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 – PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH ASKS FOR ANOTHER CHANCE:
*Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
Editor’s note: This editorial was forwarded to The Christian Recorder Online subscribers on January 24, 2007.
George Bush asks for another chance. How many chances does this man want? In baseball, the rule is three strikes and you are out; in basketball, five fouls and you sit on the bench; and in football, if you commit a flagrant violation, you are sent to the locker room.
President George Bush, coached by Vice-President, Dick Cheney, former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and other advisers, sent thousands of military members to a war in Iraq because he apparently thought that Iraq was responsible for the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers. Strike one; none of the 9/11 perpetrators were from Iraq, they were all from Saudi Arabia and that should be strike two, but we will leave the fact of all of the perpetrators being from Saudi Arabia under strike one.
Mr. Bush looked the American Public straight in the eyes and told us that the Iraqis had weapons of mass destruction; no weapons of mass destruction were ever found, strike two! Bush and his staff coached General Colin Powell to address the members of the United Nations, and on television, we saw Powell point out a moving truck in a video clip and exclaimed, “There it is, a truck with weapons of mass destruction.” We all believed Colon Powell. So the misinformation about weapons of mass destruction should be strike two and the Powell fiasco should be strike three, but we will count the Powell fiasco as part of strike two. If you are counting, we really have four strikes at this point, and Bush would be “out” in a baseball game, but we are just going to chalk up two strikes.
Mr. Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld advocated a small force for the war in Iraq. Most of the military advisors advocated a large robust force. The president prevailed. Strike three!
Up to this point, we have given him the benefit of the doubt and not counted two strikes that should have been charged against him. In baseball, he would be out, but this is not baseball. Let’s transition the miscues to a basketball motif.
Mr. Bush told us on a Navy ship that the war was over and that victory had been won. He again looked the American public in the eyes and whipped up the enthusiasm of the sailors on that ship and a lot of the American public. The reality of that moment was that the war was not won and the fighting had not ended; foul number four!
Bush then said that he had a grand design for the democratization of Iraq and the Middle East. He supported elections for the Iraqis and after the election, Mr. Bush said that the world was going to see a free and democratic Iraq; that’s his fifth foul! The elected government, up to this point, is a failure. The Iraqis don’t want a democracy; they want a theocracy or a dictator, which would be more in line with their religious traditions and history.
If Mr. Bush was in a basketball game, he would be out, yet he asks for another chance. There are so many more strikes and fouls that this president has committed. Over 3000 young men and women killed, thousands wounded, others who die from their wounds after they arrive back home in America and others will die premature deaths and still others whose lives are ruined. Thousands of Iraqis have been killed and thousands more injured and thousands upon thousand’s’ of Iraqis’ lives have been forever ruined. The cost of the war is scandalous, especially when measured against the needs of so many in this country. Many of the Katrina victims’ lives are still in chaos; and that’s just one example.
Iraq is a nation in chaos. Yesterday, U.S. Senator John McCain (R-AZ) described Iraq as a nation in chaos.
Iraq is a nation in civil war; “walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, looks like a duck, it’s a duck.” Two or three ethnic groups killing each other with rapid reciprocity is civil war! “Tit for tat” attacks, bombings, killings, suicide attacks, kidnapping are all active ingredients for civil war. The Bush administration says the chaos in Iraq is not a civil war. American Service members do not need to be in the middle of a civil war or what ever Mr. Bush is calling it. Two helicopters have been shot down, soldiers continue to be killed and the country is in turmoil.
Mr. Bush’s reality is not the world’s reality. The Iraqis; Sunnis and Shias, want the U.S. out of Iraq. The Iraqi Study Group recommends that we change course in Iraq. Many of our U.S. generals tell us that we need to change course and they do not believe that there can be a military victory in Iraq. Nations that normally support us are saying by their actions, “You got yourself into this mess, and we are going to let you get yourself out of the mess you’ve made.”
Two out of three Americans want us to change direction in Iraq and Mr. Bush wants another chance; he wants one more strike; just one more foul. If he had served in the active forces he would have heard the cliché, “If you find that you are digging yourself in a hole, stop digging!” If Mr. Bush had attended any military school and paying attention he would have studied Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and one of the principles is that you never go into a battle that you can’t win. Sun Tzu said, “When you know both yourself and others you are never in danger, when you know yourself but not others you have a half a chance of winning, and when you know neither yourself nor others you are in danger in every battle.”
President Bush said last night that the U.S. must not fail, but he has not laid out a clear strategy for winning. His record on the war in Iraq has been a record of failure. His reality is far different from the rest of us. It is obvious that he does not understand the Iraqi culture, does not see the world as others see it, and I am concerned that he does not know himself and “when you know neither yourself nor others you are in danger of losing every battle.”
The question in all of our minds is: can the Iraqis step up to the plate and do they have the will to endure? Do they have the political endurance to prevail? After all it’s their country and I hope that they are the major stakeholders in this operation.
Give Mr. Bush another chance? I vote, “No.” He has bungled all of his chances. In any competitive sport event, he would have been out and the war in Iraq is far more important than a sporting event. If he had bungled as badly on a job, he would have been fired.
No more chances. Bring the troops home now, I agree with Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) who states the he believes that we should bring the troops back home. I say; bring the troops home because in the end, that’s what we are going to do anyway!
*Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the Editor of The Christian Recorder served in the U.S. Army for 28 years, retired as a colonel and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College; and the U.S. Army War College. He served in the first Gulf War.
2. THOUGHTS INSPIRED BY AME PRE-TEEN’S VISIT TO LIBERIA:
The poems below were written by 12 year-old Abbey Evans who lives in Long Grove, Illinois. She is the granddaughter of Mrs. Jamesina Evans, President of the Women’s Missionary Society. Abbey was inspired and wrote the poems during her visit to Liberia in the spring of 2005.
- Butterfly
Abbey Evans
In a cocoon a butterfly is trying to reach its maturity in life to become a beautiful creature of the world.
Today many countries and states are still in their cocoons trying to break free!
When they finally do, they are very careful, afraid that they may break their new silk wings.
Many of us are against helping those people, countries or states who need help breaking out of their cocoons.
But for us to be a united world, we need to help the butterflies of the world to break free; to break out of their cocoons.
- Thrive
Abbey Evans
Some of us strive and some of us are just trying to survive.
If we pray together, we will stay together in a place where we can grow and show those who don’t believe that we can succeed.
So, if some thrive to help, and some try to survive to help, then together we can all be a thriving, surviving united world!
- Team Work
Abbey Evans
When the people of the world; every celebrity, rich person, poor person or middle class person are, individually, doing their life-long jobs, assigned to them by God, little is accomplished. Individually, we can do, but so much.
But when all the people of the world, of every race, culture, and class come together, we are in for the title of, “Great Success.” Working together, we can do a lot more.
Not everyone can achieve their purpose in life on their own. But together everyone can achieve what they want and what God wants.
And I have one more thing to say: “People of the world come together and work as a team! Individually, we can do, but so much. Working together, we can do a lot more.
Editor’s note: Thank you, Abbey Evans – you may be the next Maya Angelou of Nikki Giovanni
3. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
To the Editor:
I was pleased to read your discussion with Rev. Kenneth D. Love concerning the “Jesus only” doctrine of Bishop T. D. Jakes. I too am concerned about the aberrant theology of the bishop and concerned that others might be misled by his success to accept his theology. I too agree that the best way to counter bad theology is to preach and to teach good theology. However it should be noted that if Jesus was just a mode or form of the one God, then when He prayed to the Father in the Garden and on the Cross, He was praying to Himself!?
My concern however is not limited to one person, no matter how prominent he or she may be. I am concerned about the lack of theological acumen of the Church in general. Many “fundamentalists” are stuck in a legalistic mindset, while too many “liberals” are stuck in the relativist mindset. Those of us in the middle know that these two extremes are not right, but have a problem in formulating a coherent response.
I believe that there is an alternative Bible-based theology that can stand up to the challenges of today’s world and show the way forward for intelligent dialogue with Islam and scientific thought. This is Relational Theology as found in my books, The GOD Who RELATES and The Complex ONE and The Simple ONE. More information is available on the website, http://www.rightrelates.org/
Yours in Christ,
The Rev. Roger A. Sawtelle relates7@earthlink.net
Church School Superintendent of the New England Conference
The Rt. Rev. Richard Franklin Norris is the presiding bishop
4. THE RIGHT REV. E. EARL MCCLOUD IS SIGNATORY OF AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH:
January 23, 2007
The Honorable George W. Bush
The White House
Washington, DC
Dear Mr. President,
As leaders of churches and Christian institutions in the United States, we bring you greetings for the New Year and encouragement as you meet the challenges that face our nation and the global community. Even though we are from a wide range of Christian traditions – Orthodox, Catholic, mainstream and evangelical Protestants – we stand close together in our hopes and prayers for peace in the land we all call Holy and for the reconciliation of the children of Abraham – Jews, Christians and Muslims.
We come to you with two interrelated appeals that are central to our faith-motivated quest for peace with justice. First, we ask that you make Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking, in the context of a comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace initiative, an urgent priority for your Administration. We recognize the great many difficulties and struggles that the people of the Middle East region must confront and the heavy responsibilities that fall upon you to help restore hope for a better future for them and for the citizens of the United States. We know that many view the Israeli-Palestinian situation as the most intractable in our troubled world, but we know that when it is resolved, the positive repercussions will go well beyond that small geographic area.
We commend your vision of a viable, contiguous Palestinian state living as a peaceful neighbor alongside the state of Israel, with both nations secure and recognized by their neighbors. With your active engagement, this vision could reignite a passion for peace that can overcome the appeal of violence, vengeance and exclusivity. The United States and the world will become safer as confidence grows that the U.S. is willing to take leadership and work cooperatively with the United Nations and other nations to resolve this conflict.
We bring to you our deepening concern for the welfare and future of the Palestinian Christian community. A small but vital part of the Palestinian society, Christians are rapidly emigrating to countries where they can gain the economic and physical security that is denied all Palestinians living under occupation. The future of the Palestinian Christians requires a solution to the conflict that will allow both peoples – Israelis and Palestinians - to live side-by-side in two states where all enjoy justice, peace and security.
The Palestinian Christian leaders have asked us to bring to your attention the very grave situation of Jerusalem. They remind us that Jerusalem is the location of “not only historical memories and sacred places of pilgrimage, but also living communities of believers.” With the construction by Israel of the separation barrier, many of the faithful – both Christians and Muslims – are excluded from the Holy City, and Jerusalem is severed from Bethlehem. Our second appeal is for you to work with Israelis, Palestinians and the international community to guarantee access to Jerusalem’s Holy Places and religious liberty for all peoples. Resolving the status of Jerusalem is key to achieving a workable two-state solution.
Mr. President, as this New Year begins, we encourage you to maintain the faith, the courage and the resolve to work with other world leaders toward negotiations that guarantee two viable and secure states, Israel and Palestine, living side-by-side and sharing Jerusalem. For guidance we look to the examples of the great prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah who declared that God calls all nations and all people to do justice to one another. We join in praying for peace in the Holy Land and at home.
Sincerely,
The Most Rev. Archbishop Barsamian
Primate, Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
+Bishop Dimitrios of Xanthos
Ecumenical Officer
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America
Bishop Thomas G. Wenski
Chairman, Committee on Int’l Policy
U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Rev. Mark S. Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Presiding Bishop
The Episcopal Church
Are joined by:
The Rt. Rev. Wayne Burkette
President, Provincial Elders’ Conference
Moravian Church in America, Southern Province
Simone Campbell, SSS
Executive Director
NETWORK
Tony Campolo
Founder
Evangelical Association for the Promotion of Education
Sister Mary Dacey, SSJ
President
Leadership Conference of Women Religious
Marie Dennis
Director
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns
Rev. Robert Edgar
General Secretary
National Council of Churches
Rev. Wesley Granberg-Michaelson
General Secretary
Reformed Church in America
Ken Hackett
President
Catholic Relief Services
Rev. Dr. Stan Hastey
Executive Director
Alliance of Baptists
Bishop Janice Riggle Huie
President, Council of Bishops
The United Methodist Church
Very Rev. Dominic Izzo, OP
President, Catholic Conference of
Major Superiors of Men's Institutes
Rev. Phillip L. Jones
Director, Washington Office
Church of the Brethren
Rev. Dr. Clifton Kirkpatrick
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (USA)
Rev. Michael E. Livingston
Executive Director,
International Council of Community Churches
President, National Council of Churches
Albert C. Lobe
Interim Executive Director
Mennonite Central Committee
E. Earl McCloud, Jr. Bishop
Office of Ecumenical & Urban Affairs
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Rev. John L. McCullough
Executive Director & CEO
Church World Service
Mary Ellen McNish
General Secretary
American Friends Service Committee
A. Roy Medley
General Secretary
American Baptist Churches U.S.A.
Richard J. Mouw
President
Fuller Seminary
David Neff
Editor and Vice-President
Christianity Today
Leonard Rodgers
Executive Director
Evangelicals for Middle East Understanding
Br. Mark Schroeder, OFM
President, Franciscan Friars (OFM)
English Speaking Conference
JPIC Council
Metropolitan PHILIP (Saliba)
Primate
Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America
Ambassador Robert A. Seiple
Former Ambassador-at-Large for
International Religious Freedom
Ronald J. Sider
President
Evangelicals for Social Action
Rev. William G. Sinkford
President
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
Msgr. Robert L. Stern
Secretary General, CNEWA
President, Pontifical Mission for Palestine
The Rev. John H. Thomas
General Minister and President
United Church of Christ
Joe Volk
Executive Secretary
Friends Committee on National Legislation
Jim Wallis
CEO
Sojourners/Call to Renewal
The Rev. Dr. Sharon E. Watkins
General Minister and President
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Corinne Whitlatch
Executive Director
Churches for Middle East Peace
Bishop Gabino Zavala
Bishop President
Pax Christi USA: National Catholic Peace Movement
5. BISHOP WILLIAMS LEAPS INTO CYBERSPACE:
www.ame7.org
* Benjamin Harrison
The Right Reverend Preston W. Williams II, Seventh Episcopal District presiding prelate and President of the Council of Bishops, has launched a brand new, state of the art web site for the state of South Carolina – http://www.ame7.org/. According to Bishop and Mother Williams, “We pray this web site serves as a central source of information for the AME communities here in South Carolina and throughout the world. We pray it brings the entire Seventh District and international AME connection closer together in fellowship through communication, knowledge, and understanding. Most of all we pray this web site moves each visitor into a deeper personal relationship with God from whom all blessings flow.”
Today computers are found in most homes, schools and businesses and people are becoming increasingly comfortable using the internet to communicate with one another as well as access information from around the world. Therefore, in recognition of the importance of staying current with contemporary technology, Bishop Williams has created the most technologically advanced web site in the entire AME connection.
This web site, http://www.ame7.org/, was constructed by two of the most sought after multi-media companies in the Southeastern U.S. One of the companies which specializes in graphic design produced the incredible introduction to the web site which plays as a mini-movie. Though only 30 seconds long the intro feels epic in proportion and reflects the size, beauty, depth of integrity, and two proud centuries of American history which belong to the AME organization. The intro begins by welcoming visitors to the web site and sets a powerful tone stating, “Since 1787 – The Historic Struggle for Freedom, Equality, Identity, Justice, Honor, Faith, Love, God, AME, African Methodist Episcopal Church.” The intro then shows Richard Allen, the founder of the AME Church, along with his wife Sarah Allen, and each of the Four Horsemen – Bishops Allen, Quinn, Payne and Turner – all while the cracking sound of an anvil is being powerfully stuck by a hammer (a clear reference to Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia, PA, which was forged from a blacksmith’s shop). After establishing a deep sense of history, the intro sweeps into the present moment offering some of the smiling and praying faces of today’s AME’s. When complete, the intro lands the viewer on the home page of the web site.
By logging onto http://www.ame7.org/, visitors are offered access to a plethora of AME Church information including: the meaning of the AME Church’s name, motto, mission and structure; AME beliefs founded upon the Apostle’s Creed, and the 25 Articles of Religion contained in the Articles of Faith; historical galleries on Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia, PA, Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, SC, The Four Horsemen, and the formation of the connectional AME Church; Bishop and Dr. Williams’ biographies accompanied by a slide show and inter-active photo display; photos of the 17 presiding elders identifying the district and conference which each governs; a listing and photos of the Seventh Episcopal District office staff; a listing of all active ministries with mission statements and photos of directors; a news section offering information on the latest events and announcements; a calendar section listing some local, and all Episcopal and connectional events; a press room with a chronological listing of press releases and articles documenting the year’s major events, along with a photo slide show of Bishop Williams engaging South Carolina’s media; an AME resource section offering links to AME related web sites; and a “Contact Us” section where visitors can email inquiries directly to Bishop and Dr. Williams, any of the presiding elders, ministry directors or Episcopal staff.
Also today, young people talk on cell phones, snap photos from their cell phones and digital cameras, upload those photos from their cell phones and digital cameras into their computers, send and receive emails and photos and access information on an infinite number of subjects from around the world through the use of the World Wide Web also known as the internet – all instantaneously done in the blink of an eye. Therefore, in recognition of both the importance of staying connected to the culture of today’s youth and that today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, Bishop Williams commissioned the building of this cutting edge web site as a platform to bring the younger generation closer to the AME Church and to God. In so doing, Bishop Williams has raised the AME bar of technological possibility and has pushed the envelope by building an informational infrastructure through which people around the world can communicate with and access information about the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
* Benjamin Harrison is the Public Relations Director for the 7th District, AME Church
6. LONG LIVES BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS HELD FRIDAY FOR WOMAN, 104, AND MAN, 98:
*By Anna Brown Staff Writer, Union Daily Times
Marie Dawkins and Velver Gregory have over 200 years of living between them and a whole lot of life experiences.
The two are the oldest people who attend St. Paul Adult Day Care. Mrs. Dawkins turned 104 Friday and Gregory celebrated his 98th birthday on Tuesday. They were treated to a cake Friday at the day care.
Mrs. Dawkins’ nephew, Earl Dawkins of Linden, N.J., and her cousin, Marilyn Gibson, were among those who attended the celebration. They both said Mrs. Dawkins had been a hard worker who had cared for others. They said she was a domestic worker who lived in New Jersey, Ohio and Florida and she saved her money to buy a house for her mother.
“She took care of her mother until her death; her sisters and her brother and helped raise her nieces and nephews,” Earl said.
Mrs. Dawkins has been a member of Paradise AME Church in the Red Point Community for many years and still attends when she is able. She is the oldest member of the church, the Mother of the Church, and has been an usher and a trustee.
“She was a good neighbor who worked in her flower garden and vegetable garden and mowed her own yard with a push mower until she was up in her 90s,” Marilyn said.
Gregory taught Sunday School at Bethel Baptist Church in Kelton for around 70 years. He is retired as a farmer and with the U.S. Forestry Service. He is a widower with children and stepchildren.
Gregory said he thinks he has had a long life and is still in good health because he has been obedient to God.
“That’s why come I’m here,” he said. “He ain’t cut nobody’s days off. You cut them off yourself by being disobedient. The Lord is my help and keeper and you’ve got to put your trust in him.”
* Donna Brown is a Staff Writer for the Union Daily Times, Union, South Carolina
**Used with permission of the Union Daily Times, Union, South Carolina. This article was printed in the January 20, 2007 edition of the Union Daily Times.
The pastor of Paradise AME Church in the Newberry-Spartanburg District is the Rev. Tobie Pollock; the Reverend Joseph Postell is the presiding elder of the Newberry-Spartanburg District. The Right Reverend Preston W. Williams II is the presiding prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District.
7. ST. PETER A.M.E. CHURCH ACTIVE IN OUTREACH MINISTRY:
Brother Alphonso Ben Varner
Fort Valley, Georgia
Reverend Bertram C. Smith, the energetic and dynamic pastor and First Lady, Mrs. Wendolyn M. Smith of St. Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church, Fort Valley, Georgia visited South Africa recently.
Bishop William Phillips DeVeaux, Sr. Presiding Prelate of the "Sweet Sharing” Sixth Episcopal District comprising the State of Georgia asked for volunteers to accompany him to the 19th Episcopal District to perform missionary work. Reverend and Mrs. Smith proudly accepted this challenge to visit the Motherland.
Bishop James Levert Davis, presiding prelate of the 19th Episcopal District with headquarters located in Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa was extremely happy to welcome Bishop DeVeaux and his constituents to the 19th Episcopal District.
While in South Africa, Reverend Smith preached to the congregation at Gabsile Khoza House of Hope located in Tembisa 1628, South Africa.
During Reverend Smith's two weeks stay in the Lsivana section; he observed the poverty stricken areas which inhabited poor people especially the children living in antiquated housing and in need of clothing, medical supplies, toiletry items, etc.
Immediately after Reverend Smith returned to his congregation in St. Peter, he assembled a task force of members from each component of the church to collect clothing, shoes, toiletry items, canned goods.
This was a total effort of the members of St. Peter to perform missionary outreach ministry to the orphans of the Lsivana Section of Tembisa, South Africa. Eight boxes of items were shipped to this area January 15, 2007.
Congratulations to the Reverend Bertram C. Smith and members of this great church for their Christ-like mission for ministry service beyond the walls of St. Peter.
8. "THE BORDER IS HERE" – A THREE-DAY GATHERING ON PEACEMAKING AND IMMIGRATION CO-SPONSORED BY THE NC COUNCIL OF CHURCHES FARMWORKER COMMITTEE:
February 2-4, 2007, The Church of Reconciliation, 110 N. Elliott Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514
How we can share Christ's hospitality with our brothers and sisters, be agents of reconciliation in our communities, and affect national policy?
Welcoming Rick Ufford-Chase, Executive Director of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Fellowship, former Director of BorderLinks (Tucson, AZ) and past
Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
Friday, February 2, 2007 (7:00 pm)
Stories from the Border
Celebration of Latino/Hispanic cultures through music and dance. Desserts & Coffee
Saturday, February 3, 2007 (8:30 am - 3:00 pm)
Presentations by Rick Ufford-Chase and local leaders on immigrant rights issues.
Rice and Bean Lunch provided.
Panel discussion and break-out strategy sessions to develop action plans for our community.
Sunday, February 4, 2007
(Sunday School 9:30 am, Worship 11:00 am)
Sunday School and Worship service led by Rick Ufford-Chase.
Follow-up adult Sunday School classes throughout the month of February
For additional information contact Jane Hare at jhhare@earthlink.net or Craig Carlson at cwcarlson@nc.rr.com or call The Church of Reconciliation at (919) 929-2127
9. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Brother John Derrick Ringgold. He was the brother of Ms. Wanda Ringgold, 1st Episcopal District YPD Director. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing and Funeral – Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Viewing – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Funeral – 11:00 a.m.
Morris Brown AME Church
1756 North 25th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19121
Rev. Troy I. Thomas, Pastor
Phone: 215-763-4707
Fax: 215-763-1465
Condolences may be sent to:
Ms. Wanda Ringgold
7607 Wyndale Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19151
Home: 215-879-8588
Fax: 215-879-3223
Or
Morris Brown AME Church
See above address
10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Dr. Sandra Griffin, wife of the Rev. Archer Griffin, Jr. (Pastor of Berry Chapel AME Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee) lost her mother on Monday evening, January 22, 2007. Her name was Mrs. Loretta Collins.
Mrs. Loretta Collins will be eulogized on Friday, January 26, 2007 at Warren Chapel AME Church, 501 N. Market Street, Chattanooga, TN, 37405 at 12:00 noon.
Professional services are entrusted to:
Franklin Strickland Funeral Home
1724 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN
423-265-4414 Phone
423-265-9997 Fax
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Rev. and Mrs. (Sandra) Archie Griffin, Jr.
7621 Boriss Lane
Chattanooga, TN 37416
423-894-8542 Phone
423-580-4469 Cell
Email condolences to: Gsandrajc@aol.com
Mr. Stan McKenzie, Supervisor
13th Episcopal District
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Rev. Ralph Williamson, pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Las Vegas, Nevada lost his father on Monday evening, January 22, 2007.
Father's Name: Arthur Williamson
Address: 806 Sandy Bay Cove
Newport News, VA 23602
Phone: (757) 988-1822
Arrangements for Rev. Williamson’s Father
Funeral:
Saturday, January 27, 2007 - 12:00 Noon
Living Waters Christian Fellowship Church
15611 Warwick Blvd.
Newport News, VA 23608
Phone (757) 820-0717
Professional services are being handled by:
Cook Bros. Funeral Home
1601 27th Street
Newport News, VA 23607
Phone (757) 380-0251
Fax: (757) 245-0316
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Ralph Williamson
c/o First A.M.E. Church
2450 Revere Street
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
702-649-1774 Phone
Email: famechurch@ame.lvcoxmail.com
or [Home]
5205 Clouds Rest Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89108
702-655-2954 Phone
Submitted by:
Barbara Beasley
Administrative Assistant
First A.M.E. Church
Las Vegas, Nevada
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Ninth Episcopal District
From: Bishop T. Larry Kirkland
NINTHEPISDIST@aol.com
Mr. William C. L. Slade went to be with the Lord on Monday, January 22, 2007. Mr. Slade is the father of Reverend William C. Slade, Pastor of Livingston Chapel A.M.E. Church in Guntersville, AL.
Homegoing Service:
Friday, January 26, 2007
1:00 P.M.
Hargett-Bryant Funeral Home
519 Apple Street
Burlington, N. C. 27216
Ph. 336-228-7866
Messages may be sent to:
Rev. William C. Slade
317 Glennwood Dr.
Madison, AL 35758
Ph. 256-464-6621
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mr. James Chambers, the uncle of Mrs. Donna McLemore, First Lady of Bethel A.M.E. Church Pittsburgh, PA passed on Tuesday, January 23, 2007. He lived in Phenix City, Alabama.
Service arrangements:
Funeral
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
1:00 PM
Greater Mount Zion Baptist Church
201 S. Seale Road
Phenix City, Alabama 36867
Professional services entrusted to:
Battle & Battle Funeral Home
434 S Seale Road
Phenix City, Alabama 36867Phone: (334) 298-8951
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Donna McLemore, First Lady
Bethel A.M.E. Church
2720 Webster Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 683-2160 (church)
(412) 441-6753 (parsonage)
Email: http://m03.webmail.aol.com/22250/aol/en-us/mail/display-message.aspx
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
15. 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
