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. EDITORIAL - THE GUIDELINES OF ANOINTING WITH OIL AS FOUND IN JAMES 5:14:
I believe that most churches and ministers base the anointing with oil on James 5:14 which say, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” In looking at this issue, I have tried to do a simple exegesis (critical analysis of what the text meant to the biblical audience) and a straightforward hermeneutic of the text (How the text applies to us today) of the text.
In the gospels we observe that Jesus commanded all believers to lay hands on the sick, but Jesus never commanded us to anoint anyone with oil. There is no record of Jesus ever anointing anyone with oil, and there are no descriptions of the apostles or other Christians anointing anyone with oil after the day of Pentecost. Therefore, anointing the sick (or anyone else) with oil is not an unwaiverable requirement that believers have to follow. Anointing with oil is not condemned or forbidden, so one cannot dogmatically or theologically espoused the position that it would be wrong to anoint someone with oil.
However, upon care analysis of James 5:14 clearly states that "people can ask for some of the elders of their church to come to them and pray for them and to anoint them with oil: "Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint [aleipho, "to rub, cover over, besmear"] him with oil in the name of the Lord." (James 5:14)
Bible scholars are not certain whether James was referring to the first-century practice of rubbing oil on the sick, or whether James was implying some kind of "sacred" anointing in the verse above.
Upon closer analysis, It is important to note that James used the Greek word for the common, everyday type of "anointing," not the Greek word for a "sacred" anointing in which the Holy Spirit is involved, and James wrote that a sick person "should," not "must" call for the elders. In other words, James was not giving us a command and telling us that the only way divine healing will work is if church elders anoint a sick person with oil and pray for the person.
If we follow James’ statement literally, anointing should not be done without a person’s request and if we follow that notion literally, it might be presumptuous of pastors to “spread oil” on everybody during an altar call or even when visiting members in theirs and anointing them without being requested to do so. The scripture says, “They should call for the elders of the church, and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.” (NRSV). Presbyteros is the Greek word used in the James passage for elder so it would seem to me that any anointing must be done by ordained clergy. I have seen license ministers, not in the AME Church, but in other denominations anointing people with oil freely.
Neither Jesus nor the apostles, after Pentecost, are recorded as using oil for healing, nor did they ever command anyone else to use oil for healing or for any other situation in which prayer is needed.
Therefore, we should be careful not to take James 5:14 as a dogmatic statement of how healing works. The best balance seems to be that anointing with oil can be helpful, but it is not a requirement for healing, or for any other purpose.
Anointing with oil has gained popularity in the church. I suspect that its popularity is may be tied in with the Pentecostalism, neo-Pentecostalism and the charismatic movements and people may see anointing as an innovative approach to liven up traditional worship. There is no harm in anointing, but I believe that we should remain as faithful to the biblical passages as possible.
Your comments are invited.
2. I DID IT!:
Shortly after Mother’s Day, I wrote that I had started reading The Bible from cover to cover in 90 Days. I am pleased to share that I have completed that challenge and have read the Bible from cover to cover. I am so glad because I did not want to be one of those preachers who had preached and pastored and had not read the Bible from cover to cover.
3. A MISSION TO LESOTHO - “A LIGHT TO LESOTHO”:
We pray this letter has reached you with the Blessings of God. The Women’s Missionary Society of the 5th District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership of the Right Reverend John R. Bryant and Supervisor Reverend Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, are mobilizing a Missionary Journey to Maseru, Lesotho located in South Africa. This mission is scheduled to take place December 4-14, 2006.
The Mission to Lesotho is offering an opportunity to be engaged at 3 levels:
i. Faith Formation: Learning the Spiritual Disciplines.
ii. Spiritual Practice: Operating in Biblical Manifestation.
iii. Global Missions: Identifying the 3 areas that mirror your Gift/Calling and completing your “assignment” in Lesotho.
The Belief of Rev. C, is “Our Destiny is to be the Radiance of the Kingdom of Heaven”
Come be a part of this Mission movement. A Light to Lesotho is an opportunity to share in the Episcopacy of Bishop Sarah Frances Davis and Supervisor Claytie Davis of the 18th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Lesotho is a nation having the third largest rate of HIV/AIDS infection. Our expectation is to join with them as they attempt to alleviate the suffering caused by this disease. Through education, prevention techniques, and health resources we will provide a beacon of hope to the population of Lesotho. The ministry of this mission will also touch the children of Lesotho as we take part in the birth of a much needed orphanage. Children are raising each other as the HIV/AIDS virus is taking their family and they have no where else to turn.
We are seeking all denominations to partner with us on this journey; doctors, nurses, missionaries as well as lay are welcome and needed on this mission. Say, "Yes" in praise to God as you join the co-travelers to Lesotho. A registration fee of $100.00(non-refundable) is now due and may be sent to:
Keep in Prayer our journey: "From Many Nations - One Sisterhood" Lesotho Joint Initiative - December 4 - 14, 2006 Interested in journeying with us please contact me for more information.
A Light to Lesotho
WGRDI, Inc.
1968 West Adams Blvd. Suite 401
Los Angeles, Ca 90018
For More Information visit our web site: http://www.aspiritualuplift.com/
Submitted by Theresa LawrenceEmail: isweettee@aol.com Telephone: 310-639-4206 (leave message)
4. GIDEON’S MEN - AN OVERVIEW- A PROGRAM TO RECRUIT MORE MEN IN THE CHURCH:
*The Reverend Dr. L. Anthony Gatewood
*The Reverend Dr. Steven A. Jackson
In his book Adam, Where are You? Why Black Men Don’t Go to Church, Jawanza Kunjufu says African American churches are 75% filled with women and girls and most of the remaining 25% are elderly men and boys. In his effort to understand the mindsets of young adult black males, he lists some 21 reasons that his sampling of the unchurched gave for giving up on the church. These included a general disdain for the clergy that are often perceived as taking advantage of weak-willed old women who support the pastors’ fancy cars and new suits. He further states that the church has sold out and is more concerned for its own self-preservation than the needs of the poor. Not to belabor the point, but John W. Fountain, a professor of Journalism at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, wrote in the Washington Post Sunday, July 17, 2005: “Sunday mornings used to mean something special to me. But now I face them with dread, with bittersweet sorrow that tugs at my heart and a headache-inducing tension that makes me reach for the Advil.” He goes on to say, “I am torn between my desire to play hooky from church and my Pentecostal indoctrination that Sunday is the Lord’s Day, a day of worship when real men are supposed to lead their families into the House of God.” He concludes that He is disconnected, not from God but from the Church.
The following statistics are according to the United States Census Bureau and American Sociological Association News.
--52% of all marriages end within the first five years and 60% of all second marriages end within the first three years. The numbers are higher as the number of times a person gets married rises. This leaves many homes without a male figure present in the home.
--20% of all Black men born between 1965 and 1969 have served time in prison. For those who did not attend college it is 30.2% and for those who dropped out of high school it is 58.9%.
--54% of Black children are born into or live in single parent households.
--More Black young men have served time in prison than have served in the military or have attended college.
--79.9 % of Black men presently incarcerated have never regularly attended church or Sunday School.
In looking at these statistics and in reviewing the remarks made by Black men concerning Church attendance, a focused and organized effort to Evangelize, Recruit, Train, and Retain men of all ages within the Church is needed. The development of a Movement that is directed toward men and the development of Men’s Ministry programs to offset and counteract the present situation is imperative for the AME Church to survive. Hence Gideon’s Men!
Rationale
We are in a similar position in our Zion that the four leprous men in II Kings 7:3-5 found themselves. “Why sit here till we die? If we keep on doing what we’re doing we die. If we go into the city with the famine there we die. [If we go to Annual Conference we die.] And if we sit here we die. Now come; let us go.” And verse 5 says, “They rose up in the twilight,” and we know the rest of the story.
We call your attention to the book of Judges 7:2, Gideon’s men. The Lord tells Gideon, “The people are too many. Some are fearful and some are afraid. Let them go home.” In verse 4 God says, “I will test them,” and their number then dwindled to 300. Then God said in verse 7, “By the 300 I will save you.”
We now need Gideon’s Men. We need to think and go beyond traditional types of programs and methods to identify, evangelize, attract and maintain men of all ages in our AME churches. We need a Movement that will show the AME men of today the kind of God Jesus is and the kind of man he was when he walked the earth.
The creation and development Of Gideon’s Men will focus the attention and energies of Presiding Elder Districts in constructive and productive ways to identify Gideon’s Men in our local Churches and in each Presiding Elder District.
We need a Movement that has men, their problems, concerns, goals, weaknesses and strengths as its focus, which can and will positively impact the presence and growth of men in our AME churches.
We need an evangelistic Movement targeted to the unchurched and the unsaved that will teach and show the positive impact and benefits that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ can have on an individual’s life and circumstances.
We need to develop programs focusing on Integrity, Competence, Commitment and Action! These programs will deal with Assertiveness, Self Control, Self-confidence, Stability and Manhood.
Recruitment
In the Scripture Gideon’s men were hand picked by God! Therefore,
Phase 1 will be those within our structure who personally know Jesus in the pardoning of their sins and who are not afraid or ashamed to stand up in public and TELL IT. They are those who are NOT ASHAMED of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Phase 2 is TLP (Trumpets, Lamps, Place): Basic Training from Judges 7:16-25. Gideon’s 300 men were divided into three companies carrying trumpets and lamps. They blew the trumpets and let their lights shine. And verse 21 states, “They stood every man in his place.” So Trumpets, Lamps, Place (TLP) is basic training for Gideon’s Men. Trumpets stand for your personal testimony of belief in Jesus (You have to shout it). The lamp reflects the light of Jesus in your life (You have to let your light shine). And, place is your particular position in the body of Christ (Every man has his place).
Phase 3 is Recruitment and Evangelism to be implemented after Phases 1 and 2 are completed.
Phase 4 is Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts Workshop, Masculine Journey Workshop, and Six Stages of Manhood Workshop.
Fellowship
The fellowship approach to reaching out to AME Church men is one that takes into account the kinds of activities men enjoy and seek to do. We understand that the male bonding process, for the majority of men, is found in what they do as they talk and interact as opposed to just plain and simple conversation. Many activities that appeal to some men may not appeal to others. These activities include but are not limited to indoor and outdoor sports like fishing, hunting, racing, football, basketball, baseball, horseback riding, cooking, and other competitions. These activities are just a few of the ones men get involved in that lead to developing friendships and lasting relationships.
Fellowship events and activities will be scheduled on a regular basis. Creating this type of scheduling will allow men to make the event or activity a part of their routine and lifestyle.
Examples of Suggested Events and Activities
1. Men’s Bible Study Bi-monthly
2. Men’s Night out—Sporting events: professional, college, high school
3. Construction Projects—Fix up-Paint up smaller AME church property
4. Demolition Projects- The tearing down of neighborhood eyesores
5. Bar-B-Que Cook Off
6. Fishing Tournament
7. Bible Bowl Championship
8. Father Son-Father Daughter events
9. Board or Card Game Tournament
10. Weight Control/Exercise
11. Hunting
Implementation
The implementation process of Gideon’s Men is suggested to begin in the following ways.
1. We begin with the development of the Sons of Allen organization within each local church and within each Presiding Elder District. Where the local church cannot host a Sons of Allen organization, two or more churches can come together to create the Movement.
2. Each Presiding Elder District would then schedule a quarterly Men’s Night Out.
A decision must be made to start. Problems are solved when solutions are put into place and acted upon. Ways to implement this Movement will differ depending on the community and location of the local church. We need to mobilize our hope now. Zero action equals zero results.
Closing
To reiterate this program, Gideon’s Men a Movement directed at enhancing the status of men in the AME Church. It is directed toward, evangelizing, recruiting, retraining, and retaining men in our local churches. The positive impact of developing Gideon’s Men will have an immediate positive effect on the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Reverend Dr. Jo A. Baldwin, Editor
*The Rev. L.A. Gatewood is the Presiding Elder of the Columbus District of the Ohio Conference of the 3rd Episcopal District; Telephone: 216-314-6713; Email: lagatewood@yahoo.com
*The Rev. S.A. Jackson is the pastor of Ball's Temple AMEC Greenville, Mississippi; Telephone: 662-289-1116; Email: revjackmain@yahoo.com
Episcopal Districts, annual Conferences, local churches may contact the authors to schedule training dates.
5. THE RIGHT REVEREND VASHTI MURPHY MCKENZIE TAPPED TO BE A PRESENTER AT THE 2007 HAMPTON MINISTERS’ CONFERENCE:
Bishop McKenzie will be presenting one of the lectures at the 2007 Hampton Ministers Conference.
Hotel reservations should be made now. The conference host hotel is the Embassy Suites - Hampton Roads Convention Center and they currently have rooms available.
The 2007 Hampton Ministers Conference will be held June 3 -8, 2007 at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia.
Submitted by the Rev. Tyronda Howse Burgess
Executive Aide to Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
6. EPISCOPAL SUPERVISOR, DR. JOAN COUSIN'S VISION RECEIVES GRANT $66,483.00 FOR CHILDREN IN LOBATSE, BOTSWANA:
By the Rev. Edrena Houston Brown
Christian Recorder, Staff Writer
The vision became a reality of Dr. M. Joan Cousin, who presently serves as the Episcopal Supervisor of the Fourth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She was compelled by God to implement a center for children with HIV/AIDS, while serving at that time, in the First Episcopal District. The year of 1999, The M. Joan Cousin Women and Youth Empowerment Center became a reality, which presently serves approximately 115 persons in Lobatse, Botswana.
However, her vision has grown extensively throughout Lobatse and surrounding areas in preventing the widespread of HIV/AIDS among children. Because of the widespread of AIDS more funding is needed to assist these children in providing educational and medical assistance.
Dr. Cousin reality became alive, when a GRANT from PACT, a United States a Non Governmental Organization, which receives funds from numerous sources including the United States Government, presented a grant to the M. Joan Cousin Women and Youth Empowerment center. According to Program Manager for the M. Joan Cousin Center, Presiding Elder M. B. W. Moruakgomo expressed that; “The grant for $66,483.00 will be for 3 years, which will be distributed annually depending on the funding from PACT.” Then fiscal year which began February 20, 2006 and ending March 19, 2007. The current funding received by the M. Joan Cousin Women and Youth Empowerment Center is funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) for Africa.
Dr. Cousin’s vision of compassion and for the love of children is also alive and helping children in the 15th Episcopal District, whereas, The M. Joan Cousin HIV/AIDS Mission recently has opened its New Headquarters and being of service to families and children in Bellville, South Africa. The center is the only facility in South Africa which is providing blood testing, counseling, medical care, home based care for the disabled and the elderly in the meeting their needs.
As a visionary, distinguished leader, builder, teacher, wife and mother, she is not only exemplified in the mission field but also in her family. She is married to The Illustrious, Bishop Phillip Robert Cousin, Sr., Senior Bishop of the A.M.E. Church and Presiding Prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District. They are the proud parents of 5 sons better known by their colleagues as “those Preaching Cousins” Rev. Phillip R. Cousin, Jr., M.Div., a candidate for Episcopal Service for 2008, Presiding Elder Steven A. Cousin, Sr., M.Div., Rev. David Cousin, M.Div., Rev. Michael Cousin, M.Div., and Rev. Joseph Cousin, D.Min.
Supervisor Cousin is presently implementing programs within the Fourth Episcopal District in further enhancing Children in South Africa in continuous support of these projects.
Bishop Sarah F. Davis serves as The Presiding Prelate of the 18th Episcopal District and Bishop Samuel Green is the Presiding Bishop of the 15th Episcopal District.
*Special thanks to Presiding Elder Moruakgomo for contributing to this article.
7. FISK CHAPEL AME YOUTH TRACK & FIELD WEEKEND DRAWS RAVE REVIEWS:
*Jesse Y. Harris
The Fisk Chapel Trustee Board hosted a weekend of track and field geared to our young people. The Lord blessed us with an outstanding program Friday evening July 14th as we kicked off the event with our First Annual Track and Field Hall of Fame Induction for outstanding former athletes, coaches, or administrators who are inspirational role models for our youth. The Reverend Warren S. DeShields is the pastor of Fisk Chapel AME Church
On Friday July 14, we inducted 14 men and women into the Hall Of Fame at our church. The group included three former Olympic competitors, two Olympic coaches, two world record holders, and several athletes who qualified for the Olympic trials. The ceremonies were open to the public. Families and friends came to help us celebrate the event. Photos and biographies can be found on our website http://www.fiskchapelame.org/ . After the ceremonies we held a reception on our parish hall.
On Saturday July 15th we hosted a youth track and field meet at Count Basie Track in Red Bank, NJ. The track meet included individuals and teams representing churches, track clubs and recreation programs. We presented individual and team awards including outstanding athlete awards for each division
Running, throwing, and jumping events as well as relays were grouped my age for athletes ages 8 and under and up to athletes who were 18-year-old. Team awards were presented in each division. Overall team awards were presented to the first, second and third place teams (all divisions combined). Medals were awarded to the first second and third place finishers in each division. Outstanding athlete awards were presented to the top scoring boy and girl in each division.
The meet results are posted on http://www.fiskchapelame.org/ .
For additional information e-mail http://us.f353.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=fiskchapelame@yahoo.com or call the meet director Dr. Jesse Y. Harris at 732-747-1752. For those who missed the event this year we would like for you to contact us by e-mail in order that we can keep you updated about next years event. We were extremely pleased with the responses of our participants this year. All indicated that they would look forward to participating again in 2007. (Tentative date of track meet Saturday July 21st, 2007)
*Jesse Y. Harris is a Trustee at Fisk Chapel Trustee and Youth Meet Director
E-Mail: http://us.f353.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=fiskchapelame@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.fiskchapelame.org/
8. GRANT AME CHURCH CONFERENCE - CALL TO PREACH:
September 10th at 3:45 p.m.
CHURCH CONFERENCE - CALL TO PREACH - Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!" {Isaiah 6:8} The Lord our God is moving on the hearts of people. He is calling into the ordained ministry: Sister Kenya Francis, Sister Sharolyn Gailliard, Sister Theresa Lawrence, and Brother Ian Lawrence. They will offer unto God, themselves, in and through the Trail Sermon process. All members of Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church are hereby notified and prayerfully requested to be present for this Church Conference, that you may affirm their Call into Ministry. Please also allow these candidates to have a special interest in your prayers.
Grace and Power;
Pastor Leslie White.
9. RENOWNED A.M.E. PREACHER, THE REVEREND MARVIN LUTHER CRAWFORD, SR., M.D., M.DIV, RECEIVES RECOGNITION IN HELPING YOUTH FIGHT AGAINST CHILDHOOD DISEASES:
By the Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, MACE
Christian Recorder, Staff Writer
The African Methodist Episcopal Church a “21st Century Church, Living Well While Serving a Never Changing Christ,“ is also, the concept of the Rev. Dr. Marvin Luther Crawford, Sr., Pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Lithonia, Georgia of the sixth Episcopal District, where the Illustrious leader, the Right Reverend William P. DeVeaux serves as the Presiding Prelate and Dr. Pamela DeVeaux serves as the Episcopal Supervisor. The Rev. Dr. Marvin Crawford, Sr. is incorporating the A.M.E.’s theme as a ministry, in promoting Living Well physically and spiritually, for longer and healthier lives.
On any given day, this tall Stately immaculate well-dressed preacher, medical doctor, teacher, husband, father, can be found ministering at St. Paul A.M.E. Church or the campus of Morehouse School of Medicine.
Crawford is an exceptional young man in the field of religion and medicine. While talking with one his colleagues he expressed that; “Rev. Dr. Crawford reminds me of the late Renown Dr. Albert Schweitzer, who was known as a great organist, medical doctor and Missionary. He reaches people with the common touch and has a genuine spirit which radiates as a Man of God. The Lord has blessed him with many gifts in which he reaches out to everyone he meets with a humble spirit, full of compassion and love for others.
Drs. Henry and Ella Mitchell, renowned homiletics professors, described him as a country scholar with an excellent narrative gift.
Crawford’s gift touched the lives of many who recently attended the Annual Breakfast and Conversation Community Seminar recently held in South Florida at the Marriott Hotel, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Church and community leaders, medical colleagues, educational supporters and youth were in attendance for this momentous occasion. The seminar purpose was to develop means in promoting and preventing health issues throughout the United States as this issue relates to children and adults children suffering with diabetes, hypertension and HIV/Aids.
As a highly respected internal medicine physician across the United States, the A.M.E. Connectional Church and in the community, Dr. Crawford is noted for his ability to implement spiritually into patient care and is one of the nation’s authentic experts in this area. Crawford is noted for assisting in the development of the Morehouse School of Medicine curriculum on spirituality and medicine which was one of the first programs in the nation with a media release in over 400 newspapers and other sources.
He is a graduate of Albany State University, where he graduated magna cum laude and pursued his medical training at the University Of Iowa College Of Medicine, while also preparing for ordination in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Crawford completed a residence program in Internal medicine at the Medical College of Georgia and later received the Master’s In Divinity with honors from Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia.
Pastor Crawford has centered his spiritual energies into encouraging the congregants to love one another and to be of service to the church and the community. He has developed in all of his pastorates programs such as; food banks, educational assistance, health care education, economic empowerment, youth development, substance abuse intervention and housing and crime prevention has been the central areas of his ministry.
Among the many accolades bestowed upon him includes; The Clark’s Preaching Award of ITC, The John Templeton Foundation award for his spirituality and Medicine curriculum endeavors, Morehouse School of Medicine Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year (six times in 11- year career) Three consecutive times for the overall Teacher of the Year, Dean’s Faculty of the Year award; The Terrell County Georgia, Chapter of the NAACP Award for Theological and Medical Pursuits only to name a few.
Crawford received a proclamation recently by, The Honorable Senator Mandy Dawson, The Florida Senate, for his years of service nationally, to the A.M.E. Church and Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. For his service in promoting Health and Wellness in the United States.
Pastor Crawford serves as The Pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Lithonia, Georgia of the Sixth Episcopal District. He is married to the lovely, Dr. Sherell Vicks Crawford, M.D., an internal medicine physician, who also serves as the Episcopal Director for the YPD of the Six Episcopal District. They are the parents of two children.
10. THE 2006 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE FOR THE SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
The Rt. Reverend Preston Warren Williams II
Presiding Bishop
The Palmetto Conference
96th Session
August 21-25, 2006
Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church
300 W. Main Street
Kingstree, SC 29556
The Rev. Jerome Wilson, Host Pastor
The Rev. Allen W. Parrott, Host Presiding Elder - Kingstree District
The Rev. Alonzo Middleton, Associate Presiding Elder - Mt. Pleasant District
The Rev. Sandy W. Drayton, Associate Presiding Elder - Georgetown District
The Northeast Conference
115th Session
August 28-September 1, 2006
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church
1305 East Cheves Street/P. O. Box 677
Florence, SC 29503
843-662-2316
The Rev. Julius H. McAlister, Host Pastor
The Rev. Theron E. Shields Sr., Host Presiding Elder - Florence-Dillon District
The Rev. Charles J. Graves, Associate Presiding Elder - Marion District
The Rev. Robert L. McCants, Associate Presiding Elder - Sumter
The Columbia Conference
129th Session
September 11-15, 2006
Miller Chapel A.M.E. Church
500 Caldwell StreetP.O. Box 601
Newberry, SC 29108
864-426-2562
The Rev. Rubin Smalls, Host Pastor
The Rev. Rosalyn Coleman, Host Presiding Elder - Newberry/Spartanburg District
Rev. William Smith, Associate Presiding Elder - Columbia District
Rev. James R. Glover, Associate Presiding Elder - Lancaster District
The South Carolina Conference
143rd Session
September 18-22, 2006
Bethel A.M.E. Church
5585 Memorial Blvd
St. George, SC 29477
843-563-4043
The Rev. Jonathan C. Roberts, Host Pastor
The Rev. John Randolph, Host Presiding Elder - Charleston District
The Rev. John H. Gillison, Associate Presiding Elder - Edisto District
The Rev. Samuel Myers, Associate Presiding Elder - Beaufort District
The Piedmont Conference
96th Session
October 2-6, 2006
St. James A.M.E. Church
205 Henry McNeil Turner Street
Abbeville, SC 29620
864-459-2035
The Rev. Judy M. Richardson, Host Pastor
Rev. Oscar A. Klugh, Host Presiding Elder-Abbeville/Greenwood District
The Rev. Jonathan J. Baker, Associate Presiding Elder-Greenville District
The Central Conference
83rd Session
October 9-13, 2006
Butler Chapel A.M.E. Church
5225 North Road
Orangeburg, SC 29118
The Rev. Dr. George E. Hicks, Host Pastor
The Rev. Robert B. Cooper, Host Presiding Elder - Wateree District
The Rev. Willie J. Baxter, Associate Presiding Elder - Orangeburg District
The Rev. Malachi Duncan, Associate Presiding Elder - Manning District
Seventh Episcopal District
Post-Conference Planning Meeting
November 9-11, 2006
Allen Temple A.M.E. Church
109 Green Street
Greenville, SC 29601
864-233-4181 Church 864-268-1704 Pastor
The Rev. Caesar R. Richburg, Host Pastor
The Rev. Jonathan Baker, Host Presiding Elder
11. SUBSCRIBE TO THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE EDITION OF THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
Those who would like to subscribe to any of the foreign language editions of The Christian Recorder Online may do so by forwarding their names / email addresses and in which language they would like to receive The Christian Recorder Online. The foreign language editions of The Christian Recorder Online will only be forwarded to those who subscribe. The Christian Recorder, in addition to being published in English, is published in Portuguese, Spanish, French, and Dutch.
Subscribers may subscribe by forwarding their names, email addresses and the language in which they would like to receive The Christian Recorder to chsydnor@bellsouth.net
12. EPISCOPAL SUPERVISOR FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Father of Episcopal Supervisor Carol Messiah, Mr. Joseph Marcus Peterkin of Trinidad and Tobago, and father-in-law of Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah, Presiding Prelate of the 20th Episcopal District passed.
Mr. Joseph Marcus Peterkin was called Home to Glory on Wednesday, August 9, 2006 and will be buried on Saturday, August 19, 2006.
The funeral service will be held at the Anglican Church Parish, Cochrane Village, Point Fortin, Trinidad and Tobago.
Messages of condolences may be sent to:
Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah
23 Herte Street
Peerless Park NorthKraaifontein, 7570Republic of South Africa
Email: wjmessiah2004@yahoo.com
Their home telephone number in Trinidad and Tobago is (868) 648 3319
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Loga B. Odom. She was the mother of Rev. Martin Odom, Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Harrisburg, PA (Philadelphia Conference, Harrisburg District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Funeral Service - Saturday, August 12, 2006
Viewing – 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Service – 12:00 noon
St. James A.M.E. Church
588 M. L. King Blvd.
Newark, NJ 07102
The Rev. Dr. William D. Watley, Pastor
Telephone: 973-622-1344
Fax: 973-622-6912
Flowers may be sent to the Church and Condolences may be sent to:
The Odom Family
134 Hansbury Avenue
Newark, NJ 07112
Please remember Rev. Odom and the family in your prayers.
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The 8th Episcopal District, led by Bishop C. G. Henning, Sr. and Mrs. Yvonne H. Parks, has lost the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Harry Snearl who crossed over to be with the Lord - Friday, August 4, 2006. He was the husband of Mrs. Almeta J. Snearl, President of the Central Louisiana Conference MSWAWO+PK and the father of the Rev. Gwendolyn Snearl, pastor of St. Peter AMEC of New Roads, Louisiana. The Rev. Otis Lewis is the Presiding Elder.
Visitation will take place Friday August 11, 2006 from 5:00-6:00 p.m. followed by a Homegoing Service from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at:
St. Luke A.M.E. Church
300 Oak Street
Donaldsonville, LA
Phone: 225-473-3521
The Rev. Harry Snearl, pastor
An additional Homegoing Service will be held Saturday, August 12, 2006 at 11:00 AM.
Nazarene Baptist Church
6571 Highway 1 South
Brusly, LA 70719
Phone-225-749-5678
Roscoe Mortuary is in charge:
58635 Meriam Street
Plaquemine, LA 70764
Phone: 225-687-4216
Fax: 225-687-9637
Please remember the Snearl family in prayer.
Respectfully Submitted,
Norweda L. Carter
8th MSWAWO+PK President
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: stjamescleveland@yahoo.com
The passing of Sister Elizabeth McCray, the spouse of the late Presiding Elder, Rev. Thomas L. McCray, North Ohio Annual Conference, 3rd Episcopal District.
Service arrangements:
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
10:00 AM - Phi Delta Kappa and Alpha Kappa Alpha Services
10:30 AM - Family Hour
11:00 AM - Funeral Service
St. James AME Church
8401 Cedar Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44103-5045
(216) 231-3562 Phone
(216) 231-6877 Fax
The Reverend Gerald A. Cooper, Pastor
Email: stjamescleveland@yahoo.com
Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to St. James AME Church, address above:
Or to
Terri McCray (daughter) and Thomas McCray (twin son)
1092 East 98th Street
Cleveland OH 44108
216-761-4515 Phone
Professional services entrusted to:
E. F. Boyd & Sons Funeral Homes
2165 89th Street
Cleveland, OH 44106-3420
216-791-0770 Phone
216-421-2776 Fax
Please remember the family in your prayers.
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Nathaniel McFarland of Hot Springs, Arkansas. Mr. McFarland was the son of Dr. Ruth M. Akins (widow of Presiding Elder C. C. Akins - Stuttgart District, ENE Arkansas Annual Conference).
Services will be held: Wednesday, August 16th, 2:00 p.m.:
The Kingdom Hall
225 Marian Anderson Road
Hot Springs, AR 71901
Dr. Akins may be reached at:
123 Commercial Drive, Building B, Apartment 4
Stuttgart, AR 72160
Phone: 870-673-6799.
Anita Brannon, Office Manager
Please remember the family in your prayers.
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
18. 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
