12/26/2014

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (12/26/ 2014)


The Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder

-- Christmastide, Christmas Eve - January 5, 2015
-- Epiphany, January 6 - Sundays after Lent through February 15, 2015
-- Lenten Season: Ash Wednesday, February 18 - Saturday, April 4, 2015.
-- Easter Sunday: April 5, 2015


1. TCR EDITORIAL – A POTPOURRI OF THINGS I WANT TO SAY BEFORE GETTING TO FAR INTO 2015, PART 2:

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

This is a modified issue of The Christian Recorder Online  

In reviewing various FaceBook messages, some of the messages seem to convey the notion that Christmas ended on Christmas day. We need more than a day to celebrate the birth of Jesus! 

Christmas day is the beginning of the celebration of Christmas, not the end. Advent ended on December 24th and the Christmas season began and is celebrated for 12 days until January 5th and on January 6th, Epiphany (and the Sundays after the Epiphany) is celebrated. 

Another challenge of reading the Bible from Cover to Cover

I am excited by the number of readers who accepted the challenge and will journey with us in reading the Bible from cover to cover beginning on January 1, 2015.

This will be Challenge I for some of you and for others, it will be Challenge II, III or IV, or more depending upon how many times you have read the Bible from cover to cover.

Let’s encourage and challenge each other. 

Some readers are planning to do the 360-day challenge, some of us will do the 180-day challenge, and others the 90-day challenge. 

Commitment and discipline are needed, but if you fall behind, stay the course. In one challenge, I was doing a 360-day challenge, but decided I wanted to go a little faster, so I switched to 180-day schedule.  If you start out on the 90-day or 180-day reading plans and determine either of those plans is too time-consuming, switch to the 360-day plan.

If you fall behind for one reason or the other, don’t quit, just keep reading.  You can also incorporate listening to portions of the challenge is you have a heavy travel or work schedule.

The challenge is to complete the challenge of successfully reading the Bible from cover to cover. 

I have sent the three reading schedules to those of you who requested them. If you need the schedule, email me: chsydnor@bellsouth.net 
  
Some more odds and ends

-- After any Doxological statement or affirmation, “Amen” – (So be it) is appropriate.  An “Amen,” sung or spoken, is always appropriate after the singing of “Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow…”

-- It is inappropriate for pastors and liturgists to ask the congregation to “say” the Lord’s Prayer. Instead, pastors and worship leaders should enjoin the congregation to “pray” the Lord’s Prayer.

-- Assembled parishioners are not “audiences” because they are not “spectators.” Assembled parishioners are “congregations.” We refer to those assembled for worship as a “congregation.”  And, yes, there is a difference between an “audience” and a “congregation!”

-- The general rule in many churches; and it’s a very simple formula - “We stand to praise God, we sit to learn, and we kneel to pray.” Spoken or unspoken, the same rule has been followed in many AME Churches. For instance, we stand to affirm our faith, the Apostles Creed or the Nicene Creed. We stand for the Doxology, the Call to Worship, the preface to The Decalogue, The Decalogue, the Gloria Patri, the Offertory hymn and the benediction. We stand to sing hymns, but in some areas, AMEs tend to sit and reflect during the sermonic hymn/hymn of preparation.

Please do, I beg us

-- I would hope that every AME Church would celebrate the second Sunday in February as Founder’s Day in observance and a celebration of the birth of Richard Allen.

-- I would also hope that all of our churches would celebrate and designate the third Sunday in February each year as “Jarena Lee Sunday,” who was born on February 11, 1783.  Jarena Lee was the first woman licensed preacher in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and is recognized as the first woman preacher in the AME Church. She preached in the face of hostility and though she was not ordained, she was an itinerant preacher in the fullest sense. She was a pioneer for women in ministry and her birth-date should be etched in our hearts and minds.

Read her autobiography online: http://www.umilta.net/jarena.html.

I am excited about 2015 and I am anxious to begin reading the Bible from cover to cover – for me, Challenge IX (9).  I think I am going to start in a day or so before January 1, to help keep me on schedule in case I fall behind during challenge IX.

2. ADVENT WISHES FROM THE 15TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:

The Rev. Clive Pillay shares the link

The Rev Clive Pillay, pastor of Mount Olive Chapel AME Piketberg's Advent wishes for 2014 as sung by Esther Moses at the Family Advent 2014 meeting with the members of Mount Olive Chapel AME PIketberg


3. BISHOP VASHTI MURPHY MCKENZIE VISITS BOTSWANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

The Botswana Annual Conference had an early 2014 Christmas gift in the form of a visit by The Rt. Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Supervisor Stan McKenzie and members of the 10th Episcopal District.

Some of us were aware that Bishop McKenzie would be visiting Swaziland later in the year and it was therefore a pleasant surprise when a month ago, communication reached us to the effect that she will detour to Botswana for a 2-day visit.

The members of the 10th Episcopal District arrived late Sunday on 30 November, 2014 afternoon and checked in at Gaborone Sun Hotel.  As dictated by culture to ensure that visitors are “at home” the Presiding Elder of the Gaborone District, the Rev. Tiroyaone Mobea and the pastor of Motswedi-wa-Botshelo, the Rev. Tshepo Sebakile (the Rev. TDS) and I did the honours and met the Bishop, Supervisor and some of members of the entourage at the hotel.

On 1 December, 2014 we took a trip to the Margaret Joan Cousin   Women and Youth Empowerment Centre which is about 70 kilometres (44 miles) outside of Gaborone, accompanied by the Rev. TDS and members of Motswedi-wa-Botshelo AME Church and Lucas Mhere Mosata AME Church respectively.

In Lobatse, we were joined by the Rev. Beauty Lekone and members of Ball’s Temple AME Church, the Rev. Mokopasetso of Jwaneng AME Church and Mother Nkele Sarah Matlhare, who serves as the Deputy Board Chairperson of the M. Joan Cousin Centre.

At the Centre, we were received and welcomed by the Presiding Elder of the Hukuntsi District, Rev. Judge Tlhage who serves as Executive Secretary of the M. Joan Cousin Centre Board. 

In her response the Bishop noted that she was delighted to see that the Centre was still up and running and continuing to provide a service to the community in the name of the AME Church.  She commended the caretakers who had voluntarily and tirelessly given their time and resources to the Centre.  She also encouraged us not to despair but to continue the good work and once more pledged her support and that of the members of the 10th Episcopal District, Supervisor M. Joan Cousin and the connection at large.  She further emphasized that the architects of this project and respective Bishops must always be kept in the loop in terms of events and assistance required.

On this day, the Centre had arranged a Christmas party for the children and we all joined in!!

The Bishop and members of the 10th Episcopal District distributed the Christmas gifts to the children and also gave cash donations for the Centre.

$1000 from Bishop McKenzie and the 10th Episcopal District ($100 was used to buy gifts for the children) and $2500 from Bishop McKenzie towards the repair of the roof and ceiling
$1000 from Dr. Daryl Ingram for signage and painting
R1400 from Brother Joseph Thompson to purchase shoes for the children
P200 from the Rev. James Morris to purchase of shoes for the children

The Bishop also donated $1000 towards roof repairs at Ball’s Temple AME Church.

In the evening the Bishop and members of the 10th attended a Worship Service at Motswedi-wa-Botshelo AME Church. The Rev. Mpho Moruakgomo presided and led us in Bishop McKenzie’s favourite songs for when she served as our Bishop in the 18th Episcopal District. What a pleasure it was, for the Bishop and her entourage to worship in the African way!

Greetings were presented by the Rev Rupert Hambira (immediate past President of the Botswana Council of Churches President), the Rev. Mosey Simane (General Secretary of the Botswana Council of Churches), Honourable Phenyo Segokgo (Council Chairman of South East South), Supervisor Stan McKenzie and the Rev. Tiroyaone Mobea (Host Presiding Elder).

Prior to presenting the sermon Bishop expressed her gratitude and excitement on seeing some of the members of the church who had been YPDers, missionaries and  Deacons during her Episcopacy in the 18th  assuming positions of leadership as now serving as ordained Itinerant Elders and Presiding Elders respectively.

As usual, AND as expected AND as decreed the Bishop gave a rousing sermon from Mark 5 v 21, entitled “do not allow people to stand in your way towards claiming God’s grace”

We thank God for having made it possible for our FIRST lady Bishop to visit us – we will always be known to have been the FIRST country to host her for the FIRST annual conference after her election as Bishop, the FIRST Episcopal District to have a male Supervisor and the FIRST country to host her on this trip as she tours the 18th!

Thank you members of the 10th Episcopal for taking time out of your busy schedules, leaving the comfort of your homes and loving families  and spending time and money on the 18th Episcopal District.
May the good and ever present and ever providing God continue to bless you in the work of missions.

Re a leboga (we thank you)! Re segofetse (We have been blessed by your presence)! Le ka moso (Please do come again and bring us good tidings)!

Sister PJ Molomo
Connectional WMS Associate Editor of the Missionary Magazine

4. THE SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT EMBARKS ON CREATING EFFECTIVE CLERGY-LAITY RELATIONSHIPS

Written By: Rev. William H. Lamar IV & Rev. Mycal X. Brickhouse


Since its conception, the African Methodist Episcopal Church has sought to minster to the social, spiritual, and physical development of all people. This mission has led the church to create a global movement focused on spiritual uplift displayed through social and economic development. History has told of the success of the ministry of African Methodism, and its influence is still evident today. Even so, the A.M.E. church must still contend with the rising tide of complacency by never allowing its legacy to be the focal point of its current ministry.

The church is called to serve a present age. Given this charge, the A.M.E. church is obligated to perform a self-assessment that analyzes the effectiveness of its local congregations in ministering to the community. Therefore, the Second Episcopal District, under the leadership of Bishop William P. DeVeaux, is intentional in addressing the challenge of ensuring that its congregations are identified as healthy churches.
Upon Bishop DeVeaux’s arrival to the Second Episcopal District, he and the District have embarked on a ministry theme of: “Effective Christian Leadership Empowered by Prayer, Praise, and Proclamation.” This theme has led the Second Episcopal District to begin a pilot program in which it partners with a few local churches that recognize they have an unfulfilled mission, the potential to improve, and display a willingness to commit to becoming healthy and thriving communities of faith. By partnering with these churches the Second Episcopal District is intentionally seeking to create effective and sustainable partnerships between clergy and laity, which are foundational for congregational health and vitality. 
Our history teaches us that our past success extended beyond the pulpit and the persona of the pastor. Although the preacher has served as the voice piece for promoting the command of spiritual and social development, the church’s ministry could not be fulfilled without the clergy and the lay working together in the communities in which they lived. Given this reality, it imperative to note that African Methodism would not be the church that it is today without the presence of working relationships between clergy and laity.

Sadly, the blessings of effective clergy and laity partnerships are often diluted by a societal focus of clericalism. The Second Episcopal District is aiming to lead our parishioners back to the theological principal of priesthood of all believers.  In essence, congregations will only be successful if they realize that both laity and clergy have spiritual gifts purposed to edify the body, while glorifying Christ. Thus, the Second Episcopal District is partnering with churches in an attempt to destroy clericalism and promote the proven fact that successful ministry derives from effective partnerships between clergy and the laity.

It is imperative to note that this work found its genesis in a partnership between the Second Episcopal District and Leadership Education at Duke Divinity School, Durham, NC. Therefore, the Second Episcopal District expresses it gratitude to Bishop DeVeaux, the staff of Leadership Education, and the many clergy and laity partners who assisted in the development of this pilot program.

How does this program work? Participating churches are asked to engage in a process of self-reflecting, where both the Pastor and lay leadership are asked to write an essay that shares what they personally love and value most about the potential for developing a more effective clergy and lay partnership. They are also asked to collaborate on an application that seeks to identify the unfulfilled mission of the local church, behaviors that are attributing to this unfulfilled mission, and what ministry goals the congregation is seeking to obtain.  These documents are then reviewed by a committee of trained ministry experts that meet with each approved congregation to identify reasonable goals and resources, and to develop measures for evaluation of progress. At the conclusion of these conversations an agreement of intent is signed as a means to hold each congregation accountable.

At the conclusion of this pilot program, the Second Episcopal District is hoping to increase healthy congregations led by effective partnerships between clergy and laity, which are strengthened by ongoing personal and corporate spiritual development, empowered by clear and relevant communications, and renewed by dynamic models for ministry and decision making. The Second District is requesting that the A.M.E Church unites with them in prayer as they journey to create a culture centered on spiritual unity for kingdom building.

The Following Congregations are taking part in this Pilot Program:

Baltimore Annual Conference:

• Union Chapel A.M.E. Church - The Rev. Sandra Brown, Pastor
• Bethel A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Robert Brown, Pastor
• Mt. Joy A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Rae-Lynn Kingeter, Pastor
• Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Jay Young. Pastor
Washington Annual Conference:
• New Hope A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Derrick Brown, Pastor
• First A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Tony Boone, Pastor
• Embry A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Edna Jenkins, Pastor
• Brookins Temple A.M.E. Church – The Rev. S. Isaiah Harvin, Pastor
Virginia Annual Conference:
• Gaskins Chapel A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Oretha Cross, Pastor
• New St. John A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Orin Gill, Pastor
• St. Paul A.M.E. Church - The Rev. Kevin Wilson, Pastor
• St. Paul A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Donald White, Pastor
North Carolina Annual Conference:
• Turner Station A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Philip Blair, Pastor
• McCormick Chapel A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Judy Johnson, Pastor
• Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Freda Humphrey, Pastor 
• St. Mark A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Glenn Orr, Pastor
Western North Carolina Annual Conference:
• Clapp’s Chapel A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Clay Barrow, Pastor
• Stoney Creek A.M.E Church – The Rev. Johnathan Richardson, Pastor
• St. John A.M.E. Church – The Rev. George Pass, Pastor
• Lincolnville A.M.E. Church – The Rev. Harry Simpson, Pastor 

5. THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT

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

Based on Biblical Text: Matthew 10:40-42: He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.

Certainly the world would be a better place if we could all come to realize that we live to serve others. It is written that we need each other because, “No man (person) is an island…” Jesus speaks of service to one another as it is connected to our relationship with Him. Jesus said, “When you do it to the least of these, you do it unto me!”

We see in our text that Jesus points us to the importance of putting our faith into action, especially in the body of Christ. Jesus emphasizes our duty to those who serve Him. Bible scholars will argue that it is here that Jesus is talking about the need to care for ministers. That is true, ministers do need ministering. However, it is my intent to paint a wide stroke, broadening the interpretation highlighting the duty of disciples to be concerned, compassionate and considerate to the brethren.

Let me begin with the assertion that all who profess Christ are ministers to some degree. There may be a conflict with regard to the criteria as it relates to a western theological religious definition of ministers as men or women of the cloth, but no arguing the point that we are all called to minister to each other, and to the world. That being the case we must agree that we are all duty-bound to demonstrate the concern, compassion and consideration of Christ in our interaction with those around us.

What is Christ demanding of us? We are admonished that it is our responsibility as Christians to be ministering and welcoming toward those who strive to move the kingdom of God forward. Jesus said, “When you do it unto the least of these, you do it unto me.” Our concern, compassion and consideration of each other are actually a demonstration of our love for Jesus Christ. And not only Christ, but God the Father, God’s spokespersons and all the servants of God, including the least of the servants. In other words, our love for Christ is manifested in our actions toward each other.

We fulfill the law of Christ when we bear one another’s burdens, therefore when we are filled with concern, compassion and consideration for others we can expect an equal response. In other words there is an amazing reward for our service.

Jesus promises an eternal reward and that we shall in no wise lose our reward. Jesus wants us to understand that when we minister freely to the brethren we are pouring honor upon Christ and God Himself. Thus, it is not our brothers and sisters in Christ that we are entertaining, we are entertaining Jesus!

Jesus wants us to know that when we honor those who serve Him, we are actually involved in their work! In other words we might not be a Steward, but when we pray for our Stewards, and we offer to assist our Stewards, we are helping them in the work of ministering to the congregation. We may not be the elected president of the Women’s Missionary Society, the appointed Christian Education Director or the Church School Superintendent, however when we offer our help to these ministry leaders, and when we follow their lead, Jesus says we are sharing in their work!

The concept of honoring Christ by honoring each other is difficult for some to fully comprehend mainly because it requires work. It is the custom in the church for many just to toss money into the collection plate, rather than offer a true demonstration of real concern through honest sacrifice. God asks that we give each other sacrificial gifts. God requires that we offer gifts that reflect His great sacrificial gift to us!

The Lord is love! Love never counts the cost! Jesus is sharing a formula with us, founded on the premise that love lights the fires of compassion, thus compassion lights the flames on the candle of service.

We find that love travels full circle. We can only give Jesus’ love, if we have first received Jesus’ love. We give because we have received. Even the smallest act of love like giving the thirsty a cup of water, the hungry a piece of bread or extending an encouraging word to calm a nervous heart will receive its reward.

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

6. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 28, 2014 - MATTHEW 14:22-36:

*Bill Dickens, Allen AME Church, Tacoma, Washington

The Adult AME Church School for December 28, 2014 looks at the awesome power of God.  The story is familiar to Bible connoisseurs - Jesus Walks on Water.

The lesson topic picks up after the miracle performed by Jesus in feeding 5,000 men, women and children with five loaves of bread and two fish.

Jesus dispatches his disciples to board the boat and set sail for the city of Gennesaret while He stays behind to be fortified with prayer in a nearby mountain.

At the conclusion of the prayer, Jesus decided to meet his mariners by taking a shortcut - walking on the water over the lake!

The disciples, griped with fear, mistook Jesus for a ghost and cried out with terror. Jesus provided calm and comfort by reminding his disciples that He is present. Peter requires evidence and asks Jesus to let him, Peter, walk on water also.

Jesus complies and Peter experiences the miracle of walking on water until he was distracted by a strong wind. Peter thought he was going to drown until Jesus reaches out his hand and pulls him up to safety. Jesus instructs Peter that his doubt caused him to sink.

The other disciples saw this as further proof about Jesus' deity. When they landed at their destination Jesus continued to display the awesome power of God by healing the sick.

As long as we keep our “eye on the prize,” we can see God's awesome power, which can be done provided we keep doubt and distractions in-check.

7. MEDITATION BASED ON ISAIAH 26:1-7:

The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby

This meditation started out as a very pleasant Advent message about Jesus being the greatest gift that we’ve ever been given - He is - but a funny thing happened while I was writing it.  I noticed that my Outlook email kept asking for my password and wouldn’t accept what I entered.  When I tried my Web, iPad and iPhone mail, the same thing happened.  I called my internet service provider, did what was necessary to reset my password and when I did, one of the messages I subsequently received was from my internet service provider, informing me that my email account had been hacked! 

That surprised me, because I’m very “internet cautious.”  I never click on suspicious links - the most recent one going around is about “Oprah’s good advice” - or respond to e-mails from “friends” stranded in faraway places and asking me to send money so that they can get home. The service representative who helped me to straighten things out told me that even though I was cautious, some “bugs” can invade one’s email, change passwords and gather data just by showing up in your e-mail Inbox, but  he then said, “Don’t worry about it, we’ve got you covered.”

I share that experience with you as an Advent meditation with a new focus.  Navigating life’s roads can often be like navigating the internet.  Try as we might, all of us sometimes intentionally or unknowingly stumble into dangerous situations that can steal our joy, hack into our peace of mind and hijack our well-being.

We’ll all run into dangers seen or unseen sooner later, but that’s not what matters.  What matters is that a child born to humble parents in old Israel over 2,000 years ago was - and is - the Christ of God, the Savior who came into this world to save us from our sins, offer everlasting life to all who believe in Him and put us into a right relationship with the God who can handle whatever life throws at us.

 Enjoy the blessings of the Christmas season, but never forget the real meaning of Christmas.  Christmas is about more than decorated trees and houses, big family dinners, holiday social events, visits from “Santa” and obligatory gifts.  Christmas is about the Christ who speaks peace in the midst of life’s unexpected storms and who says to us every day of our lives - as the internet service representative said to me - “Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.”  Merry Christmas!

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

8. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

From the office of the Eighth Episcopal District
It is with heartfelt sympathy that we announce the passing of Mrs. Annie Mae Hardiman, mother of The Reverend William Hardiman, Jr., presiding elder of the Grenada District of the North Mississippi Conference of the Eighth Episcopal District.

Visitation: Sunday, December 28, 2014
1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Clark-Williams Funeral Home
602 Cherry Street
Grenada, MS 38901

Telephone: (662) 226-3368

Funeral Service: Monday, December 29, 2014
11:00 a.m.
Greater Powell Chapel AME
Springhill Road,
Grenada, MS 38901

Telephone: (662) 226-3368
The Reverend Thomas B. Brown, Jr., Pastor

 Professional Services Entrusted to:

Clark-Williams Funeral Home
602 Cherry Street
Grenada, MS 38901
Telephone: 662 226-3368
Mr. Clinton Williams, Funeral Director

 Condolences and Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend William Hardiman, Jr., Presiding Elder
P. O. box 1124
Tunica, MS 386767
Telephone: 662 357-3842

9. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

On Friday, December 19, 2014 God peacefully called to rest the Rev. Sheila Laverne Mack Uzzle of the Virgina Conference, Second Episcopal District. 

She was born to the late Samuel Owens and Vera Mack in Newport News, Virginia. She was married to the late William E. Uzzle. She leaves to cherish her loving memory two daughters, Sherry Ashburn (Tyrell); Wendy Walton (Tony), both of Windsor, Virginia; three brothers, Reginald Owens (Darolyn), Charles Hill and Kevin Hill (Nicole Brown-Hill) all of Newport News, Virginia; two sisters, Elizabeth Owens of Newport News, Virginia and Pamela Holmes (Walter) of Fredericksburg, Virginia; an aunt and uncle, Irma and Stanley Jones of Hampton, Virginia; 2 brothers-in-law, George Uzzle (Gladys) of Ivor, Virginia and Robert Mack of Newport News, Virginia; 3 sisters-in-law, Alberta Uzzle Winslow, Lucy Uzzle Gray (George) both of Windsor, Virginia and Barbara Uzzle of Suffolk, Virginia; 2 Godchildren, Sclonda Williams (Carlos) of Richmond, Virginia and Larry White of Virginia Beach, Virginia; She also leaves to cherish her memory 4 grandchildren who were her pride and joy, Tony (T.J.), Gregory (Gee) Sherrell and Bridgette and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A Service of Celebration will be held 1 p.m. Tuesday Dec. 23, 2014 at St. Paul AME Church in Newport News, Virginia. Viewing was held on Monday Dec. 22, 2014 from 4-7 p.m. at Shivers Funeral Chapel.

- See more at:

10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regretfully inform you of the passing of Mrs. Delores Moody, mother of the Reverend Olivia Collins, Pastor of St. Stephens AME Church in Cape Charles, VA.

Services for Mrs. Delores Moody:

Saturday, December 27, 2014, 1:00 p.m.
Ebenezer AME Church
27054 Cheap Side Road
Cape Charles, VA 23310

Services are entrusted to:

Morris Funeral Home
6328 Lankford, Hwy
Nassawadox, VA 23410

Expressions may be sent to:

The Rev. Olivia Collins, Pastor
St. Stephens AME Church
511 Jefferson Avenue
Cape Charles, VA 23310

Or email: ocollins_50@msn.com    


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

11. GETTING TO ZERO:

The Getting to Zero Column, penned by Dr. Oveta Fuller, Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology and Faculty of the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan and adjunct faculty at Payne Theological Seminary will resume in January 2015.

12. BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:

Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net    
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/  
Telephone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Telephone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751




13. 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/


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