Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. MEET THE GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE AME CHURCH:
- General Officer Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson, Historiographer / Executive - Director, Department of Research and Scholarship
Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson serves as the Historiographer/Executive - Director, Department of Research and Scholarship for the AME Church. Dr. Dickerson has served since 1988 as Historiographer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and in this capacity has written Religion, Race, and Region: Research Notes on A.M.E. Church History (Nashville, A.M.E. Sunday School Union, 1995) and A Liberated Past: Explorations in A.M.E. Church History (Nashville, A.M.E. Sunday School Union, 2003), and has been Editor of The A.M.E. Church Review since 2000. he pastored three congregations in Massachusetts, New York & Tennessee respectively. He is a native of Duquesne, Pennsylvania.
Dr. Dickerson received his B.A., from Lincoln University (PA); M.A., Ph.D. from Washington University; and M.Div., Vanderbilt University. Dr. Dickerson serves as the James M. Lawson, Jr. Professor of History at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Dickerson specializes in American Labor History, the History of the U. S. civil rights movement, and African American religious history. He also is interested in the social history of American medicine and Wesleyan studies.
He has written Out of the Crucible: Black Steel Workers in Western Pennsylvania, 1875-1980 (Albany, State University of New York Press, 1986) which chronicles the failed century long struggle of black steel laborers to attain occupational parity with their Caucasian counterparts. He also wrote Militant Mediator: Whitney M. Young, Jr. (Lexington, University Press of Kentucky, 1998) which analyzes the leadership of a major leader in the U. S. civil rights movement in the 1960s. This book was awarded the 1999 Distinguished Book from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. Presently, he is completing Protestant Preachers in the Public Square: The Careys of Chicago, which examines the intersection between religion and politics in the careers of two clergy/politicians during most of the 20th century. The book is under contract to the University Press of Mississippi. He has received grants and fellowships to support his research and writing from the American Philosophical Society, the National Endowment of the Humanities, the Rockefeller Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, and the Louisville Institute.
He has been a member and presenter at the 11th Oxford Institute on Methodist Theological Studies in 2002 and at the 12th Oxford Institute on Methodist Theological Studies in 2007 at Christ Church College, Oxford University, Oxford, England. In 2006 he was a scholar-in-residence at the Methodist University of Sao Paulo/Faculty of Theology (Universidade Metodista de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Teologia in Sao Paulo, Brazil). He served as President of the American Society of Church History in 2004. In January 2008 he joined the Editorial Board of Religion and American Culture: A Journal of Interpretation.
Before coming to Vanderbilt Dickerson taught at Williams College from 1976 to 1999 and was Stanfield Professor of History, Chairman of the Department of History, and Chairman of the Afro-American Studies Program. He has also taught at Rhodes College, Yale Divinity School, and Payne Theological Seminary.
Dr. Dickerson is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American Bible Society.
Dr. Dickerson has been married to Mary A. E. Dickerson for 31 years. They have four children and four grandchildren. His hobbies are swimming and bicycling and he likes to read and travel.
Dr. Dickerson is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
- General Officer Dr. Richard Allen Lewis, Treasurer/CFO AMEC Finance Department
Dr. Richard Allen Lewis was born in Nashville, Tennessee, was elected in 1996 and reelected in 2000 and 2004 as Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer. He received his B.S. degree from Tennessee State University and the Associate degree from the John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville. He is also a graduate of the American institute of Banking in Nashville and the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. Shorter College conferred upon him the honorary L.H.D.
He served as a Commercial Lending Officer at the First American National Bank, now (AmSouth Bank), and later became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Citizens Savings Bank & Trust Company and Chairman of the Board of Directors. He is the proprietor of Nashville’s Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors. He is a member of Lee Chapel AME Church in Nashville and sings in the choir. He has served on the Board of Regents in the State of Tennessee.
His address, “A Wake Up Call” was published in The A.M.E. Church Review, October-December 2002.
Dr. Lewis’ hobbies are traveling and reading business books and business periodicals. He also has a love for viewing the Godfather movies; he says that he watched the Godfather movie about fifteen times, his wife, Mrs. Delorise Lewis, says that he has watched them about one hundred times.
Dr. Lewis is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
He has been married to Mrs. Delorise Lewis for almost 44 years, and are the proud parents of two sons.
- General Officer Dr. Clement W. Fugh, General Secretary/CIO
Dr. Clement W. Fugh is General Secretary and Chief Information Officer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; he served over thirty years as pastor to congregations in Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. He was the pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church, Nashville when he was elected as the General Secretary and was the pastor when Greater Bethel built the beautiful multi-million dollar edifice.
Dr. Fugh earned his B.B.A at the University of Memphis; Th.M., Boston University School of Theology; and D.Min from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. He has done additional studies at Atlanta University, Payne Theological Seminary and Memphis Theological Seminary.
Dr. Fugh was a contributor to Liberation and Unity, a COCU sponsored devotional; the African American Devotional Bible; and to The Pastor's Manual for the Twenty-First Century; he served as Secretary to the Committee on Worship and Liturgy that gave to the AMEC the Bicentennial Hymnal and the AMEC Book of Worship; and, he has been involved in the revision and compilation of The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church since 1980.
He has served on the Board of Directors of Citizens Saving Bank of Nashville, Tennessee.
His hobby is reading and he is a shopping connoisseur. He shops at high-end stores and he does not pass any distinguished stores that sell bow ties, which he ties himself. Dr. Fugh loves hot teas with lemon and Starbucks, not for its coffee, but for its tea. There probably isn’t a Starbucks near any Interstate exit within a 400 mile radius of Nashville that he doesn’t know its location.
Dr. Fugh is married to Mrs. Alexis Fugh and they are the proud parents of two adult children, Marcia and Joseph.
- General Officer Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Secretary Treasurer, Sunday School Union
Johnny Barbour, Jr., has given of himself for more than forty years as a servant of the AME Church and was active in the Civil Right Movement in Mississippi in the 50’s and 60’s. He pastored Heard Chapel AME Church in Greenwood, Mississippi and Bethlehem AME Church in Winona, Mississippi, where he purchased the property to build a new church. As a fulltime pastor, he served at Bethel AME Church in Yazoo City, Mississippi; renovated churches in Meridian and Laurel, Mississippi; built a church in Forest, Mississippi; built a parsonage and education building at Fayette, Mississippi. As pastor of Saint Matthew AME Church, Shreveport, Louisiana, he completely renovated the church and parsonage, purchased and developed a parking lot, a project of over $200,000. As pastor of Pearl Street AME Church in Jackson, he led the congregation in the purchasing a new facility valued at $2.5 million dollars.
Johnny Barbour is a servant of the people and a leader for the people.
As a student during the years 1958 to 1960, he served as the President of the Intercollegiate Chapter of the NAACP, and led the first “Bus Sit-in” in the state of Mississippi. He was the first coordinator for Voter Registration Education in that state.
He has served as President of the Connectional Pastors’ Council of the AME Church, and as a member of the General Board. He has served as Chairman of the Revisions Committee for two quadrennials, and is a member of the Compilation Committee. He has served as a member of the Highway Commission for the state of Mississippi. He was actively involved in the election of the first Black mayor of the city of Jackson. As a pastor, he was a spiritual leader and a capable administrator.
Dr. Barbour was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, the son of Johnny and Zula Davis Barbour.
Dr. Barbour earned an Associate of Arts Degree from J.P. Campbell College, Jackson, Mississippi; a Diploma in theology from the E.W. Lampton School of Religion; a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. He did further study at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson. Dr. Barbour is an alumnus of the Urban Training Center for Christian Mission, Chicago, Illinois and was awarded the Doctor of Divinity Degree from Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio.
He is a member of the American Welfare Association, 100 Concerned Clergy, NAACP, SCLC, Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, YMCA, International Toastmasters Club, Prince Hall Masons, IBPOE of W.
His hobbies are working and gardening. Additionally, he likes to restore antique cars and he owns eight of them.
Dr. Barbour has been married to Mrs. Clara Mae Jackson Barbour for 46 years; they have one son, Thomas Monroe Barbour and two grandchildren, Thomas Monroe Barbour III, and Brianna Kathleen Barbour.
- General Officer Dr. George F. Flowers, Secretary-Treasurer, Department of Missions (Global Witness Ministry)
Dr. George Flowers was born in Columbia, South Carolina and was elected as the Director of the Department of Global Witness and Ministry in 2000 and was reelected in 2004. He received his A.B. Degree from Allen University, the M.Div degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center Turner), and the D.Min from Boston University.
His pastorates in South Carolina included the Rock Hill Mission in Columbia, the Little Mountain Circuit in Little Mountain, Weston Chapel in Greenwood, Friendship in Clinton, the Bluffton Circuit in Bluffton/Hilton Head, Liberty Hill in Summerton, St. Luke, Charleston, and Williams Chapel, Orangeburg. At Williams Chapel, he led the congregation to purchase a Wicks Pipe Organ, supervised the church beautification project, raised funds for new pews for the choirs, and inaugurated a successful campaign for $153, 478 to pay the mortgage on the church’s Family Life Center.
Dr. Flowers also served as a chaplain in the United States Army. He served in the United States and overseas.
His civic contributions included serving on the boards of the Charleston Housing Authority and the Orangeburg-Calhoun United Way. He was a Board Member for the AME Sponsored Reid House of Christian Service. He was a delegate to the World Methodist Conference in 1986 in Nairobi, Kenya and in Singapore in 1991. His travels have taken him to other parts of Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. He serves on the Board of Directors of Church World Service.
Dr. Flowers’ hobbies are reading and traveling and he is an accomplished organist.
He is a Life Member of Omega Phi Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Flowers and his wife, Mrs. Phoenicia Brown Flowers, are the parents of Nicole Gabriel, George Jr., and Martyn Lloyd.
- General Officer Dr. Jerome V. Harris, Executive Director, Department of Annuity Investments and Insurance
Dr. Jerome V. Harris serves as the Executive Director, Department of Annuity Investments and Insurance. He was elected in 2000 and was reelected in 2004.
Prior to his election to the office of General Officer of the Church in July 2000, Dr. Harris served as a pastor for 30 years, which also included serving as Presiding Elder on two separate occasions in the Ninth Episcopal District.
His last pastorate was at Historic Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal in Selma, Alabama where he served for seven years and was instrumental in securing the Historic Landmark status for Brown Chapel from the U.S. Department of the Interior in recognition of its pivotal role in the Civil Rights’ Movement.
He also served as the pastor of St. Peter, Montgomery, Quinn Chapel, Uniontown, St. Joseph, Autaugaville, St. Paul, Troy, and St. Paul in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. Harris also served as presiding elder of the Troy District in the South Alabama Conference and the in the Montgomery District in the Alabama Annual Conference.
He was educated at Alabama State University, the School of Banking at Louisiana State University, and the Omega Senior Management Commercial School of Banking of San Francisco. He was also awarded the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.
Dr. Harris served in the United State Army from 1963 until 1969 and was honorably discharged a Sergeant (E-5).
In December 2000, Dr. Harris retired as a Senior Vice President, Group Manager and Regional Economic Development Officer with the Regions Financial Corporation where he served for thirty (30) years.
Dr. Harris is the seventh elected Executive Director of the AMEC Department of Annuity Investments & Insurance.
He is married to Mrs. Sandra Elaine Anderson Harris and they are the parents of Christopher Jerome Harris.
- General Officer Dr. James C. Wade, Executive Director, Department of Church Growth and Development
Dr. James C. Wade, Sr., elected as the Executive Director of the Department of Church Growth and Development in 2004, was a veteran pastor in the Fourth Episcopal district. Among his major appointments were St. Paul AME Church (Downtown) Detroit and Ebenezer AME Church in Evanston, Illinois. He was educated at Great Lakes Bible College, St. Ambrose College, Logos College, and Faith Grant College.
Prior to his election as a general officer, he traveled extensively to evangelize throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Africa. He brought 26 churches in Uganda into the 17th Episcopal District.
In a ten-day crusade in Nigeria in 2000, his efforts yielded 300 converts to Christianity. In 2001, at another evangelistic crusade, 50 persons in Jamaica confessed to Jesus Christ. He also spearheaded the development of free medical clinics and the rehabilitation of five churches.
In 2004, on a return to Jamaica, 54 converts joined the AME Church and a school was built at St. Matthew AME Church.
Dr. Wade enjoys traveling and gardening; he love working with flowers.
He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Omega, Inc.
Dr. Wade is married to Dr. Julia Wade and they have two sons and three grandchildren.
- General Officer Dr. Daryl Ingram, Secretary-Treasurer, Department of Christian Education
Dr. Daryl Ingram, born in Georgia, was elected the fifth Executive Director of the Christian Education Department of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2004.
Dr. Ingram served as pastor to Smith Chapel AME Church, Locust Grove, Georgia; Smith Chapel AME Church, Eastland, Texas; Sherman Chapel AME Church, Plano, Texas; Salter Chapel AME Church, Cleburne, Texas; Murph-Miller Memorial AME Church, Dallas, Texas; St. John AME Church, Mexia, Texas; and Allen Chapel AME Church, Fort Worth, Texas. He served as the Presiding Elder of the Greater Fort Worth District in the North Texas Annual Conference and was serving in that position when he was elected as Executive Director of the Christian Education Department.
Dr. Ingram earned a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, a Master of Business Administration from Harding-Simmons University, a Master of Divinity from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and a Doctor of Ministry in 1995 from United Theological Seminary.
Dr. Ingram serves in ecumenical and world affairs actively participating in the National Council of Churches in the U.S.A., and the World Methodist Council. He is the Secretary of the Paul Quinn College Board of Trustees, a member of the Executive Committee of Prairie View Ministers Conference, and a member of Interfaith Worker Justice Board of Trustees. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard from which he has retired.
Dr. Ingram served fifteen years as the Director of Christian Education for the Tenth Episcopal District; thirty years as a church school teacher, workshop leader, and facilitator; and was a founding member of the AME Church Fellowship of Christian Educators. He was the host of the 1994 AME Church Connectional Christian Education Congress while serving as the pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Fort Worth, Texas.
Dr. Ingram’s hobbies are working out at the YMCA, reading and traveling. He is also a high-end shopper.
He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Ingram is married to Mrs. Patricia A. Ingram and they have four children and seven grandchildren.
- General Officer Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder, The Official Newspaper of the AME Church
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor, III is the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was elected to that position at the 47th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference that was held in Indianapolis, Indiana in July 2004.
He attended Wilberforce University and received his baccalaureate degree from Cheyney University. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree at Lexington Theological Seminary and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.
Dr. Sydnor served as the Director of the online Bachelor of Arts Degree Program in Religious Studies at Hampton University from 1999 until 2004. He also served as an Assistant Professor of Ethics and Religion. He is currently an adjunct professor of religion and ethics for Hampton University and teaches online courses for the HU Religious Studies Program.
Dr. Sydnor served as a United States Army Chaplain for twenty-eight years and provided pastoral care in support of soldiers and their families. He retired as a colonel. He was awarded numerous military honors and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Parachutist Badge. Dr. Sydnor made 86 Parachute jumps while on active duty.
He served in numerous locations in the United States, in Germany and was the Command Chaplain for the VII (U.S.) Corps and was assigned to that unit during deployment to Southwest Asia for Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990. During his last military assignment, Dr. Sydnor served as the Command Chaplain for United States Army Training and Doctrine Command where he provided pastoral leadership and technical supervision to the senior chaplains at the seventeen military installations located throughout the United States.
He is an experienced trainer of clergy in pastoral leadership, biblical theology, administration and organizational effectiveness. Prior to entering the United States Army, he served as the Dean of the Joint Pastors' Institute at Lane College providing theological education for ministers in the African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion and Christian Methodist Episcopal Churches in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Arkansas.
He is the author of the booklet; "Some thoughts on being an Effective Chaplain" published by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and “Understanding Islam" an individual study project, which is used as a supplemental text for Islam and World Religion classes at Hampton University. He has published many articles in denominational periodicals and conducts marriage, values clarification, and ministers' retreats.
Dr. Sydnor serves on the Board of Trustees at Lexington Theological Seminary and serves on the Board of Directors of the Sloan-Consortium.
Dr. Sydnor is a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and was named “2004 Citizen of the Year” by Kappa Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Sydnor is married to the Reverend Charlotte Ann (Blake) Sydnor, pastor of Shorter Chapel AME Church in Franklin, Tennessee and a D.Min Candidate at United Theological Seminary. They will have been married for 46 years August and are the parents of three children, Gloria, Calvin, and Christopher and have 12 grandchildren. His hobbies are cooking, walking, and playing the piano. He is connoisseur of shopping at Wal-Mart, Target and Value City.
Interesting Facts:
- All of the General Officers are married
- Two General Officers served churches named, “Bethel”
- Two General Officers were born in Pennsylvania
- Three General Officers served in the U.S. Military
- Two General Officers served as military chaplains
- Two General Officers served as full-time university professors
- Six General Officers are members of Fraternities
- Two General Officers served as presiding elders
Editor’ Note: All of the General Officers are candidates for reelection at the 48th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference that will be held in St. Louis o July 4 – 11, 2008.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor
RE: Affordable Evangelism Resources
I totally agree with Dr. Sydnor when he states, “The AME Church has got to keep rolling forward.” I admire his steadfast commitment to sharing information in diverse formats. The technology is in place; and so are the people who can help to make use of it.
There are a number of elders, deacons and “wannabees” with a word from God for modern media. Unfortunately, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands more with a word of false prophecy or empty promise—and they supply meaningless content to what could be your virtual pulpit.
Earlier this year, I attended King Day services at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. The preacher of the hour was The Rt. Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate of the 13th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We'd hoped to capture parts of her sermon on video for the virtual pulpit.
Oh well, my video was shaky, the lighting was not the best, and my photographic composition abilities were worst than a 54 year old diabetic’s with low blood sugar; so much for the means and methodology.
The message followed many mini-sermonettes and eloquent speeches from learned people, and yet challenged sitters to get off the pew and onto the battlefield. I was truly moved by this spiritually enriched global communicator, and hope that other media technicians, operators and communicators can get on board with a common vision for the Universal Church.
http://www.georgiafbci.net/Selma.htm
Eric Stradford
TheEnterpriZe
- To the Editor
RE: [Tcr-3/13/08] NEWS ARTICLE: Sex Infections Found in Quarter of Teenage Girls
Thank you for putting this article out there. As a Health Educator and Certified Nurse Practitioner, I applaud you. This is a very serious issue that seems to get worse by the minute. And of course, your final statement is correct, that if it is affecting young women then it is certainly affecting young men. We do need to keep it "Real." Education is the key.
Dr. Connie S. Richardson, ARNP-C
Second Episcopal District Supervisor
4. NOTICE FROM PRESIDENT OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF THE AME CHURCH:
IN RE: THE MATTER OF ROSA MCCLOUD-BAXTER
REQUEST FOR A DECLARATORY DECISION
The Judicial Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Church intends to conduct closed deliberations of issues relating to the above-named case. The deliberations shall be in person and exclusively among the members of the Judicial Council. The deliberations shall be conducted on July 3, 2008, at the site of the General Conference.
To assist in its deliberations, the Judicial Council will accept briefs in accordance with The 2004 Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church [“Discipline”], Part XI, Section XX. H., Paragraphs 11 & 12 (page 315).
All persons, bodies, organizations, or other entities wishing to submit briefs shall submit a “Notice of Intent to Submit Brief’ [“Notice”]. Such Notice shall be sent by United States mail, first class, postage pre-paid, to:
Name: REV. GRANVILLE REED
Address 2002 Mt. Herman Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32209
Notices must display a postmark date of not later than midnight, April 15, 2008. Notices transmitted by any method other than as above indicated, or after the deadline, shall not be accepted.
Persons, bodies, organization, or other entities who wish acknowledgment of receipt of Notice shall include a self-addressed, postage paid return envelope.
Briefs shall be accepted from only those persons, bodies, organizations or other entities who file a Notice on or before the above-stated deadline. Those persons, bodies, organizations, or other entities shall receive detailed instructions regarding briefs after the closing date for the submission of Notices.
ENTERED AND SIGNED this 3rd day of March 2008.
/Signed/
PATRICIA MAYBERRY
President
The Judicial Council of the AME Church
5. PAYNE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY LAUNCHES DOCTOR OF MINISTRY PROGRAM:
Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, President of Payne Theological Seminary, is pleased to announce a wonderful new opportunity taking place at the seminary. In keeping with its rich tradition of training men and women for scholarship, social advocacy, and Christian ministry, Payne Theological Seminary is pleased to describe the launching of its new Doctor of Ministry Program in theological and ministerial education. The Doctor of Ministry program signals a dynamic collaboration between Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio, and Bakke Graduate University of Ministry, Seattle, Washington. This collaboration has birthed an exciting three-year program designed for experienced leaders in ministry who want to pursue continued professional ministry development.
Payne’s mission is to prepare men and women for leadership in the Black Church. We believe the Payne-Bakke Doctor of Ministry program offers the only doctoral curriculum in the United States to combine an African American perspective and a global Christian context, with special emphasis on ministry in urban centers in order that the students in the program can be equipped to minister effectively in the global city.
On January 14, 2008, the newest group of Doctor of Ministry students was immersed into a program that will no doubt transform them and their ministries. Payne students came from all over the United States to join and journey with students from Nigeria, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Uganda, and Kazakhstan. The week long experience, titled Overture I, compared the first learning experience to a musical overture which introduces snippets of the music to come and themes that will be heard throughout the production. Overture I introduced the themes and experiential approaches to doctoral study that are structured around transformational leadership for the global city. Overture I provided the students the unique opportunity to walk the streets of Seattle with Dr. Ray Bakke, President of Bakke Graduate University of Ministry and to visit ministries where God is at work, to dialogue with recognized experts from a variety of leadership and ministry fields, to read, to journal their experiences and to then debrief with each other.
As expected, the students’ perspectives were broadened and in some instances changed dramatically, while lights went on regarding what was happening in them and their own ministries. The Payne-Bakke Doctor of Ministry Program, Overture I, in Seattle was an adventurous, convicting, and challenging experience for the students in attendance, six of whom represented Payne’s inaugural Doctor of Ministry class. Those who comprised this first cohort are: they are: Rev. Stanley Smith, Pastor of St. John AME in Niagara Falls, NY., Rev. Silvester Scott Beaman pastor of Bethel AME in Wilmington Delaware; the Rev. Manual Mathew Biagas, pastor of Murphy AME Church; the Rev. Gwendolyn J. Johnson, pastor of Reed’s Chapel AME Church in Youngstown, Ohio; the Rev. John W. Howard, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Atlantic City, NJ; and the Rev. Sylvia Moseley of Omega Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio; comprised Payne’s first cohort.
Payne’s President, Dr. Fitchue and Bakke Graduate University of Ministry President, Dr. Bakke, birthed the experiential doctor of ministry concept while professional colleagues at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. They have been joined with Dr. Harold Dean Trulear, Associate Professor of Applied Theology at Howard University in Washington, D.C., who serves as Consultant to the President for Academic Affairs at Payne.
Just as surgeons are prepared in the operating room to become surgeons, Payne is looking for gifted ministers and missionary professionals to join us in this medical model as we utilize our cities around the world as laboratories, and practitioners as professors. The Payne Bakke Doctor of Ministry Program is designed to integrate the theory and practice of ministry within the context of the students’ ministry location, and the global arena through their required participation in a cohort conducted in Africa or Asia.
Interested persons may inquire by phone 937 376-2946 Ext. 228 or Toll-Free (888) 816-8933 Ext. 228 or download an application on the Payne website, www.payne.edu. Applications are being accepted for the June 2008 and January 2009 cohort groups.
Submitted by Dr. Leah Fitchue, President, Payne Theological Seminary
1230 Wilberforce-Clifton Road, P.O. Box 474
Wilberforce, Ohio 45384
937-376-2946
6. THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH CHRISTIAN DEBUTANTE—MASTER DEDICATION COMMISSION ANNOUNCES 15TH DEDICATION CEREMONY:
The Connectional Christian Debutante Master Dedication Commission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church will hold its 15th Dedication Ceremony on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. This dedication ceremony will showcase debutantes and masters who have received training in spiritual, physical, and social programs; have completed a required curriculum and are now ready to be presented to the church. These young men and women are pledging to give greater Christian service. Additionally, sub-debutantes, sub-masters, and junior Allenites will participate in the ceremony.
The dedication ceremony is two fold: (1). To present young people who have given their lives to Christ and worked hard to complete their required service programs; (2). To help provide scholarship funds to support the debs and masters who seek continuing education. In order to achieve this goal, we are soliciting your support of the Souvenir Journal that will be prepared to commemorate this occasion. We are requesting your financial support in the way of purchasing an ad to be placed in the Souvenir Journal. All ads for the Souvenir Journal, including monies, must be received by Wednesday, April 30, 2008. Ads should be camera ready and any accompanying pictures should be glossy black and white. Thank you for your support of the Christian Debutante-Masters Commission. We would love to have you present at the dedication ceremony in St. Louis.
For additional information contact Mrs. Loretta Hill
General Administrator, Christian Debutante-Masters Commission: loretta_hill@sbcglobal.net
7. PAYNE SEMINARY HOSTS NAVY RECRUITER:
Payne Theological Seminary recently hosted an officer recruiter from Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Ohio. Chief Warrant Officer James Eveland from NRD Ohio visited Payne Seminary on the evening of February 26, 2008. Chaplain David Brown, the Navy Region East Chaplain Program Officer, accompanied him on the visit.
Warrant Officer Eveland and Chaplain Brown were introduced to seminary students during the chapel service that precedes evening classes. After the service, students were treated to a pizza dinner compliments of NRD Ohio and offered a video presentation about the various opportunities for ministry within the Navy Chaplain Corps.
8. THE CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE CELEBRATES FOUNDER’S DAY:
On February 10, 2008, the California Conference commemorated the Rt. Reverend Richard Allen, founder of the A.M.E. Church. Born February 14, 1760, Allen was a visionary before his time and together with Absalom Jones founded the Free African Society that later became the African Church of Philadelphia that grew into the African Methodist Episcopal Church that is now international and has over 2 million members world-wide.
The Founder’s Day Worship Service was hosted by Parks Chapel A.M.E. Church, an 89 year old congregation in Oakland, California, the Rev. Benjamin Hollins, Senior Pastor and Presiding Elders Rev. Dr. Booker T. Guyton and Dr. Vernon S. Burroughs.
Reflections by the Presiding Elder...
"We are blessed with the rich heritage and legacy of our founder, Richard Allen. On this Founder's Day, it is a blessing to see the people of God respond in such great numbers in praise and worship thanking God for our founder and appreciating where God has brought us." Presiding Elder Booker T. Guyton, Sr., Oakland/San Joaquin District, California Conference.
“It is important to place emphasis on our history. The founding of the A.M.E. Church as I see it is the first civil rights movement in this country. This year’s celebration of singing and praise was done with so much excitement and energy. The joy of the Lord was really in Parks Chapel.” Presiding Elder Dr. Vernon S. Burroughs, San Francisco/Sacramento District, California Conference.
In honor of Richard Allen’s contributions, the Founder’s Day Litany was led by Rev. Francine Brookins, Senior Pastor, Wright Chapel A.M.E. Church San Francisco. Mrs. Loe Ressie Montgomery-Branch, California Conference Lay Organization President, presented a historical statement of the A.M.E. Church and the development of the Connectional Lay Organization.
Regina Bryels, President of the 5th District Economic Development Fund (EDF) Board of Directors, and California Conference WMS President, presented the purpose of the Economic Development Fund and made a progress report:
• $70,000 in scholarships was awarded to A.M.E students in 2007.
• Construction continues of a hotel in St. Louis valued at 9 million dollars.
• Local churches throughout the 5th District have received EDF loans.
• Senior and low-income housing has been developed.
The California Conference EDF accountants made the following report:
• Total Developers: 599
• Total money raised: $30,150.00
Praise dancing and celebration through music presented by the churches in the California Conference offered spirited worship and praise for approximately 1,000 members in attendance. The youth reminded the California Conference of why the contributions of Richard Allen and other historical African Americans are celebrated, through music presented by the YPD Choir singing Negro spirituals and a captivating oratorical presentation entitled “Grace” by David Miles, Price Chapel AME Church Los Angeles.
The California Conference joins with the Connectional A.M.E. Church in continuing to remember and to teach our history, and the work of our Founder, Richard Allen, and others who built the A.M.E. church on a solid rock that has grown for 221 years.
Mr. Walter Mitchell, Allen Chapel San Francisco took photos.
Submitted by Mrs. Marilyn Lovelace-Grant, California Conference Director of Public Relations
9. PAN-METHODISTS REASSESS ROLES ON UNITED METHODIST - BOARDS - THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH HAS WITHDRAWN ITS SUPPORT:
By Linda Green*
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (UMNS)-The African Methodist Episcopal Church has withdrawn its support of a resolution affirming full communion with the other denominations in the Pan-Methodist Commission, and it is reconsidering having representatives on United Methodist agencies.
Speaking at the March 6-8 meeting of the Pan-Methodist Commission, Bishop Earl McCloud, the ecumenical officer for the AME Church, said the withdrawal was based on a series of events, primarily those that led up to the dismissal of the Rev. Larry Pickens as leader of The United Methodist Church's ecumenical agency.
Last November, the commission adopted a resolution affirming full communion and mutual support of the churches in the Pan-Methodist Commission. But since then, the bishop said, "I've changed my mind."
"I do not agree presently with the resolution and will not take it to our General Conference" for adoption, he said. Other pan-Methodist denominations will consider the resolution at their General Conference gatherings in 2008 and 2010.
The 40-member body includes representatives of The United Methodist Church and five historically African-American Methodist churches: the African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist Episcopal, Union American Methodist Episcopal and African Union Methodist Protestant denominations.
Established in 2000 by the top legislative bodies of the African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist and United Methodist churches, the commission works to foster cooperation among its member denominations in evangelism, missions, publications, social concerns and higher education.
Following the 2000 General Conference's Acts of Repentance, where The United Methodist Church apologized for actions that caused blacks to leave its predecessor churches in the 18th and 19th centuries, representatives of the historically black pan-Methodist churches were placed on the boards of directors of United Methodist agencies.
Those members who have served for eight years reported to the commission that their experiences had been educational and filled with opportunities to "see The United Methodist Church in action," said Juanita Bryant, a representative from the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
Members who served on the Commission of Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns questioned the process that led to the dismissal of Pickens, who was the agency's first African-American chief executive. Last December, the three pan-Methodist representatives on that agency were unhappy enough with the process that they left the commission meeting after Pickens' dismissal.
No inkling
A chief concern, according to McCloud and Lula Howard of the AMEZ Church, was that the full commission never had a chance to vote specifically on whether to re-elect Pickens. "I never had an inkling to what was going on," Howard said.
Instead, members were presented with a motion from the commission's personnel committee to elect retired Bishop Fritz Mutti as the temporary leader and to initiate a search for Pickens' replacement.
"I was hurt," Howard said. "I have seen people dealt with on personnel issues before but never in the manner that this was handled." Her concern was whether Pickens, who had only been on the job a year, was being compared with his predecessor, who had held the position 12 years. She also wondered if personal vendettas had led to Pickens' dismissal.
Nebraska Bishop Ann Sherer, president of the Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, said she could not legally talk about the process or personnel matters, but she told the commission that "our relationship with each another is vital." She said she wanted to find ways to address their concerns.
"We live in a culture which in essence is white privilege and racism, and I know that," Sherer said. "I also know that when you have an internal personnel process, you have to follow that process."
She added that the presence of pan-Methodists on the Christian Unity commission and other boards is needed. "You have made real contributions to our community."
Questions about roles
"It was a gracious invitation by the part of The United Methodist Church to ask us to serve, but I don't see our church becoming more involved in this. I'm questioning within my own heart and soul the real value since they (the United Methodists) have been doing this and we haven't, (and) whether it is something we ought to continue," McCloud said.
Some members of the Pan-Methodist Commission questioned their participation on the boards and agencies because it exposes them to some of the inner workings of a denomination.
Others said that, because of different church structures, United Methodists have not yet been able to serve on the boards of the other pan-Methodist churches.
"While it is my responsibility to put AMEs there (on the United Methodist boards), I would do not that again," McCloud said. "There are some positives to this program, but I think the negatives outweigh the positives."
AMEZ Bishop Nathaniel Jarrett, the Pan-Methodist Commission's chairman, said the Pickens situation had adversely impacted the commission. He asked if pan-Methodist participation on United Methodist boards and agencies should be revisited in the future. "The intent was good and it may still be, but at some point we need to talk about it again," he said.
Byrd Bonner, a United Methodist representative to the commission, said the placement of pan-Methodists has been a mandate of The United Methodist Church for the last eight years, and "The United Methodist Church would be much less whole and led by the Holy Spirit" if AME representation was absent from the boards and agencies.
"Nobody ever thought it would be a bed of roses," he said, "but it is a two-way street." He added that stress points often lead to a deeper faith journey.
A snowstorm prevented Bishop Fritz Mutti, interim leader of the Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, from attending the meeting. In a March 10 letter to the Pan-Methodist Commission, he said, "Our relationships, strained as they are, still hold the possibility of reconciliation and hope for our four communions. I pray every day that God will bless our common effort and enable us to bear meaningful witness to our Lord Jesus Christ."
What the Lord requires
A highlight of each commission meeting is a community-wide worship service hosted by a pan-Methodist congregation. Broadway Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was the site of the March 7 gathering. Jarrett provided the keynote sermon.
Jarrett, who is retiring from the episcopacy this summer, used the service to give the commission its marching orders for the future. Basing a double question on Micah 6:8, he asked: What does the Lord require of you, and does the Lord require too much of us?
"The Lord has directed us to be where we need to be not only as a commission but as a Methodist people," he said. The commission has come full circle in its journey as a pan- Methodist organization seeking to understand the common ministry to which it has been called. "We find ourselves back where we started 29 years ago...."
The commission is the result of the merger of the Commission on Pan Methodist Cooperation and the Commission on Pan-Methodist Union. Since 1996, the commission has had an ongoing struggle around issues of cooperation and what union means.
In 2007, the bishops attending the Consultation of Methodist Bishops in Atlanta voted to remove the words "cooperation" and "union" from the commission's name, making it the Pan-Methodist Commission. The commission works under the vision of "One body, many members."
"Our aim at the beginning and our aim now is a cooperative ministry witnessing together as a people called Methodists," Jarrett said. For nearly 30 years, the commission members, in a variety of forms, have consulted, envisioned and worked together, but the commission may have been asking the wrong questions "in seeking answers that could never satisfy the longings of our souls," he said.
While commission members often wrestled with what was required and expected of one another, the question, Jarrett said, should have been: "What does the Lord require of us?"
The answer, he said, is to do justly, love mercy and kindness, and walk humbly with God. Jarrett proceeded to define and elaborate on each requirement and told the commission that God has something in store for it.
"The commission can't work it out, theologize it out or think it out," he said. "Why don't we do just do what the Lord requires, and if we meet his requirements, he will take us where we need to be and do for us what we need to have done."
In other activities, commission members:
Refined the commission's report to the 2008 General Conferences of the AME, AMEZ and UM churches and the 2010 General Conference of the CME church.
Updated the commission's "One Voice" brochure to include two communions - African Union Methodist Protestant and Union American Methodist Episcopal -that have joined the commission.
Scheduled the next meeting for Nov. 21-22 in Louisville, Ky., and named Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church as host for the community worship service.
*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Linda Green, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
Used with permission of the United Methodist News Service
10. SOUTHERN BAPTIST LEADERS SAY IT IS TIME FOR INDIVIDUALS, CHURCHES, COMMUNITIES, AND GOVERNMENTS TO ACT:
ATLANTA, March 10, 2008—Prominent and influential Southern Baptist leaders called for a “unified moral voice” on the need for people to care for creation and to take a “position of prudence” in “taking responsibility for human contributions to global climate change” in a declaration signed by 46 leaders and released today.
Demonstrating new conviction by key pastors, denominational leaders and heads of Southern Baptist institutions, the leaders signed a comprehensive declaration that stakes out positions far beyond former SBC statements and pledges to “give serious consideration to responsible policies that effectively address” environmental and climate change concerns.
The declaration identifies the denomination’s past pronouncements on the environment as “too timid” and moves beyond the resolution on global warming adopted at the 2007 Southern Baptist Convention.
"Today marks a new day for many Southern Baptists, as we pledge to take seriously Scripture's creation care mandates in light of pressing environmental realities, said Jonathan Merritt, 25, a student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the project director who has rallied fellow Southern Baptists – including many leaders of the denomination – to address environmental issues. “Environmental crises are theological problems, and Southern Baptists will honestly engage these problems with a spirit of humility and compassion," Merritt said.
Signatories include
• Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (2006-Present), Taylors, South Carolina
• James Merritt, former president of the SBC (2000-2002) and pastor of CrossPointe Church, Duluth, Georgia
• Jack Graham, former president of the SBC (2002-2004) and pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas
• Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina
• David Dockery, president of Union University, Jackson, Tennessee
• Timothy George, President of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, and Senior Editor of Christianity Today
• Ken Whitten, pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida
• Ronnie Floyd, pastor of First Baptist, Springdale, Arkansas
• Herschael York, President of the Kentucky Baptist Convention and Professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky
Media Teleconference with Southern Baptist Spokespersons
Jonathan and James Merritt and Danny Akin will conduct a media teleconference Monday, March 10, at 2 p.m. EST. They will make prepared statements and be available for one hour to answer media questions.
To participate in the teleconference, call 1-800-918-9578.
Timothy George said: “As evangelical, Bible-believing Christians, Southern Baptists want to take seriously the stewardship God has granted us to care for his creation. We have taken bold steps to uphold the sanctity of human life in the midst of a culture of death and we must continue to be advocates for ‘the least of these.’ But we also recognize that ‘the earth is the Lord’s,’ and we bear a special responsibility — precisely as Christians and as Baptists — to treat with protective care and concern the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the earth on which we live, move, and have our being as persons made in the image of God. With this new statement, Southern Baptists, more boldly than ever before, own this responsibility and we invite others to join us in this worthy effort.”
“This declaration seeks to address the biblical call to the stewardship of God's creation. In doing so, it serves as a timely response to contemporary environmental concerns in our culture,” Dockery said.
“This is a call to be informed and get involved in caring for creation, what John Calvin called ‘the theater of God’s glory,’” said Akin. “Here we find a challenge to be prudent, wise and active as biblical stewards of God’s good gift.”
James Merritt added: "Southern Baptists should lead the way in modeling proper care of the environment in both practice and precept because this is a God-created world that deserves the very best of our ecological stewardship. This declaration advances our voice on these important issues in a prudent yet firm way.”
The declaration offers four sections with the following headings:
• Humans must care for creation and take responsibility for our contributions to environmental degradation
• It is prudent to address global climate change
• Christian moral convictions and our Southern Baptist doctrines demand our environmental stewardship
• It is time for individuals, churches, communities, and governments to act.
For the text of the full declaration of a complete list of signatories, go to www.baptistcreationcare.org. To interview spokespersons for A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change, contact Mitch Leff at mitch@schroderpr.com or cell (404) 861-4769, or Amber Rigsby at amber@schroderpr.com or cell (678) 644-7249.
11. JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC - CHURCH AND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:
Gospel Artist Norman Hutchins is coming to Jackson. Dr. Hutchins will be joined by Evangelist Myrna Summers and conductor/author James Abbington as featured consultants for the 32nd Annual Church Music Workshop of America at Jackson State University June 16-19 with a concert on Thursday, June 19th at 7pm in the Rose McCoy Auditorium featuring these artists and the workshop choir. Well-known musicians Roland Carter and Don Lee White will serve as special consultants. There will be sessions for ministers, musicians, adult choir members, youth choir members and children. Dr. Hutchins’ latest release is God Is Up To Something and Evangelist Summers, the Minister of Music at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Glendale, Maryland, is known for her original compositions God Gave Me A Song and Mountain Get Out Of My Way, her latest CD with the Reid Temple A.M.E. Mass Choir. Dr. Abbington will conduct a GIA reading session. The early registration fee is $100 which includes all music and materials. After June 1, the fee is $125. The beautiful Marriott Jackson is the official hotel with a workshop rate of $99 plus taxes, single or double. Please call 1-800-256-9194 or 601-969-5100 to reserve a room.
For workshop information, call Dr. Jimmie James, Jr., at 601/979-2141, e-mail him at jimmie.james@jsums.edu
12. NEW LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN IN MINISTRY:
Powerful Publication Targets Growing Number of Female Clergy
(PEMBROKE PINES, Florida) - A new publication, CALLED Magazine, is the first of its kind. The magazine targets the increasing number of females in ministry. The powerful publication is a resource to inspire, inform and enlighten the growing number of women in ministry across the globe. One in every eight clergy members is a woman, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
"The numbers of women in ministry are increasing rapidly, and CALLED Magazine has a readership that is global and cross gender. Pastors and ministerial leaders from all corners of the world are subscribing and some men are even purchasing
the publication for themselves because of the rich resources that we provide," said Marsha DuCille, publisher of CALLED Magazine. "We offer quite an assortment of articles on a wide range of topics including how to run an effective ministry, grant writing resources, handling church finances and marketing, just to name a few."
In 1994, 19 percent of Presbyterian Church Clergy members were female, as were 30 percent of the Unitarian-Universalist Association Clergy members, according to a study in the mid-1990s by Barbara Brown Zikmund, Patricia Chang, and Asdair Lummis.
Although the magazine has already faced opposition and received hate mail from more conservative denominations, the magazine is dedicated to improving the lives of women in ministerial leadership by providing ministerial resources, timely information, Biblical inspiration, ministerial fellowship, and an uplifting, refreshing look at what it is to be a woman in ministry today. Many male pastors and men in ministry have even chosen to purchase gift subscriptions.
"We are providing articles to assist female pastors in the day-to-day complexities of being a spiritual shepherdess to a modern-day flock; - as well as being a woman with spiritual, relational, emotional, physical, fashionable and relational needs."
Called Magazine provides resources for women pastors, including conferences, events and articles with titles such as, "Secrets of Highly Successful Female Pastors" and "10 Practices of an Effective Ministry."
"There are so many women out there who can benefit from this resource, and the sisterhood of knowing they are not alone," said DuCille. "This magazine brings together not only women, but men, families, and everyone involved in the ministry and everyday lives of these mighty women of God.
We feel strongly that people will welcome us once they see all of the benefits we provide."
CALLED Magazine offers readers a one-year subscription for $29.95. To purchase, visit www.calledmagazine.com. The magazine is also an ideal venue for businesses targeting church leaders and ministers for advertising purposes. Contact Michelle Earnhart, Advertising Sales Director, at 323-228-0793, or email michelle@calledmagazine.com.
For more information, contact publisher Marsha DuCille at publisher@calledmagazine.com or visit www.calledmagazine.com .
13. INCARCERATION VS. EDUCATION - REPRODUCING RACISM AND POVERTY IN AMERICA:
*Dr. Manning Marable
Since 2004, former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards campaigned across the U.S. with a simple message: that there are essentially “two Americas,” separated by a chasm of inequality, defined largely by race and class. It was a truthful message that the vast majority of Americans didn’t want to acknowledge, or even hear. Yet the larger meaning of Edwards’ message may be more significant to the future of U.S. politics, than even the historic presidential campaign of Barack Obama.
Americans are reinforced to believe that individuals are largely in control of their own destiny. Hard work, sacrifice, and personal effort, we are told, determine what happens to us. But increasingly, the fundamental institutions of American society function unfairly, restricting access and opportunity for millions of people. The greatest example of this is the present-day criminal justice system.
Let us start with the basic facts. As of 2008, one out of every one hundred American adults is living behind bars. According to a December 2007 study of the American Civil Liberties Union, “Race and Ethnicity in America,” in the past thirty years there has been a 500 percent increase in the number of Americans behind bars, amounting to 2.2 million people, which represent 25 percent of the world’s prison population. This prison population is disproportionately black and brown. As of 2006, the U.S. penal population was 46 percent white, 41 percent African American, and 19 percent Latino. In practical terms, by 2001, about one out of every six African-American males had experienced jail or imprisonment. Based on current trends, over one out of three black men will experience imprisonment during their lives.
There is overwhelming evidence that the overrepresentation of blacks in prisons is largely due to discrimination in every phase of the criminal justice system. According to the 2007 ACLU study, for example, African Americans comprised 11 percent of Texas’ population, but 40 percent of the state’s prisoners. Blacks in Texas are incarcerated at roughly five times the rate of whites. Despite the fact that blacks statistically represent fewer than 10 percent of drug abusers, in Texas 50 percent of all prisoners incarcerated in state prisons and two-thirds of all those in jails for “drug delivery offenses” are African Americans.
A similar pattern is found within the juvenile justice system. According to the 2007 ACLU study, African-American youth amount to 15 percent of all American juveniles. However, they represent 26 percent of all juveniles who are arrested by the police nationwide. They are 58 percent of all youth who are sentenced to serve time in state prisons. In California, Latino youth are two times more likely than whites to be sentenced to prison; for African-American youth in California, it is six times the incarceration rate.
What are the practical political consequences of the mass incarceration of black Americans? In New York State, for example, the prison populations play a significant role in how some state legislative districts are drawn up. In New York’s 45th senatorial district, located in the extreme northern corner of upstate New York, there are thirteen state prisons, with 14,000 prisoners, all of whom are counted as residents. Prisoners in New York are disenfranchised – they cannot vote – yet their numbers help to create a Republican state senatorial district. These “prison districts” now exist all over the United States.
The most obscene dimension of the national compulsion to incarcerate has been the deliberate criminalization of young black people, with the construction of a “school-to-prison pipeline.”
Under the cover of “zero tolerance” for all forms of “disobedience,” too many school administrators are aggressively and unfairly removing black youth from schools. Statistically, African-American youths are two to three times more likely than whites to be suspended, and far more likely to be corporally punished or expelled. According to the ACLU’s study, “nationally, African American students comprise 17 percent of the student population, but account for 36 percent of school suspensions and 31 percent of expulsions. In New Jersey, for instance, black students are nearly 60 times more likely to be expelled than their white counterparts. In Iowa, blacks make up just 5 percent of the statewide public school enrollment, but account for 22 percent of suspensions.” Too many black children are taught at an early age that their only future resides in a prison or jail.
Meanwhile, state after state is reducing its investments in education, while expanding its expenditures in correctional facilities. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education (March 14, 2008), between 1987 and 2007, states spent an average of a 21 percent increase on higher education, but expanded their corrections budgets by an average of 127 percent. Today, for the first time in recent history, there are now five states that spend more state money on prisons than on public colleges – Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Oregon, and Vermont. The ugly tradeoff not to educate but to incarcerate continues.
*Dr. Manning Marable is Professor of Public Affairs, History and African-American Studies at Columbia University, where he also directs the Center for Contemporary Black History. The author and editor of over two dozen books, Dr. Marable’s most recent publication is Seeking Higher Ground: The Katrina Crisis, co-edited with Kristen Clarke. “Along the Color Line” appears in over hundreds of publications worldwide, and is available at http://www.manningmarable.net
14. VENABLE CHAPEL AME CHURCH BAPTISMS:
There are great things happening at Venable Chapel AME Church under the leadership of the Right Rev. Cornal G. Henning Sr., presiding bishop; the Rev. Malvin J. Black Jr., Presiding Elder; and the Rev. Troy T. Grimes, pastor.
On Wednesday evening, May 23, 2007, there were eight children who accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior and were baptized in the Amite River in Darlington, Louisiana. Their ages ranged from five months to eighteen years old. There is no age limit on being baptized for the Lord! Although it was raining and the sun was not shining, God was shining in our hearts! We had a glorious time giving our children back to the Lord! There is a joy knowing that children want to live for Jesus!
Submitted By:
Sister Vanessa McClendon
15. THE PASTOR’S CORNER - PALM SUNDAY:
Rev. James Moody
People of Excellence See Life through God’s Eyes (Matthew 21:1-11)
The Palm Sunday lesson lies in what those in Jerusalem saw and why they saw it versus what God sent and why God sent it. The people saw Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem as proof of their righteous posture before God. After all, God was finally sending someone to vindicate them by freeing them from the hand of Roman rule. The temple had been reconstructed in their city and the prophet from Nazareth had arrived. This was in their eyes the heralding of a time of great economic, social and political blessing.
Jesus said earlier, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23).
This was a time of great blessing. Yet, it’s in our times of greatest blessing when we face the greatest danger. In our times of greatest blessing it’s easier to take for granted God is blessing us because of “who we are.” In our times of greatest blessing it’s easier to be blinded by the light of our success or become complacent in our abundance.
In the book, “The Final Quest,” author Rick Joiner tells the story of the spiritual warriors who had defeated Satan’s army in battle. When the warriors returned to their camp, the people were so grateful for the victory their champions had achieved, they chose to polish their armor. The armor of the victorious warriors shined so brightly the warriors were blinded by the light and couldn’t see the enemy sneaking closer to attack.
“But if the eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” What we see is determined by the interpretation we give it.
The people of Jerusalem saw an earthly king when God sent the Perfect Sacrifice.
The people of Jerusalem saw a conquering general when God sent a Suffering Servant.
The people of Jerusalem saw a political leader when God sent a humble Lamb.
The people of Jerusalem saw the material when God sent His Spirit.
Why did God send the Perfect Sacrifice, the Suffering Servant, the humble Lamb, His Spirit? He sent His Son to restore us to a right relationship with Himself. The lesson of Palm Sunday reminds us to look beyond earthly kings, conquering generals, political leaders, and material blessings to see God through His eyes. As God’s people of excellence, let’s recognize Palm Sunday and all of Holy Week through the eyes of our loving Father – the eyes of relationship.
It’s all about relationship!
Pastor Jim Moody
16. THE 2007-2008 DISTRICT AND CONNECTIONAL CALENDAR DATES FOR THE SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
The Right Reverend William Phillips DeVeaux, Presiding Prelate
Dr. Pam DeVeaux, Episcopal Supervisor
SOUTH GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
March 1, 2008: South Conference YPD Annual Day
March 2, 2008: South Conference DMC Annual Day
March 3, 2008: South Conference WMS Annual Day
March 4-7, 2008: South Georgia Annual Conference
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Quitman
1203 South Court Street
Quitman, GA 31643
Telephone: 229-263-8900
The Reverend Ronnie Averett, Host Pastor
The Reverend Jacqueline Smith, Host Presiding Elder
March 16-22, 2008: HOLY WEEK
March 23, 2008: EASTER SUNDAY
SOUTHWEST GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
March 24, 2008: Southwest Conference WMS Annual Day
March 25-28, 2008: Southwest Georgia Annual Conference
Saint Paul, Columbus
4900 Saint Mary’s Road
Columbus, GA 31907
Telephone: 706-682-2927
The Reverend James A. Alexander, Host Pastor
The Reverend Elijah Smith, Host Presiding Elder
March 29, 2008 Southwest Conference YPD Annual Day
March 29, 2008 Southwest Conference DMC Annual Day
(OLD) GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
April 12, 2008 (Old) Georgia Conference YPD Annual Day
April 12, 2008 (Old) Georgia Conference DMC Annual Day
April 7, 2008 (Old) Georgia Conference WMS Annual Day
April 8-11, 2008: (Old) Georgia Annual Conference
Saint Philip Monumental A.M.E. Church
1112 Jefferson Street
Savannah, Georgia 31402
Telephone: 912-233-8547
The Reverend George Moore, Jr., Host Pastor
The Reverend Henry Frasier, Host Presiding Elder
April 14-16, 2008: CONVO XI/GENERAL BOARD MEETING
Marriott Dallas/Addison Quorum by the Galleria
14901 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75254
Group rate: $135.00
To make reservations, call (800) 228-9290 or (972) 661-2800 and ask for the AME Church room block.
Proposed Areas of Consideration
• Faith, Order and Ministry
• General Budget and Funding the Ministry
• A Proposal for the Education Ministry of the Church
• Advancing Legislation to the Revisions Committee
April 17-19, 2008: GENERAL BOARD, DALLAS, TEXAS
AUGUSTA GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
April 19, 2008: Augusta Conference YPD Annual Day
April 20, 2008: Augusta Conference DMC Annual Day
April 21, 2008: Augusta Conference WMS Annual Day
April 22-25, 2008: Augusta Georgia Annual Conference
Bethel A.M.E. Church
623 Crawford Avenue
Augusta, GA 30903
Telephone: 706-736-4060
FAX: 706-736-0083
The Reverend Mark S. Pierson, Host Pastor
The Reverend Ella M. Samuels, Host Presiding Elder
MACON GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
May 3, 2008: Macon Conference YPD Annual Day
May 4, 2008: Macon Conference DMC Annual Day
May 5, 2008: Macon Conference WMS Annual Day
May 6-9, 2008: Macon Georgia Annual Conference
Saint Paul A.M.E. Church
2501 Shurling Drive
Macon, GA 31217
Telephone: 478-745-0507
Website: www.saintpaulame.org
The Reverend Ronald L. Slaughter, Host Pastor
The Reverend Benjamin Ridley, Host Presiding Elder
ATLANTA NORTH GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
May 17, 2008: Atlanta North Conference YPD Annual Day
May 18, 2008: Atlanta North Conference DMC Annual Day
May 19, 2008: Atlanta North Conference WMS Annual Day
May 20-23, 2008: Atlanta North Georgia Annual Conference
Saint Philip
240 Candler Road SE
Atlanta, GA 30317
Telephone: 404-371-0749
FAX: 404-378-5257
The Reverend George Moore, Sr., Host Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Earle H. Ifill, Host Presiding Elder
www.saintphilip.org
June 9-10, 2008: SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT POST PLANNING MEETING
Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites Conference Center
Two Tenth Street
Augusta, Georgia
706-722-8900
The Reverend Mark S. Pierson, Co-Host Pastor
The Reverend Richard A. Smith, Co-Host Pastor
The Reverend Ella M. Samuels, Host Presiding Elder
June 10-13, 2008: 2008 LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY CONGRESS
Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites Conference Center
Two Tenth Street
Augusta, Georgia
706-722-8900
The Reverend Mark S. Pierson, Co-Host Pastor
The Reverend Richard A. Smith, Co-Host Pastor
The Reverend Ella M. Samuels, Host Presiding Elder
July 4-11, 2008: 48TH QUADRENNIAL SESSION, GENERAL CONFERENCE 2008
America's Center
Convention Center
St. Louis, MO
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Sister Diane Williams, daughter of Mrs. Reatha L. Smith and the late Rev. Richard D. Smith, Sr., Presiding Elder of the North District-Illinois Conference, 4th Episcopal District passed on Saturday, March 1, 2008, after a long battle with cancer.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Sister Reatha Smith
1914 3rd Avenue
East Moline, IL 61244
(901) 361-8155 (TN contact phone number)
Cell phone contact number for Sister Ileta Smith-Knight, 217-597-1184 (daughter of Sister Reatha Smith).
Email condolences to: dddhi@aol.com
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Reverend Lindeni Nyoni, Pastor of Mandafane A.M.E. Church, Hhohho District, Swaziland Annual Conference has passed. The Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 7, 2008, and the funeral will be Saturday morning, March 8, 2008, 06h30, in her village in Swaziland. The Right Reverend Sarah F. Davis will deliver the eulogy.
Please keep Brother Danger Nyoni, our AME Secretary of Education in Swaziland, and his family in your prayers.
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of the Rev. Virginia Martin, which occurred on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Rev. Martin was a former Episcopal President of the Women's Missionary Society.
The funeral has been held
Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:
The family of Virginia Martin
C/o St. James AME Church
101 North New York Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
and/or
The family of Virginia Martin
22 W. Woodland Ave.
Pleasantville, NJ 08232
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This message is to announce the passing of Mrs. Fedora Britt McGee, the 103-year-old mother of Mrs. Gladys Sparrow, former first lady of Lee Memorial AME Church, Kensington, Maryland. Until the end of her earthly journey, Mrs. McGee was strong in her faith in God, and was a loving source of wisdom for many people. She attended AME Churches in Maryland with her family, while maintaining ties with her home church in Franklin, Virginia. Mrs. McGee was also the beloved mother-in-law of the Rev. David J. Sparrow, superannuated minister and former pastor of Lee Memorial AME Church, and the grandmother of the Rev. Dr. Cassandra A. Sparrow, itinerant elder and executive director of the Second District Religious, Educational and Charitable Development Projects, Inc.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Gladys Sparrow
6479 Meadow Ridge Road
Elkridge, Maryland 21075
Email: CASparrow02@aol.com
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Sister Earnestine Lyle, mother of Sister JoAnn Hoffman-Past Connectional P.M.E. Director on Monday, February 25th, 2008.
The funeral has been held
Condolences may be sent to:
Sister JoAnn Hoffman
825 Bella Circle, Apt. #601
Fort Worth, Texas 76120
Ph: (817) 275-7727
Email: joahoff@sbcglobal.net
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Herbert Standifer, brother of the Rev. Nathaniel C. Standifer, Pastor of Sims Chapel A.M.E. Church-Stamford, Texas (Northwest Texas Conference-Greater Fort Worth District) on Sunday, February 24th, 2008.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Nathaniel C. Standifer
201 Tabor Drive
Arlington, Texas 76002
Ph. (817) 987-8929
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with sorrow we inform you of the death of the Rev. Ned Knowles, on Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Rev. Knowles was a retired itinerant elder and the former pastor of Allen Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Upon his retirement Rev. Knowles joined Shorter Chapel AME Church where the Rev. Charlotte B. Sydnor is the pastor.
The funeral has been held.
Cards and other expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family members:
Mrs. Mary Mills
1776 W. Main Street
Franklin, TN 37064
Mrs. Maggie Cannon
2604 Brittany Drive
Nashville, TN 37064
Rev. Latham Mills, Jr.
6236 Twilight Trail
Morrow, Georgia 30260
Or to Shorter Chapel AME Church:
Shorter Chapel AME Church
255 Natchez Street
Franklin, TN 37064
Phone: 615-790-6611
Fax: 615-791-6023
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Funeral arrangements for Mr. William Simmons, the father of Mrs. Barbara Chester and the father-in-law of the Reverend Amos T. Chester are as follows:
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Barbara Chester
44 Hidden Lane
Battle Creek, Michigan 49017
25. 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
26. 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
