Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. BREAKING NEWS!
A federal judge in Jacksonville, Florida heard arguments Thursday, but made no decision on whether to let Edward Waters College remain accredited. Edwards Waters College is suing the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SAC) that stripped its accreditation. Bishop McKinley Young is quoted as saying, "We're not going to be stomped into the ground, disrespected…"
Edward Waters College is one of our great institutions of higher learning. Four private historically black colleges have lost accreditation since 1994.
Read an account in the link below of the news coverage in this morning’s edition of The Florida Times-Union.
http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online
/stories/030405/met_18126136.shtml
2. EDITOR’S CORNER:
We have had persons to attempt to answer the questions posed in this venue. We hope that more of you will “take a shot “at answering the questions. Don’t worry; I will not be posting the names and answers of incorrect questions. Let’s have some fun. The answers can be found in books that can be purchased from the AME Publishing House, telephone (800) 648-8724; in the Discipline, The A.M.E. Church Review, telephone number (615) 248-0905, The Christian Recorder (800) 648-8724 and the Internet. We also invite responses from our youth.
Typically, I would like attempted responses back within 24 hours, unless it is an unusually hard question. You may reply to: chsydnor@bellsouth.net
Today’s Questions - Know your Church!
Please give your full name, address and telephone number with your responses.
Youth Questions:
(1) Name the Episcopal Supervisor who served as a soldier in the United States Army.
(2) Name the Episcopal Supervisor who played professional basketball. Which teams did he play for and what basketball record does he hold?
(3) What do the initials stand for in Bishop T. M. D. Ward's name? Which elected official in the AME Church was named after him?"
(The youth who correctly answers all three questions within 24 hours will receive a copy of Bishop Nichols’ book: The Upward Journey: A Centenarian's Chronicle - Personal Stories of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols, Revered Clergyman of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, or a subscription to the AME periodical of his or her choice)
Adult Questions:
(1) Which elected official of the AME Church was born in the 8th Episcopal District, served the Church only in the 8th Episcopal District, ran for election from the 8th Episcopal District and that person was elected at the General Conference the second time that person ran for office?
(2) Name three bishops, other than Richard Allen, who were born in Pennsylvania.
(3) What do the initials stand for in Bishop T. M. D. Ward's name? Which elected official in the AME Church was named after him?
(The person who correctly answers all three questions within 24 hours will receive a copy of Bishop Nichols’ book: The Upward Journey: A Centenarian's Chronicle - Personal Stories of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols, Revered Clergyman of the African Methodist Episcopal Church or a subscription to the AME periodical of his or her choice)
If you can’t find the answers in about 5 – 10 minutes, please call (800) 648-8724 and ask which books you need to purchase so that you can reacquaint yourself with the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. There is no shame in not knowing. The shame is in not doing anything about what you don’t know.
3. THE BLACK CHURCH WEEK OF PRAYER FOR THE HEALING OF AIDS MARCH 6-12, 2005:
The Black church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is observed around the world. It focuses on HIV/AIDS and the impact it will have without prevention education and compassionate care efforts from all segments of the community, including the faith communities.
The Week of Prayer begins on the first Sunday in March and continues for seven days (March 6-12) in African American communities across the country as well as in Africa and the Caribbean. The Black Church Week of Prayer is a vehicle for spiritual renewal and transformation, and HIV prevention education for every individual and faith community that participates. The purpose of the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is to bring National attention to the role the Black churches are playing in the AIDS crisis. It paves the way for continuous mobilization and education for the implementation of AIDS prevention and support programs in our churches.
In Oklahoma, AME churches who are members of The African American Faith Community for AIDS Prevention (AAFCAP) will participate in several Ecumenical events to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and the organization’s programs. For more information about the Coalition, visit the website at www.aafcap.org
Mrs. Saundra Lucas
Davis Chapel AME Church
Oklahoma Conference-
12th Episcopal District
4. THE REVEREND DR. CLYDE W. ODEN, JR., ENCOURAGES US TO OPEN THE LINKS BELOW AND READ ABOUT HIV/AIDS:
The challenge of HIV/AIDS is facing our people and our world. The burden of HIV/AIDS is ours, first. It is unacceptable for us to approach the HIV/AID epidemic from a parochial perspective; rather we should approach it from a global perspective. HIV/AIDS is not just another issue. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is our issue.
This is for the Black Church, the “Week of Prayer” for the healing of AIDS.
http://www.unaids.org/unaids_resources/
HomePage/images/AIDSScenarios/
AIDS-scenarios-2025_section1_en.pdf
Daily HIV/AIDS Recent Reports - Kaisernetwork.org
The Rev. Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Bryant Temple A.M.E. Church Los Angeles, CA
5. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
Dr. Sydnor,
I enjoyed reading your Editor's Corner about "If I were starting my ministry over again.” Your points are right on target as Pastors and their families’ need some "me" time to refresh, reflect, and to rejuvenate themselves. And so it is with each of us as we all should step back from the rush and grind of our daily lives and take it easy. Let us be reminded that the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.
Thanks,
The Reverend Beverly T. Goines
St. James AME Church
Memphis, TN
Dear Editor -
More of us should accept your priorities as our own. Thanks for the focus on a needed discipline. Pray that I might move in that direction. The Reverend Sidney W. Williams, P.E.
Editor’s comment:
I would add this to my list of, If I were starting my ministry over again: “I would, from the beginning of my ministry, contact a trusted financial planner and develop an investment portfolio and a college fund for my children.”
- Dear Rev. Editor,
Can't resist this opportunity to check in with you once more, this time about your Priorities list. Naturally, I read this with focus on my own husband's years of ministry. So much of what you said struck home. For instance, it took a lot of years for us to realize that he/ I / we NEEDED time away from the stress of ministry. I finally had to take that over and "dictate" -- according to what I observed about his schedule, feelings, difficulty of duties at a given time -- that we make a point to get away for a few days. He soon learned to agree with me. :-) Even two to three nights away mid-week could yield such a blessing. He'd come back ready, willing, and able to put out all the little "brush fires."
Here is what I would like to share about my husband: C. B. Johns read the Holy Bible through every single year of his life, starting with somewhere during his college years. He died at age 78, so that's a mighty lot of reading, if you ask me!!! During his last 10 years or so he would complete the full reading of The Bible in LESS THAN A YEAR and start another version immediately. He read scads of different versions in his lifetime and studied constantly. The Bible was God's Word and it was his main ministry "tool"; it was his life.
Even when we started going on cruises, he always had religious reading with him and it was nothing for him to come home with a new sermon or two, completed. For him, this was a part of his "vacation." I couldn't understand this at first, but I finally did. He was reading and preparing under different circumstances. If he could read a while and look up and see God's beautiful ocean waves passing by or some beautiful scenery from the stateroom window, and then get back to his writing, was that not a "difference" from how he usually wrote? It took me a while, but I finally understood. To each his, or her own.
In addition to all this, though, he certainly knew how to enjoy life and take advantage of all God put in his path to learn about and to love. We particularly spoke about how fortunate we were to be able to learn first hand about our wonderful world which included God's natural wonders (waterfalls, mountains, valleys, glaciers, Grand Canyon, etc.) AND the marvelous projects that God had allowed man to create (Panama Canal, Hoover Dam, huge towers, etc.). As we traveled a bit, these things came to mean so much to us. God was, indeed, EVERYWHERE!
Okay, on to something else. I haven't commented on your editorials and other information included in your Online Edition and the hard copy "CR". I have a young church friend (one of the "daughters" I've collected) who told me how very grateful she was to you for your articles regarding colors used in the pulpit and the meanings of each at their time of use. I've been meaning to tell you about that. Further, I find that I am so eager now to read your on-lines. I can hardly wait to open them because I know there will be something interesting and timely for my consumption. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My ambition now is to eventually get to all the back editions that appeared online before I subscribed recently.
May God continue to bless you as you perform this service for His people. You are a blessing to us and I hope that you can continue this work for a long, long time.
Jeanette T. Johns
Editor’s Note:
Jeanette Johns is author of the book about Bishop Nichols: The Upward Journey: A Centenarian's Chronicle - Personal Stories of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols, Revered Clergyman of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
6. I RECEIVED THIS NOTE OF THANKS LAST NIGHT FROM THE REVEREND SHELDA HERRING AND THOUGHT THAT THIS WOULD BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ALL OF OUR READERS. THIS PRAYER IS ENTITLED, “THANKING GOD”:
Dear GOD:
I want to thank You for what You have already done.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards,
I am thanking you right now
I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better,
I am thanking you right now
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me,
I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears,
I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves,
I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet,
I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job,
I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief,
I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed.
I am thanking you right now.
I am thanking you because I am alive.
(Author unknown)
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
3/04/2005
3/03/2005
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/3/05)
Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
EDITOR’S CORNER:
I review my ministry on a regular basis and this morning I looked at my list of priorities of, “If I were Starting My Ministry Over Again” list, and re-prioritized it.
If were starting my ministry over again today, these would be my priorities:
Priority One: I would commit to pray, that is to talk with God each day before talking with anyone else. I would awaken with the prayer, “In the Name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Priority Two: I would commit to read the Word of God, with comprehension and focus, every day before reading anything else. I would fix it in my mind that “feeding” on the Word of God is as important as eating natural food because the Word of God is food for my soul. . I would develop a daily disciplined time for devotion and spiritual formation. The Word of God before the newspaper or the television news programs.
Priority Three: I would spend more time each week with my family, especially my wife and children.
Priority Four: I would take a Sabbatical rest every week. I would take time out for “me.” I would also give myself several days of “retreat,” several times a year where I would spend time with “me.”
Priority Five: I would periodically attend worship services, alone or with my family, where I could sit in the congregation, without recognition, and be “fed,” even if I had to visit a church where no one knew me.
Priority Six: I would insist that my wife spend several days of retreat away from the family several times a year where she could spend time with” herself,” and I would take care of the kids. She could spend time alone or with friends. My wife needs a “break” from the stress of ministry and from the stress of the home.
Priority Seven: I would take a family vacation, without preaching, several times a year. The family needs a rest from the stress of ministry.
Priority Eight: I would develop the discipline of daily journaling. In a sense, journaling is connected with the prayer priority. Journaling helps one to develop the discipline of putting your thoughts down in writing.
Priority Nine: I would start out in ministry by setting up a physical training program. I would do some physical exercise, at least, several times a week, i.e., jog, walk, join the YMCA or some other athletic facility.
Priority Ten: I would schedule annual physicals and dental care. I would be more intentional in finding a medical doctor, dentist, podiatrist, and someone in the area of mental health. I now know that I, and my family, need regular medical care.
Priority Eleven: I would understand the church meetings, i.e., and especially, General Conferences and Annual Conferences are not vacations!
Priority Twelve: I would fast at least one meal a week and periodically for more lengthy times.
Priority Thirteen: I would be intentional in reading books, in addition to reading the Bible. I would commit myself to read at least a chapter from some worthy book each day, beyond the required or usual reading for sermon preparation. I now understand that if I am going to preach relevant sermons and to be a relevant pastor I need to be well-read.
Priority Fourteen: I would find a hobby and devote time to it.
Priority Fifteen: I would develop healthy eating habits.
Priority Sixteen: I would remember that education is an ongoing activity. I would be more intentional in taking advantage of learning opportunities, workshops, retreat and conferences.
Priority Seventeen: I would remember that lay members also love the church. I would not be so quick to “eliminate” or shun those who do not agree with me. My philosophy would be, “Thank God for the ones who agree with me because they would be and encouragement to me, but I would also thank God for those who disagree with me because they are the ones who keep me “sharp” and keep me in prayer.
Priority Eighteen: I would trust more, be more open, and develop friendships with laypersons. I now know that it’s alright for them to get to know me as a person and I now know that when they get to know “me,” their loyalty will not dissipate. Familiarity does not always breed contempt.
Priority Nineteen: My daily mantra would be to “Pray, read the Bible, love the flock” - on good days and bad days; – every day! I understand that the shepherd’s job is to lead and feed the flock – lead every single one of them and feed all of them!
Priority Twenty: I would remember and the poem, “Only a Minute!
”We only have a minute,
Sixty seconds in it,
It's forced upon us,
We can't refuse it,
We didn't seek it, and we didn't choose it
But it is up to us to use it
Give account if we abuse it.
Suffer if we lose it.
It is a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it!
I would attempt to make the best of each day, living it as, “This is the Day that God has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
THE FLAG
Aboard the USS SHREVEPORT (LPD-12)
2002
North Arabian Sea
Today, the entire crew had the opportunity to have their picture taken with the flag. The Captain even made an announcement to the crew on the 1MC (ship’s intercom), encouraging us to do so. Many Sailors had already taken his advice and had posed for individual and group photos so I thought it best to have a personal one as well. I needed to change, though, from my work coveralls into my Service Dress Blue uniform. It would not only make for a good picture but was the appropriate decorum for a pose with the Stars and Stripes.
The flag was on display in Damage Control Central or DC Central, as Sailors know it. DC Central was the place where the ship’s firefighters were based. I got dressed—ribbons, shiny brass, shoes, and all—and made my way three decks down from my Stateroom to DC Central. When I reached the hatch (door) at the front of the office, I noticed two hooks were embedded in a steel beam that ran the length of the overhead (ceiling), which suspended the flag. The stripes ran vertically and the field of stars was positioned at the upper left side. There was a Petty Officer seated at a desk nearby who was designated as “Flag Watch” for this afternoon. The Captain created this Watch to provide ‘round the clock security for the flag.
“Are you here for a picture, Sir?” the Petty Officer asked. “Yes, I am.”“Well, Sir, the digital camera is being used at a pinning ceremony in the Wardroom right now. It should be back soon. Why don’t you have a seat in the meantime?”“OK.”
I took a seat on the bench and rested my cover by my side. I found myself starring at the flag looking it over closely to see if I could detect something distinctive. It was an American flag, no doubt about that, and it seemed to be four feet in width and nine feet in length. The longer I stared I began to get a “response” but too faint to satisfy my search for meaning. So, I arose and approached it believing that perhaps handling it would allow me to connect with its symbolic essence.
To the touch, I could detect that it was made of nylon except for the off-white canvas border at the top and the stars, each one sharply embroidered and equidistant, neatly arranged in the background of blue. Early in life, I learned that the flag represented my identity as an American, though not the sole representation but nonetheless an inescapable one.
I began to ponder the most outstanding memories that I have had with the flag over the course of my life. I believe that my initial encounter with the flag was in the first grade when I learned to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. When I was ten, I purchased my very first flag, which was an old 48-star one at a garage sale (It’s probably worth something today). By the sixth grade, I had met the “pain” of the flag; history classes taught that African-Americans hadn’t received their freedom along with the Declaration of Independence. It was granted almost ….
(Read the complete article in The Christian Recorder)
THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT RETREAT:
The Thirteenth Episcopal District WMS / Clergy/Clergy Spouses will be held April 22—23, 2005 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel, 777 McGavock Pike, Nashville, Tennessee. Retreat Registration: $40.00 due by April 1, 2005.
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
EDITOR’S CORNER:
I review my ministry on a regular basis and this morning I looked at my list of priorities of, “If I were Starting My Ministry Over Again” list, and re-prioritized it.
If were starting my ministry over again today, these would be my priorities:
Priority One: I would commit to pray, that is to talk with God each day before talking with anyone else. I would awaken with the prayer, “In the Name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”
Priority Two: I would commit to read the Word of God, with comprehension and focus, every day before reading anything else. I would fix it in my mind that “feeding” on the Word of God is as important as eating natural food because the Word of God is food for my soul. . I would develop a daily disciplined time for devotion and spiritual formation. The Word of God before the newspaper or the television news programs.
Priority Three: I would spend more time each week with my family, especially my wife and children.
Priority Four: I would take a Sabbatical rest every week. I would take time out for “me.” I would also give myself several days of “retreat,” several times a year where I would spend time with “me.”
Priority Five: I would periodically attend worship services, alone or with my family, where I could sit in the congregation, without recognition, and be “fed,” even if I had to visit a church where no one knew me.
Priority Six: I would insist that my wife spend several days of retreat away from the family several times a year where she could spend time with” herself,” and I would take care of the kids. She could spend time alone or with friends. My wife needs a “break” from the stress of ministry and from the stress of the home.
Priority Seven: I would take a family vacation, without preaching, several times a year. The family needs a rest from the stress of ministry.
Priority Eight: I would develop the discipline of daily journaling. In a sense, journaling is connected with the prayer priority. Journaling helps one to develop the discipline of putting your thoughts down in writing.
Priority Nine: I would start out in ministry by setting up a physical training program. I would do some physical exercise, at least, several times a week, i.e., jog, walk, join the YMCA or some other athletic facility.
Priority Ten: I would schedule annual physicals and dental care. I would be more intentional in finding a medical doctor, dentist, podiatrist, and someone in the area of mental health. I now know that I, and my family, need regular medical care.
Priority Eleven: I would understand the church meetings, i.e., and especially, General Conferences and Annual Conferences are not vacations!
Priority Twelve: I would fast at least one meal a week and periodically for more lengthy times.
Priority Thirteen: I would be intentional in reading books, in addition to reading the Bible. I would commit myself to read at least a chapter from some worthy book each day, beyond the required or usual reading for sermon preparation. I now understand that if I am going to preach relevant sermons and to be a relevant pastor I need to be well-read.
Priority Fourteen: I would find a hobby and devote time to it.
Priority Fifteen: I would develop healthy eating habits.
Priority Sixteen: I would remember that education is an ongoing activity. I would be more intentional in taking advantage of learning opportunities, workshops, retreat and conferences.
Priority Seventeen: I would remember that lay members also love the church. I would not be so quick to “eliminate” or shun those who do not agree with me. My philosophy would be, “Thank God for the ones who agree with me because they would be and encouragement to me, but I would also thank God for those who disagree with me because they are the ones who keep me “sharp” and keep me in prayer.
Priority Eighteen: I would trust more, be more open, and develop friendships with laypersons. I now know that it’s alright for them to get to know me as a person and I now know that when they get to know “me,” their loyalty will not dissipate. Familiarity does not always breed contempt.
Priority Nineteen: My daily mantra would be to “Pray, read the Bible, love the flock” - on good days and bad days; – every day! I understand that the shepherd’s job is to lead and feed the flock – lead every single one of them and feed all of them!
Priority Twenty: I would remember and the poem, “Only a Minute!
”We only have a minute,
Sixty seconds in it,
It's forced upon us,
We can't refuse it,
We didn't seek it, and we didn't choose it
But it is up to us to use it
Give account if we abuse it.
Suffer if we lose it.
It is a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it!
I would attempt to make the best of each day, living it as, “This is the Day that God has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”
THE FLAG
Aboard the USS SHREVEPORT (LPD-12)
2002
North Arabian Sea
Today, the entire crew had the opportunity to have their picture taken with the flag. The Captain even made an announcement to the crew on the 1MC (ship’s intercom), encouraging us to do so. Many Sailors had already taken his advice and had posed for individual and group photos so I thought it best to have a personal one as well. I needed to change, though, from my work coveralls into my Service Dress Blue uniform. It would not only make for a good picture but was the appropriate decorum for a pose with the Stars and Stripes.
The flag was on display in Damage Control Central or DC Central, as Sailors know it. DC Central was the place where the ship’s firefighters were based. I got dressed—ribbons, shiny brass, shoes, and all—and made my way three decks down from my Stateroom to DC Central. When I reached the hatch (door) at the front of the office, I noticed two hooks were embedded in a steel beam that ran the length of the overhead (ceiling), which suspended the flag. The stripes ran vertically and the field of stars was positioned at the upper left side. There was a Petty Officer seated at a desk nearby who was designated as “Flag Watch” for this afternoon. The Captain created this Watch to provide ‘round the clock security for the flag.
“Are you here for a picture, Sir?” the Petty Officer asked. “Yes, I am.”“Well, Sir, the digital camera is being used at a pinning ceremony in the Wardroom right now. It should be back soon. Why don’t you have a seat in the meantime?”“OK.”
I took a seat on the bench and rested my cover by my side. I found myself starring at the flag looking it over closely to see if I could detect something distinctive. It was an American flag, no doubt about that, and it seemed to be four feet in width and nine feet in length. The longer I stared I began to get a “response” but too faint to satisfy my search for meaning. So, I arose and approached it believing that perhaps handling it would allow me to connect with its symbolic essence.
To the touch, I could detect that it was made of nylon except for the off-white canvas border at the top and the stars, each one sharply embroidered and equidistant, neatly arranged in the background of blue. Early in life, I learned that the flag represented my identity as an American, though not the sole representation but nonetheless an inescapable one.
I began to ponder the most outstanding memories that I have had with the flag over the course of my life. I believe that my initial encounter with the flag was in the first grade when I learned to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. When I was ten, I purchased my very first flag, which was an old 48-star one at a garage sale (It’s probably worth something today). By the sixth grade, I had met the “pain” of the flag; history classes taught that African-Americans hadn’t received their freedom along with the Declaration of Independence. It was granted almost ….
(Read the complete article in The Christian Recorder)
THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT RETREAT:
The Thirteenth Episcopal District WMS / Clergy/Clergy Spouses will be held April 22—23, 2005 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel, 777 McGavock Pike, Nashville, Tennessee. Retreat Registration: $40.00 due by April 1, 2005.
