The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr.,
Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor
III, the 20th Editor, The Christian
Recorder
Lenten Season
Easter: April 20, 2014
March: Women’s History Month
1. TCR EDITORIAL – SMART IN THE SAME WAY —
BUT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT:
Dr. Calvin H.
Sydnor III
The 20th
Editor of The Christian Recorder
One of the most
difficult texts in the Gospels is the parable of the “Unjust Steward,”
sometimes referred to as “The Parable of the
Shrewd Manager” found in Luke 16: 1-13.
It’s a difficult passage that is only found in Luke, so I guess it’s a
“Q” document. “Q” is taken from German
word, “Quelle,” meaning "source." Briefly, we learned in seminary that "Q"
passages are those found in the Synoptic Gospels of Matthew and Luke, but not
in the Gospel of Mark; and certainly not in John.
The parable of the
“Prodigal Son” like the parable of the “Unjust Steward” is found only in Luke. The
parable of the "Prodigal Son" is one of the most loved parables and is
easy to understand and I am sure most parishioners have heard sermons about the
“Prodigal Son,” which ends Luke Chapter 15; Luke, Chapter 16 begins with the
parable of the "Unjust Steward."
The dichotomy is
that parable of the "Prodigal Son" is one of the easiest to
understand, but the parable of the "Unjust Steward is one of the most
difficult to understand, so I am “going out on a limb as I attempt to make a
hermeneutical application of the “Unjust Steward” with the AME Church. I am not
a scholar or a theologian and I am not the son of a scholar or theologian.
My
take on the “Unjust Steward”
The manager in the
parable is about to lose his job because his rich boss believes he has been
careless and inefficient. The manager
realizes that he needs “a life” after being fired, so he decides to endear
himself as many people as possible. The manager summons the rich boss’ debtors
and reduces the amounts they owe; and, of course the debtors are appreciative
and we can conclude that they will treat the manager with respect after he is
fired.
The
complication
The boss commended
the crooked manager, and in the King James Version it’s troublesome because the
boss says, “… the sons of this world are wiser in their own generation than the
sons of light…make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteousness mammon…,”
whatever that means. The parable seems to be commending dishonesty.
Another
angle
There is another
side of the interpretation and the Message
Bible provides a different look and makes it easier for me to apply the
text to our Zion.
The
Message Bible concludes the
parable thusly: “The master praised the
crooked manager! And why? Because he knew how to look after himself. Streetwise
people are smarter in this regard than law-abiding citizens. They are on
constant alert, looking for angles, surviving by their wits. I want you to be
smart in the same way — but for what is right — using every adversity to
stimulate you to creative survival, to concentrate your attention on the bare
essentials, so you’ll live, really live, and not complacently just get by on
good behavior.”
Smart
in the same way
The church can
learn a lot from “the world.” And, by “the world” I am referring to the “world”
of business, the military, academia, government, the corporate world, small and
large businesses and from any successful entity that deals with people. Their principles
of success are applicable to the church.
I believe that successful
churches, in terms of programs and effective ministry, have taken the spirit of
the “Shrewd Manager” and have applied them to ministry.
Complication
Some local churches
and other entities of the church stay mired in conflict, and not always because
of negative issues, but sometimes it’s little things.
Conflict can
surface because clergy and laity or members of organizations cannot agree on
the direction of ministry or the direction the organization should take. The
leaders want to go one way and the members want to go another way. And, while
mired in conflict, loyalties dissipate. Churches fail and businesses fail when
they do not address and solve problems.
Let
me mention a few
Don’t
ignore the loyal flock
One elementary
principle of business is that it is easier and more profitable to keep the
current customers, no matter how few, than to attract new customers.
Effective
businesses do all they can to meet the needs of and keep the loyalties of their
present customers while trying to attract new customers. Successful businesses do not abandon or
neglect their present customers in an effort to attract new customers.
Churches need to
follow that same principle; and as a matter of fact successful churches have
followed that model.
When I pastored St.
James AME Church in Danville, Kentucky and was radically intent in getting more
young people in the church, one of the old members, not a college or seminary
graduate said, “Reverend, I know you are trying to get more young people, but
you don’t want to run off the older folks who are supporting the church. We need
the old folks. They support the church. The young folks don’t have the
resources. I think it nice bring in the young folks, but don’t run off the old
folks.” What sage advice! One does not
need a degree to have some sense. I
listened because it made sense and then I learned later in a classroom, “It’s
easier and more efficient to keep your current customers satisfied than it is
to attract new customers.”
Feedback
I purchase items
from Amazon because it’s easier and most times less expensive and I save
gasoline and don’t have to drive from store to store looking for an item. After
each purchase, without fail, I receive a request to provide feedback about the
product, whether it was delivered on time and the survey asks if I would
recommend Amazon and the product to others.
Successful businesses
have a feedback component. Businesses
have to know what they are doing right and what changes need to be made to make
the organization better.
If an organization
does not have a feedback component, it might not know what it needs to do to
get better or what it needs to do to move from “better to best.”
Successful pastors have
a feedback component, either from stewards, other church officers or even from
the membership.
Successful pastors
listen intently and learn from the parishioners’ comments.
Insightful pastors
know the difference between, “Wonderful, dynamic sermon!” and “Nice speech,
thank you for the message.” A discerning
pastor knows what is meant when a parishioner quickly shakes hands and says,
“Reverend, good sermon, gotta go to the bathroom” and quickly makes his or her
way to the bathroom. The parishioner is
saying that the sermon or the worship service was too long.”
Most of us want to
hear positive feedback, but we need to hear the negative feedback too. A
parishioner should be able to tell a preacher without attribution, “…that was a
bad sermon” or “I couldn’t follow the sermon.”
If the truth be
told, parishioners give feedback, but many pastors and local church leaders are
not listening or they are not paying attention to the feedback; or they don’t
care and don’t see the value in feedback.
Having said that;
there is an appropriate way to give feedback. For instance, you don’t need to
tell someone that they have bad breath; you can simply give them a mint or a
cough drop or offer them a stick of chewing gum.
Pastors and church
leaders should develop a formal mechanism for getting feedback from “the
flock.” Effective organizations
encourage and facilitate formal feedback because feedback is one of the most
effective vehicles to help organizations improve. Churches would benefit from
feedback from the lowest to the highest levels of the denomination.
Responsiveness
Successful
businesses are aware and responsive to the needs of their constituents. Have you ever been to the clothing store or a
restaurant and clerks and waiters acted like you were not there and failed to
provide you with acceptable service?
Poor customer service drives customers away and does not precipitate
loyalty.
Successful
businesses and successful churches are responsive to the needs of their
constituencies. When they are responsive
to the needs of their constituencies, parishioners and customers will tell
others about the great service being provided.
Conflict
Every organization
and especially churches experience conflict. Conflict is present wherever human
beings are present, i.e., in the home, the workplace, on the playground, in
social organizations, or a husband and wife, alone, driving from point “A” to
point “B”; and put teenage kids in the car and there will be more of
conflict.
Conflict is not the
issue because conflict is a universal human interactive reality. The issue is
not conflict, but how conflict is resolved.
Successful
organizations have mechanisms in place to deal with conflict. At the extreme end of the spectrum is the
military, which functions in real-time life and death situations. The military has
the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Soldiers who cause conflict and
disobey orders can be put in the stockade and punished.
At other extreme of
that extreme is a non-attribution meeting led by professionally-trained
conflict resolution experts. There are all kinds of conflict resolution
approaches in between the two extremes.
Conflict should not
be ignored because conflict grows when it is not addressed. Successful
organizations address conflict in the open because successful organizations do
not want conflict to fester beneath the surface.
Conflict in
religious organizations should be handled as non-attributively as
possible. People should feel comfortable
expressing their feelings without fear of attribution.
Unfortunately,
conflict in religious organizations can be more intense because of strong
personal and entrenched religious convictions, which is why it is imperative
that conflict needs to be addressed and resolved in local churches. When
conflict is not addressed and resolved in a local church, the church’s growth
and ministry cannot be maximized. And unfortunately, some churches “limp” along
struggling to survive, when the issue is festering long-term unresolved
conflict.
Technology
Successful
businesses stay abreast of technology.
Churches need to
ramp-up their use of technology because many AME churches have not “scratched
the surface” in the use of technology. We still have too many preachers and
laity who unashamedly say, “I am not up on this technology thing yet…” They need to be “up on the technology thing!”
Churches need web pages and web pages need to be continually updated.
There was a time
when what a preacher uttered from the pulpit was sacrosanct, but not so today,
because parishioners will bring out their cellphones and Google any
questionable statements. And, preacher, don’t have an “out of your character”
sermon title or sermon because parishioners will Google Sermon Central or some other sermon internet resources. It takes
seconds to do so.
Churches need to
make a radical embrace of technology because it’s the world we are living in!
There
is more
Let me paraphrase
the Message Bible passage, “I want us,
the AME Church, to be smart in the same way as the successful enterprises of
the world —but doing it the right way — using every adversity to stimulate us
to creative survival, to concentrate our attention on the bare essentials, so
we will live, really live and survive as a church, and not complacently just
get by on good behavior, but because we will morally and ethically learn the
best practices of the successful enterprises of the world.”
To be
continued – Part 2 in the next issue.
2.
TCR OP-ED - OUR STORIES NEED TO BE TOLD AND WE NEED TO TELL "OUR
STORIES":
*Ms. Jacquelyn
"Jackie" Dupont-Walker
I love the story
about the Rev. Dr. Donald Tucker's activism in Mississippi the sixties during
the Civil Rights' era. I remember the
civil rights activists and pioneers who risked their lives in the struggle for
civil and human rights. Unfortunately, most of the activists never received
accolades or even had their story told for public consumption, but all stood in
the tradition of Richard Allen and our early leaders in the African Methodist
Episcopal Church who fought for social justice for all people; freedom for
those of African descent, and with the full commitment that doing so was
consistent with God's calling on the life of African Methodism.
I have known Dr.
Donald Tucker for a number of years, but never knew his walk or this
story.
How many others are
there who could and would inspire the next generations by sharing their
travails, triumphs, and lessons learned?
Perhaps our church
should collect these stories, and with today's technology it's easier to share
our experiences than any time in history.
Most importantly, as we prepare for the 200th anniversary of the
incorporation/ founding of the AME Church, having these stories would be a
value-added. Stories like this surely
inspire and inform our work as the AMEC Social Action Commission.
Thanks to the good
people of Greenwood, Mississippi at Turner Chapel AME Church for recognizing
this Son of Allen, and to The Christian Recorder as chronicler of AME legacy
for publishing this story.
The Rev. Dr.
Tucker, "You do us proud!"
I am humbled to
know you, delighted that our paths have crossed, and honored to work with you
in this vineyard, especially on the Payne Seminary Board. Please take the time to share your story with
all of us - write a book, dictate it as an oral history, but make sure that it
is recorded for all posterity.
*Ms. Jacquelyn
"Jackie" Dupont-Walker is the Director of the Social Action
Commission of the AME Church
3. RETIRED BISHOP
CAROLYN TYLER-GUIDRY TO SPEAK AT FLIPPER:
Retired Bishop Carolyn Tyler-Guidry will be the preacher at Flipper
Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Second Annual Unity Celebration
Day.
Flipper Temple A.M.E. Church, under the leadership of the Rev. Augusta H.
Hall, Jr., Senior Pastor will celebrate its Second Annual Unity Celebration Day
on Sunday, March 16 at 11:00 a.m.
Flipper Temple is located at 580 Atlanta Student Movement Blvd. in
Atlanta, Georgia, in the heart of the Atlanta University Center on the corner
of Atlanta Student Movement Blvd. and Walnut Street, S.W.
For more information on the Unity Celebration Day go to: www.flippertempleame.com or contact the church office
at (404) 522-5020
4. THOUGHT FOR THE
WEEK:
You are what you have learned from your past, what you experience today
and what you dream for tomorrow.
Prayer: “Lord, help me to live each moment to the fullest so that I can continue
to grow and achieve my greatness. Amen.”
From the Desk of Louis G. Reaves
5. SAVE THE DATE:
JUNE 7, 2014 - THE UNVEILING OF THE SCULPTURE OF BISHOP JOHN R. BRYANT:
The Unveiling of the sculpture of Bishop John R. Bryant will take place
at Morgan State University in the Murphy Fine Arts Center 2201 Argonne Drive in
Baltimore.
Contributions can be made in honor of Bishop John R. Bryant for the
National “Blacks in Wax Museum” online via: www.gofundme.com/70mwfs.
Donations can also be made by check/money order payable to: 4th
WGI-WMS, ess: Bryant Legacy, 5627 S. Michigan Avenue, Third Floor, Chicago, IL
60637.
Lodging will be at the Baltimore Hilton, 401 West Pratt Street,
Baltimore, MD 21201; telephone: 800-HILTONS, Booking Code: BRL; and at the
Holiday Inn Inner Harbor, 301 W Lombard Street Baltimore, MD 21201; (800)
HOLIDAY Booking Code: TBL
6. GREETINGS FROM
AME CHAPLAIN SERVING IN AFGHANISTAN:
I am Chaplain Samuel D. Siebo, endorsed by our Great Zion, the AME
Church, to serve the United States Army. I am currently deployed to Camp
Marmal, Mazar-e-Sharef, Afghanistan.
Our soldiers are doing very well.
Kindly continue to keep us in your prayers.
I am very blessed to serve as the Senior Pastor for the Gospel and
Contemporary services here at Camp Marmal.
Ministry is going well and souls are being saved even in a strange land.
Our worship attendance is growing rapidly.
By way of introduction, I am a 2005 graduate of Turner Theological
Seminary (TTS), at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC).
During my student days at TTS, I served as one of the associate ministers
at Big Bethel AME Church. Bishop Richard F. Norris, Sr. is my current Bishop.
I would love to hear from the folks back home. Please feel free to
contact me through my NIPR email address: samuel.siebo@afghan.swa.army.mil
Our chapel attendance is growing rapidly but we need help.
We have musical instruments, but we need two amplifiers for our bass and
guitar. Most of the chapel furnishings have been donated by the various
denominations. We would appreciate if
one of our AME Churches would kindly purchase one of these amplifiers for our
chapel, so as to enhance our worship experience. The links for the amplifiers
are listed below.
Here is the mailing address:
CH (CPT) Samuel D. Siebo
HHC, 1-41 IN, 3IBCT
Camp Marmal
APO AE 09368
7. HUNDREDS ATTEND
THE 2014 MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PEACE MARCH AND RALLY:
*Bernadette Thompson
The single most important event honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in
Asheville North Carolina on January 20, 2014 commenced at the historic St.
James AME Church. The Rev. Brent La Prince
Edwards and his congregation welcomed hundreds of people during the annual
service before the Peace March. The procession culminated in a rally at the
City-County Plaza.
For more than 20 years, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of
Asheville and Buncombe County has sponsored services at St. James AME Church to
commemorate the legacy of Dr. King. Individuals - old and young, of various
races, ethnicities, backgrounds, and organizations from across the city and
county unite to pay respect to the great and inspiring leader.
This year’s event at St. James AME Church reached a new height as the
Spirit fell under the anointed singing of the Mission Hospital/MAHEC Spirit of
M.L.K. Choir. Choir selections included: “Every Praise Is to Our God” and “I Need You
to Survive.” A special tribute in music
was rendered by Mr. James Christopher Edwards, renowned baritone and member of
historic Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, S.C. Mr. Edwards is also the father of the Rev.
Brent La Prince Edwards.
The Occasion was given by Dr. Lamar Hylton, Director of the Intercultural
Center & Multicultural Student Programs at UNC-Asheville. The challenge from Dr. Hylton was to imagine
what could be accomplished if we poured the same energy and resources applied
to the celebration of Dr. King’s birthday to our current problems and
challenges.
The March was led by Rev. Brent La Prince Edwards, various church
leaders, elected officials, and individuals from the City’s aging population. Marchers included parents with toddlers and
children; students from private and public schools, students from UNC
Asheville, as well as other organizations whose missions align with the legacy
and work of Dr. King.
The venue and activities of January 20, 2014 presented an excellent
opportunity to evangelize and perform outreach. Church members distributed
fliers informing attendees of scheduled services and ministries at St. James
AME Church.
Bishop William P. DeVeaux recently appointed the Rev. Brent La Prince
Edwards as the Director of Church Growth and Evangelism for the 2nd
Episcopal District. The Rev. Edwards emphasizes evangelism and outreach to his
congregation and offers strategies for doing more with commemorative events and
programs.
Unlike current trends in the AME Church, St. James is experiencing growth
among its population of young adults.
Through his teaching on “relative evangelism” and being an “intentional
disciple” of Christ, the Dr. King commemoration provided an opportunity to win
new souls for the kingdom. St. James AME
Church is viewed in Ashville as a community-oriented church and events as this
year's MLK event provide an opportunity to embrace people outside of our
immediate circle with the love of Christ.
*Bernadette Thompson heads the Commission on Public Relations at St.
James AME Church in Asheville, North Carolina
8. THE SECOND
EPISCOPAL DISTRICT’S AFFORDABLE HEALTH INSURANCE PROJECT:
Taking Flight in North Carolina
The Rev. Johnathan C. Richardson
Under the leadership of Bishop William Phillips DeVeaux, Sr. and Dr. Pam
DeVeaux the Second Episcopal District’s Affordable Health Insurance Project is
off to a great start especially in the Western North Carolina District where
the Rev. Dr. Conrad Pridgen is the Presiding Elder.
On December 7th, Stoney Creek AME Church, one of the oldest churches in
Caswell County, conducted the first of two Affordable Healthcare Act (ACA)
events. Partnering with the office of
Senator Mike Woodard who represents North Carolina’s 22nd District (which
includes Caswell County) and Piedmont Health Services (PHS) Stoney Creek was
able to help 30 participants start the process of registering for healthcare.
Ms. Latisha Vincent and Ms. Patricia Hickman of PHS shared that even if
people don’t have substantial income “they should register any way because they
may qualify for a government subsidy,” which will significantly reduce their
monthly cost or at least they will be provided an “exemption letter” that they
can use if anyone questions their lack of coverage.
The basic message was everyone should register for the ACA if they don’t
have coverage regardless of income. When
the PHS team shared information about costs Sen. Woodard added the prices
quoted by opponents of ACA are “worse case scenarios” and don’t represent what
most people would pay for coverage. Ms.
Vincent shared a story of a gentleman who came to PHS to register thinking he
could not afford healthcare and after he went through the process found he could
receive healthcare paying only $9.00/ month with the subsidy he qualified
for. She noted that the point of this
story was not how much he paid because every situation is different but
emphasized that “you don’t know what you will get until you register.”
The session ended with a question and answer period and final remarks
where participants were encouraged to register before March 31st to avoid
penalties.
Because of confidentiality and time constraints, participants could not
register onsite, but information was shared, questions answered and
applications administered to those present.
Applications and information on the ACA will continue to be given out as
bulletin inserts to Stoney Creek’s worship until the end of March.
In North Carolina there are 400,000 African Americans without healthcare
and ACA events like Stoney Creek’s are crucial to reducing this number
especially in rural areas where Stoney Creek is located.
The Rev. J. C. and Charique Richardson, first lady of Stoney Creek are
grateful to the Triune God for Bishop and Dr. Pam DeVeaux’s vision and work,
the Rev. Dr. Cassandra Sparrow for her prayers and support; and Presiding Elder
Pridgen for his unwavering leadership and faith in Stoney Creek.
A special “thank you” is extended to Senator Woodward’s office, the
Piedmont Health Services, and the people of Stoney Creek AME Church for making
this event a success.
Stoney Creek AME Church will continue to help the 2nd Episcopal District
achieve 100% health insurance access and coverage of AME Church members and the
surrounding Caswell and Alamance communities.
9. THE TRUTH IS THE
LIGHT
*The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based on Biblical Text: Judges 2:2: “And
you shall make no covenant with the inhabitants of this land; you shall tear
down their altars. But you have not obeyed My voice. Why have you done this?”
We are a “copycat” generation. Folk do what other folk do. We in the
church, just like the people in our text, seem to be quick to pick up the same
old dirty habits of those who occupy the land. However we must be reminded that
if we don’t drive out sin it will drive us.
Every day somebody mentions to me the incredibly difficult time that they
are having in serving the Lord. People readily admit, “I know that I should do
better. I know that I need to turn my life around. I know that I can’t keep on
going the way I’m going, but it’s just so hard to change.”
Folk are absolutely right; it is very hard to change. As a matter of fact
unless you are washed in the Blood of the Lamb and are walking in obedience to
God’s Word you can’t change. We must understand that unless you are washed in
the Blood of the Lamb and you are walking in obedience to God’s Word you don’t
have the power to change.
It is not a matter of how much will power we may have. No matter how much
we try to break old habits that keep dragging us down or what we do trying to
erase old memories or past sins we don’t have the power to do it. If we had
that power then Jesus would not have had to go to the cross and die for those
sins.
If we really want victory in our life, to live above sin and be a
consistent Christian living a lifestyle that gives glory to God then our only
remedy is complete abandonment from the things of this world that continually
drag us down. Israel tried to fool around with the things of the world and all
they did was to bring God’s wrath down upon their heads. We must work to turn
our back on those worldly things in our life that keep us away from God’s house
and keep us from reading God’s Word. We cannot engage in the things of this
world and live in victory. It just doesn’t work. We cannot serve two masters.
In our text we see what happened to Israel because they didn’t listen to
God. We are challenged to learn from Israel’s mistakes before those same
mistakes become a setback for us also. God told the Jews not to make any
covenants with their enemies. In fact God said, “I want you to throw them out.”
God said all of them! “Get rid of every man, woman and child of those who
inhabit the land or they will bring you into a place of judgment because they
will drag you down.”
God is saying the same thing to us today. God delivers us from sin, lifts
us out of the miry clay of sin, brings us out from under the bondage of Satan’s
power over us and sets our feet on the “street called 'Straight.'” Then God
begins to lead us gently on toward our eternal home. God is aware of the work
we are doing trying to change the way we live but God will not push us. God
knows that we are trying to get it together, trying to do what He would expect
us to do but God will not be behind us with a rod. God will not prod us, will
not whip us, or force us to follow him anymore than he did the Children of
Israel.
God’s Word is given to light our path. God’s commandments are written
down so that we can hide them in our hearts and meditate upon them continually,
day and night. The Holy Spirit goes before us to lead the way and to teach us
the ways that we should walk. But it is up to us to follow, to read, and to
learn.
God only leads, he does not push. What He wants are obedient servants,
those who are willing to follow him. God does not want a gang of slaves forced
to live obediently whose only thoughts are when nobody is looking to escape
from his presence!
God wants us to force out everything from our life that is not holy, not
right, and not sanctified. His prayer for us is that we would willingly run out
everything in our lives that reminds us of our rebellious past and of our life
of sin. That means that we no longer do what we did when we lived in sin!
Those of us trying to change our lives to live more godly need to ask
ourselves, how much do we really love Jesus? Do we really want to make heaven
our eternal home? If we truly love Jesus and intend for our eternity to be
lived out in heaven then there is a price to pay. There is a life that we are
required to live. It is a life of obedience to God’s commandment for us to
abort sin. Not to unload some of it but to get rid of all of it. We are not to allow anything to hang around
that reminds us of our old life.
We must throw it all out or it will always be a reminder and an
enticement to bring us back into partaking of it! We cannot play with fire
without being burned any more than we can play with sinful things and expect
them not to have an impact on our life.
Not surprisingly so many of us fall away into sin because we never really
get rid of every desire to do the sin in the first place. How can we get rid of
the desire for that sin if we keep reminders of it hanging around all the time?
God says that if we do not get rid of every ungodly obsession and
everything that gets between us and our God, then those things which we allow
to remain in our lives will be as thorns. Every time we turn back to them, they
are going to jab us! Every time we make a move toward God they are going to
scrape us and poke at us until we finally stop moving. Every time we involve
ourselves in them we are going to be reminded by the Holy Spirit that we are
walking in disobedience.
The good news is that God doesn’t easily give up on us. God will keep
after us trying to gently persuade us to walk away from that old life, to get
rid of all the old idols we have been serving and to move away from those folk
who are still serving them. God will keep after us always gently persuading us
to clean out our life, our mind, and our house and throw all the junk away for
good.
God would have us know that He will not drive out those sins from our life
that we allow to hang around! God will not overstep our will to sin. If our
desire is to live with one foot in the world and the other in the church God
will let us do just that. However we will never experience real freedom in
Christ or real victory over sin.
The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown
AME Church in Charleston, S.C.
10. CIVIL RIGHTS
PIONEER PAUL MCDANIEL HAS MINISTERED TO CHATTANOOGA FOR 48 YEARS; NOW HE’S
STEPPING BACK:
By: Joan Garrett McClane, Yolanda Putman
At 11 a.m. the deacons walked into the sanctuary singing an old gospel
hymn in perfect harmony. No music.
Then the piano player started on the keys. Older women wearing hats
walked toward the front to take their seats in the large sanctuary that was
barely filling. The smell of eggs and bacon wafted from the cafeteria.
Then right after the offering was being taken up, after the children
sang, the reverend, in his long black robe striped with African colors, walked
from a side of the room to the pulpit.
For 48 years the Rev. Paul A. McDaniel has spoken his mind and the word
of the Lord from this wooden pulpit. At the mostly black Second Missionary
Baptist Church in East Chattanooga’s Churchville community, he has plunged
generations of new believers in baptism, prayed for the sick, called for
benevolence and buried old friends and boys too young to die.
But this month he will begin stepping away from his church and out of
public life. His final day at Second Baptist will be June 30.
At 83, he sees that the church needs a new vision. The young don’t attend
Sunday service anymore, and his generation is dying. He is tired. Fifteen to 20
people at his church die every month. Doing that many funerals pulls on you
emotionally, he said.
Today McDaniel is a towering presence in Chattanooga’s black community.
He has worked as a pastor, a social activist and a politician here for nearly
half a century. He was the pastor who went with his congregants to legal
hearings when they were in danger of being evicted. He went with people to
court, visited them in the hospital and counseled them through rocky marriages.
“It’s going to be sad,” said Doris Ervin, whom McDaniel baptized as a
child in 1969. “Sometimes I hear him mention that he’s leaving and I tear up
and turn my head.”
“There will never be another Paul A. McDaniel,” she said.
McDaniel was born in South Carolina in 1930, one of five, a child of the
Depression.
When he was a boy he was sick a lot, suffering from severe asthma. The
doctors told his parents that he wasn’t expected to live. So at 8 years old, he
said he made a bargain with God; if God would heal him, he would become a
preacher.
And he was healed shortly after, with the help of a doctor in Columbia,
S.C., and gave his first official sermon when he was just 15 at Big Calvary
Baptist Church in Edgemoor, S.C., where his father, Adam T. McDaniel, was the
pastor.
During post-secondary studies at Morehouse College, McDaniel studied
political science and was a contemporary of Martin Luther King Jr.
McDaniel eventually would pastor in New York, where he met his first
wife, Edna, and then in New Jersey. In New Jersey he was the first black to
head the Rahway Ministerial Association, and his brother was the first black on
the board of education.
Yet racism was no stranger.
In 1963, McDaniel recalled, he had taken his first three babies south to
a Delaware beach. He remembers the family had wanted to stop for dinner after a
long day and they went to a drive-in.
He chose a drive-in because he wasn’t sure of the area’s rules about
blacks eating in certain places, and not in others, and he wanted no trouble.
But even at a drive-in, when the waitress finally brought the family
their food, she said they couldn’t eat it in the parking lot. They had to take
it and go.
Meanwhile, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was changing the South he was
about to enter.
While still pastoring in New Jersey, McDaniel marched with blacks and
whites in Alabama from Selma to Montgomery in 1965 and was responsible for
finding yards for marchers to sleep in overnight. He remembers blacks throwing
rocks at white motorists, and he said he was afraid to walk at the front of the
line.
He did it anyway. Some of the National Guard officers spit on the
marchers, he said.
Then in 1966, he moved his entire family from New Jersey south to
Chattanooga. Second Missionary Baptist Church, then 100 years old, had called
him as 20th pastor.
With the South in the heat of the civil rights movement, McDaniel said he
didn’t want to leave the North. He didn’t want to raise his three children in a
segregated society. Peter, his youngest son, had yet to be born.
Yet the Civil Rights Act had made it illegal to segregate people by race
at school and places of public accommodation. So when a former classmate told
McDaniel of the opening in Chattanooga, he was more receptive.
A date was set for him to preach at the church in May 1966. By August of
that year he was installed, at age 36, as the full-time pastor. But the church
had split into two congregations before he arrived, and healing was the first
order of business.
He wasn’t a dynamic personality, he said. So people had to get used to
his soft-spoken, laid-back style. But they did, and the church began to grow.
In 1975 the church moved to East Third Street near Dodson Avenue, where
many members lived, and a new facility was built. The sanctuary seated 550 and
had 20 classrooms. The chapel was named in honor of McDaniel’s parents.
At the height of the church’s influence, four teams of workers would go
out on Saturdays to recruit children to church. Then on Sunday they would drive
to pick them up.
Second Missionary became one of the largest black churches in
Chattanooga. Its membership climbed to well over 1,000.
“We are called to be a servant church,” McDaniel said in a Times Free
Press article in 1991. “We have been given our ministry. We have not earned it.
It is a gift of grace from God. Therefore, being recipients of the grace of God,
we are also ministers of reconciliation.”
Politics was his other ministry, he said.
McDaniel made national history in 1978, a decade after coming to
Chattanooga, when he won a U.S. Supreme Court case that overturned a state law
prohibiting ministers from holding elected office. The victory allowed him to
serve as a delegate in the State Constitutional Convention that established the
new form of county government.
“He has been and is a voice of reason and logic,” said City Council
Chairman and Second Baptist church member Yusuf Hakeem. “He has been a
stabilizing force within the leadership of Chattanooga.”
McDaniel was elected to the first Hamilton County Commission in 1978 and
served 20 years, five times as chairman, before retiring in 1998.
He became the first black to serve as president of the Chattanooga Clergy
Association and helped found the Unity Group, which assists black leaders who
run for political office.
He also helped start the Church Koinonia Federal Credit Union, made of
mostly black churches, in 2000. The financial institution operated for more
than a decade before merging in good standing with the Tennessee Valley Federal
Credit Union in 2013.
“He has been a steady voice for fairness and inclusion,” said Quenston
Coleman, who has worked with McDaniel as a longtime member of the Unity Group.
“He came to Chattanooga with … experience in the civil rights movement
just in time to help the black community move in lockstep with other cities
struggling with issues of racial hatred,” Coleman said.
“His quiet manner allowed him to work with the white community and make
things better for everybody.”
Coleman said he remembers singing “We Shall Overcome” with McDaniel, and
the reverend would emphasize his favorite line: “Black and white together we
shall overcome some day.”
The church McDaniel spoke to on a recent Sunday looks much different than
it did during his middle age years. Only 500 members are on the roster now;
fewer than that appeared in the pews on Sunday.
Still, McDaniel sees hope for the future of the church.
Members say he leaves big shoes to fill.
His wife of 17 years, Dr. Linda McDaniel, calls him a “true man of the
cloth,” one who lives what he preaches. McDaniel’s marriage to his first wife,
Edna, lasted 40 years. She died in 1990.
Several church members applaud McDaniel for his ability to help people
become better leaders.
“He’s not just a role model. He’s a goal model,” said Ronald Harris, a
pastoral assistant at Second Missionary.
It was McDaniel’s encouragement and support that led Harris to become a
minister. And McDaniel had a subtle way of setting up Harris and other
ministers to succeed, said Harris.
“He is on my Mount Rushmore of ministers,” said Harris. “No question
about it. He does more than preach the gospel, he experiences it. He’s not just
preaching at you, he’s preaching for you and with you.”
And everything that McDaniel does is on the foundation of love, he said.
On this day, McDaniel’s voice grew louder than it usually does. His body
rocked side to side, head bouncing and arms waving.
“Jesus does not deny that we will have people who persecute us, but that
does not take away the responsibility to love them, even if they can’t stand
you,” he said. “You can’t love God without loving others.”
He stepped back from the microphone and spoke in a booming voice.
“If you love God,” he said, “you will love your neighbor.”
**Used with permission of Alison Gerber, Editor of the Chattanooga Times
Free Press
TCR
Editor's Note: The Rev. Paul McDaniel was pastor
of Second Baptist Church in Rahway, New Jersey when I graduated from Rahway
High School (New Jersey) He delivered the baccalaureate address the year I
graduated. He spoke from I Corinthians
13 and I never forgot his message. He was a young pastor in 1959. His brother was a dentist in Rahway. I was a
member of Ebenezer AME Church, but the Rev. Paul McDaniels was a friend to all.
11. CLARK ATLANTA
UNIVERSITY (CAU) TO CELEBRATE 25TH ANNIVERSARY DURING FOUNDERS WEEK MARCH 16-23:
CAU Alumna and The Balm in Gilead Founder Pernessa Seele to speak at
Presidential Lecture Series March 18
ATLANTA (March 12, 2014) - Clark Atlanta University (CAU) will celebrate
its 25th anniversary of the consolidation of its parent institutions, Atlanta
University (founded in 1865) and Clark College (founded in 1869). The
observance will honor the institution's 292-year legacy during Founders Week,
March 16-23, on CAU's campus, 223 James P. Brawley Drive, S.W., Atlanta.
Highlights of the week include a lecture by alumna Pernessa C. Seele,
founder and CEO of The Balm in Gilead Inc. on March 18; the Founders Day
address on March 20 and the Spirit of Greatness Gala on March 22.
CAU President Carlton E. Brown said, "Our 25th anniversary is an
exuberant milestone for the University. We are grateful today to have become
the product of one of the most important consolidations of two prestigious and
historic institutions in the history of higher education. Our legacy has shaped
the course of American history, and we owe a great debt to the visionaries who
preceded us." Atlanta University was the nation's first African-American
graduate school, and Clark College was the country's first private, liberal
arts college for African-Americans.
Seele is founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead, Inc., a not-for-profit,
non-governmental organization whose mission is to prevent diseases and to
improve the health status of individuals who are disproportionately affected by
high rates of health disparities, especially HIV, hepatitis C, cervical cancer
and sexual violence. Now in its 25th year, The Balm in Gilead is based in
Richmond, Va., and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The organization provides technical
support to more than 10,000 faith institutions regarding the implementation of
health education and service programs.
Seele has worked with three U.S. presidential administrations on issues
of HIV/AIDS in the United States and abroad. She is known for her extraordinary
vision and ability to create national and global partnerships among leaders of
various cultures and religious doctrines in areas of health promotion and
disease prevention. She is the recipient of numerous citations and honors,
including being featured on the cover of TIME magazine in 2006 as "One of
the Most Influential Persons in the World."
A native of Lincolnville, S.C., Seele is a licensed minister, an honorary
member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and a lifetime member of The National Council of Negro Women. She
received the Bachelor of Science degree from Clark College in 1976 and the
Master of Science degree from Atlanta University in 1979. She was awarded the
Doctorate of Humane Letters degree honoris causa from the College of New
Rochelle, N.Y., in 2007.
About Clark Atlanta
University
Clark Atlanta University is a private, coeducational four-year university
located in the historic heart of Atlanta. It is one of the largest of the
nation's 37-member UNCF institutions and the only private historically black
college or university designated by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement
of Teaching as a Doctoral/ Research University. Our nearly 3,600 students are
engaged in some 38 areas of study in our four schools. National business and
consumer publications rank Clark Atlanta high among the best buys in American
higher education. Clark Atlanta University is accredited by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the
Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral Degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges
at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia, 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for
questions about the accreditation of Clark Atlanta University.
12. BLACKS SHOULD
BE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE FOR HBCUS:
By James Clingman
Black people have the collective financial resources and the intellectual
capacity to preserve our HBCUs.
If not you, who will determine the fate of HBCUs
(TriceEdneyWire.com) – This series on HBCUs prompted a two-hour long
discussion on the Carl Nelson Show in Washington, D.C. (WOL-1450). As the
invited guest, I had the opportunity to deal with the issue of whether we value
HBCUs enough to help save them. On the very next day St. Augustine College, in
Raleigh, NC, was said to be in dire financial straits and would shut down for a
week. We have answered the “what” question; we have heard from the “so what?”
crowd; we are now faced with the final question: “now what?”
Do we take responsibility for HBCUs, or do we allow them to flounder to
the point of nonexistence? Do we leave them to the will and largess of government?
Do we sit back and say, “Somebody will fix the problem someday?” As I once
heard a preacher say, “Somebody is not in the phone book and someday is not on
the calendar.”
Bill Cosby (Central State), Willie Gary (Shaw), Oprah Winfrey
(Morehouse), and others have shown what an individual can do for an HBCU;
imagine what our collective efforts could do.
Black people should be the first line of defense for Black schools. Yes,
with all of their challenges, they are still our schools, and we must preserve them.
If we contributed more, had better relationships with administrators, and
promoted HBCUs more, they would be more accountable, responsible, responsive,
and financially sound. Yes, they must be good stewards of their financial
resources, but we can be partners in that stewardship.
We are quick to romanticize the past and celebrate schools like Wiley
College in “The Great Debaters.” We like to visit HBCUs and watch our students
“stomp the yard,” high-step in the marching bands, play football and basketball
at the CIAA Tournament, and sing in the choirs. We love to see HBCU students
perform in stage plays and in spoken word sessions; and those honorary degrees
are great, too. Most of all, we love to see our children graduate, many of who
would not have been able to were it not for an HBCU. Where is that same love
for HBCUs when it comes to our giving back to them?
Well folks, this is what some would call a “Kairos moment” for Black
people. We can save our schools if we have the will to do so. We have the
financial resources and we have the intellectual capacity to solve this
lingering problem, or at least to be able to come to the rescue when necessary.
Abandoning HBCUs is tantamount to what we did to our Black-owned businesses
back in the 1960s. You don’t have to look too far to see the results of that
self-inflicted wound; take a stroll around your neighborhood and start counting
the Black stores.
Short of going to HBCUs, Black athletes should hire Black agents,
accountants, real estate reps, insurance agents, and other Black
businesspersons through whom some of the their dollars could be circulated and
maybe find their way to HBCU coffers. Collectively, Black athletes, HBCU grads
or not, could also create an endowment for HBCU’s.
Entrepreneurs, entertainers, scientists, engineers, doctors, dentists,
and you name it, came out of HBCUs. Can you say Oprah? Tom Joyner? Spike Lee?
Common? Alice Walker? Toni Morrison? Pulitzer Prize winner Colbert King?
Physics expert Evelynn Hammonds? Millions of other HBCU lesser-known grads are
contributing to this society as a result of their HBCU education. Sounds like a
pretty good list for another huge endowment. Non-HBCU alumni, rapper/producer
Dr. Dre and music producer Jimmy Iovine gave $70 million, much of which was
earned from Black consumers, to USC, where relative few Blacks attend. Dillard
University President, Walter M. Kimbrough, was absolutely correct to ask, “Why
not an HBCU?”
From Howard University, to St. Augustine, to Barber Scotia, our schools
need our support – in many forms. Are we going to love them or leave them?
Their fate is in our hands, our minds, and in our pockets.
**Used with permission of Dr. Lawrence N. Kaggwa, publisher of the
District Chronicles and a professor of journalism and ethics at Howard
University
13. THE 16TH
EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2014 SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES:
Bishop John White, Presiding Prelate
Mrs. Penny H. White, Episcopal Supervisor
Windward Islands
Annual Conference
March 12-16, 2014
Port of Spain, Trinidad
The Virgin Islands
Annual Conference
March 19-23, 2014
St. Croix, Virgin Island
Jamaica Annual
Conference
March 26-30, 2014
Kingston, Jamaica
London Annual
Conference
April 24-27, 2014
London, England
14. THE 17TH EPISCOPAL
DISTRICT 2014 SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES:
Bishop Wilfred Jacobus Messiah,
Presiding Prelate
Mrs. Carol Messiah, Episcopal
Supervisor
Burundi Annual Conference
3rd to 6th April 2014
Host Pastor: The Rev. Zacharie
Mpawenayo
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev Zacharie
Mpawenayo
Bujumbura, Burundi
Congo River Conference
10th to 13th April 2014
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo
Mbuji Mayi Annual Conference
17th to 20th April 2014
Host Pastor: The Rev. Octave Lutumba
Mbuji Mayi, Democratic Republic Of
Congo
Kananga Annual Conference
25th to 27th July 2014
Host Pastor: The Rev. T. Prosper
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. T.
Prosper
Kananga, Democratic Republic Of Congo
Katanga Annual Conference
25th to 27th July 2014
Kasenga, Democratic Republic Of Congo
Northwest Zambia Annual Conference
28th to 29th July 2014 - WMS
Convention
30th July - 03rd August - Annual
Conference
Host Church: Allen Temple AME Church
Host Pastor: The Rev. Wilson Nyanya
Sikazwe
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Agness
Makwaza
Samfya, Zambia
Southeast Zambia Annual Conference
11th to 12th August 2014 - WMS
Convention
13th - 17th August - Annual
Conference
Host Church: Mt. Olive AME Church
Host pastor: The Rev. Dr. Bruce
Gamakwenda
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Martin
Chama
Livingstone, Zambia
Southwest Zambia Annual Conference
18th to 19th August 2014 - WMS
Convention
20th - 24th August 2014 - Annual
Conference
Host Church: Bright Chapel AME Church
Host Pastor: The Rev. Alick Mulapwa
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Leonard
Chola
Kitwe, Zambia
Zambezi Annual Conference
26th - 27th August 2014 - WMS
Convention
28th - 31st August - Annual
Conference
Host Church: Robert AME Church
Host Pastor: The Rev. Fredrick Chikwama
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Paul
Sakuwaha
Kabompo, Zambia
Northeast Zambia Annual Conference
01st to 02nd September 2014 - WMS
Convention
03rd to 07th September - Annual
Conference
Host Church: Mother Yvonne AME Church
Host Pastor: The Rev. Cliff Silupya
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Cliff
Silupya
Mbala, Zambia
Great Lakes Annual Conference
15th October 2014 - WMS Convention
16th - 19th September - Annual
Conference
Host Church – TBA
Host Pastor: The Rev. Kalizi Kiwande
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Bamba
Wabenga
Bukavu, Eastern Congo Dr Republic
East Africa Annual Conference
15th October 2014 - WMS Convention
16th - 19th October - Annual
Conference
Host Church: Bethel AME Church
Host Pastor: The Rev. Moses Achola
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Moses
Achola
Nakuru, Kenya
15. GETTING TO
ZERO: NATIONAL NUTRITION MONTH:
*Dr. Oveta Fuller
There are only twelve months in the year. In disease prevention and
public relations trends, months perform multiple duties. March is Women’s
History Month. It also is National Nutrition Month (NNM).
Why do we care?
In a series on nutrition and wellness, especially during this Lenten
Season and in seeking to increase good health habits and to eliminate not so
good health habits, National Nutrition Month puts the spotlight on eating to
live while also eating to enjoy food.
We are great at eating to enjoy food. That is just how the physiology is
connected. Food is a requirement and a source of pleasure. Fortunately, we are
fearfully and wonderfully made to be satisfied by relief from hunger that is
provided from food as sources of fuel and building materials for the body. We are also wonderfully made to enjoy the
many tastes, textures, smells and colors of the range of foods consumed by
humans. What a blessing. (I hear the chorus of G20 readers saying “Amen, you
got that right!”)
Herein also lies part of the problem. When we had to work hard physically
for food- till the soil for plants and labor to hunt for animals, high levels
of energy were required. However, today many people do not grow any of their
consumed food. For many cultures hunting is purely recreational. While we
expend much less energy than our ancestors on food gathering, we are still
wonderfully wired to enjoy the tastes, textures, smells, colors and
satisfactions from a good meal or consuming an edible item. Herein is a source
of imbalance.
Add to lower required energy output, more ready availability and access
to foods. Add in the arrival of processed and pre-packages meals and currency
to buy or barter for these. Include the bombardment of food advertisements
everywhere- on television, in magazines, on billboards, at train and bus
stations- everywhere.
The scale then tips towards over-consumption of food to supply energy
(calories) that is not used, but stored. Stored food for the human physiques
today is carried around on essentially the same bone structure as that of our
hunting and agricultural ancestors.
I know, is nothing sacred? “Can ‘Getting to Zero’ just leave my food and
eating alone and stick to HIV/AIDS, influenza and other preventable
conditions?”
National Nutrition Month (NMN) is a nutrition education and information
campaign of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Its goal is to “focus
attention to the importance of making informed food choices and developing
sound eating and physical activity habits.” Go to the NNM website for great
insights on how to do this. www.eatright.org/NNM/
“Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right” is the theme for NNM 2014.
The website contains fun and informative resources that include games, a
good nutrition reading list, a directory of registered dieticians and
educational resources that your church can consult.
The website includes a resource called “MyPlate” -http://www.eatright.org/NNM/content.aspx?id=6442470035#.UyNKyCqF-9c
MyPlate is the new symbol approved by the US government to replace the MyPyrimid image for bringing attention
to food choice and healthy eating habits.
The MyPlate link provides some
simple tips for eating to live.
- Enjoy your food, but eat less.
- Avoid oversized portions.
- Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
- Switch to fat-free or low-fat milk.
- Compare sodium in foods like soup, bread, and frozen foods- choose the
foods with lower numbers.
- Drink water instead of sugary drinks.
Why is a focus on healthy food and exercise important?
One cannot lead, if one is not well. The flight safety instructions to
passengers before a plane takes off includes “In an emergency, put on your
airbag before assisting others.” Therein
is great wisdom. In this season of Lent, in this time of promoting
discipleship, a focus on physical wellness is not a luxury, it is necessary for
getting to better overall health and wellness.
Eating to live, rather than living to eat may mean a shift in thinking.
It is a worthwhile change that brings all sorts of benefits to individuals,
families and communities.
In the month of March and thereafter, check out the NNM site. Determine
how you and yours can move towards better food choices to reduce disease risks,
strengthen the body and save money all while bringing great pleasure and
satisfaction.
Embrace the many benefits from learning and carrying out steps to a more
healthy life in food and exercise choices.
It is indeed a blessing to “Enjoy the Taste of Eating Right.”
Try it, you’ll like it.
*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.”
12.
iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF
Brother Bill
Dickens is not able to submit his column this week. His column will return next week
Dr. Dickens is
currently the Church School Teacher at Allen AME Church in Tacoma, Washington
and is a member of the Fellowship of Church Educators for the African Methodist
Episcopal Church.
13.
MEDITATION BASED ON MATTHEW 11:25-30:
“March Madness” is
the nickname given to the series of NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball tournament
games that whittles a field of sixty-eight teams down to the “Final Four” that
vie for the National Championship. I’ll
watch as many games as possible - partially because they’re exciting, and
partially because I need to acquaint myself with the teams and players. I’m one of many basketball fans who rarely
watch regular season games - my interest peaks every March!
“March Madness” has
something in common with another familiar springtime event - Easter
Sunday. Thirty-six years as a pastor in
five churches taught me that Sunday attendance picks up a month or so before
Easter Sunday - as those who rarely come to church get reacquainted with
worship - and peaks on Easter Sunday, when some worshipers who haven’t been to
church since the past Easter Sunday (or for a funeral or two during the year)
come out in their Sunday best.
I don’t condemn
those who play “Easter catch up” - as I do when it comes to March Madness - but
their lives would be more meaningful if their worship of and service to God
were every day affairs.
It’s easy for all
of to get caught up in and sidetracked by life’s routine and unexpected
demands, to struggle with everything that commands our attention, to combat
stress, strain and aggravation by using our spare time to relax and recreate
and to limit our relationship to God to occasional prayers and sporadic church
attendance - especially when unforeseen problems that we can’t handle on our
own intrude on our lives.
When we take the
time, however, to serve and praise the Lord every day, we’ll find new meaning,
new direction and new joy in life. We’ll
keep our cool in what used to be aggravating situations, smile in times of
stress and strain, and walk life’s journey rejoicing in the assurance -
strengthened by our daily relationship with God so that we never walk alone.
Take the time
during this Lenten season to slow down, count your blessings and resolve to
give God more of your time, talent and treasure. Doing so, in spite of all of life’s demands,
will help you to say as one songwriter did, “Jesus, You’re the center of my joy.
All that’s good and perfect comes from You. You’re the heart of my
contentment, hope for all I do; Jesus, You’re the center of my joy.”
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
14.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened by
the passing of Mrs. Frances Reid Williams, mother of the Rev. Darryl Williams,
pastor of St. Mark AME Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Mrs. Williams lived a dedicated Christian
life transitioning on March 6, 2014.
Services for Mrs.
Frances Reid Williams:
Thursday, March 13,
2014
Visitation 10 a.m.
followed by Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m.
Arnett Chapel AME
Church
11218 S. Bishop
Chicago, IL 60643
Telephone: (773)
238-0607
The Rev. Dr.
Reginald Blount, pastor
Services Entrusted
to:
AR Leak and Sons
7838 S. Cottage
Grove
Chicago, IL 60619
(773) 846-6567
Expressions of
Sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend Darryl
R. Williams
6626 N. 114th
Street
Milwaukee, WI 53224
Telephone: (414)
406-1383
15.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform
you of the passing of Sandra "Sandi" Banks, the sister of the Rev.
Bettye Watson, pastor of Greater Mt. Olive AME Church in Merritt Island,
Florida.
Arrangements for
Sandra "Sandi" Banks:
Services Entrusted
to:
Hamlar-Curtis
Funeral Home
1002 Moormar Road
N.W.
Roanoke, Virginia
24016
540-344-1271
540-982-8367 (fax)
Services will be
held on Monday, March 17, 2014 at 2:00 p.m.:
Garden Of Prayer #7
Vision of Faith Ministries
3101 Cove Road N.W.
Roanoke, Virginia
24017
540-543-4244
Contact for the
Rev. Bettye Watson:
The Reverend Bettye
Watson, Pastor
Greater Mt. Olive
AME Church Merritt Island
1240 N. Tropical
Trail
Merritt Island, FL
32954
United Stateswoman
Telephone: (321)
303-0826
16.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Mary Alice
Yancey Love took her eternal rest on March 9, 2014. She is survived by
children: Chrystal Cunningham, Candyce Love, Cheryl (James) Harris, Caralyn
Love, and Rep. Harold M. Love, Jr., pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Nashville,
Tennessee; brother, Allen Yancey, Sr.; brother-in-law, Robert Conner of
Clarksville, Tennessee; eight grandchildren; other relatives and friends.
Public viewing
Friday, March 14, 2014 from 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.:
Lewis & Wright,
2500 Clarksville Pike in Nashville; telephone: (615) 255-2371
Family visitation
Saturday, March 15, 2014:
10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
with Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Omega Omega Service
The funeral to
follow at 12 Noon
Greater Bethel AME
Church
1300 South Street
Nashville, TN
The Rev. Roderick
D. Belin, Officiating and the Rev. Edward L. Thompson, Eulogist.
Interment: Historic
Greenwood Cemetery
In lieu of flowers,
contributions can be made to:
The Mary Y. Love
Scholarship
C/o TSU Foundation
3500 John A.
Merritt Blvd
Nashville,
Tennessee 37209
Telephone: (615)
963-5481.
17. 21. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley,
Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family
Information Center
Phone: (615) 837-9736
(H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936
(O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
18. 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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