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. EDITOR’S CORNER:
- Breaking News:
Here are the significant moves that were made at the Virginia Annual Conference that closed on Saturday, May 6, 2005:
The Reverend Dr. Ricky Spain, retired General Officer/retired Editor of The Christian Recorder assigned to Waters AME (Baltimore Conference); The Reverend Samuel Hayward, transferred to the Washington Conference and appointed to Hemingway Memorial AMEC; the Rev. Monica Spencer assigned to Ebenezer AME Church in Richmond, VA; and the Reverend Willie White assigned to St. Stephen's AME (Eastern Shore).
The Christian Recorder will publish the other pastoral appointments when we receive them. The Christian Recorder would like to publish news from all of the Episcopal Districts. chsydnor@bellsouth.net
Breaking News:
Stephanie Walker Stradford shares the news about the signing into Maryland State law, House Bill 189 renaming Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport to Baltimore Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. It will be good to arrive at "a place for which our fathers sighed."
- Correction
Correction to your article about the GDC. The 14th Episcopal District had no representation to the GDC. It was a combined effort of the 15th and 20th Districts that led the devotionals.
Thanks
Bishop Messiah
- Editor’s comment: Thank you Bishop Messiah for the correction.
- Check out the 15th Episcopal District homepage:
www.15thdistrict.co.za
The Right Reverend Samuel Green is the presiding bishop of the 15th Episcopal District.
- Greetings from the 20th Episcopal District Supervisor
My Sisters in Christ!
I hope that all of you had a Happy Mother’s Day. Greetings from the 20th Episcopal District.
May God's richest blessings be yours,
Sister Carol Messiah
- More of the account of my visit to Johannesburg, South Africa and Harare, Zimbabwe to attend the Global Development Council – Day 2:
The GDC closed with the spirit-filled sermon by Bishop Sarah Davis and the closing prayer and benediction led by Bishops Messiah and Davis. But we were not finished. We had lunch and the food was excellent; they must have saved the best for last. The hotel prepared a feast. I believe that they must have had some South Carolinians in the kitchen! We had a great meal, but more than the meal, the overseas Bishops and the Editor of The Christian Recorder had a conversation about the overseas work.
I am not sure how the conversation got started, but I believe that I may have mentioned that I saw headlines in the local Harare newspaper that morning that exclaimed the country was running out of food and gasoline. I mentioned that more AMEs needed to see the work being done in Episcopal Districts 14 – 20. Bishop Sarah Davis remarked, “The AME Church needs a new definition for ‘missionary’ and “missions” and the church needs to change the way that we are doing business.” Bishop Guidry responded, “Fifty-percent of my pastors are licentiates.” Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry told us that when she arrived in the Dominican Republic many churches had no altars because a presiding elder had all of the altars taken out and directed that Communion should only be given on special occasions. I asked her how that could happen and she went on to explain that the Pentecostals in the region believed Communion to be special and that to share Communion on a regular basis made it too common. The presiding elder was “giving in” to another denomination’s tradition. Bishop Guidry also explained that another pastor told her that the AME Church would lose churches if they baptized infants because the prevailing thought in that area was that baptism of infants went against biblical teaching and so some of the ministers, with limited education and limited theological training, failed to hold the biblical, theological and doctrinal positions supported by the Didache and taught by the Church. Bishop Guidry very forcefully said that she ordered the altars to be replaced and used those experiences as teaching moments and gave the Annual Conferences’ leadership lessons in baptism and in ecclesiastical design of Methodist and other liturgical churches.
Both, Bishops Guidry and Sarah Davis wanted to make sure that I understood that that their comments were not a reflection on their predecessors and what I understood them to mean was that the situations in the overseas districts, as it relates to “ministry, missions, funding, ministerial education and compensation, etc.” is that they are in the midst of a “condition.” Organizations have “problems” but at other times they have “conditions.” Problems can be solved more easily and more quickly than “a condition.” “Problems” often can be solved with money and directives from on high. When an organization has “a condition” it takes more time to fix. So, as we talked, I began to understand that the overseas districts are not experiencing “a problem,” but “a condition.” If the condition is not addressed, even Bishops Guidry or Davis won’t be able to fix it.
Bishop Guidry says that AMEs in the Virgin Islands want a “church planting” in the Virgin Islands and they want a “church that ministers to the whole person.”
Episcopal Supervisor Donovan Guidry, said “Mid-Year Convocations in the 16th District, and probably some other overseas districts cannot be planned because of distance. In the 16th District each annual conference is in another country.” Bishop Messiah pointed out that there are four countries in the 20th Episcopal District. The 17th Episcopal District is extremely large. Episcopal Supervisor Donovan Guidry went to say that one of his missions for the 16th District is storm preparedness for all of the annual conferences. That is a must, given the situations they experienced last year. Bishop and Supervisor Guidry gave strong kudos for how the AME Church responded to their requests for assistance.
Episcopal Supervisor Claytie Davis encouraged our leaders and members from the United States to visit some of the annual conferences in the 18th Episcopal District where, in some locations, there are no five-star hotels. Brother Claytie shared some pictures of Bishop Davis traveling by auto, boat and hiking up hills to get to some of her churches.
Bishop Wilfred and Mother Carole messiah share that in northern part of Malawi; the people said that they hadn’t seen a bishop since 1945. Mother Carole Messiah added, “No person in the Malawi Annual Conference owned an automobile” and went on to say, “The old members are faithful to the AME Church.” Bishop Messiah went on to say that getting to, and around Malawi is extremely difficult. Tanzania has not seen a bishop. Many of the areas are just too remote.
All of the bishops and supervisors reiterated that their comments were not reflections of the great work done by all of our bishops who have served overseas, but they wanted to share the difficulties involved in ministry in some of the overseas districts.
Bishops Guidry, Davis and Supervisors Guidry and Davis all agreed that the Church cannot grow and develop overseas districts by doing the same things or by doing things the way that we have done things in the past.”
We continued to talk and to share and I thought, “There is work to be done and I keep thinking that a lot of the work can be done on a grass-roots level. We don’t need to pass a lot of legislation, we need people to get holy-Ghost filled motivation and seeing the need, respond to the need.” In spite of all of the needs of the overseas districts, I heard time and again from the ministers and laity about what the bishops who served them had done. They mentioned bishops by name. In spite of all of their difficulties the people are appreciative of what the church is doing, trying to do, and what the Church has done in the past.
We talked some more and Bishop Guidry mentioned the need for the AME Church to publish materials in the language of the people we serve around the world. I responded that we are a global church with a global mission and we need to do the things that global organizations do. Bishop Guidry said that some of the churches in the Dominican Republic are using Pentecostal materials. She went on to say that there is a need in the 16th Episcopal District for materials in Portuguese, Spanish, French and Dutch. She commended the work of Brother John Thomas of Nashville for the work he did in translating materials in Spanish.
And while we were talking, Brother Chidzungu of Malawi stopped by the table to greet us. He was a teacher at a Presbyterian School and noticed that the teachers made fun of the AME students so he started an AME school where the AME children could learn without being mistreated. Brother Chidzungu was a “grass-roots movement of one.”
Let me “jump on the bandwagon and say that it is apparent that the African Methodist Episcopal Church needs to provide more assistance and it means that the Church needs to redefine how it helps the overseas religious community and our academic institutions overseas. Both the Wilberforce Community College and the R. R. Wright Theological Seminary needs serious assistance; and I am not just thinking about money. In addition to money I am thinking about visiting professors, carpenters, exchange students from Payne and Turner Theological Seminaries, and teachers going over at their own expense or sponsored by some of our mega churches.
I am not speaking about change that needs General Conference legislation or political persuasion. I am not talking about budget increases. More than money, I am speaking about Holy Ghost-filled, Christ-committed persons who want to facilitate change and growth. I am talking about a “grass-roots Holy Spirit-filled revolution.” I am not talking about shouting and lifting our hands in praise; I am talking about “work” and putting our hearts and hands to tasks that need serious attention.
Brother Claytie shared that a group from Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio was coming to do volunteer work in the 18th Episcopal district. I immediately thought that some AMEs need to go over and work somewhere overseas, when Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry informed the group, that members from New Philadelphia AME Church in Carson, California where the Reverend Dr. Sherman Gordon is the pastor, is sending 20 persons to Jamaica to do missionary work. New Philadelphia is sending skilled crafts persons, etc. to assist with the work in Jamaica. I feel better now.
What are you willing to do? What am I willing to do? That’s the question that each of us need to answer. I hope that we will take a lead from Isaiah and respond to the challenge of missions, “Here am I, send me!” (To be continued)
The 20th Episcopal District needs a brick making machine. Dr. Flowers and I have consented to help. Does anyone else want to help?
In the next edition of The Christian Recorder Online I will share the tour that Bishop Messiah gave us to several AME Churches in the Harare area.
- Out of the office
- I will be out of the office for several days. I will be visiting children, grandchildren, and in-laws in Covington, Kentucky and in Cincinnati and will be attending the Commencement Exercise at Lexington Theological Seminary, Lexington, Kentucky. I am a member of the Board of Trustees for the seminary. Keep the articles and news coming.
2. GRANT AME, LOS ANGELES IMPLEMENTS NEW WORSHIP INITIATIVES:
The media release below concerns changes to the worship service at Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church in Watts. As your news organization provides continuing coverage of the steps the Catholic Church is taking to reach the masses after electing a new Pope, perhaps you will consider how Protestant denominations, like African Methodism, are doing the same. Judging from the tremendous response of Grant's parishioners when the change was first implemented last week these measures to "aggressively" reach the lost are proving successful.
And while it is true that other churches in Southern California have also moved to more contemporary services over the years, as the region's second largest A.M.E. Church, Grant's decision represents a monumental shift in a denomination traditionally regarded as conservative.
The Rev. Leslie R. White and members of the music department are available for interviews by contacting the Church office at 323-564-1151. Thank you in advance for your consideration.
Respectfully submitted,
Rev. Kevin T. Taylor
Associate Minister
revkttaylor@hotmail.com
3. REGION'S SECOND LARGEST A.M.E. CHURCH ANNOUNCES INNOVATIONS IN ITS WORSHIP; 11 A.M. SERVICES NOW FEATURE CONTEMPORARY MUSIC, PRAISE DANCERS AND SPOKEN WORD POETRY:
LOS ANGELES - (May 7, 2005) - The 11 a.m. worship service at Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church will never be the same and neither will the Watts community it serves, prays the congregation.
Watts' largest church, and the second largest A.M.E. Church west of the Mississippi River, under the dynamic leadership of its pastor, the Rev. Leslie R. White, recently decided to reformat and contemporize the 11 a.m. service to "reach more aggressively for young people to be a part of the worship experience."
Beginning with its 11 a.m. service on Sunday, May 1, prose/poetry, Christian rap/hip-hop, liturgical interpretive dance, "stepping and stomping," drama and video clips enrich Grant's worship services as innovative "expressions of praise" at various intervals throughout the month.
"Quantity and quality time shall be given at each worship service for the Praise of the Lord our God," explained White.
Additionally, the Voices for Christ Choir will sing on the first, second and fourth Sundays, while the Junior and New Spirit Nation youth choirs will lead the music ministry on the third Sundays. Consequently, Grant's renowned Adult Choir will be featured at the 8 a.m. service every Sunday except the fourth when the youth choirs sing again.
White, who has been in ministry for more than 30 years, 10 of which have been at the helm of Grant, will continue to proclaim the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ at both the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. worship services.
"We must recognize that this is a new generation of young people who view the world through different lenses than we do," he said. "The Negro spiritual 'I Want Jesus to Walk with Me,' which has encouraged African Americans since the days of slavery, has been innovatively handled by Kane West into a song entitled "Jesus Walks," wherein the good news of Jesus' presence in all life conditions is again yet affirmed. We must discover new ways to reach new generations."
Ian Lawrence, 15, provided the vocals for West's song during one of the special Resurrection Sunday services in March, to the resounding ovation of the capacity crowd, and applauds the efforts of his Church to be more relevant to his generation.
"People my age are hungry for the Word, but we want it presented in a way we can understand," said Lawrence adding that other churches in the denomination should consider following suit.
At age 25, Kenya Francis agrees that the denomination founded in 1787 should work aggressively to shed its conservative image.
"If the A.M.E. Church is going to remain relevant to the Black Community it must keep up with the times. If not, who will fill our pulpits in 10 or 20 years? Who will fill our pews, or teach our Sunday School classes, or lead our organizations? There will be no one because they will be at another Church where their needs are being met. By making these changes Grant is truly making an investment in its future and in the Kingdom of God."
Moreover, White added, "As Christians, we must be so sensitive to the movement of the Holy Spirit that we recognize that God can work in a spiritual, a hymn or in a rap. Then we must make the necessary adjustments in our worship experience to embrace the move of the Holy Spirit."
Chris Jordan, primary music director/coordinator for the 11 a.m. service, speaks to the energy and drive that services must have to reach young adults and youth in saying, "Embracing where worship has developed is joyfully challenging. Seeing the new expressions of worship offers more creativity, and encourages greater depth of spirit. It's great!"
White is confident that the parishioners of the 99-year-old Church will share Jordan's enthusiasm and embrace the new format and the new members who unite with the congregation. Pointing to the phenomenal success of the Easter services and the similarly formatted Gospel/Hip Hop/Jazz Sunday in January, he expects both "increased attendance and a swift move of the Holy Spirit in South Los Angeles.”
Ultimately, White says, "the mission of the Church is to seek, save and serve souls for Christ. Through music, dance, poetry and the prophetic Word of God, Grant is following the mission of Christ."
Grant A.M.E. Church is located at 10435 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90002. Services are heard on the radio each Sunday morning at 6 a.m. on KJLH 102.3 FM. Join us for worship on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Hour of Power begins at 11:30 a.m. and Thursday night Soul Food starts at 6 pm. All are welcome.
For driving directions or for more information visit www.GrantAMEChurch.org or contact the Church office at 323-564-1151.
Contact: Rev. Kevin T. Taylor
May 7, 2005 (323) 564-1151
4. WOMEN’S DAY AT ST. JAMES A.M.E. CHURCH, 444 LINCOLN AVENUE, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA:
Greetings Community Church Family and Friends:
We trust that you are blessed on this day that our Lord has made. The purpose of this communication is to announce that Reverend James Edward Murray, Jr., Pastor of “The Historic” St. James A.M.E. Church of East Liberty would like to extend an invitation for you, your congregation, organization, family and friends to attend our Annual Women’s Day 2005 Event on Sunday, May 15, 2005. This year we are hosting a good old-fashion, all-day spiritual feast with the theme and program format as follows:
"Women in Praise"
Proverbs: 31:30
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised…
8:00 a.m."A Spiritual Breakfast"Our Own First Lady, Mrs. Yuolonda D. Murray, St. James A.M.E. Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Followed by a Continental Breakfast)
10:45 a.m."A Spiritual Brunch"Dr. Patricia Fletcher, Guest Speaker, Quinn Memorial A.M.E. Church in Steubenville, Ohio & 25th President, National Association of Colored Women's Clubs(Followed by a Mid-Afternoon Meal)
3:30 p.m."A Spiritual Smorgasbord"Pastor, Wanda L. Sawyer, Guest Speaker, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Rankin, PA (Followed by light refreshments)
Everyone if invited to attend (Men, Women, Boys and Girls) and we are looking forward to seeing all of you on Sunday, May 15, 2005 for this all-day even. If you are unable to attend, please be sure to pass this information to someone that may be able to attend. If you can’t attend all day, come share a part of your day with the St. James A.M.E. Church family to receive God’s blessings.
If you have any questions, you may contact St. James A.M.E. Church (412) 441-9706 or any of the St. James A.M.E. Women’s Day Chairpersons: Sister Freda B. Hill (412) 373-2180, Sister Hazel Jackson (412) 243-1114, Sister Rosie Jones (412) 537-4388 or Sister Brenda A. Montgomery (412) 242-7389. We would like to request that you post the attached flyer on your bulletin boards. This information may also be accessed by visiting the Internet website www.thesoulpitt.com under the Spiritual Announcement section. Thank you very much for your kind attention. May the God that we serve continue to bless you.
Your Sisters in Christ & the St. James A.M.E. Church’s Women’s Day Chairpersons,
Freda B. Hill
Hazel Jackson
Rosalie (Rosie) Jones
Brenda A. Montgomery
5. THE BIRTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY:
The Reverend Kyle “K. C” Gibson
Turner Seminary Class of 2003
The Concept of Turner Theological Seminary date back to September 23, 1885 when Reverend T. G. Steward a Chaplain in The United States Army was elected to serve as Dean of Theology of Morris Brown College. It would take nine years before the Department of Theology became a reality. On October 2, 1894 the Department of Theology officially opened with an enrollment twelve students. The first person elected to serve as Dean was Reverend E. L. Chew; however he never served in the position. Reverend E.W. Lee who later went on to become President of Morris Brown was elected as the first active Dean.
In December 1895, the Reverend J. S. Flipper (Future Bishop) was elected to serve as dean but did not serve in the position; however Reverend Wellington G. Alexander served for the remainder of the year. In 1896, the General Conference assigned Bishop Henry McNeal Turner to the Six Episcopal District and Reverend E. L. Lee was again elected to serve as Dean. However, Lee was transferred to the Macon Conference and Wellington G. Alexander again served as Dean for the remainder of that school year.
In 1896, Rev. J. S. Flipper was elected to serve as Dean, but resigned again and Rev. M. M. Ponton became the next Dean. The Department of Theology of Morris Brown College name was changed in 1900 to Turner Theology Seminary, in honor of Bishop Turner who at that time was the Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In July 1903, the Rev. J. A. Lindsay was elected as its first Dean but resigned, and Rev. J. S. Flipper was appointed and served until 1904 as Turner Seminary’s first Dean. Rev. W. G Alexander returned to Turner Seminary and served as Dean until 1907.
In 1908, Rev. F. R. Simms became the seminary’s Dean and was followed by Rev. W. G. Alexander who served until 1913 when Rev. Peter W. Greatheart was elected to serve as Dean until 1920. It was during the Episcopal administration of Bishop W. A. Fountain that Turner Theological Seminary was most prolific in the production of prominent Pastors.
Under Bishop Fountain’s administration, he placed emphasize on the preparation of young men (women were not permitted in the ministry during this time) in the ministry. Bishop Fountain brought in well trained personnel to teach in the seminary. These included personalities such as Dr. S .H. Giles, Dr. Charles L. Hill, and Dr. J. R. Coan just to name a few.
Bishop Fountain named Dr. Charles L. Hill to serve as Dean of Turner Seminary and under Hill’s leadership, the curriculum was standardized and he established the precedent of conferring degrees on college graduates only and also secured the participation of Turner Seminary in the Southern Inter Seminary Movement.
Under Hill, Turner Seminary was able to establish a more intimate association with Morris Brown College. Another accomplishment under Hill’s administration was that Turner Seminary had its largest enrollment of students up to that time.
In 1957 the Turner Seminary acquired a two-story building on 557 Mitchell Street, N.W. The first floor had lecture and conference rooms along with offices for the staff, faculty and a spacious office for the Bishop. A library was located on the second floor which was equipped with modern furnishings. In sequential years the Reverends David R. Fobbs, Charles Leander Hill, Carleton L. Lee, Frank Cunningham, E. J. Odom Jr also served as Dean of Turner Seminary.
In 1958, when the Interdenominational Theological Center was organized, Turner Theological Seminary was one of the four founding constituents members and George A. Sewell, became the first ITC era Dean of Turner Seminary. Following Sewell were Josephus R. Coan, George L. Champion, Cecil W. Cone, and C.D. Wilkerson. Turner Seminary’s current Dean is The Reverend Daniel Wesley Jacobs who has headed the seminary since 1985.
Turner Theological Seminary was created to render service throughout the connection of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Some of Turner’s graduates have served as Deans, professors, pastors of some of African Methodism’s most prestigious pulpits, chaplains, and have been elected to public office. Under Jacobs’s leadership, the enrollment of Turner has more that doubled and the four-story Turner building was erected. Another significant accomplishment during his administration is that several Bishops, General Officers and Connectional Officers have been elected to serve our Zion.
In keeping with the original purpose of the founders to fill the void of educational opportunities for blacks, Turner Theological Seminary has provided this opportunity to many women and men of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Among some of the graduates of Turner Seminary are Dr. David R. Fobbs, the first alumnus to serve as Dean; Dr. C.D. Wilkerson, Turner’s (ITC) first Dean and was a part of ITC’s first class as part of the ITC; David P. Talbot, a Presiding Elder an uncle of Bishop Fredrick H. Talbot.
The first three Turner alumni to be elected to the Bishopric were Bishops William A. Fountain Sr, (1920) William R. Wilkes (1948) and Harold I. Bearden (1964). The first ITC era Turner Alumni to be elected to the Episcopacy was Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson (1996) followed by Bishop Preston Warren Williams (2000).
At the 2004 General Conference, three sons of Turner were elevated to African Methodism highest office. These distinguished Alumni were Bishops James Davis, Samuel L. Green and E. Earl McCloud. In addition to the election of Bishops, two of Turner graduates, George L. Champion and George Flowers have been elected as General Officers. In addition, the current President of the Connectional Council, Reverend Michael K. Bouie is an Alumni of Turner Seminary.
The early history of Turner Seminary does not include many accomplishments of women in the ministry because they were not permitted to in the ministry during the early years. But in recent years the A.M.E. Church has made tremendous changes in this area with Turner Alumni leading the way.
Presiding Elder Leeomia Kelly was appointed as the first African American female chaplain of The Miami-Dade Police Department and currently serves as a member of the Judicial Council; Rev. Debra Grant was the first female appointed to a major pulpit in Georgia and is the immediate past National Turner Alumni President; Dr. Jacquelyn Grant-Collier is a world renown scholar in Theology with a specialization in Womanist Theology.
Rev. Ammie Davis currently serves as a Chaplain in the United States Navy and pastors a major charge in the 8th Episcopal District; Rev. Cassandra Hill currently server as the Administrative Assistant of Turner Seminary; Rev. Charletta Robinson who serves as Woman in Ministry Episcopal leader in the 11th Episcopal District and pastors Mother Mid-Way the Mother Church of African Methodism in Florida and Rev. Edrena Houston-Brown who serves as Founding Editor of the Cultural Connection, a magazine of the A.M.E. Church
For 111 years, Turner Theological Seminary has produced many women and men who have made major contributions to the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Over the course of her celebrated history, Turner Theological Seminary continues to train clergy “For a Prepared Ministry.” It is my prayer that God continues to shine a light on the Legacy of our beloved Seminary as we continue into the 21st Century.
God Bless Turner Theological Seminary and Long Live the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
To God Be the Glory!!!
God Bless Turner Theological Seminary and Long Live the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
To God Be the Glory!!!
6. ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 2005 EXECUTIVE BOARD PLANNING MEETING IN REVIEW:
By Reverends Philis J. Griffin and Kyle C. Gibson
“Visionary leaders only come by every twenty years,” said Presiding Elder George Tyler, who served as president of the Alumni Association of Turner Theological Seminary, 1997-2001. In his remarks, Rev. Tyler was referring to Reverend Ammie L. Davis newly elected president of the association.
Under Rev. Davis’ administration the association recently held its First Annual Executive Board Planning Meeting at Turner Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia. This meeting marks “the beginning of a new journey and a new dimension for the alumni of Turner,” said Rev. Davis. The purpose of the meeting was to establish a plan by which the executive board can nurture, restore and rebuild the association, so that alumni participation is based on accountability and responsibility.
Listed below are six objectives the executive board adopted as part of its strategy to undergird the alumni association on all levels:
- Develop an Alumni Mission Statement
- Revitalize Regional and State Alumni Chapters
- Initiate an Alumni Day in each region
- Create an Alumni E- Newsletter and Directory
- Support Turner Student Fellowship Web site-Alumni Link
- Explore Alternative Financing for Turner Seminary and the Alumni
In addition, the board voted to adopt “Alumni Association of Turner Theological Seminary” as the organization’s official name. Following was a discussion on the implications behind relationship building, particularly, alumni-student relations. “Strong relationship building with current students is the key to our success,” said Rev. Davis. It will provide strength to the alumni association once students’ graduate. Thus a Mentorship Program for the Turner Student Fellowship was established to help prepare seminarians for broader leadership roles in the church and society.
Among the Mentorship Program’s protégées who attended the planning meeting and now serve on Executive Board Standing Committees are: Reverends Kecia A. Lewis, President’s Advisory Board; Cory Watts, Public Relations (Turner Web site Administrator); Linda Powell, Public Relations; Lisa Marshall, Special Events and Programs; and Donald L. Phillips, Chaplains’ Committee.
The board also discussed ways to undergird the Presidents’ Projects, the service-oriented and continuing education entity of the association. In short, the projects are:
- The Alumni Lecture Series
- The Alumni Wall of Fame at Turner Theological Seminary
- The Water-Well Project. This project is currently under research as an outreach ministry to West Africa
- The C. T. Vivian Leadership Institute and Civil Rights Museum – is an ecumenical project in support of the Institute and Museum to be built in Atlanta, Georgia
Last but not least, plans for The Henry McNeal Turner Breakfast are underway. The breakfast is an annual project of Turner Seminary hosted by the office of Dr. Daniel Wesley Jacobs, President of the seminary. This year over 200 alumni and “Friends of Turner” are expected to attend. The event will be held in conjunction with the Bishop’s Council, Tuesday, 28 June 2005 at 7:00 a.m., the Wyndham Anatole Hotel, Dallas, Texas. Alumni are encouraged to call the hotel directly at (214) 748-1200 for reservations. To RSVP for the breakfast, please contact Reverend Dr. Cassandra Hill, Administrative Assistant to Dr. Jacobs at (404) 527-0080 or chill@itc.edu . Alumni interested in serving on Standing Committees may contact Reverend Ammie Davis at Ttsalumnipres@aol.com or (504) 710-6557.
For A Prepared Ministry
In retrospect, the Alumni Association of Turner Theological Seminary has a rich history which embodies the institution’s motto: “For A Prepared Ministry.” Its membership includes some of the nation’s prodigious religious leaders, scholars, preachers, church builders and socio-political activists, who are guided by the principle Rev. Davis calls “Leadership that Works.”
Against this backdrop stands the late Dr. Charles L. Hill, Dr. Josephus R. Coan, Dr. David R. Fobbs, Dr. C. W. Wilkerson and Rev. David P. Talbot. In addition to these giants of African Methodism are: Dr. George L. Champion, Sr, Retired Executive Director of the Department of Church Growth and Development and former Dean of Turner Theological Seminary, Dr. George F. Flowers, Executive Director of Global Witness and Ministry; Dr. Michael Bouie, President, Connectional Council; Dr. Cecil Cone, a former Dean of Turner Theological Seminary, Dr. Daniel Wesley Jacobs, President of Turner Theological Seminary; Dr. Leeomia Kelly, Member of the Judicial Council; and Dr. Jacquelyn Grant Collier, Consultant to the Connectional AME/WIM.
From the ranks of Turner’s illustrious alumni also stood three noble pioneers who were influential in building the house of Turner. They will always be etched in church history as visionaries who left an extraordinary legacy: Bishop William A. Fountain, Sr. (1920); Bishop William R. Wilkes (1948); and Bishop Harold I. Bearden (1964).
The new era of Turner’s legacy continues to elevate its alumni to African Methodism highest office, beginning in 1996 with the election of Bishop Adam J. Richardson, followed by Bishop Preston Warren Williams, II in 2000. At the 2004 General Conference three sons of Turner made history by following the footsteps of their predecessors. They are Bishop James L. Davis, Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr. and Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr.
Without question, the women and men behind Turner Theological Seminary are prepared to meet the emerging socio-economics challenges confronting the institution. In the opinion of the writers of this review Turner’s alumni will continue to move the church, as did our namesake, Bishop Henry McNeal Turner.
And so we press on…
Alumni Association of Turner Theological Seminary
2005-2009 Executive Board Members
Reverend Ammie L. Davis, President
Reverend Philis J. Griffin, First Vice-President
Reverend James E. Thompson, Second Vice-President
Reverend Dr. Lena Flowers, Recording Secretary
Reverend Dr. Cassandra Hill, Assistant Recording Secretary
Reverend Richard A. Yancey, Treasurer
Reverend Vivian A. Deyone Douglas, Financial Secretary
Reverend Gregory Eason, Parliamentarian
Reverend Kyle Gibson, Historiographer
Reverend Lonnie McClain, Chaplain
Executive Board Standing Committees’ Chairpersons
Reverend Leslie R. White, Fund Development
Reverend Terrence Gray, Fund Development
Reverend David R. Bishop IV, Public Relations
Reverend Vetrel Smith, Public Relations
Dr. George F. Flowers, Global and Ecumenical Affairs
Reverend Moses Simms, Presidents’ Projects
Reverend Gloria Bennett, Special Events and Programs
Reverend Claude James, Bylaws and Constitution
Chaplain Ronald L. Owens and Addison Burgess
7. MEDITATION, THE PASTOR’S CORNER: GOING FORWARD WITH GOD - SPIRITUAL HEALING:
1At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue. There they spoke so effectively that a great number of Jews and Gentiles believed. 2But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. 3So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who confirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to do miraculous signs and wonders.
The Book of Acts is often described as the Acts of the Apostles. In reality, the Book of Acts is the Acts of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is operating through the servants of Christ for the purpose of building the kingdom of God. This is the basis for Spiritual healing. Spiritual Healing is a work of the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12: 9) by which God confirms the message of the gospel and demonstrates God’s power over the powers that would “kill, steal, and destroy” life in God’s creation.
In the passage above, the gospel was being preached effectively. Many came to know Christ as Savior. But, there was opposition. The enemy does not give up on his quest to see lives destroyed. The devil used people in an attempt to block the spread of the gospel. Ephesians 6: 12 remind us that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against…spiritual forces of evil.” God confirmed the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ by using Paul and Barnabas to perform miracles that demonstrated God’s sovereignty.
One of the miracles God used to this end was performed through Paul in Lystra (Acts 14: 8-10). The Holy Spirit healed a man who was crippled from birth and had never walked. This healing required the combined actions of God, the healing agent (Paul) and the one who received the healing.
1. The Holy Spirit empowered Paul, who effectively spoke the gospel. (v. 9a)
2. The man received the message of the gospel as presented through Paul. (v. 9a)
3. The man “had faith to be healed.” (v. 9b)
4. The Holy Spirit, through Paul gave the command to, “Stand up…” (v. 10a)
5. Accepting God’s command “the man jumped up and began to walk.” (v. 10b)
Even after this powerful demonstration of God’s sovereignty, the devil did not give up (vv. 11-18). Some falsely attributed the man’s healing to Zeus and Hermes, Greek idols and attempted to identify Paul and Barnabas as these Greek gods. The enemy even went as far as stoning Paul (v. 19) and leaving him “outside the city, thinking he was dead.” God once more stepped in and demonstrated His power of the enemy by healing Paul’s wounds (v. 20) and allowing Paul to continue preaching the gospel.
God is constantly demonstrating His sovereign power over evil. As we “Go Forward with God,” let’s have faith in God’s miraculous healing power. Let’s be willing instruments in God’s confirmation of the gospel - praying for the sick, injured, addicted, and infirmed. Let’s allow the Holy Spirit to work through us to bring “Spiritual Healing” to those whom the enemy would destroy. Let Him Use You!
Pastor James Moody
Quinn Chapel AMEC Chicago
8. GLENDA JENNINGS ASKS FOR HELP IN FINDING A HOUSE TO RENT:
If anyone knows of any houses for rent in the Raleigh area, (10 months) please let me know. I'm looking for something small for me and my 3 year old Boston terrier (Fuji). A nice quiet area with golf course, pool and fitness center nearby would be great. I don't have much time to find something. I will go on house hunting leave around second week of July. My training group doesn't graduate until 24 June. Any help out there will be most appreciated. Glenda Jennings Harrison, CHC, USN. Please email Chaplain Jennings directly at: shereegj601@yahoo.com
9. THE MASSACHUSETTS COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OFFERS STATEMENT CONCERNING 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF JEWISH CONCENTRATION CAMPS:
The Massachusetts Council of Churches is honored to stand with our Jewish brothers and sisters in witness and remembrance on this solemn anniversary. As always, we come to the observance of Yom Hashoah with a strange mixture of feelings--both solemn appreciation and heartfelt mourning--solemn appreciation as we mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the camps, and honor those who fought and sacrificed to end the Nazi terror; heartfelt mourning at the incomprehensible tragedy, the recounting of which continues to test our ability to comprehend its meaning, 60 years hence; We pray that Boston’s Holocaust Memorial, whose tenth anniversary we observe, will be a steady reminder and challenge--Never again!--even as, together, we continue to face new challenges around the world that threaten the integrity of peoples and cultures. We pledge ourselves anew to honor the dead by living together with mutual respect, and by sharing in the work of mending creation with all of God’s children.
Information contact
Rev. Dr. Diane Kessler
10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we share the news of the passing of Bro. Henry Jackson, II on Wednesday, May 4th.
Bro. Henry Jackson, II is the Son of Reverend and Mrs. Henry Jackson, Pastor and spouse of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Pompano Beach, Florida. South Florida Conference, 11th Episcopal District.
Funeral service: Bro. Henry Jackson II (Better known as Hank)
Saturday, May 14th at 11:00 a.m.
Greater Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church
2416 Lipscomb St.Melbourne, FL 32901
Church Phone # 321-724-1557
Ch. Fax 321-724-1293
Buggs Funeral Home
2701 S. Harbor City Blvd.
Melbourne, Fl 32901
Phone: 321-728-7076
Fax: 321-728-0204
Condolences may be sent to the Home, Church or Funeral Home.
Home Address
Rev. Henry (Annie) Jackson
3108 Swift DriveMelbourne
FL 32901
321-723-5906
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we share new of the passing of The Reverend Patricia A. W. Long.
On Thursday, May 5, 2005, REV. PATRICIA A. W. LONG of Clinton, MD. Loving wife of Frank C. Long; devoted mother of Kimberly Duncan, Kristen and Kandiss Long and Kareem Duncan; sister of Freda Warren passed.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, May 10, at Ebenezer AME Church, 7707 Allentown Rd., Fort Washington, MD, from 9 a.m. until time of funeral services at 11 a.m.
Interment Resurrection Cemetery, Clinton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Rev. Patricia A. W. Long Scholarship Fund, c/o Bethany AME Church, P.O. Box 1319, Forestville, MD 20753. Arrangements by Strickland.
Published in The Washington Post on 5/8/2005. washingtonpost.com (Sign Guest Book)
http://www.legacy.com/washingtonpost/LegacySubPage2.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=3514180
Condolences maybe sent c/o the family to:
Strickland Funeral Service PA
6500 Allentown Rd
Temple Hills, Maryland 20748
Phone: (301) 449-0400
Fax: (301) 449-2791
12. ALL CLERGY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. EasleyEmail: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, TN Contact) Phone: (615) 837-9736Fax: (615) 833-3781
(Memphis, TN Contact) (901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)
gwmame@bellsouth.net
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
