Bishop T.
Larry Kirkland - Chair, Commission on Publications
October is National Breast
Cancer Month (U.S.)
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of
The Christian Recorder
I want to share a couple of
things, some of which are reminders and a couple of personal quirks with our
readers.
Every editor has quirks and I
want to share several of mine.
Sometimes change is result of
a failure to teach or train.
For instance, the earlier
version of the Apostles’ Creed had the term, “holy catholic church” and
apparently some parishioners and even some pastors were concerned and confused
because they thought the Apostles’ Creed was affirming the “Roman Catholic
Church.”
So, church leaders came up
with the ingenious idea of changing the statement, “holy catholic church” to
“church universal.” The words, “holy catholic church” never referred to the
“Roman Catholic Church,” which is why it was most always printed in lower
case. The term “catholic church” simply
refers to the universal church of believers and in no way refers to Roman
Catholicism.
Instead of teaching the
meaning of “holy catholic church,” some denominations took the easy way and
changed the termination in the Apostles’ Creed to “the church universal.”
Historically, “catholic”
meant referred to all Christian churches or the universal Christian church and
not the Roman Catholic Church distinguished by the upper case spelling and the
use of the adjective, “Roman” to distinguish itself from other catholic
churches, like the Orthodox Catholic Church, which is also known as the Eastern
Orthodox Church; the Coptic Catholic Church and the Ethiopian Catholic
Church. And, of course there is Greek
Catholic or Byzantine Catholic Churches, who are also referred to as “Byzantine
Catholics."
The Reverend
I have an uneasy quirk with
the use of the adjective, “reverend” without the definite article, “the.”
I cringe each time I see “reverend” written without the definite article,
“the.”
I see church bulletins,
funeral bulletins, and even connectional AME Church bulletins disseminated that
erroneously use “reverend” without the definite article, “the.”
When
“Reverend” or “Right Reverend” is used before a name, “Reverend / Rev.” should
be preceded by “the” because “Reverend / Rev.” is not a noun; it is an
adjective and is always preceded by, “the,” especially in formal settings and
in formal written documents.
“The”
is used before nouns; for instance, in a sentence, you would not say, “Purple
car is fast” because “purple” as used in the sentence is an adjective and the correct
way to form the sentence would be, “The
purple car is fast” or “When we went to the racetrack, the purple car was
fast.” It would not be Standard English to say, “Purple car is fast.”
In
the beginning of a sentence, the “T” in “the” is capitalized and in the middle
of a sentence, the “t” in “the” is in the lower case, thus: “The Rev.
John Smith preached an outstanding sermon” or “An outstanding sermon was
delivered by the Rev. John Smith.”
Since
“reverend” is an adjective, it is not pluralized. In Standard English,
adjectives are not pluralized. For instance if you were speaking or
writing about several purple cars, you would not say, “The purples cars,”
instead you would say, “The light purple car, the dark purple car, the purple
car on the left.”
And
following the rule of not pluralizing adjectives, when listing a group of
clergy, the use of, “The Reverends…”
is incorrect. The correct way to list a group of clergy: “The Rev. Jane
Doe, the Rev. John Doe, the Rev. Mary Smith and the Rev. Junior Johnson.
If
you are on the corner talking, you could certainly say, “I would like to
introduce you to Reverends Smith, Johnson and Jones,” but not in a formal
setting.
In
formal settings and on church bulletins with the protocol listing of clergy on
each line: “The Right Rev. John R. Bryant, Presiding Prelate; The Rev. Dr.
Sally J. Johnson, Presiding Elder; The Rev. Samuel Jenkins, Pastor.” If that
same list was used in an article for The
Christian Recorder, the list would read, “The Right Rev. John R. Bryant,
Presiding Prelate; the Rev. Dr. Sally J. Johnson, Presiding Elder; the Rev.
Samuel Jenkins, Pastor.”
Bold Print
In church bulletins, the AMEC Book of Worship, The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
2012, and other worship materials, the bold print is always read by the
“People,” and the unbolded text by the “Congregation.”
The Doctrine and Discipline 2012
The current Discipline is formally and correctly
referred to as, The Doctrine and
Discipline of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church 2012. When addressing issues in The Christian
Recorder, the current 2012 Discipline should be referenced.
There are changes in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
2012 and pastors and laity are encouraged to familiarize themselves with
it.
Training
I am, generally, not hearing
male pastors talk about further education and continuing education courses, or
talking about getting additional degrees.
I am hearing women clergy and am hearing about women clergy “going to
school” and getting trained in ministry and in other disciplines.
I am concerned that “men in
ministry” might need some “fires lighted” as it relates to training and
preparation for ministry and keeping abreast of the changing trends in
ministry.
I am encouraged about women
in ministry and am seeing more women moving through the Boards of Examiners’
process in preparation for ministry. I am encouraged because women seem to be
more committed to training and being fully qualified for ministry.
I have said it before and am
saying it again, we are fast approaching the day when local churches are going
to say to bishops, “Send us a woman pastor, don’t send a male pastor” - that
day is coming!
Memorization
Many churches have given up
on requiring children to memorize. We allow children to read their Christmas
and Easter recitations. Even adults read and don’t even bother to memorize
their parts.
It’s strange watching a
Christmas or an Easter play and seeing the actors reading their parts holding
up whole pages, not even trying to hide the “cheat-sheets.”
Many pastors have not
memorized the AME Call to Worship and they certainly have not memorized the
Communion Ritual.
Memorization across the board
has been “tossed out of the window.”
I suspect that we all can do
better and can move from “good to great.”
We all have some quirks and we all need reminders.
2. READER RESPONSE TO
EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
-- To the Editor—
Re:
TCR Editorial: Reminders Can Be Useful Training Tools
Thank
you sparking dialogue on so many important topics, but I must respectfully
disagree with your claim of “gross redundancy” in using both “now” and
“henceforth” in the phrase, “Now, henceforth and forevermore.”
There
is no redundancy because the terms “now” and “henceforth” because I do not
believe the terms are synonymous. “Now” means “currently,” “at the present” or
“at this moment.” “Henceforth” means “from now on,” “from this day forward” or
“in the future.” (In your editorial even you say that “henceforth” means “from
this time forward,” which certainly doesn’t mean right now and is at odds with
your premise.) Finally, “forevermore” means “in perpetuity,” “eternally” or
“until the end of time.” Based on these definitions, “now” and “henceforth”
deal with different aspects of time. Each is at a different point on the time
continuum, while “forevermore” extends beyond the earthly life or things
temporal. Therefore, in my opinion, it is perfectly correct to say, “Now,
henceforth and forevermore,” because the terms cover the present, the future
and eternity.
Carol
A. Bowie
Oak
Grove AMEC – Detroit
3. NEW DOCUMENTARY ON AME CHURCH IN SOUTH CAROLINA:
*The Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler,
Ph.D.
For far too long, we have allowed
others to either write us out of history completely or marginalize our
involvement in some of America's greatest moments. Never has this been more
true in the struggle known as Civil Rights. From the walkout of Bishop Richard
Allen to Mother Rosa Parks' sitting down to the ascension of President Barak
Obama, members of the AME Church have been there every step of the way.
This is never as true as in
the great state of South Carolina. Now, we can tell our own story. Click on the
link below to view the trailer of "The AME Movement: African Methodism in
South Carolina."
Take a sneak peek at the
latest documentary on the rich history of the AME Church in South Carolina.
This work is being commissioned by Bishop Richard Norris and members of the 7th
Episcopal District in recognition of the 150th Anniversary of the South
Carolina Annual Conference.
After viewing it, share the
link with others you know and let's be sure our story is told!
Share it with your friends!
The Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, Ph.D.
is the Senior Pastor of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 419
South 6th Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. www.motherbethel.org
4. METROPOLITAN AME CHURCH PAID TRIBUTE TO SENIOR
MEMBERS:
On Sunday September 15, 2013,
Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, DC, under the
leadership of the Circles of Twelve paid special tribute to its senior members
who were 80 years and older. The Circles
of Twelve is an auxiliary of the Daniel Allen Payne Community Development
Corporation (CDC). The CDC is
Metropolitan’s 501c (3) fund raising arm.
They designed and commissioned a special worship bulletin that included
a picture and a brief sketch describing each senior’s membership at
Metropolitan (see attached). Each senior
was given a corsage and was escorted to a reserved section of the
sanctuary. Several of the honorees had
not been to worship service for some time due to illness, but their family
members got them to the church for this special recognition. The congregation and the other seniors were
so happy to see one another.
The guest speaker for this
service was Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Director of the Smithsonian National
Museum of African Art and former President of both Spellman College and Bennett
College. She brought a timely message
that also paid homage to our senior treasures. After the worship service the
seniors were feted with a special full course catered and served lunch.
More than sixty octogenarians
were honored and were the center of attention and appeared to thoroughly enjoy
all of the attention that was lavished upon them. So many members of Metropolitan wanted to get
pictures of the group and individual seniors that it delayed the seniors arriving
for lunch. In the end everyone marveled
at the number of living octogenarians and older members that God has continued
to show favor at The Cathedral of African Methodism.
5. CWS, FAITH LEADERS WARN AGAINST BRINKSMANSHIP IN
BUDGET TALKS:
The announcement below is an
important media response from Church World Service, partner of the AMEC
Department of Global Witness and Ministry regarding the Federal Government
Shutdown. On Monday September 30, 2013, all 37 Faith Communions collaborated
and celebrated with one-voice Church World Service and at the same time
expressed our discontent of the US Congress.
The Rev. Dr. G. Francis
Flowers
NEW YORK, Sept. 30,
2013--Responding to the threat of a possible shutdown of the U.S. government, CWS
President and CEO, the Rev. John L. McCullough joined faith leaders in
denouncing the political posturing and brinksmanship that have pushed the
nation to the edge of a partial cease in government operations for the first
time in 17 years.
In his remarks at a telephone
press conference this morning, McCullough said he and other faith leaders share
"dismay that ideological rigidity and unwillingness to compromise have
brought our nation to the point of a government shutdown and financial default.
"According to our faith
traditions, government leaders are called to enact policies that benefit the
people," he said. But a shutdown, McCullough said, will create hardships
for many Americans, and may stall the economic recovery.
"Vital services for poor
and middle class Americans could be halted," he said.
"Internationally, the U.S. government will not be able to make any new
contributions to agencies that deliver food aid and other services to poor and
hungry people around the world, nor respond to new humanitarian emergencies.
Over time, hungry people relying on U.S. aid will not receive food and children
will not receive inoculations against disease."
In a letter released today: http://www.cwsglobal.org/letter0927
and www.cwsglobal.org/letter0927,
33 faith leaders urged members of Congress to keep the government open and
asked that "lawmakers address their concerns through the proper
legislative channels."
Said McCullough, "For
decades Democrats and Republican alike have agreed on the vital importance of
robust humanitarian and development assistance. But the myopia of some House
members and their unwillingness to compromise has eroded this consensus,
literally taking away food from the mouths of hungry children."
Also participating in the
press conference this morning were Sister Simone Campbell SSS, executive
director, NETWORK, A National Catholics Social Justice Lobby; the Rev. David
Beckmann, president, Bread for the World (press conference moderator); Rabbi
David Saperstein, director, Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism; Dr.
Sayyid Syeed, national director, Office for Interfaith and Community Alliances,
Islamic Society of North America; and the Rev. Jim Wallis, president,
Sojourners.
6. NORTH TEXAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE SESSION HELD IN
DALLAS, TEXAS:
By Mrs. Delanda S. Johnson
The North Texas Annual
Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church was held on September
25-28 in Dallas, Texas under the leadership of Presiding Prelate, Bishop Vashti
Murphy McKenzie and Episcopal Supervisor Brother Stan McKenzie.
Hosting the event for the
whole week was Presiding Elder James W. Ford and the Rev. Juan Tolliver, Pastor
of St. Paul AME Church in Dallas, Texas.
Bishop McKenzie addressed the
congregation on Wednesday morning to welcome everyone to the 10th Session of
the North Texas Annual Conference followed by the Conference Secretary calling
the roll of pastors, evangelists, Board of Examiners students, etc.
Evangelist Monica Moss
represented Allen Chapel AME Church in Athens, Texas and Sister Delanda S.
Johnson represented Johnson Chapel AME Church in Malakoff, Texas.
After the morning business
was conducted, the mid-day revival was held with a powerful message given by
the Rev. Mittie Muse, Jr. His theme:
“It’s All Good" Roman 8:28; focused on whatever problems you may have in your
life it's not over until God says it's over.
"If you feel that you have nowhere to turn and things looks as low
as it can be, no that God knows your situation before you do and He is
there. For you see, God has all POWER
and CONTROL. That is when you can say,
"It's All Good," said the Rev. Muse, Jr.
The Opening night Worship
service was a parade of banners decorated by each church from the Greater
Dallas District and Team Tyler District.
The Rev. Dr. C. Dennis
Williams a man filled with God's Anointing brought a message that stirred the souls
of everyone in the congregation. The
theme for his message was, "There's a Prophet on the Roof." 2 Kings
4:8-16. He told the story of Elisha and
the Shunammite woman. Elisha spoke into
existence, things that were not to be.
The Rev. Williams wanted the congregation to know that “you must not be
relaxed in the way you are, but you must have the faith and know that things
will come your way when you call them into existence.”
On Thursday, the business
session of the Conference was held with pastors from each presiding elder
district giving their yearly reports.
The Rev. Dr. Ann Lightner
Fuller, pastor of Mt. Calvary AME Church in Towson, Maryland gave the mid-day
revival message. Her theme: “Bring It to
Jesus," was uplifting to all who was present. She wanted the congregation
to know that “when you feel you have gone as far as you can go, know that Jesus
‘has your back’ and you can go farther.
If you find yourself in a dilemma, you must have the mindset of faith. Jesus can make a little into a whole lot;
have faith.”
Paul Quinn College President
Michael Sorrell gave a glowing report on the college and its students. He expressed the joy that he felt with the
support from the AME Churches and that the college student enrollment has
increased.
The North Texas Conference
Lay Organization named Sister Margie Coleman "Lay Person of the
Year." She is a member of St.
Thomas AME Church in Alto, Texas.
Bishop McKenzie gave her
closing message. This year's theme: "The Goal of Discipleship," Bishop
McKenzie stated, "Let us engage in worship, discussion and dialogue on
developing strategies to help people to become disciples, learners and
followers of Christ. Challenge people to
know the Bible and not just the Discipline of the AME Church. Challenge believers everywhere what it means
to be a disciple of Christ and become a disciple who trains and makes
disciples."
Bishop McKenzie preached,
"It is Hard but Not Impossible. Where you see darkness, God sees light.
Where you failure, God sees victory.
Where you see no possibility, God sees great possibilities. No mission is impossible for GOD,” said
Bishop McKenzie.
At the end of the meeting
Bishop McKenzie read the appointments of each pastor present.
The Rev. I. B. Wells, Jr.
returned to Johnson Chapel AMEC in Malakoff and Allen Chapel AMEC in Athens
welcomed their new pastors, (husband and wife, The Rev. Geoff and the Rev.
Myria Whitcombs.
7. SHOULD CHURCHES OFFER HOLY COMMUNION ONLINE?
*By Heather Hahn
United Methodist leaders will
discuss the possibility of churches offering Holy Communion online during a
meeting at the denomination's Board of Higher Education and Ministry in
Nashville, Tenn.
“Pour out your Holy Spirit on
us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine.”
A United Methodist pastor
typically will recite those words while consecrating the communion elements.
But can a virtual community
be considered “gathered” together? If a pastor consecrates the bread and cup on
my computer screen, does that blessing travel through the Internet to the juice
in my fridge?
United Methodist leaders will
tackle those questions and others when they meet Sept. 30–Oct. 1 to discuss the
possibility of churches offering Holy Communion online.
The meeting at the United
Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry in Nashville, Tenn., will draw
together United Methodist bishops, theologians, pastors and agency executives
who offer different perspectives on the sacrament in the Internet age. The
consultation was organized by the higher education agency, Board of
Discipleship and United Methodist Communications.
“The practice of online
communion has implications for all United Methodists, clergy as well as laity,
as well as for the denomination as a whole,” said the Rev. Kim Cape, the top
executive of the Board of Higher Education and Ministry. “There are many
questions that need to be addressed: sacramental, ecclesial, ecumenical as well
as pastoral authority.”
She hopes the gathering will
result in a document for the Council of Bishops to use in discernment. As of
Sept. 25, Bishops William T. McAlilly, Michael McKee and Larry M. Goodpaster
had confirmed they would attend the Nashville meeting.
Ultimately, the practice of
online communion could go before the General Conference, the denomination’s top
lawmaking body and the only body authorized to speak for The United Methodist
Church. The next General Conference is in 2016 in Portland, Ore.
“Since this is a matter that
affects all United Methodists, the questions surrounding this new practice need
to be considered at the denominational level,” Cape said.
Use of online communion
The meeting follows growing
discussions about online Eucharist in local churches around the globe,
particularly in Europe, said the Rev. Larry Hollon, the top executive of United
Methodist Communications. His agency includes United Methodist News Service.
He noted that some
nondenominational churches already offer online communion, and some United
Methodist churches are considering expanding their online ministries.
“There is a need to recognize
the value of online community as well as an equally important need to discuss
its limits, as is true with actual community,” Hollon said.
The Rev. Daniel Wilson, who
plans to attend the Nashville meeting, is preparing to serve as online campus
pastor for Central United Methodist Church in Concord, N.C. The 178-year-old
downtown church near Charlotte plans to offer its first service at the
not-yet-working http://centralonline.org on Christmas Eve.
“I believe, yes, there is
community that happens online, that for certain personalities and certain
people is just as significant as the (sense of) community I feel in a group of
people gathered together in a sanctuary,” Wilson said. “I don’t expect everyone
to understand that or believe that. But yes, my belief is that community can be
the same online.”
He said his online campus
will use the United Methodist liturgy for communion. “You will see onscreen an
invitation from one of our pastors to get your elements of bread and juice or
wine. We do not want to water it down so much that people use Goldfish
(crackers) and apple juice.”
As people watch worship
online, he said, a team from Central will be available to chat with viewers, share
in prayer and answer questions. That includes questions about the sacrament.
His congregation’s vision is
that the new campus “will be the DNA of Central Downtown-Concord taken to an
online medium.”
“We still will be very
mission focused. There will be teaching and Bible study opportunities as well
as online worship. …To our knowledge, we are among the first mainline
congregations attempting to make a holistic online congregation. My No. 1 goal
in all of this is that it becomes a very relational way of doing ministry.”
The larger communion of
saints
At least one United Methodist
pastor, the Rev. Gregory S. Neal, has offered online communion since 2003.
Neal is the senior pastor of
Northgate United Methodist Church in Irving, Texas, and also leads the online
Grace Incarnate Ministries. He has written an essay, “Online Holy Communion:
Theological Reflections Regarding the Means of Grace,” circulated in advance of
the Nashville meeting. Neal also plans to attend.
“Do I consider it
immeasurably better for one to partake of the Means of Grace — and, most
especially, Holy Communion — within a physically localized community of
believers? Absolutely,” he writes.
Most people use his online
ministry to “supplement and amplify” what they are receiving in their local
communities of faith, he said.
Still, he argues, when people
partake of the sacrament via the Internet, they are partaking within the
broader community of the “one holy catholic and apostolic Church of which all
Christians are a part.”
Concerns about the practice
The Rev. L. Edward Phillips,
associate professor of worship and liturgical theology at Emory University’s
Candler School of Theology in Atlanta, has been exploring the questions raised
by the practice ahead of the Nashville meeting. Phillips served from 2001 to
2004 as chair of the Holy Communion Study Committee for the denomination’s
General Conference.
Phillips has plenty of
concerns. Chief among them is how to understand where the practice of online
consecration leaves the communal part of communion.
“People have many meaningful
experiences online, friendships that are nurtured among people who haven’t
met,” he said. “In a way, the church is trying to see how we can put this to
good use for spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
But a meaningful experience
watching a service of communion on a television program, movie or Passion play
does not equate to participation in the Lord’s Supper, he said.
“Here’s one thing you can’t do
online: You can’t give somebody a bowl of hot soup and you can’t touch their
hand while you are giving it to them. You can’t give them a hug if they’re
down,” Phillips said. “Maybe we ought to pay more attention to the sharing (of
the sacrament).”
The theologian, also an elder
in the Memphis Annual (regional) Conference, said he does see some potential
benefits. Online ministries, including the practice and explanation of
Eucharist, could help draw more people from their computer screens to local
churches.
He also can imagine
circumstances when online communion might be the best option available for some
people to experience the sacrament. Still, he warns, “hard cases make bad law.”
Hollon said he hopes the
meeting will identify issues that need deeper attention.
“These have to do with the
nature of community and how the church includes people and connects with them,”
he said. “I hope it will also identify our history as a Wesleyan movement that
sought to be inclusive, innovative and theologically consistent with the
teachings of Jesus.”
The United Methodist [African Methodist Episcopal
Church] view of communion
United Methodists practice
open communion, meaning all at worship are invited to partake. The church
proclaims that the table of Holy Communion is Christ’s table. The table is open
to anyone who seeks to respond to Christ’s love and seeks to lead a new life of
peace and love.
Throughout the history of
Christianity, church leaders have debated how best to understand the “Holy
Mystery” of the Lord’s Supper — especially whether and how Christ is present in
the meal. “The Wesleyan tradition affirms the reality of Christ’s presence,
although it does not claim to be able to explain it fully,” says the
denomination’s statement on the sacrament, This Holy Mystery: A United
Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion.
Each local United Methodist
church determines how often to serve communion. Many churches celebrate
communion once a month, often on the first Sunday, as well as special days of
the year such as Easter and Christmas Eve. Since the adoption of “This Holy
Mystery” at the 2004 General Conference, United Methodist congregations have
been encouraged to move toward a richer sacramental life, including weekly
celebration of the Lord's Supper
.
Learn more about Communion:
• Communion overview
• This Holy Mystery: A United
Methodist Understanding of Holy Communion
• “Of the Lord’s Supper” in
the Methodist Church’s Articles of Religion
• “The Sacraments” from The
Evangelical United Brethren Church’s Confession of Faith
Hahn is a multimedia news
reporter for United Methodist News Service.
News media contact: Heather
Hahn, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
*Used with permission of the
United Methodist News Service
8. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY OCTOBER 6,
2013 - A LASTING INHERITANCE - GENESIS 15: 7-21:
*Bill Dickens, Allen AME
Church, Tacoma, Washington
The term inheritance refers
to the bequeathing of property based on the relation between the heir and the decedent
(person who died).
The rules for the
distribution of assets are set by the decedent or by a state official. The outcome sometimes results in heirs
receiving unequal amounts.
Since inheritance windfalls
are often financially lucrative, state and Federal tax laws will be applied as
revenue generators.
The AME Adult Church School
Lesson for October 6, 2013 explores the theological implications of Divine
Inheritance.
Starting with Chapter 12 of
Genesis, Abram is identified as the appointed agent of God’s promise. While the author of Genesis does not
elaborate on why Abram is the chosen vessel, the narrative does make clear who
will be the new heirs. Abram’s offspring
will inherit a land rich in agricultural and economic resources.
Not surprisingly, Abram seeks
a sign about the veracity of this profound promise considering he was not a
father at the time of the announcement.
In verse 17, Yahweh provides the sign Abram seeks (thru a dream and a
smoking firepot and blazing torch). The
presence of the Almighty in the form of the blazing torch sealed the covenant
concerning Abram as the rightful heir and his posterity future
beneficiaries.
Similar to Abram, we too are
heirs to God’s Kingdom through our faith and followship of Jesus. The covenantal relationship which began in
Genesis Chapter 12 is now represented thru the Covenant of Grace (Romans
4:13-14).
We can all be thankful that
our new inheritance is permanent and does not depend on probate court to sort
out a complex and contested will. As the
8th Wonder of the world (Stevie Wonder) once sang – “I’m signed, sealed and
delivered.” The promise, protection and
probity of God’s Will are more than sufficient for our modern-day inheritance!
*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.
9. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announcement the
passing of Mr. Donald L. Caldwell, Jr., husband of Kristen N. Caldwell, the
daughter of the late, Right Reverend Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr. and retired
Episcopal Supervisor Mrs. Barbara J. Chappelle.
Funeral Service for Donald L.
Caldwell, Jr. was held on Thursday, September 26, 2013 at Bethel AME Church,
2329 Flora Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri at 11:00 a.m.
Professional services were
provided by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons, 1800 Linwood Blvd, Kansas City, MO
64109.
Expressions of sympathy can
be sent to:
Mrs. Kristen N. Caldwell
6753 Ryan Crest Drive
Florissant, MO 63033
Cell: (913) 961-5293 cell
Email: Kapi08@aol.com
10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of
the passing of the Reverend James E. Seay, Jr., a superannuated minister of the
West Kentucky Conference. He was the
husband of the Reverend Janet Seay and they have been married for 38 years.
The Rev. James E Seay
pastored five churches in the 13th Episcopal District: Williams Chapel AME
Church in Riddleton, Tennessee; Mt. Juliet AME Church in Mount Juliet,
Tennessee; St. James AME Church in Mayfield, Kentucky; St. Paul AME in
Woodburn, Kentucky; and Greater Taylor Chapel AME in Franklin, Kentucky.
The Rev. Seay died on
Tuesday, October 1, 2013 at his home in Portland, Tennessee.
Services are follows:
Monday, October 7, 2013
Greater Bethel AME Church
1300 South Street
Nashville, TN 37212-2427
Phone: (615) 256-1509
11:00 a.m. - Family
Visitation
12:00 Noon - Funeral Service
Services are entrusted to:
Lewis and Wright Funeral
Directors
2500 Clarksville Hwy.
Nashville, TN 37208-1060
Phone: (615) 255-2371
Fax: (615) 255-4926
Expressions of sympathy may
be sent to:
The Reverend Janet Seay
227 Briley Lane
Portland, TN 37148
Telephone: 615-323-7276
Email: janetlseay@comcast.net
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of
the passing of Gregory Snyder, the brother of the Reverend Dale B. Snyder, Sr.,
pastor of Bethel AM Church in Columbus, Ohio (Ohio Conference,
Springfield/Xenia District).
Please keep the family in
your prayers.
Home Going Service:
Friday, October 4, 2013 at
11:00 a.m.
Covenant Community Church
3342 East 119th Street
Cleveland, OH 44120
Final Preparations entrusted
to:
Strowder's Funeral Home
822 East 105th Street
Cleveland, OH 44108
Telephone: 216-761-3092
Condolences/words of comfort
can be mailed to:
The Rev. & Mrs. Dale B.
Snyder, Sr.
2795 Marbella Place
Columbus, OH 43219
Phone: 216-526-2729
Mrs. Cara Caldwell
Third Episcopal District
Office
288 South Hamilton Road
Columbus, OH 43213
Telephone: 614-575-2279
Fax: 614-575-2375
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mr. James Oliver Weary and
Mrs. Rose Mary Weary Owens, the Brother and Sister of the Rev. Willie Weary,
Sr., pastor of Peter's Chapel AME Church in Muskogee, Oklahoma went home to be
with the Lord on Sunday, September 30, 2013, within 6 hours of each other.
Please keep the Rev. Willie and Sister Jackie Weary in your prayers.
Cards and Condolences can be
sent to:
The Rev. Willie and Jackie
Weary
2519 N. Garrison Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74106
The Rev. Willie Weary, Sr. Cell:
(918) 269-1768
Mrs. Jackie Weary Cell: (918)
269-0824
Resolutions to:
Ed Ford Funeral Home
3390 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 345-9558 - Phone
(901) 3445-9578 - Fax
The Wake for both and
Memorial Service for James Oliver Weary will be Friday, October 4, 2013, 4:00
p.m. -7:00 p.m.
Funeral Services for Mrs.
Rose Mary Weary Owens will be Saturday, October 5, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.
The Healing Cathedral
Christian Church
4523 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38116
Telephone: (901) 346-5483
Fax: (901) 346-5988
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Bernard White, the brother
of the Rev. Agnes Henderson, Pastor of New Allen African Methodist Episcopal
Church in Memphis, Tennessee.
Funeral arrangements for Mr. Bernard White:
The funeral was held on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at New Allen A.M.E.
Church in Memphis.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Agnes Henderson
5479 Santa Barbara
Memphis, Tennessee, 38116
Email: ahende1015@comcast.net
14. 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
15. 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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