THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (3/15/08)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder

1. MEET THE GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE AME CHURCH:

- General Officer Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson, Historiographer / Executive - Director, Department of Research and Scholarship

Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson serves as the Historiographer/Executive - Director, Department of Research and Scholarship for the AME Church. Dr. Dickerson has served since 1988 as Historiographer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and in this capacity has written Religion, Race, and Region: Research Notes on A.M.E. Church History (Nashville, A.M.E. Sunday School Union, 1995) and A Liberated Past: Explorations in A.M.E. Church History (Nashville, A.M.E. Sunday School Union, 2003), and has been Editor of The A.M.E. Church Review since 2000. he pastored three congregations in Massachusetts, New York & Tennessee respectively. He is a native of Duquesne, Pennsylvania.

Dr. Dickerson received his B.A., from Lincoln University (PA); M.A., Ph.D. from Washington University; and M.Div., Vanderbilt University. Dr. Dickerson serves as the James M. Lawson, Jr. Professor of History at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Dickerson specializes in American Labor History, the History of the U. S. civil rights movement, and African American religious history. He also is interested in the social history of American medicine and Wesleyan studies.

He has written Out of the Crucible: Black Steel Workers in Western Pennsylvania, 1875-1980 (Albany, State University of New York Press, 1986) which chronicles the failed century long struggle of black steel laborers to attain occupational parity with their Caucasian counterparts. He also wrote Militant Mediator: Whitney M. Young, Jr. (Lexington, University Press of Kentucky, 1998) which analyzes the leadership of a major leader in the U. S. civil rights movement in the 1960s. This book was awarded the 1999 Distinguished Book from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists. Presently, he is completing Protestant Preachers in the Public Square: The Careys of Chicago, which examines the intersection between religion and politics in the careers of two clergy/politicians during most of the 20th century. The book is under contract to the University Press of Mississippi. He has received grants and fellowships to support his research and writing from the American Philosophical Society, the National Endowment of the Humanities, the Rockefeller Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, and the Louisville Institute.

He has been a member and presenter at the 11th Oxford Institute on Methodist Theological Studies in 2002 and at the 12th Oxford Institute on Methodist Theological Studies in 2007 at Christ Church College, Oxford University, Oxford, England. In 2006 he was a scholar-in-residence at the Methodist University of Sao Paulo/Faculty of Theology (Universidade Metodista de Sao Paulo Faculdade de Teologia in Sao Paulo, Brazil). He served as President of the American Society of Church History in 2004. In January 2008 he joined the Editorial Board of Religion and American Culture: A Journal of Interpretation.

Before coming to Vanderbilt Dickerson taught at Williams College from 1976 to 1999 and was Stanfield Professor of History, Chairman of the Department of History, and Chairman of the Afro-American Studies Program. He has also taught at Rhodes College, Yale Divinity School, and Payne Theological Seminary.

Dr. Dickerson is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American Bible Society.

Dr. Dickerson has been married to Mary A. E. Dickerson for 31 years. They have four children and four grandchildren. His hobbies are swimming and bicycling and he likes to read and travel.

Dr. Dickerson is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

- General Officer Dr. Richard Allen Lewis, Treasurer/CFO AMEC Finance Department

Dr. Richard Allen Lewis was born in Nashville, Tennessee, was elected in 1996 and reelected in 2000 and 2004 as Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer. He received his B.S. degree from Tennessee State University and the Associate degree from the John A. Gupton College of Mortuary Science in Nashville. He is also a graduate of the American institute of Banking in Nashville and the School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. Shorter College conferred upon him the honorary L.H.D.

He served as a Commercial Lending Officer at the First American National Bank, now (AmSouth Bank), and later became President and Chief Executive Officer of the Citizens Savings Bank & Trust Company and Chairman of the Board of Directors. He is the proprietor of Nashville’s Lewis & Wright Funeral Directors. He is a member of Lee Chapel AME Church in Nashville and sings in the choir. He has served on the Board of Regents in the State of Tennessee.

His address, “A Wake Up Call” was published in The A.M.E. Church Review, October-December 2002.

Dr. Lewis’ hobbies are traveling and reading business books and business periodicals. He also has a love for viewing the Godfather movies; he says that he watched the Godfather movie about fifteen times, his wife, Mrs. Delorise Lewis, says that he has watched them about one hundred times.

Dr. Lewis is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

He has been married to Mrs. Delorise Lewis for almost 44 years, and are the proud parents of two sons.

- General Officer Dr. Clement W. Fugh, General Secretary/CIO

Dr. Clement W. Fugh is General Secretary and Chief Information Officer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; he served over thirty years as pastor to congregations in Tennessee, Kentucky and Ohio. He was the pastor of Greater Bethel AME Church, Nashville when he was elected as the General Secretary and was the pastor when Greater Bethel built the beautiful multi-million dollar edifice.

Dr. Fugh earned his B.B.A at the University of Memphis; Th.M., Boston University School of Theology; and D.Min from United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio. He has done additional studies at Atlanta University, Payne Theological Seminary and Memphis Theological Seminary.

Dr. Fugh was a contributor to Liberation and Unity, a COCU sponsored devotional; the African American Devotional Bible; and to The Pastor's Manual for the Twenty-First Century; he served as Secretary to the Committee on Worship and Liturgy that gave to the AMEC the Bicentennial Hymnal and the AMEC Book of Worship; and, he has been involved in the revision and compilation of The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church since 1980.

He has served on the Board of Directors of Citizens Saving Bank of Nashville, Tennessee.

His hobby is reading and he is a shopping connoisseur. He shops at high-end stores and he does not pass any distinguished stores that sell bow ties, which he ties himself. Dr. Fugh loves hot teas with lemon and Starbucks, not for its coffee, but for its tea. There probably isn’t a Starbucks near any Interstate exit within a 400 mile radius of Nashville that he doesn’t know its location.

Dr. Fugh is married to Mrs. Alexis Fugh and they are the proud parents of two adult children, Marcia and Joseph.

- General Officer Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Secretary Treasurer, Sunday School Union

Johnny Barbour, Jr., has given of himself for more than forty years as a servant of the AME Church and was active in the Civil Right Movement in Mississippi in the 50’s and 60’s. He pastored Heard Chapel AME Church in Greenwood, Mississippi and Bethlehem AME Church in Winona, Mississippi, where he purchased the property to build a new church. As a fulltime pastor, he served at Bethel AME Church in Yazoo City, Mississippi; renovated churches in Meridian and Laurel, Mississippi; built a church in Forest, Mississippi; built a parsonage and education building at Fayette, Mississippi. As pastor of Saint Matthew AME Church, Shreveport, Louisiana, he completely renovated the church and parsonage, purchased and developed a parking lot, a project of over $200,000. As pastor of Pearl Street AME Church in Jackson, he led the congregation in the purchasing a new facility valued at $2.5 million dollars.

Johnny Barbour is a servant of the people and a leader for the people.

As a student during the years 1958 to 1960, he served as the President of the Intercollegiate Chapter of the NAACP, and led the first “Bus Sit-in” in the state of Mississippi. He was the first coordinator for Voter Registration Education in that state.

He has served as President of the Connectional Pastors’ Council of the AME Church, and as a member of the General Board. He has served as Chairman of the Revisions Committee for two quadrennials, and is a member of the Compilation Committee. He has served as a member of the Highway Commission for the state of Mississippi. He was actively involved in the election of the first Black mayor of the city of Jackson. As a pastor, he was a spiritual leader and a capable administrator.

Dr. Barbour was born in Greenwood, Mississippi, the son of Johnny and Zula Davis Barbour.

Dr. Barbour earned an Associate of Arts Degree from J.P. Campbell College, Jackson, Mississippi; a Diploma in theology from the E.W. Lampton School of Religion; a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg. He did further study at the Reformed Theological Seminary in Jackson. Dr. Barbour is an alumnus of the Urban Training Center for Christian Mission, Chicago, Illinois and was awarded the Doctor of Divinity Degree from Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio.

He is a member of the American Welfare Association, 100 Concerned Clergy, NAACP, SCLC, Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, YMCA, International Toastmasters Club, Prince Hall Masons, IBPOE of W.

His hobbies are working and gardening. Additionally, he likes to restore antique cars and he owns eight of them.

Dr. Barbour has been married to Mrs. Clara Mae Jackson Barbour for 46 years; they have one son, Thomas Monroe Barbour and two grandchildren, Thomas Monroe Barbour III, and Brianna Kathleen Barbour.

- General Officer Dr. George F. Flowers, Secretary-Treasurer, Department of Missions (Global Witness Ministry)

Dr. George Flowers was born in Columbia, South Carolina and was elected as the Director of the Department of Global Witness and Ministry in 2000 and was reelected in 2004. He received his A.B. Degree from Allen University, the M.Div degree from the Interdenominational Theological Center Turner), and the D.Min from Boston University.

His pastorates in South Carolina included the Rock Hill Mission in Columbia, the Little Mountain Circuit in Little Mountain, Weston Chapel in Greenwood, Friendship in Clinton, the Bluffton Circuit in Bluffton/Hilton Head, Liberty Hill in Summerton, St. Luke, Charleston, and Williams Chapel, Orangeburg. At Williams Chapel, he led the congregation to purchase a Wicks Pipe Organ, supervised the church beautification project, raised funds for new pews for the choirs, and inaugurated a successful campaign for $153, 478 to pay the mortgage on the church’s Family Life Center.

Dr. Flowers also served as a chaplain in the United States Army. He served in the United States and overseas.

His civic contributions included serving on the boards of the Charleston Housing Authority and the Orangeburg-Calhoun United Way. He was a Board Member for the AME Sponsored Reid House of Christian Service. He was a delegate to the World Methodist Conference in 1986 in Nairobi, Kenya and in Singapore in 1991. His travels have taken him to other parts of Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. He serves on the Board of Directors of Church World Service.

Dr. Flowers’ hobbies are reading and traveling and he is an accomplished organist.

He is a Life Member of Omega Phi Psi Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Flowers and his wife, Mrs. Phoenicia Brown Flowers, are the parents of Nicole Gabriel, George Jr., and Martyn Lloyd.

- General Officer Dr. Jerome V. Harris, Executive Director, Department of Annuity Investments and Insurance

Dr. Jerome V. Harris serves as the Executive Director, Department of Annuity Investments and Insurance. He was elected in 2000 and was reelected in 2004.

Prior to his election to the office of General Officer of the Church in July 2000, Dr. Harris served as a pastor for 30 years, which also included serving as Presiding Elder on two separate occasions in the Ninth Episcopal District.

His last pastorate was at Historic Brown Chapel African Methodist Episcopal in Selma, Alabama where he served for seven years and was instrumental in securing the Historic Landmark status for Brown Chapel from the U.S. Department of the Interior in recognition of its pivotal role in the Civil Rights’ Movement.

He also served as the pastor of St. Peter, Montgomery, Quinn Chapel, Uniontown, St. Joseph, Autaugaville, St. Paul, Troy, and St. Paul in Montgomery, Alabama. Dr. Harris also served as presiding elder of the Troy District in the South Alabama Conference and the in the Montgomery District in the Alabama Annual Conference.

He was educated at Alabama State University, the School of Banking at Louisiana State University, and the Omega Senior Management Commercial School of Banking of San Francisco. He was also awarded the honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.

Dr. Harris served in the United State Army from 1963 until 1969 and was honorably discharged a Sergeant (E-5).

In December 2000, Dr. Harris retired as a Senior Vice President, Group Manager and Regional Economic Development Officer with the Regions Financial Corporation where he served for thirty (30) years.

Dr. Harris is the seventh elected Executive Director of the AMEC Department of Annuity Investments & Insurance.

He is married to Mrs. Sandra Elaine Anderson Harris and they are the parents of Christopher Jerome Harris.

- General Officer Dr. James C. Wade, Executive Director, Department of Church Growth and Development

Dr. James C. Wade, Sr., elected as the Executive Director of the Department of Church Growth and Development in 2004, was a veteran pastor in the Fourth Episcopal district. Among his major appointments were St. Paul AME Church (Downtown) Detroit and Ebenezer AME Church in Evanston, Illinois. He was educated at Great Lakes Bible College, St. Ambrose College, Logos College, and Faith Grant College.

Prior to his election as a general officer, he traveled extensively to evangelize throughout the United States, the Caribbean and Africa. He brought 26 churches in Uganda into the 17th Episcopal District.

In a ten-day crusade in Nigeria in 2000, his efforts yielded 300 converts to Christianity. In 2001, at another evangelistic crusade, 50 persons in Jamaica confessed to Jesus Christ. He also spearheaded the development of free medical clinics and the rehabilitation of five churches.

In 2004, on a return to Jamaica, 54 converts joined the AME Church and a school was built at St. Matthew AME Church.

Dr. Wade enjoys traveling and gardening; he love working with flowers.

He is a member of Omega Psi Phi Omega, Inc.

Dr. Wade is married to Dr. Julia Wade and they have two sons and three grandchildren.

- General Officer Dr. Daryl Ingram, Secretary-Treasurer, Department of Christian Education

Dr. Daryl Ingram, born in Georgia, was elected the fifth Executive Director of the Christian Education Department of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 2004.

Dr. Ingram served as pastor to Smith Chapel AME Church, Locust Grove, Georgia; Smith Chapel AME Church, Eastland, Texas; Sherman Chapel AME Church, Plano, Texas; Salter Chapel AME Church, Cleburne, Texas; Murph-Miller Memorial AME Church, Dallas, Texas; St. John AME Church, Mexia, Texas; and Allen Chapel AME Church, Fort Worth, Texas. He served as the Presiding Elder of the Greater Fort Worth District in the North Texas Annual Conference and was serving in that position when he was elected as Executive Director of the Christian Education Department.

Dr. Ingram earned a Bachelor of Aerospace Engineering degree from Georgia Institute of Technology, a Master of Business Administration from Harding-Simmons University, a Master of Divinity from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University, and a Doctor of Ministry in 1995 from United Theological Seminary.

Dr. Ingram serves in ecumenical and world affairs actively participating in the National Council of Churches in the U.S.A., and the World Methodist Council. He is the Secretary of the Paul Quinn College Board of Trustees, a member of the Executive Committee of Prairie View Ministers Conference, and a member of Interfaith Worker Justice Board of Trustees. He is a veteran of the United States Air Force and the Texas Air National Guard from which he has retired.

Dr. Ingram served fifteen years as the Director of Christian Education for the Tenth Episcopal District; thirty years as a church school teacher, workshop leader, and facilitator; and was a founding member of the AME Church Fellowship of Christian Educators. He was the host of the 1994 AME Church Connectional Christian Education Congress while serving as the pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in Fort Worth, Texas.

Dr. Ingram’s hobbies are working out at the YMCA, reading and traveling. He is also a high-end shopper.

He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Ingram is married to Mrs. Patricia A. Ingram and they have four children and seven grandchildren.

- General Officer Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder, The Official Newspaper of the AME Church

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor, III is the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the official newspaper of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He was elected to that position at the 47th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference that was held in Indianapolis, Indiana in July 2004.

He attended Wilberforce University and received his baccalaureate degree from Cheyney University. He received his Doctor of Ministry degree at Lexington Theological Seminary and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College.

Dr. Sydnor served as the Director of the online Bachelor of Arts Degree Program in Religious Studies at Hampton University from 1999 until 2004. He also served as an Assistant Professor of Ethics and Religion. He is currently an adjunct professor of religion and ethics for Hampton University and teaches online courses for the HU Religious Studies Program.

Dr. Sydnor served as a United States Army Chaplain for twenty-eight years and provided pastoral care in support of soldiers and their families. He retired as a colonel. He was awarded numerous military honors and decorations, including the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, and the Parachutist Badge. Dr. Sydnor made 86 Parachute jumps while on active duty.

He served in numerous locations in the United States, in Germany and was the Command Chaplain for the VII (U.S.) Corps and was assigned to that unit during deployment to Southwest Asia for Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990. During his last military assignment, Dr. Sydnor served as the Command Chaplain for United States Army Training and Doctrine Command where he provided pastoral leadership and technical supervision to the senior chaplains at the seventeen military installations located throughout the United States.

He is an experienced trainer of clergy in pastoral leadership, biblical theology, administration and organizational effectiveness. Prior to entering the United States Army, he served as the Dean of the Joint Pastors' Institute at Lane College providing theological education for ministers in the African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion and Christian Methodist Episcopal Churches in Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Arkansas.

He is the author of the booklet; "Some thoughts on being an Effective Chaplain" published by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command and “Understanding Islam" an individual study project, which is used as a supplemental text for Islam and World Religion classes at Hampton University. He has published many articles in denominational periodicals and conducts marriage, values clarification, and ministers' retreats.

Dr. Sydnor serves on the Board of Trustees at Lexington Theological Seminary and serves on the Board of Directors of the Sloan-Consortium.

Dr. Sydnor is a Life Member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and was named “2004 Citizen of the Year” by Kappa Iota Iota Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

Dr. Sydnor is married to the Reverend Charlotte Ann (Blake) Sydnor, pastor of Shorter Chapel AME Church in Franklin, Tennessee and a D.Min Candidate at United Theological Seminary. They will have been married for 46 years August and are the parents of three children, Gloria, Calvin, and Christopher and have 12 grandchildren. His hobbies are cooking, walking, and playing the piano. He is connoisseur of shopping at Wal-Mart, Target and Value City.

Interesting Facts:

- All of the General Officers are married
- Two General Officers served churches named, “Bethel”
- Two General Officers were born in Pennsylvania
- Three General Officers served in the U.S. Military
- Two General Officers served as military chaplains
- Two General Officers served as full-time university professors
- Six General Officers are members of Fraternities
- Two General Officers served as presiding elders

Editor’ Note: All of the General Officers are candidates for reelection at the 48th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference that will be held in St. Louis o July 4 – 11, 2008.

2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:

- To the Editor

RE: Affordable Evangelism Resources

I totally agree with Dr. Sydnor when he states, “The AME Church has got to keep rolling forward.” I admire his steadfast commitment to sharing information in diverse formats. The technology is in place; and so are the people who can help to make use of it.

There are a number of elders, deacons and “wannabees” with a word from God for modern media. Unfortunately, there are hundreds, perhaps thousands more with a word of false prophecy or empty promise—and they supply meaningless content to what could be your virtual pulpit.

Earlier this year, I attended King Day services at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta. The preacher of the hour was The Rt. Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate of the 13th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We'd hoped to capture parts of her sermon on video for the virtual pulpit.

Oh well, my video was shaky, the lighting was not the best, and my photographic composition abilities were worst than a 54 year old diabetic’s with low blood sugar; so much for the means and methodology.

The message followed many mini-sermonettes and eloquent speeches from learned people, and yet challenged sitters to get off the pew and onto the battlefield. I was truly moved by this spiritually enriched global communicator, and hope that other media technicians, operators and communicators can get on board with a common vision for the Universal Church.

http://www.georgiafbci.net/Selma.htm

Eric Stradford
TheEnterpriZe

- To the Editor

RE: [Tcr-3/13/08] NEWS ARTICLE: Sex Infections Found in Quarter of Teenage Girls

Thank you for putting this article out there. As a Health Educator and Certified Nurse Practitioner, I applaud you. This is a very serious issue that seems to get worse by the minute. And of course, your final statement is correct, that if it is affecting young women then it is certainly affecting young men. We do need to keep it "Real." Education is the key.

Dr. Connie S. Richardson, ARNP-C
Second Episcopal District Supervisor

4. NOTICE FROM PRESIDENT OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF THE AME CHURCH:

IN RE: THE MATTER OF ROSA MCCLOUD-BAXTER
REQUEST FOR A DECLARATORY DECISION

The Judicial Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Church intends to conduct closed deliberations of issues relating to the above-named case. The deliberations shall be in person and exclusively among the members of the Judicial Council. The deliberations shall be conducted on July 3, 2008, at the site of the General Conference.

To assist in its deliberations, the Judicial Council will accept briefs in accordance with The 2004 Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church [“Discipline”], Part XI, Section XX. H., Paragraphs 11 & 12 (page 315).

All persons, bodies, organizations, or other entities wishing to submit briefs shall submit a “Notice of Intent to Submit Brief’ [“Notice”]. Such Notice shall be sent by United States mail, first class, postage pre-paid, to:

Name: REV. GRANVILLE REED
Address 2002 Mt. Herman Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32209

Notices must display a postmark date of not later than midnight, April 15, 2008. Notices transmitted by any method other than as above indicated, or after the deadline, shall not be accepted.

Persons, bodies, organization, or other entities who wish acknowledgment of receipt of Notice shall include a self-addressed, postage paid return envelope.

Briefs shall be accepted from only those persons, bodies, organizations or other entities who file a Notice on or before the above-stated deadline. Those persons, bodies, organizations, or other entities shall receive detailed instructions regarding briefs after the closing date for the submission of Notices.
ENTERED AND SIGNED this 3rd day of March 2008.

/Signed/

PATRICIA MAYBERRY
President
The Judicial Council of the AME Church

5. PAYNE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY LAUNCHES DOCTOR OF MINISTRY PROGRAM:

Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, President of Payne Theological Seminary, is pleased to announce a wonderful new opportunity taking place at the seminary. In keeping with its rich tradition of training men and women for scholarship, social advocacy, and Christian ministry, Payne Theological Seminary is pleased to describe the launching of its new Doctor of Ministry Program in theological and ministerial education. The Doctor of Ministry program signals a dynamic collaboration between Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, Ohio, and Bakke Graduate University of Ministry, Seattle, Washington. This collaboration has birthed an exciting three-year program designed for experienced leaders in ministry who want to pursue continued professional ministry development.

Payne’s mission is to prepare men and women for leadership in the Black Church. We believe the Payne-Bakke Doctor of Ministry program offers the only doctoral curriculum in the United States to combine an African American perspective and a global Christian context, with special emphasis on ministry in urban centers in order that the students in the program can be equipped to minister effectively in the global city.

On January 14, 2008, the newest group of Doctor of Ministry students was immersed into a program that will no doubt transform them and their ministries. Payne students came from all over the United States to join and journey with students from Nigeria, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Uganda, and Kazakhstan. The week long experience, titled Overture I, compared the first learning experience to a musical overture which introduces snippets of the music to come and themes that will be heard throughout the production. Overture I introduced the themes and experiential approaches to doctoral study that are structured around transformational leadership for the global city. Overture I provided the students the unique opportunity to walk the streets of Seattle with Dr. Ray Bakke, President of Bakke Graduate University of Ministry and to visit ministries where God is at work, to dialogue with recognized experts from a variety of leadership and ministry fields, to read, to journal their experiences and to then debrief with each other.

As expected, the students’ perspectives were broadened and in some instances changed dramatically, while lights went on regarding what was happening in them and their own ministries. The Payne-Bakke Doctor of Ministry Program, Overture I, in Seattle was an adventurous, convicting, and challenging experience for the students in attendance, six of whom represented Payne’s inaugural Doctor of Ministry class. Those who comprised this first cohort are: they are: Rev. Stanley Smith, Pastor of St. John AME in Niagara Falls, NY., Rev. Silvester Scott Beaman pastor of Bethel AME in Wilmington Delaware; the Rev. Manual Mathew Biagas, pastor of Murphy AME Church; the Rev. Gwendolyn J. Johnson, pastor of Reed’s Chapel AME Church in Youngstown, Ohio; the Rev. John W. Howard, pastor of New Hope Baptist Church in Atlantic City, NJ; and the Rev. Sylvia Moseley of Omega Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio; comprised Payne’s first cohort.

Payne’s President, Dr. Fitchue and Bakke Graduate University of Ministry President, Dr. Bakke, birthed the experiential doctor of ministry concept while professional colleagues at Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary. They have been joined with Dr. Harold Dean Trulear, Associate Professor of Applied Theology at Howard University in Washington, D.C., who serves as Consultant to the President for Academic Affairs at Payne.

Just as surgeons are prepared in the operating room to become surgeons, Payne is looking for gifted ministers and missionary professionals to join us in this medical model as we utilize our cities around the world as laboratories, and practitioners as professors. The Payne Bakke Doctor of Ministry Program is designed to integrate the theory and practice of ministry within the context of the students’ ministry location, and the global arena through their required participation in a cohort conducted in Africa or Asia.

Interested persons may inquire by phone 937 376-2946 Ext. 228 or Toll-Free (888) 816-8933 Ext. 228 or download an application on the Payne website, www.payne.edu. Applications are being accepted for the June 2008 and January 2009 cohort groups.

Submitted by Dr. Leah Fitchue, President, Payne Theological Seminary
1230 Wilberforce-Clifton Road, P.O. Box 474
Wilberforce, Ohio 45384
937-376-2946

6. THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH CHRISTIAN DEBUTANTE—MASTER DEDICATION COMMISSION ANNOUNCES 15TH DEDICATION CEREMONY:

The Connectional Christian Debutante Master Dedication Commission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church will hold its 15th Dedication Ceremony on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 3:00 p.m. at the Renaissance Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri. This dedication ceremony will showcase debutantes and masters who have received training in spiritual, physical, and social programs; have completed a required curriculum and are now ready to be presented to the church. These young men and women are pledging to give greater Christian service. Additionally, sub-debutantes, sub-masters, and junior Allenites will participate in the ceremony.

The dedication ceremony is two fold: (1). To present young people who have given their lives to Christ and worked hard to complete their required service programs; (2). To help provide scholarship funds to support the debs and masters who seek continuing education. In order to achieve this goal, we are soliciting your support of the Souvenir Journal that will be prepared to commemorate this occasion. We are requesting your financial support in the way of purchasing an ad to be placed in the Souvenir Journal. All ads for the Souvenir Journal, including monies, must be received by Wednesday, April 30, 2008. Ads should be camera ready and any accompanying pictures should be glossy black and white. Thank you for your support of the Christian Debutante-Masters Commission. We would love to have you present at the dedication ceremony in St. Louis.

For additional information contact Mrs. Loretta Hill
General Administrator, Christian Debutante-Masters Commission: loretta_hill@sbcglobal.net

7. PAYNE SEMINARY HOSTS NAVY RECRUITER:

Payne Theological Seminary recently hosted an officer recruiter from Navy Recruiting District (NRD) Ohio. Chief Warrant Officer James Eveland from NRD Ohio visited Payne Seminary on the evening of February 26, 2008. Chaplain David Brown, the Navy Region East Chaplain Program Officer, accompanied him on the visit.

Warrant Officer Eveland and Chaplain Brown were introduced to seminary students during the chapel service that precedes evening classes. After the service, students were treated to a pizza dinner compliments of NRD Ohio and offered a video presentation about the various opportunities for ministry within the Navy Chaplain Corps.

8. THE CALIFORNIA CONFERENCE CELEBRATES FOUNDER’S DAY:

On February 10, 2008, the California Conference commemorated the Rt. Reverend Richard Allen, founder of the A.M.E. Church. Born February 14, 1760, Allen was a visionary before his time and together with Absalom Jones founded the Free African Society that later became the African Church of Philadelphia that grew into the African Methodist Episcopal Church that is now international and has over 2 million members world-wide.

The Founder’s Day Worship Service was hosted by Parks Chapel A.M.E. Church, an 89 year old congregation in Oakland, California, the Rev. Benjamin Hollins, Senior Pastor and Presiding Elders Rev. Dr. Booker T. Guyton and Dr. Vernon S. Burroughs.
Reflections by the Presiding Elder...

"We are blessed with the rich heritage and legacy of our founder, Richard Allen. On this Founder's Day, it is a blessing to see the people of God respond in such great numbers in praise and worship thanking God for our founder and appreciating where God has brought us." Presiding Elder Booker T. Guyton, Sr., Oakland/San Joaquin District, California Conference.

“It is important to place emphasis on our history. The founding of the A.M.E. Church as I see it is the first civil rights movement in this country. This year’s celebration of singing and praise was done with so much excitement and energy. The joy of the Lord was really in Parks Chapel.” Presiding Elder Dr. Vernon S. Burroughs, San Francisco/Sacramento District, California Conference.

In honor of Richard Allen’s contributions, the Founder’s Day Litany was led by Rev. Francine Brookins, Senior Pastor, Wright Chapel A.M.E. Church San Francisco. Mrs. Loe Ressie Montgomery-Branch, California Conference Lay Organization President, presented a historical statement of the A.M.E. Church and the development of the Connectional Lay Organization.

Regina Bryels, President of the 5th District Economic Development Fund (EDF) Board of Directors, and California Conference WMS President, presented the purpose of the Economic Development Fund and made a progress report:

• $70,000 in scholarships was awarded to A.M.E students in 2007.
• Construction continues of a hotel in St. Louis valued at 9 million dollars.
• Local churches throughout the 5th District have received EDF loans.
• Senior and low-income housing has been developed.

The California Conference EDF accountants made the following report:

• Total Developers: 599
• Total money raised: $30,150.00

Praise dancing and celebration through music presented by the churches in the California Conference offered spirited worship and praise for approximately 1,000 members in attendance. The youth reminded the California Conference of why the contributions of Richard Allen and other historical African Americans are celebrated, through music presented by the YPD Choir singing Negro spirituals and a captivating oratorical presentation entitled “Grace” by David Miles, Price Chapel AME Church Los Angeles.

The California Conference joins with the Connectional A.M.E. Church in continuing to remember and to teach our history, and the work of our Founder, Richard Allen, and others who built the A.M.E. church on a solid rock that has grown for 221 years.
Mr. Walter Mitchell, Allen Chapel San Francisco took photos.

Submitted by Mrs. Marilyn Lovelace-Grant, California Conference Director of Public Relations

9. PAN-METHODISTS REASSESS ROLES ON UNITED METHODIST - BOARDS - THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH HAS WITHDRAWN ITS SUPPORT:

By Linda Green*

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (UMNS)-The African Methodist Episcopal Church has withdrawn its support of a resolution affirming full communion with the other denominations in the Pan-Methodist Commission, and it is reconsidering having representatives on United Methodist agencies.

Speaking at the March 6-8 meeting of the Pan-Methodist Commission, Bishop Earl McCloud, the ecumenical officer for the AME Church, said the withdrawal was based on a series of events, primarily those that led up to the dismissal of the Rev. Larry Pickens as leader of The United Methodist Church's ecumenical agency.
Last November, the commission adopted a resolution affirming full communion and mutual support of the churches in the Pan-Methodist Commission. But since then, the bishop said, "I've changed my mind."

"I do not agree presently with the resolution and will not take it to our General Conference" for adoption, he said. Other pan-Methodist denominations will consider the resolution at their General Conference gatherings in 2008 and 2010.
The 40-member body includes representatives of The United Methodist Church and five historically African-American Methodist churches: the African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist Episcopal, Union American Methodist Episcopal and African Union Methodist Protestant denominations.
Established in 2000 by the top legislative bodies of the African Methodist Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Zion, Christian Methodist and United Methodist churches, the commission works to foster cooperation among its member denominations in evangelism, missions, publications, social concerns and higher education.

Following the 2000 General Conference's Acts of Repentance, where The United Methodist Church apologized for actions that caused blacks to leave its predecessor churches in the 18th and 19th centuries, representatives of the historically black pan-Methodist churches were placed on the boards of directors of United Methodist agencies.

Those members who have served for eight years reported to the commission that their experiences had been educational and filled with opportunities to "see The United Methodist Church in action," said Juanita Bryant, a representative from the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

Members who served on the Commission of Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns questioned the process that led to the dismissal of Pickens, who was the agency's first African-American chief executive. Last December, the three pan-Methodist representatives on that agency were unhappy enough with the process that they left the commission meeting after Pickens' dismissal.

No inkling

A chief concern, according to McCloud and Lula Howard of the AMEZ Church, was that the full commission never had a chance to vote specifically on whether to re-elect Pickens. "I never had an inkling to what was going on," Howard said.
Instead, members were presented with a motion from the commission's personnel committee to elect retired Bishop Fritz Mutti as the temporary leader and to initiate a search for Pickens' replacement.

"I was hurt," Howard said. "I have seen people dealt with on personnel issues before but never in the manner that this was handled." Her concern was whether Pickens, who had only been on the job a year, was being compared with his predecessor, who had held the position 12 years. She also wondered if personal vendettas had led to Pickens' dismissal.

Nebraska Bishop Ann Sherer, president of the Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, said she could not legally talk about the process or personnel matters, but she told the commission that "our relationship with each another is vital." She said she wanted to find ways to address their concerns.
"We live in a culture which in essence is white privilege and racism, and I know that," Sherer said. "I also know that when you have an internal personnel process, you have to follow that process."

She added that the presence of pan-Methodists on the Christian Unity commission and other boards is needed. "You have made real contributions to our community."

Questions about roles

"It was a gracious invitation by the part of The United Methodist Church to ask us to serve, but I don't see our church becoming more involved in this. I'm questioning within my own heart and soul the real value since they (the United Methodists) have been doing this and we haven't, (and) whether it is something we ought to continue," McCloud said.

Some members of the Pan-Methodist Commission questioned their participation on the boards and agencies because it exposes them to some of the inner workings of a denomination.

Others said that, because of different church structures, United Methodists have not yet been able to serve on the boards of the other pan-Methodist churches.
"While it is my responsibility to put AMEs there (on the United Methodist boards), I would do not that again," McCloud said. "There are some positives to this program, but I think the negatives outweigh the positives."

AMEZ Bishop Nathaniel Jarrett, the Pan-Methodist Commission's chairman, said the Pickens situation had adversely impacted the commission. He asked if pan-Methodist participation on United Methodist boards and agencies should be revisited in the future. "The intent was good and it may still be, but at some point we need to talk about it again," he said.

Byrd Bonner, a United Methodist representative to the commission, said the placement of pan-Methodists has been a mandate of The United Methodist Church for the last eight years, and "The United Methodist Church would be much less whole and led by the Holy Spirit" if AME representation was absent from the boards and agencies.
"Nobody ever thought it would be a bed of roses," he said, "but it is a two-way street." He added that stress points often lead to a deeper faith journey.
A snowstorm prevented Bishop Fritz Mutti, interim leader of the Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, from attending the meeting. In a March 10 letter to the Pan-Methodist Commission, he said, "Our relationships, strained as they are, still hold the possibility of reconciliation and hope for our four communions. I pray every day that God will bless our common effort and enable us to bear meaningful witness to our Lord Jesus Christ."

What the Lord requires

A highlight of each commission meeting is a community-wide worship service hosted by a pan-Methodist congregation. Broadway Temple African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church was the site of the March 7 gathering. Jarrett provided the keynote sermon.
Jarrett, who is retiring from the episcopacy this summer, used the service to give the commission its marching orders for the future. Basing a double question on Micah 6:8, he asked: What does the Lord require of you, and does the Lord require too much of us?

"The Lord has directed us to be where we need to be not only as a commission but as a Methodist people," he said. The commission has come full circle in its journey as a pan- Methodist organization seeking to understand the common ministry to which it has been called. "We find ourselves back where we started 29 years ago...."
The commission is the result of the merger of the Commission on Pan Methodist Cooperation and the Commission on Pan-Methodist Union. Since 1996, the commission has had an ongoing struggle around issues of cooperation and what union means.
In 2007, the bishops attending the Consultation of Methodist Bishops in Atlanta voted to remove the words "cooperation" and "union" from the commission's name, making it the Pan-Methodist Commission. The commission works under the vision of "One body, many members."

"Our aim at the beginning and our aim now is a cooperative ministry witnessing together as a people called Methodists," Jarrett said. For nearly 30 years, the commission members, in a variety of forms, have consulted, envisioned and worked together, but the commission may have been asking the wrong questions "in seeking answers that could never satisfy the longings of our souls," he said.

While commission members often wrestled with what was required and expected of one another, the question, Jarrett said, should have been: "What does the Lord require of us?"

The answer, he said, is to do justly, love mercy and kindness, and walk humbly with God. Jarrett proceeded to define and elaborate on each requirement and told the commission that God has something in store for it.

"The commission can't work it out, theologize it out or think it out," he said. "Why don't we do just do what the Lord requires, and if we meet his requirements, he will take us where we need to be and do for us what we need to have done."
In other activities, commission members:

Refined the commission's report to the 2008 General Conferences of the AME, AMEZ and UM churches and the 2010 General Conference of the CME church.

Updated the commission's "One Voice" brochure to include two communions - African Union Methodist Protestant and Union American Methodist Episcopal -that have joined the commission.

Scheduled the next meeting for Nov. 21-22 in Louisville, Ky., and named Quinn Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church as host for the community worship service.

*Green is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in Nashville, Tenn.
News media contact: Linda Green, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470

Used with permission of the United Methodist News Service

10. SOUTHERN BAPTIST LEADERS SAY IT IS TIME FOR INDIVIDUALS, CHURCHES, COMMUNITIES, AND GOVERNMENTS TO ACT:

ATLANTA, March 10, 2008—Prominent and influential Southern Baptist leaders called for a “unified moral voice” on the need for people to care for creation and to take a “position of prudence” in “taking responsibility for human contributions to global climate change” in a declaration signed by 46 leaders and released today.

Demonstrating new conviction by key pastors, denominational leaders and heads of Southern Baptist institutions, the leaders signed a comprehensive declaration that stakes out positions far beyond former SBC statements and pledges to “give serious consideration to responsible policies that effectively address” environmental and climate change concerns.

The declaration identifies the denomination’s past pronouncements on the environment as “too timid” and moves beyond the resolution on global warming adopted at the 2007 Southern Baptist Convention.

"Today marks a new day for many Southern Baptists, as we pledge to take seriously Scripture's creation care mandates in light of pressing environmental realities, said Jonathan Merritt, 25, a student at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and the project director who has rallied fellow Southern Baptists – including many leaders of the denomination – to address environmental issues. “Environmental crises are theological problems, and Southern Baptists will honestly engage these problems with a spirit of humility and compassion," Merritt said.

Signatories include

• Frank Page, president of the Southern Baptist Convention (2006-Present), Taylors, South Carolina
• James Merritt, former president of the SBC (2000-2002) and pastor of CrossPointe Church, Duluth, Georgia
• Jack Graham, former president of the SBC (2002-2004) and pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church, Plano, Texas
• Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Wake Forest, North Carolina
• David Dockery, president of Union University, Jackson, Tennessee
• Timothy George, President of Beeson Divinity School of Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama, and Senior Editor of Christianity Today
• Ken Whitten, pastor of Idlewild Baptist Church, Tampa, Florida
• Ronnie Floyd, pastor of First Baptist, Springdale, Arkansas
• Herschael York, President of the Kentucky Baptist Convention and Professor at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

Media Teleconference with Southern Baptist Spokespersons

Jonathan and James Merritt and Danny Akin will conduct a media teleconference Monday, March 10, at 2 p.m. EST. They will make prepared statements and be available for one hour to answer media questions.

To participate in the teleconference, call 1-800-918-9578.

Timothy George said: “As evangelical, Bible-believing Christians, Southern Baptists want to take seriously the stewardship God has granted us to care for his creation. We have taken bold steps to uphold the sanctity of human life in the midst of a culture of death and we must continue to be advocates for ‘the least of these.’ But we also recognize that ‘the earth is the Lord’s,’ and we bear a special responsibility — precisely as Christians and as Baptists — to treat with protective care and concern the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the earth on which we live, move, and have our being as persons made in the image of God. With this new statement, Southern Baptists, more boldly than ever before, own this responsibility and we invite others to join us in this worthy effort.”

“This declaration seeks to address the biblical call to the stewardship of God's creation. In doing so, it serves as a timely response to contemporary environmental concerns in our culture,” Dockery said.

“This is a call to be informed and get involved in caring for creation, what John Calvin called ‘the theater of God’s glory,’” said Akin. “Here we find a challenge to be prudent, wise and active as biblical stewards of God’s good gift.”

James Merritt added: "Southern Baptists should lead the way in modeling proper care of the environment in both practice and precept because this is a God-created world that deserves the very best of our ecological stewardship. This declaration advances our voice on these important issues in a prudent yet firm way.”

The declaration offers four sections with the following headings:

• Humans must care for creation and take responsibility for our contributions to environmental degradation

• It is prudent to address global climate change
• Christian moral convictions and our Southern Baptist doctrines demand our environmental stewardship
• It is time for individuals, churches, communities, and governments to act.

For the text of the full declaration of a complete list of signatories, go to www.baptistcreationcare.org. To interview spokespersons for A Southern Baptist Declaration on the Environment and Climate Change, contact Mitch Leff at mitch@schroderpr.com or cell (404) 861-4769, or Amber Rigsby at amber@schroderpr.com or cell (678) 644-7249.

11. JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC - CHURCH AND PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT:

Gospel Artist Norman Hutchins is coming to Jackson. Dr. Hutchins will be joined by Evangelist Myrna Summers and conductor/author James Abbington as featured consultants for the 32nd Annual Church Music Workshop of America at Jackson State University June 16-19 with a concert on Thursday, June 19th at 7pm in the Rose McCoy Auditorium featuring these artists and the workshop choir. Well-known musicians Roland Carter and Don Lee White will serve as special consultants. There will be sessions for ministers, musicians, adult choir members, youth choir members and children. Dr. Hutchins’ latest release is God Is Up To Something and Evangelist Summers, the Minister of Music at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Glendale, Maryland, is known for her original compositions God Gave Me A Song and Mountain Get Out Of My Way, her latest CD with the Reid Temple A.M.E. Mass Choir. Dr. Abbington will conduct a GIA reading session. The early registration fee is $100 which includes all music and materials. After June 1, the fee is $125. The beautiful Marriott Jackson is the official hotel with a workshop rate of $99 plus taxes, single or double. Please call 1-800-256-9194 or 601-969-5100 to reserve a room.

For workshop information, call Dr. Jimmie James, Jr., at 601/979-2141, e-mail him at jimmie.james@jsums.edu

12. NEW LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE FOR WOMEN IN MINISTRY:

Powerful Publication Targets Growing Number of Female Clergy

(PEMBROKE PINES, Florida) - A new publication, CALLED Magazine, is the first of its kind. The magazine targets the increasing number of females in ministry. The powerful publication is a resource to inspire, inform and enlighten the growing number of women in ministry across the globe. One in every eight clergy members is a woman, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

"The numbers of women in ministry are increasing rapidly, and CALLED Magazine has a readership that is global and cross gender. Pastors and ministerial leaders from all corners of the world are subscribing and some men are even purchasing
the publication for themselves because of the rich resources that we provide," said Marsha DuCille, publisher of CALLED Magazine. "We offer quite an assortment of articles on a wide range of topics including how to run an effective ministry, grant writing resources, handling church finances and marketing, just to name a few."

In 1994, 19 percent of Presbyterian Church Clergy members were female, as were 30 percent of the Unitarian-Universalist Association Clergy members, according to a study in the mid-1990s by Barbara Brown Zikmund, Patricia Chang, and Asdair Lummis.

Although the magazine has already faced opposition and received hate mail from more conservative denominations, the magazine is dedicated to improving the lives of women in ministerial leadership by providing ministerial resources, timely information, Biblical inspiration, ministerial fellowship, and an uplifting, refreshing look at what it is to be a woman in ministry today. Many male pastors and men in ministry have even chosen to purchase gift subscriptions.

"We are providing articles to assist female pastors in the day-to-day complexities of being a spiritual shepherdess to a modern-day flock; - as well as being a woman with spiritual, relational, emotional, physical, fashionable and relational needs."

Called Magazine provides resources for women pastors, including conferences, events and articles with titles such as, "Secrets of Highly Successful Female Pastors" and "10 Practices of an Effective Ministry."

"There are so many women out there who can benefit from this resource, and the sisterhood of knowing they are not alone," said DuCille. "This magazine brings together not only women, but men, families, and everyone involved in the ministry and everyday lives of these mighty women of God.
We feel strongly that people will welcome us once they see all of the benefits we provide."

CALLED Magazine offers readers a one-year subscription for $29.95. To purchase, visit www.calledmagazine.com. The magazine is also an ideal venue for businesses targeting church leaders and ministers for advertising purposes. Contact Michelle Earnhart, Advertising Sales Director, at 323-228-0793, or email michelle@calledmagazine.com.

For more information, contact publisher Marsha DuCille at publisher@calledmagazine.com or visit www.calledmagazine.com .

13. INCARCERATION VS. EDUCATION - REPRODUCING RACISM AND POVERTY IN AMERICA:

*Dr. Manning Marable

Since 2004, former Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards campaigned across the U.S. with a simple message: that there are essentially “two Americas,” separated by a chasm of inequality, defined largely by race and class. It was a truthful message that the vast majority of Americans didn’t want to acknowledge, or even hear. Yet the larger meaning of Edwards’ message may be more significant to the future of U.S. politics, than even the historic presidential campaign of Barack Obama.

Americans are reinforced to believe that individuals are largely in control of their own destiny. Hard work, sacrifice, and personal effort, we are told, determine what happens to us. But increasingly, the fundamental institutions of American society function unfairly, restricting access and opportunity for millions of people. The greatest example of this is the present-day criminal justice system.

Let us start with the basic facts. As of 2008, one out of every one hundred American adults is living behind bars. According to a December 2007 study of the American Civil Liberties Union, “Race and Ethnicity in America,” in the past thirty years there has been a 500 percent increase in the number of Americans behind bars, amounting to 2.2 million people, which represent 25 percent of the world’s prison population. This prison population is disproportionately black and brown. As of 2006, the U.S. penal population was 46 percent white, 41 percent African American, and 19 percent Latino. In practical terms, by 2001, about one out of every six African-American males had experienced jail or imprisonment. Based on current trends, over one out of three black men will experience imprisonment during their lives.

There is overwhelming evidence that the overrepresentation of blacks in prisons is largely due to discrimination in every phase of the criminal justice system. According to the 2007 ACLU study, for example, African Americans comprised 11 percent of Texas’ population, but 40 percent of the state’s prisoners. Blacks in Texas are incarcerated at roughly five times the rate of whites. Despite the fact that blacks statistically represent fewer than 10 percent of drug abusers, in Texas 50 percent of all prisoners incarcerated in state prisons and two-thirds of all those in jails for “drug delivery offenses” are African Americans.

A similar pattern is found within the juvenile justice system. According to the 2007 ACLU study, African-American youth amount to 15 percent of all American juveniles. However, they represent 26 percent of all juveniles who are arrested by the police nationwide. They are 58 percent of all youth who are sentenced to serve time in state prisons. In California, Latino youth are two times more likely than whites to be sentenced to prison; for African-American youth in California, it is six times the incarceration rate.

What are the practical political consequences of the mass incarceration of black Americans? In New York State, for example, the prison populations play a significant role in how some state legislative districts are drawn up. In New York’s 45th senatorial district, located in the extreme northern corner of upstate New York, there are thirteen state prisons, with 14,000 prisoners, all of whom are counted as residents. Prisoners in New York are disenfranchised – they cannot vote – yet their numbers help to create a Republican state senatorial district. These “prison districts” now exist all over the United States.

The most obscene dimension of the national compulsion to incarcerate has been the deliberate criminalization of young black people, with the construction of a “school-to-prison pipeline.”

Under the cover of “zero tolerance” for all forms of “disobedience,” too many school administrators are aggressively and unfairly removing black youth from schools. Statistically, African-American youths are two to three times more likely than whites to be suspended, and far more likely to be corporally punished or expelled. According to the ACLU’s study, “nationally, African American students comprise 17 percent of the student population, but account for 36 percent of school suspensions and 31 percent of expulsions. In New Jersey, for instance, black students are nearly 60 times more likely to be expelled than their white counterparts. In Iowa, blacks make up just 5 percent of the statewide public school enrollment, but account for 22 percent of suspensions.” Too many black children are taught at an early age that their only future resides in a prison or jail.

Meanwhile, state after state is reducing its investments in education, while expanding its expenditures in correctional facilities. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education (March 14, 2008), between 1987 and 2007, states spent an average of a 21 percent increase on higher education, but expanded their corrections budgets by an average of 127 percent. Today, for the first time in recent history, there are now five states that spend more state money on prisons than on public colleges – Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Oregon, and Vermont. The ugly tradeoff not to educate but to incarcerate continues.


*Dr. Manning Marable is Professor of Public Affairs, History and African-American Studies at Columbia University, where he also directs the Center for Contemporary Black History. The author and editor of over two dozen books, Dr. Marable’s most recent publication is Seeking Higher Ground: The Katrina Crisis, co-edited with Kristen Clarke. “Along the Color Line” appears in over hundreds of publications worldwide, and is available at http://www.manningmarable.net

14. VENABLE CHAPEL AME CHURCH BAPTISMS:

There are great things happening at Venable Chapel AME Church under the leadership of the Right Rev. Cornal G. Henning Sr., presiding bishop; the Rev. Malvin J. Black Jr., Presiding Elder; and the Rev. Troy T. Grimes, pastor.

On Wednesday evening, May 23, 2007, there were eight children who accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior and were baptized in the Amite River in Darlington, Louisiana. Their ages ranged from five months to eighteen years old. There is no age limit on being baptized for the Lord! Although it was raining and the sun was not shining, God was shining in our hearts! We had a glorious time giving our children back to the Lord! There is a joy knowing that children want to live for Jesus!

Submitted By:
Sister Vanessa McClendon

15. THE PASTOR’S CORNER - PALM SUNDAY:

Rev. James Moody

People of Excellence See Life through God’s Eyes (Matthew 21:1-11)

The Palm Sunday lesson lies in what those in Jerusalem saw and why they saw it versus what God sent and why God sent it. The people saw Christ’s entrance into Jerusalem as proof of their righteous posture before God. After all, God was finally sending someone to vindicate them by freeing them from the hand of Roman rule. The temple had been reconstructed in their city and the prophet from Nazareth had arrived. This was in their eyes the heralding of a time of great economic, social and political blessing.

Jesus said earlier, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23).

This was a time of great blessing. Yet, it’s in our times of greatest blessing when we face the greatest danger. In our times of greatest blessing it’s easier to take for granted God is blessing us because of “who we are.” In our times of greatest blessing it’s easier to be blinded by the light of our success or become complacent in our abundance.

In the book, “The Final Quest,” author Rick Joiner tells the story of the spiritual warriors who had defeated Satan’s army in battle. When the warriors returned to their camp, the people were so grateful for the victory their champions had achieved, they chose to polish their armor. The armor of the victorious warriors shined so brightly the warriors were blinded by the light and couldn’t see the enemy sneaking closer to attack.

“But if the eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” What we see is determined by the interpretation we give it.
The people of Jerusalem saw an earthly king when God sent the Perfect Sacrifice.

The people of Jerusalem saw a conquering general when God sent a Suffering Servant.

The people of Jerusalem saw a political leader when God sent a humble Lamb.

The people of Jerusalem saw the material when God sent His Spirit.

Why did God send the Perfect Sacrifice, the Suffering Servant, the humble Lamb, His Spirit? He sent His Son to restore us to a right relationship with Himself. The lesson of Palm Sunday reminds us to look beyond earthly kings, conquering generals, political leaders, and material blessings to see God through His eyes. As God’s people of excellence, let’s recognize Palm Sunday and all of Holy Week through the eyes of our loving Father – the eyes of relationship.

It’s all about relationship!

Pastor Jim Moody

16. THE 2007-2008 DISTRICT AND CONNECTIONAL CALENDAR DATES FOR THE SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:

The Right Reverend William Phillips DeVeaux, Presiding Prelate
Dr. Pam DeVeaux, Episcopal Supervisor

SOUTH GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

March 1, 2008: South Conference YPD Annual Day
March 2, 2008: South Conference DMC Annual Day
March 3, 2008: South Conference WMS Annual Day

March 4-7, 2008: South Georgia Annual Conference
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Quitman
1203 South Court Street
Quitman, GA 31643

Telephone: 229-263-8900

The Reverend Ronnie Averett, Host Pastor
The Reverend Jacqueline Smith, Host Presiding Elder

March 16-22, 2008: HOLY WEEK
March 23, 2008: EASTER SUNDAY

SOUTHWEST GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

March 24, 2008: Southwest Conference WMS Annual Day

March 25-28, 2008: Southwest Georgia Annual Conference
Saint Paul, Columbus
4900 Saint Mary’s Road
Columbus, GA 31907

Telephone: 706-682-2927

The Reverend James A. Alexander, Host Pastor
The Reverend Elijah Smith, Host Presiding Elder

March 29, 2008 Southwest Conference YPD Annual Day
March 29, 2008 Southwest Conference DMC Annual Day

(OLD) GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

April 12, 2008 (Old) Georgia Conference YPD Annual Day
April 12, 2008 (Old) Georgia Conference DMC Annual Day
April 7, 2008 (Old) Georgia Conference WMS Annual Day

April 8-11, 2008: (Old) Georgia Annual Conference
Saint Philip Monumental A.M.E. Church
1112 Jefferson Street
Savannah, Georgia 31402

Telephone: 912-233-8547

The Reverend George Moore, Jr., Host Pastor
The Reverend Henry Frasier, Host Presiding Elder

April 14-16, 2008: CONVO XI/GENERAL BOARD MEETING

Marriott Dallas/Addison Quorum by the Galleria
14901 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75254

Group rate: $135.00
To make reservations, call (800) 228-9290 or (972) 661-2800 and ask for the AME Church room block.

Proposed Areas of Consideration

• Faith, Order and Ministry
• General Budget and Funding the Ministry
• A Proposal for the Education Ministry of the Church
• Advancing Legislation to the Revisions Committee

April 17-19, 2008: GENERAL BOARD, DALLAS, TEXAS

AUGUSTA GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

April 19, 2008: Augusta Conference YPD Annual Day
April 20, 2008: Augusta Conference DMC Annual Day
April 21, 2008: Augusta Conference WMS Annual Day

April 22-25, 2008: Augusta Georgia Annual Conference
Bethel A.M.E. Church
623 Crawford Avenue
Augusta, GA 30903

Telephone: 706-736-4060
FAX: 706-736-0083

The Reverend Mark S. Pierson, Host Pastor
The Reverend Ella M. Samuels, Host Presiding Elder

MACON GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE

May 3, 2008: Macon Conference YPD Annual Day
May 4, 2008: Macon Conference DMC Annual Day
May 5, 2008: Macon Conference WMS Annual Day

May 6-9, 2008: Macon Georgia Annual Conference
Saint Paul A.M.E. Church
2501 Shurling Drive
Macon, GA 31217

Telephone: 478-745-0507
Website: www.saintpaulame.org

The Reverend Ronald L. Slaughter, Host Pastor
The Reverend Benjamin Ridley, Host Presiding Elder

ATLANTA NORTH GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

May 17, 2008: Atlanta North Conference YPD Annual Day
May 18, 2008: Atlanta North Conference DMC Annual Day
May 19, 2008: Atlanta North Conference WMS Annual Day

May 20-23, 2008: Atlanta North Georgia Annual Conference
Saint Philip
240 Candler Road SE
Atlanta, GA 30317

Telephone: 404-371-0749
FAX: 404-378-5257

The Reverend George Moore, Sr., Host Pastor
The Reverend Dr. Earle H. Ifill, Host Presiding Elder
www.saintphilip.org

June 9-10, 2008: SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT POST PLANNING MEETING

Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites Conference Center
Two Tenth Street
Augusta, Georgia

706-722-8900

The Reverend Mark S. Pierson, Co-Host Pastor
The Reverend Richard A. Smith, Co-Host Pastor
The Reverend Ella M. Samuels, Host Presiding Elder

June 10-13, 2008: 2008 LEADERSHIP AND MINISTRY CONGRESS

Augusta Marriott Hotel and Suites Conference Center
Two Tenth Street
Augusta, Georgia

706-722-8900

The Reverend Mark S. Pierson, Co-Host Pastor
The Reverend Richard A. Smith, Co-Host Pastor
The Reverend Ella M. Samuels, Host Presiding Elder

July 4-11, 2008: 48TH QUADRENNIAL SESSION, GENERAL CONFERENCE 2008
America's Center
Convention Center
St. Louis, MO

17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Sister Diane Williams, daughter of Mrs. Reatha L. Smith and the late Rev. Richard D. Smith, Sr., Presiding Elder of the North District-Illinois Conference, 4th Episcopal District passed on Saturday, March 1, 2008, after a long battle with cancer.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Sister Reatha Smith
1914 3rd Avenue
East Moline, IL 61244

(901) 361-8155 (TN contact phone number)
Cell phone contact number for Sister Ileta Smith-Knight, 217-597-1184 (daughter of Sister Reatha Smith).

Email condolences to: dddhi@aol.com

18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

The Reverend Lindeni Nyoni, Pastor of Mandafane A.M.E. Church, Hhohho District, Swaziland Annual Conference has passed. The Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 7, 2008, and the funeral will be Saturday morning, March 8, 2008, 06h30, in her village in Swaziland. The Right Reverend Sarah F. Davis will deliver the eulogy.

Please keep Brother Danger Nyoni, our AME Secretary of Education in Swaziland, and his family in your prayers.

19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of the Rev. Virginia Martin, which occurred on Tuesday, March 4, 2008. Rev. Martin was a former Episcopal President of the Women's Missionary Society.

The funeral has been held

Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:

The family of Virginia Martin
C/o St. James AME Church
101 North New York Avenue
Atlantic City, NJ 08401

and/or

The family of Virginia Martin
22 W. Woodland Ave.
Pleasantville, NJ 08232

20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

This message is to announce the passing of Mrs. Fedora Britt McGee, the 103-year-old mother of Mrs. Gladys Sparrow, former first lady of Lee Memorial AME Church, Kensington, Maryland. Until the end of her earthly journey, Mrs. McGee was strong in her faith in God, and was a loving source of wisdom for many people. She attended AME Churches in Maryland with her family, while maintaining ties with her home church in Franklin, Virginia. Mrs. McGee was also the beloved mother-in-law of the Rev. David J. Sparrow, superannuated minister and former pastor of Lee Memorial AME Church, and the grandmother of the Rev. Dr. Cassandra A. Sparrow, itinerant elder and executive director of the Second District Religious, Educational and Charitable Development Projects, Inc.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:

Mrs. Gladys Sparrow
6479 Meadow Ridge Road
Elkridge, Maryland 21075

Email: CASparrow02@aol.com

21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Sister Earnestine Lyle, mother of Sister JoAnn Hoffman-Past Connectional P.M.E. Director on Monday, February 25th, 2008.

The funeral has been held

Condolences may be sent to:

Sister JoAnn Hoffman
825 Bella Circle, Apt. #601
Fort Worth, Texas 76120
Ph: (817) 275-7727
Email: joahoff@sbcglobal.net

22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Herbert Standifer, brother of the Rev. Nathaniel C. Standifer, Pastor of Sims Chapel A.M.E. Church-Stamford, Texas (Northwest Texas Conference-Greater Fort Worth District) on Sunday, February 24th, 2008.

The funeral has been held.

Condolences may be sent to:

Rev. Nathaniel C. Standifer
201 Tabor Drive
Arlington, Texas 76002

Ph. (817) 987-8929

23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

It is with sorrow we inform you of the death of the Rev. Ned Knowles, on Wednesday, March 5, 2008. Rev. Knowles was a retired itinerant elder and the former pastor of Allen Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Lewisburg, Tennessee. Upon his retirement Rev. Knowles joined Shorter Chapel AME Church where the Rev. Charlotte B. Sydnor is the pastor.

The funeral has been held.

Cards and other expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family members:

Mrs. Mary Mills
1776 W. Main Street
Franklin, TN 37064

Mrs. Maggie Cannon
2604 Brittany Drive
Nashville, TN 37064

Rev. Latham Mills, Jr.
6236 Twilight Trail
Morrow, Georgia 30260

Or to Shorter Chapel AME Church:

Shorter Chapel AME Church
255 Natchez Street
Franklin, TN 37064

Phone: 615-790-6611
Fax: 615-791-6023

24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Funeral arrangements for Mr. William Simmons, the father of Mrs. Barbara Chester and the father-in-law of the Reverend Amos T. Chester are as follows:

The funeral has been held.

Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Barbara Chester
44 Hidden Lane
Battle Creek, Michigan 49017

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 CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (3/5/08)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder

1. EDITORIAL – AN AFFORDABLE EVANGELISM RESOURCE FOR THE SMALLEST CHURCHES AND FOR LARGE CHURCHES TOO:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

The AME Church has got to keep rolling forward and The Christian Recorder is committed to sharing information with its readers. The technology is in place; we just have to use it. So many things are available to us, i.e., conference calls, video-taping worship services, PowerPoint presentations, less paper, the use of MySpace, online Sunday School classes and online Bible Studies, whatever it takes to communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, should be utilized. If we hope to maintain relevancy, we have to use a new paradigm of AME Church outreach-thinking.

The link below allows readers to view the 36-minute video-clip of the worship service that was held at the AME Sunday School Union on February 20, 2008. The Reverend Roderick Belin was the preacher, Dr. Daryl Ingram was the worship leader and Dr. Richard Lewis introduced the preacher. The Flip video-camera http://www.theflip.com/ was easy-to-operate and purchased for $199 and the website http://www.vimeo.com/ that converted file was free. The video camera takes two AA Batteries. After the file is converted, voila, you have a link that can be emailed or posted on a website.

Click Here: http://www.vimeo.com/748675/l:transcoded_email

And then click on the Video to start the video-clip. You may need to install Adobe Flash 7; just follow the instructions on the opening page.

There are other websites that converts files and if any of you discover additional sites and insights into the video-tape ministry, please share them with The Christian Recorder, chsydnor@bellsouth.net so that we can share the information with others - “Alone, we can do little; together we can do much.”

The Rev. Darryl Ford sent me Website http://www.vimeo.com/ that he uses to download his sermons.

Here is my experience: I downloaded the video, and that was easy, but then I inadvertently made the file a “private” file instead of a “public” file that everyone could view; and of course I would think that churches would use the “public” settings. The private settings allow designated persons to view the video-tapes.

I didn’t do any editing of the vide-clip, and I am sorry to say that I didn’t read the directions. If you read the directions, your video-clips will be even better. Titles can be placed with the video-clips and other “bells and whistles” added such as zooming in and out. One downside was that converting the video took a long time; a couple of hours.

I have also done some further research and I believe that there are other video recorders that can do the same thing as the Flip, but I have not tested any of the other video recorders.

In taping the service at the Sunday School Union, I just handed the video-recorder to Mr. Andre Wright, who works in the front office of the SS Union and asked him to video-tape the service; no tripod, no speakers, just handheld. I returned home and downloaded and converted the video clip without any editing. Video-clips can be edited.

The Flip has its own built in USB Port and downloading video-clips is very simple. You can video-tape 30 and 60-minute segments with the Flip. I purchased the 60-minute model.

The Website, http://www.vimeo.com/ is a great start-up site, but there may be other sites and certainly other sites that may be purchased.

As an evangelism tool, you can send video-clips to the sick and shut-ins, to college students, members in the military, members who are out of the area, and to people who may have missed attending worship because of work or because they just didn’t get out of bed to attend worship.

2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:

To the Editor

RE: Sins of a Presiding Elder

I did not know that you could play a piano. This is a very good video of the service you were playing for.

I was glad to read about the Sins of a Presiding Elder.

I am so glade that the Daytona Beach District of the Central Conference of the Eleventh Episcopal District does not have the problems that were listed in your article. I can say without any reservation that Elder J. O. Williams is a very good Presiding Elder.

Pastor Jimmy D. Howard

3. AN OUTSTANDING RESOURCE FOR WORSHIP:

http://www.theafricanamericanlectionary.org/

4. NOTICE FROM PRESIDENT OF THE JUDICIAL COUNCIL OF THE AME CHURCH:

IN RE: THE MATTER OF ROSA MCCLOUD-BAXTER
REQUEST FOR A DECLARATORY DECISION

The Judicial Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Church intends to conduct closed deliberations of issues relating to the above-named case. The deliberations shall be in person and exclusively among the members of the Judicial Council. The deliberations shall be conducted on July 3, 2008, at the site of the General Conference.

To assist in its deliberations, the Judicial Council will accept briefs in accordance with The 2004 Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church [“Discipline”], Part XI, Section XX. H., Paragraphs 11 & 12 (page 315).

All persons, bodies, organizations, or other entities wishing to submit briefs shall submit a “Notice of Intent to Submit Brief’ [“Notice”]. Such Notice shall be sent by United States mail, first class, postage pre-paid, to:

Name: REV. GRANVILLE REED
Address 2002 Mt. Herman Street
Jacksonville, Florida 32206

Notices must display a postmark date of not later than midnight, April 15, 2008. Notices transmitted by any method other than as above indicated, or after the deadline, shall not be accepted.

Persons, bodies, organization, or other entities who wish acknowledgment of receipt of Notice shall include a self-addressed, postage paid return envelope.

Briefs shall be accepted from only those persons, bodies, organizations or other entities who file a Notice on or before the above-stated deadline. Those persons, bodies, organizations, or other entities shall receive detailed instructions regarding briefs after the closing date for the submission of Notices.
ENTERED AND SIGNED this 3rd day of March 2008.


/Signed/

PATRICIA MAYBERRY
President
The Judicial Council of the AME Church

5. THE RURAL CHURCH DILEMMA: IT’S TIME FOR A CHANGE:

By George R. La Sure, D.Min.

In yet another series of expressions regarding the state and condition of the rural and small membership church within the denomination, it becomes necessary and essential to identify many of the inherent flaws and ills in order to project suitable remedies for its relief. I have stated in numerous articles that I have written in the past concerning the rural and small membership church, which legitimately constitutes the majority church within the AMEC Denomination that as the rural and small membership church goes, the denomination goes.

Down through the years that comprise the totality of the AMEC being, the rural and small membership church which has dotted the hills, the valleys and the level plains of African Methodism have been faithful and loyal in acting out its stated mission and purpose. Over this extended period of time it has made a valuable and incalculable contribution toward the fulfillment of the AMEC connectional church mission. This support has amounted to unquestioning sacrifice on the part of countless small congregations that deemed it a continuing priority to support, financially, the overall AMEC purpose.

In times past, its purpose has been more identifiable and purposeful than might be viewed or recognized today. As times have changed, so too have the priorities of the church (connectional and local). The continuing quest for racial integration and fairness, and economic freedom is less identifiable with the AMEC denominational prioritized goal than it might have been 25-50 years ago. Times have certainly changed, but the racial and economic disparities and inequities of the bulk of our Zion who live in large urban centers, small towns and cities and villages and, countless tiny rural communities have not been addressed to the point where we can claim a collective “new day” that abounds with abundant good paying jobs, decent and affordable housing, suitable and affordable health care, and education. In the areas where the majority of our rural and small membership churches are located, our people struggle, on a daily basis, to survive. Racism and economic disparity is an ever-present reality.

The rural and small membership church is the only vehicle available in these communities to provide a continuing ray of hope. For many of our parishioners, Sunday morning is the only time during the week when they might feel that they are getting a portion of what they need. The rural and small membership church is a continuing refuge for the down-trodden in the time of a storm. In order for the AMEC rural and small membership church to become the successful route to spiritual and physical wholeness that it might, it must receive a much higher level of support from the AMEC denomination. Pastoral appointments must become statements of commitment by the Episcopal District and the appointed pastor, that they will stay the course and expend the necessary time and effort to do a much better job. Better, theologically trained and prepared, experienced pastors should be appointed to areas where there is a prospect that reasonable church growth can occur, even though the numbers aren’t presently there.

Of necessity, these pastors would require denominational financial support in order to weather the storm and stay the course. A denominational rural and small membership church strategy and plan for action must be developed and made a necessary part of the training given to every rural and small membership church pastor. Denominational assessments for rural and small membership churches, as well as larger congregations, ought be reviewed and adjusted in order to adequately reflect the number of members who are supporting the church and, their demonstrated ability to give.

In a time when unions are being crushed and discouraged by mega-corporation buy-outs, when investments overseas are threatening the health of the national economy, when individuals and families are losing their homes due to sky-rocketing adjustable rate mortgages, when families are being forced to borrow from retirement savings to pay for inflated living costs, when unemployment rates on the rise, when most of the working poor and many of our pastors don’t have affordable health benefits, when masses of our young people have turned to “bling-bling” and have turned away from higher learning, when more Black men are going to jail than at any time in history, when racial division and inequity is increasingly apparent, when inflation and recession threaten the future security of us all…it would be ill-advised for the denomination to suggest that an additional financial burden be imposed on its constituents by raising local church budgetary assessments. At a time such as this it might be wise and prudent to stop and consider where we are as a denomination and, to devise new strategies geared toward helping us to cope with the identifiable challenges of the future.

It is altogether possible, with the appropriate identification of a connectional church priority to make the necessary investment to restore the essential elements of wholeness to the majority church (the rural and small membership church – that dots the topography of African Methodism) that an identifiably helpful change can occur. Wholeness will not come over night. It will require the undying devotion of increasing trained and committed clergy and laity to re-prioritize their goals and their needs and, the guidance and financial support of the denominational leadership to underwrite a new day.

The time has come when we must consider the totality and the reality of our present condition and, to re-shape and re-model so that we can suitably embrace today, and tomorrow.

6. PLANNING COMMISSION GREEN LIGHTS PLANS FOR FAMILY LIFE CENTER:

Santa Ana Planning Commission Grants Variance and Approves Plans for the Construction of Johnson Chapel AME Church's Two Story 10,700 Square Foot Family Life Center

Santa Ana, CA - Johnson Chapel's plans to build a 10,700 square foot Family Life Center to replace facilities demolished as a part of the City of Santa Ana's Bristol Street Widening Project came one giant step closer to becoming a reality Monday evening as a result of action taken by the Santa Ana Planning Commission. Following a brief Public Hearing, the seven member commission voted unanimously to grant the Church 'a request for a variance reducing the required setback mandated by city code and to approve it's plans to construct the two storied facility slated to be completed and open for business in the fall of this year. The action taken by the Commission allows the Church, located at the corner of Second and Bristol, to quickly move forward with its efforts to obtain formal project bids as well as to complete the process of securing the necessary financing that will allow for the start of actual construction. When completed, the new building will be a manufactured modular structure that will incorporate architectural elements to match the design of the church's sanctuary structure located across the street. Elements such as stucco, identical roofing material and similar paint colors will be used to further integrate the new and existing buildings.

"This is a huge step forward for us" said Rev. Michael Barta, Senior Pastor of the 240 member Church that is currently celebrating its 75th year of ministry and service as Orange County's second oldest predominately Black Church "We are absolutely supportive of the City's effort to significantly upgrade the ambiance as well as the functionality of the Bristol Street Corridor way of the Bristol Street Widening Project. We recognize the importance that a much improved Bristol Street has to the future plans that the city has for itself. Having said all of that however, we also know that we cannot possibly begin to address the very real ministry needs of the community we serve, now or in the future, with just the sanctuary structure that remains. It is imperative that we also have a facility that adequately addresses the administrative, classroom and program needs of our congregation in order that we might be able to continue to grow and flourish and to make a difference here on this corner. This Family Life Center positions us to be able to do exactly that."

By virtue of its negotiated agreement with the City of Santa Ana, Johnson Chapel has temporary use of a single story former retail facility located in the 100 block of South Bristol as a temporary home for its administrative, classroom and other program needs while the street widening effort gets underway. That arrangement will come to an end this summer when the city moves to also demolish that structure in order to complete the current portion of the Bristol Street Widening Project

Johnson Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church is located at 1306 West Second Street, Santa Ana, California. The Rev. Michael L. Barta is the Senior Pastor

7. THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE AND HOMEGOING CELEBRATION OF AISHA KIE DIGGS:

August 2, 1977 – February 1, 2008

As five hundred or more persons filed out of the home going service, the question was asked; “Is it ok to say I truly had a good time, I was so inspired, and or I was so uplifted?” By all means you can and that’s exactly what took place at the home going service for my daughter, Aisha Kie Diggs; who is the great-granddaughter of the late Rev. Samuel C. Jennings, founder of the First AME Church of Darby Twp.,-Sharon Hill, PA. She was stricken with uterine cancer at the age of 23, and survived for 7 years until her untimely death at the young age of 30.

Aisha truly did not let her illness stop her or hide her gifts and talents under a bushel. She was very commitment in her walk and relationship with the Lord. Although she was not married nor had any children, because she was waiting on the Lord to send her a husband, Aisha, exemplified characteristics of a ‘Virtuous Women’ in and out of the church. Her love and involvement for her church, was exceptional. She was a Steward; Secretary of both the Steward Board and Church; Director, Arranger, Soloist and Musician for the Gospel Ensemble; as well as sang with FAME Choir and Jennings Ensemble; President of the Azzie Lee Settle Women’s Missionary Society; a member of her local Evangelist and Lay Departments; a teacher for VBS; past President of her local YPD; past Director of her local YPD; past Secretary of the Young Women’s Initiative of the Philadelphia Conference under the direction of the WMS; and sang with the Conference Youth Choir and 1st District Choir. She was also an industrious worker. She worked for Crozer-Keystone as a Case Manager and went into business for herself with such companies as Primerica Financial Services, ACN Communications, and Arbonne Skin Care Products, working until her health failed. She thought it not robbery to allow the Lord to use her gifts and talents and in other areas of service not mentioned from age 2 to age 30.

At her home going service, you had to be here to witness such a beautiful and awesome experience. From start, of the Omega-Omega Service conducted by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., to finish, the Holy Spirit and Angelic Voices permeated the mood and atmosphere. A service that captured the life style that Aisha lived. The singing was second to none. FAME Choir sang from the depth of their hearts. The West Chester University Alumni Gospel Choir, members who came from far and near, blessed our souls and mine in particularly, singing ‘Total Praise’. The guest soloist, Sister DeVita Jones, sang ‘I Won’t Complain’ rousing the people to get up out of their seats with shouting and thunderous hand clapping like sparks of wild fires as they praised the Lord. Resolutions from Clergy and Laity across the conference; State and Local Officials; co-workers & colleagues; professional & civic organizations (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority); church members; and family all resonated the same sentiments, a life lived so short, yet well spent in the service for the Lord. Acknowledgments of her thoughtfulness and unselfishness to others, never complaining about her illness, her beautiful demeanor, and her lovely smile she always had, were echoed by all as well. We were all in awe when a recording of a song Aisha wrote and sang was played. You could have heard a pin drop. The eulogy was the icing on the cake as our Pastor, Rev. Glenn Shepherd, even though he was having a difficult time with Aisha’s death, delivered a soul stirring message entitled ‘A Race Set in Patience’, Hebrews 12: 1-2. His heartfelt message portrayed the faith, strength, and courage Aisha displayed throughout her ordeal during his leadership. He stated his faith grew stronger as he watched Aisha fought a good fight and kept her faith as she peacefully when home to be with the Lord. During the recessional, we went out rejoicing and dancing on ‘Heaven’ by Mary-Mary. As her mother, when you know that you know, and she and I both knew she was going to spend eternity in Heaven; then, ‘Yes’ unequivocal, , you can rejoice, be touch, and or have a jubilant time at a funeral. We all did!

At the age of 24, her doctor told her and me that she had uterine cancer, which in her case was a rare diagnosis since uterine cancer is typically diagnosed in Caucasian women in their fifties and above. On the on site of her diagnosis, she and I first put our trust in God, standing on his promises; He is a healer. Secondly we began to do our research too, yet knowing God still had the final say. She had to have a total hysterectomy followed by chemotherapy and three rounds of radiation treatment. Even when she and I were told that there was nothing left for the doctor to do, we continue to fight and went to another facility. There she took more radiation treatments and small doses of chemo until February 1, 2008 at the age of 30 she went home to be with the Lord.

Through out the whole ordeal, most of the time she was in excruciating pain. Nevertheless, she never once complained to God, “Why me,” nor to others about her pain.

She continued to complete her education at night as she worked as a Case Manager for the Crozer-Keystone Healthy Start program. She also found time for many entrepreneurial pursuits which include Primerica Financial Services, ACN Communications and Arbonne Skin Care Products.

Beside all of that, however, Aisha was very dedicated to her Lord. At the age of 2 began her walk with the Lord and accepted Christ at the age of 12. She joined the First African Methodist Episcopal Church of Darby Township, Pennsylvania, where her great-grandfather, the late Reverend Samuel Cyrus Jennings was the founder. She found it not robbery to give of her gifts and talent to the numerous church activities such as Church School, the YPD, and ‘The Dove Experience’ and a recipient awarded 1st Place in the Junior Olympics of the Children’s Division of the Philadelphia Conf. Board of Christian Education in September 1985. She sang with the Women in White of Chester & Vicinity, FAME Choir and the Jennings Ensemble. During her last seven years of battling with cancer she served as Director, Arranger, Soloist and Musician for the First AME Gospel Ensemble. Aisha served as a Steward, Secretary of the Steward Board, President and Director for five years of the YPD, local President for two years of the Azzie Lee Settle Missionary Society, Chairperson of Women’s Day ‘2007’, Teacher for VBS, member of the Evangelist and Lay Departments of her local church, Secretary of the Church. She also was involved in the ‘Mighty’ West Area and Philadelphia Conference of the Missionary Society. She was the Secretary for the Young Women’s Initiative of the Philadelphia Conference of the Missionary Society, and sang on the Conference Youth Choir, and the 1st District Choir.

My daughter fought a good fight right up to the end. She and I had talked many times about dying for she knew without a shadow of doubt where she was going and I knew too. She told me “Mommy I am so tired,” I told her God was not mad with her for being tired; He was just waiting for her to tell Him. Then I also told her that mommy would be ok and God saw she was getting tired and a cure was not to be so He put His arms around her and whispered, “Come with Me,” and on Friday February 1, 2008 around 3:00 p.m., two days later, she gave up the ghost.

Lovingly Submitted by her Mom, the Rev. Sylvia Jennings Diggs
First African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1201 Hook Rd. Darby Twp.,-Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania

8. NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:

Knights Monumental AME Church, Stockbridge, GA will be hosting "Those Singing Preachers" concert to be held at St. Paul AME Church, 1540 Pryor Road, SW., Atlanta, GA 30315., on Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 3 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend a Holy Ghost filled service and experience the voices of our "Singing Preachers."

The Rev. Dr. Victoria Martin-Banks is the pastor of Knights Monumental AME Church

Submitted by Sister Mildred E. Reed, Committee Member, Those Singing Preachers

9. AME-INDIA, FEBRUARY 2008 REPORT:

* The Rev. Sarah & the Rev. Abraham Peddiny

We praise God for God's goodness, mercies and kindness in the past month. We have seen the hand of God in everything that we did. God created opportunities for us to serve God in different circumstances, and it was all for the glory of God. We also thank Bishop John and Rev. Cee for their leadership and for their encouragement which provides us the impetus to go on in the work entrusted to us.

Pastor Peter Morris reports that he had conducted two special prayer meetings in his church. On the 23rd February 2008, a meeting for revival in his church, for which 38 people attended and they all witnessed a number of miracles that God did in their lives, evil spirits were chased out and people experienced God's healing in their lives. On 24th February 2008, a prayer meeting was conducted only for the youth who are preparing for their exams, 75 youth attended this meeting. 47 students came forward to commit their lives to God.

Pastor Morris also reports of one Mr. Jeeva, whose marriage was fixed, absconded the previous day of his marriage because he did not like the bride, he went away in depression to commit suicide. The church got onto its knees and prayed for Jeeva, after six days he responded on his mobile phone, the phone call of Pastor Morris and later returned to normal life. We thank God for saving this young life. Please pray for his salvation and nurture.

Pastor Joshua Vijayamani informs that Susai Deepa from the Roman Catholic background had been possessed by an evil spirit for some time; she was cleansed through prayer and has accepted Jesus as her personal Saviour. She is now preparing herself for baptism. The other new comers to the church are Sagaya Mary, Priya, Harish, Nadiya and Philomena; all of them are from Roman Catholic background and Manjunath from Hindu family. Please pray for their salvation.

On 24th Rev. Sarah preached at the Prince of Peace-AME church. In her prayer being led by the Holy Spirit, she prayed for a lady with a 2½ years old child (she had already received a vision of this lady the previous day), who is petrified and struck with some unknown fear. But there was no one like that there, everyone left after the service. While we were praying with a small group after the service a young lady came running and sat in the prayer. Later we prayed for her and found out that she was the one for whom Rev. Sarah had prayed. She comes from a Roman Catholic family, she was tormented haunted by some unknown fear, after praying for her, she is relieved of the spirit that possessed her. The following week she came back to church along with six others from her family. Praise the Lord.

An 18 year old boy named Karthik, who has a stunted growth had been suffering from some unknown sickness. The doctors of the best hospitals in the city of Banagalore had not been able to diagnose and did not know what to treat for. Everyday in the midnight he would suffer from some acute pain and burning sensation in the whole body. After having prayed over, since one week he is fine and he, along with his father and mother come to church. The whole family is from Hindu background. Please pray for their salvation and spiritual nurture.

Another 20 year old boy named Karthik, who was possessed by an evil spirit, had met with an accident, the church prayed over him and now he is healed and regularly comes to the church.

Pastor Khrist Pal Rai informs that God has enabled him to start three new cell groups at Peenya, Whitefield and Krisharajapuram. He also praises God for a lady named Mann, who is doing her B.Th., has come forward to help him in the ministry. Pastor Rai requests prayer for Mr. Narendra and Mrs. Neela and also for Ms. Maya as they are newly coming to church and are preparing themselves for baptism.

Pastor Rai requests prayer for his wife who is ill and not keeping well. He also requests prayers for accommodation for his family, as they are staying with a church member since November 2007. Therefore let us uphold his needs in our prayers.

Rev. Limma and Rev. Beborta from the state of Orissa request you to continue to pray for their ministry as they are constantly serving God in the midst of opposition from the Hindu fundamentalists. We request your prayers for their safety. We also earnestly request you for you prayers for India as a country to continue to remain open for the gospel. Of late there has been number of atrocities against Christians across the country, although they appear as stray incidents, they are not, they are rather committed in a very calculated manner by the Hindu fundamentalist groups, who follow the Nazi philosophy. There are a great number of people in this country who are yet to hear the gospel; therefore we need to pray for the open door to remain open.

Rev. Sarah reports that on 6th February 2007, she had an invitation to go in the middle of the night to pray in a neighboring house, as they were facing some disturbances during the dark nights. We accepted the invitation and went to pray, but before going there she already had a vision of many idols in the particular house. When we went there and shared the vision, the old and elderly couple took us inside the house and showed us the idols they had. The husband Mr. Venkateshwaran is a Hindu and the lady Mrs. Philomena, a Roman Catholic. Through we advised them to get rid of all the idols, as spelled out in the Ten Commandments. They obliged and received God's blessing by being freed from the disturbances.

Rev. Darryl Taylor reports that Mr. Alfred and Mr. Charles, both are young boys in their late teen age have come to know the Lord and accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour. Please pray for their spiritual nurture and growth.

We praise God for all the above miracles. The heavens and the angels above rejoice in the salvation of these people. Let us continue to pray for their spiritual nurture and growth, so that they may be rooted in their new found faith. We earnestly thank you all for your valuable prayers for us.

Submitted by the Rev. Sarah & the Rev. Abraham Peddiny
Presiding Elders – AME-India

10. THE SIXTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICTSERIES OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES 2008:

The Right Reverend Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Presiding Prelate

February 21-24, 2008 - HAITI

St. Paul A.M.E. Church
1, Rue Saint-Paul et` d Ennery
Port au Prince, Haiti

The Rev. Joel Mehu, P.E. – Host Pastor
The Rev. Jean Joel Maurice, P.E. - Co-Host

February 27-March 1, 2008 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Impacto De Vida A.M.E. Church
Villa Pereyra c/4ta #3
La Romana, Dominican Republic

The Rev. Abraham Rodriguez-Jones, P.E. Host Pastor
The Reverend Jaime Coplin, P.E. Co-Host

March 3-30, 2008 BREAK

April 3- 6, 2008 GUYANA/SURINAME

St. Peter’s A.M.E. Church
209 New Garden Street, Queenstown
Georgetown, Republic of Guyana

The Rev. Newton G.A. Dixon, Host Pastor
The Rev. Andrew Morris Grant, Host P.E.

April 10 – 13, 2008 WINDWARD ISLANDS

Solomon Temple A.M.E. Church
Tractorp Pool Road, W.C.
1, Wallerfield, Trinidad – Tobago

The Rev. Dr. Elton Bobb, Host Pastor
The Rev. Wayne Anthony, Co-Host P.E.
The Rev. Anthony Parris, Co-Host P.E.

April 16 – 20, 2008 VIRGIN ISLANDS

Bethel A.M.E. Church
Christiansted, St. Croix
U.S. Virgin Islands

The Rev. Dr. Uklyn Hendricks, Host Pastor
The Rev. Louis A.C. Davis, - Host P.E.

May 1-4, 2008 - LONDON/HOLLAND

Richard Allen A.M.E. Church
Kensal Rise Methodist Church
Chamberlyne Road, London
NW10 3 NT, England

The Rev. Rudolph U. Aaron, P.E., Host Pastor

May 15-18, 2008 - JAMAICA, W.I.

Chapel of Christ our Redeemer A.M.E. Church
15 Swallowfield Road
Kingston, 5, Jamaica

The Rev. Clarence O. Turpin, Host Pastor
The Rev. Lebert A. Dawkins, P. E. Host P.E.
The Rev. Barrington Lawrence, Co-Host, P.E

May 22-24, 2008,
16th District Planning Meeting

Santiago, Dominican Republic

Submitted by Celestine Palmer, Administrative Assistant
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry
323-293-5948 H/O
213-361-5038 Cell

11. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:- Jason Darby, son of Reverend and Mrs. Joseph A. Darby, 1st Family of Morris Brown A.M.E. Church, Charleston, South Carolina, Appointed Director of Public Relations at Claflin University.

(Full article)
http://www.claflin.edu/News/Articles/Claflin-Full-Article.aspx?articleid=296&zoneid=3

12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

This communication comes to inform you that Sister Lorene Knighton, the mother of Sister Joyce Griffin and the mother-in-law of Reverend (Retired) Morris E. Griffin has died.

Funeral services for Sister Lorene Knighton will be held on Friday, March 7, 2008, 11:00 a.m. at the 1st Baptist Church, 324 North Broadway (8th and Broadway), Holdenville, OK.

The wake will be held on Thursday, March 6th at the Hudson Phillips Funeral Home, 301 East Main Street, Holdenville, OK from 6-7 p.m.

Expression of concern may be directed to:
Rev. Morris & Sister Joyce Griffin
408 NW 118TH Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73114
405-752-5970

13. 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

14. 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.