itinerant Elders: The Rev. Rabson Chikunga and the Rev.
Boyd Sakalani Mazimba
The Bishop
said that he hoped and prayed that the two candidates to be ordained itinerant
elders had reflected on their lives. The Rev Mulapwa moved the motion that they
be ordained Elders of the Church and the Rev. Clement Chola seconded the
motion.
Before the
session ended at 1914hrs, Bishop Messiah had an interactive open forum with the
Presiding Elders and pastors. He stated that it was his style of leadership to
meet the clergy team before opening of the Annual Conference and that will be
done annually.
Thursday, 17th August
2012
The day’s
session started at 0900hrs with a devotion led by the Rev. Elasto Mwansa. The
Presiding Elder, the Rev L Chola of Copperbelt Central presented a summary
report of his district and the pastors all presented their reports as follows:
Bright Chapel, St. Stephen, St. John, St. Peter, Jordan, Membe, Calvary, Allen
Chapel Chibuluma, Judah Temple Mindola, Mumba Temple, St .Phillip, Bethsaida,
St. Barnabas, Trinity, Gethsemane Luangwa, Kawimbe Temple, and Bethel.
Copperbelt West
The
Presiding Elder, the Rev. M. P. P. Mwenya gave a summary of his report and thereafter
the pastors gave their reports in the following order: Brookins, Bethel –
Chililabombwe, Quinn Chapel, St. Paul – Mufulira, St. Thomas – Chingola, Paul
Bupe, Chambeshi, Kabundi Central, Noah Temple, Downtown Chingola, Emmanuel,
Holy Temple and Bethel Lulamba.
Women’s Missionary Society
The
Conference President presented their report and made a contribution of K500 000
to the Conference. The Bishop and the Episcopal Supervisor stated that they were
surprised to get the gifts but thanked the WMS leadership for their generosity
Board of
Examiners (Supplementary Report): Admission: Brother Enock Chipili of St. Paul
in Ndola. Sister Thandi Sibalumbi
proposed that the name be adopted and seconded by the Rev. Mukabila.
First Year:
Fundi Silwimba. The Rev. Abbort Chintala moved the adoption motion seconded by
Rev. E. P. Kahenge
Saturday 18th August 2012
The target
of the day was the completion of all business reports and ensuring that
Presiding Elders District completed their reports.
Morning
session started with Bible study at 08:30hrs.
The Rev Abbot Chintala was in charge of the Bible Study. The theme was
“Prophesy vs. Situation.” The business session started 09:00hrs.
The
Presiding Elder, the Rev. W. Walima presented his summary report and the
charges started reporting, as follows: Mother Hughes, Kirkland, St. Paul,
Richard Allen, St. Andrew, Bethlehem, Emmanuel, Mt. Sinai, Thomas, Bethel,
Bethsaida, St. James, St. James and Holy Cross.
The
Presiding Elder Wefala Walima informed the Conference that apart from the
Savings initiative the District had registered a company as a means of raising
funds to assists members. Bishop Messiah commended the Presiding Elder and his
district for the good work.
Saturday
afternoon session, was dedicated to the Consecration of one deaconess and the
ordination four Itinerant deacons, two of whom were females; and two itinerant
Elders.
Before the
ordination ceremony, the Rev Victor Ntinda Sikazwe, a visiting Presiding Elder
from South East Zambia Conference preached the sermon entitled, “CIA Where: C
-Character, I-Integrity and A-Attitude.”
Consecrated
Deaconess: Esther Nsenda
Ordained
Itinerant Deacons; the Rev. S. Mangwende, the Rev. A. Mhango, the Rev. K.
Phiri, and the Rev. M. Mulusa
Ordained
Itinerant Elders: The Rev. R. Chikunga and the Rev, B. Mazimba.
Sunday 19th August 2012
On Sunday
19th August 2012, all roads in the South West Zambia Conference in the
Copperbelt Province led to the Levy Mwanawasa Stadium for the closing worship
service. Nearly every church in the Conference had on average of more than ten
representatives joining in the closing worship service. All AME Churches in
Ndola had to have their local worship services cancelled and shifted to have
their church worship service in the Presidential Ball Room of the stadium, the
venue of the annual conference. What a gathering that it was!
Ministers’
Spouses, Widows and Widowers Organisation (MSWAWO) gave their report on their
Retreat and Convention and made a contribution of K200 000 towards the
Conference.
Ministerial
Efficiency: The Rev D. Kombe who had left the church eight years ago had his
membership restored. He had been a member of St. James in Luanshya.
The Rev C.
Ikwamo’s transferred from Zambezi Conference to Southwest Zambia Conference.
The Rev L
Chola, Presiding Elder presided at the closing worship service. The Bishop,
Presiding elders, Clergy and Choirs processed into the sanctuary. The
procession was wonderful, with the clergy in the robes and the choirs and
praise teams sung songs of Zion gloriously. The Doxology was sung and the
service followed the liturgy of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The
following persons participated in the worship service: The Rev Margaret Mwanza,
the Rev S. A. Mwansa, the Rev S Mangwende, the Rev B Mazimba, and the Rev. T.
Siulapwa. The choirs sang and a solo was sung by Sister Chilombo Fundi, MSWAWO
PK.
The Rev M.
P. P. Mwenya introduced Bishop Messiah who delivered the sermon. By the time
Bishop Messiah was getting to the pulpit to preach, attendance had increased
and the Presidential ball room was filled to capacity. Praise and worship was
lifted to a higher level with the Rev. Keith Phiri serving as the psalmist for
the worship service. Bishop Messiah
preached a sermon that inspired the Conference parishioners to stand most of
the time during the sermon. His sermon was entitled, “The Cushite Messenger”
taken from II Samuel 18:21-32. Bishop Messiah led the worshipper in the Call to
Discipleship following his sermon. The response to his sermon was extraordinary.
There was a “Sweet, Sweet Spirit in that Place.”
The
Commissioning Hymn was led by the Rev Siulapwa and the Commissioning Prayer was
prayed by the Rev Mutalange and the pastoral appointments were read by Bishop
W. J. Messiah.
The 2013
Annual Conference of the South West Zambia Conference will be hosted by
Brookings AME Church, in Chingola.
The Rev.
Isaiah Phiri was appointed to Mother Hughes to fill the vacancy left by the Rev
Dr. Paul Bupe. The Conference closed at
3:30 p.m. with the prayer by Bishop Wilfred Jacobus Messiah.
Appreciation
to Bishop Wilfred Jacobus Messiah for assigning me this task and much
appreciation to the Rev. Leonard Chola, Administrative Assistant to Bishop
Messiah and the Rev. Margaret N.M. Nkana, the Conference Secretary.
Written by
the Rev. Royd Mwandu, Senior Pastor of Downtown Chingola AME Church & 17th
Episcopal District Director of Christian Education
5. BISHOP WILLIAM P. DEVEAUX
DELIVERED SERMON AT BALTIMORE DISTRICT CONFERENCE:
Dr. Joan L.
Wharton
The
Baltimore District Conference, Baltimore Conference of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church convened on Friday, September 28 - 29th, 2012 at the Mt.
Calvary African Methodist Episcopal Church, 300 Eudowood Lane, Towson, Maryland
21286; under the very dynamic leadership
of Presiding Elder Ernest L. Montague, Sr. and First Lady Mrs. Irene P.
Montague. The theme of the conference
was: “Trust in the Lord with all your Heart” (Proverbs 3:5). The Host Pastor,
the Reverend Dr. Ann Lightner–Fuller and Reverend Dr. Stanley Fuller, Executive
Minister.
The
processional began with the choir singing “All Hail the Power of Jesus Name”;
the clergy began to process into the beautiful Sanctuary of Mt. Calvary African
Methodist Episcopal Church. The Reverend
Charlotte Clemons gave the Morning Prayer with power and the anointing could be
felt throughout the Sanctuary.
The Mass
Choir of Mt. Calvary blended their voices to give praise to God, and the people
responded with shouts of Hallelujah; there was an atmosphere of praise throughout
the Sanctuary.
The
Conference visitors included Presiding Elder Cordell E. Hunter and First Lady
Joan Walker-Hunter of the Eastern District, Baltimore Conference, Mrs. Valerie
Bell, 2nd District Lay President, and other Clergy, WMS and Laity persons
across the Second Episcopal District.
The morning
message was delivered by our very own Bishop, William P, DeVeaux, Presiding
Prelate of the Second Episcopal District. His text came from Numbers chapter 13
and Deuteronomy chapter 13. The message
topic was “I’m Still Able.” He talked about the life of Caleb and admonished
that any situation he found himself in he always remained faithful. Even though
Caleb was very old he did not want to be put out to pasture. He told Joshua, “I’m Still Able.” It was a
remarkable word on the steadfastness of a mighty God in whom we can put all our
trust.
Our First
Lady, WMS Life Member Irene P. Montague lead the evening Missionary Service
(WMS-Trail Blazer’s Night) which was very powerful as the missionaries gathered
across the District assembled in their beautiful white attire. The Theme was “Faithful Missionaries Blazing
the Trail for Generations to Come.” The eighty-five missionaries across the
District for thirty years or more of service were honored for being WMS-Trail
Blazer’s in their local churches. This was a vision of the First Lady of the
District, Mrs. Montague. Persons in attendance: Ms. Mary Fisher, WMS President,
Baltimore Conference; Mrs. Arlette Stewart, YPD Director, Baltimore Conference;
Mrs. Mildred Wright, Former President, WMS Baltimore Conference.
The Union
Chapel Choir from Cambridge, Maryland raised their voices in “awesome”
praise. The people rose from their seats
with shouts of “praise”, clapping of hands, and patting of their feet. We were blessed by their strong powerful
voices, even the Pastor of the church, the Reverend Sandra Brown sang with
great boldness.
The YPDers
from Tyree A. M. E. Church danced with spirit. They left their Homecoming Game
in Berlin, Maryland and travelled four hours just to worship with the WMS. The
Tyree Church Family is under the leadership of Pastor Rashi Pinckney, First
Lady Linda Pinckney and Advisor the Rev. Sharon Salter.
The
Episcopal Supervisor of the Second Episcopal District, Dr. Pam DeVeaux was the
speaker for the great, great celebratory service. Her text came from Psalm 98,
and her topic was “Sing a New Song.” The powerful electrifying message
encouraged us in attendance to go back to our various roles “singing a new
song.”
The
workshops throughout the District Conference were very relevant to the needs of
our communities. The Reverend Dr. Sheridan Todd Yeary, Senior Pastor of the
Douglas Memorial Community Church presented a workshop on The HIV Manual for
Black Churches. He did an outstanding job.
Dr. Todd Adams presented a fantastic workshop on Youth HIV and STD
Education. Sister Jean Richie, President of the Baltimore Conference Lay
Organization presented a creative and innovating workshop on Clergy & Lay
Working Together. The Rev. Dr. Harry L. Seawright, pastor of Union Bethel AME
Church in Brandywine, Maryland presented a very informative and edifying
workshop on “AME Assessments: Where do they Go.”
The
Minister’s Spouse (active and retired), Widows, Widowers came together for
dinner on Friday evening with First Lady Montague. Mr. Melvin Williams, President, Baltimore
Conference (MSWAWO, Plus PKs) was among the attendees.
The WIM of
the Baltimore District met on Saturday with the theme “Preparing for the High
Calling: Developing the Skills and Attitudes Necessary for Effective Ministry”
under the leadership of the Coordinator of the Baltimore Conference WIM, Rev.
Rae-Lynn Kingeter. Rev. Dr. Marilyn M.
Aklin was the chairperson of the event.
The Speakers were Rev. Dr. A. Qismat Alim and Rev. Dr. Peggy E. Wall.
Also in attendance was Rev. Dr. Joan L. Wharton, President of the Second
Episcopal District Women in Ministry.
We would
like to give tremendous thanks to Mt. Calvary AME Church Family under the
leadership of the Reverend Dr. Ann Lightner-Fuller and the Reverend Dr. Stanley
Fuller, Executive Minister for two days of caring for us in a “regal” and “five
star” way. Their hospitality was impeccable. We the Baltimore District did not
need anything that their members weren’t able to meet. They made sure
everything that was needed was anticipated even before we asked. Thank you and May God continue to bless the
ministry at Mt. Calvary. Kudos to Pastor Fuller and the Mt. Calvary Family for
the most beautiful “State of the Art” Family Life Center which was erected,
June 10, 2012.
The
Baltimore District Conference had an extraordinary experience. Under the
leadership of Presiding Elder Ernest L. Montague, Sr. and First Lady Irene P.
Montague, the Baltimore District of the Baltimore Conference received dynamic
guidance, direction, mentoring and shepherding. The District felt with all that
was provided – they could go back to their local churches empowered, equipped,
energized and enlightened to serve God and His people.
6. METHODIST EPISCOPAL UNIVERSITY
SEEKS TO FILL POSITION OF UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT:
Monrovia,
Liberia
The Board
of Trustees at African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) has begun the
search for the University’s fourth president and invites nominations and
applications for individuals who will provide outstanding leadership for this
young international university that is “In Pursuit of Excellence.”
The
President serves as the CEO and reports directly to the appointed 21-member board.
The successful candidate will have the vision, higher education experience,
credentials terminal degree, skills, integrity, energy, and determination to
lead the Connectional AMEC’s largest institution as it continues and
accelerates its progress as a tertiary institution.
In
anticipation of growth, the successful candidate will also bring strategic
strength to the institution and inspire innovation, strengthen academic
programs and administration, support the student experience, and exert the
willingness and appetite to raise funds successfully.
Review of Candidate’s materials will
begin February 1, 2013 and continue until a new president is selected.
Application materials should include
the following:
- A letter
addressing how the candidates’ experience matches the position requirements.
-
Curriculum vitae
- Names,
titles, and contact information for at least five references
- Official
Transcripts
- Any
additional materials
Individuals wishing to nominate a
candidate should include:
- The name,
position, address, and telephone number of the nominee.
- A letter
addressing how the candidate’s experiences match the needs of the University
should he/she be submitted.
Curriculum
Vitae
- Official
Transcripts
- Any
additional materials
In Liberia, applications and
nominations should be directed to:
Dr. Ophelia
Hoff Saytumah
Chair of
Search Committee
Office of
the President
AME
University
34 Camp
Johnson Road
Monrovia,
Liberia
Email: j.manning@ameu.edu.lr
In the United States,
applications and nominations should be directed to:
Bishop Clement W. Fugh,
Chair
Board of Trustees, AME
University
315 Keswick Grove Lane
Franklin, TN 37067
USA
Email: bishopfugh131@gmail.com
About African Methodist Episcopal
University (AMEU)
African
Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU) is located in Monrovia, Liberia. AMEU
began as a small faith based institution in 1995 and received its charter on February
28, 1996, and published by authority of Ministry of Foreign Affairs January 17,
1997. Today AMEU has over 3000 students
who are enrolled in 10 academic programs in three colleges: Bryant Theological
Seminary – Theology and Religious Education; the College of Business &
Public Administration – Accounting, Economics, Management and Public
Administration; and the College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences –
English, Mass Communications, Political Science and Sociology.
7.
MESSAGE TO THE LAITY FROM THE CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION:
Dear CLO Lay Leaders:
Thank you so much for everything you
and those in your spheres of influence did to make the centennial observances,
at all levels, very special and exceptionally memorable. We thank God and you for
your prayers and the unleashing of all your creative energy. Creating resources
at the Connectional level to be replicated, adapted, and improved in the
Episcopal Districts, Annual Conferences, districts of the Annual Conference
(also known as Presiding Elder Districts) and the local church were among the
things the CLO 100 Committee accomplished through your efforts and leadership.
You are the best!
As we work to document the full
range of programming and activities, at all levels, associated with the
centennial observances of the Connectional Lay Organization, we seek your
assistance. Following is a very rough draft of observances and celebrations
(that have been brought to our attention) of the centenary of the passage of
legislation officially mandating a lay movement within the African Methodist
Episcopal Church. Remember this is a very preliminary list. We need your input
to insure it is accurate and comprehensive. Please review and add additional
events. It will be very helpful if you will make sure we have the four items of
information listed.
1) Contact information for the chair
or person responsible for the program,
2) date of the program, 3)
photographs, 4) a complete description of the events, and 5) any other
information you deem pertinent.
Thanking you in advance for your
cooperation and prompt response. We would really appreciate a response by
December 15, 2012 before we all get immersed in the holiday season.
*August 2011
Fourth Episcopal District hosted CLO
100 Kick-Off Luncheon
Detroit, Michigan
October 2011
CLO 100 Kickoff and Annual Lay Day
(Entrepreneurship Emphasis)
Lee Chapel AME Church
Nashville, TN
*December 2011
6-13 Seventeenth Episcopal District
hosted the Connectional Lay Organization's Leadership Summit and Centennial
Celebration
Lusaka and Livingstone, Zambia
*January 2012
13-14 Third Episcopal District
Celebration
Annual Winter Retreat and CLO 100
Episcopal District Kickoff
Worthington, Ohio
February 2012
16-18 Second Episcopal Founder's Day
and CLO 100 Workshop
Springdale, MD
*May 2012
5 Greater Allen AME Church
Dayton, Ohio
5 South Carolina Conference
Centennial Celebration and Layperson
of the Year Celebration
Charleston, SC
*19 TN Conference Lay Organization
Soup to Nuts and Centennial
Celebration
Nashville, TN
19 Northeast Conference (Seventh
Episcopal District)
Centennial Celebration and Trio
Program
22 North Atlanta Conference Lay
Organization
Lay Witness Night and Centennial
Observance
Marietta, GA
23 11th Episcopal District Day of
Prayer
Throughout Florida and the Bahamas
*Need date Macedonia AME Church
Centennial Luncheon
Flushing, NY
June 2012
8-9 Seventh Episcopal District
Annual Lay Convention and Centennial
Celebration
*July 1, 2012
CLO Centennial Breakfast
Nashville, TN
October 2012
14 CLO 100 Concluding Service and
Annual Lay Day (emphasis on Social Justice)
Lee Chapel AME Church
Nashville, TN
November 2012
2-3 13th Episcopal District Lay
Organization Centennial Celebration Breakfast
Lexington, KY
8-11 Connectional Lay Organization
Fall Executive Board Meeting & Culmination of the CLO 100 Celebration and
Observances
9 Time Capsule Planting Courtyard of
St. Phillip AME Church
Report of the CLO 100 Committee
Decatur, GA
*Indicates that we have some
information about the events listed --photographs, a description, dates, etc.
on file.
I know the following events have
taken place, but need more information including the dates, location,
description, contact person, and photos:
Baltimore Conference emphasized
hymns and spirituals in a marvelous concert and worship experience.
Washington Conference had a tribute
to its members who have contributed significantly to the Connectional Lay
Organization
North Georgia Conference centennial
luncheon and program
Texas Conference centennial
celebrations in several local churches including Payne Chapel, East Orange,
Brown Chapel and South Wesley
Philadelphia Conference developed a
Centennial Journal highlighting the history of the Philadelphia Conference Lay
Organization
Greater Ward AME Church Pine Bluff,
AR held a Happy 100th Celebration on May 23rd and Annual Lay Day on June 19th
Bill and I along with the members of
the CLO 100 Committee are grateful to God and to you for your prayers, support,
and encouragement during the CLO 100.
Faithfully,
Bill Ayers and Paulette Coleman
Co-Chairs - CLO 100
8.
THE REV. LINDA E. MOUZON SEEKING SURVEY PARTICIPANTS:
Message
from the Rev. Linda E. Mouzon:
I'm still recruiting participants to
complete the survey for my dissertation research. Volunteers, participants are
now eligible to enter a drawing to receive either an iPad or one of six
American Express Gift cards.
I am a Ph D candidate conducting
research on “Psychosocial, interpersonal, and spiritual predictors of boundary
permeability and sexual integration in a sample of protestant male clergy” with
Dr. Ralph L. Piedmont, in the Faculty of Pastoral Counseling at Loyola
University Maryland.
This research is being conducted in
order to gain a better understanding of which factors directly and indirectly
influence clergy’s ability to maintain healthy relationships with congregants.
The results of this project will advance services designed to support clergy in
developing and maintaining appropriate relationships with colleagues and laity.
This study invites the participation
of adult male, Protestant, married clergy.
The study involves an online
questionnaire (approximately 45 - 60 minutes).
Complete details about this research study are
provided in the informed consent which you can access by following the link to
the online questionnaires:
https://www.psychdata.com/s.asp?SID=149268
Please feel free to share the
details of this study to anyone you know who may be willing to participate.
Thank you,
The Rev. Linda E. Mouzon
PhD Candidate, Loyola University
Maryland
(This study has approval from the
Loyola University Maryland Institutional Review Board – Project Number:
FWA00013527)
TCR Disclaimer: In publicizing this
notice the AME Church or The Christian
Recorder is not endorsing the survey or the awards
being offered.
9.
THE RIGHT INGREDIENT TO HANDLE A SPIRITUAL OR FISCAL CLIFF:
*The Reverend Timothy Sands
Great cooks know the importance of
getting the ingredients right in a recipe. I many recipes there are ingredients
that can make or break a meal; something as seemingly minor as forgetting a
pinch of salt or a teaspoon of leavening. There are some ingredients that can
make a meal successful and leaving them out can ruin a meal. The right ingredients are important and
sometime just the right ingredient can make a meal successful.
When all the right ingredients are
in, everyone usually walks away from the meal elated and satisfied.
In business, government and even in
family relationships the right ingredients or the right ingredient can make the
difference in healthy or unhealthy relationships.
In the church the right ingredient
is necessary for spiritual health and growth and an effective leader must be in
place with the right ingredient. The most needed ingredient for success in the
secular or spiritual realm is “tranquility” and peace.
Most disorder is precipitated by
conflict whether by words or by behavior; in the secular and in the spiritual settings.
Problems and issues need to be appropriately addressed when they surface.
It is best to enter problem
situations with tact, whether at a place of worship, in the political realm or
business entity. With tact and calmness, problems are more likely to be
resolved or disappear. Proverbs 13:17
states, “A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings
healing” (New International Version).
Hence, it is imperative that an effective leader possess the ingredient
of being peaceful and calm.
Wise leaders know trouble will come,
but the trouble can be chaotic if the leader is not calm.
President Barack Obama has taken on
an economic issue, attempted assassinations of elected officials, misconduct in
the military and even shootings in the theaters and schools. President Obama
has shown effective leadership and God has given him a peaceful demeanor and
mild tone when addressing the public. Isaiah 26:3-4 states, “You will keep
perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the
LORD, is the Rock eternal.”
During church meetings, it is vital
for the spiritual leaders to be the epitome of keeping the peace. Thus, the leaders need to come with an agenda
and ask those invited to the meetings about agenda items that need addressing
because doing so allows for more cohesiveness because everyone believes his or
her input is valued. Also, the
followership knows their voices are heard even if a concern is not implemented
the concern was mention; even if discussion will take place at another time.
Pastoral leadership needs to
understand peace because spiritual leaders and elected officials, and even so
with President Obama, find themselves in situations where they provide comfort
to families who experience grief. The entire ministerial team, both laity and
clergy need to understand the importance of peace and calmness.
Ushers need to be on “top of their
game” and show they are elated to be serving the parishioners. John 16:33 states, “I have told you these
things, so that in me you may have peace.
In this world, you will have trouble.
But take heart! I have overcome
the world.”
“Life is not about waiting for the
storms to pass. It’s about learning to
dance in the rain.” ~unknown
*The Reverend Timothy Sands is on
the ministerial staff at Saint Mark A.M.E. Church in Atlanta, Georgia
10. GETTING TO ZERO: HCT AS
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE:
Dr. Oveta
Fuller
During
election week 2012, the intensive course “What Effective Clergy Should Know
about HIV/AIDS” convened in Ohio at Payne Theological Seminary. An MDiv
candidate and class member asked two intriguing questions. One question was
“What is the one single thing you would recommend as a way to move towards
eliminating HIV/AIDS or to reverse current infection and disease trends?”
The class
had learned that 1 out of every 100 people in the world is infected with HIV.
They had learned that the 13 southern states region of the USA has the highest
overall rates of new infections and AIDS cases. They learned that African
Americans make up over 50% of reported new HIV infections and AIDS cases in the
USA.
The AIDS Vu
map (www.aidsvu.org/map) shows HIV infection prevalence. A location can be
overlaid with factors such as age, race and gender and with determinants of
health such as poverty, health insurance coverage and household income. The
county by county interactive maps illustrate why we have to take ownership of
HIV/AIDS.
My answer? I
would recommend mandatory HIV counseling and testing (HCT) for everyone age 16
and older. This removes the “V” in Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT). A rapid test or blood test to detect HIV
antibody would be required standard procedure of health care as occurs now for
“opt-out” care in some locations. I would recommend that HCT become routine as
is taking a temperature or getting weight and blood pressure during the
check-in at a health care appointment.
Similar to
how a thermometer is placed under the tongue to measure body temperature, a
swab of the mouth would provide saliva and soft tissue cells as a laboratory
sample to conduct a rapid test for presence of HIV antibodies. This would occur
for every person 16 or older in medical appointments at a hospital, medical
office or clinic.
Several
compelling reasons support HCT as a routine procedure.
First,
every person over 16, sooner or later, would know their HIV infection
status. Knowing if one is positive or
negative is key in taking control and taking responsibility to stop spread and
disease from a relatively fragile virus with limited ability to move from
person to person.
Second,
routine testing would reduce the stigma and silence that feed HIV transmission
and disease progression. Like most people take a driver’s test at some point
for a license to operate a motor vehicle, everyone eventually would take an HIV
test. Age (starting at 16 years), the number or type of sexual engagements,
single or married status, faithful or not would not matter.
Every
person 16 or older would be tested each time they go to the clinic or hospital.
This offers huge advantages in removing stigma to get the US population tested.
We would talk more about HIV/AIDS to remove the virus and its disease from the
shadows.
What are
the disadvantages of such a policy? Cost? Perhaps. Overall, costs to test
everyone would be less than costs that will be paid for care over time for
those who are HIV+ or who develop AIDS. Cost would be less than what is paid in
the loss of worldwide talent and manpower from infection of many in their prime
productive years.
Other disadvantages?
Discrimination.
Employers, health providers, insurers or others might discriminate against
those who find that they are HIV+. Initially this might occur. But, with
intentional efforts to reframe testing as the only smart thing to do, over a
short time, tendency towards discrimination should cease. That discrimination
is not cool, not smart, would prevail. There already are laws in the US and
some other countries designed to deter discriminatory practices.
Other cons
of mandatory testing? What about personal fear of test results? What if the
test is positive to indicate that HIV has entered into the person’s body?
Adequate
counseling at and after the test would be available. Counseling also would
include linking HIV+ persons to the next care level to determine the
progression of infection towards AIDS. (How close is the person to a CD4 count
of 200 or below?)
Mandatory
testing would include support for debriefing of each person whether HIV+ or
HIV-. Such frequent conversation would remind people to always make smart
decisions to stay HIV-. It would help with the emotional trauma that can result
from learning that one has encountered a life-long infection of a potentially
fatal virus.
Because of
medications, contracting HIV is no longer a death sentence. However, its
presence does change everyday life. Such counseling support should be linked to
routine testing at the health facility as occurs with voluntary HIV testing.
What would
be the priority policy recommended to reverse current infection trends in the
USA and lack of information or our engagement in addressing HIV/AIDS? It would
be mandatory HIV testing of all age 16 or older as a routine in medical
check-in.
Such a
single policy might be controversial. But it would accelerate changes in
perspectives and turbo charge getting to zero new infections, zero deaths from
AIDS and zero discrimination.
World AIDS Day
2012 is Saturday, December 1, 2012. On this day, the weekend or during the
week, what will make a difference to change the impact of HIV/AIDS on
individuals, family, community, church, country? What one thing can each person
do to move towards zero? Together, in time, we can get to an AIDS-free
generation.
The second
question was, “What is the one single thing that the AME Church could do to
help reverse current infection trends and move towards eliminating HIV/AIDS?”
TCR readers, what do you think?
11. MEDITATION BASED ON MATTHEW
7:15-25:
*The Rev.
Dr. Joseph A. Darby
One of my
enduring childhood memories is of a very pious lady in my first spiritual home,
Saint James AME Church in Columbia, SC.
She took every possible opportunity during worship to “testify” that she
loved the Lord and loved everyone. My
friends and I were generally bored by her familiar “testimony,” but we always
enjoyed listening to her outside the church after worship, when she’d often say
colorful and derogatory things about other church members and readily “cuss
out” anyone who challenged or disagreed with her - she was instrumental in
expanding my early “profanity vocabulary!”
I always
think of that lady this time of year, when some people get extremely angry if
they buy something and the store clerk doesn’t say “Merry Christmas.” Those who find that offensive categorize it
as a “war on Christmas” and say colorful, derogatory and sometimes threatening
things about those who would “destroy Christianity” by saying “Happy Holidays.” Beyond their amazing concern that failing to
give the right Christmas greeting will “destroy Christianity” (God does fine
without our personal defense), it amazes
me that they don’t express similar outrage at poverty, hunger, suffering or
inequities that are also in their line of sight.
Those very
pious people fail to recognize that true faith shows best not in what we say,
but in what we do. It’s easy for all of
us to get caught up in the “language” of faith - in saying “Amen” and “Praise
the Lord” and “God is Good all the Time” while we’re among those who celebrate
our words. Those words, however,
sometimes fall short when we run into difficult and challenging situations and
people, and can easily become routine and empty.
When we go
beyond faithful language to faithful living, we can find new strength, new joy
and new assurance. We can find peace of
mind not in knowing the “language” of faith, but in knowing that what we do
makes a meaningful difference in the lives of those around us.
Take the
time each day not just to profess your faith but to live your faith in a way
that touches the lives of others and strengthens their faith. You’ll have the joy of knowing that you
bettered their lives and gain a new appreciation for the words of the hymn that
says, “Only what you do for Christ will last.”
Join us on
the Second Sunday in December, if you are in the Charleston area, for Church
School at 9:45 a.m. and for worship at 8 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
42:1-9
I John
3:1-6
Luke
1:26-38
Sunday’s
Sermons are:
8 a.m. -
“What’s Your Christmas Expectation?”
11 a.m. –
“What Do You Want for Christmas?”
*The Rev.
Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the pastor of
Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina
12. GENERAL OFFICER AND CLERGY
FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- The Reverend Gloria Lynn Sydnor
Smith, Candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Ministry
The Reverend
Gloria Lynn Sydnor Smith is the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III,
the 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder and the Rev. Dr. Charlotte B. Sydnor,
pastor of Woodfork Chapel AME Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee.
United
Theological Seminary announces that Reverend Gloria Lynn Sydnor Smith is a
Candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Ministry at the Commencements Exercises
on Friday, the Fourteenth of December, Two-Thousand Twelve at One O'clock in
the afternoon. The Graduation Ceremony will be held at Ginghamsbury United
Methodist Church, 6759 South County Road 25A, Tipp City, Ohio 45371.
The
Reverend Gloria Lynn Sydnor Smith is the pastor of Whitman Chapel AME Church in
Belpre, Ohio in the 3rd Episcopal District
Congratulatory
messages can be emailed to: gloriasmithlaw@aol.com
Or mailed
to:
The
Reverend Gloria Sydnor Smith
4010 Carlow
Court
Dublin,
OH 43016-7700
Or
The Rev.
Dr. Charlotte B. Sydnor: cbsydnor@bellsouth.net
The Rev. Dr.
Calvin H. Sydnor III: chsydnor@bellsouth.net
- The Reverend Michael Leon
Mitchell, Candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Ministry
United
Theological Seminary announces that Reverend Michael Leon Mitchell is a
Candidate for the Degree of Doctor of Ministry at the Commencements Exercises
on Friday, the Fourteenth of December, Two Thousand Twelve at One O'clock in
the afternoon; Ginghamsbury United Methodist Church, 6759 South County Road
25A, Tipp City, Ohio 45371.
The
Reverend Michael Leon Mitchell is the pastor of Saint Stephens African
Methodist Church, Jacksonville, Florida.
Congratulatory
messages can be emailed to:
StStephen913@aol.com
Or mailed
to:
The
Reverend Dr. Michael Leon Mitchell
12558
Mission Hill Circle, South
Jacksonville,
Florida 32255
- The Wedding Of LaQuilla Boyce and
Douglas Jones, Visitors Chapel AME Church, Hot Springs Arkansas
Visitors
Chapel AME Church, Hot Springs Arkansas was the site of the marriage of
Laquilla Boyce and Douglas Jones. LaQuilla Boyce is the daughter of the
Reverend Welton Boyce and Ms. Barbara Boyce. Douglas is the son of Rev. Douglas
E. Jones and Gladys Jones. The marriage was held on November 24, 2012 with
Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., Rev. Joseph Valliant, Rev. Tom Scott, and Rev.
Jones officiating. Laquilla was formerly president of the 12th Episcopal
District Young People Division.
Contact:
The Rev.
Welton Boyce
2703 S.
Linden
Pine Bluff,
AR 71603
870-643-6045
Congratulatory
messages can be emailed to: wboyce7268@gmail.com
13. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
Passing of
Mrs. Betty Jean Malvo; mother of Bishop Sarah F. Davis, Presiding Prelate, 16th
Episcopal District
On Tuesday
morning, December 4, 2012, Mrs. Betty Jean Malvo Taylor of Port Arthur, Texas;
mother of Bishop Sarah F. Davis, Presiding Prelate, 16th Episcopal District,
passed from labor to reward after a lengthy illness. Bishop Sarah F. Davis and family solicit your
prayers during this time.
Funeral
Services for Mrs. Betty Jean Malvo:
The funeral
service for Mrs. Betty Jean Malvo Taylor, mother of Bishop Sarah F. Davis and
mother-in-love of Supervisor Claytie Davis, Jr. will be held Tuesday, December
11, 2012 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 900 Booker T. Washington Ave,
Port Arthur, Texas.
The public
viewing will be held from 9:00 - 10:45 a.m. and the service will begin at 11:00
a.m.
Arrangements
are entrusted to:
Gabriel
Funeral Home, Inc.
2500 Procter
Street
Port
Arthur, Texas 77640
(409)
983-6661
Condolences
may be sent to:
Bishop
Sarah and Supervisor Claytie Davis
12214 Rocky
Knoll Drive
Houston,
Texas 77077
Bishop
Sarah F. Davis
Presiding
Prelate of 16th Episcopal District
African
Methodist Episcopal Church
Vice
President, World Methodist Council
Kingston 6,
Jamaica West Indies
1+876-702-2818
Residence 1+876-702-3978 FAX
1+876-792-6016
Jamaica Cell 1+713-628-9828 US Cell
14. GENERAL OFFICER BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We regret
to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Vernice Clear Eubanks, the mother of Mrs.
Mary Eubanks Dickerson and the mother-in-law of Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson,
retired General Officer. Mrs. Vernice
Clear Eubanks passed on Wednesday, December 5th in Memphis, Tennessee at the
Methodist (Central) Hospital. Mrs.
Vernice Clear Eubanks was 90 years old.
SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS:
Wake:
Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012 - 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.
E. H. Ford
Mortuary Services
3390 Elvis
Presley Blvd.
Memphis, TN
38116
Telephone:
(901) 345-9558
Funeral:
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012
Viewing: 10
a.m. – 11 a.m.
Temple of Deliverance
COGIC
547
Mississippi Blvd.
Memphis, TN
38126
Milton
Hawkins, Pastor
Funeral
Service – 11 a.m.
Temple of
Deliverance COGIC
547
Mississippi Blvd.
Memphis, TN
38126
Milton
Hawkins, Pastor
Condolences
may be sent to:
Dr.
Dennis and Mrs. Mary Dickerson
212 Aspenwood Lane
Nashville, TN 37221
Mrs. Mary
Dickerson: MaryDickerson@comcast.net
Dr. Dennis
Dickerson: dennis.c.dickerson@vanderbilt.edu
Telephone:
615-662-0531.
Contact
information for Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson:
Cell:
615-218-9842;
Home:
615-662-0531
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret
to inform you of the passing of Deacon Roy E. Ford, Sr., the beloved father of
Mrs. Kemnesia Ford Hobbs, First Vice-President of the Sixth Episcopal District Women's
Missionary Society and Parliamentarian of the Sixth Episcopal District
Minister's Spouses, Widows, Widowers Plus PKs; and the father-in-law of the
late Reverend Michael Hobbs of the Augusta, Georgia Annual Conference and
grandfather of Michelae Hobbs, Halae Hobbs, and Faith Hobbs.
Deacon Ford
passed on Saturday, December 1, 2012. Funeral service will be held on Saturday
December 8, 2012 at 12:00 p.m. noon at:
Timothy
Baptist Church
380 Timothy
Rd
Athens, GA
30606
The Rev.
Tracy L. Boles, Pastor
The Rev.
W.R. Brown, Eulogist
Professional
services entrusted to:
Jackson-McWhorter
Funeral Home, Inc.
1253 West
Broad Street
Athens, GA
30606
706-543-3623
Condolences
may be sent to:
Mrs.
Kemnesia Ford Hobbs
245 Lily
Cove Drive
Loganville,
GA 30052
912-429-4345
Email: kemnesiah@yahoo.com
Ms.
Michelae Hobbs
Email: mhobbs22@gmail.com
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We regret to
share news of the passing of Mrs. Dorothy Blake, the widow of the late
Presiding Elder J.B. Blake of the West Palm Beach District, South Conference,
Eleventh Episcopal District. Mrs. Blake
was a member of Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church in West Palm Beach, Florida; the
Rev. Milton Broomfield, Pastor.
A wonderful
life lived in service to God came to a peaceful end as Mrs. Blake made her
transition to be with the Lord after an extended illness on November 30, 2012
at The Palms Hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida. Survivors include her only
family member left in her generation, her sister Mrs. Edna Whitaker; and her
son Edgar Williams (Velma), Ben Williams (deceased); her niece Mrs. Pamela
Dawson (the Rev. Stanley Dawson), Pastor of Mount Pleasant A.M.E. Church
Hollywood, Florida; her grandsons, great grandsons, granddaughter, a great
granddaughter, nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.
The
following information is provided regarding funeral arrangements:
Wake:
Friday December 7, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Shuler's
Memorial Chapel
5301 N.
Australian Avenue
Mangonia
Park, Fl 33407
Phone:
561-882-4255
Home Going
Celebration: Saturday, December 8, 2012 at 1:00 p.m.
Payne
Chapel A.M.E. Church
801 9th
Street
West Palm
Beach, Florida 33401
The Rev.
Milton Broomfield, Senior Pastor
Telephone:
561-832-2035
Fax:
561-832-7142
Interment -
Glenwood Cemetery - Riviera Beach, Fl
Funeral
Services Entrusted to: Shuler's Memorial Chapel
5301 N.
Australian Avenue
Mangonia
Park, Fl 33407
Phone:
561-882-4255
Expressions
of Sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Edna
Whitaker and Family
1640 West
9th Street
Riviera
Beach, Fl 33404
The Rev.
and Mrs. Stanley S. Dawson
1308 Isleworth
Court
Royal Palm
Beach, Fl 33411
Email: pamela_dawson@bellsouth.net
17.
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
18.
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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