1. SUBSCRIBE FOR HOME DELIVERY OF THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
Send $26, payable to: "The Christian Recorder" for a one-year subscription to 500 Eighth Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37203-4181
2. SIGN UP FOR THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE:
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If you do not wish to be on the mailing list, the way to access the Christian Recorder Online: http://www.the-christian-recorder.org
3. THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
www.ame-church.com
4. THE AME/WIM WEBSITE: www.amewim.org.
5. MORE AME NEWS: www.ameherald.com
6. WEBSITE FOR THE AMEC CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION:
http://www.amec-connectionallay.org/home.htm
7. THE REVEREND LESLIE WHITE INVITES US TO CHECK IT OUT!:
Click here: 80th Session Southern CA Annual Conference
Check it out!!!! Mighty thanks to Sister Gwen Morris!!!!!!!!
Pastor Leslie White
8. THE REVEREND W. S. HANSE OF THE FIFTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT SENDS HIS PRAYERS AND CONCERNS FOR OUR SISTERS AND BROTHERS WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THE HURRICANES:
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ Jesus:
The joy of serving the Lord is always my strength. This brief note wishes to inform our brothers and sisters in the US and islands of the 16th District, that we are reading about the plight and misery caused by these hurricanes. We hope that knowing someone prays for helps. Our hearts cry out to the people affected and we wish we could do something for them. May the God of grace smile on you, because God is also present on these natural disasters.
Prayerfully submitted
Rev. W S Hanse
15th Episcopal District
9. MAYOR JAMES HAHN TO ATTEND GROUNDBREAKING OCT. 4 AS WATTS CHURCH 'DIGS DEEPER' WITH $30 MILLION MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT, PUSHES TO KEEP KING/DREW HOSPITAL OPEN
LOS ANGELES - (September 30, 2004) - In the face of the possible closure of King/Drew Hospital, one Watts institution pledges never to turn its back on the South Los Angeles community.
On Monday, Oct. 4 at noon, the Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church will make its single largest investment in Watts since its founding in 1906: groundbreaking on the residential phase of a $30 million mixed-use development promising affordable housing, retail and commercial space and badly needed jobs.
"On Oct. 4, we will literally dig deeper into our century-long legacy in Watts," said the Rev. Leslie R. White, pastor of Grant since 1994. "Through the Grant Housing and Economic Development Corporation, we're writing a new chapter in history - a chapter of renewed hope and revitalization. It's a great day for Grant and it's a great day for Watts!"
U.S. Reps. Maxine Waters (D-Los Angeles) and Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-Los Angeles) are expected to join confirmed participants Los Angeles Mayor James Hahn, City Council members Bernard Parks (CD-8) and Janice Hahn (CD-15) and more than 300 local, county and state leaders in the north parking lot of the Church for the event.
Imani Fe East and Imani Fe West will encompass 2.4 acres on the east and West sides of Central Avenue between 103rd and 105th Streets. The $12 million initial phase will add 65 multi-family, four-bedroom apartments and approximately 1,500 square-feet of community space. The residential phase, totaling 108,000 square-feet, is slated for completion in the fourth quarter of 2005.
The remaining $18 million is proposed for senior living accommodations and approximately 11,000 square-feet of commercial space - enough for a family-sized restaurant, a financial institution and offices for several small businesses - in a community that's still reeling from the devastating effects of the race riots of the 1960s and 1990s.
Equally as important, Imani Fe Courtyard will add more than 60 critically needed permanent jobs. The project's architect, Archeon International Group, will be on site during the groundbreaking to take applications from qualified individuals for the development's construction jobs.
"We're committed to bring life, hope and prosperity to this community," White added. "Soon boarded buildings will be made beautiful and neglected areas will be nurtured and contagious smiles of empowered residents will be made manifest."
White knows first hand the frowns and dejected looks on the faces of a community when a major medical institution is forced to close its doors.
In his Sunday sermon, White, who led a large congregation in St. Louis before relocating to Los Angeles, spoke candidly of the adverse effects on the Black community when Homer G. Phillips Hospital was shut down some 25 years ago.
"Homer G. Phillips was one of the best-known hospitals in the country," White recalled. "Like King/Drew, Phillips Hospital had an international reputation for training the 'brightest and best. " Yet, the mayor reneged on his promise to keep the hospital open, and in 1979 - in the cover of darkness no less - ordered that the equipment, patients and staff be packed up and shipped out. To this day, the
Ville community of St. Louis is trying to emerge from its economic depression as a result of the hospital's closure."
White is determined not to let history repeat itself in Watts: he's working alongside Waters, Hahn and others to keep King/Drew open by attending and hosting planning meetings, writing letters and delivering fiery addresses to the more than 2,000 parishioners of Grant.
In the meantime, however, he and GHEDC Executive Director Chris R. Jordan remain optimistic about the total impact of Imani Fe and say a prayer of thanksgiving for federal and state funding of the project.
Indeed, years of relentless lobbying in Los Angeles and Sacramento have resulted in a $12 million California tax credit allocation for Imani Fe in the fall of 2003, Jordan explained. At 9-percent, the credits are considered the most competitive funding source available in affordable housing construction.
"We are actively seeking the remaining $1.2 million from federal, state, local and private sources," said Jordan, noting unsuccessful attempts to obtain city funds in recent months. "We are confident these sources will be identified in the very near future."
Jordan was careful to note that the shortfall will not hinder construction of the residential phase, pointing to the group's success in obtaining a $2 million federal Community Development Block Grant in 2002, funding used for land acquisition along the Central Avenue Corridor.
"GHEDC is committed to developing itself into a model of community economic development and empowerment," Jordan said. "Through Imani Fe, we're only seeing a glimpse of what is in store for Watts through the efforts of GHEDC."
The groundbreaking is one of a myriad of events occurring during the 80th Session of the Southern California Annual Conference, Oct. 3-10. More than 3,000 pastors and parishioners from A.M.E. churches as far away as Bakersfield, San Diego and even Las Vegas will converge on the Carson Community Center, 801 E. Carson Street, next week. A complete schedule of activities is available online at www.ame-church.org/2004confschedule.htm or by visiting www.grantamechurh.org.
About Imani Fe Courtyard
The $30 million multi-use project will redevelop 2.4 acres between 103rd and 107th Streets on Central Avenue in Watts. It is the largest development of its type in South Los Angeles in more than two decades. Ground breaking on the 108,000 square-foot residential phase of the project - made possible by a $2 million federal grant for land acquisition and $12 million in state tax credits - will occur on Monday, Oct. 4 at noon. The initial phase, named "Imani Fe" for the
Swahili and Spanish words for "faith," boast 65 multi-family four-bedroom apartments and are scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2005. Future phases focus on senior living and commercial retail space, adding in excess of 60 permanent jobs.
About GHEDC
The Grant Housing and Economic Development Corporation was founded in 1992 and strives to create viable and community-controlled economic bases in South Los Angeles. The GHEDC actively identifies, researches and engages in community economic development, with a special emphasis on the Central Avenue Corridor of the Watts community. Projects presently underway or in the works include the development of low-cost housing, small-business incubation, day care programs and educational opportunities for youth and adults. Chris Jordan has served as Executive Director since November 2000.
About Grant A.M.E. Church
Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church was established in 1906 in a one-room house on Manhattan Street (now 113th Street), and bears the name of the Right Rev. Abraham Grant, presiding bishop at the time. The congregation of more than 2,000 parishioners has worshiped in its existing facility at 10435 South Central Avenue since the mid-1950s and has seen two of its pastors - the Reverends Henry W. Murph and John H. Adams - elected to Episcopal Service. The Rev. Leslie R. White has served as pastor since November 1994.
###
Media Contacts:
The Rev. Leslie R. White, pastor of Grant A.M.E. Church, and Chris Jordan, executive director of the Grant Housing and Economic Development Corporation, are available for interviews by contacting the Church office at (323) 564-1151.
10. THE REVEREND DENISE ROGERS TELLS US THAT MOUNT ST. HELENS IS ERUPTING EVERY FEW MINUTES:
The volcano, Mount St. Helens, in northern Washington State is having many earthquakes every 2 minutes, the highest being 2.8. The state of Washington is in the Fifth Episcopal District. Scientists are watching the eruptions closely. The last time Mt. St. Helens erupted, states as far away as Montana was covered with ash.
11. BROTHER JOHN H. JOHNSON REMINDS US THAT TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR US TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION:
Go to www.justvote.org and register NOW!!!!
Voter Registration Deadlines
Alabama Friday, October 22
Alaska Sunday, October 3
Arizona Monday, October 4
Arkansas Monday, October 4
California Monday, October 18
Colorado Monday, October 4
Connecticut Tuesday, October 19
Delaware Wednesday, October 13
D. C. Monday, October 4
Florida Monday, October 4
Georgia Monday, October 4
Hawaii Monday, October 4
Idaho Friday, October 8
Illinois Tuesday, October 5
Indiana Monday, October 4
Iowa Monday, October 23
Kansas Monday, October 18
Kentucky Monday, October 4
Louisiana Monday, October 4
Maine Tuesday, October 19
Maryland Tuesday, October 12
Massachusetts Monday, November 1
Michigan Monday, October 4
Minnesota Monday, November 1
Mississippi Sunday, October 3
Missouri Tuesday, October 5
Montana Sunday, October 3
Nebraska Friday, October 22
Nevada Saturday, October 30
New Hampshire Monday, November 1
New Jersey Monday, October 4
New Mexico Tuesday, October 5
New York Friday, October 8
North Carolina Monday, November 1
North Dakota No Voter Registration
Ohio Sunday, October 3
Oklahoma Friday, October 8
Oregon Tuesday, October 12
Pennsylvania Sunday, October 3
Rhode Island Monday, October 4
South Carolina Monday, October 4
South Dakota Monday, October 18
Tennessee Monday, October 4
Texas Sunday, October 3
Utah Sunday, October 25
Vermont Monday, October 25
Virgin Islands Wednesday, October 13
Virginia Monday, October 4
Washington Monday, October 4
West Virginia Wednesday, October 13
Wisconsin Wednesday, October 20
Wyoming Monday, November 1
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Date: 9/29/2004 1:09:28 PM Central Daylight Time
From: camec2568@juno.com
Homegoing Service for Mr. George Russell Cason, the brother of Mrs. Shirley Cason Reed and the brother-in-law of the Reverend Dr. Rodger H. Reed, First Family of Campbell AME Church, Washington, DC, will be held on Thursday, September 30, 2004, at 2:00 PM.
Funeral Service:
Mount Zion AME Church
2268 Princess Ann Road
Virginia Beach, VA 23456
757-4271218 Phone
757-427-9016 Fax
Rev. William Dyson, Pastor
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Dr. Rodger H. and Mrs. Shirley Cason Reed
11016 Spyglass Hill
Mitchellville, MD 20721
301-333-5891 Phone
301-333-6082 Fax
Please remember the family in your prayers.
God Bless!
Ora L. Easley
615) 837-9736 Phone
(615) 833-6936 Voice Mail
(615) 833-3781 Fax
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
REGRETFULLY WE SHARE NEWS OF THE PASSING OF THE REVEREND CHARLES FORD. REVEREND FORD WAS KILLED IN A SINGLE CAR ACCIDENT ON SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2004. AT THE TIME OF DEATH, HE WAS SERVING AS THE PASTOR OF SAINT PAUL A.M.E. CHURCH, HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS, WEST ARKANSAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2004, 11:00 A.M.
BENTON HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUM
211 NORTH BORDER STREET
BENTON, ARKANSAS
MESSAGES OF CONDOLENCES MAY BE SENT TO MRS. CHARLES (VERGIE) FORD AND FAMILY C/O:
BRANDON FUNERAL HOME
329 WEST 3RD STREET
MALVERN, AR 72104
(501) 623-1223
OR TO MRS. CHARLES (VERGIE) FORD AND FAMILY
1111 STEWART STREET
BENTON, AR 72015
(501) 778-1430
PLEASE REMEMBER THE FAMILY IN YOUR PRAYERS.
THE 12TH DISTRICT ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
God Bless!
Ora L. Easley
615) 837-9736 Phone
(615) 833-6936 Voice Mail
(615) 833-3781 Fax
14. INSPIRATIONAL MOMENT - THREE THINGS IN LIFE:
Three things in life that, once gone, never come back
Time, Words & Opportunity
Three things in life that may never be lost -
Peace, Hope & Honesty.
Three things in life that are most valuable -
Love, Faith & Prayer
Three things in life that are never certain -
Dreams, Success & Fortune
Three things that make a man -
Hard work, Sincerity & Commitment
Three things in life that can destroy a man -
Lust, Pride & Anger
Three things that are truly constant -
Father, Son and Holy Ghost
(Author unknown)
