1/24/2014

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (01/24/14)


The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder



1. TCR EDITORIAL – DOES ANYBODY CARE?:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder

When I went into the military, a similarity the military and the AME Church shared was a command structure, i.e., “chain of command” and the “chain of supervision.”  I did not have difficulty transitioning AME civilian ministry to the military ministry because of that similarity.

I noticed some of my fellow chaplain classmates, especially those who had no military experience, had difficulty with the transition.  The chaplains who had difficulty were from independent or Free Church traditions. They did not understand or feel comfortable with the command structure. They were more comfortable with independent thinking and individual decisionmaking.

The military is not an independent or individual-thinking institution; the military is a teamwork-structured organization.

Teamwork is one of the first things instilled and taught military training. Among the attributes for teamwork are obedience, following procedures for mission accomplishments and insuring that everyone understands and follows the rules. Another characteristic is accountability – every soldier, from private to general, is accountable to someone and in every instance someone is in-charge, which translates to “chain of command.” 

Chain of command is a reality in corporate organizations, governments, academic institutions and in connectional or hierarchal religious bodies. Chain of command is important in any hierarchal organization, but the reality is that it is also important in non-hierarchal organizations.

One of the first things that one learns upon entering the military is “chain of command.” Every soldier, sailor, airman, marine or coast guardsman understand the chain of command and the consequences of disrespecting the chain of command. Consequences can include, demotion, failure to be promoted, loss of position, loss of income, reassignment, and in serious infractions, imprisonment.

The rules of “chain of command” or “chain of supervision” dictate when a superior commissioned or a non-commissioned officer speak, subordinates pay attention and are expected to respond appropriately. 

Stay with me, I am going somewhere with all of this

The AME Church and the military had similar rules and regulations, which made it comfortable for me to transition from one to the other.

It started with my relationship in the local church as a licentiate. It was made clear to me that I was not a “reverend” and I was not to introduce myself as a “reverend.” I was “Brother Sydnor” or “Calvin.” My place was on the front pew to learn, observe and to respond when called upon.

I felt that I was “in a between world” of not being lay parishioner and not being clergy; at time I wasn’t sure what I was. I also knew; if I wanted to be an AME minister, I had to follow the rules.

I confess that it was nice to visit Baptist churches because some of those old Baptist preachers took the position, when God called you, you were a reverend and “Reverend Sydnor” certainly did sound good, but I dared not mention that to Reverend Jesse Owens, my father in the ministry.

I remember the times when we met with the Board of Examiners; they were serious about our understanding of the rules of the AME Church. I and the others going through the ministry process often felt as if we were on a “hot seat.”  We studied together for the board during the year and especially prior to the annual conference. 

The Philadelphia Board of Examiners reiterated that the pastor was in-charge of the local church and that we were not to interfere with the “politics” of the local church. We were learners. It was impressed upon us to learn the “AME way” and when I went in the Army, the phrase I heard over and over was, “This is the way we do it in the Army” and so I felt right at home.

As a matter of fact the rules were very similar; in the AME Church, I had a pastor, presiding elder, and bishop. In the Army, I had a battalion commander, brigade chaplain, brigade commander and general. I exchanged one chain of command for the other.

It’s understandable why someone coming from a denomination without a chain of command would have a “steep learning curve,” and even a resistance to supervision.
 
Bear with me just a little bit more…

When I arrive at my first church, my presiding elder gave me “the skinny” on pastoring and the one thing he made abundantly clear to me was that if I had a problem, I was to contact him and not contact the bishop. He was emphatic about that. He went on to say, if the problem was bigger than he and I could solve, “We would go to the bishop together.”  And later, Bishop Frederick Jordan reinforced what the presiding elder had told me!

When I went into the Army one of the things that was made abundantly clear, “Problems were handled at the lowest levels and soldiers do not jump the chain of command.”  Wow! The same thing my presiding elder and my bishop said when I arrived at my first pastoral appointment.

In the day

Ministerial etiquette and ethics were emphasized ad infinitum “back in the day!”

By the time we were ordained, we had been fully immersed and indoctrinated about how we were to act and about our relationship with parishioners, clergy, superior and subordinate relationships.  We understood dress and deportment.

In the Army it was called “military bearing.” In airports and other public venues, you do not see soldiers slouching and shuffling along; and the Marine Corps, Airborne and Special Forces units are “hard core” on military bearing.

Some things change, but some things stay the same

The military has seen many changes over the past 40 years, but some things have remained the same, most notably the “chain of command.”

Here’s where I am going

It seems that ministerial ethics and etiquette, chain of command / chain of supervision have deteriorated. 

I know that we live in a more freed-up world and things change, but some things, especially those that relate to “good order and discipline,” need to remain in place.

Casual observation and listening

In some local churches, the laity does not exhibit respect for pastors, presiding elders or bishops; and sometimes worse, little or no respect for other parishioners.

Some pastors show little or no respect for presiding elders and still others show a lack of respect for their episcopal leadership.  It seems that there is disrespectfulness up and down the AME “chain of supervision”; and it doesn’t enhance the body of Christ or the work of the Church.

Integrity

The quickest way for a military officer or corporate executive to lose his or her position is for him or her to fail to keep his or her word. Integrity, as it should be, is a big issue. 

In the military, when a soldier says that he or she is going to do something, he or she had better do it.

I have repeatedly heard stories and observed instances of clergy and laity who say they were going to do something in the local church, in the presiding elder district or annual conference level, but failed to do what they promised to do. The issue is integrity.

When a person gives his or her word in the military, he or she had better follow-through or face severe consequences. Similar consequences need to be faced by clergy and laity who violate integrity.

In some of our churches we have stewards and trustees who have never read The Doctrine and Discipline of the AMEC and who fail to perform their duties and fulfill their responsibilities; and they do without a “blush of shame.” That’s an integrity issue.

No one, not even the pastor should have to tell a steward or a trustee the importance of reading and understanding The Discipline and Doctrine of the AMEC, because all of them are adults. And, certainly no one should have to tell them the importance of reading the Bible.

Accountability

Everybody in any business enterprise is accountable to someone. Everybody in the military is responsible and accountable to someone. In the military, every soldier receives a job performance evaluation, for officers called an “Efficiency Report” each year. The annual evaluation determines if the officer or non-commissioned officer will get promoted; or not get promoted.

I am not sure if any of out episcopal districts mandates performance reports for its pastors. Do pastors have office hours, visit the sick and shut-in members, and involve themselves in the community? Who knows? Who cares?

I wonder what would happen if presiding elders were required to give each pastor a written evaluation report each year, which would be forwarded to the presiding bishop. One thing for sure, a written evaluation by the presiding elder would enhance pastors’ respect for presiding elders. The position of being a presiding elder would certainly be enhanced.

And what would happen if local church officers were required to give input to the pastoral performance reports. And, what would happen if pastors seriously and conscientiously sat down with their stewards and trustees and gave them honest feedback about their performance. We are talking about accountability. And, if they are not already doing so, would ministry be enhanced if bishops gave written annual presiding elder evaluations?

Chain of command / chain of supervision

In the military, when commanders or their representatives speak, subordinates listen and respond. And, everything is not written in “black and white,” the culture is that “rank has it privileges” and when leaders speak it is in the interest of “good order and discipline.” People listen and respond when leaders speak.

I have noticed that Boards of Examiners are big with insuring that ordinands dress in suits and appropriate dress for women.  The irony is that some of the same members of the Board of Examiners don’t follow the rules of dress on Sunday morning in their own churches; and a lot of other pastors don’t either.

Uhh, oh, I am getting there

I have received numerous inquiries about pastors not wearing robes during Sunday morning worship services. I have even seen suits in the pulpit on Communion Sunday. I have noticed a number of pastors who do not wear robes during worship services. Some / many AME pastors are wearing suits and I have received one example that the pastor sometimes wears dungarees and an open shirt without a tie.  I am talking about appropriate wear of the robes. I have seen robes unzippered, unbuttoned, not fitting correctly, and soiled.

When I channel-surf, I see televangelists wearing suits and some wearing jeans. I am afraid that some of our AME pastors may be mimicking what they see on television or mimicking what non-sacramental pastors wear during worship services in their communities.

Now, I may be wrong and the preachers who took me through the Board of Examiner might have been wrong when they were very specific about how AME preachers dressed for worship and the requirement for the clergy to wear robes.

In every AME Church I have ever visited, until recently, AME clergy wore robes, even during Sunday afternoon services and revivals. AME pastors wore robes.  Robes were our signature. We even got a lot of the Baptist preachers and even Pentecostal preachers wearing robes. I can remember when COGIC elders didn’t wear clergy collars, but check out the COGIC official website; the photo of the bishops look Methodist bishops.

When I arrived at my first pastoral appointment, Shorter Chapel AME Church in Paris, Kentucky with its 85 members, I had a choir robe that someone had given me to wear when I became an itinerant deacon. I had worn that robe for a couple of years and after two Sundays at Shorter Chapel, Sister Rice and the officers decided that I needed a preacher’s robe. They took me to Cokesbury in Cincinnati and bought me a John Wesley Robe. I was prepared to go cheap because we had a small church, but the folks said, “Our pastor needs a real robe that will last; let’s get the best.”  And they did get the best.

My question

Have we changed the rules? If so, when?  Can local pastors determine what they will wear during worship services? Can pastors determine which parts of the worship service they can delete or disregard? Can pastors change the worship liturgy?  Can pastors disregard the “shall” and “will” words in the liturgy and do what they want in worship?

Do the Bishops or the AME Church care how pastors dress during worship? Whether they wear robes or not wear robes?  Do we let pastors decide how they are to dress during worship?  Do we care if the vestment colors are properly displayed?  Are suits permissible for functioning-clergy on first Sundays?  Do clergy robe for Funerals? Should they wear robes for weddings and baptisms? Does anyone care if some pastors are dismantling the worship as outlined in The Doctrine and Discipline of the AMEC, the AMEC Hymnal or the AMEC Book of Worship?

Do we have a connectional standard? Should we have a connectional standard? Or are we moving to a Free Church model where every pastor can do as he or she wishes? Does anybody care?

If we do not have a standard, the bishops need to let pastors and parishioners know so that there will be no misunderstanding about the issue of dress standards concerning robes and vestments.

Some decisions are made based upon The Doctrine and Discipline of the AMEC; other decisions might be made based upon precedence or tradition, or by order of the leader.  Decisions are also based upon “good order and discipline” for the organization, i.e., a decision to use Robert’s Rules of Order for meeting. 

I believe that most pastors and laity respect the episcopacy. People want direction. Clergy and laity want to hear from their leaders and I believe if episcopal fathers and mothers gave a directive for AME clergy to wear robes during worship services, most preachers would gladly follow it.  Or, if it doesn’t matter, say nothing, but that’s giving direction also.

The issue is; does the AME Church allow each clergy to decide whether he or she wants to wear a robe, follow the order of service or do we let pastors and congregations do what they want to do?

In the military and in connected organizations, it is the expectation that everyone, at all levels of the organization, knows the value of working as a team. Anyone who has played a team sport knows that when the coach goes over strategy and plays, everybody on the team sees the same chalkboard or screen and every player sees the assignment of every team member. Connected organizations to include the military and connectional denominations follow the same protocol.  Every person in the organization is familiar with or knows the responsibilities of everyone on the team.  In other words, everyone knows their boundaries.

I guess we need to decide if we are connected or if we are an unconnected organization.  Sometimes it appears that church members are going in one direction, the pastor in another direction, and the presiding elder going, in yet, another direction; and the bishop…, which do not model “functioning as a team.” 

I believe that we are a connected organization and there should be a semblance and model of connectedness; not a model of disjointedness.

In corporate America, Africa, Europe, the Caribbean, South America and in connected organizations everywhere else in the world, when a leader gives an order; everyone in the chain of command or chain of supervision is expected to execute; no excuses. Connected organizations cannot be effective and are not connected if everyone does his or her own thing.

On more than one occasion a bishop gives an order or directive and the presiding elders and pastors simply ignore it. Sometimes pastors ignore the directives of their presiding elders. I have often thought to myself, “It’s a good thing those clergy who ignore directives from their superiors are not in the military.” Those pastors would not be attending the Command and General Staff College; they would be inmates at the U.S. Army Disciplinary Barracks. 

Every pastor of every AME Church and every clergy member and every AME all over the world should follow The Discipline and Doctrine of the AMEC.

A pastor cannot or should not “do his or her own thing.” 

When we are permitted to “do our own thing” we are moving the organization in the direction of failure.

Does anybody care?

2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:

To the Editor:

Please share the “when's, where's, who's as well as 'how's” of existing programs within the AME Church to train "parishioners and especially those in leadership positions in the areas of biblical literacy, spirituality, stewardship, discipleship, leadership, and conflict resolution."

The Rev. Helen Rogers

3. AME CHURCH RESTRICTIONS FOR CHAPLAINS REGARDING SAME SEX MARRIAGE PER/AMEC DOCTRINE AND DISCIPLINE:

All chaplains of the African Methodist Episcopal Church are advised that as per the Discipline of the AME Church, “the AME Church strictly prohibits and forbids any AME Church clergy person, licensed and/or ordained from performing or participating in or giving any blessing to any ceremony designed to result in any pairing between persons of the same sex gender, including, but not limited to, marriage or civil unions. Further, the AME Church strictly prohibits and forbids the use of any AME Church property for the performance of and/or giving of any blessing on the same.” (The Doctrine and of the AMEC 2012, Page 288 B.)

As the Endorsing Agent for the African Methodist Episcopal Church, I direct all of our chaplains to follow the law of the Church and not perform, participate or bless and same sex marriage or civil union. If violated the consequence will be as outlined in the AMEC Discipline, “any AME Church clergy person licensed and /or ordained charged with violating this rule shall be referred to the Ministerial Efficiency Committee. If the charges are sustained, the Bishop shall suspend the clergy person and shall convene the Trial Committee within 45 days. If the charges are sustained by the Trial Committee, such person’s ordination shall be revoked by the Annual Conference and he or she shall be relieved of his or her orders and or license.”

You may provide a copy of this memo to any superior officers or other officials to whom you may report. The law does not require you to follow any policy or directive that violates the law or doctrine of your denomination.

You may also have any superior or official contact my office.

Reginald T. Jackson, Bishop
Office of Ecumenical and Urban Affairs
African Methodist Episcopal Church

4. FOUNDER’S DAY INVITATION:

William Phillips DeVeaux

Founder’s Day in the African Methodist Episcopal Church is reminiscent of a reunion. It is a celebration of the AME Church Family, its origins successes and setbacks for two hundred and twenty-six (226) years. This family has grown from a few members who held their first worship service held by Richard Allen, our Founder, in a blacksmith shop. Today, the AME Church has grown to more than 2 million members in the United States, Caribbean, Africa, India and Europe.

Be assured, Founder’s Day is not just another meeting. Instead like Joshua explained to the children of Israel (4:21-24) "When your children shall ask their fathers in time to come, saying, what mean these stones…Then ye shall let your children know, saying, Israel came over this Jordan on dry land. That all the people of the earth might know the hand of the Lord, that it is mighty: that ye might fear the Lord your God for ever."

For AMEs, Founder’s Day is akin to the stones extracted from the River Jordan. It reminds us that only God could have empowered a free black man in 1787 to found a church that has grown into our current international denomination.

Of course, Founder’s Day is a time to remember and pay tribute to Richard Allen; but is also a family reunion and a time to honor the present as well as look ahead to the future. Pam, the entire DeVeaux Family and I take great pleasure in asking you and yours to share Founders’ Day with us on February 20-22, 2014 at Reid Temple AME Church, hosted by the Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington 11400 Glenn Dale Boulevard, Glenn Dale, and Maryland 20769.

I hope that you are preparing to make your way to Founder’s Day 2014 beginning with Opening Worship Service on Thursday evening at 7:00 p.m. where we are privileged to have the Rev. Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown, Historiographer/Executive Director, Department of Research and Scholarship and Editor of The A.M.E. Church Review as our guest preacher.

Founder’s Day 2014 will also include several such as:

- The Living Legacy Awards that recognize the exemplary contributions of Second District clergy and lay.

- Updates on Sexual Misconduct and Harassment and Affordable Health Care

- The Young Prophets Speak- Proclaiming God’s Word for a Twenty-First Century Generation on Friday evening at 7:00 p.m.- Memorial Service for Bishop Sarah Francis Davis, the third female Consecrated and Elected Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

And, just like any other Family Reunion, we must conduct business so the all of our Episcopal District Components have an opportunity to meet, review progress from last year and make plans for the future.

And, of course, politics must be discussed and our Social Action Commission has prepared a noteworthy forum for these talks.

Finally, we close Founder’s Day as it began…in giving thanks to God at the Closing Worship Service.

Pam and I look forward to being in fellowship with you at the 2nd Episcopal District Founders’ Day.

Sincerely -

*William Phillips DeVeaux is the Presiding Bishop of the 2nd Episcopal District

5. THE 10TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2014 SPRING CALENDAR:

Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate
Mr. Stan McKenzie, Episcopal Supervisor

Founder’s Day
13-15 February 2014
Sheraton Hotel & Arlington Convention Center
1500 Convention Center Drive
Arlington, Texas 76011
Host Church: Baker Chapel AME
Host Pastor: The Rev. Walter R. McDonald
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Johnny R. Mitchell
Associate Presiding Elder: The Rev. Marshall S. Hobbs, Sr.

Spring Convocation
15-17 May 2014
Hyatt Regency Hotel
701 E. Campbell Road
Richardson, Texas 75081


Super Summer Convocation
17-19 July 2014
Westin Hotel
Houston, Texas

6. AME UNIVERSITY: “A MIRACLE IN MONROVIA” ECUMENICAL & COMMUNITY BREAKFAST:

Los Angeles, CA. - An Ecumenical & Community Breakfast for AME University, located in Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa was held recently at First AME Church, where Rev. J. Edgar Boyd is the Senior Minister. 

At the invitation of AME University founder, Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Sr., AME Bishop (112th) Retired- nearly one-hundred ministers and community leaders from throughout the Los Angeles-area came out to pray, break bread together, pay tribute to Nelson Mandela, and to welcome and receive an update from Bishop Clement W. Fugh, Presiding Prelate for the AME Church’s Fourteenth Episcopal District serving Liberia, Central Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote D’ Ivoire and Togo-Benin, and AME University Board Chairman, and a presentation from Dr. Joseph, T. Isaac, President of AME University - website: www.ame.edu.lr. 

Bishop Henning’s office is located at Ward AME Church, in Los Angeles, is establishing a foundation in 2014, to provide ongoing support to AME University in Monrovia, Liberia and other worthy projects. 

Led by Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Fifth District, AME Church Presiding Prelate, other attendees at the breakfast event included; the Rev. Norman D. Copeland, Los Angeles District, Southern California Conference; the Rev. Benjamin Hollins, Presiding Elder, Los Angeles/Pasadena District Southern California Conference; the Rev. John Cager, President, AME Alliance Southern California; the Rev. Mark Whitlock, Pastor Christ Our Redeemer AME Church, Irvine and Director of Corporate Giving for the Connectional African Methodist Episcopal Church, serves as Chief Executive Officer of Nehemiah Ministries and is the Director of Community Initiatives at University of Southern California, Center for Religion and Civic Culture; the Rev. Tarus Myhand, Pastor, Ward AME Church; the Rev. Michael W. Eagle, Pastor, Grant AME Church Long Beach and Founder of MWE Ministries; Mr. Fred Stuart, Former AME District President; Mrs. “Jackie” Dupont-Walker, Consultant/Director, AME Commission on Social Action; the Rev. James K. McKnight, Pastor, Congregational Church of Christian Fellowship, UCC; the Rev. Kevin Sauls, Pastor, Holman UMC; U.S.

Congresswoman Karen Bass; CA State Senator Roderick Wright, Mr. Percy Pinkney, representing U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Former Councilman Robert Farrell; Mr. Nolan Rollins, President, Los Angeles Urban League, Mr. Ron Hasson, President Beverly Hills-Hollywood, NAACP, Mr. Curtis Silver, Executive Director, United Negro College Fund; Mr. Danny Bakewell, Chairman of The Bakewell Company; and Mr. Samuel Hoffman, President of the  Liberian-American Community Organization of Southern California.  

AME University, the vision and legacy of Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Sr. was established during his administration as Presiding Prelate of the 14th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

AME University was organized during major civil unrest in Liberia, finally opening its doors in 1995.  Located on Camp Johnson Road, in the heart of Monrovia, Liberia, AMEU has a student population of more than 3,000, the largest enrollment of all the AME colleges and universities and the second largest four-year college in Liberia. 

Currently AME University has an extensive waiting list, limited facilities, and a strong demand for more resources.  However, the young people of Liberia remain eager to advance their lives beyond all odds, and to make a positive difference, in the lives of their families, neighborhoods, villages, country and the continent of Africa.

Following Dr. Isaac’s presentation of Quick Facts and Initiatives for AME University, and near the conclusion of the breakfast, Mrs. Ernestine Henning, wife of Bishop Henning and former AME Supervisor told of her returning to Liberia in 2010, and “gifting” and drilling five wells with “Water for Children Africa” - including one at AME University, thus providing one of life’s essentials, water, for the students, faculty and staff. 

Bishop Henning stated, “AME University is truly- ‘A Miracle in Monrovia,’ one which we can embrace and support as a living legacy to Nelson Mandela.” 

He listed some support opportunities, including making contributions for student tuition fees, books, salary for faculty members, donating iPads, or even serving as a visiting faculty member. 

Several persons made contributions and/or pledges.

Bishop Henning thanked everyone for their attendance and said, “It is indeed a blessing to know that the students, faculty, programs and development of facilities AME U will be able to count on support from the Los Angeles-area. 

For more information about and ways to support AME University, contact Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Sr.  His office is located at Ward AME Church - 1177 West 25th Street - Los Angeles, CA 90007, office phone: (213) 765-7895 / email: lanroc@aol.com.

*Carol Hall & Associates, Projects Consultant to retired Bishop C. Garnett Henning

7. ADDRESS CHANGE FOR RETIRED BISHOP FREDERICK AND FORMER SUPERVISOR SYLVIA TALBOT:

Bishop and Dr. Sylvia Talbot have moved to their new residence in St. Croix, Frederiksted, Virgin Islands. They flew to St. Croix on Tuesday, January 21, 2014.

Please note their new contact information:

Bishop Frederick Hilborn Talbot, M.Div., S.T.M., D.Min, C.C.A
90th Consecrated and Elected Bishop
African Methodist Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 3555
Frederiksted, St. Croix, VI  00841
Cell:  615.429.0081

Sylvia Ross Talbot, M.S., Ed.D.
Former WMS Supervisor, AME Church
P.O. Box 3555
Frederiksted, St. Croix, VI   00841
Cell:  615.734.9345

Submitted by Mrs. Billie D. Irving, Administrative Assistant, Office of General Secretary

8. ST. MATTHEW AME CHURCH, ORANGE, NEW JERSEY CELEBRATED ITS 71ST CHURCH ANNIVERSARY AND 1ST PASTORAL ANNIVERSARY:

St. Matthew AME Church known as the “Servant Church of the Oranges,” celebrated its 71st Church Anniversary in grandiose style, on November 24, 2013. The theme was “Thankful for the Past, Rejoicing in the Present, and Preparing for the Future.”

The auspicious occasion also marked the 1st year Anniversary celebration of our pastor, the Rev. Dr. Lanel D. Guyton, who is the 10th pastor in the history of our Zion; appointed by our very own Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District, The Rt. Rev. Gregory G. M. Ingram.
     
This was an historic occasion that would undoubtedly go down in history as one of the finest ever. The keynote speaker for the combined service was the former pastor St. Matthew, and now the 132nd Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, The Rt. Rev. Reginald T. Jackson; who holds both, the office of Ecumenical Affairs, and Presiding Prelate of the 20th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Connectional Church.   
     
The celebration was marked with many underlying themes, with this occasion also being Bishop Jackson’s first return to the St. Matthew pulpit since leaving to serve the connectional church in the Episcopacy. With the church sanctuary and balcony filled to capacity, the choir delighted those in attendance with songs reflecting the theme of the anniversary. The Liturgical dancers ministered to the delight of the congregation, further ushering in the spirit of God. The atmosphere was set, and the Holy Spirit took over, as Bishop Jackson then proceeded to preach a powerful, thought provoking message that spoke to the members of St. Matthew, and to those visiting from the community.
     
His text came from 1 Corinthians 12: 12-27, with the sermon titled: “You are the Body of Christ.” This soul stirring sermon moved the congregation throughout the message, and as he usually does, Bishop Jackson ended the sermon, with the vast majority on their feet in praise and adoration for the word. This was a timely word, and only inspired our pastor-leader and congregation to work together, no matter our different roles to fulfill God’s mission.
     
The day culminated with an unveiling of a portrait that represented St. Matthew Church, in the past, present and future. There were images of the historic church, before the first of two expansions; Bishop Jackson, as he led St. Matthew, while being a difference maker in the community, and state of New Jersey; and our current pastor Rev. Dr. Guyton, who represents our future.      
     
Following the unveiling, a luncheon was held in honor of our pastor, marking his first year and recognizing the 75 persons who joined St. Matthew under his pastorate.

Sister Verna Leath a member for 20 plus years was recognized for her dedication and service to the church and to the community.  
     
There were many dignitaries present at the service; Mother Christie Jackson, Supervisor of the 20th Episcopal District; Members of the Jackson family; Presiding Elder Howard Grant, Newark District, and Mrs. Roberta Grant; First Lady of St. Matthew Sister Tanzania G. Guyton, R.N.; the Honorable Mayor of Orange, Dwayne Warren, Esq.; the Honorable Mayor of Irvington Wayne Smith; and a host of local and state dignitaries.

A special thanks to Sister Debra Thomas, chairperson, and committee; and the Orange Police department for their involvement.
     
St. Matthew AME Church known as the “Servant Church of the Oranges,” under the leadership of Dr. Guyton, continues to be the beacon of hope for the community. Our church theme was “Walking by Faith: Praying for it, Trusting for it, and Waiting for it, with Anticipation.” Mark 11:24  

9. AN AME CHILD OF GOD AND ‘PK’ HEADS FOR THE SEC:  MARVIN ZANDERS – “MZ9” – LEAVES FLORIDA FOR MISSOURI:

By Angela Surcey-Garner

In November, 2000, the Saint Paul A.M.E. Church Family in Jacksonville, FL was blessed with the Pastoral appointment of The Reverend Dr. Marvin C. Zanders, II and his wonderful family, Lady Winifred H. Zanders, Marvin and Micah. Saint Paul had come to life again with the ‘pitter-patter’ of children’s feet throughout the church. With the addition of Marvin and Micah Zanders, Saint Paul would eventually blossom with new youth and a fresh outlook on life.

They were both eager to learn and spent many afternoons in my office learning how to use the computers. As one of Pastor Zanders’ first Assistants, Marvin and I often spent evenings together at the church while his Dad held meetings; Micah was usually with Lady Zanders, who is a wonderful ‘do all things’ Mom. Often at the church, she would make sure the boys had done their homework while the family had dinner together before one of Pastor Zanders’ meetings. So I’ve watched them grow from the time they arrived 14 years ago – they were my little fellas.

As the years passed, they grew older. Each developed a distinct personality, but both enjoyed a challenge. They served in most of the youth ministries: Acolytes, YPD, Youth Choirs, DMC, Summer Camp and others, always active in sports played during Church School Convention recreation and other opportunities to show their talents. My little fellas had begun to grow into young men, no longer exclusively mine. Several persons in the church and community had begun to capture their attention as they were nurtured by wonderful parents, and persons who would love and support them throughout their growth.

Each football and basketball season, Marvin and Micah played city-wide youth sports, coordinated by Coach Calvin Cushion, a Saint Paul Disciple. Pastor Zanders was also a coach and Lady Zanders was “Coach Mom.” Marvin was determined to follow in his Dad’s footsteps as a quarterback. He was blessed with a strong arm and his aim was on point as a pre-teen through high school. We knew he would take that God-given talent to the next level.

At William M. Raines High School in Jacksonville, Florida, Marvin became the first string quarterback in his junior year, known as “MZ9.” My little fella weighs in at 6’3”, 185 pounds. He was chosen as First Coast News’ Athlete of the Week in October, 2012 among many other accolades as a leader in the sports arena. Marvin completed 128-of-210 passes for 1,839 yards, 18 touchdowns and nine interceptions as a junior last Fall, with 416 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, according to Raines' MaxPreps.com site. For more information about our all-star athlete, to include his recruiting video by ESPN, Google his name: Marvin Zanders; there are a plethora of available articles, stats, photos and video.

Marvin was awarded a full football scholarship to the University of Missouri in Columbia (UM) – “Mizzou”, who joined the SEC (Football: Southeastern Conference) in 2012. I was honored to attend Marvin’s ‘Farewell Celebration’ at Buca Di Beppo Italian Restaurant on the Southside of Jacksonville, with family members and others who pray for and love him, have watched him grow and influenced his life. After two delicious salads, chicken parmesan, pasta with Italian sausage and chocolate cake, the floor was open for life stories and well-wishers.

Many persons spoke about their connection with Marvin as they continued with words of encouragement, warnings of what not to do and promises to pray for him daily; from youth pastors, friends, coaches and family members to Micah and Lady Zanders. Micah wished his brother well while making us laugh, then became emotional before completing his speech – Marvin did the crying when they were small, rarely Micah. It was very touching and there was not a dry eye in the room. In addition to well wishes and petitions for prayer, Lady Zanders shared a story with us about Marvin’s birth, which was very special and revealed a major blessing of life from God.

As Marvin begins to settle into college life and adjust to the cold weather, please remember to pray for him. Most of us who have attended college, know how easy it is to lose focus amidst all of the freedom. We pray he will choose to attend Worship Services each Sunday – there is a St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Columbia – where he can connect with the A.M.E. Church Family on a local, more personal level. We pray for much continued success in his studies as a freshman in college, and that he will adapt to creating good study habits and make wise decisions; that God will give him good, Christian friends who will enhance his college life and encourage him on all levels of academics and sports. We pray that all who read and share this article will also keep Marvin in your prayers. We congratulate Marvin Frank Curtis Zanders – “MZ9”, as he embarks upon a new milestone in his life.

10. STATEMENT BY THE REV. DR. DARRYL WILLIAMS, PASTOR OF ST. MARK AME CHURCH ON THE DEATH OF COREY STINGLEY:

The unfortunate death of 16 year old Corey Stingley’s is another example of the casual attitude exhibited by some Caucasian’s when a Black teen loses his life, particularly, at the hands of a white person.

By his parent’s admission, Mr. Stingley was no boy scout; after all, he was suspected of shoplifting at the time of the incident. Those who responded to the “scene of the crime” acted as judge, jury and ultimately, executioner in this case.

We can all agree that the penalty for shoplifting should not be the loss of one’s life.

It is not unreasonable and, in a just society it is expected, that a thorough investigation would be conducted in a case of this nature. It is my opinion that if a thorough, unbiased investigation had been conducted those responsible for Mr. Stingley’s death would have been found liable.

I join hands with many in this community in calling for a further review of this case by the district attorney’s office to satisfy the will of a public that strongly believes that a just finding was not reached in this case.

About St. Mark AME Church:
St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church is the first African American church built in Wisconsin in 1886.

11. THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT:
     
*The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.

Based on Biblical Text: I Thessalonians 3:12 (KJV)

And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you.”
       
The greatest quality in the world is love. Without love, we are nothing and cannot have abundant life. The Apostle Paul was aware of this. His prayer to God was that the Thessalonian church and its believers might grow more and more in love. Paul knew that the church that would be a model to others is a church that has a strong and abiding love. The model church exhibits an intense love for God and one another.
               
Paul prays to God our Father, reminding us that the God we serve is not just “out there” ruling and reigning in some place far removed from us but, is in fact, right here with us actively participating in our lives just as an earthly father participates in the lives of his children. In other words God, our Father, is intimately involved in our lives. We see Paul approach God like a child approaches their father. A child requests of their father knowing that he will hear and answer.
               
Paul prays to our Lord Jesus Christ, who has existed eternally in heaven but so loved us that He would become our Lord. He would come to earth in the flesh and dwell among us. The depth of Paul’s prayer reveals to us that both the Father and the Son have the nature of God.  The Father and the Son have co-existed eternally, and continue to reign eternally.
               
Paul prays for what he knows is the only solution to the people’s dilemma. He prays for their need to love. Why, because love is the necessary foundation for every church that seeks to flourish in the work of the Lord. If the church of Jesus Christ is to grow, it must allow the love of God to multiply and overflow into the world.
               
God can increase our love and cause our love to overflow toward others. The overflowing love of God can perfect that which is lacking in our conviction and can guide and direct all of our efforts. This is our mandate if we are to be the church in our community that would be a model to others.  God’s overflowing love will move us to not only encourage the unsteady among our congregation, but the unsteady “out there” in the world as well.  We will be able to not only strengthen the weak within our walls; we will also be compelled to strengthen the weak without. God’s overflowing love will allow us not only to inspire the dispirited on our roles, but also the discouraged in our community. We will be moved not just to feed the hungry in our membership, but to reach beyond our membership to the hungry who don’t know the Lord.
               
Our prayer, as we aspire to be a church in our community that stands boldly as a model to others, is to God our Father and to our Lord Jesus Christ, asking that we are strengthened and encouraged to carry their  overflowing love into all the world. The model church loves God with the entirety of heart, mind and soul and just as importantly extends that same love to our neighbor.  We know by faith that there is no relationship that God’s love cannot strengthen. We are encouraged that there is no fellowship that His love cannot enhance, no heart that His love cannot soften, nor is there any pain that His love cannot relieve.

Lord we seek to be to be a church in our community that stands as a model to others and our prayer is that You make us blameless, pure, holy, and our pathway sure.

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

12. ITINERANT ELDER ON THE STAFF AT EBENEZER AME, FORT WASHINGTON, MARYLAND SELECTED TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF ALABAMA STATE UNIVERSITY:


Alabama State University’s (ASU) Board of Trustees Dec. 20 selected Dr. Gwendolyn Boyd, ASU alum and a former Delta Sigma Theta national president to be the next ASU president.

The board vote to offer the position to Dr. Boyd was unanimous, according to school officials. She will be the first woman to hold the position in the school’s 146-year history.

Alabama-born, she earned her bachelor’s degree from ASU in 1977 in mathematics. She received a fellowship to attend Yale University's School of Engineering in New Haven, Connecticut, becoming the school's first African American woman to receive an M.S. degree in mechanical engineering in 1979.

The board voted Dec. 20 after interviewing three finalists. The other finalists were retired Brigadier Gen. Samuel Nichols and Democratic state Senator Quinton Ross.

The Rev. Dr. Boyd will be preaching at Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church; 7707 Allentown Road; Fort Washington, Maryland on Sunday, 26 January 2014 at both the 7:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. worship services.


Yolanda Hinton

13. NEW YEAR'S LESSONS FROM THE MARINE CORPS MARATHON:

Maurice A. Buford, Ph.D., D.Min
CDR, USN, CHC

For many people in 2013 the sentiments of "A Tale of Two Cities" held true, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” 

I am confident that many of you would join me by saying that "through it all" – God brought us, built us, and blessed us!

So as we lean forward in a brand new year, I would like to impart into your spirit three lessons from the Marine Corps Marathon to help you to fulfill that divine assignment upon your life.

I’ve always wanted to participate in the people’s marathon but I would allow myself to get distracted by excuses. For example, I would reason within myself that I didn’t have the time to train, I am not a long distance runner, and my best excuse revolved around the fact that the very first marathon runner died at the end!

But one day while I was meditating, I read a passage in Isaiah 50:7 that says, “…Therefore, I have set my face like a flint, and I know that I will not be ashamed.”

This prophetic portrayal of Jesus Christ highlights a principle that is an essential ingredient to success. Namely, a leader must be full of focus or have a face like flint. Please understand that flint in biblical days was used for drilling, chiseling, and cutting away things because of its strength.

My friend, as we move boldly toward our destiny in 2014, allow me to challenge you to drill down to God’s promises and hold on. Chisel away those negative people and environments that remind us of the worst of times and cut away that destructive self-talk that constantly undermines our potential. For in so doing, you will find the strength to train and to begin to run your race with focus! Before we go any further, I must tell you that as you run toward your purpose in this year, it’s a very high probability that you will “hit the wall.”

"Hitting the wall" is a term that marathon runners use to describe the pain that typically arises around the 19th or 21st mile.

For me, "Hitting the wall" came at about mile 20 when I had only 6.2 more miles to go. Everything in me wanted to quit until a saw a wounded veteran with no legs in a wheelchair participating in the Marathon.

What impressed me the most was that if anybody had the right to quit at this point, it would have been him but he pressed and kept the faith!

You remember, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." When we "walk by faith and not by sight" – mountains move; giants get slain, and God will give us renewed strength!

So if, and when you hit your wall in this year, take a lesson from King David and by faith encourage yourself in the Lord!

 Indeed, this encouragement sustained me until I was about 100 yards from the finish line at the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.

Those familiar with this site understand that it is literally an uphill run! Everything would have been for naught if I couldn’t take the hill. My last push, however, to complete what I started came from the encouragement of the thousands of spectators that were there to cheer on the 30,000 runners to victory. They shouted words like “dig deep, you got this, and finish strong!”

I couldn’t help but think about the fact that the race is really “not given to the swift or to the strong but to the ones that endures to the end.”

I declare in this year that your dreams will come to pass and your hopes will not be shattered so dig deep: “you got this and finish strong!”

For the Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 8:37 that, “…we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.”

So hold on to your focus, your faith, and finish strong. Who knows, you just might turn the world upside down as you run toward your destiny!

May God’s favor rest upon you in this New Year and remember to stay humble and hungry for things of the Lord!

14. THE AME CHURCH MUSIC AND CHRISTIAN ARTS MINISTRY PRODUCES CD/DVD:

This past summer the Music and Christian Arts Ministry AME Church recorded the first Connectional AME Church Mass Choir CD and DVD at their Biennial Music and Arts Conference. 

The live recording was held at St. John AMEC in Aurora, Illinois on July 12, 2013 and featured many well-known gospel artists.

Today the video “Nobody Like Our God" featuring Motown Gospel recording artist Myron Butler has been released on YouTube. 

Please watch share this video and be blessed!  Click here or copy the web address in your browser:


We are very excited and we are looking forward to the full CD/DVD release in Mid March of this year!  

Submitted by the Rev. Anthony B. Vinson, Sr., Director Music and Christian Arts Ministry, AMEC

15. REQUEST FOR PARTICIPATION FILLING OUT SURVEY CONCERNING “THE ROLE OF COUNSELING” IN MINISTRY:

The Rev. Dr. Miriam J. Burnett is supervising the Rev. Tynisha Drennon, a Doctor of Ministry student at New York Theological Seminary, who is exploring the role of counseling for Pastors and is requesting assistance through the participation of pastors in a confidential survey.  The survey will be open for two (2) weeks.  The Rev. Tynisha Drennon and the Rev. Dr. Miriam J. Burnett would appreciate the participation of as many pastors who would be willing to take a few minutes to complete the survey. Please complete the survey as soon as possible.

The survey will help evaluate if pastors who regularly administer emotional and psychological self-care have healthier lives and ministries overall. The survey includes ten questions which should take less than five minutes to complete. Your assistance is much appreciated."

To participate, please follow this link:

Dr. Burnett has worked with the training of clergy on early warning signs for depression and PTSD, as well as, emotional recovery and support and there continues to be a need to address this spectrum of mental health concerns for clergy and our laity.  

Submitted by the Rev. Miriam J. Burnett, MD, MDiv, MPH, Medical Director, AMEC Connectional Health Commission and President, Resource And Promotion of Health Alliance, Inc.

16. OBAMA NOMINATES ANOTHER AFRICAN AMERICAN FEDERAL JUDGE:

The President continues to diversify the federal bench. In his latest round of nominations he’s included Staci Yandle for the southern district of Illinois. If confirmed, she would be the first African American to sit on that court. Yandle is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and has run her own law office in O’Fallon, Illinois for many years

17. NEW COLLEGE ASSISTANCE FOR LOW-INCOME STUDENTS:

President Obama and First Lady Mrs. Michelle Obama announced a new initiative to ensure that more low-income students have the opportunity, as they did, to graduate high school and earn a college degree. At a White House ceremony that included representatives of Howard University, Morehouse College, Spelman, Morgan State, and many other colleges and universities, they outlined a raft of commitments and action steps to make the dream of higher education a reality.

Highlights include:

* Colleges will work to connect low-income students to the campus that maximizes their chance for success

* Increasing opportunities for mentorship, summer enrichment programs, and work-study to college partnerships, etc.

* Focused assistance to help students often at a disadvantage when taking standardized tests

* Remedial education to prepare for college entrance exams

You can read a helpful summary of key provisions here and review the entire report by clicking this link.

What You Can Do: If you’re working with young people from low-income backgrounds aspiring for a college education reach out to David Johns (david.johns@ed.gov), director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for African Americans.

18. NAACP STATEMENT ON PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION COMMISSION REPORT:

(Baltimore)—Today, the Presidential Commission on Election Administration released a report on the American voting experience and offered recommendations and election best practices for state level election reform moving forward.

“This report is a call to action for election administration reform,” stated Lorraine C. Miller, NAACP Interim President and CEO. “The commission’s recommendations should serve as a foundation for states to move forward with key modernization efforts, including early voting and secure online voter registration. This report also illustrates the need for Congress to fully operationalize the Election Assistance Commission.  These reforms are essential for our nation to truly have free and fair elections.”

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC)  was a bipartisan, independent group created by the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) and charged with developing guidance to meet HAVA requirements, adopting voluntary voting system guidelines, and serving as a national clearinghouse of information on election administration.

“The report provides a roadmap for opening up the voting experience for all Americans,” stated Jotaka Eaddy, Sr. Director for the NAACP Voting Rights Initiative.  “For far too long, antiquated voting machines, long lines, and insufficient numbers of voting machines in communities of colors have served as a barrier to the ballot box. These recommendations move us closer to the inclusive democracy we deserve.  The NAACP and our 1200 units across the nation are committed to ensuring that these reforms aimed at expanding access to our democracy are implemented.”

Key recommendations in the report call for:

• Modernization of the registration process through continued expansion of online voter registration and expanded state collaboration in improving the accuracy of voter lists;

• Measures to improve access to the polls through expansion of the period for voting before the traditional Election Day, and through the selection of suitable, well-equipped polling place facilities, such as schools;

• State-of-the-art techniques to assure efficient management of polling places, including tools the Commission is publicizing and recommending for the efficient allocation of polling place resources; and,

• Reforms of the standard-setting and certification process for new voting technology to address soon-to-be antiquated voting machines and to encourage innovation and the adoption of widely available off-the-shelf technologies.

Shortly after the State of the Union address in 2013, President Barack Obama issued an Executive Order establishing the Commission on Election Administration. According to the commission, this report is the result of several months of field hearings, consultation with state and local election officials, academic experts, and organizations and associations involved in the election process.


###
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities.  You can read more about the NAACP’s work and our five “Game Changer” issue areas http://www.naacp.org/pages/game-changers

19. CHURCH SHOULDN’T BE THIS HARD:

By Tom Ehrich

After 36 years of serving churches as a pastor and consultant, I came to a startling conclusion the other day.

Not startling to you, perhaps. I might be the last person to get the memo. But the conclusion drew me up short.
My conclusion: Religion shouldn’t be this hard.

An assembly that exists to help people shouldn’t be so willing to hurt people — by declaring them worthless, unacceptable, and undesirable or strangers at the gate.

An assembly that should relax into the serenity of God’s unconditional love shouldn’t be so filled with hatred and fear.

An assembly that should do what Jesus did shouldn’t be so inwardly focused, so determined to be right, so eager for comfort, so fearful of failing.

An assembly that follows an itinerant rabbi shouldn’t be chasing permanence, stability and property.

An assembly whose call is to oneness and to serving the least shouldn’t be perpetuating hierarchies of power and systems of preference.

Faith should be difficult, yes, because it inevitably entails self-sacrifice and renewal. Life, too, is difficult. Dealing with Mammon is difficult. Speaking truth to power is difficult. Confronting our own weakness and capacity for sin is difficult.

But the institution whose sole justifiable purpose is to help us deal with those difficulties shouldn’t be making matters worse.

When we bring our burdens to church, we shouldn’t find ourselves feeling intimidated by the in crowds, caught up in conflicts about who is running things, budget anxieties, jousting over opinion or doctrine, or relentless demonizing of whoever is trying to lead.

Yes, I understand that church is a human institution and therefore it will participate in humanity’s brokenness. But church should be seeking to redeem that humanity, to heal that brokenness, to show better ways to live. Instead, we celebrate our own cruelty and bigotry. We fight against the very transformation that God seeks.

Maybe I’m the last one to see this dilemma. The millions who are fleeing institutional Christianity in America aren’t escaping bad doctrine, shoddy performance values or inconvenient calls to mission. They are escaping the institution itself.

It doesn’t have to be this way. God certainly doesn’t want it this way.

I think, for example, of the performance anxiety that infects most churches. We needn’t worry so much about pleasing constituents on Sunday. Worship isn’t a Broadway show; it’s a glimpse of God, not a celebration of style, excellence and self.

I think of our leadership conflicts. Pastors aren’t CEOs hired to maximize shareholder returns. They aren’t impresarios rewarded for putting on great shows. Pastors are flawed creatures called to help other flawed creatures bring their neediness to God.

Church should be a safe place — safe to be oneself, safe to make one’s confession, safe to love whoever one feels called to love, safe to imagine more, safe to fail. Instead, church often is a dangerous place, where people feel guarded, self-protective, hemmed in by tradition and expectation, required to obey rules.

Church should be different from society. Instead, it plays by the same rules: get mine, be first, be right, punish the weak, and exclude the different, reward the wealthy.

Our society needs healthy faith communities. But neither society nor God has much need for religious institutions grounded in right-opinion, self-serving and systemic danger.

(Tom Ehrich is a writer, church consultant and Episcopal priest based in New York. He is the author of “Just Wondering, Jesus” and founder of the Church Wellness Project. His website is www.morningwalkmedia.com. 

20. UNITED, WE CAN END POVERTY; DIVIDED, WE CONTINUE TO SUFFER:

Bishop Don DiXon Williams

Fifty years have passed since President Lyndon Johnson began the War on Poverty, spawning many well-known social programs like Medicare, Medicaid, Head Start, and Pell Grants, as well as modern food stamps and WIC nutrition programs. Poverty and hunger where on their way to becoming a distant memory until the mid-70s hit.

Our country cut the poverty rate in half during the 1960s and early 70s. This was partly because the economy was strong and unemployment low, but partly also because of the War on Poverty and bipartisan concern about poverty. By the mid-70s, poverty was no longer a political priority. No U.S. president since Johnson has made it one of his top five priorities. We came to tolerate higher unemployment, and the average wage of unskilled workers is now a third lower than it was in 1970.

Today, an economy in recession, brinksmanship over the budget, and a focus on reducing government spending have all contributed to the increase in poverty, which in 2008 was higher than it had been in 1973. But a key factor that has led to the weakening of the social safety net is the lack of poverty on an administration’s agenda.

No one, president or political party, has talked seriously about ending poverty in the last half century since something as strong as a war was declared on it. Even the word itself has been left in the shadows and ignored.

It is easy to gain tunnel vision and view only the negative fallout that came after the Johnson/Nixon era in regard to poverty. Poverty surged after the financial crisis of 2008, but anti-poverty programs have done much to moderate the hardship.

Due to the anniversary of the War on Poverty last week, both parties started talking about poverty again. The fight against poverty has started to gain momentum again. Both sides of the aisle acknowledge the problem and have started to propose solutions. 

Brothers and sisters, we must pray that this conversation continues. Pray that President Obama’s upcoming State of the Union address will be filled with this current anti-poverty fervor. We pray for both parties to put aside the brinksmanship that has plagued this Congress and embrace the spirit of helping their fellow human beings. We must urge our politicians to do the right thing and make the eradication of hunger and poverty a top priority. We must remember that Jesus tells us, “Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.”

21. GETTING TO ZERO: MOVE TO EFFECTIVE ACTION:

*Dr. Oveta Fuller

The annual celebration of the birth of Christ and the start of another year provide a time to assess and reflect. A recent TCR editorial did just that. Rather than write a letter to the editor, this column is a call to action that could visibly and effectively lower the impact of HIV/AIDS.
By now it should be clear that stopping the impacts of HIV/AIDS is possible by putting into action what we already know, what already has been “discovered”. By now it is clear that routine testing for infection with HIV is the first required step to control. By now it is clear that people of color all over the world are brutally affected by HIV/AIDS. Here is my take on where we are and what needs to happen in getting to zero and an end to HIV/AIDS.

Efforts now occur in the AMEC connection and through other organizations/agencies to address HIV/AIDS. Lots of money is spent by governments, private foundations and others to address HIV/AIDS. There is progress. We see a decline in mother to child virus transfer. We even see a decline in the overall rate of infections. The peak in new infections (not the absolute number) occurred in 2005. This is good, but not good enough.

If efforts to combat HIV/AIDS are occurring, why is progress in controlling HIV/AIDS so slow?

Typically, efforts are not publicized widely (or effectively). Perhaps this is because we still do not think or talk much about HIV/AIDS; it has not become a household word. People who work with HIV/AIDS prevention, education and care typically are not the ones who also spend time or have the expertise to well publicize what is happening. People take action to make a difference in immediate needs, not to get noticed for taking action.
. Current efforts may have some impact, but most are not highly effective for the money and energy invested. For some HIV/AIDS events, the number of participants is low or people are not mobilized thereafter to consistently use effective ABCD preventions. When an effort does work well, evaluation should help to understand why and how to make it work well again. Low impact may be because events are isolated (once every year at a given location). Rather than in a coordinated effort, events are limited to one church or agency in a geographical area (a certain city, region or state). Low impact may occur because someone thinks a “one size fits all” approach will work. It won’t. Assessing what works and why is not done much except perhaps as required by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). [Did you know there is a CDC website that lists proven successful and recommended prevention and education programs or initiatives that can be adapted? Yet, these are used mostly by health departments.]

Where does a well-meaning, take-action pastor and congregation go to know what works? The Balm in Gilead (www.balmingilead.org) is a longstanding engaged entity for programming, training and resources on HIV/AIDS prevention. Perhaps the Quarterly Conference and Annual Conference reports should ask, “Is your church registered with The Balm in Gilead? How in this quarter did you take advantage of their offerings?”

Clearly, some good things are happening in some places. Can we be more effective and efficient? Absolutely yes!

Change happens slowly. In the meantime lives, giftedness and people are loss.
. Faster change requires concerted coordinated efforts by religious leaders in a subject area that can be murky (HIV/AIDS and human sexuality). To avoid paralysis, confusion, burn-out and disappointment, one must purposefully remember that “HIV is a relatively fragile virus whose spread takes advantage of human sexuality. HIV infection can lead to a deadly disease. Yet, these can be stopped.” Perceived or real moral, economic and social-behavioral aspects of a sexually transmitted disease can be paralyzing. Aspects of HIV/AIDS especially can be challenging for a leader who wants to make a difference and wants also to move up or to keep a decent approval level in their current position. Other issues in the congregation and community may seem to be less filled with booby-traps than tackling HIV/AIDS. Coordinated continuous effort by well-prepared leaders is required to move forward faster.

Effective coordinated efforts are needed? What are some specifics? Glad you asked.

.  Our bishops could require that Annual Conferences host a mandatory biology-based training on HIV and how it leads to AIDS. This would be an assignment to Presiding Elders. As I am aware of such has been initiated within at least two Episcopal Districts. In the Quarterly Conference report, Presiding Elders could inquire about what is done effectively in a congregation to address HIV/AIDS. The action can be open to whatever that pastor, congregation and its leadership believe will effectively address the most pressing issues with HIV/AIDS in their community context. To comply, something must be done each quarter to promote effective understanding about HIV, how it can lead to AIDS and how to stop virus spread and death from disease.

The Connectional Church, coordinated by one or more responsible committed service entities, can sponsor a connection wide “Get to the Test”. Such an initiative would foster friendly competition of Episcopal Districts to get the most people tested in a given time. This would support the priority goal that each person will know their HIV status. An AMEC network-wide effort would remove stigma and reframe HIV while promoting the key concept of HIV testing as part of regular routine health care. HIV testing makes good sense! HIV testing should be routine, like getting a mammogram (I hate it, but I get it); or like getting a prostate exam (I expect males have similar sentiments about this). HIV testing should become common place like blood pressure checks at each healthcare visit, like getting the annual flu shot, like a periodic colonoscopy if you are over 50.

What would be the goal(s) of our Zion, our Episcopal District, our Annual Conference, our local district, our church, individuals? What are the specific resources and dates?

Some timely target goals and specific all Connection-wide initiatives could be established. Leaders or designated persons would do what works for their District, church, community.  Resources and most effective strategies could be shared. Action on many fronts by most in the large global AMEC network would bring about real and visible change.

To stop HIV/AIDS will take time. Most critically, it will take coordinated, multi-faceted, sustained and effective action by leaders at all levels. Failure in doing this gives the virus power to continue to spread and affect lives. Why would we want to give HIV any power to continue?

     The recent TCR editorial urged Supervisor Dr. M. Joan Cousin to come out of retirement and engage. Dr. Cousin may want to be in retirement and deserves to be in retirement if she wants. (She and others continue to work still from such an official state.) She has already primed the pump so that many others can do what is needed to take the sustained effective actions (or learn what they are) to move forward. Why are folks always looking for a savior?  Rather, let each person commit to be the blessing we want to see in whatever way an individual thinks that they can make a difference. Let’s use the resources that are within our own Zion or those that are within our reach. Let’s carry forward a spirit of “must do” because doing is a God-given responsibility.

It has been suggested, “Why should one focus so on HIV/AIDS? There are many things that need our attention and there are limited time and resources.” I’m glad for the question because there is an answer. 

Yes, there are many health, economic and equity issues that require attention and resources. HIV/AIDS is one that we can do something about now! We can get beyond it, put it under our feet. With current understanding and technologies, an end to HIV infection, and thus to AIDS, is envisioned. In contrast, conquering of some issues is more difficult, maybe not possible. Perhaps Jesus said it best “The poor will be with you always.” We can provide a meal to alleviate today’s hunger. We can teach people to fish so they can deal with tomorrow’s hunger. However, solving the issue of poverty forever is unlikely. In contrast, by working together effectively, HIV/AIDS can be controlled and eventually eliminated.

Summary:  This fight to conquer/control/eliminate HIV/AIDS is not a one person or one entity short-term effort. It will take purposeful sustained effort to stop the brutal impacts that are especially high for people of color around the globe. Putting HIV/AIDS under our feet will require coordinated, continuous, multiple approaches over time. Everyone can do something. Each person is responsible to learn and then take the action needed to do whatever they can. Some can teach. Some can preach. Some can care for others. Some can work with children. Some can administer. Some can write about the events. Some can counsel. Some can organize. Some can donate funds or resources. Some can use their influence to open minds and motivate. Everyone can do something. Each person must do what they can do. Stopping HIV/AIDS is not a one person or one commission undertaking. As a connectional church, the AMEC is ideally suited to lead in a successful long-term effort. What holds us back?

Imagine the impact if the Council of Bishops would agree that each Episcopal leader will carry out a long-term initiative for their District so that each Annual Conference takes coordinated action against HIV/AIDS. What if across all twenty Districts this is a priority similar to the training that occurs about sexual harassment? Mandatory training of clergy and leaders to understand HIV/AIDS would become the norm. Leaders would be more confident to talk about and better equipped to take effective action to address HIV/AIDS.

“If we keep doing the same old things, the same old way, we will get the same old results."

With coordinated effective AMEC action, Dr. Sydnor and others will not have to keep wondering, writing or talking about what is not happening with HIV/AIDS in our churches. Action and progress will be evident. It would be pure joy to try to keep up with reporting the effective actions happening to stop HIV/AIDS that has an unnecessarily high impact on our communities.

*The Rev. Dr. A. Oveta Fuller is a tenured professor in Microbiology and Immunology and faculty in the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan. An Itinerant Elder in the 4th Episcopal District, she served as pastor of Bethel AME Church in Adrian, MI for seven years before focusing fully on global health research in Zambia and the USA for HIV/AIDS elimination. At Payne Theological Seminary she teaches a required course, “What Effective Clergy Should Know about HIV/AIDS.”

22. MEDITATION BASED ON PSALM 46:

*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby

 September 2014 will mark twenty-five years since Hurricane Hugo wreaked havoc on South Carolina.  The storm’s extensive damage included thousands of trees blown down in the Francis Marion National Forest north of Charleston - enough trees to build 660,000 homes.  That damage was still visible when I moved to Charleston in 1998, when only a few tall trees were visible on the drive from Charleston to Georgetown.

I thought of that reminder of Hurricane Hugo when I made that same drive a few weeks ago.  What was once a thin forest of small trees - interspersed with the occasional tall tree that survived the storm and stood as evidence of what used to be - has again grown into a thick, healthy forest that doesn’t look like it was ever touched by a hurricane.  The damage was severe and the recovery was lengthy, but God restored the forest to its former beauty.

God can do the same thing with our lives that God did with that ravaged forest.  All of us run into inevitable and unexpected storms that wreak havoc in our lives sooner or later - storms of sickness and sorrow, storms of stress and frustration, storms of disappointment and discouragement, storms of weakness and weariness.

Life’s stormy times can leave us feeling bruised, beaten down and all but blown away, with little hope of recovery or normalcy in immediate sight.  Stormy times will come and go, but the God who created us and saved us through the Grace of His Son can still speak peace to us, sustain us in the midst of life’s storms and bring us healing, wholeness and recovery in God’s time.

Lean on the Lord in your stormy times.  When you do, you’ll find strength, peace of mind and spiritual comfort and shelter in the midst of life’s storms, and when God gets ready, God will restore and renew your life so that those around you will never know the storms you’ve endured.

When you look to the Lord in the midst of your storms, you’ll know why a hymn writer named C. A. Tindley said, “We are often tossed and driven on the restless sea of time, somber skies and howling tempest oft succeed a bright sunshine, but in that land of perfect day, when the mists have rolled away, we will understand it better by and by.”

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

23. AME EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE - MRS. DORIS AGATHA CHOLMONDELEY WEBSTER:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Doris Agatha Cholmondeley Webster, mother of Mrs. Vivienne Cholmondeley Anderson, retired Episcopal Supervisor and mother-in-law of retired Bishop Vinton Randolph Anderson, 92nd Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Mrs. Doris Agatha Cholmondeley Webster, a native of Bermuda was born on January 1, 1909 and celebrated her 105th birthday on January 1, 2014; passed into eternal life at approximately 5:15 p.m. (PT) 1/19/14 in St. Louis, Missouri.

Service Arrangements:

Saturday, January 25, 2014
Viewing: 10:00 a.m.
Homegoing Service: 11:00 a.m.

Saint Paul AME Church
1260 Hamilton Avenue
St Louis, MO  63112

Telephone: (314) 385-8900

The Reverend Spencer Lamar Booker, Pastor; the Reverend Brenda J. Hayes, Presiding Elder, St. Louis Cape Girardeau District, Eulogist; the Right Reverend Theodore Larry Kirkland, Presiding Prelate, 5th Episcopal District

Services are entrusted to:

Austin A. Layne Mortuary, Inc.
7733 Natural Bridge Road
Normandy, MO 63121
Phone: 314-382-1214

Hotel Accommodations:

St. Louis Airport Marriott
10700 Pear Tree Lane
St Louis, MO, 63134
314-423-9700

Ask for Bishop Anderson's Room Block - Rate: $69.00.

Expressions of sympathy may be mailed to:

Bishop and Mrs. Vinton Randolph Anderson
22 West Sherwood Drive
St. Louis, MO 63114

Anderson home telephone: 314-427-2711
Mrs. Anderson's cell: 314-374-7734
Mrs. Anderson's email address: vivianderson27@aol.com 

24. FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR RETIRED CME BISHOP DOTCY I. ISOM, JR.:

The Homegoing Celebration for Retired Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr., the Forty-Third Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2014, 10:00 a.m. at Greenwood C.M.E. Church, 3311 Kimball Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee.  He was beloved in a very special way across the Church for his humor, generous spirit, gregarious wit, and practical wisdom.  He will be dearly missed, but he leaves a legacy of indefatigable love for God and God’s people that will live on in us. 

The wake will be held on Friday, January 24, 2014, from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. at Zion CME Church, 4183 Hickory Hill Road, Memphis Tennessee 38115-0135. 

Transportation will be provided for attendees to and from all Homegoing venues.

The Homegoing Celebration for retired Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr. will be live-streamed.

CMEtv will broadcast the Homegoing Celebration for Retired Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr. on Saturday, January 25, 2014, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. (CT).  You may view the live stream at: http://campus.316networks.com/cmetv-live

The Homegoing Celebration will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2014, 10:00 a.m. at Greenwood C.M.E. Church, 3311 Kimball Avenue in Memphis. 

Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Esther L. Isom and Family, 4326 Richwood Place, Memphis, TN  38125, or e-mailed to estherladonisom@gmail.com.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to:

M. J. Edwards Funeral Home Whitehaven Chapel 
5494 Elvis Presley Boulevard 
Memphis, TN 38116 

Telephone: 901-332-3164

Hotel Arrangements

Persons needing rooms should contact the Memphis Marriott East, located at 5795 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee.  Telephone: 800.228-9290 or 901.682-0080. Ask for the CME Church Room Block. The rate is $89.

Condolences may be sent to:

Mrs. Esther L. Isom and Family
4326 Richwood Place
Memphis, TN  38125


Please keep Mrs. Esther Isom, their children, Dotcy Isom III, the Rev. Jon M. Isom, the Rev. David C. Isom and their spouses; and the members of the Isom family in prayer. 

Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr., Senior Bishop and CEO
Bishop Teresa E. Snorton, Chair
Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III, Secretary 

Dr. Jeanette L. Bouknight
Executive Secretary
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

"An Essential Church: Poised for 21st Century Ministry"
 
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Mrs. Mozell Elliott, widow of retired Presiding Elder Marcus H. Elliott, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 19, 2014.  Mrs. Elliott is the mother of the Reverend Bill A. (Sandra) Bowers, pastor of Lee Chapel AME Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas.  She was a retired pre-school educator.

A Celebration of her life will be held on Friday, January 24, 2014, 11:00 a.m. at Lee Chapel A.M.E. Church, 421 West 22nd Street, North Little Rock, AR  72114.

Service has been entrusted to Premier Funeral Home, 1518 South Battery Street, Little Rock, AR  72202; telephone: 501.376.4800.

Condolences may be sent to the family:

The Reverend and Mrs. Bill A. Bowers
18907 Lochridge Drive
Little Rock, AR  72210

Telephone: 501.413.8601

26. CLERGY FAMILY/FORMER CONNECTIONAL OFFICER FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We are saddened to announce the passing of former Connectional Recording Secretary (1972-1980) of the Women Missionary Society, Mrs. Mary Harris Austin (Jackson), 97-years-old on Thursday, January 17, 2014. She was a lifelong member of AME Church and the widow of the Rev. Cornelius N. Austin, Sr. who she served with in the 8th and 5th Episcopal District.

Mrs. Austin is the Mother of the Rev. Noella Austin Buchanan, pastor of Allen Chapel AMEC in Riverside, California where Mrs. Austin’s father also served in the 1930s; son, the Rev. C. N. Austin, Jr. retired; mother-in-law of retired Presiding Elder, the Rev. C. Jessel Strong; and former Connectional Prayer Team Coordinator, Mrs. Arvella Austin Strong.

A  Life Member of the WMS for 46 years she also served as Conference Branch President of the Puget Sound (Pacific Northwest) and the California Conferences.

Funeral Arrangements are listed below.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Viewing:  9:00 -10:00 a.m.
Funeral Service: 10:00 a.m.

Allen Chapel AME Church
4009 Locust Street
Riverside, CA 92501

Office Telephone: (951) 686-9406   
Fax: (951) 686-1380
 


Pastor: The Rev. Noella Austin Buchanan

Officiating: Presiding Elder Norman D. Copeland
Eulogist: The Rt. Rev. Theodore Larry Kirkland

Arrangement handled by Tillman Riverside Mortuary, Inc.
2874 Tenth Street - Riverside, CA 92507
Office (951) 682-6433   Fax (951) 682- 7863

Interment:

Inglewood Park Cemetery
720 East Florence Ave.
Inglewood 90301

Telephone: (310) 412-6500

Condolences and expressions can be sent to the postal address or email address listed below.

The Austin Family
C/O The Rev. Noella Austin Buchanan
7051 Rockspring Lane
Highland, CA 92346-5453

Cell: 314-707-8754

Or to:

Presiding Elder (Ret) and Mrs. C. Jessel (Arvella) Strong
3875 Nara Drive
Florissant, MO 63033

Telephone: (314) 440-8236


Fifth Episcopal District AMEC
Bishop Theodore Larry Kirkland, Presiding Prelate
4519 Admiralty Way, Suite 205
Marina Del Ray, CA 90292

Telephone: (310) 577-8530
Fax: (310) 577-8540

Website: www.amec5th.net

27. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

It is with a heavy heart that we inform you of the passing of Mr. David A. Brown, the brother of Sister Irma Chambers, and the brother in law of the Rev. Samuel Chambers who are currently serving as the pastor and first lady of the Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in New Brighton, Pennsylvania.

The Celebration of Life Events for Mr. David A. Brown are as follows:

Viewing:  
Friday, January 24, 2014
9:30 a.m. - 10:55 a.m.

Greater Mt. Nebo African Methodist Episcopal Church
1001 Old Mitchellville Road
Mitchellville, MD 20716

Celebration of Life:
Friday, January 24, 2014
11:00 a.m.
Greater Mt. Nebo African Methodist Episcopal Church
1001 Old Mitchellville Road
Mitchellville, MD 20716
Telephone: (301) 249-7545

The Reverend Dr. Jonathan Weaver, Officiating and Eulogist

Expressions of Sympathy can be sent to:

The Rev. & Mrs. Samuel W. Chambers
1120 Sixth Street
New Brighton, PA 15066
Telephone: (724) 846-4099

Arrangements are entrusted to:

The Steward Funeral Home
4001 Benning Road, NE
Washington, DC 20019
(202) 399-3600


28 CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:


Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Phone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751




29.  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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