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 – WHAT MAKES AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH WORSHIP, AUTHENTIC AME WORSHIP:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I have received several informative messages in response to both of my editorials, “What’s the Answer,” Parts I and II. I expected to receive some responses that agreed with the thoughts of the traveler who shared with me on a recent trip, but I was surprised that I didn’t receive a lot of messages that disagreed with the traveler or with my responses, especially in the editorial, “What’s the Answer, Part II.”
In that editorial, I shared my thoughts of what I believed was the problem with attendance, or the lack of attendance at worship services; the lack of enthusiasm with overall ministry, and the music ministry. I hoped that I was adamant that the temporal and spiritual affairs of the church fall upon the shoulders of the pastor; the “buck stops” with the pastor.
I went on to say in “What’s the Answer, Part II,” that the there were some movements in liturgy that were sacred and revered and that the most common complaint I continually heard from laity, in priority, was the absence of the Decalogue, followed by the absence of “the” or even “a” Call to Worship; ill-chosen hymns, and poorly conducted worship services.
Several persons responded with their thoughts. One person disagreed with my prioritized list and expressed the belief that the major problem in AME worship is the music ministry; that person complained that it was obvious some choirs did not practice or take the music ministry seriously.
Another person opined that it seems that too many pastors are satisfied with stagnant churches, and the person went on say that some pastors are either satisfied with the few who attend or do not know how to grow a congregation.
The most vocal complaint was, “Our church does not feel like an AME Church anymore.”
My own thoughts on the observation, “Our church does not feel like an AME Church anymore,” caused me to ask myself the question, “What makes African Methodist Episcopal Church worship, authentic AME worship?” A couple of other questions also came to mind. What makes Baptist worship, Baptist; or what makes Church of God in Christ worship, COGIC? What makes Roman Catholic worship, Roman Catholic?
Let’s take the Roman Catholic worship first. Simply stated, the Mass makes Roman Catholic worship, Roman Catholic. The Eucharist is celebrated at each Mass and is the center of Catholic worship. If the priest removed the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the worship would not be Roman Catholic. The Mass consists of two parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Remove one or both of those parts and the worship ceases to be Roman Catholic.
Baptist and COGIC worship falls under the category of “Free worship.” Constrict free worship and institute a heavy dose of liturgy and Baptist and COGIC worship ceases to be authentic worship in each of those communions. In the case of the COGIC, I suspect that the absence of “tarrying for the Holy Ghost” in Sunday morning worship services causes some older COGIC worshippers to complain that the COGIC worship is not what it used to be; but the COGIC has probably kept enough COGIC tradition to maintain balance. If a Baptist preacher attempted infant baptism or sprinkling as a mode of baptism, that ordinance, as they call it, would not be Baptist.
So, “What makes African Methodist Episcopal Church worship, authentic AME worship?” I believe that it is the unique AME liturgy, along with allowing the working of the Holy Spirit, with a strong biblical message. I believe the Decalogue is important to African Methodists, as is “the” or “a” Call to Worship. Those two acts of worship are uniquely AME. I believe, if pastors would follow the African Methodist Episcopal Church Order For Morning Worship, or some semblance of it, people would know what makes African Methodist Episcopal Church worship, authentic AME worship.
Authentic liturgical worship requires coordination among clergy and other worship leaders to include the music and usher ministries. In the midst of the working of the Holy Spirit, liturgy can be spiritually powerful. The Free Church experience is different, but can be authentic too, but free worship and Holy Spirit-filled liturgical worship are two different genres.
True AME worship is Holy Spirit-filled liturgical worship that includes those liturgical movements that the Church fathers and mothers included in the AME Order of Worship, to include the Call to Worship, prayer, the scripture, the preface to the Decalogue and the Decalogue, the sermon, the invitation to Christian Discipleship, the offertory, the closing hymn/Doxology and the Benediction. The AMEC Book of Worship has all of the clues of what makes an African Methodist Episcopal Worship, AME.
I guess pastors can add “the stomp”, a step show, a medley of gospel songs, praise and worship, poetic readings, praise dancing, holy dancing and other acts of worship, but I would hope that a pastor would leave “what makes African Methodist Episcopal Church worship, authentic AME worship,” in the Sunday morning worship service.
I will say it again more specifically: the AME Church has to be faithful to the biblical, theological and doctrinal principles. I suspect that some AME Churches lack a biblical foundation, ignore theology and are not faithful to the doctrinal foundations of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
I will say it again that some of our pastors are busy trying to imitate the successful pastor down the street or across town, televangelists, and other mega-church pastors. Some of those pastors are successful because they are faithful to their historical, denominational (nondenominational), and biblical traditions. If they threw out their traditions and tried to implement our AME traditions, their success might be limited.
So, “What makes African Methodist Episcopal Church worship, authentic AME worship?” Every pastor, every steward, and every member ought to know, and if they don’t know, I hope they will find out and appreciate what makes African Methodist Episcopal Church worship, authentic AME worship.”
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
This is a heads up to share that there are unscrupulous attempts to get personal information in ways that seem legitimate.
Unfortunately I was the victim of such a scam and thought I could prevent others from perhaps falling into the same trap. I have had to cancel checking and credit card accounts, etc.
So, please, especially if you are an AOL user, do NOT respond to any emails asking you to update your account information.
Sent by Joan Beauchamp
3. NAMIBIA PRE-CONFERENCE VISITS BY THE 15TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LEADERSHIP:
The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse
I greet you in Jesus' joy from the Namibia Annual Conference, 15th Episcopal District where the Right Rev. Wilfred J. Messiah is the presiding prelate and Mrs. Carol Messiah is the Episcopal Supervisor.
The 55th Session of our Annual Conference is scheduled from 3-6 September 2009 at St. Mark AME Church, Gibeon. Bishop and Supervisor Messiah have undertaken several pre-Conference activities, including historical visits to 15 rural churches in Namibia. This is significant, given the vastness of our country where travelers have to travel long distances between villages, towns and cities.
On Tuesday, 25 August 2009 bishop and mother travelled 1100 kilometres by road from Cape Town, South Africa to Keetmanshoop, Namibia. On a daily basis, our episcopal parents have travelled almost 500 kilometres each day during the past week, visiting rural churches in remote areas with a message of hope, inspiration and appreciation. Some of these churches were last visited by Bishop Henry A Belin JR during the 1984-1988 quadrennial. Some of these rural churches have seen a bishop of the AME Church for the first time in the more than six decades the AME Church is present in our conference, It was very fitting to observe the humility with which Bishop Messiah thanked the rural people for their loyalty and service to African Methodism and the financial and material gifts handed over by Supervisor to these rural folk.
Bishop and Supervisor Messiah will travel some 420 kilometres tomorrow morning (Sunday, 30 August 2009) from Mariental to Tses to dedicate to the glory of God the brand new church building of Robinson Chapel AME Church. The racist South African government, as part of the inhumane policy of apartheid based on skin colour, exiled senior citizens from Keetmanshoop to Tses. The AME Church, under the leadership of the late Bishop D G Robinson decided to organise a local church for these rejected and exiled citizens at Tses. With the apartheid "dom" pass system, only economically actives Africans were allowed in towns and citizens, and unemployed persons and pensioners were declared not wanted in urban areas. In 1983, during the leadership of the late Bishop John E Hunter, the congregation at Tses was renamed Robinson Chapel in honour of the vision and sacrifices of the late Bishop D G Robinson. For the sake of interest, we also have a D M Robinson Area of the WMS also operation in the Namibia Annual Conference.
On Monday, 31 August 2009, Bishop and Supervisor Messiah are expected to travel to Gibeon two pre-Conference activities, namely the Annual Conference Board of Christian Education Convention on Tuesday, 1 September 2009 and the Annual Missionary Convention (of the WMS/YPD).
Please pray for the Namibia Annual Conference as we expect God's blessings in our quest to restore the house of God.
*The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, presiding elder and a candidate for Episcopal Office 2012
4. PHILADELPHIA CONFERENCE CHURCH SCHOOL ANNUAL DAY ATTRACTS AN OVERFLOW OF WORSHIPPERS:
By Angelena Spears
Philadelphia Conference Reporter
A rainstorm severe enough to flood out major expressways was not able to deter the church school superintendents and workers who attended the Philadelphia Conference Church School Annual Day on Sunday, August 3.
The overflow crowd of worshippers packed the 1st AME Church, Sharon Hill, PA for the afternoon service, which maintained a spiritual high from the processional all the way to the benediction.
The afternoon preacher was the Rev. Charles H. Lett, Sr., the newly named presiding elder of the Philadelphia Conference’s West Mainline District.
Elder Lett preached a very relevant message for the occasion, based on Luke 18:15-17, and used as his theme: “Let the Children Come.”
Elder Lett observed that in the bible story, the parents were attracted to an environment where there was good preaching, good teaching and healing – and chose that setting to bring their children to be blessed. He said today’s parents are looking for the same thing (i.e., good teaching, preaching and healing) and when they find it, they will want to bring their children to be blessed.
He said that just like the Disciples who were turning the children away – in today’s church it is often the officers – including ushers, stewards and trustees – who are standing between the parents and Jesus, and turning the children away.
He said we turn the children away when we tell the young parents that their babies are making too much noise, or scold the parents for putting dirty diapers in the wrong waste baskets.
In an easy-to-understand sermon, Elder Lett proclaimed that as church school superintendents and workers – we are called to love the children, and he pointed out how important it is for all persons who interact with our children to display kindness and love.
Throughout his sermon, Elder Lett repeatedly proclaimed – “Let the children come.” And when the invitation was offered for salvation – two little girls came forward. The two little girls were cousins, and one was accompanying the other who wanted to give her life to Christ.
At the end of the service, Sister Jeanne Chavious, the Philadelphia Conference Church School Superintendent, thanked the district superintendents and assistant superintendents for their support. And she acknowledged the presence of the new assistant superintendent for the Harrisburg District, Sister Yolanda Beattie, who will share that role with Sister Michelle Crawford.
A special thank you was given to Rev. Ruth Waters, the host superintendent, who served as worship leader for the program, and appreciation was expressed for the guest choir from Bethel AME Church, Coatesville, who did a wonderful job of singing; and to Brother Earl Knight, a gifted pianist, who has been faithful in sharing his musical talents with the church school. Brother Knight is 16 years old.
The pastors of the Philadelphia Conference who were in attendance were recognized and thanked for their support. Also recognized were Presiding Elder Vernard Leak, of the Philadelphia District, and Presiding Elder James E. F. Lawrence, the newly named presiding elder of the Philadelphia South District. All of the presiding elders were accompanied by their wives.
Sister Tona Pickett, the West Mainline District Church School superintendent, was also thanked for her role as the host superintendent, and the members of 1st AME Church were thanked for the delicious meal that was served before the service.
The Rev. Harvey Sparkman was the host pastor.
5. BISHOP CAROLYN TYLER GUIDRY TO SPEAK IN BATON ROUGE:
Dr. Herman O. Kelly
Bishop Guidry will be the preacher at the Annual Fall Board Meeting Ecumenical Service on Monday, September 28, 2009 at 7:30 pm at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where the Rev. Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr. is the pastor.
The Louisiana Interchurch Conference is a statewide ecumenical organization located in Baton Rouge.
Dr. Herman O. Kelly will present a paper entitled, “The Church and the Civil Rights Movement, Past, Present, and Future.”
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church is located at 1358 South Boulevard in Baton Rouge.
6. SOCKS N’ PRAYER:
*Bea Tatum
As the temperature begins to drop and cooler weather approaches, children across the State of Alabama are getting settled into their daily routine of school and extra curriculum activities. The Ninth Episcopal District of the AME Church, under the leadership of Bishop James L. Davis, has provided over 25,000 pairs of socks to distribute to school age children at all AME Churches in Alabama. The Scripture verse adopted for this event, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1), is especially meaningful given the world’s instability and the promise of an uncertain future. “Now more than ever, it is imperative to pray for our children.” Bishop Davis further believes, “if you take care of your feet, your feet will carry your body and the rest of you.”
The Rev. Dr. Patricia A. Outlaw of St. Paul AME Church, Adamsville, Alabama stated, “The Socks N’ Prayer initiative is congruent with the mission of the AME Church. Our Mission is to minister to the social, spiritual, and physical development of all people. This unique social outreach to the larger community is available to all school children who live in proximity to our local AME Churches.”
Pastors, along with their church members, will be available to pray with young people and their parents as they seek socks for the colder days ahead. With the economic slow down which has hit all of us, the “Socks N’ Prayer” ministry is one meaningful and practical way to encourage children to stay in school.
State-wide, all local AME churches will participate in the Ninth Episcopal District’s Annual “Socks N’ Prayer” initiative on Saturday, September 5th from 10:00 a.m. until Noon. Children, along with their parents and/or guardians, are invited to attend this free give-a-way and prayer vigil.
As the Ninth Episcopal District approaches its first year anniversary under Bishop Davis’ leadership, the District continues to move forward with community outreach programs, such as this one.
*Bea Tatum is the Public Relations Director for the 9th Episcopal District
7. A POEM - WHO WILL TEACH THE CHILDREN:
By Angela Allen
Who Will Teach the Children
Who will teach the children?
That come with a darker face?
Who will make it clear
Their importance to our race?
Who will teach the children…
That come dirty, hungry and poor?
Who will make them believe education is a cure?
Who will teach the children of parents
Addicted to drugs?
Who will take it upon themselves to shower
Them with love?
Who will teach the children that
Call a shelter a home?
Who will cite them courageous
For all the nights they have roamed?
Who will teach the children
That live with violence and crime?
Who will dry their eyes
Each time a love one dies?
Who will teach the children
That come with a darker face?
Who will rescue this generation
From a heartless fate?
Who will?
8. THE 2009 SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT CALENDAR:
The Right Reverend Preston Warren Williams II, Presiding Prelate
Dr. Wilma Delores Williams, Episcopal Supervisor
AUGUST 24 - 28, 2009
Palmetto Annual Conference
Session: 99th Session
Host Church: St Luke AME Church, Charleston
Host Pastor: The Reverend L. T. Baker
Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Dr. Allen Parrott
Co-Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Charles Graves
Co-Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Rosalyn Coleman
AUGUST 31 - SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
NORTHEAST ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Session: 118th Session
Host Church: Weston Chapel AME Church, Latta
Host Pastor: The Reverend E. O. Simms
Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Robert Cooper
Co-Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Dr. Robert McCants
Co-Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Dr. William Smith
SEPTEMBER 11 - 12, 2009
COLUMBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE – YOUTH SUMMIT
Allen University
SEPTEMBER 14 - 18, 2009
COLUMBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Session: 132nd Session
Host Church: Pine Grove AME Church, Columbia
Host Pastor: The Reverend Dr. James Cooper
Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Joseph Postell
Co-Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Sandy Drayton
Co-Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Dr. James R. Glover
SEPTEMBER 18 - 19, 2009
SOUTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE – YOUTH SUMMIT
Woodland High School - St. George, SC
SEPTEMBER 21 -25, 2009
SOUTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Session: 145th Session
Host Church: Bethel AME Church, St. George
Host Pastor: The Reverend Charles Watkins
Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Malachi Duncan
Co-Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend John H. Gillison
Co-Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Samuel Myers
OCTOBER 2 - 3, 2009
PIEDMONT ANNUAL CONFERENCE – YOUTH SUMMIT
Location: TBD
OCTOBER 5 - 9, 2009
PIEDMONT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Session: 100th Session
Host Church: Mt. Calvary AME Church, Gray Court
Host Pastor: The Reverend Judy Richardson
Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Samuel McPherson
Co-Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Oscar A. Klugh
OCTOBER 9 - 10, 2009
CENTRAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE – YOUTH SUMMIT
Lake Marion High School - Santee, SC
OCTOBER 12 - 16, 2009
CENTRAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Session: 86th Session
Host Church: Brown Chapel AME Church, Cameron
Host Pastor: The Reverend Rufus Gaymon
Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Dr. Juenarrl Keith
Co-Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Malachi Duncan
Co-Host Presiding Elder: The Reverend Clementa Pinckney
NOVEMBER 11 – 14, 2009
POST CONFERENCE CONVOCATION AND THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE
Location: TBD
9. THE 2009 TENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
The Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram, Presiding Prelate
The Reverend Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram, Episcopal Supervisor
2009 NORTHWEST TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
September 15 –September 19, 2009
September 12, 2009 – YPD Day
September 14, 2009 – Missionary Day
September 15, 2009 – The Gathering of Women
September 15, 2009 – Opening Worship
Host Church – Armstrong AME Church
Host Pastor- The Rev. Mark Washington
2009 NORTH TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
September 29 – October 3, 2009
September 26, 2009 – YPD Day
September 28, 2009 – Missionary Day
September 29, 2009 – The Gathering of Women
September 29, 2009 – Opening Worship
Host Church- Rice Chapel AME Church
Host Pastor – The Rev. Dr. Gregory Kimble
2009 SOUTHWEST TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
October 10 – October 17, 2009
October 10, 2009 – YPD Day
October 12, 2009 – Missionary Day
October 13, 2009 – The Gathering of Women
October 13, 2009 – Opening Worship
Host Churches and Pastors
Wesley-Georgetown - The Rev. John McCormick
St. Annie - The Rev. Derwin D. Gipson
Union Chapel - The Rev. Adam T. Carrington
2009 TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
October 24 – October 31, 2009
October 24, 2009 – YPD Day
October 26, 2009 – Missionary Day
October 27, 2009 – The Gathering of Women
October 27, 2009 – Opening Worship
Host Church –South Wesley AME Church
Host Pastor – The Rev. Kevin Bullock
Planning Meeting 2009
November 12 – November 14, 2009
10. REVISED THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
September 29 – October 3, 2009
East Tennessee Annual Conference
St Paul, Chattanooga, TN
October 13 – 17, 2009
West Tennessee Annual Conference
Ward Chapel, Memphis, TN
October 27 – 31, 2009
Tennessee Annual Conference
St Paul, Columbia, TN
November 12 – 14, 2009
Thirteenth District Planning Meeting
Payne Chapel, Nashville, Tennessee
11. CLICHÉ’S---VAIN REPETITION:
*The Rev. N. T. Pitts
Webster defines a cliché as a phrase that has become dulled in meaning through constant repetition. No-one can lay claim to be the author or even have a copyright to any cliché.
Clichés are like wild fires, once they get started they go on and on from generations to generations. We have become intoxicated with the usage of clichés. And many of us use them because they sound good and are convenient and “popular.”
We use them when we don’t know what else to say. But we have no idea of the origin or significance or where they originated and why. Even when we pray we use terms we have heard others used over and over again.
Jesus’ teaching on the Mount admonished the people about the practice of using vain repetitive language when they prayed. Matthew 6:5-7.
God warned the Israelites about the usage of the proverb/cliché: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.” God said to them “no more will you use that cliché.” Ezekiel 18:1-3. They used that cliché to justify their unacceptable wrongdoings.
Permit this writer to list some cliché’s of concern.
This one has been worn out: “God is good all the time, all the time God is good.” We have completely worn this one out. I don’t know where or how this one got started but it has become dull in meaning. We respond whenever it is said regardless who says it.
There are other attributes of God we could use. What about, “God is love, God is Omnipotent, God is Omniscience, God is Omnipresent, and God is forgiving.
“The Devil is busy.” You mostly hear this from church folk. They give the Devil more credit than they give God. The Devil is doing what devils do; and that is being a Devil. I wonder if we ever realize that God is also busy.
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness.” Well if this be so, we need to take a look around our churches and look under the pulpit, look in the choir rooms, closets and supply rooms, and look in the piano stool. Above all we need to take a look around our homes and we need to take a look at ourselves.
“Give God a hand clap.” I have no idea how this one got started unless it came from Psalms 47:1 “O Clap your hands all ye people shout unto God with the voice of triumph.
“Giving honor to God who is first in my life”: No kidding? We use this, but the church, to some of us, seems to be the last on our list. We are late to Sunday morning worship services and choir members arrive late to choir practices. We get to worship late and then we are in a hurry to get out of service. We refuse to tithe and we are too busy to devote any time for the work of the Lord. And we have the gall to declare God is first. We need to think seriously before we use this cliché.
This one is completely outrageous. To hear people refer to their Church as the “Holy Ghost Headquarters” is pure blasphemy. How dare any one to proclaim that their church is the headquarters of the Holy Ghost. If it be so, then why is it so hard to find anyone at Headquarters? Why is there always an answering machine?
How often have you heard people boast, “We are in the Word now”? Maybe that is why some of our churches are in trouble. The “Word” should be in you and not, “you in the Word.” Colossians 3:16
We need to be careful what we say because someone is always listening. Or maybe someone should explain what they mean when they say “we are in the Word.”
Finally, if we are not careful, saying, “Amen” can become just another cliché. Many of us say “Amen” only when it is solicited. For when we say “Amen” we are saying “I agree, I affirm, I approve, I am with you, I understand, you are right.”
Saying “Amen” does not only have to be in unison when it is written in our rituals and ceremonies. Even in our rituals and ceremonies when we say, “Amen,” we are saying, “I affirm and I approve.”
In the worship services, if nobody else says “Amen,” you should feel free to say it without solicitation if you affirm whatever is being said. We should know to what, we are saying “Amen.” Whether or not we say “Amen” requires total involvement in the worship service with both mind and spirit. And, if we are not, our “Amen” becomes just another cliché.
Now that I have said all of this, I will now say “Amen” because I affirm and approve what I have just written. And after you read this article and if you affirm what you have read just say, “Amen.”
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts is a retired AME Itinerant Elder who lives in Eatonville, Florida.
You can contact Pastor Pitts at Ptaegar@AOL.Com. He has published number of books.
12. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE:
- Congratulations are extended to Ms. Alexis Gatson, upon receiving her Master of Science degree in Public and Community Health from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee on August 14, 2009.
Ms. Alexis Gatson is the daughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Alexander Gatson, pastor and first lady of Greater Ebenezer AME Church in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Congratulatory responses may be sent to the email address of her proud parents: gatsona@bellsouth.net.
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
With regrets, we share the passing of Mrs. Rosemary Keeton, the mother of the Reverend James Keeton, who died on Thursday, August 27, 2009 in Thomasville, Georgia. Rev. Keeton is the Pastor of Mount Zion Circuit, Forsyth, GA in the Macon Annual Conference.
The funeral has been held.
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Charline F. Robinson, mother of Mrs. Loretta R. Story, wife of the Rev. Larry L. Story, Pastor of Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church, Columbus, Mississippi.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. (Loretta R.) Larry L. Story
827 6th Street South
Columbus, Mississippi 39701
Phone: (662) 327-8573
Cell: (504) 481-1869
Condolences may be emailed to: LLANDLSTORY@yahoo.com
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Sister Harriet Duckett Truman. She was the former Financial Secretary and Treasurer of the Connectional LAY Organization of the AME Church. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing and Funeral - Friday, September 4, 2009
Viewing - 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Funeral Service - 11:00 a.m.
New Bethel AME Church
6153 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Office: 215-438-2406
FAX: 215-438-2764
The Rev. Maurice M. Hughes, Pastor
Eulogist: Dr. Dennis Dickerson, Historiographer and Executive Director of the Department of Research and Scholarship, AMEC
Professional Services entrusted to:
Congleton Funeral Home
Jeanette Congleton, F.D.
67 West Logan Street
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone: 215-849-7327
Fax: 215-849-4782
Email: congletonfuneral@verizon.net
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family in care of Jeanette Congleton (See address information above).
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with regret that we acknowledge the passing of the Rev. Dr. Donald W. Thompson, Sr., a staunch supporter of Payne Theological Seminary, an active member of the Board of Trustees, and a great part of the National Alumni Association. Dr. Thompson was Pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio. He was an alumnus of both Wilberforce University and Payne Theological Seminary, and a former classmate of several of the AME Church Bishops.
Funeral services will be held for Dr. Thompson on Friday, September 4, 2009 at noon at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio.
Condolences can be sent to:
Tabernacle Baptist Church
380 S Broadway Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402-8212
Phone: 937-228-6393
17. 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
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
18. 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
