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. IMPORTANT RECURRING MESSAGE FROM DR. JEROME HARRIS FOR PREACHERS AFFECTED BY HURRICANE KATRINA:
Dr. Jerome V. Harris, Executive Director of the AMEC Department of Annuity Investment and Insurance has arranged with the annuity investment vendors, Symetra Insurance Company and American Express, to process requests for "Hardship" annuity withdrawals on an EXPEDITED basis for those participants affected by Hurricane Katrina.
All participants assigned to the Eighth (Mississippi and Louisiana), Ninth (Alabama) and Eleventh (Florida) Episcopal Districts are eligible for expedited hardship annuity withdrawals. In an effort to provide more immediate financial assistance to persons in these devastated areas, expedited payments can now be made and received in as soon as 24 hours, depending on the mode of distribution, i.e. Direct Bank Transfer, US Mail, etc. The normal withdrawal process usually requires approximately 3 - 4 weeks, so our pastors and their families are blessed, in this time of difficulty, with the expedited arrangement.
Participants desiring to avail themselves to this process should contact the AMEC Department of Annuity Investment and Insurance directly at (901) 527-2006 or by Email at amec_des@bellsouth.com
2. BALDWIN-WALLACE COLLEGE PROJECT TO ASSIST KATRINA VICTIMS IS LEAD BY AME PASTOR’S WIFE:
Mrs. Mila Cooper, Director of Community Outreach & Service-Learning at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio is heading up the Baldwin-Wallace plan to provide long-term response to the damage caused by the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. She said, “We have started to collect funds and will save them until a project is identified. I have been in touch with Bishop Henning and am hopeful that we may establish something in his district. Likewise, if anyone else out there knows of any possibilities for our college, I would appreciate hearing from them.” She went on to say, “We have discussed the possibility of "adopting a small town," "adopting a small college," and several other ideas. We can offer human resources (i.e. sending groups to an area during our College breaks, etc.) sending supplies as well as financial resources. We also work with several colleges and universities in our region that might be interested in joining us in this effort. We realize that recovery from this catastrophe will take years and we are committed to a long-term effort.”
Persons wishing to contact Mrs. Mila Cooper about this may reach her during the day at (440) 826-2301 or at mcooper@bw.edu.
May God continue to bless our efforts as we reach out to our brothers and sisters.
Mila Cooper is a member of St. James AME Church, Cleveland, Ohio and the spouse of the Reverend Gerald Cooper, the pastor of St. James AME Church.
3. THE RICH BLESSINGS RECEIVED AT THE 130TH SESSION OF THE KANSAS-NEBRASKA ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE MIGHTY FIFTH DISTRICT:
This year’s 130th Session of the Kansas-Nebraska Annual Conference was held at St. John A.M.E. Church 701 S. Topeka Blvd., in Topeka, Kansas where the Rev. Donald A. Baker, is the Pastor, was by no means business as usual. The conference started high in the Holy Spirit and ended even higher in the Spirit. The Conference was gear with excellent teaching institution preaching and singing praises unto our Lord and Savior, with the appropriate theme “Living Well” John 10:10, the theme for 2005-2006, which challenges each one of us to live abundantly in mind, body, and soul. “I come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly.
The Right Reverend John Richard Bryant, Presiding Prelate presided over the conference with the Rev. Dr. Cecilia Williams Bryant, Supervisor of the Women’s Missionary and Young Peoples Department.
The Holy Spirit was running high throughout the conference with each day a day of expectancy and excitement, notwithstanding powerful anointed preaching, teaching and singing praises unto Almighty God from God’s anointed vessels. The week of activities began on Monday, September 5 2005 with the Women in Ministry. The evening worship service was crowned with a spirit filled worship experience with the Fifth District Women in Ministry President, the Rev. Noella Austin Buchanan, Pastor of St. James AMEC, St. Louis, Missouri who brought forth a Holy Ghost filled message, “Maximize Your Potential”. Monday and Tuesday morning was an outstanding two days of institute “Living Well: Clergy/Lay Self-Care for the 21st Century led and taught by the Reverend Dr. Carolyn L. Gordon, who gave us the real deal about the three-components to “Living Well”, God-Care, Self-Care and Neighbor-Care. Through her marvelous skills of story telling and gifted humor, she enabled us to look at our own commitment to self-care.
. On Tuesday, the Women’s Missionary Society, led by the Rev. Dr. Cecilia Williams-Bryant, Episcopal Supervisor, shouted loudly and clearly as they marched a mile calling for the healing of the Nations. After the March, the Women’s Missionary Society had a luncheon with the dynamic, powerhouse Dr. Valerie R. Daniels-Carter, President/CEO of Holding Companies of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This "sistah" preached and it was so powerful, my goodness gracious, the message was so positive, that no one could have left the room not feeling inspired, revived, restored and geared-up to step out on faith to go after their dreams, by not letting anything, or anyone stop you. For, if God be for you, who can be against you. The revival did not just stop with Sistah’ Valerie, for the Lord had another powerful preacher for Wednesday’s Hour of Power, and it was the dynamic Rev. Dr. Cecilia Williams Bryant, who preach a mighty word “Reclaiming the Biblical Mandate ”Redemption Teaching from 2 Kings 5:15 and John 14:12. Rev. C exhorted with power from on High that the mission of the church is to bring a vision and experience of Jesus Christ to the world that transforms, heals, and liberates. She stated, “We can no longer remain silent from the pulpit to the laity on the horrendous epidemic of HIV/AIDS. Under the direction Sister Margaret Rhone, the Women’s Missionary Witness Night was par excellence. We were truly fed!
The Kansas/Nebraska Annual Conference officially opened at 7 p.m. with the Kansas/Nebraska Conference Choir under the direction the Holy Spirit and Dr. Betty Lessard who ushered us into the presence of the Lord. The Rev. Jonathan Rhone, pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church, Omaha, Nebraska opening sermon “Don’t Give Up On God”, 2 Kings 7:1-2, inspired us, taught us, and compelled us to trust and wait on the Lord. Thursdays, the institute, devotions and business sessions started promptly providing good stewardship of time. The Rev. David Aurthur brought forth a message from upon high, “Accepting the Abundance of Your Blessing” from Exodus 40:34-38 during the Hour of Power. He reminded us that the Spirit of God would not take you where the grace of God will not keep you. To accept the abundance of your blessings, we have to step out of who we are and into what God is. This powerful message from upon high, set the tone for the Ecumenical night highlighted the Sons of Thunder, where the all male choir sang songs of Zion that created the atmosphere for worship. The Reverend Dr. Ellis C. Robinson, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Kansas City, Kansas preached a relevant word redirected by the Holy Spirit of God. He preached on “In the Time of Trouble”, according to Psalms 50:15. The evening of worship was blessed with men from various congregations in this conference, being awarded special recognition for their humble, loving and undying service as vessels of God.
On Friday, we were still blessed with a fresh anointing from God, as the Rev. Mark Whitlock brought forth “The Nehemiah Report combined with a presentation from Countrywide Lending encouraging economic stability and success with investments in our homes and churches. The Rev. Clinton Stancil, pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church, Phoenix, Arizona brought forth an explosive message truly sent from God, “Appreciate Your Assignment” from Exodus 3:10. Tributes were given in honor of the legacy of service to the Lord Jesus Christ, through the Kingdom building by the Rev. Huie T. Cunningham, Rev. Lorenzo Finnell and the Rev. Sudie White. Their dedication to the family of God is appreciated and it is with much love that the Kansas/Nebraska Conference celebrates their retirement from the pastorate but never from proclaiming to a dying world that Jesus saves. The work for the Lord will continue in new ways.
“Laity Sowing Seeds Beyond The Walls: An Agenda of Ministry and Service” was the theme for Lay Witness Service, and rightly so. We praised and worship through soul stirring dance, thought provoking poetry, and Holy Ghost filled songs by the “Storms of Life (Rev. Dr. Theodore Lee, Rev. Jeffery Jefferson and Bro. Donald Braxton) male trio.
Early Saturday morning, again being blessed with a fresh anointing, the YPD under the awesome leadership of Sister Gail McClenton, Conference Branch YPD Director began the day with an awesome experience, “Breakfast with God”, where we began with intercessory prayer, anointing of the youth and Holy Communion. The anointing increased throughout the day, as we were richly blessed with a program “Walking in Authority” Wordless Praise in song, dance, music, mime and drums by the YPD and their very special anointed guests, the Teama Themba Dancers from South Africa who blessed our souls.
Saturday morning was a time of sacred consecration for two dedicated mothers of the Church, Naomi Boils and Flora Mae Walker who were consecrated to the office of Deaconess. The Worship Service was blessed with anointing of The Holy Spirit and the Right Reverend Richard Norris preaching from Joel 3:16 “The Lord will be the Hope of His People”, and were our hearts and souls set on fire by his awesome message. One of the highest moments of the service was when Bishops Richard Norris and John Richard Bryant anointed each other after they anointed the Presiding Elders, Pastors and Clergy to carry on the work of Kingdom building with renewed power from on high. Hallelujah!
The closing Commissioning service opened on Sunday with Bishop John Richard Bryant proclaiming the Word from Romans 12:12. We encountered God’s love through his work and lives were truly transformed and souls were saved to the glory of God, as the desire to “Living Well” began to stir within us. Praise God for this anointed, dynamic, awesome, powerhouse ordained by God, Bishop John Richard Bryant. Hallelujah to the Lamb of God, for blessing us with such an anointed vessel of God.
We were truly, richly, and absolutely blessed in the Lord Jesus Christ.
To God be the Glory now and forever more.
4. AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
The wonderful members of Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, victims of Hurricane Katrina, opened their doors for several days to give bottled water, food, lotions, toothpaste, deodorant and clothing to the community. Sister Nikita McGilberry and Sister Alicia Montgomery led the team, under the pastorate of Rev. DeLishia Boykin Wilson. This is a beautiful act of unselfish love. Instead of concentrating on their individual losses, they gave of their time, talent and treasure for the good of others.
5. THE 2005 13TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULES:
138th Kentucky Annual Conference
September 12-17
Tuesday: WMS Annual Conference
The Rev. Ralph Johnson, Host P.E.
The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Strode, Host Pastor
St. John
210 West Clinton Street
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
(502) 223-5752 (Church) (502) 875-0288 (Pastor)
Holiday Inn Capital Plaza
405 Wilkinson Boulevard
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
(502) 227-5100 (800) 465-4329
Bradford Hall
Kentucky State University
400 East Main Street
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601
(502) 597-6000
Location for:
YPD Meeting
Church School
Memorial Service
Closing Service
125th West Kentucky Annual Conference
September 26-October 1
Tuesday: WMS Annual Conference
The Rev. Linda F. Thomas-Martin, Host P.E.
The Rev. Jermaine Wilson, Host Pastor
Young’s Chapel
1039 South 16th Street
Louisville, Kentucky 40210
(502) 587-0087
Holiday Inn, Louisville Downtown
120 West Broadway
Louisville, Kentucky
(502) 582-2241
105th East Tennessee Annual Conference
October 10-15
Tuesday: WMS Annual Conference
The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Hill, Host P.E.
The Rev. Coleman March, Host Pastor
St. Paul
810 N Hall Road
Alcoa, Tennessee 37701
(865) 984-5855
Hilton Knoxville Airport
2001 Alcoa Highway
Alcoa, Tennessee 37701
131st West Tennessee Annual Conference
October 24-29
Tuesday: WMS Annual Conference
The Rev. John E. Madison, Host P.E.
The Rev. C. Robert Finch, Associate P.E.
The Rev. W. W. Easley, Jr., Host Pastor
New Tyler
3300 Summer Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38122
(901) 323-9371
Marriott Downtown
250 Main Street
Memphis, Tennessee 38103
(901)527-7300
138th Tennessee Annual Conference
November 7-12
Tuesday: WMS Annual Conference
The Rev. Troy Merritt, Host P. E.
The Rev. Robert E. Keesee, Associate P.E.
The Rev. Keith Mayes, Sr., Host Pastor
Allen Chapel
224 S Maney Avenue
Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37130
Double Tree Hotel
1850 Old Fort Parkway
Murfreesboro, TN 37129
(615) 895-555
Planning Meeting
December 1-3
St. Paul
251 North Upper Street
Lexington, Kentucky
2005
Annual Conference Agenda
Kentucky ◦ west kentucky
east tennessee ◦ west tennessee ◦ TENNESSEE
Tuesday WMS Day
7:30 a.m. WMS Prayer Breakfast (KY only)
9:00 a.m. WMS Business Session I
School of the Prophets
10:00 a.m. - Clergy Institute
5:00 p.m.
12:00 noon Noon Day Service
2:30 PM WMS Business Session II
Community Service Project
7:00 p.m. Evening Service
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
Wednesday
10:00 a.m. Opening Worship Service
Holy Communion
3:00 p.m. Business Session I
Roll Call
Organization of Conference
Finance Report
Board of Examiners
6:00 p.m. Nehemiah Nation Meeting
7:00 p.m. Men’s Night
Nehemiah Nation/Sons of Allen
Thursday
7:30 a.m. Morning Glory Conference Prayer Team
8:00 a.m. Business Session II
Devotion
Pastoral Reports
9:00 a.m. Conference Institute
12:00 noon Worship at Noon
1:00 p.m. Luncheon Meeting- Ministers’ Spouses
3:00 P.M. Business Session III
Pastoral Reports
7:00 P.M. Lay Witness Night
Friday
7:30 a.m. Morning Glory Conference Prayer Team
8:00 a.m. Business Session IV
Disciplinary Questions
Committee Reports
9:30 a.m. Conference Institute
12:00 noon Service of Ordination
5:00 p.m. YPD Meeting
7:00 p.m. Youth Night, YPD
9:00 p.m. - Got Game?
10:30 p.m.
Saturday
8:00 a.m. YPD Meeting
9:00 a.m.-
10:00 a.m. RAYAC Meeting, Club RAYAC Workshop and Fellowship
10:00 a.m. Church School
1130 a.m. Memorial Service
12:00 noon Retirement Service
12:30 p.m. Closing Service
Resolutions
Assignments
Pastoral Appointments
6. MESSAGE FROM SISTER GWENDOLYN WILLIAMS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONNECTIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION WHO HAS EVACUATED FROM HURRICANE KATRINA DEVASTATION:
Letter to the Editor
Just a brief note to let you know that I have evacuated New Orleans and am living with my sister.
I have been unable to communicate with the Episcopal District Health Directors because in my haste to leave I left behind my computer and my address book.
I would appreciate if you could post my address so that persons can communicate with me.
I am attending Brookins Community AMEC in Los Angeles.
My sister's address is, 3500-369 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood California 90305. I can be reached at her email at freem801@aol.com
Be well.
Sister Gwendolyn B Williams,
Executive Director
Connectional Health Commission
- An update from Sister Gwendolyn Williams received September 30, 2005 at 11 a.m.
I am worshiping at Brookins Community AMEC, there are five of us here but I am the only AME; there may be others.
I hope to return to New Orleans by the end of the month to check and see what damages I have sustained.
Continue to pray for all of us, both Katrina and Rita victims and those persons who have opened their arms and hearts to us.
I have been blessed with a loving sister and a warm congregation and pastor.
Gwen Williams
Editor’s note: you may email Sister Gwendolyn Williams directly by emailing her at freem801@aol.com
7. NEWS FROM THE UMC - CHURCH DOESN'T FULLY UNDERSTAND BLACK COLLEGES' MISSION, LEADERS SAY:
By Linda Green*
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Black colleges have often been misunderstood as recipients of mission, when in fact they provide ministry and mission to the United Methodist Church and to society, according to presidents of some of the denomination's schools.
The presidents of the historically black United Methodist colleges focused their Sept. 27 meeting on the lack of understanding across the church regarding their schools.
"There are many people who do not understand the mission of the church's historically black colleges and universities, which is to provide an affordable, education to deserving African-American students," said Trudie K. Reed, president of Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Fla.
Reed is also president of the Council of Presidents, the organization of presidents and former presidents of the church's 11 historically black colleges. More than 15,000 students attend the schools.
The presidents pondered why the support that black colleges receive is perceived differently from that given by the denomination to its other colleges and universities.
"It is not us asking the church to do something for us," said Elias Blake, former president of Clark College, the predecessor of Clark Atlanta University. "The argument is whether the church is serious about finishing the mission it assigned to us."
"We are not only the recipients of mission, but our students go out to become the best citizens and engage in service learning, and many are called into ministry," Reed said. "We have a direct relationship to the mission and ministry of the United Methodist Church.
"We have seen a need to interpret our stories so that people know the value and benefit of black colleges," Reed said.
For more than 100 years, the United Methodist Church and its predecessor denominations have been involved in educating African Americans. The denomination created academic institutions in the South to educate freed slaves after the end of the Civil War. The church created the Black College Fund in 1972 as a way to include black colleges in the regular support system of receiving apportionments instead of making them recipients of special appeals or offerings.
The fund helps support the programs and mission of the black colleges. Each summer, student interns fan out across the United States, visiting annual conferences and churches to promote the fund and their schools and to thank United Methodists for paying their apportionments.
Black colleges still carry half the burden for the racial equality mission of the church, Blake said. "It is not a discretionary mission that we chose. This church assigned its racial mission to these institutions at the end of slavery, and these institutions carried that mission alone for 100 years. Only in the last 30 years have the rest of the United Methodist colleges shared in completing that mission within this church."
The presidents discussed where the United Methodist Church would be in terms of that mission were it not for the black colleges and the leadership of its graduates.
"These institutions redefined the racial equality mission of this church and set a strategy for binding up the wounds from the institutionalized division within the church," Blake said. "Those wounds are in the process of healing, and these institutions have that burden still assigned to them."
During the Council of Presidents meeting, the leaders were also made aware that the Double Your Dollars for Scholars, the church's matching program providing $1,000 scholarships, will provide 315 scholarships for a total of $630,000 for the 2006-2007 academic year. The United Methodist Higher Education Foundation administers the program.
The program will be expanded to a Triple Your Dollars concept, according to Thomas S. Yow, president of the foundation. Students might be eligible for an additional $1,000 match, bringing the total possible award to $3,000, he noted.
Information, guidelines and applications will be available online at the foundation's Web site, www.umhef.org, beginning in November. Applications will only be accepted with postmark dates of either Feb. 15 or 16, and all recipients will be selected from eligible applications received with those two postmark dates, according to a foundation announcement. The presidents also:
" Heard a proposal from Abingdon Press, an imprint of the United Methodist Publishing House, for the creation of a resource on the importance of the black college experience.
" Paid tribute to the Rev. Joreatha Capers, who left the position of director of the Black College Fund and Ethnic Concerns in June, to return to local church ministry as a pastor.
" Greeted Cynthia Hopson, the new assistant general secretary of the Black College Fund and Ethnic Concerns.
" Said farewell to Ken Yamada, a staff executive at the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry, who will retire Oct. 7 after 28 years. Yamada will continue his service as special assistant to the general secretary for global education and new initiatives.
*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
8. NEWS FROM THE UMC - BLACK COLLEGES HELP DILLARD UNIVERSITY AFTER STORM:
By Linda Green
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - When students in colleges along the Gulf Coast fled Hurricane Katrina, the United Methodist Church's historically black schools were among the many institutions that responded.
"We have extended our welcome and hospitality to our sister institutions in the Gulf region by opening our doors and resources to students who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina," said Trudie Reed, president of the Council of Presidents. The organization comprises the presidents of the denomination's 11 historically black colleges.
United Methodist-related Dillard University in New Orleans was among the schools that evacuated in advance of Hurricane Katrina. When the storm made landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi Aug. 29, Dillard suffered heavy damage.
The Council of Presidents paid tribute to Dillard and discussed relief efforts during a Sept. 27 meeting in Nashville.
Reed said the opening of doors has included raising money, taking in families and providing resources to those in need. The church's black colleges have collectively accepted more than 230 students from Dillard and other schools on the coast, offering gifts such as tuition, fees, room and board, books and sometimes weekly allowances, she said. The schools also have accepted faculty and staff members. Most of Dillard's more than 1,500 students have enrolled at other predominantly black colleges and universities across the country.
"We are proud to celebrate our ongoing role and legacy of educating deserving students by offering hope, opportunity and tools for lifelong learning," said Reed, who is also president of Bethune-Cookman College in Daytona Beach, Fla. "While worldly possessions have been lost, the students that we have accepted into our homes on a temporary basis have gained a new family and home away from home within a Christian context, where values are transmitted and human dignity is being restored."
The Educational & Institutional Insurance Administrators Inc., the risk insurance company available to all of the church's colleges and universities, has provided a $1 million insurance advance to cover Dillard's cost of being down. "I am so pleased that they are stepping up to the plate to provide resources for Dillard University," Reed said.
EIIA was formed during the 1960s, when a number of historically black colleges and universities related to the United Methodist Church were unable to obtain property coverage from the commercial insurance market. The denomination assisted the colleges by combining their resources and buying insurance as a group.
The presidents also learned that Brown University has committed funds from its endowment to assist in rebuilding Dillard, and the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry has made nearly $300,000 available to assist the university. Donations for Dillard can be made at www.gbhem.org/hurricaneresponse.html online or by mail to the Dillard University Hurricane Relief Fund, c/o The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, P.O. Box 340007, Nashville, TN 37203-007.
"We are not (the Federal Emergency Management Agency), but I think the church is making a statement about the importance of this institution," said the Rev. Jerome King del Pino, top executive of board.
It is fortunate that a connectional church exists to "enables us to respond to Dillard in a way that will assure that it is going to be restored," he said.
"Dillard is a stellar institution … that is going to continue to provide leadership for the church and society and will be able to do that at a time when we need it most," he said.
When the university evacuated, school officials set up offices in Washington and Atlanta, and many of the students enrolled in other historically black institutions while retaining their academic credit from Dillard.
"The Dillard family is scattered everywhere," said Dillard President Marvalene Hughes. "The academic cluster is in Atlanta. I have spent most of my time in fund raising in Washington and with foundations across the country, which is very critical for rebuilding."
She and other officials journeyed to the campus Sept. 28 to assess the campus before deciding how to reunite the Dillard family and rebuild. They had hoped to resume some classes on campus in January but postponed those plans because of damage on the campus. In addition to flooding, three of Dillard's buildings were damaged by fire.
"We are looking at alternative sites at this time," Hughes said. "We are in the throes of making immediate decisions. We were too optimistic for January. I am projecting the fall semester, but we are selecting alternate sites to bring the community together."
Dillard officials announced Oct. 3 that plans are under way to commence classes as early as January at a site in New Orleans. Dillard has signed a memorandum of understanding with Tulane University, also in New Orleans, to provide temporary facilities for Dillard while the campus undergoes extensive repairs.
"The board of trustees, in consultation with various stakeholders, sought a solution that would reconnect the Dillard community physically, emotionally and spiritually, as well as enable the important work of teaching and learning to commence without further interruption," Hughes said in a news release.
"Tulane invited us to consider a memorandum of understanding, which we developed collaboratively," she said. "They have responded enthusiastically, and we approved this opportunity to return to our home in New Orleans."
Dillard University will "maintain its separate identity and heritage as a historically black college, re-establish its learning-centered community of students, faculty and staff, and reclaim its legacy of 135 years in the city," she said.
News reports have stated that historically black schools along the Gulf Coast will have a hard way to go because they lacked appropriate insurance to cover damages. On Sept. 29, Hughes drafted a letter to the editor of the New York Times in response to the paper's report about the storm stretching the safety net for black colleges. The letter, posted on the school's Web site, said the story was accurate in reporting Dillard's damage but that the school does have insurance to help with rebuilding.
"Contrary to the reporter's assertion … Dillard does indeed have business interruption insurance, which will be of some assistance in our recovery efforts. However, by no means will this meet the overall need," she wrote.
During the Council of Presidents' meeting, Hughes expressed gratitude for the United Methodist Church's support and for the black colleges' generosity in accepting Dillard's students "with the warmth that has caused them to feel at home."
*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Linda Green, (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
9. NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES:
Major personnel changes
We have just finished welcoming new communication directors Bob Williams at the Episcopal Church, Paul Boice at the Reformed Church in America, Fred Kinsey with the Seventh Day Adventists, and Wanda Bryant Wills with the Disciples, and now word comes of more changes due across the communions, the result of restructuring and retirement . . .
- American Baptist Churches will close down its Valley Forge communication office October 31, on recommendation of consultants in the face of sharp declines in the denomination's finances. Richard Schramm, who has worked for American Baptists since 1973 and as deputy general secretary since 1966, will retire. Also departing are associate director David Chandler, and Christopher Kearns, a media assistant. The communication function will be merged with the World Mission Support unit, where an effort will be made "to maximize the use of electronic media/Web as our primary communications tool," General Secretary Roy Medley said in his announcement of the momentous changes. We will miss the fellowship of these ABC staffers in the ecumenical work of the commission.
- Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in Chicago is restructuring its communication office as part of churchwide changes and its veteran director for communication, Eric Shafer, will be leaving his post in late November after more than 13 years in the role. He is the immediate past chair of the NCC Communication Commission, having led the commission for a record eight years. In addition to his championing the return of Davey and Goliath to the TV screen, Eric has served as chair of the Wilbur Awards, honoring the presentation of moral and spiritual themes in the secular media, a major project of Religion Communicators Council. Eric's strong leadership will be missed in our ranks.
- Presbyterian Church (USA) is learning of the December 31 retirement of our Commission Chair, Ann Gillies, who has served not only the PCUSA but has been an important part of the NCC's current strategic planning effort, and has been a major player in the development of numerous important projects in ecumenical and interfaith communications, including the VISN/Odyssey cable network (known today as the Hallmark Channel), and the Religious Communication Congress, the once-a-decade festival of faith communication groups. Her last day in her Louisville office will be December 8. In the meantime we are hoping to persuade her to make the March 2006 meeting in Cleveland her grand "exit strategy" so that we can express our best wishes -- and our deep appreciation for her leadership -- in a more personal way.
Submitted by Pat Pattillo and the Communication Commission staff
10. CHURCH WORLD SERVICE CHIEF JOINS FAST FOR DARFUR VICTIMS:
New York--On Oct. 6, the Rev. John McCullough, chief executive of Church World Service, will join thousands of people expected to participate in a day-long "fast" to
call attention to the atrocities taking place in the Darfur region of Sudan.
The event is being organized by Students Taking Action Now: Darfur, on campuses across the nation. Participants are asked to give up one item--like food, caffeine, chocolate, a manicure-and send the money they save to an organization involved in relief efforts for victims of the violence.
The United Nations has described the two-year conflict as the world's worst humanitarian crisis and says that war crimes have been committed. The United States has called it as genocide.
Patrick Schmitt, a STAND organizer at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., is urging people not to forget about the crisis. "It's crucial, especially when there are other disasters going on, to demonstrate our continued concern to the people of Sudan, the government of Sudan and our own government.
McCullough says a day of fasting is a small sacrifice "if it helps to shine a light on the atrocities being committed in Sudan. Fasting means that I will miss a few meals and then go have something to eat. The suffering people in Darfur may die before they eat another meal."
The conflict in Darfur, located in western Sudan, dates back to 2003 when armed rebel groups began protesting what they view as oppression of the region's black African people Sudan's Arab-dominated government. The government responded by unleashing Arab militias, known as janjaweed, on a campaign of murder, rape and arson against black African tribes.
Tens of thousands of people have died in the violence. More than 2 million people have fled their burned villages and settled in makeshift camps in west, north, and south Darfur. Another 200,000 have fled across the border into Chad.
Despite peace talks and a ceasefire agreement, violence has increased in the Darfur region over the past two weeks. Just last week, at least 32 were people killed in a janjaweed attack on a camp for internally displaced people. Following the attack, UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres said that the deteriorating security situation is making it impossible for humanitarian agencies to deliver food, water and medicine to victims of the violence.
Church World Service, in alliance with non-governmental organizations from the U.S. Europe, and Sudan, is providing food, medicine, water, and supplies for people in the camp and is helping with reconstruction efforts for people returning home after being uprooted by a 21-year long conflict between north and south Sudan.
CWS continues its advocacy around this issue, asking people to pressure the Bush administration to work more forcefully within the UN Security Council for increased security for Sudanese civilians and humanitarian workers; for Sudanese government adherence to the January 2005 peace agreement that ended the north-south conflict; and for increased efforts to end the Darfur violence.
Church World Service, the relief, development, and refugee assistance ministry of 36 Protestant, Orthodox, and Anglican denominations in the United States, also is chief sponsor of a growing grassroots awareness and fundraising campaign called "Dear Sudan." The campaign is a nationwide interfaith effort to form a community of support for the Sudanese victims.
Denominations specifically supporting the "Dear Sudan" campaign include
United Church of Christ -- One Great Hour of Sharing; Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) - Week of Compassion; the United Methodist Church; American Baptists Churches USA; and Reformed Church in America.
Urging people to demonstrate their support for stronger efforts to end the crisis to by joining the STAND campaign on Oct. 6, McCullough says, "We cannot afford to turn our eyes away from the suffering of the people caught up in the murderous violence in Sudan."
11. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We announce the passing this morning of Dr. Henderson Davis of Indianapolis - Retired Historiographer of the A.M.E. Church. Our sympathy to Dr. Elmira Davis, his wife, and to his children - Martha, Venita, Lydia and Henderson, Jr., grandchildren and all of his family.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Home address:
Dr. Elmira Davis and the Family of Dr. Henderson Davis
3773 Manor Court,
Indianapolis, IN 46218
Submitted by from: jcham2000@yahoo.com
12. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Please be informed that Mr. Vernon Caraway; the Brother of Rev. GeraldPonder, Associate Minister at New Jerusalem A.M.E.Church-Dallas, Texas passed away this past Saturday.The Memorial Service for Mr. Caraway will be this coming Saturday, October 8, 2005, at 11:00 A.M.The Memorial Service will be held at New Jerusalem A.M.E. Church (formerly Knight Chapel) in Dallas, Texas.Rev. Gerald Ponder may be contacted at: Rev. Gerald Ponder900 River Bend Dr., #307Lancaster, Texas 75146(972) 275-0397New Jerusalem A.M.E. Church6615 Tyree StreetDallas, Texas 75209-4516(214)366-3001Please remember Rev. Ponder and his family in prayer.As always, thank you for caring and sharing.BlessingsRev. Dr. Sherryl A. Matlock - PastorSt. James A.M.E. Church1107 E. Oak StreetDenton, Texas 76205
(940) 387-1223
Submitted by: 1wim@htcomp.net
13. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we announce the passing of Rev. Jesse Davis - Presiding Elder of the West Birmingham, Tuscaloosa, Greensboro District. Presiding Elder Jesse Davis passed this morning. He is also the father of Rev. James Davis, pastor of St. Mark Tuscaloosa, AL. Arrangements are forthcoming. Please keep his wife Mary Alice Davis and the family in your prayers.
14. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we announce the passing of Attorney Percy H. Harvey, brother of Mrs. Nell Harvey Booker, Connectional WMS Corresponding Secretary, Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey, Presiding Elder, Potomac District, Washington Annual Conference, and Mrs. Gladys H. Brock, wife of Rev. Reginald Brock, St. Matthew AME Church, Nashville, Tennessee.
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Nell Harvey Booker7252 Kingsland DriveMemphis, TN 38125
Email: NBooker96@aol.com
Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey
1354 Tuckerman Street NW
Washington, DC 20011
Mrs. Gladys H. Brock
805 Travis Spring Drive
Madison, TN 37115
Please remember the family in your prayers.
15. 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.
16. 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
