The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr.,
Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor
III, the 20th Editor, The Christian
Recorder
AME Church
Connectional Day of Prayer – April 11, 2014
Easter: April 20, 2014
March: Women’s History Month
1. TCR EDITORIAL – ONE-LINERS - “THE
SYMPTOMS OF A FAILING CHURCH”
Dr. Calvin H.
Sydnor III
The 20th
Editor of The Christian Recorder
Changing
a failing church to a growing church
Failing churches
can be turned around. I want to share some one-liner clues of failing churches,
but first the bottomline up front.
The way to turn
around a failing church is by prayer, fasting and hard work. Hard work and more
hard work; having a strategy for ministry and more hard work; a love for the
Bible and more hard work; a love for people and more hard work; a love for the
community and more hard work; a committed and spiritually focused ministry team
and more hard work; a love for local church, pastoral and episcopal leadership
and more hard work; a love for the African Methodist Episcopal Church and more
hard work; follow The Doctrine and
Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012, resist the
temptation to “do it your way and more hard work; and a commitment to more prayer and more fasting and more hard
work; and more prayer and more hard work; patience and more hard work. And, a
love for the African Methodist Episcopal Church is a must.
Let
me get off-track
Every church can’t
be a mega-church. Historically AME churches were not designed to be
mega-churches. Historically we had small
churches, medium-sized churches and couple of large churches in annual
conferences.
In the eighties and
nineties of the last century, some of our talented pastors were able to grow
large AME and even some mega-church congregations. And, of course, growing very
large or mega-churches became the dream of many pastors.
My
observation
We have a number of
mega church pastors who are gifted and successful pastors.
Let me take the
Rev. Dr. Grainger and the Rev. Dr. JoAnn Browning, and I don’t mean to
embarrass them, as an example. They would have been mega-church pastors no
matter in what denomination hey pastored. They could have been Baptist, Church
of God in Christ, nondenominational or any church and they would have grown
whatever church they pastored into a mega-church. Bishop T.D. Jakes would have
been a mega-church pastor wherever he served; and the same with other
mega-church and large church pastors.
For instance,
Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram served for 13 years as the pastor of the Oak Grove
African Methodist Episcopal Church in Detroit, Michigan before being elevated
into the episcopacy and under his leadership, 2,400 members joined Oak Grove
and more than 1,400 became tithers and under his pastorate, $2.3-million
building-and-expansion project was paid off in five years. We have other
pastors who have done equally well in growing the churches to which they were
assigned. Obviously they have unique gifts. And, like the Brownings, the
Ingrams and others who have grown large congregations have gifts that most of
us do not have.
We may not have
their gifts, but we have the gifts and graces that God has given each of us who
are called to ministry. God’s work will not fail if we “stay in God’s will” and
use our God-given gifts, which might mean pastoring a medium-sized or even a
small church. Pastors need to use their pastoral skills to the glory of God.
Let
me get to the one-liners
- Uncommitted
parishioners who are too busy to work in the church
- Inconsistent
attendance of parishioners
- Lazy parishioners
who fail to participate in ministry
- Inconsistent
stewardship of the laity and clergy
- Local church
organizations that fail to function
- Choir members who
won’t attend choir rehearsals
- Choirs that won’t
rehearse
- Choirs that
refuse to learn new songs
- Choir directors
and musicians who won’t practice
- Musicians who
won’t take time to learn how to play hymns
- Musicians who
won’t take the time to learn contemporary music
- Musicians who
arrive late for worship services
- Musicians who
think they are the “main event” in worship services
- Ushers who don’t
take their jobs seriously
- Usher Boards that
refuse to rehearse and practice
- Ushers who are
not people-friendly
- Ushers who turn
people off
- Absence of church
school
- Absence of church
school activities
- Unconcern about
the absence of a vibrant church school
- Absence of youth
in the religious program / worship services
- No structured
youth programs
- Absence of
structured programs for the elderly
- Absence of
training for new members
- Unstructured or
no Bible study
- Absence of prayer
meetings or structured prayer sessions
- No training for
stewards, trustees and other church officers
- Absence of social
interaction between pastor and church officers
- Lack of respect
for authority at all levels of the ministry
- Failure to
constructively address conflict
- Lack of openness
and secretiveness about the affairs of the church
- Failure to
strategize and plan for ministry
- Absence of
pastoral leadership
- Absence of local
church officers’ leadership
- Low-energy church
officers
- Church officers
who fail to read The Doctrine and
Discipline 2012
- Church officers
who fail to follow The Doctrine and
Discipline 2012
- Church officers
who won’t read the Bible
- Church officers
who are biblically illiterate
- Church officers
who fail to read and love the Bible
- Church officers
concerned about position rather than ministry
- Church officers
who are unqualified and uncommitted to ministry
- Church officers
who won’t follow pastoral leadership
- Pastors who won’t
follow the episcopal leadership
- Pastors without
vision or energy
- Pastors who
tolerate uncommitted musicians and officers
- Pastors who fail
to take responsibility for ministry
- Pastors who allow
the pulpit to be disrespected
- Pastors who have
become discouraged
- Pastors who fail
to reenergize themselves
- Pastors who fail
to care for their families
- Pastors who fail
to take care of themselves
- Pastors who fail
to be well-read
- Pastors who rely
upon his or her sermon for church growth
- Pastors who fail
to prepare sermons or “grab” sermons of the internet
- Pastors who are
concerned about the next pastoral appointment
- Pastors who fail
to teach
- Pastors who fail
to mentor subordinate clergy
- Pastors who fail
to mentor church officers and parishioners
- Pastors who take
“short-cuts” in ministry
- Pastors who fail
the prophetic and priestly functions of ministry
- Pastor who fail
to provide community-based ministry
- Pastors who fail
to visit the sick and shut-in church members
- Pastors who fail
to study
- Pastors who fail
to grow
- Pastors who are
not skilled in interpersonal relationships
- Pastors who
refuse to maintain theological and academic updates
- Pastors who fail
to learn
- Pastors who fail
to delegate
- Pastors who
appoint incompetent church officers
- Pastors who
tolerate incompetence
- Pastors who are
untrusting of the local church leadership
- Pastors who are
not grounded in the Bible
- Pastors who do
not follow The Doctrine and Discipline of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012
There are probably
other one-liners that some of you can add.
We invite you to do so.
We always invite
op-ed (opposing editorials) to this and other TCR editorials.
2. CONNECTIONAL
DAY OF PRAYER FOR THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH – APRIL 11- 13, 2014:
The Connectional
Day of Prayer for the African Methodist Episcopal Church will be held on
Friday, April 11, 2014 at 12 Noon (U.S. Eastern Time):
Call In Number: 605.
475-4850
Access Code: 357450 #
Please note that
this call initiates a season of prayer which begins on Friday, April 11 and
continues through Palm Sunday, April 13, 2014. Additional calls for
prayer will hopefully continue on Saturday and Palm Sunday.
Friday, April 11th
has been chosen because it denotes the date of the election and consecration of
our beloved founder and first bishop, Richard Allen. As global sons and
daughters of Richard and Sarah Allen we look forward to sharing our prayer time
in our own unique time zones.
We thank God for
the life and Episcopal ministry of our “Prayer Bishop,” the late Bishop Sarah
Frances Taylor Davis, whose life and prayers inspire us today.
In Prayer,
For more
information call: 614.575-2279
*Bishop
McKinley Young is the Presiding Prelate of the 3rd Episcopal
District and Dr. Dorothy Young is the Episcopal Supervisor
3. THREE BELIN SIBLINGS INDUCTED INTO MOREHOUSE
COLLEGE CROWN FORUM INDUCTION CEREMONY:
A contingent of Stewards, Trustees, and Members of Lee Chapel AME
Church journeyed to Atlanta’s Morehouse College on Thursday, April 3, 2014 to
witness the induction of their pastor, the Reverend Roderick Dwayne Belin
during the Crown Forum Induction Ceremony of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Board
of Preachers, Board of Sponsors, and Collegium of Scholars. The College of Ministers & Laity
recognizes pastors, other ordained clergy, and laity engaged in ministry as
their primary professional vocation who have distinguished themselves as
exemplary spiritual leaders in the ethical tradition of Dr. King.
The Rev. Roderick Belin was inducted along with over 80 faith leaders
in the largest class ever of the Annual College of Ministers and Laity
Program. Inducted with Pastor Roderick
Belin were his siblings; the Reverend Henry Allen Belin III, pastor, First AME Church: Bethel AME Church
in New York City; and the Rev. Toni Belin Ingram, pastor, Greater Smith Chapel
AME Church in Atlanta.
They are the children of retired Bishop Henry A. Belin and Supervisor
Lucinda Belin. The Rev. Roderick Belin,
a graduate of Morehouse College, is a former Chapel Assistant and member of the
renowned Morehouse College Glee Club.
According to sources, this is the first time three sibling pastors were
simultaneously inducted into the College of Ministers & Laity.
Also inducted was the Reverend Joshua Dubois, former Special Assistant
to President Barack Obama and Executive Director of the White House Office of
Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The son Presiding Elder W. Antoni
Sinkfield, of the North Nashville District of the Tennessee Conference, the
Rev. Dubois’ early religious foundations was in the AME Church. He left his
White House position last November to write the best-selling book, The
President’s Devotionals, and to become the founding CEO of Values
Partnership.
The mission of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel at
Morehouse College is to teach, encourage, inspire and support the development
of “everyone we touch as ambassadors of the Beloved World Community.” The
vision is that the Chapel will be a beacon for students, faculty, staff and
alumni, as well as others from around the world that seek a meaningful
connection with Dr. King’s World House values of ethics, nonviolence, service
and unity.
Founding dean of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel,
Lawrence Carter, created the Board of Preachers 29 years ago to honor King’s
legacy. Citizens in the public or private sectors and academicians across faith
traditions are also recognized.
The Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel vocational exploration
programs support members of the Morehouse community in discovering and living
their unique, vocational “calling” as servant scholar leaders. The thirty-two
year old Chapel Assistants program develops and prepares students called to a
learned pastoral ministry and assists students called to service in other
fields in making meaningful career decisions.
With nearly 900 inducted members since 1985, the Martin Luther King
Jr. College of Ministers and Laity program (including Board of Preachers, Board
of Sponsors, and Collegium of Scholars) also provides ongoing professional
development for alumni clergy and other faith leaders in the practice.
For more information about Morehouse College visit their website at http://www.morehouse.edu. For information about the Martin Luther King Jr.
International Chapel visit http://www.morehouse.edu/mlkchapel.
4. PRINCETON THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY RECEIVES GRANT
TO STUDY CONFIRMATION PRACTICES:
The African Methodist Episcopal Church among
denominations in the study
Princeton, NJ, April 1, 2014–Princeton Theological Seminary received a
$1.1M grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to fund a study of confirmation practices
in five North American Protestant denominations—the United Methodist Church,
the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, the
Episcopal Church, and the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Confirmation Project, Christian Youth: Learning and Living the
Faith, will explore the effectiveness of confirmation and equivalent practices
for strengthening discipleship in youth. It will also provide churches with
examples of strategies and practices to help young Christians grow as disciples
of Jesus Christ.
“We want to understand how young people make decisions, how they
integrate faith into their lives, and how they are initiated to the church,”
says Richard Osmer, professor in the Practical Theology Department at Princeton
Seminary and one of two codirectors of the project. “We’ll ask questions to
explore diverse practices, who participates, and how long confirmation programs
are.”
The study comes at a time when demographics in both church and society
are changing. Technology will be a key part of the project, according to
Katherine Douglass, codirector and post-doctoral fellow at Princeton Seminary.
“We want to take advantage of innovations in technology that young people use,
like new media and social networks. We are using some of the money from the
grant to design an interactive web site for gathering and sharing data and
models, and for creating online communities.”
The project’s codirectors, steering committee members, and graduate
assistants for each denomination are currently identifying individual
congregations to participate in the study. Qualitative research will begin in
the fall of 2014, with site visits and a focus on storytelling about
confirmation practices. The project will conclude in December 2016.
Osmer says that Princeton Seminary is the logical place to lodge this
study because it has historically combined a commitment to excellent
scholarship and a strong Ph.D.-level Practical Theology Department, with a deep
commitment to the church. “We value research, but the goal is always to help
people do better ministry.”
The Confirmation Project is ecumenical and committed to diversity. “We
want churches to learn from each other,” says Osmer. “We are thrilled to
include the largest African American denomination (AME), and to include
research with English-, Spanish-, and Korean-speaking congregations.”
In the end, the goal is to benefit churches and young people. Research
outcomes include helping churches gain an understanding of confirmation and
equivalent practices across denominations, and helping them assess the
expectations and levels of satisfaction of young people, their parents, and
ministry leaders. “There are huge gaps between what parents, ministers, and
young people think about confirmation,” Osmer says. “We want congregations to
close that gap. We hope this research will serve as a basis for a fresh
discussion about confirmation and other practices that support discipleship
formation of youth.”
For more information, email info@theconfirmationproject.com or visit http://theconfirmationproject.com/.
About Lilly Endowment Inc.
Lilly Endowment Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic
foundation created in 1937 by three members of the Lilly family—J.K. Lilly Sr.
and sons J.K. Jr. and Eli—through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical
business, Eli Lilly & Company. The Endowment exists to support the causes
of religion, education and community development. Lilly Endowment’s religion
grantmaking is designed to deepen and enrich the religious lives of American
Christians. It does this largely through initiatives to enhance and sustain the
quality of ministry in American congregations and parishes. More information
can be found at www.lillyendowment.org.
Princeton Theological Seminary, founded in 1812, is the first seminary
established by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. Its mission is
to educate leaders for the church of Jesus Christ worldwide, and its more than
500 students and 11,000 graduates from all fifty states and many nations around
the world serve Christ in churches, schools and universities, healthcare
institutions, nonprofit agencies, initiatives for social justice, mission
agencies, and the emerging ministries of the church in the twenty-first century.
5. MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED
STATES:
Last night [March 31, 2014], the first open enrollment period under
the Affordable Care Act came to an end.
And this afternoon [April 1, 2014], we announced that 7.1 million
Americans have now signed up for private insurance plans through the new Health
Insurance Marketplaces.
7.1 million
That doesn't count the more than 3 million young adults who have
gained insurance under this law by staying on their families' plans. It doesn't
count the millions more who have gotten covered through the expansion of
Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. It doesn't include the
more than 100 million folks who now have better care -- who are receiving
additional benefits, like mammograms and contraceptive care, at no extra cost.
Now, millions of our fellow Americans have the comfort and peace of
mind that comes with knowing they're no longer leaving their health and
well-being to chance. For many of them, quality health insurance wasn't an
option until this year -- maybe because they couldn't afford it, or because a
pre-existing condition kept them locked out of a discriminatory system.
Today, that's changed. And while our long-broken health care system
may not be completely fixed, it's without question a lot better. That's
something to be proud of -- and there's no good reason to go back.
Regardless of your politics, or your feelings about the Affordable
Care Act, millions more Americans with health coverage is something that's good
for our economy and our country.
At the end of the day, that is what this law -- and the other reforms
we're fighting for, from a 21st-century immigration system to a
fairer wage for every American who's willing to work for it -- are all about:
Making sure our country lives up to our highest ideals.
I am thankful to be your President today, and every day. And I am
proud that this law will continue to make life better for millions of Americans
in the years to come.
Thank you.
President Barack Obama
6. PRESIDENT OBAMA’S NATIONAL CALL WITH THE FAITH
COMMUNITY:
*Ms. Jacquelyn “Jackie” Dupont-Walker, Director, Social Action
Commission – AME Church
Greetings and we welcome this opportunity to share the story about the
AME Church’s journey with the Affordable Care Act. We could give a start-date going back to
advocacy for this law, but actually our church’s concern for ministry to the
whole person goes back to the Yellow Fever Epidemic in Philadelphia in the
Spring of 1793. The city sought the assistance of the Free African Society (now
known as the African Methodist Episcopal Church) to help treat and bury poor
people of all races - based on the mistaken assumption or myth that native
Africans would have the same partial immunity to the new disease as many had to
malaria and even knowing the risks, they readily agreed. So what we have done in outreaching,
educating, and enrolling people in this blessing called the Affordable Care Act
(and, to many Obama Care) is a continuation of caring for all of God’s people.
The AME Council of Bishops unanimously endorsed, the General Board
affirmed, and the Social Action and Health Commissions executed, partnering and
collaborating with many of our departments, organizations, auxiliaries,
Episcopal Districts, Annual Conferences, and local congregations. We also worked collaboratively with other
community groups, and ecumenical/inter-faith bodies. Embracing the marketing advice that it takes
27 hits to get attention and 7 hits to inspire action, we have erred on the
side of saturation with eBlasts, conference calls, webinars, and presentations
at seminars, meetings, and conferences. These efforts have created internal and
external networks that can stay together and with asset mapping, the partners
will learn more about each other. As we
go forward – adding prevention and wellness as a focus – we can make a
difference in the quality of life. Our
experience has validated one more time, that there is nothing that cannot be
done when we come together in networks.
What other time in our history will we be able to help our communities
focus on wellness, to help every citizen access a means to be healthy and treat
medical conditions breaking the trend of making emergency rooms and “urgent
care” our primary care physicians? The
need for messaging coming from trusted voices – the Black Church – made our
involvement more compelling.
Over these last months, we have made presentations at every major
church gathering, supported those who wanted to become certified educators and
enrollment specialists, as well as navigators, distributed materials widely,
and trained volunteers to create a “buzz” in church settings and in informal community places like beauty
salons, barber shops, nail salons, markets, on buses and trains, just
everywhere.
When a state chose not to create a marketplace or expand the Medicaid
options, we have re-doubled our efforts and used resources from Enroll America
and the HHS offices. Specifically, the Chief Financial Officer and Chief
Information Officer of the AME Church designated staff to use the official
website as a connector to Enroll America and www.healthcare.gov. Our Social Action and Health Commission
websites created links to collateral material, enrollment sites, resources, and
reporting forms re work done and help needed.
Pausing to recognize every AME who caught the spirit and answered the
call to make this praise report possible, I share our outcome thus far:
Targeting our leadership - Six conference calls reaching thousands of
participants and three national webinars that reached over 1,000 leaders in our
denomination (over 450 in one webinar); events - Over 5,000 events from the
remote rural areas to large urban centers.
Much of this success is a result of collaborations with other faith
groups and community organizations.
Lee Chapel in Nashville Tennessee organized an event in partnership
with the NAACP and other churches to educate and enroll. They were supported by Enroll America. Radio advertising, flyer leafleting, phone
banking, and personal invitations were used in addition to e-blasts,
twittering, and Instagram. All
organizational websites listed information about the Feb 15th event. Of those who attended 40% received personal
counseling and 10% were enrolled. Two stories stand out: Two ladies whose
incomes did not exceed $600 per month were counseled and referred to other
sources. Since Tennessee does not have a
marketplace and did not expand its Medicaid coverage, this strategy gave them
hope coverage and Lee Chapel has remained in contact with them. Another lady
has been the victim of identity theft and found it difficult to enroll via the
website. A navigator took 2 hours to
intercede she left with coverage.
The outreach has been a godsend helping those who knew there was a
deadline approaching to find a resource to take action.
The AME Ministerial Alliance in the Los Angeles area made a commitment
to work collectively with other faith partners for the past 9 months in the
state that established the first marketplace.
Weekly bulletin announcements, e-blasts, and other reminders to pastors;
appeals to supporting organizations for presentations; presence as any events
sponsored by the churches or at their facilities has led to increased
momentum. The churches have become the
centers of information, as validated by phone calls asking when the Obama Care folk will be back at the
locations.
From being a significant presence at “A Taste of Soul” in October with
250,000 people at a street fair and educating thousands and enrolling hundreds
to events targeting the Young Invincible, calls come to our Info line with
response committed within 24 – 48 hours, requests for educators are handled
with core staff of 5 certified educators(one bi-lingual) and volunteers sent to
worship services, church business meetings, libraries, conferences, elected
official seminars, health fairs, town halls, and any events where people make
requests. Partnering with certified
enrollers via Covered CA, and resources from Enroll America, AARP and CoMerica
Bank webinars and phone consultations have helped to make the AME Alliance a
top performer in the state. They engaged
a comedian, Angel, to help the young invincible connect, shape questions about
their fears and hesitancy, then remember the message and enroll.
In Washington DC and Maryland the Episcopal District leadership has
dedicated staff to support local congregations in educating and enrolling over
13,000 people in partnership with DC Healthlink.
In Georgia, a team is being dispatched to every church (approx 600) on
at least one Sunday to support the local church in outreach to enroll, and
where needed to compliment their efforts with HHS support from Atlanta. Key to
HHS support is an employee who is a member of the AME Church and proud to tithe
her work experience in her worship setting.
Several segments of the AME Church has devoted quality time for
education and enrollment at national gatherings including the Church Growth and
Development Seminar, Women’s Missionary Society Executive Board meeting, and
the Lay Organization Biennial convention.
Our bishops have devoted time and resources, bringing in navigators
especially in the 11 targeted states to reach others.
HHS, Enroll America, and Covered California have brought resources,
educators, enrollment specialists, navigators & materials (handouts,
webinar access) to this effort. We have
outreached in the 49 states where we have churches with strong efforts in
Florida, Ohio, Illinois, and Texas.
We've been helping folk think through steps to take during these last
weeks of the home stretch, and have found that urging everyone to make ACA
their conversation niche everywhere they go is essential. We are making
it our small talk. And using humor, we all receive serious information better
when we can laugh at ourselves, and then address our inaction.
We have found that not being shy about highlighting the pending
deadline followed by quick options for meeting the deadline works.
Offering on the spot advice or access to enrollment, addresses the "right
now" syndrome and instant gratification expectation that so many have
become accustomed to.
Especially for the young invincible, using the tablet or hot spot
connection to enroll on the spot is a good tool. For others, getting an
enroller on the telephone or taking them to an event is key to getting them
enrolled.
For the population or demographic that we have been courting but
nothing solidified, NOW is the time to go back and close the deal.
Everybody wants to join this winning team, and be a part of making a huge
difference in the lives of so many.
Finally, in communities of color, we find that it's time for grandma,
Mom, Great Auntie, or Grandpa, Daddy, and that favorite mentor to get on the
phone, call a family gathering, get the sports teams together, or whatever
it takes to get the young invincible, middlers, who think that it's not that
important to hear from their elders. Pastors and lay leaders are
conveying that message giving license, if you will to our Elders and having a
resource to talk with the hesitant and resistant when the Elders can get their
attention. We expanded to include doctors, lawyers, teachers, police,
fire, and elected officials to sound the alarm - March 31st is
here. . It is not too late,
because there are always some who are slower than others to take action, and
you can be THE ONE who helps them beat the clock.
We believe that the same energy used to urge voting is called for
here.
When we come together, we can scale up our ministries to reach more,
and make a huge difference in the quality of life in the communities where we
live, work, play and worship. In these
last 21 days, if there is an AME Church near you, we are waiting to work with
you.
Mrs. Jacquelyn “Jackie” Dupont-Walker is the Director of the Social
Action Commission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
7. THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT:
*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based on Biblical Text: Luke 10:30: "And Jesus answering said, A
certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which
stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half
dead."
Interestingly, for a very short period of time this week I had a
couple of minutes to myself. During that brief interlude I found a moment or
two to read the news paper. I found page after page of not so good news. Story
after story indicated that as a people we generally are not very nice to one
another. However, I did stumble across a story or two that let me know all is
not lost. Satan is as busy as ever but there are still some “Good Samaritans”
left in this world.
Satan is still in the business of destroying every one of us. It
appears he keeps our names on a list and his main purpose is to bring us down
and cause us to wallow in our own despair. His job is to cause us to miss out
on our claims as heirs to the throne of Grace.
To that end he remains vigilant in his quest to deter us from the path
of righteousness. Using his skills as a master psychologist he knows where each
of our weaknesses lies. He is cunningly, “going to and fro, seeking whom he may
devour” from his list of “would be Saints.” My Grandmother used to warn me
that, if you are not on his list, he may already have you where he wants
you.
It is a good idea, every now and then, just to pause for a moment to
ponder. Has Satan bothered you lately, tempting you with evil thoughts? If not
you could be in danger. If Satan never entices you, it could be that he already
has you, lock stock and barrel. Satan is in the business of destroying God’s
children. He has been very successful at his job from the time in the Garden of
Eden when he got to Adam and Eve causing them to fall. He has not missed a day
on the job ever since.
The Parable of the Good Samaritan represents a four-fold portrayal of
some insightful Biblical truths. First, there are the thieves who rob and then
beat an innocent man half to death representing Satan’s success in causing
mankind to fall. Secondly, there is the man lying in the ditch on the side of
the road, bleeding, suffering and totally helpless, representing man’s complete
inability to save himself. Next there is the priest and the Levite representing
organized religion, with the Law and the prophets and their ineffectiveness in
dealing with the sin problem and man’s deadly fall. Finally we find the Good
Samaritan representing Jesus Christ, who is the only One who is able to pick us
up out of the sewer of sin and reestablish our spiritual wellbeing.
The text says there was an innocent man, minding his own business,
trying to make his way to the house with his hard-earned wages. Out of the
bushes comes some lazy, “foolish souls” who don’t feel the need to earn their
own wages. They bushwhack the man, beat him up, steal his money and leave him
in a ditch at the side of the road to die, alone.
No doubt, that was the work of Satan who specializes in getting into
the minds of greedy people and causing them to believe that they are entitled
to prosper taking the profit of somebody else’s labor. The news paper
chronicles the mounting crime in our communities. Certainly, Satan is at work there, having his
way. We find, in our own neighborhoods, people who have been robbed, beaten and
left half-dead.
The innocent man lay in the ditch, half dead, waiting for someone to
come to his rescue. The first person to happen by was the priest. I can only
imagine that the man must have thought he was in luck however, the priest, upon
hearing his desperate plea, ignored the helpless man and crossed over to the
other side of the road.
Before we condemn him I wonder how many times we have crossed the
street to avoid a begging, homeless person who is crying out for someone to
liberate them from their predicament. Was the priest, like some of us, too busy
with the affairs of his own life to be concerned about the needs of
another? The text doesn’t say but maybe
the priest said a quick prayer. Maybe he called out to the man and promised to
report the incident to the authorities. It could be that he made an entry on
his iPhone intending to bring up the man’s needs to the Church Conference.
Perhaps he planned to appoint a committee on crime and commission them to
research the problem of robberies and assaults in the area.
I may be exaggerating a little. Or am I? That is in far too many
instances, the way the hierarchy of our churches deal with the problems of
society. Instead of a cure, we seek to analyze. God bless those who quickly and
effectively come to the aid of the distressed without first holding a board
meeting to discuss associated costs, analyze the need and vote on whether or
not the need meets the criteria to lend a hand.
Next to come down the road to pass the man was a Levite. The man must
have thought; this could be my help; perhaps a “churchman,” a man of
ecclesiastical authority, a layman with clout; or a steward or trustee. This
was a man who held a position of honor and responsibility in the church.
Surely, he was not too busy to stop and help a dying man.
The Levite, just like the priest before him, passed by on the other
side of the road. It could have been that the Levite called out to the dying
man and assured him that he understood what he was going through. The Levite could
have very well let the dying man know that he loved him and would be praying
for him. He was perhaps even apologetic for his inability to provide assistance
without the approval of the Official Board and the church congregation. Perhaps
he promised the man that he would present his case to the congregation, and try
as best he could to persuade them to vote yes on his proposal to help him out
of his predicament.
Sound ridiculous? Maybe, but isn’t that some times what we do? Far too
often we find ourselves so caught up in the church policies governing the
disbursement of God’s money, that we delay its benefit to those who really need
it. We convene meetings to argue the benefits of spending God’s money where it
is needed. We form sub-committees to draft elaborate proposals and schedule a
time convenient for us to meet again to vote. While we attend to the
“Principals of Parliamentary Law” our brother or sister is lying in a ditch,
dying. In the interest of democracy we opt instead of pointing people to Jesus
Christ, to appoint committees to deal with crisis.
The text says after lying there a little while longer, the wounded man
heard some more footsteps. No doubt by this time discouraged and disappointed
he didn’t expect much. But, when the Samaritan heard his cry, he rushed over to
his side. He saw the predicament the man was in, and was moved to compassion.
He didn’t hold an office in the church, nor did he work with a committee
instead he used some of his own resources. Without asking any questions, he
mended the man’s wounds as best he could, lifted the man on to his own donkey
and carried him to a nearby hospital. The Samaritan stayed with the man through
the night until he was sure that he would be all right. Then he paid the
hospital bill, and promised to pay any additional expenses when he returned.
The Samaritan didn’t engage in dialogue, didn’t appoint a committee,
didn’t write a lengthy proposal, and didn’t organize a fund-raising drive. The
Samaritan had compassion. He went to work, coming to the man’s rescue.
The man who was robbed and beaten represents every one of us who has
or ever will walk this earth. The Jericho road represents the road of life that
every one of us must travel. The robber represents Satan, who is always on his
job, going to and fro, seeking whom he may devour. The Priest and the layman
represent man’s lack of knowledge of God, and the Good Samaritan represents
Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, the solution for whatever ails us.
You may be depressed and suffering from low self-esteem because you
have been beaten up by circumstances beyond your control. Maybe you have been
forced to tolerate a supervisor who refuses to pay you a fair wage for the
excellent service you provide. Perhaps you have been victimized by a lifetime
of unfair treatment, a wayward spouse, disobedient children, or poor health.
You are feeling beaten down and beat up.
There is only one who can help when we have been beaten down by “this
business we call life.” There is only one who is able to reach down and pick us
up when we find ourselves “left for dead.”
That One is Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God. He has heard our
cries for help and has walked that lonely road for us, carrying an old rugged
cross. He has paid the full price for our redemption. If we cry out to Him, He
will reach out and lift us up from sin and despair.
*The Reverend Dr. Charles R.
Watkins, Jr. is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, South
Carolina
8. BRENDA SCOTT ANSWERS A HIGHER CALLING:
*By Elise Rambaud Marrion
Brenda Scott describes her life as a moving train that stops in the
most unexpected places. That’s because she has relinquished control and lets
faith guide her journey.
The “let go and let God” approach must be working, because Scott has
found considerable success in both her personal and professional lives. Scott,
who has worked at the city of Houston for 25 years, began her career as a legal
assistant in 1988 and is now the deputy assistant director of Housing and
Community Development.
Practiced at walking the tightrope of work-life balance, Scott has
also earned a master of divinity degree with highest honors and serves as the
pastor of Mt. Calvary African Methodist Episcopal Church in northwest Houston.
Meanwhile, she's earning a doctorate in ministry degree specializing in urban
ministry at Southern Methodist University.
To top it off, she also writes music and poetry, has contributed to an
online ministry magazine, paints on poetry, hosted a radio show, participated
in television ministry programs on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, and has
three books in the works.
“I’m a church girl. I grew up in the church. It’s been a part of my
life all my life, no matter where I have been in my transformational process,”
Scott said. “I have been in some low places, but church was always my refuge.
It became ingrained in my life process.”
Barbara Pierce, senior assistant city attorney, who hired Scott, has
developed a close friendship with her over the last two decades.
“I have seen Brenda grow tremendously in her professional and
spiritual lives, and it has been a joy to see her evolve,” Pierce said. “Brenda
doesn’t have to tell you about her life in ministry because you can see it in
the way she carries herself and how she serves others. I’m a better person for
having known her. I always say that I want to be like her when I grow up even
though we are the same age.”
Although she has tried to slow down and simplify her life, Scott said
she always felt compelled to keep going.
“After I completed my denomination’s ministerial institute, I said I
was done,” Scott said. “I didn’t plan on earning my master’s degree. Don’t ever
tell God what you’re not going to do. Every time I try to say no, God shows me
a way to say yes. I prayed: ‘If this is God’s divine plan for me to go to the
next level, open a door and show me how to finance it.'
"Seven days later, I got a call from my pastor who encouraged me
to apply to Inspire Women, an organization that invests in women in ministry.
They gave me a scholarship, and in 2012, I graduated with highest honors.”
Scott’s professional, educational and spiritual development has seen
setbacks. While working full time and going to school, Scott oversaw the
treatment of her mother’s declining health.
“My mother supported me in my ministry. There are still many differing
perceptions about women in ministry, and sometimes you don’t get treated all
that well,” she said. “But my mother saw those gifts and graces in me from the
time I was a little girl, so she was my cheerleader. I don’t know how I made it
when she passed away, but my training as a pastor helped me immensely.”
Leading the double life of two professions is easier when the jobs
bear some similarities, Scott said.
“The two roles have so many parallels. I am called to lead, teach,
counsel and develop people and communities in my job at the city and as a
pastor,” Scott said.
The discipline she learned in her career helped make her a better
student, Scott said, and conversely, her studies have influenced her approach
to various situations at work.
“Religious education is not just about religion. We learn about
psychology, sociology and leadership, so you can understand others and how to
engage people. I apply all of those things to my work at the city,” Scott said.
“My skill set as a student is enhanced because I have kept up with technology
through my work. I can easily prepare reports and presentations for school
because I do it every day at work.”
As for the future, Scott said she tries to keep an open mind.
“I will probably do all of it until I can’t do it anymore. At some
point, I will retire from the city. I am grateful for my time here, and I
will always do some type of community development in the context of ministry.”
*By Elise Rambaud Marrion. This article originally appeared in the
November edition of the City of Houston’s employee newsletter, City Savvy.
9. RECENT ACTIVITIES OF THE WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF
FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS (OFBNP):
Central African Republic: On
March 18, OFBNP and the USAID Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood
Partnerships sponsored a meeting with a delegation of Muslim and Christian
leaders from the Central African Republic who have united to seek an end to the
violence in their country. The meeting
also included a diverse group of religious leaders from the United States, and
we had a very productive dialogue about ways in which US leaders could assist
CAR leaders in these efforts. A
delegation of leaders from the National Association of Evangelicals, the US
Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the Islamic Society of North America will
visit the CAR on April 8, 2014 on a trip organized by the Department of State
and USAID. We will continue this work
and hope that it helps to reduce the conflict and eliminate the use of violence
in the name of any religion.
“Business Sunday”: This past
Sunday afternoon, OFBNP and the Centers for Faith-based and Neighborhood
Partnerships at Commerce and the Small Business Administration joined forces to
host “Business Sunday” at the 19th Street Baptist Church in Washington,
D.C. The event aimed to enable faith
and community leaders to access valuable federal resources to help start or
grow their businesses, and thus spur job creation and greater opportunity for
all Americans. The program included a
panel discussion, featuring remarks by 19th Street Baptist Church
Pastor Derrick Harkins, Melissa Rogers, and representatives of the SBA, the
Minority Business Development Agency of the Department of Commerce, and
BusinessUSA, an interagency initiative that highlights business development
resources that are offered across all federal agencies. Two-hundred and thirty current and future
business leaders from local congregations and communities attended. The Department of Commerce posted a blog
entry about the event, which is available here.
Attendees were also encouraged to join the SBA, the Department of Health
and Human Services, and Small Business Majority for a free, weekly webinar
series offered every Thursday at 2 pm ET to help small business owners
understand how the Affordable Care Act will affect them. Go to http://www.sba.gov/healthcare for more information and to register.
POTUS visits with Pope Francis at the Vatican: President Obama met Pope Francis on March 27
at the Vatican. In an interview
associated with the visit, President Obama said: “The Holy Father has been an inspiration to
people around the world, including me, with his commitment to social justice
and his message of love and compassion, especially for the poor and the
vulnerable among us. “
Received from the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood
Partnerships
10. A
TIP FOR MAKING SECURE ONLINE TRANSACTIONS:
HTTP and HTTPS are
vastly different!
The web address
starts with the prefix HTTPS. The "S" is important because it means
that an encryption protocol called Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is being used to
connect to a web server. The prefix HTTP (without the "S") means that
encryption isn't being used, and the transaction is less secure.
If you receive a
message in the Notification bar telling you that some content isn't secure,
then the webpage is displaying content using both HTTPS and HTTP web server
connections. HTTP (without the "S") transactions might not be secure.
11. EIGHT COMMON TAX MISTAKES TO AVOID:
We all make mistakes. But if you make a mistake on your tax return,
the IRS may need to contact you to correct it. That will delay your refund.
You can avoid most tax return errors by using IRS e-file. People who
do their taxes on paper are about 20 times more likely to make an error than
e-filers. IRS e-file is the most accurate way to file your tax return.
Here are eight common tax-filing errors to avoid:
1) Wrong or missing Social Security numbers. Be sure you enter all SSNs on your tax return
exactly as they are on the Social Security cards.
2) Wrong names. Be sure you
spell the names of everyone on your tax return exactly as they are on their
Social Security cards.
3) Filing status errors. Some
people use the wrong filing status, such as Head of Household instead of Single.
The Interactive Tax Assistant on IRS.gov can help you choose the right one. Tax
software helps e-filers choose.
4) Math mistakes. Double-check
your math. For example, be careful when you add or subtract or figure items on
a form or worksheet. Tax preparation software does all the math for e-filers.
5) Errors in figuring credits or deductions. Many filers make mistakes figuring their
Earned Income Tax Credit, Child and Dependent Care Credit, and the standard
deduction. If you’re not e-filing, follow the instructions carefully when
figuring credits and deductions. For example, if you’re age 65 or older or
blind, be sure you claim the correct, higher standard deduction.
6) Wrong bank account numbers.
You should choose to get your refund by direct deposit. But it’s
important that you use the right bank and account numbers on your return. The
fastest and safest way to get a tax refund is to combine e-file with direct
deposit.
7) Forms not signed or dated.
An unsigned tax return is like an unsigned check – it’s not valid.
Remember that both spouses must sign a joint return.
8) Electronic filing PIN errors.
When you e-file, you sign your return electronically with a Personal
Identification Number. If you know last year’s e-file PIN, you can use that. If
not, you’ll need to enter the Adjusted Gross Income from your originally-filed
2012 federal tax return. Don’t use the AGI amount from an amended 2012 return
or a 2012 return that the IRS corrected.
12. SIX TIPS TO MAKE FILING LESS TAXING:
Doing your taxes doesn’t have to be taxing. You can make preparing and
filing your federal income taxes easier by following these six tips from the
IRS:
1. Use IRS Free File. If you
made $58,000 or less, prepare your return using free, brand-name tax software.
If you made more and you’re comfortable doing your own tax return, use Free
File Fillable Forms. This option is the electronic version of IRS paper forms.
Go to IRS.gov/freefile to get started today.
2. Try IRS e-file. You should
try IRS e-file whether you do your own taxes or have them done for you. E-file
is the safest, easiest, most accurate way to file a tax return. In fact, you’re
20 times more likely to make a mistake when you file a tax return on paper
because e-file software will usually catch your errors. It will also alert you
to tax credits and deductions you may otherwise miss. If you owe taxes, you can
file now and pay later. The easiest way to do this is to use the Electronic
Funds Withdrawal option to pay by the April 15 deadline.
3. Don’t delay. Avoid doing
your taxes at the last minute. If you rush to make the filing deadline and file
a tax return on paper, you may overlook tax savings. You’re also more likely to
make a mistake. An error will usually delay your refund and often causes the
IRS to send you a letter.
4. Visit IRS.gov. Go online for
tax news and information. Make ‘1040 Central’ your go-to source for all the tax
help you need to file your tax return.
5. File on time. If you owe
taxes but can’t pay by April 15, you should still file on time and pay as much
as you can. This will minimize penalties and interest charges. If you can’t pay
all the tax you owe, you may apply for an installment agreement. The best way
to apply is to use the Online Payment Agreement tool on IRS.gov. You can also
apply by mail using IRS Form 9465, Installment Agreement Request.
6. File an extension. If your
tax return is not ready by April 15, you can get an automatic six-month
extension. E-file your extension request using the Free File program. You can
also get an extension using Form 4868, Application for Automatic Extension of
Time to File U.S. Individual Income Tax Return. You should e-file or mail Form
4868 and pay any tax due by April 15.
Visit IRS.gov to get the tax forms you need. You can also call
800-TAX-FORM (800-829-3676) to have them mailed to you. Allow at least 10 days
for mailing.
13. THE 6TH
EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2014 SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES:
Bishop Preston Warren Williams II, Presiding Prelate
Dr. Wilma Delores Williams, Episcopal Supervisor
South GA Annual Conference
Tuesday-Friday,
March 11-14, 2014
Bethel A.M.E. Church
1203 South Court Street
Quitman, GA
31643
Telephone:
229.263-8900
The Reverend Anthony Brinson, Host Pastor
The Reverend Jacqueline Smith, Host Presiding
Elder
Southwest GA Annual Conference
Tuesday-Friday, March 25-28 2014
Saint John A.M.E. Church
3980 Steam Mill Road
Columbus, GA 31907
Telephone: 706. 682-6944
The Rev. Debora Grant, Host Pastor
The Rev. M. Sven “Karl” Colquitt, Host Presiding
Elder
Georgia Annual Conference
Tuesday-Friday, April 8-11, 2014
Saint James A.M.E. Church
632 East Broad Street
Savannah, GA
31401
Telephone: 912. 236-2051
The Reverend Rosalind Kent, Host Pastor
The Rev. R. Nathaniel Neal, Host Presiding Elder
Augusta GA Annual Conference
Tuesday-Friday, April 29-May 2, 2014
Bethel A.M.E. Church/ Augusta
623 Crawford Avenue; Augusta, GA 30903
Telephone: 706.736-4060
The Reverend Mark Pierson, Host Pastor
The Reverend Ella Mae Samuels, Host Presiding
Elder
Macon GA Annual Conference
Tuesday-Friday, May 6-9, 2014
Saint Paul AME Church/Macon
2501 Shurling Drive, Macon GA 30603
Telephone: 478.745-0507
The Reverend Robert Angrish, Host Pastor
The Reverend Benjamin Ridley, Host Presiding
Elder
Atlanta North GA Conference
Tuesday-Friday, May 20-24, 2014
Flipper Temple AME Church
580 Fair Street SW
Atlanta, GA
30314
Telephone: 404.522-5020
The Reverend Augusta Hall, Host Pastor
The Reverend Walter Daniels, Host Presiding Elder
Post-Planning Meeting & Theological Institute
June 11-13, 2014
Rainwater Conference Center
1 Meeting Place
Valdosta, GA
31601
Telephone:
866.318-4358
14. WHAT IS “GETTING TO ZERO”?
By Oveta Fuller
Glad that you asked.
“Getting to Zero” (G20)
is the 2011-15 Strategic Plan from the United Nations Joint Programme on
HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
UNAIDS is the United
Nations assembly specifically commissioned to provide leadership, develop
policy and strategic plan, and guide implementation and use of resources in a
worldwide attack on AIDS.
The Strategic Plan
recognizes the challenge and the need to coordinate efforts from multiple
agencies and countries.
It states, “We must aim
for nothing less than zero duplication, zero incoherence and zero waste. In
getting to zero, we need to strengthen several mechanisms that cover the
breadth of the Programme, from its governance to the specifics of country
delivery.”
The Strategic Plan
recognizes not only the need to reverse the global impact of HIV/AIDS, but to
do so in efficient and effective partnership. “Zero duplication, zero
incoherence and zero waste.”
Let us look at how this
might work in a local community.
If Church A focuses on
youth and parent education, Church B can address HIV testing and linkage to
clinical care, while Church C might focus on connections to housing or
employment for those with AIDS or other conditions that qualify them for
available resources.
All three churches offer
different, but complimentary services in the same community. They know the goal
and their role, keep each other informed, participate in sponsored events of
the other and share about resources available. (Imagine that!) Ultimately,
people of the community are more blessed, resources are better used and church
members engage!
Zero incoherence means
that when goals and guidelines for countries and governments are clear, all can
move more rapidly in the same direction.
Zero waste means to
spend effectively and keep focused on goals. Minimize use of funds for personal
gain and maximize its use for direct services to people.
The G20 Vision and their
2015 goals seek to revolutionize HIV prevention. Three long-term ‘Vision’ areas
are: - Get to Zero New Infections; - Get to Zero AIDS-related Deaths; and - Get
to Zero Discrimination.
For instance, a specific
2015 goal of Zero New Infections is to reduce by half the number of new
infections from sexual transmission or from mother to child transmission during
childbirth.
Individual countries and
agencies can determine how to meet 50% transmission reduction by 2015. Actions
to meet a priority need of one community or country may differ for another;
however, the goal is the same.
Each day more than 7,000
people are newly infected with HIV. A total of 1,800,000 people died from
AIDS-related causes in 2010 and there were 2,700,000 new HIV infections.
AIDS is a mostly
preventable disease from infection with a relatively fragile virus. HIV
survives mainly by taking advantage of human sexuality for travel from one
person to the next to make more viruses.
Getting to Zero may
sound ambitious. But step by step, person by person, goal by goal, it can be
realized. What can you do?
The Strategic Plan (and
a shorter executive summary) can be found at http://www.unaids.org/en/media/unaids/contentassets/documents/unaidspublication/2010/jc2034_unaids_strategy_en.pdf.
-- This submission is co-authored with guest writer-
the Rev Terri Silas who was a student in my recent Payne Theological Seminary
classes.
*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, Michigan 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.”
15. iCHURCH SCHOOL
LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 6, 2014 - JESUS CLEANSES THE
TEMPLE - ISAIAH 56:6-7; JEREMIAH 7:9-11; MARK 11: 15-19:
*Dr. Bill Dickens, Allen AME Church, Tacoma,
Washington
Benjamin Franklin once opined that if you are mad
about something, count to ten before you act.
This timeless wisdom is often referenced to help us contain our emotions
and anger.
The Adult AME Church School lesson for April 6,
2014 depicts Jesus displaying His anger and disappointment concerning the
proper protocol for authentic worship.
The Biblical story is significant because it is a continuation from last
week’s lesson concerning Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Shortly upon entry, Jesus decides to visit a
Jewish Temple (an AME Church?), but
quickly discovers the spirit of worship has been violated and polluted with
foreign exchange commercial activities and the buying and selling of animals
for sacrificial offerings (churches selling chicken dinners for sale?).
The Old Testament scriptures in Isaiah and
Jeremiah foretold that non-Jews (unchurched members?) would visit the temple
seeking God’s presence. However, many of
the devout Jews (church members with 40 year membership?) are more preoccupied
with carnal gain and filthy lucre.
Jesus wastes no time in issuing a verbal rebuke
to the desecration of the sacred perimeter.
In a related passage in St. John, Jesus extends his angry verbal rebuke
with a physical display of force by over-turning the money-tables and his hand-made whip used to scare off the corrupt exchange-traders
(see John 2: 15-16). The message of
Jesus’ anger and show of “force” is unambiguous. God’s House is reserved and should always be
preserved for the sanctity of worship, not a haven for illicit commercial
transactions. The currency traders were
reprimanded not, for providing animals for sale as an offering, because this
practice was common since many itinerant travelers lacked such offerings upon
arrival. The temple traders (Wall Street
executives?) erred by conducting this form of business inside the House of
God. Jesus knew that the problem of
temple desecration could only be solved thru temple purification. A cleansing was the perfect spiritual
antiseptic.
What can wash away my sin? – "Nothing but the blood of Jesus! What can make me whole again? – Nothing but
the blood of Jesus!"
We should all have a “zero-tolerance” attitude
concerning any activity in the House of God that devalues the purity of
worship. If we happen to see ungodly
activities in our churches we should be quick to say “Clean-up on aisle A.”
*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.
16.
MEDITATION BASED ON PSALM 23:
I’m writing this
meditation on the evening of April 1, 2014 while reflecting on my all-time
favorite “April Fools’ Day” prank from the days of my youth in Columbia,
SC. One of my older aunts was living
with our family, and another of my aunts told her that there was a cow running
loose in our back yard garden, leading her to shriek, curse, run and look
before realizing that she’d been “pranked.”
That was especially
funny because we lived in the heart of the city, where the only “cow presence”
for miles was chopped up beef in our local grocery store, and because my aunt
who sounded the alarm didn’t live in Columbia - she called on the phone from
out-of-town to report the “cow invasion.”
My older aunt instinctively reacted to a scary and unexpected situation
without considering how someone who wasn’t nearby - or even in the house -
could know that there was a cow in our yard!
As funny as that
was, it speaks to an aspect of human nature.
All of us face our share of scary and unexpected situations as we go
through life, and all of us have an instinctive need to “fix” those situations
as soon as possible - often by any means necessary.
All of us can
recall times when we’ve tried to hastily address troubling, scary and
unexpected physical, spiritual, emotional and financial situations on our own -
only to find out that our work was in vain, that we made a bad situation worse
or that we complicated things to the point that we were left feeling stressed,
frustrated, inadequate and disconsolate.
That’s why it pays
to have a good relationship with the God who created us and who knows the
situations we that encounter far better than we do. When we pause, take a deep breath, go to God
in prayer and let God take over and lead us, we can find new direction and new
possibilities and put life’s critical situations in the right perspective, so
that they often become far less critical and clearer than they initially
appeared to be.
Turn your scary and
unexpected situations over to the Lord.
They’ll become less daunting and more manageable, you’ll find answers
where there only seemed to be questions, and in a world where many can only
point out your problems, you’ll trust in the God who led one writer to say, “Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will
guide us till the day is done. There’s
not a friend like the lowly Jesus; no, not one; no, not one.”
17.
CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
--
The South Carolina Black EXPO has named Jason C. Darby son of Reverend and Mrs.
Mary B. Darby to the 2014 "Forty
Under Forty" Achievers" list
The South Carolina
Black EXPO has named Jason C. Darby, Director of Marketing for the University
of South Carolina's Palmetto College, to the 2014 "Forty Under Forty" Achievers' list. Mr. Darby is the son of the Reverend Joseph
A. and Mrs. Mary B. Darby, Presiding Elder and Consultant of the Beaufort
District, South Carolina Conference, Seventh Episcopal District.
Congratulatory
messages can be sent to:
18.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to
announce the passing of Former Episcopal Supervisor, Mrs. Portia Bailey
Beal. Mrs.
Portia Bailey Beal was appointed as Episcopal Supervisor in 1986, by the Rt.
Rev. Samuel Solomon Morris, after the death of Mrs. Ermine Morris and served
the 4th Episcopal District and the AME Church faithfully in that
capacity until 1989. This was Mrs. Bailey Beal's second term as Episcopal
Supervisor having been appointed by Bishop Howard T. Primm in 1974, following
the death of Mrs. Edith Primm. Mrs. Bailey Beal was also an accomplished
musician and a dedicated and committed servant of God. The arrangements for her Homegoing Service
are as follows:
Saturday, April 12,
2014
Quinn Chapel AMEC
2401 S. Wabash
Ave.,
Chicago, IL 60616
The Rev. James M. Moody,
Pastor
Wake: 9:00 a.m.
Funeral: 10:00 a.m.
Repast follows
immediately after the Service
Interment at Burr
Oak Cemetery, 4400 W. 127th St., Chicago, Illinois
In lieu
of flowers, all expressions of sympathy or donations, in memory of Mrs.
Portia Bailey Beal, should
be written to Quinn Community Services Alliance of Chicago (QCSAC).
You may also donate on line by going to:
Click “online giving”
Give
Now
Follow
Directions
Click
Drop-Down Box
Select
Restoration
Continue
Expressions of
sympathy to the family may be sent:
C/o Quinn Chapel
AME Church
2401 S. Wabash
Ave., Chicago, IL 60616
Please pray for the
family and friends of Mrs. Bailey Beal.
She will be greatly missed.
19.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with great
sadness the Third Episcopal District announces the passing of the Reverend Dr.
Eugene L. Schoolfield. Dr. Schoolfield
pastored many years in the Third Episcopal District of the AME Church. He was currently serving as the proud pastor
of the St. James AME Church, Cleveland, OH.
Home going
celebration:
Saturday, April 5,
2014
St. James AME
Church
8401 Cedar Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103
216-231-3562
(Phone)
216-231-6877 (Fax)
Viewing: 10:00 a.m.
- 11:30 a.m.
Alpha Memorial
Service: 11:30 a.m.
Home going Service:
12:00 noon
Eulogist, Bishop
McKinley Young
Presiding Prelate
of the Third Episcopal District
Monday, April 7,
2014 there will be a Memorial Service at St. Matthew African Methodist
Episcopal Church, 103 Mills Avenue, Beckley, West Virginia 25801.
Condolences may be
sent to Mrs. Eddiena Schoolfield:
119 Smith Street,
Beckley, WV 25801
Email:
dschoolfield@frontier.com
Arrangements
entrusted to Carter Funeral Homes, Inc.
3001 Elyria Avenue
Lorain, OH 44055
Tel: (440) 244-5200
20.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Dorothy Wade,
the mother of the Rev. Ella T. Jones, Local Deacon, Quinn Chapel AMEC,
Lexington, KY, and mother-in-law of Brother George Jones, transitioned
Thursday, March 27, 2014. Absent from the body-present with the Lord.
Visitation:
Bethel Baptist
Church
552 Ash Street,
Lexington, KY,
Saturday, April
5th, at 10:00 a.m., until time of the Funeral Service
Funeral Service:
Bethel Baptist at
1:00 p.m.
Condolences may be
sent to:
Rev. Ella T. Jones
at
21.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform
you of the passing of "Papa Pastor" Rev. C. B. Johnson. He was a
great Prayer Warrior/Intercessor for over 40 years as a staff minister of
Bethel Memorial AME Church.
He leaves behind
his lovely wife, Immogene Johnson who celebrated with him two weeks ago at
Bethel Memorial 60 years of marriage. The
Rec. C. B. Johnson was a giant in the plea for prayer in his Church locally as
well as prayer for the San Diego Community and beyond.
The Homegoing
Celebration for the Rev. C. B. Johnson:
Monday, April 7,
2014
Viewing: 10:30 -
11:30 a.m.
Service: 11:30 a.m.
Bethel Memorial AME
Church
3085 "K"
Street
San Diego, CA 92102
22. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It
with heartfelt sympathy that we announce the home going from labor to reward of
Sister Geraldine Hughes, the beloved mother of the Rev. Robin Hughes Crawford,
former California Conference Women in Ministry Coordinator.
Funeral
Arrangements for Sister Geraldine Hughes are as follows:
Wednesday,
April 9, 2014 at 11:00 a.m.
First
AME Church
3701
Telegraph Ave.
Oakland,
CA 94609
Telephone:
(510) 655-1527
The
Rev. Dr. Harold R. Mayberry, Sr. Pastor
Services
are entrusted to:
McNary
Williams & Jackson Mortuary
3630
Telegraph Ave
Oakland,
CA 94607
Telephone:
510-848-1238
Fax:
510-848-1239
Email:
dgreene@mwjmortuary.com
Expressions
of sympathy may be sent to:
The
Rev. Robin & Brother Keith Crawford
51
Edgemont Way
Oakland,
CA 94605
Phone
(510) 332-2969 or (415) 565-4746
*The
Rev. Dorisalene Hughes, 5th Episcopal District Prayer Ministry
Bishop
T. Larry Kirkland, Presiding Prelate
23. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
are saddened to inform you of the passing of Mother Winnie Reece, mother of the
Rev. Joyce Reece Kitchen, Senior Pastor of Emmanuel Turner AME Church, Los
Angeles, CA and grandmother of Rev. Charles Lee Johnson, Senior Pastor of
Corona Community AME Church, Corona, CA.
Arrangements
for Mother Winnie Reece:
Viewing:
Thursday,
April 3, 2014, 12:00 noon - 8:00 p.m.
Harrison
Ross Mortuary
4601
South Crenshaw Blvd.
Los
Angeles, CA 90043
Telephone:
(323) 584-1230
Fax:
(323) 293-3958
Funeral
Service:
Friday,
April 4, 2014
10:00
a.m.
Emmanuel-H.M.
Turner AME Church
5200
Compton Avenue
Los
Angeles, CA 90011
Telephone:
(323) 232-6322
Internment:
Veteran's
Memorial Park
Sawtelle
West
Los Angeles
Expressions
of sympathy may be sent to:
The
Rev. Joyce Reece Kitchen, Senior Pastor
Emmanuel
Turner AME Church
5200
S. Compton Avenue
Los
Angeles, CA 90011
Phone:
(310) 261-7001 Cell #
ehmtamec@aol.com
and
to:
The
Rev. Charles Lee Johnson, Senior Pastor
Corona
Community AME Church
321
East 6th Street
Corona,
CA 92879
(310)
261-6994
24. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
are saddened to announce the following: Mr. George "G.G." Johnson
transitioned from this life to his eternal rest on March 29, 2014. He was born
in Columbus, Georgia, the son of the Late Reverend George Johnson and Deaconess
Johnnie Mae Johnson of the Sixth Episcopal District; and had been an active
member of Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Louisville,
Kentucky, until illness caused his moving to Atlanta, Georgia.
Brother
Johnson was the first and only African American Head Golf Professional in
Kentucky, managing as the Head Pro at Bobby Nichols Golf Course in Waverly
Park, Louisville, Kentucky, since 1997.
George became a Professional Golfer in 1964, qualifying for the U.S.
Open in 1965. In 1971 he won the Azalea Open and became the fourth African
American to win a PGA Tournament. Johnson is a lifetime member of the PGA Tour.
In 2008, George Johnson was inducted into the African American Golfers Hall of
Fame. His spirit for life was contagious, a wonderful witness for God and the
Church! He was a Christian Gentleman!
He
leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, LaJune Johnson; daughter, Kristi
Johnson; brothers: Charlie W. Johnson of
Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church, Louisville, Kentucky; Harold (Etta) Anderson of
Romulus, Michigan; Johnny (Mattie) Johnson of Dallas, Texas; and a sister,
Gwendolyn Johnson Williams of Greater St. Mark A.M.E. Church in Columbus,
Georgia; as well as countless nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Service
arrangements are as follows:
VIEWING:
Friday, April 4, 2014, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Gus
Thornhill Funeral Home
1315
Gus Thornhill Jr. Drive
East
Point, Georgia 30344
(404)
768-2993
Service of Celebration:
Saturday,
April 5, 2014, 11:00 a.m.
Hoosier
Memorial United Methodist Church
2545
Benjamin E. Mayes Drive, S.W.
Atlanta,
Georgia 30311
Expressions
of Love, Cards, and Messages of Condolence may be sent to the Family of Mr.
George Johnson:
Mr.
Charlie W. Johnson
1400
Willow Avenue, #1801-1802
Louisville,
KY 40204
cjohnson@immanuelrealty.com
Mrs.
LaJune Johnson
2860
Brookford Drive
Atlanta,
Georgia 30331
25. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley,
Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family
Information Center
Telephone: (615)
837-9736 (H)
Telephone: (615)
833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
26 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.
*You have received this message because
you are subscribed to
The Christian Recorder
Online
Forward
to Friend
Copyright
© 2012 The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.
You
are receiving this email because you are a current subscriber to The Christian
Recorder.
Our mailing address is:
The
Christian Recorder
500
Eighth Avenue, South
Nashville,
TN 37203-7508
Add us to your address book
