Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Presiding Prelate of the Second Episcopal District, has agreed to be our Annual MenÂ’s Day Speaker, October 17, 2004 at 2:00 p.m.
We know you want to be "in that number" when our Bishop returns to Virginia. I know you remember his exhilarating message, entitled, "Total Praise" during the Second Episcopal District Planning Meeting As you can see, we have adjusted our schedule for the day to allow the appropriate time for travel, so that you can plan to be with us to welcome our Bishop.
We know we can count on your support for this program .We ask that you be in attendance and that you bring members of your congregation with you.
We know many of your members will want to attend and would preferably like to sit near each other. It is our plans to have signs available for your respective churches so as many of your members, as possible, can be seated in the same general area, space permitting. Obliviously, we plan to recognize all pastors and visitors. At that time we would ask each pastor to stand and any members of their respective congregation.
ItÂ’s going to be a grand day in the name our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! Make plans now to be in attendance. Please address any questions regarding ads to our Men's Day Chairmen, Brother Tommie Farley, Jr. He can be reached at Home: (757) 838-5960 and/or Work: (757) 865-3146. I can be reached at the Church: (757) 245-6181 or at Home: (757) 825-3304.
We look forward to seeing you at St. Paul, October 17, 2004, 2:00 pm. Thank you.
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Franklin J. West
Pastor
SISTER DORIS COFFEY ASKS RELEVANT QUESTIONS ABOUT THE CHURCH AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY:
Greetings My Father's Children:
I am back! I thank God for safe travels to and from the "Big Apple!" I trust all is well with you and yours.
I am seeking "a point of clarification" (answers) to the following -
a. Does each Episcopal District have a "CPA" or an accountant?
b. What are the duties and/or responsibilities of the Episcopal Accountant?
c. What purpose does he or she serve?
d. When checks are returned for Insufficient Funds, written on an Episcopal account, whose responsibility is it to make restitution for such checks?
e. With an Accountant in place, is it possible for an Episcopal District to be left with a large unexplained deficit, if so, how does this happen with a competent accountant keeping the "books"?
f. How do you account for the expenditures being more than the income, when you have an accountant in place?
g. Who prepares the budget and what is it based on, "hope" or "actuality?"
I believe that one of our biggest shortcomings in the AME Church is accountability and management of funds. Having retired from a large corporation (GTE) with a position in accounting, where "every cent" had to be accounted for, I would like for someone to explain why we need an accountant, if we are going to spend more than we take in, "bounce checks" and never seem to have enough funds. What is the point?
The Church (or those who are in leadership) are "bleeding the Laity bloodless." To the best of my recollection - the Bible says - "Bring your tithes" and "give cheerfully." But it also says that "EVERY ONE OF US shall give account of himself to God." Wasn't He talking about stewardship; how we handle what God has given us; how we manage His gifts; and how we care for His sheep?
I prayerfully hope that things for this Episcopal District will change with our new administration in place, especially in regards to fiscal accountability and management of funds.
Doris J. Coffey
The Kentucky Annual Conference
NEWS FROM THE SOUL-SAVING SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
The Sixth Episcopal District Women's Missionary Society is pleased to announce that it has joined in partnership with Prison Fellowship' s Angel Tree Ministry 2004. Local Missionary Societies with the support of their pastors will lead AME Churches across the state of Georgia in delivering gifts of love and messages of hope to children of incarcerated parents.
Mrs. Connie Wicker
WMS District Angel Chairperson
Mrs. Shirley Washington
Sixth District WMS President
Dr. Pam DeVeaux Mr. Snow Mitchell
Missionary Supervisor Vice President
Sixth Episcopal District Southeast Region
African Methodist Episcopal Church Prison Fellowship Ministries
For information regarding Angel Tree contact Sharon Williams @ (770) 0936 1054 or
(800) 254-8214.
AND, THE WINNER IS BROTHER JAMES H.S. SMITH:
With reference to your article in the September 20, 2004 online copy of the Christian Recorder pertaining to the AMEC periodicals, "We Speak" African Methodist Episcopal Church Quarterly Connectional Lay News Magazine has been omitted.
In the event I am the first to forward this, I do not need a free subscription as I have already subscribed to the Christian Recorder.
Yours In Christ,
James H. S. Smith
Local Lay President,
Ebenezer AME Church
Baltimore, MD 21230
Baltimore Annual Conference
Second Episcopal District
EDITOR'S COMMENT:
Brother Smith is the winner. He responded at 9.24/04 at 8:07 a.m. Thank you Brother Smith and more importantly, thank you for being a subscriber to The Christian Recorder.
Reverend J (10:02 a.m.), Delishia1 (3:28 p.m.), and Sister Doris Coffee (11;05 p.m.) correctly pointed out that The missionary Magazine was left out. Sorry ladies, but Brother Smith won.
INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT - GOAL OF THE JOURNEY:
When you're committed to a journey of a thousand miles, a few steps in the wrong direction can't possibly bring you down. But if you have no overall direction, each negative step can seem devastating.
If the little things are constantly bringing you down, that's a sign that the big things aren't compelling enough. If the minor annoyances seem like major setbacks, then work on looking beyond them.
There is some purpose that will lift you above whatever setbacks may come. There is some purpose that will compel you to positive action, even when the circumstances of the moment work against you.
There is some reason you want what you want. There is some desire that drives all your desires.
Look beneath the surface of your day-to-day life and ask why. Dig deeply and discover the rich, special purpose that makes you who you are.
Focus your attention on the goal of the journey. And you'll hardly even notice the detours along the way.
(-- Ralph Marston)
