The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
WARNING: DO NOT EAT FRESH BAGGED SPINACH BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF E-COLI BACTERIA. GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TELL AMERICANS NOT TO EAT IT AND TO THROW AWAY ANY BAGGED SPINACH THAT YOU HAVE!
1. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL ISSUES:
Re: The Kentucky Annual Conference
To the Editor:
Ahhhhh, the magic of 2006 communications devices. This is truly "hot-off-the-press" reporting! It must be interesting to see the male Supervisor interacting in the role that previously belonged exclusively to females. How times change. And Bishop McKenzie seems to be bringing some feminine-type compassion to her role. Nice gesture to give that offering to the small church for Conference Claims.
Jeanette Johns
Author, The Upward Journey
2. THE GLOBAL CORNER -PUBLICITY REPORT OF THE 51ST SESSION OF THE NAMIBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD AT BETHEL MEMORIAL AME CHURCH LUDERITZ:
The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse
The coastal town of Luderitz was a beehive of activities, as the 51st Session of the Namibia Annual Conference met under the spirit-filled leadership of Bishop Samuel L Green SR from 24-29 August 2005.
Whereas this was the 51st Session, clergy, delegates and observers were welcomed and entertained at the 5-star Nest Hotel on Tuesday, 23 August 2005 by the historic Bethel Memorial AME Church, Luderitz to their 75th Anniversary Banquet. The humble beginning of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is deeply rooted in this harbour town, where people from all over the world met and worshipped long before the historic 3 July 1946 mass exodus-event.
The Conference Women’s Missionary Society met on Wednesday, 24 August 2005 for their pre-conference Convention. Women, attired in the missionary uniform, were seen around town as early as 07h00, indicating to the inhabitants of this dusty and windy town that the African Methodist Episcopal Church is doing business in their town. Mother Anna Leah Taseb, Conference Branch President, led women with dignity and it was especially gratifying that almost all stations have reported in full. The Rev. Leslie Leukes blessed the Convention’s Night in White Service with an outstanding sermon on Christian Womanhood. The social welfare project of the Conference Branch, under the leadership of Mother Katherine E /Goagoseb (Conference PME Director) handed over stationary donations for use by the most needy children school in select schools in all Missionary Areas.
On Thursday, 25 August 2005 it was not business as usual. Earlier clergy and delegates were pleasantly surprised in their post office boxes when the Conference Booklet reached everybody almost two months in advance. When we met for the first business session, Bishop Green again surprised us with the distribution of Conference Journals containing all Pastoral, Literary and Committee Reports. And the Rev. Johannes J Schmidt added spice when he entertained the worshippers with the Ministry of the Word, with his annual sermon titled “the Gospel of the 2nd Chance!” The woman who committed adultery was brought to Jesus, in order to trap him. Instead of applying the law blindly, Jesus instructed this woman to go and sin no more! Hallelujah!
The Presiding Elders and Pastoral Reports went smooth, and the conference was delighted with pastors sharing news about how the Lord Jesus had blessed them during the past year under review. All in all, about N$ 200 000-00 was raised during this week. In terms of quality and quantity, this Conference was a super blend of both, and the timely teaching moment interventions of the Bishop were both educational and entertaining.
The Rev. C. P. Hill retired, in order to support her ill-husband. The biblical phrase, “whilst these go let others come”, manifested when the Mrs. Anna Topnaar and Mr. Petrus J Van der Westhuizen were admitted on trial. The Rev. Johannes Isaack was ordained a Local Deacon and the Reverends Penias E Topnaar and Salomon Jacobs were ordained Itinerant Deacons. The Conference voted 51 in favour, nil opposing and 8 abstaining, that the Reverends Hendrik /Gariseb and Petrus S M Kooper be expelled from the Connection.
The Hoachanas East AME Church has been renamed the Exodus AME Church, and the Purity AME Church has been renamed the Hendrik Witbooi Tabernacle AME Church.
Other preachers at the conference were Rev. C P Hill, who delivered a splendid spirit-filled Memorial Sermon, and Rev. Jakobus Rooinasie preaching Emmaus Walk. The Rev. Adam Carelse, visiting pastor and presiding elder from the Cape Annual Conference, and who also serves as the Accountant of the 15th District, preached a very powerful ordination sermon. Choosing the Apostle Paul’s epistle to the Ephesians, he admonished the candidates that their calling and ordination was a gift from God and that the Holy Spirit will empower them for the holy work that awaits them. The icing on the cake came from the prelate himself, and Bishop Samuel L Green SR took us with him to the top of the mountain with the Commissioning Sermon, “It is not Yours!” The text was taken from 2 Chronicles and inspired the Conference that the Battle is not ours, but the Lord’s, and that with the Lord on our side, there is nothing to be confused and afraid of. In the bishop’s own words, he was uplifted by the high number of attendance, the positive reports and the spirit-filled atmosphere of peace and love of God that reigned supreme in all meetings. If there was any winner at this Conference, it was the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Satan has lost again. We went home inspired, recharged and re-energized for the new church year.
Midyear Conference 2006 will be held at the St. James AME Church, Mariental (Rev. W S Hanse) during 23-25 March 2005, and the Annual Conference 2006 will be held at the St. Peters AME Church (Rev. D Schmidt) at the call of the Bishop. God be with you till we meet again! Soli Deo Gloria!
Articled has been authored by the Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, who serves the AME Church as Secretary of the Global Development Council,
Dean of Namibia Conference Examiners and pastor of St James AME Church, Mariental, P O Box 50278, Bachbrecht, Windhoek, Namibia
+264 81 122 5048
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Fifteenth Episcopal District
Namibia Annual Conference
3. THE GLOBAL CORNER -THE PUBLICITY REPORT OF THE 52ND SESSION OF THE NAMIBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD AT THE ST. PETER’S AME CHURCH, MALTAHÖHE FROM AUGUST 31ST – SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2006:
For African Methodism, the quadrennial is at midpoint. Given that Quadrennial Missionary Convention elections are scheduled this year and the election of the General Conference delegation in 2007, the 52nd Session of the Namibia Annual Conference was attended by an all-time high record of delegates and visitors.
It was at the St. James AME Church, Mariental that people met on Monday August 28, 2006 en route to Maltahöhe. The occasion was the inauguration and dedication of the St. James Trust Youth Centre, which offers a Soup Kitchen, an ICT Learning Centre as well as Study Aid and Recreational Programs. The St. James Trust Youth Centre is the brainchild of the Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, whereby an underused church hall was remodelled and programs launched valued at more than N$ 100 000 (about $ 14 200 US).
The Annual Convention of the Conference Board of Christian Education was the first pre-conference activity that was ‘Called to Worship’ by the Rev. Albert E Biwa, the BoCE Director, on Tuesday August 29, 2006 at 09h00. The Rev. Leslie Leukes based his sermon on 2 Kings 17:1-10 challenging the delegates and visitors to select today a man of your choice and the preacher urged the convention-goers to choose “Jesus, the Son of Man”. It was a moving sermon in which worshippers were presented with the tract record of Jesus. The Convention commended the Rev. A E Biwa for a job well done, especially 100% reports from all churches in the Namibia Annual Conference. Brother Steven Hendrik Isaack, a member of the St. James AME Church and a Director in the Office of the Prime Minister addressed the BoCE Convention on the Namibian Government’s “Vision 2030 and the Role of the Church”. There was general consensus that the AME Church had been a trailblazer in the national liberation struggle and that it has a meaningful role to play in the development plans of our young Nation.
On Tuesday August 30, 2006 the whole village of Maltahöhe was all ‘black’, not because of the lack or shut down of electricity, but because more than 250 missionary mothers and youth came out in full force in the black regalia of the WMS. It was evident that only the ‘early birds’ would get some seating for the opening ceremony of the Annual Conference the following day, because the WMS Convention was packed to capacity. Mrs. Isabella Swartbooi and Mrs. Lydia Zaahl were elected as delegate and alternate to the Quadrennial Missionary Convention 2007, and the YPD’ers elected Sister Amoline Keister and Bro. Ismael Petrus /Goagoseb as delegate and alternate respectively. Bishop Samuel L Green SR pledged that he will ensure that Bro. /Goâgoseb do attend the Convention.
The 52nd Session of the Namibia Annual Conference commenced on Thursday August 31, 2006 with the Rev. Daniel Schmidt, host pastor, calling us to worship. The Rev. Paul Fredericks was on fire with the Annual Sermon titled, “The Word of God brings Life!” Inspirational sermons were preached with conviction by Bro. Charles Pieter (Lay Witness), Rev. A E Biwa (Emmaus) and Rev LaTanya Warren Floyd (Ordination), the latter from the 11th Episcopal District. The Commissioning Sermon on Sunday was powerfully delivered by the Rev. Shane Apollus, visiting Presiding Elder (Piketberg) from the Cape Annual Conference, on the title “Don’t Leave Without Him!”
Some of the important decisions that were taken included:
1. Rietoog AME Church has been renamed Dawid Gariseb Memorial AME Church,
2. Bethesda AME Church has been renamed Jonas Topnaar Memorial AME Church,
3. The missionary point at Karasburg has been added to the pastoral charge of Thomas AME Church, Grunau,
4. The missionary points at Rosh Pinah and Oranjemund (mining towns) have been added to the pastoral charge of Zion AME Church, Aus,
5. The Reverends Samuel /Howeseb and Fritz /Gariseb, both local deacons) were dropped from the Conference Roll at the request of their local churches since they left without certificates,
6. The Annual Conference, Winter Rally and Episcopal Planning Meeting sustentation amounts have been increased to N$ 200-00 per person, and all other weekend meetings to N$ 100-00 per person,
7. The Special Quadrennial Travel Fund was reconsidered in the light of the latest decision of the Bishop’s Council and General Board to uphold the decision on 35% cur of General Conference delegations, and this allocation has been renamed Namibia Development Fund with the understanding that the printing of the AME Nama Word Hymnal, 2nd edition will be its first priority.
8. Approval was granted for the Namibia Annual Conference to sign the Black Economic Empowerment project known as Offifiya with Old Mutual, Mutual and Federal and Nedbank with special emphasis on the upliftment of women.
9. The Missionary Areas have now been replaced by the President’s council in line with new WMS Constitution,
10. The Missionary Institute will be replaced with the Women’s Convocation,
11. The YPD Road Shows will be reintroduced in the new church year,
12. Three itinerant deacons (Reverends Anna Topnaar, Ronnie Persendt and Andries H Bloodstaan) and one local deacon (Reverend Jonas Tâseb) were ordained,
13. The Diamond Jubilee Historical Booklet, authored by the Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, was launched and well received, and
14. Two new Presiding Elders were appointed (Reverends Willem Simon Hanse and Daniel Schmidt).
In conclusion, I would like to offer some personal reflections on the 52nd Session of the Namibia Annual Conference. To start with, last year we succeeded in organising the Conference Journal, inclusive of all the pastoral and literary reports. This year, the Bishop proved that ‘we ain’t seen nothing yet’ and a printed conference bag inclusive of not only the Conference Journal but also campaign material of the Rev. Andrew Lewin were distributed to all clergy, delegates and conference officers. We salute Bishop Samuel L Green SR for the leadership provided so far, in which he walks the extra mile to change our traditional way of doing conference. Previously, committee members would meet at the seat of the conference and prepare reports, but since Bishop Samuel L Green Sr got to be appointed Presiding Prelate of the 15th Episcopal District, the entire office and conference administration has been overhauled.
The pastoral reports have been termed ‘praise reports’ and a whole lot of mindset change has taken place over the past 3 years. Whereas clergy used to lament their trials and tribulations over the past year under review, clergy are now challenged to give testimony about the goodness of the Lord, of how God has enabled you to rise above the challenges of pastoral ministry.
The Bishop also conducted an interface with the clergy. A special closed-door session took place, in which the bishop encouraged the clergy to raise their concerns without any fear of intimidation or victimisation. I must admit that I was impressed with the high sense of dignity and sophistication wherewith clergy alerted the prelate about their personal and collective issues.
With these loaded personal reflections, I believe that the eye has not seen and the year has not heard and the mind has not yet conceived the blessings the Lord has in store for the 15th Episcopal District and the Namibia Annual Conference through the person and office of Bishop Samuel L Green Sr. May God grant him wisdom and prosperity in all he do, and may the bishop lead us to higher grounds.
Submitted by the Rev. Willem Simon Hanse
Presiding Elder of the Hoachanas District
4. THE GLOBAL CORNER - THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH REMAINS UNITED:
The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation by water and the word;
From heav’n He came and sought her to be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her and for her Life He died.
In African Methodism it is the practise that Presiding Elders have the privilege of making recommendations for pastoral appointments, but it is the right (and duty) of the bishop to make the pastoral appointments. Furthermore, we must also understand that the Presiding Elder position is not an Order in the African Methodist Episcopal, but rather an Office. The African Methodist Episcopal Church has only two Orders, namely the Deaconate and Elder. Hence, it is the prerogative of the Bishop to elect Elders of his choice as Presiding Elders and we must also understand that Presiding Elders served at the behest of the Bishop.
At the beginning of the current church year the Rev. Hendrik /Gariseb has unilaterally and against the advice of his fellow Presiding Elders illegally called an AME Church Conference meeting at St. Peter’s AME Church. He was totally insubordinate to his seniors and went ahead with the meeting that was poorly attended by any standards. Instead of using the platform positively when the bishop enquired from him about this issue, he was rude with the bishop and displayed utter disrespect for the Order and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The bishop referred him to the Ministerial Efficiency Committee and filed the following charges against him:
1.1.1. Insubordination
1.1.2. Sowing seeds of discord
1.1.3. Showing disrespect to the office of Bishop assigned to the Fifteenth Episcopal District, and
1.1.4. Violating the Ordination Vows of the Elder Order.
During the Midyear Convocation 2005 the Rev. Hendrik /Gariseb absented himself, without apology, from the meeting of the Presiding Elders with the Bishop. There was no pastoral report from St. Peter’s AME Church. Moreover, the Presiding Elder report blanks of the Keetmanshoop District were left in the hands of Rev. Sam S Herero, who is a Deacon.
When he arrived late the following day, he, together with s small select group, refrained from attending any Worship Services until the Closing Worship Service. Before the start of the Noonday Service on Day 2, the bishop invited him to address the Presiding Elders and even made it clear to him that the bishop would want to give a private platform to discuss all his problems. The Reverend Hendrik /Gariseb left that meeting without any remorse and without taking the lifelines thrown to him by the bishop.
The Rev. Hendrik /Gariseb arrived on time for the Closing Worship Service of the Midyear, but he did not inform his fellow-Presiding Elders about any of his intentions. When prayers were done before this Service it was very evident that Rev. Hendrik /Gariseb, knowing his past tract record of disrespect to the bishops of this Church, was about to do something irresponsible. Your Presiding Elders were, therefore, not surprised at what he did. Whilst the bishop was busy reading the Holy Word, he stood up, disrespectfully tried to disturbed the bishop’s spirit by delivering a letter, of which only he knew the content. Also, the fact that the letter was prepared and not written at the spur of the moment, says a lot about Rev. Hendrik /Gariseb’s attitude towards his seniors. He staged a very unpleasant walk-out whilst the bishop was preaching, followed by his relatives and sympathisers.
The worshippers, however, remained spirited throughout the sermon and we thank God that His Messenger stood firm in the pulpit and delivered the Word with power and conviction. And it was not by chance but it was divine providence that the sermon was titled, “Restoring the Altar of God!” At the closure of the Service, the Bishop was left with no alternative and did the right thing by relieving the Rev. Hendrik /Gariseb from his assignment to the St. Peter’s AME Church and the Keetmanshoop Presiding Elder District and suspending him of all pastoral rights and privileges.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church hereby announce that the Rev. Hendrik /Gariseb and the Rev. Petrus Simon Moses Kooper have been suspended from pastoral duties without any rights and privileges until the 58th Session of the Namibia Annual Conference scheduled to take place at the Bethel Memorial AME Church, Luderitz from 24-28 August 2005. In line with the judicial process of the African Methodist Episcopal Church charges have been formulated and filed against the Rev. Hendrik /Gariseb and the Rev. Petrus Simon Moses Kooper, and they have been informed accordingly. Their continuous defiance of the Order and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is viewed in a very serious light. Hence, all members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church are hereby encouraged to refrain from attending meetings and worship services called by the Rev. Hendrik /Gariseb and the Rev. Petrus Simon Moses Kooper under the name and pretext of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The suspended Rev. Hendrik /Gariseb and Rev. Petrus Simon Moses Kooper have not only disrespected the name and integrity of Bishop Samuel L Green SR and that of the African Methodist Episcopal Church but are also involved in a misinformation campaign as if they are at the receiving end of the bishop’s wrath for speaking out against the Connection and the Episcopacy. We have taken note that AME archive material is being quoted out of context to justify their ill-conceived cause. It must be stated categorically clear that the suspension of the Rev. Hendrik /Gariseb and the Rev. Petrus Simon Moses Kooper has no linkage to the ongoing reformative process within the AME Church.
The recent misguided media coverage about a looming split within the African Methodist Episcopal Church is devoid of any truth. The leaders and members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Namibia remain faithful, loyal and committed members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church connection as part of the 15th Episcopal District under the leadership of Bishop Samuel L Green SR.
We wish to sensitize all institutions in the Republic of Namibia that the Rev. Hendrik /Gariseb and the Rev. Petrus Simon Moses Kooper, in lieu of their suspension, are no longer in good and regular standing and are not to represent or speak on behalf of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Their suspension means that they have been silenced until they appear before the Ministerial Efficiency Committee of the Namibia Annual Conference and answer to the charges filed against them.
And now, may the Grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father and the sweet Communion of the Holy Spirit, rest, abide and rule.
Bishop Samuel L Green Sr.
The Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi, Consultant
The Rev. Dr. Andreas Biwa, Presiding Elder
The Rev. William A Balie, Presiding Elder
The Rev. Paul Frederick, Presiding Elder
The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, Dean
The Rev. Neels J Simon, Presiding Elder
The Rev. Albert E Biwa, BoCE Director
President Alfred Goliath, Lay
President Anna L Tâseb, WMS
The Rev. Jakobus A Gertze, Conference Secretary
The Rev. Johannes J Schmidt, Ministerial Efficiency
The Rev. Jonas !Nakhom, Ministerial Efficiency
The Rev. Hans Isaak, Ministerial Efficiency
The Rev. Jonas Nakhom, Ministerial Efficiency
5. THE GLOBAL CORNER - PRESIDING ELDER’S STATEMENT ON THE RECENT ARTICLE IN THE “NEW ERA, ALLAFRICA.COM” AND “THE AME TODAY” DISCUSSION BOARD ON THE FOUNDING OF THE NEW AME CHURCH:
The Namibia Annual Conference of the Fifteenth Episcopal District
We greet the readers in the wonderful name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
The said church was started by expelled clergy of the Namibia Annual Conference in the 15th Episcopal District. The former two clergy (Hendrik /Gariseb and Petrus S M Kooper) were expelled at the recommendation of the Ministerial Efficiency at the 51st Session of the Namibia Annual Conference. The clergy were charged for sowing seeds of discord, showing disrespect to the Office of Bishop assigned to the Fifteenth Episcopal District, and violating the Ordination Vows of the Elder Order. After extensive deliberations, the members and delegates voted in favour (51), against (0) and abstained (8) that the two clergy be expelled from the AME Church. Without any remorse or appeal the two brothers left and made further malicious and slanderous public statements about the African Methodist Episcopal Church where they had reached the point of no return.
Their new church is mostly made of their relatives, friends and well-wishers and the 52nd Session of the Namibia Annual Conference held at the beginning of this month dropped other two local deacons (Fritz /Gariseb and Samuel /Howeseb) at the requests of their local churches from which they had withdraw without certificate. The ‘damage’, if any, to the AME Church has been minimum and the legacy of the AME Church spreads forth like a wild veldfire.
In conclusion, the AME Church has been operational within Namibia since it was reported to late President Paul Kruger in South Africa at the turn of the last century. The AME Church has been acknowledged by both colonial and independent Governments and its pastors (including expelled clergy) have been appointed as Marriage Officers and Commissioners of Oath for the past six decades in Namibia. On the allegations that the AME Church has never been registered with any of the Namibian authorities, we want to inform the rank and file that we had even incorporated the AMECDI in year 2002 with the Namibian Ministry of Trade and Industry and our number is 2002/241. One of the expelled clergy used to be the chairman of this Initiative.
We want to rest this case by thanking God for the sterling leadership of Bishop Samuel L Green, Sr. During the past three years, he has proven himself as a compassionate but firm leader, in whose leadership collective leadership took precedence above selfish individual interest. We salute Bishop Samuel L Green for keeping the AME Church in Namibia intact and that the legacy of Richard Allen, Petrus Andreas Jod, Zacheus Thomas and many other unsung heroes of African Methodism is now properly safeguarded for many generations still to come. To God be the glory!
And now, may the Grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, the Love of God the Father and the sweet Communion of the Holy Spirit, rest, abide and rule.
The Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi, Consultant to the Bishop
The Rev. Dr. Nicholas Charles Christians, Consultant to the Bishop
The Rev. Dr. Andreas Biwa, Presiding Elder of the Keetmanshoop District
The Rev. William A Balie, Presiding Elder of the Windhoek District
The Rev. Neels J Simon, Presiding Elder of the Gibeon District
The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, Presiding Elder of the Hoachanas District
The Rev. Daniel Schmidt, Presiding Elder of the Lüderitz District
6. THE ILLUSTRIOUS SENIOR BISHOP PHILIP R. COUSIN, SALUTES A.M.E. STUDENTS, COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGE PRESIDENTS IN OBSERVANCE OF HBCU WEEK:
Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, staff writer
The National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week, 2006 is officially observed September 10 –16, 2006 in a recent proclamation by President George W. Bush. HBCU Week is designed to provide HBCUs in assisting students in achieving their dreams and educational aspirations, in meeting the challenges of campus enrollment, fundraising and other challenges targeted during HBCU week. Because of the many significant contributions that Black Institutions of Higher Education have made HBCUs, which has prepared many productive students and community leaders in their churches, schools, and communities throughout the world, we celebrate this historic week.
Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Sr., at the age of 24 served as the President of Kittrel in North, Carolina. Presently this Scholar and Noteworthy Achiever in the area of Education, serves as the Senior Bishop of the A.M.E. Church and the Ninety-Six Elected Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1976. He is the Presiding Prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church. He acknowledges that, Because of the Divine Plan of God, Bishop Richard Allen and the many forefathers of our A.M.E. Colleges and Universities, we are able to enjoy the blessings of these persons. As we celebrate this commemorative week of HBCU, special recognition is extended to these individuals for their wisdom, knowledge and understanding, in having Faith in God for enhancing the VISION for the African Methodism. We are grateful to the students enrolled in the African Methodist Episcopal (HBCUs), Alumni, and Chairman of Boards, Faculty, Supporters, College, University and Seminarian Presidents for your day to day commitment of Excellence. In a recent survey, of all HBCUs enroll, 14 percent of all African American students in higher education, although they constitute only three percent of America’s 4,084 institutions of higher education.
Bishop Cousin is known as a Renown National Leader, Administrator, Teacher, Preacher and a Scholar in the area of Higher Education. He served as the Former President of The National Council of Churches for Christ in USA, in 1983 –1988 and presently serves on numerous boards and Commissions of Education. His concern and commitment to education is a major focus with special emphasis on Ministerial Education. Bishop Cousin supports HIV/AIDS Education in America and Africa in further educating the community and the Fourth Episcopal District, in serving children and adults through educational programs. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Central State University, Master of Divinity degree, Boston University and the Doctorate of Ministry Degree from Colgate-Rochester Divinity School.
Bishop Cousin will continue to promote HBCUs commitment in Higher Education, during his series of Annual Conferences in the A.M.E. Church.
On behalf of the entire constituency of African Methodism, Bishop Cousin acknowledges a special tribute to all HBCUs and Historically Black Colleges, Universities and Seminaries of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
7. THE KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE SETS THE STANDARD FOR THE THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
The Kentucky Annual Conference is being held at St. James AME Church, Danville, Kentucky
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is leading the team magnificently. Supervisor Stan McKenzie stands tall and is working diligently with the missionary person and with all of the members of the Annual Conference.
Presiding Elder Ralph Johnson has done a great job teaching at the Thursday morning Ministers' Institute.
The Conference began with the Ministers' Institute on Tuesday with excellent teaching on church administration by the Rev. Dr. Frederick Wright, pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church, Cincinnati, Ohio. The training was insightful and relevant.
The pastoral reports are taking place now and it is an emotional experience to listen to the reports of the small churches and their dedicated pastors. The small-church pastors with two or three members are just as enthusiastic about their reports as the pastors are with the larger churches. And most encouraging is the encouragement to all of the churches and their pastors by Bishop McKenzie. She just advised that the offering taken up at today's "Hour of Power" will be given to one of the smaller churches to help with its Conference obligation.
The AME Church is indeed doing the work of ministry and we appreciate the Episcopal leadership.
This article was prepared on the editor’s Blackberry mobile phone at the Thursday morning session of the Kentucky Annual Conference.
Additional news: The Reverend E. Holmes Matthews is being superannuated.
8. THE MEMBERS OF THE KANSAS NEBRASKA CONFERENCE AND NORTHWEST MISSOURI CONFERENCE VOTED TO POSSIBLY MERGE INTO ONE CONFERENCE:
The members of the Kansas Nebraska Conference and Northwest Missouri Conference voted to possibly merge into one conference. In order to officially take such action on the merger, the General Conference must vote in 2008. The Proposed Midwest Annual Conference consists of 80 churches in the western region of the State of Missouri, and the entire state of Kansas and Nebraska.
Bishop John R. Bryant, the presiding prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District asked both conferences to operate as one but keep separate operations until it is officially acted upon at General Conference. There are three presiding elders that make up the Proposed Midwest Annual Conference: Presiding Elder Donna F. Roberson, Presiding Elder Steven Cousin, and Presiding Elder Theodore R. Evans, Sr.
This past week history was made when both conferences held annual conference jointly in the Jack Reardon Convention Center in Kansas City, Kansas. The Convention was packed daily. Bishop Bryant preached a soul stirring message at the closing service, entitled "The Way to Greatness is on the Road to Service", scripture Mark 9:33. Bishop Bryant's sermon focused on the importance of providing service in this Christian journey, and with service comes greatness.
An official website is now in operation to see current events in both conferences: http://www.kansascitydistrict.org/ . The website is designed by Presiding Elder Steven Cousin of the Kansas City District.
The Proposed Midwest Annual Conference will be in held in Metropolitan Kansas City, September 10-15, 2007.
Attached is the resolution for our conference, please publish. Along with the information noted above.
Thank you in advance for your attention in this matter. If you have any questions, call me at 816-506-9058.
Rev. Eraina Aseme
Director of Public Relations
Rev. Marilyn Robinson
Co-Director of Public Relations
9. THE 2006 “COME IN FROM THE STORM” EVANGELISTIC CRUSADE:
Rev. Dr. Letitia Williams-Watford
For the second consecutive year, St. Peter AME has endeavored to collaborate with pastors, churches, ministries, and persons of influence to bring meaningful evangelistic outreach to our neighboring community. “Come in from the Storm Crusade 2006” was slated for August 10-11 under the big tent at the corner of Rosa Parks and Wade Street. While both nights of this event were spiritually satisfying, Friday night brought its own unique circumstance, even challenge.
We “came in from the storm!”
On Friday night, at 6:00 p.m. the bottom of the sky fell out! Thunder and lightening flashed. The leader of the guest music ministry phoned to say their van was sitting in traffic on the interstate. And, the power failed on streets all around the tent.
Nothing to do but trust God!
Surely a harvest would be reaped from the months of planning and preparation. Through mud, muck and mosquitoes!
Praise God! The rain stopped at 7:03 p.m. By 7:15 the cars began to roll in, and folks were streaming in on foot from every direction—through the mud, muck and mosquitoes! Clearly, those in need of blessings—both spiritual and/or material blessing would not be denied this night.
An anointed evening
From the opening moments, the audience was electrified--first, by the Gospel Rap of King Wes and Company and then by Rev. F. J. McCullough and the praise team from Payne Chapel AME Church, Birmingham, Alabama.
By the time the director of the AMEC Department of Church Growth and Development, Dr. James Wade, took the pulpit, God had shown up and we knew God was about to show out! It’s all GOD when folk get “slain in the spirit” — in the mud!
Free Groceries! & School Stuff!
Much gratitude is extended to our many collaborators for helping make it possible for us to extend material outreach to dozens of folk who truly stood in need of the free food and school supplies given away nightly. Undoubtedly, many believed these were their primary motivations for coming to the Crusade.
The people left with so much more than groceries and school supplies! Yokes were broken, bodies and minds were healed, and above all souls were saved!
St. Peter AME Church is located at 512 Liberty St., Montgomery, AL 36108. Dr. Letitia Williams Watford is the pastor. Leo Brock, Sr. is Presiding Elder. The Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland is Presiding Bishop.
Dr. Watford, Pastor St. Peter, Montgomery
10. CAREER OPPORTUNITY - THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE USA JOB DESCRIPTION:
Associate General Secretary for Administration and Finance
The National Council of Churches is the leading ecumenical organization among Christians in the United States. It encompasses 35 member communions including Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox communions, African-American denominations and historic peace churches. The Council serves as both a convener and voice for a faith constituency of almost 50 million people and over 100,000 congregations in all 50 states. It is organized around five program commissions and does extensive work in research, Bible translation, Christian education, theological and interfaith dialogue, witness through the media, and advocacy around issues of social justice and public policy.
Position Description:
To provide executive leadership as the Chief Financial Officer for financial and business management of the NCCCUSA in support of its mission and functions as defined by the Council’s Governing Board, and to develop the administrative and financial systems for strengthening the Council’s services for its membership and mission functions.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Serve as Chief Administrator of the Council including management of its offices, and the functions of procurement, human resources and development.
- Serve as the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Council, with responsibility for the operation of its financial and business services.
- Manage the organizational culture with updated analytical and financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting capabilities appropriate to present fiscal realities, and financial planning capabilities that will enable continued growth and development for the Council.
- Serve as primary staff to the Administration and Finance Committee of the Governing Board with responsibility for financial planning, annual budget, annual audit, monitoring income and expenses, and fiscal stability of the Council.
- Serve as primary staff to the Human Resources Committee, and the Bible Translation and Utilization Committee.
- Supervise the work of the controller and all financial and business services staff.
- Relate as peer to fiscal officers and staff in NCCCUSA member communions, to Church World Service fiscal officers and to partners and supporters
- Maintain an environment of fiduciary responsibility, fiscal accountability and managerial excellence as a means of enhancing the confidence of the Governing Board and member communions in the viability of the Council.
- Perform other duties and exercise other responsibilities as directed by the General Secretary, the Governing Board, or the Administration and Finance Committee.
- Serve as a member of senior staff teams formed to plan, support and manage Council initiatives.
Minimum Qualifications:
- The individual should have ten years experience as a financial administrator in a non-profit agency, demonstrating the qualities of sound judgment, management and problem-solving creativity, ability to work flexibly and effectively with diverse individuals in a complex organizational setting, and a comprehensive understanding of administrative and financial operations.
- An understanding of the opportunities and challenges of the National Council of Churches and its denominational constituency.
- Experience in a denominational office, or a local and regional council of churches.
- Experience working with boards, endowments and fund accounting.
- Experience in providing supervision skills with exempt and non-exempt staff.
Location: This position will be based in the NCC New York headquarters. Some travel will be expected.
Reports to: The General Secretary
Please send a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to:
Associate General Secretary for Administration & Finance Search, Attn: Joan Gardner, National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Rm. 812, New York, NY 10115. jgardner@ncccusa.org No calls please.
The National Council of Churches is an equal opportunity employer. For more information about the Council go to http://www.ncccusa.org/.
*** It is required that in order to be considered for this position a candidate must be a member in good standing of one of the NCCC constituent communions.
Deadline: October 10, 2006
The Right Reverend E. E. McCloud submitted this information. The AME Church is a NCCC constituent member
11. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES ON THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF THE LATE REV. JOHANNES METUSALACH NOETEB LAID TO REST AT THE EXODUS AME CHURCH, HOACHANAS ON SUNDAY, 10 SEPTEMBER 2006:
Translated + rearranged by the Rev. Wilem Simon Hanse, Presiding Elder of the Hoachanas District from the detailed Obituary Statement delivered by Mr. Neels Cooper hoachanasamec@yahoo.com
The village of Hoachanas was a beehive of activity last Saturday and Sunday (9+10 September 2006) when more than a thousand people flocked to the Noeteb family residence and the Exodus African Methodist Episcopal Church to funeralise “the last man standing” in the Kai//Khau Traditional Authority, the late Rev. Johannes Metusalach !Noeteb.
The late Rev. Noeteb was born on 10 August 1919 at Hoachanas and baptized in the German Rhynish Missionary Society on 10 October 1920 by the late German missionary E Luof. He completed Grade 2, which was the highest academic grade obtained in the German missionary schools at that time and entered the job market as farm worker in 1934. Together with Johannes Gurubeb, Frans !Nakhom, Simon Jantze, Jonathan Demas and many others, he fought in the 2nd World War, but the German government is still to honour the promises made to these and other Nama soldiers. During 1946 he was part of the adult members who broke away from the Rhynish Missionary Society and joined the African Methodist Episcopal Church. His first marriage to late Katrina Nâmes was solemnized on 26 October 1946 in the AME Church, and after her death, he got married Martha Lukas on 17 July 1967.
It is said that the late Rev. !Noeteb took much pride in the motto of the AME Church, God our Father, Christ our Redeemer and Man our Brother, and this motto was mostly part of his greetings when he preached. He, at an early age, understood the “philosophy of self help” which was proclaimed and practiced by the AME Church. This was evident in the large stock of cattle he used to possess as a youngster, and the generous livestock donations he made periodically to the AME Church at Hoachanas.
During the early 1950, the fresh winds of national liberation that blew across Namibia also affected him and he became vocal on many political and socio-economic issues that affected the people of Hoachanas. When Headman Mattheus Kooper, whom he served as personal assistant and spokesman died, he was elected the undisputed leader of the Kai-//Haun people of Hoachanas. In 1977, he represented his people at the meeting of Nama chiefs called by the Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi at Gibeon, and joined the SWAPO Party together with his people.
When he organized and started the AME Private Community School at Hoachanas propagating and introducing the use of English as medium of instruction, he became the focal point of the apartheid South African government and its security apparatus. The decision to join the SWAPO Party offended the colonial administration so much that he was periodically detained. On 24 April 1978, he was one of those traditional and community leaders who were detained under proclamation AG 26 of 1978 and kept in solitary confinement at Gobabis. Only later did he realise that he was not the only detained, but that the Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi, the late Frans Kambangula, the late Daniel Tjongarero, the late Mokganeti Thlabanelo and many others had also be detained the same day but at their respective places. A lot of hardship followed and he also lost employment as government’s institutional worker at Hoachanas. After independence, the Namibian Government awarded the Bravery Medal (Bronze) to the late Rev. Noeteb on 26 August 2002. At another opportunity, he displayed his courage and convictions by informing the Founding Father of the Nation, President Sam Nujoma, that people do not survive from certificates and awards, but that government should introduce job creation programs and projects to benefit the community of Hoachanas.
The Rev. Noeteb had been a faithful member of the Immanuel AME Church, Hoachanas since 1946. It was this church who recognized his leadership potential and he was ordained a local deacon by Bishop Robert Thomas JR on 1 October 1989, but he was amongst the dissatisfied group of people who withdrew from the Immanuel AME Church and joined the Hoachanas East circuit in 1998. Several attempts by the former pastor of Immanuel AME Church, who was last year expelled from the African Methodist Episcopal Church, to have the late Rev. Noeteb stripped of his ordination status were unsuccessful. The Namibia Annual Conference confirmed his deaconate status with this circuit, which was renamed Exodus AME Church in memory of the people’s mass transfer of membership from the Immanuel AME Church to Hoachanas East circuit.
At the Memorial Service that was held the Saturday evening, the Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, presiding elder of the Hoachanas District, paid tribute from Psalm 90:1-12, elevating the Rev. J. M. Noeteb as the ‘Moses of Hoachanas and the Kai//Hau people’ and as a man who had seen the mighty works of God the same Moses had seen the mighty works in the liberation episodes of Israel. In the Sunday Funeral Celebration, the Rev. Dr. Andreas Biwa, the presiding elder of the Keetmanshoop and the administrative assistant of the Bishop, paid tribute to the leadership qualities of the late Rev. !Noeteb and also brought the official statement of sympathy on behalf of Bishop Samuel L Green Sr and the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The detailed obituary was delivered by Mr. Neels Cooper, with the support of Ms. Sina Noetes. The Eulogy by the Rev. William A Balie, the immediate past presiding elder of the Hoachanas District, was based on Psalm 23:1-2. The burial ritual was presided over by the Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi, one of the two Special Consultants of Bishop Samuel L Green Sr in the Namibia Annual Conference. The other Consultant is the Rev. Dr. Nicholas Charles Christians from Keetmanshoop. Long live the sacred memory of the Rev. J. M. Noeteb.
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regretfully announce the passing of Mr. Jimmie Lee Goodwin, Jr. on September 11, 2006. Mr. Goodwin is the brother of Rev. Angelia Walker and brother-in-law of Rev. Sam J. Walker, Pastor of St. Luke AME Church, Birmingham, AL.
FAMILY HOUR
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Taylor's Funeral Home
7 PM - 8 PM
FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, September 15, 2006, 1 PM
Gaines Chapel AME Church
921 10th Avenue
Phenix City, AL 36867
Rev. Sam J. Walker. Eulogist
Condolences may be sent to:
The Goodwin Home
1021 14th Avenue
Phenix City, AL 36867
Professional Services Entrusted to:
Taylor's Funeral Home
1514 5th Avenue
Phenix City, AL 36867
(334) 298-0364
Clarence Taylor, Director
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Viola Stephenson the wife of late Presiding Elder Don Stephenson of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference died on September 9, 2006. Mrs. Viola Stephenson was a former WMS Conference Branch President of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
Service Arrangements for Mrs. Viola Stephenson:
Funeral
Saturday, September 16, 2006
11:00 a.m.
Trinity AME Church
2201 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Ks. 66101
913-621-2306 Phone
Rev. Fran Cary, Pastor of Trinity AME Church will officiate.
Services entrusted to:
Thatchers Funeral Home
1520 N. 5th St.
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
913-321-1211
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Son - Versie Stephenson
8029 Flora Ave.
Kansas City, Missouri 64118
816-213-6953 Phone
Daughter - Patricia Lange
816-436-4200 Phone
Submitted by: Margaret A. Riley
Local WMS President, Trinity AME Church
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Veronica (Cotton) Reuben, the Daughter of the Rev. Thomas H. and Sharon H Van Leer of Woodbury, Minnesota passed on Monday morning, September 11, 2006, from injuries resulting from a car accident in Atlanta, GA.
Veronica Reuben was a faithful member of Mother St. James AME Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Both she and her children were active and an integral part of Mother St. James AME Church in Minneapolis, MN. Veronica leaves 5 Children (Jazzlyn 14, Ashlyn 12, Triplets-Aryon, Ariyon, Aniyah (2 years old on September 5, 2006).
Service arrangements:
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Family Hour and Viewing: 10:00 am
Home going Service: 11:00 am
St. James AME Church
624 West Central Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55406
651-227-4151 Phone
651-767-0758 Fax
Rev. Marchelle Hallman, pastor of Mother St. James AME, Eulogist.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to:
The Veronica (Cotton) Reuben Fund
Contribution may be sent to:
The Veronica (Cotton) Reuben Fund
c/o Mother St. James AME Church
3600 Snelling Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-721-4566 Phone
Respectfully,
The Rev. Thomas & Sharon Van Leer and the Veronica Reuben Family
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mr. Stanley Eugene Frost, the brother of the Reverend Charles (Evelyn) Frost passed.
Service Arrangements:
Family Hour:
Thursday, September 14th
7:00 p.m.
Hardy Funeral Home
2408 MLK Drive.
Little Rock, AR
Funeral Service:
Friday, September 15, 2006
11:00 a.m. at the Funeral Home
Condolences may be sent to the family.
c/o Rev. Charles Frost
29 Creekridge Circle
North Little Rock, AR 72120
Or via Email: AMEpreacher2002@yahoo.com
Anita Brannon
Please remember the bereaved families in your prayers.
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Services for Mr. Taylor Thompson, father of the Rev. Dr. Taylor T. Thompson, pastor of St. John AME Church Cleveland, Ohio, Betty Thompson (Pittsburgh) and Bobby Hassain (Pittsburgh) will be Saturday, September 16, 2006. Brother Thompson was a long time member of Bethel AME Pittsburgh and served on the steward board. He was also the retired founder and president of the Thompson Electric Company, founded in 1951. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife, Mrs. Rosie H. Thompson, children and family.
Wake 9 a.m.
Masonic Services 10 a.m.
Homegoing Service 11 a.m.
Services at:
Bethel AME Church
The Rev. James McLemore, Pastor
2720 Webster Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Fax 412-683-5743
Office 412-683-2160
Arrangements by:
Samuel J. Jones Funeral Home
2644 Wylie Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Office 412-621-9644
Fax 412-621-2972
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Rosie H. Thompson and Family
993 Surrey Woods Drive
Bethel Park, PA. 15102
412-833-3852
Or Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Taylor T. Thompson
P.O. Box 613
Berea, Ohio 44017-0613
216-214-6886
Or email revttthomp@aol.com
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Please remember the family in your prayers.
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
