THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (9/25/08)

Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder

1. EDITORIAL – "THOSE WHO FORGET HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT":

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor IIIThe 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder

There is a Hebrew phrase that says, “Lizkor, L’daber, Lo Lishkoach” that means, “To remember, to speak, and not to forget.” I read about that phrase in the autumn edition of the Harvard Divinity Bulletin. That phrase was in an article entitled, An American Jew in Poland.

The Hebrew phrase, “Lizkor, L’daber, Lo Lishkoach” refers to the Jewish Holocaust; the murdering of the Jews by the Nazis, aided by the silence of good people and even by the silence of the church. As a result of the atrociousness of the holocaust, Jews all over the world recite the phrase, “Never again.”

I wish those of us who are black Americans had a phrase similar to, “Lizkor, L’daber, Lo Lishkoach,” when we think of the ravishes of slavery and the dehumanization of the Jim Crow laws. Slavery was just as insidious and destructive as the Holocaust and yet it seems as if blacks are working to forget the ravishes of slavery, which still negatively impacts the blacks in Africa, the Caribbean, the United States; and who knows where else in the world. When I look at the images of slavery and the photos of blacks who were lynched; my soul aches, and it seems, at least in America, that blacks want to erase the images of slavery and Jim Crow laws. We have very few solemn ceremonies to remember, reflect and teach our young people the importance of our past. There are pockets of celebrations that seem to focus on barbeques, entertainment, and having a good time.

Here in America we don’t have solemn ceremonies to help us reflect upon the destructiveness of slavery and segregation. I wonder how many of us know what year slavery ended or what Amendment gave us the right to vote and what year it passed? And, if our adults don’t know the significant dates in our history, certainly our young people have no idea about our historical journey. What mantra do we recite that causes us to remember the ravishes of slavery and gives us the determination to say, “Never again,” or something similar to, “Lizkor, L’daber, Lo Lishkoach.” What ceremonies do we have?

Some of our young people, and some adults too, are enthralled with hip-hop, sports, and being cool.

One television commercial shows a black American actor with a toothpick in his mouth extending a get-well message to his relative or a friend, and it closes out with his mentioning that his athletic team was going to win. My concern is that we might be seeing more of our young men walking around with toothpicks in their mouths.

I wish television commercials and Hollywood movie producers would present positive images of blacks. I wish that black people, especially our young people would embrace positive issues. Black women are often portrayed as, “up-in-your-face” hardened woman. Black men are often portrayed as comedians, athletes or individuals who can only discuss sports; and young black men are portrayed as street-smart hip-hopsters. Black preachers are portrayed as uneducated or undereducated clerics; and black churchgoers are portrayed as women in big hats who go to church to get a shout. When was the last movie you saw that had a positive image the black church?

The problem, with positive or negative images, is that to often people mimic the images they see in the movies or on television. For example, would most of us be willing to physically challenge an oriental male? I don’t think so, because the Hollywood image of Orientals is that they are trained in Kung Fu and the other martial arts.

I am concerned that some black people mimic unhealthy images that do not portray the real collective essence of who we are, as a race. And, I believe that negative images produces self-hatred and inhibit a segment of our population from achieving our highest collective and individual potential. An example of that, surfaces in some of our schools where high-achieving black students are accused by other black students of “acting white”; the result, achievement becomes a negative.

The church and the community are in positions to reverse the negative images that abound in the black community. The beginnings of such a reversal can be the notion of something like, “Lizkor, L’daber, Lo Lishkoach” or “Never Again” because "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it."

We must never forget the viciousness and dehumanization of slavery and inequality. We must teach our children what our forefathers and foremothers endured. We should not forget the past and our young people should be a part of the ceremonies and drama of the remembrances. Our young people should understand the geography of Africa and genesis of slavery and of the “Middle Passage” and the heroic acts of the men and women in bondage.

White history books, especially in the past, depicted or subtly inferred that slaves were happy-go-lucky” individuals that accepted their bondage; and that they loved their slave masters.

Today, we need to help our youth and adults feel the pain of the fire hoses, barking dogs, job discrimination, and unequal education because "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it."

I also believe that we could intensify Founder’s Day. Founder’s Day should be more than a Sunday morning worship service. When I think about Richard Allen and his ministry, I get goose bumps because here was a man born in slavery, purchased his freedom, preached the gospel, helped the sick and the poor and became the first elected and consecrated bishop in our Zion; that’s worth, at least, a weekend remembrance; not a casual celebration, but a serious celebration. February 14th should be a holiday for all of the members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. March 26th (or March 31st) should be a day remembrance and reflection. April 9-11 should be a time of celebration and Mother Bethel AME Church should be a revered site that all AMEs should visit.

We should never forget and we should not let our youth and adults forget. Lizkor, L’daber, Lo Lishkoach” "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it."

Slavery has been abolished in America, but slavery is not abolished; look at the prison systems in America, look at some of the inner cities and poor rural areas in America. And, slavery does exist in other parts of the world, even today. "Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it."


2. TV ONE MAKES A GENEROUS CONTRIBUTION THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER MINISTRY:

The Christian Recorder would like to publicly thank TV One for the generous contribution it made in support of The Christian Recorder ministry.

TV One is a new cable/satellite television network, programming primarily to African American adults. TV One offers a broad range of lifestyle and entertainment-oriented programming that respects their values and reflects their intellectual and cultural diversity.

TV One's goal is to be distributed on the most widely available cable and satellite service level in markets where African Americans represent a significant segment of the population.

With an engaging mix of original and acquired programming from key entertainment genres, TV One's programming provides a sophisticated alternative for adult African American viewers.

TV One is a venture of Radio One, Inc., the largest radio broadcaster primarily targeting African American and urban listeners, and Comcast Corporation, the largest cable operator in the country, along with Bear Stearns, Constellation Ventures, Syndicated Communications and Opportunity Capital Partners.


This study provides a fresh look at more than 30 million African-Americans - based on the most detailed snapshot ever of African American life. Finding strong group identity around culture and traditions, the study sheds light on and shatters myths about who we are as a community.

To learn more about TV One go to http://www.tvoneonline.com/

3. US MILITARY DEATHS IN IRAQ WAR AT 4,171:

The Associated Press released the information that US military deaths in Iraq war has reached 4,171 as of Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008 since the war began in March 2003.

It seems that very few Americans are concerned about the Iraqi War death count. We are more concerned with Wall Street and Main Street than the loss of life of young people in a war that should have never been.

4. BISHOP WILLIAMS HELPS TO OPEN COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS CENTER:

*Benjamin Harrison

Thursday, September 4, 2008 at 6 PM the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ) honored the Rt. Rev. Dr. Preston W. Williams II, presiding Bishop of the 7th Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church, at the grand opening celebration of the Bill Rogers Community Connections Center in Columbia, SC. Bishop Williams was one of several honored guests who played integral roles in the conception, design and realization of this community building project. In fact, Bishop Williams’ 2006 pledge of $100,000 dollars on behalf of the 7th Episcopal District, to assist with the building of the Center, was the single largest faith-based donation.

The 2.9 million dollar Community Connections Center was built because the SCDJJ was in need of a safe and secure environment that would allow for more private family visitation and enhanced treatment for incarcerated youth being paroled back into South Carolina’s communities. This new facility will now assist therapists, probation officers, educators, pastors, parents, and social workers with the creation of enhanced transition plans that ensure each child is provided every opportunity to succeed as they reenter society.

In 2005, a group of volunteers formed what is now called the Friends of Juvenile Justice (FJJ). This group, along with other recruited members, developed a Foundation with the expressed purpose of recruiting volunteers to be involved in the rehabilitative effort of incarcerated youth. At that time, one of the problems faced by volunteers, clergy and family members who came to visit as mentors, tutors, simple support or to provide for the spiritual needs of youth was simply that there existed no space where such efforts could occur.

The Foundation decided to build a building using no state funds and for the expressed purpose of serving as a visitors’ center for family and a site for volunteers to work with youth without being completely on SCDJJ institutional grounds. This approach was felt to be a more therapeutic and more importantly, a more humane manner in treating families and youth. The major hurdle was that the building would cost approximately 3 million dollars to construct and in light of the current economic recession, raising such a large amount of money was felt, by some, to be insurmountable.

A philanthropist, Bill Rogers, stepped in and pledged to match the funds provided by others, but would not furnish the full amount for the building. He wanted the effort to have a broad base of support, from the private sector and faith-based communities.

The closest and one of the oldest established partnerships between the Department of Juvenile Justice and the faith-based community is that of the arrangement between DJJ and the Seventh Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church under the guidance and supervision of Bishop Preston W. Williams II. The leadership of DJJ and FJJ called upon Bishop and Mother Williams to assist in the building effort. Bishop Williams immediately went into action, sponsoring a catered dinner for DJJ officials and most importantly, nearly every leader of the faith based organizations in the Midlands area of South Carolina. Nearly ten different denominations accepted the invitation. Presentations were made by DJJ officials, represented by Judge Bill Byars, SCDJJ Director, and FJJ officials, represented by Ms. Louise Slater. The highlight of the evening was a presentation by two incarcerated youth to the group. They told their own story.

Bishop Williams, after hearing the plight of the youth and the need for this project, committed and pledged $100,000 to building the Community Connections Center. This generous offer was one of the first and largest faith-based contributions which opened the door for many other denominations’ contributions. Two years later, in great part due to Bishop Williams’ leadership, the Community Connection Center is now a reality.

*Benjamin Harrison is the Public Relations Director for the 7th District, AME Church

5. LIFE REFLECTIONS CELEBRATING THE LIFE OF THE REV. O’NEAL HAYES BROWN SR., PASTOR, PRESIDING ELDER, AUTHOR:

From Boy Preacher to Serving God and Humanity “A Legacy of 77 Years”: 6 years as a boy preacher; 52 years as a pastor; and 19 years as a presiding elder.

O’Neal Hayes Brown, Sr. is a native of West Columbia, South Carolina. He was born to the union of Laura West Brown and Hayes Brown. He grew up in a small community called Happy Town in Lexington County. His father died when he was 3 years old. His parents, four brothers, and two sisters, preceded him in transition. He started school during the days of ABC classes. His oldest sister, Irene, helped him structure sentences from the ABC book. He began quoting scriptures from memory and reading biblical stores from the Old and New Testament such as “Daniel in the Lion’s Den”, “The Prodigal Son”, “The Nicodemus Story” and others. As a little lad, he followed his mother to prayer meetings and sat on the altar kneeling pad while they prayed, read scriptures, sang and testified. He often testified that he was conceived in his mother’s womb to preach the Gospel. At the age of 5, he designed his own pulpit from a cardboard box and began preaching.

Reverend Brown was converted and baptized at an early age and united with Double Branch AME Church in West Columbia, South Carolina (now Turner Memorial AME Church). In 1927, he was licensed to preach at the age of 12. He preached his first official sermon, “The New Birth”, St. John 3:3 at New Brookland Baptist Church, West Columbia, SC. He traveled as a boy evangelist over several states, conducting revivals and preaching the Word of God. O’Neal, as he was called, loved to preach and sing. His favorite songs were “I’ll Go”, “He Lifted Me”, and “The Name of Jesus Is So Sweet.”

Go Preach My Gospel

In 1933, at the age of 16, and without transportation, he took the Bible, stepped out on faith and accepted his first pastoral appointment at Wateree Circuit of the Columbia South Carolina Conference of the 7th Episcopal District. Fortunately, hitchhiking was safe; therefore, without transportation he hitchhiked and in a matter of minutes, he had a ride.

In 1935, he relocated to St. Louis, Missouri. He preached his first sermon in the Missouri Conference at Wayman Temple AME Church at 23rd and Cole Streets, the Reverend R.L. Phillips was pastor. His first pastoral appointment in the Missouri Conference was at Buren Chapel AME Church, Herculaneum, Missouri. His weekly salary was $10.00.

In 1936, he united in holy matrimony to Rosie Lee Jackson. To this union nine children were born. He was a proud and devoted father who encouraged his children to get an education; and most of them graduated from college.

Reverend Brown served faithfully and diligently for 42 years as a pastor of eight churches in the Missouri Conference. He was referred to as the “Resolution Man” who wrote and read annual conference resolutions in the Missouri Annual Conference for 25 years. The 1965 Resolution is published in his book: “From Boy Preacher to Serving God & Humanity” – a Legacy of 77 years.

In 1963, at the 108th Session of the Missouri Annual Conference, he was appointed as the pastor of Parks Chapel AME Church, 208 Tuxedo Avenue in Webster Groves. His first responsibility was to relocate the church to where it is today. September 7, 1969, at a cost of $175,000, the congregation marched into a newly built sanctuary of architectural impressiveness and a monument to the AME Church and community.

October 1, 1977, he united in holy matrimony to Ernestyne K. Clay and was transferred to the Northwest Missouri Conference and appointed the pastor of Cain-Grant AME Church, Kansas City, Missouri. During his tenure of eight years, a parsonage was purchased.

In 1985, he was appointed Presiding Elder of the St. Louis-Cape Girardeau District of the Missouri Conference. He served the district with distinction, commitment, authenticity and allegiance for 19 years and licensed 66 men and women to preach the Gospel. He was appreciated for his steadfastness and dedication. Throughout his ministry he and his wife were honored in several appreciation programs.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church is grateful for his life and legacy of 77 years as an active Itinerant Elder. He was a good Christian soldier, quiet, unassuming who stood tall without wavering when the hills were steep and the valleys got low. Toiling up the heights of success, Reverend Brown maintained a good name. There is an edict stated in an old Negro spiritual that adequately expresses the services of Reverend Brown as a Servant of God and as a pastor.

You told me to pray, and I done prayed.
You told me to learn, and I done learned.
You told me to preach, and I done preached.
Lord, I done, done what you told me to do.

He leaves to cherish his legacy, a devoted and loving wife, Ernestyne “Peachy” (as he and others called her). Nine children, Robert Hayes Brown, Helen Louise Hairston (Attral), Joyce Katherine Phillips (Charles) Roland Samuel Brown (Naomi) Paul Frederick Brown (Janice) William Louis Brown, Sr. (Patricia) O’Neal Hayes Brown, Jr., Ruby Christine O’Quinn (Jerry) & Macie Monica Lee, two stepchildren: Loyse Clay, Jr. (Charlet) and Alisa K. Jones, five generations of grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

6. ALLEGHENY SCRANTON DISTRICT GATHERS TO HELP CHURCH REDUCE MORTGAGE:

*Miss Shelly Brown

Are we our brother’s keeper? The answer certainly is “yes” as clergy and laity of the Allegheny Scranton District gathered at New Life African Methodist Episcopal Church on Sunday, September 21, 2008 for a Mortgage Rally. The purpose of the Rally was to help reduce the $90,000 remaining mortgage on their church building.

As Greater Allen A.M.E. Church Mass Choir, Pittsburgh, PA and Bethel A.M.E. Church, Tarentum, PA sang songs of Zion this set the tone for the powerful, spirited, anointed preached Word by the Reverend Dr. Eric L. Brown, Presiding Elder of the Allegheny Scranton District.

Dr. Brown’s sermon topic was, “Call on the Name of the Lord.” The scripture reference Genesis 12:8. Dr. Brown told us that there are three things that make us call on the name of the Lord: Our children, circumstances, and a covenant relationship. As the 12 faithful members of New Life African Methodist Episcopal Church and the pastor of New Life, the Reverend Melva Hartzog, have a covenant relationship with the Lord and have called on the name of the Lord, they have never had their utilities turned off nor missed a mortgage payment in excess of $1,000 per month.

As the praises went up, blessings poured down as clergy and laity contributed more than $4,000 towards the reduction of New Life’s mortgage. Reverend Hartzog wanted those in attendance to understand the work they are currently doing in the community. New Life is located in an inner city neighborhood rampant with crime. Underlying the violence that has crippled this neighborhood resides the causes: Poverty, homelessness, unemployment, hunger, and lack of education, drug and alcohol abuse, and lack of hope. The church, Reverend Hartzog stated, provides free hamburgers and hotdogs in the church parking on Saturday afternoons for anyone who comes by. They also provide free clothing. The community is encouraged to select articles of clothing from a large supply of slightly and gently worn clothing that have been donated to the New Life It is the belief of Reverend Hartzog that unless the physical needs of people are met, and people believe the church cares about them, the church is powerless in conveying the good news of the Gospel to the unchurched and non-believers. The provision of food and clothing is just a way of showing that the people of New Life AME Church care about the people.

*Miss Shelly Brown is the Allegheny Scranton District Secretary (Pittsburgh, PA)

7. GRANT CHAPEL AME CHURCH WORSHIPS IN THEIR TEMPORARY HOME:

*The Rev. V. Gordon Glenn III

Grant Chapel AME Church of Kansas City, Kansas is alive and well!

On Sunday, September 7, the good people of Grant Chapel celebrated worship, not in their former home at 2800 N. Tremont Street, but at the Jack Reardon Center, where the First Historic Midwest Annual Conference was recently held.

Sunday Church School began as usual at 9:30 a.m. with Pastor Glenn as the instructor. There were 10 people in attendance. Morning worship began promptly at 11 a.m. The praise team ministered to us in song, accompanied by our pianist Sis. Harriet Burris. Pastor Gordon Glenn preached from the 124th Psalm "What If the Lord Had Not Been on Our Side?”

Following the service of Holy Communion, the service ended in a prayer circle and count off. There were 43 people in attendance, which included The Rev. Steven A. Cousin, Presiding Elder of the Kansas City District and Bro. Joel Cousin.

Services for Grant Chapel are being held temporarily in the Jack Reardon Center as the church pursues permanent housing for the congregation. Structural issues have deemed our former home unsafe for occupation.

The temporary mailing address for the church is P.O. Box 171124, Kansas City, KS 66117.

*The Rev. V. Gordon Glenn III is the pastor of Grant Chapel AME Church, Kansas City, Kansas

"Every degree of hope brings a degree of joy.

8. WATCH OUT FOR SCAMS; THE REVEREND RONALD SLAUGHTER SHARES WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM:

The Rev. Ronald slaughter had his Hotmail email account hacked. Fortunately, Microsoft was able to recover his email account from an expert hacker who has been attacking Hotmail accounts.

One of his members has received an email from the hacker stating that Rev. Slaughter, who the hacker identified as a bishop, was in Nigeria and in need of $1,500 to pay a hotel bill. Microsoft has restored Rev. Slaughter’s email account. Rev. Slaughter says, “A note to everyone; please make sure to be careful with your email account and don’t open messages from people you don’t know.”

*The Rev. Ronald Slaughter is the pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Macon, Georgia

Editor’s Note: Mass addressees should never be put in the “To” email address box. The email addresses should always be sent from the “Bcc” address box.

9. THE 1ST EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2008 – 2009 SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS AND ANNUAL CONFERENCES:

The Right Rev. Richard Franklin Norris, Presiding Prelate
Mrs. Mary Norris, Episcopal Supervisor

Fall Convocation
November 10-12, 2008
First District Plaza

Founder’s Day
February 12-14, 2009
First District Plaza

2009 ANNUAL CONFERENCES

The Bermuda Annual Conference

Evangelist Day: March 3, 2009:
WMS Conference Branch: March 4, 2009:
The Annual Conference: March 5-9, 2009

The Fairmont Southampton Princess
Resort Midocean Amphitheater

Church Phone: (441)239-0605
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Malcolm L Eve, (441) 239-1054

The New Jersey Annual Conference

Evangelist Day: March 16, 2009:
W.M.S. Conference Branch: March 17, 2009:

The Annual Conference: March 18-22, 2009.

Mount Zion AME Church
39 Morris Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901

Church Office: (732) 249-8476
Host Pastor: The Rev. Joseph Hooper, (732) 545-1779

Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. M. Lloyd Guyton

The Delaware Annual Conference

Evangelist Day: March 24, 2009:
WMS Conference Branch: March 25, 2009:

The Annual Conference: March 26-29, 2009

Mt. Zion AME Church
101 North Queen Street
Dover, DE 19904

Church Office: (302) 678-9478

Host Pastor: The Rev. Ellis Louden, (302)-734-3131
Pastor Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Winton Hill

The New England Annual Conference

Evangelist Day: April 14, 2009:
WMS Conference Branch: April 15, 2009:

The Annual Conference: April 16-19, 2009

Saint Paul AME Church
37 Bishop Allen Drive
Cambridge, MA 02139

Church Office: (617) 661-1110
Host Pastor: The Rev. Leroy Attles, (781) 963-5758
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Herbert L. Eddy

The New York Annual Conference

Evangelist Day: April 20, 2009
WMS Conference Branch: April 21, 2009

The Annual Conference: April 22-26, 2009

Greater Allen Cathedral
110-31 Merrick Blvd.
Jamaica, NY 11433
Church (718) 206-4600
Host Pastor: The Rev. Floyd H. Flake, (516) 334-6516
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Henrietta S. Fullard

The Western New York Annual Conference

Evangelist Day: May 12, 2009
W.M.S. Conference Branch: May 13, 2009

The Annual Conference: May 14-17, 2009

Bethel A.M.E. Church
1525 Michigan Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14209

Church Phone: (716) 886-1650
Host Pastor: The Rev. Richard A. Stenhouse, (716) 835-8992
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. James E. F. Lawrence

The Philadelphia Annual Conference

Evangelist Day: May 18, 2009
WMS Conference Branch: May 19, 2009

The Annual Conference: May 20-24, 2009

Hickman Temple A.M.E. Church
5001 Baltimore Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19143

Church (215) 476-5340
Host Pastor: The Rev. Jocelyn K. Hart, (610) 296-2798
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Charles H. Lett

District Planning Meeting
June 11-13, 2009
First District Plaza

Christian Education Congress
July 20-23, 2009
Wesley College
Dover, Delaware

FIRST EPISCOPAL DISTRICT HEADQUARTERS
3801 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104

Phone (215) 662 0506
FAX (215) 662-0199

10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Sharing with regret, news of the passing of Mr. Maurice Mitchell, the nephew of the Rev. Tom W. Scott (Mrs. Priscilla Scott). Maurice Mitchell was tragically killed on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 in a plant explosion in East Camden, Arkansas.

Services for Mr. Maurice Mitchell:

Saturday, September 27, 2008, 11 a.m.
St. Stephens Baptist Church
Stephens, AR.

Arrangements have been entrusted to:
Andrews Funeral Home, INC
1211 E MAIN Street
El Dorado, AR 71730-6325
Phone: (870) 863-6805

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Rev. and Mrs. Tom W. Scott
6710 Twin Oak
Pine Bluff, AR 71603
(870) 879-1851
(870) 413-0021

11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Sharing with regret, news of the passing of Brother Ephraim Curry, member of St. John - River Rouge, Michigan. Brother Curry made his transition from labor to reward on Thursday, September 18, 2008. He is the grandfather of the Rev. Gerald Cardwell, pastor of St. John and is survived by his wife Myrtle, son Harold, daughters Billie Jean and Vickie and a host of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Service arrangements for Brother Ephraim Curry:

Public Viewing:

Thursday, September 25, 2008
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Haley Funeral Home
24525 Northwestern Hwy
Southfield, Michigan 48075
(Phone) 248-356-4800

Homegoing Service

Friday, September 26, 2008
Family Hour: 10:00 a.m.
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m.

St. John AME Church
505 Beechwood
River Rouge, MI 48218-1041
(Phone) 313-386-2288
(Fax) 313-386-5986

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Rev. Gerald Cardwell
St. John A.M.E. Church
505 Beechwood
River Rouge, Michigan 48218

Email: gcardw7307@msn.com

12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Warrington George Somers Zuill, the father of Mrs. DeJeonge A. Justice and father in law of the Reverend John C. Justice, the pastor of St. Mark AMEC, in Cranford, New Jersey (New Brunswick District, New Jersey Conference). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Funeral - Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.

The First Church of God
# 1 First Church Lane
North Shore, Pembroke East
Bermuda

Condolences may be sent to:

The Rev. John and Mrs. DeJeonge Justice
7 Frog Lane
Devonshire, Bermuda DV02
Phone: 1-441-292-0475

Services entrusted to:

D. H. Augustus and Sons Funeral Home
P. O. Box 1809
# 15 Elliott Street
Hamilton, Bermuda HM HX
Phone: 1-441-292-5251
Fax: 1-441-295-5285

13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

It is with sadness that we report the homegoing of Mrs. Bobbye Etta Hughes, the mother of the Rev. Pamela Mason. Rev. Mason is the pastor of Carter Memorial AME Church in Fresno, California.

Service arrangements for Mrs. Bobbye Etta Hughes are as follows:

Memorial Service:

Monday, September 29, 2008
1:00 p.m.
Jesse Cooley Funeral Home
1830 S. Fruit Ave.
Fresno, CA 93706
Phone: (559) 268-8048
Fax: (559) 268-8123

Condolences can be sent to:

The Rev. Pamela Mason
2324 E. Katherine Ave.
Fowler, CA 93625

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 Richard Franklin Norris; 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.