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. EDITOR’S CORNER:
- Stephen Green, the middle school student, and young AME scholar, who has won several subscriptions and an AME shirt for answering questions posted in The Christian Recorder Online was inducted into the Junior National Honor Society at his middle school in Winter Garden, Florida.
Editor’s comment: Congratulations, Stephen Green!
- A reminder about the AME Church logo – There are copyright and trademark protocols and I have been told that the use of our AME logo cannot be indiscriminately used. A more definitive explanation will be given in this venue and on the Official AME Website soon.
- I interviewed the Reverend Dr. William Whatley and will print that interview soon. I am hopeful that I will be able to interview other leaders in the AME Church.
2. THE NINTH ANNUAL JOINT INSTITUTE FOR MINISTERS OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
I just returned from the Ninth Annual Joint Institute for Ministers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Reverends Doctors Johnny Barbour, Clement Fugh, and Darryl Ingram and I made the journey to Little Rock Arkansas to share with the brothers and sisters of the Eighth (The Rt. Reverend C. Garnett Henning Presiding Bishop), Tenth (The Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram, Presiding Bishop) and Twelfth (The Right Reverend Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr., Presiding Bishop) Episcopal Districts. The Joint Institute for Ministers is an institute for continuing education and development for clergy of the Eighth, Tenth and Twelfth Episcopal Districts. The Institute Theme: "Recommitting the Church to the Struggle for Justice"
In addition to workshops the institute has as part of its agenda, worship and praise. Workshop leaders included noted civil rights leader, the Reverend Dr. C. T. Vivian and noted preacher and presiding elder, the Reverend Dr. Anne Henning-Byfield. The opening preacher for the Institute was the Reverend Shirley Spencer, pastor of Greater Shady Grove in Wilmar, Arkansas. We did not arrive in time to hear her sermon, but we heard all of the accolades about her “She ‘took ’em’ to the mountaintop” sermon. Evidently, she set a high standard for the institute. And, what a high standard she set as evidenced by the sermon we heard.
We arrived in time to be present at the Tuesday evening worship service in which the Right Reverend Samuel L. Green, Presiding Prelate for the Fifteenth Episcopal District took us “to the mountaintop and beyond“ with exegetical and hermeneutical skills in preaching from the texts of I Samuel 16:13-23 and Luke 4:14 -19 with his sermon entitled, “The Danger of Being Anointed.” Bishop Green kept the Institute on a high standard! His sermon was packed full of hermeneutical revelations that he presented with relevance. He mentioned that when we allow ourselves to be anointed and use God’s power, we can do things in ministry and in life that we, in the natural, normally could not do. He pointed out that when we are anointed, we have deal with demons: on the job, in our homes, and even in the church. (I am not going to tell you anymore about the sermon; order it and the other sermons from one of the participating districts of the Institute – Get their email address from their Website on The Christian Recorder Online homepage). I only need to say that was a Spirit-filled sermon and a Spirit-filled service. Bishop Green was introduced by Bishop Chappelle and shared with congregation the relationship their families have shared over the years. Bishop Henning, obviously pleased and uplifted by the service, closed with remarks and commendation to the “The ‘Spirit of the Twelfth” choir who sang until the “power of the lord came down.”
3. THE CHALLENGE: CONQUERING BABEL: LANGUAGE TRANSLATION IN THE AME CHURCH:
The African Methodist Episcopal Church, with churches on four continents, has the largest global presence of all Black Methodist denominations. Our General Conference is the oldest and largest continuous gathering of peoples from the African Diaspora, and the AME Church has been “globalized” since the 1826 arrival of Rev. Scipio Beanes in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to minister to AME colonists from Philadelphia. Despite this rich international legacy and the recent election of three African bishops, serious issues continue to challenge our growth worldwide. One key concern is the lack of AME materials in languages other than English.
Of the thirty-eight (38) countries and dependencies with AME Churches, English is the official language in only twenty-two (22) of them. Our global heritage brings with it a varied linguistic tapestry, including languages from Afrikaans to Zulu. This aspect of our work, however, has been largely ignored. The only document printed by the AMEC Publishing House in a language other than English is a Spanish language leaflet. During my time as a WMS Sojourner in the Dominican Republic, I observed that the absence of AME documents in the vernacular and the deaths of English-speaking pastors contributed to the members practically losing their identity as African Methodists. At the General Conference it was reported that thousands of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo joined the AME Church, and now there is growing interest in Brazil. How can we teach these new French and Portuguese speaking members about Christ and the AME Church if they can’t read the Catechism and the Discipline?
Efforts have been made by several Bishops and the Women’s Missionary Society to provide certain materials in local languages. These efforts, however, have been sporadic, with varying quality. What is needed to address this issue is a coordinated response from the Connectional Church. The AME Church does not need to translate materials into every tongue spoken by our members. (The United Nations, with 191 member countries, has only six official languages in which all documents must be made available.) Translation technology has advanced to the point that programs such as Systran and Magellan yield high quality translations at a price tag ranging from $750-$1000. Although grammatical editing is required, the program drastically cuts down on human labor. The drawback to these programs is that they only service European and Asian languages. Fortunately, all countries where the AME Church is present have at least one European official language (specifically Dutch, English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish). Our periodicals and Sunday School literature could conceivably be published in five European languages in a short period of time. With regard to African languages, the Chief Information Officer/General Secretary currently does not have numerical data on which languages our African members speak. A study would need to be done to determine which languages would serve the most people. Because of the cost of translating into African languages and the presence of at least one European language in all African nations, it would be most cost effective to translate core materials, such as the Discipline and the Catechism, into only select African languages. Proper planning and technology use can enable the AME Church to translate our materials into the European (aside from English) and African languages that thousands of members of our connection speak.
The theme of the 2004 General Conference was “A Global Church Serving a Never Changing Christ.” Our commitment to being a truly connectional church, however, is in doubt if we cannot even talk to one another. The “English Only” sign hanging on our door must be taken down in order for us to make progress in this new millennium. If we truly value the Discipline and our other publications, we will make them accessible to all of our members to understand and enjoy.
John Thomas III is a member of St. John AME Church (Nashville, TN- 13th Episcopal District), serves on the General Board, and is the official Spanish translator for the 16th Episcopal District. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and a 2004-2005 Fulbright Scholar (Peru).
4. THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ACCEPTS THE CHALLENGE: CONQUERING BABEL:
This is a start...
The article below is written Spanish for our Spanish speaking readers and Spanish speaking members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The article is used with permission. The article is from El Intérprete (Issue March-April 2005), the Hispanic Magazine of the United Methodist Church.
La oración y la confesión de pecados
Humberto Casanova
Santiago dice que si nos enfermamos, debemos llamar a los líderes (ancianos) de la iglesia para que oren y nos unjan (v. 14). En aquel tiempo nadie desligaba las enfermedades o los remedios de las fuerzas espirituales. De modo que, aun si el uso del aceite de oliva tiene aquí fines medicinales, el aceite se concibe también como conducto o símbolo del poder de Dios. Por esta razón, el ungimiento va acompañado de la invocación del nombre o poder de Dios.
Con todo, Santiago pone el acento en la oración (v. 15). Nos habla de la “oración hecha con fe”, lo que nos produce sentimientos de culpa cada vez que nuestra oración no logra la sanidad. En un estudio bíblico, recientemente una hermana contó cómo toda la iglesia oró fervientemente mientras su esposo era operado en el hospital, pero falleció. ¿Fue esa una oración hecha sin fe? La culpa se agranda cuando Santiago agrega que la “oración eficaz” (v. 16) hace maravillas, la cual funcionó con un hombre “tan humano como todos nosotros” (v. 17). La verdad es que la oración no siempre produce sanidad, seamos luteranos o pentecostales, metodistas o presbiterianos. Que la oración de fe te pondrá en pie es sólo una posibilidad (cf. Mateo 26:39; 2 Corintios 12: 7-10). Pero el hecho de que la oración, la fe y el ungimiento contribuyan a una sanidad integral, impulsa a Santiago a recomendar como saludable el que confesemos nuestros pecados y pidamos ser sanados de nuestras enfermedades (v. 16).
El mundo antiguo pensaba que toda enfermedad venía como un ataque demoníaco o como castigo por el pecado. Hoy ya no pensamos de esa manera. La investigación moderna indica que el funcionamiento del mundo natural es causa cardinal de por qué ocurren las enfermedades. Esto no desarraiga las causas psíquicas o espirituales, pero altera la forma en que se aborda la realidad. Santiago no afirma que toda enfermedad venga por el pecado, sino que dice “en el caso de que hayas pecado” (v. 15). Tu enfermedad no tiene por qué haber ocurrido por algún pecado particular.
La parte perturbadora de este pasaje es el concepto de confesar nuestros pecados frente a otras personas (v. 16). Por lo que uno ve en la práctica parece una costumbre sin resonancia en la iglesia. ¿Cuántas personas conoce usted que andan confesando sus pecados delante de los miembros de la iglesia? ¿No nos expondríamos a ser apuntados con el dedo? Por lo general la gente confiesa sus pecados a Dios o a los ofendidos. La idea de confesar a otros asuntos tan íntimos como nuestros pecados es una idea chocante.
El “unos a otros” nos dice que no se trata de una confesión ante los líderes (mencionados en el v. 14), sino ante los hermanos en general. Además, el texto mantiene la confesión dentro del tema de la oración por las enfermedades: “… debemos… orar… pidiendo que seamos sanados”. Las enfermedades nos producen depresión, sentimientos de culpa y la sensación de haber sido abandonados por Dios. En esas circunstancias de dolor e incertidumbre, necesitamos buscar no sólo la salud física, sino la sanidad de la psiquis. La confesión de pecados tiene el fin de buscar afirmación de parte de nuestros hermanos que nos dirán que nada hay que nos separe del amor de Dios. La confesión debe siempre ser voluntaria, mutua y en un ambiente de confianza y reserva. El ambiente ideal está en el concepto del grupo celular o pequeño. En su ministerio, John Wesley formó grupos pequeños de 5 a 12 personas para que los miembros cuidasen los unos de los otros. Cuando Wesley publicó sus Reglas para estos grupos pequeños (diciembre de 1738), en el encabezado aparecía el texto de Santiago 5:16 marcando el propósito de sus reuniones. Cuando uno está enfermo no habrá nada mejor que el consuelo, perdón y ánimo que recibamos de un grupo pequeño de cristianos que nos ama y se preocupa de nosotros.
@BOX@
Santiago 5:13-17
13Si te deprimes por los problemas, ora al Señor. Si te sientes alegre, canta alabanzas. 14Si te enfermas, llama a los líderes de la congregación para que oren por ti y te unjan con aceite invocando el nombre del Señor. 15La oración hecha con fe te sanará y el Señor te pondrá en pie otra vez. Y en el caso de que hayas cometido pecados, te serán perdonados. 16Es por esto que debemos confesar unos a otros nuestros pecados y orar unos por otros pidiendo que seamos sanados. La oración eficaz de todo cristiano es capaz de realizar maravillas. 17Por ejemplo, Elías fue tan humano como todos nosotros. Sin embargo, oró…
(Traducción del autor)
“Used with permission. Taken from El Intérprete (issue March-April 2005), the Hispanic magazine of the United Methodist Church.”
Editor's comment: Our thanks to the Reverend Humberto Casanova, the author of the article and to him for giving us permission to reprint his article. Our thanks also to our brothers and sister, and the leadership, of the United Methodist Church.
5. AN OPEN LETTER WRITTEN BY DR. ARTHUR FLETCHER TO THE HONORABLE MICHAEL S. STEELE, LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, STATE OF MARYLAND:
$15 Billion in Equity - $6 Billion in Allocation Authority
The U.S. Department of Commerce reported that a vast majority of the 900,000 African American-owned businesses generate less than a million dollars each year. The news is especially disheartening when we consider the unique demographics of the Metropolitan Washington, DC area. Some believe there has never been a shortage of resources--just resourcefulness!
In 1993, The Collective Banking Group, Inc. (CBG) evolved as a result of concerns raised by pastors and church members in Prince Georges County and the Metropolitan D.C. area regarding inequitable access to services provided by local banks and businesses. Churches were faced with severe challenges due to redlining and other questionable practices impacting their members. Since its inception, the CBG has continuously grown to its present membership of more than 150 churches, representing more than 200,000 persons. As of 2004, CBG member churches have been approved for more than $100-million dollars in loans and have on deposit in excess of $130-million dollars with area banking partners. The collaboration between the CBG, its member churches, covenant banks and business alliances have offered significant savings and other benefits to the community at-large. However, the threat to economic security persists.
June 3-4, 2005, CBG's membership will come together in Maryland for the 10th Annual Community Economic Empowerment Conference. We should be there! Getting to know what's available is perhaps the best reason for bankers, business owners, church leaders and government to devise solutions in this 10th year of the Million Man March.
The New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) Program permits taxpayers to receive a credit against Federal income taxes for making qualified equity investments in designated Community Development Entities (CDEs). Substantially all of the qualified equity investment must in turn be used by the CDE to provide investments in low-income communities. The credit provided to the investor totals 39% of the cost of the investment and is claimed over a seven-year credit allowance period.
As you know, The U.S. Treasury Department has allocated NMTCs to CDEs under a competitive application process. These CDEs are to sell the credits to taxable investors in exchange for stock or a capital interest in the CDEs. To qualify as a CDE, an entity must be a domestic corporation or partnership that: 1) has a mission of serving, or providing investment capital for, low-income communities or low-income persons; 2) maintains accountability to residents of low-income communities through their representation on a governing board of or advisory board to the entity; and 3) has been certified as a CDE.
Throughout the life of the NMTC Program, the Fund is authorized to allocate to CDEs the authority to issue to their investors up to the aggregate amount of $15 billion in equity as to which NMTCs can be claimed. To date, the Fund has made 129 awards totaling $6 billion in allocation authority.
Our collective efforts are crucial in promoting economic security resources such as NMTC throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region. We have asked a few "friends" to join us.
6. A STATEMENT BY GENERAL SECRETARY BOB EDGAR ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES USA ON THE DEATH OF ARCHBISHOP IAKOVOS
Generations of Americans were inspired by the presence of Archbishop Iakovos on all the frontlines of our history.
Born on the small island of Imvros in the Aegean Sea, as the Archbishop and spiritual leader of his American flock he continuously celebrated its gifts and encouraged it to fulfill its full potential in the landscape of America.
He marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in 1965 in Selma, Ala., and was a fervent and outspoken champion for the cause of civil rights. His commitment to that cause was exemplified in the 1990's when he lent his support to a National Council of Churches USA campaign to raise funds for burned African American churches.
Under his leadership, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese grew from a small ethnic church community into a strong and vibrant church with a powerful voice for Christian ethics and values.
Archbishop Iakovos stood with Christians from many cultures and backgrounds to further the ideal of Christian unity. His deep belief in ecumenism was demonstrated by his strong support of ecumenical councils as well as his historic challenges to them. He was a president of the World Council of Churches and introduced Elenie K. Huszagh, Esq., immediate past president of the NCC, to ecumenism. He established dialogues with Protestant and Roman Catholics and carried his witness into the oval offices of nine U.S. presidents. All who knew him were gratified when he received the nation's highest civilian honor in 1980 when President Jimmy Carter bestowed upon him the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
His Eminence, Archbishop Iakovos was a tireless servant of God who leaves a towering legacy of faith, justice and unity not only for all who knew and worked with him -- but for all who will benefit from his endeavors.
May his memory be eternal!
7. SPRING CHAPEL AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH TO HOLD SPRING REVIVAL:
The Pastor, Officers and Members of Spring Chapel AME Church, 2445 Park Swain Road, Grand Junction, Tennessee 38039 invites you to join us in our 'Spring Revival', April 20 - 22, 2005 at 7 pm nightly. The Reverend Jerry Crisp of Union Hill MB Church in Whiteville, Tennessee will be our Evangelist. Our theme – “From Revival to Renewal.”
If you should need assistance getting to the church, Reverend Herring can be reached at: 901 323-4297, 901. 412-0680 or 731 764-2152.
In Christ Service,
Shelda D. Herring
Pastor/Spiritual Leader
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
4/14/2005
4/11/2005
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (4/11/05)
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. EDITOR’S CORNER:
- The Reverend Gregory Nettles Shares the News that Bishop Richard A. Chappelle, Sr. is One of the 100 Most Influential Black Americans:
Bishop Richard A. Chappelle, Sr. is listed in May '05 Ebony magazine as one of the top 100 most influential Black Americans. It is on page 58.
Editor’s Comment: To Bishop Chappelle - Congratulations on being selected as one of the 100+ Most Influential Black Americans. Ebony is to be commended for selecting you, the President of the General Boards, as one of the most influential Black Americans!
Thanks to the Reverend Gregory Nettles for sharing the information with us.
- CHECK THIS OUT:
http://www.bugtime.com/ might be a great resource for your youth.
2. THE GLOBAL CORNER - NEWS FROM THE SEVENTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT, THE RIGHT REVEREND PAUL KAWIMBE IS THE PRESIDING BISHOP:
- Supervisor Yvonne Kawimbe Joins Missionary Sisters of Area 1 to Raise Funds for Matero Home for the Elderly
The deplorable living environment among the old people at Lusaka Matero after care Center in Zambia has prompted the African Methodist Episcopal Church women missionary society at Bethel church in Kabwata Zambia to raise K700, 000 to supplement on their domestic requisites for the senior citizens.
17th District Supervisor, Yvonne Chinakila Kawimbe has implored the Women missionary sisters to remain dependable spiritually and materially in the Church and community. Supervisor Kawimbe encouraged all the women to become dependable contributors in the society.
Supervisor Kawimbe said it does not matter how small a contribution you make as God values our efforts and motives.
“It is a noble thing that you have embarked and it is my hope and prayer that the funds raised will go to the intended beneficiaries “. Said supervisor Kawimbe
W.M.S area one chairperson Sis Regina Bulaya Ngulube said that after the recent fundraising event hosted at Bethel congregation the women from the eight congregations will committee themselves to improving lives of the old people at the referral center.
The fundraising follows a cleaning exercise that was undertaken by 38 women at the nearby Chingwere Clinic who thought of appealing to well wishers after seeing the deplorable state in which the aged are living in.
Mrs. Ngulube said that the women have decided to help the old people in line with the Christian principle of caring for elders in our families and community.
She added that her leadership was expected to raise money and help the orphaned children and ease their burden of food and education.
By Christabel Kazembe, 17th District Public Relations Director
- New Church Was Purchased in the Town of Gisenyi. The Name of the Church is Goshen African Methodist Episcopal Church:
A Church was purchased in Gisenyi, Rwanda and was named Goshen AME Church.
The Right Reverend Paul Kawimbe is the Presiding Bishop of the Seventeenth Episcopal District.
- Bishop Paul J. M. Kawimbe in Rwanda and Goma (D.R.C)
It was a colorful moment at Rwanda - Kigali International airport when the W.M.S, the Clergyman and Y.P.D sang and danced their Rwandese style as they joyfully and proudly welcomed the Rt. Rev. Paul J. M. Kawimbe for their first ever Annual Conference.
Bishop Paul Kawimbe held a combined Rwanda and Burundi annual from on
March 17 –19, 2005 in Kigali the Capital City of Rwanda. In attendance were AME Pastors and member from the war-toned Eastern Congo (DRC) Goma as well as from Uganda.
The people of Rwanda in 1994 experienced a genocide that left over a million of innocent lives dead. In order to attend the needs of the population in terms of reconciliation, restorative justice a group 8 persons came together in prayer and fasting for Lords direction as to which Church they were to belong to, as works in works in a mysterious way the came across the AME doctrine and discipline book and after a prayerful consideration of the document in February 2003 they contacted Bishop A. J. Richardson at that time he was the President of the Bishops’ Council requesting if they could be accepted into the AME Church family. Bishop Richardson responded positively and recommended them to Bishop Preston W. Williams then presiding prelate of the 17th District who admitted them into connectional on March 3, 2003.
The Church in Rwanda has and is experienced a tremendous growth it started with only 8 members who organized themselves and registered the AME Church with the government and on June 1, 2003 they had their worship service in rented housed. These members dedicated themselves to prayer and fasting since then the Church has grown 31 Churches, 34 Ministers with the membership of 11,148.
The Bishop was amazed and impressed with the enthusiasm of A.M.E Church members in Rwanda despite the 1994 genocide, which left millions dead, and other millions traumatized and homeless.
Their faith in God has even become stronger than ever before and their aim is to bring 15,000 more souls to the knowledge and personal relationship with Christ and the AME Church by the end of 2005, said Bishop Kawimbe with a big smile on his face.
The power and miracles of God are being experienced in the Church work and the A.M.E Church has crossed the borders of Rwanda in to Goma in D.R.C were for some years the area has been a no go zone area for missionaries due to war.
Bishop Kawimbe had an opportunity to visit AME Churches in the war-toned Eastern Congo in the town of Goma without any interference from the rebels.
The Bishop said in an interview that by next year the Church would have planted a few more Churches in Goma.
The Bishop added that we planning to construct a Pre – School Teachers Training College the only one of its kind in the entire nation of Rwanda, the Church has already acquired a ½ hector peace of land in the capital Kigali at the cost of US $ 6500.
The Church also envisages constructing the African Methodist Episcopal Church College in Goma. The project will cost about $87,453.5 United States Dollars and Presiding Elder Rev Kamutera is appealing to well- wishers and the Church to assist them.
The ever-increasing number of student’s will use the college divested in the war region of D.R.C.
Meanwhile Reverend Ngendahayo Eduardo the General Administration Assistant to the Bishop in Rwanda reported that the church in Rwanda have started projects in
HIV/ AIDS, trauma, reconciliation, counseling.
By Christabel Kazembe, 17th District Public Relations Director
- Information Deputy Minister Graces This Year’s A.M.E.C Founders Day Celebrations of the 17th Episcopal District.
Information and Broadcasting services Deputy Minister Gastone Sichilima opened the founder day annual celebration in Lusaka on 14th February.
The founder day cerebrations attracted more that 1000 people at Ebenezer in Chilenje in Lusaka Zambia.
Mr. Gastone Sichilima stressed that division in the Church and other organization come about when those supposed to be led belittled their leaders.
He explained that the greatest achievement that A.M.E Church has was having an indigenous Zambian elected bishop of the 17th Episcopal district.
He said it was not good for people to be pulling down those in authority in a bid to get such positions.
Mr. Sichilima said people in Churches just like those in other organization should wait for God to pick them as leaders. He has also called on Zambians to support president Levy Mwanawasa in his endeavors to serve the nation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sichilima said government was encouraging Churches to invest in agriculture, education, health and other economic activities to help create more jobs in the country.
He said government was ready to work with the Church to improve the state of the country and ensure that people were well cared for by providing an enabling environment for development.
Mr. Sichilima expressed happiness at the support that government was receiving from A.M.E Church in the fight against HIV/AIDS and creation of employment.
And delivering a sermon entitled “What Do You do When You don’t Know What to do. “
Bishop Rev Paul Kawimbe, implored AME Church members to have faith in God who alone was able to save them.
Bishop Paul Kawimbe said when people loose hope that is the time when God was ready to help and save them.
And in a vote of thanks Reverend Bettlem Chonde, pledged to supplement government’s effort in addressing all social vices. He said A.M.E Church would work as a team and united force in supporting the government of the day in all its programs.
By Christabel Kazembe, 17th District Public Relations Director
- 17th Episcopal District Of AMEC to Open a Community Radio Station
Plans are underway for the African Methodist Episcopal Church-17th District under leadership of Bishop Paul Kawimbe to open up a community radio station in the Central province of Zambia to be housed in Kabwe.
The radio station will be called 17.87 Community Christian radio station signifying the year the AME Church was founded and its vision is to have a well-informed society on issues of health, education, agriculture, good governance and religion.
The radio stations main objective is also to assist the Kabwe community in terms of fair news coverage and help the community boast its economy by high lighting issues affecting Kabwe. It will also be used as an evangelistic for the Church.
According to discussions held with local authority with Christabel Kazembe the 17th District Public Relations Director, the town clerk was very happy with the development and the opening of the radio station will be tabled in their full council meeting were all the government heads will decide on proposal for the station.
Meanwhile the project is yet to be submitted for approval by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The establishing of this radio station will cost US $ 42,150,000.
By Christabel Kazembe, 17th District Public Relations Director
3. CHAPLAINS’ CORNER:
- Chaplain David Brown will be leaving this weekend to preach a three-night revival at Holy Trinity AME Church in Las Vegas, NV. The pastor is the Reverend Emmanuel Wasson, III and the associate pastor is his wife, the Reverend Juanita Wasson. Please pray with Chaplain Brown for God to send traveling mercies, revival to his people and lost souls to Christ.
- Chaplain Addison Burgess (United States Army) is serving as an assistant minister at Ebenezer AMEC in Fort Washington, MD, where the Rev. Drs. Grainger and Joanne Browning pastor.
- Chaplain Theodore Valcourt has switched his commission from the Navy to the Army. He is now officially a captain and will attend Army Chaplain's Basic Course, Fort Jackson, South Carolina in June.
- Chaplain Atticus Taylor has transferred to Naval Station Mayport, Florida. He successfully completed a tour as command chaplain at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, NJ.
- The Reverend Sherri Garrett from Third Street Bethel AME Church in Richmond, VA is a Chaplain Candidate within the Navy. She has received orders to report to the Naval Chaplain's Basic School in Newport Rhode Island in July. Upon completion of the Basic School, she will be officially designated as "chaplain" and receive her first set of active duty orders.
Submitted by Chaplain, LCDR David Brown
4. ARTICLE – “SECULARIZATION AND OUR MISSION”:
By: Reverend Charles R. Watkins, Jr., B.S. M.Div.
Among the positive elements of the process commonly referred to as “secularization” is the freedom to experiment and make independent decisions. This freedom, of course, leaves the door wide open for every “wind of doctrine” that blows by. This freedom becomes increasingly dangerous as we are left to make decisions relative to educational material to be used in the religious education setting. Our challenge is that we are encouraged to exhibit the relevancy of faith while making the concept of faith appealing to a society that no longer finds faith attractive.
We are left, in this sin sick world, to remind those who will take time to listen that God “did not abandon His creatures in their rebellion” and He has not abandoned us. We must make the Gospel competitive among the many secular options for material and carnal success. We find ourselves in an age of less and less concern for the mysteries of God and more and more concern for the “right now” of secular reinforcement. The separation of Church and State has served to further undermine the authority of the church. The increase in the apparent weakening of authority serves to give the appearance of a lack of legitimacy. A spirit of liberalism affects the church very much like it did during the “Enlightenment”. The missions of the church are not clear. There is so much emphasis on revival and renewal in foreign countries while there is little being done for Salvation right in our backyard. There is still an ever widening disparity between the “haves” and the “have-nots.”
We lean more and more on science for answers to questions that our lack of faith won’t allow us to reach. Secularism thrives as we continue to give in to our depraved human nature. Evangelism, it seems, is no longer the central thrust of our church mission and I am afraid we lack the sincere commitment to spread the Gospel; we are no longer convinced ourselves.
We have done so much to clearly separate and promote the separation of what is spiritual and what is social. There is no clear distinction of what is wrong and what is right. We seem content to exist in a “gray” area of our own creation. The Gospel spells out for us a vivid example of the path we should be on however; we seem destined to veer even if ever so slightly in the direction of least resistance. We know by faith that God is well aware of the choices we make and yet we continue to allow secularization to cut into the fabric of our lives. We are so mesmerized by the attractiveness of secularization and its tilt towards modernization that we are willing to put our faith aside.
Let us hold fast to tradition as it has sustained us thus far. However, let us carefully search for ways to incorporate the current social perspectives, weeding out the negative, accentuating the positive, into our evangelistic ministry model. How critical is our task? Let’s ask ourselves the question: “How is it that our young people eagerly learn a 20 minute “Rap” dialogue yet we cannot get them to learn and recite the 23rd Psalm?”
To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done! I am thrilled to serve God in the Seventh Episcopal District under the astute leadership of the Right Reverend Preston Warren Williams II. The blessing certainly continues as the Greenville District, of which I am a part, is superintended through Godly direction provided by our Presiding Elder the Rev. Dr. Jonathan J. Baker.
Editor’s note: The Reverend Charles R. Watkins completed a 21 year career in the United States Army in 1996. He served as an Airborne Infantryman and was assigned to various units throughout the U.S. and Europe. He answered the call to Pastoral Ministry and turned down a promotion to Command Sergeant Major and entered the Seminary. He has recently accepted a Commission (Captain) into the Chaplain Corps of the South Carolina State Guard.
5. WELCOME TO BRYANT TEMPLE A.M.E. CHURCH:
An invitation to become part of the believing and worshipping community known as THE TEMPLE.
We are a part of the great AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH FAMILY. We carry the spirit of African Methodism in our worship and in our work.
We model what we do after the ministry Jesus presented to us:
Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV): Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
We go beyond the walls of our Church seeking those who are harassed and helpless, and bringing the good news of a liberating Savior – Jesus the Christ. Our ministries are directed to go where the needs of the people are: the hurting, the oppressed, the depressed, the sick, in prison, those who live in the shadows of life – the homeless, those who are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, and those impacted by the cycles of violence in our community and in this world. We are seeking to go where we believe Jesus would go, if He was still walking the earth. We believe we are taking His Spirit with us, as we seek to build His Kingdom here on earth.
We declare that in the name of Jesus, we are going to take back everything the devil has stolen from us – as individuals, families, communities and as a people.
Come worship with us:
We meet every Sunday at 7:55 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Bryant Temple A.M.E. Church2525 W. Vernon Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90008323-293-6201
“Bring your tambourine & your dancing shoes” – we love to praise Him!”
Bishop John R. Bryant, Presiding Prelate, 5th Episcopal DistrictThe Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, Episcopal SupervisorThe Rev. Dr. Howard S. Gloyd, Presiding Elder – Los Angeles/San Diego/Las Vegas District
The Rev. Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr. Senior PastorMrs. Velma L. Oden, First Lady
6. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR REV. CECELIA WILLIAM'S MOTHER:
Home going service modification for Sister Pauline Williams, mother of Episcopal Supervisor Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant:
Wake:
Friday, April 15, 2005
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 -9:00 p.m.
Institutional A.M.E. Zion Church
52 Bishop WM J. Walls Place
Yonkers, NY 10701
FUNERAL:
Saturday, April 16, 2005
10:00 a.m.
Bethany AME Church
21 Ludlow Street
Yonkers, NY 10705
(914) 965-0511 (Phone)
Services Entrusted to:
Brooks Memorial Funeral Home
275 Warburton Ave
Yonkers, NY 10701
914-965-3781 (Phone)
914-965-1271 (Fax)
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:
New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott
102-105 Ditmars Blvd
East Elmhurst, NY 11369
(718) 565-8900
7. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REVEREND DR. C. E. SHEPHERD:
Service arrangements for Dr. C. E. Shepherd, Retired Presiding Elder, Southwest Georgia Conference, Sixth Episcopal District and the spouse of Mrs. Lillard Shepherd, charter member (founding member) of CONN-M-SWAWO + PK'S:
Funeral
Monday, April 11, 2005
1:00 p.m.
Grant Chapel AME Church
318 West Central Avenue
Moultrie, GA 31768
912-985-2553 - Phone
Rev. Edward W. Maddox, Jr., Pastor
Services entrusted to:
Luke Strong & Son Mortuary Inc.
20 1st Street NE
Moultrie, GA 31768
229-890-1717 - Phone
229-985-7854 – Fax
8. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. James Cooper on Thursday, April 7, 2005.
He was the Father of:
The Rev. James S. Cooper, Retired Army Chaplain and presently pastor of:
High Hills AME Church
Dazell, SC 29040
803-499-9456 (Phone)
And:
Rev. Jeffery B. Cooper, Pastor
Trinity AME Church
604 Lynhurst Dr. SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30311
404-696-5826 (Phone)
Service will be held on:
Thursday, April, 14, 2005 - 12:00 Noon
Trinity United Methodist Church
2979 Lincoln Blvd.
Ft. Myers, Fl. 33916
Services entrusted to:
Barrett Funeral Chapel
2305 Henderson Ave.
Ft. Myers, FL 33916
239-332-1212 (Phone)
239-334-4020 (Fax)
Please remember the Cooper family in your prayers.
9. ALL FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, TN Contact)
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781
(Memphis, TN Contact)
(901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'SWEB SITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/http://www.connmswawo3.com/CONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S June 2005 Events
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. EDITOR’S CORNER:
- The Reverend Gregory Nettles Shares the News that Bishop Richard A. Chappelle, Sr. is One of the 100 Most Influential Black Americans:
Bishop Richard A. Chappelle, Sr. is listed in May '05 Ebony magazine as one of the top 100 most influential Black Americans. It is on page 58.
Editor’s Comment: To Bishop Chappelle - Congratulations on being selected as one of the 100+ Most Influential Black Americans. Ebony is to be commended for selecting you, the President of the General Boards, as one of the most influential Black Americans!
Thanks to the Reverend Gregory Nettles for sharing the information with us.
- CHECK THIS OUT:
http://www.bugtime.com/ might be a great resource for your youth.
2. THE GLOBAL CORNER - NEWS FROM THE SEVENTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT, THE RIGHT REVEREND PAUL KAWIMBE IS THE PRESIDING BISHOP:
- Supervisor Yvonne Kawimbe Joins Missionary Sisters of Area 1 to Raise Funds for Matero Home for the Elderly
The deplorable living environment among the old people at Lusaka Matero after care Center in Zambia has prompted the African Methodist Episcopal Church women missionary society at Bethel church in Kabwata Zambia to raise K700, 000 to supplement on their domestic requisites for the senior citizens.
17th District Supervisor, Yvonne Chinakila Kawimbe has implored the Women missionary sisters to remain dependable spiritually and materially in the Church and community. Supervisor Kawimbe encouraged all the women to become dependable contributors in the society.
Supervisor Kawimbe said it does not matter how small a contribution you make as God values our efforts and motives.
“It is a noble thing that you have embarked and it is my hope and prayer that the funds raised will go to the intended beneficiaries “. Said supervisor Kawimbe
W.M.S area one chairperson Sis Regina Bulaya Ngulube said that after the recent fundraising event hosted at Bethel congregation the women from the eight congregations will committee themselves to improving lives of the old people at the referral center.
The fundraising follows a cleaning exercise that was undertaken by 38 women at the nearby Chingwere Clinic who thought of appealing to well wishers after seeing the deplorable state in which the aged are living in.
Mrs. Ngulube said that the women have decided to help the old people in line with the Christian principle of caring for elders in our families and community.
She added that her leadership was expected to raise money and help the orphaned children and ease their burden of food and education.
By Christabel Kazembe, 17th District Public Relations Director
- New Church Was Purchased in the Town of Gisenyi. The Name of the Church is Goshen African Methodist Episcopal Church:
A Church was purchased in Gisenyi, Rwanda and was named Goshen AME Church.
The Right Reverend Paul Kawimbe is the Presiding Bishop of the Seventeenth Episcopal District.
- Bishop Paul J. M. Kawimbe in Rwanda and Goma (D.R.C)
It was a colorful moment at Rwanda - Kigali International airport when the W.M.S, the Clergyman and Y.P.D sang and danced their Rwandese style as they joyfully and proudly welcomed the Rt. Rev. Paul J. M. Kawimbe for their first ever Annual Conference.
Bishop Paul Kawimbe held a combined Rwanda and Burundi annual from on
March 17 –19, 2005 in Kigali the Capital City of Rwanda. In attendance were AME Pastors and member from the war-toned Eastern Congo (DRC) Goma as well as from Uganda.
The people of Rwanda in 1994 experienced a genocide that left over a million of innocent lives dead. In order to attend the needs of the population in terms of reconciliation, restorative justice a group 8 persons came together in prayer and fasting for Lords direction as to which Church they were to belong to, as works in works in a mysterious way the came across the AME doctrine and discipline book and after a prayerful consideration of the document in February 2003 they contacted Bishop A. J. Richardson at that time he was the President of the Bishops’ Council requesting if they could be accepted into the AME Church family. Bishop Richardson responded positively and recommended them to Bishop Preston W. Williams then presiding prelate of the 17th District who admitted them into connectional on March 3, 2003.
The Church in Rwanda has and is experienced a tremendous growth it started with only 8 members who organized themselves and registered the AME Church with the government and on June 1, 2003 they had their worship service in rented housed. These members dedicated themselves to prayer and fasting since then the Church has grown 31 Churches, 34 Ministers with the membership of 11,148.
The Bishop was amazed and impressed with the enthusiasm of A.M.E Church members in Rwanda despite the 1994 genocide, which left millions dead, and other millions traumatized and homeless.
Their faith in God has even become stronger than ever before and their aim is to bring 15,000 more souls to the knowledge and personal relationship with Christ and the AME Church by the end of 2005, said Bishop Kawimbe with a big smile on his face.
The power and miracles of God are being experienced in the Church work and the A.M.E Church has crossed the borders of Rwanda in to Goma in D.R.C were for some years the area has been a no go zone area for missionaries due to war.
Bishop Kawimbe had an opportunity to visit AME Churches in the war-toned Eastern Congo in the town of Goma without any interference from the rebels.
The Bishop said in an interview that by next year the Church would have planted a few more Churches in Goma.
The Bishop added that we planning to construct a Pre – School Teachers Training College the only one of its kind in the entire nation of Rwanda, the Church has already acquired a ½ hector peace of land in the capital Kigali at the cost of US $ 6500.
The Church also envisages constructing the African Methodist Episcopal Church College in Goma. The project will cost about $87,453.5 United States Dollars and Presiding Elder Rev Kamutera is appealing to well- wishers and the Church to assist them.
The ever-increasing number of student’s will use the college divested in the war region of D.R.C.
Meanwhile Reverend Ngendahayo Eduardo the General Administration Assistant to the Bishop in Rwanda reported that the church in Rwanda have started projects in
HIV/ AIDS, trauma, reconciliation, counseling.
By Christabel Kazembe, 17th District Public Relations Director
- Information Deputy Minister Graces This Year’s A.M.E.C Founders Day Celebrations of the 17th Episcopal District.
Information and Broadcasting services Deputy Minister Gastone Sichilima opened the founder day annual celebration in Lusaka on 14th February.
The founder day cerebrations attracted more that 1000 people at Ebenezer in Chilenje in Lusaka Zambia.
Mr. Gastone Sichilima stressed that division in the Church and other organization come about when those supposed to be led belittled their leaders.
He explained that the greatest achievement that A.M.E Church has was having an indigenous Zambian elected bishop of the 17th Episcopal district.
He said it was not good for people to be pulling down those in authority in a bid to get such positions.
Mr. Sichilima said people in Churches just like those in other organization should wait for God to pick them as leaders. He has also called on Zambians to support president Levy Mwanawasa in his endeavors to serve the nation.
Meanwhile, Mr. Sichilima said government was encouraging Churches to invest in agriculture, education, health and other economic activities to help create more jobs in the country.
He said government was ready to work with the Church to improve the state of the country and ensure that people were well cared for by providing an enabling environment for development.
Mr. Sichilima expressed happiness at the support that government was receiving from A.M.E Church in the fight against HIV/AIDS and creation of employment.
And delivering a sermon entitled “What Do You do When You don’t Know What to do. “
Bishop Rev Paul Kawimbe, implored AME Church members to have faith in God who alone was able to save them.
Bishop Paul Kawimbe said when people loose hope that is the time when God was ready to help and save them.
And in a vote of thanks Reverend Bettlem Chonde, pledged to supplement government’s effort in addressing all social vices. He said A.M.E Church would work as a team and united force in supporting the government of the day in all its programs.
By Christabel Kazembe, 17th District Public Relations Director
- 17th Episcopal District Of AMEC to Open a Community Radio Station
Plans are underway for the African Methodist Episcopal Church-17th District under leadership of Bishop Paul Kawimbe to open up a community radio station in the Central province of Zambia to be housed in Kabwe.
The radio station will be called 17.87 Community Christian radio station signifying the year the AME Church was founded and its vision is to have a well-informed society on issues of health, education, agriculture, good governance and religion.
The radio stations main objective is also to assist the Kabwe community in terms of fair news coverage and help the community boast its economy by high lighting issues affecting Kabwe. It will also be used as an evangelistic for the Church.
According to discussions held with local authority with Christabel Kazembe the 17th District Public Relations Director, the town clerk was very happy with the development and the opening of the radio station will be tabled in their full council meeting were all the government heads will decide on proposal for the station.
Meanwhile the project is yet to be submitted for approval by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
The establishing of this radio station will cost US $ 42,150,000.
By Christabel Kazembe, 17th District Public Relations Director
3. CHAPLAINS’ CORNER:
- Chaplain David Brown will be leaving this weekend to preach a three-night revival at Holy Trinity AME Church in Las Vegas, NV. The pastor is the Reverend Emmanuel Wasson, III and the associate pastor is his wife, the Reverend Juanita Wasson. Please pray with Chaplain Brown for God to send traveling mercies, revival to his people and lost souls to Christ.
- Chaplain Addison Burgess (United States Army) is serving as an assistant minister at Ebenezer AMEC in Fort Washington, MD, where the Rev. Drs. Grainger and Joanne Browning pastor.
- Chaplain Theodore Valcourt has switched his commission from the Navy to the Army. He is now officially a captain and will attend Army Chaplain's Basic Course, Fort Jackson, South Carolina in June.
- Chaplain Atticus Taylor has transferred to Naval Station Mayport, Florida. He successfully completed a tour as command chaplain at the Coast Guard Training Center in Cape May, NJ.
- The Reverend Sherri Garrett from Third Street Bethel AME Church in Richmond, VA is a Chaplain Candidate within the Navy. She has received orders to report to the Naval Chaplain's Basic School in Newport Rhode Island in July. Upon completion of the Basic School, she will be officially designated as "chaplain" and receive her first set of active duty orders.
Submitted by Chaplain, LCDR David Brown
4. ARTICLE – “SECULARIZATION AND OUR MISSION”:
By: Reverend Charles R. Watkins, Jr., B.S. M.Div.
Among the positive elements of the process commonly referred to as “secularization” is the freedom to experiment and make independent decisions. This freedom, of course, leaves the door wide open for every “wind of doctrine” that blows by. This freedom becomes increasingly dangerous as we are left to make decisions relative to educational material to be used in the religious education setting. Our challenge is that we are encouraged to exhibit the relevancy of faith while making the concept of faith appealing to a society that no longer finds faith attractive.
We are left, in this sin sick world, to remind those who will take time to listen that God “did not abandon His creatures in their rebellion” and He has not abandoned us. We must make the Gospel competitive among the many secular options for material and carnal success. We find ourselves in an age of less and less concern for the mysteries of God and more and more concern for the “right now” of secular reinforcement. The separation of Church and State has served to further undermine the authority of the church. The increase in the apparent weakening of authority serves to give the appearance of a lack of legitimacy. A spirit of liberalism affects the church very much like it did during the “Enlightenment”. The missions of the church are not clear. There is so much emphasis on revival and renewal in foreign countries while there is little being done for Salvation right in our backyard. There is still an ever widening disparity between the “haves” and the “have-nots.”
We lean more and more on science for answers to questions that our lack of faith won’t allow us to reach. Secularism thrives as we continue to give in to our depraved human nature. Evangelism, it seems, is no longer the central thrust of our church mission and I am afraid we lack the sincere commitment to spread the Gospel; we are no longer convinced ourselves.
We have done so much to clearly separate and promote the separation of what is spiritual and what is social. There is no clear distinction of what is wrong and what is right. We seem content to exist in a “gray” area of our own creation. The Gospel spells out for us a vivid example of the path we should be on however; we seem destined to veer even if ever so slightly in the direction of least resistance. We know by faith that God is well aware of the choices we make and yet we continue to allow secularization to cut into the fabric of our lives. We are so mesmerized by the attractiveness of secularization and its tilt towards modernization that we are willing to put our faith aside.
Let us hold fast to tradition as it has sustained us thus far. However, let us carefully search for ways to incorporate the current social perspectives, weeding out the negative, accentuating the positive, into our evangelistic ministry model. How critical is our task? Let’s ask ourselves the question: “How is it that our young people eagerly learn a 20 minute “Rap” dialogue yet we cannot get them to learn and recite the 23rd Psalm?”
To God Be the Glory, Great Things He Has Done! I am thrilled to serve God in the Seventh Episcopal District under the astute leadership of the Right Reverend Preston Warren Williams II. The blessing certainly continues as the Greenville District, of which I am a part, is superintended through Godly direction provided by our Presiding Elder the Rev. Dr. Jonathan J. Baker.
Editor’s note: The Reverend Charles R. Watkins completed a 21 year career in the United States Army in 1996. He served as an Airborne Infantryman and was assigned to various units throughout the U.S. and Europe. He answered the call to Pastoral Ministry and turned down a promotion to Command Sergeant Major and entered the Seminary. He has recently accepted a Commission (Captain) into the Chaplain Corps of the South Carolina State Guard.
5. WELCOME TO BRYANT TEMPLE A.M.E. CHURCH:
An invitation to become part of the believing and worshipping community known as THE TEMPLE.
We are a part of the great AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH FAMILY. We carry the spirit of African Methodism in our worship and in our work.
We model what we do after the ministry Jesus presented to us:
Matthew 9:35-38 (NIV): Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field."
We go beyond the walls of our Church seeking those who are harassed and helpless, and bringing the good news of a liberating Savior – Jesus the Christ. Our ministries are directed to go where the needs of the people are: the hurting, the oppressed, the depressed, the sick, in prison, those who live in the shadows of life – the homeless, those who are infected and affected by HIV and AIDS, and those impacted by the cycles of violence in our community and in this world. We are seeking to go where we believe Jesus would go, if He was still walking the earth. We believe we are taking His Spirit with us, as we seek to build His Kingdom here on earth.
We declare that in the name of Jesus, we are going to take back everything the devil has stolen from us – as individuals, families, communities and as a people.
Come worship with us:
We meet every Sunday at 7:55 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Bryant Temple A.M.E. Church2525 W. Vernon Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90008323-293-6201
“Bring your tambourine & your dancing shoes” – we love to praise Him!”
Bishop John R. Bryant, Presiding Prelate, 5th Episcopal DistrictThe Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, Episcopal SupervisorThe Rev. Dr. Howard S. Gloyd, Presiding Elder – Los Angeles/San Diego/Las Vegas District
The Rev. Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr. Senior PastorMrs. Velma L. Oden, First Lady
6. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR REV. CECELIA WILLIAM'S MOTHER:
Home going service modification for Sister Pauline Williams, mother of Episcopal Supervisor Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant:
Wake:
Friday, April 15, 2005
2:00 - 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 -9:00 p.m.
Institutional A.M.E. Zion Church
52 Bishop WM J. Walls Place
Yonkers, NY 10701
FUNERAL:
Saturday, April 16, 2005
10:00 a.m.
Bethany AME Church
21 Ludlow Street
Yonkers, NY 10705
(914) 965-0511 (Phone)
Services Entrusted to:
Brooks Memorial Funeral Home
275 Warburton Ave
Yonkers, NY 10701
914-965-3781 (Phone)
914-965-1271 (Fax)
HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:
New York LaGuardia Airport Marriott
102-105 Ditmars Blvd
East Elmhurst, NY 11369
(718) 565-8900
7. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REVEREND DR. C. E. SHEPHERD:
Service arrangements for Dr. C. E. Shepherd, Retired Presiding Elder, Southwest Georgia Conference, Sixth Episcopal District and the spouse of Mrs. Lillard Shepherd, charter member (founding member) of CONN-M-SWAWO + PK'S:
Funeral
Monday, April 11, 2005
1:00 p.m.
Grant Chapel AME Church
318 West Central Avenue
Moultrie, GA 31768
912-985-2553 - Phone
Rev. Edward W. Maddox, Jr., Pastor
Services entrusted to:
Luke Strong & Son Mortuary Inc.
20 1st Street NE
Moultrie, GA 31768
229-890-1717 - Phone
229-985-7854 – Fax
8. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. James Cooper on Thursday, April 7, 2005.
He was the Father of:
The Rev. James S. Cooper, Retired Army Chaplain and presently pastor of:
High Hills AME Church
Dazell, SC 29040
803-499-9456 (Phone)
And:
Rev. Jeffery B. Cooper, Pastor
Trinity AME Church
604 Lynhurst Dr. SW
Atlanta, Georgia 30311
404-696-5826 (Phone)
Service will be held on:
Thursday, April, 14, 2005 - 12:00 Noon
Trinity United Methodist Church
2979 Lincoln Blvd.
Ft. Myers, Fl. 33916
Services entrusted to:
Barrett Funeral Chapel
2305 Henderson Ave.
Ft. Myers, FL 33916
239-332-1212 (Phone)
239-334-4020 (Fax)
Please remember the Cooper family in your prayers.
9. ALL FUNERAL ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, TN Contact)
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781
(Memphis, TN Contact)
(901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'SWEB SITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/http://www.connmswawo3.com/CONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S June 2005 Events
