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. A RESPONSE TO ARTICLE ABOUT DEBT-FREE LIVING:
America's heavy personal debt is being scrutinized a lot these days. The
Oprah Winfrey Show is currently doing a series on it called "Debt Diet."
Finally, people are beginning to realize that there is more to it than just being smart enough to know how to sign your name. You gotta pay for that stuff you buy! And only in recent days (years) have we begun to understand the intricacies of interest and how it can pile up in unexpected ways. They're surely "out to get us," aren't they? Or, are we out to get ourselves?
I remember when being debt-free was what everyone was striving for. It was a great "sin" to owe anyone anything and a matter of pride NOT to owe anyone anything at all. Remember the song, "God Bless the Child Who's Got His Own"?
Then came those cute little plastic cards - so convenient! Just sign your name and you can have anything you want - Not need, WANT! Now, ever since, it has become "the American way." Sign now, pay later, pay never, whatever. I've got the latest gadget, the latest jeans, the latest shoes, the latest furnishings, the latest ... everything!
Maybe I'll pay and maybe I won't. I owe so much I do not really care any more. Seems like I will NEVER be able to pay it all anyway. Oh, well, maybe I'll make that $10 minimum payment. That's not much and it will keep the bill collectors away from my door. I'll mail the check on my way out to do some more non-essential shopping. Gotta have the latest iPOD, you know.
And so, it goes. I sure hope this person never needs to buy a car or a home or anything that's really important because that credit rating is shot by now, possibly beyond repair!
Editor’s Note: Step 1 to getting out of debt is to get rid of credit cards; or at least get them under control where you pay the balance each month and if you can do that, you can get rid of the credit cards altogether.
2. WORDS FROM THE EDITOR:
- Kudos to two ministers who are serving our Zion
I was sitting in my Dentist’s office last week and picked up the October 2005 edition of Ebony Magazine and to my pleasure I flipped the pages and there was an article entitled, “Spreading the Word on Campus.”
The Article featured two university chaplains who are Itinerant Elders in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Reverend Deborah K. Blanks is the associate dean of religious life at Princeton University and is currently a lieutenant commander in the U. S. Naval Reserves.
The Reverend Sakena De Young-Scaggs is the associate Protestant university chaplain at Brown University.
- My experience on the Moaners’ Bench
Each summer, I used to visit my Uncle Tell and Aunt Virginia in Piney River, (now Arrington) Virginia. They were members of St. Mary’s Baptist Church. Uncle Tell was referred to as, “Deacon Motley.” Aunt Virginia, who was called, “Ginst” by her friends, sang in the choir.
St. Mary's Baptist Church had its revival every summer. Revival time was a big event in that part of rural Virginia. The revival was important because it was a time when folks could get saved. It was an important time in the religious life of the people because, all during the year, as a rule, folks couldn’t just join church when the invitation was given after morning worship. Maybe if a person came on their Christian experience they could, but not those who had not been baptized.
The non-baptized had to go on the moaners' bench and that happened in the summer during the revival. The moaners' bench was the front bench and you moaned and moaned until you got filled with the Holy Ghost. Then you jumped up and started shouting and then the deacons and sisters would take control and when you finished shouting the church went into a holy uproar because another soul had been saved.
I went on the moaners' bench in about 1952. I stayed on that moaners' bench from Monday through Friday. The pastor decided that we needed another week of revival. By Tuesday of the next week, I was tired of moaning and someone pulled me up or I got up, deciding that I had gotten the Holy Ghost. They sang and fanned me and told me that I was saved. My Aunt Virginia probably had not gone beyond the fifth grade, but she was a wise and perceptive woman. The next morning, she looked at me strangely to see if a real “Holy Ghost-change” had come over me because I hadn't really gotten up shouting like some of the others. It felt to me as if someone pulled me up, and I wasn’t going to sit back down. They fanned me and told me that I was saved and I figured that I would take their word for it. I was saved. Another young boy and I got up about the same time. I must have responded to her look and questions appropriately because she decided that I was saved and she started shouting right there in the kitchen.
Later, when my Uncle Tell came home from work, Aunt Virginia shared her investigation about my really being saved with him and he was ecstatic that I was saved.
That evening, I got to sit center section, on the front row with those who had been saved and watched those who were still on the moaners’ bench.
Several days later, I was on my way back home to Newark, NJ, saved and filled with the Holy Ghost.
- Psalm 23 for Ministers
The LORD is my Chief Pastor and Shepherd, I shall not want.
He gives me peace, when chaos is all around me.
He reminds me to pray, before I speak in anger.
He restores my sanity, even in the midst of conflict.
He guides my decisions that I might honor Him in all that I do.
Even though I face absurd amounts of pastoral responsibilities, unreasonable demands upon my time, telephone calls late at night and early in the morning, unrealistic deadlines, long unproductive board meetings, untimely quarterly conferences, complaining members, demands of the presiding elder and bishop, spiritually uplifting annual conferences but post-annual conference depression and disappointment, demand for money and offerings I do not have, people who fail to do what they promise to do, "lukewarm" members, not enough money, more money requests for connectional projects from a financially exhausted congregation, increasingly more family responsibilities, declining offerings, budget cutbacks, gossiping members, gossiping clergy, frustration at not being able to do what I expect of myself, connectional responsibilities, not enough time in the day, … I won't give up, for You are with me.
Your presence, peace and power, will see me through.
You raise me up, even when the bishop fails to give me a larger appointment.
You claim me as your own, even when my members complain about me.
Your Peace and love are better than a bigger salary or a larger church.
Your plan for salvation is better than the church's retirement plan, and when it's all said and done, I'll be laboring for you all the days of my life!
Calvin H. Sydnor III
3. THE 25TH CONNECTIONAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATION AND YOUTH CONGRESS:
The 25th Connectional Christian Education and Youth Congress will be held July 2 – 7, 2006 at the Coronado Springs Resort, Walt Disney World in Lake Bena Vista, Florida. The Congress will have great teaching, outstanding preaching, certification training, faith formation training and spiritual enrichment will be the emphases.
Lodging information: Coronado Springs Resort
Room rate: $99 per night for single/double
$15 per additional person (18 years and older)
For Reservations, call 407.939-1020. Ask for the 25th Connectional Christian Education Congress rate.
Registration Fees
Early Registration (June 1, 2006 and before):
Youth - $115 and up
Adult - $125 and up
On-site Registration (After June 1, 2006)
All - $150.00
For more information and to obtain the Registration Form visit: http://www.ameced.com/home.shtml
4. SEXUAL HARASSMENT IS NOT JUST A ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH ISSUE:
Clergy and Laity, Sexual Harassment in Ministry is not only an issue in the Catholic Church. Unfortunately, it is an ever-growing concern in all denominations. As clergy, it is important that we understand how to protect ourselves and our memberships from the damaging effects of harassment. In this upcoming workshop entitled "Crossing the Sacred”, we will examine this serious topic. Please register to attend.
Be blessed in all you say and do.
Rev. Charmayne G. Davis
Quinn Chapel AME Church
5. CROSSING THE SACRED: ADDRESSING SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN THE MINISTRY:
When: Thursday, March 30, 2006
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Where: Quinn Chapel AME Church 1901 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Louisville, 502-583-0324
Workshop Description:
This skills-developing workshop will address the issues of sexual harassment, as they are experienced within faith-based settings. This training will focus on clergy perpetrated sexual harassment but will also address how clergy and lay leaders can respond to sexual harassment complaints within the church. Topics will include defining sexual harassment, examining the impact of harassment on victims and faith communities, supporting the people who have been victimized (including examining why it is that they respond the way they typically do), and challenging people who harass. This training will also explore community responses and what faith based communities can do to address sexual harassment, including how to create an environment that is safe for victims to report their experiences and how to prevent sexual harassment.
Presenters:
Rus Ervin Funk, MSW, is the Research and Prevention Specialist at The Center for Women and Families, whose mission is to engage individuals and community in the elimination of domestic violence, sexual violence, and economic hardship through service, education and advocacy. Rus has been working in the field since 1983 and has published numerous articles, chapters and books. His latest book is Reaching Men: Strategies for Preventing Sexist Attitudes, Behavior and Violence (2006) by JistLife Publishing.
The Rev. Nancy Troy is the Associate for Social Welfare Ministries/Executive Director of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA). She works at the national offices of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Louisville, KY. Her office is responsible for resourcing and supporting professionals and volunteers who work in the areas of community ministries: addictions, domestic violence, HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, chaplains and pastoral care, child advocacy, etc… She has worked in training and organizational development, at the Center for Women and Families, and co-pastored with her husband, Rev. Bruce Tjaden.
Event Sponsors: Center for Women and Families, Quinn Chapel AME Church, Kent School of Social Work – Continuing Education, Women's Center at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, St. Matthews Pastoral Counseling Center, and The Temple.
Registration Fee: $50
Registration Contact:
Amy Cappiccie (502)852-4769 accapp01@gwise.louisville.edu
Rus Funk (502)581-7271 rus.funk@cwfempower.org
6. SLAM DUNK FOR THE TYLER DISTRICT:
By: Delanda S. Johnson
As we reach the halfway point before the Annual Conference in September, the Tenacious Tyler District Conference started and ended with a Slam Dunk. As you see this was not only the NCAA College basketball March Madness, but also it was the Tenacious Tyler District March Madness.
On Saturday, March 18, in Tyler, Texas at Ebenezer AME Church, all parts of this organization came together to discuss business, finance, and most of all to give Praise to the LORD.
Rev. Betty O’Neal, Pastor of the Moore Station Circuit near Athens, brought the morning message. Due to the lost of her younger brother, Rev. O’Neal fired up the congregation with a powerful solo entitled, “Fix Me.”
Coming from Ephesians 5:27, Rev. O’Neal’s theme “Worthy of Not; He’s Coming Back” dealt with the key word Apportionment. “Not faith, not hope, not trust, not belief, or praise, but Apportionment this is to remind us of who we are as AMEs,” said O’Neal.
O’Neal stated that we needed to keep in mind who we are, now that we have the power to pray our way out of any situation; now that when praises go up; blessings come down.
“I thank God that I am not what I use to be, but Jesus died that I might be saved and my name; I don’t know about your name, but my name will be in the Book of Life. I may not look like much, but God know that I’ve been washed in the blood of the Lamb,” said O’Neal.
Rev. O’Neal wanted to let the Tyler District AMEs know that as AMEs;
A: don’t stand for just abstinence or apportionment, but we are Anointed.
M: don’t stand for just Methodist or money, but stands for means, mighty, and Master.
E: don’t stand for just Episcopal or enslaved, but stands for endurance, eternal, everlasting.
We are the chosen. We are in this for the long run. If we would only believe that all things are possible through GOD; remember that we have to finish the work of the one who sent us, and know that we need to always be READY to serve the LORD,” said O’Neal.
Later that afternoon, Presiding Elder Ervin conducted his general business session of the conference. The meeting consisted of presentations from The Jenkins Agency, Arlington, Texas; Above & Beyond Services, Inc., Jacksonville, Texas; and a special presentation from Rev. J. H. Holmes & Rev. Alton Paris. Both Ministers expressed to the conference now that Tyler District now has its own website, www.amec-tyler-district.net. This website consists of news events, information about Tyler District Pastors and their church locations, upcoming events, etc.
The approximate cost for the website is $1000, which was donated by Rev. Holmes and Rev. Alton Paris.
7. ALLEN CHAPEL HELD ITS SECOND ANNUAL “LOCK-IN”:
Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church of Asbury Park, NJ conducted its second annual overnight “Lock-In” (Friday, February 24th to Saturday, February 25th) for boys ages 10 to 16 years old. The “Lock-In”, encouraged as an alternative to being Locked Up, was sponsored by the men of Allen Chapel as part of the Men’s Focus Month, also a program for observance of Black History Month (February 2006).
According to the Rev. Gerald Bailey, Pastor of Allen Chapel, many of our youth are growing up without the love and leadership of a father. In most cases, their fathers are incarcerated, drug addicted, gang banging, or absent due to general irresponsibility and negligence. These youngsters become “our boys”. Several boys who attended this 2nd Annual “Lock-In” were also participants last year.
“This year’s “Lock-In” was much more of collaboration with the community,” said Rev. Gerald Bailey. Assistant City Manager, Mr. James Farmularo, warmly greeted the 19 youth attending. Lt. George Corbin, Asbury Park Police Department, shared his story of growing up in Asbury Park and how positive male role models shaped his life. A martial arts demonstration, coordinated by Professor Thomas Mack, Sr., a 7th degree black belt title-holder, was presented. Mrs. Susan Maynard, Executive Director of the Westside Community Center, donated table games. Major Jeffery Bassett of the Salvation Army provided sleeping cots and conducted a presentation on “Spirituality”. Rounding out the educational segment, Rev. Bailey taught a class on “HIV, Abstinence and Sexuality.”
In support of the annual “Lock-In,” members of the Allen Chapel congregation donated pizza and soda, constructed a ping-pong table and assisted in the preparation of Saturday morning breakfast.
As a token of appreciation, New Jersey Nets basketball team uniforms were given to all the young participants.
8. CHECK OUT THIS WEBSITE:
http://community-2.webtv.net/SmittyJHS/htmlh3BcenterCASAIR/
9. NEW RESEARCH CONFIRMS VIVID DIVERSITY OF ECUMENICAL MOVEMENT:
The vivid diversity of the ecumenical movement has been highlighted in new research, published by the World Council of Churches (WCC) this month that confirms the continued growth of the fellowship of churches.
A product of the research, A Handbook of Churches and Councils: Profiles of Ecumenical Relationships provides the first comprehensive overview of the state of the world’s ecumenical organizations, the main global Christian bodies and their member churches.
The result of intensive consultation with churches in all regions, the book contains articles and data on virtually all the major ecclesial traditions and groupings of churches that exist within Christianity, as well as a detailed analysis of regional and national councils and fellowships of churches. Along with a presentation of more than 150 Christian bodies and councils of churches, the book provides statistical information and a brief history and description of each of the 348 member churches, which form the WCC. Included also are lists of member churches of all Christian world communions, regional ecumenical organizations, national councils of churches, and other regional and sub-regional church bodies.
Among the major findings of the project is that WCC member churches now span over 520,000 parishes and local congregations in 150 countries, are served by upwards of 490,000 clergy, and encompass as many as 590 million faithful worldwide.
According to Hubert van Beek, a specialist on Christian trends and former programme executive for ecumenical relations at the WCC, the project provides the reader with "a concise overview of the main ecclesial traditions that make up contemporary Christianity". More than a record, however, the book also offers a solid basis for reflection about the state of the world’s churches and the future of the ecumenical movement in the 21st century, he emphasizes. "The Handbook demonstrates concretely the outreach of the ecumenical movement and serves to remind us that its ownership rests not only with WCC but with all the partners, and ultimately with God."
The Handbook of Churches and Councils: Profiles of Ecumenical Relationships is published in English only, and can be ordered online from WCC Publications.
February 2006, 638 pp., ISBN 2-8254-1480-8 Price: Sfr.55.00, US$43.00, £24.00, €36.50
More information is available on the WCC Publications web page:
http://wcc-coe.org/wcc/news/pubs/index-e.html
10. DEFENDING DIVERSITY? - “ALONG THE COLOR LINE”:
Dr. Manning Marable
In January 2006, a group of African-American students at the University of Michigan filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, charging widespread discrimination. The University of Michigan black students, calling themselves the “Coalition for Action Against Racism and Discrimination,” assert that blacks “are recruited to graduate and undergraduate programs . . . to inflate enrollment numbers but are not given enough academic counseling or financial support to allow them to graduate.”
The complaint charges that many black graduate students “are abused and demoralized, told they are not Ph.D. material” and are advised to leave the university after completing their M.A. degrees. What’s their evidence? In academic year 2004-2005, the black enrollment in U-M graduate programs was 7.5 percent. However, only 4 percent of all Ph.D.s produced were African Americans.
There’s growing statistical evidence that the landmark Grutter v. Bollinger Supreme Court decision of 2003 that upheld affirmative action as “the law of the land,” but also significantly narrowed and restricted its application, has had a negative impact on black access and opportunity in higher education. At UCLA, for example, only 2.3 percent of the 2005 undergraduate admission offers went to black students, the lowest percentage since California voters outlawed affirmative action in 1996. At the University of California at Berkeley, only 2.9 percent of its 2005 freshman class was black. Even University of California President Robert Dynes has stated, “The trend of declining admissions and enrollment of African Americans at UC, particularly at our most selective campuses, represents a crisis.”
Liberal educators have responded to this wholesale dismantling of thousands of minority-based scholarships and affirmative action enforcement by seeking shelter under the ambiguous rubric of “diversity.” On March 8, 2006, in a major address at Columbia University, Brown University President Ruth Simmons outlined a new framework for talking about both “diversity” and affirmative action enforcement in higher education. An African American scholar, Simmons acknowledged that “racial discrimination” and racial stigmatization remains a fundamental problem in U.S. society. Blacks remain underrepresented within the faculty, administrative staff, and student populations. Simmons staunchly defended race-sensitive affirmative action for college admissions. But, she also made a key distinction between “affirmative action,” which she described as “what happens outside of the university” to ensure access, and “diversity,” which occurs “within the university.”
President Simmons defined diversity as being “about a variety of inputs, and the greater the number the better,” reflecting a spectrum of differences in gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and even ideological viewpoints in a campus community. She observed, “One’s cultural heritage is but one asset of the total diversity each of us represents.” Therefore, the task of the university was to nurture programs and a curriculum that fully represented a scholarly and critical representation of that multicultural diversity within human societies. However, Simmons sharply disagreed with the notion that diversity meant racially or gender separate programs, such as women-only “safe spaces” for discussions about gender-related issues, or blacks-only cultural centers.
“Diversity does not play homage to vanity,” Simmons warned. She sharply criticized gender, sexual, and/or racial groups that voluntarily created programs that were strictly identity-based. Universities “must insist upon the values of integration” and inclusion, Simmons emphasized. For example, within Brown University’s ideologically liberal campus, Simmons explained, she had even allocated a president’s fund to support politically conservative speakers.
Simmons’s new “defense of diversity” merits serious and critical discussion among educators. Politically, it may represent a strategic repositioning among liberal elites, who now recognize that in the aftermath of the Grutter v. Bollinger decision that affirmative action policies will inevitably disappear. Simmons and other liberal university presidents apparently have decided that a color-blind diversity that emphasizes ideological and social pluralism and strong civil liberties commitment while rejecting “exclusivity,” can be successfully defended politically and intellectually.
Two issues deeply trouble me about this new definition of “defending diversity.” First, it is ahistorical: the “differences” that separate black Americans from the majority of white Americans aren’t matters of choice, but a product of enslavement, segregation, and “ghettoization.” The under-representation of blacks in colleges is the historical consequence of centuries of deliberate exclusion. Dismantling institutional white privilege requires “race-conscious” solutions. Affirmative action enforcement must extend beyond the “boundaries” of a university, into the policies and practices of how staff, faculty and administrators are hired.
The larger problem, however, is the university’s relationship to the larger external community. “Diversity” ought to mandate a vigorous and mutually productive partnership between colleges and historically-disadvantaged black and brown populations, especially in urban neighborhoods. Mentorship programs with urban high schools, and service-learning educational programs, can be effective ways for colleges to enrich their own values.
Universities need to establish and fund educational efforts inside prisons, working directly to enhance the lives and opportunities of society’s most disadvantaged groups. Any defense of “diversity” that does not directly challenge structural racism will do little in the end to heal the nation’s continuing racial divide.
11. “BUT AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE, WE WILL SERVE THE LORD”:
Dr. Michael C. Carson
Joshua 24:15
It is very important that one understands just in whom he/she believes in. There are many gods seeking our approval and embrace.
The Christian is called upon to make his/her credo statement in many situations, be it in the department store, “on mountain high or valley low.” One’s affirmation of faith always begins with “I believe.”
The Christian proclaims, “I believe in God the Father Almighty and in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son.” This is not something just to say on Sunday. When we remember all the times God has delivered, blessed, forgiven, healed, and challenged us it should be easy for us to say, “I believe in God.”
When we exclaim, “Yes, I believe in God,” we must have had some prior experience with God. This also means that God has proven God's Self worthy of our proclamation.
Through the years, God without a doubt has established a rich and wonderful record of accomplishment with every one of us. In light of what God has done, is doing, and promises to do for us, who would not want to declare his or her belief in God?
Every day we are challenged to make sure that our “walk matches up with our talk.” It has been stated, “Actions speak louder than words.” We can say that we believe in God, but if we fail to live out the message of salvation-so what? If we do not actively seek-out and embrace those God-given opportunities to be a blessing to others-so what?
Sure, we can say that we believe in God, but if we are not actively trying to discharge our responsibilities at church, home, work, wherever, are we really placing all of our trust in God? By proclaiming, that we believe in God also dictates that we must non-verbally back up our verbal exclamation.
Joshua makes it very plain for us to understand. We must choose which god we will serve. Will we serve the God of our salvation or other gods offering short-term pleasure but always paying long-term grief?
Let us encourage others each day to, “Love the Lord God with all of our heart, soul, and mind.” Also, let us encourage our brothers and sisters to “Love our neighbor as we love ourselves.”
Let us serve the Lord with our verbal testimony and even more so with our “sweat-equity testimony.” Yes, we must actively let others know in whom we say we believe in. Your testimony could mean the difference between life and death. It is surprising just how many people follow you. In light of this, one of the most ever-lasting gifts you can offer anyone is that of a relationship with God.
Peace with Justice, Be Blessed Real Good, and Attend Worship.
Dr. Michael C. Carson, Pastor
Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church
Benton Harbor, Michigan
He may be contacted at (765) 434-1701
12. THE PASTOR’S CORNER - STANDING ON THE PROMISES:
37Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. 38Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared. 41May your unfailing love come to me, O Lord, your salvation according to your promise. (Psalm 119: 37, 38, 41)
The psalmist tells us we are to turn away from the worthless things around us and look to that which preserves our lives and brings reverence for God – the promises of God (vv. 37-38). They are the expression of God’s unfailing love for us (v. 41). The fulfillment God’s promises requires trust in God (Joshua 3: 11-17). The promises of God are a declaration that God will do (Genesis 12: 1-3) or refrain from doing (Genesis 9: 8-11) something specified. His promises are a declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance of God regarding a specified act (Joshua 1: 1-5). They are (Joshua 6: 1-5) grounds for expecting success, improvement, or excellence in life.
Benefits of God’s Promises
There are benefits derived from God’s promises that extend beyond the content of the promises themselves:
1. Joshua 22: 1-5 – God’s promises move God’s people forward into the purpose God has for their lives. The fulfillment of one promise by God leads to the need to obey God in His commands so God can bring into our lives the fulfillment of God’s next promise. After the Israelites successfully conquered the Promised Land, God commanded them to go to their land, share the treasures claimed through their victories with others, and obey His commands. We’ve all observed persons who seem to go from victory to victory to victory. Each success leads to another promise with its corresponding command, which when obeyed leads to further success and more promises that include more commands, and so on. Its God’s way of propelling us forward into the purpose God has for our lives.
Promise + Command + Fulfillment + Promise + Command + Fulfillment = Purpose
2. Romans 4: 16-17 – God’s promises place us in God’s grace. We receive God’s promises by faith in God. Although God’s commands require our obedience and trust in God, there is nothing we can do to deserve, earn, or pay for the promises fulfilled by God. Nor is there anything we can do to fulfill those promises for ourselves. God alone has the absolute power to fulfill His word of promise. So it is through the unmerited favor of the One who “calls things that are not as though they were” that we enjoy the blessing He brings into our lives.
3. Acts 13: 32-33 – When fulfilled in our lives, the promises become good news in our lives and in the lives of others. When God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ into this world so He would pay the price for our sins, God fulfilled the promises made to our Hebrew ancestors. The fulfillment of the promised Messiah has now become our “Good News.” Good news that provides insight into God's future plan. Good news that expresses God’s intentions toward His people. God news that we share with others.
During the two weeks that lead to Palm Sunday, March 26, 2006 through April 8, 2006, the members of Quinn Chapel and readers of the Pastor’s Corner are invited to participate in fast, abstaining from all forms of secular media. The goal is to turn away from the worthless things around us and look to that which preserves our lives and brings reverence for God – the promises of God. The details of this fast will be distributed in another correspondence. By focusing on God’s word for two weeks, we can experience the expression of God’s unfailing love for us and soak our souls in God’s grounds for expecting success, improvement, and excellence in life. These are the promises of God.
Pastor James M. Moody, Sr. Quinn Chapel AME ChurchChicago, Illinois 60616www.quinnchicago.org
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: amebrann512@aol.com
12th Episcopal District Administrative Office
Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr., Presiding Bishop
The passing of The Reverend E.W. Dawkins, former Pastor of Vernon AME Tulsa, OK, Allen Chapel AME (Oklahoma City) and numerous other churches.
Funeral Services:
Saturday, March 25, 2006
10:00 A.M.
Vernon AME Church
311 N. Greenwood
Tulsa, OK 74120
Phone Number (918) 587-1428
The Dawkins family may be contacted at:
The home of Mary Alexander (daughter)
8267 No. 127th East Avenue
Owasso, OK 74119
Phone Number: (918) 274-4522
Services entrusted to:
Biglow Funeral Directors Inc.
1414 North Norfolk
Tulsa, OK 74106
Phone Number (918) 592-2233
Fax Number (918) 592-2236
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Elmira Newsom Brown, WMS Life Member and Widow of Presiding Elder (Retired) James Jefferson Brown passed away Sunday, March 19, 2006, at her home.
Funeral Services/Celebration of Her Life:
Monday, March 27, 2006
1:00 PM
Visitors Chapel AME Church
319 Church Street
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone Number: (501) 623-6873
Services entrusted to:
Brandon Mortuary
905 Pleasant Street
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Phone Number: (501) 623-1223
Fax Number: (501) 337-4580
Please remember these families in your prayers.
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: Bishop T. Larry Kirkland
Mr. Ronald Hunter went home to be with the Lord. He is the brother of Rev. Bruce W. Hunter, Pastor of St. James A.M.E. Church, Avondale, Birmingham, AL.
Eastside Funeral Home
5523 First Avenue, N
Birmingham, AL 35212
Funeral Service:
Saturday, March 25, 2006
1:00 P.M.
Zion Springs Baptist Church
528 41st St. N
Birmingham, AL 35222
Messages may be sent to:
Mrs. Ocie Hunter
909 47th Place, S
Birmingham, AL 35222
16. 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.
17. 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
