THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (04/25/14)

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

April is National Health Disparities Month

Mother’s Day: May 11, 2014

Pentecost Sunday: June 8, 2014

-- STATEMENT FROM THE EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

The 20^th Editor of The Christian Recorder

I am blessed in having been elected to be the Editor of The Christian Recorder.

This ministry is, and has been, a blessing to me and my family.  I feel as if I am at the heartbeat of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The feedback I get from across our Zion is awesome, which allows me to address some of the issues of our great denomination; and I hope that I am doing that appropriately. 

I am privileged to hear from constituents across the Church; here in the United States and Abroad. 

I suspect that some people, both clergy and laity, feel more comfortable and less threatened expressing themselves to me, the editor of The Christian Recorder, than they would to the hierarchy of the church. I want people to feel comfortable expressing themselves in this forum and that’s why we created the op-ed section and “I Ask” penned by retired Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry; and of course we have always encouraged letters to the editor and article submissions. We want articles that address all sides of issues concerning the AME Church.

The editorials each week are not from things I “pull from the sky,” but are the results of messages, telephone calls and conversations with AME parishioners, persons seeking to learn more about African Methodism, former AMEs, disgruntled AMEs, FaceBook postings, news articles and periodicals, other denominations’ resources, pastors, presiding elders and bishops.

I am constantly looking for editorial resources and as a result, there is no “casual conversation” when people are conversing with me. I am always on the lookout for editorial content as pastors and preachers are looking for sermon materials.

So, I am again soliciting clergy and laity to write op-eds (Opposing-Editorials) and articles.  If you have a question concerning our Zion, the local and connectional church, or questions about doctrine, polity or issues in the local church, please feel free to send me a message chsydnor@bellsouth.net and I will forward your question to Bishop Guidry.

The Christian Recorder is your newspaper and we want to address the issues that are important to you.  And, like The New York Times, we, The Christian Recorder, print “All the News that’s fit to print.”

We have been doing it for a long time

Adolph S. Ochs, the owner of The New York Times, created the famous slogan "All the News That's Fit to Print” in 1897 and it appears on the masthead of that newspaper today.

The Christian Recorder has been printing "all the news that's fit to print" since 1852. We have a rich history. We stood head and shoulders above the best and, in America, we stood strong against slavery and we were staunch supporters of the Civil Rights movement and other equal rights issues; and on the continent of Africa, we were strong opponents of apartheid and colonialism. We have stood firm in opposition of discrimination and inequality.

A rich history

The African Methodist Episcopal Church has a rich history! Our episcopacy and various departments of the AME church have a rich history. Our academic institutions have a rich history!

The AME Church has produced outstanding private and public servants who have made significant contributions in the United States and abroad. Our denomination has "birthed" freedom fighters, educators, scientists, medical doctors, lawyers, judges, clergypersons, theologians, academicians, homileticians, business leaders and the list can go on and on.

All of us…

All of us, from the episcopacy to the parishioners in the pew, and every person, clergy and laity have the responsibility to be guardians of our legacy and not let anyone disparage or neglect the great calling and legacy of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. All of us who call ourselves the sons and daughters of Richard and Sarah Allen must be committed to being stalwarts of the faith and defenders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

We can be creative, but we must not abandon the religious foundations set forth by our founder, Richard Allen, and the mothers and fathers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

1. TCR EDITORIAL – BRANDING IS IMPORTANT:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

The 20^th Editor of The Christian Recorder

Branding sustains organizations and businesses closely guard their brands or trademarks. A company or business does not permit other entities to infringe upon their brand. Companies have been sued for brand infringements. 

It seems to me that many of us are not only allowing others to infringe upon our AME brand, but some pastors are not faithful to the AME brand and are throwing away the AME brand.

I was asked a two-fold question several weeks ago.  What is Methodist worship? What is AME worship? 

Methodist worship brand

We visited our dear friend, Catherine Myrick and her son, Todd in Georgia on the weekend of Palm Sunday and they attend St. James United Methodist Church in Alpharetta, Georgia.  We were invited to attend their church.

When Catherine moved to Alpharetta, St. James was a small wooden structure, but in the last decade, St. James United Methodist Church has grown from approximately 100 members to over 2000 members. The church currently has more than 30 ministries, two worship services, two corporate Bible studies, and weekly concentrated areas of study for men, women, youth, children, seniors, singles and married couples.

We had to scramble for a parking space in the large parking area. When we arrived, the large sanctuary was almost full, so we had to sit up towards the front of the sanctuary; the pews in the back were already taken.

The parishioners and choir were in the midst of “high praise.” The church was “rocking” and the sanctuary was full of young adults, young people and some old folks.

St. James didn’t have a traditional bulletin, just a brochure with some announcements. The church made extensive use of technology by flashing the hymns, and scriptures on the screens mounted on the walls in the front of the church. The announcements were professionally flashed on the video screens and a voice quickly shared the announcements. The worship continued to “rock, and even roll!”

But in the midst of all the high praise, the Methodist liturgy was present. The call to worship, the opening hymn, the prayer, the scripture lessons, the Apostles Creed, the Offertory, altar call; and at several points, mention was made of the connectional United Methodist Church programs.

The service was a high praise and the Spirit was high and formal liturgical acts in worship complimented the high praise. The “old school” and the contemporary blended together nicely.

The pastor preached a dynamic theologically sound sermon too!

The worship remained faithful to its United Methodist brand.

When we departed the church with its high praise from beginning to end, I knew that I had been in a Methodist worship service; albeit a contemporary United Methodist worship. The old remained in place, but contemporary liturgical movements were added to the worship experience.

The AME worship brand

The AME Church has a distinct brand and people who have been in AME churches know the AME brand.

The AME brand

The African Methodist Episcopal Church has a brand. The Cross and Anvil together is a visible brand of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Many church people, if shown a Cross and Anvil will think of the AME Church. We have had the Cross and Anvil as a brand for a number of years. “The Cross and Anvil” is a registered trademark and its use is supervised by the AMEC Sunday School Union.

The AME Church has a brand, but unfortunately some of our leaders, both clergy and laity have little or no understanding or appreciation of our brand. It seems that some members of our Zion, unthinkingly, are quick to discard our brand.

More than the Cross and Anvil

The AME Church brand is more than the Cross and Anvil, the AME brand is the character, worship, liturgy, spiritual, ethical and moral fiber of our denomination. Our brand helps to define how we are perceived by those outside of the AME Church and strengthens the connection to our constituency within the AME Church. 

Strategically, branding should be one of our most effective evangelism tools.

We have a worship brand

The most visible and recurring brand of our Zion should be observable week after week in our worship services. Worshippers and visitors should be able to recognize our brand the moment they enter the sanctuary.

For example, as a sacramental church the altar, chancel rail and the pulpit should make any member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church feel at home, but the altar, chancel rail and pulpit could easily be observed in United Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Roman Catholic, or any other sacramental church. The altar, chancel rail, and pulpit are the brands for a number of churches, but it’s our brand too. If the altar, chancel rail or pulpit is removed from the sanctuary, a visual branding symbol is eliminated. 

In many of our churches the choir processional and recessional were unique representation of the AME brand. Folks wanted to get to church on time in order to observe the preachers and choir process into the pulpit and the choir loft. Some of our churches have lost that AME branding and choir members just amble to the choir stand, chatting with each other as they meander to their seats. No drama, no decorum, just “let’s get this thing started and get it over with.”

AME Liturgical brand

At the point in the worship service when the pastor stands behind the pulpit and announces the Doxology and invites the congregation to sing, "Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow," it is at that point a worshiper, might know that he or she is in an AME worship service because the Doxology at the beginning of worship is part of the AME brand.

And following the Doxology, the pastor intones, "I was glad when they said unto me…" And, at that point, an AME worshiper would definitely know that he or she is in an AME worship service because the brand of the Doxology at the beginning of the worship service would have been reinforced by the AME Call to Worship. Of course, other calls to worship are permitted, but I am addressing “AME branding.” 

The prayer or invocation is not just a brand of the AME Church, because prayer is a brand of all Christian churches, but the prayer before the Scripture is Methodism. In Methodism we have the prayer before the Scripture because we invoke God’s presence before the reading of the Word of God; and that’s the reason we pray before reading the scripture.

And, following the Scripture, if the worship and ritual of the AME Church is followed, the Preface Hymn to the Decalogue is sung; and at that point, an AME worshiper would know for sure that he or she is in an AME worship service because the Preface Hymn to the Decalogue and the Decalogue are uniquely AME, which makes it our brand.

The Decalogue is our AME brand! 

 - To be continued in the next issue

Editor’s Comment: We welcome an op-ed on this subject.

2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES: 

-- To the Editor:

RE: Easter Message from the Council of Bishops

I trust all is well with you and yours.

I write to express my gratitude for the periodical communiqué of the Council of Bishops, through that Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, the Acting President. The Christian Recorder Online is an important instrument to transmit them to us. Popping up as breaking news, it brings encouragement and inspires one to look forward to doing ministry of the Gospel of Christ (Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington, at Reid Temple, preached on "Breaking News" this Easter Sunday). One feels the company of the Church Fathers and Mothers in the trenches. Thanks to Bishop Leath.

Warm and kind regards.

The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas

-- To the Editor:

Re: NEWSBREAK - TCR

I thank God for being a subscriber to The Christian Recorder.

Now, I know A.M.E. Church better than before.

The Rev. Willard Machiwenyika

20th Episcopal District

North East Zimbabwe Conference

Presiding Elder District Mutare

Rumbidzai (Praise) Temple AME Church 

-- To the Editor:

RE: The Christian Recorder News Break – An Easter Prayer for Pastors

I am grateful for the boldness and honesty of the author and pray that pastors and preachers will preach the simple gospel on Easter Sunday. God is love and after receiving the sacrificial love of Jesus, we have a mandate to change.

Resurrection blessings to you and my AME Church family.

Peace!

The Rev. Velma E Grant

3. AME-SADA WORSHIP SUNDAY - MAY 18, 2014 – THE CONNECTIONAL DAY OF FUNDRAISING FOR AME-SADA:

The AME Church Service and Development Agency, Inc. (AME SADA) is a 501c 3 corporation created by the AME Church 37 years ago.

AME-SADA is embarking on an annual fundraising campaign scheduled for May 18, 2014: AME-SADA Worship Sunday.  The action of an AME-SADA Worship Sunday was approved by the General Board and Council of Bishops at the June 2013 meeting in Kingston, Jamaica. 

The world is in economic crises and many of our sisters and brothers around the world are experiencing extreme economic and health issues and the AME-SADA staff continues to multiply its efforts to raise funds from outside of the AME Church and has provided services to thousands of people, but more funds are needed. 

In order to help to strengthen and expand its work and outreach, AME SADA is requesting assistance from the connectional church in building a funding base of unrestricted non-government money, which will allow AME-SADA to continue to deliver support and clinical services to the nation of Haiti, continue the rebuilding and renewal of the Wilberforce Community College in South Africa, and to support the work of International Development and assist in many other countries where our AME sisters and brothers live and  worship. 

We are requesting all Church congregations in all episcopal districts to celebrate AME-SADA Sunday as a time to focus and reflect on the work and the mission of AME-SADA.  We are asking AME congregations to give generously in a special offering for the support of current projects in Haiti and South Africa. AME-SADA is committed to expanding its assistance to our brothers and sisters in West, Central and Southern Africa; and throughout the Caribbean.

Individual donations can be made directly on the AME-SADA website: http://www.ame-sada.org/ and each donor will be able to indicate his/her home district and organization.  Alternatively, the funds can be collected through the Episcopal District Offices are encouraged to collect funds and send checks to AME-SADA, 1134 11^th  Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.  An information fact sheet is enclosed.

 

Faithfully yours,

Robert Nicolas, Executive Director

Bishop McKinley Young, Chair

About AME-SADA

The African Methodist Episcopal Church Service and Development Agency, Inc., (AME-SADA) is committed to its mission of “Helping People Help Themselves.”

AME-SADA is the international humanitarian relief and development agency of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and currently works in Africa and the Caribbean.

Founded in 1977, AME-SADA grew out of the collective efforts of several primary individuals including, Bishop John Hurst Adams, Bishop Frederick C. James, the Reverend Lonnie Johnson, Mrs. Wilburn Boddie, Dr. Joseph C. McKinney, with critical support from Bishop Donald G. K. Ming, as they sought to strengthen the mission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the lives of people in Africa and the Caribbean.  Hence, AME-SADA was created to coordinate and administer international development and relief projects outside of the United States.  AME-SADA works in collaboration with grassroots communities to institute programs in education, health care and economic development to encourage people in Africa and the Caribbean to actively participate in the economic life and development of their communities and nations.

AME-SADA’s Work

Responding to local conditions and needs, AME-SADA seeks to enhance the activities of the local population and provide appropriate additional assistance and resources in the areas of health, education and micro-credit.  AME-SADA uses both formal and informal methods to encourage people to review the manner in which they lead their lives and make the best possible decisions for their own futures.

Programming in Haiti

Since starting with a life saving vaccination program in the Arcahaie and Cabaret regions of Haiti in 1987, AME-SADA has developed a comprehensive program of activities in Haiti that moves beyond relief efforts to address the fundamental impediments to self-improvement.

Child and Maternal Health Program

AME-SADA provides comprehensive pre/postnatal health care to women aged 15-49, newborn care, vaccination of children under 5 years against infectious diseases, comprehensive treatment of diarrheal diseases, nutritional recuperation for malnourished children, family planning and counseling, TB treatment, HIV/AIDS and STD education, counseling and treatment, home/community visits by health workers and traditional birth attendants through its 8 fixed site outpatient clinics.  Currently, AME-SADA has over 60 staff members, 125 Health Agents and more than 400 Traditional Birth Attendants providing health and other services to a population of over 400,000 individuals in the Western Department of Haiti.

 Maternal and Child Health Care Services

Bercy Transitional and Treatment Facility for At-Risk Pregnant Women with support from private donors AME-SADA has begun to focus on the needs of at-risk pregnant women residing in Arcahaie and Cabaret, isolated mountainous regions of Haiti. Design work has started on a new treatment facility for these patients with special needs.  In the meantime they are being treated in the Pont Matheux facility.

AME-SADA Orphans and Vulnerable Children Support Project

Occasionally, Haiti clinic staff identifies cases which require financial support.  Haiti and Washington staffs have opened a modest fund to address these cases and are now seeking outside resources to help maintain it.  Some of these cases require specialized medical attention and other assistance.

School Health Program

AME-SADA provides targeted health care services to 30,000 elementary school children from some of the poorest neighborhoods in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.

SADA KREDI

SADA-KREDI is a micro-credit program providing guidance and promotion of rural and urban income generating activities and micro–loans of up to $500 to as many as 2000 participants.

SADA KREDI Micro Credit Group Meeting

Emergency Care

The effects of the Earthquake of January 12, 2010 continue to impact several hundred thousand people still in temporary shelters.  Employment, food shelter, transportation and health care are still a challenge for many of these victims.  The aftermath of the earthquake included the several waves of an ongoing cholera epidemic which have touched nearly every part of the country. AME-SADA continues to provide critical health care and humanitarian assistance to the victims of theses disasters.

Programming in South Africa

Wilberforce Institute, founded by the AME Church, is one of the oldest institutions of higher education for Blacks in South Africa.  The AMEC chose to close the Institute during the time of enforcement of the apartheid policies of Bantu Education rather than be forced to cooperate with the laws of the regime at that time.  With the dismantling of the apartheid laws, the AMEC decided to reopen Wilberforce and AME-SADA was called upon to assist in this endeavor. Wilberforce reopened under the name, Wilberforce Community College (WCC), keeping the original campus, renovating its buildings and undertaking a modernization program to serve the people of South Africa.

The United States Agency for International Development/ American Schools and Hospitals Abroad awarded a total of five grants to AME-SADA for new construction at WCC.  These grants included funding for the Multipurpose Educational Facility with classrooms, library and administration areas which was dedicated in 2000. The Distance Learning Center construction project included an electronic classroom, video conferencing and a resource center.  Faculty Housing was also funded by this grant and all were dedicated in 2003.  Dormitory Facilities for male and female students were constructed with the third grant and dedicated in 2007.  Most recently, grants for the Dining Hall and Students’ Community Center were awarded. Construction has been completed and the facilities are in use.  The formal dedications of both these new facilities are expected in the near future.  In addition to the grants provided by USAID/ASHA, counterpart funding for these several buildings was provided primarily by the AME-Church and its supporters.

Students’/Community Center at Wilberforce Community College

Founders’ Awards Gala

AME-SADA is grateful to the many supporters of its Founders’ Awards Gala regularly held in the fall of the year. The Gala, which is a major fund raising event, continues to be a success due to the unstinting generosity and untiring work of our Chairman, Bishop McKinley Young and our many friends.  The most recent Gala held in November 2012, featured the Founders’ Reception, and Awards Banquet, a fashion show highlighting new designers as well as an Art and Crafts Sale. 

Board of Directors

Bishop McKinley Young,   Chairman

Bishop Adam J. Richardson,   Vice Chairman

Mr. Richard Lewis,   Treasurer

Dr. Paulette Coleman,   Secretary

Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah

Bishop Paul J. M. Kawimbe

Bishop David R. Daniels

Bishop John Franklin White

Bishop Clement W. Fugh

Bishop Reginald T. Jackson

Mrs. Wilburn Boddie

Mr. Anthony Grant

Dr. Jeanne Maddox Toungara

Ex-Officio

Mrs. Shirley Cason-Reed

Dr. George F. Flowers

Mr. Robert Nicolas

Support for AME-SADA comes from the AME Church, charitable foundations, corporations, other private organizations, the United States Government, international agencies, foreign institutions and thousands of persons committed to AME-SADA’s vision for a better World.  AME-SADA depends on contributions to carry out its essential work in Africa and the Caribbean.

To make a contribution or to obtain more information about gift options, please contact AME-SADA.

AME-SADA is a charitable institution under Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

AME-SADA Headquarters is located at 1134 11^th Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001

Dr. Robert Nicolas is the Executive Director

Email: rnicolasamesada@gmail.com

Telephone: (202) 371-8722

Fax (202) 371-0981

Website: www.ame-sada.org

4. AME CHAPLAIN PROVIDES MINISTRY IN AFGHANISTAN:

The African Methodist Episcopal Church endorsed U.S. Army, Active Duty Chaplain (Captain) Samuel D. Siebo of the 7th Episcopal District, is the only AME chaplain currently Serving in Afghanistan among over 100 U.S. Army Chaplain present in Afghanistan.

Chaplain (CPT) Siebo deployed to Afghanistan in late December of 2013; he took over the Gospel Service at Camp Marmal, which had between 21 parishioners in attendance on Sundays. Under Chaplain Siebo’s leadership, the Gospel Service has out-grown the chapel space, making it feasible for Chaplain Siebo to schedule Sunday evening worship services for the Gospel Service participants; that session has also outgrown the chapel space.

Chaplain Siebo established a Wednesday evening Bible Study and Friday evening prayer meeting to meet the spiritual resiliency needs of the soldiers, Department of Defense Civilians and U.S. contractors in the Area of Operation.

The Gospel service under Chaplain Siebo’s leadership has established a Gospel Choir, Praise and Mime Dance teams.

The Gospel Service brought together over 200 Soldiers and civilians from across Camp Marmal International Community in a Grand Easter Gospel Musical Cantata and Worship Service, on Sunday, April 20, 2014. Because of the number of people, the Easter service could not be held at the chapel; instead, the service was moved to the largest Tent on the Forward Operating Base (FOB).

The 2000 hours (8 p.m.) Gospel Service will now be held in the large tent due to the size of the congregation.

To God be the glory, great things he hath done!

V/R

CH (CPT) (OF-2) Samuel D. Siebo

1-41IN BN, UMT OIC

Camp Marmal, AFG

Email: samuel.siebo@afghan.swa.army.mil

TCR Editor’s Note: Please feel free to drop Chaplain Siebo an email message. I know he would be happy to hear from you. Hostile fire zones are lonely places.

Centrix: samuel.siebo@afgn.centcom.isaf.cmil.mil

5. A BLESSED RESURRECTION DAY:

*Sistah "Jackie" Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker

On Easter Sunday 2014, we rejoiced in Jesus Christ's glorious Resurrection; the most important event in all of history for Christians and the world.

Last week at my church, Ward AME in Los Angeles, began the celebrations with a beautiful 6 a.m. sunrise service of remembrance and re-dedication.  Immediately after the service, the Stewards prepared and served a delicious hot breakfast. It was a full-California-style breakfast, not a continental breakfast.

Following the breakfast, the Church School teachers or gave a refresher course on the meaning of Easter. 

Afterwards, the parishioners who had not risen early joined us for worship services with Pastor Taurus Myhand serving up soul-stirring preaching of the Good News. 

I capped my day delivering Easter lilies to some members who are on our church's Prayer List for healing and restoration.  The day was an opportunity of reflection of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and I joined with Christians across our Zion in giving thanks for Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection.

Just as Jesus died and was raised from the dead, we, who are baptized into Christ, receive new lives, free from the effects of sin and the power of death.

I hope you took time on Easter Sunday to consider the profound realities of the Resurrection, and what Jesus Christ's sacrifice meant to you. 

In our calling to advocacy... speaking for the voiceless and the timid... there is no shortage of work for us to do.  Together let's continue to give thanks for Jesus’ sacrifice with our renewed commitment to making a difference. 

I wish you and your love circle had a blessed post-Resurrection Day!

*Sistah "Jackie" Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker is the Director of the AMEC Social Action Commission

6. DR. MICKARL D. THOMAS, SR. RETURNS AS PASTOR OF EBENEZER AME – DETROIT:

Forty five years after Mickarl D. Thomas received the call to ministry at his home church, Ebenezer AME in Detroit; Bishop John R. Bryant appointed this seasoned minister as Pastor of the Historic Ebenezer AME Church.  The appointment was made at the 4th District Mid-Year Conference in March, 2014.

Pastor Thomas, a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit received his formal training at Turner Theological Seminary, and was conferred his Doctor of Ministry Degree by Boston University School of Theology, along with a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government.

He has held pastoral assignments at Allen Temple AME in Columbus, Georgia; Mt. Zion AME in Norristown, Pa; Charles Street AME in Boston, Massachusetts; Mt. Pisgah AME in Philadelphia, PA; Grant Memorial AME in Chicago, IL; and Vernon Chapel AME in Flint, MI.  His return to Ebenezer (where he was admitted to the Michigan Annual Conference in 1969 and held his first assignment as Youth Pastor) is indeed an honor and a challenge Dr. Thomas is more than ready to address.

Throughout his pastoral career, Dr. Thomas has proven to be an energetic and spirit filled shepherd showing leadership and compassion for kingdom building. Churches under his leadership developed consistent worship attendance, growth in church organizations, ministries, WMS engagement, lay activities, presence of an active and vibrant Sunday school, openness and transparency about financial affairs of the church and a commitment  to Doctrines and Discipline of the AME Church. 

Pastor Thomas is passionate about outreach ministries such as early childhood education, mental health, community and social justice and empowerment, elder care, youth activities, addictions and prison ministries. “These are concerns that make the difference on how outsiders come to God. People see the power, glory, grace and mercy of the Lord by the way the church reacts to their everyday needs.  With 149 years of service, we have had periods of growth, prosperity, recession, depression, and recovery – ecclesiastically and financially.  Ebenezer is now in the recovery mode and God is preparing us for greatness.  We are a Christ centered church, utilizing Divine power to encourage and maximize a quality of life for humanity states Pastor Thomas.  “As we grow in spirit, well being, worship and knowledge, our vision is to form collaborations with other entities to enhance personal development and the beautification of the church and its presence in our community.”

Dr. Thomas is married to Mrs. C. Ann Pettigrew Thomas, who enhances and supports her husband’s vision.  In addition to being advisor to Ebenezer’s Grant Women’s Missionary Society, she serves on the CONN-M-SWAWO as Recording Secretary for the Ministers Spouses Organization. She is a graduate of University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.   Pastor Thomas views Ebenezer as his Ecclesiastical Mother.  He stated, “Whenever a mother is ill, it’s only proper to return and take care of Mama”. Following in the footsteps of his “father in the Ministry,” the Rev. Dr. Fred E. Stephens (the pastor who assigned him youth pastor at Ebenezer 45-years ago). 

Dr. Thomas is a life member of Kappa

Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

7. AME PASTOR RECEIVES CERTIFICATE OF EXCELLENCE AND LEADERSHIP AWARD:

The Rev. Brainard Crawford received the prestigious Certificate of Excellence and the Robert E. Knox Leadership Institute Award from the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and the University of Georgia (UGA). The Rev. Crawford has served as a councilperson for the City of Tennille, Georgia for 25 years. The Rev. Crawford also serves as the associate pastor of New Tennille AME Church in Tennille.

The Rev. Joel L. Hills, the pastor of New Tennille AME Church of the Wrens / Vidalia District of the Augusta, Georgia Annual Conference, presented the certificates to the Rev. Crawford. In presenting the awards to the Rev. Crawford, the Rev. Hills commended the Rev. Crawford for a job well-done in the community as well as serving the New Tennille AME Church as the associate pastor and a volunteer chaplain for the Washington County Regional Medical Center in Sandersville, Georgia. 

8. AN APPRECIATION EVENING FOR REVEREND ALAN H. AND DR. GLORIA WICKER:

By Alphonso B. Varner

With the Macon Georgia Annual Conference on the horizon, the clergy and laity wanted to show their profound appreciation to their spiritual leaders of the Macon District in the Macon Georgia Conference,  the Reverend Alan Hale Wicker, Presiding Elder and The Reverend Dr. Gloria Wicker, First Lady of the District.                            

The Reverend Ernest Gordon, the innovative pastor of Greater Turner Tabernacle AME Church in Macon, Georgia spearheaded the leadership in working out the logistics in coordinating this wonderful occasion by contacting pastors and lay leaders to convene at O' Charley's Restaurant in the vicinity of the Macon Mall Friday, April 11, 2014 at 7:00 P.M.

The group enjoyed a delicious meal of their own choosing.  Pastor Gordon, the presiding leader, called upon leaders of district components (WMS, YPD, Sons of Allen, and Lay Organization) to give remarks and present gifts in an appreciation to the Wickers.  The Rev. Nathaniel Holt made remarks on behalf of the pastors and presented Presiding Elder Wicker a gift.  Pastor Gordon then collected gifts from the laity.

Dr.  Gloria Wicker thanked the clergy and laity for showing their appreciation to them in a marvelous way.  Elder Alan Wicker likewise gave thanks to the group for this wonderful occasion and the ministry they are doing in the District.  He also gave information on the upcoming Macon Georgia Annual Conference.

Everyone departed this activity feeling good about their District spiritual leaders.

9. SURPRISES, SURPRISES AND SURPRISES:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

The 20^th Editor of The Christian Recorder

I usually measure the size of annual conferences and presiding elder districts by the number of subscriptions to The Christian Recorder because The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012 on Page 719, Number 14 in the Disciplinary Questions asks, “Have all the  preachers subscribed to The Christian Recorder and also... I am assuming that the Disciplinary Questions were asked and responded to in each annual conference. I am surprised at how small some of our annual conferences and presiding elder districts are.

Based upon the notion that every pastor has to subscribe to The Christian Recorder…  

I was surprised to find out that the Albany/South Georgia District in the South Georgia Conference has only seven churches based upon the 7 subscriptions to The Christian Recorder.

I was also surprised to find out that the Augusta/Athens District in the Sixth Episcopal District has only six churches based upon the 6 subscriptions to The Christian Recorder.

I have also been surprised at how small some of the other annual conferences are.  A couple of years ago the West Kentucky Annual Conference had only 6 churches based upon the subscriptions to The Christian Recorder.

I did not know that we had presiding elder districts that small. How do they support a presiding elder?  How do those districts support the annual conference budgets? Do we have other AME Church presiding elder districts that small?

I am surprised!

10. MUSICAL ICON STEVIE WONDER ATTENDS “UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY” EVENT AT BROWN MEMORIAL AME CHURCH:

(PASADENA, CA) – Musical icon Stevie Wonder received a standing ovation as he entered the church building of Brown Memorial AME Church in Pasadena California to attend  “Unity in the Community,” a series hosted by Pastor LeSean Tarkington and his lovely wife, First Lady the Rev. Johnetta Tarkington.  The informative and powerful series shares with attendees how to rebuild the churches community presence.

Famed musician Stevie Wonder was one of the special guests at this month’s series.  Wonder was also on-hand to support his lovely daughter Aisha Morris, one of the special honorees at this well-attended event.

Pastor Tarkington is one of the youngest pastors in the City of Pasadena and is serving in his second appointment at Brown Memorial AME Church in Pasadena California.  Since Tarkington’s appointment, he has worked to rebrand the church’s presence in the community and an increase of church membership. In addition to pastoring Tarkington works in the entertainment industry as a chaplain to R&B artist Mindless Behavior, and other notable artist, formally served two years on the Board of Trustees at the Interdenominational Theological Seminary and was featured in Ebony Magazine as one of the “Emerging Leaders Under 30.”

11. PERSONS ORDAINED AT THE 2014 WASHINGTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

Itinerant Deacons:

The Rev. James Busby   

The Rev. Andre Christian        

The Rev. Leslye Dwight          

The Rev. Kimberly Anne Giles          

The Rev. Ali Holness      

The Rev. Mark Jones      

The Rev. Erika D. Lewis          

The Rev. Fredrica Snead         

The Rev. Milwina Locklear—Re-Obligated       

Itinerant Elders

The Rev. Joseph Chandler       

The Rev. Gerald Folsom          

The Rev. Jennifer Gillyard       

The Rev. Belina Wimbush-Hale        

The Rev. Kini Spady       

The Rev. Russell St. Bernard

Local Deacons

Name, Church      

The Rev. Byron Warner, Star of Bethlehem AME Church       

The Rev. R. L. Petties, Ebenezer AME Church     

The Rev. W. E. Collier Jr., Jerusalem AME Church*   

The Rev. Gloria Bradley, Mt. Pisgah AME Church         

The Rev. Yvonne T. Davis, Allen Chapel AME Church   

The Rev. Doris C. Kitchings, Allen Chapel        AME Church         

The Rev. Robert Burnett, Ebenezer AME Church

         

*Will be ordained in another annual conference - In hospital

12. NICHOLE PHILLIPS: SHARING DISCOVERIES IN RELIGION AND RITUAL:

By Kimber Williams, Emory Report, April 16, 2014

Candler School of Theology Assistant Professor Nichole Phillips explores the power of religious rituals to create social cohesion and dismantle barriers. Emory Photo/Video.

Editor's Note: In 2010, Emory was awarded a $2.4 million Humanistic Inquiry Program (HIP) grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to support a strengthening of the humanities across the University, funding key faculty hires to blaze interdisciplinary trails of humanistic inquiry. In this occasional series, Emory Report catches up with current HIP Fellows to discuss their ongoing work.

Nichole Phillips was on her way to medical school when she heard a different calling.

"I had always been interested in religion, but medical school was my goal," recalled Phillips, an assistant professor of religion and human difference in Emory's Candler School of Theology. "Taken together, I thought I would be a more empathetic, compassionate physician."

So she embraced them both: an undergraduate biochemistry major and religion minor who was both president of her pre-med society and deeply involved in ministry to black women through Ethos, a Wellesley College student organization for women of African descent.

With research interests that today span religion, psychology, African American history and culture, as well as community and ritual studies, Phillips still considers herself a scientist: "I'm both a social scientist of religion and a practical theologian," she explains.

As a Humanistic Inquiry Program (HIP) Fellow, a position supported through a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to strengthen the humanities and expand interdisciplinary inquiry, Phillips is in her element — among a new generation of humanities scholars with both deep training in the humanities and broad training in other areas.

 "I think it's wonderful," she says. "Because I hold science and religion in tension, I've always been interdisciplinary. I'm bringing sociology, anthropology and ethnography into the conversation about the science of religion."

The power of religious ritual

Intrigued with religious studies, Phillips attended Harvard Divinity School for her first master's degree, but medical school remained firmly in her sights.

"I did it so I could be a more theologically formed physician," she recalls. "I started with medical ethics and religion as a concentration."

"Being able to critically engage the issues of prominence and relevance of the day, to be able to impact thought in that way, I think that's what divinity school gave me," Phillips says. "I got to dig deeper into the subjects that I love — it was a life transforming experience."

For her doctoral work, Phillips continued at Vanderbilt University's Graduate Department of Religion, where she completed a MA in religion and a PhD in religion, Psychology and Culture. Her dissertation showcased ethnographic research on ritual, race, evangelical faith, and Southern civil religion in a rural West Tennessee community.

She arrived at Emory in 2012 as a postdoctoral fellow in the Practical Theology and Religious Practices program at Candler, in collaboration with Emory's Graduate Division of Religion, where her research explores the power of religious rituals in creating social cohesion and dismantling the barriers that divide us, among other areas of interest.

"I use the social sciences as an analytical tool, but the actual humanistic discipline is the study of religion," she explains. "I was hired to teach community, congregational and ritual theory and methods — very much from a cultural studies perspective."

Scholarship that engages students

As a result, Phillips' course listings span a rich spectrum of scholarship: Black Religion and Black Consciousness; Rituals: Priestly and Prophetic Practices of Congregations; and Redeeming Memories: Cultural Memory, Christian Witness, and Social Genocide.

"We deal with very real, contemporary issues and look for the answers religion and theology brings to those perspectives," Phillips explained. "The classes enable them to draw on their personal experiences and backgrounds. I provide the tools for them to go out into the community and look for answers."

So for her class on "Trauma, Culture and Memories," students learn about groups that have faced social genocide — from Holocaust survivors to Native Americans — and consider the role theology plays in redeeming cultural trauma.

Her course in "Ritual Theories," taught from a social scientific perspective, examines the socially transformative nature of rituals. Elementary ethnographic research led one of Phillips' students to return to her rural North Carolina community in order to study the "welcome moment" at her own church, a tradition that had long been in place, was removed by a new pastor and then reinstated.

"She came to understand it as an important part of the service, something that does bond the church community," Phillips recalls. "It wasn't just form and fashion; it was a chance for people to catch up. When you have social cohesion, all kinds of things happen in that space."

In her own research, Phillips continues to explore the role of rituals in sacralizing public and private space. She is currently revising for publication her doctoral dissertation, which examines what death rituals disclose about Southern Christianity, race and politics in a rural West Tennessee community.

And she's settling into a teaching role that has already presented surprising rewards.

"I think it's coming together for me now," Phillips says. "I've realized that I really love teaching, that engagement with students. They ask a million questions and you wonder if you have all the answers. But you have to have the humility to say, 'Here is my answer — I'm willing to do the research to find out more.'

"While I am the expert in particular areas, they come to me with questions that I may not have even thought about. So while I'm a teacher, I'm also a learner," she adds. "I really do love that."

13.  HAVE WE BECOME TOO PROFESSIONAL?

         

*Thom Schultz 

It’s happened again. The church has been appropriated by the professionals.

It’s one of the factors that is weakening the American church. The focus within the church has moved to the professional Christians, the people on stage on Sunday morning.

The public now believes that ministry is something that only paid professionals do. Most churchgoers assume it’s their job to go to church, sit passively, and watch the professionals on the stage perform ministry. Being salt and light in the community? That’s the pastor’s job. Introducing children to the God who loves them? That’s the children’s minister’s job. Helping teenagers navigate questions of faith? That’s the youth worker’s job. Out in the world, if the topic of faith comes up, churchgoers often say, “You really ought to talk to my pastor about that.”

Has the Body of Christ become convinced that it is deaf, dumb and deactivated?

An historical phenomenon

Some 2000 years ago the religious elite also controlled the scene. It was Jesus who democratized the faith and made it accessible to all. He encouraged and empowered everyday people to carry out his transformative message of love.

And again, about 500 years ago, the church was bound up in the notion that clerics held the reins to the Kingdom. It took a renegade priest, Martin Luther, to democratize the faith once again, encouraging everyday people to live out their faith.

Since then the church has again abdicated its work and thinking to the professionals. And the people’s lack of ownership is contributing to the current decline of the church. Fewer and fewer people want to be mere spectators to a faith journey articulated and practiced exclusively by paid spokespersons.

Some of these professionals, like those of past millennia, rather like this exclusive setup. They relish thoughts of being in charge, possessing superior knowledge, safeguarding doctrinal purity, controlling the shots, and basking in the admiration of the little people. And, the emergence of the celebrity pastor has also served to distance the people from a sense that “we’re all in this together.”

Perhaps it’s time for another spiritual awakening that re-engages all the faithful. Today’s church leaders could help this along with some intentional actions. Such as:

- Remind the people that ministry is the work of all the people, not just a select few.

- Share the microphone. Allow everyday people to tell their stories of faith. Every week.

- Empower people to run with significant ministries–without “helicopter” professionals hovering over every decision.

- Go beyond preaching at people to share their faith. Enable them to actually practice it. (This is one of Lifetree Cafe’s most important benefits–allowing members a weekly opportunity to talk about their faith in a safe environment.)

- Encourage questions, give-and-take, and conversation during times that have been traditionally reserved for professional monologs.

- At least sometimes, put the professional musicians out of sight. And encourage the people to spontaneously come forward and lead the house in worship.

- Resist the temptation to always be the one who offers a professional prayer. Encourage everyday people to pray in worship, in meetings, at meals.

- As a leader, be vulnerable and authentic. Admit–often–that you do not have all the answers. Act more like a fellow disciple than a messiah.

The time has come for another era of the priesthood of all believers.

*By Thom Schultz. From Holy Soup (www.holysoup.com). Copyright 2014 Thom Schultz.

14. AME HUMOR:

--Instead of...

The Rev. John Smith the new pastor of Bethel AME Church was canvassing his neighborhood for members. He met a poor widow with three young daughters. He introduced himself and asked if she attended church?

She said “I am pleased to me you, my name is Mrs. Mary Jones; I do not attend any church.  I cannot attend your church because your members wear very fine clothes to church and our clothes are very plain because I am struggling to make ends meet.”

The Rev. Smith said “Jesus said come as you are.”

“Thank you Reverend Smith, you are very kind, but I rather not.”

Well Mrs. Jones, I am going to ask our missionary president to help you." 

The pastor went back to the church and talked to the Sara Allen Missionary Society and they went out and purchased new clothes and donated some and also collected $500. They delivered the clothes and the money on Saturday to Mrs. Jones and each of her three daughters. 

The next Sunday, the whole congregation watched for the family, but they never showed up for worship.

Disappointed, the pastor went to their house after the service and asked why they did not attend church.

"Well," the woman said, "we got all dressed up in our new clothes and we looked so nice. We rented a limousine with some of that $500 and we went to the Episcopal Church instead!"

- Why the Preachers Don't Go Fishing Anymore

Four preachers would go fishing once a month; a Baptist, a Presbyterian, an AME and a Pentecostal.

They decided to confess their faults to one another.

The Baptist said "well, my only fault is I like the drink... yep; I hit the bottle quite often."

The Presbyterian confessed ''Well my shortcoming is that I do chase the women, but that's my only fault." 

The AME said, “My fault is every year I tell my Bishop a little white lie at our annual conference. I under-count my membership and how much money I raise because I don’t want the bishop to raise my assessments.

And finally the Pentecostal spoke out gleefully. “I have 2 faults, I play golf when I should be in church; as a matter of fact, I play golf with your bishop … and my second fault is that I tell everything I know. And I can't wait to get back to town to tell everybody about what I just heard from y'all...

-- Daddy Comes to Church

The new pastor was glad that his father finally came to church. The father loved the singing of the choirs; however the son was embarrassed by his dad falling asleep during his sermons.

So, he decided to come up with a plan to keep him awake. He told his young son, Tony to sit by "gramps" and keep him awake by giving him a little prod each time he started to nod off and he would give him $5.

Well, "gramps" started into his nap again right on schedule and the little boy just sat there.

After church his dad asked, "Tony, why didn't you wake up "gramps" when he fell asleep.

"That's easy," said his son, "Gramps pays better!" as he pulled out a $20 bill!

*Submitted by Brother Darwin Curry

15. U.S. SUPREME COURT OVERTURNS LOWER COURT, RULES MICHIGAN’S PROPOSAL 2 IS CONSTITUTIONAL:

WASHINGTON – In a 6-2 decision today, the Supreme Court overturned a lower court and ruled that Michigan’s Proposal 2 is constitutional. Proposal 2 is a 2006 ballot initiative that led to a state constitutional ban on race-conscious college admissions policies in Michigan. It specifically barred students from lobbying universities to consider race as one of many factors in admissions.

"Proposal 2 unfairly keeps students from asking universities to consider race as one factor in admissions, but allows consideration of factors like legacy status, athletic achievement and geography," said Mark Rosenbaum, the American Civil Liberties Union attorney who argued the case, Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, before the Supreme Court in October. "This case is ultimately about whether students of color in Michigan are allowed to compete on the same playing field as all other students. Today, the Supreme Court said they are not."

In 2006, the ACLU, ACLU of Michigan, NAACP, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the law firm of Cravath, Swaine and Moore, LLP, filed a lawsuit on behalf of students, faculty and prospective applicants to the University of Michigan challenging Proposal 2. In 2012, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit found Proposal 2 unconstitutional for placing an unfair burden on those seeking to have race considered as one of many factors in university admissions. 

"This decision gives donors, athletic officials, and alumni unencumbered access to university officials when lobbying for their constituents, however completely shuts out supporters of greater diversity on campus from the admissions process," said Kary L. Moss, executive director of the ACLU of Michigan. "In order to have their voices heard; students of color must now take on the arduous task of overturning the constitutional amendment. This is the definition of a separate and unequal system that will result in Michigan continuing to lose students and faculty of color to states that have the flexibility to consider the whole person before them."

There has been a notable decline in minority enrollment since Proposal 2 took effect. For example, African-American enrollment plummeted 33 percent at the University of Michigan/Ann Arbor between 2006 and 2012, even as overall enrollment grew by 10 percent.

"While this decision is a setback for diversity efforts in Michigan, it is important to note that this case did not address the merits of race-conscious admissions, which have been previously upheld by the court, as the justices emphasized in today's ruling," said Leticia Smith-Evans, interim director of the Education Group at the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.

Plaintiff Kevin Gaines, a professor of history and African-American Studies at the University of Michigan, said he is concerned with how today’s ruling will impact the quality of education students receive at Michigan universities. 

"Students deserve a robust education where a variety of viewpoints are shared and debated," he said. "Proposal 2 has meant less diversity in our universities, which has had a chilling effect on the quality of discourse in the classroom. Unfortunately, that will continue, at least for the time being, in Michigan."

A copy of today's Supreme Court ruling is at:
www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/13pdf/12-682_j4ek.pdf

This press statement is available online at:

aclu.org/racial-justice/us-supreme-court-overturns-lower-court-rules-michigans-proposal-2-constitutional

More information on this case is at:
aclu.org/racial-justice/schuette-v-coalition-defend-affirmative-action

16. NAACP STATEMENT ON SUPREME COURT DECISION TO UPHOLD MICHIGAN BAN ON AFFIRMATIVE ACTION:

(Washington, DC) – The NAACP released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Michigan’s ban on affirmative action. In a recent 6-2 decision, the Supreme Court overturned a lower court and ruled that Michigan’s Proposal 2 -- a 2006 ballot initiative that led to a state constitutional ban on race-conscious college admissions policies in Michigan – is indeed constitutional. The ruling specifically prohibits students from lobbying universities to consider race as one of many factors in admissions.

From Lorraine C. Miller, NAACP Interim President and CEO:

“The Supreme Court’s decision embraces discrimination and rejects diversity. It’s in our nation’s best interest to ensure talented students from all backgrounds get a close look and a fair shot at overcoming obstacles to educational opportunity. The NAACP is committed to fighting Michigan’s constitutional amendment at the ballot box and helping other states advance diversity in higher education.”

From Hilary Shelton, the Director of the NAACP Washington Bureau and the Sr. VP of Policy & Advocacy:

“The NAACP is outraged with the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold Michigan’s ban on the use of equal opportunity programs such as affirmative action as race conscious solutions must be available for racially discriminatory problems. As we approach the 60th anniversary of Brown v. the Board of Education, we are reminded that there remain challenges to securing educational opportunities for all Americans regardless of race or ethnicity. The Supreme Court has impeded our country’s efforts to address the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities in higher education and puts the access of future generations to high quality and well-rounded education in serious jeopardy.”

17. MAKE PLANS NOW FOR NEXT YEAR’S TAX RETURN:

Most people stop thinking about taxes after they file their tax return. But there’s no better time to start tax planning than right now. And it’s never too early to set up a smart recordkeeping system. Here are six IRS tips to help you start to plan for this year’s taxes:

1. Take action when life changes occur.  Some life events, like a change in marital status, the birth of a child or buying a home, can change the amount of taxes you owe. When such events occur during the year, you may need to change the amount of tax taken out of your pay. To do that, you must file a new Form W-4, Employee's Withholding Allowance Certificate, with your employer. Use the IRS Withholding Calculator on IRS.gov to help you fill out the form. If you receive advance payments of the premium tax credit it is important that you report changes in circumstances, such as changes in your income or family size, to your Health Insurance Marketplace.

2. Keep records safe.  Put your 2013 tax return and supporting records in a safe place. That way if you ever need to refer to your return, you’ll know where to find it. For example, you may need a copy of your return if you apply for a home loan or financial aid. You can also use it as a guide when you do next year's tax return.

3. Stay organized.  Make sure your family puts tax records in the same place during the year. This will avoid a search for misplaced records come tax time next year.

4. Shop for a tax preparer.  If you want to hire a tax preparer to help you with tax planning, start your search now. Choose a tax preparer wisely. You are responsible for the accuracy of your tax return no matter who prepares it. Find tips for choosing a preparer at IRS.gov.

5. Think about itemizing.  If you usually claim a standard deduction on your tax return, you may be able to lower your taxes if you itemize deductions instead. A donation to charity could mean some tax savings. See the instructions for Schedule A, Itemized Deductions, for a list of deductions.

6. Keep up with changes.  Subscribe to IRS Tax Tips to get emails about tax law changes, how to save money and much more. You can also get Tips on IRS.gov or IRS2Go, the IRS’s mobile app. The IRS issues tips each weekday in the tax filing season and three days a week in summer.

Remember, a little planning now can pay off big at tax time next year.

Additional IRS Resources:

- Publication 505, Tax Withholding and Estimated Tax

IRS YouTube Videos:

- IRS Withholding Calculator - English | Spanish | ASL

- Record Keeping - English | Spanish | ASL

- Standard Versus Itemized Deductions - English | Spanish | ASL

IRS Podcasts:

- Standard Versus Itemized Deductions - English | Spanish

18. THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT:

*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.

Based on Biblical Text: Ecclesiastes 3:1: “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. “

 

A season represents a period of time. Our calendar year from January to December consists of four seasons. Sports fans recognize that we deal in seasons. The same is true in our lives. We experience different seasons. It is a fact that as seasons come and go we come to realize that the season for certain things in our lives has passed. The fact is that there are some things that we just cannot do anymore. It is not always that we don’t want to do it; most times the truth is that we are not physically able to do it anymore, because that season has passed.

In our text the word season refers to a suitable period, and a time implies an appointed moment. Thus our text could very well read, to every thing there is a suitable period and an appointed moment to every purpose under the sun. Most believers have no problem understanding that whatever God has purposed for our lives is going to come to pass. Our dilemma is not if it is going to come to pass, the difficulty for some us is when is it going to come to pass. We understand that life consists of seasons and the seasons in our lives consist of particular moments in time.

So much hinges on when rather than if, therefore it becomes critical for us to be able to discern the seasons in our lives. We must learn to recognize when God is ready to take us from one point to the next. It is important for us to understand when a shift is coming, because it might be necessary for us to brace ourselves and get ready. We need to recognize the shift as we might need to pack up and get moving.

There are times in our lives when things happen and we look everywhere for something on which to place the blame. Ultimately we find it is not the devil but we are our own biggest encumbrance. The devil is not our biggest difficulty. We know, because the Bible says that no weapon formed against us shall prosper. We know, because the Bible encourages us that greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. We know, because the Bible assures us that the gates of hell shall not prevail against the church.

So then the devil is not our biggest hindrance because we have the victory over him. That does not mean that we will not be attacked. Nor does it mean that we will not feel the effects of the attack. But we are encouraged that, troubles don’t last always, and all things work together for good to those that love the Lord. The fact is the devil is coming, but if we just stand on the Word and the promises of God, that season of temptation will pass. Incidentally, the reason the psalmist could boldly declare that weeping may endure for a night, was because there is a season for weeping. Thank God he went on to say that joy comes in the morning, because there’s a season for joy.

It is necessary that we be able to recognize the seasons, because we don’t want to be weeping when it is time to rejoice. We don’t want to be mourning in a season for laughter or keeping in a season when we should be casting away. In other words we want to know when the seasons change so we can be in tune with what the Lord is doing. We want to know when appointed moments have arrived.

We mark seasonal changes in the natural realm by a calendar. The calendar announces the month and day of the atmospheric season changes. However, the weather does not always cooperate. The calendar says spring but we find that we must dress for winter. The physical manifestation of a season does not always appear on the date that the calendar lists. The season does not change because the day has arrived, the season changes because the time has arrived. In other words, seasonal change does not follow any strict plan.

We can see in Creation that we serve a God of season. The four seasons that God created are based upon the rotation of the Earth as it orbits the Sun. The seasons change as the earth moves, but the S.U.N. sun in our planetary system remains constant, and everything revolves around it.

Like the earth revolves around the S.U.N. sun, our lives should revolve around the S.O.N. Son, Jesus Christ. Our lives will change, and we will enter and exit many seasons, but the Son remains constant. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.

God does not measure seasons with instruments. God measures seasons through truth and revelation. Whenever God gives us a new revelation and a fresh Word, we find that we have stepped into a new season. Our text says, to every thing there is a season. That means that every aspect of our lives is as to a season. It also means that there is a purpose and a reason for those seasons. There is also a purpose for the process.

Many of us can recall times in our lives when God has revealed particular truths that have propelled us into a new season. As we moved into our new season we found that some of the things and the people that were very necessary in our previous season are not at all important in our new season. That is because there is a time to every purpose under the heaven. Once God has fulfilled what He purposed for that season, He will move us into another season. God moves us from faith to faith and from glory to glory. It is important for us to understand that our walk with the Lord is designed to be a progressive walk. In other words we ought to be headed somewhere.

There are several times in the Bible where we are reminded that our journey is progressive. We are not always ready when we think we are ready.  Jesus told His disciples and He tells us from time to time, there are some things that I want to reveal to you, but right now you can’t handle it. Right now is not the time for that.  Our time is not always God’s time.

An example is following the time when Jesus was baptized in the river Jordan. Jesus could have set up the church right then, after all it was already in the plan of God. It was not however the right time. Another example is when Saul of Tarsus had his conversion experience on the Damascus Road. The Lord could have appeared to him earlier and set him on the road to do ministry, but it just wasn’t time.  King David was anointed to be the King of Israel; however it would be years later before He would be appointed King, because the time of his anointing was not the time of his appointing.

We are creatures of habit. It is critical for us to come to grips with the fact that when the season shifts it symbolizes change. It is good for us that God has a system in place to automatically produce change.  Think about it, we all have ideal conditions we would like to see. We would love for it to always be 70 degrees and sunny. The same is true with our spiritual lives. We each have ideal conditions we would like to see. If we had our way some things would never change, but change is one thing that the Lord is constantly producing. It is a fact that the only thing constant in this world is change. However, when the times and the seasons are changing we can look to the Word of God and we can listen to the voice of the Spirit. The Lord will open the eyes of our understanding.

God loves us so much and wants so much for us to have life abundantly that I find it difficult to believe that He derives any pleasure out of catching us off guard. Could it be that many of the times when we are caught off guard is the result of our not listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit?

Change comes and it presents a challenge. It could very well be that many of us who dislike change don’t like challenge. Rather we like contentment. We are comfortable with the status quo. If Jesus is our example, then we must know that He always challenged the content and the comfortable. Jesus changed the whole world and He changed it by issuing the challenge to follow Him. If Jesus is our example then we ought to always welcome change and challenge.

Following Jesus is a challenge. Sometimes we will want to do some things and react in some ways that Jesus would not and it will be a challenge to remain true to the Lord. Jesus will challenge us every day of our life. We must welcome the challenge because we know it is for our development and the Lord is just preparing us for our next season. The reason for every season in life is to bring us closer to the Lord. We are called to live for the Lord. If we are not living for the Lord we are not really living.

The Apostle Paul said, when I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. We must be in prayer for those who are content to live their lives and never change. Many we know are so set in their ways that when the Lord is trying to do something in them or through them, they reject the move of God because it will require change. Jesus was widely rejected by the very people He came to save, because at the heart of His message was change. Jesus appeared on the scene because it was the season for God to shift the way He dealt with man. God does not change, but the way He deals with people does. God was then and He still is today, looking to continue to fulfill His eternal plan for man. People rejected Jesus then and many reject Jesus today because for the plan of God to be fulfilled, it would require change.

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” The good news is that the harvest comes at the end of the season. “Let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.”

*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, S.C.

19. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, APRIL 27, 2014 - FROM SUFFERING TO GLORY - ISAIAH 53:5-8 & LUKE 24:25-27 & 44-50:

Bill Dickens, Allen AME Church, Tacoma, Washington

The joy of teaching comes from always exploiting an opportunity to convey knowledge and wisdom to those seeking information and truth.  I have taught the nuances of economics for a long time.  My audience has consisted of both non-specialists and specialists of the dismal science.  Irrespective of the audience, I derive great pleasure in demystifying the esoteric structure of economics in order to make the profound concepts simple and the simple concepts profound.  My pedagogical technique is derived directly from the teaching philosophy used by Jesus. 

In the Adult AME Church School lesson for April 27, 2014 Jesus demonstrates his love for teaching, even after His Resurrection!  How does He do it?  I thought you would never ask! 

Jesus’ ministry can be summed up in two major activities: Helping the disenfranchised and Teaching the uninformed. 

From the recording of his first miracle at the Cana wedding, thru the many parables he taught  to healing the Roman soldier whose ear was severed by Peter’s sword, Jesus is non-stop, 24/7 in helping those in need and teaching eternal truth. 

In today’s lesson we find Jesus seizing an opportunity to teach in His post-Resurrection appearance. Like many of us today, the Disciples were slow learners.  Despite having unlimited access to the Greatest Teacher in human history, many still did not fully comprehend or grasp His essential message. He reminds His disciples, over a meal no less, that the events that led up to His Resurrection had been properly foretold in Holy Writ.  The prophet Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah must endure suffering and physical abuse prior to experiencing the joy seen through His glorious Resurrection.  While not intuitively obvious to most, suffering is a prerequisite for glory.

 

Many athletes understand this theological truth as “no pain, no gain.”  In other words, before we can experience the thrill of victory we must pay the price by sacrificing temporal enjoyments thru hard work and long, painful practices. 

Jesus paid the ultimate price by voluntarily laying down His life so that we will have an opportunity to be reconciled back to God. 

The teaching opportunity in Dr. Luke, Chapter 24 shows Jesus connecting the dots with the events in Isaiah 53 and the events seen by His followers.  The Suffering Servant depicted in Isaiah Chapter 53 is simply one side of the “coin.”  The other side of the coin is the victory over death and the penalty of sin (see I Corinthians 14: 54-57). 

Knowing the truth is liberating and cathartic. 

We no longer have to remain in darkness but can experience God’s marvelous light.  This is why we give God all Glory and Honor!

*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.

20. GETTING TO ZERO: A CLOSER WALK

*Dr. Oveta Fuller

In one of the documentary films used in the Payne Theological Seminary intensive course “What Effective Clergy Should Know about HIV/AIDS”, a pastor is filmed while he preaches the morning message to the congregation. The scene is similar to what many TCR readers and others are part of on most Sundays during morning worship. The choir is in place wearing their colorful robes, the pews have attentive people of various ages dressed in their Sunday finery, the stained glass windows glisten and beautiful wooden pews are evident. The pastor rises to bring the Good News in the message or sermon of the day.

In this documentary film “A Closer Walk” that is narrated by Glenn Close and Will Smith, an African American male pastor does not preach a typical sermon. In the excerpt of the Sunday morning service that is part of the documentary, the preacher talks about his cousin. The cousin has the same name as the preacher. His cousin is dead. His cousin died alone. He tells the congregation that his cousin wrapped himself up in a blanket and sat alone in an abandoned home until he died, alone. The young cousin had not contacted his parents, the preacher’s aunt and uncle. He had not contacted his cousin, the pastor preacher. He died sick and all alone.

Why? The cousin was gay and had contracted HIV that led to AIDS. Apparently the cousin felt that he was not loved enough that he could share this part of his life and his illness with his parents, his family members or his preacher/pastor cousin with whom he shared the same name. So, the man died, untreated and alone.

The highly recommended documentary A Closer Walk is subtitled as “A film about AIDS in the world. A story about the way the world is.” It was first released in 2003. An updated version was released in 2006. The documentary description states “A Closer Walk is about people everywhere acquiring knowledge about the realities of AIDS in the world, and then passing that knowledge on to others. Ending AIDS will require sustained action on the part of millions of people around the world.”

This incident in some black church somewhere in America occurred before 2002 when the film was finished. This was during the early years when highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) was practiced, but the drugs and therapy were not as accessible as they are now in 2014. We had learned a great deal about HIV by 2002. We know even more now in 2014. Yet people are still reluctant to disclose that they are HIV+. Some are reluctant to disclose that they are homosexual or same-gender loving. Both often are kept as a secret because of the fear of what others will think.

Its 2014, what should Christians think about these matters?

In 2014, more people know that HIV is a relatively fragile virus that can only be transmitted by direct contact with semen, vaginal fluid, blood and breast milk. We know that such contact can be avoided by using at all times one of the ABC’s of prevention. These are abstinence from reusing needles and from sexual intercourse, being faithful to one partner in sexual engagement who also is faithful to you, or, if not A or B; always correctly using latex condoms for each sexual intercourse contact.

In 2014, why are new HIV infections still occurring and at the disproportionate levels? Why are 68% of the newly infected females in the USA in 2010 African American?  Why is it that black men, who are 6.2% of the population, were 31% of all new HIV infections in the USA in 2010? Why in 2010 were nearly 11,000 Black males who have sex with men (MSMs) newly diagnosed with HIV.

Will these new diagnoses of HIV infection lead to treatment that can prevent or slow progression to AIDS, or prevent death from AIDS and AIDS related complications? Do newly diagnosed men and women feel that they can share with someone that they are infected by HIV and thus are HIV+?

If you are a preacher/pastor/minister, would your cousin or nephew or son or daughter feel that they could come to you after learning that they are HIV+? Maybe you are a lay leader, a missionary, a trustee, a steward or a Sunday school teacher. Would a member of your family or a member of your congregation seek guidance and wisdom from you on how to navigate the waters of life while living with HIV/AIDS? Or, would they feel alone, isolated and think that there are few options except the choice made by the pastor’s cousin in “A Closer Walk”?

What is needed? What must occur so that AME members, Christians or people in general get past the negative perceptions of HIV and understand that it is another human viral pathogen? It is not a punishment. It is not a sentence. It is not a conspiracy to destroy. It is simply a virus that takes advantage of human sexuality to move from person to person in order to survive.

Would it matter that the person who wants to talk with you is same-gender loving? Have you ever pondered why some people are same-gender loving? Does sexual preference or orientation increase the risks of exposure to and infection with HIV? If so, how and what can be done to reduce infection risk?

Yes, I am convicted that we have not discussed the fast growing numbers of HIV+ black men who have sex with men and perhaps also with women. We have not talked much about the roles of homosexuality, imprisonment or bisexuality as prevalent factors that allow HIV to travel through communities of color in the USA.  Can we talk? What would Jesus say? What would Jesus do?

A well-known gospel song has lyrics, “Just a closer walk with Thee. Grant it Jesus if you please. Daily walking close with Thee. Let it be, dear Lord, let it be.” We must ask the questions and seek out answers and viable options.

Will you think on these things as we continue to engage in the much needed conversation?

*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 4^th 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.”

21. MEDITATION BASED ON PSALM 121:

I’m writing this meditation on Earth Day 2014, an annual reminder that we should be responsible stewards of the earth’s resources.  I regularly do my part, because I’ve pretty much “gone green” when it comes to the use of paper.

I send emails and text messages instead of written letters whenever possible and my sermons, letters, receipts, photos and other documents are stored not in file cabinets or photo albums, but on my computer.  My daily schedule, contact information and phone messages are stored on my iPhone and iPad. 

I make notes in meetings on my iPad and do things like my grocery shopping and “to-do” lists on my iPhone.  My critical information is stored not just on my computer, but is also backed up in “cloud” storage so that it can be easily recovered if any of my marvelous modern devices unexpectedly happen to “crash.”

I’ve “gone green,” but with one exception - I still print out sermons and speeches before delivery.  I’ve tried preaching from my iPad, but I sometimes lose my place, and my iPad sometimes “freezes” unexpectedly and leaves me uncomfortably “ad-libbing” while I frantically “reboot” and try to find the place where I left off!   I like “green technology,” but when it comes to critical and essential matters, technology doesn’t replace what’s familiar and dependable.

Remember that when it comes to your relationship with God.  Today’s technology does a lot to make our lives more manageable, but technology can’t answer life’s hard questions, can’t cheer us in our troubled times, can’t offer enduring peace of mind in stormy times and can’t bring us well-being when life gets complicated and confusing.

Emails and text messages don’t always go through, cell phone calls drop, modern technology sometimes goes “off line,” but the Lord Jesus Christ is still just a prayer away, is always there to hear our prayers and can still handle life’s challenges in ways that technology can’t match.

Take the time each day not just to send text messages and e-mail, but to slow down, meditate on your blessings and go to God in prayer.  You’ll find the answers, strength, joy and direction that you need, and you’ll find out why those who struggled to get a phone call though - in the days when “party lines” shared by many wired phone users often hindered phone communication - first sang, “Jesus is on the main line, just tell Him what you want.”

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

22. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:

-- Presiding Elder and Mrs. Robert A. Strode will celebrate their 40^th Wedding Anniversary

Presiding Elder and Mrs. Robert A. Strode, Lexington District, Kentucky Conference will celebrate their 40th Wedding Anniversary on April 19th.  When asked what has contributed to their marital longevity:  They invited Christ into the marriage before inviting others to the wedding.

Congratulatory email messages can be sent to:

Sister Shelby Strode: Shelby.Strode@aol.com

Presiding Elder Robert A. Strode: IAMABIBLEMAN@aol.com

* Lexington District, Kentucky Conference

-- The Reverend Charmayne G. Davis successfully defended her Doctor of Ministry dissertation

The Reverend Charmayne G. Davis, Ordained Elder, South Annual Conference, Eleventh Episcopal District, successfully defended her Doctor of Ministry dissertation on March 26, 2014 from the Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary (Louisville, Kentucky).  The title of her dissertation is "Clergy Sexual Misconduct in the African Methodist Episcopal Church" This dissertation examines the moral ethics of sexual misconduct within the church setting and its damaging effects on its victims, their families and the congregations in which the misconduct occurs. This groundbreaking research brings healing to the body of Christ as victims are empowered to recognize unhealthy boundary crossing and offenders are empowered to maintain healthy professional boundaries as they minister within their congregations. Graduation Day is Sunday, May 18, 2014.

Congratulatory message can be emailed to: charmayne@charmaynedavis.com

* The Reverend Charmayne G. Davis

23. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE UPDATE:

Services for nephew of Bishop T. Larry Kirkland

Service arrangements for Alfred Kirkland, nephew of Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Presiding Prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church:

Wednesday, April 30, 2014 at 11:30 a.m.

Riverside National Cemetery

22495 Van Buren Boulevard

Riverside, CA 92518

Contact information for Bishop T. Larry Kirkland

Fifth Episcopal District AME Church

4519 Admiralty Way, Suite 205

Marina Del Ray, CA 90292

Telephone: (310) 577-8530

Fax: (310) 577-8540

Email: BishopTKirkland@aol.com

24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

This is to announce with great remorse that God's faithful servant, Sister Mary Louise Cooperwood, passed early Wednesday morning April 16, 2014 and made her transition from earth to glory with her family and friends by her side. Sister Cooperwood was a devoted member of Providence AME Church, North Memphis District, in Memphis, TN.

She was preceded in death by her beloved Jack who was also a pillar of the West Tennessee Conference.  Sister Cooperwood has held various conference positions as well as being a willing laborer in the army of the Lord. 

She is a past Lay President as well as answering the call from God to preach the Gospel and was a much sought after Lay Minister.  Funeral arrangements are below.  Please pray for her entire family as they mourn the loss of their family member.

Funeral was held on Monday, April 21, 2014 at Christ Missionary Baptist Church in Memphis.

25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

It is with heartfelt sympathy that we inform you of the passing of the Reverend Alexander Giles, the pastor, St. Peter AME Church in New Orleans - Bogalusa District of the Louisiana Conference.  On Monday, April 21, 2014, his wife, Mrs. Barbara Giles and other family members were by his bedside as he made his earthly transition.  The Reverend and Mrs. Giles were married for more than 51 years. 

The Reverend Alexander Giles pastoral ministry began in 1980.  He served in the Second Episcopal District and later in the Eighth Episcopal District. In both districts, he served faithfully and with great distinction.  In the Second Episcopal District, he served Adams Inspirational AME Church in Brandywine, Maryland and Metropolitan and Dickerson AME Churches in Cumberland, Maryland. 

He served the following congregations in the Eighth Episcopal District:  Fluker Chapel in Fluker, Louisiana; Grant Chapel in Amite, Louisiana; Bethel A.M.E. Church in Alexandria, Louisiana; St. James in Hammond, Louisiana and Historic St. Peter AME Church, Cadiz, Louisiana.   The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Viewing and Funeral Service: Saturday, April 26, 2014

Viewing: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m.

Mount Olive A.M.E. Church

2457 Second Street

Slidell, Louisiana 70458

The Reverend Margaret Simms, Pastor

The Right Reverend Julius H. McAllister, Sr. Eulogist

The Reverend Jacob W. Hilton, Jr., Presiding Elder

Visitation and Committal Service: Saturday afternoon, April 26, 2014

Union Missionary Baptist Church

506 Day Bridge

Mobile, Alabama

Services Entrusted to:

D. W. Rhodes Funeral Home

3933 Washington Avenue

New Orleans, Louisiana

Telephone: (504) 891-2549

Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:

Mrs. Barbara Giles

317 Southwood Drive

Gretna, Louisiana 70056

26. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Sister Betty Bryant Ervin, the wife of the Rev. W. C. Ervin III, pastor of New Greater Gordon African Methodist Episcopal Church in Georgetown District, Palmetto Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District of the AME Church.

Bless the Lord O My Soul: Sister Ervin slept away very peacefully at 2:03 a.m. on Wednesday morning, April 23, 2014. For the last 46 years, besides the Lord of course, she had been the very center of the Rev. Ervin's existence. Seven years of courtship followed by thirty-nine years of marriage.

Please note the following:

Culminating Celebration of Life

11 a.m., Saturday, May 3, 2014

Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church

Bloomingville Community

8201 Thurgood Marshall Highway

Andrews, SC 29510

Telephone: (843) 221-5530

The Rev. Herman Ford, Jr., Pastor

Funeral Director:

Henryhand Funeral Homes

1951 Thurgood Marshall Hwy

Kingstree, SC 29556

Telephone: (843) 354-2292

Family Correspondence: 

The Rev. W.C. Ervin III

1 Ervin Road

Andrews, SC 29510

Cell: (843) 325-0102

Home: (843) 651-1636

Email: revwcerviniii@aol.com

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

Ora L. Easley, Administrator

AMEC Clergy Family Information Center

Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net  

Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/  

Telephone: (615) 837-9736 (H)

Telephone: (615) 833-6936 (O)

Cell: (615) 403-7751

Blog: http://ameccfic.blogspot.com/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC  

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220  

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.

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