5/02/2014

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (05/02/14)

May is National Military Appreciation Month
Mother’s Day: May 11, 2014
Pentecost Sunday: June 8, 2014


1. TCR EDITORIAL – BRANDING IS IMPORTANT Part 2:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder

The Decalogue is one of our identifiable AME brands!  No doubt about it! 

Allow me to say this

Why some pastors would want to remove the Decalogue from the AME Order of Worship is beyond my comprehension.

Whenever I have heard the excuse that it “takes too much time,” I have only heard that excuse from pastors; I have never heard it from a layperson.

"Some pastors have expressed the notion that the Decalogue, as well as the Apostles' Creed, has become rote and meaningless."

If pastors and parishioners are not provided teaching and discipleship as it relates to the important liturgical movements in worship, those parts will become rote and meaningless, as announcements have become in most churches. Just maybe, the Decalogue and the Apostles’ Creed have become rote and meaningless because of a lack of teaching and discipleship training. 

Allow me to get off-track

Friends can share honestly with friends; or, friends should be able to share honestly with each other. You may not hear this anywhere else.

The de-emphasis by some pastors on the Decalogue not only draws complaints, but draws the biggest number of complaints by far, followed by issues with the Communion.  Some parishioners feel that the Communion Service is conducted too frivolously. Others feel that some pastors seem to rush through the Communion ritual to get it over with as quickly as possible because the events prior to the Communion took up so much time.

The choir is the other problem area, but that’s another editorial.

Other complaints include those concerning long rambling, unprepared-clichéd sermons and long worship services. The lack of pastoral visitation and insufficient transparency, particularly as it relates to financesare other complaints. 

Another “biggie” is related to the duties and need for a presiding elder if quarterly conferences are not held; and pastors’ failure to hold church conferences. Other concerns include unconnected or disjointed worship services. As more than one person said, “When I bring my friends to church, I want order and spiritual decorum, not chaos. Worship just seems to start when the choir has enough singers and everybody gets in place, sometimes five to ten minutes late. Sometimes we don’t get out of church until about 1:30.”

Back to AME branding 

If there is any one thing we should want to keep as a branding symbol it would be the Decalogue. The full Decalogue with the Summary of the Decalogue is as Christologically-centric as one can get. 

We have several beautiful versions of the Decalogue and creative music directors could probably develop more variations of the Decalogue to fit the needs of various regions.

Pastors have the option of doing the Full, Abridged or the Summary of the Decalogue.

Just for information, especially for the laity, the Full Decalogue should always be accompanied by the Summary.  I am not sure where pastors were given license to do just the Summary of the Decalogue by itself.

The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2012 (The D&D AMEC 2012) provides a note of explanation for the Abridged Decalogue; “The Abridged: Consists of First Commandment, ‘Nearer my God to Thee,’ and the Summary of the Decalogue.”

The Affirmation of Faith or Apostles’ Creed is recited by many sacramental churches and we should include it in our worship because it is a clear statement of our belief. If we don’t recite the Apostles’ Creed, many in our parishioners won’t know what they believe because some of our churches are not teaching the great theological and doctrinal teachings of the church.  The Nicene Creed or the Te Deum Laudamus are also litany options in worship for those who prefer variation; and they are great teaching tools, not only for the laity, but for clergy too! 

When the offering is lifted and the congregation sings the offertory, “All Things Come of Thee…,” the Offertory that is sung in AME churches is our brand, because the Offertory that we sing is AME, even though other churches use the same Offertory.

The American Marketing Association defines a brand as a "name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers."

A brand can take many forms, including a name, sign, symbol, color combination or slogan.  Branding is a tool that helps people to identify with the organization or business.  Branding is an advertising tool and if used effectively, can be an efficient tool for loyalty and growth.

For instance, when many of us think about owning the ultimate automobile we think about BMW because BMW has always been known as the “ultimate driving machine.”   Or we think about a Cadillac or a Lincoln Town Car. When most people think of a Cadillac or Lincoln Town Car, they think of them as America's premier luxury cars.

When people think about Mercedes Benz they think about a well-built German luxury automobile and the three-pointed star, which has adorned the radiator at the front of the Mercedes Benz since 1910. The three-pointed star symbolized the company’s ability to build motors for “land, water and air” vehicles.  Small additions were made to the star like surrounding the star with a circle and other minor additions, but the three-pointed star remained the brand for Mercedes Benz. 

The brand image for an organization defines the qualities that people associate with a particular organization and helps organizations establish perceptions that become people’s reality. Organizations do not get rid of their brands; they build upon their brands as Mercedes Benz did by surrounding the three-sided star with the circle. The three-sided star has been the Mercedes-Benz's brand since 1910.

Our celebration

We should celebrate that we are Methodist and we should be proud of our heritage. We should celebrate the reality that we are the sons and daughters of Richard, Flora and Sarah Allen. 

We should celebrate our Connectionalism and celebrate that AMEs around the world are "connected" through the African Methodist Episcopal Church; and we should celebrate that we can attend an AME Church anywhere in the world and know that we are in an AME Church.

We should celebrate the wisdom of the mothers and fathers of the Church for their insight to present a basic form of worship which allows our ministers to make additions as needed in worship for their own particular environment. The Discipline says about the AME Public Worship and Ritual: "Our order of worship is intended to be flexible so as to provide for richness and variety of content at the same time, it must have such unity as to insure that all members of our church will feel at home in any AME church."  We should celebrate the mothers' and fathers’ superb judgment and flexibility, but we should not celebrate or tolerate pastors who summarily dismantle AME public worship and ritual. 

Let’s be reminded again

The Discipline allows ministers to make additions, but The Discipline does not give pastors permission to remove items from the worship and ritual. The Discipline provides the "'Order' of Worship and Ritual," not "Suggestions" for "Worship and Ritual." Pastors should be held accountable to insure they follow the rules of The Discipline as it relates to worship and ritual, as well as to the other rules related to the ministry.

Other brands of our Zion

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

The African Methodist Episcopal Church has a rich and storied history. We have been at the business of worship and liturgy for almost 200 years and, though those reading these words will not be here, I hope that our Zion will be here 200 more years.

TCR Editor’s Note: We invite and encourage op-eds (opposing editorials). Please feel free to share your thoughts.

2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES: 

To the Editor:

I would like to thank you so much for publishing these words in The Christian Recorder. I love the African Methodist Episcopal Church, but I have some concerns. 

I have been a member of the mighty AME Church for 31 years - as a pastor for over 20 years and now as a presiding elder.

My question is, “Do all of the bishops assigned to Africa receive an exit-brief from the outgoing bishop?  Why do we, clergy and laity, have to start "from scratch" with each new bishop who is assigned to the episcopal district.

From the time I joined the AME Church, only one or two bishop came in and completed the projects started by the outgoing Bishop; and in those instances the handover worked well.

Since the time I joined the AME Church, over twenty years ago, especially in my annual conference, to date no significant developmental has taken place in the community or in any of the local churches. And, we start all over again.

Why it that each Bishop appointed to the continent of Africa comes in with his or her own administrative model, but after his first-term, he or she goes back to the United States with his or her brilliant ideas. It seems that the succeeding bishop comes in with his or her own new ideas; throwing away the projects started by the previous bishop.

I love the AME Church and I love to hear about the development projects initiated by my beloved Zion. I love to see evidence of my AME Church building schools as other denominations.  I see other denominations building schools, hospitals, clinics and colleges, which are evidences of community concern and development, but the AME church in my community is not doing anything; or at best, very little.

We are told time and again at the General Conference that our Zion does not support primary schools. My question still remains, if, as a church, we do not support E.C.D.s or Primary schools, where do we get the college students or university graduates, if we do not groom our own children in the manner we want as AMEs?

If, as a Church, we don't support the health community worker from our Church, how are we going to run a clinic or a hospital?

From my own observation, we should be establishing or supporting hospitals, clinics, schools, colleges and universities being managed by the AME Church and staffed with members of the great Church of my choice being staff members.

To me an active AME Church working in communities will enhance morale and faithfulness to our Zion and stop our children from having to rely on other organizations where they are sometimes denied opportunities to go to church on a Sunday.

We need to support our young people and provide opportunities for them to excel and reach their full potential and not have to rely on menial low-paying jobs. 

I want the AME Church to have a positive presence and a positive influence in the community.

I am happy you are the Editor of this newspaper, the newspaper of my choice.

A Presiding Elder from one of our African Districts

TCR Editor's note: I decided to withhold the name of the writer

-- To the Editor:

RE:

Thank you so much for the extra copies of TCR that features the Dr. Donald Tucker.

The extra copies allow him to send copies to his family and share with friends.

We are establishing an archive of that time in his life and the Civil Rights Movement in Mississippi at St. Matthew AME Church. This will definitely be added to that collection.

Thanks for all you do to keep the Connection, connected!!!

The Rev. Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt, Ph.D., M.Div

3. EASTER EXPLODES AT ST. MARY AME, SHREVEPORT:

*The Rev Robert Payne, Jr.

The Easter season came to a monumental conclusion at St Mary AME Church in Shreveport, LA with three days of spirited worship and fellowship. The weekend began with St Mary hosting the Shreveport-Monroe Ministerial Alliance Good Friday Service to Commemorate Jesus’ crucifixion. Led in worship by the Reverend Richard Starks, pastor of Allen Chapel AME in Monroe, the clergy and laity of the Shreveport-Monroe District were inspired by fresh interpretations of the seven sayings of Christ from the cross.  Each preacher built upon the other until the Reverend Josephine Franklin of St Matthew AME-Shreveport approached the pulpit for the last word. Supported by a powerful choir and an anointed musician, she brought the congregation to their feet by reciting the words of Pharrell’s hit song “Happy” to remind everyone that we should be happy because even though Jesus said, “It is finished,” everything is just beginning for us. 

The “Happy” end of the Commemoration service was the perfect beginning for Saturday’s events. St Mary’s Young People’s Department, led by YPD President Ebony Jackson and YPD Vice President Morgan Williams, planned an Easter Explosion and program to help everyone Anticipate Jesus’ Resurrection. In response to St Mary’s youngest members canvassing the community to invite all the residents to join in the festivities, over 250 people arrived at the church to enjoy the bouncy castles, basketball hoop, popcorn machine, Easter egg hunt, fire engine display, free food and games.  Following the afternoon of outdoor fun, church members and visitors alike gathered in the sanctuary for an Easter program featuring poems by the children and powerful singing by the St Mary YPD choir.  The climax of the program was a praise dance choreographed by Sister Charleste Cotton to the song “For Every Mountain.”  The inspirational performance by young ladies from 6 to 21 left all in attendance excited about what was still to come.

Early Easter Sunday morning, the doors of St Mary opened for a sunrise service Celebration involving the four AME churches in Shreveport.  The service focused on the first words the Resurrected Christ spoke to Mary Magdalene.  The Reverend Doctor Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt, pastor of St Matthew AME-Shreveport, the Reverend Demetrese D. Phillips, pastor of Mary Springhill AME and the Reverend Robert Payne, Jr., pastor of St Mary AME, mesmerized the congregation, each in their own way, expounding on Jesus’ words of concern (Matthew 28:9; John 20:15), words of comfort (Matthew 28:10a; John 20:16) and words of commission (Matthew 28:10b; John 20:17). Encouraged by the dynamic preaching, all attendees departed St Mary ready to not only celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection in another Sunday morning service but also celebrating His Resurrection each and every day.

The St Mary family set out to Commemorate, Anticipate and Celebrate Easter in a greater way in 2014 and by the grace of God that is exactly what happened.  The best part of this Easter Explosion for St Mary and all of the Shreveport-Bossier City area is that Greater is still coming. 

*The Rev Robert Payne, Jr. is the pastor, St Mary AME Church in Shreveport, Louisiana

4. 2014 BALTIMORE CONFERENCE WOMEN IN MINISTRY / LAY NIGHT:

The second day of the Baltimore Annual Conference was sponsored by the Baltimore Chapter of the Women In Ministry(WIM) with a midday service presided by the Rev. Rae Lynn Kingeter. The sermon was delivered by the Rev. Brenda White, pastor of Bethel AME - Port Deposit.

After concluding the business session, Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown expressed the importance of the June 24th early voting.  The Rev. Dr. Frank M. Reid III was afforded the opportunity to formally declare his candidacy for the episcopacy with the endorsement of his Presiding Elder, Ernest Montague and full support of the Baltimore Conference.

The night concluded with Lay Night's service in music paying tribute to the traditional hymns we grew up with featuring the Empowerment Temple collaborative choir comprised of Catholic, Apostolic, Baptist, AME, Episcopalian, and Presbyterian members - with no rehearsal. This effort displayed how musically innovative and spontaneous we are.  The service in music also featured the Empowerment Temple Christian Academy choir with a spirited rendition of "Ezekiel Saw the Wheel."

The Lay organization memorialized their members from the past conference year.  Bishop presided over the installation of the new conference year officers.

5. TWO MEMPHIS CONGREGATIONS REPENT FOR SEGREGATION OF PAST:

Ansley Quiros
Vanderbilt University
404.931.5568

As people filed in to the beautiful, imposing Second Presbyterian Church that March morning, it was pretty quiet. Both the sacredness of the space and the uncertainty of the occasion contributed to the hesitance to speak. As I took my seat in the pew, I introduced myself to a woman near me. “Have you ever been here before?” I whispered, after she told me she was a Memphian. A smart smile started across her lovely face, “Well,” she said, “I’ve been here exactly once.”

What became clear as we spoke was that this woman had been part of the very event we had gathered to commemorate: the Memphis kneel-in movement of 1964. The notion of a kneel-in may sound odd. While sit-ins are as familiar to schoolchildren as they are to scholars, the notion of a kneel-in usually draws raised eyebrows and dismissive shrugs. But kneel-ins constituted a major form of civil rights protest, one that was morally and religiously confrontational. But what exactly is a kneel-in? As religious scholar Steve Haynes defines them kneel-ins constituted “attempts by blacks or integrated groups to occupy segregated ecclesiastical space.” These groups, men and women, often black and white, would seek entrance to churches. If admitted they would go in to worship; if denied they would kneel in prayer as protest. The kneelers were usually impeccably dressed and largely silent, respecting the solemnity of Sunday worship. The kneel-in movement began in Atlanta in 1960 when a group of young students decided to test segregation in six Protestant churches in the city. As a group of young women from Spelman declared, “What better place for men to integrate than in the House of God where the doctrine of brotherly love is taught?” What seemed simple theology to these young students was a crisis for the segregated Protestant churches of the South, one that would haunt them for years. From Atlanta these religious protests fanned out across the South in the early 1960s, occurring in churches in Rock Hill, Augusta, Tallahassee, Durham, Savannah, Jackson, Birmingham, Albany, and, in 1964, in Memphis, Tennessee.

In March, a group of young people from Memphis’ local civil rights groups, religious groups, and colleges, decided to test segregation in Memphis’ churches. Initially, two students, one black, Joe Purdy, and the other white, Jim Bullock, attempted to enter Second Presbyterian one Sunday. Because of Joe’s skin, the friends were rebuffed and turned away. This set off a series of protests in which students, black and white, visited at the prominent church for several weeks, brandishing signs and marching in front of the doors. The episode was painful and scarring to all involved. Fifty years passed, with many people simply trying to forget the entire event.
But this past March, 2014, Memphis decided to remember, and an amazing healing was wrought. With the support and diligence of Dr. Stephen Haynes, the Rev. Sandy Willson of Second Presbyterian Church and Rev. Richie Sessions of Independent Presbyterian Church, a commemorative event was held on the anniversary of the kneel-ins, to consider the past, to repent, and to move forward.  At the end of the program, those who had been involved on both sides gathered at the pulpit and clasped hands. People who had been refused entrance grasped hands with those who had rejected them, with prayers offered for forgiveness and reconciliation.

Fifty years later, the kneel-in movement has wrought what it hoped: Christians, black and white, together coming before God in unity. Though there is a long way to go, moments like these in Memphis reveal the continuing possibilities for Christianity to bring people together and remind us of the power of God’s love.

6. AFFIRMATIVE ACTION: WHAT NEXT:

*John Thomas III

“Affirmative Action” grabbed the headlines again on Tuesday, April 22 when the United States Supreme Court issued a split 6-2 decision upholding a voter-approved ban on affirmative action policies in the state of Michigan.    At the root of this case—Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action—is whether voters in a state can approve a law to ban  preferences for certain groups in state services.    The split decision of the Supreme Court shows that affirmative action policies continue to stir debate and divide opinion in our country across all types of lines.  As members of a denomination rooted in social justice, we should be concerned about the Supreme Court’s decision and its impacts for our community and the United States as a whole.

The seeds for this decision were sown in the Gratz v. Bollinger and Gruter v. Bollinger cases heard in 2003.  Both involved students seeking redress for being denied admission to certain University of Michigan programs.  In Gratz, the Supreme Court overturned the University of Michigan’s allocation of “points” based on race for undergraduate admission.  In Gruter, the Supreme Court upheld the University of Michigan’s right to use diversity criteria to decide the composition of admitted students to ensure a “critical mass” of underrepresented students.  While affirming the program, the majority opinion authored by now retired Justice Sandra Day O’Connor also stated: “The Court expects that 25 years from now, the use of racial preferences will no longer be necessary to further the interest approved today.”

Directly responding to the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Gruter decision, a group of “concerned citizens” in Michigan formed the “Michigan Civil Rights Initiative”.  The MCRI advocated for an amendment to the Michigan State Constitution that would ban affirmative action policies in all areas of state government—including public universities.   (It is not coincidental that Jennifer Gratz, the plaintiff in the 2003 case, was the MCRI’s executive director).  In 2006, voters in Michigan approved the amendment by a total of 58 to 42 percent with voter turnout at 50.7 percent of the 7.8 million eligible voters. 

So now, the Supreme Court has spoken—but not with one voice.   Taking a closer look at the voice of the Supreme Court, one sees a wide range of opinions.   We are used to having the Five Republican appointed justices side together.  What happened here?  Clinton appointee Justice Stephen Breyer concurred with the majority, not out of opposition to affirmative action policies but because of the state’s right to limit the policies if the law were correctly amended to ban them.   He stated in his opinion: “I continue to believe that the Constitution permits, though it does not require, the use of the kind of race-conscious programs that are now barred by the Michigan Constitution.”   Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas objected outright to the legality of the programs while Justices Ruther Bader-Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor ardently defended affirmative action policies as a necessary means of eliminating racial discrimination. 

While the legal merits of the case will continue to be debated by scholars, the data are clear on public university admissions in states where affirmative action policies have been banned.  Recruitment of Blacks, Latinos and Native Americans declined in the flagship (top-tier) public universities of California, Florida, Texas, Washington and Michigan upon the enactment of affirmative action bans.   The result is starkest in California.  With a population that is 49 percent Latino, the University of California of Los Angeles freshman class only contains 11 percent Latino students.   While data do show that college enrollment gaps between minority students and Whites are narrowing, these don’t translate into higher admissions at prestigious public universities—let alone a narrowing of graduation rates.

Affirmative action policies have always caused divisions in the United States and within minority communities.  They strike at the dissonance between the United States prizing itself as a land of equal opportunity while at the same time having a legacy of institutionalized racism and discrimination.   We also know that preferences for a certain few will not combat the entrenched cycle of poverty and lack of access to quality education that plague minority communities.

Yet, these policies are an important step in ensuring equality of opportunity AND equality of outcome.   We can expect initiatives by interest groups and legislatures across the country in the wake of this decision and as a Church we must be prepared to speak out as a community of faith.  This decision also illustrates the importance of who sits on the Supreme Court.  Judges are confirmed by the United States Senate.  Key Senate elections are taking place this fall in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana and North Carolina. Our networks are vital to encourage people to understand why they must vote and understand the political process.   A voice if not spoken will wither away—and our voice is too valuable to be silent.

*John Thomas III is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago and a member of the General Board.

To see the full graph of college admittance rates view: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2013/06/24/us/affirmative-action-bans.html?_r=0

7. MIDWEST NORTH/SOUTH DISTRICT CONFERENCE, A MODEL OF TEAMWORK:

*The Rev. V. Gordon Glenn III

The Midwest South and Midwest North Presiding Elder Districts of the Midwest Annual Conference of the Fifth Episcopal District came together again for their joint District Conference. Under the watchful hands of host Presiding Elder Steve A. Cousin Sr. and co-host Presiding Elder Donna F. Roberson, the District Conference was held April 24-26, 2014 at the Historic First A.M.E. Church in Kansas City, Kan. Rev. Barry Settle served as the host pastor.

Elders Cousin and Roberson chose as their theme, “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work” from Nehemiah 6:15, “So the wall was finished in the twenty and fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty and two days.” (KJV)

The Opening Worship service on Thursday, April 24 featured the Midwest Conference choir and the choir from St. Luke AME Church in Lawrence, Kan. Rev. Verdell Taylor Jr., pastor at St. Luke – Lawrence, the preacher of the hour, preached from the theme scripture and posed the all-important question, “Who’s on Your Team?” Pastor Taylor admonished, “Without teamwork, the dream won’t work.”

The Friday, April 25, Hour of Power messenger was Rev. Warren Freeman, pastor of Bethel AME Church, Leavenworth, Kan. Pastor Freeman preached from 2 Chronicles 26, “Pumped Up On Your Own Pride” and warned the assembled not to be “overtaken by pride.”

The youth were in charge at Friday night’s worship experience under the YPD banner of “W.E.R.K.” (“Working, Evangelizing, Reclaiming for the Kingdom”). The youth came in praising under the direction of Miss Alpha Spearman, Midwest YPD Worship Leader and continued praising God with musical selections for the Midwest Conference Youth Choir, under the direction of Rev. Rochelle Settle, a spoken word rap from Jamie Jefferson from Gregg Tabernacle AME Church in Kansas City, Mo., and a praise dance from the Christ Our redeemer AME Church Praise dancers from Grandview, Missouri.

The Rev. Mark Smith Sr., pastor of Allen Chapel AME Church, Kansas City, Missouri was the youth night preacher. Pastor Smith preached from 2 Samuel 18:32-33 and posed the poignant question, “Are Our Children Safe?”

The closing worship service on Saturday, April 26 featured musical selections from Trinity AME Church in Kansas City, Kan. and a powerful preached Word from Rev. Nicole E Pledger, pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church in Sedalia, Mo. Pastor Pledger preached from 2 Timothy 4:5-7 and reminded us that although we may be tossed by the waves of the sea of life, we don’t sink and that God did not call us to start a fight, God called us to finish it. Pastor Pledger concluded by admonishing that “we don’t get to stop until the bell sounds.”

The Midwest South and North District Conference, during the business sessions, heard from District Stewards and pastors reporting on the progress of the 56 churches which make up both Districts.

The Rev. Joseph H. Forbes, retired P.E., gave an interactive workshop on “Electing General Conference Delegates” complete with a mock election, to alert clergy and laity of the changes to the rules since the publication of the 2012 Discipline.

Through worship, work, and learning, the Midwest South and North District Conference was another success. The pastor and members of First A.M.E. Church of Kansas City, Kan. left no stone unturned and catered to every need of the attendees and participants.

Presiding Elders Cousin and Roberson, through their candor and commitment to the work of Christ, conducted the business sessions with professionalism and grace proving that teamwork does make the dream work.

*The Rev. V. Gordon Glenn III is the Public Relations Director for the Midwest Annual Conference of the Fifth Episcopal District


8. STATEMENT FROM THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL RETIRED PLAYERS ASSOCIATION REGARDING DONALD STERLING’S LIFETIME BAN FROM THE NBA:

The National Basketball Retired Players Association, the only alumni association directly supported by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association, today issued the following statement regarding NBA Commissioner Adam Silver’s decision to ban Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling from the league for life:

“Today the NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver took action that speaks loud and clear in the face of racism and bigotry – hatred and prejudice will not be tolerated. Donald Sterling’s revolting words and sickening attitude toward African-Americans deeply hurt not only the basketball community, but also society at-large. Mr. Sterling’s behavior is appalling and unacceptable and we commend the Commissioner for taking a strong and appropriate stand.

As the official alumni organization for professional basketball, the National Basketball Retired Players Association has also stood tall in the face of Mr. Sterling’s hateful statements. We are proud of our members, including Chairman Otis Birdsong, Vice Chairman Thurl Bailey, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Greg Anthony, Earvin ‘Magic’ Johnson, Mayor Kevin Johnson, Norm Nixon, Dominique Wilkins and dozens more for speaking up against bigotry and making sure retired players had a voice in this defining and historic moment. It is our hope that this very sad event puts a spotlight on the continuing prejudice and discrimination that still exists in our country and educates society about such hatred as we work to end bigotry and racism once and for all.”  

About the National Basketball Retired Players Association

The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA) is comprised of former professional basketball players from the NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA. It is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization with a two-pronged mission to assist former NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA players in their transition from the playing court into life after the game, while also positively impacting communities and youth through basketball. The NBRPA was founded in 1992 by basketball legends Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Archie Clark, Dave Cowens and Oscar Robertson. The NBRPA works in direct partnerships with the NBA, National Basketball Players Association and WNBA. Arnie D. Fielkow is the President & CEO, and the NBRPA Board of Directors includes Chairman of the Board Otis Birdsong, Vice Chairman Thurl Bailey, Treasurer Marvin Roberts, Secretary Steve Hayes, Past Chairman Robert A. (Bob) Elliott, Past Chairman George W. Tinsley Sr., Rick Barry, Dwight Davis, Spencer Haywood, Johnny Newman and Eldridge Recasner.

9. AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL [“AME”] CHURCH SUPPORTS NBA COMMISSIONER’S BAN OF STERLING:

(Statement from Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Los Angeles, CA, April 29, 2014)

Racism is anathema to any civilized society. The African Methodist Episcopal Church was born out of prejudice and slavery. Our Church like any other religious institution stands for freedom of religion and respect for humanity. As part of the religious community of Los Angeles, the Fifth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church espouses equality and freedom from oppression and prejudice. Racism in any form cannot be tolerated. This is especially repugnant when an individual, who has been blessed with financial wealth extracted from our community exhibits racism.

The recent revelations of bigotry practiced by the Los Angeles Clippers owner, Donald Sterling is shocking to the conscience. Sterling is a public figure owning a sports franchise that is supported by Southern California community. As such, Mr. Sterling’s racist comments are even more reprehensible since he has benefitted from exploitation of his professional athletes and from the Clippers' loyal fans. Mr. Sterling’s well-documented history of prejudice against minorities must now come to an end. We believe Mr. Sterling has a public duty to practice tolerance and champion human rights. In this regard, he has failed miserably. There is no room in our society for a man in his position to continue to control a professional franchise so vital to our Los Angeles community. The Clippers represent this City. As the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, he has to be removed from that position. Otherwise, the stigma of his actions will destroy the good name of this sports franchise and the city of Los Angeles as well. A professional sports franchise is a microcosm of fair play and equality for every human being. There is no place in that arena for a man like Mr. Sterling. The religious community of Los Angeles supports the removal of Mr. Sterling as the owner of the Los Angeles Clippers.

10. AME HUMOR:

A man made an appointment with an AME minister. “My name John Young, I am not a member of your church, but I have been here for several funerals, I think you give the best eulogies in town.” 

The AME minister responded, “Well thank you, I am very humbled by your kind words.”

The man went on to say, “I recently lost a loved one and would like you to do the eulogy.”

The AME minister asked, “What date to you have in mind?”

“How about Saturday?”

“Looking over his calendar, the pastor said the earliest date is next Thursday. The man responded, “Well for you, I would wait.”

The AME pastor asked, “Fine, please tell me something about the deceased; it will help me with my eulogy.”

The man answered, “He was 15 years old.”

The pastor responded that the deceased was very young. 

The man responded, “Well not really, his name was Spot.”

The preacher asked, “Was Spot his nickname?”

The man replied, “No Spot was my dog and he was like family.”
The AME preacher responded, “I’m sorry for your lost Mr. Young, but I do not do eulogies for dogs.”

“Well do you any know pastor who would? “ 

The AME preachers said, “There is a Baptist church around the corner, for a small fee we would do it, he needs money for his building fund.”

“Well I am glad to know that because I was going to make a $50,000 donation in Spot’s memory?  

The AME preacher responded, “Sir, why didn't you tell me your dog was an AME? We can have the funeral tomorrow; what was his favorite scripture, his favorite hymn?”

11. THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT:

*Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.

-- Based on Biblical Text: Luke 24:2-3 - “And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of Jesus.
 
I love this season of new beginnings. The air seems fresher. The leaves on the trees appear greener and much more alive. The flowers are beautiful and there is a new vibrancy in all of God’s handiwork. Everything is alive and life, it seems, takes on new meaning.

However, sometimes it appears that a whole lot of us have forgotten just how much of a price God has paid in order for us to have life. Some seem to have forgotten just how much God sacrificed for us. How much more could God have given to prove how important we are to Him? “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” God gave His very best. God, who loves us even better than we love ourselves, gave His all so that we can have life. And, might I add, not just a little life. God gave us the very best that He had to offer in order that we could have life more abundantly.

It just seems sometimes that we are not fully aware of just what a valuable price the Lord paid for us to be delivered and set free. As a matter of fact, truth be told, a lot of folk seem to know and just don’t care. Some folk act like Jesus is still dead. Reading the news paper each morning could even mislead us to believe that evil won.

And then there are those among us who are apparently waiting on another sign, living as if what has already been done for us is not enough to thoroughly persuade us. Please excuse me but I am convinced that there are folk all around us living like Jesus is still laying in the tomb.

By faith we know He is not there. We are encouraged to remind those who are still looking for Jesus, don’t look over in the borrowed grave, don’t look over in the tomb because He is not there. We are charged to let folk know that Jesus got up.

I am so excited when I think of how Jesus prevailed over even the most sinister plot to discredit Him and to derail His message. How powerful a commitment! What incredible faith. One from among His most trusted set Him up. The religious hierarchy hemmed Him up. The symbols of tyranny and oppression tied Him up and they beat Him up. What the devil meant for evil God turned to good as after tying Jesus to the cross they lifted Him up. Jesus promised, “If I be lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men unto me.”

Preachers on Sunday morning, in the traditional afrocentric intoning that brings the congregation to their feet, remind us that they nailed Jesus to an old rugged cross; they stretched Him wide; they hung Him high; they cut His side and He bled and died. For our sins He sacrificed His life. Nailed to a cross that we made Jesus took our place and bought our redemption; reconciled us back to God. Jesus gave His life for ours.

We are reminded that they took Him down from the cross that day and wrapped Him burial clothes. They put Him in borrowed tomb. The enemy thought that was the end. They had mistakenly thought it was all over and had chalked up a win for evil. But what the enemy meant for evil God turned into good.

Thank God, the tomb is empty. Jesus is not there, he got up. He arose just like He said He would. He lives. We can claim the victory. The battle has already been won. Victory is ours and all we have to do is to wake up and receive it. Life for us takes on so much more meaning now. We know now that the Devil is a liar. “Greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.”

The part of the story I pray we really come to understand is that the miracle of Jesus did not manifest itself until the stone was rolled away. That is critical as we must come to realize that in order for us to receive the blessings and to walk in the victory it may very well be that we will have to roll some stones away. Many of us have stones in our lives that keep us from getting to God. If God had not moved the stone away it would have blocked the miracle from getting out.

I am so encouraged by the incredible talent in our churches. Our churches are full of people on their way somewhere. Our sanctuaries are rife with great minds poised for great futures. However, some of us will never truly be able to reach our full potential, until the stones are rolled away.

We are a blessed people. Many among us are about to accomplish greatness. Some are on the brink of making a great discovery. Many are on the verge of a monumental breakthrough, but we need to roll the stones away.

The Bible reminds us to “not grow weary in our well-doing.” Sometimes we feel like we are in a pothole on the road of life, just spinning our wheels. Some of us are just about there. We are almost at a point of peace. We are on the edge, at the door, standing at the threshold, just about to break out. But, we can’t really see, can’t really understand because we need to roll some stones away

For some of us it could very well be the stone of guilt or the stone of distrust. For others it could be the stone of confusion, jealousy or selfishness. For many of us it could possibly be the stone of ignorance, arrogance or the stone of pride. Whatever it is we must come to realize that if we are looking for a breakthrough, if we expect a miracle, if we are looking for the Holy Spirit to work in our life we have to roll some stones away.

The miracle of Jesus did not manifest itself until the stone was rolled away. The stone was rolled away and Jesus got up. When Jesus got up we got up. Jesus lives and because He lives we live. Because He lives we don’t have to fight this battle on our own. We don’t have to deal with Satan by ourselves.

God sent His son Jesus to love, to heal and to forgive. He lived for our sake. He was wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities. He died to buy our pardon. They rolled a stone to cover the door of the tomb. But, early Sunday morning the stone was rolled away.

And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. And they entered in, and found not the body of Jesus. The grave was empty. Jesus got up with power and authority in His hands. The stone was rolled away and Jesus lives. Because He lives we have help and rest. Because He lives we have joy and peace. Because He lives we have thanksgiving on our lips, praise in our souls and a song in our hearts.

Roll the stones away and walk in the victory. Because He lives there is a better way; there is a way out. Because He lives we can roll away the stones in our lives that once had our pathway blocked. All fear is gone because He holds the future. Roll the stones away, we can face tomorrow, life is worth living just because He lives.

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

12. PRAYING THE PSALMS:

“I call out to God Most High—to God, who comes through for me.” - Psalm 57:2


The Psalms have been called the prayer book of the Bible. These 150 songs and prayers have been sung and prayed for many thousands of years by Jewish and Christian believers, gathered together and individually. They express the full range of human emotions from anguish to doubt to joy. As such, they provide a natural and wonderful place to begin to pray the scriptures.

The Psalms help us offer all of ourselves to God, not just the happy parts. The Psalms show us how to pour out our hearts to God, and they assure us that nothing is too bad or ugly to include in our prayers. Theologian Walter Brueggemann says, “The Psalms are an assurance to us that when we pray and worship, we are not expected to censure or deny the deepness of our own human pilgrimage. Rather, we are expected to submit it openly and trustingly so that it can be brought to eloquent and passionate speech addressed to the Holy One” (Praying the Psalms: Engaging Scripture and the Life of the Spirit, [Eugene, Ore.: Wipf and Stock, 2007], 14).

Reading a psalm slowly and prayerfully as your prayer to God is one way to pray the psalms. Here are some other ways:

Praying Psalms Aloud: The Psalms were written to be spoken or sung. Read the psalm aloud, taking your time and thinking about the words and how they represent your feelings and your life situation. Notice the difference between speaking the psalm and merely reading it in silence.

Writing Psalms: The Psalms seem to invite us to express our own thoughts and prayers to God in a similar manner. Try writing your own psalm by giving testimony to your joys and pain or by responding to these questions in a written prayer: What would you like to say to God? What is making you happy or sad or afraid? How do you need God’s help today?

Paraphrasing Psalms: After reading and meditating on a psalm, put it in your own words, to God from you. Take the psalm line-by-line and express each thought in your own way. When you are finished, read your paraphrased psalm to God aloud as your prayer.

Memorize a Psalm: When we learn a psalm “by heart,” we are planting this prayer deep inside ourselves. In times of sorrow and deep need, we can draw upon the wisdom and solace of a memorized psalm. Perhaps the most famous and well-loved psalm in the Bible is Psalm 23. Many people have memorized this psalm and found comfort in its words, whether or not they have a Bible with them. The words are in their hearts.

Singing the Psalms: St. Augustine is credited with saying, “A person who sings prays twice.” This is certainly true when we sing the prayers of the Psalms. Many hymns and contemporary
Christian praise songs use the words of the Psalms; perhaps you sing these songs at your church. You may find recordings online http://www.psalm-singing.org/ to listen to or you can sing the words to a psalm to a tune you already know.


TCR Editor’s Note: For instance, you can sing Psalm 102 to the tune of Duke Street, which is Long Meter 88.88. So, one could substitute any Long Meter tune in singing Psalm 102. The 23rd Psalm in the AMEC Hymnal is musically written using Crimond, a Common Meter tune (86.86.) and can be sung using any Common Meter 86.86. Go to Number 208 in the AMEC Hymnal and sing the 23rd Psalm with whichever Common Meter you are familiar, such as Amazing Grace or one of the other familiar Common Meter tunes. You do not need to be able to read music to sing some of the Psalms in the tune of gospel songs and spirituals.

13. GETTING TO ZERO: NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER:

*Dr. Oveta Fuller

May 1 was the National Day of Prayer.

In this month in 2014, we still are talking about how to stop HIV/AIDS and other diseases and disorders that can be prevented, reduced or eliminated.  A few examples are cervical cancer caused over time by infection with human papilloma virus (HPV), hepatitis B that can be avoided by getting the Hepatitis B vaccine, reduction of shingles and chickenpox by getting the appropriate vaccines, reducing early death from breast and prostate cancer by routine screenings for early cancer detection, stopping the crippling effects of diabetes by monitoring glucose levels, food intake and exercise, lowering the worldwide incidence of malaria, tuberculosis and diarrhea diseases that kill millions prematurely each year.

We still are focusing on health disparities. Why do people of color in the USA have a disproportionate burden of some diseases? What can change this?  One example we are led to learn more about is the disproportionate numbers of black males who are infected with HIV compared to the percentage of the overall population that are black men. We are exploring the still increasing numbers of same-gender loving males or men who have sex with men (MSM) who also are African American.

Why?

We have the conversation because we want to conquer HIV/AIDS. We talk together because the males infected are ours- our brothers, our sons, our uncles, our fathers, our nephews, our husbands, our co-workers. They are our friends and congregation members and neighbors and kids in our schools.

We are exploring the issue through hearing from inside to understand. I want to hear what others think, know, believe and hear. But most of all I want to get the understanding that only God can provide.

How did HIV get so integrated into the African American community? What did/do MSMs have to do with this?

Why are some black males, or white males, or males MSMs? Why are some females same gender loving? Can a person really be bisexual and thus sexually attracted to males and females?

Is same-gender loving a sexual preference nature or nurture? Is homosexually or same-gender attraction a learned behavior? Or, is it a part of the innate composition of a person? Is it in the genes or due to socialization and environment? Importantly, can understanding help with knowing what can be done to reduce virus transmission that leads to disease and possibly to death?

What does the Bible say? What does God expect of us? What did Jesus say? What would Jesus do to understand the reasons for and address the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS among MSMs in America?

He would pray and then move forward to make a difference. He did it with demon-possessed people, with people stricken with leprosy, with those who could not walk, even with those who were physically dead or who were reluctant to receive him. 

I am seeking insights and straining my spiritual ears to hear clearly.

Jesus gave the Golden Rule, “Ask yourself what you would want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them.” Luke 6:31 (The Message Bible)

The New King James Translation interprets Luke 6:31 as “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.”

I would want someone to want to learn more- to get to the truth as best as I understand it. I would want someone to see me, really see me as all that I am and all I can be. I would want enjoyable and insightful conversation from someone who loved me enough to engage, to ask me “Is it well with my soul?”

Jesus told us what to do. I pray to listen well and follow His instructions.

*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.”

14. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, MAY 4, 2014 - JESUS RESISTS TEMPTATION (DEUTERONOMY 6:13-16; 8:3; PSALM 91:11, 12; MATTHEW 4:1-11):

Bill Dickens, Allen AME Church, Tacoma, Washington

Carnal instincts represent a DNA-trait we all know quite well. The things that we desire or crave the most are typically the things we can really do without. 

We see a 2014 fully-loaded Chrysler 300 and want to purchase it even though the car we currently own has provided reliable transport services. A succulent-looking T-bone steak arouses our hunger pains even though your physician gave you strict warnings about the intake of red-meat. Last week, disgraced Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling succumbed to his overtly racist beliefs and the physical allure of his paramour, thus resulting in the loss of his team, marriage and respect of many Americans.  In all situations, temptation is present. 

The word temptation is normally associated with the desire to perform an action that one may enjoy momentarily but will probably later regret for a myriad of reasons: legal, social, psychological (feeling guilty), health-related, economic, etc. In the context of systematic theology, temptation is a precursor to sin and transgression. 

The Adult AME Church School Lesson for May 4, 2014 examines how Jesus was tempted and the strategy He used to circumvent the power and influence of temptation.

Our lesson focuses on Jesus’ disciplined lifestyle shortly after His baptism. He is dispatched to a remote, desolate area where He is committed to fasting for 40 days. Oddly, his only contact with another entity comes in the form of the adversary, Satan.  Satan, perceiving Jesus to be weak, attempts to exploit the situation to his benefit.  This was Satan’s first strategic mistake.  Satan decides to make Jesus an offer He couldn’t refuse.  This was Satan’s second strategic error.  Finally, Satan tries to use Holy Writ to justify his vain, nefarious intent.  This was his third strategic mistake. 

Jesus, though lacking nourishment, was more than physically up to the task in rebuking Satan’s temptation.  An arrogant Satan demands proof of Jesus’ divinity by transforming stones into bread.  Jesus rebukes the nonsense by quoting a passage from Deuteronomy that "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Duet. 8:3). 
Satan’s rejoinder is seen in requiring another sign of proof by demanding Jesus jump from the highest point of the mountain so that His angels will provide a protective shield.  Jesus rebukes the nonsense by pointing out that the Psalm 91:11-2 Satan manipulates and demonstrates poor and incorrect exegetical power.  Jesus correctly cites that the Lord God should never be tested (Deut. 6:16). 

Finally, in an act of desperation, Satan offers Jesus a perverted quid pro quo where in exchange for bowing to the Son of Perdition, Satan would award Jesus with unlimited worldly desires. 
Jesus responds unequivocally that only the Lord God is worthy of worship and only Him will He serve (Deut. 6:13).

Jesus’ model of coping with temptation is clear. Like Jesus, we should be clear about our sense of purpose and mission. Next, we need to be disciplined in our beliefs.  Finally, we need to know Scripture.  Combining these three key elements led Satan to flee from Jesus’ presence (Matt. 4:11).

The hymnologist reminds us to “Yield not to temptation for yielding is sin.”  If we adopt this strategy then our prayer request of “Lead us not into temptation” will be granted. 

God calls us to be victors not victims!

*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.

15. MEDITATION BASED ON JOHN 14:15-27:

*Dr. Joseph A. Darby

Springtime in South Carolina brings some of God’s creatures who keep a “low profile” in cold weather out to explore in warm weather – and that includes wasps. I don’t like wasps and will go to great lengths and do creatively amusing dance moves to get out of their way, and if one strays into our house, everyone goes on full alert – ducking, dodging, shutting off bedrooms to eliminate the possibility of surprise nighttime visitors and hunting, spraying and swatting until the invader is cornered and eliminated.

We did that “drill” a couple of weeks ago and squashed an invader, but we hardly got a chance to breathe a sigh of relief, because we found five more wasps in the house on five successive days!

After blaming each other for letting them in, we checked the house and found the problem. A bedroom window in our home of a year or so – where a screen was removed by the former owner to install a window air conditioning unit – had an open space at the top that enterprising wasps discovered and used to pay us unwelcome visits. We sealed that space and pretty much eliminated the problem.

What happened in our home mirrors what happens in all of our lives. We all do our best to find safety, security and peace of mind in life, but unexpected stresses, cares, concerns and dangers have a way of finding the open and exposed cracks, crevices and spaces in our lives so that they can creep in, terrify, upset and discourage us.

That’s why we need to embrace and be filled with the Spirit of the Living God who Jesus called our “Counselor.” When we set self aside and invite God’s Holy Spirit into our lives, God’s hope, strength, power and joy will fill in the open spaces in our lives and bring us comfort, protection and assurance that we don’t have to walk life’s journey alone.

Let God’s Holy Spirit anoint, insulate, protect and inspire you. You’ll find safety and security in a dangerous and troubling world and be blessed with the freedom to face life’s scariest times with the assurance that led the hymn writer Isaac Watts to say, “Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove, with Your life giving powers; Come shed abroad the Savior’s love And that shall kindle ours.”

Get Ready for First 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

16. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:

-- The Rev. William C. Legolie II celebrates Pastoral Anniversary

The Rev. William C Legolie II celebrated his 35th Pastoral Anniversary on April 19, 2014. He received his first Pastoral Appointment from the late Bishop Donald GK Ming on April 19, 1979.

He is currently the Senior Pastor of the Cathedral of Vinton Anderson AME Church in Eerste River in the Cape Annual Conference of the Fifteenth Episcopal District.  He is a Third Generation pastor - grandfather was the late Presiding Elder Rev. William C. Legolie, father was Rev. Wesley Andrew David Legolie. His son, Rev. Charlin L. Legolie is the pastor of Ming Chapel AME Church in Saldanha Bay. The Rev. William C Legolie, II is marries to Leatricia Legolie and they have a daughter also, Leaverne who is an Optometrist.

Congratulatory responses can be emailed to: vaame@mweb.co.za  or wclegolie@icloud.com

-- Gwendolyn Charlesa Lee earns Master of Social Work degree from Clark-Atlanta University

Gwendolyn Charlesa Lee, the daughter of the Reverend Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt will have her Master of Social Work degree conferred upon her from Clark-Atlanta University on Monday, May 19, 2014 at Panther Stadium in Atlanta Georgia.

The Reverend Dr. Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt, Ph.D is pastor of St. Matthew AME Church in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Congratulatory responses can be emailed to: glenell1@aol.com 

-- Job promotion of Pamela Ifunanya Aseme

Congratulations to Pamela (Pam) Aseme on her promotion to Clinical Project Support Specialist at Quintiles.  Pam has been with Quintiles since 2010 and joined the project management group back in 2012.  During her tenure with the group, she has been extremely instrumental in the department's success by displaying a strong work ethic and providing outstanding customer support.  Pam has supported many strategic initiatives with the most recent being the QRPM Lead role.  Her tireless efforts and leadership skills have helped to successfully roll out QRPM in a timely manner.  In addition to taking on special projects, Pam carries a tremendous workload and is recognized by internal and external stakeholders for going above and beyond their expectations. Congratulations Pam!!!

Anthony Tocci, Associate Director, Clinical Project Management, Early Clinical Development Solutions

Pamela Ifunanya Aseme is the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Eraina M. Ross-Aseme, pastor of Gregg Tabernacle AME Church in Kansas City, Missouri

Pamela's email address: paseme@gmail.com 

-- Mr. Terrence Wright graduated from the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey

Congratulations to Mr. Terrence Wright, the son of the Rev. Maurice and Mrs. Joretha Wright, Pastor and First Lady of St. John AME Church in Ft. Mitchell, Alabama, who graduated from the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, New Jersey. He will be stationed in Key West, Florida.

Congratulatory email should be sent to:

The Rev. and Mrs. Maurice Wright: amepreacher@hotmail.com 

17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

The Third District Office sadly announces the passing of the Rev. Barbara Lillian Earley.  She retired from her pastoral ministry at the Ohio Annual Conference on October 12, 2006. 

Services for Reverend Barbara Earley will be held at:

Thorn-Black Funeral Home
139 S. 9th Street
Cambridge, OH  43725
Telephone: (740) 439-1365
Fax: (740) 439-2919


Visitation:     
Thursday, May 1, 2014
2 - 4 p.m. and 7- 9 p.m.

Home Going Service: 
Friday, May 2, 2014
11 a.m.


Interment will be at Guernsey Memory Gardens, Cambridge.

18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Jean B. Washington, the sister of Mrs. Margaret B Wayns, and sister in-law of the Rev. Dr. M. D. Wayns, Jr. retired pastor, Philadelphia Conference A.M.E. Church.

The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Viewing and Funeral, Friday May 02, 2014 
Viewing:    09:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Funeral:    11:00 a.m.

Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
230 Coulter Street   
Philadelphia, PA  19144

Professional Care entrusted to:

Frank Page Funeral Home
1748 West Erie Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19140
(215)225-0576

Interment:

Fairview Cemetery
1511 Twining Road
Willow Grove, PA  19090
       
Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:

The Washington Family
C/O Mrs. Margaret B. Wayns
7316 Keenan Street
La Mott, PA  19027

19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of the Rev. Carl Feaster, who was a Local Elder at Waters Memorial AME Church of the Philadelphia Conference. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Viewing and Funeral, Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Viewing - 9:00 a.m.
Funeral - 10:00 a.m.

Waters Memorial AME Church
609 S. Clifton Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

The Rev. Cheryl M. Coleman, Pastor

Additional parking is located at the Central Parking lot on 11th Street

Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:

Sister Delores Feaster
2918 W. Flora Street
Philadelphia, PA 19121-4509
Telephone: 215-235-3164

20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

On Monday, April 28, 2014, Angela Nelson passed on to her home eternal. Angela was baptized and joined St. John AME Church in Louisville, Kentucky at an early age, where the Pastor was the Reverend Geoffrey Ellis. Angela is the Granddaughter of the Reverend Ellis, who currently is the pastor of Asbury Chapel AME Church in Louisville. Angela was only 29 years of age at the time of her passing. She leaves to mourn one sister and a host of relative's.

Services for Angela Nelson:

Funeral Celebration:
Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 12 Noon
Asbury Chapel A.M.E. Church
1801 West Chestnut Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40203

Telephone: (502) 584-8975

All expressions should be emailed to: ellisg4021@bellsouth.net
 
Or mailed to:

The Reverend Geoffrey Ellis
3803 Garfield Avenue
Louisville, KY 40212

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


Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/  
Telephone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Telephone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751




22.  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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