1. A QUESTION FROM THE EDITOR:
A "traditional" benediction or ending of a benediction that we hear in many churches ends like this:
"And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, now, henceforth and forevermore. AMEN"
My question? I looked up the word, "henceforth" and it is defined in The American Heritage College Dictionary as follows: "From this time forth." It appears to me that the benediction as stated above is redundant. One might simply choose to say,
"And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, now and forevermore. AMEN," or,
"And now, may the grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ be with us, henceforth AMEN"
Just a question!
And to underscore my question, I looked up the term, "hence," which means, "From this time; from now" and "From this life."
2. RETIRED AME BISHOP SERVED AS GUEST LEADER FOR STEWARDSHIP EMPHASIS:
The Rector, Senior Warden, Vestry, and the leadership of Holy Timothy Episcopal Church, Nashville, Tennessee have invited the Right Reverend Frederick Hilborn Talbot, D. Min. and retired Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to serve as the guest leader for its Stewardship Emphasis campaign that was held in December 2004.
Bishop Talbot addressed the parish leadership of St. Timothy on the biblical and spiritual dimensions of financial stewardship with an emphasis on tithing and percentage giving. Bishop Talbot's challenging stewardship presentations and inspiring messages were well received by parish leadership and members of St. Timothy.
Conservation Sunday is an annual event and Bishop Talbot spoke at both the 8 a.m. and the 11 a.m. Eucharistic Services, at which time the members were presented with their pledge cards.
3. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Subject: The Rev. George Thomas
Date: 12/27/2004 8:59:38 PM
From: jrturnerjerry@hotmail.com
It is with sadness that we announce the home going of the Reverend George Thomas, Pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Madison, WI. Rev. Thomas passed away yesterday (12/27/04).
Funeral Arrangements are pending
"Earth has no Sorrow that Heaven cannot Heal"
St. Paul AME Church
4525 Diamond Drive
Madison, WI 53714
608-242-9728
Mrs. Shirley Thomas, First Lady
Rev. Louis Toney, Presiding Elder
Mrs. Karen Norris, Fourth Episcopal District Minister Spouses President
Dr. M. Joan Cousin, Episcopal Supervisor
Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Presiding Prelate
Please remember the family in your prayers.
God Bless!
Ora L. Easley, President
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781
WEBSITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/
http://www.connmswawo3.com/
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
12/28/2004
12/27/2004
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (12/28/04)
QUESTION:
What are we going to do with the issues raised by Bishop Philip R. Cousin and the responses by the Reverend Dr. Floyd Alexander and Brother Jesse Burns at the General Board Meeting earlier this month? The issues were identified in The Christian Recorder Online and in the hard-copy Christian Recorder.
1. NOTES FROM THE EDITOR:
I have read several great books and looked at an exciting video over the Christmas holidays that I would like to recommend.
The first book that I read was From Boy Preacher to Serving God & Humanity "A Legacy of 77 Years," an autobiographical work done by the Reverend O'Neal Hayes Brown, Sr. It's a great book with a lot of AME history. It is easy reading, but has a lot inspirational moments and would be an encouragement for ministry. Every preacher should read this book
The Reverend C.E. Jenkins, retired presiding elder in the Tennessee Annual Conference has written several books that are on my reading list. Reverend Brown and Reverend Jenkins have told their stories and others of us need to tell our stories.
The second book that I read was The Christian Recorder, A.M.E. Church, 1854-1902 authored by Gilbert Anthony Williams. His book was so good that I tried to locate him, only to find out that he is deceased.
As the Editor of The Christian Recorder, I felt that this book was a must-read for me. This book is packed with history and it has inspired me to write some future articles on Richard Allen, Henry McNeil Turner and Daniel Payne. They were ahead of their times! I am also encouraged to write future articles in The Christian Recorder about our retired and active bishops. As an aside, immediately after the General Conference, I read the book about Bishop Nichols (I can't remember the title and I haven't unpacked all of my books) - absolutely a great read for African Methodists! We are a great Church!
I am also encouraged to write about "Endowment Day - a day that was held on the third Sunday in September to raise money for educational purposes of the AME Church" (Williams). In 1885, the AME Church raised $11,000 on Endowment Day for support of our AME schools. We had to support our own educational institutions because the AME Church rejected the "industrial education" model espoused by Booker T. Washington and as a result most of the philanthropic organizations did not support the educational institutions of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We had to "go it alone."
If we had a grass roots Holy Ghost-filled "Endowment Day - 2004," I suspect that we could pay Morris Brown College out of debt and have some money left over. "Without faith, it is impossible..."
Anyway, the third learning was a video tape that I purchased at the General Board / Bishops' Council Meeting that was held in Nashville earlier this month entitled, Africa in the Holy Land. Dr. Paula Whatley Matabane, and Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, is the Executive Producer-Writer of "Africa in the Holy Land." Dr. Matabane did a wonderful job. It's a first-class video!
In my opinion, every member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church should view this video. It puts the Bible and the holy land in theological and racial perspective.
The forth blessing that I received over the Christmas holidays was finding my copy of the Encyclopaedia of African 1948 compiled by Bishop R.R. Wright. I have not seen it in a number of years. I thought that I had lent it to the late Reverend Dr. Andrew White and that he had not returned it (Please forgive me, Dr. White for thinking that you had my book). I had it packed away in a safe place - so safe that I couldn't find it.
And, no, none of you can borrow it. It is such a great work and my bet is that a lot of our clergy and laity have not ever seen the great work of Bishop R.R. Wright.
So, I am having a great Christmas vacation! I have enjoyed reading the books and viewing that outstanding video produced by Dr. Paula Matabane.
P.S. - I still have some articles that some of you gave me for publication. I am working on those now.
2. PAYNE THEOLOGICAL SMINARY - "A HEALING IN THE HEARTLAND," SUBMITTED BY STEPHANIE AND ERIC STRADFORD:
Wilberforce, OH, November 8, 2004 -- Leah Gaskin Fitchue is the first woman in a long line of healers at Payne Theological Seminary. Her inauguration, this week, distinguishes The Reverend Dr. Fitchue as the first African American woman to preside at an accredited seminary in America. The timing could not have been better. In the aftermath of a highly competitive presidential election, African Americans here in the heartland must now stand as healers for the nation. The Daniel Payne Legacy must now serve as an incubator for relevant ministry at a time characterized as, "Karos" by today's theologians. Dr. Fitchue stands on a legacy of theological giants in response to a call for promoting inclusively in America. Fitchue admitted, "I believe that God has blessed me to see the big picture. At the same time, He anointed and appointed gifts and talents here that can make things happen. Already, Fitchue has taken steps to enhance connectivity between Payne Theology and communities in need of relevant ministry. A new wireless computer network on campus was a necessary first step in engaging students, faculty and administration in advancing the institution. Effective and appropriate use of the technology by alumni, faculty, and students here will ultimately enhance access between Payne and the endless resources available through the body of believers in Jesus Christ. The Reverend Dr. William S. Wheatley, Pastor, Mt. Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbus, OH, preached an "on time" pre-inaugural sermon that may offer prophetic insight to conditions experienced by Blacks in America. He described a contrast between the Greek words of "Chronos" and "Karos." "Chronos," from the word chronology, represents the "tick-tock" of time itself moving forward, minute after minute, day after day… "In contrast, "Karos" is crucial time, time that requires us to "Seize the Moment" for a breakthrough from God. Crucial time is God's time--the right time," he said…
(Read the rest of the article in The Christian Recorder - Subscribe to The Christian Recorder)
3. THE CALL TO WORSHIP IN THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IS BASED UPON SCRIPTURE:
We recite the Call to Worship in most African Methodist Episcopal Churches each Sunday, but I wonder how many of our worshippers know that the AME Call to Worship is scriptural. I have appended the scriptural references to the Call of Worship.
Minister: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord, our feet shall stand within thy gates O Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:1-2)
People: For a Day on our courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10)
Minister: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Psalm 122: 9)
People: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:13)
Minister: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Lord, I have loved thy habitation, the place where thy honor dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)
People: For the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. (Habakkuk 2:20)
Minister: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
People: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth, sing praises. (Psalm 98:1b, 4)
(Submitted by the Editor)
4. THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE RICHARD ALLEN YOUTH COUNCIL:
The web site of the Richard Allen Youth Council: www.rayac.org
5. A GREAT BIBLICAL WEBSITE:
http://bible.gospelcom.net/
What are we going to do with the issues raised by Bishop Philip R. Cousin and the responses by the Reverend Dr. Floyd Alexander and Brother Jesse Burns at the General Board Meeting earlier this month? The issues were identified in The Christian Recorder Online and in the hard-copy Christian Recorder.
1. NOTES FROM THE EDITOR:
I have read several great books and looked at an exciting video over the Christmas holidays that I would like to recommend.
The first book that I read was From Boy Preacher to Serving God & Humanity "A Legacy of 77 Years," an autobiographical work done by the Reverend O'Neal Hayes Brown, Sr. It's a great book with a lot of AME history. It is easy reading, but has a lot inspirational moments and would be an encouragement for ministry. Every preacher should read this book
The Reverend C.E. Jenkins, retired presiding elder in the Tennessee Annual Conference has written several books that are on my reading list. Reverend Brown and Reverend Jenkins have told their stories and others of us need to tell our stories.
The second book that I read was The Christian Recorder, A.M.E. Church, 1854-1902 authored by Gilbert Anthony Williams. His book was so good that I tried to locate him, only to find out that he is deceased.
As the Editor of The Christian Recorder, I felt that this book was a must-read for me. This book is packed with history and it has inspired me to write some future articles on Richard Allen, Henry McNeil Turner and Daniel Payne. They were ahead of their times! I am also encouraged to write future articles in The Christian Recorder about our retired and active bishops. As an aside, immediately after the General Conference, I read the book about Bishop Nichols (I can't remember the title and I haven't unpacked all of my books) - absolutely a great read for African Methodists! We are a great Church!
I am also encouraged to write about "Endowment Day - a day that was held on the third Sunday in September to raise money for educational purposes of the AME Church" (Williams). In 1885, the AME Church raised $11,000 on Endowment Day for support of our AME schools. We had to support our own educational institutions because the AME Church rejected the "industrial education" model espoused by Booker T. Washington and as a result most of the philanthropic organizations did not support the educational institutions of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We had to "go it alone."
If we had a grass roots Holy Ghost-filled "Endowment Day - 2004," I suspect that we could pay Morris Brown College out of debt and have some money left over. "Without faith, it is impossible..."
Anyway, the third learning was a video tape that I purchased at the General Board / Bishops' Council Meeting that was held in Nashville earlier this month entitled, Africa in the Holy Land. Dr. Paula Whatley Matabane, and Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, is the Executive Producer-Writer of "Africa in the Holy Land." Dr. Matabane did a wonderful job. It's a first-class video!
In my opinion, every member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church should view this video. It puts the Bible and the holy land in theological and racial perspective.
The forth blessing that I received over the Christmas holidays was finding my copy of the Encyclopaedia of African 1948 compiled by Bishop R.R. Wright. I have not seen it in a number of years. I thought that I had lent it to the late Reverend Dr. Andrew White and that he had not returned it (Please forgive me, Dr. White for thinking that you had my book). I had it packed away in a safe place - so safe that I couldn't find it.
And, no, none of you can borrow it. It is such a great work and my bet is that a lot of our clergy and laity have not ever seen the great work of Bishop R.R. Wright.
So, I am having a great Christmas vacation! I have enjoyed reading the books and viewing that outstanding video produced by Dr. Paula Matabane.
P.S. - I still have some articles that some of you gave me for publication. I am working on those now.
2. PAYNE THEOLOGICAL SMINARY - "A HEALING IN THE HEARTLAND," SUBMITTED BY STEPHANIE AND ERIC STRADFORD:
Wilberforce, OH, November 8, 2004 -- Leah Gaskin Fitchue is the first woman in a long line of healers at Payne Theological Seminary. Her inauguration, this week, distinguishes The Reverend Dr. Fitchue as the first African American woman to preside at an accredited seminary in America. The timing could not have been better. In the aftermath of a highly competitive presidential election, African Americans here in the heartland must now stand as healers for the nation. The Daniel Payne Legacy must now serve as an incubator for relevant ministry at a time characterized as, "Karos" by today's theologians. Dr. Fitchue stands on a legacy of theological giants in response to a call for promoting inclusively in America. Fitchue admitted, "I believe that God has blessed me to see the big picture. At the same time, He anointed and appointed gifts and talents here that can make things happen. Already, Fitchue has taken steps to enhance connectivity between Payne Theology and communities in need of relevant ministry. A new wireless computer network on campus was a necessary first step in engaging students, faculty and administration in advancing the institution. Effective and appropriate use of the technology by alumni, faculty, and students here will ultimately enhance access between Payne and the endless resources available through the body of believers in Jesus Christ. The Reverend Dr. William S. Wheatley, Pastor, Mt. Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church, Columbus, OH, preached an "on time" pre-inaugural sermon that may offer prophetic insight to conditions experienced by Blacks in America. He described a contrast between the Greek words of "Chronos" and "Karos." "Chronos," from the word chronology, represents the "tick-tock" of time itself moving forward, minute after minute, day after day… "In contrast, "Karos" is crucial time, time that requires us to "Seize the Moment" for a breakthrough from God. Crucial time is God's time--the right time," he said…
(Read the rest of the article in The Christian Recorder - Subscribe to The Christian Recorder)
Get your very own subscription in to The Christian Recorder mailed directly to your home!
The Christian Recorder is the OFFICIAL organ of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the news you read there is edited and checked for accuracy.
You can:
Call 1-800-648-8724 and make your payment using your credit card.
Send $26.00 check or money order to:
Send $26.00 check or money order to:
"The Christian Recorder" for a one-year subscription.
Send it to, The Christian Recorder, 500 8th Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203
3. THE CALL TO WORSHIP IN THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IS BASED UPON SCRIPTURE:
We recite the Call to Worship in most African Methodist Episcopal Churches each Sunday, but I wonder how many of our worshippers know that the AME Call to Worship is scriptural. I have appended the scriptural references to the Call of Worship.
Minister: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord, our feet shall stand within thy gates O Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:1-2)
People: For a Day on our courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10)
Minister: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Psalm 122: 9)
People: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:13)
Minister: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Lord, I have loved thy habitation, the place where thy honor dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)
People: For the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. (Habakkuk 2:20)
Minister: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
People: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth, sing praises. (Psalm 98:1b, 4)
(Submitted by the Editor)
4. THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE RICHARD ALLEN YOUTH COUNCIL:
The web site of the Richard Allen Youth Council: www.rayac.org
5. A GREAT BIBLICAL WEBSITE:
http://bible.gospelcom.net/
