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:
Feedback and information sharing
- The Christian Recorder has been receiving positive feedback from our online subscribers. We appreciate your feedback because it helps us to share articles that are helpful to you. This venue posts information and events that might “spark” an idea for your church. Yesterday we put in an article from Johnson Chapel, Santa Ana, California where that church is implementing an online website with its own on-line interactive web community through a ministry called “Member Connect, where members and friends of the church and community can connect with each other anytime. The site will post church announcements, provide for group discussion, prayer requests, photo albums, and the possibilities for the church’s ministry are endless.
Some of our Churches are even putting their Bible studies online. Everybody cannot get to church, and if churches are going to reach them, then the church must find creative ways to do so. Brother Hugh Marriott, a young man who is a member of Mt. Moriah AME Church, NYC gave a presentation and led a discussion on “Good to Great” at the 13th District churches are going to move from “good to great” then churches must be courageous enough to explore new ways of doing ministry.
It is hoped that the sharing done in The Christian Recorder will help to precipitate some of our churches to attempt new ways of doing ministry. Sometimes, just seeing what others are doing can be a motivating factor.
Bogus and pirated DVDs and CDEs should not be sold at AME sponsored meetings
- I attended a connectional meeting recently and among the vendors were persons obviously selling bogus CDs and DVDs. I believe that the church should not allow vendors who sell pirated CDs, DVDs, books, clothes, etc. at any of the meetings sponsored by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Selling pirated materials is illegal and it is “stealing.” If the AME Church wants its members to live on the “high moral ground” than activities sponsored by the African Methodist Episcopal Church on every level must be operated on the “high moral ground.”
Get permission before reprinting articles
- In that same vein, when churches or agencies within the Church use published materials form other sources, permission should be acquired and proper credit must be given. That same rule applies when using the written materials from The Christian Recorder or from any other church periodical. All materials in all AME periodicals are copyrighted. I can speak for The Christian Recorder and say that the process is simple – a telephone call or email message will take care of the request in less than a minute.
2. LITURGICAL COLORS FOR THIS WEEK AND EASTERTIDE:
The altar hangings for the altar should be “red” through Maundy Thursday. Friday and Saturday the color should be black or without any altar linen.
Beginning Easter Sunday the altar color and pastoral stole should be white and white is the appropriate color for the altar and stole throughout Eastertide, which lasts until Pentecost Sunday.
3. WATTS CHURCH HOSTS HOLY WEEK SERVICES MARCH 21-24; PLANS UNIQUE RESURRECTION SUNDAY SERVICES, MARCH 27 AT 5 A.M., 8 A.M. AND 11 A.M.;
LOS ANGELES — (March 21, 2005) — On Sunday, March 27, parishioners around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday promises to be exceptionally special at Grant A.M.E. Church in Watts as congregants will be favored with three unique and inspiring dramas from the resurrection narratives.
“The members of Grant have banded together to present the Easter story in such a way that every parishioner will leave renewed and encouraged by Jesus’ triumph over death,” said the Rev. Leslie R. White, pastor of Grant for 10 years.
Watts’ largest congregation will open its doors at 5 a.m. for Sunrise Service themed, “News that Couldn’t Be Silenced,” followed at 8 a.m. with “Celebrate Life,” and the 11 a.m. service entitled, “Reigning with Christ.” All three services feature singing by the Grant Mass Choir, liturgical dance by the Joyful Praise Ministry and preaching by White.
The Resurrection Sunday services are a fitting culmination to a powerful “Holy Week” celebration that began Sunday, March 20. Highlights include:
· Palm Sunday, March 20: Bishops John R. Bryant and Samuel L. Green, Sr., repeatedly brought the congregation to their feet with ovation for their expert explanation and anointed articulation of “A Model for Manhood” and “Why Men Should Praise God” at the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services, respectively.
· Monday through Thursday, March 21 through 24. The Rev. Vernon S. Burroughs, presiding elder of the San Francisco/Sacramento District of the California Annual Conference, joins Bishop Green for sound teaching and powerful preaching beginning at 6 p.m. nightly at the Church. Holy Communion will be served on March 24 to coincide with Maundy Thursday.
· Good Friday, March 25. African Methodists throughout the region gather at noon at First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles where the Revs. John J. Hunter, Sylvester Laudermill, Najuma Smith, Lewis Logan II, Carolyn Habersham, Kelvin Calloway and Bishop Bryant will present “The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross.” The event is sponsored by the A.M.E. Ministerial Alliance of Southern California, of which White is the president.
For more information about the Holy Week or Resurrection Sunday activities, please contact the Grant A.M.E. Church office at (323) 564-1151. Visit www.GrantAMEChurch.org.
4. NEW CHURCH PLANTED IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE:
The Reverend Roderick Belin has already planted Kairos Community AME Church, 4506 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37211. Holy Week revival services are being conducted this week beginning at 7 p.m. I believe, with prayer, that this church will be one of the premier churches in the Nashville area. The contact information for the Church: 615-332-3320 fax: 332-3324, rdwayneb@aol.com. Keep Pastor Belin and his leadership in prayer.
5. NEW CHURCH PLANTED IN CASTAIC, CALIFORNIA:
Pray for the Rev. Latisha Stewart Smith with the growth and development of a new church work in Castaic, CA. This is a small, yet rapidly growing, multi-ethnic community, in northern-most Los Angeles County. Please pray that the Pastor Smith and people taking part in this church planting will boldly receive the power of the Holy Spirit and move boldly according to God's will. Pray for the Fruit of the spirit to become more evident in our efforts; pray for our passion to be incessant; pray for our financial and spiritual growth to be exponential; and pray for our families to be strengthened.
Thank you.Rev. Latisha Stewart Smith
6. ARE THERE ANY OTHER NEW CHURCHES PLANTED:
Please let The Christian Recorder know if new churches are being planted. The Christian Recorder wants to help “water them.”
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
