Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – THE LENTEN SEASON-A JOURNEY FROM ASH WEDNESDAY TO EASTER AND A TIME TO DRAW NEARER TO GOD:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
The 2009 Lenten season begins on Wednesday, February 25, 2009. Many Christians today use the Lenten season as a period of time for introspection, self examination, and repentance.
The Lenten season always begins on Ash Wednesday, the seventh Wednesday before Easter Sunday. Its name comes from the ancient practice of placing ashes on worshippers’ foreheads as a sign of humility before God, a symbol of mourning and sorrow at the death that sin brings into the world.
Some AME Churches, and many Protestant churches practice the tradition of placing ashes on parishioners’ forehead as a part of the Ash Wednesday worship service. Many AME Churches do not participate in the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of parishioners, choosing simply to have a simple Ash Wednesday service.
Ash Wednesday provides an opportunity for parishioners to anticipate and participate in the recollection and reflection of the death of Jesus on the Cross, and also places worshippers in a position to realize the consequences of sin. Ash Wednesday is a somber day of reflection upon what needs to change in our lives if we are to be committed Christians.
Our spiritual journey should be more than reflecting upon what we have or upon what we do not have. The religious experience should be more encompassing than reflecting upon how good God has been to us or our ability to “get our praise on” or to “name and claim our blessings.”
Sin is still a reality in the world and sin is also a reality for all of us. Sin is real and each one of us needs to confront sin in our lives.
The Lenten season gives us a focused opportunity, collectively and individually, to reflect upon those things in our lives that separate us from the presence of God.
The Lenten season is observed for 40 days leading up to Easter. Since Sundays celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus, the six Sundays that occur during Lent are not counted as part of the 40 days of Lent, and are referred to as the Sundays “in” Lent.
The number 40 is connected with many biblical events, but especially with the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness preparing for His ministry and by the temptation.
The last week of Lent is called “Holy Week,” which includes Maundy Thursday, Good Friday. Good Friday is when churches have the worship service of the Seven Last Words (seven statements that Jesus uttered on the cross). The Lenten season ends at midnight on the Saturday before Easter Sunday.
The worship service of the Seven Last Words is usually scheduled between 12 noon and 3 p.m., when Jesus hung on the Cross. Jesus was taken down from the Cross around 3 o’clock, before sundown because the Jews didn’t want to violate the Sabbath by handling his body after sundown because, in the Jewish reckoning of time, Saturday began after sundown on Friday. See Genesis 1:5b –“… And the evening and the morning were the first day.” The Jewish reckoning of time, the day begins at sundown. We start the day after midnight or at the break of day in the morning. The Jewish Sabbath (Saturday) begins at sundown on Friday. In our reckoning of time, the new day begins after midnight or at the break of day.
Getting back to the Lenten season; Lent has traditionally been marked by penitential prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Some Christians today still observe a rigid schedule of fasting on certain days during Lent, especially the giving up of meat, alcohol, desserts, and other types of food or behaviors.
Most Christian churches that observe Lent, focus on Lent as a time of prayer, especially penance, repenting for failures and sin as a way to focus on the need for God’s Grace. It is really a preparation to celebrate God’s marvelous redemption at Easter; and the life that we live, and the spiritual growth that we hope for, as Christians.
Lent is a time for somber contemplation and repentance as we humbly recognize our sins and failures. The Lenten season is a time for us to focus on the need for God's grace as we seek to respond anew to God's presence in our lives and in the world.
Easter is the destination of our Lenten journey. The Lenten journey allows us to seek and struggle in partnership and community toward peace with justice in our communities and around the world and to reconcile our spiritual lives with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
How great to hear from Brother Billy Dickens and to learn that he is as actively engaged in lay ministry in Tacoma as he was in Tallahassee, Florida.
I also had questions about how we as a denomination had two founding years. For me, the resolution came from an entrepreneur in Washington, DC whose company celebrated two different dates: the conception date, which in our case would be the 1787 date, was the date he conceived the idea of his enterprise. The second date was the date his company was legally incorporated in the District of Columbia. Similarly we celebrate our incorporation date of 1816 as the date we became officially and legally recognized as a denomination / corporation. Both are perfectly legitimate for me.
Acknowledging the conception date is very important because in the intervening years from 1787 to 1816 there was considerable ministry activity, community engagement, and litigation going on that should not be discounted. It could be argued that without that work, the incorporation in 1816 might not have occurred.
The first General Conference was convened in 1816 and thus the upcoming Bi-centennial General Conference of 2016 is quite appropriate. Some may recall that in 1787 we celebrated the bi-centennial of the AME Church and for me that was very appropriate because the walkout is a seminal event in the history of the AME Church and served as the genesis for the activities that lead to the incorporation.
Paulette Coleman
- To the Editor:
RE: Editorial – Three Questions you Might want to Answer
I see members read into the church all of the time after completing new members' class. I was read into the church over 30 years ago. It's not new and I assume every church practices it, oh well.
As for administering Sacraments to persons in their homes, my experience was like yours. I missed that section in the AMEC Book of Worship; I will check it out also.
The issue of praying prior to worship, I agree with you there as well. I also have devil's advocate moments as opposed to senior moments and sometimes view it as a habit and no serious prayer is prayed. I think some of clergy aren't on their knees long enough to say anything, hopefully it's at least "Lord, have mercy".
My take is that we are taking issue with the celebration of the Founders' when we don't remember 222 years. I still want to know where this school of thought is coming from if that is what it is. Perhaps Dr. Dennis Dickerson needs to write something about this.
(Name withheld by request)
- To the Editor:
I have read new members into full membership in all of the churches I have pastored. I also, remind our old members what is required of them to help support the new members’ spiritual life and to help them learn about the African Methodist Episcopal Church. In fact, at my new charge, I have taken in 2 new members in the last 2 weeks and on last night; I reminded the Stewards and Class leaders as per The Discipline what their responsibilities are to the new members.
Pastor Jimmy D. Howard, Sr.
- To the Editor:
I had to get on my "soapbox" and answer the first question - "When have you seen a new member read into the church?" I saw it when I did it last month at Morris Brown - I do it for all new members when they complete membership classes. They come up after the invitation, are read in, and then fellowshipped in by handshake (only by the Stewards and Trustees at our church, since everyone doing so would take a lot of time)! I grew up with the tradition, and preserve the tradition.
I'm "old school" enough to believe that those who join the church should still come to the altar during the invitation and state their intention - not just show up at membership classes and mystically be placed on the roll. Those who put our polity together had good sense - they knew that standing before the church and answering those questions - after attending instructive classes - has meaning and impact that makes better members who value the responsibilities of membership. It amazes me that we can put folks through arduous procedures to join frats, sororities and lodges, but allow them to simply "walk" into the church - we value things more when they come with effort. Sadly, we too often (1) are so anxious to report authentic "conversions and accessions" on the Annual Conference floor that we count anyone who might show up, and (2) we've drifted so far away from our Order for Worship and denominational identity that we play down good traditions.
At least once a year, I actually use the tradition as a "teaching tool" and take the time to remind the congregation of what each question means - especially the one that says, "Will you cheerfully be governed by The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church?" I quote it anytime someone asks in a meeting why the pastor has so much latitude in the AME Church or why we have to pay the General Budget! :-)
The Rev. Dr. Joseph Darby, Pastor
Morris Brown AME Church, Charleston, SC
3. MACEDONIA AME CHURCH’S 2ND ANNUAL BROTHER-2-BROTHER REVIVAL:
Macedonia AME Church 6235 Stagecoach Road, Rex, Georgia invites you to our Second Annual Brother-2-Brother Revival on February 16 - 19, 2009. The Rev. Bruce L. Frances is the pastor of Macedonia AME Church,
Our revivalists this year will be the Rev. Kenneth Marcus, pastor of The Cathedral at Turner Chapel, Marietta, Georgia on February 16-17 and the Rev. Marcus Gibson, pastor of the Greater Shady Grove Baptist Church, Columbus, Georgia on February 18-19.
Praise and Worship through music will be provided by the music ministries of Turner Cathedral, Ben Hill United Methodist, Atlanta, Antioch A.M.E., Lithonia, and Macedonia AME Churches.
To close out our Brother's Month Celebration during our 10:45 AM worship Service on Sunday February 21, 2009, our guest preacher for the occasion will be the President and Dean of Turner Theological Seminary, the Rev. Dr. John Green.
Bruce L. Francis, Pastor
Macedonia A.M.E. Church
4. NEWS FROM THE NEW ENGLAND:
*The Rev. Barbara J. Simmons
Winter of 2009
Is there a word from New England? Yes, in the midst of digging out of snow, and ice-skating, when to many of us do not skate, I am happy to say, we are yet alive. On behalf of our leaders Bishop, Richard Norris and Mother Norris, Presiding Elder Herbert L. Eddy, Rev. Amelia Eddy, pastors, ministers, spouses, officers and members of the New England Conference, Happy New Year to all. It is with great excitement that we welcome back Bishop Richard Norris, distinguished Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District and Mother Mary Ann Norris, Supervisor.
157th Session of the New England Conference convened by Bishop Norris, and hosted by Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in the lovely city of Stamford Connecticut, where the host pastors was the Rev. Leroy Ladson, Jr. and host Presiding Elder Herbert L. Eddy.
This was a memorable conference, as public officials from all levels of government greeted and welcomed Bishop Norris, Mother Norris and members of the New England Conference. Visitors gathered for the opening day where Rev. Teresa Smith preached the opening day service. Four Itinerant Elders, one Itinerant Deacon and five Local Elders were ordained on Saturday, May 18; the preacher for the ordination service was Bishop Davis.
On Sunday, May 18, Bishop Norris preached a soul stirring closing service.
The New England area looks forward to the 158th Session of the New England Annual Conference, which will be hosted by St. Paul AME Church, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Rev. Dr. Leroy Attles is the pastor. This will mark the last conference for Rev. and Mrs. Attles, as Rev. Attles retires after a long pastorate in New England. They will be greatly missed.
Certainly, 2009 is a monumental year, as we celebrated the inauguration of our first African American President Barak Obama, these are difficult times, but as African Americans, we have survived even more difficult times, yet we have managed to survive with God’s help. Let us never forget “On Christ the solid rock we stand, all other ground is sinking sand.”
As pastors and laypersons we can no longer hold on to the gospel just for ourselves, we must spread it. We may not know what the future holds, but we still know who holds the future. Let us pray for one another.
*The Rev. Barbara J. Simmons is the pastor of Bethel Plymouth AME, Plymouth, Massachusetts and is the Reporter
5. THE SON OF ST. JOHN AME CHURCH FIRST FAMILY SELECTED TO SERVE IN THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION:
The members of the St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, “the Mother Church of African Methodism in the State of Tennessee,” are both excited and delighted that the Rev. Joshua P. Dubois, oldest son of our pastor and first lady, the Rev. W. Antoni and Kristy Sinkfield has been selected to serve in the Obama Administration. President Barack Obama appointed the Rev. Dubois (St. John’s First Son) as the Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Prepared by Ralph L. Holmes, Church Trustee
St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church
Nashville, Tennessee
Email: sainjohname@aol.com
6. SENIOR BISHOP JOHN R. BRYANT VISITS PRISON FOR VALENTINE’S DAY:
The Right Reverend John Richard Bryant, Presiding Prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District and Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church visited the Michigan Department of Corrections, Mound Correctional Facility in Detroit, Michigan on the evening of Valentine’s Day February 14, 2009. This visit celebrated Black History Month at the facility.
Bishop Bryant is making good on his promise, to the Fourth Episcopal District, to visit mission churches, prisons, and support the local Lay Organizations.
This historic visit to the prison was part of a “whirlwind weekend” for Bishop Bryant, which began with a two hour Training Seminar, including questions and answers, on Saturday February 14, 2009 at the Michigan Conference Lay Organization Winter Workshop, held in Bloomfield, Michigan. Bishop Bryant ended with the Michigan Annual Conference Founder’s Day Worship Service on Sunday February 15, 2009 afternoon held Saint Paul A.M.E. Church, Detroit, Michigan where Reverend Andre Spivey is the pastor.
Bishop Bryant, accepted the invitation to preach at the Mound Correctional Facility, from Senior Institution Chaplain Reverend LeRoy White, an Itinerant Elder serving in the Michigan Annual Conference, assigned to the Mound Correctional Facility.
Bishop Bryant was accompanied by both of the Michigan Annual Conference Presiding Elders; Reverend Dr. Norman V. Osborne and the Reverend Dr. H. Michael Lemmons. Other guests included Reverend Howard Tranumn, Volunteer Assistant Chaplain at the Mound Correctional Facility, the Reverend Jeffery Baker, Pastor, Saint Paul, Southwest AME Church, Detroit, Michigan. The Reverend Jeffery Baker brought members of Saint Paul Southwest’s choir.
The Reverend Larry J. Bell, Pastor, Vernon Chapel AME Church, Detroit, Michigan and his wife, the Reverend Danita Bell, were in attendance. Vernon Chapel has an active Volunteer Prison Ministry at the Mound Correctional Facility. Others in attendance were Ms. Artina Hardman, Michigan Department of Corrections Parole Board Member and a member of Allen Temple A.M.E Church, Detroit, Michigan, the Reverend Gloria Clark Pastor of Saint Matthew A.M.E. Church Detroit, Michigan (she served as a worship participant), and Mrs. Madge White, Fourth District Lay President. Sister White is also an active Prison Ministry Volunteer, and the wife of Chaplain LeRoy White.
During this highly emotive and spirit-filled worship experience, led by Chaplain White, all in attendance enjoyed the singing of the Chaplain’s Protestant Choir, accompanied by musicians on the keyboard, bass guitar, rhythm guitar, drums, and conga. The guests along with the more than two-hundred prisoners in attendance were truly blessed by the choir’s rendition of “Soon I Will Be Done Wid Da Troubles of Da World.”
A prisoner tribute to Bishop Richard Allen was concluded with the singing of “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” The Saint Paul Southwest Choir provided a sermonic selection, which was spiritually uplifting, for all those present.
The Christian prisoners have formed their own church within the prison called the “Open Arms Ministry Church,” following the religious tenants of African Methodism.
The high point of the worship experience was the Bishop Bryant’s sermon. He was truly led by the Holy Spirit and preached a dynamic and thought provoking sermon entitled, “Hidden Treasures.”
All prisoners and guests present gave Bishop Bryant a standing ovation, along with shouts and praises at the conclusion of his message.
At the end of the worship service Bishop Bryant and Chaplain White shook every prisoner’s hands attending the worship experience and wished them well.
This article was written by Madge M. White, Fourth Episcopal District Lay President and edited by the Reverend Dr. Michael C. Carson Fourth Episcopal District Director of Public Relations, who is the pastor Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church Benton Harbor, Michigan.
7. SATAN'S SEASON:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
The preacher in the book of Ecclesiastes (3:1), states, “To everything there is a season.”
In the book of Revelation (20:3) it is stated that Satan will be loosed for a season; and there is no doubt that in the midst of all of the inconceivable atrocities being committed on all levels of our society, that this is Satan's season.
One has only to read some of the headlines:
"Woman kills baby by placing it in a microwave oven..."
"Two men abducted girl age 17 raped, murdered and eat her body parts..."
"Woman kills baby girl and disposed of her in trash bag..."
"Priest arrested for molesting boys over a period of years...”
"Sunday school teacher for selling drugs in basement of the church..."
"Man kills couple; and sits and has lunch over their bodies...”
"Woman kills man and cuts up his body and scatters his remains in woods..."
"Man arrested fore the murder of 300 people and placing their bodies in acid..."
The headlines in our daily newspapers go on and on; and don't forget the Jim Jones, Jonestown incident.
Satan is having a field-day in his season. We are in the midst of Satan's season. Young minds are being seared with foreign and strange doctrines. Some of the most dangerous young people have become cold-blooded killers. They are being enticed to commit acts of evil, disguised as good.
Satan is having a "good" season.
No organization, not even the church, is immune in this season.
The Church is supposed to change the world, but the world is changing the Church. Programs and events of the world have taken seed in our Churches.
There is one thing for sure and that is, the Holy Spirit doesn't need any help. The Holy Spirit is not like the "hamburger helper." The Holy Spirit can stop Satan’s advance.
When I was a young lad I used to hear people say, "I'll beat the Devil out of you…"
Somebody needs to beat the Devil out of some of us.
Or shall I used a more modern term, “We need to ‘slam dunk’ the Devil.”
I don't know when Satan's season began, but one thing I do know and that is we are in the midst of it. And before Satan is bound, he will destroy many. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts is a retired pastor residing in Eatonville, Florida
8. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Retired Presiding Elder, the Reverend Willie J. Nelson, of the Columbia District in the Seventh Episcopal District.
The funeral has been held.
Cards and other expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Carrie Richburg Nelson (wife) & family
3935 Pearl Street
Columbia, SC 29203
Phone (803) 765-1673
Or expressions of sympathy may be emailed to:
meansj32@gmail.com
jmeans6@aol.com
9. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the passing of Mr. Charlie H. Jones, the father of the Rev. Daniel Jones, pastor of Allen Chapel AME Church, Cincinnati, Ohio; South Ohio Annual Conference, Third Episcopal District.
The funeral has been held.
Correspondences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Hall-Jordan and Pretty Memorial Chapel
Or to:
The Rev. Daniel Jones, Pastor
Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church
6271 Simpson Avenue
College Hill
Cincinnati, OH 45224
Phone: (513) 542-1952 (P/F)
10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you that the Rev. William A. Tucker, assistant pastor at St. John AME Church, Cleveland, Ohio passed on Feb. 10, 2009. Rev. William A. Tucker was the husband of Sister Helen Tucker and the father of Sister Deborah Tucker of Chicago. Rev. Tucker served God and the St. John Church family faithfully.
The funeral has been held.
View and sign Guest Book: http://obits.cleveland.com/Cleveland/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=124035874
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Helen Tucker and Family
3622 Lindholm Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44120
Telephone: (216) 283-2434
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Emma Snow, the mother of the Rev. Dr. Carlton Taylor, pastor of Allen Chapel AME Church, Pensacola, FL.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Dr. Carlton Taylor, Pastor
Allen Chapel AME Church
500 Guillemard Street
Pensacola, FL 32501
Church phone: (850) 433-2404
Home: (850) 476-0496
Email: taylorclev@bellsouth.net
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Johnny Anderson, father of the Reverend Carroll G. Anderson, pastor of Bethel AME Church, Hope, Arkansas. Mr. Johnny Anderson, a member of Bethel AME Church in Warren, Arkansas passed on Wednesday, February 11, 2009.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. (Carolyn) Carroll G. Anderson
5208 West 23rd Street
Little Rock, AR 72204
Phone: (501) 664-2759 or (501) 590-9891
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Velma Chambers, mother of the Reverend Dr. Phyllis Hicks, itinerant deacon at St. Andrews AME Church, Sacramento, California (California Conference), Mrs. Linda Nesbit, California Conference WMS officer, and the mother-in-law of the Rev. Dr. Tyrone Hicks, pastor of St. Andrews AME Church, Sacramento. In addition to her daughters, she is survived by her husband, Augustus Chambers, nine grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Velma Chambers was a charter member of Murph-Emmanuel AME Church, North Highlands, California. Mrs. Chambers passed away on Friday, February 6, 2009.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be extended to:
The Rev. Dr. Phyllis Hicks and Family
4140 Singing Tree Way
Antelope, CA 95843
Phone: (916) 729-4604
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of the Reverend William B. (W. B.) Langham, Sr. on Sunday, February 15, 2009. Rev. Langham was the pastor of Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church - Dallas, Texas (North Texas Conference-Greater Dallas District) at the time of his passing.
Service Arrangements for the Rev. William B. (W.B.) Langham, Sr:
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Novella Langham (Wife)
201 Cotillion Road
Fort Worth, Texas 76134
Phone: (817) 293-5167
Submitted by:
Rev. Dr. Sherryl A. Matlock, Pastor
St. James A.M.E. Church
Denton, Texas
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to share the news of the passing of the Reverend Daryl Bowden, Local Elder, St. Paul A.M.E. Church, San Bernardino, CA. He was called from labor to reward on Wednesday, February 11, 2009.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The family of the Rev. Daryl Bowden
10340 Via Apolina Dr.
Moreno Valley, CA 92557-2705
Please keep the entire Bowden Family in your prayers.
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Morris L. Stewart, Jr., the brother of Reverend Latisha Stewart Smith, Founding Pastor of Castaic A.M.E. Church Mission in Castaic, CA. Mr. Morris L. Stewart, Jr. passed on February 12, 2009.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Latisha Stewart Smith
1950 Mentone Avenue
Pasadena, CA 91103-1429
Phone: (626) 616-2138
E-mail: lstewartsm@aol.com
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you that funeral services were held for Mr. Willie Gordon on February 3, 2009 at the Frank R. Bell Funeral Home in Brooklyn, NY. Mr. Willie Gordon was the brother of Rev. Sammie L. Gordon, Sr., pastor and the brother in-law of first lady Hester B. Gordon, Prodigal A.M.E. Church, Swansea, SC (7th Episcopal District).
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Sammie L. Gordon, Sr.
1425 Sunset Street
Orangeburg, SC 29115
Phone: (803) 534-5351
slgordon37@bellsouth.net
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. 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
19. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
2/12/2009
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (2/12/09)
Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – THREE QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT WANT TO ANSWER:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I was asked a question this week that threw me for a loss. I was asked, “When have you seen a new member read into the church?”
I responded that I couldn’t remember when I had last seen a new member read into the church. Of course my ministry takes me to other churches from time to time, so someone could have been read-in during one of my absences.
Let me ask you, our readers, “When was the last time you read someone into the church or saw someone read into the church?”
The AMEC Book of Worship was nearby and I looked for the “Order for Receiving Persons into Full Membership” and there it was on page 23; and it is number 800 in the AME Hymnal.
Years ago I saw new members ushered to the front of the church and the congregation was asked to sing, “What a Fellowship” and we welcomed the new members into the church with handshakes and a lot of tears; but not with the liturgy in the AMEC Book of Worship. I guess the question today is do new members hang around long enough to attend new members’ class and are pastors taking the time to teach new members’ classes?
I was asked another question, “What do we teach our ministers about taking and serving Communion to the sick in their homes?” That was an easy question and one of which I have some strong feelings. I was glad to get away from the question about when I had last seen new members being read into the church and was more comfortable with the question about Communion.
I recalled my own experiences of taking Communion to the sick, and always did it the way I was taught; a greeting, a hymn, a prayer and share the elements, and a concluding prayer.
But, as I was thumbing through the AMEC Book of Worship looking for the “Order for Receiving Members into Full Membership,” I came across something that I had not noticed before. On page 38, there is “A Service for Communion in the Home.” It’s a beautiful service and I was reminded that the African Methodist Episcopal Church has so many resources that so many of us miss. If I am ever invited to take communion to the sick and shut-in, I will utilize the resource in the AMEC Book of Worship.
Getting back to the question, “What do we teach our ministers about taking and serving Communion to the sick”; I am not sure what we are teaching today; as a matter of fact I am not certain about what we are teaching our ministers about the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
I know what I was taught. I was taught that the only persons who could consecrate the elements of Communion were those persons who were ordained as Itinerant Elders. Itinerant Deacons could assist and distribute Communion after the elements had been consecrated by an Itinerant Elder. Licentiates could kneel at the altar with the other church members to receive Holy Communion. Some pastors stretched the rule and let licentiates take up the cups.
I was taught that the only persons allowed in the chancel area after the elements of Communion had been consecrated were the ordained clergy, not even the stewardesses. I was taught that only the ordained clergy could distribute the elements of Communion and that the communicants could only received the elements of Communion from the ordained clergy. Ushers, stewards, trustees could not distribute the element of Communion. I was taught that only ordained clergy could take Communion to the sick and shut-in because the consecrated Sacrament had to pass from the ordained clergy to the communicant. I was also taught that the last table served at the Communion service was for the stewardesses.
What are we teaching our ministers? I am not sure they are being taught what I was taught. I have heard that the stewards at some AME churches, and even family members, are taking the Sacrament to those who are sick and shut-in. I have even heard about ushers and stewards distributing the elements of Communion.
A third question that was asked of me was, “When was the last time you saw an AME parishioner enter the sanctuary for worship and bow in prayer before entering into the act of worship?”
In the First Episcopal District, we were taught to utter a prayer when we entered for worship and before participating in worship; we sat for a moment with head bowed and whispered a short prayer. I don’t see that anymore and I am saddened by that.
I see pastors going into the pulpit and some of them fail to pray before beginning worship, especially during afternoon services.
In the churches where I grew up and where I pastored, the person doing the pastoral prayer always knelt in prayer at the pulpit, on a prie-deu, or at the altar rail. Some pastors pray standing.
When I attended the Turner Theological Seminary Founder’s Day worship service, it was refreshing to seeing each bishop as each went to the pulpit to kneel and pray before taking their seats; even those who arrived late did so. I thought to myself, all is not lost. I am wondering if we/Boards of Examiners have abandoned ministerial and pulpit etiquette. Preachers conversing, talking and laughing with each other in the pulpit is another one of points of irritation.
I shared the last question and my response with Bishop Adam J. Richardson in an email note and this was his response to me:
“We have grown lazy in worship. At one point I used to hear people complain about our kneeling so much. In the Baptist church, kneeling was not required, except by the Deacon who offered the prayer during the pre-worship devotion. Baptist pastors never knelt when entering the pulpit. I think many of our pastors have adopted that model as if it is sacrosanct. I think it is just lazy. Kneeling upon entering the pulpit was another denominational distinctive. In the church where my family attended during my formative years, everybody who took a seat would kneel or bow at their seat before taking their seat or sit upright in their seat. That was our way of genuflecting. Even we kids did it because we saw the adults doing it. We just thought that this is the proper etiquette; this is the way we do church. The same holds true, I think, for receiving the Holy Communion. We were taught to hold our hands, as if making a cross with our palms up. This was our way of crossing ourselves rather than forehead to abdomen and shoulder to shoulder.”
There are more questions that we need to wrestle with and more issues that we need to address individually and collectively. The clergy need to always struggle with how we can move our ministry from “good to great”; and, the laity need to wrestle with the same issues.
We can be an even greater Church if we work together. We can be the Church of Richard Allen!
Happy Founder’s Day!
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
To the Editor:
RE: The age of the AME Church
Why do so many AME Churches claim that our Zion is 222 years-old?
It appears that the preference for this date is the year 1787, when Richard Allen, Absolom Jones and others terminated their affiliation at St. George's Methodist Episcopal Church. However, this date is problematic since Allen, et.al, left St. George's and returned to the Free African Society, which at that time was a de facto church, but not a church in the theological and legal sense. Furthermore, it would seem like Mother Bethel's 200th Anniversary would have been in 1994 (when the church was formally founded and dedicated). In my discussions with lay members over the last 10-12 years I have stressed that the AME Church will be 200 years old at the 50th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference. If my preferred bi-centennial dating is wrong, please correct me. The date 2016, of course, is obvious since the state of Pennsylvania officially approved the Articles of Incorporation in 1816.
Bill Dickens
President, Lay Organization
Allen AME Church
Tacoma, WA
Editor’s Note: We will let Dr. Dennis Dickerson address the date of the AME Church issue.
- To the Editor:
RE: Editorial – I Want To Know…
I want to know why anybody would go into the Itinerant ministry knowing full-well that he or she has no intention of pastoring a church, or no plans to do fulltime ministry in any capacity.
- Each situation should be reviewed case by case. Some churches are unable to support a fulltime minister and the church should celebrate bi-vocational ministry. I know a successful pastor who answered his call to ministry in his 40s and was a public school teacher. He was heavily invested in his profession and close to retirement. He earned his M.Div, returned to his teaching position and was a bi-vocational pastor. This allowed him to complete the years for a normal retirement benefit and contributions that went along with his retirement plan. Shouldn’t he the exception and not the rule?
(Name withheld by request)
- To the Editor:
I have a few questions of my own.
- Why are some pastors so hostile towards members of his/her church when they request a former pastor return to eulogize one of their loved ones?
- Why do members of a church get angry when a pastor does not adjust his or her schedule, to eulogize a member of a family who did not attend or contribute to the church when they were alive?
- Why do members of a bereaved family insist on bringing a deceased member of their family to be eulogized in the church when they could not get him or her to attend church while they were alive?
- Why must almost all funerals be held on a Saturday?
(Name withheld by request)
3. THE ANVIL - THE QUADRENNIAL THEME OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
“Great Past – Greater Future – An Incredible Call to Serve”
The focus for 2009 is “Inheritance” – AME History; discovering, rediscovering, teaching and re-teaching AME traditions/Faith Practices.
Our past will be explored. We have a great Wesleyan inheritance, a great African Methodist inheritance and a great spiritual inheritance. This gives the Church the opportunity to rediscover our faith practices, Articles of Religion, dogma and doctrine, their use and application in the 21st Century. There is also a cadre of men and women who made great contributions to African Methodism upon whose foundations we continue to build.
4. THE UPDATED MOTTO OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
“God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer- the Holy Spirit Our Comforter - Humankind Our Family”
5. THE AME CHURCH OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC—ONE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS IN AFRICAN METHODISM:
*The Rev. Dr. Contreras-Byrd
Mission work can be exciting and can change lives. A mission trip changed my life!
I was familiar with the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States and in Africa. Although I had never been to Africa—I knew we had African districts and many African churches. I knew that our connectional church sponsored trips and missionary efforts in support of the “Mother Land.” I was also familiar with other international Connectional efforts in support of places like Haiti and Jamaica. And, while I knew that there had once been an AME Church in Cuba; I knew from previous visits there that it has not existed for some time now.
Maybe it was my Cuban last name and family ancestry, or maybe it was stories told me by John Thomas III, who was then a graduate student at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School and who had a lengthy history of working in the Dominican Republic.
Irrespective of what urged me, last August our adolescent youth ministry group from Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church in Trenton, N.J. and several adult members set off for our first “mission trip”— to the A.M.E. Church in the Dominican Republic!
Our “mission” was supported by various Grant Chapel ministries who sold dinners, washed cars and a host of other activities that helped raise monies to pay our travel expenses.
One of our goals was to offer gifts to pastors, youth workers, church leaders and selected social agencies in the Dominican Republic.
Generous financial gifts from the 1st District AME Churches and the N.J. Annual Conference Women’s Missionary Society enabled us to meet these goals. Businesses such as Johnson & Johnson and others helped us to bring medicines, clothing, toiletries, toys and more to distribute at a local hospital and orphanage, as well as among our own church workers. Every minister was given a bag containing a dress shirt and tie, as well as pens, calculators, Spanish reading materials, and even a bilingual t-shirt.
In addition to bringing gifts and humanitarian aid, our youth ministry —Urban Praise International ministered in dance and song; while I conducted a series of workshops on self-care with the clergy. Our delegation was honored to offer classes in liturgical dance, and more during their annual Christian Education Conference/ Camp Meeting.
All of us who went on the mission trip were changed by our interactions, our ministry and how we were ministered to.
In the Dominican Republic we met two extraordinary Presiding Elders, Presiding Elder Jaime Coplin Sheppard who pastors Mision David AME Church and who presides over the Churches in the north; and Presiding Elder Abraham Rodriguez Jones, who pastors A.M.E. Impacto de Vida Church and presides over the Churches in the south. Those leaders were like the many men and one woman who pastor the AME congregations in the Dominican Republic. And the most interesting thing about our visit was hearing the repeated fact that we were the first U.S. delegation to come to participate in their Christian Education Conference; and to come bearing gifts for them!
Many times I was asked why this was the case. I could not truthfully answer the question; except that the A.M.E .Church in the Dominican Republic is one of the best kept secrets in African Methodism!
If you visit the Dominican Republic you will meet pastors who are willing to pastor with all their hearts—for very little, if any remuneration. If you come to the Dominican Republic you will meet youth workers and the WMS leadership, who are “on fire for God” and living out the 2009 theme set forth by Bishop Sarah Davis, “Influencing the World for Christ.”
When you sit in the worship service in the Dominican Republic you will feel the spirit of God in the words that are shouted, sung or spoken in testimony; and whether you speak Spanish or not–you will understand. You will recognize the name of Jesus, and the words of praise to which you can attest–“Alleluya.”
If you visit the DR you will sit on un-cushioned benches in small sanctuaries filled to capacity with people from the neighborhood, because here, the church is still the center of the community.
People are blessed in the Dominican Republic and they bless in the Dominican Republic without benefit of pulpit linens, liturgical robes or even a Cross to grace the walls of the church.
As our youth stood to minister in song during a service at Iglesia Sion AME Church— one little girl jumped up and asked if she could first pray for us. We were all touched by the depth of her prayer and the seriousness of her pleading to God to bless us and God’s ministry through us. Those who could not understand the words were still touched by the spirit that went forth from her words.
At the close of the Christian Education conference, when my workshop came to a close, I and the ministers gathered together for a time of prayer. After each pastor prayed, another would lift a hymn. I recognized many of the songs by the tune before I could understand the words. Finally, I began my prayer by singing in Spanish—“Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me...” As I ended the only verse I knew in Spanish; from across the room, came the voice of a brother, another Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, who completed what I had started, by singing the second verse.
All over the world, God moves through people who listen, hear and live out the call.
The church of Richard and Sarah Allen is alive and well all over the world. I am pleased to report, that this includes the Dominican Republic.
This Sunday as you sit in your pew in whatever state you live...wait for a moment and ask God’s grace on your brothers and sisters of the Dominican Republic. And when you have finished your prayer...pause for a moment...and you may hear the words of people in many shades of brown speaking along with you...”Yo me alegre con los que me decian: a la casa de Jehova iremos...” - I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord!
As an outgrowth of this trip, the First District has undertaken a ministry to form a connection of solidarity between the United States and the Dominican Republic AME Churches. It is called,
“Solidaridad AME.”
We seek to gain U.S. support for our AME Churches in the Dominican Republic, so that it will no longer be “the best kept secret.”
You can join now with other churches who under the leadership of Bishop Richard F. Norris and Bishop Sarah Davis have pledged to “partner” their Church with a Church in the Dominican Republic.
To do so, e-mail me, the Rev. Dr. Melinda Contreras-Byrd: generations_03@yahoo.com or call (856) 667-3033. Once I have your information, I will send further information to you about “Solidaridad.”
*The Rev. Dr. Contreras-Byrd is a licensed psychologist and ordained Elder serving with her husband, the Rev. Vernon R. Byrd, Jr. Senior Pastor of Grant Chapel AME in Trenton, New Jersey
7. ALL ROADS LED FROM WEST TENNESSEE TO DC - THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME, FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE:
*Brother Wesley Stovall
Mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, grandparents, sisters, brothers, cousins, and friends of all ages left West Tennessee including the areas of Memphis, Jackson, Lexington, and Decaturville on the evening of Sunday, January 18, 2009 to be a part of history.
Millions of persons were heading to Washington DC for the Inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama, the United States of America’s first African-American President.
Members from various area churches boarded the bus at New Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee. They joined with the members of New Allen and with Pastor Willie Woods.
Rev. Woods said a prayer for the safety of those traveling to Washington D.C. before the bus departed on the long journey. He prayed for our traveling mercies and for newly elected President, Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia.
With West Tennessee in the rear view mirror and Washington D.C. in the distance, we set out on the trip of a lifetime. We made several stops along the way; met people of all ethnic groups wishing us well and praying for our safe travel to Washington; and we even met some that were jealous of us. They wanted to attend the Inauguration, but could not do so.
We were even able to minister to people along the way. We arrived in Roanoke, Virginia around one o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, January 19, 2009, Dr. Martin Luther King Day at the Sheraton Hotel (Roanoke Plaza Hotel), where we stayed for the duration of our trip.
Later that evening, we spent time at the Valley View Mall in Roanoke where we shopped and ate at stores such as Macy’s, J C Penney, Sears, Old Navy, Buffalo Wild Wings, Olive Garden, and Chick-fil-A.
The next day, Tuesday, January 21, 2009, we began our day at 2 a.m. We departed Roanoke for the rest of the journey to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. for one of the most historic U.S. Inaugurations.
We arrived in Washington D.C. just before dawn, several blocks away from Capitol Hill.
After arriving in Washington, we ate breakfast at the local McDonald’s where the crowd was, standing room only.
After breakfast, we walked through the crowded streets of Washington to the National Mall. Some of the travelers stopped for souvenirs and others items of interests along the way.
Upon arriving at the National Mall in the cold and windy weather of D.C., emotions filled the air. Many families, friends, classmates, neighbors, and colleagues just could not believe they had made it to an inauguration, and especially to the Inauguration of the 44th President, President Barack Obama.
As we moved through the crowd and talked to people along the National Mall, we were interviewed by a news organization from Belgium and as time progressed, we continued to meet people from all over the world.
Several hours later, the Swearing-In Ceremonies of Vice-President Joseph Biden and President Barack Obama was happening right before our eyes.
As President Barack Obama and his family came from inside of the Capitol Building, the crowd, of over three million people, went wild.
The crowd shouted, “Obama! Obama! Obama!”
The ceremony highlighted people such as Aretha Franklin singing, “God Bless America” and Rick Warren doing the invocation. Then, the time came for Barack Obama to take the Oath of Office from Chief Justice John G. Roberts. President Barack Obama took the Oath of Office at approximately 12:10 in the afternoon and the crowd went wild again that you could not hear the band play “Held to the Chief.” American flags were being waved all throughout the crowd as millions of people were shouting, screaming, cheering, and jumping up and down celebrating the change in the course of American history and the end of the Bush Administration.
After the ceremony, we headed back to the bus through the crowded streets of Washington and returned back to Roanoke, Virginia. Once arriving back in Roanoke, Virginia, we stopped at a local restaurant for dinner and fellowship and later return to the hotel.
The next day we return to Memphis. On the return bus trip, we were asked, “What was the best thing and worst thing you liked about this historic trip?”
Jayla M. Woods, granddaughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Willie Woods and one of the youngest on the trip, said, “The Inauguration Ceremony of Barack Obama and when President Obama made the promise to keep the United States of America safe was the best part of the trip; but the cold weather and crowd I did not like.”
Youlanda Tharps, the coordinator of the trip to Washington, said, “I enjoyed the Inauguration of Barack Obama; witnessing history in the making, and the uniting of our nation.”
Lemonte McClain said, “My most enjoyable moment was when Barack Obama took the Oath of Office. It signified to America and the world that change has come to our nation.”
To sum it all up in words, emotions, and pictures cannot explain the experience that we all had in Washington D.C. You had to be there to experience the unspeakable. The so-called, “impossible” as many of us were told, would never happen; happened.
Many thought Martin Luther King, Junior’s dream had died with him, but today, a new era dawns upon us, and I say to you as Dr. King said forty-years ago, “Let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California. But not only that: Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring…Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
Special thanks goes out to all those who sponsored the trip and especially the Rev. Willie Woods, pastor of New Allen AME Church, New Allen AME Church, Mrs. Youlanda Tharps for planning the trip and Lord God Almighty for an uplifting, historic experience for God is the one who made the impossible, possible.
*Wesley Stovall is 19 years-old and is a student at the University of Memphis. He is a member of New Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee where the Rev. Willie Woods is the pastor. Wesley is the son of the Rev. VeRissa Cora Stovall who is a pastor in the East Tennessee Conference.
8. GREATER BETHEL AME CHURCH BOY SCOUT TROOP #804 TRAVEL TO INAUGURATION:
Greater Bethel AME Church (Phoenix, AZ) Boy Scout Troop #804, thanks to the efforts of Pastor Terry Marks and the generosity of Arizona Senator Jon Kyl, traveled to Washington, DC to be a part of history in the making. Pastor Marks recently preached on the power of IMPACT stating that “many believed it would be impossible to secure 25 tickets to the Inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama. But we know through God all things are possible!”
Led by Scout Masters Henry Wade and Michael Barber, the Scouts and Den Mothers filled two Church vans and journeyed over 5,000 miles round-trip across country. Along the way, they were able to visit many historical sites including the 16th St. Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama (site of the 1963 Klan bombing) as well as the home church of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Atlanta, GA. While in DC, Pastor Marks, the Scouts and their Leaders were given a first-class tour of the Capitol building, Senator Kyl’s offices and were granted access to the Senate floor via the Senator’s gallery where they saw our government in action. They witnessed the confirmation vote for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as U.S. Secretary of State.
The trip received widespread-news coverage from ABC News Channel 3, Fox 10 and NBC 12 News and several print publications. Funding for the trip entailed a grass-roots community effort led by the members of Greater Bethel and augmented through private and corporate donations. Pastor Marks and the GBAME Boy Scout Troop are truly grateful to Senator Kyl for providing the tickets and to all who offered prayers and assistance. The motto of the GBAME Troop is “804 We Do More!” This sentiment is truly indicative of the respective community and spiritual efforts of the Troop and its church sponsor, Greater Bethel AME.
9. MOUNT TABOR AME CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA BUILDS STATE-OF-THE-ART SENIOR CITIZEN BUILDING:
*Sister Angelena Spears
On Saturday, January 10, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mount Tabor AME Church, showed the City of Philadelphia what can happen when you want to achieve something really big and put God first in the equation.
The church followed the vision of their pastor, the Rev. Martha A. Lang, and built a $15 million senior citizen housing complex on the land adjacent to the church.
The 56 unit, four-story building that now stands on 7th Street, near the corner of Girard Avenue, is called Mount Tabor Cyber Village Senior Housing. However, during the two hour service which precluded the ribbon cutting -- many of the speakers referred to it as “The Miracle on Seventh Street.”
The service was attended by local and state officials, and representatives from the construction and architect firms, as well as organizations that were instrumental in helping the church acquire the needed permits and funding.
Bishop Richard Franklin Norris, the Presiding Prelate of the 1st Episcopal District and Presiding Elder Vernard E. Leak, of the Philadelphia District were also present, along with many clergy and friends throughout the Philadelphia area.
Each speaker applauded the Rev. Lang and the Rev. Dr. Mary Lou Moore, a member of Mount Tabor who served as president of the building project, for their persistence and said it had truly been a collaborative effort between the church, the community and private and public partnerships.
One of the speakers was Mary Winston, of the architect firm, DL Group Becker Winston, who said, “We have seen hundreds of miracles along the way to make this one big miracle happen. It was [Rev. Lang’s] dignity that got us through. Any one of those hurdles could have hindered this project.”
Darrell L. Clarke, the councilman of the 5th district, in which the project is located, admitted that when Rev. Lang approached him several years ago in his office and outlined what she wanted to do, he listened politely – but when she left he told himself, “It will never happen.”
However, later in his remarks, Clarke, who is credited with helping the church acquire the land, told Rev. Lang, “I will never [again] have any doubts about anything you say you want to do.”
It took ten years, but Cyber Village is indeed a reality. The complex consists of one and two-bedroom apartments; some are specially suited for the hearing impaired and handicapped. And, like the name implies, each unit is built for wireless Internet connection, which allows residents to do their shopping and banking online.
The suggestion to make the complex wireless was offered by Pennsylvania Representative W. Curtis Thomas, of the 181st Legislative District. He said doing so would make the project unique and therefore stand a better chance of getting funding.
Another unique feature is the building’s environmentally friendly “green” roof. It is only the second commercial green roof to be built in the state, and qualified the church to receive additional tax credits.
Bishop Norris called Rev. Lang “an extraordinary leader.” He said, “I have shared in many ribbon cuttings, but none like this. It is on the cutting edge of technology [and] it is largely green.”
Bishop Norris said the completion of the project “speaks of God’s empowerment.” He spoke of Rev. Lang’s unwavering faith, and said, “There were those who said you can’t succeed, but she [Rev. Lang] had said, “Yes we can.” There were those who said you don’t have the experience – you’ve never done it before. But she said, “Yes I can.” They said, “You’ll never get financing” – but she said “Yes I can.”
Brian A. Hudson, the executive director of the Philadelphia Housing and Finance Agency, spoke on behalf of Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. He marveled at the church’s vision to improve the community and said, “This is how seniors should live.” He said that this was just the beginning and they would like to come back and do more [projects].
Jeffrey Allegretti, of PennRoss Service Company also attested to Rev. Lang’s faith during the process. He said, “We kept facing problems. Some that seemed the project would die, yet Rev. Lang would say, “Don’t worry, I’m going to bring it to the altar.””
Allegretti said that although they were a cynical bunch, “After Rev. Lang’s third trip to the altar and the third miracle – we started looking at her with childlike fear and a little bit of awe.”
Although the term “Miracle on Seventh Street” is fitting when describing the housing complex, Rev. Lang is quick to let you know it is by no means the first miracle. Rev. Lang remembers clearly when she was first sent to be the pastor of Mount Tabor in 1983. She was sent by now retired Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand. It was her first assignment.
At that time Mount Tabor was located at the corner of 22nd and Master Streets in North Philadelphia. The small church could only fit 50 people – no more. However, under the direction of the Holy Spirit the church soon began to grow and Mount Tabor purchased three buildings to expand.
Four years later, in 1987, Rev. Lang noticed a beautiful large stone church that was for sale on Seventh Street in the Northern Liberty section of Philadelphia. The price was $287,000. The fact that her church had only $280 in the bank did not stop Rev. Lang from pursuing the dream. She says her husband, E. Larry Lang, encouraged her by saying, “People can pay that amount for a house – certainly a church should be able to.”
The members of Mount Tabor sold candy to raise $2500 to take the church off the market. And Rev. Lang is quick to credit Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings who had faith in Rev. Lang and Mount Tabor and loaned the church $58,000.
Last year, Mount Tabor, which has now grown to over 600 members -- paid off the mortgage. Both Bishop Cummings and Bishop Norris were present for that celebratory service.
During the Cyber Village program on January 10, perhaps it was Chris Hermann, of the investor firm, Enterprises Equity Investor, who summed up best what Rev. Lang and Mount Tabor have achieved.
He said that although Mt. Tabor did not start out with the experience to build a housing complex – “Mount Tabor does have experience in building a community.”
Hermann said, “It’s easy to put together the finances – but it is not easy to build a community. I see those skills in this church.”
Rev. Lang has served as the pastor of Mount Tabor for 25 years. She has served under Bishops Richard Allen Hildebrand; Frank Curtis Cummings; Phillip Robert Cousin, Sr.; Donald George Kenneth Ming; Zedekiah L. Grady; and Richard Franklin Norris.
*Sister Angelena Spears is the Philadelphia Conference Reporter
10. OBAMA ANNOUNCES WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS:
Washington (February 5, 2009) – President Barack Obama today signed an executive order establishing the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will work on behalf of Americans committed to improving their communities, no matter their religious or political beliefs. Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie has been named to the White Faith Based program.
“Over the past few days and weeks, there has been much talk about what our government’s role should be during this period of economic emergency. That is as it should be – because there is much that government can and must do to help people in need,” said President Obama. “But no matter how much money we invest or how sensibly we design our policies, the change that Americans are looking for will not come from government alone. There is a force for good greater than government. It is an expression of faith, this yearning to give back, this hungering for a purpose larger than our own, that reveals itself not simply in places of worship, but in senior centers and shelters, schools and hospitals, and any place an American decides.”
The White House Office for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will be a resource for nonprofits and community organizations, both secular and faith based, looking for ways to make a bigger impact in their communities, learn their obligations under the law, cut through red tape, and make the most of what the federal government has to offer.
President Obama appointed Joshua DuBois, a former associate pastor and advisor to the President in his U.S. Senate office and campaign Director of Religious Affairs, to lead this office. “Joshua understands the issues at stake, knows the people involved, and will be able to bring everyone together – from both the secular and faith-based communities, from academia and politics – around our common goals,” said President Obama.
The Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will focus on four key priorities, to be carried out by working closely with the President’s Cabinet Secretaries and each of the eleven agency offices for faith-based and neighborhood partnerships:
• The Office’s top priority will be making community groups an integral part of our economic recovery and poverty a burden fewer have to bear when recovery is complete.
• It will be one voice among several in the administration that will look at how we support women and children, address teenage pregnancy, and reduce the need for abortion.
• The Office will strive to support fathers who stand by their families, which involves working to get young men off the streets and into well-paying jobs, and encouraging responsible fatherhood.
• Finally, beyond American shores this Office will work with the National Security Council to foster interfaith dialogue with leaders and scholars around the world.
As the priorities of this Office are carried out, it will be done in a way that upholds the Constitution – by ensuring that both existing programs and new proposals are consistent with American laws and values. The separation of church and state is a principle President Obama supports firmly – not only because it protects our democracy, but also because it protects the plurality of America’s religious and civic life. The Executive Order President Obama will sign today strengthens this by adding a new mechanism for the Executive Director of the Office to work through the White House Counsel to seek the advice of the Attorney General on difficult legal and constitutional issues.
The Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will include a new President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, composed of religious and secular leaders and scholars from different backgrounds.
11. THE MINISTRY OF THE REV. ERAINA MARIE ROSS-ASEME AT HOME AND ABROAD:
*The Rev. Eraina Marie Ross-Aseme, B.A., M. DIV.
The Rev. Eraina Marie Ross-Aseme answered the call to preach in September 1991 under Bishop Vinton R. Anderson. He pastor was the Rev. Theodore Lee. Shortly after she accepted her call to preach, the Rev. Dr. Timothy Tyler became pastor.
She preached her first sermon on February 5, 1992 at Christ Our Redeemer African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Kansas City, Missouri. She was ordained as a deacon in the AME Church in 1994 and received her Itinerant Elder’s orders in 1996 under the leadership of Bishop Vernon R. Byrd, the 105th Consecrated Bishop of the AME Church.
She currently serves under the leadership of Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, the 114th Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
She has been married to Mr. Patrick C. Aseme, RN, and they have two daughters, Pamela and Dayna. Pamela is currently attending Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, studying chemistry and Dayna attends Wilberforce University and is seeking a degree in Journalism. Rev. Aseme is active in her community. Her greatest joy is empowering people to live better lives and to help them make meaningful contributions to their families and communities in which they reside.
The Rev. Eraina Marie Ross-Aseme holds a Associate of Applied Science degree in Business from Penn Valley Community College, Kansas City, Missouri; Bachelor of Arts Degree, Business Administration in Management from Webster University of Kansas City, Missouri. She has earned several credit hours in theological studies from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri. She traveled to Nigeria for 15 days to participate in an immersion course for seminary studies. She is currently studying for her Master of Divinity Degree from Liberty Theological Seminary, Lynchburg, VA.
'In December 2006, Rev. Aseme and 81 other women from across the world connected with the A.M.E. Church joined the Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, Episcopal Supervisor of the Fifth Episcopal District in the Kingdom of Lesotho under the Episcopal leadership of Bishop Sarah Davis and Episcopal Supervisor Clayton Davis. The purpose of the trip was to lift up the spiritual lives of the people of Lesotho and to provide medical care and education to reduce the spread of HIV-AIDS."
Rev. Aseme continues to lead successful programs for the local church as well as the district in which she serves. In addition, she developed a traveling package that enabled several persons from the Midwest region to attend the General Conference in July 2008.
She is a skilled negotiator/communicator, organizer, planner, comprehensive problem solver and dynamic motivator. She has a diverse experience in banking, customer service, building alliances, research, investigation and business development. She enjoys public speaking, bowling, reading, research and playing chess. Most of all, Rev. Aseme is saved and loves the Lord Jesus Christ.
12. THE REV. JONATHAN WEAVER HAS A GLOBAL MINISTRY:
Over the past twenty-one years, Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church in Bowie, Maryland, has developed a significant passion for creating relationships with the people of Africa and Caribbean Island nations, largely born out of the interest shown by its pastor, Rev. Jonathan L. Weaver. Weaver, who first travelled to Africa in 1971 as a volunteer with Operation Crossroads Africa, Inc., a cultural exchange program headquartered in New York City, has since established the Pan African Collective, designed to link churches in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area with ambassadors from Africa and the Caribbean to foster cultural and educational exchanges, trade and investment opportunities, and to create a mechanism whereby persons within the church community could make their skills and talents available to promote economic development.
Under the auspices of the Pan African Collective, churches are now extending invitations to ambassadors to attend Sunday worship services, where they are given an opportunity to speak to the congregation about their country. Moreover, churches are creating a cadre of Youth Ambassadors, who visit embassies of African and Caribbean nations to learn more about those countries, with plans to ultimately arrange trips to Africa and the Caribbean region.
Greater Mt. Nebo is currently making plans to host its eighth annual Pan African Festival, in conjunction with Her Excellency Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, Ambassador of Zambia to the United States, and His Excellency Raymond Joseph, Ambassador of Haiti to the United States, scheduled for Saturday, May 16, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm., on the grounds of the church. The Festival, which draws thousands each year, will have a variety of cultural events, workshops, and exhibitions that will be of interest to the entire family. For further information about this year's Festival, call 301-322-6555 or visit the website, www.panafricanfestival.net.
Churches that may be interested in becoming a part of this new initiative or creating something similar in your area, should feel free to contact Rev. Weaver at 301-249-7545.
13. FOUNDER'S DAY ST. PAUL MINNEAPOLIS DISTRICT:
*Charles Hallman
African Methodism is not a valley of “dry bones,” Presiding Elder Dr. Alphonse Reff, Sr. told this year Founder’s Day celebration and convocation at St. Peter’s AME in Minneapolis.
Using Ezekiel 37:3 as his text, Reff asked, “Can the bones of African Methodism live again? As I reflect over the lives of Richard Allen, Paul Quinn (and other church founders), yes the bones of African Methodism can live again.”
He quickly dismissed the notion that the AME Church is not relevant enough to today’s young people, the presiding elder said, “The AME Church is not dry. The AME Church is still saying what the prophets of old (are saying) - lay down your weapons and accept Jesus. When Hip Hop fades away, African Methodism will have something to keep them - a God who inspires them all the way.”
Then as he slowly roll-called the district’s 10 churches, Reff told them, “The AME Church might seem hopeless but not helpless because of Jesus. I don’t have to adopt a new theology but accept Jesus as my theology. Yes, (these bones) can live again, but do we live it ourselves?”
The presiding elder strongly advised everyone “to stand on Christ, the solid rock. When you stand on the solid rock, the young people will sing a new song.
“Yes, these bones can live again. Every bone (of the church) becomes part of the missionary society, the layman (organization), the stewards, trustees (and the) class leaders. When we are connected together, we can live again,” concludes Reff.
“The message was very potent and powerful,” surmised Rev. Gerald Garth (St. Peter’s, Minneapolis).
This year’s joint service also featured a historical PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Hallie B. Hendrieth-Smith, which also included recent artwork done by her husband, Rev. Noah Smith, who in January celebrated his 101st birthday.
St. Peter’s Celebration Choir, a merging of three former church choirs, was officially dedicated after the sermon. Reff asked the congregation to stretch their hands toward the 17-member choir as Rev. Stacey Smith prayed and Rev. Garth read Psalm 51: 15-17.
*Charles Hallman is a St. Paul-Minneapolis District reporter
14. BLACKONOMICS - SUCH A TIME AS THIS:
*James Clingman
No, this is not about Barack Obama. There will be plenty of time to write about his ascension to the highest office in the land after November 4, 2008. This is about the economy and how it will affect us individually and collectively. Since the tidal wave of Wall Street bailouts and bank failures began, we have seen our personal economic situations decline. We have seen what little clout we even thought we had with banks slip further into the abyss of higher interest rates and ATM fees, outlandish credit card fees and assessments, tighter lending policies, and rip-off charges for insufficient fund checks that multiply on a daily basis. What shall we do?
I have said it many times before, via this column and in my speeches, so I guess one more time won’t hurt. If ever there was a need for a Collective Banking Group (CBG) Chapter in your city, it is right now. The leverage that comes with collective and cooperative work cannot be overstated, and what better time to have leverage with the banks than in these dire economic circumstances.
We will surely see more of the same as the pain of the recession, and maybe even a depression, moves up the ladder toward the affluent. We will see more usury interest rates, more restrictions on lending, especially for homes and businesses, and more backroom deals being cut between greedy corporate bigwigs and corrupt politicians. With all of that going on, Black people need all the leverage, influence, and power we can get, because you know we are always the ones who get the worst from hard times.
The CBG is not a panacea that will cure all of our ills, but it certainly will change the way banks do business with us, and it will change how we view and deal with banks. I have seen it with my own eyes in the Maryland/DC area, as well as in other cities where CBG Chapters exist. It only makes sense to be in a position to “deal” with banks on a serious level and obtain maximum reciprocity for the dollars they hold for us, especially among our Black churches. Billions of dollars every year going from our pews to their vaults, and in many cases across this country all we do is complain about how we are mistreated by the banks.
It makes no sense at all to keep up the constant refrain of misery and woe, whining about what someone does to us, and waiting for them to change without any incentive to do so. And for those of you who are waiting for Barack Obama to solve this problem, I have a newsflash for you. It ain’t gonna happen. The CBG works on a local level, where you and I live; just like politics is local, so is economics. We had better get with the program and start responding appropriately to unfair treatment and abuse by ANY entity in our communities.
At such a time as this, when the economy is in a tailspin; at such a time as this, when the “big boys” are wringing their hands and pondering a flying leap from the 44th floor; at such a time as this, when economic fear grips those whose greatest fear, prior to now, was a double bogey; and at such a time as this, when there is so much economic uncertainty yet the ever-present certainty that Black people will continue at the bottom of the economic spectrum; at such a time as this, we must act!
The tools we need are at our fingertips; all we need to do is use them. Our collective economic resources cannot be denied, but we cannot continue to allow those resources, the lifeblood of our households, our neighborhoods, and our churches, to leave and never return. At such a time as this, we have the opportunity to establish and solidify our presence, our resolve, and our unity around a sound economic principle - and the Maat principle of Reciprocity.
The Biblical passage upon which this article is based comes from the Book of Esther, a young lady who had to make a tough decision regarding the future of her people. After seeing what happened to Queen Vashti when she defied the king, and after hearing the words of her cousin, Mordecai, “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther realized that even at the risk of losing her own life, she must act. Why? Because it was the right thing to do and the right time to do it.
We are also faced with a decision, maybe not a physical life and death decision, but certainly an economic decision that will impact our daily lives. What will we do in our moment of “such a time as this?” Will we step forward as Esther did, as David did, as Joshua and Caleb did? Or will we cower in a dark corner of anonymity, afraid to speak out and afraid to organize a chapter of the CBG? We must not be timid; we must let the “kings” know that they will treat us fairly or they will not be treated to our dollars.
At such a time as this, do what’s right, because there is never a wrong time to do the right thing, and there is never a right time to do the wrong thing. We are called to be good stewards of the resources under our management; the CBG will help us in that effort. Go to www.collectivebankinggroup.org and call Pastor Jonathan Weaver, CBG National President, at 301 249 7545, and get your chapter started today.
*James E. Clingman, a syndicated newspaper columnist, is adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Christian University, where he teaches The Black Church in America and Black Entrepreneurship, and Public Speaking, respectively. Contact him at 513 489 4132 or jclingman@cinci.rr.com
15. WAYMAN CHAPEL A.M.E. CHURCH CELEBRATED THEIR 4TH ANNUAL HERITAGE AND HOPE BANQUET - NEW BRIGHTON, PENNSYLVANIA:
Submitted by - Shelly Brown
Allegheny Scranton District Secretary
On Saturday, February 7, 2009 The Holiday Inn, Beaver Falls was filled with the sounds of joy, music, and grand fellowship as Wayman Chapel celebrated their 4th Annual Heritage and Hope Banquet. Reverend Kary Williams, Jr., pastor of Wayman.
Wayman Chapel A.M.E. Church thought it not robbery to honor their mother church, St. John A.M.E. Church, Bridgewater, the church from which Wayman Chapel A.M.E. was birthed. In the year of 1870, a number of people moved from Bridgewater to the Upper Beaver Valley and in 1875, established the New Brighton Church, Wayman A.M.E Church. There was no disturbance or controversy among the members, but due to the fact that the majority of the members worked in New Brighton, they established their homes as well as their Church in New Brighton.
The banquet reflected on the history of St. John A.M.E. Church, Bridgewater and the years of tireless work spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Lawrence Haynes and the St. John church family rose to the occasion of accepting this honor as members spoke on the past, present and future of the church. The Master of Ceremony was none other than the Presiding Elder of the Allegheny Scranton District, Reverend Dr. Eric L. Brown.
This was an opportunity for both Wayman Chapel and St. John to pause and celebrate their collective heritage and hope!
16. AME-SADA ANNUAL FOUNDER’S AWARD GALA:
Annual Founder’s Awards Gala
Friday, September 18, 2009
6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Marriott Crystal Gateway hotel
1700 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
Keynote Speaker
Her Excellency
Michèle D. Pierre-Louis
Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti
Reception
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
CASH BAR – Free Hors d’oeuvres
Dinner and Awards Gala
7:00 pm – 9:00
Music by “Rafréchi”
Haitian/Caribbean band
9:00 – 10:30
Early Bird Registration: $125.00 (Available May 1 - May 31, 2009)
Regular Registration: $150.00 (Available June 1, 2009 – July 31, 2009)
Late Registration: $175.00 (Available August 1, 2009 – September 1, 2009)
On-Site Registration: $200.00 (Based on Availability)
Special Discount
Save $10.00 when purchasing a table for 10 people
Registration Fee Includes: Annual Founders’ Awards Dinner and an Evening of Culture and Dance with music by the Haitian/Caribbean band “Rafréchi”.
17. 2009 FOUNDER'S DAY CELEBRATION ALLEGHENY SCRANTON DISTRICT PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA:
The Allegheny Scranton District celebrated Founder’s Day on Sunday, February 8, 2009 at Payne Chapel AME Church in Duquesne, PA. The host pastor was the Reverend Samuel Chambers.
As clergy and laity gathered for the celebration, it was standing room only! The ministry of music was provided by various choirs of the District; Wayman Chapel – New Brighton; Ebenezer – Aliquippa; Bethel – Tarentum; Payne Chapel – Duquesne; and St. James - Erie, the Holy Spirit was in the place.
The Reverend Dr. Eric L. Brown, the Presiding Elder of the Allegheny Scranton District, introduced the guest preacher for the occasion, Reverend Dr. James H. Harris, the Presiding Elder of the Cleveland District.
Dr. Harris in his unique style preached with power from the subject, "Hold on till the Power Comes” taken from Genesis 32:22-28. We celebrate the journey as we look back to where we were, where we are going and where we need to go.
Submitted by – Shelly Brown
Allegheny Scranton District Secretary
18. EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR ECUMENICAL ADVOCACY DAYS NEAR:
NEW YORK, Monday, Feb. 9, 2009--Advocates and activists from across the United States will gather outside Washington, D.C., March 13-16 for a long weekend of policy issue discussions and advocacy training that will end with them descending upon Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers for effective climate change legislation.
The early registration deadline for the event, Ecumenical Advocacy Days, is Friday, Feb. 13.
The gathering, themed "Enough for All Creation," is an exploration of the connections between climate change, migration and poverty in the U.S. and around the world and ways to bring about a world where the earth's abundant resources are shared fairly and justly.
The Rev. John McCullough, executive director and CEO of Church World Service, will deliver the sermon at the Sunday, Mar. 15 service.
Several Church World Service international partners also will address conference plenary session and workshops. Fe'iloakitau Kaho Tevi, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, will speak on the displacement of populations due to climate change. Ramzi Zananiri, Executive Director of the International Christian Committee - Jerusalem will speak on environment, water, poverty and peace building in the Palestinian Territories and Deborah Katina, coordinator of Yang’at in Kenya, will speak on water as a sustainer of life and source of conflict.
Hundreds of people of faith representing different Christian communions will participate in discussions of U.S. policy and its effect on the developing world, receive training in effective advocacy and attend meetings centered on climate change legislation with members of congress or their staff.
The opening keynote address for the event will be given by Fr. Sean McDonagh, a Catholic priest who has lived and worked in the Philippines for many years and who is regarded as a leader in the faith community on climate change, environmental justice, genetically engineered food and human rights.
Other speakers include the Rev. Dr. Janet Parker, recipient of the National Council of Churches' 2007 Environmental Sermon Award, Tyler Edgar of National Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Program, Leo Atakpu, national coordinator of the Nigeria Civil Society Network for Water and Sanitation and deputy executive director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice; and John Cavanaugh, executive director of the Institute of Policy Studies.
The conference will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel in Alexandria, Va.
For information and conference registration, visit http://advocacydays.org/. Young adults interested in student scholarships can find information on the young adult page or by email to scholarships@advocacydays.org.
Media Contacts
Lesley Crosson, (212) 870-2676, media@churchworldservice.org Jan Dragin, (781) 925-1526, jdragin@gis.net
19. CLAIMING YOUR VICTORY - DEALING WITH FRUSTRATION:
*The Reverend Dr. Michael C. Carson
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Sir Winston Churchill
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race…” (Hebrews 12:1 ff)
In preparing for each day, each event in life, and each situation we must face the fact that there are many “weights” for us to deal with. These challenges can bring on feelings of frustration.
Dwelling in the land of frustration is living at an address called “Dead Weight.” Frustration can pull us down when we should be climbing upward. It can make our life more difficult than it should be.
Dwelling in the land of frustration can cause us to sin by thought, word, or deed. We are encouraged to “run with patience the race that is set before us.” The race of life is not a sprint but one of endurance. “The race is not to the swift.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11)
When we become frustrated there is a statement that can never be overused, “Look what happened to Jesus, are you any better than Jesus?” Christians have a great example to imitate in the midst of our frustrations. This example is Jesus Christ who is “the author and finisher of our faith.”
“Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your mind.” Attempting to realize how much Jesus went through out of love for us can help us place our own troubles and frustration in their proper perspective.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
Jesus Christ is able to emphasize with us in our weaknesses, frustrations, and temptations. Therefore we can come to him for help to deal with our frustration and other issues.
Frustration will come but when it comes remember that you are a child of God-you do have options! When you discover your options then take action on them. I wonder how many times in life out of frustration we gave up just before we would have been successful?
Always look to Jesus for your help, joy, and hope. Always set Jesus before you as your ultimate example and encouragement. Look to Jesus for direction, for assistance, and for acceptance in your life.
When you can no longer handle the situation, if you turn it over to Jesus, he will work it out. This is dealing with frustration in an effective and optimistic manner.
Peace with justice, be blessed real good, attend worship, and families matter.
*The Reverend Dr. Michael C. Carson is the Fourth Episcopal District Director of Public Relations and pastor of Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan and may be reached at: carsonvision@acd.net
20. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
The Presiding Bishop of the 13th Episcopal District tapped as President Obama unveils new Faith Based Office
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church which includes Tennessee and Kentucky has been selected to serve on Faith-Based Council.
Obama to unveil new Faith-Based office
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/04/obama-to-unveil-new-faith-based-office/
(CNN) – President Obama will unveil a revamped office of Faith-Based Initiatives Thursday, and a new approach to the controversial program established by former President George Bush.
The office, tasked with steering federal funds to charitable organizations tied to churches and faith-based organizations, will be headed by Josh DuBois – a 26 year-old Pentecostal minister who was in charge of religious outreach for the Obama campaign.
According to a White House official, the basic structure of the office will remain the same as it was under Bush, but Obama is introducing a new component: an advisory council of 25 leaders — secular and religious — who will help inform the Office and provide advice on other policy issues.
According to a person familiar with the makeup of the council, some of the 25 members include:
–Rabbi David Saperste in, head of the DC Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
–Judith Vredenburgh, CEO of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America
–Bishop Vashti McKenzie, first female Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
–The Rev. Joel Hunter, the senior pastor of Northland church in Orlando, Florida
–The Rev. Frank Page, the conservative past president of the Southern Baptist Convention
The official announcement of the revamped office is set to take place Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast.
– CNN's Jessica Yellin contributed to this report
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
St. John AME Church, Nashville - Son of Pastor and First Lady selected to serve in the Obama Administration
The members of the St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, “the Mother Church of African Methodism in the State of Tennessee,” are both excited and delighted that the oldest son of our pastor and first lady, Rev. W. Antoni & Kristy Sinkfield has been selected to serve in the Obama Administration. Joshua P. Dubois (St. John’s first son) has been appointed by President Obama as the Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Prepared by Ralph L. Holmes, Church Trustee
St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church
Nashville, Tennessee
Email: sainjohname@aol.com
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Edwina Patrick, widow of the late Rev. Loyce Patrick-13th Episcopal District, and grandmother of the Rev. Patrick Clayborn, 3rd Episcopal District, Columbus, Ohio.
Service Arrangements for Mrs. Edwina Patrick:
Visitation:
Friday, February 13, 2009
4-6:30 PM
NJ Ford and Sons Funeral Home
12 South Parkway West
Memphis, TN 38109
Homegoing Celebration:
Saturday, February 14, 2009
12 NOON
New Tyler AME Church
3300 Summer Ave.
Memphis, TN, 38122
Phone: (901) 323-9371
Professional services provided by:
NJ Ford and Sons Funeral Home, Inc.
12 South Parkway West
Memphis, TN 38109
Phone: 901-948-7755
Fax: 901-948-7103
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Lois (John) Clayborn at Johnloisclayborn@aol.com
The Rev. Patrick (Sheri) Clayborn patclayborn@aol.com
164 Horn Lake Cove
Memphis, TN 38109-7118
(901) 785-7793
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Jimmie R. Love, the brother-in-law of the Rev. Paul G. Prim and the brother of the Rev. Jacquelyn Love Prim, Pastor of Warren Chapel AME Church, Dallas, Texas, (Greater Dallas District-North Texas Conference, 10th Episcopal District).
Service arrangements for Mr. Jimmie R. Love:
Homegoing Celebration
Saturday, February 7, 2009
11:00 AM
Jefferson Junior High School (Auditorium)
411 East Harrison Street
Jefferson, Texas 75657
Phone: (903) 665-2461
Professional services provided by:
Lewis & Walker Funeral Home
603 Hwy 49 W
Jefferson, TX 75657
Phone: (903) 665-2353
Fax: (903) 665-6747
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Paul and the Rev. Jacquelyn Love Prim
Warren Chapel AME Church
3200 Navarro Street
Dallas, TX 75212-3853
Phone: (214) 742-8361
Email: warrename@aol.com
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of the Rev. Bertha Guyton, the mother of Presiding Elder Melvin L. Guyton (New Jersey Conference, New Brunswick District) and the grandmother of Rev. Lanel D. Guyton (Bermuda Conference, East-West District) and Rev. M. Lloyd Guyton (New Jersey Conference, New Brunswick District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing, Thursday February 12, 2009
Viewing - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Thompson Memorial Chapel
2118 East LaFayette Street
Stockton, CA 95205
Phone: 209-463-7236
Fax: 209-937-0132
Funeral, Friday, February 13, 2009
Homegoing Service - 11:00 a.m.
Stockton Four Square Church
New Life Center
1282 East Biachi Road
Stockton, CA 95210
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Melvin L. Guyton and Family
635 Clark Street #2
Linden, NJ 07036
Phone/Fax: 908-925-3973
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Brother Lester Smalls, the uncle of the Rev. Amelia Eddy who is the wife of the Rev. Herbert L. Eddy, Presiding Elder of the New England Conference, Boston-Hartford District. Brother Smalls was funeralized on Sunday, February 8, 2009 at St. Stephens AME Church in Georgetown, South Carolina.
26. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE UPDATE:
Arrangements for Mrs. Edwina Patrick, widow of the late Rev. Loyce Patrick-13th Episcopal District, and grandmother of Rev. Patrick Clayborn, 3rd Episcopal District, Columbus, Ohio:
Homegoing Celebration:
Saturday, February 14, 2009
1:00 PM
New Tyler AME Church
3300 Summer Ave.
Memphis, TN, 38122
Phone: (901) 323-9371
Dr. Clement Fugh, General Church Secretary/CIO,
Eulogist
27. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Rev. Bertha Guyton, mother of Presiding Elder Booker T. Guyton, Sr., Fifth Episcopal District, California Conference; Presiding Elder Melvin Lloyd Guyton, First Episcopal District, New Jersey Conference; and grandmother of Reverends M. Lloyd Guyton and Lanell D. Guyton of the First Episcopal District, who passed away on Wednesday, February 4, 2009.
Homegoing Celebration:
Friday, February 13, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.
New Life Four Square Church
1282 East Bianchi Road
Stockton, CA 95210
Telephone: (209) 473-0340
Viewing will be:
Thursday, February 12, 2009, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thompson Memorial Chapel
2118 East Lafayette St.
Stockton, CA 95205
Telephone: (209) 463-7236
Fax: (209) 937-0132
Website: www.thompsonmemorialchapel.com
Expressions of sympathy may be extended to:
Presiding Elder & Mrs. Booker T. Guyton, Sr. and Family
148 West 8th Street
Stockton, CA 95206
Telephone: (209) 463-0142
Presiding Elder & Mrs. M. Lloyd Guyton and Family
1127 East Blanche St.
Linden, NJ 07036
Telephone: (908) 925-3973
28. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Harriet S. Hill, on Monday, February 9, 2009. She was the mother of Presiding Elder Winton M. Hill, III (Delaware Conference, Dover District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing, Friday, February 13, 2009
Viewing - 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wiseman Mortuary, Inc.
431 Cumberland Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone: 910-483-7111
Fax: 910-483-0336
Funeral, Saturday, February 14, 2009
Homegoing Service - 11:00 a.m.
St. Luke AME Church
522 Hillsboro Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone: 910-485-7794
Fax: 910-323-5145
Reverend David L. Morrison, Pastor
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Winton M. Hill III
P. O. Box 251
139 Masters Lane
Magnolia, DE 19962
Phone: 302-698-9156
Email: wintonhill@msn.com
29. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. 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
30. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – THREE QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT WANT TO ANSWER:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I was asked a question this week that threw me for a loss. I was asked, “When have you seen a new member read into the church?”
I responded that I couldn’t remember when I had last seen a new member read into the church. Of course my ministry takes me to other churches from time to time, so someone could have been read-in during one of my absences.
Let me ask you, our readers, “When was the last time you read someone into the church or saw someone read into the church?”
The AMEC Book of Worship was nearby and I looked for the “Order for Receiving Persons into Full Membership” and there it was on page 23; and it is number 800 in the AME Hymnal.
Years ago I saw new members ushered to the front of the church and the congregation was asked to sing, “What a Fellowship” and we welcomed the new members into the church with handshakes and a lot of tears; but not with the liturgy in the AMEC Book of Worship. I guess the question today is do new members hang around long enough to attend new members’ class and are pastors taking the time to teach new members’ classes?
I was asked another question, “What do we teach our ministers about taking and serving Communion to the sick in their homes?” That was an easy question and one of which I have some strong feelings. I was glad to get away from the question about when I had last seen new members being read into the church and was more comfortable with the question about Communion.
I recalled my own experiences of taking Communion to the sick, and always did it the way I was taught; a greeting, a hymn, a prayer and share the elements, and a concluding prayer.
But, as I was thumbing through the AMEC Book of Worship looking for the “Order for Receiving Members into Full Membership,” I came across something that I had not noticed before. On page 38, there is “A Service for Communion in the Home.” It’s a beautiful service and I was reminded that the African Methodist Episcopal Church has so many resources that so many of us miss. If I am ever invited to take communion to the sick and shut-in, I will utilize the resource in the AMEC Book of Worship.
Getting back to the question, “What do we teach our ministers about taking and serving Communion to the sick”; I am not sure what we are teaching today; as a matter of fact I am not certain about what we are teaching our ministers about the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
I know what I was taught. I was taught that the only persons who could consecrate the elements of Communion were those persons who were ordained as Itinerant Elders. Itinerant Deacons could assist and distribute Communion after the elements had been consecrated by an Itinerant Elder. Licentiates could kneel at the altar with the other church members to receive Holy Communion. Some pastors stretched the rule and let licentiates take up the cups.
I was taught that the only persons allowed in the chancel area after the elements of Communion had been consecrated were the ordained clergy, not even the stewardesses. I was taught that only the ordained clergy could distribute the elements of Communion and that the communicants could only received the elements of Communion from the ordained clergy. Ushers, stewards, trustees could not distribute the element of Communion. I was taught that only ordained clergy could take Communion to the sick and shut-in because the consecrated Sacrament had to pass from the ordained clergy to the communicant. I was also taught that the last table served at the Communion service was for the stewardesses.
What are we teaching our ministers? I am not sure they are being taught what I was taught. I have heard that the stewards at some AME churches, and even family members, are taking the Sacrament to those who are sick and shut-in. I have even heard about ushers and stewards distributing the elements of Communion.
A third question that was asked of me was, “When was the last time you saw an AME parishioner enter the sanctuary for worship and bow in prayer before entering into the act of worship?”
In the First Episcopal District, we were taught to utter a prayer when we entered for worship and before participating in worship; we sat for a moment with head bowed and whispered a short prayer. I don’t see that anymore and I am saddened by that.
I see pastors going into the pulpit and some of them fail to pray before beginning worship, especially during afternoon services.
In the churches where I grew up and where I pastored, the person doing the pastoral prayer always knelt in prayer at the pulpit, on a prie-deu, or at the altar rail. Some pastors pray standing.
When I attended the Turner Theological Seminary Founder’s Day worship service, it was refreshing to seeing each bishop as each went to the pulpit to kneel and pray before taking their seats; even those who arrived late did so. I thought to myself, all is not lost. I am wondering if we/Boards of Examiners have abandoned ministerial and pulpit etiquette. Preachers conversing, talking and laughing with each other in the pulpit is another one of points of irritation.
I shared the last question and my response with Bishop Adam J. Richardson in an email note and this was his response to me:
“We have grown lazy in worship. At one point I used to hear people complain about our kneeling so much. In the Baptist church, kneeling was not required, except by the Deacon who offered the prayer during the pre-worship devotion. Baptist pastors never knelt when entering the pulpit. I think many of our pastors have adopted that model as if it is sacrosanct. I think it is just lazy. Kneeling upon entering the pulpit was another denominational distinctive. In the church where my family attended during my formative years, everybody who took a seat would kneel or bow at their seat before taking their seat or sit upright in their seat. That was our way of genuflecting. Even we kids did it because we saw the adults doing it. We just thought that this is the proper etiquette; this is the way we do church. The same holds true, I think, for receiving the Holy Communion. We were taught to hold our hands, as if making a cross with our palms up. This was our way of crossing ourselves rather than forehead to abdomen and shoulder to shoulder.”
There are more questions that we need to wrestle with and more issues that we need to address individually and collectively. The clergy need to always struggle with how we can move our ministry from “good to great”; and, the laity need to wrestle with the same issues.
We can be an even greater Church if we work together. We can be the Church of Richard Allen!
Happy Founder’s Day!
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
To the Editor:
RE: The age of the AME Church
Why do so many AME Churches claim that our Zion is 222 years-old?
It appears that the preference for this date is the year 1787, when Richard Allen, Absolom Jones and others terminated their affiliation at St. George's Methodist Episcopal Church. However, this date is problematic since Allen, et.al, left St. George's and returned to the Free African Society, which at that time was a de facto church, but not a church in the theological and legal sense. Furthermore, it would seem like Mother Bethel's 200th Anniversary would have been in 1994 (when the church was formally founded and dedicated). In my discussions with lay members over the last 10-12 years I have stressed that the AME Church will be 200 years old at the 50th Quadrennial Session of the General Conference. If my preferred bi-centennial dating is wrong, please correct me. The date 2016, of course, is obvious since the state of Pennsylvania officially approved the Articles of Incorporation in 1816.
Bill Dickens
President, Lay Organization
Allen AME Church
Tacoma, WA
Editor’s Note: We will let Dr. Dennis Dickerson address the date of the AME Church issue.
- To the Editor:
RE: Editorial – I Want To Know…
I want to know why anybody would go into the Itinerant ministry knowing full-well that he or she has no intention of pastoring a church, or no plans to do fulltime ministry in any capacity.
- Each situation should be reviewed case by case. Some churches are unable to support a fulltime minister and the church should celebrate bi-vocational ministry. I know a successful pastor who answered his call to ministry in his 40s and was a public school teacher. He was heavily invested in his profession and close to retirement. He earned his M.Div, returned to his teaching position and was a bi-vocational pastor. This allowed him to complete the years for a normal retirement benefit and contributions that went along with his retirement plan. Shouldn’t he the exception and not the rule?
(Name withheld by request)
- To the Editor:
I have a few questions of my own.
- Why are some pastors so hostile towards members of his/her church when they request a former pastor return to eulogize one of their loved ones?
- Why do members of a church get angry when a pastor does not adjust his or her schedule, to eulogize a member of a family who did not attend or contribute to the church when they were alive?
- Why do members of a bereaved family insist on bringing a deceased member of their family to be eulogized in the church when they could not get him or her to attend church while they were alive?
- Why must almost all funerals be held on a Saturday?
(Name withheld by request)
3. THE ANVIL - THE QUADRENNIAL THEME OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
“Great Past – Greater Future – An Incredible Call to Serve”
The focus for 2009 is “Inheritance” – AME History; discovering, rediscovering, teaching and re-teaching AME traditions/Faith Practices.
Our past will be explored. We have a great Wesleyan inheritance, a great African Methodist inheritance and a great spiritual inheritance. This gives the Church the opportunity to rediscover our faith practices, Articles of Religion, dogma and doctrine, their use and application in the 21st Century. There is also a cadre of men and women who made great contributions to African Methodism upon whose foundations we continue to build.
4. THE UPDATED MOTTO OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
“God Our Father, Christ Our Redeemer- the Holy Spirit Our Comforter - Humankind Our Family”
5. THE AME CHURCH OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC—ONE OF THE BEST KEPT SECRETS IN AFRICAN METHODISM:
*The Rev. Dr. Contreras-Byrd
Mission work can be exciting and can change lives. A mission trip changed my life!
I was familiar with the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States and in Africa. Although I had never been to Africa—I knew we had African districts and many African churches. I knew that our connectional church sponsored trips and missionary efforts in support of the “Mother Land.” I was also familiar with other international Connectional efforts in support of places like Haiti and Jamaica. And, while I knew that there had once been an AME Church in Cuba; I knew from previous visits there that it has not existed for some time now.
Maybe it was my Cuban last name and family ancestry, or maybe it was stories told me by John Thomas III, who was then a graduate student at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School and who had a lengthy history of working in the Dominican Republic.
Irrespective of what urged me, last August our adolescent youth ministry group from Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church in Trenton, N.J. and several adult members set off for our first “mission trip”— to the A.M.E. Church in the Dominican Republic!
Our “mission” was supported by various Grant Chapel ministries who sold dinners, washed cars and a host of other activities that helped raise monies to pay our travel expenses.
One of our goals was to offer gifts to pastors, youth workers, church leaders and selected social agencies in the Dominican Republic.
Generous financial gifts from the 1st District AME Churches and the N.J. Annual Conference Women’s Missionary Society enabled us to meet these goals. Businesses such as Johnson & Johnson and others helped us to bring medicines, clothing, toiletries, toys and more to distribute at a local hospital and orphanage, as well as among our own church workers. Every minister was given a bag containing a dress shirt and tie, as well as pens, calculators, Spanish reading materials, and even a bilingual t-shirt.
In addition to bringing gifts and humanitarian aid, our youth ministry —Urban Praise International ministered in dance and song; while I conducted a series of workshops on self-care with the clergy. Our delegation was honored to offer classes in liturgical dance, and more during their annual Christian Education Conference/ Camp Meeting.
All of us who went on the mission trip were changed by our interactions, our ministry and how we were ministered to.
In the Dominican Republic we met two extraordinary Presiding Elders, Presiding Elder Jaime Coplin Sheppard who pastors Mision David AME Church and who presides over the Churches in the north; and Presiding Elder Abraham Rodriguez Jones, who pastors A.M.E. Impacto de Vida Church and presides over the Churches in the south. Those leaders were like the many men and one woman who pastor the AME congregations in the Dominican Republic. And the most interesting thing about our visit was hearing the repeated fact that we were the first U.S. delegation to come to participate in their Christian Education Conference; and to come bearing gifts for them!
Many times I was asked why this was the case. I could not truthfully answer the question; except that the A.M.E .Church in the Dominican Republic is one of the best kept secrets in African Methodism!
If you visit the Dominican Republic you will meet pastors who are willing to pastor with all their hearts—for very little, if any remuneration. If you come to the Dominican Republic you will meet youth workers and the WMS leadership, who are “on fire for God” and living out the 2009 theme set forth by Bishop Sarah Davis, “Influencing the World for Christ.”
When you sit in the worship service in the Dominican Republic you will feel the spirit of God in the words that are shouted, sung or spoken in testimony; and whether you speak Spanish or not–you will understand. You will recognize the name of Jesus, and the words of praise to which you can attest–“Alleluya.”
If you visit the DR you will sit on un-cushioned benches in small sanctuaries filled to capacity with people from the neighborhood, because here, the church is still the center of the community.
People are blessed in the Dominican Republic and they bless in the Dominican Republic without benefit of pulpit linens, liturgical robes or even a Cross to grace the walls of the church.
As our youth stood to minister in song during a service at Iglesia Sion AME Church— one little girl jumped up and asked if she could first pray for us. We were all touched by the depth of her prayer and the seriousness of her pleading to God to bless us and God’s ministry through us. Those who could not understand the words were still touched by the spirit that went forth from her words.
At the close of the Christian Education conference, when my workshop came to a close, I and the ministers gathered together for a time of prayer. After each pastor prayed, another would lift a hymn. I recognized many of the songs by the tune before I could understand the words. Finally, I began my prayer by singing in Spanish—“Spirit of the Living God, Fall afresh on me...” As I ended the only verse I knew in Spanish; from across the room, came the voice of a brother, another Elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, who completed what I had started, by singing the second verse.
All over the world, God moves through people who listen, hear and live out the call.
The church of Richard and Sarah Allen is alive and well all over the world. I am pleased to report, that this includes the Dominican Republic.
This Sunday as you sit in your pew in whatever state you live...wait for a moment and ask God’s grace on your brothers and sisters of the Dominican Republic. And when you have finished your prayer...pause for a moment...and you may hear the words of people in many shades of brown speaking along with you...”Yo me alegre con los que me decian: a la casa de Jehova iremos...” - I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord!
As an outgrowth of this trip, the First District has undertaken a ministry to form a connection of solidarity between the United States and the Dominican Republic AME Churches. It is called,
“Solidaridad AME.”
We seek to gain U.S. support for our AME Churches in the Dominican Republic, so that it will no longer be “the best kept secret.”
You can join now with other churches who under the leadership of Bishop Richard F. Norris and Bishop Sarah Davis have pledged to “partner” their Church with a Church in the Dominican Republic.
To do so, e-mail me, the Rev. Dr. Melinda Contreras-Byrd: generations_03@yahoo.com or call (856) 667-3033. Once I have your information, I will send further information to you about “Solidaridad.”
*The Rev. Dr. Contreras-Byrd is a licensed psychologist and ordained Elder serving with her husband, the Rev. Vernon R. Byrd, Jr. Senior Pastor of Grant Chapel AME in Trenton, New Jersey
7. ALL ROADS LED FROM WEST TENNESSEE TO DC - THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME, FIRST-HAND EXPERIENCE:
*Brother Wesley Stovall
Mothers, daughters, fathers, sons, grandparents, sisters, brothers, cousins, and friends of all ages left West Tennessee including the areas of Memphis, Jackson, Lexington, and Decaturville on the evening of Sunday, January 18, 2009 to be a part of history.
Millions of persons were heading to Washington DC for the Inauguration of Barack Hussein Obama, the United States of America’s first African-American President.
Members from various area churches boarded the bus at New Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee. They joined with the members of New Allen and with Pastor Willie Woods.
Rev. Woods said a prayer for the safety of those traveling to Washington D.C. before the bus departed on the long journey. He prayed for our traveling mercies and for newly elected President, Barack Obama, his wife, Michelle, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia.
With West Tennessee in the rear view mirror and Washington D.C. in the distance, we set out on the trip of a lifetime. We made several stops along the way; met people of all ethnic groups wishing us well and praying for our safe travel to Washington; and we even met some that were jealous of us. They wanted to attend the Inauguration, but could not do so.
We were even able to minister to people along the way. We arrived in Roanoke, Virginia around one o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, January 19, 2009, Dr. Martin Luther King Day at the Sheraton Hotel (Roanoke Plaza Hotel), where we stayed for the duration of our trip.
Later that evening, we spent time at the Valley View Mall in Roanoke where we shopped and ate at stores such as Macy’s, J C Penney, Sears, Old Navy, Buffalo Wild Wings, Olive Garden, and Chick-fil-A.
The next day, Tuesday, January 21, 2009, we began our day at 2 a.m. We departed Roanoke for the rest of the journey to Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. for one of the most historic U.S. Inaugurations.
We arrived in Washington D.C. just before dawn, several blocks away from Capitol Hill.
After arriving in Washington, we ate breakfast at the local McDonald’s where the crowd was, standing room only.
After breakfast, we walked through the crowded streets of Washington to the National Mall. Some of the travelers stopped for souvenirs and others items of interests along the way.
Upon arriving at the National Mall in the cold and windy weather of D.C., emotions filled the air. Many families, friends, classmates, neighbors, and colleagues just could not believe they had made it to an inauguration, and especially to the Inauguration of the 44th President, President Barack Obama.
As we moved through the crowd and talked to people along the National Mall, we were interviewed by a news organization from Belgium and as time progressed, we continued to meet people from all over the world.
Several hours later, the Swearing-In Ceremonies of Vice-President Joseph Biden and President Barack Obama was happening right before our eyes.
As President Barack Obama and his family came from inside of the Capitol Building, the crowd, of over three million people, went wild.
The crowd shouted, “Obama! Obama! Obama!”
The ceremony highlighted people such as Aretha Franklin singing, “God Bless America” and Rick Warren doing the invocation. Then, the time came for Barack Obama to take the Oath of Office from Chief Justice John G. Roberts. President Barack Obama took the Oath of Office at approximately 12:10 in the afternoon and the crowd went wild again that you could not hear the band play “Held to the Chief.” American flags were being waved all throughout the crowd as millions of people were shouting, screaming, cheering, and jumping up and down celebrating the change in the course of American history and the end of the Bush Administration.
After the ceremony, we headed back to the bus through the crowded streets of Washington and returned back to Roanoke, Virginia. Once arriving back in Roanoke, Virginia, we stopped at a local restaurant for dinner and fellowship and later return to the hotel.
The next day we return to Memphis. On the return bus trip, we were asked, “What was the best thing and worst thing you liked about this historic trip?”
Jayla M. Woods, granddaughter of the Rev. and Mrs. Willie Woods and one of the youngest on the trip, said, “The Inauguration Ceremony of Barack Obama and when President Obama made the promise to keep the United States of America safe was the best part of the trip; but the cold weather and crowd I did not like.”
Youlanda Tharps, the coordinator of the trip to Washington, said, “I enjoyed the Inauguration of Barack Obama; witnessing history in the making, and the uniting of our nation.”
Lemonte McClain said, “My most enjoyable moment was when Barack Obama took the Oath of Office. It signified to America and the world that change has come to our nation.”
To sum it all up in words, emotions, and pictures cannot explain the experience that we all had in Washington D.C. You had to be there to experience the unspeakable. The so-called, “impossible” as many of us were told, would never happen; happened.
Many thought Martin Luther King, Junior’s dream had died with him, but today, a new era dawns upon us, and I say to you as Dr. King said forty-years ago, “Let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania. Let freedom ring from the snow-capped Rockies of Colorado. Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California. But not only that: Let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia. Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee. Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring…Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!”
Special thanks goes out to all those who sponsored the trip and especially the Rev. Willie Woods, pastor of New Allen AME Church, New Allen AME Church, Mrs. Youlanda Tharps for planning the trip and Lord God Almighty for an uplifting, historic experience for God is the one who made the impossible, possible.
*Wesley Stovall is 19 years-old and is a student at the University of Memphis. He is a member of New Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Memphis, Tennessee where the Rev. Willie Woods is the pastor. Wesley is the son of the Rev. VeRissa Cora Stovall who is a pastor in the East Tennessee Conference.
8. GREATER BETHEL AME CHURCH BOY SCOUT TROOP #804 TRAVEL TO INAUGURATION:
Greater Bethel AME Church (Phoenix, AZ) Boy Scout Troop #804, thanks to the efforts of Pastor Terry Marks and the generosity of Arizona Senator Jon Kyl, traveled to Washington, DC to be a part of history in the making. Pastor Marks recently preached on the power of IMPACT stating that “many believed it would be impossible to secure 25 tickets to the Inauguration of our 44th President, Barack Obama. But we know through God all things are possible!”
Led by Scout Masters Henry Wade and Michael Barber, the Scouts and Den Mothers filled two Church vans and journeyed over 5,000 miles round-trip across country. Along the way, they were able to visit many historical sites including the 16th St. Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama (site of the 1963 Klan bombing) as well as the home church of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Atlanta, GA. While in DC, Pastor Marks, the Scouts and their Leaders were given a first-class tour of the Capitol building, Senator Kyl’s offices and were granted access to the Senate floor via the Senator’s gallery where they saw our government in action. They witnessed the confirmation vote for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton as U.S. Secretary of State.
The trip received widespread-news coverage from ABC News Channel 3, Fox 10 and NBC 12 News and several print publications. Funding for the trip entailed a grass-roots community effort led by the members of Greater Bethel and augmented through private and corporate donations. Pastor Marks and the GBAME Boy Scout Troop are truly grateful to Senator Kyl for providing the tickets and to all who offered prayers and assistance. The motto of the GBAME Troop is “804 We Do More!” This sentiment is truly indicative of the respective community and spiritual efforts of the Troop and its church sponsor, Greater Bethel AME.
9. MOUNT TABOR AME CHURCH, PHILADELPHIA BUILDS STATE-OF-THE-ART SENIOR CITIZEN BUILDING:
*Sister Angelena Spears
On Saturday, January 10, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Mount Tabor AME Church, showed the City of Philadelphia what can happen when you want to achieve something really big and put God first in the equation.
The church followed the vision of their pastor, the Rev. Martha A. Lang, and built a $15 million senior citizen housing complex on the land adjacent to the church.
The 56 unit, four-story building that now stands on 7th Street, near the corner of Girard Avenue, is called Mount Tabor Cyber Village Senior Housing. However, during the two hour service which precluded the ribbon cutting -- many of the speakers referred to it as “The Miracle on Seventh Street.”
The service was attended by local and state officials, and representatives from the construction and architect firms, as well as organizations that were instrumental in helping the church acquire the needed permits and funding.
Bishop Richard Franklin Norris, the Presiding Prelate of the 1st Episcopal District and Presiding Elder Vernard E. Leak, of the Philadelphia District were also present, along with many clergy and friends throughout the Philadelphia area.
Each speaker applauded the Rev. Lang and the Rev. Dr. Mary Lou Moore, a member of Mount Tabor who served as president of the building project, for their persistence and said it had truly been a collaborative effort between the church, the community and private and public partnerships.
One of the speakers was Mary Winston, of the architect firm, DL Group Becker Winston, who said, “We have seen hundreds of miracles along the way to make this one big miracle happen. It was [Rev. Lang’s] dignity that got us through. Any one of those hurdles could have hindered this project.”
Darrell L. Clarke, the councilman of the 5th district, in which the project is located, admitted that when Rev. Lang approached him several years ago in his office and outlined what she wanted to do, he listened politely – but when she left he told himself, “It will never happen.”
However, later in his remarks, Clarke, who is credited with helping the church acquire the land, told Rev. Lang, “I will never [again] have any doubts about anything you say you want to do.”
It took ten years, but Cyber Village is indeed a reality. The complex consists of one and two-bedroom apartments; some are specially suited for the hearing impaired and handicapped. And, like the name implies, each unit is built for wireless Internet connection, which allows residents to do their shopping and banking online.
The suggestion to make the complex wireless was offered by Pennsylvania Representative W. Curtis Thomas, of the 181st Legislative District. He said doing so would make the project unique and therefore stand a better chance of getting funding.
Another unique feature is the building’s environmentally friendly “green” roof. It is only the second commercial green roof to be built in the state, and qualified the church to receive additional tax credits.
Bishop Norris called Rev. Lang “an extraordinary leader.” He said, “I have shared in many ribbon cuttings, but none like this. It is on the cutting edge of technology [and] it is largely green.”
Bishop Norris said the completion of the project “speaks of God’s empowerment.” He spoke of Rev. Lang’s unwavering faith, and said, “There were those who said you can’t succeed, but she [Rev. Lang] had said, “Yes we can.” There were those who said you don’t have the experience – you’ve never done it before. But she said, “Yes I can.” They said, “You’ll never get financing” – but she said “Yes I can.”
Brian A. Hudson, the executive director of the Philadelphia Housing and Finance Agency, spoke on behalf of Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell. He marveled at the church’s vision to improve the community and said, “This is how seniors should live.” He said that this was just the beginning and they would like to come back and do more [projects].
Jeffrey Allegretti, of PennRoss Service Company also attested to Rev. Lang’s faith during the process. He said, “We kept facing problems. Some that seemed the project would die, yet Rev. Lang would say, “Don’t worry, I’m going to bring it to the altar.””
Allegretti said that although they were a cynical bunch, “After Rev. Lang’s third trip to the altar and the third miracle – we started looking at her with childlike fear and a little bit of awe.”
Although the term “Miracle on Seventh Street” is fitting when describing the housing complex, Rev. Lang is quick to let you know it is by no means the first miracle. Rev. Lang remembers clearly when she was first sent to be the pastor of Mount Tabor in 1983. She was sent by now retired Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand. It was her first assignment.
At that time Mount Tabor was located at the corner of 22nd and Master Streets in North Philadelphia. The small church could only fit 50 people – no more. However, under the direction of the Holy Spirit the church soon began to grow and Mount Tabor purchased three buildings to expand.
Four years later, in 1987, Rev. Lang noticed a beautiful large stone church that was for sale on Seventh Street in the Northern Liberty section of Philadelphia. The price was $287,000. The fact that her church had only $280 in the bank did not stop Rev. Lang from pursuing the dream. She says her husband, E. Larry Lang, encouraged her by saying, “People can pay that amount for a house – certainly a church should be able to.”
The members of Mount Tabor sold candy to raise $2500 to take the church off the market. And Rev. Lang is quick to credit Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings who had faith in Rev. Lang and Mount Tabor and loaned the church $58,000.
Last year, Mount Tabor, which has now grown to over 600 members -- paid off the mortgage. Both Bishop Cummings and Bishop Norris were present for that celebratory service.
During the Cyber Village program on January 10, perhaps it was Chris Hermann, of the investor firm, Enterprises Equity Investor, who summed up best what Rev. Lang and Mount Tabor have achieved.
He said that although Mt. Tabor did not start out with the experience to build a housing complex – “Mount Tabor does have experience in building a community.”
Hermann said, “It’s easy to put together the finances – but it is not easy to build a community. I see those skills in this church.”
Rev. Lang has served as the pastor of Mount Tabor for 25 years. She has served under Bishops Richard Allen Hildebrand; Frank Curtis Cummings; Phillip Robert Cousin, Sr.; Donald George Kenneth Ming; Zedekiah L. Grady; and Richard Franklin Norris.
*Sister Angelena Spears is the Philadelphia Conference Reporter
10. OBAMA ANNOUNCES WHITE HOUSE OFFICE OF FAITH-BASED AND NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS:
Washington (February 5, 2009) – President Barack Obama today signed an executive order establishing the new White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. The White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will work on behalf of Americans committed to improving their communities, no matter their religious or political beliefs. Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie has been named to the White Faith Based program.
“Over the past few days and weeks, there has been much talk about what our government’s role should be during this period of economic emergency. That is as it should be – because there is much that government can and must do to help people in need,” said President Obama. “But no matter how much money we invest or how sensibly we design our policies, the change that Americans are looking for will not come from government alone. There is a force for good greater than government. It is an expression of faith, this yearning to give back, this hungering for a purpose larger than our own, that reveals itself not simply in places of worship, but in senior centers and shelters, schools and hospitals, and any place an American decides.”
The White House Office for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will be a resource for nonprofits and community organizations, both secular and faith based, looking for ways to make a bigger impact in their communities, learn their obligations under the law, cut through red tape, and make the most of what the federal government has to offer.
President Obama appointed Joshua DuBois, a former associate pastor and advisor to the President in his U.S. Senate office and campaign Director of Religious Affairs, to lead this office. “Joshua understands the issues at stake, knows the people involved, and will be able to bring everyone together – from both the secular and faith-based communities, from academia and politics – around our common goals,” said President Obama.
The Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will focus on four key priorities, to be carried out by working closely with the President’s Cabinet Secretaries and each of the eleven agency offices for faith-based and neighborhood partnerships:
• The Office’s top priority will be making community groups an integral part of our economic recovery and poverty a burden fewer have to bear when recovery is complete.
• It will be one voice among several in the administration that will look at how we support women and children, address teenage pregnancy, and reduce the need for abortion.
• The Office will strive to support fathers who stand by their families, which involves working to get young men off the streets and into well-paying jobs, and encouraging responsible fatherhood.
• Finally, beyond American shores this Office will work with the National Security Council to foster interfaith dialogue with leaders and scholars around the world.
As the priorities of this Office are carried out, it will be done in a way that upholds the Constitution – by ensuring that both existing programs and new proposals are consistent with American laws and values. The separation of church and state is a principle President Obama supports firmly – not only because it protects our democracy, but also because it protects the plurality of America’s religious and civic life. The Executive Order President Obama will sign today strengthens this by adding a new mechanism for the Executive Director of the Office to work through the White House Counsel to seek the advice of the Attorney General on difficult legal and constitutional issues.
The Office of Faith Based and Neighborhood Partnerships will include a new President’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, composed of religious and secular leaders and scholars from different backgrounds.
11. THE MINISTRY OF THE REV. ERAINA MARIE ROSS-ASEME AT HOME AND ABROAD:
*The Rev. Eraina Marie Ross-Aseme, B.A., M. DIV.
The Rev. Eraina Marie Ross-Aseme answered the call to preach in September 1991 under Bishop Vinton R. Anderson. He pastor was the Rev. Theodore Lee. Shortly after she accepted her call to preach, the Rev. Dr. Timothy Tyler became pastor.
She preached her first sermon on February 5, 1992 at Christ Our Redeemer African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Kansas City, Missouri. She was ordained as a deacon in the AME Church in 1994 and received her Itinerant Elder’s orders in 1996 under the leadership of Bishop Vernon R. Byrd, the 105th Consecrated Bishop of the AME Church.
She currently serves under the leadership of Bishop T. Larry Kirkland, the 114th Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
She has been married to Mr. Patrick C. Aseme, RN, and they have two daughters, Pamela and Dayna. Pamela is currently attending Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri, studying chemistry and Dayna attends Wilberforce University and is seeking a degree in Journalism. Rev. Aseme is active in her community. Her greatest joy is empowering people to live better lives and to help them make meaningful contributions to their families and communities in which they reside.
The Rev. Eraina Marie Ross-Aseme holds a Associate of Applied Science degree in Business from Penn Valley Community College, Kansas City, Missouri; Bachelor of Arts Degree, Business Administration in Management from Webster University of Kansas City, Missouri. She has earned several credit hours in theological studies from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Missouri. She traveled to Nigeria for 15 days to participate in an immersion course for seminary studies. She is currently studying for her Master of Divinity Degree from Liberty Theological Seminary, Lynchburg, VA.
'In December 2006, Rev. Aseme and 81 other women from across the world connected with the A.M.E. Church joined the Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, Episcopal Supervisor of the Fifth Episcopal District in the Kingdom of Lesotho under the Episcopal leadership of Bishop Sarah Davis and Episcopal Supervisor Clayton Davis. The purpose of the trip was to lift up the spiritual lives of the people of Lesotho and to provide medical care and education to reduce the spread of HIV-AIDS."
Rev. Aseme continues to lead successful programs for the local church as well as the district in which she serves. In addition, she developed a traveling package that enabled several persons from the Midwest region to attend the General Conference in July 2008.
She is a skilled negotiator/communicator, organizer, planner, comprehensive problem solver and dynamic motivator. She has a diverse experience in banking, customer service, building alliances, research, investigation and business development. She enjoys public speaking, bowling, reading, research and playing chess. Most of all, Rev. Aseme is saved and loves the Lord Jesus Christ.
12. THE REV. JONATHAN WEAVER HAS A GLOBAL MINISTRY:
Over the past twenty-one years, Greater Mt. Nebo A.M.E. Church in Bowie, Maryland, has developed a significant passion for creating relationships with the people of Africa and Caribbean Island nations, largely born out of the interest shown by its pastor, Rev. Jonathan L. Weaver. Weaver, who first travelled to Africa in 1971 as a volunteer with Operation Crossroads Africa, Inc., a cultural exchange program headquartered in New York City, has since established the Pan African Collective, designed to link churches in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area with ambassadors from Africa and the Caribbean to foster cultural and educational exchanges, trade and investment opportunities, and to create a mechanism whereby persons within the church community could make their skills and talents available to promote economic development.
Under the auspices of the Pan African Collective, churches are now extending invitations to ambassadors to attend Sunday worship services, where they are given an opportunity to speak to the congregation about their country. Moreover, churches are creating a cadre of Youth Ambassadors, who visit embassies of African and Caribbean nations to learn more about those countries, with plans to ultimately arrange trips to Africa and the Caribbean region.
Greater Mt. Nebo is currently making plans to host its eighth annual Pan African Festival, in conjunction with Her Excellency Dr. Inonge Mbikusita-Lewanika, Ambassador of Zambia to the United States, and His Excellency Raymond Joseph, Ambassador of Haiti to the United States, scheduled for Saturday, May 16, from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm., on the grounds of the church. The Festival, which draws thousands each year, will have a variety of cultural events, workshops, and exhibitions that will be of interest to the entire family. For further information about this year's Festival, call 301-322-6555 or visit the website, www.panafricanfestival.net.
Churches that may be interested in becoming a part of this new initiative or creating something similar in your area, should feel free to contact Rev. Weaver at 301-249-7545.
13. FOUNDER'S DAY ST. PAUL MINNEAPOLIS DISTRICT:
*Charles Hallman
African Methodism is not a valley of “dry bones,” Presiding Elder Dr. Alphonse Reff, Sr. told this year Founder’s Day celebration and convocation at St. Peter’s AME in Minneapolis.
Using Ezekiel 37:3 as his text, Reff asked, “Can the bones of African Methodism live again? As I reflect over the lives of Richard Allen, Paul Quinn (and other church founders), yes the bones of African Methodism can live again.”
He quickly dismissed the notion that the AME Church is not relevant enough to today’s young people, the presiding elder said, “The AME Church is not dry. The AME Church is still saying what the prophets of old (are saying) - lay down your weapons and accept Jesus. When Hip Hop fades away, African Methodism will have something to keep them - a God who inspires them all the way.”
Then as he slowly roll-called the district’s 10 churches, Reff told them, “The AME Church might seem hopeless but not helpless because of Jesus. I don’t have to adopt a new theology but accept Jesus as my theology. Yes, (these bones) can live again, but do we live it ourselves?”
The presiding elder strongly advised everyone “to stand on Christ, the solid rock. When you stand on the solid rock, the young people will sing a new song.
“Yes, these bones can live again. Every bone (of the church) becomes part of the missionary society, the layman (organization), the stewards, trustees (and the) class leaders. When we are connected together, we can live again,” concludes Reff.
“The message was very potent and powerful,” surmised Rev. Gerald Garth (St. Peter’s, Minneapolis).
This year’s joint service also featured a historical PowerPoint presentation by Dr. Hallie B. Hendrieth-Smith, which also included recent artwork done by her husband, Rev. Noah Smith, who in January celebrated his 101st birthday.
St. Peter’s Celebration Choir, a merging of three former church choirs, was officially dedicated after the sermon. Reff asked the congregation to stretch their hands toward the 17-member choir as Rev. Stacey Smith prayed and Rev. Garth read Psalm 51: 15-17.
*Charles Hallman is a St. Paul-Minneapolis District reporter
14. BLACKONOMICS - SUCH A TIME AS THIS:
*James Clingman
No, this is not about Barack Obama. There will be plenty of time to write about his ascension to the highest office in the land after November 4, 2008. This is about the economy and how it will affect us individually and collectively. Since the tidal wave of Wall Street bailouts and bank failures began, we have seen our personal economic situations decline. We have seen what little clout we even thought we had with banks slip further into the abyss of higher interest rates and ATM fees, outlandish credit card fees and assessments, tighter lending policies, and rip-off charges for insufficient fund checks that multiply on a daily basis. What shall we do?
I have said it many times before, via this column and in my speeches, so I guess one more time won’t hurt. If ever there was a need for a Collective Banking Group (CBG) Chapter in your city, it is right now. The leverage that comes with collective and cooperative work cannot be overstated, and what better time to have leverage with the banks than in these dire economic circumstances.
We will surely see more of the same as the pain of the recession, and maybe even a depression, moves up the ladder toward the affluent. We will see more usury interest rates, more restrictions on lending, especially for homes and businesses, and more backroom deals being cut between greedy corporate bigwigs and corrupt politicians. With all of that going on, Black people need all the leverage, influence, and power we can get, because you know we are always the ones who get the worst from hard times.
The CBG is not a panacea that will cure all of our ills, but it certainly will change the way banks do business with us, and it will change how we view and deal with banks. I have seen it with my own eyes in the Maryland/DC area, as well as in other cities where CBG Chapters exist. It only makes sense to be in a position to “deal” with banks on a serious level and obtain maximum reciprocity for the dollars they hold for us, especially among our Black churches. Billions of dollars every year going from our pews to their vaults, and in many cases across this country all we do is complain about how we are mistreated by the banks.
It makes no sense at all to keep up the constant refrain of misery and woe, whining about what someone does to us, and waiting for them to change without any incentive to do so. And for those of you who are waiting for Barack Obama to solve this problem, I have a newsflash for you. It ain’t gonna happen. The CBG works on a local level, where you and I live; just like politics is local, so is economics. We had better get with the program and start responding appropriately to unfair treatment and abuse by ANY entity in our communities.
At such a time as this, when the economy is in a tailspin; at such a time as this, when the “big boys” are wringing their hands and pondering a flying leap from the 44th floor; at such a time as this, when economic fear grips those whose greatest fear, prior to now, was a double bogey; and at such a time as this, when there is so much economic uncertainty yet the ever-present certainty that Black people will continue at the bottom of the economic spectrum; at such a time as this, we must act!
The tools we need are at our fingertips; all we need to do is use them. Our collective economic resources cannot be denied, but we cannot continue to allow those resources, the lifeblood of our households, our neighborhoods, and our churches, to leave and never return. At such a time as this, we have the opportunity to establish and solidify our presence, our resolve, and our unity around a sound economic principle - and the Maat principle of Reciprocity.
The Biblical passage upon which this article is based comes from the Book of Esther, a young lady who had to make a tough decision regarding the future of her people. After seeing what happened to Queen Vashti when she defied the king, and after hearing the words of her cousin, Mordecai, “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Esther realized that even at the risk of losing her own life, she must act. Why? Because it was the right thing to do and the right time to do it.
We are also faced with a decision, maybe not a physical life and death decision, but certainly an economic decision that will impact our daily lives. What will we do in our moment of “such a time as this?” Will we step forward as Esther did, as David did, as Joshua and Caleb did? Or will we cower in a dark corner of anonymity, afraid to speak out and afraid to organize a chapter of the CBG? We must not be timid; we must let the “kings” know that they will treat us fairly or they will not be treated to our dollars.
At such a time as this, do what’s right, because there is never a wrong time to do the right thing, and there is never a right time to do the wrong thing. We are called to be good stewards of the resources under our management; the CBG will help us in that effort. Go to www.collectivebankinggroup.org and call Pastor Jonathan Weaver, CBG National President, at 301 249 7545, and get your chapter started today.
*James E. Clingman, a syndicated newspaper columnist, is adjunct professor at the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Christian University, where he teaches The Black Church in America and Black Entrepreneurship, and Public Speaking, respectively. Contact him at 513 489 4132 or jclingman@cinci.rr.com
15. WAYMAN CHAPEL A.M.E. CHURCH CELEBRATED THEIR 4TH ANNUAL HERITAGE AND HOPE BANQUET - NEW BRIGHTON, PENNSYLVANIA:
Submitted by - Shelly Brown
Allegheny Scranton District Secretary
On Saturday, February 7, 2009 The Holiday Inn, Beaver Falls was filled with the sounds of joy, music, and grand fellowship as Wayman Chapel celebrated their 4th Annual Heritage and Hope Banquet. Reverend Kary Williams, Jr., pastor of Wayman.
Wayman Chapel A.M.E. Church thought it not robbery to honor their mother church, St. John A.M.E. Church, Bridgewater, the church from which Wayman Chapel A.M.E. was birthed. In the year of 1870, a number of people moved from Bridgewater to the Upper Beaver Valley and in 1875, established the New Brighton Church, Wayman A.M.E Church. There was no disturbance or controversy among the members, but due to the fact that the majority of the members worked in New Brighton, they established their homes as well as their Church in New Brighton.
The banquet reflected on the history of St. John A.M.E. Church, Bridgewater and the years of tireless work spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Pastor Lawrence Haynes and the St. John church family rose to the occasion of accepting this honor as members spoke on the past, present and future of the church. The Master of Ceremony was none other than the Presiding Elder of the Allegheny Scranton District, Reverend Dr. Eric L. Brown.
This was an opportunity for both Wayman Chapel and St. John to pause and celebrate their collective heritage and hope!
16. AME-SADA ANNUAL FOUNDER’S AWARD GALA:
Annual Founder’s Awards Gala
Friday, September 18, 2009
6:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Marriott Crystal Gateway hotel
1700 Jefferson Davis Highway
Arlington, VA 22202
Keynote Speaker
Her Excellency
Michèle D. Pierre-Louis
Prime Minister of the Republic of Haiti
Reception
6:00 pm – 7:00 pm
CASH BAR – Free Hors d’oeuvres
Dinner and Awards Gala
7:00 pm – 9:00
Music by “Rafréchi”
Haitian/Caribbean band
9:00 – 10:30
Early Bird Registration: $125.00 (Available May 1 - May 31, 2009)
Regular Registration: $150.00 (Available June 1, 2009 – July 31, 2009)
Late Registration: $175.00 (Available August 1, 2009 – September 1, 2009)
On-Site Registration: $200.00 (Based on Availability)
Special Discount
Save $10.00 when purchasing a table for 10 people
Registration Fee Includes: Annual Founders’ Awards Dinner and an Evening of Culture and Dance with music by the Haitian/Caribbean band “Rafréchi”.
17. 2009 FOUNDER'S DAY CELEBRATION ALLEGHENY SCRANTON DISTRICT PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA:
The Allegheny Scranton District celebrated Founder’s Day on Sunday, February 8, 2009 at Payne Chapel AME Church in Duquesne, PA. The host pastor was the Reverend Samuel Chambers.
As clergy and laity gathered for the celebration, it was standing room only! The ministry of music was provided by various choirs of the District; Wayman Chapel – New Brighton; Ebenezer – Aliquippa; Bethel – Tarentum; Payne Chapel – Duquesne; and St. James - Erie, the Holy Spirit was in the place.
The Reverend Dr. Eric L. Brown, the Presiding Elder of the Allegheny Scranton District, introduced the guest preacher for the occasion, Reverend Dr. James H. Harris, the Presiding Elder of the Cleveland District.
Dr. Harris in his unique style preached with power from the subject, "Hold on till the Power Comes” taken from Genesis 32:22-28. We celebrate the journey as we look back to where we were, where we are going and where we need to go.
Submitted by – Shelly Brown
Allegheny Scranton District Secretary
18. EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR ECUMENICAL ADVOCACY DAYS NEAR:
NEW YORK, Monday, Feb. 9, 2009--Advocates and activists from across the United States will gather outside Washington, D.C., March 13-16 for a long weekend of policy issue discussions and advocacy training that will end with them descending upon Capitol Hill to lobby lawmakers for effective climate change legislation.
The early registration deadline for the event, Ecumenical Advocacy Days, is Friday, Feb. 13.
The gathering, themed "Enough for All Creation," is an exploration of the connections between climate change, migration and poverty in the U.S. and around the world and ways to bring about a world where the earth's abundant resources are shared fairly and justly.
The Rev. John McCullough, executive director and CEO of Church World Service, will deliver the sermon at the Sunday, Mar. 15 service.
Several Church World Service international partners also will address conference plenary session and workshops. Fe'iloakitau Kaho Tevi, General Secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches, will speak on the displacement of populations due to climate change. Ramzi Zananiri, Executive Director of the International Christian Committee - Jerusalem will speak on environment, water, poverty and peace building in the Palestinian Territories and Deborah Katina, coordinator of Yang’at in Kenya, will speak on water as a sustainer of life and source of conflict.
Hundreds of people of faith representing different Christian communions will participate in discussions of U.S. policy and its effect on the developing world, receive training in effective advocacy and attend meetings centered on climate change legislation with members of congress or their staff.
The opening keynote address for the event will be given by Fr. Sean McDonagh, a Catholic priest who has lived and worked in the Philippines for many years and who is regarded as a leader in the faith community on climate change, environmental justice, genetically engineered food and human rights.
Other speakers include the Rev. Dr. Janet Parker, recipient of the National Council of Churches' 2007 Environmental Sermon Award, Tyler Edgar of National Council of Churches' Eco-Justice Program, Leo Atakpu, national coordinator of the Nigeria Civil Society Network for Water and Sanitation and deputy executive director of the Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice; and John Cavanaugh, executive director of the Institute of Policy Studies.
The conference will be held at the Hilton Alexandria Mark Center Hotel in Alexandria, Va.
For information and conference registration, visit http://advocacydays.org/. Young adults interested in student scholarships can find information on the young adult page or by email to scholarships@advocacydays.org.
Media Contacts
Lesley Crosson, (212) 870-2676, media@churchworldservice.org Jan Dragin, (781) 925-1526, jdragin@gis.net
19. CLAIMING YOUR VICTORY - DEALING WITH FRUSTRATION:
*The Reverend Dr. Michael C. Carson
“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Sir Winston Churchill
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race…” (Hebrews 12:1 ff)
In preparing for each day, each event in life, and each situation we must face the fact that there are many “weights” for us to deal with. These challenges can bring on feelings of frustration.
Dwelling in the land of frustration is living at an address called “Dead Weight.” Frustration can pull us down when we should be climbing upward. It can make our life more difficult than it should be.
Dwelling in the land of frustration can cause us to sin by thought, word, or deed. We are encouraged to “run with patience the race that is set before us.” The race of life is not a sprint but one of endurance. “The race is not to the swift.” (Ecclesiastes 9:11)
When we become frustrated there is a statement that can never be overused, “Look what happened to Jesus, are you any better than Jesus?” Christians have a great example to imitate in the midst of our frustrations. This example is Jesus Christ who is “the author and finisher of our faith.”
“Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your mind.” Attempting to realize how much Jesus went through out of love for us can help us place our own troubles and frustration in their proper perspective.
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15)
Jesus Christ is able to emphasize with us in our weaknesses, frustrations, and temptations. Therefore we can come to him for help to deal with our frustration and other issues.
Frustration will come but when it comes remember that you are a child of God-you do have options! When you discover your options then take action on them. I wonder how many times in life out of frustration we gave up just before we would have been successful?
Always look to Jesus for your help, joy, and hope. Always set Jesus before you as your ultimate example and encouragement. Look to Jesus for direction, for assistance, and for acceptance in your life.
When you can no longer handle the situation, if you turn it over to Jesus, he will work it out. This is dealing with frustration in an effective and optimistic manner.
Peace with justice, be blessed real good, attend worship, and families matter.
*The Reverend Dr. Michael C. Carson is the Fourth Episcopal District Director of Public Relations and pastor of Union Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Benton Harbor, Michigan and may be reached at: carsonvision@acd.net
20. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
The Presiding Bishop of the 13th Episcopal District tapped as President Obama unveils new Faith Based Office
Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Bishop of the 13th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church which includes Tennessee and Kentucky has been selected to serve on Faith-Based Council.
Obama to unveil new Faith-Based office
http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/04/obama-to-unveil-new-faith-based-office/
(CNN) – President Obama will unveil a revamped office of Faith-Based Initiatives Thursday, and a new approach to the controversial program established by former President George Bush.
The office, tasked with steering federal funds to charitable organizations tied to churches and faith-based organizations, will be headed by Josh DuBois – a 26 year-old Pentecostal minister who was in charge of religious outreach for the Obama campaign.
According to a White House official, the basic structure of the office will remain the same as it was under Bush, but Obama is introducing a new component: an advisory council of 25 leaders — secular and religious — who will help inform the Office and provide advice on other policy issues.
According to a person familiar with the makeup of the council, some of the 25 members include:
–Rabbi David Saperste in, head of the DC Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
–Judith Vredenburgh, CEO of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America
–Bishop Vashti McKenzie, first female Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
–The Rev. Joel Hunter, the senior pastor of Northland church in Orlando, Florida
–The Rev. Frank Page, the conservative past president of the Southern Baptist Convention
The official announcement of the revamped office is set to take place Thursday at the National Prayer Breakfast.
– CNN's Jessica Yellin contributed to this report
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
St. John AME Church, Nashville - Son of Pastor and First Lady selected to serve in the Obama Administration
The members of the St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, “the Mother Church of African Methodism in the State of Tennessee,” are both excited and delighted that the oldest son of our pastor and first lady, Rev. W. Antoni & Kristy Sinkfield has been selected to serve in the Obama Administration. Joshua P. Dubois (St. John’s first son) has been appointed by President Obama as the Director of the White House Office of Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
Prepared by Ralph L. Holmes, Church Trustee
St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church
Nashville, Tennessee
Email: sainjohname@aol.com
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Edwina Patrick, widow of the late Rev. Loyce Patrick-13th Episcopal District, and grandmother of the Rev. Patrick Clayborn, 3rd Episcopal District, Columbus, Ohio.
Service Arrangements for Mrs. Edwina Patrick:
Visitation:
Friday, February 13, 2009
4-6:30 PM
NJ Ford and Sons Funeral Home
12 South Parkway West
Memphis, TN 38109
Homegoing Celebration:
Saturday, February 14, 2009
12 NOON
New Tyler AME Church
3300 Summer Ave.
Memphis, TN, 38122
Phone: (901) 323-9371
Professional services provided by:
NJ Ford and Sons Funeral Home, Inc.
12 South Parkway West
Memphis, TN 38109
Phone: 901-948-7755
Fax: 901-948-7103
Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Lois (John) Clayborn at Johnloisclayborn@aol.com
The Rev. Patrick (Sheri) Clayborn patclayborn@aol.com
164 Horn Lake Cove
Memphis, TN 38109-7118
(901) 785-7793
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Jimmie R. Love, the brother-in-law of the Rev. Paul G. Prim and the brother of the Rev. Jacquelyn Love Prim, Pastor of Warren Chapel AME Church, Dallas, Texas, (Greater Dallas District-North Texas Conference, 10th Episcopal District).
Service arrangements for Mr. Jimmie R. Love:
Homegoing Celebration
Saturday, February 7, 2009
11:00 AM
Jefferson Junior High School (Auditorium)
411 East Harrison Street
Jefferson, Texas 75657
Phone: (903) 665-2461
Professional services provided by:
Lewis & Walker Funeral Home
603 Hwy 49 W
Jefferson, TX 75657
Phone: (903) 665-2353
Fax: (903) 665-6747
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Paul and the Rev. Jacquelyn Love Prim
Warren Chapel AME Church
3200 Navarro Street
Dallas, TX 75212-3853
Phone: (214) 742-8361
Email: warrename@aol.com
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of the Rev. Bertha Guyton, the mother of Presiding Elder Melvin L. Guyton (New Jersey Conference, New Brunswick District) and the grandmother of Rev. Lanel D. Guyton (Bermuda Conference, East-West District) and Rev. M. Lloyd Guyton (New Jersey Conference, New Brunswick District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing, Thursday February 12, 2009
Viewing - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Thompson Memorial Chapel
2118 East LaFayette Street
Stockton, CA 95205
Phone: 209-463-7236
Fax: 209-937-0132
Funeral, Friday, February 13, 2009
Homegoing Service - 11:00 a.m.
Stockton Four Square Church
New Life Center
1282 East Biachi Road
Stockton, CA 95210
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Melvin L. Guyton and Family
635 Clark Street #2
Linden, NJ 07036
Phone/Fax: 908-925-3973
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Brother Lester Smalls, the uncle of the Rev. Amelia Eddy who is the wife of the Rev. Herbert L. Eddy, Presiding Elder of the New England Conference, Boston-Hartford District. Brother Smalls was funeralized on Sunday, February 8, 2009 at St. Stephens AME Church in Georgetown, South Carolina.
26. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE UPDATE:
Arrangements for Mrs. Edwina Patrick, widow of the late Rev. Loyce Patrick-13th Episcopal District, and grandmother of Rev. Patrick Clayborn, 3rd Episcopal District, Columbus, Ohio:
Homegoing Celebration:
Saturday, February 14, 2009
1:00 PM
New Tyler AME Church
3300 Summer Ave.
Memphis, TN, 38122
Phone: (901) 323-9371
Dr. Clement Fugh, General Church Secretary/CIO,
Eulogist
27. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Rev. Bertha Guyton, mother of Presiding Elder Booker T. Guyton, Sr., Fifth Episcopal District, California Conference; Presiding Elder Melvin Lloyd Guyton, First Episcopal District, New Jersey Conference; and grandmother of Reverends M. Lloyd Guyton and Lanell D. Guyton of the First Episcopal District, who passed away on Wednesday, February 4, 2009.
Homegoing Celebration:
Friday, February 13, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.
New Life Four Square Church
1282 East Bianchi Road
Stockton, CA 95210
Telephone: (209) 473-0340
Viewing will be:
Thursday, February 12, 2009, 1:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Thompson Memorial Chapel
2118 East Lafayette St.
Stockton, CA 95205
Telephone: (209) 463-7236
Fax: (209) 937-0132
Website: www.thompsonmemorialchapel.com
Expressions of sympathy may be extended to:
Presiding Elder & Mrs. Booker T. Guyton, Sr. and Family
148 West 8th Street
Stockton, CA 95206
Telephone: (209) 463-0142
Presiding Elder & Mrs. M. Lloyd Guyton and Family
1127 East Blanche St.
Linden, NJ 07036
Telephone: (908) 925-3973
28. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Harriet S. Hill, on Monday, February 9, 2009. She was the mother of Presiding Elder Winton M. Hill, III (Delaware Conference, Dover District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing, Friday, February 13, 2009
Viewing - 1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Wiseman Mortuary, Inc.
431 Cumberland Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone: 910-483-7111
Fax: 910-483-0336
Funeral, Saturday, February 14, 2009
Homegoing Service - 11:00 a.m.
St. Luke AME Church
522 Hillsboro Street
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Phone: 910-485-7794
Fax: 910-323-5145
Reverend David L. Morrison, Pastor
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. Winton M. Hill III
P. O. Box 251
139 Masters Lane
Magnolia, DE 19962
Phone: 302-698-9156
Email: wintonhill@msn.com
29. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. 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
30. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; 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.
