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
The AMEC Sunday School
Union will be closed for Christmas break and will reopen on January 4, 2016
Merry Christmas
and a Blessed New Year!
1. TCR EDITORIAL
– A NEW YEAR’S CHALLENGE FOR PREACHERS:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor
of The Christian Recorder
It’s almost that time of the
year again – the end of the old year and the beginning of a new year.
It’s about this time of the
year when a lot of people think about their New Year’s resolutions, especially
resolutions that they hope will help them to achieve goals that might enhance
their lifestyles.
A lot of people set
goals like losing weight, getting in better physical shape,
spending more quality time with family, laughing more, enjoying life,
getting out of debt, saving and investing and managing income better,
modifying behaviors they want to change, ridding themselves of bad habits or
changing the way they live and view life and some even vow to have a
more disciplined prayer life and to be more disciplined in reading the Bible.
There are others who ignore New
Year’s resolutions. They ignore New Year’s resolutions because they don’t have
the discipline or desire to attempt and changes in their lives, so they just
bypass the process.
New Year’s resolutions
New Year’s resolutions can add
“spice and challenge” to a person’s life. The making of New Year’s
resolutions challenges individuals to change their “normal” behavior or
routine. Resolutions can challenge us to do
things differently, which might improve or broaden our lives.
The Babylonians, Hebrews,
Romans and the early Christians all had rituals that affirmed life-style
changes. Fasting during the Advent and Lenten seasons is just one
example.
In Judaism, Bar
Mitzvahs, Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), Passover,
Rosh Hashanah, and Chanukah were opportunities for individuals to
change the direction of their lives.
In Methodism and other
Christian denominations, baptism and even the watch night service give
parishioners the opportunity, not only to share the past year's struggles, but
also to prepare for the year ahead by praying and making resolutions.
New Year’s resolutions
We all need to improve our
physical health. Probably most of us need to eat healthier, lose weight,
abstain from bad and destructive habits, rid ourselves of negativism, think
more positively, gossip less, laugh more, enjoy life, rest, relax more, rid
ourselves of debt, pay our bills on time, stop procrastinating, become more
committed Christians and commit to being better persons.
Some resolutions that might be
helpful for clergy
I am clergy myself, and in my
opinion, we clergy are among the most uptight persons on the planet. Generally,
clergy tend to be opinionated, sometimes inflexible and sometimes unforgiving.
Many clergy do not know how to
relax and “let their hair down” and have fun. Some preachers most often seem to
be “looking and acting like something is always wrong.”
We change our voices and speech
patterns to sound more holy, especially when we pray in worship services.
Ever notice how some preachers
walk with a stiff neck, appearing as if they are looking for something or
looking beyond the people to whom they are speaking? Some pastors
spend so much time looking and acting holy to the point that they are
unapproachable. Some preachers don’t act human and the result is that
parishioners don’t treat them as humans.
Here is what I am saying
Preachers - bishops, general
officers, connectional officers, presiding elders and pastors would benefit by
making New Year’s resolutions, one of which is to act like a human being,
smile more and be “down to earth” and enjoy ministry. Share a joke and act as
if you are enjoying life.
I have met so many preachers
who don’t have a hobby or any meaningful physical activities. They don’t go to
the gym or the “Y.” They don’t have a mechanism that allows for release of
their frustrations. They don’t play a musical instrument or participate in any activity
other than the church. They don’t go to the movies or to plays and sadly,
sometimes they don’t spend enough time with their families; they only go to
church!
I was talking to a clergy
friend this week and he shared with me that his father, a pastor, dressed in a
suit and tie every day, even if he wasn’t going out of the house. He
also shared that even when his dad, who loved to fish, went fishing; he wore
a suit and tie. I have seen pastors who go to picnics in a suit and
tie. I have seen pastors at amusement parks in a suit and tie.
If a pastor doesn’t have a
hobby or diversions for relaxation, a New Year’s resolution might be a great
place to start. Some church members need to learn to relax too! I suspect if
more clergy and church members learned to relax and enjoy life, there might be
less conflict in many of our churches.
If you have played a musical
instrument in high school or college or always wanted to play a musical
instrument, pick an instrument and learn to play it; schedule lessons and set
aside that time, for YOU.
Sometimes I want to encourage
pastors to sit, relax and do nothing! They would be amazed at how much better
they would feel. Some people call it meditation.
I have said it before and I
will say it again, preachers need to read books other than the Bible. If
a pastor wants to be informed, he or she needs to read newspapers, news
magazines and the AME Church periodicals.
In other words, successful
pastors are well-read. And, don’t fool yourself; parishioners know if
their pastor is well-read.
If you haven’t been a reader, a
wonderful New Year’s resolution would be to subscribe to newspapers and other
periodicals and read them! Have a cup of coffee, a cup of tea, a cup of hot
chocolate or glass of milk and sit down and read for 20-30 minutes everyday!
You don’t have time? Get up earlier and make time! Take time for a daily
walk, run or swim. Everyone needs some physical exercise!
Physical activity is important and
it is evident that the clergy need to spend more time in physical activities,
such as walking, running, jogging or swimming; and the additional benefit is
that it gives you time to commune with God.
Playing organized sports is
also a wonderful way to get in or stay in shape and the additional benefit is
that it gives you an opportunity to share your faith with
others.
The place where pastors prepare
sermons and have a desk is appropriately called a “study” and for
good reason. It is not the “pastor’s office,” it’s the “pastor’s study.” Mental
preparation in ministry is important and I suspect many pastors of every
denomination could benefit greatly with increased reading and studying.
I think you get the point
Effective pastors are
well-rounded – and balanced physically, mentally, psychologically, biblically,
theologically; and with a human bearing.
A great starting point for all
of us, clergy and laity, is to think seriously about making New Year’s
resolutions for 2016.
Okay, you have a couple of
weeks to think about it and to prepare your hearts and minds for
self-improvement and thinking about YOU and thinking about YOU is not being
selfish!
New Year’s resolutions are for
everyone, but I hope every preacher will accept a “self, for YOU challenge” of
a challenging New Year’s resolution; a resolution that will benefit YOU because
a New Year’s resolution is for YOU and not necessarily
for anyone else, but if YOU take care of YOU, your family, your church members,
your friends and your acquaintances will be the beneficiaries of “YOU take car
of YOU!”
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
-- To the Editor:
RE:
TCR Editorial – I Am Amazed:
I
am immensely grateful to have my story, “A South Carolina Story about Hope,”
published in The Christian Recorder, and that what I learned from Aesthetic
Realism, the education founded by the philosopher Eli Siegel, about the cause
and answer to racism, is reaching such a diverse readership.
To
use a phrase that you care for and wrote about in a mighty way in that issue—I
am amazed.
Amazed
at how swiftly it happened. Amazed to see what TCR includes--which I've begun reading and learning from; for
instance, the story about the Governor of Delaware issuing an apology against
slavery! I spoke with a friend (Leamon Hood, an unsung pioneer of civil rights)
who lives in Delaware, and told him that because of what I read in The Christian Recorder, I'll be
expressing thanks to the Governor for his important announcement.
Amazed
to learn more of the earliest history of the Watch Night Service, which I have
written about without fully knowing this history.
And
amazed that one can read TCR in about
91 different languages! Amazed at, for
instance, Yiddish and Yoruba -- what a beautiful combination.
It
is also amazing how my story reached you. I thank Dr. Jayme Williams, who read
it first in the Tennessee Tribune and
called her friend Bishop Frederick C. James (age 93) in South Carolina to
congratulate him. Then Bishop James called me in New York to tell me about Dr.
Williams and to suggest that I call her in Atlanta. I did call, and our lively
conversation led to her directing me to you and The Christian Recorder.
All
of this brings to mind a line from a poem by Eli Siegel which I love,
"It's a very connected world, Marianne." Yes, indeed!
May
I have permission to link to the TCR
blog from The Alliance of Ethics & Art website?
Best
regards from a new friend,
Alice
Bernstein
P.S.
I'm taking the liberty of emailing you a current update about my book,
"The People of Clarendon County"--A Play by Ossie Davis, & the
Answer to Racism. Central to this important history, and a key character in the
Ossie Davis play, is the A.M.E. Minister Joseph Armstrong DeLaine. Amazing,
once more, how the world is connected.
-- Letter to the
Editor:
RE:
TCR Editorial – I Am Amazed:
Thoughtful,
provocative, informative and timely narrative.
Thanks!!!
Richard
H. Sinkfield
Attorney
at Law
-- Letter to the
Editor:
RE:
TCR Editorial – I Am Amazed:
I
am also truly amazed that either we don't know or realize the significance of
our history, specifically regarding the 13th Amendment. Churches should
celebrate the significant events in our history and support other organizations
that celebrate significant Black History events. I’m amazed and disappointed!
Judge
William Marsh
-- Letter to the
Editor:
RE:
TCR Editorial – I Am Amazed:
This
is true. We have so much History that
has been kept hidden from us due to miseducation and oppressive racism, I am
afraid that we are not programmed to celebrate ourselves.
Judge
Loretta Moore
-- Letter to the
Editor:
RE:
TCR Editorial – I Am Amazed:
This
was such an impressive editorial! The content, of course, is one thing - but I
was totally impressed that you had me wondering about the source of the
editor’s amazement for the longest time. I found myself hankering to know: "What on earth is the editor amazed
about?" This made the answer even more of something to be scrutinized. I
saw a photo of President Obama and others observing a moment of silence for the
occasion of the ratification of the 13th Amendment. And I must say that I was
"amazed" at that moment because I certainly had not realized the
importance of that date. Thanks for this editorial because, like most of our Black
History events, it is another example of something we should be impressing upon
our children. If we don't, who will? And I can't think of a more expressive
title for this editorial. What you have here says it all.
Mrs.
Jeanette T. Johns
-- Letter to the
Editor:
RE:
TCR Editorial – I Am Amazed:
Good
evening, I was reading the TCR editorial and about to write you on how much I
learned. You are on target about Dec 6 and Dec 18. We should celebrate these
significant events. I suspect we do not because the whole idea of slavery is a
loaded topic historically and loaded due to its aftermath even now. Thanks for
an enlightening piece! It is amazing that we do not know these dates.
A.
Oveta Fuller, PhD
Dept
Microbiology and Immunology
University
of Michigan
3. NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
-- Emanuel AME Church pastor sues for defamation
The interim pastor
of the Charleston church where nine black members were shot to death this
summer is suing his former parishioners in Columbia...
-- Emanuel AME pastor sues former church members
over financial mismanagement claims
The acting pastor of
Emanuel AME Church, where nine parishioners were shot dead in June, is suing 11
members of his former church, citing...
SC Emanuel AME
pastor sues former parishioners for slander - WBTW - Myrtle Beach and Florence
SC
-- Robinsons retiring as co-pastors of St. Andrew
AME Church Memphis
After 25 years of
ministry at St. Andrew AME Church, Rev. Dr. Kenneth S. Robinson and Rev.
Marilynn S. Robinson have announced their retirements...
-- Families continue to deal with grief six
months after Emanuel AME shooting...
4. NEW YEAR’S
EVE/WATCH NIGHT WORSHIP RESOURCES:
Free downloadable
worship bulletin images/resources.
5. INFORMATION
ABOUT THE GDC EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING:
GDC
Executive Board Meeting
February
22-24, 2016
Hilton
Hotel Trinidad
Port
of Spain Trinidad
TEL:
+1-868-624-3211 FAX: +1-868-624-4485
Accommodations:
Standard
king room single/double occupancy - USD129/139 plus taxes daily
Standard
double rooms, double occupancy - USD149 plus taxes daily - Includes
complimentary breakfast and guest room internet.
Bishop
David R. Daniels, Chair
Bishop
John F. White, Host
The
Rev. Wayne Anthony, Host Presiding Elder (elder.anthony@yahoo.com)
If you have any
questions please do not hesitate to contact me, Bishop John F. White: bishopwhite130@aol.com or the Rev.
Wayne Anthony: elder.anthony@yahoo.com
6. THE AMEC CONNECTIONAL DAY OF PRAYER WILL BE
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 13, 2016:
Evangelist, Dr. Val
Eloby-Slade
EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA!
Read All About It!
The time is quickly
approaching when all of God’s children will be gathering for the 2016 AMEC
Connectional Day of Prayer.
The glorious day of
prayer and praise will be taking place on Wednesday, April 13, 2016. There are
"Save the Date" flyers and note-cards being distributed to all
Episcopal Districts. Hopefully you have seen them.
This year’s
Connectional Day of Prayer will be a date that you will not want to miss, so
mark your calendars, update your note book, and send out invites on FaceBook, Twitter and feel free to text the event and date now!
The Jubilee Prayer Team 2016 under the
leadership of Bishop McKinley Young, Bishop E. Earl McCloud and the Rev.
Dorisalene Hughes have been fasting and praying since last year for the special
anointing of the Holy Spirit to infuse the 2016 Connectional Day of Prayer
events with a magnification of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ throughout
Episcopal Districts 1 - 20.
In March, the
Jubilee Prayer Team will distribute the “dial-in conference numbers” to all the
episcopal districts.
Get ready! Get ready, and get ready! You will surely be
blessed by reserving the date - Wednesday, April 13, 2016, the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Connectional Day of Prayer, which has been endorsed by the Council of Bishops.
If you would like to
be a part of the prayer warriors and intercessors team, email your contact
information to Jubileeprayerteam2016@gmail.com.
Bishop McKinley
Young, Chair
Bishop E. Earl McCloud,
Co-Chair
The Rev. Dorisalene
Hughes, Director
Submitted by Evg.
Dr. Val Eloby-Slader
7.
MONROVIA, LIBERIA-THE EMPOWERMENT TEMPLE AME CHURCH
CELEBRATES
14TH ANNIVERSARY:
*By Sister Belinda S. Yahwon
That was then
Fourteen years ago, the Rev. Katurah York Cooper packed her bags, armed with an MDiv Degree and her Elder’s Ordination papers, and boarded a flight back home. It was like Peter walking on water. Keeping her eyes on Jesus, she demonstrated the faith of ‘water walkers’ when she founded the Empowerment Temple A.M.E. Church and open the doors of the church on September 30, 2001.
Fourteen
years later, the members of Empowerment Temple have been hosting several events
to commemorate her founding of Empowerment Temple.
Fourteen
years symbolize double the biblical number of completion. When Job went through his great trial it
seemed like he would never recover. At the end Job received “double blessings
for his trouble.”
There
have been many challenges over the fourteen years. In the beginning, there was
no elementary school, now there is JHB
HOPE Academy. In the beginning, there was no 501C/NGO, now there is Helping
Our People Excel, Inc. In the beginning, we were 16 in membership, now we
are pushing 1000.
We
remember our humble beginnings in the small lobby space of a defunct bank
building. We remember one bathroom and one meeting room for everybody. We
remember no lights and no running water. We remember cardboard partitions,
un-tiled floors, no windows and leaking roofs.
This is now
Now
we do ministry in a multi-complex 3-storey edifice with a sanctuary capable of
seating over 600 persons. Now we have
adequate classroom spaces (Nursery through 6th Grade), a boardroom
and several ministry meeting rooms.
Now,
we touch the lives of hundreds of families, single mothers, young adults and
children.
Now,
Empowerment has become a voice for social justice, economic empowerment and
spiritual refreshing in the nation of Liberia and across our Zion. Through it all,
the manifestation of God’s blessings is very visible.
With
such a history, our 14th Anniversary theme succinctly captures our
testimony: “God’s Divine Revelation: From Fulfillment to Manifestation.” The
biblical text of Romans 4: 20-21 is our Anniversary scripture. It reads “He did not waver at the promise of God
through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being
fully convinced that what God had promised God was also able to perform.”
Empowerment
Temple members, led by Pastor Katurah York Cooper kicked off the celebration
with the unveiling of the official 14th Anniversary Banner on Sunday
September 27th.
On
Wednesday evening September 30th, we honored six sister churches
that have partnered with us over the years. Each church was presented with a
certificate and given a moment to reflect on our journey together.
On
Saturday, October 3rd, hundreds of Empowermenters took to the streets with marching band and banners
held high proclaiming, “The Lord has done
great things for us and we are glad!”
On
Sunday morning, there was not a vacant seat at the Anniversary Thanksgiving
Service.
At
that service, fifteen dedicated and committed members were pinned, sashed and
certificated as Giants of Empowerment.
This
year, our Anniversary Preacher was our own founding pastor, the Reverend Dr.
Katurah York Cooper, who exhorted us from the theme, “Believe in a Grander Vision.”
She challenged us to build on the big vision that God had already given
for Empowerment and get ready to embrace an even grander vision for our
personal lives.
The
14th Anniversary ended on the afternoon of the 4th of
October with a fantastic Gospel Music and Art Exposition in support and
appreciation of Dr. Katurah York Cooper.
What
a week it was and what a wonderful manifestation of the fulfillment of God’s
promises to Empowerment Temple.
To God belongs all
the glory!
The
Empowerment Temple AME Church is located in the Central Liberia Annual
Conference of the 14th Episcopal District. Bishop Clement W. Fugh is
the Presiding Prelate. Dr. Katurah York Cooper is the founder and pastor.
Email: katu.cooper2012@gmail.com. Facebook Pages: Members of Empowerment Temple
& Hope Liberia
*By Sister Belinda S. Yahwon is the
Steward Pro-tempore of Empowerment Temple AME Church in Monrovia, Liberia
8. AMEC MINISTERS ALLIANCE CONGRATULATES MAYOR
SYLVESTER TURNER, CHRIS BROWN & AMANDA EDWARDS:
In a time where the
City of Houston is positioned to be in the fore-front of change, the city has
elected a leader that is passionate, determined, has a proven presence that
will ensure Houston’s prominence and future well-being. The constituents have
spoken, a leader that has the skills and talents to fix problems, bridge gaps,
cross party lines, and make things happen has been elected. A persistent and
seasoned tenure present in community services, this veteran of the Texas
legislature, the Honorable Sylvester Turner now carries the mantle for change
and effective leadership.
Coming from a modest
and humble beginning in the Houston’s Acres Homes community, Turner knows what
it means to work hard to achieve success. Promising to bring more opportunities
to Houston’s middle class families, Sylvester Turner ran for mayor to be a
voice for all, because “Houston works best when it works for all of us.”
Sylvester Turner pledges to fix potholes, make the city safer, address economic
inequalities, support local schools, create partnerships, etc. All of this can
be seen in the work he did as a State Representative for more than twenty-five
years. He has the experience, connections, and passion to get the job done.
The Texas Conference
Ministers Alliance (AME Church) is proud to have pledged its support early on
to the Honorable Sylvester Turner’s campaign. We stood firm in our faith and
belief that as a community we have the responsibility to elect people who hold
our best interests at heart. We have the responsibility to ensure, that we put
people in place that will be purveyors of positive change in our city. It was
our choice and is our belief that the Honorable Sylvester Turner, Mayor-elect
is the change agent to galvanize a positive direction for the multifarious
requirements for a city destined to lead as we grow.
The Texas Conference
Ministers Alliance (A.M.E. Church) also pledged its support early on to Chris
Brown City Controller-elect, Amanda Edwards for City Council-elect At-Large
Position 4.
These dedicated
servants are poised and positioned to work with the mayor and other elected
officials for the greater good of the whole community. Their commitment to a
better city is evident in their dedicated work and support of overall community
development and improvement.
These leaders will
help complete a team that will go to work ,and lead change along with the
Honorable Sylvester Turner, Mayor-elect:. In a world in which the only constant
is change, Houston has a mayor that is not afraid of the “constant”.
Bishop Vashti
McKenzie, Presiding Prelate, 10th Episcopal District AME Church:
“We offer our
congratulations to all the newly elected officials of Houston. We are excited
about the future of Houston under their leadership. We are glad to see
Sylvester Turner have the opportunity to take the helm of the city and usher in
a bright future. Amid the backdrop of challenges and crises which all major
cities are currently facing we pray that God will bless all these elected
officials to provide wise, creative and innovative leadership to the 4th
largest city in the nation.”
The Rev. David
Israel Madison, President, Texas Conference Ministers Alliance and pastor,
Greater Ward AME Church:
“Our hearty
congratulations go to Sylvester Turner on his historic election. He has been a
champion for his district and the entire state of Texas for over 25 years and
now he brings all his experience to serve at city hall as the mayor of Houston.
We stand in prayer for all of our elected officials as they tackle the daunting
issues Houston faces. We pledge our support to work with them to make Houston
the greatest city in the nation and the world.”
###
Texas Conference
Ministers Alliance is made up of pastors and ministers in the Texas Annual
Conference. The African Methodist Episcopal Church, usually referred to as the
A.M.E. Church, is a predominantly African-American Methodist denomination based
in the United States. It is the oldest independent denomination founded by
blacks in the world. It was founded by the Rt. Rev. Richard Allen in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1816.
9. 12TH DISTRICT BISHOP GREEN
CONSECRATED 97 YEAR OLD AS DEACONESS:
*The Reverend
Thurston B. Lamb
The Annual
Conference Ordination Service at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in
Hope, Arkansas on September 26, 2015 was no ordinary worship service. Not only was Bishop Samuel Lawrence Green,
Sr., the Presiding Prelate of the 12th Episcopal District present
but, Bishop Green was given the distinguished honor of consecrating Sister
Annie D. Johnson as a Deaconess.
Deaconess Johnson, 97 years old, has been a devoted Christian and member
of Bethel AME Church in Hope, Arkansas for over 80 years. She was selected by
her pastor, the Reverend Thurston B. Lamb and officers of the church.
Bishop Green, the
125th elected and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, 12th Episcopal District, which encompasses
Arkansas and Oklahoma. Under Bishop
Green’s leadership, he has worked tirelessly to equip the saints to live a life
pleasing to God and has been inspired to take daring new approaches, including
more open worship and a ministry specialized for individual needs.
*The Reverend
Thurston B. Lamb is the former pastor of Bethel AME Church in Hope, Arkansas
10. COMING TOGETHER AND THE SEASON OF HOLY DAYS:
*The Rev. Dr.
Angelique Walker-Smith
The seasons of
Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany have the unique ability to bring people
together to do things that they may not ordinarily do. One of those things is
taking a break from the routines of work and finding Sabbath rest with family
and friends. Another thing is engaging in deeper reflection and actions of
giving with others who may or may not be like ourselves. For Christians, the
gift of the Christ child and the coming together of the shepherds and kings to
give gifts to Jesus have inspired diverse peoples and groups to come together
and give. Although the kings brought gifts that reflected their material
wealth, the shepherds brought their gifts of praise and adoration that showed
the importance of diversity of gifts.
During this holy
season, I had the honor of being in a commemorative place where once the coming
together of gifts of diverse peoples moved our national leaders to change
policies for the deeper inclusion of voting rights for all. The recent
gathering in this spot was to try to fully engage the vision of ending hunger
and extreme poverty by 2030.
I joined Rev. the
Dr. James and Betty Forbes at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta,
Ga., for morning services, where this vision was shared in the message Dr.
Forbes preached and in a presentation I made. This church home of the Rev. Dr.
Martin Luther King Jr., now pastored by the Rev. Dr. Raphael Warnock has a
history of bringing together differing gifts across lines of entrenched
division. Warnock, Martin Luther King III, and Dr. King’s sister were also
present and reinforced the importance of this vision.
King was the
embodiment of this vision to end hunger and poverty in his ministry. That was a
primary focus when he went to Memphis, Tenn., to support sanitation workers as
well as in the book From Chaos to Community. In the book, King outlines an
agenda that includes a public policy platform that still has relevance today.
The coming together
of diverse institutions and movements, faith and public policy leaders, and the
Indianapolis Recorder newspaper at the Indiana Statehouse in July recently led
to the first national resolution to end hunger by 2030 by the National Black
Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL). This coming together can also be found in
Bread for the World Institute’s 2016 Hunger Report (www.hungerreport.org) that
was released in November. The report points to examples like the coming
together of faith communities working with Tuskegee University and community
groups to feed people who are hungry and engage in Bread for the World’s
Offering of Letters to influence public policy. The report also features a
faith and community collaborative with Eskenazi Health in Indianapolis.
May this holy season
continue to be a time of coming together to not only celebrate and find Sabbath
rest, but also to affect change so that all will be fed.
*The Rev. Dr.
Angelique Walker-Smith is the national senior associate for Pan African church
engagement at Bread for the World.
11. HISTORY OF HYMNS: ANGELS, WE HAVE HEARD ON
HIGH:
By C. Michael Hawn
and Jeanne Larson Williams
“Angels We Have Heard on High”
Traditional French
Carol
The United Methodist
Hymnal, No. 238
Angels we have heard on high
Sweetly singing o’er the plains,
And the mountains in reply
Echoing their joyous strains.
Gloria in excelsis Deo!
The French people
love to sing at Christmas! Chants de Noël (Christmas Carols) from France may be
found in most English-language hymnals. In Luke 2:14 we find the canticle of
the angel’s song—one of the most famous and frequently sung of the Christmas
canticles. The refrain of “Angels we have heard on high” is taken directly from
this verse.
Reflecting a common
theme found throughout the history of Christian hymnody, a cosmic chorus
resounds in the first stanza. The chorus begins in heaven with the angels. Then
the “mountains in reply” echo back in response—antiphonally, symbolizing the
participation of earth.
The entire hymn is a
traditional French carol that originated as early as the eighteenth century,
and was published in North America in Nouveau recueil de cantiques (New Hymnal)
for the Diocese of Quebec in 1819. Several versions, or translations, of the
text can be found, but they all stem from the same source and are inspired by
Luke 2:6-20.
The original hymn
appeared in French – “Les anges dans nos campagnes” – in eight stanzas arranged
in a dialogue form alternating between the shepherds (Bergers) in stanzas one,
three, and six, and the women (Femmes de Bethlehem) in stanzas two, four, and
seven. All sing together in stanzas five and eight.
The carol first
entered into Methodist hymnals in 1935 in an anonymous version from the play, The
Nativity. It uses the text, “Hearken all! What holy singing now is sounding
from the sky!” The melody is the same,
but the harmonization was modified in the 1966 Methodist Hymnal by the
well-known anthem composer Austin C. Lovelace (1919-2010). The 1966 Methodist
Hymnal also changed the text to “Angels we have heard on high” because of the
popularity of the text used in anthems at the time.
The English
translation by James Chadwick (1813-1882), Roman Catholic Bishop of Hexham and
Newcastle, was taken from Crown of Jesus (1862), subtitled, “a complete
Catholic manual of devotion, doctrine, and instruction.” The carol was found in
the section headed “The Twelve Mysteries of the Sacred Infancy” with the title
“Christmas Hymn,” reduced to four stanzas in English.
The original text is
changed in the 1966 Methodist Hymnal, and the 1989 The United Methodist Hymnal
continues the changes with one exception: stanza three changes “him” to
“Christ” for inclusive language reasons.
"Angels we have
heard on high” is a song of invitation from Christians to others to come
celebrate Christ’s birth with them. The carol begins in a festive spirit, but
then, in the second stanza, asks why there is a celebration. In the third stanza, an invitation to is
given to join the celebration. The
fourth stanza concludes the carol with the observation of Christ’s birth and
the Christian’s joyful response.
“Angels we have
heard on high” is a perfect song to accompany the French tradition of the
crèche. Handmade nativity scenes are not only common in homes, but also in town
squares. Little clay figures, traditionally made in the south of France, are
called “santons” (“little saints”). Fine
craftsmanship characterizes the production of these figures, and they are a
source of local pride for the communities that produce them. It is interesting
that “crèche” is also the French term for a nursery for young children during
the day.
This tradition is
particularly strong in Provence, the south of France, with a crèche that
includes the Holy Family, the Magi, the shepherds, and the animals, along with
additional local figures, such as the mayor, the little drummer boy, or a
peasant dressed in traditional attire. In some villages, people dress as the
shepherds and join in a procession to the church. Children often contribute to
domestic crèches by bringing small stones, moss, and evergreens to complete the
scene. Then everyone sings carols!
The tune has also
undergone some changes. Austin C. Lovelace harmonized the French carol in 1964.
The 1935 Methodist Hymnal uses an earlier harmonization, which is
anonymous. Technically, this is a
macaronic carol because it uses two languages: the local vernacular and Latin.
The carol uses the effect of a refrain and is one of the few texts that
congregations sing regularly in Latin: “Gloria in excelsis Deo!” It is unusual for congregations to sing a
long melisma (many notes on one syllable) and enjoy it. The melisma on the refrain adds to the
joyful, celebratory feel of the entire hymn.
*C. Michael Hawn and
Jeanne Larson Williams. The Rev. Williams holds the Master of Divinity degree
from Perkins School of Theology, Southern Methodist University, where she
studied hymnology with Dr. C. Michael Hawn. She serves as pastor of First
United Methodist Church, Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.
**Used with
permission of the United Methodist News Service
12. THE TRUTH IS THE
LIGHT:
*The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based on
Biblical Text: John 1:6-8 KJV: “There was a man sent from God, whose name
was John. The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light that all
men through him might believe. He was not that Light, but was sent to bear
witness of that Light.”
One thing
for sure, we don’t need to consult a calendar to know that Christmas is just a
few days away! Houses all around our community have donned the lights and
festive ornamentation denoting, it’s Christmas time in the city. Every store in
town has Christmas decorations up. All over downtown lights are glaring at night. All the newspapers have catchy ads to attract
our business. The fact of the matter is as soon as Halloween was over; they
started to sneak in the Christmas hints. We began to see a bit of garland here
and a little bit of red and green there. The intent is clearly to get us to
think about Christmas early. The plan obviously is to pick our wallet a little
longer than the calendar might suggest is appropriate. Clearly the merchants
are not as much about the "red and green" of Christmas spirit as they
are the ‘red to the black’ of Christmas profit.
We need to
understand that yes, Christmas is coming. However, that should mean to us that
Jesus is coming, and not Santa Claus and his reindeer. We who understand that
celebrate His coming every year for a very good reason. First of all, the
eschatological reason we celebrate is that Christmas is the manifestation or
incarnation of Christ. It is the fulfillment of all prophetic pronouncements.
We celebrate because Christmas represents the prophetic purpose of ransoming
mankind from the grip of sin. Jesus came to die for you and me. In other words,
absolutely everything the prophets said came true!
Isaiah
said in chapter 7, verse 14, “Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name
Emmanuel.” Emmanuel means ‘God with us”.
The baby Jesus was God in the flesh.
Isaiah
said in chapter 9, verse 6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is
given, and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be
called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of
Peace.” Yes Jesus is wonderful. He has
been a Counselor and a Mighty God. He is certainly everlasting as His story has
been told now for more than 2,000 years.
There are
over 300 Old Testament prophecies about Jesus Christ! And all of them came true. All of them
fulfilled by our Lord and Savior Jesus, our Christ. It doesn’t take a genius to
figure the odds of Jesus planning to fulfill even a few prophecies are not
good. I think we can all agree the most difficult prophecy for Jesus to plan to
fulfill would have been the place of His birth!
The fact
is Christmas is coming and for us that should mean that Jesus is coming, and
not Santa Claus and his reindeer. Maybe if we try harder we can get it right
this year. Jesus is coming; however our celebration should be of Him coming not
as a baby, but as our Savior, and our Lord. We see Him in the manger but we
must be reminded that those little arms are the same arms that grew to lay the
foundation of the universe. His little head is the same head that was some
years later pierced with a crown of thorns. His little hands are the same hands
that would one day fold together as He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. His small
but loving heart is the same heart that would some time later cry out to God,
“Father, forgive them. For they know not what they do!”
The
Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown A.M.E.
Church in Charleston, S.C.
*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown
AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina
13. GETTING TO ZERO:
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.
The Rev. Dr. Fuller is
currently on Sabbatical leave from the University of Michigan and will submit
her column as her schedule permits.
We trust that the Rev.
Dr. Fuller is getting a much-needed rest.
14. iCHURCH SCHOOL
LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2015 - DEDICATION OF THE FIRSTBORN
- EXODUS 13:13B–15; LUKE 2:22–32:
*Brother Bill Dickens
Key Verse: When the time came for the
purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to
Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. Luke 2:22
Introduction:
December 20, 2015 is the 4th
Sunday of Advent.
When we declare that
something is going to be dedicated this is an affirmation about the intensity
of time and effort we are going to channel our attention to a cause, person or
thing. A Noble physicist dedicates his
life to scientific research. A poet dedicates
her life to conveying the beauty of our physical world. Hall of Fame football player Gayle Sayers
dedicated his professional career in memory of the loss of his teammate and
best friend Brian Piccolo.
When we dedicate ourselves
to a cause, person or thing we recognize that the act of dedication has meaning
and special significance. We voluntarily
participate in a dedication ceremony or tradition because we are convinced that
the significance of the act is greater than the act itself.
The Adult AME Church School
Lesson for December 20, 2015 provides a great example for why this type of
tradition is important in our personal relationship with God. Dedication of the firstborn is a tradition
that dates back to the early Law of Moses.
The parents of Jesus recognized that they were not exempt from this
time-honored tradition. How and why they
kept this tradition is explored below.
Bible Lesson: Law, Logic & Obedience
Law
Chapter 13 of the Book of
Exodus provides the contextual basis for the tradition of firstborn
dedication. Yahweh commands Moses that this tradition will be a permanent
feature of Jewish culture. This is “what” must be done without exception. The dedication is gender specific. It is applicable only to the firstborn male
child. The dedication is also extended
to animals as well. The act of firstborn
dedication addresses not only the “what,” but the “how” and “why” of this
ceremony. The “how” is answered in the
form of the term, redemption. In Exodus
13:13 a firstborn son had to be bought back or redeemed. He could not be sacrificed to the Lord as
child sacrifice since such an act is condemned in Scripture. A special offering symbolizes that the
redemption is complete.
Logic
Exodus 13:14-15 is
important for several reasons. First, it provides a basis to understand “why”
the dedication of firstborn is important.
Second, it teaches Biblical truth thru the aid of a question. Finally, it provides a form of spiritual
logic to the tradition.
Biblical traditions are not
done without meaning and purpose. Moses
was instructed to implement the tradition of dedicating the firstborn son in
order to teach the importance of history.
The Passover (as we will see in a future lesson) represents an important
historical milestone in the lives of the Jews.
The final and most devastating plague (killing the firstborn male
encamped in homes without the blood of the lamb on the doorpost) is connected
to the firstborn child. This is the
logic for why the dedication will be a permanent fixture.
Obedience
The second part of our
Scripture lesson is from the New Testament.
The passage from Luke highlights two important events.
First, we see the parents
of Jesus; Joseph and Mary demonstrating strict obedience by dedicating their
child as mandated by Exodus Chapter 13.
Next we find a devout
temple priest named Simeon. Simeon had patiently waited for the “Consolation of
Israel.” The dedication of Jesus was prima facie evidence for Simeon that his
wait was over. Simeon praises God for
the fulfillment of Scripture and his opportunity to be a part of this great
event.
Bible Application:
Birth order refers to the
order a child is born, for example first born, second born etc. Birth order is
often believed to have a profound and lasting effect on psychological
development. Early research by psychologists concluded that the firstborn has a
distinct advantage over their younger siblings in terms of intelligence,
leadership and future net worth. This assertion has been repeatedly challenged.
New research suggests zero or near-zero effects about special advantage of the
firstborn child. Nonetheless,
birth-order theory continues to have a strong presence in pop psychology and
popular culture.
The prevalence of
birth-order theory is likely due to the role of primogeniture. Primogeniture is
the right, by law or custom, of the legitimate firstborn son to inherit his
parent's entire or main estate, in preference to daughters, elder illegitimate
sons, younger sons and collateral relatives. The son of a deceased elder
brother inherits before a living younger brother by right of substitution for
the deceased heir. In the absence of any children, brothers succeed,
individually, to the inheritance by seniority of age (subject to substitution).
It is reassuring that our relationship with Christ is not based on
primogeniture stipulations. It doesn’t
matter where we are in the birth-order.
Pointing to your status as a ‘firstborn’ is pointless if you have not
first experienced the new birth in Christ
QED
Homework Assignment: Name
some of the dedication ceremonies described in The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church 2012.
*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
15. MEDITATION BASED ON ISAIAH 1:10-18:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
I’m writing this Meditation during the
Conference of National Black Churches’ 2015 Annual Consultation, which is more
racially and denominationally diverse than in the past and is being held in
Charleston to focus on addressing American racism in the wake of the June 17th
terrorist attack at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church.
When the graceful forgiveness extended
to the Emanuel killer by the survivors of his victims came up in today’s
discussion, I made note of two things.
The first was that those held in American bondage learned to forgive to
cope with the horror of slavery. The
second was my amazement that so many of those who claim to be “Christians” were
shocked and stunned by that graceful forgiveness - especially since Jesus
forgave those who executed Him and urged us to love and forgive those who don’t
love us.
The failure of some “Christians” to
walk in the footsteps of Jesus speaks volumes about their “Christianity.” They focus on “sins of the flesh,” interweave
“good religion” and political conservatism and rail against family planning,
immigration from Latin America and the welcoming of Middle Eastern
refugees. They promote fear of the
“other” when it comes to issues of racial, religious and cultural diversity,
never reach out to those in need and deal in criticism and condemnation instead
of forgiveness, constructive dialogue and finding common ground.
If we are to be authentic people of
faith - regardless of how we relate to the Creator - then we have to do better
than that. Too many people try to bend
God’s will to suit their narrow views and live, angry, insecure, accusatory and
fearful lives when they don’t get their way.
When we take the time, however, to
prayerfully seek God’s will and God’s way and then practice what we preach, we
can do new things in new ways and see the good in and respect the humanity of
all of those who come our way. We can let
faith replace our fear, talk to each other and not at each other and reach out
to and find common ground across lines of religion, color and culture.
Take the time each day to celebrate the
graceful forgiveness that Our Savior extended to you - in spite of your sins -
and let that forgiveness direct your thoughts, words and deeds as you relate to
others. You’ll find new direction, new
peace of mind and new appreciation for the song of my ancestors that says, “Walk
together, children, don’t you get weary; there’s a great camp meeting in the
Promised Land.”
*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
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with a sad heart that we inform
you of the sudden death of the Rev. Bernard Stanley Smith, pastor of St. James
AME Church in Clearwater, Florida Tuesday Evening, December 8, 2015. The
Homegoing celebration was held on Monday, December 14, 2015 with Bishop Adam J.
Richardson, Jr. as the Eulogist.
In 1999 Rev. Smith established the
HIV/AIDS Action Committee and in 2008 the Florida Department of Health, Bureau
of HIV/AIDS, entered into a historic alliance and partnership with the Eleventh
Episcopal District of the AME Church to establish one test or location site in
every county in Florida. The Rev. Smith
traveled from Tallahassee to Miami educating, recruiting and teaching on
HIV/AIDS and was successful in establishing certified test or location sites in
67 counties in the State of Florida.
The St. Petersburg District of Eleventh
Episcopal District ask that you keep Mrs. Betty Smith, wife of the Rev. Bernard
Smith and family in your prayers.
Condolences can be sent to:
Mrs. Betty Smith
2845 Valencia Way South
St. Petersburg, FL 37305
Telephone: (727) 480-6220
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Third Episcopal District sadly
announces the passing of the Rev. Murmith Ann Chiles, a local elder who served
at Allen Temple AME Church in Cincinnati, Ohio.
We unite in prayer with her husband, Charles Chiles and her children,
Aaron, Keisha and Jonathan and other family members in the loss of their loved
one.
Funeral services were Friday, December
11, 2015 at:
Allen Temple AMEC
7080 Reading Road
Cincinnati, OH 45237
The Reverend Dr. Alphonse Allen, Jr.,
pastor and eulogist
Condolences may be sent to:
Ms. Keisha Chiles
4562 Winton Road
Cincinnati, OH 45232
Telephone: (513) 544-3711
Email: kchileso7_@hotmail.com
18. 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
19. 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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