The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. HAVE YOU, YOUR CHURCH, OR ANYONE YOU KNOW BEEN SCAMMED? BISHOP RICHARDSON AND THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IS ASKING FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE AND FOR YOUR VIGILANCE IN NOT BEING A VICTIM OF SCAM ARTISTS USING THE COVER OF THE AME CHURCH. CHRISTIAN RECORDER READERS MAY REPLY TO chsydnor@bellsouth.net:
Dr. Sydnor and Dr. Fugh,
Greetings in HIS great name. I need to enlist your help in sending an alert regarding a scam being perpetrated in my name across the entire connection. I am meeting with authorities and it would help to have an idea about the magnitude of the scam: who has been victimized and for what amount; who has been targeted and where they are located. It is a vicious ploy and we need to stop it before anyone else is victimized. There are too many legitimate needs to which we could respond than to be turned off by the sinister needs of social leeches. The sad thing is that I suspect that the perpetrators are AMEs or former AMEs (perhaps even a ring of pastors). They (he and she) know too much about us (our organization and personnel).
The Christian Recorder and email network, and the AME Website of the General Secretary, would be helpful in identifying the extent of the damage and persons who have been contacted by the scam artists. More than a month ago, Dr. Fugh made an announcement on the official website, but there have been numerous "contacts" and "hits" since then and several persons have sent money thinking that they were being helpful.
It's an old scam. I was contacted while still the pastor of Bethel, Tallahassee. At the time, more than eight years ago, it was Bishop Z. L. Grady's "niece" who was allegedly moving to Tallahassee with three children, a major job promotion, who would be joining our church the following Sunday, but whose car broke down en route and needed roadside assistance to the tune of $800. That amount should have been sent via Western Union.
Now, the scam artists are not only using my name, but they have also begun to identify themselves as me. That's called identity theft.
Let's see if we can't get responses from persons who have been burned by the scam -- using my good name and sponging off of the goodwill of good pastors who were attempting to do a good deed. Perhaps "victims" would be forthcoming so that we can determine the damage that has been done. Other persons who were suspicious about the ploy and did not respond should also let me know so that we can determine the potential damage that may have been accomplished.
We need their names, location (city and state), and the amount of money involved. If they were only contacted but did not respond, we need that information also. We need the same information (name, city, state) and the amount requested. If they sent money by Western Union, it would be helpful if we had a copy of the transaction, or at least the date and location of the transaction. If they have filed a police report, we need the date and the name of the police department.
We have always said that the AMEC has the best network in the world. Let's see if we can use our network to help one another by stopping the further victimization of our churches and pastors.
Yours in His Service,
Adam J. Richardson
Bishop
2. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:
- The Winners:
Sister Delores Kennedy-Williams and the Reverend Dr. Sidney Williams won for answering the question about the most recent General Conference when no bishops were elected. Sister Kennedy-Williams answered, the General Conference of 1904 when no bishops were elected. A General Officer was elected. Reverend Williams “pulled one out of the bag” and reminded us that there was a called meeting of the General Conference in 1946 that was held in Little Rock, Arkansas. No bishops were elected and two bishops were expelled and one bishop was suspended.
The winner for the high school / middle school question was Stephen Green, age 12, a student at Lakeview Middle School in Winter Garden, Florida.
Stephen also took the initiative and answered correctly the question posed to seminarians / applicants for ministry who are going through the Conference Course of Study. Stephen Green, a 12 year old, is commended for his study of African Methodism. Our long-time readers might remember the article written by Stephen’s brother, Adam, who wrote about the youth retreat at St. Mark AME Church in Orlando.
The question about the “Four Horsemen” of the AME Church for College / young adults was correctly answered by Kendra Golphin, 18 year old freshman at Wilberforce University.
Sister Kennedy-Williams and P.E. Williams won a copy of Bishop Nichols’ book written by Jeanette T. Johns. Stephen won one-year subscriptions for The Christian Recorder and The A.M.E. Church Review and Kendra won a subscription for the subscription for The A.M.E. Church Review.
The questions and the correct answers are appended below.
- High school / middle school question: Where was Bishop Allen born, Philadelphia or Delaware? Answer: Bishop Richard Allen was born in Philadelphia.
Here is where I received my Information:
http://earlyamerica.com/review/spring97/allen.html
- College age / young adult question: Who were the “Four Horsemen” of the African Methodist Episcopal Church? Write a brief synopsis of each of their ministries.
Answer: The “Four Horsemen” of the AME church were: Richard Allen, William Paul Quinn, Daniel A. Payne, and Henry M. Turner.
Richard Allen- was the founder and the 1st Bishop of the AME church. He was ordained in 1799. In 1794 Richard Allen's black smith shop was dedicated as a church. Richard Allen was consecrated as its first Bishop at the General Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 10, 1816.
William Paul Quinn- The fourth Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was ordained a deacon in 1818 then ordained an elder in 1838. He pastored in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois. He became the Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church may 9, 1849.
Daniel A. Payne- The sixth Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop Payne was ordained an elder in the Lutheran Church in 1837. He pastored churches in Washington, New York and Baltimore. During his tenure, he presided over the 1st, 3rd, 2nd, and 7th Districts. He organized the South Carolina Conference in 1865, and founded Wilberforce University in 1856 where he became the first Black President of a college in America. Payne served as the President of Wilberforce University for 13 years.
Henry M. Turner- The twelfth Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Bishop Turner was first licensed to preach in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1860 and an elder in 1862. He organized A.M.E. Churches all over the state of Georgia. Bishop Turner served as a Presiding Elder in Georgia. He was elected the Business Manager of the Publication Department. He founded the Southern Christian Recorder, the Voice of Missions and the Women's Christian Recorder.
- Question for seminarians and applicants for ministry who are going through the Conference Course of Study: Which bishop never held an annual conference, nor ordained a minister; but continued to minister like other ministers? He was the only bishop to resign. Answer: Bishop Edward Waters
Heartfelt congratulations to all of our winners!
Trivia Question: Who was the first elected bishop of the AME Church?
Whoever gives the best account of the election will have his or her answer printed in The Christian Recorder Online and in the hardcopy of The Christian Recorder. Please answer in your own words.
The winner will receive a free copy of The Romance of African Methodism by George A. Singleton.
3. THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT CELEBRATES AN UNFORGETTABLE FOUNDER’S DAY:
Memphis, Tenn. – The 13th Episcopal of the AME Church celebrated Founder’s Day in Memphis Feb. 10-12, at St. Andrew AME Church, pastored by the Reverend Dr. Kenneth S. Robinson who is also the Commissioner of Health for the State of Tennessee. The Reverend John E. Madison, Sr., Presiding Elder of the South Memphis District and the Reverend Robert Finch, Presiding Elder of the North Memphis District, set the stage for an unforgettable Founder’s Day. They, along with their pastors and laity, rolled out the “red carpet” for Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, presiding prelate for the 13th Episcopal District along her husband, Supervisor of Missions Stan McKenzie. Bishop McKenzie is the first female elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and is the President of the Council of Bishops and Brother Stan McKenzie is the first male Episcopal Supervisor.
“Founder’s Day is the season for us to drink again from the wells of our heritage,” Bishop McKenzie said proudly, and went on to say, “We dip our cups deep into the rich waters of AME achievements. We are refreshed by the courage of those who launched out into the deep treacherous waters of institutional building. It is a time to revisit out traditions and create new ones for the 21st century.”
The Founder’s Day theme, “Believe, Renew, Resource, Rebuild, Regimen and Results,” was the spiritual backdrop for the three-day celebration that attracted huge crowds who were excited and anxious to follow the vision and to “Believe” what God had revealed to their Episcopal leader that greater works could be done in the Thirteenth Episcopal District.
The first order of business for Founder’s Day was the Presiding Elders’ Institute conducted by Bishop McKenzie, followed by a luncheon in St. Andrew’s newly renovated Family Life Center. A representative from Works, Inc., a non- profit corporation under the umbrella of St. Andrew’s ministry, made a presentation on “How to assists ministries with government funds for community development.”
Founder’s Day officially opens
Later that evening, Dr. Floyd Flake, senior pastor of the 18,600-member Greater Allen AME Cathedral of Jamaica, New York, preached a jubilant opening worship service about “What Do You Do When You Get What You Ask For?” The soul-stirring message focused on five sisters who prayed and finally received their inheritance in Joshua, chapter 12, after being a part of a great legacy from the descendants of Joseph.
Shelby County Mayor A. C. Wharton welcomed the congregation and presented Bishop McKenzie and Pastor Flake with gifts from Shelby County. Memphis Mayor W. W. Herenton met with Bishop McKenzie and Supervisor Stan McKenzie on Friday.
The Founder’s Day Activities included early morning prayer sessions, exercise in St. Andrew’s gymnasium and nutritious meals served by St. Andrew’s. Bishop McKenzie said, “We need to renew our bodies with exercising and walking” and reminded the Thirteenth District, “The cross is both horizontal and vertical. We are promoting healthy eating habits and healthy spiritual habits.”
The Reverend Ronald L. Owens, retired Army Chaplain and now, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Augusta, Georgia, conducted a powerful workshop on how to establish cohesive, healthy relations with God and collegial relations with each other. Workshop participants engaged in dialogue about conflict resolution and problem-solving techniques. “We will have conflicts in the church,” Dr. Owens said and went on to explain, “They can come about as a result of our different gifts.”
Preaching, praise and dance were an integral part of Founder’s Day. An Hour of Power started at noon Friday. Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield, pastor of St. John AME Church in Nashville, delivered a thought-provoking message, “Reaching for Grapes, Living like Grasshoppers, and Dealing with Giants.” On Friday night, the Reverend Jonathan Weaver, pastor of Mt. Nebo AME Church in Bowie, Maryland, spoke out prophetically in his sermon entitled “Under Protective Custody.” He graphically illustrated that the righteous suffer afflictions but the Lord delivers the righteous and helps them to navigate their way through difficulties. The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the Editor of The Christian Recorder preached the sermon about the “Women with the Issue of Blood” entitled, “Hit and Miss.” He pointed out that sometimes we want to “touch the hem of the Master’s garment” without accountability. Founder’s Day featured glorious praise music nightly from St. Andrew’s choir and praise-dancers. The “Men in Motion” led an explosive, dramatic, dance routine with banners, evoking sustain applause the congregation. The musical rendition of, “The Best is Yet to Come” was inspiration for Presiding Elder Madison’s introduction of Bishop McKenzie’s vision who said, “The best is not yet to come, but is already in progress.”
Ministry in action
On Saturday morning, the Nehemiah Nation, a men and young adult ministry, journeyed to Palestine AME Church in Memphis, pastored by Reverend Quinton Smith to help make improvements on the church’s structure. A group of 50 men repaired the roof, painted, raked leaves, and made other repairs. The outreach sparked enthusiasm when Bishop McKenzie, dressed in her Nehemiah Nation attire, witnessed the work in progress. Bishop McKenzie coined The Nehemiah Nation after the Prophet Nehemiah, because he was a praying man of God who brought about spiritual revival by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. “Men are the walls of our communities – protecting, providing safety and security,” she said.
Using innovative outreach methods to impact people with the Gospel, Bishop McKenzie, has established the Nehemiah Nation, School of the Prophets, an institute for continuing education for the Thirteenth Episcopal District clergy, AME Pages, AME Works Day, and Believe, Inc.
Bishop McKenzie meets the Memphis media
In the weeks leading up to Founder’s Day, Presiding Elder Madison and Presiding Elder Finch, served notice on the City of Memphis that the AME’s, were coming to Memphis to celebrate Founder’s Day with its history-making, first female elected and consecrated bishop and the first male Episcopal Supervisor. Bishop McKenzie was the guest on live radio and television talk shows. Callers and well-wishers on the “Janice Fullilove Show,” praised Bishop McKenzie for her faith and courage in answering her “call from God.” Local newspapers published exclusive feature articles about the Thirteenth District Founder’s Day and Bishop and Supervisor McKenzie. Presiding Elder Madison was quoted in The Commercial Appeal saying “History is being made with Bishop McKenzie and she’s shepherding a rebirth in our Church.” Presiding Elder Finch told one newspaper, “We are learning how to resolve conflicts within our local churches and turn to one another for help as a result of Bishop McKenzie’s leadership; we are discovering how to be good AME’s.”
From St. Andrew to St. James
The Founder’s Day celebration made a swift transition from South Memphis to North Memphis with a 10 a.m. service at St. James AME Church, pastored by the Reverend Walter W. Reid, Jr. Three television stations sent their crews to get one final interview before Bishop McKenzie graced the pulpit.
Bishop McKenzie spoke from Psalm 37:18 - 19. Her dynamic preaching and biblical exegesis exhorted the congregation to praise God in spite of what they might be going through. The congregation, erupting in shouts of praise, included Memphis Judge Earnestine Dorse, the Sorors of Delta Sigma Theta, and the renowned Memphis fashion designer, Barbara Perkins.
After the worship service, Presiding Elder Madison and his wife, Mrs. Willie Ann, led a speeding convoy that escorted Bishop McKenzie and her entourage across Interstate I-240 for another Founder’s Day service in Parsons, Tennessee.
Submitted by Patricia Rogers, Memphis area public relations agent
4. DEVOTIONAL: GOING FORWARD WITH GOD: YOUR PART COUNTS:
For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body – whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free – and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Now the body is not made up of one part but of many. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where should the sense of smell be? But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. (I Corinthians 12: 13-14, 17-18 NIV)
The passage above informs us that God has established an important role for each part of the body to play in His plan of redemption. Frequently when we think of the roles we play in the body of Christ, we describe them as member of the usher board, missionary society, official board, Sunday school, Lay organization, or clergy of some level. These descriptions are related to the parts we play in the formal structure of our churches. But, what about the spiritual parts we play as part of the body of Christ?
I Corinthians chapter 12 describes the body as many parts. The parts of the body described here are spiritual parts. The Church goes forward with God as the Holy Spirit manifests Himself in individual believers. These manifestations occur in three dimensions outlined by scripture…
Submitted by the Reverend James Moody, Quinn Chapel, Chicago, Illinois
(Read the complete article in The Christian Recorder)
Subscribe to the hardcopy Christian Recorder and receive it in the mail. You may call 800-648-8724 and make your payment using your credit card.
Or, you may send $26.00 check or money order for a one-year subscription to:
The Christian Recorder
512 8th Avenue South
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-4181
