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. THE NEW YEAR, 2007, IS UPON US AND THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER IS GOING TO “UP THE ANTE”:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
I want to thank those of you who have submitted articles and photos to The Christian Recorder. Your dedication and commitment makes printing and publishing The Christian Recorder possible.
2007 is “right around the corner” and we are well into the 21st Century. Technology is changing at a fast pace and, as I have said before, technology is here to stay. The Christian Recorder is committed to technology and we do not fear it. On the contrary, we enthusiastically embrace technology because it has allowed us to get news from around the Church to subscribers efficiently and timely via the online edition of The Christian Recorder. I am encouraged by how many of you have embraced technology and your electronic submissions of articles and photos have been a blessing and it tells me that this is the time to “up the ante.” AMEs, and especially those who are connected to the Internet, cannot say that they are not getting the news about the AME Church.
And, technology has allowed us to transmit news more efficiently in the print edition of The Christian Recorder.
Of course, we know that everyone has not embraced technology and I know that some of the resistance is the fear of the unknown and of having grown comfortable with the familiar and the old ways of doing things. There is always a risk in embracing something new.
But, if organizations are going to move forward, be competitive, and remain relevant, they have to change with the times. Effective organizations have to move from “good to great.” The electric typewriter was “good,” but computers are “great” and it’s hard to find typewriters in stores. Typewriters are old technology; a thing of the past. Effective organizations do not use typewriters today.
Paper reports are “good,” but electronic files are “great.” Calling a church meeting in foul weather may be “good,” but the convenience of a telephonic meeting is “great.” The proper use of technology increases efficiencies and facilitates convenience.
I recently read that CD sales are in a slump because people are using MP3’s and MP4's to download music and files. It was reported in the media last week that DVDs may be going away in the near future because movies are going to be downloadable from computers.
Churches across America are podcasting their worship services. Recording worship services on CDs and DVDs is fast becoming a thing of the past. Tape recording services is 20th Century technology. It was “good,” but podcasting is 21st Century technology; and is “great.” A podcast allows persons to listen and to view the religious services on an iPod, or similar device or on their computer.
Let me say here, every home and every church should have a computer and have connectivity to the Internet. We cannot imagine a home without a telephone or television. It’s hard to imagine a home today without a microwave oven.
Well guess what? It is going to be hard to imagine a home without a computer because families will need computers to do routine tasks and will need a computer to take care of routine business. The cost of computers is going down and is affordable to almost every household. And, young people know how to use the computer.
Transitions are hard and sometimes painful, but change is here and if we are to keep abreast of what is going on in the world, we have to change with the times.
The Christian Recorder wants to be a model for increasing efficiencies and accordingly, all articles submitted to The Christian Recorder beginning January 1, 2007 must be submitted electronically. We are upping the ante.
Another innovation precipitated by technology will be a new feature of posting podcasts of AME worship services from across our Zion that can be downloaded to iPods or similar devices. Podcasts can also be viewed on computers that are connected to the Internet.
We are calling on our churches that record their services to download and forward to chsydnor@bellsouth.net the links that can be posted in The Christian Recorder online.
I priced iPods and similar devices and the prices have been lowered significantly. Wal-Mart, Target, Big Lots, the electronic stores and department stores are selling various models at reasonable prices. I purchased one so that I can enjoy the podcasts of some of our AME worship services as they are sent in.
I have just finished listening to Bishop Frederick Talbot’s advance release copy of his CD, A Bishop Sings of His Faith on my newly purchased iPod and you should hear the sound and the quality.
So, let’s get on board because we are going to share with you how we can transition all of this in the academic arena also. Let’s get on board and let all of us “up the ante”
2. GUIDELINES FOR SUBMITTING ARTICLES FOR PUBLICATION IN THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
Submitted articles must be sent electronically via e-mail in either Plain Text, or Word format. Articles may also be submitted in the body of an email message; no diskettes or CDs. Submissions should be sent to chsydnor@bellsouth.net . Normally, articles should be less than 500 words.
Photos may be mailed, but the preferred method is electronic submission of photos in tif. or jpeg. format. Color separation fees for color photos cost $35 each.
Articles should contain a strong lead, an article-body that develops and delivers on the lead, and a definitive conclusion with an international audience in mind. Writers are discouraged from using figures of speech that do not translate efficiently into foreign languages and other cultures. Examples are phrases like, “Bring home the bacon”,” …just pulling your leg” or “That’s mixing apples and oranges.”
All articles will be carefully evaluated for content, style and subject matter, and will be accepted or rejected based on that evaluation. An acceptance or rejection will be emailed to you as soon as possible after your submission has been received.
Formatting options
- Indentation
Left – 0
Right – 0
- Spacing
Before – 0 pt.
After - 0 pt.
- Special – None
- Line Spacing - Single
- Font – either Times New Roman, Courier, Arial, Georgia, or Verdana
Absolutely, no automatic formatting!
Type Size: 12 pt.
Editor’s note: Reminder - We are in Year C of the lectionary.
3. THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“This is the day the Lord has made, let us be glad” is too often interpreted, “This is the day the Lord has made; let's get it over with.”
The latter statement may be our internal plea today as we stand at the threshold of yet another season of Christmas; lights to be hung, shopping to be accomplished, stockings to be filled, gifts to be exchanged, chores to be completed, visits to be made, toys to be assembled, Christmas cards to be mailed, Christ to be...oh yes...Christ.
However trite or corny it may sound, Christ is still 'the reason for the season'. In the midst of all the hustle and hassle associated with the pending holidays, there is still Immanuel, “God with us.”
*The Reverend Dr. Quincy Scott is the Dean of the Chapel at Shaw University
4. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL ISSUES:
- To the Editor –
One of the things that make an ingredient to my mental and spiritual stability, in addition to reading the Bible, is reading The Christian Recorder Online. For this, I thank God for placing you in this strategic office andI pray for your continued wisdom in this vocation.
Recently, I have realized that I no longer receive online version of the The Christian Recorder sent directly to subscribers. I have checked with a friend and found that he, too, no longer receives it. I thought I should ask if there could be any reason for not receiving it any longer. If I have to subscribe again, I do not mind doing so. This is one thing I miss.
To keep myself posted, I now go directly to the website to read. There are times I forget to do so.
The second thing I miss, after reading the reports of events in and outside of the AME Church and reading polity and concepts, just before I read the bereavement notices, is the devotionals written by Pastor James M. Moody, whose articles minister to the reader by expounding the Word of God. I really miss The Pastor’s Corner featured in The Christian Recorder.
We take the “well” for granted until the water dries up. I have never said anything about what Rev. Moody’s expositions of the Scripture does for me. I really regret not seeing his devotionals. Could it be because of our unappreciative silence that he no longer writes and expounds the Scripture on The Christian Recorder?
These two things mentioned above I miss a lot. Can they be restored?
Kind regards.
The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas
Email: tgk@sacc.org.za
- Editor’s Response to Rev Klaas:
Thank you for your kind, encouraging words. Your encouraging words will make me work harder. I have written Pastor Moody, who is in a building program, and forwarded your comments to him. We look forward to receiving his articles.
The Christian Recorder Online never stopped. The mailing list was lost in July and we have asked readers to re-subscribe. I now have something in place so that won’t happen again.
To re-subscribe, simply go to www.the-christian-recorder.org and subscribe and then respond to the message that you will receive from The Christian Recorder asking if you want to be a subscriber. Please feel to look at all of the back issues.
Please spread the word.
5. THE THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT CONVENES THE 139TH SESSION OF THE TENNESSEE ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE:
Nashville, Tennessee- From Monday, November 6th to Saturday, November 11th the Thirteenth District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, which encompasses the states of Kentucky and Tennessee, convened in Nashville, TN for the 139th session of The Tennessee Annual Conference. Under the capable and visionary leadership of Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and Supervisor Stan McKenzie, the Tennessee Annual Conference proceeded in glorious splendor. This week long conference was hosted by St. John AME Church located at 1822 Formosa Street in Nashville, TN. where the prophetic visionary Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield is the pastor.
A great display of unity and organizational prowess was displayed as St. John, Lee Chapel, and Greater Bethel combined their resources to host the ever vibrant Tennessee Annual Conference.
The Women’s Missionary Society praised, planned, and prepared for service on Tuesday, November 7, 2006. Dr. Paulette Coleman delivered the noon missionary message “The Purpose Driven Missionary” with power and fervor. The Soul Sisters ruffled the house. The WMS rode the Glory Train with Sisters Muck-de-muck, Chance, Cash, Newsy, Goody Good, Parson, Slip around, Taintso, and Livingright in a dramatic presentation.
The 139th Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference opened on Wednesday, November 8, 2006 at Greater Bethel AME Church, lifting our voices to the traditional hymn, “And Are We Yet Alive.” The processional consisted of licentiates, deacons, elders, Presiding Elders Robert Keesee and Troy Merritt, General Officers Clement Fugh, Calvin H. Sydnor III, Richard Lewis, Dennis Dickerson, Bishop Wilfred Messiah and our illustrious Presiding Bishop, The Right Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie. The Tennessee Conference Choir sang till the Spirit of heaven came down and kissed our worship. Rev. Antoni Sinkfield activated our somber spirits with a powerful permeating sermon “I Believe.” Our souls were rejuvenated as he enlightened us to the fact that we should and must know what the church’s faith stance is; we need to live our lives by the Apostles Creed. This will establish our mission and enhance our effectiveness because we know who and what we believe.
The Nehemiah Nation is rambunctious and fine on Wednesday night as they the men of Greater Bethel’s chorus enlightened our souls with smooth songs of Zion. They reminded us to “Keep your feet on solid Ground, “Show Me the Way” as well as to “Clean up What I Messed Up.” Rev. Michael Broadnax exhilarated us more as he informed us that we need “Faith in the House.” If we have a God kind of faith and show God some faith, He will show us forgiveness.
On Thursday, November 9th, the bell was rung as The South and North Nashville Districts presented their pastors and delegates who testified about their annual reports of salvation and stewardship.The trumpet sounded at noon and the Lord Jesus Christ could descend at any moment. Therefore, Rev. Yvette Tisdale, the preacher for the Noon Day service, alerted us to “Set Your House in Order & Do It Today.” When God’s people abide by God’s house rules a radical change for Jesus will take place in the schoolhouse, jailhouse, drug house, and our house.
The Lay organization sowed seeds beyond the four walls with a Thursday evening songfest. The message was a resounding declaration that “Great is the Lord”, “He is an Awesome God”, and “A Rock in a Weary Land”. We have a right to praise Him, because “He’s just that kind of God”.
On Friday, November 10th, new laborers were sent into the vineyard during The Service of the Word, Ordination, and Sacrament. The Reverend Dr. Harold Mayberry, pastor of First AME Church, Oakland, California notified everyone in his ordination message that “Its Time For A Revolution,” He energetically indicated that Jesus Christ our revolutionary leader started the first great revolution. Elected and ordained were Reverends Bennie Joyce Wesley, local deacon, Gloria J Hall, local elder, Derron Gray, Sharon Denise Ogilvie, and Marlan Evin Crawford, itinerant deacons.
The Young People’s and Children’s Division were rebuilding and reviving with radical praise on Friday night starting with a hip hop call to worship and gospel grooves from the Tennessee Conference Youth Choir. A pyrotechnic message “Changing a Generation” was delivered by Sister Lula Martin of Kairos Community AME Church. The Fireworks of Faith exploded through the sanctuary, a young man gave his heart to Christ, and a young woman renewed her faith in Christ. Our young people were excited and elevated as they worshipped God in their own unique and relevant way.
As the Conference entered its final day, the delegates and members participated in The Memorial Service, which allowed us to remember those who have touched our lives with their presence and have now entered into sweet rest in Christ.
The Conference paused to thank the Lord for the faithful service and loyalty to God of Rev. Joe Fletcher as he retired from the pastoral work during the 139th Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference.
Now the air is filled with the mounting anticipation and expectation as the Closing Worship Service begins with anointed song of praise. The Tennessee Conference Choir led us into worship with the Rev. Michael Broadnax as soloist reminding us that God Really Cares. The choir sang with fervor and conviction with the assistance of musical guests The Soul Sisters of Christ and the YPD Conference Choir. All this great music and worship had the overflowing congregation balling and bouncing for the Kingdom.
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie arose covered from head to toe filled with the Holy Ghost to proclaim the word. She lifted the highest hallelujah praise to the Lord God Almighty, catching us up on the rapture as she prayed fervently for the Lord to send us a mighty word. Her message was “Sit, Satisfied or Serve” taken from I Samuel 14:1-23. Bishop McKenzie let us know that defining moments determine the decision and direction you take. Other sermon excerpts revealed that: All Rip Van Winkles under the pomegranate tree need to wake up. All traitors need to return home to the front line. We are divine warriors – lay, ushers, trustees, choirs, stewards, stewardess, evangelist, teachers, preachers, and pastors. We have received an atom known as Jesus Christ that releases more than nuclear power. He releases everlasting, conquering, victorious power. So don’t sit down and be satisfied, wake up, go to work and win the war for Jesus Christ. The entire Conference was taken up to new heights unknown as the Holy Ghost filled the room touching, healing, delivering, consecrating, and motivating us to began serious service this new conference year. Bishop McKenzie preached a powerful word that was relevant and revealing for all people.
Bishop McKenzie, operating under the power of wisdom and divine leadership, awarded grants, recognitions, appointments, and assigned pastors to each charge in the Tennessee Annual Conference.
In that the Reverend Antoni W. Sinkfield, his lovely wife Sister Kristy Sinkfield and the entire St. John AME Church hosted the 139th Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference with such dignity and style, all who attended take this opportunity to salute and applaud them for a superb job well done! They along with other area congregations gave marvelous attention to our every need and desire during the Tennessee Annual Conference.
May it be it forever reflected and resolved that the 139th Session of the Tennessee Annual Conference, under the effectual superiority of Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie and Supervisor of Missions Stan McKenzie was not just an ordinary traditional business meeting. It was a life changing revival that transformed us into a Tennessee Conference with a mind to serve because “We Believe” that with God all things are possible.
Humbly submitted by the Rev. Trent Ogilvie
Tennessee Conference Public Relations Reporter
togilvie@bellsouth.net
6. NAACP'S CONCERNS GO FAR BEYOND THE COLOR OF SANTA CLAUS:
Editor’s comment: This Letter below was written by the Rev. Dr. Joseph A. Darby, appeared in The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC) in response to opposition that depictions of "black Santas" be included in Christmas celebrations. Dr. Darby is the pastor of Morris Brown AME Church, Charleston, SC and is the First Vice President of the Charleston Branch NAACP.
“The Nov. 30 Post and Courier included a letter criticizing The Charleston Branch NAACP and Branch President Dot S. Scott for urging that depictions of "black Santas" be included in Christmas celebrations. The letter raised quite a few points, many of them familiar from other letters from other writers on other subjects, all of which demand a response. The letter suggested that since the NAACP is the "National Association for the Advancement of Colored People," we should follow the lead of Bill Cosby (a life member of the NAACP) and seek "advancement" through dealing with teen pregnancy, crime and education.
Beyond the fact that the letter writer is not a member of the NAACP and, therefore, cannot set the agenda of the NAACP, he also displays a lack of knowledge about the work of the NAACP. It should first be understood that "Colored" has been preserved in the name of the organization because people come in all colors - white included. It should also be noted that the members of the NAACP - who come in all colors - have more than enough energy and intellect to do more than one thing at a time.
The NAACP already addresses teen pregnancy and education through our Youth Council and other programs to promote respect and achievement. The NAACP already addresses issues of crime by working with law enforcement to assure fair treatment of all of those touched by the criminal justice system, and is a supporting participant in the Citizens' Patrol Against Drugs that is already making for safer neighborhoods in our community. We do those things without public acclaim or fanfare for people, children and communities or all colors, for teens of all colors get pregnant, criminals and their victims come in all colors, and drugs - from crack cocaine in the black community to methamphetamine in the white community - damage families and people of all colors.
The letter also asserts that Nicholas of Myra, who was beatified and became the model for the story of Santa Claus, was white. Nicholas was actually a native of third and fourth century Southern Turkey, so "white" might well be too broad a description of his ethnicity. We do know that American writers Washington Irving and the Rev. Clement Clark Moore and American artist Thomas Nast made him very white in their stories of Santa Claus, and those images have stuck with us.
The truth may be more in line with that of the true ethnicity of Jesus, who was born of Semitic ancestry 2,000 years ago and who, almost certainly, did not have blonde hair, blue eyes or classical European features. He probably looked more like the dark-skinned, broad-nosed, kinky-haired Jesus whose picture hangs in my office. We all tend to depict images of goodness and rightness to look like us, regardless of our ethnicity, and when any ethnic group calls the shots and sets the standard; their images become the standard image.
The letter also stated that "There are more important things to worry about in this country than what color Santa should be at the mall." While I agree that our nation, state and community have many pressing issues that should also command our attention, images and symbols do matter and do shape our attitudes about ourselves and about others. If they did not, then there would not be a flood of outraged, threatening and viscerally angry letters to the editor in response to any suggestion that the Confederate Flag is an image of a defunct nation that fought for the right of its states to maintain an economic system based on slavery, an image that should be displayed only in a historical context.
What's most bothersome, however, is not the substance but the tone of the letter and of the many similar letters to the editor about the views of those who are not white and Southern. I'm assuming the letter's writer is white, and if that assumption is wrong, then he has my apology for so assuming. I make that assumption, however, because of the tone of his letter and many others that have been sent to The Post and Courier on issues of race.
Most of those letters deal not in substance or reasoned debate or dialogue, but in simple dismissal of any view that does not match the view of the writer. Those writers are adamant about the correctness of their positions, ridicule the positions of others, and tend to take a "get over it" attitude to the concerns of others.
If we are to make real progress on the issue of race, then we can't dictate to others, dismiss their views or offer ill-conceived, shortsighted and misinformed advice. Real progress can only be made when we talk not at each other, but to each other in an air of mutual respect.”
The Rev. Joseph A. Darby
First Vice President
The Charleston Branch NAACP
13 Morris Street
- Used with permission of Dr. Joe Darby
7. CLERGY OF THE WEEK: THE SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT'S DYNAMIC PRESIDING ELDER DR. JOHN H. GILLISON IN THE "SPOTLIGHT":
Reverend Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, Staff Writer
The dynamic and outstanding presiding elder, the Rev. Dr. John Harold Gillison is an innovated and spiritual leader of the Edisto District (Low country), Charleston, South Carolina. He serves in the South Carolina Conference in the Seventh Episcopal District. The Right Reverend Preston Williams is the presiding prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District.
A Presiding Elder of many diversified talents and gifts from God, Dr. Gillison is an educator, statistician, teacher, preacher, former pastor, father and husband. His contributions to the Church and the community led him to pursue the Office of Episcopal Service during 2004. After campaigning and pursuing this higher calling in ministry, he is continuously dedicating his efforts of ministry in the Edisto district and the community in implementing assistance to pastors, laity and serving in his District.
He is a member of the Trustee Board of Allen University, Columbia, South Carolina since 1999, his former Alma Mater, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. After matriculating at Allen University, he entered Turner Theological Seminary at The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia, where he graduated with a Master of Divinity. Dr. Gillison has completed post graduate work at Emory University, Atlanta Georgia; University of South Carolina, Columbia, Carolina and had bestowed upon him in 1975, an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Allen University.
He has taught at Allen University, Columbia, South Carolina Morris Brown College School of Religion, Sumter, South Carolina, Morris Brown College of Religion, Extension School, Charleston, South Carolina and was a teacher at Hopkins High School, Hopkins, South Carolina.
In 1958, Rev. Gillison was appointed by Bishop I. H. Bonner as a Pastor (student) at Saint Paul/Piney Grove Circuit in Columbia, South Carolina and was ordained as an Itinerant Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church by Bishop S. R. Higgins. In 1996 he was appointed by Bishop John Hurst Adams as Presiding Elder of the Edisto District of the South Carolina Conference. His pastoral appointments consisted of assistant minister (seminarian) at Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, Atlanta, Georgia. He also served at Chappelle Memorial, Columbia, South Carolina; Mt. Pisgah A. M. E. Church, Sumter, South Carolina; and Mother Emanuel, Charleston, South Carolina.
This dynamic servant of God is involved in Ecumenical service where he serves as a Board member of the National Council of Churches (USA) and former President of the Christian Action Council of South Carolina (16 denominations, 2 million members; historical forerunner: First African American elected president) and a former delegate to the World Methodist Conference. He serves on the Trustee Board, of the Reid House of Christian Service, Charleston, South Carolina, and a Life Member of the NAACP and a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
Congratulations, Presiding Elder Gillison for being nominated as Clergy of the Week and for your contributions to the A.M.E. Church and to the community.
*If you would like to nominate a clergy or lay person as "Clergy or laity of the week, please email your request to: ebrown49@hotmail.com
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder
8. PASTOR JAMES H. RUSSELL & GREATER BETHEL A.M.E. CHURCH TO HOST FLORIDA CONFERENCE "DAY OF SHARING":
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
The Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, Panama City, Florida and the newly appointed pastor James H. Russell, Sr., will host the Florida Conference Day of Sharing Worship Service on December 10, 2006. The church is located at 829 Hamilton Avenue, Panama City, Florida and the service will began at 4:30 p.m. The host presiding elder is the Rev. Dr. Leander Byrd. The host Bishop, the Right Reverend McKinley Young is the presiding prelate of the Eleventh Episcopal District comprising Florida and the Bahamas.
The Day of Sharing began with the vision of the Late Presiding Elder J. B. Blake, former Presiding Elder of the West Palm Beach District of the South Conference, according to Pastor Russell.
This worship service was implemented under the leadership of Bishop Frank C. Cummings, Presiding Prelate of the Eleventh Episcopal District at that time and further enhanced by the leadership of Bishop John H. Adams, former Bishop of the Eleventh Episcopal District. Pastor Russell stated that; "Presiding Elder Blake, saw a need to recognize the family members of widows and widower's of the clergy of the Eleventh Episcopal District. This yearly event, the spouses are the recipient of a financial contribution, on behalf of each conference."
The Reverend Dr. Frank R. Satchel, Sr., a retired Presiding Elder of the East Conference and an outstanding Pastor of the South Conference stated that; "The Day of Sharing" is a time to remember the widows/widower's and disabled persons of the clergy, for their active leadership role and service rendered to the A.M.E. Church. He related; "That he is thankful for Presiding Elder's Blake's vision and to the Bishop Young’s vision for their continuation of this great day of sharing." Also, in each conference the worship service is a time where local deacons and deaconess will become consecrated during the worship experience. The Day of Sharing was design to also, Dr. Satchel expressed;" to share with younger pastors the opportunity learn about special ministries, within the different conferences of the Eleventh Episcopal District and to build upon the future of African Methodism."
The Community is cordially invited to attend.
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder
9. FREE HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE FOR PASTORS:
March 3-17, 2007
The Interdenominational Theological Center is inviting applications from pastors (must have minimum Masters of Divinity degree) to participate in the Holy Land Pilgrimage for Pastoral Renewal.
The pilgrimage will take place in the Holy Land from March 3-17, 2007. The theme of the pilgrimage is: “Revisiting God’s Call: A Pilgrimage for Spiritual Renewal.” Except for a small registration fee of $200, the pastoral renewal pilgrimage is offered absolutely free, thanks to a generous grant to ITC from the CF Foundation.
Eligibility: An applicant must be a seminary graduate and a mid-career pastor (of 35-55 years of age); be serving a church as either senior or associate pastor; be a graduate of an accredited seminary/theological school; be in good health and physical fitness. A pastor of any Christian tradition who fits this description, and who desires to refresh his/her divine call and to return spiritually renewed enough to engage in more effective ministry, is strongly encouraged to apply.
Please feel free to share this good news with other seminary graduate pastors in your area, or send their names to me by e-mail: tmafico@itc.edu. The pilgrimage is limited to 20 successful applicants. Because this is an experience requiring a one-on-one with God, spouses are not eligible to be on this trip.
The deadline for receipt of applications is January 15, 2007. Late applications will not be considered. If you are selected, you will receive notification by January 25, 2007. At that time, immediately send a non-refundable registration fee of $200. The following is the application time line and brief pilgrimage itinerary.
REVISITING GOD’S CALL SCHEDULE:
Time Line Activity
January 15, 2007: Deadline for applications to be received. Late applications will not be considered.
January 25, 2007: Notification sent by e-mail to successful applicants
January 30, 2007: $200 participant fee is due (or a replacement from the waiting list will be accepted)
March 3-5, 2007: Pre-pilgrimage retreat in Atlanta; this is a must attend orientation
March 5-17, 2007: Pilgrimage to Holy Land
June 17-19, 2007: Post-pilgrimage Retreat: this is mandatory and ends the pilgrimage experience
Please call Dr. Mafico’s office at 404-527-7751 for more information. Feel free to share copies of this announcement with ITC alumni colleagues and encourage others to submit applications. Should you choose to write, please address your correspondence to:
Dr. Temba Mafico, Director
Holy Land for Pastoral Renewal
Interdenominational Theological Center
700 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, SW
Atlanta, GA 30314
A 2 page official ITC Holy Land Pilgrimage application is available on email (word document). Please reply to alumninews@itc.edu if you would like an email (printable) copy.
ITC Alumni News
Alumni Relations
Office of Institutional Advancement
Interdenominational Theological Center
700 Martin Luther King Jr Drive SW
Atlanta GA 30314-4143
Tel: 404-527-7767 (Roseanna Brannon, Alumni Director)
Tel: 404-527-7784 (Mary Ruth, Alumni Relations Volunteer)
www.itc.edu
AlumniNews@ITC.EDU
Office Hours:
M-W-Th: 8:30 to 5:00
Tues: 9:00 to 7:00
Fri: 8:30 to 12:00
*The message submitted by the Rt. Rev. E. Earl McCloud, Ecumenical Office and Endorsing Agent, AME Church
Editor’s comment: Please pastors, apply and take advantage of this great opportunity
10. RETIRED MINISTER LOOKS BACK ON YEARS OF MILITARY SERVICE:
Rodney Manley, TELEGRAPH STAFF WRITER:
In the winter of 1945, two weeks before shipping out to the South Pacific, Willie Bundrige came down with what might have been a life-saving case of the measles. Bundrige's unit left without him on attack transport APA-107, the USS Goodhue.
"I never saw any of them again," he said.
On April 2, 1946, a kamikaze attack on the ship killed 27 of its crew and wounded another 117.
"If I hadn't come down with the measles, I would have been on that ship," said Bundrige, now an 81-year-old retired African Methodist Episcopal minister in Macon.
That wasn't the only time during the war --- and after --- that Bundrige dodged death. He was nearly tossed overboard during one of many storms that rocked the ship.
"Some of those ships, the storms broke in two," Bundrige recalled. "Fortunately ours didn't."
And once, on a mail run while docked at the island of Okinawa, an object splashed mightily into the water off the side of the boat where Bundrige was seated.
"I was told later that it was a shell that the Japanese had fired that didn't explode."
Of his narrow escapes, Bundrige said, "God had a hand in all of it."
Bundrige grew up in Hancock County and moved to Macon not long after the war. "My captain wanted me to re-enlist, but I was like, 'Noooooo.' When I got enough points, I got out."
Still, Bundrige remembers fondly some of the places his service took him, including China, the Philippines and Spain. But mostly, he said, "you'd ride days and days, and never see nothing but water."
In the Navy, his faith was tested early. "My mama and daddy taught us to pray. I prayed. At that age, I was sincere, but I might not have been as strong as I should have been.
"When I first went below on that ship, they were there gambling. The only thing I could think of was that they were doing that when the Titanic went down."
Bundrige met his wife of 58 years, Earnestine, in Macon. He recalled leaving home one day and being unable to pass a car parked in the middle of the street, as the driver talked to a bystander. After about five minutes, Bundrige blew his car horn, and the bystander walked over.
"The next thing I know there was a pistol in my face. He said, 'I'll blow your blankety-blank brains out.' He was drunk, and there I was staring down the barrel of gun. About a month after that, the guy had a stroke. He never got over that."
Not long after that, Bundrige, who turns 82 later this month, began a ministerial career than spanned four decades. He remembers preaching his trial sermon in 1964.
Bundrige now attends Greater Allen AME Church on Pursley Street. The pastor there, the Rev. Billy McFadden, has planned two services to honor veterans, a Veterans Day breakfast on Saturday, Nov. 11, and special observance during the morning worship hour Sunday, Nov. 12.
McFadden served 22 years in the Air Force. His father, grandfather and brothers all served in the military, as well.
"I've always wanted to recognize and honor the service the veterans have given and the sacrifices they've made," said McFadden.
The breakfast starts at 9 a.m. at the church and is open to veterans in the Macon community. Afterward, McFadden plans to have the group of veterans go to nearby Linwood Cemetery for the annual Veterans Day memorial service there. He's arranged to bring in Junior ROTC units from area high schools, each representing a different branch of the military.
The Sunday service is set aside to honor Bundrige and other veterans who attend Greater Allen AME. The speaker will be 6th District AME Bishop William P. DeVeaux, who served as an Army chaplain in Vietnam.
With the country at war, Bundrige said his advice to soldiers today is to put their trust in the Lord. After all, it seemed to work for him.
"Once you get the call, you still pray and put God in front of everything," he said. "Whatever happens to you, God is still in control. You have to put confidence in man, but you have to put more confidence in God. All man can do is destroy the body. He can't destroy your soul."
Honoring veterans
Greater Allen Chapel AME Church at 269 Pursley St. has planned two Veterans Day observances. Saturday, Nov. 11, a community breakfast for veterans will be held at 9 a.m. at the church. Afterward, the group will attend the annual memorial service at Linwood Cemetery. Sunday, Nov. 12, the church will honor its veterans during morning services beginning at 11 a.m. Bishop William P. DeVeaux, a Vietnam-era Army chaplain, will speak.
This article used with the Permission of Telegraph, Mr. Rodney Manley
11. GLOBAL CORNER: RETIRED PASTOR LOOSES 3 FAMILY MEMBERS:
The Rev. Samuel M. Lesotho lost three members of his family in car accident on the weekend of December 3. The three members: his daughter and her children (one of whom was a baby), were in a car accident. She had taken along with his children and hired a neighbour to drive them to be a funeral service of her late brother-in-law, in Heidelburg.
It is reported that the car fell into river as they were passing Balfour (South-West of the Mpumalanga Province) and none of the occupants of the care survived the accident.
It is now three years since Rev. Lesotho retired in the active ministry of the A.M.E. Church in the East Conference. At the time of retirement, he appeared still strong to proceed to minister but age and the Church laws would not allow him. His daughter and his grandson (Seipati and Thabo, respectively), who both passed away, were always accompanied him as he ministered in the various congregations of the Church. Especially after the passing away of his wife, they fortified him as a pillar of strength.
Arrangements for the funeral have not been made yet.
Certainly, Rev. Lesotho is need of our material support in such a time, in addition to our prayers. He currently resides in 5637 Tshabalala Street, Orlando East (Soweto) and can be contacted at +27 73 225 4856; From the U.S.A. dial: 011 27 73 225 4856
12. THE GLOBAL CORNER - REPORT AME –INDIA FOR NOVEMBER:
We praise God for God’s unfailing love, mercy and goodness. November has been a wonderful month for us to see and experience God’s marvelous doings. We also thank you for your valuable prayers and encouragements.
At Bangalore we rejoice for all the new members who have been added to the fellowship of AME-India and the testimonies of the members where God has revealed God’s power. They are as follows:
Meena is suffering from the uterus trouble and she is being prayed for by the cell groups and as a result of their prayer and encouragement she is coming for worship. Let us pray that may come to know the Lord and commit her life to Jesus.
Kausalya had been cured from some sickness, which has enabled her to commit her life to Jesus, because of the healing touch of Jesus, which she received when our brothers prayed for her.
Shoba had been coming to one of the cell groups, but not to the church for worship on Sundays. Recently while she was sitting in her house the tube-light above her burst, but nothing happened to her. As per her testimony, it was God who saved her.
Mr. Xavier from Catholic background, had recently suffered from a stroke, God has miraculously spared his life. Our cell group had been visiting him and praying for his healing. Now he comes to the church along with his family. He is eager to receive baptism as he begins his journey with Jesus.
Mr. Raja who was under the spell of spirit possession, accidentally happened to be visited by our cell group while he was trying to kill himself, by hanging from the ceiling fan. Now he along with his mother Sharada, wife and children are coming to the church. Let us continue to pray for their salvation.
John an eight year old boy, son of Mrs. Selvi, a widow is suffering from a problem with his nervous system and it is also suspected by doctors that he is suffering from blood cancer. His father recently passed away due to blood cancer. The mother does not have any source of income after her husband passed away and now she is burdened with John’s sickness. We request you to pray that God, for whom nothing is impossible, will stretch out the Healing hand and grant healing to John, as well as meet all the expenses of the family out of God’s riches in glory.
Rebecca one of the leaders of a cell group is six months pregnant, but she is suffering from high blood pressure and due to insufficient fluid in the womb, doctors have advised her to abort the baby. She is in the hospital; kindly remember her in your valuable prayers.
The Nepali Congregation has organized an open-air Gospel meeting on the 26th December 2006. Rev. Abraham Peddiny is invited as the speaker for this occasion. Kindly pray for God’s anointing on the speaker and that God would touch the lives of many people in this meeting. Please also pray for Pastor Krist Pal Rai as he gives leadership to this congregation and organizes this great public event.
In Chennai surroundings the Lord has also done great wonders and touched the lives of many.
Kanaga an old blind woman who lived by begging in the trains, happened to accidentally fell down from the train, she cried for help there was no response, then suddenly two people appeared and helped her to her destination, she testified in the worship service, that this help was God sent.
Gopi an unemployed Hindu youth, after joining for worship in the Blind Fellowship, has found a permanent job. He has become an earnest seeker, please pray for his salvation.
Isaac a person with uncontrollable anger has accepted Jesus and has become a changed personality, praise the Lord for God’s power.
Please pray for Brother Lukas (a blind evangelist), his wife and two daughters as they continue to serve God and give leadership to a worship group comprised of the blind. Brother Lukas has a burden to reach all the two hundred blind families who are living in the surrounding. Till now he has reached 18 families. His place of ministry is in the running trains and train stations. He shares gospel to the blind, who are either vendors or beggars in the train.
Thilagam, a Hindu lady deserted by her husband since three years, Pastor John Williams has been visiting the lady encouraging and praying for her for the past one year, suddenly now her husband has come back and they live as a family. Together as a family they have started to come to the church and pray. Please pray for their salvation and Pastor Williams continues to minister to them.
Laxmi, a Hindu lady had been bedridden and had been suffering from constant giddiness since three months. Since Pastor Williams had been visiting her and praying for her she feels better. Please pray for her complete healing and her salvation.
Four young boys had been tantalizing and teasing Pastor Williams whenever he went for ministry, one day Pastor Williams courageously approached them, gave them gospel tracts and shared the gospel and prayed for them. Now they are coming to the church for worship. Let us pray that God would touch their lives and save them.
Please pray for Pastor John Williams, a differently abled person who has a calling and zeal to serve God in-spite of his physical limitation. He ministered in a village away from his hometown for one full year before he could witness the first fruit of his labor. Now he has a small worshipping community. He is constant under threat from other Pastors who try to steal his sheep taking advantage of his physical weakness.
Sarah and Abraham had been visiting the churches in Bangalore and Chennai surroundings, teaching them and encouraging them. We praise God for the protection, safety and good health, in-spite of the heavy rains in this month. Due to low pressure it had been raining for the past one month. Many of our churches also had been affected due to the flash floods. Now the rains have subsided. We thank Bishop John and Rev. Cee for sending some financial help to be extended to the affected families and churches. The AME family in India is growing and God is doing wonders, so we request you to continue to uphold them in your valuable prayers. Thanking You.
Laboring in God’s vineyard,
Minnie Sarah & Abraham Peddiny
AME-India
13. THE GLOBAL CORNER- AIESEC AT AFRICA UNIVERSITY:
AIESEC at Africa University recently held the closing ceremony of the African Young Entrepreneurs (YES) project. The occasion was graced by Mrs. Grace Muradzikwa the CEO of Nicoz Diamond Insurance Co.
AIESEC is the international platform for young people to discover and develop their potential. It is present in over 800 universities in 95 countries and territories, AIESEC provides young people the opportunity to work abroad, develop leadership, build a network, and explore the direction and ambition of their future. As of 2005 the network has 22000 members and delivers each year over 3500 working abroad experiences.
AIESEC was created after World War two in 1948. The name Association Internationale des Etudiants en Sciences Economiques et Commerciales is no longer used as its members belong to other studies as well. AIESEC itself has become a brand name. Its vision is “Peace and Fulfilment of Humankind’s Potential.” Its core work is facilitation of international traineeship exchanges and supporting activities that provide practical learning experiences for their trainees and that facilitate the learning of the members and other stakeholders.
AIESEC was incepted in 1982 in Zimbabwe and has been based at the University of Zimbabwe. On the 11th of February 2005 it was officially launched at Africa University. Its establishment was led by Paul Nyamaropa (first president), Farai Chingono, Tonganai Sithole, Lameck Mbimbi, assisted by Mr. Mandewo and Reverend Nyamaropa of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The inspiration according to Paul to form such an organisation came from Bishop Manhanga who delivered a sermon on the need for Africans to do something for their communities rather than wait upon others to deliver.
Mrs. Grace Muradzikwa is the patron of AIESEC at Africa University (AU). AIESEC AU also has a Board of Advisors. This is led by Dr. Thokozile Chitepo, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at Africa University. Mr. Norman Likukuma is the Partnership and Development Advisor, Mr Philip Nhekairo is the Exchange and Alumni Advisor as well as Mr. Johanne Zviuya who is the Legal Advisor.
One of the objectives of AIESEC since its founding in 1948 has been to contribute in meaningful ways to the development of young people around the globe, by providing opportunities for them to develop certain behaviours and attitudes. Those characteristics are: Active Learning, Social Responsibility, Cultural Sensitivity and Entrepreneurship.
In Africa AIESEC decided that one of its focuses would be entrepreneurship due to the high rates of unemployment and poverty. Entrepreneurship was chosen as a topic because of the critical importance of the creation of new enterprises for social and economic development. The main justification for embarking on the project was the astonishing discovery that 18 million of the 30 million youths in Africa are unemployed.
The African Young EntrepreneurS project took place in 14 countries in Africa [Botswana, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.] The aim of the project was to develop African young entrepreneurs through skills enhancement, theoretical and practical training, thus enabling them to create their own start up plans and provide a learning experience that would help enhance an entrepreneurial culture in African Youth.
The AIESEC at Africa University African YES project sponsored by Stanbic Bank, Rank Zimbabwe and Prompt Printers involved 20 young vibrant university students. In her opening remarks Mrs Muradzikwa acknowledged the role played by AIESEC, which is reflected by some of the current captains of industry, which include Nigel Chanakira (Founder-Kingdom Bank), Jonah Mungoshi(motivational speaker), Danny Dube (CEO- Innofin Africa), among others. Nigel for instance has built an empire which is still growing.
The 20 students were divided into four groups of five and each group was tasked with the role of coming up with a unique smart business start up plan. All the groups presented their start up plans by using PowerPoint presentations. A panel of judges decided which team carried the day based on the PowerPoint presentation and the business start up plan.
Agroserv, an agriculture advisory and technical service company, walked away with the fifty thousand winning prize. The group members were Dominic Kodzwa, Napoleon Nyanhi, Loreen Katuruza, Tafadzwa Nyemba and Rebecca Masiya. KwikWash, a laundry service company came out second, Doorstep Chickens, a leading poultry service distributor was third. Its idea was built big companies, such as Irvine’s. Final Solution IT Inc., an information technology based company, came out fourth. All the trainees were awarded with certificates of participation.
The project also involved AIESEC members who are Africa University students, training their fellow students on entrepreneurship, through the provision of modules provided by AIESEC in Africa. Ideally, the trainers were supposed to be AIESEC members from other countries (since the project is based on exchange) but because of inadequate funding the project was implemented at a local level.
Mr. Likukuma was impressed by the level of professionalism displayed by both the AIESEC members and the African YES trainees but highlighted the need for the trainees to address the issue of financials critically in their start up plans. Some Africa University Board members also witnessed this occasion.
Dr. Chitepo urged other stakeholders to support such initiatives and appreciated the work done by the young AIESEC members as they worked tirelessly throughout the year to acquire funds to implement the project. This included small fundraising activities as cake sales, blind date shows among other notable activities.
AIESEC at Africa University hopes to implement the Answers, Solutions and Knowledge (ASK) around HIV/AIDS issues project early next year at an international level which is also a project based on exchange given the availability of adequate resources. The project budget is USD$7800 and to date AIESEC has managed to raise USD$1000 implying that the biggest stumbling block to implementation of that project is funding. Its main focus is peer education as a way to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS. This will involve high schools that will have to hold HIV/ AIDS days at the end of the project to show that they have learnt something and are able to pass that knowledge onto others. AfriTour, a tourism centred project that seeks to promote tourism in Africa, is also going to be implemented as well as the second round of the African YES project late next year. The whole initiative has been termed the “EMPOWERING AFRICA” initiative by AIESEC in Africa Growth Network. It seeks to empower Africa through the African youth.
For more information about AIESEC, please visit
www.aiesec.org
www.aiesec.net
Or contact the following AIESECers:
Patrick Mashinga- patrick.mashinga@aiesec.net
Paul Nyamaropa- paul.nyamaropa@aiesec.net
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the passing of the Rev. Lestine Nichols-Franklin, Associate Minister at Greater Quinn A.M.E. Church, Detroit, Michigan.
Service arrangements for Rev. Lestine Nichols-Franklin:
Visitation:
Friday, December 1, 2006
9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Swanson Funeral Home
14751 W. McNichols
Detroit, Michigan 48235
(313) 272-9000
Family Hour / Funeral:
Saturday, December 2, 2006
10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. (Respectively)
Greater Quinn A.M.E. Church
13501 Rosa Parks Boulevard
Detroit, Michigan 48238
Phone: (313) 867-8380
Rev. Dr. Daniel J. Reid, Esq., Pastor
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Honorable Jo Ann Nichols Watson, Detroit City Council
Coleman A. Young Municipal Center
2 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, Michigan 48226
Submitted By:
Rev. Dr. Delano L. Bowman, Presiding Elder
Notable North District
Michigan Annual Conference
4th Episcopal District
PO Box 978
Southfield, Michigan 48037-0978
(248) 569-1043
notablenorth@comcast.net
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the passing of Mr. James Ruttlen, Jr., brother of Mrs. Marva Campbell who is the spouse of Rev. Millard Campbell, pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church, Gifford, Florida and president of the Ministers' Spouses Alliance of the South Conference, Eleventh Episcopal District.
Service Arrangements for Mr. James Ruttlen, Jr. are entrusted to:
Divine Mortuary
5620 Hillandale Dr.
Lithonia, Georgia 30058
Phone (770) 981-2160
Visitation:
Friday, December 1, 2006
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Salem Baptist Church
2750 Panola Rd.
Lithonia, Georgia 30058
Phone (770) 981-7867
Home Going Service:
Saturday, December 2, 2006
11:00 a.m.
Salem Baptist Church
Lithonia, Georgia 30058
Phone (770) 981-7867
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Marva Campbell (sister) Mrs. Lisa Ruttlen (wife)
745 Beacon Street 4428 Idlewood Park
Palm Bay, FL 32907 Lithonia, Georgia
Phone (321) 725-8274 Phone (770) 355-1113
Fax (321) 725-9954
Submitted by Gwendolyn T. Jenkins
South Conference
Eleventh Episcopal District
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
News of the passing of Reverend Sharon Black King, itinerant elder of the East Conference, 11th Episcopal District, associate minister and Youth Ministry of Mother Midway A.M.E. Church, Jacksonville, Florida.
Home Going Celebration:
Wednesday, December 6, 2006 - 11:00 a.m.
Mother Midway A.M.E. Church
1456 Van Buren Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
Phone: (904) 359-0999
Toll Free: 866-504-0999
Fax (904) 359-5583
E-Mail: mothermidwayame@bellsouth.net
The Rev. Charletta Calvin Robinson, Pastor
Service Arrangements are entrusted to:
James Graham Mortuary
3631 Moncrief Road
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Phone: (904) 766-0436
Public Visitation:
Tuesday, December 5, 2006
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
James Graham Mortuary
3631 Moncrief Road
Jacksonville, FL 32209
Phone (904) 766-0436
Prior to the Home Going Celebration
Wednesday, December 6, 2006
9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Mother Midway A.M.E. Church
1456 Van Buren Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
Condolences may be sent to:
Mr. Gerald King (husband) (sons - Israel and Matthew)
4950 Richards Street, Apt. #143
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Submitted by: The Rev. Charletta Calvin Robinson1
1th Episcopal District President WIM
Pastor, Mother Midway AME Church,
Jacksonville, FL
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Mr. Jeffery Branch, the son of Mrs. Nellie Alexander, Corresponding Secretary of CONN-M-SWAWO Plus PKS. Mrs. Alexander is a member of the East Conference of the Eleventh Episcopal District; Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate and Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor.
Service arrangements for Mr. Jeffery Branch are entrusted to:
James Graham Mortuary, INC
3631 Moncrief Rd.
Jacksonville, FL 32209
(904) 766-0436 Phone
(904) 766-6494 Fax
Visitation:
Sunday, December 3, 2006
5:00 to 7:00 PM
James Graham Mortuary
Funeral
Monday, December 4, 2006
11:00 AM
Greater Payne AME Church
1230 Claudia Spencer Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
(904) 355-6015
Rev. E. J. Parker, III, Pastor
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Nellie Alexander
c/o Ms. Cynthia Fields
1758 East 26th Street
Jacksonville, FL 32206
(904) 354-6229
Email condolences: nellieFL@juno.com
Submitted by:
Maggie L. Jones, President
MSA East Conference
11th Episcopal District
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Rev. Richard Lee Harris, Pastor of St. Mark AME Church, 480 Trevitt Street, Columbus, Ohio, 43203, passed on Friday, December 1, 2006. He faithfully served as a pastor in the Third Episcopal District since 1988. He leaves to cherish his memories, his devoted, loving wife and partner in the ministry, JoAnn Greene Harris and family.
Friends may call Tuesday, December 5, 2006 2-4 p.m. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. at the Chapel Of Caliman Funeral Services, 3700 Refugee Rd., Columbus, OH.
Richard's Homegoing Celebration will be Wednesday December 6, 2006 at 11 a.m.
Mt. Vernon Avenue A.M.E. Church
1127 Mt. Vernon Ave.
Columbus, Ohio 43203
614-253-4323 Office
614-253-3039 Fax
Rev. Dr. William Wheatley, Pastor
Bishop Robert V. Webster, Presiding Prelate
Arrangements are being handled by:
Caliman Funeral Services3700 Refugee RoadColumbus, OH 43232
614) 338-1965Fax: (614) 338-4287E-mail: calimanservices@sbcglobal.net
Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Joann Harris and Family
1474 Millerdale Road
Columbus, Ohio 43209
614-235-3467
Email: richardjoann970D@sbcglobal.net
Please keep the family in your prayers.
Submitted by,
The Rev. Dr. Taylor T. Thompson
Third District Brotherhood
216-214-6886
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information CenterBishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, AdministratorEmail: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
19. 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
11/29/2006
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (12/1/06)
Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
EDITOR'S NOTE: This issue of The Christian Recorder Online is a modified version of the issue posted yesterday. The article about the pastor who was mistakenly arrested in South Africa has been updated with information received yesterday. The article about AIDS Day has been replaced by an announcement that today is World AIDS Day and an article released yesterday by the UMNS.
1. DECEMBER 1 - WORLD AIDS DAY:
Today, December 1, 2006, is World AIDS Day and today commemorates 25 years of AIDS Awareness.
Some things all of us can do and encourage others to do, in the fight against AIDS/HIV:
- Get Tested
- Abstinence
- Safe sex
- Be a Friend to those who have HIV/ AIDS
- Participate in events that promote the fight against HIV/AIDS
- Make a contribution to churches and organizations who promote the fight against HIV/AIDS
- Educate people where you live, work, worship and play about HIV/AIDS
2. AIDS TAKES HIGH TOLL AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN:
Nov. 30, 2006
By Kathy L. Gilbert*
Men "on the down low" are turning marriage into a risk factor for contracting HIV/AIDS.
The term "on the down low" refers to men who are having sex with other men but keeping it a secret, often from their wives or girlfriends, said Jane Pernotto Ehrman, a national health consultant for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
The practice is especially high among African-American men because it is "absolutely not OK to be homosexual" in the black culture, she added.
The secret is killing African-American women at an alarming rate. Statistics show AIDS is ranked among the top three causes of death for African-American women ages 35-44.
"Women are paying a mighty big price in this AIDS pandemic because many times they are the innocent victims," said Linda Bales, director of the Louise and Hugh Moore Population Project of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.
"In the U.S. as well as in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions, women contract the HIV/AIDS virus from their husbands who have had sex outside the marriage," she said. "Sad to say, being married is a risk factor for AIDS."
HIV/AIDS among black women is three times higher than among Latino women and 18 times higher than among white women, Ehrman said. "Sixty-eight percent of all new HIV cases are black women - 75 percent of whom contracted the disease from heterosexual sex. These women are your everyday women, wives and mothers."
High rate among youth
HIV/AIDS is also increasing among young people. Ehrman quoted statistics that show youth and young adults between the ages of 13 to 25 years are contracting HIV at a rate of two every hour.
Another alarming fact is that an estimated 250,000 youth are unaware they are infected with HIV. By the 12th grade, 65 percent of American youths have become sexually active, and 1 in 5 has had four or more sexual partners.
"According to the surgeon general, the HIV virus can be in the body up to 12 years without having symptoms," Bales said. "The ramifications of this fact are enormous and can point to the importance of AIDS testing. If individuals know their status they would be able to make informed decisions. If people don't know they are infected, precautions go out the window. Churches can work in partnership with health officials by serving as places for testing."
The church's responsibility
Ehrman and Bales said the church needs to pay attention to this "human issue" and speak out about it from the pulpit.
"The church has a major role to play in stemming the tide of HIV/AIDS. It is vital for every congregation to sponsor sessions for young people on comprehensive sex education that includes a strong dose of AIDS information," Bales said.
"If the church neglects its faith-based educational role, the church is complicit in the spread of this disease," she added.
It's not about judgment but education, according to Ehrman, who cautioned that the subject needs to be approached with compassion.
"If you approach it from (the standpoint that) people on the down low are bad, or make judgments about a person's sexuality and how that fits biblically, then you miss the whole point," she said.
Ehrman recently talked about these issues at a workshop, "HIV/AIDS and the Church: A Call to Action," during the National Congregational Health Ministries Conference held in October in Memphis, Tenn. She also has conducted the workshop in her United Methodist district in Cleveland, Ind.
The program educates the church community about these issues. In the workshop, she explains what HIV is and how it differs from AIDS. She also talks about how the disease is transmitted, prevention and who is at risk. "It is done with frankness so that nobody is talking in code about anatomy or different risk factors," she said.
Pastors need to know how to talk about HIV/AIDS from the pulpit and how to handle the fallout from people who may be upset about hearing a pastor talk about the issue. "In the context of a sermon it needs to be looked at through Christ's eyes of love, compassion and acceptance," Ehrman said.
*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
********************
Used with the permission of the United Methodist News Service Photos and stories also available at: http://umns.umc.org/
3. EDITORIAL: AME MINISTERS NEED TO BE WELL-TRAINED AND WELL-READ TO MEET TODAY’S THEOLOGICAL CHALLENGES:
I gave a presentation on how to write devotionals at the 13th District Planning meeting that was held in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The district has put out a devotional, “From the Cross to Pentecost” for the last two years. It is a project that was initiated by Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie. Approximately thirty ministers from across the district participate by writing short devotionals.
It was decided that it would be helpful for me to share with the devotional writers the “how to” of writing devotionals. One of the points that I made was the importance of being faithful to scripture and to our denominational theological beliefs while writing devotionals. I gave an example that we, as AMEs need to be careful that we don’t incorporate the heterodox beliefs of others into our devotionals. I used as an example, Bishop T. D. Jakes, a wonderful orator and a world-renowned speaker. I said that we probably would not want to use any of his quotes when addressing Trinitarian concepts because he is not a Trinitarian and does not hold to our beliefs of the “One true God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that the three are co-equal, co-eternal, and one in essence.”
The room got quiet. I sensed that I had touched on something unsettling and I could feel the disbelief among the participants. I had cast negativity upon a present-day icon. I know that a lot of people, even AMEs, love T. D. Jakes, but are not aware that he is not a Trinitarian. He advocates, as those who are referred to as Apostolic Pentecostals, the heterodox position of Modalism: Patripassianism, Modalistic Monarchianism, Sabellianism, which is referred to as Oneness Pentecostalism. It is also referred to as, “Jesus Only” theology.
Modalism is a second and third century heresy that taught that there is only one Person in the Godhead, the Father, who has manifested Himself at different times under different names or modes. Modalism maintains that God, the Father has manifested Himself at different times as Father, as Jesus, and as the Holy Spirit.
AMEs and other mainline Christians believe in the Trinity, which teaches the one true God eternally exists as three distinct Persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and thus, we can sing the Doxology.
I felt certain that I had presented new learning for many of the participants, but some of them appeared uncomfortable with the information about T. D. Jakes. I continued the training and concluded my PowerPoint presentation.
I never thought anymore about it until I received the letter from the Rev. Kenneth D. Love, pastor of Asbury Chapel AMEC, Louisville, Kentucky. He wrote:
“In the School of the Prophets session of the 13th Episcopal District Planning meeting your statement concerning the Apostolic theological position of the lack of belief in the Holy Trinity per Orthodox Christianity and your example of Bishop T. D. Jakes intrigued me. The reason for this I believe that a number of our AME preachers appear to be closely associated with Bishop Jakes and this difference in belief would seem to strike a furious fire.
I have ventured to the Potter's House Website and researched a few items:
a) Although the Doctrinal Statement clearly states their belief in a Triune God the definition speaks in a Modalistic viewpoint of God as a manifestation in three separate periods of time. This also lends itself to the belief in Patripassianism, Sebellianism and Monarchianism. [http://www.thepottershouse.org/PH_doctrine.html ]
b) T. D. Jakes, being an excellent orator, has been crafty in his usage of Trinity while promoting Oneness Theology. [http://www.carm.org/oneness/whatisoneness.htm] The Oneness or UPCI statement is almost verbatim to T. D. Jakes statement. [http://www.upci.org/doctrine.asp ]
c) The Apostolic doctrine does differ greatly from our practice of Open Communion/Open Table and their practice of Closed Communion.
I thank you for this enlightenment. I must admit that at first I disagreed with you but because I believe that my personal disagreement does not satisfy my foundational belief I have researched this subject and have found your statement true. As a pastor and minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church I believe we must protect the flock from erroneous teachings.”
His message concluded with, “My new concern is that many do not understand this watered-down doctrine and therefore promote it by imitating those who seemingly are successful.”
I responded to Reverend Love’s message.
“You are so correct in your statement, ‘My new concern is that many do not understand this watered-down doctrine and therefore promote it by imitating those who seemingly are successful.” That’s the reason for a trained clergy to be a well-read clergy so that he or she can distinguish aberrant doctrines and heterodoxy.
Some of our preachers may be preaching or quoting T. D. Jakes’ sermons without realizing his heterodox theology. I believe that many of our ministers have not picked up on Jakes’ heterodox theology; at least I hope that’s the case, that they just did not pick up on his heterodoxy. I would hope that they are not following him while knowing that Jakes does not follow our theological beliefs. Admittedly, T. D. Jakes is one of America’s greatest orators, but a Trinitarian, he is not; and he does not claim to be a Trinitarian. He follows the “Oneness” doctrine of the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI).
T. D. Jakes is not a Trinitarian and he could not be licensed or ordained in the AME or any Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Reformed, Church of God in Christ, Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ or any church that practices orthodox Christianity; and he probably would not want to be ordained or licensed in an orthodox denomination.
Now, having said all of this, does not take away T. D. Jakes powerful ministry. We can learn something from him and he is still a friend and a powerful man of God. Our faith journeys have some differences and we, AMEs need to be aware of those differences. The issue is not Bishop T. D. Jakes; the issue is our commitment and knowledge of what we believe. Bishop T. D. Jakes knows that we have theological differences and he is faithfully committed to his theology; and, we need to be faithful to ours!
4. AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH “CONVO” DATES:
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has conducted several connectional meetings leading up to the General Conference called CONVOS. Each CONVO addressed issues pertinent to the Church that would be addressed at the General Conference.
The dates for the CONVOS leading up the 2008 General Conference are listed below. The locations for the CONVOS will be finalized later and will be published in The Christian Recorder, other Church periodicals and on the Official AME Church Website: http://www.ame-church.com/
CONVO # 9 – February 26 – 28, 2007
CONVO #10 – September 6 – 8, 2007
CONVO #11 – March 27 – 29, 2008
5. THE DARK SIDE OF CHRISTMAS:
Pastor Nolan T. Pitts, Retired
At the birth of Jesus, Luke states that there was a multitude, with the angel of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men.”
Something has gone wrong, or people have refused to accept, and have ignored the peace that Jesus birth brought into the world. Every year around Christmas time, the record shows, without a doubt, that the rate of crime to include, robbery, theft, homicides and swindling, increases.
Even depression and suicides wreaked havoc on many lives during this time of the year.
Renewed family feuds raise its ugly head during the holiday period.
It ain’t supposed to be like that. Some use Christmas-time to get even and to vent stored up anger. Others take on negative attitudes if the gift they receive is not what they wanted, and if it is perceived that the gift is too cheap. It makes one wonder whose birthday is it.
Some are still paying off bills from last Christmas. It seems, for many, as if Christ has been given a leave of absence.
Lives have been lost caused by fires brought about because of defected tree lights/wiring and faulty smoke alarms.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that something has gone wrong.
There is a dark side of Christmas.
An older gentleman recently said to me, “I’ll be glad when Christmas is over.”
I replied to him, “Christmas is never over.”
Another gentleman said, “Christmas is just another day off from work.”
There are those who dread Christmas-time.
I believe those who dread Christmas, dread it is because of their misconception of what Christmas is all about.
Where does the Church stand in the midst of all this? Has the Church failed its mission to get the message to the masses?
Christmas is a holy-day and not just, a holiday.
If you are one of those who dreads Christmas, it just might be that you dread Christmas because you have taken Christ out of Christmas.
Have a joyous Christmas.
“To God be the Glory.”
6. SOME IMPORTANT NUMBERS FOR US TO REMEMBER:
- World AIDS Day is Dec 1…Within the next 25 years; AIDS is expected to become the # 3 cause of death in the world.
- As of November 28, 2006, 2878 members of the military have died since the beginning of the Iraq War in March 2003.
- As of November 26, 2007, the Iraq War has lasted longer than World War II.
- 40% of all children born in America are born out of wedlock.
7. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- Greetings to my AME Family,
I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of my entire family to publicly thank each and everyone for their expressions of comfort during our time of bereavement. I thank God everyday that I am a part of this magnificent body of Christ. It is at times like this that we understand the true meaning of bearing one another's burden.
Bishop Messiah, William, Justin, Silvester and I are truly appreciative that you prayed for us and to let you know that the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Bishop Wilfred J and Supervisor Carol I. Messiah
- To the Editor:
Re: Debt-Free And Prosperous Living...
Looking through the back issues of the Christian Recorder, I found the article you wrote on, “Debt-Free And Prosperous Living,” dated April 10, 2006. It's a great article.
When I receive my issue of the Christian Recorder the first article I immerse myself in is yours. Thank you. I just finished reading your article dated October 23, 2006, entitled, “The grass is green over here too and our ice is as cold as anyone else's ice,” is extremely true.
Let me say a little about myself, I have been preaching for some fifty years, seen the inside of a few schools, and have been pastor of Quinn Chapel AMEC in Lovejoy, Illinois, a great congregation, for around 19 years (by choice); the church is historical and 178 years old. I was ordained as a traveling elder under Bishop Joseph Gomez.
Your articles are great keep up the good work.
Rev. Henry
- To the Editor:
RE: Editorial in the July 31, 2006 issue of The Christian Recorder, regarding the practice of “Anointing with Oil”
After reading your article, my comment is a commendation, “Write on, brother”! That editorial should be required reading for every pastor, and those aspiring to be pastors in the Connection. Every Board of Examiners should require that all candidates to read this Article.
We once had a 3:30 p.m. service and the guest preacher added a new twist to her “anointing with oil”: While she as applying the oil, one of her members had a 3 foot banner of ribbons that she waved constantly while the anointing was ongoing at the altar! Another member of the group had a very large, square head cloth that she would throw into the air from time to time. One of the sisters fainted and fell to the floor, when she recovered, got up and sat on the pew; the “scarf-thrower” threw the scarf over her head! It was quite a show!
In my humble opinion, I think they have watched too many televangelists and are “playing worship” and leading their parishioners to do the same; much in the manner that my childhood friends and I played “house.” It is heartbreaking to see what has happened and is happening in our Zion. Most of our worship services have simply another place of entertainment…So much of the sacredness is gone from it…Even the Communion Service and the Altar Calls are no longer what they should be.
Again I say “Write On, Brother!
Linda J. Boling
P.S. - Ditto on the Editorial in the October 9, 2006 issue.
8. BISHOP GREGORY G. M. INGRAM’S PLANNING MEETING 2006:
By: Delanda S. Johnson
Hundreds of African Methodist Episcopal Churches across Texas descended on the City of Richardson, Texas the week of November 15-18 for the Rt. Rev. Gregory G. M. Ingram’s planning meeting. Bishop Ingram is the presiding prelate of the 10th Episcopal District.
Bishop Ingram and his wife, the episcopal supervisor, the Rev. Dr. Jessica Ingram are great leaders that lead by the Holy Spirit. The have given the theme “Always Moving toward Excellence” for the 10th Episcopal District conferences and meetings. Bishop Ingram teaches that, “The quest for the best and striving to be all that you can be is the essence of who we are and what we are all about. This means we cannot do just enough to get by and anything less than our best is a sin.”
Bishop Ingram stressed at each of our annual conferences that “we are what we repeatedly do and excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” He went on to share again and again, “When we become satisfied with less than best efforts for God, our witness is damaged, power.”
Ingram said, “Excellence comes from a life of faith, from being more interested in God than self, from having the courage to be different. To become excellent means that you are willing to take a risk and not blend in with the crowd, it means that’ll do, won’t do.”
Throughout the conference, Bishop Ingram and Supervisor Jessica met with the Finance Committee, Women’s Missionary Society, Minister’s Spouses, Lay Organization, etc. with the focus being, “Making A Difference.”
Bishop Ingram shared his goals for the 2006-2007 conference year as: “First, hard work; second, ‘stick-to-it-iveness,’ and, third; a lot of prayer.” He went to explain, “We must reach the people with God’s love and the exciting life offered to the followers of Jesus Christ. We must teach, using the Bible to focus on the Word and to seek and to assist each other in Christian growth through church school classes, exciting Bible studies, spiritual retreats and discipleship groups. Worship by knowing the power of God to change lives and missions and service knowing that we are called by God to make a difference. We must become doers of the word and not hearers only.”
The Rt. Rev. Richard Franklin Norris of the First Episcopal District gave the opening sermon. The First Episcopal District consists of the eastern half of Pennsylvania, all of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, New England States, and Bermuda.
Bishop Norris attended Morris Brown College, and received the B.A. degree from Rutgers University. He accepted his “call to ministry” at the age of 15. After earning his baccalaureate degree, he graduated from New Brunswick Theological Seminary with an M.Div degree and went on to earn the Doctor of Ministry Degree from New York Theological Seminary.
Rev. Dr. Marcus Cosby closed the Conference with a powerful message that inspired the congregation.
The Rev. Dr. Marcus Cosby, the senior pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, Texas gave the closing message for the conference. Dr. Marcus is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and English from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, a Master of Divinity Degree in Homiletics and Christian Education from the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA, and the Doctor of Ministry Degree in Homiletics from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary of the Associated Chicago Theological Schools.
Among the gifts and talents with which God has blessed Pastor Cosby, none are more meaningful and fulfilling to him than preaching and teaching. He stated, “I seek to empower and uplift all humanity through the life-changing, uncompromising Word of God.”
On a local level, Henderson County area African Methodist Episcopal Churches were represented at this Conference. They are Johnson Chapel AME Church, Malakoff, Texas, which retained their pastor, the Rev. Cynthia Cole; Union Station/Bethel AME Church, Larue, Texas, which retained their pastor, the Rev. Betty O’Neal; and Allen Chapel AME Church, Athens, which welcomes a new pastor, the Rev. Mary Miller.
9. THE TWELFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ARKANSAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE WOMEN’S MISSIONARY SOCIETY:
*Mrs. Ann Gilkey
The 138th Session of the Arkansas Annual Conference Women’s Missionary Society opened under the leadership of the dynamic trio; Episcopal Supervisor, Mother Barbara Jeanne Chappelle, Mother Charolett Martin, Episcopal President; and Sister Phyllis Johnson, Arkansas Conference President.
The Business session was held at Bethel AME Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas on November 14, 2006 with the election of officers and a memorial service. Four delegates and one Alternate were elected to attend the WMS Quadrennial Convention, July 20, 2007 in Philadelphia, PA. The delegates were in order of election. The first two tied, Sister Lovie Aaron and Sister Anita Brannon, Sister Ann Gilkey, Sister Jerralyn Smith and alternate, Sister Gracie Douthard. The meeting concluded with the honoring of Life Members coupled with a beautiful luncheon at Shorter College Gymnasium catered by Sims Bar-B-Que.
The First Vice President, Sister Jerralyn Smith presided over the Annual WMS Night in White program. Dr. Barbara J. Chappelle capped new members, Sisters’ Carmelia Mitchell, Donna Willis, Mary Blocker, Nedra Allen, and Antwan Criswell in a special ceremony that recognized their joining the WMS. The event was topped with a beautiful play entitled,” The Missionary Officers Who Wanted to Go to Heaven.”
The service project was to stock the pantry of the Kitchen for the Shorter College Students. Many food items were collected and given to the school cafeteria to help cut down the cost of food.
Many Arkansas Conference Ministers attended the Annual Night in White and showed their support for the WMS by wearing their white suits.
*Mrs. Ann Gilkey is the Arkansas Annual Conference Public Relations Director
10. THE TWELFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ARKANSAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2006:
*Mrs. Ann Gilkey
The Arkansas Annual Conference of 2006 is history. It was a historical event. Greater Bethel AME Church in North Little Rock, AR where the Rev. James Thomas is the pastor was the site of a well-planned conference. The Presiding Bishop of the Twelfth Episcopal District, the Rt. Rev. Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr., led the opening worship service on November 15, 2006 at 10:00 A. M. The presiding liturgist was the Rev. Dr. Eugene Brannon, Presiding Elder of the Little Rock District. We were moved to the mountain where Jesus spoke with a powerful exegeses from Matthew 5:7-9 verses with a soul stirring and electrifying message from the Rev. Rickey Hicks, Pastor of Rufus K. Young AME Church in Little Rock, Arkansas entitled, ”The Attitude of a Christian.” The message engaged our hearing of the fact that many of us spend a lot of time and effort pointing our fingers at others when we need to make sure we have found peace within ourselves.
Educational night at the Arkansas conference was led by the Rev. Jeff Carr, pastor at St. Paul AME Church in Morrilton Arkansas. High honors were given to Sister Lovie Aaron for a great job in the coordination of the program. The R. K. Young Steppers, the Arkansas Baptist College Community Choir, Philander Smith Gospel Choir, and the Shorter College Choir inspired and helped to magnify the occasion. Dr. Cora McHenry acknowledged and recognized those who continued to support Shorter College in its efforts to educate students. The 2006 Class was present and represented the largest graduating class since 1997. The Rev. Mary Williams, Registrar of Jackson Theological Seminary gave expressions for the Seminary and noted the enrollment is currently 21. She encouraged commitment from all ministers and laity. The Little Rock/North Little Rock-Fort Smith Districts took up an offering in support of both the Seminary and Shorter College.
The Rev. H. D. Stewart, Pastor of Moody Chapel AME Church in Little Rock was the chief liturgist during noonday service on November 16, 2006. We found ourselves “ship-wrecked” as the Rev. Gwain Hammock, pastor of Soldiers Chapel AME Church, Hamburg, Arkansas spoke from his soul from Acts 27:43-44. The thunder rolled and the lightening flashed as he spoke on the subject “Enduring Storms.” He pointed out the fact that it is not as much as how heavy or difficult the storm, but if we can make it through the storm.
The Rev. John T. Grissom, pastor of Allen Chapel AME Church in Sweet Home, Arkansas presided during the Ecumenical Services on Thursday Night as the Sons of Allen revived our spirits with songs and praise coupled with a dynamic message from Bishop Steven Arnold, senior pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock. Bishop Arnold took us through the fiery furnace with a message from Daniel 3:16-19 on the subject,”When God is with you.” He let us know that when God is with us, there is a difference in our living, dedication to our service, and discerning in our spirits. He also stated there ought to be a difference in us with God in our lives.
Awards were presented to William Cochran for his work in business, Elmer Webb for his work in the community; and twins, Eric and Derick Daily for their work in youth activities. A special presentation from the Sons of Allen in the amount of $1,000.00 was given to the Shorter College Trustees for scholarships.
The Noon Day services on November 17th was presided by the Rev. Clarese Adams of Allen Temple AME Church in Little Rock. The speaker selected, kept the fires burning as we heard the words from the Rev. Carol Anderson, pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Holly Grove with a message entitled, “ Standing Firm in a Crumbling Culture” taken from Jude 1:24-25. The message inspired us to keep our eyes on Jesus because our faith is what keeps us from crumbling. We are not to droop and not to whither in front of our enemy but we are to stand firm in our faith.
The Arkansas Conference Lay Organization presided by Mrs. Kizmet Johnson on Friday night released their magic with “Worship through Music.” It was an evening to remember with “angels” from the Spirit of the Twelfth choir singing songs, “Praise Him”, “Lord I need You”, “Anyway You Bless Me”, and many other soul stirring songs.
The evening was topped with the Circle of Honor Induction of Mrs. Maggie Fingers, a member of St. Andrew AME church; Mr. Corey Williams, a member of Moody Chapel AME Church; and Mrs. Katherine Baker, a member of Lee Chapel AME Church receiving honors. Special presentations were made to Mr. William B. Thompson and Mr. And Mrs. Benjamin Davis. A scholarship in the amount of $1,500.00 was presented to Ms. Latasha Donley, a student at Shorter College.
The Right Reverend Richard A. Chappelle, Sr., presided over the Ordination and Memorial Services on Saturday, November 18, 2006. Although there were no ordinates, the robes of victory were lifted up as Rev. Shelia Alford, Pastor of Metropolitan AME Church, Ardmore, Oklahoma took us to the Isle of Patmos from Revelations 7:9-12 with a message entitled, ”It is written, so let it be.” The message asked, how will our work be written? Are we reliable, dependable or are we content with a Sunday-to-Sunday Experience? During the memorial it was stated, there were no deaths this conference year - “Praise God!”
The Christian Debutante-Masters under the direction of Mrs. Jeanie Gray was held on Saturday night, November 18, 2006. Tributes were given to the Allenites, Sub-Debutantes, Sub-Masters, Debutantes, and Debutantes Masters. Their motto, Daily Magnify Christ was obvious as the young people said the pledge in unison. Mrs. Lyndajo D. Jones, 12th Episcopal District Coordinator of the Debutante/Masters assisted with certificates.
The Young Peoples Division under the direction of Ms. LaRhonda Collins, Arkansas Conference Youth Director and Mr. Wesley Baker, Arkansas Conference Youth President, conducted the business at hand and elected two delegates and one alternate to the Quadrennial on Saturday afternoon. The YPD performance was outstanding as they greeted us in songs and liturgical dance. The play entitled “Safe” helped us understand in life, the enemy is always attacking us, but in keeping our minds focused on God, we can, and will be, “Safe.” The 12th Episcopal District Young Peoples Division President, Mr. Reggie Cleaver made a special appearance from college to be with his home conference. We send “shouts out” to Mr. Cleaver as he runs for Connectional YPD President!
The Conference at Study was held daily at 9:00 a.m. and focused on the Connectional Theme: “SERVING WELL;” Church Administration; and Christian Stewardship. The general membership of the church participated in these timely seminars and workshops each morning of the Annual Conference conducted by Bishop Chappelle.
The Closing Service on November 19, 2006 was presided by the Rev. Charles M. Cleaver, Sr., presiding elder of the NLR/FT Smith District. We held on as the mountains rocked and the valley rolled when our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Richard A. Chappelle, Sr., with his innate gifts of auditory, proclaimed the edict of God who will take care of us. His text from the Gospel of Luke 16:19-31 focused on the subject, “Too Little, Too Late,” gave us a peep into hell and let us know we often get too much self in us and there is a danger in being too well-fixed that we forget about the less fortunate and if we are not careful, it will be too little, to late.
We were blessed again to have wonderful music. Brother LaBaron Mizer, Music Director for the Arkansas Conference, Brother Jason Bivens, Arkansas Conference Musician, Conference Choir and guest choirs are to be congratulated for a job well done.
The Arkansas Conference Minister joined the other conference ministers as they wore the Official Clergy Stole of the 12th Episcopal District. The stole was worn during the opening and closing of the Annual Conference along with the appropriate clergy attire and robe. This was a show of unity in the ministerial body.
Many friends came from other districts, conferences and churches. We were pleased to have Raymond Frazier, representative from Senator Blanche Lincoln’s Office and Frank Scott from Governor- elect Mike Beebe’s Office. We were also pleased to have the Rev. Ronald Braxton from Metropolitan AME Church, Washington DC, and the Rev. Wesley Reed from Lee Memorial, Cincinnati, Ohio. Both are candidates for Episcopal Service. We were please to have had Presiding Elder C.V. Boyd, Sr., Presiding Elder T. G. Allen, Presiding Elder T. B. Lamb, Presiding Elder Napoleon Davis, and Presiding Elder Edward E. Davis. We were also graced with the presence of Dr. Anna B. Graham, Sister Martha Simpson, Montez Bell, Connectional Technology chairman, Neal Arp, Candidate for 2nd Vice President, Connectional YPD. And a host of visitors from the Central Conference, the West, East/Northeast, East, Northeast Oklahoma Conference, and the “Solid South. “
Special thanks was given to Rev. James Thomas and the entire Bethel AME Church Family of NLR, AR for their warm and gracious hospitality, delicious meals and far reaching love during the 138th session of the Arkansas Annual Conference.
A standing ovation was given to Bishop and Mother Chappelle for their excellent guidance, wonderful love, blessed spirit, and peace that have culminated to be one of the best conferences ever.
From the words of our Bishop, “Let it be known that the Mother Conference has truly had a blessed Conference.”
*Mrs. Ann Gilkey, Arkansas Conference Public Relations Director
11. IN A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY, AME CHURCH PASTOR SHOT BY THE POLICE HAS RETURNED TO HIS PASTORAL DUTIES:
*The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas
AMEs in South Africa are relieved that the Rev. Motlotlo Ezekiel Rabotapi, an Itinerant Elder in the Mokone Conference (19th Episcopal District), is recovering from the wounds of a gun shot resulting from a mistaken identity by the police, last week Monday. On Friday, walking on crutches, he was released from the hospital.
The incident of the shooting occurred while he was on a casual walk, visiting members of the congregation.
Escape for the Prison
Ten days have passed since a Mr. Annanias Mathe escaped from one of the most secured prison facilities in South Africa, the C-Max Prison. He was classified as hardened criminal, an escape risk, and on trial with 51 charges which range from murder, attempted murder and rape to hijacking and armed robberies. He is a Mozambican national.
His escape remains a puzzle as, according to recent reports, no proof has been found which points to any prison official having assisted him to escape.
Police misidentifying two persons
While he is still hiding, two persons have been victims of misidentification as the police intensely search for the fugitive. Rev. Rabotapi is one of the two persons and the other person was coincidentally arrested because he was found in possession of dagga, a far distance away from where Rev. Rabotapi was shot.
None of the two were aware of the escape and that they would be mistaken to be looking alike to the fugitive.
According to reports, the police were using an unmarked vehicle when they approached him and they also did not identify themselves. As result, scared that they could be thugs camouflaging as the police and attempting to rob him, Rev. Rabotapi ran away. He was shot in his attempt to run away from them and one of the policemen hit his left foot which demobilized and grounded him.
Thank to the policeman who is reportedly said to have identified him as the Pastor of the AME Church because there are allegations that he could have been killed while grounded by the shot on his left foot. We read in a weekend newspaper article that one of the policemen on the scene, while grounded, was heard to have suggested finishing him off.
Clearly, the policemen were also panicking because the person they were after is regarded as dangerous and possibly armed. The bag that Rev. Rabotapi held was reported to have been found with some church documents and a Bible.
Rev. Rabotapi was rushed to the hospital for treatment. The policeman involved has been charged for an attempted murder and further investigations are underway regarding the circumstances following the shooting.
An intelligent and humble Pastor
It was about two years ago that Rev. Rabotapi got married and he was ordained an itinerant elder in the same year. He is now serving his second assignment since ordination as the itinerant deacon. He is one of the intelligent Pastors of the Church, known to have covered most of seminary education within two years. Yet, he is one of the humble Pastors.
The worst could have happened. Sadly, he now has a wound to treat, which will become a scar later, for something he was oblivious to. We celebrate that he is now recuperating from the unfortunate incident and has rejoined his congregation on Friday. Thanks be to God for his saved life.
Rev. Teboho G. Klaas
Because He Lives, I am
*The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas is the Director: Health Programme
South African Council of Churches and an AME Pastor
11. SAINT PETER A.M.E. CHURCH CELEBRATES 123RD ANNIVERSARY:
A spiritual and glorious day was celebrated at Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church located in the Peach Belt of Fort Valley, Georgia on Sunday, November 19, 2006.
This special occasion culminated with an Anniversary Service in observance of our One Hundred and Twenty-Third year of dedicated Christian Ministry to God, the Connectional African Methodist Episcopal Church, and to the community of Fort Valley.
Detailed planning for this exciting day was spearheaded by visionary leadership of the Reverend Bertram C. Smith, the first lady, Sister Wendolyn M. Smith, the core steering team of Brother Ashley Ballard, Sisters Willie M. Johnson, Milenda Kincy and the Anniversary Committees.
The Anniversary theme, "Harvest Blessings," was most appropriate for this Thanksgiving season. "Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever: They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor." Isaiah 60:21 NIV
Harvest Blessings were bestowed on Sister Gladys Toomer and Brother Emory Lightfoot, Sr. for their dedicated work to Saint Peter which most symbolizes the dedicated work of our late Brother, Mercant E. Singleton. Sister Toomer is the Church School Superintendent, Stewardess, member of the Christian Education Department. Brother Lightfoot is the Assistant Superintendent, Church School, Van Driver, Member of the Board of Trustees and Christian Education Department.
The Saint Peter's Mass Choir blended their melodious voices in singing songs of Zion, under the direction of the Minister of Music, Brother Gerald Lee. The Sweet Melodies added more zest to this significant day by singing praises to the Lord. Directors: Sisters Carolyn W. Sampson and Rubye Tukes.
Reverend Bertram C. Smith joined with the choir in singing the preparation song, "Lord, do it."
Reverend Smith gave an elaborate presentation of the guest speaker, Dr. Wanda Smith West, the sister of Reverend Smith.
The speaker, Dr. Wanda Smith West is a native of Macon (Bibb County), Georgia. She is a graduate of the public schools in Bibb County. A graduate of Morris Brown College (B.S.); Mercer University (M.A.); University of Georgia (Ed.S.); South Carolina State University (Ed.D.); Leadership Georgia, and other leadership accomplishments.
Dr. West has compiled an extensive list of excellence in leadership of teaching and management in her field of endeavor. She is recognized locally, state-wide and nationally in the field of education. She is the first female superintendent of Twiggs County, Georgia Public School System and has compiled an impressive record of elevating Twiggs County School System to the point where the system was recognized as a Model for rural school districts.
Dr. West is an active and dedicated member of Steward Chapel A.M.E. Church in Macon, Georgia where she is an organist, pianist and a steward.
She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Macon Chapel of Links, Inc.
Dr. West gave a dynamic speech to the congregants utilizing the Church's theme, "Harvest Blessings." She shared with the congregation that, “The harvest is full, but the laborers are few.” Other key points included explaining the meaning of harvest blessings. She went on say, “Harvest denotes quantity, plentiful, abundance” and
“Blessings are beatified person, joy, happiness.”
She used the analogy of sowing seeds of growing crop to that of raising our children in a Godly way. The harvest is full, but the dedicated teachers are few. She made reference to the Book of Numbers, Chapter 6, verses 24 and 27 that record, "The Lord Bless Thee and Keep thee…And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them." She encouraged us to, “Gather your harvest, the Word of the Lord” and “Teach children so that they can persevere.”
The message was inspiring and the members acknowledged those who died. Four faithful, dedicated members were called by God from labor to reward since Saint Peter's last anniversary. They are as follows:
Sister Annie Alridge Rumph, a lifetime steward, past president of the local lay organization; Sister Sylvia Simmons Williams, a stewardess; Sister E. LaVerne Ford, a stewardess, lay member, Christian Education member; and Sister Mary Fowler, a stewardess.
Saint Peter's family and friends were overjoyed to see Sister Marion S. Pendleton Bryant in attendance. Sister Bryant's family and friends gathered in Vienna, Virginia on September 15, 2006 to celebrate her 100th birthday. She is the oldest living member of Saint Peter.
The work is all divine, as Saint Peter celebrated an anniversary which will long be remembered in the annals of our rich history.
To God be the glory, great things He hast done in the ministry service of this church. The Reverend Bertram C. Smith, Senior Pastor.
Submitted by Brother Alphonso Ben Varner
12. DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
With the exception of small children, only a few people wait for Christmas the way that college students (and teachers) count off the days. It has to do with many things, not the least of which are; homeward travel, home cooked meals, parades and the proximity to the end of a semester.
The academic community, like the rest of the nation, tends to miss the point.
Each remembers the "what," but neither recalls the, "why." In Christendom, it is a reenactment of the leper story which speaks of those who, caught up in the celebration, miss the true essence of the Kairos moment. Thanksgiving, after all, is really about Thanks-living. When the turkey has been eaten and when a new school year has begun, God is still “beside us to guide us,” ordaining, maintaining His Kingdom.
Dr Quincy Scott, Dean of the Chapel, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
13. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
We are pleased to announce that Rev. Theophilus A. Natter of Bethel AME Church, Accra, Ghana, 14th Episcopal District received the Ph.D in Clinical Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy on November 17, 2006 from the International University for Graduate Studies of St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies. The Rev. Dr. Natter is the spouse of Tommie Ann Hill Natter.
Congratulations may be sent to:
10323 Blue Oak Drive
Houston, TX 77065-3775
Or Email: OXFORDHOUSED@aol.com
14. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Rev. Anthony Bradshaw, pastor of Fountain AME Church in Barataria, Trinidad, and Mrs. Caren Holder Bradshaw proudly announce the arrival of their son, Joshua, born on November 13, 2006. Mother and baby are well. Baby Joshua arrived prematurely weighing 3 lbs. and is still in the hospital until he puts on some more weight. Apart from that, he is in good health and we thank God for that.
God's blessings!
Sister Sandra Anthony
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Sister Geneva Mathis, mother of Rev. Daniel Brown, Jr. Pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church, Homestead, Florida.
Service Arrangements entrusted to:
Barrettt-Fryar-Thompkins Funeral Home
14545 Carver Drive
Richmond Heights, FL 33176
(305) 232-3571
Visitation/Memorial Service
Friday, November 24, 2006
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Hurst Chapel A.M.E. Church
10080 West Jessamine St.
Perrine, FL 33157
(305) 335-7858
Home Going Service:
Saturday, November 25, 2006
11:00 a.m.
Martin Memorial A.M.E. Church
14740 Lincoln Blvd.
Richmond Heights, FL 33176
(305) 251-6232
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Daniel Brown, Jr.
13021 SW 260th St.
Homestead, FL 33032
(305) 258-4511
From Marva CampbellMSA South Conference President11th Episcopal District
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Dr. Clayton Duke Wilkerson, former Dean of Turner Theological Seminary, ITC Atlanta, Georgia.
Service arrangements for Dr. Clayton Duke Wilkerson:
Visitation:
Sunday, November 26, 2006
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Murray Brothers Funeral Home 1199 Utoy Springs Road, SWAtlanta, Georgia 30331Phone: (404) 349-3000Fax: (404) 349-3559
Funeral:
Monday, November 27, 2006
11:00 a.m.
Allen Temple A.M.E. Church
1625 Simpson Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30314
Phone (404) 794-3302
Rev. Claude Ray James, Pastor
Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings (Retired) - Eulogist
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend Joan Stewart (daughter)
2228 Engle Road
Atlanta, GA 30318
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information CenterBishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, AdministratorEmail: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
18. 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.
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
EDITOR'S NOTE: This issue of The Christian Recorder Online is a modified version of the issue posted yesterday. The article about the pastor who was mistakenly arrested in South Africa has been updated with information received yesterday. The article about AIDS Day has been replaced by an announcement that today is World AIDS Day and an article released yesterday by the UMNS.
1. DECEMBER 1 - WORLD AIDS DAY:
Today, December 1, 2006, is World AIDS Day and today commemorates 25 years of AIDS Awareness.
Some things all of us can do and encourage others to do, in the fight against AIDS/HIV:
- Get Tested
- Abstinence
- Safe sex
- Be a Friend to those who have HIV/ AIDS
- Participate in events that promote the fight against HIV/AIDS
- Make a contribution to churches and organizations who promote the fight against HIV/AIDS
- Educate people where you live, work, worship and play about HIV/AIDS
2. AIDS TAKES HIGH TOLL AMONG AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN:
Nov. 30, 2006
By Kathy L. Gilbert*
Men "on the down low" are turning marriage into a risk factor for contracting HIV/AIDS.
The term "on the down low" refers to men who are having sex with other men but keeping it a secret, often from their wives or girlfriends, said Jane Pernotto Ehrman, a national health consultant for the United Methodist Board of Global Ministries.
The practice is especially high among African-American men because it is "absolutely not OK to be homosexual" in the black culture, she added.
The secret is killing African-American women at an alarming rate. Statistics show AIDS is ranked among the top three causes of death for African-American women ages 35-44.
"Women are paying a mighty big price in this AIDS pandemic because many times they are the innocent victims," said Linda Bales, director of the Louise and Hugh Moore Population Project of the United Methodist Board of Church and Society.
"In the U.S. as well as in sub-Saharan Africa and other regions, women contract the HIV/AIDS virus from their husbands who have had sex outside the marriage," she said. "Sad to say, being married is a risk factor for AIDS."
HIV/AIDS among black women is three times higher than among Latino women and 18 times higher than among white women, Ehrman said. "Sixty-eight percent of all new HIV cases are black women - 75 percent of whom contracted the disease from heterosexual sex. These women are your everyday women, wives and mothers."
High rate among youth
HIV/AIDS is also increasing among young people. Ehrman quoted statistics that show youth and young adults between the ages of 13 to 25 years are contracting HIV at a rate of two every hour.
Another alarming fact is that an estimated 250,000 youth are unaware they are infected with HIV. By the 12th grade, 65 percent of American youths have become sexually active, and 1 in 5 has had four or more sexual partners.
"According to the surgeon general, the HIV virus can be in the body up to 12 years without having symptoms," Bales said. "The ramifications of this fact are enormous and can point to the importance of AIDS testing. If individuals know their status they would be able to make informed decisions. If people don't know they are infected, precautions go out the window. Churches can work in partnership with health officials by serving as places for testing."
The church's responsibility
Ehrman and Bales said the church needs to pay attention to this "human issue" and speak out about it from the pulpit.
"The church has a major role to play in stemming the tide of HIV/AIDS. It is vital for every congregation to sponsor sessions for young people on comprehensive sex education that includes a strong dose of AIDS information," Bales said.
"If the church neglects its faith-based educational role, the church is complicit in the spread of this disease," she added.
It's not about judgment but education, according to Ehrman, who cautioned that the subject needs to be approached with compassion.
"If you approach it from (the standpoint that) people on the down low are bad, or make judgments about a person's sexuality and how that fits biblically, then you miss the whole point," she said.
Ehrman recently talked about these issues at a workshop, "HIV/AIDS and the Church: A Call to Action," during the National Congregational Health Ministries Conference held in October in Memphis, Tenn. She also has conducted the workshop in her United Methodist district in Cleveland, Ind.
The program educates the church community about these issues. In the workshop, she explains what HIV is and how it differs from AIDS. She also talks about how the disease is transmitted, prevention and who is at risk. "It is done with frankness so that nobody is talking in code about anatomy or different risk factors," she said.
Pastors need to know how to talk about HIV/AIDS from the pulpit and how to handle the fallout from people who may be upset about hearing a pastor talk about the issue. "In the context of a sermon it needs to be looked at through Christ's eyes of love, compassion and acceptance," Ehrman said.
*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
********************
Used with the permission of the United Methodist News Service Photos and stories also available at: http://umns.umc.org/
3. EDITORIAL: AME MINISTERS NEED TO BE WELL-TRAINED AND WELL-READ TO MEET TODAY’S THEOLOGICAL CHALLENGES:
I gave a presentation on how to write devotionals at the 13th District Planning meeting that was held in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The district has put out a devotional, “From the Cross to Pentecost” for the last two years. It is a project that was initiated by Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie. Approximately thirty ministers from across the district participate by writing short devotionals.
It was decided that it would be helpful for me to share with the devotional writers the “how to” of writing devotionals. One of the points that I made was the importance of being faithful to scripture and to our denominational theological beliefs while writing devotionals. I gave an example that we, as AMEs need to be careful that we don’t incorporate the heterodox beliefs of others into our devotionals. I used as an example, Bishop T. D. Jakes, a wonderful orator and a world-renowned speaker. I said that we probably would not want to use any of his quotes when addressing Trinitarian concepts because he is not a Trinitarian and does not hold to our beliefs of the “One true God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and that the three are co-equal, co-eternal, and one in essence.”
The room got quiet. I sensed that I had touched on something unsettling and I could feel the disbelief among the participants. I had cast negativity upon a present-day icon. I know that a lot of people, even AMEs, love T. D. Jakes, but are not aware that he is not a Trinitarian. He advocates, as those who are referred to as Apostolic Pentecostals, the heterodox position of Modalism: Patripassianism, Modalistic Monarchianism, Sabellianism, which is referred to as Oneness Pentecostalism. It is also referred to as, “Jesus Only” theology.
Modalism is a second and third century heresy that taught that there is only one Person in the Godhead, the Father, who has manifested Himself at different times under different names or modes. Modalism maintains that God, the Father has manifested Himself at different times as Father, as Jesus, and as the Holy Spirit.
AMEs and other mainline Christians believe in the Trinity, which teaches the one true God eternally exists as three distinct Persons: the Father, Son and Holy Spirit and thus, we can sing the Doxology.
I felt certain that I had presented new learning for many of the participants, but some of them appeared uncomfortable with the information about T. D. Jakes. I continued the training and concluded my PowerPoint presentation.
I never thought anymore about it until I received the letter from the Rev. Kenneth D. Love, pastor of Asbury Chapel AMEC, Louisville, Kentucky. He wrote:
“In the School of the Prophets session of the 13th Episcopal District Planning meeting your statement concerning the Apostolic theological position of the lack of belief in the Holy Trinity per Orthodox Christianity and your example of Bishop T. D. Jakes intrigued me. The reason for this I believe that a number of our AME preachers appear to be closely associated with Bishop Jakes and this difference in belief would seem to strike a furious fire.
I have ventured to the Potter's House Website and researched a few items:
a) Although the Doctrinal Statement clearly states their belief in a Triune God the definition speaks in a Modalistic viewpoint of God as a manifestation in three separate periods of time. This also lends itself to the belief in Patripassianism, Sebellianism and Monarchianism. [http://www.thepottershouse.org/PH_doctrine.html ]
b) T. D. Jakes, being an excellent orator, has been crafty in his usage of Trinity while promoting Oneness Theology. [http://www.carm.org/oneness/whatisoneness.htm] The Oneness or UPCI statement is almost verbatim to T. D. Jakes statement. [http://www.upci.org/doctrine.asp ]
c) The Apostolic doctrine does differ greatly from our practice of Open Communion/Open Table and their practice of Closed Communion.
I thank you for this enlightenment. I must admit that at first I disagreed with you but because I believe that my personal disagreement does not satisfy my foundational belief I have researched this subject and have found your statement true. As a pastor and minister in the African Methodist Episcopal Church I believe we must protect the flock from erroneous teachings.”
His message concluded with, “My new concern is that many do not understand this watered-down doctrine and therefore promote it by imitating those who seemingly are successful.”
I responded to Reverend Love’s message.
“You are so correct in your statement, ‘My new concern is that many do not understand this watered-down doctrine and therefore promote it by imitating those who seemingly are successful.” That’s the reason for a trained clergy to be a well-read clergy so that he or she can distinguish aberrant doctrines and heterodoxy.
Some of our preachers may be preaching or quoting T. D. Jakes’ sermons without realizing his heterodox theology. I believe that many of our ministers have not picked up on Jakes’ heterodox theology; at least I hope that’s the case, that they just did not pick up on his heterodoxy. I would hope that they are not following him while knowing that Jakes does not follow our theological beliefs. Admittedly, T. D. Jakes is one of America’s greatest orators, but a Trinitarian, he is not; and he does not claim to be a Trinitarian. He follows the “Oneness” doctrine of the United Pentecostal Church International (UPCI).
T. D. Jakes is not a Trinitarian and he could not be licensed or ordained in the AME or any Methodist, Episcopal, Presbyterian, Reformed, Church of God in Christ, Disciples of Christ, United Church of Christ or any church that practices orthodox Christianity; and he probably would not want to be ordained or licensed in an orthodox denomination.
Now, having said all of this, does not take away T. D. Jakes powerful ministry. We can learn something from him and he is still a friend and a powerful man of God. Our faith journeys have some differences and we, AMEs need to be aware of those differences. The issue is not Bishop T. D. Jakes; the issue is our commitment and knowledge of what we believe. Bishop T. D. Jakes knows that we have theological differences and he is faithfully committed to his theology; and, we need to be faithful to ours!
4. AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH “CONVO” DATES:
The African Methodist Episcopal Church has conducted several connectional meetings leading up to the General Conference called CONVOS. Each CONVO addressed issues pertinent to the Church that would be addressed at the General Conference.
The dates for the CONVOS leading up the 2008 General Conference are listed below. The locations for the CONVOS will be finalized later and will be published in The Christian Recorder, other Church periodicals and on the Official AME Church Website: http://www.ame-church.com/
CONVO # 9 – February 26 – 28, 2007
CONVO #10 – September 6 – 8, 2007
CONVO #11 – March 27 – 29, 2008
5. THE DARK SIDE OF CHRISTMAS:
Pastor Nolan T. Pitts, Retired
At the birth of Jesus, Luke states that there was a multitude, with the angel of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and good will toward men.”
Something has gone wrong, or people have refused to accept, and have ignored the peace that Jesus birth brought into the world. Every year around Christmas time, the record shows, without a doubt, that the rate of crime to include, robbery, theft, homicides and swindling, increases.
Even depression and suicides wreaked havoc on many lives during this time of the year.
Renewed family feuds raise its ugly head during the holiday period.
It ain’t supposed to be like that. Some use Christmas-time to get even and to vent stored up anger. Others take on negative attitudes if the gift they receive is not what they wanted, and if it is perceived that the gift is too cheap. It makes one wonder whose birthday is it.
Some are still paying off bills from last Christmas. It seems, for many, as if Christ has been given a leave of absence.
Lives have been lost caused by fires brought about because of defected tree lights/wiring and faulty smoke alarms.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that something has gone wrong.
There is a dark side of Christmas.
An older gentleman recently said to me, “I’ll be glad when Christmas is over.”
I replied to him, “Christmas is never over.”
Another gentleman said, “Christmas is just another day off from work.”
There are those who dread Christmas-time.
I believe those who dread Christmas, dread it is because of their misconception of what Christmas is all about.
Where does the Church stand in the midst of all this? Has the Church failed its mission to get the message to the masses?
Christmas is a holy-day and not just, a holiday.
If you are one of those who dreads Christmas, it just might be that you dread Christmas because you have taken Christ out of Christmas.
Have a joyous Christmas.
“To God be the Glory.”
6. SOME IMPORTANT NUMBERS FOR US TO REMEMBER:
- World AIDS Day is Dec 1…Within the next 25 years; AIDS is expected to become the # 3 cause of death in the world.
- As of November 28, 2006, 2878 members of the military have died since the beginning of the Iraq War in March 2003.
- As of November 26, 2007, the Iraq War has lasted longer than World War II.
- 40% of all children born in America are born out of wedlock.
7. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- Greetings to my AME Family,
I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of my entire family to publicly thank each and everyone for their expressions of comfort during our time of bereavement. I thank God everyday that I am a part of this magnificent body of Christ. It is at times like this that we understand the true meaning of bearing one another's burden.
Bishop Messiah, William, Justin, Silvester and I are truly appreciative that you prayed for us and to let you know that the joy of the Lord is our strength.
Bishop Wilfred J and Supervisor Carol I. Messiah
- To the Editor:
Re: Debt-Free And Prosperous Living...
Looking through the back issues of the Christian Recorder, I found the article you wrote on, “Debt-Free And Prosperous Living,” dated April 10, 2006. It's a great article.
When I receive my issue of the Christian Recorder the first article I immerse myself in is yours. Thank you. I just finished reading your article dated October 23, 2006, entitled, “The grass is green over here too and our ice is as cold as anyone else's ice,” is extremely true.
Let me say a little about myself, I have been preaching for some fifty years, seen the inside of a few schools, and have been pastor of Quinn Chapel AMEC in Lovejoy, Illinois, a great congregation, for around 19 years (by choice); the church is historical and 178 years old. I was ordained as a traveling elder under Bishop Joseph Gomez.
Your articles are great keep up the good work.
Rev. Henry
- To the Editor:
RE: Editorial in the July 31, 2006 issue of The Christian Recorder, regarding the practice of “Anointing with Oil”
After reading your article, my comment is a commendation, “Write on, brother”! That editorial should be required reading for every pastor, and those aspiring to be pastors in the Connection. Every Board of Examiners should require that all candidates to read this Article.
We once had a 3:30 p.m. service and the guest preacher added a new twist to her “anointing with oil”: While she as applying the oil, one of her members had a 3 foot banner of ribbons that she waved constantly while the anointing was ongoing at the altar! Another member of the group had a very large, square head cloth that she would throw into the air from time to time. One of the sisters fainted and fell to the floor, when she recovered, got up and sat on the pew; the “scarf-thrower” threw the scarf over her head! It was quite a show!
In my humble opinion, I think they have watched too many televangelists and are “playing worship” and leading their parishioners to do the same; much in the manner that my childhood friends and I played “house.” It is heartbreaking to see what has happened and is happening in our Zion. Most of our worship services have simply another place of entertainment…So much of the sacredness is gone from it…Even the Communion Service and the Altar Calls are no longer what they should be.
Again I say “Write On, Brother!
Linda J. Boling
P.S. - Ditto on the Editorial in the October 9, 2006 issue.
8. BISHOP GREGORY G. M. INGRAM’S PLANNING MEETING 2006:
By: Delanda S. Johnson
Hundreds of African Methodist Episcopal Churches across Texas descended on the City of Richardson, Texas the week of November 15-18 for the Rt. Rev. Gregory G. M. Ingram’s planning meeting. Bishop Ingram is the presiding prelate of the 10th Episcopal District.
Bishop Ingram and his wife, the episcopal supervisor, the Rev. Dr. Jessica Ingram are great leaders that lead by the Holy Spirit. The have given the theme “Always Moving toward Excellence” for the 10th Episcopal District conferences and meetings. Bishop Ingram teaches that, “The quest for the best and striving to be all that you can be is the essence of who we are and what we are all about. This means we cannot do just enough to get by and anything less than our best is a sin.”
Bishop Ingram stressed at each of our annual conferences that “we are what we repeatedly do and excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” He went on to share again and again, “When we become satisfied with less than best efforts for God, our witness is damaged, power.”
Ingram said, “Excellence comes from a life of faith, from being more interested in God than self, from having the courage to be different. To become excellent means that you are willing to take a risk and not blend in with the crowd, it means that’ll do, won’t do.”
Throughout the conference, Bishop Ingram and Supervisor Jessica met with the Finance Committee, Women’s Missionary Society, Minister’s Spouses, Lay Organization, etc. with the focus being, “Making A Difference.”
Bishop Ingram shared his goals for the 2006-2007 conference year as: “First, hard work; second, ‘stick-to-it-iveness,’ and, third; a lot of prayer.” He went to explain, “We must reach the people with God’s love and the exciting life offered to the followers of Jesus Christ. We must teach, using the Bible to focus on the Word and to seek and to assist each other in Christian growth through church school classes, exciting Bible studies, spiritual retreats and discipleship groups. Worship by knowing the power of God to change lives and missions and service knowing that we are called by God to make a difference. We must become doers of the word and not hearers only.”
The Rt. Rev. Richard Franklin Norris of the First Episcopal District gave the opening sermon. The First Episcopal District consists of the eastern half of Pennsylvania, all of New York, New Jersey, Delaware, New England States, and Bermuda.
Bishop Norris attended Morris Brown College, and received the B.A. degree from Rutgers University. He accepted his “call to ministry” at the age of 15. After earning his baccalaureate degree, he graduated from New Brunswick Theological Seminary with an M.Div degree and went on to earn the Doctor of Ministry Degree from New York Theological Seminary.
Rev. Dr. Marcus Cosby closed the Conference with a powerful message that inspired the congregation.
The Rev. Dr. Marcus Cosby, the senior pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, Texas gave the closing message for the conference. Dr. Marcus is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Religion and English from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, a Master of Divinity Degree in Homiletics and Christian Education from the Morehouse School of Religion at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, GA, and the Doctor of Ministry Degree in Homiletics from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary of the Associated Chicago Theological Schools.
Among the gifts and talents with which God has blessed Pastor Cosby, none are more meaningful and fulfilling to him than preaching and teaching. He stated, “I seek to empower and uplift all humanity through the life-changing, uncompromising Word of God.”
On a local level, Henderson County area African Methodist Episcopal Churches were represented at this Conference. They are Johnson Chapel AME Church, Malakoff, Texas, which retained their pastor, the Rev. Cynthia Cole; Union Station/Bethel AME Church, Larue, Texas, which retained their pastor, the Rev. Betty O’Neal; and Allen Chapel AME Church, Athens, which welcomes a new pastor, the Rev. Mary Miller.
9. THE TWELFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ARKANSAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE WOMEN’S MISSIONARY SOCIETY:
*Mrs. Ann Gilkey
The 138th Session of the Arkansas Annual Conference Women’s Missionary Society opened under the leadership of the dynamic trio; Episcopal Supervisor, Mother Barbara Jeanne Chappelle, Mother Charolett Martin, Episcopal President; and Sister Phyllis Johnson, Arkansas Conference President.
The Business session was held at Bethel AME Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas on November 14, 2006 with the election of officers and a memorial service. Four delegates and one Alternate were elected to attend the WMS Quadrennial Convention, July 20, 2007 in Philadelphia, PA. The delegates were in order of election. The first two tied, Sister Lovie Aaron and Sister Anita Brannon, Sister Ann Gilkey, Sister Jerralyn Smith and alternate, Sister Gracie Douthard. The meeting concluded with the honoring of Life Members coupled with a beautiful luncheon at Shorter College Gymnasium catered by Sims Bar-B-Que.
The First Vice President, Sister Jerralyn Smith presided over the Annual WMS Night in White program. Dr. Barbara J. Chappelle capped new members, Sisters’ Carmelia Mitchell, Donna Willis, Mary Blocker, Nedra Allen, and Antwan Criswell in a special ceremony that recognized their joining the WMS. The event was topped with a beautiful play entitled,” The Missionary Officers Who Wanted to Go to Heaven.”
The service project was to stock the pantry of the Kitchen for the Shorter College Students. Many food items were collected and given to the school cafeteria to help cut down the cost of food.
Many Arkansas Conference Ministers attended the Annual Night in White and showed their support for the WMS by wearing their white suits.
*Mrs. Ann Gilkey is the Arkansas Annual Conference Public Relations Director
10. THE TWELFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ARKANSAS ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2006:
*Mrs. Ann Gilkey
The Arkansas Annual Conference of 2006 is history. It was a historical event. Greater Bethel AME Church in North Little Rock, AR where the Rev. James Thomas is the pastor was the site of a well-planned conference. The Presiding Bishop of the Twelfth Episcopal District, the Rt. Rev. Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr., led the opening worship service on November 15, 2006 at 10:00 A. M. The presiding liturgist was the Rev. Dr. Eugene Brannon, Presiding Elder of the Little Rock District. We were moved to the mountain where Jesus spoke with a powerful exegeses from Matthew 5:7-9 verses with a soul stirring and electrifying message from the Rev. Rickey Hicks, Pastor of Rufus K. Young AME Church in Little Rock, Arkansas entitled, ”The Attitude of a Christian.” The message engaged our hearing of the fact that many of us spend a lot of time and effort pointing our fingers at others when we need to make sure we have found peace within ourselves.
Educational night at the Arkansas conference was led by the Rev. Jeff Carr, pastor at St. Paul AME Church in Morrilton Arkansas. High honors were given to Sister Lovie Aaron for a great job in the coordination of the program. The R. K. Young Steppers, the Arkansas Baptist College Community Choir, Philander Smith Gospel Choir, and the Shorter College Choir inspired and helped to magnify the occasion. Dr. Cora McHenry acknowledged and recognized those who continued to support Shorter College in its efforts to educate students. The 2006 Class was present and represented the largest graduating class since 1997. The Rev. Mary Williams, Registrar of Jackson Theological Seminary gave expressions for the Seminary and noted the enrollment is currently 21. She encouraged commitment from all ministers and laity. The Little Rock/North Little Rock-Fort Smith Districts took up an offering in support of both the Seminary and Shorter College.
The Rev. H. D. Stewart, Pastor of Moody Chapel AME Church in Little Rock was the chief liturgist during noonday service on November 16, 2006. We found ourselves “ship-wrecked” as the Rev. Gwain Hammock, pastor of Soldiers Chapel AME Church, Hamburg, Arkansas spoke from his soul from Acts 27:43-44. The thunder rolled and the lightening flashed as he spoke on the subject “Enduring Storms.” He pointed out the fact that it is not as much as how heavy or difficult the storm, but if we can make it through the storm.
The Rev. John T. Grissom, pastor of Allen Chapel AME Church in Sweet Home, Arkansas presided during the Ecumenical Services on Thursday Night as the Sons of Allen revived our spirits with songs and praise coupled with a dynamic message from Bishop Steven Arnold, senior pastor of St. Mark Baptist Church in Little Rock. Bishop Arnold took us through the fiery furnace with a message from Daniel 3:16-19 on the subject,”When God is with you.” He let us know that when God is with us, there is a difference in our living, dedication to our service, and discerning in our spirits. He also stated there ought to be a difference in us with God in our lives.
Awards were presented to William Cochran for his work in business, Elmer Webb for his work in the community; and twins, Eric and Derick Daily for their work in youth activities. A special presentation from the Sons of Allen in the amount of $1,000.00 was given to the Shorter College Trustees for scholarships.
The Noon Day services on November 17th was presided by the Rev. Clarese Adams of Allen Temple AME Church in Little Rock. The speaker selected, kept the fires burning as we heard the words from the Rev. Carol Anderson, pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Holly Grove with a message entitled, “ Standing Firm in a Crumbling Culture” taken from Jude 1:24-25. The message inspired us to keep our eyes on Jesus because our faith is what keeps us from crumbling. We are not to droop and not to whither in front of our enemy but we are to stand firm in our faith.
The Arkansas Conference Lay Organization presided by Mrs. Kizmet Johnson on Friday night released their magic with “Worship through Music.” It was an evening to remember with “angels” from the Spirit of the Twelfth choir singing songs, “Praise Him”, “Lord I need You”, “Anyway You Bless Me”, and many other soul stirring songs.
The evening was topped with the Circle of Honor Induction of Mrs. Maggie Fingers, a member of St. Andrew AME church; Mr. Corey Williams, a member of Moody Chapel AME Church; and Mrs. Katherine Baker, a member of Lee Chapel AME Church receiving honors. Special presentations were made to Mr. William B. Thompson and Mr. And Mrs. Benjamin Davis. A scholarship in the amount of $1,500.00 was presented to Ms. Latasha Donley, a student at Shorter College.
The Right Reverend Richard A. Chappelle, Sr., presided over the Ordination and Memorial Services on Saturday, November 18, 2006. Although there were no ordinates, the robes of victory were lifted up as Rev. Shelia Alford, Pastor of Metropolitan AME Church, Ardmore, Oklahoma took us to the Isle of Patmos from Revelations 7:9-12 with a message entitled, ”It is written, so let it be.” The message asked, how will our work be written? Are we reliable, dependable or are we content with a Sunday-to-Sunday Experience? During the memorial it was stated, there were no deaths this conference year - “Praise God!”
The Christian Debutante-Masters under the direction of Mrs. Jeanie Gray was held on Saturday night, November 18, 2006. Tributes were given to the Allenites, Sub-Debutantes, Sub-Masters, Debutantes, and Debutantes Masters. Their motto, Daily Magnify Christ was obvious as the young people said the pledge in unison. Mrs. Lyndajo D. Jones, 12th Episcopal District Coordinator of the Debutante/Masters assisted with certificates.
The Young Peoples Division under the direction of Ms. LaRhonda Collins, Arkansas Conference Youth Director and Mr. Wesley Baker, Arkansas Conference Youth President, conducted the business at hand and elected two delegates and one alternate to the Quadrennial on Saturday afternoon. The YPD performance was outstanding as they greeted us in songs and liturgical dance. The play entitled “Safe” helped us understand in life, the enemy is always attacking us, but in keeping our minds focused on God, we can, and will be, “Safe.” The 12th Episcopal District Young Peoples Division President, Mr. Reggie Cleaver made a special appearance from college to be with his home conference. We send “shouts out” to Mr. Cleaver as he runs for Connectional YPD President!
The Conference at Study was held daily at 9:00 a.m. and focused on the Connectional Theme: “SERVING WELL;” Church Administration; and Christian Stewardship. The general membership of the church participated in these timely seminars and workshops each morning of the Annual Conference conducted by Bishop Chappelle.
The Closing Service on November 19, 2006 was presided by the Rev. Charles M. Cleaver, Sr., presiding elder of the NLR/FT Smith District. We held on as the mountains rocked and the valley rolled when our Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Richard A. Chappelle, Sr., with his innate gifts of auditory, proclaimed the edict of God who will take care of us. His text from the Gospel of Luke 16:19-31 focused on the subject, “Too Little, Too Late,” gave us a peep into hell and let us know we often get too much self in us and there is a danger in being too well-fixed that we forget about the less fortunate and if we are not careful, it will be too little, to late.
We were blessed again to have wonderful music. Brother LaBaron Mizer, Music Director for the Arkansas Conference, Brother Jason Bivens, Arkansas Conference Musician, Conference Choir and guest choirs are to be congratulated for a job well done.
The Arkansas Conference Minister joined the other conference ministers as they wore the Official Clergy Stole of the 12th Episcopal District. The stole was worn during the opening and closing of the Annual Conference along with the appropriate clergy attire and robe. This was a show of unity in the ministerial body.
Many friends came from other districts, conferences and churches. We were pleased to have Raymond Frazier, representative from Senator Blanche Lincoln’s Office and Frank Scott from Governor- elect Mike Beebe’s Office. We were also pleased to have the Rev. Ronald Braxton from Metropolitan AME Church, Washington DC, and the Rev. Wesley Reed from Lee Memorial, Cincinnati, Ohio. Both are candidates for Episcopal Service. We were please to have had Presiding Elder C.V. Boyd, Sr., Presiding Elder T. G. Allen, Presiding Elder T. B. Lamb, Presiding Elder Napoleon Davis, and Presiding Elder Edward E. Davis. We were also graced with the presence of Dr. Anna B. Graham, Sister Martha Simpson, Montez Bell, Connectional Technology chairman, Neal Arp, Candidate for 2nd Vice President, Connectional YPD. And a host of visitors from the Central Conference, the West, East/Northeast, East, Northeast Oklahoma Conference, and the “Solid South. “
Special thanks was given to Rev. James Thomas and the entire Bethel AME Church Family of NLR, AR for their warm and gracious hospitality, delicious meals and far reaching love during the 138th session of the Arkansas Annual Conference.
A standing ovation was given to Bishop and Mother Chappelle for their excellent guidance, wonderful love, blessed spirit, and peace that have culminated to be one of the best conferences ever.
From the words of our Bishop, “Let it be known that the Mother Conference has truly had a blessed Conference.”
*Mrs. Ann Gilkey, Arkansas Conference Public Relations Director
11. IN A CASE OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY, AME CHURCH PASTOR SHOT BY THE POLICE HAS RETURNED TO HIS PASTORAL DUTIES:
*The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas
AMEs in South Africa are relieved that the Rev. Motlotlo Ezekiel Rabotapi, an Itinerant Elder in the Mokone Conference (19th Episcopal District), is recovering from the wounds of a gun shot resulting from a mistaken identity by the police, last week Monday. On Friday, walking on crutches, he was released from the hospital.
The incident of the shooting occurred while he was on a casual walk, visiting members of the congregation.
Escape for the Prison
Ten days have passed since a Mr. Annanias Mathe escaped from one of the most secured prison facilities in South Africa, the C-Max Prison. He was classified as hardened criminal, an escape risk, and on trial with 51 charges which range from murder, attempted murder and rape to hijacking and armed robberies. He is a Mozambican national.
His escape remains a puzzle as, according to recent reports, no proof has been found which points to any prison official having assisted him to escape.
Police misidentifying two persons
While he is still hiding, two persons have been victims of misidentification as the police intensely search for the fugitive. Rev. Rabotapi is one of the two persons and the other person was coincidentally arrested because he was found in possession of dagga, a far distance away from where Rev. Rabotapi was shot.
None of the two were aware of the escape and that they would be mistaken to be looking alike to the fugitive.
According to reports, the police were using an unmarked vehicle when they approached him and they also did not identify themselves. As result, scared that they could be thugs camouflaging as the police and attempting to rob him, Rev. Rabotapi ran away. He was shot in his attempt to run away from them and one of the policemen hit his left foot which demobilized and grounded him.
Thank to the policeman who is reportedly said to have identified him as the Pastor of the AME Church because there are allegations that he could have been killed while grounded by the shot on his left foot. We read in a weekend newspaper article that one of the policemen on the scene, while grounded, was heard to have suggested finishing him off.
Clearly, the policemen were also panicking because the person they were after is regarded as dangerous and possibly armed. The bag that Rev. Rabotapi held was reported to have been found with some church documents and a Bible.
Rev. Rabotapi was rushed to the hospital for treatment. The policeman involved has been charged for an attempted murder and further investigations are underway regarding the circumstances following the shooting.
An intelligent and humble Pastor
It was about two years ago that Rev. Rabotapi got married and he was ordained an itinerant elder in the same year. He is now serving his second assignment since ordination as the itinerant deacon. He is one of the intelligent Pastors of the Church, known to have covered most of seminary education within two years. Yet, he is one of the humble Pastors.
The worst could have happened. Sadly, he now has a wound to treat, which will become a scar later, for something he was oblivious to. We celebrate that he is now recuperating from the unfortunate incident and has rejoined his congregation on Friday. Thanks be to God for his saved life.
Rev. Teboho G. Klaas
Because He Lives, I am
*The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas is the Director: Health Programme
South African Council of Churches and an AME Pastor
11. SAINT PETER A.M.E. CHURCH CELEBRATES 123RD ANNIVERSARY:
A spiritual and glorious day was celebrated at Saint Peter African Methodist Episcopal Church located in the Peach Belt of Fort Valley, Georgia on Sunday, November 19, 2006.
This special occasion culminated with an Anniversary Service in observance of our One Hundred and Twenty-Third year of dedicated Christian Ministry to God, the Connectional African Methodist Episcopal Church, and to the community of Fort Valley.
Detailed planning for this exciting day was spearheaded by visionary leadership of the Reverend Bertram C. Smith, the first lady, Sister Wendolyn M. Smith, the core steering team of Brother Ashley Ballard, Sisters Willie M. Johnson, Milenda Kincy and the Anniversary Committees.
The Anniversary theme, "Harvest Blessings," was most appropriate for this Thanksgiving season. "Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever: They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor." Isaiah 60:21 NIV
Harvest Blessings were bestowed on Sister Gladys Toomer and Brother Emory Lightfoot, Sr. for their dedicated work to Saint Peter which most symbolizes the dedicated work of our late Brother, Mercant E. Singleton. Sister Toomer is the Church School Superintendent, Stewardess, member of the Christian Education Department. Brother Lightfoot is the Assistant Superintendent, Church School, Van Driver, Member of the Board of Trustees and Christian Education Department.
The Saint Peter's Mass Choir blended their melodious voices in singing songs of Zion, under the direction of the Minister of Music, Brother Gerald Lee. The Sweet Melodies added more zest to this significant day by singing praises to the Lord. Directors: Sisters Carolyn W. Sampson and Rubye Tukes.
Reverend Bertram C. Smith joined with the choir in singing the preparation song, "Lord, do it."
Reverend Smith gave an elaborate presentation of the guest speaker, Dr. Wanda Smith West, the sister of Reverend Smith.
The speaker, Dr. Wanda Smith West is a native of Macon (Bibb County), Georgia. She is a graduate of the public schools in Bibb County. A graduate of Morris Brown College (B.S.); Mercer University (M.A.); University of Georgia (Ed.S.); South Carolina State University (Ed.D.); Leadership Georgia, and other leadership accomplishments.
Dr. West has compiled an extensive list of excellence in leadership of teaching and management in her field of endeavor. She is recognized locally, state-wide and nationally in the field of education. She is the first female superintendent of Twiggs County, Georgia Public School System and has compiled an impressive record of elevating Twiggs County School System to the point where the system was recognized as a Model for rural school districts.
Dr. West is an active and dedicated member of Steward Chapel A.M.E. Church in Macon, Georgia where she is an organist, pianist and a steward.
She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and the Macon Chapel of Links, Inc.
Dr. West gave a dynamic speech to the congregants utilizing the Church's theme, "Harvest Blessings." She shared with the congregation that, “The harvest is full, but the laborers are few.” Other key points included explaining the meaning of harvest blessings. She went on say, “Harvest denotes quantity, plentiful, abundance” and
“Blessings are beatified person, joy, happiness.”
She used the analogy of sowing seeds of growing crop to that of raising our children in a Godly way. The harvest is full, but the dedicated teachers are few. She made reference to the Book of Numbers, Chapter 6, verses 24 and 27 that record, "The Lord Bless Thee and Keep thee…And they shall put my name upon the children of Israel, and I will bless them." She encouraged us to, “Gather your harvest, the Word of the Lord” and “Teach children so that they can persevere.”
The message was inspiring and the members acknowledged those who died. Four faithful, dedicated members were called by God from labor to reward since Saint Peter's last anniversary. They are as follows:
Sister Annie Alridge Rumph, a lifetime steward, past president of the local lay organization; Sister Sylvia Simmons Williams, a stewardess; Sister E. LaVerne Ford, a stewardess, lay member, Christian Education member; and Sister Mary Fowler, a stewardess.
Saint Peter's family and friends were overjoyed to see Sister Marion S. Pendleton Bryant in attendance. Sister Bryant's family and friends gathered in Vienna, Virginia on September 15, 2006 to celebrate her 100th birthday. She is the oldest living member of Saint Peter.
The work is all divine, as Saint Peter celebrated an anniversary which will long be remembered in the annals of our rich history.
To God be the glory, great things He hast done in the ministry service of this church. The Reverend Bertram C. Smith, Senior Pastor.
Submitted by Brother Alphonso Ben Varner
12. DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT:
With the exception of small children, only a few people wait for Christmas the way that college students (and teachers) count off the days. It has to do with many things, not the least of which are; homeward travel, home cooked meals, parades and the proximity to the end of a semester.
The academic community, like the rest of the nation, tends to miss the point.
Each remembers the "what," but neither recalls the, "why." In Christendom, it is a reenactment of the leper story which speaks of those who, caught up in the celebration, miss the true essence of the Kairos moment. Thanksgiving, after all, is really about Thanks-living. When the turkey has been eaten and when a new school year has begun, God is still “beside us to guide us,” ordaining, maintaining His Kingdom.
Dr Quincy Scott, Dean of the Chapel, Shaw University, Raleigh, NC
13. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
We are pleased to announce that Rev. Theophilus A. Natter of Bethel AME Church, Accra, Ghana, 14th Episcopal District received the Ph.D in Clinical Christian Counseling and Psychotherapy on November 17, 2006 from the International University for Graduate Studies of St. Kitts and Nevis, West Indies. The Rev. Dr. Natter is the spouse of Tommie Ann Hill Natter.
Congratulations may be sent to:
10323 Blue Oak Drive
Houston, TX 77065-3775
Or Email: OXFORDHOUSED@aol.com
14. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Rev. Anthony Bradshaw, pastor of Fountain AME Church in Barataria, Trinidad, and Mrs. Caren Holder Bradshaw proudly announce the arrival of their son, Joshua, born on November 13, 2006. Mother and baby are well. Baby Joshua arrived prematurely weighing 3 lbs. and is still in the hospital until he puts on some more weight. Apart from that, he is in good health and we thank God for that.
God's blessings!
Sister Sandra Anthony
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Sister Geneva Mathis, mother of Rev. Daniel Brown, Jr. Pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church, Homestead, Florida.
Service Arrangements entrusted to:
Barrettt-Fryar-Thompkins Funeral Home
14545 Carver Drive
Richmond Heights, FL 33176
(305) 232-3571
Visitation/Memorial Service
Friday, November 24, 2006
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Hurst Chapel A.M.E. Church
10080 West Jessamine St.
Perrine, FL 33157
(305) 335-7858
Home Going Service:
Saturday, November 25, 2006
11:00 a.m.
Martin Memorial A.M.E. Church
14740 Lincoln Blvd.
Richmond Heights, FL 33176
(305) 251-6232
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Daniel Brown, Jr.
13021 SW 260th St.
Homestead, FL 33032
(305) 258-4511
From Marva CampbellMSA South Conference President11th Episcopal District
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Dr. Clayton Duke Wilkerson, former Dean of Turner Theological Seminary, ITC Atlanta, Georgia.
Service arrangements for Dr. Clayton Duke Wilkerson:
Visitation:
Sunday, November 26, 2006
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Murray Brothers Funeral Home 1199 Utoy Springs Road, SWAtlanta, Georgia 30331Phone: (404) 349-3000Fax: (404) 349-3559
Funeral:
Monday, November 27, 2006
11:00 a.m.
Allen Temple A.M.E. Church
1625 Simpson Road, NW
Atlanta, GA 30314
Phone (404) 794-3302
Rev. Claude Ray James, Pastor
Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings (Retired) - Eulogist
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend Joan Stewart (daughter)
2228 Engle Road
Atlanta, GA 30318
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information CenterBishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, AdministratorEmail: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
18. 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.
