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
1. EDITORIAL – I HAVE
DECIDED TO SHARE THIS WEEK’S PROJECT:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
Earlier this week I decided type out the entire AMEC liturgy of The Lord’s Supper so that I could put
the words of the service in my iPad and iPhone and in that way I would always
have the liturgy with me as I do my electronic Bible.
I had an ulterior motive.
I have been given the opportunity to be the chief celebrant at our
church this Sunday (Woodfork Chapel AME Church in Shelbyville, Tennessee. The
Rev. Dr. Charlotte B. Sydnor is the pastor) and thought that it might be
helpful for me to have an electronic version of the AMEC liturgy of The Lord’s Supper.
I went to work typing the liturgy and got it done. I shared it
with the AMEC Bishops and General Officers and was going to leave it at that, but
decided to share it with the Rev. Dr. Joseph Darby who shares messages with me.
I was feeling good about what I had done, but began to feel
guilty because I had made up in my mind that I was not going to share this
resource. I wrote Dr. Darby and asked
him if he thought I should share what I had done in TCR Online editorial space.
His immediate response, “Excellent idea – anything that helps to
bring the AME Church into the 21st Century – or in some cases the 20th
Century – needs to be publicized!” I
have decided to share it. I am also sharing the AMEC Call to Worship.
How to put it on your
smartphone
The best way to put the file in your iPhone, iPad (or other
smartphones) is to copy and paste The
Lord’s Supper as it appears below in a Word Document and then “Save as” in
a Portable Document Format (PDF) and email it to yourself and then save it in iBooks (I am sure that Android and
Blackberry have apps similar to iBooks).
When a document is put in iBooks, it can be read it as one would read a book.
I also attempted to make the rubrics gender-neutral.
If you have trouble following the directions, any young
person can help you or, if you are a TCR
subscriber, you can call me and I will assist you.
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*THE LORD'S SUPPER
(Traditional Form)
Prepared by Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III,
the 20th Editor of The
Christian Recorder
The Elder shall
uncover the table, after which the Elder shall extend the following invitation:
THE SOLICITATION
You that do
truly and earnestly repent of your sins and are in love and charity with your
neighbor, and intend to lead the new life, following the Commandments of God,
and walking from henceforth in his holy ways, draw near with faith and take
this holy sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to
Almighty God, meekly kneeling.
THE GENERAL CONFESSION
Then shall the
minister and the people pray,
Almighty God, Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all people, we acknowledge and
bewail our manifold sins and wickedness which we from time to time most
grievously have committed by thought, word, and deed against Your divine
majesty, provoking most justly Your wrath and indignation against us. We do
earnestly repent and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the
remembrance of them is grievous unto us.
Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon
us, most merciful Father, for your Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake; forgive us
all that is past, and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please You in
newness of life to the honor and glory of Your name, through Jesus Christ our
Lord, Amen
(“Amen” Chant)
FIRST COLLECT
Then the Elder or
Deacon says,
Almighty God,
our Heavenly Father, who of Your great mercy has promised forgiveness of sins
to all of them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto You, have
mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins; confirm and strengthen
us in all goodness; and bring us to everlasting life through Jesus Christ, our
Lord. Amen.
(“Amen” Chant)
SECOND COLLECT
Then the Elder or
Deacon says,
Almighty
God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets
are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may
perfectly love You and worthily magnify Your Holy Name through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
(“Amen” Chant)
PRAYER OF ADORATION
Then the Elder or
Deacon says,
It is very
meet, right, and our bounden duty that we shall at all times and in all places
give thanks unto You, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God.
Then shall the
minister and the people say or sing,
Therefore, with angels and archangels,
and with all of the company of heaven, we laud and magnify Your Holy Name,
evermore praising You and saying Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts; heaven
and earth are full of Your glory. Glory be to You O Lord, Most High. Amen.
PRAYER OF HUMILIATION
Then the Elder or
Deacon says,
We do not
presume to come to this Your table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own
righteousness, but in Your manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so
much as to gather the crumbs under Your table. But You are the same Lord whose
property is always to have mercy. Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord so to eat
the flesh of Your dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink His blood that our sinful
souls and bodies may be made clean by His death and washed through His blood, and that we may evermore
dwell in Him and He in us. Amen.
(Threefold “Amen” Chant)
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION
Then shall the Elder
say,
Almighty
God, our Heavenly Father, who for your tender mercy didst give Your only Son Jesus
Christ to suffer death on the cross for our redemption, who made thereby His
oblation of Himself, once offered; a full perfect and sufficient sacrifice,
oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world; and did institute
and in His holy gospel command us to continue a perpetual memory of that, His
precious death, until His coming again. Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech
You, and grant that we receiving these Your creatures of bread and wine
according to Your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in
remembrance of His death and passion, may be partakers of His most blessed body
and blood; who in the same night that He was betrayed took bread [Here the Elder takes
the piece of bread into his/her hand], and when He had given
thanks He broke it, [And here the celebrant breaks the bread], and gave it to His
disciples saying, "Take, eat; this [and
here the celebrant lays his/her hand upon all the bread], is My body which is
broken for you. This do in remembrance of Me." Likewise after the supper He took the cup [and here the celebrant lays his/her hand upon all the vessels
containing the wine],
and when He had given
thanks He gave it to them saying, "Drink all of it, for this is my blood
of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of
sins; do this, as often as you drink it in remembrance of Me. Amen.
Then shall the Elder
first received the bread and wine and then proceed to deliver the same to the
other ministers in like manner, if any be present, and after that to the people
in order, into their hands. And when the Elder delivers the bread the Elder
shall say,
The body of
our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for you, to preserve your soul and body
unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for
you, and feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving.
And the Elder that
delivers the cup shall say,
The blood
of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed for you to preserve your soul and body
unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ blood was shed for
you and be thankful.
(If the consecrated
bread and wine is consumed before all have communed the Elder may consecrate
more by repeating the Prayer of Consecration.)
(When all have commemorated, the minister
shall return to the Lord's table, place upon it what remains of the consecrated
elements, covering the same with clean linen cloth.)
Then shall the elder
and people pray in unison,
THE LORD’S PRAYER
(Traditional)
Our Father, which art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, As it is in
heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we
forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But
deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For
ever and ever. Amen.
After which shall be
said:
THE PRAYER OF
THANKSGIVING
O Lord, our
Heavenly Father, we Your humble servants,
desire Your fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise
and thanksgiving; most humbly beseeching You to grant that by the merits and
death of Your, Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in His blood, we and your
whole church may obtain remission of our sins and all other benefits of His
passion. And here we offer and present unto You, O Lord, ourselves, our souls
and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto You; humbly
beseeching You that all we who are partakers of this Holy Communion may be
filled with Your grace and heavenly benediction. And although we be unworthy,
through our manifold sins, to offer unto You any the sacrifice, yet we beseech
You to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but
pardoning our offences, through Christ our Lord; by whom and with whom in the
unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory be unto You, O Father Almighty,
world without end. Amen.
Then shall be said or
sung,
THE GLORIA IN EXCELSIS
Glory be to God on high, and on
earth peace, good will toward men. We praise You, we bless You, we worship You,
we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory: O Lord God,
heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus
Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father that takes away the sins of
the world, have mercy upon us; You, who take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer. You, who sit at the right hand of God the Father, have
mercy upon us.
For You alone are holy; you alone
are the Lord; You alone, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, are most high in the
glory of God the Father. Amen.
Then the elder, if he
or she sees it expedient, may offer an extemporaneous prayer, and afterward
shall let the people fellowship and then depart with his or her blessing.
BENEDICTION
The peace
of God which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the
knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and blessing of
God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain
with you always. Amen.
*Taken from The Book
of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2008 and the AMEC Book
of Common Prayer 2005
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THE
TRADITIONAL AME CALL TO WORSHIP WITH SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES
Minister: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord, our feet shall stand within thy gates O Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:1-2)
People: For a Day on our courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10)
Minister: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Psalm 122: 9)
People: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:13)
Minister: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Lord, I have loved thy habitation, the place where thy honor dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)
People: For the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. (Habakkuk 2:20)
Minister: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
People: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth, sing praises. (Psalm 98:1b, 4)
Minister: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord, our feet shall stand within thy gates O Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:1-2)
People: For a Day on our courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10)
Minister: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Psalm 122: 9)
People: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:13)
Minister: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Lord, I have loved thy habitation, the place where thy honor dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)
People: For the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. (Habakkuk 2:20)
Minister: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)
People: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth, sing praises. (Psalm 98:1b, 4)
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Editor’s Note: A
“Thank You” to Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry and Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath for
catching several typos. Three pairs of eyes are better than one pair of eyes.
2. TCR OP-ED: CAN WE DO BETTER?
LEGISLATION AND THE GENERAL CONFERENCE:
*John Thomas III
As a child, I remember watching episodes of “Schoolhouse
Rock” and how the creators used music to make social studies, grammar and math
exciting and fun. One of my favorite
songs was “I’m just a Bill” where the process of how a bill (legislative
proposal) is turned into a law in the United States is clearly explained.
As I sat through the General Conference, I thought about
this song as the General Conference delegates slogged their way (sometimes
painfully) through the legislative packet.
Two thoughts entered my mind: What can we do to increase
the quality of the legislation? How can
we consider proposals more efficiently?
Looking at the quality of the General Conference
legislation packet over the last three quadrennials, the General Conference has
been reluctant to deal with “major” restructuring or proposals that could
reshape the Connectional bottom-line.
The quickest way to get a bill eliminated from
consideration is to have “financial implications.” Once the General Board transmits its proposed
budget to the General Conference, people are reluctant to amend it.
If the General Conference can’t make the “major”
decisions for the church, then who can?
A second concern is the efficiency of legislation. At this General Conference, we were able to
complete the unusual feat of getting through the entire packet of legislation
proposed by the Revisions Committee along with additional bills. The consolidation of the second and third reading
for a majority of the bills combined with Herculean efforts by some Bishops to
keep the agenda on track helped the General Conference. The absence of debate on most of the bills,
however, was testament to the mundane nature of the packet. How would the General Conference react over
“livelier” (i.e. more controversial) proposals?
Many of the clergy and lay leadership I talked to after
the General Conference independently expressed similar concerns about the
General Conference legislative process. To find out more, I went to the
"root" of the legislation process and chatted with the Rev. Dr.
Frederick Wright, the Revisions Committee Chair for the 2008 and 2012 Sessions
of the General Conference.
After sharing my concerns, Dr. Wright commented, “I think
that the Revisions Committee probably does not need to make experimental
changes. The Revisions Committee would
like to have their work honored. There
may need to be some kind of pre-presentation of knowledge of the bills and some
discussion of the bills before the process.”
At its core, a legislative bill is an idea. While the General Conference has shown that
it can handle volumes of legislation, it is not an arena for debating
ideas. Many bills dealing with important
concepts (Co-Pastors, the Chief Administrative Officer, restructuring of the
Episcopal Committee) did not make it to the floor because the expression of the
idea was either unclear or was thought to have financial implications. The Connectional Church needs a place where
the “major” ideas can be vetted so that by the time we come to the General
Conference, we are capable of dealing with major issues and not stuck in a
narrow track.
So where can the AME Church debate these ideas?
One suggestion is to discuss the issues at the
CONVOs.
Guided by Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram over the 2008-2012
period, the CONVOs focused on various themes of importance to the
denomination. Our current focus on
discipleship for the 2012-2016 period is directly related to the discussions
and presentations at the CONVOs. We can
use these well-attended meetings as places to present and debate the “major”
proposals that can only be passed through consensus. Or at the very least, clearly agree to
disagree. This idea is not new and
several Bishops and prominent clergy and lay leaders have articulated a desire
for the CONVOs to become a clear part of our legislative process.
There are other places where bills can be clearly vetted.
By law, every Annual Conference has a Legislative Task force that is to vet and
discuss bills. Also, the Connectional
Lay Organization has an entire apparatus devoted to the creation of
legislation. If we have these tools and
still see that the quality of the bills at the General Conference is ever
narrower, we must ask ourselves where are the ideas for our Church and why are
they not being considered. It is my hope
and prayer that over the 2012-2016 period that the AME Church will not only
take a hard look at itself, but find the courage to take action on what we find.
*John Thomas III is a member
of the 13th
Episcopal District, General Board Member and Young Adult Representative of the
Connectional Lay Organization and is working on his Ph.D at the University of
Chicago
3. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
RE: Editorial – We can learn from each other’s pet peeves (TCR
Online, July 26, 2012)
As a retired music teacher I am so thrilled that you know the
Hymn: " Nero My Dog Has Fleas" and one of them bit me in church as I
knelt for the Alter Call.
But with all jokes aside; thank you for that delightful article
and for reminding us that we hopefully, learn until we die.
There is nothing more frustration to a teacher than the person
who knows it all and knew it long before they were told even thought they act
otherwise before you tell them so.
Since I have done the weekly bulletins at my church under
several pastors for several years, I was recently asked by a member why I had
changed the position of the Altar Call.
I shared with the member that it might have been an oversight on
my part and even though I would really miss the time during the service to come
to the altar for silent prayer, to my knowledge there is not, nor has there
ever been any part of the AME Order of Worship known as an “Altar Call,” but we
and many of our AME churches have simply inserted it in our local church order
of worship.
So in effect I had not altered the ALTER CALL (another spelling
pet peeve.)
I am so happy that someone finally called to my attention that
the first line of "Lift Him
Up" was “How to Reach the Masses” and not “Message” as I sang before we
got enough hymnals in my church for everyone; especially since I was going to
teach music for more than thirty years.
Thank God for your timely message and for you the messenger.
Robert T. Matthews, III
- To the Editor:
RE: Editorial – We can learn from each other’s pet peeves (TCR
Online, July 26, 2012)
Kudos to you for acknowledging that you read the FaceBook page
"A.M.E. Church Members Connecting Around the World" and that you
agree that there should be a safe space for discussing items that are
meaningful to others even if it bucks the status quo.
I certainly agree that this is better than remaining anonymous,
people need a voice and need affirmation that their voice matters. They should
also be able voice their opinion without the fear of retaliation from others.
After all, this is the church of God where all are equal, right?
The Rev. Velma E. Grant
4. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE,
ASK:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I was always curious about articles I received from our writers
in Africa. I noticed that many of them did not put periods after initials.
Earlier this week I received a wonderful article from the Rev.
Gaborone P Lesito that appears in this issue of The Christian Recorder and the
initials in Bishop Kawimbe's name did not have periods as we insert periods
after initials in the U.S. I decided to
ask him about it and his response was enlightening and I wanted to share this
explanation and my response with our readers.
I wrote to the Rev. Lesito and asked, “Do writers on the
Continent of Africa not put periods after initials? For example in the U.S. if
we write, ‘Bishop P.J.M. Kawimbe,’ but in your article you have written,
‘Bishop PJM Kawimbe.’
The reason I am asking is because when I receive articles from
the Continent of Africa, I want to publish the article the way that’s
consistent with the way it’s published on the Continent instead of way we do it
in the U.S. We are a global church we should recognize each others' grammatical
styles. I want to use your spelling of words instead of our spelling of
words. I would appreciate your
response.”
The Rev. Lesito responded, "Most of the Continent of Africa
uses British English. Generally, British English omits full stops (periods)
after initials; for example we write Mr and Mrs without a full stop. You also
find that vocational titles such as CEO, CIO, and so forth do not take full
stops. This is not always the case as "am" and "pm" are
written with full stops, “a.m. – p.m.”
This rule has however lost consistency, perhaps due to globalization and
I am a culprit as I am accustomed to write the abbreviation for Reverend with a
full stop “Rev.”
I want to publically thank the Rev. Lesito for enlightening us.
I have also figured out that many of the African writers use the
British system of putting periods outside quotation marks, while we in the U.S.
put the periods inside quotation marks.
So, TCR readers, when
you read articles from overseas writers, we will use their protocol and their
spelling of words and their listing of time of day.
5. BISHOP PJ KAWIMBE
ARRIVES AT HIS NEW DISTRICT – 19TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
The membership of the African Methodist Episcopal Church all
over the world was waiting for July 4, 2012.
This wait however did not come close to the excited anxiety that
the 19th Episcopal District experienced between the 4th of July to the
arrival of the newly assigned Bishop of the 19th Episcopal District.
Bishop Paul Jones Mulenga Kawimbe arrived in Johannesburg’s OR
Tambo International Airport on Tuesday 24th July on South African
Flight 63 from Zambia.
As if the Captain and Pilot knew that people had been waiting
from 2 p.m. for a flight scheduled for 15:25 (3:25 p.m.), we were all overjoyed
to notice on the flight information board that the flight was disembarking at
15:07.
By 15:35 Bishop Kawimbe had gone though all customs processes
and was greeting presiding elders, pastors, Missionary Mothers and lay members
who had brought the majestic Airport to life with hymns, dancing and
ululating-the real African reception.
The Presiding Prelate was then led by the Administrative Assistant,
Presiding Elder TS Setai to the Airport Chapel for a short Devotional Prayer to
thank God for the safe arrival of God’s
Servant and to petition God for a fruitful Quadrennium.
Bishop PJM Kawimbe then took the podium to address a delegation
of over 50 people assuring all that he comes as a “son,” to learn, was open to
ideas, fostering family unit, and above all to take the 19th
District to new heights.
The Bishop closed his greetings with a prayer and benediction.
The Bishop then left to put “shoulder to the wheel” by meeting
with Presiding Elders, District Treasurer and Accountant, different boards and
Episcopal Auxiliary heads before he safely left on Saturday 28th
July for Zambia to return in two weeks time for the 2012 Annual Conference
Series.
Submitted by the Rev. GP Lesito
6. AME CHURCH PARTNERS
WITH CHURCH WORLD SERVICE DEVELOPMENT AND HUMANITARIAN PROGRAM TO ASSIST ANGOLA
RETURNEES:
Dr. George F. Flowers, AMEC Executive Director of Global Witness
and Ministry encourages members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to
support the Church World Service Development and Humanitarian Assistance
Program to help Angola returnees (Emergency Appeal #: 642.P).
Dr. Flowers said, "The Church World Service (CWS) is a
partner with the AME Church," and went on to say, "Angola is part of
the work of the Fifteenth Episcopal District, and we have many AMEs in the
region."
Dr. Flowers said, "Persons wishing to give may do so
through CWS directly or through the Department of Global Witness and Ministry,
and in that way, the AME Church can receive credit for supporting the mission.
The address is:
Department of Global
Witness and Ministry
Charleston Executive
Park
1587 Savannah Highway,
Suite A
Charleston, SC 29407-7820
1-866 211-9934
Dr. George F. Flowers
Executive Director of Global Witness and Ministry
- Church World Service
Development and Humanitarian Assistance Program
Angola Returnees CWS Emergency Appeal #: 642-P
Appeal Amount: $39,350 (For long-term work)
Aug. 1, 2012
Situation Report: Due
to Angola's 1975-2002 civil war, large numbers of Angolans fled the country,
seeking safety in neighboring countries such as the Democratic Republic of
Congo and Zambia. Others fled the country in 1961 at the time of
de-colonization (from Portugal) and stayed across borders for more than 40
years.
The Angolan authorities and UNHCR estimate that there are more
than 114,000 Angolan refugees still living in neighboring countries that are
likely to return when conditions improve within the country. The repatriation
of refugees from the neighboring DRC began at the Uige border on May 1. In the
coming months, authorities expect between 8,000 to 12,000 people to be
returning to Angola. The majority of them are women, elderly people, orphans
and single mothers.
The Angolan government has created three reception camps in
Maquela do Zombo and Damba municipalities of Uige province. Returnees stay
there for three days before being referred to villages for reintegration.
Problems vary from challenging to poor conditions at the camps to equally poor
conditions in areas where the returnees are being resettled, including no
transportation, no access to portable water and poor health and education
services. This is leading to conflicts in the resettlement areas and
contributing to a rise in crime.
Also problematic: shortage of rainfall which is worsening
drought and contributing to the challenge of food insecurity. The United
Nations says that 1.8 million Angolans may soon require food assistance.
CWS Response: CWS is supporting efforts of ACT Angola Forum
member Igreja Evangélica Reformada de Angola (the Angola Evangelical Reformed
Church), known as IERA. A needs assessment was conducted in Uige in May, which
included staff of IERA and the Lutheran World Federation.
The CWS-supported ACT Alliance response is occurring in two
phases: an immediate emergency response, followed by a long-term development
program. ACT's Rapid Response Fund
provided $58,000 for the emergency phase and included funding for food and
non-food aid.
In the emergency phase, 200 families -- about 1,000 persons --
were provided with 90 kg of rice; 10 kg of beans; 6 litres of vegetable oil; 5
bars of soap; 1 bucket; 3 blankets.
In the long-term phase, which CWS will support through this
appeal, IERA will continue to provide food, utensils, tools, shelter and seeds.
With CWS support, long-term food security will be an important priority,
including determining the precise nutritional needs of affected villages. Other
possible long-term responses include a water supply project and training for
returnee leaders, as well as possible psycho-social support for returnees.
The food security component is key and over the next 12-18 months
a strategy of food and nutrition security, through education, food supplement
and seed provision and health monitoring with 400 returnee families is planned.
It is aimed at reducing food and nutrition insecurity.
Budget: The projected budget amount for this part of the
response is $39,350.
How to Help:
Contributions to support the CWS emergency appeal may be sent to your
denomination or to Church World Service, P.O. Box 968, Elkhart, IN, 46515.
Please designate: Angola Returnees, Appeal #642-P.
Church World Service is a member of the ACT Alliance, a global
coalition of churches and agencies engaged in development, humanitarian
assistance and advocacy.
For further information about disasters to which Church World Service
is responding please visit www.churchworldservice.org or call the CWS Hotline,
(800) 297-1516.
CWS Emergency Response Program special contacts: (212) 870-3151
Program Director: dderr@churchworldservice.org
7. MOREHOUSE
COLLEGE STUDENT STEPHEN
GREEN TRAVELS TO JAPAN ON AN INTERFAITH JOURNEY:
In keeping with
the mission of the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel to “Develop
ambassadors of peace for the beloved world community,” Dean Lawrence Edward
Carter Sr. is leading a “Being Peace Pilgrimage” to Tokyo, Hiroshima and
Nagasaki, Japan.
This program is
funded by the WorldHouse Initiative Realized grant from the Lilly Endowment
Inc. and supports the Morehouse College Quality Enhancement Plan: Enhancing the
Global Competence of Morehouse Students. The signature events of this “Being
Peace Pilgrimage” include participation in the official commemoration
ceremonies and related activities for the Anniversary of the World War II
nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Stephen and the
delegation will also participate in a Global Youth Peace Summit sponsored by
Soka Gakki International, where Dean Carter will be a featured speaker.
There will also
be opportunities to build intercultural and intergenerational relationships
through conversations and service activities with living survivors of the
nuclear bombings.
In Tokyo, the delegation will visit the Asakusa District,
an area rich with traditional Japanese architecture, history and culture,
including the Senso-ji Buddhist temple. In Hiroshima, the delegation will
attend the kick-off event of the Peace Week activities, the annual Peace
Baseball Game with an expected attendance of 32,000 people from throughout
Japan and international visitors.
The traveling delegation of 10 persons includes students
from the Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel Assistants Program
accompanied by staff from the King Chapel.
Stephen Green is a junior at Morehouse College and is the
son of Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr, Presiding Prelate of the 12th
Episcopal District
8. THE
DEBUT OF A NEW TCR COLUMN – “GETTING TO ZERO: MOVING TO ELIMINATE
HIV/AIDS”:
Dr. A. Oveta Fuller is the TCR columnist for “Getting to Zero:
Moving to Eliminate HIV/AIDS.”
The new TCR column seeks to educate and encourage every
effective effort to “Get to Zero” and bring about an AIDS-free generation. The
AME Church can use available technologies in sustained efforts to prepare a
generation that has neither new HIV infections nor deaths from AIDS.
The Rev. Dr. A. Oveta Fuller is an Associate Professor in Microbiology
and Immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School and Adjunct Faculty
at Payne Seminary. She served as pastor of Bethel AME Church in Adrian, MI for
seven years before primarily focusing on global HIV/AIDS ministry. Currently,
she serves at Brown Chapel AME Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan in the 4th
Episcopal District while continuing HIV/AIDS research in parts of Zambia and
the USA.
Dr. Fuller said, “The XIX International AIDS Conference in Washington
DC closed on July 27, 2012. Its theme ‘Turning the Tide Together’ points to the
need for multi-faceted purposeful actions to make real that we are at the
‘turning point.’” She went on to say,
“Believe with us. Read and discuss. Act now and continually to make it happen--
let us ‘Turn the Tide Together.’”
9. WHAT IS “GETTING TO
ZERO”?
By Oveta Fuller
Glad that you asked.
“Getting to Zero” (G20) is the 2011-15 Strategic Plan from the
United Nations Joint Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS).
UNAIDS is the United Nations assembly specifically commissioned
to provide leadership, develop policy and strategic plan, and guide implementation
and use of resources in a worldwide attack on AIDS.
The Strategic Plan recognizes the challenge and the need to
coordinate efforts from multiple agencies and countries.
It states, “We must aim for nothing less than zero duplication,
zero incoherence and zero waste. In getting to zero, we need to strengthen
several mechanisms that cover the breadth of the Programme, from its governance
to the specifics of country delivery.”
The Strategic Plan recognizes not only the need to reverse the
global impact of HIV/AIDS, but to do so in efficient and effective partnership.
“Zero duplication, zero incoherence and zero waste.”
Let us look at how this might work in a local community.
If Church A focuses on youth and parent education, Church B can
address HIV testing and linkage to clinical care, while Church C might focus on
connections to housing or employment for those with AIDS or other conditions
that qualify them for available resources.
All three churches offer different, but complimentary services
in the same community. They know the goal and their role, keep each other
informed, participate in sponsored events of the other and share about
resources available. (Imagine that!) Ultimately, people of the community are
more blessed, resources are better used and church members engage!
Zero incoherence means that when goals and guidelines for
countries and governments are clear, all can move more rapidly in the same
direction.
Zero waste means to spend effectively and keep focused on goals.
Minimize use of funds for personal gain and maximize its use for direct
services to people.
The G20 Vision and their 2015 goals seek to revolutionize HIV
prevention. Three long-term ‘Vision’ areas are: - Get to Zero New Infections; -
Get to Zero AIDS-related Deaths; and - Get to Zero Discrimination.
For instance, a specific 2015 goal of Zero New Infections is to
reduce by half the number of new infections from sexual transmission or from
mother to child transmission during childbirth.
Individual countries and agencies can determine how to meet 50%
transmission reduction by 2015. Actions to meet a priority need of one
community or country may differ for another; however, the goal is the same.
Each day more than 7,000 people are newly infected with HIV. A
total of 1,800,000 people died from AIDS-related causes in 2010 and there were
2,700,000 new HIV infections.
AIDS is a mostly preventable disease from infection with a
relatively fragile virus. HIV survives mainly by taking advantage of human
sexuality for travel from one person to the next to make more viruses.
Getting to Zero may sound ambitious. But step by step, person by
person, goal by goal, it can be realized. What can you do?
The Strategic Plan (and a shorter executive summary) can be
found at http://www.unaids.org/en/media/unaids/contentassets/documents/unaidspublication/2010/jc2034_unaids_strategy_en.pdf.
This submission is co-authored with guest writer- the Rev
Terri Silas who was a student in my recent Payne Theological Seminary classes.
About the author:
The
Rev. Dr. A. Oveta Fuller is an Associate Professor in Microbiology and
Immunology at the University of Michigan Medical School and Adjunct Faculty at
Payne Seminary. She served as pastor of Bethel AME Church in Adrian, MI for
seven years before primarily focusing on global HIV/AIDS ministry. Currently,
she serves at Brown Chapel AME Church in Ypsilanti, MI in the 4th
Episcopal District while continuing HIV/AIDS research in parts of Zambia and
the USA.
10.
THANK YOU FROM THE REV, DENNIS J. HAMPTON:
July 26, 2012
“Thank You” Message From The Rev. Dennis J. Hampton - Update From Nashville General
Hospital, Meharry Medical College - Reference Sister Barbara Hampton.
Greetings:
It has been almost three weeks since the close of the 49th
Quadrennial Session of the AMEC General Conference; however, due to illness, Sister
Barbara and I find ourselves still in Nashville.
We are thankful for the prayers, love and support from
Bishop Samuel L. Green Sr. and the 12th Episcopal District; Bishop
Jeffery R. Leath and the 13th Episcopal District, Team-13 and from
people across the AME connection.
As many of you are aware, my wife, Barbara became ill
during the General Conference and had emergency surgery Tuesday, July 3rd.
Subsequently she underwent another surgery Wednesday, July 11th. In addition she has had, and continues to
require, several medical procedures; each of which require going under
anesthesia.
By God's grace, she continues to make excellent progress.
Her wound is still open.
The doctors have been able to turn the corner on the swelling and
infection. Additionally, for the most part, the internal leakage has been
stopped. It appears that it will be another two weeks before she is released
from the hospital.
Please be assured that both Sister Barbara and I continue
to be in great spirits. She is being tended to by a great team of physicians,
nurses and support staff. More importantly, she is in the hands of the GREAT
PHYSICIAN.
Sister Barbara is in Room 5204
Again, we are thankful for your prayers, love and
support.
In His Spirit.
The Rev. Dennis J. Hampton
Tulsa, OK
Telephone: 918. 809-3487
Editor’s Note: Sister
Barbara Hampton is sill in the Hospital here in Nashville. Dr. Charlotte and I have visited Sister Hampton
and recommend that AMEs in the Nashville area visit and share some “love” with
the Hampton’s. Spending over a month in
a hospital away from home, family and friends has to be a challenge.
11. EXCELLENT RESOURCE DEVELOPED
BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON, TEXAS - “TIPS TO SURVIVE AN ACTIVE SHOOTER”:
The events
in last week’s shooting at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado are a reminder
for all of us to be vigilant. The link below is an excellent video presentation
that gives tips on how to survive and active shooter.
12. MEDITATION BASED ON
HEBREWS 13:1-8:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
I’m writing these thoughts on a typically hot South Carolina
summer day, but I’m doing so in comfort because of air conditioning. I’m blessed to enjoy an air conditioned home,
car and office, and consider it to be a major emergency if the “AC” breaks
down.
It now amazes me that I didn’t live in an air conditioned home
until I was married, that my first two cars weren’t air conditioned and that my
home church wasn’t either until I was in my twenties. My elementary and high schools and my first
college dorms weren’t air conditioned, and I thoroughly enjoyed high school and
college summer band practice on oppressively hot and humid days when you could
almost cut the air with a knife and when we consumed salt tablets like candy in
the days before “Gatorade.”
I have vivid and pleasant memories of the days when air
conditioning was a luxury rather than a necessity and when we handled the heat
with electric fans, with open doors and windows and with big, screened porches,
but I now know how good an air conditioned environment feels and have no desire
to go back to what used to be.
“What used to be” can understandably become a broadly
tantalizing memory when we face the present day’s aggravations, stressors and
frustrations. Many of us understandably
long for the simpler and easier days of our youth, but our memories can be made
deceptively pleasant and inviting by the passage of time - I spent the “simpler
and easier” days of my youth in a very unequal and racially segregated South
Carolina - I don’t want to go back to that!
The “good old days” are often best remembered by recalling not
what we did but what the Lord did for us and how the Lord brought us through our
tough and troubled times. When we
realize that we made it to the present day not by our luck, skill or talent but
by God’s grace, we’ll gain a new perspective on life and a new appreciation for
God’s power. We’ll face the demands of
the present age not wishing that we could go backward, but in joyful
anticipation of what happens when we have the faith to let God lead us
forward. We’ll also understand why the
hymn writer Isaac Watts said, “Before the hills in order stood, or earth
received her frame, from everlasting Thou art God, to endless years the same.”
Join us on the First Sunday in August for Church School at 8:45
am and for Worship and Holy Communion at 10 am.
The Combined Choir, Gospel Choir and Morris Brown Mass Choir will offer
praise.
Sunday’s Scripture Lessons are:
I Samuel 18:1-9
II Corinthians 12:1-10
Matthew 26:36-42
Sunday’s Sermon is entitled, “Serve God Anyhow”
If you are in the Charleston, South Carolina area on Sunday, please
accept this message as our invitation to join us for worship
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the pastor of Morris Brown AME
Church in Charleston, South Carolina
13. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
- The birth of Langston
J. Johnson, grandson of Presiding Elder Ralph and Patricia Johnson
We praise God! We are
grateful and proud to announce that Langston J. Johnson, grandson of Presiding
Elder Ralph and Patricia Johnson was born premature on March 17th. He weighed 1
lb 14 ounces. He stayed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Vanderbilt
Hospital for 109 days. He came home to be with his parents Lawrence and
LeTishia Johnson on July 4th. He presently weighs 10 lbs 2 ounces. To God be
the glory. Presiding Elder Johnson baptized Baby Langston on Sunday, June 22nd.
Brother Lawrence D.
Johnson, Father
Presiding Elder Ralph E.
Johnson, Grandfather
14. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce
the passing of Gertrude E. Wilkie, the mother of Patricia Norris, the wife of
Richard F. Norris, II, the Director of Music for the First Episcopal District;
and the daughter-in-law of Bishop and Mrs. Richard F. Norris.
The following
information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing: 8:00 a.m. -
10:00 a.m.
The Funeral Service was
held on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at Mother Bethel AME Church.
Expressions of Sympathy can
be sent to:
Mr. & Mrs. Richard
F. Norris II
908 Wynnewood Road
Philadelphia, PA 19151
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce
the passing of Cynthia Dawson-Williams, the sister of the Rev. Angelo S.
Dawson, pastor at Bethel AMEC in Springfield, Massachusetts (New England
Conference, Boston/Hartford District).
The following
information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Thursday, August 2,
2012
Viewing: 10:00 a.m.
Funeral Service: 11:00 a.m.
Grace Baptist Church
52 S. 6th Avenue
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Phone: 914-664-2676
Email: graceinfo@gracebapt.org
The Rev. W. Franklin
Richardson, Pastor
Professional Care
entrusted to:
Lee O. Nod Funeral Home
23 East 2nd Street
Mount Vernon, NY 10550
Phone: 914-699-1199
Fax: 914-699-1205
Expressions of Sympathy
can be sent to:
The Rev. Angelo S.
Dawson
27 Pendleton Avenue
Springfield, MA 01109
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
(Family member of CONN-M-SWAWO,
Plus PK's Officer)
We are saddened to
announce the passing on Sunday, July 29, 2012 of Deacon Nathaniel James, the
father of Charmaine Alexander (Financial Secretary for CONN-M-SWAWO, Plus PKs)
and father-in-law of Rev. James A. Alexander, Sr. (Pastor of St. Paul AME
Church in Columbus, GA). The following information has been provided regarding
funeral arrangements:
Homegoing Celebration
for Deacon Nathaniel James:
Saturday, August 4, 2012
1:00 p.m.
Shiloh Missionary
Baptist Church
478 Walnut Street
Dawson, GA 39842
In lieu of flowers, the
family simply asks for your prayers.
Expressions of Sympathy
can be sent to:
Mrs. Mary L. James
967 Center Street NE
Dawson, GA 39842
And
The Rev. & Mrs.
James A. Alexander, Sr.
P. O. Box 1532
Newnan, GA 30264
Due to limited seating
in the church, the family is simply asking you to pray for strength for them
during this time of bereavement.
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with sadness of
heart that we inform you that our mother Wilma Sayles has transitioned from
this life to life eternal at 5:05 am this morning, 7/30/12. Wilma was the
daughter of the late Reverend William Marshall Jacks, Presiding Elder of the
Los Angeles District, Southern California Conference and the mother of the
Reverend Steven Shepard, Pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Wichita, Kansas. She
was a wonderful mother, devoted wife, and a loving friend to all.
Funeral services for
Mrs. Wilma Sayles will be held:
Wednesday, August 8,
2012 at 11:00 a.m.
St. Paul AME Church
1355 W. 21st St.
San Bernardino, CA 92411
Phone: 909-887-1718
In lieu of flowers we
are asking you please make donations to the American Cancer Society in her name/honor.
The American Cancer
Society Donation Mailing Address:
PO Box 22718
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma,
73123-1718
Sympathy cards may be
sent to:
The Reverend Steven
Shepard and family
1420 North Caddy Court
Wichita, Kansas 67212
Phone: (510) 965-2077
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with much sadness
that we share the passing on of Brother David Jacobs, 2nd youngest brother of
the "Jacobs Clan": The Rev. Anthony Jacobs, The Rev. Daniel Jacobs
and Mrs. Elaine Sauls. "Having had the opportunity to work with Brother
David at Trinity Grassy Park, only those who knew him would know what I mean
when I talk about his passionate love for the church his stalwart parents, the
late Daniel and Dorothy Jacobs, instilled in him. Not always seen in the front
row pews of the church, but ready, able and available whenever his church
called on him. May God grant strength to the family during these challenging
days.
Family Contact for
expressing condolences:
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you
of the passing of Mr. James Edith, the father of the Reverend Mattie Riley
(Frank) Hayes, pastor of St. Luke AME Church, St. Augustine, FL.
The Homegoing services
were held on Saturday, July 28, 2012 at The Church Built on the Rock in
Valdosta, GA 31601
Expressions may be sent
to:
The Reverend Mattie
Riley Hayes
11289 Christi Oaks
Drive,
Jacksonville, FL 32220
20. 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
21. 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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