11/02/2006

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (11/2/06)

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. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:

- To the Editor:

Good article on the "digital divide." I'm glad to say that Morris Brown is working to bridge the divide. We have a Technology Ministry and a twelve station, up-to-date, online computer lab that we use:

a. In our tutorial and mentoring and summer enrichment ministries to elementary and middle school students of the church and community,

b. For a free, basic adult computer class that leaves each participant with an e-mail address - the oldest graduate was 87 years old - and,

c. For intermediate and advanced classes for those who complete the basic class and want to do more.

We've also taken our website off line to revamp and make it interactive, and we communicate with the members of the Official Board and the membership at large by e-mail on a regular basis.

We're also working on an intra-congregational blog, and are committed to seeing that the church serves the present age - technology and all!

The Rev. Dr. Joe Darby, Pastor
Morris Brown AME Church, Charleston, SC

2. QUESTION FOR A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:

a. Who was Bishop Nichols’ father?
b. Where and when did Bishop Nichols attend his first General Conference?
c. Where did Bishop Nichols first attend school?
d. Bishop Nichols was an assistant organist at what church?
e. What college did Bishop Nichols attend?

Editor’s Note: The answers must be emailed back to the Editor within 48 hours from the posting of this issue.

3. THE PROPOSED MIDWEST CONFERENCE OF THE FIFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:

By the Rev. Eraina Marie Aseme, Publicity Chairperson
The Rev. Marilyn Robinson, Publicity Co-Chair

Every year after the series of Annual Conferences are held for the African Methodist Episcopal Church of the Fifth Episcopal District, the presiding prelate holds a Planning Meeting at a designated location called by him or her. Following that tradition, Bishop John Richard Bryant held the Annual Planning Meeting on October 30, 2006 at the Hilton Airport, St Louis, Missouri. The host presiding elders were Reverends C. Jesse Strong, St. Louis/Columbia District and W. Bartlette Finney, St. Louis/Cape Girardeau District. The Missouri Conference hosted the Planning Meeting along with Revs. Edmund Lowe Sr., Christ Our Redeemer, Black Jack, Missouri and Marvin Sullivan II, Ward Chapel, Florissant, Missouri. The theme for the conference year is Serving Well and the scripture is James 2:17 NRSV. The Bishop’s Planning Meeting consisted of clergy and lay persons representing 250 churches across the Midwest and western region of the United States of America representing 14 states. Bishop John R. Bryant along with the Episcopal Supervisor, Rev. Cecelia Williams Bryant set plans and the calendar for the coming conference year. Rev. Cecelia Williams Bryant oversees the missionaries of the Fifth Episcopal District at all levels, local, conference and district.

In addition, to making plans and setting duties for the coming year, pastoral appointments are made by the presiding prelate. According to a spokesperson, the Bishop’s Planning Meeting was informative and well attended. All Episcopal district reports were given: Women’s Missionary Society, Lay Organization, Presiding Elders’ Council, Women In Ministry, Western University Land Development Site, Nehemiah Ministries, Spouses/Widows Alliance, Economic Development and Fifth District Prayer Ministry. Along with the progressive reports that were given. Dynamic preaching was exalted by Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, President, Payne Theological Seminary in the morning worship service, her sermon title, “What Is Your Faith Doing?”, James 2:1, 17; and Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate of the Eleventh Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church at the Hour of Power preached from I Samuel 17:38, “Wear Your Own Clothes.” Both preachers were affected by the flaws of life. For an example, a few minutes before Dr. Fitchue was to mount the podium, the hotel authorities ordered all occupants to evacuate the hotel due to a fire. A few seconds later the authorities announced that the fire was a false alarm. In the case of Bishop Young, an earlier flight that he was scheduled to board was cancelled for his travel from Florida to St. Louis Missouri. Once he secured his flight and landed in St. Louis, MO, it was reported that his luggage was lost. So as fate would have it he called upon Bishop Vinton R. Anderson, a retired Bishop of the A.M.E. Church who resides in St. Louis to borrow his purple robe. Bishop Young’s luggage experience influenced such a timely message, “Wear Your Own Clothes”. God works in mysterious ways. In addition, Bishop Bryant, the presiding prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District made the following pastoral appointments:

The Rev. Sherrie Wood Powe to St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Olathe, Kansas; the Rev. Farris Settles, Willis Chapel A.M.E. Church, Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO); the Rev. Carrie Humphrey, Mariah Walker A.M.E. Church, KCMO; Andrew Rollins; Bethel A.M.E. Church, Barstow, CA; the Rev. Willie Adams, Fountain of Hope A.M.E. Church, Las Vegas, NV; the Rev. Steve Shephard Sr. A.M.E. Church of the Resurrection, Richmond, CA; the Rev. Janet Swift, Price Chapel A.M.E. Church, La Jolla, CA, the Rev. Edwin Donaldson, Jr., Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church, Wichita, KS and Craig Wilkerson, Olive Chapel A.M.E. Church, Kirkwood, MO, and the Rev. L. C. Drew received evangelism papers.

Due to the increase pastoral responsibility of the Rev. Noella Buchannan resigned as the Fifth Episcopal District Women In Ministry President. Her successor who was appointed by Bishop Bryant is Rev. Pamela Mason, pastor of Carter Memorial A.M.E. Church, Fresno, CA. Also, Bro Kenton Sanders was appointed the Director of Music for the Fifth Episcopal District. Bro. Sanders is responsible for providing and coordinator music for the Fifth District. He is a member of Wayman A.M.E. Church, St. Louis, Missouri; his pastor is Rev. Dr. Timothy E. Tyler. Bro. Sanders has the awesome task of organizing, planning, leading and directing the music team for the General Conference. It is estimated that over 600 members are scheduled to make-up the choir for General Conference.

Furthermore, the African Methodist Episcopal Church will be holding its General Conference in July 2008. The General Conference session will bring approximately 30,000 to 40,000 will be in attendance. The Fifth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church will host the General Conference. The General Conference is normally held for 10 days. At this conference, church laws are adopted, redefined and/or removed, elections of officers and Bishops are made. Also, Bishops are assigned to the various Episcopal districts.

4. RELIGIOUS LEADERS APPEAL TO CONGRESS- SEEKING JUSTICE IN OUR LAND:

October 24, 2006

Dear Members of Congress:

We write to you on the eve of the 2006 elections, as leaders of eleven faith communities who have come together in Churches Uniting in Christ and pledged to combat racism together in our churches and in our society as the hallmark of this new relationship. We represent over 25 million communicants nationwide.

We are grateful that the 109th Congress renewed expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act, but we remain deeply concerned that Congress has failed to address the issue of the federal minimum wage. It is time to put this important matter of economic and racial justice in a prominent place in the national debate and to act upon it when Congress returns after the elections.

Through the millennia prophets have called for economic justice for all. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “There is nothing except shortsightedness to prevent us from guaranteeing an annual minimum – and livable – income for every American family.” Pope John Paul II stated, “In every case, a just wage is the concrete means of verifying the justice of the whole socioeconomic system.” Today we add our appeal to these voices.

There is a growing hidden underclass in the United States today. By keeping the minimum wage as a poverty wage, Congress compounds this reality that has major impact on all segments in our society. But poverty disproportionately affects people of color who, according to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau, experience a higher rate of poverty in this country. Indeed, African Americans and Hispanics are nearly three times as likely to live under the poverty line, and nearly two times as likely to live under twice the official poverty.

The real value of the minimum wage today is nearly $4.00 less than it was in 1968. Minimum wage workers today have less buying power than minimum wage workers did in 1950. At the same time, Congress clearly recognizes the results of inflation when it gives itself raise after raise, most recently this summer.

Signed by:

Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Sr
Senior Bishop
African Methodist Episcopal Church

Bishop George W. Walker, Sr.
Senior Bishop
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

Bishop William Graves, Sr,
Senior Bishop
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

The Reverend Dr. Sharon E. Watkins
General Minister and President
Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ)

The Rev. Mark Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate
Episcopal Church, USA

The Rev. Michael Livingston
President
International Community Churches

The Rev. David Wickmann
President, Provincial Elders
Moravian Church Northern Province

The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick
States Clerk of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (USA)

The Rev. John H. Thomas
General Minister and President
United Church of Christ

The Rev. Dr. Larry D. Pickens
General Secretary, Ecumenical Staff Officer
The United Methodist Church

5. A GIVE-AWAY OF WHICH READERS SHOULD ADVANTAGE:

In 2003 the “AME Biblically Based Study Course” along with the “Biblical Perspective about Debt” was printed for use by everyone in the church.

In March, 2006, the series was reviewed by Dr. Calvin Sydnor III, Editor of the Christian Recorder, (The Official Organ of the African Methodist Episcopal Church); and in the March 21 edition he wrote:

“I would recommend that every Pastor order this wonderful resource to keep as a resource for the members of their congregation.”

The contents of this comprehensive book and audio series are so important to the church that GKM Product Development, Inc. made a decision to give (Free) one Biblically Based series to every AME pastor. All the pastor has to do is pay for packing and mailing ($15.00) but the series ($70.00 current retail) is Free.

Last week over 100 series were mailed to AME pastors throughout the United States.

To receive your audio and two book AME Series send a request via email to: series@gkmpackagingdist.com .

Please include your full name, the name of your church, full address of your church and a telephone number. Once your information is received the series will be mailed the same day. A self addressed stamped envelop is included for you to send your check ($15.00) for shipping and handling. Only one series per pastor is will be mailed

6. “2,4,6,8, HAVE WE FORGOTTEN TO EDUCATE?”:

*By Tonya C. W. Ballard

In the month of February we will be honoring the accomplishments of those who contributed to our history but what about our present? By no means do I intend to deny the accolades worthily bestowed upon our ancestry but I firmly believe our church is lacking some of the ingenuity that once made it standout from among the other denominations as innovative. Of course this is a sweeping generalization. There are many individual churches that are making strides in embracing this new age of technology with its multitudinous resources. But, we are a connection, not an individual church. I believe as a connection it is our duty to once again set a precedent - specifically in the field of education.

As a teacher in an urban school district I can honestly say that public school education is failing our children. However, I do not totally place the blame on the schools. We, the church, must bear a large brunt of that burden. Teachers are afforded with the gift and responsibility to educate. It is very difficult for them to do that when bombarded with overcrowded classrooms, under privileged students, and a host of issues that plague the public school system. We need support. We need resources. In short, we need you.

Great pioneers of education in the past fought valiantly for the right to equal access in education but access untapped is access denied. But, that does not and must not ring true for our children. If we have truly adopted the proverbial adage “It takes an entire village to raise one child,” then we must adopt the attitude that when one child is lost it is because the villagers are lost. I don’t know about you but I’m not willing to look into the eyes of any child and concede to failure.

While it would be easy to sit idly by and claim that the responsibility to educate falls squarely on the shoulders of those whom are paid (inadequate salaries), I adamantly disagree and so should you. My first teachers were my family members and my church members, synonymously. There was no separation of the two. But today many children don’t have parents who tell them church participation is mandatory. Unfortunately, many of today’s children are given a choice as to whether or not they will attend church much like a choice to join some after school extracurricular activity. It is our job to seek the lost, care for the least, and guide the left behind. We must bring our young people into the church. But what happens after that?

We excel at drawing the youth in but fail to retain them. Why? I believe it is because children, just like adults, need to be fed. How can we expect them to participate in church when they have no clue as to what is going on. They aren’t well versed in the hymns, they don’t know the order of service, they can’t connect with the whooping preacher and like many adults they don‘t understand why we do the things we do in church.

The highlight of their church experience is often in Sunday School or in youth Bible Study so we must be more effective in the use of this time devoted to Christian education. Our Sunday school teachers must be trained in the latest trends and strategies in reference to education. They must be able to relate to the culture that today’s children are privy to. By no means do I feel we should be accepting of what the world is offering our youth, but we need to be aware of the different ploys attempting to seduce our children. Prayer is a great tool to fight ignorance but so is the ability to think critically about a situation and make wise decisions. After all, wisdom is a gift of God as well.

Teachers are obligated to take part in professional development opportunities designed to help them perfect their craft. We should hold those who teach our Sunday Schools to the same accountability. Not everyone who teaches the Sunday School is called to do so. The same argument may be made for those who teach by profession. It is sometimes challenging to find qualified teachers to teach but as a wise person once said, “God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.” Teaching is a ministry and those who endeavor to do it should be equipped to do it effectively. Therefore, it is my belief that the church must become more progressive in how we train local Sunday School teachers and in teaching methods and practices.

We should develop standards for the Christian core curriculum that we provide that should include components of strategies and skills expected to be mastered in their respective schools. For instance, students in schools across New Jersey are expected to know how to respond to a picture, poem-linked, or persuasive prompt. They are also expected to formulate well thought-out responses to open-ended questions using textual support and activating schema. This may sound like jargon to anyone who is not a student or teacher in today’s schools but that should not be the case.

I learned public speaking at the church, I practiced reading at the church, and some of the best pieces I’ve ever written are in some way connected to the church. We must inspire the same drive in our youth today. Church should be the place where reading and writing come to life. Think about it. In days of yore the only book children had was the Bible. The Bible was the guiding light that gave children the power of education. If it is indeed our Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth then we must be the first, the willing, and the best instructors because God always does things perfectly.

Additionally, what good is it to have scholarship committees who raise money for students to go to college without having committees to ensure that those students are prepared succeed in college. Studies have shown that a disproportionate amount of African-American students have to take remedial courses upon entering college. They have not been prepared for the rigors of academia on a college level. We need to groom them to be able to think critically, speak profoundly, write effectively, read analytically, and listen attentively. This can be accomplished with the help of the church community.

You may think, “Easy for you to criticize, but what are the solutions?” We should begin to have meaningful dialogue, practical workshops, and Christian Educators’ Professional development. We may even be able to apply for Faith -Based or community funding as we partner with our local schools to achieve these goals. I don’t have all the answers but I do know this, if we don’t make some drastic changes in how we educate youth in our churches, an already dire situation will become even bleaker.

*Tonya Ballard is a seventh grade English Language Arts teacher in Plainfield, NJ and the wife of the Rev. Amir M. Ballard, pastor of Wells Chapel AME Church in the New Jersey Annual Conference.

7. AME-INDIA REPORT FOR OCTOBER:

We Praise the Lord, for God has been so good to us and the ministry of AMEC in India. God has touched many lives in different ways to prove to them, that God is alive, active, and almighty, that God loves them and cares for them. These brothers and sisters have come forward to share these divine experiences as personal testimonies for the edification of others. There were many such testimonies in this month, but we have selected a few to share with you. Let us rejoice along with the angels in heaven, for the salvation experience of these friends.

God Cares For a High Caste Hindu

Jeeva Laxmi was born and brought up in a staunch Hindu Saivite family. She happened to marry a Hindu convert who was a committed Christian, had the gift of tongues and exorcism. Each followed their own faith freely without any compulsions. Slowly the husband turned away from Christ, and his behaviour changed, he started drinking and beating his wife. He even attempted to kill her once. They have a six year old son. Recently Sarah counselled Jeeva Laxmi and shared the gospel with her, now she is reading the Bible and praying, she wants to revive the Christian faith in her husband. We request you to pray for Jeeva Laxmi to experience the touch of God and also for her husband’s faith to be revived.

God Brings Light through the Blind

We found Mr. & Mrs. Luke both of whom are blind. Both of them are born again committed Christians. We shared about the ministry of AME-India to them. God has touched them and called them to fulltime ministry. Now they have started a prayer fellowship for the blind at Maraimalainagar (between Chennai & Chengalpet). They minister to the blind in this vicinity that live by begging. They are eager to join with AMEC. They desperately need a place to conduct their prayer meetings and worship service. We are trying to help them out in this. Even though their world is filled with darkness, nevertheless the light of Jesus shines through them in the life of others. Please pray for their ministry, their safety and for God to provide them a place to worship.

God Heals Lung Cancer

Mr. Ravi was suffering and being treated for Lung cancer. His days were numbered, the hospital discharged him to go home and fulfill his last wishes before he could breathe his last breath. The whole family was filled with sorrow and depression. In this situation, Rebecca one of the cell group leaders led him to one of the cell meetings, here he committed his life to Jesus and believed in the healing power of Jesus when the people of God prayed for him. Later when he went back for a medical test, he was surprised and overjoyed to see that he was healed of cancer. There was no trace of it. Now he, his wife Geeta and daughter Pavithra all of them have put their trust in Christ and are attending the worship service at Bangalore. Please pray for them to become mature in their new found faith.

Jesus Is My Refuge

Mr. Kanikaraj, a Roman Catholic, against the wish of his family and church, married a girl whom he loved. As a result of this he was excommunicated from his family and the church. One of his friends, who is a member of the church at Bangalore, led him to the worship service, the love and the warm reception of the people of God led him and his wife to surrender their lives to Jesus. Mr. Kanikaraj has taken up a new name Allen, as a mark of his new identity. Both he and his wife want to be baptized. Please pray for them to grow in their relationship with Jesus. We also request prayers for Mrs. Kanikaraj, that God would touch and heal her from and heart problem that she is suffering from.

The Divine Touch Heals

The doctors had confirmed that Mrs. Israel had fibroid cancer and that she has to undergo operation. The dates were fixed for operation. The day before the operation Pastor Vijaymani and his associates visited Mrs. Israel in the hospital and prayed for her. On the day of operation, when the doctors tested her for the final time, she came out clean; she neither had fibroids nor cancer. God is indeed great. Please pray for Mrs. Israel and that God would use her testimony to touch many other lives.

Laxmi, a rich landlord, staunch Hindu, had been suffering from arthritis and had no peace of mind. She was led to one of the cell groups through which she was encouraged by Sarah. She wept and shared her burdens and sorrows with Sarah, she had been longing for peace in her life. This rendezvous led her to attend the worship service on Sundays. Now she witnesses that her arthritis has vanished. She now believes in Jesus and prays, but is yet to wholly commit her life to Jesus. Please pray for her salvation.

From Drug Peddler to Gospel Peddler

Mr. Ponraj comes from a Hindu family, whose family was involved in cultivating and selling harmful drugs. Due to this illegal business they had earned a lot of money and were well off. All this came to a halt when his father died and before his death he discouraged his children from continuing in the same business, since it was evil.

Sticking to the promise to his father, Ponraj decides to change his means of livelihood, so he learns to drive motor vehicles. He got married, after giving birth to two daughters his wife dies of Brain Tumour. He spent a lot of money to treat her ailment, but could not save her. The younger daughter was only nine months old when his wife passed away. His family members forced him to marry a second time and this time he married one of his close relatives who happened to be a born-again committed Christian. Through her he came to know the Lord and now he has committed himself to serve God, by preaching the gospel. Praise the Lord, for the Lord’s ways are marvelous. Please pray for this family to grow in the Lord and that God would use them as effective instruments of God’s mission.

From Hinduism to Christ

Esther Puttrose was born and brought up in a Hindu family. After her marriage she moved from the village to the city along with her husband and began to accommodate herself in a large joint family. Life was difficult for her in such a big family.

One day she came across a Gospel team who were selling gospel packets, out of her curiosity she wanted to buy a gospel packet, but she did not have the required money, but the evangelist was gracious enough to share about Jesus and present her with the Gospel of Mark in her own language. She read it repeatedly and finally she surrendered her life to Christ, within three months her husband also came to accept Jesus. When his family (who were staunch Hindus) came to know about it, they started torturing them. Fear led her husband to turn his back on Christ and hen started torturing Esther to give-up her new found faith.

In spite of this struggle, she continued to believe in Jesus and earnestly pray for her husband. After a long wait, recently he has recommitted his life to Christ, without the iota of fear which he had earlier. Now they live as a separate family, but they have Jesus with them and they have inner peace. Please pray for the safety and growth in Christian maturity.

We are pleased to inform you that Pastor Rajamanickam of Thimmarajanpettai has been able to rebuild their worship place which was almost in shambles. This was possible because of the gift given by Bishop John. Bishop John and his associates had visited this church, shared God’s word and fellowshipped with the people. The Pastor and the congregation express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Bishop John and the AME Church.

We urgently and earnestly request you to pray for the State of Tamilnadu, and particularly Chennai and its surroundings. Many of the AME brothers and sisters have also been affected by the rains and floods; we request your prayers for them. Recently we had heavy rains due to which the city is inundated with water everywhere, due to this there is fear of epidemic. Many of the houses are still submerged in water, the roads are cut off, trees have fallen and phone lines are cut, some places do not have electricity. Unfortunately this city is never prepared for rains. Our internet connection is out of order over a week.

We will be grateful to you for your prayers for us. Abraham and Isaac (our son) have been down with fever, please pray for their healing. In the rains we had to face a difficult time travelling to different places visiting the churches, preaching and teaching them. By the grace of God we are safe back home.

We thank all of you for remembering us in your prayers. We also thank Bishop John and Rev. Cee for their constant encouragement and prayers. We are grateful to God as well as to Bishop John and Rev. Cee for giving us the opportunity to serve God through AME-India. The above testimonies are stark examples of God’s work through AME-India, and we rejoice in it. Praise the Lord.

Sarah & Abraham
AME-India
31st October 2006

8. CONGRATULATORY NOTIFICATIONS:

Congratulatory notifications are posted on Friday of each week that we might share the “Joyful” moments; the “GOOD” news of Clergy Family Graduations, Births, Weddings, and Wedding Anniversaries (25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 75th) and extend commendations, congratulations and well wishes to those clergy families who are praising God for the Joy of significant milestones reached in their lives.

9. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

The passing of Mrs. Eulalie Petersen Elcock, the aunt of former Episcopal Supervisor,
Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot.

Service of Celebration for Mrs. Eulalie Petersen Elcock:
Saturday, November 4, 2006
11:00 a.m.
St. Paul Lutheran Church
2569 Tilson Road
Decatur, Georgia
404-241-2524 Phone

Condolences may be sent to:
Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot
240 Ashington Court
Brentwood, TN 37027-4362
Email: Sisti684@aol.com

10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regretfully announce the passing of Rev. Albert Curry on October 29, 2006. Rev. Curry was a Retired Minister in the Alabama Conference.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Funeral Service:
Thursday, November 2, 2006
1:00 PM
Brown Chapel AME Church
410 Martin L. King Street
Selma, AL 36701
334-874-7897

Funeral Director:
Lewis Funeral Home
1140 Minter Avenue
Selma, AL 36701
334-875-7212 Phone
334-875-3806 Fax

Messages may be sent to:
Mrs. Odessa Curry & Family
626 Dallas Co. Road
Jones, AL 36749

11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Mrs. Lucille Coates, wife of Rev. E. E. Coates, (Retired Pastor) Texas Conference (Houston area) went home to be with the Lord, Friday, October 27, 2006.

Viewing Information:7 P.M. - 9 P.M. - Friday evening, November 3, 2006
Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church - Houston, Texas

Homegoing Service Information:11:00 A.M. - Saturday, November 4, 2006

Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church - Houston, Texas

The Rev. Dr. Leo Griffin, Pastor
2209 Dowling Street
Houston, Texas 77003

Ph: (713) 659-6682

Sister Lucille Coates' final earthly care has been entrusted to:

Johnson Funeral Home
5730 Calhoun Road
Houston, Texas 77021

Ph: (713) 747-9604
Fax: (713) 741-5849

Condolences may be sent to: Rev. E. E. Coates10730 Braes Forest DriveHouston, Texas 77071Ph: (713) 988-5314

12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Rev. Elmo Quarles (Retired Pastor); Texas Conference (Houston area) went home to be with the Lord, Monday, October 30, 2006.

Viewing Information:

7 P.M. - 9 P.M. - Friday evening, November 3, 2006

McCoy & Harrison Mortuary-Houston, Texas
Homegoing Service Information:

1:30 P.M. - Saturday, November 4, 2006

Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church-Houston, Texas

Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church
The Rev. Dr. Leo Griffin, Pastor
2209 Dowling Street
Houston, Texas 77003

Ph: (713) 659-6682
Rev. Elmo Quarles' final earthly care has been entrusted to:

McCoy & Harrison Funeral Home Inc.
4918 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77021

Phone: (713) 659-7618
Fax: (713) 748-7122

Condolences may be sent to: Mrs. Irozolia Quarles 3117 Chimira LaneHouston, Texas 77051Ph: (713) 2413

13. 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

14. 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.