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
-- Palm Sunday, March 20, 2016
-- Good Friday – March 25, 2016
-- Easter - Sunday, March 27, 2016
-- Pentecost - Sunday, May 15, 2016
-- Richard Allen Birthday – February
14, 1760
-- Jarena Lee Birthday - February 11,
1783
-- Morris Brown - February 13,
1770.
-- Daniel Payne - February 24, 1811
-- 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 – ANOTHER “W” WORD
SUBJECT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED:
Dr.
Calvin H. Sydnor III
The
20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
My
previous editorial, “A Weighty Subject that needs to be Address” was the
hardest editorial I have ever written. I
know the subject of “weight” is a sensitive subject. It’s like the joke I
heard, “A recent study has found that women who carry a little extra weight
live longer than the men who mention it.”
You
want to hurt the feelings of someone battling weight just say, “It looks like
you are gaining weight.” If you want to make their day just say, “It looks like
you have lost weight, you are looking good!”
Dealing
with weight in the last editorial was difficult for me because I suspected that
a lot of people’s weight sensitivities were aggravated, a lot of feelings were
hurt and some people I know probably thought I had them in mind. I did not. I had myself in mind.
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
the other “W” word – Wellness!
The
clergy is among the worst professions in providing self-care. Preachers just
don’t do a good job of taking care of themselves! Many pastors love taking care
of others to the neglect of themselves.
I
suspect one of the contributing factors of poor self care might be related to the
profession's propensity of embracing a “messiah complex” or the delusional
notion of invincibility.
The
delusional notion of invincibility is reinforced with proof-texting and the
eisegesis of some of our pet scripture, such as, "I can do all things
through Christ...," and biblical clichés such as "Jesus is doctor in
the sickroom and a lawyer in the courtroom" that expresses the notion that
a devout Christian can overcome any calamity. Those things work until the
calamitous "storm comes to your door."
I
have met clergy who shared they were diagnosed with a medical malady, but went
on to express the notion that they were not accepting the diagnosis and were
going to deal with their medical issues by praying and believing that God was
going to deliver them from their diagnosis.
Sadly,
some preachers ignore the diagnosis and warning signs until it's too late and
they never identified the presence of high blood pressure, sugar diabetes or
other conditions that destroy kidneys and other organs.
The
approach of medically noncompliant preachers reminds me of a story I heard, “A
man goes swimming in the ocean but gets sucked out to sea. A boat passes by him
and tells him to climb aboard, but the man says, "I have faith, God will
save me." The Coast Guard came by with a rescue helicopter and tells him
to climb up the ladder up, but he says, "I have faith, God will save
me." The man is now getting tired,
but thankfully a dolphin swims under him and starts to carry him to shore, but
the man pushes the dolphin away saying, "I have faith, God will save
me." The man dies and goes to Heaven. He asks God, "Why didn't you
save me?" God replies, "I tried! I sent a ship, a helicopter and a
dolphin!"
The
bottomline for the “W” word - “wellness” is that preachers need to have a
wellness strategy for themselves and their families.
A
wellness strategy includes self-care of a pastor’s physical, mental, emotional
and spiritual well-being. I hate to say
it, but I suspect a number of preachers fail at all of them, including
spiritual wellness.
It
is unfortunate, and it makes me sad that some pastors serve in the pastoral
ministry for years without medical and dental insurance and retirement
benefits. I am even more saddened when I hear of pastors who do not participate
in the Social Security program or the AMEC Annuity program.
I
had a retired pastor who shared with me this week, “The AMEC Annuity program
works, if you leave it alone.” He went
on to share with me that with his AMEC Church Annuity payout he bought and paid
for his retirement home.” Now, that’s
good news!
Let me get back on
task
It is important for pastors to schedule and be faithful in getting
annual medical physical and dental exams. Every pastor needs to be intentional
in finding a medical doctor, dentist, podiatrist, and someone in the area of
mental health that they can consult about medical and personal issues. A pastor
needs to have a physician that he or she can call and talk with directly. It’s
important for preachers to insure that their family members are included in the
wellness strategy. It is equally important for pastor to have a mentor.
Let me shout it out – Medical and dental care and exams are a
necessity for a successful ministry! Wellness is more than physical self-care.
It is important for clergy to be well-rounded because a
well-rounded and healthy clergy can function more effectively. The ministry
requires energy – physical, mental and spiritual energy!
It’s important for clergy to maintain good health because healthy
pastors can be more effective.
If I could give every pastor, bishop and presiding elder a
short-take on how I think ministry could be improved, I would tell them to be
more intentional in spending time with their families and to be more patient
with their families.
I would encourage pastors and their spouses to be more patient
with their children even when their children become rebellious because I
believe Mother Teresa would have been rebellious if she had heard some of the
things that preachers’ kids see and hear around the church and observe how
their clergy parent is treated.
It’s important for pastors to take intentional sabbath-rests every
week and maybe everyday! Bi-vocational pastors, also need to find a way to take
sabbath–rests.
Pastors, without guilt, should take time for themselves. They
should take several days of “retreat,” several times a year and if a pastor
cannot absent him or herself from the church several times a year, then they
probably don’t need to be in the ministry.
I reiterate; pastors 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.
If
you, as a pastor, do not have a hobby, you should get a hobby. Find something you love to do and devote time
to it. Every pastor should encourage his or her spouse and their children to
have hobbies. Hobbies are wonderful stress-relievers and some hobbies can even
become streams of income.
This is important
Every
pastor should have some type of savings program. A “little can turn into a
lot.” Every pastor should acquire the
discipline of saving something from each pay check and when able to do so, one
of the investments should be a home.
I
know we don’t like to talk about money and finances because we could all use
more and that’s why we all need a financial planner. I would strongly
encourage, and this is important, that pastors connect with a financial planner
and initiate a savings and investment program. I know how hard it is to go to a
financial advisor and have to admit that you have little or no savings, and you
know you have done a poor job in managing your assets. It is embarrassing and I
have been there! A financial planner can help a pastor get on “the right
financial track” in preparing their assets, investments and preparing for many
of the financial issues we all face.
You
don’t have a lot of financial assets now, but in death, you might have a lot of
wealth and your family needs to be protected.
Pastors need more
than a zeal for ministry
Sadly
too many pastors have little or no zeal outside of the ministry. They have no
passionate activities, nothing that helps them balance the ministry with
reality.
Pastors
who are devoted to wellness and self-care involve themselves in interests
outside of the ministry and the church, which helps them to be well-rounded in
balancing the spiritual, religious and secular realities of life and living.
Healthy
ministry requires healthy clergy. The health of clergy members is reinforced by
supportive family, healthy relationships, excellent health care and active
participation in mental and physical activities, which precipitates physical,
psychological, emotional, mental and spiritual health.
Let
me close with this – pastors need friends: “running buddies” so to speak.
Ministry was never meant to be an isolated profession. Everybody needs somebody
he or she can talk to, complain to or whatever. It’s unhealthy to hold
everything in; everybody needs somebody to whom they can “tell it like it is!”
And,
one more thing, “Jesus is a doctor in the sickroom,” but you need a doctor and
“Jesus is a lawyer in the courtroom,” but you need to have a lawyer.
I
have a couple more things to say…
To be continued in
the next issue
2. NEWS AROUND THE
AME CHURCH:
-- The Rev. Betty
Clark appointed as the pastor of Mother Emanuel AME Church appointed new
pastor…
Charleston Church appoints new pastor 7
months after shooting
-- Heritage stamp
will feature Richard Allen, founder of AME Church
Read more: http://www.ajc.com/news/lifestyles/heritage-stamp-will-feature-richard-allen-founder-/nqCf6/
3. JENNIFER
PINCKNEY, CHARLESTON CHURCH SHOOTING SURVIVOR, TO SPEAK AT DUKE:
--
Jennifer Pinckney, whose husband, the Rev. Clementa Pinckney, was among nine
killed last summer in a shooting at a Charleston church, will speak at Duke
Feb. 9
Durham,
NC - Jennifer Pinckney, widow of the Rev. Clementa C. Pinckney, who was among
nine killed last year in the shooting at Mother Emanuel AME Church in
Charleston, South Carolina, will take part in a roundtable conversation
Tuesday, Feb. 9 at Duke University.
The
event, “Reflections on Charleston: A Conversation on Faith and Race,” takes
place at 7 p.m. at Page Auditorium. The conversation is free and open to the
public, but attendees are required to get tickets in advance. The event is part
of the John Hope Franklin Afro-Diasporic Legacies Series hosted by Duke’s
Franklin Humanities Institute (FHI).
The
Rev. Kylon Middleton and the Rev. Chris Vaughn, both close friends of Pinckney
and her husband, will join the discussion.
The
Rev. Eboni Marshall Turman, assistant research professor of theological ethics
and black church studies at Duke, will moderate the discussion.
“I
hold Mrs. Pinckney in the highest esteem for her courage in stepping into the
public spotlight to continue a difficult conversation that we need to have in
our country right now -- that of race, faith and the destructive recurrence of
anti-black violence,” Turman said.
The
shooting occurred June 17 in the basement of the Emanuel AME Church in
Charleston. Rev. Clementa Pinckney and eight others were killed, with five
others wounded. Jennifer Pinckney was in the church during the shooting but was
not harmed. Dylann Roof, a South Carolina native, has been charged in the
shooting. The crime sparked debate over the use of the Confederate flag, which
ultimately led to South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley signing a historic bill to
remove the flag from the State Capitol grounds.
Pinckney,
Vaughn and Middleton will discuss issues such as race and faith, anti-black
violence and reconciliation and then answer questions from audience members and
via social media. A live-stream of the event can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vZ0jdVmgNUX
and viewers can submit questions via Twitter using the hashtag
#reflectionsoncharleston.
The
event is sponsored by Duke’s Franklin Humanities Institute with the Pauli
Murray Project at the Duke Human Rights Center@FHI, the Office of Black Church
Studies at the Duke Divinity School, the Duke Council on Race and Ethnicity
(DCORE), and the Duke Chapel.
“In
keeping with the legacies of the Franklin Humanities Institute's namesake,
African-American historian John Hope Franklin, the FHI is dedicated to
furthering the conversation on race and human rights in our society today,”
said Deborah Jenson, the FHI director. “We prize these dialogues that carry
beyond the walls of learning to make a real impact in our shared world. We are
simultaneously honored and humbled by the opportunity to welcome Mrs. Jennifer
Pinckney, and the Reverends Kylon Middleton and Chris Vaughn.”
Free
tickets are available at the Duke Box Office located at the Bryan Center. They
are also available online at https://tickets.duke.edu/Online/default.asp
or by phone, (919) 684-4444. A service fee of $1.50 per ticket will be assessed
for phone and online orders.
4. A YOUNG AME SCHOLAR SELECTED
AS A DELEGATE TO THE CONGRESS OF FUTURE SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY LEADERS PROGRAM:
*Mr.
William “Bill” Ayers
Joshua
Clark, the son of William Bernard and Candace Mention Clark, was selected as a
Delegate to the prestigious Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders
(CFS&TL) program representing the Prince George’s Community College Academy
of Health Sciences and the State of Maryland.
This event will take place in Boston, Massachusetts June 29, 30 and July
1, 2016.
The
Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders is a highly selective
national program honoring academically superior high school students dedicated
to careers in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). The CFS&TL is an academic honors program
with strict requirements, and you must have a minimum 3.5 GPA, to attend.
Joshua
is being recognized because of his outstanding grades, his leadership potential
and his desire to contribute to the field of science or technology. At the Congress, Joshua will come
face-to-face with winners of the Nobel Prize, Deans of top universities, world
leaders in science, the Nation’s most innovative and successful technologists;
and Award-winning young inventors and scientists.
His
congratulatory letter, signed by the President of Washington Adventist
University, Dr. Weymouth Spencer, stated that, “Joshua’s presence at the
Congress would enhance his academic profile and distinguishes him as one of
their most promising future leaders in science and technology. The letter further stated that Joshua would
leave better prepared to achieve his dreams and mold himself into the strongest
candidate for competitive college admissions. “
Joshua
is a 10th grade student at the Prince George’s Community College Academy of
Health Sciences in Largo, Maryland. The
Academy’s rigorous, innovative four-year program combines high school and
college courses through duel enrollment credits. Josh enjoys the rigors of the
schools curriculum.
His
hobbies include doing research, playing video games, reading, and compiling
material toward becoming a fiction writer.
During his spare time, he enjoys hanging out with his friends and
playing with his dog, Max. Josh is also a dedicated member of Ward Memorial AME
Church in Washington, DC. where the Rev. Dr. Michel O. Thomas is pastor. At Ward, Josh is actively involved in the
Young Peoples Department (YPD), serves as a Worship service acolyte and is a
volunteer with the Church’s Share program.
Joshua’s
future plans include a short-term goal of graduating with all A’s, and
increasing his volunteer service. His
long-term goal is to acquire a Doctoral degree in one of the sciences. He looks forward with great enthusiasm to his
latest academic challenge and opportunity as a Delegate to the Congress of
Future Science and Technology Leaders program in Boston, MA.
*Mr.
William “Bill” Ayers is a member of Ward Memorial AME Church in Washington, DC
5. PASTOR WHO WANTED TO BE A NUN
ELEVATED AS AME PRESIDING ELDER:
By the
Reverend Salatheia Bryant-Honors
When
the Reverend Brenda Payne was a high school student she announced to her
parents that she was interested in becoming a nun, but, the trajectory of her
spiritual journey changed drastically when this former Episcopalian girl
eventually joined St. Paul A.M.E. church in Cambridge, Massachusetts under the
leadership of then pastor John R. Bryant.
She
traded life in a convent for pastoral ministry in the African Methodist
Episcopal Church and this past November at the Tenth District’s Planning
Meeting Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie named her the Presiding Elder of the
South Houston District. She follows former South Houston District Elder Johnny
E. Jennings who retired after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75.
“I
loved church,” Elder Brenda Payne said recently, recalling her early interest
in joining a convent as a student in the eleventh grade. “I knew God wanted me
to do something. I had dedicated my life to God. I was very serious.”
“When Bishop (McKenzie) called my name (for the
appointment) and I started up the steps. I really was seeking God’s will for my
life. I had made myself available to whatever God wanted me to do, even though
I wanted to say no. I couldn’t go up the
stairs. I had to kneel down again and surrender my life to God again.”
With
that appointment from Bishop McKenzie, Pastor Payne became Presiding Elder
Payne. The district celebrated her appointment with thunderous applause. Elder
Payne was greeted by numerous well-wishers following the service. Payne, 64,
became one of the eight presiding elders in the Tenth District. The South Houston District is made up of 24
churches – nine in the Houston area, two in Galveston, and 13 around greater
Houston. The district has nearly 2,300
members and has a combined yearly income of more than $2.9 million.
“When
people call me “Elder” I just break out into a laugh. I’m like Sarai,” she
said.
Elder
Payne’s pastoral experience includes: Founding Clear Lake A.M.E. Church, Reedy
Chapel in Galveston, Payne Chapel in Houston and most recently South Wesley.
She came to Houston in 1989 when her husband’s job relocated him here. She
recalled arriving in Houston on a Monday and the Texas Annual Conference
started that Wednesday at Payne, a church she would later serve as pastor.
Payne
answered her call into ministry at St. Paul in Cambridge under the pastorate of
the Reverend LeRoy Attles.
Presiding
Elder Brenda Payne follows Elder Johnny Edison Jennings who requested
retirement at the 149th Session of the Texas Annual Conference held in October.
Payne had served as a pastor under Elder Jennings.
She
applauded Jennings for his service to the church.
“Those
are big shoes to follow,” said Payne of Reverend Jennings. “Everybody loves
Reverend Jennings. I will try to extend
his legacy.”
Jennings
served 21 years as a pastor and 24 years as a presiding elder. He was known for
his kind, gentle demeanor. He was celebrated last year during a well-attended
retirement banquet attended by his family, friends, pastors, lay, and members
of the Presiding Elder Council. Bishop McKenzie was the keynote speaker.
Reedy
Chapel member and Steward Cornelia Harris Banks appreciated the work that Payne
did when she served as the pastor of the church. Banks highlighted Payne’s
ecumenical spirit and her efforts to promote the historical relevance of Reedy.
Banks said the congregation felt especially proud when Payne was named elder.
“She
made the larger community throughout the state aware of the mother church,”
said Banks. “When she was named elder, everybody at Reedy was ecstatic. We felt
very proud since she had been our pastor. We had always prayed for her success
in ministry. If we had to say good-bye to Elder Jennings then we couldn’t think
of anybody better to follow him than Reverend Payne. Both of them are sincere
in their mission to serve others.”
Both
Payne and Jennings became presiding elders from South Wesley A.M.E. Church. One
of Reverend Payne’s last official acts as pastor of South Wesley was to oversee
the naming of the fellowship hall in honor of Jennings. It was during the
pastorate of Jennings that the facility for South Wesley was built.
Jennings,
who took his first charge at the age of 30, said the thing he most liked about
his time in ministry was the people. He was appointed a presiding elder under
Bishop John Bryant.
“I loved the people,” he said. “I enjoyed
sharing the plans for what God wanted us to do. It’s a joy that sort of
unspeakable. It humbles me when I think
that not everybody gets a chance to make it to the end.”
Jennings
believes that Elder Payne will do well in her new position.
“I
think very highly of her,” he said. “I’m sure she is going to be successful. I
think the bishop made a real good choice. “
6. 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 is envelopes with a special postmark and design to commemorate the issuing of a Stamp.
First Day of Issue Covers is 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.
-- Mr. John Thomas
III extracted some information about the Richard Allen Postage Stamp
The
first Stamp to honor an African-American was issued in 1940. It portrayed Booker T. Washington
The
Richard Allen Stamp is part of the Black Heritage series of Stamps--the United
States Postal Service's longest running series.
In 1975, Clarence L. Irving through the Black American Heritage
Foundation petitioned the
United
States Postal Service to include African-Americans in their stamp programming for
the bicentennial of the United States.
The first Black Heritage Stamp was issued in 1978 and portrayed Harriet
Tubman. The series has featured
luminaries such as WEB DuBois, Malcolm X, Ida B Wells and Shirley
Chisholm. The Richard Allen Stamp is 39th
in the series.
Other
people associated with the AME Church portrayed on US Stamps include:
Henry
O. Tanner (renowned artist and son of Bishop Benjamin T. Tanner)
A.
Philip Randolph (labor union activist and key organizer of the 1963 March on
Washington)
Daisy
Bates and the Little Rock Nine (Pioneers in school desegregation)
Medgar
Evers (NAACP field organizer who was assassinated)
Rosa
Parks (considered the "Mother of the Civil Rights Movement" by
providing the catalyst for the Montgomery Bus Boycott)
7. THE AME
SCHOLARSHIP AT YALE DIVINITY SCHOOL NOW VALUED AT $74,745.05:
The
AME Scholarship at Yale Divinity School was established by retired bishop,
Frederick Hilborn Talbot to honor two mentors from British Guiana, the
Reverends D.M. Munroe and Aaron Theophilus Peters, the latter being a classmate
of Dr. Howard Decker Gregg, Talbot's professor at Allen University. The scholarship has benefited five AME
students and others who currently attend the Seminary. On the occasion of
Talbot's 80th birthday a $10,000 gift was presented and gifts continue to be
made by Bishops, General Officers, other members of the A.M.E. Church and other
friends who support the vision of enabling students to prepare themselves for
ministry. Today endowment is valued at $74,745.05 after supporting students for
the last eight years.
The
support of all those who have made contributions over the years which have
brought it to this level is greatly appreciated. The hope is that contributions
will continue to be made. Checks may be sent directly to: James Hackney,
Director of Development, Yale Divinity School, 409 Prospect Street, New Haven,
CT 06511. Yale University will acknowledge
the gift directly to each donor.
8. BISHOP FREDERICK
HILBORN TALBOT RECOMMENDS TIME
MAGAZINE ARTICLE:
As a subscriber of TIME Magazine, I refer to my copy dated November 23, 2015 which
carried the following title of the cover story: "On the night of June 17, a
gunman opened fire in the basement of a church in Charleston. Nine people died.
Five survived. What it Takes to Forgive a Killer; Survivors and families tell
their stories"
These
dramatic stories and pictures are spread over 26 pages, pp.42-68. This presentation is intensely moving and I
hope that you would call attention of our members to this article in TIME. It
is of such importance they may want to secure a personal copy. On a personal note, I am including the name
of the Editor and her contact information in the event you wish to get in touch
with her.
Nancy Gibbs, Editor, TIME Magazine
225 Liberty Street, NY, NY 10281-1008
Telephone:
(800) 843-8463
Sincerely
Frederick Hilborn Talbot, Bishop (Retired)
9. A NEW COMMITMENT
TO SERVE - A FRESH FIRE:
Fall
is a season of change. Change take place
when something ends and something new begins.
In the fall, the leaves change and move to make way for winter. Fall is a season of excitement as we take the
lessons of the past and move to a future of greater service.
The
Eleventh Episcopal District West Coast Conference Women’s Missionary Society
under a new administration led by newly elected President, Laurastine Dunston
Lemon is energized and setting the bar high.
The
Annual Commitment Service was just the beginning. The worship leader, Presiding Elder Joyce
Moore “struck the match” and lit the Holy Ghost fire-filled service. The
gathering was very reminiscent of the attendance at the Annual Women’s Missionary
Society Day at Annual Conference.
There
was one very important difference, the composition of the participants. President Lemon sought to create and
cultivate a spirit of inclusiveness. She shared, “I invited all the leaders and
components of our conference to worship with us in our Annual Commitment
Service. I already know the “Best is in
the West,” however; it is my prayer as we come together as a conference in true
worship and fellowship that our best will become so much better. Therefore, I welcome with open-arms our
presiding elders, pastors, Lay Organization members, Sons of Allen, Debutante
Masters Commission, Clergy Spouses, Young Peoples Division and certainly my
Missionary Sisters.”
Bethel
African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lakeland, Florida was the site of a
dynamic, spiritually uplifting and energizing Commitment Service. The Sanctuary was filled with an air of
celebration. The program participants
included six former conference presidents: Inez Harris Brown, D. Jean Johnson,
Mozelle Fortune, Evelyn Williams, Coreatha Larkins and Bettye Drummer.
The
West Coast Conference Steppers for Christ stirred things up with a new beat
praising God by the stepping on in and lifting Him up. Each selection, rendered by the New Bethel Choir,
Tampa District Male Chorus and Soloist Gwendolyn Gibson Honors was a message in
itself such as “I’m Available,” “Shake It Off and Go On,” “We Gonna Have a Good
Time,” “I Need Thee,” and “Fully Committed.” The Angels of Praise brought the house to its feet with a soul-
stirring praise dance. Presiding Elder
Jimmy J. Thompson fanned the flames as he eloquently officiated the Service of
Commitment.
The
Eleventh Episcopal District Presiding Prelate, Bishop Adam Jefferson
Richardson, Supervisor Dr. Connie Speights Richardson and Eleventh Episcopal
President Bettye Bryant urge all components to reach out and include all ages
on all levels because the church must go on and grow. All ages of the WMS were wonderfully
represented at the Annual Commitment Service.
The
theme of change, inclusiveness and new beginnings was echoed by the messenger
of service, Presiding Elder James O. Williams.
In his dynamic message, “A Fresh Anointing,” all were urged to get a
fresh anointing with new oil. He also
encouraged the congregation to be on fire as we experience a new level of
authority and effectiveness. President
Lemon challenged the West Coast Conference Women’s Missionary Society to expand
on our great legacy of service by combining the wisdom of those who have been
faithful while reaching for those with untapped talents and gifts; thereby
enabling the conference to “Transform lives, build communities, and impact the
World!
The
West Coast Conference Women’s Missionary Society is experiencing a bold new renaissance
in mission service. It is with faith and
a renewed sense of commitment infused with renewed energy we look forward to
accomplishing our mission goals.
President Lemon challenged, “Missionaries, Let’s go higher!” The
response, an overwhelming “Yes! The work
is all divine!”
Mrs
Valarie J. F. Russ, Recording Secretary
Eleventh
Episcopal District
West
Coast Conference
Women’s
Missionary Society
10. COUPLES
MINISTRY ESTABLISHED AT JONES CHAPEL AMEC:
By
Wayman B. Shiver, Jr., Ph.D
A
new Couples Ministry was instituted by the Rev. Richard Carter who provided the
initial instruction on the sanctity of marriage during the month of January in
2016. As the recently appointed pastor
of Junes Chapel A.M.E. Church, he discovered that the relationships within some
marriages need rejuvenation and encouragement in order to remain vibrant and
loving.
Metaphorically,
Pastor Carter likened love in marriage to God’s enduring love—limitless,
forgiving and expressed continually regardless of circumstances. From the pastor’s point of view, marriages
frequently begin to fail when partners do not forgive and place blame and
limits on their expressions of love, especially when they refuse intimacy.
Rev.
Carter stressed that for the most part, the art of personal communication needs
to be revitalized. At each session various aspects of marriage were examined--
love, devotion, communication, trust, forgiveness and expression of intimacy.
Beginning
with Book of Genesis the instruction dealt with the influence of communication
on couples’ ongoing loving relationships.
Often, over the years, couples sometime fail to nurture love by
consistent reminders about their vows as they relate to their personal
expressions of devotion ordained by God and consummated in their spoken vows
made at the beginning of their marriage.
Husbands,
in particular, often, take for granted the beauty of their brides and the
forgiving nature of true love without boundaries. Thus, respect and openness suffer without
consistent confirmation of understanding and devotion.
A
central tenant of the instruction related to the concept of forgiveness. Often transgressions and misunderstandings
occur in a variety of ways. The
resolution of these issues results from forgiveness which is Divine trait that
couples need to practice as loving human beings.
God
is a loving and forgiving entity; therefore, to be in harmony with God, a man
and woman, to be in harmony with God and His love, couples need to possess a
forgiving spirit continually.
During
the January 24, 2016 Sunday M morning service, eight Jones Chapel couples chose
to publicly renew their vows Years of
marriage ranged from one to forty three.
Most of these couples attended Sunday school during the month of January
when various elements of marriage were examined. Prominent among these elements were love,
communication trust, respect and commitment.
The
title of Rev. Carter’s recommitment message was “A Valley of Trouble for a Door
of Hope.” In this message Rev. Carter referenced in the Book of Hosea. The messenger vividly pointed out a number of
pit falls, obstacles, temptations insolvencies and other challenges that cause
marriages to go bad unless addressed appropriately. He urged the couples to put
God first, to stay focused on their personal relationships and to be led by
their belief and faith in God.
Additionally, the pastor emphasized communication with each other and
with God. Pastor underscored the fact that Jesus is indeed the door to
Salvation.
After
a lively presentation of the recommitted cupules to the congregation, the
Stewards hosted a beautiful reception in the Lower Level of the Church replete
with wedding cakes and punch. In light
moment a Steward was overheard to comment that apparently the water had been
transformed into a tasty drink resembling a fine wine. Also, some guests marveled at the magnitude
of the wedding decorations. The Lower Level
was transformed into a beautiful reception hall that could have been used for a
couple’s first time wedding.
The
Pastor was complimented for conducting a fine ceremony.
The
following couples renewed their vows during this special service: The Rev. and
Mrs. Richard Carter, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Brewster, the Rev. and Mrs. Steven
Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Mikal Leonard, Mr. and Derrick Burney, Mr. and Mrs.
Johnathan Dickson, Mr. and Mr. Larry Hampton, and Mr. and Mrs. James Ray.
11. 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
12. BLACK HISTORY MONTH UMC RESOURCES:
United Methodist Discipleship Ministries offers worship resources. The
United Methodist Commission on Archives and History offers resources for African-American
history.
13.
FAITH AND THE 2016 CAMPAIGN:
--
GOP Candidates Seen
As Religious – Except for Trump
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 27, 2016) – While the conventional wisdom in
American politics has long been that someone who is not religious cannot be
elected president of the United States, a new
Pew Research Center survey finds that one of the candidates who is widely
viewed by Republicans as a potentially “good” or “great” president, Donald Trump,
is not widely seen as a religious person, even by those in his own party. And
on the Democratic side, the share of Americans who say Hillary Clinton is not a
religious person now stands at 43%, which is sharply higher than it was in the
summer of 2007, when she was seeking the presidential nomination for the first
time.
The new
survey, conducted Jan. 7-14, 2016, among 2,009 adults, finds that the leading
Republican presidential candidates are more widely viewed as religious people
than are Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Roughly two-thirds of adults (68%) say
they think Ben Carson is “very” or “somewhat” religious, while 65% say the same
about Ted Cruz and 61% think Marco Rubio is a religious person. By comparison,
48% of adults say they believe Clinton is a religious person, and 40% think
Sanders is “very” or “somewhat” religious.
The major
exception to this pattern is Donald Trump; just 30% of U.S. adults view Trump
as a religious person.
The new survey
confirms that being an atheist continues to be one of the biggest perceived
shortcomings a hypothetical presidential candidate could have, with 51% of
adults indicating they would be less likely to vote for a presidential
candidate who does not believe in God. The study also shows that having a president
who shares their religious beliefs is important to many Americans, with about
half of U.S. adults saying it is “very important” (27%) or “somewhat important”
(24%) to have someone in the White House who shares their religious
perspective. This view is particularly common with Republicans, among whom 64%
say it is at least “somewhat important” to them that the president share their
religious beliefs.
At the same
time, many Republicans think Trump would be a good president despite his
perceived lack of religiousness. Of the 56% of GOP voters who think Trump would
be a good or great president, a substantial minority of them (17% of Republican
registered voters overall) say they think Trump is not religious. The pattern
is very different for the other leading GOP candidates; virtually all
Republicans who think Cruz, Rubio and Carson would be successful presidents
(and who express a view about their religiousness) also say they view those
candidates as at least somewhat religious. Just 2% of GOP voters think Rubio
would be a good president and that he is not particularly religious, with just
1% saying the same about Cruz and Carson.
The new survey
shows that among religious groups, 52% of white evangelical Protestant voters
(regardless of party affiliation) think Trump would make a “good”
or a “great” president. Evangelicals express a similar degree of confidence
that Carson (52%) and Cruz (49%) would be successful presidents. They
are less convinced that other Republican candidates would be good presidents. And
few evangelical voters think Bernie Sanders (16%) or Clinton (15%) would be
good presidents.
On the Democratic
side, the view that Sanders and Clinton would be good presidents is most common
among black Protestants and religiously unaffiliated voters (i.e., religious
“nones”). Fully half of religiously unaffiliated registered voters (51%) think
Sanders would be a successful president, while 42% think Clinton would be a
good or great president. Among black Protestant voters, 62% think Clinton would
be a “good” or a “great” president, while 36% say this about
Sanders. Among both groups, just 15% or fewer think any of the Republican
candidates would be good presidents.
The survey finds that 68% of U.S.
adults believe that religion is losing influence in American society. And most
who hold this view – 51% of all U.S. adults – say they think religion’s
declining influence is a bad thing for American society.
The survey also shows that 40% of
Americans think there has been too little expression of religious faith and
prayer by political leaders, compared with 27% who say there has been too much
religious talk by politicians. These figures are considerably different from
the results of a survey
taken at a similar point in the 2012 presidential election cycle. At that time,
there were more people who thought there was too much religious
discussion (38%) than who said there wasn’t enough (30%).
Other key findings
include:
Candidates are viewed as religious by more people in their own party than
the opposing party.
The biggest partisan gap on these questions is seen in views about Hillary
Clinton; two-thirds of Democrats say she is “very” or “somewhat” religious,
while two-thirds of Republicans express the opposite view, saying that she is
“not too” or “not at all” religious.
Like Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama is also seen as less religious today
than in 2007;
about one-third of adults (35%) now say Obama is “not too” or “not at all”
religious, up from 9% in 2007.
Half of Americans (51%) believe religious conservatives have too much
control over the GOP,
and more than four-in-ten (44%) think
that liberals who are not religious have too much control over the Democratic
Party. Two-thirds of Democrats say the GOP has been co-opted by
religious conservatives, while most Republicans reject this notion. Conversely,
two-thirds of Republicans believe that secular liberals have too much power in
the Democratic Party, while two-thirds of Democrats disagree.
One-quarter of adults (26%) say they would be less likely to vote for a
gay or lesbian presidential candidate, while 69% say it would make no
difference to their vote. Since 2007, the share of Americans who say a candidate’s
sexual orientation would not matter in their vote has been steadily rising,
while the share who say they would be less likely to support a gay or lesbian
candidate has been declining.
There are more than twice as many Republicans who say they would be less
likely to support a presidential candidate who has been an elected official in
Washington for many years as who would be more likely to support such a
candidate (44% vs. 18%).
Among Democrats, the balance of opinion leans in the opposite direction; 27%
see extensive Washington experience as a positive, compared with 19% who see it
as a liability.
The full report is
for immediate release and available at: http://www.pewforum.org/2016/01/27/faith-and-the-2016-campaign/
Pew
Research Center is a
nonpartisan fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and
trends shaping America and the world. It does not take policy positions. Pew
Research Center is a subsidiary of The Pew Charitable Trusts, its primary funder.
* Pew Center Press Release
14. IT’S NOT WORTH
30 PIECES OF SILVER:
*The
Reverend Darryl R. Williams
30
pieces of silver is the amount in which Christ was sold by Judas Iscariot. It
is commonly symbolic for the short-sighted things we will do to satisfy our
cravings for power and things, even at the expense of something or someone far
more precious and noble.
The
African-American prophetic tradition was born out of the crucible of slavery
and oppression. Because of the inhumane treatment of slaves, brave and
courageous voices saw it necessary to speak truth to power, to rail against the
brutalities of a system that dehumanized an entire race of people. So we would
be correct to assert that there would be no Black Church if it were not for the
prophetic tradition.
This
tradition stayed robust and strong during the Jim Crow years, bolstered by a
theology that said, “Any theology that is not related to the liberation of the
poor in a society is not Christ’s message” – Dr. James Cone.
The
voices of the prophetic tradition, Dr. Martin Luther King and others, put
pressure on the American way in the name of integrity, decency, fairness, and
righteousness. One of the outcomes of this was the passage of the Voting Rights
Act of 1965. We are proud inheritors of what the African-American prophetic
tradition has wrought, and we ought to be proud and active participants.
A
few months ago, some African-American pastors met with presidential candidate,
Donald Trump, I believe for the purpose of endorsing him, though later, some
denied it. They met with Donald Trump- a man whose views and actions are not
unlike those who kept slaves and enforced Jim Crow laws; who said that an
African-American protester who was beaten at one of his events, “deserved it.”
Mr.
Trump said he would never meet with the leaders of the “Black Lives Matter
Movement” and who irresponsibly “re-tweeted” some inaccurate numbers that
claimed African-Americans are the primary killers of whites and that “a higher
percentage of whites die at the hands of police than Blacks.” These pastors met
with Mr. Trump (and by the way, it wasn’t the first time!), and contrary to
some of their claims, left Mr. Trump’s presence with all of his egregious
behavior toward the African-American community, Muslims, and Hispanics
unchallenged!
The
prophetic tradition and the Black Church, which is its offspring, once were
theologically aligned. But as heresies
crept into the New Testament Church, which gave rise to some of Paul’s letters,
a heresy also crept into the African-American Church- it’s called the
prosperity Gospel. You know, “God wants everyone to be rich!”
The
“Prosperity Gospel” co-opts the prophetic tradition because you can’t preach
against a system that marginalizes the poor and oppressed people of color and
at the same time play “footsie” with those who keep it in place. The promise of
power, the “good life”, and the allure of having “bigger barns” is too
intoxicating to deny, so instead we deny our responsibility to be a voice to
masses. But Malcom X reminded us years ago, it is the masses to whom we are
called.
“As
long as the masses are not respected, you can show me all the individual
respect you want, but I know that it is empty.”
Those
who cross the line that separates the prophetic from the self-interest that’s
espoused in the Prosperity Gospel have traded their calling, credibility, and
respect for 15 minutes of fame and the promise of crumbs from the master’s
table. As long as it was something in it for them- the pastors who met with
Trump- his disrespect for them, their community, and the people who sit in
their pews didn’t matter!
Judas
believed that one day Christ would be the political Messiah that would free him
and his people from Roman bondage. Judas fantasized that he would hold a
prominent place in Jesus’ new kingdom. Overtime it became more and more
apparent to Judas that Jesus would not be inaugurating this new kingdom- at
least not the kind he wanted. So out of anger, he sold him out for 30 PIECES OF
SILVER.
Matthew
27 tells us what became of Judas.
“When
Judas, who had betrayed Jesus saw that he was condemned, he was seized with
remorse and returned the 30 pieces of silver to the Chief Priest and Elders. ‘I
have sinned,’ he said, for I have
betrayed innocent blood.” (Matthew 27:3, 4 RSV). Then “he went and hanged
himself.” (Matthew 27: 5 RSV). Judas Iscariot lost all his credibility, his
call, and his life because he failed to be faithful and true to the calling
given to him to be a disciple of Jesus. It wasn’t worth 30 pieces of silver!
Losing
the call from God, our credibility in the eyes of the people we have been
called to serve, IS NOT WORTH 30 PIECES OF SILVER!
*The
Reverend Darryl R. Williams is the pastor St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal
Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
15. THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT:
*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
Based on Biblical Text: And this have
ye done again, covering the altar of the Lord with tears, with weeping, and
with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or
receiveth it with good will at your hand. Malachi 2:13 (KJV)
The New International Version translates, “Another thing you do: You
flood the Lord’s altar with tears. You weep and wail because he no longer looks
with favor on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands.”
It might have been. I shoulda,
coulda, woulda or my favorite, I’m “fittin
to.” That is what regret is all about! A poem says, “For of all the sad
words of tongue or pen, the saddest are these, it might have been”. Lamentably,
the world is full of people who regret haven thoughtlessly chosen the wrong
thing, the wrong person, the wrong profession or the wrong path.
The truth of the matter is; life is a series of forks in the road. We are
challenged to decide; do we take this way or chose another way. Life is a
series of decisions we have to make understanding that some are more critical
than others. Some decisions affect us more than others. Some actually affect
folk around us more than others. However, the decisions are ours to make. The
choices are up to us. We must be aware that the consequences that come with the
choices are ours too.
The responsibility for bad or ill-advised choices we make can be
embarrassing, painful and potentially expensive. However, like it or not we are
faced with decisions every day. And the decisions we are challenged to make
come in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes there are so many decisions we may feel
like we are on a merry-go-round. After each time we get one thing done we find
that we have even more decisions to make.
The fact is; we need to be concerned about the decisions we make. We need
to be careful about our decisions so that we won’t have a life full of regrets.
There is nothing more miserable than a life of unhappiness because of the
decisions we have made. More importantly, there is no pain like the pain of
feeling God’s disappointment. There is no greater pain of regret than the pain
that comes with knowing God is disappointed with decisions we make and of wishing
we could have a chance to do it all over again. Unfortunately, life offers very
few, if any, do-overs.
Having said that I can let us in on a few biblical truths that will enable
us in making decisions with fewer regrets.
The Bible tells us that we are to, “Seek God’s Will”, “Trust in the Lord
with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” and “In all your
ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Seek, trust and
acknowledge, with all our heart and He will help us through our choices. He
will help us narrow down the choices that will work best in our situation. He
will help us make the most appropriate decision for our circumstance. We are
admonished however to seek, trust and acknowledge the Lord with all of our
heart.
We will find that the greatest resource available to us as we journey
through the valley of decision is the Lord! We are challenged to look to Him.
The decisions we have to make need the counsel of prayer understanding that
praying is still the way we communicate with God. The Bible promises God still
answers our communication. We will never regret taking time to pray before we
make a decision.
The decisions we make need the counsel of the Word of God. When we are
faced with a decision we should ask ourselves, what does God say? We need to
pause to consider what God’s Word has to say. The Bible reminds us that, “The
steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.”
One thing we must be reminded of constantly is that the decisions we make
must not seek the counsel of feelings. In other words, we cannot make decisions
based on how we feel. Feelings can change from day to day. We cannot make
rational decisions based on how we feel, tranquil and calm today and tossed and
driven tomorrow.
Jesus prayed in the garden knowing that the “cup of mankind’s sin” was to
be his drink. He prayed however, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup
pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Not as I will
moves our feelings out of the way. Jesus made His feelings known to God but He
was determined to accept God’s will as His decision.
Finally, to make wise decisions we must learn to wait on the Lord. Before
we commit, before we start out, before we open our mouth, wait on the Lord! Pray
the Lord will be our guide. Look to the Word of God. The Bible reminds us, “In
the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
The Word of God is the sword of the spirit! The Word of God is enduring and
powerful. The Word of God is flawless and it can be trusted. The Word of God is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in
righteousness. Wait on the Lord! Not my will Lord but, your will.
Before we make a decision we are cautioned to wait, pray seeking quality
time alone with God. Wait, read the Word, seeking quality time in study and
devotion. Wait, put our feelings aside! Not my will Lord but, your will.
The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown
A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C.
*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of Morris Brown
AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina
16. 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.
17. iCHURCH SCHOOL
LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, JANUARY 31, 2016 - THE DEATH OF A FRIEND - ST.
JOHN 11:38-44:
*Brother Bill Dickens
Key Verse: He cried with a loud
voice, “Lazarus come out!” St. John
11:43
Introduction
The past four Church School
lessons have looked at the topic of marriage.
Marriage ceremonies are arguably one of the most joyous events in the
human experience. The antithesis to
marriage is death. Death is the
climatic, culminating point in the human experience. Death completes the circle of life. It is traumatic because all associated with
it experience pain, loss and the certainty of knowing that a loved one is not
coming back in our lifetime to share our dreams, hopes and aspirations. The Adult AME Church School Lesson for
January 31, 2016 tackles this difficult but important subject. No one is immune
from the pain and sorrow of coping with the death of a loved one. Jesus provides new insight in helping us
manage and navigate thru this emotionally stressful part of our lives.
Bible Lesson
The primary characters in
our lesson are two sisters (Martha and Mary of Bethany) a deceased brother
Lazarus and Jesus. Jesus was personally
familiar with the siblings. On a prior
visit to the home of Martha and Mary he was the beneficiary of great
hospitality. Mary even washed His feet
with her own tears! Jesus is away on
mission business but receives news about the passing of Lazarus. Upon receiving the sad news he decides to
spend an additional two days at his location instead of immediately heading
back to Bethany to comfort the grieving sisters. When Jesus arrives the sisters are still
experiencing pain about their brother’s death.
They express their pain further by suggesting that Lazarus’s death may
have been averted if Jesus had come sooner (v 21). Jesus informs Martha that her brother will rise
again and all she has to do is believe that He is the Resurrection and the Life
(v 23-25).
Jesus approaches the
gravesite and orders the stone, blocking the burial cave, to be removed. Martha
thought this was odd given the fact that Lazarus was dead for four days and his
decaying body would only provide a stinking aroma. While Jesus grieved as well he remained
focused on His mission. Jesus prays to
the Father and offers thanks for being granted an opportunity for those in
attendance to see the Father’s Glory and further evidence that he was sent to
them by God Himself. At the conclusion
of the prayer Jesus makes a powerful declaration in three words: Lazarus come out! Perhaps to the astonishment of those in
attendance, Lazarus walks out of his burial cave. Notice that Jesus was specific about who
should come out. Undoubtedly as the Son
of God if He had simply said “come out” all who were in their respective tombs
would’ve come out! The raising of
Lazarus from the dead is prima facie
evidence that Jesus is Lord of the living and the dead.
Bible Application
As adults, we are told that
two things are certain in life: death and taxes. AMEs can also add that another certainty is
the relocation of itinerant elders by a presiding prelate as a requirement of
their pastoral calling, but, I digress.
Death is a painful loss
because it represents the final chapter in our existential experience. We adjust to pain and loss in different
ways. Some mourn with great physical
emotion, some more with a few shed tears and seemingly no outward
expression. There is no cookie-cutter
model that can be used in all grieving situations. Funeral Home Directors face a difficult
challenge. They must offer services
aimed at meeting burial expenses and help families mitigate the pain and sorrow
for the lost family member. Jesus
indicated in one of the Beatitudes that “blessed
are those who mourn for they will find comfort” (St. Matthew 5:4).
One of the many resources
that the AME Church provides its Connectional members is a notification service
about the passing of our AME loved ones.
Mrs. Ora L. Easley,
Administrator of the AME Church Clergy Family Information Center, disseminates
timely notices about who has made the great transition from life to death and
the date and location for the home going services. We are grateful for the notice about the
passing of our AME family and friends so that we can show our empathy and love
for the bereaved family. This is why
Jesus returned to Bethany to comfort his friends Martha and Mary. However, Jesus offered something better than
empathy. He offered hope to all who
believe in Him that they too will be resurrected from death to not just
temporal life, but life everlasting! 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
18. MEDITATION BASED ON II KINGS 6:8-17:
*The Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
I’m writing this week’s meditation
roughly 36 hours after undergoing successful cataract surgery. My old optometrist advised against it while I
was undergoing chemotherapy for colorectal cancer a little more than five years
ago because of possible complications, and I subsequently pushed it way down on
my priority list until my new ophthalmologist finally talked me into it.
The surgery went well - in spite of a
scary, last minute, “pre-op” disclosure that it would be done while I was awake
- and the results have been stunning. My
eye feels as well as could be expected “post op” and my vision will be a bit
fuzzy for a week or two as my eye recovers from the surgical trauma, but I’ve
already had to abandon my old eyeglasses because the left lens prescription is
now way too strong for me - for the first time in fifty years, I have good
distance vision without eyeglasses!
I put the surgery off for a long time
because I was doing alright without it and wasn’t anxious to undergo any kind
of surgery, but I’m glad that I finally listened to my “eye doctor” and had it
done, because I didn’t realize what I was missing in terms of new vision.
I offer that blessed experience to you
in a world where it’s easy for all of us to engage in procrastination and to
settle for the limited vision afforded by this world. It’s easy for all of us to see life as we
expect it to be, to pass up challenges that appear to be scary and troubling,
to focus on problems instead of possibilities and to settle for simply getting
by.
When we trust, however, in the God who made us
and who knows us best to change our spiritual vision - just as I finally chose
to trust in my ophthalmologist’s advice - the results can be stunning. The God we serve will open our eyes and show
us new hope, new blessings, new assurance and new victory.
Let the God who sent His Son into this
world to open our eyes to the joy of salvation give you new spiritual
vision. You’ll find your way to new
strength, be open to new possibilities, face life with new perspective, and
know why those who were blessed with new spiritual vision, in spite of
slavery’s chains, to say, “Up above my head, I see Glory in the air; there must
be a God somewhere!”
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
19. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
-- Mother Francis April of the Cape Conference, 15th
Episcopal District, Celebrated her Ninety-Fifth Birthday
Congratulations to Mother Francis April
of the Cape Conference, 15th Episcopal District. Mother April celebrated her 95th birthday on
January 26, 2016. She is the mother of the Reverend John April of Waco, Texas
(presently in South Africa).
Birthday greetings and well-wishes can
be emailed to the attention of Mother Francis April: cjvpza@yahoo.co.uk.
20. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
We are saddened to announce the Passing
of Henry Wendell Murph, Jr., the son of Mrs. Geraldine Stiles Murph and the
late Bishop Henry W. Murph Sr.
Henry Wendell Murph, Jr., a Los
Angeles, California resident, passed away on January 13, 2016. He was 69 years
old.
The viewing of Henry Wendell Murph, Jr
was held on Friday, January 22, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Inglewood Cemetery
Mortuary, 3801 W. Manchester Blvd., in Inglewood. His homegoing service was
held on Saturday, January 23, at 10 a.m., at New Vision Ministries, 2400
Southwest Drive in Los Angeles. His brother, the Rev. Dr. Frederick O. Murph,
officiated.
A native of Savannah, Georgia, Henry
was born June 26, 1946 to the late Bishop Henry W. Murph Sr. and Mrs. Geraldine
Stiles Murph. In 1948, the family moved to Los Angeles where Henry graduated
from Susan Miller Dorsey High School. He earned an Associate of Arts degree at
Los Angeles City College.
A veteran of United States Air Force,
he worked for the U.S. Postal Service for several years following his discharge
from the military. However, his passion was acting and he successfully secured
roles in many television series including “NYPD Blue,” “Raising the Bar,” “The
Protector,” “Goodwin Games,” “Mixology” and “Murder in the First.”
Henry was a charter member of New
Vision Ministries, founded by Dr. Murph in November 2009 and actively
participated in the church. For the last two weeks of his life, Henry was in
Cedars Sinai Hospital. In spite of his condition, he consistently asked about
the church and God’s people.
His father, Bishop Henry W. Murph,
preceded him in death. Henry is survived by his mother, Geraldine Stiles Murph;
his sister, Jackie Taylor Hadjis; brother, Ronald Weston Murph; brother, the
Rev. Dr. Frederick Ormonde Murph; niece, Jenelle Murph Davis; and nephew,
Romalis J. Taylor III.
*Extracted from the Los Angeles
Sentinel | African-American News - https://lasentinel.net/henry-murph-jr-passes-away.html
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing
of Dr. M. Marianne Dyson, renowned Bible scholar, playwright, and the
distinguished wife of Presiding Elder Emeritus, William A. Dyson, Sr. of the Portsmouth/Richmond/Roanoke
District. She went home to be with the
Lord on Tuesday, January 26, 2016.
Services will be held on Saturday,
January 30, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Emmanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 637
North Street, Portsmouth, Virginia.
Presiding Elder Chester W. Morris of
the Norfolk/Eastern Shore District will officiate. The Reverend Granger Flythe,
pastor of Emmanuel AME Church, will be the Eulogist.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Presiding Elder Emeritus William A.
Dyson, Sr.: amedyson@hotmail.com
Flowers may be sent to:
Keith Mathews Funeral Home
5665 E Virginia Beach Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23502
Telephone: (757) 459-9944
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing
of Brother Frank James Marshall, brother of the Rev. Dr. Willie Marshall,
pastor of St. James AME Church in St. Louis, Missouri.
Funeral Services for Brother Frank
James Marshall:
Saturday, January 30, 2016 - 11:00 a.m.
J. F. Shields High School (the Old
Gymnasium)
17688 Highway 21 North
Beatrice, AL 36425
Dr. Willie E. Marshall, Eulogist
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Lucy R. Marshall (mother of the
deceased)
P.O. Box 22
Peterman, AL 3647
23. 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
24. 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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