The
Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The
Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
-- Advent begins Sunday, November 30, 2014, and 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
Thought for the Week: "Instead of Wiping Away Your Tears,
Wipe
Away the People Who Made You Cry."
1. TCR EDITORIAL – A COUPLE OF THINGS ON MY
MIND, PART 2:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I have to confess that I sometimes have not been as smart
or wise as I should have been in my ministry.
I have prayed long public prayers, preached long sermons and have
committed a myriad of other missteps that embarrass me when I think about them.
I think that I can speak about some of the things on my
mind since I am guilty of missteps in ministry.
Early in my ministry, I went after the young people and
that was probably a good thing, but I was cautioned by some of the seasoned
members not to forget the older members who provided the bulk of the financial
support for the local church religious program.
It didn’t take a genius to know their guidance was on-target. As I look
back, my early ministry mainly dealt with the Greatest Generation (those born
1930 [earlier] -1945)
Today’s “crowd” is more complex and astute pastors need
to be familiar with a number of disciplines and understand the generational
boundaries of their congregations. Pastoring a local church successfully takes
more than common sense and a good personality. Pastoral ministry is really a
science in the sense that skill, discipline and knowledge are needed to achieve
successful and effective ministry.
Generational
boundaries restated
The Millenials (born between 1982- 2004) are
technology-driven and prefer bursts of speed – No time for lollygagging. If a
church has a congregation full of Millennials, pastors and local church
programs need to be creative and dynamic.
Cut the long announcements and keep the worship service moving. If a
church is made of a majority of the Greatest Generation (born between 1930 –
1945) and older Baby Boomers (born between 1946 – 1984) a pastor might want to
have a more traditional worship approach.
“One size does not
fit all”
“Back in the day” many churches had serious discussions
about the music and pastors simply had different choirs to sing on different
Sundays, e.g., Senior or Chancel choir on the first Sunday, Gospel choir on the
second Sunday, youth choir on the third Sunday and whatever choir was the best,
sang again on the fourth Sunday and the Male Chorus on the fifth Sunday.
Sometimes attendance fluctuated because of which choir was singing.
Adjusting the choir schedule was, in reality, the
sorting of the generational boundaries though we didn’t know about generational
boundaries.
A couple of more
things on my mind
Teleconferences
Winter is fast approaching and I am still at a loss as
to why so many of our churches fail to utilize technology, which would make so
much of what they do easier.
I am thinking about teleconferences or telephone
meetings using free conference call websites like https://www.freeconferencecall.com/. It is free.
Teleconferences are convenient, save time, money and travel. A lot of
church meetings could easily be held via teleconference. I don’t know why churches don’t utilize
teleconferencing. Churches could get
started by holding a couple of routine meetings via teleconferencing to see how
it works.
Asking people to come out in inclement weather seems
insane when the same meeting could be held by teleconferencing.
Teleconferencing also eliminates excuses because participants can use their
mobile phones from any location, at the beach or from any room in their homes.
Teleconferencing is a no-brainer in churches populated with Generation Y and
Millennials.
Checks and cash
I wish churches would stop paying preachers, musicians
and other church employees by check or cash.
The technology is in place and it is so easy to set-up direct-deposit to
pay employees electronically. I believe
churches should treat their employees and especially their pastor in a
professional manner.
Technology is good
if one is careful
I am not sure why we are not more careful about
internet scams. Apparently, readers of The Christian Recorder are not heeding
the advice to put multiple email addresses in Bcc and the result is we have email accounts being hacked every
week.
A “biggie” and please heed this advice! Often you will
get a flashing pop-up telling you that your computer is running slowly and
needs to be serviced immediately. And the pop-up will have the name “Microsoft”
in the message because they want you to believe that they are connected to
Microsoft. Do not download their appeal or respond to it in any way. As a
matter of fact, you might find out that their pop-up is hard to get off your
screen and sometimes you may have to go into the Control Panel and Uninstall a
program that you didn’t realize was somehow installed on your computer.
Still on my mind
I wish churches would
rely on free telephone notification websites because with one telephone call,
all parishioners could be notified. Using a telephone notification website is
more efficient than having members call each other.
Calling Post http://www.callingpost.com/ is a great website
and a wonderful resource. A single
telephone call provides everyone with the intended information. The names and
telephone numbers would have to be initially put into the system, but that’s a
one-time function; and after initially inputting the names, the list can easily
be kept up-to-date.
Weekly announcements could be done via the telephone
notification website and would save time, particularly in a congregation full
of the Millennial Generation.
Here is a secret
If you have a church full of Millennials, you can
eliminate the announcements because they are probably not listening to them and
they will not be motivated one way or the other by the announcements. As a
matter of fact, the Millenials in the congregation are probably checking their
cellphones for email and text messages during the announcements.
And finally
I do not understand why churches fail to follow the
secular business world and “make hay out of” and profit from the various
seasons and holidays/holy days.
Churches should be planning and “plotting” now to
“exploit” the Advent and Christmas celebrations to their spiritual
advantage. And, in so doing, they might
just be “exploiting” the holy seasons to their financial and fiscal gain. I
suspect that too many churches wait too late to “exploit” the various
liturgical seasons.
If you co-opt the kids, you’ve got the parent,
grandparents and close friends.
Don’t sing the Christmas Carols all through the Advent
season, sing Advent songs; hold the Christmas Carols to as close to Christmas
as possible and make the Christmas carols a special event.
The Bottomline
Pastoring is not something everybody can do and it’s
more than preaching. Successful pastoring takes skill, knowledge, planning and
strategy. Pastoring is probably more of a science rather than an art.
Pastors need to be prayed-up, biblical scholars,
well-read and skillful in dealing with relating to people.
The real bottomline
Pray, read the Bible and love the people.
TCR Editor’s Note: I will be preaching at Quinn Chapel AME Church, 10998
Southland Road, Forest Park, Ohio 45240; Telephone:(513) 825-4900 the church's
150th Anniversary. The Rev. Dr. Frederick A. Wright is the
pastor. Brother Charley Milton is the
Chairperson for the 150th Anniversary celebration; Sister Karen
Dudley Grissom and Brother Keith Mitchell are the Co-Chairs. The worship
service begins at 10 a.m.
2. TCR OP-ED – AME SEMINARY PREFERRED:
*Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue
The average tenure of a seminary president of a member
institution of the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) is a little over
six years. As I move toward my 12th year
as the first female president of Payne Theological Seminary and any
Historically Black Theological Seminary (HBTS), and the first African American
female president of the 271 member institutions of the ATS, I pause to reflect
on one of the most curious experiences of my tenure: the challenges for
acceptance of the two African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) seminaries as
preferred schools of choice by members of the African Methodist Episcopal
Connection. Both seminaries, Payne Theological Seminary and Turner Theological
Seminary, in response to the 2000 AMEC mandate that the Master of Divinity
degree (MDiv) would be required for itinerant elder ordination, have been
industrious in enhancing opportunities for both residential and online delivery
of the MDiv degree. Since 2000, the
number of AME seminarians receiving the MDiv degree from Payne and Turner has
risen dramatically, and the leadership capacity of African Methodism has been
greatly served.
During my presidential tenure, I joined with my
colleague, Dr. John Green, president of Turner Theological Seminary of the
Interdenominational Theological Center, in making repeated requests to the AMEC
Commission on Seminaries, Universities, Colleges and Schools in Higher
Education (with the first letter of request dated September 5, 2007) for
greater support and affirmation of the two seminaries to deliver quality
theological education in support of the 2000 AMEC mandate. Payne and Turner, unlike the 269 other ATS
schools, are uniquely called to equip men and women to receive their itinerant
orders for the leadership of African Methodism. In the mission statements of
both seminaries, the charge to provide theological education that embraces both
salvation of the clergy and uplift of the people is clearly evident.
Due to the host of Payne and Turner graduates since the
inception of both institutions, Turner and Payne alumni occupy prominent
positions in all areas of the church, academy and society at large: college and
seminary professors and presidents, bishops and presiding elders, pastors,
chaplains, and civic and political officials. Both seminaries have produced
some of the most renowned and eloquent spokespersons of the AMEC who have made
monumental contributions to the three-century development and growth of African
Methodism.
In spite of these stellar accomplishments, there is
another veiled but poignant fact to be acknowledged in looking at the origins
and historical track records of Payne and Turner. Both institutions, born of the black church,
were called into being to address the theological education inequity that
existed because African American students were not the desired population of
mainline theological institutions. It was not until the 1970s that mainline
white seminaries began to shift their perspectives and give earnest attention
to the recruitment of African American students. Up until that time, schools were robustly
filled with white seminarians. It should be noted that during this era, the ATS
called its seminaries “to action on behalf of racial minority students,
faculty, and administrators” in order to “redress the institutional patterns
and prejudices that had excluded primarily African Americans from enrollment
and employment in many member schools.”
Today, more than forty years later, the attention given
to African Americans by predominantly white seminaries has shifted dramatically
in theological education. According to a
2013 report of the Auburn Center for the Study of Theological Education,
“enrollments of African Americans, Hispanics and, to a lesser extent, Asians in
theological schools continue to increase, mirroring the growth of those groups
in the wider population. Rising African American enrollments probably reflect
both rising educational expectations for ministry in black churches and a
larger pool of college graduates eligible for further study.” The ATS reports that African Americans
comprised less than 3 percent of the total student enrollment in ATS
institutions in 1977 and rose to more than 12 percent in 2007. Today, African Americans, who are 14 percent
of the country’s population, account for 14 percent of the student enrollment
in ATS institutions.
In light of these enrollment realities, it is notable
that white enrollment numbers are decreasing in theological education, losing
almost three percent a year between 2005 and 2011. Once shunned by white mainline seminaries and
other white religious educational institutions, African Americans are being
aggressively courted like never before and are becoming a primary recruitment
target for theological education institutions. Consequently, an increasing
number of white seminary presidents are huffing and puffing to get to the door
of AMEC bishops in pursuit of African American students. They, too, have read
the 2007 Pew Report that African Americans are some of America’s most religious
citizens: “Of all the major racial and ethnic groups in the United States,
black Americans are the most likely to report a formal religious
affiliation.”
Paradoxically, these courting institutions too
frequently lack a holistic vision that acknowledges and integrates the
quintessential contextual leadership role played by historical black
theological schools and their administration and faculty in equipping black
seminarians. Stated differently, many predominantly white seminaries that admit
African Americans to enhance their enrollment numbers have little or no
interest in hiring African American administrators or faculty to complement
their environment and contribute to the well-being of newly-recruited African
American students. Regrettably, designed to accommodate white privilege, they
may fail to see any deficit in their environments and expect African American
students to adjust accordingly. Consequently, they discard the value of the
Africentric ethos, black scholarship, and black church enterprise that counter
the pathos of the African American community and teach the “caged birds how to
sing.”
The outcome of this contorted vision is that many of
these predominantly white seminaries fail to examine their cultural
insensitivities and, in turn, fail to counter those insensitivities by
acknowledging the kind of contextual curriculum needed by African American
students for accountable leadership of the black church and black community.
A key distinction between predominantly white seminaries
and AMEC seminaries is that white seminaries can exercise an “either/or” choice
on matters related to social justice, an option which is mirrored in the
decision of many white churches to minimize the importance of social action
ministries. This is not an option the AMEC seminaries can adopt. The approach of Africentric contextual
curriculum development of the AME seminaries insists upon a holistic
integration of liberal arts academic tradition AND practical pastoral arts that
nurture the leadership skills required for soul saving and the pursuit of
justice. In the words of Warren Dennis,
“with few exceptions, [predominantly white] theological seminaries are still
not adequately equipping students with the necessary skills, experiences,
critical and relevant theological foundations and tools needed to engage in
meaningful and relevant ministry in their contexts…theological education must
ensure that theory and practice are integrated in the social context in such a
way that the outcome of the seminary experience is ministers who are confident
and competent when performing the work they are called to do…”
It is against this background that the time has come
for the AMEC to prayerfully reassess the value that Payne and Turner bring to
the preparation of leaders for African Methodism. For example, we know how
critical role modeling and mentoring are in helping AME seminarians look at how
they do ministry the AMEC way. AME
seminaries, working collaboratively with the church, help seminarians learn to
be AME ministers in such a way that they model AME values, practices and
policies for their congregations. Together, the seminary and the church help
students learn to communicate in their daily-lived holy behavior why it is
important to understand and appropriately execute AMEC polity, history,
structures, procedures and protocol. In the presence and power of the Holy
Spirit, the church and the seminary can effectively collaborate to realize the
preferred learning dynamic required of our Zion.
Unlike other denominations, which require their
students who receive denominational money to attend their seminaries (e.g.
United Methodists); the AMEC has established a practice of giving AMEC money to
AMEC students to attend any accredited seminary of their choice. As a denomination, we tend to give money to
non-AME institutions, without requiring that these institutions provide
evidence of their capacity to equip AME seminarians to be effective leaders of
black congregations. While these seminarians may receive a degree, they may be
ill-equipped to be the leaders needed by African Methodism to carry our Zion
into the next century. Outsiders are puzzled by this behavior. In fact, early
in my tenure when Daniel Aleshire, Executive Director of ATS, met with the
Board of Trustees to talk about the future of theological education, Aleshire
stated that if the AMEC did what other denominations do—require students who
receive their money to attend their seminaries—Payne and Turner would not be
burdened with financial challenges.
It should be noted that both seminaries could have been
more effective during the past decade in recruiting and equipping a larger pool
of AME students had the AMEC also allocated financial resources to align
administration and faculty personnel in support of an expanded MDiv service
delivery infrastructure. Additionally, I do not mean to suggest that the
delivery systems of Payne and Turner are without their flaws. The two
seminaries should be critiqued and opportunities granted for improvement as
needed. This is the reason that Payne requests meetings with Bishops and their
presiding elder cabinets to address the question: How are we doing? Payne fully
understands that it exists for the church and therefore, has a responsibility
to inquire of the church as to the quality of its performance in equipping AMEC
leaders. Following many of these field visits, Payne has reported to the
faculty issues that have been presented in the field that required curriculum
and/or administrative changes to enhance service delivery.
Among the critical questions which the AME seminaries
and the AMEC should routinely engage are: What should the church expect of the
seminary? And, how does the church work in partnership with the seminary to
enhance AMEC leadership? In identifying ways to honor a collaborative
assessment covenant, the AMEC should be more pointed in affirming the
contextual requirements of ALL theological education institutions AMEC students
attend, especially those supported by AMEC funds. Until there is evidence to
the contrary, the unique contribution of AMEC seminaries in equipping leaders
for African Methodism should not be underestimated. AME students cannot obtain
what AME seminaries have to offer anywhere else.
Admittedly, there are internal problems that the AMEC
needs to address in examining the changing landscape of theological education
and the accompanying Africentric paradigm to be honored in meeting the
leadership needs of African Methodism for the next century. As the AMEC
considers changes in its higher education enterprise, it is important to
acknowledge the resolve of Payne and Turner to honor the 2000 AMEC mandate in
awarding the MDiv degree and facilitating itinerant elders’ orders. The church
is better equipped today because of the unyielding witness of Payne and Turner
to provide Africentric theological education ideally suited to the cultural,
contextual and congregational survival needs of African Methodism.
How important is it to African Methodism that its church
leaders are embedded in the African Methodist tradition and history and devoted
to its polity, praxis, and passion for social justice? Only when one fully
understands a theory and praxis pedagogy that embraces both a salvation
tradition and a liberation heritage—as rich as that of the AMEC—can one most
effectively work within African Methodism to improve it and course-correct for
future growth and development.
**Additional articles addressing seminary education and
the AME Church are forthcoming.
Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue is the President, Payne
Theological Seminary
3. AME
CHURCH IN THE NEWS:
--
St. Andrew AME Church in Memphis cited for extensive community development and
addressing health concerns through healthy food options
--
Quinn Chapel AME Church celebrates 150th Anniversary
Church address:
10998 Southland Road, Forest Park, Ohio 45240; Telephone: (513) 825-4900.
--
Research reveals historic significance of overlooked cemeteries in Baltimore
County
--
First AME honors Rosie Tilles
--
Pastor who took a bullet continues to lead her AME flock near Ferguson
--
Church conference a boon for Toledo
VETERANS' DAY
DISCOUNTS IN THE USA:
Opportunity for all active duty, retired, and
veterans. Please review and take
advantage of these Veterans Day offers.
4. AME CHURCH
SUPPORTS WILBERFORCE UNIVERSITY WITH NOVEMBER FUNDRAISING INITIATIVE:
Members of
congregations, along with the public, are invited to take action on
“Wilberforce University Day” to raise $5 million
Wilberforce, OH – Wilberforce University, the country’s
oldest private historically black college and university, announces today that
the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church will support the University in
November with a fundraising initiative on November 9, 16 and 23 in order to
raise $5 million. The University also
recently received a commitment of $2 million from its distinguished
alumni. The fundraising campaign, taking
place in more than 7,000 AME churches across the country, aims to support the
University it established more than 150 years ago.
“The AME church is Wilberforce University’s biggest
supporter and has been an ally and enthusiast for the University throughout its
remarkable heritage,” states Bishop McKinley Young, third district bishop for
the AME church and chancellor of the Wilberforce Board of Trustees. “It’s a crucial moment for the University,
and we are calling upon all AME members, the Wilberforce community and the
public to help this great HBCU, one ingrained in the fabric of this great
country, continue its mission of imparting knowledge, instilling discipline and
inspiring lifelong learning.”
Donations will aid the University with a number of
initiatives including renovating buildings and improving grounds, upgrading
technology across campus and acquiring learning resources to support academic
excellence, as well as reducing debt and assuring financial stability and
viability. The AME Church, along with
Wilberforce University, invites the public to get involved as well. Those in the community who wish to donate can
do so online, via text or via mail.
“We’re moving in the right direction with our expansive
team of qualified administrators and advisors that range from past HBCU presidents
to top educational resources,” states Dr. Algeania Freeman, president of
Wilberforce University. “We can’t thank the AME church enough for their
continued support and all they do for our great university.”
Ways to donate:
• Online at giving.wilberforce.edu
• From your smartphone, text keyword SAVEWU to 88588 to receive a special
link to donate via credit or debit
• Via mail to Wilberforce University, Attn: Office of
Development, P.O. Box 1001, Wilberforce, OH 45384
• If you have any questions about donating to the
University please call 937-708-5709.
About Wilberforce
University
Wilberforce University was founded in 1856 on a
relatively radical principle for mid-19th Century America: to
provide African-Americans, many who were fleeing slavery, with a quality,
advanced education. It was a progressive concept that has evolved to inspire
its current students to become innovators and entrepreneurs. Known today as the
first predominantly African-American private university in the nation, it
welcomes students of all faiths, races, colors, and national and ethnic
origins. The school is regionally accredited by the North Central Association
of Colleges and Schools and is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal
Church as well as many collegiate organizations and associations, including the
United Negro College Fund. For more information, visit www.wilberforce.edu.
5. WILBERFORCE
UNIVERSITY LITANY HONORING THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE:
Litany from Dr. Algeania Freeman, President of
Wilberforce University
Lord, All African Americans, the AME Church, and all
persons of goodwill must help us save Wilberforce University.
Lord, hear our
prayer
Heavenly Father, the greatest poem has not been
written, the most melodious music score prepared, the cure for cancer and
diabetes found or the greatest piece of legislation written.
Lord, hear our
prayer.
Lord, through education, enslaved persons were denied
the opportunity to change their futures; through education, they could have
written their names on the walls and halls of human history.
Lord, hear our
prayer.
Lord, as African Americans, we cannot question whether
Wilberforce should or will survive. Wilberforce is the historic legacy of all
African Americans.
Lord, hear our
prayer.
Father, Wilberforce was founded with the purpose of
educating blacks who were fleeing slavery and provided new vistas of hope and
opportunity. Lord, thank you for the opportunities of yesterday, today and
tomorrow.
Lord, hear our
prayer.
Wilberforce University is the historical legacy of
America and of all African Americans, and Wilberforce must continue its work.
Lord, please hear
our prayer.
Lord, this great institution still deserves to survive
and thrive, because it still provides a nurturing, high quality education in
such high demand areas as the sciences, engineering, and rehabilitation
counseling.
Lord, please hear
our prayer.
Lord, HBCU’s are still needed to help reduce mayhem on
our streets, to allow us to sleep better each night in our warm beds, and to
prepare the next generation of great leaders.
Lord, hear our
prayer.
Heavenly Father, lest we forget the path that brought
us here this far, help us to stay on the given path to SAVE WILBERFORCE.
Lord, hear our
prayer.
Lord, lest we forget that it was by God’s grace our
fore parents first received a great education at a historically black college
or university that helped us to move an entire race of people to where we are
today.
Lord, hear our
prayer.
Heavenly Father, lest we forget that it could have been
us today who are homeless, destitute or lying dead in our graves just because
we did not have access or the opportunity to receive a quality education.
Lord, hear our
prayer.
Heavenly Father, lest we forget that it was by God’s
grace and receiving a great education that we all sit or stand in the positions
that we hold today.
Lord, hear our prayer and accept our humble thanks for
your goodness.
Save Wilberforce
Now! Please Help Us Save Wilberforce Now! Most wonderful Savior, hear our
prayer. AMEN.
6. CONDOLENCES ON
THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT MICHAEL SATA, THE PRESIDENT OF ZAMBIA
31 October 2014
The Council of Bishops of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church extends condolences to Dr. Christine
Kaseba Sata and the Sata Family on the passing of President Michael Sata. We pray for their comfort and strength during
this time of bereavement.
We also remember the
people of Zambia and, especially, the members of the AME Church in Zambia. We pray they will be encouraged with faith
through this period of national concern and political transition.
Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah
and Mother Carol I. Messiah, the loyal clergy and laity in Zambia remain in our
prayers as they serve the needs of the people.
May God grant peace and wisdom to those who govern. Let there be courage and discernment as the
nation elects new leadership.
+Jeffrey N. Leath
President, Council
of Bishops
7.
AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL (AME) CHURCH MAKES HISTORY IN ALABAMA:
The African
Methodist Episcopal Church, Ninth Episcopal District makes history as the
largest land owner among African American Institutions in the state of Alabama
and the Daniel Payne Community Plaza opened its doors September 2014
Birmingham, AL - -
There was a bona fide traffic jam on Daniel Payne Drive in Birmingham in early
September. Hundreds of members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AME),
Ninth Episcopal District were the first souls to cross the threshold of the
largest property owned by an African American institution in the state of
Alabama.
Guests on hand for
the Northwest Alabama Annual Conference held September 10-13, 2014 filled the
Daniel Payne Community Plaza (the former Daniel Payne Middle School) with
praise and thanksgiving for the 60,000 sq. ft. building located on nineteen
acres of land. The property was purchased by the Daniel Payne Foundation of the
Ninth Episcopal District in August 2014 as a $2.5 million cash-sale.
The AME Church boasts
a 200-year history of self-help and the empowerment of people of African
descent by serving the church and the community through a variety of
ministries. The Plaza represents a commitment to that mission and the
realization of the vision of Bishop James L. Davis, who serves as the Presiding
Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District. The Daniel Payne Community Plaza is
named for the sixth Bishop of the AME Church. Daniel Alexander Payne was one of
the founders and former presidents of Wilberforce University in Ohio.
The Daniel Payne
Community Plaza will be home to the headquarters of the Ninth Episcopal
District, and become a thriving space catering to the needs of the immediate
Birmingham community and the state of Alabama. Conferences, corporate retreats,
weddings, banquets, sports tournaments, educational programs, college satellite
classes, arts programs, and activities for senior citizens are just some of the
ways the Plaza will be used. The possibilities are endless.
“Through God’s
provision and favor, we were able to acquire the Daniel Payne Community Plaza
for the use of God’s people. It is more than a building, it is a tool for
ministry,” says Bishop Davis. “I am thankful to the thousands of members of the
AME Church in Alabama and throughout the AME connectional church who gave
sacrificially to the vision. The Daniel Payne Community Plaza belongs to them,”
Bishop Davis said.
In 2010, members of
the Ninth Episcopal District along with the Daniel Payne Board of Trustees
began raising funds to develop 140 acres of the former Daniel Payne College
campus for the purpose of economic growth and development. With enthusiastic
support of local church members, pastors, and many additional supporters, the
vision of the Daniel Payne College Legacy Village began to take hold and propel
the church forward. By 2014, the fundraising plan had raised almost three
million dollars toward the $9.6 million goal to begin developing the land.
Then something
happened. One day, while visiting the site, Bishop Davis was led to take a
short trek just across the street to Daniel Payne Middle School. He noticed
that the building was empty. That moment was the genesis of the Daniel Payne
Community Plaza.
Now, the Ninth
Episcopal District and the Daniel Payne Foundation own the Daniel Payne
Community Plaza and the 140 acres of the original land that will be developed
still. Such an amount of land ownership by one African American institution or
church in the state of Alabama is unprecedented. The historic proportion of the
property acquisition and the high level of economic development is expected
help the AME Church and Alabama.
Presiding Elder
Dwight Dillard serves a member of the Board of Directors for the Daniel Payne
Foundation. “The new plaza is a grand and beautiful sight! I am most proud to
usher in this new era for our church. We have created something for the next
generation. This is holy ground,” offered Elder Dillard, who leads the
Birmingham-Florence-Tuscaloosa District of the Northwest Alabama Conference.
For some
supporters, the new Daniel Payne Community Plaza offers a way to honor their
ancestors and the legacy of the former Daniel Payne College. Mrs. Ernestine
Barnes-Ivery, the only Deaconess in the AME Church in Alabama, recalls the
past, “I used to play on Daniel Payne’s picnic area as a member of St. Luke AME
Church when I was a little girl. Now, to see 60 plus years later that someone
is trying to carry on that memory is a good feeling.” Mrs. Barnes-Ivery has
donated $6,000 to the fundraising project. “I have given in memory of my
parents. I see something tangible. That is a blessing,” adds Mrs. Barnes-Ivery.
8.
SEVEN AME BISHOPS TO PARTICIPATE IN 9TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
ORDINATION SERVICE:
Service of
Ordination will be held November 13, 2014, 7:00 p.m. with the presence and
participation of Seven Bishops of the AME Church.
The Daniel Payne
Community Plaza will serve as the site of the historic Service of Ordination
for all AME ministerial candidates in Alabama who will be ordained.
Bishop John Richard
Bryant, Senior Bishop of the AME Church and the Presiding Prelate of the Fourth
Episcopal District will be the guest preacher. In total, seven AME Bishops will
be on hand for the ordination service, including (in alphabetical order)
Bishops Frank Curtis Cummings, retired Bishop; James L. Davis, Presiding
Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District; Clement W. Fugh, Presiding Prelate of
the Fourteenth Episcopal District; Samuel Lawrence Green, Sr., Presiding
Prelate of the Twelfth Episcopal District; Carolyn Tyler Guidry, retired
Bishop; and Reginald T. Jackson, Presiding Prelate of the Twentieth Episcopal
District and AMEC Ecumenical Officer.
Never before have
seven bishops come together to participate in one ordination service in the
history of AME Church in Alabama.
April
9-11, 2015 - Open House and Dedication
The Daniel Payne
Community Plaza welcomes guests to tour the new site, learn more about how the
Plaza will serve the greater Birmingham community and the state of Alabama, and
enjoy fun, food, and fellowship.
For more
information about the Daniel Payne Community Plaza, call (205) 326-4499 or
visit www.ninthamec.org.
The
African Methodist Episcopal Church
The mission of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church is to minister to the spiritual,
intellectual, physical, emotional, and environmental needs of all people by
spreading Christ’s liberating gospel through word and deed. At every level of
the Connection and in every local church, the African Methodist Episcopal
Church shall engage in carrying out the spirit of the original Free African
Society, out of which the AME Church evolved: that is to seek out and save the lost,
and serve the needy.
9.
THE CONFIRMATION PROJECT:
*The Rev. Shonda
Nicole Gladden
NASHVILLE, TN. –
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has been named as one of five
denominations to participate in a research initiative based at Princeton
Theological Seminary, funded by a $1.1M grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to
study youth formation and other confirmation equivalent practices in five North
American Protestant denominations.
The Confirmation
Project, Christian Youth: Learning and Living the Faith, will explore the
effectiveness of confirmation and equivalent practices for strengthening
discipleship in youth in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the United
Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in America, and the Episcopal Church. It will also provide churches with
examples of strategies and practices to help young Christians grow as disciples
of Jesus Christ.
“The AME Church has
historically emphasized youth formation as important to the life of our Church.
Through our YPD, CDMC, Scouting, and active Youth Ministries, we are creative
in approaching the work of ministering to youth. This project enables us to
tell our unique story,” says Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount, 4th Episcopal District
Director of Christian Education, Pastor of Arnett Chapel AME (Chicago, IL), and
Steering Committee Member.
“We want to understand how young people make
decisions, how they integrate faith into their lives, and how they are
initiated to the church,” says Richard Osmer, professor in the Practical
Theology Department at Princeton Seminary and one of two codirectors of the
project. “We’ll ask questions to explore diverse practices, who participates,
and how long confirmation programs are.”
The study comes at
a time when demographics in both church and society are changing. Technology
will be a key part of the project, according to Katherine Douglass, codirector
and post-doctoral fellow at Princeton Seminary. “We want to take advantage of
innovations in technology that young people use, like new media and social
networks. We are using some of the money from the grant to design an
interactive web site for gathering and sharing data and models, and for
creating online communities.”
The project’s
codirectors, steering committee members, and graduate assistants for each
denomination are currently identifying individual congregations to participate
in the study. Qualitative research will begin in the fall of 2014, with site
visits and a focus on storytelling about confirmation practices. The project
will conclude in December 2016.
“This is an
exciting opportunity for us to examine the ways our denomination is leading in
the area of youth formation, but we will need Connectional representation to
tell our story well,” says Rev. Shonda Gladden, Pastor of Allen Temple AME
Church (Marion, IN), and a member of the two person AME Research team.
Bishop John R.
Bryant, Senior Bishop and Presiding Prelate of the 4th Episcopal District said
“this research initiative is an historic, ecumenical project that should
reflect our Church’s commitment to youth. I would hope every pastor, youth
minister and leader throughout the Connection would lend their full support by
completing the survey and demonstrating that the AME Church is a leader in youth
formation.”
In the end, the
goal is to benefit churches and young people. Research outcomes include helping
churches gain an understanding of confirmation and equivalent practices across
denominations, and helping them assess the expectations and levels of
satisfaction of young people, their parents, and ministry leaders. “There are
huge gaps between what parents, ministers, and young people think about
confirmation,” Osmer says. “We want congregations to close that gap. We hope
this research will serve as a basis for a fresh discussion about confirmation
and other practices that support discipleship formation of youth.”
Pastors, youth
ministers, Y.P.D. directors, and all other youth workers engaged in
implementing youth discipleship within the continental United States are urged
to visit http://survey.walkerinfo.com/DU9W2BZWR and complete the short survey.
Youth and parents should complete the survey as well. In the next six months,
several congregations will be visited by the two person denominational research
team to experience firsthand the ways youth discipleship happens throughout our
church.
For general project
information, email info@theconfirmationproject.com or visit http://theconfirmationproject.com/.
For specific questions about the AME Church portion of this research project,
email revsgladden@gmail.com.
About
Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Lilly Endowment
Inc. is an Indianapolis-based private philanthropic foundation created in 1937
by three members of the Lilly family—J.K. Lilly Sr. and sons J.K. Jr. and
Eli—through gifts of stock in their pharmaceutical business, Eli Lilly &
Company. The Endowment exists to support the causes of religion, education and
community development. Lilly Endowment’s religion grantmaking is designed to
deepen and enrich the religious lives of American Christians. It does this
largely through initiatives to enhance and sustain the quality of ministry in
American congregations and parishes. More information can be found at
www.lillyendowment.org.
Princeton
Theological Seminary, founded in 1812, is the first seminary established by the
General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church. Its mission is to educate leaders
for the church of Jesus Christ worldwide, and its more than 500 students and
11,000 graduates from all fifty states and many nations around the world serve
Christ in churches, schools and universities, healthcare institutions,
nonprofit agencies, initiatives for social justice, mission agencies, and the
emerging ministries of the church in the twenty-first century.
*The Rev. Shonda
Nicole Gladden is the Confirmation Project AME Research Assistant and pastor of
Allen Temple AME Church: revsgladden@gmail.com, (765) 831-2129
10.
GENERAL OFFICER REV. DR. JEFFERY COOPER TO SPEAK IN HISTORIC BIRMINGHAM,
ALABAMA:
*Sister Doris Hardy
Saint John AME
Church, located at 708 15th Street North in the heart of historical
Birmingham, Alabama will celebrate its 141st Church Anniversary starting
Friday, November 21, 2014 – Sunday, November 23, 2014.
Events include a
special Celebration of the Arts set for Friday, November 21st at
6:30 p.m. featuring Alabama School of Fine Arts, Miles College, Alabama State
University, Alabama A&M University and Oakwood University. On Saturday, November 22nd members will serve
141 minutes in various community projects, such as Pathways Homeless Shelter
for Women, Daniel Payne Community Plaza, Greater Birmingham Ministries and The
Fountain Heights Community. The anniversary events will culminate on Sunday,
November 23rd at 8:30 a.m. with Sunday School and a combined worship service
beginning at 9:30 a.m. with Rev. Dr. Jeffery B. Cooper as the guest speaker,
the General Secretary/CIO of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Saint John AME
Church was organized on November 10, 1873 in the heart of downtown Birmingham,
Alabama with twenty-five (25) faithful servants of God in a storefront located
on 25th Street and 2nd Avenue, North.
The members of St.
John then decided to build a church on a site at Twenty-fifth Street and Third
Avenue North, one block from the storefront. On that site, a beautiful edifice
was constructed. The church site at Twenty-fifth Street and Third Avenue, North
also, served as a temporary location for a public school for colored
children. The church was officially incorporated September 22, 1886.
The growth and
vitality of the city of Birmingham, now two years old, directly affected St.
John; because of the development around the Terminal Station, the congregation
had to seek another location. St. John’s
location was very popular, situated between the new railroad terminal station
and the L&N passenger depot. The
Rev. H. N. Newsome planned and directed the construction of a new church
building and the Fiftieth Anniversary of the church was held on Sunday, March
10, 1923 in the basement at Seventh Avenue and Fifteenth Street North.
In November 1952,
the Rev. C.E. Thomas became the thirty-seventh pastor of historic St. John.
Under his leadership foundational and structural issues plagued the church’s
physical plant and necessitated a new church building. The church membership,
in a church conference, made the decision to build a new church on the
site of Seventh Avenue and Fifteenth Street, North. In August 1971, a
groundbreaking ceremony was held and church construction began on June 10,
1973.
Sunday, May 26,
1974 the new church was dedicated. In 1976 at the General Conference in
Atlanta, Georgia, the Rev. C. E. Thomas was elected the Ninety-ninth Bishop in
the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Sunday, October 28,
1990, Bishop C. E. Thomas appointed Rev. James L. Davis the fortieth pastor of
St. John A.M.E. Church. Under Rev. Davis' administration, the mortgage and the parsonage
were paid in full. In 1992, the Rev. Davis was appointed as pastor of Big
Bethel AME Church in Atlanta, Georgia and in 2004; he was elected and
consecrated as the 123rd Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church. In 2008, Bishop Davis returned to the Ninth Episcopal District as its
presiding prelate.
On November 15,
2008, at the Ninth Episcopal District Planning Meeting, Bishop James L. Davis
appointed Rev. Mashod Evans, Sr., as the 44th pastor of Saint John. Under Rev.
Evans’ leadership, the church has continued to grow spiritually, numerically,
and financially. Saint John has continued to do the work of kingdom building
through community involvement and outreach.
Through 141 years,
forty—four pastors, and thousands of members, Saint John has continued through
generations to be an Anchor in God’s Love, Hope and Promises in the community,
the State of Alabama and the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Rev. Mashod A.
Evans, Sr. and the members of Saint John AME Church invite you to visit with us
as we celebrate our 141st Church Anniversary, November 21-23, 2014. For more information about the upcoming
events contact our church office, (205) 251-3764 or visit our website at www.stjohnbirmingham.com.
*Sister Doris Hardy
is the Church Anniversary Chairperson
11. A
COUPLE OF RHETORICAL QUESTIONS:
Wilberforce
University is making strong appeals in its hour of need. Bishop McKinley Young,
Presiding Prelate of the 3rd Episcopal District and WU Chancellor
and Dr. Algeania Warren Freeman, the President of Wilberforce University
submitted articles with appeals for the African Methodist Episcopal Church and
its members and friends to make contributions to help save the University.
In a previous issue
(October 10, 2014) of TCR Online, Dr.
Jamye Coleman Williams wrote a passionate article entitled, “Will the AME Church Save Wilberforce?”
- “Yes, We Must!” She wrote, “A
call, therefore, is being sent across the United States and across the oceans and
to the isles of the sea-- wherever the flag of African Methodism waves--to come
to the rescue on the first Sunday in November by giving a voluntary
offering—each according to his/her own means.
We do not limit the appeal to only individual members, but we urge you
to seek help from your families, friends, co-workers, organizations.”
The appeals from
Bishop Young, WU President Freeman and Dr. Williams provided instructions on
how to make contributions.
We have also had a
number of articles about the Ebola virus in West Africa (14th
Episcopal District) and how to make contributions. To lift up the Ebola crisis,
here is a post submitted by Bishop Clement W. Fugh, Presiding Prelate of the 14th
Episcopal District in this issue of TCR
Online (# 25): “I received news of the passing of the Rev. Jeremiah Blake,
a minister in the 14th Episcopal District (Liberia). He collapsed on his way to church on Sunday,
November 2, 2014. Since the Ebola
outbreak, the law forbids the touching of the deceased. His remains were immediately disposed of. He
is survived by his wife.” Ebola is not
only a serious issue it’s heart-breaking!
Additionally, TCR Online has provided ongoing
coverage about HIV/AIDS in the Dr. Oveta Fuller’s “Getting to Zero” column and in other articles.
My
rhetorical questions
1) I wonder how
many pastors made appeals for contributions to Wilberforce University?
2) I wonder how
many pastors have made plans to lift offerings for Wilberforce University?
3) I wonder how
many pastors have made appeals or collected money for the Ebola crises?
4) I wonder how
many AMEs have sent donations in support of the Ebola appeals?
5) I wonder how
many pastors even think about HIV/AIDS or are doing or even mentioning anything
about it?
An
observation: This is not the
first time the African Methodist Episcopal Church has made appeals for funds.
We have saved our academic institutions and met other financial crises, not
with philanthropic gifts from large donors, but with “dollar money.” If we all
put our “dollars” together and respond to the calls for assistance as our
foremothers and forefathers did, we can save Wilberforce and help “put a dent”
in the Ebola crisis.
Suggestion: if your pastor or church failed to mention any of the
items mentioned above, politely call your pastor and ask why he or she failed
to make appeals that have been called for by the leaders of our Zion.
Everybody cannot
give hundreds of dollars, but all of us can give something: $1, $5, $10. $20,
$50, $75, $100, $500, $1000 (and whatever the currency of your country) –
Whatever you can give to Wilberforce AND to the Ebola crisis will be
appreciated.
And pastor,
HIV/AIDS is not going away; it is still big problem in Episcopal Districts 1
-20.
The Pastoral
Appointments 2014 Cape Annual Conference of the 15th Episcopal
District
12.
THE PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS 2014 CAPE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Bishop David
Rwhynica Daniels, Jr., Presiding Prelate
Mrs. Irene Moifoi
Daniels, Episcopal Supervisor
Beaufort
West District – Presiding Elder: The Rev Joey Volmink
St Paul’s Caravon -
The Rev. Sam April
Wright Chapel
Beaufort West - The Rev. Sonwabile Madikane
GD Van Stavel Van
Wyksvlei - The Rev. Edward Coericius
HG Carelse
Williston - The Rev. Sam April
Sarah Gow Victoria
West - The Rev. Carlos Giminez
WC Legolie Calvinia
- The Rev. Benjamin Hoorn
Cape
Town District – Presiding Elder: The Rev Willem Burger
Bethel Memorial
Hazendal - The Rev .Sekoboto Tau
Vinton Anderson
Eerste River - The Rev. Marco De Lilly
St. Francis Belhar
- The Rev. W.C. Legolie II
St. Matthew Elsies
River - The Rev. Dawid Moses
Robinson Chapel
Bonteheuwel - The Rev. Audrey Ngamlana
St James Athlone -
The Rev. Sydney Gordon
Edmund Lawrence
Ravensmead - The Rev. Peter Walker
St. Stephens Surrey
Estate - The Rev. Vernard Bailie
St John Kensington
- The Rev. Daniel Jacobs
Ebenezer Bellville
- The Rev. Wilson Price
Parks Memorial
Langa - The Rev. Thasibon Tuke
Rehoboth Delft -
The Rev Clive Van Der Heever
Richard Allen
Bishop Lavis - The Rev. Ashley Gordon
Payne Chapel Salt
River - The Rev. Granville Abrahams
Lansdowne
District – Presiding Elder: The Rev Abe Neethling
Metropolitan
Mitchells Plain – The Rev. Andries Melite
Ebenezer Retreat –
The Rev. Abraham Neethling
E.C. Gordon
Macassar - The Rev. Alistair Didloff
H.B. Senatle
Macassar - The Rev. Magdalene Olivier
Robert Thomas Jun
B/Valley - The Rev. John H De Vos
Mt Zion Guguethu -
The Rev. Thasibona Tuke
McKinley Young
Khayelitsha - The Rev. Bongani Jantjies
Elizabeth Chapel -
The Rev. Bernard Ernest
St Peters Parkwood
- The Rev. Chris Samaai
Trinity Grassy Park
- The Rev. Z. Vass
Agnes Hildebrand
H/Park - The Rev. Dirkie Mason
Calvary Mannenberg
- The Rev. Beulah Witbooi
F.H. Gow Nyanga -
The Rev. Tebogo Cornley Mpona
Montagu
District – Presiding Elder: The Rev Juliana Williams
Sims Chapel,
Montagu/Zolani - The Rev. Errol Phillips
Mt Zion De Doorns -
The Rev. Kenneth Siegel
Trinity Touws River
- The Rev. Angelo Forbes
St. Luke Koo-Keisie
- The Rev. Arasco Lombard
D.P. Gordon, Ashton
- The Rev. Simon Krotz
Mt. Pisgah
Robertson - The Rev. Johan Phillips
Allen Temple George
- The Rev. Vernon Etson
I.J. Legolie
Circuit - T.B.S
Paarl
District – Presiding Elder: The Rev Samuel Engelbrecht
Gow Chapel
Kraaifontein - The Rev. Paul J. Messiah
St Joseph Paarl -
The Rev. Douglas Oormeyer
Hunter Temple Paarl
- The Rev. Cyril Daniels
Sims Chapel Ida’s
Valley - The Rev. Mark Pietersen
Faith Scottsdene -
The Rev. Anthony Jacobs
Oak Grove
Cloetesville - The Rev. Christy Coetzee
St Peters Kylemore
- The Rev. Ursula Van Stavel
Hope Scottsville -
The Rev. Lauan Berends
Maranatha Mbekweni
- The Rev. Nomsi Teto
I.J. Legolie
Vanwyksvlei Sarah Gow Victoria West - The Rev. Martin Barnes
Piketberg
District – Presiding Elder: The Rev Dawid Moses
Mount Olive Chapel
AME Piketberg - The Rev Clive J. Pillay
St Paul Malmesbury
- The Rev. Joey Volmink
Emmanuel Atlantis -
The Rev. Joseph Sidonie
Christ Our Redeemer
Atlantis - The Rev. Morne Meyer
Morris Brown
Chatsworth - The Rev. Rynold Matthys
D.G. Ming Saldanha
- The Rev. Charlin Legolie
S.P. Johannes
Vredenburg - The Rev. Joseph Pieterse
St Marks Lamberts
Bay - The Rev. Christo Noble
JC Ockhuis
Porterville - The Rev. Chanrau Africa
Namaqwa Circuit –
Lic. Abrahams
Worcester
District – Presiding Elder: The Rev Jerome Gordon
Zion Worcester –
The Rev. Keith Links
Bethesda Worcester
- The Rev. Quinton Liebenberg
Calvary Worcester -
The Rev. Sydney Mtamo
Bethel Wellington -
The Rev. Cedric Jansen
R.J. Davids De Wet
- The Rev. Wesley Legolie
St. Matthews
Swellentemba - The Rev. Victor Mbambo
Wilhelm Gordon
Tulbach - The Rev. Juliana Williams
DP Gordon Wolseley
- The Rev. Audbrey Setera
Ebenezer Ceres -
The Rev. Donald Sauls
Victory Worcester -
The Rev. Henry Arnoldus
A.J. Gordon Gouda -
The Rev. Sandra Moore
**Submitted
by the Rev. Clive Pillay, pastor of Mount Olive Chapel AME Church,
Piketberg.
TCR Editor’s Note: With this list from the Cape Annual Conference in the
15th Episcopal district, I feel like I am part of a global church!
Thank you Reverend Pillay!
13.
APPOINTMENTS REPORTED AT THE 5TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT PLANNING
MEETING:
More than 5,000
African Methodists in attendance.
The Southern
California Conference is now comprised of the Los Angeles North District with
the Rev. Allen Williams as Presiding Elder and the Los Angeles South Las Vegas
District under Presiding Elder Roosevelt Lindsey.
Among the new appointments:
- The Rev. Larry
Campbell to First – Pasadena
- The Rev. Norman
Copeland to St. Paul - San Bernardino
- The Rev. Betty
Hanna-Witherspoon to Primm Tabernacle – Pomona
- The Rev.
Julliette Hemphill to First – Indio
- The Rev. Benjamin
Hollins to Price Chapel
- The Rev. Delman
Howard to Johnson Chapel – Santa Ana
- The Rev. William
Shepherd to Brown Memorial – Pasadena
- The Rev. Charles
Wright to Holy Trinity – Las Vegas.
- The Reverends
Cedric Alexander was named Presiding Elder of the San Francisco/Sacramento District
- The Donnell Miles
named pastor of Ebenezer – Stockton
- The Rev. LeSean
Tarkington appointed pastor of Walker Temple –Seattle.
The
reappointments
- The Reverends J.
Edgar Boyd to First AME- LA,
- The Rev. Francine
Brookins to Bethel – Fontana
- The Rev. Rosalynn
Brookins to Walker Temple
- The Rev. John
Cager to Second
- The Rev. Kelvin
Calloway to Bethel A.M.E. – LA
- The Rev. Timothy
Coston, Jr., to Cain Memorial – Bakersfield
- The Rev. Antonio
Dupree to Grace-Temecula
- The Rev. Michael
Eagle to Grant-Long Beach
- The Rev. Dwain
Jackson to St. James
- The Rev. Melanie
Mays to Bethel–Monrovia
- The Rev. Gregory
McLeod to Brookins Community
- The Rev. Taurus
Myhand to Ward
- The Rev. Clyde
Oden to Bryant Temple
- The Harrison
Ridgeway to Bethel – Barstow
- The Rev. Darryl
Walker to New Philadelphia
- The Rev. Leslie
White to Bethel Memorial-San Diego
- The Rev. Mark
Whitlock to Christ Our Redeemer – Irvine.
Read
More:
**Information taken
from article published on Friday, 31 October 2014 09:05, written by Cora
Jackson - Fossett, Religion Editor
14. FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER HEADLINES
POLITICAL FORUM AT THE 6TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT MIDYEAR CONVOCATION:
Bishop Preston Williams
brings former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and other candidates together for
political forum at the 6th Episcopal District Midyear Convocation.
*Mr. Benjamin Harrison
Wednesday through Friday, November 22-24, 2014, the 6th
Episcopal District (Georgia, U.S.A.), conducted its Midyear Convocation at the Epworth By The Sea Conference and Retreat
Center in Saint Simons Island, Georgia, which sits on the coast of the
Atlantic Ocean approximately one hour south of Savannah, GA.
As part of a voter education and “Get Out The Vote”
campaign throughout the 6th District, Bishop Preston W. Williams II, Presiding
Prelate, established political committees in each of the six annual conferences
in Georgia whose purpose are to encourage people to go to the polls and vote in
the midterm elections on November 4, 2014. With only a few days until the
statewide midterm elections, Bishop Williams wisely incorporated a political
forum into this year’s Midyear schedule of events that was designed to educate
voters about their choice of candidates and energize them to go to the polls
and vote.
At 10:30 a.m., Thursday morning, numerous candidates
from across the state of Georgia traveled to Saint Simons Island to stand
before the congregation of A.M.E. ministers and make the case for their
candidacy. Headlining the list of candidates and their surrogates was the 39th
President of the United States of America, former President Jimmy Carter who
came representing his grandson Jason Carter who is a candidate for governor of
Georgia.
President Carter was greeted with a standing ovation
and cheers befitting the arrival of a dignitary. The elder statesman made an eloquent
case for his grandson as the Democratic candidate for governor. He applauded
Democratic principles and Democrats in general, pointing out the unscrupulous
tactics, such as recent voter ID laws, used by Republicans to systematically
disenfranchise African Americans, Latinos and other minorities.
President Carter stated that it was a blessing to have
such a large number of strong African American female and male candidates
running for various offices throughout the state of Georgia, and noted its importance
as a means through which minority communities are able to exert political power
to influence decisions being made in their communities. Upon concluding his
remarks, President Carter again received a standing ovation and all attendees
were pleased to have witnessed his speech and been present at this inspired
event.
Another elder statesman who attended the political
forum was Ambassador Andrew Jackson Young, American politician, diplomat,
activist and pastor from Georgia who served as a Congressman from Georgia's 5th congressional district, the United States Ambassador to the United Nations, and Mayor of Atlanta. He served as
President of the National Council of Churches USA, was a member of
the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, and was a
supporter and friend of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ambassador Young
spoke powerfully about the inequalities of the American economic, social and
political systems and called for “gospel economics to solve our political
predicaments.” A preacher at heart, Ambassador Jackson connected with the AME
ministers by putting soul in his remarks and elevating everyone’s spirits in
the room.
Numerous other political candidates attended the forum
and addressed the convocation, including: Connie Stokes, candidate for
Lieutenant Governor; Greg Hecht, candidate for Attorney General; Robbin Shipp,
candidate for Labor Commissioner; Doreen Carter, candidate for Secretary of
State; Ted Metz, candidate for Insurance Commissioner; Daniel Blackman,
candidate for Public Service Commissioner; and many others.
This well orchestrated political forum was a testament
to Bishop Williams’ strong political roots and relationships in Georgia and his
depth of understanding regarding the importance of African Americans being
politically well informed and exercising their constitutional right to cast
their ballots at the polls.
*Mr. Benjamin
Harrison is the Communications Director for the 6th District of the AME Church
15. THE PERCEPTION
OF BLACKS ON THE MISSION FIELD:
*Jacinta Russell
Temitope Adekanbi is an African-American missionary; a
Nigerian who has lived in New York since she was five years old.
Sapphire has been a black-American missionary since
1979. Ronnie Farmer is a black-American missions coach for the mission sending
agency, TEAM.
Blacks make up less than one percent of the
missionaries from the United States. There are a host of reasons for these low
numbers. Here are a few reasons from the interviewees: Mass incarceration
brings about fatherlessness, as a community we have so many issues to address
that we have forgotten about global needs, raising financial support is a major
issue listed among all three, pastors don’t vision-cast for global missions,
lack of knowledge and lack of exposure.
Temi meets more Africans than black Americans who are
missionaries. The few blacks she met were at a global missions' conference
called “Urbana.” “African-Americans and
black-Americans are not the same in culture, but the experiences are similar,”
she said.
Race doesn’t matter but it’s a powerful message to have
someone look like you, said Temi. When you leave your country and move you
demonstrate your passion, that you are convinced about your belief, and you
have the financial wherewithal to do so, she added.
The first thing to think of is how do I pay for this?
Temi admits to the obstacles, but says it all works out.
When Sapphire goes overseas she says she is usually the
only one or one of two blacks to serve. From her personal experience if she’s
not going to an African country she’s not treated the same as white people;
worse. When overseas, people are apprehensive when they don’t frequently
interact with us, said Sapphire.
Farmer was a chaplain who saw the global need for the
gospel in 2006 when he went on a short term mission trip to Central Asia.
Sapphire lives in California and her multi-ethnic,
non-denominational church is not global-minded. As a matter of fact, none of
her work has been through churches. Temi said most of her trips are
self-motivated through her church, network and school.
"Black people have a desire to go to Africa,"
said Sapphire. The majority of those on her trip to Africa were black, “between
five to ten people went to each country, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria
and Sudan and most were women, but there were guys as well.”
The hands and feet of Jesus have traditionally been
white. “Most blacks go through Europe and recently blacks go to Senegal and
Africa to study abroad. India gets blacks to study IT for a few years and
that’s it, but they don’t get missionaries,” said Temi.
When you take that leap of faith, so much blessing
comes out of it, she said, “the way we’re perceived in America is not the way
we’re perceived around the world. That’s how we get a full picture of who we
are.”
*Jacinta Russell is the Executive Director of The One
Commission Foundation
16. NAACP STATEMENT
ON OUTCOME OF THE 2014 MIDTERM ELECTIONS:
(Baltimore, Md.) -- The National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is committed to leading the effort
alongside other civil and human rights organizations and our newly elected
Congress to pass a robust Voting Rights Act Amendment.
Equal access to voting remains paramount as numerous
reports of voting irregularities emerged during the midterm elections
yesterday. Malfunctioning voting machines, voters turned away because of
erroneous voter ID laws, missing names of registered voters and long lines were
among the major challenges that the NAACP fielded along with our Election
Protection partners via the 1-866-Our-Vote hotline. We assert that passage of a
robust Voting Rights Act Amendment is essential for the states previously
protected under section 5 as well as for all Americans for the sanctity of our
republic. We urge the newly elected Congress to join us in ensuring that all
registered voters in our great country have unfettered access to the ballot
box.
Cornell William
Brooks, President and CEO of the NAACP:
“This election was not about who won but the rather the
citizens who lost the right to participate.
This first election post the Shelby vs. Holder decision resulted in
problems in every single state previously protected by the Voting Rights Act.
For 49 years, these states were singled out because they had a history of
discriminating against American voters.
The Election Protection Hotline we manned with other concerned
organizations fielded over 18,000 calls yesterday, many in those same states
previously protected by the VRA. As we
move forward—it is imperative that our newly elected Congress work with the
NAACP and our partners to pass Voting Rights Act Amendment legislation that
assures that all Americans have the franchise—our very democracy depends on
it.”
Here are all the partners that worked with the NAACP on
the Election Protection hotline: http://www.866ourvote.org/partners.
About the NAACP
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 here: http://www.naacp.org/pages/game-changers
17. “FROM WHERE I
SIT” - “WHAT DO WE BELIEVE? … AFFIRMATION OR RECITATION:
*The Rev. Tyrone T. Davis, D.Min
More than 40 years ago, shortly after earning my
undergraduate degree at the University of Cincinnati, while still living in my
off campus apartment, a pair of Jehovah’s Witnesses (a young woman and a young
man) knocked at my door late one morning.
After inviting them in and briefly engaging in some basic generalities
they got down to the business of attempting to challenge my faith as a
Methodist. They were young people about
my age who seemed to follow a script similar to what some businesses provide to
new employees who are sent out on cold calls.
The script appeared to be designed such that, if permitted, the intent
was to undermine my present faith and to create within me a receptivity to
their beliefs. Their first specific
question was “Did I believe in the Trinity?”
As soon as the word “Yes” escaped my lips, they immediately pounced,
questioning how I could believe in three gods when everyone knows that even our
own bible says there is only one God.
Having recently completed both my 2nd and my 3rd year tests as a local
preacher on trial, I just happened to be well-prepared to defend my answer by
saying “I only believed in one God whose majesty was so incomprehensively great
as to be able to manifest his God’s self in ‘three’ persons (Father, Son and
Holy Spirit).” Unprepared in their
script for such a defense as my answer to their first question, they
immediately moved on to a deeper question, “What did I believe?” My response was instant and dynamic as I
began to affirm my faith by stating the Apostles’ Creed. Totally unprepared for these responses, the
young woman (who had thus far led the discussion) now, somehow in the midst of
their visit, determined that I was a busy person and that they should no longer
detain me from my many responsibilities and then asked if I would be willing to
receive a call later during the week to further continue this discussion. Of course I said yes and since that day in
August of 1970 I have been waiting for the call that for some reason has never
come.
I like to tell this story, because it reminds me not
only of the importance of being prepared to defend your faith but also the importance
of knowing what you believe. Since my
early conversion as a child I always expected that the challenge to my faith
would come in the person of an evil, ominous, devilish creature. I was in no way prepared for my faith to be
challenged by two young people, about my own age, who had come into my home as
religious persons. Knowing the Apostles’
Creed gave me the edge I needed to rise above the mask of the confusion
intended to be caused by those who came in my own form to challenge my
faith. Since that day, affirmations of
faith have come to have a greater meaning to me as a growing Christian. As a child, I grew up in a small, rural
church in Southwest Alabama that didn’t have many of the modern attributes of
larger churches like worship bulletins.
Our hymnals were the old books of the Methodist Episcopal Church before
it became the United Methodist Church [The Methodist Hymnal, © 1939, © renewal 1960]. As an acolyte and an altar boy who often
participated in the leadership of worship by reading the scriptures, offering
prayers and reciting the special readings from the hymnal during the offering
period, I also had the opportunity to read and learn the four different
affirmations or statements of faith (the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, the
Modern Creed, and the Korean Creed). As
I would read and compare these similar, yet different creedal statements, I
found their messages and the intents of their messages enlightening. From that point forward, whenever I quoted
one of the affirmations, I recognized that I was doing more than just reciting
what the leader of worship had led. I
realized that I was reaffirming my promise of faith in the One God whose
majesty manifested itself in the three-forms that were necessarily intended to
enhance the life I must live and my Christian walk of faith.
However, today as I share in worship with others, I am
often baffled by the way I see us as Methodists participate in our affirmation
of our faith. First of all, in almost
99% of the occurrences, the affirmation of faith most often chosen is the
Apostles’ Creed. Now I have no problem
with the Apostles’ Creed. It has always
been the stalwart of my faith. What
troubles me are the disengaged expressions I see on faces and the detached
attitudes of those who appear to be expressing their faith by just “going
through the motions.” This creedal
statement should be for us as Christians as is the pledge of allegiance to us
as Americans. If I am correct, then what
I continue to see in church after church is more of a recitation rather than an
affirmation of a creedal statement. I
believe for most of us, the call to affirm our faith on Sunday morning has
become an opportunity for us to recite, in unison with others, what we may have
learned in a New Member Class or from a copy printed in a worship
bulletin. We say it to get through it
without any thought of what we are saying and after it has been said there is
no after thought of what it may have meant.
This brings us to the question of “What can be done
about it?” I believe that the affirming
of our faith is not just an affirmation.
It is also a Wesleyan Means of Grace as in the sharing of our faith. As such, perhaps some time should be set
aside in a congregational setting to focus (or refocus) on the meaning and
importance of affirmations of faith (the Apostles’ Creed or otherwise). It could be in Sunday School, in weekly Bible
Study, perhaps briefly during a worship service, or at another time. Also, occasionally (once a year, once a
quarter or at special times of the year) substituting the Modern Creed or the
Nicene Creed may encourage parishioners to focus more closely on the
Affirmation of Faith as a creedal statement that can be expressed in several
different forms. And finally, just as in
all other aspects of life, it is important that we teach each generation and
re-teach older generations the significance of these statements and what it
means to make or state an affirmation.
For the sake of the 99% who have been limited to only the Apostles’ Creed,
here following are the Modern Creed and the Nicene Creed:
A Modern
Affirmation
Minister: Where
the Spirit of the Lord is, there is one true Church, apostolic and universal,
whose holy faith let us now declare:
Minister and People: We believe in
God the Father, infinite in wisdom, power, and love, whose mercy is over all
his works, and whose will is ever directed to his children’s good.
We believe in Jesus Christ, Son of God and Son of man,
the gift of the Father’s unfailing grace, the ground of our hope, and the
promise of our deliverance from sin and death.
We believe in the Holy Spirit as the divine presence in
our lives, whereby we are kept in perpetual remembrance of the truth of Christ,
and find strength and help in time of need.
We believe that this faith should manifest itself in
the service of love as set forth in the example of our blessed Lord, to the end
that the kingdom of God may come upon the earth. AMEN.
The Nicene Creed
Minister: Let us
unite in this historic confession of the Christian faith:
Minister and People: I believe in
one God: the Father Almighty, maker of
heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible;
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of
God: begotten of the Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God, begotten, not made, being of
one substance with the Father, through whom all things were made; who for us
men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy
Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and was crucified also for us under
Pontius Pilate; he suffered and was buried, and the third day he rose again
according to the Scriptures, and ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right
hand of the Father; and he shall come again with glory, to judge both the quick
and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, the Lord, the giver of
life, who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the
Son together is worshiped and glorified, who spake by the prophets. And I believe in one holy catholic and
apostolic Church. I acknowledge one
baptism for the remission of sins. And I
look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
Those of you who have attended the Annual CME Unity
Summit and its forerunner, the Annual CME Convocation, have already been
exposed to these different creedal statements.
On occasions we have also found them in the worship programs of our
other Connectional meetings. These were
times when the Church would come together in worship and praise and these were
times when we have interspersed the Modern Creed or the Nicene Creed with the
Apostles’ Creed. In these settings, our
worship experiences were also examples of how we could enhance our worship in
the local churches. We should know what
we believe and we should know how to defend our faith, but if all we do is just
call the words without any real meaning, then it surely will not matter which
creedal statement we recite. It’s
important what we say and it’s important how we say it. Or at least that’s the way it looks to me …
*The Rev. Tyrone T. Davis, D.Min, is the General
Secretary of the Board of Personnel Services for the Christian Methodist
Episcopal Church
*Used with permission of the author and The Christian
Index, the official newspaper of the CME Church
18. EVANGELISM AND
DISCIPLESHIP:
*The Rev. Carmichael Crutchfield, Ph.D., is the
Executive Director of Evangelism and Discipleship for the CME Church
While working toward my Ph.D. in Christian Education
and Congregational Studies I took a course from Dr. Jack Seymour entitled
“Teaching Jesus.” I knew at the time he
was working on research that would later lead to a book. In March of 2014 the book was released under
the title “Teaching the Way of Jesus: Educating Christians for Faithful
Living.”
In the spring of 2014, I began reading the book on the
plane to Greece, mainly in preparation for a course I was planning to teach in
the spring of 2015 at Seminary and three lectures I was scheduled to do in the
Annual Conferences of the First Episcopal District. As I continued to read the book while in
Greece, visiting ancient sites, and hearing about the missionary journey of
Paul; I began reflecting upon what I had seen being practiced in the local
churches of my denomination.
While in Greece I heard one of our tour guides say that
Paul was on a mission to Christianize the world and Paul was referred to by
some as the Christian version of Alexander the Great. The statement caused me to reflect upon the
meaning “to Christianize” the world.
Our reading of Pauline letters strongly point to Paul as one who
certainly preached Christ crucified and the need for repentance because God was
going to judge the world.
Furthermore, I began to ask what was the meaning of
evangelistic crusades as we espouse our ministry of evangelism. I hear so many people talking about people
being “saved” and I really want to ask what do they mean. Are they evangelizing in the spirit of Paul,
trying to save people before Jesus’ return, and “Christianize” the world?
It seems to me our evangelistic efforts often result in
emotional decisions to unite with the Christian movement, but because we are
not then prepared to provide sustained, intentional, and systematic means of
teaching and learning, we fail to make disciples. After all, isn’t the great commission to
“make disciples.”
I know we say
the purpose of the church is to “save souls.”
I argue that might be too narrow of a focus. Yes, we want people to accept Jesus as
Savior, but do we make that statement as though we are in some kind of race to
see how many accept Jesus under our watch as we keep a tally of those who come
down the aisle of the church in response to an invitation?
I argue that unless we are intentional in our efforts
to disciple those we evangelize, we will miss the mark. I have long been concerned about the
terminology “save” in the way we speak of it.
I often wonder what people mean by “saved.” If the intention is to say that it is
salvation, I think we need to be clear about what we believe about salvation.
What I hear often from those who call themselves
evangelists is a call to people to come forward out of fear of being punished
by God. This kind of teaching leads to a
doctrine of works righteousness and denies our belief in Justification by
Faith.
Furthermore, the preaching and teaching of Jesus in the
gospel focuses on leading people to live into the kingdom of God. This is done through discipleship. My argument is that we should look at our
organizational structure at all levels of the church to determine how
evangelism and discipleship are brought into conversation in a way that leads
to disciple making accountability and not “numbers added” accountability.
*The Rev. Carmichael Crutchfield, Ph.D., is the
Executive Director of Evangelism and Discipleship for the CME Church
*Used with permission of the author and The Christian Index, the official
newspaper of the CME Church
19. SIX
TRANSFORMATIVE AREAS NEEDED TO MAKE THE CHURCH MORE RELEVANT TO ITS
CONGREGATION:
By Dr. Terry
Jackson
Attending many of
today’s church services seem as if it is attending a concert. Congregations are
running around the sanctuary, dancing in the aisles and singing songs whose
music the dee jay was playing the night before at the club. There is nothing
wrong with this as long as the congregation receives and understands the
supposedly liberating message being laid down by the hopefully effective pastor.
With all of this going on in the church the question must be asked how relevant
is the church today? There are several
follow-up questions that must also be asked.
1) How can the
congregation apply the message provided by the Pastors as soon as the leave the
service?
2) What are the
intended and unintended results of the Sunday sermon?
3) How does the
Pastor follow up with the congregation on his Sunday Sermon to ensure its
effectiveness?
4) What life
lessons should the Pastor teach?
The last question
is crucial to the transformation of the church. The church has to become more
relevant to the needs of the congregation it serves. The church can and should
help its congregants in every area of their life. It is said that Jesus taught
a way of life and ministered to the least of thee daily. These six areas will
help the church teach a way of life.
1) Mental Development. What this means is that
the Pastors should help the congregation take a comprehensive look at the
mental area of their life. Congregants need to understand their Strengths,
Weaknesses and Potential in every area of their life. This can be achieved by
examining past achievements to find their mental strengths.
2) Social Development of the congregants. Mother
Teresa once said “one of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody.” How
well do congregants relate to others? This is a key skill in life and can
determine how successful one may be in life.
3) Physical Development. The church should encourage
health eating and physical exercise to ensure its members are physically
healthy. Healthy members attend church more often which means they tithe more
often.
4) Financial/Career Development. There is always
room at the top. Pastors should encourage the congregation to pursue their
goals to include the building of wealth. The wealthier the congregation and
community the wealthier the church.
5) Family Life Development is the most important
area of these six areas. Richard Bach said that “The bond that links your true
family is not one blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.” The
Black family has to be a priority for the Pastor. The Pastor should stress the
importance of the Black Family being a cohesive wealth creating unit. The church
and community both benefit from the Black Family being whole.
6) Ethics and Beliefs. William Osler said “we
are here to add what we can to life, not what we can get from it.” We need
ethics in every action we take. Our beliefs are important as they can hold us
prisoner or liberate us. The Pastor is seen as a liberator and as a result the
Pastor should concentrate on this area of development.
These six areas of
development are key to community and congregation development. For the church
to become more relevant these areas must be addresses by the Pastor.
Dr. Jackson is a
Certified Executive Coach, Organizational Development Consultant, Life Coach,
Speaker and Author. If you are interested in learning how he can help Pastors
create the church of the future please contact him at tjackphd@gmail.com.
- See more at: http://www.blacklifecoaches.net/2014/10/30/6-transformative-areas-needed-church-relevant-congregation/#sthash.5T9ETIcx.LhB5caYK.dpuf
20. THE TRUTH IS
THE LIGHT:
*The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based on Biblical Text: Matthew 5:39: “But I say
unto you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right
cheek, turn to him the other also.”
I have heard it said that, “I don’t get mad, I get
even.” We are sometimes moved in a manner that may appear logical however is
not necessarily right. The Bible warns that there is a way that seems right to
man but the end thereof is destruction. In other words God will not be pleased.
That way many times is the way of “revenge.” We
classify revenge as human nature however it is more correctly classified as
“sin” nature. In other words, it is our sin nature to hit back, to even the
score, or to get back at. In fact many of us enjoy a good old feud. Many love to keep mess going.
Our carnal defense mechanism kicks in whenever we feel
attacked as no one enjoys being persecuted, victimized, hurt, or mistreated.
But Jesus is very clear as it relates to the subject of persecution in His
Sermon on the Mount. He provides observations worthy of our attention that will
shed some light on our response to persecution. Jesus points out certain
desires that we should embrace and believe in our hearts.
No one likes to be slapped. That coming in any form,
for most of us, is enough to move us immediately to survival mode. Instantly we
are considering ways to contest the blow. Jesus clearly says that as believers
we should be inclined not to throw a punch, but we should learn instead to take
a punch.
And by the way, lest we are moved to over analyzing the
circumstances, Jesus says that it doesn’t matter whether the slap is justified
or not. He reminds us that if we are truly representing Him and being “Christ
like” we must be willing to turn the other cheek, or accept the insult.
It is a fact that when we do not retaliate we take all
the fun out of persecution. Our refusal to strike back as is expected many
times provokes strange behavior from our persecutor. You see those who set out
to persecute us are usually just looking for a fight. They like appearing to
have the upper hand and enjoy the attention of the crowd that gathers. However,
if the fight is one-sided, the persecutor starts to look foolish which many
times cause them to reflect on the motivation for their own actions.
An example can be found in John 18:22 and 23 where we
read that one of the officers in the synagogue struck Jesus with the palm of
his hand. Jesus said to the officer, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of
the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?” Jesus did not literally turn his
other cheek, but in another way he did. We can see that the turning was in
Jesus’ attitude toward His persecutor. He challenged his persecutor to justify
his actions. And He did it with humility.
Turning the other cheek is not a literal action, it is
an attitude. We are reminded that it will not matter at all if we turn our
other cheek if our attitude is still hate and revenge. It is not the outward
demonstration Jesus wants to control; it is our inward motivation. Jesus wants
to control the attitude of our heart. Jesus wants us to love our enemy enough
to want to see their soul saved. In other words it is always Jesus’ prayer that
we would be a catalyst to lead someone to a closer relationship with Him.
Jesus is calling us to do as He did. He chose to be
insulted rather than to be praised. Jesus was thoroughly insulted and called
many names to include a blasphemer, a rabble-rouser and a troublemaker. Jesus
was referred to as a friend to tax collectors and sinners. He was accused of
every sin imaginable. And the Bible tells us that He made Himself of “no
reputation”.
In the passage following our text Jesus says, “If any
man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak
also”. Under the Mosaic Law, if a man did not pay his debt, his creditor was
entitled to take his coat as a guarantee until he did pay. That repossession
was considered justified. However Jesus challenges us to seize the opportunity
to demonstrate our desire to do the right thing. Don’t just honor our debt, but
pay above what we owe. Jesus says, don’t just give our coat but give also our
cloak. Whether the claim against us is just or unjust, pay it. Pay it gladly,
and not begrudgingly because when we do, we teach our accuser a lesson in
Christianity.
Yes it is incredibly difficult to choose insults,
injustice and inconvenience. But these are the actions that move the kingdom of
God forward. These are the actions that convert bullies and inspire sinners to
come to Christ. We are admonished, “As we therefore have opportunity let us do
good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
It is critical that we understand that our turning the
other cheek, giving more of ourselves than is expected, and our being willing
to pour ourselves into service is in no way going to guarantee us a heavenly
home. We must be clear that works do not earn a heavenly address. The Bible is
very clear that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. We are
challenged that our cheek turning is a matter of attitude. In other words there
must be a “right cheek” attitude in our heart.
*The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr. is the pastor of
Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina
21.
GETTING TO ZERO: WILL RESUME IN THE NEXT ISSUE:
Dr. Oveta Fuller is
the columnist.
*Dr. Oveta Fuller
is an 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. An Itinerant Elder in the 4th Episcopal
District, she conducts HIV/AIDS prevention research in Zambia and the USA. She
lived in Zambia for most of 2013 as a J. William Fulbright Scholar.
22.
iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2014 – RELISHING SPECIAL
PLACES - EZEKIEL 43:13–21:
*Bill Dickens
Today’s Church
School lesson continues with Ezekiel’s vision about the Temple of God. The focus today involves certain places where
we have deep reverence in the Temple. One
of those places described by the prophet is the altar of God. Adults search for
places in which they can seek restoration and new directions in their
existence. We have preferences for
special places that provide fresh perspectives and restoration. We need a quiet place in which we can
contemplate how to live our lives and plan for necessary changes. As the lesson will illustrate today there is
no better quiet place than being in proximity with God.
Ezekiel
43:13-17 Building the Altar
This passage relates
to the altar in the symbolic and actual temple.
Today, Christ is our altar.
The Jews, after
their return out of captivity, had an altar long before they had a temple
(Ezra. 3:3), but, this was an altar in the temple. It was six yards square
at the top and seven yards square at the bottom; it was four yards and a half
high; it had a lower bench or shelf, here called a settle, a yard from the
ground, on which some of the priests stood to minister, and another two yards
above that, on which others of them stood, and these were each of them half a
yard broad, and had ledges on either side, that they might stand firmly upon
them. The sacrifices were killed at the table spoken of before, Ch. 40:39.
What was to be burnt on the altar was given up to those on the lower bench, and
handed by them to those on the higher, and they laid it on the altar. Thus, in
the service of God we must assist one another.
Ezekiel
43:18-27 Preparing the Altar
The ordinances of
the altar are here given in this section. Seven days were to be spent in the
dedication of it, and every day sacrifices were to be offered upon it, and
particularly a goat for a sin-offering (v. 25), besides a young bullock
for a sin-offering on the first day (v. 19), which teaches us in all our
religious services to have an eye to Christ the great sin-offering. Neither our
persons nor our performances can be acceptable to God unless sin be taken away
and that cannot be taken away, but by the blood of Christ, which both
sanctifies the altar (for Christ entered by his own blood, Heb. 9:12) and
the gift upon the altar. A bullock and a ram were to be offered for a
burnt-offering (v. 24), which was intended purely for the glory of God, to
teach us to have to remember in all our services, we present ourselves as
living sacrifices, and our devotions as spiritual sacrifices of praise, and
glory to God.
Yearning
for refuge
Political refugees
leave their home country in hopes of finding peace and solace in another
receiving nation. The refugees typically
are fleeing physical, political or economic persecution which prevents them
from leading a peaceful and normal life.
For many people across the world, the United States of America offers
the hope many are longing to experience for themselves. The USA is a place relished by many because
of the unlimited opportunities and the accepted creeds about the pursuit of
life, liberty and happiness.
Veterans Day will
be celebrated on November 11, 2014. This
is the annual day where we stop and give thanks to all active and retired
military men and women who heeded the call to defend the liberties of this
great nation as a magnet for liberty and freedom for her citizens and eligible
refugees. We are all in a “refugee camp”
in our yearning for a special place near God.
Unlike many eligible host countries for receiving refugees, we can take
comfort that God will not turn His back to us and will receive us
unconditionally.
*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
23.
MEDITATION BASED ON PSALM 46:
*The Rev. Dr.
Joseph A. Darby
My weekly
meditations are sometimes hard to write after a trying day, and this is one of
those days.
I’m writing on the
night of the 2014 General Election, when the Republican Party made considerable
political gains in my State and across the Nation and seized control of both
Houses of Congress. Clergy have to be nonpartisan
prior to elections, but the election is now history and it left me with no
sense of satisfaction and facing the probability of considerable political
strife, setbacks and shenanigans over the two years until the next General
election.
That bothers me,
but it’s not the first bothersome election that I’ve seen. I remember the fear of what would happen
after Ronald Reagan’s election to the Presidency and after the 1994
Congressional election that led to the “Contract on America.”
Both of those
elections were followed by considerable political strife, setbacks and
shenanigans, but the Nation weathered all of that, the political pendulum later
swung back in the other direction and things worked out anyway. I have no doubt that the same thing will
happen over the next two years, because even in the midst of life’s reversals,
I remember the words of one of my late mother’s favorite Scriptures - “Be
still, and know that I am God.”
Remember that
encouraging passage of Scripture, not only when elections don’t go your way,
but also when life seems not to go your way.
Life in this world offers all of us more than our fair share of
unexpected and unwelcome twists and turns that can shock us, stun us and leave
the best of us wondering what to do and how to cope.
Never doubt,
however - even in the midst of your most difficult times - that this is still
God’s world, that God has all power, that God knows how much we can bear and
that two other passages of Scripture also still offer timeless truth - the
reminder from the Psalmist that “Joy will come in the morning” and the
assurance from the Apostle Paul that “All things go together for good for those
who love the Lord.”
When you keep those
words of encouragement in mind, you can stand up, hold your head up and press
on in the face of adversity, knowing that what may initially seem to be
burdensome can ultimately lead to new blessings, new strength, new joy and new
victory. Reversals may come our way, but
God is still in control and still in the blessing business, and the song of
those who wore the chains of American slavery is still right, “He’s got the
whole word in His hands.”
This Meditation is
also available as a Blog on the Beaufort District’s Website: www.beaufortdistrict.org
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
24.
EPISCOPAL FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS
--
Bishop Clement and Supervisor Alexia Fugh are the proud grandparents of their
second grandchild, Paul Steven Joseph lll
Bishop Clement W.
Fugh, Presiding Prelate, 14th Episcopal District and Episcopal
Supervisor Alexia Fugh, are the proud grandparents of their second grandchild,
Paul Steven Joseph lll, born on 10/30/14 at 8:57 a.m., weighing 7 lbs. 5 oz.
and 20 ½ inches long. The delighted parents are Marcia Dionne Fugh Joseph and
Paul Steven Joseph II and proud sister, Little Miss Taylor Joseph.
Congratulatory
messages can be sent to:
Email:
Facebook:
Email:
--The
Green Family announces the birth of Henry England Green, IV on October 20, 2014
The Green Family
announces the birth of Henry England Green, IV at 7-lbs, 7-ozs, and 19 inches
on October 20, 2014 at Memorial West Hospital in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
Henry IV is the son
of the Rev. Henry E. Green, III and Mrs. Heather Green and brother of London
Green of Payne Chapel, West Palm Beach, Florida. He is the grandson of the Rev.
Dr. Henry E. Green, Jr. and Mrs. Jennifer Green, and the nephew of Bishop Samuel
L. Green, Sr., Dean John F. and Supervisor Phyllis Green, Dr. David and Mrs.
Kimberly Green, Brother Phillip Green and Mrs. Minerva Green.
25.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: Bishop
Clement W. Fugh
I received news of
the passing of the Rev. Jeremiah Blake, a minister in the 14th
Episcopal District (Liberia). He
collapsed on his way to church on Sunday, November 2, 2014. Since the Ebola outbreak, the law forbids the
touching of the deceased. His remains
were immediately disposed of. He is survived by his wife.
Clement W. Fugh,
Bishop
Fourteenth
Episcopal District
Liberia, Central
Liberia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria, Cote d ‘Ivoire and Togo-Benin
26.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform
you of the passing of the Rev. Sharlotte McBride, pastor of Ward Chapel African
Methodist Episcopal Church, who passed away on Thursday evening, October 30,
2014 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
The Celebratory
Tribute will commence on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. in the
Timothy Baptist Church.
The Christian
Committal will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Muskogee.
You may visit the
remains of the Rev. McBride, as she slumbers in sweet repose at the funeral
home on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. and the Wake will be from 6:00
p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
The members of
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. will hold the "Ivy beyond The Wall"
Memorial Ceremony at 5:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Remembrance and the public is
invited to attend.
Services have been
entrusted:
Bigelow Funeral
Home
549 South 6th
Street
P.O. BOX 2411
Muskogee,
Oklahoma 74401
Telephone: (918)
687-5510
Fax: (918) 687-5573
Online Guest Book: http://www.biglowfunerals.com/fh/obituaries/obituary.cfm?o_id=2784220&fh_id=10320
27.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce
the passing of Mrs. Betty Jean Hunt-Bussey, the sister of Mrs. Eva Hunt Taylor
and beloved Aunt of the Rev. Miyoshi Taylor-Schenck; 1st Lady and Reverend
Dorrian H. Schenck pastor of Historic Allen AME Church in Oxford, Pennsylvania.
The following information
has been provided regarding the funeral arrangements.
Celebration of Life
Service will be held Saturday, November 8, 2014
Visitation &
Viewing - 9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Celebration of Life
Service - 11:00 a.m.
Hunter Hills First
Missionary Baptist Church
166 Edward St NW
Atlanta, GA 30314
Office Telephone:
(404) 753-8185
Fax: (404) 753-2685
The Rev.
Christopher A. Wimberly, Sr., Pastor
Professional Care
entrusted to:
Alphonzo Dawson
Mortuary
3000 Martin Luther
King Jr.
Atlanta, GA 30311
Telephone: (404)
691-3810
Expressions of
Sympathy & Condolences can be sent to:
The Rev. Miyoshi
Taylor-Schenck
204 Darwin Lane
North Brunswick, NJ
08902
Telephone: (302)
388-7527
28.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with deep
sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Rev. Darmon Bruce Tolefree on
Sunday morning, November 2, 2014. He was
a resident of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
The Rev. Tolefree is the brother of the Rev. Truman and the Rev. Bettie
Tolefree, pastors of Bethel AME Church in Bigelow, Arkansas and St. Paul A.M.E.
Church in Morrilton, Arkansas respectively.
Funeral services
are as follows:
Wednesday, November
5, 2014, 11:00 a.m.
Memorial Services
to be held:
Avery Chapel A.M.E.
Church
1425 North Kelham
Ave.
Oklahoma City, Ok.
73111
Funeral will be
held Friday, November 7, 2014, 11:00 a.m. at:
Bethel A.M.E.
Church
200 West Packard
Street
Warren, Arkansas
71671
Funeral Services
have been entrusted to:
McKay Davis Funeral
Home
1616 NE 36th Street
Oklahoma City, OK
73111
Telephone: (405)
424-3399
Hammons Funeral
Home
101 East Elm Street
Warren, Arkansas
71671
Telephone: (870)
226-3505
Condolences may be
shared with the family via the funeral home or c/o The Rev. Truman and the Rev.
Bettie Tolefree, 2924 Shadow Creek, Little Rock, AR 72211.
29.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Rev. Richard L.
Sutton, the dedicated pastor of Bethel AME Church in Malvern, Arkansas passed
on Thursday, October 30, 2014 while attending the Fall Convocation and Planning
Council of the 12th Episcopal District in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
The Rev. Sutton was
a member of the Trustee Board of Shorter College and during the Commencement
Exercises for Shorter College; he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree. He also served as the Chair of the Board of
Examiners for the West Arkansas Annual Conference.
The following
arrangements have been scheduled to celebrate the life of The Rev. Richard L.
Sutton:
Visitation: Friday,
November 7, 2014, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Masonic Rites:
November 7, 2014, 6:00-7:00 p.m.
Funeral Services:
Saturday, November 8, 2014, 11:00 a.m.
All gatherings will
be held at Bethel AME Church, 1220 Carmichael Street, Malvern, Arkansas
Arrangements have
been entrusted to:
Brandon Mortuary
329 West 3rd Street
Malvern, AR
30.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The creator called
Mrs. Gladys J. Thompson home on Sunday, November 2, 2014 at 5:48 a.m. She was
the widow of the late Presiding Elder Willie Frank Thompson. Mrs. Thompson was former President of the
South Alabama Conference (currently Southeast) Ministers' Spouses, Widows and
Widowers Organization Plus Preachers Kids and President of the South Alabama Conference
(currently Southeast) Women's Missionary Society.
Family Hour and
Visitation:
Thursday, November
6, 2014
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
Parks Chapel AME
Church
1053 E. Selma
Street
Dothan, Alabama
36301
The Reverend Rodney
D. Smith, Pastor
The Celebration of
Life for Mrs. Thompson:
Friday, November 7,
2014
12:00 p.m.
Parks Chapel AME
Church
1053 East Selma
Street
Dothan,
Alabama 36301
The Rev. Rodney D.
Smith, Pastor/Eulogist
The Rev. David E.
Reddick, Presiding Elder/Officiating
Words of Comfort
may be sent to:
Mrs. Catherine
Thompson Duncan
1002 Stadium Street
Dothan,
Alabama 36301
Telephone: (334)
678-9682
Professional Care
Entrusted to:
Hammond and Sons
Funeral Home
586 E. Burdeshaw
Street
Dothan,
Alabama 36303
Telephone: (334)
792-7913
Private Interment:
Saturday, November
8, 2014
Greenwood Cemetery
Florala, Alabama
31.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From the office of
the Eighth Episcopal District
It is with
heartfelt sympathy that we announce the passing of the Rev. John David White, a
retired pastor of the Eighth Episcopal District. He served his entire pastoral
ministry in the North Mississippi Conference (formerly the Central North
Mississippi and the Northeast West Mississippi Conferences) where he served a
total of thirteen congregations.
Visitation: Friday,
October 31, 2014:
2:00 P.M. - 6:00
p.m.
Dillon Funeral Home
105 5th Street
Leland, MS 38756
Wake Service:
Friday, October 31, 2014:
5:00 P.M. - 6:00
p.m.
Dillon Funeral Home
105 5th Street
Leland,
Mississippi 38756
Funeral Service:
Saturday, November 1, 2014
1:00 p.m.
Ball Temple AME
Church
326 Kentucky Street
Greenville,
Mississippi 38701
Interment:
Green Lawn Cemetery
Greenville,
Mississippi
Condolences and Expressions
of Sympathy:
Mr. Jerry White
(Son)
Telephone: (805)
704-6755
Professional
Services Entrusted to:
Dillon Funeral Home
105 5th Street
Leland,
Mississippi 38756
Telephone: (662)
686-2322
32. BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley,
Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family
Information Center
Web page:
http://www.amecfic.org/
Telephone: (615)
837-9736 (H)
Telephone: (615)
833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
33. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the
Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland; the
Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian
Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and
prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ
will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Did someone you know pass this copy of The Christian Recorder to
you? Get your own copy HERE: http://www.the-christian-recorder.org/
Click Here: Guidelines for Submitting Articles to TCR
*You have received this message because you are subscribed to
The Christian Recorder Online
Forward to Friend
Copyright © 2014 The Christian Recorder, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are a current subscriber
to The Christian Recorder
Our mailing address is:
The Christian Recorder
500 Eighth Avenue, South
Nashville, TN 37203-7508
Add us to your address book
Unsubscribe from this list
Subscribe / Update subscription preferences
