1. FOR YOUR INFORMATION (FYI):
The African Methodist Episcopal Church as 2.5 – 3 million members, yet the subscription rate for The Christian Recorder is a little over 5000, and the subscription rate for the AME Review is under 5000. Both of those publications belong the you, the members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We can do better! I know that we can! We must support our own!
We will share more about the implementation of a subscription drive later.
2. SUBSCRIBE TO THE ONLINE CHRISTIAN RECORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Go to www.the-christian-recorder.org and put in your name and email address, then scroll down and hit, SUBMIT. Respond to the reply message that you will receive. And that's it! It's free and doesn't cost you a penny!
My new email address: chsydnor@bellsouth.net
Please DELETE my old email address: chsydnor@erols.com
My home telephone number: 615.665-4462
3. ABBREVIATED REPORT FROM THE GENERAL BOARD MEETING HELD IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, DECEMBER 6 – 8, 2004:
The General Board Meeting / Bishops' Council was held at the Opryland Hotel which has to be one of the largest, if not the largest, hotels in America.
The attendees were told of the passing of Bishop C.E. Thomas, who died on Monday morning, December 6, 2004 and of the passing of Sister Dollie Doctor Brown, mother-in-law of Dr. George F. Flowers, Secretary-Treasurer, Department of Missions (Global Witness & Ministry) and the mother of Mrs. Phoenicia Brown. Prayer support was offered for both families.
We also learned of the death of the mother of Brother Eric Stradford. Information will be forwarded upon receipt.
The Bishops, General Officers and Connectional Officers were introduced and the Senior Bishop, the Right Reverend Phillip R. Cousin was introduced and received a rousing standing ovation. He addressed the following issues:
- Connectionalism or Denominationalism
- Neo-Pentecostalism or Traditionalism
- Worship, praise, liturgy
- Fiscal stability - “We must find streams of revenue beyond the offering plate.â€
- Indigenization, redistricting, whether to expand or downsize.
Bishop Cousin said that, "We are faced with a personal crisis" and went on to say that the local and connectional Church must find new ways of funding its programs.
He spoke about the winds of change and cautioned the strong winds can be destructive. Bishop Cousin intoned, "If we are faithful, when the wind blows, we will bend, but never break. He went on to say, "In order to withstand the winds of change, it's imperative that the Church remain faithful!"
Bishop Cousin recalled that he had seen the winds of change in 1948, 1972, and feels that the winds of change are "in the air" in 2004.
Bishop Cousin went on to say that, "When I saw the winds of change in 1948 and 1972, I thought that a new day was on the horizon in African Methodism. Bishop Cousin opined that, "The African Methodist Episcopal Church is still where we were and the Church has not adjusted to the times. We, as a Church, need to understand the work of the Holy Spirit. When we allow the Wind of the Holy Spirit move across our Zion, we will not let the African Methodist Episcopal Church die. The winds of change will not destroy us and will not break us. May we continue to grow, seek salvation and seek comfort and joy in the Holy Spirit."
Our Senior Bishop challenged us to be responsive to change and be committed to the workings of the Holy Spirit. He was emphatic that we need to "think outside of the box."
A response to address by the Senior Bishop was given by the Reverend Floyd Alexander, Presiding Elder in the Third Episcopal District. He responded that it was, “Good to hear the alarm sounded by our Senior Bishop. The challenge to us is to not let it stop here. We have an opportunity to meet the challenge and to know that if we keep ourselves on-focus that the winds may blow, but our Zion will not bend." Presiding Elder Alexander encouraged the Church to "Find ways of sharing."
He shared that in 1910 one of every four African Americans was a member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He admonished that A.M.E. Church had become complacent and had become more concerned about "those who had," and that we had lost concern for those "who did not have." When we, as a Church remained true to the principles of our founder, Richard Allen, we grew, and when we focused away from the principles of our founder, we lost some of our growth potential.
The Presiding Elder encouraged us to be in prayer and fasting about the issues about raised by Bishop Cousin.
And a hymn was raised…
At the conclusion of the Presiding Elder Floyd Alexander’s comments, Bishop Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr., the President of the General Board raised the hymn, “There’s a Sweet, Sweet Spirit in this Place.â€
The General Board was ready to do the work of the Church.
Brother Jesse Boyd, Connectional Lay President requested that a laity be given an opportunity to respond to Bishop Cousin’s Address. He was allowed to do so and did so on the following day.
The business of the General Board
One could sense the "winds of change" that Bishop Cousin mentioned in his Address. There was spirit of openness and cooperation. There seemed, to me, to be a spirit of camaraderie among the Bishops and the General Officers. The ministerial and lay members of the General Board were faithful to the work entrusted to them. I heard that about 60% of the members of the General Board were new. They were at their assigned seats and were faithful in their attendance. The "meetings in the hallways" were, by and large, visitors.
Bishop A.J. Richardson reminded us that the correct designation on what has been formally referred to as the Commission on Higher Education should properly be referred to as, Commission on Seminaries, Universities, Colleges and Schools (Higher Education).
The breakout sessions of the various Commissions were productive and will benefit the church and enhance the ministry of the Church was evidenced by their reports back to the full body. All Commission reports were typed and passed out to all of the members of the General Board so that they can go to their Districts and Conferences and share you what went on in Nashville. This General Board / Bishops' Council was about business and the participants were responsive to the challenge given by our Senior Bishop, the Right Reverend Phillip R. Cousin. There were no secrets.
And speaking about secrets, Bishop McKinley Young and the members of the 11th Episcopal District are to be commended for their openness in sharing with the General Board about the potential loss of accreditation by Edward Waters College. Bishop Young and the members of the Board of Trustees at EWC have been professional and responsible in working with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Keep them in your prayers and know that they are doing everything that they can do to avert the loss of accreditation. (More information later in the printed version of The Christian Recorder).
And the Investiture of Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie as President of the Council of Bishops!!!!
If you were not there, you missed an important moment in the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. 1500 plus church folk from all over the United States, Africa and the Caribbean in the ambience of the Opryland Resort and Convention Center. We are a global Church and it was a global affair. First class! On time! An example of how to "do it right." Organized! Went off without a hitch! The banquet program booklet was regal. The master of ceremonies was radio personality and member of Lee chapel AME Church, Lelan Staton.
The speaker was awesome! Ms. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Boyd was the prophetess of the hour. It was a speech, an address, and a powerful sermon wrapped in Holy Ghost! The woman is an awesome speaker (preacher). I have requested her message so that I can publish it in the printed version of The Christian Recorder. It's too much to put in this limited space, but I have share several of her points: We have to be suspicious of politicians who pimp religion for political gain; pity and charity are condescending; three million African American men are in the criminal justice system, and there is presently still a 50% African American national drop-out rate in our high schools. And according to the 2002 census, 50% of the new HIV/AIDS cases are African American; and 72% of the news cases are Black American women. Ms. Boyd pointed out that we know why Black women, and others contract HIV/AIDS, but one of the reasons the increase for African American women is Black American men on the "low-down." She challenged us to not remain silent.
Well-known gospel singer Yolanda Adams electrified the banquet. We had church! That's all that needs to be said!
Bishop Vashti Murphy and Supervisor Stan Mckenzie were on-target and are caring leaders as evidenced by the support and attendance of the 13th Episcopal District. Bishop McKenzie walked the floor, as a queen, and greeted the attendees table by table. Even in that auspicious setting, she was the shepherd tending her flock. (More information later in the printed version of The Christian Recorder).
If you missed it, you missed a bit of history!
The public statement from the Bishops Council given by Bishop A.J. Richardson:
Bishop Richardson prefaced the report be saying that the full report will be released to The Christian Recorder, The Christian Recorder Online and the other AME publications. Briefly follows is the public report of the Bishops' Council:
- Commendation for the work that Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr. is doing in representing the African Methodist Episcopal Church with the Pan-Methodist Council.
- Prayer for Edward Waters College's appeal for reversal of the decision to withdraw accreditation from EWC.
- Pastoral letter will be released from the Bishops of the Church about the recent presidential election, cultural matters, and will continue to encourage AME's to register to vote.
- Commended the members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church for your support of the 16th, 11th, and 9th Episcopal Districts' hurricane relief effort. The members of the AME Church raised and disbursed over $100,000.00.
- The Bishops are strategizing about ways to standardize and provide more support for Districts 14 – 20 (overseas Districts).
- The work of the Compilation Committee is ahead of pace. They will meet again on January 18, 2005 and project that the AME Book of Discipline will be ready for distribution and sale by the meeting of the next Bishops' Council / General Board Meeting that will be held in Dallas, Texas at the Windham Anatol hotel on June 26 – 29, 2005.
- Announced a partnership with GMAC (General Motors Acceptance Corporation), and let me say here that their sponsorship of the General Board / Bishops' Council was superb. GMAC pledges to support local Churches in the areas of fiscal education and financial management (More information will be shared in The Christian Recorder).
- The Bishops will provide support and guidance for the archiving if AME documents to preserve our historical legacy.
- Acknowledged the passing of Bishop Thomas, General officer Holman and General Officer Flower's mother-in-law.
The Christian Recorder and the Official Website for the African Methodist Episcopal Church will provide complete coverage of the General Board / Bishops' Council.
4. APPENDED BELOW IS A PORTION OF THE COMMISSION ON CHAPLAINS REPORT TO THE GENERAL BOARD:
The Chaplain’s Commission met on Monday, December 6, 2004 in the Governor’s Chamber B at the Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, TN. The Chairman, Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr., invited Bishop John Hurst Adams to address the chaplains on church relationships and responsibilities outlining the following principles:
God and the things of God in First Place
Affirm the Revelation of Jesus Christ
Being the best at your vocation
Seeking ethical excellence in the work environment
Liberate, empower and bless the people
Building relationships at every level
The session also included an introduction to the projected economic development initiative, which our chair is pursuing and has been presented in several venues at this meeting.
Since the days of our first chaplain, Bishop Henry McNeil Turner, AME Chaplains have faithfully served God and Country with distinction. The vocation of the chaplain is quite unique. Often referred to as, “ministry beyond the sanctuary,†we have the privilege of bringing the ministry of Christ, His love, guidance and most importantly, the assurance of his presence, within institutional settings that the traditional pastor may not be called or trained to provide.
During World War II, the United States government sought to acquire a quota of chaplains from the major church denominations in America in order to provide pastoral ministry in support of the war effort. In lieu of this request, chaplains were selected and endorsed by the AME Church, serving in the Army, Navy and eventually the Air Force. AME Chaplains have also “answered the call†to service within the Korean War, Viet Nam, Desert Storm, Afghanistan and Iraq.
Most notably, the following chaplains have served in the Global War Against Terror:
U.S. ARMY
Colonel Roger Armstead
Major Sandy McClean
Major Ronald Owens (retired)
U. S. AIR FORCE
Colonel Wilfred Bristol
Lieutenant Colonel Oledia Bell
Major Effson Bryant
Captain Josephine Pinkney
U. S. NAVY
Lieutenant Commander David Brown
Lieutenant Commander (Select) Glenda Harrison
Lieutenant Ted Valcourt
Chaplain (Lieutenant) Maurice Buford (U. S. Navy) safely completed his second tour of duty in Iraq ministering to Sailors and Marines, some of which are the sons and daughters of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We solicit your prayers on their behalf for God’s protection and a safe return home.
AME Chaplains also serve within the Department of Veteran’s Affairs, Bureau of Federal Prisons, South African and Zimbabwe National Defense Forces as well as within state and local hospitals, prisons and hospices.
There are hosts of retired AME Chaplains who continue to serve in a various aspects of ministry. Chaplain Kenneth White, who is one of the oldest chaplains in America, recently retired as a Presiding Elder in the Eleventh Episcopal District. At the age of 98, Chaplain White was able to attend the 47th Quadrennial Session of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which was held in Indianapolis, Indiana in July of 2004. The AME Chaplain’s Association paid homage to Chaplain White at the Ecumenical Service through a solemn and respectful flag-folding ceremony. Also, Chaplain Calvin Sydnor, III, who is a retired U. S. Army Colonel, was elected as the Editor of the Christian Recorder.
Finally, we welcome Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr. as the new Ecumenical Officer and Endorsing Agent of the AME Church. We are looking forward to establishing and maintaining a great relationship with Bishop McCloud as he represents us in the Office of Ecumenical and Urban Affairs.
To God be the glory!
Respectfully submitted,
The AME Commission on Chaplains
Chaplain (COL) James S. Cooper (U.S. Army, retired)
Chaplain (COL) I. V. Tolbert (U.S. Air Force, retired)
Chaplain Leodis Strong (Department of Veteran’s Affairs)
Chaplain Wilton E. Blake, I (Department of Veteran’s Affairs)
Chaplain (LTCOL) Howard L. Ashford (U.S Air Force)
Reverend John Q. Owens (Civilian Clergy)
Chaplain (LT) Wilbert Gamble (U.S. Navy)
Chaplain (LCDR) David Brown (U.S. Navy)
Chaplain (CAPT) John Morrison (U.S. Navy)
5. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LATE BISHOP CORNELIUS EGBERT THOMAS, THE 99TH BISHOP OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
SERVICE:
Friday, December 10, 2004
12:00 NOON
St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church
708 15th St. North
Birmingham, AL 35203
The Reverend Bobby Cox, Pastor
(205 251- 3764 (Phone)
(205) 251- 3757 (Fax)
Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Susie Thomas and family:
C/o St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church
708 15th St. North
Birmingham, AL 35203
205 251- 3764 (Phone)
(205) 251- 3757 (Fax)
6. FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE LATE MRS. DOLLIE DOCTOR BROWN:
Regretfully we share news of the passing of Mrs. Dollie Doctor Brown, wife of Rev. George Welch Brown, Sr. (Retired Presiding Elder, Beaufort District, 7th Episcopal District), mother of Mrs. Phoenicia B. Flowers, mother-in-law of Dr. George F. Flowers, Secretary-Treasurer, Department of Missions (Global Witness & Ministry), and mother of: Rev. George Welch Brown Jr. (Pastor, 7th Episcopal District), Rev. Nathaniel Brown (Pastor, 6th Episcopal District), Ms. Lila B. Nedd (General Board, AMEC and SC Conference Lay President), Mrs. Delores B. Richardson (Co-Editor Newsletter, 2nd Episcopal District Lay Organization and Local Lay President, Ward Memorial AMEC). Mrs. Brown passed Sunday, December 5, 2004.
Funeral Services:
Saturday, December 11, 2004
11:00 A.M. at:
St. Peter’s AMEC,
4650 Sanders Ave.
North Charleston, SC 29406
Phone: (843) 744-0688
Rev. George Welch Brown, Jr., Pastor
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. George Welch Brown, Sr. or the Reverend Dr. and Mrs. George F. Flowers
4435 Hwy. 162,
Charleston Executive Park
Hollywood, SC 29449,
1587 Savannah Highway, Suite A
Phone: (843) 556-8536, Charleston, SC 29403
Fax: (843) 554-4558, Phone: (843) 852-2645
Fax: (843) 852-2648
Services entrusted to:
Pasley’s Mortuary
1115 5th Ave.,
Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: (843) 571-2300
Fax: (843) 571-6322
In lieu of flowers, send donations to:
Bethel AMEC Building Fund
4595 Savannah Highway, Ravenel, SC 29470
Phone: (843) 571-3301
Please remember the Brown family in your prayers.
Submitted by: Angela Hawthorne Smith
God Bless!
Ora L. Easley, President
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781
WEB SITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/
http://www.connmswawo3.org
7. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LATE MR. FRANKLIN FYKES:
Mr. Franklin Fykes, the Brother of Mrs. Gloria Bruce and Brother-in-law of Presiding Elder Y. Benjamin Bruce (11th Episcopal District).
Thursday, December 9, 2004
11:00 AM
Church of God In Christ
Jacksonville, Florida
Condolences may be sent to:
Dr. and Mrs. Y. Benjamin Bruce
8128 Banyan Blvd.
Orlando, FL 32819
Phone: (407) 352-1431
Fax: (407) 363-7423
Email: YaleBruceSr@aol.com
God Bless!
Ora L. Easley, President
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781
WEB SITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/
http://www.connmswawo3.org
8. THE REVEREND VICK EXPRESSES CONCERN OUR PASTORS WHO HAVE THE "RON ARTEST" SYNDROME:
It's been almost 2 weeks since the basketball brawl that happened at the Palace as the basketball game between the Pistons and the Pacers was winding down. Many of us have watched the video on the news as these players "lost it' and fought one another and even went into the stands to tangle with the fans. All the players were suspended for lengthy periods and expensive fines. The hardest hit was Ron Artest of the Indiana Pacers.
Ron Artest situation interest me because he was a walking bomb always about to explode. Although he is an excellent basketball player, his mental health took a back seat to his career. After it happened news reporters and fans alike were saying how they were not surprised by the actions. But do we wait until the pot boils over to put a lid over it?
As we continue to wrestle and debate the pros and cons of psychological evaluations in ministry, we must do our part to assist the "Ron Artests'" in our pulpits and those preparing to enter. We are our brother and sister keepers. Jesus admonishes and teaches us to turn the other cheek, not turn our heads!!!
9. YOUNG ADULTS, TECHNOLOGY, AND THE CHURCH:
In order for the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME) to move forward, the Church must make an investment in youth related ministries. Although we have YPD, and RAYC, this is not enough. For most person after their participation in the YPD and RAYC Ministry they tend to fall behind. But if the church wants a future for tomorrow then we must start now preparing them.
Just Recently I attend the 2nd Episcopal District 10th Lay Convention, where I was one of the presenters. Although the attendance was good, I had hopes of seeing more young adults. During my Power Point Presentation I had an opportunity to pique the interest the workshop participants and I hope that I helped them to see that the time for "Real Ministry" is now. It would honestly be a shame for 217 years of exsistence to go "down the drain," because we left little of our legacy because of our failure to document what we have done.
(An excerpt from the presentation given by the Reverend Brandon Davis, supply pastor of Bishops' Memorial AME Church, Columbia, SC at the 2nd Episcopal District 10th Lay Convention)
10. IMPORTANT MESSAGE RECEIVED FROM THE REVEREND DR. LESLIE WHITE:
The national directory of cell phone numbers is about to be published. Once this happens, telemarketers will have access to your cell phone number. This will be even more annoying than the calls to your landline because in addition to being a disruption, these calls will also use your cellular minutes. You can register your cell phone by going on-line to http://www.donotcall.gov/ or by calling 888-382-1222 from the cell phone you wish to register. Those of you with work cell phones should register your phones as quickly as possible.
EDITOR'S NOTE:
When we first moved to Nashville, we received a host of calls from telemarketers. We had to register our new telephone number with the Do Not Call Registry. We no longer receive calls from telemarketers.
11. IF YOU WANT TO ADVERTISE YOUR MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. EVENT YOU MAY CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW:
Click here to Add A 2005 MLK Event
http://www.king-raleigh.org/events/edit.cfm
