The Right Reverend T. Larry Kirkland -
Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr.,
Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III,
the 20th Editor, The Christian
Recorder
The 50th Quadrennial
Session of the General Conference, July 6-13, 2016
1. TCR EDITORIAL – REVIEW OF
THE GUIDELINES OF ANOINTING WITH OIL AS FOUND IN JAMES 5:14:
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
Well, it’s getting down to crunch time.
The 50th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference is days away
and my tenure as the 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder is coming to an end. I am blessed to have
reached the retirement age. There is so much more I want to write, but the
“clock” is running out. I have been publishing The Christian Recorder Online and writing editorials since 2004,
which means I have written about 600 editorials plus TCR News Breaks and TCR
Breaking News. My position as the
Editor of The Christian Recorder has
been a fulltime job and a labor
of love!
I want to address the “Guidelines of anointing
with oil as found in the book of James, Chapter 5 because I believe the
anointing of oil needs readdressing. Readers tell me that they see preachers
anointing the heads of parishioners using olive oil bottles bought in grocery
stores. If after reading this editorial folks want to continue anointing with
oil, I would just ask them to go to a religious book store and purchase a
receptacle that is specifically designed
for anointing oil. Or they can go to Walmart or another store and
purchase a clear plastic bottle(s). A clear plastic receptacle would be
more appropriate than Bertolli or Berio olive oil bottles someone
purchased at the grocery store. I would encourage them to take a little extra
time to dignify the event.
I believe that most churches and ministers
base the anointing with oil on the text found in James 5:14, which says, “Is anyone among you sick? Let
him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing
him with oil in the name of the Lord.” In looking at this issue, I have
tried to do a simple exegesis (critical analysis of what the text meant to the
biblical audience) and a straightforward hermeneutic (How the text applies to
us today).
In the gospels we observe that Jesus commanded
all believers to lay hands on the sick, but Jesus never commanded us to anoint
anyone with oil. There is no record of Jesus ever anointing anyone with oil,
and there are no descriptions of the apostles or other Christians in the early
church anointing anyone with oil after the day of Pentecost. Therefore,
anointing the sick (or anyone else) with oil is not an unwaiverable religious
requirement that believers have to follow. Anointing with oil is not
condemned or forbidden, so one cannot dogmatically or theologically espouse the position that it would be
wrong to anoint someone with oil.
However, upon careful analysis, James
5:14 clearly states that "people can ask for some of the elders of
their church to come to them and pray for them and to anoint them with oil:
"Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray
over him and anoint [aleipho,
"to rub, cover over, besmear"] him with oil in the name of the
Lord." (James 5:14)
Bible scholars are not certain whether James
was referring to the first-century practice of rubbing oil on the sick, or
whether James was implying some kind of "sacred" anointing in the
verse above.
Upon closer analysis, it is important to note that James used the Greek word for the
common, everyday type of "anointing," not the Greek word for a "sacred"
anointing in which the Holy Spirit is involved, and James wrote that a sick
person "should"; not "must," call for
the elders. In other words, James was not giving us a command and telling us
that the only way divine healing will work is if church elders anoint a sick
person with oil and pray for the person.
If we follow James’ statement literally,
anointing should not be done without a person’s request and if we follow that
notion literally, it might be presumptuous of pastors to “spread oil” on
everybody during an altar call or even when visiting members in their homes and
anointing them without being requested to do so.
A good while ago I went to the chancel rail
and following the preacher’s instructions to “talk to God in your own way”
during the altar call. I was in deep private prayer when suddenly the preacher
anointed me with oil. I was a little put off that the pastor was anointing
everyone with oil. I did not ask to be anointed and was offended that the
pastor would be presumptive in assuming that everyone wanted to be anointed. My
personal talk with God was interrupted by the pastor’s presumptiveness.
Afterwards I wondered if the oil had been consecrated or blessed or just used
as purchased at the grocery store. And to make matters worse the pastor anointed everyone kneeling at the altar
using olive oil out of a Bertolli bottle.
I have several questions to those who anoint
with, does the oil heal? Does the oil
have some kind properties that prayer doesn’t have? How does one determine when
to use oil? Do you consecrate the oil? What is the difference between oil that
has been consecrated and unconsecrated oil? If the oil is consecrated, what
biblical scripture is used to support the practice of consecrating the oil?
Should unordained persons anoint people with oil?
The verses in James, Chapter 5 says, “They
(those who wish to be anointed) should call for the elders of the church, and
have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord.”
(NRSV)
Presbyteros is the Greek word used in the James passage
for “elder,” so it would seem to me that any anointing must be done by ordained
clergy. I have seen unordained ministers
and “evangelists” freely anointing people with oil.
Neither Jesus nor the apostles, after
Pentecost are recorded as using oil for healing, nor did they ever command
anyone else to use oil for healing or for any other situation in which prayer
is needed.
Therefore, we should be careful not to take
James 5:14 as a dogmatic statement of how healing works. The best balance seems
to be that anointing with oil can be helpful, but it is not a requirement for
healing, or for any other purpose.
Anointing with oil has gained popularity in
the church. I suspect that its popularity may be tied in with the
Pentecostalism, neo-Pentecostalism and the charismatic movements and people may
see anointing as an innovative approach to liven up traditional worship.
There is no harm in anointing, but I believe
that we should remain as faithful to the biblical passages as possible.
And one more thing
If you are a proponent for anointing persons
with oil, please purchase an appropriate bottle or receptacle for the oil.
Ask yourself why you are anointing persons
with oil. Is the oil consecrated? Can just anyone consecrate the oil? Is there a healing property in the oil? Does
olive oil have some kind of healing properties?
Can you use Canola Oil or Peanut oil?
If not, why not?
Have you explained to parishioners why you are
anointing with oil? What are your theological or religious reasons for
anointing with oil? What does the anointing do?
2. TCR
OP-ED - THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A DELEGATE:
Jamye Coleman Williams
The 50th
Session of the General Conference is for me a very special one as I look back
over the years. This is the 19th
General Conference in which I have been in attendance, dating back to 1940 when
we were small enough to meet in a church—Ebenezer AME Church, Detroit,
Michigan. This is the 14th
General Conference at which I have been a delegate from 1964 in Cincinnati to
this year of 2016. So I come with
nostalgia, with memories, and with hopes.
It is about our hopes that I will share a few thoughts. I also come
feeling extremely blessed that God has allowed me to be present for the 200th
Anniversary of African Methodism.
All of us, I am sure,
have a great sense of pride in our history and legacy—not only as African
Methodists but also as African Americans.
When we recall that in 1787 in Philadelphia when there were white men
framing the United State Constitution, a few blocks away Richard Allen and
others were in process of founding our Church.
Becoming in 1816 a denomination was historic. Since that time we can point to so many
firsts: Became the first African American denomination to own an institution of
higher education, Wilberforce, and thereby to have the first African American
college president. Other landmark
achievements include the founding of the first black religious newspaper, The Christian Recorder; the first
literary journal, The A.M.E. Church
Review; and the first book of religious law, The Discipline, and the first hymnal; and the establishing of the
first publishing house, the Sunday School Union.
Our history and legacy
are so significant that we should ever try to build on the successes and
achievement of past generations. We
cannot, however, rest on those laurels.
It is a new day—a new century. Times have changed dramatically. We cannot then conduct the affairs of the
Church as if time has stood still. We
who represent the Moses generation must understand the perspective of the
Joshua generation, and vice versa.
At this General
Conference my hope is that we realize that it is primarily a legislative body.
It is the body that deals with the critical concerns, the serious issues, and
the difficult problems that confront the Church. It is, therefore, necessary that there be
leaders among us who will be willing to take a position and have the courage to
stand up and be counted. A constant
complaint in “lobby conversations” is that today we do not have as many floor
leaders as has been the case in past generations. The title of a recent book by Marion A.
McMickle is an appropriate question at this time, in this place—Where Have All the Prophets Gone? We
miss some of the voices of the past who did not maintain silence in the face of
controversy or neutrality in the face of conflict. I recall among them three of my former
Wilberforce students—Ulysses Hughey, James Oxley, Woody Hall.
As a layperson let me
speak directly for a moment to the laity.
Please remember that you are a most important entity of the Church. I challenge you as delegates to look
carefully at every issue, analyze every problem, and decide logically and
prayerfully on a course of action. I
must remind you that you are free, unencumbered, not financially dependent upon
the Church, and accountable only to God.
When we are called upon
to vote on an issue, I would also remind you that your vote is yours. It does not belong to anyone else. You—and you alone—have the right to choose on
what and for whom you cast your ballot. I urge you to be thoughtful and
prayerful as you exercise this precious right.
Through the years men and women have fought and died for the right to
vote. After the Civil War black men
fought for this right. The suffragists
fought for it. The civil rights
advocates fought and died for equal rights, including the right to vote. Be willing to vote your conscience.
Finally, I urge you to
realize that our rich heritage is worth preserving; our commitment to the Great
Commission is worth implementing; our allegiance to our Church is worth
sustaining. We must not allow the
divisions among us to interfere with our duty to God and His Church. We must continue to have faith—a faith that I
heard Dr. Jeffrey Cooper describe in a sermon “Faith No Matter What.”
It’s really not about
us as individuals. It is not about us if
our concern is for the “me-ism” that permeates the world. It is about some of us who will try to do the
right thing and always be on the right side of history.
May god bless each of
you and bless this 50th Session of the General Conference of our
great African Methodist Episcopal Church.
3. NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
-- Seventh AME District appoints a new pastor for
Emanuel AME Church…
Just 24 hours after Dr.
Betty Deas Clark was reassigned to Bethel A.M.E. in Georgetown, Reverend Eric
Manning is…
Read more: http://www.wtma.com/news/seventh-ame-district-appoints-a-new-pastor-for-emanuel-ame-church/
-- “Emanuel AME
pastor moved after five months on the job”
“Emanuel
AME pastor moved after five months on the job” is the headline in The Courier and Post newspaper
(Charleston South Carolina).
4. THE
2016 SIXTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT POST CONFERENCE PLANNING MEETING:
*The
Rev. Velma E. Grant, M.Div., Th.M.
-- Sixteenth
Episcopal District Post Conference Planning Meeting & Christian Education
Leadership Congress
The
Sixteenth Episcopal District Post-Conference Planning and Christian Education
Leadership Congress with episcopal leaders, Bishop John Franklin White, and
Supervisor Penny Hartsfield White, convened in Kingston, Jamaica, from May 31 –
June 3, 2016. On Tuesday night the episcopal team gathered with members of the
“Sizzling, Sensational, Sixteenth District,” at the Hotel Four Seasons to
welcome the members and friends of the District. The night’s program leader,
the Rev. Dr. Monica Spencer introduced the program participants including
co-host presiding elders of the Jamaica Conference, Presiding Elder Leebert A.
Dawkins (Pedro Plains District) and Presiding Elder Clarence O. Turpin (Blue
Mountain District).
Presiding
Elder Turpin had the distinct honor of recognizing and introducing his peers
from the District including, Presiding Elder Rudolph U. Aaron (European);
Presiding Elder Jonathan Wayne Anthony (Trinidad /Tobago / Grenada); Presiding
Elder Anthony Parris (Barbados); Presiding Elder Andrew Morris Grant (Guyana/Suriname);
and Presiding Elder Uklyn Hendricks (Virgin Islands). The presiding elders and members of the
Sixteenth Episcopal District, spanning across seas, oceans and countries, came
together to work, study, learn, and celebrate African Methodism in the
distinctive way that is unique to the people of the Sixteenth District. Herein
is the beauty of the AME Church being an international Church, same polity,
same theology but a different way of celebrating Jesus and participating in the
community of faith.
The
community of faith gathered on Wednesday morning June 1, 2016 with morning
devotion led by the District Women in Ministry, followed by the morning Bible
study session facilitated by the Rev. Dr. Monica Spencer. Dr. Spencer used the
scriptural text, Matthew 9:35-38, The Evidence of the Harvest, for the study
session. She engaged the small groups with questions such as “Where is the
harvest?” “What kind of members is your church producing?”
The
small groups and general discussions provided “food for thought” as the members
contemplated and shared that “the greatest mistrust comes in operating finances
of the Church, transparency is important…the doors of the Church are still open
but not just on Sunday mornings…it is a travesty when our churches are only
open on Sundays…we need to let go of
past hurts and move forward…we cannot stay in the walls of the church
and find new laborers, we need to educate and motivate…we need to identify
location of potential members and look at current programs.
The
conversation, opinions and strategies shared by the members of the Sixteenth
District, might be useful for other members of the Connection since there are
certain issues that affect the A.M.E Church regardless of location or District.
Members were reminded that (1) although they meet in the church, service to the
community is important, (2) strategies need to be developed to meet the needs
of the community, (3) need to develop methods to overcome failed members and
show them their role in the church, (4) never give up on members because God
never gives up on us (5) show these members how their contributions or their
absences impacts the church. Dr. Spencer concluded the session by posing this
question to those gathered for the morning study session, “God has invested in
you, what are you doing with God’s investment?”
Wednesday
evening, the Rev. Dr. Harry L. Seawright, pastor of Union Bethel A.M.E Church,
Brandywine, MD., preached a dynamic sermon, which offered encouragement to the
night’s listeners. Pastor Seawright preached using the scripture Daniel 6:1
(?), with the title The Courage to Stand! While preaching he reminded us that
“scripture did not say weapons wouldn’t form, it said they wouldn’t prosper…
when you pray expect God to do something amazing…” The evening concluded with
the District and visitors participating in the sacrament of the Church, Holy
Communion, with Bishop John F. White, chief celebrant assisted by the District
presiding elders.
Following
Thursday morning’s devotion, the Bible study facilitator was the Rev. Carlos
Perkins, pastor of Saint Luke A.M.E. Church, Saint Croix located in the Virgin
Islands. In discussing The Fruit of Discipleship, the Rev. Perkins asked those
gathered to consider the culture of their church and its effect on their
respective churches.
The
Thursday morning plenary session facilitator was the Rev. Dr. Stafford Wicker,
pastor of Antioch A.M.E Church, Stone Mountain, Georgia, whose topic was,
Effective Plans for the Local Church. In this session, Dr. Wicker stated that
every planning session should begin with prayer, every church should have a
plan for ministry, and that in order to establish a connection to the
community, there must be a commitment to Christ (the church and its members
must be committed to Christ). Dr. Wicker interestingly shared the importance of
teamwork, when he said “…sometimes you’ve got to hand your plan to other folks,
let them work the plan.” He shared one particular instance where he was trying
to rally the congregation around a project but the project became successful
after a senior member (unbeknownst to the pastor), ran full steam ahead with
the project, rallying other members to embrace said project because she
believed in the importance of the project, and was able to convey the importance
to others.
The
Thursday noonday preacher was the Rev. Dr. Darryl Williams, pastor of Saint
Mark A.M.E Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who used the biblical text Joshua
6:1-5, coupled with the title We’ve Got Something to Shout About! Dr. Williams
preached “…shout before the victory…all of us have something to shout about…we
have noise makers and not God glorifiers…the shout means more when you’ve got
something to shout about…it doesn’t matter how high the wall, how strong the
enemy, when God says shout, shout.”
Afternoon
lunch preceded another plenary session, this time facilitated by the Rev. Joy
L. Gallmon, pastor of New Mt. Pisgah A.M.E Church, Lake City, Florida (she was
also the preacher for the Friday closing service). Pastor Gallmon’s topic was
Crafting Community: Creating Christian Education Curriculum and she shared a
few important points. (1) a community of faith approach to Christian Education
makes use of directly shared experiences, (2) Christian Education is not
teaching about Richard Allen, we use Richard Allen’s story to point to Jesus
Christ, (3) our structure is good, we have to use our structure to deepen our
relationship, (4) everything that we do in worship is important, everything
that we do teaches.
Although
the District is comprised of several countries with many languages and
dialects, the chant “Sensational, Sizzling Sixteenth District, number one,” is
one that is enthusiastically chanted in unison by the District. In unison, on
Thursday night, the District gathered for a wonderful night of culture where
the songs, poems, skits, music, and rhythms of the Sizzling Sixteenth were
showcased proudly by individuals from within the District. The Rev. Roy
Francis, pastor in the Windward Conference served as the amiable and efficient
moderator/host of the evening session where attendees, sang, danced, laughed,
and celebrated Christ and affiliation with the African Methodist Episcopal
Church.
Bishop
John F. and Supervisor Penny White have embraced, and are embraced by members
of the Sixteenth District, who although separated by land, oceans, seas, and
languages were joined together on that night “Culture Night,” to celebrate the
lessons learned from the sermons, discussions and plenary sessions from the
preachers and teachers who were each dynamic in their own right. It truly is a
wonderful thing to witness, participate in, and celebrate with members of our
international Church across land, oceans, and sea, proving that the love of
Christ knows no boundaries and that the African Methodist Episcopal Church is
indeed one Church in many locations.
*The
Rev. Velma E. Grant, M.Div., Th.M. an associate pastor at First Saint Paul
A.M.E Church in Lithonia, Georgia and President of the Sixth Episcopal District
Women In Ministry (WIM)
5. THE LIST OF 2016 GENERAL
CONFERENCE CANDIDATES AS CERTIFIED BY THE OFFICE OF THE AMEC GENERAL
SECRETARY/CIO:
- 100 CHAIR OF EPISCOPAL COMMITTEE:
101 -
Mayberry, Harold R. (Rev. Dr.)
102 -
Thompson, Taylor T. (Rev. Dr.)
- 200 GENERAL OFFICERS:
- 210 Treasurer/CFO:
211 - Lewis,
Richard Allen (Dr.)
- 220 General Secretary/CIO:
221- Cooper,
Jeffery Bernard (Rev. Dr.)
- 230 AMEC Department of Retirement Services:
231 - Harris,
Jerome V. (Rev. Dr.)
- 240 Global Witness and Ministry:
241 -
Flowers, George F. (Rev. Dr.)
- 250 Historiographer/Director of Research &
Scholarship,
Editor of AME Review:
251 - Fry
Brown, Teresa L. (Rev. Dr.)
- 260 President/Publisher, Sunday School Union:
261 - Belin, Roderick
Dwayne (Rev.)
262 - Green,
Henry E. Jr. (Rev.)
263 - Parker,
Joseph (Rev.)
- 270 Editor of The
Christian Recorder:
271 - Glenn,
V. Gordon III (Rev.)
272 - Grant,
Velma E. (Rev.)
273 - Thomas,
John III (Mr.)
- 280 Department of Christian Education:
281 - Bass,
Kabrina W. (Ms.)
282 -
Gallmon, Joy L. (Rev.)
283 - Green,
Vivian (Rev.)
284 -
Johnson, Amanda L. (Ms.)
285 - Jones,
Roy P. Jr. (Rev. Dr.)
286 - Pierce,
Garland F. (Rev. Dr.)
287 - Smith,
Robin Porter (Mrs.)
- 290 Church Growth and Development:
291 -
Hampton, Dennis J. (Rev.)
292 -
Mclamore, Charles Carnell (Rev. Dr.)
293 - Mayes,
Terence L. Sr. (Rev. Dr.)
294 - Wade,
James C (Rev. Dr.)
- 300 JUDICIAL COUNCIL:
- 310 Clergy Member:
311 - Bess,
Thomas Leon (Rev. Dr.)
312 - Curry, Eduardo
K., Esq. (Rev.)
313 - Golden,
James T., Esq. (Rev.)
314 - Green,
O. Jerome, Esq. (Rev. Dr.)
315 - Howard,
Delman (Rev.)
- 320 Clergy Alternate:
- 330 Lay Member:
331 -
Anderson, Derek H.
332 - Dawson,
Warren H., Esq.
333 -
Mayberry, Patricia M., Esq.
334 – Rhodes,
Brian Matthew, Esq.
335 - Wright,
Tania E., Esq.
- 340 Lay Alternate:
341 - Battle,
Starr L., Esq.
- 400 Bishop:
401 -
Alexander, James A. Sr. (Rev.)
402 -
Anthony, Wayne Johnathan (Rev.)
403 - Beaman,
Silvester S. (Rev. Dr.)
404 - Brailsford,
Ronnie E. Sr. (Rev. Dr.)
405 -
Brookins, Francine A., (Rev. Dr.).
406 -
Calloway, Kelvin T. Sr., (Rev. Dr.)
407 - Cooper,
Katurah York (Rev. Dr.)
408 - Eason,
Gregory Vaughn Sr. (Rev. Dr.)
409 - Goff,
Norvel Sr. (Rev. Dr.)
410 - Gray I,
Terence Renard (Rev.)
411 -
Greenebarr, Cecelia (Rev. Dr.)
412 -
Hendricks, Uklyn Augustus (Rev.)
413 -
Henning-Byfield, E. Anne (Rev. Dr.)
414 - Ingram,
Daryl B. (Rev. Dr.)
415 -
Mitchell, Michael Leon (Rev. Dr.)
416 - Mugala,
Paul M. Sr. (Rev.)
417 - Pierson,
Mark S. (Rev.)
418 - Reid,
Frank Madison Iii (Rev. Dr.)
419 -
Richburg, Caesar R. (Rev. Dr.)
420 - Rumph,
James Arthur (Rev. Dr.)
421 - Scott,
Magnus W.T. Sr. (Rev.)
422 -
Seawright, Harry Lee (Rev. Dr.)
423 - Seibo,
Samuel D., (Rev.)
424 - Simms,
Moses A. Jr. (Rev. Dr.)
425 - Tyler,
Timothy E. (Rev. Dr.)
426 - Wicker,
Stafford J. N. (Rev. Dr.)
427 -
Williams, Allen L. Sr. (Rev.)
428 -
Williams, Darryl R. (Rev.)
429 - Wright,
Frederick A. (Dr.)
430 - Yates,
Elizabeth E. (Rev.)
431 -
Zanders, Marvin Clyde II (Rev.)
6. ST PAUL-AGNEW
PULASKI, TENNESSEE HAS STUDENT ASSISTANT FROM MARTIN METHODIST COLLEGE:
Alyce
Ann Naomi Purvis Hendricks will be assisting Pastor William Howard Smith at St
Paul-Agnew AME Church in Pulaski, Tennessee, as a musician, Vocalist, and
worship assistant on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month.
In
the area of benevolence and missions, the scholarship assistance Alyce Ann
Naomi Purvis Hendricks is a result of a nearly two year effort to secure a
student from Martin Methodist College to assist St. Paul- Agnew AME Church in
Pulaski, Tennessee.
Dr.
Ted Brown, Martin Methodist Colleges President and St Paul-Agnew's pastor, the
Rev. Howard Smith dialogued about this program coming into place.
Alyce
Ann Naomi Purvis Hendricks also serves as the musician for Oakwood Seventh Day
Adventist Church, Huntsville, Alabama. Additionally, she's a member of the
Martin Methodist College Chorus in Pulaski. She's a committed Christian
Educator and an Evangelist.
Alyce Ann Naomi Purvis Hendricks was born in
Knoxville, Tennessee on March 9, 1994 to Ms. Alycia Hendricks and Melvin
Purvis. She has been singing since she was two years old for an audience and
started off as the Tennessee Kuumba Baby, reciting and writing poems since age
5, has been playing the piano since age 4.
Alyce loves to sing to glorify God and does it freely. She has been in
other contest and performances for 20 years and says she does them because she
enjoys touching lives of many around the world.
In
2012 Alyce was privileged to go to China along with ADRA on a mission trip to
build biogas tanks that help provide heating and electricity for poverty homes.
Her most humbling experience was in the summer of 2014 when she was blessed to
go with Oakwood University 4HIM Missions to Kenya to donate clothes and work as
a medical missionary in the clinics and orphanages there. Then for 2014
Christmas, Alyce was asked to come to Belize as a Singing Evangelist to
minister to over 5 churches and speak for a youth revival about the effects of
music on the brain. She loves to explore the world and help people, especially
the elderly. Alyce believes music is a
true medicine from God and will sing for anyone at any time if they are feeling
down and strives to lift and help heal as many hearts as she can.
Oakwood
University is where she began her pathway to becoming a nurse. She was there
for three years then transferred to Pulaski Tennessee to attend Martin
Methodist College majoring in nursing with a minor in music.
Alyce
aspires to become a geriatric nurse practitioner to work with the elderly and
later become a musical therapist. Because she was brought up alongside her 89
year old Grandmother Alice who still sings, and plays the piano, she wants to
follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and only use her talents for God and
kingdom-building.
Her
ultimate goal is to make it to heaven and be able to sing in the choir with the
angels and Jesus all over the universe as well as lead others to the Savior so
they will arrive with her on that great day.
7.
MAKE FRIENDS WITH THOUGHT:
Mrs.
Ophelia Chamberlain
I know you are thinking, what I mean about
making friends with Thought. Well I mean just that!
We have our casual everyday friends, such
as friends at work, at the gym, at church, at school and many other
places. We deal with these friends every day of our lives in one way or
the other. However, we are not conscious of our friends that are the
closet to us. Who are our very best friends and guests? They are
our closet and dearest friends whom for this article I will refer to as
“Thought” and its constituents. Notice when referencing to “Thought”
I will always begin the name of “Thought” with a capital T.
“Thought” is with us always, whether we
choose for “Thought” and his constituents to be with us or not; they will
always come along. “Thought” is the one who we check-in with first upon
awakening in the morning. We begin to take orders from “Thought”
the moment we open our eyes. What directions and goals does “Thought”
have for you today? Sometimes we have to be careful about “Thought,”
because if “Thought” has not been properly trained to assist you in the proper
way; your life could become a disaster as soon as you wake up.
You wonder where our thoughts come from.
Well, let’s look at the situation like this. After being born, we are
indoctrinated into a certain belief system. The ground laid for most of
our beliefs originated from our parents or the style of life with which we were
born and raised. Our beliefs play one of the most important roles in our lives.
For instance, I was raised with some beliefs, you probably never heard of.
One of my strongest ones for me were, if I
ever washed my hair, summer or winter and go outside I would catch a cold and
die. That one caused lots of inconveniences for me. Another, if I did not go to
church, I would go to hell. I suppose I am hell bond, by now. Some of
these beliefs stay with us forever. Therefore, this is why I believe we should
check our beliefs for their truths. Is everything you believe true?
Now let us talk about the “Thought”
bubble. “Thought” has a domain, which we will refer to as the “Thought”
bubble. The “Thought” bubble is located in another dimension; one you have
forgotten, but don’t worry it is there.
Maybe I should break down the definition of
the “Thought” bubble. Thoughts are pure energy. This energy exists within you
and outside of you. We also must understand this energy of “Thoughts” is all of
our own acknowledgment. You notice I did not say “all of our own making,”
because due to the fact that all “Thoughts” do not come from our own making. We
create some thoughts on our own, but not all. How many times have you
made the statement, “Where did that “Thought” come from?”
Starting your day off with some of
“Thought’s” negative suggestions, may not be in your best interest. One of the
worse things you could possible do, for instance, is to wake up to the
“Thought” that your day is going to be one of the worse days in history for
you. This could possibly be true, if you believe it. Maybe you should start
your day off by paying attention to “Thought’s” most positive suggestions.
I want you to understand that we are
getting ready to cross over into the nature of our spiritual beings. “Thought”
is a spiritual being. Do not forget the spiritual being is our dearest
friend, “Thought” who is always with us.
Thought will always meet us at the door,
assisting us to the chambers where its other associates are. These are our favorite
people we converse with all the time. We have a nickname for our friends.
There is that special one that we love dearly. Some name it “Me, Myself and I AM,” and some have gone so far as to
name it God. However, it does not matter what you choose to call it. It
will acknowledge and recognize its name and surely answer.
Then there are the ones or ones that choose
not to identify themselves. These are the ones in the background that always
have something to say about the situation, whether they are knowledgeable about
it or not.
The entities that communicate with you are
basically what we refer to as self-talk entities.
Think about this, who do you think is
talking to you now? Now you have to notice, “Thought” has not trained its
helpers when and when not to speak. If you notice one thing in particular
they all begin to think at once, none of them using any discipline.
Sometimes they are all so busy, giving you advice and the chatter is so bad,
you cannot hear yourself think. This type of commotion means one thing; there
is no discipline amongst them. Let’s talk about how we can train them for our
greatest good.
Number one, we have to establish which one
is the controller. To identify who the controller is, listen to the
details of the explanation that is given to you. For instance, we are
going to have to put our thinking into categories that will be understandable
for the subject of “Thought’s” benefit and ours also.
*Ophelia Chamberlain graduated from Forest Park College with an associate degree in Human
Services, along with 60 hours from UMCSL College of Saint Louis MO in Social
work.
She retired from the Housing Authority of Saint Louis County and now resides in
Columbia, South Carolina.
8. CONGREGATIONS AS
POLITICAL SYSTEMS:
By
David R. Brubaker on June 22, 2016 Leading Ideas
David
Brubaker says that while every congregation is a political system, political
activity doesn’t need to be manipulative, polarizing or demeaning. He outlines
four requirements for a church to function as a healthy political system.
Congregations,
like all organizations, are arenas for political activity. While we tend to
think of politics as pertaining to governmental entities, the phrase “workplace
politics” communicates the reality that political activities occur in multiple
organizational settings. Power and authority are negotiated and contested in
every organization, thus political activity is also endemic in every
organization.
Congregations
are indeed political systems. But they don’t have to be dysfunctional and
polarized.
While
every congregation is indeed a political system, political activity does not
need to be manipulative, polarizing, or personally demeaning. The Greek word
translated as “church” in the Christian Scriptures, ekklesia, means “a
gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an
assembly.” Likewise, the word “synagogue” is derived from the Greek word
synagein, and means “to bring together.” In Hebrew, a synagogue is referred to
as beit ha-knesset, which has the same meaning — a “house of assembly.”
When
citizens leave their homes to “assemble” in a synagogue or church, they
inevitably form a political system as well as a spiritual and social one. Yet
the reality that congregations are not only spiritual and social systems but
also political ones is for many congregants a deeply disturbing thought.
Politics appears to be brutish, nasty, and coarse — particularly in the current
U.S. election cycle. Bringing such malodorous activities into a religious
congregation strikes many congregation members as something abhorrent. Can a
congregation be a healthy political system, or are we condemned to replicate
the political grandstanding, intransigence, and polarization that now dominate
our national politics?
I
would suggest that there are four essential requirements for a congregation to
function as a healthy political system:
1)
Clear and consistent decision-making policies and practice
Destructive
political activity often results when individuals and groups in a congregation
do not understand — or do not trust — existing decision-making mechanisms.
Fuzziness in decision-making is a chronic cause of negative politics in
congregations.
2)
Clear lines of authority and accountability
Position
descriptions for professional staff are as essential for healthy congregational
functioning as they are in any other organization. Periodic role clarification
is needed as individual positions turn over or are revised. Every position
description should also clarify to whom that position is accountable, and
provide for annual review and accountability, in order to ensure meaningful
accountability.
3)
Clear channels for communication and participation
Nearly
every congregation I’ve attended or worked with gave significant attention to
how it was communicating “to” the congregation. The combination of verbal
announcements when the congregation gathers, a printed bulletin, a website, and
email blasts are today all standard. But less attention is given in most
congregations to how the leadership hears back “from” the congregation. Two-way
communication is essential in contemporary congregations, as members
experienced with social media and open discussions in university classrooms
generally won’t abide one-way communication for long.
4)
Dignity and Respect as Cultural Norms
By
far the most important requirement for healthy politics is that congregations
hold and practice strong cultural norms of dignity and respect. Author Donna
Hicks defines these terms this way: “Dignity is our inherent value and worth as
human beings; everyone is born with it. Respect, on the other hand, is earned
through one’s actions.” To be treated with dignity, therefore, is the inherent
right of every human being — even if we are unable to accord respect to the
behavior of a given individual.
When
implemented, these four requirements for healthy congregational functioning
produce dramatically different political behavior. Congregations are indeed
political systems. But they don’t have to be as dysfunctional and polarized as
our more visible political systems currently are. Commitments to clarity and to
upholding human dignity are the two most essential requirements for healthy
congregational politics. Whatever the state of politics in your congregation,
it’s never too late to start improving them.
*This article
originally appeared in the newsletter of the Congregational Consulting Group
and is used by permission of the author. The website for the Congregational
Consulting Groups is www.congregationalconsulting.org
9. THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT:
*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins
Based on Biblical Text: Joshua 7:1 (NIV): But the Israelites were unfaithful in regard
to the devoted things; Achan son of Karmi, the son of Zimri, the son of Zerah,
of the tribe of Judah, took some of them. So the Lord’s anger burned against
Israel.
Let me provide a little background before
moving forward.
God gave Joshua specific instructions before
the Israelites invaded Jericho. God told the Israelites that every living thing
was to be put to death and all the “stuff” belonging to the people of Jericho
was to be dedicated to the Lord’s treasury. He was absolutely clear that none
of the Israelite soldiers were to keep any of the spoils. Joshua, the leader,
knew it would not be a good idea to question God and His plans. Therefore, he
gave the specific instructions to everybody. Everyone obeyed God, except Achan.
Achan sinned, and took some of the wealth for himself.
The truth is that many of us might even
sympathize with Achan. After all he risked his life fighting hard like everyone
else. This was Achan’s chance to get ahead. He could pocket a little “change,”
and finally get something tangible for his battlefield valor and his devotion
to Joshua. Why not get something out of the deal, right?
Well, the problem with Achan taking some of
Jericho’s wealth was it was an act of disobedience. God’s strict requirement
was obedience and what God got from "Brother" Achan was clearly
disobedience. Lamentably, disobedience is a sin of which we are all familiar.
Far too often, we allow the pursuit of
something tangible to cloud our judgment. The truth of the matter is we often
let our pursuit of “stuff” keep us from being obedient. In many instances it is
our desire to accumulate “stuff” that causes us to take our focus off God. We
hear God say, “Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be
meat in my house,” however we squander our tithes gathering more “stuff” at the
mall and we short-change God on Sunday. My point is it is like Achan’s sin of
disobediently of keeping the spoils of battle when our “stuff” becomes our god.
I’ve learned over the course of my ministry,
folks do not like when the pastor talks about money. Believe you me; I don’t
make it a habit. Let me make it clear that our “stuff” does not have to be
money or even a pile of tangible objects. No beloved, our “stuff” can be a frat
or lodge meeting, a social gathering, a football, baseball or basketball game,
or even a chance to get in some more hours at work so we can buy some more
“stuff.” In other words, our “stuff” is anything that takes our eyes, our
minds, our focus and our heart, off of God.
Our God is everywhere, knows everything and
sees everything. Achan did not escape God’s notice. God saw Achan’s sin when he
took some of the "devoted things" that belonged to God, and God’s
anger was kindled, not just against Achan, but against all Israel. We need to
understand that it only takes one!
Achan did not seem to care that his actions
got everybody else in trouble. It did not appear that he gave much thought to
the fact that his disobedience was going to cost Joshua his next victory. I
make this point to warn us as we are inclined to point the finger of blame at
Achan. Let us first take a look at ourselves. It is a fact that we are selfish
by nature. We are in fact selfish enough to believe our actions only affect us.
Most of us don’t stop to think about the effect our actions have on others. I
contend that in many instances we just don’t care. We think, “It’s my life and
I’ll do what I want.” The preacher in me has to say, “I know I’m right about
it.”
The truth of the matter is our disobedient
actions don’t just hurt us they hurt others around us. Our text does not say
that only Achan would suffer for his disobedience. It says, “But the children
of Israel committed a trespass in the accursed thing and the anger of the Lord was
kindled against the children of Israel.”
The fact is God has rules for a reason.
God’s rules are meant to help our carnal flesh keep its focus. Can you imagine
what the kingdom of God would look like if all of us who profess to be God’s
children obeyed God's rules! God’s church bank accounts would be full, and
God’s houses would be full.
*The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.,
is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina
10. GETTING TO ZERO: ETHIOPIA:
I write this with mixed emotions. I am at
the airport in Addis Abba, Ethiopia waiting for the flight to Gondar. This
northern city is the location of the University of Gondar. I am attending a 25th
Anniversary Medical Sciences Conference there and will present some results on
the Trusted Messenger Intervention (TMI) efforts to address HIV/AIDS. The
invitation unplanned by me was received a few days before leaving Michigan for
TMI fieldwork sites in Zambia. I am grateful for the unanticipated opportunity.
This is my first travel to Ethiopia or even
to East Africa, "the Horn of Africa." It seems that God is enlarging
my territory in God's timing and for God's purposes. I am simply sitting in the
back seat of the two-seater bicycle with my hands up in the air thinking,
"Wheeee... what is next?"
I have mixed feelings because of what I see.
The conference organizers arranged lodging in Addis Abba for overnight to go
with a 9:00 p.m. arrival from Johannesburg, South Africa. The connecting flight
to Gondar boards at 6:45 a.m. It is a short night's sleep.
The four-star hotel provides buffet
breakfast, fast Internet, shuttle service and every amenity for comfort. It was
exciting to see what was brought to my room from the breakfast buffet since I
depart at 5:30 a.m. from the hotel to the Bole International Airport. Great
croissant, eggs and Ethiopian coffee along with fruit, fresh squeezed juice and
a serving of a “meat or veggie with onions” dish that I do not recognize. The
waitperson explains the name and informs me that "it is quite good."
After using the hotel shuttle service back
to the airport and checking in and through security I passed through an area
where there are long seats. On most there are people curled up and covered with
their jacket or clothes.
While I feel some kind of unusual way from
long flights and such early rising and unknown foods, my travel has been a
blessing. I am only in Addis for six hours outside of the airport, but was not
asked to spend the lay-over night time sleeping on a cart in the lounge of the
airport; thus one source of mixed feelings. We could have saved some funds if I
just stayed in the airport overnight.
We have so much and often appreciate it much
less than we should.
Ethiopia is known to some as the distant
place of origin of dire pictures of drought, famine and starvation from the
1980s and even more recently during the 2010 droughts. The Ministry of Health,
Ministry of Education and Medical Schools are leading a major overhaul to
increase the number of trained medical and health care professionals who remain
in the country to serve the Ethiopian communities.
Like many countries in Africa, "brain
drain" is an issue. Some of the best and brightest qualify for and gain an
education out of the country. They find better salaries, work conditions,
upward mobility and greater family satisfaction and opportunities in other
countries, so they do not return for long-term careers in their home country.
The USA has many African Diaspora persons who fit this category. There are mixed
feelings and many issues about what to do.
Ethiopian officials and leadership are
pouring funds into increasing resources to train medical personnel at all
levels to remain in the country to address health issues. Currently the
estimate is about 1.0 - 2.6 physicians to serve every 100,000 persons in this
country.
Ethiopia has a population of 95 million
people. This is the second largest population in Africa-- only Nigeria has more
people. An average family size is about 6-7 persons. One estimate states that
16% of the population lives on less than $1.00 per day. The national currency
is the Birr (ETB). One USD is 21.7 ETB.
Addis Abba is the capital city of Ethiopia.
It is an urban jungle growing larger each week with new buildings and more
people. Another estimate states that 55% of the Addis population lives in
compounds or slums. On the bright side there is now an estimated 82% literacy
rate. The predominate language is Amharic although many also speak English.
It is a beautiful country, as I wonderfully
discovered in travel north to Gondar early the next morning.
All has gone well with getting the visa
onsite and immigration, hotel transit, early morning flights and arranged
connections. I am staying at the Goha Hotel in Gondar.
Gondar is an ancient city in the mountains
in northern Ethiopia bordering Kenya. It was established as a retreat for kings
hundreds of years ago. So different than the bustling Addis Abba based on what
I could see in the short time overnight there.
In Gondar, my hotel room looks into a valley
with a peaceful city. The hotel is on a low mountain/ high hill. I can hear the
call to prayers from a mosque in the area below. Ethiopia is about 60%
Christian and 33% Islamic. This area is absolutely lovely, rainy season clear
air and lots of green and rich looking soil. My host says Gatlinburg, TN and
Gondar are similar in terrains. I agree.
I understand better why Ethiopian long
distance runners can train well here in the highlands. Goat herds and their
shepherds, donkey pulled carts, package-laden mules and people working manually
on road expansion are all visible. These are right along side modern SUVs, many
small motor taxis that have one center front wheel and two back wheels and the
400-bed hospital near campus that recently was built by the USA.
People are gracious. One shop keeper at the
hotel started to address me in Amharic because he thought I was Ethiopian. It
is a high compliment.
So much history in this part of the world -
The Horn of Africa.
It is beautiful and rich in heritage and
natural resources. While I would love to stay longer to explore and better
experience this land and its people, I am looking forward to being home in
Michigan, or at least to the USA. I anticipate returning to Ethiopia. Will see
what the future holds.
Mixed feelings.
Conference starts tomorrow morning. Need
rest... Peace. Out.
*The Rev. Dr. Oveta Fuller is currently on
Sabbatical leave from the
University of
Michigan and is currently in Africa and will submit her column as her schedule
permits. She is the incoming Director,
African Studies Center Associate Professor Dept Microbiology and Immunology
University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan
11. iCHURCH
SCHOOL LESSON BRIEF FOR SUNDAY, JUNE 25, 2016 - IGNORING GOD'S PLAIN TRUTH - ROMANS 1:18-32:
*Brother
Bill Dickens
Introduction
Years ago I created a byline to be
included with all of my outgoing email messages. The byline reads: “Knowledge
is an asset, Ignorance is a liability.” In developing this
byline I wanted readers of my email to understand that information has value, but rejection of knowledge is costly.
Too often we find ourselves in situations where rejection of knowledge and
truth results in discomfort, chaos and confusion. The irony is despite these
unfavorable outcomes many choose to reject true knowledge and opt for
anti-truths. This decision to ignore eternal truths and cling to distorted
messages and beliefs is the cornerstone of the Adult AME Church School lesson
for June 26, 2016. The Apostle Paul challenges us to not embrace a social
perspective that puts emphasis on pathological behavior and anti-social
attitudes. Such behavior will not lead us along the path of truth. Such
behavior will only lead us along the path to perdition.
Bible Lesson
The Book of Romans is St. Paul’s magnum opus. Arguably no book in the
entire New Testament provides greater depth and insight in Christian theology.
Chapter 1:18-32 emphasizes the importance of faith and personal responsibility.
The lesson text is unambiguous concerning behavioral traits offensive to a Holy
God. The section of our Church School lesson text outlines specific behavior
that is incompatible with theological and spiritual truth. Paul’s instruction
about behavior and responsibility is important because he is writing to largely
a Gentile population at the Roman Church. Many Jews have been deported from
Rome leaving the early church overpopulated with non-Jews who are making their
transition from pagan beliefs to Christianity. Paul emphasizes that while many
know the truth about unacceptable behavior and conduct many choose to ignore
these eternal truths and opt instead for a lifestyle filled with behavioral
traits, which are the antithesis to the truth.
Willfully ignoring the truth can have serious repercussions in our faith
experience. Verses 26 – 30 offer specific evidence of immoral behavior in
opposition to God’s will. Homosexuality, lying, haters of God, backbiting and
disobedience to parents are all cited as actions that will be met with swift
punishment. A new life in Christ requires that old habits must be put away. It
is imperative that we discontinue rejecting the truth for lies and debauchery.
Bible Application
The magazine, New
Scientist, published an interesting article in May 2010 about why people
reject the truth. The article looked at the pattern of denial applied to
specific scientific issues: evolution, global warming, origin of the universe,
etc. The authors concluded that people who reject scientific truth, e.g.,
deniers, do so because they see themselves as underdogs. All set themselves up
as courageous underdogs fighting corrupt elites engaged in a conspiracy to
suppress the truth or foist a malicious lie on ordinary people. Is there an
“underdog” element present for why many people suppress God’s truth?
"Such logic doesn’t
appear to hold up to evidence since God has always revealed Himself as a
protector of the underdog. God’s truth is liberating, this benefits the
underdog. God’s truth is eternal; this provides hope for the underdog. All
evidence points to God’s truth as the sustainer of life. Denying and
suppressing such evidence only makes us a liar, underdog or not. There is no
victory in vice. 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
12. MEDITATION BASED ON LUKE
7:11-23:
*The
Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby
I’ve spent some time, as
we approach the 2016 General election, reflecting on the presidency of Barack
Obama. Much could be said about his presidency - his ability to get
things done in spite of mean-spirited and bigoted Congressional efforts to block
his plans, his toughness in the face of angry racists, his grace and compassion
as he spoke in the wake of too many tragedies involving gun violence and his
sense of humor and ability to laugh at himself and to poke fun at those who
tried to get under his skin. It could even be noted that his very
presidency changed America - today’s third graders find the image of a black
“First family” to be perfectly normal because they were born during his tenure.
Much could be said about Barack Obama, but what stands out for me is
the way that he expresses his faith. He doesn’t make a lot of noise about
it and never affiliated with a church in Washington - sparing whatever church
he could have joined serious security concerns - and he doesn’t use his faith
as a political tool. The way that he conducts himself in office and in
life - his humility, his positive spirit, his strength and his devotion to his
family as a husband and father speak to his practiced love for the Lord.
His actions speak louder than his words.
Remember that in a time when some politicians interweave religion and
the politics of division and fearful anger, when some of those who call
themselves the “Christian right” don’t appear by their actions and attitudes to
be either Christian or right, and when some “church folks” talk holy talk and
trumpet their righteousness but don’t treat others as they want to be treated.
One of the wonders of the Gospels is that Jesus never clearly came out
and said, “I am the Christ.” He didn’t have to, because His work and His
teachings epitomized God’s love and brought hope and salvation to all who
believe - especially those pushed to the margins of the religion and society of
His day. His actions spoke louder than His words.
Regardless of your “faith label,” be like Jesus, for every major world
religion calls true believers to love God with every fiber of their being and
to love others as much as they love themselves. Love the Lord enough to
practice your religion by your thoughts, words and deeds and by making the
lives of others better. God will bless you for doing so, give you
strength and joy, and make you glad that you can say, as did my ancestors in
faith, “I’m gonna live so God can use me, anywhere, Lord, anytime.”
*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
13. GENERAL OFFICER
AND
CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
-- Congratulations
to Dr. Joanne Williams-Cooper for being listed in the Atlanta Magazine as one
of the top Physicians in the area of Primary Care in the Metro Atlanta Region.
Congratulations
to Dr. Joanne Williams-Cooper for being listed in the Atlanta Magazine as one
of the top Physicians in the area of Primary Care in the Metro Atlanta
Region. The Atlanta Magazine annually
recognizes the top physicians in the metro Atlanta area. Dr. Williams-Cooper expertise is in
preventive medicine. She is the wife of General Secretary, Rev. Dr. Jeffery B.
Cooper.
Congratulatory
expressions can be emailed to:
Dr.
Joanne E. Williams-Cooper
-- The Rev. Ronald
A. Boykin and Sis. Helen Boykin Celebrated their Forty-Fifth Wedding
Anniversary
Congratulations
to the Rev. Ronald A. Boykin and Sister Helen Boykin, Pastor and First Lady of
Seaton Memorial AME Church of Lanham, Maryland, parents and grandparents, who
celebrated their forty-fifth wedding anniversary on June 12, 2016.
Celebratory
messages can be sent to:
The
Rev. Ronald & Helen Boykin
14521
Penderlea Court
Gainesville,
VA 20155
The
Rev. Ronald: revboykin@aol.com
Mrs.
Helen Boykin: mrshelenboykin@aol.com
-- The Reverend
Michelle Yvette Frayer is a Cum Laude Graduate of Payne Theological Seminary,
Wilberforce, Ohio with a Master of Divinity Degree
The
Reverend Michelle Yvette Frayer is a May 20, 2016, Cum Laude Graduate of Payne
Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio, with a Master of Divinity Degree.
Additionally, she made the Dean’s List for the spring, 2015 and spring, 2016
semesters.
She
received the Dr. Jayme Coleman Williams and Dr. McDonald Williams Annual
Scholarship in 2015 in Memory of the Rev. F. Douglass Coleman, Sr. The Reverend
Frayer is presently an associate minister and Itinerant Deacon at Mother
Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.
Congratulatory
messages may be emailed to the Rev. Michelle Y. Frayer: frayerm@musc.edu.
-- The Reverend
Gregory M. Kinsey and Mrs. Antoinette Kinsey are pleased to announce the birth
of their second grandchild
The
Reverend Gregory M. Kinsey and Mrs. Antoinette Kinsey are pleased to announce
the birth of their second grand child, baby boy “Camren Sinclair Kinsey,"
born to their son Adam and Shaquanda Kinloch-Kinsey on Friday, June 17, 2016 at
9:43 p.m., weighing 7lbs-10oz.
The
Reverend Gregory Kinsey is the pastor of St. John African Methodist Episcopal
Church in Ridgeland, South Carolina.
Mrs. Antoinette Kinsey is the MSWAWO + PKs Coordinator of the 7th
Episcopal District.
You
may contact the proud parents at akinloch4@gmail.com or mail a card to:
Mr.
and Mrs. Adam Kinloch-Kinsey
80
Pelican Circle
Beaufort,
SC 29906
14. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The
Fifth Episcopal District is saddened to announce the passing of Mrs. Gloria J.
Thompson, Life Member of the Women's Missionary Society. Sister Gloria was a past Conference President
of the California Conference WMS and a past First Vice-President of the Fifth
District WMS and has served in several Connectional WMS capacities. She served as a delegate to the last three
sessions of the AME Church General Conference (2004, 2008, and 2012). She is a life-long member of First African
Methodist Episcopal Church, Oakland, California where the Rev. Dr. Harold
Mayberry is her pastor. She is the
mother of Darryl Thompson and loving grandmother to Joseph and Darryl, Jr.
Celebration
of life service arrangements are pending.
Expressions
of sympathy may be extended to:
Mr.
Darryl Thompson and Family
55
Turtle Creek Street
Oakland,
CA 94605
Email:
djthompsonsr@gmail.com
15. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It
is with great sadness that we share the news of the sudden passing of Mrs.
Susan Nomvula Hoorn, wife of our supernumerary minister, the Rev Benjamin
Marthinus Hoorn, emeritus Presiding Elder.
Mrs. Susan Nomvula Hoorn passed on yesterday, 19 June 2016. Presently associated with St. Paul AME Church
in Carnarvon, they were looking forward to celebrating their 35th Wedding
anniversary this coming Saturday 25 June 2016.
Praying
that the Lord of Hosts will strengthen this man of God during this his time of
trial and challenge.
Expressions
of sympathy may be emailed to: bhoorn@telkomsa.net, Rev. Benjamin Marthinus
Hoorn.
16. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
are saddened to announce the Passing of Mrs. Wilburn L. Boddie, one of the
founders of AME-SADA its longest serving Board Member. She transitioned to her
eternal home on June 15, 2016.
1)
Mrs. Wilburn L. Boddie, 95 Years Old
2)
Wake: Friday June 24, 2016, 6-9 p.m. at Ward Memorial AME Church, 241 42nd
St. NE, Washington, DC 20019
3)
Viewing: Saturday June 25, 9-10 a.m., Ward Memorial AME Church.
4)
The funeral: Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 10 a.m.
5)
Funeral Home for Mrs. Wilburn L. Boddie
Marshall-
March Funeral Home
3408
Suitland Road
Suitland
MD, 20746
Telephone:
(301) 736-1616
17. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
regret to inform you of the passing of Miss Jessica Gabrielle Crawford. Jessica transitioned to her heavenly home,
Monday, June 20, 2016. She is the
daughter of the Rev. D. Lavel Crawford, Sr., pastor of Avery Chapel AME Church
in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Mrs. Stephanie H. Crawford. She is survived by five siblings, Dana, Jr.,
Tangiere, Christin, Chelsea and Morgan.
Jessica’s
warm spirit and genuine love will forever be remembered. She was fondly embraced and well-loved by
everyone who spent time around her. She
was a member of Avery Chapel AME Church in Oklahoma City She died at the tender
age of 20 years old. She is greatly
loved and is greatly missed by her parents, siblings, family members, church
members and many others.
The
Celebration services will be Saturday, June 25, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.:
Avery
Chapel AME Church
1425
Kelham Ave.
Oklahoma
City, OK
The
Rev. D. Lavel Crawford, pastor
The
Rev. Harvey Potts, Presiding Elder
Bishop
Samuel L. Green, Sr., Presiding Prelate
Jessica
may be viewed from 10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. in the sanctuary prior to the service.
Arrangement
has been entrusted to:
Mackay-Davis
Funeral Home
1616
NE 36th St.
Oklahoma
City, OK 73111.
The
family asks for your continuous prayers.
Written
expressions of sympathy to her family may be sent to the following:
The
Rev. & Mrs. D. Lavel Crawford
1332
NE 20th Place
Moore,
OK 73160
Email:
dlavelc@gmail.com
Avery
Chapel AME Church
1425
N. Kelham Ave.
Oklahoma
City, OK 73117
Email:
averychapel@aol.com
The
following arrangements have been made to accommodate travelers who will be
attending the Celebration service:
Fairfield
Inn
1101
East I-240 Service Road
Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma 73149 (405) 840-5557
2
Queen Rate: $84.00 – Thursday Night
$88.00
– Friday & Saturday
18. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
are saddened to announce the passing of Ms. Barbara Ann (BobbyAnn) Dyson,
mother of the Rev. Dr. Barbareta McGill of the Western North Carolina
Conference.
The
arrangements are as follows:
Celebration
of Life Memorial Service:
Saturday,
June 25, 2016
Abundant
Life Church
100
Linden Ave.
Wilmington,
DE 19805
Pastor
Paul Grapes, Officiant
The
Rev. Dr. Barbareta McGill, Eulogist
In
lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in memory of Ms.
Dyson to Abundant Life Church.
Expressions
to the family may be sent:
The
Rev. Dr. Barbareta McGill
3005
Red Grape Dr.
Raleigh,
NC 27607-4865
Telephone:
(919) 593-5115
19. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We
are saddened to inform you of the sudden passing of Sister Melinda R. Wilhite
Evans. Sister Evans was the sister of
the Reverend Priscilla Taylor, a Local Elder on the Ministerial Staff at
Young's Chapel AME Church in Louisville, Kentucky where the Reverend Everett
Hobson is Pastor.
Funeral
Arrangements:
Family
Visitation, Friday Evening, June 24, 2016 from 4-9 p.m.
Celebration
Service, Saturday Morning, June 25, 2016.
Viewing
from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Celebration
Service 11:00 a.m. at
Shiloh
Missionary Baptist Church
3801
Forest Manor Avenue
Indianapolis,
Indiana 46226
The
Rev. Brian Shobe, pastor
Services
have been entrusted to:
Stuart
Mortuary
Condolences
may be sent to the Wilhite, Bridges, and Carter
20. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The
Third Episcopal District sadly announces the passing of the Reverend Hurdie
Billingslea, Jr., retired Itinerant Elder whose last pastorate was at St. John
AME Church in Worthington, Ohio. Upon
his passing the Reverend Billingslea served as an associate minister at Mt.
Vernon Avenue AME Church in Columbus, Ohio.
We unite in prayer with his wife, Eleanor Billingslea and other family
members in the loss of their loved one.
Funeral
services will be held on Monday, June 27, 2016
Visitation
at 10:00 a.m.
Homegoing
Celebration at 11:00 a.m.
Mt.
Vernon Avenue AME Church
1127
Mt. Vernon Avenue
Columbus,
OH 43203
Telephone: (614) 253-4323
Fax: (614) 253-3039
Email:
carolynwhite1674@yahoo.com
The
Reverend Dr. William S. Wheatley, pastor and eulogist
Arrangements
by:
Diel
Whittaker Funeral Home
720
E. Long Street
Columbus,
OH 43203
Telephone: (614) 258-9549
FAX:
(614) 252-5835
Condolences
may be sent to
Mrs.
Eleanor Billingslea
1635
Brentnell Avenue
Columbus,
OH 43219
21. CLERGY FAMILY
BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The
Third Episcopal District sadly announces the passing Mrs. Costella Ayres, Life
Member WMS and the wife of the late Rev. Dr. W. C. T. Ayres (Presiding
Elder).
Sister
Ayres was a long time member of St. Paul AME Church, Columbus, Ohio and life
member of the connectional Women’s Missionary Society and the Ohio Annual
Conference WMS. She was currently a member of Holy Trinity AME Church, Las
Vegas, Nevada and the Southern California Annual Conference Women’s Missionary
Society as a life member of the connectional Women’s Missionary Society.
She
is survived by her sons, Anthony of Las Vegas, Nevada.; Theodore (Joyce) of
Modesto, California; Sherman (Josette) of Lorena, Texas; daughters, Brenda
Ayres Brown of Las Vegas, Nevada; Pastor Angela Blunt (Pastor William) of
Monroe, Michigan; and Evelyn Willis of Columbus, Ohio; and 16 grandchildren; 14
great-grandchildren.
We
unite in prayer with the family members in the loss of their loved one.
Funeral
services will be held on Friday, June 24, 2016
Visitation
at 10:00 a.m.
Memorial
Service at 11:00 a.m.
St.
Paul A.M.E. Church
639
E. Long Street
Columbus,
OH 43215
The
Rev. Dr. Taylor T. Thompson, pastor
The
Rev. Angela Ayres Blunt, eulogist
Arrangements
entrusted to:
Caliman
Funeral Services
3700
Refugee Rd.
Columbus,
Ohio 43232
Telephone:
(614) 328-9267
Interment
Green Lawn Cemetery
Condolences
may be sent to:
The
Ayres Family
C/o
St. Paul AME Church
639
East Long Street
Columbus,
Ohio 43215
Office
telephone: (614) 228-4113
Fax:
(614) 228-4711 Families in care of:
Stuart
Mortuary
2201
N. Illinois Street
Indianapolis,
IN 46208
Telephone: (317) 925-3000
Fax: (317) 925-3204
22. BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED
BY:
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/
Telephone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Telephone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220
23. 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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