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. VETERANS’ DAY 2005:
Service members lost in war in Iraq as of 11/10/05: 2,055. More than 15,000 have been wounded in action. (Source: The New York Times, 11/10/05)
2. THE TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
The Tennessee Annual Conference is meeting in Murfreesboro, Tennessee this week. The Right Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie is the presiding prelate for the 13th Episcopal District. Brother Stan McKenzie is the WMS Supervisor. Allen Chapel AME Church is hosting the Tennessee Annual Conference; the Reverend Keith R. Mayes, Sr. is the pastor. Bishop Henry Belin is preaching the Ordination Sermon today. The Reverend Sidney F. Bryant, pastor of Payne Chapel AME Church, Nashville delivered the Annual Sermon. The Reverend Roderick Belin, pastor of Kairos Community African Methodist Episcopal Church that was planted in February 2005 read a resolution from the members of the church requesting that it be received and accepted as a station charge and the Annual Conference voted to accept their resolution and receive Kairos Community AME Church as a station church.
Bishop McKenzie and Supervisor Stan McKenzie have brought innovative changes to the Episcopal District and the sense of camaraderie and purpose is evident throughout the Conference. The WMS had its program on Monday and the preachers had their institute, the School f the Prophets on Monday. Ethics and Decisionmaking were two of the presentations available for the clergy. Bishop McKenzie was the instructor for AME 101 in which she shared the history and traditions of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She also shared with the preacher the importance of the Church’s annuity and retirement programs. She went point by point to insure that everyone understood the programs available to the ministers. Comments heard were, “Relevant, meaningful, helpful and instructive.”
The opening service was held at First United Methodist Church in Murfreesboro. The physical plant of the church is awesome. The sanctuary was large enough and comfortable for worship. I thought, and asked Dr. Richard Lewis who sat next to me, “Why can’t we AMEs have structures like this?” He explained that the First Methodist Church, Murfreesboro was left $15 million dollars in a Will by a deceased member of the church. The stipulation was that the congregation builds the church within five years. We General Officers talked about it later and I asked if the AME Church had any millionaires. We have millionaires but we have not had millionaires in significant numbers to leave enough to build new churches. Dr. Lewis remarked that the AME Church might benefit from a program that encourages people of wealth and people with regular incomes to bequeath their inheritance and money to AME congregations with specific instruction on how their money should be used. We have not done a good job with that. Other folks in other denominations do it all of the time. It is a wonderful legacy for people who love the AME Church and whose “talk matches their walk.”
As good as it sounds, I have notion that we do not trust one another and that we have the mentality that I heard Bishop Cousin speak about a couple of weeks ago, that, “Their ice is colder than our ice.”
3. MORE GENERAL OFFICERS RESIDE IN THE TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE THAN IN ANY OTHER EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
The Tennessee Annual Conference has two General Officers who answer the roll call, the Reverend Dr. Dennis Dickerson and the Reverend Dr. Clement Fugh. Dr. Richard Lewis is also a member of the Tennessee Annual Conference (Lee Chapel, Nashville, Tennessee). More General Officers reside in the Tennessee Annual Conference than any other Conference in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. General Officers Dennis C. Dickerson, Richard Allen Lewis, Clement Fugh, Johnny Barbour, Jr., Daryl B. Ingram, and Calvin H. Sydnor III reside in the Tennessee Annual Conference. General Officers Jerome V. Harris and James C. Wade reside in the West Tennessee Annual Conference. /Eight of the nine General Officers of the denomination live in Tennessee. Dr. George F. Flowers lives and has his office in Charleston, South Carolina.
4. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
- Dear Editor
A couple of comments referencing your editorial below -
I was able to watch some of the service on CNN (with interruptions and commentary). I too was indeed pleased to see a number of our bishops present, as well as layman Ted Harris (I am sure other AME laity and clergy were present, too). It was indeed noteworthy that Rev. Ellis be acknowledged for opening the doors of his church to the country and the world for such a high profile service. I was however surprised at the following:
(a) That he was listed for the "Welcome and Purpose". Although the program does not outright list a chief celebrant for the service, appearances seem to suggest that he was; I dare say that if the roles were reversed, that he would have wanted to (should have been) be the celebrant for one of his denomination's members. It would seem to "me" that the proper thing would have been for him to defer, to a greater degree, to the AMEC. Except for the eulogy (being given by Bishop Cousin), an onlooker might have come away with the opinion that she was a member of Rev. Ellis' church/denomination.
(b) the protocol ball was indeed dropped or overlooked; it should have been mentioned to **each person on program** what the AME protocol was (or at a minimum the mention of the Senior Bishop and the other AME Bishops should have been acknowledged), followed by whomever else the person speaking might have wanted to acknowledge.
This was a "global" funeral, as Rosa Parks had indeed become a "citizen of the world" ... so, some things were bound to take on a life of their own as dignitaries from various religious backgrounds paid their respects and I'm sure it was no small undertaking for those who pulled the program together.
I doubt if any of us will see the likes of a funeral service of this magnitude for an AME in our lifetime (I hope someone will prove me wrong, as there are countless ordinary individuals among us performing selfless and extraordinary acts; history will be the judge).
(c) With regards to a protocol listing, I would like to suggest a booklet that was available at the recent Lay Biennial entitled "Protocol and Etiquette in the AME Church". I have scanned a couple of the pages (for your perusal) that reference what you suggest. No need to reinvent the wheel, if you do not have to.
Vicki Houston
Tenth Episcopal District
- Dear Editor
Reference article on AME Protocol
Consider that the General Conference elects the members of the Judicial Council. Their position should be at a minimum behind the General Officers and before the Connectional Officers who are elected by components of the AMEC.
Rev. Granville Reed, Judicial Council Member
- Dear Editor
Correction.
Thank you for publishing the article about St. John, Nashville, Tennessee so quickly. It will go a long way toward dispelling the myth of the "Demise" of St. John, Nashville.
We are excited about what God is doing at St. John, and want to spread the word. I would like to make one correction. I noticed that I was listed as "Sister" Erskine Lytle. I am definitely a male. Mine is not an everyday name so I know it is an honest mistake.
Thanks again for the article.
Brother Erskine Lytle III
5. A SINCERE THANK YOU AND HEARTFELT GRATITUDE FOR SUPPORT IN THE 2005 CONNECTIONAL FIRST LADY CONTEST:
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ concerning you, I Thessalonians 5: 18
It is with a thankful heart that I express my sincere gratitude to each of you for your fervent prayers and financial support, as I represented the “Anointed” Ninth Episcopal District in the 2005 Connectional First Lady Contest.
The 2005 Connectional First Lady Contest was held at the Wyndham Anatole Hotel in Dallas, Texas, at the site of the Bishops’ Council Meeting in June 2005. The 2005 Clergy Family Awards & Installation Breakfast was held on Monday, June 27, 2005, with over 100 spouses in attendance. Mrs. Ora L. Easley, our past Connectional M-SWAWO +
PK‘s President inspired us with a Power-Point presentation entitled “The Faith Journey from 1997-2005.” Mrs. Verdene Austin, Host Episcopal President presided over this event.
Presiding Elder Reddick and I will be forever grateful for your support. I was privileged to win the title of “Connectional 2005 First Lady” and was blessed to be able to report $5,800.00. Funds raised from this event are awarded to deserving high school seniors of clergy families to help further their education. The following scholarships were presented during the breakfast: one $1000.00 PK scholarship and three $250.00 Book Awards. Bishop Carolyn Tyler-Guidry, Social Action Commission Chair, presented the awards to all the winners.
Members of the Ninth Episcopal District in attendance at the breakfast were:
Mrs. Mary L. Kirkland, WMS Supervisor; Reverend Dr. Homer & Mrs. Mable McCall, Saint John A.M.E. Church, Huntsville, Alabama; Mrs. Hattie Huggins, spouse of the Reverend Willis N. Huggins, Presiding Elder of the Ozark-Troy District, South Alabama; Mrs. Angie Cox, spouse of the Reverend Bobby B. Cox, Saint John A.M.E. Church, Birmingham, Alabama; Reverend Dr. Farrell & Mrs. Juanita Duncombe, Washington Chapel A.M.E. Church, Tuskegee, Alabama who was elected as the Connectional Parliamentarian, 2005-2009.
“To God Be the Glory”
Mrs. Kimberly Marshall, AL-MSWAWO+PK’s President
Mrs. Mary L. Kirkland, WMS Supervisor
Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Presiding Prelate, Ninth Episcopal District
Humbly submitted,
Mrs. Allie Bell-Reddick
2005 Connectional First Lady
Presiding Elder & Mrs. David E. Reddick
Post Office Box 943
Ozark, Alabama 36361
(334) 308-1400 (Residence)
(334) 255-1307 (Office)
6. ROSA PARKS' TRUSTEE HEADS OFF EBAY BID WAR:
Adam Shakoor, a trustee for Rosa Parks Foundation is stepping in to prevent a bidding war for programs from the civil rights pioneer's funeral. He is making more copies available.. A bidder offered more than $150 for one of the programs. Ten-thousand funeral bulletins were handed out at Parks' funeral.
The issue arose after a bidder on the online auction site eBay offered more than $150 for one of the 14-page, photo-filled programs.
Shakoor said, "People are exploiting it and We are very concerned about that."
7. THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LAY ORGANIZATION:
“We Believe in Unity” Prayer Breakfast
Friday, December 2, 2005
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Radisson Plaza Hotel
236 W. Vine Street
Lexington, KY
Donation
$20 per person
$200.00 per table
*Tickets may be purchased through your
Conference or local organization.
Kentucky – Mrs. Priscilla Sullivan
W. Kentucky – Mrs. Betty Hamilton
E. Tennessee – Mr. Hardin Franklin
W. Tennessee – Ms. Dorothy Ealy
Tennessee – Mrs. Faye Walker
8. DYNAMIC PREACHING AT GRANT AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
On Sunday, November 13, 2005
As We Enjoy The Of
Rev. Al Sharpton
Civil Rights Movement Activist
At Our 8:00 A.M. Service
Dr. James H. Cone
Professor of Systematic Theology
Union Theological Seminary – New York, New York
At Our 11:00 A.M. Worship Service
Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church
10435 S. Central Avenue, Los Angeles
(323) 564-1151
Rev. Leslie Raphael White, Pastor
9. STEPHEN GREEN PROVIDES A PARTIAL ANSWER TO THE QUESTIONS:
Question: Name four AME Bishops who are the sons of General Officers.
Stephen Green has answered that part of the question correctly.
1. Bishop John H. Adams
2. Bishop S. S. Morris
3. Bishop A. J. Allen
4. Bishop Richard Norris
The other part of the question - Name four AME General Officers who served in two different General officer positions.
10. NEW CHURCH PLANT WEBSITE:
If you are praying or thinking about planting a church, check out this Website.
http://www.faithcommunityame.org/
11. KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE STILL SENDING AID TO KATRINA VICTIMS:
Please remember and announce that another truck from the Kentucky Conference will be headed south on Saturday, November 19 at 9:00 a.m. from St. Paul in Versailles. The emphases are Christmas gifts, winter clothing, and black hair care products. Items can be delivered to the drop-off sites at Quinn Chapel, Lexington or St. Paul, Versailles prior to November 19, 2005. You can also bring the items prior to 9:00 a.m. on November 19, 2005 at St. Paul, Versailles.
12. VOTING RIGHTS’ LAW:
For those of you who may not have received a response to the "rumor" of African Americans losing our right to vote, please read the paragraph below and rest assured that we are not in danger of losing this right.
Certain provisions of the Voting Rights Act expire in 2007, such as the pre-clearance and bilingual provisions. The pre-clearance provision requires that state and local political divisions, with a known history of discrimination, submit proposed changes in voting laws in an effort to ensure the federal government's ability to prevent any laws that promote discrimination. Additionally, in 1975, the Voting Rights Act was amended to meet the demands of a growing bilingual population, and requires bilingual ballots in parts of the country where there is a significant second language influence. We should make sure that our Congressional representatives do all they can to support making these provisions of the Voting rights Act permanent before their expiration to ensure that all citizens have equal ability to make their voices heard.
Dr. R. James (R. J.) Lightsey II
Director of Constituent Services
Congressman Mike Ross
2300 West 29th Avenue, Suite 1A
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
Phone: 870-536-3376
Fax: 870-536-4058
13. IMPROVING CANCER SURVIVAL BY UNDERSTANDING RACIAL / ETHNIC DISPARITIES:
National Cancer Institute (NCI) Science Writers' Seminar Series with the Herbert Irving Comprehensive Cancer Center (HICCC) at Columbia University Medical Center and New York-Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia
- Each day, 3,400 Americans are diagnosed with cancer and another 1,500 die from the disease. The burden of cancer is often greater for the poor, for ethnic minorities and for the uninsured.
- Many ethnic minorities experience lower cancer survival rates than whites. For example, despite a lower breast cancer incidence, African American women have significantly worse survival rates from breast cancer than Caucasian women.
- Differences in biological tumor types, timeliness of treatment, or lack of compliance with treatment regimens appear to influence outcomes.
- Please, join us for discussions about how NCI and the HICCC are working to reduce cancer health disparities through innovative programs that address prevention, diagnosis and treatment ON Wednesday, November 30, 2005, 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
*Tours will be offered of the Irving Cancer Research Center, a new 300,000 sq. ft. facility at Columbia University Medical Center, dedicated entirely to investigators conducting disease-specific research of many cancers – breast, colon, lung, prostate, gastric, pancreatic, brain, lymphoma and tumor immunology.
Where: Irving Cancer Research Center at the Columbia University Medical Center campus, 1130 St. Nicholas Avenue (at West 166th St., just east of Broadway), New York, NY 10032
Subway: 1, 9, A or C train to 168th St. From midtown Manhattan, the A train provides express service (20 minutes from Times Square). Buses: M-2, M-3, M-4, M-5 or M-100.
How: To register for the press briefing, please contact Dorie Hightower or Ann Benner in the NCI Media Relations Branch at (301) 496-6641 or at ncipressofficers@mail.nih.gov .
14. CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
We joyfully share the following news from: woec@msn.com:I just wanted to share some "good" news as it relates to Clergy family. My son, Wendell Jr., and his wife Tiffiny, had a healthy boy on September 27th in Honolulu Hawaii, where they both are stationed at Scofield Barracks. His name is Dor'Jon Wendell.
Rev. Wendell O. E. Christopher, Sr.
Mt. Moriah AME Church
Annapolis, Maryland
15. WITNESS FOR JUSTICE #242 - MUCH LONGER THAN A FOUR YEAR TERM:
By M. Linda Jaramillo
One of the things that employees of public institutions readily recognize is that things change at work every time someone new gets elected to the governing board be it the school board, city or county council, state legislature, or those elected to leadership in the federal government. As a former public employee and elected official with 35 years experience in public schools, county, and state government, I can attest to the ever-nebulous reality that runs through the halls of government.
A former colleague, who was an assistant to a county commissioner, told me something several years ago, that continues to strike a chord every time I look at public governance. She said that because the elected official only has an assurance of a four-year (or two-year) window to influence change, change has to happen fast and the new official must make sure it is radically different to ensure that she or he gets credit for it. Elected officials espouse intentions for the long-term improvement of the community, but truly realize that the direction will likely change in the short term -- following the next election.
The purpose of an election varies from region to region or state to state; but in all of them, there is someone trying to change or challenge what is going on at the time. Regardless of who they are; candidates are intent on improving the function of government and the betterment of society in one way or another. One of the famous lines often used by candidates is, are you better off than you were four years ago?
Every year, no matter what year it is, as we approach the month of November, we are reminded of Election Day by a barrage of expensive advertisements promoting a cause or a person. In a media-driven society, a candidates success is usually measured by the amount of money he or she raises for the campaign rather than the number of votes he or she receives. I fully believe in democracy and participation in the process; however, it does not surprise me that our election systems are discouraging more and more people. We should all be very concerned by the disinterest in voting because the results of an election have far-reaching implications for our children and their children.
While four years is the standard term of office, we are faced with long-lasting effects of each newly elected official’s urgent need to change something and make it radically different. This is especially true in the Presidential elections due to the far-reaching implications throughout the world. The impact of the tenure of this U.S. President has already had long-lasting and devastating affects on generations to come.
This President’s two four-year terms will live on and on and on. The national debt will be so large that the possibility of ever balancing a federal budget again seems unlikely. The millions of children being left behind by this President's educational policies will have serious consequences in the national arena. The damage to the environment because of current social policy will require a serious reversal by future generations for the earth to survive the next century. International relationships and trust in the United States across the world will take years to rebuild. The potential appointment of up to four Supreme Court Justices by this President in this four-year term could dismantle decades of civil and gender rights assurances fought for long and hard by our parents and grandparents.
Last week, our nation honored Ms. Rosa Parks and her courageous struggle for racial justice; why would we now consider a Justice (Samuel A. Alito, Jr.) whose record on matters that effect women and people of color are dismally contrary to those of Ms. Parks.
We claim to have a balance of power in our three houses of government; our fore-bearers vision of a balance of power in government is not even close to being realized today. Cronyism in Supreme Court appointments has become an accepted practice in this country cronyism that only leads to putting those in power with common ideologies rather than a competency and commitment to unbiased constitutional interpretation. In this four-year term, the court that represents the last resort for those seeking the last word of justice may be faced with a dangerously one-sided panel of justices that has little diversity of opinion. The court of last resort must be a place of integrity, living up to the ideals of the Constitution not to the ideals of its members.
This President's tenure in office will live on and on and on. Next November, or any other time elections roll around; remember to go to polls with an eye toward the long-range future.
16. BEREAVEMENT NOTCE:
It is it with deep regret that we announce the passing of our dear brother in Christ, the Reverend Alexander C. Wright, former pastor of Vernon Chapel A.M.E. Church in Detroit, after an extended illness, Rev. Wright made his transition from labor to reward on this past Saturday night, November 5, 2005.
The funeral arrangements are as follows:
Public viewing will be on Thursday, November 10 at Barksdale Funeral Home 1120 E. State Fair in Detroit (phone: 313-368-7773) from 2 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The Family Hour will be on Friday, November 11 at Vernon Chapel 18500 Norwood in Detroit (48234) (phone: 313-893-5275) beginning at 10 a.m. following by the Homegoing Celebration at 11:00 a.m.
Rev. Wright is survived by his faithful wife Mary who resides at
18401 Fairfield
Detroit, MI 48221
Phone: 313-864-1102).
Please keep Mrs. Wright in your prayers.
17. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS:
Arrangements for Presiding Elder (Retired) James Jefferson Brown, who served as a Pastor and Presiding Elder in the 12th Episcopal District for 50 plus years and retired as the Presiding Elder of the Little Rock District, are as follows:
Wake:
Wednesday Evening, November 9, 2005 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Visitors Chapel AME Church
319 Church Street
Hot Springs, Arkansas
501-623-6873 (Phone)
Funeral Service:
Thursday, November 10, 2005
11:00 A.M.
Visitors Chapel
319 Church Street
Hot Springs, Arkansas
501-623-6873 (Phone)
Arrangements are through the Brandon Funeral Home, Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Please keep Mrs. Elmira Brown and the family in prayer.
Anita Brannon
12th Episcopal District Administrative Office
Bishop Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr. Presiding Prelate
18. FUNERAL NOTICE:
Please be informed of the following:
Homegoing Service for Bro. Patrick Williams, son of Rev. Portia Williams-Duncan, pastor of St. Peter Memorial A.M.E. Church, Arlington, Texas will be held this coming Saturday, November 12th, 2005 at 12 (Noon).
The Homegoing Service will be held at First United Methodist Church, Arlington, Texas.
First United Methodist Church
313 North Center Street
Arlington, Texas 76011
Ph: (817) 274-2571
All condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Portia Williams-Duncan
2525 Indigo Lane
Arlington, Texas 76015
Ph: (817) 460-4180
19. FUNERAL SERVICE ANNOUNCMENT:
Funeral Services for Mrs. Hattie "Baby" Jenkins Baker: Sister Baker was a life member of Trinity Chapel AME Church - Trinity, TX. She was the sister of the Late Presiding Elder Leland Jenkins.
Service Arrangements: Saturday - November 12, 200511:00 AM
First United Methodist ChurchTrinity, TX
Condolences may be sent to her niece: Sis. Billie Jenkins - Smith2412 Prospect St. Houston, TX 77004713-528-5724
20. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Condolences to the Family of the late Rev. Dr. Donald E. Newberry, Sr., Pastor of Lee Chapel AME Church, Cincinnati, Ohio for fifty years; brother of Brother Estus Newberry, a member of St. John AME Church Cleveland, Ohio and father of the Reverends Donald Newberry, Jr. and Andrew Newberry, pastor of Bethel AME Church, Scranton, Pennsylvania.
The Rev. Dr. Donald E. Newberry, Sr., who had served as a member of the Episcopal Committee since 1976, passed on Thursday, November 9, 2005.
Arrangements are incomplete. Please keep the family in your prayers. Condolences may be sent to the
The Newberry Family
1829 Kinney Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45207
513-961-8412 Lee Chapel AME Church
2009 Pogue Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45208
Office 513-871-5885
Fax 513-871-5531
Please keep the family in prayer.
Rev. Dr. Taylor T. Thompson
Third District Brotherhood
216-214-6886
The Right Reverend Robert V. Webster, Presiding Prelate
Third Episcopal District AMEC
21. 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.
22. 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
