THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (12/12/ 2014)

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

-- Advent ends Wednesday, December 24, 2014

-- 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

1. TCR EDITORIAL – NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS CAN ENHANCE OUR SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL, MENTAL AND PERSONAL LIVES:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

The 20^th Editor of The Christian Recorder

It’s that time of the year again – the end of the old year and the beginning of a new year. It’s about this time of the year, middle to late December and early January when a lot of people make resolutions, especially resolutions that they hope will help them to achieve goals that might enhance their lifestyles. They may set goals like losing weight, getting in better physical shape, spending more quality time with family members, laughing more, enjoying life, getting out of debt, saving and investing and managing income better, modifying behaviors they want to change, ridding themselves of bad habits or changing the way they live and view life and some even vowing to read the Bible from cover to cover.

And then there are others who ignore New Year’s resolutions. Some ignore them because they don’t have the wherewithal to carry through on any resolutions they might make and they just bypass the process.  Some people do not feel comfortable making commitments to others or themselves. 

Others might ignore making New Year’s resolutions because they are comfortable the way they are and don’t see a need to make any changes in their lives. 

Still others simply don’t think one way or the other about New Year's Resolutions. They do not see value in it. 

A different take on New Year’s resolutions

The bottomline upfront: New Year’s resolutions add “spice and challenge” to a person’s life.  The making of New Year’s resolutions moves us from the mundane routine of doing things the way we have always done them and dares us to do things differently, which might stimulate and heighten our awareness for challenges that broaden our lives. 

The Babylonians, Hebrews, Romans and the early Christians all had rituals that affirmed life-style changes. Fasting during the Lenten season is just one example of individuals' commitment to change. 

In Judaism, Bar Mitzvahs, Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Chanukah were opportunities for individuals to change the direction of their lives.

Baptism is a time to affirm and commit, either through the commitment of our parents and the congregation in the case of infant and children’s baptisms or through the later baptisms of young people and adults. 

In Methodism and other Christian denominations, watch night services give parishioners the opportunity, not only to share the past year's struggles, but also to prepare for the year ahead by praying and making resolutions.

New Year’s resolutions

We all need to improve our physical health. Probably most of us need to eat healthier, lose weight, abstain from bad and destructive habits, rid ourselves of negativism, think more positively, gossip less, laugh more, enjoy life, rest, relax more, rid ourselves of debt, pay our bills on time, stop procrastinating, become more committed followers of Christ and commit to being better persons.

We ought to write our resolutions down and share them with our family members as a way of being more accountable.

Here are a couple more

A word especially to my fellow clergy, and I admit upfront that I have not done any formal research, just anecdotal observations. But as I am clergy myself, in my opinion, we clergy are among the most uptight persons on the planet.

So many clergy do not know how to relax and “let their hair down” and have fun. Most often clergy seem to be “looking and acting like something is always wrong.” We change our voices and speech patterns to sound more holy.  Ever notice how a lot of preachers walk with a stiff neck, appearing as if they are looking for something or looking beyond the people to whom they are speaking?  Some pastors spend so much time looking and acting holy to the point that they are unapproachable. Some preachers don’t act human and the result is that parishioners don’t treat them as humans.

Here is what I am saying

Preachers - bishops, general officers, presiding elders and pastors would benefit by making New Year’s resolutions, one of which is to act like a human being, smile more and be “down to earth” and enjoy your ministry. Share a joke and act as if you are enjoying life.

Clergy members should have a hobby.  If you don’t have a hobby, that would be a great place to start with a New Year’s resolution.  Laity should have hobbies too.

If you have always wanted to play a musical instrument, pick an instrument and learn to play it; schedule lessons and set aside that time, for you.

Since becoming a general officer, I have learned to play the guitar and the ukulele and what fun to sit down and play instruments that I have always wanted to learn to play. It was a matter of making up my mind and making a commitment to practice. Practice was my time for me!

If you learned to play an instrument in high school or college and haven’t touched the instrument in years, pick up the instrument. If you don’t have one, go to a pawn shop; they have some great reasonably priced instruments.  And, with technology and the new ways of learning to play instruments, with commitment, one can learn to play an instrument on his or her own, though I recommend taking formal lessons, especially at first.

Clergy need to read books other than the Bible.  If a pastor wants to be informed, he or she needs to read newspapers, news magazines and the AME Church periodicals. 

In other words, successful pastors are well-read. And, don’t fool yourself; parishioners know if a pastor is well-read.  If you haven’t been a reader, a wonderful New Year’s resolution would be to subscribe to newspapers and other periodicals. 

The place where pastors prepare sermons and have a desk is appropriately called a “study” and for good reason. It is not the “Pastor’s Office,” it’s the “Pastor’s Study.”

Mental preparation in ministry is important and I suspect many pastors of every denomination could benefit greatly with increased reading and studying.

Physical activity is important and it is evident that the clergy need to spend more time in physical activities, such as walking, running, jogging; and the additional benefit is that it gives you time to commune with God. Playing organized sports is also a wonderful way to get in or stay in shape and the additional benefit is that it gives you an opportunity to share your faith with others. 

Well, I think you get the point

Effective pastors are well-rounded – and balanced physically, mentally, psychologically, biblically, theologically and with a human bearing.

A great starting point for all of us, clergy and laity, is to think seriously about making New Year’s resolutions for 2015.  You have a couple of weeks to think about it and to prepare your hearts and minds for self-improvement and thinking about YOU is not being selfish! 

Let me throw this in

I wonder how many preachers have not read the Bible from cover to cover! I was one of them for a long time.  But one day, I decided that I was not going to be one of those preachers who preached for years and years, died but had not read the Bible from cover to cover!

The Challenge

I am sure a lot of laypersons have not read the Bible from cover to cover – doing so might be a good challenge.

I am offering the challenge to everyone and a number of individuals have accepted the challenge.  I am offering it again this week.

I am planning to read the Bible from cover to cover beginning January 1, 2015, which for me is Challenge IX. You can name number your challenge as you wish. If this is your first time, you are on “Challenge I.”

I am inviting TCR subscribers and readers to join me. You can choose the 90, 180 or 360-Day reading plans.

I encourage you to use the plan that you feel is best for you. If you follow the 90-Day Reading Schedule, there is a Bible published with that schedule.  If you choose to do either the 180 or 360 Day reading schedule, Email me at chsydnor@bellsouth.net and I will send you the 180 and 360 Day schedules.

If you use one of these reading schedules, I recommend you choose your Bible and mark off the days before you start. I do not recommend the King James Version or the Message Bible.  I recommend the NIV or the NRSV for ease of reading.

I surely would like to have some company.  As a matter of fact, I welcome a lot of company to join me on this venture.

New Year’s resolutions are for everyone and I hope all of you will accept the challenge of a challenging New Year’s resolution.  A New Year’s resolution is for you and not necessarily for anyone else.

TCR Editor’s Comment: This is a long post, but there is some great information throughout this post.  You may not be able to read it in one sitting.

 2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:

-- To the Editor:

Re: TCR Editorial – Sometimes I Want to Holler

Your “hollering” piece paints the picture well for us. You feel like hollering, and I feel like crying.  The first Grand Jury was bad enough, but the second decision felt like a collective kick in the gut.  These decisions are mind-boggling; they are unsettling; they are despicable.  Even more significantly, they are ungodly.  It has touched me to the core. I will wear black everyday this week, and Sunday, too. I will wear it in solidarity and as I grieve.

The Rev. Monica C. Jones, PhD

-- To the Editor:

RE: Police Violence against Black Males

 I always enjoy reading your column in the Christian Recorder.  Today was no exception.  I honestly agree with the righteous indignation expressions of the Ferguson murder of Michael Brown and police brutality everywhere.  I agree with the frustration and sense of helplessness when I see our children murdered at the hands of police officers or anyone.  I pray that the response to Michael Brown's murder and others will stop ending with protests and move deeper to a permanent solution.  I agree that one way to correct some of the injustices is with the vote.  I would, however, like to offer a way to prevent some abuse by some police, hopefully.  All police officers are not bad cops.  I don't believe that all police officers get out of bed on any given day with the intent of killing a Black person or anyone else for that matter.  Having said that, it is important that I let you know that I am a former police officer, trained at the Academy in Dallas, Texas.  I am currently living in Minnesota.  I am a Black Mother with an adult Black son whom I raised mostly as a single Mother.   As we move forward in this hailstorm of distress, grief and unmentionable pain, educating our communities about police officer protocols and educating police officers about our communities and culture is extremely important.

Therefore, my suggestion is simple:  We need to "talk with" our police departments in our communities and become aware of expectations/police protocols and they need to understand the culture of the communities they have sworn to protect and serve.   This is something we all can do -- listen and learn; participate in the discussion -- listen and learn. Police officers are trained to protect themselves from the public as well as protect the public.  Having this conversation with our police officers could save a child or an adult from altercations with the police.  Granted, these conversations will not mean anything to the cop who is racist, insecure or afraid.  Yes, afraid. Police officers are just as afraid of getting hurt or dying as anyone else. Like any other profession/job, sometimes people are ill-suited for the job.  In these cases, we have a vested interested to see that they change careers.  Watching and listening to the conversations around the Michael Brown murder, I began to look at things with another set of eyes.

As I watched The View last week, one of the co-hosts questioned whether police officers are trained to shoot to kill.  The answer, from my training, is an unequivocal and resounding, "Yes!"  I immediately began to think that the masses may not know this.  We were also taught that if you do not intend to fire your weapon, when necessary, leave it holstered.  In addition, we were taught that a gun is not to be used as a stick with which to beat someone, it is deadly force weapon and if you fire your gun, the goal is to kill or you may be killed.  Clearly, we were taught that firing your weapon should be considered carefully and everyone wants to go home including the perpetrators/detainees. 

Following the officers' orders often can prevent a tragedy; however, if you don't know that you can be arrested for arguing or mouthing off at a police officer, you could end up cuffed in the backseat of a squad car and things have a way of escalating regardless of who starts it, as the arresting officer must be in control of his/her prisoner/detainees at all times.  That means just that -- often by any means necessary in the mind of a police officer.  I can only speak to the training that I received; however, I would imagine that most, if not all, police training is the same in this regard.  Our children (and adults) would benefit from understanding the "whys" of police officer training in our communities.  While we are busy being angry, we need to also do something else constructive, or Michael Brown, Travon Martin and others die in vain. 

 My comments, in no way, minimize what has happened to Michael Brown or anyone murdered by the police; however, getting understanding is a wise decision, aside from these murders; and if it helps our children to live longer, it is worth it.  I began talking to my son, when he was in the seventh grade, while I was in the Dallas Police Academy, after learning so much about being a police officer. At that time, it had little to do with race; however, being a product of segregation and the Jim Crow South, I knew it was in his best interest to learn key survival skills early.  As his only living parent, I pray constantly for his safety as he lives in this racist society.  Sometimes a bullet has no one's name or color on it.

Perhaps, our AMEC Social Action Commission will include the above suggested community education as part of its process in helping our communities across the Country to further deal with this enigma plaguing our Country.  This is just a thought.

   

Joyce Gulledge Harris

3. THE AME CHURCH "BLACK LIFE MATTERS SUNDAY" - BISHOP JOHN R. BRYANT, SENIOR BISHOP OF THE AME CHURCH:        

The Right Rev. John R. Bryant, Senior Bishop of the AME Church has issued an invitation for Christian leaders to designate Sunday December 14, 2014 as "Black Life Matters Sunday" throughout the United States of America. His initiative has begun to receive a broad-range of ecumenical solidarity. 

 

Among who are:

Presiding Bishop Neil Ellis

Bishop Joseph Walker.

Dr.  Cynthia L. Hale

President Samuel Tolbert

President James Perkins

Bishop George Battle

Bishop Lawrence Reddick

Presiding Bishop Charles Blake

Archbishop J. Delano Ellis

Bishop Charles Ellis

Black Presbyterians of Southern California

Dr. Otis Moss III

Bishop Brazier

Dr. Barbara Williams Skinner.

Dr. Teresa Fry Brown

Presiding Bishop Paul Morton

The General Officers of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

The initiative is 3-Fold:

1.  Reach out to community members and ask those who attend to wear Black.

 

2.  Conduct a special Altar Call for young men and boys praying God's covering over their souls, their lives, their families and their Destinies

3.  BUY “black” during this Christmas Season

 

4. BISHOP DAVID RWHYNICA DANIELS, JR. RESPONDS TO BISHOP JOHN R. BRYANT’S INVITATION FOR CHRISTIAN LEADERS TO DESIGNATE SUNDAY DECEMBER 14, 2014 AS "BLACK LIFE MATTERS SUNDAY":

In solidarity with and in support of our black brothers and sisters throughout the United States of America, we, the members of the 15th Episcopal District, will wear black on December 14, 2014 to support our unwavering belief that "Black Life Matters all over the World."

We are participating because the African Methodist Episcopal Church has always stood for Liberation, Justice and Equality for all mankind throughout the World especially in Africa and in Southern Africa in particular.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church stood up against the inhumane Apartheid Government and supported the African National Congress with financial, spiritual and moral support throughout the fight against Apartheid. We, therefore, ask and encourage, not just AME Churches, but all Churches who believe that "Black Life Matters" joined us on December 14, 2014 to wear black in church.

We, therefore, rise to the occasion to support unequivocally, the called of our Senior Bishop of African Methodism, Bishop John Richard Bryant to wear black on December 14, 2014 for "Black Life Matters Sunday" throughout the 15th Episcopal District comprising of Namibia, Angola, Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Southern and Northern Cape. 

Yours in His Service and on behalf of the 15^th Episcopal District

5. THE AME SOCIAL ACTION COMMISSION (SAC) SUPPORTS THE CALL OF SENIOR BISHOP JOHN R. BRYANT "WEAR BLACK TO CHURCH:

(Los Angeles) The Social Action Commission (SAC) supports the call of Senior Bishop John R. Bryant in asking all members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to wear black to church on December 14th, the second Sunday of this month. Wearing black is intended to send a message that “Black life has value.” Over the last several months we have seen unarmed Blacks killed by police, and grand juries have not indicted any police, even when there was a video showing the Black male being choked by police and saying “I can’t breathe.” By wearing black each of us can individually affirm that our lives have value. It is important that we individually and collectively express our belief that our lives have value.

We also call upon every pastor to speak to his/her congregation about the events of the last few weeks and encourage the members and visitors, by reminding them that while these are difficult days, “right will win”. While we grieve the deaths of each of our brothers, we are especially grieved and saddened by the senseless shooting by Cleveland, Ohio police of Tamir Rice, a 12 years old playing with a pellet gun in a park. We must affirm that Black life has value. It is important that pastors shepherd their congregations at this difficult time. God does have a word for the living and facing of these days.

During the worship service pastors are also asked to call those who will, to come to the altar and offer prayer that God will intervene to end the demonic pattern of killing unarmed Blacks, and that God will give us faith and courage “for the facing of these days”. Let us also pray that God will heal our land, and bring about reconciliation.

Every bishop, presiding elder, pastor and congregant is asked to post this notice on Facebook, twitter and whatever social media you use, as well as by phone and word of mouth. Let’s get the word out.

This Sunday (December 7th), every pastor should urge all worshippers to wear “black” to church following Sunday (December 14th).

The Social Action Commission (SAC) also asks each AME to lift us in prayer as we seek to have legislation introduced to reform our system of justice, specifically our grand jury system which should impartially review the conduct and behavior of law enforcement. We propose in these situations that a special prosecutor be appointed to investigate and handle the case. County prosecutors who manage these cases under the present system have proven to be biased and subject to conflicts of interest. The SAC will reach out to other partners to support and shape this effort.

The Word of God calls upon us to “pray at all times”, and certainly these times require us to pray. We call and ask everyone to join us in prayer and ask for divine intervention. Stay in touch via the SAC website – www.ame-sac.com. Share any stories you have about Wear Black Sunday, incidents in your community, and advocacy actions in which you are involved. You are called for such a time as this!

Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Chair

Sistah “Jackie” Dupont Walker, Director

6. AMEC SOCIAL ACTION COMMISSION STATEMENT CONCERNING ERIC GARNER GRAND JURY DECISION:

Last week many of us were disappointed and angered by the failure of the grand jury in St. Louis County, Missouri to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the killing of Michael Brown.

This week we are disappointed and angered again by the failure of the grand jury in Staten Island, New York to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo in the death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner. What makes this decision by the grand jury more insulting and unbelievable is that there is a video which recorded and showed the activities of the officer and Mr. Garner. Officer Pantaleo choked Mr. Garner, an action prohibited by the New York Police Department. Further, the coroner in New York ruled Mr. Garner’s death a homicide, caused by choking. With the video, NYPD prohibition against choking and the coroner’s ruling, the grand jury still decided not to indict Officer Pantaleo.

The decision by the grand jury in both the Brown and Garner cases sends a clear and consistent message that black lives don’t matter. There is no other explanation, and blacks should get the message and be outraged. Police are not indicted when there are witnesses, and they are not indicted when there is a video. What more evidence do you need? 

In the past month alone we have also seen 27 year old, Akai Gurley, unarmed and doing nothing illegal or inappropriate, shot and killed, by a New York Police officer in a stairwell, because it was dark and he was scared, also 12 year old Tamir Rice shot and killed by police in a Cleveland Park because he had a pellet gun.

Enough is enough!

All the excuses and explanations are inadequate. Police are not held accountable for the shooting and killing of black males. It is time for the United States to face and confront the reality that the justice system does not work for Blacks. It is also time for Black Americans to stop talking and being angry, but to make the effort to change the system.

The Social Action Commission of the AME Church will reach out to our Ecumenical partners, the NAACP and other organizations to seek to reform our criminal justice system. Specifically, the SAC will be proposing and pushing legislation to require the appointment of a Special Prosecutor in any case where the actions and involvement of police is questioned. Under the current system these cases are handled by county prosecutors, who work closely with local police every day. It is clear that county prosecutors are not able to be objective when it comes to the police they work with every day. This is why in both Ferguson, Missouri and New York City county prosecutors did not seek indictments from grand juries. The current system does not work and must be changed. We will lead the effort to change it.

Black lives do matter, and we must stop what has become a consistent pattern of killing unarmed blacks, then expressing remorse, justifying their actions by saying they “feared for their lives.” Justice demands that we act, and act now.

Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, Chair, AMEC Social Action Commission

7. THE AMEC SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SCHEDULE:

The AMEC Sunday School Union will be closed for the Christmas Holidays from Friday, December 19th until Monday, January 5, 2015. The Christian Recorder Online will continue to be published.

8. WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY - PUBLIC NOTICE

Wilberforce University will host an accreditation site visit on February 2-4, 2015.  The University is on Show-Cause notice with the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) of the North Central Association.  The public is invited to submit comments about the University’s preparation of its evaluation by the Commission.  The upcoming visit will review the University’s ability to meet the criteria for accreditation.   Comments must be made by January 2, 2015 in writing and signed to the following address:  Third Party Comments on Wilberforce University, The Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, IL 60604-1411.  Comments may also be made on the Commission’s direct web link at https://www.ncahlc.org/HLC-Institutions/third-party-comment.html

The Rev. Dr. John E. Freeman

Dean of Student Services

1055 N. Bickett Road

P. O. Box 1001

Wilberforce, OH  45384

937-708-5611 (office)

937-605-0856 (cell)

jfreeman@Wilberforce.edu  

9. A NATIONAL CRISIS: BLACK MEN DYING:

*Leah Gaskin Fitchue, Ed.D.

“Enough! Black Lives Matter!”

While it may have startled many of us, and even saddened and maddened most of us, it is now clearer that the 10-day separation between the unbelievable actions of the grand jury in Ferguson, Missouri, and the grand jury in Staten Island, New York, was no accident. The similar events — two unarmed black men in two different cities dying at the hands of armed white policemen, one using a gun and the other using a banned New York Police Department chokehold — almost slipped by our corporate attention but for the presence of the internet and an amateur video recording.  Understanding the mythology of “white supremacy” made the decisions of the grand juries clear to those of us who have been accosted by it through the years since slavery.

Perhaps God uses technology when it is time to get the attention of black, brown, red, yellow, and white men and women of all ages who are more alike than different. Joined across this country to object to the behavior of the law enforcement establishment, the protesters represent connecting links, from city to city, of one long chain of well-meaning human beings united for justice. With the video-recorded death of Eric Garner, we may well have experienced a breakthrough about the shared reality of our common humanity and the stark realization that the myth of white skin superiority can no longer be tolerated.

One tentacle of white supremacy is the tendency of white America to associate blacks with crime.  According to Charles Blow in a recent New York Times article, the “over-association…of blacks with criminality directly affects the way we think about both crime and blacks a whole.” This perspective is supported by Lisa Bloom’s observation in her book Suspicious Nation that “while whites can and do commit a great deal of minor and major crimes, the race as a whole is never tainted by those acts. But when blacks violate the law, all members of the race are considered suspect.” The bottom line, as disheartening and painful as this truth may be, is that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that “white Americans are more punitive than people of color” and “associate people of color with criminality.”

It is against this background, that the white skin superiority myth of the four policemen who slammed Garner to the ground while one held him in a chokehold blocked their humanity and professionalism as they listened to Garner repeatedly gasp, “I can’t breathe,” and offered him no assistance. Without empathy or compassion, they watched him die, guilty only of allegedly selling untaxed cigarettes. The more heinous crime was the “murder” of Garner. It should be noted that this kind of reprehensible police behavior should not be viewed as an indictment of all police officers, the majority of which conduct themselves as first-rate public servants and to whom a debt of gratitude is owed.

In the Garner case, to these insecure-acting policemen, Garner was not a totally restricted human being lying on the ground crying out for help. Instead, he was what many white policemen think about black males: he was a thug, a criminal, a demonic good-for-nothing, and a typically expendable black man. The policemen, however, were also guilty. They were guilty of ignorance about their mythological identity of white supremacy, which they have been taught to believe elevates them above others, especially blacks. It is precisely this disdainful attitude toward “other,” according to T. Richard Snyder, that “is fostered by contemporary Protestantism as it rejects or overlooks the reality of the grace that is present in all of creation.” The dismissal of Garner as “other” occurred when the four policemen failed to acknowledge the degree to which the need for power leads to “the injustice of those who create their security at the expense of the security and freedom of others.”

In America, the contempt and dismissal of the “other” is not a new message or a new ignorance. It is, in fact, the source of the country’s number-one disease: treating “other” people differently because of their skin color while denying that it is so. The greatest tribute we can pay to the life of Eric Garner is to no longer enable this country’s deeply entrenched political and racial divides. These divides must be clinically removed for the nation to survive. Bold, risk taking, confessional truth is the required surgical instrument.

The insidious denial about the toxicity of systemic racism in America practiced by whites has nearly cost this country its soul. Systemic racism has been the country’s moral grounding from its beginning, as Native Americans were slaughtered and their land stolen and African Americans were enslaved for 400 years. It is shameful that, 50 years after the 1964 Civil Rights Act sought to rekindle our moral fibers, we continue to witness the same abhorrent racist and classist behaviors. As criminal justice laws target people of color, jurists make it easier for the white and the wealthy to buy elections, for governors to blatantly use devious means to crush voting rights, and for seasoned politicians and their associates to meet in back rooms to consider how not to reelect the first black U.S. president, and, upon his reelection, initiate a nefarious campaign for his impeachment. So intent has been the American addiction to disavowing racial inequality that those desperate to maintain the habit, following President Obama’s election, went so far as to declare 21st-century America a post-racial nation.

Nothing could be further from the truth. As we call the roll of unarmed black men killed by armed white policemen across the nation through the last two to three years, the issue of racism is seen on the faces of the black family members, filled with grief and smothering rage. Ask the families of:

Ramarley Graham, Bronx, New York, February 2, 2012.

Kendrec McDade, Pasadena, Calif., March 24, 2012.

Jonathan Ferrell, Charlotte, N.C., September 14, 2013.

Jordan Baker, Houston, Texas, January 16, 2014.

Eric Garner, Staten Island, New York, July 17, 2014.

John Crawford, Beavercreek, Ohio, August 5, 2014.

Michael Brown, Ferguson, Mo., August 9, 2014.

Ezell Ford, Los Angeles, Calif., August 11, 2014.

Darrien Hunt, Saratoga Springs, Utah, September 10, 2014.

John T. Wilson III, Las Vegas, Nev., November 1, 2014.

Tamir Rice, Cleveland, Ohio, November 22, 2014.

This is only a partial list of the two to three unarmed black men killed weekly by armed white policemen, according to various reports.  While the total numbers are not known, since some of these deaths are actually crimes that are covered up and shielded from the media, what we know now is that these injustices have catapulted a national movement because well-meaning black, brown, red, yellow, and white citizens have had enough, as indicated by their participation in protests.

The solution, however, is broader than the correction of police malfeasance. The African American community suffers repeated abuses across the social spectrum that go unnoticed daily by the larger society. These maltreatments, left unchecked, contribute to a disdain and disrespect that spills into atrocious police behavior. These law enforcement officers erroneously consider themselves the keepers of “law and order,” a politically coded term for keeping black men, for the most part, under control, including harsher sentences — even death, if necessary. Referencing a recent Stanford University report, the Rev. Dr. Michael Waters writes, “The disproportionate rate of black imprisonment may actually encourage white support of racially driven tactics such as stop-and-frisk because black lives are considered expendable.”

As attention is given to the fissures between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, the initiative should be broadened to examine the nihilistic existence of members of the masses of black people who, according to Cornell West’s book Race Matters, wake up every day to face a life of “meaninglessness, hopelessness, and lovelessness”:

…In the country that has the largest incarceration rate in the world, we hear about a system of mass incarceration in which African Americans make up 12 percent of the nation’s drug users, but represent 38 percent of those arrested for drug offenses, and 59 percent of those in state prison for such offenses. They are not receiving rehabilitation and often are not hardened criminals.

…After the Wall Street toxic mortgages scandal, we learned that the 2008 financial crisis “resulted in large part from discriminatory practices in the lending market [where] roughly 54 percent of African Americans…received subprime loans compared to approximately 17 percent of whites.”

…We witness robust gentrification strategies removing established African Americans from urban corridors like Harlem and the District of Columbia, once the beacons of prominent black middle class culture. Black homes and businesses are rapidly disappearing, while white middle class culture, homes, and businesses are aggressively rebranding the communities.

…Almost 50 years after the passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, we hear stories about people standing in line for hours and days to vote because of contrived efforts to diminish the African American vote as well as require more strenuous identification requirements for young and old African Americans. In addition, a recent report from The Sentencing Project states that one of every 13 black adults is barred from voting because of a felony conviction, which supports the conclusion that punitive policies are racially patterned.

…Year after year, we read the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ reports on household earnings and learn that African Americans continue to maintain the highest double-digit unemployment rate (13.1 percent in 2013), higher than that of Hispanics, Asians, or Whites. 

…Given the disproportionate suspension and expulsion rate of African American students in public schools, data shows that students with this stigma are more likely to drop out of school and become victims of the school-to-prison pipeline.

Given these daily experiences in the black community, President Obama and Attorney General Holder, who call for initiatives to encourage better race relations between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve, must realize how the tensions, which have become more visible following the non-indictments by the grand juries of Ferguson and Staten Island, go much deeper than can be resolved by police wearing body cameras.

Admittedly, President Obama demonstrated his awareness of a dire problem in recognizing the changing leadership guard of the new multi-racial, multi-ethnic, and multi-generational justice movement. In the midst of the growing agitation and seething anger surrounding injustices of the criminal justice system, the President is to be commended for inviting technologically savvy and social media-driven young people to the Oval office to hear their voices and concerns. Working with established senior statespersons, these are the voices of the new young leaders who are organizing chains of human beings in cities across the country to forge a justice revolution and new ears in America. It is these who have, in the words of Oates, "sensed the spirit and truth of the age" and have decided that this truth will be “their aim and destiny” and, according to Hegel, “their deeds, their words are the best of the time.”

The truth about the historical treatment of black persons in America has to be addressed, along with the issue of reparations from the government’s past failed response to counter systemic racism instead of supporting slavery, Jim Crow laws, separate but equal facilities, veteran discrimination, redlining and other insidious programs that contributed to the current ethos that black lives are dispensable and do not matter. Without this confession on the table, the myth of white supremacy will continue to rear its ugly head and another unarmed black man will be killed by an armed white policeman, and we may not have the benefit of the internet and a video camera to help us see the truth.

Eric Garner’s death may save us as a nation. His name may be a symbol of hope that causes us to embrace the grace in all creation and value our beauty, dignity, and worth. Faced with the truth of how one unarmed black man died at the hands of four white policemen, as a nation of multiple races, we find ourselves standing together, walking together, holding hands together, crying together, praying together, and lifting our voices together, to join in one magnificent human chorus shouting, “Enough! Black lives matter!” 

The Rev. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, Ed.D is the President of Payne Theological Seminary

10. AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GRAND JURORS IN FERGUSON & STATEN ISLAND:

*The Rev. Dr. Monica Jones

What do we say to our children?  What do we say when they hear that a Black male’s life has no value in your justice system?  What do we say when they learn that a police dog’s life matters more? What do we say, when an African American male goes to jail for 23 years for killing an animal, while a white goes free for killing one of us?  What do we say?  What do we say when a white man with a badge today can kill us at will, just as a white man with a sheet did yesterday?  What do we say? What do we say when they see that non-violence on our part is met with unmitigated hatred on your part?

What do we say when they ask, “Why? Why do they choke us to death when we tell them multiple times we can’t breathe?  Why do they shoot us down and leave our lifeless bodies in the street for hours like garbage?  Why, Mommie?  Why, Daddy?  Why, Pastor?”  What do we say, when the more we try to forgive, the more you forget that we are God’s children, too?  What do we say, when there is nothing we can say?  Tell us, grand jurors; tell us, prosecutors; tell us. We, and our children, are waiting.

*The Rev. Dr. Monica Jones is on staff at Big Bethel AME Church in Atlanta

11. THE HEARTACHE OF MICHAEL BROWN’S MOTHER IS PERMANENT:

*Dr. James B. Ewers Jr.

Like many people in America, I watched the decision not to indict Officer Darren Wilson in the fatal shooting of Michael Brown.

I watched Prosecuting Attorney Robert P. McCulloch render the findings of the grand jury through the lens of a black man, a parent and a grandparent.  Losing a child as a result of these circumstances is gut wrenching.

For some months now I have been focusing on Lesley McSpadden, the mother of Michael Brown.  Every day since the shooting, his mother has had to carry this un-imaginable burden of losing her son.

Many years ago now crooner, Teddy Pendergrass sang the words, “wake up everybody, no more sleeping in bed, no more backward thinking time for thinking ahead. The world has changed so very much from what it use to be.”  Has the world changed?

Ms. McSpadden from the day of the shooting has done her best to maintain her poise and her dignity.  I can only imagine what she has gone through.  Mind you she will be up and down this emotional cliff for the rest of her life.

How will she survive?  All of us have an opinion and some advice for her.  I must believe that she is a believer.  With that as a foundation, she along with her family must look to the One who sits high and looks low.  As unbearable as this is He will not allow her to suffer without buttressing her with His grace and His mercy.

Death is un-compromising and we will all face it.  The problem with this death is that it was highly questionable and suspicious. Now Michael’s mom has to re-live this tragic set of circumstances each day. 

I hope that she will contact the mother of Trayvon Martin and I hope that she will contact the mother of Jordan Davis.  Both are the mothers of sons whose lives were cut short by tragic circumstances and poor decisions by adults.

Mothers are nurturers and that is how they live their lives.  I suspect the mothers of Michael, Jordan and Trayvon have lost a part of who they are.

Ms. Lesley McSpadden may begin a movement to develop stronger ties between the police and the community.  I am sure she is asking herself a number of what if questions.  What if her son had not gone into that store?  What if Officer Wilson had used more restraint?  These questions along with some others will haunt her for months, maybe years to come.

Whatever she does the pain will stay in her heart. Will she be able to compartmentalize the pain?  The answer is only time will tell.

We can all speculate about the events of that fateful day but we don’t have to speculate about the pain Michael Brown’s mother is feeling.

If you are a mother or a grandmother talk to your black male child about what happened in Ferguson Missouri.  What can we all do to help these young boys stay out of harm’s way?  These shootings and killings are happening much too frequently these days.

If you are non-black talk with your children about these events and how they can be a generation that looks at a person’s character and not his skin color.  Lessons taught to our children early on will help them later on.

These recent deaths involving our youth in this country must be discussed in a variety of settings including schools.  We cannot pretend these events didn’t happen and sweep them under the rug.  Our youth want to add their voices to this conversation so we must allow them to have their say.

As we know the holiday season can be difficult for some families.  I would suspect Ms. McSpadden was already thinking about Christmas with her son.  Who would have thought there would be no Christmas for Michael Brown and his mother together?

When Michael’s mother awakens on Christmas morning what will she be thinking?

I can only imagine.

*James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.is a Steward at St. Stephen AME Church in Jacksonville Florida where the Rev. Dr. Michael Mitchell is the pastor. He is also President Emeritus of the Teen Mentoring Committee of Ohio

12. DEATH BECAUSE OF SELLING CIGARETTES IS JUST NOT FAIR:

*James B. Ewers Jr.

I am numb with grief and painful anxiety.  The grand jury in New York heard all of the testimony and read all of the evidence and decided not to bring an indictment in the Eric Garner case.

Eric Garner was 43 years old and was arrested for selling cigarettes illegally.  He was placed in a chokehold by New York Police Officer, Daniel Pantaleo and never recovered.  He died literally on the streets of New York despite saying several times, I can’t breathe.

He was a black man and a father of six children.  The Police Officer is white.  A similar racial refrain was played out in Ferguson Missouri most recently.

Garner did not have a gun but was known to police in New York because of criminal mischief. 

Yes, a criminal past but did he deserve to die because he was selling contraband cigarettes?  The answer to that question is a resounding no!

Eric Holder, U.S. Attorney General announced that there would be a federal investigation.  Benjamin Crump, Civil Rights attorney says grand jury rules and regulations should be reviewed and possibly changed.  The African American community is protesting across the country with the mantra, “Black Lives Matter.”

Yet black lives are being lost every day in a variety of ways, not just at the hands of the police but taken also as a result of black on black shootings.

What is disheartening and extremely aggravating about these latest killings is the mistrust of the police by African Americans. This mistrust did not start in Ferguson Missouri nor will it end in New York.

In recent memory, we simply have to recall the Rodney King incident.  You remember Rodney King being beaten unmercifully by the Los Angeles Police department.

After watching the video, I came to the conclusion that these policemen were guilty and would lose their jobs.  Well, it didn’t turn out that way.  The policemen involved were found not guilty and didn’t lose their jobs.  Afterwards Rodney King in a question heard around America asked, “Can’t we all just get along?

The Eric Garner incident happened in July and it was captured on video.  Yes, Garner was a big man who you heard say - “Don’t touch me” more than one time.  Could that statement have been intimidating to the officers surrounding him?  Some would say yes.  Couldn’t they have used mace?  Couldn’t they have wrestled him to the ground and handcuffed him?

No, you place him in a chokehold which was banned by the police department and you ignore the audible sounds from him saying he can’t breathe.  He dies at the scene and we the people take a dark step backward in our quest to make this country better.

What has become abundantly clear is there must be some immediate and dynamic dialogue between the black community and the police.  Because it hasn’t happened where you live doesn’t mean the conversations shouldn’t take place.  That is even more of a reason that they should.  Until this happens, this nation will continue to hemorrhage socially.

I grew up respecting and fearing the police.  I still respect them but I still fear them.

Community groups and places of worship must make a dedicated and renewed effort to engage our black boys before it is too late.

If you are young, black and male you are at risk every single day.  If you think otherwise you are naïve.  What is happening on these streets can cost you your life with one wrong move.

Funerals for black boys and men are mounting up.  We know the causes all too well.

What we need now are solutions.

*James B. Ewers Jr. Ed.D.is a Steward at St. Stephen AME Church in Jacksonville Florida where the Rev. Dr. Michael Mitchell is the pastor. He is also President Emeritus of the Teen Mentoring Committee of Ohio

13. ROOTS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT'S RACE-BASED BIAS RUN DEEP:

*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby

I planned to write about a Ferguson, Missouri grand jury’s failure to indict the police officer who killed Michael Brown, but a few other things happened before I could do so.  An unarmed Akai Gurley was shot and killed by a police officer in the stairwell of a Brooklyn, NY housing project.  Twelve year old Tamir Rice was shot and killed by a Cleveland, Ohio police officer while playing with a pellet gun in a public park.  A Staten Island, NY grand jury failed to indict the police officer who killed an unarmed Eric Garner.

The many recent deaths of black males at the hands of law enforcement are the modern residue of what happened after enslaved Africans were first brought to Jamestown, Virginia in 1619.  The subsequent swift spread of American slavery posed two problems.

The first was how “Christians” could justify kidnapping and enslaving human beings?  The answer for some was that those of African descent were sub-human, ignorant, lazy, dependent savages who’d benefit from being “civilized” and given a “work ethic.”

The second was how usually wealthy slave owners could prevent impoverished whites from finding uniting affinity with the slaves?  The answer for some was to convince impoverished whites that black people - and especially black men - were violent, oversexed and dangerous, and would kill them and ravish their women if they weren’t kept “in their place.”

The seeds of American racial prejudice were sown in the justification for slavery, they’ve sprouted, and they’re still flourishing

That’s why the officer who killed Michael Brown saw him as “The Hulk” and as a “demon.”  That’s why a nervous police officer killed Akai Gurley in a dark stairwell without warning.  That’s why the officer who killed twelve year old Tamir Rice called headquarters and said that he’d shot what he thought was a twenty year old.  That’s why a group of police officers wrestled an unarmed Eric Garner to the ground and killed him by choking and chest compression. 

That’s why a Charleston police officer - following the Department’s written policy to view young men wearing long sleeved clothing in warm weather as potential criminals - initiated a fatal confrontation with Denzell Curnell.  That’s why a SC State Trooper who shot an unarmed Levar Jones in Columbia claimed that he was “lunging” into his vehicle, although his cruiser’s camera video showed Mr. Jones leaning into his vehicle to retrieve his drivers’ license.

That’s why white men in “open carry” states can publicly carry automatic rifles without being challenged, but a black man named John Crawford carrying a toy rifle in a Beavercreek, Ohio Wal-Mart was shot dead by the police.

That why most black men, including my sons and I, know how it feels to be shadowed by store clerks as potential shoplifters, to have white women cringe and hold their purses close when we enter elevators and to be pulled over by police for things ranging from burnt out tail lights - that work properly upon later inspection - to driving too close to the white line on the road.

The aforementioned failures to indict are outrageous but predictable in a legal system where black men are seen as perpetrators and where law enforcement officers enjoy considerable latitude.  As Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said in a recent article on police shootings, “It’s incumbent on me and jurors to see if an officer is reasonable, not to see if he’s right.”

What’s “reasonable” is in the eye of the beholder, but if that eye is clouded by latent racial stereotypes, then the result is sadly predictable and often isn’t right.

Young black men, according to a recent ProPublica study, are 21 times more likely to be killed by police than their white peers.  Changing that will require a long overdue conversation on race in our nation, state and community that includes those who acknowledge the problem and those who accuse anyone who mentions race of “stirring a pot” that’s actually been boiling for nearly four centuries.  That difficult conversation is necessary.  Recent events show that lives literally depend upon it.

*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the Presiding Elder of the Beaufort District of the South Carolina Annual Conference and a columnist for The Christian Recorder

14. DALLAS CLERGY JOIN THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN SUPPORTING “NATIONAL BLACK SOLIDARITY SUNDAY”:

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, presiding bishop of the 10th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, is hosting a news conference to announce the church’s participation in the upcoming National Black Solidarity Sunday, because Black Lives Matter! The news conference will be held at 11: 30 a.m., Friday, December 12, 2014, at the 10th Episcopal District Headquarters located in Richard Allen Plaza, 4347 South Hampton Road in Dallas, Texas.

In the wake of recent events in Missouri and New York, major denominations have called for a national response by faith communities. As a demonstration of that ecumenical unity, joining Bishop McKenzie at the news conference will be Senior Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III, presiding bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church; Dr. Frederick D. Haynes III, pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church; Rev. Barbara LaToison, pastor of St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church (AMEZ); and the Rev. Dr. Vanessee J. Burns, pastor of Christian Chapel Temple of Faith CME Church. Our presiding elders will be in attendance.

Clergy and lay leaders are invited to attend. 

15. YOUNG ADULT LEADERSHIP SPEAKS OUT AGAINST INJUSTICE AND ENCOURAGES INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE ACTION:

To our young adult AME family, in this Advent season we celebrate the fruit of the spirit, hope, yet many of us have heavy hearts after the announcement of the grand jury’s decision in not indicting Ferguson Police Officer Darren Wilson and also the grand jury decision not to indict Daniel Pantaleo, the police officer who choked Eric Garner to his death.  The  questionable prosecution of these cases, the manifestations of institutional racism, the grave castigation of the people of Ferguson and New York, all demand that we cry out for justice and change.  We are grateful to the Council of Bishops and the Social Action Commission for speaking out and articulating a vision for our Church in a time such as this. 

As the young adult leadership of the AME Church we encourage our constituency to see this moment of injustice as an opportunity for us to walk out the faith that we passionately profess. For us, this issue comes “close to home.”  Mike Brown was 18 years old.  His mother was also a young adult. Eric Garner was in his early 40s. It is a time like this that we are reminded of why our Zion was founded and our core principle of social action. Now is the time that we must come together as young adults to realize our collective power. Now is time for young adults of the AME Church to stand for something greater than our individual selves. This is the time for us to stand up and be the voices for those whose voices have been oppressed and silenced.  It is time that we push ourselves, our ministries, and our churches to walk out the liberating ministry of Jesus Christ.  The time is now for peaceful yet powerful protests to show our open dissent and demand that the voices of Mike Brown, Tamir, Tamika, McKenzie, and Eric are heard and not dismissed as their bodies were by those that saw them as disposable.

We encourage our fellow young adults to take action.  Use the creativity and innovation that is a strength of our group to find ways to engage with our surrounding communities around the issues that have been highlighted by the events in Ferguson, Missouri.  We recommend the following action steps and petition that all levels incorporate them into programming for the duration of the 2012-2016 quadrennium:

1) Hold workshops and trainings to discuss engaging with law enforcement

2) Conduct civic education classes to spread information about our rights as citizens, and the resources   available to address police abuse

3) Use social media outlets to speak out and communicate how we are addressing these issues and invite people to join in our ranks

4) Partner with our seasoned members to facilitate intergenerational discussion and ministry regarding the various ways structures of oppression are affecting our people

 

5) Find ways to connect with young adults who are not in our churches to find out what needs are present that our churches can begin to address

 

We stand with our church leadership to follow the example of leadership of a young adult named Richard Allen who believed in a church that challenges sources of oppression and dares to believe that the United States should live up to its creed of “Liberty and justice for all.”

Let us stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters of Ferguson as we recognize that they are part of us and we are part of them.  Let us not become comfortable in places or spaces of privilege as our privilege is only of worth if it serves as a platform to challenge the status quo.  We are change agents.  We are children of God.  We are Christians. We are AMEs.  Let us walk in our calling to speak life to a dying world, a world that is not only dying but is being murdered at the hands of prejudice and through the bullets of bigotry.

Yours in Christian Service and Community Activism,

Felecia Commodore, Young Adult Representative, Connectional Lay Organization

Martinique Mix, President, Connectional Richard Allen Young Adult Council (RAYAC)

Erica Austin, Member At Large, YWI, Women’s Missionary Society of the AMEC (WMS-AMEC)

Jon Ingraham, President, Connectional Young People’s Division (YPD)

16. BLACK LIFE MATTERS LITANY FOR BLACK LIFE MATTERS SUNDAY:

*The Rev. Dr. Anne Henning Byfield

All: Black Life Matters!

One:   Black males and females are killed in police action shootings without Grand Jury indictments or Jury Trial convictions.

Many: Eric Garner’s Life Matters.

One:   Black persons are killed in gang related violence, sexually violated, physically abused, and targeted by security guards simply because they are Black.

Many: Trayvon Martin’s Life Matters.

One: Black children are mishandled in the school system, targeted for prison, and are without food, shelter or health care.

Many: Tamir Rice and Aiyana Stanley-Jones Lives Matter.

One:   Whether old or young, male or female, the sanctity of Black Life is to be respected, and protected.

Many: Michael Brown, Jordan Davis, Amadou Diallo, Emmitt Till, Oscar Grant, Erica Collins, Shelly Frey, et al Lives Matter.

One:   We stand today as ONE to demonstrate our resolve to stop the murder of Black men and women.

Many: Black Lives Matter.

One:   This is more than a symbolic gesture.  We call on the NAME OF GOD to bring liberation and deliverance.

Many: With passion we unite our compassion with determined action to eradicate entrenched systemic racism.

One: We will protest against inequities.

Women: We will utilize targeted boycotting and be informed voters.

Men:   We will raise strong families, teaching them that they are fearfully and wonderfully made, and that their lives matter. We will not be passive. Enough is Enough!

Many: We will work to assure that future generations will survive, thrive and live. We speak the power of God’s victory in their lives. (Take a moment and call the names of present and future generations).

All: Today, we declare again and again All Black Life Matters.

*The Rev. Dr. Anne Henning Byfield, Presiding Elder North District, Indiana Annual Conference, Fourth Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church.

©2014 copyright, all rights reserved, sharing with permission to use

17. BLACK LIVES MATTER: A LITANY:

*A Litany by Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Jr.

Leader: Today we’re wearing black – a reminder of our common roots designed and lifted by the Creator from the soil of Africa, a Genesis from which all humanity evolved. Thus we affirm the value, worth and dignity of all human beings and logically declare that

People: Black lives matter!

Leader: Today we’re wearing black – an almost universal symbol of mourning. It is a simple gesture of uniformly standing in sympathy and solidarity with grieving families in every region of the country where young men died at the hands of police whose purpose it is to “serve and protect.” Under these circumstances, it is the one thing we can do to demonstrate that

People: Black lives matter!

Leader:          Today we’re wearing black – serious dress for serious thought. We have memorized the narrative: Impugn the character of the newly deceased; he deserved what he got; then seduce the public through the media – “It was just an unfortunate tragedy." “There is no intentional assault on black life;” "There is no conspiracy to destroy Black boys.” “It was an isolated incident,” they say, but not to the grieving families. The frequency of seeing rolling hearses in our neighborhoods seems epidemic. The apparent epidemic is the reason we must announce that

People: Black lives matter!

Leader: Today we’re wearing black – a visual witness in the tradition of the prophets. The officials say, “It is only coincidental that the young men happen to be Black,” but Black families are still marching behind funeral biers to the cemetery. Grand Juries keep disappointing fathers and mothers anticipating justice for their sons, but keep getting "No True Bills." Young men are getting the death penalty for minor offenses. They were all unarmed. Do you actually expect our silence when we really need to say that?

People:  Black lives matter!

Leader:          Today we’re wearing black – as a solemn act of protest. The shooting was caught on camera. We saw it. The coroner said it was a homicide. The badge-wearing gunman exacted an extrajudicial death penalty. With a history of racism, we are certain that you understand why we protest. You can understand why we are "fed up;" why we join our voices around the country and around the world to say, "Enough is Enough!" Pardon us if we scream

People:  Black lives matter!

Leader: Today we’re wearing black – So, what gives? Is it our look? Is it our manner of speech? Is it our neighborhood? Are we a threat to you? Pardon us if we protest in defense of our own humanity that

People:  Black lives matter!

Leader: And in this Advent Season, it is the Gospel writer Matthew who remembered the words of the prophet Jeremiah, saying: “A voice was heard in Ramah, Lamentation, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, Refusing to be comforted, Because they are no more.” Today, Rachel is joined by Sisters Sybrina Fulton (mother of Trayvon Martin, 17, Sanford, FL); Lucia McBath (mother of Jordan Davis, 17, Jacksonville, FL); Lesley McSpadden (mother of Michael Brown, 18, Ferguson, MO); Samaria Rice (mother of 12 year old Tamir Rice, Cleveland, OH); Tressa Sharrod (mother of John Crawford, III, 22, Beavercreek, OH);  Syreeta Myers (mother of VonDerritt Myers, 18, St. Louis, MO); Gwen Carr (mother of Eric Garner, 43, Staten Island, NY); Tritobia Ford (mother of Ezell Ford, 25, Los Angeles, CA); Sylvia Palmer (mother of Akai Gurley, 26, New York); Maria Hamilton (mother of Dontre Hamilton, 31, Milwaukee, WI); and the mothers of Rekia Boyd, 22, Chicago, IL; Dante Parker, 36, Victorville, CA; Rumain Brisbon, 34, Phoenix, AZ;  and Timothy Stansbury, Sean Bell, Oscar Grant, Aaron Campbell, Alonzo Ashley, Wendell Allen, and Jonathan Ferrell. A young man carries a sign in protest, asking an important question, “Am I Next?”

People:  At this defining moment in our history, we join with families and foot soldiers to lift our voices – with other sacred communions – to shout in the direction of every police department, every office of judicial authority that Black lives matter!

*Bishop Adam Jefferson Richardson is the Presiding Prelate of the 11^th Episcopal District

©2014 copyright, all rights reserved, sharing with permission to use.

18. “BLACK SOLIDARITY SUNDAY” REQUESTS FOR SERMONS, PRAYERS, LITANIES, CALLS TO WORSHIP AND OTHER CREATIVE WORSHIP INITIATIVES:

*Dr. Teresa Fry Brown

Sunday, December 14, 2014  has been designated National Black Solidarity Sunday by an ecumenical group of black denominations spearheaded by our Senior Bishop, the Right Rev. John R. Bryant to address injustice and lift up #Black Lives Matter. 

I would like to compile a book of sermons, prayers, litanies, calls to worship, and altar calls by AMEC clergy and laity from services December 14 or any day in the past few months where there was a conscious effort to address injustice.  It is imperative for us to understand we are not alone in these efforts. My prayer is the words from across the Connection will be a source of encouragement in our individual and collective sites of activism.

Please include the author’s name, the title, of the submission, church, location and the date the submission was written and used in service.   I project publication mid-January 2015. The compilation will be mailed to current AME Review subscribers at no cost.  We will work through the AME Publishing House to insure access for others.

Please forward submissions and inquiries to Dr. Teresa Fry Brown, Executive Director of Research and Scholarship at AMECHistoryintheMaking@yahoo.com by December 21, 2014.

*Dr. Teresa Fry Brown, AMEC Historiographer, Director of Research and Scholarship & Editor, The A.M.E. Church Review

19. WHY PREACHING THE GOSPEL IS BECOMING DIFFICULT IN INDIA:

*The Rev. Sarah & the Rev. Abraham Peddiny

 

Advent Greetings to all of you in the Name of our Savior Jesus Christ from friends in India.

Praise be to God!

This has been a wonderful year working for the building of God’s kingdom. God has been good to throughout this year in our ministry. We as AME-India are very thankful to our Episcopal leaders Bishop John Bryant and Supervisor the Rev. Cecelia Bryant for their leadership and encouragement.  Our hearts are filled with gratitude to God. We began this year with faith on God, yet as weak and feeble beings we also had apprehensions because of the change of government, but God has protected us until now.

Why Preaching the Gospel is becoming DIFFICULT in India:

May be this is time for us to throw some light on the situation in India. Indian society is a hierarchical society based on the caste system, owing its allegiance to the concept of purity and pollution. The people at the top (pure) of this pyramidic structure live by ruling of the masses (polluted) that form the base of the structure. The people at the base are the Dalits who have been under caste oppression for centuries together. Because of this reason they have been very receptive to the gospel, many have embraced Christianity, leaving Hindu faith over the years. Conversion of all the other faiths in this country happens from the lower caste. This creates a fear psychosis in the minds of the people of high caste who are at the top, because when the base scatters, the pyramid crumbles. Therefore they turn their anger on the Christians and attack them violently, because Christians of all people are soft targets who do not react. Not all Hindus support this attitude. It is the work of the right wing Hindus who are at present ruling this nation.

The parent organization is known as the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) - (National Volunteers Cadet Corps.) All the leaders holding key posts in the present government, including the Prime Minister Modi are members of the parent body. Right now they are capturing state after state with the promise of jobs and economic development. Once they have captured the whole country, they will unleash their full-fledged terror against the Christians and Muslims. Until then it is a different story. In India Christianity is considered as just another religion in a land which has given birth to four world religions.

Since they have come to rule at the Center there has been more than 600 cases of assaults against Christians and Churches in different parts of North India. None of it has been covered by the media, because media is also controlled by them. The basic premise is that the Christians and Muslims cannot be trusted because their holy land remains outside India, namely Jerusalem and Mecca. A true Indian is one who considers India as his mother land as well as Holy Land. Within the given time and space this is a bird’s eye view of the predicament of Christians in India. Hope this would help you to understand the situation in this country, to earnestly uphold us in your valuable prayers.

To site an example of the above mentioned facts, in an area where our Pastors are serving, it has been reported that RSS (refer to the third paragraph) has sent almost 250-300 young boys to threaten and create terror among the Christians during this Christmas season. They are all trained by the RSS and they have started their work. When Pastors approach the Police, the Police turn a deaf ear, because they are afraid of being transferred. They have been instructed from higher ups in the political fraternity, to remain still and not take any action. Prior to the coming of BJP in power the Police were very co-operative with the Christians in this region, now it is entirely a different situation.

Christian Persecution India reported on 27th October 2014 that 310 Christians were converted to Hinduism by the fascists groups. (http://persecution.in/content/310-christians-reconverted-hinduism-threats). Recently on the 9th December 2014, 200 Muslims were converted to Hinduism. (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/agra/RSS-re-converts-200-Agra-Muslims-says-more-in-line/articleshow/45419338.cms). This has created a furor in the Indian Parliament where the opposition parties are questioning the real intention of the ruling government.

The Economic Times reports on 10th December 2014, that the RSS is planning for a mega mass conversion, targeting 4000 Christians and 1000 Muslims in the northern part of India on 25^th December 2014. To convert a Christian it costs them $3300/-, whereas to convert a Muslim it costs $8300/- (a monetary gift given to the converts). (http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rss-plans-to-convert-4000-christian-1000-muslim-families-to-hinduism/articleshow/45442684.cms).  

So much about the current state of affairs, we wanted to share some experiences of the Pastors about how God is working in their situations, despite the alarming events around them. As we have shared earlier we would like to maintain secrecy about the name and place of the Pastors, for their safety.

Powerful Testimonies from the Mission Field: 

Pastor E who serves the Lord among the Tribals, reports that Gemini, a 40 year old man, welder by profession lost his vision due to a failed ophthalmic surgery. But God has healed him through prayers and he has regained his eye sight. As a result of this, Gemini along with his wife and two daughters have surrendered their lives to Jesus. The son is yet to be saved, please pray for his salvation.

Pastor C reports that he has been praying and trying to reach out to a family since a long time. The Lord in His time has touched Shanthi and her three sons to surrender their lives to Jesus. Unfortunately Shanthi’s husband passed away without experiencing salvation. Please pray for the family to grow in spiritual maturity.

Pastor M requests prayers for Kasturi’s (a Hindu convert) husband’s salvation. He is a Hindu who opposes her going to church, because she broke her leg, after she started going to church. This is seen as a bad sign. But God is able to turn it around as promised in Romans 8:28.

Pastor T reports that a 32 year old lady named Geetha was able to find a good alliance and married and settled down in live, because she put her faith in Jesus. Until then every attempt was a failure. Now her whole family has been saved, and is coming to church regularly.

Pastor M is a gifted folk singer. He is also Bishop Bryant’s favorite singer. The Lord has used his special talent to save many people and bring them to the knowledge of salvation. This Pastor wants to make a CD album of his songs to reach out to a wider audience and requests your prayer for this.

Pastor SD shares that by God’s grace he was able to buy a piece of land and build a church, which is still under construction. The Lord also enabled him to start two prayer cells, one has 20 members and the other one has 30, mostly children. He praises the Lord for this new development in his ministry.

Pastor CV shares that he underwent a major surgery in the abdomen, which was a life threatening situation. But God in His mercy has healed him and delivered him from his struggles. He thanks you all for your valuable prayers. 

Pastor TM is building his church, the roof is yet to be laid, due to lack of resources the work has been halted and the congregation meets at his home for worship. In the midst of this he has been able to baptize two new converts. He requests your prayers for his ministry, especially to complete the construction of the church.

Pastor JV has a children’s hostel near his church, earlier all the children used to come to attend his church. But sadly the new warden, who is a Hindu fanatic, has stopped the children from coming to church. Please pray for a change in the situation.

Pastor JG has a wonderful growing congregation. They meet at his home where there is a space crunch. He requests prayers to build a church for the congregation to gather.

Pastor JA shares that five young boys and four girls have accepted Jesus as their personal savior. They are waiting for baptism. Please pray for their spiritual growth.

Pastor D has started a new ministry in a village dominated by the high caste and no one is willing to give him space for worship. Please pray for openness.

Pastor DG reports that there has been a new GO (Government Order) declared in his area, that no one should use the Public Address system and while the Hindus are worshipping, nobody else must worship during that time. This is causing a lot of inconvenience for Christians, because the Hindus have their worship deliberately on Sundays apart from the other week days. Pray for grace, wisdom and spirit of discernment to abound.

Pastor MS started a new ministry in a village. There was a recently married couple who did not have any issues for sometime and the whole village had given up hope on them. But Jesus did a miracle and they had a baby, due to which many from the village, along with the couple are now coming to church and have put their faith on Jesus.

Pastor V reports that a 16 year old boy had developed a tumor in his throat, was not able to speak or eat properly. Through prayer our good Lord has healed him, indeed a miracle and due to this many from the village are beginning to believe in Jesus.

Pastor D shares that a young man named Balaji had been suffering from epilepsy for many years. But through prayers and faith in Jesus he has been totally healed. As a result of this he and his mother come to the church. Please pray for his father to also accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior.

Pastor JW shares that he baptized 4 women and 2 men. One woman is a Muslim convert and two are from the high caste. Please pray that they may grow in Christ while withstanding persecution. He also shares that a young post-graduate who already had his two lower limbs below the knee amputated, suffered a partial paralytic attack. Through prayers, he is able to move his legs, pray for complete healing. He is being prepared for baptism this month.

Pastor M shares that he spent a lot of money and bought a piece of land to build church. But there is lot of opposition from the neighbors to build church, now he is looking for a new place but cannot find one. Please pray that God would change the situation, because God is able.

Pastor JS reports that by the grace of God he has started two new prayer cells and has built a church. God has blessed him and his wife to become grand-parents as his daughter gave birth to a girl baby.

Presiding Elders Mission trip to North India: Bihar - This state is known as the “Graveyard of Missionaries”.

We are grateful to God for enabling us to visit our Pastors in the state of Bihar in the northern part of India. We visited them on the 25th November 2014. It was a wonderful gathering and we feel blessed ministering to our Pastors, who are toiling in a very dry and arid land. We had a wonderful time with the Pastors, spent a whole-day with them. Encouraged them with the Word of God, many wept and recommitted themselves to reignite their first love for God. This was very important, because these men of God work in a very trying situation which drains of all their energy. Many of them reported that they keep changing their place of worship every now and then, because people are unwilling to rent out their places for church services. No place of worship, opposition from the Hindus, battle against the spiritual forces, lack of finance, sometimes ill health, worry about the children’s future, all of these drains off their energy. So a little encouragement can help them go a long way serving the Lord. By the grace of God we were able to share a few gifts and a monetary help to them in this festive season and they were blessed. We sincerely request prayers for these ministers.

This state is known as the “Graveyard of Missionaries”, because so many missionaries have laid down their lives for the kingdom of God in this state. The capital city Patna is one of the “continuously inhabited cities” in the world for the last 2500 years. Two of the world religions, Jainism and Buddhism were both originated in this state. It is one of the poorest states in the country. But it has the reputation of producing the maximum number of workforce both white collar as well as the skilled manual labor in India. We have not seen much change in this state, in the last 25 years. It is sad and very disturbing to know that many people in the state do not even know the name of Jesus. The Lord has saved many people and raised them as Kingdom workers. But for the last 25-30 years ministry has been dominated by people from two different southern states. Their sacrificial labor is commendable, because God used them to build God’s kingdom in this state. But unfortunately they have not been kind enough to hand over the leadership to the local people; this has been a major drawback in the ministry in Bihar. Many churches were built by the missionaries’ long back, but they do not function as churches anymore, they have been encroached by the Hindus, or used by people for social causes.

We also had another Pastors meeting on 8th December 2014, at Chennai for Ministers living in the state of Tamilnadu and Andhra Pradesh. It was a beneficial time to hear them, and then encourage them from the Word of God. We also shared with them some gifts during this Christmas season. They have gone back recharged to serve the Lord better with a new vigor. Praise the Lord for this.

AME-India Education Centers (EC)

AME-India is so blessed to have Education Centers attached to the churches. This was a result of the encouragement of Pastor Brian Warren and his team from The Hope Center, Canada, belonging to the 4th District, under the leadership of Sr. Bishop John R. Bryant and Supervisor Rev. Cecelia W. Bryant. This initiative has helped the Pastors to have Education Centers attached to their churches. The children come here after school for additional coaching. In these centers dedicated teachers, teach spiritual lesson as well as the lessons from the school. Later these children begin to come to the church, followed by the rest of their families. Prior to the EC the Pastors were ill-treated by the villagers, and treated with contempt, but after the ECs they are treated with respect. They are invited to the homes of the villagers to pray. Please keep in mind that these ECs are in the most remote villages, which sometimes do not have proper access. The villagers are illiterate, daily wage laborers or shepherds; they are much below the poverty line. Mostly comprising of the Dalits. These villages not only do not have proper access, but also do not have proper sanitation, sewage, electricity, clean water etc.

Testimonies from the “Little Angels” – The YPD’s

Pastor TM reports that Ravi and Jhansi, both school dropouts, have begun to go to school with interest and enthusiasm because of the influence of the EC. The whole village is very happy with the contribution of the Church by way of EC.

Pastor G reports that most of the children who come to the EC are orphans and semi orphans. Due to the influence of the EC the children have taken a lot of interest to study well and their teacher in school gives special attention to these children. Another girl by name Navamani comes regularly to the EC and has made a lot of improvement in her studies; as a result of this her parents who are Hindus have begun to come to church.

Pastor JW reports that Lakshmi, a 4th standard girl who used to be a dull student earlier is now excelling in her studies and other extracurricular activities. Ganesh, a 5th standard boy who was careless about studies has excelled in academics and as a result of this his mother Vasumati, a Hindu, now comes to church.

Pastors D shares that 20 children come to his EC. A young girl Shravani who had been a very poor student, has changed drastically after attending our EC, she is now excelling in her studies. Her parents who are Hindus now come to church. Please pray for the father of this girl who is an alcohol addict, to be delivered from his addiction.

Pastor T shares about a child named Gokul who is in 6th standard whose mother passed away, has learnt to live his life on his own because of the support and teachings of EC.

Pastor S shares about Vimala, a ninth standard girl who was very weak in science has improved her knowledge in science, she regularly comes to church and wishes her family joins her to church.

Pastor G shares about a seventh standard boy Jaichiranjiva, who was not at all interested in going to school, has developed a special interest to go to the school because of the influence of the EC. His parents are happy and are now coming to the church.

Pastor KJ shares about a boy named Saran who has improved a lot in his studies. Regularly come to church and brings his parents along with him. He is very active in the Sunday School and the church.

Pastor KE tells us about a tribal boy named Babu, who does not have electricity in his house, therefore he comes to the EC much early before others and completes his studies, he regularly comes to the church and loves Jesus.

Pastor C shares about a boy named Rajesh, who did not go to school, because his father was not in favor of his education. The instructor of the EC spoke to the father and persuaded him, and now Rajesh is able to study both at the school and EC.

Pastor JW tells us about Venugopal a 4th standard boy is doing well in his studies since he started attending the EC. Seeing his improvement his sisters (both older and younger) have also begun to come to the EC as well as to the church. Please pray for the salvation of the whole family.

An Appeal

We as a church want to thank you all for your valuable prayers. We are a bit sad about some negative rumors that are circulating against the pastors in India; these are attempts to de-motivate the mighty warriors of God battling in the front-line of God’s army. It is alleged that the Indian Pastors are male chauvinists, who oppress their women, keep them under subjugation and do not allow them to progress or develop. Since you all are earnestly praying for the work in India, we assure you not to believe such baseless allegations.

To tell you the truth, yes the Indian rural men are male chauvinists, but the Pastor’s toil day and night surrounded by all kinds of dangers and challenges, to bring freedom to women both socially and spiritually. 75% of the members of our churches are women from Hindu and Muslim backgrounds. They are the ones who provide leadership in their churches. There is wonderful cooperation between them and their Pastors. The Pastors help them in every way possible to enhance their quality of life, even in the area of financial independence.

AME-India Micro-finance for Enhancement Women:

AME-India through its Micro-finance has helped many women in to gain financial independence to help their own families and the Pastors have been very cooperative in coordinating this project. Girl children and women have been of prime importance to AME-India. Due to lack of resources, we may not have been able to bring about any colossal change in their lives, but whatever has been possible with the limited available resources has been done for the enhancement of the girl child and women in AME-India.

God is greater than our short-comings. Nevertheless God is able to bring about the changes, God intend in the lives of God’s people in God’s own time, and no power on the face of the earth can stop it. We will work together towards it, while we wait on God, for the opportune time. As we approach a new year we look forward to God for greater things to happen to AME-India and grow together. Let truth, justice and peace prevail for the glory of God.

AME-India Thanking God and thanking each one of you:

We thank God for the guidance; we thank God for our Episcopal Leaders Bishop John Bryant and Rev. Cecelia Bryant. We thank you all for your fervent prayers, encouragement and support for us. We thank God for our Pastors and their wonderful co-operation. In 2015 we wanted to achieve more for the Lord and we are expecting more miracles from God.

AME-INDIA Wishes you a Merry Christmas and a Very Happy and Blessed New Year.

*The Rev. Sarah & the Rev. Abraham Peddiny, Presiding Elders of AME-India

AME-India

20. CHRIST OUR REDEEMER AME CHURCH DEDICATES A NEW ONE THOUSAND SEAT SANCTUARY:

Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Presiding Elder Roosevelt Lindsey, Rev. Mark and Rev. Hermia Shegog-Whitlock and the members of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, Irvine held a Building Dedication Service Sunday, November 30th in Irvine, CA. Over one thousand people came from the North, South, East and West to witness God’s miracle at 45 Tesla, Irvine, CA. Christ Our Redeemer (COR) purchased a six million eight hundred thousand dollar building with two sanctuaries, twenty bathrooms, eight class rooms, conference room, kitchen, and six administrative offices. The building is twenty six thousand square feet with ample parking for a growing congregation of three thousand one hundred fifty members.

Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Bishop Garnett Henning, Supervisor Mary Kirkland, Supervisor Ernestine Henning, Presiding Elder Roosevelt Lindsey, Rev. Dr. Edgar Boyd, Senior Minister of the historic First AME Church, Los Angeles, AME Pastors, Dr. Dorothy Vails-Weber, president of Southern CA Lay, and over fifty pastors from other denominations, choirs, and praise dancers celebrated the birth of a new AME sanctuary. Leveda Woolery served as the project chair for this outstanding Building Dedication that fed over seven hundred people before the service began. Every detail was managed to make this day a joyful experience for the members of COR, Irvine. It was not always joyful for COR….

 On Sunday, February 3, 1991, COR was founded on the University of California, Irvine (UCI) campus by Gwen Oden, 25 other members, and former UCI graduate, Rev. Linda Parker under the auspices of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Fifth Episcopal District. Rev. Linda Parker left the AME Church under mysterious circumstances within one year. The church had five different pastors who moved the fledging church from the University to a bowling alley, hotels, elementary schools, and back to a hotel.

In August 1998, Bishop Vinton Anderson was prepared to close the church. Instead, God called him to appoint Rev. Mark E. Whitlock, Jr., Itinerate Deacon to lead the fractured flock. The church had no building, no pews, no piano, plenty of bills and five priceless members. COR was moved to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Irvine. COR’s then worshipping congregation of 5 people held weekly service at 3 p.m. from August 1998 to January 2000. Mark and Devin Whitlock, Pastor’s sons, set up the audio equipment.  Hermia Whitlock, Pastor’s wife, was the choir.  Evelyn Whitlock, Pastor’s mother, was the finance committee. Charleen Adams was church administration. Keith Murray was the Steward Pro Tem. Rev. Whitlock initiated strategic planning through church retreats, governing board meetings, and Biblical preaching and teaching. The congregation began to grow.

In January 2000, COR’s congregation – Dr. Joyce Boykin; Keith & Mara Murray; Bill & Alisa Covington; Eric & Daisy Barnum; Charleen Adams; Patrice Adams; and Evelyn, Mark III, and Devin Whitlock – returned to UCI under the leadership of  Rev. Mark Whitlock and Dr. Thomas Parham, UCI Assistant Vice Chancellor.

The COR Community Development Corporation (COR CDC), Christ Our Redeemer’s nonprofit corporation was formed in 2001 to raise funds for scholarships to students attending Orange County colleges and universities. The COR CDC has funded nearly four hundred thousand dollars in college scholarships to three hundred college students. COR CDC serves as the General Partner for six multi-family housing buildings valued at over one hundred fifty million dollars. The National Faith Leader’s Conference is hosted by COR CDC. This year, the White House, United States SBA, twelve major banks, and over eight hundred pastors attended. 

In 2006, COR purchased its first three hundred seat sanctuary at 46 Maxwell, Irvine CA and paid off its $3.4M loan in just 5 short years.  In 2008, COR West, a young adult satellite church, was launched at UCI. In 2010, COR North was launched on California State University, Fullerton. Christ Our Redeemer AME Church moved into its new home September 15, 2014.

COR Church is the oldest and largest black congregation in Irvine, CA.  It presently includes over 3150 multi-racial members. We are forever grateful to Bishop T. Larry Kirkland for visionary leadership in the Fifth District and Rev. Dr. Cecil L. Murray for mentoring Rev. Mark Whitlock, Jr.  

1 Corinthians 3:11 “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

21. SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER IN LOVE AND DOING JUSTICE DURING THE 27^th ANNUAL SEMINAR ON CHURCH GROWTH AND EVANGELISM:

*The Rev. Dr. Cheryl L. Green

Never forgetting that the African Methodist Episcopal Church, was birthed out the pain and suffering of racial injustice, and remembering that our legacy has been one of reaching out to those who are oppressed and marginalized, the Department of Church Growth and Development AME Church, is poised to speak to the current issues of racial and gender injustice wafting in the United States. The series of transformationally bold and challenging dialogues will happen at the 27th Annual Seminar on Church Growth and Evangelism and Certification Programs, January 7-9, 2015, at the Marriott Hotel, 3 Statehouse Plaza, Little Rock Arkansas.

On Thursday, January 8^th, Mr. Dred Scott Madison II, will address attendees on, "What Shall We Say to these Things - The Dred Scott Decision and Justice for People of Color in 21^st Century North America." Mr. Madison is the great-great grandson of Mr. Dred Scott and Mrs. Harriett Scott. By way of history, in 1846, Dred Scott was helped by Abolitionist lawyers to sue for his freedom in court, claiming he should be free since he had lived on free soil (Missouri) for a long time. The case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Roger B. Taney, was a former slave owner from Maryland. In March of 1857, Mr. Scott lost the decision as seven out of nine Justices on the Supreme Court declared no slave or descendant of a slave could be a U.S. citizen, or ever had been a U.S. citizen. As a non-citizen, the court stated, Scott had no rights and could not sue in a Federal Court and must remain a slave.

On Friday, January 9^th, Dr. Dwight Hopkins, Professor of Theology, University of Chicago Divinity School will offer the response, "Where Do We Go from Here: Obtaining Justice for People of Color in 21^st Century North America." Dr. Hopkins is a constructive theologian working in the areas of contemporary models of theology, various forms of liberation theologies (especially black and other third-world manifestations), and East-West cross-cultural comparisons. Persuaded by the question "what does it mean to be human," Professor Hopkins is interested in multidisciplinary approaches to the academic study of religious thought, especially cultural, political, economic, and interpretive methods.

In addition, the Rev. Dr. James Noel, Chair of African American Christianity and Professor of American Religion at San Francisco Theological Seminary and the Graduate Theological Union will serve as a panelist providing insight and thought to the conversations. Dr. Noel’s foci of research are the History of African American Christianity, Black Religion in African and the Americas, and African American Social, Cultural and Intellectual History.

The Rev Dr. Sharon Grant, pastor of Greater Ball Tabernacle AME Church in San Antonio Texas and Adjunct Professor at University of the Incarnate Word will also provide thought to these powerful interactive discussions. Dr. Grant’s foci of teaching are Black Church History, Methodist History, Polity and Doctrine.

Additional persons who will be prepared to bring remarks include but are not limited to: The Rt. Rev. Samuel L. Green Sr., Presiding Prelate, 12th Episcopal District AME Church and Chairman, Shorter College Trustee Board, Mr. O. Jerome Green, Esq., President, Shorter College, Dr. Leah Gaskins Fitchue, President, Payne Theological Seminary, Rev. Michael Brown PhD, Academic Dean, Payne Theological Seminary, Ms. Felecia Commodore, Young Adult Representative, Connectional Lay Organization, Ms. Martinique Mix, President, Connectional Richard Allen Young Adult Council (RAYAC), Erica Austin, Member At Large, YWI, WMS-AMEC, John Ingraham, President, Connectional Young People’s Division, Mr. Ritney Castine, 8th Episcopal District, Rev. Samuel L. Green Sr., 4th Episcopal District and Rev. Stephen Green, 11th Episcopal District.

It is the prayer of the leadership and members of the Department of Church Growth and Development, that persons throughout the Connectional AME Church, and others, will join us in Little Rock, AR., to hear from the Lord in order to strategically plan what is required and what we as His people need to do, in order to eradicate the pervasive poison of injustice in the United States.

For Seminar and Certification Program information, contact the Department of Church Growth and Development AME Church at: (901) 523-2702 or (901) 523-2777 or ameharvest@aol.com.

 

Visit us at: http://www.departmentofchurchgrowth.com/ and on Facebook.

The Rt. Rev. John R. Bryant is the Senior Bishop; the Rt. Rev. Reginald Jackson is the Commission Chair on Social Action AME Church; the Rt. Rev. McKinley Young is the Commission Chair for the Department of Church Growth and Development AME Church; the Rt. Rev. Samuel L. Green Sr., is the Seminar Host Bishop; and the Rev. Dr. James C. Wade, is the Executive Director for the Department of Church Growth and Development AME Church.

*The Rev. Dr. Cheryl L. Green is the Co-Dean, Annual Seminar on Church Growth and Evangelism and Administrative Assistant, Dept. of Church Growth and Development

22. NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH

-- Sunday, Black Lives Matter Campaign Launches Next Steps

By The Admin | December 10, 2014 0 Comment

      

The United States of America has marked yet another embarrassing moment in its history books. As the world has closely watched countless African Americans endure unfair treatment and sadly in some cases, murder.

With history recording that on November 24, police officer, Darren Wilson, would not be indicted for the shooting death of Michael Brown, and on December 3 a grand jury would decline to indict NYPDs Daniel Pantaleo for the death of Eric Garner. Even with video footage as evidence.

These events, and countless others, are blatant evidence that the criminal justice system is not only biased but also broken. There is also clear evidence that racial profiling, police brutality and unjustified police killings of Blacks are at a disproportionate rate in comparison to other races. The Black male is irrefutably endangered, and for many of us, these actions indicate that their lives simply don’t matter.

“While we are grateful for President Obama’s decision to appoint United States Attorney General Eric Holder to oversee and investigate reports of police brutality across the country, we cannot sit idly by waiting.” “Black lives do matter!” said Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant.

See more at: http://blackpoliticsontheweb.com/2014/12/10/sunday-black-lives-matter-campaign-launches-next-steps/#sthash.iymIZqou.dpuf

-- The Rev. Kenneth H. Hill has been named pastor of the Historic Shorter Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Franklin. (Photo: Submitted).

Read more: http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/religion/2014/12/11/shorter-chapel-ame-names-kenneth-hill-pastor/20258579/

23. HE HAS DWELT AMONG US – PT. I:

Dr. Rebecca R. Rivka

“And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth”

John 1:14 (KJV)

Bible scholars generally agree that the Apostle John, honored as the “disciple whom Jesus loved” is the author of this Gospel.

John writes as a denial of the popular heresy of Corinthus and others who held that Jesus was a mere man, a morally good homo sapien who became “The Christ” at his baptism.

John does not lay again the foundation of the Synoptic Gospels but he goes to the heart of the matter and he writes a universal, spiritual gospel for all people and for all times. He takes advantage of the question – What does it mean to me that “the Word became flesh and dwelt among us?

John writes for the believer, for the Christian who abides in Christ and strives to become like him. John writes for the potential convert. He writes for teaching and worship within the church community.

Yes, John even writes for the validation of those who have experienced Jesus in their bodily sense perceptions.

Here in this Gospel, John builds upon the Synoptics, the external facts, the history of our Lord’s birth. John doesn’t bother us with dates, time and places. He cuts across genealogy, situations, traditions, and customs.

John helps us in our search for the meaning of the mystery of God in man. He is bringing up the rear; he’s the “gathering host” adding what was omitted by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. John leads us further into the veil, into an understanding of our divine birth-right - who we are and why we are here.

To obtain the research on the birth of Jesus, John heads straight for Heaven because that’s where the record is. There are three that bear record in Heaven according to I John 5:7: “the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” The 8th verse states, there are three that bear record in earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.”

John sees so clearly the divine and heavenly matter because he was up there in heaven where the record was. You know the ancients say that in John’s vision of the throne of God, when the door was opened in Heaven, that John was one of the four creatures around the throne. The four creatures were regarded as the four evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. John was that flying eagle.

Every time the voice sounded like a trumpet bidding John to “come up hither and I will show you things,” Eagle John just soared higher and higher until the Spirit told him to write: “In the beginning was the Word ...” (John 1:1-2)

...To be continued

The Reverend Dr. Rebecca R. Rivka, LPC is a member, Saint John’s African Methodist Episcopal Church in Norfolk, Virginia where the Rev. John D. Burton is the pastor. 

Permission to reprint given by the New Journal and Guide

*Dr. Rebecca R. Rivka

24. NAACP STATEMENT ON DOJ’S UPDATED RACIAL PROFILING GUIDANCE:

BALTIMORE, MD - On Monday, the Attorney General of the United States issued an update to the 2003 U.S. Department of Justice guidance regarding the use of race by federal law enforcement agencies.  The NAACP has long supported the clarification of ambiguities, closing of loopholes, and elimination of provisions that allow for racial or other forms of discriminatory profiling. As such we strongly commend Attorney General Eric Holder and the U.S. Department of Justice for expanding the characteristics it protects in the 2003 guidance beyond perceived race and ethnicity, to now also include gender, religion, national origin, gender-identity and sexual orientation. We are also pleased the guidance has been expanded to include state and local law enforcement officers participating in official federal law enforcement task forces. This new racial profiling guidance also expands many areas of protection by eliminating many of the deeply problematic broad carve-outs for law enforcement activities that weekend the much needed protections in the 2003 guidance, with a few exceptions.

In addition to the U.S.D.O.J. specific provisions, the policy also applies some of the expanded anti-profiling requirements to many of the Department of Homeland Security responsibilities for the very first time. This includes all U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and their enforcement activities wherever they may occur. It includes law enforcement activities performed by the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Border Patrol, Federal Air Marshalls, and DHS officers protecting federal buildings.  As we commend DOJ and DHS on the many much needed improvements in the guidance, we look forward to working with the administration to address a number of reforms to the 2003 guidance still needed, including protections in the area of language, disability (including HIV status), housing status, occupation, and socioeconomic status.

From Cornell William Brooks, the President and CEO of the NAACP:

“We welcome the revisions and updating of the 2003 guidance on the use of race by federal law enforcement issued by Attorney General Holder.  This guidance is a major and important step forward to ensure effective policing by federal law-enforcement officials, but it is one piece of many necessary long-term systemic criminal justice reforms. Now, we call on the Obama Administration to urge adoption of this guidance at the state and local law enforcement levels in all cases and not only cases where they are working with Federal task forces along with other reforms including providing specificity in data collection and training and mandating that law enforcement officers, who violate the guidance, be held criminally liable. We have painfully witnessed both in Ferguson, MO, and Staten Island, NY along with communities across the country the dangers of high levels of racial profiling, police discrimination and no accountability. Therefore, while we are encouraged by this step forward in updating this guidance, there is still significant progress to be made to end racial profiling once and for all.”

From Hilary O. Shelton, Director of the NAACP Washington Bureau and Senior Vice President for Policy and Advocacy:

“We are pleased to see this much needed improvement and expansion of the U.S. Department of Justice’s 2003 Racial Profiling Guidance. Since the beginning of the Obama administration we’ve met with Attorney General Holder and many officials at the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with the hope of seeing a new guidance that would modernize, strengthen and expand anti-racial profiling protections for all Americans. This new guidance moves the Nation a long way forward in doing just that. In short, it expands the definition of racial profiling and protections covered in the 2003 Guidance, of perceived race and ethnicity to now include gender, religion, national origin, gender-identity and sexual orientation. It also expands federal government agency accountability beyond the Justice Department to now include many of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security officers such as, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Border Patrol, Federal Air Marshalls, and DHS officers protecting federal buildings. We look forward to continuing our work with the Administration to see the U.S. Department of Justice Racial Profiling Guidance full implementation and further improvement.” 

25. THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT

*The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.

Based on Biblical Texts: Matthew 2: 2, Luke 2:11:”Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”

Joys bells ringing, Angels singing, All because a child was born. A time of sharing, People caring, all because a child was born

There has been no other event, in the history of the world that has changed the world like the birth of Jesus. This event caused a whirlwind of activity.

This event caused a few far eastern Magi to leave their luxurious mansions and travel miles across a barren desert by camel. The Wise Men traveled without any navigational aid except a low-hanging star in the east. Although they questioned the star’s appearing among themselves they concluded that it was God’s method of directing them to the place where His only begotten Son had been born. An agreement seemed to have been made to sleep by day and travel by night, so the star could be their guide. These three Kings, with countries to run, traveled a great distance to find the King of Kings.

There was a group of shepherds who apparently working third shift, while all the other people in the area were enjoying the comfort of their own beds. However, it seems that their apparent misfortune turned into good fortune as they looked up and all of a sudden, an angel came down out of the sky and stood right in their midst. The angel, noticing that they were startled said to them. “Fear Not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Savior which is Christ, the Lord”. The shepherd’s fortune took a turn for the better when just as suddenly as this one angel had appeared, they looked up and a mass choir of angels joined him saying, “Glory to God in the Highest, and on earth Peace, Good Will toward men”.  This event caused the shepherds to forget about their sheep, and without anyone’s permission, leave their post to travel to Bethlehem.

Because of this event of almost 2000 years ago we still gather to share in that same celebration. As a matter of fact all over the world, special worship services are being planned, all because of this event.

This event has moved thousands of missionaries, beginning with the Apostle Paul, to travel to the uttermost parts of the earth, proclaiming the message of Salvation. Missionaries have traveled, leaving all comforts behind, heading to uncivilized areas of the world, at great risk to their health and safety, inspired by this event.

Without a doubt, there has been no other event in all of history that has changed the course of civilization like the birth of Jesus Christ.

Who is this who has precipitated such a wave of change? He came through the lineage of David springing from the root of Jesse, through the house of Boaz. He is a conquering Lion from the tribe of Judah, a descendant of Jacob, an offspring of Isaac, and the Seed of Abraham. He is God’s only begotten Son, the only person ever conceived by the Holy Ghost. He was born of a Virgin and is the only Son ever to be born who was the same age of His Father and older than His mother.

Who is this who has precipitated such a wave of change? He is the blind man’s sight and the crippled man’s crutch. He is the sick man’s doctor, the troubled man’s lawyer, the hungry man’s bread and the thirsty man’s water.

The fact is that we are in line for a great celebration this Christmas morning, and all because there has been no other event, in the history of the world that has changed the world like the birth of Jesus. So much of our world exists because of Him.

None of us saw Jesus when He was born in a manger in Bethlehem. We didn’t see Him while He was walking upon the dusty roads of Galilee. We didn’t see Him on that terrible Friday when he hung nailed to a cross, nor did we witness His empty tomb three days later on Sunday morning. All of those events took place centuries before we arrived on the scene. However, we do know that if we keep on believing and trusting in Him, one of these days, we’re going to see Him for ourselves.

I wonder do you, like me, want to see Him for yourself. Jesus has made a difference in so many lives; I want to see Him for myself.

“Oh, I want to see Him, Look Upon His face; There to sing, forever, Of His saving Grace. On the streets of Glory, Let me lift my Voice, Cares all Past, Home at Last, Ever to rejoice!”

*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr. is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, S.C.

26. 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.

27. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2014:

The iSchool Lesson Brief will resume next week.

*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 African Methodist Episcopal Church

28. MEDITATION BASED ON MATTHEW 1:18-25, LUKE 1:26-38:

*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby

The Christmas season engenders thoughts of peace, hope and joy, but it also engenders thoughts of courage for me.  A teenager named Mary courageously agreed to be the earthly mother of the Savior of the world, risking rejection by her fiancé - who could have understandably doubted her claim that she was a virgin - and subjection to pious judgment and ridicule.  Her fiancé, Joseph, courageously married her - in spite of the probability that some would question his marrying a young woman who was already pregnant or accuse him of engaging in intimate behavior with her prior to their marriage.

Those young people found the courage to marry - in spite of what people might think or say - because God sent an angelic messenger to tell each of them the true and divine identity of the child they’d raise.  Each of them could have said, “No,” but they both courageously agreed to do God’s will.

Remember their courage in your times of doubt, challenge and uncertainty.  God calls all of us to do things that we might not immediately understand, seem to be risky, and might generate judgment and ridicule by those who know us well - I felt that way when I answered the call to Christian ministry.  We’d do well to remember that the God who made us knows us best, and that when we have the courage to do God’s will, God will bring us new hope, new peace, new joy and new blessings.

John Richard Bryant, the Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, addressed that kind of courage in a sermon I was privileged to hear him preach before he became a Bishop.  He said that when he realized that he’d been called to ministry, he considered the record of his life - both good and bad - and asked his father, who would later become Bishop Harrison J. Bryant, “You know me, you know my life.  How can God use me?”  He said that his father responded by saying, I don’t know, but I do know that if God called you, God can fix you.”

Seek God’s will for your life and have the courage to do God’s will.  Do so knowing that God can fix you and use you, and that the words of a familiar hymn by the Reverend C. A. Tindley are right, “In that land of perfect day when the mists have rolled away, we’ll understand it better by and by.”

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

29. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:

-- The son of Rev. and Mrs. Lishers Mahone will deliver the Commencement Address at the Middle Tennessee State University

Please join the Rev. Lishers Mahone, retired pastor, Chicago Annual Conference and Mrs. Betty Mahone as they pray that God will be with their son, Kenneth Strickland (NBC Bureau Chief-Washington, DC), as he delivers the Commencement Address at the Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, on tomorrow, December 13, at 2:00 p.m.  Kenneth is a 1989 graduate of MTSU.

Congratulatory responses can be emailed to:

The Rev. and Mrs. Lishers Mahone: firstladymahone@hotmail.com  

-- The son of Dr. and Mrs. Herman O. Kelly, Jr., graduated from the Metropolitan Police Academy

Herman Osby Kelly, III, son of Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr. and Linda M. Kelly Pastor and First Lady of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church Baton Rouge, Louisiana graduated from the Metropolitan Police Academy on Friday, December 12, 2014. Officer Kelly was selected as the class flag-bearer.

Congratulatory responses can be emailed to:

Dr. and Mrs. Herman O. Kelly, Jr.: Spidermh7@yahoo.com

-- Congratulations to two West Kentucky Conference Graduates from Asbury Theological Seminary

The Reverend Dr. Maxine Thomas, First Lady and Assistant Minister of Quinn Chapel AME Church, Louisville, Kentucky, received the Doctor of Ministry degree from  Asbury Theological Seminary.

Congratulatory messages can be e-mailed to:  Exhalemlt@aol.com

The Reverend Linda Roberts Jackson, Pastor of St. Mark AME Church, Louisville, Kentucky, received the Master of Divinity degree from Asbury Theological Seminary.

Congratulatory messages can be e-mailed to:  revlinda1966@gmail.com

We praise God for the significant milestones and accomplishments reached by two of our West Kentucky Conference Ministers.

30. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

- Mr. Leroy McKenzie, brother of Dr. Stan McKenzie, Episcopal Supervisor of the 10^th Episcopal District

We are saddened to announce the passing of the brother of the 10th Episcopal District Supervisor, Dr. Stan McKenzie.

Mr. Leroy McKenzie, brother of Dr. Stan McKenzie, Episcopal Supervisor of the 10th Episcopal District and brother-in-law of Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie died after a short illness. The funeral will be held Saturday, December 13, 2014, 11 A.M. at New Jerusalem Primitive Baptist Church, 777 NW 85th Street, Miami Florida.

Services are entrusted to:

Wright and Young Funeral

15332 NW 7th Avenue

Miami, FL  33169

305.688.2030 

Fax: 305.688.2293

Online Guest Book: http://216.119.69.91/ArticObits/ObitsNew/Landing_Obituary.aspx?oid=58478&view= 

Interment:

Monday, December 15, 2014

South Florida National Cemetery 6501 South State Road 7

Lake Worth, Fl. 33449

Expressions may be sent to:

Dr. Stan McKenzie and the family of Mr. Leroy McKenzie

10^th Episcopal District,

4347 South Hampton Road, Suite 245

Dallas, Texas 75232-1064

Telephone: (214) 333-2632

Fax: (214) 333-1960

tenthdistrictoffice@aol.com

31. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Regretfully we announce the passing of Stewart Lawrence Ransom, Jr. (Larry), the oldest brother of the Rev. Stephanie Ransom Kelley, pastor of Cyrene, Piqua, Ohio.

Services will be held Wednesday, December 17th, 2014

Viewing at 10:00 a.m.

Homegoing Service at 11:00 a.m.

Testament Baptist Church

1230 W. Michigan Avenue

Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197

Condolences can be sent to:

The Rev. Stephanie Ransom Kelley

543 Gloria Avenue

Lima, OH 45805

Final Arrangements Entrusted to:

Crystal Fountain Funeral Home

967 W. Michigan Avenue

Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197

Telephone number: (734) 544-2007.

32. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. John Hollins, the father of Mrs. Monica Swan-Giles and the father-in-law of Presiding Elder James Giles, Sr.  Mr. Hollins passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2014.

Memorial Services for Mr. John Hollins will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. at the Pleasant Green Missionary Baptist Churching Crossett, Arkansas.

Pleasant Green Baptist Church

3011 Porter Jasper Road

Crossett, AR 71635

Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to:

Presiding Elder & Mrs. James Giles

138 Nature Trail

Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71923

Phone Contact Information:

Mrs. Giles- 870-415-0636

The Rev. Giles- 870-230-2869

33. BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:

Ora L. Easley, Administrator

AMEC Clergy Family Information Center

Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net    

Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/  

Telephone: (615) 837-9736 (H)

Telephone: (615) 833-6936 (O)

Cell: (615) 403-7751

Blog: http://ameccfic.blogspot.com/    

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC   

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220   

34. 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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