11/01/2013

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (11/01/13)


The Right Reverend 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


The Clock changes to Standard Time in the U.S. This Sunday, November 3, 2013
Advent begins on Sunday December 1, 2013


1. TCR EDITORIAL – MODIFIED TCR ONLINE FROM THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder

I am presently in Santo Domingo, a beautiful cosmopolitan city of about 3 million inhabitants.

This issue of The Christian Recorder Online will be abbreviated.  We will publish the articles we received in next week’s issue

2. THE 2013 PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS OF THE TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE:          

The Tennessee Annual Conference closed on Sunday, October 27, 2013.  Significant pastoral changes and several annual conference transfers were made. 

The Rev. Walter Reid, pastor of Greater St. James AME Church in Memphis was transferred from the West Tennessee Annual Conference and appointed as the Presiding Elder of the South Nashville District of the Tennessee Annual Conference.  The Rev. Roderick Belin, who was the Presiding Elder of the South Nashville District, was assigned as the pastor of Lee Chapel AME Church.  The Rev. Edward Thompson, the pastor of Lee Chapel was assigned as the pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church.  The Rev. Keith Mayes, pastor of St. Luke AME Church in Gallatin, Tennessee was transferred to the East Tennessee Annual Conference and was appointed as the pastor of Bethel AME Church in Knoxville. The Rev. Michael Broadnax, pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church in Nashville was transferred to the West Tennessee Annual Conference and appointed as the pastor of Greater St. James AME Church in Memphis.              
                               
The North Nashville District                            

Presiding Elder, the Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield
                               
Church / City / State / Title /      Full Name

Lee Chapel AME Ch.     Nashville TN       Rev. Roderick D. Belin
St. John AME Church    Nashville TN       Rev. Troy Merritt Jr.
St. Peter AME Church   Clarksville TN     Rev. James Walker
Gr. Ebenezer AME Ch.  Clarksville TN     Rev. Alexander Gatson
St. Luke AME Church    Gallatin TN         Rev. Anthony Thomas
Ebenezer AME Church   Nashville TN       Rev. Vivian Canty
Scotts Chapel AME Ch. Hermitage TN     Rev. Frederick L. Jenkins Sr.
Martin Chapel AME Ch. Clarksville TN     Rev. Lisa Hammonds
St. John AME Church    Springfield TN     Rev. Donald Williams
St. Peter AME Church   Nashville TN       Rev. Charles Townsend
St. Paul AME Church     Oakwood TN       Rev. Willis Orr
St. James AME Church  Dickson TN `      Rev. Jeffrey Norfleet Sr.
St. James AME Church  Nashville TN       Rev. Randall L. Webster
Mt. Zion AME Church    Charlotte TN       Rev. Earl Long
Sulphur Springs AME    Cunningham TN   Rev. Anthony Lyle Sr.
First AME Church         Pegram TN Rev.  Wanda Kelly
St. Matthew AME Ch.   Clarksville TN     Rev. Deshnell Cobbin
St. Luke AME Church    Nashville TN       Rev. Eddie Sneed
McGavock Ch. AME Ch. Charlotte TN       Rev. Benessa Sweat
Smith Chapel AME Ch.  Bethpage TN      Rev. Fred Beasley
St. Paul AME Church     Ashland City TN  Rev. Robert C. Freeman
Winters Chap AME Ch. Lebanon TN        Rev. Sonja Deloatch
St. Luke AME Church    Erin TN              Supplied by Rev. Gloria Hall
Green Chapel AME Ch.  Hartsville TN      Rev. Wanda Payne
Turner Chapel AME Ch. Carthage TN       Suppl by Rev. Albert Strawther Jr.
Howard Chapel AME Ch Hartsville TN      Suppl by Rev. Albert Strawther Jr.
Mt. Olive AME Church   Lebanon TN        Rev. Supplied by Frankie Witt Sr.
                               
The South Nashville District
                               
Presiding Elder, the Rev. Walter Reid, Jr.
                               
Church / City / State / Title /      Full Name

Payne Chapel AME Church     Nashville TN       Rev. Sidney Bryant
Greater Bethel AME Church   Nashville TN       Rev. Edward L. Thompson
Kairos Community AME Ch.   Nashville TN       Rev. Tyronda Burgess
Allen Chapel AME Church      Murfreesboro TN  Rev. Jimmie L. Plummer
St. Paul AME Church             Columbia TN       Rev. Dennis D. Walker I
St. Matthew AME Church       Nashville TN       Rev. Reginald Brock
Wayman Chapel AME Church Columbia TN       Rev. Victor Goodman
Webb Grove AME Church       Murfreesboro TN  Rev. Dr. LeVan Strickland
Shorter Chapel AME Church   Franklin TN         Rev. William W. Easley
Salter's Chapel AME Church   Waverly TN        To Be Appointed
Bethel AME Church              Columbia TN       Rev. Trent Ogilvie
Woodfork Chapel AME Ch.     Shelbyville TN     Rev. Garrett Copeland
St. Paul AME Church             Nashville TN       Rev. Harold M. Love Jr.
New Salem AME Church        Nashville TN       Rev. Dr. Janie Dowdy-Dandridge
Allen-Bethel AME Church      Lewisburg TN      Supplied by James Scruggs
Canaan AME Church             Columbia TN       To Be Appointed
St. Phillip AME Church          Nashville TN       Rev. William R. Jennings
Mullin Chapel AME Church     Shelbyville TN     Rev. Nathan Frey
Hopewell AME Church           Columbia TN       Rev. Joe T. Southall
New Bethel AME Church        Murfreesboro TN  Supplied by Kenneth Odom
Jones Chapel AME Church     Mt. Pleasant TN  Rev. Sharon Ogilvie
Robert's Chapel AME Church  Linden TN          Rev. Andre L. Washington
Clayborne Chapel AME Church Williamsport TN Rev. Linda Hopkins
St. Matthew AME Church       Cornersville TN   Rev. Ashley Cox
Mt. Zion AME Church            Centerville TN     Rev. Anica Howard
                               
Other Appointments                               
                               
St. James AME Church          Memphis    TN    Rev. Michael Broadnax
Bethel AME Church              Knoxville    TN    Rev. Keith Mayes

3. AMES PARTICIPATE IN WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ASSEMBLY:

The 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches (WCC) will convene in Korea from October 30-November 8 with the theme "God of life, lead us to justice and peace".  The World Council of Churches is formed of over 340 various Christian denominations around the world.  The Assembly is the supreme governing body of the WCC and meets every 7-10 years to debate and set policy and a global ecumenical agenda.

The AME delegation will be led by Bishop Reginald Jackson. (A complete list of AME attendees will be forthcoming). 

Here are several AMEs with key positions in the WCC:
-- The Rev. Garland Pierce: Chief of Staff to the General Secretary of the WCC.  
-- Bishop John F. White: member of the Central Committee of the WCC.
-- The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Leath: member of the ECHOS Commission and moderator of the     WCC dialogue with Pentecostal denominations. 
-- Mr. Derrick Dailey: participant in the Global Ecumenical Theological Institute
-- Ms. DaRosa Bigford: WCC Assembly Steward

Additionally, Mr. John Thomas III is the delegated representative of the World Methodist Council at the Assembly. 

Persons interested in following the proceedings can go to: http://wcc2013.info/en

A full article will come upon the Assembly's Conclusion.

John Thomas III, Ph.D. Student, Department of Political Science University of Chicago

4. GETTING TO ZERO- FIGHTING BREAST CANCER:

*Dr. Oveta Fuller

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. This “pink campaign” has become highly publicized in the media, by businesses and individuals. This is deservedly so.

Breast cancer is prominent in both developed and developing countries.  It is one of the most common occurring types of cancer in American women, second only to skin cancer. Men can get breast cancer, however there is less than 1 male for every 100 females diagnosed with breast cancer. Mortality and morbidity can be decreased by using known preventive measures to reduce or manage risk. Here we begin a series on cancer awareness and prevention.

First, what is cancer? Cancer occurs from a change in growth control of a normal cell. Most cells divide in a highly regulated manner with limits on when and how many times they will divide. These limits may be due to physical space, nutrients, hormonal influence or age of the cell. A tumor or cancer is made up of “transformed” cells that no longer follow or respond to growth restrictions or signals that regulate division of normal cells. They continue to divide to form a lump of cells, a tumor or malignant tissue.

Multiple factors can impact change in control of cell growth. Some of these are aging, hormones, nutrition, and exercise, exposure to carcinogens and radiation and inherited genes. Interestingly, the risk of developing breast cancer or other types of cancer can be reduced by lifestyle choices and preventive care. 

How you ask?

Events such as “Breast Cancer Awareness” month have high potential impact in prevention. A constant focus on the topic by Health and Wellness Ministries in church congregations also can have a high impact on fighting breast cancer. Knowing what to do (and doing it) to lower risk of cancer of the breast, lung, ovaries, prostate, colon, cervix or skin can reduce death and disease.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides reliable web resources to learn more about breast cancer prevalence, symptoms and preventions.  Here are some risk factors and symptoms for breast cancer as listed at the CDC site- http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/basic_info/index.htm 

Reproductive risk factors

• Being younger when you had your first menstrual period.
• Never giving birth, or being older at the birth of your first child.
• Starting menopause at a later age.
• Using hormone replacement therapy for a long time.

Other risk factors

• Getting older.
• A personal history of breast cancer, dense breasts, or some other breast problems.
• A family history of breast cancer (parent, sibling, or child).
• Changes in your breast cancer-related genes (BRCA1 or BRCA2).
• Getting radiation therapy to the breast or chest.
• Being overweight, especially after menopause.

Symptoms:  Some warning signs of breast cancer are —

• A lump or pain in the breast.
• Thickening or swelling of part of the breast.
• Irritation or dimpling of breast skin.
• Redness or flaky skin on the breast.
• Pulling in of the nipple or pain in the nipple area.
• Fluid other than breast milk from the nipple, especially blood.

A thorough monthly self- check to examine breast tissue and look for changes is an essential part of a prevention strategy. Getting regular mammograms at intervals recommended for your age and level of risk factors is another essential prevention strategy. Both allow early detection of changes in tissue when there are more choices available to control or eliminate cancer cells.

Other articles in this series will explore ways, in addition to regular self-breast exams and mammograms, to reduce cancer risk and how to manage positively if cancer is detected. We also will look closely at the prevalence of cancer by age, gender and race.

Meanwhile, when you see pink, think of the women in your life that you cherish. Start the conversation with them to share what you know and are learning about cancer prevention and care.

An ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure.


5. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2013
GOD PREPARES FOR DELIVERANCE EXODUS 3:7-17:

*Bill Dickens, Allen AME Church, Tacoma, Washington

Church School Lesson Brief

The opportunity to be involved in something great or transformative often occurs in the most unexpected occurrences.  We are comfortable and content carrying out our perfunctory day-to-day duties and then, without notice, something happens and we must regroup.  Typically our reaction is one of skepticism about the new challenge.  Why should I assume the risk associated with this career changing task? 

The Adult AME Church School Lesson for November 3, 2013 addresses the important topic of how we respond to a sudden “change of plans.”  Moses’ life changing event occurs when he meets Yahweh at the famed burning bush.  God conveys his message to Moses for him to be the spokesperson and field general in leading his fellow Israelites out of Egyptian captivity and tyranny.  Like many of us, Moses is deeply apprehensive about his new “job assignment”.   He cites his own perceived inadequacies.  He complains about not knowing how to respond in the face of his fellow countrymen who would question his own authority.  Finally, he offers pushback by suggesting that he doesn’t even know the Name of God in order to establish credibility.  Moses forgot a critical theological truth.  God doesn’t give us a new job assignment without equipping us with the tools to do the job!  Yahweh responds in the affirmative that His name is I AM.  This name transcends space and time. The Great I AM has heard the cries of Moses’ oppressed kinsmen.  He will deliver them from their oppression and fulfill the promise he made to Abraham about their inheritance of a land over-flowing with “milk and honey.” 

As members of the African Diaspora, African Americans can easily identify with the rich symbolisms of this story.  We too endured hardship and suffering under the brutal regime of slavery and the attendant years of Jim Crow.  God dispatched Moses-like personalities for African American deliverance – David Walker, Richard Allen, Henry McNeal Turner, Harriett Tubman and Frederick Douglas.  The common denominator for each of the historical personalities is preparation preceded deliverance.   As Jesus indicated, many are called but only a few are chosen.

6.  MEDITATION COLUMN BY THE REV. DR. JOSEPH DARBY WAS RECEIVED, BUT I CAN FIND IT!


7. EPISCOPAL FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:

- The Recent Marriage of the Rev. Micah C. T. Sims, Sr. and the former Rev. Tameaka D. Reid

Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Harrisburg, Pennsylvania would like to formally announce the recent marriage of our pastor the Rev. Micah C. T. Sims, Sr. to the former Rev. Tameaka D. Reid of Cleveland, Ohio. The Rev. Sims is a member of the First Episcopal District under the leadership of Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram. The wedding took place on Sunday, June 30, 2013 at 7 p.m. in the sanctuary of Bethel AME Church. It was officiated by the Rev. Dr. Wesley I. Reid, father of the bride and pastor of Lee Memorial AME Church in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Rev. Micah C. T. Sims, Sr. is the grandson of the late Dr. George T. Sims, Jr. and great nephew of Bishop David Henry Sims, 55th elected and consecrated bishop of the AME Church.

The Rev. Tameaka was one of the morning glory preachers during the Lay Biennial Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia.

Pastor Micah Sims and the Rev. Tameaka Reid Sims parent five wonderful children: Micah II, Jeremiah David, Reiley, Christopher and Joshua. They reside in Harrisburg where they provide Bethel AME Church with an awesome anointed pastoral leadership team.

For more information go to the church website: www.igotoBETHEL.org

Congratulatory responses can be emailed to: Info@igotobethel.org

8. CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:

Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Phone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751




9.  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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