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:
In the U.S. Daylight Time ends and Standard Time begins on the first Sunday in November
In the U.S. Daylight Time ends and Standard Time begins on the first Sunday in November
1. EDITORIAL – DREAMS FULFILLED,
DREAMS DEFERRED OR “DREAMS ABANDONED
(PART 2):
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
Ministry is a tough profession and
those who succeed in ministry need to be competent, compassionate and tough.
My father-in-law, the Rev. Charles
Edward Blake gave me a lot of helpful information about life and ministry. When our first child was born, he told me
that parenting was a lifetime activity and parenting did not end when a child
reached 18 or 21 years of age. He went on to say that it would have been
convenient if parenting ended when children became adults, but he was adamant
that rearing children was a lifetime activity. It was also his thought that a
parent should be a “safety net” for their children, even so for their adult
children. He explained that children, even after they become adults; sometime
experience hard consequences. He explained that sometimes the hard consequences
were a result of the actions of others, but probably, most often, were the
result of “self-inflicted wounds” because of poor decisions, failure to
adequately prepare, failure to think things through, lack of preparation, lack
of discipline, laziness or even moral or ethical deficiencies. Dad Blake had a
penchant for tying all of his sage advice to the ministry. And, he would say,
“You know what, Calvin, a lot of pastoral ministry failures occur for the same
reasons that young people and adults fail.”
He said, “Some pastors fail because of the decisions they make or fail
to make.” He went on to explain, “Most
of the difficulties we experience are the results of our own decisions or
behaviors.”
I have had many days, weeks, months
and years to think about his comments; most of the struggles and challenges in
my ministry were the results of my decisions; some were not. I suspect that the struggles, challenges and
the temptation to drop out of ministry or the decision to modify a person’s
ministry goals are caused by their earlier decisions.
I want to take a look at why some
clergy members fail and why they drop out of the ministry or change their
ministry goals and aspirations. Why do some members of the clergy give up?
The
ministry is tough; very tough!
Sometimes people attrite from the
ministry because they are not prepared for the rigors and sacrifices of
ministry. They are not tough enough to endure the hardships of serving in the
“Army of the Lord” and choose to get out of the Lord’s Army on a “hardship
discharge” or seek to be reassigned to easier, less stressful ministerial
duties, as serving on a pastoral staff, instead of serving as a
pastor-in-charge.
And in other cases, some who feel
called to the ministry are not compassionate enough and are not amenable to
make the sacrifices needed to shepherd wayward sheep; sheep who are
unappreciative and sheep who stray from the flock.
“Shepherds” who lack compassion are
themselves flawed and their ministry is flawed.
As in any profession, there are
pitfalls and as my father-in-law said, often many of the failures clergy
members experience in ministry most often are self-inflicted.
The vast majority of clergy are compassionate,
competent, and fully qualified to be successful in ministry. But, even
compassionate, competent, and fully qualified ministers sometimes fall into
ministry traps and sometimes even the best of pastors can inflict themselves
with things that will get their ministry off-track. All pastors are prone to setbacks, but the
key for successful ministry is for pastors to recognize when they might have
gotten off-track and they must have a plan for getting back on-track.
Some
self-inflicted wounds to avoid
Discouragement – It was Paul who
said that we need to “encourage ourselves.”
Ministry is complicated and pastors need to have thick skin and
understand that ministry is not a popularity contest. Many of the decisions pastors
make often precipitate conflict because many decisions will make one group
happy and another group unhappy. Hard decisions and tough sermon can create
conflict and parishioners do not like to be chastised and some do not like to
be challenged.
Some pastors have given up their
dreams for ministry because an unwanted appointment or something didn’t work
out as they had planned, which precipitated a negative attitude, which impacted
their ministry and caused them to abandon their career aspirations. Still
others who entered the ministry with an abundance of dreams, abandoned their
ministry aspirations before, or shortly after, they got started in ministry.
Personality
traits that threaten ministry
The
Lone Ranger. Some
pastors feel that they have all of the plans and answers needed for local
church ministry. Teamwork is not important in their ministry. They function as a “Lone Ranger” because they
like things to be done their way. Pastors and leaders who function in that
manner do so because they have not taken the time, nor do they see the
importance of collaborative team ministry.
They tend to like everything to be done their way. They either do not
have the skills to build teams or do not see the importance of team-building.
The
maintainer. The
maintainer pastor sees his or her role as keeping things running smoothly
without a lot of changes. He or she tends to be happy with the status quo and
functions with the philosophy, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Their attitude of ministry is if the church
program is working, there is no reason to change anything. They also seem to
have the notion that it is a mistake to try to improve something that works and
the result is that ministry programs become stagnant and local church growth
and development is impeded. The result is that their ministry is absent of
dynamic programs. The maintainer pastor
and his or her parishioners eventually wonder why other churches are growing
and why their church programs are at a standstill.
The
short-cutter. The short-cut
pastor has little patience and wants things done quickly. He or she does not
have, or does not take the time to plan, strategize and execute; they just want
to execute.
The
unenergetic personality.
The unenergetic pastor is unmotivated, might be tired, or perhaps gotten
discouraged with ministry. It’s also
possible that the unenergetic pastor may have come upon contentious
parishioners and has had the “fight” knocked out of him or her. When the term “unenergetic” is used, it
presupposes that energy was possessed at one time or another. It might mean
that a once energetic ministry has diminished to the point of a lack of, or no
energy. The person’s ministry has lost power.
The
acquiescent personality.
Some acquiescent personalities are persons who have acquiesced to the
challenges and difficulties of ministry and have readjusted their ministry
goals. Many of those who have acquiesced have settled for less ministry. Some have deferred, others have abandoned
ministry, while others have settled for second-team or second-place ministry.
Those who have deferred and/or have settled for second-place or second-team
ministry most often gravitate to serving as assistants to pastors-in-charge.
They settle for a seat in the pulpit.
I suspect that a lot of women in
ministry are faced with unimaginable obstacles in ministry and …
(We will finish “The acquiescent
personality” in the next issue and will address the frugal, the race horse, the
work horse, the cheerleader, the bully, the “me” and several other personality
traits that threaten ministry and cause ministers to defer or abandon the
vocation of ministry.) Part 3 in the
next issue.
2.
READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
To the Editor:
Re: Editorial – Ministry
Dreams Fulfilled, Ministry Dreams Deferred or Ministry Dreams Abandoned (Part
1)
Thanks, as a result
of this issue, I will be kinder to my pastor and his wife. Since
I didn't get near them yesterday on "Pastor Appreciation
Sunday," I will make an effort to give them a card.
Thanks for the
helpful article. Just know that many African Americans are not mean, they
are living under some mean conditions and frustrations. Their
anger spills over onto innocent bystanders.
Name Withheld
3.
ELECTION DAY COUNTDOWN ACTION ALERT - 11 DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY
Today, October 26, we are just 11 days away from Election Day 2012 –
November 6, 2012
In the spirit of our founder, Richard Allen we cannot sit this election
out!
Today,
remember why we must show up and vote -
It has
been:
225 years since Richard Allen and others walked out of St. George
Methodist Church
196 years since the African Methodist Episcopal Church was incorporated
163 years since Harriet Tubman escaped slavery,
149 years since the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation,
147 years since the end of the Civil war,
99 years since Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. made its first stance for
women’s rights,
58 years since Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, which had a profound effect on the education of black
Americans and dismantled the Jim Crow
"separate, but equal" Plessy v. Ferguson court decision.
51 years since Dr. King said to the AFL-CIO that the only voting platform
that could transform America would be
for Blacks, poor whites and Latinos to
learn how to work together.
49 years since the murder of Medgar Evers,
49 years since the March on Washington,
49 years since the bombing of four black girls in a Birmingham church,
48 years since Fannie Lou Hamer said, "There comes a time when you
get sick and tired of being sick and
tired."
Today, honor our forefathers and mothers, grandparents and parents who
showed up and did "more with less."
With less they beat slavery; with less they beat Jim Crow; with less
they beat the KKK; and with less, Harriet Tubman emancipated 500 slaves from
bondage.
If we ever needed to vote we need to vote right now!" Show up and
exercise your God-given right to participate in this democratic process of electing
your local, county, state, and national government officials!
SIStah “Jackie” Dupont-Walker, Director of the AMEC Social Action
Commission
Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Chair, AMEC Social Action Commission
4. AME WOMEN’S MISSIONARY SOCIETY TAKES A STAND AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICKING:
*Ms. Jacqueline Mitchell Robinson
and Ms. Carole Copeland Thomas
The Women’s Missionary Society of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church Responds to an Immediate Financial Need
in the fight against human Trafficking
After watching a poignant
performance about the horrific web of child sex trafficking, the International
Women’s Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (WMS AME)
raised more than $11,000 in less than 15 minutes in the cause of educating
others about the worldwide exploitation of children.
This swift and decisive response was
made during the 24th Annual Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Conference of
the WMS. Nearly 65 women in senior
leadership raised the contributions, demonstrating their commitment to
eradicating the sexual abuse of girls and women worldwide.
The two-day WMS NGO conference
included speakers from the National Association for the for the Advancement of
Colored People, Black Aids Institute, U.S. Department of State, U.N. Secretary General,
World Health Organization, UNICEF, UN Women and other NGOs and agencies who
shared information and provided resources on the broad topic of violence
against women, combating HIV/AIDS and women’s health issues.
A unique presentation included The Project
Girl Performance Collective (PGPC), a group of girls and young women who shared
heart-breaking stories depicting the lives of girls lured and trapped into the
nightmare of modern slavery. The WMS NGO was moved to financially assist the
PGPC in their graphically compelling message.
The International WMS, the first
African American faith-based organization admitted as a NGO to the United
Nations, has been working for decades to eradicate violence against women
locally and globally throughout its connection.
“The Women’s Missionary Society will
be a leading voice in the fight against the systematic abuse and brutalization
of women and girls,” says Dr. Shirley Cason Reed, International President of
the Women’s Missionary Society of the AME Church and President of the WMS NGO.
“We can no longer stand silently and watch the marginalization of women around
the world. Our 800,000 women are committed to educate, prevent and rescue girls
and women who are at risk or in danger.”
The United Nations estimates that
700,000 to four million women and children are trafficked around the world for
purposes of forced prostitution, labor and other forms of exploitation every
year. Trafficking is estimated to be a $7 billion dollar annual business, which
includes the United States.
Dr. Reed committed to bringing the
PGPC to the International Executive Board meeting that will be held from
January 30 to February 2, 2013 in Dallas, TX. Further, the WMS NGO will
continue to seek new avenues to eradicate violence against girls and women.
The Women’s Missionary Society
received its NGO Special Consultative Status to the United Nations in 1985 with
the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Department of Public Information
(DPI). The WMS NGO connects the dots through advocacy and action to unleash the
power to change the lives of women and girls through global and local
initiatives. Women must be empowered to utilize their creative spirits, unique
skills, gifts and graces to change their community, their nations and our world.
Authors:
*Ms. Jacqueline Mitchell Robinson,
NGO WMS Representative to the United Nations
313.671.6620 DetroitWriter@aol.com
*Ms. Carole Copeland Thomas, 2nd
Vice President, New England Conference WMS
5.
THE 28TH SESSION OF THE MM MOKONE ANNUAL CONFERENCE – REPUBLIC OF
SOUTH AFRICA:
The 28th Session of the
MM Mokone Annual Conference of the 19th Episcopal District of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church began with prayer.
Thursday 11th October
2012, the long awaited day did eventually dawn. For this year it was different
since it marked, for the MM Mokone Conference family, the beginning of a new
quadrennium, new expectations and the new bishop – well new to the 19th
Episcopal District, but experienced in ministry and 8 years as an elected and
Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
At 9:40 a.m. Bishop Paul JM Kawimbe
64 Pastors (including 6 Superannuates) and 8 Licentiates assembled outside the
hall to pray before the beginning of the opening service.
The first preacher of the Annual
Conference was the Rev. ETT Msibi, Pastor of Agnes B. Hildebrand Chapel,
Mabopane. Having humbled himself before God, the preacher went on to choose
verse 12 from the book of Joshua and verse 5 from the book of acts as his text
verses. The preacher used the following words as his subject “This far, and no
further”, praise be to God.
May God’s name be glorified, and
magnified for the first Holy Communion of the quadrennium with 471
communicants.
Other preachers of the Conference
included the Rev. MJ Maleho, the Rev. LF Baiao, the Rev. TMS Selebalo, the Rev.
SZ Moremi, the Rev. FG Maiwashe; and guest preacher, the Rev CMF Mayekiso. The
Conference was organised and received various reports, to include the Board of
Examiners that recommended 8 members for Itinerant Ministry. We once again
experienced church growth as the Missions. Circuit and Stations committee
recommended 1 new church and 1 mission station to be created.
Saturday October 13th was the most
awesome and breathtaking when we experienced the Holy Spirit taking control of
Bishop Kawimbe during the Ordination Service. The Conference saw 1 Deaconess
Consecration, 3 Itinerant Deacons and 4 Itinerant Elders Ordination, the Lord
bless them all.
Sunday morning, The Bishop ascended
the pulpit with the Hymn “Oh Lord my God” and read from the Old Testament book
of Genesis 15:1-17 titling his subject as “Fear Not”. Having explained what
fear is, the Bishop then elaborated on the following: (1) What God is, (2) What
God says, and (3) What God does.
Bishop Kawimbe made the pastoral appointments
and pronounced Benediction just after 3 p.m.
We praise God for an excellent start
of the 2012-2016 Quadrennium.
How
the Conference Delegates experienced the Annual Conference:
“It was encouraging to spend more
time on worship services than in debates or discussions. The ordination service
was powerful and touching, most of us shed tears. Lastly the Bishop embraced all
the people including retired pastors; and that was encouraging to those who
attended the Annual Conference.” Rev. RA Ncube
“My experience is that we had a well-organized
and well-prepared annual conference. The standard of preaching was high. The
ordination service and the closing services by the Bishop were very
outstanding, especially with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Conference
members participated actively in Bible study. In short, we had a spirit filled
conference from the start to the end.” Rev. RF Moloisane
“We thank God for His presence at
the annual conference. It was a spirit filled conference. As AME’s we must know
that it is all about God not us. We must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us and
we did that. From day one God was in charge. I loved the way each service was
conducted in a dignified way. God bless Bishop Kawimbe for his leadership.” The
Rev. DO Leepo, Presiding Elder
The 28th Session of the
MM Mokone Annual Conference was one that would be described as the turning-around
of events for the betterment of the Lord's Business. This was a Spirit-filled
Conference that even the believers with less faith was renewed. It was so
evident that the Spirit of the Lord was upon the 19th
Episcopal District “Administrator,” the Presiding Prelate, the Rt. Rev. Paul JM
Kawimbe. He was anointed as he proclaimed the Good News to God's people. We
thank him for bringing a more-intense meaning to the ordination of God's
messengers.
With that much guaranteed
support to components, the “sky is no longer the limit” for there is no limit.
We thank the Good Lord for your administration.
Brother SM Mapela
Submitted by the Rev. Gaborone P
Lesito, Reporter to The Christian
Recorder
6. FROM VISION TO REALITY - MT.
CALVARY AME CHURCH FAMILY LIFE CENTER:
The
Rev. Heidi Stevens
At
a time when slaves in Towson, Maryland were risking their lives to escape the
harsh reality of life on a local plantation, a group of believers armed with
$50.00 and a dream, built and bought what is now Mt. Calvary AME Church in East
Towson.
As
the church celebrates its 123rd anniversary, the recent dedication of its four
million dollar Family Life Center becomes more significant. A stone’s throw
away from the grove where the original worshippers dreamed of a place to work
out their soul’s salvation, now stands a state of the art facility that serves
as a beacon for folks yearning to break free from the troubles and burdens of
living in the 21st century.
The
Rev. Dr. Ann Farrar Lightner Fuller, who received and carried the vision to
build a new sanctuary 25 years ago, built the new Mt. Calvary Church a decade
later. The congregation then retired the
one million dollar mortgage in just five years, and kept the vision alive to
build the Family Life Center for almost eight years. The gifted and dedicated
pastor of the fast-growing suburban congregation says, “I watched as God
stretched the faith of so many people. Then God used ordinary people to do what
was needed to get the building up. Now we can never say that God can’t do it.” Fuller led her faithful congregation during
tough economic times to build a center destined to become the hub of the East
Towson community.
Attending
the June 10, 2012 dedication of the Mt. Calvary AME Church Family Life Center
was former Second Episcopal District Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson,
Episcopal Supervisor Connie Speights Richardson, Baltimore District Conference
Presiding Elder Ernest L. Montague and his wife Mrs. Irene Montague, Eastern
District Presiding Elder Cordell Hunter and his wife Mrs. Joan Hunter and
retired Baltimore District Presiding Elder Earle M. Brooks and his wife Mrs.
Lillie Brooks and hundreds of well wishers from near and far.
Focusing
on new life for broken families, the Family Life Center will provide space for multiple
ministries and church administration needs of the Mount Calvary family, as well
as the needs of individuals beyond the church walls. The facility has already begun to house the
needs of the Baltimore Conference. Mt.
Calvary hosted the historic Baltimore District Conference under the leadership
of Presiding Elder and Mrs. Ernest Montague on September 28th and 29th. At that meeting Bishop William and Dr. Pam
DeVeaux both preached dynamic messages on their first official visit to the
Baltimore Conference. Bishop DeVeaux toured the building and was delighted to
see the wonderful achievements of this historic congregation.
Like
the slaves of the late 1800‘s looking for a safe haven and respite for their
weary souls, the Family Life Center will be there just as it was 123 years ago,
ready to serve and teach the Word of God for generations to come.
7. ST. JOHN AME CONSHOHOCKEN
CELEBRATES 144-PLUS YEARS OF SERVICE:
By
Sister Angelena Spears
Philadelphia
Conference Reporter
Sometimes,
rich histories come in amazingly small packages. For the historic St. John AME Church, at 8th
and Harry streets in Conshohocken, PA, this certainly rings true.
On
Sunday, September 30, the church, with just over 40 members, celebrated more
than 144 years of service -- making it almost as old as the borough in which it
sits.
The
church is recognized as the oldest African Methodist Episcopal Church in the
Conshohocken area and continues to stand on its original site.
During
the church’s rich history, they have also produced a bishop – the Right Rev.
Richard R. Wright served as St. John’s pastor in the 1930s before being elected
a bishop in 1936.
The
theme for the anniversary celebration was “Over 144 Years of Service: Standing
on a Firm Foundation.”
The
day began with an uplifting message brought by the church’s pastor, the Rev.
Edith Patterson-Payne, who has served St. John for almost 18 years. The Rev. Payne preached from the anniversary
theme which was based on 1 Corinthians 3:9-11.
The
Rev. Payne notes that her grandfather, the Rev. Isaac N. Patterson, II served
as the presiding elder in the early 1940’s.
The
afternoon preacher was none other than the host presiding elder, the Rev.
Charles H. Lett, Sr., who brought a mega-sized sermon to the small church. He
preached vigorously from Acts 3:1-8 and challenged St. John to continue to seek
ministry opportunities beyond their four walls.
Elder
Lett was accompanied by his wife, Sister Sylvia P. Lett, who was the perfect
worship leader for the service. Sister Lett began the service with a personal
testimony of God’s greatness.
She
boasted of God’s healing, when she said He allowed her husband to go through
major surgery earlier this year and come out “without a scar.”
In
addition to a day of anointed preaching, those who attended the afternoon
service heard inspiring music and were blessed through the liturgical dance of
Ministers Ruth D. Pressley and Pamela Clay of Shabach Ministry.
Among
those in attendance, was 93-year-old Margaret Harris, who has been a faithful
member of St. John since the early 1940s.
During that time she has served in many capacities -- including as a
missionary, stewardess, treasurer of the Trustee Board, flower ministry
president, and usher.
When
asked what makes the church special, she said, “St. John has a peaceful
atmosphere. There is something [special] about the church that you feel when
you come in the door. You just feel
safe,” she said.
Submitted
by Angelena Spears
8.
TWO NASHVILLE CHURCHES CELEBRATE 149 YEARS OF SERVICE WITH A JOINT HOMECOMING
CELEBRATION:
J. Gregory Bryant
Payne Chapel and St. John AME
Churches of Nashville commemorate 149 years of service through joint homecoming
celebration,
On Sunday, September 23rd at 10:00 a.m., St.
John and Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal churches commemorated 149
years of service to the Nashville, Tennessee community during a joint
homecoming celebration.
The congregations gathered for worship at Payne Chapel
AME Church, located at 212 Neill Avenue in east Nashville and culminated the
day in fellowship at St. John A.M.E. Church, located at 1822 Formosa Street in
north Nashville.
The congregations welcomed the Right Reverend Jeffrey
Nathaniel Leath, the newly assigned Presiding Bishop of the 13th
Episcopal District as the morning preacher. Bishop Leath’s message was
entitled, “Discipleship is a Place” (Mark 9:34, 35).
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean attended the service and paid
tribute to both congregations and cited them for their service to the Nashville
community.
The celebration received media coverage on local radio
station WQZQ, Nashville’s stellar award-nominated gospel radio station, as well
as in Nashville’s two leading African-American publications, The Nashville
Pride and Tennessee Tribune.
“As we welcomed Bishop Leath and our community friends
and members to celebrate our histories, his message challenged us to continue
our focus on the work ahead as servants and agents for positive change in the
community,” said the Reverend Sidney Bryant, Pastor of Payne Chapel AME Church.
Currently, Payne Chapel serves the east Nashville and
middle Tennessee communities through the Daniel Payne Outreach Ministries, Inc.
This outreach effort provides emergency food relief for area families in
partnership with the Second Harvest Food Bank (Living Breadbox), a leading
alcohol and drug prevention program for at-risk teens (ASK-PEP Program), and
preschool, before and aftercare service for children and youth (Daniel Payne
Christian Childcare Center).
The Reverend W. Antoni Sinkfield, pastor of St. John AME
Church said, “This collaboration in ministry and mission was wonderfully
captured by our theme for the day of ‘The Great Congregation: Worshipping in Unity.’
We were excited about this opportunity to demonstrate to the greater Nashville
community our common heritage and our commonality in vision and purpose to
bring empowering change into the communities that we serve.”
St. John serves the north Nashville and middle Tennessee
communities through its homeless outreach with the “Room in the Inn” program,
providing spiritual support and empowerment for those recovering from alcohol
and drug addictions from the Elam Mental Health Center, a weekly seniors’ feeding
program, on-going tutorial opportunities for youth ages 10-18 and a computer
literacy program, engaging in faith-based community development through the
Gamaliel Foundation, and providing meals and ministry through the East
Nashville Cooperative Ministry Outreach.
Both Nashville congregations’ origins began in 1863
before the Civil War ended.
After Bishop Payne’s election in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania in 1852, he began expansion efforts that brought an additional
250,000 members to the denomination by the end of the Reconstruction Era. In
1863, Bishop Payne arrived in Nashville and presented then-Governor Andrew
Johnson with letters from the Secretary of War and Secretary of the Treasury.
Bishop Payne was then permitted to organize churches for the denomination in
Tennessee.
The first African Methodist Episcopal Church founded in
Tennessee was St. John A.M.E. Church at Eighth Avenue and Gay Street. A
delegation of members from Capers Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church became
dissatisfied with their church’s association with the Methodist Episcopal
Church and its position on slavery. St. John was the product of this
delegations’ application to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and their
first pastor was the Reverend Napoleon Merry. Later in 1863, twenty east
Nashville residents decided to organize a congregation in 1863 in the Edgefield
community on Bathe Street. They decided to name the church in honor of Bishop
Payne and their first pastor was a local elder, the Reverend Timothy Burton.
From the Reconstruction Era through the Civil Rights Era,
both St. John and Payne Chapel churches provided space for community forums,
supported efforts during the struggle for human rights and endured and thrived
after numerous relocations due to urban renewal and natural disasters.
During this year’s joint homecoming celebration, the
congregations contributed a monetary gift to Project Return, a program designed
to assist persons transitioning from correctional institutions into society.
9. THE DOORS OF THE CHURCH
ARE OPEN:
*Ms. Sandra J. Webb
Bethel AMEC – Albany, Georgia, hosted a historic fall
revival September 17-19, 2012, with the pastor of Albany’s predominately white
First Presbyterian Church, the Reverend Garrett Andrew, the three-night
revivalist. The Reverend Ernest Davis, Jr., Bethel’s pastor, envisioned not
just a white minister in the pulpit of an African American church, but an
opportunity for interracial interaction and relationship building through the
church. It was more than 50 years ago that the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King,
Jr., stood behind the pulpit desk at Bethel bringing community leaders together
to devise strategies for addressing deep-rooted segregationist laws and racial
unrest in Albany. History records Dr. King’s efforts a failure in Albany,
though many strides were made as a result of the Albany Civil Rights Movement
and the national attention his presence brought to the depressed conditions of
its black citizenry. What has been harder to change and measure, however, is what
is in a person’s heart. If we worship and praise the same God and love our
neighbors as we love ourselves as He commands, how can our hearts not be
changed? How can we say we know Him if we shun our sisters and brothers because
their skin color is different from ours?
The Rev. Davis, a member of the Southwest Georgia
Community Education Project Racial Healing Advisory Board, stated that he could
not think of a better opportunity to demonstrate some first steps to racial
healing than through the platform God makes available to him. The city was on
fire for this religious initiative. Local media carried the story daily for
more than a week, including editorials and front-page newspaper coverage,
pre-coverage, live coverage, and post commentary on what had been witnessed. It
was media frenzy, and the people came! The mayor, commissioners, ministers from
various denominations, and ordinary citizens packed the pews of Bethel. This
revival had the highest attendance of any in the memory of Bethel’s members.
Blacks and whites together praised God openly, prayed together, and were in
fellowship one with another. And the preacher preached! From the depths of his
soul he delivered three powerful sermons: “When One Stands Against Many,” “A
Blues Ballard Interrupted,” and “Don’t Lower the Bar.” His texts were taken
from I Kings 18:20-22 and 36-37; I Kings 19:1-18; and II Kings 2:1-14,
respectively. His messages focused on Elijah’s faithfulness and how he returned
the people of Israel back to God, of Elijah’s final days, and of his mentoring
of Elisha to prepare him to carry on after he was gone.
“What’s next,” the media and others are asking. Pastor
Davis is optimistic that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide the movement of
both churches, recognizing that to build a community of faith requires
believers connecting with believers, coming together building and expanding
relationships. Consequently, the doors are open for a spiritual renewal and a
rewarding partnership on many levels.
In the end, it was appropriate that the choir sang, “God
has spoken, so let the church say…Amen.”
*Ms. Sandra J. Webb is the Assistant Church Secretary at
Bethel AME Church in Albany, Georgia
10. THE 138TH
SESSION OF THE WEST TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE - THE STATE OF THE CHURCH:
The Report of the Committee on “The State of The Church”
October 10, 2012
He is in charge of it all, has the final word on
everything. At the center of all this, Christ rules the church. The Church, you
see, is not peripheral to the world; the world is peripheral to The Church. The
Church is Christ's body, in which He speaks and acts, by which He fills
everything with his presence.
Ephesians 1:22-23 (MSG)
Because Jesus Christ is The Head of The Church - defined
as The Body of Christ - The State of The Church is, and shall forever be,
sacredly solid, secure, and splendid. Yet, we, your Committee, submit that The
State of The Church – Our Zion, the denominational, Connectional Church of
African Methodism - is challenged. By so declaring, we hereafter refer to the
African Methodist Episcopal Church as “The Church,” and identify challenges
facing The Church that are both worthy of caveat and caution, and also worthy
of a call to sustained greatness, as The AME Church has continued to flourish
over more than two centuries - all around the world!
In this report - brief, as requested - we perceive that:
- The Church is challenged ecclesiastically, to maintain
its superb history of balancing the interests of Clergy and Lay, and of the
Connection and the Local Church; and of maintaining an exemplary standard of
Episcopal succession and itinerancy. We enthusiastically note that The Church
is rising admirably well to this challenge! The recently concluded 49th Quadrennial
Session of the General Conference reaffirmed the vibrancy of the denomination’s
dialogue and debate, the articulated voice and ample representation of its
constituent parts, and the checks and balances established by our founders in
assuring accountability and oversight at all levels of The Church. The
assignment of our own, highly sought, Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Sr. to the
Thirteenth Episcopal District, and the election and consecration of two new,
well-qualified and prepared Bishops - our own extraordinary Son of the
Thirteenth, Bishop Clement W. Fugh, and Bishop Reginald T. Jackson – attest to
the collective wisdom of The Church and its delegated committees of the General
Conference vis-a-vis our Episcopacy.
- The Church is challenged missionally, to fulfill our
denominational mission "to minister to the spiritual, intellectual,
physical, and emotional, and environmental needs of all people..." We
passionately continue to preach and teach The Word of God. But as we now unpack
our mission, we offer that The Church’s current challenge is to continually
reach for contemporary translations of our undying faith into accompanying
missional works.
- The Church is challenged culturally. We note the
unequivocal shift of an increasingly mobile and denominationally uncommitted
body of seekers and worshippers, to non-historic, non-liturgical,
non-denominational churches. While your Committee could vigorously and
effectively argue the merits of our denominational longevity and our liturgical
predilections, we are duty bound to raise the realities of the impact upon the
livelihood of The Church from changing cultural norms and “current age”
expectations for worship and ministry.
- The Church is challenged demographically. Your
Committee’s observation is that here in the United States, The Church’s
congregations are visibly aging; and that, in general, The Church is neither
competitively attracting younger adults and their growing families, nor men,
nor persons for whom English is their second language. The Church is also
challenged by changing demographics trending toward single parent,
female-headed households - single mothers and their children – and by the
compelling call to effectively address their families’ realities.
- The Church is challenged socially. Across the
Connection, but particularly here in the United States (the locale of this
Annual Conference), The Church must continually strive to functionally address
the challenges of a tenuous economy, of a public educational system under
attack, of self-destructive personal choices, of eroding family stability and
rapidly evolving core family structures, and of the many persistent racial and
ethnic health disparities. It is a major challenge facing The Church.
- The Church is challenged numerically. We must note here
the well-known actualities of membership erosion and roll inflation; not at all
unique to our denomination, but faced by most mainline Protestant
denominations. This challenge became poignantly evident and practically
controversial during the recent deliberative process to “right-size” the
General Conference delegation.
- The Church is challenged financially. Of many possible
challenges in this regard, two garner this brief report’s attention. 1)
Multi-level denominational assessments are too often onerous for many local
congregations. In addition, 2) our historic higher educational institutions are
woefully struggling, when it is intuitively evident that the support from The
Church cannot possibly meet their institutional and operational needs. Just
these two challenges raise critical questions about revisiting and
restructuring what and how The Church achieves its mission; whether it can
maintain its robust centralized administrative structures as currently
configured and resourced, and of whether its centralized “ownership” of the
proud beneficiaries of its history of denominational colleges can be
maintained.
- The Church is being challenged technologically to
utilize the language and tools of social networking and electronic media; to
employ real-time status changes, tweets, and trending hash tags to supplement
The Church’s use of broadcast media, blogs and websites. The challenge is to
keep up with evolving social media and associated modern means of actualizing
the Great Commission; to evangelize the Gospel, to make disciples, to not miss
the markets where true growth potential exists.
- The Church is challenged politically, as it must
vigilantly advocate for the protection and preservation of hard-fought and won
voter rights; aggressively confronting statutes, laws, policies and procedures
that functionally restrict voters’ access to the polls or result in the
disenfranchisement of people of color and the poor.
- Finally, we suggest that the Church is challenged doctrinally;
to speak to a plethora of issues that require theological reflection, thorough
examination, and thoughtful deliberation - with a clarion and connectionally
consistent voice.
It is clearly evident that all of these challenges are
interrelated, and – since The Church is One Body – that each of these
challenges contributes to The State of The Church.
Therefore, we your Committee on The State of The Church
respectfully make the following recommendations:
1) That the West Tennessee Annual Conference
wholeheartedly celebrate and support the vision for the Thirteenth Episcopal
District of our stellar, new Episcopal leadership team - Bishop and Supervisor
Leath;
2) That the West Tennessee Annual Conference and its
constituent local churches find ways to support the episcopacy and ministry of
our favorite son, Bishop Clement Fugh, while he serves in the Fourteenth
Episcopal District;
3) That The Church explores and embrace Biblically
consistent, but culturally relevant and creative means of contemporary worship
expression;
4) That The Church specifically and intentionally seek to
“reach the masses” of non-AMEs, by assessing the culture and creating
ministries that match their needs;
5) That The Church on the local level interject ourselves
into contemporary social debate; through the presence, visibility and voices of
our pastors, other clergy and laity – in the schools, the public square and the
press;
6) That The Church focuses specifically on ministries
which attract and retain men, which serve single mothers, and which strengthen
marriages and families;
7) That The Connectional Church implements an immediate,
objective, justifiable, across-the-board restatement of its membership numbers;
8) That The Church immediately move to make the difficult
operational decisions – consolidation, closure, cuts - that would result in
lowering the financial assessments upon all local congregations;
9) That The Church use every means at its disposal to get
out the vote during the 2012 election season; and,
10) That The Church reestablish a platform for
theological debate, deliberation, and doctrinal determination, through the
solicitation of position papers or “white papers,” and the convening of a
“School of the Scholars” at our CONVOS; in preparation for the adoption by The
Church of meaningful current age policies and doctrines.
Respectfully submitted,
The Rev. Kenneth S. Robinson, MD
The Rev. Linda Evans
The Rev. Hilda D. Taylor
The Rev. Agnes Henderson
Sister Roxie Ball
The Delegates from Greenwood, Whites Chapel, Providence,
Spring Chapel, St. Paul Morris Chapel and St. Andrew AME Churches
11. THE
DENMARK VESEY & THE SPIRIT OF FREEDOM MONUMENT:
The Denmark Vesey & The Spirit of Freedom Monument Committee is
pleased to share the following as it relates to the progress and status of the
Vesey Monument. The project was revisited and was recommended by the sculptor,
Ed Dwight, to redesign the monument as a cost saving measure. As opposed to
having three figures represented (Vesey, Peter Poyas, and Gullah Jack), there
will only be the figure of Vesey.
The first of three installment payments has been paid; the second payment
due date has yet to be given; but by the time of the third and final
installment, the committee has to raise $20, 000.00 in order to have the
monument erected.
Plans were to unveil the Vesey Monument during the 2012 Moja Arts
Festival, but the aforementioned sum was not raised. However, the committee is
confident the monument will be erected in 2013 with your help.
We are asking for a contribution of $5.00 to $10.00 to the address below
in the name of The Vesey Monument Committee. Please do not send cash.
Additionally, the committee is asking you to share this message with friends
and family who may be willing to assist with the Vesey Monument.
Thanking you in advance,
Henry E. Darby, Chairman
Curtis J. Franks, Vice-Chairman
4743 Ezekiel Avenue
North Charleston, South Carolina 29405
12. THE
2013 WORLD METHODIST COUNCIL WILL MEET IN LONDON, ENGLAND:
I am pleased to announce that the World Methodist Council will hold its
next meeting at Wesley’s Chapel, located at 49 City Road in London, England.
Next year we will also celebrate the two hundred and seventy-fifth anniversary
of John Wesley’s Aldersgate experience as well as the bicentennial of the
Wesleyan (later Methodist) Missionary Society.
In the midst of these important anniversaries it is important that we
all plan on meeting to conduct the work of the council.
In the church built by our spiritual father, our worldwide family will
come together to continue the work of uniting the global parish. This meeting
will serve as both a homecoming to one of the sites of the beginning of
Methodism and as the beginning of the march towards our 2016 World Methodist
Conference.
The meeting is scheduled to take place from September 10 through
September 13, 2013. We ask that you mark your calendars and begin to plan for
this historic assembly. Look for an email with details on registration to arrive
by November 1, 2012.
Yours in Grace and Peace,
Ivan Abrahams, General Secretary
World Methodist Council
13.
CUBAN GOVERNMENT ENDS TRAVEL EXIT VISA REQUIREMENT:
Recent policy changes allow more access for religious groups
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Cuban government has announced it will
terminate the exit visa requirement in January 2013, lifting another
restriction to allow their citizens to travel abroad more freely, according to
HCJB Global, an evangelical global missionary organization.
Cubans will now be able to depart their homeland for vacations with only
a passport and a visa from the destination country. The easing of restrictive
travel laws includes departures to the United States.
“We welcome the upcoming easement of travel restrictions for Cubans and
look forward to more interaction with our brothers and sisters there,” said
Wayne Pederson, president and CEO of HCJB Global.
The new policy represents the latest step by the government of President
Raul Castro, acting in response to demands to relax certain restrictions,
without relinquishing control.
Changes made by the Cuban government earlier this year allow religious
institutions in the U.S. to sponsor trips to Cuba. While certain travel and
funds flowing to Cuba are still limited by the 50-year-old U.S. embargo on
Cuba, allowances by the current U.S. administration are not restricting this
open door for groups traveling to Cuba for religious purposes.
“The result of changes by both governments is more access for a circular
flow of Americans and Cubans to meet not only with their families, but with
their Christian family as well,” said Pederson.
HCJB Global has a long-standing relationship with Cuba through Apoyo
Cuba, a ministry that partners with the Cuban church in leadership
transformation.
“Reports of the recent Apoyo Cuba team meetings indicate multiplication
of training programs throughout eastern Cuba,” said an HCJB Global partner.
“Advances are specifically occurring in family ministry, Christian education, leadership
and Christian counseling.”
Changes in the Cuban exit visa restrictions take effect January 13, 2013.
U.S. religious groups are already traveling to Cuba.
For 80 years the passion of HCJB Global (www.hcjb.org) has been to make disciples
of Christ. Using mass media, healthcare and education, and working with
partners around the world, HCJB Global has ministries in more than 100
countries. The gospel is aired in more than 120 languages and dialects.
Thousands of healthcare patients are meeting Jesus. Local believers are being
trained as missionaries, pastors, broadcasters and healthcare providers.
14. GETTING TO ZERO: WHAT TIME IS
IT? (PART 2 OF 2)
by
Oveta Fuller
Yes,
real progress has been made in 30 years since HIV and AIDS were recognized. We
heartily salute those pioneering and faithful people in the 1980s and 1990s,
who cared for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), took on HIV/AIDS prevention
awareness and provided prayer and hope. They were engaged long before we had the
discoveries and advances now available.
Over
30 years later we’re in a different place - 2012. Progress in understanding HIV infection has
brought about use of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Though not a panacea (there
are major side-effects of ART and absolutely required life-style changes),
focus on making ART more available to reduce fatal illness, mother to child
transmission and even circulating virus levels in a community is important.
While researchers continue to search for a magic bullet drug or an effective
vaccine, perhaps omniscience God already has provided something like a cure
through trustworthy preventions of HIV infection and related illness and death.
Now
that we know, what will we do?
Does
‘knowing’ affect ‘doing’? Does it affect
how individuals, especially clergy and pastors, may unknowingly stigmatize and
isolate PLWHA/ Does it change how silence or ignorance about the topic can
assist in spreading the virus infection? Does knowing allow congregations,
youth groups, women’s groups, men’s groups, young adult groups, senior
citizens’ groups, fraternities and sororities, other social groups, sports
teams, CEOs and employees of their companies to actively engage in getting the
word out? HIV/AIDS can be stopped.
We/you/I
can stop HIV/AIDS!
Does
knowing open the way to much needed discussions in safe forums about human
sexuality, physical disease and emotional upheavals from stirring up love to
soon? Does knowing help to transform church families into safe spaces for those
searching for the information such conversations could provide? Does knowing
begin to help to dismantle the homophobia that is prevalent in the Black
Church, especially among pastors and clergy leaders?
Does
knowing activate the church to move outside the building walls and beyond the
stained (or other) glass windows to follow actions modeled so well by the Good
Samaritan? Jesus approved his actions and further instructed the lawyer in Luke
10:37 - “Go and do likewise.”
Now
that we/you know, now that we have the minimal tools that can move towards the
eventual end of HIV, do we have the sustained will and compassion to make it
so? Can we/you/I help get to zero-- zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related
deaths and zero stigma and discrimination?
I
hear ‘yes’. For certain, time will tell
our stories. We are now making this generation’s record.
Saturday,
December 1, 2012 is the 25th World AIDS Day.
Now
that you know, what you will do?
This
annual event provides the opportunity to join people worldwide to unite in the
fight to control and end HIV/AIDS, show support for people living with HIV and
commemorate people who have died. http://www.worldaidsday.org/
What
will you/we do?
I
wrote and submitted this article. The TCR editor approved the message and
published it.
Your
turn.
*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 Theological Seminary. She was pastor of Bethel AME Church in Adrian,
Michigan for seven years before primarily focusing globally on HIV/AIDS
elimination. Currently, she serves at Brown Chapel AME Church (MI) in the 4th
Episcopal District while continuing HIV/AIDS research in parts of Zambia and
the USA.
15. MEDITATION BASED ON JOHN
10:1-10:
*The
Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
I’m
writing this week’s meditation a couple of days before the beginning of the
Coastal Carolina Fair. Over the next
week and a half, people from across the South Carolina Lowcountry will flock to
the fairgrounds - some of them putting off paying a few bills so that they’ll
have “Fair money” - for grandstand entertainment, rides and games, and “fair
food” that we never eat at any other time of the year.
Tens
of thousands of people will go to the Fair, but only a fraction of them will
check out the arts and crafts, farm product and livestock exhibits. State and County Fairs were created in the
mid-1800's to promote agriculture, and carnivals were added later as American
society became less agricultural and more urban. In theory, the Fair is still supposed to
promote agriculture, but in fact and in advertising and promotion, the emphasis
is on having fun.
There’s
certainly nothing wrong with having fun - I’m going to the Fair and, although
I’m not much of a “ride” enthusiast anymore, I’m looking forward to the festive
fairground atmosphere and a humongous Italian sausage dog smothered in peppers
and onions with greasy fries and a big Coke!
I’ll also visit the exhibit halls, though, as a reminder of the real
purpose of the Fair.
What
applies to the Fair is similar to what applies to our faith. Many people come out to enjoy worship, and
there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as we remember the real essence of
faith. Worship should be enjoyable and
inspirational, but real faith goes beyond weekly worship. Real faith leads to a solid relationship with
God that sustains us when fear and frustration replace fun in our lives and
gives us the assurance that we never have to face life alone. Real faith leads us to enjoy worship, but to
also be regularly involved in the family of God through things like Bible study
and ministry activities. Real faith goes
beyond the enjoyment of worship and directs our lives each and every day.
Take
the time to enjoy life - Jesus said, “I am come that you might have life and
have it more abundantly.” Take the time
as well, however, to count your blessings and return thanks to God by
exercising your faith in your daily life.
Doing so may initially seem like work, but it actually leads to new and
fulfilling joy that comes not through temporary fun, but through enduring
faith.
If
you are in the Charleston, South Carolina area, join us on the Fourth Sunday in
October for Church School at 9:45 a.m. and for Worship at 8 and 11 a.m. The Combined Choir, Mime Ministry, and
Generation of Praise will offer praise.
Sunday’s
Scripture Lessons are:
Exodus
32:15-24
Romans
1:18-25
John
3:11-16
Sunday’s
Sermons:
8
a.m. - “Trust God to Bless You”
11
a.m. – Wait On God’s Blessings”
*The
Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in
Charleston, South Carolina
16. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- The Investiture Celebration of
Bishop Samuel L. Lawrence, Sr:
We
are delighted to share with the connection the all inclusive website for the
Investiture Celebration of Bishop Samuel L. Lawrence, Sr. Information regarding
accommodations, tickets, journal submissions, vendor opportunities, itinerary
and more can be found at: http://www.godfirstconference.com/
It
is not often that we show our true level of appreciation to those who have
proven themselves to be a blessing through their service toward others. The
tireless hours, numerous phones calls, and the required patience involved with
being a true servant of humankind is indeed a noble effort and should not go
without notice. We invite you to help us celebrate and commemorate the life,
ministry, and accomplishments of one of today's most noted leaders and
humanitarians, Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr.
As
you take the time to learn more about his accomplishments and The 2012
Investiture Event being held in his honor, make plans to purchase tickets and
attend this landmark event.
Investiture
Celebration Events will be held Sunday, December 9, 2012 through Tuesday
December 11, 2012.
Event
Location:
The Peabody - Little Rock Statehouse & Convention Center
Three Statehouse Plaza
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
(501) 906-4000
Three Statehouse Plaza
Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
(501) 906-4000
Samuel
Lawrence Green Sr., Presiding Prelate of the 12th Episcopal District
P.
O. Box 147
Little
Rock, AR 72203-0147
Telephone:
501-375-4310
FAX:
501-375-0306
- Sir-Wellington Hartford Brookins, the
youngest child of the late Bishop H. Hartford Brookins, has been selected to
travel as a youth Ambassador to Europe
Sir-Wellington
Hartford Brookins has been selected to travel next summer as a youth ambassador
to Italy, Greece, and France with other high school students from around the
world.
“I
am elated to announce that Sir-Wellington Hartford Brookins, the youngest child
of the late Bishop H. Hartford Brookins, has been selected to travel as an
Ambassador next summer to Italy, Greece, and France with other high school
students from around the world.
God
has promised that he will turn your mourning into dancing." Indeed, this
is what God is doing for me and my son this very moment! Just four months ago,
we were saying farewell to a giant of a man, a father, a friend and a husband!
Today,
we are blessed to know that the favor of God, which was upon his (Bishop H.
Hartford Brookins) life, is now evident in the lives of his children and the
legacy of greatness continues!
Let
me take this opportunity to say to someone who may be experiencing the loss of
a loved one, the loss a job, or perhaps life seems to be getting the best of
you, I want to encourage you to hold on just a little while longer; you will
dance again! Blessings to each of you, for your continued support.”
The
Rev. Rosalynn Brookins, M.Div.
Email:
rrosethequeen@aol.com
- NBC News names Ken Strickland
Washington Bureau Chief and Vice President, son of the Rev. Lishers and Mrs.
Betty Mahone
Kenneth
Strickland has been named as the new Washington Bureau Chief and Vice-President
for NBC News, effective October 9, 2012. Kenneth is a 1985 graduate of Joliet
Central High School and a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University with a
degree in Mass Communications. His proud parents are the Rev. Lishers Mahone,
Jr., pastor of Brown Chapel AME Church in Joliet, Illinois and Mrs. Betty
Mahone, retired teacher of Joliet Central High School).
Congratulatory
messages can be sent to: firstladymahone@hotmail.com
Message of Congratulations from the
National Association of Black Journalists:
Washington
(October 10, 2012) --The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
extends sincerest congratulations to member, Ken Strickland on his promotion to
Vice President and Washington, D.C. Bureau Chief at NBC News.
Strickland
who has been with NBC News since 1995 has steadily climbed the ranks at the
network where he began as an associate producer at "Dateline." He
would later serve as a White House producer, before being promoted to
supervising producer where he helped lead the network's Congressional reporting
team. Strickland was appointed deputy bureau chief in early 2011.
"I
congratulate Ken on this much-deserved promotion. He is well-respected within
our industry," said NABJ President Gregory Lee, Jr. "Ken is always a
willing mentor to up and coming reporters and producers. I know that NBC will
most certainly benefit from his energetic and engaging leadership. He is sure
to continue to make an impact in D.C. and beyond."
The
Joliet, Illinois native earned his degree in mass communications at Middle
Tennessee State University in 1989. His first job out of college was as a tape editor
at CNN.
NABJ
wishes Mr. Strickland much success in his new role. An advocacy group
established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., NABJ is the largest organization for
journalists of color in the nation.
See
Article: NBC News Shakes Up Management Team, New EP at “Rock Center” (By Alex
Weprin on October 9, 2012 12:18 p.m.)
- The Rev. and Mrs. Modikoe Amiel
Mpye, 19th Episcopal District, have a new addition to their family
The
Rev. Modikoe A. Mpye and Mrs. Gabisile Mpye, Mt. Sinai AME Church, Mamelodi,
RSA, 19th Episcopal District, were blessed with a sixth child, a healthy bouncy
baby boy - Remoneilwe Mpye, who was born
on 12 October 2012. All this happened while the MM Mokone Annual
Conference was meeting in Mahwelereng (200 km away). The MM Mokone Annual
Conference family joins Bishop Paul JM Kawimbe as we celebrate with the Mpye
family.
Congratulatory
messages can be sent to:
The
Rev. MA and Mrs. G Mpye
6606
Section R
Mamelodi
West
Email:
modikoe.m@gmail.com
+27
73 2729530
*Submitted
By Rev. Gaborone P Lesito
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of the Rev. Michael D. Washington, pastor
of Emmanuel AME Church in Hartly, Delaware.
The
following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing
- Thursday, October 25, 2012, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Emmanuel
AMEC
1735
Lockwood Chapel Road
Hartly,
DE 19953
Phone:
302-492-3652
Viewing
and Funeral - Friday, October 26, 2012
Viewing
- 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon
Funeral
- 12:00 noon
Bethel
AME Church
604
Walnut Street
Wilmington,
DE 19801-3808
Telephone:
302-658-1676
Fax:
302-658-1683
The
Rev. Silvester S. Beaman, Pastor
Bishop
Gregory G.M. Ingram, Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District will be
the Eulogist
Expressions
of Sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs.
Denise Graham
C/o
The Rev. Ronnierre Robinson
4
Gregory Court
Dover,
DE 19904
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of the Rev. Deborah Green, the sister of
the Rev. Gervine Bell, pastor of Mt. Zion AMEC, Voorhees, New Jersey (New Jersey
Conference, Camden/Trenton District).
The
following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Services:
Friday, October 26, 2012 at 2:00 p.m.
Antioch
U.M.E. Church
10026
Old River Road
Pinewood,
South Carolina 29125
Telephone:
803-452-5513
The
Rev. Barry Gadsden, pastor
Professional
Care entrusted to:
Community
Funeral Home
353
Manning Ave.
Sumter,
SC 29150
Phone:
803-773-3962
Expressions
of Sympathy may be sent to:
The
Rev. Gervine Bell
309
Brooke Ave. Apt. A-1
Magnolia,
NJ 08049
Mr.
John Green
2782
Julia James Road
Pinewood,
SC 29125
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We
regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Mollie White, the mother of the Rev. Beverly
White, pastor of New Horizon AME Church and Riverview AME Church, North Little
Rock, Arkansas; and Dr. Vanessa Cleaver, grandmother of past Connectional YPD
President, Reginald Cleaver, Jr.; Elyse and Timothy Cleaver. Mrs. Mollie White
passed away on Friday, October 19, 2012. Sister White was a member of St.
Andrew AME Church in Little Rock where the Reverend John T. Grissom is the
pastor.
Funeral
services for Mrs. Mollie Lee Ann Jenkins White, was held on Wednesday, October
24, 2012 at St. Andrew AME Church in Little Rock.
Expressions
of Sympathy can be emailed to:
The
Reverend Beverly White: bevsbook@yahoo.com
Dr.
Vanessa Cleaver: vancleaver@sbcglobal.net
Brother
Reginald Cleaver, Jr.: regdaprez@yahoo.com
Condolences
may be mailed to:
2914
Lennox Drive
Little
Rock, AR 72204
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of the Rev. James R. DeFoe, husband of
Sister Deborah DeFoe and father of Jeremy DeFoe. The Rev. DeFoe served as
Senior Pastor in the Fifth District at Bethel AME Church in Monrovia,
California.
Services
for Reverend James R. DeFoe:
The
Homegoing Celebration for the Rev. James R. DeFoe will be held on Saturday,
November 03, 2012 at 11:00 o'clock a.m.
Homegoing
Service Location:
First
AME Church
1700
North Raymond Avenue
Pasadena,
California 91103
Telephone:
(626) 798-0503
Fax:
(626) 798-8784
The
Rev. Allen L. Williams, Sr., D. Min., Senior Pastor
Expressions
of sympathy may be sent to:
Deborah
and Jeremy DeFoe
132
Acacia Road
Newbury,
CA 91320
Expressions
of sympathy sent via emailed to Mrs. Deborah DeFoe: joibear1@aol.com
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of the Rev. John Chambers
,
a retired pastor of the New Jersey Annual Conference. He pastored Bethel AMEC
in Metuchen, New Jersey. The following information has been provided regarding
funeral arrangements.
The
funeral was held on Wednesday, October 17, 2012 at the North Stelton AME Church
in Piscataway, New Jersey where the Rev. Kenneth L. Saunders is the pastor
Expressions
of Sympathy may be sent to:
Mr.
and Mrs. Willie Green and family
615
John Street
Plainfield,
NJ 07060
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
The
8th Episcopal District regrets to inform you of the death of the
Reverend Roland Baker, Sr. He passed away
on Sunday, October 14, 2012 after a courageous battle with cancer. The Reverend
Baker was a faithful pastor of several churches in the 8th Episcopal District.
At the time of his death, he was the pastor of Oak Grove African Methodist
Episcopal Church in Kentwood, Louisiana. He is survived by his wife, Mrs.
Noreen Baker and their children.
Memorial
Service was held on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at Oak Grove African Methodist
Episcopal Church in Kentwood, Louisiana. The Wake Service: was held on the same
day at Turner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Greensburg,
Louisiana; and the Funeral Service was held on Monday, October 22, 2012 at the
Christian Worship Center in Glenmora, Louisiana.
Expressions
of Sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs.
Noreen Baker
12201
Oak Hill Road
Kentwood,
Louisiana 70444
(985)
514 - 5273
or
Email:
dequincybakers@aol.com
23.
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
24. 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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