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 – A CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE FIRST-TIME EXPERIENCE AT THE KENTUCKY
ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of
The Christian Recorder
There is nothing like a
first-time experience. Most first-time events are memorable, especially if they
are significant events.
I have parachuted out of
“perfectly good aircrafts, mostly fix-wing and a few helicopters” 86
times. The most significant was the
first parachute jump. I remember it like
it was yesterday. None of the other
eighty-five jumps were like the first one. The first one was so unique and
exhilarating - nothing like it.
In my case, the second
parachute jump was unique too and it was memorable, but for a different reason.
I had a malfunction and for a few seconds I thought the second jump might be my
last jump.
The second jump was
memorable, but it wasn’t like the first jump. I could never duplicate the feeling
I had when I made the first parachute jump. The same euphoric feeling never
happened again.
So, when I think about my
parachuting days, my feelings go my first parachute jump, but then that feeling
is tempered by the second parachute jump in which my parachute malfunctioned.
As you might imagine, the
Army “finding” was that it was a jumper error; another way of saying that it
was my fault and not the fault of the equipment.
The Army, for me, is, and was
so much like the AME Church. The Army has generals, colonels, sergeants major
and first sergeants; and the AME Church has bishops, general officers,
connectional officers, and presiding elders.
The transition from one to
the other was seamless; basically, one hierarchal system for another.
Significant first-time events
The first-time experiences in
the Army were significant and my first-time experiences in the AME Church were
significant events.
Another memorable experience
was hearing the alarm during desert Storm, “Incoming round, everyone take
cover.”
My trial sermon, my
ordination as a deacon and especially my ordination as an itinerant elder were
significant first-time events and those first-time feelings have never been
duplicated.
Some significant experiences can be duplicated
The birth of each of our
three children was exhilarating and each birth seemed to have been a first-time
event.
“Incoming round, take cover”
was another duplicated first-time event experience.
Another first-time event
I had another first-time
experience when I attended the 146th Session of the Kentucky Annual
Conference. Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel
Leath is the Presiding Prelate of the 13th Episcopal District.
I have answered an annual
conference roll for 50 years and 46 years of answering the roll call in the
Kentucky Annual Conference and I never had the experience that I had at this
year’s annual conference.
Nothing new for the most part
The opening service was held
on Thursday, September 19, 2013. The worship service began at 10 a.m. The clergy processed into the sanctuary with
the singing of “Holy, Holy, Holy.”
The Kentucky Annual
Conference choir sang and did a beautiful job and the preachers shared in the
various acts of worship.
The Hymn of Praise, “And Are We Yet Alive,” which always brings
tears to my eyes, was sung with vigor, and I am certain that I was not the only
person who gets choked up sing that great hymn of Methodism.
Bishop Leath was presented by
Presiding Elder Troy Thomas, who in turn presented the Rev. Wallace Gun, pastor
of St. James AME Church in Covington, Kentucky, who preached a dynamic annual
sermon.
The Invitation was extended,
conference visitors were introduced, the announcements were given and the
benediction was pronounced by the preacher of the hour. The service ended at
11:45 a.m.
A first-time experience
In 50-plus years of attending
annual conferences, I have experienced almost everything that happened at the
opening service of the Kentucky Annual Conference, except one thing.
I have participated in processionals,
sang “And Are We Yet Alive,” have heard great annual conference choirs, heard
all kind of introductions of bishops and have heard all kinds of bishops’
introductions of annual conference preachers. There was not anything done that
has not been done before.
But, there was a first-time experience
The “first-time thing” that
happened at the Kentucky Annual Conference was not something that was done; the
“first-time thing” was something that was not done.
I am tempted…
This would be a great place
to write, “To be continued in the next issue…,” but I am resisting the
temptation.
What was not done
There was no public offering!
There was a missionary
offering lifted for a project in the 15th Episcopal District, but
there was no public offering and the announcement was made that there would not
be a public offering. Let me say that again: no public offering.
When Bishop Leath spoke to
the gathered clergy prior to the processional, he thanked the pastors and their
congregations for their support in giving the “opening and closing offerings”
for the conference prior to the annual conference.
He explained that the opening
and closing offerings given before the annual conference allowed the conference
to “meet the budget” and that no additional offerings would be lifted, except
offerings for missions. He went on to say that “We can all enjoy the Annual
Conference as a spiritual and fellowship event. No one has to be stressed about
money. We can enjoy each other!”
It was like a shroud had been
lifted. Preachers took a deep breath without having to be told to take a deep
breath. The preachers walked across the
street and processed into the worship sanctuary with uplifted hearts.
A couple of other things happened
There was no standing outside;
everyone was in worship. No distraction of people moving out of the sanctuary
after the sermon, no “dodging” the offering, because there was no public
offering. The business had been taken care of ahead of time.
Worship flowed more
spiritually and more smoothly because there was not a distraction of exchanging
money and dealing with checks and interrupting the flow of worship. The
collecting of the money was done ahead of time and doing so enhanced worship
and lowered stress.
Lifting an offering can take
a lot of time and if it is not done correctly and efficiently, can be a
distraction to worship and gives parishioners license to chat, get up and even
exit the sanctuary, especially when an offering lifted after the sermon and after
a long worship service.
Bishop Leath said, “I want
you to attend the annual conference and not be distracted by the offering.”
A first-time experience for me
I have never before attended
an annual conference where a public offering was not lifted.
It was good feeling and from
the comments I heard, others appreciated the progressive initiative implemented
by Bishop Leath.
A visiting presiding elder
was heard to say, “We had better get back to our conference, because we have a
lot of work to do.”
I was not the only person who
appreciated the fresh and mature approach to taking care of the financial
obligations of the annual conference prior to the conference.
I hope this first-time event will be duplicated
Some first-time events are
experienced just one time, never to be duplicated; but sometimes significant
first-time events can be duplicated and I hope that the first-time event of
collecting the money needed for the annual conference ahead of time will be
experienced at other annual conferences.
With planning and execution,
we do not have to do things at the last minute and “on the run.”
2. AFRICAN METHODISTS PARTICIPATE IN SEPTEMBER 2013
WORLD METHODIST COUNCIL MEETING:
*John Thomas III
From September 10-13, 2013
the World Methodist Council (WMC) met at Wesley’s Chapel and Leysian Mission in
London, England. Formed in 1881, the
WMC is composed of 80 member churches representing some 80 million people in
the Wesleyan/Methodist, Holiness and Uniting/United Church traditions. The WMC headquarters is under the leadership
of General Secretary Bishop Ivan Abrahams of South Africa and Council President
Bishop Paulo Lockmann of Brazil. This
meeting was the first meeting of the Council after the 2011 World Methodist
Conference in Durban, South Africa and was part of a series of activities to
celebrate the 275th Anniversary of John Wesley’s conversion experience at
Aldersgate. Wesley’s Chapel holds a
special place in the heritage of Methodism because it was John Wesley’s own
church and his remains are located there.
At the September 2013 meeting
approximately 300 delegates representing 40 member churches attended the
proceedings. This was particularly
impressive given that the World Council of Churches assembly will be held October
and several member churches sent regrets due to being financially unable to
send delegations to both meetings. Every
day opened with a worship service highlighting the cultural diversity of the
Wesleyan/Methodist family. Three new
member churches were admitted: the United Church of Sweden, the Free Methodist
Church of Rwanda and the Free Methodist Church of the Congo. The business
deliberations were focused on finishing the restructuring began in 2011 and
beginning preparations for the 2016 World Methodist Conference to be held in
Houston, Texas. The occasion is open to
all who wish to partake in the global heritage of our faith. The Council meeting closed with a moving
celebration of Holy Communion held using the same table that John Wesley used
to share the elements.
The African Methodist
Episcopal Church is one of the founding members of the WMC and has played an
important and visible role in its ministry.
Connectional Lay Organization President Kathryn M. Brown served as Chair
of the Committee on Worship and Liturgy, as well as a member of the Council’s
Presidium. Episcopal Supervisor Edith
White Ming served on the Program Committee of the World Methodist Conference as
well as President of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women
(a WMC affiliate).
In 2011, Bishop Sarah Frances
Davis was elected as the Vice-President of the Council and Mr. John Thomas III
was elected as the Coordinator of Youth and Young Adults. Additionally, Bishop McKinley Young was elected
at this meeting to serve on the Nominating Committee.
Regarding the meeting, AME
delegation leader Bishop Reginald T. Jackson commented: “The World Methodist
Meeting was a constructive and progressive meeting that will bode well for the
future of Methodism around the world. African Methodism was well represented by
our delegation. John Thomas provided great leadership, particularly as leader
of Young Adults as did Kori Beaman as our Young Adult delegate. Bishop Bryant
gave a strong word on evangelism and Bishop Young will represent us well on the
Nominating Committee. I want to thank Bishop John White who preceded me and
paved the way. We had 22 people in our delegation; one of the largest.”
*John Thomas III is a Ph.D.
student in Political Science at the University of Chicago and serves as an
at-large member of the General Board.
3. CONNECTING ACROSS OCEANS - NEWS UPDATE FROM THE
15TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:
*The Rev Clive J. Pillay
We praise and thank God for
the safe return of the Women's Missionary Society from their excursion to
Plettenberg Bay, granting them travelling mercies and some inspirational
fellowship. Congratulations to Cape Annual Conference President Mrs. Dellarees
Messiah and her team for once again planning this successful venture, inspiring
us and showing us that African Methodism moves higher and higher every step of
the way.
Congratulations to Bishop
David R. Daniels for a very successful "Emergency Special Business
Planning" meeting with the Cape Town District. Bishop once again expressed
his profound gratitude towards the Rev. Willem S. Hanse Presiding Elder for the
outstanding work done over the past four years when the Cape faced its most
challenging period. The Rev. Hanse was transferred back to the Namibian
Conference as he requested, leaving the issue of leadership in the Cape to be
addressed. Congratulations to our "Caretaker Presiding Elders," the Rev. David Moses, the Rev. Granville
Abrahams and the Rev. Audrey Ngamlana who will be taking the Cape Town District
to the Annual Conference.
We are honoured to host the
40-voice Anglican Catholic Community Choir from Langa with Father Mike Williams
as the guest preacher. This is in keeping with our monthly effort to highlight
the work here at St. John AME Kensington and to take back our rightful place in
society. We are thankful to God for the sacrifices made by the members in order
to keep the lights burning and the banner of African Methodism flying high. Why
not take a break from your service and come and support us as we welcome these
visitors to African Methodism.
We solicit your prayers for
the Rev. Abraham and Mrs Florence Neethling who son Adrian has been
hospitalized and is presently in ICU. The God, who is the doctor above all
doctors, is still healing, restoring and revitalizing those afflicted,
depressed and down-trodden. Your words of inspiration and encouragement will be
welcomed:
Email: Rev Abraham Neethling:
abrahamp@telkomsa.net
News Update: click on News at:
http://www.amesouth.webs.com
Cell 082 351 3649
.
*The Rev Clive J. Pillay is
the pastor of St. John Kensington AME Church in Cape Town, Republic of South
Africa
4. DUPAGE AME CHURCH EAGLE SCOUT BROTHERS COMMISSIONED
OFFICERS IN THE U.S. MILITARY:
Sherman L. Neal II and Denzel
Neal are proud Eagle Scouts and alumni of DuPage AME Church (Lisle, Illinois)
Troop 263 who have answered the call of duty as commissioned officers in the
United States military.
The two brothers’
accomplishments of achieving the ranks of Eagle Scout were highly instrumental
in their being offered unique and challenging leadership opportunities as
military officers. The leadership traits
and characteristics of the military are parallel to that of the Eagle Scouts:
High moral character, perseverance, leadership, intelligence and a commitment
to service.
The two brothers from
Naperville, Illinois, Sherman L. Neal II and Denzel Neal are the sons of
Sherman and Michelle Neal. Both Sherman
and Denzel are members of DuPage AME Church in Lisle, Illinois and became
active members in the church's Boy Scout program when they were young.
The BSA Charter Program
leadership at DuPage AME Church led by the Rev. Dr. James Miller; Anthony
Franklin Sr., AAMES, Boy Scout Connectional Director; Steve Franklin, Troop
Committee Chair; Kenneth Northcutt, First Scout Master; and Steve Carnes,
Second Scout Master; all served diligently working with both Scouts on their
Trail to Eagle Scout.
Following graduation from
Neuqua (Illinois) Valley High School in Naperville, Sherman attended Middle
Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee where he played NCAA
Division I football and majored in political science. Sherman graduated in 3-1/2 years and was
commissioned in 2010 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Judge Advocate General Corps of
the US Marine Corps. Additionally Sherman received a the Thurgood Marshall
Fellowship in law to attend law school at West Virginia University School of
Law where he received his Juris Doctor degree in June 2013. Sherman was subsequently promoted to 1st
Lieutenant, US Marine Corps and will be conducting follow-on training in
anticipation of starting full active duty service.
Denzel is a Neuqua Valley
High School graduate of 2009. Denzel
attended West Virginia University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
degree in International Relations.
Denzel received an Air Force ROTC scholarship, held various leadership
roles and received numerous accolades for personal and professional
achievements. After graduating in June
2013 Denzel was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in August 2013. Denzel will be conducting follow-on training
in September 2013 in Panama City, Florida towards designation as an Air Battle
Manager (command and control of Air Force airborne tactical assets).
Captain Sherman Neal’s
achievement as a military lawyer is not without precedent in their family. His
father, Sherman senior is a US Naval Academy graduate and is a retired US Navy
Commander, and mother, Michelle Neal is an attorney.
Additionally, they have three
uncles and two first cousins who are all commissioned officers. Not be outdone,
their sister Maya is a recent Gold Scout Gold Recipient of the DuPage AME
Church Troop 262.
*Submitted by Mr. Anthony
Franklin, Sr.
5. BISHOP TO SPEAK AT CBC ALC FOUNDATION’S FAITH
LEADERS ROUNDTABLE:
Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie,
presiding prelate 10th Episcopal District AME Church will be participating in
the Congressional Black Caucus Annual Legislative Conference Faith Leaders
Roundtable on Saturday, September 21, 2013 at 10 AM at Walter E. Washington
Convention Center, Room 147-AB, Washington, DC. Bishop McKenzie has been
invited to speak on a panel including Dr. Jamal H. Bryant, Rev. Tony Lee and Mr.
Paul Monteiro. The event is organized by honorary co-hosts Reps. Elijah E.
Cummings and Emanuel Cleaver II.
The panel will address the
question, “The government has abandoned the poor, what is the role of the Black
church?” For more than forty years, the CBC has been an advocate for people of
color and vulnerable communities in Congress. Bishop McKenzie stated, “We are
committed to being a voice for the voiceless in our communities, therefore we
must seize every opportunity to make a difference.”
Bishop cordially invites
members of the 10th Episcopal District interested in attending to join her.
6. AME NEWS UPDATE – ATTORNEY MARSH:
Please be advised that
Attorney Marsh is now a resident at a quality nursing facility of the United Methodist
Corporation, The Pavilion at Croasdaile Village. He is in room 231 and according to his son,
he's in good spirits; praise God.
The Pavilion at Croasdaile
Village's address is 2600 Croasdaile Farm Pkwy, Durham, NC 27705; Telephone: 919.384.2499.
Submitted by Dr. Richard
Allen Lewis, Treasurer / CFO
7. SUMMERTIME ESSENTIALS FOR PLACE OF WORSHIP, FAMILY
AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUCCESS:
*The Reverend Timothy Sands
Quite often individuals,
families as well as organizations are not successful because of negative
attitudes. Moreover, the place of
worship is not immune as focusing on making disciples is not the priority. We must steer clear of selfishness internally
because if selfishness ways go outside of the place of worship, negative
feeling will be the tone and it may be a place of worship demise.
Now in order for success to
occur in all industries but especially, the place of worship the spiritual
leader as well as the leaders of the local congregation must demonstrate
cohesiveness.
For example, the African
Methodist Episcopal Church leadership structure has stewards and trustees and
the two specific boards as well as the spiritual leader must understand
collaboration is essential. In other
words, if the spiritual leader, as well as, the church leaders is not on one
accord when personnel issues need to be address, resistance as well as
disrespect will occur. It is imperative
that all individuals improve their attitude and obey the goodness of God. So there are summertime essentials that we
must have at all times and they are gratitude, optimistic as well as being
determined. Hence, we must not forget
Philippians 2:5, “your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus”
(New International Version).
The trainees of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church and other places of worship should walk away from
training classes knowing how to transform anger into positive attitudes. In other words, hurtful and negative words
should not be connected to his or her vernacular.
Once a visitor walks into a
place of worship, the associate ministers, the steward as well as trustee
boards along with the ushers should be determined in creating a positive
atmosphere. Therefore, “do not let any
unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building
others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”
(Ephesians 4:29).
Spiritual leaders, as well as
organizational effectiveness consultants, must stress to avoid negative
self-talk as well as lewd and obscene language.
It is necessary to be polite and optimistic; in other words, there is
nothing wrong with agreeing to disagree.
Romans 8:25 mentions, “but if we hope for what we do not yet have, we
wait for it patiently” (New International Version). Furthermore, everyone should smile, have a
beautiful tone of voice and thank everyone for coming.
Remember parishioners and
customers have options. Gratitude is
essential; moreover, “let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since, as
members of one body, you were called to peace.
And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).
Now focus on God and everyone will show gratitude, being optimistic as
well as determined; ultimately transforming into a positive attitude. Hence, “A positive attitude is something everyone
can work on, and everyone can learn how to employ it,” says Joan Lunden.
*The Reverend Timothy Sands
is the pastor at Camp Hope AME Church in Macon, Georgia
8. LESSONS FROM AN HBCU’S DEMISE:
By Benjamin Todd Jealous
This fall, as college campuses
open their doors to the bustle of students, one historically black institution
will remain silent. In the old colonial town of Lawrenceville, Va., Saint
Paul’s College has shut its doors after more than a century of operation. The
college had fallen on hard times in recent years, and it serves as a canary in
the coal mine for other historically black colleges and universities that face
an uncertain economic future.
Saint Paul’s College was
founded in 1888 by my grandfather’s uncle, James Solomon Russell. A former
slave who died an archdeacon and university principal-emeritus, Russell
understood the transformative power of education. He opened Saint Paul’s Normal
and Industrial School with fewer than a dozen students and a mandate to train
teachers. Over the next 125 years, the school became a hub for education
training in the region, producing many teachers in Virginia and neighboring
states.
Many of the students who
attended Saint Paul’s over the years were the first in their family to attend
college. The vast majority came from poor families. The school even offered a
child-care program for single parents enrolled in classes. Like so many other
HBCU’s in underserved communities, Saint Paul’s was a lifeline.
The recent recession hit
Saint Paul’s especially hard. Like many HBCU’s, the college lacked a wealthy
donor base or strong endowment that could help it weather the financial storm.
Faced with mounting bills, college officials closed the child-care program,
laid off top teachers, and watched enrollment numbers fall back to near-1888
levels. Last fall, St. Paul’s opened its final academic year with just over 100
students before shuttering its doors for good.
Saint Paul’s demise should
serve as a wake-up call to those who care about the future of HBCU’s. For more
than 175 years, the institutions have played a crucial role in African-American
advancement. HBCU’s make up just 3 percent of the nation’s colleges and
universities, but produce 50 percent of black public-school teachers, 80
percent of black judges and 40 percent of baccalaureate degrees awarded to
black students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, the STEM
fields. Martin Luther King Jr. was a Morehouse man; Thurgood Marshall studied
at Lincoln University and Howard University School of Law; Oprah Winfrey
attended Tennessee State University.
However, even the wealthier
HBCU’s are struggling financially. Morehouse College was recently forced to
furlough some of its staff, and Clark Atlanta and Hampton Universities have
both announced budget shortages. This June, a Howard University trustee, Renee
Higginbotham-Brooks, wrote an alarming letter about Howard’s “genuine”
financial trouble.
The recession only partly
explains this crisis. Part of the reason is political. In 2011 the Department
of Education tightened the standards for its Parent PLUS federal loan program.
The program has historically been an important service for parents of HBCU
students, who are more likely to need financial support.
The new standards have had a
devastating effect. In the 2012-13 school year alone, the volume of Parent PLUS
loans to HBCU families dropped by 36 percent, according to an analysis by The
Washington Post. Parents of 28,000 HBCU students were initially denied loans
under the stricter standards, causing HBCU’s as a whole to lose $150-million in
expected revenue.
This slow bleed will continue
as long as the tighter standards are in place. As the president of the UNCF,
Michael Lomax, has recommended, the Department of Education should find a way
to preserve financial aid instead of undercutting the students it is supposed
to serve. Meanwhile, it is encouraging to see that the department is allowing
families with small-scale debt—black, white, or otherwise—to become eligible
for PLUS loans through an appeals process.
The loan program is only one
part of the solution, however. Congress should also increase funds for Pell
Grants, financial subsidies for low-income students that do not have to be
repaid.
According to a UNCF study, 42
percent of all HBCU students come from families with incomes lower than
$25,000. More than half qualify for Pell Grants. HBCU’s are only as strong as
their students, and their students often need significant financial support. An
expansion of the Pell Grant program will help support historically black
colleges and, for many first-generation college students, help disrupt
generations of family poverty.
Historically black colleges
and universities like Saint Paul’s College are an integral part of
African-American history, and they need to remain an integral part of our
country’s future. As we write Saint Paul’s obituary, we must not allow other
colleges to suffer a similar fate. Let us recommit to James Solomon Russell’s
vision, which mirrors the larger vision of the HBCU community: a school for
every student, a lifeline for every dream.
Correction (9/12/2013): This
article originally misstated the number of years historically black colleges
and universities have been in existence. It has been updated to reflect this correction.
Benjamin Todd Jealous is
president and chief executive of the NAACP.
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9. 4TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2013 SCHEDULE OF
ANNUAL CONFERENCES:
Bishop John R. Bryant,
Presiding Prelate
The Rev. Dr. Cecelia Bryant,
Episcopal Supervisor
Christian Education Congress
July 24-27, 2013
Pheasant Run Resort
St. Charles, IL 60174
800-474-3272
Host Information:
The Rev. Dr. James F. Miller,
Congress Director
The Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount,
Congress Dean
India Annual Conference
May 4 – 11, 2013
Radisson Blu Hotel
Chennai, India
Host Information:
Presiding Elder Minnie Sarah,
host
Presiding Elder Abraham
Peddiny, host
Canadian Annual Conference
August 8 – 11, 2013
Westin Prince Hotel
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
416-444-2511
Host Information:
Grant AME Church
416-690-5169
The Rev. Cory Millben, Pastor
Michigan Annual Conference
August 21 – 25, 2013
Double Tree Suites by Hilton
(lodging only)
Detroit, MI
313-424-1369
Host Information:
St. Stephen AME Church
(conference site)
313- 895-4800
The Rev. Dr. Michael Cousin,
Pastor
Illinois Annual Conference
September 4 - 8, 2013
Holiday Inn Hotel
Des Moines, IA
800-248-4013
Host Information:
Bethel AME Church
515-266-1871
The Rev. Dr. Brigitte Black,
Pastor
Indiana Annual Conference
September 189 – 22, 2013
Indianapolis Marriott East
Hotel
Indianapolis, IN 46219
317-322-3716
Host Information:
Indiana Conference – South
District
The Rev. Samuel L. Sumner,
Host Presiding Elder
Chicago Annual Conference
October 2 – 6, 2013
Wyndham – Lisle Hotel
Lisle, IL
630-505-1000
Host Information:
Quinn Chapel AME Church
312-791-1846
The Rev. James Moody, Pastor
Planning Meeting
October 31 – November 2, 2013
Westin Prince Hotel
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
416-444-2511
Host Information:
Fourth Episcopal District
Michigan Conference
10. BETHEL AME CHURCH TO HOST A PUBLIC DEDICATION
CELEBRATION WITH CONGRESSMAN FRELINGHUYSEN AND OTHER DIGNITARIES:
MORRISTOWN, NJ – (September
19, 2013)
On Saturday, September 21 at
3:30 p.m., Bethel AME Church will formally open the doors of its new Community
Kitchen (“Table of Hope”) and the John and Hellen Middleton Fellowship Hall.
The occasion will be celebrated
with a dedication and reception for the public. The new facility, in the lower
level the Church, will be a centerpiece of Bethel’s commitment of service to
the community and will be operated by the Spring Street CDC. The dedication is
drawing planned attendance from a many people who wish to offer congratulations
and support, including our Congressman, Freeholders and a state Assemblyman, as
well as Morristown leaders, clergy and the general public. Free public parking
is available.
Hurricane Irene washed away
the lower level of the building in 2011. Initially overwhelmed by the complete
destruction of its facility, Bethel received help and assistance from many area
groups.
Other local congregations,
neighbors and civic minded individuals pitched in to help with the clean up.
Normandy Real Estate Partners, a leading development firm in the county and the
state, generously provided a complete rebuilding and renovation of the space.
“We will celebrate our
recovery and all that has been accomplished at our Church and achieved through
simple acts of kindness and selflessness. We have also been blessed with an
unexpected and singular act of generosity from our friends in the corporate
sector. We would be grateful if all our friends and neighbors would join us for
the historic event,” notes Pastor Sidney Williams, Jr.
“This rebirth was created by
almost all sectors of our community, and we hope that everyone will join us.”
Bethel African Methodist
Episcopal Church:
The first African-American
Church in Morristown and has played a unique role in Morristown history. Prior
to the Church’s incorporation in 1843, members of the Bethel Mite Society
worshipped in various places in Morristown. A church was later built in 1874
with gifts from Mary T. Cobb, a leading Morristown philanthropist, and the
Church building was subsequently moved to its present site in 1876.
“The Mission of Bethel is to
minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical and emotional, and
environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ's liberating gospel
through word and deed.
This ranges from feeding the
hungry and housing the homeless to caring for shut-ins and encouraging thrift
and local economic development. Our Mission also includes ministering to the
needs of those in nursing homes, jail and prisons, and mental health
facilities. The Community Kitchen and Fellowship Hall play a central role in
helping us put our mission into action.”
11. ST. JAMES AME CHURCH HOSTS THE BUILDING HEALTHY
RELATIONSHIPS: HIV/AIDS WORKSHOP:
DENTON, Texas - The St. James
AME Church in partnership with the Denton County Health Department and Zeta
Beta Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma announces the Building Healthy Relationships:
HIV/AIDS workshop, which coincided with National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness
Day on September 18 and National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on September
27.
The event will be held
Saturday, September 21, 2013, from 12-2 p.m., at 1107 E. Oak, in
Denton, Texas.
This local effort
collaborates with Marie Brown, Denton County Health Department; Ben Calloway,
Health Services of North Texas; Diana Cuellar, The Council on Alcohol &
Drug Abuse of Dallas; and Kelly Richter, Gilead Sciences Pharmaceuticals to
raise awareness and equip our community with the knowledge and tools to help fight
the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
The workshop will feature
presentations on HIV 101 basics; offer HIV testing; disseminate prevention and
treatment information; and provide care and support resources. The presenters
will make up the expert panel and answer questions in the workshop.
Judith Dillard, New Bethel
CIC Church, Ft. Worth, plans to make a special presentation focusing on the
challenges facing people living with HIV/AIDS. She is the Community Outreach and
Health Educator under the direction of Pastor Michael Moore.
Special invited guest
includes Robert Ashley, News Director and Talk Show Host of KHVN Heaven 97
Radio.
Of the estimated 40,000 new
HIV infections each year, more than 50 percent occur among African Americans.
AIDS is the number one cause
of death among Black adults, ages 25 to 44, before heart disease, cancer and
homicide (BalminGilead.org, 2013).
In Denton County, the 2011
Texas Health and Human Services HIV Surveillance reports HIV infection rate was
largest among age group 20-24 (41.8%); followed by ages 25-29 (35.2%); and
30-34 (28.5%); and 35 years and older were 26.1%.
African Americans had the
highest rate of infection at 48.8%, Hispanics 14.3%, and Whites, 9%. Among all
groups, African American women had the highest rate of HIV/AIDS diagnoses at a
rate 58.8%; followed by Hispanic men (36.1%); African American men (35.1%); and
White men (25.1%).
Other activities include:
• Free onsite HIV/AIDS
testing
• Free gift bags given to the
first 50 people.
• Door prizes, skits and
music.
• Free health literature and
care resources.
Lunch will be served to
participants following the workshop.
Pastor Mason Rice said,
“HIV/AIDS is at epidemic levels nationally and locally, and we must make people
aware.” He added, “This is a public health issue, and the faith community can
work with others to ensure that those we serve have access to screenings, learn
ways to prevent the transmission of the disease, and advocate for better care
and treatment.”
St. James AME Church is in
its 139th year of providing service and leadership to the community.
In 1985, it was designated as an historical landmark, and has played an
integral part in the religious tradition of Denton.
For more information, call Mary
C. Taylor at 940-220-9054 or 940-387-1223.
12. GETTING TO ZERO: GETTING TO THE TEST IN TEXAS:
*Dr. Oveta Fuller
Let us not forget... the
southern region is an epicenter of the highest levels of HIV/AIDS in the USA.
The AMEC leadership and members
do not want the phrase to apply that, "We were found fiddling, while Rome
burns."
We, people of African
descent, are many, really most, of the people in the southern region of the USA
who are highly affected by transmission of HIV. These are people in our
families, in our churches and in our communities. These are our neighbors who
may not be in our or any church. Let us not see, but by apathy or ignorance
choose to "cross over to the other side of the road".
The news article above
covering the upcoming event in Denton, Texas is important. The article clearly
explains why we cannot rest, why we cannot be content or why we dare not hide
from the responsibility to act that is given to those who follow Christ.
Here, we highlight some of
the best practice features in planning for effectiveness of such a community
event as set up and hosted by the St. James AME Church.
- The hosts and planners of
the event place HIV testing and counseling (HTC) as a priority action.
- They surround testing with
an HIV/AIDS workshop to build up the community base of understanding and to
help remove misconceptions.
- They wisely provide
relevant context about the community and local impact. People clearly should
get "why" they need to get to the HIV event. It is made personal and
relevant.
- They frame the event with
something everyone can relate to through use in title of "healthy"
and "relationships."
- They have widely announced
the event and made it open to all in the area.
- They use a range of
approaches to cast a wide net. These are though traditional print and broadcast
media, interviews with interesting influential leaders and social media
engagement. All of this is timely. I am told that for effectiveness, the news
media must get out well, before the event, then also during and after.
- They have planned well and
planned in partnership with others (e.g., Health Department, etc. for community
engagement to effectively address HIV/AIDS at a time when schools are starting
and healthy relationships are a focus.
Here are questions and
suggestions that might further boost effectiveness of such critical community
engagement.
- Are the pastor, clergy,
officers, staff and event staff confidently informed to know that they should be
prominently visible in getting to the test? Are they prepared from a place of
knowing biology to answer questions and suggest referrals while
enthusiastically engaging in events?
- Are leaders and members
aware that HIV is just another virus so that before, during and after they can
discuss aspects of 'building healthy relationships" in the midst of an
HIV/AIDS epidemic? Attention to this is needed so that no stigma or
judgment is attached or detected. Are they bringing the mental attitude and a
clear perspective that HIV is just another circulating virus in the Denton
area communities? It is either in the body or not. HTC as part of this
"Building Healthy Relationships" event provides an opportunity to
determine which. No judgment.
- Are other health screening
activities available on site? This is not required. However, it would
offer an additional reason that people might stop by. (Would be that we can get
to the level of understanding to appreciate that no other reason to stop by is
needed other than the urgency and possibilities available now to eliminate HIV
infection. HTC is a key first step.)
- Could this be one event in
several events in a series of "Building Healthy Relationships"?
Sessions might occur quarterly to provide the people in the Denton area a
reliable accessible community service. The first several of these workshops or
sessions would require intense focused planning and publicizing. However, the
pay-off in an ongoing series and the potential to positively affect lives are
astounding in outreach, informing, partnerships and community and individual
well-being.
In summary, well-planned
events such as the "Building Healthy Relationships: HIV/AIDS
Workshop" held on September 21 in Denton, Texas move us ever closer
towards “zero!”
*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.
13. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY SEPTEMBER
21, 2013 - NEVER AGAIN - GENESIS 9: 8-17:
Bill Dickens, Allen AME
Church, Tacoma, Washington
Basic Need
Sir Winston Churchill, the
great British Prime Minister, prolific author, and distinguished orator who
addressed some of the most august assemblies in the world, once delivered a
speech to the Harrow School of Boys in Britain:
“Never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in,
except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never
yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.”
The erudite British Prime
Minister spoke those words in 1941, and they have reverberated down through the
decades as a model of an inspirational speech. But the Prime Minister was using
negativity to inspire; he was telling his audience what not to do. Negativity is a difficult form of
communication. It has become the modus
operandi of political campaigns in modern partisan, polarizing politics. While
it often proves effective in swaying undecided voters, it can also have
collateral damage by leaving political scares on supporters and opponents
alike.
The AME Adult Church School
Lesson for September 22, 2013 explores how a more inspiring speaker than
Churchill accented the “negative of never” and used it to provide comfort and
reassurance for posterity. Our lesson
combines science, architecture, attention to detail but most importantly a
promissory note far more valuable than promises we find today. You will need more than umbrella to fully
grasp the blessings that lie ahead.
Let’s Go!
Basic Lesson
Today’s lesson finds Noah in
the center of God’s judgment on humanity.
The proliferation of mankind’s evil activities prompted Yahweh to
express deep reservations about His creative design and culminated in the Earth
being destroyed with torrential rain.
Only Noah, his family and zoological animals from different species are
spared thanks largely in part to the architectural design of the magnificent
Ark. The dialogue between Yahweh and Noah
in chapters six thru nine displays a firm appreciation for confidence,
construction and finally contract or covenant.
In Chapter Six of Genesis we see Yahweh expressing favor or confidence
in Noah. As a result of this Divine
confidence, God lays out the architectural blueprint to Noah for the
construction of the Ark. Let’s clear up
a common misperception. Many refer to
the Ark as Noah’s Ark. This is
technically incorrect. Truthfully
speaking, the Ark is God’s Ark since God himself was the designer and producer
of the Ark. Noah was simply a
subcontractor who assisted in the work.
As Jeremiah eloquently described the relation between Creator and
creation - Thou art the Potter, I am the clay (Jer. 18:1-6). Noah followed the specific details
to the letter. It is safe to assume the
project was completed on time and with no cost overruns! At the conclusion of the 40 day period of
uninterrupted torrential rain, the storm subsided and the Ark rested around the
mountain range of Ararat (Turkey). Yahweh
provides a symbol to Noah and future generation that He would ‘never again’
display this form of lethal punishment on humanity.
According to the Free Legal
Dictionary a contract is an agreement with specific terms between two or more persons
or entities in which there is a promise to do something in return for a
valuable benefit known as consideration.
It is important to note that the contract defined in Genesis is not a
binding agreement with equal counterparties.
Yahweh, far greater than humanity, displays his mercy by agreeing to a
contract but the terms are clearly “negotiated” by Him without pretense or the
need of appointed counsel.
The expression “Never Again”
is used three times in Chapter Nine. The
repetition of the phrase added extra emphasis for the contract between Creator
and creation. The contract or covenant
of the symbol was represented in the rainbow. (Genesis 9:11-17)
Basic Application
The week of September 15,
2013 has been painful for many Americans.
Our country was at the precipice of war with Syria, devastating floods
griped the state of Colorado and yet another senseless shooting rampage brought
shock and horror to the Nation’s Capitol with the tragic loss of life 13
individuals at the Navy Yard. The Bible
Lesson for Sunday also covers death and destruction. The major difference we find with our lesson
and the devastating stories of this week is God’s refrain of ‘Never
Again’. This is a promise which we can
trust. This is the inspiration for some
organizations to adopt the same phrase.
NAAF Project is an on-line memorial to the Holocaust and the millions of
Jews who died. NAAF stands for Never Again, Always, and Forever. Never Again Rwanda (NAR) is a human rights
and peace-building organization that resulted in response to the 1994 genocide
perpetrated against Tutsis. In the Book
of Genesis, Never Again is reflected in the rainbow as a contractual
affirmation. From a scientific
perspective, the rainbow is an arch of colors formed in the sky in certain
circumstances, caused by the refraction and dispersion of the sun's light by
rain or other water droplets in the atmosphere.
The contractual or covenantal sign is ironically linked to the source of
the destruction, i.e. rain. This is yet
another facet of the wonders of God. The
sign of the rainbow for a believer is far more satisfying than Dorothy’s epic
song in the Wizard of Oz or those who foolishly seek a pot of gold at the end
point.
*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.
14. MEDITATION BASED ON ISAIAH 25:1-5:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
My present role in ministry,
which involves considerable “road time” between Charleston and the churches of
the Beaufort District, requires me to cope with one of the realities of
summertime in South Carolina - unpredictable and severe thunderstorms that can
generate hail, lightning, torrential rain and flash flooding. I’ve learned the best spots on the roads that
traverse the District to stop when storms make driving difficult and dangerous.
I recently encountered one of
those storms and pulled off the road until the heavy rain eased up. When I got back on the highway, however, I
made a humorous and ironic discovery.
After driving through a half-mile or so of puddles of leftover storm
water, the road suddenly became absolutely bone dry. A mile or so farther down the road; bright
sunshine broke through the remaining clouds.
The storm that led me to pause in my travels was intense, but it was
also small. Had I kept going in spite of
the storm, I’d have soon been in clear, dry weather - and on time for a
meeting!
My experience with that
intense, but small storm is instructive as we navigate life’s roads; for not
all storms are weather-related. We’ll
all eventually run into unexpected and intense storms of disappointment and
frustration, storms of doubt and fear, storms of pain and uncertainty. It’s easy for us to feel stressed and
disconsolate when the storms of life are raging and to let their apparent
intensity hinder our achievement and well-being.
When we remember, however,
that the God who created us always stands with us, blesses us and protects us,
then we don’t have to be terrified when the storms of life are raging. We can trust in the Lord, press on in spite
of the storms and often discover that what seem to be intense storms become
minor obstacles when we leave them in the hands of the Lord.
We’ll all face stormy times
in life sooner or later, but when we trust in the God who never leaves us and
never abandons us, we can press on through life’s storms and find new hope, new
joy, new assurance and new appreciation for the words of a beloved hymn by The
Reverend C. A. Tindley, “Father along, we’ll know all about it, Farther along,
we’ll understand why; Cheer up, my brother, live in the sunshine, we’ll
understand it all by and by.”
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
15. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- The Rev. Felicia R.
Bagneris was joined in Holy Matrimony to Mr. Lloyd Eugene McCloud
We are pleased to announce
that on August 4, 2013, the Rev. Felicia R. Bagneris was joined in Holy
Matrimony to Mr. Lloyd Eugene McCloud. The Rev. Felicia Bagneris McCloud is the
current Coordinator of the Southern California Conference Women In Ministry and serves as an associate minister at First AME
Church in Pasadena, California. Mr.
McCloud is a member at the City of Refuge in Gardena, California, and
Owner/Proprietor of Sincerely Yours Luv, LLC, in Los Angeles.
The Rev. Felicia is the
youngest daughter born to the late Rev. Jules S. Bagneris, Jr., who pastored in
the AME Church for over 40 years before his passing in 1983, and to the late
Mrs. Annie Bell Bagneris, who served with him as First Lady, Gospel Psalmist,
Licensed Evangelist and WMS Life Member before her passing in 2003.
The newly married couple will
celebrate their union at a wedding party with family and friends on September
28, 2013, at the Wilfandel Clubhouse in Los Angeles, California, with world
renowned Jazz and Blues Legend, Barbara Morrison. Congratulations, Mr. and the
Rev. Mrs. Lloyd McCloud!
Congratulatory messages can
be emailed to:
Cell: 818-470-9717
-- The Reverend
A. J. Holman, Sr. celebrates 60th Birthday
The Reverend A. J. Holman,
Sr., Pastor of Bethel AME Church Chattanooga, Tennessee celebrated His 60th
Birthday on Monday, September 16, 2013. The
Reverend Holman was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Belated birthday wishes to
the Rev. A. J. Holman, Sr. can be emailed to: bethelamecchatt@yahoo.com
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of
the passing of Sister Abbie Jean Wheeler. She was the sister of the Rev. Simon
P. Bouie, pastor of Zion AMEC, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The following information has
been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
The Homegoing Service was
held on Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at Chappelle Memorial AME
Church in Columbia, South Carolina
Expressions of Sympathy may
be sent to:
The Rev. Simon P. Bouie
1434 Catherine Street
Philadelphia, PA 19145
17. SERVICE ADDENDUM FOR MRS. RITA M. HOWARD WIFE OF
REVEREND DELMAN E. HOWARD MEMBER OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF THE AME CHURCH:
Mrs. Rita M. Howard, wife of
Reverend Delman E. Howard; a WMS Life Member and 1st Vice President of the
Fifth Episcopal District Women’s Missionary Society passed away on Tuesday,
Sept. 10, 2013 after a brief illness.
Local services provided by:
Palm Northwest Mortuary and
Cemetery
6701 North Jones Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89131 |
Telephone: 702-464-8460
Fax; 702-464-8470
Online Guest Book:
Funeral Services:
Friday, September 20, 2013 at
11:00 a.m.
First AME Church North Las
Vegas, NV
Bishop T. Larry Kirkland,
eulogist
Monday, September 23, 2013 at
11:00 a.m.
Jesse E. Cooley, Jr. Funeral
Home, INC.
1830 S. Fruit Avenue
Fresno, CA 93706
Telephone: 559-268-8048
The Rev. Leslie R. White,
Pastor of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Berkeley, CA, eulogist
Expressions of sympathy may
be sent to:
The Rev. Delman E. Howard and
family
6904 Homing Pigeon Place
North Las Vegas, NV 89084
Or to -
Sister John Ora Calhoun
(mother of Mrs. Rita M. Howard)
111 E. Eden Avenue
Fresno, CA 93706-3042
Expressions of sympathy may
also be emailed to:
Holy Trinity AME Church: HolyTrinityAMELV@centurylink.net
18. 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
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
19. 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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