THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER Online

10/08/2009

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (10/8/09)

Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor, The Christian Recorder

1. EDITORIAL – SHEEP GROW FLOCKS, NOT SHEPHERDS:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
The 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder

We live in a blame environment. Everybody has an opinion about so many things. People blame the President, the Democrats blame the Republicans and the Republicans blame the Democrats. Teachers blame the students for not doing well in school and students blame teachers when they fail. No one is invulnerable from blame; there is enough blame for everyone.

“Major league” blame is played in churches. A lot of folks blame the pastor for the problems they see in churches. But, the AME laity, not always the pastor, must take some responsibility for congregational growth, while at the same time take blame for membership losses in local churches because ministry in the local church is a team effort of clergy and laity working together for the building of the Kingdom of God.

The Bible uses the shepherd and sheep motif when it addresses the care of God’s people. Ministry is clergy (shepherd) and laity (sheep) working together. “Shepherds do not grow flocks; sheep grow flocks.” A shepherd guides, cares, and protect the sheep. The sheep mingle and mate; and the flock grows. The same principle holds true for a local church.

Last week, a church member mentioned that he felt the failure in so many of our local AME Churches was the fault of the stewards. He said that it was his opinion that too many pastors “stacked” steward boards with cronies and with people they could control, rather than people who took seriously the responsibilities of what is required of faithful stewards.

Too many church members have abdicated ministry to pastors, but, church members have a responsibility to be partners in ministry; and church officers, i.e., stewards, trustees and presidents of organizations have a greater responsibility to be partners in ministry.

As shepherds cannot grow flocks, pastors, alone, cannot “grow” congregations. The pastor, though, bears the “lion’s share” of facilitating and guiding congregational growth because the shepherd leads the flock; and how and where the shepherd leads, cares for, and nurtures the flock, determines the success of the growth of the flock. If the shepherd leads the flock near dangerous precipices, there are risks that some of the sheep will be lost. The shepherd has to be a caring leader and must always be mindful of the flock.

The attributes of effective leadership

There has been a long-standing debate about whether leaders are born with innate abilities or if a person can learn to be a leader. However a person becomes a leader, the one thing that I have observed is that leadership skills can be improved and developed and there are leadership attributes that all effective leaders possess.

Effective leaders know the importance of team-building. They know that motivating subordinates to “buy-into” or take ownership of the organization is an important component of team-building and organizational cohesiveness.

Some pastoral leaders, at all levels, are tempted to take teambuilding shortcuts by stacking an organization with people who agree with them and leave off the team persons they think will disagree with them; that’s not teambuilding, that’s setting up a low-performing organization. Effective leaders want to know all sides of issues.

Effective pastoral leaders train, train, and do more training. Pastors should not allow stewards and trustees to serve without training them and providing or requiring them to own The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2008. Training should be recurring training; training and more training. It should go without saying that local church leaders should own and be familiar with the Bible.

Pastors need training too. Bishops and presiding elders should provide rigorous training for pastors; hard rigorous training in theology, leadership, AME history, polity, and doctrine. Some of the pastoral training should be mandatory and testable. The AME Church needs to get serious about pastoral training to ensure that pastors remain proficient and competent.

Pastoral ministry is not a common sense, “anybody-can do-it” profession; and yet that’s the perception that some people have of our pastors. Too often, the perception is that you do not have to be very smart to be a pastor. We know that Hollywood, by the way black pastors are portrayed in the movies, has a perception that black preacher are not intelligent. And, the sad part is that some of our pastors reinforce those negative perceptions by the way they conduct themselves in ministry and in the pulpit; that ministry is a “hoop, a holler, and a collar.” Some sermons are too much “gravy” and too little or no substance.

In ministry and in the military, I have observed some ineffective leaders; and a common thread was their inability to motivate subordinates, either because they didn’t trust their subordinates to accomplish assigned tasks or the ineffective leader felt that his or her way was the only way to accomplish assigned tasks. A leader who does not trust subordinates and insist that “his or her way is only way” creates an organization that lacks team cohesiveness, which often results in low morale and incompetent results. Another common thread of an ineffective leader is his or her disdain and lack of loyalty to the organization; the organization is subordinate to their desires and preferences. That’s another editorial.

Building a team takes time and if a leader is a “last minute” type personality, often he or she does not take the time to coordinate, strategize and talk about upcoming tasks and often fails to get feedback. He or she eliminates the important component of “give and take” sessions, which helps an organization to consider all sides of issues, which facilitates ownership, growth, and positive results.

As an example, bishops should take time to strategize with their presiding elders and other episcopal district leadership. A presiding elder should sit down with his or her pastors and other clergy to talk about programs and to allow team members to give input and to share their ideas, which allows them to take ownership and full partners in the mission of the organization. Pastors should sit down periodically with the local church leadership to get their input and their ideas for implementing effective church programs; and even have a membership “town hall meeting.” Let me reiterate that a leader has to have a “thick skin” when holding strategy sessions or a “town hall meeting” session.

Leaders, including bishops, presiding elders, and pastors should not be afraid to ask questions; “How are things going in the organization? What can I/we do to make this organization more efficient? How is the overall morale? What changes do we need to make? What changes do I need to make? Dealing with those questions takes time and courage and shouldn’t be addressed in the hallway or “on the run.”

Leaders need to sit down with their subordinates and take time to develop relationships. Jesus had a “meal ministry” and one of the best ways to develop relationships is to take subordinates to breakfast, lunch or dinner. Effective leaders learn how to relax with their subordinates.

Effective leaders also consult with their peers. I am surprised at how little time pastors and their families spend with other pastor families; just having a good time and relaxing with one another.

Ministry is hard and competent pastors know the importance of taking care of themselves and their families and wise pastors know the importance of regularly taking Sabbath rests. If a pastor is unable to take time away from the congregation, he or she is not providing a good model for ministry. Pastors need to take vacations and they need to spend quality time with their families. When it’s all said and done, family is all we have.

And, if a pastor is an effective leader, he or she knows that learning is ongoing and that there is never an end to learning.

This is longer than I intended and so I will address some of these issues in another editorial.

2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:

- To the Editor:

RE: Editorial, "Two Sides to Every Story"

Yes, there are two sides at least to every story. Thank you and The Christian Recorder readers for the very well-stated discussions of the issues raised. The conclusions, however, are most significant. Those conclusions include that we are not "lone-rangers" and should work as a team with other pastors, presiding elders and bishops. Most of all, I appreciate the conclusion that visionary, sensitive leadership starts at the very top.

I, too look at the line-items on the annual budget and think and I had hoped to see more episcopal leaders take a stand to, not only recognize, but provide some small solutions or adaptations such as, shorten meetings, combining meetings, more efficient use of resources or effectively reducing expenses, where possible. I thank God for the movements in this direction. All believers, but especially clergy leaders at all levels, will be held accountable for what kind of stewards we are of the provisions provided in our and other people's time and resources.

The Rev. Dr. Oveta Fuller-Caldwell
Bethel AME Church
Adrian, Michigan 49221
www.bethelameadrian.org

3. UPDATES REGARDING H1N1 FLU RESOURCES:

The Center for Faith-based and Neighborhood Partnerships at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services with support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has produced H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Community and Faith-based Organizations. It can be viewed and downloaded at the following website:
http://flu.gov/professional/community/cfboguidance.html

Additionally, please see the information below regarding a series of informational conference calls being conducted by the White House Office of Public Engagement, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, will hold on this subject. The conference call information pertaining to different communities is included in the attached email. Topics will include prevention, the importance of vaccination, vaccine safety and availability.

Miriam J. Burnett, MD, MDiv, MPH
President
R.A.P.H.A., Inc.
Resource and Promotion of Health Alliance, Inc.

4. AME HISTORIOGRAPHER REELECTED FOR SECOND TERM AS ABS CHAIR:

The Rev. Dr. Dennis Dickerson, AME Church Historiographer and Editor of The A.M.E. Church Review was reelected to a second 3 year term as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American Bible Society on Thursday, September 10, 2009. Originally, elected to this position in 2006, Dr. Dickerson has been a member of the trustee board since 1996.

5. PASTOR OF MOTHER BETHEL WILL PREACH AT CHURCH RICHARD ALLEN AND OTHERS WERE PULLED FROM PRAYER:

The Rev. Dr. Mark Tyler, pastor of Mother Bethel, told me this morning that he is preaching at St. George United Methodist Church in Philadelphia on the last Sunday of this month, October 25th. Both Mother Bethel and St. George United Methodist Church (formerly St. George Methodist Episcopal Church) will worship together at St. George.

6. TRANSFER OF THE GAVEL AT PAYNE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY:

After twenty years of distinguished service, Bishop Vinton Randolph Anderson, elected and consecrated the 92nd Bishop to the episcopacy, retired from the Board of Trustees Chairmanship at Payne Theological Seminary. Bishop Anderson officially transferred the Chairman Gavel in May at the 2009 Commencement Ceremony.

Bishop Anderson, an Alumnus, began a strong advocacy campaign for the Seminary when assigned in 1976 as Bishop of the Third Episcopal District. The Chairman Gavel was transferred from Bishop Hubert Nelson Robinson to Bishop Anderson in 1989 and he was elated and ready to provide leadership as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

When he became Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Bishop Anderson had several goals in mind. The first goal was that Payne would become a premiere institution, academically and financially, that included top rank faculty and securing a first-rate president of the seminary. The goal of selecting a first-class president resulted in the selection of Dr. Louis Charles Harvey who served as President from 1989 – 1997. The second goal was that the Seminary would be accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS). In 1995, Payne became the fourth historically African American theological seminary to be granted full accredited status by ATS.

Bishop Anderson developed The Anderson Endowment Fund for Payne which assists the Seminary’s infrastructure. He has worked tirelessly with each bishop of Payne’s six supporting districts to ensure financial support and a steady stream of students. Bishop Anderson’s tenure witnessed the construction of two new physical structures – Payne Village and the new Bishop Reverdy C. Ransom Memorial Library.

While ministerial student demographics have changed over the last five years with the aid of technology and Payne’s online courses / programs, Bishop Anderson continues to emphasize the value afforded to campus students. He states, “Online study is wonderful, but it is not enough by itself because students do not have the opportunity to live the life of the institution, have face-to-face engagement with professors and other students, the ability to research in the library, and the opportunity to attend chapel, all of which brings theological education to life.” Bishop Anderson fully recognizes the worth of the Seminary’s Online Program. He does not feel that it has matured to the point that it can replace physical presence provided to campus students.

Bishop Anderson had no specific advice for the incoming Chairman. He hopes to continue his support to the Seminary in useful and needed ways.

Transfer of the Gavel

Bishop Richard Franklin Norris, the 116th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District, says that he is humbled by the honor and challenged by the awesome task of becoming Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Payne Theological Seminary. “Payne is on the upswing and healthy,” he says, “as evidenced by the recent reaffirmation of the ten-year accreditation cycle by the Association of Theological Schools; the dedication of the Bishop Reverdy C. Ransom Memorial Library; and the large class of graduates in May 2009. While I am trying to grow my ‘sea legs’ and get a sense of what we need to do going forward with immediate and long-range goals, I am also intent on maintaining the quality, standard and status that the Seminary currently enjoys. At present, we have a large number of online students and the residential student numbers are limited. I believe that the Seminary needs a recruitment infusion from each of the six supporting districts that will result in more students being sent to study in the sacred space created at Tawawa Springs, Ohio.” Bishop Norris expects the Alumni Association to play the vital role of sharing their matriculation experience with potential students. He also knows the importance of engaging currently enrolled students, faculty, and staff in the recruitment process. Bishop Norris sees every occasion to talk about Payne as a recruitment opportunity.

“I am pleased with the Seminary’s programs in theological education and equally those programs that augment formal education, such as the Daniel Payne Lecture Series, and annual Fall Visiting Scholars exchange with students and the community as well as the Integrated Theology and Human Development, an intensive designed to capture the professional expertise and productive wisdom of scholars, AME Bishops, and other distinguished resource personnel. The inaugural class was taught by outgoing Chair and his wife, Bishop Vinton and Vivienne Anderson, in conjunction with Payne’s Biblical Studies professor, Dr. Solomon Avotri. These series and courses provide an avenue for scholars, pastors, ministers, and communities to dialogue about living our faith in a changing world.” Bishop Norris sees the Seminary as the catalyst for providing theological, biblical, historical, and social foundation for issues that impact African American life.

Finally, Bishop Norris commends Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, President, for doing an excellent job by ensuring Payne offers various ways to meet the standard for ministers to obtain the Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and the Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) degrees. He says, “I look forward to working with all members of the Board and Dr. Fitchue, faculty and staff to ensure quality theological education for church and community leaders of today and tomorrow.”

Submitted by the Reverend Wilma L. Taylor, BS, M.Div
Alumna 2003, Payne Theological Seminary
WLTaylor93@comcast.net

7. BISHOP VINTON R. ANDERSON SCHOLARSHIP FUND RECIPIENTS ARRIVE IN SWITZERLAND:

Bishop Vinton R. Anderson inaugurates the Vinton Anderson Scholarship Fund for study at the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey in Geneva, Switzerland for Alumni/ae at Payne Theological Seminary. The Institute is the international center for encounter, dialogue, and formation of the World Council of Churches. It brings together people from diverse churches, cultures, and backgrounds for ecumenical learning, academic study, and personal exchange.

Bishop Anderson, a long proponent of ecumenism, has sought for many years to build relationships among Christians of different faith confessions. His biography offers a view of these activities in his work with the United Methodist Church, General Commission of Christian Unity and Inter-religious Concerns; the National Council of Churches of Christ (USA), as a member of the Governing Board; and President, World Council of Churches.

The first recipients for the Vinton Anderson Scholarship Fund are the Reverend Philip Blair, Second Episcopal District, pastor of St. James AME Church, Kenansville, North Carolina, North Carolina Conference under the leadership of Bishop Adam J. Richardson and the Reverend W. Lynette Taylor, Fifth Episcopal District, a member of Parks Chapel AME Church, Oakland, California, California Conference under the leadership of Bishop T. Larry Kirkland.

Both the Reverend Blair and the Reverend Taylor will attend the Ecumenical Institute at Bossey in Switzerland for the 61st Session of the Graduate School, September 14, 2009 through February 6, 2010. The rigorous session will include scholarly analysis, research papers, Basel and Swiss parish visits, cultural events and a visit to Rome.

Reverend Blair believes “this is an opportunity of a lifetime – to study ecumenism and dialogue with people of different cultural and faith backgrounds is exciting. As a pastor this enables me to have a sabbatical and also invigorates me to pursue higher education goals, such as a Ph.D. in Church History at Duke University.”

Reverend Taylor is “overjoyed and takes seriously the opportunity to study, write, visit offices of the World Council of Churches, and live/learn from others who are different from my tradition in African Methodism. I am sure my theological landscape will broaden.”

The Vinton Anderson Scholarship Fund for Alumni/ae at Payne is a longtime vision of Bishop Anderson. Dr. Leah Gaskin Fitchue, President, is excited to see the Vinton Anderson Scholarship Fund for study at Bossey Institute come to fruition. “Bishop Anderson has talked about the opportunity for Payne alumni/ae to study at Bossey since the beginning of my presidency.”

The Seminary is currently in discussion about the development of the Anderson Ecumenical Center to continue Bishop Anderson’s work in ecumenism. The Anderson Ecumenical Center will gather theses, speeches, prayers, correspondence, other published materials, manuscripts, and photographs of the ministerial career and activities of Bishop Anderson to be placed in the new Bishop Reverdy C. Ransom Memorial Library for formal documentation. The Anderson Ecumenical Center will be a reservoir of information and will be used by many students and scholars for research and publications. Recipients of the Vinton Anderson Scholarship Fund, following their study at Bossey, will contribute a research paper to the Anderson Ecumenical Center.

The opportunity at Bossey is a significant contribution by Bishop Anderson to ensure that Alumni/ae of Payne Theological Seminary and African Methodism have a voice in the future of ecumenism.

Submitted by Leah Gaskin Fitchue, Ed.D, lfitchue@payne.edu President, Payne Theological Seminary

The Reverend Wilma L. Taylor, BS, M.Div.
Alumna 2003, Payne Theological Seminary
LTaylor93@comcast.net
8. GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMISSION AND CONVO XIII:

When: December 7 - 9, 2009
Where: Opryland Hotel, Nashville, Tennessee USA

The Right Rev. Gregory G.M. Ingram, Chair
The Right Rev. Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Host

9. KENTUCKY ANNUAL CONFERENCE CHURCH WINS CHURCH COURT BATTLE:

The Rev. Kenneth J. Golphin, Presiding Elder

We were in court in Monticello, Kentucky from 8:30 a.m. until 6:45 p.m. The case went to the jury about 4:25 p.m. with the following options:

(1) They could find that the deed owned by the Coffey's was superior to St John's deed and therefore the property belongs to the Coffeys;

(2) The deed owned by St. John was superior to the Coffey's deed and therefore the property belongs to St John; and

(3) As St John has shown continuous use of the property for 67 years uncontested, the property belongs to St. John under "adverse possession." The ideal decision for us would be a ruling that our deed is superior.

After two hours of deliberation the jury found exactly what we desired, that our deed is superior! This means we won the case and the entire property contested now by court order clearly and solely belongs to St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church!
Let the church say, "Amen!" Let the church say "Thank you, Jesus!" Let the church say, "Praise the Lord!"

Our thanks go to Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie for her unwavering support of the local congregation and the Kentucky Annual Conference. Our thanks go to Attorney Reginald Thomas for his tenacious defense of St John and our property. Thanks to the Rev. Donzella Lee and the members of St. John for the Christian demeanor displayed while stiffly standing their ground. Thanks to Pastors William and Joshua Hale for your presence in support at the trial. Special thanks to Pastor and James Howard Stowe, Conference Trustee, who stayed from beginning to end in solidarity, as did Lexington District First Lady Dianna Golphin.

And thanks to the jury who saw beyond the theatrics of the prosecuting attorney for listening to the facts.

10. DR. DENNIS DICKERSON CONTRIBUTES TO THE CAMBRIDGE COMPANION TO JOHN WESLEY:

The Cambridge Companion to John Wesley Series: Cambridge Companions to Religion, Edited by Randy L. Maddox, Duke University, North Carolina, Jason E. Vickers, United Theological Seminary, Trotwood, Ohio

A leading figure in the Evangelical Revival in eighteenth-century England, John Wesley (1703–1791) is the founding father of Methodism and, by extension, of the Holiness and Pentecostal movements. This Cambridge Companion offers a general, comprehensive introduction to Wesley’s life and work, and to his theological and ecclesiastical legacy. Written from various disciplinary perspectives, including history, literature, theology, and religious studies, this volume will be an invaluable aid to scholars and students, including those encountering the work and thought of Wesley for the first time.

The Rev. Dr. Dennis Dickerson, Historiographer and Editor of The A.M.E. Church Review, is one of the contributing scholars who focuses upon the African-American wing of the Wesleyan tradition.

11. THE 3RD EPISCOPAL DISTRICT TAKES UP CAUSE OF THE INJUSTICE OF A 145-YEAR SENTENCE:

By Carlos Holmes

The 3rd Episcopal District takes up cause of the injustice of a 145-year, without parole; the sentence was imposed when the young woman was a teenager

In taking on the injustice in the case of Laura Taylor, no one can accuse the 3rd Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church of speaking out on behalf of an easy and popular cause. Bishop C. Garnett Henning, the presiding bishop of the Third Episcopal District, believes the case “cries” out for impassioned intervention and has called for the 3rd Episcopal District to get involved. He has directed the Social and Criminal Justice Committee of the District to take on the cause of Laura Taylor, a 33-year-old inmate who has been serving a life sentence since she was 17 years old.

Laura was sentenced to 145 years in prison for her role along with another teen and two other young adults in a December 1992 robbery rampage that resulted in the shooting of nine people – six fatally. While it might seem that life imprisonment would be a just sentence for an adult offender, the lifetime penalty takes on a strongly unjust character when applied to a teenager, especially when the facts of Laura’s life prior to the crime sprees are examined. Laura Taylor had no one to turn to as a teenage girl. She was sexually abused for 10 years by her stepfather. Unloved and ignored by her mother, Laura ran away from home several times and once even attempted suicide. Documented evidence is available of her reported sexual and emotional abuse and psychiatric treatments.

When she was given hope by her brother who promised he would come home from the Marines and take her away from the loveless home, that hope was tragically vanquished when he unexpectedly died in a car accident. Those closely familiar with her case believe this tragic disappointment played a major factor in pushing her over the edge into abject hopelessness and towards the eventual criminal circle in which she would be drawn.

When the vulnerable and emotionally needy 16-year-old fled her home for the last time, she allowed herself to be drawn into the arms of an 18-year-old male that used the deception of love – which was desperately lacked in her young life – to guide her into the tragic robbery rampage that would result in her incarceration.

She was arrested for the crimes at age 16; and a little over a year later, with only an inadequate and passionless attorney as her advocate, she was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Currently at age 33, she is serving her 16th year of incarceration in the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio. Under her current sentence, Laura would have to live to be 122 years old before eligible for her first parole hearing in the year 2098.

In a letter written from prison, Laura described her feelings upon receiving her sentence – sentiments directly related to the abuse she endured and tried to escape. “When the judge sentenced me to 145 years to life, I felt numb. Alone in my cell, I cried tears of relief, because that meant that I’d never be forced to go home again.” “I felt free,” Laura said in the letter.

Laura agreed to an interview request in 2006 with television personality Mo’Nique for her program Behind the Bars. She told Mo’Nique during the interview that her purpose was not to plea for sympathy or a sentence reduction, but rather to express her anguish and sincere remorse for her role in the murderous robberies, as well as the hope that her story might help other teens steer clear of criminal influences.

“People lost their lives, and that wasn’t fair, it wasn’t right,” Laura said in the interview. “I didn’t understand the concept that this was something I could never give back. It’s hard because I constantly ask myself what I can do today that would make it up…and everyday the answer is ... nothing.”

By all accounts, Laura has been a model inmate. She works in the prison optometry office making glasses, was one of two inmates selected to respond to inquiries of a special victim impact committee, has earned her GED and her conduct has won her the privilege of living in the least restrictive incarceration area. But while she serves her time without complaining, a growing movement is underway by the Third Episcopal District of the AME Church to challenge the cruel and unusual punishment of condemning the teen to life in prison with essentially no possibilities of parole.

According to a 2007 report by the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) on the practice of sentencing teens to die in prison, Laura is among the 2,225 inmates in the U.S. that have been sentenced as teens to life without any real possibility of parole. The EJI’s findings on the majority of such cases are consistent with Laura’s situation – that her and others’ mandatory life sentences were made without any consideration to their young age or life histories.

In addition to arguing that such sentencing of teens to life without parole is against the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution prohibiting cruel and unusual punishment, the EJI also notes that it also violates international law and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the latter of which has been ratified by every country in the world except the United States and Somalia.

The Right Reverend C. Garnett Henning, while acknowledging the horrific nature of the 1992 crime spree, nevertheless notes that any law that contains no provision of mercy for a child is unjust. He said that her then-young age and background of physical, sexual and emotional abuse along with her remorse for the role in the 1992 crimes, should not add up to a life sentence with no realistic parole.

“I believe the church has a moral responsibility to speak out against injustice and speak out for mercy,” Bishop Henning said. “I think if she is given some chance, she could be helpful at reaching young people who are lost. I think there are a lot of things she could do to help society instead of languishing away in prison.” Bishop Henning also said that he plans to discuss this case with other AME Bishops, which he says could possibly expand the AME Church’s work on this issue.

“The journey of 1,000 miles begins with one step,” Bishop Henning said. “We will work this and hopefully gain the victory, and then go from there.”

The 3rd Episcopal District’s involvement in Laura’s case began with Presiding Elder Charles Holmes, who is currently in his last year as the presiding elder of the district’s Springfield/Xenia District of the Ohio Annual Conference. The then-Rev. Holmes first met Laura during a prison chaplaincy visit in 1993 while she awaited trial. His ministerial relationship with her has continued since then, during which time the injustice of her life sentence has become overwhelmingly apparent.

“Should a few days of awful activities in the life of a 16-year-old runaway girl with a troubled past warrant that she spend the rest of her natural life in prison?” Elder Holmes said in his 1996 doctoral dissertation entitled Afrocentric Biblical Hermeneutics with a Prison Ministry Emphasis. “I am not suggesting that she should have gotten away unscathed or with a slap on the wrist; but the rest of her life? That’s unconscionable.”

Elder Holmes, who serves on the District’s Social and Criminal Justice Committee, and his wife Gwen have made the advocacy against Laura’s unjust life sentence a high priority mission that he vows will continue beyond his retirement this year as presiding elder. An attorney has been retained out of Holmes’ personal funds as well as from donations from the members of the Third Episcopal District and others. Moreover, Elder Holmes is seeking the support of the Ohio Prince Hall Masons and the local Dayton unit of the NAACP. The cost of the legal advocacy is expected to be quite substantial.

Elder Holmes sums up his intense commitment to the Laura Taylor advocacy by relating his feelings to that of the sagacious Simeon of Luke 2:25-32. After he had seen the baby Jesus, Simeon stated that it had been revealed to him that he would not see death until he saw the Lord’s Christ. So believes Elder Holmes, now age 75, that he will not see death until Laura walks out of prison.

Anyone that would like to provide financial or moral support on behalf of Laura Taylor can contact Elder Holmes at (937-623-4297) or via email at holmes381@aol.com.

Checks can be made out to the “Laura Taylor Advocacy Fund” and addressed to:

Laura Taylor Advocacy Fund
c/o Presiding Elder Charles Holmes
5300 Heatherton Drive
Trotwood, OH 45426

12. BRAZIL: AN AFRICAN METHODIST DREAM DEFERRED:

“There are Black people in Brazil.” This simple—yet profound—statement began a discussion I had with AME Historiographer Dr. Dennis Dickerson a few years ago upon his return from visiting a Brazilian Methodist university in São Paulo. During our visit, we talked about his experience meeting Black Brazilian Methodists and their common reaction to the existence of an “African Methodist” Church: “Where have you guys [the AME Church] been?” Over the past few years, the idea of an AME Church expansion into Brazil has circulated among the Connectional leadership with serious discussions are being held with those Brazilian Methodists who have expressed a desire to affiliate with African Methodism. I spent three months (July-September) this year living in Salvador, Brazil studying Portuguese and visiting various churches. My experience yielded some concerns as to whether AME Church is in a position to support ministry in Brazil.

On a superficial basis, an AME expansion into Brazil seems like a “no-brainer.” Brazil has the largest population of African descendants of any country outside of Africa. According to the most recent Brazilian census, out of 170 million inhabitants at least 45% claim to be of African descent. (In the United States, Black Americans account for 12.5% of the nation’s 300 million inhabitants). In other words, for every Black person in the United States, there are two Black people in Brazil. The largest concentration of Afro-Brazilians is in the Northeastern region with Salvador (the city I lived in) considered as the heart of Black Brazilian culture. There are also significant concentrations of Blacks in the mid-Southern state of Minas Gerais and the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

Although Brazil may seem demographically ripe for AME expansion, a survey of the contemporary religious environment shows that AME expansion into Brazil may present several challenges. As in most of Latin America, a majority of Brazilians nominally profess to be Roman Catholics. A large portion of Afro-Brazilians (especially in the Northeast), however, practice candomblé; a religion rooted in the Yoruba and Native American faith traditions. It is not uncommon to see Afro-Brazilians attend mass on Monday and visit the candomblé priest for a consultation later that same week. Indeed, key to the survival of the faith traditions of the enslaved Africans brought to Brazil was the ability to relate certain deities and practices to Roman Catholic saints and customs.

In spite of Brazil’s Roman Catholic tradition, Protestant denominations are quickly growing and it is estimated that Protestants will be the majority in Brazil by 2030 (if not sooner). Most of the growth of evangelical denominations is seen in southern Brazil. A common belief held by pastors across denominations was that the northeast region (including Salvador) is a difficult place for protestant evangelism. Mainline Protestant denominations have existed in Brazil since the mid 1800s with the first Methodist missionaries arriving in 1835 and the first continuous work beginning in 1867 sponsored by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians and Adventists all have well-established universities and schools throughout Brazil.

The largest single Protestant denomination, however, is the Assembly of God. In general, churches in the Pentecostal tradition are exploding throughout Brazil—particularly those based around the “prosperity gospel” and literal interpretations of the Bible (e.g. no female clergy, strict dress codes for women, prohibitions on dancing and drinking). Large Pentecostal denominations of note include the Igreja Universal (Universal Church) and the Igreja Internacional da Graça da Deus (the International Church of God’s Grace). In recent years, the Church of God in Christ (COGIC) has also grown throughout Brazil and established several large congregations in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

Although Brazil has a tremendously active Protestant religious community, the AME Church’s unique orientation towards social gospel and community involvement would be an important contribution. Within the last thirty years, Afro-Brazilian activists have spoken out increasingly on the detrimental effects of institutional racism on Afro-Brazilians. In a country which will soon “officially” have a Black majority, one finds very few Afro-Brazilians in positions of economic or political power. I spent an entire day watching TV Globo (the major national network) and was amazed by the number of negative Black stereotypes which spewed across the screen.

While the “Black Church” in the United States played an instrumental role in the United States Civil Rights struggle, no such institution exists in Brazil. From Catholics to Methodists to Radical Pentecostals, Afro-Brazilians are absent from positions of authority in ecclesiastical hierarchies. Consequently, many of these churches have either ignored or openly opposed to the anti-racism movement. The AME Church’s powerful witness could prove instrumental in the shaping of these debates. In chatting with several pastors, I realized that the very name “African Methodist Episcopal” while attractive to some would open the church to questions about inclusivity. Also, the AME Church would have to develop a stance on candomblé and its relationship to Christian doctrines and beliefs.

Given the fact that we have already identified potential congregations who want to join with us, what’s the hold up? Why is the AME Church not in Brazil already? The reality is that while the AME Church has a desire for international work, we many not have a sustainable vision or a plan for sustained international growth. Some might argue that an evaluation of our global work does not demonstrate a cohesive plan of worldwide expansion. Some of our ventures have relied upon the ability of bishops to persuade their colleagues and informal contacts throughout the Connection to finance them.

Unlike some of the other denominations, we do not, at this time, have a system for building primary and secondary schools, we do not have an international training program for clergy, we do not have a construction budget to buy property or assist in financing new churches, we do not have materials available in Portuguese to share with Brazilian members, and we do not have a corps of missionaries to aid the new members in evangelism and expansion. We may need more study on the issue of our relationship with the preexisting Methodist Church in Brazil and figuring out how being a “Black Methodist” will fit in the Brazilian cultural context.

I believe in the international mission of the AME Church and that our presence in Brazil is long overdue. The AME Church, however, must be honest about its capabilities when it comes to global witness and ministry. These become clear when one talks about establishing a presence in a country like Brazil with a large and growing Protestant presence. We need a prudent international strategy

We need to be clear about the global purpose of the AME Church. As much as we have discussed global development and integration, questions remain regarding equality and the role of persons outside the United States in the core aspects of the denomination and yes…even the Episcopacy. Furthermore, we cannot continue to rely on unreliable funding arrangements to sustain and nurture AME Churches outside of the United States. We must adequately finance the work in areas where we are currently and plan to be in the future. All of these issues are concerns which can be addressed and resolved. But, does the denomination have the will?

John Thomas III (13th Episcopal District) is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Political Science at the University of Chicago. He serves member of the General Board and the Young Adult Representative for the Connectional Lay Organization.
13. 2009 MEN’S WEEKEND CELEBRATION:

*Brother Reggie Farris

St. John AME Church of Nashville, Tennessee continues to emphasize its mission statement of “Dynamically presenting Jesus Christ to all whom we influence producing Spirit-filled disciple for the Kingdom” under the dynamic leadership of the Reverend W. Antoni Sinkfield.

In late August, St. John AME Church hosted its Annual Men’s Season using the theme: “A Man after the Heart of God: Living as Men of Integrity and Accountability.” Brothers Ralph Holmes and Reggie Farris served as Co-Chairs. During this year’s Annual Men’s Season we sought to encourage one another, through the power of Christ, to have a stronger Christian walk. It was our desire that the men of St. John AMEC would be closely knit, grounded in the Word of God; seeking to serve God.

The Brothers of Zion Men’s Ministry kicked off this year’s Men’s Weekend by sponsoring a bowling outing. Over 35 men and young boys, ages ranging from 3 – 65, came out and enjoyed a wonderful fellowship.

The men next had their 2nd Annual Men’s Day Prayer Breakfast on August 28. Our very own, the Rev. W. Antoni Sinkfield “took the roof off” speaking to the men on the development of a new men’s ministry and outreach within St. John using the acronym, M.O.V.E., which stands for Men Of the Village Empowered. The driving force behind this new ministry at St. John is that research seems to indicate that for every ten men in the church:

• Nine will have kids who leave the church.
• Eight will find their jobs unsatisfying.
• Six will pay the monthly minimum on their credit cards.
• Five will struggle with sexual temptation or pornography.
• Four will get divorced.

St. John AME Church is instituting the new M.O.V.E. Ministry to provide an on-going forum within the life of St. John and the surrounding North Nashville community to begin to intentionally address and empower men in overcoming the issues that confront them in their desire to be responsible, respected, and relevant Christian men.

Later on that same day, we held our 3rd Annual Taste of St John and Jazz at St. John. This has been the Men’s Community Outreach effort for the past three years. Guest were treated to over 35 delectable dishes prepared by some of Nashville’s best professional chefs and the brothers of St. John as local Jazz greats, Leonard Morton, Sr. (Keyboard); John Green (Alto Saxophone); Rip Patton (Drummer); Geary Moore (Guitarist); John Birdsong (Bassist) and introducing Kerry Frazier (Saxophone) played for their entertainment.

Our Men’s Weekend cumulated with a powerful Sunday morning worship experience featuring our guest speaker, the Reverend Dr. Clement W. Fugh, Chief Information Officer of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Dr. Fugh delivered a powerful message using the subject, “The Family Priest.” The entire church was set ablaze by this awesome, God-sent word!

The 2009 Men’s Weekend was a wonderful time for us to celebrate Christian manhood and the powerful role that God has given to us to be models of Christ to all whom we influence. During this Men’s Weekend, we sought to empower men to believe that all things are possible through Christ; to inspire men to become Men of the Village Empowered -- abounding in the excellence of God to motivate our brothers to become more engaged in St. John AME Church; and to provide a Godly environment for Christ-centered fellowship, spiritual development, and interpersonal growth. We purpose to use all of our combined strengths and talents to affect change. While we purpose to reach our brothers where they are; we do so standing in integrity conducting ourselves as Men of the Village Empowered.

*Brother Reggie Farris is a Licentiate at St. John AME Church, Nashville, Tennessee

14. THE COLLEGE OF BISHOPS OF THE CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH CALL FOR HEALTH CARE REFORM WITH A PUBLIC OPTION:

St. Louis, MO - The ability of every citizen of our nation to receive adequate and affordable Health Care is a moral imperative. As a matter of justice and fairness for all, we can no longer allow for big business and special interest to derail the process of meeting this critical need of the American people. Most of us know that something must be done soon to protect our children, our elders, our sick and all who need immediate attention for their health care needs. There are nearly 50 million Americans without health care insurance. We need a plan that would end discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions and prevent insurance companies from dropping coverage when people are sick and need it most. The public option will provide the uninsured with a cost effective choice. This is why we support the Health Care Reform Bill with a public option as expressed by President Barack Obama.

The vast majority of people with existing health care services are under-insured with extraordinary deductibles. The increasingly transitional job market and the need to address general public wellness and disease prevention on an individual basis compound the problem. This translates into the rise of chronic disease among children as early as eight years old and causes their elderly grandparents to have to choose between food and medicine. This state of affairs in one of the wealthiest and most advanced nations in the world is immoral and unacceptable. As the United States is the only industrialized nation without a comprehensive health plan for every citizen, we know that we can and we must provide fair and affordable health care for every American.

For nearly a century, national leaders have called for an overhaul of the health care system. Yet, instead of significant change, we have received stagnation and compromise. We have expended billions of dollars to protect American interests abroad and corporate interests at home. We must now recognize the significant potential return on the investment in our health care system.

After one hundred years of trying, we are yet left saying like Jeremiah the prophet, "The harvest is past, the summer is ended, and we are not saved."

We ask all CME's and other concerned Americans to write and call their congressional representatives both in the House and the Senate to express support for a Health Care Reform Bill with a Public Option.

The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, under the leadership of Senior Bishop William H. Graves and its College of Bishops, is a 138-year old historically African American Christian denomination with more than 800,000 members across the United States, and has missions and sister churches in Haiti, Jamaica, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For additional information about the CME Church, visit www.c-m-e.org.

Senior Bishop William H. Graves, Sr., CEO
Bishop Othal H. Lakey
Bishop Edward Lynn Brown
Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr.
Bishop Paul A. G. Stewart, Sr.
Bishop L. L. Reddick, III, Secretary, College of Bishops
Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., Chairman of Social Justice & Human Concerns
Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham
Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Chairman, College of Bishops
Bishop Kenneth W. Carter
Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr.
Bishop Marshall Gilmore
Bishop Nathaniel Linsey

For additional information visit:
www.c-m-e.org/healthcarepressreleaseoct2009.htm

Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.
Chairman, Commission of Social Justice and Human Concerns
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

15. LCMS ADOPTS STATEMENT ON WORSHIP:

Unanimous vote on statement seeks to bring harmony to question of traditional vs. contemporary worship styles

ST. LOUIS, October 1, 2009—Diverse worship styles have confused, divided, and confounded many U.S. churches in recent years. Congregations of varying denominations have struggled to decide whether to adhere to a traditional worship style and practice, to embrace one that incorporates a contemporary approach, or to adopt a style that blends both traditional and contemporary styles.

To help the nearly 6,200 congregations of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) come to a “God-pleasing harmony’’ on the issue, the LCMS Council of Presidents recently and unanimously adopted a “Theses on Worship’’ after two years of study and discussion.

Earlier this week, LCMS President Gerald B. Kieschnick sent the document via e-mail to the Synod’s 35 district presidents for distribution to pastors and other church leaders throughout the country. The document includes eight theses, which are based on Holy Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions. The theses do not impose a certain style of worship, but rather encourage great care “in choosing forms, rites, and ceremonies because they either support or hinder true worship.’’ The theses state that “forms of true worship are in accord with the Word of God.’’

Some highlights include:

• “The Scriptures and Confessions give the people of God considerable freedom in choosing those forms, rites, and ceremonies that aid the worship of God.’’

• “Uniformity in forms, rites, and ceremonies while desirable, is not essential to the unity of the Church.’’

• “The polarization that is affecting the Church concerning the issue of forms, rites, and ceremonies is sinful and hinders the proclamation of the Gospel.’’

“The Council of Presidents is keenly aware of the diversity of worship practices in LCMS congregations,’’ wrote Kieschnick in a memorandum sent via e-mail with the theses. “This diversity in many instances has resulted in disharmony and even polarization. In order to foster God-pleasing harmony in this matter the COP encourages pastors, worship leaders, musicians, and other church leaders to engage in prayerful conversation with one another, in submission to God’s Holy Word and the Lutheran Confessions.’’

While acknowledging the diverse opinions that exist around worship, Kieschnick said the district presidents are committed to helping the Synod reach harmony on the issue.

The LCMS Council of Presidents includes the church’s 35 district presidents, the president and the five vice presidents of the Synod.

A complete copy of the “Theses on Worship” may be read at:
http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=15795

Vicki Biggs, Director, Public Affairs & Media Relations
www.lcms.org

16. LET’S GO BACK TO “BETHEL”:

*The Rev. N.T. Pitts

If you took the chassis of a Ford, a body of a Lincoln, the hood of a Toyota, the headlights and taillights of a Jeep, the interior of a Rolls, the windshield of Cadillac, the hubcaps of a Chevrolet and made it into a vehicle, what would you call it?

Whatever it may be called, that is what some of our churches are becoming - just that. There is a term we often used when I was in the military called “cannibalizing,” which means taking parts off of one vehicle or item and put it on others to make one operative.

It seems that some, among us, have forgotten our “Bethel.” Our founding fathers were moved by the Spirit of God and in their great wisdom, to establish this great Zion of ours. It was through their wisdom and foresight that we have lasted these two hundred plus years, but there are some among us who feel that our Order of Worship is outdated and no longer relevant, and even feel that it is also boring.

They are “out of touch” and “out of tune.” They are now trying to discard what has brought us through these many years, by ‘cannibalizing” the AMEC Order of Worship. There are those who feel that reading of the Ten Commandments takes up too much time.

If they feel that the Worship is boring, there is something wrong with the pastor, and if the worship leader is different, something wrong with the worship leader. You must blame the pastor or the worship leader for a lack of enthusiasm.

Those, who are not comfortable or satisfied with the AMEC Order of Worship, should seek more training and understanding of the meaning of worship. There is nothing wrong with our order of worship. The pastor or worship leader should be trained enough to use some flexibility in worshipping without destroying the order.

There are those who transfer to our Zion from other denominations who know what we are about, do just enough to get ordained and then they go on to do “their own thing” and we give them a pulpit to “cannibalize” our order of worship. Those pastors are the ones that need to be reminded to revisit “Bethel.” “Bethel” is not just a place, it is an experience. It is the foundation on which we have built.

In the book of Acts, Chapter 19, Paul went up to Ephesus and saw a few disciples having church. There is no record of how long he was with them before he was prompted to ask the question, “Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?” Paul asked that question because what he saw was, “Form, but no fire.”

That may be the problem with some in our churches. They may have “the form, but no fire.” Pastors don’t have to change the order; all pastors have to do is change their attitudes, their posture and their expectations.

In the book of Genesis, Chapter 35, you will find the fascinating story of Jacob who had to flee for his life because he had stolen his brother, Esau’s birthright. God directed Jacob to go up to Bethel. Along the way Jacob stopped at a place called Luz and he had a dream and he saw a ladder extending from heaven to earth. This was his initial experience with God. He called that place Bethel.

In brief, Jacob had a litany of things happened to him.

He had to work fourteen years to marry the woman he loved when it should have worked taken only seven years.

His daughter was raped; and to avenge her honor his two sons went into a village and killed every male they could find and took their women. They brought shame upon Jacob’s household.

While on the way to reconcile with his brother he stopped to rest and wrestled all night with a man and would not let go until he was blessed. In the face of all of this, Jacob was told to go up to Bethel.

He was directed to go up where he first met the Lord.

I encourage you to read the story in its completeness in the book of Genesis.

Each one of us who are believers has his or her, “Bethel.” If you have not experienced your “Bethel,” you probably took a “detour” into the Church; and that may be the reason why we are having so many problems in the Church. Maybe that is why some feel that they have to change the Order of Worship. They have forgotten “Bethel.”

It is imperative that we never forget “Bethel.” Keep in mind that “Bethel” is not just a place but it is an experience.

I believe that there are some among us who are eager to establish “self” to shine above others and some of them have been mesmerized by tele-evangelists’ ministries.

There is one thing for sure, and that is, you can’t “drum-up, you can’t stomp-up, you can’t “sing-up and you can’t “yell-up the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will come when the Holy Spirit knows you are ready and sincere; otherwise, you are just making noise.

When we come to church we must come with great expectations both the pulpit and the pew. So, those who want to change our order of worship and leave out the Decalogue do not have the Church and the people at heart.

If a change is necessary, there is a process by which it is done. You don’t do it on the local level.

Our lives are governed, and the foundation of all of our laws, stem from the Ten Commandments; without the Decalogue we live in utter chaos.

My questions: Why are some of us are so high-spirited on the Conference levels, but can barely be heard or seen on the local level until a controversy arises? What happens to the enthusiasm when we return to our local churches? Do we just perform to be seen? How much of what we get at the Conference levels do we take back to our local churches?

There is an old gospel song with these sage words, “Take me back, take me back Dear Lord to where I first met you.”

Do you remember where your “Bethel” is, or did you take a detour into the Church family?

The structure of the AMEC is sound, what it needs is sound implementation of the biblical tenets, the Spirit of Christ and respect for the religious traditions of our Zion.

*The Rev. N.T. Pitts [Ptaegar@AOL.Com] is a retired Itinerant Elder, author, teacher, counselor, humorist who resides in Eatonville, Florida

Wham

A few years ago, as I was lecturing to a group of teen-age boys about life, I said to them, “I’ve been there done that.” One of the teens stood up and asked, “If you been there and done that, why can’t I go there and do that so I could one day tell others that I been there and done that?”

17. EPISCOPACY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We are saddened to announce the passing on this morning, October 6, 2009, of Bishop James Haskell Mayo, the 100th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Service arrangements for Bishop James Haskell Mayo:

Quiet Hour:

Sunday, October 11, 2009
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Unity Funeral Home
4114 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, Illinois
Phone: (773) 624-2703

Funeral:

Monday, October 12, 2009
11:00 AM

Coppin Memorial AME Church
5633 S. Michigan Ave.
Chicago, Illinois 60637
Phone: 773-667-5881

The Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Wilson, pastor; the Rev. Thomas M. Hughes, Presiding Elder, South District-Chicago Conference; and the Reverend John Richard Bryant, Senior Bishop and Presiding Prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District

1. Condolence Letters: Please forward to the Rev. Dr. Barbara A. Wilson, pastor, Coppin Memorial AMEC via email at revbawilson@coppiname.org or via FAX at 773-667-1992.

2. Hotel Information & Transportation: To be coordinated by Presiding Elder Thomas M. Hughes who will confirm transportation arrangements once requests are received.

a. Please forward all travel itineraries to: petmhughes299@sbcglobal.net

Or

b. revbawilson@coppiname.org or FAX to Coppin Church at 773-667-1992.

3. Nearby area hotels are as follows:

Ramada Chicago Hotel 773-288-5800 / www.ramada-chicago.com
4900 South Lake Shore Drive
Chicago, IL 60615

Hyatt Regency McCormick Place 312-567-1234 www.mccormickplace.hyatt.com
2233 South King Drive
Chicago, IL 60616

Midway Airport - The Midway Hotel Center-Chicago is located at 65th and Cicero Avenue, and is a hotel complex which includes:
Marriott
Courtyard
Fairfield Inn
Hampton Inn
Hilton Garden Inn
Holiday Inn
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
888-MID-INNS/ www.midwayhotelcenter.com

In lieu of flowers:

The family has requested a memorial gift on behalf of Bishop Mayo, payable to UNCF. Please forward your gift to the San Francisco Area Office, United Negro College Fund, 220 Montgomery Street, Suite 1120, San Francisco, California 94104 (note Bishop Mayo on memo section of check or in accompanying documentation).

18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Lucille Brown Callahan. She was grandmother of Reverend Janet J. Sturdivant, pastor at Asbury AME Church in Chester, Pennsylvania (Delaware Conference, Wilmington District). Mrs. Callahan lived to be 100 plus years old. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Reverend Janet J. Sturdivant
155 Landing Drive
Deptford, NJ 08096
Fax: 856-384-0382
pastorjjs@aol.com

19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We are saddened to share news of the passing of Donald Lovett, Jr., the twenty-three year old nephew of the Rev. Dr. D. Lovett Sconiers, Chaplain and Religion Professor at Edward Waters College. Donald Lovett, Jr, passed in Tampa, Florida on Sunday morning, October 4, 2009 due to complications from a Kidney Disease.

Donald was a recent graduate of FAMU with an Economics degree, and was employed by Verizon in Tampa. He was the only son of her brother, Donald Lovett, Sr.

Service arrangements for Donald Lovett, Jr:

Wake:

Friday, October 9, 2009
6:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
McRay Funeral Home
1940 M. L. King, Jr. Street South
St. Petersburg, Florida
Phone: (727) 895-6005
Fax: (727) 821-8768

Homegoing Service:

Saturday, October 10, 2009
1:00 PM
Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church
1045 - 16th Street South
St. Petersburg, Florida 33705

Condolences or Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:

The Lovett Family
12926 Tribute Drive
Riverview, FL 33569
Email: dlovett@verizon.net

Or to:

The Rev. Dr. D. Lovett Sconiers
Chaplain/Religion Professor
Edward Waters College
Campus Ministry Office
1658 Kings Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32209
Email: dlsconiers@EWC.edu

20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

It is with sorrow that we inform you of the passing of the Reverend Tommy Lindsey, pastor of Free Hope AME Church, Strong, Arkansas, Camden-Eldorado District, Central Arkansas Conference. Rev. Lindsey received his last earthly 2009-2010 pastoral appointment on Saturday evening at the closing of the 89th Session of the Central Arkansas Annual Conference. However, he was called from labor to reward in the early hours of Tuesday, October 6, 2009.

Service arrangements for the Reverend Tommy Lindsey:

Funeral Services:
Saturday, October 10, 2009, 2:30 p.m.
St. James A.M.E. Church
241 Center Street
SW, Camden, Arkansas 71701

Services have been entrusted to:
Reddick Funeral Home Inc
258 North Adams Avenue
Camden, Arkansas 71701
Phone: (870) 836-3300
FAX: (870) 836-3359

Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Warnetta Lindsey and family
820 Lincoln Street SW
Camden, Arkansas 71701

21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Aunt of Connectional Officer

We regret to announce the passing of Sister Wilma Hanley Renfrow, aunt of Connectional Officer, Mrs. Fredia Hanley-Johnson, President of Conn-M-SWAWO Plus PK's (Connectional Minister's Spouses, Widows and Widowers Organization Plus Preacher's Kids).

The funeral has been held.

Condolences may be sent to:

Mrs. Fredia Hanley-Johnson
P O Box 467
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74101-0467
Phone: (918) 425-3722 or (302) 535-9028
Email: Connmswawopk@aol.com

22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Nellie Frazier, the mother of the Rev. Acquanetta Osborne, the pastor of Greater Morris Chapel AME Church in Farrell, Pennsylvania.

The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family of Mrs. Nellie Frazier, c/o of St. Paul AME Church.

Condolences may be emailed to the Rev. Acquanetta Osborne: ACQUAO@verizon.net

Please keep the Frazier Family in your prayers.

Submitted by:

The Rev. Dr. Eric L. Brown, Presiding Elder
Allegheny Scranton District- Pittsburgh Conference

The Rt. Rev. C. Garnett Henning, Sr., Presiding Prelate
Third Episcopal District

23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Stepfather of WMS Connectional Officer

We are saddened to announce the passing of Mr. Willie Moore, stepfather of Dr. Shirley Hopkins Davis - Connectional WMS First Vice President.

The funeral for Mr. Willie Moore was held on Friday, October 2, 2009, in Rolling Fork, Mississippi.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

Dr. Shirley Hopkins Davis
1518 Hawthorne Place
Clinton, Mississippi 39056

Email: shopkinsdavis@hindscc.edu or sdavis9107@bellsouth.net
Telephone: (601) 924-9107

24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of the Reverend Hattie Paige. She was a Local Elder and a member for 38 years at Calvary Fellowship AME Church in Brooklyn, New York where the Rev. Joseph H. Walston is the pastor.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

Deaconess Martha Amaker (mother of the deceased)
1865 Fulton Street, Apt. 6C
Brooklyn, NY 11233

25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We are saddened to share news of the passing of Mr. Aries Cantrell, brother of the Reverend Wanda Payne, pastor of Green Chapel AME Church, Hartsville, Tennessee. Mr. Cantrell passed on Tuesday, September 29, 2009.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Rev. Wanda Payne
507 Highland Street
Springfield, Tennessee 37172
Phone: (615) 384-9813
Cell: (615) 569-3441
Email: Welaine1234@comcast.net

26. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Loree Houston, mother of the Rev. Dr. Ida Baker, Pastor of St. Luke AME Church, Houston, Texas and mother-in-law of Presiding Elder Alfred J. Baker of the North Houston (Texas) District). Mrs. Houston passed on Monday, September 28, 2009.

The funeral has been held.

Condolences may be sent to:

Presiding Elder Albert Baker and the Rev. Dr. Ida Baker
622 McCullum Street
Missouri City, Texas 77489
Phone: (281) 437-9803

27. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We are saddened to share news of the passing of Ms. Oneta Fields James, sister of the Reverend Marcellus Fields, Presiding Elder of the Muskogee District-Central Northeast Oklahoma Conference and pastor of Greater St. John AME Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma; and the sister-in-law of Mrs. Brenda Fields, 12th Episcopal District YPD Director.

Ms. James passed on Monday, October 5, 2009 at the Baptist Hospital in Oklahoma City. She was employed by the Oklahoma City Public Schools as an elementary school principal for 33 years. She was a Life Member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., Gamma Mu Sigma Chapter.

Service arrangements for Mrs. Oneta Fields James

Funeral: Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 11:00 AM
St. Mary Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
1201 North Martin Luther King Blvd.
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73111

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

Presiding Elder and Mrs. Marcellus Fields
12905 North Triple XXX Road
Luther, Oklahoma 73054
Phone: (405) 713-5869
Email: BrndFields@aol.com

28. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to share news of the passing of the Reverend E. L. Lawson, father of Mrs. Mary E. White (first lady), father-in-law of the Rev. Donald T. White, Pastor of St. Peter AME Church, Nashville, Tennessee and grandfather of the Rev. Dennis D. Lawson I, Pastor of St. Peter AME Church in Clarksville, Tennessee.

The Rev. E. L. Lawson, blessed to live 99 years, passed on Sunday, October 4, 2009.

Service arrangements for the Rev. E. L. Lawson:

Visitation: Friday, October 9, 2009, 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Faith Temple Holiness Church
Wilson, North Carolina

Home-Going Celebration: Saturday, October 10, 2009, 1:00 PM
Abundant Life Church
512 US 70 East
Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278
Phone: (919) 732-6460
FAX: (919) 732-1566

Professional services provided by:
Chavis-Parker Funeral Home
405 NC 57
Hillsborough, North Carolina 27278
Phone: (919) 732-3976
Fax: (919) 644-1200
Email: CPFH@mindspring.com

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Rev. and Mrs. (Mary) Donald T. White
2960 Franklin Pike
Nashville, Tennessee 37204-3430

Phone: (615) 292-1062
Cell: (615) 384-7916
Email: maryewhite615@bellsouth.net

And to:

The Rev. Dennis D. Lawson I
1013 Chateau Valley Court
Nashville, Tennessee 37207-4230

Phone: (615) 226-3167
Email: Alphalaws@aol.com

29. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:

The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action

Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.ne
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751

30. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:

The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.

10/08/2009

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (10/8/09)

10/01/2009

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (10/1/09)