The Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland
- Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr.,
Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor
III, the 20th Editor, The Christian
Recorder
1. TCR EDITORIAL – NO CEASING TO BE AMAZED
YET:
Dr.
Calvin H. Sydnor III
The
20th Editor of The Christian
Recorder
I
have reached the life-span of the Psalm 90 blessing and sometimes I think that
I have reached the point of “ceasing to be amazed.” I have even said, “I have
seen almost everything and very few things surprise me.”
On
the flip side, each time I have uttered that statement, something new and
unexpected surfaces and I find myself amazed.
Sometimes
when our children were growing up, they would do things that amazed me and all
I could do was shake my head. Sometimes
they did some brilliant things that amazed me and I would just shake my head
and be proud. Other times, they would do
something, “so out of character,” that all I could do was to shake my head.
The
classic one that I remember and for which I still shake my head involves
the time I arrived home and our youngest son, Christopher, met me at the
door and said, “Dad, don’t be mad. I can explain it.” I wondered what it
was that could be so bad that he met me at the door. The house wasn’t on fire,
I didn’t smell any smoke. Everything seemed normal as I entered the
living room, and Christopher kept saying, “Dad, don’t be mad. I can explain
everything” as he led me down the hallway. I got to his bedroom and there was a
big hole in the ceiling. It looked as if someone had fallen through the
ceiling.
The
amazing thing was that there was not a room above the ceiling; it was the
attic, a crawl space! The only way to get to the attic was to pull down the
door in the hall ceiling and then use the ladder to struggle to get into the
attic. There was nothing much in the attic because the space was not that
large.
We
looked at each other and he said, “Dad, I can explain everything.” He
tried to explain what happened. I didn’t understand it then and I still don’t
understand today why he went to the attic. He gave some “cock and bull”
story about trying to rewire something or some such nonsense. I was just
thankful that he didn’t get hurt and my thankfulness that he was not hurt took
priority over the punishment he deserved. I was utterly amazed!
I
have some stories about our daughter Gloria and older son, Calvin IV too. I
will save those for another time.
A couple of things
amaze me
I
am still amazed at the many pastors and churches that have not embraced technology.
I
am still utterly amazed when I hear a pastor say, “I am not into that
technology stuff!” And, I am more amazed that some or perhaps, many of
our local churches are “not into technology” – not even a little bit.
I
am more even amazed when I hear or see evidence of presiding elders who have
not embraced technology. I am amazed because “the handwriting is on the
wall” that technology is here to stay. I find it hard to believe that
parishioners and clergy have not seen the “writing on the wall.”
A few examples of
why I am amazed
On
several occasions, I have used my smartphone and OnStar in attempts to locate a couple of AME churches I wanted to
visit.
When
you are trying to find a business or a church using OnStar or a smartphone app,
you simply give the name of the church or business along with the city and
state and the name or a list of names will pop up and one can choose from the
list of names. Most times, you don’t need the address if the church name is the
only one with that name.
I
tried to find, and let me say for this illustration, St. Pilgrim AME Church in
Nashville, Tennessee; only one AME Church by that name in Nashville. When my
smartphone app and later OnStar attempted to find St. Pilgrim AME in Nashville,
the app couldn’t find the church and the OnStar representative said, “I have
found St. Pilgrim AME Church in Centreville, Tennessee” (50 miles away).
The
AME church in Centreville, Tennessee had a listing someplace, probably in the
Yellow Pages, but Pilgrim AME Church in Nashville apparently did not have a
listing and no directions could be found.
I
will say it again as I have said before, newspapers in most places don’t
provide church directories; and besides, out of town folks are not subscribed
to local newspapers. People use smartphones and computers to access information
and directions.
I
am also amazed when I see the money that some of our larger and some smaller
churches too, spend on glitzy, color-filled, slick heavy paper Annual Pastor’s
Reports. Absolutely amazing! A waste of
money and I suspect that most people will “trash” the glitzy reports when they
get home.
We
do the same thing, to a little lesser extent, at the General Board Meeting. We
are doing better with Drop Box. Let
me say here, the General Secretary and his staff are working hard to bring all
of us into the 21st Century with up-to-date transmission of reports.
We are well into the second decade of the 21st Century and
technology should have “grabbed us” by now.
I would bet that most of the people who fly to the General Board Meeting
leave the voluminous handouts in their hotel rooms to be disposed of by the
hotel housekeeping staff.
I
am amazed when I see presiding elders who still submit handwritten reports and
handwritten subscription lists. The reports look like something from the middle
of the last century.
I
am also surprised when I hear of pastors and laypersons who submit
handwritten reports to Quarterly Conferences and presiding elders who forward
handwritten reports to their bishops’ offices.
The
advantage of electronic reporting is accountability and the ability to “track”
the reports. People cannot say, “I sent the report,” “I didn’t get the
report,” or “I sent the report two weeks ago.” Electronic transmissions
can be tracked, recovered and verified.
I
am amazed that local churches still have face-to-face meetings, especially in
unsafe areas and inclement weather. Teleconferences can be more efficient and
the same business can be conducted via teleconference as efficiently as
face-to-face meetings. Pastors and officers just have to try it out and use
teleconferencing; and they might discover an increased attendance when the
meetings are done via teleconference.
I
am amazed about the physical condition of so many of our churches. I am not
speaking about the mega-churches or big churches with large sanctuaries or
grandiose facilities that have large budgets.
I
am amazed at how so many of “our churches” (read “our” churches vs. “AME”
churches) have abandoned the desire and motivation to maintain their
infrastructures. I am not referring to the “want” things that well-endowed
churches have, but to the cleanliness and the maintenance of the facilities and
grounds. God’s house should be clean and representative of the goodness and
providence of God.
If
we preach, “God will supply all of our needs according to His riches….,” our
facilities ought to reflect God’s blessings. Facilities that could easily be
repaired or cleaned, but are not, do not reflect God’s blessings. There is
no good reason to neglect simple, correctable maintenance actions such
as replacing light bulbs, insuring that toilet paper, soap and paper
towels are in bathrooms, keeping the lawns mowed, keeping the sanctuary clean,
polishing the Cross and candlesticks on the altar, and maintaining the
grounds.
And
just when I think that I cease to be amazed I heard about a trustee who used to
put in a voucher for a 40-cent light bulb and another trustee who would ask to
have his bill for such things as light bulbs, stamps or whatever settled by
giving him credit in his offering.
It
might be a good idea to assign individual trustees to be responsible for areas
of the church. It might be a good idea to assign a trustee to be in charge of
the sanctuary, another trustee in charge of the pulpit/chancel area and choir
loft, another in charge of the men’s room, another in charge of the ladies rest
room and so on. In that way identifiable individuals are responsible for
designated maintenance tasks. The way it is in many churches, “everybody is
responsible for everything” and “nobody is responsible of anything.”
Parishioners
are more likely to invite their family and friends to church if their church is
clean and presentable.
And,
Lord, if olive oil is going to be used in anointing, get a nice container for
the olive oil. Go to a religious store and purchase a nice container for the
olive oil. No one wants to see the Bertolli
Olive Oil bottle in the pulpit.
Why
do we have candles that remain unlighted in so many churches? If we honor and want to communicate “Christ
is the light of the world,” take the time and the expense to maintain and light
the candles and explain to parishioners the reason for lighted candles. And please, if you are utilizing the candles,
please change those candles BEFORE they burn down to 3 inches with the wax
heavily dripped down the sides.
And,
while on that point, artificial flowers?
God created plants and live-plants are a reminder of God’s creation,
rather than cheap, no-maintenance, artificial plants. Nice live-plants can be found in the woods
and in yards, but it means that someone has to take the time to pick the
flowers or to purchase live plants at the grocery store. Parishioners should be
able to smell and taste the presence of God!
I
am amazed, especially about preachers, who do not take proper health and
welfare self-care of themselves and of their families. It’s obvious that some
preachers have not been to a doctor or a dentist.
And,
a lot of preachers haven’t taken a vacation.
Pastors
need time away from the pulpit and parishioners. And, parishioners need a break
from their pastors. Many pastors are “preaching and working themselves sick,”
hastening their journey to the grave and their actions are singing, “Soon and
very soon, we are going to see the King…”
I
am not amazed that many of our pastors are not receiving adequate monetary
compensation for the work expected of them, and unfortunately many stewards and
congregations are in a quandary on how to raise pastors’ salaries; and some are
not concerned about their pastors’ salaries.
Dr.
Jerome V. Harris, Executive Director of the AMEC Department of Annuity Investments
and Insurance tells the story of preachers who won’t pay into the annuity fund.
I have heard stories of pastors whose churches gave them the funds for their
annuity, but the pastors chose not to participate in the program. Absolutely
insane!
When
retirement comes, retirees need all of the financial resources available.
Church
officers should insist and be vigilant in providing for their pastor’s annuity
program.
Pastors
ought to be vigilant in preparing for themselves and their families’ future.
And, there is more
And,
if that’s not enough, Dr. Jerome Harris shared the unbelievable news that some
pastors are opting out of paying Social Security.
Dr.
Harris explained that some bivocational pastors opted out of their ministerial
salaries’ annuity and Social Security payments because they had secular jobs
and were counting benefits from their secular employment. Unfortunately, some of the secular jobs went
“bust,” especially in the 2008 financial crisis and they lost their jobs, lost
their retirement and lost what they failed to put into their annuity program.
Every
pastor should be enrolled in the AMEC Annuity program and every pastor should
be paying into the Social Security program. In retirement every penny counts.
I
am amazed about many things, but perhaps, “For
now we see in a mirror dimly…” (I Cor. 13:12b), but hopefully…
Maybe hopefully,
but not yet
I
still don’t know why our son, Christopher decided to go into the attic and for
the life of me I don’t understand why some of our “good” churches won’t choose
to be “better” and “best.”
TCR Editor’s Comment:
If you are a serious reader of The Christian Recorder Online, you would
have noticed that we are spending a lot of space dealing with the Ebola Virus
in West Africa. The Ebola outbreak is serious and it is affecting AMEs in
Liberia. People are dying. There is
currently no antidote for the virus. The
prevailing thought is that the spread of the Ebola Virus is going to
worsen. See several Ebola articles in
this edition of TCR Online.
2. I
ASK:
*Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry
-- I Ask
Our
presiding elder (or maybe our bishop) sends several messages during the
Conference year, which are really assessments.
The messages ask for funds for our bishop’s Christmas gift, birthday and
also the supervisor’s birthday gift. And
just before the annual conference our pastor is solicited for a gift for the
presiding elder. And if that is not enough, our bishop requires the pastors to
give a pre-conference offering and the church’s assessment; and then the bishop
proceeds to take up the opening and closing offering in addition to the
pre-conference offering, which seems sneaky to me - pre-offering and then the
"real" offering. It's just
incredible! We hardly recover from one event before the next one is right upon
us… and of course our local church ends up footing the bill and it seems that
we are encumbered with so many extra financial requirements that our pastor has
to pay. When I read the Discipline,
it seems that the call for extra funds is illegal. Let’s be real, there is no way our pastor can
avoid, without some kind of penalty, contributing to the bishop’s Christmas,
birthday, and whatever else is asked for; or the presiding elder’s annual
conference appreciation.
My question: How do you interpret Part IX, Section II Episcopal
District Budget paragraphs 1. Thru 5. pp. 235-236? See also Part V. Section VII Minister's Bill
of Rights paragraph 12. Page 101-102.
Part VIII, Section II A.
Paragraph 10, pp. 206-207; and Section II D. Paragraph 7, pp.
208-209. Finally, note changed to Presiding Elder District Budget page
105-106. The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church-
2012
Thank you!
A faithful steward
Bishop Guidry’s Response
to the Question:
I read the portions you lifted and think they really need no
"interpretation" as the language is clear. However, it seems that
your real question is: "Should we give/pay anything that is not included
in these portions?
I will try to answer that question and if I miss it, please write again.
- Pre-offerings are a part of the Annual Conference budget income and
usually the Budget Committee estimates how much is needed in offerings to
insure adequate funds to cover all expenses of the meeting. (If you have ever
been on the finance committee you know how many $1.00 bills are put in the
plate). You are entitled to a copy of the District Finance Report.
- Gifts to the Bishop or Presiding Elder are, and always should be, a
voluntary act of kindness. Usually the
Presiding Elder will "suggest" a gift amount. If a pastor cannot or
chooses not to give to these "askings," there should be no penalty.
If one feels penalized because they do not give to these “askings,” there
is a process for reporting these illegal acts.
*Retired Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry is the 122nd
Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
3. WILBERFORCE
UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTIAL SELECTION SEARCH EXTENDED:
Wilberforce University has extended it presidential selection process.
The WU trustees issued a statement saying, the search committee would issue a
formal statement concerning the selection of the president at a later date.
4. DR. WILLIE C.
GLOVER - GLOBAL PRESIDENT CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION:
We are happy to announce the Election of Mrs. Starr L. Battle as the 3rd
Vice President of the Connectional Lay Organization.
5. LOCAL CHURCH
HOSTS THE BUILDING POWERFUL AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS: HIV/AIDS AND TESTING:
Get Informed, Get Tested, and Get Treated!
DENTON, TX (August 1, 2014) - The St. James AME Church in partnership
with the Denton County Health Department and Zeta Beta Chapter of Phi Beta
Sigma kicks off its Building Powerful and
Healthy Relationships: HIV/AIDS and Testing workshop on Saturday, September
20, 2014, from 12-3 p.m., at 1107 E. Oak, in Denton, TX. The workshop theme is
Get Informed, Get Tested, and Get Treated. It is designed to increase awareness
of HIV and AIDS in the community and coincides with two annual observances,
National HIV/AIDS and Aging on September 18 and National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS on
September 27.
This local effort collaborates with Marie Brown, Denton County Health
Department; Terri Johnson and Debbie DeLeon, Health Services of North Texas;
James Berglund and Ashley Innes, AIDS/ARMS; Ed Jones, AIDS Healthcare
Foundation-Dallas, and Kelly Richter, Gilead Sciences Pharmaceuticals to raise
awareness and equip our community with the knowledge and tools to help fight
the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The workshop will feature presentations on HIV 101
basics; offer HIV testing; disseminate prevention and treatment information;
and provide health care and support resources. The presenters will make up the
expert panel and answer questions in the workshop. Zeta Beta Chapter men plan
to perform skit to highlight the impact of HIV and AIDS on young people.
Judith Dillard of New Bethel
Complete In Christ Baptist Church in Ft. Worth, Texas will make a special
presentation focusing on the challenges facing people living with HIV/AIDS. She
is the Community Outreach and Health Educator under the direction of Pastor
Michael Moore. Special invited guests include speakers from 97.9 FM Radio and
Learning Institute of Family Education (LIFE).
Over a million people eligible for the new health care marketplaces are
uninsured in Texas. According to the Centers for Disease Control, historically,
people living with HIV and AIDS have had a difficult time obtaining private
health insurance. As a result, many infected HIV persons may not have health
care and know their status. AIDS Arms –Dallas, the largest nonprofit HIV/AIDS
service organization in North Texas, will conduct free HIV testing, which
renders results within minutes. An Affordable Care Act navigator will be on
hand to enroll eligible persons who need health care due to life-changing
events and provide information about the November 15, 2014 enrollment.
Free gift bags will be given to the first 50 people. The program will
feature videos, music, and free health literature and care resources. Lunch
will be served to participants following the workshop.
Of the estimated 40,000 new HIV infections each year, more than 50
percent occur among African Americans. AIDS is the number one cause of death
among Black adults, ages 25 to 44, before heart disease, cancer and homicide
(BalminGilead.org, 2014). In Denton County, the 2011 Texas Health and Human
Services HIV Surveillance reports HIV infection rate was largest among age
group 20-24 (41.8%); followed by ages 25-29 (35.2%); and 30-34 (28.5%); and 35
years and older were 26.1%. African Americans had the highest rate of infection
at 48.8%, Hispanics 14.3%, and Whites, 9%. Among all groups, African American
women had the highest rate of HIV/AIDS diagnoses at a rate 58.8%; followed by
Hispanic men (36.1%); African American men (35.1%); and White men (25.1%).
“HIV/AIDS is at epidemic levels nationally and locally, and we must make
people aware,” said Pastor Mason Rice.” He explained, “This is a public health
issue, and the faith community can work with others to ensure that those we
serve have access to screenings, learn ways to prevent the transmission of the
disease, and advocate for better care and treatment.” He added, “Our basic goal
is a community without AIDS.”
St. James AME Church is in its 140th year of providing service and
leadership to the community. In 1985, it was designated as an historical
landmark, and has played an integral part in the religious tradition of Denton.
6. FOURTH DISTRICT
WMS LAUNCHES AN INITIATIVE TO FEATURE AME WOMEN (UNDER 40 YEARS OF AGE) WHO ARE
LIVING AS WORLD CHANGERS:
In celebration of the WMS Quadrennial Convention, the Fourth Episcopal
District will publish an Encyclopedia of Contemporary AME Missionaries. With the "Graying" of African
Methodism in so many regions, we will highlight young women under forty-years
of age who are having Kingdom Impact in one of 7 areas:
A. Advocates for Women
B. Ecology
C. Eradication of Poverty
D. The Girl Child
E. Justice, Peace, Reconciliation
F. Intercession
G. Health and Wellness
Local Societies will submit the Photo and a one Page article of a Young
Woman whom they perceive as a World Changer.
Each submission must be accompanied by $365 check payable to “4th
District WMS-WGI.”
Supervisors of Districts 14-20 are invited to submit one person for each
category with no fees required.
We will receive 365 submissions.
Each will become a Mission Impact
Witness to the Power of God manifested in a new generation. Each will be accompanied by a unique Daily
Intention/Affirmation.
Think of it - A whole year of inspiration through the lives of our young
AME women.
The Saturday night of the Quadrennial Convention at 10:00 p.m., we will
host an YWI/RAGE (Revealing a Generation of Excellence) Coffee House.
During the Coffee House, we will not only have a book signing, but the
following awards will be presented to the local society whose submission is
deemed noteworthy:
- World Changer Award: $1,000
- Young Woman with Greatest Kingdom Impact: $1,000.
- Young Woman with Greatest Impact on Her Generation: $500
- Young Woman with the Greatest Impact on the WMS of AME Church: $500
- An Honorable Mention in Each Category (A-G) $100.
The enthusiastic endorsement of this initiative will celebrate "the
passing of the mantle" of Sarah Allen to yet another generation.
As the Host of the Quadrennial Convention; Fourth District Submissions
will not be eligible for financial awards.
They will be acknowledged and honored at our District Breakfast.
The Reverend Dr. Cecelia Williams-Bryant, Senior Episcopal Supervisor
Bishop John R. Bryant, Presiding Prelate, Senior Bishop
Fourth Episcopal District
7. KENTUCKY STATE
UNIVERSITY’S PRESIDENT GIVES A LARGE PORTION OF HIS SALARY TO AUGMENT EMPLOYEES
MAKING LESS THAN $10.25 AN HOUR:
Dr. Raymond Burse, interim president at Kentucky State University in
Frankfort has requested a pay decrease in order to give 24 lower paid
university employees raises. President Burse asked the Board to pay 24
employees who are currently earning less than $10.25 per hour the amount
necessary to bring their salaries to $10.25 per hour and the amount would be
reduced from his base pay salary.
Dr. Burse said, “They are the people that do the physical labor on this
campus on a daily basis. They are the ones that make it look good. I think they
deserve to be rewarded” and he went on to say, “We live in some very tough
times and we want to make certain that they know us, the board and I care about
them and want to do the very best by them.”
The University reports that the 24 employees who were all making $7.25
an hour will see the increase immediately.
Burse responded when he was commended for his act of kindness, "I
have been richly blessed in life and I have had success because I have people
who have helped me. This was a small gesture to a group of people who are often
overlooked. They are part of the team
and I wanted them to feel it."
A recent news article said that Dr. Burse served as president of KSU from
1982 to 1989 and under his leadership there was an increase in enrollment, more
than $60 million in capital improvements, and significantly enhanced the
university’s academic and financial operations. The Kentucky State University
Board of Regents announced at its June 4 special meeting that Burse, a former
KSU president, will serve as the university’s interim president until June 2015
or until a permanent president is selected.
He is married to Kim Burse, who serves as vice president of
administrative services for Goodwill Industries of Kentucky. They have three
sons, Raymond Jr., Justin and Eric.
The Christian Recorder commends
President Raymond Burse for his generous, kind and sacrificial act of kindness.
8. THE BOOK,
“DON’T FAINT” HELPS PASTOR COPE WITH THE CHALLENGES OF MINISTRY:
*The Reverend Dededrick O. Rivers is the pastor of St. Jude AME Church in
Germantown, Maryland
At the 2nd Episcopal District Planning meeting in June 2012 in
Newport News, Virginia, the Rt. Rev. Adam J. Richardson conferred upon me the
pastoral appointment to St. Jude AME Church in Germantown, Maryland.
I went from diligently serving on the ministerial staff of Turner
Memorial AME Church in Hyattsville, Maryland to being assigned to a charge the
following Sunday.
I enjoyed all of the sermons delivered by my pastor, the Reverend William
H. Lamar IV. However, in an instant, my life suddenly changed. I am thankful
for the teachings of Reverend Lamar who was not only my pastor, but like a
brother to me. He participated in my ordination service at the Historic Mother
Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
While a student at the Howard University Divinity School, I attended
Turner Memorial under the leadership of the Rev. Darryl Walker who graciously
allowed me to complete my field education training in his pulpit. Pastor Walker
accepted me on his staff and into his family.
After Pastor Walker left to assume the pastorate of the New Philadelphia
AME Church in Rancho Dominguez, California, Presiding Elder Goodwin Douglas
assumed pastoral oversight of the Turner family.
By this time, I completed my Master of Divinity degree from Howard
University; I was ready to engage more time in ministry.
Presiding Elder Douglas allowed me to preach, teach Bible study and
accompany him as he carried out his pastoral duties, which afforded me of the
opportunity to learn lessons that are not taught in classrooms.
I am not sure if the academy rose to the occasion to prepare me for the
trials and triumphs of pastoral ministry.
St. Jude is a small congregation with fewer than 100 members. And I must
admit that I succeeded a well-organized pastor in the person of the Rev. Dr.
Byron Grayson.
I am a bivocational pastor and I manage a division of over 500 employees
at a large federal agency.
One day while walking to my office, I suddenly fell ill. I visited the
health suite and an ambulance was immediately dispatched to transport me to a
nearby hospital.
As I gazed into the ceiling with tears rolling down my eyes, I could only
think about “my church.” After several hours of testing and a stay in the
hospital, I was diagnosed with Atrial Fibrillation (A-FIB). I was working seven
days a week, not eating properly and thinking that I had to do everything to
make sure everything was right.
The physicians concluded that my A-FIB was the result of one issue:
Stress!
I was concerned about family matters at home in South Carolina. I was concerned
about my work. I was concerned about church. But, I was not concerned about
myself.
The Rev. Dr. Harry Lee Seawright wrote a book entitled, “Don’t
Faint.” In his book, Dr. Seawright does
not shy away from the realities of pastoral ministry, but he dives “head first”
into the “road” that can be lonely, isolated, and often less-traveled. I had
purchased Dr. Seawright’s book before I entered the pastoral ministry, but I
never read his book until I found myself on my sickbed. Chapter nine has a simple,
but profound title, “Rest, Restoration
and Self-Care.”
Dr. Seawright provides practical examples of how a pastor should take
care of him or herself. The book is invaluable to a working pastor - those who
care about “their sheep” all week and not those who just show up on Sunday
morning to “tap a table” and go home.
At one point in his book, Dr. Seawright talks about the pastor
sacrificing family time and personal time to come to the aid of a congregant.
Those issues can take a toll on one’s body. The book, “Don’t Faint” has
assisted me with creating balance among all aspects of my life.
When I recovered and had an opportunity to speak with Dr. Seawright, he
told me about how he neglected to care for himself at various times in his
ministry and how he often cared for others first.
Oh, how familiar were his utterances. He understands the importance of
pastoral ministry, which led him to write this book to share with other
prognosticators of the gospel the importance of taking care of one’s self. Dr.
Seawright and I have a lot in common. He and I both are from South Carolina. He
and I were both raised in rural communities. He and I both graduated from
Benedict College. He and I both graduated from Howard University School of
Divinity. He and I both love the Lord!
When you love God, you realize that you cannot abuse your body by
overwork and neglect and expect to give God your best. A tired body and
fatigued mind cannot function at full capacity to meet the stringent demands of
the pastoral ministry.
We all need others who can assist us with understanding the importance of
self-care.
Pastors are ministers and we are not “little messiahs,” and clergy need
to retreat and take time to allow ourselves a period of rejuvenation.
Dr. Seawright’s book has encouraged me to be more cognizant of the
pitfalls of “being overzealous” with my pastoral obligations and to be careful
not to neglect myself.
I continuously read Dr. Seawright’s book for guidance as I embark upon
another lofty goal of raising $100,000 during our church’s capital campaign to
help us move into a permanent church home.
St. Jude worship services are held in an elementary school and it is the
only AME Church in Germantown.
Dr. Seawright has a chapter in his book entitled, “If You Have the Power
to Only Believe.”
I believe God is doing great things in the life and ministry of St. Jude
AME Church and I am thankful for Dr. Seawright’s book and he is a “pastor’s
pastor.”
*The Reverend Dededrick O. Rivers is the pastor of St. Jude AME Church in
Germantown, Maryland
9. THE
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS SHARES DO’S & DON’TS OF POLITICAL ACTIVITIES BY
CHURCHES & PASTORS:
- DO discuss the candidates’
positions on issues to the congregation.
- DO NOT support or oppose the candidates on the congregation’s behalf.
- DO NOT use the congregation’s funding to give financial contributions
of any kind to the candidates/office holders.
- DO NOT allow your (the church
leaders) personal opinions inflict the opinions of the congregation. Please
note: the Pastor’s personal views and personal donations (not affiliated with
the church) can be used to his own discretion, as long as these
views/endorsements are not imposed upon the congregation.
- As a congregation and/or as an individual church leader; DO lobby and
campaign for or against legislation.
- DO NOT publish church editorials that are meant to support or oppose
candidates.
- DO publish political ads; as long as the regular rates are applied…DO
NOT publish these ads as a donation.
- DO publish news stories about campaigns…the congregation must be kept
informed as best as possible.
- DO rent out church facilities (e.g. kitchens, athletic facilities,
board/community rooms) for political activities…regular rates MUST apply.
- DO provide rentals of membership lists at regular rates.
- DO allow candidates to make appearances at church events/services.
- As a part of the congregation,
DO NOT distribute candidate campaign literature; however the individual church
leader is allowed to do so.
- DO distribute candidate surveys and/or voting records of office
holders.
- DO NOT pay for a candidate’s or office holder’s attendance at a caucus or
political party convention. While the congregation CAN NOT pay for this, the
church leader CAN do so on an individual basis.
- DO participate in non-partisan voter registration and identification:
these activities CAN NOT be affiliated with a political party. DO provide
non-partisan voter education: CAN NOT be affiliated with a political party. As
a congregation, DO NOT give contributions to political action committees, but
the church leader may DO this on his or her own terms.
The Congressional Black Caucus
10. TRIBAL CHURCH
- PASTORS IN POVERTY - NINE WAYS WE CAN HELP:
Jul 28, 2014 by Carol Howard Merritt
Most of us have seen this coming for a decade, but it’s still startling to
read the headlines in the Atlantic: The Vanishing of Middle Class Clergy.
None of this is news. We know pastors who feed their children with food
stamps.
When disastrous things happen, clergy have learned to give one another
money because sometimes we’re the only ones in the church (or the neighborhood)
who can’t go to the church with a financial problem.
We know pastors who covertly stuff the rice from the food pantry in their
bag.
We know the frustration when the church ladies begin to say disparaging
things about our clothes and offer to take us on a little shopping trip to the
outlet mall.
We have stifled the laughter when church members ask us to join the
country club or wonder why we’re not sending our kids to the private school.
We know the devastation of asking the church for a need-based
cost-of-living raise, and have them refuse.
We have seen how people go into seminary debt, but have no church
position at the end of their study.
We have watched as churches turn to lay leaders, because they’re easier
to hire and cost less money.
We have seen how denominational bodies ask for a multitude of
requirements of their candidates on top of the M.Div -- additional years of
study, psychological exams, clinical pastoral education, or years of
internships with no pay--without the knowledge that they are forcing more debt
on individuals who are going into poverty-wage calls.
We have had those awkward realizations of the incredible income disparity
between pastors with the same experience and education.
We know white men make more than women and racial-ethnic minorities.
But we also know poverty wages, discrimination and disparity does not
have to be our future. Our denominations are places of incredible abundance.
Look around at the property, buildings, stocks, and assets. Churches close and
leave the assets to the denomination. This might be the richest time in our
denominational lives. So, why are our pastors in poverty? What can we do about
it?
1) Make our pay more equitable. My first year out of seminary, a pastor
informed me that I was getting paid much less than the janitors at his church,
and he was being paid almost $100K more than I was. I know he had skills and
experience that I didn't have, but a six-figure disparity is just wrong.
2) Begin to pay pastors from a centralized body, with attention to
experience and education, and without attention to good teeth and full head of
hair.
3) Does that feel like too much to ask? Well, then we could at least
begin having some serious discussions about pay equity in our denomination's
governing bodies.
4) Think about salary off-sets. They could work like carbon-trading. If a
church wants to pay their pastor over a certain amount, that's great. But then
they need to give money to a lower-income pastor in his or her denomination. We
should not be mirroring our culture when it comes to the 1% and the 99.
Especially since the disparities often exist on the very same church staff!
5) Call out the discriminatory practices in our denomination. Graph the
salaries of the pastors in your denomination's local area. Note the women, men
and people of color. Can you see unfair distinctions? Can you draw attention to
it?
6) Renew our commitment to educated clergy. Historically, our
denominations required educated clergy. Now, without hardly any discussion, we
have quit requiring it and allowed churches to hire lay pastors. And to put
this in stark economic terms, this causes higher clergy unemployed and drives
down the value of our educated clergy. If a church cannot afford an educated
clergy person, then a denominational body can help pay.
7) Be mindful of ordination requirements. We often ask people to meet
requirements that are way out of proportion to what they will be paid.
8) Speed up the call process. In some denominations, it can take 18
months for a church to call a pastor. All along the way, they have the
denominational leaders telling them to slow down and not rush it. Meanwhile
there’s 30 people worshiping on Sunday morning, and the number is dwindling.
There’s just no reason it should take that long. Often interim ministers last
longer than installed pastors. New members are hesitant to join; people begin
to slack on their giving. It’s a waste of time and money for the church and for
pastors looking for positions.
9) Pay pastors more. Enough said.
*Carol Howard Merritt has been a pastor for 13 years, serving growing
Presbyterian (USA) Churches in the swamps of Cajun Louisiana, a bayside village
in Rhode Island, and an urban neighborhood in D.C. She served as a pastor at
Western Presbyterian Church, an intergenerational congregation in Washington,
DC.
Read More: http://www.christiancentury.org/blogs/archive/2014-07/pastors-poverty#.U9Z2bmYvfCI.facebook
11. THREE COMMON
TRAITS OF YOUTH WHO DON’T LEAVE THE CHURCH:
What is it that sets apart the kids who stay in the church? This does –
and it’s a must read.
“What do we do about our kids?” The group of parents sat together in my
office, wiping their eyes. I’m a high school pastor, but for once, they weren’t
talking about 16-year-olds drinking and partying. Each had a story to tell
about a “good Christian” child, raised in their home and in our church, who had
walked away from the faith during the college years. These children had come
through our church’s youth program, gone on short-term mission trips, and
served in several different ministries during their teenage years. Now they
didn’t want anything to do with it anymore. And, somehow, these mothers’ ideas
for our church to send college students “care packages” during their freshman
year to help them feel connected to the church didn’t strike me as a solution
with quite enough depth.
The daunting statistics about church-going youth keep rolling in. Panic
ensues. What are we doing wrong in our churches? In our youth ministries?
It’s hard to sort through the various reports and find the real story.
And there is no one easy solution for bringing all of those “lost” kids back
into the church, other than continuing to pray for them and speaking the gospel
into their lives. However, we can all look at the 20-somethings in our churches
who are engaged and involved in ministry. What is it that sets apart the kids
who stay in the church? Here are just a few observations I have made about such
kids, with a few applications for those of us serving in youth ministry.
They are
converted.
The Apostle Paul, interestingly enough, doesn’t use phrases like “nominal
Christian” or “pretty good kid.” The Bible doesn’t seem to mess around with
platitudes like: “Yeah, it’s a shame he did that, but he’s got a good heart.”
When we listen to the witness of Scripture, particularly on the topic of
conversion, we find that there is very little wiggle room. Listen to these
words: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has
passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Cor. 5:17) We youth pastors need to
get back to understanding salvation as what it really is: a miracle that comes
from the glorious power of God through the working of the Holy Spirit.
We need to stop talking about “good kids.” We need to stop being pleased
with attendance at youth group and fun retreats. We need to start getting on
our knees and praying that the Holy Spirit will do miraculous saving work in
the hearts of our students as the Word of God speaks to them. In short, we need
to get back to a focus on conversion. How many of us are preaching to
“unconverted evangelicals”? Youth pastors, we need to preach, teach, and
talk—all the while praying fervently for the miraculous work of regeneration to
occur in the hearts and souls of our students by the power of the Holy Spirit!
When that happens—when the “old goes” and the “new comes”—it will not be iffy.
We will not be dealing with a group of “nominal Christians.” We will be ready
to teach, disciple, and equip a generation of future church leaders—“new
creations”!—who are hungry to know and speak God’s Word. It is converted
students who go on to love Jesus and serve the church.
They have been
equipped, not entertained.
Recently, we had “man day” with some of the guys in our youth group. We
began with an hour of basketball at the local park, moved to an intense game of
16” (“Chicago Style”) softball, and finished the afternoon by gorging ourselves
on meaty pizzas and 2-liters of soda. I am not against fun (or gross, depending
on your opinion of the afternoon I just described) things in youth ministry.
But youth pastors especially need to keep repeating the words of Ephesians
4:11-12 to themselves: “[Christ] gave…the teachers to equip the saints for the
work of the ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” Christ gives
us—teachers—to the church, not for entertainment, encouragement, examples, or
even friendship primarily. He gives us to the church to “equip” the saints to
do gospel ministry in order that the church of Christ may be built up.
If I have not equipped the students in my ministry to share the gospel,
disciple a younger believer, and lead a Bible study, then I have not fulfilled
my calling to them, no matter how good my sermons have been. We pray for
conversion; that is all we can do, for it is entirely a gracious gift of God.
But after conversion, it is our Christ-given duty to help fan into flame a
faith that serves, leads, teaches, and grows. If our students leave high school
without Bible-reading habits, Bible-study skills, and strong examples of
discipleship and prayer, we have lost them. We have entertained, not equipped
them…and it may indeed be time to panic!
Forget your youth programs for a second. Are we sending out from our
ministries the kind of students who will show up to college in a different
state, join a church, and begin doing the work of gospel ministry there without
ever being asked? Are we equipping them to that end, or are we merely giving
them a good time while they’re with us? We don’t need youth group junkies; we
need to be growing churchmen and churchwomen who are equipped to teach, lead,
and serve. Put your youth ministry strategies aside as you look at that
16-year-old young man and ask: “How can I spend four years with this kid,
helping him become the best church deacon and sixth-grade Sunday school class
teacher he can be, ten years down the road?”
Their parents
preached the gospel to them.
As a youth pastor, I can’t do all this. All this equipping that I’m
talking about is utterly beyond my limited capabilities. It is impossible for
me to bring conversion, of course, but it is also impossible for me to have an
equipping ministry that sends out vibrant churchmen and churchwomen if my
ministry is not being reinforced tenfold in the students’ homes. The common
thread that binds together almost every ministry-minded 20-something that I
know is abundantly clear: a home where the gospel was not peripheral but
absolutely central. The 20-somethings who are serving, leading, and driving the
ministries at our church were kids whose parents made them go to church. They
are kids whose parents punished them and held them accountable when they were
rebellious. They are kids whose parents read the Bible around the dinner table
every night. And they are kids whose parents were tough but who ultimately
operated from a framework of grace that held up the cross of Jesus as the basis
for peace with God and forgiveness toward one another.
This is not a formula! Kids from wonderful gospel-centered homes leave
the church; people from messed-up family backgrounds find eternal life in Jesus
and have beautiful marriages and families. But it’s also not a crapshoot. In
general, children who are led in their faith during their growing-up years by
parents who love Jesus vibrantly, serve their church actively, and saturate
their home with the gospel completely, grow up to love Jesus and the church.
The words of Proverbs 22:6 do not constitute a formula that is true 100 percent
of the time, but they do provide us with a principle that comes from the
gracious plan of God, the God who delights to see his gracious Word passed from
generation to generation: “Train up a child in the way he should go; even when
he is old he will not depart from it.”
Youth pastors, pray with all your might for true conversion; that is
God’s work. Equip the saints for the work of the ministry; that is your work.
Parents, preach the gospel and live the gospel for your children; our
work depends on you.
Read More. Jon Nielson is the college pastor at College Church in
Wheaton, Illinois. He blogs at: http://www.faithit.com/3-common-traits-of-youth-who-dont-leave-the-church/#.U9hdaWBSoMn.facebook
12. THE TRUTH IS
THE LIGHT
By: Reverend Dr. Charles R.
Watkins, Jr.
Based on Biblical Text: Revelation 3:20: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and
opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
Certainly the scripture is plain enough for us to understand that if we
are able to hear the Lord’s call and are obedient enough to invite Him in; He
will be faithful to transform us by the indwelling of His spirit. The question:
“How can we hear the knock and recognize that it is the “Still, small voice of
God?”
It is a fact that if we intend to hear God, we must first know God! As we
grow, developing our Christian walk, God’s voice clearly becomes more audible.
The Lord reminds us that, “My sheep hear my voice.” As He stands at the door
and knocks we will know that it is God, the Creator of the Universe, the great
I Am, the Father of all humankind.
Thankfully, as Christians we understand some of the things of God. We
learn that we are not to kill or to steal or break any of the other
Commandments.
We are challenged to make decisions that determine the paths of our
lives.
We are admonished “to show ourselves approved unto God.” We are then
transformed by our God given hunger and thirst to move from knowing about God
to knowing God. It is through a self-disciplined regimen of Bible reading and
study that we learn what is the “good and perfect will of God” in our lives.
The Bible shows us that as Jesus began his preaching ministry, He found
it called the disciples away from their occupations. He encouraged them as He encourages us to “But seek first his kingdom and his
righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew
6:33)
In other words we are challenged to understand that Jesus points us away
from the mundane and teaches us to focus on his spiritual riches that give us a
new, more abundant life.
Jesus came to present to us a new perspective, to point us in a new
direction, and teach us a new language. When we learn the language, we can then
hear and understand God’s voice. It is at that point we are better able to
refocus our priorities, redirect our attention, realign our perspective and put
everything in God’s order of priorities.
We are no longer unsure who it is that we hear knocking for we know “the
great Shepherd” and we recognize His voice. We open the door, allow Him to come
in. We sup with him, and he with us.
The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown
AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina
13. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON
BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 3, 2014 - COMFORT IN TIMES OF TROUBLE - 2 CORINTHIANS
1:3-11:
Bill Dickens, Allen AME Church, Tacoma, Washington
Where do you go to find comfort in difficult times? Spouse?
Parents? Counsellor? Pastor?
When we're hurting, sick, scared, or sad, we turn to
our comfort areas.
Sometimes that means putting on a favorite movie, visiting a
special place, or donning a well-loved piece of clothing. Sometimes it
means going for a jog or a walk, or saying a prayer. And sometimes,
comfort is as simple as a big bowl of ice cream.
We look to comfort as a tool to help us cope with the unknown or
during the plethora of disappointments that come our way.
The AME Adult Church School Lesson for August 3, 2014 tackles
the issue of where do we go to find comfort in tough times.
Specifically, we examine how Paul looks to comfort to help him
cope and manage the tribulations he faced.
In this second epistle to the church at Corinth, he admonishes the
followers of Christ to remain focused on their faith and belief that Jesus is
the anchor to guide our lives. Paul
speaks from experience. His difficulties
have ranged from false accusations, imprisonment and a litany of death threats
against him for preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Despite these setbacks, Paul remains
confident that the comfort he has in Christ will enable him to persevere.
Trials and tribulations are not new to Christians and in
particular to Christians who are descendants of the African Diaspora. African
Americans have endured being snatched form their homelands, slavery, family
disruption, Jim Crow, racism, and more; yet through it all, we find comfort in
knowing that the holy Comforter of Jesus sustains us.
It is easy to "wave the white flag" and quit during
difficulties. We can’t legislate
difficulties or send up inappropriate “timber” to God asking for difficulties
to be erased. Since difficulties are
here, it is our responsibility to know how to respond in appropriate ways.
Looking for comfort in the form of alcohol, illicit drugs or
unholy sexual alliances may create a short-term fix, but they are not longterm
solutions and should be avoided at all cost.
The only comfort that has passed the historical test and
sustains us today is the Holy Comforter.
It is the Holy Comforter and not “Southern Comfort” that provide
"the source" of help that helps us to confront and overcome
uncomfortable encounters.
*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
14. GETTING TO ZERO: UPDATE
ON EBOLA VIRUS 2014:
*Dr. Oveta Fuller
The update attempts to provide balance between informing to
encourage wise and cautious action while also not promoting fear. The Ebola
virus in the 2014 outbreak in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia is not yet under
control and may not managed until “near the end of the year.”
Take home message
Ebola is a deadly virus that is not yet controlled in the
current outbreak. Religious and community leaders- clergy, presiding elders,
ministers, church officers, ministerial alliance members, mission workers,
youth group leaders, community health workers and trusted community elders are
KEY resources in taking the message through communities of how to control exposure
to Ebola virus and what to look for as early signs of infection.
Update
Some 1,200 cases and over 670 deaths due to Ebola hemorrhagic
disease have been reported. This includes Ebola virus cases and deaths
confirmed by laboratory tests and those suspected from symptoms and known
exposure, but no confirming tests have been performed.
Besides the persons in these numbers, this week, a Liberian
finance ministry consultant who traveled by plane through Ghana to Nigeria died
in Nigeria of Ebola disease.
A medical officer in Sierra Leone who had cared for over 100
patients died from Ebola infection. A Liberian physician also died from Ebola
virus. Many of the cases are among
health care providers or those who work with bodies of the deceased.
Two Americans among those working to provide care in West Africa
– a physician resident from Texas and a missionary from North Carolina, have
been diagnosed and are hospitalized.
Liberia has restricted travel across its borders, limited public
gatherings and increased surveillance at entry and exit points including at its
airport. Hong Kong has sanctions on travel to and from West African countries.
Great Britain has responded to the current uncontrolled status by increasing
committed spending by $2.5 million toward control of the West African epidemic.
Some good news is that the number of new reported cases in
Guinea, where the outbreak started, seems to have declined. This means that the
known strategy to control Ebola virus spread through early recognition of symptoms
and early isolation and care of those infected is beginning to work in Guinea.
What You Need to Know
Ebola virus is spread by close contact with body fluids and
tissue from those infected or those who have died. Fluids can come from external
bleeding, diarrhea, vomiting, and sweating and saliva flow.
First symptoms of Ebola disease are: fever, headache, joint and
muscle aches, stomach pain, weakness.
These progress to diarrhea, vomiting and internal and external bleeding.
Body fluids abound and are easy to contact if protective measures are not
taken.
Other early indications of Ebola virus infection are rash,
hic-cups, chest pain, red eyes or difficulty in breathing.
Direct contact with any of these bodily fluids or with objects that
have these fluids (fomites) must be avoided to prevent new infection.
Disease symptoms of Ebola virus infection can appear from 2-21
days after exposure. Typically they occur in 7-8 days from initial contact with
a source of virus. In the West Africa epidemic spread comes mostly during
contact in care with fluids of those who are sick (before or after it illness
is known) or in burying of those who have died.
Death occurs from loss of fluids, including loss of blood from
capillaries, and shock.
What to do
If in the region or coming from there, be alert, avoid exposure
conditions and know the early symptoms.
Treatment includes isolation for supportive care of symptoms,
especially hydration to replace lost fluids and supplementing oxygen. Proper
disinfection of linens, clothing, surfaces and items in contact with Ebola
patients and bodies of those who have died is absolutely required.
There is no approved vaccine or medication for Ebola virus. With
isolation and care as supportive treatment, some people survive Ebola disease.
In this outbreak, the fatality rate is about 65%.
A person who has early symptoms should immediately be taken to a
care center if possible. At minimum, contact with others should be avoided and
those providing care should use protective measures to not directly contact
fluids or tissues.
In the healthcare infrastructure of urban and rural areas of
West African countries, these precautions can be difficult to communicate. They
can be difficult to implement in communities where the nature of people through
the culture is to care for those who are ill and to give proper burial to those
who die.
CDC Response
A CDC Alert Level 2 is in place- travelers and people in the
area are to “Proactive Enhanced Precautions.” This means to take reasonable
actions to avoid risk such as avoiding visits with the sick and not attending
funerals. The CDC Alert Level 3 - “Avoid
Non-essential Travel” is not yet the recommendation.
For protection against spread beyond West Africa a recent CDC briefing
states, “U.S. doctors are advised to check patients' travel histories to
identify those who might have recently traveled to West Africa.” The CDC also
urged physicians to learn the symptoms of Ebola, which include fever and
diarrhea, and the immediate treatment necessary if they suspect it. The agency
warned travelers going to West Africa to avoid contact with bodily fluids or
blood of anyone in the affected areas.’”
The Washington Post, July 29, 2014
It is important that the AME Church and its contacts communicate
correct understanding of the need for vigilance, caution and knowing what to
do.
Clergy- presiding elders, ministers, church officers,
ministerial alliances, mission workers and youth group leaders are KEY
resources in taking the message through communities of how to control exposure
to Ebola virus and what to look for as early signs of infection.
A useful link on barrier protection and isolation is:
Barrier nursing
techniques include:
- Wear protective clothing (such as masks, gloves, gowns, and
goggles)
- Use infection-control measures (such as complete equipment
sterilization and routine use of disinfectant)
- Isolate of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (HF) patients from contact
with unprotected persons.
Avoid contact with the blood or secretions of an infected
patient. If a patient with Ebola HF dies, it is equally important that direct
contact with the body of the deceased patient be prevented.
Do not attend funerals or contact with bodies of persons or
animals that have died.
Infection Control for Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers in the African
Health Care Setting: http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/abroad/healthcare-workers.html is entitled.
*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.”
15. SIERRA LEONE
TASK FORCE TARGETS EBOLA - UMC SCALES DOWN ACTIVITIES:
By Phileas Jusu
July 28, 2014 |
Freetown, Sierra Leone (UMNS)
Sierra Leone's two main faith groups — Christians and Muslims — have
formed an alliance to join the fight against Ebola amid increasing infection
and death rates from the epidemic in the country.
The Religious Leaders Task Force on Ebola, chaired by United Methodist
Bishop John K. Yambasu, was launched July 11 in Freetown and the group’s first
regional training took place July 16 in Bo. A solidarity visit to Kailahun, the
district that has suffered the most from the outbreak since May, is planned.
The United Methodist Health Center in Manjama, near Bo City, was
quarantined July 4 following the deaths of two Ebola-infected children who were
found at the center.
Church life also has changed in recent months. United Methodists scaled
down their activities countrywide, including the cancellation of two main
annual events — pastors' retreat and children's camp.
Latest figures from Sierra Leone’s health ministry, [whose numbers are] often
referred to as “conservative,” show more than 100 deaths among a population of
six million, with most occurring in the eastern Kenema and Kailahun districts
through which the epidemic entered the country from neighbouring Guinea.
Bo District Medical Officer Dr. Alhaji Turay said the authority of
religious leaders is an important factor in convincing people to take the
epidemic seriously.
"We, at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, have made a lot of
headway ... but we still have lots of challenges and that is why we have now
turned to the religious leaders to put their blessing in our effort to control
this Ebola outbreak. The information we are passing on to people is not
enough," he told participants during the opening session of the July 16
training.
The training of religious leaders and health workers in the southeast
region of the country also will be replicated in the north and the Western
Area. Pastors and imams are expected to take the knowledge from the training
back to their respective congregations and must preach about Ebola during every
prayer session.
Starting Ebola
awareness campaign
"We at the United Methodist Church want to join the fight against
Ebola but have discovered that we cannot do it alone considering the rapid way
the disease is eating into the fabric of our society," Yambasu said.
In the coming weeks and months, the task force will:
Embark on an aggressive awareness raising campaign throughout Sierra
Leone, using radio and TV discussion programs, announcements, songs and jingles
in all major radio stations;
Disseminate recorded CD messages on Ebola prevention to all district
headquarters and major towns and villages;
Engage volunteers who would use vehicles mounted with PA systems to send
out messages on Ebola symptoms, prevention measures and what to do when
infected;
Work with paramount chiefs and other community leaders to propagate Ebola
prevention message throughout their chiefdoms;
Publish huge banners carrying messages of Ebola prevention in public
places in all the cities;
Organize district networks on Ebola awareness and prevention using member
institutions and volunteers;
Train religious leaders and health workers of faith-based health
facilities and hospitals and provide them with equipment;
Work with government and other nongovernmental organizations to intensify
training of health staff on Ebola and provide adequate protective gears for
vulnerable health workers throughout the country.
The United Methodist Committee on Relief has provided funding for the
initial trainings and materials, but the task force will need additional
funding in the coming months to actualize its goals, the bishop said.
United front
against Ebola
At the Bo training, Yambasu appealed to all to stop spreading rumors
about Ebola, especially those linking the epidemic to politics, which he
believes might just derail the nation's combined effort in fighting the deadly
disease.
"Ebola does not discriminate between Muslims and Christians. It does
not discriminate between political parties,” he declared. “When it strikes, it
kills anybody of any faith or political group. Now is the time that we must
stand firm together as a nation to fight the Ebola scourge if we must survive
as a nation."
Religious leaders played a significant role in bringing the country's
civil strife to an end and also were pivotal in the reconciliation process,
Yambasu noted, and he believes they can do more now in the face of a common
enemy called Ebola.
"We have realized that health workers are working under very
difficult and challenging conditions,” he said. "The purpose of our
intervention is to bring an end to that.
If our health workers continue to die, we all are at risk of
dying."
As the death toll mounts, news emerged last week from eastern Sierra
Leone that four nurses have died of Ebola at the Kenema Government Hospital
where the Ebola isolation ward is located and that more health workers were
being treated for Ebola.
Dr. Sheik Umar Khan, the 39-year-old virologist who has been at the
forefront of the Ebola fight at the Kenema Ebola Isolation Center has himself
caught the virus and is now being treated in Kailahun by Medecins Sans
Frontieres personnel. Health Minister
Miatta Kargbo is quoted as calling Dr. Khan a 'national hero' and pledged to do
everything in her power to save his life.
In Liberia, a doctor who treated Ebola patients has died from the disease
and an American doctor and a missionary working in Monrovia have been infected.
Liberia’s president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a United Methodist, has ordered
the closing of border crossings and is restricting public gatherings and
invoking quarantines to try to stop the epidemic, it was reported July 28.
Fear and panic
Barbara Jurge, field coordinator for Medecins Sans Frontieres, told those
at the Bo training that the most painful agony people are now going through is
that of fear.
People fear health workers might inject them and health workers fear
patients whom they suspect of carrying the Ebola virus, she explained. As a
result, the hospital beds are virtually empty because the sick are afraid to go
to hospitals for fear of being called Ebola-infected or fear of catching the
Ebola virus while in the hospital environment.
"We are receiving 40 percent less patients hospitalized in our
hospital and 75 percent less of children now being brought to the
hospitals," she said.
It is rainy season in Sierra Leone —normally the peak period of malaria
infection in the country. But because of the fear of Ebola, Jurge said, parents
are keeping their malaria-sick children at home, which is an even bigger fear.
Alhaji Mustapha Koker, Chief Imam, Bo District, warned against
complacency, insisting instead that everybody must put their strength in
preventive measures.
Part of the problem, noted Sheik Ibrahim K. Tsombie from Kenema, said was
that government health officials, in their attempt to respond to the outbreak,
sent out conflicting and often counterproductive information at the initial
stages of the outbreak.
Such misinformation, he said, created fear and an atmosphere of
hopelessness and denial. "Why would you want me to come to the health
facility for when I have been told there is no cure?" he asked.
The task force is also paying a solidarity visit to Kailahun, the
district that has suffered the most from the outbreak since May.
*Jusu is a communicator for The United Methodist Church in Sierra Leone.
Read More:
**Used with permission of the United Methodist News Service
16. SIERRA LEONE DECLARES
STATE OF EMERGENCY IN EBOLA CRISIS:
- Article in today’s
issue of The Washington Post
By Fred Barbash July 31 at 7:46 a.m.
Sierra Leone, hard hit by the worst-ever Ebola outbreak, has
declared a state of emergency and is mobilizing police and the military to
quarantine the epicenters of the disease.
President Ernest Bai Koroma said in a statement last night that the
crisis, which has been blamed for 672 deaths in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra
Leone, is an “extraordinary” challenge that requires “extraordinary measures.”
Among the steps announced:
Sealing off towns and homes where the disease is identified
until they are cleared by medical teams.
Restricting public meetings and gatherings.
“Active surveillance and house-to-house searches” designed to
trace Ebola victims and people who might have been exposed.
New protocols for screening both arriving and departing
passengers at the country’s main airport.
Police and troops will be used to make sure that people
cooperate with the medical teams. All three of the countries have reportedly
had a problem with villagers resisting or rejecting medical attention, in some cases
because they fear that their presence is a cause of the disease.
Koroma said he would cancel a planned visit to Washington this
week for a U.S.-Africa summit.
His announcement, in a speech to the nation, followed a similar
declaration by the president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. In a speech Sunday, she announced the closure
of all but three of the country’s land border crossings, closed schools,
restricted public gatherings and quarantined communities heavily affected by
the Ebola outbreak in the West African nation.
The countries hardest hit are ill-equipped to battle the
outbreak, with limited medical facilities that have become even more depleted
as medical personnel have themselves contracted the disease.
On Wednesday, Reuters reported, Liberian health officials said
an isolation unit for Ebola victims in Liberia’s capital, Monrovia, was overrun
with cases and health workers were being forced to treat up to 20 new patients
in their homes.
“The staff here is overwhelmed,” Tolbert Nyenswah, an assistant
minister of health, told Reuters. “This is a humanitarian crisis in Liberia.”
The U.S. Peace Corps said on Wednesday it was temporarily
withdrawing 340 volunteers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea and that two
of its volunteers had been isolated and were under observation after coming in
contact with a person who later died of the Ebola virus.
17. WHY DEADLY EBOLA
VIRUS IS LIKELY TO HIT THE U.S. BUT NOT SPREAD:
-- The fatal virus rages in Africa, but the U.S. could contain
its brutal effects.
Karen Weintraub, for National Geographic
The answer is yes, it probably will. But it's not worth losing
sleep over, experts say. (See "Q&A: Ebola Spreads in Africa—and Likely
Will Spread Beyond.")
The virus is one of the deadliest ever seen, killing up to 90
percent of its victims. And the death isn't pretty. About half of patients
exhibit the gruesome bleeding symptoms typical of any hemorrhagic fever—seared
into the American consciousness by the 1995 movie Outbreak. But it can also
resemble other tropical diseases, like dengue with its high fever, so Ebola is
sometimes missed in its early stages.
That may be why a feverish man was able to board a plane last
week from Liberia to the Nigerian city of Lagos, Africa's most populous city.
He fell ill on the flight and was taken directly to a hospital, where he was
isolated and later died.
Ebola outbreaks grow
The deadly Ebola virus has been devastating parts of Africa
since the first outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1976. In
the latest outbreak, the World Health Organization has reported 1,201 cases and
672 deaths since March of this year, in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. Last
Friday, a Liberian man died after his plane landed in Lagos, Nigeria, one of
the world's largest cities.
The same thing is likely to happen again, with a passenger
ending up in Europe or the United States, said Stephan Monroe, deputy director
of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for
Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, at a Monday news conference.
Air Passengers Monitored
Several West African nations are planning to set up monitoring at
airports to try to identify people with fevers before they board planes. It
makes more sense to put checkpoints in West African countries than to scan
incoming passengers in the U.S., said Martin Cetron, the CDC's director for
Global Migration and Quarantine.
There are few direct flights from West Africa to the U.S., so
most feverish passengers entering American airports will have something far
more routine and less risky than Ebola.
Ebola is contagious only when symptomatic, so someone
unknowingly harboring the virus would not pass it on, Monroe said.
Even passengers showing symptoms are unlikely to pass the
disease on to fellow travelers, he said.
Blood and stool carry the most viruses—which are why those at
highest risk for Ebola infection are family members who care for sick loved
ones and health care workers who treat patients or accidentally stick
themselves with infected needles.
Theoretically, there could be enough virus in sweat or saliva to
pass on the virus through, say, an airplane armrest or a nearby sneeze, said
Stephen Morse, an epidemiologist and virologist at the Mailman School of Public
Health at Columbia University in New York. But droplets would still need a way
to get through the skin.
Health authorities are tracking the passengers and crew who flew
from Liberia to Lagos, Monroe said, to ensure that they didn't catch Ebola from
the sick man.
Airplane Risk Uncertain
The fact that experts are still unsure about the risks of
airplane travel shows how unusual the current outbreak is. In the past,
outbreaks have been focused in small rural villages, mostly in central Africa.
Rural hunters generally bring the virus to their villages via infected monkeys
killed for meat. But such villages are remote and can be easily quarantined,
allowing the virus to burn itself out.
The current outbreak seems to have started in rural Guinea, but
it was able to spread for some time before being reported to the World Health
Organization.
These Guinean villages hadn't seen the virus before, Morse said.
A lack of familiarity with the disease, coupled with porous borders and burial
rituals that exposed family members to the bodily fluids of the dead, led to
much greater spread, he said.
"In places where they've seen Ebola outbreaks, both the
local people and health authorities have some idea of what precautions to
take," Morse said.
Lack of training and experience is compounded by the lack of
basic infection-control equipment such as gloves. Using protective gear safely
requires training and practice for health care workers, "especially how to
take it off without accidentally contaminating equipment and themselves,"
Morse said. "It's partly a training matter and partly an equipment
issue."
Bringing the outbreak under control in West Africa, Morse said,
will require more equipment, better training in health care settings, and more
outreach to rural healers and leaders to teach them how to reduce transmission.
More help from the outside world is essential, Morse said, adding
that one of his colleagues in Sierra Leone is now treating patients "12 to
24 hours a day," according to an email he received Monday.
Because it's exhausting to keep up with all the necessary safety
precautions, attention to detail can slip after such long hours of patient
care, he said. Perhaps that's why 43 health care workers in Liberia, including
two well-trained Americans, have come down with Ebola. The Americans are in
stable condition, but are still symptomatic.
One of the Americans, a doctor, sent his family members home to
the U.S. before becoming symptomatic with Ebola, Monroe said. His wife and
children are on a fever watch for 21 days "out of an abundance of
caution," to ensure that they don't come down with the virus, though
Monroe said they are thought to be safe. Both the doctor and another American
health care worker are still being treated.
Illness among health care workers has generated panic in the
Liberian capital of Monrovia, where some hospitals have turned away accident
victims because they are so fearful of anyone who is bleeding, said John Ly,
medical director of Last Mile Health, a non-governmental agency that has been
providing training, supplies, and other support in Liberia.
Raj Panjabi, Last Mile co-founder and CEO, said it is very clear
that the epidemic can be brought under control in West Africa by rapidly
identifying sick people, treating them, and preventing the disease from being
spread.
But all that takes money, of course, and area governments and
nonprofits don't have enough resources to tackle the problem on their own,
Panjabi said.
Ebola in the U.S.?
So, could the Ebola virus come to the United States? Definitely.
Would it spread widely? Unlikely.
"We do not anticipate this will spread in the U.S. if an
infected person is hospitalized here," CDC Director Tom Frieden said in a
statement Tuesday. "We are taking action now by alerting health care
workers in the U.S. and reminding them how to isolate and test suspected
patients while following strict infection-control procedures."
American hospitals are adequately supplied with
infection-control equipment like gloves, gowns, and masks that will prevent the
spread of the disease. American medical care workers—educated by the AIDS
epidemic—know how to keep themselves safe while treating sick patients. And the
American system of reporting illness would identify a sick patient very
quickly, allowing the disease to be contained and controlled.
But it's still in America's interest to control the disease in
West Africa, Panjabi said.
"If we respond well to this, we could both impact the
epidemic—control it, stop it—but also do it in a way that strengthens the
long-term primary care system," he said, which "could protect against
future [epidemics].
18. MEDITATION BASED ON
PSALM 139:1-18:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
I’m writing this meditation during a week when I’m preaching a
rare - for me these days - multi-night “revival” for an old friend and colleague
who pastors Wesley United Methodist Church in York, South Carolina - a few
miles from Charlotte, North Carolina.
The week has been a marvelous reminder of the blessing of diversity. The Spirit has been wonderful, the worship
has been powerful, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the music. The spirituals sung and the rhythms of those
who clapped and danced to them are different from those in our state’s
Lowcountry - around Charleston - and Midlands - around Columbia.
The slightly different cultural heritage of each geographical
region of South Carolina’s African-American faith community shaped our songs
and rhythms of worship. Some of the
lyrics, tunes and rhythms I’ve heard this week are unfamiliar in one way, but
familiar in another. Like all good spiritual
music, what I’ve heard this week is heartfelt, moving and effective in praising
God. I don’t know all of the words or
tunes, but I recognize, feel and celebrate their spirit and their praise for
the Lord.
I share my worship experience with you in these times, when many
people engage in irrational and fear driven intolerance, insist that there’s
only one “right” way of doing things and reject anything or anyone who’s not
“just like them.” Too many good people
live angry and stressful lives, worrying about their possible inadequacies and
about the potential for others to “overtake” them and achieve.
When we take the time, however, to truly consider and celebrate
God’s power, we can open our minds to new possibilities. We can praise God for our unique gifts and
graces and be God’s instruments to encourage and inspire others to be
messengers of hope, healing and recovery - even for those who are “not like
us.”
Take the time each day - in a world often torn by strife and
division - to thank the Lord for what AME Bishop Frederick C. James once called
“the diversity of our unity and the unity of our diversity,” and to celebrate
what God has blessed you to be able to do.
You’ll find new peace of mind, renewed inspiration to reach out to
others - even those who don’t look, act or think as you do - and renewed faith
in the God who inspired those who endured the restrictive and divisive chains
of American slavery to sing, “He’s got the whole, wide world in his hands.”
This Meditation is also available on the Beaufort District’s
Website: www.beaufortdistrict.org
On Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BeaufortDistrictAMEC
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
19. GENERAL OFFICER BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Service Arrangements for retired General Officer, Doctor
Anderson Todd, Jr.
The passing of Rev. Dr. Anderson Todd, Jr., retired AMEC General
Officer
Please be informed that the Rev. Dr. Anderson Todd, Jr., retired
General Officer and former Director of the AMEC Department of Employee Security
(former Department of Pensions) passed away this morning (7/26/14) after a
brief illness.
The Homegoing worship service for the Reverend Doctor Anderson
Todd, Jr., retired General Officer and former Director of the AME Church
Department of Employee Security (former Department of Pensions) will be held on
Saturday, August 2, 2014, 12:00 Noon at St. John AME Church in Montgomery,
Alabama. The body will lie in-state one (1) hour before the service.
Service location:
St. John AME Church
807 Madison Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Telephone: 334-265-4136
The Reverend James Arnell, Pastor
The Reverend Albert L. Hyche, Presiding Elder, Montgomery-Selma
District
Bishop James Levert Davis, Presiding Prelate, 9th Episcopal
District
Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Sr., retired, Eulogist
Final arrangements by:
Ross-Clayton Funeral Home, Inc.
1412 Adams Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36104
Telephone: 334-262-3889
Fax: 334-262-3898
Online guest book available:
Interment: American Heritage Cemetery, Montgomery, AL
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Verla L. Todd and Family
4340 Florence Street
Montgomery, AL 36109
Telephone: (334) 270-1409
Email:
20. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Please remember in your prayers the Rev. Tonna Gibert, associate
minister, Kairos Community AME Church in Nashville, Tennessee, and her
siblings, as they prepare to celebrate the life and legacy of their father, Mr.
James T. Gibert.
Mr. Gibert transitioned from labor to reward on Sunday morning,
July 26, 2014 in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 95 years old.
Funeral arrangements for the homegoing celebration for Mr. James
T. Gibert are as follows:
Public Viewing:
Thursday, July 31, 2014, 12 noon to 6 pm
Terrell Broady Funeral Home
3855 Clarksville Pike
Nashville, TN 37218
Telephone: (615)244.4755
Family Visitation:
Friday, August 1, 2014 at 10 am to 11 am
Kairos Community African Methodist Episcopal Church
413 Veritas Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37211
Telephone: (615)332.3320
Celebration of Life and Legacy
Friday, August 1, 2014 at 11 am
Kairos Community AME Church
413 Veritas Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37211
(615) 332.3320
The Reverend Tyronda H. Burgess, officiating
Apostle Patrice Gordon, eulogist
Interment:
Tuesday, August 5, 2014 in Evanston, Illinois.
Written expressions of sympathy and condolences can be shared
with the family:
The Rev. Tonna Gibert
3529 Calais Circle
Antioch, TN 37013
Email: tonnagibert@gmail.com
21. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
- Family of Connectional
Officer
We are saddened to acknowledge the passing of Sister Linda
Schultz, the sister of Sister Nellie Alexander, Connectional Corresponding
Secretary for the Ministers' Spouses, Widows and Widowers Organization
(CONN-M-SWAWO+PK's).
Arrangements are as follows:
Funeral - Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 11:00 AM
Bethlehem Christian Fellowship Ministry
2925 Paxton Road
Folkston, Georgia 31537
Telephone: (912) 496-7504
Services are entrusted to:
Fluker Funeral Home
985 Ossie Davis Parkway
Waycross, Georgia 31501
Telephone: (912) 283-6161
Condolences can be sent to:
Sister Nellie Alexander
Greater Payne African Methodist Episcopal Church
1230 Claudia Spencer Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32206
The Rev. Dr. Melvin Kennerly, Pastor
Personal contact:
Sister Nellie Alexander:
1758 East 26th Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32206
Telephone: (904) 354-6229
Email: nellie1758@comcast.net
22. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mr. Wesley Kellybrew passed away Thursday, July 24, 2014 after a
battle with cancer. He was the brother of the Rev. Michael Scroggins, pastor of
Mt. Pleasant AME Church in Monticello, Arkansas and the brother-in-law of
Sister Tyce Scroggins.
Arrangements:
Visitation
Wednesday, July 30, 2014
5:00 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Cornwell Chapel
207 Quay Street
Dardanelle, Arkansas 72834
Celebration of Life Services
Thursday, July 31, 2014 at 10 a.m.
Cornwell Chapel
207 Quay Street
Dardanelle, Arkansas 72834
Services Entrusted To:
Cornwell Funeral Home
207 Quay Street
Dardanelle, Arkansas 72834
Telephone: (479) 229-2524
Condolences may be sent to:
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Scroggins
8812 Merrymen Road
Sherwood, Arkansas 72120
Online Guest Book and Condolences at www.cornwellfuneralhomes.com
23. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/
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
24. CONDOLENCES TO THE
BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend
T. Larry Kirkland; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the
Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer
our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the
peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Did someone you know pass
this copy of The Christian Recorder to you? Get your own copy HERE: http://www.the-christian-recorder.org/
Click Here: Guidelines
for Submitting Articles to TCR
*You have received this
message because you are subscribed to
The Christian Recorder
Online
Forward to Friend
Copyright © 2014 The
Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email
because you are a current subscriber to The Christian Recorder
Our mailing address is:
The Christian Recorder
500 Eighth Avenue, South
Nashville, TN 37203-7508
Add us to your address
book
Unsubscribe from this
list Subscribe / Update subscription
preferences
