1. A LIVING LEGEND IS GONE – BISHOP DECATUR WARD NICHOLS IS WITH THE LORD:
Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols, the 59th elected bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, who lived to be 104, was laid to rest on Saturday, January 29, 2005. His funeral was a homegoing celebration of the highest order. Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 37-41 West 119th Street in Harlem was filled to capacity. The Bishops and General Officers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church were there, as well as Connectional Officers, presiding elders, pastors and laity. In one way, the homegoing of “Papa Nick” was a mini-General Conference because a cross-section of the Church’s leadership was in attendance; and he was the presiding bishop.
The worship service, led by Bishop Richard Franklin Norris, was African Methodism at its best, beginning with the Emanuel AME Church Choir, directed by Mrs. Evelita Williams. The musicians, Dr. Arthur E. Clarke and the Reverend Wayne Arthur Johnson accompanied the choir magnificently. The soloists, Ms. Juanita Faulkner, the Reverend Floyd Black and Ms. Christina London added significantly to the spiritual and liturgical movement of the service. The Reverend Fathers and Mothers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishops Zedekiah Lazett Grady, John Richard Bryant, Carolyn Tyler-Guidry, C. Garnett Henning, Sr., Frank Curtis Cummings, Gregory Gerald McKinley Ingram, Frederick Calhoun James, Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Philip Robert Cousin, Sr., Richard Allen Hildebrand, Henry Allen Belin, Jr. and Richard Allen Chappelle, were model participants.
The Honorable Ernest Davis, Mayor of the City of Mt. Vernon, New York, recalled that Bishop Nichols said, “Titles, money and position in life do not matter, it’s the impression that you leave on others that’s important.” Jesse Burns, President of the Connectional, Lay Organization observed that Bishop Nichols’ election to ‘the bishopric (1940) was the last General Conference held in a church building and went on to say that “Bishop Nichols was passionate about things for which he had a compassion.”
The Reverend John C. Gillison, representing the clergy, observed that “giants were courageous” and that Bishop Nichols was looked upon by the clergy and the laity of the Church as a giant. He went on to say that Bishop Nichols loved to laugh and often remarked, “Laughter gives one good health.” Once when Bishop Nichols was in his late nineties and was told that he was surely going to live to be 100 years old, asked, “And is that all you are going to give me?” Gillison went on to share that Bishop Nichols never disrespected a minister in public, but went on to say, “When Bishop “Nick” asked an errant minister to step into his office, that minister had our deepest sympathies.”
The Reverend Samuel Bouie, the current pastor of Emanuel observed that Bishop Nichols had left his “footprints” on Emanuel which had 14 members when Bishop Nichols was assigned to the pastorate of that congregation and grew it to over 2500 when he was elected to the Episcopacy. He observed, “Bishop Nichols had a sense of humor but he was a man of great dignity.”
Dr. Richard Allen Lewis, representing the General Officers, noted, “Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols spent more that 65 of his 104 years during the “dash” that appears on his tombstone between his birth date and the date of his death, working for the Lord as a bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He went on to say, with laughter from the congregation, “I was privileged to be the fifth treasurer of the Church to generate compensation for Bishop Nichols.” He pointed out three things that we should learn from Bishop Nichols, “You should never let adversity get you down – except on your knees”; “The secret of contentment is the realization that life is a gift and not a right,” and “When God measures a person, God puts the tape around the heart instead of the head.”
Bishop Frederick Calhoun James, representing the retired bishops, gave a Prayer of Thanks for Bishop Nichols’ life and observed that Bishop Nichols was faithful to family, and friendships. He noted that Bishop Nichols was a wise businessman, had candor, and that his ministry was ecumenical and global. He shared that Bishop Nichols was a preacher of the highest order, was ageless in aging and had a deep faith in God.
Bishop Vashti McKenzie, representing the Council of Bishops noted that when Bishop Nichols was born in 1900, milk was delivered to homes and that the cream was on the top. Bishop Nichols’ ministry was the “cream on the top” of the ministry of African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop Nichols wrote articles for the Afro-American newspaper and was a close friend of her grandfather, who was the editor. She related that Bishop Nichols shared experiences with her about her grandfather that her grandfather could not, because he died when she was young. She went on to say that Bishop Nichols will be remembered for his intellect, wit, humor, and preaching. She closed with, “He leaves behind global footprints in the sands of time.”
Mr. Stephen Henry, the oldest grandson of Bishop Nichols, remembered his grandfather, "Papa Nick" as a caring and loving grandfather. He and brother learned early to ask their parents for what they wanted in front of Papa Nick and they always got what they wanted.
Mrs. Kay Taylor Hightower, oldest granddaughter fondly remembered that her grandfather loved to give advice. She shared four insights of "Papa Nick." He said, “Cheating is wrong, except if you playing checkers.” He loved to play checkers and was the best checker-player in the family. He believed, “A coat of paint would fix anything.” He was known in the family as “Cheap Charlie.” When told that he should just spend some money and get whatever was broken fixed instead of putting a coat of paint on it, responded, “Look at your checkbook and look at mine...,” and Kay Taylor Hightower remarked, “That usually ended the discussion.” She shared that her grandfather believed that ice cream was best when eaten out of the carton and that he did not want ice cream in a bowl. He insisted that he be given his ice cream that he could eat out of a carton. And fourth, he said, “When speaking publicly and when you want to get a point across, say it three times.”
Bishop Philip Robert Cousin, Sr., the Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church remembered the ministry of Bishop Nichols as a high-point in the history of the African Methodism. He introduced the eulogist, the Right Reverend Richard Allen Hildebrand as the appropriate person to deliver the eulogy for Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols. He noted that Bishop Hildebrand needed no introduction in Harlem.
Indeed, Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand was the appropriate preacher for the occasion. His ministry was launched by Bishop Nichols. It had to have been a difficult task for Bishop Hildebrand to eulogize a person that he known for so many years and who had such a positive impact upon his ministry. He was up to the task. He recalled the text of the “Talents” as found in Matthew 25 and pointed out that we usually get what we can handle and what God gives us, requires that we do our best. He observed that Bishop Nichols had the unique ability to assign ministers to the right pulpits and gave them pastoral assignments that they could handle. He recalled that Bishop Nichols was an extraordinary individual who was spiritually robust with a deep belief in God. Bishop Hildebrand interspersed his eulogy with humor and recalled that Bishop Nichols had his own unique ways. Bishop Nichols thought that he was always right.
Bishop Hildebrand also recalled that a bishop from South Carolina long ago passed his Episcopal ring down to Bishop Nichols with the instructions to the Nichols family that upon Bishop Nichols’ death, the ring would be passed on to a bishop that had been born in South Carolina. Bishop Hildebrand, with a twinkle in his eyes, remarked, “I thought that I would never get that ring!” He was told by Bishop Nichols’ family that he would be given the ring.
Bishop Hildebrand said that Bishop Nichols was a great preacher who preached with power and that his legacy will be a lasting legacy in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The service ended with a rousing rendition of “The Hallelujah Chorus.” Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols’ funeral was indeed a celebration.
The Internment was at the Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale, New York.
The hospitality of Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church was “first-class, and second to none.” The folks in Harlem are great cooks and extended a warm welcome to all.
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3. PRAYER REQUEST FROM CHAPLAIN (CAPTAIN) LYLE SHACKELFORD SUBMITTED BY THE REVEREND DENISE ROGERS:
Special Prayer Request:
My name is Lyle Shackelford and I am a Chaplain in Iraq for a transportation battalion. My unit delivered the voting machines and the ballots to villages and cities throughout Iraq during the elections (January 30). Encourage your friends and family members and those within our Churches to pray for us and specifically for the electoral process.
I always pray with the soldiers under my pastoral care before they leave on their convoys to move outside our installation gates here at Tallil. The soldiers in my unit are at the nerve center of the logistic operation to deliver supplies and equipment throughout this region of the theater. They often drive to, and enter the area of enemy operations. This is not a game for them; it is a historical mission that is extremely dangerous.
Your prayer support and God's intervention are needed.
Blessings,
CH (CPT) Lyle Shackelford, Battalion Chaplain
HHD, 57th Transportation Battalion
Providing with Mobility "Keep 'em Moving"
4. FOUNDERS’ DAY OBSERVANCE TO INCLUDE PRESIDENTIAL INSTALLATION:
Columbia, SC-This year, Allen University’s annual Founders’ Day observance will include a symposium that analyzes 135 years of history and achievement at the institution, and an Installation Ceremony for University President Charles E. Young.
The institution traditionally observes Founders’ Day during the second week in February, the same week as its founding organization, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. This year’s theme is “Creating Excellence through Scholarship.” All events are free and the public is invited to attend.
On Thursday, February 10, Dr. Gregory Grooms, religion department chairman, will moderate a panel discussion and dialogue entitled “Allen University: A Legacy of Excellence in Preparing for the Future.” The event will feature three successful Allen University alumni, who will be on hand to discuss Allen’s legacy in a panel discussion and dialogue with current students. The alumni panelists include Dr. John R. Stevenson, ‘51, first black superintendent of Richland School District One; Dr. Focell Jackson-Dozier, ‘85, a Timmonsville-Florence physician; and the Honorable Clementa Pinckney, ‘95, state senator.
“When you talk about an institution’s legacy and what it’s done, there is no better evidence than its graduates,” said Dr. Grooms. The symposium will be held at 10 a.m. in the John Hurst Adams Gymnatorium. For additional information on the symposium, contact Dr. Grooms at (803) 376-5720.
Members of the community will have an opportunity to see, firsthand, some of the recent developments and construction at the institution during one of a series of campus tours that will be conducted by the University’s Admissions Office between 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
These improvements to the campus include renovations to historic Arnett and Coppin Halls; the addition of a Counseling and Wellness Center, Allen-Waverly Community Technology Center, and several new computer labs to meet the needs of a growing student population. For additional information on the touring schedule, contact Aaron Bishop, admissions director, at (803) 758-2702.The University culminates its Founders’ Day celebration with an Installation Ceremony for its 23rd President, Dr. Charles E. Young. The ceremony will be held Friday, February 11, at 10 a.m. in Adams Gymnatorium. A reception will follow.
For additional information, contact Alzen Smith at (803) 376-5754 or asmith@allenuniversity.edu
Dr. Charles E. Young is the 23rd President of Allen University, a historically black Christian liberal arts college in Columbia, South Carolina. A native of Georgetown County, S.C., he was educated in Georgetown County schools and graduated from Choppee High School. After serving two years in the United States Army, Dr. Young enrolled at Virginia Union University in Richmond, Va., where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1975. He later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Columbia International University, Columbia, S.C., in 1981. His Doctoral degree was earned in 1989 from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia in the area of Urban Anthropology.
Dr. Young’s professional career includes work as a probation and parole agent for the State of South Carolina, youth counselor for delinquent and runaway youth, and prison chaplain for the S.C. Department of Corrections. For 15 years, he taught in the areas of Urban Anthropology, Pastoral Ministry, Preaching, and Doctrine of the Church at Columbia International University in Columbia. He also supervised students in practical field education experiences and has taken church planting students to England, Germany, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Dr. Young is an ordained elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. His pastoral ministry includes several pastorates in the state of South Carolina. Beginning in 1981, he served as pastor of St. Matthew AME Church and Pleasant Grove AME Church in the Newberry area. In 1985, he was assigned to Turner Memorial AME Church in West Columbia. Dr. Young’s most recent pastoral charge was Ebenezer AME Church in Charleston, where he led the congregation in a one million dollar capital fund drive for community revitalization of Charleston’s historic East Side. Three historic buildings were purchased for renovation, and under his direction, the church acquired a $2.2 million housing complex for affordable housing also in the city’s East Side.
In addition to his urban planning efforts, Dr. Young was able to create programs that focus on the elderly and community youth. A nonprofit organization was founded under his leadership that currently operates a Senior Day Care Center. Prior to his departure, Dr. Young laid the foundation for what is now Charleston Development Academy, a federally funded charter school for grades K-6.
In Charleston, Dr. Young served as Chair of the Enterprise Community Board in Charleston, an organization that honored him in 2000 for his many contributions to the City of Charleston. He was one of the founders of PASTORS (Pastors Associated Successfully Together to Obey, Restore and Serve), a nonprofit church-based organization established to provide housing and community revitalization.
He currently serves on the Boards of Columbia International University, the Columbia Chamber of Commerce and the Reid House for Christian Service, and on the advisory board of the South Carolina Community Bank. Dr. Young is Secretary/Treasurer of the S.C. Association of Colleges and Universities and Vice President of the S.C. Association of Developing Colleges. He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc. and was awarded a community service award by the Mu Alpha Chapter in 1999 and named Citizen of the Year by the Omicron Phi Chapter in 2003. The Medical University of South Carolina also recognized him for community service in 1998.
Since Dr. Young’s arrival at Allen University in August 2001, he has initiated numerous projects. In 2003, a college-owned house on Pine Street was renovated to create the Allen-Waverly Community Technology Center for student and community use. Several buildings have been renovated or upgraded, including historic Coppin and Higgins halls in 2002, the present Elementary Education Building in 2003 and a Counseling and Wellness Center in 2004. Gifts from the Wachovia Corporation have been used to add math and reading labs in Gibbs Hall. Dr. Young has worked to raise one million dollars towards the renovation of the historic Chappelle Administration Building. More recently, the college received a grant of two million dollars from the NNSA to implement programs in math and science.
In the area of academics, several new Ph.D.s have been recruited to the faculty in the areas of Business, Chemistry, Biology and English. Dr. Young’s vision for the institution have also led to the creation of the Excel Program, a program that offers working adults an opportunity to complete their undergraduate education. Student enrollment has doubled since his arrival, reaching 647 in the fall 2004 semester.
Dr. Young has worked diligently to build relationships and form partnerships with the business community, among them BellSouth and Michelin. Dr. Young has also created an Advisory Board of corporate and business leaders from the Columbia area who meet monthly to assist in the growth of the institution.Dr. Young and his wife Sandra have two children: a daughter, Charlotte, and a son, Christopher.
Founded in 1870 by the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Allen University is an academic community whose mission is to provide education with a strong commitment to teaching and community service. Allen – the oldest historically Black university in South Carolina to be established by African Americans – is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Jason Darby Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Allen University
1530 Harden Street
Columbia, SC 29204
Voice: 803.376.5749
FAX: 803.758.2694
http://www.allenuniversity.edu
5. BISHOP CAROLYN TYLER-GUIDRY TO PREACH AT JOHNSON CHAPEL AME CHURCH, SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA:
On Sunday February 6th, Johnson Chapel is proud to welcome the 122nd elected and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Rt. Reverend Carolyn Tyler Guidry, to our Pulpit as the Preacher of the Hour for our First Sunday Communion Worship Service. Bishop Guidry, our former Presiding Elder, is the second woman elected to the bench of Bishops in the 218 year History of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and is currently assigned to preside over the 16th Episcopal District which covers the Caribbean, London, and South America. Make plans to be present and invite your family and friends to join with you as we celebrate the life and ministry of this dynamic and anointed leader of our Zion.
6. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Submitted by: j.l.wharton@att.net
The Rev. Charles J. Fenwick, Associate Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Church Hill, Maryland - Baltimore Annual Conference passed.
Funeral Arrangements:
Bethel AME Church
Centreville, Maryland
Wednesday, February 2, 2005, 11:00 a.m.
Pastor: Rev. Wedell Gary; Host Church Pastor: Rev. Terry Gaddy
Wake and Memorial Service
Tuesday
Bethel AME Church-
Church Hill, Maryland
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Rev. Wendell Gary Pastor--
Rev. Dr. Joan L. Wharton
Mt. Zion AME Church"
I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength."
Please remember the family in your prayer.
God Bless!Ora L. Easley, President
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736Fax: (615) 833-3781
WEBSITES: http://www.amemswwpk.org/http://www.connmswawo3.com/
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
