September 27, 2013

Bishop T. Larry Kirkland - Chair, Commission on Publications

The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher

The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder

 

1. TCR EDITORIAL: REMINDERS CAN BE USEFUL TRAINING TOOLS:

 

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

The 20^th Editor of The Christian Recorder

 

The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote, “There is nothing new under the sun.” There is nothing new in this editorial.  Everything written below has been said before. The words below have also been said by bishops, presiding elders, pastors, religious educators, and laity. Much of what is written below has been taught in Bible colleges and seminaries. Boards of Examiners have also addressed the issues below. The writer of Ecclesiastes was indeed correct, “There is nothing new under the sun.”

 

Feeling the need to “say it again” is not a criticism because most of us need to hear things again and again and we all need reminders. A reminder, like training, is not a one-time occurrence. Training can, and should be repetitive.

 

Not only do we need more ministerial training, but we need more training for the parishioners in our pews. And, when I speak of ministerial training and retraining, I don’t mean it in a pejorative way because training moves us from “good to great.”

 

Several weeks ago, I was asked a biblical question that I could have answered quickly years ago, but for the life of me, I could not come up with the appropriate answer. I thought to myself that I need some biblical and theological retraining.

 

Yesterday I was asked about an AME administrative procedure and I was stumped, uncertain about the correct response.

 

Let me say here, the one good thing about getting old is that we can blame age for any lack of knowledge, but in many cases the issue is not age, the issue is a lack of training and retraining.

 

A couple of worship reminders 

 

When participating in worship in reading the scripture, praying, reading announcements; just step to the podium, to the chancel rail and do the task that you were given to do without added commentary like, “Good morning” or some other religious babble clichés that we so often hear.

 

When reading the King James Version, read the biblical text without comment or additional personal commentary.  In other words, if the text says “men,” there is no need for the reader’s personal commentary of adding “women”; or vice-versa.

 

Do not update the text to make it read as if the text is speaking to a particular local church or locality, no matter how clever it might sound. God’s Word does not need any assistance from any of us.

 

Readers who feel strongly about gender-neutral language might want to read the New Revised Standard Version rather than the King James Version.

 

I still hear laity and occasionally clergy, for instance, when announcing a Psalter reading say, “The reading is from Psalms 100” or "I am going to read from the 100th Division of Psalms.” 

 

Each “chapter” is “a psalm,” without the “s.” There are collectively 150 Psalms, spoken or written with the “s,” but each psalm referred to in the singular, without an “s.”

 

We normally do not refer to a psalm as a chapter, e.g., it’s more correct to announce that you will be reading the “23rd Psalm, rather than the “23rd chapter of Psalms.” 

 

If a reader is not knowledgeable about the five divisions of Psalms, he or she shouldn’t mention “division”; just announce what psalm will be read.

 

There are only five divisions of Psalms, but unless the reader knows how the divisions are divided, which takes study; the reader should just announce the Psalm he or she will be reading.

 

I wonder if the reason we have so much discussion about liturgy is because we, both laity and clergy, have not been trained and/or retrained in liturgy.

 

And, I wonder, if, for most parishioners, liturgy has become a rote expression of words without theological understanding. We recite the Call to Worship in most African Methodist Episcopal Churches each Sunday, but I wonder how many of our worshippers know that the AME liturgy is biblical and that the AME Call to Worship is scriptural from beginning to end. 

 

Here is the traditional AME Call to worship with scriptural references:

 

Minister: I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord, our feet shall stand within thy gates O Jerusalem. (Psalm 122:1-2)

 

People: For a Day on our courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. (Psalm 84:10)

 

Minister: Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. (Psalm 122: 9)

 

People: Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of our God. (Psalm 92:13)

 

Minister: Blessed are they that dwell in thy house. Lord, I have loved thy habitation, the place where thy honor dwelleth. (Psalm 26:8)

 

People: For the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him. (Habakkuk 2:20)

 

Minister: Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

 

People: O sing unto the Lord a new song, for he has done marvelous things. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the earth, sing praises. (Psalm 98:1b, 4)

 

All of the hymns in the AME Hymnal, as well as the hymns in other denominational hymnbooks are based upon scripture. 

 

Hymns can be based upon more than one scriptural text. “Bless the Lord, O My Soul” is based upon Psalm 103:3; the “Doxology,” a short saying that is intended to be in praise of God is based many texts to include, Ephesians 1:3; 3:21; and James 1:17; “Father, I stretch My Hand to Thee” is based upon Psalm 88:9; the “Gloria Patri” is based upon Philippians 4:20; and the Offertory, “All thing come of thee O Lord” is directly taken from I Chronicles 29:14b.

 

Many praise songs are based upon the Psalms and some of those listings are found in the AME Church Hymnal, Number 805. The Scripture References in hymns are found in Number 806.     

 

Clergy and laity would benefit spiritually and worship might be enhanced if parishioners knew the biblical and theological connection of the liturgical acts of worship. 

 

The King James Version

 

We love the King James Version of the Bible, but many have not taken the time to understand the grammar of the King James Version.

 

Clergy misuse the term “henceforth.” Preachers commonly end their benedictions with, “Now, Henceforth and forevermore.”  The use of “henceforth” with “now” is incorrect because “henceforth,” an adverb means, “Now” or “From this time forward”; so the use of “now” and “henceforth” is grossly redundant.

 

It is certainly correct to pronounce, “Now and forevermore” or “Henceforth and forevermore. It is incorrect King James English to pronounce, “Now, Henceforth, and forevermore” or “Henceforth, now, and forevermore.” 

 

“Thee, thou, thy, thine and ye” are pronouns that we no longer use in contemporary English or conversation. Clergy and laity use “Thee, thou, thy, thine and ye” in their prayers; and most often incorrectly.

 

“Thee, thou, thy, thine and ye” have been replaced by the word, “you.” If you are going to use those archaic terms in prayers, it would be better to use them correctly and the first step is to know which one is plural and which ones are singular. 

 

For instance, “Ye” is always the plural form of “you” as in “Ye are the salt of the earth.”   “Thee, thou, thy, and thine” are singular as in “I love Thee O Lord,” “O Thou in Whose Presence…,”  “Thy will be done,” and “For Thine is the kingdom and the power…” 

 

Another point to remember, if one is going to use King James era English in prayers, then the archaic terms should be use correctly.  For instance it is not correct to say, "Thou go or thou come" because most verbs following "thou" have the endings, “st” or “est”; e.g., "thou comest" or “thou goest”.

 

Those are good points to know if you are reading the King James Version of the Bible, e.g. knowing when the text is referring to a collective group or referring to one person. By now you might know to whom “Thee, thou, thy, and thine” most often refers.

 

Another archaic word we use is “Whence.” I have heard preachers say, “Father, you know from whence we came…” 

 

Several years ago, Paula Larocque in an article in Quill (Volume 97, No. 7), the magazine published by the Society of Professional Journalists, points out that “whence” means “from where,” so “from whence” is a gross redundancy. The correct way to restate the sentence, “Father, you know whence we came…” or “Father, you know whence we have come…”

 

Audience or Congregation

 

The church sanctuary is not a theater or auditorium. I still hear clergy and laity refer to the people sitting in a worship service as “an audience.”  Audience is defined as “spectators” or those assembled at a performance.”   We would hope that the folks who attend worship are not spectators.

The people who are assembled for worship are correctly referred to as the “congregation,” which is defined as a “group of people gathered for religious worship.” A generic definition is “a gathering of faithful in a Christian church, Jewish synagogue, mosque or other place of worship.”

 

The term, “Selah,” is the most difficult word in the Hebrew Bible to translate concisely. It appears in the King James and some other versions of the Bible. 

 

“Selah” is found in the Psalms, and also three times in the book of Habakkuk. When reading the scripture, the word is not read aloud.  The ancient commentators think the term was probably a liturgical musical mark, instruction on the reading of the text, or some response expected of the hearers.

 

And, please there is no such word as “pastorial.”  No such word exists in any dictionary. The correct term is, “pastoral.”

 

And, one more point – The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2012 is beautiful professionally put together. You should purchase The 2012 Discipline from your Episcopal District Office. 

 

2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES: 

 

--To the Editor:

 

RE: TCR Editorial – A Creative and Innovative First-Time Experience at the Kentucky Annual Conference

 

 

Allow me to great you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

 

I really appreciated and enjoyed the editorial you did on the recent publication of The Christian Recorder. Sharing your “first-time” experience was enlightening and what Bishop Leath has done is very exciting and very logical. In most cases the offering is not treated as part of worship as there is lot of motion in the church and I personally feel that I am drifting away from the Holy ground of God in the times offerings are collected. This becomes much more “concentrated” in the cases of annual conferences where I just feel the effects of worshiping (which were done before the offering) just drifting away and I have a feeling during the time that the offering is lifted that I was just not having “church.”

 

Yours in Christ

K. A. Moloi

 

--To the Editor:

 

RE: TCR Editorial – A Creative and Innovative First-Time Experience at the Kentucky Annual Conference

 

I love your first time experience in 50 years in ministry. Let me express my excitement about it because I experienced it for the past three years and I didn't understand it at first but when the then Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath explained that we had covered all the churches obligation with our budgets report I felt at peace.

 

He emphasized that "we must treat our people with respect." I understood that the Bishop was saying we must appreciate what our local churches have done by reporting the mid-year and annual conference obligation with both offerings included.

 

I still feel saddened remembering how some seniour pastors were against such an innovative.

 

Because He lives, I live

 

The Rev. Lazarus B Thotobolo+

 

-- To the Editor:

 

RE: TCR Editorial – A Creative and Innovative First-Time Experience at the Kentucky Annual Conference

 

Thank you for your outstanding editorial, “A Creative and Innovative First-Time Experience at the Kentucky Annual Conference.”  I am not a member of the 13^th Episcopal District, but was interested in your first-time experience, so I read it completely and was curious to look at the 13^th District Website and what an informative website!

 

There was one thing you left out of your editorial and that was the 2013 Kentucky Annual Conference Financial Report of the Budget Committee was posted on the website, as well as all of the literary reports. 

 

What transparency!

 

Name Withheld

 

-- To the Editor:

 

RE: TCR Editorial – A Creative and Innovative First-Time Experience at the Kentucky Annual Conference

 

Wow! The article on "First-Time Experience..," was a fresh word from the Holy Spirit of God! I pray our church leaders are listening and will obey.

 

Thank you,

 

Pastor Mary S. Minor

 

--To the Editor:

 

RE: Embarrassment for the friendliest city: AME bishop claims he was kicked out of Charleston hotel room

 

I am outraged, as are others, at what happened to a Bishop of our church. I want to know what Marriott is going to do to make this right. I am personally willing to call for a boycott of your properties world-wide. I am just a pastor, and am telling you this because you need to react and you need to let your actions be known. A major leader in America has been mistreated at your property. (See article below)

 

Your customers are upset. Please take some action.

 

Rev. Dr. Byron J. Grayson

Pastor

St. Paul AME Church

Lenoir, NC

 

Editor’s Note: See article #8 in this issue to read the story.

 

- To the Editor:

 

RE: Embarrassment for the friendliest city: AME bishop claims he was kicked out of Charleston hotel room

 

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus the Christ!

 

This is definitely not my lane. I pray you will not see me as overstepping. However, I am moved to share my thoughts on the article I just read in The Christian Recorder, knowing that we must forgive, and teach and experience the truth in all that we do. I would suggest humbly, that we allow Rice to make his apologies but that we also as a denomination acquire at least the last 2 or 3 years of budget information on what has been spent in the Marriott chain and then have a discussion with persons above Mr. Rice’s pay-grade  who would call our Bishop's account untrue.

 

The Budget information would definitely get the attention of someone who would not want the full weight of the AME Church decisionmakers to be brought upon them as we move forward in planning for future activities.

 

We must help in all ways, at every opportunity others to see the Law of love. It seems we have an opportunity to do so that might be beneficial as well.

 

Of course, we must pray about our own actions and only move as led by His Holy Spirit.

 

The Rev. Yolanda Whiten, M. Div.

 

Editor’s Note: See article #8 in this issue to read the story.

 

3. BREAKING NEWS: SENATE PASSES BILL TO KEEP GOVERNMENT OPEN -- INCLUDES OBAMACARE FUNDING:

 

Despite Ted Cruz's stalling tactics, Senate Democrats just voted 54-44 to keep the government funded, including Obamacare.

 

Now it's all on Boehner. Republicans are expected to vote as soon as tomorrow (Saturday, September 28, 2013) on whether they'll actually shut down the government just to defund Obamacare.

 

4. FROM A SMALL URBAN CONGREGATION INTO A SUBURBAN MEGACHURCH:

 

*Jeannine Hunter

 

FORT WASHINGTON, Md. – In three decades, Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church has grown from a small urban congregation into a suburban megachurch that maintained the ideals and mission of the 226-year-old denomination, while moving people by sharing the gospel in dynamic ways.

 

On Sunday, September 22, 2013, the first day of fall and the beginning of a new season, hundreds of people gathered at the fast-growing church to celebrate a 30-year era of unprecedented preaching by a dynamic duo, affectionately called the “dream team,” senior pastor the Rev. Dr. Grainger Browning, Jr., and his wife, co-pastor the Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning. 

 

Throughout the pastoral celebration, relatives, political, community, and religious leaders recognized the Brownings’ contributions to the congregation, the community, and the denomination and beyond. He was lauded as a visionary leader and she a tactical leader and together as the embodiment of a “new phase of Christian service.” They were often called trailblazers – he for his approach to ministry and she for “breaking the glass ceiling in the AME Church” by becoming the first woman appointed as a co-pastor. The Brownings’ tenure is especially noteworthy within a denomination in which bishops often move pastors between churches within districts or across the connection.

 

“We’ve come to celebrate and reflect on the past and look forward to the future since the best is yet to come,” said one of the praise leaders before several liturgical dancers opened the program.

 

A veritable reunion of past and current music ministers and others who blessed the congregation throughout the years with their talents appeared including the Rev. Charles Robinson, Stephen Hurd, Rosalind Lynch and the late Donald Vails. Delighted squeals and applause thundered throughout the sanctuary as different guests stepped into the choir loft, directing different gospel songs and anthems. And a contemplative selection by the mass choir who also performed in American Sign Language also moved the crowd.

 

Capping off the evening were performances by Bishop Hezekiah Walker and the Love Fellowship Choir of the Love Fellowship Tabernacle in Brooklyn, N.Y.  Walker and the choir kept the audience on their feet with classic tunes such as “Faithful is Our God,” “Power Belongs to God” and his current chart-topping single, “Every Praise.”

 

Established in 1856 in Georgetown, a section of Washington, D.C., Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church moved from the nation’s capital to Fort Washington, Md., in 1983. Membership was around 30 people 30 years ago. Part of the Second Episcopal District, Ebenezer’s membership exceeds 8,000 people and it has nearly 100 ministries including various choirs, dancing/stepping, youth and educational and recreational activities, and a Beyond the Walls ministry, which reaches those outside the walls of the church—meeting people where they are and linking them with positive role models and programs. 

 

“I am pleased to send my best wishes as you celebrate this important milestone. Since our nation’s earliest days, faith leaders have shown us how a willingness to believe and a commitment to prayer can enrich our lives,” according to a letter signed by President Barack Obama that was featured in a commemorative book containing copies of citations, congratulatory letters and resolutions recognizing the anniversary. “Through clarity and education, these leaders inspire us to live out our faith in service to others. Challenging us to practice what we believe – not just with words, but also through deeds – they instill in us the courage to envision the world as it could be.

 

“Congratulations on this special anniversary. As you reflect on your years of service, I hope you take pride in the ways you have touched hearts and moved communities, and I wish you continued blessings in the years ahead,” wrote the 44th president of the United States.

 

In his letter on behalf of the Second Episcopal District, Presiding Bishop William Phillips DeVeaux wrote, “We proudly commend the hard work, dedication and effort that brought you from a small congregation to megachurch status during this time of celebration. The DeVeaux family and indeed the entire Second Episcopal District family rejoice that Ebenezer has been a vibrant worship center bringing souls to Christ for three decades. … Be assured that your voices, your service and your talents are solely needed in today’s world as well as in our beloved AME Church. I am confident that our Father in heaven will look down upon your 30 years of faithfulness and say well done.”

 

30 Years of Kingdom Building at a Glance

 

• 100 ministerial sons and daughters have been birthed from church during their tenure

 

• More than 3,100 Sunday sermons preached

 

• More than 70 revivals hosted

 

• 120 Quarterly Conferences

 

• 30 Annual Conferences, of which Ebenezer hosted four

 

• The Rev. Dr. Jo Ann Browning’s board membership has included Spelman College, the Family Crisis Center and the Ebenezer Bible Institute.

 

• The Rev. Dr. Grainger Browning, Jr.’s board membership has included the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Board of Directors; Wilberforce University and Payne Theological Seminary Board of Trustees; and chaplain of the National Hampton Alumni Association.

 

• He has taken the gospel to more than 15 countries and he has traveled on several delegations with civil rights leader the Rev. Jesse Jackson overseas including to Israel, Palestine and Ghana. Her ministry has taken her to Haiti, Bermuda, Germany and throughout Africa.

 

• Number of souls saved: 43,000-plus

 

Source: Courtesy of “30 Years of Anointed Ministry,” a commemorative booklet produced by Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church.

 

*Jeannine Hunter is a D.C. - based freelance writer and a former editor of The Washington Post’s “On Faith” website and a former religion reporter.

 

5. RETIRED GENERAL OFFICER WINS THE PRESTIGIOUS BERLIN PRIZE:

 

The Reverend Dennis C. Dickerson, Ph.D., the James M. Lawson, Jr. Professor of History at Vanderbilt University and a Retired General Officer in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, has been awarded the Berlin Prize. This fellowship will support his sabbatical leave from Vanderbilt University in spring 2014 at the American Academy in Berlin in Berlin, Germany from January 8, 2014 to May 31, 2014. Dr. Dickerson will finish his book, A ‘Brother in the Spirit of Gandhi’: William Stuart Nelson and the Religious Origins of the Civil Rights Movement. He will be housed at the Hans Arnhold Center on the campus of the American Academy in Berlin. See www.americanacademy.de Offices and apartments will be provided for Dr. Dickerson and other Academy Fellows as well as other facilities and amenities for him and Mrs. Mary A. E. Dickerson, who will accompany her husband.

    

Dr. Dickerson, who served African Methodism for 24 years between 1988 and 2012 as the 13th Historiographer and later as the 13^th Editor of The AME Church Review, is a recognized Wesleyan scholar.

 

On August 12-19, 2013 he and Mrs. Dickerson attended the Thirteenth Oxford Institute of Methodist Theological Studies at Christ Church College at Oxford University in Oxford, England. Dr. Dickerson delivered a paper to the Wesleyan and Methodist Studies Working Group. On October 8-11, 2013 he will be teaching an intensive course on the History of the African Methodist Episcopal Church at Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio.

 

6. A TRIBUTE TO THE LATE REVEREND BARTHOLOMEUS GERHARDT KARUAERA – THE LAST MAN STANDING - 21 JANUARY 1920 - 23 SEPTEMBER 2013:

 

*The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse

 

The deceased Reverend Bartholomeus Gerhardt Karuaera was a retired presiding elder (hoofleraar) -superannuated preacher – of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

 

The Reverend B G Karuaera came into contact with the African Methodist Episcopal Church, at 22 years of age long before the said church denomination was established in Namibia, when he was introduced and enrolled under influence of the late Jonas Katjirungu at the AME Church’s ‘Wilberforce Institute’ in Evaton, Johannesburg, South Africa. Research and oral tradition have shown the isolated presence the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Namibia can be traced to 1923 when sailors entering through Luderitz and Walvisbay had established worship assembly points ‘though on a small and “insignificant scale.” During April 1945, the youthful B G Karuaera came aware of the pleas of the African people with the Rhynish Missionary Society since 1934 for the upliftment of the socio-economic and political situation of our people in the land of their birth.

 

Archival materials show that correspondence between the late Rev. Christian Spellmeyer (a German Missionary) and the late Evangelists Petrus Andreas Jod, Markus Witbooi and Zacheus Thomas contained the basic issues of discontentment which were later issued as the Memorandum of Agitation. Since its inception, the Rhynish Missionary Society leadership positions remained solely reserved for the missionaries, whereas Africans served at best as evangelists and workers of the Mission. In this context the late Rev. Karuaera had played a significant role in the formal establishment of the AME Church and the Oruuano Church in 1946 and 1948 respectively.

 

Given his education and training, it became impossible for the late Rev. Karuaera to be associated with the Rhynish Missionary Society schools known for availing only limited knowledge to only basic arithmetic and reading skills. Together with the late Zacheus Thomas, Markus Witbooi and Petrus A Jod, the late Rev. Karuaera is legendary in AME folklore for their particularly suspicion of Pastor H Vedder, a German missionary, who later turned out to be ambitious of a political position in the South African Senate. His other contemporaries within the AME Church included Jakobus Jod, Johannes Dausab, Erwin Tjirimuje, A Lonake, J Lakay, Traugott Dausab, Nicholas C Christians, Francis H Gow, J R Molahloe, M M Sephula, Albert E Koopman, Markus Kooper, Jeremias Baisako, Willem Moses Jod, Petrus A Schmidt, Johannes Ludwig, Michael Haman, and Dirk van Neel. He served actively under the following bishops of the AME Church: I H Bonner, F D Jordan, F H Gow, H J Bryant, G D Robinson, F C James, D G K Ming, J E Hunter, H B Senatle, H A Belin Jr, M Young and G G M Ingram, and enjoyed retirement under the following bishops: S L Green Sr, W J Messiah, E E McCloud Jr and D R Daniels Jr.

 

The late Rev. Karuaera was highly vocal on otji-Herero matters concerning the Tjamuaha/Maharero Royal House and Namibia’s freedom struggle. Not only was he pivotal in the Katutura uprisings of 1959 and led the forceful removal of the AME Church from the Old Lokasie to the present location at Sigem Street, Malaka Draai, Katutura, but was also the AME Church’s presiding elder of Windhoek since 1975 and later of Hoachanas during the difficult days of apartheid racism. This branch or local church of the AME Church in Malaka Draai is named after him as the “BGK Ebenezer AME Church, Katutura.”

 

On behalf of the AME Church, the late Rev. Karuaera became a founder member of the Council of Churches in Namibia (CCN) and became increasingly a source of agitation for the apartheid regime in Namibia. He was vehemently opposed to the installation of Clemens Kapuuo as successor of Chief Hosea Kutako and later formed and became secretary of the Association for the Preservation of the Tjamuaha/Maharero Royal House. This association disbanded in 1974 and the majority of its members joined SWAPO in the national freedom struggle.

 

The late Rev. Karuaera has travelled widely and used many international platforms afforded by the AME Church to reject the Odendaal Pan of 1968. He was fearless and co-signed, together with Bishop James H Kauluma, Preses Hendrik Frederick, Father Daniel Bruno, Bishop Kleophas Dumeni, Landesprost Wilfried Blank and Rev. Dr. Abisai Shejavali, numerous ecumenical documents including a letter opposing military conscription of all men aged 17-55 years of age. The late Rev. Karuaera was a founder member of the African Improvement Society, viewed by some as a kind of secretariat for the Herero Chief’s Council but which was mainly a cultural and educational fellowship advancing entrepreneurship amongst the African people. The AIS owned a small café in Windhoek, where he rubbed shoulders with Berthold Himumuine, A S Shipena, A E Mogale, A S Mungunda, Clemens Kapuuo and David Meroro amongst others.

 

The late Rev. Karuaera was vehemently opposed to any South-African fabricated ethnic solution proposed with the view to replace United Nations Security Council Resolution 435 of 1978. His pride was affected when Clemens Kapuuo and others defected to the Turnhalle Conference from the known anti-Colonial and anti-Apartheid struggle under SWAPO. He is also known for his personal petitions written to the League of Nations, the United Nations and the Organisation for African Unity. He was constantly under the eye of the National Security Branch and was in 1979 also detained incommunicado under the notorious AG 10 of 1978.

 

The African Methodist Episcopal Church salutes a brave fighter for freedom, independence and justice in the person of Bartholomeus Gerhardt Karuaera. He has preached the Good News to thousands; he has won thousands of souls for Christ; he has baptized hundreds of Christians and comforted many at the gravesides of loved ones with the hope of eternal resurrection in Jesus Christ. And we hear his last shout loud with the apostle Paul ringing in our ears: “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” 

 

*The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse is the pastor of St. Mark AME Church, Gibeon in the Namibia Annual Conference of the 15th District.;  Presiding Elder of AME Church, Lȕderitz District also in the Namibia Annual Conference.

 

7. REVEREND WITH CLOSE TIES TO SWAPO DIES AT 92:

 

Clemans Miyanicwe

 

The Reverend Bartholomew Karuaera (92) of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church passed away on Sunday morning at his residence in Windhoek.

 

Karuaera was born on 21st January 1920 at Mariental in Hardap Region. His father was one of the prisoners at Shark Island at Lüderitz during the German genocide campaign in Namibia between 1904 and 1908.

 

The reverend was one of the early founders (presiding officers) of the AME Church in Windhoek, according to an obituary written by Swapo Member of Parliament Peter Katjavivi.

 

Karuaera joined the Chief Hosea Kutako’s Council as a secretary, succeeding his fellow teacher and colleague Bertold Kangavi Himumuine and later on became the chairman.

 

He was involved in drafting the petitions to the United Nations calling for the independence of Namibia which was then referred to as South West Africa (SWA).

 

Karuaera travelled the world serving Swapo as well as the church. He was part of a resistance movement, together with former president Sam Nujoma, who was against the relocation from the old location to Katutura.

 

“He died a bona fide member of Swapo and recognised as veteran as such for the contribution he made,” Katjavivi said.

 

The 92-year-old was a presiding elder of the AME Church till the time of his passing.

 

clemans@namibian.com.na

 

Read More: http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=4009&page_type=story_detail&category_id=1 

 

- See more at: http://www.namibian.com.na/indexx.php?id=4009&page_type=story_detail&category_id=1#sthash.hEdQ3q3w.dpuf

 

8. EMBARRASSMENT FOR THE FRIENDLIEST CITY: AME BISHOP CLAIMS HE WAS KICKED OUT OF CHARLESTON HOTEL ROOM:

 

Dave Munday/staff”

 

I hope something like this never happens again,” Charleston Mayor Joe Riley told the Rt. Rev. Richard Franklin Norris, bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina, after Norris said staff at the Charleston Courtyard Marriott told him he had to vacate his room late Tuesday night because they wanted to put somebody else in it. Riley showed up at Emanuel AME Church on Wednesday to apologize to Norris on behalf of a city known for its friendliness.

 

These kinds of things aren’t supposed to happen in a city known around the world for its hospitality.

 

The bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina — the state’s biggest African American denomination — says he was told he had to vacate his room at a downtown hotel late Tuesday night because it had been promised to somebody else.

 

“I expected it (bad treatment in Charleston) in 1960. I did not expect it in 2013,” the Rt. Rev. Richard Franklin Norris, bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina, told pastors and delegates meeting at the historic Emanuel AME Church on Wednesday. Norris told the conference he was humiliated when staff at the Charleston Courtyard Marriott told him he had to vacate his room late Tuesday night because they wanted to put somebody else in it.

 

A staff member of the Courtyard Marriott met the Rt. Rev. Richard Franklin Norris in the lobby shortly before 10 p.m., called him by name and told him he and his wife had to move to another room, he said. Norris, 71, had already been in the room several days and said he had it reserved through Saturday. When he told the staff member it was too late to be moving at night, he found his key no longer worked on the door, he said.

 

“I expected it (bad treatment in Charleston) in 1960; I did not expect it in 2013,” Norris told about 500 pastors and delegates meeting at the historic Emanuel AME Church Wednesday.

Eventually, the key worked in the door and Norris moved to another hotel in North Charleston.

 

The incident upset Charleston Mayor Joe Riley enough that he personally appeared at the conference at which Norris was presiding Wednesday afternoon to apologize.

 

“I hope something like this never happens again,” Riley said after welcoming the delegates to Charleston as mayor of the nation’s friendliest city. He promised to talk to the hotel’s manager to get to the bottom of it.

The manager, Beryl Rice, said Norris’ account is wrong.

 

“That’s not what happened,” Rice said Wednesday. “We wouldn’t ask anyone to leave his room in the middle of the night.”

 

Asked about what actually happened, Rice refused to offer details, saying only that the bishop’s account is not accurate.

 

The bishop was incensed when he heard Rice’s reaction.

 

“He’s basically calling me a liar,” Norris told the conference around 6 p.m., when he was scheduled to meet with Rice. “Let somebody else meet with him. I don’t ever want to talk to him.”

 

Norris said he made an issue of what happened to him because he didn’t want any other pastors or delegates to experience the same treatment at future conferences here. He also said he was considering canceling the next conference scheduled here in 2015.

 

Norris said he would reconsider coming back to Charleston after Riley showed up to apologize.

 

Adam Parker contributed to this story.

 

Read more: http://www.postandcourier.com/article/20130925/PC16/130929591/1009/embarrassment-for-the-friendliest-city-ame-bishop-claims-he-was-kicked-out-of-charleston-hotel-room&source=RSS

 

9. BETHEL AME CHURCH, LOCKLAND, OHIO, THIRD EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:

 

Sesquicentennial Celebration

Sunday, July 7, 2013

 

A Sesquicentennial Celebration

 

From the vision of Bishop Willis Nazrey (5th Bishop) to the Legendary Leadership of Bishop McKinley Young (109th Bishop) Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Lockland, Ohio celebrated its 150th Church Anniversary on July 7, 2013.

 

Descending from a royal priesthood with privileged DNA as sons and daughters of Richard and Sarah Allen, we received generational prayers from our Christian Trail Blazers who gave us a birthright on July 5, 1863: Arnett Chapel later renamed Bethel “House of God.”

       

The Bethel Congregation for a century and a half has kept alive the dreams and vision of a group of 18 faithful servants who came together to establish a Methodist Mission in the Village of Lockland.

       

Bethel’s Anniversary theme – “Our Faith Walk of Spiritual Excellence: 1863-2013” – is a poignant reminder of the congregation’s unwavering faith in God’s unfailing precious promises.

       

Through dangers seen and unseen, Bethel Lockland has persevered over the past 150 years of its presence in the community.  God has done exceedingly and abundantly above what the congregation could ever imagine.

       

Following a grand procession the spiritual baton was passed from our first Pastor Rev. Phillip Tolliver (1863) to our beloved Rev. Dr. Frank R. Veal (1963)  100^th Anniversary Pastor to the dedicated works of Rev. Robert Dye (2013) - 150^th Anniversary Pastor.  With synchronized faith-filled leadership, eloquent pulpiteers have answered the clarion call of spiritual servanthood.

       

Our Generational Worship Service was celebrated on Sunday, July 7, 2013 with the singing of “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.”  Mrs. Adrienne Arnold Morris, 3^rd generation AME and Anniversary General Chairperson, serving as Worship Leader, lead the Call to Worship.  Pastor Robert Dye, 1^st generation AME offered the Morning Prayer.  The Holy Scriptures were read by Little Miss Chloe Hill, 4^th generation AME, and Miss Erica Pugh, 1^st generation AME.  Mr. Ben Tillman, 4^th generation AME, led the congregation in espousing the Decalogue. Mr. Tevin Riddle, 5^th generation AME, highlighted the Announcements for the week.  Pastor Dye greeted family, friends and visitors with his Voice of Hospitality.  The Honorable Jim Brown, Mayor of the Village of Lockland, read Proclamations and Greetings from Lockland and the City of Cincinnati and from representative divisions of the Ohio State Government.  3^rd generation AME Stewards, Mrs. Crystal Harris and Mrs. Cynthia Talbert, received our tithes and offerings.

       

Under the direction of the Masterful Mr. Andre Turner, our Mass Choir lifted us to higher heights as Mrs. Marlyce McCants, 3^rd generation AME, Connectional WMS Worship Director and Former First Lady, blessed us with her gifts and talents.  Licentiate William Tillman, 4^th generation AME, set the tone with his moving Altar Call.  Miss Paris Hamilton, 3^rd generation AME, presented the Rev. Dr. Wilton E. Blake I, preacher of the hour.  The Rev. Dr. Wilton E. Blake I, 3^rd generation AME and former pastor (1975-1978) presently the Presiding Elder of the Cincinnati District, shared a “Historic Sermon” as he reflected on the generational contributions of our “Church Pillars,” Clergy and Lay (Stewards, Trustees, Missionaries, Stewardesses, Ushers and Choir) and devoted church members who have been called from Labor to Reward.  Sharing a spiritual bond with Bethel, the Rev. Blake gave thanks for his “Cherished Christian Walk of Faith” that he shared with our Bethel Congregation.

       

Following a delectable Anniversary Dinner we continued our celebration.  Prior to our afternoon service Bishop McKinley Young and Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young shared an initial “Meet and Greet Episcopal Visit.” 

 

Pastor Robert Dye served as our worship leader for the afternoon worship celebration.  The Rev. John H. McCants, Jr., former pastor (2001-2009), offered the anniversary invocation.  The Rev. Dr. Frederick A. Wright and the Rev. Elbert E. Matthews, former presiding elder of the Cincinnati District, read the Holy Scriptures.  Mrs. Cheryl Hamilton, 2^nd generation AME, gave our historic occasion.  Ms. Dorienne A. Jones, 6^th generation AME, presented “Reflections from Our Cherished Past” and acknowledged her nieces, our newest 7^th generation members:  Ella Nicole Jones and Ava Nicole Jones.  Bethel’s Youth Praise Dancers (Naomi & Olivia Kelly, DeAvion & DaShayla Lane, Erica Pugh, Bria Taylor, Shai Riddle and DeShawn Thompson) gave a spirit filled worship performance. 

 

Dr. Rayma Smith Dye, 1st Generation AME and present First Lady, presented a Personalized Quilt to our Episcopal Supervisor, Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, who responded with heartfelt greetings and reflections.

            

A special tribute to celebrated service was recognized with a listing of our 50-Year Members and homage was paid to our staunch pillars with the presentation of certificates by Bishop Young to Mr. Wallace Bridgeman, Mrs. Mary Don Redford, Mrs. Eloise Morris Johnson, Mrs. Gabriella Tillman, Mrs. Dorothy Brock Leslie and Mr. Otis Tooson.

 

Mrs. Jacqueline Kebede, 1^st generation AME, and Mr. Herbert Jacobs, 2^nd generation AME received our Anniversary Offering. 

 

Presiding Elder Wilton E. Blake, I, presented our distinguished Bishop, the Right Rev. McKinley Young. 

 

Once again our Mass Choir blessed us with its Music Ministry.

       

Bishop McKinley Young’s Anniversary Sermon, “How I Got Over” (from Joshua 4:1-7) focused on God’s amazing miracles.  With his soul-stirring, challenging message, Bishop Young reminded us of the monuments, songs and symbols that revive us and bring to mind God’s continuing presence in our lives.  Reflecting on our 150-years of service to God, Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate of the Third Episcopal District, shared in a Rededication and Recommitment Service with the Bethel Congregation.

       

Mrs. Adrienne A. Morris, Anniversary Chairperson, Pastor Robert Dye and Bishop McKinley Young offered inspiring closing remarks.  Mrs. Morris extended accolades to her 150^th Intergenerational Anniversary Committee for its dedicated work: Karen F. Jones, Nancy Ware-Johnson, Ben Tillman, Jacqueline Kebede, Sherri Riddle, Andre Turner, Crystal Harris, Daniel Henson, Donna Welch, Marcia Butler, Randall Bridgeman, Marlene Earhart, Charlane Morris, Wisseh Harris, Karen F. Jones, Dr. Rayma Smith Dye, Verna Dillingham, Donna Welch, Jacqueline Kebede, Karen F. Jones, Cheryl Hamilton, Betina Tillman, Paris Hamilton, Sherri Riddle, Tarah Taylor, Deborah Tillman, Scott Dillingham, Robert Jones, Jr., Licentiate Janis Russell, Sharon & Ron Hampton, and Angela Roberts.

 

Our Anniversary Souvenir Booklet was highlighted by Historical Reflection Blocks created in memory of or in honor of a loved.  Decades of Service were acknowledged in an Organizational Listing.  Decorated bulletin boards welcomed members home as well as paid a visual tribute to our Bishops, Supervisors, Presiding Elders, Pastors and Faithful Members. South Ohio Visiting Pastors, Clergy, Organized Lay, District and Conference Officers also shared in our Historic Celebration.

 

We give thanks for our Faithful, Celebrated Spiritual Journey!  We also give thanks for our Dedicated Christian Furbearers whose “deep roots” produced our strong branches!

 

Lovingly Submitted,

 

Mrs. Adrienne Arnold Morris, Anniversary Chairperson

 

10. T-BONE STEAKS AT AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

 

The Reverend Beverly R. White

 

The Reverend Larry Banks, Sr. along with first lady Mrs. Cordilia Banks and the members of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in West Memphis, Arkansas did just that! 

 

The 145th Session of the Arkansas Annual Conference in the Twelfth Episcopal District under the vibrant leadership of Bishop Samuel Lawrence Green, Sr and Episcopal Supervisor Mrs. Phyllis N. Green convened the week of September 14 through September 19, 2013.   The host Presiding Elder was the Reverend Dr. Johnny Kelley; the Associate Presiding Elders were the Reverend Dr. Eugene Brannon and The Reverend Dr. Thomas G. Allen.

 

September 14 was the YPD Annual Day (under the leadership of Mrs. Alytrius Bridgers) and CDMC Ceremony (lead by Mrs. Claudia Ann Smith).  The preacher for the evening worship service was Brother Jerome Bridgers. Episcopal Supervisor Mrs. Phyllis N. Green and the Women’s Missionary Society held their Annual Convention on Monday, September 16th.  The Reverend Bettie Tolefree set off fireworks Tuesday evening of the conference.  She brought the conference to its feet with her personal healing testimony.  Rev. Bettie “danced, danced, danced” from the pulpit to the back door!

 

Tuesday, September 17^th, 10 a.m. was the Annual Communion Worship Service with Presiding Elder Thomas G. Allen as Worship Leader.  This grand processional was like looking at a scene from the Bible; seeing those long white robes flowing as the clergy made their way into the sanctuary…it’s just something about that “HOLY, HOLY, HOLY”  The opening hymn, “AND ARE WE YET ALIVE” just makes the hair on my arms rise up!  It’s the third stanza for me, “What troubles have we seen, what conflicts have we passed? Wait, it may be the fourth stanza!  “But out of all the Lord hath brought us by His love.

 

Bishop Green presented the Reverend D. Lavel Crawford, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Little Rock, preacher for our Annual Sermon.  The choir from Bethel under the direction of first lady Stephanie Crawford brought the kindling for the fire that Rev. Crawford was about to set! The Tuesday evening service highlighted Shorter College; featuring the Shorter College Choir. Shorter College opened for the Fall 2013 semester with 332 students (310 full time), a 50 percent increase over the Spring 2013 enrollment of 236. One year ago on July 15, 2012, when the new president, the Reverend Dr. O. Jerome Green was hired, Shorter College had only 2 students pre-registered for the Fall 2012 semester.

 

The college is in the final stage of accreditation review by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS). College officials will appear before the TRACS governing board on October 29, 2013 to receive official notification of whether its accreditation application will be approved.

 

Under the leadership of Board of Trustee Chairman Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., the college has raised over $100,000 for renovation of the S.S. Morris Student Union building and renovation construction is presently underway.

 

The featured preacher for Tuesday thru Wednesday was the Reverend Roderick D. Belin, Presiding Elder, South Nashville District and 13^th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and son of one of our former Bishops; Bishop Henry Allen Belin II and Mother Lucinda Belin.  It was good to see Rev. Roderick all grown up and having such an awesome responsibility as Presiding Elder. 

 

We want to think, we in the 12^th Episcopal District, had a hand in molding him into the fine young man that he is today!

 

Our “Conference at Study” instructor was the Reverend Dr. Jamal D. Hopkins.  Dr. Hopkins preaches, lectures, speaks and conducts workshops and seminars around the country. Dr. Hopkins is an international Bible scholar and expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls.

 

The institute of study for the conference centered on the topic of  “What is means to be  Christian in a Post Christian Society  The Reverend Dr. Ronald Braxton, Pastor of Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C. preached the Ordination sermon.  Dr. Braxton brilliantly used for a subject, “Living under the Suspense of Tomorrow.”  It’s the kind of title that leaves you with that “Aha” moment that Oprah Winfrey talks about all the time.

 

The persons ordained were Itinerant Deacons: The Rev. James Wesley Dennis, the Rev. Roderick Jamar Stevens and the Rev. Andrew James Willis.  The Reverend Natalie Willis was reobligated from a Local Elder to the Itinerancy.

 

The Reverend Eugene Brannon, BSE, BD, MES, DD and Presiding Elder of the Little Rock District or the Arkansas Annual Conference retired after 44+ years of service.  The Rev. Brannon was pastor for 25 years in the Little Rock area: Moody Chapel, Union and Bethel. He then served in the Central Arkansas Conference.  He served 21 years as the Arkansas Conference Secretary.  The Rev. Brannon was licensed to preach June 2, 1969 at Moody Chapel AMEC; ordained Deacon in 1970 and received his Elder’s ordination in 1971. 

 

The Rev. Brannon is married to Anita Elliott Brannon and parents of Rodney, Troy, Darryl, Eugene and Eugenia Michelle Brannon. Bishop Samuel Green declared, “Servant of God Well Done”

 

Presiding Elder Brannon was the Worship Leader for the Closing and Commissioning Service.  Black robes flowed through the sanctuary...it was time to get our field assignments.  The Reverend Willie Ray Norful, Sr delivered the Closing sermon.

 

Yes, Bethel AME Church in West Memphis, Arkansas truly rolled out the Red Carpet for us like no other Conference I’d ever been to before!  When I was a child, my mother would ask me “Beverly, what did you do at Sunday School Convention?”  I would say, “I ate spaghetti, some chicken...!”  Then mama would say, “Is that all you remember doing?”  

 

Well, those T-Bone steaks were not all I remembered from this conference; we also had baked Tilapia and the last day BBQ ribs or chicken PLUS they sent two bottles of water to our hotel rooms. Our Bishop does not rest!  He’s already planned the Fall Convocation and Planning Meeting, October 3-5, 2013 at the Holiday Inn City Center in Fort Smith, Arkansas. The 146th Session of the Arkansas Annual Conference will convene at Union AME Church, Little Rock, AR in 2014. The work is all divine!

 

11. THE REV. DR. HARRY L. SEAWRIGHT REPRESENTS THE 2^nd EPISCOPAL DISTRICT AT WORLD METHODIST COUNCIL IN LONDON, ENGLAND:

 

(September 23, 2013) Washington, DC – The Reverend Dr. Harry L. Seawright has a deeper appreciation for Methodism after once again traveling to the 2013 World Methodist Council Meeting in London, England. The Rev. Seawright represented the 2^nd Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, as a delegate to this prestigious worldwide association that represents over 80 million people in 155 countries. He was one of 425 persons appointed by seventy-seven related Methodist, Wesleyan, Nazarene, Uniting and United Churches, including the African Methodist Episcopal Church. This empowering council encourages its members to unify in witnessing, promotes mission work and fosters ecumenical and inter-religious activities.

 

This is not the first time Rev. Seawright has represented his beloved AME Church Family. In 2011 he attended the World Methodist Council Meeting in Durban, South Africa. He is an appointed delegate from 2011-2016. The Rev. Seawright said, “It was a blessing to be empowered and engaged in praise and worship with people from all around the world, serving the same God.”

 

The World Methodist Council has honored notable peace ambassadors in the past with the World Methodist Peace Award such as former South African President, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and this year a husband and wife missionary team from Angola.

 

The AME Church has been well represented in the World Methodist Council through the years. Rev. Seawright states, “[he] extremely appreciated the meaningful work of the AME leadership—Bishop Sarah Frances Davis serves as Vice President of the Council; Bishop McKinley Young served on the Nominating Committee and Brother John Thomas III served as Coordinator of Youth and Young Adults.

 

The AME Church is truly making a lasting impact globally and to assuring God is known in all the earth.

 

The Rev. Dr. Seawright hopes that his attendance at the World Methodist Council Meeting will enhance his already strong commitment and vision to promote a new paradigm of spiritual leadership in the AME Church, specializing in healthy church growth and development, financial resourcefulness and the delivery of a bevy of pastoral and congregational care objectives for 21^st Century success and survival

 

*The Rev. A Oveta Fuller, PhD is a 2012 J William Fulbright Scholar Faculty, African Studies Center Associate Professor, Dept Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is presently posted in Zambia.

 

12. “HEAVEN BOUND” RETURNS FOR ITS 83rd PERFORMANCE - AN ATLANTA TRADITION CONTINUES ON AUBURN AVENUE:

 

Atlanta, GA (9/21/13). Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church presents its 83rd annual performance of Heaven Bound, November 8 – 9¸ 2013 at 7:00 P.M., on both nights. The Friday night performance is the traditional version and the Saturday night performance is the contemporary version. This legendary African American folk drama tells the story of pilgrims on their way to heaven.

 

Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church will celebrate its One Hundred and Sixty-Six (166th) Church Anniversary in October, and for one half of those years have been annually producing HEAVEN BOUND, this legendary African American folk drama which tells the story of pilgrims on their way to heaven. Comprised of cast members from this historic congregation, written and produced by two choir members: Sisters Nellie Lindley Davis and Lula Byrd Jones, Heaven Bound continues its time-honored legacy of the oral tradition through hymns, spirituals, and dramatic storytelling. The play portrays suspenseful conflict between the pilgrims and Satan. Who will make it through the “pearly gates?” Surprises abound!

 

Big Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church under the esteem leadership of Rev. John Foster, Ph.D., Senior Pastor is proud to again present “Atlanta’s most enduring tradition” and one of the longest running annual musical performance in North America, since it first debut February 17, 1930. Tickets can be secured at (404) 827-9707 or visit us at www.bigbethelheavenbound.eventbrite.com.

 

Big Bethel A. M. E. Church

Big Bethel is the oldest African American congregation in Atlanta and continues to play a vital role in the transforming of lives of people and enhancing the Sweet Auburn community. Big Bethel A.M.E. Church is located at 220 Auburn Avenue, Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30303. Big Bethel is noted for constructing Bethel Towers, low income housing apartments and Big Bethel Village, an independent living facility for aging but active adults; established Bethel Trinity House, a transitional housing and rehabilitation program for men recovering from alcohol and drug addiction.

 

13. THE FISK JUBILEE SINGERS TO SING NATIONAL ANTHEM AT NATIONALLY TELEVISED NFL FOOTBALL GAME:

 

The Fisk Jubilee Singers will sing the Star-Spangled Banner to open the National Football League game between the Tennessee Titans and the San Francisco 49’ers on October 20, 2013.  The football game will be televised on Fox TV station AT 3 p.m. CT.  

 

 

14. INSIDE /OUT:

 

Rev. Dr. Helen M. Bolden-Rogers

 

An Integrative Proposal for Ongoing Church Growth through Relational Engagement in the AME Church is driven by an urgent and intense emphasis on “discipleship and evangelism” in the AME Church. In simple and basic terms, they both involve and arise from relationship, i.e. kinship, affinity, rapport, connection, association.

 

Individual relationship with Christ is the basis on which we are involved in the Christianity and the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

 

What should be our modus operandi and what should be our foundation? 

 

Real relationship with Christ has requirements. Relationship requires responsibility.

 

Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, “There is no new thing under the sun,” and that there are seasons and purposes for everything.

 

In 1837, James Weldon Johnson prophetically wrote, “God of our weary years, God of our silent tears, Thou who hast brought us thus far on the way; Thou who hast by thy might led us into the light; keep us forever in thy path we pray, Lest our feet stray from the places our God, where we met Thee, Lest our hearts drunk with the wine of the world, we forget Thee…”

       

Many in our society and around the world have allowed “our feet to stray and our hearts to get drunk.” We have separated ourselves from ourselves and we have forgotten the lessons of the dark past. 

       

If our young boys and men are to know that hope, if our girls, too young mothers, are to know that hope, if our children in inferior schools are to know that hope, if those who are caught up in foreclosures, bankruptcies, because of seductive procedures that preyed on their ignorance, if those who are imprisoned and without sound representation and rehabilitation, those of us who have by the grace of God survived, in the name of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, must step up.

 

We must assume our Godly responsibilities as disciples who share the good news. We must evangelize!

       

Every African Methodist Episcopal Church should identify a remnant of Christians who are called of God to embark upon a mission of relationship evangelism/discipleship to include: Church adoption of class, grade or EVEN whole schools in the community, formal and informal data collection about students/families from administration, reconnecting with our roots, strengthening our racial identity, strengthening our relationships with the Triune God and strengthening our ongoing testimony of the truth of God’s promises.

 

15. ALL DAY, FISK ALUMNI NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE:

                                  

“Inspiring Change through Service to Our Communities”   

 

The Class of 1979 is proud to announce their establishment of the first annual Fisk Alumni National Day of Service on Friday, October 4, 2013, to coincide with the University’s Annual Jubilee Day Celebration on Sunday, October 6, 2013. 

 

Our purpose is to serve as Fisk Jubilee Service Ambassadors, giving back to the Nashville community and communities across the country, create goodwill and enhance Fisk’s image, while fellowshipping with active alumni and re-engaging alumni.

 

Service projects for 2013 range from painting a room at a local church to collecting canned goods for a local community/church food bank.   Alumni will don Fisk paraphernalia as they serve their local communities and share their experiences through photos that will be available on the club and University websites, and social media.

 

The inaugural event will be spearheaded by the “Fisk Jubilee Service Ambassadors” in the following cities: Nashville, TN - Cathy Ginn Hunt ’79 - Book Collection for Senior Citizens Center; Atlanta, GA- Karen Armstrong ’79 and Melanie Boyd ‘79 – Atlanta Habitat for Humanity; Houston, TX- Sylvester Anderson ’79 – Build a Little Free Library in an underprivileged community; Washington, DC – Jackie Harris ’79 - Capitol Area Food Bank; San Francisco Bay Area Fisk Alumni - Cassondra Smith ’98 - Neighborhood Baptist Church, San Francisco, CA

 

For more information, please contact

 

• Cathy Ginn Hunt - cathyginn@aol.com  

• Karen Armstrong karenarmstrong61@yahoo.com 

• Sylvester Anderson – sa@sylvesteranderson.com

 

16. THE 2013 13^TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING:

 

The 13^th District Planning Meeting will be held on November 1- 2, 2013 at the Hotel Preston, 733 Briley Parkway in Nashville, TN (Telephone: 615-361-5900

 

Reserve Your Room Today:

  https://reservations.ihotelier.com/crs/g_reservation.cfm?groupID=1108923&hotelID=6836  or Call the Reservation Line:  866-986-8089; Rate: $92/night; Reservation cut off date: October 15, 2013.

 

17. PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS FOR THE WEST KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND THE KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

 

West Kentucky Conference Pastoral Appointments made at the seat of the Kentucky Annual Conference

 

The Reverend Kenneth J. Golphin – Youngs Chapel, Louisville

The Reverend Geoffrey S. Ellis – Asbury Chapel, Louisville

The Reverend David Chavous – Embry Chapel, Elizabethtown

The Reverend Charlene Boone – Burks Chapel, Paducah & Hills Chapel, Paducah

The Reverend James Bolen – Saint John, Paducah

The Reverend Raymond Corbin – Moores Chapel, Clinton & Allen Chapel, Wingo

The Reverend Sherri Scott – Saint Paul, Woodburn

 

The Kentucky Annual Conference Pastoral Appointments

          

The Lexington District – The Rev. Dr. Robert A. Strode, Presiding Elder         

Saint Paul, Lexington - The Reverend Troy I. Thomas         

Saint John, Frankfort - The Reverend Jermaine L. Wilson             

Quinn Chapel, Lexington - The Reverend Everett S. Hobson      

Saint Paul, Versailles - The Reverend James E. Smith                 

Saint Paul, Richmond - The Reverend William R. T. Hale  

Saint James, Danville - The Reverend William C. Jenkins             

Saint Peter Harrodsburg - The Reverend Ralph Boyd Smith          

Saint Matthew, Midway - The Reverend Dr. Sheila E. Harris         

Saint James, Cynthiana - The Reverend Antonio Q. Stuckey                 

Bethel, Boneyville - The Reverend Kelvin Robinson             

Saint James Covington - The Reverend Wallace L. Gunn, Sr.                

Shorter Chapel, Paris - The Reverend Stephanie M. Gudger                  

Davis Chapel, Somerset - The Reverend Wanda Ryan                 

Bethel, Campbellsville - The Reverend Frank Price              

Barnes Temple, Elsmere - The Reverend Veda Stewart                

Mount Zion, Frazier - The Reverend Ralph T. Johnson       (Supply)      

Saint James, Ashland - The Reverend LaVeeshia S. Pryor            

Saint Paul, Manchester - The Reverend Sherry Green (Supply)      

Saint John, Greenup - The Reverend LaVeeshia S. Pryor      

Allen Chapel, Moreland - The Reverend Revonda Bright       

Saint John, Monticello - The Reverend Donzella M. Lee       

Wayman, Barbourville - The Reverend Louise Spencer (Supply)    

Wayman, Georgetown - The Reverend Reginald Pullums (Transferred from West Kentucky)          

Craig Chapel, Salvisa - Currently Open      

St. Andrews Winchester - The Reverend Jeffrey G. Washington (Supply)        

Perkins Chapel, Wilmore - The Reverend William K. Leach

 

18. NAACP STATEMENT ON MARISSA ALEXANDER RETRIAL:

 

(Jacksonville, FL) – Today an appellate court granted a retrial to Marissa Alexander, the African-American woman who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for firing a warning shot in a wall of her home during a dispute with her husband.

 

NAACP leaders made the following statements:

 

“This is a welcome development in a case that represents the double standards in our justice system,” stated NAACP President and CEO Benjamin Todd Jealous. “From the streets to the court house, race continues to influence the judicial process, and it certainly seemed to have played a role here.”

 

“We are heartened to hear that this decision has been made, and we are hopeful that accessibility to a fair trial will continue for Marissa,” stated NAACP Florida State Conference President Adora Obi Nweze. “We have so many cases of injustice in Florida, and while we only hear about one or two, there are so many more that go unreported. We will continue fighting for all the other Marissa Alexanders out there.”

 

“This is a great day for Marissa and her family. In working with her, we have always believed in the judicial system,” stated Isaiah Rumlin, President of the Jacksonville NAACP. “There were some mistakes made in the original trial, and the appellate court was able to correct those mistakes and grant a new trial. We are very pleased that the appellate court did that. We will continue to work with her lawyers to see it through.”

 

In July 2012, the NAACP held a rally attended by hundreds of people in support of Ms. Alexander, in her home town of Jacksonville, Florida.

 

19. FAITH LEADERS APPLAUD HOLDER’S LEADERSHIP ON SENTENCING, ASK STATES TO FOLLOW MODEL:

 

New federal initiative to review, refile charges against low-level drug charge offenders expected to reduce mass incarceration

 

WASHINGTON – Only by seeking equitable sentences for non-violent offenses can the justice system address the scourge of mass incarceration, the PICO National Network said in response to Attorney General Eric Holder and the Obama Administration’s new rules requiring federal prosecutors to review and in certain cases, refile, charges against low-level drug charge offenders. In response to the initiative designed to keep those charged with less serious offenses out of long-term prison sentences, the Rev. Michael McBride, director of the PICO National Network’s Lifelines to Healing campaign, which organizes local communities to stop neighborhood violence and promotes federal and state policies to end mass incarceration, today applauded the court’s decision.

 

On behalf of PICO, the largest national network of faith-based community organizations, McBride released the following statement:

 

By reforming the way drug charges are reviewed and sentences are issued, Attorney General Holder and the Obama Administration clearly understand that in order to reduce the unnecessary and counter-productive levels of mass incarceration that plague our nation, we must seek equitable punishments for convictions. It is wrong and ultimately fruitless to lock away low-level, non-violent offenders for years on end without access to educational and vocational tools, or to family and community networks capable of providing essential support to help them reintegrate into society.

As clergy, we believe in redemption. It is our responsibility to lift up the dignity of all people through the restoration of rights and the ending of unjust sentencing and racial profiling that disproportionately target young black men. We work together to end the school-to-prison pipeline through sentencing reforms and much needed changes in the justice system.

On behalf of the hundreds of religious organizations and clergy across the country in the PICO National Network, I call on state attorneys general to follow Holder’s lead. They too have a decisive role to play in impacting the future of individuals’ lives and ensuring that the punishment fits the crime. When individuals are convicted of crimes, we must show them that we have not lost hope in them, and that we will not forget about them.

 

PICO National Network is the largest grassroots, faith-based organizing network in the United States.  PICO works with more than 1,200 religious congregations through 60 local federations and state networks. More information at www.piconetwork.org.

 

20. NAACP AND GILEAD SCIENCES ANNOUNCE COMMITMENT TO ACTION EXPANSION OF FAITH-BASED HIV/AIDS PROGRAM:

 

Program to Train Black Church Leaders in 30 U.S. Cities to Educate Parishioners on HIV Screening, Treatment and Prevention

 

(New York City) – Today, onstage at the 2013 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting,   the NAACP and its partner, Gilead Sciences, announced a joint CGI Commitment to Action to enlist faith leaders as change agents to address the disparate impact of HIV/AIDS on the African American community. Over the next five years, this unique partnership will expand its pilot program, The Black Church and HIV: The Social Justice Imperative, to reach the 30 cities that account for nearly two-thirds of the nation’s HIV epidemic.

 

“The Black Church and the NAACP have been partners in the struggle for social justice for more than a century. Today, our fight is against a growing HIV/AIDS epidemic that disproportionately impacts the lives of African Americans,” said Roslyn M. Brock, Chairman of the NAACP National Board of Directors. “For years, many felt that a discussion about HIV/AIDS had no place in African American houses of worship. However, the Black Church remains the cornerstone of our community and must be a critical voice and partner in helping to combat the HIV crisis.”

 

“The HIV/AIDS epidemic is not just a medical issue, it is a social justice issue,” stated Shavon Arline-Bradley, Senior Director of NAACP Health Programs.  “HIV has increasingly attacked the African American community for the last three decades, leaving us with the highest rates of HIV and AIDS in the country. Our program, The Black Church and HIV: The Social Justice Imperative serves as a tool in the fight against HIV by giving faith leaders the resources they need to tackle this crisis in their churches.”

 

The program focuses on three strategies: providing local trainings for pastors and faith leaders in the Black Church, obtaining formal resolutions from the mainline denominations to incorporate HIV as a social justice issue into Church activities, and facilitating the integration of HIV-focused coursework into required curricula of historically Black seminaries. Specifically, the program will:

 

• Conduct 45 trainings across the 30 cities that make up nearly two thirds of the U.S. HIV epidemic across 17 states and the District of Columbia;

 

• Help secure formal resolutions from seven of nine historically Black denominations to engage pastors in advocacy about HIV as a social justice issue;

 

• Engage with 10 predominantly African American theological seminaries and integrate HIV materials into required curricula into five; and

 

• Train new full-time staff members dedicated to the initiative.

 

In the United States, African Americans bear the greatest burden of HIV, with the rate of new infections eight times that of whites. At the same time, African Americans are also the most connected to faith communities, with as many as 20 million congregants regularly attending church.

 

"HIV has become an epidemic in the Black community that can no longer be ignored. Faith leaders must be called to action," stated Dr. Timothy Sloan, Senior Pastor of St. Luke Missionary Baptist Church in Humble, Texas. "I have come to realize that not dealing with HIV is an act of pastoral irresponsibility. I am happy to be working with NAACP and Gilead Sciences to change the tide of this epidemic. HIV is in the church and the church must work to address it."

 

21. GETTING TO GROUND ZERO: WHAT’S NEED NOW:

 

*The Rev. A Oveta Fuller, PhD

 

I will return to the United States on Oct 24 from my 9 month residency in Zambia. Time has gone by quickly. I am ready to return home because I miss my family.

 

I have applied for a new option called Flex Fulbright for summer 2014-2016. It allows support for a total of 6 months taken over 3 years. Residency in Zambia could be say 2 months for each year for 3 years. This would allow continued building of what is happening and work at UM.

 

Here are next phases with the research and intervention to stop HIV/AIDS such as:

 

- expanding the Trusted Messenger Intervention (TMI) to those who are requesting it in places we have started and in rural areas, villages where it is greatly needed.

 

- working with leaders who already went thru TMI workshop to now use available resources with their congregations and families in home-care training, vulnerable children care and education, changing regular perspectives of HIV/AIDS

 

- orchestrate a Get to the Test campaign for 6 months with media and  AMEC as host to see how many people can be tested and change this to routine part of healthcare. Over 300 persons (religious leaders, officers and others) have gotten HIV test since April thru TMI. About 20 of these are HIV+ and connected to a clinic for care. Most of these 20 are females so it affects their children and families too.

 

- working with the Health Committee and Headman of a rural area outside of Lusaka that has over 2500 people spread through households in large geographical area. The closest health clinic is over 35 km (20 miles) away. Plans started to address their need to build a medical clinic to serve the area and use land wisely for overall wellness. No transport there except ox carts, bikes and walking. So if you are sick or have a complication in childbirth? Planning has begun.

 

- training of both Zambian and US students, fellows and Payne Seminary clergy to do this science based intervention and effective community engagement thru religious networks,

 

- Writing and submitting the papers from the data of this time to publish so others around globe can duplicate aspects.  It is ideal setting here for writing and of thinking to plan, etc

 

- writing other things, like several book ideas...

 

- working with others on projects in Zambia to provide a connection between entrepreneurs here and African Americans or others with skills and desire to "come to Africa" or help in meaningful ways and learn about the REALITY of life here.

 

- collaborating with CDC Zambia, Ministry of Health, University Teaching Hospital and CHRESO University and Health Center (a community clinic that serves over 30,000 people who are HIV+ and get the monitoring needed with life- saving ARVs).

 

These are a few of the things that can continue with shorter times of stay here and working from the US most of the year. Mainly to tackle reframing of health and wellness where 1 of 8 is infected with HIV and country has great development potential.

 

Recommend funds be granted to hire fulltime the postdoctoral fellow who has worked part-time now for 3 weeks. The postdoctoral fellow likely would be moreso in residence in Zambia for data-analyses, some in field follow-ups and requested university teaching in biochemistry and biology. This is direly needed to help increase well trained Zambian doctors, nurses and health personnel.

 

The person working now as a postdoctoral fellow is PhD in biochemistry, single and childless so now is great time for her to live in Zambia as the on-the-ground person.

 

I hope funds can be raised to support this initiative.

 

*The Rev. A Oveta Fuller, PhD is a 2012 J William Fulbright Scholar Faculty, African Studies Center Associate Professor, Dept Microbiology and Immunology at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She is presently posted in Zambia.

 

 

22. 1213. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2013 - THE PROUD BROUGHT LOW - GENESIS 11:1-9:

 

Bill Dickens, Allen AME Church, Tacoma, Washington

 

Message from columnist Bill Dickens: I have adopted a new design for the column.  In the spirit of the legendary Gardner C. Taylor and the late Bishop Robert Pruitt, I'm committing myself to a real "brief".  Until further notice all future columns will be just one paragraph. 

 

Church School Lesson Brief

 

The word proud or pride is important from an etymological perspective.  We frequently hear people say, “I’m proud of my son”.  Or, “I take great pride in preparing my Sunday dinner”.  At Connectional AME Meetings members wear shirts that read unapologetically, “I’m Proud to be an AME.”  The above examples imply a positive characteristic of pride reflecting recognition of accomplishment and the feeling of admiration associated with a person, place or thing.  Conversely, the term has a selfish connotation suggesting a behavioral trait that allows a person to become totally self-absorbed at the expense of others.  The former definition is positive while the latter is negative.  The focus of the Adult AME Church School Lesson for September 29, 2013 examines the implications of the latter form of pride from the Biblical Story about the City of Babel and the Tower. 

 

The author of Genesis Chapter Eleven paints a novel-like story where the ambitions of humankind clash with the expectations of our Sovereign Triune God.  The issue at dispute is the purpose of the construction of the Tower. 

 

In last week’s lesson we saw how God is supportive of building projects which give Him glory (Ark constructed by Noah). 

 

Today’s lesson is the antithesis of Noah’s building activity.  The designers of the Tower of Babel were motivated by selfish motives and mischievous intent.  According to Verse 4 they purposed to build the Tower for the sole purpose of “making a name for ourselves”.  They mistakenly thought their false sense of unity in language would enhance their creativity and thus be pleasing to God.   However, the designers forgot about the final building inspector, God Himself.  God, saw the flaws in their motive and architectural design and quickly aborted the project by creating a linguistic smorgasbord of languages.  This action prevented fluid communication to build the Tower.  Our takeaways from this lesson are clear.  God sanctions Godly-inspired ambition but detests arrogance.  God wants us to be humble not hubristic in our relation with Him.  The designers and builders of the Tower had misplaced priorities.  As a consequence they fell short of their selfish goal in reaching the heavens with their Ziggurat styled building.  The Bible is indeed true - Pride cometh before the fall (Proverbs 16:18)

 

*Brother Bill Dickens is currently the Church School Teacher at Allen AME Church in Tacoma, Washington.  He is currently a member of the Fellowship of Church Educators for the AME Church.

 

23. MEDITATION BASED ON ISAIAH 40:21-31:

 

*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby

 

Note – in recognition of the importance of “recycling” – and because I’m attending the 150th Session of the South Carolina Conference of the AME Church and more than a bit busy – I hope you enjoy this “recycled” meditation.  It’s actually the second of these Meditations that began in October 2011 while I was pastor of Charleston’s Morris Brown AME Church.  Enjoy and be blessed!

 

No one knows the exact origin of the phrase “hurry up and wait,” but we all know what it means – making careful preparations to get something done on time or to reach a goal and then running into unexpected and inexplicable delays.  That can be an aggravation when waiting for a flight that’s delayed, waiting for your number to be called at the Department of Motor Vehicles, or waiting in a grocery store line behind someone who doesn’t understand the meaning of “twelve items or less.”

 

“Hurry up and wait” usually describes relatively trivial things, but it can also apply to critical things.  All of us have at one time or another sought physical or emotional healing, badly needed financial relief, peace of mind in stressful and confusing times or simple relief from life’s demands but have instead found obstacles, barriers, circumstances and even people who seem to get in the way and block or delay our well being.  Having to “hurry up and wait” when we don’t find what we need can leave us downcast, distressed, disconsolate and disappointed.

 

It’s never easy to “hurry up and wait,” but when we earnestly believe that God knows our needs and that God’s timing is better than our timing, then we can be encouraged in our most frustrating times.  We can count our blessings, see what God has done and face life with faith that affirms the words of one modern Gospel song: “What God has for me, it is for me.”

 

We’ll all have to “hurry up and wait” on trivial and critical needs sooner or later, but when we take the time to look back at our lives and see what God has already done, we can patiently leave our needs in the hands of the God who knows what we need before we realize and pray for our needs to be met.  Life might put us “on hold,” but we can maintain our hope, serve the Lord anyhow and rejoice that the words spoken by the prophet Isaiah to God’s discouraged and disconsolate people centuries ago are still true: “Energetic children will eventually get tired and young, strong people may stumble and fall, but those who wait on the Lord will renew their strength.”

 

Get Ready for Sunday, and have a great day in your house of worship!

 

*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the Presiding Elder of the Beaufort District of the South Carolina Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

 

24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

 

We regret to inform you of the passing of Kevin Devereaux, the brother-in-law of the Rev. Lesly Devereaux who is the pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church in Princeton, New Jersey. Brother Kevin was a member of St. Mark AME Church in East Orange, New Jersey.

 

The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

 

The Homegoing Service was held on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at St. Paul AME Church in East Orange, New Jersey.

 

Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:

 

Brother Les and the Rev. Lesly Devereaux

74 Azalea Place

Piscataway, NJ 08854

 

25. CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:

 

Ora L. Easley, Administrator

AMEC Clergy Family Information Center

Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net  

Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/  

Phone: (615) 837-9736 (H)

Phone: (615) 833-6936 (O)

Cell: (615) 403-7751

 

Blog: http://ameccfic.blogspot.com/ 

 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC  

 

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220  

 

26.  CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:

 

The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland; 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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