1. SUBSCRIBE FOR HOME DELIVERY OF THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
Send $26, payable to: "The Christian Recorder," 500 Eighth, Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37203-4181 for a one-year subscription. Or you may subscribe to the Christian Recorder be calling (800) 648-8724 and make your payment using your credit card.
2. CHURCH, DSS TEAM UP TO HELP S.C. RESIDENTS
Officials with the South Carolina Department of Social Services and the Seventh District Office of the African Methodist Episcopal Church announced a partnership Monday to help South Carolinians in need.
The partnership is designed to help needy children, their families and vulnerable adults find needed assistance. The AME-DSS partnership will link the church with individuals and families who need additional assistance.
The two groups will work together on a wide variety of programs, including recruiting foster and adoptive families, starting and supporting food pantries and summer food service programs, and providing transportation for welfare-to-work clients.
For more information about the partnership, or to find out how other faith organizations can partner with DSS, call Wilbert Lewis, director of faith-based initiatives at DSS, at (803) 898-7855.
The Reverend Dr. Joe Darby
3. THE THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING HAS ITS PREACHER FOR THE CLOSING SERVICE:
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie will deliver the closing message at the Thirteenth Episcopal District Planning Meeting this Friday, October 29, 2004, 12 o'clock noon.
4. TICKETS FOR BISHOP VASHTI MCKENZIE'S INVESTITURE BANQUET:
Checks and money orders for Bishop Vashti McKenzie's Investiture Banquet should be sent to: The Thirteenth Episcopal District Office, 500 8th Avenue, South, Nashville, Tennessee 37203; telephone number: 615-242-6814
5. THE REVEREND DR. CHARLES H. LETT PRESIDES OVER HIS FIRST DISTRICT CONFERENCE IN PHILADELPHIA
The heavens opened up and the blessing came down when an estimated 500 persons attended the South Philadelphia District Conference that was held October 1 at Metropolitan A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia.
The conference was novel in that it was the first one led by the district’s newly named presiding elder, the Rev. Dr. Charles H. Lett, Sr. Dr. Lett was named presiding elder of the district in June, after the retirement of the now late Dr. Herman A. Rhodes, who had held the position since 1995.
Those who attended the conference were blessed by two powerful sermons. The mid-day message was delivered during what is traditionally called “The Hour of Power Service.” The preacher was the Rev. Dr. Natalie Alford, who is the pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in West Chester, PA, Later in the day, the Rev. D. Albert Turk, pastor of Zion A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, and also a candidate for bishop during the General Conference, delivered the second powerful message.
For many people at the conference, it was their first time to hear Dr. Alford, who had been relocated to the district during the Annual Conference in May. Prior to that, Dr. Alford had been the pastor of Agape A.M.E. Church in Buffalo, NY.
“Everybody knows that Rev. Turk is a great preacher,” commented Elder Lett. “But what really took everybody by surprise was the noonday service by Dr. Alford.”
Dr. Alford’s sermon title was “God Set Us Up.” Her sermon was based on Isaiah 45:1-7 with special emphasis on verse 4: “For Jacob my servant’s sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.”
During the business portion of the day, reports were received from all 17 churches within the district. In addition, the Lay Organization, Missionary Society, Christian Education, YPD, and Evangelist Department gave reports.
Also during the conference, the Ministerial Orders Committee presented three candidates to the ministry.
In addition to the powerful sermons, a highlight of the event was the three informative workshops that were held after lunch.
Calvin Tucker, the vice president of development of Berean Bank (now Advance Bank), which is a black-owned bank in Philadelphia, presented a workshop titled “What Churches Need to Get a Bank Loan.”
The Rev. Eloise Averhart, an associate pastor at Morris Brown A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, presented a workshop titled, “A Three-Point Strategy for Maintaining Energy and Enthusiasm in Ministry.”
The Rev. Dr. Joseph N. Cousin, the pastor of Morris Brown, presented a workshop on leadership. Rev. Cousin is the son of Bishop Philip R. Cousin of the Fourth Episcopal District.
Dr. Lett indicated that he had been pleased overall with his first district conference. He was especially pleased with the large attendance, and he praised the host church, and the host pastor and his wife, the Rev. Clarence A. Martin Sr. and the Rev. E. Joyce Martin, for their hospitality and the excellent and abundant food.
Prior to his appointment as presiding elder, Dr. Lett served as pastor of A.M.E. Union in Philadelphia for 8 and ½ years. He has been in the ministry for over 25 years, and has also served as pastor of Disney A.M.E Church, Philadelphia, and Bethel A.M.E. Church, Bryn Mawr, PA.
He and his wife Sylvia are both natives of Atlanta. The couple has three children: Charles Jr., David, and Tiffany (married to Bryant Martin Sr.), and one grandson.
Angelena Spears, member of Bethel AME Church, Reading, wrote this article,
Pennsylvania. Contact info: 610-678-0108. Cell: 610-763-1842
6. APPEAL FROM THE REVEREND WILLEM SIMON HANSE, ST. JAMES AME CHURCH MARIENTAL, REPUBLIC OF NAMIBIA:
Thankful to God and Bishop Green, Sr for re-appointment to the St. James AME Church, Mariental, my wife and I have decided to start a family project whereby we would like to raise money with friends from across the AME Connection to purchase a new Yamaha CLP 120 Clavinova organ. The quotation has been issued to the sum of N$20 695-50 ($3 507-71 US) from TakeNoteMusic company.
The St. James AME Church, Mariental was established on 3 July 1946 by the late Rev. Jakobus Jod, together with 8 other congregations after our forefathers decided to break ties with the German Rhynish Missionary Society. Over the leadership of numerous pastors, the church has grown from strength to strength. This congregation has 373 full members at the moment, and we would like to send to you a profile of the church under a separate cover by mail.
We are writing this missive, with the hope and prayer, that you and your family, as well as possibly your church members will find a proper cause in our Church to work for. The time is now ripe for the consolidation of ties that exists within the AME connectional family. By supporting this project financially and with your prayers, I believe we can start a new season of smart partnership between our two congregations. This will open up new understanding amongst our ordinary members on the local church levels, because I am convinced that our ministry and witness must be visible on the local Church if we want the Great Commission manifested in our Zion.
Please help us to help ourselves. Kindly assist us with a voluntary financial donation, by sending your donation cheque made out to the St. James Special Projects.
We trust that our prayerful request will enjoy your benevolent response.
May God bless the AME Church and all of our ministries!
Sincerely,
Rev. Willem Simon Hanse
St. James AME Church
P O Box 78
Mariental
Republic of Namibia
THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE A.M.E. CHURCH: http://www.ame-church.com
MORE A.M.E. NEWS MAY BE READ ON: http://www.ameherald.com/
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
