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
1. EDITORIAL – LET’S REKINDLE THE ITINERANCY IN THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III,
The 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
When I heard the statistic that we have we have more itinerant elders than we have AME Churches, I should not have been surprised. Of course we do! We have hundreds, and perhaps thousands of itinerant-credentialed preachers assisting in local churches, in other words, serving in local relationships all over the United States.
I suspect the African Methodist Episcopal Church, among the black Methodists, has the most highly trained and highest number of itinerant-credentialed preachers serving in local ministry and not serving in the itinerant ministry.
The question is; why do we ordain so many itinerant deacons and itinerant elders who will only serve in local ministry?
If we have more itinerant elders than we have churches, why do we have churches being served by local deacons, local elders, and itinerant deacons?
How did we get to the point of so many itinerant elders who are not willing to serve in itinerant ministry? And why to Boards of Examiners continue to recommend ordination and why do bishops continue to ordain those persons recommended for itinerant ministry.
Some episcopal districts do not have churches to which persons can be assigned, but the question, if that’s the case, why ordain a person for whom the bishop has no assignment? Even in Baptist and Pentecostal churches, the general rule is that a person is ordained for specific ministry that requires ordination.
Some episcopal districts have churches, but not enough persons in itinerant relationships to full those churches, so appointments to those charges are given to local deacons, local elders, and sometimes to itinerant deacons.
In an itinerant system, as the African Methodist Episcopal Church is; if episcopal districts have too many itinerant elders; and other episcopal districts have too few itinerant elders, the itinerant system would dictate that itinerant elders in episcopal districts with a surplus of itinerant elders should be transferred or “travel” to episcopal districts that have churches that need persons who are itinerant elders.
The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2008 defines “Itinerant” as “A traveling deacon or elder,” and defines “Itinerancy” as, “The traveling ministry. The system followed by the AME Church by which itinerant ministers are appointed to their charges by the bishop.”
In the itinerancy, pastors are assigned to churches; pastors do not candidate for churches, and pastors do not pick and choose their pastoral appointments. In the AME Church, bishops make pastoral appointments. In connectional organizations, secular or religious, the individual is subordinate to the organization; persons can be reassigned and transferred according to the needs of the organization.
In corporate America or in any global corporation, if a person does not want to accept the transfer, that person can choose instead to terminate his or her employment. The needs of the organization take precedence over the needs of the individual.
Too often, in the African Methodist Episcopal Church we forget that, “The traveling ministry is the system by which itinerant ministers are appointed to their charges by the bishop.” That is a tough reality; the thought that a bishop can transfer a preacher to meet the needs of the connectional Church.
Nowhere in The Discipline does it say that a person has to request a transfer to be transferred. By definition of the itinerancy, a person can be transferred by the bishop.
The question is why do persons seek the itinerancy when don’t plan to function as itinerant clergy. Do some persons seek itinerant credentials so that they can be called, “reverend?” That can’t be the reason, because local deacons, local elders and itinerant deacons are referred to as, “reverend.”
Is it status? Status certainly could be the reason, because, historically, the itinerancy is the highest order of ministry and the only track to the episcopacy; so status might be a reason that some people seek the itinerancy.
Itinerant ministers, whether they hold an appointment or not, can function as “free spirits.” They can preach whenever and wherever they wish, without asking permission and they can perform all of the priestly functions of ministry without any of the pastoral responsibilities. As a matter of fact, those who hold itinerant credentials, without a pastoral appointment have the best of all worlds. They have freedom to do what they want in ministry, no pastoral responsibilities, no answering to presiding elders or bishops, no raising funds, don’t have to quarrel with disgruntled or disaffected church members, come and go as they please, and attend whatever they want to attend. They have only one requirement; that they answer the roll call at the annual conference; and, they don’t have to answer the roll every year, every other year works as long as they don’t miss two consecutive annual conferences. I have just described ministry at its best; itinerant credentials, respect, and no hassles!
This editorial could end here, but there might be one more reason that some itinerant-credentialed persons remain in local relationships.
Some persons, who were excited about their call to ministry, didn’t take time to consider the responsibilities and the sacrifice of ministry and when the excitement wore off; fearfulness and excuses prevailed. Excuses like, “I can’t afford to quit my job. I have a good job. The church doesn’t have medical benefits. I have a family to take care of. The church doesn’t pay enough. I can’t afford to move to another state. The church can’t take care of my needs. I have bills to pay.” And, the list could go on and on. And, all of those things need to considered and one would need to determine if those things could be worked out.
The ministry is not a high paying profession and in many ways the ministry is a risk, but the real question is trust, trust in God to take care of our needs. Another real question is the issue of a person’s trust of his or her competency in ministry. The real issue is leadership and energy to do the work of ministry. The real issue is the willingness to compromise; make adjustments for ministry; and make sacrifices for ministry.
In the case of small, low-paying pastoral appointments, bi-vocational ministry is reality and may be a necessity. Most persons called to ministry probably had dreams of a large, fulltime pastoral appointment, but sometimes dreams are deferred and a person has to adjust to his or her reality. Ministry is not easy, in fact ministry is hard and hard decisions come with ministry.
The final question; if after a certain period of time, persons with itinerant credentials continue to serve as local clergy, should the itinerant credentials of those persons be amended to local credentials?
If the itinerancy, which is as old as Methodism, is going to function properly; the itinerancy must be strictly enforced and those ordained as itinerants must go where they are sent. That is itinerant ministry.
The annual Conference opening hymn, “And Are We Yet Alive,” becomes a reality when the second stanza is sung, “What troubles have we seen, What conflicts have we passed, Fightings without, and fears within, Since we assembled last.”
And, if we are obedient to our calling to ministry, we can proclaim as the last stanza, “Let us take up the cross Till we the crown obtain; And gladly reckon all things loss, So we may Jesus gain.”
And if we are faithful to ministry our AME Churches will see an increase.
Editor’s Note: In the past when I have addressed the itinerancy or other sensitive issues, clergy have approached me and shared some of their opposing points of view. I encourage those who have another side of the story to the itinerancy to please draft an article that can be published in The Christian Recorder.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
RE: A Kairos moment in Black Methodism; AMEZ Church gives to AME Church Disaster Relief Fund
This is absolutely unprecedented. Praise the Lord. Bishop Walker, the Senior Bishop in the AME Zion Church is brother to the late Reverend R. Leon Walker, a leading AME pastor in the 12th Episcopal District. AME Zion Bishop Roy Holmes is a best friend to Dr. Barbour. Sincerely,
Dr. Dennis Dickerson
- To the Editor:
I personally wish to commend the Bishops of the Church and the Social Action Commission on their immediate response to the crises in Malawi and Haiti and their sharing information on the January 23 Conference Call. We thank the participants on the call: Bishop Carolyn Guidry, moderator, Bishops Julius McAllister and Sarah Davis; Dr. George Flowers; and Dr. Miriam Burnett. Thanks also should be extended to Jackie Dupont-Walker for her consistent effort in sharing information. Finally, I'm glad AME's know how to connect all the dots.
In gratitude,
Dr. . Jamye Coleman Williams
3. A CREATIVE INTRODUCTION AND A SUPERB SPEECH:
The first of the two articles is the creative introduction of Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams by Dr. Clement W. Fugh, General Secretary /Chief Information Officer of the AME Church. The second article is the superb speech about the relevance of HBCUs delivered at the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship’s 23rd Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship Banquet that was held in Nashville, Tennessee on January 15, 2010. The Reverend Edward L. Thompson, pastor of Lee Chapel AME Church, Nashville, Tennessee is the President of the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship, which is the interdenominational ministers fellowship in Nashville.
4. A KAIROS MOMENT IN BLACK METHODISM; AMEZ CHURCH GIVES TO AME CHURCH DISASTER RELIEF FUND:
A Kairos moment in Black Methodism – AMEZ Church to give 75% of their giving raised for Haiti Earthquake Relief to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
Bishop George W. Walker, the Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church announced today that the Board of Bishops agreed will give 75% of their giving raised for Haiti Earthquake Relief to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. The other 25% will be given to Church World Service.
Bishop Walker, stated that the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church does not have any churches in Haiti and the AME Zion’s would like to support the work of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church that have churches, schools and clinics in Haiti.
One of the Senior Statesmen said, “This is unheard of in his lifetime as a Methodist, and the landscape for Black Methodism is changing”; God is doing a new thing in Black Methodism, “For it does not yet appear what we shall be.”
The following Bishops were present to his hear this announcement.
Senior Bishop George W. Walker
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Louis Hunter, Sr.
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Kenneth Monroe
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Darryl B. Starnes, Sr.
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Cecil Bishop, Retired
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop Joseph Johnson
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Senior Bishop John R. Bryant
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop James L. Davis
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop John F. White
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Senior Bishop William H. Grave
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr.
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
5. DR. JAMYE COLEMAN WILLIAMS -THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY:
Dr. Clement W. Fugh
Some sayings receive their notoriety, not from the first person who uttered the words, but from personalities who spoke them at critical moments, at the most appropriate times, and whose lives give them authenticity and credibility.
I don’t know who said it first. I heard President William ‘Bill’ Clinton say it. I heard Senator Harry Reid use its opposite. But no one captured my attention any more through its usage than Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams, who on the inside cover of a devotional book, challenged me to, “Strive to live on the right side of history.” Although I received the admonition personally, I later learned that her charge had not been given to me alone.
Those of us who are fortunate enough to be among “(The) Friends Across the Miles” of Jamye and McDonald Williams received the 46th Edition of their “Christmas Journal” that chronicles their activities throughout the year. It recalls places to which they traveled, and names of persons whom they encountered or entertained. It reads like a “Who’s Who.” Also listed in a manner that does not suggest “an inflated sense of self-worth,” but “humility” is the litany of accolades bestowed upon them. After 91 years and 92 years, respectively, Jamye and Mac, in the hearts of so many, remain on “the right side of history.”
Jamye, how do you do it?
How does one earn a place on “the right side of history?”
Jamye, from observing you, I have come up with three qualities. (I am a preacher so you know there had to be “three!”)
First, find, discover, search out, uncover the value, the worth in every individual with whom you come in contact, and celebrate with them your findings. To paraphrase a line from her favorite poem by Joseph Rudyard Kipling, “Learn to walk with kings and not lose the common touch.”
Secondly, give yourself wholly, completely to a cause that has eternity in it, and the cause will lift you.” The cause may be an institution, such as Jamye’s beloved alma mater, Wilberforce University for which see “begs” without apology; it may be helping a capable and promising individual, such as Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, realize her dream of shattering the ecclesiastical glass ceiling of female clergy in African Methodism to become the denomination’s first female Bishop; or, using Jamye’s own words, “Since everyone knows that educators don’t make that much money,” by giving to an organization such as the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee that brings good people and good causes together, thereby “connecting generosity with need.”
“Give yourself wholly, completely to a cause that has eternity in it, and the cause will lift you.”
Finally, if one’s ultimate goal is to end up on the right side of history – since we now know that history has a right side and a wrong side – learn a few “f” words, and express them with heartfelt passion!
Faith in God! Love of Family! And the value of true Friendship!
Please join me in welcoming Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams!
6. AGAINST THE ODDS:
Jamye Coleman Williams
I do indeed feel highly honored to be invited to this 28th Anniversary banquet celebrating the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I have to confess that I was most surprised last January, 2009 to receive a letter inviting me to speak on this occasion. When I talked to my friend Rev. Kellar, I said: “Marcel, you have to be an optimist to invite a person in her ninth decade to do anything in another year.” I am glad, however, that his optimism was not misplaced. But God is good, and I feel blessed to be here.
Four hundred years before the birth of Christ, Aristotle laid down a dictum for speakers, suggesting that a speaker ought to always have rapport with his or her audience. I can think of no audience with whom I have greater rapport and so many shared memories of the 43 years our family lived and worked among you. I feel blessed when I remember the many meaningful experiences we shared—marching during the 60’s; working in DCIPC and TVC, the latter on which I served as Secretary for 19 years under the Chairmanship of the late Senator Avon Williams; 40 years on the Executive Committee of the NAACP and many as Chair of the Life Membership Committee; plus all of my AME connections, especially my home church St. John, which my father pastored for 11 years. Where I was married. Where our daughter was baptized. I am also grateful to my General Officer Colleagues who came out to support me: Dr. Clement Fugh, who so graciously introduced me, Dr. Richard Lewis, Dr. Calvin Sydnor and their spouses and Dr. Dennis Dickerson. So it is good to be here and to be accompanied by my husband Mac, to whom I have been married 66 years and 18 days, and our daughter, Donna, the joy of our life and the “boss.”
Let me at the outset pause to acknowledge the importance and contribution of the sponsoring organization for this event. It was in the year of 1983 that five visionary men during the tenure of the Rev. Marcel Kellar as President of the Interdenominational Ministers Fellowship that he presented a proposal to establish the College Trust Fund as an endowed fund to benefit students of the local HBCU’s—ABC, Fisk, Meharry, and TSU. Those men, in addition to the Rev Kellar, were the late Dr. Kelly Miller Smith, the late Dr. Andrew White, and Dr. John G. Corry, and Dr. Norman Reed. 1983—it was also the year that President Ronald Reagan signed a bill creating a federal holiday on the 3rd Monday of every January to honor American Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. It was the year that the Rev. Jesse Jackson announced his candidacy for the 1984 Presidential Nomination of the Democratic Party. And for the younger people 1983 was the year Michael Jackson’s world famous music video “Thriller” was broadcast for the first time. A momentous year—1983!
And tonight 27 years later we come to honor the memory of MLK, Jr., the martyred leader. The theme chosen for this occasion “Education Determines Our Dreams and Destiny” is a relevant one for such a time as this. It is a time when the economic downturn has had a severe impact on higher education nationwide. It is a time when the African American male continues to lag behind the African American female in being awarded collegiate degrees. A time when our boys and girls continue to score lowest on the Act and SAT behind white, Asian American, American Indian, Puerto Rican, Hispanic young people. A time when more of our young men are in prison than in college. A sad time.
Certainly the College Trust Fund is right on target when it continues to support our local institutions. I am proud to be a member of its Board chiefly because I have some connection with these local colleges. My late father, Rev. F. Douglass Coleman, Sr., took classes at AB Seminary in its early years, and in a recent year I chaired the inaugural of Dr. Forest Harris as President. My late brother, Dr. Frederick D. Coleman, Jr., was a graduate of Meharry Medical College and my life was saved four times by Meharry doctors. I am a Golden Daughter of Fisk, and I spent 29 years on the faculty of TSU. If indeed our youth can realize their dream and fulfill their destiny, our HBCU’s will be one avenue for them. I have, therefore, chosen to speak to you on the impact and survival of the black college on our society, using the subject “Against the Odds.”
With conditions as they are today—recession, unemployment, government deficits, rising costs in college tuition and fees, there are many who say that the odds are against us and the private black college is expendable. With the desegregation of public higher education, there are many who say that the private black college—and even the historically black public institutions—have outlived their usefulness. There are many who say that with soaring budgets and diminishing resources the odds are against saving many of these colleges. They are saying that the intensive recruitment of our most promising African American students by the recognized state universities such as Ohio State, Michigan, Indiana, and the Ivy League institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, plus the Christian colleges and the Community Colleges has resulted in a brain drain. They, therefore, say that the odds are against us—that our efforts may be a futile dream—that our mission is impossible.
On the contrary—yes, on the contrary, there are many—like those of us gathered here tonight—who are convinced that the black college is indeed worth preserving. In order to determine its impact and survival, I submit that we must consider two questions:
1. What are the contributions of the black college?
2. What are the projections for the future?
Let us look briefly at the first question: What have been the contributions of these colleges? Founded by churches the early black college was the response to a statement made immediately after the Civil War by General O.O. Howard, the head of Freedmen’s Bureau. He declared, “Education underlies every hope of success for freed men.” Education then would be the key to unlock the door of opportunity. But prior to the end of slavery education for the black man was not generally considered. Although John B. Russworm succeeded in being the first person of color during this period to be graduated from a college (Bowdoin, 1828) it was difficult. Thus having little expectation of being admitted to white institutions, free blacks and abolitionists concluded that separate colleges for Negroes, as we were called then, were necessary.
We, therefore, had the birth of the private black college: Lincoln University for men under Presbyterian auspices was founded in 1854. Wilberforce University was established by the Methodist Episcopal church in 1856 for the children of slave masters and free blacks but closed in 1862 because of the Civil War and subsequently purchased for $10,000 by Bishop Daniel Alexander Payne for the AME Church in 1863, becoming the first black, private coeducational institution to be owned and controlled by African Americans and the first to have a black college president--Daniel Alexander Payne. In rapid succession other institutions were founded: Atlanta U in 1865; Fisk, 1866; Howard, Morehouse and Talladega, 1867; Hampton, 1868; Clark and Dillard, 1869; Allen, 1870; Paul Quinn, 1872; Meharry Medical College 1876; Morris Brown, Spelman, and Tuskegee, 1881; Edward Waters, 1886.
The story of these fledgling colleges is a chronicle of hope and faith, of dedication and commitment, of sacrifice and suffering. It is a chronicle of struggle and survival. But through it all they served well those who passed through their portals. They gave their students, hungry for knowledge, the rudiments to enable them to grow and develop.
We today are indebted to all of these institutions which in the early years held aloft the torch of learning to light the way for a people who had been denied educational opportunities. These colleges provided an education at a time and to a constituency which would otherwise never have had a chance to realize their dreams or fulfill their destinies. These colleges trained the illiterate, inspired the unlettered, motivated the disadvantaged, and produced a group of men and women to provide leadership for their own people and contribute to society as a whole. To name a few post emancipation examples Hiram K, Revels, Wilberforce graduate, U.S. senator, and first president of Alcorn College; W.E.B. DuBois, Fisk, noted scholar; Booker T. Washington, Hampton, educator; Reverdy Cassius Ransom, Wilberforce, AME bishop and noted orator.
A survey of the graduates of HBCU’s would reveal that thousands of alumni have made names for themselves in education, business, government, law, politics, medicine, science, and the ministry. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the 19th century British writer, in giving some criteria for evaluating literature, suggested three questions: What has the author tried to do? Has he done it? Was it worth doing? We might well substitute the words ‘black colleges” in these pertinent questions. What have black colleges tried to do? Have they done it? Was it worth doing?
I hold that the black college with limited resources has not only trained these students academically but also developed them psychologically giving them a sense of worth that the larger society often denies them. Robert Maynard once wrote in an issue of Black Enterprise that next to the black church, no institution has had a more profound effect on the aspirations of the black community than the black college. Generations of leaders were trained there, the black college also having been the breeding ground for numerous movements for change in our society.
Time will not permit me to call the roll of those men and women who have distinguished themselves in many aspects of American life—men and women who have been products of black colleges. Look back, for example, at the decade of the 60’s and the civil rights movement. Many of the leaders came from the black college—Martin Luther King, Jr., Morehouse; Whitney Young, Kentucky State; Thurgood Marshall, Lincoln and Howard; Jesse Jackson, North Carolina A&T.; John Lewis, ABC. These colleges also produced individuals in many other areas. When I hear a recording on PBS of the operatic diva Leontynè Price, I recall her as a freshman student reading a paper in my English class at Wilberforce on the subject “On Being Broke.” When I see a rerun of Wilma Rudolph winning three gold medals in the Rome Olympics I remember her as a student in my Public Speaking class at TSU. And when I watch Oprah on any given day I can hear her in my class at TSU move her classmates in Oral Interpretation with her rendition of an excerpt from Margaret Walker’s Jubilee. And when I read about some of my other students—Dr. Julius Wilson, a WU graduate, a distinguished professor at Harvard; Dr. Allen Counter, a TSU graduate, President of the Harvard Foundation; Dr. Karen Brown Dunlap, another TSU graduate, first black and first female President of the prestigious Poynter Institute; and Dr. Greg Carr, TSU, Head of the Department of African American Studies at Howard, I say “Thank God for the black college.” Those of us who have been privileged to teach in HBCU’s can identify many gifted, talented young people who have accomplished so much, enhancing the image of the black college and contributing so much to our society. I submit then that the black college has a goal of producing graduates able to contribute to the resolutions of the problems that plague our world. I submit that indeed “it has done it.” And I hold that it was worth doing.
Finally, what do we project for the future? Our future mission may well seem an impossible one at times, but I firmly believe that the preservation of the private black college must be kept high on our agenda. I am not opposed to African American students matriculating in white colleges and universities. The fact of the matter is that attendance at HBCU’s is waning because of greater efforts of white institutions in attracting and retaining black students. In 2005 community colleges enrolled 42% of all blacks in higher education, and in 2007 flagship State universities graduated ¾ of all African American college students. Only Fisk, Spelman, Morehouse, and Hampton ranked high in this respect.
If we ask the question, what would Martin say about this trend? I suspect he would applaud this progress, but--- But he would also inquire about the African American students who are denied access to many of these institutions because they score poorly on SAT and ACT—not because they do not have the ability but because they are unprepared. They are unprepared in many instances because of the inequities encountered in secondary schools. A recent report by The Civil Rights Project at UCLA which monitors the nation’s progress toward reaching the goal of the Brown decision concluded that the “nation continues to move backward toward increasing minority segregation in highly unequal schools.” There are still gaps in early childhood development and disparate educational opportunities. According to Beverly P. Cole, former NAACP Education Director, “In the name of standards, merit, excellence, competence, quality, and accountability; blacks are being tested out of the education and employment scene. Our new access problems are not the signs over the doors, but the various modes of measurement used to deny opportunity and legitimize the efforts to maintain the status quo.”
With white institutions raising their standards for matriculation and State Boards of Regents following suit at some of the historically black state colleges and universities, it is clear that the only access for some of our sons and daughters may be through the private black colleges. It will continue to attract students with innate ability but in need of remediation for their deficiencies; black colleges concerned for their problems; black consciousness for their identity crises; motivation for their personal development; relief for their conflicts and alienation.
When we look at life in the United States, despite our jubilation and pride over the election of Barack Obama as the 44th President of the USA, we realize that much has not changed. When we look at life in the US 55 years after Brown vs. Board of Education and 49 years after the beginning of the modern civil rights revolution we realize we still have a long way to go. In my opinion, the current unrest in our country is not only because of the economic downturn but also because the Party of No, the harbingers of hate on radio talk shows, the Tea Party movement. These are but manifestations of subtle but latent racism, much of it motivated by the fact that the leader of the free world is an African American.
What then do we project for the future? I repeat: Our future mission may well seem an impossible one; it may well seem that the odds are against us, but it is imperative that we work together—that we use our talent, time, and treasure—to ensure the survival of the black college.
Because the tentacles of racism still permeate every facet of our society, we need the black college.
Because there are still obstacles to parity in education for African Americans, we need the black college.
Because our sons and daughters still encounter benign neglect and insensitivity in many predominately white institutions, we need the black college.
Against the odds we must commit ourselves to ensure that all of our sons and daughters will be able to realize their dreams and fulfill their destinies through education. We cannot be complacent about how far some of us have come when many of us still have far to go. To paraphrase my favorite poem by Robert Frost:
Our world has problems,
Broad and deep
And we have promises to keep
And work to do before we sleep
And work to do before we sleep
Against the odds!
7. THE HOMEGOING OF THE REV. DR. SHERMAN L. GREENE, JR.:
The Rev. Dr. Sherman L. Greene's funeral was held at Bethel AME Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Tuesday, January 19, 2010. The Rev. Dr. Joseph N. Cousin serves as the pastor of Bethel AME Church.
Bethel Ann Arbor is a beautiful sanctuary and a large number of people from Ann Arbor, the 4th Episcopal District, and from across the connection have gathered to say farewell to a "Soldier of God."
Dr. Greene lived to be 103 years old and the love of those who attended the homegoing celebration and sent acknowledgments was evident by their spoken and written comments.
Bishop John Bryant, the eulogist, Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Dr. Richard Lewis, Dr. Clement Fugh, Dr. Daryl Ingram, Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, presiding elders, pastors and clergy, laity; young and old, and visitors spoke volumes for the life and influence of Dr. Greene.
The choir sang to the glory of God.
Bishop John Bryant is preaching a dynamic sermon about the "Gift of life." He asked the question of each parishioner, "What are you doing with your gift?" Bishop Bryant extolled the life of Dr. Greene who gave Bishop Bryant, while he was in his twenties, his first opportunity to preach at a connectional meeting. Bishop Bryant encouraged every person to use the "gift" that God has given them. He went on to say, "Every day is a gift and we should share our gifts with the children.
In closing, Bishop John asked everyone to take a deep breath and said, "A church full of miracles!"
Editor’s Note: A more detailed article about the homegoing of the Rev. Dr. Sherman Greene, Jr. is forthcoming.
8. DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL WITNESS AND MINISTRY / CHURCH WORLD SERVICE CHRISTIAN DOCTORS’ FELLOWSHIP HAITI EARTHQUAKE EMERGENCY RESPONSE UPDATE:
January 26, 2010
Recovery efforts by Church World Service our partner on the grounds and its partners continue in the wake of the January 12 quake that is believed to have killed some 200,000 people. Fears about outbreaks of infectious diseases have not yet materialized, Reuters AlertNet reports, but illness and infections remain a threat to survivors, according to health officials responding to the disaster.
Meanwhile, world leaders, including U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner met yesterday in Montreal at a donors' conference on post-relief efforts in Haiti, including the need for a major rebuilding effort and for forgiveness of Haiti’s international debt, AlertNet reported.
CWS is working in Haiti through a multi-tier response that includes assistance to long-time partners in Haiti and the neighboring Dominican Republic; material aid shipments; and plans for long-term recovery work. This situation report link provides a summary of all CWS activity to date.
Today, CWS expands its appeal and further details its work in responding to the quake. 36 Member-Communions are urged to continue to support Church World Service through the Haiti Relief Fund through their denomination or directly to Church World Service. Since this will be a long-term effort CWS and other Mission Organizations are beginning preparation for Dry Food Goods into the country to help feed the Haitian people in Port-au-Prince and the other areas.
Christian Doctors’ Fellowship is also a partner of GWM and has been in Haiti performing healthcare related duties. This organization is consisted of American Doctors in various fields of medicines (active and retired) giving their time and service to the Glory of God. These teams of doctors are treating Haitian survivors with disabilities, mothers with babies or small children and the elderly on the streets of Port-au-Prince or clinics that are still standing.
Many persons wanting to volunteer their time and expertise by going to Haiti, “but the time isn’t right” according to the United States Department of State. There is a travel alert and no commercial flights are permitted. Further, hotel accommodations are just about non-existence. So please call Department of State first before booking your flight reservation.
As soon as it is expedient and safe to travel this executive director along with the following bishops: James Davis, William DeVeaux, Preston Williams, Sarah Davis, Z.L. Grady, and Robert Webster will be traveling to Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Dr. George F. Flowers
Executive Director
Global Witness and Ministry
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Email: gwmame@bellsouth.net
9. DR. DENNIS DICKERSON "TURNING POINTS IN THE 20TH CENTURY AFRICAN AMERICAN RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE: REFLECTIONS ON CONTENT AND CULTURE":
Dr. Dennis Dickerson, James M. Lawson, Jr. Professor of History will be sharing a lecture entitled "Turning Points in the 20th Century African American Religious Experience: Reflections on Content and Culture".
Please come and share with us as we begin the month of February, and reflect and celebrate the history of the African Diaspora with one of our own faculty members.
The series entitled, A Conversation with Black History: Topics within the Black Church will be held at the Vanderbilt University Divinity School Reading Room on Monday, February 1, 2010 from 3:30 p.m. -4:30 p.m.
10. THE PRISON FELLOWSHIP MINISTRY:
The Prison Fellowship Ministry is putting together a conference in Nashville, Tennessee in March to help ex-prisoners in need of services in the Tennessee area.
The Tennessee Out4Life conference will take place March 1-3, 2010, in Nashville (Place to be determined).
The purpose of this summit is to bring key stakeholders to the table to address practical barriers, identify opportunities, cultivate working relationships, and develop appropriate strategies and solutions for successful reentry and reducing recidivism. There is more information on the Prison Fellowship Ministry’s website.
Sue Thompson-Popper
Prison Fellowship volunteer
11. OBSCURED IN A BOWL OF GUMBO:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
When I was growing up, there was no one that could make a better Gumbo than my mother. I am sure that most of us are familiar with that southern Louisiana dish, gumbo.
I was born and grew up in Louisiana. I loved gumbo. In a bowl of gumbo I could expect to find a variety of vegetables and sea foods. My brother and I used to see if we could identify all of the “stuff” we found in our gumbo. I never liked celery, and I used to take time and use my spoon to scoop the celery out so that I could enjoy my gumbo. Some of the ingredients in gumbo are hardly recognizable therefore they are obscured. I used to tease my mother by asking, did you leave something out.
With gumbo in mind, it is reasonable for me to say that we are living in a “gumbo” society.
In our society there are various kinds of characters, personalities and talents. Some are not recognizable because they are somewhat obscured in the midst of so many people. Some struggle to be recognized and others want to remain obscured. Some will do anything and everything to anybody anytime and anywhere just to get the recognition they thirst for. They feel lost in the “Gumbo.” Some find “gumbo” to be convenient place to hide and so they engage in their rascality without being recognized and identified.
Every now and then, like the celery in my gumbo, one of those obscured unsavory characters surfaces and “all heck breaks lose”; they finally get the recognition they sought.
To me, my gumbo seemed more enjoyable after I had taken the celery out. I also became aware that in the process of dipping the celery out, another ingredient just happened to get caught in the spoon and out it went.
In this “gumbo” society, every now and then, one of those unsavory characters surfaces and through our court system and they are taken out so that we may enjoy the pleasure of a decent life. But on the other hand, as in my gumbo, some innocent victims get caught in the process paying a price that they did not owe. You would be amazed at the number of people who have been tried convicted and executed for crimes they did not commit, how unfortunate. Every now and then some special characters emerge out of this “gumbo” and claim their rightful place to fame, and bring some goodness that they may enrich our lives.
We do not know everything that is in this “gumbo,” but we do know that out of this “gumbo” come thieves, murderers, swindlers, con men and women, traitors and other savory characters.
But thank God, out of this bowl of “gumbo” come some doctors, teachers, preachers, inventors, scientist, musicians and great singing voices. You may be obscured for a season but sooner or later you will emerge and I pray that when you do, it will not be by way of the spoon that discards.
It is a good thing that God hides our future to spare our nerves.
Well, I better close here because I have a bowl of gumbo on the stove and there is no celery in it only because my mother didn’t make it; long live her memory.
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts, author, teacher, counselor, humorist, is a retried AME pastor who lives in Eatonville, Florida
12. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
- Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. Dill who graduated from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio on Friday, December 18, 2009 with a Doctor of Ministry degree. Doctor Dill's area of concentration was Leadership and Organization Dynamics and her dissertation was entitled: "Mobilization for Social Impact through Renewal, Creative Outreach and Collaborative Partnerships."
The Rev. Dr. Dill is a native of Bermuda. Dr. Dill was also acknowledged last year as the Inaugural recipient of the Athena International Leadership Award for her home country. The Athena Award is presented annually to an individual who is honored for professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting others in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.
The Rev. Dr. Dill is an Itinerant Elder who currently serves in the 1st Episcopal District as an Associate Minister at St. Mark AME Church in Jackson Heights, New York where her husband, the Rev. Howard H. L. Dill is Senior Pastor. She is also the mother of the Rev. Jahkimmo F. Smith, pastor of Mount Zion AME Church in Southampton, Bermuda.
Congratulatory responses may be emailed to: emilygail_dill@yahoo.com
Or
The Rev. Dr. Emilygail A. Dill
106-11 31st Ave
East Elmhurst, New York 11369
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Dora E. Nelson, mother of the Reverend Trina Jones Brown, pastor of Riverview A.M.E. Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas. Mrs. Dora E. Nelson passed away Wednesday, January 20, 2010 in California. She was 82 years old and was the widow of the late Reverend Milton D. Nelson (UMC, North Arkansas Conference).
Service arrangements for Mrs. Dora E. Nelson:
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Family Visitation: 10:00 AM
Funeral: 11:00 AM
Emmanuel Baptist Church
3323 West 12th Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72207
Phone: (501) 666-6252
Professional services provided by:
Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home
1200 S. Chester Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
Phone: (501) 372-1305
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend Trina Jones Brown
806 North I Street
N. Little Rock, Arkansas 72114
Phone: (501) 838-2992
Or condolences may be emailed to: RUAWitness@yahoo.com
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Sister Virginia Freeman, long time member of Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Midwest Annual Conference. Sister Freeman was the mother of the Reverend Warren Freeman, Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Leavenworth, Kansas, and also the mother of Angeline Payne, member of Trinity AME Church. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing: Friday, January 29, 2010
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thatcher's Mortuary
1520 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Phone: (913) 321-1211
Fax: (913) 321-1267
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Viewing - 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Funeral - 11:00 a.m.
Trinity A.M.E. Church
2201 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
Phone: (913) 621-2306
Fax: (913) 621-2307
The Rev. Fran T. Cary, pastor
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
- Trinity AME Church
2201 N. 5th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101
- The Rev. Warren Freeman, Pastor
Bethel AME Church
411 Kiowa
Leavenworth, Kansas 66048
- Angeline Payne
5000 Glenwood #4
Mission, Kansas 66202
Phone: (913) 671-1808
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to share news of the passing of Mr. Freddie Wheeler Posey, on Thursday, January 21, 2010. He is the brother of Rev. Jerome E. Posey, Sr., pastor of Zion Chapel Circuit in Wesson, Mississippi (Mercy Seat AME Church and Galilee AME Church); Mississippi Conference, Natchez-Port Gipson District, presiding elder, Rev George W. Tyler. The Rev. Jerome Posey is also a member of Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry's staff, and condolences may be sent to the Eighth Episcopal District Office.
Office Address:
5450 Executive Place
Jackson, Mississippi 39206
601-366-8240 - Office
601-366-8175 - FAX
eighthdistamec08@aol.com
Services for Mr. Freddie Wheeler Posey:
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Viewing: 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M.
Travis Funeral Home
14338 S Indiana Avenue
Riverdale, Illinois 60827
Phone: (708) 849-2900
Fax: (708) 849-2920
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Family Visitation: 11:00 A.M.
Funeral: 12:00 Noon
Hillcrest Baptist Church
17300 Pulaski Road
Country Club Hills, Illinois 60478
Phone: (708) 799-8300
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Harvey Stone, Jr., of Jackson, Michigan, the brother of Mrs. Virginia (Genia) Brown and the brother-in-law of the Rev. Randy Brown, pastor of St. Luke AME Church, Nashville, Tennessee.
Service arrangements for Mr. Harvey Stone Jr.:
Viewing: Monday, January 25, 2010
2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Visitation: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Funeral 11:00 a.m.
The House of Johnson Funeral Home
235 W. Prospect
Jackson, Michigan 49203
(517) 783-0100 phone
(517) 796-9123 fax
thofjfh@att.net
The Rev. Randy Brown, Eulogist
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Virgenia (Genia) Brown
1816 Hailey Ave
Nashville, TN 37218
Phone: (615) 403-1255
Condolences may be emailed to: vbrown@tnstate.edu
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Lon Dorothy Bell, the sister of the Rev. C. E. Jenkins (presiding elder retired) 11th Episcopal District. Mrs. Bell passed on Tuesday, January 19, 2010.
Service Arrangements for Mrs. Lon Dorothy Bell:
Funeral: Saturday, January 30, 2010
12:00 Noon
Metropolitan Baptist Church
2283 North Fair Oaks
Altadena, California 91003
Professional services entrusted to:
Mountain View Mortuary
2400 North Fair Oaks Avenue
Altadena, California 91003
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Rosetta Henderson (daughter)
1000 Cedar Street
Inglewood, California 90301
Phone: (310) 259-3449
Expressions of sympathy may be emailed to the Rev. C.E. Jenkins @ neal2339@aol.com
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Jessie F. Robbins. Mr. Robbins was the brother of the Rev. Joe Robbins, pastor of St. Paul AME Church-Rockwall, Texas.
The following information has been shared pertaining to Funeral Services for Mr. Jessie F. Robbins:
Mr. Robbins will be funeralized at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, January 23, 2010 from the Chapel of Wynn Funeral Home in Galveston, Texas.
Family Visitation: 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M.
Wynn Funeral Home
602 32nd Street
Galveston, Texas 77550
Phone: (409) 621-1677
Fax: (409) 933-4301
Condolences May Be Sent To:
The Rev. Joe Robbins
3609 Royal Lane
Dallas, Texas 75229
Phone: (214) 358-0822
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
20. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
