Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:
- Below are three links appended below about AME’s. The first link is an article that appeared in The Washington Post about the Reverend Dr. Lee Washington and the second link is an article that appeared in the DelMarVa Daily Times about Miss Lisa Wilkes, “Miss University of Maryland Eastern Shore 2004-2005” and who is a member of Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Ranbdallstown, Maryland which is in the Washington Annual Conference of the Second Episcopal District. The third article, which appeared in the Washington Post, is about Ebenezer AME Church, Fort Washington where the Reverends Grainger and Joann Browning are co-pastors and gives an account of the message that the Reverend Dr. Jesse Jackson’s message gave at Ebenezer.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A32382-2005Mar13?language=printer
http://www.delmarvaheadlines.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050314/NEWS01/503140312/1002
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32264-2005Mar13.html?sub=AR
Editor’s Comment: Open and read the links as soon as possible because some newspapers remove access to online news stories after several days. Today’s news links were shared by the Reverend Leslie White and the Rev. (or Bro.?) James H. Smith. The third link was shared be Brother Eric and Sister Stephanie Stradford. To open the third article you may have to sign up for the Washington Post Online. It’s free.
- The most efficient and preferred method to send articles for The Christian Recorder is via email: chsydnor@bellsouth.net . You may FAX articles to me: (615) 658-5552. You may mail articles to me: The Christian Recorder, 512 Eighth Avenue, South, Nashville, TN 37203-4181.
- Reminder: This Sunday is Palm Sunday, next week is Holy Week which culminates with Easter. The celebrations are early this year!
2. NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ELEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE BISHOP:
For immediate release —
Federal Judge Grants Edward Waters College (EWC) A Preliminary Injunction Against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Ruling means EWC retains its accreditation
JACKSONVILLE, Fit, March 11, 2005 — A federal judge ruled today that Edward Waters College (EWC) will remain accredited through its pursuit of a lawsuit against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. College leaders and its attorneys held a press conference this afternoon on the steps of the U.S. Courthouse to discuss the ruling.
Judge Timothy Corrigan, after hearing evidence and arguments from both EWC and SACS, ruled that “the college has shown a substantial likelihood that it will prove at trial, that die association denied the college due process in the procedures the association employed to expel the college from association membership.”
“This is an important victory for EWC,” said Bishop McKinley Young, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “It is now beginning to be understood that EWC has been denied its due process.”EWC filed the request for a temporary injunction, a preliminary injunction and a lawsuit against SACS on Monday, February 28 after learning its internal appeal to SACS had been denied. EWC was granted the injunction that afternoon and argued later in the week in a three-hour hearing that the injunction should remain in place through conclusion of the lawsuit.
The ruling forces SACS to keep EWC as a member (remaining accredited) until and throughout its lawsuit against the accrediting association. It also directs SACS to mediate with EWC in mediation to be presided over by U.S. District Judge Harvey Schlesinger and Attorney and Interim Supervisor of Elections William Scheu. The judge also ruled that under the Higher Education Act, federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions involving the accreditation issue and he denied SACS’ request to have the case dismissed.
Edward Waters College was established in 1866 to educate the descendants of African Americans, newly emancipated from slavery. Today, its enrollment continues to be substantially African-American students from the Southeast and Northeast regions of the United Stares, while also welcoming students from all racial and ethnic groups within the United States and from around the world. The College is a private, four-year, liberal arts, coeducational, residential institution, committed to Christian principles which emphasize high moral and spiritual values, as a result of its close affiliation with, and support from, the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It offers baccalaureate degrees in the arts and sciences and other career-based professional fields.
Editor's Comment: Kudos to Bishop McKinley Young and his legal staff. Please keep Edward Waters College in your prayers!
3. NEWS FROM THE 93RD SESSION OF THE SOUTH GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
March 9, 2005: Bishop DeVeaux hears reports from pastors on the Albany-Valdosta District under the leadership of Presiding Elder Jacqueline D. Smith. As with those of the Thomasville-Bainbridge District, lead by Presiding Elder David L. Moore, all reports were well received by Bishop DeVeaux and conference attendees.
The Conference was led in a spirited worship break by our Episcopal Supervisor, Dr. Pam DeVeaux who led the Conference in singing "I got a new name over in Zion." Not only did Dr. Pam lead us in singing, but she showed the Conference that she knew how to dance in the Spirit of the Lord. The Rev. Dr. Kenneth C. Williams was the Hour of Power preacher. His text was taken from Psalm 127.1; sermon subject, "A house not made by human hands."
The Women in Ministry conducted the evening worship service. The preacher was the Rev. Mary C. Groomes of the Thomasville-Bainbridge District. Her text was taken from Mark 4.39-40. The subject was "Weathering the storms of life."
March 10, 2005: After hearing the conclusion of pastoral reports the Conference prepared for the Hour of Power service. The preacher was the Rev. Carla Carter Jordan, pastor of St. Phillip AME, Valdosta. She preached a powerful message which left the congregation praising God. When Bishop DeVeaux stepped to the pulpit to make remarks, the Spirit of the Lord came down in St. Timothy and people were being prayed for and anointed with oil.
March 11, 2005: After hearing the final reports and directions from Bishop DeVeaux in regards to how the conference will close, the Sons of Allen held their service at noon. The preacher was the Rev. Claude Ray James, pastor of Allen Temple, Atlanta, Georgia.
The ordination service was held at 7:00 p.m. The guest preacher was the Rev. Ronald Boykins of Manassas, VA. His sermon was well prepared, and informative about the dynamics of pastoral leadership. Pastor Boykins and the message were well received by the South Georgia conference.
March 11, 2005: Bishop DeVeaux heard reports from several components. Bishop DeVeaux thanked the Annual Conference for all of its gifts and acts of kindness extended to him and Dr. Pam since their arrival in the Sixth Episcopal District.
The Commissioning service was held at 7:00 p.m. The Conference was blessed to have the former Bishop of the Sixth Episcopal District, retired Bishop Frank C. Cummings and Mrs. Martha Cummings as guests.
Bishop Cummings preached about "A Divine Appointment." He preached with power and anointing. The South Georgia Annual Conference ended on a high note.
Bishop & Dr. Pam expressed their gratitude to the Rev. Terry McCreary, host pastor and Saint Timothy, host church, along with the presiding elders, clergy, and lay for how the 93rd Session was held. Bishop DeVeaux stated that he felt that he was off to a good start in his first series of annual conferences in the Sixth District.
Bishop DeVeaux's next conference , the Southwest Georgia Annual Conference, opens on March 15, 2005 at Love Oak AME Church, Donalsonville, Georgia. The Rev. Millie Rambeau is the host pastor.
4. THE THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT MIDYEAR CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD THIS WEEK AT QUINN CHAPEL, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY:
The 13th Episcopal District Mid-Year Conference will be held at Quinn Chapel AME Church beginning Thursday Evening, March 17, 2005 with the Reverend Dr. William Whatley being the keynote preacher. Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is the presiding prelate and Brother Stan McKenzie, the Episcopal Supervisor are excited about the Mid-Year celebration. Dynamic preaching, teaching and spiritual formation will be the central foci of the 13th Episcopal Mid-Year Event.
Bishop McKenzie recently chartered the Thirteenth Episcopal District School of the Prophets (SOP) who will finalize its work for the quadrennium. The SOP oversees institutes for continuing education at each annual conference and at district-wide meetings. Ministers and laity will be able to earn continuing education units.
Bishop McKenzie is publishing a “Devotional Guide: From the Cross to Pentecost,” a daily devotional for clergy and laity that covers the period from Easter to Pentecost. She is hopeful and in prayer that every person in the 13th Episcopal District will read and pray, using the devotional guide during the period between Easter and Pentecost, which will be celebrated this year on May 15.
The devotional booklet will be sold for $2.00 onsite at the Mid Year Conference and can be ordered for $3.00 (cost of booklet and 1st class mailing) for anyone wishing to purchase a copy of the devotional guide. To order the devotional, you may email: 13th_episcopal@bellsouth.net or call 615. 242-6814.
The celebration, “From the Cross to Pentecost, “ will culminate with geographical Saturday afternoon district-wide revivals. The Thirteenth Episcopal District is striving for spiritual renewal and spiritual excellence. The District is attempting to move from “good” to “great!”
5. MEDICAL UPDATE FROM PASTOR MIKE BARTA, JOHNSON CHAPEL AME CHURCH, SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA:
Just a brief note to give you a progress report my gastric bypass surgery this past Tuesday. All appears to have gone well in the three hour surgery and I was released from the hospital at 5 p.m. yesterday. I am in minimal pain considering the fact that I believe that they marched the entire US Army through my stomach in the process. I will be taking it slow for the next couple of days but hope to be back up on a modified schedule by the end of next week. I know that the Church is in wonderful hands in the meantime, given our excellent team of Associate Pastors and Lay leadership. As for food, I am on special liquid shakes for the next four weeks. I have not had regular food since 11 a.m. on Monday and I am not yet in the least bit hungry. I solicit your continued prayers for my recovery and my journey toward better health.Please accept my heartfelt thanks for those who were there to pray with me on the morning of the surgery, those who made the journey to visit following the surgery, those who tried but were encouraged not to by hospital staff, those who called, sent flowers and cards, and mostly for all who PRAYED. I
Yours in the Joy of Jesus,
Pastor Mike Barta.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
