THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (12/23/09)

Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder

Season’s Greetings

We, at The Christian Recorder, wish all of our subscribers and all of you who read The Christian Recorder Online, a Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

A poem written by Rosalie Jones Moore expresses our Christmas wish.

His Season

It is that joyous,
Time of year,
That loved ones travel,
From far and near,

Coming together,
To bring joy and cheer,
Sharing gifts from the heart,
To loved-ones dear,

The time of year,
To celebrate the glorious life,
Of the Son of God,
Our Lord and Savior – Jesus Christ,

Take the time,
To remember the reason,
That Christ died for our sins,
So that we could celebrate –
His Season

©Copyright November 17, 2009 by Rosalie Jones Moore

1. EDITORIAL – A BUSY, BUT BLESSED SEASON:

As it has been for many of you, this is been a busy season for me. Keeping up with all of the activities in the African Methodist Episcopal Church can keep the most organized person overwhelmed. There are a lot of good things going on in the AME Church. Bishops, General Officers, Episcopal Supervisors, Connectional Officers, Chaplains, Presiding Elders, Pastors, and active members have awesome responsibilities.

September to December, for the AME Publisher and the Editor of The Christian Recorder has been a busy time of editing, travel, meetings, more travel, more meetings, more editing and many more things to do. In spite of all of the requirements and all of the responsibilities of The Christian Recorder, I am not complaining because the ministry of TCR is the best ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

This issue of The Christian Recorder Online is a long one, so this editorial piece will not be long because I want you to read the many articles in this issue.

I want you to read all of the articles, but I especially encourage you to read the three presentations made at CONVO XIII on December 8, 2009 at the Opryland Hotel by three outstanding young well-educated AME scholars. Their presentations are at #3 of this issue of TCR Online.

2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:

- To the Editor:

RE: This Message for Those Who Accepted Challenge II

I was introduced to the Message Bible as a gift from the now, Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, and at the time I was elated to read the Message Bible with such contemporary language that I had never read in a Bible before. However, it became a bookshelf Bible that I used as a reference to compare with other Bible versions and never made an effort to read it from cover to cover. I accepted Challenge II and found the message Bible’s contemporary vocabulary fast and easy to read. I gave little thought to pause and meditate as I would in my daily prayer and meditation time when reading the King James Version or The MacArthur Study Bible, New King James Version. Personally, I couldn’t spiritually discern the presence, nearness, or the urging of the Holy Spirit while reading it as when reading the above mention versions. I combined my reading time of The Message Bible and The Story, which was an excellent recommendation. However, I personally use The Message Bible as supplemental reading, a reference, and for clarity, but not as my primary biblical reading source. I do have friends that have a high appreciation for The Message Bible and I respect that. On the first of December I resumed the Challenge, again reading The MacArthur Study Bible.

Dr. Sydnor, please continue the challenges and keep the reading material recommendations coming.

Milton L. Weathers, Steward, Oak Grove African Methodist Church
Detroit, Michigan

-To the Editor:

RE: Request for the expertise of some of our TCR readers.

Do you know the history of our AME Call to Worship? I know it is not the United Methodist Call to Worship, but I don't know anything about where it came from.

Melinda

- To the Editor:

RE: A puzzling question from The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2008 about Membership, Article IV.

Where there is no local Lay Organization; and the pastor has not established one, and there is a member of the local church who wants to become a lay member and serve on the Conference Lay; is that allowed? Why or Why not?

The discipline also states duly organized Lay or Representative shall be members of the Official Board. Can they function on the annual conference level from their local church even if the local church does not have an organized Lay Organization?

Name Withheld

- To the Editor:

RE: Deaconesses in the AME Church

I am looking for any information anyone might have regarding the Deaconess Movement in the AME Church.

Name Withheld

3. SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS DELIVERED AT CONVO XIII - “MINISTRY, TRADITIONS, TENSIONS, AND TRANSITIONS”:

I. TRADITIONS:

*Glenda F. Hodges, PhD, JD, MDiv

In order to explicate this area, it is necessary that we begin with two pivotal questions…

Who are we and what is this ministry?
An examination of who we are can be asserted through the Major Premise that is espoused in 2 Corinthians, 4:1 -- “Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not..” and is espoused in 1 Peter 2:9, we are a “chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people that we should show forth the praises of him who has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light.”

Our Doctrine and Discipline of the AME church indicates that we are called to minister to the needs of all people while proclaiming the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ. For this reason, we preach the gospel, feed the hungry, clothe the naked and house the homeless.

I submit that the ministry should be representative of who we are. It remains consistent. Notwithstanding our denomination, traditions, customs, rituals or practices, we must tell others of the Good news of Jesus Christ. Romans 10: 9, 10 inform us that salvation is specific to the believers. Such is the embodiment of this ministry. So as we are attempting to lead others in our various capacities within our traditions, it is important that we know who we are, whose we are and what ministry is. It is certain that we cannot lead others where we have not been or are even unwilling to go.

This ministry must inform our traditions.
Jesus came as a Messenger from God. He did not speak His own words but the words that the Father gave Him. His message was not about Himself, but rather the good news that the Father ordained to be announced on earth. Until we recognize that it is not about us, we cannot fully embrace this ministry. Our traditions cannot supplant or become superior to this ministry.

They are man made and as such, they are subject to correction, modification and even change. Alternatively, this ministry is the same yesterday, today and forever more. It gives us assurance that our sins are forgiven and it extends Christ to all who accept His ultimate sacrifice. When we fully engage in this ministry, we need not participate in competitive behavior to cajole others to come to our churches. When we do the work of this ministry, the Lord will add to the church daily, such as should be saved. Accordingly, we will not need to pursue favor from men because we are assured of the anointing from God.

What are our images of ministry?
To what extent have we overly imposed our traditions on this ministry, which has been entrusted to us? Are we defining the ministry or is this ministry truly changing us? Are we attempting to recreate this ministry in response to whatever is popular, fashionable and/or promotes our personal agendas?

Is our AME mission realistic and of such impact that we can truly utilize this ministry and effectively “spread Christ’s liberating gospel through word and deed?”

Have we become preoccupied with adherence to our rituals or are we shepherding this ministry to ensure that souls are saved, lives are changed and the hurting is healed. Have we yielded this ministry to only that of “feelings and emotions” and totally abandoned the real message that “Jesus saves.” When our parishioners depart to serve, can they remember the preacher’s text or can they only recite the “Decalogue, the Apostle’s Creed or even the songs that the Choir sang. God inspires this ministry and it remains profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness.

How do we present or realize this ministry?
What avenues work and which ones do not? Ephesians 4:11 is illustrative. Some were called as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. A number of theologians have suggested that the apostles came to lay the foundation and the prophets completed this work, since the church is said to have been built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. Still others assert that the real work of ministry is vested in pastors and teachers.

Our AME tradition provides direction regarding clergy classifications, such as Itinerants, Locals, Elders, Deacons and Exhorters, but are these distinctions significant enough to make a difference in the presentation and work this ministry?

Where is the audience for this ministry?
I contend that the hearers are without limit. Wherever persons are in darkness, hard-pressed, perplexed or struck down, there is fertile ground for this ministry. Sometimes, we may encounter these persons within the sanctuary; at other times they may be beyond the sanctuary or in nontraditional settings. We must create new venues and discover workable approaches that perpetuate this ministry.

For the last 12 years, I have been blessed to take this ministry into the Howard University College of Medicine, where we are teaching physicians and other health care professionals to bridge the gap between faith and science. This venue is certainly not a traditional church neither is it a faith based institution. Without proselytizing or offending others, we have discovered enormous opportunities for this ministry. I have come to realize that persons can be disease free and still be sick. A number of these same persons worship with us, they know and understand our traditions; however, they are unwell. The World Health Organization has indicated that wellness is not just the absence of disease, but a sense of physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual well-being. This ministry is able to transcend science. It can go where a stethoscope, an X-ray, a CT Scan or even an MRI has no access. It has the ability to restore life in the midst of a terminal prognosis.

What is the power of this ministry?
The excellence of the power is of God and not of us. The dichotomy is obvious. Within our traditions, there are times when we are hard pressed on every side. But because God remains faithful, we are not crushed down. At the conclusion of some of our meetings that are a part of our tradition, we might be perplexed, but because of this ministry, we are not in despair. There are occasions when we feel persecuted, but this ministry will not allow us to be forsaken. We may even feel struck down, but so long as we are anchored in this ministry, we are not destroyed.

We are grateful for our traditions and even with them, the AME church remains a viable vehicle through which this ministry may be proclaimed. If a specific thing has utility, then why discard it? If, on the other hand, it no long serves the purpose for which it was intended, then the time has come to do a new thing!

In the law, we often refer to past practice. In essence, past practice remains good law until we encounter a situation that reaches beyond the precedent which our past practices have set. Then, we are required to create new law, rewrite old law and revisit past practices. The same is true of our traditions.

According to the numbers that are reported by many of our Pastors at our Annual Conferences, the AME Church is not suffering from a lack of participation. But, even in the midst of this real or imagined growth, we must remember that except the Lord builds the house, they labor in vain that build it.

Our AME mission must remain relevant and consistent with this ministry. Our images of ministry must be so authentic that others can see that our work is not self-centered, but examples of Christ that lives in us. Then and only then can we transform our environments and do the real work of this ministry.

*Dr. Glenda F. Hodges is a professor at Howard University School of Medicine and is an AME Itinerant Elder

II. TENSIONS IN MINISTRY

Michael Joseph Brown, Ph.D.

First Tension: Demographic Shift
All available census data indicates that African Americans are moving to the South:
1980 53%
2002 55%
2004 57%

Within the next decade 60%+
Cities like Atlanta and the Washington D.C.-Baltimore have led the way in black migrants since the late 1990s. New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco suffered the greatest out migration of black during the same period.

Three key factors in this reverse migration:
1. College-educated African Americans lead the new migration into the South. Georgia, Texas, and Maryland were the "brain gain" states that attracted the most black college graduates from 1995-2000, while New York had the largest net loss.

2. Some of the old "Black Belt" counties in the nonmetropolitan South have also been the recipients of this migration. In 96 counties, the black compromised 50 percent or more of the county population and 95 of these counties were in the non-metropolitan South, St. Louis being the only exception. Cheaper housing in the rural areas has attracted some older black people who have decided to retire in the South, as well as some younger blacks who are willing to commute to jobs in metropolitan areas (e.g., ATL).

3. It is middle-class, well-educated African Americans who are moving to the South, often attracted by a "critical mass of black professionals who reside in and around many southern cities." Some prominent black suburbs have developed outside of Washington D.C., Atlanta, and Nashville. Du Bois' "talented tenth" in the early 20th century has turned into the "talented one third" of the present era.

On its surface, this is a positive move for the Black Church. In the South religious adherence in terms of church attendance and membership is higher than anywhere else in the country. The strong religious context and social pressure will affect all of the new black migrants whether they were religious or not before they migrated. The key question is what kind of strategies can the AME Church adopt to deal with this reverse migration?

Another related issue in this migration is the suburbanization of many black churches. Here the question is will there be a "suburban captivity of the black churches" to paraphrase a famous critical work by Gibson Winter of white churches, where material wealth reigns and the black urban poor remain a distant memory? Similarly, in many of the these nonmetropolitan areas of the South we still observe the pattern of a largely "absentee pastorate," where pastors may have more than one charge and the majority of these pastors live in urban areas and commute an average of over 40 miles to their churches.

Another thing to think about: studies since the Civil Rights period have pointed to a growing trend of denominational switching among African American Christians. In a 2002 study, scholars found that black Methodists, including the AME Church, lost an average of 20.4 percent of their original membership because of unequal switching exchanges. Baptists have lost about 12.2 percent due to switching. Nondenominational groups have made huge gains, and the proportion of African Americans who have no religious affiliation is increasing across all age cohorts.

I haven't mentioned anything about the megachurch phenomenon, but an estimated 25 percent of the participants in megachurch congregations are African American. According to studies, most of the attendees of black megachurches live in the outer city or suburbs and commute to their congregations, which are largely in the inner city. Furthermore, their membership is overwhelmingly middle to upper middle class. Approximately 8 percent of such megachurches are AME compared to 46 percent that are Baptist. If we were to debate the theological strengths and weaknesses of the so-called Prosperity Gospel movement — a phenomenon often identified with the megachurch movement — then it should be seen in the context of upwardly mobile working and middle class African Americans.

Second Tension: Educational Disparity between Laity and Clergy
Since it is the college educated African Americans who make up the core of this migration, the question for our leadership is how much should we stress educational requirements for black clergy? Estimates of seminary trained black clergy vary from 20 to 30 percent nationwide. As one scholar commented, "[The] ministry is the only class of black professionals where the majority of practitioners do not have graduate training." While I do not think that seminary education is a panacea or solution for all problems, there is a growing demand for an educated clergy by middle class African Americans.

The latest study in 2003 indicated that 29 percent of black clergy had completed the Master of Divinity degree or its equivalent. If more advanced degrees are considered, such as an advanced Masters, Doctor of Ministry or Ph.D. degree, the black clergy rate goes up to 49 percent. By contrast, 52 percent of white clergy had received the M.Div. or its equivalent and advanced degrees total 72 percent. The education of clergy is one of the most significant factors for ministry in the 21st century. Studies have shown that community outreach programs of black churches, working with government and foundation funds, and advancement on the issue of supporting women as pastors are highly correlated with the level of clergy education.
One of the ways larger churches have attempted to address the educational disparity between an increasingly well-educated laity and a markedly less educated clergy has been the growth of local Bible Institutes. In fact, apprenticeship to a pastor and attendance at local Bible institutes have been the primary means by which most black clergy have received their training. Many of these Bible institutes are uneven in quality. However, Oral Roberts University has set up an evangelical accrediting agency that helps to accredit local Bible colleges and many black megachurches have found this attractive for the schools they operate. For many black clergy, Bible institutes have been attractive because they meet several needs, including credentialing, low cost, and accessible education.

The historically black divinity schools and the denominations that support them need to come to terms with the diverse ways of educating black pastors and develop their own outreach strategies because Black megachurches are beginning to fill the void with their own Bible institutes.

One of the places where education might help our clergy most is in the analysis of public policy issues. As one scholar pointed out, there is a major weakness in public policy analysis advocacy at the national level by black church denominations. Yet, there is still another problem. The majority of clergy in the USA do not receive any training in public policy analysis as part of their education in divinity schools. For African American clergy, whose role as religious and community leaders often intersects with politics, that kind of training in public policy is imperative.

Third Tension: Women in Ministry
According to Delores Carpenter, the movement of black and white women into the professional ministry increased 240 percent from 1930 to 1980. However, she pointed out that the number of black women graduates from accredited theological seminaries increased an astounding 676 percent from 1972 to 1984. The problem is that during that same period, few black women could find jobs in historically black denominations. In fact, in a 1986 study more than half of the surveyed black women in the study (51%) turned to white denominations partly because of the increased opportunity for ordination and employment, and the more rigid resistance and obstacles they experienced in the mainline black churches. In a 1992 study, 52 percent of women switched. However, in 1999, only 45 percent had switched, indicating a significant decrease. Nevertheless, denominational switching still remains a significant factor for black women in ministry and black church denominations are losing out on the talent and potential they represent.

Among the historically black denominations, the AME Church has been the most progressive in advancing the opportunities for women. As one scholar commented, "The three African American women elected as bishops in the AME Church are more than any other historically black denomination and equal to the total elected by the United Methodist Church." In fact, over a 10 year period, the acceptance of women as senior pastors has grown from 30 percent in 1990 to 72 percent in 2000. Such progress notwithstanding, the issue of women in ministry still looms large in our denominational future.

Fourth Tension: Ministerial Identity
In a 1990 study, the median age for all black clergy, urban and rural, was 52 years. In a 2001 study, the median age was 53. What does it mean for the church that 61% of black clergy are over 50 years old?

* Dr. Michael Joseph Brown is Associate Professor of New Testament and Christian Origins in the Candler School of Theology and the Graduate Division of Religion and Director of the Graduate Division of Religion at Emory University in Atlanta

III. THE AME CHURCH IN TRANSITION:

*Mark Tyler, Ph.D.

If you watched ESPN's Sports Center on yesterday you would have seen something that was really remarkable. Quarterback Drew Brees from the New Orleans Saints dropped back; threw a deep pass and the pass was intercepted. In an instant, the defensive player who intercepted it took off running in the other direction trying to make a touchdown off of Brees' mistake. The person for whom the ball was intended, wide receiver Robert Meachum, instead of laying on the ground wallowing in despair because he did not catch the ball jumped up and took off running after the person who made the interception. All he wanted to do was simply make a tackle to stop him from scoring, but when Meachum caught up with him he began to wrestle with him for the ball. In fact, he took the ball right out of the hands of the defender (who was much stronger than him); he then turned around, and then ran all the way back for a New Orleans touchdown. Now if the other person had scored, it would have been 21 to 7 and more than likely the New Orleans Saints' strive to be perfect this year would have ended. But, as a result of Meacum's exceptional play, the score became 14 to 14 and the rest as they say is history as New Orleans went on to win over the Redskins and remain perfect thus far.

This is what occurred to me about that moment on the field. When he lined up at the line of scrimmage Robert Meachum was on offense. When the ball was intercepted he had to transition to defense. But once he stripped the ball and got it back from the interceptor, he then quickly transitioned back to offense. The reality is that in sports, you have to be adaptable to the ever changing circumstances on the field. The circumstances on the field change quickly, but there are some players who get upset and stop playing when the play doesn't go their way. They just sit there and wonder why the quarterback threw the pass too short or why the quarterback did not see that they were open. These players don't adapt very well. But Meachum saved the game because in less than one minute, he went from offense to defense and back from defense to offense without ever breaking a stride.

Those who are the most successful on the field of life are the players who transition quickly, who recognize the environment has changed, and instead of sitting around talking about why they don’t come to our church anymore, simply just go out and do what they need to do because the situation is now different. One of the things we don’t do very well as a denomination and I think most of us will agree is that we don’t adapt to changing situations as well as we should. It's not as though we don’t see it coming a mile away. We recognize that patterns have changed, that trends have changed, but then we find adapting difficult and making a transition to the new reality difficult. I'd argue that one of the reasons we are unable to adapt as we should is, ironically, because of one of our greatest strengths: our Tradition.

Tradition is a very positive thing. When you think about it, tradition is what keeps an organization together: it’s reliable, it’s trustworthy, and you know exactly where it will take you even if you are not happy with the results, it is resilient, it is strong, and it does not change easily. Without question, we have deep and rich traditions in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The question is, in the face of such strong tradition, is how do we move to a place where our traditions do not prevent us from changing when we need to? That’s a struggle for all of us. Those who have ever held leadership responsibility in the church will recognize that this is something we really have to wrestle with. How do we work with the good of tradition while not allowing it to paralyze us where we are? How do we remain nimble enough to move from offense to defense or defense to offense as the situation calls for?

When I presented at the CONVO a couple of years ago, I shared the story of how in 1844, Bishop Daniel Payne introduced the Board of Examiners to the AME Church. I want to go back there today to look at a moment in the life of the Church when our denomination went through a major transition. It is easy to make certain small incremental changes, but every now and then we have moments where a major shift in how we do things occurs. This was one of those occasions. Prior to 1844, preachers seeking ordination were taken through the apprenticeship model, with little or no attention paid to the issue of literacy.

Under that plan, preachers would ride alongside a seasoned pastor on a circuit as a licentiate for 2 years. When the pastor said they were ready to be ordained deacon, members of the Annual Conference received the recommendation, elected the person a deacon, and the Bishop ordained them. Then, they would ride with someone else for another 2 years until that person said that they were ready to be ordained elder. This was the model used up to 1844 for preparing clergy for ordination, a system given to us by the Methodist Episcopal Church. We adopted it, we used it, it was a reliable guide, and it was our tradition. But, by 1844, most people recognized that it had limitations and short comings. In fact, some of the same issues faced back then remain unresolved today.

The need for an educated clergy began to turn into a crisis as the education of the members in the pew began to out pace the education in the pulpit. Most of the preachers prior to 1844 were illiterate and relied heavily on God's “inspiration” to help them in preaching, because they could not read the Bible for themselves. The Church was demanding pastors who could read and write for themselves. Everyone knew the Church needed an educated clergy, but no one seemed able to move it to the point where the Church could make the transition. The reason they could not do it is because to attempt to change the tradition of the apprenticeship model meant going through hell. That's what real change means, going through hell. If you are not prepared to go through real hell then you are not prepared to make real change.

Tradition is strong to serve as a check against fanatics who come along with wild and unstable ideas that would undermine the organization. Tradition is resistant to new change that pushes against it and this is why culture is difficult to change. It is good that tradition does not change easily. This is why Daniel Payne and others were met with considerable resistance (even hostile resistance) when they brought this new and wonderful idea to educate the clergy through the Board of Examiners. Even though people knew that it was the best thing for the Church, no one wanted to let go of the old way and move on to the new way. It polarized the church in such a way that half the people said “if you change the system, we’ll leave the AMEC” and the other half said “if you don’t implement the change we’ll leave.” Sometimes, life puts an organization in a situation where it has no choice but to deal with and confront the needed change. Because of the threats to his own safety and the possibility that the Church would be split as a result of his proposal, Payne almost did not show up to the General Conference. However, Bishop Morris Brown convinced him to show up and make his presentation. Just as Payne had predicted, his new plan to educate clergy broke out into so much “excitement” that Bishop Brown had to close the General Conference for the night out of fear of violence.

The next morning, the Rev. Abram D. Lewis, a veteran Itinerant Elder stood up and took the floor. Not very educated himself, he began to speak passionately to his colleagues about the need for an educated clergy so that the next generation did not have to be like them relying on what others said about the Word. Sometimes you have to give up what you want to get what you need, even when what you give up has been a part of your tradition. Some of the very same people who voted Payne out the night before began to cry out “give us a resolution” after hearing Rev. Lewis. Literally, they were bathed in tears and everyone voted for the change.

There are important lessons that we can learn about the “Church in Transition” through this case study. First, we have to recognize when the moment to transition is right. In this case, there was a critical mass and it was the time for the needed change. Secondly, the time being right won't help if there is no one available with the expertise to lead the organization through the transition. Daniel Payne was the right man for the job and he showed up at the right time. But, Payne's new affiliation with the AME Church highlights the third important lesson learned in this case, which is that there must be a commitment to change from veteran insiders who are viewed as stakeholders. Payne had only been an AME for 3 years by the seating of the General Conference in 1844 and he was viewed with suspicion for his ties with the Methodist Episcopal Church and his Lutheran seminary training. He clearly needed some help from the inside. The Rev. Abram D. Lewis was the voice from the inside that carried Payne’s plan and he received the nod Bishop Morris Brown, the undisputed leader of the AME Church. It is unlikely that the plan of transition would have survived to see the light of day without a commitment from the leadership at the top.

If the Church of today is going to make the needed transition to continue to serve the present age, it must recognize when the moment is right, have the availability of the needed personnel to carry out the change, have committed insiders working for change, and have a firm commitment from those in leadership positions to support the agents of change. But beware, as stated above, changing the nature of organizations can mean going through hell. However, don't fear, for even Jesus went through Hell to change things for our good. Leading the AME Church through the transition into a new day may take us through Hell, but God through His example of Christ, has promised not leave us there!

At the conclusion of the presentation, there were 3 specific recommendations made. Here is a brief summary of each recommendation:

- The Board of Examiners needs to be updated and made to fit modern expectations. As stated before, the BOE was created to address the need of illiteracy and provide a basic theological education. Today, both are givens for our itinerant clergy in that all persons must be literate and possess a seminary education. With this said, the 4 year plan can be used to address those areas that many feel are deficient. For example, pastors are required by the Discipline to serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the local church. No where, however, through the entire Course of Study is a candidate asked if they can even balance a checkbook. This needs to be addressed, in that financial issues in the local church tend to preoccupy much of our time. It is not fair to ask a person to do a job for which they have not been properly trained or educated, and then hold them responsible when they fail. This can be rectified by including basic accounting classes into the curriculum of the BOE. Or, consider that the pastor is the automatic chair of the board of trustees, but may not know anything about property matters. As a “traditional” student, going college as a young person, then on to seminary, my first “real job” was as pastor in my mid 20s. I had no property or experience with deeds or insurances or anything that I was expected to know. I had to learn on “the fly”, which is not the preferred method. Spending time with a real estate attorney and a contractor in the BOE would have been invaluable.

- As a denomination, we must become “people driven” more than “property driven”. We have an unhealthy attachment to church property. In far too many cases, our membership has relocated from the neighborhood, but the church remains. Although other entities such as the grocery store, the barbershop, etc. have followed the people, the church holds on and refuses to move or even plant a new work where the members have gone. As a result, new congregations of differing denominations grow and the children of our members join them because of a lack of access to local AME congregations.

- We must bridge the technology gap. We have been woefully slow to take advantage of new technological opportunities, such as social networking websites, streaming video, telephone and video conferencing, just to name a few. Tonight, following this presentation, I will conduct Bible Study at Mother Bethel via videoconferencing using Skype and a PowerPoint projector. The feed will find me in front of my laptop while the members of the congregation sit and interact with me at the church in the lecture hall. Not only is this a great advance in technology, it is one of many free mediums available; that's right, the call does not cost the church one dime. This is our first step toward a “virtual Bible Study” where groups will gather in clusters in remote areas to hear the Word where they live. This will cut down the time they have to commute back into the city after work, it will give them more time at home with their families, and it will keep them connected to the church in a personal and meaningful way.

*Dr. Mark Tyler serves as the 52nd pastor of Mother Bethel AME Church in Philadelphia

3. THE AMEC GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING, LYON, FRANCE:

The Global Development Executive Board Meeting will convene February 24 - 26, 2010 in Lyon, France.

The 16th Episcopal District, European Conference: Novelle Alliance AMEC will host the GDC Executive Board Meeting. .

Details & Hotel Information can be found on the AMEC Official Website: http://www.ame-church.com/news-and-events/.

If you need a hotel reservation, go to the AMEC Official Website and fill out the form ASAP, save it to your computer, and email the completed form to Sister Madelyn Johnson at madjohnson@msqpc.org , or FAX to the 16th Episcopal District's U.S. Office: 281-759-5123 ASAP.


4. “THE GREAT GATHERING OF AME, AMEZ, AND CME CHURCH CLERGY AND LAITY WILL MEET IN COLUMBIA SOUTH CAROLINA ON MARCH 2-4, 2010:

The Right Rev. John White, Ecumenical Officer and Endorsing Agent for the African Methodist Episcopal Church announced that the three largest black Methodist bodies will meet in Columbia, South Carolina on March 1 – 3, 2010.

The leadership of the three largest Black Methodist churches met at the Marriott Hotel in Columbia on December 10, 2009 to strategize and design for the largest meeting of Black Methodists. The leadership of the three denominations was in attendance at the Columbia meeting.

The opening prayer was given by CME Senior Bishop William H. Graves, who petitioned God to “Bless the significant occurrence and allow us to work together.” Bishop George W. C. Walker (AMEZ) gave a summary of just how we got to the point of designing a mass gathering of the three largest Black Methodist organizations. The previous ecumenical conference of the three denominations was held in 1964. Bishop Walker said he felt God’s presence in the framework of this upcoming event.

AME prelate, Bishop John White suggested, “We need to witness to this country, that when the Methodist family gets together, we will make a difference in the world that everyone will see!”

The theme for the ecumenical gathering is, “Meeting the Needs of the 21st Century for Black Methodism.”

The low cost registration fee will be $21 in order to be able to gauge attendance; will be donated to a charitable organization.

The following Projections were made for attendance at “The Great Gathering”: AME: 3,500; AMEZ: 2,000; and CME: 1,500.

Share this message and make your hotel reservations now; this meeting will be historic and well attended.

Hotel Information:

Marriott Hotel
1200 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC
1-800-593-6465
Group: Gathering10
Rate: $109.00/night

Deadline for Reservation January 15. 2010

The Tentative Schedule:

Monday, March 1
10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Registration (at sites to be announced)
1 p.m.-6 p.m.: Episcopates Gather for Meetings
1 p.m.-5 p.m.: ”Stakeholder’s Meetings” (Dialogue between General Officers’, Presiding Elders, Missionaries, Departments, ‘The Joshua Generation,’ Preachers, Youth & Young Adults, Musicians & Lay leaders.
7 p.m. Worship

Tuesday, March 2
8:00 a.m.-8:50 a.m. Bible Study
9:00-10:30 a.m. Plenary I
11:00 a.m. -12:30 p.m. Plenary II
12:30 p.m.-1:45 p.m. Lunch
2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Plenary III
4:00 p.m.-5: 30 p.m. Class Meetings (12 to 24 Classes)
7:00 p.m. Revival Worship
10:00 p.m.-Midnight Youth-oriented event

Wednesday, March 3
8:00 a.m.-8:50 a.m. Bible Study
9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m. Sharing I
11 a.m.-12 Noon Sharing II

Pre-Gathering Committees:

Program: Public Relations / Marketing:
The Rt. Rev. John White, AME/the Rt. Rev. Ronald Cunningham, CME
The Rt. Rev. Kenneth Monroe, AMEZ/ the Rt. Rev. James Davis, AME
The Rt. Rev. Thomas Hoyt, CME/the Rt. Rev. Louis Hunter, AMEZ
The Rev. Jimmy Gilbert
Dr. Elnora Hamb, CME

Initiatives to be Forwarded Budget
The Rt. Rev. Warren Brown, AMEZ Rt. Rev. George WC Walker, AMEZ
The Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tyler-Guidry, AME Rev. William Graves, CME
The Rt. Rev. Thomas Brown, CME Rt. Rev. John Bryant, AME

Sponsorships Intercessory Prayer
The Rt. Rev. George Battle, AMEZ (NA), CME
The Rt. Rev. Henry Williamson, CME/ the Rt. Rev. Darryl Starnes, AMEZ
The Rt. Rev. Vashti Mc Kenzie, AME (NA), AME

The Great Gathering Planning Meeting Attendees:

The Rt. Rev. John Bryant
The Rt. Rev. Preston Williams II
The Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tyler Guidry
The Rt. Rev. James L. Davis
The Rt. Rev. George W. C. Walker
The Rt. Rev. John F. White
The Rt. Rev. George E. Battle
The Rt. Rev. Warren M. Brown
The Rt. Rev. Louis Hunter, Sr.
The Rt. Rev. Kenneth Monroe
The Rt. Rev. William H. Graves
The Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Hoyt
The Rt. Rev. Lawrence L. Reddick
The Rt. Rev. Ronald M. Cunningham
The Rt. Rev. Thomas L. Brown, Sr.
The Rt. Rev. Marshall Gilmore, Ret
The Rev. Dr. Staccato Powell,
The Rev. George E. Mc Kain Zionpagem2@aol.com
Mr. Mike Lisby, Editor, The Star of Zion
The Rev. Juenarl Keith
The Rev. Otha Smith
The Rev. J.R. Williams
The Rev. Staccato Powell II
Mr. Lon Wells
Ms. Twila Jones
Charles E. Young, Ph.D.

For more information contact: Ecumenical and Urban Affairs Office: 954-416-5133

This information was submitted by Bishop John White I

5. GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMISSION MEETING, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE (USA):

The General Conference Commission Meeting for the 49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference convened this morning, December 7 and will close on Wednesday, December 9, 2009. Additionally, there will be a golf event at a championship PGA golf course facility for the 2012 prior to the General Conference on Tuesday, June 26th, 2012.

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, Presiding Prelate of the 10th Episcopal District is the Chair of the General Conference Commission and CONVO XIII; Bishop Richard Franklin Norris, the Presiding Prelate of the 1st Episcopal District is the Chair of the AME Re-Insurance Board; Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr., Presiding Prelate of the 2nd Episcopal District if the Chair of the Committee on Right-Sizing the General Conference Delegation; Bishop John F. White, Ecumenical Officer and Indorsing Agent is the Chair of the Commission on Seminaries, Universities, Colleges and Schools; and the Reverend W. Bartlette Finney is the Chair of the Connectional Council of Presiding Elders.

Bishop John Bryant, Presiding Prelate of the 4th Episcopal District and Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church gave welcoming remarks as did Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, and Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry. Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr. acknowledged special guests. Bishop McKenzie is the host bishop for the General Conference Commission Meeting.

Bishop Ingram introduced Mr. Robert S. Shumake, Chief Executive Officer of the Inheritance Capital Group, LLC who presented a check for $50,000 to the AME Church and became the first corporate sponsor for the 49th Session of the Quadrennial Session of the General Conference that will meet at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tennessee June 27 – July 4, 2012.

Dr. Richard Lewis, Treasurer/CFO AMEC Finance Department gave a detailed Planning Status Report.

- 49th Quadrennial General Conference dates: June 27 – July 4, 2012

- The Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville can accommodate all delegates and the entire facility, including all major meeting rooms have been blocked for the General Conference. The hotel has over 2000 guest rooms; 14 restaurants; 25 boutiques and retail stores; a day spa and fitness center and complimentary shuttle to the Opry Mills Mall, which has over 200 places to eat and shop.

- Contracted rooms at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center will be $140 per night (studio suites will also be available); overflow rooms will be available at the Radisson Hotel for $119 and complimentary transportation will be provided.

- The target to begin registration will be at the 2011 General Board Meeting.

The following appointment of Committee Chairs was made by the General Conference Commission Chair:

Executive: Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram
Prayer: Bishop Sarah Davis
Program: Bishop William Phillips DeVeaux
Facilities and Security: Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
Election: Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr.
Finance: Bishop James Levert. Davis
Registration: Bishop Theodore Larry Kirkland
Public Relations: Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr.

6. MM MOKONE MEMORIAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

The 25th Annual Session of the MM Mokone Annual Conference (previously North Transvaal) convened at Edith Ming A.M.E. Church in Temba on 1 October 2009 with the singing of the hymn “And Are We Yet Alive and See Each Other’s Face.”

This annual conference is the youngest, but definitely not the smallest, as it coincides with the establishment of the 19th Episcopal District detaching from the 15th Episcopal District in 1984. We got off to an exciting start with educational, spiritual and inspirational sermons.

Some of the landmarks and highlights of this conference include the continuous teaching that took place. The difference between naming churches as Cathedral, Temple or Chapel and the difference between a Circuit, a Charge, a Mission and a Station was clarified. One of the methods of serving and receiving the Lord’s Supper was also introduced as intinction. These were indeed new and well received educational experiences.

Church growth also received its share of the celebrations as two churches were established, namely: Ekangala A.M.E. Church in the Capital District (previously Pretoria District) and Tshikuwi in the Venda District. The latter district celebrating 80 years of existence since the first church was planted in that part of the country.

Saturday 3rd October 2009 saw the ordination of five persons in the name of the Rev. NM Tshivhase and the Rev. GP Lesito as itinerant deacons, the Rev. MJ Maleho and the Rev. TT Masehela as itinerant elders, and lastly, the Rev. AB Nconco as a local elder for Mt. Sinai A.M.E. Church, Mamelodi.

The conference came to an end on Sunday 4th October 2009 with the preaching of the word by the Rt. Rev. JN Leath whose message was taken from Genesis 1:24-31 and Revelation 21:1-8, with the subject “Get Ready”. This powerful preaching was followed by Pastoral and Presiding Elders’ appointments where the latter were all reappointed to their districts. The next Annual Conference will be hosted by the Mokone Temple A.M.E. Church, Ga-Rankuwa on 7-10 October 2010.
We praise God for this milestone and past conference and acknowledge the educating and meticulous leadership of Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath, Presiding Elders, Pastors, Conference Officers, Delegates, visitors and the entire Mokone family.

The Rev. Gaborone P Lesito

7. STATE OF THE COUNTRY: 134TH SESSION ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

The Federalist Movement was formed in 1780 to give opposition to the ratification of the Constitution of the United States. This opposition was based on the belief that the Articles of Confederation threatened the sovereignty of the states, authorized "monarchic" powers, and threatened individual rights and civil liberties. In order to address these concerns, the Bill of Rights was drafted, submitted to the states for ratification and was subsequently adopted on December 15, 1791. The First Amendment of the Constitution states that: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the free press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

It has been within the context of these individual rights and civil liberties; particularly the freedom of speech and peaceful assembly that a faction of the populace of this country has set forth a public agenda of fear, intimidation and inferred violence that does disservice and discredit to the constitutional rights that they so ardently claim to defend. This attitude of disrespect and defamation has resulted in disruption of health care reform debates in town hall meetings, inspired comparisons of the current administration to Nazi Germany; and emboldened Rep. Joe Wilson to call the President of the United States of America a liar from the halls of a joint session of Congress before a worldwide television audience. Even more shocking, a recent poll created on
Facebook asked respondents to comment on the question, "Should Obama be killed?"

The post-election era of Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States who happens to be of African American descent, was envisioned to be a time of cultural enlightenment, political reconciliation and a collective mandate to move beyond the divisiveness of past generations, towards a more unified sense of human concern and national purpose. The recent insult-laced rhetoric and ideological arguments made in opposition of the administration's vision for the future of the country has done much to dispel those lofty and optimistic goals. Unwittingly, what these arguments have revealed is that the lines of division in this country are no longer defined along traditional parameters. Because of this historic election, division has transcended the definitions of Democrat vs. Republican, liberal vs. conservative, or even black vs. white; but now division is framed around the argument of "yesterday vs. tomorrow". The mob mentality of the Tea Party Patriots and Birthers, manufactured outrage stirred by Fox News talk show hosts and Rush Limbaugh, and the erratic cries of, "I want my country back", are all symptomatic of a philosophical resolve to not only challenge forward progress of-the country, but to vehemently fight to return America back to the "good ole days." The vivid picture of a young African American male carrying an assault weapon and voicing opposition to universal health care reveals the persuasive and dangerous power of this argument.

Therefore, it is incumbent upon us as the people of God to be even more determined in our unwavering demand for substantive change in the political, social, and cultural landscape of this country. We must understand that the election of President Barack Obama was not a fluke of nature but the act of a wise and providential God. Moreover, because God holds the heart of the ruler, the ruler's vision for justice and equity shall yield a bountiful harvest in due season. Subsequently, this necessitates our steadfast support of this President, his family, administration and vision for the betterment of all the people, nationally and globally. We must actively participate in local, state and national politics by remaining vigilant in our voting efforts during off year elections and by inundating our elected representatives with letters, cards and calls supporting the objectives and policies of this President, with particular emphasis on the passage of universal health care with the public option. We must also voice our demand for appropriate use of stimulus funds by state and local government, reform of banking securities and mortgage systems, reduction of troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, modification of No Child Left Behind, and Criminal Justice reforms to reduce the incarceration of young black males. Lastly, we must continuously lift up our first family, the nation and world in prayer, for the prayers of the righteous availeth much.

Humbly submitted,

Committee on State of the Country

The Rev. Tan C. Moss, Committee Chair
Members: The Rev. Alton Coles, the Rev. Mark Griffin, the Rev. William Simmons, the Rev. Mandela Smith, the Rev. Roger Williams; Lay: Brothers. Eddie Hills, Robert Ford, James Rutledge; Sisters Mable Blanco, Ethel James, Marva Sampson, and Penelope Wilson

Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate
Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Supervisor of Missions

8. GREATER FORT WORTH DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING:

The Greater Fort Worth District Planning Meeting opened properly at 4:15 P.M. Friday, December 11th, 2009 at historic Allen Chapel AME Church in Fort Worth, Texas with Presiding Elder Johnny Ray Mitchell presiding.
Presiding Elder Mitchell assembled with the Pastors and Ministers of the District and asked for Devotion to be lead at the will of any pastor or minister. Rev. Darrell Turner, Pastor of Wesley Chapel-Fort Worth led us in singing “Have A Little Talk With Jesus”, Prayer was given by the Rev. Dr. Sherryl A. Matlock, pastor of St. James-Denton; the Scripture was read by the Rev. Darryl Ford, Pastor of Bethel-Lewisville.

Elder Mitchell greeted the Pastors and Ministers and thanked us for a successful year during the 2008-2009 Conference Year. He also stated how grateful he was to us and the Laity of the District and made mention that just as we were meeting in the sanctuary; the District Stewards at this time were also meeting in the lower unit of the church; and that the Lay Organization and other Component Groups would be meeting tomorrow morning. He also stated that he was looking forward to another successful year this Conference Year because he know and believe that with God all things are possible. He presented us to the District’s new theme for the year: “God’s Favor without a Doubt”. He reminded us that we are favored by God.

After discussing important information with the Pastors and Ministers; Elder Mitchell introduced the new Pastors on the District. Present at the time were Rev. Lonnie Newman, Pastor of St. Stephen-Fort Worth, and Rev. Victor Ortiz, Pastor of Greater Johnson Chapel-Ferris.

At 7:10 P.M. the Opening Worship Service began with the Dean of the District, Rev. Darrell Turner serving as Worship Leader and Host Pastor, Rev. George Willis, III leading the Conference in the Call to Worship. Various pastors across the district participated on program. The music for the night was provided by historic Allen Chapel and Wesley Chapel Choirs and the Baker Knights Male Chorus of Baker Chapel.

The sermon was delivered by the Rev. Gregory Forte’, Pastor of Bethel-Gainesville. Rev. Forte’s Text was Proverbs 3:5-6. His Subject was “In Times like These, Trust God”. Rev. Forte’ told us that in spite of the condition of the economy we need to trust God. He reminded us that God can and will supply all of our needs; that God has a resource bank that never becomes empty. He said that if we our homes are foreclosed on; God has many mansions and He will supply shelter for us; if our cars are repossessed, God will supply us transportation of some kind. He told us that God would not allow us to go hungry because he is the owner of the cattle of a thousand hills. He also told us that God would take care of our mental, emotional, social, physical and spiritual needs.

The congregation was receptive to the message and witnessed to the Glory of God by responding with; “Yes Lord, God is good, Thank you Jesus, Glory to God, Amen, etc…”

Announcements were given by the District Secretary, the Rev. Beverly Washington. The Benediction was given by the Rev. Greg Forte’.

At the close of the Opening Worship Service everyone present was treated to a Welcome Reception in the lower unit of the church hosted and provided by Presiding Elder Johnny Ray Mitchell and First Lady DeLois Evans-Mitchell. The District continued to feast spiritually as well as physically and fellowshipped and witnessed to the goodness of God.

On Saturday morning at 7:30 A.M. the Culinary Staff of historic Allen Chapel blessed the District with a very appetizing and filling breakfast.

From 8:30 A.M.-10:30 A.M. the District Missionaries, Women in Ministry and Lay Organization met simultaneously to plan their work for the year.

At 10:30 A.M. Elder Mitchell once again called the District to order. He presented Rev. Dr. Cornelius, Pastor at Bethel Temple who presented Dr. Benjamin E. Curry, (H1N1 Education Specialist) with Tarrant County Public Health who presented a Power Point Presentation on Swine Flu (how to prevent it and/or how to overcome it).

The District Component Groups gave their Annual Reports and Elder Mitchell began the Business Session. He called for the District Secretary, Rev. Beverly Washington. Rev. Washington called the Roll of Pastors and Ministers, Licentiates, Evangelists, Exhorters and Local Church Delegates.

Elder Mitchell presented the District with the District Organization and Calendar for the year. At the close of the Business Session Elder Mitchell once again presented the new Pastors on the District. They were Rev. Ava Gaines-Armstrong-Arlington, Rev. George O’neal, Jr.-Forest Hill-Ft. Worth, Rev. Victor Ortiz-Greater Johnson Chapel-Ferris, and Rev. Lonnie Newman-St. Stephen-Ft. Worth.

At 1:40 P.M. the Closing Worship began with an awesome Praise Team consisting of the Rev. Court’ney Martin, the Rev. Mae H. Smith, and Evangelist Tina Wallace-Ray invoking the Holy Spirit and setting the tone for Worship. The Rev. Dr. Cornelius Hudson served as Worship Leader and led us in the Call to Celebration. Once again, various pastors across the District served as Worship Participants. The music throughout the Worship Service was provided by Praise Team. The Preacher of the Hour was the Rev. Phillip Randle, pastor of Greater Johnson Chapel-Amarillo.

Rev. Randle used for a Text; Psalms 35:1-9. His Subject was “The Enemy”. Rev. Randle told us that David had enemies; but he also had an optimistic mind. He said that David was going through some things just as we are going through some things. He told us that the “people of God” has taken on the spirit of the world. He told us that what is happening to God’s people is that we are forgetting to read the Bible and because of that we have allowed our minds to get messed up. He told us we need Jesus; that having Jesus in our lives could and would make a difference. He told us that we to have an enemy named “Satan” and we need to get an optimistic mind just like David.

The congregation was in agreement with Rev. Randle and the “Word of God” as was testified by many standing on their feet and crying out praises unto God.

Elder Mitchell ended this spirit filled meeting by installing the District Officers for the 2009-2010 Conference Year.

At the adjournment of the meeting we again were physically fed by the Culinary Staff of historic Allen Chapel.

Reported by the Rev. Dr. Sherryl A. Matlock, Director of Public Relations

9. LIVING BELOW OUR MEANS, WISE AND GENEROUS GIVING; CREDIT AND DEBT MANAGEMENT:

A stewardship conference entitled, “Living below Our Means, Wise and Generous Giving; Credit and Debt Management” was held on Friday and Saturday, October, 16 - 17, 2009. The conference was hosted by Union African Methodist Episcopal Church, Allentown, New Jersey where the Rev. Carl E. Wade is the pastor and the Rev. Dr. Robert C. Wade serves as the presiding elder.

The Conference opened with devotion led by Evangelist Joyce Lewis-Miles and her dear friend Evangelist Wanda Titus from Statesboro, Georgia. Presiding Elder Robert C. Wade, called the 113th Session of the Camden-Trenton District Conference to Order. The Rev. Bertha Montgomery was elected Secretary, Sister Marcia Cornish and Sister Marilyn Whittington were elected reporters, and Brother Gregory S. Smith was elected Marshall.

This year’s theme; Stewardship: Living below Our Means, Wise and Generous Giving; Credit and Debt Management. The speaker Mr. Charles W. Buffington, Jr., owner of C. W. Buffington Associate’s and author of “He said it! I Did It! Finding Financial Freedom” was introduced by Pastor Terrell Person of the Historic Jacob’s Chapel, Mt. Laurel NJ.

Mr. Buffington’s PowerPoint presentation was titled “Raising the Faith of God’s People.”

Mr. Buffington asked the pastors to look at the tithes and offerings of their churches; knowing they are in need of significant gifts and offerings. Resources of all churches must be increased in order to do ministry. He told the pastors they must introduce concepts and principals to inspire personal family financial health. He said, “The mark of poor Stewardship is FLIP –“Fear, Lust, Ignorance and Pride.” God is looking for FAT – “Faithful, Available and Teachable” people.

Our goal should be financial freedom with funds to support the faith, being able to meet all obligations with cash for needs and wants with no financial worry yet working for life’s purpose versus working for a living.

Mr. Buffington gave the conference an illustration of a family whose debt was out of control. They did not tithe; had low savings, low retirement, a high percentage of wants vs. needs and the conference agreed they were in need of prayer. Does this sound like your household? The solution, for this critical situation: Pray for commitment to lowering debt; pay your tithe; cut non-essentials; find additional work; negotiate debit with creditors; sell assets to raise cash; build your savings and remember the tithe is not an option.

This workshop was just a sampling of what can be done in your church and home; these methods are tried and true. Presiding Elder Wade, challenged the pastors to seek Mr. Buffington to give this workshop in their churches.

The opening Noonday Hour of Power and Holy Communion worship Service music was rendered by Brother Jasper Daniels III, accompanied by the conference choir. The Rev. John B Wingate, pastor of St. James AME Church in Thorofare, New Jersey sang the sermonic hymn “My Soul is anchored in the Lord.”

The Rev. John C. Reynolds of Macedonia AME Church, Camden New Jersey opened his message titled, “Holding on In spite of It All”; his scriptural text came from Genesis 32:9. He sang a stirring rendition of “I Know I’ve Been Changed.” In his lesson, he explained “you’ve got to face your fears to fix your fears,” when you need the Lord on your side, don’t forget to pray.” His final message, “hold on, everything is going to be alright.” The Sacrament of Holy Communion was served by chief celebrant, Presiding Elder Robert C. Wade and pastors served ad attending celebrants.

After feasting on the Word, the Conference Members feasted on a tasty lunch of soup, sandwiches and desserts provide by the members of Union AME Church; what a blessing.

The afternoon session resumed with Mr. Buffington, who gave illustrations on how to request lower interest rates when contacting creditors; followed by a testimony given by a District Steward from Jacob’s Chapel AME Church whose church contracted Mr. Buffington to handle their Capital Campaign and trained their members in this workshop. She testified how her family contacted their creditors and successfully negotiated lower interest rates and payoffs giving them more financial freedom. Presiding Elder Wade called for Stewards Delegates to give their reports before breaking for dinner.

Friday Evening, District Conference Service was led by the Camden-Trenton Lay Organization, music and choir was led by Bro. Jasper Daniels, III.

Sister Prudence Hope Wade, Consultant for the District, presented the preacher, her husband; the Rev. Dr. Robert C. Wade, Presiding Elder of the Camden-Trenton District. His message was entitled: “Fig Tree with Nothing but Leaves; the scripture text was taken from St. Matthew 21:18-22.

Presiding Elder Wade explained that Jesus detected there were some wrong-doing going on; people cheating, and being dishonest with God. One thing about Jesus there is a divine side and a natural side. There were three points the Elder gave; Point one: The fig tree was a fruitless fig tree, it stood alone. The tree was full of leaves but has no figs. People have a lot going on, on the outside, but on the inside, they are fruitless. Point two: The fig tree was a hypocrite and had not made any progress. It gave promises of early signs of fruit. The tree is a clear example of human hypocrites. Still lifeless, but the tree had leaves and no fruit. There are some people in the church who call themselves Christians who can fool people, but cannot fool God. The tree is a human hypocrite, making false pretenses. Point three: A worthless tree what good is it without the figs. It prevented other plants from growing. If we are not producing, we do not want others to produce. We will resent others that have the faith the Lord... He continued on saying, “There is some good news.” When the disciples noticed the tree, they saw all the leaves there. The tree had dried up, it had died. Jesus said it would never bear any fruit anymore because they were not productive. Jesus said it is all about faith. The Presiding Elder Wade continued by saying “stop pretending and act real in our churches. Get real with the Lord and do what the Lord says. Tell the Lord I am here and I am not going anywhere until you bless me. When you bless me, then I will move up a little higher. Don’t let anybody turn you around. The fig tree was nothing but leaves, in our churches, we ought to be producing.

The Invitation to Christian Discipleship was given by Presiding Elder Wade followed by Worship with Gifts. Closing remarks were offered by Sister Evelyn Collins, Camden-Trenton Lay Organization President. The Doxology was sung by the choir and congregation, the Lay Benediction was read together and the 113th session of the Camden-Trenton District Conference was closed with prayer by Rev. Dr. Robert C. Wade.

The second day of the 113th Session Camden-Trenton District Conference began with a devotional period led by the District Evangelists.

The business session began with the reading of the minutes by the District Conference secretary Reverend Bertha Montgomery. Presiding Elder Wade summarized yesterday's session focusing on our fantastic workshop by Deacon Charles W. Buffington, Jr. and said, “The churches should utilize the information to improve the finances of our church members. If we get our personal finances together it will help each individual church financially.”

Presiding Elder Wade stated that our young people are our future and we must get them involved and get them to come to our district conferences. We need to make it appealing to everyone and changes to the way we conduct our conferences must be a priority for us. He said, “We need to be creative and develop new ideas. The seniors must impart to the young people what we have learned and bring them along so that they will want to be a part of this great African Methodist Episcopal Church.”

The Memoirs was conducted by the Reverend Terrell Person. Reverend Carl E. Wade reminded us, as the Apostle Paul stated, "For those who sleep in Jesus are not dead." Our prayer was led by the Rev. Person and we were asked to recite the names of those who had gone to Glory and to say something about them. The Reverend Cecil Bonds sang, "Nobody Knows the Trouble I See, Nobody but Jesus.

Our District Consultant, Mrs. Prudence Hope Wade did a presentation on "Hosting the New Jersey Annual Conference 2010. She opened up with a fairy tale back to when we, "One Church in Twenty-Four Locations" hosted the 134th Annual Conference. She brought us to the present as we are to host the 138th Annual Conference from April 12 – 18, 2010. The venue for this conference will be at the Crown Plaza in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. And again we will be "One Church in Twenty-Four Locations.” Presiding Elder Wade called for the Committee on Admissions and Order presented the Evangelists Henry Hill, Fulton and Wingate, candidates for local ministry. Presiding Elder Wade questioned each one to make sure that they were ready to become Local Ministers.

The worship leader for our Pastors' Spouses, Widows, Widowers, plus PKs, WMS, and YPD, Noonday Worship Service was the Reverend Darlene J. Reynolds. The District Conference choir blessed us with worship in song. We were blessed by a solo from Evangelist Titus from the Georgia. The preacher of the hour was the Rev. M. Shawn Bradley, Bethlehem AMEC, Burlington, New Jersey. His sermon came from Galatians 6:7, "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows." He encouraged his listeners to make sure they sow a good seed and went on to say that we need the Missionary Society.

The 113th Session Camden-Trenton District Conference ended with a delicious lunch in the Fellowship Hall of Union African Methodist Episcopal Church.

10. WOMEN'S PRAYER CONFERENCE IN TORONTO LEAVES LASTING MARK:

The Fourth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church hosted the International Women’s Prayer Convocation in Toronto was led by Episcopal Supervisor Cecelia Williams Bryant and hosted by the women of Grant AME Church in Toronto.

Hundreds of women traveled to Toronto, Canada in search of an experience that would help grown their prayer life and increase their relationship with God. From as far as the countries of Africa, the Islands and various parts of the United States, the women of African Methodism gathered in Toronto for a retreat that was orchestrated by Senior Episcopal Supervisor Cecelia Williams Bryant.

It was a powerful image and movement of God, as the prayers of women visibly changed and moved even those who happened to have stumbled upon groups praying in various places in the hotel, down on the lake or worshipping and praying through the silent movements of Tai Chi.

For the week, the women were led by seven prayer initiatives:

The Seven Prayer Initiatives of the International Women’s Prayer Convocation

In Gratitude to God and with unwavering faith in the Redeeming Love of Jesus Christ, Women around the world seek the Power of the Holy Spirit As together we pray to the Lord –

I. That each of us will awaken to our Divine Purpose
- That communion with God will be our daily vocation
- That Grace, truth and compassion will direct our paths and
- That God will be glorified in the sharing of the Gospel.

II. May God be merciful to hear our prayers for the healing of the earth and may our hearts be united in repentance for the excesses of humanity that diminish biodiversity, create pollution, toxic waste, deforestation and a shortage of potable water.

III. May God hear our Lamentations for the violence perpetrated against women and children – international, civic, cultural and domestic. Let us pray to the Lord for reconciliation and peace with justice between warring parties and an end to all forms of torture: emotional, spiritual and physical.

IV. May God show us the way to a New World Economic Order in which persons will have meaningful work and just compensation; where governments transform policies and practices that perpetrate unemployment, homelessness, illiteracy and poverty.

V. By solemn, consecrated fasting and prayer, let us travail before the Lord for miraculous healings in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. May the Spirit of the Lord raise up an army of health-care professionals and intercessors to the sick worldwide.

VI. Daily let us seek the Lord to bless and restore family life. May our marriages flow in Kingdom Glory. May our parenting be endued with wisdom, compassion and holiness. May our children thrive. And may our elders be honored, encouraged and protected with each passing day.

VII. May God grant to each woman a “Sistah” Sabbath for her appointed time of rest, refreshing and Grace in the Presence of the Lord.

During this conference the women hosted a Prayer Breakfast that raised $15,000 for My Sister's Keeper, as well as thousands of dollars for initiatives in Africa and the Islands.

View more pictures from the conference. It was one you did not want to miss. It's safe to say that everyone left transformed and energized to face the world:

The Soiree Firm, LLC
FamousAmos Music, LLC

11. THE CULTIVATING CHRISTIANS:

*The Rev. N.T. Pitts

One of Webster’s definitions of the term, “cultivate” is “to foster the growth of by tilling or by labor and care. I feel that this definition is appropriate to be used when it comes to Christian growth. We are admonished to “grow in grace.” - Second Peter 3:18

When a farmer plants his crop he must care for it, must water and fertilizes it so that the crop can grow. Even when he sets out seedlings the farmer must fertilize, water and weed the crop so that the crop may be productive; that process is called cultivating. If the crop is not cultivated it withers and dies or it grows wild.

Before we talk about the cultivation of a Christian, the individual must first touch bases with the five C’s.

First, you become “Convicted”; second, you become “Convinced; third, you become “Converted”; fourth, you become “Committed”’ and after commitment, you must become “Contagious.”

The problem some churches is that they take in members, put them in a class, inform them of their financial obligations and the new members sit, wither and “die.”

We must be reminded that the process of cultivation is not just going to church every Sunday and listening to sermons; it is much more than that.

Unlike the farmer who plants, cultivates and harvest, the church takes them in and they are constantly in a state of cultivation, and Jesus will do the harvesting.

Cultivating is maintaining a prayerful life, meditating daily, walking circumspectly in the light, feasting on the “daily bread,” reading the Bible and exercising temperance. The cultivating Christian should always be in a thankful mode.

There is another side in the process of cultivation. “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you. But rejoice inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” - I Peter 4: 12-13 What Peter was conveying is we are cultivated even by the vicissitudes of life.

The sun does not always shine on the farmer’s crop. Rain, strong winds and storms will come in the midst of the cultivation cycle.
As Christians, we never complete cultivating; it is a constant ongoing process.

Some crops are difficult to cultivate and some of us and our parishioners are difficult to cultivate. It takes special and consistent care in order to cultivate some of us.

As the Farmer sometimes rotates his crop to get better productivity, it may be wise for us, church members, to try rotating where we serve.

Some boast of being on a local church board for a number of years, but they don’t seem to be growing. Longevity on a church board or committee is not a true measure of cultivation. We must not become stagnant and we must not abandon those who are difficult to cultivate.

There may be a need for you to get off that steward board, get off the trustees Board, the finance committee, the choir or give up the church school class and serve elsewhere. Whatever it takes to enhance your cultivation you should do it. As I grew up, I saw my father rotate some of his crops with great success. Why not try rotating people who need rotating or rotate yourself; you may like it.

The questions are: what are you doing to cultivate your life as a Christian? Are you consciously participating in the cultivating process? Are you difficult to cultivate? Do you see a need a “rotation”?

Find your niche and see if you may enhance your cultivation. Just keep in mind that adversity plays a vital role in our cultivation.

And, don’t forget, Christians are just recycled Sinners.

*The Rev. N.T. Pitts (Ptargar@AOL.Com), teacher, counselor, humorist, and author, is a retired AME pastor who resides in Eatonville, Florida

12. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:

- Congratulations to Lieutenant Junior Grade Nancy Faith Reese, U.S. Navy, Chaplain Corps! Chaplain Reese was commissioned as the Navy's newest AME Chaplain earlier this month and has received orders to report to Officer Development School (ODS) in Newport, RI. After completion of ODS, she will report for further training at the Navy Basic Chaplain's School at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Her permanent duty assignment will be at the Spiritual Fitness Center at Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Florida. She is the Navy's Newest AME Chaplain

Congratulatory responses can be emailed to: nancy.reeseccpo@gmail.com

- Bridge Street AME Church in Brooklyn, New York, is proud to announce that we have been awarded the "Calling Congregations" grant through the Fund for Theological Education for a youth project titled "Equipping the Body for Service."

The Rev. Valerie Cousin, Project Director, along with two other members of the church will attend a grant orientation on January 28-29, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.

The eighteen-month project will span from May 1, 2010 - November 1, 2011.

The Rev. Valerie Cousin:
Revvalcousin@aol.com

The Rev. David Cousin:
Pastorcousin@aol.com

- Leadership California's Board of Directors and the over 1,000 women graduates of Leadership California's Issues & Trends Program selected Lady Dezie Woods-Jones, to receive their "2010 Trailblazer Award". This special award was established to recognize exceptional women whose lifetime career and commitment have had an impact on unfolding current events of the day. The award will be presented on May 3, 2010 at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, California. Lady Dezie, Former Vice-Mayor of Oakland, California serves as the President of the California Conference M-SWAWO + PK's and she is married to Rev. Carl L. Jones, Pastor of Carter Memorial AME Church, Fresno, California.

Congratulatory responses can be emailed to Lady Dezie Woods-Jones: deziewj@aol.com

Other contact information:

(559) 822-4378 Home
(510) 499-1433 Cell
(559) 822-4379 Fax

- Congratulations to the Reverend Dr. Michael Henson, Pastor of Saint Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church, Hueytown, Alabama on receiving his Doctorate of Ministry Degree on Friday December 18, 2009 from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio.

Please send all congratulatory notices, well wishes, and etc to: michaelahenson@bellsouth.net

- Kinette K. Cager received approval of her thesis from her committee and will be awarded the Master of Liberal Studies degree from the University of Southern California next week. Mrs. Cager, 2nd Vice President of the 5th Episcopal District Minister's Spouses, Widows and Widowers Organization + PK'S, is the wife of Rev. John E. Cager III, Senior Pastor of 2nd AME Church, Los Angeles, CA. Congratulations may be sent to:

Mrs. Kinette Cager
c/o Second AME Church
5500 S. Hoover Street
Los Angeles, CA 90037

Or congratulations may be emailed to: kinetteandjohn@sbcglobal.net

- Dr. J. Arthur Holmes Jr., son of the late Edith A. Holmes and the late Dr. J. Arthur Holmes, Sr., former pastor of Bethel AME Church in Columbia, South Carolina for 40 years, has married Ms. Teresa J. Craft daughter of Johnny C. Jones and Mary Helen Jones-Walker both of Columbia, South Carolina. The ceremony took place on August 8, 2009. The liturgists for the service were Bishop Frederick Calhoun James (retired) and Dr. Ronnie E. Brailsford, Pastor of Bethel AME Church Columbia, South Carolina. The service took place at Bethel AME Church and the reception was held at the Clarion Hotel. The groom is the Assistant Principal at Alcorn Middle School and a Licentiate Minister at Bethel AME Church both in Columbia, South Carolina. The bride is the Guidance Director at Fairfield Career and Technology Center in Winnsboro, South Carolina, and an Adjunct Professor of Counseling at the Webster University Columbia Campus. The couple resides in Columbia, South Carolina.

Well wishes can be sent to: tholmes@fairfield.k12.sc.us

13. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Annetta Louise Gomez-Jefferson, daughter of Bishop Joseph Gomez, 67th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the AME Church, passed away at her home in Wooster, Ohio. She was a retired Theater Professor at the College of Wooster and author of several books; her most famous works are The Sage of Tawawa; Reverdy Cassius Ransom 1860-1959 and In Darkness with God: The Life of Joseph Gomez a Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Reverend Brandon Davis, a Third District pastor, reports she was an inspirational person to him and very supportive of his ministry and college education.

The funeral has been held for Annetta Louise Gomez-Jefferson, daughter of Bishop Joseph Gomez, 67th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the AME Church.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The family of Annetta L. Gomez- Jefferson
2631 Tanglewood Drive
Wooster, Ohio 44691-1826
Phone: (330) 345-5582

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

Memorial contributions may be made in lieu of flowers to: Hospice and Palliative Care of Greater Wayne County, 2525 Back Orrville RD, Wooster OH, 44691, and Save the Children c/o/Joseph Jefferson, 2631 Tanglewood Dr., Wooster Ohio, 44691.

14. CLERGY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Eva Hammond, the mother of the Reverend Ray A. Hammond, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Boston, Massachusetts.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Reverend Ray A. Hammond and Family
Bethel AME Church
215 Forest Hills Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02130-3302

15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Elaine H. Bonds, the mother of the Reverend Cecil Bonds, pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church in Riverton, NJ (Camden/Trenton District, New Jersey Annual Conference). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to
The Reverend Cecil Bonds
17 Paris Lane
Avenel, NJ 07001
Email: Cbonds9530@aol.com

15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Christopher Basden, the father of the Reverend Dr. Pedro Basden, pastor of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church, Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Christopher Basden passed away on Monday, December 14, 2009.

Service arrangements for Mr. Christopher Basden are as follows:

Funeral:

Saturday, January 2, 2010
St. Paul Baptist Church
Bernard Road
Mailing Address: P.O. Box SS 5584
City: Nassau, Bahamas
Phone: (1-242) 324-2371
Fax: (1-242) 364-8391

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Reverend Dr. Pedro K. Basden
10005 Timberwood Circle
Louisville, Kentucky 40223

Phone: 502-244-0302
Phone: 502-472-7468
Email: pbasden@yahoo.com

16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

It is with regret that we announce the death of the Rev. Kevin Cooper, pastor of Trinity AME Church, West Point, Mississippi. Rev. Cooper, 38, passed away on Tuesday, December 15, 2009 in Memphis, Tennessee.

The funeral has been held.

Condolences may be sent to his wife:

Mrs. LaShaun Cooper
4841 Shandy Lane
Memphis, Tennessee 38125
(901) 309-0004
LSHWNGPSN@BELLSOUTH.NET

The funeral has been held.

17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

With sorrow we announce the death on December 9, 2009 of Mr. Michael Wayne Watkins, brother of Mrs. Palmer Reed, who is the spouse of the Reverend A.D. Reed II, pastor of Saint Matthew AME Church in Midway, Kentucky.

Earthly remains are entrusted to:
A.D. Porter and Sons Funeral Home
1300 West Chestnut St
Louisville, Kentucky 40203
Phone: (502) 587-9678
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/louisville/obituary.aspx?page=lifestory&pid=137306816

The funeral has been held.

Contact Information:
The Reverend A.D. and Mrs. Palmer Reed
Phone: (502) 327-7079
Email: reedii@bellsouth.net

18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

The Eighth Episcopal District regrets to announce the passing of Mrs. Lou E. Allen, the mother of the Reverend Thomas B. Brown, pastor of Union Bethel A.M.E. Church, New Orleans, Louisiana.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Rev. Thomas B. Brown
1780 Monterrey Blvd.
Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70815-8826
Phone: (225) 924-6780
Cell: (504) 615-9897

Electronic messages of condolence may be emailed to: thomarybrown@yahoo.com

19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to share news of the passing of Sister Curtis Lora Davis. Sister Davis passed on Wednesday, December 9, 2009. She is the sister in law of the Rev. Ja'Nice Davis, who is on staff at Bethel Memorial AME Church, San Diego, California; Senior Pastor, Rev. Anthony L. Hughes.

The funeral has been held.

Condolences may be sent to:

The Rev. Ja'Nice Davis Winston
5480 Encina Drive
San Diego, California 92114
Email: revjaniceaka@sbcglobal.net

- Chasity Marie Bell, daughter of Presiding Elder and Mrs. David E. Reddick, Dothan-Eufaula District, Southeast Alabama Conference, Ninth Episcopal District; Bishop James L. Davis, Servant Bishop.

Congratulatory responses can be emailed to her parents at: ladyallie1@centurytel.net

20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to share news of the passing of Brother Sammie L. Raven, the oldest male member of Cobb Bethel AME Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Brother Raven passed on Tuesday, December 8, 2009.

He was the brother of the Rev. Johnny Raven, a retired Presiding Elder of the South Georgia Conference, Sixth Episcopal District.

The funeral has been held.

In lieu of flowers a scholarship fund has been established in his honor.

Please mail donations to:

The Raven Family
P. O. Box 310661
Atlanta, Georgia 31131

Online Guest book:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/atlanta/obituary.aspx?n=sammie-l-raven&pid=137063134


21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Rev. Annabelle Freeland, a retired pastor from the New Jersey Annual Conference. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to her husband and daughter:
Mr. Lloyd Freeland and Mrs. Toni Spauldings
49 Longwood Drive
Aiken, SC 29803

22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We are saddened to announce the passing of the Rev. Terrell J. Shepherd, Sr. on Saturday, December 5, 2009. Rev. Shepherd was a retired 10th Episcopal District pastor and had resided for several years in a Houston, Texas Nursing Facility.

The funeral has been held.

Condolences may be sent to:

Mrs. Betty Shepherd-Harrison (Daughter)
3906 Holder Forest Drive
Houston, Texas 77088

23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce news of the passing of Sister Irene Gardner, the grandmother of the Rev. Dr. Michael L. Martin, pastor of Saint Peter A.M.E. Church in Tunica, Mississippi.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family of Sister Irene Gardner c/o the funeral home or church (addresses above).

Or to:
Rev. Dr. Michael L. Martin, Pastor
St. Peter A.M.E. Church
P. O. Box 2717
Tunica, Mississippi 38676
Phone: (662) 363-2734

Expressions of sympathy may also be emailed to Pastor Martin: mmartin@deltastate.edu

24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

With regret, the Eighth Episcopal District shares news of the passing of Brother Jerome Castine, the husband of Reverend Richelle Castine, pastor of St. Mary A.M.E. Church in Addis, Louisiana, and the father of Eighth Episcopal District YPD President, Brother Ritney Castine. Brother Jerome Castine passed on Tuesday, December 8, 2009.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The family of Brother Jerome Castine
P.O. Box 171
Napoleonville, Louisiana 70390
Phone: (985) 413-2577

Or condolences may be emailed to Reverend Richelle Castine: RVLEWCAS@yahoo.com

25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

The Eighth Episcopal District regrets to announce the passing of Mr. Obery L. Holmes, the brother of Presiding Elder James D. Holmes of the Greenville-Greenwood District of the North Mississippi Conference, Eighth Episcopal District.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:

Presiding Elder James D. Holmes
7374 Hedgerow Cove
Southaven, Mississippi 38671-8764
Phone: 662-349-4262
Email: jamesdholmes@bellsouth.net

26. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Edna Stewart, the mother of the Reverend Hezekiah Stewart, pastor of Moody Chapel A.M.E. Church, Little Rock, Arkansas. Mrs. Edna Stewart entered into eternal rest on Monday, December 7, 2009.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent c/o the family of Mrs. Edna Stewart to Hilton's Mortuary Inc. and to St. Peter AME Church. (Addresses above)

Or to:

The family of Mrs. Edna Stewart
1624 Lester Street
North Charleston, South Carolina 29405-4541

Memorial messages may be posted at: www.hiltonsmortuary.com

Or emailed to Mrs. Hezekiah Stewart (Diane Stewart): Diane.Stewart@navtel.com

The Rev. Hezekiah Stewart can be reached at 501-563-9842 (c) or


27. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Melzie Peterson, the mother of Presiding Elder Larry Stanwyck Hinton of the Northern District-North Carolina Conference, 2nd Episcopal District; Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr., Presiding Prelate.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:
Presiding Elder Larry S. Hinton and Family
P.O. Box 335
Clayton, North Carolina 27528

Or

17 Nicklaus Way
Clayton, NC 27520

919-359-0575 Home
919-359-8381 Office
757-761-3368 Cell
Email: landjhinton@embarqmail.com

28. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Joan Byrd, the mother of the Reverend Lindoria B. Felder, and the mother-in law of the Reverend Nigal D. Felder pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Louisville, Kentucky.

The funeral has been held.

Cards may be sent to the following:

Mr. Percy Byrd
6500 Morton Place
Temple Hills, Maryland 20744

Or

The Rev. Lindoria B. Felder
211 Marksfield Circle
Louisville, Kentucky 40222


29. 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

30. 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.