The Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland
- Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr.,
Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor
III, the 20th Editor, The Christian
Recorder
1. TCR EDITORIAL – THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS
FOR LAITY:
Dr. Calvin H.
Sydnor III
The 20th
Editor of The Christian Recorder
Some clergy members
suffer from the temptation of the Seven Deadly Sins, but so do the laity. As a
matter of fact, the laity suffers as much as the clergy; and in some cases
moreso.
One of the battles
the laity needs to fight is to resist the temptation to gossip; that needs to be
put on the table upfront. Many of our churches are failing to reach their
potential because parishioners, instead of lifting up the body of Christ,
choose to gossip about the failure of the clergy and the perceived failure of
the connectional church; rarely or never address the failure of the
parishioners in the pews, e.g., their own stewardship and spiritual
failures. Most often when a local church
fails, the solution is always to get rid of the pastor, when a better solution
might be to get rid of or train troublesome and dysfunctional parishioners.
Change
may need to start with the laity
There is evidence
that parishioners and especially those who fill leadership positions have not
been trained in the areas of the biblical literacy, spirituality, stewardship,
discipleship, leadership, conflict resolution, Methodism, to include polity and
doctrine. In the cases of a lack of
training, the “hit” is on pastors who have allowed any and everything. I call it the “gumbo ministry syndrome,” but
that’s another editorial.
Let me get back on
task!
The
Seven Deadly Sins for laity one by one
Gluttony - Too much
of anything can be harmful. A glass of diet Coke or a slice of cake is okay,
but drinking a quart of diet Coke or eating 10 slices of cake at one sitting is
unhealthy. Gluttony often results in waste because gluttons have “eyes bigger
than their stomachs,” not just in relation to food, but in “things.” The
traditional or historic definition of gluttony refers to excessive desire for
food and drink. A synonymous definition
of gluttony is a lack of self-control. A glutton always tries to get more and
is never satisfied. Parishioners who
succumb to gluttony always want more. Gluttonous parishioners are never satisfied
with the reality of the moment. They want more of the pastor and the pastor is
never good enough. The local church ministry programs are never good enough.
They think they want more and yet their modus operandi is to consume, but they
are never willing to give. Gluttons are more in a posture of receiving rather
than giving. Gluttons will consume the pastor’s time and the time of anyone who
will listen to them. They consume so much negativity that they cannot recognize
or appreciate a normal or healthy religious program. And the sad part is that
they cannot be change-agents for healthy ministry.
Lust is
precipitated by power and usually is directed at someone or something that does
not belong to them. Lust goes beyond sex. Laity-lust can be identified as an
excessive desire and hunger for pastoral recognition and attention. And, let’s
put it out on the table, laity-lust can involve sex. Pastors have to be extremely vigilant lest
they be tempted by their own lustful desires or the lustful desires of parishioners.
Lustful parishioners view the ministry as “power” and some want to get as close
to power as they can and lust becomes a temptation. Some parishioners lust
after power because they view power as authority and influence. Often, lust
desires fulfillment without accountability. Lust satisfies the physical, but
does little to fulfill our emotional, mental and spiritual needs. In other
words, lust desires the position, but not the responsibility. We have
parishioners who lust after coveted positions, but they do not want to do the
responsibility.
Greed - Greed is a
sin of excess. Greed is rarely satisfied and “enough is never enough.” Greed
wants more. Greed wants another pastor and greed wants the religious program it
sees functioning at another church. Greedy parishioners are never satisfied
with their pastoral and local church leadership, or their episcopal leadership.
A synonymous definition for greed is stinginess or parsimony. Greedy persons want more, but are not willing
to give, share or to be agents for change. Greedy parishioners do not want
their pastors to receive generous wages or the local church to extend their
stewardship reach because they are always in a posture of, “We cannot afford…”
Greedy persons are fearful that their church will never have enough, which
indicates a lack of trust and a lack of faith.
Sloth is synonymous
with laziness. Effective local church ministry is hard work and both clergy and
laity committed to ministry must be willing to go “above and beyond the
requirements” to develop dynamic local church ministry. Slothful parishioners
“fertilize” failing local church programs because they are unwilling to extend
themselves “above and beyond” what is required and in reality hasten the demise
of church programs. The bottomline of sloth is laziness, fear of failure, lack
of vision, and a lack of commitment to do the work of ministry. Slothfulness is
also harmful because others have to work harder. Slothful parishioners tend to
be Sunday morning-focused participants, when they participate. Lazy members
don’t want to work with youth, the elderly or young adults. They don’t want to
work with the pastor and they don’t want to work with any of the local church
programs. They don’t want to do anything, but “get their praises on!” Parishioner sloth will inhibit any local church
ministry program and clergy sloth added to parishioner sloth will kill any
ministry and kill the local church. Jules Renard was correct when he wrote,
“Laziness is nothing more than the habit of resting before you get tired.” Some churches fail or do not reach their
potential because they have too many lazy parishioners.
Pride — The
happiest people are those who have a healthy self-image, enjoy their stations
in life and find joy in what they do. Humble people are most appreciated and
people generally love to be around humble people. On the other hand arrogant
people are among the most despised. Pride in the context of the Seven Deadly
Sins refers to arrogance, haughtiness and conceitedness. Toba Beta said, “Pride is the mother of
arrogance.” Churches that want to experience growth must present a spirit of
humbleness, not haughtiness. Some churches fail to grow and prosper because
they are perceived as arrogant and resistant to growth and they have a
reputation of not being “down to earth.” Sometimes an arrogance perception
problem can be resolved by insuring friendly, outgoing smiling ushers are on
duty. The people who greet parishioners and guests should be outgoing and
friendly; not individuals who think their positions give them added privilege.
Effective leaders prepare subordinates to be leaders, not followers. Effective
leaders do not hold offices for years and years; rather they groom others to
assume responsibilities for leadership. The statement, “If they want to do it
all, let them do it all” is an indication of a perception of an atmosphere of
pride and arrogance. Pride discourages others and becomes a sin of wastefulness
because it discourages participation, which precipitates failure. Indeed the Bible is correct, “Pride cometh
before the fall.”
Wrath — Wrath is
synonymous with anger. Some parishioners are angry and they bring their anger
to the church. Most often anger is not
situational. There are times when anger is the result of some specific action, but
in the case of the Seven Deadly Sins, wrath or anger is a consistent behavior.
Church members who demonstrate clergy-wrath usually do not limit their wrath
against a single pastor, but most often vent their wrath against every pastor;
their behavior is consistent. If a parishioner quits on one pastor, he or she
will quit on subsequent pastors. For whatever reason, some parishioners do not
like clergy and some parishioners are hostile to their local church religious
programs. Wrath behaves in ways that says
a pastor is never good enough; in fact no pastor is ever good enough. Sometime
laity function with so much wrath that their participation in the local church
ministry program is dysfunctional. Their anger may have developed because of
something a pastor or fellow member may, or may not have said or done; or they
just might have an angry personality. Everyone has exhibited anger at one time
or another and anger-appropriate behavior is okay, but handling anger
appropriately is important. Unfortunately some parishioners mishandle anger and
it affects their emotional and mental health and their family relationships.
Wrath, among church members, will destroy local church growth. The reality
among a connectional church is that pastors have positive and negative
reputations; and lay members do too!
Envy is synonymous
with covetousness, jealousy and greed.
Envy is the root of and the genesis all of sins. “Thou shalt not covet”
is the 10th and most insidious of all of the Ten Commandments; no
wonder it’s the last of the Commandments. Covetousness or Envy can be the
genesis of breaking the other 9 Commandments; envy can result in making other
gods, bowing down to other things, misuse of the name of God, forgetting
parents, leads to murder and adultery, and causes one to steal and lie.
Parishioners who commit the sin of “envy” are a detriment to any local church
religious programs because envy can be the root of the other Deadly Sins.
Parishioners who succumb to envy put local church ministry programs on a dangerous
precipice. Envy will cause parishioners to be jealous of other parishioners,
the pastor and other local church programs.
Envy longs for others’ possessions.
Envy is resentment and parishioners who are envious are never satisfied;
always discontented and resentful. Envy
does not motivate, it results in mediocrity.
Parishioners who have an unhealthy desire to have what others have are
usually not prone to creativity. Their
mediocrity becomes their reality and causes them to believe that their sin of envy
is a virtue. Envy causes those who are afflicted with it, to continually
“wish,” but not “work.” Envy is the root
of unhappiness. Frank Tyger said, “You
can’t be envious and happy at the same time.” Envy is a condition of counting
the blessings of others instead of counting your blessings!
The Seven Deadly
Sins can derail and disrupt local church ministry, create personal chaos, and
upset one’s spiritual life. Sin separates us from God and it also separates us
from each other.
The
antidote
The strategy for
combating the Seven Deadly Sins is prayer. The words of St. Ephrem of Syria
ring true today, “Virtues are formed by Prayer. Prayer preserves temperance.
Prayer suppresses anger. Prayer prevents emotions of pride and envy. Prayer
draws into the soul the Holy Spirit, and raises man [woman] to Heaven.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
-- To
the Editor:
RE: Liturgical
Color-Coded Calendar
Cokesbury has the
liturgical colors chart on line, for free download.
I work with the
Stewardesses at Brookins Community AME Church in Los Angeles and trained them
and the church secretary on the Liturgical Year to insure that we had the
correct colors on the altar and in the bulletins, as well as the correct
lectionary scriptures.
One of my roles as
an Exhorter is to teach. I am also the Director of Christian Education.
Click on this link
to download the Cokesbury color liturgical calendar:
Exhorter Gwendolyn
B Williams, Executive Director Emeritus & Consultant, Connectional Health
Commission AMEC
3. A
CALL TO ACTION FROM BISHOP REGINALD T. JACKSON, SOCIAL ACTION COMMISSION CHAIR:
From Bishop
Reginald T. Jackson
The African
Methodist Episcopal Church
Social Action
Commission Chair
"I hate, I despise your feast days, and I do
not savor your sacred assemblies. Though you offer me burnt offerings and your
grain offerings, I will not accept them, nor will I regard your fattened peace
offerings. Take away from me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the
melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, and
righteousness like a mighty stream."
Amos 5:21-24
A Call to Action
We are now in the
early days and weeks of another year, the year 2014, a year, which will bring
challenges and difficulties for many in our congregations and churches.
Challenges and difficulties, which will also require not only the voice, but
also the involvement of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in particular,
and the African American (Black) Church in general. Jesus, in what we call the "Lord's
Prayer," prays, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is
in heaven." You and I, and His church are called to be about building His
kingdom on earth. This is a tremendous challenge for there are forces at work,
some claiming in name of the same God who seek to legislate or implement
policies and laws which fall unfairly, disproportionately and oppressively upon
minorities, low income and "the least of these", most of whom live in
our communities.
There is a
deliberate and fierce assault upon the "least of these" in our
communities. Listen to what "they" are seeking to do or accomplish by
legislation or judicial fiat. They want to cut funding for programs that
benefit low income and unemployed, for example ending unemployment compensation
for those unemployed over 26 weeks, opposing increasing the minimum wage to at
least $10 an hour, and cutting food stamps. In addition they have tried over 40
times to repeal the Affordable Care Act, which would provide health coverage
for 40 million Americans who don't presently have health care, the largest
percentage of whom are African Americans. It is disappointing that thus far the
only ones the nation hears are those who already have health care and don't
care about those who don't. Further, as a result of the 2008 and 2012 elections
when minorities unexpectedly turned out in large numbers and elected and then
re-elected Barack Obama as president, a number of states have passed
legislation which would make it harder for minorities to vote, decreasing the
minority vote and its influence in determining election results. Federal and
State Courts have approved some of these changes, while others are still being
challenged in courts. The belief of these ideologues is that our community does
not have the organization or the resources to fight these efforts.
The question then
is what can or what shall we do? Be clear this is not just politics, it is much
more. This is about social justice, and social justice is the work of the
redeemer's kingdom, "thy kingdom come on earth, as it is in heaven."
The African Methodist Episcopal Church must do more than issue statements in
opposition to these efforts, we must organize and act. The Social Action
Commission as we begin this year is calling upon our Zion to organize and act;
to also be the catalyst to call the African American Church and others to act.
Our denomination has organized and acted in the past, we must now do it again.
We are already acting to help implement and register people for the Affordable
Care Act. The Social Action Commission (SAC) is asking each bishop to help us
organize by appointing an Episcopal District Coordinator of Social Action and a
Social Action Commission in each annual conference.
The Chairman of
Social Action and the Connectional Director, Sister “Jackie” DuPont Walker,
will convene a webinar/conference call with all the Episcopal District
Coordinators of Social Action in either February or March to organize our work
on every level. Additionally the Social Action Commission in February will
begin a periodic email blast with the White House, every governor and member of
Congress and media, on issues before the nation which bear on our community,
and are also organizing to be able to reach our own constituency to keep us
informed and call us to action. Nothing changes without pressure and we must
act to help win extension of unemployment compensation, register as many as
possible for the Affordable Care Act, increase the minimum wage and ensure that
our voting rights are protected and that we have a large turnout for this
November's elections. The SAC will reach out to our sister denominations to get
as many as possible to work together.
Our God is an
awesome God and worthy of our worship and praise. We are ingrates if we don't
worship Him for who He is and praise him for His goodness to us. But God not
only desires us to worship and praise Him, He also demands that we serve Him.
Worship and praise of God, without service to God is cynical, and turns God
off.
The Social Action
Commission asks you to pray with and for us, and join us as we organize and
commit ourselves to the work of our Lord's kingdom.
4. A
CHAPLAIN'S RESPONSE TO “A SPECIAL DAY”:
I was happy and
excited to read about your beginnings as a Chaplain in the US Army. Many of our war stories go unheard and
unwritten. As a female Chaplain, it is challenging to keep the connection among
the AME Chaplains.
After graduating
from Howard Divinity School and the Baltimore Board of Examiners in 2008, I was
called to the military chaplaincy.
I was the only
Active Duty African American female Chaplain in my graduating class at Fort
Jackson, South Carolina in 2009.
My first duty
station was Fort Stewart, Georgia, BT 4-3 BEST, Battalion Chaplain.
After two years, I
was deployed for 1 year in Iraq in 2010. After my deployment, I was selected to attend
Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) for a year-long program at Brooke Army
Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas where I trained as a Hospital clinician.
I am currently
stationed at Fort Hood, Texas at Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center as a
Hospital Clinician. In 2015 Fort Hood
will open its new $534 million dollar state-of-the-art hospital to service men
and women, civilians, and contractors.
The religious and
spiritual care of our Soldiers, family, contractors, and civilians, continues
to be at the forefront of our chaplaincy core.
Sir, thank you for
your Military service and congratulation on your retirement as well as your
commitment to ministry in the AME Church.
I am also proud to
serve God and Country and to be an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist
Episcopal Church.
V/R,
Chaplain (CPT)
Stephanie Handy
Carl R Darnall Army
Medical Center
Fort Hood, TX,
76548
5.
CONNECTIONAL WMS EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING TRANSPORTATION REQUEST FORM:
The 12th
Episcopal District is honored and excited to be your host for these
Connectional WMS Executive Board meeting.
As your host, we want to assure that transportation services to and from
the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport are arranged for you.
Please complete
this form and return to the 12th Episcopal district office via the
email address or fax number listed below.
Name:
District:
Address:
Telephone:
Cell:
Arrival
/ Departure
Date
of Arrival:
Time of arrival:
Airline:
Flight Number:
Date
of Departure:
Time of Departure:
Airline:
Flight Number:
Number in your
group:
Please list the
name of the members in your group:
Return
Form To:
12th
District Office
P. O. Box 147
Little Rock,
AR 72203
Or
Email:
Fax: 501-374-9333
6.
EXCITING MINISTRY IN INDIA – PRAYERS ARE STILL NEEDED:
AME-India wishes
all AMEs around the world, a very Happy and Prosperous New Year.
As a church we look
back to 2013 and praise God for all the experience. God has led us through in
the past year. Experiences that were painful helped us grow, experiences that
were good increased our faith in God as we toil for the building the kingdom of
God.
The blessings and
encouragement of Bishop John and Rev. Cee has pushed us move forward. In five
years we have had a steady growth by the grace of God.
In the year 2013,
Pastor Ray Hammond from the Bethel AME Church, Boston, Massachusetts (USA)
visited us during the AME-India Convocation, stayed back and visited the
churches, preached and encouraged them.
Later in the month
of June, Pastor Brian, Sister Karen, along with their team from The Hope
Center, Canada, visited AME-India, and ministered to people through their
sermons, inter-actions with people and the sharing of their gifts. It was
wonderful to have with us.
Because of the
encouragement and support AME-India has been able to start some significant new
project from the growth of the church and welfare of people, especially the
widows.
In 2013 God enabled
AME-India to start Education Centers (EC) attached to the churches. The
original idea was to have a school, but since we are reaching out to people in
the villages, as a part of the government scheme of providing education to
every single child in India, technically there are schools in every village,
but the quality of education is very poor. We made a small beginning but it has
grown to 10 ECs. As a result of the ECs, the Sunday School and the YPD strength
has increased, eventually the parents of the children have also begun to come
to church. All of these ECs are in areas populated with Hindus. The Pastors are
very encouraged by this initiative. Many other Pastors also want to have such
facility in their churches, but due to want of resources we have not been able
to extend it to them, although we believe that in God’s time every church in
AME-India will have an EC.
Method: Pastors who are interested find a place for the EC,
(sometimes it’s the church, the house of a member, or a rented place), then
they identify a committed teacher to help the children with the learning
experience. When the children return from school, they rest a while and rush to
the ECs to study. The classes begin with a story from the Bible and prayer,
then with the lessons. The classes end with prayer again. Therefore through our
ECs we provide additional coaching and help the children in learning their lessons.
The ECs are provided the infrastructure, like chairs, blackboards, visual
charts, other educational materials, rent for the EC, salary for the teacher,
snacks for the children. The Pastors regularly visit the ECs and encourage the
teachers. There are 397 children who are really benefited and we Praise God for
the God’s intervene.
Testimonies:
In one instance our
teacher was invited by the local school to the Parents-Teachers’ meeting
because the children who were failing in the exams, were suddenly scoring
higher grades. Due to this, our teacher gained lots of honor, respect and
appreciation both from the parents, teachers and the principal of the school.
“This is the first
time such venture has been opened in our village and children are greatly benefited.”
“Though it is
extremely difficult to approach these families to share about Jesus, now
through the children we are able to easily reach out to the families.”
Many Pastors
testified: “The parents of the EC children invite us to their homes and ask us
to pray for them, even though they are Hindus.”
“Now our Sunday
Schools are overflowing with children, because of the love, affection and care
they get here.”
“The parents of the
EC children have started to come to the church.”
Children, who have
regularly abstained from school, are attending school regularly, because of the
contribution of EC. Dull
Another landmark in
2013 was the launching of the Micro-Finance project with specific intention to
help poor, destitute women and widows. There have been 25 women who have
benefitted out of this. Under this project women, who are struggling in life,
are given an opportunity to set up a business of their own.
Method: Since they do not have any financial resources as an
initial down payment for starting a business, they are provided with dress
materials (fabric, sarees etc.) without any initial cost, they sell them on
installment and return the cost of the product, they keeping the profit for
themselves and returned money is rotated. Out of the profit the beneficiaries
are taught and encouraged to pay their tithes, which in turn bring them
blessing and also provides for the needs of the church to which they belong.
A few widows have
benefited by this project, although we look forward to help more widows through
this project. We sincerely want to extend this help to more widows, who are
considered as social pariahs, due to their restricted social mobility, it
becomes very difficult to engage them in this project. We are praying for God’s
wisdom to find some way to help the widows to stand on their own. We believe
that there will be a breakthrough in this.
Testimonies:
Pauline says: “I do
not have to worry anymore about paying for the educational expenses of my
children.”
Elsi says: “I am
not worried about my daily food, because I have money to buy food and
vegetables for me and my family. I can feed my family.”
Prabha (a Pastor’s
wife) says “I am now able to support the ministry of my husband.”
Clara testifies:
“No more loans - rather I am able to pay my tithes and I am having a peaceful
life.”
Deborah (a Pastor’s
wife) tells: “I do not have to expect help from people anymore, like Paul’s
tent-making ministry; I am able to provide for my family while working for the
Kingdom.”
Sarasu (a widow)
says: “I now have an identity, a face to show in the society, earn and live
with respect.”
So we praise the
Lord for enabling the church to be of such an encouragement and a source of
support for these women in living their lives with dignity. We request your
prayers for more such needy women to benefit from this project.
Prayer
Request
We request urgent
and fervent prayers for Pastor Morris and his church. Recently a member of the
church passed away, he was a convert from the Hindu religion. His wife and
children were also converted. So the church buried the deceased as per the
Christian rituals, since he died as a Christian; but his extended family who
are Hindus, had objection to this, because they wanted to perform the last
rites according to Hindu rituals. They have expressed their frustration by
beating up the wife and children of deceased person. This issue has caused a
major crisis for the church and Pastor Morris. The extended family has managed
to get the support of other Hindu right-wingers and accused the pastor and
church of engaging in converting all the Hindus in that area. So they want the
church building to be demolished, which is just two years old. Dering the 2013
AME-India convocation, Bishop Bryant and the guests from America had visited
the church. They are trying to use their political influence to move the
government agencies to take action against the pastor and demolish the church.
Please pray for a miracle, that the Lord may intervene in this situation and
diffuse it in a miraculous way.
We also request you
to remember all the other pastors of AME-India who are striving to build the
kingdom of God in the midst of opposition and struggles.
AME-India invites
you to join us for the Fifth Anniversary of the Annual Conference, scheduled to
be held on 6th - 8th May 2014 in Chennai India.
Please pray for us
and if the lord is leading you, join us and be a part of this celebration.
Thanking you all
once again for your valuable prayers and support to the work of God in this
part of the world.
The Rev. Sarah and
Abraham Peddiny
Presiding Elders,
AME India
7.
MT. ZION AME CHURCH IN DECATUR, GEORGIA, U.S.A. HELPS TO FEED 5,000 DURING THE
HOLIDAY SEASON:
Mount Zion African
Methodist Episcopal Church in DeKalb County, Georgia, under the leadership of
Bishop Preston Warren Williams II, Dr. Wilma D. Webb Williams, Episcopal
Supervisor of the Sixth District, serving under Presiding Elder David B. Rhone
of the Atlanta North District and pastored by the Rev. David F. Richards III,
was blessed through a community partner Giant, Inc., to assist nearly 5,000
needy families in metro Atlanta with a generous donation of over 16,000 tons of
food.
When the non-profit
organization, Giant Inc., sought community partners to assist with the
distribution of food arriving from the state of Tennessee in an 18-wheeler
truck, Pastor Richards didn’t hesitate to support such a worthy effort. The
truck was loaded with 16,000 tons of donated food, including brand named
crackers, chips, organic tea, wafers and other items from several Fortune 500
food companies. Pastor Richards
organized his officers, ministerial staff and laity to respond to the call. Church volunteers assisted with the receipt,
unloading and re-distribution of the non- perishable food items to reach 22
shelters and food ministries serving needy people. Between December 19 –21, Pastor Richards
contacted food shelters and food ministries to ensure that they knew about the
generous donation from Giant, Inc. He
arranged for vans and trucks to pick up pallets of food to reach the needy. The
combined shelters and food ministries will reach and feed over the next two
months an estimated 5,000 people.
“Making a spiritual
connection with others, to reach out and feed the hungry, has greatly blessed
Mt. Zion AME Church and our mission to serve those who are cold, hungry or in
need,” said Mt. Zion AME Pastor David F. Richards III. “Our officers, laity, partners and key
community leaders were all actively involved with the planning and outreach
efforts to distribute so much food so quickly.
They helped to identify shelters and food ministries, searched for
donated warehouse space and helped to unload the truck and redistribute food to
the shelters and food ministries. We thank God for the opportunity to serve
others and to put his words into meaningful action.”
Mt. Zion AME Church
had five days to organize the largest food distribution ministry in the
church’s 143 year history. However, the
laity has had plenty of practice through other ongoing food ministries. Over the past five years, the church has
managed a bread pantry that provides breads and baked goods for hundreds of
shut in and needy families. Its outreach
ministry also includes food packages and small sums of monies that are
disseminated to AME college students who are either enrolled in a college or
university in Georgia or out-of-state. Its homeless ministry provides 150 to
250 survival packs filled with essential daily need items such as travel sized
toothpaste, deodorant, soap, gum, crackers, canned meat, lotion, lip balm and
other daily care items. The survival kits are assembled by the Youth Church
School the 5th Sunday of every month and distributed by the
congregation to homeless people. The
ministry reaches nearly a thousand homeless people each year.
The Take A Giant
Step: Community Food Distribution
program included dedicated AME college students who were home on winter break,
stewards, trustees, other members of the laity and Giant Inc.’s volunteers and
community partners, all working side by side over the three days, unloading the
18-wheel truck, re-packaging food and reloading the food onto the trucks and
vans of the various shelters and food ministries.
Organizers of the
food distribution program know that replenishing food ministries and homeless
and battered women’s shelters during the holidays is important. With so many other worthwhile causes
competing for limited resources and special donations, food ministries and
shelters may often get overlooked and may run low on critical food supplies
during the winter and early spring months.
“Having a community
partner such as Mt Zion AME Church respond so quickly to our request to help
identify shelters and to assist with distribution of food supplies to reach
immigrant and refugee groups, shelters and those in need, was wonderful,” said
Executive Director of Giant, Inc., Dr. Alawode Oladele. “We hope to continue our partnership in the
future to include both a health and wellness component that reaches the
homeless and people with no health insurance with free health screenings and
health prevention education.”
Partners and
volunteers who assisted with the mass food donation effort included:
Giant, Inc
Dr. Alawode Oladele
Dr. Anthony Esumei
Ms. Maureen Wakhisi
Akin Oladele
Shafiq Oladele
Ade Oladele
Hope of Africa
Ms. Abigal Thomas
Mr. Zion AME
Pastor David F.
Richards III
Mr. Wallace H.
Nelms Jr.
Mr. Jamey
Culbreathe
Mr. Albert L. Rowe
Mr. Emmett Watkins
Sr.
Mr. David F.
Richards, IV
Mr. Shawn Hickman
Mr. Emmett Watkins
Jr.
Mrs. Rosalind
Watkins
The Rev. Clinton
Brown of Mt. Carmel AME,
The Rev. Ferrun
Johnson of River of Life AME, Stone Mountain, GA
Mothers Voices
Georgia, Inc
Vickie Elisa
Vyann Howell, M.P.H
Georgia
International Convention Center
Mercedes Miller
Councilman Tracey
Wiley, College Park, Ward III
The
Take a Giant Step food distribution
community partners include: Giant, Inc., African Humanitarian Council, Decatur
Cooperative Ministry, Mothers Voices Georgia, Hope of Africa, Councilman Tracey
Wiley, College Park, River of Life African Methodist Episcopal Church in Stone
Mountain, GA, Mt. Carmel AME in Decatur, GA and Solomon’s Porch.
For more
information about the Mt Zion AME’s ongoing food ministry programs, call (404)
633-2288 or email: mtzioname@mtzionamec.org.
**Submitted by
Vickie Elisa, Communications Chair
8.
CELEBRATING THE 85TH BIRTHDAY OF MARTIN LUTHER KING:
Washington, D.C. --
Wednesday, Jan 15th, 2014 is the anniversary of Dr. King's 85th birthday.
Celebrate the iconic civil rights leader's 85th birthday at one of these five
Martin Luther King Jr. Day events across the country.
Monday, Jan. 20
marks the 28th annual Martin Luther King Day, celebrating the 85th birthday of
civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Traditionally known as a day of
service, Martin Luther King Day is observed on the third Monday in January as a
federal holiday and is celebrated through parades, marches and volunteer
activities in cities across the United States.
Here are five of
the biggest MLK Day celebrations in the country.
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania
The Annual Greater
Philadelphia Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is the largest MLK Day event
in the country. Last year, more than 115,000 volunteers participated in 1,600
service projects, and they plan to beat those numbers this year. In addition to
service projects, many of Philadelphia's sites and museums participate in the
holiday through events and festivities. The African American Museum will offer
free admission on Jan. 20 and host special events like live performances and
readings. The Philadelphia Museum of Art will host a day-long Arts and Service
Workshop, while the National Constitution Center will have a day-long
celebration featuring special service projects, performances and $5 admission.
And at The Franklin Institute, one of Dr. King's most famous speeches, "I
Have a Dream," will be broadcast on the walls of Franklin Hall at the top
of every hour.
San Antonio, Texas
In 1986, the City
of San Antonio created the "San Antonio Martin Luther King Jr.
Commission," a volunteer organization responsible for planning events for
MLK Day, as well as other service projects and scholarship programs throughout
the year. San Antonio doesn't just celebrate the life of Dr. King on one day,
but instead hosts Dream Week, a 12-day celebration of diversity and tolerance
that consists of a series of keynote speeches, luncheons, mixers, events and
celebrations. Dream Week culminates with its signature event, the annual Martin
Luther King Jr. March, which will be held this year on the morning of Jan. 20
and is expected to draw over 100,000 participants.
Atlanta, Georgia
Dr. King and the
city of Atlanta have deep ties, so it's no surprise that Atlanta would host one
of the best MLK Day celebrations in the nation. The spiritual highlight of the
celebration is the Martin Luther King Jr. Annual Commemorative Service at Ebenezer
Baptist Church, where Dr. King was a pastor. The service features tributes from
national and international leaders. The King Center hosts a kick-off reception
for 10 days of events, a march and rally in the King Historic District and a
Salute to Greatness awards dinner. In addition to these special events, guests
to Atlanta can visit the King Historic District visitors’ center, the King
Birth Home and the tomb of Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King.
Denver, Colorado
Denver hosts one of
the most-unique MLK Day celebrations in the nation. In addition to the annual
"marade" (march/parade) on Jan. 20 at the Dr. King memorial site in
City Park, the Martin Luther King Jr. African-American Rodeo of Champions will
take place on Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. The MLK Jr. African-American Heritage Rodeo
aims to show how black cowboys and cowgirls impacted the West throughout
history. The cowboys and cowgirls participate in events like bareback riding,
tie-down roping, ladies' barrel racing and bull riding.
Washington, D.C.
MLK Day is one of
the best times to visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, which will host a
wreath-laying service on Jan. 20 in observance of Dr. King's birthday. Major
service events also take place across D.C., and you might even catch President
Obama and his family participating in a service project. The annual Martin
Luther King Jr. parade will also occur on the morning of Jan. 20, as well as
the "Let Freedom Ring!" musical celebration that evening at the John
F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
9.
CANDLER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT EMORY UNIVERSITY ANNOUNCES TENURE TRACK FACULTY:
Candler School of
Theology, Emory University, has announced a search for a full-time, tenure
track faculty appointment in Methodist Studies beginning Fall 2014. Candidates
should hold a terminal academic degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in history of
Christianity, historical theology, or a related discipline, with a current
research focus in North American religious history and/or the Wesleyan
traditions. The rank for the position is open and ABDs in appropriate
disciplines will be considered. United Methodist/Wesleyan candidates are particularly
encouraged to apply.
Application review
will begin 1 February 2014, and the deadline for application folders to be
complete is 1 March 2014.
A copy of the full
job description, with instructions for application or nomination of candidates,
is available on Candler’s website:
*Submitted by Dr.
Teresa L. Fry Brown, Historiographer & Director of Research &
Scholarship & Editor of The A.M.E. Church Review
10.
ANDERSON CHAPEL SEEKS MINISTER OF MUSIC:
Anderson Chapel in
Tallahassee, Florida seeks to fill position of minister of music:
The minister of
music is expected to support each scheduled worship service through careful
preparation and offering of music selections on the piano (keyboard) to enhance
the worship experience. The minister of
music is responsible for musical leadership during worship services. The
minister of music rehearses with choir members offer music during worship
services.
Anderson Chapel
aspires to be a loving and caring church.
Each member, including the minister of music, contributes to the success
of the church’s mission.
Interested persons
should respond to:
Anderson Chapel AME
Church,
ATTN: Minister of
Music,
1307 Harlem Street
Tallahassee, FL
32304
Or
Additional can be
obtain by calling Kaye Hogan at (850) 339-0083
**Submitted
by Kaye Hogan
11.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES: STAFF ATTORNEY AND DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR IN THE NHELP
WASHINGTON DC OFFICE:
The National Health
Law Program recently announced new opportunities to join our team. Please help
us spread the word about the following positions:
(1) Staff Attorney
- NHeLP Washington DC Office
The Position: The
National Health Law Program (NHeLP) seeks a full-time staff attorney to join
its dynamic team working to ensure access and quality health care for
vulnerable people. The ideal candidate will have strong research and writing
skills; experience with or interest in federal legislative and administrative
policy; the ability to work individually, in national coalitions and within communities
of color; and will demonstrate an understanding of the unique issues of health
care access and quality as they impact low- income people and other underserved
and marginalized populations. This position will focus on access to health care
for low-income older adults, including issues such as care management and
chronic illness, dual Medicare-Medicaid eligibility, and long-term services and
supports. Candidates with managed care experience are strongly encouraged.
.
(2) Development
Coordinator - NHeLP Washington DC Office
The Position: The National Health Law Program (NHeLP) seeks
a motivated and well-organized Development Coordinator to assist in its
nationwide development operations. The development coordinator will work
directly with senior staff to organize and manage the implementation of a
comprehensive stewardship and donor relations system. This solution-oriented
individual will work to ensure a streamlined and accurate system for stewarding
the organization’s donor base including individuals, law firms, corporations,
and foundations.
Also, in case you
missed the earlier announcement, NHeLP is searching for an Executive Director.
The invitation to apply can be found:
.
Submitted by the
Rev. Althea J. Hayward, Program Analyst, Office of Program Performance, The
Legal Services Corporation
TCR Editor's Comment: If you don't apply you cannot be considered for
employment
12.
GETTING TO ZERO: REACH FOR WELLNESS:
*Dr. Oveta Fuller
In 2013, I was
reminded that repeating something again and again and again will make it a
regular part of life- a habit.
For example, in
2013 I learned to drive safely and confidently on the left hand side of the
road in a vehicle with the steering wheel on the right. I am grateful to have
driven safely this way almost daily with care and intent for over seven months.
I drove in urban, highway and rural driving conditions. From the age of 16,
driving in the USA has routinely been on the right side of the road with the
steering wheel on the left side of the vehicle.
Now while driving
in the USA, occasionally when stopped at an intersection, I find myself pausing
to think, “now which way is safe and legal to make this turn?”
What is a habit?
A settled or
regular routine can become a habit-- either a good habit or a bad habit.
Learning to drive safely on the left side of the road in a right-handed driver
side vehicle became a habit in 2013. It now influences how I drive anywhere.
Hopefully, the slight pause helps me to be certain which way to turn is a good
habit.
Habits and the AMEC
One goal of
“Getting to Zero” is to assist AMEC clergy and leaders, congregations and TCR
readers to better understand the importance (to know why and how) of moving
towards good habits for wellness. A related goal is to eliminate or minimize
impacts of bad habits that lead to illness, distress and death.
Establishing good
habits or stopping bad habits requires identifying a specific action or goal,
deciding what can be changed, committing to action so change occurs, taking
gradual incremental steps (usually ) to change the habit and finally, over some
course of time- days, months, years (depending on the activity), repeat, repeat
and repeat.
AMEC Leaders “Reach
for Wellness”
We are approaching
the 2014 commemoration of the life, achievements and ideals of Dr. Martin
Luther King, Jr., the month of February as Black History Month and the start of
the 2014 Lenten Season. It is a great time to initiate a 2014 year-long “Reach
for Wellness” to promote better health of individuals, families and
communities.
Many discussions
include the question of how the high potential of a global AMEC network can be
realized to make systematic changes towards wellness and health, towards
getting to zero for health disparities. How can our Zion help to level the
playing field for individual wellness and well-being of offspring, members and
neighbors?
During each month
of 2014, a G20 article will provide three relevant good habits for improving
well-being. Readers can choose to take specific action on at least one of these
to make it a routine habit. Choose just one to implement in the four weeks and
to repeat, repeat and repeat thereafter to retain.
What may seem to be
small changes, when occurring through a coordinated network effort will make a
huge difference over time.
Seeking Good Habits
for Health and Wellness
By the 15th
of each month in 2014, a G20 article will provide three priority good habits to
choose from in a focus on making positive changes. By the end of 2014, each
person would have chosen 12 good habits to implement.
TCR readers can submit suggested good wellness habits for
members of the AME Church global network. We will share ideas for improving of
individuals, families, congregations and communities. Send these to The Christian Recorder c/o Dr.
Calvin Sydnor at chsydnor@bellsouth.net or email to fullerao@umich.edu. For best results,
use “2014 HABIT” in the email subject. Some of these will be selected to share
with TCR readers.
Here are a few
examples of simple action items that could be on a 2014 “Reach for Wellness”
list.
Ask for an HIV test
and counseling in an annual physical (assuming you get an annual physical) or
include HIV testing and counseling in Health Fairs or other church or community
events.
Include HIV/AIDS
often in conversations to become comfortable with the topic. Conversation
should be similar to how we talk about influenza, high blood pressure or
diabetes.
Avoid exposure to
HIV by making purposefully always using the ABCs of prevention: (A-abstinence
from sexual activity or contact with blood, B-be faithful at all times to one partner
whose status you know who also is faithful to you, OR if not A or B, then
always C- correctly use latex condoms at each sexual intercourse).
At each meal, be
aware of what you choose to ingest so that at least half of the food intake of
a meal is a vegetable or protein. Lower intake of sugar, carbohydrates, red
meat, salt and saturated fats. Eat to live rather than live to eat.
Move more. A body
that is active will feel better and stay active longer.
Wash your hands
with soap and water often to reduce transmission of microbial pathogens such as
cold or diarrhea viruses or bacteria. Definitely always wash hands with soap
and water after using the toilet, changing a baby diaper, before cooking or
before eating a meal.
Be positive. As the
Apostle Paul advises, “Think on pleasant things.” Find a strategy that works to
increase positive thinking and to work away negative thoughts.
Fostering good
wellness habits will go far. For example, talking more about HIV/AIDS, just
mentioning it and getting an HIV test (especially if you are a leader or
officer in a congregation) makes sense for individuals and will go far to
remove remaining stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. Over time it would become
just another infectious disease that we CAN conquer.
January 2014 “Reach
for Wellness”
For at least 4
weeks beginning the week of January 15, focus on completing one of the
following and promote it to others so AMEC congregations move closer to zero in
health disparities. Choose one from:
Get an HIV/AIDS
rapid test and a follow-up to know and confirm YOUR HIV infection status. Take
along an immediate family member(s) or engage them in conversation about HIV
testing as a vital part of routine self and community care, or
Get an influenza
vaccine. Ask your immediate family members if they have received their flu shot
as the most effective way to reduce disease severity and death from influenza
infection, or
Evaluate your
health insurance or sign up for coverage. This is especially critical now that
the Affordable Health Care Act is effective. If you need assistance with
signing up or understanding health insurance options and requirements, the AMEC
Social Justice and Health Commissions can provide assistance or get you to
someone who can. (See the December 21, 2013 TCR
or go to links at the www.ame-church.com or contact Mrs.
Jackie Dupont-Walker (213) 494-9493 or Dr. Miriam Burnett (770) 328-2002.)
Take steps this
month and this year towards building the good habits of your choice for better
health.
- pray for guidance
before choosing which of the three items to focus on
- determine alone,
or with others a feasible strategy or plan to establish the desired habit
- commit and be
firm in taking gradual actions towards your goal
- be honest in
evaluating where you are, what you did or did not do
- celebrate
successes, even the small ones that will add up to major progress
- keep going; keep
envisioning benefits of attaining the good habit or eliminating the bad habit
- repeat repeatedly
for at least four weeks. (Some items will occur only once per year e.g. getting
an influenza vaccine, but they can be talked about continually with others.)
- share with others
your successes (or what you learn from the challenges in trying)
- retain the good
habit by repeating, repeating, repeating
*The Rev. Dr. A.
Oveta Fuller is a tenured professor in Microbiology and Immunology and faculty
in the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan. An Itinerant Elder
in the 4th Episcopal District, she served as pastor of Bethel AME Church in
Adrian, MI for seven years before focusing fully on global health research in
Zambia and the USA for HIV/AIDS elimination. At Payne Theological Seminary she
teaches a required course, “What Effective Clergy Should Know about HIV/AIDS.”
13.
iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 2014 JESUS TEACHES ABOUT
HUMILITY - LUKE 14: 7-18, 22-24:
Bill Dickens, Allen
AME Church, Tacoma, Washington
Church
School Lesson Brief
Many of us are not
unfamiliar with the social practices of hosting meals and inviting guests to
dinners and parties. Whether the event
is a family holiday meal or a routine meal with family and special friends, we
look forward to the fellowship. We want to be hospitable and provide a
welcoming environment for friends and family.
Sometimes we find
it difficult to welcome strangers and outsiders into their lives and
community. Typically we tend to become
friends with people we like. On rare
occasions, dinner hosts like to widen their social horizons. Even for those who RSVP we are hesitant to
extend the invite to a person who has a track record of being rude and loud
thus making other dinner guests uncomfortable.
It is no wonder then when the dinner list if finalized differences may
emerge between the hosts about including strangers.
Today’s lesson
reexamines social protocols regarding how we should conduct ourselves in public
settings. Our Master Teacher uses a
specific didactic platform to convey the importance of humility, social
inclusion and casting a wide net when we are called upon to be dinner
hosts. The key point of this lesson is
our attitude will determine how genuine we are when we welcome others in our
homes. Are we sincere in making all feel
welcome or do we put on a facade and fake impression to only impress a certain
group? Our younger generation refers to
the latter behavioral trait as “fronting.” Do we "front” or do we want to
be sincere in extending invitations to others.
The answer to this question is found in our Church School Bible
Story.
Let’s feast on the
Word and apply the moral principles in Luke 14:7-24.
*Brother Bill
Dickens is currently the Church School Teacher at Allen AME Church in Tacoma,
Washington. He is currently a member of the Fellowship of Church
Educators for the AME Church.
14.
MEDITATION BASED ON I CORINTHIANS 15:1-10:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
I’ve just spent a
couple of hours installing a new printer for my home communications network to
replace an old one that “died” as a result of very heavy use. The new printer is a modern marvel that
enables printing to be done from the two computers, one laptop, three tablets
and two smartphones in our household.
The installation
process was easy and only took an hour or so, but I also had to spend more than
45 minutes on a “side trip” to our local office supply stores to find a cable
needed to complete the installation. The
printer, you see, is “wireless” and has the latest technology, but installing
it required me to do something that’s a bit “old fashioned” and “old tech” in
terms of today’s technology - to temporarily connect the printer to my primary
computer by cable to complete the setup.
That need for
“connection” to achieve completion reminded me of something that’s true for all
of us in our fast paced and demanding world.
All of us naturally and rightfully seek well-being, peace of mind and
success, and all of us to our best to achieve those things by the easiest and
most expedient means necessary. All of
us sometimes also, however, encounter unexpected headaches, heartaches and
troubling circumstances that can slow us down and leave us feeling lost, alone
and isolated.
That reality of
life is a reminder of how good it is to know and trust in the God who created
us and who sent His Son into this world to bring completion to our lives. The uncertainties of life in this world can
easily leave all of us feeling alone and disconnected sooner or later, but when
we’re connected to the Christ who gave His live so that we can have abundant
life, we’ll find new belonging, new comfort and new assurance that enable us to
face each day not with fear, but with faith.
Trust in the Lord,
even in those times when you feel isolated, uncertain and disconnected. You’ll find new strength, inspiration and
confidence to face each day and to press on with new assurance, saying with the
writer of a beloved hymn, “I hear the voice of Jesus telling me still to fight
on, He promised never to leave me, never to leave me alone.”
Get Ready for
Sunday, and have a great day in your house of worship!
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the Presiding Elder
of the Beaufort District of the South Carolina Annual Conference of the Seventh
Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
15.
CONNECTIONAL OFFICER FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We sadly announce
the homegoing of Presiding Elder Leonard N. Williams, Sr. retired Presiding
Elder of the North District, Indiana Annual Conference and served as Presiding
Elder of the South District-Indiana Annual Conference. He also served as pastor
of Allen Chapel AME Church, Indianapolis, Indiana for many years; and pastored
churches in Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. In addition to a dynamic,
evangelistic, community-based ministry, he was also known for publishing the AME Daily Report at every General Conference
and served on numerous Connectional Boards.
He nurtured many ministers and lay throughout the connection. He is the son of Dr. A. Lewis Williams,
former Editor of The Christian Recorder.
He was married to
Mrs. Delores L. Kennedy-Williams for 57 years.
Mrs. Kennedy-William is the 5th Connectional President of the
WMS, and together they were the parents of Delen Williams, the Rev. Lenore G.
Williams, Lenette G. Williams, Attorney Linda Williams Nored, and Leonard N.
Williams, Jr.,
Family
Hour: Friday, January 17, 2014: 6-9 pm
Funeral: January 18, January 18, 2014: 10:30 a.m.
All services will
be held at St. John AME Church, 1669 Columbia, Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46202;
telephone: 317.924.4044; Fax: 925.1001. The Rev. Lenore G. Williams is the
pastor of St. John AME Church.
Services for
Presiding Elder Leonard N. Williams, Sr., son of Dr. A. Lewis Williams, former
Editor of The Christian Recorder and
husband of 57 years to Mrs. Delores L. Kennedy-Williams, the 5th
Connectional President of the Women's Missionary Society are as follows:
Family Hour: Friday, January 17, 2014: 6-9 p.m.
Funeral: January
18, January 18, 2014: 10:30 a.m.
All services will
be held at:
St. John AME Church
1669 Columbia, Ave.
Indianapolis, IN
46202
Telephone:
317.924.4044
Fax: 925.1001.
Funeral Director:
Lavenia and Summers
Funeral Home
5811 E 38th Street
Indianapolis
Telephone: (317)
547-5814.
Family Contact:
Mrs. Delores L.
Kennedy Williams
419 West 40th
Street,
Indianapolis, IN
46208;
Telephone:
317.283.1329
Hotel
Accommodations:
Marriott Hotel
7202 East 21st
Street (at Shadeland)
Indianapolis, IN
46219
Phone: 317-352-1231
Group Name: Williams
Funeral
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Reverend James Keller, a retired pastor of the Central North Louisiana
Annual Conference, transitioned from labor to reward on Thursday, January 9,
2014. Reverend Keller pastored several churches in the Central North Louisiana
Conference. His last church was Saint Paul AME-Lake Charles in the
Alexandria-Thibodaux District from where he retired in 2012.
Although saddened, the family rejoices over a life that has been a great
blessing to so many.
Viewing/ Visitation
Saturday, January 18, 2014
9:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m.
Warren United Methodist Church
1800 Orchid Street
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Service of Celebration
Same as Above
11:00 a.m.
Bishop Julius Harrison McAllister, Sr., Eulogist
Presiding Prelate, Eighth Episcopal District
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of:
Combre Funeral Home
1200 Mill Street
Lake Charles, Louisiana
Phone: 337 433 3341
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Pearl Keller (wife)
2038 22nd Street
Lake Charles, Louisiana 70601
Telephone: 337 477-5442
17. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- Presiding Elder Eric L. Brown published his first book
"A Dictionary of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Volume
1"
The Reverend Dr. Eric L. Brown who is currently serving as the Presiding Elder
of the Allegheny-Scranton District in the Pittsburgh Annual Conference, Third
Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church has published his
first book. The groundbreaking work is
entitled, "A Dictionary of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Volume
1."
Shelly Brown, Allegheny Scranton District, Administrative Assistant can be
contacted by email at districtalleghenyscranton@comcast.net by persons
interested in securing a copy of the book, or the Rev. Dr. Eric L. Brown,
Presiding Elder, can be contacted for ordering details at P.O. Box 17063, Pittsburgh, PA 15235-0063, Telephone: 412-371-1702,
Facsimile 412-731-2046, Email: Eebrown2003@aol.com.
Bishop McKinley Young is the Resident Bishop of the Third Episcopal
District and Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young is the Episcopal Supervisor.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to:
-- The Rev. Dr. Michael W. Waters' new book FREESTYLE
featured in British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Interview
The Reverend Dr. Michael W. Waters, founder and Senior Pastor of Joy
Tabernacle A.M.E. Church in Dallas, Texas, was interviewed this week by the
British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in Dallas, Texas regarding his new book
FREESTYLE: Reflections on Faith, Family, Justice, and Pop Culture.
The book includes Foreword by the Right Reverend John Richard Bryant,
Senior Bishop of the AME Church.
The BBC interview can be heard at this link:
To learn more about the book, please visit: www.michaelwwaters.com.
Congratulatory messages can be sent to pastor.mike@joytabernacleame.org
(Rev. Dr. Michael W. Waters).
*Dr. Michael W. Waters is the founder and senior pastor of Joy Tabernacle
AME Church in Dallas, Texas.
18. FAMILY OF FORMER EPISCOPAL SUPERVISOR BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
With regret, the 12th Episcopal District Lay Organization shares
news of the passing of Sister Emma Aaron, who was a loyal and dedicated member
of Holly Grove AME Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas. Sister Emma Aaron was
the Mother of Sister Lovie Aaron, 3rd Vice President of the 12th
Episcopal District Lay Organization and the Sister of Dr. Flossie Walker Green,
a Former WMS Supervisor and Advisor to the 12th Episcopal District
Lay President.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Visitation will be January 24, 2014, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Holly Grove
AME Church, 7007 Hankins Road, Highway 161, North Little Rock, Arkansas. Church
Phone Number: 501-721-8548.
Funeral Services will be January 25, 2014 at 10 a.m. at Bethel AME Church,
North Little Rock, Arkansas, 600 Cedar Street, North Little Rock, Arkansas.
Funeral Service Entrusted to Superior Funeral Home, 5017 East Broadway,
North Little Rock, Arkansas. Phone 501-945-9922, FAX 501-945-9933.
Please continue to lift up prayers for the family at this difficult time.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the following:
Sister Lovie Aaron
201 Teague Lane, Apt. 403
Sherwood, AR 72120
Phone 501-920-6559
Dr. Flossie Green
4922 Rixie Road
North Little Rock, Arkansas 72117
Telephone 501-835-4073
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Margaret Grant-Spencer, the
sister of the Rev. Howard L. Grant, Presiding Elder of the Newark District, New
Jersey Conference, sister-in-law of Mrs. Roberta Grant.
The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing and Funeral, Monday, January 20, 2014
Viewing - 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 Noon.
Funeral - 12:00 Noon
Mt. Pisgah AME Church
354 Forrest St.
Jersey City, N.J. 07305
Telephone: 201.435.3680
Fax: 201.938.1950
The Rev. Reginald McRae, Pastor
Eulogist, The Reverend Dr. Kenneth Saunders, pastor of North Stelton AME
Church, New Brunswick, N.J.
Professional Care Service entrusted to:
Watson Mortuary Service
26 Gifford Ave
Jersey City NJ 07304
Telephone: 201.432.5521
Fax: 201.432.5599
Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Howard & Mrs. Roberta Grant
96 Harper Ave.
Irvington, NJ 07111
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Presiding Elder emeritus, the
Rev. Benjamin Sass. The Rev. Benjamin Sass
Homegoing Celebration will be at Trinity Touws River at 2 p.m. on Sunday 16
February 2014. This superannuated giant served the 15th Episcopal District in
practically all annual conferences and proved to be a soldier of the cross
through his sheer dedication and commitment even in the most challenging times.
Sunday 16 February at 15:00hrs also sees the establishment of the AME
Church in Scottsville with Bishop David R. Daniels as the Lord's messenger of
the hour.
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES:
It is with much sadness that the passing of Presiding Elder Samuel
Engelbrecht's eldest brother, Petrus Engelbrecht, is shared a little more than
two months after laying his younger brother to rest.
We pray that God in His infinite mercy will strengthen the family during
this their time of challenge and that thing the peace that passeth all
understanding so often preached about to others, may become a reality in their
lives.
Contact for the Rev. Engelbrecht: 084 605 2431
*The Rev. Clive Pillay, Cape Town District, Cape Annual Conference, 15th
Episcopal District (Email: cjvpza@yahoo.co.uk)
22. 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
23. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED
FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the
Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland; 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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