Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on PublicationsThe Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., PublisherThe Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER CELEBRATES WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH!
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER CELEBRATES WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH!
1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:
Just a reminder, there is a $35.00 for color pictures that appear in The Christian Recorder (hardcopy). Black and white pictures are free. If you email pictures with articles and you want us to use color pictures, please indicate that to us and forward the color separation fee of $35.00 per picture.
2. THE REVEREND GILBERT HARPER SHARES - SCAM ARTIST TRIED BUT FAILED AT MT. ZION AME, ROANOKE, VIRGINIA:
“These scam artists tried it with me but got nowhere. The person that called the church after Sunday worship about 2 months ago identified himself as Rev. Davis of Philadelphia and said that he was with Bishop Richardson. I asked him why Bishop Richardson was in Philadelphia and he got real confused and hung up. A few days later the same voice called my home number and said that he was a (AME) pastor in Atlanta and that he was with Bishop Richardson and he had his niece on the other line. I questioned him. I asked him if Bishop Richardson was his bishop and his response was "isn't he everybody's bishop. When he attempted to connect the niece, the phone was disconnected. I was trying to see how far he was going, but I've not heard back from them.”
The Rev. Gilbert Harper
Mt. Zion AME Church
3. OKLAHOMA CITY STUDENT ACCEPTED INTO “PEOPLE TO PEOPLE” ACADEMIC PROGRRAM:
Kentrell Pierson, a student at St. John Christian Heritage Academy, has been accepted into the People to People World Leadership Forum. Kentrell will join a select group of students in Washington, D.C., March 20th-27th, to earn high school credit while studying leadership and exploring some of our nation’s most prominent monuments and institutions.
From Capitol Hill to the Smithsonian Institute, and from Colonial Williamsburg to the National Museum of American History, Kentrell will examine the characteristics of American leadership during times of national challenge and prosperity. Forum delegates will also participate in small-group discussions and exercises to experience first-hand how successful leaders develop strategies, make decisions, build consensus, and foster change.
Kentrell was nominated and accepted for the honor based on outstanding scholastic merit, civic involvement and leadership potential.
The program is coordinated by People to People Student Ambassador Programs to fulfill the vision Dwight D. Eisenhower had for fostering world citizenship when he founded People to People during his presidency in 1956. Kentrell is a member of Avery Chapel AME Church, where the Reverend Dr. Lonnie Johnson is his pastor. Kentrell serves the church as Junior Church School Superintendent, YPD member, Choir member, Junior Usher Board member, and Sons of Allen member. His hobbies include: playing golf, chess, and video games, reading books, and scientific experiments.
Have a wonderful day
Efia N. Pierson
4. BETHEL, HUNTINGTON, NY OBSERVES “HEALTH AWARENESS SUNDAY”:
Submitted by Jeanette T. Johns
February 27 was declared “Health Awareness Sunday” by Pastor Michael D. Washington. In preparation for this observance Pastor Washington met with a representative of the American Heart Association and also secured materials prepared especially for the Black population regarding Diabetes. During the morning service a member of the Steward Board, Sis. Victoria Motley presented a talk which emphasized the major indicators that one is at-risk for Diabetes which affects a disproportionate number of Blacks, many of whom are not even aware that they are victims of this insidious disease.
When it was time for the preached Word, Pastor Washington introduced the speaker for the day, Rev. Dr. William R. Spencer, Jr., a member of Bethel’s Ministerial Staff. Rev. Dr. Spencer’s medical specialty is Pediatric Otolaryngology and in addition to his practice his duties include lecturing as a Professor, while his religious duties include preaching as a minister. On “Health Awareness Sunday” Bethel members were privileged to see both styles in action. Bethel is fortunate to have this Man of God in their midst as he has previously delivered health-related sermons to this congregation. Last year’s message relating to Diabetes is well-remembered by the members of Bethel and they were eagerly looking forward to what he had to share with them on this particular occasion.
Rev. Dr. Spencer’s text was “What About Me?” and he spoke from Luke 22:39-46 and Luke 23:39-43. Interspersed within his message there were also references to Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, and 3 John 2 - Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth..
Rev. Dr. Spencer related that his young son, Robbie, becomes jealous when his father spends time with his younger sister, Hannah, or their baby sister, Ava Reese. No matter how much time he spends with Robbie, whenever his dad spends time with the girls, Robbie says, “What about ME?” Not only children, but adults seek attention. Like Robbie, we all need attention. Who can drive the fanciest car? Who can display the most “bling-bling”? Even in church we sometimes notice that after a testimony is given, another member will get up and try to give a better, stronger testimony. And with the Academy Awards ceremonies only hours away, he said that even the stars are competing as to who can wear the fanciest dress. People everywhere seem to be asking “What about ME?”
A more important thing, says Dr. Spencer would be to ask “What about OTHERS?” The greatest blessing is not taking care of your own needs but caring for the needs of others. And if we could think, “What about JESUS?” that would be even better. If we could think in terms of “not my will but thine be done”, this would please God.
Proceeding with the theme, “What About ME?” Rev. Dr. Spencer stated that we should strive to make God, not man, notice us. And one of the best ways to do this is to simply present your body as a living sacrifice. It was at that point that Rev. Spencer moved smoothly into the health phase of his sermon. Emphasizing the benefits of diet and exercise, he stated that in order to be effective we must make lifestyle changes that we can work with. Success depends upon making small changes that will eventually become habit and thus become permanent changes in your life. Regarding such diet changes he says, “If you go to McDonald’s every day and have two Big Macs, next time have just one Big Mac. Or you can just hold the French fries. Small lifestyle changes are what will make the difference.” Likewise, exercise must be on a continuous basis in order to achieve the desired effect, so it is best to choose an activity that you will be willing to repeat daily or several times a week.
Another important subject covered by Rev. Spencer was how to handle stress in our lives. He explained that God, in His wisdom, made our bodies in quite remarkable fashion. For instance, blood vessels that are blocked 70-80% will continue to function; however, stress will cause swelling around those vessels rendering them 100% blocked. It is up to us to manage the stress in our lives so that this will not happen. Smoking and drinking add stress to the body. He admonished the members to curb those habits and to tackle that job in small steps. About smoking he said, “If you now smoke 20 cigarettes a day, cut it back to 19 and move on from there.”
During the course of his sermon, Rev. Dr. Spencer related to his listeners a very personal story regarding a 17-month-old patient. A tonsillectomy had been performed on the baby and although Rev. Dr. Spencer’s surgery had been done exactly right, other factors came into play and the baby became very ill. It developed into a life-threatening situation and he was gravely concerned about the baby’s welfare. For two weeks this doctor-minister was painfully distressed by the baby’s circumstances. After explaining in great detail the day-by-day occurrences that affected him so personally, he told how he had turned wholly to prayer, knowing that he had done all that he could possibly do for the child. “Prayer changes things” was his thought. His prayer asked God to prepare him to deal with whatever happened to the child while also asking that He deliver the child back to his family. “Thy will be done”, were his final words. The hair-raising details of this medical/spiritual encounter were relayed in an unusually forthright way. From the comments heard throughout the congregation and the number of tissues that were forced into use, it was clear that his entire church family was placed in the position of experiencing the agony and pain felt by this caring and loving physician.
The preacher concluded by saying that in order to give God our best bodies we must eat right, exercise right, and take the stress out of our lives. We must do all we can with those tasks, remembering that we can’t do it all by ourselves. We are to do our very best and realize that we need to be in constant prayer about taking the best care of our bodies. We must constantly seek God’s help. The thief on the cross turned to Jesus and asked for help. He said, “What about ME?” And Jesus said to him, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” The preacher for the day urged that if we believe that “Prayer changes things” and we seek God’s help, today could be the day for the beginning of important life changes for each of us.
Rev. Dr. Spencer has expressed his interest in sharing his medical expertise with other churches in the area by conducting seminars or lectures on various medical topics. Surely, God must be pleased with the way in which His servant is utilizing his God-given skills.
Following this dramatic and compelling sermon, those in attendance were invited to further participate in “Health Awareness Sunday” activities. “Body and Soul” is a 12-14 week program designed especially for African-American churches. The goal of the program is to encourage church members to eat more fruits and vegetables in order to reduce their risk of cancer and other diseases. At the close of the service, Bethel members gathered in the Lower Auditorium where a Mini-Health Fair was in progress. They were given an opportunity to sign a pledge to work with this program in an effort to improve their individual lifestyles as related to health issues. Also, there were neatly packaged materials relating to various health issues for members to take home and peruse as they contemplate various ways to implement ideas for health improvement. These were distributed by Bethel members Carolyn B. Bentley and Marian Hendrickson, both nurses by profession. A representative of the American Heart Association was present to give blood pressure examinations and advice as needed. Further information will be supplied to the church periodically by “Body and Soul” in order to help members achieve the desired changes in their lifestyles. Also, in the future there will be opportunities for Diabetes examinations conducted by Bethel’s resident health professionals.
In observing “Health Awareness Sunday” Bethel took advantage of several available community resources. Each community across the nation probably has people and facilities that are anxious to supply current health information. Bethel, Huntington recommends that these be sought out and utilized to the fullest in order to help God’s people maximize their efforts toward better health.
(Read more in The Chrsitian Recorder)
5. MARCH 12 PRAYER BREAKFAST HONORS SERVICE AND SACRIFICE; KICKS OFF 2005 MEN'S CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES:
LOS ANGELES - (February 28, 2005) - In his sermon, "The Drum Major Instinct," the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said "If you want to be important - wonderful. If you want to be recognized - wonderful. If you want to be great - wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness."
Dr. King's poignant words are especially true of the men and women who are being recognized for their great service and sacrifice during the 2005 Men's Conference sponsored by the Grant A.M.E. Church of Watts.
Junelle Moore and Navy Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Walter Woods have prepared hearty meals for the less fortunate of Watts for more than 10 years; Dexter Moon was the principle planner and catalyst of the 80th Session of the Southern California Annual Conference; Ron Nagai was instrumental in liaising between the mayor's office and the Grant Economic Housing and Economic Development Fund; and 11-member Stewardess Board of Grant plays a pivotal role in the worship experience each Sunday.
"Dr. King was absolutely right," explained the Rev. Leslie R. White, pastor of Grant A.M.E. Church. "You only need 'a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love' to be that servant. And that is what makes these honorees so special: their awesome sacrifice and service to the community by putting others before themselves. Dr. King would surely be proud."
* Junelle Moore - A native Texan, Moore is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement in the County of Los Angeles and is the Vice-President of Grant's Brotherhood ministry. Along with Woods, Moore serves nearly 100 needy residents and senior citizens a four-course meal each first Sunday.
* Navy Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Walter Woods - Woods served during World War II, the Korean Conflict and completed two tours during the Vietnam War before retiring with 24 years of service in 1968. Nearly 20 years later he retired from the U.S. Postal Service as Supervisor of Mail Delivery in Venice.
* Dexter Moon - This 2002 "Grant Man of the Year" is no stranger to organizing important events. Moon served as a past organizer of the Fifth Episcopal District Mid-Year Convocation, coordinator of three charity golf tournaments (Golfing for Higher Learning) to raise funds for Grant's Scholarship program and, most recently, coordinator of the 80th Session of the Southern California Conference that made history as the first in African Methodism to broadcast via the Internet.
* Ron Nagai - Nagai Senior Project Manager in the Mayor of Los Angeles'Office of Economic Development. Nagai was instrumental in helping GHEDC secure the monies necessary to begin construction on the $30 million Imani Fe development. The project, the largest development of its type in South Los Angeles in more than two decades, boasts 65 multi-family four-bedroom apartments and is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2005.
* Stewardess Board - The 12-member Stewardess Board is responsible for serving Holy Communion, assisting with baptism, tending the altar during the invitation to Christian Discipleship and serve as role models for the women of the Church. They have been very supportive of the men's ministry.
The great servants will be honored Saturday, March 12 at 9 a.m. during the Men's Conference Prayer Breakfast at the Sheraton Hotel, 12725 Center Court Drive in Cerritos. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth (age 12 andyounger) and include a delicious breakfast and spirit-filled preaching by the Rev. John J. Hunter, pastor of First A.M.E. Church, Los Angeles.
According to Prayer Breakfast planner Don Scott, the prayer breakfast is the perfect way to kick off the 2005 Men's Conference, themed "There's hope for men...hope for boys...hope for today."
"The Prayer Breakfast is going to set the stage for the entire Conference,"Scott said. "Those in attendance are sure to leave inspired and encouraged that regardless of the situation, there is always hope."
The Conference continues on Saturday, March 19 with a fun-filled afternoon of video, board and card games, and food and fellowship on the lower level of the Church centering around the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The preaching and teaching follow on Sunday, March 20 at both the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services and again Monday through Thursday, March 21 through 24 at 6:30 p.m. nightly.
For Prayer Breakfast tickets or for more information about the 2005 Men's Conference, contact the Church office at (323) 564-1151 or visit the Church Web site, www.GrantAMEChurch.org.
6. ANNUAL MEN'S CONFERENCE OFFERS HOPE; FEATURES PRAYER BREAKFAST, "MARCH MADNESS" GAME DAY, WORSHIP SERVICES AND LIFE-CHANGING MESSAGES FROM SOUGHT-AFTER SPEAKERS:
LOS ANGELES - (February 28, 2005) - In a community ravished by poverty, hopelessness and despair, there is an institution offering a viable alternative to the status quo.
Grant A.M.E. Church of Watts is offering hope: "hope for men...hope for boys...hope for today." That's the theme of the 2005 Men's Conference, the tenth installment of the popular men's ministry, which includes worship services, a prayer breakfast, and this year, a "March Madness" game day.
Featured speakers are Bishops John R. Bryant and Samuel L. Green, and the Revs. John J. Hunter and Aaron J. McCleod.
"We've assembled an anointed cadre of speakers, teachers and ministers of the liberating Gospel of Jesus," explained the Rev. Leslie R. White, pastor of Grant and the impetus behind the Conference. "We believe that older men, young men and our boys who are maturing toward manhood will be enriched and empowered through this conference."
The conference kicks-off with a spirit-filled Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, March 12, at the Sheraton Hotel, 12725 Center Court Drive in Cerritos from 9 a.m. to noon, and continues on Saturday, March 19 with fun-filled afternoon of video, board and card games, and food and fellowship on the lower level of the Church centering around the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
The preaching and teaching follow on Sunday, March 20 at both the 8 a.m. and11 a.m. services and again Monday through Thursday, March 21 through 24 at 6:30 p.m. nightly. A 100-voice Men's Chorus, under the direction of musical mastermind Theresa Jones, will minister through song, along with a special presentation by holy-hip-hop rapper, TripLL-H.
Conference organizer and Church trustee Ron Edison is confident that the array of activities will appeal to men and women of all ages.
"From the inclusion of youth in our theme to the addition of the game day to our conference schedule, we are prayerful that God will speak to the men and women of Watts," Edison added. "We need for God to show them that there is hope for today. They don't have to become a statistic, but instead they can be counted in the number of God's faithful and elect children."
And faithful men of God have been selected to proclaim His Word.
Before being elected Bishop in 1988, Bryant shepherded congregations in Massachusetts and Maryland and earned a reputation as an anointed preacher and adept leader. Recently, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson jokingly described Bryant as a "Pentecostal Baptist preacher in exile," a humorous reference to Bryant's powerfully unique preaching style.
The Los Angeles resident is presently the presiding prelate of the largest Episcopal District of African Methodism, geographically speaking, with oversight of all A.M.E. Churches west of the Mississippi River.
Bryant's cohort, the Rt. Rev. Green, was elected Bishop in 2004 and was appointed to the Fifteenth Episcopal District, which comprises South Africa.There Green draws upon his inspirational pastoral experience at St. Mark A.M.E. Church in Orlando where the congregation grew from less than 200 parishioners to more than 3,600 in under eight years.
As with the Black community of the U.S., South Africa has been severely impacted by the incidence of HIV/AIDS, poverty and political oppression. The situation requires a unique approach to be effective in ministry. That concept is not new to Green, considering while at St. Mark he implemented several specialized ministries to meet the needs of the congregants, including a church credit union, a child enrichment center and a ministry for the hearing impaired.
Bryant and Green are the speakers for the worship services at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively, on Sunday, March 20.
Green teams with Harvard-educated preaching dynamo Aaron McCleod for teaching and preaching, Monday through Thursday, March 21 through 24, at 6:30 p.m. nightly.
An associate minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, McCleod is a law student at the University of Iowa College of Law, and a Thurgood Marshall Fellow and Chair of the campus' chapter of the National Black Law Student Association. McCleod's jurist doctorate will be his second terminal degree; the first is the master's of divinity from the Harvard Divinity School, where he focused on leadership, public policy and community-based ministry.
Like McCleod, John J. Hunter earned his baccalaureate degree from Morehouse College with aspirations of a career in law, and like Bryant, Hunter is the son of a legendary Bishop of the A.M.E. Church. Moreover, like Jesus, Hunter believes he has been anointed to preach "good news to the poor...recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
In November 2004, Hunter was reassigned from First A.M.E., Seattle - the oldest congregation established by African-Americans in the Pacific Northwest - to the pastoral charge of First A.M.E., Los Angeles - the oldest congregation established by African-Americans in California's largest city.Hunter's experience in Seattle as chair of both the FAME Housing Corporation and FAME Family and Child Development Center with five sites across the city, and service as an adjunct professor of theology at Seattle University, is proving invaluable as he now leads the Fifth District's largest congregation.
Keynote speaker Hunter and the Men's Chorus of FAME, Los Angeles are certain to leave the 300 expected guests at the prayer breakfast inspired and encouraged.
For Prayer Breakfast tickets or for more information about the 2005 Men's Conference, contact the Church office at (323) 564-1151 or visit the Church Web site, www.GrantAMEChurch.org.
7. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES:
The Reverend Archie C. Griffin, Sr. died at Health Care at Sanderfur Place,Chattanooga, Tennessee, on the night of Sunday, February 27, 2005. He was a Superannuate of the East Tennessee Annual Conference of the 13th Episcopal District, a former pastor of St. Paul AMEC, Chattanooga, TN, and a former Presiding Elder in the East Tennessee Conference.
The Family will receive friends on Wed. March 2, 2005, from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Frankland-Strickland Funeral Home, Chattanooga, TN. The Funeral Service is scheduled for 12:00 Noon Eastern Standard Time at Warren Chapel AMEC, 503 N Market Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Rev. Charlene Boone, Pastor
Eulogist, Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie
Burial: National Veterans Cemetery, Chattanooga, TN
He was the father of these AME Ministers:
Rev. Etta Garth our pastor in Owensboro, KY
Rev. Archie C Griffin, II our pastor at Berry Chapel-Lynchburg, TN
Rev. Verissa Cora Griffin Stovall, an Associate Minister at Bethel AMEC, Chattanooga, TN
The late Rev. Phillip Bruce Griffin, Sr., who died in 2004
Arrangements are being handled by:
Franklin-Strickland Funeral Home
1724 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37404
Phone: 423-267-2654 Fax: 423-265-9997
Condolences may be sent to his wife: Mrs. Georgia Griffin
2168 Shepherd Rd
Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: 423-894-9789
8. LICENTIATE BLAINE CUMMINGS FUNERAL:
The services for Licentiate Blaine Cummings will be held Thursday, March 3, 2005 at 2:00 at Saint James AME Church in Cynthiana, KY.
Condolence Messages may be sent:
Sister Vesta Cummins
128 Federal Drive
Cynthiana, KY 41031
859-235-9551
Ware Funeral Home
846 US Hwy 27 North
Cynthiana, KY 41031
859-234-4000
St. James AME Church
312 West Pleasant Street
Cynthiana, KY 41031
9. ALL BEREAVEMENT NOTICES ARE SUBMITTED BY:
God Bless!Ora L. Easley, President
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736Fax: (615) 833-3781
WEB SITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/CONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S Home Page
http://connmswawo3.com/AME Church Clergy Family Forum
http://connmswawo3.com/membership.htmlCONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S Membership Listing
Please remember these families in your prayers.
God Bless!
