The
Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland - Chair, Commission on Publications
The
Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The
Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian
Recorder
Advent begins Sunday,
November 29, 2015, and ends Thursday, December 24, 2015
1. TCR EDITORIAL – This is a modified version of TCR Online
:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
Upon retirement in July
2016 after the General Conference, we plan to live in Hampton, Virginia because
our grown children think we, at our age, need to be close to family; and they
are absolutely correct. I have had to transition my computer, which has a lot
of data and added to that change Internet carriers. All of that is working
fine, but it’s taking time and we should be up and running full-speed in
another week of so. Telephone numbers and email address will remain the same.
This is popcorn TCR Editorial
The social media is a
billion dollar business and people all over the world are engaged in social
media. The Internet, FaceBook, Twitter
and other social media sites are popular.
People use social media
websites for all sorts of things. People share good news events; prayer request
and sometime old acquaintances are renewed.
All kinds of good things are shared.
Sometimes inappropriate
comments are shared on social media websites and therein, a danger.
My caution
Please be careful what you
post on social media because it can come back to “bite you.”
Here is just one example,
if I were hiring someone today; I would carefully vet them on all of the social
media websites. If I found any negative posting, e.g., the use of profanity,
vulgarity or any inappropriate postings that would impact my decision to hire
them.
Here is where I am going
Employers check the social
media websites. The government checks
social media websites. The military checks social media websites. Educational
institutions check out social media websites.
Church members check out social media websites and I am sure clergy
leaders check out social media websites.
The bottom-line
Be careful what you post
on media websites because what might seem funny today, might keep you out of a
job or exclude you from an important position “tomorrow.”
2. COMBINED WORSHIP OF THE SECOND AND NINTH EPISCOPAL
DISTRICTS:
The Rev. Alvelyn Sanders
On October 16, 2015, the Ninth
Episcopal District welcomed Bishop William P. DeVeaux, Sr., Presiding Prelate
of the 2nd Episcopal District as the guest preacher for the Service
of Ordination during the Northeast Alabama Annual Conference at Bethel AME
Church in Phenix City, Alabama, where the Rev. Jesse L. Grooms serves as the
host pastor.
“Ordaining new ministers
in the AME Church is such a sacred occasion and to have one of the pillars of
our denomination on-hand to participate made this moment special,” said Bishop
James L. Davis, Presiding Prelate of the 9th Episcopal District.
Bishop DeVeaux was joined
by Episcopal Supervisor Dr. Patricia Ann Morris DeVeaux and dozens of clergy from
the 2nd Episcopal District; as well as Episcopal leaders from the
Lay Organization and the Women’s Missionary Society.
The significant number of
supporters who traveled from the 2nd District to the 9th District was
a magnificent testimony to the enormous impact that Bishop DeVeaux has had on
the lives of so many over the years. His extraordinary leadership has been an
example for others to follow. The historic show of support underscores the
power of a connectional church and the power of God’s people coming together to
work for the Kingdom.
The union of the two episcopal
districts during what is already a reverent worship service distinguished this
Service of Ordination even more.
3. REGISTRATION OF HOLDERS OF AME DOCTORAL DEGREES:
During the General
Conference of 2012 the AME Church paused to look at its clergy and their level
of preparation for this ministry, All of us have been called and commissioned
to go and preach the gospel, but some have taken the calling to a more formal level
of preparation for their presentation. The Church produced its first formal
record of those who have been so inclined. "The Report of A Survey of the
Holders of the Degrees Doctor of Ministry and Doctor of Sacred Theology"
separates out the trained from the untrained, the earned from the unearned.
It has been a common
courtesy for clergy to acknowledge their colleagues as "doctor," but
that is something that many are not. This document is a means of informing the
Connectional Church who is and helping us to recognize who is not.
During the General
Conference of 2016, the Church is aiming to update the publication. The
Episcopal District Coordinators for the 2012 edition are so invited to reach
out to the clergy of their District to add to the list and make any and all
necessary corrections to pastoral appointments, etc.
Questions can be forwarded
via email to the Rev. Dr. Leonard Santucci, J.P. (drleonardsantucci@gmail.com), who
is serving as the General Coordinator under the leadership of Bishop Frederick
H. Talbot.
Submissions requires:
1) The individual’s name.
2) Doctoral degree (D. Min
or S.T.D.).
3) Name of Institution,
date of graduation.
4) Project/dissertation
tittle.
5) Masters degree &
name of institution.
6) Pastoral assignment.
7) Episcopal District.
8) Photo.
Please provide information
December 31, 2015
4. MEETING NEEDS OF THE HOMELESS:
The AME Church Empowerment
Center, Raleigh, North Carolina, 412 Capitol Boulevard - Raleigh, North
Carolina ministers to the needy.
Due to the tireless
efforts in maintaining the A.M.E. Men's Shelter in Raleigh, N.C., and the
renovations recently completed including new tile flooring, new kitchen,
modernized marble shower stalls and a new freezer, it was officially renamed
and dedicated as the A.M.E. Empowerment Center on Saturday, September 19, 2015.
The dedication was
preceded by a worship service hosted by St. Paul AME - Raleigh where Sister
Shirley Sheares, Empowerment Center Director, served as the evening's worship
leader. We were favored by music provided by the St. Paul A.M.E. Church Choir
and a powerful proclaimed word by guest preacher, Reverend Dr. Staccato Powell,
Pastor of Grace A.M.E. Zion Church - Raleigh, N.C. Who spoke from Matthew 25
reminding us to know God for yourself and let your works speak for you - that's
the bottom line!
Most notably were the
tearful and emotional words of celebration given by the Empowerment Center
residents. We can all learn a lesson from them that - your condition is not
your conclusion!
We encourage everyone to
visit the Empowerment Center and solicit your financial support for the
Center's ongoing efforts. All donations can be made to the Washington
Conference placing The Empowerment Center in the memo section of your checks.
The Empowerment Center is the only one open 24-hr / 7 day per week. Your
donations are tax deductible. The Center residents thank you in advance for
your generosity.
Submitted by Brother
Geoffrey E. Tate, Sr., 2nd Episcopal District, Washington Conference,
Metropolitan AME, Washington, D.C.
5. MINISTRY LEADERS TO BE HONORED DURING THIRD
ANNUAL TURNER ALUMNI HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY:
November 2, 2015, Atlanta,
GA – Turner Theological Seminary, the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC)
constituent seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) is
preparing to pay tribute to another group of its outstanding alumni. Nine
persons will be recognized for their exceptional achievements in various areas
of ministry and their ongoing commitment to the advancement of their alma mater
during this third year of the Henry McNeal Turner Alumni Hall of Fame. The
Induction Ceremony and Gala Reception are planned for Monday, February 8, 2016.
The honorees to be inducted into the 2016 Class are:
- The Rev. Dr. Thomas
Bess, Pastor, Allen Temple AME Church, Atlanta, GA
- The Rev. Michael K.
Bouie, Pastor, Mt. Hermon AME Church, Miami Gardens, FL
- The Rev. Dr. Miriam J.
Burnett, International Medical Director, AME Church Connectional Health
Commission
- Lieut. Commander, Ammie
Davis, U.S. Military Chaplaincy, Hattiesburg, MS
- Presiding Elder Alan
W. Parrott, Kingstree District Palmetto
Conference, Ladson, SC
- The Rev. Wesley I. Reid,
Pastor, Lee Memorial AME Church, Cleveland, OH
- The Rev. Dr. James
Rumph, Grant AME Church, Los Angeles, CA
- The Rev. Dr. Mickarl
Thomas, Pastor, Ebenezer AME Church, Detroit, MI
- The Rev. Dr. Timothy E.
Tyler, Pastor, Shorter Community AME Church, Denver Colorado
The event will also
present the first President’s Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. William Watley,
renowned theologian, author, mentor, professor, national and internationally
celebrated preacher and senior pastor of the historic St. Philip AME Church,
Atlanta, Georgia.
This is a very special
gathering for Turner alumni, others throughout the Connection and the broader
community to recognize these women and men who are making history as effective
witnesses for Christ through ministry.
Well-wishers are invited
to convey congratulations to the honorees with the purchase of an ad placed in
the Alumni Hall of Fame Souvenir Program. Send all camera-ready ads to
tresjjjcomm@bellsouth.net by December 31, 2015.
For more about this event
and other activities on the calendar for Turner’s Founders’ Week activities, go
to www.turnerseminary.com or call (404) 527-0080.
6. AME CHURCH USES THE CHURCH SCHOOL AS A RESOURCE
FOR MINISTERING TO ELDERLY MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH AND COMMUNITY:
*Dr. Joseph Smiley
Church School outreach
ministries should speak to an array of constituents in the church and those not
in the church. Under the leadership of
Rev. James V. Williams, Pastor of Mt. Olive AME Church in Clearwater, Florida,
the Church School is called on to forge a range of ministries for such
constituents. Indeed, the Church School
should have powerful in-reach and outreach efforts. One such Church School ministry created at
Mt. Olive AME church is the Adopt-an-Elderly Member Ministry; it is a
comprehensive outreach to elderly church members and nonmembers in the community
surrounding the local church. The
thought is that great care has to be taken not to overlook those who have
served the local church into their golden years and to not forget about those
elderly individuals in the local community.
Can the Church School be a
channel through which children can effectively connect with and learn from our
elderly members? Can the Church School help meet the emotional and social needs
of elderly members of our congregations and communities? Can the Church School be a powerful outreach
vehicle for the elderly? Yes, Yes, and
Yes! Not only is the answer yes to these questions, every AME Church School
where there is no such ministry should consider implementing some variation of
one.
There are two simple but
powerful reasons why pastors and superintendents should give strong
consideration to creating an elderly member ministry. First, the spiritual blessings that can be
poured out on the lives of our Elderly members would be immeasurable. And second, all AME churches—from the small
one-room country church to the multi-room urban church—would more likely have
the resources needed to effectively implement such ministry. All too often, churches conclude that
monetary resources are an insurmountable barrier for creating ministries for
kingdom building, or it is perceived to be an insurmountable barrier in the
minds of church members. Indeed the cry
is “expenses from the various levels of the church are racing ahead of the
tithing and giving commitment of our church members.” Such barriers do not exist in creating an
elderly member ministry.
What our Church School
Adopt-an-Elderly Member Ministry needs can meet? An effective ministry can meet some spiritual
and social needs vital to the life of all elderly members, especially those who
are homebound and in nursing homes.
Church School classes can adopt elderly members in and out of church.
Elderly members’ needs can
be met by the Church School Adopt-an-Elderly Member Ministry. It can it be a
way of ensuring that they are encouraged and honored and never feel that they
are lost in the technology shuffle?
Spiritual, social, emotional and other needs all can be met by an
effective elderly member ministry.
Church School classes can be strategically organized and prepared so
that the children can develop personal relationships with the elderly selected
for outreach.
Any AME Church School can
implement an effective program. In the
case of Mt. Olive, the elderly member ministry includes three components where
students regularly communicate with adopted elderly members in the community
through calls, the mail, and personal visits to their homes. The three components are outlined as follow:
The first component
involves students placing weekly phone calls to members assigned to them. Generally, each student is trained on making
effective phone calls, including inquiring about the elderly members’
well-being and offering intercessory prayer for them; each student is assigned
2 members with which to work. The second
component involves the students writing letters during Church School and
Children’s Church classes; letters are completed monthly and mailed to members
by the Church School. Additionally,
during classes, students are also required to prepare special holiday greeting
cards personalized for and mailed to the members.
Finally, the third
component involves students and teachers visiting the homes of elderly members;
during the home visits, the fellowship of love and care includes students
reading scripture, singing hymns, praying, and presenting gift baskets.
So, again, who benefits
from the work of a powerful Church School effectively implementing an
Adopt-an-Elderly Member Ministry? The
elderly members and children benefit.
Elderly members’ spirits are stirred with joy, their minds are
encouraged, their memories are re-awakened, and their views of another day’s
journey are magnified through the eyes of hope.
Children benefit by gaining a better understanding of how they are
called to and can serve a vital role in the life of our elders and more.
The expected benefits cry
out for Church Schools throughout African Methodism to consider some variation
of such ministry. The costs are minimal;
the benefits to the church are beyond measure.
7. CO-PASTORS OF BETHEL AME CHURCH IN BOSTON WILL
BE FEATURED PREACHERS AT NATIONAL FESTIVAL:
Ray and Gloria Hammond,
co-pastors of Bethel AME Church in Boston, Massachusetts, will be featured
preachers at the 2016 National Festival of Young Preachers when it convenes in
January in Lexington, Kentucky:
The Hammonds will speak at
various gatherings on Monday, Jan. 4 and Tuesday, Jan. 5.
The National Festival will
bring together 150 Young Preachers from all Christian traditions, including
Evangelical, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Pentecostal. Each Young
Preacher will preach a sermon that will be evaluated, recorded, and published
to YouTube. Chalice Press will publish some sermons in a book.
The Festival is sponsored
annually by the Academy of Preachers (AoP), a national non-profit organization
with a mission to “identify, network, support, and inspire young people in the
call to gospel preaching.”
Additional information:
Registration for Young
Preachers, organizations and institutions that wish to exhibit, area churches
and ministers, and the general public is through the website, www.academyofpreachers.net.
“We are thrilled to
welcome Ray and Gloria Hammond to our Festival pulpit,” said AoP President Dwight A. Moody. “Gloria
preached last year at the New England Festival at Harvard Divinity School and
she inspired us all.”
New features of the
seventh National Festival include the two-day Teen Fest for high school
students interested in performance, presentation, or preaching, and the two-day
First Parish Preachers Track for young ministers out of seminary and in their
first church position.
Plenary preachers for the
Festival are Marvin McMickle, president of Colgate Rochester Crozer Seminary in
New York; Jessica LaGrone, Dean of the Chapel at Asbury Theological Seminary in
Kentucky; Archbishop Joseph Kurtz of the Catholic Diocese of Louisville; and
Dr. Moody. Festival music by the American Spiritual Ensemble is under the
direction of Everett McCorvey, director of both the ensemble and the opera
program at the University of Kentucky.
Lead sponsors of the
National Festival are Asbury Seminary, the Athenaeum of Ohio, Truett Seminary
of Baylor University, Ministers and Missionaries Benefit Board of New York,
Georgetown College, Lindsey Wilson College, Asbury University, and Gardner Webb
University.
8. OUTREACH MINISTRY TO US NAVY RETIRED NAVY
CHAPLAIN CARROLL R. CHAMBLISS AND MRS. CHRISTENE CHAMBLISS:
St James AME Church,
Clearwater Florida visits Chaplain Carroll R. Chambliss, US Navy, retired, and
Mrs. Christene Chambliss, former Connectional WMS Officer and former President
of the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, North America
Area
-- An Open Letter from St.
James African Methodist Episcopal Church
1436 South Madison Avenue
Clearwater, Florida 33756
On behalf of Rev. Bernard
Smith, Pastor of St. James A.M.E. Church Clearwater, Florida, I am delighted to
report our visitation at the Pacifica Senior Living in Clearwater with Chaplain
Carroll R. Chambliss, US Navy, retired and his lovely wife Mrs. Christene
Chambliss (former Connectional WMS Officer and former President of the World
Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women, North America area) in the
presence of their son and daughter-in-law, Frank and Linda Chambliss.
Our visitation team of 5
members from St. James, led by Rev. Smith, included Marie Ervin, Denilla Green
(WMS President) Deaconess Lillian McArthur (Stewardess) Annie Martin
(Liturgical/Sick Steward) visited. We began with a short devotional of Hymn,
Prayer, Scripture and giving of Holy Communion by Rev. Smith.
It was truly a blessing to
fellowship with the Chambliss family and with their son Frank and Linda
Chambliss. We are elated that WMS
members of St. James will visit on a regular basis.
Sister Denilla Green, WMS
President
9. iCHURCH SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, NOVEMBER
15, 2015 - READY, SET, GO! - ACTS 16:1–5, 8–15:
*Brother Bill Dickens
Key Verse:
“When he had seen the vision, we
immediately tried to cross over to Macedonia, being convinced that God had
called us to proclaim the good news to them.” Acts 16:10.
Introduction
November 15, 2015 is the Twenty-fifth
Sunday after Pentecost. One of my goals
is to visit all 50 US states. Currently,
I have visited 44 of the 50 US states.
Over the next 3-4 months, I hope to have visited two new states,
increasing my total to 46.
Travel is important
because it allows you to see heterogeneity within the US and around the
world. Travel broadens our horizons and
elevates our understanding about people, places and things.
Sunday’s lesson in Acts
16: 1-5, 8-15 is all about responding to a request by engaging in travel. Paul has a vision where a distress call for
help is communicated to him. He responds
to the request by traveling to Macedonia.
In addition he visits three other cities along the way. Paul is the first itinerant preacher in the
Bible. He is always ready to travel to
share the Good News. We should always be
ready to go when we receive the call for Christian service. As the Amtrak conductor says, “All Aboard”,
let’s go!
Bible Lesson
Mentorship
Paul continues his
missionary journey by traveling to Derbe and then to Lystra. At Lystra he meets a young man named Timothy
who is part Greek (paternal) and part Jewish (maternal). Timothy would soon become Paul’s
prodigy. Paul decides for political
expediency to have Timothy circumcised in order to appease the Jews in that
area. This decision to circumcise
Timothy represents a conundrum. In the
previous chapter the issue of circumcision had been debated and the outcome was
reached that it was not required as a prerequisite for Christian ministry and
salvation. Why then would Paul, a chief
witness in the anti-circumcision position at the Jerusalem Council, now
backtrack and have Timothy circumcised?
Luke provides no commentary about this Pauline Paradox and only infers
that Paul doesn’t want to upset the local Jews; nonetheless, the churches are
strengthened by Paul’s preaching and growing daily (v 5).
Missionary
Paul resumes his travels
and journeys to the city of Troas. One
evening Paul has a vision where a man insists that he come and visit Macedonia
to help on an urgent matter. Paul heeds
the call for help and starts his journey to Macedonia (v 10). Paul arrives at Philippi (a district of the
city of Macedonia) and stays there for three days. During his stay he decides to seek a place to
pray and finds several women who are engaging in prayer. One of the women is a prominent local
businesswoman named Lydia. She is a
seller of exotic (or expensive) clothing items and her business headquarters is
in the town of Thyatira. She is a
worshipper of God (v 14). Paul begins to
witness and preach to the women and Lydia becomes saved. She invites Paul and his colleagues to stay
at her house since she is now a believer.
Her hospitality was hard to turn down and the apostles accepted her kind
and gracious offer (v 15).
Bible Application
The Harlem Globetrotters
have played basketball games in more than 115 countries in front of 120 million
fans. They have been the subject of two feature films and numerous television
shows, including two animated series in the 1970s. In honor of their
entertainment value, the team was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
and made the subject of a permanent exhibit at the Smithsonian Institute. Their
pioneering history and considerable athletic skill over the years was honored
in 2002, when they were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame.
The Harlem Globetrotters
are a household name because they travel around the world bringing joy and
happiness to children and adults.
They are itinerant
entertainers in the truest sense of the term.
A chief pillar of Methodist polity is itinerancy.
John Wesley, the founder
of Methodism, traveled 250,000 miles on horseback, averaging twenty miles a day
for forty years.
The Itinerant Ministry for
AME clergy is outlined on pages 91 – 99 of the 2012 Book of Doctrine and
Discipline (BODD). The willingness to
travel in response to a specific need or request not only fulfills the Wesleyan
tradition, but more importantly fulfills the Bible requirements established by
Paul in Acts Chapter 16.
*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
10. MEDITATION BASED ON MATTHEW 28:16-20:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A.
Darby
I am writing and sending
this week’s Meditation from Florence, SC, the site of the Seventh Episcopal
District of the AME Church’s 2015 Post-Conference Convocation. I’m doing so from my laptop - something
that’s far easier to do these days than it was even a decade ago. Ten years or so ago, I carried my fairly
bulky laptop on the road with me - primarily to look at e-mail and online
news. My “real” work was done on the
desktop computer in my home office.
Today, my laptop is my
only computer - I no longer own a desktop.
When I make a “road trip” of more than two days, I unplug and take my
laptop along with me and can do things away from home that I could do at home.
I celebrate that
technological blessing, because while I also have a tablet and a smart phone,
carrying my laptop with me expands the scope of what I can do on the road and
enables me to make my office “portable.”
I offer that convenient
“technological blessing” to you as an object lesson - in a world where the
difficult demands of day-to-day life leave many good people feeling lost,
isolated, and grasping for answers. My laptop allows me to be “in touch” and do
what’s needed wherever I go, but the Lord Jesus does something similar for us
in every area of our lives.
Because of Jesus, God is
not a distant, remote and inaccessible presence in our lives. The sacrifice of our Savior - the price for
our sins that assured salvation to all who believe - bridges the gap between
God and humankind and gives us the assurance that wherever we are and whatever
we need, God will be there to bless and work through us, so that we can do
great things and help others to know that the God we serve stands with them
too.
Take the time each day -
wherever you are and whatever you do - to stay in touch with Jesus and go to
God in prayer. You’ll find new energy,
see new direction, and discover why - in a world where many feel lost and
isolated - one hymn writer counted his blessings and said, “I hear the voice of
Jesus, telling me still to fight on; He promised never to leave me, never to
leave me alone.”
This Meditation is also
available: www.beaufortdistrict.org
On Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BeaufortDistrictAMEC
Get Ready for Sunday, and
have a great day in your house of worship!
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby is the Presiding Elder of the
Beaufort District of the South Carolina Annual Conference of the Seventh
Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
10. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
--Presiding Elder Hartford and Consultant Bernice
Aplin Lee, Presiding Elder Team of the Daytona Beach District of the 11th
Episcopal District Celebrate 50th Wedding Anniversary
Presiding Elder Hartford
and Consultant Bernice Aplin Lee, Presiding Elder Team of the Daytona Beach
District of the 11th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal
District are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary today, November 6,
2015.
Congratulatory messages
can be emailed to: Leeba46@att.net
--The Rev. Clive and Mrs. Beryl Pillay celebrated
their 35th Wedding Anniversary November 1,2015
Our sincere
congratulations to our Pastor Couple, the Rev. Clive and Mrs. Beryl Pillay who
celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on 1st November 2015. The
Rev Pillay, a licensed preacher of more than 40 years has faithfully served the
Cape Annual Conference in the 15th Episcopal District and we thank God for the
opportunity of having him as our pastor with his stately wife. He is proving to
be an asset to Trinity Chapel Grassy Park in the Lansdowne District of the 15th
Episcopal District; Presiding Prelate, Bishop David R. Daniels and Supervisor,
Mrs. Irene M. Daniels.
Congratulations and well-wishes
can be emailed to:
The Reverend and Mrs.
Clive Pillay: cjvpza@yahoo.co.uk
11.
CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Pauline
Nelson Young of Nashville, Tennessee, the sister of the late Rev. James H.
Nelson, the mother of former 13th Episcopal District YPD Director, and Believe,
Inc. Board Member, Ramona D. Young, grandmother of former Connectional YPD
Officer, Mr. Montez A. Bell.
The Viewing:
Sunday, November 15, 2015, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Terrell Broady Funeral Home
3855 Clarksville Pike
Nashville, TN 37218
The Home Going Services
Monday, November 16, 2015
Visitation, 11:00 -12:00 noon
Home Going, Celebration, 12:00 noon
Lee Chapel AME Church
1200 Dr. D. B. Todd Blvd
Nashville, TN 37208
The Rev. Roderick Dwayne Belin, pastor
Expressions of sympathy may be emailed to:
Ms. Ramona D. Young
Email: rdyoung73@gmail.com
Mr. Montez A. Bell
Email: montezbell@gmail.com
12. CONNECTIONAL LAY OFFICER BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We the members of the 3rd
Episcopal District Lay Organization announce the transition of Sister Margaret
Ann Fields, former 3rd District President and Connectional Director Lay
Activities, from this earthly life to her eternal home on November 11, 2015. We
unite in prayer with Jeani Gray, Billy Fields and other family members as they
prepare to celebrate the life of their aunt and beloved relative.
We are thankful for the
many lives touched by her love, kindness and leadership in the African
Methodist Episcopal Church. We extend our prayers to "nieces in love"
Cheryl Joy, LaDonna Moore Liggins and so many others who affectionately called
her "Aunt Margaret".
Her dedication to God
inspired many to become servant leaders in the AME Church. Her legacy will live
forever in the hearts of Dr. Willie C. Glover, Mrs. Florence Warren, Ms. Ametta
L. Reaves, Ms. Jimmie Lee Jackson, Ms. Stephanie Bruce and so many others.
She will be dearly missed
by many friends and leaders in the AME Church including the Bishops of our
Church; Pastors Otis Gordon, Jermaine Covington, and Floyd Alexander; Lay
Leaders - Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams, Mrs. Ethel Wallace Jenkins, Mrs. Leona H.
Butler, Mrs. Edith Cartledge, Mrs. Doris Bailey and many others.
Tentative arrangements for
"Aunt Margaret" are Tuesday, November 17 at 12 pm with viewing beginning
at 11 am. Services will be held at St.
John AME Church in Worthington, Ohio, the birth church of Margaret Ann Fields.
We pray for traveling
mercies for those coming from her home church, Warren AME in Toledo Ohio;
Connectional Lay Leaders; District Clergy and Laity who will come to reflect
and thank God for a Good and Faithful Servant.
Additional details will be
shared later this week.
13. CONNECTIONAL OFFICER FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of
the passing of Mrs. Laura Embryo of Glenco, Illinois, the sister of the Rev.
Dr. John Q. Owens, former Director of the Social Action Commission of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Laura Embryo passed on last evening,
November 10, 2015.
Service arrangements are
pending.
Expressions of sympathy
may be sent to:
Dr. John Q. Owens and Dr.
Dorothy Owens
2320 Holiday Lane
Maryville, Illinois 62062
Email MrsDO7@aol.com
Telephone: (618) 288-7401
or (618) 799-8020
Please remember the family
in your prayers.
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
With deepest sympathy and
regret we announce the passing of Mrs. Elva King, aunt of the Reverend Troy I.
Thomas, pastor of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church, Louisville, Kentucky. Mrs. Elva King was the sister of his recently
departed mother, Mrs. Inez June Smith Thomas.
The Viewing:
Thursday, November 12,
2015
2 p.m.- 7 p.m.
Gary P. March Funeral Home
270 Fredhilton Pass
Baltimore, MD 21229
Telephone: 410-945-1100
The Homegoing Service:
Friday, November 13, 2015,
11:00 a.m.
Fall Road AME Church
2145 Pine Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21244
Expressions of sympathy
may be emailed to:
The Rev. Troy I. Thomas: Thomasrevtroy@aol.com
The Rev. Dr. Maxine L.
Thomas: Exhalemlt@aol.com
Or
Mailed to:
Quinn Chapel AME Church
1901 West Muhammad Ali
Blvd.
Louisville, KY 40203
It is with great sadness
and a heavy heart that the Connectional Lay Organization and the Tenth
Episcopal District share the loss of a great friend and leader, the transition
from labor to reward of Brother Albert Brewer. Brother Brewer was a member of
Greater Ward Chapel AME Church and served as Past Parliamentarian of the
Connectional Lay Organization and Past President of the 10th Episcopal District
Lay Organization
Funeral Services will be
held:
Saturday, November 7, 2015
- 10:00 a.m.
St. Paul African Methodist
Episcopal Church
1554 Gears Road
Houston, TX 77067
Telephone: (281) 537-3300
Interment:
Monday, November 9, 2015 -
10:30 a.m.
Houston National Cemetery
Houston, TX 77038
Professional Services
Entrusted to:
Emanuel Funeral Homes
1721 W. Oak Street
Palestine, TX
Expressions of Sympathy
may be directed to:
Mrs. Mary Brewer (Wife)
7723 Willow Street
Houston, TX 77088
15. BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS
PROVIDED BY:
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/
Telephone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Telephone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
16. 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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