Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR:
The Editor will be attending the Kentucky Annual Conference this week and will be preaching at DuPage AME Church, 4300 Yackley Avenue, Lisle, Illinois on Sunday, September 17, 2006 at both the 8:15 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. worship services.
2. STEPHEN GREEN’S COLUMN FOR AME QUESTION # 1:
Question: Where was Bishop T. Larry Kirkland born and how many children did his parents have?
One person, Sister Birdie Parker answered the question, but unfortunately she works for the AMEC Sunday School Union and is not qualified to participate. Thank you, Sister Birdie. No one else answered the question.
Answer: Bishop Kirkland was born in Wylam, Alabama (a neighborhood in Birmingham) His parents had 15 children.
Source: “The Down Home Preacher with an Uptown Message” by Bishop T. Larry Kirkland
Published by the AME Sunday School Union, Copyright 2002.
Stephen Green can be contacted at AME52592@aol.com
3. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
Praise God for the editorial. I have been saying often, how badly we need to hear the Decalogue in the AME Church on behalf of the whole community. Where else will young people hear, “You shall not… or, You shall.” A bold, but essential step.
I am beginning to note a deliberate trend toward reform in society because of deterioration in the black community on the part of black males in particular. Secular organizations are taking up the struggle, why not the Church?
Be blessed, Vinton Anderson.
- To the Editor:
I do not believe that your statement or implication that the presiding elder can "take" up an offering at a quarterly conference is correct. Presiding Elders cannot just take “whatever is left on the table.” The perception that presiding elders and bishops can just take up offerings for themselves conjures up negativity in our Zion. I hope that you will clarify.
Bishop Richard Allen Chappelle -
Editor’s Comment:
Bishop Chappelle is correct. The Discipline states, “In case of failure of a pastor to collect the presiding elder’s allowance, the presiding elder shall receive the same from any of all moneys collected during the quarterly meeting.
For clarification: The monies collected at the quarterly conference is collected and belongs to the presiding elder if there is a shortfall in the church's ability to pay the presiding elder's assessment.
Thank you, Bishop Chappelle for s for the clarification.
4. THE GLOBAL CORNER - FIFTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT,
THE NAMIBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
The Right Reverend Samuel L. Green, Presiding Prelate
The Publicity Report of the 52nd Session of the Namibia Annual Conference held at the St. Peter’s AME Church, Maltahöhe
- August 31st – September 3rd, 2006
The Quadrennium for African Methodism is at the midpoint. Given that Quadrennial Missionary Convention elections are scheduled this year and the election of the General Conference delegation in 2007, the 52nd Session of the Namibia Annual Conference was attended by an all-time high record of delegates and visitors.
The Conference was at the St. James AME Church, Mariental and the people met on Monday August 28, 2006 en route to Maltahöhe. The occasion was the inauguration and dedication of the St. James Trust Youth Centre, which offers a Soup Kitchen, an ICT Learning Centre as well as Study Aid and Recreational Programs. The St. James Trust Youth Centre is the brainchild of the Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, where an underused church hall was remodeled and programs launched valued at more than N$ 100 000 (about $ 14 200 US).
The Annual meeting of the Conference Board of Christian Education was the first pre-conference activity that was ‘Called to Worship’ by the Rev. Albert E Biwa, the BoCE Director on Tuesday August 29, 2006 at 09h00. The Rev. Leslie Leukes based his sermon on 2 Kings 17:1-10 challenging the delegates and visitors to select today a man of your choice and the preacher urged the convention-goers to choose “Jesus, the Son of Man”. It was a moving sermon in which worshippers were presented with the track record of Jesus. The Convention commended the Rev. A E Biwa for a job well-done, especially 100% reports from all churches in the Namibia Annual Conference.
Brother Steven Hendrik Isaack, a member of the St. James AME Church and a Director in the Office of the Prime Minister addressed the BoCE Convention on the Namibian Government’s “Vision 2030 and the Role of the Church”. There was general consensus that the AME Church had been a trailblazer in the national liberation struggle and that it has a meaningful role to play in the development plans of our young Nation.
On Tuesday August 30, 2006 the whole village of Maltahöhe was all ‘black’, not because of the lack or shut down of electricity, but because more than 250 missionary mothers and youth came out in full force in the black regalia of the WMS. It was evident that only the ‘early birds’ would get some seating for the opening ceremony of the Annual Conference the following day, because the WMS Convention was packed to capacity. Mrs. Isabella Swartbooi and Mrs. Lydia Zaahl were elected as delegate and alternate to the Quadrennial Missionary Convention 2007, and the YPD’ers elected Sister Amoline Keister and Bro. Ismael Petrus /Goagoseb as delegate and alternate respectively. Bishop Samuel L Green pledged that he will ensure that Brother Goâgoseb attended the Convention.
The 52nd Session of the Namibia Annual Conference commenced on Thursday August 31, 2006 with the Rev. Daniel Schmidt, host pastor, calling us to worship. The Rev. Paul Fredericks was “on fire” with the Annual Sermon entitled, “The Word of God brings Life!” Inspirational sermons were preached with conviction by Bro. Charles Pieter (Lay Witness), Rev. A E Biwa (Emmaus) and the Rev LaTanya Warren Floyd (Ordination), the latter from the 11th Episcopal District. The Commissioning Sermon on Sunday was powerfully delivered by the Rev. Shane Apollus, visiting Presiding Elder (Piketberg) from the Cape Annual Conference whose sermon was entitled, “Don’t Leave Without Him!”
Some of the important decisions of the Annual Conference included:
1. Rietoog AME Church has been renamed Dawid Gariseb Memorial AME Church,
2. Bethesda AME Church has been renamed Jonas Topnaar Memorial AME Church,
3. The missionary point at Karasburg has been added to the pastoral charge of Thomas AME Church, Grunau,
4. The missionary points at Rosh Pinah and Oranjemund (mining towns) have been added to the pastoral charge of Zion AME Church, Aus,
5. The Reverends Samuel /Howeseb and Fritz /Gariseb, both local deacons) were dropped from the Conference Roll at the request of their local churches since they left without certificates,
6. The Annual Conference, Winter Rally and Episcopal Planning Meeting sustentation amounts have been increased to N$ 200-00 per person, and all other weekend meetings to N$ 100-00 per person,
7. The Special Quadrennial Travel Fund was reconsidered in the light of the latest decision of the Bishop’s Council and General Board to uphold the decision on 35% cur of General Conference delegations, and this allocation has been renamed Namibia Development Fund with the understanding that the printing of the AME Nama Word Hymnal, 2nd edition will be its first priority.
8. Approval was granted for the Namibia Annual Conference to sign the Black Economic Empowerment project known as Offifiya with Old Mutual, Mutual and Federal and Nedbank with special emphasis on the upliftment of women.
9. The Missionary Areas have now been replaced by the President’s council in line with new WMS Constitution,
10. The Missionary Institute will be replaced with the Women’s Convocation,
11. The YPD Road Shows will be reintroduced in the new church year,
12. Three itinerant deacons (Reverends Anna Topnaar, Ronnie Persendt and Andries H Bloodstaan) and one local deacon (Reverend Jonas Tâseb) were ordained,
13. The Diamond Jubilee Historical Booklet, authored by the Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, was launched and well received, and
14. Two new Presiding Elders were appointed (Reverends Willem Simon Hanse and Daniel Schmidt).
In conclusion, I would like to offer some personal reflections on the 52nd Session of the Namibia Annual Conference. To start with, last year we succeeded in organising the Conference Journal, inclusive of all the pastoral and literary reports. This year, the Bishop proved that ‘we ain’t seen nothing yet’ and a printed conference bag inclusive of not only the Conference Journal but also campaign material of the Rev. Andrew Lewin were distributed to all clergy, delegates and conference officers. We salute Bishop Samuel L Green for the leadership he is providing. He walks the extra mile, brings excitement and encourages us to change the usual way of doing the business of the conference. Previously, committee members would meet at the seat of the conference and prepare reports, but since Bishop Samuel L Green got to be assigned Presiding Prelate of the 15th Episcopal District, the entire office and conference administration has been updated.
The pastoral reports have been termed ‘praise reports’ and a whole lot of mindset change has taken place over the past 3 years. Whereas clergy used to lament their trials and tribulations over the past year under review, clergy are now challenged to give testimony about the goodness of the Lord, of how God has enabled you to rise above the challenges of pastoral ministry.
The Bishop also conducted an interface with the clergy. A special closed-door session took place, in which the bishop encouraged the clergy to raise their concerns without any fear of intimidation or victimisation. I must admit that I was impressed with the high sense of dignity and sophistication wherewith clergy alerted the prelate about their personal and collective issues.
With these loaded personal reflections, I believe that the eye has not seen and the ear has not heard and the mind has not yet conceived the blessings the Lord has in store for the 15th Episcopal District and the Namibia Annual Conference through the person and office of Bishop Samuel L Green Sr. May God grant him wisdom and prosperity in all he do, and may the bishop lead us to higher grounds.
Submitted by the Rev. Willem Simon Hanse
Presiding Elder of the Hoachanas District
5. THE CHAPLAINS CORNER - HONORING THOSE WHO SERVED:
By Chaplain, Captain, Richard B. Black, USAF
“We gather today, in the shadow of our Nation’s Capitol, to show our respect and to honor one who was prepared to give his life, if need be, so that we and the generations to come would know what it is like to live in the Land of the Free… and the Home of the Brave!”
Behind the Lincoln Memorial and nestled between the Pentagon and the Marine Corps Iwo Jima Memorial are 624 acres of our nation’s most hallowed ground— Arlington National Cemetery (ANC). Since May 1864, military veterans, their spouses, and other exceptional individuals such as our nation’s first free African American soldiers—
3,800 United States Colored Troops have been buried here.
As an African Methodist Episcopal Chaplain in the United States Air Force Chaplain Service, one year ago, while seeking the Lord for His guidance concerning our ministry in the Air Force, the Lord placed Arlington into my spirit. This was confirmed when those in charge of making Chaplain assignments blessed me with the opportunity to serve the families of our veterans in a special way: Honoring those who have served and providing comfort to their families. It has been my honor to conduct over 430 burial services to date.
The Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard are all actively involved in the burial of our aging World War II veterans, those who served during the Korean Conflict, Vietnam veterans, and our military casualties serving in the Global War on Terrorism from Iraq and Afghanistan. Each military service provides honors to their members. On the average, we provide honors and comfort to 27 families each day.
Arlington National Cemetery is a fascinating place, especially when a "Full Honors" service is conducted for one of our veterans. Full Honors include: The Caisson (an Army field wagon pulled by six-horses), a Ceremonial Band, the Color Team (American and Military Service Flags), Seven Airmen firing three volleys (Firing Party), the Body Bearers, a Bugler, a Military Chaplain, and an Arlington Lady.
As the flag is held tightly over the casket by our airmen at the gravesite, you will hear these words: “This Nation… for nearly 150 years has brought her honored sons and daughters to Arlington National Cemetery to take their place among these Stones of Remembrance, memorials to the men and women who answered the call of their country…some paying the ultimate price; some serving many years; some serving but a few; but all have served so that this Nation, our Nation, might always be free.”
Many veterans began their military careers during WWII and remained or returned to fight/serve during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. After sharing a portion of the veteran’s military career, his retirement date, the number of years on active duty, medals earned, his personal legacy, and the religious committal, the service will end with these words: “Across the Potomac River, near the WWII Memorial, is a monument to another American hero, which reads: ‘IN LIFE, HE HONORED THE FLAG. IN DEATH, THE FLAG SHALL HONOR HIM.’”
As the Ceremonial Team comes to attention and salutes, the Firing Party fires the volleys and the Bugler plays Taps. The airmen then folds the flag, inspects it for that perfect fold, and passes it to the Chaplain who holds it reverently as the airman salutes the flag. The Chaplain will then walk to the Next -of-Kin, kneel and present the flag with these words: “On behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force, and a grateful nation, I present this flag for the faithful service of your(Next-of-Kin) to our Country and our great Nation.” The Chaplain then stand, salutes the flag, and steps back as the Arlington Lady presents a card on behalf of the Chief of Staff of the Air Force. As the Ceremonial Team departs the gravesite, the Chaplain has the privilege of gently gripping the hand of the Next-of-Kin, looking into their eyes, and speaking the Lord’s comfort and blessings upon the family.
During my tenure at Arlington National Cemetery, I have had the privilege to lay to rest some of our finest combat pilots of WWII, the Tuskegee Airmen. These brave men escorted bombers during WWII and never lost a single bomber. I also was given the opportunity to escort the former Prime Minister of England, Margaret Thatcher, to the funeral service of our former Secretary of Defense, Casper Weinberger.
I am proud to be a part of a church that believes in God, family, and country. I believe I am representing each member of the AMEC. I am very grateful for the support of our church leadership especially, Bishop John Richard Bryant, Bishop McKinley Young, Rev I.V. Tolbert and the late Rev L. W. Johnson as I fulfill my calling as a Chaplain in the Air Force. It is my honor and privilege to serve those who have served our Nation so well!
** For veterans and/or their families desiring more information about burials at ANC or another National cemetery, go to: www.arlingtoncemetery.org or www.cem.va.gov
6. INTERNS GO GLOBAL TO LEARN TO SERVE:
Clinton School students return with tales of an angry mob, successes
By Heather Wecsler Arkansas Democrat Gazette (8.27.06)
Malcolm Glover was shooting video in a southern Sudan village for an international aid group when an angry mob demanded to know what he was doing and promised a beating if he lied.
“I was threatened with 44 lashes,” he said. “For as long as I live, I’ll never forget that number.”
Unscathed, the 23-year-old was among 13 students at the University Of Arkansas Clinton School Of Public Service who recounted their summer internship experiences throughout last week. The students’ presentations began the second year of classes at the school, which, according to the National Association of Schools of Public Policy and Administration in Washington, D.C., offers the nation’s only master’s degree specifically in Public Service.
The Clinton School students traveled around the globe to help with efforts ranging from disability services in Vietnam to hurricane recovery along the U.S. Gulf Coast.
Glover, who majored in journalism at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, went to Sudan to train Sudanese journalists, work on economic initiatives and film a documentary for Winrock International. The Little Rock-based global nonprofit group is trying to rebuild the economy in the war-ravaged nation, and plans to use Glover’s documentary as a recruitment tool to attract more support for Sudan.
The Clinton School’s summer internship requirement is part of what makes the program unique, said Skip Rutherford, the school’s dean.
“Malcolm and the other students will have an experienced based degree that they can use in helping Arkansas, the country and the world,” Rutherford said.
Glover said he returned from his internship — which also took him to a war refugee camp in Kenya — with a greater sense of the world’s interdependence.
“I’ve always known that to whom much is given, much is expected,” said Glover, who grew up in Bowie, Md. “But you recognize that even more when you are in an area like [Sudan]. People are really depending on you not only when you’re there but also when you return to wherever your home country is. They want you to remember them and do whatever you can to make their lives a little bit better.”
Glover certainly expects to remember the harrowing moment on his second day in Sudan when his video camera riled a group of villagers near Juba, southern Sudan’s capital.
He had been filming the village’s market all morning without incident when a man and woman began yelling at him. Before he could respond, he was surrounded by agitated villagers, speaking in an Arabic dialect he did not understand.
Glover remained calm, and with his body language, tried to show he meant no harm. One of the villagers began translating in broken English the questions and rebukes reverberating from the throng.
“Their deep concern became painfully clear to me when the village translator stated: ‘We have been through war, and we don’t want people to know where we are so that they want to bring trouble here again,’” Glover said later by e-mail. “He further translated that ‘There are some people that do not like us. … We want to know who you work for, and be sure you are telling the truth.’”
Glover was observing humanitarian work in a country that has endured two civil wars over the past 50 years. Sudan’s second war, which broke out in 1983, and a related famine left more than 4 million people displaced and, according to some estimates, 2 million dead. But since January 2005, the southern region where Glover worked has been relatively stable — unlike the western region of Darfur, which is being monitored by United Nations peacekeepers. Under a peace treaty, the southern region is now under a new government and fairly autonomous.
The villagers’ fear caught Glover off-guard. He tried to explain that he was there with the government’s permission and was helping rebuild the country. Finally, a passer-by from another village who spoke fairly good English intervened on the graduate student’s behalf.
The man — whom Glover dubbed “The Good Samaritan” — told the crowd Glover was new in town and did not know the local rules. With Glover still apologizing, the crowd eventually dispersed.
Glover remained in Juba for two weeks and interacted with some of the villagers again.
“I think if I taught them anything, it would probably be that you don’t have to fear every stranger — some are here to help,” Glover said. “As far as what I learned ... it’s how important it is to remain calm and to always listen to other points of view.”
Other Clinton School students said they also benefited this summer from experiencing other perspectives.
David Morrissey, 36, traveled to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam to write a report on the nation’s services for the disabled.
Morrissey, who walks with a slight limp because of spina bifida, has helped manage nonprofit groups in Kansas that serve the disabled. But he found Vietnam — where the two greatest causes of disabilities are traffic and construction accidents — eye-opening.
Ho Chi Minh City with a population of about 8 million has few places that are wheelchair accessible, Morrissey said, although half of the disabled he met had lost all or some use of their legs.
The communist country’s bureaucratic red tape, he said, prevents many grass-roots organizations from being able to hold fundraisers. So while in Ho Chi Minh City, he taught a grant-writing seminar for 25 representatives from support groups for the disabled. Morrissey proudly announced on Thursday that five of the groups represented at the seminar, including his translator, have gone on to be finalists in a grant-writing competition.
Only one Clinton School student had to change his internship plans because of safety concerns.
Joe Ballard, 26, had planned to spend the summer in Kabul, helping Afghans learn to read. But four days before he was set to leave, the organization where he planned to work — Roquia Center for Women’s Rights, Studies and Education in Kabul — said renewed hostilities with the Taliban meant the group couldn’t guarantee his safety.
“Some organizations were still taking people, but they could afford stronger security,” Ballard said. “If I had gone, I would have put extra stress on the director I was working with and would have limited her in all the things she does because she would have been worried about me.”
Before attending the Clinton School, Ballard worked three years with AmeriCorps, a national service network. Although AmeriCorps typically requires a 10- to 12-month commitment, he was able to use his contacts to secure a summer internship where he helped develop leadership training for AmeriCorps participants working along the Gulf Coast.
Back at the Clinton School, many students are still working on projects they began during their internships. Glover shot more than 12 hours of video footage in Africa and about four hours of footage in a home for Sudanese refugees in Arizona; he is now editing that down into a 15-minute film.
Although most of what he shot will end up on the cutting room floor, Glover said he will always treasure his memories of southern Sudan and hopes one day to return.
“I just want to remember everything that I’ve experienced,” he said, “and recognize that every day is a new day and a new opportunity to do something that not only can change your life but change someone else’s life.”
Reprint permission granted by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette
7. CITY OF PARIS CEMETERY MONUMENT DEDICATION SERVICE:
In historic downtown Paris TN., established in 1823, lies the Paris City Cemetery where some of the original founders and prominent people of the area are buried, with tombstones marking the graves accordingly. However, over in one corner which appears to be untouched land a passerby who was unaware would never suspect their presence. They are the nameless slaves, free blacks, and other African-Americans who are buried there in the historic Paris Cemetery. Only two tombstones remain intact in this section but are no longer decipherable. Decades later, the city of Paris is erecting a monument to the unknowns, honoring the anonymous African-Americans who though lacking personal freedom or equality of standing as citizens contributed to the building of our community through their physical toil, perseverance and unfettered spirituality.
The monument was the brainchild of George Todd, local community volunteer and Carl Holder, City Manager. At a gathering last October Todd read a tribute honoring generations of blacks who are buried in the unmarked graves. After the gathering Holder complimented Todd on his talk and commented, “It’s a shame we have nothing in town here to commemorate the people you spoke about. There ought to be.” Holder suggested that the two men work together to make that dream a reality. After months of planning by a committee formed including the director of the local Heritage Center, the local newspaper owner, and local black community leaders, a fitting monument has been created. The end result is a nine-foot obelisk with artwork on two sides and inscriptions on two sides. The artwork, created by local artist, Jan Foster, depicts an elderly farmer, to represent the agrarian way of life of many slaves and blacks; and the other side depicts a woman with two children-one black and one white-at her side representing the caretaker life of many black women. These characters will be represented and portrayed by local people at the unveiling to tell the story visually.
On September 9, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at the Paris City Cemetery, the monument to these valiant souls will be formally dedicated. The dedication, which is open to the public, will feature an unveiling of the monument, dedicatory remarks by George Todd, and presentations by Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Community Choir. We would like to invite the entire community to come and take part in this historical commemoration of these unknowns who are no longer forgotten.
8. THE THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULES:
The Right Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate
139th Kentucky Annual Conference
September 11-16, 2006
Tuesday: WMS Annual Conference
School of the Prophets Clergy Institute
Reverend Ralph Johnson, Host PE
Reverend William Jenkins, Host Pastor
St. James AME Church
124 E Walnut St
Danville, KY 40422
859/236-3241
Hampton Inn
100 Montgomery Way
Danville, KY 40422
859/236-6200
126th West Kentucky Annual Conference
September 25-30, 2006
Tuesday: WMS Annual Conference
School of the Prophets Clergy Institute
Reverend Linda F. Thomas Martin, Host PE
Reverend Geoffrey Ellis, Host Pastor
Embry Chapel AME Church
401 Skyline Dr
Elizabethtown, KY 42702
270/684-8020
Holiday Inn Express
107 Buffalo Creek Dr
Elizabethtown, KY 42701
270/769-1334
106th East Tennessee Annual Conference
October 9-14, 2006
Tuesday: WMS Annual Conference
School of the Prophets Clergy Institute
Reverend Kenneth Hill, Host PE
Reverend Everett Hobson, Host Pastor
St. Paul AME Church
521 W College St
Fayetteville, TN 37334
931/433-0675
Best Western Fayetteville Inn
3021 Thorton Taylor Pkwy
Fayetteville, TN 37334
931/433-0100132nd West Tennessee Annual Conference
October 23-28, 2006
Tuesday: WMS Annual Conference
School of the Prophets Clergy Institute
Reverend C. Robert Finch, Host PE
Reverend John E. Madison, Associate PE
Reverend Kenneth J. Golphin, Host Pastor
Quinn Chapel AME Church
218 E Church St
Paris, TN 38242
901/642-8445
Hampton Inn
1510 E Wood St
Paris, TN 38242
731/642-2838
139th Tennessee Annual Conference
November 6-11, 2006
Tuesday: WMS Annual Conference
School of the Prophets Clergy Institute
Reverend Robert E. Keesee, Host PE
Reverend Troy Merritt, Jr., Associate PE
Reverend W. Antoni Sinkfield, Host Pastor
St. John AME Church
1822 Formosa
Nashville, TN 37208
615/320-1026
Host Hotel
Contact host church
13th District Planning Meeting
November 16-18, 2006
St. Paul AME Church
2514 Williams St
Chattanooga, TN 37408
423/267-6869
Chattanooga Marriott at the Convention Center
Two Carter Plaza
Chattanooga, TN 37402
423/756-0002
9. THE SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2006 ANNUAL CONFERENCES SCHEDULES:
The Right Reverend Preston William, Presiding Prelate
The Palmetto Conference
96th Session
August 21-25, 2006
Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church
300 W. Main Street
Kingstree, SC 29556
Rev. Jerome Wilson, Host Pastor
Rev. Allen W. Parrott, Host Presiding Elder - Kingstree District
Rev. Alonzo Middleton, Associate Presiding Elder - Mt. Pleasant District
Rev. Sandy W. Drayton, Associate Presiding Elder - Georgetown District
The Northeast Conference
115th Session
August 28-September 1, 2006
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church
1305 East Cheves Street/P. O. Box 677
Florence, SC 29503
843-662-2316
Rev. Julius H. McAlister, Host Pastor
Rev. Theron E. Shields Sr., Host Presiding Elder - Florence-Dillon District
Rev. Charles J. Graves, Associate Presiding Elder - Marion District
Rev. Robert L. McCants, Associate Presiding Elder - Sumter
The Columbia Conference
129th Session
September 11-15, 2006
Miller Chapel A.M.E. Church
500 Caldwell StreetP.O. Box 601
Newberry, SC 29108
864-426-2562
Rev. Rubin Smalls, Host Pastor
Rev. Rosalyn Coleman, Host Presiding Elder - Newberry/Spartanburg District
Rev. William Smith, Associate Presiding Elder - Columbia District
Rev. James R. Glover, Associate Presiding Elder - Lancaster District
The South Carolina Conference
143rd Session
September 18-22, 2006
Bethel A.M.E. Church
5585 Memorial Blvd
St. George, SC 29477
843-563-4043
Rev. Jonathan C. Roberts, Host Pastor
Rev. John Randolph, Host Presiding Elder - Charleston District
Rev. John H. Gillison, Associate Presiding Elder - Edisto District
Rev. Samuel Myers, Associate Presiding Elder - Beaufort District
The Piedmont Conference
96th Session
October 2-6, 2006
St. James A.M.E. Church
205 Henry McNeil Turner Street
Abbeville, SC 29620
864-459-2035
Rev. Judy M. Richardson, Host Pastor
Rev. Oscar A. Klugh, Host Presiding Elder - Abbeville/Greenwood District
Rev. Jonathan J. Baker, Associate Presiding Elder - Greenville District
The Central Conference
83rd Session
October 9-13, 2006
Butler Chapel A.M.E. Church
5225 North Road
Orangeburg, SC 29118
Rev. Dr. George E. Hicks, Host Pastor
Rev. Robert B. Cooper, Host Presiding Elder - Wateree District
Rev. Willie J. Baxter, Associate Presiding Elder - Orangeburg District
Rev. Malachi Duncan, Associate Presiding Elder - Manning District
Seventh Episcopal District
Post-Conference Planning Meeting
November 9-11, 2006
Allen Temple A.M.E. Church
109 Green Street
Greenville, SC 29601
864-233-4181 Church 864-268-1704 Pastor
Rev. Caesar R. Richburg, Host Pastor
Rev. Jonathan Baker, Host Presiding Elder
10. EAST NORTHEAST ARKANSAS CONFERENCE ANNUAL CONFERENCE LAY NIGHT PROGRAM:
The East Northeast Arkansas Conference Lay Organization would like to invite you to our Annual Conference Lay Program, which will be held Friday, October 6, 2006, 7:00 PM at St. Luke AME Church, 233 West Broadway, Forrest City, Arkansas, and the Rev. Johnny Kelley, is the pastor.
Mrs. Jackie Weary, 12th Episcopal District Lay Parliamentarian will be the speaker for this occasion. Mrs. Weary is the wife of the Rev. Willie Weary, Sr., the pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Frederick, Oklahoma. Mrs. Weary is an energetic and dynamic speaker and you would not want to miss her presentation.
The Choir from Noah Chapel A.M.E. Church, Millington, Tennessee where the Rev. Clay Holliday is the pastor will be the guest choir.
Mr. Samuel Williams, PresidentMrs. Laverne Nelson, Director of Lay Activities
11. SENATOR TRENT LOTT ANNOUNCED THAT FIVE MISSISSIPPI HIGHER EDUCATION SCHOOLS WILL RECEIVE $7.7 MILLION TO HELP WITH RECOVERY FROM HURRICANE KATRINA:
The allotments are:
- University of Southern Mississippi, $4.3 million
- William Carey College, $1.8 million
- Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, $968,916
- Pearl River Community College, $524,808
- Jones Junior College, $125,000.
12. SISTER SHIRLEY E. MOSLEY, PAST WORTHY MATRON HONORED:
Past Worthy Matron Shirley E. Mosley was honored at our 105th Grand Chapter Session Order of Eastern Stars of Virginia, Prince Hall Affiliated in July, 2006 as Past Grand Worthy Matron by Grand Worthy Matron Cilia P. Brown in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Sister Mosley is the first in District #34 of Virginia Beach, Virginia to receive this esteem honor as Past Grand Worthy Matron and has received many past honors for outstanding affiliations. She is a native of Princess Anne County now Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Sister Mosley is a member of New St. John's African Methodist Episcopal Church where the Reverend E. H. Terrell, Jr. is the pastor. She is also the mother of the Reverend Rufus L. Mosley, Jr., pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Eastville, Virginia.
Other Affiliations Include:
Member of New St. John AME Church, Virginia Beach, VA for over 50 years, President- Clara R. Davis Nurse's Unit, Marshall and Past Matron St. Alethia Chapter #83, Marshall of the Year Award- 2005, Chairperson, St. Alethia Chapter #83 Auditing Committee, Past Ritualistic Chairperson - District Council #34, Past Queen - District Council #34, Grand Deputy Organizer - Administrative Deputy OES Royal Perfection Matron - Ladies of the Circle of Perfection, The Phylaxis Society of the Phyllis Chapter International Order, (Life Member) Prince Hall Affiliated, International Order (Fellow) of the Phyllis Chapter Prince Hall Affiliated, Region I Director Phyllis Chapter International Order, Past Queen - Daughter of ISIS Arabia Court #23
Portsmouth, Virginia; Honorary Past Illustrious Commandress Arabia Court #23, President - Leader Council United Order of Tents Virginia Beach, Virginia; Treasurer - Royal Degree Chamber #3, Leader - Silver Leaf Tent #354, Virginia Beach
13. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- Byron Maurice James graduated on Friday, August 25, 2006 from Gupton-Jones College of Funeral Service in Decatur, Georgia, with an Associate of Science Degree in Funeral Service. Byron also graduated from Allen University in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English. He is the son of Rev. & Mrs. Saymon James, Sr., pastor of Calvary A.M.E. Church in Orangeburg, SC – Central Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District.
Contact information:
Byron M. James
Post Office Box 428
Pinewood, SC 29125
(803) 452-6837
Congratulatory email may be sent to: daundataka1@netzero.net
- The Rev. & Mrs. Saymon James are also happy to announce the marriage of their son, Saymon James, Jr. to the former Ms. Teameaka Weathers, daughter of Deacon & Mrs. Charlie L. Weathers. The wedding was held on Saturday, August 26, 2006, at Historical Liberty Hill A.M.E. Church in Summerton, SC.
Submitted by:
Gwendolyn Brown
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Service Arrangements for Mr. Alvin Sydnor, husband of Mrs. Betty Sydnor, Comptroller of the AME Church Finance Office, Washington, DC.
Thursday, September 7, 2006
Family Visitation: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Funeral: 11:00 AM
Vermont Avenue Baptist Church
1630 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone (202) 667-1078
Fax: (202) 667-1492
Professional services entrusted to:
McGuire Funeral Home
7400 Georgia Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20012
Phone: (202) 882-6600
Fax: (202) 723–0585
Interment: Ft. Lincoln Cemetery
Prince George County, MD
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Betty Sydnor
c/o AME Church Finance Office
1134 11th Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: (202) 371-8700
Fax: (202) 371-8735
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Mr. James H. Hardaway, the father of The Reverend James A. Hardaway, Pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church, Shadydale, Georgia.
Homegoing Celebration for Mr. James H. Hardaway
Wake & Family Visitation
Date: Tuesday, Sept 5, 2006
Time: 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Place: Progressive Funeral Home
Address: 4235 Saint Mary’s Road; Columbus, GA 31907
Phone: 706-685-8023
Omega Memorial Service
Date: Tuesday, Sept 5, 2006
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Place: Progressive Funeral Home
Officiating: Lambda Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Homegoing Celebration
Date: Wednesday, Sept 6, 2006
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Place: Saint John AME Church
Address: 3980 Steam Mill Road; Columbus, GA 31907
Phone: 706-682-6944
The Reverend Dr. Debra Grant, Pastor
The Reverend O. L. Duncan, pastor
Greater Ward Chapel AME Church, Columbus, GA (home church of Mr. Hardaway)
Worship Leader
The Family of James H. Hardaway
Mrs. Helen S. Hardaway (wife)
Rev. James A. Hardaway (son)
Mrs. Vickie H. Knox (daughter)
Ms. Felicia M. Hardaway (daughter)
3217 Gleason Avenue
Columbus, GA 31907
706-561-4371
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Marie Harrison, the mother of Rev. Wessie Spearman, associate minister of Macedonia A.M.E. Church (Camden/Trenton District) and retired pastor of Hosanna A.M.E. Church in Camden, NJ and retired Church School Superintendent for the New Jersey Annual Conference. Mrs. Harrison, or “Mom Rita” as she was lovingly called, lived to be 103 years old. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Funeral Service - Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Viewing – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Service – 11:00 a.m.
Macedonia AME Church
261 Spruce Street
Camden, NJ 08103
Rev. Mark Tyler, Pastor
Phone: 856-365-3840
Fax: 856-365-8873
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Wessie Spearman
629 Murray Street
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
Please remember the Spearman family in your prayers.
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: pewardsixteen@mailstation.com (Presiding Elder Richard Q. Ward, Sr.)
The passing of Reverend Michael Hobbs, pastor of Paul AME Church, Sandersville, Georgia of the Wrens-Vidalia District of the Augusta Georgia Annual Conference, 6th Episcopal District.
North Carolina Funeral Services
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
2:00 p.m.
Union Star Free-Will Baptist Church
Clinton, North Carolina 28328
Rev. Liftrige, Pastor
(910) 592-4373
Services Entrusted To:
Summerville Boykin Mortuary, Inc.
65 N Belgrade Avenue
Garland, NC 28441
(910) 529-1341
Please remember the bereaved families in your prayers.
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
clinton@1stdistrict-ame.com
We regret to inform you of the passing of Sister Jeanne Williams Booker, the mother of Rev. James Booker, Jr., Pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church (New York Conference, Manhattan District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Funeral Service - Thursday, August 31, 2006
Viewing – 4:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Service – 7:00 p.m.
St. Luke A.M.E. Church
1872 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10031
Rev. Melvin E. Wilson, Pastor
Phone: 212-870-1349
Fax: 212-870-1322
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. James E. Booker, Jr.
10 West 135th Street
New York, NY 10037
Please remember the Booker and Williams families in your prayers.
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: 1wim@htcomp.net
The Reverend Bertie Mae Sworn, of the 10th Episcopal District (Texas) passed on Saturday, September 2, 2006 at a hospital in Temple, Texas. Rev. Sworn pastored Thomas Chapel A.M.E. Church in Copperas Cove, Texas (Northwest Texas Conference) from 1984-1995. Dr. Ida W. Keener-Presiding Elder.
The Homegoing arrangements are as follows:
Wake Service:Friday, September 8, 2006 - 6-8 PM
The Rev. William Campbell, pastor
Anderson Chapel A.M.E. Church
1002 Jefferies Street
Killeen, TX 76543
Funeral Service:
Saturday, September 9, 2006
2: 00 PM
Greater Peace Missionary Baptist Church
4201 Zephyur Rd.
Killeen, TX 76543
Rev. William Campbell, Officiating
Rev. Carl E. Garmon, Sr., Eulogy
Funeral Home in Charge:
Chisolm's Family Funeral Home and Florist, LTD
813 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
Copperas Cove, TX 76522
254-547-3524
Please keep the family in prayer during this very trying time; as Rev. Sworn's husband, Bro. Willie Sworn was just funeralized a few months ago.
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Connie Sammons (Daughter)
1708 Kenyon Street
Killeen, Texas 76543
Ph: (254) 699-4544
The Rev. Dr. Sherryl A. Matlock-Pastor
St. James A.M.E. Church
Denton, Texas
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: chris.kirkland@gm.com
The homegoing celebrations for Brother Sam Smith, beloved father of Rev. Gloria J. Clark, Pastor of St. Matthew AME Church – Detroit, MI was held today.
Scheduled Service Arrangements:
September 8, 2006
Family Hour – 11:00 a.m.
Funeral Services – 12:00 NOON
Union Memorial AME Church
911 S. Crystal
Benton Harbor, MI 48022
269-927-2219 Phone
Services were entrusted to:
Robbins Bros. Funeral Home
204 South Fair
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
269-927-3181 Phone
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend Gloria Clark, Pastor
St. Matthew AME Church
9746 Petoskey Street
Detroit, MI 48204
313-894-3633 Phone
Email expressions of sympathy to: gloria-clark@sbcglobal.net
The Rev. C. C. Kirkland, III
North District - MI Conference
4th Episcopal District
Please remember the bereaved families in your prayers.
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with sadness that we share the following bereavements from the 12th.
Mrs. Daisy Sims Lowe, the mother of Dr. Edith Altheimer passed on Wednesday, September 6, 2006.
Service Arrangement:
Family Visitation:
6:00 p.m. –7:00 p.m.
Friday, September 8, 2006
Liberty Hill Baptist Church
12th and Schiller
Little Rock, AR
The Service of Celebration, Honor and Thanksgiving
Saturday, September 9, 2006
2:00 p.m.
Liberty Hill Baptist Church
12th and Schiller
Little Rock, AR
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Reynolds Center on Aging or to the Liberty Hill Baptist Church Building Fund.
Services entrusted to:
Premier Funeral Home
1518 South Battery Street
Little Rock, AR
(501) 376-4800 Phone
(501) 376-4900 Fax
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mr. Learrie White, Sr., husband of Mrs. Mollie White, the father of the Reverend Beverly White (Pastor, Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church, College Station, AR, Arkansas Annual Conference), Mrs. Vanessa Cleaver and Mr. Learrie White Jr., and the grandfather of Mr. Reginald Cleaver, Sr. (12th Episcopal District YPD President), Timothy and Elyse Cleaver, passed on Wednesday evening.
Service Arrangements:
Funeral
Saturday, September 9, 2006
11:00 a.m.
Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church
P. O. Box 656
College Station, AR 72053
501-490-0561 Phone
Services entrusted to:
J. Walton Duckett Funeral Home
2900 West 12th Street
Little Rock, AR 72204
(501) 666-2900 Phone
(501) 666-2913 Fax
The family may be contacted at:
2914 Lennox Drive
Little Rock, AR 72205
(501) 224-5491 Phone
Please remember these families in prayer.
Anita Brannon
Office Manager
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mr. Homer C. Cross Sr., father of Sister Barbara Cross Hobson and the father-in-law of Reverend Everett Hobson, Pastor of St. Paul AME Church - Fayetteville, Tennessee passed on Sunday, September 3, 2006.
Service Arrangements for Mr. Homer C. Cross, Sr:
Family Visitation
Sunday, September 10, 2006
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Franklin Strickland Funeral Home
1724 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37404
(423) 265-4414 Phone
(423) 265-9997 Fax
Monday, September 11, 2006
Final Viewing
12:00 noon – 1:00 p.m.
Funeral
1:00 p.m.
Westside Baptist Church
4001 Hughes Avenue
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37410
Condolences may be sent to:
Sister Barbara Cross Hobson & Family
521 West College Street
Fayetteville, TN 37334
(931) 433-0675 Phone
Email condolences to: bhobson@vbhcs.org
Please remember the bereaved families in your prayers.
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: bgidee@yahoo.com
The Reverend Arthur Weathers (retired) passed on August 31, 2006 in Clarksdale, MS. Rev. Weathers is survived by his wife, Mrs. Juliette Weathers and his son, Milton Weathers.
Service Arrangements:
Funeral
2:00 PM
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Friendship AME Church
120 Martin L. King Drive
Clarksdale, MS 38614
662-624-2245 Phone
The Rev. William Hardiman, Pastor
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Juliette Weathers and family
1577 Azalea Drive
Clarksdale, MS 38614
(662) 624-5595
Evangelist Denise Wellons-Glover
Oak Grove AME - Detroit, MI
26. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Dorothy L. Wrighten, the mother of The Reverend Vonshurii Wrighten, pastor of Alexandria Memorial AME Church in Atlanta, Ga. - the Sixth Episcopal District, will be funeralized Tuesday, September 5, 2006 at 11 a.m. at the Greater St. Luke AME Church - 78 Gordon Street - Charleston, SC, 29407. - The Reverend J. T. Baker, Pastor.
Funeral services have been entrusted to:
Pasley’s Mortuary
1115 5th Avenue
Charleston, SC 29407
843-571-2300 Phone
843-571-6322 Fax
Any condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Vonshurii Wrighten
5729 Taffeta Court
Lithonia, GA 30058
678-418-9726 Phone
Ella M. Smiley, Presiding Elder
African Methodist Episcopal Church (6th Episcopal Dist.)
Augusta Annual Conference, Augusta - Athens PE District
Please remember the families in your prayers.
27. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: Presiding Elder Ernest L, Montague, Sr.
Eastern District
Baltimore Conference
Rev. Joan L. Wharton, Eastern District Secretary
j.l.wharton@att.net
Miriam Michelle Castain Robinson passed on Friday, September 1, 2006. She is the daughter of our beloved Rev. Vivian B. Castain, pastor of Mt. Zoar AME Church in Conowingo, Maryland and the sister of Brother Thaddeus Castain of Bethel AME Church in Baltimore. Maryland.
Service Arrangements:
Wake: 11:30 PM
Funeral: 12:00 PM
Friday, September 8, 2006
Payne Memorial AME Church
1714-16 Madison Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21217
410-669-8739 Phone
410-728-4880 Fax
Dr. A. Qismat Alim, Pastor
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Vivian B. Castain and family
4128 Penhurst Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21215
(410) 367-7264
Rev. Dr. Joan L. Wharton
Mt. Zion AME Church
28. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Sister Ophelia Miller, 90 years old, and the sister of Katie Brame and aunt of Mary Ann Brame passed on September 5, 2006 at Vanderbilt Hospital, Nashville, Tennessee; however, she lived in Shelbyville, Tennessee. Sister Miller was a retired principal and teacher, a Life Member of the Women’s Missionary Society and served as a stewardess. She served many times as a delegate to the General Conference and served on the Episcopal Committee.
Furthermore, she once spoke and shook the hand of Ms. Rosa Park among other important individuals. Sister Ophelia Miller will definitely be missed by the pastor, ministers, friends, and members of Woodfork Chapel AME Church family.
Service Arrangements:
Family visitation is from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Funeral begins at 11 a.m.
Saturday, September 9, 2006
Woodfork Chapel AME Church
1011 Lipscomb Street
Shelbyville, Tennessee 37160
The Reverend Nathan Frey, pastor
woodforkchapel37160@peoplepc.com
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Katie Brame and / or Ms. Mary A. Brame
1113 Reese Street
Shelbyville, Tennessee 37160
(931) 684-4079
Please remember the families in your prayers.
29. 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
30. 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
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
8/31/2006
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (8/31/06)
Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
The Editor will be on vacation from September 1 – 8.
1. EDITORIAL: THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDING ELDER, CEREMONIAL OR AUTHENTIC:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
One of the first things that I was told when I arrived at my first pastoral appointment at Shorter Chapel AME Church in Paris, Kentucky in July 1966 was that the Reverend Willie K. Marshall, Presiding Elder of the Lexington District of the Kentucky Annual Conference, would hold his “Quarter” and preach every three months. The people actually looked forward to the presiding elder’s visit; and I did too. It was a time to spruce up the sanctuary and the grounds of the church. A parking space was reserved for the elder and he was treated royally; like a bishop. The presiding elder was “bishopric” in his conduct of the “quarter.” Nobody complained about the presiding elder’s visit; as a matter of fact, the members looked forward to his visits. I recall that each time we did the quarterly reports; it seemed as if we were doing them for the first time. We were always scurrying around trying to get those reports done.
Sometime later, I heard a presiding elder, the Reverend W. L. Gaddy, Presiding Elder of the Danville-Frankfort District in a gathering at some church meeting in front of the church; tell a group of pastors that he was not required to preach each time that he held a quarterly conference. His bottom-line seemed to have been that he could go to a local church and hold the quarterly conference and his presiding elder duties would have been fulfilled.
About that same time, I heard some pastors say that they were almost always inconvenienced when the presiding elders came to hold quarters and had to be extended the courtesy to preach. A couple of the pastors voiced their opinion that the presiding elder didn’t even need to hold the “quarter” in person and that they, the pastors, would prefer to just mail the Quarterly reports to the presiding elders.
Some presiding elders have gotten creative and because of work schedules, distances and time constraints have begun to hold cluster or area quarterly conferences.
I ask the question, what the duties of a presiding elder are and what is the purpose for the quarterly conference. Some presiding elders have said that preaching is not a part of their responsibilities and that they do not have to preach each time they hold a “quarter” and pastors who say that they would prefer to mail in the quarterly reports, which would save everybody some time; and presiding elders who have designed area quarterly conference, which means that there may be some churches on the presiding elder district that might not receive a visit from the presiding elder. I have also heard pastors who lamented that presiding elders should not meddle in the affairs of the local church
So, the question is, what the duties of a presiding elder are. Is she, or he, just an accountant, to provide figures and compile statistics to be turned in at the annual conference? Should they be, “just collectors of the funds?” Are presiding elders a part of the chain of supervision and as such, middle managers? Do presiding elders have the responsibility to supervise and provide guidance to pastors? Or is the position of presiding elder simply an honorary position? If they are a part of the chain of supervision, should they have significant input into the pastoral appointment process? If they are acknowledged to have significant input into the pastoral appointment process, how do they obtain the information needed to advise the bishop about a pastor’s gifts and graces and whether the pastor should remain or be transferred from a pastoral charge? Certainly input to the bishop shouldn’t be based upon personal friendship, lack of friendship, or casual observation.
The Doctrine And Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church provides information about the duties and responsibilities of presiding elders (Page 116, Section IX).
The Discipline of the AME Church states, in part, that a responsibility of the presiding elder is to, “…hold Quarterly Conferences in every church or circuit every three months to assess efficiency of the pastor, effectiveness of ministry, and to give proper direction to all of the affairs of the churches in the presiding elder’s district.”
That statement seems to me, to be saying that the presiding elder is in the chain of supervision and is responsible to assess the efficiency of pastors. If the presiding elder does not visit the local church or if he or she does not interact with the local church, how can the presiding elder measure the efficiency of the pastor and the effectiveness of ministry? Can the presiding elder measure efficiency of the pastor, the effectiveness of ministry and give proper direction without interacting with the local church? I don’t think so!
The Discipline goes on to state that “In the absence of the bishop, the presiding elder… has charge of all traveling and local preachers in the district and has the power to change, receive or appoint during the intervals between annual conference.” It goes on to explain that “On a petition from the members through the Official Board, and where the interest of the church demands it, a presiding elder may change or move a pastor in the intervals of the Annual Conference after strict investigation and written consent of the presiding bishop.”
I wonder if presiding elders who fail to visit every church on his or her district are abdicating their responsibilities. If a presiding elder chooses not to preach, the presiding elder should still visit all of the local churches on his or her district. What is the fear for the pastor who does not want the presiding elder to visit his or her local church? That may be a definite indication that a presiding elder’s visit is needed.
The presiding elder is an important part of the ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. An effective presiding elder can be an important resource for pastors and laity in the local church in providing guidance and direction. Every profession has supervisory controls and I am astonished when I hear of pastors who want to disregard being supervised or providing supervision to their local congregation.
Presiding elders who fulfill their professional obligations are also expected to preside over district conferences, function in the absence of the bishop; promote evangelism, and ensure that all charters, deeds, and other church property conforms to The Discipline. The presiding elder, in addition to being a spiritual leader for the traveling and local preachers, is also an administrator.
The Discipline also says that the presiding elder shall receive all monies collected during the quarterly conference, which means if an offering is taken at the quarterly conference the money collected belongs to the presiding elder. And, with the minimum salary provided in Discipline of $28,000 per annum, $12,000 for housing, pension or retirement and Self-Employment Tax, Insurance (Health, Disability, and Malpractice), the presiding elder needs to take up several offerings during the course of a quarterly conference.
The role of the presiding elder is important to the growth of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The leadership of the church, pastors and laity need to reaffirm and re-empower the position of presiding elders.
2. THE SURVIVOR STORIES WILL BE SHOWN IN CALIFORNIA AGAIN THIS WEEKEND:
"Survivor stories" will air this weekend five times on PBS station KOCE-TV. If you live in the Los Angeles/Orange County area you will be able to see it.
3. A NEW COLUMN BY STEPHEN GREEN:
The Christian Recorder is resuming it answer and question column. The questions will revolve around the AME Church, the Bible and The Discipline. Stephen Green, who is 14 years old, will be the columnist for this column. Different prizes will be awarded. The prize for today’s question is a free one-year subscription for The Christian Recorder (Alternate prize is a one-year subscription for any AME periodical). Your answer has to be received within 24 hours of the posting of the question.
4. AME QUESTION - WIN A ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
The Editor will be on vacation from September 1 – 8.
1. EDITORIAL: THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESIDING ELDER, CEREMONIAL OR AUTHENTIC:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
One of the first things that I was told when I arrived at my first pastoral appointment at Shorter Chapel AME Church in Paris, Kentucky in July 1966 was that the Reverend Willie K. Marshall, Presiding Elder of the Lexington District of the Kentucky Annual Conference, would hold his “Quarter” and preach every three months. The people actually looked forward to the presiding elder’s visit; and I did too. It was a time to spruce up the sanctuary and the grounds of the church. A parking space was reserved for the elder and he was treated royally; like a bishop. The presiding elder was “bishopric” in his conduct of the “quarter.” Nobody complained about the presiding elder’s visit; as a matter of fact, the members looked forward to his visits. I recall that each time we did the quarterly reports; it seemed as if we were doing them for the first time. We were always scurrying around trying to get those reports done.
Sometime later, I heard a presiding elder, the Reverend W. L. Gaddy, Presiding Elder of the Danville-Frankfort District in a gathering at some church meeting in front of the church; tell a group of pastors that he was not required to preach each time that he held a quarterly conference. His bottom-line seemed to have been that he could go to a local church and hold the quarterly conference and his presiding elder duties would have been fulfilled.
About that same time, I heard some pastors say that they were almost always inconvenienced when the presiding elders came to hold quarters and had to be extended the courtesy to preach. A couple of the pastors voiced their opinion that the presiding elder didn’t even need to hold the “quarter” in person and that they, the pastors, would prefer to just mail the Quarterly reports to the presiding elders.
Some presiding elders have gotten creative and because of work schedules, distances and time constraints have begun to hold cluster or area quarterly conferences.
I ask the question, what the duties of a presiding elder are and what is the purpose for the quarterly conference. Some presiding elders have said that preaching is not a part of their responsibilities and that they do not have to preach each time they hold a “quarter” and pastors who say that they would prefer to mail in the quarterly reports, which would save everybody some time; and presiding elders who have designed area quarterly conference, which means that there may be some churches on the presiding elder district that might not receive a visit from the presiding elder. I have also heard pastors who lamented that presiding elders should not meddle in the affairs of the local church
So, the question is, what the duties of a presiding elder are. Is she, or he, just an accountant, to provide figures and compile statistics to be turned in at the annual conference? Should they be, “just collectors of the funds?” Are presiding elders a part of the chain of supervision and as such, middle managers? Do presiding elders have the responsibility to supervise and provide guidance to pastors? Or is the position of presiding elder simply an honorary position? If they are a part of the chain of supervision, should they have significant input into the pastoral appointment process? If they are acknowledged to have significant input into the pastoral appointment process, how do they obtain the information needed to advise the bishop about a pastor’s gifts and graces and whether the pastor should remain or be transferred from a pastoral charge? Certainly input to the bishop shouldn’t be based upon personal friendship, lack of friendship, or casual observation.
The Doctrine And Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church provides information about the duties and responsibilities of presiding elders (Page 116, Section IX).
The Discipline of the AME Church states, in part, that a responsibility of the presiding elder is to, “…hold Quarterly Conferences in every church or circuit every three months to assess efficiency of the pastor, effectiveness of ministry, and to give proper direction to all of the affairs of the churches in the presiding elder’s district.”
That statement seems to me, to be saying that the presiding elder is in the chain of supervision and is responsible to assess the efficiency of pastors. If the presiding elder does not visit the local church or if he or she does not interact with the local church, how can the presiding elder measure the efficiency of the pastor and the effectiveness of ministry? Can the presiding elder measure efficiency of the pastor, the effectiveness of ministry and give proper direction without interacting with the local church? I don’t think so!
The Discipline goes on to state that “In the absence of the bishop, the presiding elder… has charge of all traveling and local preachers in the district and has the power to change, receive or appoint during the intervals between annual conference.” It goes on to explain that “On a petition from the members through the Official Board, and where the interest of the church demands it, a presiding elder may change or move a pastor in the intervals of the Annual Conference after strict investigation and written consent of the presiding bishop.”
I wonder if presiding elders who fail to visit every church on his or her district are abdicating their responsibilities. If a presiding elder chooses not to preach, the presiding elder should still visit all of the local churches on his or her district. What is the fear for the pastor who does not want the presiding elder to visit his or her local church? That may be a definite indication that a presiding elder’s visit is needed.
The presiding elder is an important part of the ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. An effective presiding elder can be an important resource for pastors and laity in the local church in providing guidance and direction. Every profession has supervisory controls and I am astonished when I hear of pastors who want to disregard being supervised or providing supervision to their local congregation.
Presiding elders who fulfill their professional obligations are also expected to preside over district conferences, function in the absence of the bishop; promote evangelism, and ensure that all charters, deeds, and other church property conforms to The Discipline. The presiding elder, in addition to being a spiritual leader for the traveling and local preachers, is also an administrator.
The Discipline also says that the presiding elder shall receive all monies collected during the quarterly conference, which means if an offering is taken at the quarterly conference the money collected belongs to the presiding elder. And, with the minimum salary provided in Discipline of $28,000 per annum, $12,000 for housing, pension or retirement and Self-Employment Tax, Insurance (Health, Disability, and Malpractice), the presiding elder needs to take up several offerings during the course of a quarterly conference.
The role of the presiding elder is important to the growth of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The leadership of the church, pastors and laity need to reaffirm and re-empower the position of presiding elders.
2. THE SURVIVOR STORIES WILL BE SHOWN IN CALIFORNIA AGAIN THIS WEEKEND:
"Survivor stories" will air this weekend five times on PBS station KOCE-TV. If you live in the Los Angeles/Orange County area you will be able to see it.
3. A NEW COLUMN BY STEPHEN GREEN:
The Christian Recorder is resuming it answer and question column. The questions will revolve around the AME Church, the Bible and The Discipline. Stephen Green, who is 14 years old, will be the columnist for this column. Different prizes will be awarded. The prize for today’s question is a free one-year subscription for The Christian Recorder (Alternate prize is a one-year subscription for any AME periodical). Your answer has to be received within 24 hours of the posting of the question.
4. AME QUESTION - WIN A ONE-YEAR SUBSCRIPTION TO THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
Stephen Green
Where was Bishop T. Larry Kirkland born and how many children did his parents have?
Editor’s note: Please do not call Bishop Kirkland to obtain the answer.
5. ANOTHER NEW COLUMN:
The Christian Recorder will feature some of the readers’ responses to editorial issues featured in The Christian Recorder Online. The new column is entitled, “Reader Response to Editorial Issues.”
6. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL ISSUES:
- To the Editor: I wish that the response to D. L. Steverson of the 8th Episcopal District had not vilified local congregations for rubber-stamping candidates for ministry as well as persons who serve on boards without giving some treatment to the roles of clergy both as pastors and as administers, i.e., presiding elders. In reality, pastors have the responsibility for presenting persons to the congregations for ministry. It is very difficult for members not to rubber-stamp those persons presented to them by the pastor and not be respectful to that pastor as the chief spiritual leader of said congregation. Perhaps we could also concede that the boards of examiners have the opportunity to deny persons access to the ordained ministry. To be honest, the AME Church has been flooded with candidates for ministry in the last twenty years. In some of our conferences they have become a sitting majority, no opportunity to pastor or advance, yet they have the privilege to vote in their annual conferences (ponder that). I am only saying that all of us bear responsibility for the condition of our ministry and our local churches. Secondly, for me at least, the greatest issue facing our church today is a clear path for persons to address their grievances. Biblical principles are a must in dealing with our problems. However the discipline is often misused in the process of allowing persons to be heard even when they follow the rules. Too often, problems in local churches are kept from the presiding bishop by well- meaning middle management who holds the quarterly conferences. Your statement "The protocol is in place to take care of any local church dysfunction" may be described as somewhat naive. I can assure you that often when the system is engaged properly by pastors or members, they are never really heard and the system is misused in order to achieve persons vested goals or in an effort not to rock the boat. I do not write this as a theory, I have lived the fact. I too abhor the use of profanity, as I have looked at some published articles on the websites; the use of profanity is wrong. Perhaps this misuse of language is a symptom of a deep anguish at not being heard or being disregarded as a trouble-maker for asking honest questions, and being disrespected as a person, etc. This whole issue will have to be addressed at some time and I hope that it is soon.
The Reverend Rodger Hall Reed, Sr., pastor of Campbell AMEC, Washington, DC, 2nd Episcopal District
- To the Editor:
RE: "Serving Well"
Kudos to Bishop Vashti McKenzie for producing a documentary Survivor Stories on the positive role that the Church has / is playing throughout the devastation of Katrina, which aired this past Sunday on TVOne.
7. THE RENOWNED DR. DOLLY D. ADAMS AND BISHOP JOHN H. ADAMS CELEBRATED 50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY:
* The Reverend Edrena Houston Brown
The evening of Saturday, August 25, 2006 was the highlight of memorable gala celebration for Dr. Dolly D. Adams and Bishop John H.
Adams, were the Epitome of Sartorial Splendor, as their daughters; Attorney Gaye Adams Massey, Dr. Jann Adams and Ms. Madelyn Adams surprised their parents, Dr. Dolly D. Adams and Bishop John H. Adams with an evening of elegance, in sharing with family and friends a dinner and dance 50th wedding anniversary celebration.
The anniversary was held at The Grand Hyatt Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia. Bishops, Episcopal Supervisors, General officers, Connectional Officers, college presidents, presiding elders, pastors, ministers, and clergy of each Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church were in attendance. Also, National and community leaders, family and friends joined the Adams on this noteworthy occasion. The theme for the evening “A Lifetime of Love” was captured majestically by all in attendance. The program participants were: Attorney Gaye Adams Massey, Attorney Patricia Russell McCloud, Mrs. Ollie Bryant, former Ambassador Andrew J. Young, Jr., Bishop McKinley Young, Mrs. Delores Kennedy Williams, the Rev. Terrence Gray, the Adams’ grandchildren, Dr. Jann Adams, Ms. Madelyn Adams and Bishop John H. and Dr. Dolly Adams.
The atmosphere was most romantic, as Dr. Dolly and Bishop John H. Adams, expressed their 50-years of love while their guest observed a video presentation of the Adams, consisting of family and friends in expressing well-wishes to the couple for 50 years of love, dedication and commitment.
Bishop and Dr. Adams extended greetings in their remarks and were over joyous in sharing the wonderful and lovely occasion with family and friends. Afterwards, family and friends acknowledged the couple with a toast, and then the Adams, engaged in the cutting of their anniversary cake.
Bishop John Adams and Dr. Dolly Adams, ended the evening with their first dance as the jazz entity band played the tunes of the late Sam Cook, Louis Armstrong, Ray Charles, Etta James and many other renowned artist, as their guest joined them on the last dance on an evening of elegance, to be remembered for years to come.
*The Rev. Edrena Houston Brown is a Christian Recorder staff writer
8. THE GLOBAL CORNER - REPORT OF AMEC, INDIA FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST:
We are so pleased and excited to be officially representing AMEC in India. We thank God for giving us this opportunity to serve God in this manner. The official delegation of AMEC in the month of July under the leadership of Bishop John Bryant and the Rev. “Cee” Bryant has really inspired us and encouraged us to work for the establishment and growth of AMEC in India. Officially this was our first month and we were little confused so as to where to begin our work – given the enormity of the nature of work here.
We had been sharing with various people including leaders of established churches and taking their suggestions about establishing the AMEC in India. Initially this had taken a lot of our time. But the timely intervention of Bishop John and Rev. “Cee” helped us to find the focus of our work. We have found a qualified person to translate the “Know Your Church Manual” into Tamil language and the translation work is in progress.
We have located a new place in Chennai, just opposite to the International Airport, where there is a great need for the ministry of God’s word. This is a place is inhabited by migrant labourers who are stone-breakers in the stone quarries. Almost all of them are below poverty line. Many of the women engage in prostitution to supplement the financial needs of the family. A lot the people living here, along with the children, are HIV positive and they are discriminated against by others. There is a great need to share God’s word and God’s love among these people. We are looking forward for a greater ministry in Chennai in the coming months.
The ministry at Bangalore had been very exciting and fulfilling. We visited Bangalore and spent time in teaching, preaching and visiting the prayer-cells to encourage the believers. We are pleased to inform you that we participated in the worship service of the Nepali congregation who has expressed their desire to join with the AMEC.
This congregation is mostly comprised of people from the Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan and North Bengal, who have migrated to Bangalore either for education or in search of employment. All of them speak the Nepalese language. Most of them are from Hindu backgrounds. There are about 90-150 members in this congregation, who have been brought together by Pastor Khrist Pal Rai and his hard labour. It was wonderful to join such beautiful people of God and worship along with them. Abraham delivered the message on “What It Means to Be a Christian,” which was well-received by the congregation. He also shared about the beginnings of African Methodist Episcopal Church as an introduction. We intend to do this on a regular basis to strengthen our relationship with them. Since this community does not know about the Creed we took time to teach them about the importance of knowing the Creed. We are trying to get the Nepali version of the Creed so that the worshipping community would be able to learn and say the creed in their worship services.
We request you to kindly pray for Pastor Khrist Pal Rai, his wife Mrs. Sheena and their three children namely, Jack Rai, Justin Rai, Gracetin Rai and their ministry to Nepali speaking people in Bangalore.
We also attended the Prince of Peace Fellowship, which has already come under the AMEC. Ms. Sarah delivered the sermon on, “The Mission of Jesus and the Call of Discipleship,” in the worship service in Tamil language. The congregation was very touched and encouraged by the message. In our last report we had mentioned that nine men and women had the privilege of being baptised by Bishop John Bryant in the month of July. They are all growing in their faith and prayer life. We had the privilege of meeting them and encouraging them to pursue in their faith. We also visited the prayer-cells at Bangalore where Sarah preached in Tamil and Abraham prayed for the sick and heavy-laden people.
We seek your prayers for Pastor Vijaymani who leads the Prince of Peace Fellowship, his wife Mrs. Greeni Joshua and their children namely, Vivian Joshua and Blessanna Joshua and their ministry.
Let us praise God for Rita, aged 65, who was baptised by Bishop John. She is from Catholic background. She is suffering from chronic Diabetes, her right foot has been severely affected and doctors had recommended amputating the right feet from ankle onwards. On the day of operation Pastor Vijaymani touched her and prayed for her, and God did the miracle. The same doctors who recommended operation later felt it was not necessary. This time when we visited her, Abraham also prayed for her and she strongly believes that God has healed her.
We request your praise and prayer for Master Anand, a four year old boy who accidentally fell into a mixture of lime and acid. Both his legs up to his waist got burnt. Doctors performed a skin grafting by taking skin from the boy’s uncle, but it did not match and rather it got infected. The whole church got together offered special prayers. Praise God for answering their prayers, there are signs of growth of natural skin. The doctors had ruled out its possibility, but our God does the impossible – Halleluiah!
We request your prayer for Mrs. Ambica, aged 72. She is undergoing Dialysis due to kidney failure and now doctors have recommended Angiogram as she suffered a heart-attack. Please pray for her healing.
Let us praise God for Mr. Raja, aged 35 yrs. He is married and has three children. He worked in a well-renowned tire factory, which closed down six years back. He underwent many struggles in these six years, but he prayed and firmly believed that God would open the factory and give him back the same job. He had become a laughing-stock. God honoured his faith, the factory reopened on 27th August 2006 and he has got back his old assignment along with the remunerations. He shared his testimony in the worship service.
We request your prayer for a new convert Ms. Kalyani, aged 25 years from Hindu background. We also request prayers for Mr. Munniswamy, aged 63 years, a Hindu who voluntarily came to church because he is gripped with some unknown fear, has no peace and is losing his health, he feels that he has come under the attack of evil spirits. We prayed for him but more is to be done.
The prayer-cell at Rose Garden is under the leadership of Mrs. Rebecca, where Bishop John Bryant visited. She is very active and she has brought in two new women, a Hindu and a Catholic, to her cell. We need to pray for these women to know God and accept Jesus in their lives as their personal Saviour. Ms. Sarah encouraged and challenged the women flock to spend their time in prayer every day at least 10 to 15 minutes, so that they can do great things for the Lord in their area and they are happily willing to do it.
Let us continue to pray for the ministry in Chennai and Bangalore. God will surely do great wonders and miracles and we thank God for it.
Thank you all for your prayers and we here assure you of our prayers for you. We will be back with our prayer letter and exciting testimonies of how God is working here, next month. Till then God bless you and keep you.
In God’s vineyard from India,
Minnie Sarah and Abraham Peddiny
9. FIRST EPISCOPAL DISTRICT, PRESIDENT OF THE PRESIDING ELDER COUNCIL, REV. DR. HERBERT L. EDDY TO DELIVER “LABOR DAY” MESSAGE IN SOUTH FLORIDA:
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown
The Reverend Dr. Herbert L. Eddy A Man of God - treasurer of the Connectional Presiding Elder’s Council of the A.M.E. Church, president of the First Episcopal District Presiding Elders’ Council, accountant for the First Episcopal District, past president of the Massachusetts Council of Churches, presiding elder of the Boston-Hartford District in the New England Conference of the First Episcopal District, where the illustrious Bishop Richard F. Norris, serves as the presiding prelate.
Dr. Eddy will be the” Labor Day Guest Preacher of the Hour” on Sunday, September 3, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. worship service at Bethel A.M.E. Church in Vero Beach, Florida. The Reverend Dr. Kyle “K. C.” Gibson is the pastor; the Rev. Dr. Raymond G. Heastie, presiding elder and the Right Rev. McKinley Young, Presiding Bishop of the Eleventh Episcopal District. Bethel is presently underway in implementing plans for another successful year and participating in the many the challenges of the community in promoting concerns of Human Relations in building bridges of unity.
The Bethel A.M.E. Church congregation is anxiously awaiting the arrival of Dr. Eddy. Rev. Eddy is an outstanding Community leader and human relations activist. He is well-respected and known for his spirituality in bringing about world peace and his charismatic style of leadership as an administrator. He serves on numerous boards and is involved in many organizations in New England, and the connectional church.
Rev. Dr. Eddy was appointed presiding elder in May 1983 by Bishop Richard A. Hildebrand. He served as a presiding elder under the leadership of Bishop Frank C. Cummings, Bishop Phillip R. Cousin, Bishop Donald G. K. Ming, Bishop Z. L. Grady and the present presiding prelate, Bishop Richard F. Norris.
Presiding Elder Eddy was reared in New York where he is a graduate from the public schools in NYC. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree from Queens’ College, while majoring in Mathematics. He is a graduate of Shelton College where he earned the associates degree and received the ETTA degree and graduated from Helderman Theological Studies. He has traveled abroad and in the United States promoting world Peace and was bestowed an honorary degree, Doctor of Laws, from Monrovia College, Monrovia, West Africa. A humanitarian, husband, father and servant of the Lord, Presiding Elder Eddy’s philosophy is, “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all other things shall be added unto thee.’
Presiding Elder Eddy is married to the Rev. Amelia Eddy and they are the proud parents of four children.
The community is cordially invited to attend this community worship service.
*The Rev. Edrena Houston Brown is a staff writer for The Christian Recorder
10. IS YOUR CHURCH BULLETIN GUEST-FRIENDLY:
*Lynette Hawkins
Is your church bulletin guest-friendly? Sometimes the first impression people have of your church may come from the bulletin. Think about the number of people that see your church's bulletin but have never visited your church. Does your bulletin welcome and invite others to the ministry? So much of what gets communicated on Sunday morning comes from the bulletin. Is your bulletin written for Sunday morning worship guests?
Creating a guest-friendly bulletin is a must for a welcoming church. People who have been members forever may know the songs, the order of worship and every response expected by congregants. But what do first time visitors and especially the non- churched know about your service?
"Excuse me what does that mean?" Have you ever visited a church outside your denomination and wanted to ask that question? If you feel very comfortable visiting all main line denominations, try visiting one of the newer ministries that focus on "hip hop". You may quickly find yourself trying desperately to keep up with what is going on. Communicating to first time visitors is a skill that must be nurtured. Too often we just assume people understand. To get your communicators to begin to think "guest-friendly" may require a few conversations about thinking outward versus inward.
Guest friendly communication requires an outward mindset. Whether it is the church Website, the welcome brochure or the lawn sign, thinking from a guest's point of view means keeping in mind those who are yet to come. When you coach the communications team, encourage them to put on the shoes of some one who does not attend church regularly. If you communicate with that person in mind you are bound to keep information simple, easy and code-free. People who have been away from church can some times have the most difficult time re-entering if they leave feeling confused or lost.
Invite your communications team to communicate with the non-churched in mind. What we say may determine whether someone feels included or excluded from the total experience. As we share our faith and bring others to experience the Gospel it makes sense that we keep communication simple, easy and welcoming.
*Lynette Hawkins is an author, national speaker and coach on marketing related topics. To contact her, send an email to lynette@awesomeinsight.com or dial (888) 834- 7525.
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
clinton@1stdistrict-ame.com
We regret to inform you of the passing of Sister Jeanne Williams Booker, the mother of Rev. James Booker, Jr., Pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church (New York Conference, Manhattan District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Funeral Service - Thursday, August 31, 2006
Viewing – 4:00 p.m. – 6:45 p.m.
Service – 7:00 p.m.
St. Luke A.M.E. Church
1872 Amsterdam Avenue
New York, NY 10031
Rev. Melvin E. Wilson, Pastor
Phone: 212-870-1349
Fax: 212-870-1322
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. James E. Booker, Jr.
10 West 135th Street
New York, NY 10037
Please remember the Booker and Williams families in your prayers.
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, ChairCommission on Social Action Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
Email: Amespouses1@aol.comPhone: (615) 837-9736Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936Fax: (615) 833-3781Cell: (615) 403-7751
13. 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
