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
-- Christmastide,
Christmas Eve - January 5, 2015
-- Epiphany, January 6 -
Sundays after Lent through February 15, 2015
-- Lenten Season: Ash
Wednesday, February 18 - Saturday, April 4, 2015.
-- Easter Sunday: April 5,
2015
Happy
New Year!
1. TCR EDITORIAL – IT’S TIME FOR THOSE OF
US WHO ACCEPTED THE CHALLENGE OF READING THE BIBLE FROM COVER TO COVER TO GET
STARTED:
Dr.
Calvin H. Sydnor III
The
20th Editor of The Christian
Recorder
This is a modified
issue of The Christian Recorder Online.
I
am excited by the number of persons who shared that they plan to accept the
challenge of reading the Bible from cover to cover. I am excited because I believe the Bible is a
wonderful treasure for people to explore and the challenge of reading it from
cover to cover is an exhilarating and fulfilling experience!
Reading
the Bible from cover to cover is not an easy task. It takes discipline,
commitment and patience. If you accept the challenge, you must not allow
yourself to become discouraged because some of the passages are tedious. Some
biblical passages will be a “piece of cake” and other biblical passages will be
difficult. You must keep yourself encouraged.
If
you are planning to follow the 360 day reading plan, you should plan for about
10-11 minutes a day. If you plan to follow the 180 day reading plan, you should
plan to spend about 20 -22 minutes a day. If you plan to follow the 90 day
reading plan, you should plan to spend about 45 - 50 minutes a day. You will need to set aside and plan the time
needed for the reading plan you have chosen.
I
plan to follow the 90 day reading schedule and got started this morning
(12/31/14). Genesis, Chapter 5 was a
challenge.
I
suspect that some people get to Genesis, Chapter 5 and get discouraged, but
after Chapter 5, it is “smooth sailing” beginning with Noah and the follow-on
passages about the Patriarchs. The Bible gets exciting with the stories about
the Abraham and his descendants.
Leviticus
and Numbers can be slow reading, but Deuteronomy can be read at a fast
pace. I find that if I am engaged in
reading exciting passages and it’s moving quickly for me, I keep reading beyond
the daily reading schedule.
Joshua,
Judges and Ruth are straightforward books and should not be difficult.
You
will need to “keep plowing on” when you get to I and II Samuel and I and II
Kings and when you get beyond them, the hard part is behind you.
I
and II Samuel are interesting accounts of Saul and David and both books are
pretty straightforward. The accounts of
David, especially his relationship with Saul are exciting.
A
note about I and II Kings - When you get to this point, you should keep in mind
that a major event is the division of the tribes of Israel.
Ten
of the Israelite tribes separated from Solomon's son Rehoboam and chose
Jeroboam from the tribe of Ephraim, as their King and the northern region began
to be called Israel and Samaria became its capital.
Two
tribes in the south, Judah and Benjamin, formed the Southern Kingdom called
Judah with the city of Jerusalem as its capital. You will also see that Israel,
because of the people's disobedience, was conquered by Assyria and the kingdom
was decimated. Some of the prophets
tried to warn Judah that they would suffer the same fate as Israel. Assyria
tried to conquer Judah, but failed.
Judah was eventually conquered by Babylon.
The
books of I and II Chronicles are what I call the “good news” passages of the
books of Samuel and Kings, because it seems that much of the “bad stuff” has
been edited out in the restatement passages in Chronicles.
The
books of poetry: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon go
fast and you can get ahead; or caught up if you have fallen behind.
You
will need to “keep plowing on” when you get to Isaiah and Jeremiah.
When
you get to the books of prophecy, it would be good to have some understanding
of the pre-Exilic, Exilic and post –Exilic eras and the passages related to
each period. You should have been reading the introduction to each biblical
book from the beginning, but it is extremely important to understand which
period and audience the prophets are addressing if you are going to clearly
understand the books of prophecy.
For
instance, it’s helpful to know that Isaiah is addressing pre-Exilic Israelites
in Chapters 1 – 39 and in Chapters 40 – 55 the writer is addressing the weary
exiles and reminding them that God had not forgotten them. Isaiah 56- 66 is
directed to the Jews who had returned from the Babylonia exile.
Ezekiel
is difficult and in antiquity, the rabbis forbade people from reading Ezekiel
because of its difficulty. And in like manner the Song of Solomon was forbidden
because the rabbis thought the book to be too risqué.
When
you get to the Minor Prophets, you will have the Old Testament almost behind
you. You can read a couple of the
shorter books in one sitting.
When
you get to Matthew and the other Gospels, it’s “all over but the
shouting.”
Acts
is a “piece of cake” as are the Pauline epistles. The New Testament is easy
reading compared to the Old Testament. Some of the epistles can be read together
and the chapters in the book of Hebrews are short. Hebrews can be read in one
sitting.
And
finally, Revelation is difficult, but after struggling through the Old
Testament, particularly Ezekiel; Revelation is a “hiccup” and can be read in
one or two sittings, but it is a difficult book.
A couple of tips
I
strongly recommend that you mark off your Bibles ahead of time with “Day 1, Day
2, Day 3, etc.
You
might want to consider listening to some of the tough passages on an audio
Bible. An audio Bible can help those who have busy schedules to keep up.
I
found a great website for each reading schedule, which can be adjusted to a
slower or faster pace.
Let
all of us complete this challenge to the “Glory of God!”
Reminder
Christmas
is not over for those of us who celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Yes, the hoopla of Christmas shopping is
over, but that’s not what we celebrate. The Birth of Jesus deserves more than a
one-day celebration and a sigh of relief that the stress of shopping is behind
us.
Christmas
day is the beginning of the 12 days of Christmas, which goes to Epiphany –
January 6. And, yes Christmas carols are appropriate to sing this Sunday.
Watch
Night Service did not begin in 1862; it began long before President Lincoln’s
Emancipation Proclamation order that was to take place on January 1, 1863. Also remember that the emancipation was just for
the slaves in the Southern States that were in rebellion. If did not affect the
slaves in the States that were not in rebellion.
2. TCR OP-ED - THE AME CHURCH AND CUBA:
WHAT NEXT:
*John
Thomas III
“Today,
America chooses to cut lose the shackles of the past so as to reach for a
better future—for the Cuban people, for the American people, for our entire
hemisphere and for the world.” With
these words in December 2014, United States President Barak Obama heralded a
seismic shift in relations between the United States and Cuba. From its independence in 1903 until the 1959
Cuban Revolution, Cuba and the United States were linked by strong
socioeconomic ties. When the ties were
cut, numerous American businesses found their Cuban businesses nationalized and
all institutions with links to the United States found themselves abruptly cut
off without any form of communication.
One such institution was the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Before
the 2012 General Conference, I helped Bishop Sarah Davis review legislation to
adjust the 16th District’s boundaries.
When I asked about the “Cuba Annual Conference”, she responded that it
was the denomination’s stance that the Conference still existed but was
inactive and should not be deleted from the Discipline. Intrigued, I wondered about our history in
Cuba. Reports of our work in Cuba are
present in Bishop Richard Wright in his History of the Sixteenth Episcopal
District as well as Secretary of Missions L.L. Berry’s A Century of
Missions. Furthermore, minutes of the
General Conference from 1940 until 1960 show delegates from the Cuban Annual
Conference answering the roll call.
The
most comprehensive treatment of our history in Cuba is from sociologist
Jualynne Dodson. Her well-researched essay “Encounters in the African Atlantic
World: The African Methodist Episcopal Church in Cuba” appears in the 1998 book
Between Race and Empire: African-American
and Cuban Relations Before the Cuban Revolution. Dodson not only gives a comprehensive account
based on primary sources but also interviewed the descendants of AME
members.
She
shows several points:
-
The AME Church in Cuba was not involved in/recognized with majority white
denominations when they began proselytizing Cuba after the American invasion of
1898.
-
The AME Church had a unique appeal to the Afro-Cuban middle class that was
concerned with the racial inequality manifest in the country
-
The AME Church did not take into account or engage with native Afro-Cuban
religions or cultural contexts.
-
The absence of an organized missionary strategy with adequate funding hampered
expansion throughout the island.
While
Dodson views the last point above all as contributing to the demise of the AME
Church presence on Cuba, it is important to note that the Cuba Annual
Conference did actively participate in the life of the Connectional Church
until the Cuban Revolution and cessation of diplomatic ties with the United
States
Now
over fifty years later, what will the role of the AME Church be in Cuba?
The
Council of Bishops recent statement clearly acknowledges a desire to return to
Cuba: “This stride in diplomacy will
allow a reconnection of historic roots and enhance spiritual and humanitarian
interaction…Let us also pray for Bishop John White and the AME’s who work in
the region for the resources to support ministry in this new era.”
Within
the last decade, I personally have witnessed attempts by the leadership of the
Church to determine the status of the physical AME Church properties in Cuba as
well as make contact with the descendants of the AMEs there. Additionally, Senior Bishop John Bryant has
also preached an open air revival and commented on his return to the U.S. about
the fertile ground in the island for evangelism.
If
the denomination truly wishes to engage in Cuba, we would do wise to pay
attention to Dodson’s observations of our work on the island. Among the questions we must ask ourselves:
-
Do we have the adequate resources to commit to church planting?
-
Do we understand the Cuban culture?
-
How do we deal with issues of race and religion in Cuba?
-
How will we interact with other denominations in existence on the island?
According
to the World Council of Churches, there are 33,000 members of the Methodist Church
in Cuba. This church has an emerging
relationship with the United Methodist Church (indeed UMC-affiliated HBCU
Bethune-Cookman University sponsored an exchange with Cuban Methodists in
2014).
The
Cuban Methodist Church is multi-racial, yet most of the hierarchy is
lighter-skinned or White.
While
we should not be ashamed of the unabashed declaration of our African heritage,
race relations in Latin America have proven problematic to our expansion
outside of a certain niche.
Additionally,
the type of Protestantism practiced in Cuba—as in most of Latin America—is
heavily influenced by charismatic Pentecostal theology and practice. Our experience in the Dominican Republic
should give a cautionary tale about the preparedness of African Methodism to
evangelize in Latin America today.
In
spite of these issues, there is an appeal for a church that goes beyond
holiness doctrine and is rooted in social justice and liberation theology. Additionally, the racial climate in Cuba is
such that the issues of racism that resonated when the AME Church came to Cuba
are still there today (Mark Sawyer’s Racial Politics in Post-Revolutionary Cuba
is a good read on the subject).
Whatever
actions we take to reengage Cuba, must be thoughtful, deliberate and intentional.
*John
Thomas III is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Political Science at the
University of Chicago as well as a member of the AME Church General Board.
3. CHRISTMASTIDE
2014 – COUNCIL OF BISHOPS’ GREETINGS TO THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
Council of Bishops
African Methodist
Episcopal Church
Christmastide
2014
Greetings to the
African Methodist Episcopal Church:
The
Council of Bishops extends Christmas and New Years greetings to the members and
friends of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We prepared for the Light in Advent and now
celebrate the gift of the Light. In
Epiphany, and beyond, we look to show we have received the Light with a new,
stronger walk of faith. Otherwise, our
Christmas praise is in vein.
We
appreciate the faithful witness which you have displayed through ministry in
your local communities and abroad. We
are thankful for the loyal and respectful support given to both clergy and lay
leaders. We are grateful for the
sacrifices made to sustain the ministry of the denomination on both the
connectional and the episcopal district levels. Thank you for your faithful
response to the call of the gospel and the work of African Methodism.
The
Bishops beckon continued diligence in the struggle for justice. Racism is just one of the demons we
challenge. Our legacy presses for
justice beyond race, class or gender.
Our goal is to follow Jesus and be an advocate for all justice and
truth. It is why we deplore the
assassination of law enforcement officers even as we decry the arrogant abuse
of power by those who hold the public trust.
It is also the reason for us to take up the mantle to defend the poor
and oppressed in other critical issues.
The
Bishops encourage a greater witness of the love of God as we invite and nurture
disciples. We must minimize our church
politics as we maximize the sweet walk of love to which we have been called in
Christ Jesus. We must allow the light of
Christ to shine through ministry, teaching and the attitude of our lives in
Christ.
The
Bishops pray for your blessings. We pray
for continued achievements in various arenas.
We pray for the increasing love of God, family and church. We pray for those who allow compassion for
humanity to be reflected in their kind generosity. We pray for the healing of disease affected
bodies, broken hearts, troubled minds, lonely pilgrims and wounded
spirits. We pray for understanding in
homes and a holy commitment to the young, old and infirm. We pray for comfort for those who mourn.
We
ask God for peace and justice in every land, and we seek strength as we act as
instruments of peace and advocates for justice.
We pray for food, shelter and fulfilling employment. We pray for help and hope for those in
need.
We
pray for the African Methodist Episcopal Church and all those who follow Jesus
in ways inspired by Richard and Sarah Allen.
We pray for effective ministry in every corner of the church. We pray
for people of faith everywhere. We ask
God for wisdom and a holy temperament as we lead the people of God. May God
grant us courage for the facing of this time.
With
Christmas Joy and the Light of Discipleship,
Jeffrey
N. Leath
128th
Bishop, President, the Council of Bishops
4. AME BISHOP AND
MRS. FREDERICK C. JAMES CELEBRATE 70 YEARS OF MARRIAGE:
Congratulations
to Bishop Frederick Calhoun James and Dr. Teressa Rebecca Gregg James who
celebrated their 70th Wedding Anniversary on December 30, 2014.
They
were united in marriage by the Rev. Dr. Charles Leander Hill on December 30,
1944 in the parsonage of Bethel AME Church in Columbia, South Carolina. Dr. Charles Leander Hill later became
President of Wilberforce University. Bishop and Mrs. James renewed their vows
at their home yesterday, December 30, 2014.
Bishop
James graciously shared his age – He is 92 years old.
5. NEWS FROM AROUND
THE AME CHURCH:
-- From the Rev
Uklyn Hendricks - AME the Honorable Kenneth Mapp will be sworn-in as the
Governor of the Virgin Islands
I
am delighted to share the following information.
The
Governor-elect of the U.S. Virgin Islands is Brother Kenneth Mapp, a member of
Bethel AME Church, Christiansted, St Croix. Brother Mapp is a life-long AME and
served on the senior board of stewards.
He
will be sworn in as the Governor of the Virgin Islands on Monday January 5,
2015 on the Island of St. Thomas.
On
Sunday, January 4, the Rev. Uklyn Hendricks, his pastor will bless him at a
pre-inaugural ecumenical service on St Thomas. On Tuesday January 6, Bishop
John Franklin White, Presiding Prelate of the 16th Episcopal
District will preach at the post-inaugural worship service sermon on St Croix;
the Rev Uklyn Hendricks will be the worship leader and retired Bishop Frederick
H. Talbot will give the blessing.
-- Bishop Cornal Garnett Henning AME Bishop 112, Retired
As we come to the end of 2014, I cannot help looking back on the
incredible privilege of living through these last 12 months, I am sure there
have been other great “12 Months” in the wonderful years God has given each of us. This year,
however, is uniquely special.
While, hopefully, we will celebrate each year of life, 2014 has
made a clear call to multiple diverse communities to embrace God’s agenda for
the human family. That challenge includes embracing the value of Black life,
affirming that “Black Lives Matter” as does “All Human Life.”
I join my faith with each member of the human family who is
prepared to work toward fully addressing this priority in 2015.
6. DR. ALVEDA KING:
SELMA MOVIE IS HISTORICALLY ENTERTAINING:
Atlanta,
GA -- In response to several social media and general inquiries regarding the
new SELMA movie release, Dr. Alveda C. King, gospel evangelist, pro-life and
civil rights activist shares the following:
"An
invitation to a pre-release screening of the movie SELMA brought mixed emotions
to my heart, and tears to my eyes. As I sat in the theater, I was transported
back to the time when my Uncle MLK, my Daddy AD King and so many civil rights
icons were embroiled in the historical crosshairs that brought equity to the
voting rights of Blacks in America. It was during that same season that Daddy's
and Mother's church parsonage was bombed in Birmingham; and the little girls,
one a classmate of mine were killed in the bombing of the church. It was also
the season of my first civil rights march, a "Children's March" where
Daddy and James Orange and others taught me the tenants of nonviolent protests.
Even
though I wasn't on the team of consultants who worked with the producers, I'm
glad the film is in the atmosphere. While SELMA is historically informative and
entertaining, having lived through those days, I would have appreciated more
historical accuracy. I know that everyone can't be included in such projects,
but on a personal note, I was saddened to find no mention of my Dad, who not
only marched in Selma, but was also felled (and recovered) along with not only
John Lewis, but with many others, including Hosea Williams and my dearly
departed friend James Orange.
So
many people have contacted me regarding the overtones regarding references to
Uncle ML's responses to the attacks on his personal life. I have only this to
say. Like all of the Bible heroes, Uncle was a human being, an imperfect man
who served a perfect God. He and Daddy are in Heaven now, in the company with
David, Moses, Paul, Rahab, The Woman at the Well, The Woman caught in the
act... Uncle ML was a devoted prophet and Man of God. Need I say more?
Overall
I enjoyed the film, and I recommend the film for viewing."
Alveda
is Author of King Rules, Founder of Alveda King Ministries, Director of African
American Outreach for Priests for Life, and spiritual advisor for Restore the
Dream 2015.
Dr.
King short bio: http://www.theconservativepundit.net/meet-the-pundits/dr-alveda-c-king/
7. THE TRUTH IS THE
LIGHT:
*The
Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based
on Biblical Text: Psalm 4:1, 4-5: “Hear
me when I call, O God of my righteousness; thou hast enlarged me when I was in
distress; have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer. Stand in awe, and sin not:
commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Offer the sacrifices
of righteousness, and put your trust in the Lord.”
I
know for a fact that a whole lot of us know something about being in “a tight
place.” In fact unless you grew up rich you know about tight places.
Somebody
is in a tight place right now to some degree or another. If we haven’t lost our
job, we know someone who has. If we haven’t bounced a check somebody is just a
few dollars away from bouncing one. If we haven’t already messed up our budget,
somebody is one unforeseen disaster away from spending more than they have set
aside. Somebody is just one sickness away, one car breakdown away, or just one
phone call from one of our children away from a tight place.
Well,
I submit that there is a way to deal with our tight places. There is a way to
secure our future in this tough economy. The God we serve has outlined a plan
that will guarantee our survival. God has a divine survival plan for
Christians, to help us in our tight places.
God’s
plan for us tells us first to wake up! We have to make a conscious decision
every day to have a good day. We cannot be one of those persons that get up on
the wrong side of the bed every day. We must wake up and be pleasant; Wake up
and be positive; Wake up and be happy! The Bible says, “This is the day the
Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it!”
That
means we must decide, I will! I will be blessed; I will be delivered and be
revived. I will be glad, rejoice and be set free.
God’s
plan for us tells us to dress up! Not just put on nice clothes but a nice
attitude. A whole lot of folk spend a fortune buying clothes. Folk spend a
whole lot of money buying accessories like rings, earrings, watches and chains.
However, folk forget the most important accessory, a smile.
What
good is it to be all dressed up frowning? Some of us look good until you get to
our mouth. Some of us are clean from head to toe but we look like we have been
sucking lemons. Our smile is the window to our heart. The Bible says, “The Lord
does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the
Lord looks at the heart."
The
plan God has for us warns us that sometimes it is best if we just shut up! It
is a fact that some of us just talk too much. Some of us need to learn to say
nice things to people, and then learn how to listen. God gave us two ears and
one mouth, so He must have intended for us to spend twice as much time
listening as we do talking! The Bible says, “He who guards his lips, guards his
soul.”
God’s
plan for us in our tight place encourages us to stand up! Stand up for right.
Stand up for righteousness. Stand up against foolishness. Sometimes it is time
to take a stand for what we believe in. We cannot quit on God. We cannot sit
down on God. We must not wimp out on God.
God
knows how hard it is to face our co-workers and to face off with our family.
God knows how hard it is to disagree with our friends. God knows how hard it is
dealing with Church Folk. God knows how hard it is to tell folk that Jesus is
the answer. I submit that God knows it is hard but, He knows what Jesus did for
us was harder. Jesus was criticized,
tried and humiliated for us. Jesus was beaten, wounded, and bruised for us.
Jesus was spit on and nailed to a cross for us. Jesus died for us.
We
are challenged to stand up and recognize, it is not about us, it’s about Jesus.
It’s not for us it’s for Jesus. We have to stand up, not serving man. We have
to stand up and serve Jesus. We have to stand and be a witness for Jesus. We
are called to stand up and be counted among the willing workers and the willing
contributors. Stand up and be committed and faithful. Stand up and let our yes
be yes.
Standing
is not always easy. We will run into obstacles. There will be disagreements. It
won’t always be convenient or fun. But, the Bible says, “Let us not be weary in
well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” In other words we
are not to give up, give out or give in because in due season we will reap the
harvest.
God’s
divine plan for us calls for us to look up! We spend way too much time with our
heads hanging down. There is no help looking down. There is no hope looking
down. God says look up to Jesus. We will find our help looking up. We are
challenged to look up to the hills from whence cometh our help. Look up to the
heavens for our hope. Why do we keep our head looking down? There is nothing
that can benefit us down. We spend much too much time looking down with our
spirits crushed. We have the victory through Jesus so we need to look up and
act like it! The Bible says, “I can do all things through Christ, which
strengthens me.”
God’s
plan for us in our tight place encourages us to reach up! Reach up for
something higher in our life. Reach up for the help. Reach up because we are
the head and not the tail, we are the top and not the bottom. We are challenged
to reach up for the big prize and to not settle for the crumbs. We can reach up
because God has given us all we need to make it. “Father I stretch my hand to thee no other
help I know. If thou withdraw thyself from me, Ah wither shall I go.” We have
to reach up and use our talents to reach the highest heights God has designed
for us. The Bible says, “Trust in the lord with all your heart, and lean not
unto your own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He will
direct thy path.”
And
finally God tells us we have to lift up! The Bible warns that we are to worry
about nothing and pray about everything. Pray always and pray without ceasing.
Before we do it pray, while we do it pray and after we do it pray.
God
is a help in our tight places. We are encouraged to follow God’s plan for
survival when we get in a tight place. When we are in a tight place we should
call on Jesus our counselor and our lawyer. When we are in a tight place we
should call on Jesus our friend and our Savior. Jesus gives courage to the
weary and hope to the hopeless. Jesus gives victory to the victim, delight to
the discouraged, peace to the perplexed and deliverance to the distressed.
When
we find ourselves in a tight place God challenges us to lift up the wonderful
and powerful name of Jesus. There is something about that name Jesus! There is
a blessing in the name of Jesus. There is peace, healing and power in the name
of Jesus. There is authority and victory in the name of Jesus.
*The
Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr. is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in
Charleston, South Carolina
8. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY,
DECEMBER 28, 2014 - MATTHEW 14:22-36:
This week’s iChurch Lesson Brief will be
posted separately as a TCR News Break and Posted on TCR FaceBook Page.
*Bill Dickens, Allen AME Church, Tacoma,
Washington
9. MEDITATION BASED
ON MATTHEW 6:25-33:
*The
Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
25 “Therefore I
tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about
your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more
than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store
away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more
valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your
life?
28 “And why do you
worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor
or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was
dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the
field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not
much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What
shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the
pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need
them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things
will be given to you as well."
Contemplating
this week’s meditation revived memories of New Year’s Eve 1976 for me - my
first one after answering the call to ministry.
I faced that New Year’s Eve with both joy and concern - joy, because my
pastor, the late Reverend R. H. Williams, chose me to preach the Watch Night
sermon at Saint James AME Church in Columbia, SC - my “home church” - and
concern, because a friend had also invited my wife and me to attend his
fraternity’s New Year’s Eve bash!
I
managed to preach, leave the church and make it to the party just when things
were warming up, but something else also happened that night. One of the “mothers” of the church who knew
me well looked at me before the service began, “read” my demeanor and said, “If
you’re going to a party when you leave here, you’d better enjoy it, because
it’ll be your last New Year’s Eve party.”
That
was a troubling possibility in 1976, but she was right - it was my last New
Year’s Eve party. I soon became a
pastor, who led New Year’s Eve Watch Night Services in the five churches I
served from 1977 to 2012. I’m now a
Presiding Elder with no single “pulpit” to serve as pastor leading a Watch
Night service, but I attended a Watch Night Service last year and will attend a
Watch Night Service again this year - doing otherwise no longer appeals to me,
because God changed my interests and priorities.
I
offer that bit of personal testimony to you as we prepare for the year
2015. The beginning of each New Year is
a time for making resolutions and setting priorities in our lives, and most of
our efforts at doing so revolve around achieving personal prosperity, success
and well-being. By the end of each year,
however, most of us come up short in those areas because life’s unpredictable
ups and downs get in the way of what we want, diminish our hopes and dim our
dreams.
That’s
why it good to make loving and serving the Lord our priority at the beginning
of each New Year and every day of our lives.
When we give God first place in our lives and invite God to lead, guide
and direct us, we’ll realize new prosperity, see unprecedented success and find
peace of mind in ways we never envisioned.
Resolve
to let God set the priorities for your life in 2015. You’ll find new strength, see new
possibilities, realize new joy and victory, and understand why those who
endured American slavery could look beyond their restrictive chains and say,
“I’m gonna live so God can use me, anywhere, Lord, anytime.” Happy New Year!
This
Meditation is also available as a Blog on the Beaufort District’s Website: www.beaufortdistrict.org
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
10.
GETTING TO ZERO:
The Getting to Zero Column, penned by Dr.
Oveta Fuller, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Faculty of
the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan and adjunct faculty at
Payne Theological Seminary will resume in January 2015.
11.
EPISCOPAL AND CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
--
Retired Episcopal leaders, Bishop Philip Robert Cousin and Dr. Margaret Joan
Cousin, are celebrating 60 years of marriage
Retired Episcopal leaders, Bishop Philip
Robert Cousin and Dr. Margaret Joan Cousin, are celebrating 60 years of
marriage! They were married December 27, 1954! Happy Anniversary Bishop and
Supervisor Cousin!
Congratulatory messages may be sent to:
Bishop and Mrs. Philip Robert Cousin, Sr.
1322 Rosemary Drive
Bolingbrook, Illinois 60490
Bishop Philip Robert Cousin: prc7696@aol.com
Episcopal Supervisor Dr. M. Joan Cousin: mjoancousin@aol.com
*The Cousin Family
-- The Rev. Rosalynn Kyle Brookins, former
Episcopal Supervisor, receives acceptance to the United Theological Seminary D.
Min. program and Sir-Wellington Hartford Brookins receives official letter of
acceptance from Tuskegee University
Only God! If I had a thousand tongues, I
could not thank God enough for His divine favor. On December 24th,
my son Sir-Wellington Hartford Brookins received his official letter from
Tuskegee University stating he has been accepted as a 2015 freshman into the
College of Engineering with a major in Aerospace Science Engineering. Such an
announcement comes just four days after having received a call from United
Theological Seminary announcing that I had been accepted as a candidate for the
D. Min. program beginning in the fall of 2015. Only God could orchestrate such
timing. The legacy Continues!
Congratulatory messages may be sent to: The
Rev. Rosalynn Brookins, revrosalynnbrookins@gmail.com
-- The
Reverend Leroy Taylor and Mrs. Joyce J. Taylor celebrates 50th
Wedding Anniversary
The Reverend Leroy Taylor, Retired Eighth
Episcopal District pastor, and Mrs. Joyce J. Taylor celebrates their 50th
Wedding Anniversary on December 26, 2014. The Ceremony will be held at Union
Bethel A.M.E. Church in New Orleans, Louisiana on December 27, 2014 at 2
o'clock in the afternoon. Rev. Keith J. Sanders is the pastor of Union Bethel
AME Church.
The Rev. Leroy Taylor retired in the 8th
Episcopal District in 2010.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to:
The Reverend and Mrs. Leroy Taylor: princessjoylee@bellsouth.net
--
Mrs. Lilian Joubert, wife of the late Presiding Elder Henry A. Joubert, celebrates
80th birthday
We give praise and thanks to the Lord for
the 80th birthday today of Mrs. Lilian Joubert, wife of the late Presiding
Elder Henry A. Joubert; First Lady of many churches and Presiding Elder
Districts, 15th Episcopal District. A shining example of a dedicated and
committed soldier of Christ who not only is a life member of the Women's
Missionary Society, but a light-bearer for African Methodism where ever she finds
herself - Praying that God will be her refuge and strength in all her future
endeavors.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to: chj@taurenz.co.za
12.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened by the passing of the Rev.
Emma Dyson, the wife of the Rev. Richard Dyson (Retired Pastor). Please keep
the Dyson family in your prayers.
The funeral arrangements are:
Wednesday, December 31, 2014:
Viewing: 9:00 a.m.
Family Hour: 10:00 a.m.
Funeral: 11:00 a.m.
Jackson Chapel United Methodist Church
5609 Ballenger Creek Pike
Frederick, MD 21703
Telephone: (301) 662-5285
Send words of comfort to:
The Rev. Richard Dyson
Golden Living Nursing Home
28928 Ridge Road
Mt. Airy, Maryland 21771
Cell phone: (301) 606-9208
13.
FORMER CONNECTIONAL WMS OFFICER BEREAVEMENT:
We regret to inform you of the passing of
Sister Fay C. Walker Owens, former Editor of the WMS Missionary Magazine.
Sister Fay C. Walker Owens was the mother
of Ronald and Karla Walker of Clio, Alabama.
Visitation:
Monday, December 29, 2014
12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Family Hour: 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Sister Fay C. Walker Owens’ Celebration of
Life:
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Viewing: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Homegoing Celebration: 12:00 noon
Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal
Church
1277 Blue Springs Street
Clio, Alabama 36017
The Reverend Dwight Ingram, Pastor
Presiding Elder David E. Reddick, Eulogist
Professional Services Entrusted To:
George F. Grubbs Funeral Home
208 Madison Street
Troy, AL 36081
Telephone: (334) 566-7695
Repast: Saint Peter African Methodist
Episcopal Church Fellowship Hall
Condolences And Expressions Of Sympathy May
Be Sent to:
Karla Walker and Ronald Walker
22 Clark Court
Clio, Alabama 36017
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with deep regret that we announce the
passing of Presiding Elder Emeritus, the Rev Dr Flemming Emmanuel Joseph on
Christmas Day, December 25, at age 94. The Rev Joseph served the AME Church
with distinction, at the connectional level as well as the 16th Episcopal
District.
For many years, his was the lone voice
advocating parity for the 16th Episcopal District. He was the Presiding Elder
of the Windward Islands Conference but treated every Conference in the District
as though he was personally responsible for their development.
He leaves to mourn his children, Herma and
Reynold, as well as scores of men and women for whom he was a father
substitute.
The funeral will take place on Friday
January 2 at 11 a.m. at Signature Hall, Longdenville, Trinidad. Bishop John F.
White will deliver the spoken word.
Condolences and tributes may be sent to herma@eflemming.com or elder.anthony@yahoo.com.
15.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
With Heartfelt Sympathy we sadly announce
the passing of Mrs. Cornelia Elliott Hearst (Connie) who transitioned from
labor to reward on Tuesday, December 23, 2014. She is the wife of retired
Itinerant Elder, the Reverend Gary Michael Hearst I and the mother of Gary
Michael Hearst II, George Elliott Hearst III, and Garrison Quincy Hearst I.
Home Going Celebration will be held
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Calling Hours: 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Homegoing Celebration: 11:00 a.m.
St. Paul AME Church
1250 South Hawkins Avenue
Akron, OH 44320
Telephone: (330) 864-2685
The Rev. Bruce L. Butcher, Pastor
The Rev. Dr. Floyd W. Alexander, Sr.,
Eulogist
Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to:
Reverend Gary M. Hearst, I
460 Briarwood Drive
Akron, OH 44320
Telephone: (330) 762-1765
Cell (330) 256-2687
Final Arrangements Entrusted to:
Sommerville Funeral Service
1695 Diagonal Road
Akron, OH 44322
Telephone: (330) 836-2725
16.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of
Dr. Linda S. Cox, the widow of the Rev. Walter Cox who served in the East
Tennessee and West Tennessee Conferences of the Thirteenth Episcopal
District. Dr. Linda S. Cox passed on
Thursday, December 25, 2014. She was a
member of Wilson Chapel AME Church, Memphis, Tennessee, a Life Member of the
Women's Missionary Society of the AME Church, the immediate past President of
the West Tennessee Conference Ministers' Spouses, Widows and Widowers
Organization and she held various other Episcopal District and Conference
Offices.
Funeral arrangements for Dr. Linda S. Cox
are as follows:
Family Visitation: Friday, January 2, 2015, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Wilson Chapel AME Church
80 East Shelby Drive
Memphis, TN 38109
The Rev. Lula Martin Sanderson, Pastor
Funeral: Saturday, January 3, 2015, 1 p.m.
Saint John AME Church
4862 Millbranch
Memphis, TN 38116
The Rev. Michael D. Broadnax, Sr., Pastor
Services are entrusted to:
MJ Edwards Mortuary (Stage Road location)
4445 Stage Road
Memphis, TN 38128
Telephone: (901) 791-9700
Fax: (901) 791-9797
Condolences may be sent to, or faxed to MJ
Edwards Mortuary, address above or emailed to: vaw1030@yahoo.com.
17.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of
Mrs. Fannie Pearl Tyson, widow of the Reverend George O. Tyson, Sr., a former
pastor in the Indiana Annual Conference. Mrs. Fannie Pearl Tyson passed on
Saturday, December 27, 2014. She leaves
to celebrate her life, two children, Mrs. Doris Osburn and Mr. Mark A. Tyson.
The funeral will be on Saturday, January
10, 2015 at Allen Chapel AME Church, 627 E 11th St, Indianapolis, IN 46202.
Phone (317) 638-9963.
Family Hour: 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Service: 12:00 p.m.
The Rev. William L. Gary will be the
Eulogist. The Rev. Dr. Charlesfontaine Macon is the pastor.
Funeral services are entrusted to:
Lavenia, Smith and Summers Home for
Funerals
5811 East 38th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46218
Telephone: (317) 547-5814
Online Guest Book: http://www.laveniasummers.com/obituaries/Fannie-Tyson/#!/Obituary
Condolences may be sent to Allen Chapel AME
Church, address above.
Condolences may be faxed to: 317-638-4930
or emailed to: allenindy@sbcglobal.net
18. 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
19. 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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