Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – THE RIGHT THING IS ALWAYS THE BEST THING, (PART 2):
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
If the African Methodist Episcopal Church does the right thing, the Church will grow and prosper.
In philosophy and especially in ethical decisionmaking, “Doing the right thing” uses ethical reasoning from a deontological or nonconsequentialist approach that was championed by the philosopher, Immanuel Kant. Doing the right thing might not always be the most comfortable thing, but in ministry and in the Church, we must do the right thing, even when doing so might not be the most comfortable course of action.
The Church must be open and transparent because when the Church is open and transparent the constituency of the AME Church will be open and transparent. If everyone would read the Bible so that they might know the rules of scripture and read The Discipline so they might know the rules of the church, our Churches would be more efficient and there would be less confusion about how things are done. Knowing the Bible and knowing the rules of the Church is the right thing to do for clergy and laity.
Not only must Bishops, General Officers, Connectional Officers, and clergy do the right thing; the laity must do the right thing also.
Stewards should do the right thing. For instance, if a pastor asks a person to be a steward and the person really wants to be a steward, which is one of the most important positions in the Church, but deep down the person knows that he or she doesn’t have the time or spiritual acumen to accept the position; the right thing to do would be, not to accept the position. A consequence might be that the pastor would be disappointed at the refusal, but refusing to be a half-hearted steward would be the right thing to do.
A person who is not willing to serve as a trustee should not allow himself or herself to be nominated and elected for that position. The same holds true for any other leadership position in the local church.
Persons who accept the position of a Sunday School teacher should do the right thing and prepare their Sunday School lessons. We complain about lack of participation in Sunday School. Many Sunday Schools are boring and teachers are not prepared to teach the lesson. Some teachers and pastors complain about the AME Sunday School literature. They complain because they fail to realize that the Sunday School material is a guideline or a roadmap for the lesson. The Sunday School literature does not teach the lesson. Elementary, middle school and high school teachers; and college professors have textbooks but they know that they have to develop lesson-plans. The presentation of the materials has to be more than students reading the textbooks followed by each person sharing what they got out of the passages each read. Classroom teachers and college professors would be fired if they taught the way many of our Sunday School teachers taught. Most Sunday School programs collect the Sunday School literature at the end of the each session; Sunday School students are not given any kind of homework assignments. A lot of students would love to have their textbooks taken up at the end of the day and no homework assigned; but with that method they would learn very little. Those teaching Sunday School should do the right thing and teach, learn how to teach, or let someone else teach.
Choir members should do the right thing and be model worshippers because most often they sit where everyone can see them. They should be prayed-up and ready for worship. They should arrive on time because that’s the right thing. They shouldn’t be chewing gum or laughing and joking during worship and should always maintain a demeanor of worship.
Choir directors and musicians should do the right ting and be prayed-up, be on time and be prepared for worship. They should know beforehand which hymns and songs are going to be sung. If they are too busy to have choir practice and to coordinate the music program, they should do the right thing and give up the position. They should remember that the pastor is in charge of worship.
Persons in the pew should do the right thing and attend worship with a mind to worship and to reverence God; that’s the right thing to do.
A person who has been ordained should do the right thing and fulfill the promise he or she made when they accepted the “call” to ministry.” If they have changed their minds, and have decided that the ordained ministry is no longer an option for them, they should allow themselves to be laicized. People in various professions change their minds all of the time and move to other professions.
A clergyperson who decides that he or she cannot abide by the rules of the AME Church, and have decided that they are not excited by the history, doctrine, and polity of the Church, should, do the right thing; and transfer to a denomination where he or she can find spiritual fulfillment. That would be the right thing to do.
A presiding elder is a middle manager of the Church. He or she should do the right thing and mentor and supervise pastors, and take time to visit the stations in his or her district. He or she should advise their presiding bishop about the health and welfare of the clergy, the local churches and the laity in the presiding elder district and when the situation demands, the presiding elder should be prepared to make the hard recommendations for the good of our Zion. That would be the right thing to do.
We elect and consecrate bishops to make Godly decisions and pay them to make the hard decisions concerning pastoral appointments and other administrative and spiritual functions. A bishop has the most difficult job in the Church. When a bishop makes one pastor happy, there is another pastor who is angry; and that’s 100% of the time. Every pastoral appointment precipitates joy and anger; never, all joy; and sometimes, all anger.
All of the episcopal decisions should be in the best interest of our Zion. The most appropriate persons to partner with presiding bishops in the decisionmaking process are the presiding elders and hopefully bishops will allow their presiding elders to be full partners. It’s important that bishops build high-performing and efficient teams; that the right thing to do.
The right thing starts at the top and permeates throughout the organization. Doing the right thing is a culture that can be achieved if we are all committed to doing the right thing.
If we all did the right thing, what an even greater Church we would have!
Editor’s Note: - The next editorial, Steps to Achieving the Right Thing.
2. THE 2008 GENERAL CONFERENCE PASSED A BILL CONCERNING QUARTERLY PAYMENTS AND STIPULATED THAT THE RECORD OF THE QUARTERLY PAYMENTS BE PUBLISHED IN THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER PRINT AND ONLINE EDITIONS:
in accordance with the 2008 General Conference legislation, Quarterly payments by Episcopal Districts are being published in the online and print editions of The Christian Recorder.
The Bill was introduced and passed in order to strengthen the fiduciary management capacity of the Treasurer/CFO.
The Bill states that the Presiding Bishop of each Episcopal District shall submit quarterly to the Department of Finance the allocated budget percentages as outlined on or before the dates listed below: 25% by June 15; 50% by September 15; 75% by December 15; and 100% by March 15. All assessment money collected shall be submitted immediately upon receipt. Forty-eight (48) hours after each quarterly due date, the CFO must submit for publication in The Christian Recorder, both online and hardcopy, a detailed report of the quarterly payments.
The CFO’s report must include, each Episcopal District’s amount owed, amount received, including the date received. Any amount paid in excess of the annual assessment will be applied to the next year’s annual assessment. The total budget assessment must be paid within the fiscal year to which it applies. Each annual audit report shall reflect a schedule of quarterly budget payments received and the identity and amount of each Episcopal District’s payments.
The Quarterly Report Document was sent to all TCR Online subscribers on Thursday, April 9, 2009; and will appear in the print edition of The Christian Recorder.
3. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
RE: Editorial - Are we a Connectional Church or are we a group of Independent Churches?
I so appreciated your editorial of March 20, titled "Are we a Connectional Church or are we a group of Independent Churches." It was a long-needed discussion for the AME Church.
As a professional in public relations, I applaud the possibility of having a clear, single voice for the oldest Black religious denomination in this country. Our church has so much history and many individuals who have made great achievements, but that information gets lost to the greater society and in some cases within our own church because there is no voice speaking loudly and consistently about the AME Church.
It is very important that the bishops speak for their various districts, but it is imperative that one voice speaks for the totality of the Church. The recent Presidential election is a clear example of how important it is that the Church speaks on various issues. This is not an easy task and will have many challenges before fruition can be realized, but it is necessary. My prayer is that the Strategic Planning Committee presents this issue again and again until it is approved.
We need to speak and we can only be heard if we are present and serving as a champion for the causes of the AME Church through Christ.
Phyllis Qualls-Brooks, Ed.D.
Greater Bethel AME Church, Nashville
- To the Editor:
RE: Editorial - The Right Thing is Always the Best Thing
Thank you for your editorial, The Right Thing is Always the Best Thing. I agree, we all, and our local churches, should do the right thing. I have observed persons who have not been licensed by the Quarterly Conference and who have not been read into the local church, assisting with the Holy Communion. I have spoken up, but to no avail. In the local church, the right thing starts with the pastor.
(Name provided, but withheld by request)
4. AN OPEN LETTER TO THE EDITOR FROM THE REVEREND DR. MARIAN F. STOKES, SR:
Editor’s Note: The letter below was a six-page handwritten by the Rev. Dr. Marion F. Stokes, a retired Itinerant Elder who lives in Pine Hill, New Jersey. In his letter he shares that he is 86 years old and was born in South Carolina. I think that we all need to hear from our elder statespersons.
+++++++++++++++
I offer an apology for the informality of this correspondence. I purposely want it to be so. I don’t want it to be a breach of grammar, however I want you to feel that I am verbally and socially interacting with you. Of course, this gesture is the first for us because I have not met with you in person, only via your personal editorials and printings in The Christian Recorder. Nevertheless, I don’t want to be remiss in my proper respect for our distinguished Editor.
And introduction of me is now in order. I could ask you to simply note the letterhead. Yet, for a warmer interpersonal social gesture, I need to provide a bit more information. I am a retiree in our God’s formal Christian pastoral ministries employment. I began my retirement in 1998. I am eighty-five years of age, and counting, from October 28, 1923. My health is (good), I think, even though it leaves a great deal to be desired. I am grateful and prayerfully thank my Heavenly Father, in the words of my forbearers, “For a reasonable portion of health and strength.” God has been blessing me for years through His care-taker-ship of my family - my wife and the shared love of my children – the scientific- medical community, the religious and educational institutions, and the parishioners in the multiplicity of congregations I have served.
I was born in Sumter, South Carolina, my native land (and lived there) until about the middle of the century. I was just a boy in the latter period of the Great Depression years. I am a veteran of World War II.
I was reared, molded, religiously and educationally disciplined initially through the mid-Century years to around 1950. By that time, I was a graduate of Allen University. My initial post mid-Century years found me matriculating at Payne theological Seminary and Boston University School of Theology and the initial employment in my God’s Christian pastoral ministries. My pastoral experiences began in the New England Annual Conference of the First Episcopal District. I continued in our God’s employment as a pastor for the next fifty years, serving a multiplicity of congregations all in the First Episcopal District, until my retirement.
I think that is a sufficient introduction of me for my purpose in this correspondence.
Now, my reasons for penning this correspondence to you are two-fold. Your February 23rd (2009) copy of The Christian Recorder triggered this communication.
The first reason is to commend you for the management of an excellent publication of The Christian Recorder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. I am, as my forbearers loved to say, “A stickler” and “dyed in the wool” member of the AME Church. I was born in the Methodist tradition and got my religious awareness in African Methodism. I have told one congregation after the other, from the pulpit, and in countless meetings that sometimes I feel like I was born in the AME pew. The statement, of course, was simply to enforce the point that my religious life began in the Methodist Church and continued all of my life in every aspect of my being. I appreciate your clarification that you wrote in your answer to the question about the “Love of the AME church.” I agree with you 100%.
Also my first reason for this correspondence is to thank you for printing Miss Danica Daniels’ excellent academic literary presentation, “the Night I Cried for my Country.”
The second reason I am writing this correspondence is to let you know also how emotional the impact is – not only in simply reading Miss Daniels’ article. In my opinion, “the Night I Cried for my Country” is a systematic expository, methodically written with sincere and powerful emotional appeal. Miss Daniels got my attention and held it from the first paragraph to the last. Her wonderful article kept my attention because she expressed my emotional sentiments both mentally and physically. I will preserve Miss Daniel’s article carefully. Again, let me express my profound admiration as a parent of five children; all except one are adult-parents themselves. I can imagine the admiration Bishop and Mrs. David R. Daniels must feel for their daughter, Danica.
Again, I want to thank you, Dr. Sydnor for your excellent publication of the official journalistic organ of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, The Christian Recorder.
I am running out of energy. I guess you might say, observing my penmanship, “Apparently so.” I trust the goals I set in the beginning of this communication rate, “Mission Accomplished.”
Sincerely,
The Reverend Dr. Marian F. Stokes, Sr
5. PAYNE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PAYS TRIBUTE TO BISHOP VINTON RANDOLPH ANDERSON:
*The Reverend Wilma L. Taylor, BS, M.Div.
Payne Theological Seminary hosted a tribute on November 13, 2008 celebrating the legacy and leadership of Bishop Vinton R. Anderson’s distinguished two decade tenure as Chairman, Board of Trustees. While recognizing him as a passionate servant of God, the people, and African Methodism; this tribute also acknowledged the significant contribution of Bishop Anderson to theological education. The tribute was the inauguration of the Vinton R. Anderson Endowment Fund to assist students with scholarships for theological education.
Co-chaired by Bishop Adam J. Richardson and Mrs. Vivienne Anderson, the celebration took place at the Mandalay Banquet Center, Dayton, OH. On hand were the Episcopal leadership of the supporting districts; Bishop Norris, First Episcopal District – provided the welcome and emphasized how Bishop Anderson’s legacy of living mentor has served the Seminary and good AME fellowship. Bishop McKenzie, Thirteenth Episcopal District – expressed the occasion using the voice of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If” and presented Bishop Anderson as a man who has mastered the “If’s” by being a servant of God with a pastor’s heart, and a sensitive man cognizant of future church leadership who is willing to receive the torch from his hand. Reverend Bruce Butcher, President, Alumni Association offered the prayer of invocation, praising and thanking God for the legacy and leadership of Bishop and Mrs. Anderson, entreating God to bless the occasion. Reverend E. Anne Henning Byfield, Presiding Elder, Fourth Episcopal District, offered the blessing of the food.
In attendance, Dr. Clement Fugh, General Secretary, Bishop Richard A. Chappelle (retired), Bishop C. Garnett Henning, 3rd district, Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah, 15th district, Bishop Robert V. Webster (retired), Bishop Zedekiah L. Grady (retired) along with 300 guests from supporting districts, alumni, students, and staff of the Seminary. Notable visitors were Dr. Louis C. Harvey, past-President of Payne; Dr. Marsha Foster Boyd, President of Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit, Michigan; Dr. Richard Ettlinger, President, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio; and Dr. Daniel Jacobs, President (retired), Turner Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia.
Remarks from Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, President, Payne Theological Seminary, recognized Bishop Anderson as a “world historical figure” endowed with superior vision, sensing the spirit and truth of the present age, and providing deeds and words that are the best of the times. Dr Fitchue’s remarks also contained the expressions of gratitude felt by many who as a result of their encounter with Bishop Anderson have become stronger, wiser and better servants of God and the people.
Tributes to Bishop Anderson included those from Bishop Henning, a pinochle partner and friend who has found Bishop Anderson to be a man of grace, a credit to the AME Church, a leader in the world of ecumenism and a servant leader who is an enabler for many in ministry: Reverend Bartalette Finney, Sr., President, Presiding Elder’s Council, praised Bishop Anderson’s legendary character and practicing excellence by desiring excellence in others: Rev. Alvin Smith, St. Paul AME Church, pastor to the Andersons, praised the bishop for being a champion of AME heritage, preserving and retaining “our” unique religious identity: Dr. Willie Glover, immediate past-President, Lay Organization remarked that, like, “a Moses in the land with a Joshua spirit,” Bishop Anderson’s leadership has been one of par excellence. Mrs. Jacqueline DuPont Walker, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, spoke of a faithful, one-of-a-kind servant with a leadership style that is unique and empowering. Reverend Brandon Davis expressed his personal appreciation to Bishop Anderson for the life example demonstrated in the Bishop’s love of worship, words of wisdom, and financial support given in the preparation of his becoming a servant of the people.
The crowning tribute was made by Mrs. Vivienne Anderson, wife of 56 years who entitled her tribute, The Saga of a Passionate Servant. “Ministry is filled with passion and angst,” said Mrs. Anderson, “but Bishop has given himself fully to any task assigned and lived his motto: Love the people you serve, serve the people you love.” She read her authored poem, It’s Time to Signal the Launch of a New Journey.
Words from Bishop Anderson included expressions of his love, commitment and appreciation for Payne Theological Seminary’s excellence in academics, thanks to all his colleagues, supporters, and friends, encouraging all present to know and teach from the doctrines of Methodism, compliments to the academic leadership of the AME Church. Commenting on his retirement, Bishop Anderson said that the new distinguished bishops of the AME church should have the responsibility for chairing Payne Seminary’s Board of Trustees, but that he intends to continue as a member of the Board. The Anderson’s presented a $35,000 dollar check for the Endowment Fund and continued to pledge the royalties from the books, My Soul Shouts! The Spiritual Wisdom of Bishop Anderson and A Model of a Servant Bishop: The Ministry of Vinton Randolph Anderson.
Bishop Richardson thanked the committee members for organization and program activities followed by the financial report. The amount raised at the tribute was $101,260.00. Dr. Fugh pronounced the benediction.
Payne Theological Seminary acknowledges the participation of Dr. John Freeman, Ms. Alise Major, Reverend Paul Bupe, and Mr. Hayden Jackson for gifts of song and music.
*Submitted by the Reverend Wilma L. Taylor, BS, M.Div.
Payne Theological Seminary
1230 Wilberforce Clifton Road, PO Box 474,
Wilberforce, OH 45385
937-376-2946
WLTaylor93@comcast.net
6. THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS: INTERNATIONAL GROWTH IN THE AME CHURCH:
John Tomas III
From February 6-15, I had the privilege to serve as the Spanish translator for Bishop Sarah Davis during the Dominican Republic Annual Conference. I have been going on mission trips to the Dominican Republic since 2002 and I always leave the country with conflicted emotions. Worship and fellowship with the AME brothers and sisters in the Dominican Republic always leaves me renewed and refreshed spiritually. Yet, the products of decades of malign neglect from the Connectional Church continue to frustrate me. The combination of a lack of AME materials in Spanish, failure to provide theological and leadership training for clergy, and lax Episcopal supervision led to the Dominicans losing much of their African Methodist heritage. Bishop Davis and her predecessor Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry have invested significant amounts of time educating the Dominican pastors and clergy and the results are encouraging. Yet much more work is needed to stabilize the AME Church in the Dominican Republic and adequately prepare it to expand.
While the story of the Dominican Republic is special to me, it is by no means unique in the AME Church. When I told my pastor about situation of the AME Church in the Dominican Republic, he recounted his travels to AME congregations in several African countries. It troubled me to hear how members in different nations and cultural contexts seemed to have the same deficits regarding information in their languages, theological education, and Episcopal supervision. The AME Church took a great stride in 2004 by electing three sons of Africa to the Episcopacy. Yet, the presence of three African Bishops on the bench—while symbolic of our international character—does not address the systemic problems which face AME constituencies outside of the United States.
From its birth, the Connectional AME Church pursued opportunities for international expansion. Within a decade of the first General Conference, missionaries had been dispatched to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. By the turn of the 20th century, the AME Church had a well-established presence in the Caribbean, South America, and Western and Southern Africa. I chanced upon a copy of A Century of Missions of the AME Church written in 1940 by then Secretary of Missions Dr. L.L. Berry. I read with pride the reports from the various fields and was enthused by the plans for expansion and education. Yet, somewhere along the way it appears that we have lost our zeal for sustaining our missionary work.
In his history, Berry discussed the evolution of the AME Church from “unorganized missionary work” to “organized missionary work”. It appears, then, that we have devolved to our unorganized state. In years past, a Board of Missions regulated the missionary activities of the AME Church. Now, we have no global strategy for expanding our missionary work. From the beginning we have relied on serendipitous opportunities instead of well-reasoned decisions to expand the international footprint of our work. While the harvest is plentiful, the AME Church must go where the gospel according to Jesus practiced by African Methodists will be best received. Our most recent expansion into India raises concerns about sustainability that need to be addressed. Future initiatives should only be initiated with the backing of the General Board, Department of Global Witness and Missions, the Council of Bishops and the sanction of the General Conference.
The international areas where we are currently need attention in order to grow and develop. An AME in Mozambique has as much right to understand the Discipline of the AME Church as an AME in Mississippi, yet the Discipline, the Catechism, and other vital teaching tools are only available in English. Christians hungry for knowledge will go where they will be fed and we have allowed our non-English speaking flock to be fed by other denominations—especially Pentecostals—who do not share some of our beliefs. Yet, because they publish their works in other languages, they are read and followed. Some Bishops and other Church officials have commented on the difficulty and cost in translating materials. Yet, if the Connectional Church is truly concerned about becoming a global union, we will take the “English Only” sign off our door. And from personal experience, I know it is not as costly as we have been led to believe. Clearly, we must be sensitive to different cultural environments, yet we cannot ignore our responsibility to educate and hold all of our members accountable to the African Methodist system. Somewhere along the way the Connectional Church has developed the misguided notion that the rules on the “frontier” of African Methodist should be less stringently upheld than in the United States. This colonial way of thought must be immediately changed. The AME Church cannot be a “separate but equal” Church.
Another concern is theological education for our ministers outside of the United States. One of the hallmarks of African Methodism has been our educational requirements for ordination. While we must make allowances for the varying quality of education in developing countries, the absence of a system of AME theological education outside the United States has led to troubling repercussions. We permit our clergy be educated in seminaries of other denominations receiving an indoctrination that we cannot control. (For example, the AME preachers in the Dominican Republic have largely been educated in Pentecostal institutes). Our failure to provide a strong foundation in African Methodist doctrine and polity, has led many of our pastors and churches to be AME in name only. While it is financially unfeasible to establish seminaries in every international jurisdiction, we can surely use technology to create online campuses of Turner and Payne Seminary.
While nurturing the souls of international constituents, we also must look after more pressing needs of physical development. In this area, the AME Church has made great strides with notable hospital and educational facilities in the Caribbean and Western and Southern Africa. We have one of the foremost experts in international development in Mr. Robert Nichols, yet AME SADA remains undercapitalized and underutilized. Again, the lack of a coherent planning strategy manifests itself. While some Districts have long-standing established development projects, others change priorities with Episcopal administrations. This “start-stop” development does more harm than good and will not lead to the growth of the AME Church. A coherent development plan for every Episcopal District outside the United States should be worked out between the local clergy and lay, the Department of Global Witness and Evangelism, AME SADA and the Council of Bishops. Without proper planning, our international labors will continue to be an ad hoc assortment of unrelated ventures instead of a concerted thrust for growth.
I remain ever optimistic that the Church of Allen will live up to its missionary potential. Dr. George Flowers continues to keep our missionary spirit alive through his work at the Department of Global Witness and Ministry. The WMS Foundation recently gave numerous grants to aid development work outside the United States. I am constantly reading and hearing about groups of AMEs that go abroad on mission trips to share and fellowship with other sons and daughters of Allen who worship with the same spirit under a different flag. The Global Development Council continues to meet and plan. Yet, we have much to learn from other denominations about international growth and development. When I see the growth that younger denominations such as the 7th Day Adventists and the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) have experienced outside the United States, I wonder when the Church of Allen will live up to its own missionary legacy. While some would say it is a resource problem, no amount of money will make up for poor planning and lack of vision. Time will tell if we will correct our mistakes.
Editor’s Note: John Thomas III (13th District) is a Ph.D. student in the Political Science Department at the University of Chicago and member of the General Board. He has worked as a consultant for the World Bank Group and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. He was the inspiration and motivation for the establishing and setting up the Multi-language capability of The Christian Recorder.
7. SOME MORE BITS OF HISTORY:
Good history from Historiographer Lola Scott of the Washington Annual Conference Lay Organization. Since I don't have her e-mail address, please share the following bit of AME history with her as well:
- The Reverend B. J. Glover led some of the first NAACP "sit-ins" in Charleston, SC while serving as Pastor of Morris Brown AME Church. The late General Officer James G. Blake was a leader in the Charleston NAACP Youth Chapter during those sit-ins.
- Bishop Z. L. Grady was pastor of Morris Brown AME Church during one of Charleston, South Carolina's major civil rights events - the 1968 Hospital Workers' strike.
- The South Carolina Briggs vs. Elliot case that became a part of the Brown vs. Board Supreme Court case was driven in large part by the Reverend Joseph A. Delaine during his tenure as Pastor of Liberty Hill AME Church in Summerton, SC.
- Bishop Frederick C. James, while pastor of Mount Pisgah AME Church in Sumter, SC, led the first NAACP "sit-ins" in Sumter.
- The late General Officer Alonzo W. Holman served (while a pastor) as President of the South Carolina NAACP.
- Congressman James Clyburn, Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives, is a member of Morris Brown AME Church, Charleston, SC
– The Rev. Joseph Darby served as 1st Vice President of the South Carolina NAACP and authored the sanctions resolution that led to the Confederate Flag being removed from the Dome and legislative chambers of the S.C. State Capitol.
Submitted by the Rev. Dr. Joseph Darby
8. SPIRITS SOAR AT 7TH DISTRICT’S COLUMBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
*Brother Benjamin Harrison
From Monday, September 8th to Friday, September 12th, 2008, the 7th District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which encompasses the entire state of South Carolina, convened in Columbia for the third of its 2008 annual conferences entitled the Columbia Annual Conference. This week long event was held at Reid Chapel A.M.E. Church, where the Rev. Dr. Norvel Goff is pastor.
The Columbia Annual Conference is comprised of the Columbia, Lancaster, and Newberry-Spartanburg Districts. This 131st session makes it the second oldest of six annual conferences held by the 7th District each year throughout South Carolina. With 30 churches in Columbia, 34 in Lancaster, and 30 in Newberry-Spartanburg, the Columbia Conference contains approximately 25,000 A.M.E. members. The following article is derived from the resolution which was submitted by the Rev. Jon Lewis, Pastor of Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church in Columbia, SC, and the Columbia Annual Conference Resolution Committee.
The clergy and laity of the Columbia Annual Conference assembled at Reid Chapel A.M.E. Church to give the 131st account of their stewardship and to be reaffirmed and rejuvenated for the year to come; and in so doing, all attendees were invigorated and inspired by that which was accomplished throughout this exceptional week!
On the Friday and Saturday prior to the start of the Annual Conference, a strong and successful youth summit was held at Reid Chapel A.M.E. Church. Under the innovative leadership of Bishop Preston W. Williams II, these youth summits have become annual events reaching hundreds of children in each Annual Conference and thousands across the Episcopal District. This year’s Summit was filled with relevant, practical and inspiring activities and was well attended by both youth and adults alike.
Sunday evening, the pre-Annual Conference Debs and Masters ceremony, under the direction of Sister Debra Pitts and the Rev. Leroy Cannon, highlighted exemplary young men and women at their very best. Their presentation was poised and eloquent.
Monday, the mighty Sons of Allen came in on a high note, as they set the tone for the week through singing and lifting up the name of Jesus! The worship service ignited a flame of spiritual exuberance as the glory of God was manifested. The Rev. John Lewis encouraged our souls with a stirring message, speaking from the subject, “You Belong at the King’s Table.”
Tuesday, Bishop Williams officially opened the Annual Conference with roll call. All were present and/or accounted for. The Conference was organized, boundaries were set and we were led into a lively worship service opening with the hymn of old, “Are We Yet Alive.” The choir sang with melodious voices invoking the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Rev. Dr. James Cooper preached from the depths of his soul as he spoke from a sermon entitled, “Intentional Deficit Disorder.”
Under the leadership of the Rev.’s Sandy Drayton, Joseph Postell, and James Glover, Presiding Elders of the Columbia, Newberry/Spartanburg, and Lancaster Districts, respectively, the pastors of the Columbia Annual Conference submitted the superb work of their districts as evidenced by their extraordinary reports. Pastors, along with their delegates and laypersons stood with excitement as they shared their accomplishments with the Conference. Each district concluded its reports by standing together and praising God through a victory song!
Retired Bishop Zedekiah L. Grady was occasionally asked by Bishop Williams to preside over the Conference, and Bishop Grady presided with ease as he continued with the business of the Conference.
Tuesday night, the Women’s Missionary Society, under the leadership of Sister Wilhelmina Broughton, filled the house of God, as they celebrated the theme, “Soaring on a Legacy of Service!” The Rev. Tabitha Miller delivered the preached word with power from on high on the subject, “Don’t Let the Stone Stop You!”
During our Wednesday noonday service, Captain Adam Burgess, Chaplain, United States Army, commanded the attention of the entire congregation as he preached on the importance of “Character,” using the subject, “Can God trust you?” At the end of his sermon Bishop Williams called all pastors to come to the altar to get right with God!
Wednesday night, the young people of the Columbia Conference packed the house as they celebrated the theme, “Made in His Image - Kept in His Care.” Our young people showed up and showed out for Jesus as they praised God through song and dance. The Rev. Sterling Dowling delivered the youth message, preaching from the subject, “Made in His Image!”
Thursday morning, during the Christian Education segment, the Allen University choir blessed our souls with harmonious music and President Charles E. Young delivered an electrifying message, bringing the Conference to its feet while preaching from the subject, “God is Looking for You!” Bishop Williams presented to Dr. Young the proceeds collected on behalf of Allen University from the Columbia Annual Conference, and Dr. Young expressed appreciation on behalf of the students and faculty of Allen University. The Christian Education segment continued as the Conference was educated by a diverse panel of medical professionals who imparted valuable knowledge regarding various important health issues and disparities.
Thursday night, under the leadership of Sister Yvette Vant, the Annual Lay Witness night was taken to a new level through uplifting songs of praise! Embracing a new paradigm shift, this night included the participation of both youth and adults, with the youth speaker, Brother Jimmy Vant, sharing with the Conference his perspective of the General Conference.
During Friday’s noonday worship service, Bishop David R. Daniel, presiding prelate of the 14th Episcopal District, preached an encouraging ordination message entitled, “You are Called to Tear Down Satan’s Kingdom!” During the ordination service, the Rev.’s Dennis Broughton Jr. and James Kollock received itinerant orders, and Lemetis Johnson, Darlene Madison and Myra Shivers received deacon orders.
We also witnessed an interactive Church School presentation on the subject, ”The Birth of a New Community,” as led by Church School Superintendent the Rev. Eric Dent and members of the church staff. The Rev. Robert China led the Memorial Committee in a service of remembrance as we reflected on the lives and ministries of the Rev. Laford Johnson. We praise God for his commitment to kingdom building!
The closing session of the Columbia Annual Conference culminated with an electrifying sermon preached by our presiding prelate, the Right Rev. Preston Warren Williams II. Bishop Williams spoke from the subject, “The Church Has His Power,” and reminded us that when we go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit we will experience God’s victory! Through the powerful preaching of the word of God, we, the Columbia Conference, were inspired to go forth and do the work for which we were called!
This 131st session of the Columbia Annual Conference was blessed by the presence of many visitors, both local and abroad, including retired Bishop and Ms. Zedekiah Grady, along with visiting presiding elders and pastors from across the state of South Carolina. We had the great privilege of being entertained in an exceptional manner by the caring members of Reid Chapel A.M.E. Church, under the extraordinary leadership of the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Norvell Goff and Presiding Elder Dr. James Glover. We, the Columbia Annual Conference, offer words of sincere thanks and appreciation to the Reid Chapel church family for the exceptional way in which they accommodated us. May God continue to bless each of you in a mighty way!
Be it now, therefore, resolved that Bishop Preston W. William II and Dr. Wilma D. Webb Williams be commended for their faithful work and dedicated leadership par-excellence to the Columbia Conference, and to the entire 7th Episcopal District. Be it further resolved that God is good and the Columbia Annual Conference is grateful to almighty God and to the General Conference Episcopal Committee for returning Bishop and Dr. Williams to the 7th Episcopal District.
We, the Committee on Resolution, therefore request that this august body of the Columbia Annual Conference rise to its feet as one in affirmation of our host, our Conference leaders, and our Episcopal leadership, and clap our hands in praise for what God has done with us, for us, and through us! To God be the glory for the great things He has done!
*Brother Benjamin Harrison is the Public, Relations Director for the 7th District AME Church
9. BABYSITTER’S TRAINING CLASS RECEIVES INFANT CLOTHING:
(DAYTONA BEACH, APR. 1, 2009) – A comment often seen on the Babysitter’s Training Class evaluation is, “there aren’t enough clothes to pick from to dress the baby.” Now the students in the Florida’s Coast to Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross babysitter’s class will have plenty of infant clothes as they practice their skills in dressing the baby.
Thanks to the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 580 George Engram Blvd. in Daytona Beach, and the youth group who decided to collect the clothing as a project. When the group was told the babies hadn’t received clothing since the 1980s, they immediately wanted to help, according to the coordinator. The 15 youths asked family members and church members to donate to the collection. On Sunday, March 29, the group presented dozens of infant clothing to the chapter director, Dan Roll, along with a check to help with disaster assistance.
The Babysitter’s Training Class teaches youth between the ages of 11 to 15 years how to supervise infants and children, perform basic child-care skills such as diapering, feeding and dressing, handling bedtime and discipline issues, and communicating effectively with parents.
For more information on registering for the class, contact the chapter’s Health & Safety Office at 386-226-1400 ext. 118.
Editor’s note: For interviews or photo op of training class, contact the Public Affairs Director for the chapter
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to the victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross, Mid-Florida region serves 13 counties and includes the Central Florida, Florida’s Coast to Coast, Polk and Highlands County and Space Coast chapters. The chapter's employees and volunteers provide disaster assistance to an average of one family each day. Every day, the chapters serve as a vital communication link between members of the armed forces and their families in our community. Lifesaving classes such as First Aid/CPR, Automated External Defibrillator Training, Water Safety and HIV/AIDS are available throughout the service area on a regular basis. For more information, visit www.midfloridaredcross.org.
10. DAYTONA BEACH CHURCH SPONSORS AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUNG MEN’S WORKSHOP
(DAYTONA BEACH, APR. 9, 2009) – “If we ever needed mentorship, we need it now with so much peer pressure in the world today and so much going on, young men and even young women need someone they can talk to and someone they can look up to,”, said the Rev. Nathan M. Mugala, pastor of the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 580 George Engram Boulevard in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Recognizing that African American young men need encouragement, support, and mentors to improve the quality of their lives, the church’s men’s group, the Sons of Allen, started a mentoring program. On Saturday, March 21, young men from 10 through 18 years old in the community shared a discussion on how to be better men and be successful. Parents or guardians approved those under 18. Males over 18 can volunteer on their own. Over 100 young men attended the workshop. Some came by their church bus, others were brought by parents. Participants are asked to sign a commitment to follow through with the program and fill out a questionnaire on their likes, dislikes and goals.
According to Clayton Desmore who helped to develop the mentoring program, “I figure it’s better to try and save a child than commit one to jail.”
For more information about the mentoring program, contact the Allen Chapel Church at 386.255.1195.
11. THE QUESTION OF GENOCIDE:
*Dr. Manning Marable
Along the Color Line, April 2009
“Genocide” is an emotionally-packed word that has recently surfaced in the press in connection with President Barack Obama’s project foreign policies, and the previous international agendas for former Presidents William Jefferson Clinton and George W. Bush. Clinton’s former Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, and his Secretary of Defense, William Cohen, recently defined “genocide” in general terms as “the deliberate mass murder of civilians,” but technically, the “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,” an international body, defines the crime as the “inflicting on [a] group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.” This second definition implies that genocide can be committed both by governments, as well as non-state actors, “and that a series of actions taken against a specific population may not individually have the intent of genocide, but when considered together, have the long-term impact of “the physical destruction of the group.”
In retrospect, one of the greatest political errors, and moral lapses, was the Clinton Administration’s refusal to recognize the mass genocide taking place in Rwanda in 1994. President Clinton had earlier in his administration placed U.S. troops in Somalia, which resulted in a minor military disaster. The fiasco in Somalia made Clinton reluctant to take proactive measures in Central Africa to defend human rights.
In theory, the Obama Administration has put together an anti-genocide “dream team,” for identifying and reacting to global atrocities. The team includes: John Prendergast, head of the “Enough Project” that identifies conflicts that can turn into genocides; Susan Rice, our UN Ambassador; and Harvard Professor Samantha Powers, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and a member of Obama’s foreign policy team. They will concentrate their energies on two places: in Darfur, in western Sudan, where the International Criminal Court is expected to hand down individual indictments; and in eastern Congo, where an undeclared war for four years has culminated into the deaths of possibly four to five million Africans.
Could Bill Clinton have stopped, or at least significantly reduced, the mass murder in Rwanda through the direct intervention of U.S. power? Today, Clinton claims that his refusal to act was based on faulty information: he worried about the consequences of U.S. troops being sent into yet another African country that was once again divided by factional fighting. Yet Samantha Powers today insists that Clinton as President “could have known” about Rwandan genocide “if he had wanted to know.”
There are many different forms of genocide. We usually think about genocide as the end product of military conflict. However, genocide properly defined is the destruction of a group’s ability to reproduce itself, to provide resources to nourish its children and young adults, and to protect itself from both the brutality of law enforcement authorities as well as the military. One might argue that for millions of young black people in the United States, under America’s new system of color-blind racism, they are experiencing a subtle form of genocide. With black youth unemployment today exceeding 30 percent, and high school dropout rates above 50 percent, we are witnessing the destruction of the future’s and opportunities for young African Americans. The dimensions of this tragedy are not as traumatic as in the eastern Congo or Darfur. However, they nevertheless represent fundamental challenge in our pursuit of racial justice in the United States.
*Dr. Manning Marable is M. Moran Weston/Black Alumni Council Professor of African-American Studies, and Director of the Center for Contemporary Black History, at Columbia University. “Along the Color Line” is featured in hundreds of newspapers and websites internationally.
12. THE TEAM TYLER DISTRICT MINISTERS AND SPOUSES GALA A HUGE SUCCESS:
Sister Delanda S. Johnson
Special to The Christian Recorder
The AME Team Tyler District held its 2nd Annual Ministers & Spouses Gala at the Malakoff Community Center on Saturday, April 4. The Tyler District has a listing of 42 churches and Allen Chapel AME Church (Athens) and Johnson Chapel AME Church (Malakoff) are a part of the Tyler District.
Due to the illness of the Mayor Pro Tem Tim Trimble, Mr. Homer Ray Trimble, Malakoff ISD Board of Trustees gave the welcome from the City of Malakoff and Malakoff Independent School District. Trimble thanked the Tyler District for having their event in Malakoff.
Entertainment was provided by Ms. Corlis Calvin from Austin, Texas, who was presented with a key to the city by Mayor Pro Tem Tim Trimble. Ms. Calvin is a graduate Control Data Institute Technical School in Dallas, Texas. She also attended Eastfield College in Mesquite and is currently a collection supervisor at Time Warner Cable in Austin. She is an active member of Zion Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Austin. When she is not at her day job, she can be found singing at various venues around Austin and throughout Texas.
Mrs. Virginia Ford, First Lady of the Tyler District stated that the Ministers and Spouses Gala was being given to encourage, show support, and to give appreciation to all of the hard work that they have been doing throughout the District. Mrs. Ford said, "The Malakoff community has been very gracious, pleasant, and helpful in making this a meaningful event.” Last year’s event was held in Tyler, Texas.
Mr. Tommy Myers, the District Steward and the 10th District Chaplain, explained his district duties. Myers explains, "My function, as District Steward, is to spread God's word and to be a good manager of finances of the Tyler District; plus the spiritual upkeep; and to keep the Kingdom going." Mr. Myers stated that he is required to attend all event sponsored by the Presiding Elder District, 10th Episcopal District, and Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram. He went on to say that as District Steward, his duties include answering any questions that any local church steward might have. Stewards are appointed by a pastor and stewards are appointed to a one-year term. Stewards are responsible for spiritual growth, all money collected. Stewards have to be leaders must lead by example.
The Rev. James W. Ford is serving his third year with the Tyler District, remarked that he has seen excellent growth in the cooperative spirit of the District and that the District is coming together as a team, and both clergy and laity are working real hard to make the District better. Ford expressed that even though this event was for ministers and spouses, this gathering shows team spirit and togetherness.
Rev. Ford went on to say, "The churches are a very important part of the District because if it was not for the churches, then we would not have a District. We just want to encourage them and let them know that someone loves them, concerned about their welfare, and will help them achieve the goals that they have set for themselves.”
"Saturday event was just a fun-filled day in which clergy families fellowshipped with each, enjoyed good food, and great entertainment," said Ford.
13. NEWS BREAK - BISHOP CAROLYN TYLER GUIDRY INVESTITURE INFORMATION:
The General Board/Council of Bishops will be held June 22 – 25, 2009 in New Orleans. The investiture Banquet will be on the evening of Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
The Investiture banquet tickets and payment for souvenir journal advertisement can be done online at the 8th Episcopal District Online Store - www.8thdistrictamec.com. The 8th Episcopal District Website will be regularly updated about the Investiture, the General Board/Bishop’ Council, and all of the events that will take place in the 8th Episcopal District.
All solicitation forms and purchasing options are available on the 8th Episcopal District Website at www.8thdistrictamec.com.
Submitted by the Rev. Cory M. Watts: revcorywatts@hotmail.com
St. Paul AME Church
8540 Cohn Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
504-861-3988 - Church
14. EPISCOPACY CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES:
The Rev. Vashti-Jasmine McKenzie will be ordained an Itinerant Elder at Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, MD on Friday, April 3, 2009 at 11 am. The ordination service can be viewed live by logging onto www.streamingfaith.com. Rev. McKenzie is the daughter of the Right Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie, presiding prelate of the 13th Episcopal District and Mr. Stan McKenzie, Episcopal Supervisor for the 13th Episcopal District.
Congratulatory messages may be sent to:
The Rev. Vashti-Jasmine McKenzie: vashtijasmine@gmail.com
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie: Kergyma00@aol.com
Supervisor Stan McKenzie: stanmckenzie44@aol.com
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to share news of the passing of Mr. Eric "Mickey" Ross, the brother of Mrs. Helen Ross Boykin and the brother-in-law of the Reverend Ronald Boykin, pastor of First AME Church - Manassas, Virginia.
Mr. Eric "Mickey" Ross passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2009.
Service Arrangements:
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Viewing: 11:00 AM
Funeral: 12:00 Noon
Austin Royster Funeral Home
3821 14th St. NW
Washington, DC 20011
Phone: (202) 829-9767
Fax: (202) 723-1307
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend & Mrs. (Helen) Ronald Boykin
14521 Penderlea Court
Gainesville, VA 20155
Phone: (703) 753-4171
Email: MrsHelenBoykin@aol.com
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regretfully announce the passing of the Rev. Bennie-Earl Goodman of the North Ohio Annual Conference and the Cleveland District.
The funeral has been held.
All communications can be sent to Lee Memorial AME Church.
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Mrs. Betty Lindsey. At the time of her death, Mrs. Lindsey was the Connectional Corresponding Secretary of The Women's Missionary Society and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Connectional WMS.
The Service arrangements for Mrs. Betty Lindsey, Connectional Corresponding Secretary and member of the Board of Trustees of the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church are as follows:
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The family of Mrs. Betty Lindsey
1843 Highway 278 West
Monticello, AR 71655
Phone (870) 367-9414
The home address is:
1843 Highway 278 West
Monticello, AR 71655
Phone (870) 367-9414
Anita Brannon, Officer Manager
12th Episcopal District
Bishop Samuel Lawrence Green, Sr.,
Presiding Prelate
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the passing of Mr. John Henry Ferrell who passed away on March 26th, 2009 in Newburgh, New York. He was the brother of the Rev. Joe Nathan Farrell, Jr. (Retired Pastor-Southwest Texas Conference; the Rev. Dr. Ida Keener-Presiding Elder; The Rt. Rev. Gregory G.M. Ingram-Presiding Bishop).
Memorial Service for Mr. John Henry Ferrell has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Joe Nathan Ferrell, Jr.
P. O. Box 525
Alice, Texas 78333-0525
Ph: (361-442-6177
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
20. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; 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.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
4/02/2009
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (4/2/09)
Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – THE RIGHT THING IS ALWAYS THE BEST THING:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
There are some things that we do in life that are just the right thing to do. We do it because it’s right. We have been taught, from childhood to tell the truth. Telling the truth is the right thing to do. We are taught to share because sharing is the right thing to do. We are taught to be honest, because honesty is the best policy.
Oftentimes, the right thing to do is not always the most comfortable thing to do, but we do it because it is the right thing to do. Students should study and that’s the right thing for students to do, but, as we have all experienced, studying is often uncomfortable.
The profession of ministry has expectations and requirements, some of which are comfortable; others that are less comfortable; and yet others that are outright uncomfortable.
Comfort levels are not the same for all individuals. Comfort levels are not “one-size fits all.” What’s comfortable for one person might be uncomfortable for another person. Hospital visitations and jailhouse visits were uncomfortable for me; I didn’t like making hospital visits and visits to prisons. I did those aspects of ministry because it was the right thing to do; those pastoral visitations were a part of my professional duties. On the other hand, I loved taking Communion to the sick and shut-ins in their homes. That was not work for me. I never had to be reminded to visit the sick because I knew it was the right thing to do and I enjoyed doing it.
There are some in ministry who love the hospital and prison ministries. Some clergy have loved hospital and prison ministry so much that they have chosen to go into those ministries fulltime.
Sermon preparation was not always easy; as a matter of fact, it was always time-consuming and sermon preparation was a weekly struggle. Sermon preparation is still a struggle. Liturgical holy day sermons; Advent, Christmas, Palm Sunday and Easter, were especially hard to prepare for; those were great times to invite a guest preacher.
Sermon preparation is like football practice, an undesirable necessity, but on game day, especially when our team won, the hard practices paid off; the end result justified the means.
The challenge in sermon delivery includes; which Bible version to use, researching commentaries, looking up words and meaning of phrases, reading newspapers, and news magazines, listening to the news, in an attempt to make the sermon relevant for the young and old.
As an AME preacher, relevancy also includes complimenting the sermon with the AME and Methodist perspective, which requires knowledge of the AME Church, which is most easily is obtained from reading the AME periodicals. Currents events can be gleaned from The Christian Recorder; scholarly and historic events from The A.M.E. Church Review; Christian education from The Journal of Religious Education; overseas ministry from The Women’s Missionary Magazine and The Voice of Missions; daily devotions and inspiration from The Secret Chamber; and the youth perspective from The YPD Newsletter. The AME Church has the resources for ministerial and lay ministry. The right thing to do is to utilize the available resources.
Well-rounded sermon preparation is a struggle. It’s a struggle to find new and updated ways to deliver relevant messages from a book that was written over 1500 years ago. Honest sermon preparation is always the right thing to do. Even when we get sermon ideas and sermon “seeds” from other preachers, we need to make the sermon our own. Developing a sermon is the right thing to do. Plagiarizing a sermon from the Internet and from sermon books is the wrong thing to do and it’s the dishonest thing to do.
The worship service, Sunday after Sunday, can be a chore, and the pastor in charge can easily abdicate that responsibility to others; including ministerial associates, choir directors; and to pianists and organists. Sunday after Sunday, year after year can make the sacred routine. Worship should not be abdicated to others. The pastor in charge is the worship leader; that’s the right way and that’s the right thing to do. I suspect that some pastors haven’t met with the musicians, ushers, acolytes, stewards, stewardesses, deaconesses, and ministerial staff in years. The result of the absence of such meetings is raggedy, disjointed worship services. There is nothing wrong with practicing how the worship service is going to be executed. Pastoral care for the worship service is the right thing to do.
Every pastor welcomes assistance, and if a pastor hasn’t mastered the skills of “encouraging himself or herself,” the ministry can get old. Sermon preparation and delivery and leading worship can get old. In spite of the routine of what pastors do in ministry, pastors must be mindful of always doing the right thing as it relates to denominational integrity.
License ministers should not be allowed to function or participate in tasks that are the responsibilities of the ordained clergy. Unordained clergy should only touch the elements of Communion that they are ingesting; they should not be serving anyone or reading any parts of the Communion liturgy. That’s the right rule for pastors to follow, if they are faithful to The Discipline and denominational integrity, which is the right thing to do.
If pastors do not follow The Discipline and denominational integrity, how can we expect the laity to follow the rules of The Discipline and denominational integrity?
Unordained ministers are not called, “Reverend” nor are they addressed by the title, “Minister.” That title does not exist in the African Methodist Episcopal Church lexicon. Unordained clergy can be addressed by the title, “Sister, Brother, or Licentiate.” If they have a doctoral degree, they can be called by their professional title, but not, “Reverend.” The term “Reverend” is a sacred title; it’s a holy title that comes from the laying on of hands by the bishop and seven itinerant elders. Honoring the title, “Reverend” is the right way to do it. When unordained ministers visit our local churches, they should be addressed in accordance with our rules; Brother, Sister, or Licentiate.”
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has been in existence longer than anyone living today and the Church Fathers and Mothers have given us a firm theological, religious, historical, and denominational foundation upon which we can stand. The AME Church will grow and prosper we “Do the right thing.”
Editor’s Note: This is Part 1; Next week, Part 2
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
Re: Editorial - Are We a Connectional Church or are we a group of independent churches?
Excellent editorial regarding a Connectional Church vs. independent churches! I agree with you that we need to have "someone in charge." Our various churches can speak out on the many issues facing our communities and our nation, but we need someone to speak for all of us - to speak on behalf of the entire Connection. Besides, individually, we are not "speaking the same message"; nor are we following the same Discipline.
I suspect that some of our churches wouldn't even know what The Discipline looks like - let alone what it mandates.
Then, on the other hand, we have those "independent" pastors/preachers who think the Connection is antiquated so they choose to "do their own thing” within the AME Church; or they leave the Zion and start their own storefronts. I know I'm preaching to the choir here but this issue needs to be addressed… Who is our leader?
Sister Ora Washington
Okinawa, Japan
- To the Editor:
RE: Are We a Connectional Church or are we a group of independent churches?
I appreciate the candor and honesty that you continually bring to the editorial page of “The Christian Recorder”. Luke 12:2 tells us that what is “done in the dark will be heard in the light” and it is time that the AME Church have a frank discussion about where we are and where we are going as a denomination. Your editorial regarding leadership in the AME Church is an important piece in that discussion and I would to add a few more thoughts on the idea of an AME headquarters and a centralized leadership structure.
The lack of an AME headquarters has provoked a fair amount of concern and a provision for the General Board to erect a Connectional Headquarters has existed in the Discipline since the 1980s. The presence of major Connectional offices in Nashville, Washington DC and other locations has been viewed by some as a symbol of our disunity. When I delved deeper into Methodist history, however, I learned an interesting lesson. Although the United Methodist Church operates many major offices across the United States, the denomination does not have a formal headquarters. The lack of a designated headquarters is considered a symbol of the Connectional nature of the church and the fact that all parts and locations were equal. In 2006, however, the UMC Council of Bishops thought it expedient to designate the Washington, DC office as the seat of the Council of Bishops and designate a Bishop to serve as administrator of said office.
A similar action was recommended by the “Strategic Planning Committee” and submitted as legislation to both the 2004 and 2008 General Conferences. Both times the legislation never made it past the second hearing. While I do not know if the original purpose of a Connectional headquarters to “hold all functions, meetings and General Conferences” is practical, the AME Church might want to take its own advice and assign a Bishop to the position of Chief Administrative Officer.
I now wish to turn to your comments on the unseemly lack of uniformity in AME practices across the Connection. I agree with you wholeheartedly that we need to begin to act like a Denomination. Our presence on the Internet illustrates this point. I spent some time a few weeks ago browsing through Episcopal District and General Officer websites. Aside from the Cross and Anvil logo, I would not have known that they all were constituent parts of the same denomination. If we don’t look unified, we certainly can’t act unified. (The Strategic Planning Committee also made a recommendation regarding technological practices, but this was not acted upon).
Your editorial brings up the issue of who is authorized to speak for the Church. The Discipline is clear that the Council of Bishops is the executive branch of the AME Church and has the authority to administer the affairs of the AME Church in the interim of the General Conference in conjunction with the General Board (132-4). The Discipline also clearly states that the post of Senior Bishop is solely a ceremonial designation (135). As part of our Methodist heritage, the power of the Executive is not formally vested in a single person, but in the collective Council of Bishops. If we don’t have a voice it’s because the Council of Bishops has not designated one. It is true that the Council of Bishops issues statements after its meetings, but a larger voice from the denomination on issues of concern is lacking. (And even if we did have a voice, the Connectional AME Church does not have the Public Relations personnel to diffuse it).
So, who is “in charge?” The Council of Bishops.
As you pointed out, disunity begins from the top and flows to the bottom. On page 3 of The Discipline, we are told: "The bishop is to be the symbol of unity in the Church...The bishop is to be pastor of pastors and of all the people of God." The Bishops are the leaders of our Church and we the people of African Methodism must hold them collectively accountable. The Council of Bishops cannot afford to leave us without vision and guidance in this era.
As we continue to eat and hold our meetings, Morris Brown College struggles to survive. Our younger (and older) members increasingly question the relevancy of internal Church politics. Our Churches in Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Asia and Europe question--with good reason--our commitment to their physical and spiritual growth and development. If members and clergy of the Church are truly tired of disunity in the Connection, we must demand that our elected and consecrated leaders comply with the vows they took before God and the General Conference.
John Thomas III
13th Episcopal District
Ph.D. Student
Department of Political Science
University of Chicago
3. THE REST OF THE STORY - AME SCOUTS VISITING THE INAUGURAL FESTIVITIES; HOUSED BY ST. JUDE AME CHURCH:
The Connectional Church works.
While the AME Scouts were in Washington, DC to participate in the inaugural festivities, there were no hotel rooms available to them. Because of our connection as AMEs, the scouts stayed at the St. Jude A.M.E. Church, which is located about 20 miles from Washington, DC. St. Jude AME is in the 2nd Episcopal District, Washington Conference, Capitol District.
I think it is important for A.M.E. readers to understand that we are a "connectional church". When the officers, members and the Rev. Dr. Byron J. Grayson, Sr. pastor of St. Jude A.M.E. Church in Germantown, Maryland heard that the scouts had no place to stay, St, Jude, without hesitation, opened the doors of their Church to them.
The members of St. Jude made sure that the scouts and the chaperones knew that they were “at home” as they opened their sleeping bags and made our home, their home.
Pastor Grayson remarked, “When the scouts left our church, the church was in better shape than it was before they came. The Boy Scouts left the church sparkling clean.” He went on to say that the people of St. Jude A.M.E. were blessed to be a part of Greater Bethel AME Scouts' journey during this historic occasion. Some of the people of St. Jude hope to travel to Phoenix, Arizona sometime in the future.
4. THE LATE DR. ISAAC CLARK HONORED AT TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY:
After a gracious welcome by ITC President, Dr. Michael A. Battle, the President-Dean of ITC’s Turner Theological Seminary, Dr. John F. Green, delighted attendees to the portrait-hanging ceremony in honor of Dr. Isaac R. Clark with stories of Dr. Clark and what he had learned while he was a student under Dr. Clark’s tutelage. Dr. Betty W. Clark, widow of the revered former Homiletics professor, still speaks with distinct love and adoration when she refers to her late husband. Her memories of him and his commitment to ITC shared with the audience were just as clear and unimpeded as they were more than 20 years ago when Dr. Clark walked the ITC halls.
Dedicated to a self-described “teacher of preachers,” the portrait-hanging and dedication was a fitting homage— to place the image of Dr. Isaac Rufus Clark in a space of honor in the Interdenominational Theological Center’s (ITC) Preaching Laboratory. The laboratory, which also bears Dr. Clark’s name, is a place where homiletics students are able to hone their calling to preach. The preaching lab also serves as a haven, if you will, to help students determine how hermeneutics and thorough exegeses are critical in aiding their congregations with learning and understanding scripture as it is broken down to its core based on his or her human understanding. Dr. Green recounted, “Dr. Clark was the sounding board when a question was raised about how to make the congregants understand without the entire presentation being so lofty that no one but the speaker and one or two seminary graduates would understand what is being said.”
With a reputation for being tough, but fair, Dr. Clark was a dedicated and positive role model for students and faculty alike. He was a caring and loving individual who wanted students to be committed to excellence in the pulpit. His 28 years of faithful service to ITC has come full circle. The hanging of his portrait marks the posthumous return of Dr. Clark to the ITC campus and every memory of this teaching-preaching giant is always welcome.
5. AME PASTOR, THE REV. DR. GREGORY G. GROOVER, ELECTED BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR:
At its recent Annual Organizational Meeting, Reverend Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. was elected Chair of the Boston School Committee. He has served as a member of the committee since January 2007.
Reverend Groover serves as the Pastor of the Historic Charles Street A.M.E. Church in the Roxbury section of Boston.
Reverend Groover is a 1983 Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude graduate of Morehouse College. In 1987, he received his Master of Divinity and Master of Social Work from Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University School of Social Work, respectively. Reverend Groover completed his doctoral work (D. Min) at the New York Theological Seminary. The focus of his dissertation was on the strategic development of church-based educational initiatives for public school children in urban settings.
From 1987-94, Reverend Groover served as Pastor of Bright Temple A.M.E. Church in the South Bronx, appointed by Bishop Frank C. Cummings. His pastoral work was prominently noted in Jonathan Kozol’s book, Amazing Grace. At Bright Temple, Reverend Groover initiated a number of ministries for inner-city children such as Building Great Minds, which was later adopted as a citywide program administered by the Council of Churches of New York.
Reverend Groover was appointed Pastor of the Historic Charles Street A.M.E. Church in the Roxbury section of Boston, MA in 1994 by Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Sr. The Charles Street Church is a 191 year-old institution that has served as a center for religious and civic activities for Boston’s African Americans. As Boston’s Underground Railroad station, Charles Street hosted many of the city’s abolition meetings and frequently welcomed to its pulpit Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Sojourner Truth, David Walker (a Charles Street member) and other freedom speakers.
Under Reverend Groover’s pastoral leadership, 27 individuals have entered ministry. Presently, he is leading the congregation in the $5.2 million development of the Charles Street A.M.E. Roxbury Renaissance Center. The center, projected to be completed this year, will offer a myriad of educational and arts programs for children and families.
As chairman of the Education Committee of the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston (BMA), Reverend Groover was very instrumental in bringing together public school officials, community leaders, parents and the clergy in the planning and the development of the BMA Victory Generation After-School Program, a $2 million initiative. He serves on the Board of Directors of several nonprofit organizations in the Boston area.
The Reverend Groover assumes several Annual Conference and Episcopal District leadership responsibilities under the leadership of his bishop, the Rt. Rev. Richard F. Norris. He was appointed by Bishop Norris as the New England Conference Treasurer, Chairman of the New England Conference Board of Examiners, Chairman, Chairs of Board of Examiners and Deans of the Ministerial Institutes of the First Episcopal District, and member of the First District Economic Expansion Group Board of Directors. He has served as a delegate to the General Conference since 1996 and at the 48th Session (2008), he served as First Vice Chair of the Revision Committee.
Reverend Groover is married to the Reverend Barbara A. Groover and they have two teenage children.
The Boston School Committee is a seven-member board that governs and sets policy for the Boston Public Schools. Its members are appointed by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who selects from a list of finalists recommended by a 13-member citizens nominating panel.
Boston Public Schools, the nation’s “birthplace of public education,” serves more than 56,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 143 schools, and recently won the Broad Prize for Urban Education as the top city district in the country.
Contact: Liz Sullivan, Executive Secretary
6. NEW CHURCH DEDICATION AND 90TH ANNIVERSARY:
The dedication service for the New St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Cleveland, Ohio, a $2.5 million dollar project, will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. The Right Reverend C. Garnett Henning Sr., Presiding Bishop of the Third Episcopal District of the African Methodist Church will be the Keynote Speaker. The Reverend Georgina Thornton is the pastor of St. Paul.
St. Paul AME Church will hold its 90th Anniversary Celebration Sunday, May 31 at 4 p.m. The Reverend Dr. Taylor T. Thompson, pastor of St. John AME Church, Cleveland, Ohio will be the keynote Speaker.
The Legacy Continues…
St. Paul AME Church was organized in May 1919 in the living room of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Williams of 11950 Peelor Avenue under the leadership of the Reverend T.J. Evans.
Mr. Herndon Anderson was the first trustee; Mrs. David Anderson was one of the first choir members; Mrs. Ozema Williams served as the first Sunday School Superintendent and Mrs. Ida Morgan James was the first church organist. Church services began in members’ homes and store fronts until 1921. Mr. Herndon Anderson found the property on which the first building was placed. St Paul’s first building was a barn owned by St. John AME Church. The barn was transported to the west side of Cleveland, Ohio by horse and wagon to its new location on the corner of Bellaire and Hirst Avenue.
Since the origination of St. Paul AME Church – Cleveland, each pastor appointed brought their individual unique talents. They were spirit filled, passionate, driven, ambitious, motivated, electrifying, dynamic, magnetic, brilliant, and exceptionally resourceful leaders, for St. Paul A.M.E. - Cleveland has continued to elevate to higher and higher heights with each appointed servant of God.
The following is a listing of the powerful pastors St. Paul AME Church, Cleveland has been blessed to host from 1919 to 1996.
The Reverend T. J. Evans, the Reverend Pruitt, the Reverend A. J. Simpson, the Reverend Charles Young, the Reverend S. H. McBee, the Reverend F. Ellison, the Reverend J.C. Gresham, the Reverend D. E. Johnson, the Reverend G. I. Caddell, the Reverend Freeman, the Reverend C. H. McPherson, the Reverend A. J. Thomas, the Reverend W. L. Halley, the Reverend Paul Ross, the Reverend H.E. Bragg, the Reverend J. P. Henning, the Reverend A.G. Johnson, the Reverend Charles Lucas, the Reverend Charles Scott, the Reverend Frederick Wright, and the Reverend Rodney Thomas.
In November 1996 St. Paul welcomed as it’s twenty third pastor Reverend Georgina Thornton also known as Reverend Gena.
She received her Theological diploma from the American Baptist Theological Seminary and entered ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in December 1984, and was ordained an itinerant Elder in October 1987.
Reverend Thornton’s first pastorate was Mount Moriah AME Church in Maple Heights, Ohio, where she pastored for ten years. During her tenure, membership increased, the facility was enlarged and an elevator was installed for handicap accessibility.
The vision of St. Paul is to be a church where you will experience God, belong to a spiritual and loving family, and involve meaningful ministries for all ages.
Our Legacy is of the community, by the community and for the community.
This article was written by Mrs. Diane Sullivan, St. Paul AME Church Steward
7. GEORGIA CELEBRATES THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DEACONESS ROSA PARKS:
*Pastor George A. Moore, Jr
On Saturday, January 24, 2009 the Evangelical Ministerial Union (AME) and the Georgia Annual Conference Missionary Society convened at the “Mother Church of Georgia”, Saint Philip Monumental African Methodist Episcopal Church to celebrate the life and legacy of Rosa Parks a Shero of history and a Deaconess in the African Methodist Episcopal Church under the Leadership of President, Reverend Charlie Fogle, Sr. and under the banner of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and in the footprints of Henry McNeal Turner, who ignited a fire of African Methodism in the state of Georgia by birthing Saint Philip African Methodist Episcopal Church (now Saint Philip Monumental African Methodist Episcopal Church – The Mother Church of African Methodism in Georgia).
It was two years ago that Pastor George A. Moore, Jr., Senior Pastor of the Mother Church brought the idea of lifting up and embracing during the King celebration in Savannah, the spark that ignited the fire of justice through Rosa Parks, who on December 5, 1955 sat so that today we may stand.
As a result of this idea each year the Evangelical Ministerial Union honors outstanding A.M.E.’s who have gone beyond the call of duty to hold up the bloodstained banner of Jesus Christ. On this day the Reverend Charles Wesley Purnell, Senior Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Savannah, brought a soul-stirring, thought stimulating message. Awards were given to President Charlie Fogle, Sr. and Sister Yvonne Clay, President Georgia Conference Missionary Society. Breakfast was served and the people left rejoicing.
*Pastor George A. Moore, Jr. is the senior pastor of Saint Philip Monumental A.M.E. Church in Savannah, Georgia. St. Philip is, “The Mother Church of African Methodism in Georgia.”
8. WASHINGTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE LAY ORGANIZATION HISTORIOGRAPHER - “DID YOU KNOW” FACT SHEET:
* Sister Lola Scott
- Reverdy C. Ransom (1861-1959), was notable for his participation in the Niagara Movement that led to the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP - organized in 1909) and for numerous other human rights involvements. In 1906 he attended the second annual meeting of the Niagara Movement, which had been formed a year earlier. Ransom gave his famous speech "The Spirit of John Brown" at the conference in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. This speech, W.E.B. Du Bois would later claim was the driving force behind the formation of the NAACP Rev Ransom was elected 48th AME Bishop in 1924.
- Oliver Brown, chief plaintiff of the Brown vs. Board of Education lawsuit, which resulted in the 1954 Supreme Court landmark decision on school desegregation, was an AME.
- Daisy Bates, leader of the 1956 effort to desegregate schools in Little Rock, Arkansas was an A.M.E.
- Roy Wilkins, long time Executive Director of the NAACP was an AME.
- In 1955 Rosa Parks, who was a member /secretary of the Montgomery Alabama NAACP chapter, when she refused to give up her seat on the bus was also stewardess at St Paul AME Church is Montgomery, Alabama.
- Bishop Robert Thomas, pastor of Bethel AME, was president of the NAACP chapter in Chicago.
- Bishop George Baber (former bishop of the 2nd Episcopal District) was president of the NAACP chapter in Detroit, Michigan.
- The Rev James A Charleston founded the NAACP chapter in Oakland County while pastor of Newman AME in Pontiac, Michigan.
- Professor James Cone, of Union Theological Seminary, is one of the most influential advocates of Black Theology, and the author of numerous works including “Martin and Malcolm and America: A Dream or a Nightmare.” Professor Cone grew up in an A.M.E. Church in Bearden, Arkansas, and remains a member today.
- Bishop John D. Bright and three other AME ministers were signatories to widely noticed statement by the National Committee of Negro Churchmen (later known as the National Council of Black Churchman), that spoke forcefully on behalf of the “Black Power’ movement.
- Brown Chapel AME Church was an important base during the voting-rights campaign in Selma, Alabama in 1965.
* Sister Lola Scott is the Washington Annual Conference Lay Organization Historiographer
9. THE SMITH LIBRARY OF REGIONAL HISTORY TO HOST PROGRAM, "FREE AND FREED SHAKERS":
The Smith Library of Regional History will host a program, "Free and Freed Shakers," in Oxford at 1:30 PM on Saturday, April 18, sponsored by the Arthur F. Miller African-American History Fund.
The remaining Shakers live in Maine today, but earlier members of this religious group are remembered for their craftsmanship in the making of furniture, boxes, and brooms. Not many people are aware of their legacy of equality between men and women, or, according to Shaker records in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, of the communal life among whites and African Americans-- a situation that was remarkable in U.S. history.
Vickie Cimprich, author of Pretty Mother's Home--A Shakeress Daybook, will read dramatic monologues identifying or characterizing African-American Shakers of the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. She will be joined by the Rev. Cheryl Blake Hoskins, Assistant Pastor of St. James A.M.E. Church in Covington, Kentucky. Also participating will be members of the Western Shaker Singers who will share songs that were sung by African-American Shakers.
The public program will be held in the meeting room of the Oxford Lane Library at 15 S. College Avenue with a book sale and signing to follow. For additional information, call the Smith History Library at 523-3035.
Valerie E. Elliott
Smith Library of Regional History
15 S. College Ave.
Oxford, OH 45056
10. EMERGING AME CHURCH LEADERS – THE REV. LESEAN TARKINGTON:
*The Rev. Matthew Shannon
Ebony Magazine recognizes the Rev. LeSean Tarkington as one of the Young Leaders 2009: Serving God and Community
ATLANTA, GA- The April 2009 issue of the EBONY Magazine recognizes the Rev. LeSean Tarkington as one of Ebony’s Young Leader 2009: Serving God and Community. .
The Rev. LeSean Tarkington is an Ordained Deacon in the 5th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is the founder of the Atlanta- based Tarkington Group, a strategic planning and consulting firm that advises faith-based organizations.
Rev. Tarkington is a member of the 100 Black Men of America and the Student Trustee for the Interdenominational Theological Center Trustee Board. He treasures advice gained from elders in the ministry. “You cannot operate a church without the four M’s- Ministry, Morale, Mission, and Money.”
Ebony Magazine also named the Rev. Michael Waters, pastor of Joy Tabernacle AME Church in Dallas, Texas and the Rev. Eboni K. Marshall of New York, as young leaders who are excelling in their careers and giving back to their communities.
Rev. Tarkington and the Ebony Young Leaders 2009 represent thousands of talented and selfless young adults who serve others.
Ebony Magazine, the No. 1 magazine for African-Americans, is published monthly and reaches over 12 million readers with each issue. Published by Johnson Publishing Company, Inc., the largest Black-owned publishing company in the world, Ebony was founded in 1942 by the late Publisher and Chairman John H. Johnson. Linda Johnson Rice is President and CEO, and Eunice W. Johnson serves as the company's secretary and treasurer.
For more information, please go to www.thetarkingtongroup.com.
*The Rev. Matthew Shannon is a student at Turner theological Seminary at ITC
11. THERE IS MUSIC IN THE AIR AND IT CAN BE FELT IN THE ATMOSPHERE:
Historic Campbell African Methodist Episcopal Church in Media, Pennsylvania has served our Zion since 1827, the oldest Church in continuous existence in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, hosted four unique concerts over the last four weeks.
We first hosted the “DELCO MASS Choir”, consisting of members from various churches in the county. They ranged in age from the mid-thirties to eighty-four years of age. The musical genre was spirituals and anthems that lifted the spirits of those in attendance. “Saved by Grace,” a quartet that sings gospels to the melody of the oldies also sang. Their voices were like those of Curtis Mayfield, Shep of the Limelights, Smokey Robinson of the Miracles and the OJays. The congregation was "mov’in and groov’in to the beat.” Save By Grace leader and founder, the Reverend Allen gave thanks to God for their musical talents.
The talented forty member Benedict College Choir accompanied them on there spring concert and recruitment tour. The Benedict College Choir led by Dr. Linda Kershaw. They provided music in the form of spirituals, anthems, contemporary and modern gospel. Dr. Kershaw provided a historical overview of the spirituals sung to the waiting congregation and several young people inquired about possible attendance to Benedict College.
The musical programs concluded with an afternoon service on March 15, 2009, with Grace and Truth Delegation, a choir consisting of thirty members and known locally of Delaware County Pennsylvania. Its founder and former leader Harry Woodhouse always felt the Campbell African Methodist Episcopal Church was home to him and last year at one of his last performances encouraged the liturgical praise dancers of Campbell. Their voices resonated throughout the church and lifted the spirits of all in attendance.
Campbell in the singing tradition of Methodism was proud to host each of these choirs and looks forward to their returning to bless the church in the ensuing years to come.
Submitted by Reverend Lanxton L. Washington, M.Div, Pastor
12. CHAPLAIN DEBORAH BLANKS APPOINTED DEAN OF THE NEW JERSEY ANNUAL CONFERENCE MINISTERIAL INSTITUTE:
Bishop Richard Franklin Norris appointed Chaplain Deborah Blanks as the Dean of the New Jersey Annual Conference Ministerial Institute at the closing service of the Conference.
Chaplain Blanks served as an active duty Navy Chaplain, an Assistant University Chaplain at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and currently serves as Associate Dean of Religious Life and Dean of the Chapel at Princeton University.
She has taught an AMEC Doctrine course in Ministerial Institute for the last two years, as well as, served on the Board of Examiners and the Committee on Ministerial Orders on the local district level.
Chaplain Blanks was ordained an Itinerant Elder (the youngest person to be ordained in the largest class "70 strong" ever ordained in African Methodism) in 1983. Chaplains Blanks feels that it is a tremendous privilege and honor to be able to serve the African Methodist Episcopal Church and is humbled that God is affording her this awesome opportunity to be a servant leader in the Kingdom.
Rev. Blanks earned a Master of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, the Master of Divinity from The Interdenominational Theological Center, Turner Theological Seminary, and a B. A. Degree in political science from Rutgers University, Douglass College.
She is the recipient of military honors and civilian awards for outstanding service. In the October 2005 edition of Ebony magazine, Rev. Blanks was spotlighted as one among the eight African American chaplains serving as religious leaders and pastors at Ivy League institutions.
She is an Itinerant Elder in the New Jersey Annual Conference. Her home Church is Saint James AME Church in Newark, New Jersey pastored by the Rev. Dr. William D. Watley.
13. PRAYER LUNCHEON KICKS OFF WOMEN’S MONTH:
On Saturday, April 4, the Women of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Detroit will host, “Pursuing His Presence” Prayer Luncheon as the first event in the Women’s Month Celebration.
The Reverend Sharon D. Moore, assistant pastor of Ebenezer (where her husband, the Reverend Byron C. Moore is Pastor, says that the Prayer Luncheon will be a breakthrough for all women in every aspect of life. “Many of us are hurting and lacking – in our relationships, our finances and our health. We are not seeing a change or breakthrough or reaping the benefits because we are not talking to the One who can give us the change that will make a difference in our lives. In Pursuing God’s Presence, not only will we have dynamic and anointed women praying for women, but we will teach you how to pray, and how to utilize prayer in order to see the breakthrough!”
Reverend Moore has identified seven areas that will be lifted in prayer:
•Prayers for Single Women – Led by Reverend Vivian Clarington of Allen Temple A.M.E. Church
•Prayers for Divorced Women led by Pastor Mattie Thomas of New Grace Community Church
•Prayers for Married Women led by Minister Rhonda Smith of Evangel Ministries
•Prayers for Women leaders led by Reverend Anita McCants of Visitors Chapel AME Church
•Prayers for Women in their Golden Years led by Minister Florence Moore of Messiah Missionary Baptist Church
•Prayers for Women who have lost their jobs led by Reverend Twylla Lucas of Oak Grove A.M.E. Church
•Prayers for women facing illness led by Dr. Valerie Abbott, MD
The keynote speaker will be the Reverend Dr. Velva Burley, minister of Community Relations at 3rd New Hope Baptist Church.
“The Luncheon is all inclusive for all women – no matter what stage of life you are in and what challenges you are facing. We are breaking all barriers – racial, economic, marital status, educational, church affiliation – because prayer is the thread that unites us and prayer is the gift we all have at our disposal.
Our goal is to offer women the tools they need to pray and actually see a breakthrough with prayer. We want women to leave the luncheon empowered with the connection of prayer and the knowledge of using the tools of prayer everyday and in every way. This is why we all calling the Prayer Luncheon, and the entire Woman’s Month celebration “Pursuing His Presence.”
The Luncheon will take place on Saturday, April 4, 2009 from 3 – 5 P.m. at Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 5151 West Chicago Boulevard in Detroit. Tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. For ticket information and group sales, call Tina Stephens at (313) 345-4216. Email: tinastalking@comcast.net
14. THE REV. DR. H. MICHAEL LEMMONS PROMOTED TO THE PRESIDING ELDERSHIP:
By Velma R. Dortch
Ebenezer AMEC Detroit
When Bishop John Richard Bryant, presiding Prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, accepted Presiding Elder Delano L. Bowman’s retirement, he was left with a vacancy to fill.
His selection of the Rev. Dr. H. Michael Lemmons to fill that vacancy was met with mixed emotions. The members of Ebenezer were delighted to share their pastor’s elevation, but saddened because they would miss seeing him in the pulpit and throughout the corridors of Ebenezer, where he grew up.
In the eloquent, resonant voice that immediately identifies him, Elder Lemmons said “I am thankful to God for this opportunity to serve African Methodism in this capacity and thankful to Bishop John Richard Bryant for the appointment.”
Elder Lemmons then explained his new duties, saying, “A presiding elder is an assistant to the bishop’s staff, or cabinet. The presiding elder oversees or supervises the pastors, preachers and churches on his/her district. In my case,” he added, “I have 29 churches that I oversee. Many of the churches are in Detroit, but some are in Flint, Saginaw, Ann Arbor …,” and the list went on until he named each city.
He explained that the primary method of oversight was through the Quarterly Conference, adding that, “There are additional meetings and communications which take place from time to time which serve to give the presiding elder a perspective on how well or poorly a pastor and congregation my be doing.
The presiding elder ‘troubleshoots’ local congregational issues, concerns and problems on his/her district. That is to say, I try to ‘put out fires,’ or resolve issues at the congregational level. I am principally interested here in keeping things at my level and eliminating the necessity for the bishop to get involved or be burdened by North District concerns.”
“Receiving budgetary payments from the local churches on his/her district and conveying them to the bishop’s office in a timely manner,” Elder Lemmons explained was another very important function of the presiding elder. “This is part of the work that really demonstrates what it means to be a connectional church,” Elder Lemmons said. Continuing with his account of the duties of his new position, he said, “It’s the elder’s responsibility to try to receive and convey funds in a timely manner so that the work of the connectional church is not interrupted. When the elder and churches on the elder’s district meet their responsibility, the bishop is able to forward funds to the connectional treasurer in a timely manner and the work of the connectional church goes forward as is intended. When this does not happen, the treasurer has to make other arrangements, which sometimes involves the borrowing of funds, and we try to do all we can to eliminate the necessity of that happening,” he assured.
According to Elder Lemmons, it is also the responsibility of the presiding elder to, “make recommendations to the bishop at annual conference time as to pastoral appointments and they have to be prepared to justify their recommendations to the bishop. The presiding elder sometimes has to fill the pulpit for a pastor who is ill or otherwise unable to fulfill duties. And in the interim of annual conferences, while the bishop is, in fact, the pastor of pastors, the presiding elder also functions, to a degree, in that capacity. By this I mean, the elder hears the concerns and complaints of pastors and tries to offer suggestions and alternatives they may not have considered. The elder also visits pastors who are ill and tries to convey the love of Christ to them and prays for them just as a pastor does the same for their members.”
“Lastly,” said Elder Lemmons, as he concluded the duties and responsibilities of the presiding elder, “The presiding elder convenes District Conferences, Sunday School Conventions and Officer Training events to share information from the bishop’s and presiding elder’s offices, and to further enhance and equip those who have been called to ministry or who are officers of local churches.”
In spite of the enormity of his new responsibilities, or perhaps because of it, Elder Lemmons, who believes in rising to the occasion, is equal to the task, as evidenced in his vision for the future of the North District.
“My vision for the North District is that we would be a district that seeks to fulfill the expectations of the bishop for our district. That we would be a district that shares information from church to church on programs that are working in one place that may also work in another place. We plan a North District Newsletter in this regard. We also want to be a district that is supportive of the smaller churches on the district and find ways to assist them in meeting their financial obligations.”
Elder Lemmons’ visions for the North District are practical, meaningful and well thought out, but he doesn’t stop there. Elder Lemmons includes himself in the equation saying, “I hope to be an elder who is sensitive to the demands of the pastorate and is supportive of the pastors on my district. I’m also interested in making sure the members of the district appreciate the contribution they make to the connectional church and to the body of Christ. It goes without saying,” he continued, “I thank God for this opportunity and I plan to do all I can to validate Bishop John Richard Bryant’s confidence in my ability to do this job. I am excited and humbled by this opportunity to serve the Church of Richard Allen and the people of God.”
Until my conversation with Elder Lemmons, I had no idea of the responsibilities and duties performed by the presiding elder, but I have no doubt that the Notable North District will continue to prosper and grow in the capable hands of the man I have known as pastor and friend.
15. DR. JOHN FRANK GREEN, PRESIDENT OF TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY TO BE HOLY WEEK PREACHER:
The AME Churches of Pine Bluff and surrounding areas are presenting the 2009 Holy Week Revival Wednesday, April 8 through Friday, April 10. The services will be held at St. John AME Church, 1117 W. Pullen St. in Pine Bluff, Arkansas at 7 p.m. each night.
The evangelist will be the Reverend Dr. John Frank Green, President of Turner Theological Seminary in Atlanta. Dr. Green is the brother of Bishop Samuel L. Green, Presiding Prelate of the Twelfth Episcopal District.
The host churches and pastors are St. John, the Rev. W.R. Norful, Sr.; Allen Temple, the Rev. Randolph. Martin, Sr.; Mt. Pleasant, the Rev. Kent Broughton; Ward Chapel; the Rev. Curley Roberts; St. Luke, the Rev. Kurbe Newsom; St. Paul, the Rev. Norma Gillom; St. Andrew, the Rev. Charles Frost; Tyree Temple, the Rev. Barbara Butler; and Bethel-Ladd, the Rev. Denise McDonald.
16. MACON DISTRICT ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE:
The Macon District, Macon Georgia Conference, Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church held a Holy "Ash Wednesday Service," February 25, 2009.
The Reverend Alan Hale Wicker, Presiding Elder of the District initiated this Holy Worship Service held at St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Macon, Georgia. The Reverend Joseph Rodgers serves as Host Pastor.
Clergy and Laity representing twenty-two churches in the District were in attendance.
The Macon District Choir under the direction of Sister Latrellis O. Dent opened the worship experiences by invoking the spirit with Praise and Thanksgiving. Songs of Zion were interspersed throughout the Service.
The Reverend Ernest L. Gordon, pastor of Turner Tabernacle AME Church in Macon, Georgia served as worship leader. He gave the opening sentences and led the congregation in reading the Litany followed with the Hymn, “Lord Who Throughout These Forty Days.” A powerful pastoral prayer was delivered by the Reverend Joseph Rodgers, followed by the Scripture Reading and the Summary of the Decalogue.
Sister Annie Marshall, a member of St. Peter AME Church, Fort Valley, Georgia and Macon District Christian Education Director gave the occasion.
The Choir lifted their melodious voices in singing the hymn of preparation, "Master, the Tempest is Raging."
Reverend Wicker delivered the Preached Word from the Book of Joel, Chapter 2, verses 12-14 and used as his subject, "Repent and Return to God." Joel warned the people to turn away from evil and turn to God; God is merciful; God will give you a chance to turn away from your sinful ways; repent and change your behavior.
The congregants were invited to the Altar and kneeled for the "Imposition of Ashes."
Fellowship greetings closed out this Sacred Holy Service.
17. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES:
- Congratulations to YPD'er Marissa C. Brown, the daughter of the Reverend Edrena Houston Brown and Mr. Franklyn Brown as the 1st Place Runner-Up for the "Miss Jabberwock 2009" Debutante Cotillion, sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Pompano Beach Alumnae Chapter, held on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at the Hilton Hotel, Deerfield Beach, Florida. Marissa is an active member of Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida of the Eleventh Episcopal District, South Conference, the Rev. Michael K. Bouie, pastor. She is a graduating senior and plans to attend Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida and major in Bio-Medical Research in the fall of 2009.
Congratulations may be email to: tocm2008@yahoo.com
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This notice comes to inform you of the passing of Willie Lee Tait, the brother of First Lady Armintry Parks and the brother-in-law of the Rev. Kevin Parks, Pastor of Jones Chapel AME Church, Elyria, OH.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. (Armintry) Kevin Parks
Jones Chapel A.M.E. Church
343 West 17th Street
Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: 440-322-7252
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Sister Clara Mae Watson-Gillespie, mother of the Rev. Gregory Watson, pastor of New Jerusalem AMEC-Dallas, Texas (Greater Dallas District-North Texas Conference). Sister Clara Mae Watson-Gillespie passed on Sunday, March 22, 2009.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Gregory Watson
3735 Dunbar Street
Dallas, Texas 75215
Ph: (214) 421-2520
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the passing of Retired Presiding Elder, the Rev. J.C. Miller of the West Tennessee Annual Conference, Thirteenth Episcopal District.
The Funeral has been held.
Expressions of Comfort can be sent to:
The Rev. Cynthia Miller, D.Min.
3796 Merritt St.
Memphis, TN 38128
Or email to: FriendshipUMC@bellsouth.net
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Coy Leak, the father of Presiding Elder Vernard Leak (Philadelphia Conference, Philadelphia District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Vernard Leak
P. O. Box 2164
Princeton, NJ 08543
Phone: 609-275-4969
Fax: 609-716-8401
Or
Nelson Funeral Home
Fax: 910-895-7414
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Mary Jones, the mother of the Rev. Anthony N. Jones, Pastor of Tyree AME Church, Philadelphia. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Anthony N. Jones
212 Troon Court
Limerick, PA 19468
Phone: 610-495-1789
Or
Tyree AME Church
FAX: 215-222-0211
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the homegoing of Mrs. Ceola Parks of Moline Illinois on Saturday, March 28, 2009. She is the mother of Presiding Elder Tyson Parks of the North District-Illinois Conference. Please pray for their strength in the Lord during this very trying time in their lives.
The following arrangements have been made:
Visitation:
Thursday, April 2, 2009
5:00 pm till 8:00 pm
Funeral Service:
Friday, April 3, 2009
12:00 Noon
Esterdahl Mortuary, Ltd.
6601 38th Avenue
Moline, IL 61265
(309) 736-7100 Phone
(309) 736-7220 Fax
Condolences may be sent to:
Presiding Elder Tyson Parks
1609 Glenview Avenue
Danville, Illinois 61832
(217) 369-3920 (Cell Phone)
Email: eldert.parks@comcast.net
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the death of Mrs. Anna M. Corbin, the beloved mother of the Rev. Clyde J. Corbin, pastor of St. Paul AME Church (North Charleston, SC), mother-in-law of Mrs. Gloria J. Corbin; and grandmother of: Ms. Tylaunda A. Corbin (President, Young Adult Initiative - 7th District, AMEC), the Rev. Clyde J. Corbin, II, and Ms. Deronda S. Corbin. Mrs. Corbin died Saturday, March 28, 2009.
As a member of Mt. Zion AMEC - Charleston, Mrs. Corbin served as the President of the Stewardess Board and President of the Dowling-Corbin-Brown Women's Missionary Society for many years until becoming an advisor for both organizations.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of Sympathy and Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Clyde J. Corbin
155 Peachtree Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 813-6668
Email: revcorbin@aol.com
Or
Ms. Tylaunda A. Corbin
155 Peachtree Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 814-7938
Email: tya_c@yahoo.com
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
26. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; 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.
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – THE RIGHT THING IS ALWAYS THE BEST THING:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
There are some things that we do in life that are just the right thing to do. We do it because it’s right. We have been taught, from childhood to tell the truth. Telling the truth is the right thing to do. We are taught to share because sharing is the right thing to do. We are taught to be honest, because honesty is the best policy.
Oftentimes, the right thing to do is not always the most comfortable thing to do, but we do it because it is the right thing to do. Students should study and that’s the right thing for students to do, but, as we have all experienced, studying is often uncomfortable.
The profession of ministry has expectations and requirements, some of which are comfortable; others that are less comfortable; and yet others that are outright uncomfortable.
Comfort levels are not the same for all individuals. Comfort levels are not “one-size fits all.” What’s comfortable for one person might be uncomfortable for another person. Hospital visitations and jailhouse visits were uncomfortable for me; I didn’t like making hospital visits and visits to prisons. I did those aspects of ministry because it was the right thing to do; those pastoral visitations were a part of my professional duties. On the other hand, I loved taking Communion to the sick and shut-ins in their homes. That was not work for me. I never had to be reminded to visit the sick because I knew it was the right thing to do and I enjoyed doing it.
There are some in ministry who love the hospital and prison ministries. Some clergy have loved hospital and prison ministry so much that they have chosen to go into those ministries fulltime.
Sermon preparation was not always easy; as a matter of fact, it was always time-consuming and sermon preparation was a weekly struggle. Sermon preparation is still a struggle. Liturgical holy day sermons; Advent, Christmas, Palm Sunday and Easter, were especially hard to prepare for; those were great times to invite a guest preacher.
Sermon preparation is like football practice, an undesirable necessity, but on game day, especially when our team won, the hard practices paid off; the end result justified the means.
The challenge in sermon delivery includes; which Bible version to use, researching commentaries, looking up words and meaning of phrases, reading newspapers, and news magazines, listening to the news, in an attempt to make the sermon relevant for the young and old.
As an AME preacher, relevancy also includes complimenting the sermon with the AME and Methodist perspective, which requires knowledge of the AME Church, which is most easily is obtained from reading the AME periodicals. Currents events can be gleaned from The Christian Recorder; scholarly and historic events from The A.M.E. Church Review; Christian education from The Journal of Religious Education; overseas ministry from The Women’s Missionary Magazine and The Voice of Missions; daily devotions and inspiration from The Secret Chamber; and the youth perspective from The YPD Newsletter. The AME Church has the resources for ministerial and lay ministry. The right thing to do is to utilize the available resources.
Well-rounded sermon preparation is a struggle. It’s a struggle to find new and updated ways to deliver relevant messages from a book that was written over 1500 years ago. Honest sermon preparation is always the right thing to do. Even when we get sermon ideas and sermon “seeds” from other preachers, we need to make the sermon our own. Developing a sermon is the right thing to do. Plagiarizing a sermon from the Internet and from sermon books is the wrong thing to do and it’s the dishonest thing to do.
The worship service, Sunday after Sunday, can be a chore, and the pastor in charge can easily abdicate that responsibility to others; including ministerial associates, choir directors; and to pianists and organists. Sunday after Sunday, year after year can make the sacred routine. Worship should not be abdicated to others. The pastor in charge is the worship leader; that’s the right way and that’s the right thing to do. I suspect that some pastors haven’t met with the musicians, ushers, acolytes, stewards, stewardesses, deaconesses, and ministerial staff in years. The result of the absence of such meetings is raggedy, disjointed worship services. There is nothing wrong with practicing how the worship service is going to be executed. Pastoral care for the worship service is the right thing to do.
Every pastor welcomes assistance, and if a pastor hasn’t mastered the skills of “encouraging himself or herself,” the ministry can get old. Sermon preparation and delivery and leading worship can get old. In spite of the routine of what pastors do in ministry, pastors must be mindful of always doing the right thing as it relates to denominational integrity.
License ministers should not be allowed to function or participate in tasks that are the responsibilities of the ordained clergy. Unordained clergy should only touch the elements of Communion that they are ingesting; they should not be serving anyone or reading any parts of the Communion liturgy. That’s the right rule for pastors to follow, if they are faithful to The Discipline and denominational integrity, which is the right thing to do.
If pastors do not follow The Discipline and denominational integrity, how can we expect the laity to follow the rules of The Discipline and denominational integrity?
Unordained ministers are not called, “Reverend” nor are they addressed by the title, “Minister.” That title does not exist in the African Methodist Episcopal Church lexicon. Unordained clergy can be addressed by the title, “Sister, Brother, or Licentiate.” If they have a doctoral degree, they can be called by their professional title, but not, “Reverend.” The term “Reverend” is a sacred title; it’s a holy title that comes from the laying on of hands by the bishop and seven itinerant elders. Honoring the title, “Reverend” is the right way to do it. When unordained ministers visit our local churches, they should be addressed in accordance with our rules; Brother, Sister, or Licentiate.”
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has been in existence longer than anyone living today and the Church Fathers and Mothers have given us a firm theological, religious, historical, and denominational foundation upon which we can stand. The AME Church will grow and prosper we “Do the right thing.”
Editor’s Note: This is Part 1; Next week, Part 2
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
Re: Editorial - Are We a Connectional Church or are we a group of independent churches?
Excellent editorial regarding a Connectional Church vs. independent churches! I agree with you that we need to have "someone in charge." Our various churches can speak out on the many issues facing our communities and our nation, but we need someone to speak for all of us - to speak on behalf of the entire Connection. Besides, individually, we are not "speaking the same message"; nor are we following the same Discipline.
I suspect that some of our churches wouldn't even know what The Discipline looks like - let alone what it mandates.
Then, on the other hand, we have those "independent" pastors/preachers who think the Connection is antiquated so they choose to "do their own thing” within the AME Church; or they leave the Zion and start their own storefronts. I know I'm preaching to the choir here but this issue needs to be addressed… Who is our leader?
Sister Ora Washington
Okinawa, Japan
- To the Editor:
RE: Are We a Connectional Church or are we a group of independent churches?
I appreciate the candor and honesty that you continually bring to the editorial page of “The Christian Recorder”. Luke 12:2 tells us that what is “done in the dark will be heard in the light” and it is time that the AME Church have a frank discussion about where we are and where we are going as a denomination. Your editorial regarding leadership in the AME Church is an important piece in that discussion and I would to add a few more thoughts on the idea of an AME headquarters and a centralized leadership structure.
The lack of an AME headquarters has provoked a fair amount of concern and a provision for the General Board to erect a Connectional Headquarters has existed in the Discipline since the 1980s. The presence of major Connectional offices in Nashville, Washington DC and other locations has been viewed by some as a symbol of our disunity. When I delved deeper into Methodist history, however, I learned an interesting lesson. Although the United Methodist Church operates many major offices across the United States, the denomination does not have a formal headquarters. The lack of a designated headquarters is considered a symbol of the Connectional nature of the church and the fact that all parts and locations were equal. In 2006, however, the UMC Council of Bishops thought it expedient to designate the Washington, DC office as the seat of the Council of Bishops and designate a Bishop to serve as administrator of said office.
A similar action was recommended by the “Strategic Planning Committee” and submitted as legislation to both the 2004 and 2008 General Conferences. Both times the legislation never made it past the second hearing. While I do not know if the original purpose of a Connectional headquarters to “hold all functions, meetings and General Conferences” is practical, the AME Church might want to take its own advice and assign a Bishop to the position of Chief Administrative Officer.
I now wish to turn to your comments on the unseemly lack of uniformity in AME practices across the Connection. I agree with you wholeheartedly that we need to begin to act like a Denomination. Our presence on the Internet illustrates this point. I spent some time a few weeks ago browsing through Episcopal District and General Officer websites. Aside from the Cross and Anvil logo, I would not have known that they all were constituent parts of the same denomination. If we don’t look unified, we certainly can’t act unified. (The Strategic Planning Committee also made a recommendation regarding technological practices, but this was not acted upon).
Your editorial brings up the issue of who is authorized to speak for the Church. The Discipline is clear that the Council of Bishops is the executive branch of the AME Church and has the authority to administer the affairs of the AME Church in the interim of the General Conference in conjunction with the General Board (132-4). The Discipline also clearly states that the post of Senior Bishop is solely a ceremonial designation (135). As part of our Methodist heritage, the power of the Executive is not formally vested in a single person, but in the collective Council of Bishops. If we don’t have a voice it’s because the Council of Bishops has not designated one. It is true that the Council of Bishops issues statements after its meetings, but a larger voice from the denomination on issues of concern is lacking. (And even if we did have a voice, the Connectional AME Church does not have the Public Relations personnel to diffuse it).
So, who is “in charge?” The Council of Bishops.
As you pointed out, disunity begins from the top and flows to the bottom. On page 3 of The Discipline, we are told: "The bishop is to be the symbol of unity in the Church...The bishop is to be pastor of pastors and of all the people of God." The Bishops are the leaders of our Church and we the people of African Methodism must hold them collectively accountable. The Council of Bishops cannot afford to leave us without vision and guidance in this era.
As we continue to eat and hold our meetings, Morris Brown College struggles to survive. Our younger (and older) members increasingly question the relevancy of internal Church politics. Our Churches in Africa, the Caribbean, South America, Asia and Europe question--with good reason--our commitment to their physical and spiritual growth and development. If members and clergy of the Church are truly tired of disunity in the Connection, we must demand that our elected and consecrated leaders comply with the vows they took before God and the General Conference.
John Thomas III
13th Episcopal District
Ph.D. Student
Department of Political Science
University of Chicago
3. THE REST OF THE STORY - AME SCOUTS VISITING THE INAUGURAL FESTIVITIES; HOUSED BY ST. JUDE AME CHURCH:
The Connectional Church works.
While the AME Scouts were in Washington, DC to participate in the inaugural festivities, there were no hotel rooms available to them. Because of our connection as AMEs, the scouts stayed at the St. Jude A.M.E. Church, which is located about 20 miles from Washington, DC. St. Jude AME is in the 2nd Episcopal District, Washington Conference, Capitol District.
I think it is important for A.M.E. readers to understand that we are a "connectional church". When the officers, members and the Rev. Dr. Byron J. Grayson, Sr. pastor of St. Jude A.M.E. Church in Germantown, Maryland heard that the scouts had no place to stay, St, Jude, without hesitation, opened the doors of their Church to them.
The members of St. Jude made sure that the scouts and the chaperones knew that they were “at home” as they opened their sleeping bags and made our home, their home.
Pastor Grayson remarked, “When the scouts left our church, the church was in better shape than it was before they came. The Boy Scouts left the church sparkling clean.” He went on to say that the people of St. Jude A.M.E. were blessed to be a part of Greater Bethel AME Scouts' journey during this historic occasion. Some of the people of St. Jude hope to travel to Phoenix, Arizona sometime in the future.
4. THE LATE DR. ISAAC CLARK HONORED AT TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY:
After a gracious welcome by ITC President, Dr. Michael A. Battle, the President-Dean of ITC’s Turner Theological Seminary, Dr. John F. Green, delighted attendees to the portrait-hanging ceremony in honor of Dr. Isaac R. Clark with stories of Dr. Clark and what he had learned while he was a student under Dr. Clark’s tutelage. Dr. Betty W. Clark, widow of the revered former Homiletics professor, still speaks with distinct love and adoration when she refers to her late husband. Her memories of him and his commitment to ITC shared with the audience were just as clear and unimpeded as they were more than 20 years ago when Dr. Clark walked the ITC halls.
Dedicated to a self-described “teacher of preachers,” the portrait-hanging and dedication was a fitting homage— to place the image of Dr. Isaac Rufus Clark in a space of honor in the Interdenominational Theological Center’s (ITC) Preaching Laboratory. The laboratory, which also bears Dr. Clark’s name, is a place where homiletics students are able to hone their calling to preach. The preaching lab also serves as a haven, if you will, to help students determine how hermeneutics and thorough exegeses are critical in aiding their congregations with learning and understanding scripture as it is broken down to its core based on his or her human understanding. Dr. Green recounted, “Dr. Clark was the sounding board when a question was raised about how to make the congregants understand without the entire presentation being so lofty that no one but the speaker and one or two seminary graduates would understand what is being said.”
With a reputation for being tough, but fair, Dr. Clark was a dedicated and positive role model for students and faculty alike. He was a caring and loving individual who wanted students to be committed to excellence in the pulpit. His 28 years of faithful service to ITC has come full circle. The hanging of his portrait marks the posthumous return of Dr. Clark to the ITC campus and every memory of this teaching-preaching giant is always welcome.
5. AME PASTOR, THE REV. DR. GREGORY G. GROOVER, ELECTED BOSTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE CHAIR:
At its recent Annual Organizational Meeting, Reverend Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr. was elected Chair of the Boston School Committee. He has served as a member of the committee since January 2007.
Reverend Groover serves as the Pastor of the Historic Charles Street A.M.E. Church in the Roxbury section of Boston.
Reverend Groover is a 1983 Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude graduate of Morehouse College. In 1987, he received his Master of Divinity and Master of Social Work from Union Theological Seminary and Columbia University School of Social Work, respectively. Reverend Groover completed his doctoral work (D. Min) at the New York Theological Seminary. The focus of his dissertation was on the strategic development of church-based educational initiatives for public school children in urban settings.
From 1987-94, Reverend Groover served as Pastor of Bright Temple A.M.E. Church in the South Bronx, appointed by Bishop Frank C. Cummings. His pastoral work was prominently noted in Jonathan Kozol’s book, Amazing Grace. At Bright Temple, Reverend Groover initiated a number of ministries for inner-city children such as Building Great Minds, which was later adopted as a citywide program administered by the Council of Churches of New York.
Reverend Groover was appointed Pastor of the Historic Charles Street A.M.E. Church in the Roxbury section of Boston, MA in 1994 by Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Sr. The Charles Street Church is a 191 year-old institution that has served as a center for religious and civic activities for Boston’s African Americans. As Boston’s Underground Railroad station, Charles Street hosted many of the city’s abolition meetings and frequently welcomed to its pulpit Frederick Douglass, William Lloyd Garrison, Sojourner Truth, David Walker (a Charles Street member) and other freedom speakers.
Under Reverend Groover’s pastoral leadership, 27 individuals have entered ministry. Presently, he is leading the congregation in the $5.2 million development of the Charles Street A.M.E. Roxbury Renaissance Center. The center, projected to be completed this year, will offer a myriad of educational and arts programs for children and families.
As chairman of the Education Committee of the Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston (BMA), Reverend Groover was very instrumental in bringing together public school officials, community leaders, parents and the clergy in the planning and the development of the BMA Victory Generation After-School Program, a $2 million initiative. He serves on the Board of Directors of several nonprofit organizations in the Boston area.
The Reverend Groover assumes several Annual Conference and Episcopal District leadership responsibilities under the leadership of his bishop, the Rt. Rev. Richard F. Norris. He was appointed by Bishop Norris as the New England Conference Treasurer, Chairman of the New England Conference Board of Examiners, Chairman, Chairs of Board of Examiners and Deans of the Ministerial Institutes of the First Episcopal District, and member of the First District Economic Expansion Group Board of Directors. He has served as a delegate to the General Conference since 1996 and at the 48th Session (2008), he served as First Vice Chair of the Revision Committee.
Reverend Groover is married to the Reverend Barbara A. Groover and they have two teenage children.
The Boston School Committee is a seven-member board that governs and sets policy for the Boston Public Schools. Its members are appointed by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who selects from a list of finalists recommended by a 13-member citizens nominating panel.
Boston Public Schools, the nation’s “birthplace of public education,” serves more than 56,000 pre-kindergarten through grade 12 students in 143 schools, and recently won the Broad Prize for Urban Education as the top city district in the country.
Contact: Liz Sullivan, Executive Secretary
6. NEW CHURCH DEDICATION AND 90TH ANNIVERSARY:
The dedication service for the New St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Cleveland, Ohio, a $2.5 million dollar project, will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. The Right Reverend C. Garnett Henning Sr., Presiding Bishop of the Third Episcopal District of the African Methodist Church will be the Keynote Speaker. The Reverend Georgina Thornton is the pastor of St. Paul.
St. Paul AME Church will hold its 90th Anniversary Celebration Sunday, May 31 at 4 p.m. The Reverend Dr. Taylor T. Thompson, pastor of St. John AME Church, Cleveland, Ohio will be the keynote Speaker.
The Legacy Continues…
St. Paul AME Church was organized in May 1919 in the living room of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Williams of 11950 Peelor Avenue under the leadership of the Reverend T.J. Evans.
Mr. Herndon Anderson was the first trustee; Mrs. David Anderson was one of the first choir members; Mrs. Ozema Williams served as the first Sunday School Superintendent and Mrs. Ida Morgan James was the first church organist. Church services began in members’ homes and store fronts until 1921. Mr. Herndon Anderson found the property on which the first building was placed. St Paul’s first building was a barn owned by St. John AME Church. The barn was transported to the west side of Cleveland, Ohio by horse and wagon to its new location on the corner of Bellaire and Hirst Avenue.
Since the origination of St. Paul AME Church – Cleveland, each pastor appointed brought their individual unique talents. They were spirit filled, passionate, driven, ambitious, motivated, electrifying, dynamic, magnetic, brilliant, and exceptionally resourceful leaders, for St. Paul A.M.E. - Cleveland has continued to elevate to higher and higher heights with each appointed servant of God.
The following is a listing of the powerful pastors St. Paul AME Church, Cleveland has been blessed to host from 1919 to 1996.
The Reverend T. J. Evans, the Reverend Pruitt, the Reverend A. J. Simpson, the Reverend Charles Young, the Reverend S. H. McBee, the Reverend F. Ellison, the Reverend J.C. Gresham, the Reverend D. E. Johnson, the Reverend G. I. Caddell, the Reverend Freeman, the Reverend C. H. McPherson, the Reverend A. J. Thomas, the Reverend W. L. Halley, the Reverend Paul Ross, the Reverend H.E. Bragg, the Reverend J. P. Henning, the Reverend A.G. Johnson, the Reverend Charles Lucas, the Reverend Charles Scott, the Reverend Frederick Wright, and the Reverend Rodney Thomas.
In November 1996 St. Paul welcomed as it’s twenty third pastor Reverend Georgina Thornton also known as Reverend Gena.
She received her Theological diploma from the American Baptist Theological Seminary and entered ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in December 1984, and was ordained an itinerant Elder in October 1987.
Reverend Thornton’s first pastorate was Mount Moriah AME Church in Maple Heights, Ohio, where she pastored for ten years. During her tenure, membership increased, the facility was enlarged and an elevator was installed for handicap accessibility.
The vision of St. Paul is to be a church where you will experience God, belong to a spiritual and loving family, and involve meaningful ministries for all ages.
Our Legacy is of the community, by the community and for the community.
This article was written by Mrs. Diane Sullivan, St. Paul AME Church Steward
7. GEORGIA CELEBRATES THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DEACONESS ROSA PARKS:
*Pastor George A. Moore, Jr
On Saturday, January 24, 2009 the Evangelical Ministerial Union (AME) and the Georgia Annual Conference Missionary Society convened at the “Mother Church of Georgia”, Saint Philip Monumental African Methodist Episcopal Church to celebrate the life and legacy of Rosa Parks a Shero of history and a Deaconess in the African Methodist Episcopal Church under the Leadership of President, Reverend Charlie Fogle, Sr. and under the banner of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and in the footprints of Henry McNeal Turner, who ignited a fire of African Methodism in the state of Georgia by birthing Saint Philip African Methodist Episcopal Church (now Saint Philip Monumental African Methodist Episcopal Church – The Mother Church of African Methodism in Georgia).
It was two years ago that Pastor George A. Moore, Jr., Senior Pastor of the Mother Church brought the idea of lifting up and embracing during the King celebration in Savannah, the spark that ignited the fire of justice through Rosa Parks, who on December 5, 1955 sat so that today we may stand.
As a result of this idea each year the Evangelical Ministerial Union honors outstanding A.M.E.’s who have gone beyond the call of duty to hold up the bloodstained banner of Jesus Christ. On this day the Reverend Charles Wesley Purnell, Senior Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Savannah, brought a soul-stirring, thought stimulating message. Awards were given to President Charlie Fogle, Sr. and Sister Yvonne Clay, President Georgia Conference Missionary Society. Breakfast was served and the people left rejoicing.
*Pastor George A. Moore, Jr. is the senior pastor of Saint Philip Monumental A.M.E. Church in Savannah, Georgia. St. Philip is, “The Mother Church of African Methodism in Georgia.”
8. WASHINGTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE LAY ORGANIZATION HISTORIOGRAPHER - “DID YOU KNOW” FACT SHEET:
* Sister Lola Scott
- Reverdy C. Ransom (1861-1959), was notable for his participation in the Niagara Movement that led to the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP - organized in 1909) and for numerous other human rights involvements. In 1906 he attended the second annual meeting of the Niagara Movement, which had been formed a year earlier. Ransom gave his famous speech "The Spirit of John Brown" at the conference in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. This speech, W.E.B. Du Bois would later claim was the driving force behind the formation of the NAACP Rev Ransom was elected 48th AME Bishop in 1924.
- Oliver Brown, chief plaintiff of the Brown vs. Board of Education lawsuit, which resulted in the 1954 Supreme Court landmark decision on school desegregation, was an AME.
- Daisy Bates, leader of the 1956 effort to desegregate schools in Little Rock, Arkansas was an A.M.E.
- Roy Wilkins, long time Executive Director of the NAACP was an AME.
- In 1955 Rosa Parks, who was a member /secretary of the Montgomery Alabama NAACP chapter, when she refused to give up her seat on the bus was also stewardess at St Paul AME Church is Montgomery, Alabama.
- Bishop Robert Thomas, pastor of Bethel AME, was president of the NAACP chapter in Chicago.
- Bishop George Baber (former bishop of the 2nd Episcopal District) was president of the NAACP chapter in Detroit, Michigan.
- The Rev James A Charleston founded the NAACP chapter in Oakland County while pastor of Newman AME in Pontiac, Michigan.
- Professor James Cone, of Union Theological Seminary, is one of the most influential advocates of Black Theology, and the author of numerous works including “Martin and Malcolm and America: A Dream or a Nightmare.” Professor Cone grew up in an A.M.E. Church in Bearden, Arkansas, and remains a member today.
- Bishop John D. Bright and three other AME ministers were signatories to widely noticed statement by the National Committee of Negro Churchmen (later known as the National Council of Black Churchman), that spoke forcefully on behalf of the “Black Power’ movement.
- Brown Chapel AME Church was an important base during the voting-rights campaign in Selma, Alabama in 1965.
* Sister Lola Scott is the Washington Annual Conference Lay Organization Historiographer
9. THE SMITH LIBRARY OF REGIONAL HISTORY TO HOST PROGRAM, "FREE AND FREED SHAKERS":
The Smith Library of Regional History will host a program, "Free and Freed Shakers," in Oxford at 1:30 PM on Saturday, April 18, sponsored by the Arthur F. Miller African-American History Fund.
The remaining Shakers live in Maine today, but earlier members of this religious group are remembered for their craftsmanship in the making of furniture, boxes, and brooms. Not many people are aware of their legacy of equality between men and women, or, according to Shaker records in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, of the communal life among whites and African Americans-- a situation that was remarkable in U.S. history.
Vickie Cimprich, author of Pretty Mother's Home--A Shakeress Daybook, will read dramatic monologues identifying or characterizing African-American Shakers of the Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. She will be joined by the Rev. Cheryl Blake Hoskins, Assistant Pastor of St. James A.M.E. Church in Covington, Kentucky. Also participating will be members of the Western Shaker Singers who will share songs that were sung by African-American Shakers.
The public program will be held in the meeting room of the Oxford Lane Library at 15 S. College Avenue with a book sale and signing to follow. For additional information, call the Smith History Library at 523-3035.
Valerie E. Elliott
Smith Library of Regional History
15 S. College Ave.
Oxford, OH 45056
10. EMERGING AME CHURCH LEADERS – THE REV. LESEAN TARKINGTON:
*The Rev. Matthew Shannon
Ebony Magazine recognizes the Rev. LeSean Tarkington as one of the Young Leaders 2009: Serving God and Community
ATLANTA, GA- The April 2009 issue of the EBONY Magazine recognizes the Rev. LeSean Tarkington as one of Ebony’s Young Leader 2009: Serving God and Community. .
The Rev. LeSean Tarkington is an Ordained Deacon in the 5th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He is the founder of the Atlanta- based Tarkington Group, a strategic planning and consulting firm that advises faith-based organizations.
Rev. Tarkington is a member of the 100 Black Men of America and the Student Trustee for the Interdenominational Theological Center Trustee Board. He treasures advice gained from elders in the ministry. “You cannot operate a church without the four M’s- Ministry, Morale, Mission, and Money.”
Ebony Magazine also named the Rev. Michael Waters, pastor of Joy Tabernacle AME Church in Dallas, Texas and the Rev. Eboni K. Marshall of New York, as young leaders who are excelling in their careers and giving back to their communities.
Rev. Tarkington and the Ebony Young Leaders 2009 represent thousands of talented and selfless young adults who serve others.
Ebony Magazine, the No. 1 magazine for African-Americans, is published monthly and reaches over 12 million readers with each issue. Published by Johnson Publishing Company, Inc., the largest Black-owned publishing company in the world, Ebony was founded in 1942 by the late Publisher and Chairman John H. Johnson. Linda Johnson Rice is President and CEO, and Eunice W. Johnson serves as the company's secretary and treasurer.
For more information, please go to www.thetarkingtongroup.com.
*The Rev. Matthew Shannon is a student at Turner theological Seminary at ITC
11. THERE IS MUSIC IN THE AIR AND IT CAN BE FELT IN THE ATMOSPHERE:
Historic Campbell African Methodist Episcopal Church in Media, Pennsylvania has served our Zion since 1827, the oldest Church in continuous existence in Delaware County, Pennsylvania, hosted four unique concerts over the last four weeks.
We first hosted the “DELCO MASS Choir”, consisting of members from various churches in the county. They ranged in age from the mid-thirties to eighty-four years of age. The musical genre was spirituals and anthems that lifted the spirits of those in attendance. “Saved by Grace,” a quartet that sings gospels to the melody of the oldies also sang. Their voices were like those of Curtis Mayfield, Shep of the Limelights, Smokey Robinson of the Miracles and the OJays. The congregation was "mov’in and groov’in to the beat.” Save By Grace leader and founder, the Reverend Allen gave thanks to God for their musical talents.
The talented forty member Benedict College Choir accompanied them on there spring concert and recruitment tour. The Benedict College Choir led by Dr. Linda Kershaw. They provided music in the form of spirituals, anthems, contemporary and modern gospel. Dr. Kershaw provided a historical overview of the spirituals sung to the waiting congregation and several young people inquired about possible attendance to Benedict College.
The musical programs concluded with an afternoon service on March 15, 2009, with Grace and Truth Delegation, a choir consisting of thirty members and known locally of Delaware County Pennsylvania. Its founder and former leader Harry Woodhouse always felt the Campbell African Methodist Episcopal Church was home to him and last year at one of his last performances encouraged the liturgical praise dancers of Campbell. Their voices resonated throughout the church and lifted the spirits of all in attendance.
Campbell in the singing tradition of Methodism was proud to host each of these choirs and looks forward to their returning to bless the church in the ensuing years to come.
Submitted by Reverend Lanxton L. Washington, M.Div, Pastor
12. CHAPLAIN DEBORAH BLANKS APPOINTED DEAN OF THE NEW JERSEY ANNUAL CONFERENCE MINISTERIAL INSTITUTE:
Bishop Richard Franklin Norris appointed Chaplain Deborah Blanks as the Dean of the New Jersey Annual Conference Ministerial Institute at the closing service of the Conference.
Chaplain Blanks served as an active duty Navy Chaplain, an Assistant University Chaplain at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, and currently serves as Associate Dean of Religious Life and Dean of the Chapel at Princeton University.
She has taught an AMEC Doctrine course in Ministerial Institute for the last two years, as well as, served on the Board of Examiners and the Committee on Ministerial Orders on the local district level.
Chaplain Blanks was ordained an Itinerant Elder (the youngest person to be ordained in the largest class "70 strong" ever ordained in African Methodism) in 1983. Chaplains Blanks feels that it is a tremendous privilege and honor to be able to serve the African Methodist Episcopal Church and is humbled that God is affording her this awesome opportunity to be a servant leader in the Kingdom.
Rev. Blanks earned a Master of Theology degree from Princeton Theological Seminary, the Master of Divinity from The Interdenominational Theological Center, Turner Theological Seminary, and a B. A. Degree in political science from Rutgers University, Douglass College.
She is the recipient of military honors and civilian awards for outstanding service. In the October 2005 edition of Ebony magazine, Rev. Blanks was spotlighted as one among the eight African American chaplains serving as religious leaders and pastors at Ivy League institutions.
She is an Itinerant Elder in the New Jersey Annual Conference. Her home Church is Saint James AME Church in Newark, New Jersey pastored by the Rev. Dr. William D. Watley.
13. PRAYER LUNCHEON KICKS OFF WOMEN’S MONTH:
On Saturday, April 4, the Women of Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Detroit will host, “Pursuing His Presence” Prayer Luncheon as the first event in the Women’s Month Celebration.
The Reverend Sharon D. Moore, assistant pastor of Ebenezer (where her husband, the Reverend Byron C. Moore is Pastor, says that the Prayer Luncheon will be a breakthrough for all women in every aspect of life. “Many of us are hurting and lacking – in our relationships, our finances and our health. We are not seeing a change or breakthrough or reaping the benefits because we are not talking to the One who can give us the change that will make a difference in our lives. In Pursuing God’s Presence, not only will we have dynamic and anointed women praying for women, but we will teach you how to pray, and how to utilize prayer in order to see the breakthrough!”
Reverend Moore has identified seven areas that will be lifted in prayer:
•Prayers for Single Women – Led by Reverend Vivian Clarington of Allen Temple A.M.E. Church
•Prayers for Divorced Women led by Pastor Mattie Thomas of New Grace Community Church
•Prayers for Married Women led by Minister Rhonda Smith of Evangel Ministries
•Prayers for Women leaders led by Reverend Anita McCants of Visitors Chapel AME Church
•Prayers for Women in their Golden Years led by Minister Florence Moore of Messiah Missionary Baptist Church
•Prayers for Women who have lost their jobs led by Reverend Twylla Lucas of Oak Grove A.M.E. Church
•Prayers for women facing illness led by Dr. Valerie Abbott, MD
The keynote speaker will be the Reverend Dr. Velva Burley, minister of Community Relations at 3rd New Hope Baptist Church.
“The Luncheon is all inclusive for all women – no matter what stage of life you are in and what challenges you are facing. We are breaking all barriers – racial, economic, marital status, educational, church affiliation – because prayer is the thread that unites us and prayer is the gift we all have at our disposal.
Our goal is to offer women the tools they need to pray and actually see a breakthrough with prayer. We want women to leave the luncheon empowered with the connection of prayer and the knowledge of using the tools of prayer everyday and in every way. This is why we all calling the Prayer Luncheon, and the entire Woman’s Month celebration “Pursuing His Presence.”
The Luncheon will take place on Saturday, April 4, 2009 from 3 – 5 P.m. at Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 5151 West Chicago Boulevard in Detroit. Tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased in advance or at the door. For ticket information and group sales, call Tina Stephens at (313) 345-4216. Email: tinastalking@comcast.net
14. THE REV. DR. H. MICHAEL LEMMONS PROMOTED TO THE PRESIDING ELDERSHIP:
By Velma R. Dortch
Ebenezer AMEC Detroit
When Bishop John Richard Bryant, presiding Prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, accepted Presiding Elder Delano L. Bowman’s retirement, he was left with a vacancy to fill.
His selection of the Rev. Dr. H. Michael Lemmons to fill that vacancy was met with mixed emotions. The members of Ebenezer were delighted to share their pastor’s elevation, but saddened because they would miss seeing him in the pulpit and throughout the corridors of Ebenezer, where he grew up.
In the eloquent, resonant voice that immediately identifies him, Elder Lemmons said “I am thankful to God for this opportunity to serve African Methodism in this capacity and thankful to Bishop John Richard Bryant for the appointment.”
Elder Lemmons then explained his new duties, saying, “A presiding elder is an assistant to the bishop’s staff, or cabinet. The presiding elder oversees or supervises the pastors, preachers and churches on his/her district. In my case,” he added, “I have 29 churches that I oversee. Many of the churches are in Detroit, but some are in Flint, Saginaw, Ann Arbor …,” and the list went on until he named each city.
He explained that the primary method of oversight was through the Quarterly Conference, adding that, “There are additional meetings and communications which take place from time to time which serve to give the presiding elder a perspective on how well or poorly a pastor and congregation my be doing.
The presiding elder ‘troubleshoots’ local congregational issues, concerns and problems on his/her district. That is to say, I try to ‘put out fires,’ or resolve issues at the congregational level. I am principally interested here in keeping things at my level and eliminating the necessity for the bishop to get involved or be burdened by North District concerns.”
“Receiving budgetary payments from the local churches on his/her district and conveying them to the bishop’s office in a timely manner,” Elder Lemmons explained was another very important function of the presiding elder. “This is part of the work that really demonstrates what it means to be a connectional church,” Elder Lemmons said. Continuing with his account of the duties of his new position, he said, “It’s the elder’s responsibility to try to receive and convey funds in a timely manner so that the work of the connectional church is not interrupted. When the elder and churches on the elder’s district meet their responsibility, the bishop is able to forward funds to the connectional treasurer in a timely manner and the work of the connectional church goes forward as is intended. When this does not happen, the treasurer has to make other arrangements, which sometimes involves the borrowing of funds, and we try to do all we can to eliminate the necessity of that happening,” he assured.
According to Elder Lemmons, it is also the responsibility of the presiding elder to, “make recommendations to the bishop at annual conference time as to pastoral appointments and they have to be prepared to justify their recommendations to the bishop. The presiding elder sometimes has to fill the pulpit for a pastor who is ill or otherwise unable to fulfill duties. And in the interim of annual conferences, while the bishop is, in fact, the pastor of pastors, the presiding elder also functions, to a degree, in that capacity. By this I mean, the elder hears the concerns and complaints of pastors and tries to offer suggestions and alternatives they may not have considered. The elder also visits pastors who are ill and tries to convey the love of Christ to them and prays for them just as a pastor does the same for their members.”
“Lastly,” said Elder Lemmons, as he concluded the duties and responsibilities of the presiding elder, “The presiding elder convenes District Conferences, Sunday School Conventions and Officer Training events to share information from the bishop’s and presiding elder’s offices, and to further enhance and equip those who have been called to ministry or who are officers of local churches.”
In spite of the enormity of his new responsibilities, or perhaps because of it, Elder Lemmons, who believes in rising to the occasion, is equal to the task, as evidenced in his vision for the future of the North District.
“My vision for the North District is that we would be a district that seeks to fulfill the expectations of the bishop for our district. That we would be a district that shares information from church to church on programs that are working in one place that may also work in another place. We plan a North District Newsletter in this regard. We also want to be a district that is supportive of the smaller churches on the district and find ways to assist them in meeting their financial obligations.”
Elder Lemmons’ visions for the North District are practical, meaningful and well thought out, but he doesn’t stop there. Elder Lemmons includes himself in the equation saying, “I hope to be an elder who is sensitive to the demands of the pastorate and is supportive of the pastors on my district. I’m also interested in making sure the members of the district appreciate the contribution they make to the connectional church and to the body of Christ. It goes without saying,” he continued, “I thank God for this opportunity and I plan to do all I can to validate Bishop John Richard Bryant’s confidence in my ability to do this job. I am excited and humbled by this opportunity to serve the Church of Richard Allen and the people of God.”
Until my conversation with Elder Lemmons, I had no idea of the responsibilities and duties performed by the presiding elder, but I have no doubt that the Notable North District will continue to prosper and grow in the capable hands of the man I have known as pastor and friend.
15. DR. JOHN FRANK GREEN, PRESIDENT OF TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY TO BE HOLY WEEK PREACHER:
The AME Churches of Pine Bluff and surrounding areas are presenting the 2009 Holy Week Revival Wednesday, April 8 through Friday, April 10. The services will be held at St. John AME Church, 1117 W. Pullen St. in Pine Bluff, Arkansas at 7 p.m. each night.
The evangelist will be the Reverend Dr. John Frank Green, President of Turner Theological Seminary in Atlanta. Dr. Green is the brother of Bishop Samuel L. Green, Presiding Prelate of the Twelfth Episcopal District.
The host churches and pastors are St. John, the Rev. W.R. Norful, Sr.; Allen Temple, the Rev. Randolph. Martin, Sr.; Mt. Pleasant, the Rev. Kent Broughton; Ward Chapel; the Rev. Curley Roberts; St. Luke, the Rev. Kurbe Newsom; St. Paul, the Rev. Norma Gillom; St. Andrew, the Rev. Charles Frost; Tyree Temple, the Rev. Barbara Butler; and Bethel-Ladd, the Rev. Denise McDonald.
16. MACON DISTRICT ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE:
The Macon District, Macon Georgia Conference, Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church held a Holy "Ash Wednesday Service," February 25, 2009.
The Reverend Alan Hale Wicker, Presiding Elder of the District initiated this Holy Worship Service held at St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church in Macon, Georgia. The Reverend Joseph Rodgers serves as Host Pastor.
Clergy and Laity representing twenty-two churches in the District were in attendance.
The Macon District Choir under the direction of Sister Latrellis O. Dent opened the worship experiences by invoking the spirit with Praise and Thanksgiving. Songs of Zion were interspersed throughout the Service.
The Reverend Ernest L. Gordon, pastor of Turner Tabernacle AME Church in Macon, Georgia served as worship leader. He gave the opening sentences and led the congregation in reading the Litany followed with the Hymn, “Lord Who Throughout These Forty Days.” A powerful pastoral prayer was delivered by the Reverend Joseph Rodgers, followed by the Scripture Reading and the Summary of the Decalogue.
Sister Annie Marshall, a member of St. Peter AME Church, Fort Valley, Georgia and Macon District Christian Education Director gave the occasion.
The Choir lifted their melodious voices in singing the hymn of preparation, "Master, the Tempest is Raging."
Reverend Wicker delivered the Preached Word from the Book of Joel, Chapter 2, verses 12-14 and used as his subject, "Repent and Return to God." Joel warned the people to turn away from evil and turn to God; God is merciful; God will give you a chance to turn away from your sinful ways; repent and change your behavior.
The congregants were invited to the Altar and kneeled for the "Imposition of Ashes."
Fellowship greetings closed out this Sacred Holy Service.
17. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES:
- Congratulations to YPD'er Marissa C. Brown, the daughter of the Reverend Edrena Houston Brown and Mr. Franklyn Brown as the 1st Place Runner-Up for the "Miss Jabberwock 2009" Debutante Cotillion, sponsored by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Pompano Beach Alumnae Chapter, held on Saturday, March 21, 2009, at the Hilton Hotel, Deerfield Beach, Florida. Marissa is an active member of Mount Hermon A.M.E. Church, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida of the Eleventh Episcopal District, South Conference, the Rev. Michael K. Bouie, pastor. She is a graduating senior and plans to attend Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, Florida and major in Bio-Medical Research in the fall of 2009.
Congratulations may be email to: tocm2008@yahoo.com
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This notice comes to inform you of the passing of Willie Lee Tait, the brother of First Lady Armintry Parks and the brother-in-law of the Rev. Kevin Parks, Pastor of Jones Chapel AME Church, Elyria, OH.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. (Armintry) Kevin Parks
Jones Chapel A.M.E. Church
343 West 17th Street
Elyria, OH 44035
Phone: 440-322-7252
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Sister Clara Mae Watson-Gillespie, mother of the Rev. Gregory Watson, pastor of New Jerusalem AMEC-Dallas, Texas (Greater Dallas District-North Texas Conference). Sister Clara Mae Watson-Gillespie passed on Sunday, March 22, 2009.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Gregory Watson
3735 Dunbar Street
Dallas, Texas 75215
Ph: (214) 421-2520
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the passing of Retired Presiding Elder, the Rev. J.C. Miller of the West Tennessee Annual Conference, Thirteenth Episcopal District.
The Funeral has been held.
Expressions of Comfort can be sent to:
The Rev. Cynthia Miller, D.Min.
3796 Merritt St.
Memphis, TN 38128
Or email to: FriendshipUMC@bellsouth.net
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Coy Leak, the father of Presiding Elder Vernard Leak (Philadelphia Conference, Philadelphia District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Vernard Leak
P. O. Box 2164
Princeton, NJ 08543
Phone: 609-275-4969
Fax: 609-716-8401
Or
Nelson Funeral Home
Fax: 910-895-7414
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Mary Jones, the mother of the Rev. Anthony N. Jones, Pastor of Tyree AME Church, Philadelphia. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Anthony N. Jones
212 Troon Court
Limerick, PA 19468
Phone: 610-495-1789
Or
Tyree AME Church
FAX: 215-222-0211
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the homegoing of Mrs. Ceola Parks of Moline Illinois on Saturday, March 28, 2009. She is the mother of Presiding Elder Tyson Parks of the North District-Illinois Conference. Please pray for their strength in the Lord during this very trying time in their lives.
The following arrangements have been made:
Visitation:
Thursday, April 2, 2009
5:00 pm till 8:00 pm
Funeral Service:
Friday, April 3, 2009
12:00 Noon
Esterdahl Mortuary, Ltd.
6601 38th Avenue
Moline, IL 61265
(309) 736-7100 Phone
(309) 736-7220 Fax
Condolences may be sent to:
Presiding Elder Tyson Parks
1609 Glenview Avenue
Danville, Illinois 61832
(217) 369-3920 (Cell Phone)
Email: eldert.parks@comcast.net
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the death of Mrs. Anna M. Corbin, the beloved mother of the Rev. Clyde J. Corbin, pastor of St. Paul AME Church (North Charleston, SC), mother-in-law of Mrs. Gloria J. Corbin; and grandmother of: Ms. Tylaunda A. Corbin (President, Young Adult Initiative - 7th District, AMEC), the Rev. Clyde J. Corbin, II, and Ms. Deronda S. Corbin. Mrs. Corbin died Saturday, March 28, 2009.
As a member of Mt. Zion AMEC - Charleston, Mrs. Corbin served as the President of the Stewardess Board and President of the Dowling-Corbin-Brown Women's Missionary Society for many years until becoming an advisor for both organizations.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of Sympathy and Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Clyde J. Corbin
155 Peachtree Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 813-6668
Email: revcorbin@aol.com
Or
Ms. Tylaunda A. Corbin
155 Peachtree Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 814-7938
Email: tya_c@yahoo.com
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
26. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; 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.
