- I just returned from the Turner Theological Seminary’s Founder’s Day celebration and what a celebration! Great presentations and great preaching! Coverage of the Turner Theological Seminary Founder’s Day will appear in both the online and hard-copy editions of The Christian Recorder.
- I am interested in getting news from across the Church. So far, the First, Second, Fifth, Thirteenth, Sixteenth, and several of the African Districts consistently forward their news and events. I would like for all of the Episcopal Districts to be consistent in sending articles about the news and upcoming events taking place in their districts. Individual churches are also encouraged to utilize The Christian Recorder. We are your source for news about what is happening in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and for sharing what is happening in your districts and in your local churches.
- A reminder: We publish the hard-copy edition of The Christian Recorder every two weeks, just long enough for news to get “stale” and added to that we have to stay about two weeks ahead in submitting issues to the Publisher for printing. It’s a tricky operation and, as you might imagine, time is critical. That is why I believe that the online edition is so important for up-to-the date news. When events happen and you want it in the hard-copy edition, your writers have to get it to us quickly.
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2. BLACK METHODISTS BEGIN LENTEN SEASON WITH WORSHIPFUL REFLECTION; JOINT ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE FEB. 9
Submitted by the Reverend Kevin Taylor
LOS ANGELES — (January 31, 2005) — On Wednesday, Feb. 9, Christians all over the world mark the beginning of the Lenten season with prayers, fasts and quiet introspection. For the leaders and parishioners of the Southland’s historically Black Methodist Churches, the evening will be filled with worship and reflection on the plight of the African-American community.
“Out of the ashes is the manifestation of the kingdom of God absent of denominational walls that have historically divided a broken community,” explained the Rev. Mark Whitlock, pastor of Christ Our Redeemer A.M.E. Church of Irvine. “This service represents a wise beginning to a living end — the beginning of a unified worshiping body and an end to territorial boundaries.”
Whitlock and members of the African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion and Christian Methodist Episcopal churches will gather for Ash Wednesday service in what is believed to be a first-of-its-kind event in the area.
The 7 p.m. special service will be held at Grant A.M.E. Church, 10435 S. Central Avenue in Los Angeles and features a mass Methodist choir.
“We need to transcend our institutional mindsets and do something for the kingdom of God,” Whitlock continued. “God has been calling his Church to come together to do kingdom work which means representing him in the community. And what better way can we do that than by coming together.”
Bishops John R. Bryant and Henry M. Williamson of the A.M.E. and C.M.E. churches, respectively, will lead the teaching and preaching for the evening. Likewise, clergy of the three denominations will be on hand to ceremonially place ashes on worshipers’ foreheads as a sign of humility before God and as a symbol of mourning and sorrow.
The tradition, which generally uses the ashes of the previous year’s Palm Sunday palms, is known as the “imposition of ashes” and is how the day earned its name.
It is apropos that the event coincides with the beginning of the 40-day Lenten season, a time of reflection, introspection and sacrifice, explained the Rev. Leslie R. White, host pastor of Watts’ largest congregation.
“As we journey through the Lenten season, we embark on the same 40-day period that Jesus fasted and prayed in the wilderness prior to beginning his pubic ministry,” White noted. “As we consider how we too might become living sacrifices to God, we must consider the needs of the community around us.”
Rallying to save the King/Drew hospital that serves the minority community, fighting to improve education and working to raise awareness and reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS are ways to do just that, White added, and is why they are major themes of the evening.
Like Ash Wednesday itself, the three denominations are deeply rooted in history as well — each with ties to the Methodist Episcopal Church, which officially became the United Methodist Church in 1968.
The A.M.E. Church, for example, was founded in Philadelphia in 1787 by the Rt. Rev. Richard Allen after he and other freed slaves were not permitted to worship freely. The A.M.E. Zion Church began under similar circumstances nine years later in nearby New York City under the leadership of James Varick.
The C.M.E. Church came on the scene soon after the Civil War as the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America. In 1930 they dropped “in America,” and in 1954 they became the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
According to the 2001 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches, the denominations have a combined membership of more than 4.5 million members in more than 12,000 congregations around the world.
For the Rev. Kwesi R. Kamau, pastor of Amos Memorial C.M.E. Church of Los Angeles, the event is an opportunity to emphasize the “very concrete and significant role” that the three denominations have played in the African-American community.
“The question has always been raised when something goes down in the community, ‘Where is the church?’” Kamau noted. “We don’t always come out with t-shirts with crosses, but in every significant cause the Church has been involved and in leadership roles…. We want to highlight the fact that God’s Church has been represented in meeting the needs of our community that night and in the months and years to come.”
For more information, contact Grant A.M.E. Church at (323) 564-1151 or visit www.grantamechurch.org.
For Immediate Release Contact: Rev. Kevin T. TaylorJanuary 31, 2005 (323) 564-1151
3. HISTORICALLY BLACK METHODIST CHURCHES UNITE IN WORSHIP AND PURPOSE FEB. 9; ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE FOCUSES ON KING/DREW MEDICAL CENTER, EDUCATION AND HIV/AIDS AWARENESS:
Submitted by the Reverend Kevin Taylor
LOS ANGELES — (January 31, 2005) — In 22 years of ministry, the Rev. Bonnie Hines has seen just about everything: natural disaster, gang and domestic violence, layoffs, teen pregnancy, divorce and more.
But there is nothing natural about the education system, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and the proposed closing of King/Drew Medical Center that’s plaguing Los Angeles’ Black community, she says.
So when Hines, the new pastor of First A.M.E. Zion Church in Los Angeles, got a call to help plan a Wesleyan worship service with those issues as its core focus, she jumped at the opportunity.
“In all of the congregations that I have served,” Hines said, “HIV/AIDS has touched each and every one. It’s running rampant — there is no way that you can’t be touched by it.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AIDS is a leading cause of death among black women aged 25-44 years and among black men aged 25-54 years. Black men are nearly nine times more likely than white men to have AIDS, and Black women are 23 times more likely than white women to have AIDS.
The situation is just as bleak when it comes to education. A recent report of the National Center of Education Statistics shows Blacks more likely to drop out of high school than whites and while, the proportion of Blacks completing college increased between 1975 and 2000, Blacks still remained less likely than Whites to earn degrees.
That’s why Hines and other leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion and Christian Methodist Episcopal Churches will unite in worship and purpose on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005 at 7 p.m. at Grant A.M.E. Church in Watts.
The event comes just two days after the CDC-sponsored National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and less than two months after the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted to close the trauma unit at King/Drew.
“Historically African-Americans have looked to the Black Church to be the change agent in our community,” Hines said. “Through this event the historically Black Methodist bodies are being more purposeful and deliberate than ever. We want people to walk away with the sense that the African-American Church is still that voice and is still that change agent in our community.”
The service is the result of months of brainstorming by bishops of the three groups — the Rt. Revs. John R. Bryant, Roy A. Holmes and Henry M. Williamson of the A.M.E., A.M.E.Z. and C.M.E. churches, respectively — on ways the denominations can leverage their power to impact the community.
“Our denominations share a rich history and heritage of serving God’s people,” explained the Rev. Leslie R. White, host pastor of Watts’ largest congregation. “I believe our bishops recognized that we can do more by standing united than when we tackle these issues separately. So we gather together to ask the Lord to strengthen our faith as we strengthen our resolve to save King/Drew, improve education and eradicate HIV/AIDS.”
White says the proceeds from the service will be donated to the African American Women Health & Education Foundation, which sponsors the Southern California Regional 5K AIDS Walk for Women and Children in April.
The service will also feature a combined Southern California Black Methodist Choir, teaching by Bryant, preaching by Williamson and a special presentation from U.S. Congresswoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-California, District 37).
The Rev. Kwesi R. Kamau, pastor of Amos Memorial C.M.E. Church of Los Angeles, says the service is an opportunity to declare victory on these social issues.
“In the Black Church the power of our worship experience is that we’re celebrating a victory won,” Kamau said. “The first is Christ’s victory over death which gives everyone hope and a new chance of life. Second, we celebrate victory in our communities…From civil rights to women’s rights to economic justice; the Black Church has been the backbone to help make that happen. In 2005, we’ve come together to celebrate what God has done in and through our lives and how He will help us alleviate these issues in our community.”
And when the benediction is offered at the close of Wednesday’s service, Kamau prays that it won’t be the last time that the denominations come together in this manner.
“I hope that this will be the beginning of something great in terms of…laying a foundation of cooperation for the Black churches across the region. I hope that we can do this at least once a year,” he said.
For more information, contact Grant A.M.E. Church at (323) 564-1151 or visit www.grantamechurh.org.
Also see the National African-American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Web site, www.blackaidsday.org and visit the Southern California Regional 5K AIDS Walk for Women and Children at www.scraidswalk.org.
For Immediate Release Contact: Rev. Kevin T. TaylorJanuary 31, 2005 (323) 564-1151
4. THE PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT COMMEMORATES THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
Rev. Dr. Esther L. Seales And Rev. Maxine L. Thomas
“Take away from me the noise of your songs; for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments. But let justice run down like water, and righteousness like amighty stream!’ Amos 5:23, 24
The power of the Holy Ghost fell upon all who witnessed the proclamation of God’s Word, as our bishop, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris, presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District expounded on the subject “Justice and Righteousness” as he preached the sermon for the Philadelphia District’s First Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Service which was held Sunday January 16, 2005 at Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church in Philadelphia, PA at 4:00 p.m.
Bishop Norris challenged all assembled to make sure our lives correspond to the songs of Zion that we sing. “God is not impressed with our singing. But God desires righteousness and justice from us,” Bishop Norris said.
He reminded us that America had better get ready for a day of reckoning for the wrongs that have been done, the bombs that we have dropped on innocent people, the diseases that we have caused, the hunger that we have spread, and for all of the inequities of life. “We are hard pressed to explain why we are in Iraq. As a nation, one day we will have to explain why our ships sat out on the bay and watched while hundreds of our boys and girls in Monrovia, Liberia were being killed. We are living in a critical and difficult time…a time where there is a lack of justice and a lack of righteousness.”
The power and conviction of the preached Word caused those assembled to stand and praise God as a witness because the preacher let us know that there is still hope because Jesus Christ paid the price for us with his shed blood on Calvary.
Bishop Norris took us to the mountain top. He said, “I am still dreaming the dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Let righteousness run down and let justice exude America. Let righteousness come forth from the Allegheny Mountains in Pennsylvania, from the snowcapped Rockies in Colorado, from Lookout Mountain in Tennessee… from every village and every hamlet….”
“I am so glad that the debt has been paid. There is a fountain filled with blood drawn from Emmanuel’s veins, and sinners plunged beneath the flood, lose all their guilty stains.”
“Let Justice Roll down and Righteousness come forth, and God will do a new thing!” Bishop Norris proclaimed the Word with power and authority as he applauded the work of Dr. King and challenged his listeners to ascend to higher heights of accountability and with paralleled victory and vision lay claim to the dream that will move us forward as we continue to proclaim liberty and justice for all.
The Rev. Dr. Henrietta Scott Fullard, Presiding Elder of the Philadelphia District had the vision for the District’s First Annual Martin Luther King Commemoration Service. During the service, Elder Fullard recalled her experiences growing up in the south under “Jim Crow” Laws. In retrospect, she continued: “I grew up in a segregated south …
(Read the complete article in The Christian Recorder)
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6. SMALL CHURCH WITH BIG PLANS: PASADENA'S BROWN MEMORIAL A.M.E. CHURCH TO RETIRE DEBT, RENOVATE AND ADDRESS HOMELESSNESS IN 2005
Submitted by the Reverend Kevin Taylor
PASADENA, Calif. - (January 31, 2005) - Don't let his small membership roster fool you. The Rev. Carlton V. Rickman Jr. of Brown Memorial A.M.E.Church in Pasadena is a man on a mission: retire the Church's debt, address homelessness in the community and most importantly, save 100 souls by year's end.
The anointed, charismatic Rickman was appointed pastor of Brown Memorial in October 2004. Already he's reduced the existing debt by nearly 7 percent, begun a feeding program for persons down on their luck, sought 501(C)(3) status and declared victory over the church's financial situation by March 2005.
"My vision for the church is that Brown will become a source of spiritual, social, political and economic empowerment for the people within the community," said Rickman, a 17-year veteran of ministry in the A.M.E.Church, 16 of which were spent at pastoral charges in Ohio and West Virginia.
In the long-term, Rickman is working toward affordable housing, youth mentorship and tutoring, job placement and job referral programs, and access to affordable healthcare for neighborhood residents.
In the short-term, however, he is feverishly working to retire the $72,000 debt that's plagued the congregation for more many years. Once it's liquidated in mid-March, Rickman will need another $40,500 for new renovations - a new roof and energy efficient wiring among them.
To accomplish the goal, he's enlisted a cadre of spirit-filled preachers, including the Rev. Leslie R. White of Grant A.M.E. Church in the heart of Watts. White was the keynote speaker for the Mortgage Liquidation/Church Renovation Rally Kick-off on Sunday, Jan. 23, where another 4 percent was shaved from the debt through the offering.
White's sermon, "Fix this House!" was taken from Jeremiah 7:1-4 and encouraged the nearly 150 persons in attendance to develop a "strong social and moral consciousness that is not in conflict with the financial obligations of the church…”
(Read the complete article in The Chrsitian Recorder)
7. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
Subscribe to The Christian Recorder and have the hard-copy paper edition mailed directly to your home! You may call 1-800-648-8724 and make your payment using your credit card. Or send $26.00 check or money order for a one year subscription to:
The Christian Recorder
500 8th Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
8. NEWS FROM JOHNSON CHAPEL, SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA:
- 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 this Sunday as a part of our First Sunday Communion Worship Service. Bishop Guidry, our former Presiding Elder, is the second women elected to the bench of Bishops in the 218 year History of the AME Church and is currently assigned to be the 16th Episcopal District which covers the Caribbean, London, Holland and South America. As a part of the worship service, Bishop Tyler Guidry will also be formally presented with a check in the amount of $2,000 which represents the amount collected from the Johnson Chapel Church Family for emergency disaster relief in the Caribbean Welcome Bishop Carolyn Tyler-Guidry!
- This Wednesday, February 9, 2005 at 7:00 p.m., the Johnson Chapel Church Family will be joining with Bishop John Richard Bryant and A.M.E.s from across Southern California, Bishop Henry Williamson and Members of the CME Church as well as Bishop Roy Holmes and members of the AME Zion Church in a joint Worship Service designed to “Tear Down Denominational Walls.” The service will be held at Grant AME Church Los Angeles. Transportation from Johnson Chapel will be provided for all those who are interested in attending. Please reserve your seat by signing up today at the Information Station. Vans will be leaving the church at 5:30 p.m. and are anticipated to return at approximately 10:00 p.m..
For more information please contact the church office at (714) 972-8983
- Honors Johnson Chapel Heroes On behalf of the Dr. John Howard Morrow Award of Merit Selection Committee as well as the entire Johnson Chapel Church Family, the Pastor is extremely pleased and most proud to announce our 2005 Honorees. They are: Jackie Thompson, Alvin Alaman, Rayford Rodgers and Mattie Lang. This years list of Johnson Chapel “Heroes” is truly an eclectic one in terms of age, gender as well as the nature of the contributions to church and community that each have made. The one constant among all four is that they are all, extremely positive Christians role models who demonstrate a passionate love for God that manifests itself in a life-long pattern of service to others. In a day and time where individuals in our culture and society are afforded “Hero” status for significantly less reason than that, we proudly take this occasion to stand together as a Church Family to salute these four individuals and to lift them up as genuine “Heroes from Within”. Each of our 2005 Award Recipients will represent Johnson Chapel in this Saturday’s Orange County Black History Parade. Each will also be individually honored (in the order in which they appear above) on each of the four Sundays of February as part of our Church’s Black History Month Celebration. This Sunday (First Sunday) we will be honoring Sister Jackie Thompson.
9. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Reverend Lee F. Lewis which occurred on Wednesday, January 26, 2005.
FUNERAL SERVICE:Funeral Service was held on Monday, January 31, 2005Funeral - 11:00 a.m.
St. Matthew A.M.E. Church
215 North 57th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Condolences can be sent to the family:
Mrs. Helen Lewis
544 North 63rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19151
Please remember the Lewis family in your prayers during this time of their bereavement.
10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regretfully report the death of the Mother of one of our Presiding Elders in the 16th District. Mrs. Ilene Morris, mother of Presiding Elder Andrew C. Morris-Grant passed away in Queenstown, Georgetown Guyana. Funeral arrangements are pending.
Condolences may be sent to
The Rev. Andrew C. Morris-Grant
209 New Garden Street
Queenstown Georgetown, Guyana
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Mamie Brown McClellan Fripp, the mother of Mrs. Paulette Cryer, The Connectional Director of the Young People's Division, and the mother-in-law of Rev. Eugene Cryer, Jr. passed away after a brave duration of illness on Wednesday morning, January 26, 2005.
The homegoing celebration was held January 31, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. in Greater Trinity AME Church, Charleston, South Carolina. The eulogy was delivered by senior pastor, Rev. Robert Stokes.
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Paulette Cryer
7739 Outlook Drive
North Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 552-2034
Email: PMCRYER@aol.com
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Hospice of Charleston or the Trinity AME Church YPD Scholarship Fund.
Submitted by: Lula S. Cleckley, President
7th Episcopal District M-SWAWO
Please remember Sister Paulette Cryer and family in your prayers.
12. ALL CLERGY FAMILY BREAVEMENT NOTICES RECEIVED FROM:
Ora L. Easley, PresidentCONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736Fax: (615) 833-3781
WEBSITES: http://www.amemswwpk.org/CONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S Home Page: http://connmswawo3.com/
AME Church Clergy Family Forum: http://connmswawo3.com/membership.html
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