Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
Breaking News!
The meeting in Memphis, Tennessee on Monday (9/12/05) hosted by Bishop Vashti McKenzie and attended by the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, and other leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist Episcopal, Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Baptist and other religious groups was informative. The Editor will give a more detailed report in the next issue of The Christian Recorder Online, which will be sent from Frankfort, Kentucky where he will be attending the Kentucky Annual Conference. Important telephone numbers and websites will be published
1. INFORMATION FOR DISPLACED CITIZENS THAT HAVE MADE IT TO THE STATE OF GEORGIA:
Here is some additional contact information for the displaced citizens from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama that have made it to the state of Georgia, while the local numbers are for the city of Atlanta and Fulton County, the other numbers are toll free and open to use from anywhere. I pray that this information can be a blessing to someone.
1. Local FEMA office: 770-220-5200
2. Local Red Cross office: 404-870-4440
3. To register for unemployment benefits in Georgia from the states of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana call Georgia Department of Labor at 1-877-709-8185
4. The HUD Hotline 1-888-297-8675
5. Division of Public Health’s Women, Infant and Children (WIC) Branch is temporarily waiving residency, identification and income eligibility of WIC food coupons.
6. Local DFCS county offices will also serve as temporary addresses for recipients to receive replacement food stamp Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards.
7. To locate friends and family people can visit: www.nokr.org (Next of Kin Registry) or call 1-866-GET-INFO (Alabama); 225-925-3745 (Louisiana); 1-866-438-4636 (Mississippi) or call 1-877-LOVED-1s (Provided by Red Cross)
8. The United Way: 404-527-7200
2. AFTER THE STORM – HELPING AND PLANNING BEYOND KATRINA
Karen Caffee
In the days since Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, millions of people have looked back, to see what could have been done to prevent so much destruction and terror. For the survivors, and in tribute to those who did not survive, we must begin to prepare ourselves to be ready for what the future may bring. Scientists expect that future hurricane seasons will be longer and more forceful than previous seasons. (See http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2005/s2458.htm from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.) To help the survivors as they move beyond Katrina, and to empower our communities to reach a higher state of readiness for future earthquakes, fires, floods or hurricanes, here is some information about projects that we can take up to help with the rebuilding of homes and hearts.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY announced a 'house building blitz' on September 3, to kick off later in September, to begin a massive building project to build new homes for Hurricane Katrina survivors in the Gulf coast. Their press release can be found by going to http://www.habitat.org/newsroom/ and clicking on the September 3, 2005 link. The first phase of the project will begin in Jackson, MS and Habitat is seeking to work with churches to ‘pre-build’ the new homes. (What about forming AMEC teams to work on these homes?)
Read your community’s emergency response plan. Even before Hurricane Katrina, it was expected that outside rescue agencies could take 2-3 days to get to the affected areas. Be familiar with the plan in your hometown or region. Get a clearer idea of what may happen after the event. Note: the Federal government is generally the third-level of response, after local and state governments, and federal response is not automatic!
Create an emergency plan for your household. Check your local or state websites, or call or visit your local and state government offices for information. Ask for sample forms to assist with your planning. Review your plan with all family members. Arrange to contact an out-of-area relative or friend after evacuation to give updates on family members, and to provide information in case a rescue is needed. If you have senior/disabled family and neighbors can you, assist them with emergency needs or evacuation? Can you encourage your community resources to begin a public service outreach to educate your community about emergency preparedness, and what to do in the event of evacuation? It is important to understand that evacuation orders by the government are for the good of the public. [Even before Hurricane Katrina struck, experts said we should have been prepared to wait twenty-four or more hours for help to arrive.]
Prepare a record of important documents. Computer scan and save your important papers (birth certificates, prescription and immunization records, insurance account info, family names, pet info, next of kin contact, doctor name and telephone, e-mail addresses, etc.) and save on diskette or CD-ROM. Keep a copy in your home, and give a backup copy to a relative or friend (who does not live in your immediate area) for safekeeping. If you do not own a digital camera, when having your film developed you can order a CD-ROM as well as negatives; give the CD-ROM to a friend or relative for safekeeping. (An AMEC service project could be organized to offer data entry to those without computer access.)
Pack an emergency bag that you can ‘grab and go’. The bag should contain changes of clothing and basic toiletries, portable radio and batteries. (You might want to rotate the batteries every six months to avoid finding yourself with useless batteries.) Think about adding a prepaid telephone calling card, and a pre-paid debit card. (Look for pre-paid cards that do not charge monthly maintenance fees.) As you prepare to leave, you can grab any medications and important documents (see above). Wear closed rubber-soled shoes when you leave.
Plan on how you may have to evacuate: personal transportation, mass or emergency transportation? Keep in mind that travel time may be doubled or tripled as large numbers of people leave an area at the same time, and road changes may be in place as part of the local emergency plan. Give yourself time to travel safely.
Ask how New Orleans was slighted in the transportation budget. Before the bipartisan investigations and hearings begin in Washington, read an article at www.washingtonpost.com entitled "In Congress, the GOP Embraces Its Spending Side", and click on the graphic "Bringing Home the Bacon". Challenge yourself to find the budget funds allocated for the levees in New Orleans! (Hint: you will not have the same difficulty locating the huge block of funds for Alaskan road projects.) Read more:
http://www.taxpayer.net/TCS/wastebasket/nationalsecurity/2005-9-09FEMAfarce.htm If your email program does not recognize any of the URLs as a link, copy the entire URL and paste it into your Web browser. The watchdog group Taxpayers for Common Sense has a detailed list of pork projects. According to published reports, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers requested twenty-seven million dollars for the levee project, but the executive budget supposedly allocated 10-20% of what was requested, and what Congress added still did not equal 50% of the request. Louisiana state officials have known for years that any hurricane season could bring just such a catastrophe. Numerous articles have been written about (please read Shirley Laska’s article “What If Hurricane Ivan Had Not Missed New Orleans?”
http://www.colorado.edu/hazards/o/nov04/nov04c.html). People everywhere should ask our elected officials (including the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and Louisiana’s politicians) for answers. Here is one big question: in light of the cost to the government for disaster recovery and relief, can this transportation budget be reviewed and some of the money returned to the Treasury?
If every AME recruits four people to build houses, help create emergency plans and press our elected officials to explain the funding bungle, you will see mountains move. We are a denomination built upon service, and here is an opportunity to serve.
Today is a great day to start making a new plan!
Submitted by Karen Caffee is a member of First AME, Los Angeles, California
3. YOUTH SERVICE OF AMERICA ORGANIZATION AND STATE FARM INSURANCE COMPANY GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE DAY FUNDS:
The Youth Service of America organization and State Farm Insurance Company have issued their grant applications for the National Youth Service Day funds. There are two grants available.
The first grant is for an organization to act as Lead Agency for National Youth Service Day (NYSD) programs. The Lead Agency would mobilize citywide, regional, or statewide NYSD activities. Each Lead Agency would receive a $2,000 grant for their expenses. Below is list of some of the responsibilities listed for a lead agency:
- Organize a citywide, regional, or statewide planning coalition (at least 10 organizations, and a youth planning committee).
- Facilitate the coalition's planning process for National Youth Service Day 2006 in the Lead Agency's city, region or state to implement service activities on April 21-23, 2006.
- Engage a minimum of 500 volunteers in your National Youth Service Day event.
- Plan an opening and/or closing rally or celebration for volunteers on April 21-23, 2006.
Promote service-learning and educate coalition members about how to make your projects service-learning projects (assistance and tools to be provided by Youth Service America).
The complete responsibility list is located on:
http://www.ysa.org/nysd/lead_agencies/la_faq_parent.cfm
I am attaching the Lead Agency application to this e-mail, along with the second grant - $1,000 Service Learning Grant application. The Service Learning Grant is also centered on National Youth Service Day, but that grant can only be applied for by youth (ages 5-25) or by teachers or school representatives.
When I saw this, I thought it might be good for YPD and/or Believe, Inc.
4. AME CHURCHES RESPONSE TO HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS:
- First AME (Los Angeles) is adopting a family and will provide for them for one year. The family will be living in a house owned by the church, with room to accommodate up to eight persons.
The first contribution for Katrina victims was a $10,000.00.
- Quinn Chapel (Chicago) The African Methodist Episcopal Church Missionary Society of Chicago has asked that we assist the hurricane evacuees arriving in Illinois by responding to their specific needs. The needs: New and in package only:
- feminine products,
- tooth brushes,
- tooth paste,
- mouthwash
- soap,
- lotion,
- combs,
- brushes,
- diapers,
- all sizes white T-shirts,
- white socks,
- men's underwear,
- disposable razors,
- deodorant, and
- paper plates.
We can all participate by putting together the hygiene kits or any of the items listed. After collecting a sufficient amount, we will deliver them to the designated hurricane sites, Tinley Park and others.
Drop off Locations are:
Quinn Chapel AME
2401 S. Wabash Chicago
312-791-1846
10:00 -5:00 Monday through Friday,
St. James AME
At 9256 S. Lafayette, Chicago, Illinois 60620,
773-785-9733,
Or Mayo AME
At 20839 Homeland Rd., Matteson, Ill
9:30-11:30 a.m. and 3:00-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.
(When delivering to Mayo, Please ring the Day Care Doorbell! For safety, purposes please call the church office prior to delivery at (708) 503-1400 or (708) 720-5517.]
My phone number is 708-474-2945 and email is corlissmoody@sbcglobal.net. It would be extremely helpful if you would post this information on the website.
Thank you.
Corlis Moody
5. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
- Dear Editor:
Per the meeting in TN with regard to strategic planning by the church community:
Many reports have focused on the number of software programs that are recording information about dislocated persons, but the programs do not talk to each other. Can IT programmers be recruited to brainstorm a way to link the programs, or to develop a master program/website that will make it easier to post the information? Microsoft has the MS Access database program - can that be expanded, modified or tweak to help with this effort?
Are any of the states issuing new identification cards for the displaced persons? Since we are now two weeks past Katrina, it is not practical to expect that so many people can walk around indefinitely without identification. Each state can put some identification code or symbol on the ID to indicate that the person has relocated because of Katrina.
Many thanks to you for publishing the updates about what the AMEC is doing to help in the recovery mode. It is being said across the U.S. portion of our Connection that people want to know how the resources will be put to use to help. The reports of the specific actions that have been taken and those that are underway are encouraging. Thanks in advance to the church leadership for providing frequent, comprehensive reports to the membership at large in a timely manner.
Karen Caffee
- Dear Editor,
First and foremost I want to commend the Christian Recorder for posting information concerning the Hurricane Relief effort. May God continue to bless you.
Secondly, I am deeply disappointed because of the lack of Clergy response to the victims of Hurricane Katrina. I realize that there is a dire need of Pastoral and professional counseling in ministering, consoling and comforting the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Right now, some of the people are angry with God and the church. Where are the Mega Churches in such a time as this? The formulating of Mega fests with the high magnitude of conferences and 'Preachers of Entertainment' are nowhere to be found.
For whatever reasons, the voices of Clergy and the church appear to be silent.
I am a young African Methodist Episcopal minister who pastors' a small congregation.
I am searching for groups of clergy to come together and form a mechanism of support in order to reach out and to show visibility at the sites of disaster. Granted we are indeed grateful for the work that has gone forward through out the connectional AME church.
I personally have contacted the Red Cross in my area to express an interest in volunteering for assisting in the disaster relief. Effective immediately, I will receive training in CPR, disaster operations, etc.
Once I complete my training, I will be placed at one of the disaster stricken locations.
I pray that this will inspire other Clergy to join in this life saving effort.
God's Servant
Rev. Gregory Ball Pastor
Brown’s A.M.E. Church Smithfield, VA
6. BISHOP WILLIAMS OF SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT AME CHURCH RESPONDS TO KATRINA CRISIS:
The 7th District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church sends our deepest heartfelt condolences to all those who have suffered due to the catastrophic devastation inflicted by Hurricane Katrina. One can only imagine the pain involved with the sudden sweeping loss of homes, loves, and lives. Since day one of the aftermath of this horrific tragedy, the AME Church has been actively involved in the process of procuring and dispersing food, water and supplies to our many brothers and sisters located in the affected areas. In addition, we are sending a substantial monetary donation to assist in the global aid effort.
If there are individuals who wish to donate monies to the Hurricane Katrina rehabilitation effort please log on to www.ame-church.com to make donations online. You may also send checks payable to GWM–AMEC, mark in the Memo section of your check Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund, and mail to The Department of Global Witness and Ministry at 1587 Savannah Hwy, Suite A, Charleston, SC 29407.
The AME Church is also assisting in the resettlement of displaced families into the households of families located here in South Carolina. The host families will be able to assist the displaced families in their needs for shelter, jobs, clothing and food for a period of six months to one year. If you have room in your home and heart and would like to help please call our Episcopal Office at 803.935.0500.
Whatever the manner, please do give for those who are in need could easily have been ourselves.
Our arms and hearts are open to all of our brothers and sisters and we of the 7th District AME Church are ready to assist in any way that we are able.
Thank you so much and God Bless You.
Preston Warren Williams II
Presiding Bishop
7. AME STUDENT AFFECTED BY KATRINA RECEIVES FREE TUITION AND A PLACE TO GO TO SCHOOL:
My daughter is Marissa Washington, a senior Marketing & Business major at Dillard. She is now in school at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, AR. They have given her free tuition and free housing in the dorm. This is truly a blessing for us. She is adjusting well and seems to like the campus, professors, and staff. Dillard University has stated that all seniors who take courses elsewhere this semester will graduate with a Dillard University Degree. We are extremely grateful for that. The info on the Dillard website is still "sketchy" right now but they remain hopeful that the university will open again. The school suffered some flooding, roof damage, and loss of some trees. They do plan (and hope) to restore the campus. They have not given any projections as to when the restoration will be completed or when the students would be able to return. They are exploring options for alternative classroom space if it is needed. A book fund has been established to help students with their books and the United Methodist Church has offered to provide financial assistance to students returning to the university once the crisis has subsided.
As far as "Mom" is concerned, I am in the 10th District (Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram), Northwest Texas Conference. Presiding Elder is Rev. Johnny Ray Mitchell. I am a member at Visitors Chapel AME in El Paso, TX.
Sister Ora Washington
September 2, 2005
8. ASSISTANCE FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS AFFECTED BY KATRINA:
I am certain that we all have been following the wrenching stories about the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and that we feel great compassion and empathy with those who are suffering. I ask that we keep all victims of this hurricane in our prayers.
A times like these, there is a great desire to be of some assistance and also some frustration in determining how best to do that.
As a College, we are offering assistance to women students affected by
Hurricane Katrina by offering them enrollment for the 2005 fall semester tuition free. Priority will be given to students from Loyola University New Orleans, Xavier University (two Catholic colleges in New Orleans), and Newcomb College (a women’s college in New Orleans).
We are also able to offer on-campus accommodations for a limited number of students. Further, we are collaborating with Loyola College, who is making a similar offer to students, by assisting them with housing accommodations for women. More details about College of Notre Dame’s offer of assistance will be on our Web page by early afternoon today.
We are also listed on the ACCU website as a college that can help, and information is being sent to NAICU (National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities), ACE (American Council on Education), and NACAC (National Association of College Admissions Counselors).
Information on our web page will inform students about application procedures for enrollment and housing, and about registration and financial matters. Students will be permitted to register until the end of the day on September 9, 2005. They, of course, will know that classes have already begun. In the event that we have students who wish to enroll, I thank faculty and staff who will be working most closely with these students to help them get settled and into a more normal routine as quickly as they can
As individuals, we can all help the victims of Katrina by making charitable monetary donations. All organizations have indicated that monetary donations will be the most effective, as there is no infrastructure to handle other kinds of tangible donations such as food and clothing.
We are aware of many charitable outreach groups that will process monetary donations to help this cause. As a Catholic college, we especially recognize Catholic Charities USA, which has been commissioned by the U.S. Catholic Bishops to represent the Catholic community in times of domestic disaster and responds with emergency and long-term assistance as needed. Its Disaster Response Office connects the Church’s social service agencies and disaster planning offices across the nation. To donate to the relief effort or to learn more about Catholic Charities’ emergency efforts visit:
http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/
[http://www.catholiccharitiesusa.org/]
Your continued prayers and support, of course, will be needed for the months ahead.
If you have questions or other suggestions about how the College might
respond, please contact Amy Hasson in my office (ext. 5300 or
ahasson@ndm.edu [mailto:ahasson@ndm.edu])
Thank you, as always, for all that you do.
Sincerely,
Mary Pat
Mary Pat Seurkamp
President
College of Notre Dame of Maryland
410-532-5300 phone
410-532-5791 fax
seurkamp@ndm.edu
College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Learn for life
9. PERSONS DISPLACED FROM KATRINA HURRICANE TO ARRIVE IN LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY:
The planned site to intake the persons who are arriving to Lexington from the Katrina Hurricane areas is the Centenary United Methodist Church. (859) 269-2800, 2800 Tates Creek Road Lexington KY 40502 FAX (859) 269-4351.
The center is to be open from 8:00 am until 8:00 pm Monday Friday and from 9:00 am till 3:00 pm on Saturdays. The people are expected to arrive at Bluegrass Airport on Wednesday, September 14, 2005.
Volunteers are needed in 3-hour shifts for:
- hospitality (greeters)
- children
- clothing bank
Volunteers are needed Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. ... call the church office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., M-F, to sign up!
They will continue to update the voice mailbox (269-2800, Ext 506) and their website as they receive news updates. Their website is http://centenarylex.com/
10. THE GLOBAL CORNER: 15TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT NAMIBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE MARIENTAL MULTI-PURPOSE MEETING:
Venue: St. James AME Church, Mariental
Date: Friday, 30 September – Sunday 2 October 2005
Meals: Subsidized at N$50-00 p.p.
Friday, 30 September 2005
20h30 AMECDI Board of Directors
Pre-AGM Consultation
Saturday, 1 October 2005
07h30 B R E A K F A S T
8h30 Joint Devotion & Ground Rules
- Rev. Neels J Simon, Host PE
09h00 Group Meetings
Ministerial Meeting
Mariental Primary School
Rev. W S Hanse, chairing
Women’s Missionary Society
St. James Church
Mrs A L Taseb, chairing
Lay Organization
St. James Hall
Mr. A S Goliath, chairing
Young People’s Department
Community Hall
Ms. Albertha Biwa, chairing
12h00 Hour of Power
Liturgist: Rev. Annetha Apollus
Preacher: Rev. Salomon Jacobs
13h00 L U N C H
14h30 Joint Devotion
- Rev. Paul Fredericks, PE
14h45 Joint Plenary Meeting
- Rev. Dr. Andreas Biwa, PE
- Reports from Group Meetings
- Episcopal Planning 2005
- Nama Word Hymnal
- Any Other Business
16h30 R E F R E S H M E N T
17h00 AMECDI Annual General Meeting 2005
- Interim Chairman: Rev. Penias E Topnaar
- Executive Director: Rev. Neels J Simon, PE
- Financial Director: Rev. Claude R Katuamba
- Venue: St. James Church
Conference Choir Practice
- Venue: Community Hall
- Leader: Ms. Hope Christians
20h00 AMEC in Concert
- Venue: Community Hall
- Admission: N$5-00 p.p.
Sunday, 2 October 2005
07h30 Breakfast
09h00 Deacons Robe & Holy Communion Celebration
- Liturgist: Rev. Dr. Andreas Biwa, PE
- Preacher: Rev. Penias E Topnaar
- Chief Celebrant: Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi
12h30 L U N C H
God be with you till we meet again!
Important Information
1. This missive serves to communicate the decision of the Presiding Elders and the Hoachanas Lay Convention to shift the Conference Planning Meeting from St. Mark’s AME Church, Gibeon to the St. James AME Church, Mariental in order to coincide with the Robing Celebration of the Rev. Penias E Topnaar, Rev. Solomon Jacobs and the Rev. Johannes Isaacks on Sunday 2 October 2005 @ St. James AME Church, Mariental.
2. For accommodation request, kindly submit your names at the earliest opportunity to Bro. Gert J Kooper (081 281 0100) or Bro. Morris Isaack (081 227 4510).
3. The Agenda for the Ministerial Meeting is hereby attached for your convenience.
4. Please be informed that only one day sustentation of N$50-00 per person will be lifted, payable directly to the St. James Registration Committee upon arrival. The Sunday meals will be free of charge and one and all are invited to celebrate the Robing of the Deacons with the St. James family.
Now, may the Jesus’ peace, love and joy be yours in abundance.
In the Master’s Vineyard
Rev. Willem Simon Hanse
Dean of the Examiners
Ministerial Meeting Outline - Mariental Primary School
09h00 Welcoming Remarks and
Organising the Local Church Conference
- Rev. Albert E Biwa
09h30 Rev. Maria Kapere: Sermon on Tithing
- Rev. Neels J Simon, PE
- Rev. Jakobus Rooinasie
Rev. Angelica B Sauerwein: Infant Baptism Sermon
- Rev. Albert E Biwa
- Rev. Daniel Schmidt
Rev. Betty Schröder: Holy Communion Sermon
- Rev. Johannes J Schmidt
- Rev. Dr. Andreas Biwa, PE
Lic. Anna Topnaar: Funeral of 55 year old officer
- Rev. Leslie Leukes
- Rev. Annetha Apollus
Lic. Petrus J v/d Westhuizen: Youth Rally Sermon
- Rev. N J Simon, PE
- Rev. D Schmidt
10h30 Interim Assignments & New Curriculum
- Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, Dean
10h50 Organising the Namibia Conference Minister’s Fellowship
- Rev. William A Balie, PE
11h50 Episcopal Planning, AME Nama Word Hymnal and Any Other Business
- Rev. Dr. Andreas Biwa, PE
Administrative Assistant to the Bishop
11. THE PASTOR’S CORNER - CATCH, CLEAN, & COOK:
19“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “ and I will make you fishers of men.” 20At once they left their nets and followed Him. (Matthew 4: 19-20)
Dr. William Watley, Pastor of St. James AME Church, Newark, New Jersey, describes the work of evangelism as being like the process of fishing. Examining the five-fold purpose of the Church of Jesus Christ in the context of the fishing experience yields the following for completing the process of evangelism. We are to CATCH, CLEAN, & COOK the bountiful haul our Lord is calling us to gather.
CATCH – Go make disciples (Matthew 28: 19a) by loving our neighbor (Matthew 22: 39b). Luke 14:16-24 and Luke 9:1-6 describe how Jesus instructed His disciples to go where the fish are biting. Not only is it important to go to where the fish are biting, but also when we arrive, we must use the correct bait. Jesus told His disciples to find those in need and meet the needs and heal the hurts of our brothers and sisters.
When I was young, my father taught me to cast different lures in different ways in order to best attract different kinds of fish. The world around us is changing rapidly. Cultural norms are shifting. Many of our churches have focused our ministry offerings on meeting the needs of “the least of these” when there is an ever-expanding population of well educated, affluent, and highly mobile members of society who are in need of a relationship with the Risen Savior.
Also, for many of our churches the styles of worship and Christian education offerings have been internally focused, catering to our sometimes-aging congregations. We have the opportunity to re-evaluate our worship and ministry offerings and focus them on effectively connecting with the society around us.
CLEAN - Baptize them into the body of Christ (Matthew 28: 19b). Another thing my father taught us about the complete fishing experience is that if one is going to enjoy the fish, one must also clean the fish. Fish do not come from the water filed and battered. They must be cleaned of scales, dirt, slime, and smelly inner parts. The problem many of us have with this is we have to handle the fish to clean the fish; and what is in and on the fish may get on us. YUCK!
Matthew 8:1-4 gives us an illustration of Christ restoring a leper to the community from which he had been banned. The leper requested of Jesus that Jesus would clean him of his decaying, diseased condition. Jesus then reached out His hand and touched the leper and sent him to rejoin the fellowship of worshippers. There lies our opportunity. To touch is to join two or more items so they now connect to each other. There must be a connection made with persons who have received Christ and are entering our congregations. We must connect with people in their “real, everyday” lives. We are the body of Christ and every member of the body is important (I Corinthians 12: 25-27). There should be no division in the body. Its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it. If one part is honored, every part rejoices with it
COOK – Teach them to love God though obedience (Matthew 20a) and sincere worship (Matthew 22:37). The preparation of fish is done for the consumption of others (Matthew 20: 26-28). We never cook fish for the purpose of satisfying the fish. It is always done for the benefit of others. When fish is cooking it gives off a welcoming and enticing aroma. When my wife, Corlis is frying fish, I can smell it from the street as I drive up to the house. It draws me inside to be nourished. The aroma of our authentic praise and worship is satisfying to God and attractive to hungry people in this world who are seeking that which gives life and sustains us for the days ahead.
Fish are to be food for others. More and more, today’s Christianity has taken a self-centered, consumer mentality. Within the church we focus on having our needs met. We come expecting to be served. Our relationship to the church is often no more intimate than our relationship to Wal-Mart, Kmart, or Target. Jesus said, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave – just as the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. we must serve others as we choose to catch, clean, & cook the bountiful haul our Lord is calling us to gather.
(Special thanks go to Dr. William Watley for lifting this concept of being “fishers of men” to the Fourth Episcopal District Christian Education Congress in July 2005. Let us all now live it in our daily lives.)
Pastor James M. Moody, Sr.Quinn Chapel AME Church
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
