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. ADVENT / CHRISTMAS DAY INSERTS:
Advent this year begins on the first Sunday of December. I have had requests to provide copies of the Advent/Christmas Day Candlelighting Service that some of our pastor use as a part of the morning worship service.
If you want to copy this service, please feel fee to do so. With your mouse, highlight the text that you want to transfer; go to “Edit” and click “Copy.” Open and/or go to the document where you want to paste the Advent/Christmas Day Candlelighting Service; again, go to “Edit” and click “Paste.” Format the document as appropriate. You can do all of it one time or click and paste each week.
The liturgical color for Advent is purple. The color for Christmas Day and up to January 6 is white. I hope this is helpful.
2. THE ADVENT / CHRISTMAS DAY CANDLELIGHTING SERVICE:
THE FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: HOPE
INTROIT: "We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, Come where the dewdrops of mercy are bright, Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus the Light of the world."
Reader: Today is the first Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Hope.
Reader: Our hope is in God, and in his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the One appointed by God to be judge of all things. He is the One through whom God has promised to save and redeem His people.
Reader: ‘We light this candle today to remind us that He is our hope and the hope of the world. We thank God for the promises He has made to us and for the light, He has brought into the world.
Family Lights The First Candle
Reader: Let us pray: O God of Hope, Emmanuel, God with us — we pray that You send Your light into our hearts. Help us to be ready for the day and the hour of Christ’s final appearing. Live in us and help us to live in You. By the power of the Holy Spirit, transform us so that our worship, our celebration, our time of preparation, may be pleasing unto You - both now -and forevermore. Amen.
THE SECOND SUNDAY OF ADVENT: PEACE
INTROIT: "We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, Come where the dewdrops of mercy are bright, Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus the Light of the world."
.
Reader: Today is the Second Sunday of Advent - the Sunday of Peace.
Reader: Our peace is found in God and in His Son, Jesus Christ. John the Baptizer and all the prophets reminded us, that to receive peace we must be prepared for it.
Reader: We light this candle today to remind us that Christ is the Prince of Peace, the one promised from the beginning of the world. We thank God for the hope He gives us and for the peace He bestows.
Family Lights the First and Second Candles
Reader: Let us pray. O God of Peace, Emmanuel, we pray for You to send your light into our hearts. Help us to be ready for the day and the hour of Christ’s appearing. Work in our hearts at this time and help us prepare ourselves for the peace that Christ brings - the inner peace that tells us that we are united with You and the consuming peace that will come when Christ returns to judge the world. Bless our worship that it may be pleasing unto You, and bless us that we may prove to be Your faithful servants. Amen.
THE THIRD SUNDAY OF ADVENT: JOY
INTROIT: "We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, Come where the dewdrops of mercy are bright, Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus the Light of the world."
Reader: Today is the third Sunday of Advent - the Sunday of Joy.
Reader: Our joy is in God and in God’s Son Jesus Christ. Like peace, joy is a gift from God. It overtakes us and fills us when we remember what God has done and what God has promised to do.
Reader: We light this candle today to remind us that Christ came, and is coming again, so that all people might have a rich and abundant life. We thank God for the hope that Christ gives us, for the peace, Christ bestows, and for the joy, Christ pours into our hearts.
Family Lights the First, Second, and Third Candles
Reader: Let us pray. -- O God of Joy, Emmanuel, send Your light into our hearts at this time. Help us to be ready for the time of Christ’s appearing. Fix our hearts and our minds upon those things You have done and those things that You have promised to do that we may have the joy You have promised. As we worship You, strengthen us so that we may always do Your will and so bless You and the world You have made. Amen.
THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT: LOVE
INTROIT: "Hark the herald angels sing, Jesus the Light of the world: Glory to the newborn King, Jesus the Light of the world. (Refrain) We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, Come where the dewdrops of mercy are bright, Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus the Light of the world."
Reader: Today is the fourth Sunday of Advent, the Sunday of Love.
Reader: Jesus shows us God’s perfect love. He is God’s Perfect Love in human form. Those who believe in Christ and live in Christ, live in love. Love transforms and perfects all things. It never ends.
Reader: We light this candle today to remind us that God is love. We thank God for hope God gives us, for the peace God bestows, for the joy God pours into our hearts, and for the love that redeems us and shows us the way.
Family Lights the First, Second, Third and Fourth Candles
Reader: Let us pray. - O God of Love, Emmanuel, send your light into our hearts at this time. Help us to be ready for the time of Christ’s appearing. Grant that we may so dwell in Christ that his Perfect Love fills our entire being. Make our worship a time to celebrate your Love and make us ready to show that Love to the whole world - both today - and forevermore. Amen.
THE FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS
Hymn: "Hark the herald angels sing, Jesus the Light of the world: Glory to the newborn King, Jesus the Light of the world. (Refrain) We’ll walk in the light, beautiful light, Come where the dewdrops of mercy are bright, Shine all around us by day and by night, Jesus the Light of the world."
Reader: As we light these candles today, we thank God for hope God gives us, for the peace God bestows, for the joy God pours into our hearts, and for the love of Christ that redeems us and shows us the way
Reader: We thank God for God’s gift of Jesus, the Christ. We thank God that through Christ; light has come into the world and made it possible for us to see, and in seeing, to rejoice. His truth, His love, His very self, transforms all who receive him.
Family Lights the First, Second, Third, Fourth and the Christ Candle
Reader: Loving God, Emmanuel, we thank You for being with us - for sending Your Son to walk with us and to lead us. Grant that the hope, the peace, the joy, and the love of which we have heard and spoken of throughout Advent may be fully realized in us as we worship and serve You through Christ Jesus our Lord, this both now, in the New Year, and forevermore. Amen.
3. “CHRISTMAS AROUND THE AME CHURCH":
This is a project that we did in the North Louisiana Conference a few years ago at our Christmas Round-Up Party. I thought this might be fun to use with AME youth this Christmas season.
Each youth is asked to select an Episcopal District and decorate a display board with the following information: 1) Name, Picture and biographical sketch of the bishop and supervisor; 2) Number of Conferences on that District; 3) States or countries that are in that particular district; 4) other interesting facts about that Episcopal District; 5) Bring a small sample dish of a popular food from that District,
If you have more than 21 youth at your church you can add the general officers and connectional officers and their duties along with their biographical sketches and the function of their office.
If anyone has any other ideas for Round-Up Activities please send them to me so I can pass them on.
Tanya Morris
8th District DMC Commissioner
205-439-2916(Work)/205-213-8166 (Cell)
Email: tmorris@hoover.k12.al.us or LadyTjag@aol.com
4. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor,
I would like to request that you post my most current address information on the online Christian Recorder. I have been getting mail, mainly from candidates, who are sending messages to my old address at the Naval Station Norfolk Chapel.
My current information is as follows:
Lieutenant Commander David R. Brown, CHC, USN
USS BATAAN (LHD-5)
FPO AE 09554-1657
brownda@lhd5.navy.mil
757-444-3443/8809
757-443-7238 (At Sea)
We’re scheduled to deploy at the beginning of next year. I am planning to send The Christian Recorder regular excerpts throughout the journey for publishing at your discretion.
Thanks for your consideration and support. Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
Blessings,
David Brown
P.S. - The Rev. Rudolph Gibbs' retirement ceremony celebration will be held on 19 January 2007 at Ebenezer AME Church, Rahway, New Jersey.
5. MALCOLM GLOVER - RHODES SCHOLARSHIP UPDATE:
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I hope that all is well with all of you during this Thanksgiving Holiday. I just wanted to sincerely thank all of you for supporting my academic endeavors. Many of you wrote stellar letters on my behalf for the Rhodes Scholarship and some of you gave me excellent advice. I wanted all of you to know that I was one of twelve Finalists for the Rhodes Scholarship. Last week, I was interviewed in Kansas City, Missouri by the Rhodes Selection Committee, but unfortunately I was not chosen by the committee to fill one of the two spots that they had for the high honor in my region.
The young woman, who won in my region, was a two-time Rhodes Finalist and had been before the selection committee the previous year. The young man who won is 20 years old and is about to finish his PhD in Physics… so I guess I was in good company. Although I didn’t receive the coveted honor, I know I did my best. After the committee announced its decision, both the chairman of the selection committee and the committee’s most intractable member pulled me to the side, commended me on my performance during the interview process, and they let me know that my forthrightness, my personable attitude, and my commitment to public service made it tough for them to make their final decision.
I want all of you to know that I don’t have any regrets. I did my best during the interview and I didn’t win one for the team, but I know that I left everything I had to offer out on the field. The Rolling Stones were right…. “You can’t always get what you want… you get what you need!” My attempt at obtaining the Rhodes Scholarship has come to an end, but I firmly believe that the best is yet to come! Thank you for your love and support.
Sincerely,
Malcolm E. Glover
Malcolm E. Glover
Inaugural Class, MPS Candidate 2007
University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service
Sturgis Hall, 1200 President Clinton Avenue
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 280-9005
Editor’s Note: Brother Glover, you make us proud. We are going to hear more from you.
6. THE SENIOR BISHOP OF THE AMEC, THE RIGHT REVEREND PHILIP R. COUSIN DELIVERS INSPIRATIONAL SERMON FOR THE COMMISSION ON PAN-METHODIST COOPERATION AND UNION:
Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, staff writer
The Collective Worship Service for The Commission on Pan-Methodist Cooperation and Union was held on Friday, November 17, 2006 at 7:00 p.m., at Coppin Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church, Chicago, Illinois. The Reverend Walter R. Bauldrick., Sr., served as host Pastor and the Rev. Thomas M. Hughes, Host Presiding Elder.
The illustrious Senior Bishop, the Right Reverend Philip R. Cousin of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and Presiding Prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church delivered an inspirational and ecumenical message.
Bishop Cousin challenged the leaders of the Commission on Pan Methodist Cooperation and Union that consists of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church and the United Methodist Church to make a Global and community difference in serving the People of God.
Bishop Cousin delivered an excellent and inspirational sermon. The subject was "What's Your Line" using as the text; II Corinthians 5:20 as the scripture reference. In summary, the Bishop challenged the audiences to be ambassadors and not diplomats. He defined; an ambassador as one responsible for carrying out the policies of the king; a diplomat, as one skilled in handling affairs without arousing hostility or making statements of fact. He stated; that the church must state the Kings message as ambassadors for Christ.
The following Bishops in attendance were; Bishop Kenneth Carter (CME); Bishop William Oden (UM); Bishop Linwood Rideout, III (UAME); Bishop Nathaniel Jarrett (AMEZ) the current president. Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry represented the AME Church and was the presiding officer.
The Commission on Pan-Methodist Cooperation and Union was organized in 1966 General Conferences of the Methodist Denominations.
The purpose of this commission is to continue to provide the work of the Study Commission that was established in 1994. The Commission has established agencies within the several denominations in building unity among the four Methodist Denominations in the collaborations. The corporation includes, but is not limited to evangelism, publications, social concerns and higher education.
The mission of the family of Methodism is to continue to serve the union by redefining and strengthening their relations through Christ.The 2000 General Conference approved the merger of the Commission on Pan- Methodist Cooperation and Union with the responsibility to carry on the two previous separate commissions.
Bishop E. Earl McCloud of the A.M.E. Church is the current president of the Commission. Bishop Nathanial Jarrett of the AME Zion Church will serve as the incoming president of The Commission on Pan-Methodist Cooperation and Union.*Special thanks is extended to the Rev. Walter Bauldrick and the CPMCU for contributing to this article
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder
7. THE PHENOMENAL DR. PATRICIA "PAM" DEVEAUX SPEAKER FOR THE UPCOMING CONN-M-SWAWO LEADERSHIP PLANNING RETREAT 2006:
Reverend Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, staff writer
The Upcoming and dynamic Conn-M-SWAWO Plus PK' Leadership Planning Retreat for 2006 will convene on December 1-3, 2006 at the Embassy Suites Airport Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia. The Phenomenal Dr. Pamela DeVeaux, Episcopal Supervisor of the Sixth Episcopal District will be the highlight of this year's Empowerment Luncheon as the speaker. The Luncheon will be held on Saturday, December 2, 2006 at 12:30 p.m., which will include the Episcopal District Bragging Rights session and the Widow/Widower's Medallion Ceremony. The opening sessions will begin on Saturday, December 2, 2006 with an exciting off site activity for the Pk's with lots of fun and leisure activities.
The theme for this memorable event is; Serving Well: Empowering Clergy Families for the Journey. On Friday, December 1, 2006 workshops and PK forums will be in session.
Dr. Patricia "Pam" Morris DeVeaux is a native of Wilmington, Delaware. She is the proud daughter of Mr. Jesse Morris and the late Mrs. Amanda Morris. Her life has been dedicated to the African Methodist Episcopal Church as a child and she contributes her spiritual growth and development to God, her parents and the Bethel A.M.E. Church in further enhancing her leadership skills and nurturing her spiritual foundation. She is the lovely and charming wife of the illustrious, Bishop P. William DeVeaux, the Presiding Prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District of the A.M.E. Church. They are the blessed parents of six wonderful children.
A leader in her own right, she has served as an Episcopal Supervisor in the 18th District, after the election of her husband, Bishop William P. DeVeaux was elected and consecrated the Bishop of the A.M.E. Church. She served in countries of Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique and Swaziland. A spiritual Woman who is always trusting and depending on God, it was her faith and the guidance of God and her many friends across the connectional A.M.E. Church which she led women in founding two day care centers, providing four year academic scholarships to four students to matriculate in the United States.
Dr. DeVeaux is a Scholar with many diversified gifts and talents. She graduated with a Doctoral degree from Vanderbilt University (Ph.D), a Master of Library Science degree from George Peabody College and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University, Washington, D.C.
Dr. DeVeaux, in 1996 consistently utilizes the many talents and gifts that the Lord has blessed her to assist others on their spiritual journey to become empowered. Being blessed with these gifts in the 18th District she convened an international conference on HIV/AIDS, built a high school media center, provided funding for the construction of a water tower that supplies clean water to 1100 Swaziland students. Annual health fairs were implemented, she developed the Lesotho candle and doll economic development projects, hosted five missionary sojourners and constructed the M. Joan Cousin Women's Empowerment Center.
Her calm and serene disposition attributes to her being a Phenomenal Episcopal Supervisor, because of her Love for all of God's Children. She continued her journey, in being of support to her husband, Bishop DeVeaux who was assigned to the 16th Episcopal District in the year of 2000, which comprises of the Caribbean, parts of South America and Europe. Working together in unity, they led the District from a mission field to a mission force, according to Dr. DeVeaux. Adding to the works of former supervisor, the late Mrs. Edith White Ming, she developed and supported the Edith White Ming health fairs, HIV/AIDS youth retreats, Haitian potholder Economic Development Project, Barbados Health Fair, the Dominican Republic English speaking school, a basketball court for the youth of the community and numerous other community projects.
Presently, while serving in the Sixth Episcopal District her mission work has continued and Dr. Pam DeVeaux has written two plays (The Loud Silence, 2005; The preacher's Son, 2006), co-authored a book of poetry entitled "Black Church Gems and is presently planning an International Women's Conference, entitled "Deliverance in 2007, scheduled to be hosted by the Sixth District at Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church in Marietta, Georgia in October and November 2007.
The evening of the Leadership Planning Retreat will conclude with an evening of elegance with dinner and after-five attire for this gala event. The Leadership Planning Retreat will conclude on Sunday, December 3, 2006 with all members worshipping together at the closing of the retreat.
Bishop William P. DeVeaux is the Presiding Prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District, Dr. Pamela DeVeaux, Host Episcopal Supervisor, Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair Social Action Commission, Mrs. Fredia Johnson, President, Mrs. Shirley V. Taylor, Host President 6th Episcopal District, M-SWAMO Plus Pk'.
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder.
8. THE HARRISBURG DISTRICT CONFERENCE AN EXCITING AND LEARNING EXPERIENCE.
The Rev. Dr. Wilfred D. Lewis
The Harrisburg District of the Philadelphia Annual Conference held its Annual District Conference on Friday and Saturday, October 27th - 29th, 2006 on the campus of the Lutheran Theological Seminary, Gettysburg, Pa, under the leadership of Presiding Elder, the Rev. Lawrence C. Henryhand and District Consultant, Mrs. G. Marie Henryhand The Host pastor was the Reverend Roger W. Wilmer, Jr. of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Mercersburg, Pennsylvania.
Presiding Elder Henryhand and his lovely wife were in great spirits and were delighted at the response from the District in this unique academic setting. Financial reporting and dinner took place between 5.30 pm and 7.00 pm. The worship service began at 7:30 p.m. with the host pastor, the Reverend Roger Wilmer, Jr. serving as the worship leader.
The hymn of praise, "How Great the Wisdom" was lined by the Reverend Wilfred D. Lewis, following by the invocation, which was given by the Reverend Ethel Moore. The Choirs from Monumental AMEC provided beautiful and majestic spirited renditions. One of the highlights of this District Conference was the presence of the Reverend Michael Cooper, the President of Lutheran Theological Seminary of Gettysburg. President Cooper welcomed our presiding elder and ministers to the campus and facilities of the Lutheran Theological Seminary.
In his remarks, President Cooper mentioned the name of Daniel Alexander Payne who was an alumnus of this seminary. He then presented Presiding Elder Henryhand with a historical volume that contains highlights of Payne's time at the seminary.
The preacher for the evening was the Reverend Vernal E. Simms, Sr., pastor of Monumental AMEC Church in Steelton, Pennsylvania. Rev. Simms took his text from I Thessalonians 5:14-28. His subject was, "The Cure for Fainting Spells." Rev. Simms indicated that God is the one who has called us to the preaching ministry. He went on to say that God is faithful in whatever we need God to do for us; God is capable, and God will do it. This was indeed an insightful and powerful message.
Following the message and the introduction of special guests, our Presiding Elder led the District Conference in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
9. CHURCHES UNITING IN CHRIST WELCOMES MORAVIAN CHURCH AS FULL MEMBER:
St. Louis – Churches Uniting in Christ (CUIC) officially approved the request of the Moravian Church Northern Province (MCNP) for full membership. This brings to ten the number of members churches in CUIC. The Moravian request came to CUIC with the wholehearted support of the quadrennial synod of the Moravian Church Northern Province. From the January 2002 inauguration of CUIC until the present the Moravian Church Northern Province had been active in CUIC as a Partner in Mission and Dialogue. They have always displayed an ecumenical spirit, seeking relations with brothers and sisters in Christ. They look to CUIC for opportunities for closer relations with persons and congregations of color beyond the Moravian Church and for an interchange of ordained leadership.
Central to the life of CUIC is the concern to speak to the racism that has been and still is a central part of American society. In a letter to the Moravian congregations, David Wickmann, president of the Provincial Elders’ Conference, wrote: “We urge Moravian congregations to seek ties with congregations of the other bodies in CUIC, especially we encourage congregations in communities with congregations of the three traditional African American Methodist bodies to explore possibilities for working together in things as simple and profound as congregations exchanging pulpits and having dinner together.”
Rev. Wickmann described the MCNP as a needy member of the body of Christ and one with many gifts. They bring simplicity of doctrines (contained in a publication of fewer than 75 pages), a gift of distinctive music recognized worldwide, and a gift of storytelling that is spiritual at heart. Founded 1457, their focus has always been mission.
Upon the unanimous vote by the CUIC Coordinating Council, the Rev. Dr. Robert Welsh, ecumenical officer of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) noted that the Moravians don’t take themselves too seriously, but they do take the Gospel seriously.
In 2007 the Moravian Church will celebrate is 550th anniversary, having been established in 1457. The headquarters of the MCNP are in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Some Moravian Christmas traditions include the 26-pointed illuminated Moravian Star (also called the Advent Star) and the putz, a multi-scene depiction of the Nativity story told through figures and landscaping that can fill an entire room.
The Moravian Church Northern Province joins nine other CUIC members: African Methodist Episcopal Church, African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, The Episcopal Church, International Council of Community Churches, Presbyterian Church (USA), United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is a CUIC Partner in Mission and Dialogue. Combined they represent more than 20 million members from more than 76,400 congregations. Churches Uniting in Christ is a relationship among these Christian communions, or denominations, that have pledged to live more closely together in expressing their unity in Christ through mutual recognition of members in one Baptism, provision for the celebration of the Eucharist together with intentional regularity, and a common mission to combat racism.
Contact:
Patrice L. Rosner
Director, Churches Uniting in Christ
475 East Lockwood Avenue
Webster Groves, MO 63119
314-252-3160
314-252-3160 fax
www.cuicinfo.org
Submitted by the Right Reverend E. Earl McCloud
10. CLERGY OF THE WEEK: IN THE "SPOTLIGHT" FIFTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICTS'- OUTSTANDING PASTOR, THE REV. PORTIA A. CAVITT, M. DIV.:
Reverend Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
Christian Recorder, staff writer
A Woman of God, Preacher, Administrator, an and Outstanding Pastor is The Reverend Portia Annette Cavitt, M.Div., Pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church in South Omaha, Nebraska. A native of Little rock Arkansas, she is the oldest of four siblings and reared in St. Louis, Missouri. She is a product of the Fifth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church where she serves under the leadership of the Illustrious Bishop John Bryant and The Reverend Theodore Evans, Sr., as Presiding Elder of the Kansas-Nebraska Conference.
After accepting her calling to the ministry by God, she immediately felt the need to study and prepare herself for service, for the Lord and to be prepared for those whom she has been called to serve. Rev. Cavitt enrolled at Turner Theological Seminary at The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, Georgia and graduated with a Master of Divinity degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling. She is a graduate of one of the, African Methodist Episcopal Church Universities of Higher Education, Wilberforce University, Wilberforce, Ohio where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies.
Immediately following graduation from Turner Theological Seminary, Rev. Cavitt was appointed to two churches in Missouri Quinn Chapel-Jefferson City and Oakley Chapel-Tebbetts, Missouri. After successfully pastoring for two years and leading the congregation in growth in church expansion she was appointed to Wright Chapel in the Oceanview area. While serving for five years the church was completely renovated with the laying of a cornerstone.
Her mission as a traveling Itinerant Elder in the A.M.E. Church has been exciting and rewarding Rev. Cavitt expressed; when asked what was one of her most memorable moments in ministry" she related that her experience in being appointed to Walker Chapel A.M.E. Church, Seattle, Washington in 1997 and having being the first female pastor along with the congregates of Walker Chapel to have successfully host the 107th Session of the Puget Sound Annual Conference, as well as in the Fifth Episcopal District in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. She also recalls the joy of serving as the President of the Methodist Fellowship while residing in the parsonage.
Rev. Cavitt has served with distinction at two other churches: Bethel A.M.E. Church, Hutchinson, Kansas and Gregg Chapel A.M.E. Church in St. Louis, Missouri, where her involvement in the church and community has been extensive in serving others.
Presently she is the proud pastor of Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, in South Omaha, Nebraska. She currently serves as the dean of the Board of Examiners for the Kansas-Nebraska Conference and serves as the chaplain of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance (IMA). She is a recent graduate of Heartland Blueprint (United Way of the Midlands). A volunteer of the Nebraska AIDS project and chairs the HIV/AIDS Community Planning Group. A soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., a member of the National Association of the Advancement of Colored People and the National Council of Negro Women. In 1990 and 1992 issues of the Ebony Magazine Pastor Cavitt was featured as one of the "50 Leaders of the Future."
Congratulations, The Reverend Portia A. Cavitt for being nominated as "Clergy of the Week" for your outstanding leadership in the A.M.E. Church and in the community.
*If you would like to nominate your pastor or clergy staff member as Clergy of the week, please email your letter of request to; ebrown49@hotmail.com
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E. is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder.
11. THE REV. DR. ERIC L. BROWN, PRESIDING ELDER OF THE ALLEGHENY SCRANTON DISTRICT HOLDS HISTORIC PLANNING MEETING:
The Rev. Dr. Eric L. Brown, Presiding Elder of the Allegheny Scranton District - Pittsburgh Annual Conference, held his planning meeting on Saturday, November 18, 2006 at New Life A.M.E. Church, Pittsburgh where the Rev. Melva Terry serves as Pastor.
As pastors and laity came together looking toward the new conference year, the Spoken Word was first brought forth by the Rev. Aquanetta Osborne, pastor Bethel A.M.E. Church, Meadville, PA. The theme of her sermon was, “Does Anybody Care About Me?” taken from Jeremiah 12:1-11.
The newly appointed pastors to the Allegheny Scranton District were welcomed:
The Rev. Melvin Davis transferred from the West Virginia Annual Conference to the Pittsburgh Annual Conference and is the new pastor at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church - Pittsburgh, PA.
The Rev. Acquanetta Osborne (Pittsburgh District to the Allegheny Scranton District) new pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church - Meadville, PA.
The Rev. Lois Thomas (Pittsburgh District to the Allegheny Scranton District) new pastor of Calvary A.M.E. Church - Braddock, PA
The Rev. Cheryl Ruffin (Pittsburgh District to the Allegheny Scranton District) new pastor of Nesmith A.M.E. Church - West Mifflin, PA
The theme for the 2006-2007 Conference year is “Serving Well” James 2:14-17.
Presiding Elder Brown presented a 7-point plan for growth for the Allegheny Scranton District:
i. Evangelism:
It shall be our goal to win 500 new souls for the Kingdom this Conference year.
ii. Education:
We will expose the constituents of the Allegheny Scranton District to special training with an emphasis on Administration.
iii. Evaluation:
We will give serious attention and dialogue to the way we do business to discover if we can be more effective in Kingdom building.
iv. Expansion:
We will continue to explore the possibility of beginning a new work in growing areas of our District with a particular emphasis to the Cranberry/Mars area.
v. Emphasis on Our Youth:
We will make our youth a priority when planning all events and activities.
vi. Empowerment:
We will empower individuals and churches to live out their faith by giving them the tools they need to be relevant disciples.
vii. Economic Development:
We will exposure ways that we can collectively benefit from our resources (i.e., banking, savings, and home ownership).
Submitted by: Miss Shelly Brown, Allegheny Scranton District Secretary, Member of St. John AME Church Bridgewater, PA
12. PREPARE TO WITNESS THE DAWN OF A COMIC BOOK REVOLUTION:
The joining of two publishing superpowers promises to create a new concept in comic book development that appeals to more young readers than ever before.
Chicago, IL—UMI (Urban Ministries, Inc), the largest independent African American media firm and the leader in independent (non-denominationally affiliated) urban Christian and positive media content for over 35 years, announces the biggest launch in comics’ history for African American content—The Guardian Line. This series is the superbly styled, positive-themed result of the combined resources of UMI and creator of The Guardian Line Michael Davis.
“We have been developing this concept for two years, committing all the necessary time and resources to perfecting it. We are releasing a product that is just right for the African American audience,” states president of UMI, Carl Jeffrey Wright. “This series of comics will invite young urban readers to become part of a universe filled with memorable and inspiring characters who look just like them. Teenagers and kids in America face daily choices between good and evil. As The Guardian Line keeps them highly entertained and coming back for more, it will nudge them toward the good.”
Michael Davis is the co-creator of the Emmy-winning animated show Static Shock! He is one of the founders of the Black comic publishing phenomenon, Milestone Media. Davis has been looking for the perfect opportunity to produce a faith-based, positive comics' series for ten years. He first conceived the idea in 1996 while serving as president and CEO of Motown Animation and Film works. After Milestone Media shattered all records in Black comic book publishing, Michael recognized the way to reach an even greater audience. “The Black church is the most powerful entity in Black America,” he states. “If you can create something that resonates in the Black church, you can reach the majority of African Americans.”
For over 35 years UMI has been the trusted source for teaching materials and inspirational book titles in the African American church market and is the exclusive or semi-exclusive publisher for several church denominations. They are poised to reach a network of 40,000 churches and 1,500 bookstores with The Guardian Line—a larger audience than that of even Michael’s own Milestone Media. The Guardian Line will be available to the general market through Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc., the world’s largest distributor of English-language comics and related merchandise.
As a child, Michael witnessed the ability of comics to teach and provide an escape from the trials of inner-city life. He states, “Comics kept me off the streets. After one summer of reading comics, my reading scores jumped by seven grade levels.” Michael’s partnership with UMI has afforded him the opportunity to utilize the power of comics to touch the Christian market.
“You can’t overstate the importance of literacy in America. A kid who doesn’t read well will struggle to compete for acceptance to a good college or will often simply drop out of school. How will that child advance in life?” Carl Jeffrey Wright muses. “Well-written comics series like The Guardian Line will offer at-risk students a chance to practice reading skills while thoroughly enjoying themselves. They create a chance to level the playing field.”
The Guardian Line includes four separate series (Joe and Max, The Seekers, Genesis 5 and Code) targeting specific age groups. All the stories take place in the fictional New Hope City and feature the three essentials fans have come to expect in a Michael Davis universe: strong African American characters, a multicultural cast (some with extraordinary powers) and a guy named Larry. The focus of each series is the battle between characters chosen by God to fight evil, in the form of New Hope City’s nefarious nemesis, Steven Dark. While UMI wields its considerable experience to tailor the positive content to fit the needs of its market, Michael and a team of experienced A-list comic creators have crafted a comic universe that will surpass the expectations of mainstream comic readers who may be skeptical of a faith-based series. UMI’s recruiting of the best talent in the comic industry infuses The Guardian Line with the hip legitimacy necessary to connect with young urban readers and is in character with the company’s reputation for producing graphically superior, relevant content for the African American church market.
The unveiling of The Guardian Line is scheduled for December 2006.
The first series released, targeting the teen segment, will be Joe and Max, based on Michael’s experiences in elementary school. (Well, Michael didn't exactly fight evil billionaires or have a big, buff Guardian Angel to keep him out of trouble, but it would have been really cool if he did.) Additional titles will release weekly. The comics will then be released bi-monthly for a total of six issues of each series per year.
The Guardian Line
Launching December 2006
For cost see one of the links below.
www.TheGuardianLine.com
www.urbanministries.com
Since 1987, The B & B Media Group, Inc. has used its broadcasting, marketing and advertising experience to provide the specialized and strategic publicity necessary to achieve the public relations goals of each client. The Barnabas Agency, a division of The B & B Media Group, Inc., is a proven provider of exceptional public relations and personal management services for authors, speakers, ministries and organizations.
13. MOUNTAIN BE MOVED:
*S. Renee Smith
Have you ever believed God for something and it didn’t happen? For what seemed like forever you prayed, quoted scriptures, and cried out to God for your change—the manifestation of your dream. After exhausting yourself, you decided that God said no and you even found a scripture to support His answer.
As a student, and now a teacher of how to manifest miracles, I had to learn the hard way that praying, fasting, quoting scriptures, and crying wasn’t enough. If I wanted the mountain to move, I had to do more.
For years, I heard ministers say, “You have to rebuke that thing in the name of Jesus.” I would closely watch ministers as they would grab the anointing oil, and on behalf of their ailing patient, they would spit, growl, and roar at the sickness, addiction, naughty spouse, or disobedient child. I must confess that although I didn’t see any results, I started to do the same thing. All I knew at the time was what I had been taught—that the mountain was some force outside of me and others trying to get us off track and destroy our lives.
Like most Christians, I thought that the situations, people, addictions, and physical ailments were a part of some movement to stop us from living our life’s purpose. In other words, the devil was showing up in different forms and through different people. And he had to be stopped!
It wasn’t until I began examining why Jesus got results and we didn’t that I realized that the mountain isn’t what we think it is. Upon closer examination of the scriptures for myself, I realized that I was rebuking the wrong thing. Through what I know to be God’s revelation, it was clear that there are perceived mountains and then there are mountains. Unfortunately, we don’t know the difference, therefore, our miracle never manifests.
Let me give you an example. As a child growing up, I knew I wanted to be a television talk show host. I didn’t pursue it in college because fear silenced my desire. Fear is a mountain. I would say to myself, I didn’t know anyone in the business. That is a perceived mountain. I didn’t know how to travel in New York by myself. That is a perceived mountain. Although I later pursued and became a television talk show host, I moved the mountain by believing and acting on what I knew God had purposed for my life.
Mountains aren’t situations, people, addictions or illnesses. Jesus’ question to all who desired a mountain to be moved was “Do you believe?” He didn’t ask what the problem was. He said, “DO YOU BELIEVE?” In that instant, the belief of the person, not Jesus’ belief, created change.
The people that we invite into our lives and the situations that we create are our teachers. These people and situations are not mountains that we need to rebuke; they are what we need to strengthen our belief so that we can move the mountain. We must learn to handle them with love and respect. Once we learn what they are to teach us, the mountain will be removed, cast into the sea.
If you want to move the mountain out of your life, here are three easy steps to follow.
i. Check your beliefs. Evaluate what you believe about God, yourself, your life, and the people who are a part of your life. Your checkup will reveal that the only mountain hindering you—is you!
ii. Know that the world isn’t against you. We engulf ourselves in self-pity and then say that the world is against us. God didn’t “call” you and then set forces in motion to destroy you. He loves you and wants you to overcome the challenges that you have created for yourself. He simply wants you to admit your faults and seek spiritual solutions to your challenges.
iii. Grow. Spirit is a life energy force that is constantly moving. Give yourself permission to flow with it regardless of which way it is going. Learn to trust that although you may not be going in the direction that you intended to go, by moving in the spirit, you’ll be moving in the right direction. Embrace the new experience fearlessly and without judgment. When you are thinking and feeling negative emotions, which shut off the flow of God’s infinite wisdom and love, move the mountain by “rebuking yourself in the name of Jesus!”
*S. Renee Smith is an Image Consultant, Motivational Speaker & Author of There Is More Inside. For book sales or booking information, visit her website at www.srenee.com or call (302)736-5131.
© 2006 All rights reserved.
14. SOUTH PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT CHURCH SCHOOL CONVENTION:
By Angelena Spears
South Philadelphia District Reporter
Worship and praise saturated the sanctuary during the South Philadelphia District’s Annual Church School Convention. The two-day convention began with an electrifying service that was held at Maranatha Tabernacle in Darby, PA on June 24 and 25.
The host church, Mount Zion AME Church, Darby, secured the Maranatha Tabernacle to hold the praise service in anticipation of the overflow crowd of worshippers that totaled over 300 people.
Youth talent was showcased throughout the service, and the tone for excellence was set by 10-year-old Omar Asbury of Wesley AME Church, Swarthmore, PA, who did a superb job in establishing the protocol.
12-year-old Earl Knight, of Zion AME Church, Philadelphia, was credited for pulling together a musical team that included a drummer, guitarist, and keyboardists who together delivered an awesome session that was penned “Jammin for Jesus.”
The music continued with uplifting songs that included “Give God All the Praise” and ‘He’s A Way Maker,” which were sung by the very capable Mt. Zion Darby host choir and a specially formed South Philadelphia District choir.
Two young brothers, whose liturgical dance group is called Anointed Praise, blessed the worshippers with a soulful pantomime that they performed to the music “When You Fall, There Are Angels There to Catch You.”
High school senior Portia Washington, the 2005 Philadelphia Conference Youth of the Year and a member of Greater Mount Olive AME Church, Philadelphia, recited a poem.
Emma Bean, a recent graduate of Swarthmore (PA) College, who is now attending graduate school, brought the worshippers to their feet as they applauded her poetic drama that dealt a critical blow to a sometimes hypocritical church.
The district’s presiding elder, Dr. Charles H. Lett, Sr., introduced the preacher for the service, the Rev. Donald Burems of St. John AME Church, Philadelphia. Rev. Burems delivered a stirring message.
At the conclusion of the service, Elder Lett thanked Sister Jean Adams, of Wesley AME Church, Swarthmore; and her assistant, Sister Shirley Richards, of Morris Brown AME Church, Philadelphia; for the fine job they continue to do in serving as superintendent and assistant superintendent of the South Philadelphia District Church School.
The host superintendent, Sister Ethel Williams, was also thanked, along with her pastor the Rev. Calvin Jackson and his wife, Sister Charmaine Jackson.
Day two of the convention started with a continental breakfast at the local middle school. Church school classes presented skits based upon the convention’s theme “The Gifts of the Holy Spirit.”
A big highlight for the young people was the introduction of a basketball tournament, which drew dozens of older teen boys to the event. The basketball tournament was so successful that many of the young people did not want to leave when the day’s events were over.
All in all, the two-day convention was a huge success in praise, worship and fun.
Written by:
Sister Angelena Spears
South Philadelphia District Reporter
Cell phone: 1-484-651-3910
Home phone: 1-610-678-0108
15. SOUTH PHILADELPHIA DISTRICT HOSTS SUCCESSFUL FUND RAISER:
By Angelena Spears
South Philadelphia District Reporter
New leadership often challenges us to “think-outside-the-box” in our local congregations. And it was the leadership of the South Philadelphia District that put that concept into action when Mrs. Sylvia P. Lett, the wife of the district’s presiding elder, Dr. Charles H. Lett, Sr., suggested a new idea for a fundraiser.
Her idea? An auction night. One that would include both a silent and live auction with a professional auctioneer. Add a reception, “bountiful bags” drawings and door prizes -- and you have what turned out to be one of the most innovative and successful fundraisers the members of the South Philadelphia District have ever witnessed.
The auction was held on Friday, May 12 at the Holiday Inn on City Line Avenue in Philadelphia. It was the second fundraiser sponsored by the South Philadelphia District’s Economic Development Task Force, a group that was formed by Elder Lett when he took the realms of the district two years ago.
In creating the Task Force, Elder Lett explained he wanted the group to come up with creative ways to raise funds that would benefit the district’s 17 churches. The first fundraiser sponsored by the Task Force was a Gospel Fest concert held in October at Hickman Temple AME Church, Philadelphia. The proceeds from that event were distributed evenly among the district’s churches, and each church received a check.
The key to the auction’s success was that it was well-planned and no stone was left unturned by the event’s chairperson, Mrs. Lett.
Mrs. Lett met regularly with members of the Task Force (which is made up of two members from each church in the district) and laid out her vision for the auction. She put together a financial team, and appointed Henry Murray of Mt. Zion AME Church, Norristown, PA, as the banker. She lined up hosts and hostesses who would direct people during the auction, answer questions, and retrieve auction slips. She even appointed a group of young men to be available to help people carry larger items to their vehicles. And she set a dress code for all of the helpers -- the women would wear black dresses and pearl necklaces and the men would wear black suits.
Mother Ethel McNair, a longtime member of Allen AME Church, Philadelphia, was among the more than 300 people who attended the auction. Mother McNair said that although she has seen auctions on television, she had never attended a live auction.
“Everything was well organized,” said Mother McNair. “Everyone was well-trained in what they were to do. It was a lovely, lovely afternoon,” she noted. Mother McNair continued to compliment the wonderful way Sister Lett had orchestrated the affair.
It was obvious from the moment you arrived in the hotel’s ballroom that this was going to be first class. Everyone signed the guestbook and was given an auction number. The items for the silent auction were beautifully displayed along the walls. And everyone had an opportunity to take a close-up look at the live auction items before the auction started.
Each guest also received a beautiful souvenir booklet that outlined all of the items. The booklet was designed by Cheryl Ford of Hickman Temple AME Church, Philadelphia.
The auction began on a lively note when Mrs. Lett tempted the crowd with several of her homemade desserts, which she presented in elegant dessert boxes with bows. Those items included banana puddings and her signature chocolate cakes and were the first items to be sold in an evening that was full of fun and surprises.
The professional auctioneer, Chuck Royster, kept the crowd aroused as he encouraged them to bid higher on items. His cheerful taunts included remarks like: “You don’t want to go home without that CD player. What are you going to do on Sunday mornings – hum songs to yourself?”
The items that created the most excitement and resulted in the most lively bidding included: a white Coach handbag; a Philips 26-inch high definition Dolby surround sound television; an IPOD; a hand knit baby ensemble that included a blanket, sweater, hat and booties; a pair of collectible porcelain black Raggedy Ann and Andy Dolls, and a stunning quilt that depicted an Underground Railroad pattern titled “Jacob’s Ladder” which was made by Rose Morgan, a member of Bethel AME Church, West Chester, PA.
When all was said and done, the auction sales totaled over $10,000 and members of the South Philadelphia District witnessed first-hand what can happen when leaders dare to “think-outside-the-box.”
Written by Angelena Spears
South Philadelphia District Reporter
Phone: 1-610-678-0108
Cell Phone: 1-484-651-3910
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Lorenzo G. Clarke, presiding elder of the Greenville-Vicksburg District, Central-North Mississippi Conference of the Eighth Episcopal District, departed this life on Monday, November 13, 2006. Departing Services will be held on Monday, November 20, 2006 at 12:00 noon, at Payne Memorial A.M.E. Church - 3306 South Liberty Street, New Orleans, LA 70117 - (504) 899-3424.
Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Sr., Presiding Bishop, eulogist.
Condolences may be sent to his wife, Mrs. Joyce Clarke and family at:
Fax 504 895-8927
Email: paynemem@bellsouth.net
Cornal Garnett Henning, Sr.
Presiding Bishop, 8th Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Office: 2138 Saint Bernard Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70119
(504) 948-4251
lanroc@aol.com
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
The Reverend Charles E. Ware, retired pastor of Bethel AME Church, Memphis, TN, West Tennessee Conference of the 13th Episcopal District and president and CEO of Beth-Reach, Inc., passed away on November 11, 2006. He leaves his wife, Mrs. Viola Ware, a daughter, three granddaughters and a great-granddaughter.
Service arrangements:
Visitation
Saturday, Nov. 18, 2006
2:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
N.J. Ford & Sons Funeral Home
12 South Parkway West
Memphis TN 38109
(901) 948-7755 Phone
(901) 948-7103 Fax
Visitation
Sunday, Nov. 19, 2006
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Bethel A.M.E. Church
2011 C. E. Ware Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38114
Monday, November 20, 2006
Viewing: 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Funeral: 11:00 a.m.
New Tyler A.M.E. Church
3300 Summer Avenue
Memphis, TN 38122
901-323-9371 Phone
Rev. Charlene M. Boone, Pastor
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Viola Ware and Family
2052 Nellie Road
Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 346-3175 Phone
Send email condolences to: cox3635@hotmail.com
19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Brother William Thomas Custis, the husband of Rev. Lula Custis, former pastor of Bethel AMEC in Bridgeton, New Jersey (New Jersey Annual Conference, Atlantic City District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing and Funeral Service – Saturday, November 18, 2006
Viewing – 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Funeral – 11:00 a.m.
Bethel AMEC
512 Church Street
Moorestown, New Jersey 08057
Rev. Stanley Hearst, Sr., Pastor
Phone: 856-235-3152
Fax: 856-231-6734
Burial:
Lakeview Cemetery
Route 130
Cinnaminson, New Jersey
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Lula Custis
53 Eden Rock Lane
Willingboro, New Jersey 08046
or
Faxed to Bethel AMEC
See above information
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mr. Warren L. Keesee, the brother of Rev. Robert E. Keesee, Presiding Elder of the North Nashville District, Tennessee Annual Conference, 13th Episcopal District passed on Tuesday, November 14, 2006.
Service arrangements for Mr. Warren L. Keesee:
Family Visitation
Friday, November 17, 2006
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Foston Funeral Home
Funeral
Saturday, November 18, 2006
1:00 p.m.
Martin Chapel A.M.E. Church
870 Palmyra Rd.
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone (931) 647-7790
Professional services entrusted to:
Foston Funeral Home
816 Franklin Street
Clarksville, TN 37040
Phone: (931) 647-5451
Fax: (931) 645-6529 Fax
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Presiding Elder Robert E. Keesee & Family
290 Ivywood Drive
Nashville, TN 37210
Phone: (615) 885-3815
Email: Presidingelder@aol.com
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
This communication comes to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Margaree Torrence, the mother/mother-in-law of Presiding Elder Napoleon (Sister Vickie) Davis of the Stuttgart/Forrest City District, ENE Arkansas Annual Conference, 12th Episcopal District.
Service Arrangements for Mrs. Margaree Torrence:
Funeral service
Sunday, November 19, 2006
2:00 p.m.
White Springs A.M.E. Church
Bearden, AR
Rev. Homer Parham, Pastor
Professional services entrusted to:
Marks Funeral Home Inc.
501 W. 1st Street
Fordyce, AR. 71742
Phone: (870) 352-3298
Fax: (870) 352-7869
Condolences may be sent to the Davis Family:
506 East 3rd Street
Stuttgart, AR 72160
Phone: (870) 673-2271
Email condolences: NDavis@sps.k12.ar.us
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Reverend Payton Sims, retired minister of the East Tennessee Conference, 13th Episcopal District passed.
Service Arrangements:
Visitation:
Friday, November 24, 2006
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Franklin Strickland Funeral Home
1724 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37404-3023
(423) 265-4414 Phone
(423) 265-9997 Fax
Funeral:
Saturday, November 25, 2006
12:00 Noon
Warren Chapel A.M.E. Church
503 N. Market Street
Chattanooga, TN 37405
Phone (423) 267-4992
The Rev. Dr. Terrance L. Mayes Sr., Pastor
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Mrs. Jean Taylor Sims (wife)
1627 East 5th Street, Apt. #103
Orchard Knob Apartments
Chattanooga, TN 37404
(423) 698-3636 Phone
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Sister Anneice McCrary, mother of Rev. Michael Washington (Shelia), pastor of St. James AME Church, Camden, AR passed away on Thursday, November 16, 2006.
Family hour will be held:
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Premier Funeral Home
1518 So. Battery Street
Little Rock, AR 72202
501-376-4800 Phone
501-376-4900 fax
Funeral Services
Wednesday, November 22, 2006
11:00 a.m.
Bethel A.M.E. Church
815 West 16th Street
Little Rock, AR 72202
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Rev. Michael Washington
5 Eagle Glenn Cove
Little Rock, AR 72223
501-868-4492
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information CenterBishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, AdministratorEmail: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
25. 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
11/15/2006
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (11/15/06)
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. EDITORIAL: POWERFUL WORDS FOR A POWERFUL MOMENT:
Quite a few years ago while I was serving as a U.S. Army chaplain in Alaska, I was a member of the Anchorage Ministerial Association, which was entirely black. I served as the Dean of the Anchorage Theological Institute, which was the academic and theological arm of the Anchorage Ministerial Association. The association was made up of pastors from the one AMEZ Church, several Baptist Churches, the CME Church, and pastors from several of the Churches of God in Christ. There was no AME Church in Anchorage; the lone AME Church was located in Fairbanks about 352 miles from Anchorage. The Anchorage Ministerial Association was a vibrant organization and the Association and the Institute met every Saturday. It was a well-attended ministerial association.
One Saturday after one of the formal meetings, several pastors were sitting around lamenting about some of the problems they were experiencing with their congregations. It was a “pour out your heart and soul” kind of sharing session. It is good for ministers to have an environment where they can pour out their deepest feelings and those preachers were pouring their hearts out; sharing with one another.
It was the usual kinds of complaints that ministers share with each other; they were deeply chagrined about their local church officers not being faithful to their responsibilities, the lack of attendance and lack of participation by the membership, their members’ lack of appreciation for their ministry, contentious officers and contentious members. They spoke about the poor attendance at Bible studies and prayer meetings, poor stewardship and the failure of members to participate in the tithing ministry. The lack of finances was a big issue and it was their perception that members wanted to keep ministers’ salaries low. Several of the pastors spoke about contentious musicians, poor Sunday School attendance and having to bear the false accusations of ministerial misconduct. Several of the ministers were in building projects and it appeared to them that Satan, himself, was present trying to block their building programs. And, and on and on they went and it was a gut-wrenching session. I was relatively young and most of them had more pastoral experience than I. Sometimes, we can only listen; and that’s what I did.
Suddenly, Bishop C. D. Williams, the COGIC Bishop of Alaska, who was in the middle of a major remodeling program, stood up and in his preacher-voice began to share about the goodness and reliability of God and I have never forgotten his sage comments. They have stuck with me for over thirty years. I can hear him in my mind as clearly today as he spoke those words in 1975. He waxed eloquently for about three minutes and after he had reached a crescendo closed with, "I thank God for the good people who are sweet because they give me encouragement and they are a joy to serve. But, I also thank God for the contentious and complaining members; those who are fighters and who are uncooperative because they keep me on my knees in prayer and they keep me from being complacent in ministry; they keep me on my toes. So, I thank God for both groups. And, I know that God’s program will never fail if we are faithful and obedient to His will in ministry." Bishop C. D. Williams spoke powerful words for a powerful moment.
For me, the operative words, for clergy, are, “If we are faithful and obedient to God's Will in ministry.” We can thank God for the positives and negatives in ministry, “If we are faithful and obedient to God's will in ministry.”
2. HISTORIC BLACK METHODIST CHURCH DELEGATION VISITS HOLY LAND:
*By Lesley Crosson
ORLANDO (UMNS) -- A delegation of leaders from historic African-American churches who just returned from Jerusalem and the Holy Land says conditions for Palestinians in the West Bank painfully echo the injustices suffered by people of color during South Africa's apartheid era and during the pre-civil rights era in America. Black church leaders in the delegation, which included representatives from three Methodist denominations -- the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church (The Right Reverend E. Earl McCloud) and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church -- now are vowing to work with their communions and congregations, the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faith communities, politicians and Palestinians in the Diaspora to focus attention on the deteriorating situation in the Holy Land.The Oct. 27-Nov. 3 trip was hosted by the global humanitarian agency Church World Service, and the delegation was led by the Rev. John L. McCullough, a United Methodist pastor and CWS executive director.Delegation members reported their findings Nov. 9 in Orlando at the combined General Assembly of Church World Service and the National Council of Churches -- an annual meeting of leaders from 35 mainline Christian denominations. On a visit to the Israeli-built barrier now separating Palestinian residents in the West Bank from residents in Israel-controlled Jerusalem, AME Bishop E. Earl McCloud Jr. said, "I'm surprised by the blatant attempt of Israelis to separate themselves. I've also been on the backside of fear of black people, and it makes me sad to see this wall and to hear so many say this wall has been built with money I have sent to the U.S. government in tax dollars." Supporters call the nearly 26-foot-high wall portion of the barrier, which in some places runs through the home sites and farms of Palestinians, a "separation barrier." Palestinians alternately referred to it as the "apartheid wall" or the "segregation wall."
The 400-mile-plus West Bank barrier is marked with protest slogans left by visitors, including a fading stencil of the United Methodist cross and flame symbol. Church World Service sponsored an Oct. 27-Nov. 3 trip for a delegation of leaders from historic African American churches to the Middle East that included representatives from three Methodist denominations-- the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
The controversial 400-mile-plus West Bank barrier is marked with protest slogans left by visitors, including a fading stencil of the United Methodist Cross and Flame symbol.Supporters say the barrier is necessary to protect Israeli civilians from Palestinian suicide bombing in public places. Opponents say the barrier violates international law, is an illegal effort to annex Palestinian land and severely restricts the normal life movements of Palestinians who live in the area."I can understand Israelis concern about security. That's a valid concern for anyone, even though there have been very few incidents that truly threaten their security. But when you take a wall that separates families, that keeps people from their land, that causes immense hardship, that is overkill and there is no justification for that wall," said Bishop Louis Hunter of the AME Zion Church.The 12-member delegation met with heads of the region's oldest Orthodox and Latin Catholic churches and with Anglican, Lutheran, and Jewish faith leaders and government officials. The group also conferred with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry representative Shmuel ben Shmuel. Linked to the discussion of the oppression of the mostly-Christian community in Jerusalem was the threat to the survival of a Christian presence in the Holy Land, where Arab Christians and Palestinian Christians have lived for 2,000 years since the earliest Christian communities. Bishop Aris, the Armenian Patriarchate Ecumenical Officer for Jerusalem, called upon Christians to "unify in the common cause of maintaining the holy places of Jerusalem for people of all faiths." Aris said the Christian community represents less than 1.5 percent of the population in the region."If the current situation continues it may well result in the extinction of the Christian presence in the Holy Land and seriously endanger continued collaboration amongst the three Abrahamic traditions represented there," McCullough observed. "The mostly Palestinian Christian community is facing a period of intense crisis because of the expanded separation wall and restrictions on the ability of Palestinians to travel from the West Bank into Jerusalem," he said. "Israeli security and defense policies also seem to unfairly infringe upon the churches, including the effective conduct of their affairs, the nurturing of their members and the fulfillment of their ministries."
In a Nov. 2 meeting with the delegation Abbas shared his views on a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. "We should have our own state within the borders outlined in the 1967 agreement," Abbas said. "In the past, Palestinians owned 95 percent of Palestine. The share now is 22 percent."Abbas said the international siege over the past 10 months has increased the suffering of people living in occupied Palestine, "with invasions every day, fatalities and increased demolitions of houses. We recognize the right of Israelis to live, but we also want them to recognize our right to live safely within our own borders."Emphasizing the need to draw more worldwide attention to the crisis in the region, His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, the Latin Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem, told the delegation, "The conflict is not just the business of Palestinians and Israelis. It is the business of every Christian whose obligation is to witness justice, equality and love for all, not just for a chosen few." The severely limited freedom and discrimination against Palestinian Christians make social and economic development impossible. "In the political arena," Sabbah said. "I think that we have no place on the agenda and we do not count." Delegates vowed to try to change that. Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church said he is "prepared to become a part of a prophetic ministry to bring this situation to the forefront and to be a part of the search for a solution."McCloud pledged to look "for ways to positively and dramatically impact this situation. We're going to work with Church World Service. We're going to work with the Congressional Black Caucus. We're going to work with the ecumenical leadership. We've got to bring attention to this in America."
Other members of the delegation included the Rev. Tyrone Pitts, chief executive, Progressive National Baptist Convention; the Rev. A. Wayne Johnson, chief executive, National Missionary Baptist Convention of America; the Rev. George T. Brooks Sr., National Baptist Church of America; the Rev. Charles Mock, executive secretary, National Baptist Convention USA; and David Weaver and Cheryl Dudley, CWS staff.
*Crosson is the media relations officer for Church World Service and she accompanied the delegation.
Used with permission of the United Methodist News Service
Editor's note: I bolded the areas in the above message that relates to the AME Church and the Rt. Rev. E. Earl McCloud.
3. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor
In an article written in the November 2, 2006 online edition of The Christian Recorder, I wrote about something of which every pastor in the AME Church should rush to take advantage. “The Biblical Perspective about Debt” is one of two books included in the world renowned audio series regarding the principles of stewardship. This resource was printed under private label for the African Methodist Episcopal Church and we are the only denomination in the world that can make that claim.
The management from GKM, Inc. thinks the information is so important that they made a decision to mail 1400 complimentary copies to AME pastors in throughout the United States.
As I wrote before, if you want to receive the information, all you have to do is email: series@gkmpackagingdist.com.
Pastors, please include your full name, church name, address and the $70.00 resource will be mailed the same day to you, free of charge. The only thing GKM management asks is that you pay the cost of packaging and mailing the series to you. The only cost is $15.00. When you receive your series a self-addressed stamped envelop will be included for your convenience; so all you have to do is place a check for $15.00 in and mail it back.
GKM has mailed almost 400 kits to AME Pastors and as of today very few have returned the cost for shipping. Please send your check so this gracious offer will not be impeded.
The Reverend Garry Moss
4. THE 4TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2006-2007 CALENDAR:
2006 Calendar
November 16
Fourth Episcopal District Community Seminar on HIV/AIDS
“Living Life to the Fullest” - 6 pm-9 pm
Bethel AMEC,
4444 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago - (773) 285-5500
November 17
Pan-Methodist Worship Service, 7 pm
Preacher: Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Sr.
Coppin Memorial AMEC,
5633 S. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago - (773) 667-5881
2007 Calendar
February 9-10
Founder’s Day Celebration,
Hyatt Regency Hotel,
600 Town Center Dr.
Dearborn, MI
(313) 593-1234
Room Rate: $109 per night (single/double/triple/quad) - Deadline: 1/19/07
WMS Life Members’ Celebration Luncheon (2/9 at 12 pm)
February 16
13th Episcopal District Founder’s Day Celebration, 7 pm
Preacher: Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Sr.
Quinn Chapel AMEC
1901 W Muhammad Ali Blvd
Louisville, KY 40203
March 15-17
Mid-Year Convocation
Wyndham Hotel,
3000 Warrenville Road,
Lisle, IL –
(630) 505-1000
Room Rate: $97 per night; Reservation Deadline: 3/1/07
“A Celebration of Excellence” Honoring Dr. M. Joan Cousin
4th District Women's Missionary Society
April 27-29
District Minister’s Spouses Retreat –
Camp Baber,
Cassopolis, MI
July 30-Aug. 2
Christian Education Congress
Wyndham Hotel,
3000 Warrenville Road,
Lisle, IL
(630) 505-1000
Room Rate: $97 per night; Reservation Deadline: 6/29/07
5. SAVE THE DATE - FRIDAY, MAY 11 THRU SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007:
Sisters Keeping the Covenant Presents Women’s General Assembly 2007
“SHE AIN’T HEAVY SHE’S MY SISTER” (Special Sessions for Young Ladies ages 12-18)
Conference Site: Sheraton Hotel, Parsippany, New Jersey
For more Information, call the Rev. Maxine L. Thomas, Telephone: 877-942-2006
Visit our website: www.sisterskeepingthecovenantministries.org
6. HOW CHRISTIAN ARE WE WHEN NOBODY IS WATCHING?
*The Reverend Charles R. Watkins, Jr., B.S., M.Div.
Luke 10:30-37 is, of course, the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It is a story told from pulpits across the country. This passage of Scripture represents the parable Jesus used in answer to the Levite’s question—“Who is my neighbor?”
This story, while relatively short in length is long on content. I submit that this well known, oft preached, neatly packaged story begs the question: “How Christian are we when nobody is watching?’
Geographically, Jericho is down from Jerusalem. To understand the significance, we must picture this road as it winds and turns, making its way down the steep decline. As it winds and turns we can imagine the many places around each bend where dangerous obstacles can be hidden. We can imagine as the road winds and turns all the places where danger is possibly lurking and where there is opportunity to be over taken by thieves, robbers and others who would do us harm.
This road is very much like our life’s journey. We travel down the winding, turning, often treacherous road of life’s journey rounding corners, sometimes finding ourselves confronted with fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear that robs us of security. We travel down life’s road negotiating the winding turns, rounding the next corner when, all of a sudden, jumping out of the bushes, is a gang of troubles resulting in financial uncertainty.
Continuing down life’s road we often times round the corner only to be blindsided by one unexpected misfortune after another. Many have fallen into the hands of robbers of self-esteem. Many, unfortunately, have been accosted by thieves who strip them of their will. Far too often some of our friends and loved ones lay on life’s road gang beaten by despair and left emotionally and spiritually dead. There on the side of life’s treacherous winding road many lay hemorrhaging with doubt and anemic of faith.
We have preached to others about the help that comes through prayer, but now as people around us lay wounded on that road down life’s journey—“How Christian are we when nobody is watching?”
The parable very neatly describes three people who come in contact with the man who lies beaten and robbed. We are disgusted by those who didn’t stop to help and we are elated that somebody did. However, I submit that on any given day, for many of us, the actions of all three people are representative of our own service to those who need our help. Someday we are like the priest, pious, self-serving and judgmental. Some days we are in a hurry like the Levite. Thanks be to God, there are days when we are compassionate and willing to give of ourselves. These are the days when we recognize our neighbor is any one of God’s creation.
Jesus gives us an example, in this parable, of the sacrifice it takes to be what God has called us to be. “How Christian are we, when nobody is watching?” It seems so simple to do what is right when we are among a crowd of people. It seems so unnoticed to not be helpful when nobody seems to be watching. That is, of course, until we come to realize that someone is always watching. That is until we awaken to the fact that nothing we do goes unnoticed by God.
How many people have we passed going down life’s road? How many times, when we could have helped, have we turned away or crossed to the other side of the street? Have we done all that we can for our neighbors? How Christian are we when nobody is watching?
The Rev. Charles R. Watkins, Jr is the pastor of Friendship AME Church, Clinton, South Carolina, Greenville District, Seventh Episcopal District.
The Right Reverend Dr. Preston Warren Williams, II, Presiding Prelate
The Reverend Jonathan J. Baker, Presiding Elder
7. THE ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL SCOUTS (AAMES) SUBMITS REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2006:
Organizational Growth
The AAMES ministry continues to experience fluctuations in its participation and membership. However, when weighed, the level of interest and desire to participate in the ministry has steadily been increasing in recent months. AAMES is continuing to improve its outreach and means of communication.
Plan for Growth
Starting in July 2006, AAMES initiated the process of a strategic plan to increase membership and active participation. The process from our strategic planning efforts has resulting in the following.
- Recommendations for Episcopal appointment, in each Episcopal District to serve as Boy Scout Director to enable us to be equitably represented across the connection. These appointees will have similar responsibilities to that of a District Christian Education Director, but will focus on establishing scouting troops in their District of assignment. (2006-2010 - Episcopal appointments attached)
- Increased accessibility throughout the connection by seeking permission for AAMES Connectional information is included in all official publications and websites.
- A review of 2005 - 2006 statistics, indicate the need to seriously work on recruiting the new leadership in each of the units. As longstanding primary leaders drop or become disinterested in the program because their children graduate and go on to collage, military, etc, communication from each of these units to AAMES sometimes stops due to new leadership may not be members of the local host church. Therefore the information needed for communication to AAMES is not properly passed on to the new leadership of those units. AAMES is actively working on solutions that will enable these types of issues to be eliminated. This process thus will save more units.
- A process for starting new AAMES scouting units has begun because of these processes being initiated throughout the AME Connectional Church.
Program of Religious Activities for Youth
At the 25th Connectional Christian Education & Youth Congress held at Coronado Springs Resort Walt Disney World Lake Buena Vista, Florida. AAMES membership convened on Thursday, July 6, 2006 for the purposes of the appointment/reappointment of Connectional and Assistant Connectional Scouting Directors and the election of other officers. With Dr. Ingram presiding, the following installations were made for the term commencing 2006-2010.
Appointments Made:
Connectional Boy Scout Director - Anthony Franklin
Connectional Girl Scout Director - Cora Lee-Palmer
Assistant Connectional Boy Scout Director - Clarence Crayton
Assistant Connectional Girl Scout Director - Hattie Saulsberry
Elected Officers are:
Secretary - Donna Franklin
Asst. Secretary - Lamont Williams
Treasurer - Robert McRath
Financial Secretary - Jesse Triggs
Chaplain - Gwendolyn Williams
Historiographer - Steve Franklin
Parliamentarian - Myron Ford
A meeting was also held at the Congress with AAMES leadership, The Central Florida Boy Scout Executive Ron Oates, President of South Region Central Florida - Tica Perez, Disney Executive Manager of Support Systems – Allie Braswell to initiate discussions for developing scouting units in the AME churches in Central Florida. The Central Florida BSA Council and Scout Reach National Associate Assistant Director – Don Rodgers have pledged to work with Presiding Elder James Williams and Rev. Granville Anderson (an Eagle Scout) to strongly endorse a plan to address the need.
At the Congress Awards Dinner held the same night former General Officer of Christian Education Department - Dr. Kenneth Hill was presented the God and Service award from
Scout Reach National Associate Assistant Director - Mr. Don Rodgers.
Scout Reach National Associate Assistant Director - Don Rodgers also received the Outstanding Contributions award for Distinguish service from the Association of African Methodist Episcopal Scouts along with Dr. James F. Miller, Pastor of Dupage AME Church, Lisle Illinois, former General Officer of Christian Education Department husband and wife Dr. Roberta Hill and Dr. Kenneth Hill.
Dr. Daryl Ingram, General Officer of Christian Education Department announced that the A.M.E. Church will be participating in a test pilot program involving youth in thirteen A.M.E. churches to test the “fit” of the A.M.E. religious award programs offered by PRAY with our youth programs.
Rev. Ernest J. Garrison – Connection Church School Certification Coordinator presented to the youth leadership of the 4th Episcopal District 0n September 14, 2006 at Host Church - Dupage AME Church in Lisle Illinois, a formal presentation on the nature of how the mission of the church, Christian education & what is my Gift, can support the teaching and training to prepare them for and assist them with effective living and Christian leadership in a changing society. Using the test pilot program was discussed as part of the process
In the Washington DC area AAMES - Asst. Director Clarence Crayton, along with the National Capital Area Council's Field Director are, in the process of setting up a Meeting with the Second Episcopal District Bishop - A Jefferson Richardson to discuss the processes from our strategic planning efforts to Scouting in the Second District. We are planning to meet in November 2006.
Events & Local Activities
Rev. Arties Phillips Jr. - AAMES Emeritus – received his congratulation letter for his 50 years of service in scouting.
At the Boy Scouts National Annual Meeting this past May in Washington, D. C: Troop 487 had a Color Guard Present the Color at the Americanism Breakfast.
Troop 487's Bryant Crenshaw (Eagle Scout, now a freshman at Wilberforce University, Ohio) received the AME God and County Award
In May, AAMES - Asst. Director Clarence Crayton Clarence Crayton was awarded his Silver Beaver Award in the National Capital Area Council
Ebenezer AME Church, Ft. Washington, Md. - Troop 487 took twenty-one Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts to the Grand Canyon in July. They were hosted by St. James AME Church in Memphis Tennessee and Johnson Chapel AME Church in Amarillo TX on their trip.
DuPage AME Church, Lisle Illinois Scouting Ministry in September visited the Kane County correctional facilities in Geneva IL, hosted by AAMES local members. 87 persons attended, the youth were able to see the positive careers of law enforcement and how the technology affects us all today. The Adult leaders and parents were given a presentation and tour of the Jail. Everyone who participated in the visit said our youths need to see this type of tour to encourage them to continue to work for the good.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Franklin Sr.
AAMES - Connectional Boy Scout Director -2006 -2010
2540 Brookstone Court
Aurora, IL 60504
630-375-9230 (h)
adf@ameritech.net
Rev. Artis Phillips Jr.
AAMES Emeritus – Religious Relationship Committee Member
8323 S. Paxton
Chicago, IL
773/734-7866
Rev. Dr. Daryl B. Ingram
AAMES - Executive Director of Scouting Director - AME Christian Education Department
AME Christian Education Department500 8th Avenue SouthNashville, TN 37203
(800) 525-7282
cedoffice@ameced.com
8. ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL SCOUTS:
“United in Christ, Creed and Culture”
Officers of AAMES - 2006 – 2010
Executive Director of Scouting – Dr. Daryl Ingram cedoffice@ameced.com
Girl Scouts Director - Cora Lee - Palmer amegsdir@sbcglobal.net
Boy Scouts Director - Anthony Franklin Sr. adf@ameritech.net
Girl Scouts Asst. Director - Hattie Saulsberry hsaulsberry@sbcglobal.net
Boy Scouts Asst. Director – Clarence Crayton lahowardconstruction@msn.com
Treasurer - Robert Mcrath robertmcrath@i1.net
Financial Secretary - Jesse Triggs jestrigg@yahoo.com
Secretary - Donna J. Franklin donnajfranklin@ameritech.net
Asst. Secretary - Lamont Williams LWilliam@milwjobs.com
AAMES Chaplin - Williams, Gwendolyn Butler
Historiographer - Steve Franklin snjfranklin@comcast.net
Parliamentarian - Myron Ford mkford_sr@yahoo.com
9. THE 10TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ANNUAL LAY CONVENTION -
“THE OTHER SIDE OF LEADERSHIP”:
*Sister Vicki E. Houston
On June 2-3, 2006 the 10th Episcopal District Lay Organization under the leadership of Episcopal District Lay President – Charles Rainwater and Episcopal District Director of Lay Activities – Beverly Nutall convened its’ Annual Convention at Grant A.M.E. Worship Center in Austin, Texas (Rev. Dr. W. Raymond Bryant, Pastor / Vicki Houston, Local Lay President). The Director of Lay Activities in collaboration with President Rainwater and Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram and others crafted a “jam packed” two days of seminars and other activities for the attendees. The 2006 Annual Lay Convention theme was “The Other Side of Leadership”. The presenters and topics were wide ranging and there was plenty of Q & A in the individual workshops, as well as the general plenary sessions.
The gathering was blessed to have Bishop Ingram conduct a plenary on “The Other Side of Leadership: The Critical Role of Lay Persons in the Work of the Church”. In his presentation he told us that “the mission statement of the A.M.E. Church often serves as the driving force behind a church being a success or failure. The church is God’s instrument and community called and commanded to do His work and will in the world. Christian ministry today requires changes in its present structures, practices and ideologies. This means that all of us, clergy and lay, must examine ourselves to see how we are helping to liberate the disinherited and oppressed. Years ago, people were drawn to certain leaders because of their charisma or persona. Today, people are looking for leaders who possess more. Leadership is exemplified by those possessing the rare skill of drawing people together to achieve a common objective.”
Additionally, a plenary, “Developing Leaders for the Future to ‘Make a Difference’” was given by Rev. Ronald A. Boykin, Pastor of First A.M.E. Church in Manassas, Virginia. The workshops and plenary sessions were open to and attended by both lay and clergy.
Other workshops and presenters during the convention included:
- “Seven Leadership Challenges for the Local Church” – Eddie Henry
- “Organizing a Lay Organization and What it Takes to Make it Successful” – Johnny Tellis, Jr.
- “History of the Lay Movement … Past and Present” – Vertie Young
- “Leadership Lessons of Jesus: How to Live Well” – Mary Stovall Turman
- “Developing Your Spirituality through Journaling” – Paul Turman
- “God’s Economic Plan for Your Life” – Larry Hollie
Friday’s activities concluded with a grand banquet held in Grant Worship Center’s Alene Henderson Family Life Center. The center’s tables were draped in royal blue with rose centerpieces; the head table, also draped in royal blue had multiple centerpieces with mixed floral arrangements. The banquet began with “the processional” for the head table introduced by Master of Ceremonies, Carl Davis. The processional included: Bishop Ingram, Rev. Boykin, Rev. Bryant (host pastor), Charles Rainwater, Beverly Nutall, Johnny Tellis, Jr. (Connectional Lay 3rd Vice President) and his wife Barbara, Albert Brewer (Past Connectional Lay Parliamentarian) and his wife Mary, Conference Presidents: Bertha Davis, Donnie Thomas-Davis, Rodrick Moore and Ava Parker, and Vicki Houston (local lay president). Attendees availed themselves of an eye pleasing sumptuous meal (courtesy of the culinary talents of Vernice Williams) before turning their attention to the speaker for the evening.
The welcome was given by the host conference president, Rodrick Moore.
The banquet speaker was none other than Richard A. Lewis, Treasurer of the A.M.E. Church. Our spirits were elevated in song by the powerful voice of Joy Moore (of Grant A.M.E. Worship Center). The inaugural “Gussie Smith Service Award” was presented to her family (Gussie Smith passed in early January 2006; she was a charter member of the 10th Episcopal District Lay Organization). We were further blessed to have the Presiding Elders Council of the 10th District present at the banquet (and closing service).
The convention concluded on Saturday with a business session and memorial followed by the closing worship service. The closing message was brought by Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram. The subject of his message was “Who Are You Listening To?” (I Kings 19:4-…; focal verses 11 & 12). Some of the sermon points were:
- “After God has revealed himself, don’t let anyone … run you away.”
- “Don’t let your faith fail you at a critical time”
- “Every now and then you’ve got to stop listening - to the nay-sayers, to folk who are going nowhere …”
The Metropolitan A.M.E. Church-Austin Praise Team accompanied by Mattie Robinson uplifted the congregation in song during the service. Closing remarks were given by President Rainwater and Beverly Nutall (DOLA) who thanked ALL who had come together and worked to make the convention a success, especially Bishop Ingram who was actively involved from the beginning to the end. Bishop Ingram gave the final remarks before the body dismissed with the Lay Benediction. The convention even sported a smartly designed Souvenir Journal. In leaving, all thought that this had been a wonderful convention and were looking forward to seeing what the 2007 Convention will bring.
*Sister Vicki E. Houston is the Director of Public Relations, 10th Episcopal District Lay Organization
10. CLERGY OF THE WEEK: PROMINENT PRESIDING ELDER, THE REVEREND ELLA MAE SAMUELS, WINS SCHOOL BOARD SEAT IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA:
*Reverend Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
On Tuesday, November 7, 2006, The Prominent Presiding Elder Ella Mae Samuels of the Augusta-Athens District, Augusta Conference of the Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church won the McDuffie County School Board Seat. She is first in its history of A.M.E. females among Presiding Elders in the Sixth Episcopal District, to serve as a member on the McDuffie County Board of Education in Thomson, Georgia.
Presiding Elder Samuels was elected by a margin of 61% percentile. Her Opponent consented at having 39% of the voting declared at the end of the election. As a newly elected Board Member, some her responsibilities will be is to ensure that policies of the local schools are implemented and are active according to policies and procedures. “The Board is also, responsible for Interviewing and hiring a Superintendent of Schools for the county and other additional duties as assigned to the Board, stated; The presiding Elder Samuel.” Winning has always been a positive aspect in Presiding Elder’s Samuels life and the Lord has blessed her to be a forerunner in her call for service.
Her portfolio describes her as an outstanding Woman of God. Being chosen by God, as the First Female who has served in many capacities of the church, she has been instrumental in opening doors for others females in ministry. While interviewing Presiding Elder Samuels, she acknowledges that her ministry is extensive. Being ordained the first female ordained Itinerant Elder in the Augusta Conference, was a rewarding and challenging experience. She was ordained during the Leadership of Bishop Frederick H. Talbot in 1986.
Among the “first-ever achievements” of Presiding Elder Samuels; she was the first female presiding elder, having been appointed to the presiding eldership in the Sixth Episcopal District by the late Bishop Donald George Kenneth Ming in 2000. She was appointed to the Bishop’s Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership of Bishop Richard F. Norris and currently serves as the senior marshal on the Council of Bishops’ Marshalls’ staff. She was the first woman in ministry in the sixth Episcopal District appointed to a church with resources that actually provided a salary and benefits to include: insurance, retirement and other amentias, which enabled her to serve in full-time ministry. Presiding Elder Samuels became a full time pastor in 1994 after Bishop Ming had given her the appointment in 1993. She Served as the chief secretary of the Augusta Annual Conference and served on the Board of Examiners and the Statistician of the Augusta Conference.
After being employed for the Emanuel County School System for 23 years as an Administrative Assistant and she also served 5 years in the Treutlen School System.
Academically, she has studied at Erskine Theological Seminary, East Georgia College, and Brewton Parker College. She graduated with the highest honor, in receiving a Business Diploma from Swainsboro Technical College. She has done further study in attending numerous seminars and workshops presented by Career Track and Pryor’s Seminars.
The Clergy of the Augusta-Athens District are proud of the accomplishments of their Presiding Elder Samuels in winning the school board seat on November 7, 2006 and commented that, “She is an extraordinary presiding elder in the district and in the community.”
Presiding Elder Samuels is grateful for spiritual and dynamic leadership of Bishop William P. DeVeaux, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District and Dr. Pamela DeVeaux, Episcopal Supervisor for their inspiring and excelling example in leading the episcopal district to a higher level of excellence and spiritual empowerment.
The Augusta-Athens District presently has 39 churches, 29 pastors serving in pastoral roles at their perspective churches, ten licensed exhorters, two licensed missionaries and a licensed lay speaker.
Because of her dedication and committed service to the church and the community has led her to the School Board Seat as an elected member of the McDuffie County Board of Education. She currently serves a member of the McDuffie Chamber of Commerce, the McDuffie Tourism Board, as Chaplain for St. Joseph Hospice, shares in weekly radio broadcast on Radio Station WTWA /AM serving Thomson McDuffie County and the surrounding counties.
As a noted Revivalist, Evangelist, Preacher, teacher and Presiding Elder her vision is to continue to serve God and to bring communities together through enhancing the Body of the Christ.
Congratulations Presiding Elder Samuels as Clergy of The Week, for your unselfish service to mankind.
If you are interested in nominating your pastor or clergy staff member as Clergy of the week, please email your letter of request to; ebrown49@hotmail.com
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder
11. NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS TO WORK AS JANITORS FOR A DAY AT NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY:
State Senator Tony Hill and State Representative Eleanor Sobel met with freshman legislators outside of Nova Southeastern University today. The senior and newly elected officials of Broward County along with faith and community leaders worked alongside the 350 janitors, landscapers and other service workers who maintain Nova Southeastern University. Carrying brooms, rakes, and wearing gloves, the “Janitors for a Day” paired up with individual janitors or landscapers to complete their work duties and show their support of these workers who recently voted and won a union.
"These hardworking people deserve a voice and respect, not poverty wages that burden our communities" said Ronald Brise, the newly elected State Representative for District 108. “It will be an honor to work by their side and learn more about the struggles go through to support their families.”“We formed a union to win dignity and respect for the hard work we do. I work all day in the sun, but only earn $6.70 per hour,” said Rose Marie Fleuranvil, a landscaper at Nova.
On October 4, 2006, over 70% of the workers voted in support of union representation. Many of the workers have served Nova for years, yet struggle to make ends meet as the average wage is $7.21 an hour with no health benefits.
These workers stand to lose their jobs any day as Nova recently put the cleaning, landscaping, and maintenance services contract out to bid. Nova has not committed to require new contractors to maintain the current workforce, as is standard in the industry.The Janitor for a Day program is modeled on Senator Bob Graham's "Workday" program started in 1974 where he labored side-by-side with his constituents performing jobs such as a garbage man, construction worker, and factory worker.
With 1.8 million members, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in North America. Focused on uniting workers in three sectors to improve their lives and the services they provide, SEIU is the largest health-care union and the largest property services union; including building cleaning and security; and the second largest public employees union.
12. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Mrs. Winifee Charles Lawrence graduated from the University of the West Indies, Mona campus in Kingston Jamaica West Indies with a Masters Degree in Educational Administration on Friday, 10th November 2006. Mrs. Lawrence is the wife of the Rev. Barrington Lawrence, Presiding Elder, Jamaica Conference, 16th Episcopal District; Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Presiding Bishop.
Mrs. Winifee Charles Lawrence serves as the President of the Women's Missionary Society of the 16th Episcopal District.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to: winifee@yahoo.com
13. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Congratulations are extended to the Illustrious presiding elder, the Reverend Ella Smiley of the Augusta-Athens District of the Augusta Annual Conference, as a newly elected member of the McDuffy County Board of Education, Thomason, Georgia. She was elected on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 during the General Election and won with 61% of the votes.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to: pesmiley@yahoo.com
14. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor of The Christian Recorder and The Reverend Charlotte Sydnor, Pastor of Shorter Chapel AME Church, Franklin, TN are pleased to announce that their daughter, Attorney Gloria Lynn Sydnor Smith will be preaching her “trial sermon” at 5 p.m. on Sunday at Quinn Chapel AME Church, Cincinnati, Ohio where the Reverend Dr. Frederick A. Wright is the pastor.
Sister Smith is a graduate of the University of Alaska and the Salmon P. Chase College of Law. She practices law with the Cross, Smith Law Firm in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to:
15. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Reverend & Mrs. L. R. Daughtry are happy to announce the marriage of their daughter, Lynnette Daughtry Barrett to Mr. Kelby S. Barrett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Horace N. Barrett, Jr. The wedding was held on Saturday, November 4, 2006, at Historical St. John's A.M.E. Church in Norfolk, VA.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to:
kelbyandlynnette@yahoo.com
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Ethel Fisher passed on Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. Mrs. Fisher is the Mother of the Rev. Jon S. Goshay. He pastored churches in Pennsylvania and at St. Andrews African Methodist Episcopal Church in Youngstown, Ohio. Upon his death, he was serving as the pastor of Quinn Chapel African Methodist Church, Steubenville, Ohio.
Service arrangements for Mrs. Ethel Fisher:
Calling Hour
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Calling Hour -10:00 a.m.
Funeral - 11:00 a.m.
St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church
1800 E. Tuscarawas Street
Canton, OH 44707
Phone: 330-455-6003
FAX: 330-455-8403
Rev. Robert Dye, Pastor
Condolences can be sent to the church.
Professional Services entrusted to:
Formet-Clevenger and Gordon Funeral Home
1803 Cleveland Avenue NW
Canton, OH 44709
Phone: 330-456-4766
FAX: 330- 452-4766
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Blanche Wiggins Haynie went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 11, 2006. Mrs. Haynie is the mother of Dr. Linda Haynie Green and the mother-in-law of The Reverend O. Jerome Green, pastor of Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church in Anniston, AL.
Funeral Service:
Friday, November 17, 2006
11 a.m.
St. John A.M.E. Church
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
The Rev. W. R. Norful will officiate.
The family of Dr. Linda Haynie Green may be contacted at:
4103 Stemley Bridge Road
Pell City, AL 35128
205-338-7662
Expressions may be sent to:
P. K. Miller Mortuary
204 East 2nd Avenue
Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601
870-535-1012 Phone
870-535-1309 Fax
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we announce the passing of Mrs. Linda B. Wright of Orlando, Florida on November 12, 2006. Mrs. Wright is the sister of Rev. Paula Lake and sister-in-law of Rev. Eddie Lake, Pastor and First Lady of Greater Mt. Pleasant AME Church, Hollywood, Florida.
Funeral Service:
Saturday, November 18, 2006
11:00 A.M.
The Life Center Church of Eatonville
63 E. Kennedy Boulevard
Eatonville, FL 32751
(407) 628-3229
Final care entrusted to:
Mitchell's Funeral Home
501 Fairvilla Road
Orlando, FL 32808
(407) 298-0703
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Paula Lake
720 SW 2nd Place
Dania Beach, FL 33004
19. 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
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
20. 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. EDITORIAL: POWERFUL WORDS FOR A POWERFUL MOMENT:
Quite a few years ago while I was serving as a U.S. Army chaplain in Alaska, I was a member of the Anchorage Ministerial Association, which was entirely black. I served as the Dean of the Anchorage Theological Institute, which was the academic and theological arm of the Anchorage Ministerial Association. The association was made up of pastors from the one AMEZ Church, several Baptist Churches, the CME Church, and pastors from several of the Churches of God in Christ. There was no AME Church in Anchorage; the lone AME Church was located in Fairbanks about 352 miles from Anchorage. The Anchorage Ministerial Association was a vibrant organization and the Association and the Institute met every Saturday. It was a well-attended ministerial association.
One Saturday after one of the formal meetings, several pastors were sitting around lamenting about some of the problems they were experiencing with their congregations. It was a “pour out your heart and soul” kind of sharing session. It is good for ministers to have an environment where they can pour out their deepest feelings and those preachers were pouring their hearts out; sharing with one another.
It was the usual kinds of complaints that ministers share with each other; they were deeply chagrined about their local church officers not being faithful to their responsibilities, the lack of attendance and lack of participation by the membership, their members’ lack of appreciation for their ministry, contentious officers and contentious members. They spoke about the poor attendance at Bible studies and prayer meetings, poor stewardship and the failure of members to participate in the tithing ministry. The lack of finances was a big issue and it was their perception that members wanted to keep ministers’ salaries low. Several of the pastors spoke about contentious musicians, poor Sunday School attendance and having to bear the false accusations of ministerial misconduct. Several of the ministers were in building projects and it appeared to them that Satan, himself, was present trying to block their building programs. And, and on and on they went and it was a gut-wrenching session. I was relatively young and most of them had more pastoral experience than I. Sometimes, we can only listen; and that’s what I did.
Suddenly, Bishop C. D. Williams, the COGIC Bishop of Alaska, who was in the middle of a major remodeling program, stood up and in his preacher-voice began to share about the goodness and reliability of God and I have never forgotten his sage comments. They have stuck with me for over thirty years. I can hear him in my mind as clearly today as he spoke those words in 1975. He waxed eloquently for about three minutes and after he had reached a crescendo closed with, "I thank God for the good people who are sweet because they give me encouragement and they are a joy to serve. But, I also thank God for the contentious and complaining members; those who are fighters and who are uncooperative because they keep me on my knees in prayer and they keep me from being complacent in ministry; they keep me on my toes. So, I thank God for both groups. And, I know that God’s program will never fail if we are faithful and obedient to His will in ministry." Bishop C. D. Williams spoke powerful words for a powerful moment.
For me, the operative words, for clergy, are, “If we are faithful and obedient to God's Will in ministry.” We can thank God for the positives and negatives in ministry, “If we are faithful and obedient to God's will in ministry.”
2. HISTORIC BLACK METHODIST CHURCH DELEGATION VISITS HOLY LAND:
*By Lesley Crosson
ORLANDO (UMNS) -- A delegation of leaders from historic African-American churches who just returned from Jerusalem and the Holy Land says conditions for Palestinians in the West Bank painfully echo the injustices suffered by people of color during South Africa's apartheid era and during the pre-civil rights era in America. Black church leaders in the delegation, which included representatives from three Methodist denominations -- the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church (The Right Reverend E. Earl McCloud) and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church -- now are vowing to work with their communions and congregations, the Jewish, Christian and Islamic faith communities, politicians and Palestinians in the Diaspora to focus attention on the deteriorating situation in the Holy Land.The Oct. 27-Nov. 3 trip was hosted by the global humanitarian agency Church World Service, and the delegation was led by the Rev. John L. McCullough, a United Methodist pastor and CWS executive director.Delegation members reported their findings Nov. 9 in Orlando at the combined General Assembly of Church World Service and the National Council of Churches -- an annual meeting of leaders from 35 mainline Christian denominations. On a visit to the Israeli-built barrier now separating Palestinian residents in the West Bank from residents in Israel-controlled Jerusalem, AME Bishop E. Earl McCloud Jr. said, "I'm surprised by the blatant attempt of Israelis to separate themselves. I've also been on the backside of fear of black people, and it makes me sad to see this wall and to hear so many say this wall has been built with money I have sent to the U.S. government in tax dollars." Supporters call the nearly 26-foot-high wall portion of the barrier, which in some places runs through the home sites and farms of Palestinians, a "separation barrier." Palestinians alternately referred to it as the "apartheid wall" or the "segregation wall."
The 400-mile-plus West Bank barrier is marked with protest slogans left by visitors, including a fading stencil of the United Methodist cross and flame symbol. Church World Service sponsored an Oct. 27-Nov. 3 trip for a delegation of leaders from historic African American churches to the Middle East that included representatives from three Methodist denominations-- the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
The controversial 400-mile-plus West Bank barrier is marked with protest slogans left by visitors, including a fading stencil of the United Methodist Cross and Flame symbol.Supporters say the barrier is necessary to protect Israeli civilians from Palestinian suicide bombing in public places. Opponents say the barrier violates international law, is an illegal effort to annex Palestinian land and severely restricts the normal life movements of Palestinians who live in the area."I can understand Israelis concern about security. That's a valid concern for anyone, even though there have been very few incidents that truly threaten their security. But when you take a wall that separates families, that keeps people from their land, that causes immense hardship, that is overkill and there is no justification for that wall," said Bishop Louis Hunter of the AME Zion Church.The 12-member delegation met with heads of the region's oldest Orthodox and Latin Catholic churches and with Anglican, Lutheran, and Jewish faith leaders and government officials. The group also conferred with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Foreign Affairs Ministry representative Shmuel ben Shmuel. Linked to the discussion of the oppression of the mostly-Christian community in Jerusalem was the threat to the survival of a Christian presence in the Holy Land, where Arab Christians and Palestinian Christians have lived for 2,000 years since the earliest Christian communities. Bishop Aris, the Armenian Patriarchate Ecumenical Officer for Jerusalem, called upon Christians to "unify in the common cause of maintaining the holy places of Jerusalem for people of all faiths." Aris said the Christian community represents less than 1.5 percent of the population in the region."If the current situation continues it may well result in the extinction of the Christian presence in the Holy Land and seriously endanger continued collaboration amongst the three Abrahamic traditions represented there," McCullough observed. "The mostly Palestinian Christian community is facing a period of intense crisis because of the expanded separation wall and restrictions on the ability of Palestinians to travel from the West Bank into Jerusalem," he said. "Israeli security and defense policies also seem to unfairly infringe upon the churches, including the effective conduct of their affairs, the nurturing of their members and the fulfillment of their ministries."
In a Nov. 2 meeting with the delegation Abbas shared his views on a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. "We should have our own state within the borders outlined in the 1967 agreement," Abbas said. "In the past, Palestinians owned 95 percent of Palestine. The share now is 22 percent."Abbas said the international siege over the past 10 months has increased the suffering of people living in occupied Palestine, "with invasions every day, fatalities and increased demolitions of houses. We recognize the right of Israelis to live, but we also want them to recognize our right to live safely within our own borders."Emphasizing the need to draw more worldwide attention to the crisis in the region, His Beatitude Michel Sabbah, the Latin Catholic Patriarch of Jerusalem, told the delegation, "The conflict is not just the business of Palestinians and Israelis. It is the business of every Christian whose obligation is to witness justice, equality and love for all, not just for a chosen few." The severely limited freedom and discrimination against Palestinian Christians make social and economic development impossible. "In the political arena," Sabbah said. "I think that we have no place on the agenda and we do not count." Delegates vowed to try to change that. Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church said he is "prepared to become a part of a prophetic ministry to bring this situation to the forefront and to be a part of the search for a solution."McCloud pledged to look "for ways to positively and dramatically impact this situation. We're going to work with Church World Service. We're going to work with the Congressional Black Caucus. We're going to work with the ecumenical leadership. We've got to bring attention to this in America."
Other members of the delegation included the Rev. Tyrone Pitts, chief executive, Progressive National Baptist Convention; the Rev. A. Wayne Johnson, chief executive, National Missionary Baptist Convention of America; the Rev. George T. Brooks Sr., National Baptist Church of America; the Rev. Charles Mock, executive secretary, National Baptist Convention USA; and David Weaver and Cheryl Dudley, CWS staff.
*Crosson is the media relations officer for Church World Service and she accompanied the delegation.
Used with permission of the United Methodist News Service
Editor's note: I bolded the areas in the above message that relates to the AME Church and the Rt. Rev. E. Earl McCloud.
3. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
- To the Editor
In an article written in the November 2, 2006 online edition of The Christian Recorder, I wrote about something of which every pastor in the AME Church should rush to take advantage. “The Biblical Perspective about Debt” is one of two books included in the world renowned audio series regarding the principles of stewardship. This resource was printed under private label for the African Methodist Episcopal Church and we are the only denomination in the world that can make that claim.
The management from GKM, Inc. thinks the information is so important that they made a decision to mail 1400 complimentary copies to AME pastors in throughout the United States.
As I wrote before, if you want to receive the information, all you have to do is email: series@gkmpackagingdist.com.
Pastors, please include your full name, church name, address and the $70.00 resource will be mailed the same day to you, free of charge. The only thing GKM management asks is that you pay the cost of packaging and mailing the series to you. The only cost is $15.00. When you receive your series a self-addressed stamped envelop will be included for your convenience; so all you have to do is place a check for $15.00 in and mail it back.
GKM has mailed almost 400 kits to AME Pastors and as of today very few have returned the cost for shipping. Please send your check so this gracious offer will not be impeded.
The Reverend Garry Moss
4. THE 4TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2006-2007 CALENDAR:
2006 Calendar
November 16
Fourth Episcopal District Community Seminar on HIV/AIDS
“Living Life to the Fullest” - 6 pm-9 pm
Bethel AMEC,
4444 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago - (773) 285-5500
November 17
Pan-Methodist Worship Service, 7 pm
Preacher: Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Sr.
Coppin Memorial AMEC,
5633 S. Michigan Ave.,
Chicago - (773) 667-5881
2007 Calendar
February 9-10
Founder’s Day Celebration,
Hyatt Regency Hotel,
600 Town Center Dr.
Dearborn, MI
(313) 593-1234
Room Rate: $109 per night (single/double/triple/quad) - Deadline: 1/19/07
WMS Life Members’ Celebration Luncheon (2/9 at 12 pm)
February 16
13th Episcopal District Founder’s Day Celebration, 7 pm
Preacher: Bishop Philip R. Cousin, Sr.
Quinn Chapel AMEC
1901 W Muhammad Ali Blvd
Louisville, KY 40203
March 15-17
Mid-Year Convocation
Wyndham Hotel,
3000 Warrenville Road,
Lisle, IL –
(630) 505-1000
Room Rate: $97 per night; Reservation Deadline: 3/1/07
“A Celebration of Excellence” Honoring Dr. M. Joan Cousin
4th District Women's Missionary Society
April 27-29
District Minister’s Spouses Retreat –
Camp Baber,
Cassopolis, MI
July 30-Aug. 2
Christian Education Congress
Wyndham Hotel,
3000 Warrenville Road,
Lisle, IL
(630) 505-1000
Room Rate: $97 per night; Reservation Deadline: 6/29/07
5. SAVE THE DATE - FRIDAY, MAY 11 THRU SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007:
Sisters Keeping the Covenant Presents Women’s General Assembly 2007
“SHE AIN’T HEAVY SHE’S MY SISTER” (Special Sessions for Young Ladies ages 12-18)
Conference Site: Sheraton Hotel, Parsippany, New Jersey
For more Information, call the Rev. Maxine L. Thomas, Telephone: 877-942-2006
Visit our website: www.sisterskeepingthecovenantministries.org
6. HOW CHRISTIAN ARE WE WHEN NOBODY IS WATCHING?
*The Reverend Charles R. Watkins, Jr., B.S., M.Div.
Luke 10:30-37 is, of course, the Parable of the Good Samaritan. It is a story told from pulpits across the country. This passage of Scripture represents the parable Jesus used in answer to the Levite’s question—“Who is my neighbor?”
This story, while relatively short in length is long on content. I submit that this well known, oft preached, neatly packaged story begs the question: “How Christian are we when nobody is watching?’
Geographically, Jericho is down from Jerusalem. To understand the significance, we must picture this road as it winds and turns, making its way down the steep decline. As it winds and turns we can imagine the many places around each bend where dangerous obstacles can be hidden. We can imagine as the road winds and turns all the places where danger is possibly lurking and where there is opportunity to be over taken by thieves, robbers and others who would do us harm.
This road is very much like our life’s journey. We travel down the winding, turning, often treacherous road of life’s journey rounding corners, sometimes finding ourselves confronted with fear. Fear of the unknown. Fear that robs us of security. We travel down life’s road negotiating the winding turns, rounding the next corner when, all of a sudden, jumping out of the bushes, is a gang of troubles resulting in financial uncertainty.
Continuing down life’s road we often times round the corner only to be blindsided by one unexpected misfortune after another. Many have fallen into the hands of robbers of self-esteem. Many, unfortunately, have been accosted by thieves who strip them of their will. Far too often some of our friends and loved ones lay on life’s road gang beaten by despair and left emotionally and spiritually dead. There on the side of life’s treacherous winding road many lay hemorrhaging with doubt and anemic of faith.
We have preached to others about the help that comes through prayer, but now as people around us lay wounded on that road down life’s journey—“How Christian are we when nobody is watching?”
The parable very neatly describes three people who come in contact with the man who lies beaten and robbed. We are disgusted by those who didn’t stop to help and we are elated that somebody did. However, I submit that on any given day, for many of us, the actions of all three people are representative of our own service to those who need our help. Someday we are like the priest, pious, self-serving and judgmental. Some days we are in a hurry like the Levite. Thanks be to God, there are days when we are compassionate and willing to give of ourselves. These are the days when we recognize our neighbor is any one of God’s creation.
Jesus gives us an example, in this parable, of the sacrifice it takes to be what God has called us to be. “How Christian are we, when nobody is watching?” It seems so simple to do what is right when we are among a crowd of people. It seems so unnoticed to not be helpful when nobody seems to be watching. That is, of course, until we come to realize that someone is always watching. That is until we awaken to the fact that nothing we do goes unnoticed by God.
How many people have we passed going down life’s road? How many times, when we could have helped, have we turned away or crossed to the other side of the street? Have we done all that we can for our neighbors? How Christian are we when nobody is watching?
The Rev. Charles R. Watkins, Jr is the pastor of Friendship AME Church, Clinton, South Carolina, Greenville District, Seventh Episcopal District.
The Right Reverend Dr. Preston Warren Williams, II, Presiding Prelate
The Reverend Jonathan J. Baker, Presiding Elder
7. THE ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL SCOUTS (AAMES) SUBMITS REPORT FOR OCTOBER 2006:
Organizational Growth
The AAMES ministry continues to experience fluctuations in its participation and membership. However, when weighed, the level of interest and desire to participate in the ministry has steadily been increasing in recent months. AAMES is continuing to improve its outreach and means of communication.
Plan for Growth
Starting in July 2006, AAMES initiated the process of a strategic plan to increase membership and active participation. The process from our strategic planning efforts has resulting in the following.
- Recommendations for Episcopal appointment, in each Episcopal District to serve as Boy Scout Director to enable us to be equitably represented across the connection. These appointees will have similar responsibilities to that of a District Christian Education Director, but will focus on establishing scouting troops in their District of assignment. (2006-2010 - Episcopal appointments attached)
- Increased accessibility throughout the connection by seeking permission for AAMES Connectional information is included in all official publications and websites.
- A review of 2005 - 2006 statistics, indicate the need to seriously work on recruiting the new leadership in each of the units. As longstanding primary leaders drop or become disinterested in the program because their children graduate and go on to collage, military, etc, communication from each of these units to AAMES sometimes stops due to new leadership may not be members of the local host church. Therefore the information needed for communication to AAMES is not properly passed on to the new leadership of those units. AAMES is actively working on solutions that will enable these types of issues to be eliminated. This process thus will save more units.
- A process for starting new AAMES scouting units has begun because of these processes being initiated throughout the AME Connectional Church.
Program of Religious Activities for Youth
At the 25th Connectional Christian Education & Youth Congress held at Coronado Springs Resort Walt Disney World Lake Buena Vista, Florida. AAMES membership convened on Thursday, July 6, 2006 for the purposes of the appointment/reappointment of Connectional and Assistant Connectional Scouting Directors and the election of other officers. With Dr. Ingram presiding, the following installations were made for the term commencing 2006-2010.
Appointments Made:
Connectional Boy Scout Director - Anthony Franklin
Connectional Girl Scout Director - Cora Lee-Palmer
Assistant Connectional Boy Scout Director - Clarence Crayton
Assistant Connectional Girl Scout Director - Hattie Saulsberry
Elected Officers are:
Secretary - Donna Franklin
Asst. Secretary - Lamont Williams
Treasurer - Robert McRath
Financial Secretary - Jesse Triggs
Chaplain - Gwendolyn Williams
Historiographer - Steve Franklin
Parliamentarian - Myron Ford
A meeting was also held at the Congress with AAMES leadership, The Central Florida Boy Scout Executive Ron Oates, President of South Region Central Florida - Tica Perez, Disney Executive Manager of Support Systems – Allie Braswell to initiate discussions for developing scouting units in the AME churches in Central Florida. The Central Florida BSA Council and Scout Reach National Associate Assistant Director – Don Rodgers have pledged to work with Presiding Elder James Williams and Rev. Granville Anderson (an Eagle Scout) to strongly endorse a plan to address the need.
At the Congress Awards Dinner held the same night former General Officer of Christian Education Department - Dr. Kenneth Hill was presented the God and Service award from
Scout Reach National Associate Assistant Director - Mr. Don Rodgers.
Scout Reach National Associate Assistant Director - Don Rodgers also received the Outstanding Contributions award for Distinguish service from the Association of African Methodist Episcopal Scouts along with Dr. James F. Miller, Pastor of Dupage AME Church, Lisle Illinois, former General Officer of Christian Education Department husband and wife Dr. Roberta Hill and Dr. Kenneth Hill.
Dr. Daryl Ingram, General Officer of Christian Education Department announced that the A.M.E. Church will be participating in a test pilot program involving youth in thirteen A.M.E. churches to test the “fit” of the A.M.E. religious award programs offered by PRAY with our youth programs.
Rev. Ernest J. Garrison – Connection Church School Certification Coordinator presented to the youth leadership of the 4th Episcopal District 0n September 14, 2006 at Host Church - Dupage AME Church in Lisle Illinois, a formal presentation on the nature of how the mission of the church, Christian education & what is my Gift, can support the teaching and training to prepare them for and assist them with effective living and Christian leadership in a changing society. Using the test pilot program was discussed as part of the process
In the Washington DC area AAMES - Asst. Director Clarence Crayton, along with the National Capital Area Council's Field Director are, in the process of setting up a Meeting with the Second Episcopal District Bishop - A Jefferson Richardson to discuss the processes from our strategic planning efforts to Scouting in the Second District. We are planning to meet in November 2006.
Events & Local Activities
Rev. Arties Phillips Jr. - AAMES Emeritus – received his congratulation letter for his 50 years of service in scouting.
At the Boy Scouts National Annual Meeting this past May in Washington, D. C: Troop 487 had a Color Guard Present the Color at the Americanism Breakfast.
Troop 487's Bryant Crenshaw (Eagle Scout, now a freshman at Wilberforce University, Ohio) received the AME God and County Award
In May, AAMES - Asst. Director Clarence Crayton Clarence Crayton was awarded his Silver Beaver Award in the National Capital Area Council
Ebenezer AME Church, Ft. Washington, Md. - Troop 487 took twenty-one Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts to the Grand Canyon in July. They were hosted by St. James AME Church in Memphis Tennessee and Johnson Chapel AME Church in Amarillo TX on their trip.
DuPage AME Church, Lisle Illinois Scouting Ministry in September visited the Kane County correctional facilities in Geneva IL, hosted by AAMES local members. 87 persons attended, the youth were able to see the positive careers of law enforcement and how the technology affects us all today. The Adult leaders and parents were given a presentation and tour of the Jail. Everyone who participated in the visit said our youths need to see this type of tour to encourage them to continue to work for the good.
Respectfully Submitted,
Anthony Franklin Sr.
AAMES - Connectional Boy Scout Director -2006 -2010
2540 Brookstone Court
Aurora, IL 60504
630-375-9230 (h)
adf@ameritech.net
Rev. Artis Phillips Jr.
AAMES Emeritus – Religious Relationship Committee Member
8323 S. Paxton
Chicago, IL
773/734-7866
Rev. Dr. Daryl B. Ingram
AAMES - Executive Director of Scouting Director - AME Christian Education Department
AME Christian Education Department500 8th Avenue SouthNashville, TN 37203
(800) 525-7282
cedoffice@ameced.com
8. ASSOCIATION OF AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL SCOUTS:
“United in Christ, Creed and Culture”
Officers of AAMES - 2006 – 2010
Executive Director of Scouting – Dr. Daryl Ingram cedoffice@ameced.com
Girl Scouts Director - Cora Lee - Palmer amegsdir@sbcglobal.net
Boy Scouts Director - Anthony Franklin Sr. adf@ameritech.net
Girl Scouts Asst. Director - Hattie Saulsberry hsaulsberry@sbcglobal.net
Boy Scouts Asst. Director – Clarence Crayton lahowardconstruction@msn.com
Treasurer - Robert Mcrath robertmcrath@i1.net
Financial Secretary - Jesse Triggs jestrigg@yahoo.com
Secretary - Donna J. Franklin donnajfranklin@ameritech.net
Asst. Secretary - Lamont Williams LWilliam@milwjobs.com
AAMES Chaplin - Williams, Gwendolyn Butler
Historiographer - Steve Franklin snjfranklin@comcast.net
Parliamentarian - Myron Ford mkford_sr@yahoo.com
9. THE 10TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT ANNUAL LAY CONVENTION -
“THE OTHER SIDE OF LEADERSHIP”:
*Sister Vicki E. Houston
On June 2-3, 2006 the 10th Episcopal District Lay Organization under the leadership of Episcopal District Lay President – Charles Rainwater and Episcopal District Director of Lay Activities – Beverly Nutall convened its’ Annual Convention at Grant A.M.E. Worship Center in Austin, Texas (Rev. Dr. W. Raymond Bryant, Pastor / Vicki Houston, Local Lay President). The Director of Lay Activities in collaboration with President Rainwater and Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram and others crafted a “jam packed” two days of seminars and other activities for the attendees. The 2006 Annual Lay Convention theme was “The Other Side of Leadership”. The presenters and topics were wide ranging and there was plenty of Q & A in the individual workshops, as well as the general plenary sessions.
The gathering was blessed to have Bishop Ingram conduct a plenary on “The Other Side of Leadership: The Critical Role of Lay Persons in the Work of the Church”. In his presentation he told us that “the mission statement of the A.M.E. Church often serves as the driving force behind a church being a success or failure. The church is God’s instrument and community called and commanded to do His work and will in the world. Christian ministry today requires changes in its present structures, practices and ideologies. This means that all of us, clergy and lay, must examine ourselves to see how we are helping to liberate the disinherited and oppressed. Years ago, people were drawn to certain leaders because of their charisma or persona. Today, people are looking for leaders who possess more. Leadership is exemplified by those possessing the rare skill of drawing people together to achieve a common objective.”
Additionally, a plenary, “Developing Leaders for the Future to ‘Make a Difference’” was given by Rev. Ronald A. Boykin, Pastor of First A.M.E. Church in Manassas, Virginia. The workshops and plenary sessions were open to and attended by both lay and clergy.
Other workshops and presenters during the convention included:
- “Seven Leadership Challenges for the Local Church” – Eddie Henry
- “Organizing a Lay Organization and What it Takes to Make it Successful” – Johnny Tellis, Jr.
- “History of the Lay Movement … Past and Present” – Vertie Young
- “Leadership Lessons of Jesus: How to Live Well” – Mary Stovall Turman
- “Developing Your Spirituality through Journaling” – Paul Turman
- “God’s Economic Plan for Your Life” – Larry Hollie
Friday’s activities concluded with a grand banquet held in Grant Worship Center’s Alene Henderson Family Life Center. The center’s tables were draped in royal blue with rose centerpieces; the head table, also draped in royal blue had multiple centerpieces with mixed floral arrangements. The banquet began with “the processional” for the head table introduced by Master of Ceremonies, Carl Davis. The processional included: Bishop Ingram, Rev. Boykin, Rev. Bryant (host pastor), Charles Rainwater, Beverly Nutall, Johnny Tellis, Jr. (Connectional Lay 3rd Vice President) and his wife Barbara, Albert Brewer (Past Connectional Lay Parliamentarian) and his wife Mary, Conference Presidents: Bertha Davis, Donnie Thomas-Davis, Rodrick Moore and Ava Parker, and Vicki Houston (local lay president). Attendees availed themselves of an eye pleasing sumptuous meal (courtesy of the culinary talents of Vernice Williams) before turning their attention to the speaker for the evening.
The welcome was given by the host conference president, Rodrick Moore.
The banquet speaker was none other than Richard A. Lewis, Treasurer of the A.M.E. Church. Our spirits were elevated in song by the powerful voice of Joy Moore (of Grant A.M.E. Worship Center). The inaugural “Gussie Smith Service Award” was presented to her family (Gussie Smith passed in early January 2006; she was a charter member of the 10th Episcopal District Lay Organization). We were further blessed to have the Presiding Elders Council of the 10th District present at the banquet (and closing service).
The convention concluded on Saturday with a business session and memorial followed by the closing worship service. The closing message was brought by Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram. The subject of his message was “Who Are You Listening To?” (I Kings 19:4-…; focal verses 11 & 12). Some of the sermon points were:
- “After God has revealed himself, don’t let anyone … run you away.”
- “Don’t let your faith fail you at a critical time”
- “Every now and then you’ve got to stop listening - to the nay-sayers, to folk who are going nowhere …”
The Metropolitan A.M.E. Church-Austin Praise Team accompanied by Mattie Robinson uplifted the congregation in song during the service. Closing remarks were given by President Rainwater and Beverly Nutall (DOLA) who thanked ALL who had come together and worked to make the convention a success, especially Bishop Ingram who was actively involved from the beginning to the end. Bishop Ingram gave the final remarks before the body dismissed with the Lay Benediction. The convention even sported a smartly designed Souvenir Journal. In leaving, all thought that this had been a wonderful convention and were looking forward to seeing what the 2007 Convention will bring.
*Sister Vicki E. Houston is the Director of Public Relations, 10th Episcopal District Lay Organization
10. CLERGY OF THE WEEK: PROMINENT PRESIDING ELDER, THE REVEREND ELLA MAE SAMUELS, WINS SCHOOL BOARD SEAT IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA:
*Reverend Edrena Houston Brown, M.A.C.E.
On Tuesday, November 7, 2006, The Prominent Presiding Elder Ella Mae Samuels of the Augusta-Athens District, Augusta Conference of the Sixth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church won the McDuffie County School Board Seat. She is first in its history of A.M.E. females among Presiding Elders in the Sixth Episcopal District, to serve as a member on the McDuffie County Board of Education in Thomson, Georgia.
Presiding Elder Samuels was elected by a margin of 61% percentile. Her Opponent consented at having 39% of the voting declared at the end of the election. As a newly elected Board Member, some her responsibilities will be is to ensure that policies of the local schools are implemented and are active according to policies and procedures. “The Board is also, responsible for Interviewing and hiring a Superintendent of Schools for the county and other additional duties as assigned to the Board, stated; The presiding Elder Samuel.” Winning has always been a positive aspect in Presiding Elder’s Samuels life and the Lord has blessed her to be a forerunner in her call for service.
Her portfolio describes her as an outstanding Woman of God. Being chosen by God, as the First Female who has served in many capacities of the church, she has been instrumental in opening doors for others females in ministry. While interviewing Presiding Elder Samuels, she acknowledges that her ministry is extensive. Being ordained the first female ordained Itinerant Elder in the Augusta Conference, was a rewarding and challenging experience. She was ordained during the Leadership of Bishop Frederick H. Talbot in 1986.
Among the “first-ever achievements” of Presiding Elder Samuels; she was the first female presiding elder, having been appointed to the presiding eldership in the Sixth Episcopal District by the late Bishop Donald George Kenneth Ming in 2000. She was appointed to the Bishop’s Council of the African Methodist Episcopal Church under the leadership of Bishop Richard F. Norris and currently serves as the senior marshal on the Council of Bishops’ Marshalls’ staff. She was the first woman in ministry in the sixth Episcopal District appointed to a church with resources that actually provided a salary and benefits to include: insurance, retirement and other amentias, which enabled her to serve in full-time ministry. Presiding Elder Samuels became a full time pastor in 1994 after Bishop Ming had given her the appointment in 1993. She Served as the chief secretary of the Augusta Annual Conference and served on the Board of Examiners and the Statistician of the Augusta Conference.
After being employed for the Emanuel County School System for 23 years as an Administrative Assistant and she also served 5 years in the Treutlen School System.
Academically, she has studied at Erskine Theological Seminary, East Georgia College, and Brewton Parker College. She graduated with the highest honor, in receiving a Business Diploma from Swainsboro Technical College. She has done further study in attending numerous seminars and workshops presented by Career Track and Pryor’s Seminars.
The Clergy of the Augusta-Athens District are proud of the accomplishments of their Presiding Elder Samuels in winning the school board seat on November 7, 2006 and commented that, “She is an extraordinary presiding elder in the district and in the community.”
Presiding Elder Samuels is grateful for spiritual and dynamic leadership of Bishop William P. DeVeaux, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District and Dr. Pamela DeVeaux, Episcopal Supervisor for their inspiring and excelling example in leading the episcopal district to a higher level of excellence and spiritual empowerment.
The Augusta-Athens District presently has 39 churches, 29 pastors serving in pastoral roles at their perspective churches, ten licensed exhorters, two licensed missionaries and a licensed lay speaker.
Because of her dedication and committed service to the church and the community has led her to the School Board Seat as an elected member of the McDuffie County Board of Education. She currently serves a member of the McDuffie Chamber of Commerce, the McDuffie Tourism Board, as Chaplain for St. Joseph Hospice, shares in weekly radio broadcast on Radio Station WTWA /AM serving Thomson McDuffie County and the surrounding counties.
As a noted Revivalist, Evangelist, Preacher, teacher and Presiding Elder her vision is to continue to serve God and to bring communities together through enhancing the Body of the Christ.
Congratulations Presiding Elder Samuels as Clergy of The Week, for your unselfish service to mankind.
If you are interested in nominating your pastor or clergy staff member as Clergy of the week, please email your letter of request to; ebrown49@hotmail.com
*Rev. Edrena Houston Brown is a staff writer for the Christian Recorder
11. NEWLY ELECTED OFFICIALS TO WORK AS JANITORS FOR A DAY AT NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY:
State Senator Tony Hill and State Representative Eleanor Sobel met with freshman legislators outside of Nova Southeastern University today. The senior and newly elected officials of Broward County along with faith and community leaders worked alongside the 350 janitors, landscapers and other service workers who maintain Nova Southeastern University. Carrying brooms, rakes, and wearing gloves, the “Janitors for a Day” paired up with individual janitors or landscapers to complete their work duties and show their support of these workers who recently voted and won a union.
"These hardworking people deserve a voice and respect, not poverty wages that burden our communities" said Ronald Brise, the newly elected State Representative for District 108. “It will be an honor to work by their side and learn more about the struggles go through to support their families.”“We formed a union to win dignity and respect for the hard work we do. I work all day in the sun, but only earn $6.70 per hour,” said Rose Marie Fleuranvil, a landscaper at Nova.
On October 4, 2006, over 70% of the workers voted in support of union representation. Many of the workers have served Nova for years, yet struggle to make ends meet as the average wage is $7.21 an hour with no health benefits.
These workers stand to lose their jobs any day as Nova recently put the cleaning, landscaping, and maintenance services contract out to bid. Nova has not committed to require new contractors to maintain the current workforce, as is standard in the industry.The Janitor for a Day program is modeled on Senator Bob Graham's "Workday" program started in 1974 where he labored side-by-side with his constituents performing jobs such as a garbage man, construction worker, and factory worker.
With 1.8 million members, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in North America. Focused on uniting workers in three sectors to improve their lives and the services they provide, SEIU is the largest health-care union and the largest property services union; including building cleaning and security; and the second largest public employees union.
12. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Mrs. Winifee Charles Lawrence graduated from the University of the West Indies, Mona campus in Kingston Jamaica West Indies with a Masters Degree in Educational Administration on Friday, 10th November 2006. Mrs. Lawrence is the wife of the Rev. Barrington Lawrence, Presiding Elder, Jamaica Conference, 16th Episcopal District; Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Presiding Bishop.
Mrs. Winifee Charles Lawrence serves as the President of the Women's Missionary Society of the 16th Episcopal District.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to: winifee@yahoo.com
13. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Congratulations are extended to the Illustrious presiding elder, the Reverend Ella Smiley of the Augusta-Athens District of the Augusta Annual Conference, as a newly elected member of the McDuffy County Board of Education, Thomason, Georgia. She was elected on Tuesday, November 7, 2006 during the General Election and won with 61% of the votes.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to: pesmiley@yahoo.com
14. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor of The Christian Recorder and The Reverend Charlotte Sydnor, Pastor of Shorter Chapel AME Church, Franklin, TN are pleased to announce that their daughter, Attorney Gloria Lynn Sydnor Smith will be preaching her “trial sermon” at 5 p.m. on Sunday at Quinn Chapel AME Church, Cincinnati, Ohio where the Reverend Dr. Frederick A. Wright is the pastor.
Sister Smith is a graduate of the University of Alaska and the Salmon P. Chase College of Law. She practices law with the Cross, Smith Law Firm in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to:
15. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
The Reverend & Mrs. L. R. Daughtry are happy to announce the marriage of their daughter, Lynnette Daughtry Barrett to Mr. Kelby S. Barrett, son of Mr. and Mrs. Horace N. Barrett, Jr. The wedding was held on Saturday, November 4, 2006, at Historical St. John's A.M.E. Church in Norfolk, VA.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to:
kelbyandlynnette@yahoo.com
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Ethel Fisher passed on Saturday, November 11, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. Mrs. Fisher is the Mother of the Rev. Jon S. Goshay. He pastored churches in Pennsylvania and at St. Andrews African Methodist Episcopal Church in Youngstown, Ohio. Upon his death, he was serving as the pastor of Quinn Chapel African Methodist Church, Steubenville, Ohio.
Service arrangements for Mrs. Ethel Fisher:
Calling Hour
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Calling Hour -10:00 a.m.
Funeral - 11:00 a.m.
St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church
1800 E. Tuscarawas Street
Canton, OH 44707
Phone: 330-455-6003
FAX: 330-455-8403
Rev. Robert Dye, Pastor
Condolences can be sent to the church.
Professional Services entrusted to:
Formet-Clevenger and Gordon Funeral Home
1803 Cleveland Avenue NW
Canton, OH 44709
Phone: 330-456-4766
FAX: 330- 452-4766
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Blanche Wiggins Haynie went to be with the Lord on Saturday, November 11, 2006. Mrs. Haynie is the mother of Dr. Linda Haynie Green and the mother-in-law of The Reverend O. Jerome Green, pastor of Gaines Chapel A.M.E. Church in Anniston, AL.
Funeral Service:
Friday, November 17, 2006
11 a.m.
St. John A.M.E. Church
Pine Bluff, Arkansas
The Rev. W. R. Norful will officiate.
The family of Dr. Linda Haynie Green may be contacted at:
4103 Stemley Bridge Road
Pell City, AL 35128
205-338-7662
Expressions may be sent to:
P. K. Miller Mortuary
204 East 2nd Avenue
Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71601
870-535-1012 Phone
870-535-1309 Fax
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Regretfully we announce the passing of Mrs. Linda B. Wright of Orlando, Florida on November 12, 2006. Mrs. Wright is the sister of Rev. Paula Lake and sister-in-law of Rev. Eddie Lake, Pastor and First Lady of Greater Mt. Pleasant AME Church, Hollywood, Florida.
Funeral Service:
Saturday, November 18, 2006
11:00 A.M.
The Life Center Church of Eatonville
63 E. Kennedy Boulevard
Eatonville, FL 32751
(407) 628-3229
Final care entrusted to:
Mitchell's Funeral Home
501 Fairvilla Road
Orlando, FL 32808
(407) 298-0703
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Paula Lake
720 SW 2nd Place
Dania Beach, FL 33004
19. 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
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
20. 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.
