Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
Editor’s note – I will complete the article about the Georgia – North Conference and Dr. Johnny Barbour’s Ordination Message in the next issue. I hope to have the names of the person ordained before finishing the article.
1. THE GLOBAL CORNER- “IT IS ENOUGH; WE MUST SPEAK UP”:
*The Rev Motsamai Modibedi
Greetings in the matchless Name of our Lord Christ Jesus.
I am one of the persons serving in the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme for Palestine and Israel, a programme led by the World Council of Churches. I am assigned in Jerusalem and I feel greatly honoured by the South African Council of Churches in selecting me to participate in this programme.
Allow me to share with the global members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church the unbelievable things I have experienced.
A replica of apartheid as experienced by South Africans is currently happening in this part of the globe and it is demonstrated in the relationship of the Palestinians and the State of Israel. I am here to accompany Palestinians and Israelis who are struggling to end the occupation of the Palestinian territory by Jewish settlers.
Since my arrival here, I have been consistently shocked by what I have observed.
Since Hamas won Palestinian elections, misery and hopelessness prevails and had become the order of the day for the Palestinians. Hamas has denounced Israel as a sovereign entity of United States and its allies. The United States called upon its allies to withhold funds from the Palestinians and the U.S. allies have done so by cutting off financial grants to the Palestinians. As a result, the public servants in Palestine have been without salaries for almost three months. Provision of such basic services as, security, health, education, and other services are now threatened.
The construction of the wall by Israel does not honour the United Nations’ border between Israel and Palestine. The wall, in reality, is blatantly takes land from the Palestinians. This impact negatively on Palestinians because the Palestinians who work in Israel find it difficult to go to work because of check-points and some of them find themselves completely trapped in a Bantustan type of situation by sadly denying families and relatives the right to interact with one another.
Jerusalem is now becoming a contentious issue with the emerging Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem, a Palestinian territory.
The number of Palestinian Christians has significantly decreased. I learned that many of the Christians had chosen to leave the area. People are required to carry permits like dompass, as we had to do under the old apartheid regime in South Africa. Most of them are denied access at checkpoints.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church needs to speak up loudly and forcibly against this barbaric behavior and most particularly against the United States government.
I am pleading to every member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to become involved and raise the conscientiousness the world to this evil situation and to advocate for both Palestinians and concerned Israeli citizens.
I hope to communicate further in the near future.
I am, Sudoku
* The Rev Motsamai Modibedi is the pastor of Ebenezer A.M.E Church, Pretoria, South Africa
2. TENNESSEE PASTOR GRADUATES FROM THE PRESTIGIOUS LEADERSHIP MIDDLE TENNESSEE (LMT):
The Reverend Charlotte Ann Blake Sydnor, pastor of Shorter Chapel AME Church, Franklin, Tennessee graduated from the prestigious Leadership Middle Tennessee (LMT) program on Wednesday, May 17, 2006. Reverend Sydnor graduated with the sixth class that has gone through the program. The graduation ceremony was held at the Leow’s Vanderbilt Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee.
Leadership Middle Tennessee is a regional leadership institute that was founded in 1999 as a result of the regional partnerships initiative. The initiative was founded in 1994 under the leadership of Jerry Benefield of Nissan Corporation in direct response to the "lack of a regional agenda."
The rigorous and competitive selection to the LMT program is based upon leadership achievements and potential to contribute to the development of a region. At least one participant is selected from one of the ten counties involved in the program. Class presentations focused upon diversity, education, healthcare, housing, legislation, and transportation.
Reverend Sydnor has been the pastor of Shorter Chapel AME Church since October 2004. The Right Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie appointed her to Shorter Chapel.
Prior to moving to Tennessee, Reverend Sydnor pastored in the Second Episcopal District at Holly Grove AME Church in Windsor, Virginia. She received her first pastoral appointment from the Right Reverend Vinton R. Anderson.
Reverend Sydnor holds a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Sociology from Fayetteville State University (Fayetteville, North Carolina), a Master of Arts in Religious Studies from Central Baptist Seminary (Kansas City, Kansas) and a Master of Divinity Degree from Wesley Theological Seminary (Washington, DC). She graduated with honors from Fayetteville State, Central Baptist and Wesley Theological Seminary. She has taken post-graduate studies at the Baylor University School of Religion in Biblical Studies and Historical Theology and Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Marriage and Family.
Reverend Sydnor has held positions as, Director of the Hampton University Student Counseling Center, Chaplain of Veterans Administration Hospital in Hampton, Virginia, Director of the Wesley Foundation and Campus Ministry at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, and Director of the Learning Center, Paul Quinn College, 1987. She has taught at Hampton University, Chicago City College, Big Ben Community College, Anchorage Community College, Paul Quinn College and Central Texas University. She taught speech, sociology, world religions, humanities was professor of sociology
Reverend Sydnor is married to the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder.
The Reverend Charlotte Sydnor's email address: chsydnor@aol.com
3. 2006 HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION OF A REMARKABLE YOUNG A.M.E. STUDENT:
Courtenay Ruth Paris is the daughter of the Rev. Alton E. Paris and Mrs. Sara Paris of Grandview, Texas.
Miss Paris has earned a number of academic, music, and leadership distinctions during her high school career. She is the valedictorian of her Grandview High School class, president of the choir, and treasurer of the National Honor Society at Grandview High School.
In addition, she has earned the following honors: University Interscholastic League (UIL) Accounting - 1st at District, 1st at Region, 5th at State, UIL Music - Vocal Performance Solo - named "Outstanding Performer" at State (2005).
Ruth also received the Grandview High School Class Awards and was the top student in, Accounting II, Advanced Placement Biology, Concurrent Credit English IV, Choir, and Physical Education. She was also presented with the National School Choral Award.
Miss Paris sang in the American Choral Directors Association National High School Honor Choir last year in Los Angeles, California, as well as in Southwest Region Honor Choirs in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Little Rock, Arkansas; and St. Louis, Missouri.
Miss Paris plays piano for the worship services at Bethel A.M.E. Church, Grandview, TX, where the Rev. Joan Nickerson is the pastor. She also the worship musician for the Ascension Lutheran Church, Cleburne, Texas where the, Rev. Joseph Ardy is the pastor. She occasionally plays for Macedonia A.M.E. Church, Kaufman, TX, where her father, the Rev. Alton Paris is the pastor.
In addition to all of her other activities, Ruth also tutors high school students in math.
Miss Paris will be attending Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas where she will pursue a double major in vocal performance and accounting.
Submitted by Sara Paris
4. "MT. ZION AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH":
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, formerly located in Odenton, Maryland, has been blessed to find a new home at 911 Reece Road in Severn, Maryland.
The first worship service was held Sunday, February 26, 2006.
On April 2, 2006, the Service of Consecration was held and the Right Reverend Adam Jefferson Richardson was the chief celebrant and preacher.
The Reverend Etoria V. Goggins, the pastor of Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, previously served on the ministerial staff at Hemingway Memorial A.M.E. Church in District Heights, Maryland under the pastorate of the Rev. Dr. William Robert Porter. Reverend Goggins was appointed to Mt. Zion in April 2005. The church has continued to grow spiritually with an increase in saved members and an abundance of talents and gifts.
Under Reverend Goggins’ leadership and vision, “Conditions are Right…It’s Harvest Time” has become the theme and mission for the church.
Sunday Church School is at 9:30 a.m. and worship services are held every Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Mt. Zion sees as its mission to minister to the local neighborhoods surrounding the Severn and Ft Meade communities.
Everyone is invited to come out and celebrate what God is doing in our midst.
For more information and directions to the church, call (410) 519-5878 or (301) 423-8266.
Those who trust in the Lord shall be as Mt. Zion, which cannot be shaken, but endures forever. Psalm 125:1
Submitted by Sister Marion Rucker
5. THE FIRST LECTURE IN A SERIES ON FAITH AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT:
The first lecture in a series on faith and civic engagement will be held on June 1, 2006, 7:00 PM at the Lincoln Memorial United Church of Christ, 4126 Arlington Avenue, Los Angeles.
The speaker will be the Rev. Dr. J. Alfred Smith, is senior pastor of Allen Temple Baptist Church in Oakland and is author of On the Jericho Road. He is a longtime activist, whose social justice work has included the formation of Allen Temple Development Corporation, which provides housing and services for seniors. Dr. Smith is the recipient of numerous civic and humanitarian awards and has been recognized as one of Ebony Magazine’s Most Influential Black Americans.
Co-sponsors for the event are the Southern California AME Ministerial Alliance, Nehemiah Ministries Inc., the Los Angeles Metropolitan Churches, Baptist Ministers Conference, California State Progressive National Baptist Convention, Metropolitan District Association, and Fuller Theological Seminary — African American Church Studies Program.
The next public lecture, June 15, 2006, will feature Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright and the Rev. Earl Trent Jr. The lecture and the USC Passing the Mantle Clergy and Lay Leadership Institute are made possible by a grant from The James Irvine Foundation.
For additional information, please call the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture at 213.740.8562 or email the Rev. Mark Whitlock at ptm@usc.edu or visit www.usc.edu/crcc.
6. “BACK PEW BUSHWHACKERS” AND “UNDERCOVER UNDERMINERS”:
*The Reverend Charles R. Watkins, Jr. B.S., M.Div.
I know that “back pew bushwhackers” and “undercover underminers” may sit anywhere in the church during the worship services. They are, not by design, seated throughout the sanctuary. They sit anywhere, from the back of the sanctuary to the front row, and even in the choir and sometimes in the pulpit.
If you were to take a poll, they would be labeled as “dutiful and faithful servants.” They are usually present whenever the church doors are open. They are the self-proclaimed “backbones” of our churches. They, as their testimony might assert, undergird all that the church is, and all that the church hopes to be. They, thank God that they can be counted on to be regular tithers. On the surface, they appear to posses all the attributes of the perfect member. They are immaculate in their outward attire and very astute in their knowledge of “how the church should operate.” How fortunate, they believe, the church is to have them as members and leaders.
However, a closer look reveals their more prominent position as “back-pew bushwhackers” and “undercover underminers.”
My description of them might not be standard words in the ecclesiastical lexicon, but I am lamentably certain that these people, all too often, are influential in many our churches. Many times, they have a hand in deciding who participates in what. They think very highly of their “expert” opinions as it relates to the worship experience. They are very vocal about what goes in the church, what musician plays, how loudly the music should be, and what hymns should be selected.
It has been my experience that these folks think that they have expertise in what color the walls of the sanctuary should be. There is very little that goes on in and around the church that these folk do not know about. There is hardly anything that happens, or does not happen in the church that they do not in some way or another influence the outcome.
The journey they are on is a mission and that mission is the very thing that sustains them. It is a responsibility, they believe, no one else can, or will take on. Certainly, they are sure, that without their input, the church and its ministries will fail. I describe them as the “back pew bushwhackers” and “undercover underminers.”
The amazing thing is that you would be hard-pressed to find out just how they achieved their positions of power and influence. It might be assumed that their power and influence was bestowed upon them in reverence to the unselfish amount of time they give to the church.
It is quite possible that their power and influence came as a result of their generous financial support of the church. Some of their influence might be inherited from their parents and influential family members who have, for generations, controlled the business of the church.
No matter how they achieve their status in the church, some of these folks function as, “back pew bushwhackers” and “undercover underminers” in the church’s mission and ministries.
Many times pastors and laity are very aware of the fact that we have among our “body of faith” folks who use their power to influence the direction of the mission and the work of the ministries the church.
Normally, one would expect that the leadership, both ministerial and lay, would not put up with the deviant behaviors of the “back pew bushwhackers” and “undercover underminers,” but too often they are tolerated and sometimes encouraged because of their financial support and because of the influence they have over so many folk in the church.
Do you remember the old school yard confrontations when someone had the courage to stand up to the school bully? Their honor was at stake and whether they lost of won, the statement they were making was, “enough was enough.” Win, lose or draw, usually, the bully would not confront that person again.
Church members have to ask, as it relates to the church, do we feel that “enough is enough?” Are we sick and tired of being “bushwhacked” and “undermined”? Have we finally decided that we have had enough of just trying to avoid confrontation? Are we tired frustrated of just trying to keep the peace? Have we had enough of the “back pew bushwhackers and undercover underminers” bad- mouthing the preachers and the ministry of the church?
I have heard Bishop Preston Warren Williams II say repeatedly, “God has a greater stake in this ministry than we do.”
I am convinced that men and women of God, who are truly called of God and know it, do not care, nor do the “back pew bushwhackers and undercover underminers” influence them.
Men and women of God understand that Christ-centered ministry is a mission from God. Men and women on a mission from God have an agenda that is far from the evil intentions and the small-minded political motivations of the “back pew bushwhackers and undercover underminers.”
Men and women of God understand that the “Great Commission” is the most important work that we can do and that no one and nothing should stand in the way of what God has called us to do.
Men and women called to do God’s work in whatever capacity, i.e., as Stewards, Trustees, Church School Superintendents, musicians, choir leaders and members truly believe that God has entrusted us with an important mission and those whom God calls, God equips.
Men and women called to do God’s work are on a divine journey and we must understand that we are traveling with God’s promise.
The time is now to confront the “back pew bushwhackers and the undercover underminers.” And, in confronting them, we must continue to love them and to pray for them. Sometimes the face-off requires that we be prepared for a “fight” and confrontation may bring out the bad before we see the good.
As we prepare for the challenge, we must continue to pray fervently. We must pray that God would continue to “prick the hearts” of those who “bushwhack” or “undermine” God’s ministry.
We who have accepted the call to serve must always remember dedicated service is a critical commitment. More importantly, we must be constantly aware of the fact that the approval we seek is not from men and women; the approval we seek, comes from God.
*The Rev. Charles R. Watkins is the pastor of Friendship A.M.E. Church, Clinton South Carolina and serves in the Greenville District under the capable leadership of Presiding Elder Jonathan Jerome Baker. The Right Reverend Preston Warren Williams, II is the presiding bishop of the Seventh Episcopal District.
7. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Presiding Elder Kenneth Hill, Chattanooga District - East Tennessee Conference - 13th Episcopal District, Dr. Roberta Hill, and Ms. Linda James are happy to announce the upcoming marriage of their son the Rev. Kamasi K. Hill, pastor Robert Thomas AME Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to the Rev. Diane A. Bogues, assistant pastor Greater Institutional AME Church in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday, May 27, 2006 at Coppin Memorial AME Church in Chicago, Illinois.
8. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Karen Green Irving, daughter of Dr. Edith Green-Altheimer and. the late Rev. Milton Green (5th District) received her B.A. in Social Work from Concordia University -Portland, OR on May 6, 2006. Karen will be entering the Master of Social Work Program at Portland State University in August.
Congratulatory email messages: Edith.Altheimer@va.gov
9. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Timothea Johnelle Cokley, daughter of the Rev. Timothy and Mrs. Cynthia Cokley, will receive her Master of Education Degree in Elementary Education from Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Saturday, May 13, 2006, 10:00 AM. Rev. Cokley is the pastor of Emmanuel AMEC, Columbia, S.C., Seventh Episcopal District.
Timothea is completing her third year as a second grade teacher in the Cumberland County (NC) school system. Timothea is a third generation teacher.
Congratulations may be mailed to:
4202 Sandwood Drive
Columbia, SC 29206
or
e-mail address: ctt5@aol.com
10. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Brittany Jonette Williams, daughter of the Rev. Wayne A. Johnson, Sr. & Mrs. Fredia A. Hanley-Johnson (President of Conn-M-SWAWO Plus PK's) graduated on Sunday, May 14, 2006 from Duke University, Durham, NC with a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and also received her Certificate in Markets and Management.
Brittany has accepted a position as a Management Trainee with a marketing firm in Durham.
The Rev. Wayne A. Johnson, Sr., husband of Mrs. Fredia A. Hanley-Johnson will receive his Master of Divinity degree on May 20, 2006 from New Brunswick Theological Seminary, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Congratulatory messages may be sent to:
3 Michael Court
Dover, DE 19904
Or,
e-mail at Connmswawopk@aol.com
11. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
The Reverend Adunnola O. Waterman-French proudly announces her graduation from New York Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity Degree, as well as her ordination as an Itinerant Elder in the AME Church.
The Reverend Waterman-French is the daughter of the Reverend Millicent Waterman, former Episcopal Director of Christian Education of the Sixteenth District.
Congratulatory email messages: adiodi@rocketmail.com
12. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Harriet Octavia Bennett, the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Hugh Bennett, recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma's College of Nursing, receiving recognition for exceptional performance in Clinical Nursing Practice and Student Leadership. Her father, Rev. Hugh Bennett, is the pastor of Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and her mother is Cordelia Bennett, Connectional Assistant Director of Keyboards for the Music and Christian Arts Ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Congratulatory email messages: BennettKrazylala@aol.com
13. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Presiding Elder Willis (Hattie) Huggins, Troy Ozark District - South Alabama Conference - 9th Episcopal District proudly announce the graduation of their daughter, Sherrell Huggins, from Alabama A & M University, Cum Laude, with a B.S. in Music Education on May 11, 2006.
She is also the sister of the 9th District Minister's Spouses President - Kimberly Marshall.
Congratulatory emails can be sent to: shuggins@comcast.net.
14. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
The Rev. Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt, pastor of Solomon Chapel AME Church in Cleveland, Mississippi recently received her Doctorate of Philosophy in Social Work from Jackson State University.
Congratulatory emails can be sent to: glenell1@aol.com
15. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
Congratulatory Messages/Praise Reports received are compiled and posted by the Clergy Family Information Center on Friday of each week. Clergy Family Births, Graduations, Weddings and Wedding Anniversaries (25th, 50th, 75th).
16. CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Christian Recorder staff wishes to extend our congratulatory message to all of those celebrating the blessings of God.
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you that the Rev. Lamar T. Ellis passed. Rev. Ellis pastored faithfully throughout the Third Episcopal District until his retirement.
Arrangements:
Services will be Thursday, May 25, 2006
viewing 10:00-11:30 a.m. Homegoing Service at 11:30 a.m.
Quinn Chapel AME Church
10998 Southland Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45240
The Rev. Dr. Fred Wright, Pastor
Bishop Robert V. Webster, Presiding Prelate
513-825-4900 Office
513-825-5349 Fax
Burial Service will be in the Veterans Administration Cemetery in Dayton, Ohio.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Ellis Family c/o Quinn Chapel AME Church
10998 Southland Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45240
Please keep the family in prayer.
The Rev. Dr. Taylor T. Thompson, pastor,
St. John AME Church
Third District Brotherhood
Cleveland, Ohio
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Ninth Episcopal District, the Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland, presiding prelate
Mr. Ellis Copeland went to be with the Lord on May 18, 2006. Mr. Copeland is the father of the Reverend Nathaniel Copeland, Pastor in the East Alabama Conference at Nichols Chapel A.M.E. Church, Phenix City, AL.
Homegoing Service:
Thursday, May 25, 2006
12:00 Noon
St. Peter A.M.E Church
P. O. Box 38
Clio, AL 36017
Ph. (334) 397-2544
Trawick's Funeral Home
1048 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue
Ozark, AL 36017
Ph. (334) 774-8374
Messages of Comfort may be sent to:
Mrs. Willie Merle Copeland & Family
P. O. Box 236Ariton, AL 36311-0236
Ph. (334) 397-2256
Or
The Rev. & Mrs. Nathaniel Copeland
710 Rodney Street
Phenix City, AL 36869
Ph. (334) 448-3411
Please remember the family in your prayers.
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action Clergy Family Information Center
Ora L. EasleyEmail: Amespouses1@aol.comPhone: (615) 837-9736Fax: (615) 833-3781Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936Cell: (615) 403-7751
20. 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
