The
Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The
Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
AME Church Connectional Day of Prayer
– April 13, 2014
Easter: April 20, 2014
March: Women’s History Month
1. TCR EDITORIAL –“THE SYMPTOMS OF A
FAILING CHURCH”
Dr. Calvin H.
Sydnor III
The 20th
Editor of The Christian Recorder
There are instances
in life where the good news is really bad news and the bad news is good news.
Biblically, and
especially from a human standpoint, the death of Jesus on the Cross was bad
news, but on Easter Sunday - Resurrection Sunday; the Cross became good news.
In that instance the bad news was really good news.
There are times in
our lives when the good news is really bad news.
Have you ever had
the “good news” of being offered and taking advantage of the extra money of a
debt consolidation loan or home equity loan under the notion that you were
going to consolidate your bills and end up purchasing a couple of “want” items,
only to find out that you were deeper in debt and had to learn the hard lesson
of life that “You can’t borrow your way out of debt.” You don’t borrow to consolidate loans, the
better option is to be disciplined and “resolve debts.”
Good
news and bad news
There is good news
and bad news in this editorial.
The good news is
that “not all AME churches are failing.” And the real good news, I believe, is
that most AME Churches are succeeding; they are not failing.
The good news, in a
sense, is that the “failing church syndrome” is not an AME problem.
The bad news is
that churches are failing across the globe.
The good news is a
lot of churches across the globe are not failing.
The bad news is, of
course, some AME churches are failing.
Some
symptoms of failing churches
A lack of spiritual focus. Many
churches fail to reach their highest potential because clergy and laity have
lost the spiritual Christ-centered focus of the gospel. Instead of focusing on
Christ, many religious leaders focus on filling the pews instead of challenging
parishioners to live holy and dedicated lives. The result is that more time is
spent addressing personal and systemic issues instead of spiritual matters.
Failure to face conflict. A lot
of things that go on in some local churches are not “normal” and are
dysfunctional. Unfortunately,
dysfunction becomes normal because if you function with dysfunction long
enough, parishioners get used to functioning in environments of dysfunction;
but people looking for a “spiritual home,” will look somewhere else.
Refusal to be engaged in the
local community. Striving churches are community-based, community-focused and
provide community-focused ministries. A Sunday afternoon gospel song-fest is
not community-based ministry. Churches engaged in community-based ministry
cannot be “weekend-weakened” churches. Community-based ministry requires hard
work, sacrifice and time.
Sunday morning worship-focused
ministry. Sunday worship is wonderful and every church needs to have Sunday
worship and parishioners expect Sunday worship. Failing churches are entirely
Sunday-focused and sometimes, just sometimes weekday Bible study and just maybe
prayer meeting. Fast-failing churches’ religious programs can be summed up
with, Sunday worship and an occasional singing program. Sunday morning worship-focused ministry
usually blend special, i.e., Christmas and Easter programs in with Sunday
morning worship because parishioners will not return for a Sunday afternoon or
mid-week programs. More slowly failing churches have Church School, weekday
Bible study, and choir rehearsals, but little else; note the absence of
community-based programs. Sunday morning worship-focused ministry churches are
packed with too many people who are “too busy” or are not motivated to
sacrifice time for the church. Perhaps
it’s time for Sunday morning worship-focused churches to have a “members-only
revival” to “light a fire” under the members of the local church to bring them
into an understanding of the true meaning of discipleship.
Parishioners who choose not to
be engaged with the religious and spiritual program of the local church and
community. Unengaged parishioners “fertilize” failing local church programs
because they are unwilling to extend themselves “above and beyond” what is
required and, in reality, hasten the demise of church programs.
Too many Parishioners who are
satisfied with Sunday-only ministry. Some churches have too many stewards,
trustees and other church officers who are satisfied with Sunday-only ministry.
And, some churches have clergy who are satisfied with Sunday-only ministry. One
sure sign of a church with a Sunday-only ministry mentality is the church whose
choir will not rehearse, but are allowed and encouraged to sing every Sunday.
A lack of dissenting
voices which results in “destructive tension” which silences “constructive
tension.” Vibrant ministry hears all
sides of issues. People are allowed to voice their opinions without fear of
retaliation. Churches sometime fail because of a lack of effective and
unbending pastoral leadership and disengaged or uncommitted local church
leaders. Ineffective congregational leadership does not “grow local churches.”
Pastors can’t grow churches alone. The
local church leadership must be engaged and committed to ministry. Helen
Keller’s sage advice is still valid today: "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."
Brainstorming, sharing of ideas, and opposing opinions help make better
outcomes. The dialectical method of “thesis, antithesis and synthesis” is still
a valid approach for reaching consensus and insuring success.
Stewards and trustees are
comfortable with diminishing membership and are at loss as to what to do about
it and assuage their consciences by blaming the pastor, the presiding elder,
the bishop or the connectional budget.
Too many in the ministry who
have lost the excitement of their calling and who are failing to, “encourage
themselves unto the Lord.” Some preachers thought their preaching would bring
people in, but it has not; some thought that the singing would bring folks it,
but it has not.
Changing
a failing church to a growing church
Hard work and more
hard work; and a strategy for ministry and more hard work; a love for the Bible
and more hard work; a love for people and more hard work; a love for the
community and more hard work; a committed and spiritually focused ministry team
and more hard work; a love for local church, pastoral and episcopal leadership
and more hard work; a love for the African Methodist Episcopal Church and more
hard work; and a commitment to prayer and more hard work; more prayer and more
hard work; and more hard work.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
The following comments are in response to my editorial – Smart in the Same Way — but for what is
Right - Part 2
Quotes from my editorial in quotes followed by the response of the writer
in italic text. Writer asked that we
withhold her name.
“I don’t know why churches are
still printing bulletins when all of that information can be flashed on a
screen or on a wall. And, I don’t know why churches who flash the information
on a screen or on the wall, continue to print bulletins” - Because all churches are not at the financial point of purchasing
screens and LCD projectors to do what you and I know can work, so trees still
die for the cause and congregations with older parishioners cannot see the screens
either. The sadder part is they don't
read the bulletin that is printed for scriptural, educational or pertinent
information.
“Technology is here to stay and may as well use it. Successful businesses
stay abreast of technology and churches should “get on board” too. Churches
need to make a radical embrace of technology because it’s the world we are
living in!” On the other side, there are
people who believe technology is evil and it destroys families and lives (there
is actually a person in our congregation who believes that) and is a real waste
of money.
3. YALE DIVINITY
SCHOOL CELEBRATES RICHARD ALLEN:
*Derick D. Dailey
The Yale Divinity School held a joint worship service by the Yale
Methodist Society and Berkeley Divinity School, at Marquand Chapel celebrating
Richard Allen. (March 26th is the date of Allen's death). Several members of
Bethel AME Church participated in worship service. The Rev. Craig Robinson
presided for communion; the Rev. Jamilah George read scripture and Mr. Derick
Dailey was the preacher. His sermon was entitled, "Reclaiming Allen's
Witness: Deep Roots."
The Unity Boys Choir of New Haven ministered through song!
Dinner was served immediately after the worship service.
*Derick D. Dailey is a student at Yale Divinity School, M.A.R ('14);
National Board Member for Bread for the World; and a 2011 Teach for America
Corps Member
4. BUILDING UPON
OUR LEGACY:
The Rev. Linda Mouzon
Bishop William P. DeVeaux and Supervisor Patricia PAM DeVeaux, Second
District Episcopal team, recognized the importance of accepting the social
justice mantel that began with the Free African Society. To this end, they
scheduled a series of AME Days in the state capitols of Maryland, Virginia, and
North Carolina based on the Biblical principles caring for the poor, needy, and
oppressed. The first A.M.E. Day convened
by Bishop and Supervisor DeVeaux took place in Annapolis Maryland on Monday February
17, 2014.
At a breakfast sponsored by Governor Martin O’Malley and organized by
Delegate Adrienne A. Jones, Pro Tem Maryland House of Delegates (member Union
Bethel A.M.E. Church Randallstown), the Second District Episcopal Team was
joined by Presiding Elders Goodwin Douglas, Ernest Montague, Louis-Charles
Harvey, and Cornell Hunter, Pastors Wendell O. E. Christopher (Chair Second
District Social Action Committee), Frank Madison Reid, III, and Charles T.
Sembly, and Senator Catherine E. Pugh,
Deputy Majority Leader (member Bethel A.M.E. Church , Baltimore). Candid
discussions focused on ensuring African American businesses receive an
equitable share of state contracts, partnerships with government and churches
to meet the needs of the working poor, services to children who truant or runaway,
and emphasizing academic achievement for young people involved in the juvenile
justice system.
After breakfast, over 250 clergy and lay members from the Baltimore and
Washington Conferences met at the Miller Senate Building. Senator Catherine E. Pugh, host of the event
provided greetings and information on the importance of presence during
legislative sessions. Governor O’Malley
reiterated the importance of participation in support of social justice issues.
He shared that bills ending the death penalty in Maryland and providing voting
rights for former “felons” resulted from support by the A.M.E. Church.
Bishop and Supervisor DeVeaux decided that commitment to the advancement
of social justice occurs when next steps are clearly articulated. To maintain
involvement of those attending A.M.E. Day in Annapolis, didactic presentations
gave an overview of various opportunities.
Ms. Johanne Holmes Greer, Library Director, Department of Legislative
Services shared the process for an idea to evolve into a bill and then into a
law. Ms. Susan Cochran, President,
League of Women Voters of Maryland advanced the importance of membership on
committees, commissions, study groups, and boards as a proactive avenue to
advance change. High school students from Carver vocational technical high
school students served a delicious lunch hosted by the Episcopal Office.
Wanting this President’s Day event to remind participants of the
importance continuing Bishop Richard Allen’s legacy of promoting the social
welfare of all people, position papers were presented to the members of the
legislature advancing education over incarceration and the expunging of
misdemeanor records. Articulation of these positions afforded the DeVeauxs an
opportunity to give voice to concerns of the working poor, minority business
owners, children and young people who need counseling and specialized
educational services. In addition, Elder
Cordell Hunter presented Bishop DeVeaux’s testimony that supported increasing
the minimum wage in Maryland. In the Second District social justice continues.
5.
WALKER TEMPLE AME OPENS BILINGUAL MENTAL HEALTH CLINIC:
By Cora Jackson-Fossett
As demographics rapidly change in Southeast Los
Angeles, Walker Temple AME Church is transforming its ministry to embrace all
cultures and needs of the community.
Located at 2525 Trinity Avenue, the neighborhood was
once overwhelmingly African American, but 40+ years ago, Latinos moved in and
now represent 90 percent of the residents.
But that statistic doesn’t worry Pastor Rosalynn K.
Brookins. Her philosophy is, “We’re two cultures serving one God.
“In essence, we have come to understand that as men
and women of the beloved community of faith, both the Walker Temple Family as
well as Iglesias Christiana of Los Angeles Family led by Pastor Eduardo Soto,
have a desire to be made whole. This is not predicated upon social, economic,
or racial status.”
Applying a holistic approach to ministry, Pastor
Brookins, along with Executive Pastor Thema Bryant-Davis, launched the first
bilingual mental health site in the African Methodist Episcopal Church to have
both African American and Latino licensed clinicians.
“Our approach is different because we look at ministry
not just from a ‘shout’ and a sermon,’ but we take a holistic approach.
“Dealing holistically simply means that as preachers
of the gospel, we must begin to address real issues which have plagued our
community for far too long such as victims of rape, incest, and depression,”
she said.
The clinic is part of the “I’m Possible Youth
Foundation” created by Pepperdine University alumni who partnered with Walker
Temple to open the site. Clinical and counseling services are available every
Friday from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled by calling
310.677-7080.
“The satellite here is called The Freedom Ministry,
recognizing that God would want us to be free now, not just thinking about
heaven or the afterlife, but as you’re living now, not having to carry all of
the burdens or stress that we often are silent about,” explained Dr.
Bryant-Davis.
“There is a big stigma in the African American
community about seeking therapy. Often, people in our community will
think therapy is just for those that are “crazy” or people who don’t have
friends or they think it’s too expensive.
“But, we’re willing to pay for other things like our
hair, our nails, a flat screen TV, but to invest in our mental health is really
important for people to do,” said Dr. Bryant-Davis.
“We want people to know that Walker Temple is a place
for those who want to be made whole can come and receive the necessary help,”
added Pastor Brookins.
The counseling services include individual, couples
and family therapy as well as assistance with depression, grief, marital
problems, parenting difficulties, work stress or being laid-off.
“It’s hard to show up for a job interview when you’ve
had a season where you really weren’t productive. You need to get your
mind right, so you can be encouraged and go forward,” noted Dr. Bryant-Davis.
She also shared that professional counseling can help
with the daily stresses people encounter or major issues like killing, suicide,
or substance abuse. The Walker Temple clinic includes a Substance Abuse
Group Program offering individual and group counseling to assist in the
restoration process to remain sober.
“There’s no issue that is too small. For some
people, we call it positive psychology where you have a disorder or distress.
There’s another group of people that have been managing okay, but just
want to do better. They want to learn how to thrive and to soar.
You can get sessions for more empowerment,” she said.
“We recognize that trying to be a holistic ministry
that we wanted to make the clinic’s services accessible right here in the
community. Also, we wanted to make it affordable. There’s a sliding scale
that goes as low as $10 for people who are unemployed.
“In addition, we have been gifted by a member of the
church who is willing to pay for 10 sessions at that base rate.”
Providing services for both cultures didn’t happen
overnight for Pastor Brookins and the Walker Temple congregation. It involved
having a genuine concern for all of God's people.
“The message, ‘Jesus loves the little children, red,
yellow, black and white,’ had to be lived out in a very simple yet authentic
way,” said Pastor Brookins.
“In serving a number one God, we must meet people
where they are and guide them to that place of wholeness.”
(Reprinted with permission by Cora Jackson-Fossett,
Religion Editor of the Los Angeles
Sentinel newspaper and is a member of Brookins Community AME Church in Los
Angeles, CA. This story appeared in the March 20 edition of the LA Sentinel
newspaper)
6. MESSAGE FROM THE
POTUS - MAKE SURE YOU ARE COVERED WITH HEALTHCARE:
Chances are, you know someone who needs to get covered -- maybe it's a
family member, a friend, a coworker, or a neighbor.
Forward this email to them today. Tell them it's the last call to sign up
on the health insurance marketplace for 2014, and this is where to get started:
For anyone who wants the peace of mind of having health care, or who
wants to take advantage of the financial assistance available to millions of
uninsured Americans, there's no time to wait. The deadline is March 31st.
I'm counting on people like you, and groups like OFA, to spread the word.
Pass along the link above, and help someone you know get covered. Just
hearing it from you will mean a lot. And it means a lot to me to know there are
folks like you out there doing your part.
Thank you,
Barack Obama
7. THE TRUTH IS THE
LIGHT:
*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based on Biblical Text: Proverbs 28:13 – “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and
forsaketh them shall have mercy.”
On Shrove Tuesday, (the day before Ash Wednesday), at our traditional
“Pancake Supper” we entered into a covenant with the Lord. We decided that our
sacrifice for Lent would be one of our sins. Yes, it sounds radical! Our prayer
is that as we journey with the Lord this season and the urge to end the
covenant intensifies we will be forced to call on Him often, if not
continuously for the help we need to succeed. By Easter morning we will have
cultivated a much stronger relationship.
As we navigate this season of repentance we seek to be free from sin’s
power. We have all at some point or another had difficulty in dealing with a
particular temptation or sin. How do we achieve victory over temptation that
leads to sin today? First we must understand the distinctive nature of
temptation and ways to avoid it.
I would like to suggest from the onset that there is a difference between
what we call trials and temptations. A trial is different in that it can be
sent by God or allowed by God in order to deepen our walk with Him or to bring
about God’s plan for our life. On the other hand, a temptation is never
directed by God, but rather its purpose is destructive. Thus, temptation is not
sin itself. The Bible tells us that Jesus was tempted. Temptation can make us
stronger if we can successfully overcome it.
There are a few things we should know about temptation. We must
understand that temptation is to be expected. The Lord teaches us to pray each
day that He would “lead us not into temptation.” It is never directed by God as He is never
affected by sin, doesn’t make any decisions effected by sin and cannot cause or
lead a person to sin because He is totally pure and holy. Temptation is an
individual matter. In other words, Satan will always attack when and where we
are most susceptible. We are admonished to never deliberately place ourselves
in a posture to be tempted. That however poses a particular challenge as we are
tempted when we, by our own immoral desire, are drawn away and enticed. There
is a pattern. A thought enters our mind, we indulge it; it germinates and grows
into a malevolent act. After desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin.
When it comes to sin it is a matter of the heart. As it relates to sin,
we need to have our hearts so drastically changed that we want to do the right
thing. The apostle Paul calls it the obedience of faith. He says in Rom 1:5,
“Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call
people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith.”
This is why Jesus can say "Come to me, all ye who labour and are heavy
laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am
meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is
easy and my burden is light."
We must consider the influence and the force of sin. Sin is more than
acts of disobedience as the act of sin arises out of a heart that is sinful.
Our hearts are polluted and contaminated. All sin arises from a corrupt heart.
Sin is more than what we do or do not do it is a power and influence in the
heart. Sin has a life of its own that seeks to govern us like a master. God
tells Cain, “If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it
desires to have you, but you must master it."
Sin is subtle. Sin seems to just come up on us. Sin creeps up from behind
and hooks us before we know what has hit us. Sin is cunning, luring us in by
looking good, smelling good, tasting good and feeling good. Sin seems fun,
exciting and can be exhilarating. Sin appears harmless thus we think we can
amuse ourselves with sin. But before we realize it we find ourselves engulfed
and by then it is too late. One taste, one touch, one sip, one time, one kiss,
one look and before we know it we are hooked.
Sin is only a symptom. The act of sin is only the symptom of sin in our
heart. Sin is a personality and an enemy that dresses up as a friend. Jesus
does not like sin! Nothing or no one that seeks to separate us from Jesus is a
friend. Jesus is serious about sin and his approach to sin is violent. Jesus
says, “If thy right eye offend thee,
pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of
thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into
hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for
it is profitable that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole
body should be cast into hell.” (King James Version) Jesus however does not
mean to literally tear out your eye or remove your hand. Why, because sin is
not in the eye or in the hand. Sin is in the heart.
What Jesus is saying is to be uncompromising and extreme. He warns us
that we are to get rid of everything and anything that leads us down the path
of sin. Jesus admonishes us that we are not to fool around with sin. We must
cut off the source of sin. Whatever is the source of temptation, we are to get
rid of it. The question we must ask ourselves is, “How bad do we want to get
rid of sin in our life?” More to the point, “How much do we love the Lord and
hate sin?”
We are challenged to set our mind on things of the Spirit. Those who live
according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires. Those
who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit
desires. The Bible warns that the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind
set on the Spirit is life and peace. In other words, if we are going to put sin
to death by the Spirit, we have to direct our mind and our heart away from
fleshly thoughts and direct them towards “things of the Spirit."
We must set our mind on the Words of God. The Bible says “This is what we
speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the
Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the
Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they
are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are
spiritually discerned.” So to put to death the deeds of the body "by the
Spirit" is to "set our mind on the things of the Spirit,"
embracing the words of God. We must submit our will to God’s. We must commit
ourselves daily to God.
Finally, we are challenged to hear the Word of God and receive it with
faith. The Bible asks, “So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and
works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with
faith?" The answer is that the Spirit is given to us for the killing of
sin not by works of the law but by "hearing with faith." When temptation
comes, “when you are tempted,” we have to expect it and we must stay ready. We
are to put on the full armor of God. We must resist and then we need to look to
a word from God that promises He will be more for us and do more for us than
what this sin promises.
*The Reverend Dr. Charles R.
Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, South
Carolina
8. HISTORY OF HYMNS - “BLESSED ASSURANCE”:
C. Michael Hawn
"Blessed Assurance"
by Fanny J. Crosby
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of his spirit, washed in his blood.
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.
Tune composer Phoebe Palmer Knapp (1839-1908) played a melody to Fanny
Crosby and asked, "What does the melody say to you?" Crosby replied
that the tune said, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!" and proceeded
to recite the entire first stanza of the now-famous hymn. Knapp was one of
several tune writers that worked with Fanny Crosby. It was not unusual for one
of her texts to be inspired by a preexisting tune. Knapp was the composer of
more than five hundred gospel hymns and tunes.
Fanny Crosby (1820-1915), blind at the age of six weeks, was a
lifelong Methodist who began composing hymns at age six. She became a student
at the New York Institute of the Blind at age 15 and joined the faculty of the
Institute at 22, teaching rhetoric and history. In 1885, Crosby married
Alexander Van Alstyne, also a student at the Institute and later a member of
the faculty. He was a fine musician and, like Fanny, a lover of literature.
An author of more than 8,000 gospel hymn texts, she drew her
inspiration from her own faith. Crosby published hymns under several pen names
including "Ella Dale," "Mrs. Kate Gringley," and "Miss
Viola V. A." Her hymn texts were staples for the music of the most
prominent gospel song writers of her day.
Frances Jane Crosby's hymns have historically been among the most
popular songs sung by Methodists. "Blessed Assurance" (1873) is one
of the ten most popular hymns sung by United Methodists according to Carlton
Young, and it is one of eight Crosby hymns in The United Methodist Hymnal.
"Blessed Assurance" was published in 1873 in the monthly
magazine edited by Joseph Fairchild Knapp and Phoebe Palmer Knapp, Guide to
Holiness. Editor John R. Sweney included it in Gems of Praise (Philadelphia,
1873), and Knapp also chose it for "Bible School Songs" (1873).
Perhaps the biggest boost came when it appeared in Gospel Songs, No. 5 (1887)
by Ira Sankey and was sung extensively in the Moody and Sankey revivals in
Great Britain and the United States. It has been a part of Methodist hymnals
since 1889.
This hymn has inspired many singers ranging from those in evangelistic
crusades to theologians. Don E. Saliers, William R. Cannon Distinguished
Professor of Theology and Worship Emeritus at Candler School of Theology, Emory
University in Atlanta, borrowed a portion of the opening stanza for his
liturgical theology text, Worship as Theology: Foretaste of Glory Divine
(1994). If one enters "foretaste of glory divine" into a Google
search, numerous sermon titles appear that incorporate this phrase. YouTube
renditions of the hymn abound.
Crosby captured the poetic essence of the Wesleyan understanding of
Christian perfection in the phrase, "O what a foretaste of glory
divine!" The entire hymn is focused on heaven, a place where "perfect
submission" and "perfect delight" [stanza 2] will take place.
The earthly existence is one of "watching and waiting, looking above"
[stanza 3]. As we submit ourselves to Christ and are "filled with his
goodness" and "lost in his love" [stanza 3], we are remade in
Christ's image and are moving toward Christian perfection.
This hymn appeals to the senses in a rich way. Not only do we have a
"foretaste of glory," we experience "visions of rapture [that]
burst on my sight," and we hear "echoes of mercy, whispers of
love" [stanza 2].
The refrain calls us to "prais[e]. . . my Savior all the day
long," echoing I Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing."
Because of her long life, Fanny Crosby had an extraordinary
relationship with several United States presidents, even penning poems in their
honor on occasion, and she was influential on the spiritual life of or a friend
to Presidents Martin Van Buren (8th), John Tyler (10th), James K. Polk (11th),
and Grover Cleveland (22nd and 24th). She addressed a joint session of Congress
on the topic of education for the blind.
Middle class women in nineteenth-century United States had little
voice in worship, however. One of the only ways for a woman to claim the
authority to be heard was by direct personal revelation from God. Fanny Crosby
readily claimed God's personal revelation as a source for her hymns; her
personal revelation then became a communal inspiration as Christians throughout
the world sang her hymns and confirmed her faith experience as their own.
Dr. Hawn is distinguished professor of church music at Perkins School
of Theology. He is also director of the seminary's sacred music program.
Used with permission of the United Methodist News Survive
9. JOB DESCRIPTION -POSITION AVAILABLE -
CHURCH SECRETARY/ ADMINISTRATIVE SECRETARY TO PASTOR:
Title: Church Secretary / Administrative Secretary
Summary Statement of Duties: The church secretary will also serve as
the administrative assistant to the Senior Pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church.
As the office manager for the Church, the Administrative Secretary is required
to be organized, motivated, and a follower of Christ. The individual must have
strong communication skills, both verbal and written, experience with
accounting/bookkeeping, detailed oriented and forward thinking. He/she shall be
responsible for (1) setting and maintaining the church calendar; (2) monitoring
the church’s website;(3) producing the weekly church bulletin;(4) maintaining
the correspondence of the church (5) inputting basic accounting information for
church accounting system; (6) maintaining and updating the church directory;
(7) assisting in providing resources and support to the ministerial staff and
other ministries of the church and (8) other clerical duties as assigned.
Hours: Monday – Friday (Full-time - Salaried – 40 hours per week)
Regular office hours are 9:00 A.M. – 5:00 P.M. The position requires
flexibility to include some evening and weekend hours to provide coverage of
special church activities and official meetings.
Salary: $22,000-24,000 (Based on education and experience)
Direct Report: The Senior Pastor
Qualifications: Experienced secretarial/managerial skills: An
Associate Degree or above coupled with a combination of education and
work-related experience of a minimum of two years in a supervisory position;
pleasant personality, conversational skills, ability to receive directions and
carry out instructions; possess an excellent command of English composition and
punctuation; proficiency in the use of standard office equipment; ability to
supervise office personnel and delegate assignments; strong organizational
skills; strong computer skills; required: experience in using Windows Microsoft
Office Professional (Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote,
Access, Mail Merge; Some Training will be provided where needed in Servant
Keeper (Church Membership Program) and QuickBooks; knowledge of Internet and
understanding of Website Maintenance; preferably a member of the A.M.E. Church
in good and regular standing.
Detailed Duties and Responsibilities: Maintaining the church office;
order and maintain an adequate inventory of office supplies; answer appropriate
emails, phone messages, and calls and relay them to proper persons; maintain
the pastor’s appointment calendar and utilize a method of a reminder; notify
pastor of member hospitalizations, deaths, etc.; schedule meetings and arrange
appointments as needed for pastor and other officials; arrange for delivery or
pick up of supplies when necessary; maintain office equipment and arrange for
repairs when necessary; maintain an orderly environment; request and schedule
maintenance around the church when feasible; otherwise, notify the appropriate
person, i.e. Building Superintendent or Trustee; and complete other tasks
assigned by the pastor.
Setting and maintaining a master calendar of all church activities and
of all events; monitoring the church’s website on a weekly basis or as
instructed.
Producing the weekly church bulletin; handling the correspondence of
the church; open, sort, and distribute daily mail; organize and send bulk
mailings; complete postal forwarding of daily church mail; and prepare routine
correspondence to members, visitors and businesses.
Organizing and inputting basic accounting information for church
accounting system; software used: servant keeper and QuickBooks; organize all
bills and give to finance committee for processing payment; organize and
maintain financial records, including payroll, deposits, payments, and bank
statements; execute spreadsheets for monthly financial reports; these duties
will be performed in coordination with the finance committee and/or financial
secretary; distribute the monthly, quarterly, annual financial and contribution
reports; maintaining and updating the church directory,
maintain the church files and official records; keep accurate
membership records (contributions, baptisms, weddings, deaths, new members,
members’ addresses, phone numbers, emails, etc.); prepare wedding, baptismal,
officers, and new member certificates; provide resources and support to the
ministerial staff and other ministries of the church; notify the choirs and
audio visual personnel about programs and music; notify worship participants
(ministers, acolytes, ushers) each week; transcribe minutes of official board,
steward board, church conference, quarterly conference and all church
committees as submitted; maintain a comprehensive file of all minutes; send out
notices of meetings of all committees, as requested; distribute minutes and
agendas of meetings as requested; and perform other clerical duties as may be
assigned.
Other General Expectations Include: Should be confidential; should
always exhibit professionalism, demonstrated by well-groomed appearance,
conscientious work ethic, teach ability, and accountability; should be able to
work at an appropriate pace within a variety of circumstances with composure
and flexibility; should be a self-starter, proficient at multitasking and prioritizing
projects.
There will be a probationary period of ninety (90) days beginning at
the time of employment. After the probationary period the Personnel Committee
and the pastor will review the performance to determine if employment will be
extended.
10. TOP 10 TAX TIME TIPS FROM THE IRS:
The tax filing season is almost over. You can make tax
time easier if you don’t wait until the last minute. Here are 10 important tax
time tips:
1) Gather your records. Collect all
tax records you need to
file your taxes. This includes receipts, canceled checks and records that
support income, deductions or tax credits that you claim on your tax return.
Store them in a safe place.
2) Report all your income. You
will need to report your income
from
all of your Forms W-2, Wage and Tax Statements, and Form 1099 income statements
when you file your tax return.
3) Get answers. Use the Interactive Tax Assistant tool
on
the IRS website to get answers to many of your questions about tax credits,
deductions and many more topics.
4) Use Free File. You can
prepare and e-file a tax return for free, using IRS Free File, available
exclusively on IRS.gov. If your income was $58,000 or less, you qualify to use
free tax software. If your income was higher, or if you’re comfortable doing
your own tax return, you can use Free File Fillable Forms, the electronic version
of IRS paper forms. Visit IRS.gov/freefile
to
check your options.
5) Try IRS e-file. Electronic filing
is
the best way to file a tax return. It’s accurate, safe and easy. Last year, more
than 122 million taxpayers used IRS e-file. If you owe taxes, you have the
option to file early and pay by April 15.
6) Weigh your filing options. You
have several options for filing your tax return. You can prepare it yourself or
go to a tax preparer. You may be eligible for free, face-to-face help at a
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance or Tax
Counseling for the Elderly site. Weigh your options and choose the one that works
best for you.
7) Use direct deposit. Combining
e-file with direct deposit is the fastest
and safest way to get your tax refund.
8) Visit the IRS website 24/7. IRS.gov is a
great place to get everything you need to file your tax return. Visit ‘1040 Central’ for online
tools, filing tips, answers to frequently asked questions and IRS forms and publications.
Get them all anytime, day or night.
9) Check out number 17.
IRS Publication 17, Your Federal Income Tax, is a complete tax resource.
It contains helpful information such as whether you need to file a tax return
and how to choose your filing status.
10) Review your return. Mistakes slow down the receipt of your tax refund. Be sure to
check all Social Security numbers and math calculations on your return, as
these are the most common errors. If you run into a problem, remember the IRS
is here to help. Start with IRS.gov.
11. GETTING TO
ZERO: SPRING AND HEALTH MATTERS:
*Dr. Oveta Fuller
Spring officially arrived! For some locations, there are visible changes
in vegetation. For other locations, arrival of spring is more difficult to see
in the environment. For all, this time in March means more hours of daylight
and realization that the coldest temperatures are behind us for the winter
season of 2013-14. (Such applies to locations in the northern hemisphere. It is
just the opposite in the southern hemisphere where the month of March marks
transition to fall and winter seasons.)
Thankful for
arrival of spring
Spring and warmer temperatures bring new opportunities for individuals,
families and churches. We look forward to the pending Holy Week and
Resurrection Sunday and to Mid-Year Conferences in many Episcopal Districts.
Arrival of spring especially allows a fresh focus on health matters.
Health matters
In too many areas, statistics show that people of African descent carry a
high burden of disease. Think of the toll from prevalent infectious diseases
such as HIV/AIDS, herpes simplex, chlamydia and other sexually transmitted
diseases as well as from influenza, tuberculosis and malaria. Think of the
cardiovascular conditions and diseases (high blood pressure-hypertension,
artery or vein blockage, strokes, heart attacks). Think of diabetes and the
often associated complications for kidneys, eyes, legs and feet. Include rising
recognition of the presence and impact of lupus and Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
diseases. Think of lung diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) and sarcoidosis (lung scaring) that have been recognized in our
communities. Although cancer affects all people, because of many reasons often
related to socio-economic factors, death rates are higher for black Americans
from cancer of the lungs, breast, colon, liver, prostate and cervix.
Health matters clearly affect people. Health does matter for people
served by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Church is a body of
people who come together to worship and commune with God, to grow in living out
the example of Christ and to take the Good News to those who have not yet
heard. There is abundant and eternal life provided by the life, death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ. We are charged to love and obey the only wise God
our Creator. We are charged to love one another as we love ourselves.
For AMEs, for Christians, for people- health matters. One cannot serve
God or serve our sister or brother if one is not well.
The coming of spring 2014 provides new opportunities to focus on physical
and mental wellness, even while we attend to increasing spiritual well-being
and the more easily recognized items of church business.
Health matters. March is National Nutrition Month. Getting to Zero has
pointed to the importance of what and how much we consume foods. We explored
some simple ways for making better nutrition choices in eating to live.
The joyful arrival of spring provides an opportunity to step into better
health habits of intentional physical movement and moving toward successfully
“eating to live” in the choices of food intake. This season is an opportune
time to plant seeds- literally and in the spirit, so to harvest fresh produce
later in the summer or autumn of 2014.
April is Minority Health Month. It allows increased awareness of health
disparities and preventable diseases, especially for people of African descent.
What can you, your family or your church do? How can you make a difference in
the well-being of those you serve and lead?
I thank God who is faithful to bring after the winter, a brand new season
of spring, reliably each year, year after year. I am grateful. There is
nothing, no thing too hard for our Creator.
I am thankful that we are wonderfully and fearfully made to be adaptable
and responsive to change. Changes, even seemingly small ones, can make a big
difference. It is never too late to commit to better continuous care of the
physical and mental temple- our bodies and minds.
As we enjoy this new season, and anticipate the wonderful possibilities,
let the Holy Spirit lead into a new ways of moving into good habits for a
closer walk and total well-being in mind, body and spirit.
*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 FOR SUNDAY WILL BE PUBLISHED NEXT WEEK:
Dr. Bill Dickens’
column will resume next week.
Dr. Dickens is a
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 PSALM 34:1-8:
I recently had the
pleasure of speaking at a church that announced during worship that they were
going to serve health conscious post-worship fellowship meal. They served an assortment of salads and fresh
fruit, without even a single fried chicken “drummette” in sight. I was amused, however, when the menu was also
announced during worship for a church-sponsored dinner sale the next Saturday -
fried chicken, fried fish, red rice, macaroni and cheese, corn on the cob, a
tossed salad (as a slight nod to good health) and a choice of assorted cakes
and pies!
I asked the lady
who managed the kitchen why the bill of fare for their coming dinner sale was
so different from their post-worship bill of fare. She laughed and said, “Elder, we want to make
money next Saturday, and people won’t buy that healthy stuff - we have to sell
them what they really want!” The kitchen
lady was right, and the difference in that church’s healthy post-worship
fellowship menu and their upcoming “cholesterol bomb” dinner sale menu speaks
volumes about human nature.
Most people are
good at heart - we know what’s good for us and have the best of intentions as
we pursue well-being in life. We know
what we need, but we also long for the enticing and tasty things that we want -
things that may not be easily attained and are often not good for us - and we
go after them anyway so that we can be prominent, prosperous and successful in
this world’s eyes. Our doing so,
however, often leads us to make unhealthy physical, spiritual and emotional
choices and sometimes brings us stress, strain and frustration instead of the
happiness that we desperately seek.
When we take the
time, however, to let God lead and guide us, we can end our pursuit of the
tantalizing things that we crave and walk with the God who knows what we really
need. God will change and fix us, so
that we can find joy in life’s simple things and be thankful for daily
blessings.
We can still pursue
the best that life has to offer, but our joy and peace of mind won’t depend on
getting what we want in this world. We
can serve and praise the God who never fails to give us what we need; look
beyond what seems fulfilling in this world and say, as did King David of
Israel, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.”
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 CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
--
The Rev. Clive and Mrs. Beryl Pillay of the 15th Episcopal District
Announces the Birth of their third grandchild
Our family is
eternally grateful for the birth of our third grandchild, Phoebe Grace Moses,
the daughter of our daughter, Esther and her husband Ralton Moses. God has
never ceased being busy in the miracle-working department and we are thankful
that we can report that both mother and daughter are in good health.
Sincere
congratulations to the Rev. Dawid and Mrs. Sandra Moses proud grandparents, who
we are sure shares our sentiments.
Congratulatory
messages can be emailed to:
--
The Reverend Sherri E. Wood-Powe successfully defends Doctor of Ministry
dissertation
The Reverend Sherri
E. Wood-Powe, Ordained Elder, Washington Annual Conference, Second Episcopal
District, successfully defended her Doctor of Ministry dissertation on January
30, 2014 from Saint Paul School of Theology (Kansas City, Missouri). The title of her dissertation is
"Worship Liturgy of the African Methodist Episcopal Church: Use It Don't
Lose It." This dissertation
examined the AME worship liturgy and its benefit of promoting
inter-generational worship not worship segregated by age. This groundbreaking research can be used to
assist congregations and pastors in utilizing the formal worship liturgy of the
AME Church for inter-generational worship instead of getting rid of the worship
liturgy.
*The Rev. Sherri E.
Wood-Powe
--
The Reverend William Charles and Mrs. Leatricia Edith Legolie of the Fifteenth
Episcopal District Celebrate their 35th Wedding Anniversary
The Reverend
William Charles and Mrs. Leatricia Edith Legolie celebrated their 35th Wedding
Anniversary on March 24, 2014. Rev. and Mrs. Legolie serve as the pastoral
couple of The Cathedral of Vinton Anderson AME Church in Eerste Rivier, Cape
Town, South Africa under the Presiding Eldership of the Rev. Samuel G.
Engelbrecht, and the Rt. Rev. David R. Daniels, Presiding Prelate, Fifteenth
Episcopal District.
They are the parents
of two adult children, the Rev. Charlin Legolie and Ms. Leaverne Legolie and
the grandparents of three young boys; Master Chandler K-Ci Williams, Master
Zachariah William Legolie and Master Isaiah Joel Legolie.
Congratulatory
Messages can be emailed to the Rev. William Charles and Mrs. Leatricia Edith
Legolie):
*The Rev. Clive
Pillay, Cape Conference, 15th Episcopal District
15. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform
you of the passing of Reverend Luther Gibbs, Sr. Reverend Gibbs a retired Pastor in the South
Carolina Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District of the AME Church.
Reverend Gibbs passed on Wednesday, March 26, 2014.
The Reverend Gibbs
pastored for 19 years in the Edisto District of the South Carolina Annual
Conference. He pastored Bethel AME Church, Edisto Island, South Carolina and
Greater Bethel AME Church, James Island, South Carolina. Reverend Gibbs was
known to be a very spiritual man that did not mind expressing his love for the
Lord in praise and shouting. He leaves a legacy at 1827 Central Park Road,
James Island, South Carolina where he led in the building of Greater Bethel AME
Church, a beautiful church.
The Reverend Gibbs
is survived by his wife of 66 years, Mrs. Corine Gibbs, and a son, Mr. Luther
Gibbs, Jr.
Christian Wake
Services for Reverend Gibbs
Monday, March 31,
2014 at 7:00 p.m.
Greater Macedonia
AME Church
48 Alexander Street
Charleston, SC 29403
Home Going
Celebration
Tuesday, April 1,
2014 - 11:00 a.m.
Greater Macedonia
AME Church
48 Alexander Street
Charleston, SC 29403
(843) 722-2561
The Rev. Dr.
Lawrence Gordon, Pastor
The Rev. John H.
Gillison, Eulogist
Presiding Elder,
Edisto District
Services Entrusted
to:
William
Smith-McNeal Funeral Home, Inc.
2 Radcliffe Street
Charleston, SC
29403
Telephone: (843)
722-3676
Condolences,
messages, and cards may be sent to:
Mrs. Corine Gibbs
and Mr. Luther Gibbs, Jr.
4723 Block House
Lane
Hollywood, SC 29449
16.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform
you of the passing of Mr. Irvin R. Miller, Jr. the father of the Rev.
Jacqueline G. Capers, the pastor of Disney-Nichols AMEC of the Philadelphia Annual
Conference, the brother of the Rev. Yvonne Perry, associate minister at Greater
Mt. Olive AMEC of the Philadelphia Annual Conference and the uncle of the Rev.
Vanessa Perry, pastor of St. Paul AMEC in Kenilworth, New Jersey (Newark
District, New Jersey Conference).
The following
information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing and Funeral
- Friday, March 28, 2014
Viewing: 9:00 a.m.
- 11:00 a.m.
Funeral: 11:00 a.m.
Zion AME Church
1600 S. 21st Street
(21st & Tasker St.)
Philadelphia, PA
19145
Telephone: (215)
468-6489
Fax: (215) 468-9102
The Reverend Simon
P. Bouie, Pastor
Eulogist: The
Reverend Jocelyn K. Hart, Presiding Elder of the Philadelphia District
Professional Care
Entrusted To:
Jason Lloyd Funeral
Home
2125 N. 22nd Street
Philadelphia, PA
19121
Telephone:
215.278-2776
Telephone: 215.820-7423 (Kotiri Newby, Funeral Director)
Interment: Fairview
Cemetery
1511 Twining Road
Willow Grove, PA
19090
Telephone:
215.659-4320
Expressions of
Sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Jacqueline
Capers
1034 Linden Avenue
Sharon Hill, PA
19079
Cell Phone:
267-251-2232
Fax: 610 534 - 3038
17.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mr. Kassa Haylu
Grant born on April 5, 1978 died on Thursday March 20, 2014 at Emory University
Hospital. He is the son of Mr. Linford and Mrs. Marlene Grant, and the nephew
of the Rev. Velma E. Grant, President of Women in Ministry of the Sixth
Episcopal District. Kassa was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents,
Mr. Roy L. and Mrs. Ceta D. Grant. He leaves to cherish his memories, his
parents, maternal grandparents, brothers Mahari and Akeem Grant as well as
countless aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Funeral
arrangements are entrusted to Tri-Cities Funeral home and services are as
follows:
Friday March 28,
2014 from 4 - 8 pm Viewing
Tri-Cities Funeral
Home
6861 Main Street
Lithonia, Georgia
30058
(770) 482-2358
Saturday March 29,
2014 at 3 p.m. Funeral Service
First Saint Paul
AME Church, the Rev. Dr. Marvin L. Crawford, Pastor officiating
The Rev. Velma E.
Grant, Eulogist
2687 Klondike Road
Lithonia, Georgia
30058
(770) 484-9660
Monday March 31,
2014 Committal Service @ 1 pm
Georgia National
Cemetery
1080 Veterans
Cemetery Road
Canton, Georgia
30114
Expressions of
sympathy may be sent to:
Mr. Linford and
Mrs. Marlene Grant
5548 Downs Court
Lithonia, Georgia
30058
Mr. Linford and
Mrs. Marlene Grant email: lrasta@yahoo.com
The Rev. Velma E.
Grant, President of Women In Ministry of the Sixth Episcopal District: vegrant1@yahoo.com
18.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform
you of the passing of the Reverend Frank Buckley, Jr. He was a Local Elder and a member of Warren
Chapel AME Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
He was a cousin of the late Presiding Elder Benjamin R. Booker. His arrangements are as follows.
Family Visitation
and Funeral service were held on Monday, March 24, 2014 at Warren Chapel AME
Church in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Bishop
Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Prelate of the 13th Episcopal District was the
eulogist and the Rev. Ralph E. Johnson, Presiding Elder of the Chattanooga
District Officiated. The Reverend Dr. Pedro K. Basden is the pastor of Warren
Chapel.
19.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform
you of the passing of the Rev. Everton Jones, local elder at Bethel AME Church
in Copiague New York (Jamaica /Long Island District).
The following
information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Wake: Sunday, March
30, 2014
Wake: 6:00 p.m. -
8:00 p.m.
Viewing and Funeral
- Monday, March 31, 2014
Viewing: 8:00 a.m.
- 10:00 a.m.
Funeral: 10:00 a.m.
Bethel A.M.E.
Church
20 Simmons Street
Copiague, NY 11726
Telephone:
631.842-8463 - Office
Fax: 631.841-3408
The Reverend Keith
Hayward, Pastor
Professional Care
Entrusted to:
J. F. Goode Funeral
545 Albany Avenue
Amityville, NY
11701
Telephone:
631-842-6464
Interment:
Pinelawn Cemetery
2030 Wellwood Avenue
Farmingdale, NY
11735
Telephone: 631.
249-6100
Expressions of
Sympathy may be sent to:
The family of The
Rev. Everton Jones
C/o Bethel AME
Church
20 Simmons Street
Copiague, NY 11726
20.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to
inform you of the home going of Mrs. Emily L. Johnson, the mother of the Rev.
Dr. Walter Bruce Johnson Jr., Pastor of Greater Institutional African Methodist
Episcopal Church, Chicago, IL.
Mrs. Emily L.
Johnson, as the matriarch of the Johnson's lived life like it was
"golden!" She had a flair for
clothes, accessories and appearance!
Mother Johnson would often remark that "women needed to dress
properly for church." She meant
women should wear a dress or suit - no pants!
Mother Emily would often complement her attire with matching gloves,
hat, purse, coat and shoes. Anyone who
has ever encountered her knows that this is true! But, equally her inward appearance matched
her exterior! She smile, joked,
counseled, and prayed with everyone she met.
Her spirit for life was infectious and contagious, a wonderful witness
for God, Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Church! She lived a full life to ninety-eight years!
Arrangements:
She will lie in
state at the Leak and Sons Funeral Home, 7838 South Cottage Grove on Sunday,
March 30th all day.
The Wake (repast)
will be held on Monday, March 31st from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The Service of Celebration will begin at 7:00
p.m. at Greater Institutional African Methodist Episcopal Church, 7800 South
Indiana Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60619.
The number to the church is 773. 873-0880.
The Interment will
be Tuesday, April 1st at 10:00 a.m. The
location is Burr Oak Cemetery, 127th and Cicero, Alsip, Illinois.
Acknowledgements:
Expressions of
love, cards, and condolences may be sent to: Rev. Dr. Walter B. Johnson Jr.,
913 Willow Road, Matteson, Illinois 60443, (312) 953-3669, revdrwbj@yahoo.com
21.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform
you of the passing of Brother James Russell Cutwright, the father of Mrs.
Johnnita F. Holman, the spouse of the Reverend A. J. Holman, Sr., pastor of
Bethel AME Church, Chattanooga, TN.
Brother Cutwright
was an active member of the Macedonia Baptist Church, Cynthiana, KY.
Service
arrangements are as follows:
Saturday, March 29,
2014
Family Hour: 11:00
AM
Visitation: 12:00
Noon-2 PM
Celebration of Life
Service: 2:00 PM
Macedonia Baptist
Church
103 East Pearl
Street
Cynthiana, KY 41031
Messages of
condolence may be sent to the family:
Mrs. Johnnita F.
Holman
5415 Winniespann
Road
Chattanooga, TN
37416
Services entrusted
to:
Ware Funeral Home
846 U. S. Hwy 127N
Cynthiana, KY 41031
Office: 859.
234-4000
Fax: 859. 234-4093
22. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley,
Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family
Information Center
Telephone: (615)
837-9736 (H)
Telephone: (615)
833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
23. 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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