THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (10/15/09)

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 – SOME QUIRKS AND A BIT OF SHARING I HOPE WILL BE HELPFUL:

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

I want to share a couple of things, some of which are reminders, with our readers. Every editor has quirks and I want to share several of mine.

I have an uneasy quirk with the use of the adjective, “reverend” without the definite article, “the.” Some of you have learned and made changes as it relates to the use of the definite article, “the” with “reverend.” I see church bulletins, funeral bulletins, and even bulletins disseminated at connectional meetings that erroneously list “reverend” without the definite article, “the.”

When “Reverend” or “Right Reverend” is used before a name, “Reverend / Rev.” should be preceded by “the” because “Reverend / Rev.” is not a noun; it is an adjective and is always preceded by, “the,” especially in formal settings and in formal written documents. “The” is used before nouns. For instance, in a sentence, you would not say, “Blue car is fast” because “blue” as used in the sentence is an adjective and the correct way to form the sentence would be, “The blue car was fast” or “When we went to the racetrack, the blue car was fast.” It would not be correct to say, “Blue car was fast.”

In the beginning of a sentence, the “T” in “the” is capitalized and in the middle of a sentence, the “t” in “the” is in the lower case, thus: “The Rev. John Smith preached an outstanding sermon” or “An outstanding sermon was delivered by the Rev. John Smith.”

Since “reverend” is an adjective, it is not pluralized. In Standard English, adjectives are not pluralized. For instance if you were speaking or writing about several blue cars, you would not say, “The blues car,” instead you would say, “The light blue car, the dark blue car, the blue car on the left.” Thus, when listing a group of clergy the use of, “The Reverends…” is incorrect. The correct way to list a group of clergy: “The Rev. Jane Doe, the Rev. John Doe, the Rev. Mary Smith and the Rev. Junior Johnson.

Another common mistake of clergy is the use of “henceforth.” Preachers commonly say at the end of a benediction, “Now, Henceforth and forevermore.” The use of “henceforth” with “now” is incorrect because “henceforth,” an adverb means, “Now” or “From this time forward”; so the use of “now” and “henceforth” is a redundancy. Correct: “Now and forevermore.” Also correct: Henceforth and forevermore. Incorrect: “Now, Henceforth, and forevermore” or “Henceforth, now, and forevermore.”

“Thee, thou, thy, thine and ye” are pronouns that we no longer use in conversation; they have been replaced by the word, “you.” If you are going to use those archaic terms in prayer, it’s better to use them correctly and the first step is to know which one is plural and which ones are singular. For instance, “Ye” is always the plural form of “you” as in “Ye are the salt of the earth.” “Thee, thou, thy, and thine” are singular as in “I love Thee O Lord,’ ’O Thou in Whose Presence…,’ ‘Thy will be done,’ and ‘For Thine is the kingdom and the power…’” Another point to remember, if one is going to use Old English in prayer, then the archaic terms should be use correctly. For instance it is not correct to say, "Thou go or thou come" because most verbs following "thou" have the endings, “st” or “est”; e.g., "thou comest" or “thou goest”.

Those are good points to know if you are reading the King James Version of the Bible, e.g. knowing when the text is referring to a collective group or one person. Sometimes in modern language versions of the Bible, the distinction might not be clear.

Another archaic word we use is “Whence.” I have heard preachers, and probably I have said it too, “Father, you know from whence we came…” Paula Larocque in an article in Quill (Volume 97, No. 7), a magazine published by the Society of Professional Journalist, points out that “whence” means “from where,” so “from whence” is a gross redundancy. The correct way to restate the sentence above, “Father, you know whence we came…” or “Father, you know whence we have come…”

I hear clergy and laity refer to the people sitting in a worship service as “an audience.” Audience is defined as “spectators” or those assembled at a performance.” We would hope that the folks who attend worship are not spectators. The people who are assembled for worship are correctly referred to as the “congregation,” which is defined as a “group of people gathered for religious worship.” A generic definition is “a gathering of faithful in a Christian church, Jewish synagogue, mosque or other place of worship.”

Another common error is the use of the word, “Pastorial.” No such word exists in the dictionary. The correct term is “pastoral.”

And a more common mistake is the misuse of the term, “alter” in place of, “altar.” Alter is defined as, “To change or to make different. The “altar” is the space in the sanctuary or a table in the sanctuary or chancel area.

The term, “Selah,” is the most difficult word in the Hebrew Bible to translate concisely. It appears in the King James and some other versions of the Bible. “Selah” is found in the Book of Psalms, and also three times in the book of Habakkuk. When reading the scripture, the word is not read aloud. The ancient commentators’ teachers think the term was probably a liturgical musical mark, instruction on the reading of the text, or some response expected of the hearers.

And once more, as it relates to the 150 Psalms; each chapter is “a psalm,” without the “s.” There are 150 Psalms. There are five divisions, but unless the reader knows how to divide the divisions; the reader should just announce the chapter of the Psalm he or she is reading.

And one last request. When sending emails with multiple addressees, please use the Blind Copy (Bcc) so that you do not put those receiving your emails in harm’s way of spammers and other bad characters who like to use the Internet for their own mischief.


2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:

To the Editor:

RE: Editorial – When is it proper to refer a pastor to the ministerial efficiency committee:

I am one who did pastor but found that the rural church was put at a disadvantage in terms of representation on the annual conference and on the connection level. Some pastors are having to tough time

Facts:

- Many pastors are only making ends meet with the help of God and other sources of income or a spouse who is carrying the load.

- Some pastors are paying the budget out of their own pockets because the membership and demographics of their church are not the same as when the budget was established. Per capita, the assessment is more for some smaller church than for some of the larger churches; but no one wants to address it.

- Some pastors have had to file bankruptcy and have their homes have gone into foreclosure.

Do you realize that there are rural churches, here in the United States that have as much need as some of our churches in Districts 14 – 20?

As it relates to Itinerant Elders serving as assistants, I received my Master of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary, but during the time I matriculated, my district was not paying the tuition as it does now and as a result, in addition to paying back my student loans, when I pastored, I paid my own travel expenses and my own pension assessment. I felt that I could be more effective in ministry, with dignity, volunteering as an associate and now I am serving as an assistant to the pastor.

I am proud of the history of the AME Church and all it has done in providing education for our people. I know others like myself who are loyal to our church and are doing ministry as an associate.

Name Withheld by request

To the Editor:

RE: Editorial: Two Sides to Every Story

As the conversation regarding pastoral effectiveness and its impact on congregational growth continues in The Christian Recorder, I cannot help but question the conventional understanding of congregational growth.

My relatively short time as pastor but very long time as a believer in ongoing-spiritual formation lead me question our over-emphasis on numbers as indicators in the Christian enterprise.

Of course, as all servant-leaders, I would love to be able to report a much increased number of members. Under those circumstances, your very generous gift toward our Annual Conference expectations would not have been necessary! Increased numbers are expected to result in increased giving.

Increased numbers and “round reports,” however, do not adequately measure real pastoral effectiveness. Though an educator in my pre-pastoral-life, I am not at all convinced that there is an objective measure. After all, how do we evaluate the increased spiritual growth of individuals in the congregation, our real mission?

I wonder about an approach of intentional and deliberate and unrelenting discipling the few members toward becoming so whole that those outside the church who are broken will follow them?

This idea represents a paradigm shift from the “let's increase our growth” to let's grow as Christians.

Name Withheld by request.

3. MOTHER BETHEL MEMBERS ‘GO BACK’ TO ST. GEORGE’S FOR HISTORIC JOINT SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP REUNION:

Two historic congregations, divided by race more than 200 years ago, will worship together again during the “most segregated hour” in America. On Sunday October 25th at 10:45 a.m. Members of Mother Bethel AME Church will return to St. George’s United Methodist Church, located at 235 N. Fourth Street in Philadelphia. Mother Bethel’s members are predominantly African-American and St. George’s members are mostly white and the two congregations were divided by race more than two centuries ago. This is the first time they’ve come together in over 200 years for a Sunday morning worship experience. “The incidents that pulled us apart so many years ago do not have to be as powerful as the things that brought the first black and white Methodists together,” says Rev. Alfred Day, pastor of Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church. “The experience of God’s Spirit is breaking down barriers instead of erecting them.” Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, pastor of Mother Bethel AME church agrees. “It's tragic that many of the divisions that led to the splitting of these two congregations over 200 years ago are still alive and well,” says Pastor Tyler. “This worship service is not just about remembering what happened, but we gather in the hope that one day such a service will not even be newsworthy because we have overcome issues of racism, sexism, classism, and all other -isms that separate us from one another and God.”

The reunion is a part of St. George’s 240th Church Anniversary Celebration and the 250th Birthday Celebration of Bishop Richard Allen, Mother Bethel’s founder. In the late 1700s, Bishop Allen and other African American members walked out of St. George's and founded Mother Bethel in 1794. Mother Bethel, located at the corner of Lombard and South 6th Streets, sits on the oldest property continuously owned by African Americans. St. George’s was founded in 1769 and is the nation’s oldest Methodist congregation. While there have been occasions when the two churches have held ceremonial exchanges, this is the first time the congregations have actually planned a “reunion” on a Sunday morning when members of both churches will worship together at the same time. “It’s a reunion, but more than that, Pastor Day said. It’s Communion, Holy Communion, people coming together, differences and all, together at the Lord’s Table, seeking peace and harmony with God and one another. You can’t have one without the other.”

For more information on this historic reunion, or to schedule an interview with the Rev. Day or the Rev. Tyler, the pastors of these historic congregations, contact Leslie Patterson-Tyler, Tyler-Made Productions at (609)247-2632 or Leslie@TylerMadePR.com.

Submitted by the Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, Ph.D, Senior Pastor of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
419 South 6th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
215-925-0616

4. SENATOR PETER C. GROFF WELCOMED TO WASHINGTON DC:

By Clara B. Neal, Director of Public Relations

On September 17, 2009, a group of African Methodist Episcopal Church ministers and laypersons assembled to welcome former Colorado State Senator Peter C. Groff to Washington, DC. The informal reception sponsored by the Friends of the Social Action Committee of the Washington Conference was held at the National Education building on M Street N. W. at 6:30 in the evening. Senator Groff was appointed in May 2009 by President Barack H. Obama to head the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U. S. Department of Education.

After being introduced by Brother Darwin Curry, chairman of the Washington Conference Social Action Committee, Senator Geoff offered his profound thanks to the Friends of the Social Action Committee for initiating the occasion. He briefly discussed the mission of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships which is to share the agenda of the President and the Secretary of Education for education with nonprofits and community organizations, both secular and faith based, and to engage those groups in the implementation of the President’s and Secretary’s education policies to heighten academic achievement for all children. He stated that the center also assists the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the implementation of its mission. Additionally, he reiterated that now that he has been appointed his plans for the working people of this country is to use the tens of millions of dollars allocated to the Department of Education to educate our youth and young people by turning around lowest performing schools in addition to educating drop outs thus stemming the tide of the dropout rate. He implored those AME’s who were present to begin to “serve in a different way. Do not leave us hanging; do not leave my other boss hanging!” “He further encouraged clergy and Lay persons to provide a strong voice of support to the mission. He, also, challenged them to lean on the long history of the African Methodist Church.

In welcoming and encouraging remarks, both Sister Annette Jones and Capitol District Presiding Elder Goodwin S. Douglas confirmed cooperation and support from the Second Episcopal District and the Washington Conference in the tradition of African Methodism. Prince George County, Maryland. Senator Nathaniel Exum presented a resolution from the Maryland Black Caucus to Senator Groff. Visiting from the Fifth Episcopal District was Sister Jackie Dupont Walker, A. M. E. Church Social Chairperson who stated, “We are being called to our destiny. It is time for us to move out; we cannot remain in our seats any longer. She declared further, “I’m very proud of the Friends of the Social Action Committee of the Washington Conference!” Also attending the reception were several lay members from the Baltimore Annual Conference.

Washington Conference ministers attending the celebration included: the Reverends Grainger and Joann Browning, The Reverend Ronald Braxton, the Reverend Samuel Haywood, the Reverend Aletha Haywood, the Reverend Christopher Wendell, the Reverend Barbara Glenn and the Reverend Sherita Seawright. Also present were Sister Jamesina Evans, president of the Connectional Women Missionary Society; d Robert Nichols, Director of AME – SADA; Sister Patricia Mathews, president of the Washington Conference Lay Organization, Sister Catherine Fisher, president of The Second Episcopal District Washington Conference Women’s Missionary Society and Sister D. Faye Conley, president of WMS. Senator Geoff was accompanied by his wife, the Reverend Dr. Regina C. Groff, who is the former pastor of the historic Campbell Chapel AME Church in Denver, Colorado.


5. THE SOUTH OHIO ANNUAL CONFERENCE - GREATER ALLEN AME CHURCH, DAYTON, OHIO:

Article by Rev. Vanessa Cummins
Contribution by the Rev. Gloria Smith

The South Ohio Annual Conference was excited to come together September 16 – 20, 2009 for another great revival celebration under the Episcopal leadership team of the Rt. Rev. Cornal Garnett Henning and Mrs. Ernestine Henning. Bishop C. Garnett Henning’s Message to the Conference and Episcopal District provided the theme for the District, “Moving towards Christian Excellence In …” and the Quadrennial Theme: “A Great Past, A Greater Future, An Incredible Call to Serve.

The Greater Allen AME Church in Dayton, Ohio was the gracious host for the Conference; the pastor, officers and members greeted everyone with a smile from first thing in the morning until the last person left late at night.

The host pastoral team, the Rev. Dr. Earl Grimes Harris and Dr. Jeanette Harris welcomed everyone and did whatever was necessary to insure that people were being served well. No one had to leave the church grounds to look for some good food because the Greater Allen cooks and grillers were hard at work throughout the week preparing, serving, and cleaning up so that everyone ate until they were satisfied. The meals were delicious.

The Annual Conference was blessed to be a place for spiritual work and spiritual food.

The Conference was greeted by the Honorable Mayor Rhine McLin who reminded everyone, “You don’t have to move to live in a good neighborhood. You just have to make up your mind that you are going to make your neighborhood good.”

The Dayton Unit NAACP President, Mr. Derrick L. Forward greeted the Conference and shared with the members and visitors of the Conference that the NAACP has made it 100 years, and had only made it that far with the help of God.

There were revival services the first three nights of the conference, starting off with Men’s Night, featuring the outstanding Sons of Allen Choir. The Evangelist for the Revival was the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Marcus, pastor of Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia (USA). The Rev. Dr. Marcus’ sermons brought laughter, tears, shouts of joy, and total praise asking, “Who Will Serve the Lord?” and reminding us that, “It’s only a test” but to pass the “test” you have to have “Courage at the crossroads.”

The Praise Team for the Annual Conference was comprised of the ministerial candidates, who led devotions throughout the Conference; reminding everyone that they were on the battlefield for the Lord.

One ministerial candidate was admitted to the Conference on trial. One candidate, the Rev. Gloria Sydnor Smith was ordained Itinerant Deacon and one a Local Deacon, the Rev. Robert Berry II. One candidate, the Rev. Edward S. Holmes was elected and ordained a Local Elder. Two candidates, the Rev. Norma Lynn Phelps and the Rev. William Roberts were elected and ordained Itinerant Elder.

The newly elected Connectional President of the Lay Organization, Dr. Willie C. Glover, greeted the Annual Conference during the Lay Organization Night. He thanked the Third District for being an instrumental part in his election.

The Conference memorialized Bishop Vernon Randolph Byrd, Mother Theodora Mayo, former Episcopal Supervisor; the Rev. John W. P. Collier, retired General Officer; Mrs. Mary Felder Porter, former Conference YPD Director, Lay President, and WMS member; and Mrs. Monzella Flanigan, Conference Widow.

The South Ohio Annual Conference retired two great servants of the Church: the Rev. Rose V. Parker retired after serving the AME Church for forty-four years with a great willing spirit and a willing heart and the Rev. Elbert E. Matthews, Presiding Elder of the Cincinnati District, retired, after forty-nine years in ministry in the AME Church. He also built a new church structure in Washington, Pennsylvania. The African Methodist Episcopal Church is blessed to have had the services of these two great preachers and looks forward to their continued mentorship. The Conference thanked them for their many dedicated years of service.

The talented and gifted YPD of our Conference displayed their talents through music, spoken word, and a challenging message reminding everyone that when life gets stresses you out; the Bible is all you need.

There were powerful sermons from various clergy of the Conference with reminders that when we have nothing else to lose, to remain faithful, watch your mouth, and worship through your pain; that people don’t need to see the “You” in you, they need to see the Jesus in you; to remember, “God is Timeless, but He is Still On Time,” and that feeding the flock is a necessity.

The Commissioning Service was hosted by the Rev. Dr. Ronald Glenn at Wayman Chapel AME Church in Dayton. The Service was uplifted by the South Ohio Annual Conference Choir. The Conference was blessed to hear a Powerful Word from the Lord at the Commissioning Service preached by the Rt. Rev. Vinton Randolph Anderson, retired Bishop of the AME Church, who reminded everyone, that, “It’s Not About Us, It’s About Jesus.”

The South Ohio Annual Conference is grateful and blessed to have the Episcopal Leadership of Bishop Cornal Garnett Henning and Episcopal Supervisor Ernestine Lee Henning. The Third Episcopal District under their leadership continues to strive for Christian Excellence.


6. KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE YPD DIRECTOR JOINS LIEUTENANT T. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE:

Valeria Cummings Swope, the Kentucky Annual Conference YPD Director has been named the director of communications for Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo’s office. Cummings is a former anchor/reporter for WKYT-TV where she covered stories dealing with the courts, law and education. For the last 14 months she has served as director of communications for the Finance and Administration Cabinet.

Cummings has won numerous awards and her work has been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and the Kentucky Associated Press.

Valeria is a graduate of the University of Alabama. She just recently received her Master of Business degree from Sullivan University.

“I am very pleased to have someone with Valeria’s expansive news and public information background overseeing the daily communications efforts of my office,” said Lt. Gov. Mongiardo. “She has done an admirable job in a very demanding position at the Finance Cabinet. I look forward to having her on staff.”

7. MEDIA STATEMENT ON PASSING AWAY OF THE HON. REV. DR. HENDRIK WITBOOI, PASTOR AND PRESIDING ELDER:

Media Statement on Passing Away of Hon. Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi, Pastor and Presiding Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Captain of the /Khowese people and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia

The Hon. Captain Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi, the great grandson of the legendary Nama Chief Hendrik Witbooi, was born on 7 January 1934 at Gibeon, Namibia.

He was educated at Rhynish Missionary and Wesleyan Methodist Schools in Namibia as well as at the Wilberforce Institute in Evaton, South Africa.

First he took up employment as teacher in 1956 at Keetmanshoop, transferred in 1959 to Maltahöhe, and returned in 1965 to Gibeon at the request of the community and the church to build on the foundations laid by his aging father, the late Rev. Markus Witbooi.

The 1970s and 1980s were decisive periods in the history of both the Namibian nation and the Witbooi clan. He served as secretary and chief political advisor to his predecessor, the late Captain Hendrik Samuel Witbooi and was mainly responsible for the Archive. He also served the St. Mark’s AME Church in various capacities, inter alia Sunday School Teacher and Church Choir Director and pastor.

After serving the /Khowese Traditional Authority as secretary since 1973 years, he was elected as Captain of the /Khowese people whilst in being a political prisoner in solitary confinement at 1977.

Pastor Witbooi was admitted to pastoral ministry in 1973 by Bishop Frederick C James, and received his first pastoral ordination in 1974 and his second pastoral ordination in 1976 at the hands of Bishop Donald G K Ming.

Hendrik Witbooi entered politics in 1974 as secretary and advisor to Captain Hendrik Samuel Witbooi and founded the AME Private School in 1979.

As Vice President of SWAPO, he had the immense pleasure in 1989 in welcoming the SWAPO Advance Team under the leadership of Hon. Cde. Dr. Hage Geingob. The episode of 1 April 1989 was a testing phase when PLAN fighters were brutally murdered on the eve of the implementation of UN Resolution 435 of 1978. Whilst UNTAG was still trying to get to grips, Cde. Anton Lubowski was murdered on 12 September 1989, but this dim light brightened when Cde. Sam Nujoma, President of SWAPO returned home on 14 September 1989 after absence of 29 years from Namibia. \

In 1989, Pastor Witbooi became a member of the Constituent Assembly who drafted the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, and is thus one of the Founders of our Constitutional Republic. With the attainment of independence on 21 March 1990, he was appointed and sworn-in as Namibia’s First Minister of Labour. On 21 March 1995, he was appointed and sworn-in as Namibia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and hold onto this position for a full decade until his retirement from active politics in 2005.

The Rev. Dr. Witbooi leaves behind his wife, Johanna Sofia Witbooi, 6 children, 21 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren.

Servant of God, well done AMEH 463
Rest from they loved employ BH 470
The battle fought, the victory won New Nama 96
Enter thy master’s joy

Enquiries: The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, 081 122 5048

8. LEGISLATION TO END CRACK COCAINE SENTENCING DISPARITY INTRODUCED IN SENATE TODAY

October 15, 2009

WASHINGTON – A bill was introduced today in the Senate that would eliminate the discriminatory disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentencing under federal law. The bill, the Fair Sentencing Act of 2009, was introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and would also eliminate the mandatory five-year sentence for simple possession of crack. A similar bill, H.R. 3245, the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009, is currently awaiting a vote in the House.

More than two decades ago, based on assumptions about crack which are now known to be false, heightened penalties for crack cocaine offenses were adopted. Sentences for crack offenses are currently equivalent to the sentences for 100 times the amount of powder cocaine, and the impact falls disproportionately on African Americans.

The following can be attributed to Michael Macleod-Ball, Acting Director of the American Civil Liberties Union Washington Legislation Office:

“The disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentencing has been a stain on our justice system for over 20 years. There is no justification for this sentencing gap – both medical and legal research has consistently shown there is no significant difference between crack and powder cocaine. Not only that, there is consensus across the political and ideological spectrum on the sentencing disparity issue with both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama urging reform. With bills in both chambers and a president demanding legislative action, America is now as close as it’s ever been to finally ending the crack-powder disparity and unjust mandatory minimum sentences.”


9. THE 2009 NINETEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES:

The Right Reverend Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Bishop
Susan J. Leath, M.D., Episcopal Supervisor, WMS

The M.M. Mokone Annual Conference
01–04 October 2009
Ming Chapel A.M.E. Church
Themba, Hammanskraal, RSA
The Rev. A.M.A. Sefora, Host Pastor (083.742.1962)
The Rev. G.O. Motabogi, Host Presiding Elder (072.185.7127)

The Natal Annual Conference
08–11 October 2009
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church
Bizana, RSA
The Rev. M.A. Nyakata, Host Pastor (073.680.6882)
The Rev. G.M. Nontlanga, Host Presiding Elder (072.604.2071)

The Orangia Annual Conference
15–18 October 2009
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
Witzieshoek, QwaQwa, RSA
The Rev. D.M. Sentso, Host Pastor (083.739.5626)
The Rev. Solomon Maans, Host Presiding Elder (082.433.3334)

The East Annual Conference
29 October–01 November 2009
F.M. Gow A.M.E. Church
Daveyton, Benoni, RSA
The Rev. L.N. Mathekga, Host Pastor (072.800.5786)
The Rev. O.J. Matlhabe, Host Presiding Elder (082.499.8041)

The West Annual Conference
05–08 November 2009
S.P. Maarohanye A.M.E. Church
Jouberton, Klerksdorp, RSA
The Rev. S.C. Mogaswa, Host Pastor (082.268.8271)
The Rev. A.N. Tsimane, Host Presiding Elder (071.350.0721)

10. BREAKING NEWS IS BROKEN NEWS:

*The Rev. N.T. Pitts

Not a day passes, when we turn on our television, that we don’t hear “breaking news.” However the “breaking news” is “broken news.” The Preacher declares in the book of Ecclesiastes 1:9, “there is no new thing under the sun”.

We hear “breaking news” stories every day about homicides, suicides, robberies, stealing, rapes, family fights, betrayals, hate- crimes, corruption in high places, famine, pestilence, diseases, earthquakes and people suing and being sued. All this so-called “breaking news” is news that was broken centuries ago. All you have to do is read your Bible.

Bible reading Believers should never be shocked at whatever happens, but they are. It is like funerals, no matter how often we experience them we never become used to them. Most of the breaking news we hear is not good news, it is either negative or tragic. All ears are tuned to listen when we hear the Newscaster say, “breaking news.”

The good “breaking news” came to the Shepherds while they were tending their flock not from the media but from an Angel.

The other good “breaking news” was given by two men who stood at the tomb where Jesus was buried and said, “He is not here.”

Breaking news

“And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars see that you be not troubled; for all these things “must” come to pass, but the end is not yet.”

“For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines, and pestilence and earthquakes, in divers’ places.”

And these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”

“And then shall many be offended and shall betray one another and shall hate one another.”

“And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 24: 6-12 KJV

Breaking news

“You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. They will be hardheaded and never give into others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good. They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshipping God. They will go to church, yes but they won’t really believe anything they hear.” 2nd Timothy 3:1-5 LB

Now, what more breaking news could there be? We can make all of the laws we desire, and we can install cameras on every corner, that won’t stop these things from happening.

We will continue to hear “breaking news. Jesus said these things “must” come to pass.

Everything that is written in the scriptures is going on right now and will continue to go on until God gets tired of it all.

What we are experiencing now is just a re-run of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Even the problems we are having in some of our churches are nothing new.

“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” I Corinthians 1:10

“For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I “hear” that there be divisions among you, and I partly believe it.” I Corinthians 11:1

I remember the time when the “breaking news” was, “When a person came forth and gave his/her life to Christ, the whole church membership rejoiced, the community rejoiced and even the man who ran the corner grocery store rejoiced. But today when a person comes to give themselves to the Lord the attitude is ‘ho hum,’ what’s the big deal?”

There are some of us who would rather hear about who got shot rather than who got saved. Some would rather hear gossip than to hear the gospel. Some would rather hear who got busted rather than who got blessed.

With all of this in mind, what must we do or what can we do? The answer is, “be vigilant. Matthew 24:42-44; 26:41

“All these things are just the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:8

In Retrospect

In the early days before Television, yes I do remember when there was no TV; whenever there was some unusual or exciting news, the paper boys used to stand on corners and yell, “Extra, Extra read all about it.”

That was breaking news in those early days. That was then, but this is now.

Today it is simply “breaking news”.

*The Rev. N.T. Pitts [Ptaegar@AOL.Com] is a retired Itinerant Elder who lives in Eatonville, Florida

11. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:

Tribute to Rev. Kenneth E. Marcus at Candler School of Theology

Distinguished Alumni Award Luncheon
Candler School of Theology

The Candler School of Theology Distinguished Alumni Award luncheon honored the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Marcus for service to the church and community.

Pastor Kenneth Marcus received the call to preach while a student at Morris Brown College. He was ordained an itinerant deacon of the AME Church in 1978 and an itinerant elder in 1979. Later, he attended the Candler School of Theology at Emory University where he received a Master of Divinity degree.

Prior to his assignment to the pastorate of Turner Chapel, Reverend Marcus pastored the St. Luke/Nimno Circuit and the Greater Smith Chapel AME Church. During his 17-year ministry at Turner Chapel, over 3000 individuals have come down the aisle to give their lives to Jesus Christ and more than 5000 have joined the Turner Chapel congregation.

The church has more than 50 active boards, organizations and ministries operating under the umbrella of five purposes - worship, fellowship, discipleship, service, and evangelism.

Reverend Marcus is assisted in his ministry by his wife, the Reverend Cassandra Young Marcus, an ordained elder in the AME church, who serves as the Assistant Pastor at Turner Chapel. Turner Chapel has been a site for Candler's Contextual Education program since 2001.


12. PASSING OF CONNECTIONAL OFFICER'S SISTER:

Juanita Inez Seats-Chunn of Nashville, Tennessee departed her earthly home following a lengthy illness. Ms. Seats-Chunn is the sister of Ora L. Seats Easley, Administrator of the AMEC Clergy Family Information Center and sister-in-law of the Reverend Dr. William W. Easley, Jr., Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

We seek your prayers, as we lay our sister to rest, even though we recognize that to "be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord".

Service arrangements for Juanita Inez Seats-Chunn:

Friday, October 16, 2009
Viewing: 12:00 Noon - 6:00 PM
Family Hour: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM

Henry Louis Smith Funeral Home
1503 Buchanan Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37208
Phone: (615) 244-5044
Fax: (615) 244-5077

Saturday, October 17, 2009
Family Visitation: 11:00 AM
Home-Going Service of Celebration: 12:00 Noon

Beech Creek Missionary Baptist Church
3101 Curtis Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37218
Phone: (615) 255-6277
The Reverend Davie C. Tucker, Jr., Pastor
Email: Tucker610@comcast.net

Interment:
Spring Hill Cemetery
5110 Gallatin Pike
Nashville, Tennessee 37216
(615) 865-1101

If you wish to extend sympathy to our family, you may send expressions to the family of Juanita Inez Seats Chunn C/O the Beech Creek Missionary Baptist Church or to the Henry Louis Smith Funeral Home (addresses are listed above).

Expressions may be faxed to: (615) 244-5077

Or expressions may be sent to:

Dr. and Mrs. (Ora L.) William W. Easley, Jr.
5981 Hitching Post Lane
Nashville, Tennessee 37211
(615) 837-9736 - Home
(615) 833-6936 - Office
(615) 403-7751 - Cell
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net or OEasleyL@aol.com


13. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE FOR CONNECTIONAL OFFICER, STEP-MOTHER:

We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Lovonia Johnson DuPont, widow of the late Presiding Elder King Solomon DuPont and step-mother to Jacqueline DuPont-Walker, Consultant/Director of the Social Action Commission, African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Lovonia Johnson DuPont passed in Marianna, Florida after a brief illness.

The DuPont and Johnson family solicit your prayers as they say so long and celebrate the life of their loved one.


Services for Mrs. Lovonia Johnson DuPont:

Saturday, October 10, 2009
11:00 AM

Pope Chapel AME Church
4898 Blud Spring Road
Marianna, Florida 32446
Phone: (850) 482-2900
Rev. Jerome Goodman, Pastor
Rev. George Berkley, Presiding Elder
Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Bishop

Presiding Elder Henry R. Griffin, Eulogist

Professional services provided by:
Van's Funeral Home
4265 Saint Andrews Street
Marianna, Florida 32448
(850) 482-3300 - Voice
(850) 482-5363 - FAX
a_abner21@yahoo.com - email

Condolences may be sent to:

The Family of Sister Lovonia Dupont
C/o Shirley B. Young
4263 Oak Street
Marianna, Florida 32448
(850) 482-6455 - voice for messages

Expressions of sympathy may be emailed to: JDUPONTW@aol.com

14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Ms. Joann Woodard, mother of Sister Joretha Wright and mother-in-law of the Rev. Maurice Wright II, Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Alexandria, Louisiana (Alexandria-Thibodaux District, Central-North Louisiana Conference, Eighth Episcopal District, Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Presiding Prelate). Ms. Joann Woodard passed on Friday morning, October 9, 2009.

Service arrangements:

Funeral: Friday, October 16, 2009, 11:00 a.m.
Leevy's Funeral Home - Taylor Street Chapel
1831 Taylor Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Phone: (803) 771-7799
Fax: (803) 799-6684

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Rev. and Mrs. (Joretha) Maurice Wright II
6508 Barber Drive
Pineville, Louisiana 71360
Phone: (318) 880-4334
Email: amepreacher@hotmail.com


15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Abell Williams. She was the paternal grandmother of the Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, pastor at Mother Bethel AME Church (Philadelphia Conference, Philadelphia District). Mrs. Williams was 95-years-old.

The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Viewing, Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Funeral Service, Thursday, October 15, 2009, 11:00 a.m.

Fuller Funeral Home
3100 Cuting Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94804
Phone: 510-237-5473
Fax: 510-236-6733

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Reverend Dr. Mark K. Tyler
Mother Bethel AME Church
419 South 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147

Markkellytyler@gmail.com

Or faxed to the Funeral Home


16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We are saddened to announce the passing of Mrs. Brenda Wormack Carter, daughter of the late Presiding Elder R. W. Wormack and Mrs. Lillie Wormack, 20548 Wormack Road, Lacoochee, Florida 33537.

Funeral Services
Saturday, 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 17, 2009
New Bethel AME Church
20633 Floyd Rd
Lacoochee, Florida 33537
The Rev. James Watkins, Pastor

Arrangements have been entrusted to:
Cason Funeral & Cremation Service
830 School Street
Brooksville, Florida 34601
(352) 796-7033

The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to:
Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation
12903 Magnolia Drive
Tampa, Florida 33612-9416
Memo:
Patient: Brenda Carter
Account: Breast Cancer

17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Regretfully, the 15th Episcopal District announces the passing of the Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi on Tuesday October 13th 2009. Dr. Witbooi served as the Prime Minister of Namibia and as a Pastor in the Namibia Annual Conference. We ask that you keep the Witbooi family in your prayers. Further details will follow.

Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah
Presiding Prelate
15th Episcopal District
Angola -Namibia -South Africa

18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of retired Presiding Elder, the Reverend Dr. Damone Anderson, husband to Sister Rose Anderson in Jacksonville, FL.

The services are as follows:

Family Hour:

Thursday, October 15, 2009
5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
St. Paul AME Church, the Reverend Marvin C. Zander II, Pastor
6910 New Kings Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 764-2755

Homegoing Celebration:

Friday, October 16, 2009, 11:00 a.m.
St. Paul AME Church
6910 New Kings Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 764-2755

Send condolences and expressions of sympathy to:
Sister Rose Anderson
1760 Daytona Ln
Jacksonville, FL 32218-6220 -

Services entrusted to:
Huff & Battise Funeral Home Inc
1337 N Davis St
Jacksonville, FL 32209-6608
(904) 354-6896

Please remember the family in your prayers.

19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. James T. Brown, the father of the Reverend Gladys Web Searcy, pastor of New Bethel, Indiantown, Florida.

The services are as follows:

Visitation at the Mortuary:
Thursday, October 15, 2009
10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (all day viewing)
Corprew Funeral Home
1822 Portsmouth Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 399-4661

Home going Celebration:
Friday, October 16, 2009
10:00 a.m.
New Hope Baptist Church
1317 Gust Ln
Chesapeake, VA 23323-2903
(757) 487-4134

Send condolences and expressions of sympathy to:
The Reverend Gladys Webb Searcy
New Bethel Indiantown
14759 SW ML King Dr
PO Box 1076
Indiantown, FL 34956-1076
(561) 352-7269

Services entrusted to:
Corprew Funeral Home
1822 Portsmouth Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 399-4661

20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing/homegoing of Brother David Keith Sparrow on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. He was the son of the Reverend David J. Sparrow (Retired Pastor, Washington Annual Conference) and Mrs. Gladys Sparrow, and brother of the Rev. Dr. Cassandra A. Sparrow, Second District RED, Inc. Executive Director.

Service arrangements for Brother David Keith Sparrow:

Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM - Memorial Service to be held at the
Maranatha Community Church of God
123 Byte Drive
Frederick, Maryland 21702
Phone: (301) 663-5444

Condolences and Expressions of sympathy:

Floral Tributes and faxes prior to 10:00 AM Thursday may be sent to:
Resthaven Memorial Gardens
9501 U.S. Route 15 North
Frederick, Maryland 21701
Phone: (301) 898-7177
Fax: (301) 898-3308

Other Expressions may be sent to:
The Rev. David and Mrs. Gladys Sparrow
6479 Meadow Ridge Road
Elkridge, Maryland 21075
Phone (410) 796-5443

And to:

The Rev. Dr. Cassandra A. Sparrow
R.E.D., Inc. Executive Director
P.O. Box 555
Kittrell, NC 27544
Phone: (410) 258-5443/ (919) 521-1763
Email: CASparrow02@aol.com

21. 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

22. 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.