Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
Good article on the "digital divide." I'm glad to say that Morris Brown is working to bridge the divide. We have a Technology Ministry and a twelve station, up-to-date, online computer lab that we use:
a. In our tutorial and mentoring and summer enrichment ministries to elementary and middle school students of the church and community,
b. For a free, basic adult computer class that leaves each participant with an e-mail address - the oldest graduate was 87 years old - and,
c. For intermediate and advanced classes for those who complete the basic class and want to do more.
We've also taken our website off line to revamp and make it interactive, and we communicate with the members of the Official Board and the membership at large by e-mail on a regular basis.
We're also working on an intra-congregational blog, and are committed to seeing that the church serves the present age - technology and all!
The Rev. Dr. Joe Darby, Pastor
Morris Brown AME Church, Charleston, SC
2. QUESTION FOR A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
a. Who was Bishop Nichols’ father?
b. Where and when did Bishop Nichols attend his first General Conference?
c. Where did Bishop Nichols first attend school?
d. Bishop Nichols was an assistant organist at what church?
e. What college did Bishop Nichols attend?
Editor’s Note: The answers must be emailed back to the Editor within 48 hours from the posting of this issue.
3. THE PROPOSED MIDWEST CONFERENCE OF THE FIFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:
By the Rev. Eraina Marie Aseme, Publicity Chairperson
The Rev. Marilyn Robinson, Publicity Co-Chair
Every year after the series of Annual Conferences are held for the African Methodist Episcopal Church of the Fifth Episcopal District, the presiding prelate holds a Planning Meeting at a designated location called by him or her. Following that tradition, Bishop John Richard Bryant held the Annual Planning Meeting on October 30, 2006 at the Hilton Airport, St Louis, Missouri. The host presiding elders were Reverends C. Jesse Strong, St. Louis/Columbia District and W. Bartlette Finney, St. Louis/Cape Girardeau District. The Missouri Conference hosted the Planning Meeting along with Revs. Edmund Lowe Sr., Christ Our Redeemer, Black Jack, Missouri and Marvin Sullivan II, Ward Chapel, Florissant, Missouri. The theme for the conference year is Serving Well and the scripture is James 2:17 NRSV. The Bishop’s Planning Meeting consisted of clergy and lay persons representing 250 churches across the Midwest and western region of the United States of America representing 14 states. Bishop John R. Bryant along with the Episcopal Supervisor, Rev. Cecelia Williams Bryant set plans and the calendar for the coming conference year. Rev. Cecelia Williams Bryant oversees the missionaries of the Fifth Episcopal District at all levels, local, conference and district.
In addition, to making plans and setting duties for the coming year, pastoral appointments are made by the presiding prelate. According to a spokesperson, the Bishop’s Planning Meeting was informative and well attended. All Episcopal district reports were given: Women’s Missionary Society, Lay Organization, Presiding Elders’ Council, Women In Ministry, Western University Land Development Site, Nehemiah Ministries, Spouses/Widows Alliance, Economic Development and Fifth District Prayer Ministry. Along with the progressive reports that were given. Dynamic preaching was exalted by Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, President, Payne Theological Seminary in the morning worship service, her sermon title, “What Is Your Faith Doing?”, James 2:1, 17; and Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate of the Eleventh Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church at the Hour of Power preached from I Samuel 17:38, “Wear Your Own Clothes.” Both preachers were affected by the flaws of life. For an example, a few minutes before Dr. Fitchue was to mount the podium, the hotel authorities ordered all occupants to evacuate the hotel due to a fire. A few seconds later the authorities announced that the fire was a false alarm. In the case of Bishop Young, an earlier flight that he was scheduled to board was cancelled for his travel from Florida to St. Louis Missouri. Once he secured his flight and landed in St. Louis, MO, it was reported that his luggage was lost. So as fate would have it he called upon Bishop Vinton R. Anderson, a retired Bishop of the A.M.E. Church who resides in St. Louis to borrow his purple robe. Bishop Young’s luggage experience influenced such a timely message, “Wear Your Own Clothes”. God works in mysterious ways. In addition, Bishop Bryant, the presiding prelate of the Fifth Episcopal District made the following pastoral appointments:
The Rev. Sherrie Wood Powe to St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Olathe, Kansas; the Rev. Farris Settles, Willis Chapel A.M.E. Church, Kansas City, Missouri (KCMO); the Rev. Carrie Humphrey, Mariah Walker A.M.E. Church, KCMO; Andrew Rollins; Bethel A.M.E. Church, Barstow, CA; the Rev. Willie Adams, Fountain of Hope A.M.E. Church, Las Vegas, NV; the Rev. Steve Shephard Sr. A.M.E. Church of the Resurrection, Richmond, CA; the Rev. Janet Swift, Price Chapel A.M.E. Church, La Jolla, CA, the Rev. Edwin Donaldson, Jr., Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church, Wichita, KS and Craig Wilkerson, Olive Chapel A.M.E. Church, Kirkwood, MO, and the Rev. L. C. Drew received evangelism papers.
Due to the increase pastoral responsibility of the Rev. Noella Buchannan resigned as the Fifth Episcopal District Women In Ministry President. Her successor who was appointed by Bishop Bryant is Rev. Pamela Mason, pastor of Carter Memorial A.M.E. Church, Fresno, CA. Also, Bro Kenton Sanders was appointed the Director of Music for the Fifth Episcopal District. Bro. Sanders is responsible for providing and coordinator music for the Fifth District. He is a member of Wayman A.M.E. Church, St. Louis, Missouri; his pastor is Rev. Dr. Timothy E. Tyler. Bro. Sanders has the awesome task of organizing, planning, leading and directing the music team for the General Conference. It is estimated that over 600 members are scheduled to make-up the choir for General Conference.
Furthermore, the African Methodist Episcopal Church will be holding its General Conference in July 2008. The General Conference session will bring approximately 30,000 to 40,000 will be in attendance. The Fifth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church will host the General Conference. The General Conference is normally held for 10 days. At this conference, church laws are adopted, redefined and/or removed, elections of officers and Bishops are made. Also, Bishops are assigned to the various Episcopal districts.
4. RELIGIOUS LEADERS APPEAL TO CONGRESS- SEEKING JUSTICE IN OUR LAND:
October 24, 2006
Dear Members of Congress:
We write to you on the eve of the 2006 elections, as leaders of eleven faith communities who have come together in Churches Uniting in Christ and pledged to combat racism together in our churches and in our society as the hallmark of this new relationship. We represent over 25 million communicants nationwide.
We are grateful that the 109th Congress renewed expiring provisions of the Voting Rights Act, but we remain deeply concerned that Congress has failed to address the issue of the federal minimum wage. It is time to put this important matter of economic and racial justice in a prominent place in the national debate and to act upon it when Congress returns after the elections.
Through the millennia prophets have called for economic justice for all. The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., said, “There is nothing except shortsightedness to prevent us from guaranteeing an annual minimum – and livable – income for every American family.” Pope John Paul II stated, “In every case, a just wage is the concrete means of verifying the justice of the whole socioeconomic system.” Today we add our appeal to these voices.
There is a growing hidden underclass in the United States today. By keeping the minimum wage as a poverty wage, Congress compounds this reality that has major impact on all segments in our society. But poverty disproportionately affects people of color who, according to a report from the U.S. Census Bureau, experience a higher rate of poverty in this country. Indeed, African Americans and Hispanics are nearly three times as likely to live under the poverty line, and nearly two times as likely to live under twice the official poverty.
The real value of the minimum wage today is nearly $4.00 less than it was in 1968. Minimum wage workers today have less buying power than minimum wage workers did in 1950. At the same time, Congress clearly recognizes the results of inflation when it gives itself raise after raise, most recently this summer.
Signed by:
Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Sr
Senior Bishop
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop George W. Walker, Sr.
Senior Bishop
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Bishop William Graves, Sr,
Senior Bishop
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
The Reverend Dr. Sharon E. Watkins
General Minister and President
Christian Churches (Disciples of Christ)
The Rev. Mark Hanson
Presiding Bishop
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
The Most Rev. Frank T. Griswold
Presiding Bishop and Primate
Episcopal Church, USA
The Rev. Michael Livingston
President
International Community Churches
The Rev. David Wickmann
President, Provincial Elders
Moravian Church Northern Province
The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick
States Clerk of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (USA)
The Rev. John H. Thomas
General Minister and President
United Church of Christ
The Rev. Dr. Larry D. Pickens
General Secretary, Ecumenical Staff Officer
The United Methodist Church
5. A GIVE-AWAY OF WHICH READERS SHOULD ADVANTAGE:
In 2003 the “AME Biblically Based Study Course” along with the “Biblical Perspective about Debt” was printed for use by everyone in the church.
In March, 2006, the series was reviewed by Dr. Calvin Sydnor III, Editor of the Christian Recorder, (The Official Organ of the African Methodist Episcopal Church); and in the March 21 edition he wrote:
“I would recommend that every Pastor order this wonderful resource to keep as a resource for the members of their congregation.”
The contents of this comprehensive book and audio series are so important to the church that GKM Product Development, Inc. made a decision to give (Free) one Biblically Based series to every AME pastor. All the pastor has to do is pay for packing and mailing ($15.00) but the series ($70.00 current retail) is Free.
Last week over 100 series were mailed to AME pastors throughout the United States.
To receive your audio and two book AME Series send a request via email to: series@gkmpackagingdist.com .
Please include your full name, the name of your church, full address of your church and a telephone number. Once your information is received the series will be mailed the same day. A self addressed stamped envelop is included for you to send your check ($15.00) for shipping and handling. Only one series per pastor is will be mailed
6. “2,4,6,8, HAVE WE FORGOTTEN TO EDUCATE?”:
*By Tonya C. W. Ballard
In the month of February we will be honoring the accomplishments of those who contributed to our history but what about our present? By no means do I intend to deny the accolades worthily bestowed upon our ancestry but I firmly believe our church is lacking some of the ingenuity that once made it standout from among the other denominations as innovative. Of course this is a sweeping generalization. There are many individual churches that are making strides in embracing this new age of technology with its multitudinous resources. But, we are a connection, not an individual church. I believe as a connection it is our duty to once again set a precedent - specifically in the field of education.
As a teacher in an urban school district I can honestly say that public school education is failing our children. However, I do not totally place the blame on the schools. We, the church, must bear a large brunt of that burden. Teachers are afforded with the gift and responsibility to educate. It is very difficult for them to do that when bombarded with overcrowded classrooms, under privileged students, and a host of issues that plague the public school system. We need support. We need resources. In short, we need you.
Great pioneers of education in the past fought valiantly for the right to equal access in education but access untapped is access denied. But, that does not and must not ring true for our children. If we have truly adopted the proverbial adage “It takes an entire village to raise one child,” then we must adopt the attitude that when one child is lost it is because the villagers are lost. I don’t know about you but I’m not willing to look into the eyes of any child and concede to failure.
While it would be easy to sit idly by and claim that the responsibility to educate falls squarely on the shoulders of those whom are paid (inadequate salaries), I adamantly disagree and so should you. My first teachers were my family members and my church members, synonymously. There was no separation of the two. But today many children don’t have parents who tell them church participation is mandatory. Unfortunately, many of today’s children are given a choice as to whether or not they will attend church much like a choice to join some after school extracurricular activity. It is our job to seek the lost, care for the least, and guide the left behind. We must bring our young people into the church. But what happens after that?
We excel at drawing the youth in but fail to retain them. Why? I believe it is because children, just like adults, need to be fed. How can we expect them to participate in church when they have no clue as to what is going on. They aren’t well versed in the hymns, they don’t know the order of service, they can’t connect with the whooping preacher and like many adults they don‘t understand why we do the things we do in church.
The highlight of their church experience is often in Sunday School or in youth Bible Study so we must be more effective in the use of this time devoted to Christian education. Our Sunday school teachers must be trained in the latest trends and strategies in reference to education. They must be able to relate to the culture that today’s children are privy to. By no means do I feel we should be accepting of what the world is offering our youth, but we need to be aware of the different ploys attempting to seduce our children. Prayer is a great tool to fight ignorance but so is the ability to think critically about a situation and make wise decisions. After all, wisdom is a gift of God as well.
Teachers are obligated to take part in professional development opportunities designed to help them perfect their craft. We should hold those who teach our Sunday Schools to the same accountability. Not everyone who teaches the Sunday School is called to do so. The same argument may be made for those who teach by profession. It is sometimes challenging to find qualified teachers to teach but as a wise person once said, “God doesn’t call the qualified, he qualifies the called.” Teaching is a ministry and those who endeavor to do it should be equipped to do it effectively. Therefore, it is my belief that the church must become more progressive in how we train local Sunday School teachers and in teaching methods and practices.
We should develop standards for the Christian core curriculum that we provide that should include components of strategies and skills expected to be mastered in their respective schools. For instance, students in schools across New Jersey are expected to know how to respond to a picture, poem-linked, or persuasive prompt. They are also expected to formulate well thought-out responses to open-ended questions using textual support and activating schema. This may sound like jargon to anyone who is not a student or teacher in today’s schools but that should not be the case.
I learned public speaking at the church, I practiced reading at the church, and some of the best pieces I’ve ever written are in some way connected to the church. We must inspire the same drive in our youth today. Church should be the place where reading and writing come to life. Think about it. In days of yore the only book children had was the Bible. The Bible was the guiding light that gave children the power of education. If it is indeed our Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth then we must be the first, the willing, and the best instructors because God always does things perfectly.
Additionally, what good is it to have scholarship committees who raise money for students to go to college without having committees to ensure that those students are prepared succeed in college. Studies have shown that a disproportionate amount of African-American students have to take remedial courses upon entering college. They have not been prepared for the rigors of academia on a college level. We need to groom them to be able to think critically, speak profoundly, write effectively, read analytically, and listen attentively. This can be accomplished with the help of the church community.
You may think, “Easy for you to criticize, but what are the solutions?” We should begin to have meaningful dialogue, practical workshops, and Christian Educators’ Professional development. We may even be able to apply for Faith -Based or community funding as we partner with our local schools to achieve these goals. I don’t have all the answers but I do know this, if we don’t make some drastic changes in how we educate youth in our churches, an already dire situation will become even bleaker.
*Tonya Ballard is a seventh grade English Language Arts teacher in Plainfield, NJ and the wife of the Rev. Amir M. Ballard, pastor of Wells Chapel AME Church in the New Jersey Annual Conference.
7. AME-INDIA REPORT FOR OCTOBER:
We Praise the Lord, for God has been so good to us and the ministry of AMEC in India. God has touched many lives in different ways to prove to them, that God is alive, active, and almighty, that God loves them and cares for them. These brothers and sisters have come forward to share these divine experiences as personal testimonies for the edification of others. There were many such testimonies in this month, but we have selected a few to share with you. Let us rejoice along with the angels in heaven, for the salvation experience of these friends.
God Cares For a High Caste Hindu
Jeeva Laxmi was born and brought up in a staunch Hindu Saivite family. She happened to marry a Hindu convert who was a committed Christian, had the gift of tongues and exorcism. Each followed their own faith freely without any compulsions. Slowly the husband turned away from Christ, and his behaviour changed, he started drinking and beating his wife. He even attempted to kill her once. They have a six year old son. Recently Sarah counselled Jeeva Laxmi and shared the gospel with her, now she is reading the Bible and praying, she wants to revive the Christian faith in her husband. We request you to pray for Jeeva Laxmi to experience the touch of God and also for her husband’s faith to be revived.
God Brings Light through the Blind
We found Mr. & Mrs. Luke both of whom are blind. Both of them are born again committed Christians. We shared about the ministry of AME-India to them. God has touched them and called them to fulltime ministry. Now they have started a prayer fellowship for the blind at Maraimalainagar (between Chennai & Chengalpet). They minister to the blind in this vicinity that live by begging. They are eager to join with AMEC. They desperately need a place to conduct their prayer meetings and worship service. We are trying to help them out in this. Even though their world is filled with darkness, nevertheless the light of Jesus shines through them in the life of others. Please pray for their ministry, their safety and for God to provide them a place to worship.
God Heals Lung Cancer
Mr. Ravi was suffering and being treated for Lung cancer. His days were numbered, the hospital discharged him to go home and fulfill his last wishes before he could breathe his last breath. The whole family was filled with sorrow and depression. In this situation, Rebecca one of the cell group leaders led him to one of the cell meetings, here he committed his life to Jesus and believed in the healing power of Jesus when the people of God prayed for him. Later when he went back for a medical test, he was surprised and overjoyed to see that he was healed of cancer. There was no trace of it. Now he, his wife Geeta and daughter Pavithra all of them have put their trust in Christ and are attending the worship service at Bangalore. Please pray for them to become mature in their new found faith.
Jesus Is My Refuge
Mr. Kanikaraj, a Roman Catholic, against the wish of his family and church, married a girl whom he loved. As a result of this he was excommunicated from his family and the church. One of his friends, who is a member of the church at Bangalore, led him to the worship service, the love and the warm reception of the people of God led him and his wife to surrender their lives to Jesus. Mr. Kanikaraj has taken up a new name Allen, as a mark of his new identity. Both he and his wife want to be baptized. Please pray for them to grow in their relationship with Jesus. We also request prayers for Mrs. Kanikaraj, that God would touch and heal her from and heart problem that she is suffering from.
The Divine Touch Heals
The doctors had confirmed that Mrs. Israel had fibroid cancer and that she has to undergo operation. The dates were fixed for operation. The day before the operation Pastor Vijaymani and his associates visited Mrs. Israel in the hospital and prayed for her. On the day of operation, when the doctors tested her for the final time, she came out clean; she neither had fibroids nor cancer. God is indeed great. Please pray for Mrs. Israel and that God would use her testimony to touch many other lives.
Laxmi, a rich landlord, staunch Hindu, had been suffering from arthritis and had no peace of mind. She was led to one of the cell groups through which she was encouraged by Sarah. She wept and shared her burdens and sorrows with Sarah, she had been longing for peace in her life. This rendezvous led her to attend the worship service on Sundays. Now she witnesses that her arthritis has vanished. She now believes in Jesus and prays, but is yet to wholly commit her life to Jesus. Please pray for her salvation.
From Drug Peddler to Gospel Peddler
Mr. Ponraj comes from a Hindu family, whose family was involved in cultivating and selling harmful drugs. Due to this illegal business they had earned a lot of money and were well off. All this came to a halt when his father died and before his death he discouraged his children from continuing in the same business, since it was evil.
Sticking to the promise to his father, Ponraj decides to change his means of livelihood, so he learns to drive motor vehicles. He got married, after giving birth to two daughters his wife dies of Brain Tumour. He spent a lot of money to treat her ailment, but could not save her. The younger daughter was only nine months old when his wife passed away. His family members forced him to marry a second time and this time he married one of his close relatives who happened to be a born-again committed Christian. Through her he came to know the Lord and now he has committed himself to serve God, by preaching the gospel. Praise the Lord, for the Lord’s ways are marvelous. Please pray for this family to grow in the Lord and that God would use them as effective instruments of God’s mission.
From Hinduism to Christ
Esther Puttrose was born and brought up in a Hindu family. After her marriage she moved from the village to the city along with her husband and began to accommodate herself in a large joint family. Life was difficult for her in such a big family.
One day she came across a Gospel team who were selling gospel packets, out of her curiosity she wanted to buy a gospel packet, but she did not have the required money, but the evangelist was gracious enough to share about Jesus and present her with the Gospel of Mark in her own language. She read it repeatedly and finally she surrendered her life to Christ, within three months her husband also came to accept Jesus. When his family (who were staunch Hindus) came to know about it, they started torturing them. Fear led her husband to turn his back on Christ and hen started torturing Esther to give-up her new found faith.
In spite of this struggle, she continued to believe in Jesus and earnestly pray for her husband. After a long wait, recently he has recommitted his life to Christ, without the iota of fear which he had earlier. Now they live as a separate family, but they have Jesus with them and they have inner peace. Please pray for the safety and growth in Christian maturity.
We are pleased to inform you that Pastor Rajamanickam of Thimmarajanpettai has been able to rebuild their worship place which was almost in shambles. This was possible because of the gift given by Bishop John. Bishop John and his associates had visited this church, shared God’s word and fellowshipped with the people. The Pastor and the congregation express their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Bishop John and the AME Church.
We urgently and earnestly request you to pray for the State of Tamilnadu, and particularly Chennai and its surroundings. Many of the AME brothers and sisters have also been affected by the rains and floods; we request your prayers for them. Recently we had heavy rains due to which the city is inundated with water everywhere, due to this there is fear of epidemic. Many of the houses are still submerged in water, the roads are cut off, trees have fallen and phone lines are cut, some places do not have electricity. Unfortunately this city is never prepared for rains. Our internet connection is out of order over a week.
We will be grateful to you for your prayers for us. Abraham and Isaac (our son) have been down with fever, please pray for their healing. In the rains we had to face a difficult time travelling to different places visiting the churches, preaching and teaching them. By the grace of God we are safe back home.
We thank all of you for remembering us in your prayers. We also thank Bishop John and Rev. Cee for their constant encouragement and prayers. We are grateful to God as well as to Bishop John and Rev. Cee for giving us the opportunity to serve God through AME-India. The above testimonies are stark examples of God’s work through AME-India, and we rejoice in it. Praise the Lord.
Sarah & Abraham
AME-India
31st October 2006
8. CONGRATULATORY NOTIFICATIONS:
Congratulatory notifications are posted on Friday of each week that we might share the “Joyful” moments; the “GOOD” news of Clergy Family Graduations, Births, Weddings, and Wedding Anniversaries (25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 75th) and extend commendations, congratulations and well wishes to those clergy families who are praising God for the Joy of significant milestones reached in their lives.
9. EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Mrs. Eulalie Petersen Elcock, the aunt of former Episcopal Supervisor,
Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot.
Service of Celebration for Mrs. Eulalie Petersen Elcock:
Saturday, November 4, 2006
11:00 a.m.
St. Paul Lutheran Church
2569 Tilson Road
Decatur, Georgia
404-241-2524 Phone
Condolences may be sent to:
Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot
240 Ashington Court
Brentwood, TN 37027-4362
Email: Sisti684@aol.com
10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regretfully announce the passing of Rev. Albert Curry on October 29, 2006. Rev. Curry was a Retired Minister in the Alabama Conference.
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
Funeral Service:
Thursday, November 2, 2006
1:00 PM
Brown Chapel AME Church
410 Martin L. King Street
Selma, AL 36701
334-874-7897
Funeral Director:
Lewis Funeral Home
1140 Minter Avenue
Selma, AL 36701
334-875-7212 Phone
334-875-3806 Fax
Messages may be sent to:
Mrs. Odessa Curry & Family
626 Dallas Co. Road
Jones, AL 36749
11. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Lucille Coates, wife of Rev. E. E. Coates, (Retired Pastor) Texas Conference (Houston area) went home to be with the Lord, Friday, October 27, 2006.
Viewing Information:7 P.M. - 9 P.M. - Friday evening, November 3, 2006
Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church - Houston, Texas
Homegoing Service Information:11:00 A.M. - Saturday, November 4, 2006
Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church - Houston, Texas
The Rev. Dr. Leo Griffin, Pastor
2209 Dowling Street
Houston, Texas 77003
Ph: (713) 659-6682
Sister Lucille Coates' final earthly care has been entrusted to:
Johnson Funeral Home
5730 Calhoun Road
Houston, Texas 77021
Ph: (713) 747-9604
Fax: (713) 741-5849
Condolences may be sent to: Rev. E. E. Coates10730 Braes Forest DriveHouston, Texas 77071Ph: (713) 988-5314
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Rev. Elmo Quarles (Retired Pastor); Texas Conference (Houston area) went home to be with the Lord, Monday, October 30, 2006.
Viewing Information:
7 P.M. - 9 P.M. - Friday evening, November 3, 2006
McCoy & Harrison Mortuary-Houston, Texas
Homegoing Service Information:
1:30 P.M. - Saturday, November 4, 2006
Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church-Houston, Texas
Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church
The Rev. Dr. Leo Griffin, Pastor
2209 Dowling Street
Houston, Texas 77003
Ph: (713) 659-6682
Rev. Elmo Quarles' final earthly care has been entrusted to:
McCoy & Harrison Funeral Home Inc.
4918 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77021
Phone: (713) 659-7618
Fax: (713) 748-7122
Condolences may be sent to: Mrs. Irozolia Quarles 3117 Chimira LaneHouston, Texas 77051Ph: (713) 2413
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
14. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of the Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
10/28/2006
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (10/28/06)
Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. BREAKING NEWS: EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We announce the passing of the Rt. Reverend Henry Wendell Murph, the 86th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE MURPH FAMILY:
5940 South Holt Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90056
(310) 410-0266 Phone
SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS:
Funeral Service:
Friday, November 3, 2006
10:00 AM
Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church
10435 S. Central Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90002
The Rev. Leslie White, Pastor
Professional services entrusted to:
Inglewood Mortuary
3801 W. Manchester
Los Angeles, LA 90305
310-412-6811 Phone
310-672-3932 Fax
Please remember the Murph family in your prayers.
Submitted by Ora L. Easley, Administrator AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
Re: Editorial: Local churches and pastors need to quickly embrace technology and help to eradicate the digital divide
The Twelfth Episcopal District under the leadership of Bishop Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr., has in fact been working on closing the digital divide. For the last three years the forward thinking Bishop Chappelle thought it not robbery to have a course on Web Site Development provided during the last three Annual Christian Leadership Congresses.
The course utilized the “ForMinistry.com” site which is sponsored by The American Bible Society. The sites are free. You can provide a donation if you wish, however there is no cost to the churches. The course provided the churches with basic information not only on how to build a basic site but advice such as the following: Keeping your site interesting; Deciding before hand what your site function would be i.e. Informing or Evangelizing; Keeping your “Announcements Current” (talking about your Easter program in September is a little to late, or WAY too early); They are taught how to use color to promote uniformity and or mood on their sites; They are taught what information is essential to have on their sites etc.
The 12th main site www.geocities.com/amedist12/ provides vital information to the Episcopal District such at the dates and locations of the Annual conferences; photos of recent events; links to other AME departments/resources; and links to the churches on the district that have active Web Sites.
Many people monitor and or participate in their church based on the information provided on their web sites, whether the member is in town or serving overseas, they can touch the Church and the Church can reach out ant touch them.
Sincerely yours
The Rev. Charles B. Frost, Sr., B.S.E., M.Div.
Web servant 12 Episcopal District
- To the Editor:
Re: Editorial: Local churches and pastors need to quickly embrace technology and help to eradicate the digital divide
Thanks for a great article
Renaldo E. Pierce
Media Resource
Librarian
E. T. Wrenn Middle School
627 S. Acme Rd
San Antonio, TX 78237
210-444-8475 X 6213
- To the Editor:
Re: Editorial: We need the Decalogue today more than ever; preachers, don’t eliminate the Decalogue
I have just completed reading your editorial, “We need the Decalogue today more than ever; preachers, don’t eliminate the Decalogue. “ It brought out many relevant issues that I have been attempting to share with my congregation. Sadly, to many of them, the Ten Commandments are either irrelevant today or take too much time.
I would like to share this article with them in handout form. I have approximately 45 members. Can you email this article for reprinting or mail copies to share? I am more than wiling to pay for them.
My email address is theodorakmoss@earthlink.net.
Thanks again for the editorials. They are very relevant and I look forward to continuing to read them.
The Rev. Theodora K. Moss, Pastor
Pearson Chapel A.M.E. Church
Yanceyville, North Carolina
3. GENEALOGICAL SEARCH:
Editor’s note: The Website appended here is a great resource for those of you who are interested in doing a genealogical family background search. This is an excellent site. I found my grandparents and their parents within a minute. I am going back an am going to so some more research. My thanks to Chaplain (COL) USA-Retired Larry Barry for sharing this great Internet resource with me.
http://www.familysearch.org/
4. AS ELECTION DAY NEARS, CLERGY WARNED ON PARTISAN PREACHING:
As we close in on the elections, AME churches are reminded that all religious institutions face increased federal scrutiny of politics in the pulpit and pastors must be guard against overt partisan preaching.
AME Churches should not allow the distribution of campaign literature on church property, and pastors and local church leaders should not express support or opposition for political candidates.
5. AME ITINERANT ELDER, THE REVEREND DR. OBERY M. HENDRICKS, JR., BIBLICAL SCHOLAR AND AUTHOR, WILL DISCUSS HIS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NEW BOOK, “THE POLITICS OF JESUS” WITH ATLANTA RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND SCHOLARS:
Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr., New York Seminary professor and author, will be in Atlanta to discuss his controversial new book, “The Politics of Jesus: Rediscovering the True Revolutionary Nature of Jesus’ Teachings and How They Have Been Corrupted.” The book provides an historical analysis of how Jesus, a first century revolutionary, became a “meek and mild servant of the status quo” and offers a critical look at modern politicians “of faith.” Jon Meacham, author of “American Gospel: God, The Founding Fathers and the Making of a Nation,” declared The Politics of Jesus to be “essential reading for Americans…”
Hendricks, an ordained itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, will give a public talk and sign books on Monday, November 13, 2006 at 7 pm at Paschal’s Restaurant on 180 Northside Drive, NW Atlanta, GA 30313. Joining him in the discussion, “The Politics of Jesus: Prophecy or Prosperity?” are Bishop John Hurst Adams, retired prelate of the A.M.E. Church, Candler School of Theology professor, Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Jr., Dr. Rosetta E. Ross, chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Spelman College and the Reverend Raphael G. Warnock, Ph.D., pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.
For further information, about Dr. Obery Hendricks and “The Politics of Jesus,” please contact Rudy Faust at (212) 782-9798. For more information about this event, please contact Kathryn V. Stanley at (404) 226-7076.
6. A BRIGHT RURAL AND SMALL MEMBERSHIP FUTURE? …..NOT WITHOUT PLANNING!:
George R. La Sure, D.Min.
Given the reality that the average church in the body of the African Methodist Episcopal Church denomination represents rural and small membership churches with its membership ranging from 10 to 250 members, it is increasingly incumbent upon the denomination itself to initiate a growth strategy for their continued growth and empowerment. Weekly, there is an “army” of anointed ministers, at various levels of preparation, who show up at every rural and small membership church location to minister to the needs of God’s people. Some have higher levels of formalized theological training than others. Some have had the opportunity to attend theological seminaries. Others have not. But, they all show up!
We have reached the day when the A.M.E. Church, as a denomination, must consider investing a great deal of its combined resource to design and implement strategies to promote the continued growth and development of its rural and small membership churches. One writer has said that any church that is pastured by one ordained minister is a “small” church. That being the case, we must deduce that our denomination is one which is overwhelmingly rural and small membership in nature.
In the days that lie ahead, we must do more to equip pastors and laity in these rural and small membership settings to more effectively cope with the denominational realities that are set before them. Given the need to pay denominational budgetary assessments on an increasingly regular basis, there is a dire need for training to be made available to pastors and to laity as to how they might, more effectively, “step out of the box” and create and effect new and purposeful strategies for continually raising sufficient funds to enable them to comfortably meet their budgetary obligations without foregoing the need to effect needed repairs in the church, etc. We, as a denomination, if we are to gain the health and strength that we need to meet the challenges of this new millennium, must put forth every conceivable strategy and effort to “strive” as opposed to “survive”.
In order to be better than we are, we must stand before the mirror of our lives and consider what we are. The rural and small membership church has many identifiable hurdles that it must meet and surmount in order to become the viable entity that God wills it to be. One principle area that must be addressed is that of church planning. Each local congregation must sit, with its pastor and laity intricately involved, and seriously consider all that it has been, all that it is, and all that it envisions itself to be. Each church must examine its past performance, via all of the records and testimony that it can muster (which, often times, is sorely lacking) and, consider, based on the documentation of yesterday, compared and contrasted to the documentation of today, where it stands in the present scheme of things. The pastor and laity must increasingly become one as the church begins to envision those strategies that it must employ in order to become an increasingly viable church entity.
In light of this type of assessment activity, the church must also re-assess its position, geographically and socially, within the context of the community it serves. It just might be that the church building has been located in the woods and across the tracks for too long. It just may be that the church has not asserted itself to the point of becoming involved in the local social and political fabric. It just may be that the church has been atrophying for years because it has made no strategic effort to thrive and flourish. It just may be that the church has never taken the time and devoted the effort to seriously consider what it might be and represent in the future.
No matter the case, a brighter tomorrow doesn’t come without the application of sound and disciplined planning today. The only way that the rural and small membership church will thrive and flourish in the future is by making a very substantial investment in assessing where they are at present and, comprehensively planning where they need to be. It will take an awful lot of time and undying commitment on the part of the pastor and the laity to make it happen.
Church planning, as a discipline, cannot be ignored. Effective church planning cannot take place unless there is willing participation on the part of the trained pastor and laity. Church conflicts have to be squashed and kicked to the side in order for effective dialogue and the free exchange of useful viewpoints can take place. There will be many differences of opinion aired, but if it really doesn’t matter who gets the credit, the job can get done. Effective church planning empowered and emboldened by the Holy Spirit, is the only key to a brighter rural and small membership church future.
7. ADULT CHOIR OF GRANT A.M.E. CHURCH IN WATTS WON’T “TURN BACK;” PRESENTS ITS EIGHTH ANNUAL CONCERT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29 AT 4 P.M.:
LOS ANGELES — (October 20, 2006) — Riveting spirituals, soul-stirring anthems and awe-inspiring hymns will fill the sanctuary of Grant A.M.E. Church in Watts on Sunday, October 29 at 4 p.m.
That’s when the renowned Adult Choir, under the leadership of famed director Byron Smith, presents their Eighth Annual Choir Concert themed “I Will Never Turn Back No More.”
“Byron is both a musical genius and a taskmaster alike,” noted Ethel Williams who has sung with the choir for almost two decades.
“He encourages us to sing with expression, giving particular attention to intonation and diction,” added Williams, “but more importantly, because our music is a ministry, Byron encourages us to reflect on how good God has been to us and to sing like it!”
The Rev. Leslie R. White, pastor of Watts’ largest Church, agrees.
“The music ministry of Grant richly complements the worship service and reaches parishioners in unique ways,” White said. “We pray a powerful move of the Holy Spirit during the Adult Choir Concert, just as we feel during worship services on Sundays.”
The Adult Choir, one of five choirs at Grant, sings at the 8 a.m. worship services each first, second and third Sundays of the month. The breadth of their repertoire ranges from spirituals and anthems to hymns and traditional gospel compositions.
The choir has been rehearsing several hours a week for the past three months preparing for this special event, which is certain to appeal to a wide-range of Christian music lovers.
According to Smith, the theme song, written by Nathaniel Dett, is “an old Black Church anthem that has a powerful message.” The song was the favorite of Smith’s parents, the late-Owen and Geraldine Smith, for whom the concert is being dedicated.
The concert also features music from Gospel greats Donnie McClurkin, Dottie Peoples, Roland Carter and Chester D.T. Baldwin.
Grant A.M.E. Church is located at 10435 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90002, and is celebrating its 100th year of service to the Watts community. Worship services are heard on the radio each Sunday morning at 6 a.m. on KJLH 102.3 FM. Join us for worship on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Hour of Power begins at 11:30 a.m. and Thursday night Soul Food starts at 6 pm. All are welcome; admission is free.
For driving directions or for more information visit www.GrantAMEChurch.org or contact the Church office at 323-564-1151.
Submitted by the Rev. Kevin T. Taylor (323. 564-1151)
8. CLERGY OF THE WEEK, REV. ELLIS I. WASHINGTON, M. DIV:
*Reverend Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, staff writer
This week’s clergy of the week is the dynamic Reverend Ellis I. Washington, M. Div., senior pastor of Saint Matthews A.M.E. Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is married to the lovely Mrs. Nathine Washington, first lady of St. Matthews and local advisor of the Missionary Society. They are the proud parents of daughter Keturah.
A native of Detroit, Michigan Pastor Washington, journey in ministry began at an early age. He accepted his called into the Christian Ministry during his sophomore year in high school. He was ordained as a Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church at age seventeen. Later, ordained an Itinerant Elder in the Michigan Conference in the Fourth Episcopal District at age nineteen.
He is known as an effective communicator for the Lord. An experienced, spiritual and trained Pastor, motivational speaker, seminar and workshop facilitator, his skills and abilities are outstanding from the pulpit as well as in the community. The youth of Saint Matthews and in the community enjoys most about this pastor, is his genuine personality and how he relates, as a friend and as a pastor.
His wisdom and knowledge in communicating with the parishioners and youth is exceptional. One of the most rewarding experiences Pastor Washington shared about his ministry was that; “Having the opportunity to be involved in youth and pastoral ministry, through teaching and pastoring it has, allowed teens to get turned on during the worship and praise services, in experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit. Also, working with unchurched youth and adults in teaching them about salvation it is a joy when one accepts Christ as their Savior.” When asked, Pastor Washington as to what is his view about Holistic Ministry? He stated that; “Holistic Ministry involves the mission statement of the A.M.E. Church in providing the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional and environmental needs by spreading the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Word and Deed. St. Matthews has an active and excellent health ministry and a congregational registered nurse that serves on staff. The ministry is involved in health screenings for diabetes, hypertension, and mental health; and serves the senior population in the church and the community.” The church is in the planning stages of developing a recent project of a Community Development Corporation and a planned partnered spectrum health commission in discussing issues of a joint development.
Pastor Washington’s communication gift as an orator and radio personality can be heard every Sunday morning aired lived in Philadelphia, PA. With an extensive background in Mass Communications, he believes that the media is important; “It is an educational tool for saving souls and bringing the unchurched to Christ. The media has an impact on today’s youth rather it is negative or positive and I promote the positive issues that are affecting the lives of the youth and adults, today.
His involvement in the community is extensive where he serves on numerous boards and organizations. Presently, one of his major focuses is his involvement as Vice President of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity and will become President this upcoming term in further interfacing with governmental leaders, in solving community issues. He also serves as a Chaplain for the police department.
He attended Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia and majored in Broadcast Communications. He was honored to have completed an internship with Radio Station WCLK at Clark University, Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Columbus State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
These experiences opened doors for him as a noteworthy personality and a former radio personality for The Voice, Gospel host announcer and the number #1 noted the “Quiet Storm” V-103 in Atlanta, Georgia and numerous other radio broadcasting stations across the United States.
Pastor Washington matriculated at Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and plans to do further study in the near future. His vision for ministry in the near future is to continue to work in kingdom building and having a vibrant and dynamic ministry is serving the People of God and the community.
Congratulations, Pastor Ellis I. Washington and thanks for being a credit to African Methodism and the community of Faith Believers.
*If you are interested in honoring your pastor as Clergy of the Week or a Clergy staff person, please send your email and tell us why your pastor should be honored as Clergy of the Week to; ebrown49@hotmail.com
9. THE TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (TTS) INTERNSHIP PROGRAM:
(A Ministry Sponsored by the Alumni Association of Turner Theological Seminary)
Goal
To offer matriculating students of the TTS, an opportunity to work in Ministry where by they may better discern their Call; develop their gifts, skills, and talents; and experience ministry in geographical locations other than that of their birth faith home.
Objective
To identify and match students with pastors and parishes throughout the connectional African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Overview
The changing world of ministry does suggest that we begin to offer opportunities for our students who see their Calling and Vocation moving toward the Pastoral and Non-Pastoral Ministries. The Internship Program provides an opportunity to work under the supervision of some of the finest servants of God, and among the richest variety of congregations and organizations. The internship may best work during the summer months of May - August {14 - 16 weeks.} The Alumni would be our first line of possible pastors and parishes in which this program will be implemented. There is, however, no restriction on any organization, pastor or parish in African Methodism; in fact, all welcome. The shared responsibilities are as follows:
Church and/or Organization:
i. Travel to and from city of internship; Plane, Train, Bus, Car. Compensation will be decided by the Churches or the Organizations ability to pay, and commensurate with local communities cost of living.
ii. Set up weekly teaching, organizing and planning programs, preaching opportunities at the local church and/or within the local community, where in the student may practice valuable experience.
iii. Provide furnished housing, in a safe and secure environment.
iv. If a collaborative of churches or organizations decides to invite an intern, this is not prohibited, and is encouraged.
v. More than one intern per church or organization is acceptable.
vi. Church and/or an organization should have an Internship Committee that meets bi-weekly to give Lay feedback to the candidate, to be a resource so that the internship is as enriching for all as possible.
vii. Accepting church and/or organization, along with the Seminary, to set the structure of the day to day internship. An Internship Manual and Guide shall be developed.
Turner Theological Seminary:
i. Risk Management Training of all candidates.
ii. Background check performed on all candidates.
iii. President’s signature of approval on all candidates and churches/organizations that participate.
iv. An Internship Manual and Guide shall be developed.
Candidate-Student
i. To be open to learn and take serious the internship as a sacred trust.
ii. To be of the best moral character.
iii. Complete application.
iv. Submit feedback on internship
Alumni Association
i. Review all applications.
ii. Assign intern to a Host Church or Organization.
The Internship Program is a ministry sponsored by the Alumni Association of Turner Theological Seminary
Application Deadline is April 15, 2007
The Internship Program welcomes applications from current students and who are classified as middlers, seniors or recent graduates. To be considered for this selective and competitive program, applicants must carry a grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale. As internships are established across the connectional church, they are very competitive; all applicants are urged to submit their complete application prior to the deadline noted. Although early application greatly increases your chances of acquiring the internship you want, there is no guarantee that a particular site will be available. For more information or if you have any questions concerning this application form, please us at turneralumni@aol.com. Application can be downloaded from www.turnerseminary.com.
10. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Bishop Samuel L. and Supervisor Ava S. B. Green are proud to announce that their son, Samuel L. Green, Jr. was elected the Senate President pro tem of the University of Florida. He is the fifth African American and third African American male to be elected as Senate President pro tem in the history of the university.
Congratulatory messages may be emailed to: SLGreenSr@aol.com.
Congratulations Samuel L. Green, Jr.
11. CONGRATULATORY NOTIFICATIONS:
Congratulatory notifications are posted on Friday of each week that we might share the “Joyful” moments; the “GOOD” news of Clergy Family Graduations, Births, Weddings, and Wedding Anniversaries (25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 75th) and extend commendations, congratulations and well wishes to those clergy families who are praising God for the Joy of significant milestones reached in their lives.
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Dr. Yvonne Walker Taylor died on the afternoon of October 20, 2006. Dr. Yvonne Walker Taylor was professor of English and later became the first female President of Wilberforce University. She was the first female African American college president in the United States. Her father, the Right Reverend Dougal Ormonde Beaconfield Walker, the 66th elected and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal church also served as President of Wilberforce University and thus they were the first father/daughter president of an American academic institution of higher education. Dr. Yvonne Walker Taylor will be missed.
Service arrangements:
Memorial Service
Thursday, November 2, 2006
1:00 PM
Holy Trinity A.M.E. Church
1230 Wilberforce Clifton Road
P. O. Box 97
Wilberforce, OH 45384
(Phone) 937-372-7737
(Fax) 937-879-2733
Rev. Betty W. Holley, Ph.D., Pastor
Professional Services entrusted to:
McColaugh Funeral Home
826 N Detroit Street
Xenia, OH 45385
(Phone) 937-372-1102
(Fax) 937-372-6536
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Women for Women and Wilberforce Endowed Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 336, Wilberforce, OH 45384.
Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Holy Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church. (See address above).
Submitted by the Rev. Betty W. Holley, Ph.D., Pastor
BHolley@payne.edu
Holy Trinity A.M.E. Church
Wilberforce, OH
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we share news of the passing of Mr. Temothy Nelson (of Hooks, Texas) on Monday, October 23, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Nelson is the brother of Mrs. Sherrell N. Giles, the 12th Episcopal District YPD Director, and the brother - in-law of Rev. James Giles, pastor of Saint Paul A.M.E. Church, Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
The arrangements are through the Williams Funeral Home, 1517 Caddo Street, Arkadelphia, AR, and at present are incomplete.
Condolences may be sent to the family:
The Rev. and Mrs. James Giles and family
#7 Westmont Circle
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
(870) 246-3261
Thank you for remembering the family in your prayers.
Sisterly,
Anita Brannon
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This is a notice of the funeral services for Mrs. Rose Mae Jackson the mother of Rev. Barbara Dunbar, pastor of Clayborn Temple AME Church, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Services arrangements:
Saturday, October 28, 2006
10:00 a.m.
St. John Missionary Baptist Church
Miami FL
Professional services entrusted to:
Range Funeral Home
5727 NW 17th Avenue
Miami, FL 33141
Phone (305) 691-4343
Fax (305) 691-6805
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Barbara Dunbar
2128 Linden Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917
865-524-4345
Email: annointed4u@aol.com
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: macamusa@ecoweb.co.zw
20th Episcopal District
The Rt. Rev. Wilfred J. Messiah
Supervisor Carol I. Messiah
The Reverend Phillip Lubimbi, Presiding Elder of the Bubi/Nkayi District, South-West Zimbabwe Annual Conference, 20th Episcopal District was called to glory on 18th October 2006. The Reverend Phillip Lubimbi served for a long time in the 17th District and recently in the 20th District.
Funeral arrangements:
Saturday 21st October 2006
8:00 am
Service
Balls Tabernacle
Nkete Drive Mpopoma
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Followed by interment at Luveve number 3 Cemetery, Bulawayo.
Condolences may be emailed to his wife, Mrs. Violet Lubimbi, a dedicated spouse and Conference WMS Area Chairperson.
Send email messages: c/o macamusa@ecoweb.co.zw
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Mr. Temothy Nelson, brother of Mrs. Sherrell Giles, 12th District YPD Director and brother-in-law of Rev. James Giles, pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Arkadelphia, AR.
Funeral Services:
Saturday, October 28, 2006
3:30 p.m.
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
1501 Caddo Street
Arkadelphia, AR
Phone (870) 246-2820
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Rev. and Mrs. James Giles
#7 Westmont Circle
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone (870) 246-3261
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This communication comes to inform you that Mrs. Lenora Martin, the niece of Mrs. Piccola Washington, died Saturday, October 21, 2006.
Funeral Services:
Saturday, October 28, 2006
12:00 Noon
Beebe Chapel C.M.E. Church
6109 Hwy 365
Little Rock, AR
Professional Services entrusted to:
Superior Funeral Service
5017 E. Broadway Street
North Little Rock, AR 72117-4027
Phone (501) 945-9922
Email condolences may be sent to: washington@sbcglobal.net
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
19. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of the Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor
1. BREAKING NEWS: EPISCOPAL FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We announce the passing of the Rt. Reverend Henry Wendell Murph, the 86th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE MURPH FAMILY:
5940 South Holt Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90056
(310) 410-0266 Phone
SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS:
Funeral Service:
Friday, November 3, 2006
10:00 AM
Grant African Methodist Episcopal Church
10435 S. Central Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90002
The Rev. Leslie White, Pastor
Professional services entrusted to:
Inglewood Mortuary
3801 W. Manchester
Los Angeles, LA 90305
310-412-6811 Phone
310-672-3932 Fax
Please remember the Murph family in your prayers.
Submitted by Ora L. Easley, Administrator AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor:
Re: Editorial: Local churches and pastors need to quickly embrace technology and help to eradicate the digital divide
The Twelfth Episcopal District under the leadership of Bishop Richard Allen Chappelle, Sr., has in fact been working on closing the digital divide. For the last three years the forward thinking Bishop Chappelle thought it not robbery to have a course on Web Site Development provided during the last three Annual Christian Leadership Congresses.
The course utilized the “ForMinistry.com” site which is sponsored by The American Bible Society. The sites are free. You can provide a donation if you wish, however there is no cost to the churches. The course provided the churches with basic information not only on how to build a basic site but advice such as the following: Keeping your site interesting; Deciding before hand what your site function would be i.e. Informing or Evangelizing; Keeping your “Announcements Current” (talking about your Easter program in September is a little to late, or WAY too early); They are taught how to use color to promote uniformity and or mood on their sites; They are taught what information is essential to have on their sites etc.
The 12th main site www.geocities.com/amedist12/ provides vital information to the Episcopal District such at the dates and locations of the Annual conferences; photos of recent events; links to other AME departments/resources; and links to the churches on the district that have active Web Sites.
Many people monitor and or participate in their church based on the information provided on their web sites, whether the member is in town or serving overseas, they can touch the Church and the Church can reach out ant touch them.
Sincerely yours
The Rev. Charles B. Frost, Sr., B.S.E., M.Div.
Web servant 12 Episcopal District
- To the Editor:
Re: Editorial: Local churches and pastors need to quickly embrace technology and help to eradicate the digital divide
Thanks for a great article
Renaldo E. Pierce
Media Resource
Librarian
E. T. Wrenn Middle School
627 S. Acme Rd
San Antonio, TX 78237
210-444-8475 X 6213
- To the Editor:
Re: Editorial: We need the Decalogue today more than ever; preachers, don’t eliminate the Decalogue
I have just completed reading your editorial, “We need the Decalogue today more than ever; preachers, don’t eliminate the Decalogue. “ It brought out many relevant issues that I have been attempting to share with my congregation. Sadly, to many of them, the Ten Commandments are either irrelevant today or take too much time.
I would like to share this article with them in handout form. I have approximately 45 members. Can you email this article for reprinting or mail copies to share? I am more than wiling to pay for them.
My email address is theodorakmoss@earthlink.net.
Thanks again for the editorials. They are very relevant and I look forward to continuing to read them.
The Rev. Theodora K. Moss, Pastor
Pearson Chapel A.M.E. Church
Yanceyville, North Carolina
3. GENEALOGICAL SEARCH:
Editor’s note: The Website appended here is a great resource for those of you who are interested in doing a genealogical family background search. This is an excellent site. I found my grandparents and their parents within a minute. I am going back an am going to so some more research. My thanks to Chaplain (COL) USA-Retired Larry Barry for sharing this great Internet resource with me.
http://www.familysearch.org/
4. AS ELECTION DAY NEARS, CLERGY WARNED ON PARTISAN PREACHING:
As we close in on the elections, AME churches are reminded that all religious institutions face increased federal scrutiny of politics in the pulpit and pastors must be guard against overt partisan preaching.
AME Churches should not allow the distribution of campaign literature on church property, and pastors and local church leaders should not express support or opposition for political candidates.
5. AME ITINERANT ELDER, THE REVEREND DR. OBERY M. HENDRICKS, JR., BIBLICAL SCHOLAR AND AUTHOR, WILL DISCUSS HIS CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED NEW BOOK, “THE POLITICS OF JESUS” WITH ATLANTA RELIGIOUS LEADERS AND SCHOLARS:
Dr. Obery M. Hendricks, Jr., New York Seminary professor and author, will be in Atlanta to discuss his controversial new book, “The Politics of Jesus: Rediscovering the True Revolutionary Nature of Jesus’ Teachings and How They Have Been Corrupted.” The book provides an historical analysis of how Jesus, a first century revolutionary, became a “meek and mild servant of the status quo” and offers a critical look at modern politicians “of faith.” Jon Meacham, author of “American Gospel: God, The Founding Fathers and the Making of a Nation,” declared The Politics of Jesus to be “essential reading for Americans…”
Hendricks, an ordained itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, will give a public talk and sign books on Monday, November 13, 2006 at 7 pm at Paschal’s Restaurant on 180 Northside Drive, NW Atlanta, GA 30313. Joining him in the discussion, “The Politics of Jesus: Prophecy or Prosperity?” are Bishop John Hurst Adams, retired prelate of the A.M.E. Church, Candler School of Theology professor, Dr. Robert M. Franklin, Jr., Dr. Rosetta E. Ross, chair of the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Spelman College and the Reverend Raphael G. Warnock, Ph.D., pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church.
For further information, about Dr. Obery Hendricks and “The Politics of Jesus,” please contact Rudy Faust at (212) 782-9798. For more information about this event, please contact Kathryn V. Stanley at (404) 226-7076.
6. A BRIGHT RURAL AND SMALL MEMBERSHIP FUTURE? …..NOT WITHOUT PLANNING!:
George R. La Sure, D.Min.
Given the reality that the average church in the body of the African Methodist Episcopal Church denomination represents rural and small membership churches with its membership ranging from 10 to 250 members, it is increasingly incumbent upon the denomination itself to initiate a growth strategy for their continued growth and empowerment. Weekly, there is an “army” of anointed ministers, at various levels of preparation, who show up at every rural and small membership church location to minister to the needs of God’s people. Some have higher levels of formalized theological training than others. Some have had the opportunity to attend theological seminaries. Others have not. But, they all show up!
We have reached the day when the A.M.E. Church, as a denomination, must consider investing a great deal of its combined resource to design and implement strategies to promote the continued growth and development of its rural and small membership churches. One writer has said that any church that is pastured by one ordained minister is a “small” church. That being the case, we must deduce that our denomination is one which is overwhelmingly rural and small membership in nature.
In the days that lie ahead, we must do more to equip pastors and laity in these rural and small membership settings to more effectively cope with the denominational realities that are set before them. Given the need to pay denominational budgetary assessments on an increasingly regular basis, there is a dire need for training to be made available to pastors and to laity as to how they might, more effectively, “step out of the box” and create and effect new and purposeful strategies for continually raising sufficient funds to enable them to comfortably meet their budgetary obligations without foregoing the need to effect needed repairs in the church, etc. We, as a denomination, if we are to gain the health and strength that we need to meet the challenges of this new millennium, must put forth every conceivable strategy and effort to “strive” as opposed to “survive”.
In order to be better than we are, we must stand before the mirror of our lives and consider what we are. The rural and small membership church has many identifiable hurdles that it must meet and surmount in order to become the viable entity that God wills it to be. One principle area that must be addressed is that of church planning. Each local congregation must sit, with its pastor and laity intricately involved, and seriously consider all that it has been, all that it is, and all that it envisions itself to be. Each church must examine its past performance, via all of the records and testimony that it can muster (which, often times, is sorely lacking) and, consider, based on the documentation of yesterday, compared and contrasted to the documentation of today, where it stands in the present scheme of things. The pastor and laity must increasingly become one as the church begins to envision those strategies that it must employ in order to become an increasingly viable church entity.
In light of this type of assessment activity, the church must also re-assess its position, geographically and socially, within the context of the community it serves. It just might be that the church building has been located in the woods and across the tracks for too long. It just may be that the church has not asserted itself to the point of becoming involved in the local social and political fabric. It just may be that the church has been atrophying for years because it has made no strategic effort to thrive and flourish. It just may be that the church has never taken the time and devoted the effort to seriously consider what it might be and represent in the future.
No matter the case, a brighter tomorrow doesn’t come without the application of sound and disciplined planning today. The only way that the rural and small membership church will thrive and flourish in the future is by making a very substantial investment in assessing where they are at present and, comprehensively planning where they need to be. It will take an awful lot of time and undying commitment on the part of the pastor and the laity to make it happen.
Church planning, as a discipline, cannot be ignored. Effective church planning cannot take place unless there is willing participation on the part of the trained pastor and laity. Church conflicts have to be squashed and kicked to the side in order for effective dialogue and the free exchange of useful viewpoints can take place. There will be many differences of opinion aired, but if it really doesn’t matter who gets the credit, the job can get done. Effective church planning empowered and emboldened by the Holy Spirit, is the only key to a brighter rural and small membership church future.
7. ADULT CHOIR OF GRANT A.M.E. CHURCH IN WATTS WON’T “TURN BACK;” PRESENTS ITS EIGHTH ANNUAL CONCERT SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29 AT 4 P.M.:
LOS ANGELES — (October 20, 2006) — Riveting spirituals, soul-stirring anthems and awe-inspiring hymns will fill the sanctuary of Grant A.M.E. Church in Watts on Sunday, October 29 at 4 p.m.
That’s when the renowned Adult Choir, under the leadership of famed director Byron Smith, presents their Eighth Annual Choir Concert themed “I Will Never Turn Back No More.”
“Byron is both a musical genius and a taskmaster alike,” noted Ethel Williams who has sung with the choir for almost two decades.
“He encourages us to sing with expression, giving particular attention to intonation and diction,” added Williams, “but more importantly, because our music is a ministry, Byron encourages us to reflect on how good God has been to us and to sing like it!”
The Rev. Leslie R. White, pastor of Watts’ largest Church, agrees.
“The music ministry of Grant richly complements the worship service and reaches parishioners in unique ways,” White said. “We pray a powerful move of the Holy Spirit during the Adult Choir Concert, just as we feel during worship services on Sundays.”
The Adult Choir, one of five choirs at Grant, sings at the 8 a.m. worship services each first, second and third Sundays of the month. The breadth of their repertoire ranges from spirituals and anthems to hymns and traditional gospel compositions.
The choir has been rehearsing several hours a week for the past three months preparing for this special event, which is certain to appeal to a wide-range of Christian music lovers.
According to Smith, the theme song, written by Nathaniel Dett, is “an old Black Church anthem that has a powerful message.” The song was the favorite of Smith’s parents, the late-Owen and Geraldine Smith, for whom the concert is being dedicated.
The concert also features music from Gospel greats Donnie McClurkin, Dottie Peoples, Roland Carter and Chester D.T. Baldwin.
Grant A.M.E. Church is located at 10435 South Central Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90002, and is celebrating its 100th year of service to the Watts community. Worship services are heard on the radio each Sunday morning at 6 a.m. on KJLH 102.3 FM. Join us for worship on Sundays at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. and for Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday Hour of Power begins at 11:30 a.m. and Thursday night Soul Food starts at 6 pm. All are welcome; admission is free.
For driving directions or for more information visit www.GrantAMEChurch.org or contact the Church office at 323-564-1151.
Submitted by the Rev. Kevin T. Taylor (323. 564-1151)
8. CLERGY OF THE WEEK, REV. ELLIS I. WASHINGTON, M. DIV:
*Reverend Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, staff writer
This week’s clergy of the week is the dynamic Reverend Ellis I. Washington, M. Div., senior pastor of Saint Matthews A.M.E. Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is married to the lovely Mrs. Nathine Washington, first lady of St. Matthews and local advisor of the Missionary Society. They are the proud parents of daughter Keturah.
A native of Detroit, Michigan Pastor Washington, journey in ministry began at an early age. He accepted his called into the Christian Ministry during his sophomore year in high school. He was ordained as a Deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Church at age seventeen. Later, ordained an Itinerant Elder in the Michigan Conference in the Fourth Episcopal District at age nineteen.
He is known as an effective communicator for the Lord. An experienced, spiritual and trained Pastor, motivational speaker, seminar and workshop facilitator, his skills and abilities are outstanding from the pulpit as well as in the community. The youth of Saint Matthews and in the community enjoys most about this pastor, is his genuine personality and how he relates, as a friend and as a pastor.
His wisdom and knowledge in communicating with the parishioners and youth is exceptional. One of the most rewarding experiences Pastor Washington shared about his ministry was that; “Having the opportunity to be involved in youth and pastoral ministry, through teaching and pastoring it has, allowed teens to get turned on during the worship and praise services, in experiencing the presence of the Holy Spirit. Also, working with unchurched youth and adults in teaching them about salvation it is a joy when one accepts Christ as their Savior.” When asked, Pastor Washington as to what is his view about Holistic Ministry? He stated that; “Holistic Ministry involves the mission statement of the A.M.E. Church in providing the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional and environmental needs by spreading the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Word and Deed. St. Matthews has an active and excellent health ministry and a congregational registered nurse that serves on staff. The ministry is involved in health screenings for diabetes, hypertension, and mental health; and serves the senior population in the church and the community.” The church is in the planning stages of developing a recent project of a Community Development Corporation and a planned partnered spectrum health commission in discussing issues of a joint development.
Pastor Washington’s communication gift as an orator and radio personality can be heard every Sunday morning aired lived in Philadelphia, PA. With an extensive background in Mass Communications, he believes that the media is important; “It is an educational tool for saving souls and bringing the unchurched to Christ. The media has an impact on today’s youth rather it is negative or positive and I promote the positive issues that are affecting the lives of the youth and adults, today.
His involvement in the community is extensive where he serves on numerous boards and organizations. Presently, one of his major focuses is his involvement as Vice President of the Black Clergy of Philadelphia and Vicinity and will become President this upcoming term in further interfacing with governmental leaders, in solving community issues. He also serves as a Chaplain for the police department.
He attended Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia and majored in Broadcast Communications. He was honored to have completed an internship with Radio Station WCLK at Clark University, Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from Columbus State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice.
These experiences opened doors for him as a noteworthy personality and a former radio personality for The Voice, Gospel host announcer and the number #1 noted the “Quiet Storm” V-103 in Atlanta, Georgia and numerous other radio broadcasting stations across the United States.
Pastor Washington matriculated at Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and plans to do further study in the near future. His vision for ministry in the near future is to continue to work in kingdom building and having a vibrant and dynamic ministry is serving the People of God and the community.
Congratulations, Pastor Ellis I. Washington and thanks for being a credit to African Methodism and the community of Faith Believers.
*If you are interested in honoring your pastor as Clergy of the Week or a Clergy staff person, please send your email and tell us why your pastor should be honored as Clergy of the Week to; ebrown49@hotmail.com
9. THE TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY (TTS) INTERNSHIP PROGRAM:
(A Ministry Sponsored by the Alumni Association of Turner Theological Seminary)
Goal
To offer matriculating students of the TTS, an opportunity to work in Ministry where by they may better discern their Call; develop their gifts, skills, and talents; and experience ministry in geographical locations other than that of their birth faith home.
Objective
To identify and match students with pastors and parishes throughout the connectional African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Overview
The changing world of ministry does suggest that we begin to offer opportunities for our students who see their Calling and Vocation moving toward the Pastoral and Non-Pastoral Ministries. The Internship Program provides an opportunity to work under the supervision of some of the finest servants of God, and among the richest variety of congregations and organizations. The internship may best work during the summer months of May - August {14 - 16 weeks.} The Alumni would be our first line of possible pastors and parishes in which this program will be implemented. There is, however, no restriction on any organization, pastor or parish in African Methodism; in fact, all welcome. The shared responsibilities are as follows:
Church and/or Organization:
i. Travel to and from city of internship; Plane, Train, Bus, Car. Compensation will be decided by the Churches or the Organizations ability to pay, and commensurate with local communities cost of living.
ii. Set up weekly teaching, organizing and planning programs, preaching opportunities at the local church and/or within the local community, where in the student may practice valuable experience.
iii. Provide furnished housing, in a safe and secure environment.
iv. If a collaborative of churches or organizations decides to invite an intern, this is not prohibited, and is encouraged.
v. More than one intern per church or organization is acceptable.
vi. Church and/or an organization should have an Internship Committee that meets bi-weekly to give Lay feedback to the candidate, to be a resource so that the internship is as enriching for all as possible.
vii. Accepting church and/or organization, along with the Seminary, to set the structure of the day to day internship. An Internship Manual and Guide shall be developed.
Turner Theological Seminary:
i. Risk Management Training of all candidates.
ii. Background check performed on all candidates.
iii. President’s signature of approval on all candidates and churches/organizations that participate.
iv. An Internship Manual and Guide shall be developed.
Candidate-Student
i. To be open to learn and take serious the internship as a sacred trust.
ii. To be of the best moral character.
iii. Complete application.
iv. Submit feedback on internship
Alumni Association
i. Review all applications.
ii. Assign intern to a Host Church or Organization.
The Internship Program is a ministry sponsored by the Alumni Association of Turner Theological Seminary
Application Deadline is April 15, 2007
The Internship Program welcomes applications from current students and who are classified as middlers, seniors or recent graduates. To be considered for this selective and competitive program, applicants must carry a grade point average of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale. As internships are established across the connectional church, they are very competitive; all applicants are urged to submit their complete application prior to the deadline noted. Although early application greatly increases your chances of acquiring the internship you want, there is no guarantee that a particular site will be available. For more information or if you have any questions concerning this application form, please us at turneralumni@aol.com. Application can be downloaded from www.turnerseminary.com.
10. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY NOTICE:
Bishop Samuel L. and Supervisor Ava S. B. Green are proud to announce that their son, Samuel L. Green, Jr. was elected the Senate President pro tem of the University of Florida. He is the fifth African American and third African American male to be elected as Senate President pro tem in the history of the university.
Congratulatory messages may be emailed to: SLGreenSr@aol.com.
Congratulations Samuel L. Green, Jr.
11. CONGRATULATORY NOTIFICATIONS:
Congratulatory notifications are posted on Friday of each week that we might share the “Joyful” moments; the “GOOD” news of Clergy Family Graduations, Births, Weddings, and Wedding Anniversaries (25th, 30th, 40th, 50th, 75th) and extend commendations, congratulations and well wishes to those clergy families who are praising God for the Joy of significant milestones reached in their lives.
12. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Dr. Yvonne Walker Taylor died on the afternoon of October 20, 2006. Dr. Yvonne Walker Taylor was professor of English and later became the first female President of Wilberforce University. She was the first female African American college president in the United States. Her father, the Right Reverend Dougal Ormonde Beaconfield Walker, the 66th elected and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal church also served as President of Wilberforce University and thus they were the first father/daughter president of an American academic institution of higher education. Dr. Yvonne Walker Taylor will be missed.
Service arrangements:
Memorial Service
Thursday, November 2, 2006
1:00 PM
Holy Trinity A.M.E. Church
1230 Wilberforce Clifton Road
P. O. Box 97
Wilberforce, OH 45384
(Phone) 937-372-7737
(Fax) 937-879-2733
Rev. Betty W. Holley, Ph.D., Pastor
Professional Services entrusted to:
McColaugh Funeral Home
826 N Detroit Street
Xenia, OH 45385
(Phone) 937-372-1102
(Fax) 937-372-6536
In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Women for Women and Wilberforce Endowed Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 336, Wilberforce, OH 45384.
Expressions of sympathy can be sent to Holy Trinity African Methodist Episcopal Church. (See address above).
Submitted by the Rev. Betty W. Holley, Ph.D., Pastor
BHolley@payne.edu
Holy Trinity A.M.E. Church
Wilberforce, OH
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we share news of the passing of Mr. Temothy Nelson (of Hooks, Texas) on Monday, October 23, 2006 in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Nelson is the brother of Mrs. Sherrell N. Giles, the 12th Episcopal District YPD Director, and the brother - in-law of Rev. James Giles, pastor of Saint Paul A.M.E. Church, Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
The arrangements are through the Williams Funeral Home, 1517 Caddo Street, Arkadelphia, AR, and at present are incomplete.
Condolences may be sent to the family:
The Rev. and Mrs. James Giles and family
#7 Westmont Circle
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
(870) 246-3261
Thank you for remembering the family in your prayers.
Sisterly,
Anita Brannon
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This is a notice of the funeral services for Mrs. Rose Mae Jackson the mother of Rev. Barbara Dunbar, pastor of Clayborn Temple AME Church, Knoxville, Tennessee.
Services arrangements:
Saturday, October 28, 2006
10:00 a.m.
St. John Missionary Baptist Church
Miami FL
Professional services entrusted to:
Range Funeral Home
5727 NW 17th Avenue
Miami, FL 33141
Phone (305) 691-4343
Fax (305) 691-6805
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Barbara Dunbar
2128 Linden Avenue
Knoxville, TN 37917
865-524-4345
Email: annointed4u@aol.com
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
From: macamusa@ecoweb.co.zw
20th Episcopal District
The Rt. Rev. Wilfred J. Messiah
Supervisor Carol I. Messiah
The Reverend Phillip Lubimbi, Presiding Elder of the Bubi/Nkayi District, South-West Zimbabwe Annual Conference, 20th Episcopal District was called to glory on 18th October 2006. The Reverend Phillip Lubimbi served for a long time in the 17th District and recently in the 20th District.
Funeral arrangements:
Saturday 21st October 2006
8:00 am
Service
Balls Tabernacle
Nkete Drive Mpopoma
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
Followed by interment at Luveve number 3 Cemetery, Bulawayo.
Condolences may be emailed to his wife, Mrs. Violet Lubimbi, a dedicated spouse and Conference WMS Area Chairperson.
Send email messages: c/o macamusa@ecoweb.co.zw
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The passing of Mr. Temothy Nelson, brother of Mrs. Sherrell Giles, 12th District YPD Director and brother-in-law of Rev. James Giles, pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Arkadelphia, AR.
Funeral Services:
Saturday, October 28, 2006
3:30 p.m.
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
1501 Caddo Street
Arkadelphia, AR
Phone (870) 246-2820
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Rev. and Mrs. James Giles
#7 Westmont Circle
Arkadelphia, AR 71923
Phone (870) 246-3261
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This communication comes to inform you that Mrs. Lenora Martin, the niece of Mrs. Piccola Washington, died Saturday, October 21, 2006.
Funeral Services:
Saturday, October 28, 2006
12:00 Noon
Beebe Chapel C.M.E. Church
6109 Hwy 365
Little Rock, AR
Professional Services entrusted to:
Superior Funeral Service
5017 E. Broadway Street
North Little Rock, AR 72117-4027
Phone (501) 945-9922
Email condolences may be sent to: washington@sbcglobal.net
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
19. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of the Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
