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 – A RETIREMENT CELEBRATION AT ITS BEST:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I have written about the importance and high regard I hold for memorial services held in honor of clergypersons who had given their lives in service to Jesus Christ and the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It’s not only the clergyperson, but their family members who need to be recognized also. The family members of our clergy often sacrificed, along with his or her spouse because of low salaries, insufficient housing and sometimes, they, too, were the recipients of mean-spirited church members. Pastoring is a rewarding profession, but pastoring can be challenging for clergy and family members.
I have often said that pastoring is the infantry of the ministry. Anyone who has served in the military knows that the infantry is where the “rubber hits the road.” Young people who think about enlisting in the armed forces will often tell the recruiter, “Anything but the infantry.” The infantry is the heart of the military, and without the infantry there cannot be victory in any war.
Churches grow and denominations continue to exist because of the pastoral ministry. Without the pastoral ministry there would not be a church, and certainly we would not have an AME Church; that’s the reason I am such a stickler about Annual Conference memorial services honoring deceased members of the clergy.
I am equally a stickler about clergy retirement services, whether the retirement ceremony is a part of the annual conference or a stand-alone retirement celebration; either way, retirement services or ceremonies need to be done in a first-class manner.
Last Saturday night (5/2/09), I attended the retirement service for the Reverend Joseph Donald Patterson, Sr., the Presiding Elder of the West Philadelphia District. It was a celebration that appropriately celebrated the ministry of one of the “infantrymen” of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The retirement service commemorated his 45 years of active service in the itinerant ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It was a retirement service of the first order from the beginning to the end.
The celebration took place at Mt. Pisgah AME Church, located at 41St and Spring Garden Streets. Folks from far and wide made their way to Mt. Pisgah and they filled up the sanctuary, including the balcony. Mt. Pisgah holds a big crowd. Some of the older folks will remember that Mt. Pisgah was the church shown in the opening scenes of the weekly television program, “Amen,” that was televised from 1986 – 1991. The Reverend Jay B. Broadnax is the pastor of Mt. Pisgah.
The worship celebration started out with the processional of the parade of flags, the praise dancers, the choirs, clergy, and the worship participants. The liturgists for the celebration were the Reverend Albert Johns, pastor of Bethel, Ardmore and the Reverend Marguerite E. Handy, Chief of protocol for the First Episcopal District. Clergy from the West Philadelphia District and other ministers were worship participants. Rev. Patterson’s family members, including his mother who is almost 100 years old, were present. The retired Rev. and Mrs. George Simms were also present. Dr. Simms is Joe Patterson’s Father-in-the-Ministry.
The Right Reverend Richard Norris was the preacher for the occasion. The Right Reverend Jeffrey Leath, Presiding Prelate of the 19th Episcopal District and Bishop Omega Y. L. Shelton, the General Overseer and pastor of the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith also attended and participated in the worship service.
We all know the folks in Georgia and South Carolina can sing, but the folks in Pennsylvania can sing too. Sister Lillian Rochester led in singing, “The Lord be praised,” and the Lord was praised. The Reverend Jay B. Broadnax and the Reverend Juanita Hall-Walters, pastor of Allen AME Church in Oxford, Pennsylvania “raised the roof off” with their rendition of “To God be the Glory” that transitioned into “Holy, Holy, Holy.” They were accompanied by the gifted musician, Dr. Richard Norris II.
Bishop Richard Norris preached a dynamic sermon entitled, “God Found One” taken from the text, I Samuel 2:35. The sermon from the gifted homiletician focused upon the need for those called by God to be obedient and faithful to the call of ministry. Bishop Norris repeatedly intoned that Joseph Patterson went and ministered wherever he was assigned, from the small charges in the New Jersey Conference to the Hickman Temple in Philadelphia and on to the presiding eldership of the West Philadelphia District. Bishop Norris said again and again, “God found Joe Patterson and Joe Patterson was faithful to God’s calling.”
In addition to all of the accolades showered upon Joe Patterson, he was also my friend; we were admitted to the Philadelphia Annual Conference together, ordained itinerant deacon and itinerant elder and started our pastorates at the same time.
The Reverend Joseph D. Patterson retirement service held last Saturday should be a model for every pastor who retires from the itinerant ministry. A retirement service should be a celebration.
In addition to the sermon and the choir, the best part of the celebration was the accolades given to the West Philadelphia District First Lady, Mrs. Joyce Patterson. Every speaker acknowledged her untiring support of her husband’s ministry. The people in the Philadelphia Annual Conference love Joyce Patterson.
The family tribute was given by daughter, Jocelyn Donna Patterson.
When the Rev. Joseph Patterson shared the recollections of his ministry, he spoke from the heart and at times, only as Joe Patterson could share it; he was hilarious.
The evening was enjoyable; kind words were spoken, gifts were given, Joe’s ministry was acknowledged by a host of speakers, including former Philadelphia Mayor, the Honorable W. Wilson Goode. There were smiles and tears, laughter and joy, high church music as only AMEs can do it; and shouting and holy dancing in the pulpit and among the congregants. As the old folks used to say, “We had a shouting good time.”
The retirement ceremony of the Reverend Joseph Donald Patterson, Jr., Presiding Elder of the West Philadelphia District was a celebration and AME worship at its best.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
Some of our pastors refer to themselves as "Senior Pastor" when they have another minister, not appointed by the Bishop, assisting them with conducting worship services.
When I was growing up, we were taught that only the bishop could assign pastors, including assistant pastors if a situation deemed that it was necessary. I didn't know that an AME pastor had the authority to refer to himself or herself as "senior pastor"; and could refer to another person in the pulpit, that was not assigned by the bishop, as co-pastor, or assistant pastor.
I have experienced AME pastors who refer to themselves as, “senior pastor.” I have not seen the term, senior pastor, in The Discipline.
I wish that we could set the record straight and adhere to the terms in The Discipline.
Sister Ora Washington
Okinawa, Japan
- To the Editor:
I just read your "invitation" to read the Bible through in 90 days. I took the plunge after seeing, then reading, Dr. Jamal Bryant's companion piece that reaches for the same goal. His book is entitled: A 90 Day Inspirational Journey: Finding Yourself in Scripture. I enjoyed his scholarly Black Preacher Imagination and Insights as an overview of large chunks of the scriptures. I completed the cover-to-cover reading in 62 days. I was aiming for 60, trying to complete the New Testament during Holy Week. I love the colorful characters and events of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament), but once I finished, I found myself actually saying (with no intentional disrespect to our Hebrew siblings and our Hebrew roots): "Thank God for Jesus and the New Testament."
Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson
To the Editor:
Thanks for the challenge to read the Bible cover to cover in 90 days; I’m going to join you, but I’m not going to spend any money.
Go to www.wordsearchbible.com and download “Bible Explorer” free. It has a, “My Bible Reading Planner”; simply follow the instructions and it will give you the scriptures you need to read each day. Bible Explorer is an excellent tool that ministers and Bible students can use.
Kirk W. Ridley, Sr., Pastor of Avery Chapel, Memphis
Editor's Note: The 90 Day Bible can also be downloaded on Kindle and Kindle2
3. UPDATE: TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR BISHOP VERNON RANDOLPH BYRD FUNERAL SERVICE:
Two (2) fifty-five passenger buses will be available on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 to transport persons attending the funeral service of Bishop Vernon Randolph Byrd.
The buses will depart The Westin Hotel promptly at 10:15 AM on Tuesday morning, in route to the service at Greater Bethel AME Church.
For additional information or transportation inquiries, please contact Mr. Bobby Rankin, Transportation Coordinator, phone: (704) 649-0665.
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
4. UPDATE: THE AMEC PUBLISHING HOUSE WEBSITE IS UP AND RUNNING:
The new AMEC Publishing House Website has been up and running since the end of February.
You can access the Website and make purchases.
Click here: http://amecpublishinghouse.com
5. ON THE FRONTIERS OF POLITY: CO-PASTORS IN THE AME CHURCH:
*John Thomas III
Last week during a break from my studies, I took some time to read The Christian Recorder and catch up on the happenings across the Connection. While reading about the various Annual Conferences, Local Church functions, and other tidbits I noticed several articles using the title “co-pastor”. The appearance of this term intrigued me because in my conversations with senior churchpersons, I was told that “co-pastor” had been appropriated from Pentecostal denominations and has no basis in our polity and tradition.
Additionally, an editorial questioning the naming of co-pastors appeared in this newspaper in the summer 2007. In spite of these admonitions, the co-pastor phenomenon not only is thriving but several of our Bishops are openly appointing clergy to serve as co-pastors in charges throughout the AME Connection.
This conflict between AME polity and practice motivated me to research the co-pastor concept. The practice of naming co-pastors originated in the mid 20th century from certain Pentecostal denominations that allowed women to exercise a pastoral role only in tandem with their husbands. The woman would be viewed as the “co-pastor” assisting her spouse. (In Pentecostal denominations in Spanish speaking areas, it is common to refer to a male minister’s spouse as pastora or “female pastor” referring to her role as “co-pastor”). It was clear, however, that the leadership of the church was largely vested in the male clergyperson. To this day, few ordained female clergypersons (and fewer female pastors) exist in Pentecostal traditions.
The onset of widespread ordination of female clergypersons in mainline denominations from the 1970s and onwards generated a new ecclesiastical phenomenon: fully ordained clergy couples. The advent of wives and husbands wishing to exercise their ministerial vocation together created an interesting quandary for churches whose legal structured was formed around a single pastor in charge. The Presbyterian Church was the first mainline denomination to openly embrace the co-pastor concept, recognizing co-pastors around 1979. The Presbyterian “Book of Order” defines co-pastors as: “[M]inisters who are called and installed with equal responsibility for pastoral ministry. Each shall be considered a pastor and they may share duties within the congregation as agreed upon by the session (local church) and approved by the presbytery. When a particular church has two pastors serving as co-pastors and the relationship of one of them is dissolved, the other remains as pastor of the church” (G-14.0501c).
Appointed co-pastors are also increasingly common in the United Methodist Church (UMC). Jointly-appointed clergy couples have existed in United States jurisdictions since at least the 1990s. While the UMC leaves the division of pastoral labor and administrative responsibility largely to the local charge, the retirement system mandates that co-pastors cannot be treated as full-time personnel for retirement benefit calculations. In many instances, one spouse is treated as working at 75 per cent of full-time while the other 25 per cent of full-time for retirement purposes. The successful presence of co-pastors in the UMC is especially important for the AME Church given our common Episcopal polity structure.
Those who would argue against co-pastors in the AME Church cite that the practice is not valid because it is not specifically sanctioned in The AME Discipline. It is true that AME Polity is nominally structured around a single “pastor in charge.” But, the Bishops are given the authority to name preachers to the various charges and it can be argued that dividing the responsibility of a charge between two ordained clergypersons is not in violation of the law simply because the Discipline is silent on the issue.
Many questions about the state of co-pastors in local AME relations need to be resolved. For example:
1) Will we allow the practice regulated largely by the local church (similar to the UMC model) or will the sanction of the Annual Conference be needed to enter into a co-pastor situation (similar to the Presbyterian model)?
2) Is the Steward Board required to care for both co-pastors equally, or is the allowance for a pastor to be split amongst the co-pastors?
3) Is the classification as co-pastor only limited to married clergy couples?
4) Can clergy over age 75 receive appointments as co-pastors?
5) How many co-pastors may a local charge have?
Our polity must catch up with our practices to ensure that all things are done “decently and in order.”
Formally assigning co-pastors has many advantages for congregations and clergy by pooling the talents of two individuals. Some of our largest and most financially successful churches are staffed by co-pastors.
Until we properly define and clarify the usage of co-pastors in our Zion, however, this practice will be consigned to a potentially problematic legal “No Man’s Land.”
Author’s Note: Several of the CONVOs during the 2004-08 Quadrennium addressed issues of ministerial classifications. A taskforce of clergypersons throughout the Connection headed by Director of Christian Education Dr. Daryl Ingram is conducting an intensive review for submission to the 2012 General Conference.
* John Thomas III is a Ph.D. Student in the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago (jthomas3@uchicago.edu)
6. PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA ATTENDED AME WORSHIP SERVICE IN LUSAKA, ZAMBIA:
*Sister Michelle Mwamba Matale
On Sunday, the 22nd of March, 2009, Bright Temple AME Church in Matero, Lusaka, the Republic of Zambia, pastored by the Rev. Suzanne Membe Matale was a hive of activities during the 10:00 a.m. worship service when she hosted His Excellency Rupiah Banda the President of the Republic of Zambia and his special guest, Her Excellency Mrs Quentin Bryce, the Governor General of Australia (The Queen of England's representative in Australia). The service was attended by their spouses; The Vice President of Zambia, several cabinet ministers, government officials, as well as government officials from Australia also attended the worship service.
The worship service was a typical AME traditional worship service, which began with the Call to Worship by the assistant minister, the Rev Jeremiah Zulu. The Decalogue was given by the Rev Matale.
There were spectacular music selections by the two local choirs and one invited choir from the community. Each choir sang unique African- style songs with traditional drums. One choir also sang some traditional English hymns. Her Excellency Mrs Quentin Bryce, the Governor General of Australia excitedly sang along and as could be seen from one of the pictures, she danced to the traditional drums.
The Rev Matale's message, "Between a Rock and a Hard Place," took the service to a higher spiritual dimension. It touched so many souls and their shouts of joy and laughter left a lasting impression.
It was, surely, by all standards the worship service of the year!
It was a very rare opportunity to host two Heads of State at the same time.
The profile of AME church in Zambia was raised even higher as the service was televised all over electronic and print media in both Zambia and Australia.
His Excellency Rupiah Banda, the President of the Republic of Zambia enjoyed the service so much that he promised to return and attend another worship service soon.
*Reported by Sister Michelle Mwamba Matale
PR Manager, Bright Temple AME Church, Matero
Tel +260 955 806092
P.O. Box 32993
Lusaka, Zambia 10101
7. ECONOMICS IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CHURCH - EVERY PENNY COUNTS:
*The Rev. Glenda Paris M Kelly
In 1909 President Abraham Lincoln’s picture appeared on the front of the copper “penny.” It has been over two-hundred years and the American people are now looking for “pennies” to survive.
Time has changed but history is repeating itself.
With rates of unemployment and foreclosure on housing steadily rising, the African-American church has a responsibility to assist in the economic recovery of our country.
The Economic Policy Institute, The Executive Summary on the State of Working America 2008/2009 which states “The recession of 2001 was followed by nearly two years of continued job loss, and it took an unprecedented four years to re-attain the number of jobs the economy supported prior to the recession.”
For one entire week from Sunday April 26 through Saturday May 2, 2009, “The Virginia Annual Conference” leaders met together for preaching, workshops, business sessions, devotions, prayer, inspiration, dedication and motivation to a group of over 1,700 attendees at the Chesapeake Conference Center, Chesapeake, VA. The audience consisted of dignitaries, clergy, lay delegates, Elders, ministers and friends.
On the eve of Sunday, April 26, 2009, the 143rd session of the Virginia Annual Conference of the African-Methodist Episcopal Church Second Episcopal District assembled together at New Saint John, A.M.E. Church, Virginia Beach, VA to begin their work in preparing for the economic challenges which face the community and the Church and to give tribute to the Right Reverend Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr. and Mrs. Connie Speights Richardson.
The two co-host Pastors of the conference were the Rev. Lonnie McClain of Mount Zion AME Church and the Rev. E. H. Terrell, Jr. of New Saint John AME Church both located in the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Both churches belong to the Norfolk/Eastern Shore District under the supervision of the Rev. Dr. Chester W. Morris, host presiding elder.
The Rev. William A. Dyson, associate presiding elder of the Portsmouth/Richmond/Roanoke District gave an impressive introduction of the Bishop Adam Jefferson with the phrase, “Hail to the Chief.”
This greeting is normally used in the return of the Commander In Chief of the United States of America when he has left the oval office and is used during his public appearances.
The members and friends of the Second Episcopal District of the AME Church consider Bishop Richardson to be the “commander-in-chief” and the “oval office” is located at 1134 11th St. NW Washington, DC. It is the headquarters of the 2nd Episcopal District.
Virginia State Senator Yvonne Miller was in attendance at the reception held for Bishop Richardson. She embraced the audience while providing leadership, insight, gifts and wisdom with the words, “The African-American community has a lot of work to do. We can’t sit back and watch our children not achieve. Our children are gifted and we have not used all the resources available to help them achieve academically. The church is a vital and important resource for our children. We must double our effects to help our children succeed.”
Chesapeake Council members Allen Knosnoff and Cliff Hayes were also in attendance.
“It is an extreme honor to be a part of this great celebration of the AME Church. We are looking forward to working with the churches in their work in the community. The Key to the City was presented on Tuesday night by Councilman Dwight Parker. Mayor Allen Knosnoff said, “Your conference theme, ‘Celebrating a Political Milestone; Continuing a Prophetic Ministry’ is very important during this time of economic challenges.”
In the sanctuary of New St. John there is an image of the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Richard Allen. Bishop Richardson made mention of that image in his profound statements to the assembled congregation. He said, “It is amazing how Richard Allen called one of the first meetings of the AME Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania relating to our experience and a few decades later the NAACP was established in 1909. In our time and space we as the church are called to be prophets of God. We must keep in mind our theme. We as a community must be inclusive to all political parties.”
On Thursday, April 30, a workshop on the economy and the Stimulus Package was conducted with over 100 people in attendance.
President and CEO Antonio Morrison of Legacy Global Management said, “The economy is at its worse since 1930. The money which is being reproduced is far beyond the calculator and there is no calculator that can hold the figure. We as an African-American community must be aware of what is considered microeconomics and macroeconomics. We must be educated on the meaning of stocks and bonds and what is the difference between value and growth. I thank God that I haven’t been affected by the economics because I managed my money well. Educating the African-American church on money matters is important.”
The African-American church as a whole has a lot of work to do. There have been some who have survived this economic recession; and others have not.
During the Conference, over twenty vendors had items available for sale. Some were discouraged because they were not able to make enough to pay for their space and took a financial loss; some were able to make a profit on the sale of their items. One vendor packed up and left without paying for the rental space because the lack of sales.
According to the Virginia Annual Conference Report of the Statistician, dated May 2, 2009, “The AME Church, Virginia Annual Conference has reported assets of over $40 million dollars of real property, $8 million raised by the 64 congregations and over 8,000 members for the 2009 Annual Conference year.”
During the Annual Conference, there were clergy who were not ordained itinerant elders because they had not completed the Church’s educational requirements mandated by the General Conference; education and training is a top priority for the AME Church. Bishop Richardson explained, “While the ruling appears tough, during this economic time it is mandated that aspiring clergy complete their graduate theological education at an accredited seminary. Obtaining a Master’s degree in Divinity can cost in excess of $40K. The Church wants to make sure that the 21st Century pastors are fully prepared.”
In the resolution of the conference the church is taken action to: (1) open new missions, (2) establish political forums, (3) coordinate AME Days and (4) implement evangelism in communities with networks to establish partnerships.
“The topic of economics is a great concern to the church as a whole. There have been some of our members who have been affected by this recession. We need to be educated on how we got into this economic crisis and what we can do to assist the community-at-lodge. We will be addressing the economic issues throughout the 2nd Episcopal District. Special attention will be on (1) the State of the Country (2) the State of the Church and (3) the final actions of the conference read in the Resolution.”
The Virginia Annual Conference reported, while financial contributions of the local churches have not been affected; many of its members have lost jobs, homes and income.
“It is prayerfully hoped that by the year 2012 the membership will increase to 10,000 for the Virginia Annual Conference, which means more souls saved for the Kingdom of God. Bishop Richardson said, “We must save money and souls.”
*Glenda P. Murray-Kelly is a student at Regent University, School of Journalism
8. AMEC EVANGELISM WORKSHOP - EVANGELISM AND CHURCH GROWTH:
By Charles Hallman, St. Paul Minneapolis District Conference Reporter
To have effective church growth, evangelism must be atop of the list, Dr. James C. Wade told the St. Paul Minneapolis District Conference.
“Our churches are organized to do business and not evangelism,” stressed Wade, the executive director of AMEC Department of Church Growth and Development during a two-day evangelism and church growth workshop that he facilitated at the St. Paul Minneapolis District’s fifth conference April 23-24 at Payne Memorial, Waterloo, Iowa.
“Evangelism always is an after-thought,” he added. “If we do not work intentionally at it, it never will happen. We must hold the ministry of evangelism higher than we hold the ministry of music.”
Wade, who first was elected to his present General Office position in 2004 and reelected in 2008, has been involved with evangelism for over two decades.
“I caught this fire about evangelism” around 20 years ago, he points out. “I worked in a place many, many years ago at a reform school, and I saw what youngsters there was up against, and seemed to like it.”
It was then that he came to realized that there are so many souls out there, similar to those youngsters, who seem to like what they are doing. “I have come to understand that we have not emphasized that people need to be saved,” says Wade. “There are a lot of people who haven’t been in any church. It’s my real concern that we make it a priority.”
Every person, every auxiliary, in the local church must be involved in evangelism work – this should not be relegated to a certain group or committee, or rest solely on the pastor’s shoulders, Wade strongly suggested. “Every member should be involved in evangelism,” he says, adding that oftentimes, the perfect place to start evangelizing is within the church’s four walls.
Wade told the conference that there is a lack of organization in our local churches in this regard. “I think a part of my issue is that we are not organized to do evangelism,” he believes. “Once we are organized, and begin to make evangelism a priority, our churches will grow.”
Secondly, the people in our churches must be taught about salvation and lead them in prayer, claims Wade. “We are expecting people to do a thing that we have not taught or train them to do.”
Thirdly, churches must boldly express their mission statement, which according to Wade, should clearly contain “a saving message of Jesus Christ.”
“We must be clear about Christianity,” he surmises.
Lastly, our churches have become “club churches,” where people come each week to socialize instead of growing stronger in Christ, Wade believes. “In every AME Church, 85 to 92 percent of the people are unsaved,” he added. “The structure of the church is not going to keep people in Christ.”
St. Paul Minneapolis District Presiding Elder Rev. Alphonse Reff said of having Wade as a teacher, “It was just an inspiration to have his presence and his teaching. I express my gratitude to him for taking time out from his schedule to be with us. I would like to stretch it a couple more days. It was a mountaintop experience.”
Wade said it was an honor to speak on a subject so dear to his heart.
“Even as a pastor, I did evangelism all over the world – in Africa, the islands, everywhere,” he admits. “It’s always has been my passion.”
Wade plans to take a group from America to Georgetown, Guyana in June to do evangelism work.
“God calls us to bring souls to the Kingdom, and I commend Dr. Wade for that,” concludes Reff.
9. THE REV. DR. FLOYD H. FLAKE WILL VISIT MILWAUKEE:
*Patricia Chisom
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Former U.S. Congressman, the Reverend Dr. Floyd H. Flake will be the guest speaker at St. Mark AME Church workshop/luncheon on “Faith Based Community Building.”
The working luncheon and question and answer session will be held on Saturday, May 16, 2009, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at St. Mark AME Church, 1616 W. Atkinson Avenue in the Ezekiel Gillespie Fellowship Hall.
Rev. Flake is the senior pastor of the more than 23,000-member Greater Allen AME Cathedral of New York in Jamaica Queens. During his 32-year pastorate, Allen Cathedral has become one of the nation’s foremost Christian churches. The church and its subsidiary corporations operate with an annual budget of over $34 million. The church also owns expansive commercial and residential developments; a 700-student private school, funded by Flake and his wife Elaine. The corporations, church administrative offices, school and ministries comprise one of the Borough of Queens’ largest private-sector employers.
Dr. Flake will discuss the role of the church in community development and how the new stimulus funds can be used effectually.
A panel of local faith-based developers will take part in the morning workshop discussion session. During lunch, Flake will share lessons learned and best practices for successful faith-based development projects.
In Congress, a concentration for Flake was on garnering Federal resources and projects for his community. He prevailed upon the Clinton Administration to fund the nation’s first One Stop Small Business Capital Center (Jamaica Business Resource Center (J.B.R.C.) which is the model for additional centers that are now operating in the Federal Empowerment Zones and provides technical assistance and loans to small businesses.
This event is open to the public. Milwaukee residents, community-based organizations and developers are encouraged to attend and engage in the discussion.
The cost of the luncheon is $10.00. Space is limited; please call the church office at (414) 562-8030.
The event will be held in the Ezekiel Gillespie Fellowship Hall at St. Mark AME Church. St. Mark AME Church is located at 1616 W. Atkinson Avenue in Milwaukee. The Rev. Darryl R. Williams is the pastor
*Patricia Chisom is the Public Relations Director for St. Mark AME Church in Milwaukee
10. EPISCOPAL BEREAVEMENT/ SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS FOR BISHOP VERNON R. BYRD:
Bishop Vernon Randolph Byrd, the 105th elected and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church passed away this afternoon, May 5, 2009, at his home in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Service arrangements for Bishop Vernon Randolph Byrd:
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Visitation:
11:00 AM-12:00 Noon
Funeral:
12:00 Noon
Greater Bethel AME Church
5232 The Plaza
Charlotte, NC 28215
(704) 566-9000
Email: gboffice@carolina.rr.com
The Rev. Morris Reddon, Pastor
Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr., Presiding Prelate, 2nd Episcopal District
Professional services are entrusted to:
Alexander Funeral Home Inc
1424 Statesville Ave.
Charlotte, NC 28206
Phone: (704) 333-1167
FAX: (704) 333-1173
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Theora Byrd and family
5929 Legacy Circle
Charlotte, NC 28277
Phone (704) 321-2475
FAX: (704) 321-2463
Hotel Accommodations:
The Westin Hotel
601 South College Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704) 375-2600 - Phone
Group Name: AME Church/Service for Bishop Byrd
Group Rate: $99.00
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church-Anniston, Alabama (9th Episcopal District) mourns the loss of associate minister, the Reverend Betty Davis, who passed away on Monday, April 27, 2009.
The Funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The family of the Rev. Betty Davis
320 East 22nd Street
Anniston, AL 36207
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Brother Jeffrey Klaas, the brother of the Rev. Teboho G. Klaas, passed away on Monday, May 4, 2009 (at dawn). Brother Jeffrey Klaas had been ill and passed away at home.
The Rev. Thomas Mpye will conduct his funeral service at Jordan Temple AME Church (19th Episcopal District), on Saturday, May 9, 2009 (7h00 - 9h00).
Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath, Presiding Prelate, 19th Episcopal District.
Condolences may be emailed to Rev. Teboho G. Klaas: tgk@sacc.org.za
Or by mail to:
Rev. Teboho G. Klaas
Director: Health Programme
South African Council of Churches
9th Floor, Khotso House
62 Marshall Street, Johannesburg 2001
Tel.: +27 (0)11 241 7811/2
Fax: +27 (0)11 492 1448/9
Mobile: +27 (0)76 692 9583
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Cosetta (Cozy) Reid, the wife of the late Reverend Arnold Reid and the mother of the Reverend Daniel J. Reid, Esq., pastor of Greater Quinn AME Church, Detroit Michigan.
Services will be held at:
Greater Quinn AME Church
13501 Rosa Parks Blvd
Detroit Michigan 48238
Reverend Daniel J. Reid Esq., Pastor
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Family Hour: 10:30 A.M.
Homegoing Services: 11:00 A.M.
Condolences can be sent to:
The Reverend and Mrs. Daniel J. Reid, Esq.
47 Virginia Park
Detroit Michigan 48202
reidandreidpc@aol.com
14. 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
15. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
