Bishop T. Larry Kirkland - Chair,
Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr.,
Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor
III, the 20th Editor, The Christian
Recorder
Reminder
for Church Bulletins:
Advent beings Sunday, December 2, 2012
Advent beings Sunday, December 2, 2012
We at The
Christian Recorder and the AME Sunday School Union wish all of our
subscribers and readers of The Christian Recorder;
all of the members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
A
Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!
1. EDITORIAL – SO
MUCH FOR WHICH TO BE THANKFUL
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
This year, we all have so much for which to be
thankful. God has blessed us with so
many things and if you are reading this message, you are alive and you should
be thankful! I know that I am thankful.
God has blessed us with families and friends, with shelter
of some kind; and with food, be it little or much; we give God thanks for all
that God has given us.
Each Thanksgiving since I have been Editor of The Christian Recorder, I have shared my
thanks and I want to continue the tradition of sharing my thanks this year!
I
am thankful
I am thankful to God and for Jesus Christ who died for my
sins. I am thankful for my wife and
pastor, the Rev. Dr. Charlotte Blake Sydnor; our children, grandchildren,
family and friends.
I am thankful that our founder Richard Allen and others
“stood up” for their dignity and refused to be treated as second-class
parishioners and walked out of St. George Methodist Church in 1787. I am
thankful for our Zion, which celebrates 196 years of existence as the African
Methodist Episcopal Church. I am thankful for all of the “mothers and fathers”
of the AME Church who laid the foundation for our great Zion. I am thankful for
the visionary leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, past and
present.
I love the AME Church because it has done so much for me
personally and has also been a blessing for my family. I love the history,
doctrine, and polity of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. I love The Discipline and structure of the
Church. I love AME worship – the liturgy and the spiritual dynamism when
pastors and parishioners allow the presence of the Holy Spirit in worship.
I love the AME Church because its ministry has always
extended beyond the sanctuary. The African Methodist Episcopal Church was leader
in the emancipation slaves and was a leader in the Civil Rights’ Movement. The
AME Church joined the fight for Women’s suffrage and has always been a leader
in the fight for human rights. The AME Church has been a leader in the effort
to provide academic opportunities for those who didn’t have access to a college
education both in the United States and abroad.
I love the AME Church because Wilberforce University opened
its doors for my post-secondary education when my family didn’t have the money
to provide for my college education. I am thankful for the dedicated professors
who remained at Wilberforce when they probably could have made higher salaries
at other academic institutions. Miss Askew, Miss Jackson and other instructors stand
out in my mind as professors who demanded the best from their students.
I am thankful for all of the academic institutions,
schools, and institutes of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; and the fine
work our academic institutions are doing in spite of insufficient funding, yet
always producing top-flight graduates and productive citizens.
I am thankful and appreciative for dedicated pastors who
influenced my life and for the spiritual foundation the local church gave me –
Bethel AME Church, Ardmore, Pennsylvania; Ebenezer AME Church, Rahway, New
Jersey; and Bethel AME Church in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. I am thankful for the churches I pastored –
Shorter Chapel AME Church in Paris, Kentucky and St. James AME Church in
Danville, Kentucky. In those pastorates I also supplied Wayman Chapel in
Georgetown, Kentucky and St. Andrew AME Church in Lancaster, Kentucky. They
laid the foundation for my pastoral and professional accomplishments.
I was proud then, and I am proud now
I am thankful for and am glad that I participated in the 49th
Quadrennial Session of the General Conference. It was an awesome experience and
it made me proud to be an AME! That was the best General Conference ever!
I am especially thankful the global African Methodist
Episcopal Church and feel honored and blessed with the opportunity to serve as
the 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder. After eight-years,
I still feel that I have the best ministry in the AME Church; it’s not a job,
it’s a ministry!
I am thankful for the many people who write articles,
promise to write articles, and intend to write articles and for the many people
who inquire about writing articles. I am thankful for the people who share
their concerns and love for the African Methodist Episcopal Church. I am
thankful for our episcopal leadership and for my fellow general officers.
I am thankful for the AME Church’s connectional leadership; for our presiding
elders, pastors and laity. I am thankful for our youth and young adults. We have
some brilliant young people and young adults in the AME Church. I am especially
thankful for the pastors of our medium-sized and small churches who don’t make
a lot of money, yet they are dedicated to their ministry. I am thankful for the Rev. Dr. Grainger
Browning and the Rev. Dr. Joann Browning, co-pastors of Ebenezer AME Church in
Fort Washington for their support of The
Christian Recorder. Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland has
more subscriptions than any other church in the connection.
God has been good to the African Methodist Episcopal Church
and its global ministry; and to each of us, in spite of our perceived
shortcomings. Compared to other more-financially-endowed denominations,
the AME Church does much with its limited funding; and I am thankful for what
the African Methodist Episcopal Church is able to do in the spirit of our
founder, the Right Reverend Richard Allen and the Free African Society. I am thankful that the Church has remained
faithful to the preamble of the Free African Society and remains faithful to
the AME Church’s mission to “minister to the social, spiritual and physical
development of all people.”
I am thankful for the people who love our Zion. I am
especially thankful for all of the pastors of our Zion, especially the pastors
of our smaller congregations. Pastors are the “heart-beat” of the ministry of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church; they labor week after week, month after
month, and year after year. I am thankful for them because of the
ministry they are doing in spite of the fact that they are doing ministry and
positively impacting lives without endowments and an abundance of wealthy
members. The pastoral ministry is where “the rubber hits the road.” I
suspect that most of our successful pastors were nurtured in smaller
congregations. I was nurtured in smaller and mid-sized churches with dedicated
and spiritually-focused pastors. I am thankful for their spiritual leadership. I
am thankful for the dedicated laity in all of our churches. We wouldn’t have a church without the laity.
I am thankful for the Church’s support for women in
ministry and am hopeful that “more doors will be open” for them to be routinely
assigned to top-tier pulpits. I am thankful that we elected women bishops and
general officers and that we were the first black Methodist body to elect a
woman bishop; and that we didn’t stop with electing just one female bishop, but
have elected two more and hopefully we will elect more female bishops.
I am thankful that the AME Church elected indigenous
African and Caribbean bishops, and I hope that we will elect more bishops from
Africa and from the Caribbean, and in time, from India. We are indeed a global Church.
I am thankful for the pastors who nurtured me: the Rev.
Aldustus Jordan, the Rev. Jesse F. Owens, the Rev. T. S. Clements, the Rev.
B.C. Burton, the Rev. C. E. Blake, Bishop John Bright; Bishop Frederick D.
Jordan, who gave me my first pastoral appointment; and all of the subsequent
bishops under whom I have served. I thank God for all of the clergy and
lay-mentors who nurtured my ministry.
I am also thankful for the dedication and commitment of the
laity love the AME Church and remain faithful in good times and bad
times.
I made some less than smart decisions (think dumb) when I
was a young pastor and I am thankful that I had Cornelia Faulkner, Naomi Smith,
Alberta Rice, Ralph Smith, Brother and Sister Fomas, Brother and Sister
Chenault, Deaconess Hutsell and others who had the love and commitment for the
Church that caused them to be patient with me. They taught me the “ins and
outs” of ministry and of pastoring. At the time, I thought that I was
teaching them, but they were teaching me. I am thankful for those
church-workers who were my “teachers” in ministry.
I am thankful for my parents, grandparents, aunts and
uncles, neighbors; and all who had a hand in my spiritual development. I thank
God for the spankings and punishments I had to endure because I needed them; I
needed the discipline.
I thank you, the leadership and members of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church, for this opportunity to express my thanks because I
have so much for which to be thankful, and I am thankful; and, I know that you
are thankful too and we all can affirm,
“Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen!
I wish all of you a
Blessed and Happy Thanksgiving!
Editor’s
Note: The weekly edition will not be
published next week because of the Thanksgiving holiday weekend. TCR News Breaks and TCR Breaking News will be published.
2. A
THANKSGIVING DAY PRAYER:
Lord, so often
times, as any other day
When we sit
down to our meal and pray
We hurry along and make fast the blessing
We hurry along and make fast the blessing
Thanks, amen.
Now please pass the dressing
We're slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold
But Lord, I'd like to take a few minute more
To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for
For my family, my health, a nice soft bed
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head
I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those
Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know
Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure
Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure
That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place
And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace
So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided
And bless each and every person invited
Amen! --Scott Wesemann
We're slaves to the olfactory overload
We must rush our prayer before the food gets cold
But Lord, I'd like to take a few minute more
To really give thanks to what I'm thankful for
For my family, my health, a nice soft bed
My friends, my freedom, a roof over my head
I'm thankful right now to be surrounded by those
Whose lives touch me more than they'll ever possibly know
Thankful Lord, that You've blessed me beyond measure
Thankful that in my heart lives life's greatest treasure
That You, dear Jesus, reside in that place
And I'm ever so grateful for Your unending grace
So please, heavenly Father, bless this food You've provided
And bless each and every person invited
Amen! --Scott Wesemann
3. A HEADS-UP - THE 2013 GENERAL BOARD
MEETING:
The 2013 Bishops’ Council / General Board Meeting and
Investiture of Bishop Sarah Frances Davis as the President, Council of Bishops
is scheduled to be held in Kingston, Jamaica on June 23 – 26, 2013.
Head-up: Those persons traveling to Jamaica will need to
have up-to-date passports. It takes time
to get a U.S. passport and if you don’t already have a passport, recommend that
you start the process immediately. U.S. citizens can get a passport a last
minute, but last-minute passports are expensive. Click on the link below or put
the address below in your browser for information about how to apply for or
renew a passport.
4. THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS' LETTER
TO PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA:
The Council of
Bishops
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
P.O. Box 147|
Little Rock, AR 72203-0147
Bishop Samuel L.
Green, Sr.
PRESIDENT, COUNCIL OF BISHOPS
Bishop Sarah F. Davis
SECRETARY
November 9, 2012
The Honorable Barack Obama
President of the United States of America
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
The global membership of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church–the Council of Bishops, and the Commission on Social Action that
successfully reached its goal of mobilizing more than one million (1,000,000)
voters for the November 6th election--join in expressions of congratulations on
your election to a second term as President of the United States of America.
All Americans should feel empowered and emboldened by their participation in
the process. To God be the Glory!
Count on the African Methodist Episcopal Church to be a
partner with you and the leadership team that you select to address domestic
challenges, global issues, and galactic exploration. Our commitment to this
ministry can be summarized as follows: “The African Methodist Episcopal Church
must fully identify with the poor and the oppressed in their struggle for human
dignity. That this participation in human development is not optional, nor is
it an addendum to an already crowded agenda. It must be the very heart of the
life and work of the church.” We have assumed a posture of expectancy in
response to your prediction that, “The best is yet to come.”
The African Methodist Episcopal Church declared at its
founding two hundred and twenty five (225) years ago that mediocrity and
discrimination are not of God. Just as our founder, Richard Allen, rejoiced 225
years ago as the United States of America crafted its Constitution—our
Constitution–we will join forces with persons of good will who combat these
forces in the halls of government, in neighborhoods, or in the world community.
We will continue to pray for you and for your family. We
remain committed to working with you in convincing those who have not caught
the vision for freedom with dignity.
Thank you, Mr. President, for being a person that America
can believe in. Thank you for your Christian witness. And thank you for being
obedient in answering the call to serve.
Respectfully,
/s/
Bishop Samuel L. Green Sr.
President
Council of Bishops
African Methodist Episcopal Church
*Original letter signed by all of the Bishops of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church
5. DR. JOHNNY AND MRS. CLARA M. BARBOUR
CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF MARRIAGE:
The Rev. Dr. Johnny and Mrs. Clara Barbour will celebrate
their 50th Wedding Anniversary on November 24. 2012. Johnny Barbour,
Jr. married Clara Mae Jackson in Springhill, Louisiana on November 24,
1962.
Before her marriage to Dr. Barbour, Clara was featured in an
article in Jet Magazine in the early sixties.
Young Johnny Barbour met beautiful Clara Mae Jackson at
Campbell College, a small AME school located in Jackson, Mississippi.
Johnny had already accepted the call to ministry and majored
in religion and philosophy earned an Associate of Arts degree and from Lampton
School of Religion and she earned a degree in business administration and
secretarial practice and procedure.
Both Johnny and Clara were native Mississippians, He was
born in Greenwood, Mississippi to Zula and Johnny Barbour, Sr. and she in Bay
St. Louis, Mississippi to Isaac and Lucille Jackson; though born in Bay St.
Louis she was reared in Waveland, Mississippi.
It was love at first sight and not only were they both native
Mississippians; they discovered that they had a lot in common, which they have
shared for 50 over years.
In college, Johnny was the president of the intercollegiate
chapter of the NAACP. He was one of four Jackson, Mississippi students who
integrated the city buses of Jackson and the Jackson Zoo, as well as
participating in other demonstrations during Medgar Evers' tenure as the
NAACP's field secretary in Mississippi.
Upon graduation from Campbell College they both matriculated
at the University of Southern, Mississippi.
In July 1964, the Barbours arrived in Meridian, Mississippi
on his pastoral assignment at Alan Chapel AME Church on the day that three
young Civil Rights’ workers, James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Mickey Schwerner
were reported missing. The three Civil Rights’ workers had been working to
register black voters in Mississippi during Freedom Summer. The Reverend
Barbour met with Mrs. Chaney, the wife of James Chaney who was a member of Alan
Chapel.
One of the things Johnny and Clara had in common was their
love and commitment to the civil and human rights.
The Reverend Johnny and Mrs. Clara Barbour were active in
the Civil Rights’ Movement canvassing door to door to get people ready to vote.
Mrs. Barbour worked in the NAACP office in Meridian, Mississippi lending her
volunteer support to administrative duties, including filing, documentation of
statistics, addresses, telephone numbers, telephone calls, and production of
educational materials. The Reverend Barbour served as coordinator for the NAACP
in Meridian, Mississippi as well as NAACP coordinator for voter registration
and education for the state of Mississippi. Mrs. Barbour used to sing that solo
at the mass meetings for Dr. King and other Civil Rights' leaders.
Johnny and Clara were also active in the life of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church; he as an active pastor and leader in the annual
conference and the 8th Episcopal District; and she was an active
worker in the local church, annual conference and the Episcopal District
Women’s Missionary Societies. Mrs. Clara worked closely with Dr. Barbour in all
of his pastorates and served as a director of a daycare center.
At home they were the parents of one son, Thomas Monroe
Barbour II, who when asked if his mother was a disciplinarian, laughed out loud
and said, “Oh, yes she was a strict disciplinarian.”
In addition to their son, they have a daughter-in-law,
Juanita Adams Barbour; and two grandchildren, Thomas Monroe Barbour III, a
senior at Jackson State University; and Brianna Kathleen Barbour, a sophomore
at Fisk University and a member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
Dr. Barbour pastored some of the most active congregations
in Mississippi, which culminated with the pastorate of Pearl Street AME Church,
Jackson, Mississippi, one of the largest churches in the denomination. In 1986, Dr. Barbour was awarded the Doctor
of Divinity Degree from Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio.
In the 50 years of their marriage, they have lived in Yazoo City,
Meridian, Fayette, Laurel, and Jackson, Mississippi, and Shreveport, Louisiana.
They have homes in Jackson and Nashville, Tennessee.
We wish Dr. Johnny and Mrs. Clara Barbour a blessed 50th
Wedding Anniversary – their Golden Wedding Anniversary!
Dr. Barbour is the Secretary-Treasurer and Publisher of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church Sunday School Union.
Congratulatory
messages can be sent to:
Dr. and Mrs. Clara M. Barbour
185 Bristol Blvd
Jackson, Mississippi
39204-3507
6. THE WOMEN’S MISSIONARY SOCIETY URGENT CALL
FOR SUPPLIES FOR VICTIMS OF HURRICANE SANDY:
The International Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) is partnering with Church World
Services to purchase key supplies for survivors of Hurricane Sandy.
Specifically, they need cleanup supply buckets ($56),
hygiene kits ($10) and blankets ($5).
International President Dr. Shirley Cason-Reed asks all who
respond to this urgent call to only send monetary donations. The WMS will write one check to Church World
Services to purchase the designated items.
The WMS service does not end there. President Reed will
journey with area WMS to the Church World Services Center at 601 Main Street in
New Windsor, Maryland to help package the items for delivery. If you want to assist and desire more
information, please call the WMS International Headquarters at 202.371.8886.
“Our sisters and brothers need those of us who are willing
and able to step up and assist in this trying time,” says President Reed. “I am
calling on all local societies to ask their Pastors to designate a Helping
Hurricane Sandy Survivors Sunday. No amount is too small because we know God
will multiply all gifts to meet the needs of the recipients.”
Please make checks payable to the Women’s Missionary Society
and send them to the International Office by November 19, 2012. The address is
1134 11th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001.
Please write Hurricane Sandy in the memo.
By Jacqueline Mitchell Robinson
7. EXECUTIVE-DIRECTOR
OF GLOBAL WITNESS AND MINISTRY IN NEW JERSEY:
Dr. George F. Flowers is in New Jersey assisting with
disaster relief in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. In the recovery efforts with in
the wake of Hurricane Sandy, CWS has shipped more than $750,000 in material
resources to agencies in affected areas, including CWS Blankets, Kits and
Clean-up Buckets. The African Methodist Episcopal Church's Department of Global
Witness and Ministry partners with the Church World Service.
8. BISHOP CLEMENT W.
FUGH RETURNS TO HIS ROOTS:
On Sunday, October 28, 2012, the 131st Elected and
Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church visited the place
where his journey in the Ministry began - New Tyler AME Church in Memphis,
Tennessee.
Bishop Clement W. Fugh, Presiding Prelate of the 14th District
delivered a powerful and inspiring message at New Tyler African Methodist
Episcopal Church. His topic was “God Will Provide” and he spoke from the
Scriptural text of Philippians 4:19. There was great singing by the New Tyler
Mass Choir sang and the Ministry of dance was presented by the “Faith,”
“Rejoice,” and “Grace” Liturgical Dancers.
Bishop Fugh was presented by Presiding Elder Emeritus
Benjamin R. Booker, North Memphis District. Episcopal Supervisor Alexia Fugh,
the wife of Bishop Fugh; Presiding Elder, Linda Thomas-Martin, South Memphis
District; and the Reverend Eddie Brown and a host of family and friends were in
attendance. The Reverend Willie V. Woods was the Host Pastor.
Submitted by Sister Catherine Brown, New Tyler AME Church
9. BROTHER JAMES
DARDEN A MEMBER OF WOODFORK CHAPEL AME CHURCH HONORED FOR SERVICE TO YOUTH IN
THE COMMUNITY:
The Rev. Scott Reed, pastor of Midland Heights Baptist
Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee publicly thanked Brother James Darden for the
work he does with the young people of Shelbyville, Tennessee. He said, "I
want to take this time to thank you for what you do for our youth. The impact
you have on the youth of today goes far beyond football and is often not
reflected on in the "wins" column.
I played sports all through school and still have a great relationship
with my coaches. You play an important role in shaping our youth and I want to
honor that." The Rev. Scott went on to say, "The congregation at
Midland Heights Baptist Church would like to have you and your staff be our
dinner guests to honor what you are doing for our kids. It will take place on Thursday night,
November 15, 2012 in the Fellowship Hall of our church. I look forward to
meeting and thanking you personally for the outstanding work you do with our
youth."
James Darden coaches football and basketball for middle
school students in Shelbyville. Darden says, "I care as much about the
moral, ethical and spiritual development of the students who participate in our
program as I do about winning."
10. AIR FORCE ACADEMY
RELIGIOUS RESPECT PROGRAM COULD SOON GO SERVICE-WIDE:
TCR Editor’s Note: Chaplain (Major) Shawn Menchion is an
Itinerant Elder in the AME Church serving as an Air Force Chaplain
Erin Prater
An Air Force Academy program to teach cadets to respect the
religious beliefs of comrades will soon go to all Air Force bases and schools
if academy chaplains have their way.
While a target date has not been set for the program’s
expansion, chaplains hope to transition the Religious Respect Training Program
throughout the Air Force as soon as possible, Chaplain Maj. Shawn Menchion said
Wednesday at the conclusion of the academy’s Religious Respect Conference.
“It may reach basic training for enlisted airmen before it
reaches the officers,” Menchion said.
The program was launched in 2010 at the recommendation of
senior academy leaders after several years of religious-related controversies,
Menchion said.
Initially, it was a one-hour training session on the First
Amendment’s clauses that relate to religious freedom, and was taught by academy
chaplains to the class of 2014 at cadet basic training.
Last year the academy and its partners, including the
Anti-Defamation League, developed three additional lessons that will be taught
at other times: one-hour lessons during sophomore and junior years, and a
two-hour lesson during senior year, Menchion said.
The training teaches cadets “to become allies to other
cadets when they witness respect infractions,” he said. “We’re giving them avenues
to address those issues. We emphasize addressing those issues at the lowest
level.”
“This is something new,” Menchion said of the program. “No
other military members are getting this training except for the cadets.”
The program was a major topic of discussion at the third
biannual conference, held Tuesday and Wednesday at the academy.
Military and civilian attendees representing groups such as
the ACLU, Buddhist Churches of America and Islamic Society of Colorado offered
feedback on the program, which consists of lectures and discussions based on
scenarios.
“Some have suggested that we continue to revise our
scenarios to ensure their sensitivity and to ensure that there are no
subjective or implied messages sent as we continue to develop the series,”
Menchion said.
David Oringderff, executive director of the Sacred Well
Congregation, an international Wiccan fellowship, said he had high hopes for
the program.
“Two years ago the program was just starting out, and I didn’t
think it was going to succeed, at least not the way it did,” he said. “After I
left the conference, I felt that there’d be progress. But I was not prepared
for the extent of the positive outcome. It’s just incredible.
“I do a lot of interfaith work, and this program should be a
model for interfaith programs all over the country.”
Retired Air Force Col. Frank Clawson, director of military
relations for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also said he was
pleasantly surprised by the difference the program made in the academy’s
culture in two years.
“In the military, you really have to be a cohesive team,” he
said. “If you have people who are being segregated out because of their beliefs
and not included in a team, you’re going to be less effective.
“I’m encouraged. They’re beginning to see results that are
positive.”
Reprinted with permission of The Gazette of Colorado Springs, Colorado.
11. STOP THE PIPELINE
TO PRISON - CBCF, METROPOLITAN AME CHURCH GROUPS PRESENT STOP THE PIPELINE TO PRISON:
Metropolitan AME Church Groups and CBCF will sponsor a panel
discussion, Stop the Pipeline to Prison: Create Educational Opportunities, Jobs
and Wealth on Nov. 17, 2012.
"African Americans and other minorities continue to
face a disproportionately high risk of imprisonment. Those who are released,
and want to become productive members of society are consistently met with
roadblocks to employment and the ability to engage."
Metropolitan AME Church organizations and the Congressional
Black Caucus Foundation (CBCF) will sponsor a panel discussion, Stop the
Pipeline to Prison: Create Educational Opportunities, Jobs and Wealth on
November 17, 2012 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 1518 M Street, NW, Washington, DC.
The panel, moderated by Dr. Charles J. Ogletree, professor
of Law, Harvard University, will highlight the impact of mass incarcerations on
African-American and other minority communities. The discussion will serve as a
catalyst for solutions to eliminating the disproportionate sentencing of minorities
who are shuttled through the criminal justice system, and offer options for the
road to economic recovery for returning offenders looking for work.
"African Americans and other minorities continue to
face a disproportionately high risk of imprisonment. Those who are released,
and want to become productive members of society are consistently met with
roadblocks to employment and the ability to engage in the most basic of rights,
to take part in the democratic process," said Krisa Haggins, interim president
and chief executive officer for CBCF.
In the past 20 years the prison population in the United
States has skyrocketed. According to recent statistics by the Pew Charitable
Trusts, one in 106 white males, one in 36 Hispanic males, and one in five black
males are incarcerated.
National experts who are especially knowledgeable about the
topic of prison reform and solutions are participating in Stop The Pipeline to
Prison. Panelists include: Representative Bobby Scott (Virginia), Glenn Martin,
director of the David Rothenberg Center for Public Policy at The Fortune
Society, Inc., Francine Sherman, Professor and Director of the Juvenile Rights
Advocacy Project at Boston College Law School, Nigel Parkinson, president and
chief executive officer of Washington, D.C. - based Parkinson Construction
Company, and King Downing, attorney and founder of the Human Rights-Racial
Justice Center.
"Metropolitan AME’s Daniel Payne Community Development
Corporation (CDC) a 501(c) 3 organization, The Bethel Literary Historical
Society and Public Relations Commission are excited to host this important
forum. It is purposely situated on the heels of the Presidential election as
the mass incarceration of African-American and Hispanic males has a huge impact
on federal and state budgets. Entire communities and entire generations are
suffering as a result," said the Rev. Ronald E. Braxton, senior pastor.
Hundreds are expected to attend Stop the Pipeline to Prison:
Create Educational Opportunities, Jobs and Wealth. Please RSVP at http://stopthepipeline.eventbrite.com/.
The panel discussion will be web streamed live at http://www.cbcfinc.org. You can also follow
the discussion on Twitter @CBCFInc #PIPELINE
You can sign and share the petition at:
12. SISTER BARBARA
HAMPTON HOSPITALIZED SINCE THE 2012 GENERAL CONFERENCE - HEALING UPDATE:
- Saint John Hospital, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sister Barbara and I are thankful for your many prayers and
expressions of support since her July 3rd hospitalization at Nashville General
Hospital during the 49th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference and her
ongoing Tulsa hospitalization. Sister Barbara was transferred via Air Ambulance
to a Tulsa hospital August 6th.
Today, November 13, 2012 - To God Be the Glory for What God
is bringing Sister Barbara and me through.
The surgery was successful. Sister Barbara's wound is
closed. Praise God! Praise God! Praise God!
We were apprised in advance that the services of a plastic
surgeon were required to close the wound because the flesh would not meet.
She is in ICU with some degree of breathing challenges. These challenges are expected to be less of a
problem in the next day or so and as her body heals. Breathing is aided by
machine and tubes have been inserted down her throat.
In the days ahead, her body has to heal, stomach muscles
which haven't been used for over four months have to be strengthened and her
body has to be slowly and systematically re-introduced to food. She has not had
food on her stomach since July 9th.
We will continue to keep you abreast of Sis Barbara's
progress.
Thank you for your prayers.
The Rev Dennis J. Hampton
P.O. Box 480901
Tulsa, OK 74148
Cell Phone: 918-809-3487
13. THE 16th
EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2013 SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES:
Bishop Sarah Davis, Presiding Prelate
Mr. Claytie Davis, Episcopal Supervisor
2013 Haiti Annual
Conference
February 6-10, 2013
February 06, 2013: Annual Missionary Convention
February 09, 2013: YPD Day
February 07, 2013: Annual Conference Opening Worship
February 10, 2013: Annual Conference Closing Worship
Host Church: Lula Brokington AME, Mariani
Host Pastor: The Reverend Michlet Mars
2013 Dominican
Republic Annual Conference
February 13-17, 2013
February 13, 2013: Annual Missionary Convention
February 16, 2013: YPD Day
February 14, 2013: Annual Conference Opening Worship
February 17, 2013: Annual Conference Closing Worship
Host Church: Mission David AME, Las Terena, Samana
Host Pastor: The Reverend Jaime Coplin, Host Pastor
(Co-Presiding Elder)
2013 Guyana/Suriname
Annual Conference
March 20-24, 2013
March 20, 2013: Annual Missionary Convention
March 23, 2013: YPD Day
March 21, 2013: Annual Conference Opening Worship
March 24, 2013: Annual Conference Closing Worship
Host Church: St. Peters AME, Georgetown, Guyana
Host Pastor: The Reverend Andrew Morris Grant, P.E.
2013 Windward Islands
Annual Conference
April 10-14, 2013
April 10, 2013: Annual Missionary Convention
April 13, 2013: YPD Day
April 11, 2013: Annual Conference Opening Worship
April 14, 2013: Annual Conference Closing Worship
Host Church: Hickman AME, Grenada
Host Pastor: The Reverend Lisa Williams
2013 Jamaica Annual
Conference
April 17-21, 2013
April 17, 2013: Annual Missionary Convention
April 20, 2013: YPD Day
April 18, 2013: Annual Conference Opening Worship
April 21, 2013: Annual Conference Closing Worship
Host Churches: St. John AME, Palmers Cross, Clarendon and
Chapel of Christ Our Redeemer AME, Kingston
Host Pastors: The Reverend Lazree Davis and the Reverend Dr.
Monica Spencer
2013 Virgin Islands
Annual Conference
April 24 – 28, 2013
April 24, 2013: Annual Missionary Convention
April 27, 2013: YPD Day
April 25, 2013: Annual Conference Opening Worship
April 28, 2013: Annual Conference Closing Worship
Host Church: St. Luke AME, Kingshill, St. Croix
Host Pastor: The Reverend Phillip Walcott
2013 European Annual
Conference
May 8-12, 2013
May 8, 2013: Annual
Missionary Convention
May 11, 2013: YPD Day
May 9, 2013: Annual
Conference Opening Worship
May 12, 2013: Annual Conference Closing Worship
Host Church: Richard Allen AME, London, England
Host Pastors: The Reverend Rudolph Aaron, P.E.
JUNE 2013
23-26: General Board and Investiture of Bishop Sarah Frances
Davis in Kingston, Jamaica
14. GETTING TO ZERO
AND HOMOPHOBIA: SOME THOUGHTS (PART 2):
By Dr. Oveta Fuller
Payne Theological Seminary requires a course “The Biology of
HIV/AIDS” for graduation of its Masters of Divinity students. During the week
that includes Election Day 2012, I am with students in this fall’s 2012 class
in the battleground state of Ohio. In the amazing backdrop of the 2012
election, we are discussing “What Effective Clergy Should Know about HIV/AIDS”.
Writing from such a setting, I am reminded that during his
first term, President Barack Obama made a position statement about same sex
marriage. This leads back to the issue of “G20 and Homophobia”.
Among other materials, the class is reading a February 20,
2012 editorial in The Christian Recorder
by Dr. Calvin Sydnor. Dr. Sydnor writes that HIV/AIDS “is a difficult issue” to
which African Americans and pastors, clergy and church leaders must attend.
To reverse infection trends requires individual ownership
and eliminating ignorance and shallow or misinformation about HIV/AIDS. It
requires consistently addressing HIV as a virus infection and more openly
discussing related issues such as sexuality, homosexuality and economics. These
issues intersect with morality and make HIV/AIDS a more “difficult subject to
address”.
Stigma remains with HIV/AIDS from the historical first
association with gay men, IV drug use and people with multiple sex partners. To
deal with the stigma, we have to address these issues. Homophobia is a priority
on the list.
I understand President Obama’s position as an attorney and
responsible leader of our country. I interpret his position to mean that the
government should not take a position that same sex marriage between consenting
adults should be illegal. Remember, at one point in our country’s history,
interracial marriage between a black and a white person was illegal in some
states.
I hear that the President’s position is that the legal
system should not prevent or ban marriage of two consenting adults who seek the
rights attributed by law to a married couple in the USA. There are very real
rights of legally recognized committed partnerships that affect items such as
taxes, health insurance and other benefits afforded married couples.
I can understand such an official public position of this
Commander in Chief and attorney.
I perhaps could see legal civil unions among same sex
couples who have a committed long-term relationship- perhaps. I personally
cannot support same sex marriage. This is because of the scriptural definition
of “marriage” – as between a man and a woman that is compatible with
propagation and survival of the species. This is the institution God set up as
the base for the family and for conception, nurturing and training of
biological offspring.
But back to homophobia? Over some considerable time, I have
come to understand that we cannot justify “irrational fear of, aversion to, or
discrimination against same gender loving persons.” We cannot justify
“negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or
people who are identified or perceived as being lesbian, gay, bisexual or
transgender (LGBT).” Who are you or me-
any one of us- to have “contempt, prejudice, aversion,
irrational fear, and hatred toward people for their sexual attraction
or preference” as long as their behaviors align with standards that we hold for
healthy relationships among opposite gender consenting adults.
In his recorded ministry, Jesus was inclusive and reached
out to those society marginalized. He
reached out to lepers, to the sick, the lame, the blind-- to tax-collectors,
Samaritans, women. He was not judgmental and instructs us “Do not judge that
you may not be judged.” “He who is without sin, let him cast the first stone”.
To say even, as is heard in the class and other discussions,
“that we can love the sinner, but not the sin” is to judge. Are not all of us
sinners who are granted mercy and grace?
How do we change the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS?
How do we change that anyone, particularly clergy or
leaders, thinks that HIV/AIDS is a disease that any person “deserves to
get”?
As a main point of the Payne class, and as you understand by
now, HIV is an infectious virus that can be transmitted to anyone by contact
with virus found in blood, semen, vaginal fluids or breast milk.
Like influenza is not a punishment for breathing, HIV/AIDS
is not a punishment for coming in contact with the fluids that allow the virus
to survive and transmit from one person to another.
How do we effectively address homophobia and the discomfort
with issues such as homosexually or relating to same gender loving
persons?
What makes a person same gender loving? This has been a part
of humankind for some time, in Biblical and even ancient times. Granted it
seems more prevalent and visible today.
Is same gender loving nature or nurture?
Can talking more together to better understand how such a
preference comes about help to break down barriers and change the silence and
paralysis that feed the spread of HIV/AIDS?
HIV/AIDS and the socio-behavioral associated issues are
difficult subjects to tackle especially in the context of the church.
Dr. Sydnor’s editorial states “it’s now our disease”. We
must tackle the difficult associated issues in order to change current
infection and disease trends and move toward zero discrimination, zero new
infections and zero deaths from HIV/AIDS.
It’s now official. We move to a second term of this
President of the United States of America!
Change happens.
15. MEDITATION BASED
ON PSALM 27:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
I’m writing this Meditation in the midst of a very busy week
resulting from spending most of last week at the Seventh Episcopal District of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Post Annual Conference Planning
Meeting. I thoroughly enjoyed the
Planning Meeting, but am now playing “catch up” on work that couldn’t be done
while I was out of town.
This week has been busy, but in the midst of its abundant
demands and deadlines, I thought of an essay by my favorite humorist, Patrick
F. McManus that was included in his book, The
Good Samaritan Strikes Again. In his
essay, “The Worry Box,” McManus recounts the many major and minor worries that
compete for his attention and describes a fishing trip with a 93-year-old
friend named Ed who seemed to have no worries whatsoever. When McManus asked Ed if he was consistently
and annoyingly cheerful because he was too old to have many real worries, Ed
said, “Nope, It’s because every morning this wonderful thing happens to me...I
wake up again! Dad-gum if that don’t
make my day!”
We can find comfort and reassurance in that view of life,
especially in the wake of the 2012 General Election which President Barack
Obama won with a little over fifty per cent of the vote. That vote total means that for almost every
American citizen rejoicing and dancing in the streets because of the election
result, there’s another American citizen who’s stunned, disconsolate and
profoundly worried and confused.
I ran into one of those folks in the latter category - a
member of the Tea Party whom I actually like in spite of our many points of
disagreement - in the grocery store yesterday.
I took the time to gloat over the election results and then dutifully
asked him how he was doing. He said,
“I’m confused, I’m a bit scared, but I’m alright because when all is said and
done, I’m still standing and the sun will still come up tomorrow.”
Take Pat McManus’ essay and my Tea Party friend’s words to
heart as you cope with the many demands heaped upon all of us by life in this
world. It’s easy for all of us to feel
swamped, stressed and swept away by the many things that come our way and to
find it to be all but impossible to keep up with, cope with and handle life’s
demands.
We’d do well to remember, however, that the God we serve is
always there to bless us, always there to comfort us and always knows just how
much we can bear. The sheer joy of knowing that the sun will come up tomorrow
and of waking up each day in God’s care can bring us new hope, new comfort, new
consolation and new possibilities in life.
Take the time in the midst of each busy and demanding day to
thank the Lord for waking you up to see the day. Your day will be brighter,
your burdens will be lighter and you’ll find new assurance in the promise
expressed by the hymn writer who confidently said that, “Jesus knows all about our struggles, He will guide is till the day is
done. There’s not a friend like the
lowly Jesus, no, not one, no, not one.”
If you are in the Charleston, South Carolina area this weekend,
join us on the Third Sunday in November for Church School at 8:45 a.m. and for
Worship at 10 a.m. when we’ll also recognize those who see to our children’s
educational well being on Educators’ Appreciation Day. The Combined Choir, Praise Dance Ministry,
Voices of Promise and Young Adult Choir will offer praise.
Sunday’s Scripture Lessons are:
Psalm 150
Revelation 7:9-17
John 12:20-32
Sunday’s Sermons is:
“We Ought to Praise the Lord”
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the pastor of Morris Brown
AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina
16. EPISCOPAL,
GENERAL OFFICER AND CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Thema S. Bryant-
Davis, Ph.D - APA Public Interest Award Recipient 2013
Thema S. Bryant-Davis, PhD, the daughter of Bishop John Richard
Bryant, Senior Bishop, Presiding Prelate, Fourth Episcopal District and Senior
Episcopal Supervisor, Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, received the 2013 Award
for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest (Early
Career). Dr. Thema S. Bryant-Davis is a licensed psychologist, poet, dancer and
minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Letter of Award dated November 7, 2012 received by Thema S.
Bryant-Davis, PhD:
Thema Bryant-Davis, PhD
Pepperdine University
Graduate School of Education and Psychology
16830 Ventura Boulevard
Encino, CA 91436
Dear Dr. Bryant-Davis:
I am pleased to inform you that the Committee on Psychology
in the Public Interest Awards has selected you as the recipient of the 2013
Award for Distinguished Contributions to Psychology in the Public Interest
(Early Career). Congratulations! I am sure you will find it particularly
gratifying to have your contributions so honored by your colleagues in the
public interest community.
Receipt of this award entitles you to a $1,000 honorarium,
the opportunity to present an address at the 2013 APA Convention in Honolulu,
Hawaii; the waiver of your 2013 APA Convention registration fee; and up to
$1500 reimbursement for travel expenses from convention. Donnie Graham,
Executive Associate/Governance Manager, will contact you shortly about the
logistics of the award presentation and recognition of your selection in the
American Psychologist.
Again, on behalf of the Board for the Advancement of
Psychology in the Public Interest (BAPPI) and all of us in the Public Interest
Directorate, congratulations.
Sincerely,
Gwendolyn Puryear Keita, PhD
Executive Director, Public Interest Directorate
American Psychological Association
750 First Street NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Thema S. Bryant-Davis, PhD, Biography: http://drthema.com/biography/
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to:
Dr. Thema S. Bryant-Davis:
Thema.S.Bryant-Davis@Pepperdine.edu
- The Rev. Dr. Johnny
and Mrs. Clara Barbour will celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary on
November 24. 2012. Dr. Barbour is the Secretary-Treasurer and Publisher of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church Sunday School Union.
Dr. Johnny Barbour married Clara Mae Jackson on November 24,
1962. They have one son, Thomas Monroe Barbour; daughter-in-law, Juanita Adams
Barbour; and two Grandchildren, Thomas Monroe Barbour III, a senior at Jackson
State University; and Brianna Kathleen Barbour, a sophomore at Fisk University
and a member of the Fisk Jubilee Singers.
We wish Dr. Johnny and Mrs. Clara Barbour a blessed 50th
Wedding Anniversary - their Golden Wedding Anniversary!
Congratulatory Messages may be sent:
Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr.: u_sunday@bellsouth.net; amecinfo@edge.net
Mail address:
Dr. and Mrs. Clara M. Barbour
185 Bristol Blvd
Jackson, Mississippi
39204-3507
- University of
Michigan researcher, the Rev. Dr. Almyra Oveta Fuller -Caldwell, earns
Fulbright Scholar Grant to study AIDS interventions in Africa examining
religious leaders' ability to address HIV, AIDS in African communities
University of Michigan microbiologist A. Oveta Fuller has
spent her career-examining viruses like herpes simplex virus (HSV) and HIV/
AIDS through the lens of a microscope to understand the most basic and
intricate details of viruses. As a former pastor with a focus on young adults
and outreach for HIV and AIDS awareness, Fuller also has seen the effect the
disease can have on a community and its people.
Now, with the help of a 2012-13 Fulbright Scholar grant,
Fuller will use her training in the lab and in the church to conduct a study in
southern Africa, assessing local religious leaders' ability to address HIV and
AIDS in their communities. The nine-month study begins in January 2013 in the
Copperbelt region of Zambia.
"The transmission of HIV and AIDS only happens in a few
ways, but the sort of understanding and education about prevention isn't there
to those on the front lines," Fuller says. "What we want to do is
engage and influence clergy there who already have the trust of their communities,
to get them to understand the science of HIV transmission and how it and AIDS
can be prevented."
See the full release
at:
Additionally, the Rev. Dr. Oveta Fuller Caldwell recently
received the 2012 "Journey with God Award" from the Michigan
Conference Women In Ministry (WIM). It is an award given to a former pastor who
has stepped down from the pastorate to pursue a different God called ministry
focus. She was pastor of Bethel AME Church in Adrian, Michigan from 2004 to 2011.
For more information about Dr. Fuller and her work, visit:
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to:
17. DEATH OF AME ZION BISHOP, THE RIGHT REV. JAMES E.
MCCOY:
The Right Rev. James E. McCoy, 94th Bishop in
Succession of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AMEZ) Church died on the
morning of November 13, 2012. He was the Presiding Prelate of the Eastern
Episcopal District (Eastern North Carolina, South Africa, Zimbabwe and the US
Virgin Islands).
The funeral service for Bishop McCoy will be on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in Varick Auditorium at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina.
The funeral service for Bishop McCoy will be on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. in Varick Auditorium at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina.
Viewing will be from 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Messages of condolence may be sent to:
Long and Son Mortuary Service
2312 Beatties Ford Road
Charlotte, NC 28216
Telephone: (704) 394-1111
Fax: (704) 394-1316
*Submitted by Mr. John Thomas III and Dr.
Mary Love, AME Zion Church
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to
report the death of Mr. Eddie Brown, the father of the Rev. Erma Raymond,
pastor of Bethel AME Church in Dalton, Georgia. He passed on Saturday, November
10, 2012 and will be funeralized on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. at
Bradshaw & Range Funeral Home Chapel, Waukegan, Illinois. The family
solicits your prayers at this time.
Condolences can be
sent to:
The Rev. Erma
Raymond
1503 Daisy Lane
Dalton, GA 30720
Cell: 706-264-4903
Home: 706-229-0387
Email ermaray7@aol.com
Facebook.com/ermaraymond
Or
Bradshaw & Range
Funeral Home
2513 Dugdale Road
Waukegan, Ill 60085
847-662-3553
847-662-0043
19. CLERGY
FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform
you of the passing of Mrs. Lillian Staten Dumas, the mother of the Rev. Coleman
Dumas III, Pastor of St. Mary's AME Church in the Griffin Georgia District.
Celebration of Life
Service:
Saturday, November
17, 2012 at 11:00 a.m.
Saint Paul AME
Church
2501 Shurling Drive
Macon, GA 31211
Telephone:
478-745-0507
Services provided
by:
Hutchings Funeral
Home
536 New Street
Macon, GA 31201
Phone: 478-743-1212
Interment:
Woodlawn Memorial
Park
2005 Woodlawn Drive
Macon, GA 31217
Expressions of
sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs.
Coleman Dumas Jr. & Family
213 Sugarloaf Circle
Macon, GA 31204
Email condolences
may be sent to:
The Rev. Coleman
Dumas Jr.: colemandumas3rd@yahoo.com
20. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce with regret and sympathy the
death of Ms. Dorothy Cleveland. Dorothy transitioned from labor to reward on
Sunday, November 11, 2012 in Orlando, Florida. Ms. Cleveland was the sister of
the Reverend Gloria Houser, pastor of St. James AME Church, Inverness, Florida.
Dorothy will continue to be loved by her family.
Visitation arrangements for Ms. Dorothy Cleveland:
Friday, November 16, 2012
4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Postell's Mortuary Chapel
811 N. Powers Drive
Orlando, Florida 32818
Telephone: (407) 295-3857
Services arrangements for Ms. Dorothy Cleveland:
Saturday, November 17, 2012:
Greater St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church
11:00 a.m.
514 S. Parramore Avenue
Orlando, Florida
The Rev. Arnold Porter, pastor
21. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Deacon Edwin and
Deaconess Charlene Jordan. They were killed Friday morning, November 2, 2012
after becoming trapped inside their burning home in Willingboro, New Jersey.
Deacon and Deaconess Jordan were the parents of Sister Debra Bradley who is the
wife of the Rev. M. Shawn Bradley, pastor of Bethlehem AME Church in
Burlington, New Jersey (New Jersey Annual Conference).
The following information has been provided regarding
funeral arrangements.
The funeral service was held on Saturday, November 10, 2012
at the Evergreen Baptist Church in Palmyra, New Jersey. The Rev. Dr. Guy Campbell is the pastor
Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. M. Shawn Bradley
30 Chandler Street
Brown Mills, NJ 08015
22. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce with deep regret and sympathy
the death of Mr. Ben Mokote. Mr. Ben Mokote was the caretaker of the Episcopal
Residence of the 18th Episcopal District since 2001. He began the
caretaker duties under the episcopal leadership of Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie.
Mr. Ben Mokote is survived by his wife Mrs. Matumelo Mokote and two sons. Please keep the family in your prayers.
Funeral arrangements for Mr. Ben Mokote:
Saturday, November 24, 2012
10:00 a.m.
Agnes Ball African Methodist Episcopal Church
Maseru, Lesotho
The Rev. Beatrice M. Motokoa, pastor
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Matumelo Mokote
C/O 18th Episcopal District
P.O. Box 223
Maseru, 100 Lesotho
Expressions of sympathy may also be emailed to:
Mrs. Puleng Jack, Office Manger
18th Episcopal District
23. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to share news of the passing of Mr. Bobby Samuels,
the father of the Rev. Melanie Samuels-Black, pastor of Ward's Chapel AME
Church in Scottsville, Kentucky. Mr.
Bobby Samuels, age 65 of Franklin, Kentucky passed away on Thursday, November
8, 2012 at the Medical Center in Franklin, Kentucky. He was a member of Greater
Taylor AME Church in Franklin.
Funeral service for Mr. Bobby Samuels was held on Tuesday,
November 13, 2012 at the First United Methodist Church in Franklin, Kentucky.
The Rev. Vivian Snardon was the eulogist. The Rev. Erika Taylor is the pastor,
Greater Taylor Chapel AME Church in Franklin, Kentucky. The interment was
conducted at the Greenlawn Cemetery with military honors conducted by the
Simpson County Honor Guard.
Online Guest Book: http://www.craftonfuneralhome.com/obituaries.html
Contact information for the Rev. Samuels-Black:
Telephone: (270) 779-5338
Email: dove31993@yahoo.com
Church Mailing Address:
Ward's Chapel AME Church
ATTN: The Rev. Samuels-Black
446 South Court Street / P.O. Box 679
Scottsville, KY 42164
24.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Phone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
25.
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.
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