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. EDITORIAL:
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has a rich history and an endearing legacy. The Church has it genesis in the rejection of the status quo and of being treated as second-class citizens. Bishop Richard Allen was a man who did not acquiesce to the prevailing social and religious winds that were blowing against equal treatment for all of God’s people. All of the blacks did not leave St. George Methodist Episcopal Church and a significant number remained with the Methodist Episcopal Church. They accepted the status quo. But those who left, our forefathers chose to stand up for their belief that they were equal partners in the Kingdom of God and they rejected second-class treatment. And, it wasn’t long afterwards that the Church began to establish institutions of higher learning. We were a church that valued education. The AME Church is steeped in a rich history!
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has as its foundation, the Bible as the Word of God, and the ministry of caring for all of God’s people. Richard Allen and those who followed him to Bethel were courageous and had the wherewithal to take a stand against racial and religious prejudice.
The AME Church, valued education and that is evident when one reads about the ministry of Bishop Daniel Payne who insisted and led the Church to make provisions for a trained clergy. We were a Church that focused upon evangelism and carrying the Gospel message to “all the world.” Read the evangelistic ministry of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner and Bishop Paul Quinn.
We are a Church steeped in intellectual and spiritual pursuit. Look at the writings of retired and active bishops and General Officers. Read the works of Bishops Joseph Gomez, Eugene Hatcher, John Hurst Adams, Vinton R. Anderson, John Richard Bryant, Vashti Murphy McKenzie, and General Officers John P. Collier, Jr., A. Lee Henderson, Robert H. Reid, Jr., Jamye Williams Coleman, George L. Champion, and Dennis Dickerson and other leaders in the Church; not to mention the AMEs in academia who have written scholarly articles and who have participated in scientific research. The rich history and legacy of the AME Church is ongoing and is continuing today.
We have bishops who are trying to bring change and are trying new ways of doing things and modeling accountability. We need to affirm them. I have heard a number of people say and write that they feel that the AME Church is “on the right track” and that they are excited. I, too, am excited!
But, I am saddened when I hear unfounded criticism about what the Church has failed to do, and what the Church is failing to do today; and how people are leaving and going to other churches. People are leaving and moving from church to church because we live in a mobile society. But people are coming into the Church; and that’s what we need to be celebrating.
AME Churches that are adjusting to the changes in society are growing while those who are resistant to change are stagnant or showing a decrease in membership. People today are hungry for the Word and relevance in worship. People are excited about a Church that meets the needs of youth.
Conversely, people are tired of the same old sermons and the same old songs; where preachers haven’t developed fresh relevant sermons. People are tired of listening to choirs that haven’t rehearsed and Sunday School teachers who haven’t prepared their Sunday School lessons. People are tired of pastors coming to business meetings without an agenda and talking about the same of stuff for two hours or more. People are tired of church folk fussing over money and other trite issues that keep churches in an uproar. People are tired of Quarterly Conferences that “bore to the bone” and tired of the same old annual conferences that leave people exhausted and physically spent by the time the appointments are read. So, there is room for change and improvement. I know that we can and I know that we will!
I said all of the above to say this: "Those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat the failures of it." We need to insure that we continue to learn from our founder, Richard Allen, and from the zeal of the fathers and mothers of our Zion. Certainly we need to keep the Bible in the center of our faith, but we also need to re-read and to be saturated in the history of our great denomination. We need to insure that the morals, values and faith of our ancestors are "living still in spite of dungeon, fire and sword.” Our hearts should still “beat high with joy whenever we hear that glorious word!” We should learn from our history! We should be steeped in our history! We can do that by supporting the Church by "thought, word, and deed." We need to support our Church periodicals, every single one of them!.
For the past several days, I have been putting in some questions in The Christian Recorder Online. If you didn’t know the answers to the questions or couldn’t find the answers in less than five minutes, you need to rediscover your history and your denominational heritage. You need to “crack the books” and do some study.
Here is a question: Name three bishops, who were born in the same state and served in the same Episcopal District when they were elected at the same General Conference.
Here is another question: Name three bishops other than Richard Allen who were born in Pennsylvania.
You may not have the answers on the "tips of your fingers," but you ought to be able to find the answers and about 5-10 minutes. If you are having trouble, than you need to subscribe to the A.M.E. Church Review and /or order some books from the A.M.E. Publishing House. Call 800-648-8724 and order some books for yourself and for your church and encourage your members to read them; and read them yourself!
2. EDITOR’S CORNER
The trivia question posed yesterday was answered correctly by Sister Ruth Ann Bryant, St. Peter AMEC, Harrodsburg, Kentucky.
Question: Who was the first elected Bishop of the AME Church?
Answer: Daniel Coker. He was instrumental in the establishment of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He planted churches in the city of Baltimore. He was elected and declared the Bishop-elect on the 9th of April 9, 1816. He resigned the next day and deferred to Richard Allen.
Bishop Richard Allen was the first elected and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Something I found out in my conversation with Dr. Dennis Dickerson
I am the 20th elected Editor of The Christian Recorder
3. HERE IS A WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE WORDS AND HEAR THE GREAT HYMNS OF THE CHURCH:
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/index.htm#lk
4. NOTE OF THANKS FROM THE FAMILY OF BISHOP DECATUR WARD NICHOLS
The expressions of sorrow and sympathy, care and concern, following the death of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols have been almost overwhelming. In view of the fact that it is virtually impossible to write each individual, this message comes to say “Thank you!” to all.
The fact that twenty-one Bishops, seven General Officers, and countless numbers of ministers from near and far, and hundreds of other friends were able to come to the homegoing service did much to ease our pain and suffering.
“Papa Nick” lived to be 104 years old. Not bad for a mere mortal! We who survive him have no complaints. We are privileged to be his family. Clearly, the legend of “Papa Nick” will liven many stories and the legacy of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols will be long-lasting.
Sioux Nichols Taylor and the entire Nichols family
5. BISHOP VASHTI MURPHY WILL BE IN A 2-NIGHT REVIVAL IN BIRMINGHAM BEGINNING TONIGHT:
St. John AME Church, Downtown Birmingham, will host the Fresh Anointing Revival on March 2 and 3, 2005 at 6:45 p.m. nightly. Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate of the 13th Episcopal District will be the Fresh Anointing Revival Preacher at St. John African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, 708 15th Street North Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday March 2nd and Thursday, March 3rd 6:45 p.m. nightly.
The Fresh Anointing Revival will conclude on Thursday night, March 4 with an evening of worship featuring Birmingham’s own Eric Essix on, at 7 p.m. For more information contact the church office at 205-251- 3764.
Submitted (3/1/04) by Nicole Slater Ministerial Staff, St. John AME Church
6. ANOTHER SCAMS STORY:
About two weeks ago on a Wednesday night following Bible study, Bethel Chapel AME Church received a call from a man asking to speak with the Pastor. I came to the phone and introduced myself. He said that his name was Rev.? and that Bishop Richardson wanted him to call the church because a lady and her family were relocating from Dallas, Texas to Columbia, Tennessee. He stated that, “Bishop Richardson had given her a letter of transfer from her church in Texas to Bethel in Columbia." He went on to say that "she was a musician and had three kids." I was suspicious so I asked him the name of her church and why Bishop Richardson gave a letter of transfer instead of the pastor. He hesitated and then said that he was calling on Bishop Richardson's behalf and hung up. I tried to dial *69 to get the phone number he was calling from, but the number was blocked. The man never asked for any money, but I could tell something was not right from the very beginning of the conversation. I have not received any other calls since that time.
Rev. Trent Ogilvie, Pastor
Bethel Chapel AME Church
Columbia, Tennessee
7. TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT
Submitted by the Reverend Kyle C. Gibson
On February 1, 2005 The Reverend Ammie L. Davis of the 8th Episcopal District took over as the new President of the Turner Theological Seminary National Alumni Association. Reverend Davis followed Reverend Dr. Debra Grant who did not seek to serve an additional term. Reverend Davis was born on Christmas Day in 1965 to Mrs. Thelma Butler and Mr. Charles Lee Davis, the second child of seven brothers and sisters.
As a youth, she joined Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where she was active in the Young People’s Department.
Reverend Davis graduated from Forrest County Agricultural High School in 1983 where she earned a basketball scholarship to Clark Memorial Junior College. After two years of studies at Clark College, she transferred to William Cary College on a basketball scholarship where she remained until enlisting in the United States Navy in 1988.
Reverend Davis served her country as Hospital Corpsman, Emergency Medical Technician, Physical Therapy Technician and member of the All Navy, All Marines and All Armed Forces Women’s Basketball Team. While in the Navy, Reverend Davis completed her Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration and Human Resource Management from Southern New Hampshire University. After fourteen and one-half years of enlisted service, Reverend Davis was commissioned in the United States Navy Reserves in April of 2002. In August 2002, Reverend Davis graduated from the Navy Chaplains School in Newport Rhode Island.
Reverend Davis was ordained an Itinerant Deacon and Elder in 2000 and 2002 respectfully by Bishop Cornal Garnett Henning, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the 8th Episcopal District.
In May of 2004, she graduated with honors from Turner Theological Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center. While a student at Turner Theological Seminary, she was elected to serve as President of the Turner Fellowship, inducted into the International Society of Theta Phi and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and College. While serving as President, this woman of God remolded the student’s lounge and created the Turner Store. Her major accomplishment while President of the Turner student body was the establishment of the Charles Hurley James Resource Center and Computer Lab. In addition to all of these accomplishments, she acquired over $10,000 in funding to furnish the lab.
Currently, Reverend Davis is the Senior Pastor of Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church in Columbus Mississippi, serves as a trustee for her conference and Turner Theological Seminary. She a member of the Board of Examiners, 8th Episcopal District AME/WIM Public Relations Representative (Mississippi), an Instructor at Bonner Campbell Institute, and has recently begun a certificate program for the Interdenominational Theological Center at her local church. In addition, Reverend Davis currently serves on the Strategic Planning Team of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. On September 15-18, 2005, Reverend Davis will be host pastor for the North East West Mississippi Annual Conference.
Reverend Ammie L. Davis has an aggressive agenda for the National Alumni Association to assist in the growth and development of Turner Theological Seminary. With Reverend Davis at the helm of the Alumni Association, the legacy of Turner Theological Seminary will continue to make major contributions to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and to the religious community around the globe.
(The Reverend Kyle C. Gibson is the pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Moore Haven, Florida)
8. THE THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT MIDYEAR CONFERENCE:
The 13th Episcopal District Mid-year Conference will be held March 17 – 19 at Quinn Chapel AME Church, Louisville, Kentucky. The Theme of the conference is, “Revive us Again.” Preachers will include the Rev. Dr. William Watley, pastor, St James AME church, Newark, New Jersey; Bishop John Hurst Adams.
All District and Conference leaders are asked to read the book, Good to Great by Jim Collins prior to coming to Mid Year Conference. Mr. Hugh Marriott, from Mt. Moriah AME Church - New York, NY, will facilitate the discussion of the book during the Mid Year Plenary sessions.
Editor's Comment: The book, Good to Great is a a great book! A great sermon can be extraced just from the title. Many of us are satisfied with "good"and that keeps us from being "great!" Tell me that won't preach! Read the book! Come on out to Louisville and join in on the discussion!
9. AME ENDORSED CHAPLAIN DAVID BROWN HAS AN ENTRY POSTED ON THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS WEBSITE:
AME Chaplain, Lieutenant Commander David Brown has entry from his Enduring Freedom (war) journal posted on the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) website.
http://www.arts.gov/national/homecoming/submissions/brown.html
9. 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.
10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we share news of the passing of Rev. Cheryl Lewis, associate minister at Mt. Zion AME Church, Long Green, Maryland, Dr. Joan L. Wharton, Pastor.
Reverend Cheryl Denise Johnson Lewis (December 8, 1958 - February 26, 2005)
Saturday, March 5, 2005
Family Hour 9:00 a.m. Service of Celebration 9:30 a.m.
Epworth United Methodist Church
600 Warren Road
Cockeysville, Maryland 21030
Service of Tribute
Friday, March 4, 2005
5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.March Funeral Homes
4300 Wabash AvenueBaltimore, Maryland 21215
Interment
Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, 200 East Padonia Road, Timonium, Maryland 21093
Immediately following the Homegoing Service
Rev. Dr. Joan L. Wharton
Mt. Zion AME Church
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength."
God Bless!
Ora L. Easley, President
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, TN Contact)Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781(Memphis, TN Contact)(901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)
WEB SITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/http://www.connmswawo3.com/
CONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S June 2005 Events
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
