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. EDITORIAL – WORDS OF DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN A BLACK PERSON AND A WHITE PERSON; BUT NOT A RACIAL INCIDENT:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
Can you believe it, there were words of disagreement between a black person and a white person; and it wasn’t touted as a racial incident.
In the second week of January, there was a heated exchange between Senator Barbara Boxer and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Some saw it as an attack against Secretary Rice’s single status. I am sure that some saw it as an attack of a white person (Senator Boxer) against a black person (Secretary Rice). One person lamented about the lack of response of the black community and the so-called black leaders. Though some saw the exchange as a negative; I saw it as a positive.
Let me explain. The absence of outrage in the black community was probably because the exchange was not seen as a black/white issue. Condoleezza Rice is one of the most competent persons working in the U.S. government and I am glad that black folks are not trying to make the exchange of Senator Boxer and Secretary Rice a black/white issue; it was not a racial issue. It was an issue about the war in Iraq. Senator Boxer is opposed to President Bush’s plan of increasing the number of U.S. military service members in Iraq by 21,500. Condoleezza Rice supports the President.
America has progressed significantly when we have an exchange between and white person and a black person and it is not viewed as a black white issue. I am excited and encourage; I saw the exchange and the fallout from it, as a positive.
Condoleezza Rice doesn’t need any so-called black leaders or white leaders to defend her. She has successfully transcended race and gender; the woman is good! I don’t agree with her politics, but she is good and there is no denying that. And in this instance, black and white leaders who focus on racial issues have the good sense to keep their mouths shut.
Every confrontation between a black person and a white person is not a racial incident. In the exchange between Senator Barbara Boxer and Condoleezza Rice, I took the side of Senator Boxer because her position on the war in Iraq is the moral position. I did not sympathize with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice because I believe her support of President George Bush’s position on the war in Iraq is wrong. Sending more troops to Iraq is immoral.
And, as an aside, Senator Boxer was probably correct in postulating that if Condoleezza Rice had children who might be vulnerable to serving in Iraq, might be taking a different position on the troop increase.
I highly respect Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice because she is competent, qualified, and loyal and a woman who happens to be black who helps us to transcend the color issue because she is so qualified.
And, in this incidence, competence transcended race.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
Reference editorial, “Too Many Itinerants Servings as Local Clergy”
The AME Church needs to stop ordaining those who will not serve under the identity of their status!!!! Stop awarding ordination!! Must find an ordination identity that describes the "calling" that a person is being lead, by the Holy Spirit! No law needed; must adjust and enable ministry!
I am an itinerant elder:
- I served in 2 Conferences in the Sixth Episcopal District = 3 pastoral appointments; 6 Churches {4 Church Circuit}
- I served in 4 Conferences in the 5th Episcopal District= 5 pastoral appointments; 5 Churches.
- I helped to plant two Churches: one in Missouri and one in California.
The Reverend Dr. Leslie R. White
Grant AME Church, Los Angeles
-To the Editor:
Reference editorial, ”Too Many Itinerants Servings as Local Clergy”
If the Pastors were paid from the District this would alleviate the problem of having ministers only wanted to go to certain churches. Pastors should be paid according to their tenure and education. In addition, all of the legal requirements i.e. payroll taxes, garnishments is too much for many of the local churches anyway. Just think a young pastor fresh out seminary would be more inclined to accept a struggling rural church if he/she knew that they were going to receive a true minimum salary. They would probably pastor where they are at instead of doing everything they can to be move.
Orletta Caldwell
Payne Chapel,
Colorado Springs
- To the Editor:
Thank you so much for using your editorial space as a teaching tool. I was particularly encouraged by your commentary on AME doctrine and theology printed in the December 18, 2006 edition of The Christian Recorder. Please continue to expose the ease at which we are led off into unsound doctrine just because the teacher sounds good. Be encouraged and God bless you.
Linda S. Cox
Wilson Chapel AME Church
Memphis, TN
- To the Editor:
With regard to the 200,000 "hits" -- I know I have made my contributions of "hits" on this site.
Every now and then I have to send you a "Thank you" regarding the The Christian Recorder Online. Although there are still things that should be shared that travels only the "rumor" circuit -- the reality is that The Christian Recorder Online fills a void -- related to knowing some of what is going on within our Zion. The print medium is much too dated for "news."
This vehicle, more than any other, gives me a sense of "being connected."
Thank you and keep up the good work.
The Rev. Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Bryant Temple A.M.E. Church
3. DR. CLEMENT FUGH, GENERAL SECRETARY. MLK SPEAKER FOR FRANKFORD, KENTUCKY COMMEMORATION OF “HONORING THEIR OWN”:
Comments BY Charles Pearl
The Reverend Dr. Clement W. Fugh delivered the sermon at the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Worship Service at South Frankfort Presbyterian Church Sunday. Fugh is the General Secretary and Chief Information Officer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The late Rev. K. L. Moore, a leader and civil rights activist in Frankfort for 46 years, was remembered in Sundays Martin Luther King Jr. Community Worship Service.
Nearly 170 attended the second annual event sponsored by the Frankfort-Franklin County Ministerial Association at South Frankfort Presbyterian Church.
Moore, who died in October 2006, gave the keynote address at last year’s service to honor King.
The Rev. Wallace Kent, pastor of Crestwood Baptist Church, said Moore was an unforgettable man who loved the community. "He was a very generous person, who gave more than he got." Kent said Moore was an incredible speaker and scholar, "who had a wonderful sense of humor and was down-to-earth."
Moore was "hilarious, the life of the party, and wouldn’t let us get too serious." He always encouraged other ministers, and was their friend, Kent said. Moore was "a respected leader" in the NAACP, and was "very active in the ministerial association" and served as its president, Kent said.
The Rev. Jack Brewer, pastor of First United Methodist Church and president of the local ministerial association, presented a plaque in appreciation and memory of Moore. Bessie Redden, a member of First Baptist Church on Clinton Street where Moore was pastor, accepted the plaque on behalf of the church and Moore’s widow, Sara.
Moore marched with King in Frankfort in 1964 during the Civil Rights movement.
Kent said one of the highlights of his days at the Southern Theological Seminary in Louisville was to hear King speak passionately in the campus chapel.
"There is something about the black pastor, the black leader," Kent said. "They seem to get a hold of God and it just carries you along as you listen to their oratory how they can put things in such unforgettable words."
The Rev. David Hinson, pastor of First Baptist Church on St. Clair Street, gave a prayer, using some of King's words.
King had said, "Lord, I hope no one will have to die as a result of our struggle for freedom in Montgomery (Ala). Certainly I don’t want to die but if anyone has to die, let it be me."
Hinson said the congregation then shouted, "No. No."
"But King later wrote that this prayer brought great relief to him because he felt God beside him, and he did not fear to die," Hinson said. "It was as though he had told the forces of evil in the universe "Kill me if you will. But the forces of light shall never cease to struggle for righteousness."
King was assassinated in Memphis in 1968.
Dr. Clement W. Fugh, General Secretary and Chief Information Officer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, was Sunday’s keynote speaker.
Fugh, who works in Nashville, Tenn., said when America was "just out of segregation and embarking upon integration, sensitivity training was sweeping the country."
The sensitivity training session the forerunner of the diversity seminar gave people of different races an opportunity to closely interact, he said.
"After several days of intimate association, many myths, suspicions and stereotypes that we held about each other were laid to rest," Fugh said. "We realized after a full day of activity, all of Go’s children have bad breath and body odor," bringing laughter in the audience.
Speaking about life in America today, Fugh said more human togetherness is needed to eliminate stereotyping. "Everybody should have equal access to affordable education," he said. "Nobody in this rich country of ours should have to make a choice between medication, groceries or rent. And paying a decent wage for an honest days work just sounds like the right thing to do."
Fugh has a master’s degree from Boston University School of Theology and a doctorate from United Theological Seminary.
At a reception after the service, Bill Kirkland, who sang in the South Frankfort Presbyterian Church choir, said it was great to have a large gathering of people from many different churches.
Church leaders "came together to make an eloquent statement about one of the 20th century’s greatest champions of human freedom and nonviolent methods to deal with prejudice," Kirkland said.
4. A WISH FOR THE NEW YEAR FOR SMALL AND RURAL AME CONGREGATIONS:
By George R. La Sure, D.Min
Here we are, witnesses well into the first month of the New Year in African Methodism and hopefully we are still faithful to the spirit of our resolutions. We have offered resolutions of various sorts bent toward the accomplishment and fulfillment of useful stated goals. At the corporate, as well as the individual, level we have had a great tendency to sail toward the shores of non-fulfillment, more so than arriving at the dock of fulfillment. A significant question for a brand new year would be “what do we have a resolve to do?” Without a clearly identifiable path and direction, we are likely to expend, needlessly, a lot of useful denominational energy.
From the perspective of this writer, an experienced and credentialed rural and small membership church pastor, the first recommendation might be offered that we begin to pursue policies and strategies that will be of immediate benefit and relief to the rural and small membership church which, right now, is struggling to stay afloat in the high seas of budgetary inequity and despair. As it strives to keep from breaking up under the pressure of the mounting waves of disparate budgetary assessment, the captain and the crew are desperately throwing excess baggage overboard. There is a need, right now, to change course toward the peaceful shores of budgetary adjustment.
In order for the rural and small membership church to survive and stay afloat in the midst of a raging sea, it must receive some clear signal from the denominational flagship. It needs a clear statement of budgetary review and adjustment in order that it might assure the crew that the storm is passing over. It needs to receive a clear sense of direction as to what its continuing ministry focus ought to be: whether to flounder and perish in the high seas of budgetary inequity or, to pick up steam and head for bright new horizons and endless church growth possibilities.
As we venture forth into another year, it is a time for the denomination to consider breathing new life into the main artery of its existence, the rural and small membership church, by envisioning a comprehensive denominational re-alignment of budgetary assessments in accordance with existing church population and the demonstrated ability to pay. A timely infusion of fresh air (budgetary re-alignment) might do more to quicken the zeal for the continuing spread of African Methodism than any other single act. The AMEC growth and realignment fabric over the past 25-50 years warrants a comprehensive re-visitation to its overall plan for financial stability. Yesterday’s formula might not be good enough for the reality of today’s denominational stratification.
The second recommendation relates to an ever-present need for pastors of rural and small membership churches to have access to affordable health benefits. Many rural and small membership church pastors are forced to maintain full-time employment in secular capacities in order to provide health care benefits for themselves and, for their families, thereby reducing their availability and effectiveness as pastors. A denominational buy-in to some affordable health care plan would provide an opportunity for so many to access health care coverage, at affordable prices.
Finally, as we look back over the totality of our existence, we have been confronted with many challenges in the past, but the record speaks to our having risen to each occasion and, having mastered the challenge at hand. Today’s challenge is just another bump in the road toward the actualization of our faith: the breathing of new life into the rural and small membership church.
5. PRESIDENT DR. DANIEL W. JACOBS, SR., ANNOUNCES 113TH FOUNDERS’ DAY CELEBRATION THEME: “MINISTERING TO THE MARGINALIZED”:
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E., Christian Recorder, Staff Writer
The 113th Founders’ Day Celebration of Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia will convene on Monday February 5, 2007 through Thursday, February 8, 2007. Alumni, clergy, students and laypersons from across the A.M.E. Church will be in attendance. President Daniel W. Jacobs, President of Turner Theological Seminary, The Right Reverend William P. DeVeaux, Presiding Prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District and Dr. Pam DeVeaux serves as the Episcopal Supervisor, cordially invite everyone to attend this memorable occasion.
The theme this year is ”Ministering To The Marginalized” and according to President Jacobs; “Founders’ Day will consist of excellent preachers, lectures and panelists to inspire and guide us as we contemplate the future of theological education at our institution.” The Founders’ Day celebration will commence on Monday, February 5, 2007 with the Student Welcome Worship Service and conclude with The Illustrious Bishop C. Garnet Henning, Presiding Prelate of the Eight Episcopal District as the Keynote preacher of the hour. The Trustee Board Meeting will convene at 2:00 p.m., following the worship service.
The Election of Alumni Officers for the National Alumni Association will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2007 at 10:00 a.m., at Turner Seminary, following Alumni Activities and the Alumni Worship Service at 7:00 p.m., at Flipper Temple A.M.E. Church, the Rev. Augusta Hall, M.Div., host pastor and The preacher of the hour, the Rev. Ellis I. Washington, M.Div., Pastor of Saint Matthew A.M.E. Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania of the First Episcopal District, where the Right Reverend Richard F. Norris is the presiding prelate and Mrs. Mary Norris, is the Episcopal Supervisor.
The Reverend Kenneth Marcus, pastor of Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church, Marietta, Georgia will be the preacher for the Henry McNeal Turner Image Awards Service on Wednesday, February 7, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. in the ITC Franklin Auditorium.
President Jacobs is appealing for the financial support of $500.00 dollars or more from Alumni members, pastors, and laity in receiving offerings and contributions during the month January for Turner Theological Seminary. However, any amount given will be appreciated. President Jacobs is asking that you indicate what amount is for school operation and/or debt retirement. Checks should be payable to: Turner Theological Seminary, 702 Martin Luther King, Jr., Drive, Southwest, Atlanta, Georgia 30314.
The community is cordially invited to attend.
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E. is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder
6. MLK DAY SHOULD BE CELEBRATED BY CONTINUING WORK FOR JUSTICE:
*The Rev. Joseph A. Darby
A friend and colleague of mine regularly celebrates the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday by doing something that she might not have been able to do before the societal changes caused by his work. I decided to adopt her strategy and do something on King Day 2007 that would have been difficult for a black South Carolinian to do 40 years ago - send a few thoughts to a Southern daily newspaper, with a reasonable chance that they'll be published. I especially offer those thoughts to those who will plan King Day 2008 celebrations.
Many King Day celebrations now emphasize "a day on, not a day off," and offer citizens the chance to serve their communities through repairing homes, schools, parks, sidewalks and the like in struggling communities.
King Day remembrances also include parades, prayer and worship events, breakfasts, dinners and similar activities to affirm respect for the diversity that ultimately strengthens our nation, state and community. I strongly support the idea that King Day should not be a trivially spent holiday, and I do appreciate and commend the many activities that celebrate Dr. King's legacy. We should also, however, remember and carry on Dr. King's work, for his work led to his legacy.
Many "respected" public voices in the '50s and '60s - voices that have now been lost in the sterilizing fog of the passage of time - did not celebrate Dr. King's work. They instead criticized and condemned him as a troublemaker, agitator and insurrectionist who was demanding "too much too soon" at best, and who was threatening the "American way of life" at worst. They didn't offer that stinging and demeaning criticism or kill him because Dr. King was repairing homes, schools, parks, sidewalks and the like in struggling communities.
They condemned and killed him for demanding by nonviolent means - including marches, sit-ins, and prayers in public places - that the legal and tacit rules of segregation in America be changed so that all Americans could enjoy the blessings of freedom and equality. Dr. King worked as a nonviolent but relentless warrior to change discriminatory laws, to advocate for victims of discrimination and to challenge the conscience of an America that still claims to be "One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
If we are to celebrate Dr. King's work as well as his legacy in our time, then our King Day celebrations and our daily work should go beyond events where we celebrate the blessing of caring diversity, but never challenge the cultural, educational and economic inequities that still exist today.
We have to walk in the footsteps of the "drum major for justice" who said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character," but who also said in the same speech, "America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.
We must advocate for public policies that acknowledge and alleviate the remaining shreds of our national, state and local legacy of discrimination, while challenging those who use Dr. King's words about "color of skin and content of character" to justify the arbitrary political neglect of any segment of our society. We must assure that no one uses the legacy of Dr. King - a man of faith who spoke words of aggressive healing - to justify policies that divide. That's especially true for those who use words of faith not as a bridge to understanding but as a rhetorical rope to pull people apart. People of good will must work together on a consistent basis to say that intolerance and inequality are unacceptable, to demand and work for cultural, educational and economic well being and excellence in every community, and to make sure that those who would seek to trample on Dr. King's work, tear communities apart and maintain or create pockets of suffering and inequity, regardless of color or culture, will not be afforded that opportunity.
I commend all who celebrate Dr. King's legacy, but I also hope that we'll remember and continue Dr. King's authentic work for freedom, justice and equality. Serving struggling communities by repairing homes, schools, parks, sidewalks and the like is commendable. If we are, however, to celebrate Dr. King's legacy by carrying on his work, then we also have to ask why we still have struggling communities riddled by social, educational and economic inequity in 21st century America.
We can then honor Dr. King by working for the positive political, educational, economic and cultural changes that will eradicate struggling communities and move us down the road to equality.
*The Reverend Joseph A. Darby is senior pastor of Morris Brown African Methodist Episcopal Church.
7. AME CHURCH, SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND FRIENDS OF JUVENILE JUSTICE UNITE TO AID YOUTH:
*Benjamin Harrison
Thursday November 30th, 2006 at 10:30 AM, the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ), and the Friends of Juvenile Justice (FJJ) held a joint press conference in the Capital Room of the Radisson Hotel & Conference Center at 2100 Bush River Road in Columbia, SC. This press conference announced a $100,000 dollar pledge being awarded from Bishop Preston W. Williams II, on behalf of the Seventh District of the AME Church (South Carolina), to a civilian component of the AME-DJJ partnership named Friends of Juvenile Justice (FJJ). This AME donation will serve as foundational funds for the building of a Community Connections Center at the DJJ Institutional Complex on Broad River Road in Columbia, SC. This Center, which costs an estimated 3.2 million dollars to build, 1.2 million of which the DJJ has raised to date, will allow for more private family visitation, enhanced treatment and provide a transitional living area for youth being paroled back into South Carolina’s communities.
According to Bishop Williams, “There is no greater gift we can give than our time, energy, resources and love to those who have lost their way. It is our responsibility as Christians and citizens of South Carolina to assist those who are in need. As opposed to locking the door and throwing away the key, we propose encouragement, support and rehabilitation. In helping troubled youth, we help ourselves.”
The featured speakers were Bishop Preston W. Williams II, presiding prelate of the more than 600 AME Churches in South Carolina; William Byars Jr., Director of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice; Dr. Karry Guillory, DJJ Deputy Director for Community Services; and Bob Staton and Clente Flemming, Board Members of Friends of Juvenile Justice.
During the press conference Judge Byars addressed the need for all citizens within South Carolina to become actively involved in helping the thousands of at-risk youth who are a part of the DJJ system and who need guidance and mentoring. To accomplish this he touched on a component of the AME-DJJ partnership which is the training of ordinary citizens to become Auxiliary Probation Officers (APO’s) who provide one on one supervision, encouragement and support for juveniles who are on probation. APO’s are volunteers who receive extensive training, are commissioned by the Family Court, work closely with the DJJ County staff and are assigned cases where they supervise juveniles until their court orders are completed.
Another component is the joint AME-DJJ Teen After School (TASC) program. This award winning TASC program is now in its third year and served as the catalyst for the July 2004 AME-DJJ formal partnership. The TASC program seeks to enhance its participants’ coping skills; increase academic, vocational and employment skills; and build on the competencies of juveniles and their families. The TASC program seeks to provide educational support and after school tutoring; development of employment skills and assistance with job placement; increased contact between youth and positive adult role models; spiritual development; community service and victim restoration; parenting groups; recreation; life skills development; and conflict resolution and anger management. There are currently three AME TASC centers which are located in Greenville, Lexington, and Georgetown, SC. Several additional sites are in the planning process and will be established as funds become available.
*Benjamin Harrison is the Public Relations Director for the 7th District AME ChurchTel 803.935.0500 ext 107Cell 803.528.7104Fax 803.935.0830HarrisonAMEMedia@aol.com
8. BISHOP WILLIAMS ADVANCES CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN THE 7TH DISTRICT:
*Benjamin Harrison
In keeping with his bold and progressive theological education program for the Seventh District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop Preston W. Williams II, presiding prelate and President of the Council of Bishops, again brought Payne Theological Seminary from Wilberforce, Ohio to Columbia, South Carolina to conduct an institute on, “The Power & Mystery of Preaching & Ministry.” Bishop Williams enlisted Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, President of Payne Theological Seminary and the first woman to serve as president of any historically black theological seminary in the U.S., to serve as dean of the institute. Bishop Williams established the agenda focusing on, “The Power & Mystery of: Preaching, Prophetic Leadership, Biblical Interpretation, Spiritual Formation, and the Providence of History,” and Dr. Fitchue assembled a powerful team of servant scholars to address those various subjects and engage the individuals who attended the institute.
From Wednesday November 29th to Friday December 2nd, 2006, nearly 1,000 members of AME clergy and laity gathered at the Radisson Hotel & Convention Center in Columbia, SC to participate in the Payne Theological Seminary Institute. This educational event was hosted by Presiding Elder James Glover of the Lancaster District in the Columbia Conference, and Rev. Norvel Goff Sr., pastor of Reid Chapel AME Church in Columbia, SC. The cost was $25 dollars to attend up to six classes, four of which offered inter-active work shops. Additionally, participants who completed four courses received a Certificate of Completion from the Seventh Episcopal District, and those who attended all six classes earned continuing education credits from Payne Theological Seminary.
Wednesday evening Dr. Fitchue set the tone for the institute by delivering the opening keynote address entitled, “The Power & Mystery of Prophetic Leadership.” She inspired the crowd of Christian teachers and students with thoughts and concepts at the cutting edge of liberation theology. Dr. Fitchue stated that upon the completion of the institute, she was overwhelmed by the countless individuals who approached her to thank her saying, “I didn’t know I could be so hungry for knowledge,” and, “The issues we explored here are essential and relevant because they are the same issues we are discussing at our local churches,” and, “Many pastors are being awoken on the inside!” She further explained that, “Payne Theological Seminary was born out of a liberating theology and many of the institute’s participants were being delivered from a form of bondage resulting from the absence of knowledge. Payne offers the antidote to what Dr. Cornell West, acclaimed professor of religion and African American studies at Princeton University, calls ‘Nihilism,’ which is a state of meaninglessness, hopelessness and lovelessness. Through the acquisition of this transformational knowledge individuals are equipped with greater levels of meaning, hope and love which empowers them to better handle their daily existence. I am grateful to Bishop Williams for having introduced these institutes to the Seventh Episcopal District and for having afforded me the opportunity to serve as dean.”
The scholars who taught at the Payne Theological Seminary Institute were assembled from the east to west coast. Dr. Cain Hope Felder, Director of the PhD Program at the Howard University School of Divinity in Washington, DC, taught, “The Power and Mystery of Biblical Interpretation.” Dr. Jackie Grant Collier, Callaway Professor of Systematic Theology at Turner Theological Seminary in Atlanta, GA, taught, “The Power and Mystery of Theology.” Dr. William Augman, Assistant Professor of Sociology of Religion at Payne Theological Seminary, taught, “The power and Mystery of Spiritual Formation.” Dr. Fred Wright, Professor of Homiletics and Adjunct Professor at Payne Theological Seminary, taught, “The Power and Mystery of Preaching.” Dr. Sandra Blair, Adjunct Professor in Field Education at the Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, CA, taught, “The Power and Mystery of the Providence of History.”
The next theological institute is planned for April 19-21, 2007 at the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center in Columbia, SC. For more information please contact Ms. Kabrina Bass, Seventh Episcopal District Christian Education Director, at 803.935.0500 or at adminchristianed@ame7.org .
*Benjamin Harrison is the Public Relations Director for the 7th District AME ChurchTel 803.935.0500 ext 107Cell 803.528.7104Fax 803.935.0830HarrisonAMEMedia@aol.com
9. NEWS FROM AROUND THE AME CHURCH:
- The Rev. Granville R. Anderson, III transferred from the 11th Episcopal District to the 9th Episcopal District. Rev. Anderson was transferred from St. James A.M.E. Church, Plymouth, Florida to St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church, Ozark, Alabama, South Alabama Conference. Sunday January 21, 2007 will be his 1st Sunday at his new appointment.
- Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church 1300 Druid Hill Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland, The Rev. Dr. Frank Madison Reid, III is Pastor will present a Wealth Transfer Seminar and Weekend, Friday - Sunday, January 26-28th. Call the Church to register at (410) 523-4273
-The Pre-Super Bowl Community Program will be held at Macedonia A.M.E. Church, Boca Raton, Florida on Sunday, January 28, 2007 at 4:00 p.m., Rev. William E. Cooper, Jr., Pastor. Come and be blessed!
-Turner Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Georgia will observe its Annual Founders' Day Celebration on February 6-8 on the I.T.C. Center, Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Daniel W. Jacobs, Sr., President; Bishop William DeVeaux, Presiding Bishop.
-Shorter College of the A.M.E. Church, 12th Episcopal District is currently enrolling students for the academic and Computer Certification Courses, located North Little Rock, Arkansas. For further information contact the at (501) 374-6305
Registrar ShorterCollegeRegistrar@Hotmail.com
- Samuel Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Mobile Alabama of the Ninth Episcopal District, will celebrate their Founders' Day celebration on Sunday, January 28, 2007 at 11:00 a.m., Rev. W. E. Marshall, M. Div., is the pastor. The community is cordially invited to attend.
- “Christmas Around the AME Church” was celebrated at St. John (Birmingham, AL) on Sunday, December 17, 2006. The youth of the Christian Debutante-Master Commission of St. John selected an Episcopal District and decorated a display board with the information they researched about the bishop, supervisors, location of episcopal districts, annual conferences, and interesting facts about episcopal districts. Various foods were prepared that represented what people ate in various districts. The youth were very excited by the information that they discovered about the bishops, supervisors and other officers in the AME Church.
10. THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH GATHERED TO PRAY FOR THE 110TH CONGRESS:
Written by Aisha Karimah
Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church
On Thursday, January 4th, following the swearing in and convening of the 110th Congress of the United States, Bishops, Clergy, members and friends from around the connection of The African Methodist Episcopal Church assembled at the historic Cathedral of African Methodism, Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church to salute, congratulate and pray for the Congressional Black Caucus and its Chair, The Honorable, Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Representative from Michigan. Metropolitan’s Pastor Rev. Ronald E. Braxton opened the service with a special “call to worship”.
Dr. Elsie Scott, Interim President of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Inc. and member of Metropolitan’s Senior Board of Stewards extended a heartfelt and sincere welcome, saying that Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church was the perfect setting for this momentous service. Recalling Metropolitan’s rich history, Dr. Scott says, that history continues with this significant service.
The Right Reverend Adam J. Richardson, Presiding Bishop, Second Episcopal District, also acknowledged the significance of the evening and expressed his delight, “to offer our denominational word of congratulations and commendations on your election and re-election to serve the people of the United States and of your particular districts”. Directing his comments to the members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Bishop Richardson said, “You were asked here tonight to spend a few minutes away from the nation’s heavy agenda, not just for fellowship, but also for prayer.” He noted, “that the African Methodist Episcopal Church has a long history of political engagement with more than a passing interest in peace and justice.”
Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, The Right Reverend Philip R. Cousin, Presiding Bishop, Fourth Episcopal District expressed great delight in being present, as he made a special presentation to the Caucus Chair. Bishop Cousin recognized Rep. Kilpatrick as “a church going, prayer meeting AME member from his District”. With great joy and historical significance, Bishop Cousin acknowledged another dedicated member of the AME church, who is the third most powerful person in the United House of Representatives, Congressional Black Caucus member, The Honorable James Clyburn, Representative, South Carolina.
Acknowledging the importance of this service being held at the historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, Rep. Clyburn drew thunderous applause when he said, “his back was covered by the full African Methodist Episcopal Church.” Rep Clyburn also noted the significance of five Congressional Black Caucus members now serving as Chairs of major Congressional committees and twenty-two or twenty-three CBC members serving as Chairs of Congressional subcommittees. In introducing the Congressional Black Caucus Chair, Rep Clyburn called Rep. Kilpatrick, “an effective leader” who, according to Rep. Clyburn, “reaches out and gets out of each person, the best that is in them.”
The Honorable Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Representative, Michigan, Chair, Congressional Black Caucus Chair received a standing ovation and immediately offered, “all the praise to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ”, saying that as members of Congress, “our job is to take care of the least of these, as Jesus did”. Thanking her Bishop, The Right Reverend Philip R. Cousin, Rep. Kilpatrick said she was born into the African Methodist Episcopal Church and will always be AME. She introduced members of the Congressional Black Caucus present, who included Rep. James E. Clyburn, 6th District, South Carolina, Rep. Alcee L. Hastings, 23rd District, Florida, Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, 6th District, New York, Rep. G. K. Butterfield, Jr., 1st District, North Carolina, Rep. Al Green, 9th District, Texas, and D.C. Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton. Rep. Kilpatrick pointed out, “African Americans provided the margin of victory that made us win the House and the Senate” and said that the Caucus theme is “Change Course”. “We must speak out”, she said, “donate to something, confront the crisis that we face and continue the legacy that our people started”.
The service continued with prayers for the President of the United States by The Right Revered Richard Norris, Presiding Bishop, First Episcopal District. The Right Reverend McKinley Young, Presiding Bishop, Eleventh Episcopal District prayed for the United States. And, Rev. John White prayed for the 110th Congress.
Before the service ended, The Social Action Commission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church presented a special plaque to Rep. Kilpatrick. Ms. Annette Jones of the Washington Conference made the presentation on behalf of Commission Chair, The Right Reverend Carolyn Guidry, Presiding Bishop, Sixteenth Episcopal District.
The evening ended with a fellowship reception.
11. NCC, CHURCH LEADERS RESPOND TO THE PRESIDENT’S PLAN FOR MORE TROOPS IN IRAQ:
New York City, January 17, 2007 – “It is time, not to send more troops, but to start bringing our troops home,” says the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) following President George W. Bush’s plan for the Iraq war.
“The ‘surge’ as recommended by the president is immoral. What we do not need is an assertion of more military strength. What we need is the strength of basic moral conviction,” says the statement posted on the NCC website (complete statement below).
Leaders of some of the NCC’s 35 member churches also have expressed positions opposing more troops.
The Rev. John H. Thomas, general minister and president of the United Church of Christ said, in part, “The growing violence in Iraq, the enormous suffering being experienced by the citizens of Iraq, and the anguish of countless American families who have lost beloved sons and daughters to death and horrific injury calls for profound lament and repentance, not for stubborn commitment to the unilateralism and militarism that has been the hallmark of our failed policy in Iraq. That is why the President’s speech is not only politically disappointing, but morally deficient as well.”
“Our country must engage diplomatically not only the U.N., European Union and Russia, but all the nations in the Middle East, including Iran and Syria,” the Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori, presiding bishop and primate of the Episcopal Church said. “Diplomacy, built on a foundation of mutual respect and interest among people of good will, not more troops, can bring an end to this tragic conflict.”
“The message of Jesus ‘to love your enemy,’ from the Gospel of Matthew 5:44, is inconsistent with military action. Jesus’ words instead move us toward peaceful methods, diplomacy, moral suasion, nonviolent sanctions, and international cooperation to address violence and aggression,” wrote Stanley J. Noffsinger, general secretary, Church of the Brethren General Board.
“The Church of the Brethren has called on its members to pray and give witness to the sin of violence, and has petitioned the federal government of the United States, the United Nations, and other nations and groups to seek peace by taking action to bring troops home from Iraq,” wrote Noffsinger. “Also, we have called on religious leaders from all faiths who preach violence to consider the things that truly make for peace. The wisdom of the scriptures, in the book of Jonah, provides direction: ‘Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence’ (Jonah 3:8).
The Rev. Jim Winkler, general secretary, United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, said, “We call upon the U.S. Congress to oppose the President’s decision to send more troops to Iraq by withholding funds to escalate the war. We further urge Congress not to provide any additional money to continue the war this year. Congress should provide funding only to bring U.S. troops home and to aid in rebuilding Iraq.”
Winkler urged “United Methodists to join ‘America Says NO More Troops,’ www.americansayno.org and to participate in the January 27 rally in Washington to end the war in Iraq. Please visit www.unitedforpeace.org for more ways to stop this war expansion. And please pray for peace in Iraq.”
The NCC is America’s oldest ecumenical voice comprising 35 member communions with 45 million members in 100,000 congregations across the USA
12. STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE USA ON THE BUILD UP OF MORE U.S. TROOPS IN IRAQ:
President George W. Bush has ordered a “surge” in troops in Iraq, ostensibly to help quell sectarian violence and stabilize Baghdad. This escalation of troop presence is likely only to result in an escalation in American and Iraqi deaths. Thus the call for more troops is morally unsupportable.
Particularly in the wake of the barbaric execution of Saddam Hussein – an act that reflects not the ideals of democracy and justice, but rather mocks them – and an act that promises only to breed more violence, as only a violent act can – one would think that the United States would immediately seek to bring about a change of policy. Sending more troops is not a change in policy, nor is it even a change in strategy; it is more of the same.
Certainly a change in policy was what the November election results were all about. And certainly a change in policy was the bottom-line recommendation of the Iraq Study Group (ISG), a collection of men and women chosen for their collective expertise and wisdom. Instead, the president has chosen to ignore both the electorate and the ISG.
Given a chance to build broad consensus on a change of policy under the cover of the ISG Report, we have the makings of yet another divisive debate on whether or not the U.S. should put more lives in harm’s way. It seems that we are fated never to learn an important lesson of the Vietnam era - that U.S. leadership in the world does not depend on the continuation of failed policies - a lesson that became crystal clear during our recent funeral recollections of President Gerald Ford and his leadership.
It is time for moral strength, not military power, to take precedence in the U.S. plan for Iraq.
It is time to recognize the failure of a military policy that is not promoting freedom, not ending terrorism, not building up the Iraqi nation, not bringing security to the region, and not making the world safer.
It is time - and here we agree with the president - to insist on political benchmarks for the Iraqi government, and to provide reconstruction aid to the Iraqi people, if it is not already too late. But the benchmarks must be achievable, and this time the disbursement of aid must be transparent.
It is time to enter into respectful negotiations with those countries in the region that can exert influence on Iraq; to attend to the central issue of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; and to lead the United Nations Security Council in enforcing restrictions on arms proliferation in the region.
And above all, it is time, not to send more troops, but to start bringing our troops home.
The “surge” as recommended by the president is immoral. What we do not need is an assertion of more military strength. What we need is the strength of basic moral conviction.
We make this statement in the spirit of the message last November from our member churches meeting in their annual General Assembly whose theme was, “...for the healing of the nations.” (Revelation 22:2).
13. THE CHAPLAINS CORNER - JONAH TRIED TO RUN AWAY FROM NINEVEH, AME CHAPLAIN MARK CISCO WENT AND PASSED OUT BIBLES IN THE HEART OF NINEVEH:
Mosul, Iraq
Story by SPC Darryl Bentley, Chaplain Assistant, 352 CSB
Photo by SGT. Charles Sebok, Chaplain Assistant, 352 CSB
Chaplain Mark Cisco, Battalion Chaplain, 352 CSB
The Bible has survived throughout the ages. God teaches “Heaven and earth will pass away; but my words will never pass away”. (Matthew 24:35) The word of God transcends race and geographical locations. In the heart of Mosul, Iraq, a country that is predominately Islam, a commander of one Iraqi battalion requested for a Bible translated in Arabic. The 352 Corps Support Battalion Unit Ministry Team (UMT) did not have Bible translated in Arabic in their inventory. They communicated this need to Chaplain Rachael Coggins, the 642 Group Chaplains in Atlanta, Georgia. Chaplain Coggins purchased two Bibles in Arabic and mailed them to her UMT in Mosul, Iraq.
Upon receiving the Bibles, we met with LTC Mohammed Ibrihim Belal, commander of the Iraqi Army 2/2/2/ Battalion and presented both Bibles to him. LTC Mohammed was very happy to receive the Bibles in a language we could read and clearly understand.
The 352 Corps Support Battalion UMT is directly responsible for over 1000 soldiers. That religious coverage includes leading chapel services, counseling and weekly education events for soldiers and Department of Defense civilians that live here on Forward Operating Base (FOB) Morez. We never dreamed we would have the golden opportunity to provide Bibles to such an important Iraqi Army leader.
We often hear politicians and various voices in the media speak of “winning the hearts and minds” of the Iraqi people, and it is small moment like providing Bibles that will help plant the seeds of trust and love in the minds of our Iraqi friends. We never know how God will use us beyond our comfort zones or in whose hands those Bibles will end, but God had promised us in Isaiah 55:11 that his “word will not return unto Him void” Our job is to sow the seed of love and kindness and allow God’s mighty spirit to water those seeds and see them to the harvest. God used us to touch the life an Iraqi commander and possibly anyone who may the read the Bible in Arabic translation.
*Permission to publish granted by the UMT Office, 352 CSB, Mosul, Iraq.
14. THE CHAPLAINS CORNER - SENIOR LEADER CHOOSES SERVANT-HOOD:
Mosul, Iraq
Story by SPC Darryl Bentley, 352 CSB, Chaplain Assistant
Mark Cisco, 352 CSB Battalion Chaplain
On 31 December 2006 a call was extended from the pulpit of Liberty Gospel Church to accept the “invitation to Christian Discipleship” following the preached word. The call did not fall on deaf ears. LTC Darryl Burton, Executive Office of the 399th Combat Support Hospital responded. When interviewed by Pastor/Chaplain Cisco, Brother Burton expressed his desire to be baptized and then they prayed together.
After praying, times were settled upon to meet and study together over the scriptural teaching of baptism. Scripture teaches that baptism is the outward sign of the inward commitment to follow Jesus Christ and to serve Him. Baptism symbolizes dying to the selfish, inner desires of the flesh and being born again into the new creature that Paul writes about in 2 Corinthians 5:17. Regardless of the position one holds in the world, the land at the foot of the cross is level and all who come there choose to be servants of the Most-high God.
At 1200 hours on 14 January 2007 in the sanctuary of Liberty Chapel the worship tone was set as the Choir and congregation sang the familiar song Doxology. Prayers were said, the scripture was read, and the congregation testified about the blessings of God in their lives. It was then that the Liberty Gospel Church Choir sang “Take Him to the Water”; their voices could be heard throughout the sanctuary and the praises to God even rang past the concrete barriers stacked around the outside of the chapel that protect worshippers from incoming mortars. It was then that Pastor Cisco and other ministers led brother Burton to the baptismal waters.
With all the pieces in place and the heavenly hosts undoubtedly perched about the chapel, and with Pastor standing in a baptismal pool filled with water at waist level located in the back of the pulpit area; Pastor Cisco said, “Brother Burton, I baptize you in the name of the Father, in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Spirit.” As Brother Burton emerged from the waters, the diverse group of worshippers made up of military personnel and Department of Defense civilians shouted praises to God. Truly this day, a leader publicly demonstrated through baptism his personal relationship with God.
15. C0-PASTOR OF GREATER ALLEN AME CATHEDRAL, ELAINE MCCOLLINS FLAKE PUBLISHES A NEW BOOK WITH JUDSON PRESS:
God in Her Midst: Preaching Healing to Wounded Women
“If preaching is to truly reach the hearts, minds and souls of African American women, preachers must employ an analysis of scripture that reconstructs the Word of God in ways that are liberating to women as well as men, and reflects the totality of the African American experience.”—From the Introduction
Preachers are under a divine imperative to provide words of comfort, encouragement, empowerment, and liberation to all people, and especially to the least of these. That’s the premise behind this powerful new resource from respected pastor and author Dr. Elaine M. Flake. In God in Her Midst, Flake crafts a womanist theology and praxis of preaching to the population most overlooked and overwhelmed in our pews: wounded women—those wounded by virtue of their gender and more particularly black women who are also wounded by virtue of their race. She offers a theological paradigm to help preachers understand and fulfill their responsibility to preach liberation and empowerment to the marginalized and hurting. She provides concrete strategies for redeeming Scripture from traditional sexism and insensitivity, and she gives direction on how to unfold in every sermon the good news that brings healing instead of more hurt. Finally, Flake offers examples from her own ministry, including sample sermons that explore the lives of misunderstood women from the Bible.
“Dr. Flake’s preaching methods are important for any pastor who is attempting to provide an atmosphere for the spiritual growth of both men and women. Her sermons are great frameworks from which preachers can glean how to do it right and powerful.” —Rev. Dr. William H. Curtis
About the author: Elaine McCollins Flake, with her husband Floyd Flake, is co-pastor of the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral in Jamaica, NY where they also founded the Allen Christian School. Together they wrote African American Church Management Handbook (Judson Press).
God in Her Midst: Preaching Healing to Wounded Women
Author: Elaine M. Flake, Foreword by William H. Curtis
Edited by Kathryn Stanley
Size & Binding: 5.5" x 8.5", Trade Paper
Publication Date: March 2007
ISBN: 978-0-8170-1506-0
16. THE PASTOR’S CORNER - - THE JOY OF SACRIFICE:
*The Rev. James Moody
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. (Matthew 13: 44-46)
The idea of sacrificing anything is foreign in today’s western culture. In the United States, Canada, or Western Europe it is believed, by many, to sacrifice anything is to somehow reduce one’s value in life or self worth. Jesus however, illuminates the joy of sacrificing to receive something of great value.
In the parable of the hidden treasure, Jesus gives us a working definition of the sacrifice. He shares how a man found something of great value “and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.” The man in our Lord’s story paid the high price gladly because of the value he received. To pay the high price gladly is what it means to sacrifice. Persons will pay more to have a certain model of luxury car because they perceive the value they receive makes paying the high price worth it.
While studying to prepare this devotional, I found myself challenged by an interpretation of the two parables that was different from all I had been taught for years. I have always understood the parables of the hidden treasure and pearl of great value to describe how we are to sell or give up all that we have to possess the kingdom of God. However when we apply Jesus’ interpretation of the parable of the wheat and weeds (vss. 24-30), we see that the man (v. 37) who is the main character represents Jesus Christ. The field (v. 38) represents the world and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom, the object of the man’s efforts.
When we apply these representations to the parables of the hidden treasure and pearl of great value we could read the story this way. “The kingdom of heaven is like the sons of the kingdom hidden in the world. When Jesus found them, he hid them again, and then in his joy went and gave up all he had and bought the whole world.” What a revelation. Jesus gladly sacrificed all to pay the price to have you and me – He paid the high price gladly! And that’s love.
My mother was a fantastic cook. She created Sunday meals that were truly feasts. I once heard someone ask her why she enjoyed cooking. My mother shared that she didn’t enjoy cooking at all. She said she received her joy from seeing us love the food she presented. Jesus didn’t desire the cross. He knew the pain, shame, isolation, and humiliation he would suffer. Yet Jesus says, “in his joy [He] went and sold all He had and bought that field.” Sacrifice is paying the high price gladly.
* The Rev. James M. Moody is the pastor of Quinn Chapel AME Church, 2401 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60616
17. A PLEDGE TO RESCUE OUR YOUTH:
Dr. Maya Angelou
Young woman, young man of color; we add our voices to the voices of your ancestors who speak to you over ancient seas and across impossible mountaintops.
Come up from the gloom of national neglect,
you nave already been paid for.
Come out of the shadow of irrational prejudice,
you owe no racial debt to history.
The blood of our bodies and the prayers of
our souls have bought you a future free from
shame and bright beyond the telling of it.
We pledge ourselves and our resources to seek for you clean and well-furnished schools, safe and non-threatening streets, employment, which makes use of your talents, but does not degrade your dignity.
You are the best we have.
You are all we have.
You are what we have become.
We pledge you our whole hearts from this day forward.
18. CLERGY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Episcopal Birthday Greetings!
Happy 75th Birthday blessing to Mother Irene B. Reid, the former WMS Supervisor in the 14th, 7th, 9th, 4th and 2nd Districts.
We praise God for each year He has blessed her with. We praise God for allowing us to benefit from the wisdom and joy that God has placed in her to share with others all around the world
Celebrate life each day that you live
Celebrate life by loving to give
Celebrate life by using your breath
to praise God each day
that you are alive
to Celebrate life for year 75
Editor's note: Happy Birthday, Sister Reid! Your Christmas Card came back "undeliverable."
- Presiding Elder Ward's 50th birthday. The Wrens-Vidalia District invites all in extending best wishes and happiness to Presiding Elder Richard Quinn Ward, Sr, President of the Presiding Elder's Council and Presiding Elder of the Wrens-Vidalia District, in the Sixth Episcopal District on the occasion of his 50th birthday. A 50th Birthday Jubilee Celebration is scheduled to be held in his honor in the near future. E-mails can be forwarded to pewardsixteen@yahoo.com or (912) 571-5578.
Hardcopy messages may be mailed to P.E. Ward at, P.O. Box 2303, Vidalia, Georgia 30436.
Information submitted by: The Rev. Carlos T. Young, Administrative Assistant (912) 596-8223.
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mr. Thurmond Joe Strothers passed away January 16, 2006. He was the brother-in- law of General Officer & Mrs. George F. Flowers, Dept. of Global Witness & Ministry-AMEC.
Quiet Hour/Public Viewing: Monday morning, January 22,
2007 - 10-11:00 A.M.
Funeral Service: January 22, 2007 - 11:00 AM Perry Funeral Home, Inc.
34 Mercer Street - corner of Lincoln Street Newark, New Jersey 07103
Telephone: (973) 824-9201
Fax: (973) 504-9610
Dr. Flowers (843) 297-0503
Condolences may be sent to:
Eric and Shanay Strothers
16 Elliott Place
East Orange, New Jersey 07018
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully, we announce the homegoing of Mr. E. Van Burkett on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. Mr. Burkett was a long-time member of Cherry Street A.M.E.
Church in Dothan, Alabama, Dothan-Eufaula District, and served in many offices. He was a former President of the South Alabama Conference Lay Organization and Educator in the Dothan School System for many years.
Homegoing Service:
Monday, January 22, 2007
11:00 A.M.
Cherry Street A.M.E. Church
308 North Cherry Street
Dothan, AL 36302
Ph. 334-793-9664
Reverend Ulysses Kincey, Jr., Pastor
Presiding Elder David E. Reddick, Eulogist
Funeral Director:
Hammond & Son Funeral Home
586 E. Burdeshaw Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Ph. 334-792-7913
Public viewing beginning at 1 P.M. Sunday, January 21, 2007
Messages Of Comfort May Be Sent To:
Mrs. Florine Burkett & Family
2904 St. Luke Street
Dothan, AL 36303
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Dr. Iris Dixon Meadows went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. Dr. Meadows was a member of Handy Chapel A.M.E. Church in Gadsden, Alabama & YPD Director of the Agnes Cooper Area, North Alabama Conference, Ninth Episcopal District.
Homegoing Service:
Saturday, January 20, 2007
11:00 A.M.
Handy Chapel A.M.E Church
901 Rogers Street
Gadsden, AL 35901
Ph. 205-547-9980
Reverend James Barnett, Pastor/Eulogist
Funeral Director:
West Gadsden Funeral Home
2118 Forrest Avenue
Gadsden, AL 35904
Ph. 256-549-0004
Messages of comfort may be sent to:
Mr. Quinton Meadows & Family (Kelsey & Aaron)
1315 Merryhill Avenue
Gadsden, AL 35903-3222
Ph. 256-543-3144
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Rev. Reginald Boston a Superannuated Elder of The Baltimore Annual Conference, Second Episcopal District of The African Methodist Episcopal Church, a member of Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church after a very lengthy illness has passed from labor to eternal reward.
Service arrangements held:
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Public viewing
Trinity AME Church
2140 Hoffman Street
Baltimore, Maryland
Dr. Colin M. Lambert, Pastor
Funeral:
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Trinity AME Church
10:00 a.m. - Family Hour
11:00 AM Home Going Celebration
Submitted by:
Rev. Dr. Joan L. Wharton
Pastor, Mt. Zion AME Church
Long Green, Maryland
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Dr. Louis A. DeSalle, III, passed away January 17, 2007. He was the father of Mrs. Debbie DeSalle Plummer and the father in-law of the Rev. Jimmie Plummer, Pastor of St. Luke AME Church, Gallatin, TN.
His service arrangements are as follows:
Homegoing Service at 12 noon (Mass)
Monday, January 22, 2007
Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (Catholic)
1908 Short Street
Kinner, Louisiana 70062
(504) 464-0361
Any expressions of condolences may be sent to the Church or to the home address:
Mrs. Debbie DeSalle Plummer
4060 Yoest Drive
Nashville, TN 37207
or
Rev. and Mrs. Jimmie Plummer
St. Luke AME Church
355 North Blythe Street
Gallatin, TN 37066
Submitted by:
Rev. Ralph Johnson, Presiding Elder
Kentucky Conference, 13th Episcopal District
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This communication comes to inform you of the passing of Mr. Larry Cheatham. Mr. Cheatham is the brother-in-law of the Rev. and Mrs. Wilbert Gray, pastor and 1st Lady of Quinn Chapel, Little Rock, AR.
Service arrangements:
Funeral
Saturday, January 20, 2007
12:00 noon
Cottrell C.M.E. Church
Hot Springs, AR.
Arrangements have been entrusted to:
Guinn Funeral Home
Stuttgart, Arkansas
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. and Mrs. Wilbert Gray
170 Auriel Circle
Maumell, AR 72113
(501) 803-4342
Submitted by:
Anita Brannon
12th Episcopal District Administrative Office
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Remember in prayer the Rev. and Mrs. Gregory Ball, pastor and first lady of Bethel AME Church, Easton Maryland in the loss of their unborn baby on January 16, 2007, which was due on Feb 8, 2007.
Service arrangements:
Memorial Service
Sunday, January 21, 2007
2:00 pm
Bethel A.M.E. Church
110 S. Hanson Street
Easton, Maryland 21601
The Ball Family address:
Rev. and Mrs. Gregory Ball Sr.
313 Pacific Ave.
Cambridge, Maryland 21613
Home phone: (410) 221-1804
Office phone: (410) 822-3619
Cell: 443-521-6589
Fax: (410) 221-0630
Email: reverendrevball@hotmail.com
26. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully, we announce the homegoing of Mr. E. Van Burkett on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. Mr. Burkett was a long-time member of Cherry Street A.M.E. Church in Dothan, Alabama, Dothan-Eufaula District, and served in many offices. He was a former President of the South Alabama Conference Lay Organization and Educator in the Dothan School System for many years.
Homegoing Service:
Monday, January 22, 2007
11:00 A.M.
Cherry Street A.M.E. Church
308 North Cherry Street
Dothan, AL 36302
Ph. 334-793-9664
Reverend Ulysses Kincey, Jr., Pastor
Presiding Elder David E. Reddick, Eulogist
Funeral Director:
Hammond & Son Funeral Home
586 E. Burdeshaw Street
Dothan, AL 36303
Ph. 334-792-7913
Public viewing beginning at 1 P.M. Sunday, January 21, 2007
Messages may be sent to:
Mrs. Florine Burkett & Family
2904 St. Luke Street
Dothan, AL 36303
27. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Dr. Iris Dixon Meadows went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, January 16, 2007. Dr. Meadows was a member of Handy Chapel A.M.E. Church in Gadsden, Alabama & YPD Director of the Agnes Cooper Area, North Alabama Conference, Ninth Episcopal District.
Homegoing Service:
Saturday, January 20, 2007
11:00 A.M.
Handy Chapel A.M.E Church
901 Rogers Street
Gadsden, AL 35901
Ph. 205-547-9980
Reverend James Barnett, Pastor/Eulogist
Funeral Director:
West Gadsden Funeral Home
2118 Forrest Avenue
Gadsden, AL 35904
Ph. 256-549-0004
Messages may be sent to:
Mr. Quinton Meadows & Family (Kelsey & Aaron)
1315 Merryhill Avenue
Gadsden, AL 35903-3222
Ph. 256-543-3144
28. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
29. 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
1/18/2007
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (1/18/07)
Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
MILESTONE: The Christian Recorder Online has had over 200,000 hits since the beginning of the online edition.
1. EDITORIAL - TOO MANY ITINERANTS SERVINGS AS LOCAL CLERGY:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
There ought to be a law against persons being ordained for the itinerancy who refuse to serve in the itinerant ministry of the AME Church. We have too many persons who, in reality are local preachers, ordained to serve in the itinerant ministry but refuse, for one reason or another, to serve in the itinerancy.
In Methodism, the intent of ordaining persons for the itinerant ministry was predicated upon the need for a person being ordained to be appointed to a pastoral charge or specialized ministry. In the AME Church, itinerant ordination was precipitated by the need to populate persons for itinerant ministry; not to serve in local relationships.
In some of our large churches we have ordained itinerant preachers who serve as local preachers. They are not going anywhere, don’t want a pastoral appointment, feel that they will not be compensated enough to risk giving up their secular employment to take a church, don’t want to start with a small church, don’t trust the AME Church; don’t trust the appointment system, i.e., bishops, presiding elders or church people to provide a livelihood for them and their families, wont’ take a risk, and the bottom-line is that they, in reality, don’t trust God to take care of their every need. Many of them are well-trained; they have M. Div degrees and some even have D.Min degrees. The persons I am addressing are persons who are ordained as itinerant elders, but have never pastored a church; never even tried it. It appears as if they are afraid of committing themselves to full-time ministry.
The fault lies with local churches, pastors, presiding elders, district conferences, annual conferences and bishops who recommend and ordain persons who are not qualified for the pastoral ministry. That is not to say that they are not qualified for ministry; the point is that they are not qualified for the “pastoral ministry”; they make excellent “pulpit assistants!”
Others are processed through the itinerant system who have no intention of serving in itinerant ministry; they have high-paying secular jobs and are well-established in their local communities. And then there are a few who are ordained for ministry, who shouldn’t be ordained. Ministry usually starts with an aspirant’s conversation with a local pastor and the local Church Conference. To some aspirants, church leaders should just say, “We appreciate your interest, but no thank you!”
We have itinerant elders who allow themselves to be called, “associate pastor” or “assistant pastor” who do nothing more than read the scripture lessons, pray, or lead the altar call and in reality they should be called “pulpit assistants” and should be reverted to local relationships. Even in Baptist churches, the normal practice is, persons are not ordained until they are called to a pastoral or specialized ministry position.
We have had some persons who simply left the itinerancy and returned to a local church. Some people change their minds about pastoring and that’s acceptable. The pastoral ministry is not for everyone and it would seem to me that a request for local relationship would be appropriate.
Since we apparently have an over-abundance of itinerant ministers serving in local relationships, the time is now to start rectifying the situation by not ordaining persons for which there are not itinerant positions and stop ordaining persons for the itinerancy who have no intention of serving in the itinerant ministry. We need to stop ordaining unqualified person for ministry. We need to tighten and follow the requirements for ministry that we already have in place, instead of trying to find loop-holes.
As a church body that advocates the itinerancy, we should be encouraging and doing more “seed planting” of local congregations or as the Reverend Garry Moss says, “The AME Church needs to do more seedlings planting.” Local churches that have itinerant ministers serving as “pulpit assistants” ought to encourage them to “plant a local church or relocate to an area where there is a shortage of itinerant elders so they can do itinerant ministry.
We have far too many “pulpit assistants.” A church with fifty or 100 members do not need three persons in the pulpit. A church with 500 in attendance does not need ten “pulpit assistants” sitting in the pulpit.
God takes care of those God calls
If God called you to ministry, you must have the faith that God will take care of your needs and the needs of your family. I know that it’s hard to give up a good paying secular job and I know that it is hard to relocate, but if God called you to ministry and you have accepted “the call” and accepted the ordination and challenge of the itinerant ministry, then faithful obedience is required. If you have changed your mind and a lot of people do, then re-obligate yourself to the local ministry of the Church. The local ministry of the AME Church is a valid, much needed ministry. If you have resigned yourself to local ministry, that’s the ministry in which you should be credentialed.
If you are called and credentialed as an itinerant, do the ministry of an itinerant minister. “Go forth, young man or young woman (old man or old woman), go forth; God calls you to, go to all of the world.”
2. PASTOR WHO PLANTED AME CHURCH SHARES HIS STRATEGY AT THE 20TH ANNUAL SEMINAR ON CHURCH GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN NASHVILLE:
The Rev. Garry Moss, pastor of a newly planted congregation, Faith Community AME Church, presented three sessions at the Growth Development and Development Conference held in Nashville, January 9-12. The congregation started three years ago. Moss presented on “Church Planting” and strategies for how the AME Church should grow in the 21st century.”
The first thing Rev. Moss pointed out was that there should be no fewer than 100 new AME churches strategically planted throughout the United States every year. To do this, he stated that the AME church must recognize the difference between “Seed” and “Seedling” plants. Rev. Moss explained that a “Seedling has a root system established. In other words everything the seed needs to take root is provided before it is removed from a controlled environment and placed in the soil. Therefore a “seedling” has a much higher rate of success because the root system has been nourished. In other words it has resources that a seed does not have. The seedling has better chance to grow because while it is being incubated the ground that would eventually hold it has being tested and deemed suitable for the seedling to take hold.
A seed on the other hand is often placed in soil that isn’t conducive for it to grow. The area isn’t thoroughly analyzed and proper nutrients in many cases simply aren’t available.
If one looks at current structure for planting in the AME Church two points would come to mind. First, the majority of “start-ups” require the “planter” to purchase the seeds, test the soil and apply the proper nutrients. In our church planning, little research is used to determine, who will come, why the location is good, and where worship services will be held.
Moss explained market surveys, Federal, State and County demographic studies, pro-forma data that delineated revenues and expenses over a five year period of time and much more. Rev. Moss also stated that a plant, no matter if it is a “seed” or a “seedling” should have one primary objective: “evangelism.”
Moss concluded by saying every itinerant elder who is not a pastor should know how to, and encouraged to plant a church. He continued by saying, resources to support 100 new AME churches is available, however there must be research, creative thinking, sound business practices along with developing a “Master Model” that can be copied and used throughout the connection.
Faith Community AME Church is a growing and vibrant congregation in its third year of service to the AME Church and the local community. Along with outstanding growth, the church has a strategic marketing plan that saw 9 new members join in December; web cast and podcasts; dynamic community outreach and much more.
Faith Community Church meets in Elgin, Illinois.
3. AMEC STRATEGIC PLANNING CORE COMMITTEE (SPCC) MEMBERS PASS THE TORCH!:
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, October 30, 31, and, November 1, 2006, the African Methodist Episcopal Church Strategic Planning Core Committee (SPCC) met in Nashville, Tennessee to continue its appointed task.
At the culmination of this intensely focused work session, the members of the SPCC Passed the Torch to the newly formed Strategic Implementation Core Team (SICT).
On Wednesday, November 1, 2006, twenty – five members of the SPCC were selected to receive the red, paper torch – shaped symbols of their task of taking the work of the Strategic Planning Core Committee to the next level. These twenty – five Episcopal District representatives now form the Strategic Implementation Core Team and have been charged with the following responsibilities:
i. To help to track and measure progress in accomplishing goals and objectives of the Strategic Recommendations
ii. To meet with Managers/ Directors of the various Departments of the church to help implement the strategic plan
iii. To help promote ownership of the strategic plan
iv. To help to market the strategic plan, giving expertise to how conclusions were made, etc.
v. To interpret the strategic plan when necessary
vi. To assure that the Strategic Implementation Team does not become the de – facto management team.
During this ceremony, at the conclusion of the SPCC meeting, each member of the entire SPCC was awarded a certificate of appreciation for his/ her commitment to the work over the past four years, since the inception of the committee in September 2002. The members of the SPCC were also informed that future plans for the completion of the work of the committee will continue to involve less frequent meeting of the entire committee. However, it is the SCIT who will now spearhead this next step in the process.
It was during the 47th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, held in Indianapolis, Indiana in June of 2004 that the Co–conveners of the SPCC, Bishops McKinley Young, C. Garnett Henning, and Vashti Murphy McKenzie, submitted the initial Strategic Planning Report, authorized by the AMEC Bishops’ Council and General Board.
As a part of this very comprehensive report, the SPCC developed and proposed to the AMEC eight Strategic Recommendations, or Strategic Objectives for the church. These Strategic Recommendations are as follows:
i. Enhance Church Growth
ii. Improve Leadership and Management
iii. Support Christian Character
iv. Enhance Spiritual Growth and Development
v. Ensure Economic Growth and Fiduciary Accountability
vi. Embrace Diversity
vii. Improve Education Growth and Development
viii. Enhance Global Ministry and Missions
Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie offered words of encouragement and inspiration to the committee members as they faced with excitement and anticipation the next level of the journey toward success in this process.
Bishop McKenzie stated that we must be aware of the “Burden of Potential” that rests upon us. She stated, “We must not become distracted or side tracked in any manner, forget our purpose, lose our commitment to the process, become afraid of problems; or, afraid of change. Our potential is always greater than our problems and our problems will always help to bring out our potential.”
The Strategic Implementation Team is tentatively scheduled to meet during CONVO IX, in Charlotte, NC, February 26 – 28, 2007.
Submitted by:
The Rev. Dr. Lugenia Johnson, Senior Pastor
Mount Zion AME Church – Kennesaw, GA
Sixth Episcopal District AMEC
4. REMEMBERING THE DREAM:
*Delanda S. Johnson
Special to the News
Someone once said, “Moving forward starts with not leaving his message behind.”
However, we must wonder if in 2007, the young people of today are keeping the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. alive.
We must realize that Dr. King hoped for a nation where people would be judged on their character, not by individual ethic groups.
Let us reflect back with a few people in the Henderson County area who can recall the sadness and horror when they hear of Dr. King’s assassination.
For those of you, Athens, Texas is our County Seat, which is Henderson County. Before becoming the North Texas Conference; Tyler District, Athens was the lead District for the Northeast Texas Conference.
Ms. Pearlie Jenkins Russell, (93) a long time resident of Trinidad recalls back in 1968, “I was working at the Corner Café as the cook and when the news came about the death of Rev. Dr. King all screamed and cried white and black people. The owner at that time Ms. Lou Willis closed up the café because it looked like everything went to pieces.”
After the assassination of Dr. King, Ms. Russell remembers that the white people were friendlier and took more time to talk to black people.
Russell remembers while working for TP & L plant (which is now TXU) Mr. Cruz, who was Superintendent at the time, only paid Russell $5.00 a week to take care of the family and house work. However, after the death of King, wages went up.
“In the schools, the children got along. There was no fighting. Today, things are much better, but it could be improved. You will always have some prejudices, but its take parents and their relationship with the Lord to help overcome their prejudice. For you see, Jesus knows not color,” said Russell.
Mr. L. C. Smith, (92) a long time resident of Malakoff recalls in 1968, “I was working at TP & L plant in Trinidad when the news arrived about Dr. King’s assassination. In Malakoff, there was sadness and shock. People were lost for words; however, by Dr. King working to help improve conditions for blacks in America, we knew that someone would be out to get him. I recall that integration went through without any problems in Malakoff.”
Smith reflects on the day when black people had to enter from the back door into any business or restaurant, but noted that things are better due to Dr. King’s Civil Rights movement. Smith believes that Dr. King’s impression of today’s America would be that of joy and sadness. By this, Dr. King would be happy to see all of the improvements, but sadden to know how many black Americans are in prisons and that prejudice still exists today.
Ms. Eva Trimble, (88) long time resident of Malakoff recalls that will working at the local Dairy Mart, news came of Dr. King’s death. Ms. Trimble felt hurt and could not believe that Dr. King was going. “America lost a great Civil Rights leader and I felt sadness for Mrs. King, but I know that the Lord would give her strength and courage to endure whatever the future held for her and her children,” said Trimble.
Samuel J. Trimble resident of Malakoff, but living in Dallas at the time recalls “I was working a Sears at that time the company employed 3700 people, but the blacks and some whites felt that we had lost one the greatest leaders and even today one of the greatest leader we have ever seen or will see. With the assassination of Dr. King, it set us back twenty years; it was a great tragedy for the blacks in the United States. As far as today leadership, no one has come close in filling Dr. King’s shoes. One day maybe there will be a leader who will replace Dr. King, but no one so far has the spirit of Dr. King.”
Mrs. Gloria Glaspie, (78) resident of Athens and retired AISD teacher, plus born in the same year as Dr. King recalls, “This was a time of sorrow for me. I respected and loved the work that he was doing to help black people in the United States and we stand today with the fruits of his labor. He opened back doors, opened front doors, and closed back doors and made many, many people be able to walk some streets they could not have walked before. I cried; it was a sad, sad day.”
Glaspie noted that some people might have felt that Dr. King was doing something that he should not have been doing, but except for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the freedoms that we enjoy now, we would not be enjoying them. “That Sunday morning at Allen Chapel AME Church the Pastor did comment on Dr. King’s death as a great lost. The church congregation knew that a great man had bee lost. We honored him then just as we honor him now.”
Ms. Vee McClaister, (99) long time resident of Malakoff recalls, “When I heard about Dr. King’s death, I was shocked, in-disbelief, sadden, heart broken. I felt sorrow for Mrs. King and her children, but knew that if she trusted the Lord, He would see her through this horrible time. Dr. King’s dream for black Americans has been fulfilled, but we must not let his dream die. We must press on for a better America and a better future. We must continue to get an education, stop the black on black violence, taking and selling drugs, etc. We must place our trust, faith, and hope in the Lord, for He alone holds our future.”
*Delanda S. Johnson is a member of Johnson Chapel AME Church in Malakoff, Texas and serves as the North Texas Conference and Tyler District Director of Public Relations in the community of Malakoff. She also serves as the Secretary of the Henderson County Black History Committee, Secretary for the City of Malakoff Planning & Zoning Commission, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
5. GREATER MOUNT ZION AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, PEARLINGTON, MISSISSIPPI THANKS THOSE WHO HELPED THEM IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE KATRINA:
The officers and members of Greater Mt. Zion African Methodist Church, Pearlington, Mississippi sincerely thanks all of you for your support and prayers during the fifteen months since our lives were forever changed by Hurricane Katrina. Although our restoration efforts are not complete, we want to express our appreciation for the financial contributions and volunteer labor received from around the country.
At times, we have felt that the work has been painstakingly slow. But when we consider the blessings of a volunteer contractor from Hickory Hammock Baptist Church, Milton, FL, and volunteers from around the country to actually perform the labor, we know that God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.
The Rev. Frederick L. Fields
Below is a chronicle of the restoration efforts to date:
• September 2005: Revitalization projects began several weeks after the Hurricane
• October 2005: Building had been gutted; washed down by local fire department; first truckload of goods received
• October 2005-January 2006: Acted as distribution center for community for truckloads of goods from across the country
• Late February 2006: Stopped receiving goods so construction could begin. Phase 2, Restoration of Fellowship Hall began.
• March 2006: Tearing off old roof on Fellowship Hall; Establishment of community Laundromat facility on the church grounds.
• April 2006: Construction of new roof on Fellowship Hall began; installation of air conditioning unit began.
• May 2006: The walls of the building needed to be reinforced with concrete and steel (Rebar) rods.
• June 2006: Work continued on laying the metal on the roof; installation of air conditioning unit in Fellowship Hall completed.
• Late July and August 2006: Taking the old roof off the front of the church.
• Late August and September 2006: No activities due to oppressive heat.
• October 2006: The walls of the sanctuary were prepared for the pouring of concrete and REBar Steel. Bathroom walls in fellowship hall framed and set; plumbing ready to be installed.
• November 2006: Cathedral Trusses were mounted in the main sanctuary, and sheet metal installed on 60% of the roof. Began boxing in Facia and Soffit boards in Fellowship Hall.
We pray that the next phase (December 2006-March 2007) will result in the completion of the roof on the sanctuary; installation of the windows in the sanctuary, electrical meter pan throughout the building, drywall installation, and refashioning of the front exterior of the church. For this phase, the assistance of volunteers skilled in the installation of drywall and plumbing, and electrical work would be welcomed.
We ask your continued prayers and support for the completion of the restoration of Greater Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church. To volunteer, please contact
Thanks for your generosity and love shown through financial contributions, tangible goods and publicity!
Mississippi Conference, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Presiding Elder George Willie Tyler, Natchez-Port Gibson District, Mississippi Conference, AMEC
Presiding Elder Joseph E. Young, Brookhaven-Hattiesburg District, Mississippi Conference, AMEC
Bishop William P. DeVeaux, 6th Episcopal District, AMEC
Ward A.M.E. Church, Los Angeles, CA
Bishop Robert Thomas, Retired, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Zion Church, Largo, Maryland
Church at Redstone, Redstone, CO
National Baptist Association Home Mission Board
Rev. Darryl Johnson, Pastor, Walk of Faith Church, Mound Bayou, MS
Lee Chapel AMEC, Nashville, TN
St. John AMEC, Nashville, TN
St. Peter AMEC, Clarksville, TN
St. James AMEC, Dickson, TN
Tennessee Conference Lay Organization, 13th Episcopal District, AMEC
Grant Chapel AMEC, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ministerial Alliance, Albuquerque, New Mexico
St. Paul AMEC, Dallas, TX
Councilman Laverne Guy, Picayune, MS
Mr. Herbert E. Fields, Slidell, LA
Mr. Melvin Hicks, Picayune, MS
Dr. Bing & Karen Henderson, Tallmadge, OH
Elder Chantal Henry, Barrier Springs, MI
Dr. Conchetta W. Fulton, New Orleans, LA
Saving Our Selves, Atlanta, GA
Faith Community AMEC, St. Charles, IL
Hickory Hammock Baptist Church, Milton, FL
Mrs. Lillian Rogers, Pearlington, MS
Ministerial Alliance of Greater St. Tammany Parish, LA
Ms. Pam Fields,
God’s House Church, Albuquerque, NM
Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Seattle, WA
Ms. Ann Fields,
Ms. Pearl Thomas, Seattle, WA
Rev. W. Antoni & Kristy Sinkfield, Nashville, TN
The A.M.E. Herald (www.ameherald.com )
The Christian Recorder Online (www.the-christian-recorder.org/tcr.online )
Volunteers
Many individuals have provided hands-on, volunteer labor. For the most part, individual participation was coordinated by a group. It is the coordinating group that is listed. We wish we could list individual names, but it would be a daunting task.
Lee Chapel AMEC, Nashville
The Rt. Rev. Cornal Garnett Henning, Presiding Prelate, 8th Episcopal District
The Rev. Joseph E. Young, Presiding Elder, Brookhaven-Hattiesburg District
The Rev. Frederick L. Fields, Pastor
6. THE TWELFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING:
*Ann Gilkey
The Twelfth Episcopal District Presiding Elders, Pastor, and Laymen came to the District Planning meeting thinking business as usual on December 7-9, 2006 at Avery Chapel AME Church in Oklahoma City, OK. It was everything except business as usual. From the opening day till the closing when the floodgate spilled opened, the air was filled with questions. The spirit of cooperation, involvement and creativity was evident, but a feeling of something is going to change and it did!
The opening day message coming from Dr. Frederick Wright, Pastor of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church in Cincinnati, Ohio with his message on Jonah, “ Go to Nineveh- A Clash of the Wills” to Rev. Michael Washington, Pastor of Saint James A.M.E. Church in Camden, AR whose message that Saturday was on “Trusting In God, In Spite Of Our Negative Experience.” The question was being answered if one just opened their ears and listened. A change was coming!
The departments made their plans and programs for the coming conference year as usual! The calendars were presented for the Episcopal and Connectional dates as usual! Candidates for Bishop came and spoke to the delegation as usual!
The Annual Episcopal District Christmas Party was not usual but exceptional with entertainment worthy of an Academy Awards. It has been said, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” You could tell the party was not dull as the laughter echoed throughout the building. The food was fit for a king. Kudos goes to Sis Cordelia A. Bennett and the host committee and the star of the presentation, Pastor Kevin Neal as he portrayed Mr. Scrooge.
Finally, Saturday morning arrived a little chilly, just the usual Oklahoma weather.
The nave filled quickly as many arrived from out of town to witness the pastoral appointments. It became evident with the tone of the message, business was about to change and it did.
The changes in pastoral appointments are too numerous to mention, but the changes in Presiding Elders are worthy of recognition. Presiding Elder Edward E. Davis was transferred to the Oklahoma Conference, Oklahoma City District. Rev. Lonnie Johnson was promoted to Presiding Elder and transferred back to the Oklahoma District, Lawton District. Presiding Elder Dennis Hampton was transferred to the Central Northeast Oklahoma Conference, Tulsa District. Rev. Polly Ragsdale (The first Female Presiding Elder of the Twelfth) was promoted to Presiding Elder and was appointed to the Central Northeast Oklahoma Conference, Muskogee District. Presiding Elder Napoleon Davis, Jr., remained in the East Northeast Arkansas, Stuttgart/Forrest City District. The Reverend Lewie A. Norful was promoted to Presiding Elder of the East Northeast Arkansas Conference, Newport/Jonesboro District. Presiding Elder Thomas G. Allen remained Presiding Elder of the Central Arkansas Conference, Pine Bluff/South District. The Reverend Clarence Reynolds was promoted to Presiding Elder and appointed to the Central Arkansas Conference, Camden/Eldorado District. Presiding Elder Samuel L. Arnold was transferred to the South Arkansas Conference, Crossett District, and Presiding Elder James R. Hooper was transferred to the South Arkansas Conference, Monticello District; Presiding Elder Clarence V. Boyd, Sr., remained in the West Arkansas Conference, Hot Springs District, and Presiding Elder Thomas W. Adair in the West Arkansas Conference, Magnolia District. The Arkansas Conference remained unchanged with Presiding Elder Charles M. Cleaver, Sr., assigned to the North Little Rock/Fort Smith District and Presiding Elder Eugene Brannon to the Little Rock District.
Business as usual was not acceptable, and we left the planning meeting with a new frame of mind, “If you do what you always done, you’ll get what you always got!” Change not for just change, but for the improvement of our District!
The Right Reverend Dr. Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr. - Presiding Bishop
Dr. Barbara Jeanne Chappelle - Episcopal Supervisor
Rev. Harvey G. Potts, Sr. - Host Presiding Elder
Rev. Isaac N. Hudson, Jr. – Host Pastor
*Ann Gilkey is the Twelfth Episcopal District Public Relations Director (Arkansas)
7. CLERGY OF THE WEEK: THE REVEREND JANET JENKINS STURDIVANT” A WOMAN’S JOURNEY TO THE PASTORATE IN THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
Reverend Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, Staff Writer
A woman of faith and vision in ministry is The Reverend Janet Jenkins Sturdivant who is utilizing her calling in an exceptional and profound manner in serving the African Methodist Episcopal District. Reverend Sturdivant is this week’s nominee as clergy of the week.
She is an ordained itinerant elder and serves as the pastor of Asbury A.M.E. Church in Chester, Pennsylvania. Bishop Richard Franklin Norris serves as the Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District. In the 159th history of Asbury A.M.E. Church, she is the first female pastor to have been appointment as pastor of this great congregation. Reverend Sturdivant was appointed by retired bishop, the Right Reverend Zedekiah L. Grady. Since her appointment she has established many ministries and involved in the community.
Her journey as a female has pastor has been very rewarding and a challenging experience. At Asbury the church has many accomplishments from developing a radio broadcast program which can be heard weekly in the community, tape ministry in providing audio for the members who are ill and for visitors and friends, tape ministry, children’s altar, reinstatement of the Class Leader’s system, Women’s Ministry, Soldiers of the Cross (Men’s Ministry), Feeding Program-Share A Meal, Intercessory Prayer service (Sunday mornings), Family Bible Study (Tuesday evenings), Meal time with Jesus (every Tuesday at noontime), Perfect Praise Dance Ministry as well as a revived Children’s Dance Ministry, Love Feast and Common Meal, New Members Class, T.E.A.M.S (former Children’s dance ministry), and the Pastor’s Aide.
During Pastor Sturdivant’s tenure, the congregation has purchased a van for the Church, air conditioning for the Fellowship Hall (now named Foreman Hall), the creation of a Music Room for the Choirs of Asbury (named The Roberta Lewis Music Room), installed a Church Lounge, a new P. A. system, paving of the church parking lot, purchase of two security doors for the church, the renovation of the Pastor’s Office, all restrooms in the Church, new carpet for the sanctuary, renovation of the Administrative office, and the painting of the Church. Also, because of the increase in membership, an 8:00 a.m. first Sunday Worship Service has been implemented. A Finance Committee, an increase in tithe and an increase in the membership and weekly visitors.
The pastoral ministry has led her in utilizing her educational gifts as she serves as the Dean of the Ministerial Institute of the Delaware Annual Conference. In May 1998, she became the first female pastor to preach an annual sermon in the Philadelphia Annual Conference. Among her other the firsts, were; the first female to host an annual conference, one of three preachers to preach for the Super Soul Fest in Bermuda in the summer of 2006 and also a preacher of the hour for the Connectional Council in 2006 and for the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism in 2004.
Pastor Sturdivant’s present journey has directed her presently back to the “hall of academics” where she is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA., with an anticipated graduation date of May 2007. Her dissertation is “A Woman’s journey to the pastorate in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.” She is a 1986 graduate of Medialle College in Buffalo, New York and a 1993 graduate of Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia where she earned a Master of Divinity degree.
She is a 1997 Achiever of the Prestigious Award from the NAACP Role Model of the year.
Congratulations, The Reverend Janet Jenkins Sturdivant and the Asbury church family for being nominated as clergy of the week and may your spiritual journey continue as a “Ministry of Excellence to the Glory of God.”
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E., is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder.
*If you are interested in nominating your pastor, clergy staff, PK (preacher’s kid) or laity as clergy of the week or laity of the week please submit your letter of request to; ebrown49@hotmail.com
8. AFRICAN AMERICAN SMITHSONIAN HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SOCIETY RECEIVES FIRST ARTIFACT FROM FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCH IN CHICAGO—QUINN CHAPEL:
CHICAGO - The annual Trustee Day Service at Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the “First African-American Church” in the city of Chicago featured Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch III, Founding Director, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Prior to this position, he was the CEO of the Chicago Historical Society. Dr. Bunch delivered an exciting and spirit filled message regarding the importance of maintaining and showcasing African American History. Quinn Chapel presented Dr. Bunch with a church pew and it is the first artifact for the new Smithsonian museum to be built on the Mall in Washington DC.
The Trustee Day Worship Service was held at Quinn Chapel which is located at 2401 South Wabash in Chicago at 10 a.m. Quinn is a national, state and local landmark church currently undergoing a major restoration. The presenting of the pew represents one more first in the life of the 159 year old congregation. History being made while building toward the future keeps the church holding its status as a Cathedral of Freedom.
Other awardees included, the former principal of the Graham Elementary School, located across the street from the church, Gene , Construction Manager for Dubin and Associates a housing developer on Wabash and 24th streets, for the removal of trees free of charge to assist the construction crews replacing the 119 year old roof, Grace Water and Ice shield for donating the membrane placed on the roof before shingles, and the Commander of the First Precinct Police Department Commander Keating for his assistance in the restoring of the neighborhood. The Reverend James Moody is the Pastor and the head Trustee is Ruth Dunham.
9. CLINTON ADDRESSES STUDENTS AT INAUGURAL GRADUATION:
LITTLE ROCK – On December 13, former President Bill Clinton delivered the commencement address to the first graduating class of the University Of Arkansas Clinton School Of Public Service, a graduate school bearing Clinton's name. The school opened in the fall of 2005.
The Clinton School is the seventh school named for a former president and the first to offer a Master of Public Service (MPS) degree. The ceremony was held in Clinton's Presidential Library, which is located adjacent to the school in Little Rock.
"I hope your lives in public service will be guided by a simple test - were the people you sought to serve better off when you quit than when you started," Clinton told the graduating class. "Take it from me, 40 years passes in the blink of an eye. After 40 years, that's how you'll judge yourselves."
The 13 inaugural graduates hail from Arkansas and throughout the nation, having spent the past 18 months working through the MPS program. During that time, the students participated in public service projects ranging from local work in the Mississippi River Delta, to international work in places such as the Sudan, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and South Africa.
"This is a milestone for these 13 students who have put in hard work to get to this point, and it is also a special day for this school to be sending its first graduates into the world," said Skip Rutherford, dean of the school. "The faculty and staff of the school are proud of all of these individuals, and we look forward following their careers in public service."
The Clinton School MPS program is a full-time, 2-year graduate program that can be completed in 18 months. Eight of today's graduates have completed their degrees, while five will finish their final projects this spring.
The Clinton School curriculum is enriched with a nationally-renowned series of speakers, conferences and public programs which, in addition to Clinton, have included former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former Senator Howard Baker, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and ABC's George Stephanopoulos among many others. The graduates completed their core course work in their first semester and spent the rest of their time on elective courses and three public service projects. The public service work included a class-wide project that was carried out in the Arkansas Delta.
Malcolm Glover, one of the graduates, traveled to Sudan for two months over the summer for his required internship and worked on a documentary for Winrock International, an innovative global nonprofit organization, and the VEGA consortium, the world’s largest alliance of economic growth volunteer organizations.
"It was like being on the frontier and in the middle of an adventure, but it was also a way to make a positive impact in people's lives," said Glover, 23. "It was amazing to have an experience like that."
A recent Rhodes Scholar finalist, Glover is a native of Bowie, Md., and graduate of Florida A&M. While at the Clinton School, he helped combat homelessness in Phillips County, Arkansas and he worked on economic development and community empowerment initiatives in Kenya and Sudan. For his final graduate project, Glover served as the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation's independent facilitator and researcher for the Hilton Prize Laureates, a group of 11 charitable and non-governmental organizations.
Following the path of Glover and his fellow inaugural graduates are 22 students in the second class at the Clinton School. The enrollment pattern is in keeping with the two other presidential schools that are coupled with presidential libraries. By comparison, the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs started in 1970 with 18 students and now has about 325, and the George H. W. Bush School of Government and Public Service began in 1997 with 19 students and now has about 125.
"We are excited to see the growth of this school in only two short years of operation," Rutherford said. "These students will have the opportunity to take what they learn here and help people throughout the world."
10. THE CHAPLAINS CORNER - NEWS FROM THE BATTLEFIELD IN IRAQ - ANCIENT MONASTERY OFFERS SOLDIERS INSIGHT INTO IRAQ HISTORY:
U.S. Army Specialist Amanda Solitario
Forward Operating Base, Marez, Iraq
Beyond the rolling hills of Mosul and tucked away from the bustle of military life on Forward Operating Base Marez, are the remains of an ancient Christian monastery.
The crumbling walls of the Dair Mar Elia, the monastery of St. Elijah, sit alongside an abandoned yard of Russian tanks and a large pile of ammunition casings. Even so, service members are still able to capture the historical significance of this weathering wonder.
“Soldiers are reminded of the fact that they are operating in a place that has much history,” Chaplain (Capt.) Mark Cisco, from the 3 52nd Corps Support Battalion. “Just a visit to the monastery is a morale booster for Soldiers.”
Service members and civilians living on the Marez compound can arrange tours with the unit ministry team or the mayor’s cell, and Cisco, from Covington, Ga., said everyone should take the opportunity to visit the site while they are here.
“I think every journey that we take outside of our comfort zone helps expand our world view,” said Specialist Darryl Bentley, a chaplain’s assistant with the 3-52nd CSB.
Evidence suggests that the monastery v. as built sometime in the 4th century, making it the oldest Christian monastery in Iraq. The construction of this place of worship predates the founding of Islam by more than 100 years, said Cisco, noting the large Christian presence in the area many years ago.
“But, any faith tradition can benefit from a visit to the monastery,” he said.
In previous years, people in the area dedicated the last Wednesday of November to Mar Elia, a European monk who devoted his life to religion and founded the monastery itself. Throughout the 20th century, many worshippers gathered at the site for special services until the Iraqi Army built a military base around the ruins, closing it off to the public.
Today, American service members have the opportunity to see the historical site while gaining some knowledge on a small part of Iraq’s history without leaving the FOB gates.
“This is a nice little getaway for Soldiers to just come see a true part of history, and a true part of Christian history in a now Muslim nation,” said Bentley, a resident of Hickory, NC.
The monastery has endured a great amount of abuse through the years. Besides time and environmental damage, the Dair Mar Elia has survived many years of war.
The marble archways are caved-in and the bullet-riddled walls are covered in graffiti. Mortar fragments litter the ground, an obvious testament to the violence of its past.
During the early stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraqi’s were using the monastery as a command post. As a result, the monastery became a battleground for American and Iraqi forces.
“Just to know what this site used to do, as far as training men to do ministry, and to see the state of ruin it is in is a very sad thing,” Bentley said. “With the wrath of war, this is some of the fallout from it.”
Presently, the site is monitored and maintained by the mayor’s cell on FOB Marez. A chain-linked fence surrounds the ruins to preserve the value of the site.
As Iraq works toward a new future, obvious remnants of the country’s past still linger. Bentley said he would like to see the site restored and opened for tourism.
He said he is fortunate to visit this site and hopes others will be able to do so as well. “My plans are to go into ministry on the civilian side,” he said. “It gives me great hope to know that God will use me in great ways if I allow him to do so.”
Reprinted with the permission of the ANACONDA TIMES
11. THE CHAPLAINS CORNER - NEWS FROM THE BATTLEFIELD IN IRAQ – AME CHAPLAIN AND SOLDIERS OF THE BATTALION HELP IRAQI CHILDREN:
By Maj. Kirk Slaughter
Commander, 210th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq - In one of the most dangerous and poverty-stricken areas of Mosul, two battalion commanders set out to bring happiness to Iraqi school children.
Lt. Col. Steven Eveker, commander 352nd Corp Support Battalion, and Lt. Col. Mohammad, commander 222nd Iraqi Army worked numerous days coordinating between Mosul officials, the chaplain’s office at Forward Operating Base Diamondback, and Iraqi and American troops.
“This was one of the largest joint humanitarian missions conducted in Mosul during daylight hours since Operation Iraqi Freedom,” Eveker said. “Most missions conducted by the 352nd CSB occur under curfew hours, which really limit the Soldiers’ contact with the local population.”
The operation included more than 1,400 small bags of school supplies, 35 kerosene heaters, more than 50 boxes of clothes, more than 200 umbrellas, and 42 backpacks that were ready to be delivered to about 1,350 children at two schools in downtown Mosul, Chaplain (Capt.) Mark Cisco said.
“The initial planning for the mission began in early October,” Cisco said. “Numerous email messages and letters were mailed to friends, families, churches, and supporters of the 352nd CSB requesting school supplies, clothing, and heaters for the classrooms.”
Approximately 30 soldiers from the 352nd CSB, 1345th Transportation Company, 714th Transportation Company, and the 399th Combat Support Hospital, went out into the community and interacted with residents while being protected by the Iraqi Army, which was pre-positioned on rooftops and street corners during the two hour mission.
A casual conversation took place between the two commanders as they walked down the middle of the streets of Mosul from the first school to the second school. Iraqi adults and children seemed excited, and smiles could be seen on their faces, as they walked along the sidewalks and occasionally made contact with IA and American soldiers.
The two commanders led the parade of soldiers, the unit ministry team, and reporters through what used to be labeled as a very dangerous street in Mosul.
“Lt. Col. Eveker is very well-liked, trusted and respected in the 222nd IA and throughout the community of Mosul,” Mohammad said. “He is a good man and we work well together, and that is why we can do humanitarian missions like this.”
“Lt. Col. Mohammad understands the complexities of the military, economic, political, and religious challenges for the city of Mosul,” Eveker said. “This is what makes him a great leader and commander. He is fighting for a freer Iraq and a more democratic Iraq. His soldiers are disciplined and that is why we were able to walk down the streets of this city while they protected us.”
Once inside the second school, the two commanders met with the school principal, who appeared surprised at the visit. A short meeting – with tea – took place, and then both commanders went into a classroom and started handing out school supplies to the students.
“When we first went into these schools the children appeared terrified and scared of the Iraqi soldiers and me,” Eveker said. “The most rewarding thing about this mission was how quiet, timid, and thankful these children were. And as we left their classrooms they would burst out with laughter and excitement as to what had just happened.”
“Can we make an impact on every child in Mosul? Probably not,” he said. “But we did make an impact on the children we saw today.”
As the two commanders walked back up the street to their vehicles off in the distance one could hear the sounds of two suspected bombs go off.
More than 1,000 children, ages 7-13, received school book supplies and candy during this joint humanitarian mission.
“For our soldiers to see the indigent population and feeling the effects of a war torn nation in the daylight was a memory that will be forever etched in their minds,” Sgt. Charles Sebok, 352nd CSB Chaplains assistant, said.
12. THE GLOBAL CORNER - CELEBRATE HOPE: COMPLETION IS AT HAND!:
*The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas
One week in 2007 is past. The New Year appears a blessed one, yet it also promises to one of the busiest one. This must certainly be a year different from the past year(s). It should be the year of the completion, the perfecting of our dreams and aspirations. This is my prayer for all persons who receive this missive and I am glad you are “one of the ones.”
We have just come through the first Sunday of the year. I trust it was an awesome Sunday of the year for you and yours.
As for me, I took time to visit and worship at my home Church, the Jordan Temple, one of the senior Churches in the 19th Episcopal District. About 20 minutes before the procession began into the sanctuary, I went to the Church ablution facilities and I heard this said by a 19 year old, “This is renovations! It was difficult to come in here (i.e., male toilets) before.”
Mpiyakhe Maseko is his name. He proudly stated this fact at the door step of the ablution facilities, praising and acknowledging what the pastor and congregation together achieved in 2006. It was not the first time he came to the Church ablution facilities, except this year. Questions were formed in my mind; “why would he exclaim this development? Is there any significance in building and renovating ablution facilities in the face of them not regarded a part of the priorities in the Kingdom building?”
Having grown in the vicinity of the Church and had been a member thereto prior to my call to ministry (about 18 years ago), I fully appreciate Mpiyakhe’s excitement. I am not sure about the date of the first construction of the Church ablution facilities. However, considering the material used to build it, which is similar to the one used to build the sanctuary), it is reasonable to assume that the Church ablution facilities were built some time after the sanctuary was built. This is no strange here but a common phenomenon in most, if not all, denominations in the black townships. More than often, ablution facilities are built months, if not years, after the sanctuary was built.
The sanctuary, named after Bishop Frederick Douglas Jordan, was built in the early 1950s through financial contributions of the members of the Church, as well as the compensation (not necessarily equal to the value of the former Church property in Kwa-Dukathole) as received from the government. The members of the congregation were a part of the community which had been moved out of Kwa-Dukathole Township to the newly established Katlehong Township. The resettlement of the community was a result of the enforcement of the Group Areas Act, a law passed by the Nationalist government (architectures of apartheid) to ensure the separation of people based on race, colour and creed.
The Church ablution facilities only consisted of two cubicles in the women’ section and one in the men’ section for many years when first built. It was in the early 1990s that some improvements to the ablution facilities were done. Two urinary cisterns in the men’ section were added.
In time for hosting the 55th Session of the East Annual Conference, few weeks before, the ablution facilities were splendidly renovated. The structure of the facilities was totally changed. A number of the toilet compartments were added in both sections for men and women. Hand-washing basins, which did not exist before, were added in both sections. The roof, on the side of the women’s was erected with sheets allowing for light into the section and the walls were painted with a bright, coloured paint.
About 300 people worship in this Church every week. For many years, worshippers endured the difficulty of accessing restrooms in the three hours they spent when they attended worship services. For those who had access to the ablution block, the standard of the facilities were a cause of embarrassment and debasing to self-worth. No amount of spirituality and prayerfulness can be so strong as to cause the urge to relieve oneself never to exist. If worship services are about healing, then it must be that the need to take off the body substances not needed in the body will follow the healing services.
Therefore, Mpiyake was right when he said, “it was difficult come in here before.” Coming to Church place one into two dimensionally opposed environments, at the same time. The sanctuary, where the spirit is developed is always a clean environment. Yet, the ablution facility, so close to the sanctuary, is inadequate and not as hygienic as contemplated of such a community facility.
Is it important to take the effort to write about this?
Yes, it is. In fact, the Jordan Temple scenario is even much better than many others. At least, at Jordan Temple, for all these years, the ablution facilities still had flushing with clean, running water and the sanitation system is monitored and managed by the local municipality. The distance between the sanctuary and the ablution facilities is close enough to access. There are far much worse scenarios.
To illustrate this fact, Maxeke Memorial is one of our senior Churches, too. It is falling in the category of the ‘much worse scenarios.’ Not only is it a senior Church but it is also a historic Church. Recently, it has been declared a national heritage site. This is Church which is named a heroine of the people’s struggles in South Africa and a stalwart of the Church, the Late Dr. Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke. The Church is also located in a township so historic to the struggles of South Africa. This is a township which received a host of the leaders of the struggle for the South African freedom in 1955 when the Freedom Charter was adopted. In fact, it is believed that this Church played a vital role in the processes that saw the adoption of the Charter. It was the same Church that Charlotte Maxeke was a member and spent her last days. From this Church, her body was carried to the cemetery neighbouring the township, where her tomb notably stands out among many tombs.
Notwithstanding the importance of this Church in our history, one thing that cannot be confidently spoken about in relation to this Church is the state of its ablution facility. It still uses the bucket system, like the community in its vicinity does, and only has one toilet. Complicating the picture is that, the Church complex suffers from squatting by a number of households, who also have this one toilet to use together with the congregation. Obviously, there is an unbearable pressure exacted to this facility. Just the environment around this facility brings a flashing sign of danger – a health hazard not only to the users of the facility but also the people moving about it. To use it really dwarfs one’s pride.
With children, sometimes evading the control of their parents, moving out of the sanctuary and sometimes going into or around this facility, imagine the undesirable health consequences they could be exposed to. How could we justify the expectations for numerical growth in the attendance of this Church? Can we ever hope to attract people to this sanctuary when the environment around it threatens their very health and being?
Both the Churches I mentioned above are in the (peri) urban setting. In fact, they are in the economic hub of South Africa, in close proximity to Johannesburg. Going to rural settings, the situation is even far much worse than the above setting.
For some of us enjoying the luxury of the modern sanitation technology, and have done so for a long period, to appreciate the necessity of reflecting about this situation is time-wasting and futile. In fact, the proposition of building adequate, clean, decent and healthy lavatories cannot be an integral part of our call to the building of the kingdom/reign of God. Is this the truth about the Gospel? Is it really so?
We must remember that tied to the concept of dignity, in the context of the South African history, is the issue of access to adequate sanitation system and facilities which black people were denied before. For many years, blacks were subjected to and had to endure limited access to adequate sanitation, if not absolute deprivation. Therefore, it is not accidental that the transformation agenda in South Africa, to this day, integrates the whole area of access to adequate sanitation. Few years ago, a draft paper by Department of Water Affairs and Forestry had this to say; “The Programme focuses on the eradication of the sanitation backlog in the rural, peri-urban and informal settlement areas by the year 2010. In addition, eradication of the bucket system (currently estimated at about 428 000 households) is to be achieved by 2007.”
Furthermore, Statistics South Africa (the country’s official body, monitoring national statistical data), in its June 2005 report, has this to say; “Of the 8,3 million consumer units receiving sewerage and sanitation from municipalities in South Africa, 4,2 million (50,5%) had access to free basic sewerage and sanitation.”
This is a country of about 46 million citizens. There are still 49% consumer units which still do not have access to free sewerage and sanitation in this country. Among these, it is exaggerating to count in Church as consumer units.
A secular institution rates high the issue of sanitation, precisely because of the fact that it integrally linked to the dignity of the people and promotes hygiene. Thereby the goal, “to better the lives of all people,” includes this issue. In fact, since 2000, every State of the Nation Address of the State President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, has a standing paragraph on the subject if sanitation in South Africa, giving emphasis on reaching the 2007 focus of eradicating the bucket system (go to http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/index.htm).
If the mission and purpose of our Church is “…. to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional and environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ’s liberating gospel through word and deed…..” and we exclude access and provision to adequate sanitation, then we are not true to it. Any down playing of this effort, leaving the status quo is in itself a spell and not the GOSPEL.
Therefore, if anything, we may do, as the Church, is to join in this effort in the way(s) encouraging our constituency to work to ensure that our precincts are not in themselves contributing factor in the spread of disease by, at least; (1) Ensuring that structural designs to new buildings identify and include ablution blocks in the plans (not to build them as if they were an after-thought) and (2) Improving current ablution blocks to meet healthy standards, including keeping them frequently cleaned.
Certainly, our participation and joining in this effort should not be understood as merely being “politically correct.” Nor, should it be considered an addendum to a crowded agenda we already have. Instead, our very mission and purpose should be the inspiration which drives us to contribute towards the liberation of the people.
Perhaps, we will need to add the acknowledgement of best practice in this regard. To acknowledge congregations who invest in this drive will immensely contribute towards building the self-worth of the people.
Romans 8 is a chapter in Pauline Letters which cannot be ignored by any believer. In this chapter, I read the following verses which give meaning to celebrating hope for our completion;
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not have yet, we wait for it patiently (verses 24 & 25 – New International Version).”
Perhaps, there will come a time when access to adequate sanitation will be a thing taken for granted. This is not yet the time.
*The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas, Director: Health Programme, South African Council of Churches
Email: tgk@sacc.org.za
13. AME PRESIDING ELDER IS A CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR TO THE POLICY STATEMENT AND STUDY GUIDE ON HUMAN BIOTECHNOLOGIES, FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE:
At the recent General Assembly of the National Council of Churches, Presiding Elder, Dr. Eric L. Brown and the committee comprised of other members of the NCC's Biotechnology Committee presented a policy statement and study guide on Human Biotechnologies to the General Assemble for the second reading and adoption. Dr. Brown was the only African American selected to serve on the committee and made valuable contributions to the project through his wealth of theological and cultural experience. The document includes topics such as: The Church's Calling; Faith and Science; Biotechnology and Ethics; Pastoral Care; Key Challenges for Church Engagement; Stem Cell Research; Perception of Disability; Conduct of the Biotechnology Industry; New Genetics or Old so by
Eugenics; The Fabric of the Commonwealth and the Future; and Recommendations.
If you are interested in viewing the document, you can do so by downloading it at http://www.blogger.com/www.ncccusa.org/biotechnology/StudyGuide
14. SOMETIMES PASTORS NEED TO CALL "TIME OUT," SPEAKER SAYS:
DALLAS (UMNS) - The Rev. Freddie Haynes has a message for busy pastors: "If you want to walk on water, you need to call a time-out."
Haynes, pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, was speaking to more than 500 participants attending the Convocation for Pastors of African American Churches, sponsored by the United Methodist Church's Board of Discipleship. He took his text from Matthew 14:22-23.
"In verse 22, Jesus dismisses the crowd and calls a time-out," he said. "Ego will cause you to kick it with the crowd, rather than dismiss the crowd. Jesus had sense enough to call time out."
When Jesus went to the mountain, he came down with more power. In this text, he came down and walked on water, Haynes said.
Using a NASCAR racing analogy, Haynes reminded pastors that they, too, must call a time-out to get refueled. "If you call time out when it's calm, God will keep you calm in the storm," he said.
The convocation, held Jan. 3-6, was designed to help United Methodist pastors and leaders of African-American congregations be intentional about focusing on healthy options that connect spirit, body and mind. (See "Convocation for pastors focuses on healthy connections," 1/11/07)
Know when to get up
The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, inspired the gathering with a sermon on the "Mindset of a Winner."
To illustrate how a winner thinks, Caldwell showed video clips from the 1976 World Series baseball game in which Reggie Jackson hit four home runs in a row, and the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Buster Douglass to demonstrate what to do when you get knocked down.
"When you have a winner's mentality, you have to know how to get up. When you get knocked down, stay there for a while,” he said.
Quoting favorite Scriptures, he reminded the group of the importance of walking with the Lord and reading the Bible.
"From this day forward (you can declare), I will get what I fight for. I will fight for my health. I will fight for my equilibrium. I will fight for my family. I will fight for a balanced life. I will fight for an equitable compensation package," Caldwell said.
Convocation participants went to St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church for dinner and an evening worship and communion service, where the Rev. Gregory Palmer, resident bishop of the Iowa Area, preached from Matthew 26:26.
"The hopes and fears of all the years are met in the cross of Calvary. Hope and fear came together on Calvary's cross," he said. "We were dead in our trespasses, but in Christ, we have been made alive.”
Participants could choose from a variety of workshops, including clergy self-care, managing anger and stress, preparing for the future, faces of depression, the prayer experience, healthy congregations, recognizing and responding to burnout, exercise, nutrition and good health, healthy sexuality, and balancing ministry and family.
This was the fifth annual convocation for pastors of African-American congregations sponsored by the Board of Discipleship.
*Pinkston is director of media relations for the United Methodist Board of Discipleship.
Used with permission of United Methodist News Service, News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
Editor’s Note: The Reverend Jeanette Pinkston is also an ordained itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church
15. A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLEGE SOPHOMORES:
The application deadline is February
1. Inquiries should be directed to: info@i4rc.org
Thanks to the Institute for Responsible Citizenship for sponsoring this program."A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step"Know any young black male college sophomores who might be interested and eligible to apply? Pass this along....Please share this information with your family, friends and your church. Let's get the word out and help our young men. I'm sure someone can benefit from this. Please read everything!!!
The Institute for Responsible Citizenship is currently accepting applications for its summer program at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Each summer, 12 of the most promising young minority male college sophomores in the country (possibly 24 this coming summer) are given the chance to travel to the nation's capital and engage in prestigious internships while taking rigorous classes at Georgetown.
The courses in government and economics are designed to provide these young men with the skills necessary to critically analyze the world's problems while adhering to a deep respect for civil liberties. When the students are not in class or at work, they are often called upon to attend social functions designed to help them network in their field.Personal meetings with such leaders as Colin Powell, John Lewis, and Clarence Thomas are made possible by the intimate nature of the program.
The program runs from June 3 - July 28 and is a two-summer commitment (accommodations are made for students on the quarter system). During their first summer, students' primary responsibilities outside of their internships are their academic courses. The following summer, in addition to their internships, mentorship with the latest cohort of Institute students and young high school students becomes a priority.Tuition and housing are paid for by the Institute, while students are expected to pay for their transportation and food. In addition, those not placed in paid internships will receive a stipend in the amount of $2500. While there are no major requirements, the program focuses on attracting young men interested in the fields of law, politics, business, academics, and the ministry.
You should be a sophomore to apply, however, juniors are considered if they are committed to attending graduate or professional school directly following their senior year.
To give you an idea of the kind of students we have in our program, here are some statistics from our 2006 cohort: GPA Range: 3.02 - 3.97 Average: 3.65 Leadership in at least one post held at time of application More information, along with the application, can be found on the web at http://www.i4rc.org/
The application deadline is February 1. Inquiries should be directed to:
info@i4rc.org
http://us.f530.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=info@i4rc.org
Or call (202) 659-2831.
Those considering applying are highly encouraged to review the website and contact our office before filling out the application.Institute for Responsible Citizenship 1227 25th Street, NW, 6th Floor Washington, DC 20037
16. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE:
Congratulations to Ms. Harriet Octavia Bennett, one of the young bright stars in the Twelfth Episcopal District. Harriet, daughter of the Reverend Dr. Hugh D & Mrs. Cordelia Bennett is featured in the February issue of Ebony Magazine as one of the “Young Leaders Under 30” article.
Rev. & Mrs. Bennett retired this conference year from Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Oklahoma City after pastoring for 32 years. Harriet is the only daughter out of five children. She is an accomplished pianist and violin player and a graduate of Oklahoma City Community College and the University of Oklahoma Nursing College.
Submitted by Mrs. Ann Gilkey, 12th Episcopal District Public Relations Director, the Reverend Kevin L. Neal, Reporter
17. CLERGY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Sister Pauline E. Smart. She was the grandmother of Rev. Frank Smart, associate minister at St. Matthew AME Church, Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia Conference, West District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing – Friday, January 12, 2007
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Melvyn E. McCalla Funeral Home
1019 Ridge Avenue
Darby, PA 19023
Phone: 610-532-6122
Funeral – Saturday, January 13, 2006
Final Viewing – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Funeral – 11:00 a.m.
First Baptist Church
925 Summit Street
Darby, PA 19023
Phone: 610-586-0179
Rev. Raymond Merryweather, Pastor
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Frank I. Smart and Family
1327 N. Robinson Street
Philadelphia, PA 19151
frankisaacsmart2@aol.com
Or
First Baptist Church
See above address
Please remember the Smart Family in your prayers.
18. CLERGY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Reverend Jody Jones went to be with the Lord on January 08, 2007. Reverend Jones was a retired Pastor in the Ninth Episcopal District, West Birmingham- Ensley District.
HOMEGOING SERVICE:
Saturday, January 13, 2007
2:00 P.M.
Nichols Temple A.M.E. Church
701 18th Street, Ensley
Birmingham, AL 35218
Ph. 205-786-1642
Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Eulogist
FUNERAL DIRECTOR:
Arrington Funeral Home, Inc.
520 Cotton Avenue, SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Ph. 205-786-6288
MESSAGES OF COMFORT MAY BE SENT TO:
Mrs. Janice Arrington & Family
3204 Spaulding St., SW
Birmingham, AL 35221
Ph. 205-923-5200
19. CLERGY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Mary Sharp went to be with the Lord on January 04, 2007. Mrs. Sharp was the widow of the Reverend John Sharp, a retired Pastor in the Ninth Episcopal District, West Birmingham-Ensley District.
HOMEGOING SERVICE:
Saturday, January 13, 2007
12:00 Noon
St. Mark A.M.E. Church, West End
1358 15th Place, SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Ph. 205-925-8537
Rev. J. L. Edison, Pastor
FUNERAL DIRECTOR:
Smith & Gaston Funeral Services
102 6th Avenue, SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Ph. 205-322-3581
FAX 205-322-4868
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Funeral Services for the late Mr. Jerry Copeland, the father-in-Law of Rev. Dr. Larry L. Harris of Savannah Grove AME Church in Lamar, SC.
7th Episcopal District, Northeast Conference/Florence Dillon District will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 @ 11:00 AM.
Viewing: 9:00-11:00
Service @ 11:00
Watson Funeral Home
26 Gifford Ave.
Jersey City, New Jersey 07304
Phone: 201 432-5521
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Dr. Larry L. & Elouise Harris
2111 Driftwood Dr.
Columbia, SC. 29210
elharris@richlandone.org
Or to the home of the decease
C/O Elouise W. Harris
591 Montgomery St 2B
Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Rev. W. D. Turner – Retired Presiding Elder in the Tenth Episcopal District (North Texas Annual Conference).
Homegoing Services for Presiding Elder W. D. Turner are as follows:
Wake: Friday Night,
January 19, 2007
7:00 P.M.
Community Funeral Home
1412 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Waxahachie, Texas 75165
Ph: (972) 937-5380
Metro: (972) 035-9593
Homegoing Celebration Service:
11:00 A.M.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Bethel A.M.E. Church
Rev. Reginald J. Houston, Pastor
1638 E. Ann Arbor Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75213
PH: (214) 375-3567
Please pray for the entire Turner family. Presiding Elder W. D. Turner was the father of Rev. Myra Turner-Billips (Co-Pastor) at Shiloh A.M.E. Church- Galveston, Texas and Sis. Sharon Turner-Baylock (Tenth Episcopal District YPD Director and member of Grant Worship Center in Austin, Texas.)
Condolences may be sent to:
Sister Martha Turner
P. O. Box 339
Italy, Texas 76671
PH: (972) 483-0107
Or
The Reverends Eric R. & Myra Turner-Billips
Shiloh A.M.E. Church
1310 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Galveston, Texas 77553
PH: 409-672-3646
PH: (682)365-1487 (Mobile)
Or
Sister Sharon Turner-Baylock
Grant AME Worship Center
1701 Kramer Lane
Austin, Texas 78758
PH: (512) 339-4726
Submitted by:
The Rev. Dr. Sherryl A. Matlock-Pastor
St. James A.M.E. Church
Denton, Texas
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This communication comes to inform you of the passing of Mr. Artis McKinney, Jr. on January 16, 2007. Mr. McKinney is the brother of Rev. Hazel J. Linton, Pastor of Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, Pine Bluff, AR and President of the 12th Episcopal District Women In Ministry.
Service Arrangements:
Monday, January 22, 2007
12:00 noon
Friendship Baptist Church (West End)
1229 Elm Street
Birmingham, AL 35211
205-925-8747 Phone
Professional services are entrusted to:
Arrington Funeral Home
520 Cotton Avenue
SW, Birmingham, AL 3521
205-786-6288 Phone
Condolences may be sent to:
Dr. Hazel J. Linton and family
3229 Birch Avenue, SW
Birmingham, AL 35221
(205) 923-2952 Phone
Please remember the family in your prayers.
Submitted by:
Anita Brannon
12th Episcopal District Administrative Office
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Eula C. King Perry, the mother of Mrs. Minnie Perry Moore died on January 13, 2007. Mrs. Minnie Perry Moore is the spouse of the Reverend George Moore, Jr., pastor of St Philip Monumental AME Church in Savannah, GA
Service Arrangements:
Viewing: Friday, January 19, 2007
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Charles E. Huff's International Funeral Home
927 5th Avenue
Columbus, GA 31901-2822
(706) 322-8713 Phone
The Wake:
Friday, January 19, 2007
6:00 PM
Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church 4900 Saint Mary's Road Columbus, GA 31907
(706) 682-2927 Phone
Funeral:
Saturday, January 20, 2007
1:00 p.m.
Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church
1002 6th Avenue
Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 322-8043 Phone
The Life Book may be viewed at http://eula-perry.memory-of.com/
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Minnie Perry (Rev. George A.) Moore
4 West Sagebrush Lane
Savannah, GA 31419
(912) 920-4099
E-mail: mpm522@bellsouth.net
Submitted by:
Rev. Kenneth J. Golphin, Pastor
Historic Saint Paul A.M.E. Church
Lexington, KY
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Mr. Leon Carlton Croft, brother-in law of Presiding Elder P. Robert Tate (Youngstown District, North Ohio Annual Conference, Third Episcopal District) and Mrs. Geraldine M. Tate.
Services held for Mr. Leon Carlton Croft:
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Calling Hour 12:00 p.m.
Funeral 1:00 p.m.
Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home Inc.
1951 McGuffey Road
Youngstown, OH 44505
Phone: 330-744-7770
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. and Mrs. P. Robert Tate or Mrs. Alfreda Croft and son Monte C. Croft
4395 Michigan Blvd.
Youngstown, OH 44505
Or
FAX 330-759-0592
Email: gmtate@msn.com or prtate@sbcgloba.net
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
26. 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
MILESTONE: The Christian Recorder Online has had over 200,000 hits since the beginning of the online edition.
1. EDITORIAL - TOO MANY ITINERANTS SERVINGS AS LOCAL CLERGY:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
There ought to be a law against persons being ordained for the itinerancy who refuse to serve in the itinerant ministry of the AME Church. We have too many persons who, in reality are local preachers, ordained to serve in the itinerant ministry but refuse, for one reason or another, to serve in the itinerancy.
In Methodism, the intent of ordaining persons for the itinerant ministry was predicated upon the need for a person being ordained to be appointed to a pastoral charge or specialized ministry. In the AME Church, itinerant ordination was precipitated by the need to populate persons for itinerant ministry; not to serve in local relationships.
In some of our large churches we have ordained itinerant preachers who serve as local preachers. They are not going anywhere, don’t want a pastoral appointment, feel that they will not be compensated enough to risk giving up their secular employment to take a church, don’t want to start with a small church, don’t trust the AME Church; don’t trust the appointment system, i.e., bishops, presiding elders or church people to provide a livelihood for them and their families, wont’ take a risk, and the bottom-line is that they, in reality, don’t trust God to take care of their every need. Many of them are well-trained; they have M. Div degrees and some even have D.Min degrees. The persons I am addressing are persons who are ordained as itinerant elders, but have never pastored a church; never even tried it. It appears as if they are afraid of committing themselves to full-time ministry.
The fault lies with local churches, pastors, presiding elders, district conferences, annual conferences and bishops who recommend and ordain persons who are not qualified for the pastoral ministry. That is not to say that they are not qualified for ministry; the point is that they are not qualified for the “pastoral ministry”; they make excellent “pulpit assistants!”
Others are processed through the itinerant system who have no intention of serving in itinerant ministry; they have high-paying secular jobs and are well-established in their local communities. And then there are a few who are ordained for ministry, who shouldn’t be ordained. Ministry usually starts with an aspirant’s conversation with a local pastor and the local Church Conference. To some aspirants, church leaders should just say, “We appreciate your interest, but no thank you!”
We have itinerant elders who allow themselves to be called, “associate pastor” or “assistant pastor” who do nothing more than read the scripture lessons, pray, or lead the altar call and in reality they should be called “pulpit assistants” and should be reverted to local relationships. Even in Baptist churches, the normal practice is, persons are not ordained until they are called to a pastoral or specialized ministry position.
We have had some persons who simply left the itinerancy and returned to a local church. Some people change their minds about pastoring and that’s acceptable. The pastoral ministry is not for everyone and it would seem to me that a request for local relationship would be appropriate.
Since we apparently have an over-abundance of itinerant ministers serving in local relationships, the time is now to start rectifying the situation by not ordaining persons for which there are not itinerant positions and stop ordaining persons for the itinerancy who have no intention of serving in the itinerant ministry. We need to stop ordaining unqualified person for ministry. We need to tighten and follow the requirements for ministry that we already have in place, instead of trying to find loop-holes.
As a church body that advocates the itinerancy, we should be encouraging and doing more “seed planting” of local congregations or as the Reverend Garry Moss says, “The AME Church needs to do more seedlings planting.” Local churches that have itinerant ministers serving as “pulpit assistants” ought to encourage them to “plant a local church or relocate to an area where there is a shortage of itinerant elders so they can do itinerant ministry.
We have far too many “pulpit assistants.” A church with fifty or 100 members do not need three persons in the pulpit. A church with 500 in attendance does not need ten “pulpit assistants” sitting in the pulpit.
God takes care of those God calls
If God called you to ministry, you must have the faith that God will take care of your needs and the needs of your family. I know that it’s hard to give up a good paying secular job and I know that it is hard to relocate, but if God called you to ministry and you have accepted “the call” and accepted the ordination and challenge of the itinerant ministry, then faithful obedience is required. If you have changed your mind and a lot of people do, then re-obligate yourself to the local ministry of the Church. The local ministry of the AME Church is a valid, much needed ministry. If you have resigned yourself to local ministry, that’s the ministry in which you should be credentialed.
If you are called and credentialed as an itinerant, do the ministry of an itinerant minister. “Go forth, young man or young woman (old man or old woman), go forth; God calls you to, go to all of the world.”
2. PASTOR WHO PLANTED AME CHURCH SHARES HIS STRATEGY AT THE 20TH ANNUAL SEMINAR ON CHURCH GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN NASHVILLE:
The Rev. Garry Moss, pastor of a newly planted congregation, Faith Community AME Church, presented three sessions at the Growth Development and Development Conference held in Nashville, January 9-12. The congregation started three years ago. Moss presented on “Church Planting” and strategies for how the AME Church should grow in the 21st century.”
The first thing Rev. Moss pointed out was that there should be no fewer than 100 new AME churches strategically planted throughout the United States every year. To do this, he stated that the AME church must recognize the difference between “Seed” and “Seedling” plants. Rev. Moss explained that a “Seedling has a root system established. In other words everything the seed needs to take root is provided before it is removed from a controlled environment and placed in the soil. Therefore a “seedling” has a much higher rate of success because the root system has been nourished. In other words it has resources that a seed does not have. The seedling has better chance to grow because while it is being incubated the ground that would eventually hold it has being tested and deemed suitable for the seedling to take hold.
A seed on the other hand is often placed in soil that isn’t conducive for it to grow. The area isn’t thoroughly analyzed and proper nutrients in many cases simply aren’t available.
If one looks at current structure for planting in the AME Church two points would come to mind. First, the majority of “start-ups” require the “planter” to purchase the seeds, test the soil and apply the proper nutrients. In our church planning, little research is used to determine, who will come, why the location is good, and where worship services will be held.
Moss explained market surveys, Federal, State and County demographic studies, pro-forma data that delineated revenues and expenses over a five year period of time and much more. Rev. Moss also stated that a plant, no matter if it is a “seed” or a “seedling” should have one primary objective: “evangelism.”
Moss concluded by saying every itinerant elder who is not a pastor should know how to, and encouraged to plant a church. He continued by saying, resources to support 100 new AME churches is available, however there must be research, creative thinking, sound business practices along with developing a “Master Model” that can be copied and used throughout the connection.
Faith Community AME Church is a growing and vibrant congregation in its third year of service to the AME Church and the local community. Along with outstanding growth, the church has a strategic marketing plan that saw 9 new members join in December; web cast and podcasts; dynamic community outreach and much more.
Faith Community Church meets in Elgin, Illinois.
3. AMEC STRATEGIC PLANNING CORE COMMITTEE (SPCC) MEMBERS PASS THE TORCH!:
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, October 30, 31, and, November 1, 2006, the African Methodist Episcopal Church Strategic Planning Core Committee (SPCC) met in Nashville, Tennessee to continue its appointed task.
At the culmination of this intensely focused work session, the members of the SPCC Passed the Torch to the newly formed Strategic Implementation Core Team (SICT).
On Wednesday, November 1, 2006, twenty – five members of the SPCC were selected to receive the red, paper torch – shaped symbols of their task of taking the work of the Strategic Planning Core Committee to the next level. These twenty – five Episcopal District representatives now form the Strategic Implementation Core Team and have been charged with the following responsibilities:
i. To help to track and measure progress in accomplishing goals and objectives of the Strategic Recommendations
ii. To meet with Managers/ Directors of the various Departments of the church to help implement the strategic plan
iii. To help promote ownership of the strategic plan
iv. To help to market the strategic plan, giving expertise to how conclusions were made, etc.
v. To interpret the strategic plan when necessary
vi. To assure that the Strategic Implementation Team does not become the de – facto management team.
During this ceremony, at the conclusion of the SPCC meeting, each member of the entire SPCC was awarded a certificate of appreciation for his/ her commitment to the work over the past four years, since the inception of the committee in September 2002. The members of the SPCC were also informed that future plans for the completion of the work of the committee will continue to involve less frequent meeting of the entire committee. However, it is the SCIT who will now spearhead this next step in the process.
It was during the 47th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, held in Indianapolis, Indiana in June of 2004 that the Co–conveners of the SPCC, Bishops McKinley Young, C. Garnett Henning, and Vashti Murphy McKenzie, submitted the initial Strategic Planning Report, authorized by the AMEC Bishops’ Council and General Board.
As a part of this very comprehensive report, the SPCC developed and proposed to the AMEC eight Strategic Recommendations, or Strategic Objectives for the church. These Strategic Recommendations are as follows:
i. Enhance Church Growth
ii. Improve Leadership and Management
iii. Support Christian Character
iv. Enhance Spiritual Growth and Development
v. Ensure Economic Growth and Fiduciary Accountability
vi. Embrace Diversity
vii. Improve Education Growth and Development
viii. Enhance Global Ministry and Missions
Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie offered words of encouragement and inspiration to the committee members as they faced with excitement and anticipation the next level of the journey toward success in this process.
Bishop McKenzie stated that we must be aware of the “Burden of Potential” that rests upon us. She stated, “We must not become distracted or side tracked in any manner, forget our purpose, lose our commitment to the process, become afraid of problems; or, afraid of change. Our potential is always greater than our problems and our problems will always help to bring out our potential.”
The Strategic Implementation Team is tentatively scheduled to meet during CONVO IX, in Charlotte, NC, February 26 – 28, 2007.
Submitted by:
The Rev. Dr. Lugenia Johnson, Senior Pastor
Mount Zion AME Church – Kennesaw, GA
Sixth Episcopal District AMEC
4. REMEMBERING THE DREAM:
*Delanda S. Johnson
Special to the News
Someone once said, “Moving forward starts with not leaving his message behind.”
However, we must wonder if in 2007, the young people of today are keeping the dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. alive.
We must realize that Dr. King hoped for a nation where people would be judged on their character, not by individual ethic groups.
Let us reflect back with a few people in the Henderson County area who can recall the sadness and horror when they hear of Dr. King’s assassination.
For those of you, Athens, Texas is our County Seat, which is Henderson County. Before becoming the North Texas Conference; Tyler District, Athens was the lead District for the Northeast Texas Conference.
Ms. Pearlie Jenkins Russell, (93) a long time resident of Trinidad recalls back in 1968, “I was working at the Corner Café as the cook and when the news came about the death of Rev. Dr. King all screamed and cried white and black people. The owner at that time Ms. Lou Willis closed up the café because it looked like everything went to pieces.”
After the assassination of Dr. King, Ms. Russell remembers that the white people were friendlier and took more time to talk to black people.
Russell remembers while working for TP & L plant (which is now TXU) Mr. Cruz, who was Superintendent at the time, only paid Russell $5.00 a week to take care of the family and house work. However, after the death of King, wages went up.
“In the schools, the children got along. There was no fighting. Today, things are much better, but it could be improved. You will always have some prejudices, but its take parents and their relationship with the Lord to help overcome their prejudice. For you see, Jesus knows not color,” said Russell.
Mr. L. C. Smith, (92) a long time resident of Malakoff recalls in 1968, “I was working at TP & L plant in Trinidad when the news arrived about Dr. King’s assassination. In Malakoff, there was sadness and shock. People were lost for words; however, by Dr. King working to help improve conditions for blacks in America, we knew that someone would be out to get him. I recall that integration went through without any problems in Malakoff.”
Smith reflects on the day when black people had to enter from the back door into any business or restaurant, but noted that things are better due to Dr. King’s Civil Rights movement. Smith believes that Dr. King’s impression of today’s America would be that of joy and sadness. By this, Dr. King would be happy to see all of the improvements, but sadden to know how many black Americans are in prisons and that prejudice still exists today.
Ms. Eva Trimble, (88) long time resident of Malakoff recalls that will working at the local Dairy Mart, news came of Dr. King’s death. Ms. Trimble felt hurt and could not believe that Dr. King was going. “America lost a great Civil Rights leader and I felt sadness for Mrs. King, but I know that the Lord would give her strength and courage to endure whatever the future held for her and her children,” said Trimble.
Samuel J. Trimble resident of Malakoff, but living in Dallas at the time recalls “I was working a Sears at that time the company employed 3700 people, but the blacks and some whites felt that we had lost one the greatest leaders and even today one of the greatest leader we have ever seen or will see. With the assassination of Dr. King, it set us back twenty years; it was a great tragedy for the blacks in the United States. As far as today leadership, no one has come close in filling Dr. King’s shoes. One day maybe there will be a leader who will replace Dr. King, but no one so far has the spirit of Dr. King.”
Mrs. Gloria Glaspie, (78) resident of Athens and retired AISD teacher, plus born in the same year as Dr. King recalls, “This was a time of sorrow for me. I respected and loved the work that he was doing to help black people in the United States and we stand today with the fruits of his labor. He opened back doors, opened front doors, and closed back doors and made many, many people be able to walk some streets they could not have walked before. I cried; it was a sad, sad day.”
Glaspie noted that some people might have felt that Dr. King was doing something that he should not have been doing, but except for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the freedoms that we enjoy now, we would not be enjoying them. “That Sunday morning at Allen Chapel AME Church the Pastor did comment on Dr. King’s death as a great lost. The church congregation knew that a great man had bee lost. We honored him then just as we honor him now.”
Ms. Vee McClaister, (99) long time resident of Malakoff recalls, “When I heard about Dr. King’s death, I was shocked, in-disbelief, sadden, heart broken. I felt sorrow for Mrs. King and her children, but knew that if she trusted the Lord, He would see her through this horrible time. Dr. King’s dream for black Americans has been fulfilled, but we must not let his dream die. We must press on for a better America and a better future. We must continue to get an education, stop the black on black violence, taking and selling drugs, etc. We must place our trust, faith, and hope in the Lord, for He alone holds our future.”
*Delanda S. Johnson is a member of Johnson Chapel AME Church in Malakoff, Texas and serves as the North Texas Conference and Tyler District Director of Public Relations in the community of Malakoff. She also serves as the Secretary of the Henderson County Black History Committee, Secretary for the City of Malakoff Planning & Zoning Commission, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.
5. GREATER MOUNT ZION AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, PEARLINGTON, MISSISSIPPI THANKS THOSE WHO HELPED THEM IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE KATRINA:
The officers and members of Greater Mt. Zion African Methodist Church, Pearlington, Mississippi sincerely thanks all of you for your support and prayers during the fifteen months since our lives were forever changed by Hurricane Katrina. Although our restoration efforts are not complete, we want to express our appreciation for the financial contributions and volunteer labor received from around the country.
At times, we have felt that the work has been painstakingly slow. But when we consider the blessings of a volunteer contractor from Hickory Hammock Baptist Church, Milton, FL, and volunteers from around the country to actually perform the labor, we know that God is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.
The Rev. Frederick L. Fields
Below is a chronicle of the restoration efforts to date:
• September 2005: Revitalization projects began several weeks after the Hurricane
• October 2005: Building had been gutted; washed down by local fire department; first truckload of goods received
• October 2005-January 2006: Acted as distribution center for community for truckloads of goods from across the country
• Late February 2006: Stopped receiving goods so construction could begin. Phase 2, Restoration of Fellowship Hall began.
• March 2006: Tearing off old roof on Fellowship Hall; Establishment of community Laundromat facility on the church grounds.
• April 2006: Construction of new roof on Fellowship Hall began; installation of air conditioning unit began.
• May 2006: The walls of the building needed to be reinforced with concrete and steel (Rebar) rods.
• June 2006: Work continued on laying the metal on the roof; installation of air conditioning unit in Fellowship Hall completed.
• Late July and August 2006: Taking the old roof off the front of the church.
• Late August and September 2006: No activities due to oppressive heat.
• October 2006: The walls of the sanctuary were prepared for the pouring of concrete and REBar Steel. Bathroom walls in fellowship hall framed and set; plumbing ready to be installed.
• November 2006: Cathedral Trusses were mounted in the main sanctuary, and sheet metal installed on 60% of the roof. Began boxing in Facia and Soffit boards in Fellowship Hall.
We pray that the next phase (December 2006-March 2007) will result in the completion of the roof on the sanctuary; installation of the windows in the sanctuary, electrical meter pan throughout the building, drywall installation, and refashioning of the front exterior of the church. For this phase, the assistance of volunteers skilled in the installation of drywall and plumbing, and electrical work would be welcomed.
We ask your continued prayers and support for the completion of the restoration of Greater Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church. To volunteer, please contact
Thanks for your generosity and love shown through financial contributions, tangible goods and publicity!
Mississippi Conference, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Presiding Elder George Willie Tyler, Natchez-Port Gibson District, Mississippi Conference, AMEC
Presiding Elder Joseph E. Young, Brookhaven-Hattiesburg District, Mississippi Conference, AMEC
Bishop William P. DeVeaux, 6th Episcopal District, AMEC
Ward A.M.E. Church, Los Angeles, CA
Bishop Robert Thomas, Retired, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Zion Church, Largo, Maryland
Church at Redstone, Redstone, CO
National Baptist Association Home Mission Board
Rev. Darryl Johnson, Pastor, Walk of Faith Church, Mound Bayou, MS
Lee Chapel AMEC, Nashville, TN
St. John AMEC, Nashville, TN
St. Peter AMEC, Clarksville, TN
St. James AMEC, Dickson, TN
Tennessee Conference Lay Organization, 13th Episcopal District, AMEC
Grant Chapel AMEC, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Ministerial Alliance, Albuquerque, New Mexico
St. Paul AMEC, Dallas, TX
Councilman Laverne Guy, Picayune, MS
Mr. Herbert E. Fields, Slidell, LA
Mr. Melvin Hicks, Picayune, MS
Dr. Bing & Karen Henderson, Tallmadge, OH
Elder Chantal Henry, Barrier Springs, MI
Dr. Conchetta W. Fulton, New Orleans, LA
Saving Our Selves, Atlanta, GA
Faith Community AMEC, St. Charles, IL
Hickory Hammock Baptist Church, Milton, FL
Mrs. Lillian Rogers, Pearlington, MS
Ministerial Alliance of Greater St. Tammany Parish, LA
Ms. Pam Fields,
God’s House Church, Albuquerque, NM
Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church, Seattle, WA
Ms. Ann Fields,
Ms. Pearl Thomas, Seattle, WA
Rev. W. Antoni & Kristy Sinkfield, Nashville, TN
The A.M.E. Herald (www.ameherald.com )
The Christian Recorder Online (www.the-christian-recorder.org/tcr.online )
Volunteers
Many individuals have provided hands-on, volunteer labor. For the most part, individual participation was coordinated by a group. It is the coordinating group that is listed. We wish we could list individual names, but it would be a daunting task.
Lee Chapel AMEC, Nashville
The Rt. Rev. Cornal Garnett Henning, Presiding Prelate, 8th Episcopal District
The Rev. Joseph E. Young, Presiding Elder, Brookhaven-Hattiesburg District
The Rev. Frederick L. Fields, Pastor
6. THE TWELFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING:
*Ann Gilkey
The Twelfth Episcopal District Presiding Elders, Pastor, and Laymen came to the District Planning meeting thinking business as usual on December 7-9, 2006 at Avery Chapel AME Church in Oklahoma City, OK. It was everything except business as usual. From the opening day till the closing when the floodgate spilled opened, the air was filled with questions. The spirit of cooperation, involvement and creativity was evident, but a feeling of something is going to change and it did!
The opening day message coming from Dr. Frederick Wright, Pastor of Quinn Chapel A.M.E. Church in Cincinnati, Ohio with his message on Jonah, “ Go to Nineveh- A Clash of the Wills” to Rev. Michael Washington, Pastor of Saint James A.M.E. Church in Camden, AR whose message that Saturday was on “Trusting In God, In Spite Of Our Negative Experience.” The question was being answered if one just opened their ears and listened. A change was coming!
The departments made their plans and programs for the coming conference year as usual! The calendars were presented for the Episcopal and Connectional dates as usual! Candidates for Bishop came and spoke to the delegation as usual!
The Annual Episcopal District Christmas Party was not usual but exceptional with entertainment worthy of an Academy Awards. It has been said, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” You could tell the party was not dull as the laughter echoed throughout the building. The food was fit for a king. Kudos goes to Sis Cordelia A. Bennett and the host committee and the star of the presentation, Pastor Kevin Neal as he portrayed Mr. Scrooge.
Finally, Saturday morning arrived a little chilly, just the usual Oklahoma weather.
The nave filled quickly as many arrived from out of town to witness the pastoral appointments. It became evident with the tone of the message, business was about to change and it did.
The changes in pastoral appointments are too numerous to mention, but the changes in Presiding Elders are worthy of recognition. Presiding Elder Edward E. Davis was transferred to the Oklahoma Conference, Oklahoma City District. Rev. Lonnie Johnson was promoted to Presiding Elder and transferred back to the Oklahoma District, Lawton District. Presiding Elder Dennis Hampton was transferred to the Central Northeast Oklahoma Conference, Tulsa District. Rev. Polly Ragsdale (The first Female Presiding Elder of the Twelfth) was promoted to Presiding Elder and was appointed to the Central Northeast Oklahoma Conference, Muskogee District. Presiding Elder Napoleon Davis, Jr., remained in the East Northeast Arkansas, Stuttgart/Forrest City District. The Reverend Lewie A. Norful was promoted to Presiding Elder of the East Northeast Arkansas Conference, Newport/Jonesboro District. Presiding Elder Thomas G. Allen remained Presiding Elder of the Central Arkansas Conference, Pine Bluff/South District. The Reverend Clarence Reynolds was promoted to Presiding Elder and appointed to the Central Arkansas Conference, Camden/Eldorado District. Presiding Elder Samuel L. Arnold was transferred to the South Arkansas Conference, Crossett District, and Presiding Elder James R. Hooper was transferred to the South Arkansas Conference, Monticello District; Presiding Elder Clarence V. Boyd, Sr., remained in the West Arkansas Conference, Hot Springs District, and Presiding Elder Thomas W. Adair in the West Arkansas Conference, Magnolia District. The Arkansas Conference remained unchanged with Presiding Elder Charles M. Cleaver, Sr., assigned to the North Little Rock/Fort Smith District and Presiding Elder Eugene Brannon to the Little Rock District.
Business as usual was not acceptable, and we left the planning meeting with a new frame of mind, “If you do what you always done, you’ll get what you always got!” Change not for just change, but for the improvement of our District!
The Right Reverend Dr. Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr. - Presiding Bishop
Dr. Barbara Jeanne Chappelle - Episcopal Supervisor
Rev. Harvey G. Potts, Sr. - Host Presiding Elder
Rev. Isaac N. Hudson, Jr. – Host Pastor
*Ann Gilkey is the Twelfth Episcopal District Public Relations Director (Arkansas)
7. CLERGY OF THE WEEK: THE REVEREND JANET JENKINS STURDIVANT” A WOMAN’S JOURNEY TO THE PASTORATE IN THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
Reverend Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, Staff Writer
A woman of faith and vision in ministry is The Reverend Janet Jenkins Sturdivant who is utilizing her calling in an exceptional and profound manner in serving the African Methodist Episcopal District. Reverend Sturdivant is this week’s nominee as clergy of the week.
She is an ordained itinerant elder and serves as the pastor of Asbury A.M.E. Church in Chester, Pennsylvania. Bishop Richard Franklin Norris serves as the Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District. In the 159th history of Asbury A.M.E. Church, she is the first female pastor to have been appointment as pastor of this great congregation. Reverend Sturdivant was appointed by retired bishop, the Right Reverend Zedekiah L. Grady. Since her appointment she has established many ministries and involved in the community.
Her journey as a female has pastor has been very rewarding and a challenging experience. At Asbury the church has many accomplishments from developing a radio broadcast program which can be heard weekly in the community, tape ministry in providing audio for the members who are ill and for visitors and friends, tape ministry, children’s altar, reinstatement of the Class Leader’s system, Women’s Ministry, Soldiers of the Cross (Men’s Ministry), Feeding Program-Share A Meal, Intercessory Prayer service (Sunday mornings), Family Bible Study (Tuesday evenings), Meal time with Jesus (every Tuesday at noontime), Perfect Praise Dance Ministry as well as a revived Children’s Dance Ministry, Love Feast and Common Meal, New Members Class, T.E.A.M.S (former Children’s dance ministry), and the Pastor’s Aide.
During Pastor Sturdivant’s tenure, the congregation has purchased a van for the Church, air conditioning for the Fellowship Hall (now named Foreman Hall), the creation of a Music Room for the Choirs of Asbury (named The Roberta Lewis Music Room), installed a Church Lounge, a new P. A. system, paving of the church parking lot, purchase of two security doors for the church, the renovation of the Pastor’s Office, all restrooms in the Church, new carpet for the sanctuary, renovation of the Administrative office, and the painting of the Church. Also, because of the increase in membership, an 8:00 a.m. first Sunday Worship Service has been implemented. A Finance Committee, an increase in tithe and an increase in the membership and weekly visitors.
The pastoral ministry has led her in utilizing her educational gifts as she serves as the Dean of the Ministerial Institute of the Delaware Annual Conference. In May 1998, she became the first female pastor to preach an annual sermon in the Philadelphia Annual Conference. Among her other the firsts, were; the first female to host an annual conference, one of three preachers to preach for the Super Soul Fest in Bermuda in the summer of 2006 and also a preacher of the hour for the Connectional Council in 2006 and for the Department of Church Growth and Evangelism in 2004.
Pastor Sturdivant’s present journey has directed her presently back to the “hall of academics” where she is pursuing a Doctorate of Ministry at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA., with an anticipated graduation date of May 2007. Her dissertation is “A Woman’s journey to the pastorate in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.” She is a 1986 graduate of Medialle College in Buffalo, New York and a 1993 graduate of Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia where she earned a Master of Divinity degree.
She is a 1997 Achiever of the Prestigious Award from the NAACP Role Model of the year.
Congratulations, The Reverend Janet Jenkins Sturdivant and the Asbury church family for being nominated as clergy of the week and may your spiritual journey continue as a “Ministry of Excellence to the Glory of God.”
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E., is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder.
*If you are interested in nominating your pastor, clergy staff, PK (preacher’s kid) or laity as clergy of the week or laity of the week please submit your letter of request to; ebrown49@hotmail.com
8. AFRICAN AMERICAN SMITHSONIAN HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SOCIETY RECEIVES FIRST ARTIFACT FROM FIRST AFRICAN AMERICAN CHURCH IN CHICAGO—QUINN CHAPEL:
CHICAGO - The annual Trustee Day Service at Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, the “First African-American Church” in the city of Chicago featured Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch III, Founding Director, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Prior to this position, he was the CEO of the Chicago Historical Society. Dr. Bunch delivered an exciting and spirit filled message regarding the importance of maintaining and showcasing African American History. Quinn Chapel presented Dr. Bunch with a church pew and it is the first artifact for the new Smithsonian museum to be built on the Mall in Washington DC.
The Trustee Day Worship Service was held at Quinn Chapel which is located at 2401 South Wabash in Chicago at 10 a.m. Quinn is a national, state and local landmark church currently undergoing a major restoration. The presenting of the pew represents one more first in the life of the 159 year old congregation. History being made while building toward the future keeps the church holding its status as a Cathedral of Freedom.
Other awardees included, the former principal of the Graham Elementary School, located across the street from the church, Gene , Construction Manager for Dubin and Associates a housing developer on Wabash and 24th streets, for the removal of trees free of charge to assist the construction crews replacing the 119 year old roof, Grace Water and Ice shield for donating the membrane placed on the roof before shingles, and the Commander of the First Precinct Police Department Commander Keating for his assistance in the restoring of the neighborhood. The Reverend James Moody is the Pastor and the head Trustee is Ruth Dunham.
9. CLINTON ADDRESSES STUDENTS AT INAUGURAL GRADUATION:
LITTLE ROCK – On December 13, former President Bill Clinton delivered the commencement address to the first graduating class of the University Of Arkansas Clinton School Of Public Service, a graduate school bearing Clinton's name. The school opened in the fall of 2005.
The Clinton School is the seventh school named for a former president and the first to offer a Master of Public Service (MPS) degree. The ceremony was held in Clinton's Presidential Library, which is located adjacent to the school in Little Rock.
"I hope your lives in public service will be guided by a simple test - were the people you sought to serve better off when you quit than when you started," Clinton told the graduating class. "Take it from me, 40 years passes in the blink of an eye. After 40 years, that's how you'll judge yourselves."
The 13 inaugural graduates hail from Arkansas and throughout the nation, having spent the past 18 months working through the MPS program. During that time, the students participated in public service projects ranging from local work in the Mississippi River Delta, to international work in places such as the Sudan, Bolivia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam and South Africa.
"This is a milestone for these 13 students who have put in hard work to get to this point, and it is also a special day for this school to be sending its first graduates into the world," said Skip Rutherford, dean of the school. "The faculty and staff of the school are proud of all of these individuals, and we look forward following their careers in public service."
The Clinton School MPS program is a full-time, 2-year graduate program that can be completed in 18 months. Eight of today's graduates have completed their degrees, while five will finish their final projects this spring.
The Clinton School curriculum is enriched with a nationally-renowned series of speakers, conferences and public programs which, in addition to Clinton, have included former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, former Senator Howard Baker, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Rev. Jesse Jackson, Rwandan President Paul Kagame and ABC's George Stephanopoulos among many others. The graduates completed their core course work in their first semester and spent the rest of their time on elective courses and three public service projects. The public service work included a class-wide project that was carried out in the Arkansas Delta.
Malcolm Glover, one of the graduates, traveled to Sudan for two months over the summer for his required internship and worked on a documentary for Winrock International, an innovative global nonprofit organization, and the VEGA consortium, the world’s largest alliance of economic growth volunteer organizations.
"It was like being on the frontier and in the middle of an adventure, but it was also a way to make a positive impact in people's lives," said Glover, 23. "It was amazing to have an experience like that."
A recent Rhodes Scholar finalist, Glover is a native of Bowie, Md., and graduate of Florida A&M. While at the Clinton School, he helped combat homelessness in Phillips County, Arkansas and he worked on economic development and community empowerment initiatives in Kenya and Sudan. For his final graduate project, Glover served as the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation's independent facilitator and researcher for the Hilton Prize Laureates, a group of 11 charitable and non-governmental organizations.
Following the path of Glover and his fellow inaugural graduates are 22 students in the second class at the Clinton School. The enrollment pattern is in keeping with the two other presidential schools that are coupled with presidential libraries. By comparison, the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs started in 1970 with 18 students and now has about 325, and the George H. W. Bush School of Government and Public Service began in 1997 with 19 students and now has about 125.
"We are excited to see the growth of this school in only two short years of operation," Rutherford said. "These students will have the opportunity to take what they learn here and help people throughout the world."
10. THE CHAPLAINS CORNER - NEWS FROM THE BATTLEFIELD IN IRAQ - ANCIENT MONASTERY OFFERS SOLDIERS INSIGHT INTO IRAQ HISTORY:
U.S. Army Specialist Amanda Solitario
Forward Operating Base, Marez, Iraq
Beyond the rolling hills of Mosul and tucked away from the bustle of military life on Forward Operating Base Marez, are the remains of an ancient Christian monastery.
The crumbling walls of the Dair Mar Elia, the monastery of St. Elijah, sit alongside an abandoned yard of Russian tanks and a large pile of ammunition casings. Even so, service members are still able to capture the historical significance of this weathering wonder.
“Soldiers are reminded of the fact that they are operating in a place that has much history,” Chaplain (Capt.) Mark Cisco, from the 3 52nd Corps Support Battalion. “Just a visit to the monastery is a morale booster for Soldiers.”
Service members and civilians living on the Marez compound can arrange tours with the unit ministry team or the mayor’s cell, and Cisco, from Covington, Ga., said everyone should take the opportunity to visit the site while they are here.
“I think every journey that we take outside of our comfort zone helps expand our world view,” said Specialist Darryl Bentley, a chaplain’s assistant with the 3-52nd CSB.
Evidence suggests that the monastery v. as built sometime in the 4th century, making it the oldest Christian monastery in Iraq. The construction of this place of worship predates the founding of Islam by more than 100 years, said Cisco, noting the large Christian presence in the area many years ago.
“But, any faith tradition can benefit from a visit to the monastery,” he said.
In previous years, people in the area dedicated the last Wednesday of November to Mar Elia, a European monk who devoted his life to religion and founded the monastery itself. Throughout the 20th century, many worshippers gathered at the site for special services until the Iraqi Army built a military base around the ruins, closing it off to the public.
Today, American service members have the opportunity to see the historical site while gaining some knowledge on a small part of Iraq’s history without leaving the FOB gates.
“This is a nice little getaway for Soldiers to just come see a true part of history, and a true part of Christian history in a now Muslim nation,” said Bentley, a resident of Hickory, NC.
The monastery has endured a great amount of abuse through the years. Besides time and environmental damage, the Dair Mar Elia has survived many years of war.
The marble archways are caved-in and the bullet-riddled walls are covered in graffiti. Mortar fragments litter the ground, an obvious testament to the violence of its past.
During the early stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Iraqi’s were using the monastery as a command post. As a result, the monastery became a battleground for American and Iraqi forces.
“Just to know what this site used to do, as far as training men to do ministry, and to see the state of ruin it is in is a very sad thing,” Bentley said. “With the wrath of war, this is some of the fallout from it.”
Presently, the site is monitored and maintained by the mayor’s cell on FOB Marez. A chain-linked fence surrounds the ruins to preserve the value of the site.
As Iraq works toward a new future, obvious remnants of the country’s past still linger. Bentley said he would like to see the site restored and opened for tourism.
He said he is fortunate to visit this site and hopes others will be able to do so as well. “My plans are to go into ministry on the civilian side,” he said. “It gives me great hope to know that God will use me in great ways if I allow him to do so.”
Reprinted with the permission of the ANACONDA TIMES
11. THE CHAPLAINS CORNER - NEWS FROM THE BATTLEFIELD IN IRAQ – AME CHAPLAIN AND SOLDIERS OF THE BATTALION HELP IRAQI CHILDREN:
By Maj. Kirk Slaughter
Commander, 210th MPAD
MOSUL, Iraq - In one of the most dangerous and poverty-stricken areas of Mosul, two battalion commanders set out to bring happiness to Iraqi school children.
Lt. Col. Steven Eveker, commander 352nd Corp Support Battalion, and Lt. Col. Mohammad, commander 222nd Iraqi Army worked numerous days coordinating between Mosul officials, the chaplain’s office at Forward Operating Base Diamondback, and Iraqi and American troops.
“This was one of the largest joint humanitarian missions conducted in Mosul during daylight hours since Operation Iraqi Freedom,” Eveker said. “Most missions conducted by the 352nd CSB occur under curfew hours, which really limit the Soldiers’ contact with the local population.”
The operation included more than 1,400 small bags of school supplies, 35 kerosene heaters, more than 50 boxes of clothes, more than 200 umbrellas, and 42 backpacks that were ready to be delivered to about 1,350 children at two schools in downtown Mosul, Chaplain (Capt.) Mark Cisco said.
“The initial planning for the mission began in early October,” Cisco said. “Numerous email messages and letters were mailed to friends, families, churches, and supporters of the 352nd CSB requesting school supplies, clothing, and heaters for the classrooms.”
Approximately 30 soldiers from the 352nd CSB, 1345th Transportation Company, 714th Transportation Company, and the 399th Combat Support Hospital, went out into the community and interacted with residents while being protected by the Iraqi Army, which was pre-positioned on rooftops and street corners during the two hour mission.
A casual conversation took place between the two commanders as they walked down the middle of the streets of Mosul from the first school to the second school. Iraqi adults and children seemed excited, and smiles could be seen on their faces, as they walked along the sidewalks and occasionally made contact with IA and American soldiers.
The two commanders led the parade of soldiers, the unit ministry team, and reporters through what used to be labeled as a very dangerous street in Mosul.
“Lt. Col. Eveker is very well-liked, trusted and respected in the 222nd IA and throughout the community of Mosul,” Mohammad said. “He is a good man and we work well together, and that is why we can do humanitarian missions like this.”
“Lt. Col. Mohammad understands the complexities of the military, economic, political, and religious challenges for the city of Mosul,” Eveker said. “This is what makes him a great leader and commander. He is fighting for a freer Iraq and a more democratic Iraq. His soldiers are disciplined and that is why we were able to walk down the streets of this city while they protected us.”
Once inside the second school, the two commanders met with the school principal, who appeared surprised at the visit. A short meeting – with tea – took place, and then both commanders went into a classroom and started handing out school supplies to the students.
“When we first went into these schools the children appeared terrified and scared of the Iraqi soldiers and me,” Eveker said. “The most rewarding thing about this mission was how quiet, timid, and thankful these children were. And as we left their classrooms they would burst out with laughter and excitement as to what had just happened.”
“Can we make an impact on every child in Mosul? Probably not,” he said. “But we did make an impact on the children we saw today.”
As the two commanders walked back up the street to their vehicles off in the distance one could hear the sounds of two suspected bombs go off.
More than 1,000 children, ages 7-13, received school book supplies and candy during this joint humanitarian mission.
“For our soldiers to see the indigent population and feeling the effects of a war torn nation in the daylight was a memory that will be forever etched in their minds,” Sgt. Charles Sebok, 352nd CSB Chaplains assistant, said.
12. THE GLOBAL CORNER - CELEBRATE HOPE: COMPLETION IS AT HAND!:
*The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas
One week in 2007 is past. The New Year appears a blessed one, yet it also promises to one of the busiest one. This must certainly be a year different from the past year(s). It should be the year of the completion, the perfecting of our dreams and aspirations. This is my prayer for all persons who receive this missive and I am glad you are “one of the ones.”
We have just come through the first Sunday of the year. I trust it was an awesome Sunday of the year for you and yours.
As for me, I took time to visit and worship at my home Church, the Jordan Temple, one of the senior Churches in the 19th Episcopal District. About 20 minutes before the procession began into the sanctuary, I went to the Church ablution facilities and I heard this said by a 19 year old, “This is renovations! It was difficult to come in here (i.e., male toilets) before.”
Mpiyakhe Maseko is his name. He proudly stated this fact at the door step of the ablution facilities, praising and acknowledging what the pastor and congregation together achieved in 2006. It was not the first time he came to the Church ablution facilities, except this year. Questions were formed in my mind; “why would he exclaim this development? Is there any significance in building and renovating ablution facilities in the face of them not regarded a part of the priorities in the Kingdom building?”
Having grown in the vicinity of the Church and had been a member thereto prior to my call to ministry (about 18 years ago), I fully appreciate Mpiyakhe’s excitement. I am not sure about the date of the first construction of the Church ablution facilities. However, considering the material used to build it, which is similar to the one used to build the sanctuary), it is reasonable to assume that the Church ablution facilities were built some time after the sanctuary was built. This is no strange here but a common phenomenon in most, if not all, denominations in the black townships. More than often, ablution facilities are built months, if not years, after the sanctuary was built.
The sanctuary, named after Bishop Frederick Douglas Jordan, was built in the early 1950s through financial contributions of the members of the Church, as well as the compensation (not necessarily equal to the value of the former Church property in Kwa-Dukathole) as received from the government. The members of the congregation were a part of the community which had been moved out of Kwa-Dukathole Township to the newly established Katlehong Township. The resettlement of the community was a result of the enforcement of the Group Areas Act, a law passed by the Nationalist government (architectures of apartheid) to ensure the separation of people based on race, colour and creed.
The Church ablution facilities only consisted of two cubicles in the women’ section and one in the men’ section for many years when first built. It was in the early 1990s that some improvements to the ablution facilities were done. Two urinary cisterns in the men’ section were added.
In time for hosting the 55th Session of the East Annual Conference, few weeks before, the ablution facilities were splendidly renovated. The structure of the facilities was totally changed. A number of the toilet compartments were added in both sections for men and women. Hand-washing basins, which did not exist before, were added in both sections. The roof, on the side of the women’s was erected with sheets allowing for light into the section and the walls were painted with a bright, coloured paint.
About 300 people worship in this Church every week. For many years, worshippers endured the difficulty of accessing restrooms in the three hours they spent when they attended worship services. For those who had access to the ablution block, the standard of the facilities were a cause of embarrassment and debasing to self-worth. No amount of spirituality and prayerfulness can be so strong as to cause the urge to relieve oneself never to exist. If worship services are about healing, then it must be that the need to take off the body substances not needed in the body will follow the healing services.
Therefore, Mpiyake was right when he said, “it was difficult come in here before.” Coming to Church place one into two dimensionally opposed environments, at the same time. The sanctuary, where the spirit is developed is always a clean environment. Yet, the ablution facility, so close to the sanctuary, is inadequate and not as hygienic as contemplated of such a community facility.
Is it important to take the effort to write about this?
Yes, it is. In fact, the Jordan Temple scenario is even much better than many others. At least, at Jordan Temple, for all these years, the ablution facilities still had flushing with clean, running water and the sanitation system is monitored and managed by the local municipality. The distance between the sanctuary and the ablution facilities is close enough to access. There are far much worse scenarios.
To illustrate this fact, Maxeke Memorial is one of our senior Churches, too. It is falling in the category of the ‘much worse scenarios.’ Not only is it a senior Church but it is also a historic Church. Recently, it has been declared a national heritage site. This is Church which is named a heroine of the people’s struggles in South Africa and a stalwart of the Church, the Late Dr. Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke. The Church is also located in a township so historic to the struggles of South Africa. This is a township which received a host of the leaders of the struggle for the South African freedom in 1955 when the Freedom Charter was adopted. In fact, it is believed that this Church played a vital role in the processes that saw the adoption of the Charter. It was the same Church that Charlotte Maxeke was a member and spent her last days. From this Church, her body was carried to the cemetery neighbouring the township, where her tomb notably stands out among many tombs.
Notwithstanding the importance of this Church in our history, one thing that cannot be confidently spoken about in relation to this Church is the state of its ablution facility. It still uses the bucket system, like the community in its vicinity does, and only has one toilet. Complicating the picture is that, the Church complex suffers from squatting by a number of households, who also have this one toilet to use together with the congregation. Obviously, there is an unbearable pressure exacted to this facility. Just the environment around this facility brings a flashing sign of danger – a health hazard not only to the users of the facility but also the people moving about it. To use it really dwarfs one’s pride.
With children, sometimes evading the control of their parents, moving out of the sanctuary and sometimes going into or around this facility, imagine the undesirable health consequences they could be exposed to. How could we justify the expectations for numerical growth in the attendance of this Church? Can we ever hope to attract people to this sanctuary when the environment around it threatens their very health and being?
Both the Churches I mentioned above are in the (peri) urban setting. In fact, they are in the economic hub of South Africa, in close proximity to Johannesburg. Going to rural settings, the situation is even far much worse than the above setting.
For some of us enjoying the luxury of the modern sanitation technology, and have done so for a long period, to appreciate the necessity of reflecting about this situation is time-wasting and futile. In fact, the proposition of building adequate, clean, decent and healthy lavatories cannot be an integral part of our call to the building of the kingdom/reign of God. Is this the truth about the Gospel? Is it really so?
We must remember that tied to the concept of dignity, in the context of the South African history, is the issue of access to adequate sanitation system and facilities which black people were denied before. For many years, blacks were subjected to and had to endure limited access to adequate sanitation, if not absolute deprivation. Therefore, it is not accidental that the transformation agenda in South Africa, to this day, integrates the whole area of access to adequate sanitation. Few years ago, a draft paper by Department of Water Affairs and Forestry had this to say; “The Programme focuses on the eradication of the sanitation backlog in the rural, peri-urban and informal settlement areas by the year 2010. In addition, eradication of the bucket system (currently estimated at about 428 000 households) is to be achieved by 2007.”
Furthermore, Statistics South Africa (the country’s official body, monitoring national statistical data), in its June 2005 report, has this to say; “Of the 8,3 million consumer units receiving sewerage and sanitation from municipalities in South Africa, 4,2 million (50,5%) had access to free basic sewerage and sanitation.”
This is a country of about 46 million citizens. There are still 49% consumer units which still do not have access to free sewerage and sanitation in this country. Among these, it is exaggerating to count in Church as consumer units.
A secular institution rates high the issue of sanitation, precisely because of the fact that it integrally linked to the dignity of the people and promotes hygiene. Thereby the goal, “to better the lives of all people,” includes this issue. In fact, since 2000, every State of the Nation Address of the State President of the Republic of South Africa, Mr. Thabo Mbeki, has a standing paragraph on the subject if sanitation in South Africa, giving emphasis on reaching the 2007 focus of eradicating the bucket system (go to http://www.info.gov.za/speeches/index.htm).
If the mission and purpose of our Church is “…. to minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional and environmental needs of all people by spreading Christ’s liberating gospel through word and deed…..” and we exclude access and provision to adequate sanitation, then we are not true to it. Any down playing of this effort, leaving the status quo is in itself a spell and not the GOSPEL.
Therefore, if anything, we may do, as the Church, is to join in this effort in the way(s) encouraging our constituency to work to ensure that our precincts are not in themselves contributing factor in the spread of disease by, at least; (1) Ensuring that structural designs to new buildings identify and include ablution blocks in the plans (not to build them as if they were an after-thought) and (2) Improving current ablution blocks to meet healthy standards, including keeping them frequently cleaned.
Certainly, our participation and joining in this effort should not be understood as merely being “politically correct.” Nor, should it be considered an addendum to a crowded agenda we already have. Instead, our very mission and purpose should be the inspiration which drives us to contribute towards the liberation of the people.
Perhaps, we will need to add the acknowledgement of best practice in this regard. To acknowledge congregations who invest in this drive will immensely contribute towards building the self-worth of the people.
Romans 8 is a chapter in Pauline Letters which cannot be ignored by any believer. In this chapter, I read the following verses which give meaning to celebrating hope for our completion;
“For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not have yet, we wait for it patiently (verses 24 & 25 – New International Version).”
Perhaps, there will come a time when access to adequate sanitation will be a thing taken for granted. This is not yet the time.
*The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas, Director: Health Programme, South African Council of Churches
Email: tgk@sacc.org.za
13. AME PRESIDING ELDER IS A CONTRIBUTING AUTHOR TO THE POLICY STATEMENT AND STUDY GUIDE ON HUMAN BIOTECHNOLOGIES, FEARFULLY AND WONDERFULLY MADE:
At the recent General Assembly of the National Council of Churches, Presiding Elder, Dr. Eric L. Brown and the committee comprised of other members of the NCC's Biotechnology Committee presented a policy statement and study guide on Human Biotechnologies to the General Assemble for the second reading and adoption. Dr. Brown was the only African American selected to serve on the committee and made valuable contributions to the project through his wealth of theological and cultural experience. The document includes topics such as: The Church's Calling; Faith and Science; Biotechnology and Ethics; Pastoral Care; Key Challenges for Church Engagement; Stem Cell Research; Perception of Disability; Conduct of the Biotechnology Industry; New Genetics or Old so by
Eugenics; The Fabric of the Commonwealth and the Future; and Recommendations.
If you are interested in viewing the document, you can do so by downloading it at http://www.blogger.com/www.ncccusa.org/biotechnology/StudyGuide
14. SOMETIMES PASTORS NEED TO CALL "TIME OUT," SPEAKER SAYS:
DALLAS (UMNS) - The Rev. Freddie Haynes has a message for busy pastors: "If you want to walk on water, you need to call a time-out."
Haynes, pastor of Friendship West Baptist Church in Dallas, was speaking to more than 500 participants attending the Convocation for Pastors of African American Churches, sponsored by the United Methodist Church's Board of Discipleship. He took his text from Matthew 14:22-23.
"In verse 22, Jesus dismisses the crowd and calls a time-out," he said. "Ego will cause you to kick it with the crowd, rather than dismiss the crowd. Jesus had sense enough to call time out."
When Jesus went to the mountain, he came down with more power. In this text, he came down and walked on water, Haynes said.
Using a NASCAR racing analogy, Haynes reminded pastors that they, too, must call a time-out to get refueled. "If you call time out when it's calm, God will keep you calm in the storm," he said.
The convocation, held Jan. 3-6, was designed to help United Methodist pastors and leaders of African-American congregations be intentional about focusing on healthy options that connect spirit, body and mind. (See "Convocation for pastors focuses on healthy connections," 1/11/07)
Know when to get up
The Rev. Kirbyjon Caldwell, pastor of Windsor Village United Methodist Church in Houston, Texas, inspired the gathering with a sermon on the "Mindset of a Winner."
To illustrate how a winner thinks, Caldwell showed video clips from the 1976 World Series baseball game in which Reggie Jackson hit four home runs in a row, and the boxing match between Mike Tyson and Buster Douglass to demonstrate what to do when you get knocked down.
"When you have a winner's mentality, you have to know how to get up. When you get knocked down, stay there for a while,” he said.
Quoting favorite Scriptures, he reminded the group of the importance of walking with the Lord and reading the Bible.
"From this day forward (you can declare), I will get what I fight for. I will fight for my health. I will fight for my equilibrium. I will fight for my family. I will fight for a balanced life. I will fight for an equitable compensation package," Caldwell said.
Convocation participants went to St. Luke "Community" United Methodist Church for dinner and an evening worship and communion service, where the Rev. Gregory Palmer, resident bishop of the Iowa Area, preached from Matthew 26:26.
"The hopes and fears of all the years are met in the cross of Calvary. Hope and fear came together on Calvary's cross," he said. "We were dead in our trespasses, but in Christ, we have been made alive.”
Participants could choose from a variety of workshops, including clergy self-care, managing anger and stress, preparing for the future, faces of depression, the prayer experience, healthy congregations, recognizing and responding to burnout, exercise, nutrition and good health, healthy sexuality, and balancing ministry and family.
This was the fifth annual convocation for pastors of African-American congregations sponsored by the Board of Discipleship.
*Pinkston is director of media relations for the United Methodist Board of Discipleship.
Used with permission of United Methodist News Service, News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
Editor’s Note: The Reverend Jeanette Pinkston is also an ordained itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church
15. A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR COLLEGE SOPHOMORES:
The application deadline is February
1. Inquiries should be directed to: info@i4rc.org
Thanks to the Institute for Responsible Citizenship for sponsoring this program."A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step"Know any young black male college sophomores who might be interested and eligible to apply? Pass this along....Please share this information with your family, friends and your church. Let's get the word out and help our young men. I'm sure someone can benefit from this. Please read everything!!!
The Institute for Responsible Citizenship is currently accepting applications for its summer program at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. Each summer, 12 of the most promising young minority male college sophomores in the country (possibly 24 this coming summer) are given the chance to travel to the nation's capital and engage in prestigious internships while taking rigorous classes at Georgetown.
The courses in government and economics are designed to provide these young men with the skills necessary to critically analyze the world's problems while adhering to a deep respect for civil liberties. When the students are not in class or at work, they are often called upon to attend social functions designed to help them network in their field.Personal meetings with such leaders as Colin Powell, John Lewis, and Clarence Thomas are made possible by the intimate nature of the program.
The program runs from June 3 - July 28 and is a two-summer commitment (accommodations are made for students on the quarter system). During their first summer, students' primary responsibilities outside of their internships are their academic courses. The following summer, in addition to their internships, mentorship with the latest cohort of Institute students and young high school students becomes a priority.Tuition and housing are paid for by the Institute, while students are expected to pay for their transportation and food. In addition, those not placed in paid internships will receive a stipend in the amount of $2500. While there are no major requirements, the program focuses on attracting young men interested in the fields of law, politics, business, academics, and the ministry.
You should be a sophomore to apply, however, juniors are considered if they are committed to attending graduate or professional school directly following their senior year.
To give you an idea of the kind of students we have in our program, here are some statistics from our 2006 cohort: GPA Range: 3.02 - 3.97 Average: 3.65 Leadership in at least one post held at time of application More information, along with the application, can be found on the web at http://www.i4rc.org/
The application deadline is February 1. Inquiries should be directed to:
info@i4rc.org
http://us.f530.mail.yahoo.com/ym/Compose?To=info@i4rc.org
Or call (202) 659-2831.
Those considering applying are highly encouraged to review the website and contact our office before filling out the application.Institute for Responsible Citizenship 1227 25th Street, NW, 6th Floor Washington, DC 20037
16. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE:
Congratulations to Ms. Harriet Octavia Bennett, one of the young bright stars in the Twelfth Episcopal District. Harriet, daughter of the Reverend Dr. Hugh D & Mrs. Cordelia Bennett is featured in the February issue of Ebony Magazine as one of the “Young Leaders Under 30” article.
Rev. & Mrs. Bennett retired this conference year from Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Oklahoma City after pastoring for 32 years. Harriet is the only daughter out of five children. She is an accomplished pianist and violin player and a graduate of Oklahoma City Community College and the University of Oklahoma Nursing College.
Submitted by Mrs. Ann Gilkey, 12th Episcopal District Public Relations Director, the Reverend Kevin L. Neal, Reporter
17. CLERGY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Sister Pauline E. Smart. She was the grandmother of Rev. Frank Smart, associate minister at St. Matthew AME Church, Philadelphia, PA (Philadelphia Conference, West District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing – Friday, January 12, 2007
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Melvyn E. McCalla Funeral Home
1019 Ridge Avenue
Darby, PA 19023
Phone: 610-532-6122
Funeral – Saturday, January 13, 2006
Final Viewing – 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Funeral – 11:00 a.m.
First Baptist Church
925 Summit Street
Darby, PA 19023
Phone: 610-586-0179
Rev. Raymond Merryweather, Pastor
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Frank I. Smart and Family
1327 N. Robinson Street
Philadelphia, PA 19151
frankisaacsmart2@aol.com
Or
First Baptist Church
See above address
Please remember the Smart Family in your prayers.
18. CLERGY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Reverend Jody Jones went to be with the Lord on January 08, 2007. Reverend Jones was a retired Pastor in the Ninth Episcopal District, West Birmingham- Ensley District.
HOMEGOING SERVICE:
Saturday, January 13, 2007
2:00 P.M.
Nichols Temple A.M.E. Church
701 18th Street, Ensley
Birmingham, AL 35218
Ph. 205-786-1642
Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, Eulogist
FUNERAL DIRECTOR:
Arrington Funeral Home, Inc.
520 Cotton Avenue, SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Ph. 205-786-6288
MESSAGES OF COMFORT MAY BE SENT TO:
Mrs. Janice Arrington & Family
3204 Spaulding St., SW
Birmingham, AL 35221
Ph. 205-923-5200
19. CLERGY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Mary Sharp went to be with the Lord on January 04, 2007. Mrs. Sharp was the widow of the Reverend John Sharp, a retired Pastor in the Ninth Episcopal District, West Birmingham-Ensley District.
HOMEGOING SERVICE:
Saturday, January 13, 2007
12:00 Noon
St. Mark A.M.E. Church, West End
1358 15th Place, SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Ph. 205-925-8537
Rev. J. L. Edison, Pastor
FUNERAL DIRECTOR:
Smith & Gaston Funeral Services
102 6th Avenue, SW
Birmingham, AL 35211
Ph. 205-322-3581
FAX 205-322-4868
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Funeral Services for the late Mr. Jerry Copeland, the father-in-Law of Rev. Dr. Larry L. Harris of Savannah Grove AME Church in Lamar, SC.
7th Episcopal District, Northeast Conference/Florence Dillon District will be held on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 @ 11:00 AM.
Viewing: 9:00-11:00
Service @ 11:00
Watson Funeral Home
26 Gifford Ave.
Jersey City, New Jersey 07304
Phone: 201 432-5521
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Dr. Larry L. & Elouise Harris
2111 Driftwood Dr.
Columbia, SC. 29210
elharris@richlandone.org
Or to the home of the decease
C/O Elouise W. Harris
591 Montgomery St 2B
Jersey City, New Jersey 07302
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Rev. W. D. Turner – Retired Presiding Elder in the Tenth Episcopal District (North Texas Annual Conference).
Homegoing Services for Presiding Elder W. D. Turner are as follows:
Wake: Friday Night,
January 19, 2007
7:00 P.M.
Community Funeral Home
1412 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Waxahachie, Texas 75165
Ph: (972) 937-5380
Metro: (972) 035-9593
Homegoing Celebration Service:
11:00 A.M.
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Bethel A.M.E. Church
Rev. Reginald J. Houston, Pastor
1638 E. Ann Arbor Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75213
PH: (214) 375-3567
Please pray for the entire Turner family. Presiding Elder W. D. Turner was the father of Rev. Myra Turner-Billips (Co-Pastor) at Shiloh A.M.E. Church- Galveston, Texas and Sis. Sharon Turner-Baylock (Tenth Episcopal District YPD Director and member of Grant Worship Center in Austin, Texas.)
Condolences may be sent to:
Sister Martha Turner
P. O. Box 339
Italy, Texas 76671
PH: (972) 483-0107
Or
The Reverends Eric R. & Myra Turner-Billips
Shiloh A.M.E. Church
1310 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
Galveston, Texas 77553
PH: 409-672-3646
PH: (682)365-1487 (Mobile)
Or
Sister Sharon Turner-Baylock
Grant AME Worship Center
1701 Kramer Lane
Austin, Texas 78758
PH: (512) 339-4726
Submitted by:
The Rev. Dr. Sherryl A. Matlock-Pastor
St. James A.M.E. Church
Denton, Texas
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This communication comes to inform you of the passing of Mr. Artis McKinney, Jr. on January 16, 2007. Mr. McKinney is the brother of Rev. Hazel J. Linton, Pastor of Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church, Pine Bluff, AR and President of the 12th Episcopal District Women In Ministry.
Service Arrangements:
Monday, January 22, 2007
12:00 noon
Friendship Baptist Church (West End)
1229 Elm Street
Birmingham, AL 35211
205-925-8747 Phone
Professional services are entrusted to:
Arrington Funeral Home
520 Cotton Avenue
SW, Birmingham, AL 3521
205-786-6288 Phone
Condolences may be sent to:
Dr. Hazel J. Linton and family
3229 Birch Avenue, SW
Birmingham, AL 35221
(205) 923-2952 Phone
Please remember the family in your prayers.
Submitted by:
Anita Brannon
12th Episcopal District Administrative Office
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Eula C. King Perry, the mother of Mrs. Minnie Perry Moore died on January 13, 2007. Mrs. Minnie Perry Moore is the spouse of the Reverend George Moore, Jr., pastor of St Philip Monumental AME Church in Savannah, GA
Service Arrangements:
Viewing: Friday, January 19, 2007
1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Charles E. Huff's International Funeral Home
927 5th Avenue
Columbus, GA 31901-2822
(706) 322-8713 Phone
The Wake:
Friday, January 19, 2007
6:00 PM
Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church 4900 Saint Mary's Road Columbus, GA 31907
(706) 682-2927 Phone
Funeral:
Saturday, January 20, 2007
1:00 p.m.
Saint James African Methodist Episcopal Church
1002 6th Avenue
Columbus, GA 31901
(706) 322-8043 Phone
The Life Book may be viewed at http://eula-perry.memory-of.com/
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Minnie Perry (Rev. George A.) Moore
4 West Sagebrush Lane
Savannah, GA 31419
(912) 920-4099
E-mail: mpm522@bellsouth.net
Submitted by:
Rev. Kenneth J. Golphin, Pastor
Historic Saint Paul A.M.E. Church
Lexington, KY
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Mr. Leon Carlton Croft, brother-in law of Presiding Elder P. Robert Tate (Youngstown District, North Ohio Annual Conference, Third Episcopal District) and Mrs. Geraldine M. Tate.
Services held for Mr. Leon Carlton Croft:
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Calling Hour 12:00 p.m.
Funeral 1:00 p.m.
Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home Inc.
1951 McGuffey Road
Youngstown, OH 44505
Phone: 330-744-7770
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. and Mrs. P. Robert Tate or Mrs. Alfreda Croft and son Monte C. Croft
4395 Michigan Blvd.
Youngstown, OH 44505
Or
FAX 330-759-0592
Email: gmtate@msn.com or prtate@sbcgloba.net
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
26. 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.
