The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2015
May is Stroke Awareness Month
1. TCR EDITORIAL – A PROBLEM OR A CONDITION – THERE’S A DIFFERENCE:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor
of The Christian Recorder
I write this with a heavy
heart. I confess upfront that I am writing this editorial because of an email
conversation I had with an AME pastor.
But let me give a little
background because my heavy heart is caused by a “Catch-22” situation
and this “Catch-22” issue didn’t “crop up” overnight. As a matter of fact this and other AME “Catch-22”
situations are not problems, but “conditions.”
There is a difference between a “problem” and a “condition.”
A problem can be solved,
often with a little money, a change in behavior, eliminate people who are
detrimental to our welfare, embrace people who might bring a positive change in
our lives or eliminate negative forces in our lives.
A lot of times, problems
are of our own making. Problems often surface because of the consequences of
our decisions and actions we have
taken or have failed to take.
Some problems can be
easily solved and other problems may need radical attention. The good news is that with attention and
action, most problems can be solved.
Restated: Problems are the
results of our actions or inactions or the actions or inaction of others.
Problems are solved by addressing our actions or inactions or the actions or
inactions of others.
A condition, on the other
hand cannot be easily resolved.
Problems, with the
appropriate actions, can often be quickly solved. Conditions cannot be quickly
corrected because conditions evolve over long periods of time and often become
the accepted norm.
Churches experiencing
turbulent ministry, low attendance and diminished stewardship, inability to pay
adequate pastoral salaries, ongoing struggle or inability to pay presiding
elder and annual conference assessments don’t have a problem, they have a condition.
A quick way to identify a
“condition” that needs to be addressed or corrected is when someone says,
“That’s just the AME way,” “That’s the way we have always done it,” “We don’t
have enough people,” “The same few do all of the work,” “Can’t get anyone to do
anything in this church,” “We don’t have any young people,” “When Reverend ‘So
and So’ was here we…” and “All of the good members have died or moved away.”
When you hear those
comments, the church does not have a problem, it has a condition. And the sad
thing about it is that preachers and local church officers are trying to
correct a problem when they should be addressing the condition.
Correcting a condition
most often is painful and almost always requires radical and painful action.
The reality of ministry
The ministry in general
and the ministry in the AME Church is a challenging profession.
Graduates of medical
schools, law schools and other professional graduate programs are almost
assured of getting adequate salaries commensurate with their training. Their employers will provide medical
insurance, contributions to their Social Security accounts, vacation and sick
days, retirement accounts and in some cases profit-sharing and other perks.
Additionally, some employers have special programs for families and they
provide social amenities.
Unfortunately, those
entering the ministry and particularly an AME seminary graduate would be
thankful for a pastoral appointment and would be ecstatic if he or she received
an adequate salary. Too often, many of
our seminary graduates need to find secular employment in order to support
their families. And, sometimes that means living away from the location of
their pastoral appointments.
Complication
Some of the issues facing
persons going into ministry are not in the category of problems, but
conditions, and conditions that are seemingly insurmountable.
The seminary graduate or
preacher arriving at his or her first or even successive pastoral appointments
most often will not find health insurance, Social Security, the AME Annuity
Program or other retirement programs in place.
And, in many instances, if the pastor does not address those issues, the
stewards will not address them. Pastors often have an additional expense of
providing for their family’s medical insurance, which means it will have to
come out of their salaries or they opt for additional employment. Thank God for
the Patient Protection and Affordable
Care Act (Obama Care).
It is unfortunate, and it
makes me sad that some pastors serve in the pastoral ministry for years without
medical insurance and retirement benefits.
My heavy heart
Let me get back to my
heavy heart. I had an email exchange
with a pastor who has been in the pastorate for well over 20 years and he is
experiencing a serious medical issue, which needs immediate attention. He does
not have medical insurance and, for whatever reason he is not getting the
medical attention that he needs. No professional should have any hesitation
about taking care of his or her medical issues. I felt badly for his situation.
Hypothetical Questions
What happens if a pastor
suffers a severe medical issue and is unable to work? Has he paid into the AME Church Annuity
Program? What happens if a fairly young pastor becomes incapacitated?
We have a rule about
pastors enrolling in the AMEC Annuity Program, but it seems to be a rule that
is easily broken by local churches and pastors.
Pastors’ failure to enroll
in the AMEC Annuity Program and the failure to enforce the rule is a condition,
not a problem. Has the pastor paid into the Social Security program? Does he or she qualify for disability because
he or she has paid into Social Security? Whose responsibility is it to insure
that the pastor and local church comply with the rules of The Doctrine and Discipline 2012?
My heart is heavy when I
think about hardship faced by our pastors and their families during their
active ministry and even moreso the hardships they face when they need medical
care and a sufficient income stream when they retire.
Conditions that need to be addressed
We have some serious
conditions that need to be addressed such as equitable pastoral appointments,
adequate pastoral salaries, healthcare, enforcement of pastors paying into
Social Security and the AMEC Annuity Program, no matter how small the church.
The AME Church needs to
address the condition of too many “weekend weakened” churches.
A pastor living 150 – 200
miles away from his or her pastoral charge should not get the same salary as a
pastor living and working fulltime on the pastoral charge.
The AME Church needs to
provide pastors with regularly scheduled training that measures competency.
Pastors need administrative skills as well as pastoral skills. The thought that “once you are ordained, you
don’t need anymore training or measures for competency” is absurd.
The good news is that we
have successful pastors who could take the lead in training pastors. We don’t
need to go “outside” and bring in experts.
We have our own experts.
There should be a level of
competency required for all pastors. Local church officers need levels of
competence too.
We don’t have a problem;
we have a condition that needs to be addressed by the leadership of our Zion if
we are going to survive another 200 years.
Successfully dealing with
conditions is not new to the AME Church. We are where we are because the
“mothers and fathers” of the AME Church have dealt with conditions.
Let me list two recent “conditions” dealt with by the Church
Bishops and general
officers elected prior to 2000 were allotted 50% of their salaries for life
when they retired. That sounded good until you looked at their salaries, which
in the 1996 Discipline for bishops
was $45,000 and for general officers $35,000, which meant the bishops’
retirement salary was $22,500 and the general officers’ retirement salary was
$17,500. Whatever they were getting for their active connectional travel was
not included in the retirement package, just ½ of their salaries. And guess what? When the bishop or general
officer died, the ½ salary ended, which meant that his or her spouse was not a
recipient of their spouse’s retirement salary. Can you imagine the shock of the
spouse when the AMEC Treasurer had to inform them that they would no longer
receive their spouse’s ½ salaries.
At the 2000 General
Conference, a change was made and bishops and general officers were enrolled in
a 401k retirement plan, which meant that the individual and the Church
contributed to the plan and now when bishops and general officers retire, they
receive their retirement from the 401k retirement plan and when the bishop or
general officer dies, the payments continue to the spouse and the AMEC
Treasurer does not have to inform the spouse that he or she will no longer
receive retirement funds.
The 401k plan benefits the
Church, the bishops and general officers and surviving spouses.
The Church successfully
dealt with a condition.
A second condition existed
in the 1st Episcopal District some years ago under the episcopal
leadership of Bishop Philip Cousin.
Much of the story escapes
me, but essentially, Bishop Cousin discovered when some 1st
Episcopal District pastors and spouses died, the family did not have enough
insurance to help them through the difficult period. Bishop Cousin set up an
effective program for the families of pastors who died and we have heard from
several persons that Bishop Cousin’s program was blessing to them in their time
of bereavement.
Bishop Cousin dealt with a
condition and I know other AME bishops who have initiated programs to help
pastors and their families and in so doing dealt with the condition.
Additionally, the AME
Church dealt with equity in pastoral appointments when the Pastors’ Bill of
Rights was implemented and the AME Church has dealt with many conditions over
the years.
We have a healthcare
insurance condition that needs to be dealt with so pastors like the pastor I
spoke with can feel comfortable getting their medical issues resolved.
Bishops, general officers,
connectional officers, presiding elders, pastors and laity will need to work
together if we are going to address the dire conditions that face our Zion.
And, of course we will
need to address the problems that confront us too.
Let’s stick around for
another 200 years.
2.
NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
-- A
Joyful and Heartfelt Congratulations to the Rev. Geoffrey S. Ellis, distinguished, effective and efficient pastor of
Asbury Chapel AME Church, Louisville, Kentucky upon being selected to receive
the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity from Simmons College of Kentucky
during their 136th Commencement Exercises on Sunday, May 17, 2015 at 5 p.m.
According to Dr.
Kevin W. Cosby, President of Simmons College of Kentucky, the College
selectively and judiciously awards honorary doctorate degrees to individuals of
exceptional academic, scholarly, artistic, philanthropic, and/or humanitarian accomplishments. He thanked Rev. Ellis for his contributions
made to our community, state and nation.
--
Pew Research Center. America's Changing Religious Landscape - Pew Research Center's Religion and Public Life
Project ... the Church of God in Christ, the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, the Progressive Baptist Convention and others – has remained relatively
stable...
-- In
Ravaged Baltimore, Freddie Gray's Pastor Speaks of the Dearth of Black Male
Role Models ... schools as
teachers and principals,” said Bryant, the pastor at Empowerment Temple, an
African Methodist Episcopal church on the city's west side.
--
Court Confirms Jurors' Liable Verdict in Episcopal Church Case Front Page
Africa - Monrovia - The land case involving the African Methodist Episcopal
Church (AME) and Philip Sayon with other defendants came to a sudden end at ...
Jazz
legend, B.B. King dead at 89.
3.
AME LUNCHEON AT THE HU MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE:
The AME
luncheon at the Hampton Ministers Conference will be held on Wednesday June 10, 2015 at Noon at the Crowne
Plaza Hotel, 700 Settlers Landing Road Hampton, VA 23669.
The Cost of the
Luncheon is $25.00 and the luncheon is always a great time of fellowship.
If you need further
information call Bethel AME Church 757-723-4065.
4.
EPISCOPAL FAMILY E-BLAST
Regina Jackson,
Winner of the 2015 McDonalds Gospel Fest in the Female Vocalist Category
Congratulations to
Regina V. Jackson, who on Saturday, May 9th competed in the 32nd Annual
McDonald's Gospel Fest in the Solo Female Vocalist Category.
The event was held
at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. In the crowd were Bishop
Reginald and Supervisor Christy Jackson and her brother Seth Jackson, beaming
and proud as a family.
Regina sang a portion
of the Lord's Prayer. At the end of the night before a full house of 18,000
people she was declared the winner and is now the 2015 Female Vocalist of the
McDonald's Gospel Fest. "We are so very proud of Regina as she allows her
gift to be used to the glory of God and to bless others" said Bishop
Jackson, the very proud father. "It is our prayer that she will continue
to let God use her, to let her light shine in the world. She is blessed to be a
blessing." A theater major and graduate of Florida A & M University in
Tallahassee, Florida, she is currently Director of Communications and Marketing
at St. James AME Church in Newark, New Jersey. She is also a member of MCAM and
sang on the recording released last year by the AME Church.
5. SUNDAY, MAY 17TH - DESIGNATED AS AME- SADA SUNDAY - THE “EVIDENCE OF
DISCIPLESHIP” - THE MISSION OF THE AME CHURCH IN ACTION:
May 17th is
designated as AME- SADA (Service and Development Agency) Sunday in the African
Methodist Episcopal Church. As we
prepare for this special day, let us also reflect on the history of SADA and
our work in South Africa.
- AME SADA is a humanitarian nonprofit organization dedicated to improving
the quality of life in Haiti and the Republic of South Africa.
- Since the late 1800s, the African Methodist Episcopal Church has had a
long, rich presence in the Republic of South Africa.
- 50% of the population in South Africa lives below the
poverty level.
- AME SADA supports students at Wilberforce Community
College located in the 19th Episcopal District - Evaton, South
Africa.
- 610 students are currently enrolled at Wilberforce
Community College.
- African National Congress veteran, Charlotte Maxeke in
1908, founded the school. She was a 1905 graduate of Wilberforce University
located in the 3rd Episcopal District - Wilberforce, Ohio.
- AME SADA - Wilberforce Community College is supported
with financial contributions from the AME Church, the United States
International Development Office of American Schools (USAID) and private organizations/donors.
- Wilberforce offers academic programs in Business and
Management Science.
***** Wilberforce Community College also engages students
in finding renewable and alternate energy sources.
***** In 2012, Wilberforce Community College hosted a
successful Solar Institute for 32 local (Evaton) high school students to teach
them how to build solar panels and locate alternate energy fields.
Your contributions to AME SADA will help to transform and enrich the lives
of our children living in South Africa. Wilberforce Community College is
creating global graduates and leaders for the future. Your prayers and
financial contributions on Sunday, May 17th are the “Evidence of
Discipleship” and the mission of the AME Church in action.
Bishop McKinley Young, Chairperson & the AME SADA Board
Mr. Robert Nicolas, Executive Director
6. INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT AME - SADA (SERVICE AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY):
May 17th is designated as AME- SADA
Sunday in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. As we prepare for this
special day, let us also reflect on a few interesting facts about AME - SADA
and how you have made and will make a difference.
- AME SADA is a humanitarian nonprofit
organization dedicated to “Helping People Help Themselves.”
- AME SADA grew out of the collective efforts
of caring, compassionate and committed individuals who dared to make a
difference in the lives of others.
- In 2014, you donated $83,137 on AME SADA
Sunday.
- Your donations of vitamins, school uniforms,
“Mama Kits," baby clothes and medical supplies helped to improve the lives
of young parents and their children.
- Generous grants and donations from USAID,
UNICEF, Plan International, Clinton-Bush Haiti fund, W.K. Kellogg Foundation,
private organizations and donors provide educational opportunities, health
services, and humanitarian aid for those in the Caribbean and Africa.
- Collaborative efforts of the Global Witness
and Development Department of the AME Church, Bishops, General Officers,
Connectional Officers, Presiding Elders, Pastors, WMS, and laity have resulted
in the building of health clinics, offsetting the cost for mobile health
services, educational materials and supplies.
- Future contributions to AME - SADA will help
to assist with the completion of the Bishop Sarah Davis Cancer clinic,
high-risk maternity center at Bercy, developing the HIV Educational project in
the 18th Episcopal District-Botswana and Swaziland and developing agriculture,
health, and alternative energy programs in the 14th Episcopal District-West
Africa.
- On Sunday, May 17th, pastors will
make a special offertory appeal for AME - SADA. Your offering during the appeal
will help to make a difference in the lives of others.
- Tax deductible contributions may also be
made by mailing a check to:
Thank you for making a difference on Sunday
May 17th and demonstrating the “Evidence of Discipleship.”
Bishop McKinley Young, Chairperson
Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Vice Chairperson
Dr. Richard Lewis, Treasurer
Mr. Robert Nicolas, Executive Director
Board Members:
Bishop Paul Kawimbe
Bishop Wilfred Messiah
Bishop David Daniels
Bishop John White
Bishop Clement Fugh
Bishop Reginald Jackson
The Rev. Dr. George Flowers
Dr. Shirley Reed
Dr. Paulette Coleman
Mrs. Wilburn Boddie
Mr. Anthony Grant
Mr. Claytie Davis
Dr. Jeanne Maddox Toungara
7.
AMEC CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RECEIVES $142,583.44 FROM THE TRUST ACCOUNT
OF THE LATE VINCENT F. FOSTER:
The Annual
Ministries in Christian Education Training / Planning Meeting is being held in
Nashville, Tennessee at the Preston Hotel.
Dr. Daryl Ingram, Executive Director of the Department of Christian
Education announced that the Christian Education Department of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church received $142,583.44 from the named beneficiary of
the trust account established by the late Vincent F. Foster of Springfield
Missouri.
Dr. Ingram shared
that Mr. Foster endowed the Board of Trustees of Benton Avenue AME Church with
a trust fund that stated that the principal was to be invested for 20 years
with dividends designated for the restoration and maintenance of the church and
parsonage, but if the church closed its doors before that time, he wanted the
principal of the trust to be given to the Christian Education Department of the
AME Church. The Board of Trustees closed Benton Avenue AME Church on July 1,
2014 and transferred ownership of the church and parsonage to the Midwest
Annual Conference.
The highlight of
the opening worship of Christian Education Training / Planning Meeting was the
sermon delivered by the Rev. Andre Spivey, pastor of St, Paul AME Church in
Detroit, Michigan and also serves on the Detroit City Council. He was reelected
in 2013.
He preached a
powerful Spirit-filled sermon. The subject of his sermon was "Give Me
Jesus" taken from Luke 19: 1-10. The Rev. Spivey is a biblical preacher
with a contemporary message. The Rev. Spivey
Bishop John
Franklin White, Presiding Prelate of the 16th and 18th
Episcopal Districts is the Chair of the Christian Education Commission.
8.
BROTHER EDWARD DEREEF CARRIES THE CROSS THOUGH THE STREETS OF BURGAW, NORTH
CAROLINA:
Brother Edward
Dereef and members of the Macedonia AME Church family in Burgaw, North Carolina
once again made their annual walk on Good Friday. God laid it on Brother Dereef's heart to
begin this journey of carrying the Cross three years ago. Faithfully and with the humility of Christ,
he makes his walk of about one half mile to the church. Once at the church, the cross is then erected
in the church yard. Brother Dereef feels
privileged to show the world that Christ is yet alive.
Brother Dereef was
joined by several members of Macedonia AME Church. Cars and people passing by spoke to the group
and stated that they appreciated and admired Brother Dereef for his devotion to
the Lord Jesus Christ. The Rev. Geraldine Dereef is that pastor of Macedonia
AME Church.
*This article
written of submitted by the Rev. Geraldine Dereef
9.
MUCH ADO ABOUT MILLENNIALS: PUTTING THE NEWS IN CONTEXT:
*John Thomas III
“Millennials
increasingly driving growth of ‘nones’”
“Millennials Losing
Religion Faster than any Prior Generation”
“America Is
Becoming Less Religious Thanks to Millennials”
These are a sample
of the headlines that blazed across news media in the wake of the recently
released Pew Research Center’s Study “America’s Changing Religious
Landscape”. The two most highlighted
findings were:
Between 2007 and
2014, the Christian population fell from 78.4% to 70% mainly by declines among
mainline Protestants and Catholics. The
unaffiliated experienced the most growth, and the share of Americans belonging
to non-Christian denominations increased.
35% of adult
Millennials (Americans born between 1981 and 1996) are religiously
unaffiliated. Far more Millennials say they have no religious affiliation
compared with those who identify as evangelical Protestants (21%), Catholics
(16%) or mainline Protestants (11%).
The study raises
questions, but it's always important to look beyond the headlines. The sensational results should be taken in
context with the Pew Research Center's previous "Religion among the
Millenials" Study in 2010.
“Religious affiliation” (where one practices one faith) and actual beliefs
are two separate concepts. The 2010
study showed that Millennials exercise their beliefs differently, but are no
less spiritual than earlier generations.
This spirituality does not often translate into fixed denominational
ties. Simply put, “They love Jesus, but
not the Church.”
Buried in the 2015
finding is that the population of historically Black Protestant churches has
remained stable at approximately 5-7% of respondents across age groups. What IS changing is the composition of the
“Black Church.”
The 2015 study was
the first to measure “non-denominational membership” and gave the following
data on median ages of Black Church goers:
Black Methodist is
50.
Black Baptist is
48.
Black Pentecostal
is 44.
Black
Non-Denominational is 38.
Focusing
in on Black Methodists, we see the following age breakdown
18-29 years: 16%
30-49 years: 34%
50-64 years: 27%
65+ years 24%
Contrast
this with the Black Non-Denominationals
18-29 years: 26%
30-49 years: 53%
50-64 years: 16%
65+ years: 4%
These numbers
should be taken with some caution because the study is a national panel and not
specifically designed to sample African-Americans. Nonetheless, the data do align with what we
see in our congregations and across the “institutional” Black church. As one of my friends is fond of saying,
“Black Millennials still go to church…they may just not be in YOUR
church.”
So what’s the
takeaway for the AME Church? Clearly, we
need to look at our demographics and what can be doing to engage younger
generations. While the institutional history and the legacy of Richard Allen
are important, the most important work is how we minister and preach the
gospel. We must also understand that we
are firmly in an era where an individual’s denominational loyalty is less
important than the quality of the local faith community in which they
live. The AME Church has comparative
advantages in being a Connectional church and can use the denomination to help
individuals Christians connect to a wider community.
The concern is not,
“Will Millennials leave the Church?” But
rather, “Will the institutional Church leave them?”
*John Thomas III is
a PhD Student in Political Science at the University of Chicago and a member of
the AME Church General Board
10.
THE CONNECTIONAL YOUNG PEOPLES DIVISION INITIATES - PROJECT #H20:
"For whosoever
shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ,
verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward." Mark 9:41
Join the Going
Green Committee of The Connectional Young People’s & Children’s Division as
we raise funds to ensure everyone has access to clean drinking water! Pledge
your financial support in the building of water wells in Haiti, Tanzania &
Liberia. WATER is a SACRED GIFT, A HUMAN RIGHT, and A LIFE SOURCE. Every donation,
no matter the amount, makes a difference.
http://www.gofundme.com/projectH2O
GOAL: $10,000
Contributions will
be given to the AME-SADA at the conclusion of the 18th Quadrennial Convention.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church Service and Development Agency is the
humanitarian relief and development entity of the AME Church, the oldest
organized African American Church in the United States. AME-SADA is a
charitable institution under Section 501©3 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Mr. Jeremy D. Satterwhite
Going Green
Committee Chair
Connectional Young
People’s Division
11.
THE "7TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT TRIO" EARNS D.MIN DEGREES FROM
WESLEY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY:
Three 7th Episcopal
District preachers earn Doctor of Ministry Degrees from Wesley Theological
Seminary in Washington, DC at the seminary's most recent graduation exercises
held on May 12, 2015. The three Itinerant Elders are from the Seventh Episcopal
District, where the Rt. Rev. Richard F. Norris, Sr. is the presiding bishop.
The "7th District
Trio" are the Rev. Dr. Orlando Morris McCauley, Jr., pastor of St. Luke
AME Church in Sumter District, North East Conference; the Rev. Dr. Barbara
Reginia C. Chisolm of Greater Zion AME Church, Hwy #17, Mt. Pleasant District
and the Rev. Dr. Dwayne Bruce, pastor of Beulah AME Church, also of the Sumter
District, North East Conference.
The "7th
District Trio" is the second group of preachers to complete their Doctor
of Ministry Program at Wesley.
The first group
which finished in 2014 had 6 preachers who completed the program, which
included the Rev. Dr. Sandy W. Drayton, Presiding Elder of the George Town
District, Palmetto Annual Conference. The first graduation was held at the
Washington National Cathedral, Washington, DC.
The AME - Wesley Doctor of Ministry Initiative
was launched under the episcopal leadership of Bishop Preston Warren Williams
II, who is also a D.Min alum of Wesley Seminary. The initiative continues under
Bishop Richard Franklin Norris. The program began under the name "Pan
Methodist Track."
The 2015
commencement exercises had a total 156 candidates, 69 graduates received the
Master of Divinity degree; 20 were recipients of a Master of Arts degree; 6
were awarded Master of Theological Studies; and 61 were awarded the Doctor of
Ministry degrees.
The project titles
for the "7th District Trio" were as follows: Dr. McCauley - "How
to Encourage Local AME Churches to Support the Connectional Church"; Dr.
Chisolm - "Intentional Hospitality in the Transformation of Traditional
Churches for New Communities" and Dr. Bruce - "An Intentional
Hospitality Program: The Transformation of Traditional Churches for New
Communities."
Report was
submitted by the Rev. Dr. Orlando M. McCauley, Jr.
12.
THE REV. JURETHA JOYNER MAIDEN FORMER CONNECTIONAL DIRECTOR OF TRAINING, THE
DEPARTMENT OF WORSHIP AND EVANGELISM:
The Rev. Juretha
Joyner Maiden transitioned from time to eternity on Wednesday, March 25,
2015. Born on November 1, 1940, to
Myrtle and Leslie Joyner (both deceased) she was raised and formerly educated
in Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from the historic Frederick Douglas High
School.
Early on she was
active in social justice and community service in addition to being a teen
Civil Rights activist with the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE). She was active in Bethel African Methodist
Episcopal Church (Baltimore) and regularly attended Sunday school and was a
member of the junior choir and the Young People’s Department (YPD).
On October 10, 1959
she married Clifton Wallace Maiden (deceased). From this union came Lisa
Valrie, Lois Angela and Monica Juretha.
After raising her
children, she enrolled as a student at Wilberforce University in Wilberforce,
Ohio where she received her Bachelor’s Degree.
Later she received her Master in Education from Coppin State University
(Baltimore). She also completed
additional studies at the Ecumenical Institute at St. Mary’s Seminary and
University (Baltimore, Maryland). She
pursued a teaching career in the Baltimore City Public Schools. She was a special education teacher for more
than ten years at the John Edgar Howard Elementary School. Affectionately, she called her class the Love
Connection. She served until she
retired. Rev. Joyner-Maiden had an
unconditional love for children. To this
end she routinely evangelized at the juvenile detention center and the
correctional facilities in the Baltimore Area.
She gave her life
to Christ as a child. She answered her
call to the ministry under then Rev. John R. Bryant, pastor of Bethel AME
Church. She preached her trial sermon on
April 8, 1988. As an ordained elder in
the AME church she was active on the ministerial staff at Bethel
Baltimore. Her passion for evangelism
was birthed when her pastor appointed her to serve as Bethel’s Director to the
Commission on Evangelism. She ministered salvation under the power of God
everywhere she went on a daily basis.
Her ministry extended beyond the sanctuary and also included ministering
at a residential center (CAP) for addicted pregnant women.
She would go on to
become the Connectional Director of Training and Certification for the
Department of Worship & Evangelism of the AME Church. She was a sought after consultant for
evangelism training to local congregations across the depth and the breath of
the AME Church. Under Bishop Adam
Jefferson Richardson, Rev. Joyner-Maiden was appointed the Second Episcopal
District Consultant for Evangelism. She
also had a heart for global missions and shared the gospel on mission trips to
four continents, South America- Guyana, Europe- London, Africa-Ghana, and North
America- Canada and Jamaica.
Demonstrating
Christ’s love in everyday life was the Rev. Joyner-Maiden’s calling. She fulfilled this calling when she founded
the Love International Ministries while on the ministerial staff at her beloved
Payne Memorial AME Church (Baltimore).
She led many revivals, crusades, seminars, campaigns that included:
“Lift Jesus Up”, “One Million Souls for Christ”, “You are Loved.” Stop the
Violence and Start the Loving” and “the Come Away My Beloved Annual Retreat.”
She called everyone “precious.” She served at Payne under the pastoral
leadership of (now) Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the Rev. Dr. Michael O.
Thomas, and her current pastor, the Rev. Dr. A. Qismat Alim.
Her legacy of love
will continue thru her three precious daughters, Lisa Maiden McDonald, Lois
Maiden McCray (Andrew, the Apostle), Monica Juretha Maiden; her four
grandchildren, Nichole McDonald, Angela Brock, Joshua Brock (Lauren), and
Minuette Brock; her nine great-grandchildren Leah, Angel, Kyree, Karee, Jayden,
Isaiah, Elijah, Lilyanah, and Mi’Amor; her half-sisters Elva, Vera and Velma;
her Goddaughters Kia Pearson (Darryl) and Chere Brown; her God brother, Bishop
John R. Bryant, and God-sister Cynthia Bryant Pitts.
Senior Bishop John
R. Bryant was the eulogist at the Homegoing celebration on March 28, 2015 at
Payne Memorial AME Church.
13.
THE WHITE HOUSE INITIATIVE ON HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
(HBCUS):
The White House
Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) works to
promote HBCU excellence, innovation, and sustainability. The Initiative
recognizes undergraduate, graduate, and professional students for their
accomplishments in scholarship, leadership, and civic engagement. Please see
information regarding the HBCU All- Star Students Program and forward to your
network.
Click link to see
program details and application: 2015-HBCU-All-Star-Application-Form.pdf
HBCU All- Star
Students Program
Program Details
The appointment
period will last approximately one year, and during this time students will
serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on Historically Black
Colleges and Universities by providing outreach opportunities and
communications to their fellow students about the value of education and the
Initiative as a networking resource. Through social media, personal and
professional relationships with community-based organizations, student will
share promising and proven practices that support opportunities for all young
people to realize their educational and career potential. The program will
provide an opportunity to participate in regional and national events, as well
as, web chats with Initiative staff and other professionals from a wide range
of disciplines that support a spirit of engagement and personal and
professional development.
Eligibility and
Rules
1) Nominee must be
a current undergraduate, graduate, or professional student at a Historically
Black Colleges or University (HBCU).
Student must be enrolled for the 2015-2016 fall semester.
View HBCU Listing
by State
2) Only complete
applications will be accepted. This
includes signed nomination form, unofficial transcripts, short essays, resume
and endorsement letter. Review Process
3) Submissions
entered past the due date will not be acknowledged.
For more
information regarding the 2015 HBCU All-Star Student program and application
contact: oswhi-hbcu@ed.gov and follow us on Twitter @WHI_HBCUs
All-Star
Website link:
The Rev. Charles L.
White, Jr., Field Department
National Action
Network
Telephone: M: (646)
629-1849 or (410) 458-3385
14.
THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT:
The Rev. Dr.
Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based on Biblical
Text: Proverbs 28:13 “He that covereth
his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have
mercy.”
On Shrove Tuesday,
(the day before Ash Wednesday), at our traditional “Pancake Supper” we entered
into a covenant with the Lord. We decided that our sacrifice for Lent would be
one of our sins. Yes, it sounds radical! Our prayer is that as we journey with
the Lord this season and the urge to end the covenant intensifies we will be
forced to call on Him often, if not continuously for the help we need to
succeed. By Easter morning we will have cultivated a much stronger
relationship.
As we navigate this
season of repentance we seek to be free from sin’s power. We have all at some
point or another had difficulty in dealing with a particular temptation or sin.
How do we achieve victory over temptation that leads to sin today? First we
must understand the distinctive nature of temptation and ways to avoid it.
I would like to
suggest from the onset that there is a difference between what we call trials
and temptations. A trial is different in that it can be sent by God or allowed
by God in order to deepen our walk with Him or to bring about God’s plan for
our life. On the other hand, a temptation is never directed by God, but rather
its purpose is destructive. Thus, temptation is not sin itself. The Bible tells
us that Jesus was tempted. Temptation can make us stronger if we can
successfully overcome it.
There are a few
things we should know about temptation. We must understand that temptation is
to be expected. The Lord teaches us to pray each day that He would “lead us not
into temptation.” It is never directed by
God as He is never affected by sin, doesn’t make any decisions effected by sin
and cannot cause or lead a person to sin because He is totally pure and holy.
Temptation is an individual matter. In other words, Satan will always attack
when and where we are most susceptible. We are admonished to never deliberately
place ourselves in a posture to be tempted. That however poses a particular
challenge as we are tempted when we, by our own immoral desire, are drawn away
and enticed. There is a pattern. A thought enters our mind, we indulge it; it
germinates and grows into a malevolent act. After desire has conceived, it
gives birth to sin.
When it comes to
sin it is a matter of the heart. As it relates to sin, we need to have our
hearts so drastically changed that we want to do the right thing. The apostle
Paul calls it the obedience of faith. He says in Rom 1:5, “Through him and for
his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among
all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.” This is why Jesus can
say "Come to me, all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you
rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart,
and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is
light."
We must consider
the influence and the force of sin. Sin is more than acts of disobedience as
the act of sin arises out of a heart that is sinful. Our hearts are polluted
and contaminated. All sin arises from a corrupt heart. Sin is more than what we
do or do not do it is a power and influence in the heart. Sin has a life of its
own that seeks to govern us like a master. God tells Cain, “If you do not do
what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you
must master it."
Sin is subtle. Sin
seems to just come up on us. Sin creeps up from behind and hooks us before we
know what has hit us. Sin is cunning, luring us in by looking good, smelling
good, tasting good and feeling good. Sin seems fun, exciting and can be exhilarating.
Sin appears harmless thus we think we can amuse ourselves with sin. But before
we realize it we find ourselves engulfed and by then it is too late. One taste,
one touch, one sip, one time, one kiss, one look and before we know it we are
hooked.
Sin is only a
symptom. The act of sin is only the symptom of sin in our heart. Sin is a
personality and an enemy that dresses up as a friend. Jesus does not like sin!
Nothing or no one that seeks to separate us from Jesus is a friend. Jesus is
serious about sin and his approach to sin is violent. Jesus says, “If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out,
and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members
should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy
right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable
that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be
cast into hell.” Jesus however does not mean to literally tear out your eye
or remove your hand. Why, because sin is not in the eye or in the hand. Sin is
in the heart
What Jesus is
saying is to be uncompromising and extreme. He warns us that we are to get rid
of everything and anything that leads us down the path of sin. Jesus admonishes
us that we are not to fool around with sin. We must cut off the source of sin.
Whatever is the source of temptation, we are to get rid of it. The question we
must ask ourselves is, “How bad do we want to get rid of sin in our life?” More
to the point, “How much do we love the Lord and hate sin?”
We are challenged
to set our mind on things of the Spirit. Those who live according to the flesh
have their minds set on what the flesh desires. Those who live in accordance
with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The Bible
warns that the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit
is life and peace. In other words, if we are going to put sin to death by the
Spirit, we have to direct our mind and our heart away from fleshly thoughts and
direct them towards “things of the Spirit."
We must set our
mind on the Words of God. The Bible says “This is what we speak, not in words
taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing
spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept
the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him,
and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” So to
put to death the deeds of the body "by the Spirit" is to "set our
mind on the things of the Spirit," embracing the words of God. We must
submit our will to God’s. We must commit ourselves daily to God.
Finally, we are
challenged to hear the Word of God and receive it with faith. The Bible asks,
“So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among
you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith?" The answer
is that the Spirit is given to us for the killing of sin not by works of the
law but by "hearing with faith." When temptation comes, “when you are
tempted,” we have to expect it and we must stay ready. We are to put on the
full armor of God. We must resist and then we need to look to a word from God
that promises He will be more for us and do more for us than what this sin
promises.
*The Rev. Dr.
Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in
Charleston, S.C.
15.
GETTING TO ZERO UPDATE: EBOLA IN LIBERIA IS OVER:
Preamble: In thanksgiving we
rejoice with the people of Liberia. On May 9, 2015, the World Health
Organization (WHO) has declared Liberia as Ebola-free. This is a major
achievement after the country confronted, since March 2014, the largest and
longest ever epidemic of Ebola virus. An official Ebola-free designation comes
when no new cases are detected in 42 days (twice the 21 day-incubation period
of time from virus exposure to appearance of disease symptoms). This is a
tribute to the resolve and ability to change of the Liberian people in cities
and rural areas and to the engagement of effective international assistance.
In the midst of rejoicing,
diligence in surveillance still is required to prevent re-entry of Ebola virus
across borders and to continue efforts to completely eliminate presence of
Ebola in neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone. Both countries still have new and
ongoing Ebola infection cases. We are indeed grateful and continue in prayer
with AMEC Bishop Clement Fugh and the people of Liberia who seek to adequately
address aftermath effects of the 2014 Ebola epidemic on families, communities
and the economy of the country.
---
The Ebola outbreak in Liberia
is over
WHO statement
9 May 2015
Today, 9 May 2015, WHO declares
Liberia free of Ebola virus transmission. Forty-two days have passed since the
last laboratory-confirmed case was buried on 28 March 2015. The outbreak of
Ebola virus disease in Liberia is over.
Interruption of transmission is
a monumental achievement for a country that reported the highest number of
deaths in the largest, longest, and most complex outbreak since Ebola first
emerged in 1976. At the peak of transmission, which occurred during August and
September 2014, the country was reporting from 300 to 400 new cases every week.
During those 2 months, the
capital city Monrovia was the setting for some of the most tragic scenes from
West Africa’s outbreak: gates locked at overflowing treatment centres, patients
dying on the hospital grounds, and bodies that were sometimes not collected for
days.
Flights were cancelled. Fuel
and food ran low. Schools, businesses, borders, markets, and most health
facilities were closed. Fear and uncertainty about the future, for families,
communities, and the country and its economy, dominated the national mood.
Though the capital city was
hardest hit, every one of Liberia’s 15 counties eventually reported cases. At
one point, virtually no treatment beds for Ebola patients were available
anywhere in the country. With infectious cases and corpses remaining in homes
and communities, almost guaranteeing further infections, some expressed concern
that the virus might become endemic in Liberia, adding another – and especially
severe – permanent threat to health.
It is a tribute to the
government and people of Liberia that determination to defeat Ebola never
wavered, courage never faltered. Doctors and nurses continued to treat
patients, even when supplies of personal protective equipment and training in
its safe use were inadequate. Altogether, 375 health workers were infected and
189 lost their lives.
Local volunteers, who worked in
treatment centres, on burial teams, or as ambulance drivers, were driven by a
sense of community responsibility and patriotic duty to end Ebola and bring
hope back to the country’s people. As the number of cases grew exponentially,
international assistance began to pour in. All these efforts helped push the
number of cases down to zero.
Liberia’s last case was a woman
in the greater Monrovia area who developed symptoms on 20 March and died on 27
March. The source of her infection remains under investigation. The 332 people
who may have been exposed to the patient were identified and closely monitored.
No one developed symptoms; all have been released from surveillance.
Health officials have maintained
a high level of vigilance for new cases. During April, the country’s 5
dedicated Ebola laboratories tested around 300 samples every week. All test
results were negative.
While WHO is confident that
Liberia has interrupted transmission, outbreaks persist in neighbouring Guinea
and Sierra Leone, creating a high risk that infected people may cross into
Liberia over the region’s exceptionally porous borders.
The government is fully aware
of the need to remain on high alert and has the experience, capacity, and
support from international partners to do so. WHO will maintain an enhanced
staff presence in Liberia until the end of the year as the response transitions
from outbreak control, to vigilance for imported cases, to the recovery of
essential health services.
Excerpt from May 9, 2015 WHO
report accessible at: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2015/liberia-ends-ebola/en/
16. GETTING TO ZERO: DEFEATING DIABETES:
*Dr. Oveta Fuller
That’s what we’re
talking about! You can be made whole in mind, body and spirit. The church- especially the global African
Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC), can be a major advocate and resource for
wellness.
The joyous faces of
Bishop Gregory Ingram and Dr. Jessica Ingram light up the cover of the spring
2015 issue of Diabetes: Health Monitor. The issue, available now as provided by
the AMEC and Connectional Health Commission (CHC) is more than a delightful
cover. Inside are pages of sound wisdom, Godly insights and practical tools for
preventing or taking control to manage diabetes.
Will you be made whole?
In the recorded
healings by Jesus, often he would ask an affected person, “Do you want to be
made whole?” In modern day conversation, the question is “Would you like to be
well? Do you want to change your situation and condition of physical, mental,
emotional or spiritual wellness? What can you do, what are you willing to do to
be whole?” The question, from ancient times to now, inquires about what a
person perceives as their desired state and what they are willing to do for
themselves. The answer affects what will occur to get to a different situation
or move towards wellness.
Diabetes can be
prevented or at least managed. Even if genes that predispose one to a disease
run in the family, development of diabetes often can be avoided by early
adjustments in everyday life habits. Effects of diabetes can be minimized by
daily actions of an individual. Although
insulin production and uptake by cells for metabolism are influenced by
genetics and environment, individual actions and choices have a huge impact on
disease development and severity of symptoms.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes type 2
typically occurs with adult onset and is traditionally termed as “sugar
diabetes”. It occurs when insulin is not
made in adequate amounts or insulin present in the blood cannot be used by
cells. Insulin is a hormone that affects metabolism of food for energy. It is
produced in the pancreas and allows cells throughout the body to take in
glucose from the bloodstream. Glucose is one end product of the digestion of
foods and beverages we consume. Cells use glucose to make energy to fuel their
functions.
A well-functioning
body requires a balance of food intake, output in energy use and energy
storage. Insulin regulates availability and use of glucose for cells. Lack of
insulin function can result in high or low levels of glucose in the blood. Too
much (high sugar, hyperglycemic) or too little (low sugar, hypoglycemic) can
lead to a range of complications. Some of these are weight loss, fatigue,
kidney disease, glaucoma and blurry or loss of vision, neuropathy that leads to
foot and limb numbness and poor healing of skin lesions, hypertension, stroke,
mental health, heart disease and pregnancy complications.
Monitoring levels
of glucose in the blood and determining the accumulated glucose that sticks to
blood cells over time (A1C levels) are important in detecting diabetes
development or in managing disease. They are affected by type and amount of
food intake and energy output. Blood sugar can easily be measured as needed by
individuals with a glucose monitoring kit. A1C and fasting glucose blood levels
are performed periodically as part of routing medical care by medical
personnel.
Diabetes affects
the entire body. Unchecked, diabetes is not pleasant. Management requires
engagement with medical care and continuous attention by individuals and family
members.
The bad and the good news
The CDC estimates
that 13% of the African American population over 20 years of age has diabetes.
Globally diabetes is one of the fastest rising chronic diseases. Some 80% of persons who will develop diabetes
live in middle or low income countries; many are undiagnosed.
Diabetes is
affected by type, amount and timing of food intake and influenced by weight,
physical activity, stress levels and the timing and amounts of insulin. The
metabolism of the body is fine tuned to balance these for a constant supply of
energy to use or to store.
Truly we are
fearfully and wonderfully made.
Diabetes Health Monitor content
Diabetes, as a
metabolic disorder, can be managed or disease avoided by lifestyle changes. The
spring 2015 issue of Diabetes Health Monitor provides diabetes basics and
insights into efforts AMEC episcopal districts and churches are making to
promote preventive health care for members and communities.
The issue shares
how in the midst of a New Jersey Annual Conference meeting Bishop Gregory
Ingram declared that it is “Hokey-Pokey time”. Such provides a short, fun and
effective “just move” physical activity in the midst of sitting through
sessions of a conference. Most people know how or can easily learn the in, out
and turn movements of the “Do the Hokey-Pokey” song. Most people can sing while
also mastering some level of hokey-pokey movement to elevate the heart rate and
increase blood flow into muscles. Exercise is important to wellness, but it is
a central part of managing diabetes and keeping acceptable blood glucose
levels.
Another article in
the spring 2015 issue includes ongoing efforts at The Empowerment Temple in
Baltimore. The pastor of the large AMEC congregation, Dr. Jamal Bryant leads
efforts to regularly provide opportunities for members to monitor health
indicators and adopt changes for a healthy lifestyle. Their Health Ministry
provides periodic blood pressure, diabetes and HIV/AIDS screening, ongoing
nutrition and aerobics classes, and offers an exercise boot camp led by a
church member and owner of a personal fitness business. Church meals
purposefully provide fish, vegetables and fruit.
Small consistent
lifestyle habits make a difference in preventing the onset of diabetes or in
diabetes management after diagnosis.
The issues include
recipes for healthy and tasty favorite foods such as collard greens. The CHC
director, Dr. Miriam Burnett, debunks three common myths that contribute to
late diagnosis and poor management that can bring on the most devastating
effects of diabetes.
The AMEC - Stepping Up
Organizations with
an expansive network structure like the AME Church are ideal for promoting
wellness and helping to influence changes towards health promoting actions.
Churches and their
leaders have access to people, opportunity to increase understanding and
hopefully some influence on daily lives.
A connectional commission such as the Connectional Health Commission can
lead initiatives for the entire denomination. The option of how to implement
each initiative can be decided by the leaders of an individual Episcopal
District, Annual Conference or local church. They can decide how to engage to
meet specific area needs.
Diabetes Health
Monitor is an easy read. The CHC, headed at the episcopal level by Bishop
Wilford Messiah, has provided an on-target offering and examples of how small
consistent efforts can make big changes in the outcome for diabetes.
Diabetes can be
deadly if unchecked. Thankfully, routine medical care can screen for known
symptoms for accurate diagnosis of diabetes or pre-diabetes. If either of these
is diagnosed, take charge and get informed. Do what is required to improve
nutrition, exercise and stress levels and consistently take medication if
prescribed.
Thankfully diabetes
can be defeated!
*The Rev. Oveta
Fuller Caldwell, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
at the University of Michigan (U-M) Medical School, Associate Director of the
U-M African Studies Center and an AMEC itinerant elder and former pastor. She
lived in Zambia for most of 2013 to study HIV/AIDS prevention among networks of
religious leaders.
17. iCHURCH
SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2015 - THE SUM IS GREATER THAN ITS
PARTS - I CORINTHIANS 12: 14-31:
*Brother Bill
Dickens
Introduction
STEM is a
curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines
— science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary
and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and
discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based
on real-world applications.
Though the United
States has historically been a leader in these fields, fewer students have been
focusing on these topics recently. According to the U.S. Department of
Education, only 16 percent of high school students are interested in a STEM
career and have proven a proficiency in mathematics. Currently, nearly 28
percent of high school freshmen declare an interest in a STEM-related field,
but 57 percent of these students will lose interest by the time they graduate
from high school.
But, does the focus
of the science and engineering disciples result in a well-rounded industry
leader? A relative of mine who teaches
English at Morehouse College reminded me over the Thanksgiving Holiday that the
exclusion of the arts in STEM biases the type of leader we desire. A
well-rounded leader will exhibit mastery of mathematical manipulation as well
as artistic creativity. She proposes to
include arts and transform our thinking from STEM to STEAM.
The Church School
Lesson for May 17, 2015 examines how we can achieve a well-rounded membership
in the body of Christ. To accomplish
this task we need to check our egos at the front door and refrain from
condescending talk about who is important and who is less-important. The goal of discipleship maximization
requires a focus on ‘we’ and not ‘I’.
Bible Story
Human Anatomy (I Cor. 12: 14-22)
This passage is
very interesting, jumping back and forth between referring to a physical body
and a metaphorical body.
Beginning in I
Corinthians 12:14 through I Corinthians 12:26, Paul again returns to the
physical body illustration, further explaining what he meant in 1 Corinthians
12. In this long passage, he discusses the relationships to physical parts of a
body to other physical parts of a body, and their mutual relationship to the
body itself.
The detailed
anatomical discussion by Paul reminded me of me of the popular bones song in my
youth describing the interconnection between all of the body parts. “My waist bone is connected to my hip
bone. My hip bone is connected to my thigh
bone……………” That song, like Paul’s
anatomical discussion highlights the importance of all body parts working in
unison for a greater whole.
Human Dignity (I Cor. 12: 23-27)
The physical body
performs exceptionally well because no one part is more important than the
other. There is a mutual respect for the
specific duty/function of the body part.
Paul extends this metaphor to the Body of Christ. We may have our differences and peculiar
idiosyncrasies but we can ill afford to belittle one another. Just like the hand can’t say to the foot you
are useless, we should also shun language implying the inferiority of another
person. Showing respect fosters high
self-esteem and values the individual dignity of all members.
Human Equality (I Cor. 14: 27-31)
Working together
effectively depends on showing respect to one another. Such collaborative work affirms that there is
no big I or little you. When we treat
every individual member with dignity we are putting our belief of human
equality in action. I work in a highly
competitive and market driven sector.
However, I make it a point that I treat everyone from the CEO to the
night shift janitors with the same degree of respect. Paul concludes this chapter by citing the
importance of human equality in our spiritual lives. The recognition of human equality will help
us achieve our goal because when people are respected and valued they will have
the elevated self-esteem to work more creatively.
Life Application
The Sixth Principle
of Kwanzaa is Kuumba. It is a commitment to being creative within the context
of the national community vocation of restoring our people to their traditional
greatness and thus leaving our community more beneficial and beautiful than we,
i.e., each generation, inherited it. The Principle has both a social and
spiritual dimension and is deeply rooted both in social and sacred teachings of
African societies.
Synergy, an
abstract concept, is the combination of multiple ingredients producing a result
greater than the simple arithmetic summation of the individual components.
Kingdom building
requires cooperation and synergy among the different components. Identifying synergistic opportunities in our
congregations will cause the sum to be greater than the individual parts. We
may have different spiritual gifts but the goal remains constant – advancing
the Kingdom of God.
African American
Inspirational Quote for today: “Success is a journey not a destination. The doing is usually more important than the
outcome.” Arthur Ashe
*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 African Methodist Episcopal Church
18. MEDITATION BASED ON JAMES 1:19-27:
*The Rev. Dr.
Joseph A. Darby
Two things in the
news caught my eye today. The first item
was a report by the Pew Research Center that fewer Americans - especially young
Americans - are identifying themselves as Christians and that - with the exception
of historically black denominations and some independent churches - church
membership is shrinking. The second item
was a full page advertisement for “The Response: A Call to Prayer” - a rally to
be held in Charleston, SC.
Those two seemingly
disconnected things may not be disconnected at all. I did a little research on similar “Response
Rallies” in other states, and I learned that they’re really more political than
religious events that equate devotion to God with the unquestioned embrace of
narrow, radically conservative - and sometimes hateful - political positions;
Events that leave no room for the views of Christians with other political
points of view.
Rallies like that
and their true motives may be one of the reasons why some people - especially
young people - aren’t identifying themselves as Christians and are turning away
from the church. Perceptive young people
- who can smell religious hypocrisy from a mile away - too often see those of
us who call ourselves “Christians” wrapping our personal, institutional and
political agendas in convenient and pious religious cloaks instead of
embracing, living in, advocating and sharing the love that Jesus had and shared
with all humankind.
Remember that as
you consider how to best love and serve the Lord, individually - and hopefully
- congregationally. The Biblical Letter
of James doesn’t describe “good religion” in terms of Sabbath worship style,
length of church membership, denominational involvement or holding church
office. James defines “good religion” as
standing up for and reaching out to those who are in need and are outcasts from
“polite” society, and doing God’s will in proactive ways that touch and change
the lives of all people - not with judgment or condemnation, but with Christian
love and Christian action.
Let your faith in
the God of our salvation show through in the work that you do for others - even
for those who can’t or won’t do for themselves.
You’ll find new meaning and direction in life, new well-being, new strength,
new joy and new affirmation in the words of the hymn that says, “To serve the
present age, my calling to fulfill; oh, may it all my powers engage to do the
Master’s will.”
This Meditation is
also available as a Blog on the Beaufort District’s Website: www.beaufortdistrict.org
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
19. PRAYER REQUEST FOR BROTHER FRED J. STUART, JR.:
-- Fifth Episcopal
District Lay Organization
This is a request
to solicit the prayers of each of us for Brother Fred J. Stuart, Jr. who is ill
at this time.
Brother Stuart is a
past Parliamentarian of the Connectional Lay Organization, past President of the
Fifth Episcopal District Lay Organization and past President of the Southern
California Conference Lay Organization.
He is also a Life
Member of the Fifth District Lay Organization and the SCCLO and serves on the
advisory counsel to the 5th District Lay President. He is a faithful member of
Second African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Get well cards and
well wishes may be sent to him at:
Fred J. Stuart, Jr.
3520 Crestwold
Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
90043
20. EPISCOPAL AND CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- Cara Leigh Davis was awarded the Bachelor of Science
Degree in Biology (Chemistry minor) at Claflin University in Orangeburg South
Carolina
On Saturday May 9th
2015, Cara Leigh Davis was awarded the Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology
(Chemistry minor) during Commencement Exercises at Claflin University in
Orangeburg South Carolina. In addition
to her academic achievement, Cara was named peer mentor of the year for the
second year from students in the Freshman College. This award, voted on by
freshmen, recognizes Cara as the student who was most instrumental in their
transition to college life. She also served as the Senior Orientation Leader
for the 2014-2015 School Year.
Cara is the
daughter of Felita Grady Davis and the late Melvin Davis. She is the
granddaughter of Bishop Z.L. and Mother C.R.
Grady (retired). She is the niece
of THE Rev, Carey A. Grady (India) and Constance Grady Woodberry (Kenneth).
Cara’s future plans
include pursuing an advanced degree in Physical Therapy.
Email:
-- Congratulations to daughter, Dr. Kimberly Nicole
Cross and mother, the Rev. Dr. Oretha P. Cross of the Virginia Conference
A double
congratulation is in order for the Cross family. Dr. Kimberly Nicole Cross a
graduate of Xavier University in New Orleans earning a Bachelor of Science in
Pre-Med and a Masters from the University of Chicago in Hospital
Administration, is completing her final semester as a residence in OBGYN of
Georgetown Medical School. Dr. Cross is serving her fourth year as a Chief
Resident and has been accepted in the Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery
Fellowship Training Program as a Clinical Fellow at the Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard Medical School to begin July 1, 2015. Dr.
Cross is the first Fellow to be accepted into this program at Beth Israel
Deaconess Medical Center. She will also join the staff at Harvard Medical
School in the teaching and training of interns and residence. Dr. Kimberly
Cross is the daughter of the Reverend Dr. Oretha P. Cross, pastor of Gaskins
Chapel AME Church in Onancock, Virginia of the Virginia Conference.
The Rev. Dr. Oretha
P. Cross recently completed her Doctorate of Education from Nova Southeastern
University of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Her dissertation research focused on the decline in Church membership of
the AME Church.
Congratulatory
emails may be sent to:
-- Sister Reatha L.
Smith celebrated her 90th Birthday
Sister Reatha L.
Smith, the widow of the late Rev. Richard D. Smith, Sr., former Presiding
Elder, Illinois Conference, North District, celebrated her 90th Birthday
on May 9, 2015.
Belated birthday
cards and well wishes can be sent to:
Mrs. Reatha L.
Smith
311 20th Street
East Moline, IL
61244
21. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
On Sunday, May 10,
2015, the Rev. Jay D. and Karla F.M. Reid Young’s mother and mother in law,
Mrs. Nancy Lee Burnett went home to be with The Lord. Reverend Young is the pastor of St. Andrew
AME Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. Karla is the daughter of the late Bishop
Frank Madison Reid, Jr. and Supervisor Irene Reid and Sister of Dr. Frank
Madison Reid III and former Baltimore Mayor Kurt Schmoke. Mrs. Burnett's
service information is below:
Celebration of Life
Services for Mrs. Nancy Lee Burnett:
Thursday, May 14,
2015
Family Gathering
from 6:00-8:00 PM
Douglas A. Fiery
Funeral Home
1331 Eastern
Blvd-North
Hagerstown, MD
21742
Telephone: (301)
791-7759
Friday, May 15,
2015
Greater Campher
Temple
124 W. Bethel
Street
Hagerstown, MD
21740
The Family will
receive friends, patrons at 10:30 a.m. just prior to service. The Homegoing
Celebration will be at 11:00 a.m. with Elder Gerald Davis, Officiating.
Interment will be
immediately following the service at Rose Hill Cemetery,
800 S. Potomac
Street
In lieu of flowers,
memorial donations may be made to:
The American Cancer
Society of Washington County
1037 Haven Rd
Hagerstown MD
21742
Or
American Lung
Association of Maryland
211 E. Lombard
Street, Unit 260
Baltimore MD 21202
Online condolences
may be expressed at:
Additional
Condolences can be sent to the family:
The Rev. & Mrs.
Jay D. Young
715 Glen Allen Drive
Baltimore MD
21229-1423
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to
announce the passing of Helen B. Burton on April 28, 2015. She was 98 yrs.
old. Mother Burton was a lifetime member
in the Women’s Missionary Society of the First Episcopal District and the widow
of the late Rev. Dr. Bynum C. Burton; who pastored Israel Memorial AME Church
for 7 years and retired as Presiding Elder of the Newark, New Jersey District
in 1991.
The following
information has been provided regarding the funeral arrangements.
Homegoing Service:
Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.
Israel Memorial AME
Church
54 Lincoln Street
Newark, NJ 07103
Telephone:
973-642-6048
Pastor: The Rev.
Robert A. Jackson, Jr.
Condolences may be
sent to:
Denise S. Lloyd
(daughter)
710 Finlay Place
South Orange,
NJ 07079
Telephone: (973)
327-4346
Cell: (973)
336-4353
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to
announce the passing of the Rev. Wayne Morris, Sr. Rev. Morris was the son-in-law of Mrs. Jewel
D. McAshan, president of the First Episcopal District Women’s Missionary
Society.
The following
information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing and
Funeral, Monday, May 11, 2015
Viewing – 9:00 a.m.
– 11:00 a.m.
Home Going – 11:00
a.m.
Rock Island Baptist
Church
549 W. 11th Street
Port Arthur, TX
77640
Telephone: 409-985-2531
The Rev. Ransome E.
Howard, Sr., pastor and officiant
Professional care
entrusted to:
Hannah Funeral Home
3727 Louis Drive
Port Arthur, TX
77642
Telephone:
409-983-4538
Fax: (409) 982-2268
Expression of
Sympathy can be sent to:
Mrs. Sherri L.
Morris
2747 35th
Street
Port Arthur, TX
77640
Telephone: (409)
720-8761
Mrs. Jewel D.
McAshan
7800 A Stenton Ave.
#109
Philadelphia, PA
19118
Telephone:
631-235-0697
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Nancy Vincent,
sister of the Rev. Larry Strong, a minister in the Arkansas Annual Conference,
12th Episcopal District has died.
A Celebration of her life will be held on Friday, May 15, 2015, 11 a.m.
at Miller Temple COGIC in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
Condolences may be
sent to the family, c/o 1203 Hunter Run Coven, Jonesboro, AR 72401, and to the
Rev. & Mrs. Larry Strong, 3111 Colony Drive, Jonesboro, AR 72401.
25. BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY
ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Telephone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Telephone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
26.
CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications,
the Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny
Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H.
Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones.
We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your
bereavement.
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