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
January:
Black History Month
Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday –
January 15th
Mark your Calendars:
Ash Wednesday- February 13, 2013
Easter Sunday – March 31, 2013
Pentecost Sunday May 19, 2013
1. EDITORIAL – THERE ARE SOME THING
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE RESTORED IN AME CHURCHES, BUT I STILL HAVE SOME CONCERNS
(PART 2):
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III,
The 20th Editor, The
Christian Recorder
Some of our churches are falling behind, not because of our liturgical
style, not because of the preaching, and not because our choirs lack talent.
We are falling behind, in many cases, because local church
leaders in too many of our churches are not functioning. Let’s be real:
“Stacked” steward boards just don’t work and ineffective church boards hinder
church growth. Organizations without dissenting voices do not function anyway
near 100%; said another way: Organizations that have members, who agree on
every agenda item and every position, never function at optimal levels;
organizations without a dissenting voice do not need to waste time holding
meetings. In those types of organizations, whoever the de jure decision-maker is; whether it’s the pastor or a leader of
the laity - should be allowed to make all of the decisions, because in reality
that’s what happens in organizations without dissenting voices. Organizations
grow with constructive tension as opposed to “destructive tension.” Some churches are failing because of a lack
of dissenting voices and because of “destructive tension.”
AME preachers are among the best homileticians in the world –
when they take the time to seriously and studiously prepare sermons. I suspect
that some of our churches are falling behind because too many preachers are not
taking seriously the art of sermon preparation.
Our churches are not falling behind because of the lack of
talent in our choirs and because of inadequate music programs.
Our churches are falling behind because too many of our choirs
are not taking time for choir rehearsals. We have probably all seen musicians
deciding which songs the choir will sing during the Sunday morning worship
service. Choir members look around asking, “What are we singing?” and musician
thumbs through the AME Hymnal and calls out a hymn to be sung.
The absence of choir rehearsals has become endemic. I suspect,
if choirs are singing the same songs week after week; choir members feel no
need to attend choir rehearsals. Added to that, if choir members who do not
attend choir rehearsal are allowed to sing on Sunday, why make an effort to
attend choir rehearsal if you have a tight schedule.
Getting back to my seventh concern that every church with 10 or
more members should have an active, up-to-date website because churches with 10
or less members who don’t have a website will not grow without a website; the
bottomline is that every church needs a website, if it expects to grow.
Churches without websites are marching toward closure; it’s just a matter of
time.
So, it’s not the sermon, the music or the liturgy but a
combination of things that inhibit congregational growth to include lack of
pastoral and lay leadership, lack of strategy for growth, failure to adapt to
societal and technological changes, failure to update and stay abreast of the
needs of the congregation.
Things are not the same
Inclusion in the local newspaper’s religion page doesn’t work
today. Most newspapers have gotten rid of the religion page.
Street evangelism is passé – that worked in the fifties and sixties
of the last century; it doesn’t work today and hasn’t worked in a number of
years.
Technology and access to information have changed the landscape.
Let’s move on
Eighth; we have too many part-time churches (read Sunday Morning
only churches), too many part-time preachers, too many part-time church
officers and too many part-time parishioners. Today, the buzzword is
“discipleship,” but if we are not taking the time to teach and model
discipleship, the term will continue to be a nice-sounding “buzzword.”
Don’t know where all of this started, but the AME Church is in a
vicious cycle; too many church parsonages fallen into disrepair and too many
pastors have given up living in parsonages. And, let me say here that pastors
need to own their own homes; and that’s a good thing. Some denominations are
getting out of the parsonage business, but they are providing fair-market
housing allowances.
When pastors stopped living in parsonages, too many of our
churches failed to pay fair-market housing allowances and pastors had to secure
secular employment to make ends meet to adequately support their families.
Far too many churches became satisfied with the arrangement of
pastors seeking secular employment because when the pastor secured a secular
job, lived in his or her own home; churches abdicated their financial
responsibilities and things begin to fall apart.
In years past, most pastors in annual conferences were fulltime
pastors. We now have annual conferences where fulltime pastors are in the minority.
I suspect in many annual conferences a large number and maybe most churches
function with a part-time ministry program. We have the reality of
bi-vocational ministry (part-time), which is not fully addressed in The Discipline.
Nine, I am concerned that too many pastors do not have adequate
reading plans. Several years ago, I mentioned that I didn’t like to read
fiction and all of my reading was non-fiction and Bishop McKenzie responded
that adding fiction would make for a better-rounded reading program. She
encouraged pastors to read non-fiction and fiction; and I know that she was
correct and I am working on it.
I am concerned and I suspect that we have too many pastors
(clergy) who do not keep theologically, biblically and academically updated; and
too many preachers have not taken a theological, biblical or academic classes /
courses since being ordained. Too many preachers’ minds have become stagnant
from theological, biblical and academic inactivity. They have allowed
themselves to become intellectually stagnant.
Parishioners sitting in the pews are hungry for relevant sermons,
biblical content, and evidence of serious sermon preparation and want more than
religious babble and worn-out clichés.
Ten; I don’t know what it is about the unwillingness to practice
and coach. It would be a nice thing for pastors to do a “run through” of the
worship service before, say, Men’s Day or Women’s Day; instead we assign people
to do various portions of the worship without practice and the “big event” worship
service has missteps and participants “stumble” through the worship service. I
am afraid the absence of rehearsals and practice occurs at every level of the
Church; and what should be our “best,” results in “less then best” worship
events. There is some truth in the statement, “Practice makes perfect.”
This should be number 11,
but I am keeping it under Number 10.
Only the best readers should be allowed to read the sacred
scriptures in public worship services. To hear poor readers read the Bible
detracts from worship. It’s a worship distraction when readers fail to project
their voices, stumble over words, mispronounce words, fail to read God’s Word
with enthusiasm and seem to not care about the Word of God. Readers of God’s Word should have their glasses
on, cleaned and ready and should be aware of the awesomeness of the task at
hand; God’s Word is an important part of worship liturgy. Only the best readers
should be allowed to read God’s Word in public worship. Unfortunately, the
problem is not just a problem for the laity, there are clergy who are poor
readers also; they should abdicate reading of the scripture to someone else or
practice beforehand. “Practice makes perfect.”
When worship participants get up to do their assigned task, they
do not have to do anything, but do what they are assigned to do. Every worship
participant does not have address the congregation with, “Good Morning!”
Worship participants should be instructed to “Get up, speak up, shut up, and
sit down!”
One more thing
There is only one thing in the liturgy that I wish we could get
rid of, and it would save time – The announcements or notices and the pastor’s
comments. This is no a new problem and it’s not an AME problem. I am not the only one who feels this way Mark
Twain had a problem with the Liturgy of the Notices. Twain said, "After the hymn had been sung, the Rev. turned himself into a
bulletin-board, and read off ‘notices’ of meetings and things till it seemed
that the list would stretch out to the crack of doom — a queer custom which is
still kept up in America, even in cities, away here in this age of abundant
newspapers. Often, the less there is to justify a traditional custom, the
harder it is to get rid of it."
In my opinion, reading announcements is a waste of time!
Parishioners know what they going to do and most people know how to read.
How about this: If announcements are listed in the bulletin,
trust the people to read them. If announcements are not listed in the bulletin
perhaps a verbal reminder would be helpful.
And, last
I am concerned about pastors who fail to take care of
themselves, who haven’t taken the time to visit a doctor for yearly checkups
and who have failed to schedule an appointment with a dentist. I am concerned about clergy who fail to take
vacations and, who this past year, counted the General Conference or the annual
conference as vacations.
I am concerned about clergy who neglect their families, because
in neglecting their families they neglect God and they neglect their pastoral
responsibilities.
What concerns do you have? I invite you to write a TCR op-ed.
TCR Editor’s Comment: I am going to personally address one of
my concerns next week. My wife and I are taking a break for rest and
relaxation. We are going to an off-season vacation area, which shall remain
unnamed because we don’t want to be invited to preach. I am going to try to do as little as I can
next week. I can be reached via email or telephone.
2.
READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the
Editor:
RE: TCR Editorial, There Are Some Thing I Would Like to See
Restored In AME Churches, But I Still Have Some Concerns
Thanks for the article about things you would like to see. I really
like the free conference info and CallingPost. Number -4- is a stickler for me,
you can't have a decent meeting without the presence of someone there at all
times, it makes you feel as if you're being watched and they're afraid you're
going to say something about them.
I've also talked about getting a website, or just plain old internet.
I know we are down south, but the time is passing by and people are going other
places.
Name Withheld
- To
the Editor:
RE: TCR Editorial; I Ask,
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry
Thank you for your message on AME church liturgy. Pastors don't/won’t help us teach the people
about the meaning behind our worship service.
Personally, while on family trips with relatives, our youngsters were
amazed that the oldsters drove for miles in Dallas, Texas and Jamaica in search
of AME churches. Youngsters were pleasantly, surprised and felt “at home” when
the order of service was so familiar. One remarked, in Dallas, "We have
the same hymn books!”
Some busy pastors imagine that their poorly conceived replacements
have the same effect as the well thought-out, blessed rituals that our precious
legacy provides. Their time could be better spent evangelizing the unsaved
people in the immediate church neighborhood.
Name Withheld
- To
the Editor:
RE: TCR Editorial; There Are
Some Thing I Would Like to See Restored In AME Churches, But I Still Have Some
Concerns
Its me again Rev. LB Thotobolo, I just came over your Editorial in the
TCR-page on FaceBook and I loved the points you brought up, you reminded me of
the teaching Bishop Leath was talking about this side in the 19th District
really he was pointing out some of the points you raised there!
Truly I thought it’s only in Africa where we have the liturgy messed
or mixed up with non denominational churches. I think the issue is trying to
keep our people in church because they are always watching the televangelist
& the congregation feels certain worship style should be done in that way!
We as AMEs don't ask why the Wesleyan/Methodist churches growing cause they
have not lost their liturgical ways.
We need to check what's wrong with the AME compared to other Methodist
churches that make them proud of their liturgy; and then we will find why are
able to change our order of worship with no respect to the founders of the
church & the reason they came with that order.
Once again I thank you.
Because He lives, I live,
+Rev. L.B. Thotobolo
- To
the Editor:
RE: TCR Editorial, There Are
Some Thing I Would Like to See Restored In AME Churches, But I Still Have Some
Concerns
Responding to 2nd paragraph of your editorial: "Amen" to that! Sad that so many pastors are rejecting AME
worship in favor of what they believe to be the winning formula to increase
membership. From what I see, membership
numbers are still falling in our AME churches, despite attempts to offer a
"new brand of worship style".
Martin Luther King, Jr said, "If you don't stand for something, you
will fall for anything." For this
discussion, I would substitute the name "Jesus" for the word
"something" in that quote. As
it is written, Jesus said, “And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw
all men unto me." John 12:32 (KJV)
Responding to your "I am concerned ...about who shouted"
paragraph: I am tired of being "brow-beaten", coerced, belittled and
sermonized from the pulpit on Sunday mornings because I and others don't stand
up and shout, dance around and holler at every prompting to do so. That just gets tired. Please preach the Gospel; then God will get
the praise.
I wish more training time would be committed to the teaching of the
"how's and why's" of our AME worship liturgy.
In sum, responding to your editorial:
Amen! Amen! And again, I say
Amen!
Name Withheld, A Member in the pews
To the
Editor:
RE: TCR Editorial, There Are Some Thing I Would Like to See
Restored In AME Churches, But I Still Have Some Concerns
I share your sentiments of this editorial right on down the line.
Everything you have said I have thought.
In fact, I almost wrote a letter to you last week, disillusioned by a
comment made by an AME minister regarding a question about our AME liturgy
(thankfully he is currently not pastoring).
More and more, I encounter Pastors who reflect in their attitudes and
behavior that they do not respect the AME Church, its worship liturgy, its
Discipline, its leadership and at times, its Doctrine. Often I have seen a church officer question a
pastor about failure to follow our liturgical guidelines (for example changing
the liturgical colors for the various church seasons). When a pastor is "checked" they
will trivialize it by saying, "That’s not important," "That
won't get you to heaven," "We don't do that stuff anymore",
etc.
No wonder so many lay people become disenchanted and leave. I agree with the components of worship that
you listed as basic essentials. I am
appalled at how seldom we repeat what we believe, "The Apostle's
Creed". Many Pastors seem only to
be concerned with the raising of the
Conference Claim and impressing the Bishop so they can move on to a
"better church." Sad! On the
rare occasions I visit a Presbyterian church, I can still remember by heart and
follow the Presbyterian liturgy because I grew up in that denomination. But
when I joined the AME Church over 20 years ago, I adopted, appreciated,
memorized and came to love its liturgy. I understand how members who grew up in
the AME church must feel when they no longer recognize the order of AME
worship, the liturgy they grew up with and took to heart. SAD!
Name Withheld
3. AME
PASTOR FOLLOWS FATHER’S LEGACY AND SWORN-IN AS MEMBER OF THE TENNESSEE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES:
The Rev.
Harold M. Love, Jr. Pastor of Saint Paul A.M. E. Church in Nashville; was sworn
in as a member of the 108th Tennessee General Assembly on Tuesday, January 8,
2013. He was among 23 new members, who
officially became legislators after winning their elections in November, 2012.
After
taking the oath of office, administered by Tennessee Supreme Court Justice Gary
R. Wade, Rep. Love’s first official act was to participate in a historic
vote. He voted for Rep. Beth Harwell,
who was elected for a second term as the first female to serve as Speaker of
the House.
Love
continues the legacy of his father, who served in the Tennessee House of
Representatives for many years.
Submitted
by Dr. Phyllis Qualls-Brooks, Executive Director of the Tennessee Economic
Council on Women
4.
THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH INVOLVED IN THE "FAITHS UNITED
AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE" DIALOGUE:
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Fellow AMEs,
On Tuesday, January 15, 2013, the AMEC Social Action Chair, Bishop Reginald T. Jackson
represented the AME Church at the Press Conference
held at the United Methodist Church Building in Washington, DC, around the
corner from the deliberations convened by Vice President Biden. The
group - Faiths United against Gun Violence - has worked tirelessly for some
time, and many of you in the "hometown" communities have joined in
local advocacy to bring an end to the senseless violence resulting from gun
violence. Thank you
for your faithfulness!
Today, the Petition signed by 42 faith groups was presented
to the US Representatives in Congress, the US Senators, the global media, and
all to whom an appeal for sensible action in the face of a crisis that is
claiming the lives of innocent persons at record numbers. Thank you for answering the call!
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has been in the
dialogue since the beginning, speaking for those whose pain is disabling,
sitting at the table for those whose voice has been silenced, and getting the
attention of those whose motives are guided by the profit motive. We have
continued to represent the view of the AME Church as sanctioned by the AME
Council of Bishops, the AME General Board, and the global membership. Look for the Call to Action and
prayerfully take the message wherever you can help to make a difference.
Huffington Post Article:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jaweed-kaleem/clergy-demand-end-to-gun-violence_b_2479810.html
Clergy
Demand an End to Gun Violence
As New York legislators prepare to pass the strictest gun
control law in the nation and Vice President Joe Biden leads a task force on
the White House's response to gun violence, a group of religious leaders are
joining in Washington, D.C. to demand quick action on gun control.
The group, Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, is holding
a press conference Tuesday at the United Methodist Building, which is just
around the corner from the White House, and delivering a letter to President
Barack Obama and Congress signed by 40 national religious leaders urging action
on guns.
HuffPost obtained an early copy of the letter and list of
signees. Their demands: "Every person who buys a gun should pass a
criminal background check," "high capacity weapons and ammunition
magazines should not be available to civilians" and "gun trafficking
should be made a federal crime."
The
signees include:
-- Aidsand F. Wright-Riggins III, Executive Director, American Baptist Home Mission Societies.
-- James Winkler, Chair, Faiths United to Prevent Gun Violence, General Board of Church and Society, United Methodist Church
-- Rabbi Steven Wernick, Executive Vice President and CEO, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism
-- Jim Wallis, President and CEO of Sojourners
-- Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Director, Social Action Commission, African Methodist Episcopal Church
-- Sayyid M. Syeed, National Director for Interfaith and Community Alliances. Islamic Society of North America
-- Rabbi Gerald Skolnik, Rabbinical Assembly
-- Rajwant Singh, Chairman, Sikh Council on Religion and Education, USA
-- Suhag Shukla, Executive Director and Legal Counsel, Hindu American Foundation
-- Rachelle Lyndaker Schlabach, Director, Mennonite Central Committee, Washington Office
-- Rabbi David Saperstein, Director and Counsel, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
-- Djamillah Samad, National Executive, Church Women United, Inc.
-- James Salt, Executive Director, Catholics United
-- Fred Rotondaro, Chairman of the Board, Catholics in Alliance for the Common Good
-- The Rev. Craig C. Roshaven, Witness Ministries Director, Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
-- Diane Randall, Executive Secretary, Friends Committee on National Legislation
-- The Rev. LeDayne McLeese Polaski Program Coordinator, Baptist Peace Fellowship of North America
-- Sister Patricia McDermott, RSM, President, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas
-- Walter L. Parrish, II, Executive Minister, American Baptist Churches of the South
-- Sr. Margaret Ormond, O.P. and the Leadership Team of the Dominican Sisters of Peace
-- Harriett Jane Olson, CEO and General Secretary, United Methodist Women
-- Stanley J. Noffsinger, General Secretary Church of Brethren
-- The Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, II, Director for Public Witness, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Office of Public Witness
-- Janet Mock, CSJ, Executive Director of the Leadership Conference of Women Religious
-- Bryan Miller, Executive Director, Heeding God's Call
-- Pastor Michael McBride, PICO Network Lifelines to Healing
-- Kevin E. Lofton, President and CEO, Catholic Health Initiatives
-- Rabbi Mordecai Leibling, Jewish Reconstructionist Movement
-- Sister Gayle Lwanga, National Advocacy Center of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd
-- Sister Carol Keehan, President and CEO, Catholic Health Association
-- Rabbi Steve Gutow, President, Jewish Council for Public Affairs
-- Rabbi Marla Feldman, Executive Director, Women of Reform Judaism
-- Marlene Feagan, President, Health Ministries Association
-- Matthew Ellis, Executive Director, National Episcopal Health Ministries
-- The Very Rev. John Edmunds ST, President, Conference of Major Superiors of Men
-- The Rev. Ronald J. Degges, Disciples Home Mission, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
-- Shan Cretin, General Secretary, American Friends Service Committee
-- Patricia Chappell, SNDdeN, Executive Director, Pax Christi USA
-- Patrick Carolan, Executive Director, Franciscan Action Network
-- Simone Campbell, SSS, Executive Director, NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby
-- Carol Blythe, President, Alliance of Baptists
-- The Rev. Geoffrey A. Black, General Minister and President-United Church of Christ
-- Peg Birk, Transitional General Secretary, National Council of Churches
-- Carroll Baltimore, President, Progressive National Baptist Convention
5. MISSIONARIES AND SCOUTS WORK
TOGETHER IN WEST TENNESSEE:
The Estelle
Deloney Women’s Missionary Society of Wilson Chapel AME Church, 80 East Shelby
Drive, Memphis, Tennessee worked with the church’s Boy Scout Troop 196 to bless
our adopted neighborhood Geeter Middle School. The two auxiliaries of the
church prepared “Bags of Blessings” containing toiletries to be placed in the
school counselor’s office for use with children who may need such supplies.
Wilson Chapel has worked with Geeter Middle School as cafeteria monitors, hall
monitors, tutors, and mentors for the past three years. “The Work is All
Divine” and rewarding to all involved.
Wilson
Chapel is a part of the South Memphis District of the West Tennessee Conference
of the 13th Episcopal District. Bishop
Jeffrey N. Leath is presiding prelate and Dr. Susan J. Leath is the Supervisor
of Missions. Presiding Elder Linda
Thomas Martin oversees the work of the South Memphis District. The Reverend
Darrell K. Scott was Servant Leader at the time the project was completed. The
Reverend Lula M. Martin Sanderson is currently Servant Leader of Wilson Chapel.
Mrs. Gwendolyn F. Dillihunt is president of the 13th district WMS, Mrs. Mary T.
Jones is president of the West Tennessee Conference Branch, and Ms Elrudia
Tipton is president of the Estelle Deloney WMS.
General
Office Secretary Ms Ytessa Tolbert, School Business Manager Ms Brenda Harper,
and Principal of Geeter Middle School Mr. Kenneth L. Pinkney received the “Bags
of Blessings”.
*Article
submitted by the Rev. Linda S. Cox, D. Min
6. CONNECTIONAL DAY OF PRAYER –
APRIL 13, 2013:
On April
13, 2013, the African Methodist Episcopal Church will observe a “Connectional
Day of Prayer.” In 2008 the Council of
Bishops approved an annual prayer day observance and we have been pausing since
that time throughout our Zion on April 13th for the African Methodist Episcopal
Church Connectional Day of Prayer.
The theme
for this year’s Connectional Day of Prayer is: “Discipleship for Radical
Transformation.”
You are
encouraged to begin preparing now to participate during the 24-hours of prayer
in our Zion and we look forward to participation at every level of the Church:
Connectional, Episcopal District, Annual Conference, Presiding Elder District,
and the Local Church. We welcome the involvement of the Women’s Missionary
Society, Women In Ministry, Men’s Ministries, Lay Organizations, Sons of Allen,
and all other components and ministries in African Methodism.
There is
much both clergy and laity can do to help make this Connectional Day of Prayer
meaningful in making an impact in the life of our Church. This is an
opportunity to be innovative and to think “outside of the box” concerning
prayer crusades, park or tent revivals, or perhaps taking toiletries and
brown-bag lunches to the homeless. Get
your fasting and praying started today so that there will be a harvest for the
Kingdom-building of God on April 13, 2013.
Everyone is
invited to join the District Prayer Coordinators and Prayer Warriors throughout
the African Methodist Episcopal Church as we prepare for our 2013 Connectional
Day of Prayer.
We invite
you to pray collectively on April 13, 2013.
Let us pray
for greater unity, love, repentance, forgiveness, and the rebuilding of our
families around the world.
We are
excited about this time of prayer and supplication for our Zion! Something happens when the Church prays!
Questions
or additional information – email: dorisalene@aol.com
or Jubileeprayerteam2016@gmail.com
*Submitted by
the Rev. Dorisalene Hughes, Coordinator of the “Connectional Day of Prayer -
April 13, 2013”
8. THE AMEC MUSIC AND CHRISTIAN ARTS
MINISTRY CONFERENCE:
The Music
and Christian Arts Ministry Conference will be held July 9th - 12th 2013 in
downtown Chicago, Illinois and will feature training and instruction from the
MCAM artistic leadership team, as well as, renowned national artists and music
professionals. The conference will culminate with the first connectional AME
Mass Choir Recording and DVD.
Early Bird
Registration is only $69 for the 2013 MCAM Conference ends on Friday, January
18, 2013
Register
today and reserve your hotel room and obtain more information by going to: www.MCAMAME.com and clicking on the tab that
says “MCAM Conference 2013.”
MCAM is
also proud to accept song submissions to be included for its first AME church
live-recording at the Music and Christian Arts Ministry Conference this summer.
Song submissions are open to all.
Guidelines:
Songs
should not exceed 5 minutes in length.
Songs
should be gospel songs. (Contemporary, P & W, Anthem, Traditional)
Song must
be arranged for SAT or SATB
Must be
original compositions.
Please
email MP3's and/or PDF scores, to: MCAMAME2012@gmail.com
Deadline
for submissions is February 20, 2013!
*Submitted
by the Rev. Anthony B. Vinson, Sr., Director, Music and Christian Arts Ministry
for the African Methodist Episcopal Church
9.
PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS IN THE 6TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
Pastoral appointment made by Bishop Preston Warren Williams II,
Presiding Prelate of the 6th Episcopal District.
- The Rev. Robert Angrish was transferred from the South Georgia
Conference to the Macon Conference and assigned to Saint Paul AME Church, Macon,
Georgia.
- The Rev. Kevin Moore was transferred from the Macon Georgia
Conference to the South Georgia Conference and assigned to Saint Mark AME
Church, Thomasville, Georgia.
10.
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY MOURNS LOSS OF FORMER FIRST LADY IVANETTA HUGHES
DAVIS:
Mrs. Ivanetta Davis, former First Lady at Tennessee State University,
celebrated her 100th birthday June 19 during the Centennial Day Celebration.
Mrs. Davis passed away late January 14.
The wife of a former Tennessee State University president, remembered
for her caring personality, kindness and generosity, died late Monday night.
Ivanetta Hughes Davis, wife of former president Dr. Walter S. Davis,
was TSU’s oldest living first lady, at 100 years old. In 1943, Mrs. Davis became the first lady
when her husband was named as the second president of the University. She
served alongside her husband for a remarkable 25 years, until 1968.
For more than 32 years Davis called TSU home, beginning in 1936 as a
student in elementary education at the then Tennessee A&I College. She met and later married Walter Strother
Davis, a faculty member and head football coach at the College. In 1941, Mr. Davis became Dr. Davis earning a
Ph.D., while Mrs. Davis received her master’s degree.
“First Lady Davis set the bar for all those who followed in her
footsteps,” said Dr. Glenda Baskin Glover, current TSU president. “Davis was
student-oriented and interacted with many groups on campus as well as the
Nashville community. She will be remembered for all she did for the TSU
community and truly epitomizing what the president’s wife can contribute to a
University.”
President Davis led Tennessee State University through an era of
tremendous growth – in multi-faceted areas, such as academics, facilities and
worldwide recognition. Under his tenure, Tennessee Agricultural and Industrial
State College achieved university status in 1951, and the Tennessee Board of
Education elevated the university to a full-fledged land-grant university in
1957. In addition, Dr. Davis led the university’s campus expansion overseeing
the constructing of 24 new buildings.
Mrs. Davis led a proud and successful career of her own. As an
elementary school principal, she impacted the lives of young people even at
their earliest years; many of who went on to college and, even, Tennessee
State.
The Davis family made its home at Goodwill Manor, which lived up to
its name as a center of hospitality, where they entertained out-of-town guests
and celebrities such as Marian Anderson, Nat King Cole, Lois Towles, Dorothea
Towles, Johnny Mathis, Wilma Rudolph, Ralph Boston, Richard Barnett, Woody
Hayes, Marva Woods and Mohammed Ali, then known as “Cassius Clay.” Mrs. Davis
was a gracious hostess. Along with her husband, the Davises always openly
welcomed students at Goodwill Manor. They frequently came for visits and social
events. The family saw and entertained many friends, family members, students,
alumni and their families.
“Fewer people have had a more positive influence on the quality of
education or the lives they’ve touch than Ms. Davis,” added President Glover.
“Tennessee State University is forever grateful to her for the sacrifice,
contributions and love she has shown to this historic institution. She was a
great alumna of the University and will be missed by all of us.”
In 2012, the First Lady shared a milestone with her beloved alma
mater, turning 100 years old during the University’s Centennial year. She
joined the University in reaching the century mark, and was the Centennial
Homecoming Parade Grand Marshall.
Department of Media Relations Tennessee State University
*Submitted by Dr. Phyllis Qualls-Brooks
11.
GETTING TO ZERO: TURNING THE TIDE TOGETHER IN 2013
By Dr. Oveta Fuller
Greetings in this brand new year of 2013! It is a year filled with 12
months of possibilities. It is a new year where each day has 24 hours of time
to bring glory to God however you are gifted, prepared and led to do so.
In the last G20 column, each person was encouraged to use the home for
the holidays 2012 Christmas holiday season and family time to tell some one
about HIV as a relatively weak virus and AIDS as a disease that can be
controlled.
After submitting the article, I had second thoughts. I was convicted.
No where in the submission were you encouraged to use the family time for the
most important thing. The most important thing is to share the Good News that
Christ is born and that He carried out the mission that all who receives the
Good News of the Son of God can live abundantly and eternally. This is the
absolutely necessary first message to tell sons and daughters, grandchildren,
nieces, nephews, neighbors and everybody else.
Proceed with your young adults and loved ones as one of our bishops
instructs on the main purpose of communication within the AMEC class leader
system. “Ask them, what is the status of their soul?” “If they were to die
physically tonight, would they have made preparations for their spirit to be
with God the Creator?” “Are they right
with God, not by their might, but by salvation through believing and receiving
Christ Jesus for themselves?” Tell them
as stated in Romans 10:9, “If you believe in your heart and confess with your
mouth, you will be saved.” This is
first!
After, or along with this, you can tell them about how to eliminate
HIV/AIDS.
Now that G20 and the Good News are put in perspective, let’s get back
to how to move forward in eliminating HIV/AIDS. How do we get to zero?
Now that the basic biology of HIV has been covered, in 2013 we will
introduce some of the most effective models of what pastors, ministers,
religious leaders and laypersons can do to move towards zero. (For review of
the basics, check issues of The Christian Recorder, on line or in print, in G20
articles starting in late July 2012).
The theme of the XIX International HIV/AIDS Conference in Washington
DC in July 22-27, 2012 was “Turning the Tide Together”. The idea recognizes
that technology advances and medical developments have brought about the
possibility of stopping HIV/AIDS. Always using one of the ABCs of HIV
prevention to block exposure to HIV, making HIV testing a routine part of
health care for early detection of infection and monitored use of
anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs) CAN change the current levels of HIV/AIDS.
We can stop HIV/AIDS. It can be done.
The question is whether we have the sustained will and perseverance
needed to prevent new infections and delay progression to AIDS or stop related
deaths.
Some of the G20 columns in 2013 will feature efforts of religious
leaders, AMEC and others, and other community people or organizations to help
turn the tide with HIV/AIDS. Multiple approaches and sustained effort of many
over time are required to move towards zero new infection, zero stigma and zero
deaths from AIDS.
If you know of or are part of an effective approach (ministry,
intervention, program, person effort) that makes a difference, please write about
it and send to fullerao@umich.edu. As many of these as possible will be
summarized to share in The Christian Recorder so to reach a broad international
audience.
We can learn from each other. What is effective in one location may
not always be most suited for another. One must know the specific issues and
needs in an area so to use or adapt for what can best meet a local need. To
“reinvent the wheel” is not necessary when exceptional programs and
interventions already are developed.
Let’s turn the tide, together.
We pray for the will and the resources in 2013, by the power of God,
so that possibilities become reality in making a difference in eliminating
HIV/AIDS, one person and one decision at a time.
Together, we can do it. Tell someone!
*The Rev. Dr. Oveta Fuller is a microbiology professor and faculty in
the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan Medical School and
Adjunct Faculty at Payne Theological Seminary. She will spend most of 2013 in
residence in Zambia to continue HIV/AIDS research as a J. William Fulbright
African Regional Scholar.
12. MEDITATION BASED ON II
CORINTHIANS 12:1-10:
*The Rev.
Dr. Joseph A. Darby
The world
of technology has changed considerably in my lifetime. My high school offered a course in computer
programming, which mainly taught us how to create the “punch cards” that
operated the large business computers of the day. My first desktop personal computer, purchased
in 1996, had far less storage capacity than today’s average USB plug-in drive,
connected to a slow moving internet through a regular phone line, and had an
internet modem that made a noise like a duck caught in a washing machine.
Today, my
desktop PC has storage capacity measured in Gigabytes and connects swiftly to
the internet through a DSL phone line, my iPad is even faster than my PC and
has plentiful software applications - or “Apps” as they’re known on mobile
devices - and my iPhone has more computing capacity than the Apollo space
capsules that traveled to the moon in the 1970s.
Each of
those amazing technological advances was useful and made life easier, but all
of them have something in common: computers - no matter how sophisticated they
are - won’t work unless they’re plugged in, and tablet computers and
smartphones have to be plugged in and recharged regularly or their batteries
will die. All of those technological
wonders need a power source to do what they’re designed to do.
All of us
also need power to do what God designed us to do. Psalm 139:14 says that we are “wonderfully”
made by a mighty Creator, but if we try to go through life relying on our own
strength and wisdom, we’ll feel beat up, burnt out, weak and weary sooner or
later. When we call on and trust in the
Lord, however, we’ll find a new source of power for living - a power source
that never weakens, never wears out, and never lets us down.
Take the
time each day - and more than once a day - to “recharge” by going to God in
prayer. You’ll find new strength in your
weakest times, new direction in your confused times and new assurance that the
God who created us has the power to sustain us and motivate us to do wonderful
things. You’ll find out first hand why
those who wore the chains of American slavery found new strength when they
gathered in secluded sacred places and sang, “Everything I do is by the power
of God.”
If you are
in the Charleston, South Carolina area, join us on the third Sunday in January
for Church School at 9:45 a.m. and for Worship at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. The Combined Choir, Praise Dance Ministry,
Voices of Promise and Generation of Praise will offer praise.
Morris
Brown’s own the Reverend Michelle Johnson will be the preacher for both
services, and her chosen Scripture lessons will appear in Sunday’s Worship
Guide. She’ll be preaching because I’ve
been blessed with the opportunity to attend President Barack Obama’s Second
Inauguration, so please be patient if next week’s Mid-Week Meditation is a day
late!
*The Rev.
Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston,
South Carolina
13. GENERAL OFFICER FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret
to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Hattie E. Jackson, the widow of former
General Officer, Dr. H. Ralph Jackson, Director of the Department of Minimum Salary
of the AME Church, present day, Department of Annuity Investments and
Insurance. Mrs. Hattie E. Jackson, a
retired educator, was a member of St. Andrew AME Church, Memphis, Tennessee,
the Rev. Kenneth S. Robinson, M.D., pastor.
Funeral
arrangements for Mrs. Hattie E. Jackson are as follows:
Wake:
Friday,
January 18, 2012 - 5:00 PM
St. Andrew
AME Church
867 South
Parkway East
Memphis, TN
38106
Telephone:
(901) 948-3441
Fax: (901)
948-4441
The Shelby
County Chapter of The Links, Inc. will have a program during the wake at 6:00
p.m. with the Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc to
follow.
Funeral:
Saturday,
January 19, 2013 - 12:00 Noon
St. Andrew
AME Church
867 South
Parkway East
Memphis, TN
38106
Phone:
(901) 948-3441
Fax: (901)
948-4441
Professional
serves are entrusted to:
N.J. Ford
and Sons Funeral Home, Inc.
12 South
Parkway West
Memphis,
Tennessee 38109
Phone:
(901) 948-7755
Fax: (901)
948-7103
Expressions
of sympathy may be sent to: N.J. Ford and Sons Funeral Home, Inc., St. Andrew
AME Church, addresses above, or mailed to:
The family
of Mrs. Hattie E. Jackson
1443 South
Parkway, East
Memphis, TN
38106
(919)
774-8633 - Phone/Fax
Burial: New
Park Cemetery (4536 Horn Lake Rd 38109) followed by the repast at St. Andrew
AME Church.
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We regret
to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Lola Lindsay, the grandmother of Rev.
Vernon R. Byrd, Jr., a member of the Judicial Council of the AME Church and the
pastor of Grant Chapel AME Church in Trenton, NJ (New Jersey Conference,
Camden/Trenton District). The following information has been provided regarding
funeral arrangements.
Services
held on Saturday, January 12, 2013
Viewing:
9:00 a.m.
Service:
10:00 a.m.
Mount Zion
AME Church
1312 Willow
Street
Norristown,
PA 19401
Phone:
610-279-8313
Fax:
610-279-6548
Reverend
Kanice D. Johns, Pastor
Cards,
expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. and
Mrs. Vernon R. Byrd, Jr.
654 State
Road
Princeton,
NJ 08540
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
Mrs. Lillie
Mae Ebong, the only surviving sibling of the Rev. Eloyce A. Cartwright died on
Sunday, January 6, 2013. The Rev. Cartwright is on the staff of Hunter Memorial
AME Church in Suitland, Maryland. The
funeral will take place on Thursday, January 17 at Breath of Life SDA Church,
Ft. Washington, Md.
Breath of
Life Church Seven Day Adventist
11310 Fort
Washington Rd
Fort
Washington, MD 20744-5809
Phone:
301-292-2100
Condolences
may be sent to: celoyce@aol.com
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We are
saddened to announce the passing of Mr. Shervett Daughtry, the brother of the
Rev. L. R. Daughtry, pastor of Campbell's Chapel AME Church in Carrollton,
Virginia. Mr. Daughtry passed on January 9, 2013.
The
following arrangements have been made for the Homegoing Celebration of Mr.
Daughtry:
Homegoing Service
was held on Tuesday, January 15, 2013 at the Taylor Funeral Home in Phenix
City, Alabama.
334-298-0364
Condolences
may be sent to:
The Rev. L.
R. Daughtry
3817
Windsor Woods Blvd.
Virginia
Beach, VA 23452
Email: P_bart2@vzw.blackberry.net
Online
Guest Book: www.thetaylorfuneralhome.com
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
It is with
heartfelt sympathy that we inform you of the passing of Mrs. Viola Harris. She
was the grandmother of Dr. Judy Campbell Johnson, South Conference Women's
Missionary Society President of the 11th Episcopal District; the
great-grandmother of the Rev. Helen Johnson-Robinson, pastor of Bethel AME
Church in Monticello, Florida; and the great-great-grandmother of the Rev.
Octavia "Nikki" Johnson-Howell, Youth Pastor at St. Paul AME Church
in Atlanta, GA.
The
following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
The Family
will receive friends:
Thursday,
January 17, 2013
6:00 p.m. -
9:00 p.m.
McWhite's
Funeral Home
3501 W.
Broward Blvd.
Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida 33312
Telephone:
954-584-0047
Services
will be held:
Friday,
January 18, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
Mt. Hermon
A.M.E. Church
401 N.W. 7th
Terrace
Ft.
Lauderdale, Florida 33311
The Rev.
Willie J. Cook, Pastor
Notes,
cards, and expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Doris
Campbell
1881 N.W.
35th Ave.
Lauderhill,
FL 33311
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We regret
to inform you of the passing of Tanya Lawrence, the oldest sister of First Lady
Tamara Gibson, and sister-in-law of the Reverend Dr. Kyle C. Gibson, Senior
Pastor of Metropolitan AME Church in Miami, Florida.
Funeral
services for Tanya Lawrence:
Tuesday,
January 15, 2013 at 11:00 a.m.
Scott's
United Methodist Church
3748 Main
Street
Trappe,
Maryland 21673
Expressions
of sympathy may be emailed to:
Mrs. Tamara
Gibson: Prayerofjabez5@aol.com
Or to:
The Reverend
Dr. Kyle C. Gibson: kc2020vision@aol.com
Or mailed
to:
Metropolitan
AME Church
The
Reverend Dr. Kyle C. Gibson, Pastor
1778 NW 69th
Street
Miami, FL
33147
19.
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
20. 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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