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. THE EDITOR WILL BE AWAY FROM HIS DESK:
I will be having some major oral surgery today and will be away from my desk for several days. I will continue to receive articles, but may not respond to you for several days.
2. DEATHS IN IRAQ: 2376:
The retired commander of key forces in Iraq called for Donald H. Rumsfeld to step down, joining at least six former top military commanders who have harshly criticized the defense secretary's authoritarian style for making the military's job more difficult.
Editor’s note: It is my opinion that Donald H. Rumsfeld needs to be replaced. Too many young soldiers are dying and we do not have a clue or an end-plan for Iraq. The Iraqis want us to leave and we should do them a favor and leave; it has nothing to do with “cut and run.” I suspect, when it is all over, that is what we are going to end up doing anyway. Just watch what happens as we approach the mid-term elections.
3. INCOME TAXES NEED TO BE FINISHED TODAY:
4. THE GOVERNMENT IS MAKING PLANS FOR THE POSSIBLE AVIAN FLU PANDEMIC. CHURCHES, FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS SHOULD ALSO BE MAKING PLANS:
A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. A flu pandemic occurs when a new influenza virus emerges for which people have little or no immunity, and for which there is no vaccine. The disease spreads easily person-to-person, causes serious illness, and can sweep across the country and around the world in very short time. Please visit http://www.pandemicflu.gov for information about the Avian Flu pandemic.
The information appended below was extracted from April 16, 2006 Washington Post article written by Staff Writer Ceci Connolly.
- Alarm has risen because of the emergence of the most dangerous strain to appear in decades -- the H5N1 avian flu.
- Experts project that the next pandemic -- depending on severity and countermeasures -- could kill 210,000 to 1.9 million Americans.
- President Bush is expected to approve soon a national pandemic influenza response plan that identifies more than 300 specific tasks for federal agencies. .
- To keep the 1.8 million federal workers healthy and productive through a pandemic, the Bush administration would tap into its secure stash of medications, cancel large gatherings, encourage schools to close and shift air traffic controllers to the busier hubs -- probably where flu had not yet struck.
- Retired federal employees would be summoned back to work, and National Guard troops could be dispatched to cities facing possible "insurrection," said Jeffrey W. Runge, chief medical officer at the Department of Homeland Security.
- Travel restrictions may be imposed restricting travel to countries that experience Avian Flu outbreaks.
- The federal government -- as well as private businesses -- should expect as much as 40 percent of its workforce to be out during a pandemic
- Health and Human Services Secretary Mike Leavitt said, "Any community that fails to prepare -- with the expectation that the federal government can come to the rescue -- will be tragically wrong."
Editor’s note: if you are wise, you will also start making plans. The Avian Flu is moving towards the U.S. If the pandemic turns out not to be serious, good; but if it turns out to be serious, we will be better off if we take some precautionary steps. We can assume that poorer communities will be hardest hit. An informative site with up-to-date information can be found at http://www.pandemicflu.gov.
“To be forewarned is to be forearmed!”
4. A MUST READ! - #3 ON THE NEW YORK TIMES PAPERBACK BEST SELLERS LIST:
Every member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church should read The Covenant with Black America by Tavis Smiley (Editor). It is absolutely a much-needed look at what we, in the black community, can, and ought to do to lift the community up. Mr. Smiley says in the introduction of the book, “And yet, the Covenant with Black America is not really about a power struggle between ‘us’ and ‘them.’ No, there is not ‘them’: there is only ‘us.’ Remember ‘us’? We the people.” Tavis reminds us “As the conscience of the country, we have no permanent friends, no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.”
He goes on to say, “The interest with this book is to create a national plan of action to address the primary concerns of African Americans today.”
The Covenant book is made up of 10 chapters on the issues identified by the public. They include economic disparity, health, education and environmental justice. While the completion of the book marks the end of one journey, it is in many ways the first step for those who want to move forward toward real progress in improving Black communities.
Dr Cornel West says, “You can’t lead our people if you don’t love our people. You can’t save our people if you won’t serve our people.”
The book gives the facts, but it also shares what the community, individuals, and elected officials can do. The book is packed with information and workable solutions. This is a great project for those churches that have book clubs.
Just a few of the statistics lifted from the book:
- Two thirds of new AIDS cases among teens are black.
- 1 out of three African American students in the 7th – 12th grades have been suspended or expelled at some point.
- Of black 16 – 24 year olds, 13% have not earned a high school diploma.
- One in every three black males born today can expect to go to prison in his lifetime.
- 13% of African American men (1.4 million) have permanently lost their right to vote because of felony convictions.
- In Alabama, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky and Virginia – one in four black men is permanently disenfranchised.
- In 15 states, black men were sent to prison on drug charges at a rates 20 – 57 times those of white men.
- On any given day, 1 of every 14 black children has a parent in prison.
- African Americans have the lowest home ownership rate in the nation.
The official website for Covenant with America: http://www.covenantwithblackamerica.com/
5. BISHOP RICHARD ALLEN CHAPPELLE BRINGS TO AN END HIS LEADERSHIP OF THE GENERAL BOARD:
The annual meeting of the General Board of the African Methodist Episcopal Church will take place on Monday and Tuesday of June 26-27 in Charleston, South Carolina.
Our Bishop, The Rt. Reverend Richard Allen Chappelle, SR., has presided as President over this prestigious body for the last two years, and his reign is ending. According to the history of the General Board, it has never before had a Bishop of the 12th Episcopal District as its President.
I would like to encourage members of the Twelfth Episcopal District and AMEs from all over the Church to go and witness Bishop Richard Allen Chappell’s last official act as the President of this august body.
Persons planning to attend this historic gathering of the Church should begin making their reservations. Please do not wait. This information could help with the process.
Embassy Suites Hotel
5055 International Blvd
N. Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 747-1882
Residence Inn Charleston Airport
5035 International Blvd
North Charleston, SC 29414
(843)266-3434
Hilton Arden Inn Charleston Airport
5265 International Blvd
N. Charleston, South Carolina 29418
(843) 308-9330
Holiday Inn Charleston Airport
5264 International Blvd
N. Charleston, SC 29418
(843) 576-0300
Submitted by: Ann Gilkey, 12th Episcopal District Public Relations Director
6. HAPPENINGS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
- The Rev. Tony Lee, founder of the new Community of Hope AME church in Prince George's County held its first two services, which drew hundreds to the African Methodist Episcopal ministry yesterday, Easter Sunday. Reverend Lee hopes to draw upon those who have grown up in the hip-hop era. Both services were well-attended. The Washington Post reported, “…Lee, 37, decided to engage people under 40 with no deep religious zeal through a ministry that spoke their language and understood their angst. He and a handful of church leaders worked tirelessly over the past few months to make it happen.”
- The Reverend Dr. William H. Hardy, associate professor of philosophy and religion at TSU, an AME Itinerant Elder in the Tennessee Annual Conference has been invited to speak at a round table discussion at the prestigious University of Oxford in London from July 30 to Aug. 4, 2006. Dr. Hardy will be presenting a paper entitled On Revisioning Church, State and Community Education: An Inner City Modular Schools Program. Reverend Hardy is scheduled to give the Sunday morning message on Aug. 5, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at the Richard Allen AME Church / Kensal Rise Methodist Church in London.
- The Rev. Joseph Nixon, the pastor of Shorter Community AME Church in Denver, preached a stirring sermon that ended in, "He rose! He rose!" as he preached Easter Sunday morning to the more than 10,000 Christians joined at the 59th annual Easter sunrise service at Red Rocks, one of the world's only naturally occurring amphitheaters. A 50-member gospel choir traded off singing songs with a small acoustic group from Scum of the Earth Church, which is more used to ministering to skate punks. (Extracted from the Denver Post)
- Easter Sunday's themes of resurrection, rebirth and renewal had a particularly personal dimension for the congregation at one of Chicago's oldest African-American churches as the members of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church, at Wabash Avenue and 24th Street cheered the Rev. James Moody's message of reconstruction for their souls and their church. The church, built in the late 1800’s has begun a $5 million reconstruction project. Moody titled his sermon "Resurrection and Reconstruction." (Extracted from the Chicago Tribune)
7. EARLY VOTING BEGINS TODAY ACROSS LOUISIANA:
All eligible Orleans Parish voters who registered on or before September 24, 2005 can vote at any one of the satellite voting sites around the state (call the Secretary of State’s toll free hotline for your registration date, 1-800-883-2805).Note: The ten satellite Early Voting Sites are only for EARLY VOTING by eligible voters who registered on or before September 24, 2005; if you wish to vote on Election Day, you must vote in your precinct in Orleans Parish. EARLY VOTING:
- Monday, April 10 - Thursday, April 13, 2006 and
- Saturday, April 15, 2006
- 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters, 525 Marshall St., Suite 103, Shreveport, LA 71101, Phone: 318- 226-6891
- Calcasieu Parish Registrar of Voters, 1000 Ryan St., Room 7, Lake Charles, LA 70601- 5250, Lake Charles, LA 70601-5250, Phone: 337-437- 3572
- East Baton Rouge Registrar of Voters, 222 St. Louis St., Room 201, Baton Rouge, LA 70802- 5860, Phone: 225-389-3940, East Baton Rouge Satellite Offices: #1 - 10500 Coursey Blvd., Room 203, Baton Rouge, LA 70816, East Baton Rouge Satellite Offices #2 - 2250 Main St. , Baker, LA 70714
- Jefferson Parish Registrar of Voters, 1221 Elmwood Park Blvd. (lobby), Harahan, LA 70123, Phone: 504-736-6191 -OR -5001 West Bank Expressway, Suite C2, Marrero, LA 70072
- Lafayette Parish Registrar of Voters, 1010 Lafayette St., Suite 313, Lafayette, LA 70501- 6885, Phone: 337-291-7140
- Ouachita Parish Registrar of Voters, 400 St. John St., Room 106, Monroe, LA 71201-7342, Phone: 318- 327-1436
- Rapides Parish Registrar of Voters, 701 Murray St., Alexandria, LA 71301-8099, Phone: 318- 473- 6770
- St. Tammany Parish Registrar of Voters, 701 N. Columbia St., Covington, LA 70433, Phone: 985- 809-5500
- Tangipahoa Parish Registrar of Voters, Courthouse, Amite, LA 70422, Phone: 985-748- 3215
- Terrebonne Parish Registrar of Voters, 7856 Main St., Suite 110, Houma, LA 70360, Phone: 985-873- 6533
East Bank residents of Orleans Parish may also vote at:
- Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters
- City Hall
- 1300 Perdido Street
- New Orleans, LA 70112
15th Ward Residents only may vote at the Algiers Parish Courthouse. ELECTION DAY VOTING IN PERSON
- You are ELIGIBLE if you are an Orleans parish registered voter.
- Primary election, April 22, 2006, 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Call the Secretary of State’s toll free hotline to find your new polling place, 1-800-883-2805.
8. THE GLOBAL CORNER - BISHOP DANIELS, 14TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT PRELATE AND DR. LEVI ZANGAI, PRESIDENT OF AME UNIVERSITY MET WITH U. S. AMBASSADOR:
Bishop Daniels and AME University President Zangai met with the United States Ambassador to Liberia, the Honorable Donald E. Booth on March 3, 2006 at 1:15 pm.
The Talking Points of the meeting focused on the proposal of AME University’s proposal to establish the Donald Payne College of Science and Technology, AME University (Monrovia, Liberia), in place of an earlier proposal to establish the Donald Payne Center for Conflict Resolution.
Several colleges serving students in Liberia already have conflict resolution curricula. Cuttington University has an Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and the University of Liberia and Bradford University in the UK are already in the process of implementing a program. AME University wants to prioritize the College of Science and Technology in partnership with Howard University or some other U.S. institution of higher education. AME University proposes to name the school in honor of Congressman Donald Payne ((D - NJ).
Donald M. Payne, a native of Newark, New Jersey, was elected to represent the 10th Congressional District of New Jersey in 1988 as New Jersey's first African American Congressman. In 2004, he won election to his ninth term to represent the 10th District in the 109th Congress.
US Congressional Representatives (James Clyburn, Nancy Pelosi, Donald Payne, Maxine Walter and others promised to give the AME University an initial $1 million initial grant on February 23, 2006, when they visited Monrovia, Liberia
9. OPPORTUNITY FOR JOURNALISM MAJORS:
The Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) is searching for 12 bright, motivated and hard-working student journalists to staff The Working Press, a daily tabloid newspaper that covers events during the Society's 2006 SPJ Convention and National Journalism Conference. This year, the staff also will provide Web coverage of the conference, to be held Aug. 24-27 in Chicago. We are looking for only the best student writers, photographers and designers. Those chosen will receive complimentary conference registration, including meals, and hotel lodging. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 19. Get details online or contact Quill editor Joe Skeel at jskeel@spj.org for more information.
10. AFRICAN AMERICANS AND ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE: HOW CAN THE CHURCH HELP?:
By LaNita Sanders Garmany,
The Alzheimer's Association of Greater Indiana (Excerpts from Providing a Pastoral, Caring Ministry to People Suffering with Alzheimer's disease by Chaplain Joseph W. Hager)
My mother has always been active in her church. She served on the Mother’s Board, Missionary Society, Lay Organization and the Stewardess Board. She loved listening to the choir and even played the piano for Sunday School when she was younger. We’d been noticing little things for a while, but thought she was just getting older. It wasn’t until she started forgetting how to prepare for Communion that we became concerned. A day at the doctor’s office confirmed it; she has dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease.
Now, we have to keep mom out of the kitchen because she forgets to turn off the stove. She can’t be left alone because she wanders off; she won’t change her clothes because she says no one is coming to visit anyway. She loved her church, but we cannot even get her to go now. She gets depressed because no one from the church comes to see her. Dad thinks he can handle things, but it is getting to be too much for him. Is there anyone who can help? (Submitted by Toni)
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s (AHLZ-high-merz) disease is a progressive brain disorder that gradually destroys a person’s memory and ability to learn, reason, make judgments, communicate, and carry out daily activities. As Alzheimer’s progresses, individuals may also experience changes in personality and behavior, such as anxiety, suspiciousness or agitation, as well as delusions or hallucinations.
Some change in memory is normal as we grow older, but the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease are more than simple lapses in memory. People with Alzheimer’s experience difficulties remembering, communicating, learning, thinking and reasoning — problems severe enough to have an impact on an individual's work, social activities and family life.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that results in a gradual decline in functions such as thinking, remembering and reasoning. This decline severely affects a person’s everyday life. Some people even now refer to it as “senility”. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of irreversible dementia. Other types include Vascular or multi-infarct dementia, Mixed dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body dementia, Picks disease, and Huntington’s disease.
There are many causes of memory problems. Although these conditions can disrupt memory and mental function, symptoms generally improve when the underlying cause is treated. These are considered reversible causes of dementia and can include:
Depression
Medication side effects
Excess use of alcohol
Thyroid problems
Poor diet
Vitamin Deficiencies
Certain infections
What does this all mean for African Americans?
Alzheimer’s disease is more prevalent in the African American community – researchers say anywhere from 14% to 100% higher than among whites (according to an Alzheimer's Association study called, The Silent Epidemic)
African Americans also have disproportionately higher rates of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, hypertension and diabetes. These are all conditions that may lead to some form of dementia if not treated. Research also indicates that:
- The number of African Americans at risk for dementia is predicted to increase by more than 200% to nearly 6.9 million by 2030.
- African-Americans are the single largest minority group over the age 65 in the U.S.
- The chance of Alzheimer’s doubles every five years after age 65.
- After age 85, the risk reaches nearly 50 percent.
- African Americans tend to be diagnosed at a later stage, postponing valuable opportunities for early detection and intervention.
- If African Americans do have a caregiver, many times the caregivers tend to be less informed about the disease and how and where to access available resources.
How can the Church help?
People suffering with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, still need to be fed spiritually. Although Alzheimer's patients will not be able to hold theological discussions, nor comprehend four and five point sermons, pastors and laity can still provide a meaningful, loving, and caring "ministry of presence."
Although pastors are trained to preach, teach, and administer the sacraments of God's grace, laity can provide ministries of song, dance and fellowship. Pastors and parishioners need to find creative ways in which to minister to the confused and continue to feed them the bread of life. To truly minister to the needs of the person with dementia and their family, pastors and laity must clearly understand three basic stages, early, middle and late stages.
Early Stage
People in the early stage of Alzheimer's disease have trouble with recent memory. They may forget that they had breakfast and lunch and eat a non-nutritional meal for supper. They will forget taking a pill a half-hour ago and may end up taking an overdose of pills. They will forget names of familiar people, such as a spouse, children, relatives, friends and past events, such as the death of a relative. During the early stage of Alzheimer’s, long-term memory is very active and alive. They are still connected to the faith in a meaningful way, and the social contact is good for the patient's self-esteem. At this stage, they may still be attending the Sunday worship services. Even though it is getting more difficult for them to understand, they are able to follow parts of the service.
Sometimes, however, caregivers may be shy about bringing the person to church for fear of them saying something bizarre. An informed pastor and congregation can help make the experience less daunting. The social contact is good for the caregiver as well as for the person with dementia. Social isolation tends to exacerbate memory loss. It is helpful to keep the patient involved in the faith community as long as possible.
Eventually, the caregiver may feel uncomfortable in bringing the patient to the worship service. Once this occurs, have a special monthly worship service for the shut-ins of the congregation with a special invitation to the Alzheimer's patient and caregiver. Consider:
- Shortening the service to 20 minutes
- Pick out familiar hymns to sing
- Recite the Apostles Creed or the Lord's Prayer.
- Keep the sermon to five minutes with 2 - 3 points.
- Use visual objects to illustrate that theme when possible.
Assisting the caregiver is very important in the stage. Laity can help by:
- Becoming educated on Alzheimer’s disease and caregiving tips,
- Understanding that the caregiver may need to bring the person with Alzheimer’s to monthly
meetings and various social outings will be helpful,
- Offering to hold meetings at the home of the caregiver to alleviate travel and respite care is helpful, and
- Keeping the lines of communication open with the caregiver.
Middle Stage
As Alzheimer's disease progresses, memory loss becomes more severe. In the middle stage, the person with Alzheimer’s is more disoriented to time and place. They may not be able to complete a sentence. Some people become paranoid and suspicious of family members. To cover up their inability to remember, they accuse others of stealing. They may hallucinate. They may get their nights and days mixed up, or leave the house and not find their way home. They may even lose the ability to feed themselves and maintain good health care without supervision.
In this stage, the person with Alzheimer's and the caregiver will rarely attend church. The person with Alzheimer's may still enjoy singing familiar hymns because the music center is very alive in their brains. They may still love to participate in worship rituals, especially if they were a regular event in their lives. It is important for pastors to make monthly visits to the confused person. The person may not remember the visit or even the pastor's name. He or she will, however, remember the pastor's presence and get to know a friendly voice.
During the middle stage, the caregiver is burdened with supervising their loved one's every action, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is at this stage of the disease that caregivers reach out for help. The stress of caring very often affects their own health. Heightened financial needs may limit the amount of tithes and offerings the caregiver is able to give. Laity can help families stay connected by:
- Putting caregivers in touch with their local Alzheimer's Association chapter,
- Providing monthly personal or household supplies,
- Establish a special fund to pay for one day of respite per week,
- Providing one day of in-home care, cleaning, meal preparation per week to give the caregiver an opportunity to go shopping or find a place to relax for a few hours, and
- Make weekly visits to share congregational news through bulletins and audiotapes of service.
It is important to educate and train as many people as possible to be resources for persons with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers. However, visits should only include one or two persons. Too much stimulation may cause the person with Alzheimer’s disease to become confused, agitated or anxious.
To heighten awareness, churches can set up a series of educational events and invite guest speakers familiar with Alzheimer's disease to speak to members of the congregation that have family members with the disease. Resources for speakers include physicians with knowledge of the disease and its treatment, representatives from the local chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, and other individuals who have cared for Alzheimer's patients. This type of program provides not only useful information on finding help for the person and their caregiver, but also reassures caregivers that they are not alone in dealing with the disease.
Stage Three
The third stage of Alzheimer's disease is the most difficult stage for family, clergy and laity. At this stage, most persons with Alzheimer’s disease are not verbally responsive, and are only able to speak on a limited basis, sometimes amounting to groaning, yelling or grunting sounds. There is very little comprehension. They need complete health care, requiring help with bathing, feeding, and walking, and sitting upright. At this stage, they are usually completely incontinent, requiring adult diapers, plastic bed mattress covers and absorbent pads on top of the sheets.
For family caregivers, this means 24-hour care, 7 days a week. Some families make the decision to hire a full-time professional caregiver or to move their loved one to a long-term care facility. It is a very stressful time for the family. It is a time when emotions are high and energy is low. Some family members are praying for a quick and painless death, while others have difficulty letting go.
Even during this stage, pastoral visits are still very important, especially to the caregiver. Many caregivers gain a sense of peace when confiding and sharing with their pastor. Words of comfort and encouragement also mean a lot. Although a person does not respond verbally, they may still be able to remember one or two words from their faith tradition. Again, reading a familiar psalm or praying is important to keep the person connected. Songs can still bring a sense of peace and tranquility.
Most of the time, persons in the third stage are bedridden. They may be asleep during the visit. Gently awaken the person and say their name. Touching the person's arm to get attention is an effective method. Pastors or other ministers should tell the individual they have come to perform familiar rituals of worship. Include the caregiver and family members to participate.
People with Alzheimer’s disease usually die from “opportunistic illnesses” such as pneumonia, heart attack or stroke. Some regress to a fetal position in bed when they approach death. When the person dies, family members often feel relief and a sense of peace for the person. Later, in the grieving process, the family members may feel guilty for feeling relief. Pastors should touch upon these feelings in a sensitive way. This is also the time for Laity who have had similar experiences to demonstrate empathy and compassion. Let the family member know that it is okay to feel relief that their loved one has departed this life for a better one.
Editor’s note: Keep the brain active. Read, read and read some more. Do crossword puzzles, do the puzzle, Sudoku and other challenging games.
11. THE EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT CHRISTIAN DEBUTANTE-MASTER COMMISSION “LEGACY AWARDS BANQUET”:
The 8th Episcopal District Christian Debutante-Master Commission “Legacy Awards Banquet will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Mound Bayou, Mississippi. The Rev. Walter Wilson is the Pastor.
We will honor the following DMC Commissioners:
Mrs. Pauline Holmes
Mrs. Mamie Myers
Mrs. Ethel Tucker
Mrs. Beatrice Peace
Ms. Laurene McMillan
The speaker for the celebration will be the Rev. Douglas Taylor, 8th District Christian Education Chairperson.
The tickets for the event are $20 each and can be purchased from the Conference DMC Commissioner or at the door the day of the event.
Join us as we celebrate and honor these ladies who have served with the Debutante-Master Commission for over 10 years.
For more information, please contact Tanya Morris, 8th District DMC Commissioner at 205-213-8166 or Ladytjag@aol.com
12. THE PASTOR’S CORNER - RESURRECTION BRINGS RESTORATION:
But, some may ask, “How are the dead raised? With what kind of body will they come?” How foolish! What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. When you sow, you do not plant the body that will be, but just a seed, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But, God gives it a body as he has determined, and to each kind of seed, he gives its own body. (I Corinthians 15: 35-38)
The Apostle Paul points out to us how as God resurrects He restores. When God restores a person or thing, He restores it to be applied to a purpose higher than the one to which it was previously applied. When God restores He brings increase (vv. 37-38). Things are better (v. 43) than their previous state. Things are perfected and reach full maturity (vv. 42-44). This means there are no flaws. The item is placed in its complete and original state. Above all this, God gives the item a new and greater purpose to fulfill.
Paul also makes clear, that resurrection requires death (v. 36)! What is dead can be restored to life again! This is the foundation of the Christian faith. We can be restored to new life. The seed must be planted and allowed to die for it to grow (v. 37). One must let go of the seed for it to be planted (John 12: 20-28). For something to be planted we must release or let go of it. What ever you let go of to die in your life becomes seed for God to use in the building of His kingdom. This is the meaning of repentance. We let go of our old life and its sins and turn to God, holding on to Him.
To restore a thing is to put it back to its original purpose, back to its original state. When God restores a person, He puts the person back to (Genesis 1: 26-31) humankind’s original purpose:
1. To reflect the image of God to the glory of God. (v. 26)
2. To steward over God’s creation to the glory of God (v. 26)
3. To increase in number to the glory of God. (v. 28)
Humankind’s purpose is to glorify God. God will take your former sin or former condition and once you have been restored, God will use it to His own glory.
When Jesus delivered a man who called himself Legion (Mark 5: 1-20) from demon possession, Christ commanded him to “go home and tell how much I’ve done for you.” The town’s people wanted Jesus to leave their area immediately. Jesus instead of allowing Legion to accompany Him and the other disciples gave the former demoniac a new purpose to fulfill. God’s new purpose for Legion’s restored life was to spread the gospel to those who previously rejected Jesus. When the people of his community heard the testimony of the man once thought to be hopelessly trapped in his oppressed state, there was no denying the power of God to restore anyone. Today, Jesus is delivering many from drugs, alcohol, and other addictions only to send them back into their communities to show others the way to restored life.
When Jesus cleansed the Leper of his dreaded condition (Matthew 8: 1-4), Christ commanded him to “go show your self to the priest…” Jesus sent the man to the temple restored to a new purpose for his life. God’s new purpose was to demonstrate God’s power to restore community for those rejected by society. God sends every person who walks through the doors of a sanctuary, regardless of his or her condition. Our job is to not only open the doors of the building, but to open our arms and open our hearts and receive God’s restored child.
When Jesus raised (Luke 8: 41-56) Jairus’ daughter from the dead, His command to Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue was “Do not tell anyone what happened.” The resurrection of this little girl brought about new purpose for her being. God’s new purpose for the daughter’s life was to make a believer of her father, Jairus, the synagogue ruler. I can imagine Christ having Jairus to remain silent until sometime after Christ’s own resurrection. Then as persons questioned the veracity of the Resurrection, Jairus could then speak of his own daughter’s resurrection. God will sometimes show us something and we are not given an audience with which to share. Then at some later date, in a set of circumstances we had not imagined, God calls forth the testimony of what we have experienced. This is done to the glory of God.
Finally, when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead (John 11: 1-53) and restored his life, Jesus’ command concerning Lazarus was simply “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.” The only activity we see Lazarus engaged in following his resurrection and restoration is (John 12: 2) “reclining at the table.” The biblical record states that “many of the [people present] who…had seen what Jesus did put their faith in him (John 11: 45). Later in the narrative, “A large crowd found out that Jesus was [at Lazarus’ house] and came, not only because of Him but also to see Lazarus, whom He had raised from the dead.” Lazarus did nothing according to the biblical record, but continue to live the new life God had given him. He became a walking billboard for the identity of God in Jesus Christ. God desires us to live out the new life He has given us through Jesus Christ. Maybe you have no special skill, role, title, or duty among God’s kingdom people. Yours however may be the most important voice for the spread of the gospel. Like Lazarus, our restored lives can be walking billboards to God’s glory, living out our new and greater purpose.
Pastor James Moody
Quinn Chapel AME, Chicago
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Ira K. McMillan, the father of Rev. Ira K. McMillan, Jr. pastor of 1st Trinity AMEC, in Norfolk, Va., expired on Friday, April 14, 2006. His funeral service will be held at:
ST. Paul AMEC
2500 Chestnut Ave.
Newport News, Va. 23607
Noon on Wednesday, April 19, 2006
The family may be reached at:
835 13th Street
Newport News, Va. 23607
757-247-6607
Presiding Elder Sidney W. Williams, Jr
Please remember the family in your prayers.
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Mrs. Mary Ann Roberts, the sister of Mrs. Christene H. Chambliss, President of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, NA Area and spouse of Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Carroll R. Chambliss.
Service Arrangements for Mrs. Mary Ann Roberts:
Friday, April 14, 2006
Family Visitation: 9:00 AM
Funeral: 11:00 AM
El Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
5401 Gilmore Street
St. Louis, MO 63120
Services entrusted to:
Granberry Funeral Home
8806 Jennings Station Road
St. Louis, MO 63136
(314) 867-8837 (Phone)
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Christene H. Chambliss
200 N. Pickett Street, #708
Alexandria, VA 22304
(703) 823-2616 (Phone)
(703) 823-3441 (Fax)
Email: cchambliss1@comcast.net
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Subject: Death of Rev. Julius R. Keys
From: Presiding Elder Leonard Williams & Mrs. Delores L. K. Williams
This note comes to announce the death of our beloved brother, Rev. Julius Keys. Rev. Keys retired at the last Michigan Conference. His last pastoral assignment was Union Memorial, Benton Harbor.
Final funeral arrangements:
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Visitation: 12:00 p.m.-2:00 p.m.
Family Hour: 2:00 p.m. -3:00 p.m.
Funeral Service: 3:00 p.m.
Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church
911 Crystal Ave.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
Interment:
10:00 AM Central Daylight Time- Thursday, April 20, 2006
Cedar Park Cemetery
127th & Halsted Streets
Chicago, Illinois
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Bertha F. Keys
2900 Cleveland - #101
St Joseph, MI 49085
269-985-0213
dkeys80552@aol.com
Homegoing Celebration:
Wednesday, April 19, 7:00 PM
Burial - Thursday, Chicago, IL - Will provide details later.
Please be in prayer for Mrs. Keys
Her address is:
2900 Cleveland - #101
St Joseph, MI 49085
269-985-0213
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
