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 – RICHARD ALLEN’S LEGACY AND MEMORY SHOULD BE “SACREDLY CHERISHED”:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III,
The 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
Sunday is Founder’s Day across the African Methodist Episcopal Church and I hope that all of our Churches across our Zion will be faithful in observing Founder’s Day. Richard Allen was born on February 14, 1760; that was 250 years ago. We should all be greeting each other with, “Happy Founder’s Day.”
Every Church in the Connections should be celebrating Founder’s Day because of the legacy of the Right Rev. Richard Allen, the first elected and consecrated bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Richard Allen was also the first black bishop in the United States. He founded the first black religious denomination in the United States. He built the first black house of worship in the United States. He was the forerunner of the Red Cross; since the Red Cross was not organized until 1881. He and his companions were the “Red Cross” during the 1793 Yellow Fever epidemic in Philadelphia. When we think of the organization of black denominations, the Civil Rights’ Movement, all branches of liberation theology, education in general, HBCUs, the Red Cross, racial and gender equality we should remember Richard Allen. His legacy is one that we should never forget.
Something nags at me and my gut tells me that a number of our Churches will meet tomorrow and it will be worship as usual and no mention of Richard Allen. I have seen some churches observe Founder’s Day with the wearing of dashikis and cute poems, and those things are fine, but Founder’s Day should be more than a cursory observance, it should be an intentional celebration with a focus on our founder, the Right Rev. Richard Allen.
Richard Allen was man who was born a slave, had a vision of being a free man, worked on his own time cutting cord wood, doing odd jobs and by the time he was 20 years old, had bought his freedom. In his own words, in spite of having a relatively good master, Allen said, “I had it often impressed upon my mind that I should one day enjoy my freedom; for slavery is a bitter pill…”
Not only did he endure slavery, but he also endured racism and inequality. He endured rebuke and adversity, not only from whites, but from blacks as well. He was man who had a vision, knew how to stay focused, and didn’t let adversity discourage him. And perhaps most importantly, he did not let the circumstances of his birth or the institutional racism that he endured, define his reality.
Dr. Richard S. Newman, in his outstanding book, Freedom’s Prophet, says the Richard Allen was “essentially the forerunner of modern civil rights activists, for his belief in nonviolent but confrontational reform offered lessons for virtually every black leader who followed in his wake.” It is important for African Methodists to understand that Richard Allen was the forerunner of the Civil Rights’ Movement. Each year, we honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and it is right that we do so, but we should never forget that Richard Allen was the Father of the Civil Rights’ Movement. He influenced and had an impact upon the thinking of Frederick Douglass, W.E.B. DuBois, the early bishops of the AME Church and apparently many white leaders such as Francis Asbury, Benjamin Rush and others.
Richard Allen’s influence goes beyond the African Methodist Episcopal Church and his actions have significantly impacted the religious and social landscape of America, the Caribbean and the Continent of Africa. Not only is Richard Allen the Father of the Civil Rights’ Movement, he is the Father of liberationist theology. Richard Allen “planted the seeds” for all branches of liberation theology so that academicians and theologians could cultivate and nurture his revolutionary thinking of equality for all. Richard Allen was a man before his time.
Newman in Freedom’s Prophet, reports that Frederick Douglass paid tribute to Richard Allen at the Chicago World’s Fair in September 1893. Frederick Douglass said of Allen, “Among the remarkable men whose names have found deserved place in American annals; there is not one who will be longer remembered or whose memory will be more sacredly cherished by coming generations of colored Americans than will the name and character of Richard Allen.” Douglass also said that Richard Allen was the author of a “new Declaration of Independence” and racial equality.
Yes, this Sunday is Founder’s Day and our celebration of Founder’s Day should follow the model of Moses’ sermon to the Israelites recorded in Deuteronomy 11: 19-21; “You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth.”
For African Methodists around the world, Richard Allen’s legacy must continue to live and his memory should be “sacredly cherished” by all Americans.
Happy Founder’s Day!
If you failed to plan something appropriate for Founder’s Day, plan something next Sunday or the Sunday after next; but by all means do something.
2. SUNDAY IS FOUNDER’S DAY - ANNIVERSARY TRIBUTES HONORING RICHARD ALLEN:
From The Philadelphia Inquirer:
Below are special events celebrating the 250th Anniversary of the birth of Richard Allen, founder of the Free African Society and the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the first black denomination in Philadelphia. Allen was born into slavery, bought his own freedom, and became in every sense an American "founding father." He was a man who never stopped pushing for full African participation in the nation's life, a progenitor of the Underground Railroad, a moral force in early American civic debate, and an entrepreneur who contracted to clean George Washington's chimneys at the President's House.
- Stephan Salisbury
Today, Friday, February 12, 2010
First Episcopal District Founder's Day Lecture on the life of Bishop Allen delivered by Richard Newman, author of Freedom's Prophet: Bishop Richard Allen, the A.M.E. Church, and the Black Founding Fathers, 10 a.m., First District Headquarters, 3801 Market St. The Rev. Dennis C. Dickerson, historiographer and executive director of the department of research and scholarship of the A.M.E. Church, will deliver the response. A.M.E. Bishop Richard Franklin Norris will serve as presenter.
First Episcopal District Founder's Day Worship Service will be held at 7:30 p.m., Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, Lombard and Sixth Streets. Guest preacher will be Bishop John Bryant, senior bishop, Fourth Episcopal District. A.M.E. Bishop Richard Franklin Norris will serve as presenter.
Saturday
Free concert featuring the Wilberforce University Choir, 5 p.m., Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, the Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, host pastor.
Sunday
Bishop Allen's 250th birthday, Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church, 11 a.m. Preacher will be Bishop Richard Franklin Norris. Guest choir will be the Wilberforce University Choir. The Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler will be host pastor. Following the service, the Anvil for Allen, created by Moore College of Art and Design instructor Gail Gaines, will be unveiled.
In addition, the Historical Society of Pennsylvania and the Library Company of Philadelphia have mounted a joint online exhibition of historical materials related to Richard Allen. The exhibit will remain up indefinitely at http://www.hsp.org/default.aspx?id=1466.
The Sunday Inquirer will offer special coverage on the anniversary of Richard Allen's birth.
- Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III will be preaching Founder’s Day sermons in Cincinnati, Ohio
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder, the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church will be preaching at Allen Temple AME Church, Cincinnati for the 11 a.m. worship service. The Reverend Dr. Alphonse Allen, Jr. is the pastor of Allen Temple AME Church. Allen Temple AME Church is located 7030 Reading Road in Cincinnati.
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III will also be preaching at 4 p.m. for Founder’s Day Service for the Cincinnati District in Cincinnati, Ohio at Brown Chapel AME Church, 2804 Alms Place in Cincinnati. The Rev. Dr. Wilton Blake is the Presiding Elder for the Cincinnati District of the Ohio Annual Conference and the Rev. Elmer Martin is the pastor of Brown Chapel AME Church.
3. THE 2010 BIENNIAL STEWARDSHIP AND SHARING CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA (USA):
The 2010 Biennial Stewardship and Sharing Conference will be held at the Hyatt regency Riverfront Hotel in Jacksonville, Florida on May 2 – 5, 2010. The pre-registration is $125 not later than April 15, 2010. Participants can register online at www.amecdaii.org.
The theme of the conference is “Any Given (ing) Sunday.”
https://www.amecdaii.org/2010stewardshipconference/registration/
Dr. Jerome V. Harris is the Executive Director/Plan Administrator of the Department of Annuity Investments and Insurance
For additional information contact the Department of Annuity Investment and Insurance (901) 527-2006
4. NOTICE IN RE THE MATTER OF JOHN THOMAS, III REQUEST FOR DECLARATORY DECISION:
The Judicial Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Church intends to conduct closed deliberations of issues relating to the election of the Youth delegate to the General Conference. The issue posed by Mr. Thomas is as follows:
The conflicting interpretation of Part VII, 1, C, Section 2, Lay Delegates, and Part VII, 1, C, Section 3b The Book of Discipline, 2008, page 213. The issue concerns the process for election where some Annual Conferences elect the Youth Lay delegate and the Adult Lay delegate on the same slate, with the stipulation the Youth with the highest number of votes must be a Lay delegate. If other Youths receive the required number of votes for election, they are considered elected as Lay delegates. In one Annual Conference, this resulted in a General Conference Lay delegation with a majority of Youth. Other Annual Conferences only allow one Youth to be elected placing all Youth candidates on a slate separate from the Adult Lay delegates.
The deliberations shall be exclusively among the members of the Judicial Council. To assist in its deliberations, the Judicial Council will accept briefs in accordance with The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2008 [Discipline], Part XI, Section XX.H., paragraphs 11 & 12 (page 316).
All persons, bodies wishing to submit briefs shall submit a “Notice of Intent to Submit Brief” [‘Notice”]. Such notice shall be sent by United States mail, first class, postage prepaid, to:
Name:
THE REV. GRANVILLE REED
SECRETARY, JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF THE AME CHURCH
Address:
2002 MT. HERMAN STREET
JACKSONVILLE, FL 32206
Notices must display a postmark date of no later than midnight March 5, 2010. Notices transmitted by any method other than indicated above, or after the deadline, shall not be accepted. Persons, bodies, organizations, or other entities who wish acknowledgment of receipt of Notice shall include a self-addressed, postage pre-paid envelope.
Briefs shall be accepted from only those persons, bodies, organizations, or other entities who file a Notice on or before the above-stated deadline. Those persons, bodies, organizations, or other entities filing a notice, shall receive detailed instructions regarding briefs after the closing date for the submissions of Notices.
ENTERED AND SIGNED this 12th day of February, 2010
//s//
PATRICIA M. MAYBERRY
President
The Judicial Council of the AME Church
5. THE 7TH DISTRICT’S 2009 NORTHEAST ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
*Benjamin Harrison
*The Rev. Timothy Johnson
The Northeast Annual Conference of the 7th Episcopal District was held August 31 –September 4, 2009 in Latta, South Carolina. The week long event was held at Weston Chapel AME Church located at 428 South Richardson Street in Latta, SC, where the Rev. Leonard Simmons is pastor. The Northeast Annual Conference is comprised of the Sumter, Marion, and Florence-Dillon Districts. This was the 118th Session of the Northeast Annual Conference.
The following article is based upon the Annual Conference Resolution submitted by the Rev. Timothy Johnson, pastor of Mount Olive AME Church and the Northeast Annual Conference Resolution Committee.
Friday and Saturday, over 763 young persons, chaperones and volunteers gathered at Latta High School for the annual youth summit which was conducted under the direction of Sis. Kabrina Bass, Episcopal Christian Education (CED) Administrator/Director, Rev. Dr. Friendly Gadson, Conference CED Director, Brother W. M. Jefferson, Sumter CED Director, Jonathan Greene, Marion CED Director, Anne Cade, Florence-Dillon CED Director, Presiding Elders Robert Cooper, R. L. McCants and William Smith Jr., and many others who teach children ages six to fifteen about Christian concepts such as salvation, the scriptures, church etiquette, the parts of the church, AME history, and the Bishops and Episcopal Districts of the Church. The Church also praised God through praise teams, mime ministries, drama and technology.
Sunday afternoon, during the pre-conference pomp and pageantry of the Debutantes and Masters (DMC) ceremony, elegantly attired young people from across the Conference were honored for their many volunteer hours of community, church and school service. We take this opportunity to thank Ms. Suzette Robinson, DMC Conference Commissioner and Rev. Robert Thomas, DMC Conference Associate Commissioner, and their dedicated committee members for a job well done.
Monday morning: The Women’s Missionary Society, under the supervision of Dr. Wilma D. Webb-Williams, Episcopal Supervisor, and Sis. Zelda Moses, Northeast Conference WMS President, with many missionaries in attendance, carried out a detailed business session. They also visited McKenzie Adult Care, Pines Nursing Facility, and an emergency shelter in Latta. The annual WMS luncheon was held at the Wellness Center in Dillon and they were blessed with many visiting missionary sisters. Later that evening, the Sons of Allen provided us with an inspired evening of spiritual entertainment and Rev. Johnnie Coe, pastor of St. Matthew AME Church, Hamer, SC, delivered a powerful sermon entitled, “Quality Goes In, Before the Name Goes On!”
Tuesday morning, Weston Chapel AME Church hosted an overwhelming crowd at the opening session of the 118th Northeast Annual Conference which convened with Presiding Elder William Smith Jr. as Worship Leader. The processional consisted of the Weston Chapel AME Choir, licentiates, deacons, elders, General Officer George Flowers, retired Bishop Z.L. Grady and our presiding Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Preston W. Williams II. Rev. Dr. M. Charmaine Ragin-Whittleton, pastor of Mount Pisgah AME Church, Sumter, SC, delivered an electrifying annual sermon entitled, “Reflections for Spiritual Transformation!” The opening ceremony was culminated by Holy Communion services, with Bishop Williams as Chief Celebrant.
Tuesday evening, the WMS’s Night in Mission Conference theme was, “Women of God Serving the Multitude!” The awesome WMS Choir set the tone for an amazing night of worship. The evening message was entitled, “How Do We Serve the Multitude,” and was delivered by Rev. Janice McMillan, pastor of St. Mark AME Church, Olanta, SC.
Wednesday morning, the Marion and Florence-Dillon Districts presented their ministerial-delegates and annual reports. Wednesday’s midday sermon entitled, “Trusting God,” was delivered by Rev. Daniel Simmons II. Wednesday evening, the Young People and Children’s Division, under the leadership of Ms. Connie Ford and her cabinet, demonstrated their love for Christ under the theme, “Walking in the Favor of God!” Greetings were brought to the Conference from the Episcopal and Conference WMS and YPD leadership and the youth and young adults ministered through songs of praise, liturgical dance, mime ministry and an inspirational message from Sis. Paulette Cryer, Connectional YPD Director.
The work of the Conference continued Thursday morning with the Sumter District presenting its ministerial-delegates and annual reports and Rev. D. Pennie Damon delivering a soul-inspiring midday message. Allen University’s dynamic choir rendered several soul-stirring selections and the Northeast Annual Conference collected $65,500 dollars for Allen University. The Conference then received a state of Allen University update by Dr. Charles Young, President of Allen University.
Thursday afternoon, the Ministers’ Spouses, Widows and Widowers Organization held their annual luncheon at the Wellness Center in Latta, SC, and Bro. Wallace Brown from Unison Health Group, along with Dr. Green Neal, presented the Conference with dynamic information on various health issues, followed by an informative question and answer session. Later that day, the Conference was blessed with words of wisdom from our presiding Bishop who read excerpts from the book entitled, “Organic Leadership” by Neil Cole. The Conference also received presentations on sexual harassment from Sister Liner, and the “Eyes on the Child” program from Sister Louallen.
The Lay Organization’s evening was filled with the Holy Spirit, praising God to the utmost as they recognized the many wonderful contributions of Bro. Lynwood Lewis. The Conference received additional information from Sister Harriet Cunningham regarding the Faith, Activity and Nutrition (F.A.N) program and Dr. Ila McFadden regarding the swine flu.
The Board of Examiners recommended and the Conference conferred ordination for three Itinerant Deacons and three Itinerant Elders. Bishop Julius H. McAllister Sr., presiding prelate of the 20th Episcopal District, delivered the ordination message entitled, “Things you ought to know before you make this commitment!”
The Rev. Eliza Black retired during this Annual Conference and Rev.’s John Platt Jr. and Leroy Fred were memorialized. Visitors from across the Connection and the state of South Carolina were presented at the Conference from all levels of the clergy, laity, WMS, YPD, and Sons of Allen. Brother L. Carlyle Dixon, Northeast Conference Superintendent, and the Church School Committee presented the workshop, “Leadership: Strong and Courageous!”
The closing convocation ceremony message was delivered by Rev. Dr. George F. Flowers, General Officer, Global Witness and Ministry, entitled “Stay Connected to the Vine.” The Conference gave Global Witness and Ministry an offering of $3,803 dollars.
The Rev. and Mrs. Leonard Simmons and the entire Weston Chapel AME Church hosted the 118th session of the Northeast South Carolina Annual Conference with dignity and style! The Northeast Conference would like to salute and applaud the entire Weston Chapel church family for a job well done! May God continue to shower His blessings upon you! Be it further resolved that the members of the 118th session of the Northeast Conference will continue to strive for excellence under the dynamic leadership of Bishop Preston W. Williams II and Dr. Wilma D. Webb-Williams.
*Benjamin Harrison is the Public Relations Director for the 7th District
*The Rev. Timothy Johnson is the pastor of Mount Olive AME Church in Sumter, South Carolina
6. AME PRESIDING ELDER ELECTED AS PAST MOST WORSHIPFUL, GRAND HALL STATE OF OHIO:
Congratulations to the Rite Worshipful Wilton E. Blake, who was elected as the Past Most Worshipful, Grand Lodge Prince Hall state of Ohio in December. He was also promoted to presiding elder of Cincinnati District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in January.
He served as Worshipful Master of The Pride of The Valley Lodge #95 and works tirelessly as our presiding Treasurer.
Dr. Blake is a Board Certified Chaplain by the National Association of Veterans Affairs Chaplains, and the Association of Professional Chaplains and has achieved two Doctorates in Seminary, a Doctorate in Humane Letters, Masters of Business Administration, Masters in Theology, and a Bachelor of Science
His Masonic brothers said, “Brother Blake is truly a fine example of what a Mason should be and a Beacon of Light for all us to follow. We love you Rite Worshipful Blake and wish you continued success.”
7. MOUNT JOY BRINGS JOY TO THE COMMUNITY:
The Reverend Rae-Lynn Kingeter
On December 23, 2009 the faces of many children brimmed with excitement as they were handed brightly decorated gifts for Christmas. For the parents of these children, many of whom would have otherwise not been able to buy Christmas gifts, this was a wonderful blessing. This holiday miracle came about as a result of the collaborative effort between Mount Joy African Methodist Episcopal Church in Monkton, MD and Soul Harvest Church and Ministries in Catonsville, Maryland. As a result over 200 hundred families were provided with gifts, dinner, and fellowship. This worship experience included a children’s choir, the preached Word, and the opportunity to talk with the pastors and members of both congregations.
According to the Reverend Rae-Lynn Kingeter, pastor of Mount Joy African Methodist Episcopal Church, this event was designed to be a blessing to the children of incarcerated parents and the underprivileged in the greater Baltimore area. By registering with Toys for Tots or Angel Tree, families were able to participate in this event and connect with these two ministries which each had volunteers to greet the guests and assist with gift distribution. The catalyst for Mount Joy’s involvement was ignited by the generosity of the parents in the Monkton community who expressed their desire to help families in need. After a conversation with a good friend and minister at Soul Harvest Church and Ministries, Pastor Kingeter put out a call to action to the community. The response was overwhelming and the donation from local families in the Monkton, Sparks and Butler Community in Northern Baltimore County as well as Toys for Tots numbered over 1000 toys. Some of the giveaways included bicycles, guitar hero for X-Box 360, and educational gifts such as maps and footed globes.
This is only one of many ways the Mount Joy family hopes to impact the community and demonstrate the message of the gospel. Pastor Kingeter, who was just recently appointed to serve this congregation, has a vision for ministry and outreach that is intended to improve the lives of its community’s residents. The vision for 2010 includes the launch of Adam’s House, a substance abuse group led by a board certified, licensed, and trained addictions counselor, as well as an upcoming Health Awareness month with a focus on physical, mental, and spiritual health. Like many other congregations, Mount Joy was moved to action by the earthquake in Haiti. Understanding that Haiti will not only need immediate assistance, but help in the months to come, and forthcoming initiative called Pass the Baton is in the works. The intention is to send shipping batons (mailing tubes) with male and female personal hygiene items. As expressed in Mount Joy’s 2010 theme- Always Moving Forward- this congregation is determined to move forward in Christ, improving the lives of their brothers and sisters as they do.
*The Rev Rae-Lynn Kingeter is the pastor of Mt. Joy AME Church in Monkton, Maryland
8. CHRIST OUR REDEEMER AME CHURCH (DC) HOLDS CALL TO PRAYER AND BIBLE STUDY VIA CONFERENCE CALL:
Christ Our Redeemer AME Church (DC) will hold it regular Call to Prayer and Bible Study via conference call Wednesday due to the impending weather. Please have your bible available, we are in the book of Genesis.
God bless
The Rev. Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness, Pastor
9. AME CHURCH “HANDLED” LAST WEEKEND’S SNOWSTORM AND DIDN’T LET THE SNOWSTORM HANDLE IT:
“Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Pennsauken, New Jersey was blessed to have worship service at the church on Sunday. The trustees of the church arranged for snow removal and we had over thirty members and visitors to attend the Sunday morning worship service. We did postpone communion service until this Sunday.”
Lanxton L. Washington, M.Div., Pastor
Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
Pennsauken, New Jersey
10. RACING THE FCC MIC DEADLINE - WHAT CHURCHES MUST DO BY JUNE 12, 2010 —AND WHY:
Tyler Charles
Monday, February 8, 2010
Churches, businesses, and other organizations that use wireless microphones operating in the 700 MHz band (698-806 MHz) must stop doing so by June 12, according to a decision last month by the Federal Communications Commission.
Many churches own wireless mics in the 700 MHz band ("Understanding New Wireless Microphone Restrictions," May/June 2009, Your Church) and continue to operate them, even though the FCC's digital television transition last year signaled a ban to that activity eventually would come. The FCC estimates that 25 percent of wireless mics operate in the spectrum, meaning thousands of churches likely are affected.
Ever since the FCC auctioned off the rights to the 700 MHz band in 2008, it was only a matter of time before the new owners (Verizon and AT&T, among others) would receive sole access to the sections of the spectrum for which they paid billions of dollars. These frequencies will be used (and in some cases, are already being used) by public safety agencies and next-generation (4G) wireless devices.
The FCC says it is ready to help organizations affected by the changes.
"We're doing everything we can to notify as many of these organizations as possible," says Matthew Nodine, chief of staff for the FCC's Wireless Communications Bureau.
For users who are unsure whether their devices need to be replaced, the FCC compiled a list of affected devices:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones/manufacturers.html. Users with further questions can call 1-888-CALL-FCC. The FCC recommends contacting the manufacturers with any technical questions, Nodine says.
Churches who don't comply face fines. Those that do comply likely face the cost of buying new equipment, although some may find low-cost—or no-cost—solutions in the short term if they can live without a wireless setup.
The key, microphone manufacturers say, is that churches shouldn't wait to act, since June 12 is a firm deadline, and problems likely will emerge even sooner.
"The reality is that users will begin to suffer dropouts and interference from the new data traffic anyway, so at some point in the next few months [their wireless devices] won't work well anyway," says Chris Lyons, manager of technical and educational communications for Shure Inc., a microphone and audio systems provider.
Unlicensed use
Most churches never received a license for operating 700 MHz wireless microphones, but used them anyway without authorization. That wasn't illegal, Nodine says, but it will become illegal with the June 12 deadline.
For the few churches that did receive 700 MHz licenses, they're out of luck with the deadline, too.
"It should also be clearly pointed out that this vacating of the band includes licensed and unlicensed devices," says Kent Margraves, national applications manager for Sennheiser Electronic Corporation, another microphone manufacturer. "It does not matter if the user holds a license."
Facing Penalties
So what happens if a church continues to use these wireless devices after the deadline?
"There's going to be a wide array of potential penalties, including civil and/or criminal penalties," Nodine says. "We always look at things on a case-by-case basis, but obviously, any interference with public safety will be looked at with greater scrutiny."
Nodine says some users will be asked to stop using their devices prior to the deadline.
"In certain areas of the country, commercial enterprises are going to start implementing new devices, and if users cause interference, they'll be given 60 days to stop," Nodine says. "Essentially, if they're causing interference, they need to stop immediately."
Nodine also says that users should know if they're causing interference.
"Typically, if they're receiving interference, then they're also causing it," he says.
Despite all of the attention given to the clearing of the 700 MHz band, Lyons says some churches are just now finding out about it—and despite what some think, everyone needs to comply with the new rule.
"A surprising number of customers seem to think they don't need to comply because 'the FCC doesn't have people driving around with scanners' looking for people using wireless mics in the 700 MHz band," Lyons says. "But the companies who paid billions of dollars for the licenses to use spectrum in the 700 MHz band definitely do have the people, skill, and equipment to do just that."
In addition to incurring fines from the FCC, a church that continues to use its 700 MHz wireless devices could even jeopardize the health of those attending services.
"What if someone has a heart attack during the service?" Lyons says. "When the paramedics rush in to help him, the pastor's own wireless mic could prevent the paramedics from using their walkie-talkies. This scenario may seem unlikely, but it is absolutely possible."
Possible Solutions
The FCC says some tinkering with existing mics that use the 700 MHz spectrum may resolve the problem, but mic experts say that won't work for most.
"A very large percentage of those that operate in the 700 MHz band can be re-tuned," Nodine says.
Lyons and Margraves both suggest that the FCC's suggestion is ambitious.
"I think that only a small fraction of users have systems that can be re-tuned to operate in a different band," Lyons says.
"There are a number of systems on the market that can be re-tuned," Margraves says. "But there are also many, many systems on the market that operate in fixed frequency ranges. They may be 'frequency agile' but have a fixed bandwidth of several TV stations wide, which cannot be changed, short of a complete overhaul.
"In those instances, system replacement is the best option."
In addition to reviewing the FCC's list to see if certain models can be re-tuned, churches should consult with the equipment manufacturer about the possibility.
Some manufacturers are still offering return rebates to affected users. Both Sennheiser and Shure have extended their rebate programs through June 30, and both companies accept systems made by other manufacturers.
If churches don't have the money to replace their wireless mics, Lyons and Margraves recommend turning to wired microphones.
"If a user doesn't have the budget to replace their 700 MHz systems now, they must turn them off and switch to wired mics until the money becomes available," Lyons says.
Margraves recommends reevaluating the number of RF systems that are needed on a weekly basis.
"Some churches find that they only need their full stock of wireless systems at special events like concerts and pageants," Margraves says. "If that is the case, it is worth considering wireless systems rental for those occasions. Quality rental suppliers will have up-to-date equipment."
Christianity Today.com: http://www.christianitytoday.com/global/printer.html?/yc/musicaudio/microphones/racingthefccmicdeadline.html
Tyler Charles is a freelance writer living in Delaware, Ohio.
Copyright © 2010 by the author or Christianity Today, Inc./Your Church magazine.
11. 2010 YEARBOOK OF CHURCHES CHRONICLES TRENDS:
Catholics, Mormons, Assemblies of God growing; Mainline churches report a continuing decline.
New York, February 12, 2010 -- The National Council of Churches' 2010 Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches reports membership gains in the Catholic Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Assemblies of God, among others.
The 78th annual edition of the Yearbook also reports a continuing decline in membership of virtually all mainline denominations. And the Southern Baptist Convention, the nation's second largest denomination and long a reliable generator of church growth, reported a decline in membership for the second year in a row, down 0.24 percent to 16,266,920.
The Catholic Church, the nation's largest at more than 68 million members, also reported a slight membership loss in 2009 but rebounded this year with a robust growth of 1.49 percent.
The Latter-day Saints grew 1.71 percent to 5,873,408 members and the Assemblies of God grew 1.27 percent to 2,863,265 members, according to figures reported in the 2010 Yearbook.
Other churches that continued to post membership gains in 2010 are Jehovah's Witnesses, up 2 percent to 1,092,169 members, and Church of God (Cleveland, Tenn.), up 1.76 percent to 1,053,642 members.
Churches reporting the highest membership losses are the Presbyterian Church (USA), down 3.28 percent to 2,941,412; American Baptist Churches in the USA, down 2 percent to 1,358,351; and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, down 1.92 percent to 4,709,956 members.
Membership figures reported in the 2010 Yearbook were collected by the churches in 2008 and reported to the Yearbook in 2009.
However, eleven of the 25 largest churches did not report updated figures: the Church of God in Christ; the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.; the National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.; the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America; the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc.; Churches of Christ; Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America; Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.; Baptist Bible Fellowship International; and Christian Churches and Churches of Christ.
The Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, editor of the annual Yearbook since 1998, noted that many observers have attributed accelerated membership decline of some churches to "an increasing secularization of American postmodern society, and its disproportionate impact on liberal religious groups."
But Lindner advised caution in assessing the causes of decline.
"American society as a whole has not experienced the kind and rate of secularization so clearly demonstrated during the last quarter century in Western Europe. Indeed, American church membership trends have defied gravity particularly where the Pentecostal experience is included."
In addition, the largest plurality of immigrants to the U.S. in the last 50 years has been Christian in their religious affiliation, Lindner notes.
"In an era in which we have come to expect the inevitable advance of secularism in the U.S., the influx of robust Christian communities among new immigrants once again amends the topographical map."
More study is needed to determine the potential changes in the American landscape "occasioned by the in-migration of new immigrant churches over the last forty years," Lindner writes. But the impacts of the new immigration on the faith community have been profound.
Church financial trends are also reported in the Yearbook. The financial reporting in the 2010 Yearbook is based on the financial income reports of the 64 churches reporting. The almost 45 million members of these churches contributed almost $36 billion, showing a decrease in the total income to the churches of $26 million.
The 2010 Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches reports on 227 national church bodies. Statistics in the yearbook reflect "continued high overall church participation, and account for the religious affiliation of over 163 million Americans," the editor reports.
The Yearbook also includes a directory of 234 U.S. local and regional ecumenical bodies with program and contact information and provides listings of theological seminaries and bible schools, religious periodicals and guides to religious research including church archive listings.
Information in the Yearbook is kept up to date in two regular electronic updates each year. Access to this Internet data is provided through a unique passcode printed inside the back cover.
Total church membership reported in the 2010 Yearbook is 147,384,631 members, up 0.49 percent over 2009.
The top 25 churches reported in the 2010 Yearbook are in order of size:
1. The Catholic Church, 68,115,001 members, up 1.49 percent.
2. Southern Baptist Convention, 16,228,438 members, down 0.24 percent.
3. The United Methodist Church, 7,853,987 members, down 0.98 percent.
4. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 5,974,041 members, up 1.71 percent.
5. The Church of God in Christ, 5,499,875 members, no membership updates reported.
6. National Baptist Convention, U.S.A., Inc, 5,000,000 members, no membership updates reported.
7. Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 4,633,887 members, down 1.62 percent.
8. National Baptist Convention of America, Inc., 3,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
9. Assemblies of God (ranked 10 last year), 2,899,702 members, up 1.27 percent.
10. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 1(ranked 9 last year), 2,844,952 members, down 3.28 percent.
11. African Methodist Episcopal Church, 2,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
11. National Missionary Baptist Convention of America, 2,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
11. Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc. 2,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
14. The Lutheran Church-- Missouri Synod (LCMS), 2,337,349 members, down 1.92 percent.
15. The Episcopal Church, 2,057,292 members, down 2.81 percent.
16. Churches of Christ, 1,639,495 members, no membership updates reported.
17. Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, 1,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
17. Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., 1,500,000 members, no membership updates reported.
19. The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 1,400,000 members, members, no membership updates reported.
20. American Baptist Churches in the U.S.A., 1,331,127 members, down 2.00 percent.
21. Baptist Bible Fellowship International (ranked 22 last year), 1,200,000 members, no membership updates reported.
22. Jehovah’s Witnesses (ranked 23 last year) 1,114,009 members, up 2.00 percent.
23. United Church of Christ (ranked 22 last year), 1,111,691 members, down 2.93 percent.
24. Church of God (Cleveland, Tennessee), (ranked 25 last year), 1,072,169 members, up 1.76 percent.
25. Christian Churches and Churches of Christ (ranked 24 last year), 1,071,616 members, no membership updates reported.
12. YOU DON’T HAVE TO PAY TO PRAY:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
Humankind has been praying in some form or another ever since the beginning of time. Whether a man or woman prayed to an object, planets, a plant, an animal or a mysterious force/power he or she prayed. People have done so because they have concluded that there had to be a power or force higher then humankind that controls the universe. So people prayed for whatever they wanted in hope that their prayers would be answered.
Each of us can pray; although there are some who claim that they don’t know how.
Our prayers don’t have to be done orally in order that others can hear us. You don’t have to have any degrees in order to pray.
There are those who believe that praying is useless. They say that praying is just “whistling in the dark.”
If you can talk you can pray. If you have a mind and a need you can pray silently.
God hears us even before we speak. He hears our thinking. We are admonished to pray for one another; it does not cost one dime. I deplore those who “prey” upon the innocent by requesting a sum of money so that they may pray for them; it is ungodly and hypocritical.
There is no charge for praying. There is no “prayer bank” that we can draw on. That is why we are admonished always to “pray without ceasing,” but our prayers must be sincere. We have to pray believing.
When we pray, we must not pray with our fingers crossed; holding a wishbone or some “good luck charm.” If we go to bed wondering if our prayers have been heard, it means that you have not prayed, believing.
You don’t have to be eloquent in order to pray. God does not grade our grammar but God considers our need and our sincerity in prayer. God does not check our adjectives, God checks our attitude. God does not check our prepositions but he does check our disposition. We don’t need a license or a permit to pray. The effectiveness of a prayer is not in the saying, but in the praying.
A young girl went to her daddy and said, “Daddy, I would ask you for five dollars, but I know you are not going to give it to me. And her daddy said, “You are right if that’s what you think; I will not give you five dollars.”
There are some among us who are not sure that our prayers have been answered because we expect our prayers to be answered in the manner that we desire. Keeping that in mind, I am sure prayers have been answered, but we did not recognize or realize that our prayers were answered. What we don’t realize is that, “God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform.”
I don’t know what our mental state would be if God were to answer our prayers exactly as we wanted them to be answered.
Some of us are just like that little girl. We pray in doubt and with uncertainty. You don’t play or pay when you pray.
One thing we must keep in mind and that is, we should never pray for harm to come to anyone. If you do, your prayer would probably bounce off the ceiling right back to you.
I have some serious concerns with those who send money to strangers in hope of being prayed for. What makes you think that those “prayer merchants” praying is more effective than yours or the prayers of your pastor? What makes you think that they can get a prayer through faster than you or your pastor? All you are doing is filling their pockets and supporting their luxurious lifestyles.
What happened to the old prayer meetings where souls were serious?
For all of you, I pray that God would shower his blessing upon you and listen to your supplications, and this does not cost you one dime.
Question:
Where is the dividing line between concern and worry?
How do you distinguish between liking and loving?
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts, Author, Teacher, Counselor, Humorist (Ptaegar@AOL.Com) is a retired AME pastor who lives in Eatonville, Florida
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Rev. George Wright, a Local Elder in the New York Conference and the husband of the late Rev. Bertha S. Wright, former pastor of St. James AMEC, New York City (Manhattan District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing - Monday, February 15, 2010
Viewing - 4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
St. James AME Church
2010 Fifth Avenue
New York, New York 10035
Phone: 212-369-2020
Deborah A. McCaffity, Pastor
Funeral - Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Funeral - 10:00 a.m.
First AME Bethel
60 West 132nd Street
New York, New York 10037
Phone: 212-862-0100
Fax: 212-634-1323
The Rev. Henry A. Belin, III, Pastor
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Sister Mary Rosetta Wright-Williams
1868 White Plains Road Apt. 3B
Bronx, NY 10462
Or Fax to: George H. Weldon Funeral Home, telephone: 212-860-7235
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with deep regret, that we announce the passing of Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Wilson Leach, the mother of the Reverend Harry L. Wilson, Presiding Elder of the Manning District in the Central South Carolina Conference, Seventh Episcopal District.
Funeral Service for Sister Mary Elizabeth Wilson Leach:
Friday, February 12, 2010 @ 1:00 PM
Unionville A. M. E. Church
1339 Swimming Pen Road
Mayesville, South Carolina 29104
Professional Service entrusted to:
Sumter Funeral Service
623 Manning Avenue
Sumter, South Carolina 29150
803-778-1149
803-778-2719 (fax)
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Presiding Elder & Mrs. Harry L. Wilson
Post Office Box 12961
Florence, South Carolina 29504-2961
(843) 269-1543 (cell)
(843) 317-9484 (home)
Email: revharrylwilson@aol.com
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Wilbert B. Garrett, brother of Mrs. Brenda G. Hurst, Louisiana Conference WMS President of the 8th Episcopal District, and PK Advisor for Conn-M-SWAWO+PK's of the AME Church. He was the brother-in-law of the Rev. Mack C. Hurst, pastor of Grant Chapel AME Church, Amite, Louisiana.
Service arrangements for Mr. Wilbert B. Garrett:
Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Gaines Chapel AME Church
69340 Phillips Road
Tangipahoa, Louisiana 70465
Rev. Lawrence Morris, Pastor
Professional services entrusted to:
Richardson Funeral Home
501 NW Central Avenue
Amite, Louisiana 70422
Phone: (985) 748-4224
Phone: (985) 748-2558
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Brenda G. Hurst
P.O. Box 1059
Greensburg, Louisiana 70441
Phone: (985) 634-8513 cell
Phone: (225) 222-6088 home
Email: bghurst@yahoo.com
16. 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
17. 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
