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 – SUBMITTING ARTICLES TO THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER (TCR):
Last week, I shared some quirks and other things on my mind.
This week, I would like to focus my attention to those who submit articles to The Christian Recorder. First, let me thank those persons who submit articles. We are appreciative of those of you who take the time to share news and your thoughts about what’s going on in your churches and in your communities; we are deeply appreciative.
We receive upwards of 200-300 emails each day and I am happy about that, and many of them are related to the ministry of The Christian Recorder.
Let me make a couple of housekeeping notes to those who submit articles.
First, a great resource for writers is The Associated Press Stylebook. It’s the bible of the newspaper industry. It has a wealth of information, is an easy reference resource and can be purchased at major bookstores.
I am happy to share that we have a number of new writers and young writers; and also writers from Districts 14-20, and I feel like this would be a great time to share again, the Guidelines for Submitting Articles to The Christian Recorder, and encourage those who want to submit articles, to save the guidelines as a resource.
I can sense that the computer skills of those who submit articles to The Christian Recorder have increased significantly over the last five years, and with the increased article submissions of our young writers, I need to remind everyone to keep the format simple. Editors love articles that are creatively written, but hate creative formatting of articles. A few simple rules; just black print, no highlights, no multiple colors, no multiple fonts, and correct spelling, especially of proper names (people do not like to see their names misspelled).
The Christian Recorder does not accept hardcopy articles. We do accept hardcopy photos, but prefer photos to be transmitted electronically. We do not return hardcopy articles.
If an author writes about a sensitive issue, he or she should also provided recommended strategies that might help correct the issue, e.g., using as a model the Hegelian dialectic of laying out the proposition (thesis), the opposing proposition (antithesis), and setting forth a reconciled third proposition, a synthesis.
Sometime The Christian Recorder will publish articles with the author’s name withheld, but that’s the exception. Authors should be identified, especially articles that deal with sensitive issues.
As a Christian publication, The Christian Recorder expects all articles to be the work of the author and that writers will cite sources as appropriate and avoid plagiarism; do not cut and paste information from the internet or other sources and pass it off as your own work.
We must remember that The Christian Recorder is a global periodical and acronyms should be explained or avoided. Articles should be written with the global community in mind; not only the writers in the United States, but the writers in Episcopal Districts 14-20 should keep the global perspective in mind when submitting articles.
Appended below are the guidelines for submitting articles to The Christian Recorder.
SUBMITTING ARTICLE TO THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
Articles should contain a strong lead, an article-body that develops and delivers on the lead, and a definitive conclusion with an international audience in mind. Articles should address “who, what, when, where, and how.” Writers are discouraged from using acronyms and figures of speech that do not translate efficiently into foreign languages and other cultures. Examples like “GMKT” and phrases like, “Bring home the bacon”,” …just pulling your leg” or “That’s mixing apples and oranges” should be avoided.
- Only electronic submissions are accepted. Articles should be in IBM-compatible Microsoft Word format, 12 pt., Times New Roman, Verdana, Arial, Courier, etc., and sent as an email attachment. The email address for submissions is chsydnor@bellsouth.net
- Check the submitted article carefully and get the article right the first time! If you have to correct an article, resend the entire corrected article.
- All articles must have the name of the author(s) as a part of the article. Please provide the author’s title, i.e., Mr., Mrs., Ms. or Ms (Ms without the period; it is not an abbreviation), Dr., the Rev., Attorney, Licentiate, Lic., Deaconess, Chaplain, etc.
- Articles submitted to The Christian Recorder should not be submitted simultaneously to another publication, nor be under consideration by other publisher at the time of submission.
- If the article is a reprint, written reprint permission must accompany the article.
- Please, no “cut and paste” or copied articles from other sources; we do not want plagiarized articles!
- Do not abbreviate brother or sister; spell those terms out.
- Upper and lower case text. No all-upper-case or all-lower-case-texts. No bolding or underlining.
- Single-space all articles
- No automatic formatting
- Spell-check and use standard grammar
- Make sure that all names are spelled correctly.
- No hard-copy or handwritten articles
- All articles must be accompanied by telephone phone number and a valid email address, and church affiliation. Our first priority is the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
- All articles for publication will be screened, proofed and edited.
- Unused articles and photos will not be returned.
- When “Reverend” or “Right Reverend” is used before a name, “Reverend / Rev.” should be preceded by “the” because “Reverend / Rev.” is not a noun; it is an adjective and is always preceded by, “the,” especially in formal settings and in formal written documents. “The” is used before nouns. For instance, in a sentence, you would not say, “Blue car is fast” because “blue” as used in the sentence is an adjective and the correct way to form the sentence would be, “The blue car was fast” or “When we went to the racetrack, the blue car was fast.” It would not be correct to say, “Blue car was fast.”
The Discipline should be referred to as, The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2008. Do not reference older editions of The Discipline when addressing current issues.
- Photos have to be in PDF, jpeg or a similar photo format; or hard-copy format; not in Word format or part of a text format.
The AMEC Sunday School Union is the entity that takes care of the photo color separation fees, which costs $35 per photo. The telephone number for the AMEC Sunday School Union is 615-256-5882; ask for Mr. Wright to make arrangement for payment of the fees. Whenever you send photos you have to let me know how many photos you would like to use and your plan for making payment for the color separation fees.
Editor’s Note: I hope this helps.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
RE: Some Quirks and a Bit of Sharing I Hope Will Be Helpful
Thanks for the great advice on the proper use and spelling of several religious terms.
I’d like to offer a correction, however, to a term you used in your editorial. In explaining the meaning of “Selah,” you wrote, “When reading the scripture, the word is not read aloud.” To be correct, when referring to the Holy Writ—the writings that Christians consider to be sacred—the word “Scripture” should be capitalized, as should the word “Bible.” Think about it. We don’t use a lower case “g” when referring to the one true God. Likewise, the initial letter should not be lowercase when referring to God’s inspired word—The Bible—or to a passage of Scripture from that living document.
If you don’t mind, I’d like to add a few more words to the ones you pointed out that get mispronounced.
The word in the General Confession is “grievous”—two syllables—not “grevious”—a misplacement of the “i” that results in the articulation of a nonexistent, three-syllable word.
Also, the correct pronunciation of the noun “collect,” meaning a short prayer, is “KAH-likt.” The verb “collect,” which means to gather, is pronounced ka-LEKT. Many ordained clergy pronounce the noun the same as they do the verb during Communion that result in the congregation mispronouncing the term that refers to the prayer.
Thank you for your insightful editorials, and for the opportunity to respond to them.
Carol A. Bowie
Director of Lay Activities
Oak Grove AMEC
Detroit, Michigan
Editor’s Note: Thank you for your great comments, especially for your explanation on the pronunciation of “grievous” and “collect.” Let me add another mispronounced term, “Prelate.” The preferred pronunciation: \pre-lət, but also prē-lāt.
“Scripture” and “Bible” should be capitalized when referring to the Old Testament or the New Testament; you are absolutely correct. Lowercase use of the term, bible is appropriate when used as a nonreligious term and in my case, as a Christian, used in a non-Christian context. I prefer to capitalize the “B” when I refer to the Bible, and if I fail to do that, it’s an oversight. Generic or nonreligious use of the term “scripture” as in this sentence does not have to be capitalized; it’s the writer’s choice. The Associated Press Stylebook is a great resource.
- To the Editor:
How sad. So many of our AME churches are in such rundown condition, that an accident of any sort proves to be disastrous! I have just finished reading a book titled "Invisible" Strands in African Methodism, A History of the African Union Methodist Protestant and Union American Methodist Episcopal Churches, 1805-1980, by Lewis V. Baldwin. The book reveals that there were other African Methodist denominations that I had never heard of. During their early years, there was an effort by Richard Allen to get these other denominations to unite with the AME church, it wasn't successful because the other denominations didn't like the adherence to a discipline and the ministers being itinerant. There are statistics on members in the book as late as 1926; AME membership was always greater than the other denominations. I have often thought it would be a good idea for all African Methodist denominations to unite together to have a larger number of members so that better and bigger church facilities can be built. Oh well, I guess I am dreaming 'cause that will never happen! We will continue to be located on the other side of the railroad tracks!
Barbara Ransom
3. STUDENTS INFECTED WITH H1N1 VIRUS AT HILLSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL IN MANZINI, SWAZILAND:
Medical Officials from the Swaziland Government Hospital in Mbabane, Swaziland were called to Hillside Primary School in Manzini, Swaziland on Tuesday, October 13, 2009 to attend to several students who had elevated temps and other indications of being infected by the H1N1 virus. The officials after some examinations ordered Hillside Primary School closed until such time as more detailed determinations could be made. Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr., Resident Bishop of the 18th Episcopal District was called to the school and advised by official of the AME Schools Board in Swaziland that the school was being closed until further determinations could be made.
Hillside Primary School has approximately 1,150 students and is scheduled to be reopened on Monday, October 19, 2009. Medical officials of the Swaziland Government continue to monitor the twenty three (23) students who are infected with this virus. Testing continues on the school campus and the prayers of members of the AME Church worldwide are requested for our children. Bishop McCloud and other officials of the AME Church Schools in Swaziland plan to attending the re-opening and to be present for several days following.
The Right Rev. E. Earl McCloud, Jr.
Resident Bishop
18th Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church
4. EASTERN CAPE ANNUAL CONFERENCE - PORT ELIZABETH DISTRICT JOHN HURST ADAMS AME CHURCH CRUSADE/REVIVAL WEEKEND:
On the 25th of April 2009, in closing of the Midyear Convocation in Upington, Bishop W.J. Messiah appointed the Rev. Phindile W. Vaas to J. H. Adams African Methodist Episcopal Church, Galvendale. Rev. Vaas soon started to shake that area and we heard her voice on the air waves of King Fischer and Inkqubela radio station proclaiming the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. As a result of this participation in the community, she was able to use the Radio to announce the arrival of our Bishop and the Supervisor at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality.
The events of the weekend culminated with the visit of the Episcopal District’s 1st family to Mt. Olive AME Church on Thursday evening. Senior citizens and youth waited for the arrival of the Bishop and Mother Messiah who was welcomed to Mt. Olive and an 85 year old member gave them a brief background of Mt. Olive and where it is presently.
When Mother Carol Messiah was afforded an opportunity to greet the people, we witnessed a moment that will never be erased from our minds, a total take over of the Holy Spirit. The temple was filled with the presence of God. Mother spoke in the fullness of the Spirit as she was sharing, testifying and warning everyone of how we should labor for our Heavenly Father. By that time, when mother was praying, the house was on fire and we found tears running down the people’s faces in total amazement of the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Bishop Wilfred Messiah greeted the people. He expressed his appreciation of the work done by the members. The Bishop thanked the people of Mt. Olive on behalf of the connectional church for going against all odds in making sure that the house of the Lord is being made ready for today’s worship activities in the church. He encouraged them to carry on with the work, he reminded the people that the generations to come will reap and enjoy their sweat. The Bishop promised the people that he will assist them to finish the building as he already did when the church was under constant burglary and theft, where the Bishop assisted from his personal money to install the alarm system and had the church electrified. Mother was then moved when it was mentioned that we need to shape our buildings so that these buildings are used to shape us for service and she immediately donated Fifteen Thousand Rands (R15000.00). We thank God for this kind of leadership.
Friday – 02 October 2009
On Friday evening the 1st family proceeded to John Hurst Adams AME Church in Gelvandale where AME’s from the Port Elizabeth district, AME’s from other districts, members of the community joined the people of John Hurst to welcome Bishop and mother in the opening worship celebration where Rev. Kenneth Siegel delivered a powerful sermon. Reverend Siegel preached from the book of John 11:39
Jesus said, “Take away the stone”, Martha the sister of him who was dead said to him ‘Lord by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days’.
Saturday – 03 October 2009
On Saturday morning the missionary mothers filled the church and our Supervisor Mother Carol I. Messiah, conducted the robing service for four members of the WMS. Subsequent to that, we were taken to another level as mother addressed the house on the topic : “The 21st Century Christian” – We couldn’t sit still on the pews as we listened to this powerful message, advice, warning and sharing of Biblical ways of dealing with our situations and even tips that would help us deal with them.
Mother Carol I. Messiah’s point of departure was based on the scripture found in II Chronicles 7:14 - “If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves, pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
Mother Messiah explained what it means to be the people of God, how one ought to humble himself/herself before God and pray. She used the same scripture of Friday night when Jesus spoke to Martha the sister of Lazarus.
She dealt with the three key issues that keep us from seeking God’s face and turning from our wicked ways:
1. Jesus said, “Take away the stone” – she said we should remove the hindrances, obstacles that prevent us from seeking the face of God.
2. “Lord there is a stench, for he has been dead 4 days” – she explained that it doesn’t matter how long you have been in a particular situation, God is able to deal with it and take you out of it.
3. “Loose him and let him go” – she raised the importance of understanding that even though some barriers have been removed, we may still be bound by other issues and we need to remove the covers/wrappings from our eyes so that our spiritual eyes are opened and that we could help the people in our communities deal with their issues. We then would be able to establish the necessary ministries in our Churches that would help us carry out the mandate of Jesus to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, see about those that are in prison and care for the widows and orphans. Churches should be open every day of the week. We should pray continually until there is total deliverance.
There was a visible change of the atmosphere as well as joy amongst women, some saying “she has dealt with my situation”. There was clarity on a number of issues that led to different experiences. There was a spirit of newness and friendship. God used Mother in a special way. People were amazed at the manner in which that presentation was made; they were talking about the flow, spontaneity as well as the authority as the Spirit was manifesting Himself. From this text, a person’s whole life in relation to God was addressed.
Saturday Afternoon
After this session the Bishop, mother and their entourage left for James Chapel at KwaZakhele where he was met by the members of this church and their Pastor, Rev. Vuyisile Vass.
The Bishop was moved by the good work of Rev. V. Vass, the improvements on the building and a visible joy and a new spirit of worship in the people of James Chapel. The Bishop encouraged them and gave them a donation of R1000.00 for them to carry on the good work.
After spending time with them, the Bishop said some prayers and proceeded to Greenacres Hospital where one of our members is recuperating since April this year from an accident that claimed her husband’s life. The Bishop had a moment for prayers and her eyes were shining because of the joy.
From the Hospital, the 1st family was taken away by the host Pastor, Rev. Phindile Vass for some downtime and a special surprise – a Full Body Massage.
Saturday Evening – Banquet
This was a moment of relaxation and the 1st family got to listen to speakers from John Hurst, Sister Amilia Goliath who gave a brief background of John Hurst Adams Church and the Lord blessed everyone in the house with a powerful speech delivered by the guest speaker, Advocate Thandokazi Mpafane who based her speech on 2nd Chronicles 7:14. Through these two women, surely God had a message for us.
Sunday – 04 October 2009
On Sunday morning, God organized a model worship service. The worshippers were on fire as we were ushered into the spirit of worship and praise by Rev. Audrey Ngamlana, the worship leader. Bishop W. J. Messiah literally tore the walls of that church building preaching from John 11:39 - “Jesus said take away the stone” following the theme “God’s way is the best way”.
The worship experience left us with one option that is to follow God as His way is the best way. The Bishop’s sermon was extracted from 2nd Kings 5:1-14. The Holy Ghost filled the people and the people allowed themselves to be used by God for God’s people as people flocked to the altar to be prayed for and hands were laid on many people. Holy Communion was administered and people were dismissed. The whole experience of the weekend gave us a pre-conference feel that assured us that everything is going to be alright and that the House of God is truly being Restored.
I Corinthians 2:9 – But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
*The Rev. Gertrude N. Komani, Episcopal District Director, Church Growth and Evangelism
5. A GLOBAL CHURCH WITH LOCAL MINISTRIES:
*The Rev. Sidney Williams
It is well with my soul here in the 15th Episcopal District and the AME
Church is yet alive. In spite of a global economic crisis, the people here in the Cape Conference are still singing and shouting with Jesus on their mind. The hospitality they have shared with my wife and four children is overwhelming and I try often to hold back my spirit filled tears.
As American Christians, we expect so much of God. Our relationship with Jesus is greatly influenced by the level of our blessings. Rev. Ralph West once asked the sermonic question, "What is the measure of your ministry?" I must confess that growing up in the US almost forces me to measure according to buildings and budgets, but my experience here in the 15th has given me a new metric.
I am amazed at how people can remain so faithful after many years of disappointment and misunderstanding. Although the order of worship and the hymns are familiar, this is not the same culture. Not only am I humbled by the experience of being an alien in a foreign land, I am also in awe of the great sacrifice the people of God make here to be a part of a Global Church.
The demands of local ministry here are far greater than what I have experienced in the US. Growing up in Philly and spending summers in
Mississippi during the 70s never afforded me the opportunity to see the levels of poverty I have seen here in 2009.
There are no easy answers and I am looking forward to the lessons I learn here under the leadership of Bishop and Supervisor Messiah. Clearly the struggle of being a global church is a battle unto itself. Yet, finding the resources to meet the needs of local ministry is an entirely different battle and in the 15th, both must be done.
I still wholly recommend this Sojourn experience to younger clergy and lay people. Living here without the esteemed privilege of being an elected and consecrated Bishop gives a member of the AME church a far greater understanding of how only God's grace has kept our church and how God alone will take the house of Allen into the next dispensation.
*The Rev. Sidney Williams is a WMS Sojourner serving in the 15th Episcopal District
6. DELIVERANCE CONFERENCE TAKES ON TOUGH ISSUES:
By Stephanie and Eric Stradford
MARIETTA, GA – October 21, 2009 – Nearly 1,000 women across the state of Georgia and various places throughout the U.S. have been waiting for deliverance. Another thousand or so have stood on the sidelines watching with disbelief as deliverance came to others. A handful of enterprising women are making things happen through their collective efforts. They will build on their health, wealth and wholeness assets at the 2009 Deliverance Conference.
Organizers are gearing up for a uniquely relevant meeting at a critical time for women in America. The conference, scheduled for October 29-31, will be held at the Cathedral of Turner Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church here. Deliverance 2009 brings together people, their diverse issues and concerns with gifted professionals from across the country. Some of the pressing issues to be discussed include getting a job, starting a business, and understanding credit.
The conference introduces participants to Deliverance Now, Inc., an organization formed expressly to empower women. “We are women of various backgrounds, yet with a common thread of humanity,” said Dr. PAM DeVeaux, conference convener and Episcopal Supervisor for nearly 600 African Methodist Episcopal Churches throughout Georgia. “We are uniquely different, yet very much the same. We seek to improve ourselves daily by reaching for higher heights in our spiritual lives. Together, we can strive for interventions that will be carried from generation to generation in a positive manner,” she said.
An impressive gathering of speakers and artists include the Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry Brown, the Rev. Dr. Dorothy Dawkins-Haigler, Rev. Dr. Claudette Copeland; the Rev. Dr. Carolyn Ann Knight; Psalmist L’Tanya Moore and Liturgist Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis. Baltimore Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Frank Madison Reid, III will lead a session, “For Men Only.” The Rev. Dr. Cassandra Y. Marcus will offer “Help for the Grieving”. And the Rev Agnes Lover returns to her Turner Chapel home to present, “Looking Beyond and Not Back.”
Renowned biblical scholar, the Rev. Renita J. Weems, Ph.D. will guide conference participants through the subject, “What is it to be Whole-Physically, Mentally, and Spiritually.” Dr. Weems is a popular radio and television personality, regularly providing expert commentary on religion, gender, race, and sexuality. A contributing writer to Essence Magazine in the 1990s, Dr. Weems is the author of several widely-acclaimed books on women's spirituality and wholeness:
The Reverend Miriam J. Burnett, MD, Medical Director for the AME Church leads a team of health care professionals in addressing some of the most relevant concerns in women’s health. Topics such as, “I Have Diabetes, but it doesn't have me” adds to an empowering event with a central theme – Deliverance!
7. FIRED UP FOR A CLASSIC REVIVAL:
By: Gwendolyn B. Welch
Friendly competition between long-time Magic City Classic rivals Alabama A&M in Huntsville and Alabama State University in Montgomery can be found on more than the gridiron. It can also be found in the church.
On Wednesday, Oct. 28 and Thursday, Oct. 29 the "Classic Revival" will be held at St. John A.M.E. Church in Birmingham, AL.
Song, praise, worship and more are planned for both revival nights, starting with a tailgating event at 5 p.m. The revival starts at 6:30 p.m. The church, which is located at 708 15th St. North, is also asking people to go to their Web site at www.stjohnbirmingham.com to vote for their favorite team: ASU or A&M.
St. John pastor Rev. Mashod A. Evans Sr. said the Classic Revival is an evangelistic opportunity to reach out to the community. “Instead of closing our doors when the Magic City Classic Football Game rolls into town, we are rolling out the red carpet,’’ Rev. Evans said.“It’s something new. It’s something different.’’
This is the first time the church has held a revival days before a traditional football game that draws thousands to Birmingham every year. This year, the game will be Oct. 31 at Legion Field.
When Rev. Evans wanted to do a fall revival, some people told him any time was fine, but that he should avoid the week of the Magic City Classic because of all the activities going on that week. But after Rev. Evans learned about the rich history of the annual game, he said the week of the game was the perfect time for a revival.
He said if people can come together to celebrate their favorite teams, they can come together to celebrate Jesus. It doesn't matter if a person's favorite team is ASU, A&M or another team; everyone is encouraged to wear their team's logo and colors to the revival and get fired up for Jesus.
Christian hip hop artist Reggie "Clark South'' Huffman and Prattville soloist Sarah Horton will perform, as well as St. John's combined choir and dance ministry known as Angels of Jeremiah. The Rev. Victor Baugh is event chairman.
The guest revivalist will be the Rev. Matthew Watley of Reid Temple AME Church of Glenn Dale, Md.
Rev. Evans said Watley is an “awesome and dynamic” preacher and teacher. “His preaching appeals to so many people, both traditional and contemporary church populations. Our congregation is standing on tiptoe anticipation of what we will see."
For more information, contact the church office at 205-251-3764.
8. CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE: REACHING OUT TO FAITH-BASED LEADERS:
By Dr. Cellestine Cheeks, President 2nd Episcopal District Lay Organization
[Washington, D.C.]
The nation’s capitol welcomed faith-based leaders from across the country to the site of the 32nd Annual Legislative Conference sponsored by the Congressional Black Caucus September 23 – 26, 2009 at the Washington Convention Center. The theme for the four-day event was “Reinvent. Rebuild. Renew”. The major topics for discussion included economic recovery, health care and education. African American elected officials, community leaders, senior administration officers, faith-based leaders and the 42 members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) examined President Barack Obama’s agenda for America.
Participants representing politics, business, unions, faith-based organizations and many others areas engaged in roundtable discussions, panels, briefings and presentations in the arts, during a Capitol Hill Day Summit, Black Elected Officials Roundtables, Emerging Leaders Series and a Celebration of Leadership in Fine Arts.
CBC’s Chairwoman Rep. Barbara Lee (D - California), welcomed the most powerful man on Capitol Hill, President Barack Obama and some of the most powerful members of Congress: Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), House majority whip, Rep. John Conyers (D – Mich.), chairman of the Judiciary Committee and Rep. Charles Rangel (D - NY), chair of the House Ways & Means Committee. She described the CBC as the “Conscience of Congress” and encouraged the faith-based community to support the administration by using its leverage to preach about the “moral imperative”.
Rep. Shelia Jackson Lee (D – TX), reminded the CBC Faith Leaders Roundtable of “the importance of the moment as we occupy these positions of responsibility” and that the government is ours and it needs to hear from us. She challenged each attendee to a “Call to Action on Health Care” during the month of October. All clergy should say something about health care to congregants and then do something to inform our communities about the seriousness of this issue. The church is a major part of the infrastructure needed to make health care a reality.
Panelists Joshua DuBois, Executive Director, White House Office of Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships, Paul Monteiro, Religion Liaison, and Peter Groff, Director, Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, U.S. Department of Education described the purpose of their offices as facilitators between the White House and faith-based groups across the country. According to DuBois, his office builds partnerships between government, faith-based and neighborhood organizations, to better serve individuals, families and communities. 12 Centers have been established and are available to assist communities including the Departments of Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Housing & Urban Development, Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Small Business Administration, U.S. Agency for International Development, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Labor and the Corporation for National and Community Service.
Paul Monteiro, White House Religion Liaison, connects leaders on the outside to leaders on the inside. His goal is to assist in establishing relationships that can be institutionalized. Director Peter Groff, U.S. Department of Education, has as a mission to share the president’s agenda with organizations in nonprofit, community, secular and faith-based areas, and to engage them in implementing education policies to heighten academic achievement for all children. In Joshua DuBois’ words, “the doors of the White House are wide open”. It is up to each of us to walk inside.
The CBC shared its Bi-Annual Report titled “Opportunities for All – Pathways out of Poverty” which is the shared agenda of the CBC for the 111th Congress, has identified some of the opportunities and pathways available to our community as: economic, job training, livable wages, education, mental health services, affordable housing, health care, child nutrition and a responsible foreign policy. The Report also identifies 42 Bills to Watch, during this session of Congress, introduced by members of the CBC which address “Opportunities for all”: equal protection under the law, eradication of hunger, health disparities, environmental injustices, predatory lending, expanding economic opportunities, developing responsible foreign policies and granting voting rights to the residents of Washington, D. C. For more information on any of these issues visit the website of the CBC at: www.TheCongressionalBlackCaucus.com
The faith-based community has been challenged to respond to the CBC’s overture by identifying pathways it can use to empower and protect American families by helping to eradicate poverty. President Barack Obama has opened the doors to the White House. Are you preparing to enter? He has placed new, youthful faces in decision-making positions: persons who looks like you, and they are available to assist you. They are your government, your servants, and your stewards, who await your call. The clarion call to action has been issued; how will you respond? If you feel there is a division between church and state when it comes to political action, think again. Entering through the White House doors to access resources that will help to alleviate poverty, does not cross the “church and state” line. This action is not a 501(c)3 issue where separation is required.
The faith-based community is challenged to seek information, resources and technical support for grants available through any of the federal agencies, especially the 12 identified under the White House Office of Faith-Based Neighborhood Partnerships, Joshua DuBois, Executive Director. The church is empowered to assist in turning around the lives of individuals and challenge the crisis of intellect in our communities and support the economic recovery. How can our denomination assess resources already received by your state and local governments under the federal stimulus plan and who has received them in your district, conference or local church? Each of us should answer this question in our community areas. We were encouraged to seek partnerships with federal and private funding sources in our communities.
The final challenge was for each individual to pray at 7::00 a.m. daily for President Barak Obama, his family, the young adults in his administration, and all those who support his political agenda. That is something each one of us can do. Our country needs us to embrace President Obama’s agenda for America and to identify “Opportunities for All” and to help lead our communities to “Pathways Out of Poverty” for all American citizens.
9. THE 18TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2010 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:
The Right Reverend E. Earl McCloud, Presiding Prelate
Dr. Patricia McCloud, Episcopal Supervisor
18th Episcopal District Mid-Year Meeting
11-13 March, 2010
Venue:
F.C. James Center
P.O. Box 223
Maseru 100
Lesotho
Host Churches:
Emmanuel AME Church
Agnes Ball AME Church:
Contact: 22320869 18th District Office
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. F.D.M. Rafube
Special Guests:
Bishop Sarah F. Davis, Guest Preacher.
Dr. George Flowers, Secretary, Department of Missions
Presiding Elder Eric Brown – 3rd Episcopal District
Botswana Annual Conference
19-21 August 2010
Venue:
Motsweli wa Botshelo AME Church
P.O. Box 601693
Gaborone, Botswana
Host Pastor: The Rev. Mpho MBW Moruakgomo
Contacts: 0026771320661; mmoruakgomo@botsnet.bw
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Mpho MBW Moruakgomo
0026771320661
WMS Convention: Wednesday, 18, August 2010
United States Health Mission
26 August 2010 – 04 September 2010
Venue:
F.C. James Center
P.O. Box 223
Maseru 100
Lesotho
Host Church:
Emmanuel AME Church
Agnes Ball AME Church
Contact: 011-266 2232-0869
Mozambique Annual Conference
16-18 September 2010
Venue:
Grauziwe Chapel AME Church
MoCargo sa – As Agents Only
Ships Accounts Dept.
Rua De Poder Popular 216
Beira – Mozambique
Host Pastor: The Rev. Flora Manuel
Contacts: 00258 23323076/7; 0025823322032
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Jose Bussane, Beira District
WMS Convention: Wednesday, 15 September 2010
Swaziland Annual Conference
23-25 September 2010
Venue:
Labotsibeni Memorial A.M.E Church
P.O. Box 34
Manzini Swaziland
Host Pastor: The Rev. Sibongile P. Nxumalo
Contacts: 011-268-6037258
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. Solomon J. Nxumalo
WMS Convention: Wednesday, 22 September 2010
Northeast Lesotho Annual Conference
14-16, October 2010
Venue:
Botha-Bothe AME Church
P.O. Box 730
Botha-Bothe 400
Host Pastor: The Rev. Solomon Libete
Contacts: 011-266-5958-4605
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. M.T. Machefo
Contacts: 011-266-6313-5447
WMS Convention: Wednesday 13 October 2010
Lesotho Annual Conference
14-16, October 2010
Venue:
Agnes Ball AME Church
C/o P.O. Box
223 Maseru 100
Host Pastor: The Rev. Beatrice Motokoa
Contacts: 011-266-5899-5195
Host Presiding Elder: The Rev. D.F.M. Rafube
Contact: 011-266-6307-6003
WMS Convention: Wednesday 13 October 2010
11. LOVE VERSUS LOGIC:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
A few days ago it was published that someone had arrived at the conclusion that the Bible was too liberal. I have to assume that the individual was speaking from a logical point of view.
Webster defines logic as; “a science that deals with the rules and tests of sound thinking and proof by reasoning.”
Logic plays no part when it comes to the works of God. People have always tried, and will continue to twist and interpret the Bible to suit their cause and to defend whatever they are trying to accomplish.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55: 8, 9
Unless I missed something, with my limited biblical knowledge, there is nothing I have read in the Bible that, to me, seemed “logical,” according to the definition of logic. God does not reign by logic. God is King of Kings and LORD of Lords. There is no “science” of salvation. Science is man’s way of reasoning what he should or should not do based on what he had previously done.
God so loved, (not by logic) the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
As I stated before, I have never read anything that God did, that to me seemed “logical.” Permit me to lift just a few points.
Logic wouldn’t have chosen a man, like Moses, who could not speak well, who was not eloquent, to go before Pharaoh demanding that he release God’s people. That was not logical.
To Naaman, it didn’t seemed logical for him, having to pass two bodies of water namely the Abana and Pharpar rivers just to go to the Jordan River to dip seven times in order for him to be healed of his leprosy. II Kings 5:10- 15
It was not logical to choose a young farm boy like Gideon, threshing wheat, with no military experience, to go into battle against a fierce enemy as the Midianites. Judges 6:11
Humankind would be in a terrible mess if God dealt with us through logic with all of our foolishness, and hard-headedness.
It doesn’t seem logical for us to rejoice when people verbally abuse, persecute and lie on us; that’s not logical.
Logic won’t permit us to turn the other cheek.
It is not logical to give a man more than he is suing us for.
Logic won’t let us love our enemies.
It is not logical for us to bless people who curse us.
It is not logical for us to pray for people who mistreat and use us; that’s not logical.
In other words it doesn’t make any “sense” to us “logical” minded folk.
“While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Now, there is nothing logical about that. While we were yet acting foolish, while we were yet backbiting and lying on one another, Christ died for us. Logic wouldn’t have done that.
The Samaritan on the Jericho road was not being logical when he stopped to help a total stranger, spending his money that he knew he would never recover. Luke 10:30-34
The Disciples didn’t think it was logical for the woman, who was carrying an alabaster box of precious ointments, to use the ointments to wash the feet of Jesus. Matthew 26:6-9
Logic will make you resentful of your pastor if he or she did not re-nominate you to be a Steward or place your name on the Trustee ballot or make you the chair of that board. Logic will urge you to stay home and hold your money and pout. That’s what logic will do. But love will overshadow all of this.
Logic sets limits. Love sets no boundaries.
Logic keeps records. Love never counts.
Logic demands. Love invites and encourages
Logic is guided by emotions. Love works from the heart.
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts is a retired Itinerant Elder who lives in Eatonville, Florida (USA), an author, teacher, counselor, humorist, whose motto is, “Never too busy to listen.” Contact Rev. Pitts at Ptaegar@aol.com
12. MEMORIAL, FUNERAL ACTIVITIES AND LOGISTICAL INFORMATION FOR THE REV. DR. HENDRIK WITBOOI:
Memorial, Funeral Activities and Logistical Information for the Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi, Prime Minister of Namibia and Pastor in the Namibia Annual Conference, 15th Episcopal District; the Right Reverend Wilfred J. Messiah, Presiding Prelate.
1. Activities
a. Monday, 19 October 2009, 19h00: Memorial Service at the Tanidare ELCRN, Soweto under the leadership of Bishop Zephania Kameeta.
b. Wednesday, 21 October 2009, 19h00: Ecumenical Memorial Service of CCN at the Hosiana Lutheran Church under the leadership of Rev. Maria Kapere, CCN Secretary General.
c. Friday, 23 October 2009: State Memorial Service in Parliament Gardens
d. Saturday, 24 October 2009, 09h00: Street Procession through Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi Avenue, Mariental organized by the Hardap Regional Council. All churches in Mariental are asked to ring bells simultaneously at 09h00 until 09h15. The people from Mariental and surrounding areas are asked to go downtown and to line up in the Rev. Dr. Hendrik Avenue as from 08h30 onwards to pay final respect as the casket of the late Hon. Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi is be passing Mariental, the capital of the Hardap Region.
e. Saturday, 24 October 2009, 11h00: Reception of Casket at Gibeon Station and Horseriders to lead procession via Gibeon
All traditional authorities are asked to make contact with Acting Captain Christian Rooi in order to be informed about the setting up of the procession of people in various traditional outfits for this procession.
f. Saturday, 24 October 2009, 12h00: Church and Traditional Funeral Service at St. Mark AME Church, Gibeon under the leadership of Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah
g. Saturday, 24 October 2009, 20h00: Wake-keeping Memorial Service at Witbooi family residence under the leadership of the AME Church. Church, community, traditional, government leaders and choirs who wish to participate in this Memorial Service are asked to make contact with Rev. Victor J Helu (081 454 5595), Rev. Leslie Leukes (081 292 2824) and Rev. Annetha Hangue (081 299 6144) latest by Thursday, 22 October 2009 in order to craft the order of service.
h. Sunday, 25 October 2009: State Funeral at the Gibeon Cemetery.
2. Dress Code
a. Friday, 23 October 2009: /Khowese /khenna dresses and other cultural outfits of the various traditional authorities, full regalia for all AME pastors and clerical shirts for sister-churches,
b. Saturday, 24 October 2009: AMEC Missionary uniforms and pastoral outfits by the people in those offices and for the rest of the nation we request the /Khowese /khenna dresses and other cultural outfits of the various traditional authorities.
c. Sunday, 25 October 2009: /Khowese /khenna dresses and other cultural outfits of the various traditional authorities, full regalia for all AME pastors and clerical shirts for sister-churches, and
d. All acknowledged traditional authorities are asked to bring their traditional attires for the weekend, and especially to participate in the procession in groups according to traditional authorities.
3. Sleeping Arrangements
a. The police, military, navy and air force are to be accommodated on the premises of the Dr. W M Jod Primary School, Gibeon
b. The guests from the Hardap, Karas and Omaheke are informed that they are to be accommodated on the premises of the AME Private School. People are asked to bring along own tents.
c. The guests from the Omusati, Ohangwena, Oshana, Kavango and Caprivi are informed that they are to be accommodated on the premises of the //Oaseb Senior Secondary School. People are asked to bring along own tents.
d. The guests from the Khomas, Erongo, Kunene and Otjozondjupa, are informed that they are to be accommodated on the premises of the Spellmeyer Junior Secondary School. People are asked to bring along own tents.
e. The food distribution during the memorial and funeral activities in Gibeon will also be served at these venues.
Submitted by the Rev. Willem Simon Hanse
The Right Reverend Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah
Presiding Prelate
15th Episcopal District
Angola -Namibia -South Africa
13. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
The Reverend Michael W. Waters and Attorney Yulise Reaves Waters, Pastor and First Lady of Joy Tabernacle A.M.E. Church in Dallas, Texas, are proud to announce the birth of their second child, a daughter, Hope Yulise Waters (19 1/2 inches; 6.52 lbs.) on Thursday, October 15, 2009. Hope joins her big brother, Michael Jeremiah, age 3. Both mother and child are recovering well. Congratulatory messages may be sent to joytabame@aol.com which is also linked at www.joytabernacleame.org.
14. EPISCOPACY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regretfully announce the death of Wencie Henning Chapman after a brief illness. She was the mother of Joyce Chapman and Isaac Jackson, aunt of Dr. Herman W. Henning, Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Mrs. E. Yvonne Henning Parks, Mita Henning, George M. Henning and the Rev. E. Anne Henning Byfield. "Aunt Wencie" was 103 years of age and would have been 104 on November 1st. She was a retired minister, evangelist/teacher, writer, composer and church planter. She published several books of sermons, essays and poems. In addition to her children she leaves to mourn 4 grandchildren and 6 great grand children and a large extended family. She was the last remaining Henning in her generation.
The family hour/funeral services will be Monday, October 19, 2009 at 3 pm at
Lombardo Funeral Home
103 Linwood Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14209
Office: 716 886-5363
Fax 716-332 2448
Any condolences should be sent to:
Mrs. E. Yvonne Henning Parks
3744 Cashew Drive
Raleigh, North Carolina 27616
Fax: 919 217 1156
Mslady3x@aol.com
Eulogists: Bishop C. Garnett Henning and the Rev. E. Anne Henning Byfield
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Gary Ferrell, son of the Rev. J. N. Ferrell, retired pastor, associated with the Brooks AME Worship Center-Corpus Christi, Texas (Southwest Texas Conference-San Antonio District).
A Memorial Service will be held for Gary Ferrell on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at:
Eternal Rest Mortuary
2617 W. Manchester Boulevard
Inglewood, California 90305
Phone: (323) 759-2900
Condolences may be sent to
The Rev. & Mrs. J. N. Ferrell
P. O. Box 525
Alice, Texas 78333-0525
Phone: (361) 396-0081
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Brother James L. Irwin of Minneapolis, Minnesota, father of the Rev. Marchelle Hallman, pastor of Saint James A.M.E. Church in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions may be sent to:
The Rev. Marchelle Hallman (daughter)
1601 Penn Avenue North
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55411
Email: hallman4566@msn.com
Or
Mrs. Delores Irwin (wife)
1105 15th Avenue North
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55411
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of the Rev. Olivia Stuard Henry. In May 1951, Rev. Henry was ordained and the first female appointed to pastor a church in the Philadelphia Conference of the First Episcopal District. She was pastor of Tyree AME Church (Philadelphia Conference, Philadelphia District).
On Tuesday, October 13, 2009, Rev. Henry died of complications from cancer at the age of 103 years. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The family of the Rev. Olivia S. Henry
P. O. Box 34477
Philadelphia, PA 19101
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent in memory of the Rev. Olivia S. Henry to:
Olivia S. Henry Scholarship Fund
National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. - Zeta Chapter
c/o Ms. Linda Keels
4512 Overbrook Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19131
And/or
The Rev. Olivia S. Henry Scholarship Fund
White-Williams Scholars Program
215 S. Broad Street - 10th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with sorrow that we inform you of the passing of Joseph Quisenberry, the brother of Sister Mary Pace, and the brother-in-law of the Reverend Tobias Pace, pastor of Bethel AME Church, Shelbyville, Kentucky. He was 58 years of age.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Reverend Tobias L. Pace
tobias.pace@insightbb.com
http://www.bethelameshelbyville.org
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with sorrow that we inform you of the passing of the Reverend Elaine Owens Walker, wife of the Reverend Dr. Nelson G. Walker. Dr. Walker superannuated at the 126th Session of the Chicago Annual Conference in 2008 having served more than 25 years at his last charge, Shaffer A.M.E. Church in Harvey, Illinois and 14 years as 4th Year Studies Chair of the Board of Ministerial Training.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
Dr. Nelson G. Walker
3496 Ronald Rd.
Crete, IL 60417
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60601-7652.
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We saddened to announce the passing of Mrs. Arzelma McCray, mother of the Rev. Josephine Mills. Rev. Mills is pastor of Sandy Point AME Church in Dimebox, Texas (Southwest Texas Conference).
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Josephine Mills
2001 Alexander Street
Marshall, Texas 75670
Phone: (903) 935-3387
Or
550 N. Montgomery Avenue, Apt. 17
Giddings, Texas 78942
Phone: (979) 716-9044
21. 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
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
22. 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
10/15/2009
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (10/15/09)
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 – SOME QUIRKS AND A BIT OF SHARING I HOPE WILL BE HELPFUL:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I want to share a couple of things, some of which are reminders, with our readers. Every editor has quirks and I want to share several of mine.
I have an uneasy quirk with the use of the adjective, “reverend” without the definite article, “the.” Some of you have learned and made changes as it relates to the use of the definite article, “the” with “reverend.” I see church bulletins, funeral bulletins, and even bulletins disseminated at connectional meetings that erroneously list “reverend” without the definite article, “the.”
When “Reverend” or “Right Reverend” is used before a name, “Reverend / Rev.” should be preceded by “the” because “Reverend / Rev.” is not a noun; it is an adjective and is always preceded by, “the,” especially in formal settings and in formal written documents. “The” is used before nouns. For instance, in a sentence, you would not say, “Blue car is fast” because “blue” as used in the sentence is an adjective and the correct way to form the sentence would be, “The blue car was fast” or “When we went to the racetrack, the blue car was fast.” It would not be correct to say, “Blue car was fast.”
In the beginning of a sentence, the “T” in “the” is capitalized and in the middle of a sentence, the “t” in “the” is in the lower case, thus: “The Rev. John Smith preached an outstanding sermon” or “An outstanding sermon was delivered by the Rev. John Smith.”
Since “reverend” is an adjective, it is not pluralized. In Standard English, adjectives are not pluralized. For instance if you were speaking or writing about several blue cars, you would not say, “The blues car,” instead you would say, “The light blue car, the dark blue car, the blue car on the left.” Thus, when listing a group of clergy the use of, “The Reverends…” is incorrect. The correct way to list a group of clergy: “The Rev. Jane Doe, the Rev. John Doe, the Rev. Mary Smith and the Rev. Junior Johnson.
Another common mistake of clergy is the use of “henceforth.” Preachers commonly say at the end of a benediction, “Now, Henceforth and forevermore.” The use of “henceforth” with “now” is incorrect because “henceforth,” an adverb means, “Now” or “From this time forward”; so the use of “now” and “henceforth” is a redundancy. Correct: “Now and forevermore.” Also correct: Henceforth and forevermore. Incorrect: “Now, Henceforth, and forevermore” or “Henceforth, now, and forevermore.”
“Thee, thou, thy, thine and ye” are pronouns that we no longer use in conversation; they have been replaced by the word, “you.” If you are going to use those archaic terms in prayer, it’s better to use them correctly and the first step is to know which one is plural and which ones are singular. For instance, “Ye” is always the plural form of “you” as in “Ye are the salt of the earth.” “Thee, thou, thy, and thine” are singular as in “I love Thee O Lord,’ ’O Thou in Whose Presence…,’ ‘Thy will be done,’ and ‘For Thine is the kingdom and the power…’” Another point to remember, if one is going to use Old English in prayer, then the archaic terms should be use correctly. For instance it is not correct to say, "Thou go or thou come" because most verbs following "thou" have the endings, “st” or “est”; e.g., "thou comest" or “thou goest”.
Those are good points to know if you are reading the King James Version of the Bible, e.g. knowing when the text is referring to a collective group or one person. Sometimes in modern language versions of the Bible, the distinction might not be clear.
Another archaic word we use is “Whence.” I have heard preachers, and probably I have said it too, “Father, you know from whence we came…” Paula Larocque in an article in Quill (Volume 97, No. 7), a magazine published by the Society of Professional Journalist, points out that “whence” means “from where,” so “from whence” is a gross redundancy. The correct way to restate the sentence above, “Father, you know whence we came…” or “Father, you know whence we have come…”
I hear clergy and laity refer to the people sitting in a worship service as “an audience.” Audience is defined as “spectators” or those assembled at a performance.” We would hope that the folks who attend worship are not spectators. The people who are assembled for worship are correctly referred to as the “congregation,” which is defined as a “group of people gathered for religious worship.” A generic definition is “a gathering of faithful in a Christian church, Jewish synagogue, mosque or other place of worship.”
Another common error is the use of the word, “Pastorial.” No such word exists in the dictionary. The correct term is “pastoral.”
And a more common mistake is the misuse of the term, “alter” in place of, “altar.” Alter is defined as, “To change or to make different. The “altar” is the space in the sanctuary or a table in the sanctuary or chancel area.
The term, “Selah,” is the most difficult word in the Hebrew Bible to translate concisely. It appears in the King James and some other versions of the Bible. “Selah” is found in the Book of Psalms, and also three times in the book of Habakkuk. When reading the scripture, the word is not read aloud. The ancient commentators’ teachers think the term was probably a liturgical musical mark, instruction on the reading of the text, or some response expected of the hearers.
And once more, as it relates to the 150 Psalms; each chapter is “a psalm,” without the “s.” There are 150 Psalms. There are five divisions, but unless the reader knows how to divide the divisions; the reader should just announce the chapter of the Psalm he or she is reading.
And one last request. When sending emails with multiple addressees, please use the Blind Copy (Bcc) so that you do not put those receiving your emails in harm’s way of spammers and other bad characters who like to use the Internet for their own mischief.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
To the Editor:
RE: Editorial – When is it proper to refer a pastor to the ministerial efficiency committee:
I am one who did pastor but found that the rural church was put at a disadvantage in terms of representation on the annual conference and on the connection level. Some pastors are having to tough time
Facts:
- Many pastors are only making ends meet with the help of God and other sources of income or a spouse who is carrying the load.
- Some pastors are paying the budget out of their own pockets because the membership and demographics of their church are not the same as when the budget was established. Per capita, the assessment is more for some smaller church than for some of the larger churches; but no one wants to address it.
- Some pastors have had to file bankruptcy and have their homes have gone into foreclosure.
Do you realize that there are rural churches, here in the United States that have as much need as some of our churches in Districts 14 – 20?
As it relates to Itinerant Elders serving as assistants, I received my Master of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary, but during the time I matriculated, my district was not paying the tuition as it does now and as a result, in addition to paying back my student loans, when I pastored, I paid my own travel expenses and my own pension assessment. I felt that I could be more effective in ministry, with dignity, volunteering as an associate and now I am serving as an assistant to the pastor.
I am proud of the history of the AME Church and all it has done in providing education for our people. I know others like myself who are loyal to our church and are doing ministry as an associate.
Name Withheld by request
To the Editor:
RE: Editorial: Two Sides to Every Story
As the conversation regarding pastoral effectiveness and its impact on congregational growth continues in The Christian Recorder, I cannot help but question the conventional understanding of congregational growth.
My relatively short time as pastor but very long time as a believer in ongoing-spiritual formation lead me question our over-emphasis on numbers as indicators in the Christian enterprise.
Of course, as all servant-leaders, I would love to be able to report a much increased number of members. Under those circumstances, your very generous gift toward our Annual Conference expectations would not have been necessary! Increased numbers are expected to result in increased giving.
Increased numbers and “round reports,” however, do not adequately measure real pastoral effectiveness. Though an educator in my pre-pastoral-life, I am not at all convinced that there is an objective measure. After all, how do we evaluate the increased spiritual growth of individuals in the congregation, our real mission?
I wonder about an approach of intentional and deliberate and unrelenting discipling the few members toward becoming so whole that those outside the church who are broken will follow them?
This idea represents a paradigm shift from the “let's increase our growth” to let's grow as Christians.
Name Withheld by request.
3. MOTHER BETHEL MEMBERS ‘GO BACK’ TO ST. GEORGE’S FOR HISTORIC JOINT SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP REUNION:
Two historic congregations, divided by race more than 200 years ago, will worship together again during the “most segregated hour” in America. On Sunday October 25th at 10:45 a.m. Members of Mother Bethel AME Church will return to St. George’s United Methodist Church, located at 235 N. Fourth Street in Philadelphia. Mother Bethel’s members are predominantly African-American and St. George’s members are mostly white and the two congregations were divided by race more than two centuries ago. This is the first time they’ve come together in over 200 years for a Sunday morning worship experience. “The incidents that pulled us apart so many years ago do not have to be as powerful as the things that brought the first black and white Methodists together,” says Rev. Alfred Day, pastor of Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church. “The experience of God’s Spirit is breaking down barriers instead of erecting them.” Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, pastor of Mother Bethel AME church agrees. “It's tragic that many of the divisions that led to the splitting of these two congregations over 200 years ago are still alive and well,” says Pastor Tyler. “This worship service is not just about remembering what happened, but we gather in the hope that one day such a service will not even be newsworthy because we have overcome issues of racism, sexism, classism, and all other -isms that separate us from one another and God.”
The reunion is a part of St. George’s 240th Church Anniversary Celebration and the 250th Birthday Celebration of Bishop Richard Allen, Mother Bethel’s founder. In the late 1700s, Bishop Allen and other African American members walked out of St. George's and founded Mother Bethel in 1794. Mother Bethel, located at the corner of Lombard and South 6th Streets, sits on the oldest property continuously owned by African Americans. St. George’s was founded in 1769 and is the nation’s oldest Methodist congregation. While there have been occasions when the two churches have held ceremonial exchanges, this is the first time the congregations have actually planned a “reunion” on a Sunday morning when members of both churches will worship together at the same time. “It’s a reunion, but more than that, Pastor Day said. It’s Communion, Holy Communion, people coming together, differences and all, together at the Lord’s Table, seeking peace and harmony with God and one another. You can’t have one without the other.”
For more information on this historic reunion, or to schedule an interview with the Rev. Day or the Rev. Tyler, the pastors of these historic congregations, contact Leslie Patterson-Tyler, Tyler-Made Productions at (609)247-2632 or Leslie@TylerMadePR.com.
Submitted by the Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, Ph.D, Senior Pastor of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
419 South 6th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
215-925-0616
4. SENATOR PETER C. GROFF WELCOMED TO WASHINGTON DC:
By Clara B. Neal, Director of Public Relations
On September 17, 2009, a group of African Methodist Episcopal Church ministers and laypersons assembled to welcome former Colorado State Senator Peter C. Groff to Washington, DC. The informal reception sponsored by the Friends of the Social Action Committee of the Washington Conference was held at the National Education building on M Street N. W. at 6:30 in the evening. Senator Groff was appointed in May 2009 by President Barack H. Obama to head the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U. S. Department of Education.
After being introduced by Brother Darwin Curry, chairman of the Washington Conference Social Action Committee, Senator Geoff offered his profound thanks to the Friends of the Social Action Committee for initiating the occasion. He briefly discussed the mission of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships which is to share the agenda of the President and the Secretary of Education for education with nonprofits and community organizations, both secular and faith based, and to engage those groups in the implementation of the President’s and Secretary’s education policies to heighten academic achievement for all children. He stated that the center also assists the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the implementation of its mission. Additionally, he reiterated that now that he has been appointed his plans for the working people of this country is to use the tens of millions of dollars allocated to the Department of Education to educate our youth and young people by turning around lowest performing schools in addition to educating drop outs thus stemming the tide of the dropout rate. He implored those AME’s who were present to begin to “serve in a different way. Do not leave us hanging; do not leave my other boss hanging!” “He further encouraged clergy and Lay persons to provide a strong voice of support to the mission. He, also, challenged them to lean on the long history of the African Methodist Church.
In welcoming and encouraging remarks, both Sister Annette Jones and Capitol District Presiding Elder Goodwin S. Douglas confirmed cooperation and support from the Second Episcopal District and the Washington Conference in the tradition of African Methodism. Prince George County, Maryland. Senator Nathaniel Exum presented a resolution from the Maryland Black Caucus to Senator Groff. Visiting from the Fifth Episcopal District was Sister Jackie Dupont Walker, A. M. E. Church Social Chairperson who stated, “We are being called to our destiny. It is time for us to move out; we cannot remain in our seats any longer. She declared further, “I’m very proud of the Friends of the Social Action Committee of the Washington Conference!” Also attending the reception were several lay members from the Baltimore Annual Conference.
Washington Conference ministers attending the celebration included: the Reverends Grainger and Joann Browning, The Reverend Ronald Braxton, the Reverend Samuel Haywood, the Reverend Aletha Haywood, the Reverend Christopher Wendell, the Reverend Barbara Glenn and the Reverend Sherita Seawright. Also present were Sister Jamesina Evans, president of the Connectional Women Missionary Society; d Robert Nichols, Director of AME – SADA; Sister Patricia Mathews, president of the Washington Conference Lay Organization, Sister Catherine Fisher, president of The Second Episcopal District Washington Conference Women’s Missionary Society and Sister D. Faye Conley, president of WMS. Senator Geoff was accompanied by his wife, the Reverend Dr. Regina C. Groff, who is the former pastor of the historic Campbell Chapel AME Church in Denver, Colorado.
5. THE SOUTH OHIO ANNUAL CONFERENCE - GREATER ALLEN AME CHURCH, DAYTON, OHIO:
Article by Rev. Vanessa Cummins
Contribution by the Rev. Gloria Smith
The South Ohio Annual Conference was excited to come together September 16 – 20, 2009 for another great revival celebration under the Episcopal leadership team of the Rt. Rev. Cornal Garnett Henning and Mrs. Ernestine Henning. Bishop C. Garnett Henning’s Message to the Conference and Episcopal District provided the theme for the District, “Moving towards Christian Excellence In …” and the Quadrennial Theme: “A Great Past, A Greater Future, An Incredible Call to Serve.
The Greater Allen AME Church in Dayton, Ohio was the gracious host for the Conference; the pastor, officers and members greeted everyone with a smile from first thing in the morning until the last person left late at night.
The host pastoral team, the Rev. Dr. Earl Grimes Harris and Dr. Jeanette Harris welcomed everyone and did whatever was necessary to insure that people were being served well. No one had to leave the church grounds to look for some good food because the Greater Allen cooks and grillers were hard at work throughout the week preparing, serving, and cleaning up so that everyone ate until they were satisfied. The meals were delicious.
The Annual Conference was blessed to be a place for spiritual work and spiritual food.
The Conference was greeted by the Honorable Mayor Rhine McLin who reminded everyone, “You don’t have to move to live in a good neighborhood. You just have to make up your mind that you are going to make your neighborhood good.”
The Dayton Unit NAACP President, Mr. Derrick L. Forward greeted the Conference and shared with the members and visitors of the Conference that the NAACP has made it 100 years, and had only made it that far with the help of God.
There were revival services the first three nights of the conference, starting off with Men’s Night, featuring the outstanding Sons of Allen Choir. The Evangelist for the Revival was the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Marcus, pastor of Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia (USA). The Rev. Dr. Marcus’ sermons brought laughter, tears, shouts of joy, and total praise asking, “Who Will Serve the Lord?” and reminding us that, “It’s only a test” but to pass the “test” you have to have “Courage at the crossroads.”
The Praise Team for the Annual Conference was comprised of the ministerial candidates, who led devotions throughout the Conference; reminding everyone that they were on the battlefield for the Lord.
One ministerial candidate was admitted to the Conference on trial. One candidate, the Rev. Gloria Sydnor Smith was ordained Itinerant Deacon and one a Local Deacon, the Rev. Robert Berry II. One candidate, the Rev. Edward S. Holmes was elected and ordained a Local Elder. Two candidates, the Rev. Norma Lynn Phelps and the Rev. William Roberts were elected and ordained Itinerant Elder.
The newly elected Connectional President of the Lay Organization, Dr. Willie C. Glover, greeted the Annual Conference during the Lay Organization Night. He thanked the Third District for being an instrumental part in his election.
The Conference memorialized Bishop Vernon Randolph Byrd, Mother Theodora Mayo, former Episcopal Supervisor; the Rev. John W. P. Collier, retired General Officer; Mrs. Mary Felder Porter, former Conference YPD Director, Lay President, and WMS member; and Mrs. Monzella Flanigan, Conference Widow.
The South Ohio Annual Conference retired two great servants of the Church: the Rev. Rose V. Parker retired after serving the AME Church for forty-four years with a great willing spirit and a willing heart and the Rev. Elbert E. Matthews, Presiding Elder of the Cincinnati District, retired, after forty-nine years in ministry in the AME Church. He also built a new church structure in Washington, Pennsylvania. The African Methodist Episcopal Church is blessed to have had the services of these two great preachers and looks forward to their continued mentorship. The Conference thanked them for their many dedicated years of service.
The talented and gifted YPD of our Conference displayed their talents through music, spoken word, and a challenging message reminding everyone that when life gets stresses you out; the Bible is all you need.
There were powerful sermons from various clergy of the Conference with reminders that when we have nothing else to lose, to remain faithful, watch your mouth, and worship through your pain; that people don’t need to see the “You” in you, they need to see the Jesus in you; to remember, “God is Timeless, but He is Still On Time,” and that feeding the flock is a necessity.
The Commissioning Service was hosted by the Rev. Dr. Ronald Glenn at Wayman Chapel AME Church in Dayton. The Service was uplifted by the South Ohio Annual Conference Choir. The Conference was blessed to hear a Powerful Word from the Lord at the Commissioning Service preached by the Rt. Rev. Vinton Randolph Anderson, retired Bishop of the AME Church, who reminded everyone, that, “It’s Not About Us, It’s About Jesus.”
The South Ohio Annual Conference is grateful and blessed to have the Episcopal Leadership of Bishop Cornal Garnett Henning and Episcopal Supervisor Ernestine Lee Henning. The Third Episcopal District under their leadership continues to strive for Christian Excellence.
6. KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE YPD DIRECTOR JOINS LIEUTENANT T. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE:
Valeria Cummings Swope, the Kentucky Annual Conference YPD Director has been named the director of communications for Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo’s office. Cummings is a former anchor/reporter for WKYT-TV where she covered stories dealing with the courts, law and education. For the last 14 months she has served as director of communications for the Finance and Administration Cabinet.
Cummings has won numerous awards and her work has been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and the Kentucky Associated Press.
Valeria is a graduate of the University of Alabama. She just recently received her Master of Business degree from Sullivan University.
“I am very pleased to have someone with Valeria’s expansive news and public information background overseeing the daily communications efforts of my office,” said Lt. Gov. Mongiardo. “She has done an admirable job in a very demanding position at the Finance Cabinet. I look forward to having her on staff.”
7. MEDIA STATEMENT ON PASSING AWAY OF THE HON. REV. DR. HENDRIK WITBOOI, PASTOR AND PRESIDING ELDER:
Media Statement on Passing Away of Hon. Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi, Pastor and Presiding Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Captain of the /Khowese people and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia
The Hon. Captain Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi, the great grandson of the legendary Nama Chief Hendrik Witbooi, was born on 7 January 1934 at Gibeon, Namibia.
He was educated at Rhynish Missionary and Wesleyan Methodist Schools in Namibia as well as at the Wilberforce Institute in Evaton, South Africa.
First he took up employment as teacher in 1956 at Keetmanshoop, transferred in 1959 to Maltahöhe, and returned in 1965 to Gibeon at the request of the community and the church to build on the foundations laid by his aging father, the late Rev. Markus Witbooi.
The 1970s and 1980s were decisive periods in the history of both the Namibian nation and the Witbooi clan. He served as secretary and chief political advisor to his predecessor, the late Captain Hendrik Samuel Witbooi and was mainly responsible for the Archive. He also served the St. Mark’s AME Church in various capacities, inter alia Sunday School Teacher and Church Choir Director and pastor.
After serving the /Khowese Traditional Authority as secretary since 1973 years, he was elected as Captain of the /Khowese people whilst in being a political prisoner in solitary confinement at 1977.
Pastor Witbooi was admitted to pastoral ministry in 1973 by Bishop Frederick C James, and received his first pastoral ordination in 1974 and his second pastoral ordination in 1976 at the hands of Bishop Donald G K Ming.
Hendrik Witbooi entered politics in 1974 as secretary and advisor to Captain Hendrik Samuel Witbooi and founded the AME Private School in 1979.
As Vice President of SWAPO, he had the immense pleasure in 1989 in welcoming the SWAPO Advance Team under the leadership of Hon. Cde. Dr. Hage Geingob. The episode of 1 April 1989 was a testing phase when PLAN fighters were brutally murdered on the eve of the implementation of UN Resolution 435 of 1978. Whilst UNTAG was still trying to get to grips, Cde. Anton Lubowski was murdered on 12 September 1989, but this dim light brightened when Cde. Sam Nujoma, President of SWAPO returned home on 14 September 1989 after absence of 29 years from Namibia. \
In 1989, Pastor Witbooi became a member of the Constituent Assembly who drafted the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, and is thus one of the Founders of our Constitutional Republic. With the attainment of independence on 21 March 1990, he was appointed and sworn-in as Namibia’s First Minister of Labour. On 21 March 1995, he was appointed and sworn-in as Namibia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and hold onto this position for a full decade until his retirement from active politics in 2005.
The Rev. Dr. Witbooi leaves behind his wife, Johanna Sofia Witbooi, 6 children, 21 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren.
Servant of God, well done AMEH 463
Rest from they loved employ BH 470
The battle fought, the victory won New Nama 96
Enter thy master’s joy
Enquiries: The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, 081 122 5048
8. LEGISLATION TO END CRACK COCAINE SENTENCING DISPARITY INTRODUCED IN SENATE TODAY
October 15, 2009
WASHINGTON – A bill was introduced today in the Senate that would eliminate the discriminatory disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentencing under federal law. The bill, the Fair Sentencing Act of 2009, was introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and would also eliminate the mandatory five-year sentence for simple possession of crack. A similar bill, H.R. 3245, the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009, is currently awaiting a vote in the House.
More than two decades ago, based on assumptions about crack which are now known to be false, heightened penalties for crack cocaine offenses were adopted. Sentences for crack offenses are currently equivalent to the sentences for 100 times the amount of powder cocaine, and the impact falls disproportionately on African Americans.
The following can be attributed to Michael Macleod-Ball, Acting Director of the American Civil Liberties Union Washington Legislation Office:
“The disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentencing has been a stain on our justice system for over 20 years. There is no justification for this sentencing gap – both medical and legal research has consistently shown there is no significant difference between crack and powder cocaine. Not only that, there is consensus across the political and ideological spectrum on the sentencing disparity issue with both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama urging reform. With bills in both chambers and a president demanding legislative action, America is now as close as it’s ever been to finally ending the crack-powder disparity and unjust mandatory minimum sentences.”
9. THE 2009 NINETEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES:
The Right Reverend Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Bishop
Susan J. Leath, M.D., Episcopal Supervisor, WMS
The M.M. Mokone Annual Conference
01–04 October 2009
Ming Chapel A.M.E. Church
Themba, Hammanskraal, RSA
The Rev. A.M.A. Sefora, Host Pastor (083.742.1962)
The Rev. G.O. Motabogi, Host Presiding Elder (072.185.7127)
The Natal Annual Conference
08–11 October 2009
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church
Bizana, RSA
The Rev. M.A. Nyakata, Host Pastor (073.680.6882)
The Rev. G.M. Nontlanga, Host Presiding Elder (072.604.2071)
The Orangia Annual Conference
15–18 October 2009
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
Witzieshoek, QwaQwa, RSA
The Rev. D.M. Sentso, Host Pastor (083.739.5626)
The Rev. Solomon Maans, Host Presiding Elder (082.433.3334)
The East Annual Conference
29 October–01 November 2009
F.M. Gow A.M.E. Church
Daveyton, Benoni, RSA
The Rev. L.N. Mathekga, Host Pastor (072.800.5786)
The Rev. O.J. Matlhabe, Host Presiding Elder (082.499.8041)
The West Annual Conference
05–08 November 2009
S.P. Maarohanye A.M.E. Church
Jouberton, Klerksdorp, RSA
The Rev. S.C. Mogaswa, Host Pastor (082.268.8271)
The Rev. A.N. Tsimane, Host Presiding Elder (071.350.0721)
10. BREAKING NEWS IS BROKEN NEWS:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
Not a day passes, when we turn on our television, that we don’t hear “breaking news.” However the “breaking news” is “broken news.” The Preacher declares in the book of Ecclesiastes 1:9, “there is no new thing under the sun”.
We hear “breaking news” stories every day about homicides, suicides, robberies, stealing, rapes, family fights, betrayals, hate- crimes, corruption in high places, famine, pestilence, diseases, earthquakes and people suing and being sued. All this so-called “breaking news” is news that was broken centuries ago. All you have to do is read your Bible.
Bible reading Believers should never be shocked at whatever happens, but they are. It is like funerals, no matter how often we experience them we never become used to them. Most of the breaking news we hear is not good news, it is either negative or tragic. All ears are tuned to listen when we hear the Newscaster say, “breaking news.”
The good “breaking news” came to the Shepherds while they were tending their flock not from the media but from an Angel.
The other good “breaking news” was given by two men who stood at the tomb where Jesus was buried and said, “He is not here.”
Breaking news
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars see that you be not troubled; for all these things “must” come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
“For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines, and pestilence and earthquakes, in divers’ places.”
And these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”
“And then shall many be offended and shall betray one another and shall hate one another.”
“And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 24: 6-12 KJV
Breaking news
“You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. They will be hardheaded and never give into others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good. They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshipping God. They will go to church, yes but they won’t really believe anything they hear.” 2nd Timothy 3:1-5 LB
Now, what more breaking news could there be? We can make all of the laws we desire, and we can install cameras on every corner, that won’t stop these things from happening.
We will continue to hear “breaking news. Jesus said these things “must” come to pass.
Everything that is written in the scriptures is going on right now and will continue to go on until God gets tired of it all.
What we are experiencing now is just a re-run of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Even the problems we are having in some of our churches are nothing new.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” I Corinthians 1:10
“For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I “hear” that there be divisions among you, and I partly believe it.” I Corinthians 11:1
I remember the time when the “breaking news” was, “When a person came forth and gave his/her life to Christ, the whole church membership rejoiced, the community rejoiced and even the man who ran the corner grocery store rejoiced. But today when a person comes to give themselves to the Lord the attitude is ‘ho hum,’ what’s the big deal?”
There are some of us who would rather hear about who got shot rather than who got saved. Some would rather hear gossip than to hear the gospel. Some would rather hear who got busted rather than who got blessed.
With all of this in mind, what must we do or what can we do? The answer is, “be vigilant. Matthew 24:42-44; 26:41
“All these things are just the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:8
In Retrospect
In the early days before Television, yes I do remember when there was no TV; whenever there was some unusual or exciting news, the paper boys used to stand on corners and yell, “Extra, Extra read all about it.”
That was breaking news in those early days. That was then, but this is now.
Today it is simply “breaking news”.
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts [Ptaegar@AOL.Com] is a retired Itinerant Elder who lives in Eatonville, Florida
11. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Tribute to Rev. Kenneth E. Marcus at Candler School of Theology
Distinguished Alumni Award Luncheon
Candler School of Theology
The Candler School of Theology Distinguished Alumni Award luncheon honored the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Marcus for service to the church and community.
Pastor Kenneth Marcus received the call to preach while a student at Morris Brown College. He was ordained an itinerant deacon of the AME Church in 1978 and an itinerant elder in 1979. Later, he attended the Candler School of Theology at Emory University where he received a Master of Divinity degree.
Prior to his assignment to the pastorate of Turner Chapel, Reverend Marcus pastored the St. Luke/Nimno Circuit and the Greater Smith Chapel AME Church. During his 17-year ministry at Turner Chapel, over 3000 individuals have come down the aisle to give their lives to Jesus Christ and more than 5000 have joined the Turner Chapel congregation.
The church has more than 50 active boards, organizations and ministries operating under the umbrella of five purposes - worship, fellowship, discipleship, service, and evangelism.
Reverend Marcus is assisted in his ministry by his wife, the Reverend Cassandra Young Marcus, an ordained elder in the AME church, who serves as the Assistant Pastor at Turner Chapel. Turner Chapel has been a site for Candler's Contextual Education program since 2001.
12. PASSING OF CONNECTIONAL OFFICER'S SISTER:
Juanita Inez Seats-Chunn of Nashville, Tennessee departed her earthly home following a lengthy illness. Ms. Seats-Chunn is the sister of Ora L. Seats Easley, Administrator of the AMEC Clergy Family Information Center and sister-in-law of the Reverend Dr. William W. Easley, Jr., Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
We seek your prayers, as we lay our sister to rest, even though we recognize that to "be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord".
Service arrangements for Juanita Inez Seats-Chunn:
Friday, October 16, 2009
Viewing: 12:00 Noon - 6:00 PM
Family Hour: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Henry Louis Smith Funeral Home
1503 Buchanan Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37208
Phone: (615) 244-5044
Fax: (615) 244-5077
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Family Visitation: 11:00 AM
Home-Going Service of Celebration: 12:00 Noon
Beech Creek Missionary Baptist Church
3101 Curtis Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37218
Phone: (615) 255-6277
The Reverend Davie C. Tucker, Jr., Pastor
Email: Tucker610@comcast.net
Interment:
Spring Hill Cemetery
5110 Gallatin Pike
Nashville, Tennessee 37216
(615) 865-1101
If you wish to extend sympathy to our family, you may send expressions to the family of Juanita Inez Seats Chunn C/O the Beech Creek Missionary Baptist Church or to the Henry Louis Smith Funeral Home (addresses are listed above).
Expressions may be faxed to: (615) 244-5077
Or expressions may be sent to:
Dr. and Mrs. (Ora L.) William W. Easley, Jr.
5981 Hitching Post Lane
Nashville, Tennessee 37211
(615) 837-9736 - Home
(615) 833-6936 - Office
(615) 403-7751 - Cell
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net or OEasleyL@aol.com
13. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE FOR CONNECTIONAL OFFICER, STEP-MOTHER:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Lovonia Johnson DuPont, widow of the late Presiding Elder King Solomon DuPont and step-mother to Jacqueline DuPont-Walker, Consultant/Director of the Social Action Commission, African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Lovonia Johnson DuPont passed in Marianna, Florida after a brief illness.
The DuPont and Johnson family solicit your prayers as they say so long and celebrate the life of their loved one.
Services for Mrs. Lovonia Johnson DuPont:
Saturday, October 10, 2009
11:00 AM
Pope Chapel AME Church
4898 Blud Spring Road
Marianna, Florida 32446
Phone: (850) 482-2900
Rev. Jerome Goodman, Pastor
Rev. George Berkley, Presiding Elder
Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Bishop
Presiding Elder Henry R. Griffin, Eulogist
Professional services provided by:
Van's Funeral Home
4265 Saint Andrews Street
Marianna, Florida 32448
(850) 482-3300 - Voice
(850) 482-5363 - FAX
a_abner21@yahoo.com - email
Condolences may be sent to:
The Family of Sister Lovonia Dupont
C/o Shirley B. Young
4263 Oak Street
Marianna, Florida 32448
(850) 482-6455 - voice for messages
Expressions of sympathy may be emailed to: JDUPONTW@aol.com
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Ms. Joann Woodard, mother of Sister Joretha Wright and mother-in-law of the Rev. Maurice Wright II, Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Alexandria, Louisiana (Alexandria-Thibodaux District, Central-North Louisiana Conference, Eighth Episcopal District, Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Presiding Prelate). Ms. Joann Woodard passed on Friday morning, October 9, 2009.
Service arrangements:
Funeral: Friday, October 16, 2009, 11:00 a.m.
Leevy's Funeral Home - Taylor Street Chapel
1831 Taylor Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Phone: (803) 771-7799
Fax: (803) 799-6684
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. (Joretha) Maurice Wright II
6508 Barber Drive
Pineville, Louisiana 71360
Phone: (318) 880-4334
Email: amepreacher@hotmail.com
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Abell Williams. She was the paternal grandmother of the Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, pastor at Mother Bethel AME Church (Philadelphia Conference, Philadelphia District). Mrs. Williams was 95-years-old.
The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing, Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Funeral Service, Thursday, October 15, 2009, 11:00 a.m.
Fuller Funeral Home
3100 Cuting Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94804
Phone: 510-237-5473
Fax: 510-236-6733
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend Dr. Mark K. Tyler
Mother Bethel AME Church
419 South 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Markkellytyler@gmail.com
Or faxed to the Funeral Home
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the passing of Mrs. Brenda Wormack Carter, daughter of the late Presiding Elder R. W. Wormack and Mrs. Lillie Wormack, 20548 Wormack Road, Lacoochee, Florida 33537.
Funeral Services
Saturday, 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 17, 2009
New Bethel AME Church
20633 Floyd Rd
Lacoochee, Florida 33537
The Rev. James Watkins, Pastor
Arrangements have been entrusted to:
Cason Funeral & Cremation Service
830 School Street
Brooksville, Florida 34601
(352) 796-7033
The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to:
Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation
12903 Magnolia Drive
Tampa, Florida 33612-9416
Memo:
Patient: Brenda Carter
Account: Breast Cancer
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully, the 15th Episcopal District announces the passing of the Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi on Tuesday October 13th 2009. Dr. Witbooi served as the Prime Minister of Namibia and as a Pastor in the Namibia Annual Conference. We ask that you keep the Witbooi family in your prayers. Further details will follow.
Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah
Presiding Prelate
15th Episcopal District
Angola -Namibia -South Africa
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of retired Presiding Elder, the Reverend Dr. Damone Anderson, husband to Sister Rose Anderson in Jacksonville, FL.
The services are as follows:
Family Hour:
Thursday, October 15, 2009
5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
St. Paul AME Church, the Reverend Marvin C. Zander II, Pastor
6910 New Kings Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 764-2755
Homegoing Celebration:
Friday, October 16, 2009, 11:00 a.m.
St. Paul AME Church
6910 New Kings Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 764-2755
Send condolences and expressions of sympathy to:
Sister Rose Anderson
1760 Daytona Ln
Jacksonville, FL 32218-6220 -
Services entrusted to:
Huff & Battise Funeral Home Inc
1337 N Davis St
Jacksonville, FL 32209-6608
(904) 354-6896
Please remember the family in your prayers.
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. James T. Brown, the father of the Reverend Gladys Web Searcy, pastor of New Bethel, Indiantown, Florida.
The services are as follows:
Visitation at the Mortuary:
Thursday, October 15, 2009
10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (all day viewing)
Corprew Funeral Home
1822 Portsmouth Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 399-4661
Home going Celebration:
Friday, October 16, 2009
10:00 a.m.
New Hope Baptist Church
1317 Gust Ln
Chesapeake, VA 23323-2903
(757) 487-4134
Send condolences and expressions of sympathy to:
The Reverend Gladys Webb Searcy
New Bethel Indiantown
14759 SW ML King Dr
PO Box 1076
Indiantown, FL 34956-1076
(561) 352-7269
Services entrusted to:
Corprew Funeral Home
1822 Portsmouth Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 399-4661
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing/homegoing of Brother David Keith Sparrow on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. He was the son of the Reverend David J. Sparrow (Retired Pastor, Washington Annual Conference) and Mrs. Gladys Sparrow, and brother of the Rev. Dr. Cassandra A. Sparrow, Second District RED, Inc. Executive Director.
Service arrangements for Brother David Keith Sparrow:
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM - Memorial Service to be held at the
Maranatha Community Church of God
123 Byte Drive
Frederick, Maryland 21702
Phone: (301) 663-5444
Condolences and Expressions of sympathy:
Floral Tributes and faxes prior to 10:00 AM Thursday may be sent to:
Resthaven Memorial Gardens
9501 U.S. Route 15 North
Frederick, Maryland 21701
Phone: (301) 898-7177
Fax: (301) 898-3308
Other Expressions may be sent to:
The Rev. David and Mrs. Gladys Sparrow
6479 Meadow Ridge Road
Elkridge, Maryland 21075
Phone (410) 796-5443
And to:
The Rev. Dr. Cassandra A. Sparrow
R.E.D., Inc. Executive Director
P.O. Box 555
Kittrell, NC 27544
Phone: (410) 258-5443/ (919) 521-1763
Email: CASparrow02@aol.com
21. 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
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
22. 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 – SOME QUIRKS AND A BIT OF SHARING I HOPE WILL BE HELPFUL:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
I want to share a couple of things, some of which are reminders, with our readers. Every editor has quirks and I want to share several of mine.
I have an uneasy quirk with the use of the adjective, “reverend” without the definite article, “the.” Some of you have learned and made changes as it relates to the use of the definite article, “the” with “reverend.” I see church bulletins, funeral bulletins, and even bulletins disseminated at connectional meetings that erroneously list “reverend” without the definite article, “the.”
When “Reverend” or “Right Reverend” is used before a name, “Reverend / Rev.” should be preceded by “the” because “Reverend / Rev.” is not a noun; it is an adjective and is always preceded by, “the,” especially in formal settings and in formal written documents. “The” is used before nouns. For instance, in a sentence, you would not say, “Blue car is fast” because “blue” as used in the sentence is an adjective and the correct way to form the sentence would be, “The blue car was fast” or “When we went to the racetrack, the blue car was fast.” It would not be correct to say, “Blue car was fast.”
In the beginning of a sentence, the “T” in “the” is capitalized and in the middle of a sentence, the “t” in “the” is in the lower case, thus: “The Rev. John Smith preached an outstanding sermon” or “An outstanding sermon was delivered by the Rev. John Smith.”
Since “reverend” is an adjective, it is not pluralized. In Standard English, adjectives are not pluralized. For instance if you were speaking or writing about several blue cars, you would not say, “The blues car,” instead you would say, “The light blue car, the dark blue car, the blue car on the left.” Thus, when listing a group of clergy the use of, “The Reverends…” is incorrect. The correct way to list a group of clergy: “The Rev. Jane Doe, the Rev. John Doe, the Rev. Mary Smith and the Rev. Junior Johnson.
Another common mistake of clergy is the use of “henceforth.” Preachers commonly say at the end of a benediction, “Now, Henceforth and forevermore.” The use of “henceforth” with “now” is incorrect because “henceforth,” an adverb means, “Now” or “From this time forward”; so the use of “now” and “henceforth” is a redundancy. Correct: “Now and forevermore.” Also correct: Henceforth and forevermore. Incorrect: “Now, Henceforth, and forevermore” or “Henceforth, now, and forevermore.”
“Thee, thou, thy, thine and ye” are pronouns that we no longer use in conversation; they have been replaced by the word, “you.” If you are going to use those archaic terms in prayer, it’s better to use them correctly and the first step is to know which one is plural and which ones are singular. For instance, “Ye” is always the plural form of “you” as in “Ye are the salt of the earth.” “Thee, thou, thy, and thine” are singular as in “I love Thee O Lord,’ ’O Thou in Whose Presence…,’ ‘Thy will be done,’ and ‘For Thine is the kingdom and the power…’” Another point to remember, if one is going to use Old English in prayer, then the archaic terms should be use correctly. For instance it is not correct to say, "Thou go or thou come" because most verbs following "thou" have the endings, “st” or “est”; e.g., "thou comest" or “thou goest”.
Those are good points to know if you are reading the King James Version of the Bible, e.g. knowing when the text is referring to a collective group or one person. Sometimes in modern language versions of the Bible, the distinction might not be clear.
Another archaic word we use is “Whence.” I have heard preachers, and probably I have said it too, “Father, you know from whence we came…” Paula Larocque in an article in Quill (Volume 97, No. 7), a magazine published by the Society of Professional Journalist, points out that “whence” means “from where,” so “from whence” is a gross redundancy. The correct way to restate the sentence above, “Father, you know whence we came…” or “Father, you know whence we have come…”
I hear clergy and laity refer to the people sitting in a worship service as “an audience.” Audience is defined as “spectators” or those assembled at a performance.” We would hope that the folks who attend worship are not spectators. The people who are assembled for worship are correctly referred to as the “congregation,” which is defined as a “group of people gathered for religious worship.” A generic definition is “a gathering of faithful in a Christian church, Jewish synagogue, mosque or other place of worship.”
Another common error is the use of the word, “Pastorial.” No such word exists in the dictionary. The correct term is “pastoral.”
And a more common mistake is the misuse of the term, “alter” in place of, “altar.” Alter is defined as, “To change or to make different. The “altar” is the space in the sanctuary or a table in the sanctuary or chancel area.
The term, “Selah,” is the most difficult word in the Hebrew Bible to translate concisely. It appears in the King James and some other versions of the Bible. “Selah” is found in the Book of Psalms, and also three times in the book of Habakkuk. When reading the scripture, the word is not read aloud. The ancient commentators’ teachers think the term was probably a liturgical musical mark, instruction on the reading of the text, or some response expected of the hearers.
And once more, as it relates to the 150 Psalms; each chapter is “a psalm,” without the “s.” There are 150 Psalms. There are five divisions, but unless the reader knows how to divide the divisions; the reader should just announce the chapter of the Psalm he or she is reading.
And one last request. When sending emails with multiple addressees, please use the Blind Copy (Bcc) so that you do not put those receiving your emails in harm’s way of spammers and other bad characters who like to use the Internet for their own mischief.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
To the Editor:
RE: Editorial – When is it proper to refer a pastor to the ministerial efficiency committee:
I am one who did pastor but found that the rural church was put at a disadvantage in terms of representation on the annual conference and on the connection level. Some pastors are having to tough time
Facts:
- Many pastors are only making ends meet with the help of God and other sources of income or a spouse who is carrying the load.
- Some pastors are paying the budget out of their own pockets because the membership and demographics of their church are not the same as when the budget was established. Per capita, the assessment is more for some smaller church than for some of the larger churches; but no one wants to address it.
- Some pastors have had to file bankruptcy and have their homes have gone into foreclosure.
Do you realize that there are rural churches, here in the United States that have as much need as some of our churches in Districts 14 – 20?
As it relates to Itinerant Elders serving as assistants, I received my Master of Divinity degree from an accredited seminary, but during the time I matriculated, my district was not paying the tuition as it does now and as a result, in addition to paying back my student loans, when I pastored, I paid my own travel expenses and my own pension assessment. I felt that I could be more effective in ministry, with dignity, volunteering as an associate and now I am serving as an assistant to the pastor.
I am proud of the history of the AME Church and all it has done in providing education for our people. I know others like myself who are loyal to our church and are doing ministry as an associate.
Name Withheld by request
To the Editor:
RE: Editorial: Two Sides to Every Story
As the conversation regarding pastoral effectiveness and its impact on congregational growth continues in The Christian Recorder, I cannot help but question the conventional understanding of congregational growth.
My relatively short time as pastor but very long time as a believer in ongoing-spiritual formation lead me question our over-emphasis on numbers as indicators in the Christian enterprise.
Of course, as all servant-leaders, I would love to be able to report a much increased number of members. Under those circumstances, your very generous gift toward our Annual Conference expectations would not have been necessary! Increased numbers are expected to result in increased giving.
Increased numbers and “round reports,” however, do not adequately measure real pastoral effectiveness. Though an educator in my pre-pastoral-life, I am not at all convinced that there is an objective measure. After all, how do we evaluate the increased spiritual growth of individuals in the congregation, our real mission?
I wonder about an approach of intentional and deliberate and unrelenting discipling the few members toward becoming so whole that those outside the church who are broken will follow them?
This idea represents a paradigm shift from the “let's increase our growth” to let's grow as Christians.
Name Withheld by request.
3. MOTHER BETHEL MEMBERS ‘GO BACK’ TO ST. GEORGE’S FOR HISTORIC JOINT SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP REUNION:
Two historic congregations, divided by race more than 200 years ago, will worship together again during the “most segregated hour” in America. On Sunday October 25th at 10:45 a.m. Members of Mother Bethel AME Church will return to St. George’s United Methodist Church, located at 235 N. Fourth Street in Philadelphia. Mother Bethel’s members are predominantly African-American and St. George’s members are mostly white and the two congregations were divided by race more than two centuries ago. This is the first time they’ve come together in over 200 years for a Sunday morning worship experience. “The incidents that pulled us apart so many years ago do not have to be as powerful as the things that brought the first black and white Methodists together,” says Rev. Alfred Day, pastor of Historic St. George’s United Methodist Church. “The experience of God’s Spirit is breaking down barriers instead of erecting them.” Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, pastor of Mother Bethel AME church agrees. “It's tragic that many of the divisions that led to the splitting of these two congregations over 200 years ago are still alive and well,” says Pastor Tyler. “This worship service is not just about remembering what happened, but we gather in the hope that one day such a service will not even be newsworthy because we have overcome issues of racism, sexism, classism, and all other -isms that separate us from one another and God.”
The reunion is a part of St. George’s 240th Church Anniversary Celebration and the 250th Birthday Celebration of Bishop Richard Allen, Mother Bethel’s founder. In the late 1700s, Bishop Allen and other African American members walked out of St. George's and founded Mother Bethel in 1794. Mother Bethel, located at the corner of Lombard and South 6th Streets, sits on the oldest property continuously owned by African Americans. St. George’s was founded in 1769 and is the nation’s oldest Methodist congregation. While there have been occasions when the two churches have held ceremonial exchanges, this is the first time the congregations have actually planned a “reunion” on a Sunday morning when members of both churches will worship together at the same time. “It’s a reunion, but more than that, Pastor Day said. It’s Communion, Holy Communion, people coming together, differences and all, together at the Lord’s Table, seeking peace and harmony with God and one another. You can’t have one without the other.”
For more information on this historic reunion, or to schedule an interview with the Rev. Day or the Rev. Tyler, the pastors of these historic congregations, contact Leslie Patterson-Tyler, Tyler-Made Productions at (609)247-2632 or Leslie@TylerMadePR.com.
Submitted by the Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, Ph.D, Senior Pastor of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
419 South 6th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
215-925-0616
4. SENATOR PETER C. GROFF WELCOMED TO WASHINGTON DC:
By Clara B. Neal, Director of Public Relations
On September 17, 2009, a group of African Methodist Episcopal Church ministers and laypersons assembled to welcome former Colorado State Senator Peter C. Groff to Washington, DC. The informal reception sponsored by the Friends of the Social Action Committee of the Washington Conference was held at the National Education building on M Street N. W. at 6:30 in the evening. Senator Groff was appointed in May 2009 by President Barack H. Obama to head the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U. S. Department of Education.
After being introduced by Brother Darwin Curry, chairman of the Washington Conference Social Action Committee, Senator Geoff offered his profound thanks to the Friends of the Social Action Committee for initiating the occasion. He briefly discussed the mission of the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships which is to share the agenda of the President and the Secretary of Education for education with nonprofits and community organizations, both secular and faith based, and to engage those groups in the implementation of the President’s and Secretary’s education policies to heighten academic achievement for all children. He stated that the center also assists the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships in the implementation of its mission. Additionally, he reiterated that now that he has been appointed his plans for the working people of this country is to use the tens of millions of dollars allocated to the Department of Education to educate our youth and young people by turning around lowest performing schools in addition to educating drop outs thus stemming the tide of the dropout rate. He implored those AME’s who were present to begin to “serve in a different way. Do not leave us hanging; do not leave my other boss hanging!” “He further encouraged clergy and Lay persons to provide a strong voice of support to the mission. He, also, challenged them to lean on the long history of the African Methodist Church.
In welcoming and encouraging remarks, both Sister Annette Jones and Capitol District Presiding Elder Goodwin S. Douglas confirmed cooperation and support from the Second Episcopal District and the Washington Conference in the tradition of African Methodism. Prince George County, Maryland. Senator Nathaniel Exum presented a resolution from the Maryland Black Caucus to Senator Groff. Visiting from the Fifth Episcopal District was Sister Jackie Dupont Walker, A. M. E. Church Social Chairperson who stated, “We are being called to our destiny. It is time for us to move out; we cannot remain in our seats any longer. She declared further, “I’m very proud of the Friends of the Social Action Committee of the Washington Conference!” Also attending the reception were several lay members from the Baltimore Annual Conference.
Washington Conference ministers attending the celebration included: the Reverends Grainger and Joann Browning, The Reverend Ronald Braxton, the Reverend Samuel Haywood, the Reverend Aletha Haywood, the Reverend Christopher Wendell, the Reverend Barbara Glenn and the Reverend Sherita Seawright. Also present were Sister Jamesina Evans, president of the Connectional Women Missionary Society; d Robert Nichols, Director of AME – SADA; Sister Patricia Mathews, president of the Washington Conference Lay Organization, Sister Catherine Fisher, president of The Second Episcopal District Washington Conference Women’s Missionary Society and Sister D. Faye Conley, president of WMS. Senator Geoff was accompanied by his wife, the Reverend Dr. Regina C. Groff, who is the former pastor of the historic Campbell Chapel AME Church in Denver, Colorado.
5. THE SOUTH OHIO ANNUAL CONFERENCE - GREATER ALLEN AME CHURCH, DAYTON, OHIO:
Article by Rev. Vanessa Cummins
Contribution by the Rev. Gloria Smith
The South Ohio Annual Conference was excited to come together September 16 – 20, 2009 for another great revival celebration under the Episcopal leadership team of the Rt. Rev. Cornal Garnett Henning and Mrs. Ernestine Henning. Bishop C. Garnett Henning’s Message to the Conference and Episcopal District provided the theme for the District, “Moving towards Christian Excellence In …” and the Quadrennial Theme: “A Great Past, A Greater Future, An Incredible Call to Serve.
The Greater Allen AME Church in Dayton, Ohio was the gracious host for the Conference; the pastor, officers and members greeted everyone with a smile from first thing in the morning until the last person left late at night.
The host pastoral team, the Rev. Dr. Earl Grimes Harris and Dr. Jeanette Harris welcomed everyone and did whatever was necessary to insure that people were being served well. No one had to leave the church grounds to look for some good food because the Greater Allen cooks and grillers were hard at work throughout the week preparing, serving, and cleaning up so that everyone ate until they were satisfied. The meals were delicious.
The Annual Conference was blessed to be a place for spiritual work and spiritual food.
The Conference was greeted by the Honorable Mayor Rhine McLin who reminded everyone, “You don’t have to move to live in a good neighborhood. You just have to make up your mind that you are going to make your neighborhood good.”
The Dayton Unit NAACP President, Mr. Derrick L. Forward greeted the Conference and shared with the members and visitors of the Conference that the NAACP has made it 100 years, and had only made it that far with the help of God.
There were revival services the first three nights of the conference, starting off with Men’s Night, featuring the outstanding Sons of Allen Choir. The Evangelist for the Revival was the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Marcus, pastor of Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia (USA). The Rev. Dr. Marcus’ sermons brought laughter, tears, shouts of joy, and total praise asking, “Who Will Serve the Lord?” and reminding us that, “It’s only a test” but to pass the “test” you have to have “Courage at the crossroads.”
The Praise Team for the Annual Conference was comprised of the ministerial candidates, who led devotions throughout the Conference; reminding everyone that they were on the battlefield for the Lord.
One ministerial candidate was admitted to the Conference on trial. One candidate, the Rev. Gloria Sydnor Smith was ordained Itinerant Deacon and one a Local Deacon, the Rev. Robert Berry II. One candidate, the Rev. Edward S. Holmes was elected and ordained a Local Elder. Two candidates, the Rev. Norma Lynn Phelps and the Rev. William Roberts were elected and ordained Itinerant Elder.
The newly elected Connectional President of the Lay Organization, Dr. Willie C. Glover, greeted the Annual Conference during the Lay Organization Night. He thanked the Third District for being an instrumental part in his election.
The Conference memorialized Bishop Vernon Randolph Byrd, Mother Theodora Mayo, former Episcopal Supervisor; the Rev. John W. P. Collier, retired General Officer; Mrs. Mary Felder Porter, former Conference YPD Director, Lay President, and WMS member; and Mrs. Monzella Flanigan, Conference Widow.
The South Ohio Annual Conference retired two great servants of the Church: the Rev. Rose V. Parker retired after serving the AME Church for forty-four years with a great willing spirit and a willing heart and the Rev. Elbert E. Matthews, Presiding Elder of the Cincinnati District, retired, after forty-nine years in ministry in the AME Church. He also built a new church structure in Washington, Pennsylvania. The African Methodist Episcopal Church is blessed to have had the services of these two great preachers and looks forward to their continued mentorship. The Conference thanked them for their many dedicated years of service.
The talented and gifted YPD of our Conference displayed their talents through music, spoken word, and a challenging message reminding everyone that when life gets stresses you out; the Bible is all you need.
There were powerful sermons from various clergy of the Conference with reminders that when we have nothing else to lose, to remain faithful, watch your mouth, and worship through your pain; that people don’t need to see the “You” in you, they need to see the Jesus in you; to remember, “God is Timeless, but He is Still On Time,” and that feeding the flock is a necessity.
The Commissioning Service was hosted by the Rev. Dr. Ronald Glenn at Wayman Chapel AME Church in Dayton. The Service was uplifted by the South Ohio Annual Conference Choir. The Conference was blessed to hear a Powerful Word from the Lord at the Commissioning Service preached by the Rt. Rev. Vinton Randolph Anderson, retired Bishop of the AME Church, who reminded everyone, that, “It’s Not About Us, It’s About Jesus.”
The South Ohio Annual Conference is grateful and blessed to have the Episcopal Leadership of Bishop Cornal Garnett Henning and Episcopal Supervisor Ernestine Lee Henning. The Third Episcopal District under their leadership continues to strive for Christian Excellence.
6. KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE YPD DIRECTOR JOINS LIEUTENANT T. GOVERNOR’S OFFICE:
Valeria Cummings Swope, the Kentucky Annual Conference YPD Director has been named the director of communications for Lt. Gov. Daniel Mongiardo’s office. Cummings is a former anchor/reporter for WKYT-TV where she covered stories dealing with the courts, law and education. For the last 14 months she has served as director of communications for the Finance and Administration Cabinet.
Cummings has won numerous awards and her work has been recognized by the Public Relations Society of America, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, and the Kentucky Associated Press.
Valeria is a graduate of the University of Alabama. She just recently received her Master of Business degree from Sullivan University.
“I am very pleased to have someone with Valeria’s expansive news and public information background overseeing the daily communications efforts of my office,” said Lt. Gov. Mongiardo. “She has done an admirable job in a very demanding position at the Finance Cabinet. I look forward to having her on staff.”
7. MEDIA STATEMENT ON PASSING AWAY OF THE HON. REV. DR. HENDRIK WITBOOI, PASTOR AND PRESIDING ELDER:
Media Statement on Passing Away of Hon. Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi, Pastor and Presiding Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Captain of the /Khowese people and First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia
The Hon. Captain Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi, the great grandson of the legendary Nama Chief Hendrik Witbooi, was born on 7 January 1934 at Gibeon, Namibia.
He was educated at Rhynish Missionary and Wesleyan Methodist Schools in Namibia as well as at the Wilberforce Institute in Evaton, South Africa.
First he took up employment as teacher in 1956 at Keetmanshoop, transferred in 1959 to Maltahöhe, and returned in 1965 to Gibeon at the request of the community and the church to build on the foundations laid by his aging father, the late Rev. Markus Witbooi.
The 1970s and 1980s were decisive periods in the history of both the Namibian nation and the Witbooi clan. He served as secretary and chief political advisor to his predecessor, the late Captain Hendrik Samuel Witbooi and was mainly responsible for the Archive. He also served the St. Mark’s AME Church in various capacities, inter alia Sunday School Teacher and Church Choir Director and pastor.
After serving the /Khowese Traditional Authority as secretary since 1973 years, he was elected as Captain of the /Khowese people whilst in being a political prisoner in solitary confinement at 1977.
Pastor Witbooi was admitted to pastoral ministry in 1973 by Bishop Frederick C James, and received his first pastoral ordination in 1974 and his second pastoral ordination in 1976 at the hands of Bishop Donald G K Ming.
Hendrik Witbooi entered politics in 1974 as secretary and advisor to Captain Hendrik Samuel Witbooi and founded the AME Private School in 1979.
As Vice President of SWAPO, he had the immense pleasure in 1989 in welcoming the SWAPO Advance Team under the leadership of Hon. Cde. Dr. Hage Geingob. The episode of 1 April 1989 was a testing phase when PLAN fighters were brutally murdered on the eve of the implementation of UN Resolution 435 of 1978. Whilst UNTAG was still trying to get to grips, Cde. Anton Lubowski was murdered on 12 September 1989, but this dim light brightened when Cde. Sam Nujoma, President of SWAPO returned home on 14 September 1989 after absence of 29 years from Namibia. \
In 1989, Pastor Witbooi became a member of the Constituent Assembly who drafted the Constitution of the Republic of Namibia, and is thus one of the Founders of our Constitutional Republic. With the attainment of independence on 21 March 1990, he was appointed and sworn-in as Namibia’s First Minister of Labour. On 21 March 1995, he was appointed and sworn-in as Namibia’s First Deputy Prime Minister and hold onto this position for a full decade until his retirement from active politics in 2005.
The Rev. Dr. Witbooi leaves behind his wife, Johanna Sofia Witbooi, 6 children, 21 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren.
Servant of God, well done AMEH 463
Rest from they loved employ BH 470
The battle fought, the victory won New Nama 96
Enter thy master’s joy
Enquiries: The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, 081 122 5048
8. LEGISLATION TO END CRACK COCAINE SENTENCING DISPARITY INTRODUCED IN SENATE TODAY
October 15, 2009
WASHINGTON – A bill was introduced today in the Senate that would eliminate the discriminatory disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentencing under federal law. The bill, the Fair Sentencing Act of 2009, was introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) and would also eliminate the mandatory five-year sentence for simple possession of crack. A similar bill, H.R. 3245, the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act of 2009, is currently awaiting a vote in the House.
More than two decades ago, based on assumptions about crack which are now known to be false, heightened penalties for crack cocaine offenses were adopted. Sentences for crack offenses are currently equivalent to the sentences for 100 times the amount of powder cocaine, and the impact falls disproportionately on African Americans.
The following can be attributed to Michael Macleod-Ball, Acting Director of the American Civil Liberties Union Washington Legislation Office:
“The disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentencing has been a stain on our justice system for over 20 years. There is no justification for this sentencing gap – both medical and legal research has consistently shown there is no significant difference between crack and powder cocaine. Not only that, there is consensus across the political and ideological spectrum on the sentencing disparity issue with both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama urging reform. With bills in both chambers and a president demanding legislative action, America is now as close as it’s ever been to finally ending the crack-powder disparity and unjust mandatory minimum sentences.”
9. THE 2009 NINETEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES:
The Right Reverend Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Bishop
Susan J. Leath, M.D., Episcopal Supervisor, WMS
The M.M. Mokone Annual Conference
01–04 October 2009
Ming Chapel A.M.E. Church
Themba, Hammanskraal, RSA
The Rev. A.M.A. Sefora, Host Pastor (083.742.1962)
The Rev. G.O. Motabogi, Host Presiding Elder (072.185.7127)
The Natal Annual Conference
08–11 October 2009
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church
Bizana, RSA
The Rev. M.A. Nyakata, Host Pastor (073.680.6882)
The Rev. G.M. Nontlanga, Host Presiding Elder (072.604.2071)
The Orangia Annual Conference
15–18 October 2009
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
Witzieshoek, QwaQwa, RSA
The Rev. D.M. Sentso, Host Pastor (083.739.5626)
The Rev. Solomon Maans, Host Presiding Elder (082.433.3334)
The East Annual Conference
29 October–01 November 2009
F.M. Gow A.M.E. Church
Daveyton, Benoni, RSA
The Rev. L.N. Mathekga, Host Pastor (072.800.5786)
The Rev. O.J. Matlhabe, Host Presiding Elder (082.499.8041)
The West Annual Conference
05–08 November 2009
S.P. Maarohanye A.M.E. Church
Jouberton, Klerksdorp, RSA
The Rev. S.C. Mogaswa, Host Pastor (082.268.8271)
The Rev. A.N. Tsimane, Host Presiding Elder (071.350.0721)
10. BREAKING NEWS IS BROKEN NEWS:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
Not a day passes, when we turn on our television, that we don’t hear “breaking news.” However the “breaking news” is “broken news.” The Preacher declares in the book of Ecclesiastes 1:9, “there is no new thing under the sun”.
We hear “breaking news” stories every day about homicides, suicides, robberies, stealing, rapes, family fights, betrayals, hate- crimes, corruption in high places, famine, pestilence, diseases, earthquakes and people suing and being sued. All this so-called “breaking news” is news that was broken centuries ago. All you have to do is read your Bible.
Bible reading Believers should never be shocked at whatever happens, but they are. It is like funerals, no matter how often we experience them we never become used to them. Most of the breaking news we hear is not good news, it is either negative or tragic. All ears are tuned to listen when we hear the Newscaster say, “breaking news.”
The good “breaking news” came to the Shepherds while they were tending their flock not from the media but from an Angel.
The other good “breaking news” was given by two men who stood at the tomb where Jesus was buried and said, “He is not here.”
Breaking news
“And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars see that you be not troubled; for all these things “must” come to pass, but the end is not yet.”
“For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines, and pestilence and earthquakes, in divers’ places.”
And these are the beginning of sorrows. “Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted and shall kill you and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.”
“And then shall many be offended and shall betray one another and shall hate one another.”
“And many false prophets shall rise and shall deceive many.
And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” Matthew 24: 6-12 KJV
Breaking news
“You may as well know this too, Timothy, that in the last days it is going to be very difficult to be a Christian. For people will love only themselves and their money; they will be proud and boastful, sneering at God, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful to them, and thoroughly bad. They will be hardheaded and never give into others; they will be constant liars and troublemakers and will think nothing of immorality. They will be rough and cruel, and sneer at those who try to be good. They will betray their friends; they will be hotheaded, puffed up with pride, and prefer good times to worshipping God. They will go to church, yes but they won’t really believe anything they hear.” 2nd Timothy 3:1-5 LB
Now, what more breaking news could there be? We can make all of the laws we desire, and we can install cameras on every corner, that won’t stop these things from happening.
We will continue to hear “breaking news. Jesus said these things “must” come to pass.
Everything that is written in the scriptures is going on right now and will continue to go on until God gets tired of it all.
What we are experiencing now is just a re-run of Sodom and Gomorrah.
Even the problems we are having in some of our churches are nothing new.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” I Corinthians 1:10
“For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I “hear” that there be divisions among you, and I partly believe it.” I Corinthians 11:1
I remember the time when the “breaking news” was, “When a person came forth and gave his/her life to Christ, the whole church membership rejoiced, the community rejoiced and even the man who ran the corner grocery store rejoiced. But today when a person comes to give themselves to the Lord the attitude is ‘ho hum,’ what’s the big deal?”
There are some of us who would rather hear about who got shot rather than who got saved. Some would rather hear gossip than to hear the gospel. Some would rather hear who got busted rather than who got blessed.
With all of this in mind, what must we do or what can we do? The answer is, “be vigilant. Matthew 24:42-44; 26:41
“All these things are just the beginning of sorrows.” Matthew 24:8
In Retrospect
In the early days before Television, yes I do remember when there was no TV; whenever there was some unusual or exciting news, the paper boys used to stand on corners and yell, “Extra, Extra read all about it.”
That was breaking news in those early days. That was then, but this is now.
Today it is simply “breaking news”.
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts [Ptaegar@AOL.Com] is a retired Itinerant Elder who lives in Eatonville, Florida
11. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Tribute to Rev. Kenneth E. Marcus at Candler School of Theology
Distinguished Alumni Award Luncheon
Candler School of Theology
The Candler School of Theology Distinguished Alumni Award luncheon honored the Rev. Dr. Kenneth Marcus for service to the church and community.
Pastor Kenneth Marcus received the call to preach while a student at Morris Brown College. He was ordained an itinerant deacon of the AME Church in 1978 and an itinerant elder in 1979. Later, he attended the Candler School of Theology at Emory University where he received a Master of Divinity degree.
Prior to his assignment to the pastorate of Turner Chapel, Reverend Marcus pastored the St. Luke/Nimno Circuit and the Greater Smith Chapel AME Church. During his 17-year ministry at Turner Chapel, over 3000 individuals have come down the aisle to give their lives to Jesus Christ and more than 5000 have joined the Turner Chapel congregation.
The church has more than 50 active boards, organizations and ministries operating under the umbrella of five purposes - worship, fellowship, discipleship, service, and evangelism.
Reverend Marcus is assisted in his ministry by his wife, the Reverend Cassandra Young Marcus, an ordained elder in the AME church, who serves as the Assistant Pastor at Turner Chapel. Turner Chapel has been a site for Candler's Contextual Education program since 2001.
12. PASSING OF CONNECTIONAL OFFICER'S SISTER:
Juanita Inez Seats-Chunn of Nashville, Tennessee departed her earthly home following a lengthy illness. Ms. Seats-Chunn is the sister of Ora L. Seats Easley, Administrator of the AMEC Clergy Family Information Center and sister-in-law of the Reverend Dr. William W. Easley, Jr., Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
We seek your prayers, as we lay our sister to rest, even though we recognize that to "be absent from the body, is to be present with the Lord".
Service arrangements for Juanita Inez Seats-Chunn:
Friday, October 16, 2009
Viewing: 12:00 Noon - 6:00 PM
Family Hour: 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Henry Louis Smith Funeral Home
1503 Buchanan Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37208
Phone: (615) 244-5044
Fax: (615) 244-5077
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Family Visitation: 11:00 AM
Home-Going Service of Celebration: 12:00 Noon
Beech Creek Missionary Baptist Church
3101 Curtis Street
Nashville, Tennessee 37218
Phone: (615) 255-6277
The Reverend Davie C. Tucker, Jr., Pastor
Email: Tucker610@comcast.net
Interment:
Spring Hill Cemetery
5110 Gallatin Pike
Nashville, Tennessee 37216
(615) 865-1101
If you wish to extend sympathy to our family, you may send expressions to the family of Juanita Inez Seats Chunn C/O the Beech Creek Missionary Baptist Church or to the Henry Louis Smith Funeral Home (addresses are listed above).
Expressions may be faxed to: (615) 244-5077
Or expressions may be sent to:
Dr. and Mrs. (Ora L.) William W. Easley, Jr.
5981 Hitching Post Lane
Nashville, Tennessee 37211
(615) 837-9736 - Home
(615) 833-6936 - Office
(615) 403-7751 - Cell
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net or OEasleyL@aol.com
13. BEREAVEMENT NOTICE FOR CONNECTIONAL OFFICER, STEP-MOTHER:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Lovonia Johnson DuPont, widow of the late Presiding Elder King Solomon DuPont and step-mother to Jacqueline DuPont-Walker, Consultant/Director of the Social Action Commission, African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Mrs. Lovonia Johnson DuPont passed in Marianna, Florida after a brief illness.
The DuPont and Johnson family solicit your prayers as they say so long and celebrate the life of their loved one.
Services for Mrs. Lovonia Johnson DuPont:
Saturday, October 10, 2009
11:00 AM
Pope Chapel AME Church
4898 Blud Spring Road
Marianna, Florida 32446
Phone: (850) 482-2900
Rev. Jerome Goodman, Pastor
Rev. George Berkley, Presiding Elder
Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Bishop
Presiding Elder Henry R. Griffin, Eulogist
Professional services provided by:
Van's Funeral Home
4265 Saint Andrews Street
Marianna, Florida 32448
(850) 482-3300 - Voice
(850) 482-5363 - FAX
a_abner21@yahoo.com - email
Condolences may be sent to:
The Family of Sister Lovonia Dupont
C/o Shirley B. Young
4263 Oak Street
Marianna, Florida 32448
(850) 482-6455 - voice for messages
Expressions of sympathy may be emailed to: JDUPONTW@aol.com
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Ms. Joann Woodard, mother of Sister Joretha Wright and mother-in-law of the Rev. Maurice Wright II, Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Alexandria, Louisiana (Alexandria-Thibodaux District, Central-North Louisiana Conference, Eighth Episcopal District, Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Presiding Prelate). Ms. Joann Woodard passed on Friday morning, October 9, 2009.
Service arrangements:
Funeral: Friday, October 16, 2009, 11:00 a.m.
Leevy's Funeral Home - Taylor Street Chapel
1831 Taylor Street
Columbia, South Carolina 29201
Phone: (803) 771-7799
Fax: (803) 799-6684
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. and Mrs. (Joretha) Maurice Wright II
6508 Barber Drive
Pineville, Louisiana 71360
Phone: (318) 880-4334
Email: amepreacher@hotmail.com
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Abell Williams. She was the paternal grandmother of the Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, pastor at Mother Bethel AME Church (Philadelphia Conference, Philadelphia District). Mrs. Williams was 95-years-old.
The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing, Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Funeral Service, Thursday, October 15, 2009, 11:00 a.m.
Fuller Funeral Home
3100 Cuting Blvd.
Richmond, CA 94804
Phone: 510-237-5473
Fax: 510-236-6733
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend Dr. Mark K. Tyler
Mother Bethel AME Church
419 South 6th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19147
Markkellytyler@gmail.com
Or faxed to the Funeral Home
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We are saddened to announce the passing of Mrs. Brenda Wormack Carter, daughter of the late Presiding Elder R. W. Wormack and Mrs. Lillie Wormack, 20548 Wormack Road, Lacoochee, Florida 33537.
Funeral Services
Saturday, 1:00 PM, Saturday, October 17, 2009
New Bethel AME Church
20633 Floyd Rd
Lacoochee, Florida 33537
The Rev. James Watkins, Pastor
Arrangements have been entrusted to:
Cason Funeral & Cremation Service
830 School Street
Brooksville, Florida 34601
(352) 796-7033
The family request that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to:
Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation
12903 Magnolia Drive
Tampa, Florida 33612-9416
Memo:
Patient: Brenda Carter
Account: Breast Cancer
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully, the 15th Episcopal District announces the passing of the Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi on Tuesday October 13th 2009. Dr. Witbooi served as the Prime Minister of Namibia and as a Pastor in the Namibia Annual Conference. We ask that you keep the Witbooi family in your prayers. Further details will follow.
Bishop Wilfred J. Messiah
Presiding Prelate
15th Episcopal District
Angola -Namibia -South Africa
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of retired Presiding Elder, the Reverend Dr. Damone Anderson, husband to Sister Rose Anderson in Jacksonville, FL.
The services are as follows:
Family Hour:
Thursday, October 15, 2009
5:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.
St. Paul AME Church, the Reverend Marvin C. Zander II, Pastor
6910 New Kings Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 764-2755
Homegoing Celebration:
Friday, October 16, 2009, 11:00 a.m.
St. Paul AME Church
6910 New Kings Rd
Jacksonville, FL 32218
(904) 764-2755
Send condolences and expressions of sympathy to:
Sister Rose Anderson
1760 Daytona Ln
Jacksonville, FL 32218-6220 -
Services entrusted to:
Huff & Battise Funeral Home Inc
1337 N Davis St
Jacksonville, FL 32209-6608
(904) 354-6896
Please remember the family in your prayers.
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. James T. Brown, the father of the Reverend Gladys Web Searcy, pastor of New Bethel, Indiantown, Florida.
The services are as follows:
Visitation at the Mortuary:
Thursday, October 15, 2009
10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. (all day viewing)
Corprew Funeral Home
1822 Portsmouth Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 399-4661
Home going Celebration:
Friday, October 16, 2009
10:00 a.m.
New Hope Baptist Church
1317 Gust Ln
Chesapeake, VA 23323-2903
(757) 487-4134
Send condolences and expressions of sympathy to:
The Reverend Gladys Webb Searcy
New Bethel Indiantown
14759 SW ML King Dr
PO Box 1076
Indiantown, FL 34956-1076
(561) 352-7269
Services entrusted to:
Corprew Funeral Home
1822 Portsmouth Blvd
Portsmouth, VA 23704
(757) 399-4661
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing/homegoing of Brother David Keith Sparrow on Tuesday, October 6, 2009. He was the son of the Reverend David J. Sparrow (Retired Pastor, Washington Annual Conference) and Mrs. Gladys Sparrow, and brother of the Rev. Dr. Cassandra A. Sparrow, Second District RED, Inc. Executive Director.
Service arrangements for Brother David Keith Sparrow:
Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 11:00 AM - Memorial Service to be held at the
Maranatha Community Church of God
123 Byte Drive
Frederick, Maryland 21702
Phone: (301) 663-5444
Condolences and Expressions of sympathy:
Floral Tributes and faxes prior to 10:00 AM Thursday may be sent to:
Resthaven Memorial Gardens
9501 U.S. Route 15 North
Frederick, Maryland 21701
Phone: (301) 898-7177
Fax: (301) 898-3308
Other Expressions may be sent to:
The Rev. David and Mrs. Gladys Sparrow
6479 Meadow Ridge Road
Elkridge, Maryland 21075
Phone (410) 796-5443
And to:
The Rev. Dr. Cassandra A. Sparrow
R.E.D., Inc. Executive Director
P.O. Box 555
Kittrell, NC 27544
Phone: (410) 258-5443/ (919) 521-1763
Email: CASparrow02@aol.com
21. 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
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
22. 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.
