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
-- Ash Wednesday - February 10, 2016
-- Richard Allen Birthday – February
14, 1760
-- Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016
-- Good Friday – March 25, 2016
-- Easter - Sunday, March 27, 2016
-- Pentecost - Sunday, May 15, 2016
-- Massacre of Emanuel 9, June 17
-- Daylight Saving Time (United States) 2016 begins
at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 13, 2016
1. TCR EDITORIAL – A WEIGHTY SUBJECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED:
Dr. Calvin
H. Sydnor III
The 20th
Editor of The Christian Recorder
The subject
of this editorial is directed to the clergy, but it is applicable to the laity
too. This is not an AME issue; it’s a concern of clergy in almost every
denomination and Christian faith group.
I have
dealt with pastoral issues every year since being the editor of The Christian Recorder and I have
sleight of hand dealt with this issue, never “head-on.” I am dealing with this
issue because I am concerned about preachers and it is important, not only for
clergy, but because it also impacts ministry and family. This
issue needs to be addressed again and again and perhaps in the spirit of a joke
I heard many years ago.
“A preacher
arrived at his new pastoral appointment and his sermon was dynamic and the
parishioners were ecstatic about their new preacher. The next Sunday the
preacher again waxed eloquent, but he preached the same sermon. The church members and officers were
concerned, but not alarmed because they thought he might just have accidently
re-preached the same sermon and they were looking forward to hearing what he
was going to preach on the next Sunday.
The following Sunday he preached exactly the same sermon. The stewards
were perplexed and it showed and the pastor invited the steward pro tem to
publicly express to the congregation any concerns about the sermon. The steward
stood up and commented the congregation’s concern about the pastor preaching
the same sermon three Sundays in a row. The pastor stood up and responded,
‘Yes, I preached the same sermon for the past three Sundays and you all are
still doing the same things and are disobedient to the Word of God. I am going
to stay on this sermon until you change some of the behaviors addressed in the
sermon and when you change, I will change sermons.’”
It’s in the
spirit of the humorous story about the preacher preaching the same sermon again
and again until the people follow the teaching and lessons of the sermon that I
am addressing this editorial.
The issue I
am addressing has not been dealt with in The
Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church- 2012 and
it has never been dealt with, in any Book
of Discipline. The issue cannot be legislated and bishops cannot, or have
not enforced it.
The issue
is ignored by presiding elders, pastors, official boards and even the General
Conference. The issue is among the most ignored issue in the profession of
ministry.
I don’t
believe that I have ever heard any bishop or presiding elder publicly address
the issue head-on.
The AME
Church and the episcopal leadership can do a better job addressing the issue,
but having said that, the issue is not systemic, but personal.
Laypersons
are aware of the issue, and in many cases refuse to do anything about it even
when it involves their spiritual leader.
If we are
honest, we know that everyone is aware of the issue, but very few people do
anything about it. We won’t even spend time dealing with the issue at
connectional or episcopal district meetings.
The sad
aspect is that ignoring the important issue has caused low-performing and
failed ministries, divorces, breakup of families, addictions, rebellious
children, fractured relationships, low esteem, depression, poor health, and in
more serious cases, death. The paradox about the issue is that many preachers
function superbly even though they are affected by the issue.
The major
issue is pastoral self-care and in that sense it is primarily a personal issue,
but a systemic too.
Every
church and every member wants the perfect pastor, but the bad
news is the perfect pastor is burned out, ineffective, in poor health, in deep
financial debt, with very little savings; cynical and fed up with ministry, is
in repetitive occupational crises and overweight. Oooops, I have used the
“W” word!
Weight
In the spirit of transparency let
me say upfront, I am overweight and with that admission, I have a license to
discuss the subject.
Weight is a sensitive subject and
we don’t like to talk about weight, and we don’t talk about it, but we need to
talk about it.
Too many preachers are
overweight, not just AME clergy, but clergy in general.
We have wonderful preachers who
are dedicated men and women of God. They
have outstanding ministries, but it’s obvious they are not taking physical care
of themselves. Preachers can become so involved in ministry to the neglect of
their own physical well-being.
I suspect some readers have
stopped reading this editorial because weight is such a sensitive issue, but I
have a few more things to say.
The AME Church needs to have a
conversation about weight and should develop programs to help clergy to participate
in weight loss and physical exercise programs.
Have you noticed that our bishops
are not overweight? So, why don’t they pull overweight preachers aside and
counsel them about their weight, if they haven’t done so; not publically, but
pull them off to the side for a private conversation. The preachers might be
offended at first, but in the long haul, they would probably be appreciative.
Weight is such a sensitive
subject and the issue of weight must be addressed sensitively and with
compassion and love. A first step in weight loss is the admission from the
individual that he or she has a weight problem.
The reason for addressing weight
is that being overweight can lead to serious medical issues. Weight and
wellness go “hand in hand.” If you are young, you might get away with being
overweight with no serious
medical issues for a season, but over the long haul, medical issues will
develop.
The same holds true with physical
exercise. Each individual has to make up
in his or her mind that he or she wants to get themselves in excellent physical
conditioning.
The operative word in weight loss
and physical conditioning is “discipline.” And, sometimes, everybody needs a
push and episcopal leaders can take the lead. It would be helpful for pastors,
their churches, their families if episcopal leaders had special presentations
and workshops about wellness and weight.
I am almost finished with weight
and physical exercise.
Weight loss programs include
caloric intake, but any weight loss program must include a regular regimen of
aerobic physical activities, e.g., walking, jogging, swimming, jumping, etc.
Other activities include
line-dancing, chair exercises and yoga. Many communities have senior citizens’
program. Local churches could implement programs. And there is the “Y” and
other organizations that have wellness and weight programs.
Many pastors are in personal and
family crises because they fail to provide self-care for themselves and the
result is that they neglect their families and in an insidious way, fail to be
in good health so they can take care of their congregations. In order for
pastors to take care of their families, they must first take care of
themselves.
It’s
important for clergy to maintain good health, which includes height and weight,
because healthy pastors can be more effective pastors.
Here is the
word for every preacher:
I would
tell pastors and preachers that they need to set up a physical training program
and be committed to doing physical exercise at least five times a week, but no
less than three times a week, e.g., jogging, walking, swimming, join the YMCA
or some other athletic facility.
For younger
preachers, I suspect physical exercise would probably take care of the weight.
Older preachers should consult their physicians before beginning a rigorous
exercise or diet program.
Dealing
with weight and wellness is a personal decision. It’s as personal a decision as
a person accepting to be a Christian. One is physical and the other is a
spiritual – and both are important!
Okay, I am finished with
“weight,” but I have some other issues to address and I want to expand on some of the top
issues of ministry that destroy
members of the clergy, their families and ministries and at the top of the list
is…
To be continued in the next issue
2. NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
-- Which black church is Iowa's
oldest?
But perhaps Bethel African
Methodist Episcopal Church in Muscatine, long since disbanded, became
the first when it was founded circa 1849. A photo...
3. RICHARD ALLEN, AME CHURCH
FOUNDER, ON NEW BLACK HERITAGE STAMP AND THIS YEAR'S FOUNDER'S DAY:
Every AME
should purchase a block of Richard Allen postage stamps. Join Ms. Carol Croskey
and St Paul AME – Ocala, Florida (the Rev. Patrick J. Sasnett, pastor) and
organize a “Richard Allen Stamp WALK IN.”
Take a group to your local post office; buy stamps (for the year,
monthly supply to mail your bills, gifts for special people in your life). If
your group exhausts the supply, ask your local postmaster to order more."
This year’s
Founder’s Day should be one of significance at every AME Church!
Richard
Allen, A.M.E. church founder's image is on new Black Heritage stamp.
4. RICHARD ALLEN STAMP COLLECTIBLES
ARE AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER FROM THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE.
Richard Allen Commemorative First
Day of Issue Program:
https://store.usps.com/store/browse/productDetailSingleSku.jsp?productId=S_473530&categoryId=stamp-collectors
First Day of Issue Covers are envelopes with a special postmark and design to commemorate the issuing of a Stamp.
First Day of Issue Covers are envelopes with a special postmark and design to commemorate the issuing of a Stamp.
Richard
Allen Commemorative First Day of Issue Cover
Richard
Allen Commemorative First Day of Issue Cover (Digital Postmark)
Richard
Allen Commemorative First Day of Issue Cover with Digital Postmark Keepsake
Other
collectibles will be available from the United States Postal Service closer to
the time of its release.
5. THE 2ND EPISCOPAL
DISTRICT INVITES YOU TO THE CELEBRATION:
The
Seeking, Serving, Spirit-Filled Second Episcopal District Will host their
annual Founder’s Day Celebration February 18-20, 2016 At Reid Temple AME
Church, 11400 Glenn Dale Blvd., Glenn Dale, MD 20769
We are
celebrating the retirement of our dynamic leadership of Bishop William Phillips
DeVeaux, Sr. and Episcopal Supervisor Patricia Ann Morris DeVeaux.
You are
invited to join the Second Episcopal District in the festivities and to offer
your words of commendation and congratulations on our online guestbook.
Visit: www.wac-guestbook.org
for more information and/or to submit your message.
For more
Information, please visit:
www.2ndamec.org or contact the Rev. Dr.
Valdes Snipes-Bennett at (202) 842-3788.
Congratulatory
correspondences may be sent to the Second Episcopal District’s Office at 1134
11th Street, NW, Third Floor, Washington, DC 20001
Important Times & Dates:
Opening
Worship Service - Thursday, February 18th at 7:30 p.m.
Plenary
Session - Friday, February 19th at 10:30 a.m.
SED Lay
Luncheon - Friday, February 19th at 12 noon
Retirement
Celebration - Friday, February 19th at 7:30 p.m.
Closing
Business Session - Saturday, February 20th at 9:00 a.m.
Retirement
Celebration Coordinators:
The Rev.
Evelyn G. Dunn, Presiding Elder- Southern District, North Carolina Conference
The Rev.
Dr. Ronald E. Braxton, Presiding Elder -Potomac District, Washington Conference
6. A UNIQUE MLK DAY CELEBRATION:
*Mrs.
Jeanette T. Johns
Hollywood
Full Gospel Baptist Cathedral, Long Island, NY has been sponsoring a Martin
Luther King, Jr. Breakfast for 10 years and I've attended almost all of
them.
They had as
their MC last year Alisha Laventure, a favorite Black news anchor on the local
TV station. After last year’s program they got a big splash in the paper and I
was sorry I'd missed it. So imagine my surprise when I arrived at the breakfast
this year and saw Alisha Laventure first thing. She must have done a good job
last year because they had her back to do the job again. And yes, she was
excellent. Her words were well chosen and she was brief. This year they had her
introduce each of the Leadership Award Honorees and I could hardly believe that
she took a full-page bio and condensed it into about 2-3 paragraphs and it
seemed that she gave each one his/her due. That was just an excellent way to
handle this large program of 14 honorees. My granddaughter, Jeanne Marve, had
been an honoree 4 years ago. She was selected because she had decided to use
her Masquerade Ball Birthday Party to raise money for Marfan Syndrome
Association (her dad's ailment).
Aside from
having this excellent, beautiful woman as MC, the other part of the program
that I need to tell you about is that in addition to paying tribute to MLK they
decided on a theme, "Remembering the Beautiful Nine".
The Journal
cover was designed with a picture of MLK, photos of each of the Charleston 9
across his shoulder area near the bottom of the page, and Emanuel AME Church in
the background. That was a pleasant surprise for me, too. But we're not
"there" yet". They utilized a huge screen at each end of the
room and started the program with the words of "Lift Every Voice and
Sing" - all 3 verses - beautifully shown there.
Bishop Andy
C. Lewter, Jr., pastor, became pastor of the church when his father, the Rev.
Andy C. Lewter, Sr. retired a few years ago. I remember that the Rev. Sr. was
friends with MLK and once had him speak at that church during the height of
MLK's popularity with the Civil Rights Movement. The Rev. King, Sr. (Daddy
King) had also spoken there.
Saving the
best for last! Bishop Lewter had interviewed the Rev. Norvel Goff, currently
serving as Interim Pastor of Mother Emanuel, and this interview was presented
on that huge screen for all to see. Bishop Lewter posed short, succinct
questions and the Rev. Goff then proceeded to speak at will. His answers were
lengthy and full of information and inspiration. It was the most unique and
appropriate presentation that I could have imagined happening for this
occasion. Also, included in the journal was a letter from the Rev. Goff
thanking Bishop Lewter for this program honoring the memory of the "Mother
Emanuel Nine."
It was
explained that many years after the assassination of MLK, there came the
assassination of these 9 members of Mother Emanuel as they sat in a Wednesday
night Bible Study. The perpetrator said later that his intention was to start a
race war. This is far from what happened. As Rev. Goff told us, in the days
following this horrible event great diversity has been represented as people
from various races now attend both the Wednesday night Bible Study and the
Sunday morning Worship Services. This is the exact opposite of what was
intended by the shooter.
The person
who was in charge of the Breakfast for the first 8 years ironed out the kinks
each year, producing a better and better program each time. I know that must
have been difficult, but it is always good to see progress in any or our major
events. I can't speak for last year, but this year the Committee has taken all
of what the first Chairperson did and moved this occasion right on up to a much
higher level. I'm sure the change of
venue had something to do with it because there was much more space, making
things more comfortable. Also, let me
just tell you one more thing that really impressed me.
The
breakfast menu was just SO good! They had CHEESE GRITS! At our local diners,
for Cheese Grits they just slap a slice of cheese on top of the grits, so the
cheese does not actually melt into the grits. This place actually served yellow
grits, the yellow being caused by the cheddar cheese having been melted into
the grits. That got immediate extra "Brownie Points" from me. And
here's my last thing. They served nice, crispy bacon that was laid out in a pan
that was lined at the bottom with slices of bread which absorbed the excess
fat. I immediately thought of cruise ships - and maybe you've had this
experience, too - that serve bacon that is SO greasy that you can just see the
grease all over the bacon. There were potatoes, eggs, and other breakfast
items, different kinds of breads, and lots of sliced fruit.
Just wanted
to share with you an excellent MLK day celebration!
7.
ALLEGHENY-SCRANTON DISTRICT’S 7TH ANNUAL
DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION:
Submitted by: Shelly Brown – Allegheny Scranton District
Administrative Assistant
–
Clairton, Pennsylvania
The blistering bitter cold weather did not stop clergy, laity,
friends and family from convening at First African Methodist Episcopal
Church in Clairton, Pennsylvania to attend the 7th Annual Dr. Martin Luther,
Jr. Celebration “Keep the Dream Alive” on Monday, January 18, 2016.
The Worship Leader was the Reverend Rodrecus Johnson, Jr.,
pastor St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania. Praise and Worship ushered in the Spirit of the Lord by
Evangelist Elizabeth Henderson, Greater Allen African Methodist Episcopal
Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Following the ascription of praise, the Call
to Worship and the singing of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic”, the
invocation was rendered by the Reverend Melvin D. Wilson, Jr., pastor Payne
Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Duquesne, Pennsylvania and the welcome
by host pastor, the Reverend Linda Moore, First African Methodist
Episcopal Church, Clairton, Pennsylvania. First A.M.E. Church
Choir rendered two selections “Goin' up Yonder" and "Order My
Steps. The Reverend Dr. Judith C. Moore, pastor Greater Allen African
Methodist Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania gave the Occasion. The
Reverend Ragin Dykes, pastor New Life African Methodist Episcopal Church
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania read Psalm 9:1-10 and the Reverend Dr. James
Harris, pastor Park Place African Methodist Episcopal Church, Homestead,
Pennsylvania read Romans 8:28-32. The presentation of the Presiding Elder
was done by the Reverend Melva Hartzog, pastor Bethel African Methodist
Episcopal Church, Tarentum, Pennsylvania. A very special Happy Birthday
was sung by the congregation to Mrs. Juanita Arterberry, member St. James
African Methodist Episcopal Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The combined
choirs of Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church Choir New Brighton,
Pennsylvania and St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church Bridgewater,
Pennsylvania rendered the selection “How To Reach the Masses" and “Still
Away”.
The Reverend Dr. Eric L. Brown, Presiding Elder
Allegheny-District, Third Episcopal District, presented the guest
preacher, the Reverend Tawan Bailey, pastor Wayman Chapel African
Methodist Episcopal Church, New Brighton and St. John African Methodist
Episcopal Church, Bridgewater, Pennsylvania.
The Reverend Tawan Bailey's theme was "I'm on the Midnight
Shift". The scripture Mark 14:32-42. Exodus 14:16-22. Jesus
specifically asked James, Peter and John specifically to watch and pray; but as
we all know they fell asleep. Martin Luther King, Jr. called upon the
church to take action and accountability for the injustices that were
happening. To be on the night shift, you MUST terry, watch and pray! The
invitation to Discipleship as well as altar call was rendered by the Reverend
Rodrecus Johnson, Jr., everyone joined in signing “All to Jesus I
Surrender All”.
The recipients of the 7th Annual Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. Celebration Award for their dedication and commitment to service
inside and outside of the church were: Deaconess Florence Cuspard Lott, Wayman
Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, New Brighton, Pennsylvania, Mrs.
Lowell Owens, First African Methodist Episcopal Church, Clairton, Pennsylvania,
Reverend Maureen Cross Bolden, St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and the Reverend Mark Alexander, pastor Bethel African
Methodist Episcopal Church, New Castle, Pennsylvania. Each recipient was
presented a plaque by Presiding Elder Reverend Dr. Eric L. Brown.
At the conclusion of the celebration, a circle was formed and
everyone joined in the singing of "We
Shall Overcome."
8.
HOST OF FRIENDS ATTENDS HOMEGOING SERVICE FOR E. CATHERINE SHEPHERD IN
PHILADELPHIA:
*Sister Angelena Spears
They came from all over the Philadelphia Annual Conference to
say goodbye to a very special friend, E. Catherine Shepherd, who lived to be 88
years old and made many friends across the years.
Sister Shepherd died on December 23. Those who came to her funeral service which
was held on New Year’s Eve included three presiding elders and two
bishops. The two bishops were Sister
Shepherd’s own bishop, the Right Rev. Gregory G.M. Ingram of the First
Episcopal District; and Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath of the 13th Episcopal
District. Sister Mary L. Motoo, the
president of the First Episcopal District Lay Organization, traveled from New
York to be at the service.
In anticipation of the large turnout, the service was held at
St. Matthew AME Church, Philadelphia, instead of Sister Shepherd’s home church,
Metropolitan AME, Lansdowne – where she had been a member for over six
decades.
Sister Shepherd had served on the Steward Board, president of
the Trustee Board, member of the Finance Committee and had held several
leadership positions in the Philadelphia Conference Lay Organization.
Sister Shepherd had also played a pivotal role when Metropolitan
moved in 2011 from its location in North Philadelphia to suburban Lansdowne.
The Rev. Teressa Fuller, of Metropolitan’s ministerial staff,
was the officiant for the service, and Metropolitan’s pastor, the Rev. Jeffrey
Johnson, gave the eulogy.
Every person who spoke during the ceremony painted the same
picture: Sister Shepherd was loving, she would give to anyone in need, she knew
The Discipline, she loved God and
loved her church, and she was a mentor.
Those who spoke also offered words of comfort and appreciation
to Sister Deborah Stancil, the widow of the late Rev. Bealie Stancil, a former
pastor of Metropolitan. Sister Stancil
had been Sister Shepherd’s friend and devoted caretaker.
The Rev. Clarence A. Martin, who served as the pastor of
Metropolitan from 2004 to 2015, remembered Sister Shepherd as a friend. He said she was a quiet unassuming person who
never spoke above a whisper and was a help to every pastor.
“Every church should have a spirit of Catherine Shepherd,” said
the Rev. Martin.
“She would lead any testimony with Psalm 34: I will bless the Lord at all times…Oh taste
and see that the Lord is good,” said Rev. Martin, who now is the pastor of
Waters Memorial AME in Philadelphia.
The Rev. Leroy Ladson, another former pastor of Metropolitan,
recalled when he was sent to the church in the late 1990’s. “When I got to Metropolitan I found a lady
like none other I have ever met in my entire ministry,” he said.
“She was a jewel, a princess … she had a way with people,” said
Rev. Ladson who traveled from New England to be at the service.
Three presiding elders from the Philadelphia Annual Conference
participated in the service and shared fond memories of Sister Shepherd. Presiding Elder Jocelyn Hart of the Philadelphia
District referenced her dedication and Presiding Elder Charles Lett, of the
West Mainline District, spoke of her wisdom and faithfulness and called her a
“model layman.”
Sister Shepherd’s presiding elder, the Rev. Dr. Janet J.
Sturdivant, of the South Philadelphia District, spoke about how Sister Shepherd
“enjoyed life and tried to help others enjoy theirs.” Presiding Elder Sturdivant also shared a
poignant memory of a recent visit she had with Sister Shepherd just days before
she passed away.
Loving memories were shared by Sister Cheryl Hammond Hopewell,
the president of the Philadelphia Conference Lay Organization, who said Sister
Shepherd had taken her under her wings when she joined the Lay Organization as
a young adult. Brother Walter C.
Jeffers, the director of public relations for the Connectional Lay Organization
expressed similar sentiments of being nurtured by Sister Shepherd.
Bishop Leath, who happened to be in the Philadelphia area during
the week of the service, said he “couldn’t be in Philadelphia and not come to
Sister Shepherd’s service.”
Bishop Leath who was elected to the episcopacy while serving as
the pastor of Mother Bethel, Philadelphia, shared several attributes he had
noticed about Sister Shepherd over the years.
“I’ve never known E. Catherine Shepherd to be disrespectful,”
said Bishop Leath. “She knew how to
wield power and she was never bitter when she didn’t get her way.”
He also summoned others to follow Sister Shepherd’s wisdom of
“making friends with people several generations behind you.” He said passing along wisdom to people
several generations below you is a key element in succession.
Bishop Leath further added that the Lay Organization should have
a workshop that studies Sister Shepherd’s leadership skills.
Bishop Gregory Ingram summed up the sentiments of how much
Sister Shepherd’s life had impacted others when he said: “Every man or woman must ask themselves – is
this world a better place because you passed through?”
Bishop Ingram then affirmed, “We are here today – not because
she [Sister Shepherd] died – but because she lived!”
*Sister Angelena Spears is the Philadelphia Conference Reporter
9.
GARRETT-EVANGELICAL ANNOUNCES NEW CENTER FOR MUSIC AND WORSHIP IN THE BLACK
CHURCH:
Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary is pleased to announce
the founding of The Center for Music and Worship in the Black Church Experience
(CMWBCE), a one-of-a-kind in North America. The mission of the center is to
provide training in the sacred music of the Black church and beyond to
musicians and worship leaders for the enrichment of congregational worship in
diverse contexts. Courses will be specific to the following objectives: the
re-creation and revitalization of the distinctive musical and liturgical
heritage found in Black church contexts; strengthening the spiritual formation
and leadership skills of full-time and volunteer worship staff in Black
churches, as well as other faith communities; and the recovery and preservation
of the rich musical and liturgical heritage found in Black church worship
contexts.
Many programs have closed that have historically stood as the
vanguard for the training of musicians (vocal and instrumental), worship
leaders, choral directors, pastors, audio/visual personnel, and others for the
Black church. With these closures, Black churches have lost primary places of
spiritual formation and transformation for their communities of faith, and the
unique worship celebration in this context has begun to lose its liberating,
transformational edge. Currently, there are no significant training programs in
the nation dedicated to the particularities of this rich tradition. The Center
for Music and Worship in the Black Church Experience seeks to fill that void.
Additionally, the center will partner with organizations and
individuals to create an archive or repository of music and scholarship that
will preserve and promote the rich history of Black church music. “I speak as a
musician but also as a historian who knows how the passage of time often erases
or permanently deletes the familiar things of the present,” said
Garrett-Evangelical professor Dr. Charles Cosgrove, who serves on the advisory
board for the center. “Here at Garrett-Evangelical, this center is our devotion
to preserving and keeping vibrant the precious gifts and practices of music and
worship of the Black church and beyond, as a living legacy for future
generations.”
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia A. Wilson, assistant vice president of
student life, dean of students, and PhD alumna of Garrett-Evangelical, will
serve as director of the center. “While the primary focal point will be music
and worship practices that reflect the ethos and pathos of Africana church
music and worship, the course offerings, and performance opportunities, the
center will stand as a place of preparation and learning for all peoples,” said
Wilson.
Wilson, an ordained deacon in The United Methodist Church,
brings a wealth of experience and gifts in sacred music. She is a popular
lecturer, preacher, teacher, conductor, and concert artist and has provided
benefit concerts across the United States, including Carnegie Hall (New York),
and abroad (Africa, Asia, South America and Europe). Wilson served as
co-director for the 1996 General Conference of The United Methodist Church and
was selected as the first female and first person of color to serve as director
of music for The United Methodist Church’s 2000 General Conference. She was
also a member of the national task force that produced the Songs of Zion, and
in 2005 she co-chaired with Dr. William McClain, professor emeritus of Wesley
Theological Seminary, the task force that produced its sequel, Zion Still Sings! For Every Generation.
McClain, who is serving as board chair for the center,
enthusiastically said, “The Center for Music and Worship in the Black Church
Experience continues my effort of Songs of Zion and the church's commitment to
the importance of African American sacred music to the whole church. It will
also enable the entire congregation to become worshippers again as church
musicians become theologically trained as worship partners and leaders, and
pastors are a part of the experience, too. This is a new and exciting future
for our church to gather in worship!”
The Center for Music and Worship in the Black Church Experience
will partner with The Center for the Church and the Black Experience, an
academic initiative at Garrett-Evangelical focusing on church life as
experienced by Black people, as well as United Methodist Discipleship
Resources: Strengthening the Black Church for the Twenty-First Century
(SBC-21). More information on the center and its programs will be available in
late spring 2016.
Garrett-Evangelical, a graduate school of theology related to
The United Methodist Church, was founded in 1853. Located on the campus of
Northwestern University, the seminary serves more than 500 students from
various denominations and cultural backgrounds, fostering an atmosphere of
ecumenical interaction. Garrett-Evangelical creates bold leaders through master
of divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Theological Studies, Doctor of
Philosophy, and Doctor of Ministry degrees. Its 4,500 living alumni serve
church and society around the world.
10. NAACP AND HEAD START JOIN FORCES IN MEMORANDUM OF
UNDERSTANDING:
Core Directives
include Voter Registration, Healthcare Enrollment and Fair Housing Advocacy
BALTIMORE, MD – The
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the
National Head Start Association (NHSA) have announced an historic joint
initiative aimed at empowering the country’s most vulnerable families by
facilitating voter registration, health care enrollment and fair housing
advocacy at Head Start centers across the county.
Since its creation in
1965, Head Start has improved the lives of 32 million at-risk children and
their families, laying the foundation for lifelong success. As the outstanding
model for quality early learning, Head Start’s comprehensive, two-generation
approach, including services such as home visits, health screenings, and
improved nutrition, gets children ready for kindergarten and sets families on a
path toward self-sufficiency.
NAACP President and
Head Start alumnus Cornell William Brooks revealed the Memorandum of Understanding,
which focuses on three core directives:
• Voter Registration:
Organize voter registration drives at Head Start centers to provide Head Start
parents with crucial tools and information to bridge gaps in the voting
process, including helpful resources such as voter guides with state-specific
information on how to register and vote.
• Healthcare /
Affordable Care Act: Educate families and provide resources to the Head Start
community to help families enroll for health care coverage and access critical
medical care.
• Housing Advocacy:
Provide Head Start families with fair housing advocacy tools to help build a
foundation for stabilizing the family and home, and ensuring the entire family
is prepared and invested in their own lifelong success.
“Head Start has long
been the center of community and learning in neighborhoods across the country,
providing the required resources to strengthen families, communities and the
well-being of our children,” said NAACP President and CEO Cornell William
Brooks. “This new partnership with Head
Start is a natural extension of their commitment to educating and empowering
families and the communities they serve.”
Head Start’s benefits
to building communities include central center locations in the poorest
neighborhoods where young parents can meet, socialize, and see one another.
Through its programs and community support, Head Start provides:
• Early knowledge,
nurturing and stability for children that readies them for kindergarten,
instills love of reading, and phenomenal socialization skill development that
hopefully expands beyond the walls of the center.
• Opportunity/access
to community services for parents and children. Parents are able to gain
training, set family and community goals, participate in councils at centers,
and grow into positions of empowerment.
• Social Justice
Imperatives - In modern society, child care and Pre-K are considered basic
needs for children, and often out of reach for struggling parents. Head Start
and other programs help create a more stable and peaceful world that values
education, self-direction and community that we must continue to cultivate.
“We are proud to
partner with the NAACP to open up the democratic process for Head Start
families, and ensure access to critical health and housing opportunities,” said
NHSA Executive Director Yasmina Vinci. “Head Start has always emphasized that
parents are their children’s first teachers and a program’s most important
partner. Expanding access to these resources is a crucial part of breaking the
cycle of poverty and empowering families to achieve their own goals for
education, employment, stability, and success.”
11. 16TH DISTRICT EPISCOPAL
DISTRICT 2016 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
Bishop John F.
White, Presiding Bishop
Mrs. Penny H.
White, Episcopal Supervisor
The
Haiti Annual Conference
January 28—31, 2016
Host Church:
Saint-Paul AME Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Host Pastor: The Rev. Francois Albert Murat
Telephone: (059)3750-3433 Email: francoisalbertmurat@yahoo.com
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Jean Joel Maurice
Tel: (509)3134-7124 Email: Mauricejeanjoel@yahoo.fr
The Dominican Republic Annual Conference
February 10—14, 2016
Host Church:
AME Impacto de Vida Church, La Romana, Dominican Republic
Host Pastor and Presiding Elder: The Rev. Abraham Rodriquez Jones
Telephone:
089-538-240-6619 E-mail: rguezjones.a@gmail.com
The Guyana/Suriname Annual Conference
February 17-21, 2016
Host Church:
St. Peter’s AME Church, Georgetown, Guyana
Host Pastor:
The Rev. Troy Parris
Telephone: (579) 601-0060 Email: troy.parris@gmail.com
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Andrew C. Morris-Grant
Telephone: (592)646-2726 E-mail: carver_gy@yahoo.com
The Windward Islands Annual Conference
February 25-28, 2016
Host:
Trinidad/Tobago/Grenade District
Host Church:
Bethesda AME Church
Host Pastor:
The Rev. Elton Bobb
Telephone: 868-680-9772 Email: elton7452@yahoo.com
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Jonathan Wayne Anthony
Telephone: 868-750-8062 Email: elder.anthony@yahoo.com
The Virgin Islands Annual Conference
March 02-06, 2016
Host Church:
Bethel AME Church, St. Croix, VI
Host Pastor and Presiding Elder: The Rev. Uklyn Hendricks
Telephone: 340 718-0495 E-mail: uklynhendricks@yahoo.com
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Uklyn
Hendricks
The Jamaica Annual Conference
March 08-13, 2016
Host Church: Greater Selby’s AME Church,
Jamaica
Host Pastor: Rev. Michael Blake
Email: lecheblak@yahoo.com
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. L. A. Dawkins
Telephone: 876-4625116 Email: elderdawkins@yahoo.com
The European Annual Conference
April 28—May 01, 2016
Host Church:
Richard Allen AME Church, London England
Host Pastor and Presiding Elder: The Rev. Rudolph Aaron
The Planning Meeting and Christian Education
Congress
May 31st – June 3rd,
2016
Kingston, Jamaica
The Rev. L. A. Dawkins, Presiding Elder
The Rev. Clarence Turpin, Presiding Elder
12. THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT:
*The
Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based
on Biblical Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 KJV: But
I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that
ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
Time
has gone by so rapidly this year that we now find ourselves moving quickly
towards the month when we as a people reflect upon our accomplishments,
celebrate our successes, morn our losses and as a proud people render an
account for just how far we have come recognizing just how far we have yet to
go. “Black History Month” is a time when we are both thankful for what God has
allowed us to accomplish and sorrowful for the tragedies that have befallen us.
Over
the course of the month we will celebrate the heroes of our past. We will
highlight the lives and accomplishments of the greats like Richard Allen,
Harriett Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglass, Jackie Robinson,
Satchel Paige, Langston Hughes, Thurgood Marshall, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcom X and Congressman James Clyburn. All listed are
certainly the names of men and women who have contributed to shape our future.
There
is no doubt that it is due to the sacrifices these and many other African
American Heroes have made we that we have witnessed the advancements and lived
the improved life as citizens of this great nation. Many will agree that it was
on the backs of many brave African American freedom and equality fighters that
Barack Hussein Obama was elected our first African American President.
We are
a proud people and we are so very thankful for the heroes whose work open doors
and created opportunities many never thought possible. We will celebrate and
reminisce however; we are also forced to include in our remembrance the
tragedies that have also shaped our lives. We must remember the heroes whose
names won’t be called as readily but nevertheless sacrificed to create a new
awareness and new opportunities.
The
names of the Emanuel Nine are
indelibly etched on our mind and in our hearts. We knew them personally. The
memories of times spent together, of sharing in mission and ministry are as
vivid as if we spoke on yesterday. Yet the thought of how they suffered and the
senseless and callous manner their lives were taken is a constant reminder for
us that there is much work left to do.
Clearly,
until every heart is filled with the love of God we must stay on the
battlefield preaching and teaching, “Love
God with all of your heart, all of your mind and all of your Soul, and love
your neighbor as yourself” until every member of God’s creation yields and
is brought into loving submission.
We will
remember the many others who unfortunately met with an untimely demise at the
hands of a heartless perpetrator. We recognize those instances as a time of
great sorrow; a time of great tragedy. However, we recognize that we did not
face those times as though we had no hope! Rather we exhibited an audacity to
hope.
We hope
for a kinder people, a people with a more loving heart. We hope that we would
look beyond the differences and divisions and see more clearly what we have in
common. Through it all we recognize that the audacity to hope comes through our
faith.
There
are many hurtful occasions in our history that have marked turning points in
our lives. From September 11, 2001 until now we have witnessed tragedy that has
changed the world as we knew it forever. We have found that our confidence has
been shattered, our trust has been compromised and our security has been
breached. The tragedies that have rocked our lives have rearranged how we look
at everything as well as how we do everything.
Conversations
I have had with others who are working to process our accomplishments in light
of our struggles uncover many new realities. One glaring reality is how we have
come to react so differently to our emergency notification systems. Think about
it, there was a time when the telephone numbers of “4, 1, 1” were synonymous
with gathering information and the numbers “9, 1, 1” were what we called when
trouble cropped up. We knew to call “911” in case of an emergency. However, the
emergencies we came to expect were things like car accidents, fires, break-ins,
fights and worst sometimes, a lost child.
Lamentably
we have more recently come to know “911” as marking some of the greatest
emergencies in the history of our nation. “911” will forever be etched in our
minds as a day that America was attacked on her own soil. The June 17, 2015
“911,” the call for emergency will forever be etched in our minds as a day when
nine of our friends and relatives lost their lives at Bible study.
Interestingly,
with each tragedy we remember exactly where we were. The fact of the matter is
we remember the absolute terror as well as the absolute fear. In each tragedy
we feared the worst and it was in deed worse than we could ever imagine.
This
begs the question, what did we think about our own immortality? What about our
own eternity? I wonder did we think at that point about our soul salvation.
What
was on our minds as we thought about the lives lost in each senseless,
unexpected tragedy?
As we
looked around at our own family and friends that had been spared on the awful
occasions of national tragedies, I wonder did we consider just how many of us
were really saved. How many of us really knew the Lord? How many of us had a
relationship with the Lord? How many of us had really accepted Jesus and knew
Jesus as Lord and Savior? Did we consider at those moments of great tragedy in
our history whether or not we had confessed Christ as our personal Savior?
Then,
of course, there is the obvious question. If we had confessed Christ as our
Savior, “Why are we mourning as though we have no hope?” My point is - the
audacity to hope comes through our faith. Faith in the Word of God that says,
“God is with us, and in His promise to never leave us nor forsake us.”
We
learned, the hard way, how difficult it is to feel hope in the presence of
death. Death certainly brings with it a weight that we find difficult to carry
in our own strength. We have found death to cause in us the involuntary release
of emotions moving us many times to the point of fainting, forgetting and even
forsaking.
We have
fainted under the extreme pressure of unbearable grief, oft times forgetting to
“look from whence cometh our help” and even unwittingly forsaking the warning
to wait for the strength that will sustain us.
The
Bible reminds us, “But those who wait on
the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like
eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”
With
each of the tragedies we have been faced with we have come to realize how
extremely difficult it is to feel hope in the valley of the shadow of death.
And yet our faith helps us understand that hope is exactly what we are offered
as our supreme encouragement during calamitous times. Faith offers hope that
God is still with us, still loving us, still protecting us, and still blessing
us. The truth of the matter is that God is still healing, still reviving, still
redeeming and still saving. Faith reminds us, “Yea though I walk through the
valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for you Lord are with me,”
- Lord it is your rod, it is your staff that will comfort me.
Hope
does not come from anything we can do on our own. Hope does not come in our own
might or in our own understanding. The audacity to hope comes through our faith
in God.
Hope is
timeless, having no expiration date, in fact staying with us from birth to
death and beyond. We cannot afford to lose hope because when we lose hope we
lose everything. Hope is a way of life that ensures the continuation of our
forward movement and undergirds our quest for revival and resolution. Hope
embraces hard work, generosity, freedom and democracy. Hope embraces freedom of
worship and freedom of expression.
Hope is
fueled by, ignited by, held up by and strengthened by faith. Hope is brought on
by faith in a power far greater than we could ever summon.
My
hope! My hope! “My hope is built on
nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest
frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name! On Christ the solid rock I stand all
other ground is sinking sand.”
*The
Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church
in Charleston, South Carolina
13. NEW EBOLA DEATH SHOCKS SIERRA LEONE
Shock, apprehension
and confusion gripped the city of Magburaka in northern Sierra Leone when a
22-year-old resident’s positive Ebola test result was made public nearly three
days after she died and was given normal burial, including washing of the
corpse.
The news came less
than 24 hours after the World Health Organization declared West Africa to be
Ebola free of the deadly virus that has killed 11,300, mostly in Sierra
Leone, Liberia and Guinea.
Mariatu Jalloh died on Jan. 12 in Magburaka, in the Tonkolili District.
She reported headaches and diarrhea at a health center in Magburaka on Jan. 3
and was treated as an outpatient. She died at home a week later.
A total of 109
people, including 28 high-risk people, have been quarantined across northern
Sierra Leone following disclosure that Jalloh traveled to four districts in the
north before her death.
Mandatory
hand-washing with chlorinated water in buckets at the entrance of the United
Methodist Church in Magburaka sent a chilling reminder to worshippers on Sunday,
Jan. 17.
“Honestly, the
people are scared,” said the Rev. James Solleh, pastor at the church. “They
were not expecting Ebola to re-emerge again after nearly two years. We were all
very happy when life returned to normal. But people are shocked that the
situation has suddenly changed again.”
United Methodist
Bishop John K. Yambasu said Sierra Leoneans knew Ebola was likely to return.
“The good thing is
that unlike the first outbreak, the government now has the preparedness on what
it takes to deal with Ebola,” he said, expressing hope that the government
“gives the situation the attention it requires to nip it in the bud so that it
does not spill over to other regions.”
He expressed concern
about Jalloh being allowed to return home before her status was clarified. “The
manner in which the situation was handled in Magburaka shows Sierra Leoneans
are becoming complacent and that some lapses occurred,” Yambasu said. “We now
have the infrastructure to deal with Ebola. We can only hope those in charge do
their best to contain the disease.”
A church member
bought the buckets immediately after the news of Ebola broke over the weekend.
A non-governmental organization working in the district supplied additional
buckets and chlorine on Sunday.
“We are now getting
them ready to be used at different locations, in United Methodist schools and
the church here in Magburaka,” Solleh said. “The buckets we had before got worn
out because we used to put them at the gate, in the sun. We need to replace
them now with the new ones we are receiving. But the pumps on the worn out
buckets are still good. We are transferring them onto the new buckets.”
Police and Ebola
response teams are looking for one Sheik Osman Kamara who is described as a
high-risk contact with the deceased and who reportedly hosted her in Kambia. He
allegedly escaped from quarantine in Kambia and is suspected to have traveled
to Freetown, the capital, by boat. News of Kamara’s arrival in Freetown has
sent shock waves through the city.
The Rev. Abubakarr
Turay, a United Methodist evangelist in Kambia, has been searching for hand
washing buckets he received from health workers during the last Ebola outbreak.
Jalloh visited Bamoi
Lumah, which is eight miles from Turay’s church. He’s taking precautions
despite the distance, noting that complacency is a risk.
“As a church, we are
warning all members to begin to strictly observe Ebola rules that the people
were beginning to forget about. ‘Ebola is here again; don’t touch people,
especially corpses.’ I’ve been telling them and encouraging them to be very
careful,” Turay said.
In Magburaka, health
workers and Ebola response teams have intensified vigilance and education
efforts in schools, churches, mosques and all public places, Solleh said,
“Normally after service, we sing a popular chorus called ‘My Hands are
Blessed,’” but with news of the new outbreak, no hands were blessed yesterday.
Everybody was encouraged to go home quietly after the benediction. No
touching,” he said.
We know how to fight Ebola
Ministry of Health
officials speaking to the local press over the weekend struggled to explain the
way Jalloh’s case was handled at the Magburaka hospital. A government press
release issued Sunday confirmed Jalloh’s Ebola positive swab result but stopped
short of attributing blame for her care. Rather, it explained the collaborative
measures the government was taking to break the chain of transmission.
The release urged
all Sierra Leoneans to be vigilant and adhere to safe hygiene practices,
including reporting all suspicious illness and deaths by calling 117.
“We are worried and
concerned about this new development, but call on the general public not to
panic. We have been through this before; we know how to fight Ebola,” the
release said.
Local media reports,
including radio talk shows, are reflecting the public’s apprehension and are
asking questions not addressed by the government press release.
*Jusu is director of
communications for The United Methodist Church in Sierra Leone. News media
contact: Vicki Brown at (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
*Used with permission of the United Methodist News
Service
14. GETTING TO ZERO: DECLARING AN “EBOLA-FREE WEST
AFRICA”:
*Dr. Oveta Fuller
The Rev. Dr. Fuller is currently on
Sabbatical leave from the University of Michigan and will submit her column as
her schedule permits.
15. iCHURCH SCHOOL
LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 24, 2016 - A WEDDING IN CANA - ST. JOHN 2:1-12:
*Brother Bill Dickens
Key Verse: What
Jesus did here in Cana of Galilee was the first of the signs through which he
revealed His glory; and His disciples believed in Him. St. John 2:11
Introduction
Psychologist and motivational speaker Michelle
Rad provides a handy outline for understanding what makes a person a great
“problem solve.” Dr. Rad identifies ten characteristics of a great
problem solver. They are:
1) They don't need to be
right all the time.
2) They go beyond their own
conditioning.
3) They look for
opportunity within the problem.
4) They know the difference
between complex and simple thinking.
5) They have a clear
definition of what the problem is.
6) They use the power of
words to connect with people.
7) They don't create
problems for others.
8) They do prevention more
than intervention:
9) They explore their
options.
10) They have reasonable
expectations.
These ten traits can help us better handle the
unexpected surprises that will come our way.
“Problem solving” is important because our daily life experiences will
be filled with problems. How we manage
and cope with problems will determine our personal triumphs or failures. Problem solving is also important in our
faith journey. It is the key issue for
the Adult AME Church School Lesson for January 24, 2016. The story in St. John 2:1-12 provides a great
example in showing how Jesus responds to a problem, not by panic; but by a
calming influence. Let’s see how we can
be cool under pressure just like Jesus!
Bible Lesson -
Problem Explained: St. John 2: 3-5
Our Bible story takes place in a city of Galilee
called Cana. A wedding celebration has
occurred and Mary, mother of Jesus is in attendance. An invitation is also extended to Jesus and
His disciples to attend as well. Like
nearly all Jewish weddings in Biblical Writ, a marriage celebration is a public
festive affair associated with food, drink, dancing and joyous music. On this particular occasion Mary identifies a
problem during the wedding reception – there was no more wine for the wedding
party, guests and friends. This is a
major social problem since it is common knowledge that guests should be
afforded full access to food and drink and lacking either would be embarrassing
to the host. Mary, sensing the brink of
embarrassment, informs Jesus of the problem.
While keenly aware of the problem Jesus’ response may appear to reflect
indifference. He responds to His mother
by pointing out that His “time has not yet come” implying that this event
didn’t warrant Him to speed up the time when He would reveal Himself as the Son
of God. Mary, like any mom, is focused
on the near-time problem and instructs the servants to do what Jesus commands.
Problem Analyzed: St John 2: 6-8
Jesus quickly analyzed the problem. Importing wine from another city would be too
time-consuming. Guests would become
irritated and rumors would likely flow about the bridegroom’s lack of
hospitality. Jesus notices six stone
water jars used for ceremonial cleansing.
These jars had a volume of roughly thirty (30) gallons each for a total
of 180 gallons. Jesus instructs the
servants to fill each jar with water to the brim. No doubt the servants were probably asking
themselves how filling the jars with water can address the problem about a wine
shortage at the wedding. The servants
are further tasked to take a sample of the libation and bring it to the wedding
coordinator. Their curiosity will be
satisfied.
Problem Solved: St. John 2: 9-12
The wedding coordinator is astonished to
discover that not only is the wine shortage fixed, but the sampled wine is of
the highest quality. The prevailing
custom is to serve the best quality wine first using the lower quality near the
end of the social event. Jesus however
“flips the script.” His first recorded
miracle not only solves the wine shortage, but provides the highest quality
wine at the end of the event. This
miracle was the first of many signs in Jesus’ ministry confirming His Divinity. Christ used the wedding reception as an
opportunity for all to see that He was unique and different from the rest. This miracle caused His disciples to believe
He was unique, different, the Savior of Israel (verse 11). With the problem solved Jesus continues his
itinerant ministry by traveling to Capernaum.
Bible Application
Our Bible lesson in St. John continues the
month-long discussion about the custom of marriage. All lessons have their special significance
because of the importance of marriage from both a personal and a collective or
corporate perspective. Marriage also
permeates popular culture. The largest
oil painting in the Louvre Museum of Paris, France is The Wedding of Cana drawn
by the Italian Renaissance painter Paolo Veronese. Mozart’s comedic opera The Marriage of Figaro
attempts to capture all of the frivolities of preparing for marriage. My
wedding reception was not immune to some frivolity. My wife, Jennie and I actually had two
receptions! The first wedding reception
was open to all in the Fellowship Hall of Zion Hill Baptist Church of
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. My late
Mother-in-law was uncompromising about this point. Our second reception held after the first
reception was a private reception for two hundred guests held at the Merion
Tribute House in Merion, Pennsylvania right outside Philadelphia. My wife and I spent way too much for those
receptions, but it was our way of saying "thank you" to our family
and friends for being witnesses to our special day. I have no regrets for having two receptions,
but I am praying that when our children decide to marry they don’t follow the
example set by their parents and stick with one reception! 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 ISAIAH
40:1-8:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
I’ve just returned from a
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday weekend speaking engagement in Lexington,
Kentucky - a quick trip that necessitated my flying rather than driving, as
I’ve often done in the past. I enjoy flying, and the “kid” in me always
leads me to choose a window seat so that I can enjoy the scenery.
My flight to Kentucky
allowed me to see the flat terrain of America’s eastern coast give way to the
Blue Ridge and Cumberland ranges of the Appalachian Mountains. Driving
through those mountains means traversing winding - and mildly intimidating -
roads carved into the mountainside, marveling at the stunning beauty of massive
peaks so high that they’re often shrouded in clouds and at cavernous valleys
with deep rivers and crystal clear lakes far below. From five miles above
the earth, however, those majestic mountains look like nothing more than small
hills - flying provides a totally different perspective.
I offer that lesson in
“perspective” to you as you traverse the roads of life, for all mountains and
valleys are not physical in nature. Life in this world often presents us
with massive mountains of confusion, challenge and disappointment. Life
in this world often carries us through deep valleys of stress, strain and
uncertainty. Life is filled with daunting obstacles that are sometimes hard
to avoid, in spite of our best efforts to steer a clear path to well-being by
the available means of this world.
We’ll all see our share
of mountains and valleys in life, but when we let the Lord guide us, we can
make the journey successfully. The God who created the mountains and
valleys - the God who created us - has the power to put life’s obstacles in
perspective and, as the prophet Isaiah said, to fill in life’s valleys and
bring down life’s mountains so that we can safely find our way to new hope, new
peace of mind, new strength and new victory.
You’ll face more than
your share of mountains and valleys in life, but turn them over to the God who
can give us safe passage, regardless of what stands in our way. You’ll
walk on safe and smooth ground, find new clarity and meaning in life, and know
why one hymn writer said, “All along this pilgrim journey, Savior, let me
walk with Thee.”
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:
It is with a sad heart that we announce the passing of Mrs.
Jimmie D. Bender, the mother of Mrs. Joyce Davis, wife of the Rev. Charles
Davis, Sr., pastor of Allen Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church in
Cleveland, Ohio.
Final arrangements are scheduled as follows:
Viewing: Wednesday, January
20, 2016, 12:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Strawbridge Memorial Chapel
3612 East 116th Street
Cleveland, OH 44105
Homegoing Celebration:
Thursday, January 21, 2016, 12:30 p.m.
Allen Temple AME Church
7701 Quincy Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44105
The Reverend Charles Davis, Sr., Pastor
Final arrangements entrusted to:
Strawbridge Memorial Chapel
3612 East 116th Street
Cleveland, OH 44105
Phone: 216-752-9801
FAX: 216-752-9802
Email: strawbridgemc@att.net
The Family will receive friends one hour prior to the
service.
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Joyce Davis
1927 Brushview Ave.
Richmond Heights, OH 44143
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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someone you know pass this copy of The Christian Recorder to
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