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. FIFTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT CONTRIBUTES TO HURRICANE KATRINA FUND:
Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., Supervisor Ava SB Green, Presiding Elders, Pastors and the Local Congregations of the 15th Episcopal District (Angola, Namibia, Queenstown, Eastern Cape, Kalahari and Cape Annual Conferences) raises Rand 73,000 which equals $11,500.00 USD to support the African Methodist Episcopal Church's Katrina Relief Fund.
A cashier's check was mailed to Mr. Richard Lewis' office to be forwarded to Dr. George Flowers.
As the Bishop of the 15th, I am proud of the sacrifice these caring and loving members of African Methodism have made, as they struggle with the economic challenges and disparities within their own countries. We are family! To God be the Glory, for the great things He has done.
The Right Reverend Samuel L. Green
Presiding Prelate
Fifteenth Episcopal District
2. HURRICANE ALPHA HAS CAUSED THE DEATHS OF FIFTEEN PERSONS IN HAITI AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:
Alpha, the Atlantic season's 22nd named storm, has killed at least 15 people in Haiti and the Dominican Republic before moving north into the Atlantic Ocean and weakening into a tropical depression, authorities said Tuesday.
The storm also left a dozen people missing in the two countries as mudslides and overflowing rivers flooded streets and swept away homes, according to officials in both nations.
Haitian emergency authorities were still assessing the damage from Alpha and the death toll could rise, said civil protection agency chief Maria Alta Jean Baptiste. She said 13 people were now confirmed dead in the Caribbean nation.
3. NEWS ALERT:
Rosa Park, an AME, who refused to give up her bus seat to a white man in Montgomery, Alabama 50 years ago, ignited the flame that initiated the beginnings of the modern civil rights movement, may make history again as the first woman ever to lie in honor in the Capitol Rotunda. We are awaiting word on that decision and will post it as soon as we receive it.
4. IN MEMORY AND HONOR OF STEWARDESS ROSA PARKS:
- Montgomery, Alabama Viewing:
Parks will lie in state Saturday and Sunday in Montgomery, Alabama at St. Paul AME Church, said Karen Dumas, a spokesperson for Parks' trustees. Parks had joined St. Paul as a girl and was a member of the church when her one act of defiance sparked a civic revolution.
St. Paul AME Church
Rev. Joseph Rembert (Pastor Joe)
706 East Patton Avenue
Montgomery, AL 36111 Phone: 334.286.8577 Fax: 334.286.8575
- Washington, DC
In a gesture of respect reminiscent of those reserved for titans of government, Rosa Parks' body will lie in state in the rotunda of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., Sunday from 6 p.m. to midnight and then return to Detroit for another public viewing and funeral services.
The honor speaks to the influence of the quiet seamstress who sparked the desegregation movement by refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Ala., bus in 1955.
Note: Information taken from the Detroit News Online
- Detroit, Michigan Viewing:
Parks' body will return to Detroit where her body will lie in state from 6 a.m. to midnight Tuesday at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.
Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History
315 E. Warren Ave.
Detroit, Michigan 48201-1443Phone (313) 494-5800
Fax (313) 494-5855
- Homegoing Services:
Her funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 2 at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit.
Bishop Charles Ellis III, pastor of Greater Grace on Detroit's far west side, said Tuesday evening that his church approached Parks' relatives, friends and trustees about hosting the funeral because with its capacity of 4,000.
Bishop Charles Ellis, Pastor
Greater Grace Temple (City of David) 23500 W. Seven Mile RoadDetroit, Michigan 48219 USA
Phone: (313) 543-6000Fax: (313) 543-6052
- Interment: Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit
- About Mrs. Parks and St. Paul AME Church:
On December 5, 1999, a beautiful chapel within the St. Paul complex was named in honor of Mrs. Rosa Parks, who is widely considered the mother of the modern civil rights movement. Mrs. Parks joined St. Paul as a little girl.
She was a member of St. Paul at the first location on Hardaway Street and the second location on Hall Street. She remained a member until she moved to Detroit after her arrest for refusing to give up her seat to a white man on a Montgomery City bus. Mrs. Parks served on the stewardess board and was superintendent of the Sunday school for several years. The Sunday school convenes each Sunday morning in the chapel.
On December 3, 2000, Mrs. Parks visited St. Paul at the current location for the first time for her family reunion. On December 1, Troy State University Montgomery dedicated a library and museum in honor of Mrs. Parks.
- Abbreviated History of St. Paul AME Church:
Men and women of color were congregating in what was known as a brush harbor on Hardaway Street As early as 1900. In 1907, this body of believers incorporated to form what is now Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal church. The Rev. Felix Strum was the first pastor of St. Paul's AME Church. Fire destroyed St. Paul's AME Church in 1933. The Rev. L.C. Carter was the pastor during that period. The church family held worship services at Tullibody Auditorium at State Teachers College, now named the Tullibody Fine Arts Center at Alabama State University, Montgomery, Alabama. A new church was built on the corner of Hall and Payne Streets in 1934, under the leadership of Rev. Carter.
In November of 1996, Bishop Zedekiah LaZett Grady appointed the Rev. Joseph Rembert (Pastor Joe) to pastor Saint Paul. Upon receiving the appointment, Pastor Rembert was notified that Alabama State University planned to purchase the church's property at 1302 Hall Street to facilitate the university's expansion. The congregation had not prepared to move.
After much dialogue and debate, including intervention by Mrs. Rosa Parks in an attempt to save the 4,174 square feet edifice sitting on two-tenths of an acre of land, the church conference decided to sell the property to Alabama State University. On June 27, 1997, Saint Paul purchased 3.25 acres of land on Virginia Loop Road for the sum of $120,000. A 3,300 square feet home sits on the lot. On July 10, 1997, Alabama State University and Saint Paul closed on the Hall Street property for the sum of $162,500.
From August 17, 1997 through May 1998, worship services were held at Troy University Montgomery's Whitley Hall, thanks to Dr. Glenda Curry, the University's president at that time. Pastor Rembert is a graduate of Troy University Montgomery. On January 8, 1998, St. Paul purchased an additional 1.82 acre of land adjacent to the 3.25 acres on Virginia Loop Road. However, the official board authorized Pastor Rembert to negotiate the purchase of the Normandale United Methodist Church property located on East Patton Avenue.
On May 22, 1998, the trustees of St. Paul negotiated the purchase the Normandale property, which includes a 24,000 square feet sanctuary and an educational building sitting on 2 acres of land. Under Pastor Rembert's administration, the membership continues to grow.
5. NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES’ TRIBUTE TO ROSA PARKS:
Washington, DC, October 27, 2005 – Statement on the death of Rosa Parks from the president of the National League of Cities (NLC), Washington, DC Mayor Anthony A. Williams.
“The local elected officials represented by the National League of Cities (NLC) mourn the passing this week of a great American, Rosa Parks. Her simple act of courage on a Montgomery, Ala., bus sparked a movement that fundamentally changed and enriched our nation. Her dignity and steadfastness in the face of persecution are now the stuff of legend. Her actions served as the inspiration for thousands of elected officials across the country—regardless of their color—who are committed to building racial equality and justice in their communities. With quiet determination and the knowledge that equality is the one true path, Ms. Parks has left an indelible mark on our society, on our cities, towns and villages and on those of us who have been given the privilege of leadership.
“As the National League of Cities continues its work to eliminate racism and ensure race equality in our communities, Ms. Parks’ message of inclusion and simple justice will be sustained.
“My colleague and former NLC president Dennis Archer, who served as Ms. Parks’ guardian in the last years of her life, said it best. As quoted in the Detroit Free Press, Archer said, ‘The legacy of Mrs. Parks is going to live as long as there are those of us who can share it.’
Contact: Sherry Conway Appel, 202-626-3003
6. THE IMPORTANCE OF SOCIAL SECURITY:
By Sioux Nichols Taylor
Social Security must be protected and improved. It provides the majority income for 6 out of 10 retirees. Fifty-two percent of the beneficiaries are women; one-third are disabled workers and their families and families of deceased workers. Social Security is absolutely vital for today’s working women in view of the fact that it is reported that only 30% of women who are currently employed will have a pension.
President Bush has been pushing to privatize a portion of Social Security by allowing Americans to create private accounts. His plan would subject beneficiaries to the risks of the stock and bond markets, and would incur higher administrative costs.
Private accounts do not contribute a single dollar to the solvency of Social Security. Rather, the question is “who actually would benefit from privatization”? Obviously, the Wall Street firms and the investment houses that will manage these thousands of new accounts would be the beneficiaries. Privatization will rack up another “win” for the “haves” and another “loss” for the “have-nots”.
In my judgment, privatizing Social Security in order to make it healthy is as ludicrous as suggesting that euthanasia is a cure for medical maladies.
Sincerely,
Sioux Nichols Taylor
Social Worker, Retired
7. HOWARD UNIVERSITY STUDENTS PROTEST LAURA BUSH’S VISIT TO THE CAMPUS:
Howard University students and some faculty protested against the Howard University administration allowing Laura Bush visit the campus yesterday. She was there to host her "Helping America's Youth Conference" on the Howard campus.
8. THE EDITOR COMMENTS ABOUT THE WAR IN IRAQ:
2003 American service members’ lives lost in Iraq; almost half of the service members, 925, were killed within the first three months of their tours of duty. The Persian Gulf War of 1990-91 had 382 deaths, and a number of them were friendly fire incidents.
An estimated 30,000 Iraqis have lost their lives in the war. Is this how we encourage Iraq to become a democracy? Every Iraqi life lost precipitates the wrath and hated against the United States of mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, grandsons, granddaughters, sons, daughters, bothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, friends, acquaintances, and strangers. Added to that other nations and even those nations who are suppose to be our friends are looking at us with jaundiced eyes. My fear is that we have lost the moral high ground in the War in Iraq. One more American or Iraqi life is too much and the nonsense must stop!
9. ANOTHER TRUCKLOAD OF ASSISTANCE FOR KATRINA VICTIMS FROM THE KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
Another truck from the Kentucky Conference will be headed south on Saturday, November 19 at 9:00 a.m. from Saint Paul AME Church, Versailles. The emphases are Christmas gifts, winter clothing, and black hair care products. Thanks!
Submitted by Pastor Kenneth Golphin, on behalf of Pastor Matthews
10. THE EDITOR COMMENT ABOUT HIS SOJOURN IN THE FOURTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
What a weekend!
I was invited to preach at Faith Community AME Church in Elgin, Illinois to celebrate the one-year anniversary of their new church plant on Sunday and had the opportunity to visit the 4th Episcopal District Planning Meeting on Saturday.
I arrived at the 4th Episcopal district Planning Meeting on Saturday, October 22 and was greeted warmly by the Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Right Reverend Phillip R, Cousin who was presiding over the 4th Episcopal District Planning Meeting. I arrived in time to hear the reports about Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, hypertension and other maladies and health issues that disproportionately affect black Americans.
Other presentations included healthy living and to hear a presentation on a new paradigm for church and district financial planning. The presentations were awesome and instructive. The presentations on health were frightening because I was reminded that I am in a high-risk ethnic group. The presenter, whose name I cannot remember, but I wish that she would send a write-up to The Christian Recorder, said that 50% of us in the room would experience some form of dementia, which can lead to Alzheimer’s disease. Other tidbits that I took away from the presentations were the need for African Americans to live and eat healthier. It must have had an effect on me because that evening, I went to the grocery store and bought some fruit because I know that I do not consume enough fruit and nuts.
Bishop Cousin has a wonderful spirit and the camaraderie of the 4th Episcopal District, especially among the presiding elders and pastoral leadership is encouraging. The time moved swiftly and it appeared that the people wanted to be there. The 4th Episcopal District Missionary Society had raised and dispersed a significant amount of money for missions, over $90,000 and $70,000 for overseas mission work. The 4th Episcopal District raised over $140,000 for Katrina assistance.
Bishop Cousin, in his fatherly way encouraged the assemblage to work together and consider fresh paradigms for ministry and church administration. He told the story that in 1968, the AME Church was offered a full investment partnership with Holiday Inn. The Church rejected the opportunity and voted to support Lums, the fast food eatery that was a magnet for college students and was famous cooking hotdogs in beer. There are not many Lums around today. Bishop Cousin directed us to the bottom-line: Lums is defunct and Holiday Inn is striving. Bishop Cousin reminded us that we, as a denomination, have to “do our investment homework” and especially rid ourselves of the notion of the “Their ice is colder” mentality.
Each Sunday is harvest time!
I went to Faith Community AME Church, a new church plant in Elgin, Illinois on Sunday, October 22, 2005. I preached for the Sunday afternoon one-year anniversary service. It was a wonderful service and well-attended by the community and fellow AME pastors. The music by the racially integrated Wheaton College Gospel chorus and strong voices of the choir from DuPage AME Church was a worship explosion. But, I am not going to write about the afternoon service. I want to share my thoughts about the morning worship service that took place in a middle school.
The pastor of Faith Community AME Church is the Reverend Garry Moss. By his side is his wife, Dee and their two children who still live at home. The Moss’ have a daughter at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Worshipping at Faith Community AME Church is an experience! The spirit was wonderful and the worship experience was phenomenal. The worship service led by Pastor Moss is a model for anyone thinking about, or getting ready to plant a church. Members of the congregation were there because they wanted to be there. Retired AME preacher, the Reverend Blaine Ramsey and his wife, Mattie, are members of Faith Community AME Church. Reverend Ramsey said, “I am excited about what goes on here. My wife and I live 30 miles away and we choose to come here. Pastor Moss is a wonderful pastor and this is an exciting ministry.”
Reverend Moss started his church with full support of his family and members from his home church, DuPage AME Church, Chicago. Attendance was about 30 – 40 people. The congregation does not have a choir yet, and it was not a distraction not having a choir. In fact, his presiding elder, the Reverend Clarence Robinson and I remarked about the spiritual demeanor of the service. The order of worship went without a hitch. So, what about the music? Pastor Moss used a CD with the AME worship music and hymns already recorded. He had a remote that he held and “voila,” without missing a beat, we had the music as if an organist had been there. He lowered and raised the volume as needed. Soft music was played during the prayer. We sang hymns and praise songs. The announcement period was succinct and the order of worship was a blended model of an AME and a contemporary worship service. The young folks and the old folks were spiritually fed. I will say it again, if you are thinking about or getting ready to plant a congregation, visit Faith Community AME Church in Elgin, Illinois. The man, Pastor Garry Moss, has done his “homework.”
Another thought came to my mind. Here is a vibrant congregation; one could feel the freshness of worship and the cooperative spirit. Worshipers were smiling and there was a “sweet, sweet Spirit in that place.” It might be that some of our churches have not kept up with the times, some of our congregations might have relocated, and as a result, some of our churches are not located where they need to be to attract a vibrant membership. My experience is that long-time members often resist selling and relocating a church that they have loved all of their lives to another area. So, the church remains and dies a slow death.
As I sat in the Faith Community Worship service, I thought about the huge numbers of qualified itinerant elders and deacons all over the AME Church serving as local preachers, afraid to step out and trust God to the fullest. I thought, “Here is an opportunity. Pray, do a demographic study, gather your family and a few dedicated people and plant a church! Start in a school or a vacant building and trust God to grow the work; after all, it is God’s work. Keep your secular job and “give of your best to the Master.”
And, oh by the way, the sermon preached by Presiding Elder Robinson was spiritual food that was nourishment to the soul. He is a model presiding elder and by his side was the District First-Lady, Sister Edith Robinson.
11. THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER QUIZ:
All three questions must be answered fully.
- Name four bishops who were the sons of General Officers
- Name four General Officers who served in two different General Officer positions
- Names the General Officers and their positions who were elected to the Episcopacy.
The Prize: The book about Bishop D. Ward Nichols authored by Jeanette T. Johns, a retired librarian from Farmingdale, NY entitled, “The Upward Journey: A Centenarian's Chronicle.”
Previous winners can select a one-year subscription to any AME periodical. Winners subscribed to all of the periodical will be given additional choices of books in the AMEC Bookstore.
12. A VERY SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT - IT IS HERE!
The book thousands of A.M.E.s have been waiting for is ready. “The Birds, The Bees, And The A.M.E.S” is a humorous and affectionate look at life in the A.M.E. Church written by noted author, the Reverend Dr. Arthur S. Jones, with a preface by the Right Reverend Adam J. Richardson, Presiding Prelate of the 2nd Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. .A limited number of books will be available between Nov. 12, and Dec. 31, 2005.
The advance purchase price is $16.00, plus shipping and handling. Beginning Jan 1, 2006, the official publication date, the price per copy will be $18.00 plus S&H. Order now and save. The books are not available in stores.
13. AME SEVENTH DISTRICT’S 2005 PIEDMONT ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
From Monday October 3rd to Friday October 7th, the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which encompasses the entire state of South Carolina, convened in Clinton for its 2005 Piedmont Annual Conference. This weeklong event was held at Friendship AME Church at 1118 South Bell Street, Clinton, SC 29325 (864.833.0130). Approximately 4000 AME church clergy and delegates attended this Conference during which various 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 Piedmont Conference is comprised of the Greenville and Abbeville-Greenwood Districts. This 95th session makes it the fourth oldest of six annual Conferences. Friendship AME Church in Clinton is the original church where the Piedmont Conference was born. 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.
2005 Piedmont Annual Conference Resolution:
To the Right Reverend Preston Warren Williams, II, Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District and President of the Piedmont Annual Conference; Mrs. Wilma Delores Webb Williams, Supervisor of the SED; the Rev. Jonathan Jerome Baker, Host Presiding Elder; the Rev. Oscar Aiken Klugh, Associate Presiding Elder; the Rev. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., host pastor, to the officers, pastors, other ministers, delegates, members and friends of the Piedmont Annual Conference,
We, your committee of Resolutions beg leave to make our report:
WHEREAS, At the close of the last session of the Piedmont SC Annual Conference, Session 94, Bishop Preston Warren Williams, II called for the Disciplinary Questions common to an Annual Conference. From these questions, it was determined that the 95th Session of the Piedmont SC Annual Conference would be held at Friendship AME Church, Clinton, SC. Clinton is historic to the Piedmont because it was the site of the very first Piedmont Annual Conference organized in 1910 by Bishop Benjamin F. Lee, who split the old Columbia Conference because of the growth in the Upstate.
WHEREAS, Bishop Williams along with his charming wife, Mrs. Wilma Delores Webb- Williams, scheduled the 68 charges which comprise the Piedmont to meet the first full week of October to account for our stewardship for the past 11 months and 2 weeks. The host pastor of the week, the Rev. Charles R. Watkins, Jr. and Mrs. Dolores Watkins would host their first annual conference.
WHEREAS, Bishop Williams, in keeping with the tradition of the church, formatted the series of annual conferences to highlight all component pre-discipline groups. Bishop Williams also included some “new concepts” in the conference to keep the conference fresh and invigorating.
WHEREAS, on Sunday, October 2, at 5 PM the Debutantes and Masters Commission, under the astute leadership of the commissioner, Mrs. Ella Gadsden Richburg and the associate commissioner, the Rev. Charles R. Watkins, presented its 13th Annual Ceremony, replete with 17 Debs and 12 Masters, and scores of Sub-Debs and Masters and Allenites. The young people of the Church of Allen presented themselves to the world attired in white gowns and white tuxedos ready to face and ultimately conquer the many challenges of the world.
WHEREAS, on Monday October 3 & Tuesday October 4, the Women’s Missionary Society of the conference, led by the always efficient Ms. Vallery C. Smith, was in its business session Monday, which concluded with its annual luncheon and going out in the community to meet the needs of those less fortunate than ourselves. Tuesday night was a sea of white angels as our WMS celebrated its annual Night in Missions with Sis. Beatrice Ophelia Smith Coleman, the Conference WMS Corresponding Secretary and a ministerial candidate challenging the conference not to make detours.
WHEREAS, on Monday, October 3 at 6 PM sharp, the Sons of Allen was showcased with the mighty men of the conference in charge. Here, the new Conference Coordinator, the Rev. Melton Aiken, orchestrated a wonderful service with the highlights being the singing by the Abbeville Greenwood District SOA Choir and the preaching of the gospel by the Rev. Paul Nelson Wharton, pastor of Old Field Bethel AME Church, Greenwood, who preached “I’m on the Right Road Now” taken from Paul’s Damascus Road experience in Acts.
WHEREAS, Wednesday, October 5 saw our young people doing their thing which was an inspirational display of talent by the Conference Branch Young People’s and Children’s Division, under the directorship of Mrs. Misty Nance-Gause and the presidency of “the one and only” Mr. Bric Williams. The Sunbeams welcomed us to the service, the Allen Stars schooled us on the Christian ABC’s, the Young People showed us that prayer does change things, and the choir rocked us with their ministry of music as our young people, in the words of our Supervisor, “Showed Out.”
WHEREAS, Mrs. Pearlena Morton and the Conference Lay Organization had a splendid Lay Witness night on Thursday, October 6. The speaker for this occasion was Attorney Marvin Devlin, Atlanta, GA, the proud son of retired Presiding Elder and Mrs. George Timothy Devlin, Jr. He challenged the Lay to be better neighbors to each other.
WHEREAS, on Friday, October 7, our Minister’s Spouses Organization held its luncheon and renewed their vows to care for the spouses who are called of God to preach the Word. Mrs. Barbara Jones, the Conference Spouses Leader championed a wonderful gathering for the spouses at 120 Musgrove Restaurant on the square in Clinton.
WHEREAS, worship and preaching are always in order for the meeting of the saints. Did we not worship, did we not praise our God, and did not the Men of God preach the Word of God?
WHEREAS, the Opening Worship Convocation was indeed a celebration. The longest serving pastor in the conference, the Rev. James J. Robinson, Jr., pastor of Bethel Grove AME Church, Gray Court, preached a mighty Word. Accompanied by his outstanding choir, Rev. Robinson preached, “When God Makes the Arrangement” from I Kings. What a message! The preacher allowed the Lord to use him and in turn, the Lord blessed us.
WHEREAS, the Wednesday noon service was a spirited time in the Lord. The Piedmont Preaching Machine, the Rev. Derrick Scott, preached on invitation of the Bishop. Rev. Scott preached, “I’ve Got to Be Blessed” from the Genesis account of Jacob wrestling with the angel. Rev. Scott is the proud pastor of Tranquil AME Church, Bradley, and the Tranquil choir supported their pastor with hand-clapping, foot-stomping, hand-waving songs of the faith.
WHEREAS, the Thursday noon service was our salute to SC’s AME Educational Enterprise, Allen University. Allen began in this conference, in Cokesbury, SC and continues today to grow, presently located in Columbia, SC. At present, plans are to build dormitories, a dining hall and an overhead walkway to accommodate the growth. Our conference contributed more that $21,000 towards the many projects. Normally, the president of Allen, the Rev. Charles E. Young would preach for this service, but University business prevented him from being present. However, another Georgetown County native preached, the Rev. Dr. Juenarral Keith, pastor of Williams Chapel AME Church, Orangeburg, SC. From Habakkuk 2, he preached, “Run, Tell That.” Just as the text admonished, Rev. Keith made the sermon plain.
WHEREAS, the Ordination Service was held at Friday noon. The Rev. Wanda R. Aull was elected and ordained as an Itinerant Elder. The Piedmont Conference also welcomed to the Itinerant diaconate the Revs. Kenneth Aiken, Clifford Jackson and Lebbie Ligon, having being elected and so ordained. To preach for this important service, our Bishop engaged the Rev. Sandy William Drayton, presiding elder of the Progressive Georgetown District, Palmetto Annual Conference. He admonished those being ordained "not to go fishing," but to follow Jesus instead.
WHEREAS, the Rev. James J. Robinson retired after a period of 43 years in active service and ministry. The conference also granted the request of the Rev. Joann Burton and the Rev. Mary L. Johnson to locate from active ministry. As others are retiring and/or resting, others are coming into ministry through the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Seven new persons were admitted on trial at this conference.
WHEREAS, the closing service was preached by Clinton native, Bishop Vernon Randolph Byrd. Although Bishop Byrd left many years ago from these parts, he can still recall persons who made a difference in his life. By the bishop’s preaching, we know that God has made the ultimate difference. Bishop Byrd preached from the subject, “Go preach my Gospel said the Lord.” His sermon was instructional, informative and inspiring.
WHEREAS, Bishop Williams has taken SC to a new stratosphere with his Christian Education program. Thursday, October 6 was Christian Education Day for the conference. This year’s emphasis was on Transformative Ministry. Three persons visited our conference to help us with the Transformation. The Rev. Stephen Singleton, pastor of Pine Grove AME Church, Columbia, South Carolina led the first study with “Transformative Bible Study: Living Well: Health and Wholeness”. Rev. Singleton engaged the AME Church’s Quadrennial Theme, “Living Well” as a background for his presentation. In it, Rev. Singleton encouraged the conference to focus on Physical Fitness, Prevention and Restoration. Mr. Joe E. Benton, a representative from the Department of Juvenile Justice spoke on “Transformative Ministry – Youth Focus.” Mr. Benton helped us to see the problem that a juvenile system encounters daily and offered valuable suggestions as to how the church can help curb them. Lastly, the Rev. Marty L. Henderson talked about “Transformative Leadership.” Using the Biblical characters of David and Saul, Joshua, Joseph and Nehemiah, Dr. Henderson, the pastor of New Hope Baptist Church, Akron, OH helped us to see Leadership in another light, which in turn, will help leaders lead churches to higher heights.
WHEREAS, Bishop and Mrs. Frederick Calhoun James, retired, visited the conference Bishop and Mrs. Zedekiah Lazett Grady, retired, and Bishop Vernon Randolph Byrd, retired. Our very giving Bishop allowed each of the other bishops to preside during some phase of the Annual Conference. Also, visitors from the 6th Episcopal District and Presiding Elders, Pastors, and Lay People from across the length and breadth of the Nation State of South Carolina joined us during the week.
BE IT RESOLVED, that the 95th Session of the Piedmont Annual Conference go on record as having been a transformative time of praise and worship, learning and sharing, empowerment and encouragement, communion with one other, and good Piedmont fellowship.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Conference thank our Bishop and Supervisor, Bishop and Mrs. Preston Warren Williams, II for leading us this week and these past 12 months. Without them, our conference would be without our captain, the Bishop, and our anchor, the Supervisor. Bishop Williams is a spiritual risk taker, who does not mind taking a chance doing something different and expecting even greater in return. His leadership has been invaluable, immeasurable and very much appreciated. Our Supervisor, a beautiful woman inside and out, is one of God’s most committed soldiers. Do not let her quiet demeanor fool you. Our Supervisor is focused and determined to do the true work of God. This week, we have seen that without exception. Thank you both, for coming into our lives and making a positive difference. Will this conference rise to its feet and give God praise for their contributions for cause of Christ in the church of Allen?
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Conference thank the Rev. and Mrs. Charles R. Watkins, Jr. and the Friendship AME Church family for a job well done. It has been 15 years since the Piedmont Conference was last convened here and it does appear that Friendship still has the touch. Our host truly lived up to their name – FRIENDSHIP. Everything was organized; every member was cordial, every detail taken care of, and every gesture appreciated. Let this conference rise to its feet and give the Lord a praise offering for Reverend and Mrs. Watkins and the fine members of Friendship AME Church for every kindness offered us.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that both Presiding Elders, all pastors, all congregations, and entities of the Piedmont Annual Conference will continue to advance the kingdom of God having sufficiently refueled for the next conference year. Wherever pastors are stationed, whoever churches will get as a pastor, and wherever the people of God gather to worship, everyone who was present for any or all sessions of this conference now has the tools to grow and develop this conference even greater.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that a copy of these resolutions be left in the annals of the history of the Piedmont Conference, that our Bishop be given a copy for his record and that the secretary of this conference be given a copy.
Respectfully submitted,
Your committee: The Reverends Casey Childs, Wanda Aull, Sterling J. Dowling, Vivian Edwards, Howard Chapman, Pamela Aiken and Sister Margie Ware, Carrie Lake, Victoria Anderson, Barbara Ramey and Bro. Charles Wiggleton, Rev. Myron D. Hill, Chair.
Submitted by:
Benjamin Harrison
Public Relations Director
Seventh District AME Church
Tel 803.935.0500
Cell 803.528.7104
Fax 803.935.0830
HarrisonAMEMedia@aol.com
14. THE PASTOR’S CORNER - LIFE-GIVING LIVING PART VI - “COME AND SEE”:
35The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!” 37When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?” They said, “Rabbi…where are you staying?” 39“Come,” He replied, “and you will see.” So they went and saw where He was staying, and spent that day with Him. (John 1: 35-39)
In the passage above, John the Baptist provides an excellent example of relationship evangelism. Through John’s relationship with his disciples, God used John to point them toward a new relationship – a relationship with Jesus Christ. This is God’s desire today. He wants to use us to bring others into discipleship in Christ. So what is God’s process?
1. We are to first know Him for ourselves (John 1: 32-34) – Jesus is the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit (Acts 1: 4-8). The power to witness to others is the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us. We are to be so open, yielded, and submitted to the flow of the Spirit that He works through us to reach others. The work of sharing the gospel is the work of the Holy Spirit operating in and through us.
2. He uses us to help others to recognize His presence (John 1: 35-36) – Just as with John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit uses us to point Jesus out to others – not necessarily by calling his name verbally, but by making his presence known through the way we live. As others see the change in our lives, they come to recognize Jesus as “The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1: 29)
3. The Holy Spirit uses us to find someone close to us (John 1: 40-51) – This may be a person seeking God or even someone skeptical about God. As with Andrew and Philip, the Holy Spirit intentionally directs us to others we know to tell them what we have found (John 1: 41 & 45a). Then without responding to objections or reservations, the Spirit will lead us to invite them to, “Come and see!” (John 1: 46) Bring him/her with you to be in the presence of God. Bring her/him to worship service, Bible study, Sunday school, group meetings, volunteer opportunities, or ministry events. (v. 42 b)
4. God does the rest (John 1: 37-39a) – Jesus asks, “What do you want?” – He touches them at their specific point of need (v. 38). Countless numbers of persons have accepted invitations from Christian friends only to experience a sense of that event being specifically directed toward them and their circumstances. It is as if God is saying to them, “Come!” He calls them personally (v. 39a) saying, “Accompany me. Follow me. Enter a deeper relationship with me. “See” – Receive answers you have been searching for. Answers to question you couldn't articulate.
5. So they went and saw…and spent the day with Him (John 1: 39b) – Being in the presence of God causes the new believer to:
- Observe – see, sense, and give attention to what God is saying to them.
- Absorb – take in, receive like a sponge the love of God being shed on their lives.
- Embrace – to take up readily or gladly the new life that is theirs through Jesus Christ.
God wants to use us to bring others into discipleship in Christ. This week and every week, invite someone to attend worship service, Bible study, Sunday school, group meetings, volunteer opportunities, or ministry events. He bids us to say to another, “Come and See!”
Pastor James M. Moody, Sr.
Quinn Chapel AME Church
2401 South Wabash Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60616
Website: www.quinnchicago.org
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
