The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. TCR
EDITORIAL – THESE CAN WAIT, THE VIOLENCE CONTINUES:
Dr.
Calvin H. Sydnor III
The
20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I
was looking forward to writing about issues related to the pastoral ministry,
AME Church issues and matters that deal with the African Methodist Episcopal
Church. There are so many issues I would like to address such as the
notion that some pastors enjoy preaching, but don’t seem to embrace the other
pastoral functions of ministry. That seed was germinated by a recent Facebook
posting by the Rev. Melvin Wilson, Presiding Elder of the Brooklyn-Westchester
District of the New York Annual Conference. I really wanted to address that
issue, but it will have to wait.
I
also wanted to take aim at worship leaders who attempt to manipulate their
notion of the Holy Spirit and how they expect worshippers to react, but that
will have to wait also.
And
certainly a lot of churches, especially churches that don’t grow have local
church officers who are, and there is no other way to put it, trifling. They
are not generous in their giving or in their service to the church. They don’t
encourage their pastor and are not good examples for youth and are not
welcoming to new parishioners. Those issues will have to wait.
This
week we have been saddened by the news of the death of yet another unarmed
African American citizen by a white police officer.
A
couple of weeks ago it was Sandra Bland, a black woman stopped for a minor
traffic violation of switching lanes without using her turn signal. She was
thrown to the ground, arrested and found dead three days later.
And
now, we learn of a University of Cincinnati police officer, Ray Tensing, who shot unarmed Samuel Debose in the head
on July 19, 2015. The officer's body camera video-captured the entire incident,
which showed that Mr. Dubose did not act aggressively or pose a threat to
Officer Tensing. And to add insult to injury, Officer Tensing lied about being
dragged by Mr. Dubose’s car.
Tensing
has been indicted on a murder charge of killing an unarmed black man during a
minor traffic stop.
Tensing,
who has been fired by the University of Cincinnati, stopped Samuel Debose for a
missing front license plate, which could have been solved with the officer
checking to see if the car belonged to Mr. Debose and simply advising him, “You
need to contact DMV and get a replacement tag,” which would have been the end
of the issue. Mr. Debose was shot in
the head and killed. My question is whether the University of Cincinnati has
that kind of access of connectivity to the DMV.
News
media coverage of the incident reports that the Hamilton County prosecuting
attorney, Joseph T. Deters, said "It was a senseless, asinine
shooting.”
It
was hard for me to view the Samuel Debose video-cam because of the
senselessness of the policeman’s behavior and the repetitive stupidity of, and
in most of the instances in the last year or so, of white police officers
violently acting against black males and females for seemingly minor issues;
and in the case of Trayvon
Martin, killed by a wannabe cop.
Police
violence seems to be rampant and out of control. Police violence against black
citizens includes Hempstead, Texas, Staten Island; Cleveland; Baltimore; North
Charleston, South Carolina; and Ferguson, Missouri and other cities and
probably a lot of other incidents of which we are unaware.
I
am concerned about use of force
by law enforcement generally and specifically as it relates to race; and most specifically as it
relates to police crimes against
blacks.
Thank
God for the video cameras and smartphones that have recorded many of the episodes
of police misconduct. It is almost ludicrous, if it weren’t true that in the
black community, blacks do not have to be concerned with the criminals, they
have to be wary and fearful of white law enforcement
officers.
Those
who have been commissioned to protect the community are often the perpetrators
of violence against the community.
Using
a biblical terminology, “Acts of violence beget violence.”
People
and communities will only take so much. My fear, if we do not correct the
issue of police misconduct and racism is that the United States may be moving
to a season of lawlessness and retaliation against law enforcement officers.
Repetitive
training is a key. Vigilant background checks and careful vetting of
individuals applying to be law enforcement officers is another key. Physical
training to include hand to hand combat is another key. Ongoing diversity and
sensitivity training is a key. Police officers must take responsibility
to be vigilant and maintain high moral and ethical standards.
Law
enforcement leaders need to be vigilant in enforcing police officers to always
conduct themselves by the professional highest standards. Law enforcement is
not a job, it’s a profession; and there is a difference.
Now,
hopefully, I can get back to some of the issues related
to the pastoral ministry.
2. TCR OP-ED - "AIN'T I A WOMAN?"
Loretta Moore
Thank you for your
most recent editorial regarding the tragic circumstances surrounding the death
of Sandra Bland. The insights you shared offered cogent perspectives of how a
minor traffic stop could have escalated into Sandra being arrested, jailed for
three days, and then dying under mysterious circumstances. Certainly the issues surrounding racial
profiling and white police officers' attitudes toward Black citizens must be
considered and addressed in these situations.
Yet, as a Black
woman, I would like to add an additional perspective. EVERY female citizen, Black, White, Asian, or
Hispanic, should personalize the mistreatment that Sandra experienced at the
hands of that Texas State Trooper Encinia. The hue and cry of ALL women should
be raised against Encinia for his abusive manhandling of an unarmed female,
originally stopped for a minor traffic infraction. Why did he seem so at ease
in attacking her inside her automobile and eventually slamming her to the
ground? Could this armed, Texas state
trooper have credibly felt threatened?
There has been more
than one recent, widely circulated video showing a male police officer
responding to a minor offense by slamming an unarmed female to the ground and,
in some cases, kneeing her or straddling her. In most of those instances, the
officer was white and the woman was Black.
Is this masculine, abusive treatment of unarmed women standard
policy? Or is it only permissible when
the officer is white and the woman is Black? Is this dynamic intended to
perpetrate a stereotype in which an officer's statement that "he felt
threatened" carries greater credulity? [Hogwash!]
Regardless of race,
I see no justification for this abusive, misogynistic practice in apprehending
an unarmed woman who has not committed a violent crime. Such actions could also
endanger an unborn fetus, as the possible pregnancy of a younger woman should
ALWAYS be considered.
Concerned citizens
everywhere should push for changes in law enforcement policies to perfect the
hiring and vetting of qualified police officers. Training, continuing education and monitoring
of law enforcement officers should be regulated and improved. Officers need to be better equipped to recognize that traffic violators could be
experiencing an acute physical or mental
health problem that may impair their
ability to comply with simple commands OR, in
any situation involving younger
women, she could be pregnant. The rash of recent misogynistic attitudes
and disparate abusive treatment of Black, female citizens must be included in
the narrative against police brutality.
"Ain't I A Woman"?
Loretta Moore
Midwest Conference
3.
NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
--
Nichols Chapel AME Church holds prayer service for Lafayette shooting…
Read more: http://wrbl.com/2015/07/28/nichols-chapel-a-m-e-church-holds-prayer-service-for-lafayette-shooting/
--
Paul Quinn College Extends Scholarships to 55 California Students
The college is associated
with the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Being one of the oldest colleges
west of the Mississippi, Paul Quinn College...
--
AME candlelight vigil keeps the fire burning for Charleston shooting victims
4. WMS
HONORS BROTHER BOBBY RANKIN WITH THE PRESIDENT'S AWARD, THE FIRST MALE SO
HONORED BY THE WMS:
Sister Cajetta Stephens
The occasion in Indianapolis, Indiana really was the
International President’s Luncheon, but President Shirley Cason-Reed had a
different vision.
On, Saturday July 18, 2015 everyone came from all
over the world to honor President Cason-Reed for all the hard work she had done
for the Women’s Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dr. Reed was happy to receive the accolades of her family, church leaders,
friends, and loved ones. She graciously thanked everyone for all they had done
for her and for the Women's Missionary Society of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church. And then she segued to
a different subject.
She said, “It’s nice to be honored and remembered
and I know that you all have come to show your appreciation to me, but it is so
much better to "give then to receive."
She went on to say, "I would like to take this
moment to recognize and say, 'Thank you' to a young man who has been a blessing
to me, his family and to the AME Church and to so many people around the
world!" Everyone waited with baited breath. The WMS President’s Award has
always been presented to a woman, but Dr. Cason-Reed said, “A young man.” The luncheon guests waited and Dr. Cason-Reed
announced the name of “Bobby Rankin.”
Everyone was surprised and happy, but Bobby Rankin,
AMEC Security Specialist for the AME Church was the most surprised person
in the room! He was shocked and astounded so much so that tears welled up in
his eyes.
Dr. Shirley Cason-Reed gave a brief biographical
sketch of Brother Bobby Rankin and shared that he had donated a
second bone marrow transplant to his younger brother, Jerry Rankin. He first
gave his brother a bone marrow transplant 18 years ago.
Dr. Cason-Reed said, “The Women’s Missionary
Society of the AME Church is proud of Brother Bobby Rankin for
his hard work for the WMS and his ‘missionary work,’ not only for the church,
but for his brother!” She went on to share, “Truly he is ‘his brother's
keeper!’” “Thank you Bobby Rankin for
all you do for African Methodism and our Zion" she said.
The Missionaries of the 17th Episcopal
District sang a song of celebration to Brother Rankin and he enjoyed every bit
of it.
Bobby Rankin was all smiles and enjoyed his moment
of thanks!
Bobby Rankin said, “I want to say thank you to
everybody! It sure feels good when someone says, ‘Thank You’ like this! Thank
you, Dr. Shirley Cason-Reed and the WMS of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church!”
He later stated to Sister Cajetta Stephens, “If I
live my life forever, I know this much is true; I have never been more
surprised and appreciated than I was today! I am overwhelmed! I am overwhelmed!
The WMS President's Award given to Brother Bobby
Rankin was a "First." It was
the first time the WMS has presented the President's Award to a male.
Bobby Rankin is a hard worker for the African
Methodist Episcopal Church!
He was given a rousing standing ovation! Bobby Rankin was touched and appreciative of
the recognition given to him by WMS President, Dr. Shirley Cason-Reed and the
Women’s Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
5. “FOR
SUCH A TIME AS THIS”:
*The Rev. Dr.
Joseph A. Darby
The Book of Esther recounts the deliverance of God’s
people from a Persian plot for their genocidal extermination - a deliverance
that rested upon the shoulders of the Persian Queen Esther - who was “passing
for Persian” and was really a Jewish woman named Hadassah.
Esther wasn’t initially a willing participant in the
deliverance of God’s people. When her
Uncle Mordecai let her know about the genocidal plot, she was hesitant to get
involved at the possible risk of her life, but Mordecai said something that
changed her mind. He first told her that
God’s people would delivered by another means if need be and that she’d be
found out sooner or later, but he didn’t stop there.
Mordecai also said, “Maybe it’s no accident that
you’re the Queen of Persia at this moment in time, when someone needs to stand
up for God’s people. Maybe you are where
you are just for such a time as this.”
I thought of that bit of Scripture after what’s been
a very tough month for the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Reverend Senator Clementa Pinckney and
eight other clergy and laity of Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South
Carolina were murdered by a vicious young racist. Mount Zion AME Church in Greeleyville, South
Carolina - which was destroyed by a Ku Klux Klan arson attack twenty years ago
- was again destroyed by fire. Sandra
Bland, a member of DuPage AME Church in Lisle, Illinois, died under
questionable circumstances in a small town Texas jail after a simple traffic
stop degenerated to a brutal, racially tinged arrest.
Mid-June to mid-July 2015 will be remembered as a
rough time for the AME Church, but the church rose to the occasion. The forgiveness extended to the Emanuel
killer from the families of the slain touched the hearts of those who supported
flying the Confederate flag at the State Capitol in Columbia, SC, who brought
it down in less than a week, and our Zion stepped up in a mighty way to meet
the challenges of a trying month.
Without “naming names” and leaving someone out,
suffice it to say that the Bishops of the Church and Commission on Social
Action offered swift and inspiring leadership and direction, and clergy and
laity of the church spoke out for justice and accountability, while offering
assurance and consolation.
When the world’s spotlight was on Charleston, the
world saw the strength, order and Spirit led direction of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church through nine funerals and memorial services and numerous
community prayer vigils, leading South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley to turn on
her Tea Party supporters and say, “By the time all of this is done, I might
want to be a member of the AME Church!”
From Charleston to Greeleyville to rural Texas - and
in the recent racial crises in Ferguson, Missouri and Baltimore, Maryland as
well - those who knew little and thought little of the African Methodist
Episcopal saw that we’re not a minuscule “two bit, storefront” faith group, but
a legitimate, strong and well organized part of the Body of Christ. People in Charleston are still marveling at what
they saw of the AME Church at Reverend Pinckney’s funeral that was broadcast
around the world.
We rose to the occasion for the time that we faced
and still face as members of a liberating and reconciling church, and I offer
the memory of that tough month to you as an object lesson as we approach the
third century of African Methodism. We
stood up when the times demanded it, and my hope and prayer is that we’ll
continue to stand up in the present age - to stand up in our time.
I share that hope in an era when too many of our
churches are consumed with membership size and with the superficial and worldly
popular quality of worship - whether it looks like AME worship or not. I share that hope in an era when too many of
us who are ordained to itinerant ministry focus not on the needs of the
communities we serve, but on getting a more significant appointment so that we
can have more power and more prestige.
I share that hope in a time when too many of our
churches are focused not on ministry and mission but on maintenance, and spend
more time raising funds by any means necessary than on winning souls for Christ
and standing up for those who can’t stand on their own. I share that hope in a time when many of our
churches embrace not the Christian advocacy driven vision of Richard Allen and
our founders, but embrace “going along to get along” and hesitate to speak
truth to power.
We stand today on the shoulders of those who served
the Lord Jesus Christ under the umbrella of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
in their time - a church that began not because of Theological or Doctrinal
debate, but out of the need for freedom, justice and dignity for all humankind.
The clergy and laity of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church advocated for liberation and set up “stations” on the
Underground Railroad during the years of slavery, offered encouragement and
sustenance and expanded the work of the Church during the years of post-Civil
War Reconstruction, offered safe havens to those fleeing southern Jim Crow brutality
during the massive black migration from the south to the north and west in the
United States of the early Twentieth Century, stood at the forefront of
liberation from Colonial governments in Africa and played a crucial role in the
mid-twentieth century American civil rights movement.
Those who went before us did a mighty work in their
time, but this is our time. My hope and
prayer is that we’ll replicate the work of those who went before us in the AME
Church in our time.
When we go from Sunday worship to daily service,
when we go from raising money to raising the awareness of those who need to
walk with Jesus and fight the good fight for their rights today, when we move
out of our comfort zones and speak truth to power in our time, then our Zion
will flourish and we’ll be faithful to the words of the now seldom sung AME
Founder’s Day hymn written by Bishop Levi J. Coppin, “The Church is moving on,
the Church is moving on; from lowland and from valley, from mountaintop they
rally. The battle bow is strung, the
banner is out flung, and giant wrong no more is strong for the church is moving
on.”
*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
6.
STOLEN AND RESTORED:
Mrs. Francis Elice Hope
The recent film released, 'Woman in Gold,'
highlights the true story of a Jewish woman pursuing a painting of her aunt
stolen under the rule of Nazi Germany.
The painting has an estimated value of 100 million dollars, yet the
Jewish woman often refers to the sentimental, familial value of the painting as
her reasons for wanting it restored to her possession. I have a great deal of respect for Jewish people
because they are a people bonded by faith rather than geography and their
cultural customs uphold that same faith.
While watching the woman's struggles during the movie, I couldn't help
but think of my own African American heritage and the struggles endured to have
treasures reclaimed and restored.
The painting in the film was valued at 100 million
dollars but there are priceless treasures worth pursuing that also require
exercising faith. The lives of many
African Americans were stolen and traded as commodities; it is a factual part
of American history. How does that
affect us now? Their lives are not a
tangible piece of art that we can cross a sea to get to nor can we battle to
have the lives of our ancestors reinstated to us through the legal system. Our battle is in the here and now.
Our lives are as precious and priceless as the lives
of our ancestors. It is true that our
ancestors endured their hardships believing that we would one day be able to
stand and say as Maya Angelou so poetically wrote, 'I am the hope and dream of
the slave.' There is an even greater
truth; however, that supersedes what has happened or what is happening within
the African American community; a truth that undeniably and unequivocally comes
through faith. We are not who others say
we are as they try to attack our character and our integrity. We are who God says we are by His making and
through His Word.
Our priceless treasures are character and integrity,
our own lives and the faith it takes to live them. These treasures are too valuable to hang on
the walls of a brick-and-mortar gallery waiting to be reclaimed by future
generations. They are restored with each new day. No gun and no badge, no judge and no jury, no
form of law, government, or injustice can steal these from us. These treasures are not captured in the form
of a painting, but in the form of our lives.
7.
LOCAL LEGEND WILL MAKE GLOBAL IMPACT:
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Monday July 28, 2015 –
“Be the change
you wish to see” – Mahatma Gandhi.
This is the day-to-day mantra for Ms. Wanda T.
Ringgold as she is on a daily mission to inspire, uplift, motivate and
encourage the lives of young people. Just as the legendary Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. had a dream, Ringgold has a dream of her own, to leave an everlasting
impact on the lives of young people on a global scale.
Wanda Ringgold, a Philadelphia native, is the newly
elected International Director of the Young Peoples & Children’s Division
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The YPD (for short) is the youth
division of the Global Church, which boasts more than 3 million members.
The YPD was established October 1915, under the
auspices to the Women’s Missionary Society of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church. The Women’s Missionary Society, to date, still serves as the parent
organization to the YPD. Since her election to serve as the International
Director of the YPD, Ringgold now heads the junior component with an estimated
membership of 800,000 youth from ages 2-26; her responsibilities spans five
continents.
Ringgold’s candidacy was significant. Bishop Richard
Allen founded the AME Church denomination almost 200 years ago also in
Philadelphia. The African Methodist Episcopal Church will celebrate its
bicentennial celebration in 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. Ringgold happens to be
the head of a major committee for the bicentennial celebration. The YPD, which
Ringgold now heads, just celebrated its centennial celebration July 12-15 in
Indianapolis, Indiana. The AME church was founded on the principal of social
justice. Just as its founder Bishop Richard Allen was an advocate for social
justice so is Ringgold.
Since elected to take the helm of the International
YPD, Ringgold is facing challenges that she is thoroughly prepared to tackle.
We live in a day and age where young people suffer from a plethora of twenty
first century issues from social media, bullying, human trafficking, sexuality,
teen pregnancy and spirituality. Yet, Ringgold has a platform to coalesce with global
leaders challenging them to think globally, but act locally. She believes that
we must identify needs and then fill them.
Throughout the years working with the YPD
organization, Ringgold has defiantly met the needs of young people on a global
scale as well as being hands on in her local community. Some of Ringgold’s past
contributions globally have consisted of financial support to villages in
Africa and the Mama Kit Initiative. The Mama Kit Initiative helped to provide
and design a basic delivery kit that would be accessible, affordable and
available for pregnant women so that those who deliver outside health
facilities would be assured to have a clean and safe delivery in third world
countries.
In Philadelphia she acted as mentor to youth in her
local church and volunteers in her local church food pantry and soup kitchen.
Ringgold has hosted conferences in Philadelphia for YPD Directors and workers
to help develop and be resourceful for working with youth. Each conference has
had an estimated attendance of over 300 attendees. Now elected to her
International post, Ringgold will be required to hold an annual Leadership
Training Institute. The institute draws close to one thousand young people
yearly from all over the globe. It is at this institute that Ringgold will
provide resources such as professional counseling and rap sessions to allow
institute attendees the opportunity to have resources available to them if they
need so. Ringgold has already hosted one Institute when it convened in Philadelphia
under her leadership as Episcopal YPD Director. Additionally, in 2007 she
hosted the Quadrennial Convention for the YPD in Philadelphia that lured in
thousands of youth from around the world. That particular convention was one
for the history books! The 2007 Quadrennial Convention was graced with the
presence of Gospel Recording Artist Tye Tribbett, Rap Sensation and AME member
LL Cool J, Greater Allen Cathedral AME phenomenal dance rendition in Opening
Worship Service, and powerful preaching by preacher extraordinaire Rev. Matthew
L. Watley, who formerly served as Ringgold’s YPD President, during her tenure
as Episcopal YPD Director.
“I love the fact that she always made herself
available as a resource” said Brooke Ransome of Philadelphia. “There were times
young people came to her retreats just to get a peace of mind from the regular
inner city life. You have no idea what some of these children came bearing to
her retreats. But, you could always bet it would be a safe haven where we could
rest, retreat with peers, and talk to Aunt Wanda," she added.
Aside from her personal attributes Ringgold hold
impressive credentials to lead the YPD organization. Ringgold holds a Bachelor
of Arts Degree in Religion from Temple University. She served as an YPD Director
locally in Philadelphia, metropolitan and suburban Philadelphia as well as
later serving as director for the entire eastern portion of the commonwealth of
Pennsylvania. Most recently Ringgold served for over eight years in the
appointed capacity of 1st Episcopal District YPD Director. Ringgold oversaw
regionally by the AME denomination the eastern Pennsylvania, New York, New
Jersey, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and the Island of
Bermuda.
One of Ringgold’s mentors has been the late AME
Bishop Vernon R. Byrd whose tutelage she was privileged to serve under as her
pastor prior to ascending to bishopric. It was Bishop Byrd and his wife who
really helped Ringgold and several of her peers as young adults to emerge into
the denominations leadership.
“I’m so glad Aunt Wanda is ran for International
Director”; said Tia Fortune-Thomas of Lansdowne, PA. “She is a stern no
nonsense woman but she genuinely cares. In my time with the YPD I honestly
didn’t understand why some people wanted to be an YPD Director. I mean
seriously, they were sometimes uninterested in the job or not youth
friendly," Fortune–Thomas added. "We need a woman of her stature to
head the organization; times are really changing with what this generation has
to endure and even what they are putting out. Still, I believe we need her to
restore order. I served as an International officer in the YPD for eight years.
I know about the organization and what they need right now is Aunt Wanda, she’s
one of the real ones,” Fortune-Thomas chuckled.
8.
FIFTH DISTRICT LAY ORGANIZATION CONVENTION, A MODEL OF TEAMWORK:
The 58th Annual Session of the Fifth
District Lay Organization, under the banner of "Laity Fulfilling the Great
Commission," held their opening worship service at the Kansas City
International Airport Hilton in Kansas City, Mo., on July 29, 2015 with all the
pomp and circumstance that this event is worthy of. The host for this
convention was The Midwest Conference laity and clergy, gathered together as #TeamMidwest.
This year's Connectional Theme of, "The
Evidence of Discipleship," was seen clearly as the Lay and Clergy
processed into the sanctuary side-by-side.
Under the watchful eye of Bishop T. Larry Kirkland,
5th Episcopal District Lay President Simeon P. Rhoden Jr. and host Conference
President, Melvin L. Jenkins, Esq., the service showcased the model of teamwork
that is evident within the laity and clergy.
First Vice President Lamar Rose, Worship Leader and
Judge Patricia Mayberry, Director of Lay Activities, served as worship service
coordinators. Liturgists for the evening were the laity of the Fifth District.
Worship through music was provided by the Midwest
Conference Choir, who rendered several selections. They started off by telling
us that "Every Praise is to our God," then reminded the assembled
congregation that, no matter the problem, "Jesus Will" take care of it
and, before the preached Word, "Oh, How Precious Is the Name of
Jesus."
Showcasing the various gifts of Team Midwest, the
Anointed Ones Praise Dance Ministry of Trinity A.M.E. Church of Kansas City,
Kan., lifted us higher when they invited us to "Make His Praise...
Glorious..."
During the worship experience a moment of silence
was held for The “Emmanuel 9,” the
nine lives that were taken at the hands of an evildoer at Mother Emanuel A.M.E.
Church in Charleston, South Carolina on June 17, 2015. The moment of silence
was followed by a litany, "The Doors of the Church are Still Open"
composed by Bishop Adam J. Richardson, Presiding Prelate of the 11th
Episcopal District.
President Rhoden and President Jenkins introduced
The Ad Hoc Group against crime, which is active in the Kansas City metro area,
as the recipient of the LAOS Ministry offering, explaining that the purpose of
the offering is to help a local agency that is doing good work in the
community. $1,350 was raised and presented to City Councilman Alvin Brooks,
director.
Rev. Dr. Mark
A. Smith Sr., pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Kansas City, Mo., served
as the preacher of the hour. Pastor Smith preached from 2 Samuel 9 where King
David showed kindness to Mephibosheth.
Pastor Smith reminded the assembled congregation
that God, like David, keeps His
promises, that we don't need to, like Mephibosheth, stay in hiding (the land of
Lo-Debar), but instead, God has prepared a place for us at the king's table.
Pastor Smith concluded with the exhortation that we
"don't belong in Lo-Debar (in hiding), [we] belong in the King's castle...
It's time to come out of Lo-Debar!"
The Pastors and Presiding Elders of the 5th District
were on hand, including candidates for connectional office.
The evening closed with The Lord's Supper,
celebrated by Bishop Kirkland and the Presiding Elders from the 5th District.
Following was a reception sponsored by the Midwest Conference Lay Organization
complete with a 3-piece Jazz band.
*The Rev. V. Gordon Glenn III is the Public
Relations Director for the Midwest Annual Conference of the Fifth Episcopal
District
9. BROTHER GEORGE
BROWN, PRESIDENT OF THE CONNECTIONA L
SOA – STATEMENT ON EMANUEL AME CHURCH SHOOTING:
*Brother George
Brown
Much has been said
about the horrific tragedy that occurred on June 17, 2015 at Emanuel AME Church
in Charleston, South Carolina. Reverend
Clementa Pinckney, the pastor of Emanuel, Reverend Daniel Simmons, retired
pastor, Reverend Sharonda Singleton, Sister Myra Thompson, Brother Tywanza
Sanders, Sister Ethel Lee Lance, Sister Cynthia Hurd, Reverend Depayne
Middleton-Doctor and Sister Susie Jackson were cut down by a young man who has
allegedly confessed to be filled with hate toward them because of their
ethnicity. This act of a demonic nature occurred while these innocent,
openhearted, loving and spirit-filled brothers and sisters were engaged in
Bible Study.
We search our
hearts and minds in wonderment trying to discern how and why such a dastardly
act could occur. Those of us who are old
enough remember quite vividly the bombing of the Sixteenth Street Baptist
Church in Birmingham, Alabama where four young girls lost their lives. And who can forget the fatal shooting of the
mother of civil rights icon, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. at Ebenezer Baptist
Church in Atlanta, Georgia while she sat at the organ on a Sunday morning.
As we continue to
seek answers to these troubling and despicable acts, we must also look to God
through his son Jesus Christ and keep the families of the Emanuel Nine in our
daily prayers. Pray much for these
families as they go through the days, months and years ahead that they will
keep the faith and not allow their sorrow to turn into hatred.
May God bless these
departed souls, their surviving family members, the African Methodist Episcopal
Church, all of God’s houses of worship, the State of South Carolina, the United
States and all persons in leadership at all levels of government and the
church.
God Bless!
*Brother George
Brown is the President of the Connectional Sons of Allen Men’s Ministry
**Submitted by John
D. Thomas, Corresponding Secretary – Connectional Sons of Allen
10.
INTERVIEW WITH NAACP PRESIDENT/CEO THE REVEREND CORNELL WILLIAMS BROOKS, ESQ.:
*John Thomas III
The summer of 2015
has seen issues of social justice thrust to the forefront of the agenda of the
AME Church. The massacre of the Emanuel
Nine in Charleston and the ongoing investigation in the death of Sandra Bland
make us more aware than ever of the need of the Black Church as an institution
to stay prayerfully vigilant. A key part
of our engagement with society is the NAACP.
The relationship between the NAACP and the AME Church at all levels is
deep and is crystallized in its current President/CEO Cornell Williams Brooks,
Esq. being an itinerant elder in the AME Church. He has a long career as a civil rights
attorney and with service in government at the local, state and federal levels.
Prior to his tenure at the NAACP, he served as the President/CEO of the New Jersey
Institute for Social Justice. Rev.
Brooks is married with two sons.
How
has the AME Church influenced your life and professional career?
The AME Church is
embedded in my moral DNA going back 4 generations. My father, grandfather and great-grandfather
were all itinerant elders in AME Church.
My grandmother referred to herself as a “pastor’s member” and was very
dedicated [to the church]. My favorite
Aunt was the organist in her church for 30-40 years. I grew up in the AME Church and as so many
young people want to do, I wanted to be anything but a preacher. I was not unduly enamored of the
ministry. God has a very profound sense
of humor. I didn’t enter the ministry
kicking and screaming. It was not on my
list of career choices. The AME Church
gives moral and ethical grounding. I had
a grand overarching vision for work as a social justice advocate and becoming a
minister eventually was a part of it.
I remember the week
I left Yale Law School; I was ordained an itinerant elder. While I was studying Constitutional Law and
torts, tax, contracts, I was also learning how to perform funerals, weddings
and baptisms. Literally I can remember
semesters at Yale memorizing the Discipline and a casebook. These two have always gone together. The skills one needs as a pastor: listening,
trying to be empathetic, understanding the perfections of humanity, a sense of
community helped to shape my vision as a lawyer. I wanted to be a civil rights lawyer in a way
that was much larger than [helping] people in court. I wanted to be an advocate at large. Being a Civil rights lawyer and social
justice advocate is the vision that has guided my ministry. When I was ordained, Bishop F.C. James was
the [presiding prelate] at the time. The
New England Conference wouldn’t ordain people not going to parish
ministry. I won’t forget being ordained
for a different type of ministry and Bishop James allowing me to do that.
What
do you view as the current and future role of the NAACP in the
United States and abroad?
The NAACP has been
both a primary care physician and a first responder to Civil Rights. Whenever
there is a crisis, people call the NAACP first. When a police chief or mayor gets a call
that someone has been shot and that the people are outraged or that there is
some type of [police] misconduct, people call the NAACP. But in the wake of these tragedies, the NAACP
has been there not only to quell unrest but also to ensure peace. We advocate for legislation, policies and try
to bring people together. Going forward,
I see an NAACP that is even more activist, multigenerational, and more
analytically capable in defining and engaging the civil rights challenges of
our time as well as pursuing solutions.
What does this mean? We look back
at our history and one of the first reports we issued was on 30 years of
lynching. We used social science research to help in Brown v. Board (For
example Kenneth D. Clark in the Doll Experiment). We are on the cutting edge of social
science, justice, law and change. The
NAACP is breaking barriers, taking on new challenges—not being defined by
challenges of past, but the future.
In this country, I
see NAACP forming bigger, broader coalitions.
We’ve always done that, but the challenges require even more. The Voting Rights Act, for example. Not only is it broken but it needs to be
fixed. Not only African Americans, but
also Latinos are victims of voter ID laws.
We also have persons mysteriously disappearing from rolls,
electioneering and other chicanery.
Young people are facing barriers at the ballot box. As we become more sophisticated, we must look
at universal voting. We must also look
at income inequality not only in today’s context. Young people do not have the social mobility
that their parents had. We must look at
this in a context of a globalized phenomenon.
These issues are affecting other countries like France and England. It’s not just a living wage, but a living
economy. These are next wave of Civil
Rights challenges. Even as we face
challenges of confederate flags, we must look at things that will define our
children and grandchildren.
Outside US, we have
long situated our freedom struggle in a global context: for example, the
Pan-Africanist sensibilities of [W.E.B.] DuBois. Look at our work in ending the Jim
Crow/apartheid regime on the African Continent in South Africa. Situating our struggle in a global context is
not new. In the Dominican Republic, we
are using leverage that we have not only as foremost Civil Rights organization
in the US but a pioneering organization across the globe. The NAACP has been very active at the United
Nations and frequently is called upon by brother and sister organizations to
enhance, strengthen, seed and invest in them.
The Dominican Republic is no different.
Policy of deportation that is predicated upon race/color is inconsistent
with values of NAACP and kind of thing that support.
In
the wake of the shootings at “Mother” Emanuel AME Church, how would you assess
the future of racial relations in this country?
The most powerful
lens that we have at NAACP is the lens of history. Look at the challenges that we have faced
over years and decades. What happened at
Emanuel is one chapter in a long running tragic saga of racialized violence in
this country. It might be morally
shocking, but it is historically unsurprising.
We made great strides largely as a consequence of the NAACP and brother
and sister organizations. Looking
forward, we can look at this tragedy and reasonably conclude that we can be
strengthened by it. The 16th
Street Baptist Church bombing galvanized Civil Rights movement. We can reasonably expect people of good
conscience to be outraged and morally inspired.
We must double down to bring about justice. We must prosecute and investigate hate
crimes. Most hate crimes are violent and
perpetuated against people based on racial animus. And most of these are against
African-Americans. We must double down
on having investigatory and prosecutorial tools
We must also create
a climate where we don’t tolerate an acceptable minimum of victory. Mr. Roof was driving around with that flag
for some time. He embellished his
clothing with flags from apartheid South Africa and Rhodesia. He
self-radicalized over a period of time.
He talked about killing for a while.
We as a society and communities of faith must be clear in terms of
indicating that we will not tolerate this.
Walking around Charleston, we saw these extraordinary signs. “Charleston is a holy city.” “Stand against violence.” What would have happened if these signs were
up before the tragedy? What would happen if people demonstrated the values of
AME Church? We came into being not as a
theological division, but against bias and discrimination. We are not just changing law but also setting
moral tone in country. Much of this
depends on people joining NAACP. This
fight didn’t begin yesterday.
For
the 2016 elections, what do you believe should be on the agenda for
African-Americans?
First, since it is
an election, it presupposes that you must vote.
We must protect the right to vote.
State legislators engage in Machiavellian chicanery to prevent election
fraud. Empirically speaking one is more
likely to encounter the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus than election fraud. The laws designed to persuade people from
voting have to be addressed. Number one
to fix this is fixing the Voting Rights Act that was gutted in wake of Shelby v
Holder. States that had a history of
bias and had to pre-clear changes no longer have to do so. Localities that previously engaged in
electoral bad behavior can engage in bad behavior and voters must identify it
and go to court to correct it.
Second, we can’t
ignore criminal justice playing out like a bad Greek tragedy. Tamir Rice.
Michael Brown. Walter Scott. Eric Garner. The woman being forced to the ground
for no reason on top of her unborn child.
The swimming party attendee forced to the ground in a swimsuit by an
officer with no concealed weapon. We see
these day in and day out. We advocate
passage of the Racial Profiling Act.
Third, we must
address income inequality and generational dispossession. Coming out into this economic recovery,
African-Americans are doing better but still lagging behind. We have a lower employment participation
rate. While unemployment is down, the
number of people in unemployment [assistance] is high. African-Americans are
disproportionately represented.
African-Americans need to be able to build capital. We need banks steering capital into
communities of color. We also must
advocate for a living wage economy. We cannot have an ungodly fraction of the
workforce relegated to menial jobs. No
job is menial in terms of quality, but people work full-time at part-time wages
or hours. The economic literature is
clear on this: there are many great economies where you see the wealth
disparity is much narrower. [In the
United States], we can do that.
Fourth, the
historic commitment of NAACP: our schools.
We must address educational inequalities. For example, South Carolina is a corridor of
shame where African-Americans are heavily represented as population and where
South Carolina’s fiscal commitments are underrepresented. These are beautiful Black and Brown children,
but not accompanied by green. This is an
historical under investment and must be addressed at state level and federal
level.
Fifth and finally,
we must continue having a serious conversation on workforce development. Young African-Americans—particularly young
men—have a high likelihood of being caught in the criminal justice system. We
must invest in our schools. It is
critically important that people have a pathway to high school plus college
education workforce development. People
must be prepared to be graduates and compete in a global economy. These are
challenges that the NAACP is in forefront of.
Our forthcoming [July] convention will have two presidents, the first
female African-American Attorney General, and various policy leaders. These are
the issues we are anticipating getting to confront. We need boots on the ground and laws on the
books. We have to excites and engage the membership of NAACP before and after
the TV cameras.
Could
you please tell us more about the “Journey for Justice”?
Those who were
students of scripture know that throughout bible that the number “40” is a
symbol of testing and trial. We are
embarking on a journey from Selma, Alabama to Washington DC nation’s capital -
860 miles across 5 states (3 purple, 2 red), and 1 blue district with our feet
sending a resounding message that our lives, votes, jobs, and schools
matter. We are engaging in our march
because we are advocating for reform.
The march has four key points: 1) Lives (Criminal Justice); 2) Votes
(Voting Rights Act); 3) Jobs (Income inequality and a Living Wage); 4) Schools
(Policies for equitable investment). Journey focuses on these four points.
The march that is
at its core a public education campaign.
There will be thousands of people marching across the South for Public
Advocacy Day; ministers, rabbis; and
AMEs alongside Baptists and Catholics and groups as diverse as the NAACP,
Sierra Club, the SEIU and various other groups in a relay-style race for
justice.
It’s historic not
just as matter of prominence for history books.
These people are undertaking that which has not happened before. Some of those reading The Christian Recorder
may not have been of age for the March on Washington, but everyone can do
this. Bishop [Gregory] Ingram has been
kind enough to convene an ecumenical meeting in Philadelphia. We will be looking for the support of all AME
Bishops and the church as a whole.
America’s journey for justice invokes the same spirit that impelled
Richard Allen for reasons of religious and constitutional reasons to walk out
of St. George’s. This constructive
rebellion compels to march 816 miles.
I invite all those
within African Methodism to participate.
Even if you can’t make it along the route, meet us at the end, beginning
or middle. Or you can organize
demonstrations, rallies across the United States on this theme. People were asking me a year ago is the NAACP
relevant. The events of last year
conspire to demonstrate in an irrefutable way that the question is no longer
relevant. We are putting boots on the
ground and we will not be intimidated.
We maintained that boycott for 15 years running [in South Carolina] for
economic sanctions until the flag comes down.
People stood up and that flag is coming down. These politicians cannot celebrate Selma with
a broken voting rights act. They can’t
cluck tongues and shed tears and not pass the “End Racial Profiling Act”. This is not the season for undue
patience.
Are
there any final thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?
There is not a
group of people more akin, more attuned to work of the NAACP than the members
of the AME Church. Nobody better
understands what it’s like to face bigotry and bias and choose to oppose
it. We’ve done that from the
beginning. In a year where we are all
reeling from grief and tragedy what happened in at “Mother” Emanuel AME Church
in Charleston, I believe that the moment and time in which we’re living is a
moment for decisive action. What we see
is a call to arms and action right now.
The best history of the AME church is right now and in the future and
best history of the NAACP is right now and in the future.
11. MCAM WINS RHYTHM OF GOSPEL AWARDS:
Hosted by the
National & Independent Gospel Music Association (N.I.G.M.A.), the Rhythm of
Gospel Awards was held July 23-26, 2015 in Birmingham, Alabama.
The Rhythm of
Gospel Awards is an annual event recognizing outstanding achievement and contributions
of pastors, churches, choirs and independent gospel artists of all genres.
Nominated for
awards in eight categories for the AME
Live CD recorded at the 2013 Chicago Music & Christian Arts Conference,
MCAM received Rhythm of Gospel Awards for:
- Special Event CD
of the Year
- Contemporary
Choir of the Year
- Producer of the
Year - Adrian Dunn & Curtis Lindsey
12. THE 18TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2015 ANNUAL
CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Bishop John F.
White, Presiding Prelate
Mrs. Penny H.
White, Episcopal Supervisor
The Botswana Annual Conference
August 24 – 29, 2015
Gantsi AME Church —
Hukuntsi District
The Rev. J. Tlhage,
Host Pastor
(+267) 75294002
The Rev. J. Tlage,
Host Presiding Elder
(+267) 71725019
Email: jttlhage@gmail.com
The Mozambique Annual Conference
September 15 - 19, 2015
Bethehema AME
Church—Beira North District, Mozambique
Rev. Luis Fonseca
Jose—Host Pastor
Cell:
(00258)845243439
The Rev. Andrew
Massumane Tangune, Host Presiding Elder
(00258) 825836070 /
847181185 / 829565791
The Swaziland Annual Conference
September 21 - 27, 2015
Labotsebeni A.M.E.
Church, - Central District
The Rev M.T.
Nkonyane, Host Pastor
((00268) 76418391
The Rev. A.B.
Thwala, Host Presiding Elder
Tel:
(00268)253883621 Cell: (00268)76051854 —
Bafana149@yahoo.co.uk
The North-East Lesotho Annual Conference
November 19 - 25, 2015
Ebenezer A.M.E.
Church, - Botha-Bothe District
The Rev. L.M.
Khampepe, Host Pastor
(+266) 58929375
The Rev. M.T.
Machefo - Host Presiding Elder
Cell: (+266) 63275121 / 63135447 Email:
taelomachefu@gmail.com
The Lesotho Annual Conference
November 2-8 2015
Emmanuel A.M.E.
Church, Central District
The Rev. B.S.
Ntshangase, Host Pastor
(+266) 59183103
Email: bsntsha@yahoo.co.uk
The Rev. Mapeete
Mokhosi, Host Presiding Elder
(+266) 58424131
The 2015 Post Conference Planning, Christian Education,
Lay Organization, WMS and YPD Convention
December 08 – 11,
2015
The Botswana Annual
Conference, Host
13. THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT:
*The Rev. Dr.
Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based on Biblical
Texts: John 9:4: “I must work the works
of him that sent me…”
We have been
discussing in our Bible Study what it means to be part of God’s church and what
God has called us as a church to do together. We have spent time reflecting on
what church is really all about. Our text is part of a fairly well known story.
Jesus and His disciples come across a man who has been blind since birth.
Jesus, in His way,
teaches His disciples what their ministry was to be all about. And He teaches
us today the same lesson. The text or main passage that reveals this is when
Jesus tells them "I (we) must work the works of him that sent me,"
Jesus says to us today. "We must do the work of Him who sent me".
The fact of the
matter is that is why we exist as a church. We are not a social club or a place
for us to simply be encouraged to face the challenges of life. We are not here
to just carry on past traditions. We are not even a church just to be taught
the truth of God’s word. We are here "to do the work of Him who sent
me."
The question we
must ask is, “What is this work of God?” Jesus, reminded us that, "The
work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent." It seems that
they did not really understand so Jesus teaches through the blind man that
stood before Him. Jesus let the disciples know that the man was born blind so
that the work of God might be displayed in His life. What exactly does that
mean to us?
The blind man
crossed their path. Actually the blind man could be any person with physical or
spiritual needs that cross the path of God’s people. This begs the question,
how do we react to those who cross our path, the path of us as the church?
There are a few ways we can react, as we see in the passage and its setting.
One way to react to
those who cross our path is to reject them. We see this in the last verse
before this passage. We see it in how the "church" of the day, the
Pharisees treated Jesus when He crossed their path. The Bible says, at this,
they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from
the temple grounds.
They were jealous
of Jesus and so they chased Him away. We can also see people as a nuisance or
hindrance. We can ignore them and pretend they don’t exist. We see the world
around us and those in it as something to be avoided.
Another way we can
react to those who cross our path is to see them as an object of theological
debate. Like the disciples then many of us would ask why this man was born
blind. We would need to have clarified whether he sinned or his parents. We may
have people come to us with difficulties, afflictions and other spiritual
struggles. Folk may cross our path and they may have broken lives and broken
hearts. Many times we stop and enter into dialogue discussing why they are
where they are and how God’s word may apply to them. They, in essence, become
objects of curiosity. Not discounting the importance of theology we must
understand that it is not enough. It is not enough, nor is it wrong to ask
those in need if they are saved or to tell them to be saved, it does however
miss the point.
Jesus shows us the
right way to deal with those who cross our paths. We must respond to them with
the love and compassion of God, of Christ Himself. When we do this we do the
work of God.
Jesus did the work
of God. He knew what His Father’s work was. He was sent to earth to do His
Father’s work. And that work was to bring good news and to heal the afflicted.
The work of God in the blind man’s life would be partly to heal him of his
blindness. The work of God was a miracle in which the power and love of God could
be displayed.
We may think here
that it was Jesus who did the work of God not the disciples. However Jesus made
it clear that it was not just His duty but it was the disciples’ duty as well.
We are God’s presence in the world today and that means we must do His work. We
must bring healing and sight to the blind
God does not leave
this work up to us alone. God is at work through us. We see this in the way
that Jesus healed the man. Jesus spat on the ground and mixed the spit with the
dirt to make some mud. Why did He do this? There are all kinds of reasons given
but Jesus does not tell us why. We can see that Jesus gives of Himself but He
also uses the things of the earth. Jesus is in our midst and in our hearts.
When Jesus comes into our hearts He transforms us. We are like the dirt. We
come from the earth and we have nothing to offer in ourselves. No man can heal
another as Jesus did, but when Jesus is in us He uses us for healing and for
doing the work of His Father. We are here for one reason. The church has one
calling and that is to be the healing presence of Christ in this world.
Understand that
this healing is not just physical healing. We are called to bring healing and
to care for those who are sick but we have a much greater responsibility. Physical
healing is temporary, but there is a healing that is permanent. And we see this
in the blind man. The healing of his eyesight did more than open His eyes. It
opened His heart and it was used as a way for Him to learn and believe that
Jesus was the Son of Man, that He was God Himself. And so He confessed His
faith. He said "I believe" and he worshiped Christ.
The works of
spiritual healing is much greater than the work of physical healing. That is
the work that God has entrusted to us. And there is urgency to this work. The
Bible reminds us that as long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent
me. Night is coming, when no one can work. There will be a time when night
comes and we cannot work anymore. That time may be when we die or when Christ
returns. And we do not know when that time will be. We do not know whom God
will send across our paths. Some may be blind. Blind to the saving grace of
Jesus Christ. We may be used to bring sight
to that blindness. That is why Christ left His church behind. Jesus says to us
today. "We must do the work of Him who sent me".
*The Reverend Dr.
Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in
Charleston, South Carolina
14.
GETTING TO ZERO: 3RD YEAR ANNIVERSARY:
*The Rev. Oveta
Fuller Caldwell, Ph.D
*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.
15. ICHURCH
SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2015 - JUSTICE, JUDGMENT &
JESUS - ISAIAH 59:15-21:
*Brother Bill
Dickens
This week and next
week I will be attending the 58th Annual Convention of the 5th
Episcopal District Lay Organization in Kansas City, KS and the Connectional Lay
Biennial in Charleston, South Carolina.
Last night my Presiding Prelate (Bishop Kirkland) made a profound
comment that captures the Adult AME Church School lesson for August 2, 2015.
Bishop Kirkland
remarked that the church was not founded to capitulate to culture but to
challenge, confront and change culture.
Isaiah's prophetic
wisdom in chapter 59 echoes Kirkland's perspicacious insight. Isaiah 59 can be
thought of as the prophet providing a "Spiritual State of the Union
Address" for Jerusalem. The
inhabitants of Jerusalem embraced a lifestyle and culture that legitimized
injustice and favored lies over truth (vs. 14-15). The Lord God was not pleased with this
conforming culture. Sin and disobedience will be confronted. An absence of
justice requires swift judgment. Prevailing injustice, both inside and outside
of Jerusalem, will be "repaid" by The Lord (v 18).
The prophet however
points to the emergence of someone who will restore balance and clean-up the
confusion and chaos. The messianic message contained in verses 16-17 clearly
points to Jesus as that special "some one." In the midst of confusion
God sends a Deliverer. Justice and Judgment represent two legs of the three
legged stool. Jesus is the Deliverer and third leg.
Chapter 59
concludes (v 21) with a covenant. God will endow and seal us with His Spirit
and word. Since we are sealed and endowed with God's truth let us assume our
rightful duty by confronting culture. The eight wonder of the world, Stevie
Wonder, once sang a song called "Signed, Sealed and Delivered." Today,
thru God's covenant in v 21, we have all three. 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
16.
MEDITATION BASED ON PSALM 150:
*The Rev. Dr.
Joseph A. Darby
I’m not a rabid
fitness devotee, but I do I try to make it to my local gym to work out three
times a week, beginning my routine with a couple of miles on the
treadmill. The “treadmill time” gives me
ample opportunity to watch others who are working-out and allows me to pass the
otherwise monotonous time and I also enjoy watching one of the other gym “regulars,” which makes
an otherwise monotonous time, interesting and amusing.
The "regular"
I enjoy watching always comes in, takes a seat on the bench of one of the
weight machines, chats with a few other gym regulars as they take a break or
pass by, does a few repetitions on two or three machines, puts in ten minutes
or so on the treadmill and then leaves.
I don’t condemn
what he does, because a little bit of exercise is better than none at all and
the gym may well be his primary social outlet.
His routine, however, still amuses me because although he’s usually in
the gym for over an hour, his total workout time is less than twenty minutes!
What that gym
“regular” does is not that different from what some folks do in their houses of
worship. Thirty-nine years of pastoral
ministry have given me a good “bird’s eye” view of church folks on Sunday
morning. Some devotedly attend worship
and are joyfully involved in the worship experience. Others, however, always arrive late,
constantly chat with those around them, continually check the time on their
watches and then leave early - they’re “at” church but they’re really not “in”
church.
I offer my gym and
church experiences to you as you consider your relationship to the
Creator. It’s easy in a demanding world
for us to make our religion just another item on our crowded agendas, to be
handled as a matter of routine and obligation.
When we take the time, however, to view our relationship with God as an
essential part of our lives, we’ll realize new blessings and find new hope,
inspiration and peace of mind in an often challenging and stressful world.
When our
relationship to God becomes our priority and shapes and governs our daily
living, we can make a difference in the lives of those around us and find the
strength to face whatever each new day throws at us - not with fear, but with
faith.
Take the time to
serve and praise the Lord every day. Your life will be fuller, your spirit will
be better and when Sunday morning rolls around, you can come to church to give
thanks to God for your blessings and say, as does the Scriptural sentence that
begins worship in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, “I was glad when they said unto me, ‘Let us go into the House of the
Lord!’”
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
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to
announce the passing of Mrs. Christine Dixon Mitchell, the mother of the Rev.
Reginald E. Mitchell, pastor at Allen AME Church in Providence, Rhode Island
(New England Conference).
The following
information has been provided regarding the funeral service arrangements.
Tuesday, July 28,
2015
Chestnut Grove
Baptist Church
2645 Cunningham
Road
Semora, North
Carolina 27343
Telephone: (336)
234-7295
Professional Care
entrusted to:
Fulton Funeral Home
219 Dillard School
Drive
Yanceyville, North
Carolina 27379
Telephone: (336)
694-4881
Expressions of
sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Reginald
E. Mitchell & family
267 Spring Street
Brockton, MA 02301
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with
heartfelt sympathy that we inform you of the passing of the Rev. Leroy Taylor,
a retired Itinerant Elder and former pastor. The Rev. Leroy Taylor transitioned
from labor to reward on Thursday, July 23, 2015. He gave stellar service in the Eighth Episcopal
District where he served as a pastor of several churches in the Louisiana
Conference. The Rev. Taylor was the
husband of Mrs. Joyce Taylor who is the immediate past president of the
Louisiana Conference Clergy Families Organization.
Visitation:
Saturday, August 1, 2015
9:00 a.m. - 11:00
a.m.
Union Bethel AME
Church
2321 Thalia Street
New Orleans, LA
70113
Funeral Service:
Saturday, August 1, 2015
11:00 a.m.
Union Bethel A.M.E.
Church
2321 Thalia Street
New Orleans, LA
70113
The Reverend Keith
Sanders
Professional Care
entrusted to:
Estelle J. Wilson
Mortuary
2715 Danneel Street
New Orleans, LA
70127
Expressions of
Sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Joyce Taylor
11020 Guildford
Road
New Orleans, LA
70127
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with sadness
and celebration of God's gift of longevity that we share the passing of Ms.
Julia Smith King, 91, of Catonsville, MD.
Ms. King is the oldest aunt of the Rev. Troy I. Thomas and aunt in law
of the Rev. Dr. Maxine L. Thomas, pastor and assistant pastor of Quinn Chapel
AME Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Ms.
Julia King is the great aunt of Ms. Tricia I. Thomas, YPD President of the 13th
Episcopal District.
Ms. King was a
longtime faithful member and Sunday School Teacher at Grace AME Church in
Catonsville, Maryland.
Services for Ms.
Julia Smith King are as follows:
Viewing: Wednesday, July 29, 2015, 1-7 p.m.
Gary P March
Funeral Home
270 Fredhilton Pass
Baltimore, MD 21229
Telephone: (410)
945-1100
Celebration of Life
Service: Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 11
a.m.
Grace AME Church
67 1/2 Winters Lane
Catonsville,
MD 21228
Telephone: (410)
744-9478 office
The Rev. Howard
Wright, pastor/eulogist
Expressions of
sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Troy &
the Rev. Dr. Maxine Thomas
10005 Timberwood
Circle
Louisville, KY 40223
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
21. 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
22.
CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications,
the Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny
Barbour and the Editor of The Christian
Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and
prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ
will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Did someone you know pass this copy of The Christian Recorder to you? Get your
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