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. HURRICANE KATRINA STRUCK HARD AND THE DAMAGES ARE EXTENSIVE:
Hurricane Katrina has struck and her remnants are still with us as it moves through Tennessee, Kentucky and beyond. The damage in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama is extensive and we can be sure that AME Churches have been damaged and will need assistance. I suspect that churches in Florida and in some of the areas of the Sixteenth Episcopal District have also been damaged. We need to immediately assess the damages and then develop strategies for getting help to our churches and to others whose lives have been disrupted by the hurricane and tropical storms moving up across the United States. People whose lives have been disrupted need immediate aid and comfort. Churches that have been damaged need assistance quickly. The Church should not wait for weeks and months to provide aid. We, AMEs, know how to “step up to the plate” when we are called upon to provide assistance. I am certain that the time to step up to the place is upon us. The Christian Recorder Online and the print edition stand ready to disseminate information about damages and strategies for assisting our brothers and sisters who are in need.
2. A BRIEF EDITORIAL WRITTEN BY DR. BILL DICKENS:
New Orleans is now inundated with water and physical damage caused by Hurricane Katrina. In addition to being one of the great cities of the US, the Big Easy is also home to the Eighth Episcopal District led by Bishop Cornal Henning. We should all be in prayer for New Orleans and ready to provide hurricane relief assistance with churches and the American Red Cross. The city is already under sea level so a cresting of the Mississippi River could cause devastating damage.
All of this brings me to the issue of Annual Conferences. My Annual Conference (Florida) started on yesterday. What if the eye of the storm was Tallahassee instead of New Orleans? Citizen evacuations create inconvenience but it is the proper policy given the lethal effects of Category 4/5 Hurricanes. Are there provisions in the Discipline when Acts of God force relocations? Such adverse weather would warrant a postponement of an Annual Conference. In other words, do we have a contingency plan? Some things are more important than speculating about who will be placed in what church and preparing numerous end of year reports that few of us will ever read.
Bill Dickens
Tallahassee, Florida
3. THE NEW SUBSCRIPTION RATES:
The Christian Recorder - $36.00; Individual copies of The Christian Recorder will cost 1.50
The A.M.E. Church Review - $25.00; individual issues will cost $5.00
The Voice of Missions - $25.00
The Journal of Religious Education - $25.00
The Secret Chamber - $25.00
4. THE GLOBAL CORNER:
Report from the 51st Session of the Namibia Annual Conference
The coastal town of Luderitz was a beehive of activities, as the 51st Session of the Namibia Annual Conference met under the spirit-filled leadership of Bishop Samuel L Green SR from 24-29 August 2005.
Whereas this was the 51st Session, clergy, delegates and observers were welcomed and entertained at the 5-star Nest Hotel on Tuesday, 23 August 2005 by the historic Bethel Memorial AME Church, Luderitz to their 75th Anniversary Banquet. The humble beginning of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is deeply rooted in this harbour town, where people from all over the world met and worshipped long before the historic 3 July 1946 mass exodus-event.
The Conference Women’s Missionary Society met on Wednesday, 24 August 2005 for their pre-conference Convention. Women, attired in the missionary uniform, were seen around town as early as 07h00, indicating to the inhabitants of this dusty and windy town that the African Methodist Episcopal Church is doing business in their town. Mother Anna Leah Taseb, Conference Branch President, led women with dignity and it was especially gratifying that almost all stations have reported in full. The Rev. Leslie Leukes blessed the Convention’s Night in White Service with an outstanding sermon on Christian Womanhood. The social welfare project of the Conference Branch, under the leadership of Mother Katherine E /Goagoseb (Conference PME Director) handed over stationary donations for use by the most needy children school in select schools in all Missionary Areas.
On Thursday, 25 August 2005, it was not business as usual. Earlier clergy and delegates were pleasantly surprised in their post office boxes when the Conference Booklet reached everybody almost two months in advance. When we met for the first business session, Bishop Green SR again surprised us with the distribution of Conference Journals containing all Pastoral, Literary and Committee Reports. And, the Rev. Johannes J Schmidt added spice when he entertained the worshippers with the Ministry of the Word, with his annual sermon titled “the Gospel of the 2nd Chance!” The woman who committed adultery was brought to Jesus, in order to trap him. Instead of applying the law blindly, Jesus instructed this woman to go and sin no more! Hallelujah!
The Presiding Elders and Pastoral Reports went smooth, and the conference was delighted with pastors sharing news about how the Lord Jesus had blessed them during the past year under review. All in all, about N$ 200 000-00 was raised during this week. In terms of quality and quantity, this Conference was a super blend of both, and the timely teaching moment interventions of the Bishop were both educational and entertaining.
Rev. C P Hill retired, in order to support her ill husband. The biblical phrase, “whilst these go let others come”, manifested when the Mrs. Anna Topnaar and Mr. Petrus J Van der Westhuizen were admitted on trial. Rev. Johannes Isaack was ordained a Local Deacon and Reverends Penias E Topnaar and Salomon Jacobs were ordained Itinerant Deacons. The Conference voted 51 in favour, nil opposing and 8 abstaining, that the Reverends Hendrik /Gariseb and Petrus S M Kooper be expelled from the Connection.
The Conference also voted to increase the number of delegates to the General Conference from 8 to 12 (6 lay and 6 clergy), and the Presiding Elders will now devise a financing plan for the additional delegates starting at Midyear 2006.
The Hoachanas East AME Church has been renamed the Exodus AME Church, and the Purity AME Church has been renamed the Hendrik Witbooi Tabernacle AME Church.
Other preachers at the conference were Rev. C P Hill, who delivered a splendid spirit-filled Memorial Sermon, and Rev. Jakobus Rooinasie preaching Emmaus Walk. The icing on the cake came from the prelate himself, and Bishop Samuel L Green Sr. took us with him to the top of the mountain with the Commissioning Sermon, “It is not Yours!” The text was taken from II Chronicles and inspired the Conference that the Battle is not ours, but the Lord’s, and that with the Lord on our side, there is nothing to be confused and afraid of. In the bishop’s own words, he was uplifted by the high number of attendance, the positive reports and the spirit-filled atmosphere of peace and love of God that reigned supreme in all meetings. If there was any winner at this Conference, it was the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Satan has lost again. We went home inspired, recharged and re-energized for the new church year.
Midyear Conference 2006 will be held at the St. James AME Church, Mariental (Rev. W S Hanse) during 23-25 March 2005, and the Annual Conference 2006 will be held at the St. Peters AME Church (Rev. D Schmidt) at the call of the Bishop. God be with you until we meet again! Soli Deo Gloria!
Articled has been authored by the Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, who serves the
AME Church as Secretary of the Global Development Council, Dean of Namibia Conference Examiners and Pastor of St James AME Church, Mariental.
P O Box 50278, Bachbrecht, Windhoek, Namibia
+264 81 122 5048
5. THE TENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2005 ANNUAL CONFERENCE DATES AND VENUES:
Northwest Texas Conferences
NORTHWEST TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE – Ft. Worth, Texas
September 12 –September 17, 2005
September 10, 2005 – YPD DaySeptember 12, 2005 – Missionary Day
September 13, 2005 – The Gathering of Women
Conference Venue
The Radisson Plaza Hotel
815 Main Street
Ft. Worth, Texas
Reservations – 817-870-2100
Host Church – Wesley Chapel A. M. E. Church, Ft. Worth, Texas
Reverend Cecil Youman, Host Pastor
Reverend Johnny Ray Mitchell, Host Presiding Elder
Reverend Dr. Ida W. Keener, Associate Presiding Elder
North Texas Conference
NORTH TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE – Dallas, Texas
September 26 – October 1, 2005
September 24, 2005 – YPD DaySeptember 26, 2005 – Missionary Day
September 27, 2005 – The Gathering of Women
Conference Venue
Wyndham Anatole Hotel
2201 Stemmons Freeway
Dallas, Texas
Reservations – 214-748-1200
Host Church – St. Paul A. M. E. Church, Dallas, Texas
Reverend Juan Tolliver, Host Pastor
Reverend Dr. E. L. Wright, II, Host Presiding Elder
Reverend W. C. Ervin, III, Associate Presiding Elder
Southwest Texas Conferences
SOUTHWEST TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE – Austin, Texas
October 10 – October 15, 2005
October 8, 2005 – YPD Day
October 10, 2005 – Missionary Day
October 11, 2005 – The Gathering of Women
Conference Venue
Doubletree Hotel
6505 N I-35
Austin, Texas
Reservations – 512-454-3737
Host Church – Grant A.M. E. Worship Center, Austin, Texas
Reverend Dr. W. Raymond Bryant, Host Pastor
Reverend Johnny H. Phillips, III, Host Presiding Elder
Reverend Merrell Johnson, Associate Presiding Elder
Texas
TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE – Galveston, Texas
October 24 – October 29, 2005
October 22, 2005 – YPD Day
October 24, 2005 – Missionary Day
October 25, 2005 – The Gathering of Women
Conference Venue
Hilton Galveston Island Resort
5400 Seawall Boulevard
Galveston, Texas
Reservations – 409-744-5000
Host Church – Shiloh A.M. E. Church, Galveston, Texas
Reverend W. L. Brown, Host Pastor
Reverend Johnny Jennings, Host Presiding Elder
Reverend Dr. Alfred Baker, Associate Presiding Elder
TENTH DISTRICT PLANNING CONVOCATION
November 16 – November 19, 2005
Conference Venue & Hotel Accommodations
The Richardson Hotel
701 E. Campbell Road
Richardson, Texas
Reservations – 972-231-9600
St. Luke AME Church - Host Church
Reverend Charles Franklin, Host Pastor
5. THE CHAPLAINS CORNER:
AME Chaplain David Brown participates in Curacao project
The project had two worksites; one, the "Extreme Makeover" home of Mrs. Ilva Rosa and the other was work at Radulphus College, a Catholic School. Seventy-five participants helped with the project.
The participants were split evenly between the two sites. Sailors from the ship donated $2000.00 in support of the "Makeover" project site.
The following was accomplished at the home site: New paint exterior/interior, redwood stained doors and trim, construction of steps and two benches (redwood stained), installation of horizontal blinds for each window, new kitchen table and matching chairs, 20 piece place setting, new bathroom shower curtain, new toilet seat cover and floor mats, four new mattresses (bunk beds, children) and one mattress cover (Mrs. Rosa's bed), new sheets, pillows and pillow cases. $500 dollars was donated to cover Mrs. Rosa's past due (3 months) water and electric bills. Also, family members received a BATAAN cover with their first name embroidered on the back of the cover.
Sailors painted the exterior of an entire school gymnasium, the dimensions of which were 42' x 78' with the height of 20' at the school site. A smaller addition to the gymnasium (45' x 20' and 10' high) was painted as well.
Each project took about seven hours to complete under the direct sunlight of Curacao.
Very respectfully,
Chaplain David Brown
7. NEWS FROM AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
The Kansas Historic Sites Board of Review voted to include St. Luke AME Church, Lawrence, Kansas, on its list of nominations to receive National Historic Site designation status. The Reverend Verdell Taylor is the pastor of St. Luke AME Church in Lawrence, Kansas
8. THE ST. PAUL-MINNEAPOLIS DISTRICT CONFERENCE INAUGURAL YEAR:
From the outset, first-year Presiding Elder Alphonse Reff, Sr. told the newly constituted St. Paul-Minneapolis District that unity and faith in God is crucial for success. The former St. Paul-Milwaukee District’s inaugural year certainly got off to a blessed start.
“We are doing something that people thought was impossible to do,” admits Reff.
Everyone has been impressed with the leadership of Reff, who also is pastor of Wayman, Minneapolis, one of five AME churches in Minnesota. “Our leader is a grassroots person,” says Rosemary Williams (St. James-Minneapolis), “committed to our folk, the youth and children.”
“It's been a Holy Ghost-inspired conference,” adds Rev. Byron Moore, pastor, St. James, St. Paul. “It's been a pleasure to see the presence of God in the midst of everything that is going on, and it's really fulfilling.”
A cooperative effort between the laity, including the youth, and clergy must exist to ensure success, says Reff. “We must get our churches back in the business of worship and out of the practice of worshipping the business of the church,” he reaffirms.
Church growth, which Reff believes, isn't just a problem with the AME Church but with all mainline denominations. “Church growth and evangelism should be at the forefront of the AME Church,” the presiding elder says, adding the needs of the present “hip hop” generation must be addressed as well.
“We dealt with the baby boomers but they are aging now,” explains Reff. “But the hip hop generation is coming along. We have to find ways to take that hip-hop and turn it into Christian. We have to make them feel comfortable when they come to church. It's not about a shirt and tie.”
In keeping in mind of the District’s overall goal of learning, teaching and growing, the District’s first conference held April 14-16 at St. James (St. Paul, MN) was a combination of teaching, workshops, business sessions and spirit-filled worship services.
Clergy were encouraged to learn and follow existing procedures. “Clergy must know and understand the structure of the church,” says Reff. “The little things that we have gotten away with over the years can no longer be done.”
A proposal to establish an AME church in Rochester, a city in southern Minnesota that presently has only two churches that meet the spiritual needs of African-Americans was passed.
Retired Presiding Elder W. D. Davis delivered the first evening’s sermon, “It's Up to You,” using Proverbs 3:5-6 as his text. “You can't blame nobody else,” says Davis. “You have to blame yourself. It's up to you.”
Fourth Episcopal District Evangelism Director Rev. Oscar C. Clear conducted a workshop on how to nurture church growth. “We are in the business of saving souls,” Clear points out. He also delivered the message at the second evening’s service that also featured the District’s youth choir.
“These babies have set this church on fire,” says Reff after the choir’s two selections.
Clear titled his message,” The Harriet Tubman School of Evangelism,” and used Genesis 19:12 and 42:21 as his text. He told the worshippers that Tubman’s primary reason for rescuing others from slavery after she escaped was that she did not want others to suffer as she did. All Christians should follow the same example, he believes.
“How bad (do) you want the world saved?” Clear continues. “If you really are a Christian, you have to want folks you don't like saved. When you admit what sin had done to you, then you can save someone else.”
During the conference’s final day, a workshop on the 25 Articles of Religion was presented. The clergy must learn them, “and we then must teach them to our congregations,” notes Reff. The closing business session featured a discussion on same-sex unions. The Rev. Marchelle Hallman, pastor of St. James-Minneapolis, reaffirms that AME ministers are not allowed to perform same sex unions. “If we do, we can lose our ordination,” she warns.
Five ministerial candidates also were recommended by the District Board of Examiners to appear before the Chicago Annual Conference Board of Examiners for admittance. Licentiates should remain in their place and not take liberties that are not yet available to them, Reff says.
The District’s first Sunday School Convention, held at Bethel AME Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, June 16-17, featured a visit by 14th Episcopal District Presiding Bishop David Daniels, who spoke at the evening service. Daniels is traveling around the U.S. raising funds to build a hospital and clinic in Liberia, as well as improvements to the 2,200-student AME University.
“My vision is based on the three E’s,” Bishop Daniels points out, “evangelism, education and economic empowerment. I think that we should want to save souls, and then we have to educate them. And my goal is for the next four years is to have at least 500 to 600 women that we empowered economically to grab control of their destiny.”
The St. Paul-Minneapolis District is off to a grand start, concludes Reff. “We will be an educated, anointed and properly trained district,” he promises.
SUBMITTED BY CHARLES HALLMAN, DISTRICT REPORTER
9. END OF WORLD WAR II COMMEMORATION CEREMONY SLATED AT WWII MEMORIAL THIS FRIDAY- SEPTEMBER 2:
A patriotic ceremony celebrating sixty years since the end of World War II is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. in Washington, D.C. at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall.
The event will be hosted by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. Former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and WWII veteran, Gen. John Vessey will speak at the event, and share his thoughts on the “greatest generation.” The Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs and Bob Dole senator, war hero, presidential candidate, and veteran activist are both scheduled to be at the event. Representatives from more than fifty countries are confirmed to attend. The United States Navy Band and the “Liberty Belles, a nostalgic 1940s troupe reminiscent of the “Andrews Sisters, will provide music Fireworks will conclude the ceremony. A crowd of 5,000 is expected.
10. FUNERAL NOTICES:
Regretfully we announce the passing of The Reverend Chester A. Brown, a retired Pastor of the South Alabama Conference of the 9th Episcopal District, The Right Reverend Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Presiding Bishop. Reverend Brown was living in Saginaw, Michigan at the time of his death with his daughters.
Funeral Services:
Friday, September 2, 2005
1:00 p.m.
Hines Chapel A.M.E. Church
912 Dellwood Avenue
Dothan, Alabama 36303Phone: 334-794-2558
Reverend Timothy Holmes, Pastor
Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Eulogist
Please keep the family in your prayers!
Allie Bell-Reddick submitting this information on the behalf of the family.
11. FUNERAL NOTICE
From: Croskey_C@frs.state.fl.us
Service for The Reverend Engene Rose, a retired Pastor in the East Conference of the 11th Episcopal District: updated telephone contact number for Mrs. Laura Rose, his wife- (904) 768-9000.
12. FUNERAL NOTICE:
Condolences to the Family of the Late Rev. Dr. Benjamin Snyder, Sr., who passed on Saturday, August 27, 2005. Rev. Snyder pastored in the North Ohio Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church for several years.
The Homegoing Services will be held on
Thursday, September 1, 2005Wake - 12:00 p.m. Funeral Service - 1:00 p.m.
Funeral and Wake will be held at:
Saint John A.M.E. Church
Rev. Dr. Taylor T. Thompson, Pastor
Rt. Rev. Robert V. Webster, Presiding Bishop2261 East 40th Street
Cleveland, Oh 44103Office: 216-431-2560
Fax: 216-431-6164
Arrangements are being handled by:
Lucas Memorial Chapel, Inc.
5555 Bartlett Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44146
Office 440-735-3030
Fax Phone 440-735-8227
Condolences may be sent to the Rev. Dale B. Snyder, Sr., son of the Late Rev. Benjamin Snyder, Sr.:
Rev. Dale B. Snyder, Sr. and Family
23899 Shelburne Road
Shaker Heights, Ohio 44120
Phone: 216-526-2729
Email address: DaleBruceSnyder@aol.com
Or
Pastor Dale B. Snyder Sr.
Moriah AME Church5620 Lafayette Maple Heights Ohio 44137Office: 216-662-0521
Please keep the family in prayer.
In His Service,
Rev. Dr. Taylor T. Thompson, Pastor
St. John AME Church, Cleveland, Ohio
216-214-6886
13. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we share the news of the passing of the Reverend Gary Johnson, Pastor of Knight Chapel AME Church, Dallas, TX, North Texas Conference, Tenth Episcopal District.
Funeral Arrangements: Funeral Services will be held
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
11:00 A. M.
Emmanuel AME Church1600 Semlinger Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78220
The Reverend I. V. Tolbert, Pastor
210-648-1217 (Phone)
Condolences may be sent to:
The family of Reverend Gary Johnson
c/o Emmanuel AME Church1600 Semlinger Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78220
210-648-1217 (Phone)
The Rt. Rev. Gregory G. M. Ingram, Presiding BishopMrs. Verdene K. Austin, Episcopal President
Please remember the family in your prayers.
14. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we share the following notices from the 6th Episcopal District and the 17th Episcopal District:
From: jwill05@emory.edu
I am sad to inform you of the passing of Rev. Nathaniel Roberts, the Pastor of Duresville AME Church in the Macon Georgia Conference, 6th Episcopal District on Saturday morning, August 27, 2005. The funeral will be held in his home town of Sylvania, Georgia. The Rev. Nathaniel Roberts is the brother of Rev. Solomon Roberts (Savannah, GA) and Rev. Jonathan Roberts (South Carolina) and the brother-in-law of Rev. James S. Cooper (His wife is Rev. Roberts’ sister, Mrs. Mirriam R. Cooper). They pastor in Columbia, SC.
FUNERAL:
Wednesday, August 31, 2005, 2:00 p.m.
Bethel AME Church
214 Railroad Street
Sylvania, GA 30467912-564-5996 (Phone)
Bishop William P. DeVeaux will deliver the eulogy.
Condolences may be sent to:
The family of The Rev. Nathaniel Roberts
c/o Bethel AME Church
214 Railroad Street
Sylvania, GA 30467
Thank you,
Joanne Williams Cooper
15. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: Royd.Mwandu@kcm.co.zm
Bereavement notice of the Rev Aram Kasongo Mulwe of the Seventeenth Episcopal District. He was Pastor of Holy Cross AME Church in the City of Ndola, Zambia. He passed on Friday, August 27, 2005. The funeral was held on Monday, August 29, 2005 at: Mother Hughes AME Church.
Email condolences; Royd.Mwandu@kcm.co.zm
Announcement submitted by Rev Royd Mwandu of St Thomas AME Church, Chingola Zambia.
Bishop Paul J. M. Kawimbe, Presiding Bishop - 17th Episcopal District
Please remember these families in your prayers.
16. BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action Clergy Family Information Center
Mrs. Ora L. Easley - Administrator Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, Tennessee Contact) Phone: (615) 837-9736 Fax: (615) 833-3781
(Memphis, Tennessee Contact) (901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)
Please remember these families in your prayers.
17. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of the Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
