The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr.,
Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor
III, the 20th Editor, The Christian
Recorder
May is National
Military Appreciation Month
Pentecost Sunday: June
8, 2014
Thought for the Week:
"Don't assume you know me by what
you heard; I grow daily. Your messenger might have outdated information!"
1. TCR EDITORIAL – MY MOMENT
WITH MAYA ANGELOU:
Dr. Calvin H.
Sydnor III
The 20th
Editor of The Christian Recorder
I had the good
fortune to meet Dr. Maya Angelou somewhere around 2002 when I worked at Hampton
University as the Director of the Religious Studies Program. I believe it
happened as a freak accident and I couldn’t believe my good fortune of being
given the opportunity to be her host.
A good friend of
hers, who had served on the faculty of Hampton University, had died and Maya
Angelou was scheduled to attend and give words of comfort at the funeral.
Here
is what happened
I had just finished
a class and received a telephone call shortly after arriving in my office. I
answered the telephone and after a normal greeting the caller, who I think was
a secretary or someone’s administrative assistant, said, matter of factly,
“Maya Angelou will be coming on campus this afternoon to attend and give
remarks at the funeral and would you mind being her escort?”
I quickly thought
to myself, “Would I mind being an escort for Maya Angelou? My mind was racing and I exclaimed to myself,
“This is not a task, this is a blessing.”
I wondered how I
got the call because I imagined that the head of the English Department would
have fought for the opportunity to host Maya Angelou.
The caller said
that she would give me a call as soon as Maya Angelou arrived on campus.
I responded in the
affirmative quickly because I didn’t want the caller to change her mind and
said, “I would be happy to be the escort for Maya Angelou.”
I sat at my desk
reveling at my good fortune, while at the same time trying to figure out how I
had gotten that blessing.
The person who
called said that she would notify me when Maya Angelou arrived on campus.
As I was pondering
my good fortune, one of my best students stopped by the office and I thought to
myself that I would share the blessing and asked her if she would like to be
the host for Maya Angelou who would soon be arriving on campus.
She apparently
thought I was kidding and when I convinced her that I was serious, she was
excited. I do not remember the name of
the student, so I will just refer to her as “Joanne.” I also cannot remember from which office the
telephone call came.
As “Joanne’ and I
waited for the telephone call notifying us that Maya Angelou had arrived on
campus, I strategized on how we would host our important guest.
I wasn’t sure how
Maya Angelou was going to arrive, whether in a limousine, taxi or private
automobile.
I decided that I
would greet Maya Angelou and tell her my name and then introduce “Joanne” to
Maya Angelou and let her know that “Joanne” would be her escort, accompany her
to the funeral and sit with or near her – whatever her preference.
While waiting for
the call, “Joanne” asked if it would be okay to ask Dr. Angelou for an
autograph. I assured her that would be okay, but to wait until an appropriate
time to ask.
The
phone rang
“Dr. Sydnor, Dr.
Maya Angelou has arrived and has just left the University Police checkpoint and
is on her way to the Academy Building.”
My office was in
the Academy Building, one of the oldest and most historic buildings on campus.
It housed the major classroom for what was then known as Hampton Institute. The
building had been renovated and was one of the mot beautiful buildings on
campus. It was across the street from
the University Church.
Her
arrival
“Joanne” and I went
downstairs to await the arrival of Maya Angelou. One of the longest motor homes
I had ever seen was approaching the Academy Building. It was a home on wheels,
no; it was a mansion on wheels!
The driver eased
the big rig in place and “Joanne” was continuously thanking me again and again
for the opportunity to meet Maya Angelou.
I was excited too
and both of us were anxious to meet author, poet, memoirist, actress, dancer,
singer, professor, icon, Civil Rights advisor, and queenly lady.
By this time
students, faculty and visitors were ogling the huge motor home. They didn’t know who it was, but they knew it
had to be someone important. The motor
home was longer than a Greyhound Bus.
The driver opened
the door and I introduced myself and “Joanne” and explained that we were the
escorts for Dr. Maya Angelou.
Before I could
finish my spiel to the motor home driver, I heard a familiar voice say, “Come
on in and make yourself at home. Have a seat.” She was sitting at the table and
invited us to sit down across from her. She reminded me of my wife,
Charlotte’s, Aunt Thelma. Their voices had the same resonance and they were
about the same age.
For the life of me,
I cannot remember what we chatted about, but I was in awe of being in the
presence of an icon.
By the time I sat
with her in her motor home, she had already recorded her first album,
"Calypso Lady," lived overseas, performed Off-Broadway, served in
Ghana, helped Malcolm X build his African American Unity organization, had published "I Know Why the Caged Bird
Sings" and other books, which I had read; had received a number honorary
degrees; appeared in the 1972- Film "Georgia, Georgia;" had written
screenplays and composed musical scores; had been nominated for a Pulitzer
Prize, had appeared in the television adaptation of Alex Haley’s
"Roots," had joined the faculty at Wake Forest University as a
Professor of American Studies; and on a chilly Washington, D.C., morning in
January 1993, had recited her five-minute poem at Bill Clinton's inauguration,
appeared in John Singleton’s Poetic Justice, won Grammy Award for Best Spoken
Word Or Non-Musical Album for “On the Pulse of Morning;" won a Grammy
Award for Best Spoken Word Or Non-Musical Album for “Phenomenal Woman,” was a friend of Oprah Winfrey, had directed
her first feature film, "Down in the Delta," and awarded the
Presidential Medal of arts in 2000.
Maya Angelou would
later win a Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album with “A Song Flung Up To
Heaven,” compose poetry for and narrate the award-winning documentary “The Black Candle,” directed by M.K.
Asante; and would also be awarded the Lincoln Medal. She received the
Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama at the White House in
2011.
I was indeed in the
presence of a national and international icon.
We had a meaningful
conversation about “this and that” before we were whisked across the street to
the Hampton University Church to lend her presence and give remarks at the
funeral of her friend.
I am sure that
“Joanne,” this week, is recalling the time she spent with Maya Angelou. She got
Maya Angelou’s autograph. “Joanne” was “in the right place at the right time.”
Dr. Maya Angelou
sent her last tweet on May 23, 2014: “Listen to yourself and in that quietude
you might hear the voice of God.” - Great advice for all of us.
Maya Angelou passed
away in her Winston Salem home on May 28, 2014.
What an experience!
I will always remember my Maya Angelou moment!
TCR Editor’s Note: When I received word of Maya Angelou’s passing, I went
on the internet and found a website for the movie, “I know Why the Caged Bird Sings.” I had read the book, but had not
seen the movie.
View the movie, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” based
on the book of the same title authored by Dr. Maya Angelou on your smartphone,
tablet, computer or stream to your television:
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
-- To the Editor:
RE: TCR
Editorial – AME Bishops and General Officers Share their Sage Advice for New
Preachers and Newly Appointed Pastors
These were absolutely wonderful and
inspirational! Frank insight from those
who have traveled ahead! Thanks for
taking the time to minister to us!
Sister Harriett Washington
Licentiate
Indiana Conference
4th Episcopal District
-- To the Editor:
RE:
TCR Breaking News - NAACP Selects Long Time Activist Lawyer and AME
Itinerant Elder Cornell Brooks as New President
Good day!
This is good news!
The Lord is always good. Those who believe
in God always benefits. He is trustworthy and cannot make an error of judgment
unlike us human beings.
We are grateful about the appointment. The
Rev. Cornell Brooks’ profile speaks volumes
and he is destined to succeed. We pray for his success and cover him with the
blood of Jesus.
We, South Africans are proud of this son of
the soil. Let God’s ministry be spread all over the world.
God s grace is sufficient,
Brother Maila M I
M M Mokone Annual Conference in the 19th
Episcopal District
3. THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS’ STATEMENT ON THE DEATH OF DR. MAYA ANGELOU:
The African Methodist
Episcopal Church gives thanks for the passion and witness of Dr. Maya Angelou.
Her courage and intellect will inspire generations yet unborn. Her voice for justice will continue to make a
difference. This unique woman will
encourage us to look deeply at life without sacrificing humor. We will soar to
new heights as we are lifted by love.
For the spiritual, death
is the portal to a new existence. To the courageous, death is something to be
embraced as a challenge for being. For
the gifted, perpetuity is the ultimate platform for the song and dance of
worship and praise. We salute this
phenomenal woman who will not shrink in the shadows of death and grief. She has risen to speak into the megaphone of
eternity and move with grace through timelessness.
May God bless Dr.
Angelou’s family with comfort and peace. May God strengthen us to honor her
spirit as we teach love and cry for justice.
Jeffrey N. Leath
128th Elected
and Consecrated Bishop
Acting President
The Council of Bishops
The African Methodist
Episcopal Church
4. THE NAACP RELEASED THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF
MAYA ANGELOU:
-- Roslyn Brock,
Chairman of the NAACP Board of Directors:
“Maya Angelou was a
fearless writer, poet and activist who made the world a better place for her
generation and those to follow. Her powerful words taught scores of young
women, particularly those of color, to believe that they are phenomenal and
that their voices should never be silenced. Dr. Angelou rose from poverty, segregation
and violence to become a force on stage, screen and the printed page. Her
legacy lives on in all of us.”
-- Lorraine Miller,
Interim NAACP President and CEO:
“The world will miss the
indomitable spirit and immeasurable brilliance of Maya Angelou. She was a
literary genius and a civil rights activist who will be celebrated for years to
come. I had the privilege of working with Dr. Angelou during my time with the
Clinton Administration and found her to be a loving and caring woman. We talked
politics and laughed a lot. More than simply a renowned poet, novelist and
actress, Dr. Angelou was a pioneer, a jewel of a person and a force to be
reckoned with. Her humor and wit will be sorely missed.”
-- Hilary O. Shelton,
Washington Bureau Director and Senior Vice President for Advocacy:
“Maya Angelou was an
extraordinarily gifted interpreter of the human condition for African Americans
and so many others. Her words whether delivered on a page or through oration
were deeply heartfelt and painfully clear. Her common touch and exceptional
creative power helped so many diverse hearts find a common vision. She will be
profoundly missed.”
5. A NATION ON FIRE! - AME INDIA CELEBRATES FIFTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
*The Rev. Patricia A. Efiom
Another giant footprint was forever etched
in the annals of AME history when Etihad flight EY268 landed in Chennai India
on May 5, 2014 carrying Bishop John R. Bryant, Episcopal Supervisor the Rev.
Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant and delegates from the United States and Canada for
the historical 5th Annual AME India Conference.
Once on the ground, the delegation was
joined by Presiding Elder Jerry Thusi Motaung from the 19th Episcopal
District.
One of the first stops in India was Faith
Prayer House AME Church in Tamilnadu, India where the Rev. T. Samuel Murugavel
is the pastor. The neat white-washed
church with its blood-Red Cross is located in the heart of a small community
that is home to some 250 temples. It stands boldly as a beacon of hope to
Christians and non-Christians alike. The
church's Education Center provides tutorial assistance to students and tribal
people. Other ministries include a free
medical camp, a hospital ministry, rice for widows, aid for abandoned children,
tutoring in two locations, all night prayer meetings and worship in surrounding
villages. These outreach ministries are
just an example of the depth of ministry that the newly formed AME churches are
bringing to a country where just 6% of the population is Christian. However, that 6% represents 72 million people
and with Christianity growing at a rate of 4% annually in India, which makes it
the fastest increase of Christians in the world.
More than 400 Pastors, lay persons and YPD
members traveled from around India in extreme heat and torrential rain by bus,
motor bike, on foot and in a few cases by car from as far away as ten hours to
attend this 5th Annual Conference.
During the conference the 2014 India General Election was also taking
place. At a cost of 5 billion dollars,
the five day election process was India's longest and most expensive election
ever and second in cost only to the 2012 US election, which cost 7 billion
dollars.
In a nation where Christians are such a
persecuted minority, and with one of the leading parties being anti-Christian,
the vote of the AME India pastors was critical.
In spite of the US State department caution of the great potential for
violence during this election period, pastors from one district traveled 5
hours to answer Roll Call and give their Pastoral reports before heading back
home to vote. After voting they returned
to the Conference.
Presiding Elder and Pastoral reports were
filled with stories of persecution at the hands of non-Christians. One pastor was beaten so badly he lost sight
in one eye; churches were burned or otherwise destroyed. Yet what was most reported were the
incredible stories of Christian men, women and children who refused to give up
or back down in the face of such overwhelming persecution. The story of the
people of AME India is a story of a faith that is "steadfast, immovable
and always abounding in the work of The Lord,"
The people of AME India celebrated the
leadership of Bishop John R. Bryant and the Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant
showering them with tokens of love including a hand drawn portrait of Bishop
and items commemorating this historic conference. But it was the people of India who were
blessed as 22 brand new motor bikes were given to pastors. Included with each motor bike was a helmet,
one year of insurance and a three month full warranty. The Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant worked
tirelessly with Bishops, Episcopal Districts, clergy and lay to raise the funds
to bring this vision to fruition. It is
this kind of collaboration that allows the AME Church to continue our legacy of
global impact.
Host Presiding Elder Sarah Peddiny and
Presiding Elder Abraham Peddiny were joined by Presiding Elders Walter L.
Bauldrick, Gary McCants, Tracey Thomas and, E. Anne Henning Byfield of the 4th
Episcopal District and Presiding Elder Jerry Thusi Motaung from the 19th
Episcopal District. This conference
marks the first occasion where the all three female Presiding Elders of the 4th
Episcopal District were gathered.
AME India was founded under the leadership
of Bishop Bryant in 2007 with 20 churches.
At the close of this Annual Conference, AME India reported 105
churches. The work of church-planting is
hard work and the work of establishing an annual conference is inconceivably
difficult; yet under the visionary leadership of Bishop John R. Bryant, a solid
foundation has been laid.
Who could have known that in 2007 some 191
years after the foundation of the AME Church, the sands of time would uncover a
footprint of God's divine plan in India?
That footprint is one that was imprinted at the birth of William Paul
Quinn born in Calcutta India in 1788.
Quinn would later become the fourth Bishop of the AME Church. It was Bishop John R. Bryant the 106th
Bishop, who God ordained to step into that giant footprint to bring the
fulfillment of God's plan to fruition,
With the revelation of the AME India
footprint a fire has been ignited in a people, a nation; A fire that is burning
out of control ravaging the persecution of God's people. A fire that rages out of control, stubbornly
burning even where there is no kindling; a fire refusing to respond to the
downpour of Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism; a fire that is racing to
destroy the caste system that has long divided and oppressed a people based on
the color of their skin; a fire out of whose ashes God’s plan for a global
church continues to rise. AME India is
God's plan made manifest and what God has brought together, let no being put
asunder!
*The Rev. Patricia A. Efiom is the Senior
Pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in Evanston, Illinois
6. THE 198TH SESSION OF PHILADELPHIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS
GIVEN A NEW NAME:
*Ms. Angelena Spears
If history books don’t show a 198th
session of the Philadelphia Annual Conference being held in the year 2014 –
that is because the pastors and laity who attended it, unanimously relabeled it
the Philadelphia Annual Revival.
Everything about the conference was a high
worship experience – the preached Word, the electrifying music, the anointed
workshops, a crowd of new itinerants and multiple expressions of gratitude for
leadership at all levels.
The Rev. Charles H. Lett, Sr., the presiding
elder of the West/Mainline District and senior presiding elder for the
conference, says everyone is still calling it “a Pentecostal experience.”
The conference was held May 12 – 18, 2014 at
the Marriott Hotel (Penn Square) in downtown Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The Rev. Edward W. Bailey, pastor of Bethel
AME Church, Lancaster, served as the host pastor of the conference alongside
Presiding Elder Lawrence C. Henryhand of the Harrisburg District.
By day five of the conference, Bishop
Gregory G.M. Ingram, the presiding prelate for the First Episcopal District,
compared it to a mountaintop experience.
Although the official opening day of the
conference wasn’t until mid-week, the preconference services which included the
Ministry of Evangelism Service on Monday evening and Missionary Worship Service
on Tuesday afternoon – were powerful precursors of what was to come.
Presiding Elder Jocelyn Hart of the
Philadelphia District was the preacher for the Monday evening service held at
the host church. Her sermon topic was
“He’s Working with Me --or It’s Time to Go to Work,” and she preached from Mark
16:20.
The following afternoon, Presiding Elder
Janet J. Sturdivant, of the South District, preached profusely from Acts 1:4-8.
Her topic was, “A Prerequisite for Service:
Power.”
On the official opening day of the conference,
the voices of the Harrisburg District Choir transformed the hotel’s ballroom
into a sanctuary of praise under the direction of Sister Sheila Booker. The
choir was accompanied by Brother Earl Knight on keyboard and the Rev. Richard
F. Norris II.
The Annual Sermon was delivered by the Rev.
Roland McCall, pastor of St. Matthew AME Church, Philadelphia. He preached an illuminating and encouraging
message from Jeremiah 12:5. The Rev.
McCall’s title was “Running Right for the Lord.” He said that sometimes in the midst of a
storm, God appears absent in our lives, and there is a tendency for some of us
to fall into a Jeremiah syndrome of weeping.
But the Rev. McCall sternly cautioned, “Stop being a cry-baby. You just have to know how to run right.”
The Rev. McCall then offered three tips for
how to run right. He said first, you
have to get in practice with prayer and patience. Second, you have to put on the right clothes
– which include the breastplate of righteousness and the shield of faith. His third pointer was that you have to “Rely
on the power of God.”
The preached Word continued to flow with
power when the Rev. Ronald Green, pastor of Hickman Temple AME Church,
Philadelphia, preached on Thursday afternoon from Ruth Chapter One. His message
was “God’s Timing for Repositioning.”
Conference attendees were mesmerized over
the powerful delivery of a workshop presented by Dr. Jessica Ingram, the
district’s episcopal supervisor. Her
workshop was titled “Spiritual Formation: The Stewardship of Our Souls.”
Dr. Jessica talked about how important it is
for church leaders to give attention to their prayer life. She said that many church workers are so busy
working “for” God that they don’t know the God of the work. “We have to spend quality
time every day with God – no excuses,” she said.
During the week, three bishops visited the
conference. They were: Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath and Episcopal Supervisor, Dr.
Susan Leath, of the 13th Episcopal District (Tennessee and
Kentucky); Bishop William P. DeVeaux, of
the Second Episcopal District (Maryland, Virginia and the District of
Columbia), who preached for the Ordination Service on Saturday; and Bishop
Richard F. Norris and Episcopal Supervisor Mary Ann Norris, of the 7th
Episcopal District (South Carolina), whose son, the Rev. Richard Franklin
Norris II was ordained at the Saturday service.
During the ordination service, five
deaconesses were consecrated, and one itinerant deacon and four itinerant
elders were ordained.
Other guests throughout the week included
presiding elders and preachers throughout the First Episcopal District and two
retired presiding elders: the Rev. Robert Bailey and the Rev. Joseph Patterson.
The reverent atmosphere continued as
business sessions were held, component reports were read and pastors and the
four presiding elders gave their reports.
Pastors who retired at the seat of the
conference were the Rev. Simon P. Bouie, of Zion AME Church, Philadelphia; the
Rev. Gwendolyn Allen, of Mt. Sinai AME Church, Harrisburg; the Rev. Jerome
Thomas of St. John AME Church, Lebanon; and the Rev. James Stewart, of Bethel
AME Church, Greencastle.
When presiding elders were thanked for their
service to their districts, the Rev. Jocelyn Hart was singled out by Bishop
Ingram and the Rev. Mark Tyler, pastor of Mother Bethel AME Church.
Philadelphia. They commended her for
serving in dual roles this year – both as the presiding elder of the
Philadelphia Conference and at the same time filling in at Mount Tabor AME
Church, Philadelphia, after the sudden death of their pastor, the Rev. Martha
Lang.
Bishop Ingram said he had wanted to take his
time before appointing a pastor to Mount Tabor.
He indicated that Mount Tabor deserved the best. At the end of the conference, he assigned the
Rev. Albert Johnson as the new pastor of Mt. Tabor. The Rev. Johnson had previously served as the
pastor of Bethel AME Church, Ardmore.
On the closing day of the conference,
members gathered early for the Model Church School, which was held at the hotel
at 9 a.m., under the direction of Sister Jeanne Chavious, of Mt. Tabor AME
Church, who is the recently appointed First Episcopal District Church School
superintendent.
The Model Church School was followed by a
dynamic worship experience where the Rev. Edward Bailey chose Psalm 137 as his
text. He pointed out the peculiarity of
this psalm is that it has no praise in it, and he admonished how important it
is to praise God, despite what we might be going through.
The closing sermon for the conference was
preached by none other than Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, whose subject was “The
Darkness Where God Was – or Finding God in Unexpected Places.” He preached philosophically from Exodus
20:18-21 and said much of life is spent in darkness – whether literally or
metaphorically, and said “God often reveals Himself unexpectedly in crises.”
No one in attendance would have guessed,
from the power of the sermon’s delivery that this was the last of seven
conferences Bishop Ingram had held in the First Episcopal District. He has given the First Episcopal District a
theme – “First Things First” – and he made certain the closing sermon for
Philadelphia, which is the birthplace for the AME Church, lived up to that
title.
There was plenty of gratitude and praise to
go around during this Annual Conference.
Many expressed their appreciation for the episcopal leadership of Bishop
Ingram and the Rev. Dr. Jessica Ingram, and thanked them personally for taking
the district to new heights.
Although the two have been in the district
for just two years, they are applauded for having a vision and a solid
plan. Yet, in the midst of the praise,
Bishop Ingram is quick to acknowledge those who have paved the way
before him, as he referenced 1 Corinthians 3:6, which says: “I have planted, Apollos watered, but God
gave the increase.”
*Ms. Angelena Spears is the Philadelphia
Annual Conference Reporter
7.
AME LUNCHEON AT THE HAMPTON UNIVERSITY MINISTERS' CONFERENCE – TUESDAY JUNE 3,
12 NOON:
The AME Luncheon at
the 100th Anniversary of the Hampton
University Ministers Conference will be held on Tuesday June 3, 2014 at 12
Noon at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 700 Settlers Landing Road in Hampton, Virginia.
The cost of the
Luncheon is $25.00 and it is always a great time of fellowship and a
significant event at the HU Ministers’ Conference.
The HU Ministers'
Conference and Choir Directors' and Organists' Guild will convene June 1 – 6,
2014
If you need further
information call Bethel AME Church (757) 723-4065.
The Rev. Andre
Jefferson, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Hampton is the coordinator for the
AME Luncheon.
Bishop William P.
DeVeaux is the Presiding Prelate of the 2nd Episcopal District.
Senior Bishop John
R. Bryant is the convener of the AME Luncheon.
8. WHY
THEY DON’T SING ON SUNDAY ANYMORE:
BY Thom
Schultz
Looking around the
church last Sunday I noticed that the majority weren’t singing. And most of
those who were singing barely moved their lips. The only voices I actually
heard were those on stage with microphones.
That’s been the
case for years now–in churches large and small. What used to be congregational
singing has become congregational staring.
Even when the
chipper “worship leader” in contemporary churches bounds on stage and
predictably beckons everyone to “stand and worship,” the people compliantly
obey the stand command, but then they turn into mute mannequins.
What’s behind this
phenomenon? What happened to the bygone sounds of sanctuaries overflowing with
fervent, harmonizing voices from the pews, singing out with a passion that
could be heard down the street? I suspect it’s a number of unfortunate factors.
Spectator
set-up. Increasingly, the
church has constructed the worship service as a spectator event. Everyone
expects the people on stage to perform while the pew-sitters fulfill the
expectation of any good audience–file in, be still, be quiet, don’t question,
don’t contribute (except to the offering plate), and watch the spotlighted
musicians deliver their well-rehearsed concerts.
Professionalism. It
seems it’s paramount for church music to be more professional than
participatory. The people in the pews know they pale in comparison to the loud
voices at the microphones. Quality is worshipped. So the worshippers balk at
defiling the quality with their crude crooning. It’s better to just fake it
with a little lip syncing.
Blare. The musicians’ volume is cranked up so high that
congregants can’t hear their own voices, or the voices of those around them,
even if they would sing. So they don’t sing. What would it add? The
overwhelming, amplified sound blares from big speakers, obliterating any chance
for the sound of robust congregational singing.
Music
choice. Sometimes people
refrain from singing because the songs are unfamiliar, hard to sing, or just
cheesy. Sometimes worship leaders choose a song that may thematically tie into
the day’s sermon topic, but it’s unsingable. Sometimes worship leaders choose
lame songs written by their favorite songwriters–themselves.
I admit. I’ve
joined the majority. I’ve stopped singing. I’m not happy about it. I know I
should overcome these barriers and just praise the Lord with my very
unprofessional vocalizations. But I long for an environment that evokes my real
heartfelt vocal participation.
Thom Schultz is the
co-author of "Why Nobody Wants to Go to Church Anymore" and the
director of the film "When God Left the Building.”
9.
THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT:
*The Reverend Dr.
Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based on Biblical Text:
Acts 16:30-31:” And brought them out, and
said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
We pray that
everyone will find Jesus in their lives however; it is a fact that not everyone
takes the same path to Jesus. Not everyone finds Jesus on the sweet path of the
straight and narrow, through the insightfulness of a pastor’s preached word.
Certainly we hope some do as we spend many hours in preparation to deliver a
profound, thought provoking word on behalf of the Lord each week.
We can agree that
some find Jesus through the teachings of a patient parent or a dedicated Sunday
School teacher. Still there are others who find Jesus as they peer up from the
depths of despair in financial struggle, victimization, failure or in their
effort to recover from a life destroyed by drugs or alcohol. Others find Jesus
in the midst of illness or in the loneliness of the loss of a loved one.
Whatever the path
that leads one to Jesus, certainly it is a great day when they find Him! We can
see in our text, the familiar story of the jailer and his journey to Jesus, God
will go to extreme lengths to draw everyone to Him.
It is helpful to note
that this jailer was really no different than us. He was a man with a job to
do, and he set out to do it the best he could. Like us, this man had a
supervisor to obey and he had rules to follow. His purpose, like ours was to
provide for his family.
It would not be too
much of a stretch to believe that the jailer possibly recognized Paul and Silas
when they were put into prison. He could have recognized them as the men who
were followed by the demon-possessed slave girl. He may have heard, or even witnessed
Paul and Silas exorcising the demon from the girl. The jailer could have become
a believer at that point, but like so many unsaved people, he had no desire to
get involved in what he heard or saw. He was comfortable in his present
circumstance, and had no desire to change.
Sinners must be
extremely careful not to get too comfortable! Because God seeks to save the
lost, we can conclude that it is not by coincidence Paul and Silas end up in
this jailer’s prison. The text says that when an earthquake struck, bursting
open the cell doors and loosing the prisoners from their chains, the jailer was
filled with fear. In fact the sheer terror at finding the prison doors open
propels him to the thought of immediate suicide. He was convinced that this
would be a death far better than what would await him at the hand of his
supervisor, if his prisoners escaped.
The mature
Christian understands that God allows earthquakes into our lives as His
gracious gifts, to turn our thoughts toward Him and to prepare us for His
message of salvation. As a matter of fact addiction, sickness, unemployment,
bankruptcy, defeat and even death are earthquakes much like the game we played
as children where somebody twisted our arm until we yielded and hollered, “I
give!”
The jailer had been
listening to the prayers of the men of God all night but he needed an
earthquake to turn his focus so that he could hear them. He would have missed
their testimony, had it not been for that earthquake.
Many of us would
have missed the message of salvation if it were not for the earthquakes in our
lives. For many of us it was the circumstances that casted us into the pit of
helplessness and hopelessness that finally got our attention. We had to be
brought the point where we realized we could not make it any more on our own.
We understood that our power alone was inadequate for life’s journey.
God got the
jailer’s attention with an earthquake and from that point the jailer was in His
hands. As the jailer trembled and threatened to commit suicide, Paul and Silas
rescued him from his crisis. “Paul cried
with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.” Praise
God, once we turn our thoughts to Him, He will never let us harm ourselves!
The jailer grabbed
a light and ran into the prison cell and found Paul and Silas right where he
had left them. God would have us to know, when earthquakes strike, we can
always find Him right where we left Him! These two men of God were free to run
for their lives, but they chose to stay because they believed in the power of
God to use them to His glory. The true testimony of every believer is that no
matter what may come our way our life is in God’s hands.
The jailer was
mesmerized by the trust Paul and Silas placed in Jesus. He was awed by their
testimony. We witness his excitement and sincerity as he asks, “Sirs, what must
I do to be saved?” The answer, “Believe
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”
We must be clear
that Paul was not saying that the jailer’s conversion would save everyone in
his house. What he was saying however is that the jailer’s conversion and his
subsequent changed lifestyle had the potential to save his entire household
through the power of his witness. The question for us is, what impact has our
witness had on our household?
The jailer’s
journey to Jesus was in many ways similar to our own. For many of us it was
crisis that brought us to our knees. Certainly it has taken more than one
crisis to cause us to grow in our faith. However, by His grace and mercy we
have seen the hand of God working in our lives.
He has proved to us daily that “all things work together for good, to
those that love the Lord, and are the called according to His purpose” (Romans
8:28).
Yet there are still
some who have not heard the testimony. What will it take for you to find your
way to Jesus? Will it take the despair and grief of an earthquake induced
journey to cause you to seek Him? Must God allow an earthquake to turn your
thoughts toward Him?
I submit it does
not have to be that way. It does not always take a crisis to open our eyes and
ears to Jesus. We can find Jesus in the joy of serving Him and in the peace of
being protected by Him. Remember, no matter how it is that you find Jesus, it
will be great day when you do!
*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr. is
the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina
10. GETTING TO ZERO: CELEBRATING PAYNE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY 2014
GRADUATES:
*Dr. Oveta Fuller
On May 23 Payne
Theological Seminary (PTS) held graduation commencement for its Masters of
Divinity (M.Div.) students in the Class of 2014.
The 2014 group is the
largest graduating class in the school’s history. It contains 37 women and men
from across the USA, mostly clergy, but also some laypersons. Over the last
years, they each have enrolled in, financed and completed courses that included
a required course “What Effective Clergy Should Know about HIV/AIDS.” These students mastered the content of
multiple on-line and in residency courses at the PTS campus in southwestern
Ohio.
The Rev. Dr. Leah
Fitchue, President of Payne Theological Seminary (PTS), led the initiative to
provide an HIV/AIDS course in the M.Div. curriculum. She also had the insight
to make it one of the courses that students have to take. Dr. Fitchue has
stated “I knew some students would not take a course on HIV because they did
not think they needed it. However, to follow in the service and social action
footsteps of the founders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC), we
want Payne graduates to be well prepared to work with real issues that affect
the people they will serve. HIV/AIDS is one among the challenges facing people
served by the Black Church.”
After the commencement
celebration, we had dinner with one of the recent 2014 graduates and his
family- his spouse, their mostly young adult children and their almost two year
old grandchild. The two sons who attend
the church for which their Dad serves as pastor, talked about how Dad came home
from the HIV class at PTS. He told them that he had gotten an HIV test at the
intensive class. And further, these young brothers eagerly shared that their
Dad, the pastor, has talked about HIV/AIDS on multiple occasions to the family
and to the congregation about control of HIV/AIDS.
So, I asked them. “What
had Dad said?”
He had told them that
for most people, HIV infection can be prevented. He told them why the HIV
infection can be stopped. He explained why they should remain abstinent from
sexual intercourse. Or, if sexually active, they must be faithful to a lifelong
faithful partner whose HIV status they should know. And, he told them and
members of the congregation that if they could not do one of these two
preventions at all times, and then they must use a latex condom with every
sexual interaction.
He had told them that he
had received an HIV test and went through the moments of waiting for the
results. They beamed with pride and appreciation for their Dad, the pastor.
The new M.Div. graduate
told me that his church plans to continue addressing this issue with others as
part of ongoing events in their southern city.
It was exciting to
receive a spontaneous, unplanned report on what M.Div. students do with what
they learn. After the papers are written, the stories read, the discussions
completed and the skits performed, after the pre- and post-tests are taken,
what do the PTS students take into the vineyards to use in their various
ministry assignments?
Students are transformed
in the class. They get a biological perspective about HIV/AIDS to place in the
realistic context of socio-behavioral and community issues encountered in
ministry. The documentaries watched and sometimes intense discussions in class
change previous thoughts about HIV/AIDS. They no longer view HIV as someone
else’s issue but as a disease that they are confident in addressing. They see
it as a priority issue in serving their congregations and communities. The PTS
students get that HIV/AIDS can be stopped!
The contents of short
papers students write before, during and at the end of the course show their
transformation. They are grateful to Dr. Fitchue that the HIV/AIDS intensive
course is required. Some of them admit that they would not have taken the
course if it was not required for their M. Div. degree. At the end of the
intensive week, they are grateful to have absorbed the course content that
brings a new understanding and sense of empowerment of what they can do.
Members of the 2014
class of M.Div. graduates now have completed one of the eligibility
requirements for elder ordination in the AME Church. They have demonstrated
competencies in standard seminary theological and ministry practice topics. Furthermore,
they are better equipped to bring hope and direction for some of the
challenging real life community issues like HIV/AIDS, imprisonment impact and
combating underlying issues of oppression and violence against females.
These PTS graduates are equipped
with a realistic understanding of the impact of and actions that they can
undertake towards eliminating HIV/AIDS. They are charged with using this
understanding personally and with family, congregation and communities in which
they live and serve. God has called them and PTS has helped to prepare them as
equipped disciples.
With HIV/AIDS, there is
progress in “Getting to Zero.” A recent global health conference summarized
results of ongoing surveillance from countries all over the world. The numbers
indicate we likely will meet the 2015 UNAIDS “Get to Zero” goals of reducing by
½ the level of new infections and reducing by at least ½ the number of deaths
due to AIDS-related issues.
Conference presenters
also warned that this good news must not bring complacency, let down or slowing
of committed efforts, focus and provision of resources to prevent infection and
reduce disease onset.
The 2014 M. Div.
graduates from PTS will make a difference in eliminating HIV as an infectious
disease pandemic. I pray that they and we all will use the opportunities,
talents and giftedness along with resources available to get there. With God,
who equips disciples and empowers chosen leaders, indeed all things are
possible!
*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.”
11. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 1, 2014 - OBEY THE
LORD - HAGGAI 1: 1-11:
Bill Dickens, Allen AME
Church, Tacoma, Washington
Lower the bar. Turn it
down a notch. Get off the Stairmaster. The Underachiever's Manifesto is a witty
and playfully persuasive pocket guide to living life to the least and loving
it. Is this message really helpful in
our daily living? Many Christians are
unable to reach the full potential God has bestowed upon us because we eschew
big dreams and aspirations. The legendary President of Morehouse College,
Benjamin E. Mays once stated that failure is not the chief sin in life but low
aim or low expectation.
The Adult AME Church
School Lesson for June 1, 2014 examines the causes and consequences of low
expectations. If we are going to be
ambassadors for God on earth this requires we remain focused on the task at
hand and not allow complacency to be part of our deportment.
Our lesson comes from
the writings of Haggai. Haggai was a “minor prophet” with a major message. He
was a contemporary of Zerubbabel, Governor of Judah and Joshua the High
Priest.
Chapter one of Haggai
represents a call to build the House of God.
The post-exilic Jews had become too lazy and content with their
complacency. In verse two God declares -
These people say, "The time has not yet come to rebuild the Lord’s
house.” In verse 3 the prophet Haggai
states: “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled
houses, while this house remains a ruin?”
The Jews at the writing
of Haggai were mired in underachievement. Their complacency led to poor crop
harvests, lost wages and unmet food/clothing needs. In verse 7 God says effectively enough is
enough!
The underachieving Jews
are commanded to go and find the timber and resume the building of God’s
House. The irony is God’s House was in
ruin because selfish pride allowed the exiles to focus solely on their houses
which were in better condition. Their
slothfulness caused drought conditions in the land which ultimately led to a
change in behavior by the people to build, not stand by idly.
It is easy to get
sidetracked when we are completing a given task. Discipline and commitment keep us on
track. God does not call us to be
underachievers. As Paul stated in
Philippians 3:14-15, “I press toward the
mark of the high calling in Christ.
The hymnologist expanded on this Pauline theme through the following
lyrics: “I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day; Still praying as I onward bound, Lord, plant
my feet on higher ground.”
Higher ground is high
expectations. Following Jesus is a
journey with little room for underachievement.
*Brother Bill
Dickens is currently the Church School Teacher at Allen AME Church in Tacoma,
Washington. He is currently a member of
the Fellowship of Church Educators for the AME Church.
12. MEDITATION BASED ON PSALM 121:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A.
Darby
I got a reminder last
weekend of how well laid plans can easily go astray. I traveled to Newport
News, Virginia to be among the AME’s from South Carolina who went there to hear
our Bishop, Richard Norris, preach the closing sermon for the Virginia Annual
Conference of the AME Church.
I went up a day early
and the drive was easy and uneventful, because my GPS did the navigating for me
- until my GPS lost its bearings twenty or so miles away from the hotel where I
was to spend the night. When it comes to
sheer excitement, nothing beats being on an unfamiliar road to an unfamiliar
city late at night with a GPS that indicated that I was not on the highway, but
somewhere near the highway in the heart of the forest!
Thankfully, things ended
well and I found my hotel with no trouble.
I just drove on toward the city, looked around, and eventually saw the
well-lit sign on the side of my hotel right off the highway - just as I used to
do when traveling in the days before GPS navigation. My GPS - which finally recovered and
cheerfully said, “You’ve reached your destination” when I pulled into the hotel
lot - let me down, but I made it because I simply looked at my surroundings and
found my destination.
I encourage you to
remember my travel experience as I travelled to Newport News, Virginia because
we live in a world, where we can easily lose our way. It’s wise and prudent for us to make plans,
set goals and create strategies to meet those goals with the best tools and
resources available to us. Life,
however, can throw things at us that mess up our plans, shatter our goals and
derail our strategies in ways that make our carefully crafted and meticulously
chosen tools and resources seem insignificant and ineffective.
When we take the time,
however, to count our blessings, look around us and see life’s possibilities,
we’ll discover new strengths, new hopes and new directions. The God who created us has great things in
store for us - even in our most tense and frustrating times - when we take a
deep breath, exhale, open our eyes and see the simple, but powerfully positive
paths and alternatives that God sets before us each day.
Take the time, even in a
world of technological wonders, to lift up your eyes and see what God has to
offer you.
When you do, then even
when today’s technology falls short or goes offline, you can still see what God
can do and press on toward your destination, saying as did those who looked
beyond the shackles of American slavery, “Up above my head I see glory in the
air, there must be a God somewhere!”
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
13.
EPISCOPAL AND CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
--
Three Episcopal Sons Graduate from Morehouse, Georgetown and Garrett
Stephen Avare`
Green graduated from Morehouse College on May 18, 2014 with a Bachelors Degree
in Religion (3.5 GPA). Stephen will be attending Union Theological Seminary in
New York.
Adam Scott Green
graduated from Georgetown University on May 16, 2014 with a Masters Degree in
Liberal Studies. Adam's thesis title was
"Black Mariology".
Samuel L. Green,
Jr. graduated from Garrett Evangelical Seminary on May 16, 2014 with a Masters
of Divinity Degree.
Stephen Green
Adam Green
Samuel L. Green,
Jr.
--
Mrs. Laurelyn W. Williams was honored as “Teacher of the Year”
Mrs. Laurelyn W.
Williams, the wife of the Rev. Dr. Darryl R. Williams, pastor of St. Mark AME
Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin was honored by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Alliance
Black School Educators (MMABSE) as “Teacher of the Year.” The gala was held at
the Wisconsin Center on May 3, 2014. Mrs. Williams is a fourth grade teacher in
the Milwaukee Public Schools District.
Congratulatory
messages can be emailed to:
Or sent:
Mrs. Laurelyn W.
Williams
6626 N. 114th St.
Milwaukee, WI 53224
--
Mrs. Ella Mae Whitted Celebrated Ninety-Eighth Birthday
Congratulations to
Mrs. Ella Mae Whitted, who celebrated her 98th birthday on May 16, 2014. She is the mother of the Rev. Dr. Betty
Whitted Holley, Presiding Elder of the Springfield/Xenia District in the Ohio
Conference, Third Episcopal District and Professor of Environmental Ethics and
African American Religious Studies at Payne Theological Seminary.
Congratulatory
remarks can be emailed to: holleybwh@aol.com
14. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully We Share the
Following Bereavement Notice:
The Third Episcopal
District is sadden by the passing the Reverend Kevin E. Parks, husband of
Armintry, father of Wesley & David, son of former Supervisor, Yvonne
Henning Parks and the late Reverend Walter Parks, nephew of retired Bishop
& Supervisor Cornal Garnett & Ernestine Lee Henning (former Bishop and
Supervisor of the Third Episcopal District) and the Reverend Dr. Anne Henning
Byfield, Presiding Elder, North District, Indiana Conference, Fourth Episcopal
District. Kevin served as the pastor of
Park Place AME Church, Homestead, Pennsylvania.
Final arrangements are
as follows:
Visitation and Viewing
Friday, May 30, 2014
4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Park Place AME Church
215 East 10th
Avenue
Homestead, PA 15120
Funeral Services:
Saturday, May 31, 2014
10:00 a.m. - Alpha Phi
Alpha service
11:00 a.m. - Homegoing
Service
Bethel AME Church
2720 Webster Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Telephone: 412-683-2160
Eulogist: Bishop McKinley Young
Interment: Raleigh, NC
Expressions of sympathy
may be sent to:
Mrs. Armintry Parks
& Family
3200 Duquesne Avenue
West Mifflin, PA 15122
Telephone: 412-368-8192
Or
Mrs. Yvonne Henning
Parks
3744 Cashew Drive
Raleigh, NC 27161
Telephone: 919-210-3761
Final services entrusted
to:
Aldrich Funeral Home
431 E. 9th Avenue
Munhall, PA 15120
412-461-3400
Hotel Accommodations:
Holiday Inn Express
658 E. Waterfront Drive
Munhall, PA
Telephone: (412)
205-3904
Request Bereavement Rate
Rate: $109.99
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Ruby Harris Mosbey,
the widow of the late Rev. Lee Edgar Mosbey a pastor and Presiding Elder in the
13th Episcopal District, passed on to glory on May 14, 2014, in Nashville, TN.
She was an active member of several organizations, including the Maggie Upshaw
Missionary Society, of St. John, Nashville and a past president, Tennessee
Conference Branch WMS, and YPD Director for the 13th Episcopal District.
Mrs. Mosbey is survived
by daughter, Blanchie (Jerry) Dobson; granddaughter, Narkita (Quentin)
Dobson-Holt; and Grandchildren Christian Elijah and Charli Ava Holt.
The Homegoing Service
and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority and other ceremonies were held at St. John AME
Church in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, May 21, 2014.
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This communication comes
to inform you that Mr. Bobby Stevenson, uncle of the Rev. Roderick J. Stevenson
(Shakina) pastor of Infinity AME Church in Conway, Arkansas has passed away.
Please note the
following arrangements:
There will no
visitation, but funeral services will be held on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 1:00
p.m. at the Morning Star Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) in Rocky Mount,
North Carolina.
Messages of condolence
may be shared with the family via:
Mrs. Cassandra Stevenson
and the Rev. and Mrs. Roderick J. Stevenson:
Mrs. Cassandra Stevenson
3813 Central Heights
Road
Goldsboro, North
Carolina 27534
501.612.2065
Or
The Reverend and Mrs.
Roderick J. Stevenson
2809 Romine Road
Little Rock, AR 72204
Telephone: (501)
612.2065'
17. 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
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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