The Right Reverend
T. Larry Kirkland - Chair, Commission on Publications
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
Ash
Wednesday: March 5, 2014
Sunday,
March 9 at 2 a.m.: Daylight Saving Time (United States) 2014 begins
Easter:
April 20, 2014
1. TCR EDITORIAL – HOLY COMMUNION, WORSHIP
AND THE RATIONALE FOR THE WEARING OF ROBES BY CLERGY:
Dr.
Calvin H. Sydnor III
The
20th Editor of The Christian
Recorder
I
believe most of us are products of our upbringing and that’s the reason
parenting is so important. Most of us learned good manners at home. Several
times growing up, I got distracted and forgot the “magic words” and my parents
would say, “What do you say?” and the correct answer expected was, “Thank you.”
Our
spiritual behavior, for many of us, was learned in our homes and at church. I
learned the Lord’s Prayer at home when my mother told me that it was time to
learn the Lord’s Prayer instead of “Now,
I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep…” I learned the Doxology, the Preface to the
Decalogue and the other parts of the AME worship liturgy at church. So, I feel blessed that my spiritual
foundation was laid at home and at church.
It’s
safe to say, spiritual foundations planted and nurtured at home and in the
church are important to one’s spiritual growth.
When
I accepted my call to the ministry, I discovered there was much more to
learn.
For
instance, when I was growing up, the Communion Service was just a part of
worship and the Sunday morning worship service was a little longer on first
Sundays; for me, it was an addendum to the worship service.
But,
as I got older and especially early in my ministry when I took the Sacrament to
the sick and shut-in members, Communion became more meaningful for me because I
saw how important it was to those who received Communion. Their faith and
commitment to receive the Sacrament helped my faith to grow. Communion became
for me, more than an addendum, it was the Sacrament.
I
came to appreciate the ministry of the stewardesses and the importance of their
participation in the Communion service. I came to understand the office of the
stewards. When I assumed my first
pastorate, I thought I knew everything I needed to know as a pastor, weeks into
the pastoral ministry; I discovered that I had a lot to learn.
Before
I arrived at my first pastoral appointment, older clergy friends and mentors
and the board of examiners impressed upon me the importance of administering
Holy Communion, baptisms, funerals and weddings flawlessly. I was told that as
a pastor, I could “flub a sermon or two” and be forgiven by the people, but
“don’t mess up” the Communion and other sacred religious events. I was told
that I wouldn’t be forgiven and the people would never forget if I messed up
one of the sacred events of the church.
Shortly
after I arrived at my first pastoral appointment I attended my first annual
conferences as a pastor and something significant happened at the opening
Communion worship service.
When
we got ready to begin the Communion liturgy, Bishop Frederick D. Jordan,
Presiding Prelate of the 13th Episcopal District, noticed
that the Communion trays had not been polished and the linen was soiled with
grape juice stains. He stopped the annual conference and had a serious
teachable moment about the sacredness of Communion and the sacredness of
everything and every item associated with Holy Communion. Bishop Jordan taught
us about the theological meaning of receiving the Sacrament from the hand of
the ordained clergy, and why we, as Methodist, who were able, came to
the chancel rail to take Communion from the hand of the clergy. He also shared
the significance of cupping our hands in the form of a Cross while receiving
Communion and clearly explained the sacredness of the Communion event and
everything associated with it.
It
was a lesson I never forgot. It made sense and I came to understand that Holy
Communion was more than eating a dried wafer and drinking grape juice. I
understood Holy Communion to be a sacred occasion and not a “met the first
Sunday requirement” event.
I
also discovered that not everyone views the Sacrament of Holy Communion as
sacred. Some denominations seem to have a casual attitude about the Lord’s
Supper; just pass bread and grape juice around like we are passing around some
Hors d'oeuvres. To each, his or her own, but for me, Holy Communion is a
significant event.
The
consecration of the elements by an itinerant elder is important and the
consecrated bread is special. The AMEC
Book of Worship says, “Then shall the
Minister first receive the bread and wine and then proceed to deliver the same
to the other ministers in like manner (if any be present), and after that to
the people in order, into their hands. And when he delivers the bread he shall
say…And the Minister that delivers the cup shall say…”
The
Communion liturgy is spelled out and there is no option in The Doctrine and Discipline of the AMEC
-2012 for pastors to make changes to the Communion liturgy.
The
Communion liturgy should be basically the same in every AME Church because The Doctrine and Discipline of the AMEC
-2012 on page 491 says, “Our order of
worship is intended to be flexible so as to provide for richness and variety of
content. At the same time, it must have
such unity as to insure that all members of our church will feel at home in any
AME Church.”
When
pastors unilaterally deviate from the order of worship, they are not being
creative, they are “out of order” and they are not functioning within the
guidelines of The Doctrine and Discipline
of the AMEC -2012.
The
Doctrine and Discipline of the AMEC -2012, the AMEC Hymnal and the AMEC Book of
Worship
all say, “…draw near with faith and take the holy sacrament to your comfort,
and make your humble confession to
Almighty God, meekly kneeling” and those who are in the pews, “sit,” which
is akin to kneeling. In churches with kneelers, the people in the pews
kneel or they sit. The General Confession is a prayer and, and those who
are able, kneel; the others sit. We do not stand for prayers. When we are
petitioning God, we kneel or sit and bow our heads in submission to God when
speaking to God.
Let me deviate
And,
it is most appropriate for our pastors to kneel when they pray the pastoral
prayer; and the clergy in the pulpit should kneel, if they are able to do so.
The rubric in the AMEC Book of Worship
says concerning “The Prayer,” “The
congregation seated and bowed or kneeling.”
It is not appropriate to stand for the Morning Prayer.
The
person praying the prayer and the ministers kneeling in the pulpit during the
prayer should remain in place on their knees until the Prayer Response is
completed. And, the ushers should not allow parishioners to enter the sanctuary
during the Prayer or the Prayer Response.
It
is inappropriate for pastors and liturgists to ask the congregation to “say”
the Lord’s Prayer. Instead, pastors and worship leaders should enjoin the
congregation to “pray” the Lord’s Prayer.
On
another note, assembled parishioners are not “audiences” because they are not
“spectators.” Assembled parishioners are “congregations.” We refer to those
assembled for worship as a “congregation.”
And, yes, there is a difference!
If
a visiting preacher is not going to officially participate in the religious
service, he or she should sit in the congregation.
Let me get back on
point
Holy
Communion means that the elements of Communion are extended from the hand of
the ordained clergy to each parishioner; no ushers passing the elements of
Communion.
And,
one more thing; the volume of the music during serving of Communion should be
appropriate and the officers in the church, as well as the ushers, should be
careful to let visitors know that they may take Communion if they desire to do
so.
If
persons cannot go to the altar or chancel rail, then an ordained clergy takes the Communion to the persons who are
not able to make their way to the chancel rail. No, an unordained person does
not take the elements of the Communion to those who are unable to make their
way to the Chancel rail.
When
preachers participate in the Communion service the expectation is that they
will be appropriately attired, which means that clergy wear robes; no
“Baptist-style suit and tie preachers” serving the Lord’s Supper in an AME
Church.
The
tradition in African Methodism is that clergy wear robes because the robe is a
reminder to parishioners that the preacher is functioning as priest and prophet
of God. The robe accentuates the ministerial office.
Of course I
know…
Both
Bishop Richard Allen and Daniel Payne did not embrace the wearing of robes
because they thought Methodists should be attired in simplicity and solemnity
and to avoid all appearances of being Anglican.
Bishop
Henry McNeal Turner, however …
(To be
continued in the next issue).
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
-- To the Editor:
Congratulations
to Edward Waters College and the 11th District. In these times when HBCUs
face tremendous challenges, it is a blessing to read good news about one of our
institutions.
Dr.
Pam DeVeaux
Episcopal
Supervisor of the 2nd Episcopal District
3. EDWARD WATERS
COLLEGE RECEIVES LARGEST SINGLE GRANT IN THE HISTORY OF THE SCHOOL:
Bishop
Adam J. Richardson, Jr., Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Edward Waters
College President Nathaniel Glover announced that Edward Waters College was
awarded $2 million of unrestricted funds on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. The
gift was largest gift given by a single donor in the history of the school. It
was given by Steve and Ann Pajic of Jacksonville, Florida.
**Submitted
by the Rev. Dr. Michael Mitchell
4. BISHOP BENJAMIN WILLIAM ARNETT - AME
SPOKESMAN AT WORLD'S PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS:
*The
Rev. Robert L. Uzzel, Ph.D. is the pastor of Wayman Chapel AME Church in Ennis,
Texas
The
World's Columbian Exposition (also known as the Chicago World's Fair) was an
event commemorating the discovery of America by Christopher Columbus which
began with a dedication ceremony on 20 October 1892 but did not officially open
until the spring of 1893. The event was
a huge financial success. Nearly every
country of the world was represented. The
Palace of Fine Arts showed the works of American painters and sculptors. Exhibits in transportation, mining,
manufacturing, electricity, agriculture, horticulture, floriculture, and the
liberal arts "mirrored the remarkable transformations of the age." The Midway Plaisance included exotic
"villages," an exciting "Street of Cairo," and the world's
first Ferris wheel. These laid the
foundation for later American carnivals and circuses.
Quite
significant were the events of the World's Congress Auxiliary, which focused on
the scientific, literary, and religious problems of the age. A fitting climax to the congresses was the
World's Parliament of Religions, which began on 11 September 1893 with a speech
by Swami Vivekananda of India (1863-1902).
The Parliament was attended by representatives of every major religion
in the world. A number of religious
bodies, including the African Methodist Episcopal Church, held denominational
congresses. The Parliament was
masterminded by Chicago lawyer, civic leader, and Swedenborgian layman Charles
Carroll Bonney (1831-1903) and chaired by Rev. John Henry Barrows (1847–1902),
pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Chicago. Barrows devoted an entire chapter to the AME
Church Congress in volume II of his outstanding 1582-page account of this
historic meeting. The Rt. Rev. Daniel
Alexander Payne, the Sixth Bishop of the AME Church (1811-1893) presided over a
session of the Parliament. His presiding
turned out to be one of his last official acts.
At the close of the meeting, he returned to his home at Wilberforce,
Ohio and prepared to go to Florida for the winter, which was his usual
custom. However, on the day before his
scheduled departure, "The throne of God came down and his spirit went up
to meet his God."
The
most prominent representative of the AME Church at the World's Parliament of
Religions was Rt. Rev. Benjamin William Arnett, the Sixteenth Bishop. Arnett was born on 6 March 1838 in
Brownsville, Pennsylvania, was converted on 14 February 1856, licensed to
preach in 1865, ordained deacon in 1868, and ordained elder in 1870. Known as one of the "most active and
alert elders," he held a number of positions in the church, including
financial secretary and editor of a publication called The Budget. At the 1888 General Conference, he was
elected Bishop. In this capacity, he
presided over the following: the Seventh
Episcopal District (South Carolina) 1888-92; the Fourth Episcopal District
(Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, and the Northwestern States) 1892-1900; the Third
Episcopal District (Ohio, California, and Pittsburgh) 1900-04; and the First
Episcopal District (Eastern Pennsylvania, New York, New England, and Bermuda)
1904-06.
On
15 September 1893, Bishop Arnett presided over a session of the Parliament,
giving the following remarks: "I welcome these brethren to the shores of
America on behalf of seventy-four hundred thousand Negroes on this continent
who, by the grace of God and the power of the religion of Jesus Christ have
been liberated from slavery. There is
not a slave among us today, and we are glad you did not come while we were in
chains, because, in that case, we could not have got here ourselves. . . . May
the motto of the church which I represent be the motto of the coming
civilization: “God our Father, Christ our Redeemer, and Mankind our Brother.”
On
22 September 1893, Arnett delivered a more lengthy speech, in which he
said: “I have never seen so large a body
of men meet together and discuss questions so vital with as little friction as
I have seen during this Parliament. The
watchword has been toleration and fraternity, and shows what may or can be done
when men assemble in the proper spirit.
As was said 2,000 years ago, we have met together in one place and with
one accord, each seeking for the truth, each presenting his views of the truth
as he understands it. Each came with his
own fund of information, and now we separate having gained information from
each other on the subject of God, mankind, and th future life. There is one thing that we have all agreed
upon—that is, that the source of the true, beautiful, and the good is spirit,
love and light, of infinite power, wisdom and goodness. Thus the unity of the spirituality of God is
one thing that we have all agreed upon.
We have differed as to how to approach him and how to receive his favor
and blessing.
If
the Parliament has done nothing more, it has furnished comparative theology
with such material that in the future there will be no question about the
nature and attributes of God. The great
battle of the future will not be the Fatherhood of God, nor that we need a
redeemer, mediator, or a model man between God and man, but it is to
acknowledge the Brotherhood of Man practically.
There
was some apprehension on the part of some Christians as to the wisdom of a
Parliament of all the Religions, but the result of this meeting vindicates the
wisdom of such a gathering. It appears
that the conception was a divine one rather than human, and the execution of
the plan has been marvelous in its detail and in the harmony of its working,
and reflects credit upon the Chairman of the Auxiliary, Mr. Bonney, and also on
the Rev. J. H. Barrows; for there is a light unknown in the past. The Ten Commandments, the Sermon on the
Mount, and the Golden Rule have not been superseded by any that has been
presented by the various teachers of religion and philosophy; but our mountains
are just as high and our doctrines are just as pure as before our meeting, and
every man and woman has been confirmed in the faith once delivered to the
saints.
Another
good of this convention; it has taught us a lesson that while we have truth on
our side we have not had all the truth; while we have had theory we have not
had all the practice, and the strongest criticism we have received was not as
to our doctrines or method, but as to our practice not being in harmony with
our own teachings and with our own doctrines.
I believe that it will do good not only to the dominant race, but to the
race that I represent—it is a godsend—and from this meeting we believe will go
forth a sentiment that will righten a great many of our wrongs and lighten up
the dark places, and assist in giving us that which we are now denied—the
common privilege of humanity—for we find that in this Congress the majority of
the people represented are of the darker races, which will teach the American
people that color is not the standard of excellency or of degradation. But I trust that much good will come to all,
and not only the Fatherhood of God be acknowledged but the Brotherhood of Man.
According
to Barrows, Bishop Arnett made friends for Africa with every word he
spoke. For the part he took at the
Parliament, he received a gold medal from the AME Church.
When
a group of South African singers got stranded in the United States after
performing at the World’s Columbian Exposition, Arnett, at the suggestion of
the Rev. Reverdy C. Ransom, a future Bishop sent the whole group to Wilberforce
University. This group consisted of
Marshall Maxeke, H. C. Msikinye, Charles Dube, James Tantzi, Adelaide Tantzi,
John Manye, and Charlotte Manye, later became the backbone of the AME Church in
South Africa. The Bishop and his wife,
Mary Gordon Arnett, were almost foster parents to these students even though
they had seven children of their own.
The
Arnett home at Wilberforce was called Tawawa Chimney Corner and was located
near the old Indian Tawawa Springs. This
home developed a reputation as a social and intellectual center for young and
old alike. A prolific writer and
publicist, Bishop Arnett’s works included The Budget of 1883 through 1904 and
The Centennial Celebration of the AME Church.
While serving in the Ohio Legislature, he was instrumental in wiping the
“Black Laws” from the Ohio statute books.
During the administration of President William McKinley, he was often
consulted by the White House.
Although
Bishop Arnett never served in Texas, his name was on the prayer list when
Bishop Evans Tyree presided over the Northeast Texas Annual Conference at
Wayman Chapel AME Church in Ennis during the week of 22-26 November 1905. He died on 7 October 1906, while presiding
over the First Episcopal District. He
was buried in the Tarbox Cemetery just outside of the Wilberforce University
community.
He
was truly an eloquent spokesman for African Methodism before the World’s
Parliament of Religions!
*The
Rev. Robert L. Uzzel, Ph.D. is the pastor of Wayman Chapel AME Church in Ennis,
Texas
5. THE YOUNG
PROPHETS:
The
Young Prophets Speak is a special worship experience that began at Founder’s
Day 2012. It features ministers in the early stages of their careers that are
exploring their gifts and learning the craft of preaching. Their youthful
perspective and modern approach to the ministry provide precisely the kind of
fresh viewpoint that is needed to grow African Methodism throughout the second
decade of the twentieth first century and beyond.
For
Founder’s Day 2014, the Young Prophets Speak Worship Service will begin on
Friday, February 21, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at Reid Temple AME Church, hosted by the
Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington 11400 Glenn Dale Boulevard, Glenn Dale, and Maryland
20769.
Each
Prophet will address a specific sermonic topical theme including:
•
Change Minds
•
Change Hearts
•
Change Perspective
•
Change Lives
We
are fortunate and quite frankly blessed to bear witness to these young
preachers at the onset of their lives in the ministry for it will allow us the
joy of watching them as well as their careers unfold and blossom into full
maturity over the years, says Presiding Bishop William P. DeVeaux.
These
talented, enthusiastic and able Prophets are:
•
Mycal Xavier Brickhouse was born and raised in Fayetteville, North
Carolina. He is a graduate of The
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a degree in Political Science
and African American Studies. Currently, he is obtaining the Master of Divinity
from Duke Divinity School. He has served in varies capacities in the church on
the local, conference, and district levels. Currently, Mycal is serving the St.
Joseph A.M.E Church family in Durham, NC, under the direction of Rev. Dr.
Ronald L. Owens.
•
Topaz Bryant is the sixteen year old daughter of the Rev. Dr. Jamal Harrison
Bryant, Pastor, Empowerment Temple AME Church, Baltimore, MD. A high school
student with a dream of her own Christian ministry is describes as born for
purpose, created for change and destined for greatness.
•
Paul Robert Evans was born and raised in Washington, DC. He is the second of
three children. He is a student at Howard University in Washington, DC where he
is pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a Minor in
Psychology. Paul is now serving at Campbell AME Church in Southeast
Washington,, DC as the Minister to Youth and Young Adults under the leadership
of the Rev. Daryl K. Kearney. He is a licensed preacher in the AME Church.
•
FranShon Reid is the daughter of Dr. Frank Madison Reid III & First Lady
Marlaa Reid. FranShon currently serves
as Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries at Bethel A.M.E. Church,
Baltimore, MD. In May 2009, FranShon received her BA in theatre from Spelman
College- where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa -Magna Cum Laude. Although FranShon
realizes being a “Spelman Woman” has opened up many doors in her life, she has
also realized that above anything God has been the TRUE key to her success.
6. THE TRUTH IS THE
LIGHT:
*The
Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based
on Biblical Text: Psalm 31:23 (KJV)
“O
love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and
plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. “
It
is great to be a member of a race of people who have in spite of incredible
obstacles accomplished so much! I am
indebted to my great-grandfather who was an astute businessman, my grandfather
who had an incredible work ethic, my grandmother who had a tremendous sense of
family and my mother who had “Job-like” faith. I am blessed to be a descendant
of faithful, proud doers. I am reminded,
in this time set aside to celebrate our heritage and highlight our
accomplishments, of the old James Brown song, “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m
proud!” It is a song written and
performed by Brother Brown at a time when we were struggling to establish our
own self-worth in every walk of life.
We
must however remember that pride can very well produce a dangerous outcome.
Satan is well acquainted with the power of pride and uses it against us on a
daily basis.
There
is a need for us to pause periodically and examine what it is that we are proud
of. A quick analysis will confirm that we cannot be proud of the rampant sin
that runs through our communities. We must be concerned that jails in our
counties and states are jammed with disenchanted, disillusioned, and
disconnected Brothers and Sisters who, “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud,”
but seem unable, unwilling or unchallenged to look beyond the superficial image
of blackness they see in the mirror and put substance behind their pride.
Can
we “Say it loud, I’m black and I’m proud,” when our neighborhoods are filled
with so many of our Sisters, whose pride has been crushed, as a result of being
abandoned by Brothers who have used them and then “kicked them to the curb.”
Many of our neighborhoods are filled with our young Brothers and Sisters who
appear to be satisfied expressing black pride in repugnant gyrations and
profane lyrics in the musical genre of hip-hop and rap. We must periodically
assess just what it is we are proud of.
We,
as African-Americans, certainly do have those events in our heritage that we
can look back on with pride. We can proudly reminisce about the peaceful
marches for freedom in Birmingham, Selma, Memphis and Washington D.C. that
forced this country to look in the mirror and change the error of its ways. We
proudly remember the courage and tenacity of our enslaved ancestors who lived
out the true meaning of tolerance long before it was a politically in vogue
concept.
We
can cite much in our past to be proud of, but we must be reminded that those
events are in the past. We have certainly come very far, but there is a ways
yet to go. We still have a long journey ahead of us. The question is, what are
we doing now that will move us forward in this century as a progressive people?
The world is watching intently and wondering, will we and can we forge ahead
pulling ourselves out of the cultural depository of our enslaved
mentality.
We
are cautioned to avoid the danger that is a result of our failure to remember
who it was that gave us our victories. Our churches are declining as our people
seem to forget the God who delivered us out of our calamities. It appears that
we have in too many instances allowed our successes to inflate our egos and
move us on to a self-righteous and counterfeit holiness. It has gotten to the
point where our greatest menace is no longer the Pharisee beside us who loathes
us. Our most critical danger presently
is the Pharisee in us who causes us to think more highly of ourselves than we
ought and applauds our pompous spirit.
Our
text is a reminder to those who would fall into the trap of self-reliance and
self-pride. It challenges us, “O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord
preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. “ In other
words, we can look back with pride on our accomplishments, as long as what we
have accomplished is a demonstration of our faith in God. We can rest assured that if we follow in the
path of righteousness, God will not only protect and preserve us, God will
reward us. If we humble ourselves before the Lord, He promises to lead us to
higher heights.
“Say
it loud, I’m black and I’m proud.” The Bible admonishes us that “pride goeth
before a fall.” Jesus said, “I am the
resurrection and the life.” If we want to raise a standard for those who come
after us, we need to seek first Jesus.
We are challenged to turn to Jesus. Turn to the One who raised a widow’s
son, reflect on the One who raised Jairus’ daughter and trust the One who
raised Lazarus from the dead.
If
we follow Jesus, we will be proud of all He instills in us, all that He
performs with us and all that we can accomplish through Him. “O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the
Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer."
*The
Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr. is the pastor of Morris Brown A.M.E.
Church in Charleston, South Carolina
7. DR. DENNIS C. DICKERSON LECTURED AT THE
AMERICAN ACADEMY IN BERLIN:
Dr.
Dennis C. Dickerson, retired Historiographer / Director of Research and
Scholarship and Editor of The A.M.E. Church Review lectured at the American Academy in Berlin on
"William Stuart Nelson in India: The Making of a Religious
Intellectual" on Tuesday, February 11, 2014. The lecture was live-streamed
and will remain on live-stream. Dr. Dickerson presentation can be viewed on the
Americana Academy in Berlin website:
Dr.
Dickerson’s colleagues:
8. THE VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY GOSPEL
CHORALE ELECTRIFIES THIRD STREET BETHEL AME CHURCH:
Amazing! Electrifying!
These
are just two adjectives used to describe the awesome performance of the
Virginia State University Gospel Chorale, held at Third Street Bethel A.M.E.
Church, Richmond, Virginia where the Rev. Reuben J. Boyd is the pastor.
The
internationally acclaimed and award winning Gospel Chorale kicked off Bethel’s
celebration of Black History Month in grand-style on Sunday, February 9, 2014.
Fresh
from their European Tour, which included a performance at the Vatican, the America’s Got Talent quarterfinalist
thrilled a packed Belle Hall with their command and variety of music. From the
Negro Spiritual to the Blues to Jazz to Gospel, the Chorale provided a
hand-clapping, foot-stomping experience that left those in attendance wanting
more.
Yes,
America does have talent, and it’s on the campus of Virginia State University,
Petersburg, Virginia.
Submitted
by Joe Barden and John R. Hall III
9. NAACP APPLAUDS
ATTORNEY GENERAL HOLDER FOR SPEAKING OUT AGAINST FELONY DISENFRANCHISEMENT:
Holder’s
Remarks Follow NAACP’s Nationwide “Restore the Votes” Campaign
(Washington,
DC)-- The NAACP commends Attorney General of the United States Eric Holder for
speaking out against laws prohibiting people with felony convictions from
voting even after they have served the terms of their sentences. The NAACP has
been actively engaged in campaigns in Florida, Iowa, Virginia, Delaware and
other states to bring the practice to an end.
"By
perpetuating the stigma and isolation imposed on formerly incarcerated
individuals, these laws increase the likelihood they will commit future
crimes," Holder said at a Washington, DC, symposium on sentencing laws.
Florida,
Iowa, and Kentucky are the only states that continue to disenfranchise persons
convicted of felonies even after they have completed all of the terms of their
sentences. There are an estimated 1.5 million disenfranchised citizens in
Florida alone.
“This
statement does much to make combating felony disenfranchisement a national
fight and not just a state one,” said Jotaka Eaddy, NAACP Senior Director for
Voting Rights. “The NAACP and several other groups have been fighting on the
ground to rid our country of a practice that has its roots in black codes
designed to eliminate black participation at the ballot box.”
Through
executive order, Virginia became the most recent state to grant automatic
restoration of rights to people with non-violent felony convictions who had
completed the terms of their sentence.
Months before, Delaware amended its state Constitution to allow people
with non-violent felony convictions who have completed the terms of their
sentence to vote after years of coalition work.
“While
all of our local efforts have covered a lot of ground during the last decade in
states like Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia we have much more work to do as a
nation,” said Eaddy.
In
October 2012, the NAACP launched a national felony disenfranchisement campaign
to advocate for the restoration of voting rights for millions of citizens
formerly convicted of felonies. The
campaign featured billboards of formerly incarcerated citizens from across the
country, including celebrity activists Judge Greg Mathis and Charles S. Dutton.
Holder’s
announcement follows three NAACP delegation visits to the United Nations Human
Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland.
As part of the visits, the delegation has held panel discussions on
felony disenfranchisement and the attack on voting rights in states across the
nation.
An
NAACP delegation will be deployed this March to address the same topic at the
U.S. Government’s UN International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
review.
10. GETTING TO
ZERO: ANTI-HIV THERAPY UPDATE:
by
Dr. Oveta Fuller
Clergy,
officers and lay leaders can contribute to establishing new perceptions of
HIV/AIDS as “a preventable and controllable chronic disease.” The 30 or more anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs developed
are important to therapies that change HIV infection from a fatal disease to a
manageable chronic condition. TAP, PrEP and PEP therapies use ARVs to delay
onset of disease and to reduce the chance of infection for a person exposed to
HIV. Let me explain.
Treatment
as Prevention (TAP)
In
Treatment as Prevention (TAP), ARV therapy (ART) is part of medical care of
HIV+ persons. TAP can prevent disease progression, lower new virus levels and
decrease virus spread to others. In 2006-2011, clinical field studies with
discordant couples showed that TAP can be highly effective.
A
discordant couple is where one partner is HIV+ and the other is HIV-. Hundreds
of couples who have sexual interactions only with each other participated in
TAP clinical trials. The results showed that multi-drug ART and regular medical
care can lower the amount of virus produced in an HIV+ person while enhancing
healthy function of the immune system. Compliance (closely following the
guidelines) and monitoring CD4 levels and virus loads will help to keep
opportunistic infections of AIDS at bay.
Excitingly,
the TAP clinical trial results indicate that compliance in ART also reduces
virus transmission so to protect the HIV- spouse or partner. HIV was not
transmitted to the uninfected partner for 9 out of 10 couples (over 90%). 90%
of the HIV- partners did not seroconvert to HIV+ within 12 months. Within a span of 12 months with no ART,
typically virus is transmitted between discordant couple partners during sexual
contact. TAP was effective for both heterosexual and same-gender couples. It
worked well for couples in communities of developing or industrialized
countries.
TAP
helps to lower community impacts of HIV in at least three connected ways. (1)
With ART, an HIV+ person makes less virus, has better health and delays
progression to AIDS. (2) With less virus made, there is no, or reduced, spread
to others. (3) With fewer HIV infected persons in a community, there is less
virus circulating in that community. Less circulating virus reduces the chances
of new infections.
A
2015 goal of the World Health Organization “Getting to Zero” campaign is to
“reduce new HIV infection by 50%”. The success of TAP to reduce disease and new
infection requires HIV testing and counseling (HTC) or voluntary HIV counseling
and testing (VCT) to know if one is infected or not. An HIV test is required
for access to ARVs and TAP.
Post
exposure prophylaxis (PEP)
PEP
is a therapy used immediately AFTER possible exposure to HIV. In PEP, shortly
after a potential virus encounter a person takes relatively high doses of ARVs
to prevent initial seeding of virus throughout the body. ARVs are continued for
4-6 weeks after a single exposure event. Exposure might occur from a needle
stick as happens with healthcare personnel, or during a sexual assault, or in
consensual intercourse that brings contact with fluids that contain virus. PEP
prevents the start of infection.
In
PEP therapy, ARV treatment must start within 72 hours (3 days) after the
potential exposure. At least 2-3
different types of anti-HIV drugs are taken for 28 days. Although not
guaranteed, this can prevent virus from reproducing to begin a life-long
presence of HIV/AIDS. In the USA, PEP is available by request at many urgent
care centers, doctor’s offices, emergency rooms and local HIV clinics. In some cases, the cost is covered by health
insurance.
Pre-exposure
prophylaxis (PrEP)
To
lower long-term risks of HIV infection, PrEP therapy requires taking anti-HIV
drugs BEFORE potential contact with fluids that transmit virus. Compared to TAP
or PEP, lower dosages of ARVS in PrEP therapy are used each day over months or
years.
PrEP
can protect an uninfected partner in discordant couples. A constant level of
anti-virals reduces the chance of virus infection from contact with semen or
vaginal fluid during sexual intercourse over time with an infected spouse or
partner.
You
may wonder, “If PrEP can protect an uninfected person in a discordant couple,
why can’t any uninfected person take ARVs to protect themselves from HIV
infection?”
For
several reasons, PrEP so far is used only as part of approved clinical research
with discordant couples. (1) Taking ARVs has side-effects such as nausea,
diarrhea, headaches, body fat changes, etc. (2) There are not enough ARVs
accessible currently to cover people who are living with HIV+. They are the
highest ARV treatment priority before that of more experimental PrEP therapy.
(3) Medical protocols for drug dosage levels and monitoring the generation of
HIV drug-resistant mutations have not yet been established. These are needed
before PrEP can become routine as a treatment based prevention.
Summary
Anti-retroviral
drug treatment is a major part of HIV/AIDS control for individuals, their
partner and for communities. TAP can reduce the amount of virus made and
circulating in a community. Fewer infections and fewer new AIDS cases occur
when there is less circulating virus, more routine HIV testing and counseling
and regular expected use of the ABCs to prevent exposure to virus.
There
IS progress in stopping HIV/AIDS. TAP is a part the strategy to eventually “Get
to Zero” and to an “AIDS-free generation.”
PrEP and PEP along with pre-natal care to Prevent Mother to Child HIV
Transmission (PMTCT) are all TAP approaches. PEP, PMTCT are in use now. PrEP is
in clinical trials.
Knowing
the HIV infection status is required to implement any of the recent
interventions for controlling HIV/AIDS. So get tested, get treated. Tell
others.
-------------------
“Reach
for Wellness”: Establishing good habits for wellness. From January 15-February 14, complete at
least one of the following:
Get
an HIV/AIDS rapid test and a follow-up. Take along an immediate family
member(s) or friend. Engage others in conversation about HIV testing.
Get
an influenza vaccine. It can reduce disease severity and death from influenza
infection, or
Evaluate
your health insurance or sign up for coverage. For questions on AHA mandated
health insurance, contact the AMEC Social Justice and Health Commissions www.ame-church.com, or Mrs. Jackie
Dupont-Walker (213) 494-9493 or Dr. Miriam Burnett (770) 328-2002.)
11. iCHURCH SCHOOL
LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2014 - LIVE WHAT YOU BELIEVE - JAMES
2:14-26:
Bill
Dickens, Allen AME Church, Tacoma, Washington
Church School
Lesson Brief
Today’s
lesson focuses on the proper relationship between faith and works.
James
seeks clarity about the role of productive works and how it functions as an
instrument to express our faith. James
rejects the idea that faith and works are mutually exclusive concepts. Instead he persuasively suggests that you
can’t have one without the other. In
short, there is co-equality. We live according to a set of fixed beliefs. Beliefs are central to our lifestyle choices
but beliefs alone cannot be the measuring stick. Ultimately we are judged by
what we do and not by what we say.
The
discussion about works sheds important insight on the role of piety in our
lives. While piety has its place there
are many instances where deference to piety carries problems.
As
James correctly notes, a person who approaches us for food will not find his
hunger craving met with warm and fuzzy words that stress “Have faith, God will
see you through your situation” (Verse 16).
This
pious reply is not so much as being wrong (God is indeed a provider) as it is
myopic.
God
is a provider through God’s followers. God’s hands are my hands, God’s feet are
my feet and God’s wallet is my wallet!
Piety
alone will not effectively minister to the hungry. Faith alone is not unique
because even Satan’s legions “believe in God” (Verse 19). True faith is
evidenced by the works of the believer.
Only the actions that support our belief structure will serve as an
effective witness.
Some
persons may say that they have faith without good works. The question is, “Can
we prove that we have faith for salvation with no works?”
The
problem for this person is to show that he or she can have faith apart from
what it does. However, it is not possible to show that he or she has faith if
there are no works as evidence. True faith must be active in doing good works.
So works are necessary to prove that he or she has faith. Just to say that he
or she has faith proves nothing. Only action can show that faith is real.
*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.
12. MEDITATION
BASED ON PSALM 119:124-134:
*The
Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
My
assignment to supervise thirty-three AME Churches in six Counties south of
Charleston, South Carolina has led me to appreciate my present well-equipped
and comfortable motor vehicle, which I purchased nine months before ceasing to
serve as the pastor of one church, to be “on the road” visiting three or four
churches each week - God obviously knew what was in store for me when my old
vehicle “died” early and I had to get a new vehicle!
The
“Road time” visiting several churches each week has led me to visit my auto
dealer’s service department each month or so.
I don’t go there because of unexpected problems or repairs, but for
regular oil changes and system-checks.
The visits to the Service department takes a little time and money, but
makes it less likely that I’ll have a late night “breakdown” on a remote
country road - where I’d either have to hike to a place where I could get a
phone signal to call for emergency service or risk going to a house where the
occupants might be suspicious of an unknown face knocking on the door.
Taking
the time for regular service to keep my vehicle in good shape and identify
potential problems that need attention brings me assurance that all is well and
minimizes the chances of unexpected and costly problems.
Staying
in touch with God brings us the same benefits that I gain from staying in touch
with my auto dealer’s service department.
It’s easy for all of us, in a fast-paced and demanding world, to deal
with our immediate challenges and concerns on our own and to neglect our prayer
lives - until we run into unexpected trials, troubles, dangers and distress
that we can’t “fix” on our own and that drive us to our knees, prayerfully
seeking relief, repair and restoration.
The
God who created us always hears our prayers and is always there to bless us,
but when we prayerfully stay in touch with God - in our times of comfort and in
our times of crisis - we’ll find daily well-being, realize daily blessings and
face each day knowing that regardless of the unexpected troubles that we
encounter on life’s road, we’ll never have to walk alone.
Don’t
wait to pray until trouble comes your way and you can think of nothing else to
do. Take the time each day to go to God
in prayer and to let God direct and your life.
When you do so, your days will be brighter, your outlook will be better
and you can face each day not wondering what crisis you’ll be forced to face,
but appreciating why one writer said, “Jesus knows all about our struggles, He
will guide us till the day is done, there’s not a friend like the lowly Jesus,
no, not one, no, not one.”
*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
13. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Ora Beal Green, the mother of the
Rev. Ronald L. Green, pastor of Hickman Temple AME Church in the South District
of the Philadelphia Conference.
The
following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing
and Funeral, Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Viewing
- 9:00 a.m.
Funeral
- 11:00 a.m.
Parkside
United Methodist Church
1418
Kaighns Ave.
Camden,
New Jersey
Telephone:
856-964-2254
Fax: 856-964-8922
The
Rev. James A. Keeton, Jr., pastor
Professional
Service entrusted to:
Bagwell
Funeral Home, Inc.
131
South Broad Street
Penns
Grove, New Jersey 08069
Telephone:
856-299-1611
Interment:
Harleigh
Cemetery
1640
Haddon Avenue
Camden,
New Jersey 08103
Telephone:
856-963-3500
Expressions
of Sympathy may be sent to:
The
Rev. Ronald L. Green
176
Hollingston Place
E.
Windsor, NJ 08570
14. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
sadly announce the passing of Mrs. Lula Belle McGaughy, mother of the Rev.
Deborah Y, Scott, pastor of Greater St. James AME Church, Gary, Indiana. She was a faithful member of First AME
Church, Gary, Indiana.
Viewing
and Funeral, Monday, February 17, 2014
Family
Hour: 9:00 a.m. -.10:00 a.m.
The
Homegoing service: 11:00 a.m.
Services
Will Be Held at:
First
AME Church
2045
Mass. St.
Gary,
Indiana 46407.
Telephone:
219 886-7561
The
Rev. Emanuel Vaughn, pastor and officiating
Services
Entrusted to:
Guy
& Allen
2959
W 11th Ave.
Gary,
IN.
Fax:
219 949-9813
Expressions
of Sympathy may be emailed to:
The
Rev. Deborah Scott: spsalm23@aol.com
15. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It
is with heartfelt sympathy that we inform you of the passing of Mrs. Ozelia
Simon, the mother of Mrs. Linda M. Kelly, the first lady of Bethel AME Church
in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Mrs. Simon is the mother-in law of the Rev. Dr.
Herman O. Kelly, Jr., pastor of Bethel AME Church in Baton Rouge.
Services
for Mrs. Ozelia Simon:
Viewing:
Saturday,
February 15, 2014
9
a.m. – 10 a.m.
Saint
Benedict the Abbot Catholic Church
4025
Grapevine Street
Houston,
Texas 77045-6320
Service:
Saturday,
February 15, 2014
10
a.m. – 11 a.m.
Saint
Benedict the Abbot Catholic Church
4025
Grapevine Street
Houston,
Texas 77045-6320
Viewing:
Sunday,
February 16, 2014
3
p.m. – 6 p.m.
Frank
Brothers Funeral Home
150
Townhome Drive
Eunice,
Louisiana 70535
Committal
Service:
Monday,
February 17, 2014
9
a.m.
St.
Matilda Cemetery
Eunice,
Louisiana 70535
Condolences:
May
be sent to:
The
Simon and Kelly Families
1146
Arcadia Drive
Baton
Rouge, Louisiana 70810.
Email
contacts:
Mrs.
Linda Kelly: lmkelly_99@yahoo.com
The
Rev. Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr: hokellyj@yahoo.com
Telephone
contacts:
Mrs.
Linda Kelly Cell: (225) 936-7542
Residence:
(225) 768-7535
In
lieu of flowers, monetary gifts may be sent to:
Pete
Simon c/o Linda Kelly
1146
Arcadia Drive
Baton
Rouge, Louisiana 70810.
16. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It
is with heartfelt sympathy that we inform you of the passing of Mrs. Bertha
Pitts, the widow of the late Rev. James Pitts. Reverend Pitts retired in 2007.
His last pastorate was Pippin Chapel AME Church in the Louisiana
Conference. Mrs. Pitts was a member of
Days Chapel AME Church and served there until her health declined. A daughter,
Mrs. Diane Smith, who was her caregiver during her illness, survives Mrs.
Pitts.
Services
for Mrs. Bertha Pitts:
Service:
Saturday,
February 15, 2014
2:00
PM
Days
Chapel AME Church
17717
Highway 10
Clinton,
Louisiana 70722
The
Rev. Troy Williams, Pastor
17. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of Curtis Wells. He was the second Vice President of the First
Episcopal District Lay Organization and the immediate past President of the New
England Conference Lay Organization. The following information has been provided
regarding funeral arrangements.
Wake
- Friday, February 14, 2014 - 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Family
hour and Home going Services- Saturday, February 15, 2014
Family
hour - 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Service
- 10:00 a.m.
Historic
Charles Street AME Church
551
Warren Street
Roxbury,
MA 02121
Telephone:
617-442-7770
Fax:
617-427-1215
The
Rev. Dr. Gregory G. Groover, Sr., pastor, officiant and eulogist
Expressions
of Sympathy may be sent to:
The
Wells Family
99
Lorne Road
Mattapan,
MA 02126
18. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The
11th Episcopal District, Florida Conference, Quincy District
announces the passing of Sister Margaret Dyson of Orlando, FL. Sister Dyson is the sister of retired
Presiding Elder G. T. Barkley of the former Marianna District and the Rev.
Sterling Barkley, the pastor of Tanner Chapel AME in Quincy, Florida.
Visitation
was held:
Visitation
as held on Friday, February 7, 2014 at The Hope Church Orlando, 3032 Monte
Carlo Trail in Orlando, Florida.
The
Funeral was held on Saturday, February 8, 2014 at The Hope Church Orlando.
.
19. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of Sister Althea Higgins, a faithful member
of St. Paul AME Church, Versailles, KY.
Sister Althea Higgins transitioned from this life on Friday, February 7,
2014. She is the Aunt of the Rev. Jermaine L. Wilson, pastor of St. John A.M.E.
Church Frankfort, Kentucky.
The
funeral was held on Tuesday, February 11 at St. Paul AME Church in Versailles,
Kentucky
Condolences
will be received by the family, via email, or telephone:
The
Rev. Jermaine L. Wilson: jlapaz@hotmail.com
Telephone:
502-657-8431
20. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Hilda Johnson Martin, age 107,
grandmother of the Rev.Dr. Randolph Martin, Sr., pastor of Allen Temple AME
Church in Pine Bluff, Arkansas and Sister Charolett Martin, 12th Episcopal
District WMS President. Mrs. Hilda
Johnson Martin passed away, Friday, February 7, 2014.
Celebration
of Life Service was held at Haven United Methodist Church in Hot Springs,
Arkansas on Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Messages
of Condolence may be shared with the family via the Rev. and Mrs. Randolph W.
Martin, Sr. at:
Or
mail to:
1204
Indiana Street,
Pine
Bluff, AR 71601
21. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of Sister Charlene Florine Wilson. Sister
Wilson made her sudden transition from labor to reward on Monday, February 3,
2014. She is the beloved sister of Pastor Charlesfontaine Macon at Gregg
Memorial AME Church, Detroit, Michigan and daughter of Mother Florence Macon.
Family
Visitation Day:
Friday,
February 14, 2014, 1:00 pm - 8:00 p.m. at James H. Cole Funeral Home, 16100
Schaefer Hwy. Detroit, MI 48235 (313) 835-3997
Funeral
Service:
Family
Hour: 10:30 am. Services - 11:00 am
Saturday,
February 15, 2014 at Hartford Memorial Baptist Church, 18700 James Couzens
Freeway in Detroit, Michigan
Telephone:
(313) 861-1300
Fax:
(313) 861-0265
Expressions
of sympathy may be sent to:
Gregg
Memorial AME Church
10120
Plymouth Rd.
Detroit,
Michigan 48204
Email
- cfmacon@aol.com
Interment
- Woodlawn Cemetery, 19975 Woodward Ave. Detroit, MI 48203
Arrangements
are by James H. Cole Funeral Home Northwest Chapel.
22. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It
is with heavy hearts that we inform you that Sister Cheryl Wilson, loving wife
of the Rev. Anthony Wilson and beloved mother of Christian and Christina Wilson
passed away this week.
The
Rev. Anthony Wilson is an Itinerant Elder, and member of the Ministerial Staff
at Union Bethel AME Church in Brandywine, Maryland.
Sister
Cheryl's Homegoing Services was held on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at Union
Bethel AME Church in Brandywine, Maryland.
Condolences
can be sent to:
The
Rev. Anthony Wilson
9609
Midland Turn
Upper
Marlboro, MD 20772
23. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
join in love, fellowship and mourning with the Rev. Anthea Dunn, a Local Elder
at St. John AME Church of Springfield, Tennessee in the sudden loss of her
dearly beloved husband, Mr. Phillip Stevens Dunn, a very capable and diligent
Trustee of St. John AME Church where the Rev. Donald Williams is the senior
pastor.
The
funeral service for Mr. Phillip Stevens Dunn was held at Greater South Baptist
Church in Springfield, Tennessee. The Rev. Donald Williams was the eulogist
Expressions
of sympathy may be sent to:
The
Rev. Anthea Cone-Dunn
1805
College Street
Springfield,
TN 37172
Email:
antheadunn@att.net
24. 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
25. 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.
Did
someone you know pass this copy of The Christian Recorder to you? Get your own
copy HERE
*You
have received this message because you are subscribed to
The Christian Recorder Online
Forward to Friend
Copyright © 2012 The Christian Recorder, All
rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are
a current subscriber to The Christian Recorder.
Our
mailing address is:
The Christian Recorder
500 Eighth Avenue, South
Nashville, TN 37203-7508
Add
us to your address book
