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 – THE RIGHT THING IS ALWAYS THE BEST THING, (PART 2):
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
If the African Methodist Episcopal Church does the right thing, the Church will grow and prosper.
In philosophy and especially in ethical decisionmaking, “Doing the right thing” uses ethical reasoning from a deontological or nonconsequentialist approach that was championed by the philosopher, Immanuel Kant. Doing the right thing might not always be the most comfortable thing, but in ministry and in the Church, we must do the right thing, even when doing so might not be the most comfortable course of action.
The Church must be open and transparent because when the Church is open and transparent the constituency of the AME Church will be open and transparent. If everyone would read the Bible so that they might know the rules of scripture and read The Discipline so they might know the rules of the church, our Churches would be more efficient and there would be less confusion about how things are done. Knowing the Bible and knowing the rules of the Church is the right thing to do for clergy and laity.
Not only must Bishops, General Officers, Connectional Officers, and clergy do the right thing; the laity must do the right thing also.
Stewards should do the right thing. For instance, if a pastor asks a person to be a steward and the person really wants to be a steward, which is one of the most important positions in the Church, but deep down the person knows that he or she doesn’t have the time or spiritual acumen to accept the position; the right thing to do would be, not to accept the position. A consequence might be that the pastor would be disappointed at the refusal, but refusing to be a half-hearted steward would be the right thing to do.
A person who is not willing to serve as a trustee should not allow himself or herself to be nominated and elected for that position. The same holds true for any other leadership position in the local church.
Persons who accept the position of a Sunday School teacher should do the right thing and prepare their Sunday School lessons. We complain about lack of participation in Sunday School. Many Sunday Schools are boring and teachers are not prepared to teach the lesson. Some teachers and pastors complain about the AME Sunday School literature. They complain because they fail to realize that the Sunday School material is a guideline or a roadmap for the lesson. The Sunday School literature does not teach the lesson. Elementary, middle school and high school teachers; and college professors have textbooks but they know that they have to develop lesson-plans. The presentation of the materials has to be more than students reading the textbooks followed by each person sharing what they got out of the passages each read. Classroom teachers and college professors would be fired if they taught the way many of our Sunday School teachers taught. Most Sunday School programs collect the Sunday School literature at the end of the each session; Sunday School students are not given any kind of homework assignments. A lot of students would love to have their textbooks taken up at the end of the day and no homework assigned; but with that method they would learn very little. Those teaching Sunday School should do the right thing and teach, learn how to teach, or let someone else teach.
Choir members should do the right thing and be model worshippers because most often they sit where everyone can see them. They should be prayed-up and ready for worship. They should arrive on time because that’s the right thing. They shouldn’t be chewing gum or laughing and joking during worship and should always maintain a demeanor of worship.
Choir directors and musicians should do the right ting and be prayed-up, be on time and be prepared for worship. They should know beforehand which hymns and songs are going to be sung. If they are too busy to have choir practice and to coordinate the music program, they should do the right thing and give up the position. They should remember that the pastor is in charge of worship.
Persons in the pew should do the right thing and attend worship with a mind to worship and to reverence God; that’s the right thing to do.
A person who has been ordained should do the right thing and fulfill the promise he or she made when they accepted the “call” to ministry.” If they have changed their minds, and have decided that the ordained ministry is no longer an option for them, they should allow themselves to be laicized. People in various professions change their minds all of the time and move to other professions.
A clergyperson who decides that he or she cannot abide by the rules of the AME Church, and have decided that they are not excited by the history, doctrine, and polity of the Church, should, do the right thing; and transfer to a denomination where he or she can find spiritual fulfillment. That would be the right thing to do.
A presiding elder is a middle manager of the Church. He or she should do the right thing and mentor and supervise pastors, and take time to visit the stations in his or her district. He or she should advise their presiding bishop about the health and welfare of the clergy, the local churches and the laity in the presiding elder district and when the situation demands, the presiding elder should be prepared to make the hard recommendations for the good of our Zion. That would be the right thing to do.
We elect and consecrate bishops to make Godly decisions and pay them to make the hard decisions concerning pastoral appointments and other administrative and spiritual functions. A bishop has the most difficult job in the Church. When a bishop makes one pastor happy, there is another pastor who is angry; and that’s 100% of the time. Every pastoral appointment precipitates joy and anger; never, all joy; and sometimes, all anger.
All of the episcopal decisions should be in the best interest of our Zion. The most appropriate persons to partner with presiding bishops in the decisionmaking process are the presiding elders and hopefully bishops will allow their presiding elders to be full partners. It’s important that bishops build high-performing and efficient teams; that the right thing to do.
The right thing starts at the top and permeates throughout the organization. Doing the right thing is a culture that can be achieved if we are all committed to doing the right thing.
If we all did the right thing, what an even greater Church we would have!
Editor’s Note: - The next editorial, Steps to Achieving the Right Thing.
2. THE 2008 GENERAL CONFERENCE PASSED A BILL CONCERNING QUARTERLY PAYMENTS AND STIPULATED THAT THE RECORD OF THE QUARTERLY PAYMENTS BE PUBLISHED IN THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER PRINT AND ONLINE EDITIONS:
in accordance with the 2008 General Conference legislation, Quarterly payments by Episcopal Districts are being published in the online and print editions of The Christian Recorder.
The Bill was introduced and passed in order to strengthen the fiduciary management capacity of the Treasurer/CFO.
The Bill states that the Presiding Bishop of each Episcopal District shall submit quarterly to the Department of Finance the allocated budget percentages as outlined on or before the dates listed below: 25% by June 15; 50% by September 15; 75% by December 15; and 100% by March 15. All assessment money collected shall be submitted immediately upon receipt. Forty-eight (48) hours after each quarterly due date, the CFO must submit for publication in The Christian Recorder, both online and hardcopy, a detailed report of the quarterly payments.
The CFO’s report must include, each Episcopal District’s amount owed, amount received, including the date received. Any amount paid in excess of the annual assessment will be applied to the next year’s annual assessment. The total budget assessment must be paid within the fiscal year to which it applies. Each annual audit report shall reflect a schedule of quarterly budget payments received and the identity and amount of each Episcopal District’s payments.
The Quarterly Report Document was sent to all TCR Online subscribers on Thursday, April 9, 2009; and will appear in the print edition of The Christian Recorder.
3. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
RE: Editorial - Are we a Connectional Church or are we a group of Independent Churches?
I so appreciated your editorial of March 20, titled "Are we a Connectional Church or are we a group of Independent Churches." It was a long-needed discussion for the AME Church.
As a professional in public relations, I applaud the possibility of having a clear, single voice for the oldest Black religious denomination in this country. Our church has so much history and many individuals who have made great achievements, but that information gets lost to the greater society and in some cases within our own church because there is no voice speaking loudly and consistently about the AME Church.
It is very important that the bishops speak for their various districts, but it is imperative that one voice speaks for the totality of the Church. The recent Presidential election is a clear example of how important it is that the Church speaks on various issues. This is not an easy task and will have many challenges before fruition can be realized, but it is necessary. My prayer is that the Strategic Planning Committee presents this issue again and again until it is approved.
We need to speak and we can only be heard if we are present and serving as a champion for the causes of the AME Church through Christ.
Phyllis Qualls-Brooks, Ed.D.
Greater Bethel AME Church, Nashville
- To the Editor:
RE: Editorial - The Right Thing is Always the Best Thing
Thank you for your editorial, The Right Thing is Always the Best Thing. I agree, we all, and our local churches, should do the right thing. I have observed persons who have not been licensed by the Quarterly Conference and who have not been read into the local church, assisting with the Holy Communion. I have spoken up, but to no avail. In the local church, the right thing starts with the pastor.
(Name provided, but withheld by request)
4. AN OPEN LETTER TO THE EDITOR FROM THE REVEREND DR. MARIAN F. STOKES, SR:
Editor’s Note: The letter below was a six-page handwritten by the Rev. Dr. Marion F. Stokes, a retired Itinerant Elder who lives in Pine Hill, New Jersey. In his letter he shares that he is 86 years old and was born in South Carolina. I think that we all need to hear from our elder statespersons.
+++++++++++++++
I offer an apology for the informality of this correspondence. I purposely want it to be so. I don’t want it to be a breach of grammar, however I want you to feel that I am verbally and socially interacting with you. Of course, this gesture is the first for us because I have not met with you in person, only via your personal editorials and printings in The Christian Recorder. Nevertheless, I don’t want to be remiss in my proper respect for our distinguished Editor.
And introduction of me is now in order. I could ask you to simply note the letterhead. Yet, for a warmer interpersonal social gesture, I need to provide a bit more information. I am a retiree in our God’s formal Christian pastoral ministries employment. I began my retirement in 1998. I am eighty-five years of age, and counting, from October 28, 1923. My health is (good), I think, even though it leaves a great deal to be desired. I am grateful and prayerfully thank my Heavenly Father, in the words of my forbearers, “For a reasonable portion of health and strength.” God has been blessing me for years through His care-taker-ship of my family - my wife and the shared love of my children – the scientific- medical community, the religious and educational institutions, and the parishioners in the multiplicity of congregations I have served.
I was born in Sumter, South Carolina, my native land (and lived there) until about the middle of the century. I was just a boy in the latter period of the Great Depression years. I am a veteran of World War II.
I was reared, molded, religiously and educationally disciplined initially through the mid-Century years to around 1950. By that time, I was a graduate of Allen University. My initial post mid-Century years found me matriculating at Payne theological Seminary and Boston University School of Theology and the initial employment in my God’s Christian pastoral ministries. My pastoral experiences began in the New England Annual Conference of the First Episcopal District. I continued in our God’s employment as a pastor for the next fifty years, serving a multiplicity of congregations all in the First Episcopal District, until my retirement.
I think that is a sufficient introduction of me for my purpose in this correspondence.
Now, my reasons for penning this correspondence to you are two-fold. Your February 23rd (2009) copy of The Christian Recorder triggered this communication.
The first reason is to commend you for the management of an excellent publication of The Christian Recorder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. I am, as my forbearers loved to say, “A stickler” and “dyed in the wool” member of the AME Church. I was born in the Methodist tradition and got my religious awareness in African Methodism. I have told one congregation after the other, from the pulpit, and in countless meetings that sometimes I feel like I was born in the AME pew. The statement, of course, was simply to enforce the point that my religious life began in the Methodist Church and continued all of my life in every aspect of my being. I appreciate your clarification that you wrote in your answer to the question about the “Love of the AME church.” I agree with you 100%.
Also my first reason for this correspondence is to thank you for printing Miss Danica Daniels’ excellent academic literary presentation, “the Night I Cried for my Country.”
The second reason I am writing this correspondence is to let you know also how emotional the impact is – not only in simply reading Miss Daniels’ article. In my opinion, “the Night I Cried for my Country” is a systematic expository, methodically written with sincere and powerful emotional appeal. Miss Daniels got my attention and held it from the first paragraph to the last. Her wonderful article kept my attention because she expressed my emotional sentiments both mentally and physically. I will preserve Miss Daniel’s article carefully. Again, let me express my profound admiration as a parent of five children; all except one are adult-parents themselves. I can imagine the admiration Bishop and Mrs. David R. Daniels must feel for their daughter, Danica.
Again, I want to thank you, Dr. Sydnor for your excellent publication of the official journalistic organ of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, The Christian Recorder.
I am running out of energy. I guess you might say, observing my penmanship, “Apparently so.” I trust the goals I set in the beginning of this communication rate, “Mission Accomplished.”
Sincerely,
The Reverend Dr. Marian F. Stokes, Sr
5. PAYNE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PAYS TRIBUTE TO BISHOP VINTON RANDOLPH ANDERSON:
*The Reverend Wilma L. Taylor, BS, M.Div.
Payne Theological Seminary hosted a tribute on November 13, 2008 celebrating the legacy and leadership of Bishop Vinton R. Anderson’s distinguished two decade tenure as Chairman, Board of Trustees. While recognizing him as a passionate servant of God, the people, and African Methodism; this tribute also acknowledged the significant contribution of Bishop Anderson to theological education. The tribute was the inauguration of the Vinton R. Anderson Endowment Fund to assist students with scholarships for theological education.
Co-chaired by Bishop Adam J. Richardson and Mrs. Vivienne Anderson, the celebration took place at the Mandalay Banquet Center, Dayton, OH. On hand were the Episcopal leadership of the supporting districts; Bishop Norris, First Episcopal District – provided the welcome and emphasized how Bishop Anderson’s legacy of living mentor has served the Seminary and good AME fellowship. Bishop McKenzie, Thirteenth Episcopal District – expressed the occasion using the voice of Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If” and presented Bishop Anderson as a man who has mastered the “If’s” by being a servant of God with a pastor’s heart, and a sensitive man cognizant of future church leadership who is willing to receive the torch from his hand. Reverend Bruce Butcher, President, Alumni Association offered the prayer of invocation, praising and thanking God for the legacy and leadership of Bishop and Mrs. Anderson, entreating God to bless the occasion. Reverend E. Anne Henning Byfield, Presiding Elder, Fourth Episcopal District, offered the blessing of the food.
In attendance, Dr. Clement Fugh, General Secretary, Bishop Richard A. Chappelle (retired), Bishop C. Garnett Henning, 3rd district, Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah, 15th district, Bishop Robert V. Webster (retired), Bishop Zedekiah L. Grady (retired) along with 300 guests from supporting districts, alumni, students, and staff of the Seminary. Notable visitors were Dr. Louis C. Harvey, past-President of Payne; Dr. Marsha Foster Boyd, President of Ecumenical Theological Seminary, Detroit, Michigan; Dr. Richard Ettlinger, President, United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio; and Dr. Daniel Jacobs, President (retired), Turner Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia.
Remarks from Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, President, Payne Theological Seminary, recognized Bishop Anderson as a “world historical figure” endowed with superior vision, sensing the spirit and truth of the present age, and providing deeds and words that are the best of the times. Dr Fitchue’s remarks also contained the expressions of gratitude felt by many who as a result of their encounter with Bishop Anderson have become stronger, wiser and better servants of God and the people.
Tributes to Bishop Anderson included those from Bishop Henning, a pinochle partner and friend who has found Bishop Anderson to be a man of grace, a credit to the AME Church, a leader in the world of ecumenism and a servant leader who is an enabler for many in ministry: Reverend Bartalette Finney, Sr., President, Presiding Elder’s Council, praised Bishop Anderson’s legendary character and practicing excellence by desiring excellence in others: Rev. Alvin Smith, St. Paul AME Church, pastor to the Andersons, praised the bishop for being a champion of AME heritage, preserving and retaining “our” unique religious identity: Dr. Willie Glover, immediate past-President, Lay Organization remarked that, like, “a Moses in the land with a Joshua spirit,” Bishop Anderson’s leadership has been one of par excellence. Mrs. Jacqueline DuPont Walker, Executive Assistant to the Bishop, spoke of a faithful, one-of-a-kind servant with a leadership style that is unique and empowering. Reverend Brandon Davis expressed his personal appreciation to Bishop Anderson for the life example demonstrated in the Bishop’s love of worship, words of wisdom, and financial support given in the preparation of his becoming a servant of the people.
The crowning tribute was made by Mrs. Vivienne Anderson, wife of 56 years who entitled her tribute, The Saga of a Passionate Servant. “Ministry is filled with passion and angst,” said Mrs. Anderson, “but Bishop has given himself fully to any task assigned and lived his motto: Love the people you serve, serve the people you love.” She read her authored poem, It’s Time to Signal the Launch of a New Journey.
Words from Bishop Anderson included expressions of his love, commitment and appreciation for Payne Theological Seminary’s excellence in academics, thanks to all his colleagues, supporters, and friends, encouraging all present to know and teach from the doctrines of Methodism, compliments to the academic leadership of the AME Church. Commenting on his retirement, Bishop Anderson said that the new distinguished bishops of the AME church should have the responsibility for chairing Payne Seminary’s Board of Trustees, but that he intends to continue as a member of the Board. The Anderson’s presented a $35,000 dollar check for the Endowment Fund and continued to pledge the royalties from the books, My Soul Shouts! The Spiritual Wisdom of Bishop Anderson and A Model of a Servant Bishop: The Ministry of Vinton Randolph Anderson.
Bishop Richardson thanked the committee members for organization and program activities followed by the financial report. The amount raised at the tribute was $101,260.00. Dr. Fugh pronounced the benediction.
Payne Theological Seminary acknowledges the participation of Dr. John Freeman, Ms. Alise Major, Reverend Paul Bupe, and Mr. Hayden Jackson for gifts of song and music.
*Submitted by the Reverend Wilma L. Taylor, BS, M.Div.
Payne Theological Seminary
1230 Wilberforce Clifton Road, PO Box 474,
Wilberforce, OH 45385
937-376-2946
WLTaylor93@comcast.net
6. THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTIAN MISSIONS: INTERNATIONAL GROWTH IN THE AME CHURCH:
John Tomas III
From February 6-15, I had the privilege to serve as the Spanish translator for Bishop Sarah Davis during the Dominican Republic Annual Conference. I have been going on mission trips to the Dominican Republic since 2002 and I always leave the country with conflicted emotions. Worship and fellowship with the AME brothers and sisters in the Dominican Republic always leaves me renewed and refreshed spiritually. Yet, the products of decades of malign neglect from the Connectional Church continue to frustrate me. The combination of a lack of AME materials in Spanish, failure to provide theological and leadership training for clergy, and lax Episcopal supervision led to the Dominicans losing much of their African Methodist heritage. Bishop Davis and her predecessor Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry have invested significant amounts of time educating the Dominican pastors and clergy and the results are encouraging. Yet much more work is needed to stabilize the AME Church in the Dominican Republic and adequately prepare it to expand.
While the story of the Dominican Republic is special to me, it is by no means unique in the AME Church. When I told my pastor about situation of the AME Church in the Dominican Republic, he recounted his travels to AME congregations in several African countries. It troubled me to hear how members in different nations and cultural contexts seemed to have the same deficits regarding information in their languages, theological education, and Episcopal supervision. The AME Church took a great stride in 2004 by electing three sons of Africa to the Episcopacy. Yet, the presence of three African Bishops on the bench—while symbolic of our international character—does not address the systemic problems which face AME constituencies outside of the United States.
From its birth, the Connectional AME Church pursued opportunities for international expansion. Within a decade of the first General Conference, missionaries had been dispatched to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. By the turn of the 20th century, the AME Church had a well-established presence in the Caribbean, South America, and Western and Southern Africa. I chanced upon a copy of A Century of Missions of the AME Church written in 1940 by then Secretary of Missions Dr. L.L. Berry. I read with pride the reports from the various fields and was enthused by the plans for expansion and education. Yet, somewhere along the way it appears that we have lost our zeal for sustaining our missionary work.
In his history, Berry discussed the evolution of the AME Church from “unorganized missionary work” to “organized missionary work”. It appears, then, that we have devolved to our unorganized state. In years past, a Board of Missions regulated the missionary activities of the AME Church. Now, we have no global strategy for expanding our missionary work. From the beginning we have relied on serendipitous opportunities instead of well-reasoned decisions to expand the international footprint of our work. While the harvest is plentiful, the AME Church must go where the gospel according to Jesus practiced by African Methodists will be best received. Our most recent expansion into India raises concerns about sustainability that need to be addressed. Future initiatives should only be initiated with the backing of the General Board, Department of Global Witness and Missions, the Council of Bishops and the sanction of the General Conference.
The international areas where we are currently need attention in order to grow and develop. An AME in Mozambique has as much right to understand the Discipline of the AME Church as an AME in Mississippi, yet the Discipline, the Catechism, and other vital teaching tools are only available in English. Christians hungry for knowledge will go where they will be fed and we have allowed our non-English speaking flock to be fed by other denominations—especially Pentecostals—who do not share some of our beliefs. Yet, because they publish their works in other languages, they are read and followed. Some Bishops and other Church officials have commented on the difficulty and cost in translating materials. Yet, if the Connectional Church is truly concerned about becoming a global union, we will take the “English Only” sign off our door. And from personal experience, I know it is not as costly as we have been led to believe. Clearly, we must be sensitive to different cultural environments, yet we cannot ignore our responsibility to educate and hold all of our members accountable to the African Methodist system. Somewhere along the way the Connectional Church has developed the misguided notion that the rules on the “frontier” of African Methodist should be less stringently upheld than in the United States. This colonial way of thought must be immediately changed. The AME Church cannot be a “separate but equal” Church.
Another concern is theological education for our ministers outside of the United States. One of the hallmarks of African Methodism has been our educational requirements for ordination. While we must make allowances for the varying quality of education in developing countries, the absence of a system of AME theological education outside the United States has led to troubling repercussions. We permit our clergy be educated in seminaries of other denominations receiving an indoctrination that we cannot control. (For example, the AME preachers in the Dominican Republic have largely been educated in Pentecostal institutes). Our failure to provide a strong foundation in African Methodist doctrine and polity, has led many of our pastors and churches to be AME in name only. While it is financially unfeasible to establish seminaries in every international jurisdiction, we can surely use technology to create online campuses of Turner and Payne Seminary.
While nurturing the souls of international constituents, we also must look after more pressing needs of physical development. In this area, the AME Church has made great strides with notable hospital and educational facilities in the Caribbean and Western and Southern Africa. We have one of the foremost experts in international development in Mr. Robert Nichols, yet AME SADA remains undercapitalized and underutilized. Again, the lack of a coherent planning strategy manifests itself. While some Districts have long-standing established development projects, others change priorities with Episcopal administrations. This “start-stop” development does more harm than good and will not lead to the growth of the AME Church. A coherent development plan for every Episcopal District outside the United States should be worked out between the local clergy and lay, the Department of Global Witness and Evangelism, AME SADA and the Council of Bishops. Without proper planning, our international labors will continue to be an ad hoc assortment of unrelated ventures instead of a concerted thrust for growth.
I remain ever optimistic that the Church of Allen will live up to its missionary potential. Dr. George Flowers continues to keep our missionary spirit alive through his work at the Department of Global Witness and Ministry. The WMS Foundation recently gave numerous grants to aid development work outside the United States. I am constantly reading and hearing about groups of AMEs that go abroad on mission trips to share and fellowship with other sons and daughters of Allen who worship with the same spirit under a different flag. The Global Development Council continues to meet and plan. Yet, we have much to learn from other denominations about international growth and development. When I see the growth that younger denominations such as the 7th Day Adventists and the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) have experienced outside the United States, I wonder when the Church of Allen will live up to its own missionary legacy. While some would say it is a resource problem, no amount of money will make up for poor planning and lack of vision. Time will tell if we will correct our mistakes.
Editor’s Note: John Thomas III (13th District) is a Ph.D. student in the Political Science Department at the University of Chicago and member of the General Board. He has worked as a consultant for the World Bank Group and the Millennium Challenge Corporation. He was the inspiration and motivation for the establishing and setting up the Multi-language capability of The Christian Recorder.
7. SOME MORE BITS OF HISTORY:
Good history from Historiographer Lola Scott of the Washington Annual Conference Lay Organization. Since I don't have her e-mail address, please share the following bit of AME history with her as well:
- The Reverend B. J. Glover led some of the first NAACP "sit-ins" in Charleston, SC while serving as Pastor of Morris Brown AME Church. The late General Officer James G. Blake was a leader in the Charleston NAACP Youth Chapter during those sit-ins.
- Bishop Z. L. Grady was pastor of Morris Brown AME Church during one of Charleston, South Carolina's major civil rights events - the 1968 Hospital Workers' strike.
- The South Carolina Briggs vs. Elliot case that became a part of the Brown vs. Board Supreme Court case was driven in large part by the Reverend Joseph A. Delaine during his tenure as Pastor of Liberty Hill AME Church in Summerton, SC.
- Bishop Frederick C. James, while pastor of Mount Pisgah AME Church in Sumter, SC, led the first NAACP "sit-ins" in Sumter.
- The late General Officer Alonzo W. Holman served (while a pastor) as President of the South Carolina NAACP.
- Congressman James Clyburn, Majority Whip of the U.S. House of Representatives, is a member of Morris Brown AME Church, Charleston, SC
– The Rev. Joseph Darby served as 1st Vice President of the South Carolina NAACP and authored the sanctions resolution that led to the Confederate Flag being removed from the Dome and legislative chambers of the S.C. State Capitol.
Submitted by the Rev. Dr. Joseph Darby
8. SPIRITS SOAR AT 7TH DISTRICT’S COLUMBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
*Brother Benjamin Harrison
From Monday, September 8th to Friday, September 12th, 2008, the 7th District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which encompasses the entire state of South Carolina, convened in Columbia for the third of its 2008 annual conferences entitled the Columbia Annual Conference. This week long event was held at Reid Chapel A.M.E. Church, where the Rev. Dr. Norvel Goff is pastor.
The Columbia Annual Conference is comprised of the Columbia, Lancaster, and Newberry-Spartanburg Districts. This 131st session makes it the second oldest of six annual conferences held by the 7th District each year throughout South Carolina. With 30 churches in Columbia, 34 in Lancaster, and 30 in Newberry-Spartanburg, the Columbia Conference contains approximately 25,000 A.M.E. members. The following article is derived from the resolution which was submitted by the Rev. Jon Lewis, Pastor of Brown Chapel A.M.E. Church in Columbia, SC, and the Columbia Annual Conference Resolution Committee.
The clergy and laity of the Columbia Annual Conference assembled at Reid Chapel A.M.E. Church to give the 131st account of their stewardship and to be reaffirmed and rejuvenated for the year to come; and in so doing, all attendees were invigorated and inspired by that which was accomplished throughout this exceptional week!
On the Friday and Saturday prior to the start of the Annual Conference, a strong and successful youth summit was held at Reid Chapel A.M.E. Church. Under the innovative leadership of Bishop Preston W. Williams II, these youth summits have become annual events reaching hundreds of children in each Annual Conference and thousands across the Episcopal District. This year’s Summit was filled with relevant, practical and inspiring activities and was well attended by both youth and adults alike.
Sunday evening, the pre-Annual Conference Debs and Masters ceremony, under the direction of Sister Debra Pitts and the Rev. Leroy Cannon, highlighted exemplary young men and women at their very best. Their presentation was poised and eloquent.
Monday, the mighty Sons of Allen came in on a high note, as they set the tone for the week through singing and lifting up the name of Jesus! The worship service ignited a flame of spiritual exuberance as the glory of God was manifested. The Rev. John Lewis encouraged our souls with a stirring message, speaking from the subject, “You Belong at the King’s Table.”
Tuesday, Bishop Williams officially opened the Annual Conference with roll call. All were present and/or accounted for. The Conference was organized, boundaries were set and we were led into a lively worship service opening with the hymn of old, “Are We Yet Alive.” The choir sang with melodious voices invoking the presence of the Holy Spirit. The Rev. Dr. James Cooper preached from the depths of his soul as he spoke from a sermon entitled, “Intentional Deficit Disorder.”
Under the leadership of the Rev.’s Sandy Drayton, Joseph Postell, and James Glover, Presiding Elders of the Columbia, Newberry/Spartanburg, and Lancaster Districts, respectively, the pastors of the Columbia Annual Conference submitted the superb work of their districts as evidenced by their extraordinary reports. Pastors, along with their delegates and laypersons stood with excitement as they shared their accomplishments with the Conference. Each district concluded its reports by standing together and praising God through a victory song!
Retired Bishop Zedekiah L. Grady was occasionally asked by Bishop Williams to preside over the Conference, and Bishop Grady presided with ease as he continued with the business of the Conference.
Tuesday night, the Women’s Missionary Society, under the leadership of Sister Wilhelmina Broughton, filled the house of God, as they celebrated the theme, “Soaring on a Legacy of Service!” The Rev. Tabitha Miller delivered the preached word with power from on high on the subject, “Don’t Let the Stone Stop You!”
During our Wednesday noonday service, Captain Adam Burgess, Chaplain, United States Army, commanded the attention of the entire congregation as he preached on the importance of “Character,” using the subject, “Can God trust you?” At the end of his sermon Bishop Williams called all pastors to come to the altar to get right with God!
Wednesday night, the young people of the Columbia Conference packed the house as they celebrated the theme, “Made in His Image - Kept in His Care.” Our young people showed up and showed out for Jesus as they praised God through song and dance. The Rev. Sterling Dowling delivered the youth message, preaching from the subject, “Made in His Image!”
Thursday morning, during the Christian Education segment, the Allen University choir blessed our souls with harmonious music and President Charles E. Young delivered an electrifying message, bringing the Conference to its feet while preaching from the subject, “God is Looking for You!” Bishop Williams presented to Dr. Young the proceeds collected on behalf of Allen University from the Columbia Annual Conference, and Dr. Young expressed appreciation on behalf of the students and faculty of Allen University. The Christian Education segment continued as the Conference was educated by a diverse panel of medical professionals who imparted valuable knowledge regarding various important health issues and disparities.
Thursday night, under the leadership of Sister Yvette Vant, the Annual Lay Witness night was taken to a new level through uplifting songs of praise! Embracing a new paradigm shift, this night included the participation of both youth and adults, with the youth speaker, Brother Jimmy Vant, sharing with the Conference his perspective of the General Conference.
During Friday’s noonday worship service, Bishop David R. Daniel, presiding prelate of the 14th Episcopal District, preached an encouraging ordination message entitled, “You are Called to Tear Down Satan’s Kingdom!” During the ordination service, the Rev.’s Dennis Broughton Jr. and James Kollock received itinerant orders, and Lemetis Johnson, Darlene Madison and Myra Shivers received deacon orders.
We also witnessed an interactive Church School presentation on the subject, ”The Birth of a New Community,” as led by Church School Superintendent the Rev. Eric Dent and members of the church staff. The Rev. Robert China led the Memorial Committee in a service of remembrance as we reflected on the lives and ministries of the Rev. Laford Johnson. We praise God for his commitment to kingdom building!
The closing session of the Columbia Annual Conference culminated with an electrifying sermon preached by our presiding prelate, the Right Rev. Preston Warren Williams II. Bishop Williams spoke from the subject, “The Church Has His Power,” and reminded us that when we go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit we will experience God’s victory! Through the powerful preaching of the word of God, we, the Columbia Conference, were inspired to go forth and do the work for which we were called!
This 131st session of the Columbia Annual Conference was blessed by the presence of many visitors, both local and abroad, including retired Bishop and Ms. Zedekiah Grady, along with visiting presiding elders and pastors from across the state of South Carolina. We had the great privilege of being entertained in an exceptional manner by the caring members of Reid Chapel A.M.E. Church, under the extraordinary leadership of the Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Norvell Goff and Presiding Elder Dr. James Glover. We, the Columbia Annual Conference, offer words of sincere thanks and appreciation to the Reid Chapel church family for the exceptional way in which they accommodated us. May God continue to bless each of you in a mighty way!
Be it now, therefore, resolved that Bishop Preston W. William II and Dr. Wilma D. Webb Williams be commended for their faithful work and dedicated leadership par-excellence to the Columbia Conference, and to the entire 7th Episcopal District. Be it further resolved that God is good and the Columbia Annual Conference is grateful to almighty God and to the General Conference Episcopal Committee for returning Bishop and Dr. Williams to the 7th Episcopal District.
We, the Committee on Resolution, therefore request that this august body of the Columbia Annual Conference rise to its feet as one in affirmation of our host, our Conference leaders, and our Episcopal leadership, and clap our hands in praise for what God has done with us, for us, and through us! To God be the glory for the great things He has done!
*Brother Benjamin Harrison is the Public, Relations Director for the 7th District AME Church
9. BABYSITTER’S TRAINING CLASS RECEIVES INFANT CLOTHING:
(DAYTONA BEACH, APR. 1, 2009) – A comment often seen on the Babysitter’s Training Class evaluation is, “there aren’t enough clothes to pick from to dress the baby.” Now the students in the Florida’s Coast to Coast Chapter of the American Red Cross babysitter’s class will have plenty of infant clothes as they practice their skills in dressing the baby.
Thanks to the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 580 George Engram Blvd. in Daytona Beach, and the youth group who decided to collect the clothing as a project. When the group was told the babies hadn’t received clothing since the 1980s, they immediately wanted to help, according to the coordinator. The 15 youths asked family members and church members to donate to the collection. On Sunday, March 29, the group presented dozens of infant clothing to the chapter director, Dan Roll, along with a check to help with disaster assistance.
The Babysitter’s Training Class teaches youth between the ages of 11 to 15 years how to supervise infants and children, perform basic child-care skills such as diapering, feeding and dressing, handling bedtime and discipline issues, and communicating effectively with parents.
For more information on registering for the class, contact the chapter’s Health & Safety Office at 386-226-1400 ext. 118.
Editor’s note: For interviews or photo op of training class, contact the Public Affairs Director for the chapter
About the American Red Cross
The American Red Cross, a humanitarian organization led by volunteers and guided by its Congressional Charter and the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross Movement, provides relief to the victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. The American Red Cross, Mid-Florida region serves 13 counties and includes the Central Florida, Florida’s Coast to Coast, Polk and Highlands County and Space Coast chapters. The chapter's employees and volunteers provide disaster assistance to an average of one family each day. Every day, the chapters serve as a vital communication link between members of the armed forces and their families in our community. Lifesaving classes such as First Aid/CPR, Automated External Defibrillator Training, Water Safety and HIV/AIDS are available throughout the service area on a regular basis. For more information, visit www.midfloridaredcross.org.
10. DAYTONA BEACH CHURCH SPONSORS AFRICAN AMERICAN YOUNG MEN’S WORKSHOP
(DAYTONA BEACH, APR. 9, 2009) – “If we ever needed mentorship, we need it now with so much peer pressure in the world today and so much going on, young men and even young women need someone they can talk to and someone they can look up to,”, said the Rev. Nathan M. Mugala, pastor of the Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, 580 George Engram Boulevard in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Recognizing that African American young men need encouragement, support, and mentors to improve the quality of their lives, the church’s men’s group, the Sons of Allen, started a mentoring program. On Saturday, March 21, young men from 10 through 18 years old in the community shared a discussion on how to be better men and be successful. Parents or guardians approved those under 18. Males over 18 can volunteer on their own. Over 100 young men attended the workshop. Some came by their church bus, others were brought by parents. Participants are asked to sign a commitment to follow through with the program and fill out a questionnaire on their likes, dislikes and goals.
According to Clayton Desmore who helped to develop the mentoring program, “I figure it’s better to try and save a child than commit one to jail.”
For more information about the mentoring program, contact the Allen Chapel Church at 386.255.1195.
11. THE QUESTION OF GENOCIDE:
*Dr. Manning Marable
Along the Color Line, April 2009
“Genocide” is an emotionally-packed word that has recently surfaced in the press in connection with President Barack Obama’s project foreign policies, and the previous international agendas for former Presidents William Jefferson Clinton and George W. Bush. Clinton’s former Secretary of State, Madeline Albright, and his Secretary of Defense, William Cohen, recently defined “genocide” in general terms as “the deliberate mass murder of civilians,” but technically, the “Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide,” an international body, defines the crime as the “inflicting on [a] group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part.” This second definition implies that genocide can be committed both by governments, as well as non-state actors, “and that a series of actions taken against a specific population may not individually have the intent of genocide, but when considered together, have the long-term impact of “the physical destruction of the group.”
In retrospect, one of the greatest political errors, and moral lapses, was the Clinton Administration’s refusal to recognize the mass genocide taking place in Rwanda in 1994. President Clinton had earlier in his administration placed U.S. troops in Somalia, which resulted in a minor military disaster. The fiasco in Somalia made Clinton reluctant to take proactive measures in Central Africa to defend human rights.
In theory, the Obama Administration has put together an anti-genocide “dream team,” for identifying and reacting to global atrocities. The team includes: John Prendergast, head of the “Enough Project” that identifies conflicts that can turn into genocides; Susan Rice, our UN Ambassador; and Harvard Professor Samantha Powers, Pulitzer Prize-winning author and a member of Obama’s foreign policy team. They will concentrate their energies on two places: in Darfur, in western Sudan, where the International Criminal Court is expected to hand down individual indictments; and in eastern Congo, where an undeclared war for four years has culminated into the deaths of possibly four to five million Africans.
Could Bill Clinton have stopped, or at least significantly reduced, the mass murder in Rwanda through the direct intervention of U.S. power? Today, Clinton claims that his refusal to act was based on faulty information: he worried about the consequences of U.S. troops being sent into yet another African country that was once again divided by factional fighting. Yet Samantha Powers today insists that Clinton as President “could have known” about Rwandan genocide “if he had wanted to know.”
There are many different forms of genocide. We usually think about genocide as the end product of military conflict. However, genocide properly defined is the destruction of a group’s ability to reproduce itself, to provide resources to nourish its children and young adults, and to protect itself from both the brutality of law enforcement authorities as well as the military. One might argue that for millions of young black people in the United States, under America’s new system of color-blind racism, they are experiencing a subtle form of genocide. With black youth unemployment today exceeding 30 percent, and high school dropout rates above 50 percent, we are witnessing the destruction of the future’s and opportunities for young African Americans. The dimensions of this tragedy are not as traumatic as in the eastern Congo or Darfur. However, they nevertheless represent fundamental challenge in our pursuit of racial justice in the United States.
*Dr. Manning Marable is M. Moran Weston/Black Alumni Council Professor of African-American Studies, and Director of the Center for Contemporary Black History, at Columbia University. “Along the Color Line” is featured in hundreds of newspapers and websites internationally.
12. THE TEAM TYLER DISTRICT MINISTERS AND SPOUSES GALA A HUGE SUCCESS:
Sister Delanda S. Johnson
Special to The Christian Recorder
The AME Team Tyler District held its 2nd Annual Ministers & Spouses Gala at the Malakoff Community Center on Saturday, April 4. The Tyler District has a listing of 42 churches and Allen Chapel AME Church (Athens) and Johnson Chapel AME Church (Malakoff) are a part of the Tyler District.
Due to the illness of the Mayor Pro Tem Tim Trimble, Mr. Homer Ray Trimble, Malakoff ISD Board of Trustees gave the welcome from the City of Malakoff and Malakoff Independent School District. Trimble thanked the Tyler District for having their event in Malakoff.
Entertainment was provided by Ms. Corlis Calvin from Austin, Texas, who was presented with a key to the city by Mayor Pro Tem Tim Trimble. Ms. Calvin is a graduate Control Data Institute Technical School in Dallas, Texas. She also attended Eastfield College in Mesquite and is currently a collection supervisor at Time Warner Cable in Austin. She is an active member of Zion Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Austin. When she is not at her day job, she can be found singing at various venues around Austin and throughout Texas.
Mrs. Virginia Ford, First Lady of the Tyler District stated that the Ministers and Spouses Gala was being given to encourage, show support, and to give appreciation to all of the hard work that they have been doing throughout the District. Mrs. Ford said, "The Malakoff community has been very gracious, pleasant, and helpful in making this a meaningful event.” Last year’s event was held in Tyler, Texas.
Mr. Tommy Myers, the District Steward and the 10th District Chaplain, explained his district duties. Myers explains, "My function, as District Steward, is to spread God's word and to be a good manager of finances of the Tyler District; plus the spiritual upkeep; and to keep the Kingdom going." Mr. Myers stated that he is required to attend all event sponsored by the Presiding Elder District, 10th Episcopal District, and Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram. He went on to say that as District Steward, his duties include answering any questions that any local church steward might have. Stewards are appointed by a pastor and stewards are appointed to a one-year term. Stewards are responsible for spiritual growth, all money collected. Stewards have to be leaders must lead by example.
The Rev. James W. Ford is serving his third year with the Tyler District, remarked that he has seen excellent growth in the cooperative spirit of the District and that the District is coming together as a team, and both clergy and laity are working real hard to make the District better. Ford expressed that even though this event was for ministers and spouses, this gathering shows team spirit and togetherness.
Rev. Ford went on to say, "The churches are a very important part of the District because if it was not for the churches, then we would not have a District. We just want to encourage them and let them know that someone loves them, concerned about their welfare, and will help them achieve the goals that they have set for themselves.”
"Saturday event was just a fun-filled day in which clergy families fellowshipped with each, enjoyed good food, and great entertainment," said Ford.
13. NEWS BREAK - BISHOP CAROLYN TYLER GUIDRY INVESTITURE INFORMATION:
The General Board/Council of Bishops will be held June 22 – 25, 2009 in New Orleans. The investiture Banquet will be on the evening of Tuesday, June 23, 2009.
The Investiture banquet tickets and payment for souvenir journal advertisement can be done online at the 8th Episcopal District Online Store - www.8thdistrictamec.com. The 8th Episcopal District Website will be regularly updated about the Investiture, the General Board/Bishop’ Council, and all of the events that will take place in the 8th Episcopal District.
All solicitation forms and purchasing options are available on the 8th Episcopal District Website at www.8thdistrictamec.com.
Submitted by the Rev. Cory M. Watts: revcorywatts@hotmail.com
St. Paul AME Church
8540 Cohn Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
504-861-3988 - Church
14. EPISCOPACY CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES:
The Rev. Vashti-Jasmine McKenzie will be ordained an Itinerant Elder at Empowerment Temple AME Church in Baltimore, MD on Friday, April 3, 2009 at 11 am. The ordination service can be viewed live by logging onto www.streamingfaith.com. Rev. McKenzie is the daughter of the Right Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie, presiding prelate of the 13th Episcopal District and Mr. Stan McKenzie, Episcopal Supervisor for the 13th Episcopal District.
Congratulatory messages may be sent to:
The Rev. Vashti-Jasmine McKenzie: vashtijasmine@gmail.com
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie: Kergyma00@aol.com
Supervisor Stan McKenzie: stanmckenzie44@aol.com
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to share news of the passing of Mr. Eric "Mickey" Ross, the brother of Mrs. Helen Ross Boykin and the brother-in-law of the Reverend Ronald Boykin, pastor of First AME Church - Manassas, Virginia.
Mr. Eric "Mickey" Ross passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2009.
Service Arrangements:
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Viewing: 11:00 AM
Funeral: 12:00 Noon
Austin Royster Funeral Home
3821 14th St. NW
Washington, DC 20011
Phone: (202) 829-9767
Fax: (202) 723-1307
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend & Mrs. (Helen) Ronald Boykin
14521 Penderlea Court
Gainesville, VA 20155
Phone: (703) 753-4171
Email: MrsHelenBoykin@aol.com
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regretfully announce the passing of the Rev. Bennie-Earl Goodman of the North Ohio Annual Conference and the Cleveland District.
The funeral has been held.
All communications can be sent to Lee Memorial AME Church.
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Mrs. Betty Lindsey. At the time of her death, Mrs. Lindsey was the Connectional Corresponding Secretary of The Women's Missionary Society and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Connectional WMS.
The Service arrangements for Mrs. Betty Lindsey, Connectional Corresponding Secretary and member of the Board of Trustees of the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church are as follows:
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The family of Mrs. Betty Lindsey
1843 Highway 278 West
Monticello, AR 71655
Phone (870) 367-9414
The home address is:
1843 Highway 278 West
Monticello, AR 71655
Phone (870) 367-9414
Anita Brannon, Officer Manager
12th Episcopal District
Bishop Samuel Lawrence Green, Sr.,
Presiding Prelate
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the passing of Mr. John Henry Ferrell who passed away on March 26th, 2009 in Newburgh, New York. He was the brother of the Rev. Joe Nathan Farrell, Jr. (Retired Pastor-Southwest Texas Conference; the Rev. Dr. Ida Keener-Presiding Elder; The Rt. Rev. Gregory G.M. Ingram-Presiding Bishop).
Memorial Service for Mr. John Henry Ferrell has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Joe Nathan Ferrell, Jr.
P. O. Box 525
Alice, Texas 78333-0525
Ph: (361-442-6177
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. 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
20. 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.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
