The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. EDITORIAL – WE NEED THE DECALOGUE TODAY MORE THAN EVER; PREACHERS, DON’T ELIMINATE THE DECALOGUE:
There are so many changes taking place today: in the world, our nation, in our local communities, in our schools, in our relationships, and in our homes. Change is everywhere. Changes are taking place in churches all over the world. The AME Church is changing. Changes are taking place in our worship services.
Some of our pastors are modifying the Order of Worship; and some, I have heard have flat-out eliminated some of the worship rubrics. The traditional Call to Worship has been modified or eliminated and the Decalogue has been eliminated because some pastors feel that it is out of date and takes up too much time.
Others have modified parts of the worship rubric because they are trying to make the worship experience into a more vibrant liturgical experience.
Some preachers have not been thoroughly trained in the rudiments of AME worship and the theological foundation of liturgy. One of the problems is that we still have untrained preachers on the Boards of Examiners training the applicants for ministry. I am distressed when I hear about preachers who take the position that the Decalogue is not needed in the order of worship because the Ten Commandments are too boring and that it takes up too much time.
Truthfully, we need the Decalogue now more than we have ever needed it. Folks are turning to other gods like money, homes, cars, clothes and they need to hear, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."
Some of our young people make graven images and turn them into bling-bling and worship and kill over the jewelry that they wear around their necks and the sneakers they wear on their feet.
We have turned our possessions into gods. Yes, we need to hear the Word of God telling us, "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image.”
We need to hear the Commandment, “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain.” We hear profanity on the radio, when we look at television, at the movie theater, at school, in our homes, and sadly in the vicinity of our churches. Young people use profanity with flair and see no offense in using bad language.
We need to hear, “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” because most of us, clergy and laity, just run, and run, and run, neglecting our bodies, our spiritual lives, our families and the church because we are too busy.
We need to hear the Commandment, “Honor they father and thy mother that thy days might be long upon the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee.” There is an increased disrespect of the elderly today. Young people curse their elders and adult children are too busy to take care of their aged parents. Churches work folk to death and when they get old, some pastors won’t even take the time to make a pastoral visit and take them Communion. When old folks die, unless they have a large family, their funerals are poorly attended. The old folks just drop off of the “radar screen.”
Young people are killing each other in the black community. We have lost the proud traditions of the warriors who fought, bled and died for equal rights. Many of us don’t think about Martin Luther King, Jr. until January and Frederick Douglas, W. E. B. DuBois, Harriet Tubman and Booker T. Washington are remembered in February; and Richard Allen is hardly mentioned except in February. We need to hear, “Thou shalt not kill” every Sunday. We need to be reminded again and again that killing is wrong and sinful.
Sexual misconduct permeates every facet of our society. The HIV/AIDS pandemic is just one example of how badly we need to hear, “Thou shalt not commit adultery.” Women have to be concerned about men on the down-low and folks are committing fornication and adultery without a blush of shame.
We need to hear the Commandment, “Thou shalt not steal” because we rob God of God’s tithes and offerings and are not good stewards of our own resources. We spend and we spend until we bend and “shop until we drop” and run up credit card debt and live beyond our means, and so we not only steal from God, but we steal from ourselves.
Church folks, and especially AMEs, need to hear, “Thou shalt not bear false witness” because there is a lot of false witnessing going around. The King James Version of the Bible uses the soft term, “false witness” instead of the term, “lie – ‘thou shalt not tell a lie on thy neighbor’.” We bear false witness in our secular lives and in the church too. Dr. Dennis Dickerson shares the words of his father who said, “The truth is boring; a lie is more exciting. A lie has gone around the world three times and truth is still trying to put its pants on.”
We live in a society where it is the norm to "keep up with the Joneses." If we see it, we have got to have it. We covet and we covet and we covet.
The truth is we need to hear the full Decalogue every Sunday.
There is a contemporary version of the Decalogue and those preachers who think that it is too long should look in the African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal on page 797 for the contemporary version of the Decalogue that can be completed in about one to two minutes. For musicians who cannot read music, it only has three chords and one of those is an inverted chord and so he or she really only has two chords.
Admittedly, some of our worship services need to be a little more upbeat, but we need to hear the Decalogue, the Doxology, the Gloria Patri, The Apostles’ Creed, and some well-prepared, Spirit-filled preaching with Holy Ghost power. Preachers need to do a better job of sermon and teaching preparation. The issue is probably preparation and commitment to worship rather than the irrelevance of the liturgical rubrics.
I am afraid that some of our young ministers, and old preachers, too, have committed their Sunday morning worship to "thrilling the folks instead of "filling" the folks. It seems to me that a lot of people go to church to get thrilled, rather than to be filled. Church folks need to come to worship more spiritually prepared and prayed up to receive the Word of God.
The Ten Commandments are as relevant today as they were when Moses brought them down from the Mountain.
i. The Ten Commandments
I. Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.
II. Thou shalt not make a graven image…
III. Thou shalt not take the name of God in vain.
IV. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
V. Honor thy father and thy mother …
VI. Thou shalt not kill.
VII. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
VIII. Thou shalt not steal.
IX. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
X. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house …
ii. Summary of the Law:
Hear what Christ our Savior saith: thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and prophets.
iii. The Shema:
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. (Deu. 6:4)
(Sh'ma Yisrael Adonai Elohaynu Adonai Echad)
Note: The Editor will be on vacation September 1 – 8, 2006
2. LETTER TO THE EDITOR:
Editor’s note: This letter is in response to the Editorial, “I love my Church…”
To the Editor:
Perhaps our Zion should make every effort to be above reproach. People all over this country are experiencing AME Church Pastors who care nothing for this church or the people they serve. Rank and file AME's are tired of the slave treatment mentality of many so called leaders. Wake Up or the church will be DEAD.
D. L. Steverson
8th Episcopal District
Editor’s Response:
There are problems and churches have always had problems, but there is an appropriate way to work to resolve our problems. I am asking folks to look at the Bible and to look at The Discipline. I am not asking anyone to ignore or “push our problems under the rug,” but to handle them appropriately. We don’t have to use profanity, malign our leadership and call them all kinds of names. I am only asking that we be biblical and Christian in the way that we address the issues that confront us. We have some effective Steward Boards who are confronting the issue of ineffective pastors; and they are to be commended. One problem may be that local congregations are rubber-stamping candidates for ministry and rubber-stamping persons who are being recommended to serve as local church officers. The problem is that we have too many weak Steward Boards. Another problem might be that some pastors and a lot of members and even those who have been selected to serve as local church officers are not knowledgeable about the Bible and The Discipline; they don’t even purchase the Disciple, much less read it!
I appreciate your taking time to respond. The protocol is in place to take care of any local church dysfunction.
3. A BISHOP SINGS OF HIS FAITH:
A Bishop Sings of His Faith is an inspirational collection of familiar hymns, traditional spirituals and spiritual songs selected by Bishop Talbot to help uplift and sustain your spirit as you as travel this Christian journey as they have his.
Copies of this CD and price quote may be ordered from Bishop Talbot:
Email: fhtalbotn@aol.com
Telephone: (615) 429-0081
Bishop Frederick H. Talbot
P. O. Box 843
Brentwood, TN 37024-0843
Telephone: (615) 429-0081
Available for immediate shipment!!
4. GLOBAL AIDS FILM A CLOSER WALK TO AIR ON PBS AUGUST 31, 2006:
Check local listings
Critically acclaimed documentary features narration by Glenn Close and Will Smith.
A Closer Walk, Academy Award nominee Robert Bilheimer’s film about the global AIDS epidemic, will be broadcast nationally on PBS August 31, 2006, at 9 pm EST/PST. The PBS airing marks the 80-minute documentary’s US television debut.
Narrated by Glenn Close and Will Smith, A Closer Walk features cinematography by Richard D. Young, interviews with the Dalai Lama, Bono, and Kofi Annan, and musical contributions by Annie Lennox, the Neville Brothers, Eric Clapton, and Sade.
The Way the World Is
Filmed on four continents over a period of three years, A Closer Walk depicts the realities of global AIDS, and explores the relationship between health, dignity, and human rights.
“This is a story about the way the world is,” says Ms. Close in the opening line of the film’s narration. A Closer Walk’s rendering of the world through the prism of AIDS takes the viewer to locations in the United States, Ukraine, Uganda, South Africa, India, and Haiti, and offers personal stories of children, women, and men around the world who are affected by the disease. Those caring or advocating for people living with AIDS are featured prominently in the film as well. They include Dr. Paul Farmer, of Partners in Health, India’s Dr. Suniti Solomon, and Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. Also featured in the film is Rev. Emanuel Cleaver, former two-term mayor of Kansas City, and now a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Describing his approach to the film, director Robert Bilheimer said, “When I interviewed [UNAIDS Executive Director] Peter Piot early on, I was struck by his insight that ‘AIDS is part of the human condition’, and that ‘AIDS exists because we exist’. When Peter said that, I knew that A Closer Walk should indeed be a film about the way the world is, and that my colleagues and I would need to be in and of the world for a period of time to truly understand what AIDS is doing to us all.”
A Ten-Year Project
Conceived in 1996 with the late Jonathan Mann -- widely regarded as the architect of the international response to global AIDS -- A Closer Walk took three years to develop, three years to make, and in 2007 will enter its fourth year of a steadily expanding distribution campaign.
“The whole point”, says Bilheimer, “was to level the playing field in terms of what we all-- as a human family-- understand about AIDS. Making a film that would somehow engage people around the world on this issue was obviously a challenge on the creative side. But the equal challenge, on the distribution side, was to put the movie in front of, literally, hundreds of millions of people. We are going to achieve that this year.”
Since its premiere at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2003, A Closer Walk has been broadcast nationally on South African television (SABC 1), and Canadian television (CBC). Agreements to air the film on CCTV (China), and Doordarshan (India), on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2006, are being finalized.
Featured at the Tribeca Film Festival, A Closer Walk has also screened at Lincoln Center in New York City, and at regional premieres in Kansas City, Boston, San Francisco, and Miami. The United Nations and other agencies have sponsored premieres and distribution programs in Ukraine, India, South Africa, Cambodia, and Thailand.
The film has been shown at hundreds of schools and college campuses around the world, and been used as a primary education and awareness tool by advocacy groups, corporations, the United Nations, the US State Department, and prominent AIDS organizations including amfAR, The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and South Africa’s Treatment Access Campaign. The Oprah Winfrey Show featured excerpts from A Closer Walk on World AIDS Day broadcasts in 2004 and 2005.
The PBS broadcast of A Closer Walk is sponsored by General Motors and HSBC. Principal production funding for the film was provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, General Motors, Eastman Kodak, The Rockefeller Foundation, and the Edgebrook Foundation. The film is directed by Robert Bilheimer.
Press Contact: Susan Senk /Susan Senk PR 212-206-8974 SusanSenkPR@aol.com.
5. ARE YOU WAITING?
Submitted by Theresa Lawrence
In a recent open letter a call went out for individuals to join the Mission Outreach to Lesotho, South Africa. The letter called for you to go to the web site http://www.aspiritualuplift.com/ join the mission and become uplifted in your spiritual walk. We have become a society which must be given something before we will give of ourselves. Living with the attitude of what is in it for me. In stead the mission alone should be enough to move us into action this Mission Outreach is an effort in combating the silent killer which is taking out the Black race in record numbers both here as well as abroad. The call should have been answered with a bombardment of support as Christians signing up for the journey…yet the world sits quietly. The call should have been answered with a bombardment of financial support being sent in to move the mission…yet the world sits quietly. We have become a world of “wait and see”. We wait to see what the next person is going to do. We wait to see in hopes that someone else will handle the situation. The consequence of this “wait and see” attitude is that we now “wait as we watch our people die”. We are crying at the funerals we are shaking our heads at the news reports, yet we are not doing anything to change the situation?
The news program “Prime-Time” reported that of all the races in the world the devastation of HIV/AIDS is taking the Black Nation in high numbers over any other. The government is doing nothing to help us in this plight. The press is doing nothing to help; the reporter admitted that coverage has not gone out to address the record number of Blacks dying from HIV/AIDS. The arena of “waiting to see” what someone else is going to do must come to an end. What legacy are we leaving generations to come? Are we planning on letting this disease wipe us out entirely giving many what they wish for all along. We must become proactive, we must save ourselves. Education in the knowledge of HIV/AIDS must be brought to the fore-front of the Black Race both here in the United States as well as abroad. Do not wait any longer to see what the next person is going to do, because they are waiting to see what you are going to do. In turn no one is doing anything. We must save ourselves. We must save ourselves.
We must save ourselves, instead of sitting behind our computers hoping the world and the problems there in do not come into our space. You are hitting the web site http://www.aspiritualuplift.com/, we need to do more than just read we need to act. We are a dying nation, we must save ourselves.
Theresa Lawrence is member of the 5 district and delegation coordinator for the Advent to Lesotho, Mission Outreach.
Mississippi Development Authority
P.O. Box 849
Jackson, MS 39205
Media Contact: Stephen Martin, Public Relations, 601.359.3449
smartin@mississippi.org
6. MISSISSIPPI TOURISM INDUSTRY RECOVERING ON GULF COAST:
JACKSON, Miss., - It has been one year since the nation’s worst natural disaster in US history, Hurricane Katrina charged ashore on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The storm had a devastating impact on the hospitality industry. Especially hardest hit was the area along Highway 90, parallel to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Once, this area was a scene of tremendous economic activity with restaurants, hotels and attractions attracting thousands of visitors.
The tourism industry makes a significant impact on Mississippi’s economy. In FY 05 the visitor expenditures were at $6.35 billion. Obviously, the industry was impacted in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, especially the coastal counties which accounted for 1/3 of the tourism numbers.
The Mississippi Gulf Coast has begun to change. Businesses, shops, restaurants, tourist attractions and lodging operations are open. The Biloxi Grand Casino operated by Harrah’s Entertainment reopened, August 17 in the surviving Bay View Hotel, but a $1 billion resort is being designed. There are plans for additional projects representing billions of dollars of investment for this area. The hospitality industry is a significant element of the rebuilding process. Currently, there are 7 casinos open. Prior to Katrina, there were 12.
Beau Rivage Resort & Casino will reopen August 29. Fallen Oak, A Tom Fazio designed golf course will open in November 2006. Beau Rivage invested $800 million in their property prior to Hurricane Katrina. At least $550 million has been invested in renovations and hurricane repairs for a total of $1.3 billion.
The Island View Casino Resort in Gulfport, formerly Grand Casino, is investing $200 million in a casino, 600 hotel rooms, a marina, restaurants, and lunges. Plans are to open September 2006.
Silver Slipper is building the first land-based casino in Mississippi located in Hancock County. The casino is expected to open late 2006.
Bacaran Bay Casino Resort owned and operated by Torguson Gaming Group, Inc. is expected to break ground in 2006. A $500 million project expected to open fall 2008. The resort will also feature Palmers run, an 18-hole golf course, 585,000 sq. ft. retail entertainment space, 125,000 sq. ft. gaming floor, 104,000 sq. ft. convention space, and a marina.
The current hotel inventory is 6,800 rooms, approximately 38% of the pre-Katrina inventory (17,500). By 2007 the estimated hotel inventory will be 10,000 rooms, this includes current inventory and resort and hotel property openings. By 2010 the estimated hotel inventory is 30,000 rooms, 10,000 in condotel developments and an additional 10,000 in new property construction.
Activities and cultural events are also returning. 90% of the Mississippi Gulf Coast golf courses are open for play. Also 90% of the charter fishing is operational.
The Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art designed by legendary architect Frank Gehry, a $32 million project is expected to open late 2007.
INFINITY, an Earth & Space Museum at NASA space Center, a $35 million project is slated to open early 2009.
The Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport is operating at 114% of the seat capacity was available before Katrina.
The Mississippi Coast Coliseum and Convention Center will complete a $68 million expansion adding up to 200,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and exhibition space targeted to be open in 2009.
Several attractions on the Mississippi gulf Coast are open and welcoming guests: Stennis Space Center, Gulf Islands Water Park, The Biloxi Schooners, The Biloxi Shrimping Trip, Ship Island Excursions, The Biloxi tour Train, The Walter Anderson Museum of Art, Lynn Meadows Discovery Center, and many shopping outlets and restaurants.
The majority of the state’s tourism industry continues to show that tourism remains a viable component of Mississippi’s economy and will be instrumental to the rebound of the statewide industry in the very near future.
Received from:
Mississippi Development Authority
P.O. Box 849
Jackson, MS 39205
Media Contact: Stephen Martin, Public Relations, Telephone, 601.359.3449; email, smartin@mississippi.org
7. THE WORLD COUNCIL OF CHURCHES ASKS CHURCHES AROUND THE WORLD TO PRAY AND ACT FOR PEACE ON 21 SEPTEMBER:
The African Methodist Episcopal Church is a member of the World Council of Churches.
"Praying for peace is an essential part of Christian worship and, indeed, of human existence," says World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia about the International Day of Prayer for Peace, to be celebrated on 21 September 2006.On that date or the closest Sunday to it, WCC member churches worldwide are invited to pray for peace. This WCC initiative saw the light two years ago within the framework of its Decade to Overcome Violence (DOV), and was welcomed by UN secretary-general Kofi Annan. Its celebration coincides with the UN International Day of Peace.
The theme for this year, "… and still we seek peace", was chosen by churches from Latin America - the region of the DOV annual focus in 2006.
Churches are being asked "to be especially mindful of the violence in Latin America, but also of the suffering children, elderly, women and men in the Middle East", and to pray for "cessation of all violence and for lasting peace," says Kobia.The International Day of Prayer for Peace is an opportunity for church communities in all places to pray and act together to nurture lasting peace in the hearts of people, their families, communities and societies.
Suggestions on how to observe the day include art contests, educational and cultural events, prayers and reflections on peace in the community, workplace, school or home, and prayer vigils with other faith communities.Copies of an IDDP brochure, prayers and other resources are available on the DOV website:
http://overcomingviolence.org/en/about-the-dov/international-day-of-prayer-for-peace.htmlA
dditional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org
The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 348 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
8. THE 115TH SESSION OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
By the Reverend Linda C. Kilpatrick
Bishop John Richard Bryant – presiding prelate, the Rev. Dr. Cecilia Williams Bryant, Episcopal Supervisor.
The Resolution Committee of the 115th Session of Pacific Northwest Annual Conference presents the following report;
WHEREAS Spokane, Washington, the second largest city in Washington and the largest city east of the Cascade mountains, was the selected site for the 115th Session of the Pacific Northwest Conference and was hosted by a combination of churches from Bethel Spokane under the leadership of Reverend Lonnie Mitchell, Walker Chapel, Seattle under the leadership of
Reverend David Aaron Johnson, Primm Tabernacle, Seattle under the leader of reverend Catherine Crosby and Ebenezer Bremerton, under the leadership of Reverend Dennis Payne II.
WHEREAS Bishop John, the Rev. Cecelia Bryant, Presiding Elder Garrett, pastors, ministers, visitors, missionaries, YPD’ers, laity and all have received an overwhelming welcome through the spirit of hospitality exhibited by the hosting of the combined pastors, the Rev. Lonnie Mitchell and his wife Alicia Mitchell, Cathryn Crosby, the Reverend David Aaron Johnson, the Reverend Dennis Payne II, and the congregations of all supporting congregations.
WHEREAS, Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, transformed by the power of God, through prayer, anointing oil, and the children of God – the Spirit of the Lord is the resident Spirit in control August 7 – 13 for the Pacific Northwest Conference. And,
WHEREAS, Brother and Sister Greene hosted a luncheon for the Mayor Of Spokane, the City Council, Bishop John Bryant, the Reverend Cecelia Bryant and Presiding Elder Shermella Garrett. And,
WHEREAS, the Pacific Northwest Women in Ministry (WIM) annual session convened on Monday, August 7, 2006 to share ideas and elect new officers and the spirit was ushered in through the Bethel AME B.A.S.I.C. Choir. And,
WHEREAS, the Women in Ministry held a Health Workshop and administered bone density tests during the workshop. And,
WHEREAS, the word of God was delivered from Romans 12:1 – 2 by
Evangelist Stephanie Nobles Beans on the topic “Before You Can Serve Well, You Must Be Living Well”. And,
WHEREAS, Rev. Cecelia Williams Bryant challenged the Women in Ministry to bring the gospel to the city of Fairbanks, Alaska in 2007 and that
Challenge was accepted by Rev. Catherine Crosby, Pastor of Primm Tabernacle. And,
WHEREAS, The Women’s Missionary Society honored women throughout the Pacific Northwest Conference and elected 4 delegates and 2
Alternates to the 2007 Conference Quadrennial. And,
WHEREAS, the WMS evening was a memorable and joyous occasion, honoring the Life Members and Cleo B. Love Honorees in the Cataldo Globe Room at Gonzaga University. And,
WHEREAS, the Conference Institute was presented the theme “Serving
Well” from James 1: 21 and various other scripture on Wednesday Morning by Rev. Lonnie Mitchell. And,
WHEREAS, the 115th Session of the Pacific Northwest Conference was called to order and was televised by KHQ in Spokane on Wednesday under the anointed and dynamic leadership of Bishop John Richard Bryant with the announcement that the theme for the 2006-7 series of Annual Conferences would be “Serving Well” and the focus scripture is James 2: 17. And,
WHEREAS, Bishop John Bryant and Reverend Cecelia Bryant just returning from India announced that 15 new churches would be joining the 5th Episcopal District. And,
WHEREAS, the Missionary Convention continued at noon day worship on Wednesday with the prophetic sermonic ministry of Rev. Cecelia Williams Bryant from Numbers 14: 24 entitled, “The Godful Life.” And,
WHEREAS, the afternoon session of the conference was adjourned immediately following lunch. And,
WHEREAS, the Rev. Warren Freeman and Allen Tacoma hosted Bishop John Rev. C and their out of conference guests to a riverside lunch at Shenanigans. And,
WHEREAS, the opening worship service was at Cataldo Hall at Gonzaga
University to a full house and the spirit of the Lord was truly present through the worship, praise and singing by the mass choir from Allen Tacoma and the Bethel Spokane B.A.S.I.C. Choir and the preached word by Rev. Warren
Freeman “Are You Really Reconciled” 1 Samuel 16: 1 – 3, 10 – 12. And,
WHEREAS, the restaurant at Gonzaga University was transformed into a beautiful reception area that hosted a wonderful welcoming experience for conference attendees. And,
WHEREAS, the Thursday morning conference sessions continued with the reading of pastoral and conference reports. And,
WHEREAS, the Rev. Lonnie Mitchell delivered a spiritually charged teaching entitled “Serving Well in the Midst of Adversity.” And,
WHEREAS, Bishop John reconvened the business session with a brief lesson on the difference of two words “logos” and “rhema”. And,
WHEREAS, the Hour of Power was blessed with the eloquent message
“Who’s in Need of Relief”, II Chronicles 7:14, from the Rev. Alvin Smith of St. Paul AME Church in St. Louis. And,
WHEREAS, Bishop John spoke passionately on the war between Israel and Hezbollah and presented an attached resolution requesting the immediate ceasefire between the two warring countries. And,
WHEREAS, Rev. Carey Anderson and First AME family hosted Bishop John and his out of conference guests to a marvelous festive lunch at a local restaurant. And,
WHEREAS, Bishop John taught on the importance of intercessors for the purpose of ushering in the Holy Spirit during worship service. And,
WHEREAS, the Sons of Thunder ecumenical worship service featured a powerful and dynamic word on the subject “We Cannot Give What We Do Not Recognize We Have” from Professor Robert Bartlett as well as an anointed music tribute from the Calvary Baptist Church and Brothers Martin Hereford. And,
WHEREAS, A man from each congregation was honored as the “Man of the Year.”
WHEREAS, the Friday morning session was conducted by Rev. Najuma Smith of Nehemiah Ministries as well as representatives from Countrywide Home Loans. Clergy and laity were offered support in how to receive funding for economic development and also encouraged to promote home ownership for members of their congregations. And,
WHEREAS, Brother Chester hosted an insightful workshop on economic development within the Fifth District. And,
WHEREAS, the conference business session continued with the final pastoral report from St. Paul Community Church in Bozeman, Montana, as well as the motions adopted on the Literary Reports for Conference Temperance, State of the Country, Conference Church School, Evangelism and Church Growth and Economic Development. And,
WHEREAS, Bishop John recommended to the conference the book “Serving Well” which was a vision of Bishop Vashti McKenzie and compiled of sermons from Bishops throughout the AME Connection. And,
WHEREAS, the Rev. Juliet Hemphill, pastor of Bethel Yakima preached
For the hour of power, lifting our spirits to higher heights from Joshua 24: 14 – 15 on the topic “The Choice is Yours” teaching us that when we present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, we must ‘come correct’. And,
WHEREAS, Reverend Robert Ned and the Bethel Portland family hosted the Bishop and his out of town guests for a lunch time feast. And,
WHEREAS, the afternoon conference session continues with reports by the Ministerial Efficiency Committee and the Presiding Elder Committee. And,
WHEREAS, the afternoon session was concluded by answering the disciplinary questions. And,
WHEREAS, the evening service conducted by the Lay Organization blessed us and lifted us even higher with, ”The Fusion of Hymns and Gospel Music” from the Bethel Spokane church choir. And,
WHEREAS, the YPD donated boxes of toiletry articles to the Volunteer of America Crosswalk on Saturday morning. And,
WHEREAS, on Saturday morning Alicia Mitchell hosted a sumptuous breakfast for the clergy spouses at the Red Lion River Hotel. And,
WHEREAS, on Saturday morning there was a special service for Bishop Harold B. Senatle where he was memorialized by the conference for his many years in God’s service. And,
WHEREAS, on Saturday morning, the ordination service was dynamically preached from Romans 12:3-4 by Rev. Dr. Harold Mayberry pastor for First
AME Oakland on the topic “Time for a Revolution.” And,
WHEREAS, two deaconesses where consecrated and two itinerant deacons two local deacons and one itinerant elder were all ordained. And,
WHEREAS, there was a luncheon hosted for the Bishop and Rev. C, and the clergy families by Charles and Betsy Williams on Saturday afternoon. And,
WHEREAS, the YPD of the Pacific Northwest Conference challenged our thinking and led us into an evening of creative skits on serious topics impacting the lives of our Young people. And,
WHEREAS, the Pacific Northwest met together for a joint Sunday School. And,
WHEREAS, THE Commissioning Service was conducted Sunday morning and Bishop John Richard Bryant preached from the scriptures
James 2: 14-17 from the theme ‘Serving Well’ and the title “Show Me
Something Good” telling us that dead faith creates a dead church and death does not attract, but life does. And,
WHEREAS, at the conclusion of the Commissioning Service God’s voice was heard, the Heavens opened and several gave their life to Christ.
BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the Pacific Northwest Conference are grateful to God for showing up and showing out during
This annual conference and for his continued blessing during this last Conference year.
BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the conference are grateful that the Lord has blessed our Episcopal Team and empowered them with spiritual leadership and vision as they continue to lead us as we begin “Serving Well.”
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the conference rises to its feet and gives God praise and glory as we give a standing ovation to Rev. and Sister Lonnie Mitchell, Reverend Dennis Payne II, Reverend David Aaron Johnson, and Reverend Catherine Crosby, and all of their respective church Families and the Annual Conference Committee who have made this a memorable, spiritual and uplifting time in Spokane Washington, God is truly Pleased with your hospitality and you are already ‘Serving Well.’
Respectfully Submitted,
The Conference Committee on Resolution
The Rev. David Johnson, Chairperson
The Rev. Mercedes Tudy Hamilton
Delegate Cheryl Jones
9. GLOBAL AIDS FILM A CLOSER WALK TO AIR ON PBS AUGUST 31:
Check local listings
Critically acclaimed documentary features narration by Glenn Close and Will Smith.
A Closer Walk, Academy Award nominee Robert Bilheimer’s film about the global AIDS epidemic, will be broadcast nationally on PBS August 31, 2006, at 9 pm EST/PST. The PBS airing marks the 80-minute documentary’s US television debut.
Narrated by Glenn Close and Will Smith, A Closer Walk features cinematography by Richard D. Young, interviews with the Dalai Lama, Bono, and Kofi Annan, and musical contributions by Annie Lennox, the Neville Brothers, Eric Clapton, and Sade.
The Way the World Is
Filmed on four continents over a period of three years, A Closer Walk depicts the realities of global AIDS, and explores the relationship between health, dignity, and human rights.
“This is a story about the way the world is,” says Ms. Close in the opening line of the film’s narration. A Closer Walk’s rendering of the world through the prism of AIDS takes the viewer to locations in the United States, Ukraine, Uganda, South Africa, India, and Haiti, and offers personal stories of children, women, and men around the world who are affected by the disease. Those caring or advocating for people living with AIDS are featured prominently in the film as well. They include Dr. Paul Farmer, of Partners in Health, India’s Dr. Suniti Solomon, and Prof. Jeffrey Sachs, of the Earth Institute at Columbia University. Also featured in the film is Rev. Emanuel Cleaver, former two-term mayor of Kansas City, and now a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Describing his approach to the film, director Robert Bilheimer said, “When I interviewed [UNAIDS Executive Director] Peter Piot early on, I was struck by his insight that ‘AIDS is part of the human condition’, and that ‘AIDS exists because we exist’. When Peter said that, I knew that A Closer Walk should indeed be a film about the way the world is, and that my colleagues and I would need to be in and of the world for a period of time to truly understand what AIDS is doing to us all.”
A Ten-Year Project
Conceived in 1996 with the late Jonathan Mann -- widely regarded as the architect of the international response to global AIDS -- A Closer Walk took three years to develop, three years to make, and in 2007 will enter its fourth year of a steadily expanding distribution campaign.
“The whole point”, says Bilheimer, “was to level the playing field in terms of what we all-- as a human family-- understand about AIDS. Making a film that would somehow engage people around the world on this issue was obviously a challenge on the creative side. But the equal challenge, on the distribution side, was to put the movie in front of, literally, hundreds of millions of people. We are going to achieve that this year.”
Since its premiere at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art in 2003, A Closer Walk has been broadcast nationally on South African television (SABC 1), and Canadian television (CBC). Agreements to air the film on CCTV (China), and Doordarshan (India), on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2006, are being finalized.
Featured at the Tribeca Film Festival, A Closer Walk has also screened at Lincoln Center in New York City, and at regional premieres in Kansas City, Boston, San Francisco, and Miami. The United Nations and other agencies have sponsored premieres and distribution programs in Ukraine, India, South Africa, Cambodia, and Thailand.
The film has been shown at hundreds of schools and college campuses around the world, and been used as a primary education and awareness tool by advocacy groups, corporations, the United Nations, the US State Department, and prominent AIDS organizations including amfAR, The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, and South Africa’s Treatment Access Campaign. The Oprah Winfrey Show featured excerpts from A Closer Walk on World AIDS Day broadcasts in 2004 and 2005.
The PBS broadcast of A Closer Walk is sponsored by General Motors and HSBC. Principal production funding for the film was provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, General Motors, Eastman Kodak, The Rockefeller Foundation, and the Edgebrook Foundation. The film is directed by Robert Bilheimer.
Press Contact: Susan Senk /Susan Senk PR 212-206-8974 SusanSenkPR@aol.com. Or Heidi Ostertag / Worldwide Documentaries/ 585-657-5400.
For Photos: www.acloserwalk.org download media images.
10. THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE USA JOB DESCRIPTION:
Assistant Director, Interfaith Climate and Energy Campaign
The National Council of Churches is the leading ecumenical organization among Christians in the United States. It encompasses 35 member denominations including the major Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox communions, African-American denominations and historic peace churches. The Council serves as both a convener and voice for a faith constituency of almost 50 million people and 100,000 congregations in all 50 states. It is organized around five program commissions and does extensive work in research, Bible translation, Christian education, theological and interfaith dialogue, witness through the media, and advocacy around issues of social justice and public policy.
This grant-funded staff position of the National Council of Churches (NCC) will work in cooperation with Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life (COEJL), within the broader National Religious Partnership for the Environment, and national and state campaigns to coordinate the state field organizers and implement campaign initiatives.
For almost a decade, in addition to the Council’s own work on global warming, the NCC has collaborated with COEJL, as participants in the broader National Religious Partnership for the Environment (Partnership), to address the onslaught of global warming through interfaith state campaigns. Together, we have helped amplify the faith voice on global warming, conducted a series of well-attended training events across the country, and mobilized thousands of people of faith to take action. The campaign’s mandate is to proclaim and enact God’s biblical mandate of stewardship by working within the faith community to curb global warming, with special attention to the needs of the poor. Starting in the fall of 2006, we will engage in an intensive grassroots campaign that utilizes an education to advocacy framework. This campaign will tap into the existing power and influence of the NCC and Jewish structures and affiliated religious organizations.
Overall campaign goals:
- Engage and educate faithful individuals and political leaders about the moral and religious need to address global warming
- Generate political debate and leadership to address global warming
- Increase visibility of religion and climate change in the media and public arena by stressing the moral message of protecting and sustaining God’s creation.
Responsibilities:
- Refine and implement campaign strategy in consultation with COEJL, the NCC Eco-Justice Working Group, and the Partnership.
- Oversee execution of initiatives in funded state campaigns and guide other campaign projects.
- Manage state field organizers in campaign states.
- Recruit and engage people of faith, particularly “grass tops” leaders, to vocalize the religious and moral perspectives on climate and energy issues and to engage in the debate to curb the global warming crises and conserve energy.
- Conduct media outreach strategies as appropriate.
- Monitor global warming and energy legislation on a federal and when appropriate, a state, level
- Engage and educate faithful clergy, laypersons, and political leaders about the moral and religious need to address global warming
- Generate political debate and leadership to address global warming
- Increase visibility of religion and climate change in the media and public arena by stressing the moral message of protecting and sustaining God’s creation.
Qualifications:
- At least 2-5 years experience as a campaign organizer with strong recruiting and engagement skills and the proven capacity to inspire trust and excellence among field organizers and distant colleagues. Distant organizing or e-advocacy skills a plus.
- At least 2-5 years experience with issue campaigns and/or direct advocacy.
- Desire to work with the religious community.
- Ability to articulate the religious message on environmental issues preferred.
- Experience training staff and volunteers a plus.
- Knowledge of climate and energy issues strongly preferred.
- Organized, mature, self-directed, patient, and energetic with a sense of humor.
- Experience assuring accomplishment of measurable objectives in campaign or other organizational setting.
- Strong computer skills (word processing, spreadsheet & database, electronic communication). Knowledge of html a plus.
- Strong written and oral communication skills.
- Demonstrated abilities to take initiative and facilitate multiple projects while working in a team environment.
- Staff management experience a plus.
- Some travel required.
This position is financially supported by specified contributions from our communions, individual donations, and foundation grants. No general funds are allocated to this position. The Assistant Director is responsible to work with the Development Department and the Eco-Justice Program Director to assure that the position and programs are funded. If such funds are not available the position is terminated.
Location: The Assistant Director for ICEC will work out of the NCC Washington, DC, office. The NCCC does not reimburse relocation expenses.
Salary: commensurate with experience
Supervision: The Assistant Director for the climate change campaign will report directly to the NCC Director of Eco-Justice Programs
Please send a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to: ICEC Search, Attn: Joan Gardner, National Council of Churches, 475 Riverside Drive, Rm. 812, New York, NY 10115. jgardner@ncccusa.org No calls please. Electronic applications preferred.
The National Council of Churches is an equal opportunity employer. For more information about the Council go to www.councilofchurches.org. For more information about the NCC’s eco-justice program go to www.nccecojustice.org. For more information about the state campaigns go to www.protectingcreation.org
*** It is preferred that in order to be considered for this position a candidate be a member in good standing of one of the NCCC constituent communions.
Deadline: September 22, 2006
*Announcement received from the Right Reverend E. Earl McCloud
11. PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY - LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN POLICY:
The FCNL is seeking a Legislative Representative for Foreign Policy (LR/FP) to represent FCNL to Congress and to the public on foreign policy issues as assigned. The initial assignment will focus on U.S. policy on Iraq. FCNL seeks a generalist in foreign policy who can take assignments on specific foreign policy issues in Congress that are of deep concern to the FCNL. Please see below for more information.
To apply for the position, please submit a letter of application and resume to Jeremy Burke at Jeremy@fcnl.org. This job announcement will remain posted until the position is filled.
Background:
The FCNL seeks a Legislative Representative for Foreign Policy (LR/FP) to represent FCNL to Congress and to the public on foreign policy issues as assigned. The initial assignment will focus on U.S. policy on Iraq. FCNL seeks a generalist in foreign policy who can take assignments on specific foreign policy issues in Congress that are of deep concern to the FCNL.
Working within FCNL's program theme "War Is Not the Answer" and with a commitment to the principle that "peace is possible through peaceful means," the LR/FP will develop legislative change strategies on assigned issues, design and implement work plans, and, in collaboration with other staff, create public campaigns when appropriate.
The LR/FP serves the FCNL General Committee under the leadership of the Executive Secretary and the supervision of the Associate Executive Secretary for Legislative Programs (Legislative Director).
Background on FCNL
The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL) is the oldest registered religious lobby in Washington. Founded in 1943 by members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers), FCNL staff and volunteers work with a nationwide network of tens of thousands of people from many different races, religions, and cultures to advocate for social and economic justice, peace, environmental restoration, and good government.
Through Congressional testimony, Capitol Hill visits, educational activities, grassroots lobbying, and publications (including electronic publications, a website, and the monthly FCNL Washington Newsletter), FCNL works for social and economic justice, peace, and good government. FCNL speaks from a basis of spiritual and ethical purpose rather than political expediency.
FCNL's general change strategy involves identifying focused, practical steps that individuals can take to persuade the federal government to advance our country toward the world we seek. Tens of thousands of people around the country rely on the strategic choices made by FCNL staff in Washington to help them effectively engage their elected officials.
Qualifications:
The successful candidate will have the following skills and abilities:
* Graduate degree in public policy or equivalent experience.
* Knowledge of and experience working to change U.S. foreign policy.
* Two or more years experience with a non-profit organization or equivalent.
* Demonstrated ability to design and lead change strategies focused on national legislation.
* Excellent research, writing, editing, and public speaking skills.
* Ability to work with the office information system to make information transparent and accessible to other users of the system.
* Physical stamina; demonstrated ability to keep dependable work schedule under usual Washington pressures.
In addition, the ideal candidate will have (at least most of) the following characteristics:
* A consultative and collegial manner, with skills in problem solving and problem prevention.
* Knowledge of and experience in the Middle East.
* Self-reliant and able to take initiative. Able to handle a variety of tasks, shifting rapidly from one to the other, and completes tasks competently.
* Understanding of supervision - both giving and receiving.
* Systematic and well-organized, attentive to details and deadlines.
* Assertive and able to facilitate group processes to develop and support good cooperative efforts in a small organization or coalition.
* Familiar with Friends organizations, concerns and practices, comfortable working within the committee process, willing to learn Friends' sometimes peculiar ways.
* Strongly interested in legislative issues and public policy development and in general agreement with FCNL statement of legislative policy
Salary, Benefits, and Other Details
Salary: A beginning salary of $39,000 to $65,000, depending on level of experience.
Benefits: Health insurance; disability and life insurance; paid holidays, vacation and sick leave; maternity/paternity leave; transportation subsidy, and retirement plan.
Work Week: The schedule of the Legislative Representative will never be routine and the work week is variable within a 37.5 hour average per week.
Expected term of service: Candidates for this position should expect to be available for at least a three to five year term of service. Continuation beyond five years is desirable.
How to Apply
Please send a letter of application and a resume to Jeremy Burke at jeremy@fcnl.org .
Your application will be acknowledged, but you will not be contacted unless you are invited for a first interview. This job announcement will remain posted on this website until the position is filled.
*Announcement received from the Right Reverend E. Earl McCloud
12. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Gladly we share the news of birth of our son, Nahum Titus, on Friday, 11 August 2006, a day before the birthday of his father. Nahum arrived a month earlier, but is perfectly healthy, God be praised. He weighed 2.74g, measured 48 cm and is as healthy as all the other full term babies that were born. He was also the only boy to have been born on that particular day.
Nahum is the first born of the Reverend and Mrs. Nathan and Sonja Titus. The members of Bethel Memorial AME Church, Cape Town, South Africa congratulated the Titus family as does Presiding Elder Lewin who is the pastor and a candidate for the bishopric in 2008. The Reverend Titus is an Itinerant Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the Cape Annual Conference of the Fifteenth Episcopal District under the leadership of the Right Reverend Samuel L. Green, Sr. The Reverend Titus assist Mt. Horeb AME Church in the Montagu District and St. Francis AME Church in the Cape Town District, both of these churches are in the Cape Annual Conference.
Congratulatory e-mail messages may be sent to:
nathan@lloydhill.co.za (office e-mail address)
nathan@telkomsa.net (home) e-mail address)
13. CLERGY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Vearnon Adrian Woods, son of the Rev. Willie V. Woods, Pastor of New Allen A.M.E. Church, Memphis, TN and Mrs. Mondella Woods received his second Masters from the University of Memphis, Memphis, TN. Vearnon currently has a Master of Business Administration and graduated on August 13, 2006, with a Master of Education.
Blessings,
Mondella Woods
Congratulatory email messages may be sent to: Mbswoods@aol.com
14. CONGRATULATORY NOTIFICATIONS:
Congratulatory announcements are posted on Friday of each week that we might share the “Joyful” moments; the “GOOD” news of Clergy Family Graduations, Births, Weddings, and Wedding Anniversaries (25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 75th) and extend commendations, congratulations and well wishes to those clergy families who are praising God for the Joy of significant milestones reached in their lives.
15. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
clinton@1stdistrict-ame.com
We regret to inform you of the passing of Andrew N. Norris, the last brother of Bishop Richard Franklin Norris. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Funeral Service - Thursday, August 31, 2006
Viewing – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Service – 11:00 a.m.
Bethel A.M.E. Church
50 South Merion Avenue
Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Rev. Marcellus A. Norris, Pastor
Phone: 610-527-6674
Fax: 610-527-8391
Condolences may be sent to:
Bishop Richard Franklin Norris
1626 N. 72nd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19151
Phone: 215-477-9247
Fax: 215-477-0233
Or
First Episcopal District Headquarters
3801 Market Street, Suite 300
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Fax: 215-662-0199
Email: clinton@1stdistrict-ame.com
Please remember Bishop Norris and his family in your prayers
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
17. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram; 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
