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5. HURRICANE IVAN DAMAGES CHURCHES IN THE SIXTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
Hurricane Ivan Hits Sixteenth District
By Rev. Denise Rogers (Reprinted A.M.E. Herald)
Hurricane Ivan did considerable damage to the Sixteenth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church, which includes Suriname-Guyana, Windward Islands, Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Cuba and London and Grenada. Grenada was especially hard hit, as was the one A.M.E. Church on the island. The church had its roof heavily damaged and has also sustained other damage to the church. Conditions in Grenada are extremely bad; ninety percent of the homes in Grenada have been destroyed.
In addition to homes being destroyed trees that produce nutmeg have been torn down and hotels that are important to tourism are not standing. Residents of Grenada have not only lost their homes but they have also lost their jobs. It takes fifteen years for a nutmeg tree to grow.
Thirty-nine people died in Grenada and there is water, food or electricity on the island because of Hurricane damage. Bishop Guidry shared this information with the A.M.E. Herald, "The 16th District damages now include the Dominican Republic. The church in LaRomona lost part of its roof. The church in Grenada was very heavily damaged, lost its roof, and other damage to the building. The need in Grenada is for water, food and clothing. However we need to establish a group or individual to receive so that we can be sure it gets to where we wish it to go. As soon as transportation resumes we will be able to get first hand information.”
Jamaica has also sustained considerable damage from Hurricane Ivan and Bishop Guidry is still waiting for assessment reports also from Jamaica. Preliminary reports state that three A.M.E. churches have been damaged in Jamaica.
Those wishing to send financial contributions may do so to the 16th Episcopal District.
PLEASE EARMARK CONTRIBUTIONS:
DISASTER RELIEF
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry
Presiding Prelate, 16th Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church
1968 West Adams Blvd Suite 314
Los Angeles, CA 90018
323 293-6555
6. BISHOP SAMUEL L. GREEN HOLDS HIS FIRST ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
Bishop Green Holds His First Annual Conference in Namibia
By Presiding Elder Albert Biwa Bureau Chief Namibia (Reprinted A.M.E. Herald)
The 50th Session of the Namibia Annual Conference was held from September 1-5, 2004 at St. JohnÂ’s A.M.E. Church, Walvisbay. Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr. is the presiding prelate.
Five Hundred worshippers sang “And are we yet alive” one of the most popular hymns of African Methodism. The resounding voices filled the spacious Kuisebmond Community Hall on September 1, 2004.
The host Pastor and wife, Rev. Albert E Biwa and Mrs. Biwa of St. John’s A.M.E. Church left no stone unturned in order to make the inlanders feel comfortable to the coastal winds and wet climate changes. The Rev. William A Balie, Presiding Elder of the Hoachanas District and pastor of the Richard Allen A.M.E. Church, Swakopmund, delivered the Annual Sermon on the theme, “Moving from Alpha to Omega People.” The preacher encouraged the worshippers and said, "We must develop into Christian maturity, move away from division and focus the people on Jesus Christ, the Author and Finisher of our faith."
Bishop Samuel L Green, Sr. the 125th elected Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church called the 50th Session of the Namibia Annual Conference to order at 3 p.m. and from the onset it was clear that, "business as usual" would no longer be acceptable. The Church's emphasis is three-fold: Spiritual revival and development to deal with the political aftermath of the past quadrennial, youth and young adult retention to empower youngsters to become full participants in all aspects of ministry, and evangelism whereby training would be provided to reclaim the zeal and zest of our predecessors by spreading the Gospel of Christ with new inspiration.
The Conference was marked with inspirational preaching. Rev. Hans Isaak, pastor of Purity A.M.E. Church, Wanaheda delivered the Emmaus Walk Sermon, lifting our spirits that even the downtrodden will be comforted. Rev. Daniel Schmidt, pastor of ZTT AME Church preached the Missionary Sermon, encouraging us that the harvest is plenty and the laborers are few. The Lay Commitment Sermon was preached with conviction by the Brother Charles Mutambo, who called us back to our first love and putting forward forgiveness and reconciliation as important building blocks of spiritual revival. The Rev. J. Nakhom delivered the Memoirs Sermon, and we remembered Rev. Edward Goeieman – one of the unsung heroes of African Methodism and who also was a retired parliamentarian from the Namibian National Assembly.
The spiritual revival was put in effect when three female Itinerant Deacons were ordained. The Reverends. M. Kapere, A B Sauerwein and B Schroder) and one Itinerant Elder, the Rev. L Leukes, was also ordained.
The Rev. Crawford, visiting clergy from the 11th Episcopal District, delivered the Sermon with power on the theme, “A Charge to Keep and God to Glorify”
The Namibian Delegation to the 47th Session of the General Conference AME Church presented their report, and thanked Bishop Samuel L Green, Sr. and others for the hospitality extended during delegation's stay in Indianapolis.
The delegation has recommended the following candidates for Episcopal office in 2008: the Reverends Andrew Lewin, Julius H McAllister Sr. and John F White.
The election of the Conference Representatives to the Global development Council took place. The clergy elected was the Rev. W Simon Hanse and the lay elected Sister Thusnelda H Isaacks. Following the election and upon the recommendation from the Committee on Circuits and Stations, the Task Force to deal with re-bordering issues, was appointed as follows: Reverends Neels J Simon, W. Simon Hanse, Albert E Biwa and Sisters Thusnelda H Isaacks, Katherine E /Goagoseb and Winnie.
The closing Commissioning Service was marked with traditional pomp and pageantry. The music was inspiring and the liturgical dancers moved the worshippers to the Seventh heaven. Bishop Green revived us with the word, “A Fresh Anointing!” The marching orders were very clear, and from the powerful preaching, it was obvious that our prelate had indeed received a revelation and vision from God.
The adjustments in Presiding Elder and Pastoral appointments at first hearing sounded unrealistic, but as the Bishop moved on and made further adjustments it was clear that church growth was the clear motivational rationale.
The benediction was given to worshippers who were "pregnant" with expectation for the much welcome announcement of nationwide Revival Services, to be spearheaded by our Episcopal leader, the Right Reverend Samuel L Green Sr.
7. A TRIBUTE TO THE LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE REVEREND HERMAN A. RHODES SUBMITTED BY SISTER ALICE RHODES:
“This journey is complete “ . . . echoed the closing of an illustrious earthly life for Presiding Elder Herman A. Rhodes as family, ministerial colleagues, friends, and dignitaries assembled at the Ward African Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia, PA (Rev. Terrence C. Hensford, pastor) on August 21, 2004 at 4:00 o’clock PM to pay their last respects and bid a final farewell on this side to a stalwart Christian soldier. Realizing that on the other side, the saints of God welcomed Rev. Rhodes home after his journey of 87 years ended on August 16, 2004 from stroke and heart attack complications at Presbyterian Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.
Reflecting on Rev. Rhodes as a father, grandfather, uncle, brother and an AME minister generated expressions of love and cherished memories. His eldest daughter, Dr. Alice R. Hinsley remembered his “quiet dignity and peaceful/calm demeanor,” stating that such qualities possessed by her father made her proud of him wherein she took pride in emulating those same traits. Brian M. Rhodes, Esquire, the devoted eldest 37-year-old grandson, added that his grandfather was a generous and benevolent soul who always reached out to help anyone who needed him: family and friends. Following in the legacy of his grandfather as an ordained AME minister and currently serving as a U.S. Army Chaplain, Rev. (CPT.) Kemperal J. Hinsley reflected on the fiery hermeneutics preached by Elder Rhodes with power and conviction. Using excerpts from one of his grandfather’s sermons, “The Lord is Faithful,” Rev. Hinsley enunciated in similar baritone quality as his late grandfather, Elder Rhodes.
Quoting from Shakespeare and the Scriptures, Rev. Dr. Joseph D. Patterson, Sr., marveled at his fellow elder’s intellectual prowess and scholarly ability to recite from memory lengthy prose by the classical writers and poets. Presiding Elder Charles Lett, read from Psalm 46, one of Elder Rhodes’ favorite scriptures. Under the direction of the Rev. Gabriel S. Hardeman, Jr., the famed AME Mass Choir of Philadelphia rendition of “My Faith Looks Up to Thee” underscored in reverberating melody the journey of faith that Rev. Herman Rhodes followed throughout his ministerial career.
The Rev. George T. Sims’ professional and compassionate style as worship leader guided the moving memorial celebration as a worship experience that his departed friend would have expected from him. Continuing in the same spirit of loyalty, Rev. Alfred Banks invoked words of humility and reverence in the prayer of the service. Bishop Zedekiah Grady ‘s inspiring tribute honored his former elder for his vision and untiring spirit for a job well done.
Capturing the essence of the committed and self-sacrificed Christian life of Rev. Rhodes, Bishop Richard F. Norris, Presiding Prelate of the First District, in his heartfelt eulogy reminded all gathered of the realization that the elder’s journey was complete. Fervently imploring . . .“Presiding Elder Rhodes has simply moved to a new address and that in his new home, the pain and the suffering’s over, because now Rev. Rhodes has taken up residence in his new Heavenly home, shaking hands with those gone before – the Reverends Stokes, Birt, Joiner, his brother - Rev. Pete Walker, and the beloved Bishop Hickman … yes, he changed from mortality to immortality, Rev. Rhodes changed his transient address the other day to an intransient location . . . “ Indeed, Bishop Norris’ resounding words of celebration so eloquently commemorated this servant of God’s sojourn here.
For seventy-four years, Rev. H. A. Rhodes served God and humanity through the Christian ministry. For sixty-six years, he served as an itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Church. Since 1994, he served as the South District Presiding Elder in the Philadelphia Annual Conference of the First District. Born June 15, 1917, in Keysville, GA, Rev. Herman Alton Rhodes lived a life dedicated to the high calling of Jesus Christ and the legacy of African Methodism. In his youthful, eighty-seven years of living, he shared the goodness and mercy of the gospels to many that listened.
Presiding Elder Rhodes was a progeny of deeply rooted spiritual giants-- the late Rev. Marvin Bishop Rhodes and the late Mrs. Ida B. Clark Rhodes. His father was a country preacher/teacher/carpenter; and his mother was a country schoolteacher/homemaker. Presiding Elder Rhodes often spoke of his mother as the wisest Christian he had ever known.
Rev. Rhodes was inquisitive and loved learning as manifested by the schools he attended: Morris Brown College, Turner Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA; LeMoyne College in Memphis, TN; Wayne State University, Detroit, MI; University of Rhode Island, and the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. Campbell College, Jackson, Mississippi; The B. F. Theological Seminary, Jacksonville, FL and Monrovia College, Liberia, West Africa, bestowed honorary degrees upon him.
Ordained at the Live Oak AMEC in Donaldsonsville, GA, Rev. H. A. Rhodes led a number of southern churches before moving to the First District. In 1972, he became the pastor of Ward AMEC in Philadelphia, PA (twenty-two years) after pastoring Israel Memorial AMEC (Albany, NY) for several years. Hallmarks of RhodesÂ’ ministerial career included founding the renowned Philadelphia Annual City Wide Revival, organizing the original AME Mass Choir, and helping launch the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity. He was involved with ecumenical and civic groups such as the Pan-Methodist Commission, Black ClergyÂ’s Political Action Committee, Albany County, New YorkÂ’s Anti-Poverty Program, and was the religious adviser to the American Foundation of Negro Affairs. Additionally, he was among the organizers of Dr. Martin Luther KingÂ’s famous 1963 March on Washington. As an itinerant elder (66 years), Rev. Rhodes was assigned to churches in various states, including Georgia, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island and later Pennsylvania.
Although, Presiding Elder Rhodes achieved many accomplishments and received various awards and titles throughout his years of service, he was most proud of his family. It was evident that his family was precious to him as demonstrated in his pride for them. He is survived by a devoted wife of many years, Mrs. Anne M. Rhodes; seven children (three from a previous marriage): Dr Alice R. Hinsley, Mr. Hiram A. Rhodes, Jr., and Mr. Marvin L. Rhodes (Roberta); Mrs. Jacqueline R. Geores (Paul), Attorney Rosemarie Rhodes Miller (Ronald), Mrs. Brenda R. Jackson (Richard), and Ms Yvonne Rhodes; ten grandchildren: Attorney Brian M. Rhodes (LaTonya), Ms. Seliatu Layeni, Mr. Olusegun Layeni, Rev. Kemperal J. Hinsley (Alicia), Mr. Louis M. Rhodes (Bridgette), Mr. Jason Rhodes (Tamika), Mrs. Atiya Frame, Ms Sheena Collier, Mr. Kareem Jackson, and Ms Eboni Rhodes; nine great grandchildren: Mateo, Brian, Asha, Amira, Ameil, Jason II, Britney, Jackson, and Cole. A large contingent of nieces, nephews, and cousins reside throughout the world that he loved dearly. Presiding Elder Rhodes was greatly devoted to his surviving sibling, Emma R. Gresham, Mayor of Keysville, Georgia.
On August 28, 2004 at 2:00 o’clock p.m., Rev. Rhodes was memorialized for the final time at Mt. Tabor AME Church in Keysville, GA. Bishop Frank C. Cummings eulogized Rev. Rhodes as a …”Super Star who served with distinction and would be remembered as one who distinguished his performance with exceptional talent and insight” As a “Super Star”, Bishop Cummings defined the elder as a preacher extraordinaire, an icon and superior leader!” The elder’s long-time friend of the Sixth District, the Rev. Gabriel S. Hardeman, (retired P.E.) assisted in the service.
There in the little country churchyard of Mt. Tabor, his daughter, Brenda R. Jackson, tearfully lamented that she had driven her father home for the last time as his ashes were interred in the final resting place beside his sainted mother, completing this journey here, but transitioning on to another land of pure delight that awaits the faithful.
8. INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT, THE POWER OF TRUTH BY RALPH MARSTON:
Truth does not have to be explained. It is evident the moment you encounter it.
Truth has no need of elaborate attempts at sophistication. For in its very simplicity, truth is indeed profound.
Truth can often be difficult to accept. Yet it is at the same time easy to understand.
Falsehood and deception require ever-expanding support in order to continue. And the day will always come when they crumble under the weight of their own contradictions.
Truth, on the other hand, becomes ever brighter and more compelling as each day passes by. Truth welcomes every scrutiny, and grows stronger as a result.
Align your thoughts, your words, your actions, your life with what you know to be true. And the power of truth will pull you steadily forward.
(-- Ralph Marston)
