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. MESSAGE FROM THE RIGHT REVEREND WILFRED J. MESSIAH CONCERNING THE GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL:
TO: The Bishops, Supervisors, General, and Connectional Officers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church -
The Executive Board of the Global Development Council Will Meet On March 13 -14 2006 in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, 16th Episcopal District. The Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tyler-Guidry is the host bishop.
Obtain hotel and air travel information by contacting Presiding Elder Wayne Anthony who can be contacted at ant.marine_1@yahoo.com
Please note that this is an Executive Board Meeting as per the Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, page 263, Item 4. Observers are welcomed to attend.
Respectfully,
Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah
Chair, Global Development Council
2. SIMULTANEOUS CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DAY IN THE SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT WILL BE HELD ON MARCH 4, 2006:
Twelve Courses in Six Locations!
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
New Testament & AME Polity 1
Mt. Carmel AME Church - 1059 Old Black Oak Rd, Moncks Corner, SC 29461
The Reverend Remus Harper, Pastor
Interpersonal Skills & AME Liturgy and Worship
Mt. Zion AME Church - 1305 East Cheves Street, Florence, SC 29506
The Reverend Julius H. McAllister
Effective Teaching Methods & AME History
Emmanuel AME Church - 2130 Barhamville Road, Columbia, SC 29204
The Reverend Timothy Cokley
AME Articles of Religion & Introduction to Christian Education
Emmanuel AME Church - 110 Calhoun Street, Charleston, SC 29401
The Reverend Levern Witherspoon
Old Testament & Historical Foundation of Christian Education
Mt. Carmel AME Church -209 Mount Carmel Church Rd, Abbeville, SC 29644
The Reverend Hannie D. Milling, Jr., Pastor
Religious Pluralism & Christian Stewardship
Williams Chapel AME Church - 1198 Glover Street, Orangeburg, SC 29115
The Reverend Dr. Juenarrl Keith, Pastor
Registration: Adults $25.00
Come join us for a day of learning and exploration
For more information, please call the Episcopal Office -803-935-0500 ext. 106
Submitted to the Christian Recorder by Kabrina Bass –
Christian Education Administrator,
Seventh Episcopal District –
Email: basskabrina@aol.com or kabrinab@amec7thdist.org
The Rt. Reverend Preston W. Williams, II, Presiding Prelate
Mother Wilma D. Webb-Williams, Episcopal Supervisor
Dr. Allen Parrott, Christian Education Director –
Dr. Juenarrl Keith, Christian Education Dean –
Dr. Willie J. Heggins, Asst. Dean/Administrator
3. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:
The editor has been busy. In the recent weeks I traveled to Birmingham, Alabama and preached at the Evangelism Meeting and then to Cincinnati to be with the Women Missionary Society. Last Monday, Dr. Johnny Barbour, AMEC Publisher and I traveled to Atlanta, Georgia to be the leadership of the Turner Theological Seminary Alumni Association, as they were getting ready for Founder’s Day. The Turner Alumni leadership is dedicated and they were wrapping up plans for the Founder’s Day celebration. I preached yesterday at St. John AME Church in Montgomery, Alabama. What a church and what a great ministry provided by the Reverend James E. Arnell and the First Family, wife, Arnetta and daughter, Theress. The church leadership and congregation exuded warmth and spiritual energy. The AME Church is alive and St. John AME is alive. Two persons united with the congregation yesterday.
I was the Founder’s Day speaker. The sanctuary was full. It is evident that the Trustees are doing their work. St. John AME has to be one of the prettiest churches in Montgomery. The facility makes on e proud to be an AME.
The worship service was spiritual and uplifting from beginning to end. The combined choir was awesome and the children’s presentation was inspiring. As I travel around the Connection, it is refreshing to see healthy congregations and inspiring leadership; that’s what I saw at St. John. St. John Montgomery, Alabama has it going on!
Last week, I had an opportunity to lead a workshop on Friday morning for the 13th Episcopal District Founder’s Day that was held at Greater Bethel AME Church, Nashville. Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is the presiding prelate and the Reverend Jay Broadnax is the pastor of Greater Bethel. The Founder’s Day Program was a learning, spiritual and inspirational venue. Dr. Dennis Dickerson, Executive Director, Department of Research and Scholarship and the Editor of The A.M.E. Church Review, gave an awesome presentation on the “Church’s Role in Public Policy form a Historical Perspective.”
It was inspirational because four bishops were present during the Founder’s Day celebration. Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, presiding prelate of the 16th Episcopal District was the facilitator for the Presiding Elders’ Retreat. Bishop H. Hartford Brookins gave a presentation on “ministry to the local congregation and to the community.” He still has a “twinkle in his eyes.” Bishop Brookins, along with Bishop Talbot were honored at a special service that took place on Friday evening and each of them was presented the Legendary Leadership Award. The Reverend Derrick Scott, pastor of Greater St. James AME Church, Louisville preached a dynamic sermon for the Hour of Power. The Reverend Dr. Kenneth Robinson, Commissioner, Tennessee Department of Health and pastor of St. Andres AME Church, Memphis, Tennessee demonstrated homiletical brilliance and spiritual depth.
I led a workshop on AME polity and it was a spirited and engaging experience. One of the issues addressed was the Methodist tradition of, “open Communion,” which is always an interesting discussion because sometimes folks mix up the traditions of other denominations with what, we as African Methodists, believe and to what we adhere. Let me take a moment in the article below to make the distinction of and clarify what we believe and what is meant about “Open Communion.”
4. THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH TEACHES, “OPEN COMMUNION”:
Open Communion
The Definition of “Open Communion” is the practice whereby anyone who accepts the Jesus Christ as savior and are in love and harmony with his or her fellow human beings are allowed to take communion. More precisely, “Open Communion” allows those without baptism to take Communion. Open Communion is also referred to in Methodism as, “Open Table.” The Open communion is the opposite of “closed Communion,” where the Eucharist is reserved for those who have been baptized or are members of a particular church or denomination.
The Bible's teaching on "Communion," or the Lord's Supper, is found in I Corinthians 11:17- 34 and promotes "open" participation for believers. All those who are true believers in God through personal faith in Jesus Christ, are worthy to partake of the Lord's Supper by virtue of the fact they have accepted the death of Christ as payment for their sins
The African Methodist Episcopal Church’s invitation simply says, “You that do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbor, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking henceforth in His holy ways, draw near with faith…” follows the Bible’s teaching found in I Corinthians. The invitation does not demand that one be a member of any particular denomination. In that ecclesiastical sense, it points to an “open” table” or open Communion!
Having said that, I believe that un-baptized persons who receive Communion should be encouraged to be baptized.” In Methodism in general, and in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in particular, a person should never be denied Communion if they affirm the conditions of the Invitation, “You that do truly and earnestly repent….”
Closed Communion
Definition for “Close communion is the practice whereby only those who claim to be saved, scripturally baptized and a member of that particular local church, the same denomination, or churches that follow a particular faith practice are allowed to take the Lord's Supper. Baptism is required to participate in Communion. Some churches say in their constitution or bylaws, “No un-baptized person shall be eligible to receive Holy Communion in this Church.” That is "closed Communion."
African Methodists do not subscribe to that notion and it cannot be found anywhere in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. That position has never been subscribed to by Methodists.
I will write more on this later.
5. LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Dear Editor:
Why? That is the question that kept swirling in my head on Thursday, February 9, when I had the unique experience of standing alongside some of Los Angeles' leading religious leaders on a walk down "Skid Row" in the heart of downtown. The 90-minute tour and subsequent discussion, organized by Councilwoman Jan Perry (CD-9) and the Rev. Sylvester Laudermill of Ward A.M.E. Church, among others, opened my eyes to the way Los Angeles is failing its citizens. Why has this happened? Why isn't more being done? Why?
For me, the experience was:
Nauseating. The stench of desolation, the putrid smell of inhumane and unsanitary conditions, the plight of these persons left for dead, is more potent that the slightest drop of the Syrup of Ipecac. To see God's people suffering - too afraid to report crime, resigned to relieve themselves along the sidewalks and streets, themselves the victims and purveyors of crime and violence - left a sinking feeling in my stomach.
Heart-wrenching. For every cocaine addict or drug dealer, there was a businessman who fell on hard times or a proud woman who fell prey to an addiction to escape her circumstances. For every expectant mother refusing prenatal care, there was a woman struggling to provide for her family. For every mentally disturbed individual, there was a genius in need of genuine love and guidance. And for every child, barefoot and bereft of their being, there was the potential curer of cancer. There walked, crouched, laid and prayed some woman's son, some father's daughter and some brother's sister, niece or nephew. They, too, are American citizens; they, too, are guaranteed the unalienable rights and privileges of the same. And but for the grace of God, there went I.
Incomprehensible. Nearly 230 years after our nation was born, thousands of its citizens lay destitute, depressed and disenfranchised on the streets of one of its most celebrated cities. How the home of so many "stars" can turn their backs on this area as if it were a "black hole" is unconscionable. How one of the wealthiest cities and counties in America can treat its poor so poorly is simply unfathomable.
Unacceptable. Soaring high above this swath of the city - its white lights radiating the night sky - is US Bank Tower, the tallest building west of Chicago. On Thursday, President Bush announced that the federal government, in a well-orchestrated, textbook-perfect operation, foiled an al-Qaeda plot to destroy the structure with an aircraft. Yet, 1,000 feet below the Tower's peak and a few blocks away from its base, no government agency has been unable to address the breadth of the needs of its neediest citizens.
Following the walk, as I listened to each speaker address the assembly, I could not help be reminded that there is a "Balm in Gilead." As preachers, teachers and leaders in our respective churches, we are they who must spread the news that Jesus is the answer. Jesus' ministry was to the people of Jerusalem's Skid Row. And upon His return, his ministry would surely be to the Skid Rows of Los Angeles and other cities in our great nation.
In my mind's eye, I envision the Biblical man along the Jericho Road on Los Angeles' San Julian Street. On San Pedro Street was the woman with the issue of blood or the woman at the well. Sixth Street was home to the ten lepers and on Seventh Street sat the pool of Bethesda. Here in Los Angeles - away from the glitz and glitter of Beverly Hills and the wealth of the surrounding communities - is where Jesus' liberating Gospel is needed most.
It is high time that the Church stop "turning a deaf ear" to its parishioners of the streets, and band together to address this problem. Let us hold our elected officials accountable for the use of our tax dollars. Let us be responsible to the communities we serve. For Jesus said, "When I was hungry, did you feed me? When I was naked, did you clothe me? When I was in prison, did you visit me?"
Together, we can, as someone asserted, transform "Skid Row" into the "Hope District."
Respectfully submitted,
Rev. Kevin T. Taylor
(323) 509-8706
Editor’s note: The Rev. Kevin T. Taylor is an associate minister at Grant A.M.E. Church in Watts, under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Leslie R. White.
6. SISTER MARY SCOTT’S NEPHEW RECEIVED AIR FORCE HONOR:
The 81st Regional Readiness Command bestowed honor on Mr. Tim Mercer, AMSA 153-G, Nashville, Tennessee as Maintenance Technician of the Year. He was presented the Superior Civilian Service Medal and a check for $1000.00.
Sister Mary Scott works in the AMEC Publisher’s Office.
7. CHURCHES IN THE WASHINGTON, DC AREA EXPERIENCING THEFTS AND BREAK-INS:
The Washington, DC newspapers report that thousands of dollars have been taken from Evangel Cathedral in Upper Marlboro and that Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in Fort Washington has been robbed twice in the past month. Authorities said the thieves are cutting phone lines to disable security alarms before they carry out their robberies.
8. THE PASTOR’S CORNER - FAN THE FLAME – STRENGTH:
7For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. 1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (II Timothy 1: 7 & 2: 1)
Paul reminds young Timothy to and us “be strong.” Strength is defined in the dictionary as the capacity for exertion or endurance, power for resisting attack. The word provides another definition of strength for the Christian. First, you have the gift of power through the Holy Spirit who dwells in you (II Timothy 1: 7).
Second, now find your strength in the grace that is in Christ (II Timothy 2: 1). Our strength comes from the presence of God operating in us, and the grace of God we operate in. The Christian’s strength is God’s power operating in us, under God’s control of us.
Strength is Always Power under Control - Power with Purpose
Power without control is weakness. It’s often exhibited through non-productive and even destructive behaviors of individuals. But God’s power operating in us, under God’s control, gives us the capacity for exertion and endurance and power for resisting attack.
The Source of Our Strength
We draw our strength from God’s mighty power (Ephesians 6: 10). When King David’s generals, Joab and Abishai, found themselves surrounded in battle against the Ammonites, Joab said to his brother Abishai, “Be strong and let us fight bravely for our people and the cities of our God. The Lord will do what is good in His sight.” (II Samuel 10: 12) God is in the midst of our circumstances. God is in control. Our strength comes from knowing that He knows exactly where we are no matter how difficult the circumstance may be. And, He holds the outcomes in His mighty hand. Not even a sparrow falls without God’s knowledge (Matthew 10: 29). When faced with tests and trials remember, “The Lord will do what is good in His sight.”
When Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, and king of Israel was rejected as king by the northern tribes of the nation, he faced what seemed to be inevitable civil war. God gave this word to Rehoboam and those who would fight along his side, “Do not go up to fight against your brothers, the Israelites. Go home, every one of you, for this is my doing.” (I Kings 12: 24) Even the circumstances that appear to be greatest disappointments are simply God’s hidden appointments of love.
While living a life of faith, we will experience disappointments. Outcomes will often seem different from our expectations. A member of our congregation shared the story of how her car required repairs at a cost that would exceed her ability to pay. She decided to have one portion of the repairs done and run the car if possible until she gathered the funds to do the other vital repairs. She later received a phone call from the shop owner bringing more bad news. Her car was wrecked while being moved out of the garage. The bumper was now damaged. The shop owner apologized for the mishap and advised her that the repair of the bumper would cost several hundreds of dollars. He admitted that his shop was not equipped to do the body repair. But then, in an effort to make his customer whole, the shop owner struck a deal with the woman to complete the other vital repairs to the car at no costs if she would forgive him the costs of the bodywork. “AIN’T GOD GOOD?” We can hear God saying, “For this is my doing.” Even the circumstances that appear to be greatest disappointments are simply God’s hidden appointments of love.
1. In times of sorrow, He goes through our sorrows with us. (Isaiah 53:3)
2. Our concerns are His concerns, because we are the apples of His eye. (Zech 2: 8)
3. In times of great temptation, His power is made real in our weakness. (II Corinthians 12: 9)
4. Having money problems? He provides through His limitless riches. (Philippians 4: 19)
5. In times of loneliness and distress, He brings hope and encouragement. (II Thessalonians 2: 16-17)
The Christian’s strength is God’s power operating in us, under God’s control of us. “You then, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”
Pastor James M. Moody, Sr. Quinn Chapel AME Church, Chicago
9. PRAYER REQUEST FOR THE FAMILY OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE BALTIMORE ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
We solicit your prayers for the family of Sister Carlene E. Henry; a great Christian Lady who has gone from “labor to reward.”
She was a long time member of Bethel AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland, a very dedicated member of the Woman’s Missionary Society and the Lay Organization of The African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Sister Henry is a past president of the Baltimore Conference WMS and the wife of Brother J. Wayman Henry, the current president of The Baltimore Conference Lay Organization.
Carlene E. Henry
Family Visitation Hour
Sunday, February 12, 2006 1:00 P.M. – 5:00 p.m.
William C. Brown Community Funeral Home
1206 W. North Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21217
410-728-8422
Monday, February 13, 2006
Bethel A.M.E. Church 1300 Druid Hill Avenue Baltimore, Maryland 21217
Wake: 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. A.K.A. Ivy Services Funeral: 10:30 a.m. Internment: Garrison Forest Cemetery
10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
On Monday, February 6th, at the age of 101, Fannie Ezelle Johnson Hill peacefully passed. She was the daughter of the Late Rt. Rev. William D. Johnson (Winifred), 42nd Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Sister Hill was the widow of the late Rev. Dr. Ben H. Hill who was the pastor of several churches including Vernon A.M.E. Church. He was once the editor of the Christian Recorder and an Oklahoma Legislator.
Sister Hill was a life member of the Women's Missionary Society and once held the position of 12th Episcopal District Y.P.D. Director.
Services:
Monday, February 13, 2006 - 11:00 a.m.
Vernon African Methodist Episcopal Church
307-311 North Greenwood Avenue
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74120
(918)587-1428
Rev. Michelle K. T. Moulden, Pastor
Services entrusted to:
Jack's Memory Chapel
801 E. 36th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74106
(918)428-4431
Condolences may be sent to her son:
Mr. George F. Hill
3004 North Cincinnati
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74106
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: 1wim@htcomp.net
Services for Bro. James Robinson, the father of the Rev. Patricia Smith, Pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church - Beaumont, Texas, will be held at 11:00 A.M., Saturday, February 11, 2006, at BrentwoodBaptist Church in Houston, Texas.
Brentwood Baptist Church
12033 Landmark Street
Houston, Texas 77045
Ph: (713)852-1400
Brother James Robinson's remains have been entrusted to the care of Pruitt’s Mortuary in Houston, Texas. A "Visitation" will be held at the Mortuary Friday Evening, February 10, 2006, from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Pruitt's Mortuary
7518 North Main Street
Houston, Texas 77051
Ph: (713)864-2609
Fax: (713) 864-4752
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Patricia W. Smith
4323 Avenue K
Galveston, Texas 77550
Ph: (409) 762-5880
Please remember the family in your prayers.
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Mrs. Ida Lipscomb, spouse of The Reverend Leon Lipscomb recently retired pastor of Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church, Washington, DC.
Arrangements are pending.
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: dareddick@centurytel.net
Services for Brother Rose Scott, the father of Mrs. Vicki Scott Perkins and the father-in-law of Reverend S.R. Perkins, Pastor of Stringer Street A.M.E. Church, Dothan, Alabama.
Service Arrangements:
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
1:00 PM
Southside Church of Christ
212 Ellis Street
Enterprise, Alabama 36330
Brother Rose Scott's remains have been entrusted to:
Sconiers Funeral Home
512 West Watts Street
Enterprise, Alabama 36330
Phone: (334) 347-2371
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Vicki Scott Perkins
103 Virginia Street
Enterprise, Alabama 36330
Phone: (334) 393-8241
Please remember the family in your prayers.
Allie Bell-Reddick
South Alabama Conference
Dothan-Eufaula District
14. CLERGY FAMILY 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.
15. 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
