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. KATRINA SPECIAL EDITION OF THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER FOR EVERY AME HOME:
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has been proactive in providing support for families and churches affected by Hurricane Katrina. The Christian Recorder has been sharing that information with its readership. The Executive Director of Global Witness and Ministry, Dr. George Flowers and the Commission Chair, Bishop Richard Norris are leading the Church’s response and assistance efforts for Katrina victims. The AME Church as raised over a half a million dollars in cash donations and continues to provide support for those persons and churches affected by the Hurricane. Episcopal Districts have sent 18-wheeler trucks filled with non-perishable food and supplies. The Bishops of the Church met in Baton Rouge yesterday with Bishop C. Garnett Henning to address the issues of support for those affected by the hurricane and to strategize on how the Church can be more efficient in providing assistance for those affected by the devastation. Some presiding elders and pastors whose districts and churches were hit hard by the hurricane are without salaries and some of their homes have been destroyed. The Church is responding and The Christian Recorder wants to share with the members of the AME Church the stories of what the AME Church has done and is doing.
60,000 copies of the Christian Recorder for every AME home
Dr. Johnny Barbour, AMEC Publisher has agreed to publish 60,000 copies of a Katrina special edition of The Christian Recorder. Copies will be sent to the Episcopal District Offices and the bishops will distribute to presiding elders, pastors and members. The goal is to insure that a free copy of The Christian Recorder is placed in every AME home. We want everyone to know what the Church has done and we especially want AMEs to know what the Church has done, and is doing in support of those whose lives have been devastated by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.
The goal is to have the Special Edition published and distributed the third week in October.
The Christian Recorder requests all Episcopal Districts to forward news and information to this office chsydnor@bellsouth.net about what your district has, is, and will be doing in support of disaster aid in support of Hurricane Katrina not later than October 7, 2005. Photos may be mailed to The Christian Recorder, 512 Eighth Avenue South, Nashville, Tennessee 37203-4181
2. SPECIAL DAYS AND HOLIDAY ARTICLES FOR THE PRINT EDITION OF THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
Autumn is here. Thanksgiving, Advent, Christmas, the New Year, Martin Luther King, Jr celebrations, Black History Month, Founder’s Day and the Lenten Season will be upon us before we know it.
Articles related to the various holidays and special occasions must be submitted in a timely fashion if they are to appear in the print edition of The Christian Recorder. Special days and holiday articles should be received 3-4 weeks, or earlier, prior to the date in which the article is to be printed. The Editor would appreciate the sufficient lead-times for articles related to special days and holidays.
3. HOME DELIVERY OF THE PRINT EDITION OF THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
I have not received at my home in Nashville, Tennessee, in the mail, the current print edition of The Christian Recorder. The Christian Recorder was mailed from the AMEC Publishing House, where my office is located, about two weeks ago. Some subscribers get their Christian Recorders in a timely fashion, and others, like me, seem to get it late. I checked with the publisher who explained that second- class mailings are handled differently than first class mail. When the AMEC Publishing House, who prints the Christian Recorder, takes the papers to the post office, the post office ships them to distribution points. I am sure that is the reason for the delay that some of us experience in receiving the print editions of The Christian Recorder. I might be receiving my mailed copy of the Christian Recorder from a postal distribution point in New Orleans instead of the main post office in Nashville, which is about three miles from my home.
I want you to know that the material gets to the publisher on time and the publisher gets it to the post office on time, but when the mailings are sent to the distribution points, we no longer have control the distribution process. Dr. Barbour has been addressing the problem with the postal authorities.
4. LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
To the Editor
Just a short note to let you know that I have returned home. My ship arrived on Friday afternoon after being delayed two days in Mayport, Florida as a precaution for Hurricane Rita.
I am back home, but there is still a great need for support for our people who were affected by Hurricane Katrina.
Blessings,
Chaplain David R. Brown
5. SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT’S 2005 NORTHEAST ANNUAL CONFERENCE RESOLUTION:
The Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which encompasses the state of South Carolina, convened August 28 – September 2 in Sumter, South Carolina for the second of its 2005 Annual Conferences. The 114th Session of the Northeast Annual Conference was held at Union Station AME Church in Sumter.
The Northeast Conference is comprised of the Sumter, Marion and Florence-Dillon Districts and is one of the oldest annual conferences with approximately 25,000 local members. It is the third largest of six annual conferences in the 7th Episcopal District. Approximately 4000 AME church clergy and delegates attended this gathering during which various Conference Committees addressed issues such as: The State of the Church and Country, Family Life, Christian Education, Temperance, Evangelism, Women's and Youth Ministries, Social Action, and Prison and Hospital Ministries. The Annual Conference is where the entire church body comes together to assess what has been accomplished during the previous year and set goals for the upcoming year.
Resolutions:
To the Right Reverend Preston Warren Williams, II, Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church, Mother Wilma Delores Williams, Supervisor of the Seventh Episcopal District, Presiding Elders, Pastors, Delegates and members of the 114th Session of the Northeast South Carolina Annual Conference, we your committee on Resolutions, prayerfully submit our report.
Whereas, the 114th Session of the Northeast South Carolina Annual Conference began with the Pre-Conference Pomp and Pageantry of the Debutantes and Master (DMC) Ceremony: a celebration of Christian manhood and womanhood whereby those elegantly attired young people from across the Conference were honored for their many volunteer hours of community, church and school services. We take this opportunity to thank Mrs. KarCelia Brown-German, DMC Conference Commissioner and Reverend Charles Singleton, DMC Conference Associate Commissioner, and their dedicated committee members for a job well done. Thanks are to God for his wondrous love!
Whereas, the Women’s Missionary Society under the supervision of Mother Delores Williams, Episcopal Supervisor, and Sister Gwendolyn L. C. Snider, the Noble Northeast Conference WMS President, with other ladies in attendance, carried out a very detailed business session. Focus goals for the 2005-2006 Conference Year included Education, Growth and Expansion, Legacy and Destiny, and Health and Wellness. The annual WMS Luncheon was held at the Elks Lodge. They were blessed with many visiting missionary sisters.
Whereas, the Sons of Allen gave us an evening of entertainment - spiritually and physically, and the Reverend Laddie Howard of Wayman Chapel, Sumter, S. C. delivered a powerful sermon entitled “Can God Brag on You?”
Whereas, the Union Station A.M.E. Church hosted an overwhelming crowd at Patriot Hall as the opening session of the 114th Northeast South Carolina Annual Conference convened with Reverend R. L. McCants, Sr. as Worship Leader.
Whereas, the Processional consisted of Union Station and Mt. Zion’s choirs, Licentiates, Deacons, Elders, General Officer George Flowers, Bishops F. C. James, Z. Grady and our Presiding Bishop, The Right Reverend Preston Warren Williams, II.
Whereas, Reverend Julius McAllister delivered an electrifying Annual Sermon entitled “Making it Through the Warfare of Life”. The opening ceremony was culminated by Holy Communion Services, Bishop Preston W. Williams, II, Chief Celebrant.
Whereas, a re-organization of the 114th Session of the Northeast South Carolina Conference was held, Reverend R. R. Hooper was selected as the Conference Secretary and Reverend Berletha Taylor as Assistant Secretary. Then, each Presiding Elder submitted names to serve as Marshals.
Whereas, the Presiding Elders presented their recommendations for various committees for the Annual Conference Session along with the boundaries of the Conference for all Lay Delegates and Ministers, the 4th window cases.
Whereas, Marion District presented their Ministerial/Delegates and Annual Reports on Tuesday afternoon.
Whereas, the WMS’s Night in Mission, Theme: “Calling Empowered Women of God to Rise Up!” The WMS’s awesome choir set the tone for an evening of fellowship with the Introit “We Have Come to Worship the Lord” and the message by Sister Misbrew Times, Northeast Conference Branch Historiographer/Statistician was well composed and delivered. Special recognition to our WMS Supervisor Mother Wilma Delores Williams for her words of praise and encouragement.
Whereas, the work of the conference continued when the Florence-Dillon District and the Sumter District presented Ministerial/Delegates and Annual Reports.
Whereas, Presiding Elder William Smith of the Columbia District in the Columbia Conference delivered the Wednesday’s Mid-day sermon entitled “Three Things God will do for You.”
Whereas, the Young People and Children’s Division, under the leadership of Ms. Connie Ford, and her cabinet with the theme "Ordinary People: Challenged by Power, Walking by Faith". The Rev. E. Robert Thomas encouraged us to use the ordinary to accomplish the extraordinary. God can use ordinary people to do great things when we put our trust in him.
Whereas, the Christian Education Department under the direction of Dr. Juenarrl Keith, stressed several objectives through Workshop presenter Reverend Marty L. Henderson, who currently serves as the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Akron, Ohio who presented a workshop on Transformative Leadership, Reverend Reginald Morton, pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church Plantersville, S.C. who presented a workshop on Transformative Bible Study, and Mr. Joe Benton, Department of Juvenile Justice who presented a workshop on Transformative Ministry. Brother W. M. Jefferson and Dr. Allen W. Parrott gave reflections. Reverend Timothy A. Johnson, Sr. Conference Christian Education Director, and Ms. Kabrina Bass, Christian Educator Director
Whereas, Dr. Charles Young, president of Allen University delivered our mid-day service sermon entitled “In the Midst of Change”.
Whereas, the Northeast Annual Conference collected $30,394.00 for Allen University.
Whereas, the city of Sumter, S. C., presented Bishop Preston Warren Williams, II with a Key to the City of Sumter, South Carolina.
Whereas, the following person retired from this Annual Conference, the Rev. Lavern Murray.
Whereas, the following persons were located, the Rev. Leroy Fred, and the Rev. Willie Gee.
Whereas, the Conference paused to memorialize four of its servants, Reverend James Curry, Reverend Willie Lockhart, Reverend R. H. Williams, and Reverend Legatha McFadden. They have been called from the church militant to the church triumphant.
Whereas, it was resolved all characters were passed. Praise God.
Whereas, the Lay evening was filled with the Holy Spirit, praising God to the utmost.
Whereas Bro. James Felder spoke on "CRC" changes, rules and charges.
Whereas, all Disciplinary Questions were read and answered positively.
Whereas, the Board of Examiners recommended and the conference confirmed the following for Itinerant Deacon: Stephen Gilchrist and Jimmy Wilson and the following for Itinerant Elders: Rev. Christine Hooper-Davis, Rev. Alvin Webb, and Rev. Marie Webb.
Whereas, the Ordination and Worship Message was delivered by Bishop Preston W. Williams, II. Theme: "Strange Fire", a spiritual and soul-stirring message.
Whereas, the Ministers’ Spouses, Widow, and Widower’s Organization Annual Luncheon was held at Swan Lake Pavilion.
Whereas, Mother Wilma Delores Williams was introduced to the 114th Session of the Northeast South Carolina Conference.
Whereas, visitors from across the State of South Carolina were presented at the conference from all levels of the clergy, Laity, WMS, YPD, and Sons of Allen.
Whereas, Ms. Misbrew Times, the Northeast Conference Superintendent and Church School Committee presented a workshop.
Whereas, the Closing Convocation Ceremony Message was delivered by Presiding Elder W. J. Baxter of the Orangeburg District. The title of the message was "Almost Doesn't Count".
Whereas, the Reverend Friendly Gadson and his lovely wife Mrs. Flora Gadson and the entire Union Station A.M. E. Church who hosted the 114th Session of the Northeast South Carolina Annual Conference with such dignity and style.
Whereas, the 114th Session of the Northeast South Carolina Conference, take this opportunity to Salute and applaud for a job well done! May God continue to shower his blessings upon you.
Be it further resolved, that the members of the 114th Session of the Northeast South Carolina Conference continue to strive for excellence under the dynamic leadership of Bishop Preston Warren Williams, II, and Mother Wilma Delores Williams.
Be it further resolved, that a copy of this Resolution be placed on record with the Secretary.
Respectfully submitted,
Your Committee
Authored by:
Reverend Timothy A. Johnson, Sr., Chairperson, along with the Resolution Committee.
Submitted by:
Benjamin Harrison
Public Relations Director
7th District AME Church
Tel 803.935.0500
Cell 803.528.7104
Fax 803.935.0830
HarrisonAMEMedia@aol.com
6. AME PASTOR, THE REVEREND SHELDA D. HERRING FEATURED IN GARDENING ARTICLE IN THE MEMPHIS COMMERCIAL-APPEAL:
Urban growth - Program plants seeds of content, reaps veggies of delight
By Christine Arpe GangSeptember 24, 2005
An urban gardening program in Memphis dispels a lot of myths about growing vegetables.
You don't need a huge piece of property; you don't have to be young and strong. And you don't need a lot of expensive equipment to harvest significant amounts of great-tasting produce.
Just ask any of the 1,000 low-income or disabled adults and youths who participated this year.
From her small fenced garden in North Memphis, Futhia James has picked more tomatoes, okra, purple hull peas, butter beans, hot and sweet peppers than she could eat. She shares with neighbors and puts up dozens of bags of peas and butter beans in her small freezer, as well as numerous jars of salsa and chow-chow in her pantry.
"It's a lot of work, but it's something I enjoy," James said. "I love seeing things grow."
Urban gardening participants get their backyard plots tilled up in the spring and receive more than 20 packets of seeds and several tomato and pepper plants.
James's purple hull peas and butter beans, which produced abundantly, played out for this season, so she pulled them out and sowed turnip green seeds in their place.
She saved a little space for seeding green beans, which she expects to harvest before winter sets in.
Her tomatoes and okra are still producing and the kale -- slowed by the heat of the summer -- is starting to revive.
The shift from a summer to fall garden is happening in urban gardens all over town.
Verlie and Charles Horton, who are in their second season with the program, are also pulling out the old to plant new turnip greens in their Scenic Hills-area beds.
"We had the neighbors come to get all the green tomatoes before we pulled them out," Verlie said. "One of them came back with a plate of fried green tomatoes for us."
They've also shared the bounty with church members.
"Your own vegetables taste different," she said. "It makes me appreciate God's creation with nature and with seeds."
After a challenging hot and dry growing season, the Hortons say not everything was perfect. They got only about four ears of corn, and birds attacked their cantaloupes. But they did get several sweet watermelons from seeds they purchased.
Shelda Herring, a master gardener, and her husband Samuel grow veggies in a raised bed along a wood fence that borders their yard between Central and Southern.
They were especially proud of their red okra, Malabar spinach and eggplant crops.
Shelda, who is the pastor of Spring Chapel AME Church in Grand Junction, shares the bounty with church members and neighbors.
When the gardens were at their peak several weeks ago, about 15 to 20 participants took their excess produce to the Shelby Extension Service for a workshop on making salsa and chow-chow. Each gardener put up several quarts to take home.
Every year the extension service presents awards to participants with the best gardens.
Booker T. Doss, who lives in South Memphis, has won first- and second-place honors during the seven years he's been a part of the program.
At 87, he's the oldest gardener in the program. He does all his own cooking and also makes a dozen or so pints of preserves from the figs that grow on his tree.
He's been picking three kinds of peppers, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, collards, okra, peas and potatoes.
Doss said he wouldn't be able to garden if someone didn't get the soil ready for him in the spring. He manages the other chores by doing a little bit at a time.
About 15 community gardens at schools, churches, community centers and subsidized housing for seniors are part of the program.
At St. Peter Manor in Midtown, 10 or so residents, including Ruth Guest, claim a row or two in the garden.
She doesn't mind that the slightly shaded spot she selects doesn't produce quite as many vegetables as rows in full sun.
"I don't care because I do it mainly for the exercise," Guest said. "It's therapeutic. I've had cancer twice, I know the exercise helps me."
About 10 days ago, gardeners at St. Peter Manor pulled out the summer crops so Cortney Holloway, the extension agent in charge of the program, could till up the soil with his tractor. Then he cast out seeds for collards, turnips, kale and mustard greens.
The 2005 urban gardening program was funded by a $41,000 block grant from the City of Memphis Division of Housing and Community Development to Tennessee State University Extension.
The grant covers the cost of hiring contractors to till 500 or more gardens in the spring, as well as the cost of seeds and plants. It also covered the cost of chartering three buses to take participants to an educational program on small-scale farming in Cheatham County earlier in summer.
The program's purpose is to provide a means of exercise and to improve nutrition for participants.
"Most of them say there's nothing like waking up and then going out and picking what they're going to eat today," Holloway said. "They also save money on food costs."
He estimates the gardens collectively will produce 20,000 pounds of produce this year.
At the end of October, Holloway is planning the program's annual awards luncheon.
"It's the biggest event the extension service has," he said.
All of the gardeners bring a prepared dish, many of them utilizing the vegetables they grew during the summer.
"Most of these people have been cooking a long time," said Holloway, who is completing his first season as coordinator. "I hear the food is excellent."
Article printed with permission from The Commercial Appeal
7. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with heartfelt sympathy that I announce the passing and funeral arrangements of Brother Selmo Bradley, who served as the third President of the Eleventh Episcopal District Lay Organization. Brother Bradley passed away on Thursday morning, September 22, 2005. His funeral is Wednesday, September 28 at 2 p.m. at St. John AME Church, Quincy, Florida.
In addition to being the past President of the 11th Episcopal District (prior to J. L. Williams), he was also 3rd Vice-President of the Connectional Lay Organization in the 80's. The Eleventh Episcopal District Lay Organization Scholarship Fund is named in his honor. He was President of the 11th Episcopal Lay Organization for 16 years.
Eileen S. Warner
Director of Public Relations
Connectional Lay Organization
8. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE
Regretfully we share news of the passing of The Reverend Miriam Nakapizye, (WIM) who was a Pastor in Zimbabwe the 20th Episcopal District and was currently on transfer to her home district 17th Episcopal District in Zambia. Reverend Nakapizye passed on Saturday, September 24, 2005 in Kasompe area of St Thomas AME Church at the home of her baby sister in the city of Chingola. Funeral gathering has been shifted from Chingola to Chililabombwe to her parents’ residence.
Funeral arrangements pending.
Submitted by: The Rev Royd Mwandu - Senior Pastor
St Thomas AME Church
82-14th Street, Nchanga South
P O Box 11125
Chingola, Zambia
17th Episcopal District -
The Rt. Rev Paul J M Kawimbe - Bishop
9. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS for The Late Presiding Elder (Retired) Hurtis Randolph Ricks, of the Wrens-Vidalia District, Augusta Conference, 6th Episcopal District African Methodist Episcopal Church.
WAKE: Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Saint John African Methodist Episcopal Church M. L. K., Jr., Blvd.
Ailey, Georgia 30422
(912) 568-7113 - Phone
The Rev. Dr. Marvin J. Howard, Sr., Pastor
(912) 368-3286 Home
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Rites
7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
FUNERAL SERVICE:
Thursday, September 29, 2005
11:00 AM
Saliba Chapel
Brewton Parker College Campus
Hwy 280 Ailey-Mt. Vernon, Georgia 30422
(912) 583-2360 - Phone
FAMILY CONTACT:
Mrs. Rebecca Ricks
222 Ailey-Lothair Road
Mt. Vernon, Georgia 30422
(912) 583-2635 - Phone
Services Entrusted To:
Vidalia Funeral Home
106 Pine Street
Vidalia, Georgia 30474
(912) 537-8887 - Phone
912) 537-8526 - Fax
B. B. CallowaySED Office
10. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: clegolie@powergrp.co.za
We announce the passing of Brother Jan George, the brother of the Reverend William Charles Legolie, II, the pastor of The Cathedral of Vinton R Anderson in Cape Town, South Africa.
Brother George passed away on Monday 26 September 2005. Funeral arrangements will be forwarded upon availability.
The Reverend Legolie can be contacted on: +27-27-905 4922 (h) or +27+72 264 7731.
All email messages can be forwarded to clegolie@powergrp.co.za or vaame@mweb.co.za
Thank you for support and prayers.
Charlin Lesch Legolie
11. 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.
12. 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
