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
1. TCR EDITORIAL – SUNDAY SCHOOL AND PUBLIC
SCHOOL TEACHERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
Dr.
Calvin H. Sydnor III
The
20th Editor of The Christian
Recorder
I
love being the editor of The Christian
Recorder because it brings me close to the day-to-day ministry of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church. I am so blessed by the number of persons who
share their stories and experiences with me.
Sometimes,
people share their stories in confidence and I have to honor their request for
anonymity; and so their stories remain confidential.
At
other times, people want me to share their stories in editorials; in fact many,
or most, editorials in The Christian
Recorder are precipitated by emails and conversations with laity and clergy
at all levels of the Church. As a matter of fact I have several editorials in
the queue, most notably, the theological and historical liturgy of Holy
Communion, the rationale for the clergy wear of robes and an editorial with
“gumbo ministry” in the title. The “gumbo ministry” editorial will look at the
various dimensions and approaches of ministry in the AME Church.
Sometimes
I receive articles that just get my “editorial juices” flowing and this week I
received an article written by Dr. Joseph Smiley entitled, “Mt. Olive AME Church in Clearwater, Florida
Using Church School to Help Youth Succeed in Local Schools” (Number 3 in
this week’s issue of TCR Online) that
piqued my thoughts and memories about the importance of teachers in my life,
not only my public school teachers, but especially my Sunday School
teachers.
My
Sunday School teachers laid the foundation for reading in public, helped me to
learn to express myself in public. And actually it was in Sunday School that
instilled self-confidence and laid the foundation for my academic performance
in public school.
Upon
reading the article written by Dr. Joseph Smiley, I thought about the
importance of Sunday School and the ACE League in my life and how my academic
achievements might have been difference if I hadn’t had the experience of
Sunday School, especially public reading, speaking and memorization.
Dr.
Smiley’s article precipitated my appreciation for my teachers and pastors and
undergirds my appreciation for the AME Church’s Christian Education programs
and why Christian Education is still important.
It
warms my heart to recall my Sunday School and public school teachers who
significantly impacted my life. I can’t remember all of their names, but I am
surprised at how many names I can remember.
I
have my memories and you have yours. I am going to share mine and I hope you
will take a moment and think about the Sunday School and public school teachers
who impacted your life.
I
am appreciative and indebted to the teachers who made a difference in my life.
Sunday School
Teachers
- Mr. Warren and Harry Strothers my Sunday
School teachers at Bethel AME Church in Ardmore, Pennsylvania when the Reverend
T. S. Clements was the pastor. The Strothers brothers both taught Sunday School
and they both made Sunday School exciting! They could raise the most
contentious questions that precipitated excited conversations among their young
Sunday School students in each of their classes. Both of them were excellent
teachers.
-
An of course my Grandmother, “Mrs. Price” who played the piano for the Sunday
School and taught a Sunday School class at Bethel Ardmore. She had some ideas
that were really “old school,” which could precipitate animated conversations
among her young students. Talk about time-management, I had to get to Sunday
School early because she played for the opening. Newscaster, “Jim” Vance was in
our class and we all wanted to read as well as he did.
- Sister Wynn my Sunday school teacher at
Ebenezer AME Church, Rahway, New Jersey.
The Reverend Aldustus Jordan and the Reverend Jesse F. Owens were my
pastors at Ebenezer, Rahway. The Rev. Owens was my father in the ministry.
Sister Wynn was so nice and her classes were so informative. She loved Sunday
School, the AME Church and she loved her Sunday School students.
Elementary and
grammar school teachers
-
Miss Collier who taught grades 1-6 at St. Mary’s School, a one-room school
house way out in the country in Piney River, Nelson County Virginia. There was
no lunch program and no bus service for the black students. How she taught I do
not know, but I know I learned and she laid the foundation for my academic
successes. The school and our homes did
not have electricity or running water. Heat was provided by a pot-bellied stove
in the middle of the room. There was no
such thing, at that time, as child abuse. Miss Collier wielded a mean switch,
of which I was a recipient. One of the things I remember was that we had to
learn the song, “Dixie,” and had to sign it when the white school official
visited our school. I still remember the words to the song today, but I don’t
sing it!
-
Miss Maxwell who taught 4th grade at Coppin Laboratory School at the
then Cheyney State Teachers College in Cheyney, Pennsylvania when I was in
boarding school at Sunnycrest Farm for Negro Boys. It was a school run by the Quakers. Again,
there was no such thing as “child abuse.”
By the time I got to the 4th grade though, I had learned how
to avoid whippings because by the 4th grade the whippings were “real
whippings.”
- Mrs. Ellis, who also taught at Coppin
Laboratory School, taught my 5th grade class and I was made to feel
like a student and a leader; sometimes called a, “Teacher’s Pet.”
-
Miss Dugan taught my 8th grade at 15th Avenue School in
Newark, New Jersey. There were only two blacks in the class. She nominated me
to be on the Safety Patrol. I took pride in wearing the badge on my left arm.
- My art teacher at 15th Avenue
School in Newark, New Jersey, whose name escapes me, was the most important
mentor to me in grammar school. She
encouraged me to attend Arts High School in Newark. Arts High gave me a great
academic foundation. We moved to Rahway,
New Jersey in my sophomore year and I attended Rahway High School.
High school
teachers
- A teacher whose name I cannot remember,
taught me to play the string bass on Saturday mornings in an after-school
program at West Side High School in Newark. I played the bass in bands during
high school and as a result I never learned to dance very well. At least that’s
the excuse I give for never being a good dancer.
-
The Rahway High School band and orchestra director, whose name I cannot
remember, who, when I told him I played the string bass, took me to the band
room and handed me a bass tuba and I became a bass tuba player in the Rahway
High School band.
- Miss D’Amato, the music teacher who gave me
piano lessons at Rahway High School in Rahway, New Jersey. She gave me the
foundation for playing the piano.
- The typing teacher at Rahway High School,
whose name I cannot remember who agreed to teach an after school typing class
if I could find at least 10 students to take the after-school course for
“no-credit,” just as an extra curricular activity. I found more than 10
students and we all learned to type.
College professors
- Miss Isabel Askew my history professor at
Wilberforce University. She didn’t take any stuff from me or any other student
and knew how to motivate and teach history. She was tough and she was an
excellent professor!
- Miss Gertrude Jackson was my English
professor at Wilberforce University. She didn’t take any stuff either. Miss Jackson reminded me of my grandmother,
but I quickly learned she was not my substitute-grandmother. She would say,
“Mister…” and let you know that you had to do the required work and that a
student could not smile his or her way to a passing grade. Miss Jackson was
tough too! The “Sydnor-charm” did not
work with her!
- Dr. Yvonne Walker Taylor my English
Literature professor at Wilberforce University was “Miss Walker” when I
attended Wilberforce. I had a crush on
her and I believe that the Rev. Rodger Reed (we were not reverends them) and
the other guys in the class had a crush on her too, but she didn’t have a crush
on us. She held our “academic feet to the fire.”
- Mr. Norville Smith my Social Science
professor at Cheyney University who knew how to bring the best “out of” all of
his students. He made me and other students feel like scholars.
Seminary professors
- The Rev. Roscoe Pierson my Bibliography
professor and mentor at Lexington Theological Seminar, Lexington, Kentucky. He
made it possible for me to travel to the West Indies and get some semblance of
a global perspective of ministry. He was a white man from Mississippi and
insisted that I call him “Roscoe.” We ate
at his house and he and his wife ate at our parsonages in Paris, Kentucky and
in Danville, Kentucky.
Thanks
to Dr. Joseph Smiley for giving me an opportunity to acknowledge some of the
significant teachers who were instrumental in my life.
Do
you remember the Sunday School and public school teachers who were instrumental
in your life?
Next week: Holy Communion,
Worship and the Rationale for the Wear of Robes by Clergy.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL
AND OTHER ISSUES:
-- To the Editor:
RE:
TCR Editorial: Does Anybody Care?
Some
lay people care very much. The question is how to make change without
destroying what little we have in terms of a local church or
"connection"?
Prayer
and Bible Study help. Just plain
understanding the importance of loving the "sheep" would be helpful.
Some
lay people care, but are woefully intimidated by their pastor - sort of like
how some bigoted caucasians once intimidated African Americans.
If
anyone wants to know why some people are working "outside" the church
structure for change or just leaving the church, have some online question and
answer sessions, comment sessions.
Lay
people tell one another HORROR STORIES about what is openly going on in their
church and "no one seems" to do anything about the problems/concerns.
My
understanding and feelings are that all of us have the right and responsibility
to press for positive change. Lord knows
we don't need to destroy our churches.
-- To the Editor:
RE:
TCR Editorial: Doles Anybody Care?
It
is so refreshing to me when you address those seemingly difficult issues that
no one wants to talk about. I thank God for your editorials. I too have
wondered why our preachers do not preach in robes as that has been our
signature. When I came to the 13th district for the 4th district I found that
many things were not being followed as per the Discipline. Hope people are
listening. I DO CARE!!!!
Power
Angel on Assignment,
Gwen
Criglar
3. MT. OLIVE AME
CHURCH IN CLEARWATER, FLORIDA; USING THE CHURCH SCHOOL TO HELP YOUTH SUCCEED IN
LOCAL SCHOOLS:
*Dr.
Joseph Smiley
There
is no greater challenge to African American youth than achieving a quality
education to maximize their potential in society.
Pastor
James Vincent Williams, Mt. Olive AME Church in Clearwater, Florida is using
the framework of the Church School as a strategy for helping Mt. Olive youth
improve their level of success in Pinellas County Schools. Moved by the thought that the church must be
more aggressive in helping youth navigate the path of educational success and
that it can be done in part by using the Church School, Mt. Olive has expanded
the programmatic role of the Church School.
What
are our goals? The goals are to improve
the grade level success rate of our youth and to reduce to zero the suspension
rate, in and out of school. What has the
Church School implemented to achieve its goals?
Three programmatic steps have been infused into our policies,
procedures, and curriculum.
First,
we implemented a system to effectively assess and monitor student progress in
school. When Pinellas County schools
release report cards, parents are asked to turn in copies of all report cards
to the Church School. The report cards
are reviewed by the Church School Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and a
plan is developed as needed for each youth.
Grades and student conduct are reviewed to determine the intervention
plan for the student.
If
a review of the report card reveals a weakness or grade decrease in one or two
subjects, a meeting will be arranged at the church to advise and offer the
needed support for the student. If
there are behavior concerns reflected on the report card or conveyed by the
parent, a series of meetings are held with the parent and student. Ongoing counseling and monitoring of the
student will occur over the next grading period.
Second,
we implemented a system for calling on the power of prayer. After report cards are received for each
grading period, a prayer program is held during the Sunday Church School
hour. The entire church is called
together to pray over the reports cards, the progress of the children, their
teachers, and principals.
And
third, the Church School must aggressively promote more reading and
writing. Creating more opportunities to
read and write is important to improving both skills. Towards that end, all Church School teachers
include writing assignments as part of every Church School lesson. Children are given weekly home reading
assignments and parents are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that
reading assignments are completed in preparation for the next Church School
class meeting. Additionally, quarterly
book reading festivals are planned.
Can
our churches afford to do less? No, the
cost of doing less is too great. The
Church School must help to counter the forces in the home, community, and
school that tend to reduce student success rates in schools serving AME church
students. Church Schools in small,
medium, and large churches alike have the capacity to provide the factors
critical to countering such forces. The power of the Mt. Olive Church School
will be maximized to improve grade level success and a zero suspension rate
among our youth.
*Dr.
Joseph Smiley is currently Church School Superintendent at Mt. Olive AME Church
in Clearwater, Florida.
4. BISHOP RICHARD
F. NORRIS CELEBRATES AFRICAN METHODISM AT BETHLEHEM AME CHURCH:
*Ms.
Kay Taylor-Hightower, Esq.
Bishop
Richard Franklin Norris, 116th Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
and the Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District, and over 600 AMEs
from all over the state of South Carolina flooded Bethlehem AME Church in
Winnsboro, SC on Sunday January 12, 2014, to celebrate the vital role that
African Methodism and Bethlehem have played in the Winnsboro Community. Since
it was established by newly freed African Methodists for over a century ago,
Bethlehem AME has brought generations of people Christ. Rev. Dr. James D. Stokes is the pastor of
Bethlehem AME and Rev. James R. Glover is the church’s presiding elder.
Accompanied
by his wife, Episcopal Supervisor Mary Ann Norris and eight Presiding Elders:
the Rev. Lorenzo Baker (Orangeburg District); Rev. Dr. James Cooper (Wateree
District); the Rev. Robert Cooper (Florence-Dillon District); Rev. Sandy
Drayton (Columbia District); Rev. James Glover (Lancaster District); the Rev.
Dr. Junerrl Keith (Mount Pleasant District); the Rev. Dr. Robert McCants
(Sumter District); and the Rev. Joseph Postell (Newberry-Spartanburg District).
Bishop
Norris joined the congregants in a spirit-filled service celebrating Bethlehem
AME and its members. South Carolina’s
world famous hospitality was apparent from the moment everyone entered the
church. Rev. Stokes and Mrs. Stokes, the ushers and all of the members of
Bethlehem AME greeted everyone as family.
To
an avalanche of Amens and Hallelujahs from the congregation, Bishop Norris
affirmed his and the Seventh Episcopal District’s unconditional support for
Rev. Stokes and Bethlehem AME. Then it was preaching time. Rev. Stokes
delivered a powerful message. His text came from Matthew 3:13-17; his sermon
was entitled, “Walking in Obedience.”
The
service ended after the six hundred people in the church huddled around the
altar. All hearts and minds were clear as Rev. Dr. Ronnie Brailsford, Bethel
(Columbia) prayed for the Bethlehem AME Church family. By the end of the
service, everyone was a member of the Bethlehem AME Church family.
*Kay
Taylor-Hightower, Esq. is the Social Action Director for the 7th Episcopal
District
5. NEW AME CHURCH
HAS ITS FOCUS ON FAMILY:
Dave
McMillion
The
Rev. J. C. Chandler Jr., 55, and his wife, the Rev. Sakima “Kim”
Romero-Chandler, 39, have started a new church in Hagerstown, and they vow to
change what they see as long-held notions among some churches.
The
Hagerstown couple, which has led ministries at churches in Washington, D.C.,
and Hyattsville, Md., received “mission status” approval in April of last year
to establish a new African Methodist Episcopal Church in Hagerstown.
They
said it took some time to organize the new church and find a location, which
for now is a conference room in the Comfort Suites at 1801 Dual Highway.
They
started offering services at the hotel on July 21.
As
the name implies, the Family Life Ministry AME Church is focused on the family
unit.
As
far as Kim is concerned, it does not matter what families at her church look
like. Age, sexual orientation, children or no children — none of that has any
bearing on a central effort to save souls, she said.
J.C.
said the African reference to the church is simply the basis of where the
church came from during times of slavery.
“I
like to say AME more stands for ‘all members are equal.’ I don’t care what your
origin is. We’re all God’s children,” said J.C., whose day job is a national
security position at the Pentagon. J.C. is the president and founder of Argus
Eagle LLC, a company that assists contractors in dealing with national security
regulations.
To
help the church get off the ground, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Funkstown
donated Bibles and hymnals, and the two ministers said they will consider
eventually building a church or leasing a space.
Part
of the requirement for a new AME church is that it must be at least seven miles
from any other AME church, the couple said.
The
new church’s location at the Comfort Suites at 1801 Dual Highway is only 3.7
miles from Ebenezer AME church on Bethel Street.
The
Rev. Sakima Romero-Chandler, one of the pastors in the new church, said because
the new church is currently considered a missions church, it can operate
anywhere.
When
the church is “planted,” it must be seven miles from any other AME churches, Romero-Chandler
said.
J.C.
said starting a church can be difficult because other churches sometimes see
the new organization as an attempt to take parishioners.
“That’s
a mind-set that really needs to change,” said J.C., who believes there needs to
be more networking and partnerships between churches.
“That
is the glass ceiling that we are going to first crack, then break,” J.C. said.
The
Rev. Michael Louia of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Funkstown said he agrees
with that assessment.
“I
think they have a very focused ministry. And that’s a good thing,” Louia said
in a telephone interview.
J.C.
and Kim also want to concentrate on serving specific segments of the
population, like senior citizens and youths.
J.C.
said many senior citizens need medical assistance, and he would like to see the
church partner with a pharmacy retailer to meet their medical needs. He said he
envisions setting aside space in his church where senior citizens can get the
medicine they need, perhaps subsidized by the church.
J.C.,
who retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1999, moved to Hagerstown in 2002 and
was part of the ministerial staff at Ebenezer AME Church for about five years.
He was born in San Antonio, and was raised in Denver and Pensacola, Fla.
Romero-Chandler
was born and raised in Queens, New York and has served in ministerial positions
at AME churches in Houston, Washington, D.C., and Hyattsville. She moved to
Hagerstown in 2012.
Dave
McMillion is a reporter for The Herald-Mail. He can be reached via email at davem@herald-mail.com.
**Used
with permission of The Herald-Mail Company
6. THE TRUTH IS THE
LIGHT:
*The
Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based
on Biblical Text: Matthew 24:45 (KJV): “Who then is a faithful and wise
servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in
due season?”
I
wonder how many among us are faithful and wise employees? Who among us find our motivation for working
hard each day stems from the fact that we are the head of our household and
must provide food and shelter for ourselves and our family?
I believe, at the very least, we agree that we
should be feeding ourselves. No one enjoys labor without reward. Hard work for
little pay can weaken our spirits and tempt us to give up and “throw in the
towel”. However in our text Jesus
reminds us that we work with our employer, but we work for our families. Jesus
wants us to know that when He returns, He will judge us by our faithfulness to
our responsibility as the provider for our household. Certainly unfair
employers may appear to get away with paying us too little for our diligence
and dedication, but God promises us that there is a great heavenly reward for
those who take their responsibility to be a faithful and wise servant
seriously.
Two
principles associated with the act of servanthood are obedience and submission.
We are challenged to comply with the earthly supervisors, those who are in
authority over us in secular or material relations, while we are encouraged
that Christ is our absolute Lord and Master. It is God’s desire that we perform
our duties both eagerly and sufficiently. We should not go about that which we
are responsible to do haphazardly giving less than our very best. We should not be sloppy, or slothful in the
fulfillment of our work.
The
obvious question is how can we be this dedicated to an employer who may be less
than fair to us? The, maybe not so
obvious, answer is that we can because we are spiritually motivated as
Christians, desperately seeking to please our real Master, Jesus Christ. The
Bible challenges, “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters
according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart,
as unto Christ.”
Steward,
Trustee, Stewardess, Choir Member or Usher, whatever our job, we are obligated
to God to offer the best of our service. Now, we always have the option to look
for another position. However, it is a fact that the grass is not always
greener on the other side of the fence. In many cases some have found the green
grass only to be dirt painted green. In
other words it can often end up to be more wilted than the field we are already
plowing in.
Where
ever we find ourselves employed, where ever we are planted, there is a mission.
There is a work to do that only we are equipped to do. Would God send His
anointed into an unfruitful situation?
“With God all things are possible.”
The Apostle Paul learned early in his Christian walk to praise God for
all circumstances. The Bible reminds us
that “No weapon that is formed against thee (God) shall prosper” and “If God be
for us, who can be against us?” We must be encouraged that the darkest of
nights will eventually be followed by the brightest of days. In the wake of the
heaviest of burdens will come the greatest of blessings. We are admonished to
praise God at all times and in all circumstances faithful that the most
hopeless limitations will be succeeded by the most profound strengths and the
most difficult of circumstances will produce the most blessed accomplishments.
As
we work to satisfy the requirements imposed by our earthly employer we must
recognize that our real business is serving the Lord. We put forth our best
effort as all our work should be unto Christ. No matter what our job is it
should be done for His sake and to His glory.
The
work we are called to do is not always fun but the joy we find in serving our
earthly employer is not tied to the reward he gives us on payday. The joy we
have man didn’t give it and man cannot take it away. The joy we find in servanthood is tied to the
reward Christ promises when He returns for His Saints! In other words, God’s payday is coming.
Every
aspect of our earthly life, on the job and off the job, must be governed by our
moral and spiritual integrity. We are
confident our labor is not in vain. We
are challenged to give all of ourselves, because Christ gave His all. We are charged to remain faithful that the
God we serve is faithful to deliver us from every difficulty and disaster. We
must be faithful, wise, diligent and responsible knowing that God will
strengthen us in times of trials, sustain us in times of suffering and keep us
in times of persecution.
We
labor, but not in vain because we know a reward far greater than payday is
coming! Until that day we hold on to our
faith in God believing that it is sufficient to dissolve our doubts, supply our
needs, and reward our labors!
*The
Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr. is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church
in Charleston, South Carolina
7. THE NEW OLD
LABOR CRISIS - THINK BEING AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR IS HARD? TRY BEING A BLACK
ADJUNCT PROFESSOR.
Tressie McMillan Cottom
Students
at Columbia University listen to Mark Rudd, chairman of SDS Columbia; speak in
New York City on May 1, 1968.
The
New York Times reported recently on an adjunct instructor, James Hoff, who
walks like a professor, talks like a professor, and teaches like a professor,
but has none of the benefits of being a professor, because he is an adjunct.
Adjunct labor in higher education has revealed the structural flaw in our
post-recession reality: The prescription for poverty—educational attainment—has
become a condition for poverty. The high price, in dollars and opportunity
costs, of getting All the Education™ has to be reconfigured, because tenured
jobs with their tenured wages are declining. And that has made lots of people
angry.
I’m
actually quite glad people are getting angry about adjunctification. On Friday,
the House Committee on Education and the Workforce issued a 36-page report
chronicling the low salaries, long hours, and lack of benefits and job security
that “contingent faculty” face. (The report puts an adjunct’s average annual
pay at just under $25,000.)
But
to be clear, there’s been a labor crisis in higher ed for a long time. It just
hasn’t always been a crisis for everyone in higher ed.
The
American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has pretty much confirmed
what the stories about adjuncts on food stamps and dying without health
coverage illustrate: A “long-term fiscal crisis” has crushed Ph.D.s into
adjunct spackle, to be applied liberally to cracks in university foundations.
The report also shows something else: “The proportion of African-Americans in
non-tenure-track positions (15.2 percent) is more than 50 percent greater than
that of whites (9.6 percent).” In 2009,
the Journal of Blacks in Higher Education analyzed data from the Department of
Education and projected that if current rates of hiring and promotion of black
Ph.D.s remained steady, it would “take nearly a century and a half for the
percentage of African-American college faculty to reach parity with the
percentage of blacks in the nation’s population.” African-Americans make up
just 5 percent of full-time faculty. If you leave out the high proportion of
black Ph.D.s working in historically black colleges and universities, black
full-time faculty in the U.S. barely clears 4 percent.
You
have two sets of conditions unfolding against these statistics. On the one
hand, African-Americans are less likely to attend graduate school than whites
for myriad reasons. First, you have to know that graduate school exists and is
a practical option for someone like you. That often takes sharing a
network—family, friends, mentors—who can model how that’s done and what it
looks like. But historical discrimination in college enrollment and persisting
inequalities from kindergarten through college means black students are less
likely to know someone who has been to graduate school.
Should
you discover graduate school and meet the institutional requirements for
graduate school, you still have to pay for graduate school. Everything from
shelling out a couple hundred dollars per application to funding a move to get
there would be a whole lot easier with inherited wealth or parents with home
equity and a good credit score. Again, for reasons well-documented by
sociologists like James Shapiro, the hidden cost of being black in America
makes getting there a lot harder.
Student
protests dating back to the 1960s have demanded more tenured black faculty
because they understand that tenure is a political tool.
On
the other hand, there is also a set of social conditions—or what sociologists
call structure—at play. The structural fissures in higher education labor are
now becoming more visible to all sectors of the higher education labor market.
Tenure isn’t just about managing labor costs. Tenure is and always has been
political. For minorities, particularly African-Americans, tenure and academic
labor have long looked like managing bottom lines and keeping the upper
echelons of the Ivory Tower white and male. That “long-term fiscal crisis” the
AAUP cites? It came first for all the places black folks gather in groups of
two or more. The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education predicts it will come
first and stay longest for black faculty, who are often last hired, first
fired. Departments with a lot of black faculty are “more likely have to
surrender faculty slots,” JBHE warns.
That’s
a prediction in line with history. Black faculty and the departments where they
are found in the greatest numbers have been the most vulnerable since their
inception. When the AAUP was issuing its first report on adjunct professors in
the early 1980s, black students and faculty had been protesting the
ghetto-fication of black scholars in adjunct roles for almost 20 years. In
1968, black students took over an administration building at Columbia; among
their demands was a call for more tenured black faculty. In 1969, the Black
Student Union at San Francisco State University drafted a document justifying
the establishment of an African-American Studies department.
These
protests were extensions of the black power and civil rights movements:
Essentially, young people looked around at the institutions that produced all
the science and expert opinions that had rationalized their legal and social
oppression, and they decided that universities were ripe for disruption. They
were not just demanding student access but more tenured black faculty; they
understood that tenure was a political tool. Tenure is so political that
departments, administrators, and even faculty have used tenure to restrict
black academics’ access to university resources. One story from a history of
black studies programs recounts a Wellesley College dean telling the
department’s first black faculty member to come up for tenure that “the college
had decided in its wisdom that the tenure quota for Black Studies would be
capped at one for all time.”
James
Karabel’s excellent history of admissions at Ivy League universities includes
correspondence among the presidents of Yale, Harvard, and Princeton as student
protests spread throughout the country in the ’60s. They were more than a
little terrified by the unrest. Their elegant solution was the careful
recruitment of black students and black faculty within reason, so as not to
disturb the universities’ culture or labor structure. It was a popular
strategy. Accounts abound from minority faculty who were hired to assuage
demand for diversity only to find rules for tenure and promotion that
effectively trapped them in nontenure-track roles.
Last
year, I moderated a panel on black academic women’s health in the academy. The
administrators were overwhelmed by the intensity of response. Hundreds of
essays poured in about the racism and sexism that stymied their academic
careers. Many felt silenced by faculty groups that were supposed to protect
them, ignored by comrades in the adjunct struggle who did not address how
racism compounded its effects, and exhausted from straddling so many worlds.
Problems like these have been so systemic that some disciplines, such as the
American Anthropological Association, have produced white papers (no pun
intended) on racism, tenure, and hiring.
I
agree with the AAUP that the racial disparities in adjuncting are disturbing,
just as I agree with the JBHE that it is systemic and historical. Our current
anger about class divides in higher education labor cannot be separated from
its racist roots. Or, rather, it can—but then it is about something altogether
different.
Tressie
McMillan Cottom is a Slate writer and Ph.D. candidate in sociology at Emory
University.
8. GETTING TO ZERO:
NATIONAL BLACK HIV/AIDS AWARENESS DAY
*Dr.
Oveta Fuller
“We
are the Ones We Have Been Waiting For” is the theme of the National Black
HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) for February 7, 2014. Annually during Black
History Month, NBHAAD is a coordinated focus on HIV/AIDS among African
Americans (AA) and those in the African Diaspora. It is a time to “get
educated, get tested, get involved and get treated.” HIV/AIDS and its impacts
can be stopped.
What
is the effect of HIV in the USA?
As
part of the global HIV/AIDS pandemic, in the USA at least 1.1 million people
are living with HIV infection1. About 16% of these do not know that they are
infected. No test has been taken that would detect presence of HIV. Since they
do not know of the virus invasion, they cannot counter its effects.
What
is the impact on African Americans (AA)?
By
2010, 44% of those in the USA living with HIV/AIDS were African American (some
260,800 persons) 1. CDC estimates that “unless the course of the epidemic
changes, 1 in 16 black men and 1 in 32 black women will be diagnosed with HIV
infection.”
In
the USA the overall number of new infections has stabilized. This means overall
numbers in each year of 2008, 2009 and 2010 did not increase. However, the
number of AA males and females between the ages of 20-30 increased in each of these
years. More people in this age group were newly diagnosed for HIV infection in
2009 than in 2008. The number again was higher in 2010 than in 2009.
Is
this age group more likely to get tested (thus, new diagnoses of HIV infection
are up)? Or, is there more virus transmitted within this highly interactive
group (likely from sexual contact), or both?
For ages 20-30 in the USA, the data indicate that HIV successfully goes
from an infected person to another person through contact with blood, semen or
vaginal fluids. Focus on ages 20-30 does not obscure that African Americans of
ALL ages have a higher and disproportionate level of HIV/AIDS. (Note that 44%
of people in USA living with HIV/AIDS are AA compared to 12% of the USA
population as AAs.)
Does
the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affect what will happen specifically with
HIV/AIDS?
Persons
diagnosed with HIV infection (HIV +) should immediately connect to medical care
to define the stage of infection and health of their immune system. A blood
test can determine the level of circulating virus (virus load). Importantly, a
blood test will determine the number of CD4+ immune cells, or “helper”
lymphocytes (T-cells). To remain well (disease free) and slow or stop
progression to AIDS, one must keep the HIV level low or undetectable and keep
the number of T-cells high (>400 cells/ul).
The
impacts of ACA on controlling HIV replication and spread and on treatment of
opportunistic infections can be tremendous. No or low health insurance
decreases the chances of handling HIV/AIDS.
A
person with health insurance is more likely to follow through for medical
referral and long-term monitoring care.
At certain phases of HIV/AIDS infection, other benefits are available to
people living with HIV/AIDS. To access these, the stage of HIV infection must
be medically documented.
What
my church or organization can do to effectively address HIV/AIDS for NBHAAD?
A
wide array of helpful actions can occur! These range from hosting an effective
event that includes medical based education and HIV testing (invite a local
health department or community agency to do this); to hosting such an event
later in conjunction with other organizations (initiate this for NBHAAD). Talk
about HIV/AIDS in some manner with your family, school, co-workers, Church
School or Bible Study group and in gatherings and sermons surrounding the
February 7 date. Put correct information on HIV/AIDS control in the bulletin,
on the church website or in an organization newsletter.
Getting
an HIV test is a highly effective action for leaders, especially pastors,
ministerial staff (if present) and trustees and stewards. Let the congregation
know that you are taking the HIV test. Show that leaders lead! “Get educated,
get tested and get involved.” Get treated if the test is positive for HIV
infection. For NBHAAD and after, this is a Christ-like, forward thinking,
timely and necessary way to lead.
What
are other dates to consider in planning?
A
coordinated national focus can happen around NBHAAD or the March 2-9 Balm in
Gilead initiated National Week of Prayer for the Healing of HIV/AIDS. March is
International Women’s Month. June 27 is the National Day of HIV Testing.
December 1 is World AIDS Day. Plan now to coordinate HIV/AIDS relevant events
for any or all of these annual dates, or at times between. At any time is
useful.
What
resources are available?
Resources
are available at websites of the CDC, The Balm in Gilead (www.NWPHA.org), and The Black AIDS Institute or
through local and state health departments. These provide ideas, materials and
possibly connection to funding opportunities. The AMEC Commissions on Health
and Social Justice can assist with contacts for state and national government
programs. Resources that include applications for small community grants have
become more available as appreciation increases for the influential role of
religious organizations, particularly historically the Black Church, in
HIV/AIDS control and elimination.
Where
can I get tested?
To
find nearby HIV testing and counseling sites (usually testing at no cost), put
in your zip code at the site within the on-line link:
Why
this 2014 NBHAAD theme?
Collectively-
individuals, families, church groups and organizations- we CAN do it. No need
to wait on someone else- not government, not a specific agency, not a
supernatural act from the power of God.
The
wait for someone else to fix issues that allow HIV/AIDS to spread is over!
Enough already is known about how HIV causes AIDS and what to do to stop virus
infection and progression to disease to get to zero- no new HIV infections and
no AIDS-related deaths.
Waiting
for a hero? Wait no longer. You are it. Now is the time. “We are the ones we
have been waiting for!”
“Reach
for Wellness” REMINDER: Establish a good habit for wellness. From January
15-February 14, complete at least one of the following. Promote such to others.
Get an HIV/AIDS rapid test and a follow-up.
Know and confirm YOUR HIV infection status. Take along an immediate family
member(s) or engage others in conversation about HIV testing as a vital part of
routine self and community care, or Get an influenza vaccine. It can reduce
disease severity and death from influenza infection, or evaluate your health
insurance or sign up for coverage.
This
is especially critical since the Affordable Care Act is effective. For
understanding health insurance options and requirements, the AMEC Social
Justice and Health Commissions can provide assistance or get you to someone who
can. See www.ame-church.com, or contact
Mrs. Jackie Dupont-Walker (213) 494-9493 or Dr. Miriam Burnett (770) 328-2002.)
1
CDC. HIV Surveillance Report. 2011; Vol. 23. Published February 2013. Access
at: www.dc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/resources/reports/
*The
Rev. Dr. A. Oveta Fuller is a tenured professor in Microbiology and Immunology
and faculty in the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan. An
Itinerant Elder in the 4th Episcopal District, she served as pastor
of Bethel AME Church in Adrian, Michigan for seven years before focusing fully
on global health research in Zambia and the USA for HIV/AIDS elimination. At
Payne Theological Seminary she teaches a required course, “What Effective Clergy Should Know about HIV/AIDS.”
9. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON
BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, February 2, 2014
COMMITTED TO ACTION - JAMES 1:19-27:
*Bill
Dickens, Allen AME Church, Tacoma, Washington
Church School
Lesson Brief
The
Book of James can be looked at as a practical guide to Christian theology. The author eschews esoteric theological
issues like eschatology, soteriology and trinitarianism and chooses instead to
concentrate on issues like inequality, justice, abuse of power and
workmanship. The Book of James is really
a practical guide for understanding what it means to be a Christian. As a practical guide the Book of James is
reflected in the life and mission of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church. The AME Church is a Christian church
committed to the cause of mitigating inequality, injustice and the spread of
power that keeps people in bondage.
In
James 1:19-27, the author lays down the ground-rules for true and authentic
religion. We should strive to have a lifestyle that emphasizes hearing skills,
and being slow to exact anger (verse 19).
It is also important that we purge ourselves of unrighteous attributes
(verse 21). This creates moral fiber for the believer.
However,
moral fiber is not enough. It is imperative that we incorporate the principle
of being a doer or a person of action (verses 22-25).
For
James a Christian is incomplete if he/she can’t commit to something. In this context we must commit to doing those
things that are pleasing to God.
Commitment requires sacrifice and sacrifice means work which can at
times be difficult. Yet despite the
sacrifice and difficult we must persevere because this is what God is
expecting.
Nowhere
is the commitment to action better represented than in verses 26-27. For James true Christianity implies
self-control over what we say and our acts of works to those who are
less-fortunate. The fatherless and
widows were cut-off from economic life support.
Showing acts of kindness to these cohort groups is an expectation for a
Christian. In addition, we are expected
to be a doer by not adopting a life of sin.
We live in the world but we are not expected to conform to the carnal
ideology and habits of the world. This
comes by not just hearing but more importantly doing what we know is true.
*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.
10. MEDITATION
BASED ON ISAIAH 42:1-9:
The
Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
I’m
sending this week’s meditation a bit earlier than usual while waiting for
something that’s rare in Charleston, South Carolina - significant freezing
rain, sleet and snow. Last night, I
joined the crowds that filled local grocery and hardware stores, buying
supplies to prepare for the worst case scenario of being “homebound” because of
icy roads and the possibility of power outages.
I
bought some predictable things, like extra batteries and food that can be
cooked outdoors on the grill. I also saw
some other shoppers who followed a southern “snow warning” shopping tradition
and picked the stores clean of three items in particular - bread, milk and eggs
- two of which have to be refrigerated!
I chatted with one of those shoppers while waiting to check out and
asked if she planned to make a lot of French toast on the grill during the
expected storm and its aftermath. She
said, “I don’t know what I’m going to cook, but these are the things my mother
always bought to get ready for a snowstorm.”
That’s
amusing, but it also reflects an aspect of human nature that goes beyond winter
weather preparation. Most of us, like
that lady, are creatures of habit whose behavior is often governed by lessons
passed down to us and past experience. That’s not a bad thing in itself, but it
sometimes prevents our being open to doing new things in new ways.
It’s
easy for all of us to settle for things as they are in our lives and in the
world because we stick to and only do what’s safe and predictable, never
“stretch out” on faith and never let God enable us to do new things in new
ways.
Be
thankful for life’s lessons that give all of us a compass and foundation, but
don’t be so wrapped up in old ways and old ideas that you miss out on new
blessings. Trust in the God who did a
new thing by sending the Christ into this world for our salvation. When you do, you’ll find new strength,
realize new hope, and face each situation in life saying as did one writer, “It
is no secret what God can do. What He’s done
for others, He’ll do for you.”
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
11. EPISCOPAL AND
CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
--
Sir Wellington Hartford Brookins, the youngest child of the late Bishop Hamel
Hartford Brookins has been invited to spend a week this summer at the U.S.
Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland
Thanks
be to God for His continued favor. Sir -Wellington Hartford Brookins, the
youngest child of the late Bishop Hamel Hartford Brookins, has been invited to
spend a week at the Naval Academy located in Annapolis, Maryland this summer.
This invitation comes one day after he receives his PSAT test scores which
revealed that Wellington is currently testing 81% higher in reading
comprehension, 46% HIGHER in mathematics, 67% higher in writing than all 11th
graders in the nation! The legacy continues! If we nurture them today, they
will lead us tomorrow! Bless be the name
of The Lord!
Congratulatory
responses can be emailed to:
The
Rev. Rosalynn K. Brookins: revrosalynnbrookins@gmail.com
-- Presiding Elder
W. Antoni Sinkfield delivered the invocation at McGavock High School for the
visit of President Obama
On
behalf of the North Nashville District-Tennessee Conference, we proudly
announce that the Reverend W. Antoni Sinkfield, Presiding Elder, was invited to
deliver the invocation at the McGavock High School, located at 3150 McGavock
Pike, Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday, January 30, 2014, during the visit of
President Barack Obama.
Congratulatory
email messages can be sent to:
Presiding
Elder W. Antoni Sinkfield: WSinkfield@aol.com
*The
Rev. Benessa Sweat, North Nashville District-Tennessee Conference Public
Relations Committee Chair
-- Congratulations
to PK/Licentiate James Avery Alexander, Jr.
On
January 1, 2014, James Avery Alexander, Jr. married the love of his life,
Symone Lashai Michelle Cook. They married in a private ceremony in
Geneva-on-the-Lake, Ohio. James serves on the General Board of the AME Church
as a youth member, representing the Sixth Episcopal District. He is currently pursuing a J.D. /M.Div. dual
degree at Vanderbilt University (Law and Divinity Schools) in Nashville, TN. Symone is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in
Macromolecular Science and Engineering (specializing in Polymer Nanofibers) at
Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH.
James
is the son of the Rev. James and Charmaine Alexander of the Sixth Episcopal
District and the grandson of Mrs. Ruby J. Alexander, widow of the late Rev.
Robert H. Alexander, Sr. of Oklahoma City, OK.
Congratulations
can be emailed:
James
Avery Alexander, Jr.: ja_alexander09@yahoo.com
,
The
Rev. and Mrs. James Alexander: alex0361@bellsouth.net.
-- Mrs. Dellarees
Messiah, President of the Cape Annual Conference Women's Missionary Society
Celebrates 50th Birthday
It
is with great Joy that the 50th birthday celebration (29 January) of
Mrs. Dellarees Messiah, President of the Cape Annual Conference Women's
Missionary Society is shared. She is the daughter of the late Rev. Shortels of
the 15th Episcopal District.
Mrs.
Messiah has proven to be an asset to the women of the Cape, industriously
serving God and her Zion, ensuring that every fellowship meeting takes the
mission to a higher level. Her transparency, accountability and responsibility
for the work entrusted to her are a legacy to treasure. A hard taskmaster
indeed and not really favored by those who are slothful with the Master's work.
I am sure that the 15th Episcopal District is honored and favored to have a
servant of her caliber in their midst.
Congratulatory
email can be sent to: dellareesmessiah@yahoo.com, Mrs. Dellarees Messiah.
*The
Rev. Clive Pillay, Mount Olive Piketberg, Cape Conference, 15th Episcopal
District
12. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of the Rev. Martha A. Lang, the pastor of
Mt. Tabor AME Church in the Philadelphia District of the Philadelphia
Conference. The following information
has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing
and Funeral, Sunday, February 9, 2014
Viewing
- 3:00 p.m.
Funeral
- 5:00 p.m.
Mt.
Tabor AME Church
961-71
North 7th Street
Philadelphia,
PA 19123
Telephone: 215. 574-1310/1311
Fax:
215. 574-1312
Officiating:
The Rev. Jocelyn K. Hart, Presiding Elder of the Philadelphia District
Eulogist:
Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District
Professional
Care Service entrusted to:
Savin
Funeral Home
802
North 12th Street
Philadelphia,
PA 19123
Phone: 215-765-7065
Expressions
of Sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs.
Yetta Baldwin (daughter) and Mr. Lehron Lang (son)
7
West Sharpnack Street
Philadelphia,
PA 19119
Email:
revmartha42@yahoo.com
13. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of the Reverend Cyrus Keller, retired
pastor of the 5th Episcopal District, Missouri Conference and a
former pastor of St. Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Louis
(1976-1982). The Rev. Keller left his
earthly home on Friday, January 24, 2014.
The
Celebration of Life Memorial Service for the Reverend Keller was held:
Monday,
January 27, 2014 at 10:00 a.m.
St.
Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church
4730
Margaretta
St.
Louis, MO 63115
Telephone:
314.381.3345
Fax:
314.381.7877
The
Rev. Joseph C. Nixon, Pastor
In
lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hazel Tacket and Edward Keller
Endowment, which provide an annual scholarship to an outstanding graduating
student at Payne Theological Seminary.
Donations
may be sent to:
The
Keller Scholarship Endowment
Attn:
Ms. Marko Keller
2952
Carmel St. Apt. #1
Oakland,
CA 94602
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It
is with a saddened heart that we notify you of the passing of Mrs. Erma Vashti
Jones, widow of the late Rev. Dr. Arthur S. Jones, former pastor of Third
Street Bethel AME Church in Richmond VA.
Mrs. Jones transitioned from labor to reward on Thursday, January 23,
2014. She was a devoted pastor's spouse
and faithful missionary member. Mrs.
Jones was a member of Emmanuel AME Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia where the
Rev. Herman Gladney is the pastor.
Funeral
Arrangements for Mrs. Erma V. Jones:
Service
Date/Time:
Saturday,
February 1, 2014, 11:00 a.m.
Location:
Third
Street Bethel AME Church
614
N Third Street
Richmond
VA 23219
Services
entrusted to:
Jenkins
Funeral Home
2011
Grayland Avenue
Richmond,
VA 23220
(804)
358-9177
FAX
(804) 358-3876
Condolences
can be mailed to the family:
C/o
Joseph Jones
1311
Tannery Circle
Midlothian
VA 23113
Cell:
804. 393-1008
15. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs.
Elsie Lenoir Parker, mother of the Reverend Joseph Parker, pastor of New Bethel
African Methodist Episcopal Church, Shelby, Mississippi, transitioned from
labor to reward on Sunday, January 19, 2014. Mrs. Parker was a lifelong member
of London Chapel AME Church where she was a very active member until her health
declined.
Viewing/Visitation
Friday,
January 24, 2014
3:00
p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Carter's
Mortuary Services, LLC
1214
Highway 45 South
West
Point, Mississippi 39773
Telephone: 662 492 4455
Family
Visitation
Saturday,
January 25, 2014
10:00
a.m.-11:00 a.m.
Town
Creek Missionary Baptist Church
5998
Barton Ferry Road
West
Point, Mississippi 39773
Service
of Celebration
11:00
a.m.
Town
Creek Missionary Baptist Church
The
Reverend Joseph Parker, Eulogist
Funeral
arrangements are entrusted to the care of:
Carter's
Mortuary Services, LLC
1214
Highway 45 South
West
Point, Mississippi 39773
Telephone: 662 492 4455
Condolences
may be sent to:
Reverend
Joseph Parker
1102
Filmore Drive
Tupelo,
Mississippi 38801
Email:
jparker@afa.net
Telephone: 662 620 6443
Telephone: 662 321 5859
16. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the death of Timothy "Elijah" Travis, the
21-year old grandson of the Rev. and Mrs. Flennoy Travis. Homegoing service was held Monday, January
27, 2014, at Saint Stephen AME Church in Chicago.
Timothy's
grandfather, the Rev. Flennoy Travis is a retired pastor of the Chicago Annual
Conference, 4th Episcopal District. The
Rev. Travis currently serves on the ministerial staff of Wayman AME Church,
Chicago Annual Conference.
Condolences
may be sent to:
Grandparents:
The
Rev. & Mrs. Flennoy Travis
4923
W Quincy
Chicago,
IL 60644
773-287-6714
Parents
of Timothy Elijah Travis:
Timothy
& Rose Travis
2613
S 11th Avenue
Broadview,
IL 60155-4815
17. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Brother
Clark M. Walker transitioned from this life on Monday, January 20, 2014. He is
the nephew of the Rev. Everhart Walker, a retired itinerant elder in the
Kentucky Conference.
The
service was held Monday, 1:00 p.m., January 27, 2014 at St. James AME Church,
144 Walnut St. Danville, Kentucky; the Rev. William Jenkins, pastor.
Condolences
will be received by the family by email, postal mail or telephone.
The
Rev. Everhart Walker
4620
Alum Springs Rd.
Danville,
Ky. 40422
859-236-3166
Services
are entrusted to:
Smith-Jackson
Funeral Home
446
Bate St.
Danville,
Ky. 40422
859-236-5261
18. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The
Sister Angela R. (Walker) Coffey, transitioned from this life on Monday,
January 20, 2014. She is the niece of the Rev. Everhart Walker, retired
itinerant elder in the Kentucky Conference.
The
service was held on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the First Baptist Church
Winchester, Kentucky, 37 N. Highland St.
The
family will receive condolences by email, postal mail or telephone.
The
Rev. Everhart Walker
4620
Alum Springs Rd.
Danville,
Ky. 40422
Telephone:
859-236-3166
*The
Rev. Dr. A. Oveta Fuller is a tenured professor in Microbiology and Immunology
and faculty in the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan. An
Itinerant Elder in the 4th Episcopal District, she served as pastor
of Bethel AME Church in Adrian, MI for seven years before focusing fully on
global health research in Zambia and the USA for HIV/AIDS elimination. At Payne
Theological Seminary she teaches a required course, “What Effective Clergy
Should Know about HIV/AIDS.”
*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
19. CLERGY
FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND 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
20. 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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