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 – I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE, WHO DON’T READ OUR PERIODICALS, ALSO FAIL TO READ THE BIBLE:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I had an interesting, but disturbing experience in Columbia, South Carolina while attending The Great Gathering. The Great Gathering was a wonderful experience.
I was getting ready to return to Nashville and was sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for a ride to the airport. I sat down next across from a young lady started small talk; it just seemed like the right thing to do since we were sitting in the same space. I said, “Good morning! My name is Calvin Sydnor and I am getting ready to fly back to Nashville.” She responded, “I am Reverend Mary Evans (not her real name, I can’t remember her name).
I asked, “Are you a pastor? Are you AME CME or AME Zion?” She responded that she was an AME, but she was not pastoring.
I asked if she enjoyed The Great Gathering and she responded that she had enjoyed the meeting.
I asked her if she were an itinerant deacon or elder and she responded that she was an itinerant elder and served on the staff of a church in South Carolina. I told her that I was the editor of The Christian Recorder, but that didn’t seem to strike a normal response like, ”Oh, yeah, I have seen your picture” or give a compliment or a criticism.
I asked her if she read The Christian Recorder and she responded that she hadn’t gotten a subscription to The Christian Recorder yet. I then asked if she read The Christian Recorder Online. She responded that she had not read The Christian Recorder Online.
By this time I am flabbergasted, ready to lose my cool. I asked her if she read The A.M.E. Church Review and again she answered in the negative. I asked about The Journal of Religious Education, The Missionary Magazine and the other AME periodicals and again the answer was that she didn’t read them. By that time, I wanted to get cynical and ask if she read the Bible, but I “didn’t go there” because I didn’t want her to lie.
I wonder how many other preachers we have who are not interested in keeping abreast of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. I really wanted to ask that young lady which books and periodicals did she regularly read.
I was disturbed by that conversation and I guess that I don’t have to worry about the young lady reading this editorial. I was disturbed because she may be indicative of other AME clergy and laity; people who are not connected with the Church because they fail to read the periodicals of the AME Church.
A couple of weeks ago, I received the Gazette. I bet that young lady has no idea about the Gazette. I would bet at this point there are many of you reading this editorial, up to this point, have no idea about the Gazette. The YPD Gazette is the Young People’s Department periodical. It is absolutely a wonderful magazine, outstanding articles, engaging graphics, a lot of stories by and about young people, news from the various episcopal districts, a Questions and Answers’ column, and a lot of news for young people. I wonder how many young people are subscribed to it. I wonder how many pastors are subscribed to it.
The AME Church Periodicals
The Journal of Christian Education has outstanding articles that would assist pastors and religious educators in the local church. I wonder how many people read it.
The Voice of Missions is another outstanding AME periodical that has thought-provoking articles, news about Districts 14-20, and observations from the Executive Director and the Editor give clear statement about the AME Church’s mission ministry overseas. I wonder how many people read it.
The Women’s Missionary Magazine is a premier periodical with informative articles. It ranks, with the other AME periodicals, at the top of denominational periodicals. The AME Church periodicals can stand with the best. . I wonder how many people read it.
The Connectional Lay Organization Magazine is a must–read periodical for the AME laity and clergy should read it too. I wonder how many people read it.
The AME devotional periodical, The Secret Chamber with its inspirational vignettes brings joy to those who read it, but I wonder how many people read it.
I wonder how many of our clergy and laity read our periodicals. I know that we have a lot of subscribers, but I am also certain that we have a lot more clergy and laity who are not subscribed to our periodicals.
The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2008 on page 172, gives preachers and laity the option, and thus an excuse, beyond a mandatory subscription to The Christian Recorder, not to subscribe to all of the AME periodicals. The Discipline simply says, “All traveling preachers in the Connection are required to subscribe to The Christian Recorder, or The Voice of Missions or The A.M.E. Church Review or The Journal of Christian Education. Presiding elders, at their Quarterly Conferences, shall require all local preachers to subscribe to at least one of the Church periodical.”
The Discipline makes one thing clear. All “traveling preachers” are required to follow the rule set forth in The Discipline.” Traveling preachers are itinerant deacons and itinerant elders. I suspect that some people read “traveling preachers” to mean only pastors. All ordained itinerant deacons and elders are “traveling preachers,” even those clergy without pastoral appointments.
Putting the laity aside, we minimize the standards and expectations of our clergy.
If we valued the content of our AME periodicals, the expectation should be that every clergy person read and be knowledgeable about the information in all of the AME periodicals. When we extend minimum standards, as in subscribe to this periodical or to that periodical, people will almost always take the “road of least resistance” and do what is minimally required and, in the long run, the denomination suffers.
In the case of the subscription options on page 172, most preachers will opt for two subscriptions, except in the case where presiding bishops insists that all pastors subscribe to all AME periodicals. Bishops should not have to “tell” professionals that they have to subscribe to the organization’s periodicals. Professionals should want to know what’s going on in every segment of the organization.
As I have said before, every person coming into the AME ministry should want to subscribe to all of the AME periodicals. They should not have to be told to subscribe to the AME periodicals. Church officers who are serious about being officers in the AME Church should subscribe to all of the AME Church periodicals.
The young preacher I met in Columbia who precipitated this editorial is the classic example of an ordained AME clergy person who is not concerned with incorporating the full spectrum of African Methodism into the totality of ministry.
Sermons are more than Bible stories, more than what happened in biblical history. Effective sermons address contemporary issues and the African Methodist Episcopal Church is a connectional church, our ministries “touch each other” and the way we find out about what’s going on in the AME Church can be discovered by reading our periodicals.
It is in our periodicals that we learn about the past, the present and what we hope for in the future. It is in our periodical that we learn what others are doing and what has worked for others and hopefully capture ideas for ministry. Our periodicals allow us to share ideas and ministry initiatives. Our periodicals should inspire ministry and spark evangelism.
But how can these things be if we fail to read our periodicals. If the AME Church periodicals are not in your possession, you can’t read them.
If we love the African Methodist Episcopal Church we should want to be as knowledgeable as we can about our Church, and the most effective way that we can be knowledgeable about our Church is to subscribe to the African Methodist Episcopal church periodicals and read them.
I wonder how many people read our periodicals.
Did you know?
There are no parables in the Gospel of John.
There are only seven miracles in the Gospel of John.
I wonder how many people, who don’t read our periodicals, also fail to read the Bible.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
RE: May 14, 2010 TCR Online article, "Are We Striving for Indigenous leadership or Indigenous Church" by the Rev. Msibi
I am appreciative of the context this article gives for the discussions on "indigenous leadership v. indigenous church" and the role of the Episcopacy in African Methodism. I agree wholeheartedly that this rich ongoing debate has been presented generally in a rather stilted manner. It is not simply a matter of who gets to wear a purple robe and for how long--although that is an important issue and the Connection has not come to grips with what we truly want in terms of leadership for our areas outside of the United States. At the very core of the topic is the future of the Connection and our perspective of African Methodism. We are one body in Christ with different parts, but at times it seems as if some parts are more equal than others.
Language and culture, however, are an important part of this discussion because the fact remains that the AME Church in many of its areas outside the United States has not contemplated nor understood the various languages and manners of worship of our membership. A balance must be found between the core tenets of Christianity through the African Methodist perspective and domestic relevancy. The absence of systemic training and materials in languages other than English continues to weaken our work in non-Anglophone areas. The complete lack of an international development strategy continues to debilitate our overall expansion outside the United States. I am prayerful that we will continue to have meaningful discussions as to how to make our Church truly more inclusive and more representative and more importantly take substantive action.
John Thomas III
Ph.D Student,
University of Chicago
-To the Editor:
RE: Editor’s Note comment, "… purpose of worship is to direct the people to God ...”
I agree with your comment, “The attention should not be upon the worship leader and his or her relationship with the congregation, which is why ministers wear, robes; to take attention from them."
I can't help thinking that this might go right over some folks' heads because ministers' robes don't seem to serve that purpose any more. Many of them are so colorful and flashy these days! The "prettier," the better.
They are hardly like the dull-looking, simple, brown robes of the monks, which do pretty much cover the original purpose. It's interesting that you included that statement but I couldn't help smiling as I pictured some of the robes I've seen in recent years.
Name withheld by request
3. THE GREAT GATHERING – A POWERFUL AND EMPOWERING EXPERIENCE:
Mr. Benjamin Harris
March 1-3, 2010, America’s three largest Black Methodist denominations, the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.), African Methodist Episcopal Zion (A.M.E.Z.), and Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Churches, with combined memberships of more than 7 million worldwide, convened at a historic gathering in the Seventh Episcopal District. This strategic summit was entitled “The Great Gathering” and was conducted in the Carolina Coliseum in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, U.S.A. This was the first time in more than 45 years that these three Black Methodist denominations have come together to collaborate on a major initiative designed to address a crisis in their communities.
The central concern which brought these denominations together is the plight of the Black male. Noticeably absent in the church and in the home, disproportionately represented in the ranks of the unemployed and incarcerated, and poorly educated and in ill-health, the three Churches convened to seek answers to what is going wrong with Black males and devise solutions which will have a positive impact on Black family life. In essence, the ultimate goal of The Great Gathering is to alter the troubling history of Black males by identifying, developing and implementing unified solutions to the key issues that are devastating the Black family and community.
Leading The Great Gathering were A.M.E. Senior Bishop John R. Bryant, A.M.E.Z. Senior Bishop George W.C. Walker, and C.M.E. Senior Bishop William H. Graves. This momentous event brought together all bishops of each denomination, clergy and laity on all levels, politicians, civic leaders, and educators from throughout the nation. Rev. Dr. Staccato Powell, Pastor of Grace A.M.E.Z. Church in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A., should be commended for his excellent service as Chair of The Gathering.
Between 5,000-10,000 people attended The Gathering daily and its activities included Morning Prayer sessions, Bible study sessions, congregant caucuses, worship services, and evening gospel concerts. There were daily sermons, seminars and panel discussions with nationally renowned ministers and lecturers including Senior A.M.E. Bishop John R. Bryant, Presiding Prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District; Dr. Marian Wright Edelman, Founder and President of the Children’s Defense Fund, (http://edelman.sfsu.edu); Dr. James H. Johnson, Jr., William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship in the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School, and Director of the Urban Investment Strategies Center in the Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise; Dr. Cornel West, Class of 1943 University Professor in the Center for African American Studies at Princeton University, and one of America’s most provocative intellectuals on race and politics, (www.cornelwest.com); Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu, author, activist, lecturer and perhaps America’s leading authority on the Black male, (www.africanamericanimages.com); Rev. Dr. William Watley, Pastor of St. James A.M.E. Church, Newark, New Jersey; and Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr., Pastor of Beebe Memorial Cathedral C.M.E. Church, Oakland, California. Additionally, the close of each evening’s activities featured sensational musical concerts from Grammy award winning artists Hezekiah Walker, Byron Cage, and Marvin Sapp.
In what is called The Great Gathering Rationale, Church leadership explains that, “This gathering of three powerful denominations will be a major signal to all that the Church will now take an even more proactive and aggressive role in addressing the critical problems that are hurting our communities nationwide… [T]o date, there has not been a nationwide effort created and implemented by one of the most influential and powerful segments of the African American community, the Church. Such a movement to address the many issues affecting and influencing Black men would indeed have a major impact.” Thus, Church leadership has established this Great Gathering as the beginning of a new tri-denominational partnership through which the Churches’ collective strength is utilized to effect positive change for Black males in America and ultimately around the world.
A.M.E. Host Bishop Preston W. Williams II, Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District, stated, “What a joy and a blessing to host thousands of A.M.E.’s, A.M.E.Z.’s and C.M.E.’s all coming together for a single positive purpose here in the great state of South Carolina. I pray that each and every person’s experience here was comfortable, enlightening and inspiring and that the Holy Spirit has refreshed and renewed each of your minds and souls for the great work that lies ahead of us all, which we will accomplish together.”
Between Monday morning’s opening session and Wednesday evening’s closing session, the Holy Spirit of God filled the Carolina Coliseum and all those within. During those three joyous days a divinely inspired transformation took place whereby A.M.E.’s, A.M.E.Z.’s, and C.M.E.’s planned and prayed, sang and strategized, loved and learned, and focused and fellowshipped together, not as individual denominations, but as a singularly united Methodist body of Christ. Thousands initially came to Columbia, S.C. as individual members of separate denominations, but all left with a greater awareness of the connectedness of Black Methodism.
During the event, Mayor Robert D. Coble of Columbia, South Carolina, presented the three denominations’ Senior Bishops with keys to the city. South Carolina Senators Vincent Shaheen and Clementa Pinckney presented the Senior Bishops with a resolution on behalf of the S.C. Senate and House of Representatives. Additionally, United States President Barak H. Obama delivered a video address to all Great Gathering attendees which can be viewed at (www.greatgathering.org). The majesty and magnitude of the event generated national media coverage, a list of which can also be viewed at the event’s aforementioned website. So strong was the spirit of togetherness that, due to the fact that the A.M.E.Z. Church does not currently have mission work in Haiti, it decided to give $100,000 dollars to the A.M.E. Church and $100,000 dollars to the C.M.E. Church to assist those two denominations with their ministries in Haiti.
After three days of meeting and greeting, preaching and teaching, singing and praising God, a solid plan of action was developed and presented. On the final day of The Great Gathering, Church leadership offered a plan designed to bring significant change to the future of the Black male and Black community entitled the “Black Methodist Coalition - Male Investment Plan.” In it, the primary needs of the Black community are identified as “economic, education, health and wellness, and spiritual enrichment.” The Plan states its initial focus as Black males ages 5-25 who will be recruited into Saturday Academies where they will be partnered with mentors who will assist participants in discovering and developing their own God-given gifts and abilities. Through workshops on a variety of essential life skills such as educational, career, health, and spiritual wellness, mentors seek to uplift participants and assist them in reaching their divine potential. For further details, the full Male Investment Plan can be viewed at (www.greatgathering.org).
The following are excerpts taken from the sermons and lectures presented by The Great Gathering’s featured speakers:
* (All statistics are specific to the United States of America.) *
Dr. Marian Wright Edelman – “From the Cradle to Prison” – (Monday at 12:00 noon)
Founder and President of the Children’s Defense Fund, (http://edelman.sfsu.edu).
“We are facing a new kind of slavery – what I call the cradle to prison pipeline. And if we don’t see it and name it and change it, we’re going to lose all the social and racial progress of the last 50 years.”
“We need a new movement and we need it urgently, and that’s where the Black church has to become the locomotive of the new movement to save our children.”
“Michelle Alexander says, in her book The New Jim Crow, that there are more African Americans under correctional control today, in prison or jail, on probation or parole, than were enslaved in 1850, a decade before the Civil War.”
“As of 2004, more African American men were disenfranchised due to felony disenfranchisement laws than in 1870, the year that the 15th Amendment was ratified prohibiting laws that explicitly deny the right to vote on the basis of race.”
“There are 14 million children living in poverty and 40% of them are living in extreme poverty.”
“Every 10 seconds of every day a child drops out of school … every 32 seconds, in a country with a Gross Domestic Product of 14 trillion dollars, we let a child be born into poverty … every 39 seconds a child is neglected or abused … every minute a child has a child … and every 2 hours and 45 minutes a child is killed by guns.”
“We’ve got to have a strategy that addresses the needs of the whole child.”
“One in three Black boys born in 2001 is at risk of going to prison in his lifetime.”
“The [cradle to prison] pipeline is driven by poverty and racial disparities still.”
“More than 40% of Black children are born poor.”
“Black fathers are twice as likely as White fathers to be unemployed.”
“When Black men do find work they earn $197 dollars per week less than White men.”
“70% of Black babies are born to unmarried mothers.”
“46% of Black students attend 2,000 high schools labeled drop-out factories.”
“In 4th grade, 88% of Black boys cannot read at grade level and 84% cannot do math at grade level … in the 12th grade, 84% of Black boys cannot read at grade level and 92% cannot do math at grade level.”
“Black youths are 5 times as likely as White youths to be arrested for a violent offense.”
“We need to reweave the fabric of family and community and it needs to start in the church – open up those doors!”
“The first thing I hope you [churches] will do is … I have committed the Children’s Defense Fund to training 5,000 new leaders over the next 5 years … I want you all to give us 1,000 [new leaders we can train] … [Secondly] Freedom Schools are making a big difference … I would like 1% of each of your denominations to sponsor Freedom Schools … [Thirdly] I hope I can call on you for one [children’s defense] campaign a year.”
“We need to let our children know that we’re going to fight for them.”
“Incarceration is the new American apartheid … It threatens all the progress of the last 50 years.”
“We’ve got to figure it out. We can’t go backwards. We can’t go back to slavery and that’s what prisons are today.”
“So I hope we’ll leave here saying we’re going to build a movement, because nothing short of a transformative movement is going to do it. And I hope that each of us here who’ve come, and I’m so grateful for your leadership, will say, ‘God use me as you will, to save our children today and tomorrow, and to build a nation and a world where every child is welcome, has a level playing field, and knows they are a child of God, because we adults have instilled that.”
Dr. James H. Johnson, Jr. – “Disruptive Demographics” – (Monday at 1:30 pm)
Director, Urban Investment Strategies Center, Frank Hawkins Kenan Institute of Private Enterprise; William R. Kenan, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School.
“This nation is in the midst of an unprecedented demographic transformation that will radically transform all of our social, economic and political institutions, including the faith community.”
“The Browning of America refers to the growing role that people of color and immigrants are going to play in transforming the racial and ethnic complexion of our society in the years to come… The Graying of America refers to the aging of our native born population… Our ability to thrive and prosper and compete in the years ahead is going to hinge upon the degree to which we manage this transition from the Graying of America to the Browning of America.”
“Today the majority of immigrants coming to this country are people of color primarily coming from Asia and Latin America, and to a lesser extent Africa and the like.”
“What I’m talking about with the Browning of America is the fundamental shift in the origins of the people who come in this country.”
“What’s under girding this immigration driven shift and the growing role of African Americans in society is we’re in the midst of one heck of a color adjustment in our society.”
“In 1995, Whites constituted about 74% of our total population. Projections are that number, by the year 2050, is going to drop to about 47%, Blacks are going to grow to about 13%, Hispanics 29%, and Asians about 9%.”
“What I’m talking about with the Browning of America is the fundamental shift in the composition of our population where we are going to be the numerical majority. So the whole language and the way we think about ourselves and society and the economy has to change, because we’re becoming the numerical majority.”
“Between 1990 and 2000, we added 33 million people to our population in this country; 65% of that 33 million people were people of color. For the period 2000–20004, we added another 12 million people to our population; 82% of that 12 million people were people of color.”
Dr. Cornel West – (Monday at 3:00 pm)
Class of 1943 University Professor in the Center for African American Studies, Princeton University, and one of America’s most provocative intellectuals on race and politics, (www.cornelwest.com).
“The great W.E.B. DuBois talked about in The Souls of Black Folk, that classic of 1903 on pg. 124, he said, ‘The greatest Negro organizations in the world – the African Methodists.’ That’s what the greatest Black scholar in the history of the country, that’s what he had to say about you all. That’s in part why this gathering is so very important.”
“If I have a chance to play a small part in this kind of wake up call, that’s what it is; it’s a prophetic wakeup call ya’ll. It’s an awakening taking place in Black America, in this case led by the Black Methodists.”
“And we’re here for one fundamental reason and that is we want the world to know that we have an unconditional and unequivocal love of our priceless and precious Black brothers.”
“We understand justice is what love looks like in public.”
“This Gathering is about a love renaissance. It’s a renaissance of self-respect; it’s a renaissance of protection; it’s a renaissance of correction.”
“And we want the world to know beginning with the state government, national government, city councils, that we love our young people and want a lime light cast on this situation. We want the world to know there is a national emergency taking place right now in chocolate cities and it’s a part of a national security emergency.”
“We want the world to know that we came out of a tradition that says when we love, when we talk about being protected, respected and corrected, it starts with us, but it spills over across the board because the Black Agenda has never been some narrow, ghetto-ized, marginalized, peripheral agenda. It starts on the chocolate side of town and spills over to every corner of the globe. That’s what it is to be part of a Black freedom struggle.”
“We are wrestling with spiritual malnutrition when it comes to our young Black brothers.”
“Spiritual malnutrition is inseparable from moral constipation – when you know what’s right but you just can’t get it out.”
“How do we galvanize that in such a way that that moral outrage and righteous indignation, like Jesus in the temple, can have some effects and consequences touching these young folks and touching the powers that be?”
“We must never ever give up on our precious priceless young Black brothers.”
“I pray to God that we get this word out through the media, the newspapers, with your friends, ‘The Methodists love; the Methodists care; they’re focusing on the young folk and they are leading a renaissance.”
“In the age of Obama, churches have begun to wake up in a way we haven’t before and it’s a beautiful thing to witness.”
“The Black Agenda has always been the best agenda for America.”
“We, at our best, constitute the moral conscience of the nation, the prophetic voice of the nation. We are the incarnate voice of justice when it is rooted in a love that begins on the chocolate side of town and spills over across the board.”
“We have to be honest about this and do it in such a way that we are bearing witness to the best of those who came before and were targeting those folk who are usually rendered invisible, overlooked, ignored.”
“And we also know, quite candidly and honestly, that if 50% of our beloved White brothers and sisters between 18 and 30 were unemployed, we wouldn’t have to have a conference like this – it would already be a national emergency!”
Bishop Mildred B. Hines, A.M.E.Z. Church – (Monday at 7:00 pm)
“We’ve spent too much time plotting and planning on how to separate ourselves, when our young boys are dying and our young girls’ lives are being destroyed. We’re arguing over gender issues when our prayer should be, ‘Lord make us one.’”
“We’ve come in our diversity, we’ve come with our differences, but we’ve come with the potential of being one.”
“For these next few days, yes our agenda is to look at the opportunities for young boys and young girls, we’ve come yes together, united in Christ, to sit down at a common table, put it on the table, face it, and then ask the question, ‘What will we do from here?’ But whatever we do, we can’t do it until we become one.”
Dr. William Watley, Pastor of St. James AME Church, Newark, New Jersey preached at the Tuesday evening worship service. Among the parishioners were Dr. Watley’s mother, son and a contingent from St. James AME Church in Newark, New Jersey. Dr. Watley, the master homiletician, took his sermon text from James 2:18-19, which says, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith; I have deeds.’ Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
Dr. Watley gave his subject: “I Refuse to be a Victim of Spirituality.” He reemphasized his subject by proclaiming, “I refuse to be a victim of being spiritual.”
He asked a series of questions that provoked the congregation’s curiosity.
He asked what the slave revolutionary Nat Turner and the slave traders have in common. He queried the congregation to think about what the Old Testament Prophet Elijah and wicked Jezebel had in common. He asked what the Egyptians had in common with the Children of Israel. He went on to ask, what did Samson and the Philistines have in common.
Dr. Watley also asked what did Osama Bin Laden, the 9-11 Terrorist and the Americans who died of their terrorist actions have in common. And, if those questions were not enough, he asked the congregation to think about what did Jesus in common with the Pharisees, the Sadducees and even the devil, himself?
Dr. Watley explained that all of them: Nat Turner, the evil slave traders, the Egyptians, the Children of Israel, Elijah, Jezebel, Samson, the Philistines, Osama Bin Laden, the 9-11 Terrorists and the Americans who died as a result of the terrorists’ actions were all spiritual; they all believed in the gods.
Dr. Watley went on to explain that the devil was, and is not, an atheist. The Gospel writers are clear that the demons recognized the power of Jesus. The good and the bad believe in God. The slave owners and the slaves believed in God. Saints and sinner alike believe in God. Dr. Whatley explained that the devil is not an atheist and went on to say that the book of Job says, “Satan talked with God.”
The white Methodists at St. George Methodist Episcopal Church who pulled Absolom Jones, Richard Allen and others at off their knees in prayer were spiritual. The white leaders at John Street M.E. Church in New York City who mistreated the blacks in their congregation were spiritual and felt they were religious. The white Methodists in the South were not opened to equality with the blacks who remained in the Methodist Episcopal Church; South through Reconstruction welcomed their decision to separate and even encouraged their departure. They were spiritual and believed in God, though they didn’t believe in racial and spiritual equality.
Dr. Watley said that the church has always been imperfect, but emphasized that though the church is imperfect, it can be the “Balm in Gilead.” God used imperfect people, imperfect apostles and imperfect leaders to empower the church. The fact that the church is imperfect does not give folks license to walk away and to reject the teachings of Christ.
When people say that all religions teach the same thing, Dr. Watley said that he didn’t know that all religions taught, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” He went on to say that he didn’t know that all religions taught Jesus Christ was “…the way and the truth and the life” and “no one comes to the Father” except through him.
Dr. Watley explained that the term, “spiritual” is and adjective and an adjective only has value when it modifies a noun and when persons use the term “spiritual” by itself, it has little value; “spiritual” has to modify something.
Dr. Watley said Black Methodists need to resolve their differences. He used as an example that the Methodist and Presbyterians who separated over slavery in the 19th Century have now reunited. He went on to add that black and white Pentecostals are uniting.
He asked the question, why we, three black Methodist bodies, are limping along looking at each other with jaundiced eyes, while there are serious issues in our communities that need to be addressed.
Dr. Watley’s powerful sermonic delivery closed with his contrasting the terms, “spiritual” and “relationship.” Developing a relationship with God is the ultimate life experience to which we should all strive. One of the many examples he explained, “When you are spiritual God is somewhere, but when you have a relationship with God; God is within you.”
It was a powerful message and by the time he concluded, the congregation was on its feet and the power of the Holy Spirit was in that place.
Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu – “The Plight of the Black Male” – (Tuesday at 10:00 am)
Author, activist, lecturer and perhaps America’s leading authority on the Black male, (www.africanamericanimages.com).
“In 2009, 5,000 Black boys in America were expelled from preschool.”
“Blacks comprise 17% of the children in public schools, but are 41% of the children in special education… And if a Black child is in special education, 80% of the time it’s the male child, not the girls, it’s the boys.”
“The nationwide drop-out rate for Black boys from high school is 52%.”
“78% of inmates dropped out of high school.”
“In 1980 only 100,000 Black men were incarcerated … In 2010 there are 1.5 million Black males in prison and the major reason is crack cocaine.”
“If you’re an Asian child, 90% of the time you’re daddy stayed. If you’re a White child in America, 75% of the time your daddy stayed. If you’re a Hispanic child there’s a 59% chance your daddy stayed. Can anybody tell me what percent of Black youth have their fathers in the home? 32%.”
“There is good news about Black men, 484,000 are single parents.”
“There are 816, 000 African American males who are in college.”
“We say we want young Black men in our church, but be honest, have you designed your worship service for the 65 year old female or for the 16 year old brother?”
“What percent of your budget goes to the youth? What percent of your space goes to the youth? What percent of your ministries go to the youth?”
“On the SAT’s, as an average, Asians score 1600, Whites score 1582, Hispanics score 1371, and Blacks score 1291.”
“If a child gets saved, 44% of the family will give their lives to Christ. If the mother gets saved, 17% of the family will give their lives to Christ. But if the man gets saved, 93% of the family will give their lives to Christ. When you save a man, you save a family.”
Senior Bishop John R. Bryant, A.M.E. Church – (Wednesday at 7:00 pm)
“On one corner was Brother C.M.E., on the second corner was Brother A.M.E. Zion, on the third corner was Joshua Generation A.M.E. … God said for me to tell you that if the three of us get together and work this situation out, he’ll dispatch the Holy Ghost to hold up the fourth side!”
“C.M.E., A.M.E. Zion, A.M.E., and the Holy Ghost together, we can do this!”
“Do you want to save the Black man? We’ve got the power! Do you want to save the Black woman? We’ve got the power! Do you want to save our children? We’ve got the power! Walk together children, don’t get weary, walk together, pray together, build together, plan together!”
“The Lord wants to do something new for Black Methodism. Let the Lord be Lord. He will show you stuff that we’ve never seen before!”
*Article Mr. Benjamin Harrison, Public Relations Director, 7th Episcopal District and Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III.
4. A FAITHFUL AND COMMITTED SERVANT, THE REVEREND DOCTOR LISA MARIA TABOR 1974-2010 – HAS GONE HOME TO BE WITH THE LORD:
Lisa Maria tabor was an extraordinary person.
Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Presiding Prelate of the 2nd Episcopal District said, “When we arrived in Portsmouth for the Annual Conference, we knew that Lisa was in serious condition. Her pastor in Blacksburg, the Rev. Glenn Orr (also a candidate for the PhD at Virginia Tech), informed us that Lisa had been awarded the degree on Monday (having completed all of the requirements), eleven days before commencement because; presumably she would be too weak to participate in the ceremony.
The photos of the ceremony held in the hospital in Christiansburg did not look like a dying woman receiving a degree. The conference viewed the video about her last days - not a dry eye in the house - as we received the second memorial offering.
I was trying to make it at least $5,000 to assist her family with expenses. The first offering was received during the ordination service in which she had been elected to be ordained an itinerant elder (though still matriculating at Payne Seminary).
Among those paying tribute to her was Dr. Nikki Giovanni (professor of English at Virginia Tech). She was well thought of at Tech, as demonstrated by the attendance of faculty and students, a church choir of black and white singers (almost as many whites as blacks in the congregation). The service was held at the Blacksburg United Methodist Church, nearby St. Paul was too small to accommodate the crowd. It was the same venue in which St. Paul sponsored a memorial service for the 33 people killed (including the assailant) in 2007. I was invited to be the preacher that day. I' had never seen that much sadness. Now, here was another tragedy with the hope of triumph.
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Maria Tabor’s Story from her Obituary
The Reverend Doctor Lisa Maria Tabor was born in Tifton, Georgia on November 14, 1974, to proud parents, William and Louise Tabor.
Lisa grew up in St. Albans, West Virginia, where she attended public school and graduated from St. Albans High School in June of 1993. Throughout her public school education, Lisa was an outstanding student, leader, representative and participant in numerous school activities.
Lisa attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, where she received her B.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies (concentrations in Women’s Studies, English, and Geophysics), M.A. in English, and Ph.D. in Public Administration and Policy. Lisa’s academic experiences and accomplishments are numerous.
During her career, she served as a graduate research assistant for several departments and organizations including the Center for Public Administration & Policy, the Educational Leadership & Policy Studies, the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, and the Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics Center at Virginia Tech. Lisa also enjoyed teaching, and she served as an adjunct instructor at James Madison University and a guest lecturer at Radford University.
In addition to her academic studies and research, Lisa participated in many aspects of campus life, including the Residence Hall Federation, Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, Incorporated, Editor-in-Chief of the Collegiate Times, and as an advocate for multicultural, diversity, and women’s issues in the University community. Lisa also worked with several community organizations that focused on underserved populations, including minorities and people with disabilities. Among many other positions, she served as Vice President of Programs and Director of This Valley Works in Roanoke, Project Manager at the Christiansburg Institute, and Organizer of the Virginia Association of Personal Care Assistants.
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tabor was a living testimony of her love for others and, more importantly, her love of the Lord Jesus Christ. Lisa was an active and faithful member of St. Paul AME Church in Blacksburg, Virginia. While working on her doctoral degree, the Rev. Dr. Lisa Tabor also attended Payne Theological Seminary, in Wilberforce, Ohio where she was to receive her Master of Divinity later in 2010.
Licensed as an A.M.E. minister in 2005, Lisa became the Reverend Tabor with her election and ordination to the Order of Deacon in 2008.
On May 4, 2010, Rev. Tabor was elected to be ordained as an AME Itinerant Elder, the second and final level of ordination in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Lisa blessed many in her ministry by preaching and teaching, as well as through pastoral care and music. She was an active member of the Women in Ministry organization within the Virginia Annual Conference of the A.M.E. Church, and she was called upon to minister in churches throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. She also shared her talent for singing and African drumming to people throughout the New River Valley.
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tabor passed away after a long battle with cancer on Friday, May 7, 2010 at Montgomery Regional Hospital in Christiansburg, Virginia.
She is survived by her loving parents, William and Louise Tabor, of St. Albans, West Virginia; two devoted brothers, W. DeAngelo Tabor (wife, Shanean) of Sioux Falls, SD and Adrian Marez Tabor of St. Albans, West Virginia; and a host of cousins, nieces, and friends.
The following persons participated in the Homegoing Worship service for the Rev. Lisa Tabor: the Rev. Glenn L. Orr, Pastor, St. Paul AME Church, Blacksburg, Virginia; the Rev. Ronald Freeman, Pastor, St. Luke AME Church, Daugherty, Virginian; the Rev. Reginald Tuck, Pastor Blacksburg United Methodist Church, Blacksburg, VA; the Rev. Dr. Monica Spencer, Dean of the AME Church Virginia Conference Board of Examiners; Presiding Elder William A. Dyson, AME Church, Portsmouth/Richmond/Roanoke District; Presiding Elder Chester Morris, AME Church Norfolk Eastern Shore District; Dr. Nikki Giovanni, Professor, Department of English, Virginia Tech; Dr. Karen Hult, Professor, Department of Political Science and Center for Public
Administration and Policy, Virginia Tech; the Rev. Oretha Cross, Representative, Women in Ministry, Virginia Annual Conference of the AME Church; Jamie Hale, Representative, Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, Incorporated; Dr. Lori Anderson and Reese McAlpin McClanahan, Friends of Rev. Dr. Tabor; DeAngelo Tabor, Brother of the Rev. Dr. Tabor; Jacqueline Eaves Clerk, St. Paul A.M.E. Church; and Bishop Adam J. Richardson Jr., Presiding Prelate 2nd Episcopal District, AME Church.
*Bishop Adam J. Richardson submitted the Obituary used in this article
5. THE 188TH SESSION OF THE NEW YORK ANNUAL- EMMANUEL, AME CHURCH, NEW YORK CITY:
By the Rev. Wilfred D. Lewis
The Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District, the Right Rev. Richard Franklin Norris presided over the proceedings of the New York Annual Conference with great skill and deliberation.
This event was ably hosted by the Rev. D. Albert Turk, his lovely wife, First Lady, Mrs. Patricia Turk, their church staff, Presiding Elder, the Rev. Nicholas G. Tweed; and the pastors of the Manhattan District.
The leadership of Rev. Turk and Presiding Elder Tweed needs warrants commendable mention because they rallied to assist the Rev. Carlton Woodard, the original hosting pastor. The new ultra-modern St. Stephen AME Church experienced structural damage and could no longer accommodate the New York Conference.
The Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) led by their president, Sister Anne Brunson conducted their annual meeting on Tuesday April 20, 2010 with great fanfare.
What a joy it was to see the church sanctuary filled with a sea of white apparel. The Missionary sisters came from all over the New York area. Mother Mary Ann Norris and sister Jewel McAshan, Episcopal District WMS president gave greetings, and presided over the election of alternates and delegates to the WMS Quadrennium Meeting that will be held in 2011.
The Tanner-Turner Memorial Service was presided over by Third vice-President, Sister Coleen Williams-Lewis. The business sessions featured reports from area directors, statisticians, treasurers, and YPD directors.
The WMS sermon was delivered by the Rev. Larry Jennings pastor of
Bethel AME Church in Huntington, New York. Rev. Jennings took his text from St. Matthew 25:35-40. His sermon was entitled, “Living beyond ourselves.” This was indeed a powerful message.
The official opening day of the Annual Conference was Wednesday April 21, 2010. Emmanuel AME Church was filled to capacity. Bishop Norris, Presiding Elders Tweed, Johnson and Fullard and the worship participants led the great Procession into the sanctuary as the choirs sang “The Church is One Foundation.” The opening hymn, “And are
We Yet alive” was lined by the Rev. Floyd H. Flake. The invocation was prayed by the Rev. David B. Cousin. The Emmanuel choirs sang spirited and majestic music that enhanced the worship spirit.
The annual sermon was delivered by the Rev. Carrie Nobles, the pastor of People’s Institutional AME Church in Brooklyn. Her text was taken from St. John 15:1-10. Her message was entitled, “I am the True Vine.” Pastor Nobles highlighted on the pruning process that enables us to bear more fruit. She said, “Our Connection is with Jesus Christ. We can do nothing without him.”
During this week we had other great sermons from the Rev. Stephen Cousin, the grandson of bishop Philip R. Cousin, and the Rev. J. Stanley Justice, the pastor of Mt. Zion AME c, Trenton, New Jersey.
The Rev. Henry Allen Belin and the board of examiners presented the students who are working their way towards ordination in the AME Church. Bishop Norris was very thorough in the manner in which he interrogated each candidate who stood before him. Bishop Norris explained that there is no room for error or uncertainty when approving persons for ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop Norris handled each candidate with fairness and compassion. Several candidates were placed on hold until they fulfilled the educational requirements. Other students who completed the requirements were recommended for either local or itinerant ordination.
During this week, Bishop Norris received the literary reports that included, The State of the Country; the State of the Church, the Social
Action Report, the Temperance Report, the Women In Ministry report, the Education Report, the Church School Report, the Christian Education Report, and the Employment Security Report.
On Saturday, the Ordination Service was celebrated with great expectation and excitement. The Bishop of the Tenth Episcopal District, the Right Rev. Gregory G. M. Ingram delivered the Ordination Sermon. Bishop Ingram took his text from II Timothy 4 and Acts 26:16. His sermon was entitled, “The Making of a Minister.” This was a classic sermon. The three main points of this message were, be willing to do the work, be willing to endure affliction, be willing to make full-proof or your ministry. Bishop Ingram further told the ordinands, “You are not called to be popular; you are called to be faithful.”
The concluding service of this great Annual Conference was held at the Greater Allen Cathedral AME Church where the Rev. Dr. Floyd H. Flake is the pastor. The massive sanctuary of Allen Cathedral was filled, and palpable excitement was in the air. The sense of
Something special was tangible and intoxicating. People had come to see where their pastors were going to be assigned for another year.
Bishop Norris had invited the “Prince of the pulpit,” the venerable retired Bishop, the Right Rev. Philip Robert Cousin to preach the Closing Sermon; and preach he did.
Bishop Cousin took this text from Exodus 14:15. His message was entitled, “Positive Orders for Negative Times.” His three points were: Be daring – not be afraid: three kinds of people, caretakers, undertakers and risk-takers; don’t forget your purpose; and know the Holy Ghost.
Bishop Cousin preached with power, and brought the congregation to its feet.
Thank God for such a mighty word from a mighty man of God.
Bishop Norris thanked bishop cousin for such a powerful and incisive message.
Following the distribution of special certificates and ordination credentials to the new ordinands, Bishop Norris read the pastoral appointments.
Thanks be to God for another great Annual Conference.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
6. 12TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LAY PRESIDENT ELECTED ARKANSAS STATE REPRESENTATIVE:
Mr. David Fielding was elected Arkansas State Representative in the Arkansas primary election yesterday, Tuesday, May 18, 2010.
There is no Republican opposition, so Mr. Fielding has been elected to represent Arkansas District 5.
Representative-elect David Fielding is the President of the 12th Episcopal District Lay Organization.
Bishop Green, the 12th Episcopal District, and the African Methodist Episcopal Church salute and congratulate State Representative-elect David Fielding.
7. THE 19TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LAY ORGANIZATION ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER BECOMES THE FIRST WOMAN TO OCCUPY THE HIGHEST JUDICIAL POSITION IN SOUTH AFRICA:
Sister Monica Leeuw has been appointed Judge President of the North West Provincial High Court with effect from 01 May 2010.
She is the first woman ever to occupy such a post in South Africa. Sister Monica is currently a member at the Moses Reid AME Church in Mmabatho in the West Conference where she is also serving in the West Conference Lay Organization board as a Parliamentarian.
She is a valuable member of the Executive Board of the Nineteenth Episcopal District Lay Organization (NEDLO) and served as a parliamentarian of the 19TH Episcopal District Women’s Missionary Society.
She also performs other duties as assigned to her by the Bishop Jeffrey Leath from time to time. She joins women like mother Charlotte Maxeke, mother Bertha Gxowa and others who have raised high the flag of the AME Church.
The Nineteenth Episcopal District Lay organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church congratulates her on the honour bestowed on her and will pray that God be with her and guide her oversight and judgments.
Sister Ntombi Thula is the 19th Episcopal District Director of Public Relations
8. BETHEL CHAPEL AME CHURCH WELCOMES BISHOP VASHTI MURPHY MCKENZIE FOR HOMECOMING DEDICATION CELEBRATION:
*The Rev. Trent L. Ogilvie
Bethel Chapel, Columbia, Tennessee will celebrate its annual Homecoming on May 23, 2010 with two dynamic worship services. The morning service begins at 11 a.m. with Rev. Troy Merritt, Jr., Presiding Elder of South Nashville District as the guest preacher. The Dedication Celebration for Bethel’s recently renovated sanctuary begins at 3 p.m. with Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie as the guest preacher. Guest pastors, members, choirs, and friends throughout the community will attend for this special occasion. The Homecoming Luncheon will take place following the morning worship service. Rev. Trent Ogilvie serves as the pastor of Bethel Chapel AME Church. “This historic Homecoming allows the church to celebrate the years of God’s blessings through spirit-filled worship, dedication, and powerful preaching that will change lives,” said Ogilvie.
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie serves as the 117th elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Her historic election in the year 2000 represents the first time in the over 200-year history of the AME Church, in which a woman had obtained the level of Episcopal office.
Bishop McKenzie is honored to serve as the presiding prelate of the 13th Episcopal District, which includes the State of Tennessee and Commonwealth of Kentucky. Her husband, Stan McKenzie serves as the Supervisor of Missions.
She launched an innovative agenda in the 13th Episcopal District designed to “Rebuild lives, Churches and Communities”, through several new ministries: The Nehemiah Nation, a men’s service ministry; Living Well Every day, a health and wholeness emphasis; A.M.E. Works Day, community service projects; School of the Prophets, enrichment and educational training; as well as developing good spiritual habits and a visionary non-profit, Believe, Inc. bringing a fresh wind to fan the embers of faith to build positively on the past, lay a foundation for the future, and work diligently in the present.
She had previously served in 2000-2004 as the chief pastor of the 18th Episcopal District in Southeast Africa, which is comprised of Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana and Mozambique. Bishop McKenzie instituted an ambitious agenda while serving there called “Strength to Climb”. This included strengthening the District’s infrastructure, by instituting computer labs in two AME high schools; creating seven entrepreneurial business projects; 37 new church starts; facilitating two USA-African teacher workshops and summits and producing four new classrooms. She opened a not-for-profit computer center in Lesotho, three District offices/centers, initiated the AME Schools Annual Conferences in Lesotho and Swaziland, and provided scholarships for 31 students. She also expanded services to 75 children orphaned or affected by the HIV/Aids pandemic in a Daycare program in Botswana.
In Mbabane, Swaziland, the Vashti Selulah Sandlah AME Village was built that include three large group homes for 36 children orphaned by the AIDS pandemic plus house parents. It was built without government grants or support, but by many people who believed something needed to be done to help children left homeless and abandoned by this disease. The three group homes were dedicated in December 2002 and the first children arrived in October 2003.
This kind of creative ministry is not foreign to Bishop McKenzie. She has served as a pastor of three congregations from the rural to the urban center, from seven members to over 1,700 members. Most recently, prior to becoming a bishop, she served for ten years as the pastor of historic Payne Memorial AME Church in Baltimore, Maryland growing that congregation from 330 to over 1,700 members, increasing the property value from 1.6 to 5.6 million dollars, launching 25 new innovative ministries and instituting and organizing Payne Memorial Outreach, Inc, a million dollar faith based non-profit organization.
She has been active in other areas, including being the founding president and organizer of the Collective Banking Group of Baltimore, as well as the organizer of the Church Health Coalition, and a former president of the A.M.E. Ministerial Alliance.
Bishop McKenzie is the author of four books. The first two, Not without a Struggle and Strength in the Struggle concerns leadership and professional growth for women. Journey to the Well helps women seek new directions for personal growth and transformation following the footsteps of the Biblical Samaritan woman. Both, the hard and paperback editions of this book have made several best sellers list including Essence Magazine’s “Best Seller List” for non-fiction publications. Her latest book is Swapping Housewives. It is the story of Rachel & Jacob & Leah. The ancient Biblical story has 21st century implications for married and unmarried love.
She is a graduate of the University of Maryland, College Park; holds a Master of Divinity from Howard University School of Divinity and has earned a Doctor of Ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. A poll of national civic, social, religious and academic leaders selected Bishop McKenzie for Ebony Magazine’s “15 Greatest African American Female Preachers”. In 1995 and again in 1997 she was selected for Ebony’s “Honor Roll of Great African American Preachers”. In 2007, she was listed as one of America’s Influential people by the same publication.
Bishop McKenzie is often characterized as being an electrifying preacher. She is a former journalist and electronic broadcaster who have held a variety of media positions; from a radio program director, an on-air personality, a city desk reporter, a staff writer, to even becoming the corporate vice president of programming of a radio conglomerate.
Bishop McKenzie has been honored for her community service, outstanding achievements and being a religious role model by a number of diverse civic, educational, business and governmental leaders. She is also the National Chaplain for Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. an international public service organization, and life member of the NAACP. She has received honorary doctorates degrees from Howard University, Wilberforce University, Morgan State University, Central State University, and Goucher College and later in 2008 Wake Forest University.
She is the wife of Stan McKenzie, the supervisor of missions for the 13th Episcopal District. Currently, he is a human resource consultant and a former player in the National Basketball Association. Together, they have three children.
Bishop McKenzie is humbled and grateful to God for the many opportunities and blessings afforded her as she strives to serve with excellence in the Kingdom of God.
*The Rev. Trent L. Ogilvie is the pastor of Bethel Chapel AME Church in Columbia, Tennessee
9. SPECIAL RESOLUTION OF THE 159TH SESSION OF THE NEW ENGLAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
May 11-16, 2010
Preamble
We, the members of the Social Action Commission, the State of the Country, and the Special Resolution Committees acknowledge the sovereignty and presence of Almighty God; pay tribute to our Episcopal team—the beloved Bishop of the First Episcopal District, the Rt. Rev. Richard Franklin Norris, and our Episcopal Missionary Supervisor, Mother Mary Norris; and bring greetings to all Connectional and General Officers, Episcopal Supervisors, past and present, District Officers, Presiding Elders, and other sisters and brothers in the Name of Our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. On this closing day of this Spirit-filled 159th session of the New England Annual Conference, we beg leave to submit to you the following Special Resolution:
Wars in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan
Whereas, these wars have divided our country, cost almost 5500 American deaths, more than 32,000 Americans wounded, and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis and Afghans killed and wounded, and…
Whereas, this misguided and ill-executed war has cost the United States over $3 trillion—dollars that might have been spent on the pressing problems listed below—and,
Whereas, a long series of sins on the part of America’s leaders have left us with only bad choices,
Be it resolved that we, a peace-seeking and courageous people of God, will:
1. Get out of Iraq and Afghanistan. We must establish a realistic time line for troop withdrawal, continue to train and strengthen the governments of Iraq and Afghanistan as we start out troop withdrawal, while leading the way in funding international reconstruction and humanitarian aid for both countries.
2. Support Our Troops. We should ensure that the physical, psychological, and spiritual needs of our soldiers and their families are addressed as well as the invisible wounds of the war by calling on the President and Congress to have all essential services—employment, housing, physical and mental healthcare—in place and easily accessible.
3. Say “Yes” to Justice. We should support President Obama’s decision to close Guantanamo Bay and to use civilian courts to try terrorist suspects when appropriate.
The Economy, Jobs, Foreclosures and Financial Reform
Whereas, the good news is that the recession seems to have abated, if not ended and some industries that were near bankruptcy last year are doing better now, and…
Whereas the bad news is that unemployment is at 10% nationally (9% in the states of Massachusetts and Connecticut; almost 13% in the state of Rhode Island) and almost 17% among African-Americans; foreclosure filings, though down in April 2010, are still affecting one in every 387 households.
Be it resolved that we, a justice-loving and compassionate people of God, will:
1. Support the financial stability of families through stewardship education in our churches. In particular, we want to encourage budgeting, spending control, avoidance of credit cards, financial planning, and ways to make our current economic “stumbling blocks” into stepping stones to new career opportunities and new job skills.
2. Support job banks, food banks, housing and community development (including building housing through church-based community development organizations or through volunteers, e.g. with Habitat for Humanity); vigorously advocate for universal health insurance (see below), the expansion of federal nutrition programs, expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit and Individual Development Accounts.
3. Quickly expand efforts to offer relief to homeowners, just as we have offered relief to banks and auto companies.
4. Support growing efforts across the country to cap credit card interest rates.
5. Support legislation to tighten the national and global regulation of our financial markets, especially regarding derivatives, the securitization of mortgages, the appropriate pricing of risky financial instruments, and the costs of financial failure being borne by the financial industry and not American taxpayers.
Health Care Reform
Whereas, America finally has a health care bill that seeks to offer every American access to health care,
Be it resolved that we, a justice-loving and compassionate people of God, will:
1. Ensure through workshops, health care fairs, and other communication methods that our congregations and surrounding communities are well-informed about the benefits that health care reform offers and how to access those benefits.
2. Carefully monitor the implementation of reform in your state.
3. Support legislation that would lower drug costs by allowing the importation of safe medicines from other developed countries, increase the use of generic drugs in public programs, and allow federal negotiation of prescription drug prices.
Education
Whereas, the evidence is overwhelming that we as a nation are far behind many other nations in the world in the educational preparedness of our children and adults, and…
Whereas, this deficiency translates into major economic and political handicaps in the global marketplace for all Americans, especially the poor and minorities,
Be it resolved that we, the watchwomen and watchmen on the wall, will keep the spotlight on this ongoing tragedy by:
1. Taking the excellent State of Education report from this Conference, reviewing it with our all components of our local Boards of Christian Education and implementing a plan for Educational Excellence in all of our local churches.
2. Getting Involved. While all of us can’t become the Chairperson of our local school committee, as we are proud to say, the Rev. Dr. Gregory Groover is in Boston, all of us can pray for the Rev. Groover and other leaders as they make tough decisions in tough economic times. All of us can get involved as volunteers in our schools, as members of the Parent-Teachers group, as participants in school committee meetings and community organizing efforts around education. It’s the least our children deserve.
Energy and the Environment
Whereas, the ongoing oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the growing evidence of the impact of climate change, and the relationship between oil and terrorism make it clear that we are “addicted to oil” and..
Whereas, the recent deaths of 29 miners in West Virginia reminds us that we have to examine our entire fossil fuel-based energy economy.
Be it resolved that we, God’s stewards over God’s Creation, will do the following:
1. Fast and pray about the changes we, our families, our churches, our nation, and our world must make.
2. Keep the pressure on British Petroleum, through our elected representatives, to use the $93 million in profits it makes every day to cover all the costs of this spill. Let’s also insist on a thorough investigation of safety at the Massey mine where 29 men died and throughout the coal industry.
3. Prepare ourselves for higher oil and gas prices, less driving, smaller cars, more public transportation and walking and biking, less consumption, more recycling, better insulated homes, and many other conservation steps.
4. Ask our legislators, and especially our Senators, to pass “a real climate bill, one that curbs pollutants, modernizes our energy systems, and continues investment in cleaner energy sources--one that properly stewards God's creation and cares for all of God's creatures.”
Sudan and Darfur
Whereas, God says in Proverbs 24:11, “Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter” and Jesus holds us accountable for what we have done or failed to do for “the least of these” (Matthew 25:40), and…
Whereas, the crisis throughout Sudan persists with the ongoing displacement of refugees in Darfur in western Sudan and no peace agreement in sight; and…
Whereas, President Omar Al-Bashir has been indicted by the International Criminal Court for crimes against humanity; and the April 2010 election in which he was re-elected were, by most accounts, were neither free nor fair and…
Whereas, in January 2011, South Sudan will participate in a referendum to determine whether to separate from the rest of Sudan and become an independent country, an action that is widely anticipated to lead to a resumption of the war with the Bashir government,
Be it resolved that all of us can make a difference if we are willing to do at least the following things:
1. Pray: for the people of Southern Sudan and Darfur and for our decision-makers.
2. Prepare: ourselves and others to help by using the educational tools at www.enoughproject.org.
3. Press: Our Senators, Representatives, President Obama and his special envoy Scott Gration to work collaboratively with other international leaders to ensure sustainable peace and justice in Sudan by calling 1-800-GENOCIDE or going to www.savedarfur.org and www.mskeeper.org.
Haiti
Whereas, the world’s attention has moved on to other crises, but the disaster continues for the people of Haiti, of whom more than 200,000 have died and millions have been badly injured, permanently maimed, and brutally displaced, and…
Whereas a stronger earthquake in Chile was accompanied by much less loss of life and reminded us that it is not only what nature does, but what people don’t do (i.e. building earthquake-resistant dwellings and having effective disaster planning) that determines the death toll in natural disasters,
Be it resolved that we, God’s ambassadors who will not grow weary in well-doing (Galatians 6:9), will do the following:
1. Pray that we might witness a “Genesis 50:20 moment” in Haiti – “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Let’s fast for a new Haiti to arise from the rubble of the earthquake.
2. Reach out to members of the Haitian-American communities right around us to offer financial, emotional, and spiritual support to those who have lost loved ones and are trying to support those who are living in Haiti.
3. Support the efforts of the Sixteenth Episcopal District, under the leadership of Bishop Sarah Davis, AME Service and Development Agency, as well as other AME organizations and individuals to address the current humanitarian crisis and the long-term rebuilding of Haiti.
Conclusion
These are but a few of the many things we can and must do in the years to come, with the guidance of our God and the leadership of our bishop. In a time of economic uncertainty and global instability, somebody must confront the fear, selfishness, and prejudice that grip the hearts and minds of so many. Somebody must confront this fear and resistance to change with the simple truth that as citizens of New England, America, and the planet Earth, we are in this thing together. Somebody must remind everybody of those words spoken by Ben Franklin to the signers of the Declaration of Independence as he declared: “We must all hang together, or assuredly we shall hang separately.” Somebody must remind this nation that the babies—black, white, brown, yellow, or red—who do not have access to quality health care today will be the sources of our needless epidemics tomorrow. Somebody must declare that the children that we do not educate today we will face as defendants in the courts, as clients in the unemployment lines, and as poorly trained employees in the workforce of tomorrow. Somebody must proclaim that the environmental issues that we do not clean up or prevent today will cause the diseases, disabilities, and disasters of tomorrow. Somebody must say that the families we do not assist in getting the basics of life—decent housing, food, and health care—will be there to exact their toll tomorrow. Body of Christ, sons and daughters of Allen, we are those “somebodies” and the time to act is now.
Respectfully submitted,
The Special Resolution Committee
The Rev. Ted Davis
The Rev. Ray Hammond, Chair
The Rev. Reginald Mitchell
In collaboration with The Social Action and State of the Country Committees
Brother Russell Batey
Sister Juliann Butler
Sister Linda Christie
The Rev. Ted Davis
The Rev. Ray Hammond, Chair
The Rev. Clifford Hill
The Rev. Joseph Hooper
Sister Jelmena Hudson
The Rev. Milna Johnson
The Rev. Ron McCune
The Rev. Margaret Tyson
The Rev. Sandra Whitley
10. 13TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT INTERFAITH UNITY SERVICE FOCUSED ON RESTORATION AFTER THE RESCUE:
*The Rev. Anica Howard
The 13th Episcopal District hosted an extraordinary Interfaith Service for Unity on Tuesday, May 11, 2010 at Greater Bethel AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee, the Rev. Michael Broadnax, pastor. Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, presiding Episcopal servant of the 13th Episcopal District which includes the state of Tennessee and the commonwealth of Kentucky, called clergy and laity together just after a flood killed 23 people in Tennessee and caused $1.5 billion in damages, to inspire persons to help in cleanup efforts, and raise funds. The inter-faith service brought diverse people together.
The Cumberland River crested at 52.5 feet flooding downtown businesses, hotel complexes, football stadiums, shopping malls and entire neighborhoods. President Barak Obama has declared 42 counties disaster areas so that residents and business owners can receive federal assistance. A countless number of residents have been displaced along with others who have sustained flood or water damage. At least twenty AME Churches have reported sustaining flood damage.
“It was important that the diverse faith community come together to demonstrate that the Great Flood of 2010 did not affect some of us but all of us,” said Bishop Vashti McKenzie, presiding Episcopal servant of the 13th Episcopal District comprised of Tennessee and Kentucky. “It is at times such as these that we are forced to take a long hard look at who we are, what we value and what we deem important. We are compelled to examine where we have been and where we need to go.”
A crowd of over 450 persons came together from a variety of faith traditions to sing, pray, read sacred texts and encourage one another to restore and rebuild a united Nashville. “It was a time to show strength and solidarity,” noted host pastor Rev. Michael Broadnax.
Representatives from FEMA were on hand to speak and distribute vital information. Rubber gloves and masks were available for those still involved in clean-up efforts in their homes or community.
Imam Mohamed Ahmen of the Islamic Center of Nashville said that he looked forward to the service so he could share prayers and sadness with those who were hurt in the flood, and to offer whatever help he could. Rev. Raymond Bowman, pastor of Spruce Street Baptist Church and president of the Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship reminded attendees that God is still present even in tragedy. Rabbi Phillip Rice of Congregation Micah stated that rebuilding after such a devastating flood means creating a community of compassion and mutual respect.
“Tonight, it is clear that people from different faith communities have, at once, the courage and the humility to come together to seek the help that comes from a source greater than us and the help the resides within each of us,” said the Rev. Roderick Belin, Interfaith Service Coordinator for the occasion. “The flood in Nashville has occasioned our gathering but the need for our being together long preceded the flood. The flood has only laid it bare.”
It was a rare and powerful site to see and hear Cantorial Soloist Lisa Silver, guitarist Jeffrey Williams and the Lee Chapel, Greater Bethel and the Payne Chapel AME Church choirs praising God in their own way in the same service. Rev. Sidney Bryant prayed that God would look with compassion on the whole human family. Rabbi Rice noted we are all children of Noah.
When it came time for Cecilia Olusola Tribble, a student at Vanderbilt Divinity School to sing her solo she turned it into a congregational hymn. She led the popular gospel song “I Need You to Survive” by Hezekiah Walker. She then invited everyone to join her. Soon people were standing holding hands, singing to each other, and some visibly weeping.
Bishop McKenzie shared the experiences of a delegation of Tennessee Annual Conference presiding elders, pastors, preachers and people touring the flood ravaged area of North Nashville last week. They toured the area and St. Paul AME Church where the Rev. Harold Love serves as pastor. The church is serving as a Flood Resource Center distributing water, food to residents, meals for rescue workers and critical recovery information. AMEs have fanned out across the area to bring cleaning supplies, trash bags and help to clean out mud and debris.
The flood had not only damaged or destroyed homes but also the places where people worked to provide for themselves and their families.
“Ninety-nine year old Elsie Smith was at home when the water began to rise. She said she wasn’t scared. She walks without a cane or walker, has a strong grip and even stronger heart. When we went to encourage her last week the missionary who will be 100 years old in August, encouraged us,” said Bishop McKenzie. “Wall board, insulation, carpet and a console television set was already set outside on the front lawn. Her grandson had already set fans up in the house to start the drying process.” Sister Smith said, “However, I lost nothing important. Things can be replaced. It’s harder to replace memories. It is impossible to replace the lives of those swept away by rushing water.”
Participants in the Interfaith Unity Service included our own bishop, Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie who delivered the closing message “There Is A River”; the Rev. Troy Merritt, Presiding Elder South Nashville District; the Rev Robert E. Keesee, Presiding Elder North Nashville District; the Rev. Michael Broadnax, host pastor; Ms. Rita Frizzell, Director of Luminous Mind; the Rev. Roderick D. Belin, Interfaith Service Coordinator and pastor of Kairos Community AME Church; Mr. Chance Dillon, Interfaith Dialogian, Scarritt-Bennett Center, soloist Jeffrey Williams, Rabbi Rami Shapiro, Adjunct Director, Inter-spiritual Programs, Scarritt-Bennett Center; the Rev. Sidney Bryant, pastor Payne Chapel AME Church; the Rev. Raymond Bowman, president Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship; Imam Mohamed Ahmed, Islamic Center of Nashville; Donna Krupkin Whitney, Congregation Micah; the Rev Edward L. Thompson, pastor, Lee Chapel AME Church; soloist Cecilia Olusoia Tribble; the Rev. Judi Hoffman, pastor Edgehill United Methodist Church; Dr. Amir Arain, Islamic Center of Nashville; Rabbi Phillip Rice, Congregation Micah; Cantorial Soloist, Lisa Silver, Congregation Micah; and the choirs from Greater Bethel, Lee Chapel and Payne Chapel AME Churches.
Pictured on the front cover of the evening’s program was an original work entitled “About the World” described in this way: “Sparkles and spangles, bits and pieces of meaning, a new vision of unity.” The artist Kate Ransohoff was present and received great acclamation for interpretation that appears as a part of a larger project Quilt: Art to Mend the Word.
“This is just the beginning,” said Bishop McKenzie. “Recovery is often a long slow process. We hope to help churches and as many displaced people as we can. If we could help everyone we would, that’s why it is so important to build a network of resources so we all can help one another when a disaster calls our name.”
*The Rev. Anica Howard is the Executive Assistant to Bishop McKenzie
11. SOME PERSONAL COMPUTER INFORMATION IS BEING COMPROMISED – A REMINDER:
When FORWARDING messages, REMOVE all email address before you forward messages and use the BCC FIELD when sending multiple addressed email messages; and use the BCC field when forwarding email messages to several people.
When we expose people’s email addresses we put them at risk for spammers and unscrupulous people who are trying to gain access to email addresses and other personal information.
12. NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
- Metropolitan AME Church, Washington, DC listed on most-endangered list.
- We are saddened to share news of the death of Mother Yvonne M. Kawimbe, Supervisor of the 17th Episcopal District, wife of Bishop Paul J.M. Kawimbe, Presiding Prelate of the 17th Episcopal District. Mother Yvonne M. Kawimbe passed away at 5:45 p.m. (CAT - Central African Time) Sunday, May 16th, 2010 at the Medi-Clinic in Vereeniging, near Johannesburg, South Africa.
13. PAYNE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY’S 2010 GRADUATION MAY 7, 2010: A POWERFUL EXPERIENCE:
Payne Theological Seminary’s commencement was held on Friday, May 7, 2010 at the Wilberforce University, Multiplex Center in Wilberforce, Ohio.
The commencement was a high and holy occasion for all who attended. Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, President of Payne Theological Seminary presided.
The commencement ceremony began with the singing of the African American Anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson followed by the invocation by Dr. Robert E. Keesee, Presiding Elder, Thirteenth Episcopal District and Payne Board member.
The Old Testament scripture reading was offered by Dr. Clement Fugh, General Secretary/Chief Information Officer AME Church and Secretary, Payne Board of Trustees. The New Testament scripture reading was offered by Mrs. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Payne Board member.
A wonderful choral selection was sung by the Quinn Chapel AME Church Choir, pastored by the Rev. Dr. Frederick Wright, Jr. an Adjunct Faculty at Payne.
Warm greetings were offered by Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Vice Chair, Payne Board of Trustees and Presiding Prelate, Third Episcopal District and Reverend Kathryn Davis, Student Government Association President.
Dr. Fitchue introduced Bishop Richard F. Norris, Chairman, Payne Board of Trustees and Presiding Prelate, First Episcopal District. Bishop Norris offered a warm and personal introduction of the speaker Bishop Jeffery N. Leath, Presiding Prelate, Nineteenth Episcopal District.
Bishop Leath provided a great commencement address entitled, “The Holy Calling for the High Mission.” He challenged listeners to consider the question; do you have the Holy Calling? The message identified three signs of the Holy Calling; 1. You will be Prophetic; 2. You will be Priestley; and 3. You will be an agent of Presence. Bishop Leah ended the address by reminding the candidates for graduation that, “The degree means nothing without a Holy Calling.” It was a profound challenge to us all.
Degrees were conferred by Board Chair, Bishop Richard F. Norris; President, Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, and Dr. William Augman, Interim Academic Dean. Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath was conferred an Honorary Degree of Humane Letters from Payne Theological Seminary and the following fifteen candidates were conferred the Master of Divinity Degree – Edmund Ashitey, Ecumenical Student; Robert Brown, Second District; John Cambron, Eighth District; Jules Dunham Howie, Second District; Moya Harris, Second District; Melva Hartzog, Third District; Robin McGhee-Frazier, Eighth District; Dianne McGlen, Second District; Ama Ayana Newton, Second District; Roseanne Oliver, Third District; Jeffery Pastor, Third District; Sylvester Patton, Fifth District; Sherri Scott, Third District; James Stowe, Third District; and Peggy Turner, Third District.
Dr. Fitchue welcomed the two co-valedictorians Reverend Moya Harris and Reverend Jules Dunham Howie to provide the Senior Response. The class of 2010 is the first class to have valedictorians from the Payne Master of Divinity online program. The speeches offered reflection and inspiration to the graduating class.
Following the Senior Response the new graduates were inducted into the Alumni Association by Reverend Bruce Butcher, President, Payne National Alumni Association. Mr. Jeffery Pastor presented the senior class gift to Dr. Fitchue and the class of 2010 committed to continue to support Payne in the future. A host of awards and scholarships were given to graduates and students by Dr. Fitchue and Dr. William Augman. Closing remarks were made by Dr. Fitchue and Bishop Norris and a moment of silence was observed in memory of the late Reverend Dr. Donald W. Thompson, Sr. a great Payne Alumni and member of the Board of Trustees.
The evening was closed with a benediction offered by Bishop Jeffery N. Leath.
Submitted by the Reverend Jules Dunham Howie, Development Officer, Payne Theological Seminary
14. MR. THOMAS M. SUTTON, SR. ELECTED AS THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION:
Dr. Willie Glover, President of the CLO presented Mr. Sutton’s name to the Executive Board after sharing the section of the constitution on filling vacancies of an officer who dies or is unable to complete a term of office.
Dr. Glover shared a brief history of Mr. Sutton's involvements in the Lay Organization. The Board overwhelmingly elected him as the new First Vice President.
About Tom Sutton
Education and Experience
Born, reared, and received primary and secondary education in Southwest Georgia
Retired from U. S. Army with 21 years of experience as Avionics Technician, Supervisor, and Instructor
Earned an Associate of Arts Degree in Humanities at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, NJ
Retired from Motorola Government Electronics Division with 21 years experience as Senior Technical Writer/ Editor
Completed one year of course study at AZUSA Ministry Training Institute
Former member of Toastmasters International
Received extensive training in computer and information technology, time management, human relations, personnel management, and self development
Has represented U. S. Army and Motorola Corporation globally
Church Affiliations
Twenty-Eight Year Member of Tanner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Phoenix, AZ
Former: Trustee, Usher, Board Member of Tanner Properties
Lay Evangelist, Church School Adult Class Teacher
Class Leader
Serves on Commission of Membership and Evangelism
Served as Co-Chair of Fifth District Delegation to 47th & 48th (2004 & 2008) Quadrennial Sessions General Conferences
Compiled and published a handbook for Laity and Clergy: “Preparing for the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church,” 2004 and 2008
Elected to serve on General Board of African Methodist Episcopal Church from 2004-2008
Appointed by Bishop Bryant as General Chairperson of 2008 General Conference Souvenir Journal Committee
Lay Organization Affiliations
Tom organized local Lay Organization at Tanner Chapel AMEC in 1981. He served as president for 10 years
Tom has served as Past President of the Colorado (Desert-Mountain) Conference Lay Organization
Former Chaplain Fifth District Lay Organization
Delegate to Biennial conventions since 1995
Chairperson of 2003 Biennial Recommendations Committee
Chairperson of 2003 Connectional Lay Organization
Third Vice President Search/Interview Team
Host President for Connectional Lay Organization 2004 Fall Executive Board Meeting
Has excellent working relationship with Connectional Lay Organization Executive Board Members
Encouraged to serve as future officer on Connectional Lay Organization level
The purpose of the Lay Organization is to organize and train the lay members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, so that each member may utilize to the maximum the abilities and skills granted by God, in assisting with the improvement and extension of God's kingdom, and creating happiness, peace and harmony among its members.
15. SHOPPIN’ FOR A CHURCH:
*The Rev. N. T. Pitts
I am not, and have never been, a “shopper.” When I leave home to buy something my mind is already made up. I go to the store and get what I want and leave. The first thing I look for is something I like and the second thing is the cost. And if I really wanted it, the cost would not be a factor; if I could afford.
But when it comes to “shopping for a church,” that is a different story.
First, the church is not a commodity. I am amazed when people visit churches to see if they wish to belong. Some leave their church and join another church in the same denomination.
Over the years I have asked people just what was it they look for when they visit a church.
Here are some responses I received and they are not in any prioritized order:
A church where the people are friendly.
A church where the preacher doesn’t preach long sermons.
A church where the preacher is not always begging for money.
A church with a good choir and not a “lot of banging.”
A church where I could hear good sermons and not lectures.
A church where the preacher doesn’t put himself above everybody else and talk down to people.
A church that can relate to young people.
A church where the pastor does not fuss all the time.
A church where they don’t stay in church all day.
A church that can relate to young people and get them involved.
Some go from church to church regardless of the denomination.
One would have to regularly visit a church in order to determine what they are looking for actually exists.
I was also told that some of the people in some churches act as if they don’t want you there. I suppose that they were talking about an unfriendly church.
There is no perfect church and there was never a perfect church, not even in apostolic times.
It has been said; if you find a perfect church don’t join it. I was also told; if there is a perfect church, most of us would not be qualified to be a member of such a church.
I was born and brought up in the AME Church and I have visited many other churches in various denominations; and also have preached in some, but I like the AME Church, because I like our method.
The AME Church is not a perfect church, but it is striving toward perfection. We must keep in mind that Jesus said “Let the wheat and the tares grow together, and I’ll do the separating.” Matthew 13:24-30.
If people are shopping for a church where there aren’t any problems they may as well stop shopping.
Let us be reminded that, the “church” is in us; it is suppose to be in each of us who are believers. When Jesus said of Peter, “upon this rock I’ll build my church,” he was not speaking of a physical structure nor was he speaking of a particular denomination.
I have had ample time to access why people leave churches and here is what I came up with:
Some people move from their neighborhood.
Some become angry at the pastor for some reason or another.
Some leave because they could not dictate or have their way.
Some leave because they no longer hold the position they held. Believe it or not, some leave their church because of some of the other members the church.
How strange it is, people leave their church where they have some input and join other churches where they have no input.
They leave their church where they are satisfied with just giving an offering and join other churches that require them to tithe. They soon find out that the “grass is not so green on the other side of the fence/track.”
Subsequently, there are those who desire to come back, but are too embarrassed.
Maybe the church should extend an Olive branch to those who wish to return and welcome them with open arms without question, criticism and ridicule; but it must be done genuinely.
*The Rev. N. T. Pitts ptaegar@aol.com is a retired AME pastor who lives in Eatonville, Florida.
16. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Miss Angela C. White graduated from Hampton University with honors on May 9. President Barack Obama gave the commencement address. Angela will continue her education at the University of Maryland School of Social Work in the fall. She is the daughter of Rev. Dr. Henry Y. White and Former Supervisor Rev. Rowena Webster White. She is the granddaughter of Bishop Robert Vaughn Webster and Episcopal Supervisor, the late Mrs. Carole Ogleton Webster.
Congratulatory messages may be emailed to: rowhen@aol.com (Former Supervisor Rev. Rowena Webster White).
- The Tallahassee District of the Florida Annual Conference of the Eleventh Episcopal District is honoring Reverend Ralph L. Wilson, the senior presiding elder of the Eleventh Episcopal District, as he prepares for retirement from a ministry of unending growth and extraordinary contributions. "A Celebration of Service" is scheduled for July 9, 2010 at the Al Lawson Multipurpose Teaching Gymnasium on the campus of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University at 7:00 PM. Tickets for the event are available.
Presiding Elder Ralph L. Wilson has forty-eight (48) years of outstanding service to the AME Church and the community and the Tallahassee District of the Florida Annual Conference will join together to wish "The Wilson Team" years of good health and happiness to enjoy the fruits of their labor and their many accomplishments. Additionally, a souvenir journal that will highlight the ministry of Presiding Elder and Mrs. Wilson and include congratulatory messages is being produced. For further information concerning the event tickets and inclusion in the Souvenir Journal contact Pastor Anton Elwood, Ticket, Chairperson (850) 222-4201 or Sister Eileen S. Warner, Souvenir Journal, Co-Chairperson (850) 509-7572.
- Korey Bowers Brown, the son of the Rev. Gene Allen Brown, pastor of Mt. Tabor AME Church in Altamonte Springs, Florida and Mrs. Glynette Bowers Brown, completed all requirements for the doctorate degree in History and successfully defended his dissertation with distinction from Howard University, Washington, DC. The title of his dissertation is "Souled Out: Ebony Magazine in an Age of Black Power, 1965-1975." Korey earned his Bachelor Degree in History Education from Florida A&M University and his Masters Degree in History from Vanderbilt University. Korey will be hooded and complete all ceremonial activities with Howard University's Spring 2010 graduation class. Korey is married to Mrs. Kishanna Poteat Brown and is the father of two children, Zora and Booker. His parents, family and friends are all proud of him.
Congratulations may be forwarded to: GBrown8446@aol.com or koreybowersbrown@hotmail.com
17. GENERAL OFFICER BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Mrs. Mary Beatrice Cross Blake on May 15, 2010 at the Drake Center in Cincinnati, Ohio. She was the wife of the late Rev. Charles E. Blake, former Presiding Elder of the former Lexington District of the 13th Episcopal District. Mother Blake is the mother the Rev. Dr. Charlotte Blake Sydnor, pastor Shorter AMEC, Franklin, Tennessee and mother-in-Law of the Rev. Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor, III, General Officer and Editor of The Christian Recorder, the official newspaper of AMEC; the Rev. Cheryl Blake Hoskins, pastor of Blake Chapel AMEC, Newport, Kentucky; Mr. Ivan M. Blake, a Steward and member of Wayman Chapel AMEC, Dayton, Ohio; and Mr. David K. Blake, deacon of Corinthian Baptist Church of Cincinnati, Ohio; and a host of other “children” in the Lord. She is also the grandmother of the Rev. Gloria Sydnor Smith, Esq.; pastor of Whitman Chapel AME Church in Belpre, Ohio
Mother Blake was loved by so many people around the African Methodist Episcopal Church and will be sorely missed. Mother Blake’s funeral will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2010. The family will arrive at the church at 9:00 a.m. and viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. The funeral will be begin at 10:30 a.m.
Services for Mary Beatrice Cross Blake
Saturday, May 22, 2010
10:30 a.m.
Corinthian Baptist Church
772 Whittier St.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45229
Phone: 513-221-7351, Fax: 513-221-7362; email: corinthian@fuse.net
The Rev. K. Z. Smith, Jr., Pastor
The Interment will be held at:
Floral Hills Memorial Gardens
www.floralhillsmemorialgardens.com
5336 Old Taylor Mill Road
Taylor Mill, KY 41015-2297
(859) 356-2151
Eulogist: The Rev. Dr. Charlotte B. Sydnor, Pastor of Shorter Chapel AMEC, Franklin, Tennessee
Worship Leader: General Officer, Calvin H. Sydnor, III, Editor of The Christian Recorder
Services Handled by:
Walker Funeral Home
7830 Hamilton Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45231
Phone: 513-522-6100
Fax: 513-522-6111
Condolences may be sent to:
The Family of Mary Beatrice Cross Blake
c/o Dr. Charlotte B. Sydnor
69 Ravenwood Hills Circle
Nashville, TN 37215
Expressions of sympathy may also be emailed to:
Dr. Charlotte B. Sydnor: cbsydnor@aol.com / Tel.: (615) 714-0986
The Rev. Cheryl B. Hoskins Blake: cheryl.hoskins@insightbb.com
Mr. Ivan Blake: iblake@woh.rr.com
Mr. David K. Blake: dkblakesr@fuse.net
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III: chsydnor@bellsouth.net
18. GENERAL OFFICER BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Georgianna Jenkins Flowers passed on Sunday morning, May 16, 2010 at the Palmetto Baptist Hospital in Columbia, South Carolina. She is the mother of General Officer George F. (Phoenicia) Flowers, Department of Global Witness & Ministry; the Reverend Phil J. Flowers, pastor of Bethel AMEC, St. Matthews, SC; Ms. Carolyn Flowers, Atlanta, Georgia; Ms. Yvonne Flowers, Columbia, South Carolina; and Mrs. Linda F. McCullough, Atlanta, Georgia.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Lay-In-State/Viewing: 9:00 am - 10:45 am
Celebration of Life Service: 11:00 am
Pine Grove AME Church
120 Steward Road
Columbia, SC 29210
Phone: (803) 798-6109
Fax: (803) 798-3999
Dr. James Cooper, Pastor
Interment:
Greenlawn Memorial Park
7100 Garners Ferry Road
Columbia, SC 29209
Phone: (803) 776-1092
Service of Comfort Entrusted to:
Bostick-Tompkins Funeral Home
2930 Colonial Drive
Columbia, SC 29202
Phone: (803) 254-2000
Fax: (803) 254-8119
Memorial Messages (email): kaycolumbia@aol.com
In lieu of florals, please make donations to:
Brown Chapel AME Church
In Remembrance of: Mrs. Georgianna Jenkins Flowers
c/o Dr. George F. Flowers
2 Old English Drive
Charleston, SC 29407
Hotel Accommodations:
Marriott Columbia
1200 Hampton Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 771-7000
Fax: (803) 758-2456
Room Rate: $ 99.00 Rate Code: Flowers Family
Expressions of Sympathy and Condolences may be sent to:
Dr. George F. Flowers and Family
2 Old English Drive
Charleston, SC 29407
Phone: (843) 402-4530
Fax: (843) 402-1234
Email: gwmame@bellsouth.net
May our prayers, thoughts, actions and sympathies help sustain the Flowers Family at this time of sorrow.
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENTt NOTICE:
We regret to share news of the untimely passing of Calvin Allen Lowe, the 22-year old son of the Reverend Tanya Lowe, a member of the ministerial staff of Bethel AME Church, Hampton, Virginia and Dr. Calvin W. Lowe, the ninth president of Bowie State University.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the funeral home or to Bethel AME Church, in care of the family of Calvin Allen Lowe.
Or expressions of sympathy may be emailed to:
Revnurse99@aol.com (Rev. Tanya Lowe)
Lowe.cal@gmail.com (Dr. Calvin Lowe)
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
With sorrow and compassion we announce the passing on Sunday, May 2, 2010 of Mrs. Alberta Fludd Clark Fields, cousin of Mrs. Dianna Brown Golphin, President of the 13th District M-SWAWO; and spouse of Presiding Elder Kenneth J. Golphin of the Lexington District, Kentucky Conference.
Services were held Saturday, May 8, 2010 at the Vanderhorst CME Church of Charleston, South Carolina, presided by the Reverend Derrick A. Price, pastor.
Contact Information
Mrs. Dianna B. Golphin
760 Statesman Way
Lexington, KY 40505-4076
mrsgolphin@aol.com
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the passing of Mrs. Mary Lee Blair, aunt of the Reverend Robert A. Strode, D. Min., pastor of Saint John AME Church in Frankfort, Kentucky on Tuesday, May 11, 2010.
The funeral has been held.
Contact Information
Dr. Robert A. Strode
St. John A.M.E. Church
210 W. Clinton Street
Frankfort, KY 40601
Ph. (502) 223-5752
iamabibleman@aol.com
Imani Baptist Church
1555 Georgetown Road
Lexington, Kentucky 40511
Willis Polk, Pastor
(859) 231-1558
Smith & Smith Funeral Home
www.smithsmithfuneral.com
340 East 3rd Street
Lexington, KY 40508-1945
(859) 255-6273
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/
Phone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
BLOG: http://ameccfic.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
23. 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
