The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
Thought for the Week: If it’s wrong, it’s wrong even if everyone else is
doing it!
1. TCR EDITORIAL – TEN THINGS PASTORS NEED TO REMEMBER:
Dr. Calvin H.
Sydnor III
The 20th
Editor of The Christian Recorder
I have been writing
TCR Editorials for 11 years and just when
I think I have heard it all, something quirky comes across my desk and I SMH (Shake My Head) in disbelief. But,
not only do I hear about issues across the Church, sometimes I am subject of
the things I write about. At least one of the things I am addressing in this
editorial was precipitated by my behavior. And, to be honest, I have been
guilty of all of the SMH issues I address.
Last week, I drove
from Nashville to Hampton, Virginia and had planned to stay about 4 days. Why 4
days? I don’t know. After arriving in Hampton, I drove to the Washington, DC
area to attend the promotion ceremony for my friend Brigadier General
(Reverend) R. Scott Dingle and then drove back to Hampton. Somehow in my mind I
wanted to be home for Labor Day. I didn’t have anything planned for Labor Day;
I just thought it would be nice to beat the Labor Day traffic and be home in
Nashville before Labor Day. As you have probably figured out by now, I was
“cramming” a lot of activity in 4 days.
Well, we were
having so much fun with family in Hampton when my wife, Charlotte asked me when
we were going home; I generously responded that we would drive back to
Nashville on Sunday instead of Saturday.
Well, our son and
daughter-in-law had planned a Labor Day family barbeque and of course they
wanted us to stay and celebrate
Labor Day with them and the grandchildren.
I was determined to return to Nashville, but had the presence of mind to
think about it and had an epiphany.
I preach and rant
about the importance of clergy taking time for themselves and their families. I
have a two-hour presentation solely focused on clergy self-care, but here I was
in a rush to leave my family and get back to Nashville.
It also occurred to
me that this past summer has been busy with the Hampton University Ministers’
Conference, the funeral in Charleston, the General Board Meeting in New
Orleans, and other meetings and day to day to day work trying to stay ahead in
getting The Christian Recorder Online
out each week, while at the same time submitting the articles for the print
edition. (And let me say here that the AMEC Publishing House early this summer
had a breakdown of the four color press, which affected all of the periodicals,
but subscribers will get all of the print issues.)
Let me get back to
my epiphany. It also occurred to me that we had not taken a vacation this
summer – and to be honest didn’t take one last summer. I have to remind myself
that even though some of our AME meetings are held in exotic locations, General
Board and other AME meetings are not vacations! After attending an AME meeting,
the first order of business is “rest.”
It is so easy for
clergy to preach to others, while at the same time failing to follow our own
teaching.
My decision
I decided that I
was not going to return to Nashville on Sunday or Monday! I decided that I
needed time off and decided to wait until Tuesday to return to Nashville and I
felt good about my decision and my family felt good about it too.
This message is
also for me
Too many times
preachers fail to take time for themselves. Don’t follow the model I had
planned in rushing to do what I was going to do and rush back to my daily
routine.
One, take time for
you
Take time to
celebrate you! I call it “me time.” You
are important. When you take time for
you, you will take time for your family. Carve out “me time” and family time -
and let me be redundant, “each and every week.”
Carve out vacation time, even if you haven’t saved for a vacation; even if it is just to
stay home away from the congregation. You need a break from your congregation
and your congregation needs a break from you!
As a matter of
fact, not only carve out time each week, but carve out some “me time” every
day! I can “stick my chest out” because I am a stickler about “me time.” I
spend time with “me” everyday. As the Army jody-call says, “Up in the morning
before the break of day…” my “me time” involves a 2-3 mile walk, prayer and
scripture time.
This prayer from
Brother Louis G. Reaves who is a member of St. Paul AME Church in Newport News,
Virginia says it best: "Spend a
little time each day taking care of your own physical and emotional needs and
the rest of your day will be more effective.
Lord, help me to enrich and care for myself so that I am not depleted of
energy and health and have something within that I can use to enrich others."
My “me time”
involved learning to play the guitar, which I had always wanted to play. I
decided that I was going to learn and I did. I approached learning to play the
guitar with the attitude that one is never too old to learn. And then I decided
if I could learn the guitar, I could learn to play the ukulele. I will say it
again, if there is something you always wanted to learn, stop and take the time
for you to do some things for you.
Two, it’s not “your
church”
The local church to
which you have been appointed or where you serve is not “your church.” It disturbs me to hear pastors refer to “my
church.” It is not “your church,” it is “our church.”
When a pastor
refers to “my church” it seems to presuppose that he or she can do as they
please because their attitude is the church belongs to them.
“The church”
belongs to the people and what I mean about “the church” is not the building,
but the ministry. The local church ministry is not the exclusive domain of the
pastor. The local church ministry is a corporate or shared activity.
Some pastors are
anxious to make ministry exciting and sometime get way out ahead of the people.
If ministry is a shared activity then it is important for clergy to take the
time to facilitate
congregational “buy-in” or ownership of the religious program. It’s a special
gift when pastors can make the congregation feel that the religious program is
“their program.” It takes special skill for a pastor to get parishioners to
take ownership for the religious program.
Sometimes it means
that a pastor needs to “step back,” take the time to develop professional
pastoral relationships with, not only the parishioners, but with the
ministerial and congregational lay leadership. In every congregation there is a
person or a group of persons who are respected and have congregational
influence.
If a pastor can get
the influential persons on board with the religious program, the likelihood for
success is substantially greater. It takes time to develop pastoral
relationships. And, sadly some pastors
won’t take the time to develop intimate professional pastoral relationships.
The operative words are “professional pastoral relationships.”
Three,
you can’t do it all
One of the first
lessons a pastor needs to learn is that there is “more than one way to skin a
cat.” You might have a good idea about how something should get done, but some
of your leaders might have ideas about how to accomplish various tasks.
Don’t be
hard-headed and stubborn and insist that “it’s my way or highway.” A local
church religious program is not a “one man or one woman show,” or at least it
shouldn’t be. Give some latitude and let the people take ownership. They have ownership in the local church
religious programs, or at least they should have some ownership.
If members of the
congregation get the idea that “you want to be a one woman or a one man show,”
they will step back and let you run the program. Here is a little secret:
Parishioners “vote” with their feet and with their pocketbooks.
Let the stewards
and trustees have a meeting without your presence and you might be surprised at
what they can accomplish.
A lot of time the
presence of clergy inhibits initiative. Some people like to “read” the pastor’s
mind and function at the level of “go along to get along.” And when they do,
initiative and creativity are absent.
“Go along to get
along” church officers do not stand up for their principles; they function in a
manner of avoiding any kind of disagreement. They are more interested in being
liked rather than being creative and possibly being challenged. Unfortunately,
some pastors nurture getting things done “their way” and in the process reject
creativity.
Sometimes is might
be interesting to hear all sides of issues and smart pastors create an
environment of openness and creativity.
Four,
learn new things
We are never too
old to learn. I learn from our children and our grandchildren. I remember that I couldn't distinguish the
difference between Taliban and Al Qaeda and our grandson, Antoine Smith, Jr,
rattled off the difference in language I could understand and he was in middle
school and I have never forgotten the distinction. I learned something from
him.
Take some courses
at a seminary or local college. It can be any course. If you are not up to writing papers, audit
the course and don’t worry about writing the papers. Some institutions will let you audit course
for free or for very little cost.
Do some things to
widen your intellect. Take a basket weaving course or a music theory class or
just any course. Join a book club. Join
the YMCA or another athletic club. Widen your horizons beyond church!
I am always amazed
that the only thing some preachers can talk about is church. And, most often
church discussions turn negative. Have you ever heard a church discussion that
stayed positive from beginning to end?
If that caught your
attention, look at some of the televangelists and turn the sound off and
observe how angry they appear to be when they are supposed to be preaching “the
good news of Jesus Christ.” Some of them
look like they are “cussing out” the congregation.
If you haven’t
learned to use the computer or a smartphone, pull a youngster aside and let
them help you to transition into the 21st Century; it’s not rocket
science. If you don’t have any young people nearby, go to the internet and take
the time to learn. Go to the library. Books hold a wealth of information.
Hopefully everyone
is reading the Bible, but take time to read something other than the
Bible. Read newspapers, read magazines,
and read books. Read all kinds of books. Here is another secret: The folks
sitting in the pews can quickly tell when a pastor is well-read or if he or she
“shoots for the hip” Sunday after Sunday.
For instance,
certainly you have read or heard about Homo
Naledi, the new species in human lineage that has been found in a South
African Cave. Have you read enough to have an intelligent conversation if a
parishioner, this Sunday, asked you about it?
Can you articulate Homo Naledi
discovery without clichés, and juxtapose the finding with the biblical account
of creation.
The point is that a
21st Century pastor needs to be well-read because...
To be continued…
2.
NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
--
Emanuel AME survivors feel forgotten as life moves forward
3.
THE AMEC COLLEGE CORNER:
The
Christian Recorder recently
implemented a new column, The AMEC
College Corner and we are blessed with three excellent writers. We welcome
other writers to share with the subscribers and readers of TCR. Three articles appear below.
--
College Corner Response to the Charleston Massacre
*Rachel Kenlaw,
Howard University, B.B.A. in Supply Chain Management and pre-Medical Track
The evening of June
17, 2015 will be forever memorable. A routine glance at my cellphone during an
impromptu study break swiftly shook my world. A notification from the CNN
newsbreak stated that an AME church had been this country’s latest victim of
gun violence. Disbelief overtook me, dread gripped my heart, and fervent prayer
ensued immediately.
As the daughter of
two AME pastors, I automatically contacted my parents upon seeing the initial
news alert. Once their safety was ensured, my anxiety quickly melted away, and
once the reality of the situation sank in, I was overcome by nausea and
indignation.
A place of worship
and sanctity has been violated. A historical landmark is forever marred by the
bloodshed of innocent lives. Although Black lives have been stolen since the
inception of this country, the loss of these nine deeply perturbed me. Later
on, the refusal to acknowledge Dylan Roof as a terrorist or the crime as one of
hate, and the chalking up of the cold blooded massacre to mental illness was
perplexing. Racial tensions have always existed in the United States, why was
there such an extreme push to separate Dylan Roof from the racial prejudice
that fueled his grisly crime?
The simplest answer
I could settle upon is this: the United States of America was not created for
the progression of people of color, and 239 years after its creation, we are
still fighting tooth and nail for our most basic human rights. The deaths of
Cynthia Hurd, Susie Jackson, Ethel Lance, the Rev. DePayne Middleton, Rev.
Clementa Pinckney, Tywanza Sanders, the Rev. Daniel Simmons Sr., the Rev.
Sharonda Singleton, and Myra Thompson serve as our wakeup call.
The late Rev. Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “... you
cannot preach the glories of heaven while ignoring social conditions.” Dr.
King’s sentiments hold true today as racism has become a subliminal and
systematic tool of oppression that is conveniently masked by a media and
propaganda culture promoting the image of a “post racial society.” The church
has to strive to be more intentional in acknowledging the injustices plaguing
society, and identifying the connection between societal conditions and mental,
spiritual, and emotional health.
The church,
especially the black church, has a responsibility to educate and empower the
community. It is imperative that the education component of the church is
neither subdued nor neglected. Children in Sunday School need to learn about
the Denmark Vesey’s and Nat Turner’s in Black History, in addition to learning
the Lord’s Prayer and Summary of the Decalogue. Congregations need to
understand the history of race relations and its relationship to the present
racial climate for viable change to occur. Security, self defense, firearm
training, firearm collection, and Black history ministries are just a few
program ideas that can be implemented as preventative and educational measures.
--
Our Turn
*Kandace Taylor is
a graduate of Florida State University and is a member of St. Stephen AME
Church in Jacksonville, Florida
Ecclesiastes 12
says, “Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of
trouble come…when men are afraid of heights and of dangers in the
streets…”
Well, I think it’s
safe to say that those days are here. As
a young person, I sometimes can’t help feeling like I’m getting the dose of
horror and racial injustice that I missed by not being alive during the 50s and
60s.
Of course, racially
motivated acts of violence were not restricted to those decades. It has existed as far back as our people can
collectively remember. Actually, even further back than that, but for me, in my
lifetime, it has never been like this.
As I grow older I
now have to carry the pain that comes with being black in the United
States. I am in pain right now. I would wager that I’m not alone. I wrote in
one of my journals the other day that perhaps understanding is seeing your
pain, side by side with God’s goodness.
At the 11th
Episcopal District’s 2015 Christian Education and Youth Leadership Congress,
the Rev. Dr. Carolyn McCrary emphasized the importance of not ignoring our
pain.
As people of faith
we try to so hard to emotionally and spiritually fast forward – fast forward
past the pain and the despair and the “Why God?” questions to the hope and
peace that surpasses all understanding.
It is true that in
God there is hope. It’s true that God is
our peace. But, we live in a crazy world
and as a church and I think it’s important to remember that even though we are
just lower than the angels, in God’s eyes, we are still human. And that’s okay.
So, yes, we as a
global church do need to mobilize to fight the evils of racism and hatred that
led to the Emmanuel 9 tragedy. But, we
also need to grieve. When Jesus said
“blessed are those who mourn” he said that knowing that we, his followers,
would sometimes be the ones in mourning.
It’s okay. As for what to do now, I think we can take the early church
as our guide. Here is what they prayed:
“Indeed Herod and
Pontius Pilate met together with the gentiles and the people of Israel in this
city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. They did
what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable
your servants to speak your word with great boldness.” (Acts 4:27-29)
The members of the
early church lived in a society that was openly hostile to their existence,
even to the point of killing an innocent man.
The story was the same for the prophets who came before them. Now, it
seems, unfortunately, it is our turn. I hope though that we as the Church will
pull together to respond as the apostles did and pray the way they did. Lord,
consider their threats. We’re not ignoring them, but bringing them to you, side
by side with our belief that you will embolden your people.
-- It
Is Time for a Conversation on Race
*The Rev. Lucinda
V. Burgess is an Associate Minister at Greater Allen AMEC, Dayton, a middler at
Payne Theological Seminary, and the 2015-2016 SGA President.
From the election
of its first Bishop in 1816 to this day, the AMEC has stood and continues to
stand on a platform of social justice, challenging those injustices that lead
to discontent, non-cooperation, conflict, civil unrest and war; not just for
members of the AMEC denomination, but for all persons regardless of their race.
Just because the
AMEC does not racially discriminate, it does not mean that others do not
discriminate against us.
Our biggest
injustice has been that of racism whose ugly face continues to rear its head
whenever blacks try to get to the next level.
It rose its head
when the blacks separated and formed another denomination known as the African
Methodist Episcopal Church; it rose its head during the end of slavery and
reconstruction when blacks were given the legal right to stand on their own; it
rose its ugly head with the rise of the Negro baseball leagues when whites were
intimidated because of the success of the Negro baseball players; it rose ugly
head when blacks survived the hardships of the depression, pre-segregation,
segregation, and post-segregation.
Racial injustice
survived with the various wars we’ve fought, veterans become heroes and then
thrown away as trash because of our success. It rose with Medgar Evans, Martin
Luther King Jr., Malcolm X and the sitting United States President, Barack H.
Obama. And it continues to rise every time a person of color succeeds despite
the adversities that society throws its way.
So why is it that
racism is such a dominate factor in whether a person or group succeeds or
fails? Why it is that racism tries to control those who are in power and those
who have no power? Why does racism, control the financial problems that people
face?
With racism comes
power, the power to move a person or a group of people from one extreme to the
next; the power to change one’s social, political, economic or spiritual status
in life.
Although Jesus had
a spiritual power given to Him by God, there were those who refused to accept
His power simply because of where He was born.
According to Ethan
R. Longhenry of the Expository Files, “location factors heavily into our
assumptions and judgments about people.”
The people had no problem accepting the power of the Egyptian gods,
because that power was given to them by the Pharaoh. They had no problem
accepting the power of deities because it was given to the deities by those in
authority.
But, they did have
problems accepting the power given to Jesus because it was given to Him by a
God that they could not see nor was within their political sphere of influence.
To them this God was not tangible. And, since they did not believe that which
they could not see, they redirected their focus to the location of his birth, “Can
any good thing come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46) It is this mindset that has laid the
foundation for what is seen as a formidable opposition to blacks. A result of a
power struggle in which the black man/woman is made to feel inferior based on
the color of his/her skin and not the content of his/her character.
Throughout history
persons in political power have done their best to make blacks feel inferior.
Slavery was used as a form of degradation in which the white man prospered
financially and the black man was made to feel socially inadequate. In 2008,
when the political tides of America took a historic change and America
nominated, elected, and swore into office its first black president, Barack H.
Obama, racism reared its ugly head from behind the shadows and closed doors of
society to take race relations in America back to the era of segregation. Some
will say this is not so, but if you really think about it, racism in America
continues to be a thorn in the black man’s side. In many cases it is not blatant.
Instead, racism has become more politically correct because people don’t want
to be perceived as racist. Despite the racial slurs and attacks against
President Obama’s character, he has maintained his integrity, taking the power
away from those who were attempting to slander his character.
That is exactly
what the congregation of Mother Emmanuel did in Charleston, South Carolina,
when all that they knew was shaken to the core as the Charleston Nine were
mercilessly slaughtered in the basement of the church. The core of who they
were and what they believed in was tested as the entire country looked on to
see how they would handle it. And like President Obama, the family members and
congregation of Mother Emmanuel responded in a way that took the power away
from their attacker. They cut the head off of racism and hatred and replaced it
with love. They did what Jesus said, “To love one another as I have loved you.”
(John 15:12) This was not and is not an easy feat for someone to do – to love
the person who killed your pastor, grandmother, mother, husband, father,
brother, sister, aunt, and friend.
President Obama,
the Mother Emmanuel community and those who have fought this racial fight over
the centuries, are all examples of how we must find a way to move forward from
the constant racial attacks. As Bishop John R. Bryant stated, “The nation can
no longer live in denial and act as if it does not exist.” The African American
community must push back and move forward. We must stop sugar coating the issue
and call things what they are. We must stop looking for outward approval or
getting on our knees begging to be accepted. To put an end to this thing called
racism, we must maintain solidarity. “It is time for the AME Church to join
with other faith communities to stress the need for the United States to face,
discuss and meet head on the problem of race in this country,” said Bishop John
R. Bryant.
4. BISHOP JAMES L. DAVIS’ OFFICIAL STATEMENT
CONCERNING THE UNITY DAY RALLY AND THE INAUGURAL ROSA L. PARKS PROFILE OF
COURAGE AWARD:
Official Statement
from the 9th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church Concerning the Unity Day Rally and the Inaugural Rosa L. Parks Profile
of Courage Award, which was to be awarded to Alabama Governor Robert Bentley:
The office of the 9th
Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church learned on the
afternoon of Thursday, September 3, 2015, that Alabama Governor Robert Bentley
would not attend our Unity Day Rally due to concerns for his safety. Although
Governor Robert Bentley has canceled his appearance, this does not, in any way,
negate the primary purpose of the rally.
The Unity Day Rally
will occur as planned on Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at noon in the Daniel
Payne Community Plaza, 1500 Daniel Payne Drive, Birmingham, Alabama.
Governor Bentley was
invited to share with us and be acknowledged in the Unity Day Rally for a
single act of courage. This one significant act is why we chose to acknowledge
and honor Governor Bentley’s courageous stand.
He did not call together a multitude of people; but moved on the
dictates of his conscious and acted through Executive Order, to remove a
divisive symbol, the Confederate flag, from the State Capitol-- in the city of
Montgomery; the place where Mrs. Rosa L. Parks, known as “the mother of the
Civil Rights Movement,” quietly incited a revolution--by just sitting
down. We believe that the courageous
step taken by Governor Bentley encompassed the courage embodied by our heroine
Mrs. Parks, a lifelong member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The acknowledgement of this courageous act
in no way desecrates her legacy. In
fact, it reinforces the idea that God in His infinite wisdom, works through
individuals to accomplish His purposes for humankind. We want to make it clear that it is for that
single action and that single action alone, that we chose to recognize
him.
As we think of the
Charleston 9, how can we not understand why this symbol of division needed to
come down? Governor Bentley’s presence
would have sent a message to the citizens throughout the State of Alabama that
we want to lead in efforts of equality and unity for all people.
We must go forward. We
are gathering as the multicultural church community -- clergy and lay,
ecumenical, governmental, and educational leaders of our great state of
Alabama--to engage in united prayer, which we hope, will lead toward unified
strategies to leverage more effectively our influence to ignite lasting changes
in our state. The idea of a Unity Day
Rally was birthed by two dynamics: the tragic killings of the Charleston 9 at
Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina
and the outcry of faith community members to stand in solidarity with the AME
Church against this “hate crime,” which occurred in June 2015. Our desire is to
address and solve the ills of racism, inequality, and injustice in society. The
Unity Day Rally is the first step for the state of Alabama to bring together
people of good will and to make a difference in the midst of the harsh
realities that would seek to divide rather than unite. Over 2,000 members of
the AME Church and members of other faith traditions are expected to attend.
We pray for the
Governor and his family as they grapple with their personal challenges. The intent of the Unity Day Rally was never
to condemn or condone the actions of Governor Bentley. Those matters are best left to the legal
system, which assumes innocence until proven guilty, and ultimately to the God
of justice, who has the final say over all our lives. The primary intent of the Unity Day Rally is
to call attention to the ills that plague our state, and thereby inform
Governor Bentley and state officials of our cause to address oppression,
injustice, and inequity.
Finally, we understand
that what we do in Alabama has an impact on the mission of the AME Church
nationally and internationally. This is especially important as the country
prepares for a 2016 Presidential Election. God has positioned our church to
take the lead in making our state and our country a better place. 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. There is much work to do and
the Unity Day Rally is the first step. The state of Alabama and the people
within it may very well be the voice of conscience that the nation and world
need today for a wake up call.
Servant Bishop James
L. Davis, Presiding Prelate of the 9th Episcopal District of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church
5.
YOU HAVE UNTIL OCTOBER 1, 2015 TO PURCHASE YOUR PIECE OF HISTORY:
The absolute firm
deadline to purchase your wall brick or paving stone is October 1, 2015 -
Absolutely no exceptions or extensions!
The Historical
Statue of Richard Allen isn't complete without your name in the
courtyard. The unveiling will take place during the 50th
Quadrennial Session of the 2016 General Conference, but you must place your
order now. The Deadline is October 1, 2015, but don't wait until then or
you may miss your chance.
Visit the First
District General Conference website to place your order today http://2016generalconference.org/
Richard Allen
Memorial Courtyard, Philadelphia, PA
The
benefits of your involvement:
- You will join
supporters from around the world in this historic tribute to Richard Allen!
- You will have
your name and affiliation with the AME Church visible to courtyard visitors
forever!
- Your engraving
will serve as a permanent testament to your generosity!
- Your wall brick
or paving stone will be a historic marker on the parcel of land that is the
longest to be continuously owned by African Americans in the United States!
- Your wall brick
or courtyard paving stone will serve as tangible evidence of your love for our
illustrious founder!
- Your place in the
courtyard will connect you with Richard Allen’s remarkable life and legacy in
perpetuity!
- Your place in the
courtyard will be a proud reminder of your role in shaping the history of
African Methodism!
6. BISHOP REGINALD T. JACKSON PRESS STATEMENT
“LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL” –
This
article and the following article is the result of the "Liberty and
Justice for All" Press Conference that was held in Washington DC on
September 2, 2015. CME Senior Bishop
Lawrence Riddick’s statement was published in TCR Online in last week’s issue.
September 2, 2015
I remember so well, as
a student at Booker T. Washington Elementary School in Dover, Delaware, every
morning standing and joining with my classmates in placing our hands across our
hearts and repeating the pledge of allegiance. There are some words in that
pledge which stood out to us, “one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty
and justice for all.” I believed, and still believe deeply in these words. Yet,
as much as we embrace and believe in these words, I and so many other blacks do
not believe these words apply to us. Anyone who is honest and sincere can argue
that the United States has not made great progress in civil rights and race
relations. So much so that with the election of the nation’s first black
president in 2008, it was said by many that America had entered a post racial
period. That race was no longer a major problem in America.
But we gather here
this morning in our nation’s capital, in what some believe is a post racial
period, because many in the United States are in denial that race is still a
major problem in this nation. It seems that more than 239 years after our
nation’s founding, and 151 years since the Civil War, we are still not “one
nation under God with liberty and justice for all.”
But it is not only the
obvious and clear racism that we must confront, it is also discrimination and
bias built into laws and policies, the racism of being stigmatized and targeted
because of the color of our skin. While
blacks and other minorities suffer the consequences, many in the majority
population in this country are in denial that it exists. You can’t solve a
problem that you do not face, so we respond to the challenge to get our nation
to confront the problem of racism. It is prevalent in every area of American
life.
Racism is present in
our criminal justice system where whites use more kinds of illegal drugs yet,
while White America does the crime, Black America gets the time. Racism is
present through the insidious practice of racial profiling, where blacks are
targeted for no other reason than the color of our skin, far too often
resulting in unarmed blacks being shot, then police to justify their actions
use the magical words that give prosecutors justification not to indict and
juries not to convict, “we feared for our lives.” After hearing too many police
stories that turned out to be untrue, we demand that all police have body
cameras to provide accountability for police and citizens.
Racism is present in
our public education system, where Black children for no other reason than the
color of their skin are stigmatized as “at risk, disadvantaged, special need.”
Sixty one years after Brown vs. Board of Education, segregation is still
prevalent in far too many places, and “separate but unequal” deliberately
remains unchanged. Most suburban and rural schools provide students with a
quality education; while in most urban schools black and low income students
walk across a stage to get a diploma, but don’t have a quality education. The
unrest in Ferguson, Baltimore and other communities across the country, is also
caused by a lack of hope and opportunity which many blacks have and continue to
experience because of a failure to get a quality education. If what is
happening in urban schools was happening in suburban and rural schools, the
nation would act. We demand action.
Racism is present in
our economy, where corporate executives in 2008 through sheer greed almost
destroyed not only the United States, but the world’s economy. And yet, not one
single corporate executive went to jail, while every day we prosecute
minorities and poor folk who shoplift for food to eat and clothes to wear. We
see it even now, when corporate executives lay off thousands of employees to
increase profits, then increase their salaries, many of them hundreds of times
more than their employees and then with 46.9 million people in poverty, many of
them working poor, have the unmitigated gall to oppose increasing the minimum
wage.
We see racism in this
nation’s love affair with guns. Everyday loved ones, families, and communities
are impacted by gun violence. And some
ask why doesn’t the black community do something about blacks killing blacks?
Our response is why doesn’t the nation do something about those who are making
money dumping guns in our community? We call upon faith leaders who have joined
us today and others across this nation to join us in leading a crusade to reform
our gun laws and control the use of guns in this nation.
There is racism in
efforts to suppress the black vote. Black turnout in 2012 exceeded our turnout
in 2008. As a result about 20 states have put in place new voting laws and
other efforts to make it harder to vote, claiming it was an effort to prevent
voter fraud. Yet in no state has voter
fraud been proven. Let’s call it what it is, this is a deliberate, intentional
effort to suppress the black vote, in other words racism.
Over the last year
many black young adults have sought to call attention to racism in the country
through the “Black Lives Matter” movement. We applaud and encourage them, and
join them with a common goal that will seek to move this nation to confront and
end racism. There is unrest all across our nation, and there will remain unrest
until the nation confronts its racism. Dr. Martin Luther King said that “peace
is not only the absence of tension, but the presence of justice.” If the United
States wants to be at peace, then it must end racism and live up to the words
of its own pledge, and ensure, “liberty and justice for all.”
7. BISHOP GEORGE E. BATTLE PRESS STATEMENT -
“LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL” - NEXT STEPS:
Today’s event is not
an end, but a beginning. Going forward we will do the following.
As you heard this
Sunday, September 6th is “Confession, Repentance and Commitment to End Racism
Sunday.” All over the nation pastors will be preaching about racism and prayers
will be lifted asking for divine intervention to change hearts and minds.
After Congress returns
from its Labor Day recess we will seek meetings with the Congressional
leadership to discuss the issues listed in the Action Items booklet you
received. We will also seek meetings with specific US Senators and
Representatives to discuss sponsoring legislation.
There will also be
meetings scheduled with governors and state legislators on matters which
require state legislation such as body cameras, appointment of special
prosecutors and voting.
We will be organizing
Social Action Committees specifically in local communities because this is
where most of the action is. These Social Action Committees will engage City
Councils, local Boards of Education and other local boards and commissions.
We will also invite
the presumed presidential candidates of both parties to address the General
Conferences of both the AME and AME Zion churches to be held in July 2016. We
don’t want them to give us vague and general speeches to pacify us, but we want
them to address the specific issues we have lifted up today and which impact
our people.
Ongoing efforts and
strategy will evolve and develop as events unfold. But be assured we will
involve thousands of churches all across the nation, speak out on issues and do
what needs to be done.
8. PASTOR JAMAL HARRISON BRYANT NAMED AMONG 100
MOST INFLUENTIAL AFRICAN AMERICANS:
The
Social Activist Movement of 'Jamal-Harrison Bryant'
For much of his adult
life, Dr. Jamal-Harrison Bryant, a 44-year-old African American Methodist
Episcopal pastor, has been unknowingly preparing for the responsibilities and
challenges he faces now as a modern-day pastor and social activist. His talents
were first capitalized in 1997 when he was appointed by the NAACP President to
head of the NAACP National Youth Department. It was during this pivotal time
that Bryant launched a national campaign titled, “Stop the Violence, Start the
Love.” Under his leadership, the NAACP youth division more than doubled its
chapters from 120 to 250 in just one year!
April 2000 ‒ Jamal
Bryant founded Empowerment Temple A.M.E Church in Baltimore, Maryland. Within
seven years, membership had grown to 10,000 and the church was dubbed the
“fastest-growing church” in the denomination’s history! Through Bryant’s
leadership, Empowerment Temple church developed over 30 active ministries with
a specialized focus in community outreach, prison in-reach and re-entry,
homelessness, and social justice. The cutting edge innovative concepts of these
ministries put the church on a fast-track as being the 21st century flagship
within the community and denomination.
A forward thinker,
Bryant opened The Empowerment Academy in 2003. The public charter school serves
students Pre-K to 8th grade with mission to strive in excellence and
empowerment. In 2012, the academy was recognized as one of only seven schools
in Baltimore City to be honored by Maryland CAN because of its designation as
an “Opportunity School”.
March 6, 2012 ‒ A new
chapter emerged in Bryant's life when he received a call from a fellow pastor
informing him that a teen, Trayvon Martin, had been fatally shot while walking
home from a convenience store. Bryant answered the call to address social injustice
and within 24 hours arrived in Stanford, Florida to meet with the young man’s
parents. While there, he met with attorneys, pastors and social leaders.
Spearheading a six-week march, Bryant along with countless other leaders
demanded a full investigation and arrest of the shooter, George Zimmerman.
Noting the injustices of the political system, he simultaneously launched a
national 2012 “Get Out and Vote” presidential campaign and “The Squeeze Is On”
a national campaign to rally against the Florida Stand Your Ground Laws.
August 9, 2014 ‒ After
yet another act of injustice, Bryant received a plea for help regarding the
murder a teen slain in Ferguson, Missouri ‒ Michael Brown Jr. Moved with
compassion, he became the Brown family’s spiritual advisor and began working
with local leaders to take a stand against another act of injustice. With the
ground swell of #BlackLivesMatter
motto, Bryant kicked off a Baltimore City town hall meeting called, “Now What
Baltimore?” A full discussion commenced on the issue of police brutality,
joblessness and the school-to-prison pipeline. Days later, the AME denomination
announced the “Black Sunday Campaign.” Empowerment Temple church led the
African American church-driven campaign by staging a city wide die-in and march
to protest the Michael Brown police killing.
November 27, 2014 ‒
Just a few weeks later, Bryant launched the #HandsUpDon’tSpend
national economic mobilization campaign. The effort kicked off on Thanksgiving
Day and concluded Cyber Monday, December 2, 2014. Tens of thousands of
supporters participated as consumers were encouraged to refrain from spending
during the most highly-anticipated shopping season of the year. Black Friday
sales had been projected to exceed prior year sales by 3%. Instead, sales plunged
11% in part because of the economic boycott launched over that Thanksgiving
weekend.
With the apparent
success of the #HandsUpDon’tSpend
campaign, a national union, wanting to demand decent wages for Walmart workers,
sought Bryant’s assistance.
He accepted the
challenge and enlarged his police brutality message to include economic
inequality. Ultimately, The Empowerment Movement was created. The strategic
collaboration, anchored by faith-based denominations across the country, united
to demonstrate the amazing power of the African American dollar, be the voice
for the voiceless, and works against social inequalities.
In response to the
Ferguson grand jury’s decision not to indict the officer who shot and killed
Michael Brown, Bryant continued to make visits to Ferguson to help the city
rebuild economically and emotionally. He immediately organized a city-wide
interfaith healing and rebuilding discussion, which included brokering a major
broadcast deal to have the town hall discussion broadcasted internationally on
a major Gospel cable network for the world to view. The live discussion, “The
Ferguson Strategy Assembly” garnered such an incredible response that it
re-aired multiple times.
July, 17, 2014 ‒ This
time Bryant was sought out for assistance by ministers in Staten Island, New
York to protest the death of Eric Garner. The 43-year-old, African American man
who was put in a choke hold as bystanders overheard, and recorded Garner’s
outcry, “I can’t breathe.” Bryant began using his influence to bring attention
to the injustice of the Eric Garner killing.
January 12, 2015 ‒
Bryant representing the AME church, along with bishops representing the AMEZ
and CME denominations, returned to Ferguson, Missouri to award six full,
four-year scholarships to deserving students at Normandy High School. Michael
Brown had been a student there. Because Bryant wanted to bring a sense of hope
back to the students who attended school with Michael Brown, the partnership
between the black church and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities
(HBCUs) created an ongoing scholarship foundation called, "The Michael
Brown Scholarship."
February 2015 ‒ Dr.
Bryant was selected by Baltimore's Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake to serve as
the co-chair of a working group to implement the use of body-worn cameras by
Baltimore City Policemen. He also partnered with the mayor to host a city-wide
town hall meeting titled, “A Call to Action to End African American Homicides.”
Empowerment Temple hosted the event, and Dr. Bryant served as moderator.
Immediately thereafter, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake called for a moratorium
on issues facing African American men.
April 19, 2015 ‒
Bryant received yet another call: this time about a young Black male, Freddie
Gray, who died while in Baltimore police custody. Genuinely concerned and
readily responding, Bryant was asked by the family to preach Gray’s eulogy.
Collaborating with the family and their attorney, Bill Murphy, Bryant organized
peaceful protest for the indictment of the six officers who had arrested the
victim.
After Gray’s burial,
civil unrest ensued characterized by the looting and burning of local
businesses including a CVS drug store. Immediately after the unrest Bryant, in
an effort to stabilize the community and foster unity organized street clean-up
teams and then partnered with a local sub shop to feed one thousand residents,
police officers and National Guardsmen right at the CVS who just days prior had
been looted.. In the days that followed, Bryant along with the Gray family,
continued to call for peace in the streets while holding meetings with
clergymen and gang leaders representing the Crips, Bloods and Black Guerrilla
Family to call for peace in the streets.
Bryant’s influence in
Baltimore and around the country garnered multiple interviews on national news
networks including CNN, MSNBC, FOX and The Today Show. As well, he was featured
in many print publications and was the featured for an Al Jazeera docu-drama on
Baltimore. Bryant was also extended an invitation by CNNs Wolf Blitzer to
participate in a town hall discussion on police brutality.
The media attention on
Bryant’s efforts also sparked a visit by humanitarian and world renowned
spiritual icon Jigme Pema Wangchen who is the 12th Gyalwang Drukpa of 30
million South Asian Buddhists. Bryant was asked to be the ambassador during
Wangchen’s visit to Baltimore. Wanting to bring international attention to the
issues affecting the city, Bryant requested that the delegation participate in
a walking tour of the Penn North and Sandtown-Winchester neighborhoods, the
neighborhood Freddie Gray lived in. Two
weeks later, newly elected U.S. Attorney General Loretta Lynch visited
Baltimore.
Bryant was also
invited by BET Cable Network to participate in a live New York City town hall discussion with
rappers T.I. and David Banner along with actor Felicia “Snoop” Pearson for the
airing of “LOUD: The Power of the Baltimore Uprising.” Thereafter, Bryant along
with rapper WALE visited Baltimore City schools to begin a healing dialogue
with the youth.
Bryant continues to
uphold the banners of peace, justice and economic empowerment. More recent
efforts have involved the launch of the “Driving on E Campaign: Economics,
Engagement and Emancipation --in which he's partnered with members of the
National Bankers Association, U.S. Black Chamber, and the Rejoice Radio
Network. Driving on E was developed to support African American owned
businesses and increase summer employment for African American youth.
As rival gangs
continue to call for peace in the streets, Bryant continues to call for unity
among faith leaders. As a result, some 300 faith leaders have come together to
form the “One Baltimore Interfaith Coalition.”
May 26, 2015 ‒ Bryant
rolled out the “Ten Plagues” campaign to protest Maryland’s governor’s decision
to cut funding for education but instead move forward with plans to fund a
Baltimore City detention center. In an act of civil disobedience to protest the
governor’s broken campaign promises, Bryant impeded rush hour traffic. Within
that same week in an effort to bring healing to the city, Bryant invited OWN’s Fix My Life talk show host, Iyanla
Vanzant to roll-out a three-day comprehensive session focused on healing, renewal
and empowerment.
May 29, 2015 ‒ Bryant
announced his decision to rescind the sale of his Baltimore City property
located just several blocks from the Sandtown-Winchester area, and instead
re-open the building as the Freddie Gray Empowerment Center. On June 19, Bryant
launched the opening of the center with various partners including the National
Association of Black Meetings & Tourism, the Law Firm of Saul Kerpelman and
the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council. Today, the Freddie Gray
Youth Empowerment Center feeds free breakfast and lunch to over five hundred
children weekly, offers computer and STEM classes, as well as after school
programs.
Submitted by the Rev.
Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, Senior Episcopal Supervisor, the 4th
Episcopal District
Responses can be
emailed to:
9. AME
GENERAL OFFICER HONORED BY CANDLER SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY:
*Jamye Coleman
Williams, Ph.D
On Thursday, August
27, 2015, an enthusiastic, overflowing audience assembled in the William R.
Cannon Chapel for the Fall Convocation of the Emory Candler School of Theology. There Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown was installed
in the prestigious Bandy Chair of Preaching by Dean Love and James W. Wagner,
President of Emory University. Following
her installation Dr. Robert M. Franklin, President Emeritus of Morehouse
College and Laney Professor in Moral Leadership, delivered the Convocation
Address. Choosing as his subject “The
Vocation of Argument,” Dr. Franklin challenged those present to be the persons
needed by the 21st century to raise their voices to repair a broken world.
Dr. Fry Brown’s many
family members, colleagues, and friends were in attendance. Her family included Mr. Frank Brown, her
husband; Ms. Veronica Tinsely, daughter; Mrs. Richelle Fry Skinner and Mr.
Gregory Skinner, her sister and brother-in-law from Denver, CO.
Outside of her AME
family those present included Bishop Louis Hunter, Sr., and Supervisor Ingrid
Hunter of the AME Zion Church. Her AME
family was well represented: Dean John Green,
Turner Theological Seminary; Interim President Michael Brown, Payne Theological
Seminary; the Rev. Dr. Patrick Claiborne and the Rev Sheri Claiborne, 9th
Episcopal District; the Rev. Dr. Marguerite Doctor, 3rd Episcopal
District; the Rev. Joy Gilmon, 11th Episcopal District; the Rev.
Kimberly Detherage, President, WIM; the Rev. Earle Ifill, President, Presiding
Elders Council; the Rev. Dr. Gregory V. Eason, President, Connectional Council;
and numerous pastors and laity of the 6th Episcopal District. Present were the Rev. Toni Belin Ingram, who
was introduced as the new Director of Black Church Studies at the Candler
School of Theology and Dr. Nicole Philips, Assistant Professor of Sociology and
Religion.
Warm congratulations
to Dr. Teresa Fry Brown, Historiographer/Executive Director, Department of
Research and Scholarship, General Officer, the AME Church.
*Jamye Coleman
Williams, Ph.D is a retired General Officer of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church
10. A JOB WELL-DONE – THE RETIREMENT OF
PRESIDING ELDER W. BARTALETTE FINNEY:
Presiding Elder W.
Bartalette Finney’s retirement celebration will be held on Saturday, September
12, 2015, Presiding Elder W. Bartalette Finney has faithfully served our Zion
for many years.
He is currently
serving the St. Louis Columbia District in the Missouri Annual Conference of
the Fifth Episcopal District.
On Saturday, September
12, 2015 the Missouri Annual Conference, his family and friends will celebrate
his retirement. Expressions of love may be sent to St. James AME Church,
Attention: Finney Retirement 4301 St. Ferdinand Ave. St. Louis, MO 63112.
Submitted by the
Reverend Dr. Wille Marshall, Retirement Chair and the Reverend Dr. Cassandra
Gould, Retirement Co-Chair
11. THE REV. DR. CONSTANCE WHEELER EVANS TO
CHAIR BOARD:
Evans, Pastor of St.
Paul AME Church, Washington, DC
Washington, DC - In
July 2015 the Board of Trustees of the Washington Theological Consortium
elected Public Board member, Rev. Dr. Constance C. Wheeler Evans to a one-year
term as Board Chair. Last year Dr. Evans served as the Vice-Chair of WTC.
The Washington
Theological Consortium (WTC) is a community of Theological Schools of diverse
Christian traditions — with partners in education, Islamic, and Jewish studies,
and business, — that pursue ecumenical dialogue, interfaith understanding, and
educational collaboration to better equip clergy and laity for the ministry of
the Church in a diverse society. The WTC started in 1971 with seven member
schools from Roman Catholic, mainline Protestant, and historically Black universities. Membership in the Consortium now includes
entire educational organizations, schools within universities, and independent
educational centers. Today the
Consortium offers over 300 courses per semester for cross-registration, a dozen
theological libraries, and opportunities for public and adult education that is
unsurpassed in the nation.
Beginning in September
2015 Dr. Evans will lead the WTC Board in developing and implementing its
platform for 2015-16, including technology integration to enhance social media
outreach along with member and student engagement.
Other AME clergy
serving three-year terms on the WTC Board of Trustees are: the Rev. Dr. Linda
E. Mouzon and the Rev. Dr. Diane H. Johnson, also pastor in the Second
Episcopal District, Washington Annual Conference.
The Rev. Evans, the
pastor of Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C., is
a native of Washington, DC. This drives
her active involvement in community and social justice programs and organizations
in the District. Dr. Evans is a member
of the Board of Directors of the Council of Churches of Greater Washington
(DC). She is also a member of Clergy for
Community Wealth Preservation (CCWP), a group of 40 concerned pastors and
clergy meeting monthly to address the issues of homeownership, economic
development, health and poverty, and political action for DC residents. As a result of her involvement with WTC and
CCWP, St. Paul has been able to host several interfaith dialogue and training
sessions, making them open to its congregants and the Church’s surrounding
community.
Other leadership roles
include member of the Washington Conference Board of Examiners (serving as
Board Secretary and an instructor), past Caucus leader for Women in Ministry of
the Capital District of the Washington Conference, and past Director of
Protestant Chaplaincy at Georgetown University.
12. THE HOLY SPIRIT WAS IN CHARGE FOR OKLAHOMA
STATE CONFERENCE LAY NIGHT:
Thursday, Sept. 10,
2015, Oklahoma City - From the processional through the closing doxology and
benediction, true enough, it was Lay Night for the 139th Session of
the Oklahoma State Annual Conference, but the Holy Spirit was in full control.
Laity and clergy from
across the 12th Episcopal District and visitors from across the
Connection gathered in the sanctuary of Avery Chapel AME Church in Oklahoma
City to witness the awesome power of the Holy Spirit coming through the
sacrifice of praise offered by the laity and clergy. Laity served as liturgists
and the sermon for the evening was offered by the Rev. Marcellus Fields, pastor
of Allen Chapel in Oklahoma City.
In case there was any
confusion for the occasion of the gathering, the choir from Allen Chapel
reminded us in song that we are firstly there to “Praise Him.” Their testimony
continued with, “I put it all in His Hands” and just before the Rev. Fields
stood to preach, they provided the runway for his liftoff with “I’ve Seen God
Work.”
And work God did. The
Rev. Fields, using 1 Kings 17:10-16 as his focus text, preached from the
subject, “Miracle at the Bottom of the Barrel.” He noted that “God always steps
in, in the nick of time” if we but put our trust in God.
He reminded us of four
things: First, “When the need is greatest, God is nearest.” Second, “Our last
supply becomes God’s first concern.” Third, “God asks much when He wants to
give much.” And last, “God blesses in abundance.”
The congregation was
on their feet as the Rev. Fields, in his closing, led us in singing the classic
Clark Sisters’ song, “I’m looking for a Miracle.”
Present to make
remarks, following this awesome visit of the Holy Spirit, were Conference Lay
President Cheryl Bollar-Neal and 12th District Lay President Dr.
Dorothy C. Henderson, who led the congregation in a moment of silence in honor
of former 12th District President Ben Hall.
The Rev. D. Lavel
Crawford, host pastor, left no stone unturned to make delegates and guests feel
welcome to Avery Chapel and the 12th District.
Bishop Samuel L.
Green, an avid supporter of the laity offered final remarks, introducing
candidates present who were seeking episcopal service and the aspirants seeking
to be elected as general officers.
*The Rev. V. Gordon
Glenn III is the Public Relations Chair for the Midwest Annual Conference and
pastor of St. John AME Church in Topeka, Kansas
13. ST. PAUL - WASHINGTON, DC COMPLETES NEAR
HALF-MILLION DOLLAR RENOVATIONS:
Saint Paul AME Church
in Washington, DC is wrapping up an over $400,000 renovation to its Church
Building and Administrative and Outreach Center Building.
Located in the 16th
Street Heights neighborhood in the nation’s capitol, the Church will celebrate
it 159th anniversary in October. Founded
in 1856 by Anthony Bowen and a group of dedicated families, St. Paul has had a
few homes. Starting in Mr. Bowen’s home,
and then moving to a building in Southwest DC, the Church was later forced to
find new a new location as a consequence of urban redevelopment. In 1958 St. Paul moved to its current location,
the corner of 14th and Emerson Streets Northwest. In the mid-1990’s St. Paul purchased the
building on Emerson Street as its Annex, now serving as the Administrative
Offices and Outreach Center (AOOC).
The Board of Trustees
lead by the pastor, Rev. Dr. Constance C. Wheeler Evans, shared with the
congregation the need to do much needed improvements. A plan was developed, approved by the Church
Conference and the Washington Conference Trustees, and implemented in 2014.
Renovations were
accomplished using a minority project manager and two minority prime
contractors, 2 of whom are AMEs. We also
had racially and ethnically diverse sub-contractors. The renovations for the Church building
include a new roof, new flooring and stair treads to the lower level, repair of
the upper level hallway and hallway to lower level, rebuilding of the boiler
along with installation of a new HVAC system, trenching and waterproofing of
the Fellowship Hall, totally gutting and rebuilding the Fellowship Hall,
restrooms, and kitchen. A new roof was
also installed on the AOOC building to eliminate the leaks damaging the
interior and exterior of the building.
Our Fellowship Hall
serves as the hub of our gatherings, including fundraisers and opportunities to
share meals with our seniors and community friends. Being without it for almost a year was quite
a hardship. The renovated Fellowship
Hall and restrooms were dedicated, with a special blessing by Presiding Elder
Dr. Louis Charles Harvey, in June. With
new fixtures and appliances, as well as repairs to existing items, the
renovated kitchen will be another cause for celebration in September.
The Administrative
Offices and Outreach Center houses offices for the pastor, the executive
administrator, the financial administrator, and ministerial staff. The third floor, renovated by the Jewish
partnership YACHAD, is dedicated to our tutoring and youth programs. A Hispanic ministry operates out of the lower
level. Additional needed renovations of
this building are planned for the future.
14. THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH WORSHIPS WITH
CHRIST OUR REDEEMER (COR) AME CHURCH, IRVINE, CALIFORNIA:
History was made at
Christ Our Redeemer AME Church (COR), Irvine, Sunday, August 30, 2015!
Bishop Kevin W. Vann,
leader of one million, two hundred thousand Catholics in Orange County came to
COR Church to celebrate Christ Jesus. This is the first time a Roman Catholic
Bishop has preached in an AME Church in California. There were nearly one
hundred members of the Catholic Church in attendance!
Kevin Vann, Prelate
for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Orange, was the first to call COR following
the shootings at Emanuel AME Church, Charleston, South Carolina. The Catholic
Church has agreed to co-sponsor COR's National Faith Leaders Conference on
October 2nd and 3rd, 2015. Bishop Vann said, "God has put us all together
to do God's work. Here I am, and here we are." This was a
historic day for COR and the Catholic Church.
We were joined by
Father Al Baca, Senior Minister of St. Columban Church, the Rev. Dr. Gerald
Kisner, Senior Minister of Tabernacle Baptist Church, and Bishop Thomas
Thorkelson, Church of the Latter Day Saints. COR was Spirit- filled and
bursting at capacity with Protestants and Catholics worshipping in spirit and
truth. Bishop Vann preached and praised “heaven down,” sang along with the
choir, and was visibly pleased with the worship experience. He greeted everyone
at the door following the Worship service.
The Rev. Mark Whitlock
is the pastor of Christ Our Redeemer AME Church
15.
2015 CLERGY AGE REPORT SHOWS YOUNG CLERGY INCREASES AMONG WOMEN:
*The Lewis Center for
Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary
WASHINGTON, DC – Growth in
the number of young clergy over the past ten years has been due all to women
according to the Clergy Age Trends in the United Methodist Church report
released today by the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological
Seminary. The annual report is prepared with assistance from the General Board
of Pension and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church.
• The number of young
elders reached its low point in 2005 at 850 or 4.69 percent of active elders
under 35. In 2015, there are 986 young elders that comprise 6.56 percent of the
pool of active elders, a pool now smaller by over 3,000 elders.
• Gender has been a major
factor in the young clergy gains. In the last ten years, the percentage of
women among young elders has increased from 31 percent in 2005 to 41 percent in
2015.
• There are actually fewer
young male elders now than in 2005 with all the increases coming from young
female clergy.
Young Male Elders in 2005 –
587
Young Male Elders in 2015 –
582
(Loss of 5_
Young Female Elders in 2005
– 263
Young Female Elders in 2015
– 404
(Gain of 141)
• Deacons have
traditionally been predominantly female. Yet, even among young deacons, the
percentage of women has increased from 68 percent in 2012 to 80 percent in
2015.
• Women continue to make up
about a quarter of young local pastors.
Elders Older Despite More
Young Elders
• Elders between ages 55
and 72 comprise 55 percent of all active elders, the highest in history.
• The modest gain in young
elders was offset by a decline in the percentage of elders aged 35 to 54, now
38 percent of elders down from 65 percent in 2000.
Regional
Differences
• For many years, the
highest concentrations of young clergy have been in the Southeastern and South
Central Jurisdictions. That trend continues in 2015, but there are several
conferences across jurisdictions that have been significant gains among young
clergy in the past three years.
Full Report Available for
Download
Much more information is
available in the complete Clergy Age Trends report, which is available as a
free PDF download at http://www.churchleadership.com/clergyage.
Clergy Age Trends report
shows the average and median ages of elders by United Methodist conference and
features a breakdown of young, middle age, and older clergy by conference for
elders, deacons, and local pastors.
*The Lewis Center for
Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary is pleased to provide this
report as a service to the church.
*The Lewis Center for
Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary is a resource for clergy, lay,
and denominational leaders. Through resources, research, and teaching, the
Center supports visionary spiritual leaders in addressing issues crucial to the
church’s faithful and fruitful witness.
16.
LEWIS CENTER OFFERS RESOURCES TO HELP CHURCHES DEVELOP THEIR OPERATING BUDGETS:
WASHINGTON, DC – The Lewis
Center for Church Leadership introduced Developing
Your Operating Budget to help churches develop their budgets. Through
engaging videos and supplemental materials, Lewis Center Director Lovett H.
Weems, Jr., helps churches understand what an operating budget is, different
ways that churches create their annual operating budgets, and five common
budgeting models.
Weems says, “No matter your
church size, this resource will provide clues and wisdom to help your budget
advance your mission and accomplish God’s vision for the congregation.”
Developing Your Operating
Budget is ecumenical and designed for both self study and group use by finance
committees, pastors, and finance staff. It is available in DVD/CD and
downloadable formats.
More information is
available at:
17.
THE PRIESTHOOD OF ALL BELIEVERS:
The Reverend Darryl R.
Williams
Pastor St. Mark African
Methodist Episcopal Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The Old Testament records
the beginnings of Aaronic priesthood in Numbers 3:10. “Appoint
Aaron and his sons to serve as Priests; anyone else who approaches the
sanctuary will be put to death.”
It was very clear that only
Aaron and his sons could perform the duties of the temple which included
offering sacrifices on behalf of the people.
This changed when Christ
became the “once and for all sacrifice” for our sins. It changed our
relationship with God because up to the time of Christ, only the descendants of
Aaron could enter into the Most Holy Place of the temple, and only once a year
on the Day of Atonement. But, because of Christ’s sacrificial death the curtain
that separated the Holy of Holies where the presence God dwelled and the rest of
the temple, where the priest and people dwelled was torn in two from top to
bottom. Now, not just the priests, but everyone had access to God through the
sacrifice of Christ. We are all priests in the sense that we all have access to
God. As God chose Aaron and his descendants, God, now broader in his reach,
chooses us, both clergy and lay: You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, A
holy nation (1 Peter 2:9.)
Secondly, not only did our
relationship with Christ change with the Resurrection of Christ, but it changed
in terms of our utility or usefulness.
The sharp divide between
clergy and laity, in some quarters of Christendom, has caused worship services
to dwindle into entertainment of something that we view as spectators instead
of participants.
The rise of personality
driven congregations in the latter part of the 20TH century only worsened this
problem. Understanding worship as a place of empowerment, much like what we saw
during the civil rights era was slowly disappearing as places of worship began
to take on the tone of the culture where the emphasis was the individual.
In the Old Testament,
taking care of the temple and serving the people who came to it was a priestly
function. When Christ died, that too changed. Now “everyone” is chosen by God
to offer spiritual sacrifices. “You, also, like living stones, are being built
into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 2:5).
The “you” in the above
verse was not just the established priesthood, but the entire Jewish nation.
And it refers to all of us whether we are clergy or lay, who claim Christ as
our Savior. Our spiritual sacrifice is to give our bodies, our minds, our time,
talent and treasure for the work of Christ here of earth.
Clergy are ordained for the
purpose of carrying out specific Word and sacramental duties. But as it relates
to utility and usefulness to God in service in the broad sense, we have the
same responsibility to minister. Peter says we are a chosen people, a royal
priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, why? “…that we might
declare the praise of Him (and I believe we do this by word and deed) who
called us out of darkness and into the marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).
Everyone is a minister,
whether clergy or laity, is a core value of the gospel.
I saw it poignantly
illustrated when AME clergy and laity peacefully took to the streets of
Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore, Maryland.
I see it illustrated at St.
Mark AME Church in Milwaukee and other AME churches all over this world as
ministry strategies are laid out and implemented at our various church
conferences. I saw it illustrated this past August in Charleston as thousands
of laity rolled up their sleeves to work at who we are to be as a church in the
21st century.
With the “Priesthood of all
Believers” as one of our core values, we can make the kingdoms of the world,
the Kingdom of our God.
18. THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT:
The
Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based
on Biblical Text: Luke 24:49: And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon
you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from
on high.
When
something is broken, our natural inclination is to fix it. Think about it, when
the car breaks down, we call a tow truck and have the car hauled to the nearest
“fix-it” station. When our TV breaks, we call a repairman. When our economy
slumps, we elect someone who will work to repair it. We don’t have good
patience when our stuff breaks.
If our
car breaks, and it’s the only car we have, we need it fixed right away. If we
love to watch television and the TV breaks down we want it fixed right away.
When the economy goes bad, especially when it starts to affect our job, we want
it fixed right away. The preacher in me can’t help but ask, “Am I right about
it?”
A
closer look reveals what we really want is perfection. We want everything to
work just like we want it to work. We want everything to be what we want it to
be. And we want what we want, now!
We
sometimes get ourselves into trouble to fix our stuff. Trouble comes when we
jump too quickly with our fix, before we’ve had a chance to plan. We want our
stuff fixed sometimes before we figure out how we are going to pay for it. We
jump out sometimes before we have time to plan.
In a
race starting before the plan is called a false start. A false start is when
something or somebody starts before they get the go ahead. In horse racing, a
false start is when the horse breaks through the starting gate before the gate
is opened. In track and field, a false start is when the runner moves before
the gun goes off. In sports a false start is not good. False starts sometimes
cause disqualification or at the very least some kind of penalty. Every false
start creates a handicap somehow.
The
point I am trying to make using our text is that false starts don’t just occur
in races they can happen in the church too. There are actually times we might
be in a hurry and God isn’t.
Paul
wrote to the church at Rome that the Old Testament Jews had “zeal for God, but
not according to knowledge” (Romans 10:2). Paul was saying that folk in the
church were going about establishing their own ideas about righteousness,
instead of teaching about the righteousness of God. Paul was warning that the
false teachings were causing major problems in the new Christian church.
Folk
were confused about the need for circumcision and about what meats they were
supposed to eat. Folk were confused about whether the correct day of worship
was the Sabbath Day or the Lord’s Day.
The
problem was compounded by the fact that when folk got confused they gave up and
just returned to what they used to do. The truth of the matter was the
confusion was causing many Jews to give up and return to their Old Testament
beliefs.
I
contend that can happen in our churches today. Folk join the church fired up to
work. New members come into the body of Christ all excited about God. Folk come
in geared up to get involved. In fact the excitement is almost uncontainable;
folk can hardly stand it. But then we see the False Start!
Somehow
folk begin to run ahead of God. Folk start out running before they really know
what it is God is telling them to do. Folk are running full speed and don’t
have any idea where they are headed. Folk are running before they’ve had the
chance to learn and grow.
Folk
are not prepared because there has been no training, no workout. Folk run out
and run right into a wall of misunderstanding or a wall of confusion. Running
before time is a false start. When folk run out before they understand what the
plan is their false start a lot of time is catastrophic.
There
is a reason why a lot of folk who started out hot are now cold. There is a
reason why a lot of folk who began the race on fire are now just luke-warm. The
reason is that these folk fall out of love with God. The unfortunate truth is a
lot of folk fall out of love with God before they’ve had a chance to fall in
love with God.
Paul
warned Timothy not to appoint folk to the ministry before God had a chance to
season them. In fact he admonished that Timothy should be careful not to
appoint a novice to a leadership position. A novice is, of course, a beginner,
a trainee. Paul knew that a novice could quite possibly be motivated by pride
rather than purpose.
When
we are motivated more by pride than we are purpose we will suffer the
consequences of a false start. When we are serving just to be seen, in charge
just to have our name called or just a name on the list we are motivated more
by pride than purpose. Our job is to move our membership to be motivated by
purpose.
We
feed because people are hungry and we evangelize because people need to know
the Lord. We shine our lights because too many of our people are wandering in the
dark. We sacrifice our time because we are trying to show others that the
sacrifice is worth it and because the Lord deserves it. We give of our talents
because we understand that God gave it to us that we might glorify Him. We give
of our treasure because we understand that all we have belongs to God. We are
consistent in our worship, our praise and our giving because the Lord deserves
our very best.
We are
careful to move not too fast, not too slow but just right because we listen for
God’s still small voice to give us direction. We look for God to lead us in all
of our efforts to serve Him. We move at God’s call and we do what the Lord says
do. We go where the Lord says go and we say what the Lord tells us to say. Our
prayer is not to be ahead, not to be behind but to be in step with God.
Jesus
warns his followers not to get so caught up in the excitement of this new
Christian movement that they run ahead of God. Jesus warns, wait for God to
fully empower and fully prepare. The Bible says, wait! Wait, your case is
before him and you must wait for him. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take
heart and wait for the Lord. Wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our
shield. Wait for the Lord and keep his way. Wait for the Lord, and he will
deliver you.
The
Bible tells us, Blessed are all who wait for him! We need to understand that it
is alright to wait on God. Waiting on God is not laziness, not going to sleep,
nor is it the abandonment of effort. Waiting on God means we are working
under control and preparing for what God has in store for us. It means we want
to hear His voice telling us which way to go. Waiting on God means we are empty
vessels before a full fountain, we are leaning not on our own understanding. Waiting
on God means, where He leads we will follow, what He says we will do.
Waiting
on God means we are ready for any new command that may come. We are waiting on
the direction, the power and the strength. Waiting guarantees no false start!
*The
Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church
in Charleston, South Carolina
19.
GETTING TO ZERO AND HOMOPHOBIA:
*The
Rev. Oveta Fuller. Ph.D
I am not hearing
much about HIV/AIDS. Let this be a
warning, HIV/AIDS has not gone away. Unfortunately, HIV/AIDS doesn’t go away
because we ignore it. People are still
dying and people are still being infected. Here is a reminder.
Now that we know
that HIV/AIDS can be stopped, and that there are promising approaches to
reversing trends of infection and disease, how do clergy and religious leaders
help to get to an AIDS-free generation? World AIDS Day 2012 on December 1 is a
time to take stock of what is required to bring about changes that move to
zero.
Zero discrimination
towards those who are HIV+ or who have AIDS is one of three main goals of the
World Health Organization (WHO) elimination strategy. www.unaids.org/en/media/unaids/contentassets/documents/unaidspublication/2010/jc2034_unaids_strategy_en.pdf.
Clergy at all
levels, but particularly those called to the pastorate, can positively or
negatively influence the congregations they serve. They lead others and thus
can impact a community. To progress towards zero, the church and especially its
leaders are called to address issues of stigma, misinformation and homophobia.
Let’s first look at
homophobia.
This is defined as
“the irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against homosexuality
or homosexuals” (same gender loving persons). www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/homophobia
“Homophobia is a
range of negative attitudes and feelings toward homosexuality or people who are
identified or perceived as being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT).
Definitions refer variably to antipathy, contempt, prejudice, aversion,
irrational fear, and hatred.” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homophobia
How does homophobia
relate to HIV/AIDS and the impact of religious leaders in eliminating HIV/AIDS?
What does it have to do with “Getting to Zero?”
To answer, we must
go to the early 1980s for recognition of a new disease AIDS and the virus that
causes it, HIV. The first epidemics of HIV/AIDS were reported among
homosexuals, IV drug users and hemophiliacs and those who received blood
transfusions. This was before blood banks were routinely screened for donation
of HIV+ blood. This history associated HIV/AIDS with homosexuality and brings
in homophobia.
From early media
reports on the new disease, a perception was established that HIV infects only
certain subgroups of people. In reality, the virus is an equal opportunity
pathogen- it will infect and replicate in any body with whom it can gain
access.
Once within a few
members of a group of people (a community) who share blood, blood products or
sexual fluids, HIV tends to spread rapidly within that community. The early
cases of HIV/AIDS were among groups of people who had sexual interactions with
each other (gay men in San Francisco/Oakland) or persons who came in contact
with blood that contained the virus (hemophiliacs and those receiving blood
transfusions).
Even now in 2012,
"men who have sex with men" (MSM) is one of the fastest growing and
most HIV/AIDS affected groups.
In the early days
(1980s), some ventured to think that HIV/AIDS was “God’s punishment for sexual
sin that includes homosexuality.” Thus, those who became infected were
“receiving a punishment for sexual activity outside the will of God” as they
acted counter to ethics/theology of the church. It was “their problem” and
“they deserved what they got”. Not so.
Now we know. HIV is
a virus that can infect almost any person with whom it comes in direct contact.
The idea that HIV/AIDS happens only to special groups- homosexuals,
hemophiliacs, IV drug users, sex workers is debunked. With few exceptions, HIV
can infect and reproduce in persons who are male, female, young, middle age,
older, any sexual orientation, any race, ethnicity or nationality.
In 2012, are clergy
and religious leaders homophobic?
Whether you answer
yes or no, homophobia can impact what can be done to address HIV/AIDS? In the
USA, although African Americans (AA) are 13% of the population, 50% of the
persons who live with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are AA. With such disproportions, any
issue that directly influences effective prevention of HIV infection must be
examined. These include stigma, discrimination and homophobia.
In a 1998 address,
author, activist, and civil rights leader Coretta Scott King stated that
"Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in
that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity,
their dignity and personhood."[
In the next
columns, let’s look at homophobia and the Black Church and the impact on spread
or elimination of HIV/AIDS. Meanwhile, think on this. Are you homophobic?
*The Rev. Oveta Fuller
Caldwell, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of Microbiology and Immunology at the
University of Michigan (U-M) Medical School, Associate Director of the U-M
African Studies Center and an AMEC itinerant elder and former pastor. She lived
in Zambia for most of 2013 to study HIV/AIDS prevention among networks of
religious leaders.
20. iCHURCH
SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER, 13, 2015 - BE GENEROUS - ACTS 4:34 – 5:10:
*Brother Bill Dickens
Key Verse: There
was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold
them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. Acts 4:34
Introduction
Sunday, September 13, 2015,
is the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost.
The economic system in America is defined as capitalism. Capitalism has many virtues and some
shortcomings, namely, the persistence inequality in income and wealth by social
class, race and gender. Growing economic disparities in income and wealth
create unnecessary hardships for many Americans. Calls for raising the
minimum wage are social proclamations designed to bring to the attention
of our national leaders that sustained economic inequality is not compatible
with a stable, open democracy.
Today’s lesson offers an
important lesson about sharing with others. Our story in Acts 4:34—5:10
actually applies the 4th Principle of Kwanzaa, Ujamaa. A true community is concerned about the welfare of
their members. A true community finds creative solutions to meet the needs
of their members. A true community is defined less by rhetoric and more
by actions. Let’s now look at this particular set of “Acts.”
Bible Lesson
Sharing
The early church in Acts
was organized around the principle of meeting spiritual and physical needs of
their members.
Acts, Chapter 4: 32-36
illustrate the generosity of the wealthier members who sold their property and
homes and gave the proceeds to the apostles for a distribution fund to aid the
congregation of believers. Luke describes
the spiritual setting as an environment where no one was needy. The basic economic conditions were met. Luke also mentions in this passage the
generous donation provided by a believer named Joseph of Barnabas. Barnabas, presumably a man of noted wealth,
sold his property and gave all to Peter.
This act of charity was
befitting of the meaning of his name, Son of Encouragement. Barnabas’ pure motives and act of generosity
was an encouraging sign for the believers to see with clarity the meaning of
Psalm 23:1.
Barnabas will be further
blessed in future chapters when he becomes a missionary companion of St. Paul.
Selfishness
Our lesson about generosity
however would not be complete if attention is not devoted to the flip-side of
sharing – greed. Acts 5:1-10 describe
the tragic story of an ambitious couple named Ananias and Sapphira. Like Barnabas the couple decides to sell
their property with the hopeful expectation that they, too, will receive
community recognition.
Unlike Barnabas the couple
decides to engage in deception and fraud.
The husband Ananias brings his proceeds to Peter. The proceeds from the property transaction
however represent less-than full market value.
Sin
Peter, apparently
well-informed about the local real estate market, asks Ananias a rhetorical
question to ascertain the truth about the real estate transaction. Ananias’ greed allowed Satan to convince him
that only a partial disclosure of the sale was needed. Peter quickly sees the deceit and indicates
that because of his own treachery he will pay the ultimate price by dying.
News spread quickly (not
surprisingly) and the community was griped with fear. Several hours later Sapphira meets with Peter
and the apostle confronts her with the bill of sale regarding the
property. While she was unaware of her
husband’s earlier death she too lies before God and the Holy Spirit thus
resulting in a similar death sentence.
While the story of Ananias and Sapphira may seem cruel and unjust by
today’s norms it is important to remember that their decision to sell the
property and disclose full not partial value of the transaction was strictly
voluntary. They could’ve opted out of
the arrangement, but they chose to participate knowing the conditions.
Choices do have
consequences.
Bible Application
The word generosity refers
to the virtue of giving good things to others freely and abundantly.
Generosity is therefore not a random idea or haphazard behavior but rather, in
its mature form, a basic, personal, moral orientation to life. Furthermore, in
a world of moral contrasts, generosity entails not only the moral good
expressed but also many vices rejected (selfishness, greed, fear,
meanness). Generosity also involves giving to others not simply anything
in abundance but rather giving those things that are good for others.
Generosity always intends to enhance the true well-being of those to whom it
gives.
This view of generosity as
promoting the true wellbeing is consistent with a practice Oprah Winfrey
implemented during her Emmy-award winning TV show. Ms. Winfrey believed
it was important to recognize ordinary individuals who do extraordinary things
through their random acts of kindness. Such acts often do not make the
front page of The New York Times or The Washington Post, but their
importance is not to be dismissed.
The kind acts documented
help brightens a person’s day. Displays of kindness affirm the personal
value of those who are on the receiving end and provide incentives for those on
the giving end to give more. It’s nice to be nice. QED
*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
21. MEDITATION BASED ON PSALM 27:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A.
Darby
I’m writing this week’s
meditation during “Annual Conference” season in the State of South Carolina -
the AME Church’s Seventh Episcopal District.
The Seventh District has six Annual Conferences - regional
administrative meetings that convene bi-weekly between late August and early
October.
The clergy and lay
leadership of the entire Episcopal District attend the Opening Worship service
of each Annual Conference, and each Opening Worship service begins with an old
Wesleyan hymn that says in part, “And are we yet alive and see each other’s
face? Glory and praise to Jesus give for
His redeeming grace!”
I thought of that hymn at
the Columbia Conference’s post-Opening Worship luncheon. Presiding Elder Sam McPherson of the
Greenwood-Abbeville District in the Piedmont Conference and I were talking
about the many new leadership faces in the Columbia Conference, and Sam said
something profound: “I looked for the ‘old leaders’ who chart the course and
suddenly realized that we’ve become the ‘old leaders!’”
That reminded me that Sam
and I have been friends for more than three decades. We began as very “green” young pastors who
“rose through the ranks” to become Presiding Elders. It also reminded me of all that we’ve
experienced through the years and of the friends that we’ve lost along the way,
but, as that old Wesleyan hymn says, we’re “Yet alive.” That also reminded me that as of September 5,
2015, I’m five years “cancer free.”
Remember Sam’s profound
statement and our endurance to become leaders of the Episcopal District as you
face life’s journey. Life in this world
offers more than a few challenges, dangers and disappointments, and it’s easy
to focus on those things and be consumed by life’s difficulties.
When we take the time,
however, to count our blessings, we’ll realize that they outweigh our burdens
and that God has blessed us to survive and thrive in spite of life’s
challenging odds. We can then take the
time to reflect on our lives, see where the Lord has brought us from and
celebrate the fact that we’ve made the journey not by our goodness, but by
God’s grace.
Look beyond your burdens
and count your blessings each day.
You’ll gain new perspective, new motivation, new energy to face life not
with fear, but with faith, and find new determination to stay in life’s race,
remembering the words of another verse of that old Wesleyan hymn, “But out of
all the Lord has brought us by His love, and still he doth His help afford and
hide our lives above.”
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
22. GENERAL OFFICER AND CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- Reverend Doctor Jerome
V. Harris and Mrs. Sandra Elaine Harris will celebrate their 45th wedding
anniversary September 19, 2015
Sincere congratulations are
extended to the Reverend Doctor Jerome V. Harris and Mrs. Sandra Elaine Harris
who will celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary on September 19,
2015. Dr. Harris has served as a General
Officer and the Executive Director of the AMEC Department of Retirement
Services since 2000 and is the former senior pastor of the Historic Brown
Chapel AME Church in Selma, Alabama.
Or mailed to:
Dr. and Mrs. Jerome V.
Harris
AME Church Department of
Annuity Investment and Insurance
280 Hernando Street
Memphis, TN 38126
-- Presiding Elder, the
Rev. Dr. Wilton E Blake and Mrs. Joann Blake will celebrate their 30th
wedding anniversary on September 21, 2015
Presiding Elder, the Rev.
Dr. Wilton E Blake and Mrs. Joann Blake will celebrate their 30th
wedding anniversary on September 21, 2015. Rev. Blake has been Presiding Elder
of the Cincinnati District in the South Ohio Conference, Third Episcopal
District, for the past 5 years, following pastoring several churches in the
Ohio and South Ohio Conferences.
Presiding Elder Blake is retired as Chief of the Chaplains Service of
the Dayton and Cincinnati Veterans Administration and his wife, Joann, is a
retired Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Greetings may be sent to:
695 Glensprings Drive
Springdale, Ohio 45246
Telephone: (513) 851-1693
-- The Rev. Dr. Herman Kelly Pastor of Bethel AME Church Baton
Rouge Louisiana to give Prayer of Blessing
The Rev. Dr. Herman Kelly
Pastor of Bethel AME Church Baton Rouge Louisiana to give Prayer of Blessing at
the Blessing of Law Enforcement Event at the Louisiana State Capitol Building
on Monday, September 14, 2015
The Rev. Dr. Herman Kelly,
pastor of Bethel AME Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana has been asked to give the
commencement prayer of blessing representing BRAVE, for fallen law enforcement
officers - a prayer of blessing and protection by the Governor of Louisiana at
the Blessing of Law Enforcement event.
BRAVE means Baton Rouge
Area Violence Elimination. Dr. Kelly graduated in the Inaugural Cops/Clergy
Training which is a program to get Clergy involved in positive relationship
with Law Enforcement.
The event will be held on
the steps of the capitol building on Monday, September 14, 2015 at 11:30 a.m.
Responses can be emailed
to:
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
Regretfully sharing the death of the Rev. Amon Lukwesa,
pastor of St. Paul AME Church of the Copperbelt West District, South West
Zambia Conference, 17th Episcopal District. The Reverend Amon
Lukwesa was taken ill during the SWZ Annual Conference.
He was reappointed to the pastoral charge by Bishop W.J.
Messiah last Sunday (August 30th) in absentia.
He was a member of the South West Zambia Conference finance committee.
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE
AND REQUEST FOR PRAYER:
I ask for your fervent prayers for a quick recovery for
my brother in ministry the Reverend Jeremiah Royland Mwenyo, South West Zambia
Conference. He was involved in the road traffic accident in Angola,
Africa. The Reverend Mwenyo sustained
fractured legs. Sadly his sister died on
the spot.
Last Sunday, August 30th, Bishop Messiah reappointed the
Reverend Jeremiah Royland Mwenyo to the pastoral charge of Mother Hughes AME
Church, Ndola, Zambia
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
With Heartfelt Sympathy we sadly announce the passing of
Mrs. Willie Mae Mosby, mother of the Rev. Janice Mosby Jackson, who passed away
on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 in Xenia, Ohio. The Rev. Jackson serves on the
ministerial staff at Holy Trinity AME Church, Wilberforce, Ohio where the pastor
is the Rev. Dr. Solomon K. Avotri and the Presiding Elder is Rev. Dr. Betty W.
Holley.
Homegoing Service:
Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.
Cyprus Baptist Church
Oxford, MS 38863
Eulogist: The
Reverend George Clay
Funeral Services entrusted:
Kenneth I. Roberson Funeral Home
292 Coffee Street, P.O. Box 833
Pontotoc, MS 38863
Telephone: (662) 489-2222
Expression of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Janice Jackson
285 East Second St.
Xenia, OH 45385
Telephone: (937) 372-0576
26. CONNECTIONAL WMS BEREAVEMENT
NOTICE:
Mother of Former WMS Connectional Officer
The Second Episcopal District is saddened to inform you
of the passing of Sister Adeline Williams, Women's Missionary Society Life
Member and Mother of Former WMS Connectional Officer Corrine Thomas.
Funeral Services for Sister Adeline Williams will be
held:
Saturday-September 12, 2015
Family Hour: 11:00 a.m.
Funeral Service: 12:00 noon
Greater Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
5232 The Plaza
Charlotte, NC 28215
(980) 949-6576
The Rev. Morris Reddon, Jr, Pastor
Cards/Flowers/Condolences can be sent to:
Alexander Funeral Home
1424 Statesville Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28206
704-333-1167
You may also contact the family:
Attention: Mrs. Corrine Thomas
3132 Clearview Drive
Telephone: (704) 392-2229 or (301) 237-8206
27. CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Former Connectional Lay Officer
It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that the Fifth
Episcopal District shares the loss of a great friend and leader, the transition
from labor to reward of Brother Fred Stuart, former Connectional Lay Officer.
Brother Stuart passed on September 7, 2015. Services are pending.
Brother Stuart was a member of Second AME Church, Los
Angeles, and served as an Adviser to the current Fifth District Lay
President. Brother Stuart served the AME
Church and the Lay Organization well and with distinction:
- Past Parliamentarian of the Connectional Lay
Organization - 8 years
- Past President of the 5th Episcopal District Lay
Organization - 8 years
- Past President of the Southern California Conference
Lay Organization.
28. BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY
ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley,
Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family
Information Center
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
29. CONDOLENCES TO THE
BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission
on Publications, the Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland; the Publisher, the
Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder,
the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to
those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with
you during this time of your bereavement.
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