Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – WE CAN DO OUR PART, DO IT WITH A CHEERFUL HEART AND FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III,
The 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
This issue will be largely devoted to mainly to Haiti and to Malawi. Those of you who are subscribed to The Christian Recorder (TCR) Online receive Breaking News and regular updates about the devastating issues in Haiti and Malawi. Those of you who are not subscribed to TCR and who choose to check the TCR website do not receive Breaking News and news updates. Subscribers have been kept up-to-date on all of the activities in Haiti and Malawi and you receive news as we receive it. Subscribers cannot complain about “not getting enough AME news.”
Malawi suffered the devastation of an earthquake several weeks ago and many of the residents of Malawi are without homes. A number of the members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church are among those who are homeless. Bishop Julius McAllister and SADA Executive Director, Robert Nicholas, visited Malawi to assess the damage and the need. The news media reported extensive structural damage and several deaths in Malawi and the earthquake did not get a lot of attention by the U.S. news media. TCR will publish the damage assessment and need when Bishop McAllister and Mr. Nicholas return from Malawi.
The massive 7.0 earthquake in Haiti has been devastating in terms of structural damage and loss of life. The American Red Cross estimates the loss of lives in Haiti will exceed 100,000 and other agencies and Haitian officials expect up to 200,000 Haitian deaths. Both projections of deaths are difficult to fathom.
As of this date, we do not have any word about the AME Churches in Port au Prince and the surrounding areas. We do know that the Palace is severely damaged and the Roman Catholic Cathedral, close to the palace is severely damaged; and we know that Eglese St. Paul AME is located near the palace.
We do not know the condition of the churches in the Port au Prince District of the Haiti Annual Conference: Saint-Paul AMEC, Rosetta-Lee AMEC, Christine Smith AMEC, Canaan Christ Révient AMEC, and Loulabro Kenton AMEC; nor do we know, at this time, the condition of the AME Churches in the other areas of Haiti: Mary Becket AMEC in Croix-des-Bouquets, L.L. Berry AMEC in Gonaives, Annabel Freeland AMEC, Bethel AMEC, and Christ Révient AMEC in Section de Petit-Goâve. But one thing we can be certain of is that all of the churches in Haiti will need our sustained support.
The Haiti earthquake news coverage has been exhaustive and I must say that I am proud of the President of the United States and all of the people from the United States and from around the world who are making personal sacrifices and helping the Haitians. The U.S. military and the military from the U.N. member nations are to be commended.
The Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church are to be commended for the proactive steps they have taken in organizing the AME Church to collect funds in order to help those in need, members of the AME Church and others who are suffering. Each bishop is mobilizing his or her episcopal district to collect funds for the Haiti earthquake victims.
The bishops, under the leadership of the President of the Council of Bishops, the Right Rev. Carolyn Tyler Guidry and Senior Bishop, the Right Rev. John R. Bryant, held a news conference in Cary, North Carolina on Friday and issued a Public Statement that was covered by the various news agencies.
The Presiding Prelate of the 16th Episcopal District, the Right Rev. Sarah Davis, has been tenacious in coordinating and providing guidance in determining the appropriate response needed for the 16th District. Bishop Davis and Episcopal Supervisor Claytie Davis are to be commended for their prompt response to the devastation in Haiti. Dr. George Flowers, the Executive Director of the Department of Global Witness and the Commission Chair and the Right Rev. James Davis are to be commended for their expeditious response and preparation for the massive assistance that will be needed. Kudos to Mr. Robert Nicholas, Executive Director of SADA, for the support SADA will give to the victims of the earthquake victims in Haiti and to the Rev. Dr. Miriam Burnett, MD, MPH, Medical Director for the AME Connectional Health Commission, who is mobilizing healthcare professionals to travel to Haiti and Malawi to provide medical assistance.
Kudos is also given to Dr. Clement W. Fugh who is continually updating the AME Official Website to keep the Church abreast of the events in Haiti.
Bishops, General Officers, pastors and laity are working behind the scenes, making telephone calls and preparing their congregations to make the Herculean financial sacrifices that will be needed in this austere economic environment. The assistance to Haiti will be a long-term project and the African Methodist Episcopal Church is proactively responding and the Bishops of the AME Church are making their voices heard.
The AME Church and its leaders are expeditiously responding to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. We all need to be expeditious in response to the earthquake in Haiti and be prepared to dig deeply to assist our brothers and sisters in Haiti. We all need to make a sacrifice, whether $1, $5, $10, $15, $20, $50, $100, $500, $1000 or one million dollars. We can all afford something and we should be prepared to make multiple donations to this project, while at the same time maintaining our commitment and stewardship to our local churches. Giving a donation(s) for the earthquake victims is not an “either / or” situation, it’s an “and” situation. We give to the Haiti earthquake victims “and” at the same time maintain our financial responsibility to our individual churches.
We can do this; the people in the United States have responded and have donated over $73 million since Tuesday’s earthquake.
We, the members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, can do our part and we can do it with a cheerful heart and we will feel good about it, individually and as a denomination.
Editor’s Note: I am posting below some of the Breaking News Items that were sent out this week.
2. THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL (AME) CHURCH WILL HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE:
The Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church will hold press Conference today (1/14/10) at 11 a.m. in Cary, North Carolina
The African Methodist Episcopal Church’s Council of Bishops in its Winter Session organized fundraising efforts through the Department of Global Witness and Ministry, the 16th Episcopal District and the Service and Development Agency (SADA). There will be a press conference in Cary, North Carolina this morning at 11 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on the AME Church’s response to the disasters in Haiti and Malawi.
3. THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS OF THE AME CHURCH, BISHOP CAROLYN TYLER GUIDRY, PRESIDENT, ISSUES PUBLIC STATEMENT CONCERNING HAITI AND MALAWI EARTHQUAKES:
January 14, 2010
(Cary, NC) The Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church stopped its winter session which included deliberations about the earthquake in Malawi upon learning of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. “We want the members of the AME Church in both Malawi and Haiti to know that your Church stands ready to mobilize with its partners (US AID, NGOs, American Red Cross and other faith bodies) to deliver humanitarian relief as quickly as possible,” declares Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, President of the Council of Bishops.
Our hearts are heavy and because of our connection, we have moved quickly to coordinate with fellow AMEs to answer the call to service. The Department of Global Missions and the Presiding Bishops of both the 16th District (including Haiti) as well as the 20th District (including Malawi) along with SADA (the Service and Development Agency) are actively gathering information and we anxiously await reports of the plight of our brothers and sisters, and the extent of need. We have begun prayers for the safety of all in the affected countries and for location of family members, and neighbors whose whereabouts are currently unknown.
We learned much from Hurricane Katrina and those lessons will guide us as we work in this new response. In fact, the US government is contemplating the auction of the trailers manufactured for families in the gulf areas but never used or without a current need. We urge President Obama to consider sending those trailers to Haiti, Malawi and the other affected regions along with the other relief supplies.
The Council of Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, along with Bishop Sarah F. Davis, who is making arrangements to return to Haiti, and Bishop Julius McAllister, who is in Malawi stand in solidarity with the people of both countries. The Council has begun fundraising efforts by donating funds from the sale of publication of an annual resource guide. Even as we face economic hardships in the United States, your bishops urge and encourage all of the members of the AME Church to quickly respond by sending monetary donations so that the staff of the Richard Allen Health Clinic may continue to provide healthcare. The schools in both countries may be shelter resources so our support is critically needed. It has received the support of the Dept of Global Witness, the Women’s Missionary Society, and expects to receive the support from other ministries of our international body. Local congregations are urged to accept donations for the next two Sundays and forward as follows:
1) Donations for Haiti can immediately be made at www.ame16th.com as well as through the Department of Global Missions and Witness, under the direction of General Officer, Dr. George Flowers and Chairman Bishop James Davis.
2) Donations for Malawi may be sent to the Dept of Global Missions also.
(Published in TCR Online on January 14, 2010)
4. DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL WITNESS (DR. GEORGE F. FLOWERS) MAKES INITIAL STATEMENT ABOUT EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI:
AMEC Department of Global Witness (Dr. George F. Flowers) Makes Initial Statement about Earthquake in Haiti and Call for Assistance. Additional information is forthcoming.
Department of Global Witness and Ministry
Church World Service
Emergency Response Program
Haiti Earthquake Response
If there is a place on Earth that could have done without an earthquake right now, it’s Haiti.
A 7.0-magnitude quake struck Haiti Tuesday, shattering buildings forever changing lives. While authorities still don’t know the extent of the damage, it is estimated that 3 million people may be affected by Haiti’s worst earthquake in 200 years. One survivor reports there are thousands of people roaming the streets, looking for shelter.
Haiti is already the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, with 8 out of 10 people living in extreme poverty. It’s a place where many in the world have turned their backs, but not the African Methodism or the Church World Service.
Now, a massive earthquake has hit this already vulnerable island nation, and the needs there are greater than ever before. Please donate now…we need your immediate help!
Global Witness companion, Church World Service has an established presence in Haiti, with our partners Service Chretien d’ Haiti, Christian Aid, SKDE an Ecumenical Foundation for Peace and Justice. EFPJ’s House of Hope is a day school CWS supports in Port au Prince, as well as the Richard Allen Hildebrand Clinic that the AME Church supports in Port au Prince. Preliminary information indicates the school and clinic are damaged, and staffs are trying to determine the well-being of their colleagues and children and patients.
We’re working to help our partners in this time of urgent need—will you take a moment to make this possible? You make it all happen.
Please stay tuned for more information and updates on GWM and CWS response to the devastating earthquake in Haiti. And, join us in praying for the people affected by this earthquake. (Please do not collect goods, supplies, or commodities for distribution).
George F. Flowers
gwmame@bellsouth.net
Executive Director
Global Witness and Ministry
African Methodist Episcopal Church
1 866-211-9934
5. EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT MESSAGE TO CLERGY AND LAITY:
I have received many phone calls from you expressing your empathy and desire to help the victims of the devastating Earthquake in Haiti.
I am asking that all churches in the Eighth Episcopal District to declare Sunday January 17, 2010, “Haitian and Malawi Disaster Relief Day.” We are making an urgent plea for generous donations to our Missionary Offerings, and earmark the funds collected as “Aid for the Haitians and Malawi Disaster Relief.”
Please bring or send all funds collected to the Eighth Episcopal District office Tuesday, January 19, 2010.
Malawi (20th Episcopal District) and Haiti (16th Episcopal District) have both suffered catastrophic loss of life and property in recent earthquakes. We know all so well the devastation that occurs with a natural disaster. All pastors, missionary societies, and all other departments are being asked to raise or give an offering for the disaster relief of the people in both Haiti and Malawi.
Please be compassionate in your giving as you reflect on the support and compassion that the Connectional Church shared during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Rita in our District. It is our time to share the love and support to our church families in time of need as the Eighth Episcopal District Family.
In the Master's Service,
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry
6. 13TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT MESSAGE TO CLERGY AND LAITY:
We have a dual tragedy that as Christians and AME's we need to respond immediately.
The Council of Bishops in its winter session organized fund raising efforts through the Department of Global Witness and Ministry, the 16th Episcopal District and SADA. There will be a press conference in Cary, North Carolina tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. EST on the AME Church’s response to this disaster.
Funds from the sale of The Anvil, the annual resource guide of the Council of Bishops will be divided evenly between the 16th District where an earthquake struck yesterday and the 20th District, where an earthquake struck earlier. The Women's Missionary Society is giving an initial donation tomorrow and will preparing for a more substantial response. All of this is to demonstrate our immediate response to this immediate need.
I'm encouraging all of our churches to issue a special appeal this Sunday not only to our church members but to the community at large. Lift special a special offering please! Send or bring your contributions to the 13th District office by Tuesday, January 19, 2010 so that we may send it in the name of the people of Tennessee and Kentucky as our initial effort to help in the recovery process.
This is a critical times in the life of the people of Haiti and Malawi. We need to be in prayer for them. At this time we have no information if the Richard Allen Clinic is still functioning. We are praying that it wasn't destroyed but is able to help victims needing medical attention. There are also schools, churches and a plethora of people who will be looking to us in the coming days to be a source and resource of help.
As we have done in the past, let us rise to the occasion to be a blessing to both Malawi and Haiti.
By he Grace of God,
Bishop Vashti McKenzie
7. MESSAGE FROM THE CONNECTIONAL LAY ORGANIZATION / AMEC:
It is with a sad heart that I greet you during the devastation and turmoil being suffered by our sisters and brothers in Haiti and Malawi.
The magnitude of the disaster can only be imaged as we witness so many people struggling for life and the horror of so many lives lost.
How quickly a way of life can be made even worst in seconds. It’s time for us to mobilize to assist Haiti and Malawi and the people of the 16th and 20th Episcopal Districts who are experiencing catastrophic tragedy.
The most powerful force we have is prayer. I’ve asked our Chaplain to pray and publish a prayer of comfort and consolation. I am asking all laity to do at least two things to help the distressed of the 16th and 20th Episcopal Districts. Pray and share financially.
Please contribute to the Connectional Lay Disaster Relief Fund; we will in turn contribute to the AME effort through the Office of Global Witness and Ministry, Dr. George F. Flowers, Executive Director and the Service and Development Agency (SADA), Mr. Robert Nicolas, Director. Brother Nicolas is a native of Haiti. Please remember him and family in your prayers.
Bishop Sarah F. Davis is the presiding prelate in Haiti and Bishop Julius H. McAllister is the presiding prelate in Malawi.
Dr. Willie C. Glover
President, The Connectional Lay Organization.
8. INFORMATION FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WOULD LIKE TO SEND CHECKS / MONEY ORDERS:
Episcopal Districts would like to coordinate and consolidate donated funds and are requesting local congregations to collect funds over the next two Sundays and forward to their Episcopal District Office so that the AME Church will have an accounting of and an audit trail of the collected funds. Those persons wanting to make individual donations can access the AMEC Official Website, which provides updates on the Haiti and Malawi earthquake relief efforts. Stay updated on the situation in Haiti by visiting the AMEC Official Website: http://www.ame-church.com/
You can mail your check to the district office:
The 16th Episcopal District AME Church
P.O. Box 821308
Houston, Texas 77282-1308
Or:
Please make your checks payable to:
Haiti Relief Fund Malawi Earthquake Relief
AME Church-Global Witness and Ministry
Charleston Executive Park
1587 Savannah Highway, Suite A
Charleston, SC 29407-7820
9. MEDIA RELEASE FROM THE 15TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT (NAMIBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE):
The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse
The presiding elders, officers and members of the Namibia Annual Conference in the 15th Episcopal District under the leadership of Bishop Wilfred Jacobus Messiah wish to extend our heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the Government and the people of Haiti and to the members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
The images sent out on televisions all across the world are heart-wrenching, and we particularly give our prayers and support to those uncertain about the status of their loves ones trapped beneath the rubble.
Africa and African Diaspora have historical, political, intellectual and sentimental attachment to Haiti. It was in Haiti that African Diaspora fought and won a heroic victory of liberation against colonial forces and established an independent state in the Americas.
May God bless the reconstruction and rehabilitation work of the Haitian people and may their take their deceased loves ones to their eternal resting place with the thought that “earth’s loss is heaven’s gain.”
The Rev. Willem Simon Hanse
revwshansepe@yahoo.com
Windhoek District
The Rev. Dr. Andreas Biwa
Keetmanshoop District
The Rev. Neels Jacobus Simon
Lüderitz District
The Rev. Daniel Schmidt
Hoachanas District
The Rev. Albert Eberhard Biwa
P. O Box 50278,
Bachbrecht, Namibia
Gibeon District
10. CONNECTIONAL HEALTH COMMISSION APPEALS FOR ASSISTANCE FROM HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS:
Message from the Rev. Dr. Miriam Burnett, Medical Director, AME Church Connectional Health Commission:
The AME Connectional Health Commission is preparing to respond to the urgent medical needs of our brothers and sisters in Haiti and Malawi.
Request all Healthcare professionals send me an email indicating their present and future availability to travel to Haiti and Malawi.
Efforts will be coordinated through AME SADA (Mr. Nichols), Bishop Sarah Davis and Dr. Flowers in order facilitate this process.
The Rev. Miriam Burnett, MD, MPH
mjbchcamec@yahoo.com
Medical Director
AME Connectional Health Commission
11. PRAYER ANSWERED FOR HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE VICTIM:
Prayer Request
Rock-Andral Ludger is a native of Haiti and under the care of our own Reverend Etolia White of Saint John in Frankfort. He has to my knowledge not been in contact with his family, and the Reverend White is requesting special prayer from us in this matter. Please join me in requesting God's protection for his and other families in Haiti (as well as in Malawi) affected by the earthquake and for God’s peace for those who wait and worry. (January 14, 2010, 6:27 PM)
Kenneth J. Golphin, Presiding Elder
Kentucky Conference/Lexington District
Prayer Answered
Prayers availeth much! Thanks be to God for His blessings today. At 10:10 p.m., we heard word from Haiti indicating that Rock-Andral Ludger’s family is safe, although now homeless. Praise be to God! Thank you to all who called upon His name and will continue to call upon God for those who are suffering this great catastrophe. Thank you, Father, for all of your blessings and for answered prayer. (January 14, 2010 10:26 PM)
The Rev. Etolia White
12. HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE FROM THE AMEC DEPARTMENT OF GLOBAL WITNESS AND MINISTRY:
January 15, 2010
Support Temporary Protected Status for Haitians Affected by Devastating Earthquake:
Ask Congress and DHS to grant Temporary Protected Status for Haitians in the U.S. as part of a comprehensive response to the current humanitarian crisis
Tuesday’s 7.0 –magnitude earthquake in Haiti resulted in great human casualties and widespread structural damages in the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation. While relief efforts are underway, CWS urges Communions to contact your congressional representatives and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to ask that the United States grant Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in the U.S. as part of a comprehensive response to the current humanitarian crisis.
The Haitian government does not have the necessary funds or infrastructure to undertake relief and reconstruction efforts on its own – also making it temporarily unable to accept returns of Haitians nationals. Before this latest disaster, Haiti was still in the process of rebuilding following a series of hurricanes that hit the country in September of 2008. Haitian President Rene’ Preval requested that the United States grant Temporary Protected Status to Haitians following the 2008 storms, in order to better allow the Haitian government to focus on providing lifesaving assistance to those persons affected by the disaster within their own borders.
In a previous update (yesterday) we mentioned that The Executive Director of the Department of Global Witness and bishops: (James L. Davis, Commission Chair of Global Witness; Sarah Davis, Haiti’s Bishop, and William P. DeVeaux, General Board President; and The Reverend Ron Owens) were scheduled to leave for Port-au-Prince, Haiti Tuesday, January 19th – 21st. However, due to State Department Advisory Alert not to travel to Haiti and the cancellation of Spirit Air Flight this group must wait for a short time before traveling.
Dr. George F. Flowers
Executive Director
Global Witness and Ministry
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Email: gwmame@bellsouth.net
13. AME CHAPLAIN ASSISTING THE HAITIANS:
*Bishop John White I
AME Navy Chaplain, LCDR Glenda Jennings Harrison, Chaplain Corps, USN of the USS Carl Vinson is in Haiti as a part of the earthquake relief and recovery mission.
I ask that Church will keep her and the other military personal as well as the people of Haiti in their prayers. I also informed her that we do have AME Churches in Haiti and the Richard Allen Hildebrand Health Clinic.
*Bishop John White I is the Ecumenical Officer and endorsing Agent
14. IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM THE CENTER FOR FAITH-BASED & NEIGHBORHOOD PARTNERSHIPS:
Locating Family Members:
The State Department Operations Center has set up the following number for Americans seeking information about family members in Haiti: 1-888-407-4747.
Monetary Donations:
Monetary donations are the most effective form of assistance because they allow humanitarian organizations to purchase (often within the affected region itself) the exact type and quantity of items needed by those affected by the crisis. Read about the advantages of monetary donations.
For those interesting in helping immediately, simply text "HAITI" to "90999" and a donation of $10 will be given automatically to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts, charged to your cell phone bill. Or you can go online to relief organizations to make a contribution to the disaster relief efforts
Commodity Contributions
While monetary donations are preferred to commodity contributions, there may be rare instances when a commodity contribution would be of value to relief operations.
- See a list of conditions which are necessary to ensure that a commodity contribution is appropriate.
- Read about handling appropriate commodity contributions.
- If a commodity collection has already been made, but there are problems identifying a need in the affected region for the commodities or an organization to accept them, read about some alternate ideas.
Volunteering
Volunteer opportunities in disaster settings are extremely rare, and are usually limited to people with prior disaster experience and technical skills (such as health, engineering, etc). To register your skills and experience for a possible volunteer opportunity, go to http://www.cidi.org/reg_off.htm. For opportunities to volunteer overseas in non-disaster settings, visit http://www.usaid.gov/cgi-bin/goodbye?http://www.serve.gov/. Or read about Volunteers for Prosperity http://www.usaid.gov/cgi-bin/goodbye?http://www.volunteersforprosperity.gov, a volunteer program managed by USAID. For more information on volunteering, visit http://www.interaction.org/disaster/volunteering.html.
Alexia Kelley
Director, Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
15. NEW DETERMINATION FOR A NEW DECADE:
*Dr. Joseph Darby
The Keynote Message for the “Ties That Bind” Conference of politically progressive South Carolina organizations - http://www.tiesthatbindsc.org - at the headquarters of the South Carolina Education Association, Columbia, South Carolina on Saturday, January 9, 2010.
Prepared and presented by the Reverend Dr. Joseph A. Darby, Senior Pastor of Morris Brown African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina and Board President of the South Carolina Christian Action Council.
We’re in the first month of a new decade, and I’m glad that we are, because the last decade was rough. The last decade saw our nation embroiled in warfare, attacks on our civil liberties and the near collapse of our economy, all because of political decisions that favored the few instead of the many.
The last decade saw mean spirited rhetoric and actions by those who would hunt down, imprison and expel those that they call “illegal immigrants,” forgetting that by their standards, their ancestors who first came here from Europe could also have been called “illegal immigrants.” The last decade saw the loss of American jobs and attacks on collective bargaining because corporations focused not on civic responsibility but on building up their financial bottom lines, and willing politicians were their partners on doing so. The last decade saw attacks on public education by those for whom reform means not owning up to and correcting past inequities, but creating new inequities by giving public finds to private schools and creating “private-public” charter schools.
The last decade was ruled by those who care more about building bigger prisons for drug offenders, preserving Confederate heritage and keeping our state in the dark ages than about cleaning up the environment, providing affordable health care and housing and making liberty and justice for all a reality.
The last decade was rough, but we have a new President and a more progressive Congress in this new decade, we have the chance to make positive electoral changes in our state and communities in this new decade, we have the chance to shape and impact public policy and repair the damage of the last decade and change our communities, state and nation for the better in this new decade, but we can’t do it in one day at one conference or only with those who are here.
Our legislature will be open for business this week, and if we’re to assure that they work for us and not on us, then we have to stand together and stay together and lobby together and vote wisely together, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Was right, “Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle.” When we realize and reinforce that and act based on the ties that bind us together, then we can make new progress, secure new liberty and equity, and do so with new determination for a new decade.
We need new determination for a new decade, and that requires escaping from what a wise friend of mine calls the “APE” that prevents our taking unified action - Agenda, Power and Ego. We can’t fail to work together unless our particular organization gets to set the full agenda, unless we get to pick and choose who we work with on the basis on how we get along, unless we get to claim credit for what goes right and to blame others when things go wrong.
The civil rights revolution of the mid-twentieth century changed America in ways that were thought to be impossible because a wide range of organizations and people with different agendas, different ideas, different personalities and even old rivalries and grudges and issues laid aside all that divided them and worked together to reach a common goal.
When we have the determination to overcome Agenda, Power and Ego and pursue common goals in this new decade, then we can create good jobs for all and see that every public school is a quality public school, see that factories no longer locate near and pollute poor communities and that no one has to go to the emergency room for basic medical care. We can build a better state and nation where equal opportunity and equal justice under the law become realities and where those seeking to better themselves can do so in the spirit articulated by James Brown, who first said in song, “I don’t want nobody to give me nothing, just open up the door and I’ll get it myself.”
We need new determination for a new decade, and that means doing things that might take us out of our comfort zones. I say that as one who affirms my faith tradition’s mandate to “speak the truth in love,” but also knowing from experience that those who have no love for those who don’t think or act or think like them might not respond to loving persuasion and might need a little “somethin’ somethin’” else.
It’s nice to hold peaceful vigils to protest unjust laws, but sometimes you have to get in the faces of those who make those laws. It’s nice to legally advocate for those who make it to America from other nations as best they can looking for a better life, but sometimes you have to stand with them to confront those who would deny them the promise of freedom out of fear that they might end up in the minority. It’s nice to condemn those who use their cloak of morality to spread hatred and division, but sometimes you have to point out that some of them don’t meet their own moral standard. It’s nice to be close to those in political power, but sometimes you have to call them out when they either make bad laws or look the other way while bad laws are made in the name of political collegiality.
New determination in a new decade may require new strategies that might cost you some good will among those in political control, might cause some doors to be closed in your face for not being polite and accommodating enough, might cause some folks to stop smiling at you and might even cause some politicians who love you at election time and forget you the rest of the time to wonder why you’re suddenly on their case, but Frederick Douglass was right, “Power concedes nothing without a demand,” new determination requires doing the right think, whether it’s popular and politically acceptable or not, some may say that the time isn’t right, but it’s never the wrong time to do the right thing.
When we do not what’s comfortable and safe and unfailingly polite and do the right thing by speaking truth to power through our words and deeds, then we’ll have new determination for a new decade. We’ll tell those who now carry tea bags instead of flaming crosses and who claim to speak for America that we’re Americans too, stand up to demagogues like Senator Jim DeMint, let him know that he does not speak for every South Carolinian, and every time he spouts his version of the truth, we can borrow the words of his political soul mate Representative Joe Wilson and say, “You lie.” We’ll tell politicians of every party and color who forget that the seats they occupy are not their seats but the people’s seats that it’s time to do good or be gone, tell advertisers who sponsor the Rush Limbaughs and Glenn Becks of this world that if you don’t respect our positions, you won’t get our business.
When we firmly and assertively and strategically speak trust to power and stop just going along to get along. We can change the rules of the game, go beyond business as usual, and say by our words and deeds as did those who faced down fire hoses and police dogs four or five decades ago, “I ain’t gonna let nobody turn me around.”
It’s good to be here today, thank all of you for being here today, but if we do nothing else when we leave here today, let’s leave here with new strategies, new commitment, new relationships and new determination for a new decade. George Bush set up “free speech zones” to keep his critics at bay and out of the media spotlight, but armed protestors are allowed to get close to President Barack Obama’s public appearances we need new determination for a new decade. Wealthy corporations that make bad financial decisions receive public assistance to survive, while poor people who make bad financial decisions are left to suffer; we need new determination for a new decade. Bigoted politicians want to stop and strip search those coming to America with names like Abdul and Mohammed, but would let those with names like “shoe bomber” Richard Reed pass through, we need new determination for a new decade.
Rich folks like Howard Rich are spending big money and buying political support in our state to create a new system of public education that features public-private schools and “school choice” that would make our schools very separate and very unequal again, we need new determination in a new decade. In many cities, you can be pulled over and hassled by the police simply for being a young black or Latino man in a decent car; we need new determination in a new decade. Schools along South Carolina’s very white and very Republican I-85 corridor are well funded and successful, while schools along South Carolina’s very black and very Democratic I-95 corridor are struggling to survive; we need new determination for a new decade.
People who play cards in their own homes in our state are subject to arrest if too many players are there, but our state runs its own numbers game, calls it the “Education Lottery” and allows predatory lenders who run roughshod over the poor to do business with minimal regulation as a “public service,” we need new determination for a new decade. Poor, white blue collar workers who ought to be the natural allies of those gathered here are led by carefully crafted fear games to vote against their own best interest by those who tell them to look beyond their poverty and find consolation in the color of their skin; we need new determination for a new decade.
The times are too tough, the needs are too great for us to do political business as usual and do the same old things in the same old ways with the same old players, we have to find new common ground and do new things to fight new battles to realize the lofty promise that our nation will guarantee liberty and justice not for some, but for all, we need new determination for a new decade.
We can find it when we take to heart the words penned by James Weldon Johnson over ten decades ago, “Facing the rising sun of a new day begun, let us march on till victory is won.” When we have new determination for a new decade, we’ll march on and see good schools in Anderson County and in Allendale County, march on and see equitable law enforcement in Lexington County and in Lee County, march on and see quality housing in Greenville and in Greelyville, march on and see new jobs in Spartanburg and in Santee, march on and see environmental equity and equal justice in Newberry and in North Charleston.
We’ll have new determination and new direction and keep on marching, saying as did those in my faith tradition said just this side of slavery, before we had well dressed choirs and padded pews and pretty sanctuaries, “I’ve come this far, I find no fault, I feel like going on.” We need new determination for a new decade.
*Dr. Joseph Darby is the pastor in charge at Morris Brown AME Church, Charleston, South Carolina
16. LET’S GET OUT OF THE BLACKSMITH SHOP, AND GO EVANGELIZE:
Recently, I blogged the following statement regarding the merger in Midwest region on http://www.kcdministries.net/ that said, “The Midwest Conference has not yet [begun] touching the surface of what the Conference can be. As I've traveled the Connection we (AMEs) especially the Midwest must began writing legislation that can help meet the needs in these changing times; there is an unlimited amount of software available for church management…” and it made me feel….
As I reflect on what was posted; this statement is applicable to the Connectional Church. In other words replace the word ‘Midwest and Midwest Conference” with the words ‘Connectional Church’ and the words Connectional Church previously mentioned in the blog with Christendom. For clarification, the Midwest Conference of the Fifth Episcopal District consists of the central and western part of Missouri and two other states: Kansas and Nebraska. Under the previous Presiding Prelate, Bishop John R. Bryant the 106th elected and consecrated bishop received a resolution from the merger committee of both conferences: Northwest Missouri and Kansas Nebraska at the Midyear Conference in March 2006 summarizing the following statement about bringing the two conferences together: shares many things in common; benefit from shared resources; conserve time and travel and number of meetings; and will make a stronger unit. Furthermore, the merger was approved at the 48th General Conference. In my opinion, if the consolidation did not occur the Midwest region may have experienced further weakening and scattered resources at a faster pace.
Several churches in our Zion are doing quite well and are moving steady without missing a beat while others are struggling to make ends meet. No longer should the offering plate be a primary source of income for the church to do ministry. Therefore, the local church must look for ways to invest in partnerships to generate a stream of financial income and other resources to do ministry. All areas of the church must be managed: staff, finances and the building. Through our Quarterly Conferences at the local church these three areas are reported on but even with that this process needs to be reviewed to close up the gaps of mediocre administration. As I mentioned earlier there is software available for churches. Recently I have learned of some additional church management software on the market: Shelby, LOGOS and ACS Technologies. There are lower cost software packages such as Power church and Servant PC Resource. Simply search the web under church management software (CMS) for other software companies. Each software company will list its features on its designated website.
We can go as far as to say that each region in the Connection should invest in a franchise to generate the income to do effective ministry. The investment can be made after much research has been done. A few business ventures owned by religious groups come to mind when speaking of entrepreneurship are the following: Walgreens and Marriott Hotel, and back in the day Sinclair gas service stations. And of course, the Wingate Inn in Weldon Springs, Missouri near St. Louis, Missouri, a 100-room hotel owned by the members of the Fifth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. According to sources, the Wingate Inn is the first hotel owned by African Americans. Nevertheless, we pride ourselves in self-help but we are losing ground in what used to be one of our strong points in African Methodism.
For more than two hundred years, we continue to celebrate the boldness of our founder Bishop Richard Allen and others marching out of St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to start the African Methodist Episcopal Church in a blacksmith shop. But we have not left the blacksmith shop since that time. Now, let us take what we have seen in the blacksmith shop for two centuries and began hammering out the opportunities to take advantage of what God has given us and “evangelize.”
The Rev. Eraina Marie Ross-Aseme, B.A., M. Div.
An Itinerant Elder of the Midwest Conference of the Fifth Episcopal District
17. THE REV. RODERICK DWAYNE BELIN DEVELOPS A SUPERB WORSHIP AND PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL RESOURCES:
*The Rev. Roderick Dwayne Belin
The Rev. Roderick Dwayne Belin has developed the following resources (appended below and attached) for use in congregations, small groups and private devotions as we seek to serve the people of Haiti and to understand tragedies and natural disasters.
Other resources and links are available at the Rev. Belin’s website: http://www.ibelin.me/category/worship-resources/
The Reverend Roderick Dwayne Belin is the pastor of Kairos Community African Methodist Episcopal Church, 5511 Edmondson Pike Suite 105, Nashville, Tennessee 37211; telephone: (615)332-3320; infor@kcame.org / www.kcame.org
Roderick Dwayne Belin
www.iBelin.me
AME Church Disaster Response: An Appeal©
How does God’s love abide in anyone who has the world’s goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help? Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.
– 1 John 3: 17-18
Our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti suffered a terrible tragedy on Tuesday, January 12, 2010. The massive loss of life and the cost of damages caused by the earthquake will not be estimated for some time. The presidential residence, the parliament building, hotels, and houses have been destroyed. Men, women, boys and girls are suffering as they wait for medical treatment in overcrowded hospitals and on the sidewalks outside.
Haiti is one of the poorest countries on the earth and this tragedy increases the suffering of God’s people in Haiti immeasurably. It is estimated that one-third of the 3 million people in Haiti are affected by the earthquake. The images coming out of Haiti show people searching for family members and loved ones through rubble and debris.
You must help. People are desperately in need of our prayers and our help. The African Methodist Episcopal Church, called to meet the emergent needs of God’s children with urgency, is already on the ground in Haiti working to search and rescue, provide water and to minister the Presence of God.
If our work in Haiti is to continue effectively, your financial contribution is needed. Give in a special offering today or go directly to the AME Church website and contribute there: www.ame-church.com
Readings for the 2nd Sunday After Epiphany Year C
Isaiah 62:1-5
Psalm 36:5-10
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 2:1-11
Possible themes to explore from these passages in light of the earthquake in Haiti include:
The Enduring Love of God for All Creation
“The Beloved Community”
Extreme hospitality
Unity
When human limitation meets God’s power
The Gifts of God to a Broken People (water/Baptism; wine/Communion; Gifts of the Spirit)
The Gifts of God for the Common Good
Appropriate passages for use in other ways:
Psalm 18
Psalm 46
Hymns appropriate to the occasion:
O God Our Help in Ages Past 61
When Peace Like a River 448
Be Not Dismayed Whate’er Betide 437
From Every Stormy Wind that Blows 419
His Eye is On the Sparrow 435
A Litany Crying Out for God’s Mercy
For the people of Haiti who are suffering the affects of the earthquake,
O Lord, we cry out to You for Your mercy.
For those still clinging to life beneath the rubble
O Lord, we cry out to You for Your mercy.
For each and every man, woman, boy and girl who are looking for loved ones and hoping to find them alive,
O Lord, we cry out to You for Your mercy.
For the workers from all over the world who labor to rescue, keep peace, minister and heal,
O Lord, we cry out to You for Your mercy.
For the ministers and laypeople who are with the suffering ministering to them Your Presence,
O Lord, we cry out to You for Your mercy.
For the memories of your Children who lost their lives in this tragedy,
O Lord, we cry out to You for Your mercy, Your strength and Your grace.
For the people of Haiti and for all who suffer in any place in this hour
O Lord, we cry out to You for Your mercy. AMEN
A Prayer for How to Help
Lord, we acknowledge that You are here, that You never left us even when all around us seemed to be falling apart. We are overcome by grief as we see the images of tragedy, as we hear the cries for help, and feel the pain of others’ suffering. Give ear, O Lord to the cries from our hearts and bring light to darkness, joy to sorrow, healing to pain. We come Lord for rest from the weariness of shock. We come seeking Your guiding hand in how we can respond.
How can we express Your love, O Lord? How can we be Your hands, O Lord? Give us strength and courage to do what pleases You, that we can put Your love in action, by word and deed and make Your presence known. Loving Father, Healer, Restorer, and Source of all hope, remove from us those things that prevent Your love from flowing through us. May we make a difference in someone’s life that they may come to know Your redeeming love and put their trust in You.
We ask this in the Name of Him who suffered for us, Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN
(This prayer was written by Carlene L. Douglas, Nashville, TN)
A Prayer for People Still Trapped in the Rubble
O God, Creator and Sustainer of all that is, we come to You in reverence and humility thanking You for the great privilege of prayer. With our hearts heavy from grief and our minds filled with questions, we come to you! Once again and, as always, we need Your grace and mercy. God, we trust Your wisdom in all things.
Our hearts are filled with anguish for our sisters and brothers who are trapped in the rubble in Haiti who are still hoping and praying to be found before their spirits leave their bodies.
O God our Keeper! Your Word tells us, if we make our beds in Sheol, You are right there. So, show Yourself, manifest Your Presence to our sisters and brothers who are right now still trapped debris. Glorify Yourself in the rubble!
O God our Comforter! Wrap your loving arms around our Haitian sisters and brothers who are longing for to see their family members and loved ones again.
O God our Sustainer! Empower and strengthen rescue workers, keepers of the peace, medical personnel and preachers of your Gospel with your Holy Spirit.
O God our Peace! Breathe on Haiti.
O God our Healer! Heal broken bodies, troubled minds and sorrowing hearts.
O God our Joy! Penetrate the grief, pain and sorrow by the great power of your Presence that all may know, even in tragedies, that you are the Lord.
In Jesus’ holy name, AMEN
Haiti – Caring Enough to Ask Why
A Meditation
What do we think about what has happened in Haiti? Pat Robertson has proffered a spiritual reason for this tragedy that is frighteningly hateful. A young friend has just tweeted simply, “Theodicy?” which is a defense of the goodness of God in the face of “evil.” These two are among a host of people who are struggling to understand how and why such horrible occurrences happen in the world. The tsunami which took place in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina gave rise to similar questionings. At the root of many of the questions really is; why would God let something like this happen to God’s creation?
Even the people who bequeathed to us the writings that make up the book of Genesis wrestled with why tragedies happen. I suppose we are no closer to finding a satisfactory answer now than then. Well, let me just speak for myself: I have no answers, but I care. I care deeply. I care enough to act and I care enough to ask.
Yes, I will contribute financially to the relief effort and encourage friends and those I serve to do the same. But, beyond this, I will do the much harder work of grieving the dead. I will sit still and, at least, try to wrap my mind around the scope of the loss of life. I will work hard not to hear the big number of the nameless, faceless others who died in the tragedy. Instead, I will try to mourn individual people… mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, babies of specific and particular backgrounds who have ceased to hope, to love. I will look up and out into space imagining the direction of these brothers and sisters who have taken transit to the next realm and I will re-member them. I will name them and not number them. I will remember; I will put the broken back together in my heart. I will love these individual people.
Of course, I will ask “why?” But having the answer is not as important as caring enough to ask the question.
This resource above and attached is copyrighted. ©
18. FAULT FINDERS:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
There are some of us who can, and do, find faults in anything, everything and anybody. No matter what it may be or no matter who it may be and what they may be doing, some of us will find a fault. I believe that some of us find faults in others because of our jealousy. We find faults because we are lacking the opportunity and short of the desired capabilities of what is expected of us. Finding faults is easy if that is all you are looking for. Finding fault is the forerunner of making excuses.
I am sure you have heard these:
How was church today? It was alright but...
Did you enjoy the Preacher? He was ok, but…
Did you like that solo that sister B did? It was alright but…
Did you see that dress she had own? Yes, but it didn’t do anything for her…
Do you tithe? I would but I don’t like the way they handle the money…
It seems that “fault finders” always use the preposition “but.”
As Jesus stood before Pilate with all of the trumped up charges against him, Pilate said to the multitude I find no fault in this man. Luke 23:4
The Pharisees and the Scribes found fault in the disciples not washing their hands before eating. Mark 7:2
The Pharisees and scribes found fault with Jesus eating and drinking with sinners. Luke 15:2.
This is the way that many of us miss the central point of Christianity. We must go among them if we expect to win them.
Some of the Disciples found fault in the woman washing the feet of Jesus with precious ointments. Mark 14:3-5
Finding faults is a convenient way for us not to participate, and not to give credit to who credit is due. It is a way of “coping out.”
The songwriter penned: “In the midst of faults and failure stand by me,” which points to that fact that none of us are faultless and we are not perfect.
Those of us who spend our precious time looking for faults in others could use that valuable time looking into a mirror.
We must keep in mind that there is a difference between finding faults and making constructive criticisms. I am sure that all of us, at one time or another, could have stood some constructive criticism. But finding faults just to be finding fault is futile. The person who does not like or accept constructive criticism is doomed for failure.
Brethren if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Galatians 6:1
I learned these few lines when I was in elementary school: There is so much good in the worse of us. There is so much bad in the best of us. So it doesn’t behoove any of us, to talk about the rest of us.
Question
What do you say about a person who boasts about not wanting anything any body else doesn’t want, but goes down town and buys a used car?
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts, Ptaegar@AOL.Com author, teacher, counselor, and humorist is a retired AME pastor who resides in Eatonville, Florida
19. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- The Honorable Rev. André L. Spivey, the pastor of St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Detroit, Michigan, was sworn in at the City of Detroit Inauguration last week along with the Mayor, City Clerk and eight other council members.
The first time candidate was elected to the Detroit City Council from a field of 168 candidates. He came in tenth place in the August Primary and in November, he finished in sixth place to win a seat on the nine member full-time board. The Hon. Rev. Spivey will help to make decisions to approve city contracts, create ordinances, reduce crime, reduce the budget deficit and create an atmosphere for job creation.
There have been laypersons from the AME Church in Detroit who have served on the Detroit Council City but the Honorable Rev. Spivey is the first AME pastor to serve on the council. The Hon. Rev. Spivey has a Bachelor's Degree from Morehouse College, a Master of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Divinity School and is completing a master's thesis at Central Michigan University.
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to: cdavis@spamec.org
- Presiding Elder Kenneth and Mrs. Dianna Golphin are very pleased to announce the graduation of their daughter, Chastity Renay Golphin, from the Northern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. The African American Student Union graduation exercises were held on Friday evening, December 18, 2009 at 7:00. The University graduation exercises were held on Saturday morning, December 19 at 9:00. Chastity plans to continue studies at Northern Kentucky towards a Masters in Communication.
Contact Information:
Chastity Renay Golphin
golphinc1@nku.edu
Presiding Elder Kenneth J. Golphin
eldergolphin@aol.com
Mrs. Dianna B. Golphin
mrsgolphin@aol.com
- Mrs. Mary M. Hughes, mother of Presiding Elder Thomas M. Hughes, South District of the Chicago Conference of the 4th Episcopal District, celebrated her 96th birthday on Saturday, November 21, 2009.
Mrs. Mary M. Hughes extends gratitude to the many friends and well wishers, who joined her family in celebrating her birthday. "It is one of the most enjoyable birthdays that I have ever had, and you helped to make it so. The memory will linger always.”
Congratulatory messages can be emailed to:
Presiding Elder Thomas M. Hughes,
South District-Chicago Conference
petmhughes299@sbcglobal.net
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the sudden passing of Sister Lorene Ford Hickman, of Ozark, Alabama. Sister Hickman passed away on Sunday, January 10, 2010. She is the mother-in-law of Rev. Lionel Green, Pastor of St. Samaritan AME Church, Coldwater, Mississippi, and the mother of Mrs. Betty Green (first lady). Rev. Lionel Green, pastors in the North Mississippi Conference on the Clarksdale District, Rev. J.L. Moore, Presiding Elder.
Funeral Services for Sister Lorene Ford Hickman:
Saturday January 16, 2010
11:00 a.m.
Church of God by Faith
214 King Street
Ozark, Alabama, 36360
Elder J.C. Smith, Pastor
All condolences can be sent to:
Holman Funeral Home
995 South Union Avenue
Ozark, Alabama, 36360
Phone: (334)-774-5348
www.Holmanfuneralhome.com.
The Rev. and Mrs. Lionel Green can be reached by cell phone: (251) 753-1008
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Dianne A. Bryant, the sister of the Rev. Ronald Freeman, pastor of St. Luke AME Church, Daugherty, Virginia and the sister-in-law of Mrs. Nona Freeman, first lady.
Funeral Services will be held for Mrs. Dianne A. Bryant at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at the:
Mt. Pisgah United Methodist Church
2357 L Road
Chestertown, Maryland 21620
Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. & Mrs. Ronald Freeman
4712 Chalfont Drive
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23464
(757) 467-4422
(757) 439-2472 (Mobile)
Communications may also be sent via the Rev. Freeman's niece, Michele Foster, to the following email address: shelbel1@yahoo.com
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Brother John Leonard Druid, who passed away on Friday, January 8, 2010. He was the brother of Presiding Elder Richard T. Druid (New Jersey Conference, Atlantic City District). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing and Funeral, Saturday, January 16, 2010
Viewing - 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Funeral - 11:00 a.m.
Allen A.M.E. Church
1717 Bishop Richard Allen Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ 08041
Phone: 609-345-6452
Fax: 609-345-0010
The Rev. Samuel L. Hayes, Jr., Pastor
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Presiding Elder Richard T. Druid
5 Hemlock Drive
Edison, NJ 08820
908-754-0166
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Sister Lynell Davis. She was the mother of the Rev. Rita Story, Pastor of Burks Chapel AME Church, Paducah, Kentucky.
Service Arrangement for Sister Lynell Davis:
Family Visitation and Service will be held at:
Harrison Street Missionary Baptist Church
1126 Harrison Street
Paducah, Kentucky 42001
Phone: 270-442-8946
Family Visitation:
Friday, January 15, 2010 - 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Service: Saturday, January 16, 2010 - 12:00 Noon
Professional services provided by:
Pettus Funeral Home
1229 Madison Street
Paducah, Kentucky 42001
Phone: 270-442-5749
Fax: 270-442-0272
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend Rita Story, Pastor
Burks Chapel AME Church
635 Ohio Street
Paducah, Kentucky 42003
Phone: 270-443-9390
Phone: 270-564-3425
Email: ritastory@aol.com
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mother Leanna Hill. She was the grandmother of Dr. Derek H. Anderson, Connectional RAYAC President and Member of the AME Church Board of Trustees and grandmother-in-law to Mrs. Aimee Hurst Anderson, Ohio Conference YPD Director, and great grandmother of Master Cory Isaiah Anderson.
Service arrangements for Mother Leanna Hill:
Friday, January 15, 2010
Viewing: 11:00 a.m.
The Celebration Service: 12:00 Noon
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
1108 Second Avenue
Charleston, West Virginia 25302
304-343-3085 (P)
304-346-5838 (F)
Condolences may be sent to:
Dr. Derek Anderson & Family
3191 E. Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43209
Email: DerekStPaul@aol.com
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Thurman Dennie, the husband of the Rev. Dr. Deborah T. Dennie, the immediate past 13th Episcopal District WIM president. Thurman Dennie passed on Friday, January 8, 2010.
The funeral has been held.
Words of comfort, cards, etc. may be sent to:
The Rev. Dr. Deborah T. Dennie
1479 Pinecrest
Memphis, Tennessee 38111
26. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Cecil Alberty, the brother of Presiding Elder Clarence Boyd, President of the Presiding Elders' Council for the 12th Episcopal District, and Presiding Elder of the Hot Springs District, West Arkansas Annual Conference, and the brother-in-law of Mrs. Birdie M. Boyd, First Lady of the Hot Springs District and 1st Vice President of CONN-M-SWAWO + PK'S.
Service Arrangements for Mr. Cecil Alberty:
Funeral:
Friday, January 15, 2010
11:00 a.m.
Mrs. J. W. Jones Memorial Chapel
703 North 10th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66102
Phone: (913) 321-0253
Fax: (913) 321-1444
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Presiding Elder and Mrs. Clarence Boyd
9700 LaBette Drive
Little Rock, Arkansas 72205
Phone: 501-747-1829
Cell: 501-944-5416
Home email: cbboyd@swbell.net
Office email: cvbfeb1935@global.net
27. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with sorrow that we announce the death on Saturday, January 9, 2010, of Mr. James H. Thurman Sr., father of The Reverend Sharon Johnson, pastor of Wilson Chapel AME Church in Parksville, Kentucky.
Service Arrangements for Mr. James H. Thurman Sr.:
There will be visitation 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 15, 2010, with the funeral to follow at 11:30 a.m. at the First Corinthian Baptist Church in Frankfort, Kentucky.
First Corinthian Baptist Church
214 Murray Street
Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-2945
502.875.1569
O. L. Hughes and Sons Mortuary
322 East Third Street
Lexington, Kentucky 40508-1945
859.233.7112
Contact:
The Rev. Sharon Johnson
john5477@bellsouth.net
P.O. Box 944
Wilsonville, Kentucky 40423-0944
28. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
Mrs. Wesiona Walker entered into eternal rest on Friday, January 8, 2010. Mrs. Walker was 89 years old at the time of her death. She was a life member of the Women's Missionary Society of the AME Church and a faithful member of The St. John AME Church in Eufaula, Alabama. Along with nine (9) living children, she leaves to mourn her death, the Rev. David Walker, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Gainesville, Georgia.
Recognition of Mrs. Walker's 90th Birthday and Visitation with Family:
Friday, January 15, 2010, 6:30 PM
Sanford Memorial Chapel Funeral Home
549 S. Randolph Avenue
Eufaula, Alabama 36027
334-687-6900
334-687-4500 fax
Funeral: Saturday, January 16, 2010, 12 Noon
ST. John A.M.E. Church
901 Dale Road
Eufaula, Alabama 36027
Condolences may be sent to:
The Walker Family
% The Reverend David Walker
P. O. Box 2703
Aiken, South Carolina 29802
(803) 640-7200 or (803) 640-9888
Email: dawlk@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.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
30. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
Archive of The Christian Recorder Online from 2004-2016; Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, 20th Editor of The Christian Recorder
1/07/2010
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (01/07/10)
Bishop Richard Franklin Norris - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – A GREAT WORD AT THE ANNUAL CHURCH GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III,
The 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
I am sorry that I didn’t arrive at the Annual Church Growth and Development Seminar in Little Rock, Arkansas in time to hear the sermon that was delivered by that the Right Reverend C. Garnett Henning. I heard positive comments about it and how he raised the issue about Christian commitment and accountability. I heard that it was a challenging message and I wish that I could have heard it.
I didn’t hear Bishop Henning’s message, but I did hear the dynamic sermon delivered by the Right Rev. Sarah Francis Davis at Tuesday Night’s Service of Word and Sacrament; and what a message!
The Department of Church Growth and Development Seminar began on Monday. The Seminar is holding its 2010 Annual Seminar at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock and will close tomorrow, Friday, January 8, 2010. The Rev. Dr. James C. Wade is the Executive Director of Department of Church Growth and Development; the Right Rev. Wilfred J. Messiah is the Commission Chair; and the Right Rev. Samuel Lawrence Green, Sr., the host bishop for the event.
Most of the bishops and most of the general officers were in attendance at the Church Growth and Development Seminar, including, the Right Rev. John Richard Bryant, the Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the Right Rev. Carolyn Tyler Guidry, the President of the Council of Bishops; and Dr. Richard Allen Lewis, the President of the Council of General Officers.
Those attending the Annual Church Growth and Development Seminar were excited and vocal about their participation; the Praise team exuded energy; and the musical presentations and the choir were excellent. The participation and attendance of the 12th Episcopal District was evident by the participation of the laity and the clergy. When Bishop Green asked the members of the 12th Episcopal District to stand there was a roar of enthusiasm throughout the auditorium.
Ah, but I need to get back to the powerful sermon of Bishop Sarah Francis Davis.
Oh, but before I do that, certainly mention needs to be made about Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry’s introduction of Bishop Davis, which was warm and delivered from the heart. Bishop Guidry said Bishop Davis was a friend, that she was competent, intelligent and woman of God and was proud that they were both elected and consecrated in the class of 2004. The congregation warmly received Bishop Guidry’s introduction of Bishop Davis and Bishop Davis was visibly appreciative of Bishop Guidry’s introduction.
But now I do need to get back to Bishop Davis’ sermon. Bishop Davis acknowledged the AME protocol, a tradition among AMEs. She also took time to recognize her husband, Mr. Claytie Davis and acknowledge that they were celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary.
Before I get to Bishop Davis’ sermon I have to mention the presentation made by the Rev. Francis Murat who was born in Haiti, reared in Chicago, and has now returned to Haiti to minister to his people. He gave up the comfort of the United States to return to his native country. His comments were well-received. He was introduced by Bishop John Bryant.
Getting to the sermon
Bishop Davis began her message with an apology. She told the congregation that her sermon was going to be a hard sermon, a type of sermon people didn’t like to hear. She pointed out that people need to hear the truth. She selected 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-7 as here text, with a focus on verses 4-6. Her subject was, “Observation Overlooked.”
She wanted to know if the African Methodist Episcopal Church is serious about evangelism and if we cared for the souls of those around us. Bishop David said we are living in an age of urgency of needing to share the Word with the world because there is no news more important than sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. She wanted to know if we cared about the souls of those we worked with, those with whom we had relationships. She also asked if we cared about the souls of those we lived with. She asked the congregation, “When was the last time you witnessed to a family member; to your husband, to your wife, to your children?” She was concerned that we, who call ourselves Christians, have overlooked our obligation and responsibility to evangelize; both preachers and laity have overlooked the obligation to evangelize.
Bishop Davis pointed our that there are 190 million non-Christians in the United States and that we, in the AME Church, have more preachers than we have churches; the implication being that we have preachers who are “sitting on their obligation” to witness for Jesus Christ.
Bishop Davis shared that 85 percent of denominations, including the AME Church, have the concept of “evangelism” in their mission statements, but churches, and especially, mainline churches are losing members because we are overlooking evangelism. Bishop Davis said that it is time to get urgent about evangelism and “stop playing church.” She pointed out that we have not only abdicated our corporate responsibility to evangelize, but that we have also abdicated our personal responsibility to do personal evangelism. Bishop Davis forcefully stated that before we can do personal evangelism or witness to others, we have to do internal evangelism. She went on to explain that we don’t have to “quote scripture,” we have to “live scripture.”
Bishop Davis said the AME Church and other denominations have only themselves to blame for any membership losses and diminished numbers in the pews.
Ignoring evangelism is the most effective way to lose church membership.
Bishop Davis said that we fail to do evangelism because we don’t want to study and we don’t want anyone else to “show us up.”
She brought her message home with an enthusiastic delivery and by the time she concluded, people were on their feet.
It was a hard message but it was a message that we all needed to hear.
The AME Church needs to hear the message and we need to ask ourselves if we are overlooking our obligation and responsibility for evangelism.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
To the Editor:
Re: Challenge III
I just wanted you to know that the Lee Chapel AME Church (Nashville, Tennessee Lay Organization is reading the Bible (The Story) taking about 8 months, taking a chapter a week beginning January 1, 2010. It is a challenge, because we only meet once a month; answer the questions independently; and discuss four chapters during our one-hour monthly meetings.
If you or any of our readers have any other ideas, please let them know that they can email me Saico7@aol.com.
Paulette Coleman, Ph.D.
NCRC Certified Mediator
- To the Editor:
I am ardent follower of The Christian Recorder. Never in my history of ministry and membership in the AME Church have I been so keen to read The Christian Recorder since you were overwhelmingly elected to the position as Editor and have delivered on your election promises.
The Christian Recorder is such a powerful tool, a must-read, for every member of the AME Church. It is so timely and so relevant, especially The Christian Recorder Online, keeping the AME membership abreast concerning new developments in and across the Connection. You have made a powerful tool since you were first elected into the Editorial Command thereof.
I pray an increase for you, your ministry and The Christian Recorder this year.
For all communication, henceforth, especially concerning Church matters, this is the new address I will be using for as long as I will be shepherding this congregation while I will retain my work address for receiving The Christian Recorder Online.
The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas, Pastor
Allen Temple A.M.E. Church
188 Ingedezi Street, Zone 7
1852 MEADOWLANDS (Soweto)
The Republic of South Africa
Tel.: +27 11 536 2249 (a/h)
Tel.: +27 11 241 7811 (office)
Mobile: +27 76 692 9583
Email: atamec.188@gmail.com
- To the Editor:
AME-India wishes the African Methodist Episcopal Church a Happy New Year and greetings to all of you in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We sincerely thank you for all your prayer support and help that you extended to us last year in all our efforts. We look forward the same kind of support from you even this year also. By the grace of God and the able guidance of Bishop John and Rev. Cee this year, God willing we will be having the India Convocation in the month of April-May 2010. We hope and believe God will do wonders and reveal His glory during this occasion. We sincerely request you for your prayers for this.
We also request you for your valuable prayers for the ministry of AME-India for this year so that we may do a greater ministry than last year in reaching out to more people with the gospel of Jesus. We sincerely believe that whatever we could do last year was because of your earnest prayers for us. We have seen and felt the power of your prayers in our lives and ministry over here.
We do look back the way Lord protected us and our pastors. Last year in India some of our Pastors and friends had gone through different kind of persecutions, struggles, starvation, various crises. Yes, we Praise God for all the experiences; we can’t buy them; God has enabled us to stand and enter into the New Year to bear fruits for the Kingdom.
We hope you will be able to join us for the India Convocation. It might be an opportunity for us to fellowship together after a long time. Do write to us when time permits you.
Praying for you all. Thanking you once again. We Love you all.
Yours Sincerely,
The Rev. Sarah & the Rev. Abraham Peddiny
PE, AME-India
- To the Editor:
I read with excited interest the meeting of the 11th District at Our Lucaya Resort! That brought back such pleasant memories. I chair a fundraising event with Bloomingdale's stores for the benefit of the agency that cares for my super wonderful special son! For two months it is a hassle selling tickets and urging persons to just walk in the store on benefit day! The first year I chaired the event in support of my son's care there were many giveaways and among them was a week's stay at Our Lucaya Resort with roundtrip airfare included. I spent 8 hours in Bloomingdale's that day as a volunteer and a shopper and recruiter for shoppers. I was stunned when several weeks later I was called and told my daughter and I were winners! Among our many travels we will never forget that week!
Hey, let’s bring the General Conference to Grand Bahama Island, Our Lucaya, summer rates are great. (I was there in December and I am from Chicago!).
Glad you had such a memorable time. Isn't it great being a Christian? This was a fringe benefit our Lord provided!
Julie Hagwood
4th Episcopal District
Bethel, Evanston, Illinois
3. AME CHURCH'S CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL WILL MEET DURING TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY'S FOUNDERS DAY AND ISAAC R. CLARK PASTORS CONFERENCE:
The African Methodist Episcopal Church's Connectional Council will meet during Turner Theological Seminary's Founders Day and Isaac R. Clark Pastors Conference held at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church, 240 Candler Road in Atlanta, Georgia where Dr. George Moore, Sr., is pastor.
All pastors, presiding elders, and ministers of our Zion are welcome to join us from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2010.
We look forward to continuing to build a solid, strong and committed Connectional Council.
The Rev. Dr. Gregory V. Eason, Sr., President
4. AME YOUTH TO RECEIVE EAGLE SCOUT AWARD:
*Patricia Chisom
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “Scouting has been and continues to be a very important part of my life starting as a Tiger Cub” says Montrell Edward Williams, who is now a freshman at Marquette University. Montrell earned his Eagle Scout rank from Boy Scouts of America, November 22, 2008, and will be honored at a special Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony, Saturday, January 16, 2010; at St. Mark A.M.E. Church, 1616 W. Atkinson Avenue. Attendance is by invitation only. The Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor is the Eagle Scout Award.
To earn Scouting’s highest award, Montrell earned 25 merit badges, served as a leader in his troop in various positions, and completed a major community service project.
Montrell’s service project took place at St. Mark AME Church – Quality of Life Center where he developed and coordinated a tutoring and mentoring program for diverse students in the local community. Montrell’s goal was to help students get a fast start in school given the educational gap among minority students. He and his volunteers contributed some 653 hours towards the completion of this project. Over 47 students of all backgrounds participated.
Montrell has been a member of Troop #445 chartered to St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church for eleven years. He served the troop as Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Scribe, Chaplain and Assistant Patrol Leader for the Raven Patrol during Powerhorn BSA Leadership Training, and has served Troop #1305 as leader during the BSA Jamboree 2005 in Virginia.
Montrell is a graduate of Rufus King International Baccalaureate High School where he was an honor roll student for all four years. Montrell is majoring in Biochemistry at Marquette University, as he prepares for his future goal of earning a Degree in Physical Therapy and to own a physical therapy clinic to employ Milwaukee County residents.
Becoming an Eagle Scout is a remarkable achievement. Two years ago, Montrell’s brother, Lamont Williams, currently a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, also received this high recognition. Montrell is the son of Lamont and Delois Moore-Williams.
*Patricia Chisom is the Public Relations Director at St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA)
5. THE 134TH SESSION OF THE EAST ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
The 134th Session of the Electrifying East Annual Conference convened October 17-23, 2009, under the very proficient and dynamic Episcopal leadership team of the Right Reverend McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate, and Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor. The conference was graciously and superbly hosted by Saint Stephen AME Church, Jacksonville, Florida, the Reverend Michael L. Mitchell, Host Pastor, and Mrs. Cordelia Mitchell, Host First Lady.
The Young People’s and Children’s Division of the Women’s Missionary Society convened on October 17th, under the energetic and competent leadership of Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor, Mrs. Sandra Burke, Episcopal YPD Director, Mr. Jon Ingraham, Episcopal YPD President, Mrs. Lemmon Wright, Conference YPD Director, and Miss Felicity Price, Conference YPD President. The business session included: devotions; election of officers; workshops and update of activities. A “Talk Show” was presented, highlighting young, bright males in the community. Tony DeMarco Hansberry, II, a high school student, the son of the Reverend and Mrs. Tony DeMarco Hansberry, Sr., Greater Grant Memorial AME Church, Jacksonville, was recognized and applauded for his brilliant medical development of a procedure called the endo stitch, used in hysterectomies. Dallas Garmney, of Historic Mount Zion AME Church, and student at Santa Fe College, was the recipient of the Barbara Jackson Healthcare Scholarship. Garmney expressed how the scholarship has been of great assistance to him in his college education.
Amid an excited, supportive, capacity audience, the 2009 Christian Debutante-Master Commission Dedication Ceremony was eloquently presented on Sunday evening, and appropriately themed, “Daily Magnify Christ As We Strive for Excellence in Character and Service.” This Christian ceremony of brilliant pageantry, under the direction of Ms. Sharon Sheffield, Episcopal DMC Commissioner, Mrs. Patricia C. Shehee, East Conference DMC Commissioner, and Reverend Michael L. Mitchell, East Conference DMC Associate Commissioner, afforded thirty (30) Debutantes, ten (10) Masters, Twenty-five (25) Sub-Debutantes and Sub-Masters, forty-six (46) Allenites, the opportunity to model Christian experiences received in preparation for this Christian Ceremony. During this extraordinaire Christian setting, Debutantes and Masters were introduced to church society, and dedicated their lives to continued and greater service for Christ.
The Women’s Missionary Society’s convention convened on Monday, at 9:00 AM, under the very capable and energetic leadership of Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor, and Dr. Cora H. Reed, Conference President. Reports were presented and received from Presidents, Officers, Commissioners, Directors and Area Chairpersons. The election and installation of officers for the ensuing conference year was conducted by Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young. Beautiful prelude music set the tone for the Women’s Missionary Society’s Annual Awards Luncheon, Ms. Rhonda Boyd, presiding. Conference President, Dr. Cora Reed, made presentations for meritorious service and appreciation to a young, enthusiastic group of emerging leaders. Mrs. Janice Robinson, of New Bethel AME Church, Tyler Street, was graciously and majestically given a stole as a Life Member, by Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young. Bishop McKinley Young offered remarks of commendations and congratulations.
On Tuesday morning, the opening business session was called to order, with directions given by Bishop McKinley Young. The Reverends Ronald Nelson, Johnny Smith, Mandella P. Smith, and Jesse L. Steele were transferred into the conference and added to the conference roll. Presiding Elders Joseph E. Sanchez, Robert L. Mitchell and Jimmie B. Keel read the organization of the 134th Session of the East Annual Conference, followed by the organization of committees.
Attorney Ava Parker Gibbons received commendations for facilitating a most informative training session on Sexual Misconduct, as presented in the 2008 Book of Discipline, of the AME Church. All participants were required to sign the Sexual Misconduct Certification Form.
The Board of Examiners, under the leadership of the Reverend Michael L. Mitchell, Chair, and the Reverend Charletta C. Robinson, Dean, presented the Board’s report to the Conference. Recommendations and approvals were made for names presented for Class placement, or ordination. The Reverend Lorenzo Laws was elected and ordained an Itinerant Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The adoption of the Board of Examiner’s report was motioned, seconded, and adopted.
In keeping with the mission of the Commission on Health, which is to “promote the health concerns of members of the AME church,” Bishop McKinley Young, presented to the Conference, the Reverend Dr. James M. Proctor, retired Presiding Elder, and Dr. Floyd Willis, Physician at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. Their health presentation was, “Memory Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease.” Pertinent and timely information was shared. Some of the areas addressed:
1) Definition of Alzheimer’s disease,
2) Ways of keeping your brain/minds healthy,
3) How the health of your brain is connected with your soul, and
4) The health of caregivers.
The Reverend Dr. James M. Proctor made the appeal for qualifying persons to participate in the ACTS (African-American Alzheimer’s Caregivers Training and Support) project.
Presiding Elders’ and Pastoral reports were read to the conference in accordance with the procedure and format outlined by Bishop McKinley Young. The Bishop commended the Elders and Pastors for their hard work and dedication during this conference year.
“We’ll Praise the Lord,” majestically rendered by the Annual Conference Choir, provided the processional music for the Opening Worship Service. The annual sermon entitled “The Haters’ Mentality,” was ably delivered by the Reverend Tony DeMarco Hansberry, pastor of Greater Grant Memorial AME Church, Jacksonville, Florida. His text was taken from Genesis 37:24. Reverend Hansberry proclaimed that when you’re disliked by others, you must always, keep the faith, wait for help, and when you get to where God has sent you, don’t forget why God placed you there.
Powerful and timely sermons were delivered by various clergy of the conference. The Reverend Ron Rawls, Pastor, St. Paul AME Church, St. Augustine, Florida delivered the sermon for the Women’s Missionary Society’s “Annual Night In White,” entitled, “I Just Wonder.” Selected scripture, II Chronicles 23:1-13. The Reverend Rawls urged the congregation to consider whether we are placing limits on ourselves by not keeping our part of the covenant.
“The Legacy Began … The Heritage continues,” was the selected theme for the Sons of Allen Witness Service. The Reverend Patrick Sasnett, pastor, Mt. Pisgah AME Church, Lake City, Florida, proclaimed the Word, from the message, “Keep Showing Up.” The Scripture was taken from John 5:1-9. He began his sermon, with the singing of, “The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow.” Reverend Sasnett emphasized that, “Jesus went out of his way to deal with the invalid man at the pool.” Sometimes we have to go out of our way, in order for God to do what he wants to do in our lives.
On Thursday night, the Annual Lay Organization Witness Sermon was delivered by the Reverend Karl V. Smith, Pastor, Greater Bethel AME, Gainesville, Florida. The Reverend Smith’s selected text was, Joshua 6:20, and his sermon was entitled “Shout It Out,” The Reverend Karl Smith cautioned the congregation to “know what you are shouting about,” that, worship always comes prior to warfare, quiet praise is not always enough, and we should always, let God do it.
Black and Red were the dominant colors that adorned the setting for the Annual Ministers Spouses Alliance (MSA) Annual Luncheon. Words of welcome were graciously extended by the host first lady, Mrs. Cordelia Mitchell. President Maggie L. Jones extended recognition and commendations to the 2008-2009 MSA officers for their outstanding leadership and support. Pastors’ kids, Tony DeMarco Hansberry, II, Tyler Sloan Hansberry, Gloria Rose Lockley, Quanterria Aalyah Thomas, Marvin Frank Curtis Zanders and Micah Van Zanders were honored and thanked for their active participation in the 2008-2009 Annual projects. Bishop McKinley Young and Supervisor Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young extended words of greetings, commendations, appreciation to the alliance.
The Women In Ministry continue to honor women in various ministries, at all church levels, for their contributions and dedication to the AME Church. The 2009 honoree is Mrs. Inez Sanchez, Consultant, and wife of Presiding Elder Joseph E. Sanchez.
The Women in Ministry presented a check of $1000 for Edward Waters College to Dr. Claudette Williams, President of Edward Waters College.
In an atmosphere of solemnity, the Conference memorialized Bishop James Haskell Mayo, Presiding Elder Demone A. Anderson, The Reverend Pharis Gibson, The Reverend Michael Baker, and Dr. John W. P. Collier. Prayers, hymns, scripture, words and music called to remembrance those individuals who have transcended this life, for life eternal, “Where saints immortal reign.” Their Christian witness and dedication have left indelible marks in our lives.
The Conference reverently and with much dignity, celebrated the retirement of Presiding Elder Joseph E. Sanchez of the Alachua-Central District, of the East Conference, 11th Episcopal District, and Reverend Wilbur P. Jackson, of the Suwannee-North District, of the East Conference. All praise was given to God for the life and labor of these preachers, as the Conference gratefully acknowledged their service in the ministry to the AME church, having faithfully fulfilled their Vows of Ordination. The church looks forward to the years yet to be, and rests assured that these years will be filled with good works, and become the crown of their ministry.
The Reverend Elizabeth E. Yates, Pastor, New Bethel AME Church, Jacksonville, served as Superintendent for “The Model Church School.” The lesson “The Gain in Giving” was competently taught, discussed and reviewed by assigned Pastors, Ministers and Lay Delegates.
The Right Reverend Richard Norris, Presiding Bishop, 1st Episcopal District, delivered the ordination sermon, entitled, “Authentic Authorization,” selected as his text, Jeremiah 21:21. Bishop Norris pointedly addressed the candidate for ordination, the Reverend Lorenzo Laws, and the congregation; the following recommendations and challenges:
- You must love people
- Assure our people that God has not left us alone
- Even when times get hard, wait on the Lord
- Minister to our people
- Visit the sick
- Recapture and reclaim our young people
Bishop Norris reiterated, if you are indeed called by the Lord, your ministry will enfold with great success. If you are faithful to God, God will be faithful to you.
“Come, Thou Almighty King,” heralded the processional for the Closing Convocation. The Right Reverend McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate of the Eleventh Episcopal District, electrified the capacity congregation with his spirit-filled, awakening sermon, entitled, “We Are More Than Conquerors.” His selected text, Romans 8:28-29. Bishop Young reminded us, that we will face many challenges and difficulties, but if God is for us, who can be against us, for “We are more than Conquerors.” This is meaningful for us as a people. It is the essence of our story and struggle. God has helped us to be “more than conquerors.” Following the Commissioning service, Bishop Young conducted the reading of appointments.
Bishop McKinley Young, Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, and the East Annual Conference welcomed and acknowledged, with much appreciation, Retired Bishops Richard Allen Hildebrand, and Robert Vaughn Webster, (who addressed the conference); Bishop Richard Franklin Norris and Supervisor, Mrs. Mary Norris; the Rev. Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson; connectional officers, pastors, ministers, and laity from throughout the Connection.
Dr. Claudette H. Williams, 28th President of Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Florida, was presented a gift of $150,000.00 from the 11th Episcopal District. Brother James L. Williams, President Emeritus, Connectional Lay Organization, was recognizing for originating the Theological Scholarship. Congresswoman Corrine Brown, and Congressman Kendrick Meeks, candidate for the U.S. Senate were introduced by Bishop Young.
Bishop McKinley Young presented to the Conference, the following pastors, who are candidates for the Episcopacy: the Reverend Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson, the Reverend Michael L. Mitchell and the Reverend Dr. Marvin C. Zanders, II. The Conference applauded the candidates.
Bishop McKinley Young and Episcopal Supervisor, Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young extended the highest of commendations, accolades and appreciation to: Presiding Elder Joseph E. Sanchez, Senior Presiding Elder, the Reverend Dr. Robert L. Mitchell, and the Reverend Jimmie B. Keel for their hard work and dedication over the course of this Conference Year; all Pastors and Ministers; the East Conference Choirs for their magnificent renditions of anthems, hymns, gospel, spirituals, and contemporary music, sung to the “Glory of God;” the East Conference ushers for their warm, friendly, hospitable and most helpful service to the conference; the committees of the conference; all components; all delegates; and all attendees. Special recognition and thanks were extended to the Reverend Michael L. Mitchell, Host Pastor, Mrs. Cordelia Mitchell, Host First Lady, and the great members of Saint Stephen AME Church for their superb hosting of this 134th East Annual Conference. The Reverend Michael L. Mitchell, Host Pastor, extended words of appreciation to Bishop McKinley Young and Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young for their excellent leadership of this session. The Conference congratulated and thanked our Episcopal Leaders with a standing ovation.
Reporters:
The Reverend Marian Gibbons
The Reverend Sandra Stevens
The Reverend Mary Alice Murphy
Mrs. Loretta S. Coppock
Compiled and Submitted by: Mrs. Loretta S. Coppock
6. RESPONSE TO TCR ONLINE ARTICLE, “A TRIBUTE TO BISHOP JOHN BRYANT":
*The Rev Suzanne Membe Matale
The article entitled, “A tribute to Bishop John Bryant” which appeared in The Christian Recorder Online Edition of 18 November, 2009 written by Brother Charles Hallman, St Paul-Minneapolis Reporter makes interesting reading.
I was an eye-witness to Bishop Bryant’s election and consecration as the 106th Bishop of the AME Church at the 1988 General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. I want to agree that Bishop Bryant is one of the most vibrant, intellectual and spiritual Fathers of the Church and no doubt has made good contributions to the growth and well being of our Zion, the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
What prompts me to write this article is the paragraph on how the West created a “beggar mentality” in Africa. I am so glad that he boldly mentions this at this time. He commends India for having a “Can-do attitude” as opposed to the beggar mentality. I am not even trying to be apologetic about the Bishop’s analysis of the two scenarios. What I would like to point out, however, is that it is only the AME Church in Africa that functions with the “beggar-mentality.”
I work as a General Secretary of the Council of Churches in Zambia with a membership of twenty-four denominations in Zambia comprising of large, medium and small denominations of which the AME Church is a member.
My experience over the many years I have worked with the various churches is that the Anglicans, the United Church of Zambia, Brethren in Christ Church, Presbyterian Church, Reformed Church, Lutheran Church, United Methodist Church, just to mention a few, who like the AME Church still have connections with the various countries in the West, have moved miles ahead of the AME Church in terms of “liberating” themselves from the ‘beggar-mentality’ in which the AMEC in Africa still wallows.
Many reasons can be attributed to this state of affairs in our Church in Africa and these reasons have for many, many years been advanced at different times and different **fora. Unfortunately the AME Church leaders, as it were, are not very good listeners. They have decided that they will do things as they want them and as they have always been done.
There is a need for continual changes in the administration of the Church to take account of the changes taking place in the environment in the world. There is a strong lack of will for change in the Church.
The Church in Africa has great potential to grow like many other denominations which are now growing at such a speed they cannot even contain the growth. Some of them were far behind the AME Church in terms of membership and leadership even at the National level. Alas, now we are lagging behind and God knows where this “Connectionalism” will take us if it is not reformed.
The one thing I know is that the West invested in a very meaningful and productive way in their mission stations in Africa. They invested heavily in education of the African people by building schools. They invested in health services for their members. They trained their leadership properly. They build churches in good areas. They saw and acted on the need to build capacity of Africans in their churches even during the colonial era. When time came for change the Church in Africa was well prepared for self-rule but they still maintained healthy connections with their counterparts in the West up to today. The AME Church on the other hand, and I speak perhaps only for Zambia, my country; no such thing ever happened. No physical infrastructure can be pointed to as belonging to the AME Church in Zambia other than poorly constructed churches around poor areas of the country. There had been no deliberate attempt or effort to systematically empower the people with education and training.
Most progressive churches in Zambia have fully fledged and fully funded theological training institutions for their leaders, both clergy and lay, from as far back as the 1960s, supported by their colonial masters, but the AME Church in Zambia has had no such experience, hence the “beggar mentality.”
The African initiative of an Africa Jurisdictional Council was skillfully high-jacked and transformed as a global initiative and has so far failed to achieve the originally intended goals.
We all believe in being one connectional body of Christ celebrating our rich heritage, but it is also important to take into account the different geopolitical and socioeconomic landscapes. The homogeneity with which the AME Church is run may be detrimental to the very essence of God’s plans for prosperity of all his people, including Africans. It may be necessary to write a much longer article in order to explain some of the “riddles” in this article but for now suffice to say that Zambians as a people, outside of the AME Church, no longer have the “beggar-mentality.”
May I take this opportunity to wish my fellow readers of The Christian Recorder a blessed festive season and may the Lord prosper your families.
**Plural of “forum”
*The Rev Suzanne Membe Matale is the Pastor in Charge of Bright AM E Church, Matero, Lusaka, Zambia, Southern Africa (17th Episcopal District)
7. EASTERN DISTRICT CREATIVE IN ITS EFFORT TO HELP THE CHURCHES OF THE DISTRICT PAY ASSESSMENT SPRING GALA 2009:
The Rev. Sherryl H. Sneed
The Eastern District (Southwest Georgia Conference) in the Sixth Episcopal District has been creative in helping the churches of the district pay some of their annual assessments.
In the spring of each year, the churches of the district come together for a night of superb entertainment, good food, and great fellowship. The Rev. Elijah Smith, Sr., Presiding Elder notes that the affair is designed as an evening to dress up and step out. Each church is given a number of tickets and advertisements to sell to raise funds for the district. The funds raised are used to assist in paying district assessments.
In addition to musical groups, youth from across the district provide entertainment, including praise dancing, singing, and dramatizations.
Each year, a “Pastor and Layperson of the Year” are selected and honored.
The 2009 “Pastor of the Year” was the Rev. Curtis Frazier, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Montezuma, Georgia. The “Layperson of the Year” was Ms. Pansy McLendon of Mayfield Zion AME Church in Alamo, Georgia.
The first Spring Gala was held in 2005 when the District roasted and toasted its Presiding Elder, the Rev. Elijah Smith. The District is already making plans for Spring Gala 2010.
8. TRYING TO FIND YOUR PURPOSE:
*The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139 a)
You may be wondering what your purpose in this life is. Your New Year’s resolution may very well be that you will find your purpose and strive to achieve it. Well, it would be a tremendous help if you would come to understand why you were created. Realizing how God wants to use your life and work before you set goals will help you to avoid frustration and disappointment. Being confident in just why God created you could help you avoid banging your head against the wall and running in circles as you get caught up in the mundane routine of just doing the things you do, as the basis for fulfillment in your life, which will inevitably leave you feeling like you have not achieved a thing.
We love to pat ourselves on the back. We love to “blow our own horn” highlighting our successes in life. God encourages us that, if we must boast about anything in life then boast, “that He (God) understands and knows me." We can boast; if we must, that God created us to know Him and to have an intimate relationship with Him. That intimate relationship was put in jeopardy and eventually lost when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. However, if we must boast, we can certainly boast that our intimate relationship with God was restored with Jesus’ death on the cross. Now we are once again able to have intimate fellowship with God.
In establishing a relationship with God we must put aside some of the rather foolish ways we go about trying to find purpose in our life. “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” In other words, to find our purpose we must know Christ personally and to accomplish that task we must give up that “inferior stuff” that so easily bogs us down and wastes so much of our time.
We must be found in Christ. Our purpose is found, not in our own righteousness, stemming from our adherence to the law, but in our belief in Christ and the righteousness which is from God by faith Establishing and maintaining a close relationship with God is vital to understanding our purpose. Without this critical relationship at work in our lives we will find ourselves constantly off track as we seek to fulfill our purpose stimulated by the wrong motives. Void of the power that comes to us through an intimate relationship with God we may seek our purpose motivated by fear, insecurity, pride or guilt. It is not unthinkable that without having established a relationship with God we would seek our purpose urged on by financial gain, unhealthy relationships or even unresolved anger.
The irrefutable truth is, God desires for us to be motivated out of love for Him. God is pleased by our desire to worship Him in all that we do. As we are faithful and obedient to allow our love for God to guide what we do and where we go, God will begin to reveal His purpose for our life. Developing an intimate relationship with God as we seek our purpose will help us avoid the missteps and the mistakes that come with us trying to guess where we are going. We are able to more efficiently move toward what God has purposed for our lives by listening to God as He has certainly admonished us, "For I know the plans I have for you.”
*The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr. is the pastor Bethel AME Church (Downtown) St. George, South Carolina
9. DEAF, HARD OF HEARING WORSHIP SERVICES AND BIBLE STUDY CLASSES:
The Reverend Dr. William E. Scott, Jr.
Fifth Episcopal District’s New St. John Community Fellowship AME in Chandler, Arizona begins Deaf, Hard of Hearing Worship Services and Bible Study Classes, “Sign through the Words of the Bible.”
New St. John Community Fellowship AME Church presents Bible Study for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Saturday will begin on January 16, 2010. Church Service through sign and voice will be held each Sunday at 1:30 P.M.
We are a diverse church helping those in need, and sharing the word of God. Those in this area who desire knowing more of Jesus through sign (American Sign Language) (ASL) and (Sign English) (SE) are welcome to be a part of this ministry. Those who have had strokes and can no longer speak may find that this is an excellent way to communicate with family and friends.
Those who have knowledge of sign language are welcome to help with our afternoon Bible study each Saturday and our Deaf and Hearing Impaired Church Service on Sunday at 1:30 PM. Those who are deaf or hearing impaired, there is a place for you to share your talents by becoming a part of this diverse church you are free to express and experience all. There is no limit to what God can do.
Our Regular Sunday morning worship service begins at 11:00 AM. All are welcome to become a part of this growing new church, located at 900 West Chandler Blvd Suite A-2 in Chandler, Arizona.
For further information call Pastor William E. Scott, Jr.; telephone 602-237-7504, or email scottwm3@aol.com. Transportation will be provided.
10. BISHOP MCKINLEY YOUNG APPOINTS NEW PASTOR FOR HISTORIC CHURCH:
The Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, MACE
The Reverend Willie J. Cook, Sr., has been appointed as the pastor of Mount Hermon AME Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Bishop McKinley Young the Presiding Prelate of the 11th Episcopal made the pastoral appointment at the 2009 Planning Session in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
A native of Lakeland, Florida, Rev. Cook was an active member of Bethel AME Church in Lakeland, Florida. He is a 1972 graduate of Kathleen High School, Lakeland, Florida. He matriculated at Florida A. and M. University on a football scholarship and graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management. After graduation he was employed as a Manager of Accounting for Yellow Pages Sales Department, Co-Founder of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Academy for Miami-Dade County Public Schools and was employed by the Metro Miami Action Plan (MAAP).
Pastor Cook answered the call to ministry and was ordained as an Itinerant Deacon and Itinerant Elder.
He graduated from Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia and earned the Master of Divinity Degree, with honors, concentrating in Biblical Studies. He was elected as the Turner Fellowship President and was a recipient of the Bishop Hilborn Talbot Scholastic Scholarship Award, The National Dean’s List and a member of Who’s Among Colleges and Universities.
He has served as pastor of St. James AME Church, Inverness, Florida; Mt. Zion AMEC, Homestead, Florida; Mt. Olive AMEC, Gainesville, Florida; and as Pastor of the Historic Allen Temple AMEC in Tampa, where congregation completed a $1.75 million Family Life and Community Center.
He served as Vice-Chair of the Board of Examiners of the West Coast Annual Conference, Vice-Chair of the Board of Christian Education, Historiographer and Statistician of the Tampa Conference, Vice-Chair for AMEC Ministries, Inc. and Vice-Chair for the Board of Trustees.
In the community Pastor Cook served as a member of the Pastors on Patrol Commission, NAACP, Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality, Inc., Pastors Caucus, FAMU Alumni Association and numerous other civic and community organizations.
As a spiritual leader, pastor, teacher and administrator he is known for his humbleness and exceptional gift of bringing congregants together in unity throughout his ministry in working for the Glory of God.
He is the husband of Mrs. Dorothy Dupree Cook, an educator in the Miami-Dade County public school system and they are the parents of four children and two grandchildren.
He is pursuing a doctorate of ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
11. KNOCK ON ANY DOOR:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
Several months ago I wrote an article entitled, “From Fame to Shame.”
I wrote about those who had risen to the zenith of their profession and then made bad decisions and ended up in the house of shame. These last several weeks, like buzzards descending upon a dead carcass, the news hounds and the gossip-seekers have descended upon the infidelity of a world renowned sport figure by the name of Tiger Woods. Some have camped all night and others have driven miles just to take pictures of his house and others are digging for more, salivating like hungry hounds.
What Tiger did was nothing new, but because of his status in the world of golf he is being held to higher standard than the average citizen; and therefore more attention is being given to his indiscretion.
Infidelity is prevalent in our society. What bothers me most is the news media is spending more time seeking to know what they don’t know than covering what really needs to be known. Let Mr. Woods work on his family problem.
The news hounds will feed and feed until they reach the point of diminishing returns on that carcass and then seek other carcasses to feed on. What they do not realize is there are a number of Tiger Wood’s out there, both men and women. If they are pursuing this act of infidelity for the purpose of addressing the infidelity problem, I could understand it, but all they have to do is to knock on any door and they will find similar situations.
Knock on any door and you will probably find a spouse who has kept silent, and whose eyes have dried in their sockets, for the sake of pride and the protection of the children.
Knock on any door and you will probably find a house divided and children caught in the middle having the unpleasant task of choosing sides. Knock on any door and you will probably find an abused wife, physically and emotionally; and afraid to tell someone, even family members about her marital problems. Knock on any door and you will probably find parents spending more money on themselves than they spend on their children, not providing them with proper clothing and nutritious foods. --Knock on any door and you will probably find a pugnacious promiscuous kid who has no respect for parents, teachers, law or self. Knock on any door and you will probably find a hard working husband working two jobs trying to make ends meet comes home just to be given a frozen dinner by a wife who stayed in the streets, watched television and spent hours on the telephone. Just knock on any door and you will probably find a father teaching his son more about guns than about goodness. Yes, knock on any door and you will probably find a married couple living single under the same roof sleeping in different bedrooms.
We must not get all worked-up over a “fallen star,” for there will be more. Success has its liabilities. Once you are in the limelight, your life is no longer private. There is one star that will never fall and that star is the “Bright and morning Star.” Look to the Star; look and live.
A Little Humor
A mother called her son into the house and said to him Jimmy, you stop telling your teachers that you live in a broken home. Just because there are a few cracks in the wall our home is not broken.
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts, author, teacher, counselor, and humorist is a retired AME pastor who resides in Eatonville, Florida
12. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
- Darryl Jacob Narcisse started his college education with a Presidential Scholarship at Morehouse College where he studied Pre-med Biology. In his junior year Darryl received a scholarship in the MARC (Minority Access to Research Careers) Program funded by NIH (National Institutes of Health) at Arizona State University.
At ASU Darryl received a scholarship and participated in the SOLUR (School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research) Program while studying Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology. Darryl graduated on December 17 & 18, at the Fall Commencement and Convocation 2009 with a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology.
His future plans are medical school, focusing on research and emergency room medicines. Darryl Jacob Narcisse is the son of Rev. Margaretta S. Smith Narcisse and Rev. Darryl J. A. Narcisse of the Desert Mountain Conference, Fifth Episcopal District.
Congratulations may be emailed to:
Darryl Jacob Narcisse - jnarcisse@gmail.com
The Rev. Margaretta S. Smith Narcisse-revsmithnarcisse@yahoo.com
The Rev. Darryl J. A. Narcisse - djnarcisse@gmail.com
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with regret, that we inform you of the passing of Mr. Freddie Kimble, age 82, on Friday, January 1, 2010. Mr. Kimble was the father of the Rev. Dr. Gregory H. Kimble, pastor of Rice Chapel AME Church, Dallas, Texas (Tyler District-North Texas Conference).
The following information has been shared regarding Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Freddie Kimble.
Homegoing Celebration:
Friday, January 8, 2010
11:00 A.M.
Cage Memorial Chapels, Ltd.
7651 S. Jeffery Blvd
Chicago, Illinois 60649
Phone: (773) 721-8900
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Dr. Gregory H. Kimble
1612 Deer Creek Drive
Desoto, Texas 75115
Phone: (214) 376-6527 (Church Office)
Or condolences may be emailed to: drghkimble@msn.com
- The family is requesting in lieu of flowers, that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Mr. Freddie Kimble.
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce that Mrs. Jessie Dedmon, the mother of Mrs. Mozell Elliott; the mother-in-law of retired Presiding Elder Marcus Elliott, and the grandmother of the Reverend Bill A. (Sandra) Bowers, pastor of Holly Grove AME Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She passed away on, Friday, January 1, 2010.
Services for Mrs. Jessie Dedmon:
Saturday, January 9, 2010
12:00 noon
Macedonia Baptist Church
Sparkman, Arkansas
Professional services entrusted to:
Mark's Funeral Home
501 West 1st Street
Fordyce, Arkansas 71742
Phone: (870) 352-3298
Fax: (870) 352-7869
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. and Mrs. M. H. Elliott and family
1000 Dennison Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
Phone: (501) 376-7609
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of the Rev. Lank H. (L. H.) Cole on Monday, January 4, 2010. Rev. Cole was a retired pastor in the Greater Fort Worth District-Northwest Texas Conference of the 10th Episcopal District and at the time of his death served on the pastoral staff at Baker Chapel AME Church in Fort Worth, Texas where the Rev. Walter R. McDonald is the pastor.
The following information has been shared regarding Rev. Cole's Homegoing Celebration:
Wake: Friday, January 8, 2010
7:00 P.M.
Baker Chapel AME Church
Fort Worth, Texas
Homegoing Celebration:
Saturday, January 9, 2010
10:00 A.M.
Baker Chapel AME Church
1050 E. Humbolt Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Phone: (817) 336-5326
The Rev. Walter R. McDonald, Pastor
Rev. Lank H. Cole's final earthly care has been entrusted to:
Historic Baker Funeral Home
301 E. Rosedale Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Phone: (817) 332-4468
Fax: (817) 339-1443
Condolences may be sent to:
Ms. Julie Cole (Daughter)
901 E. Broadway Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Phone: (817) 727-1520
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Mary Hickerson, aunt of the Rev. Deborah Peppers, pastor of Roundhill AME Church, East Tennessee Annual Conference, and the grandmother of Vincent Peppers, the East Tennessee Annual Conference YPD President.
Service Arrangements for Mrs. Mary Hickerson:
Family Visitation:
Friday, January 8, 2010
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Shorter Chapel AME Church
402 South Atlantic Street / P. O. Box 371
Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
Phone: (931) 393-3028
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Family Visitation: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Funeral: 2:00 PM
Highland Baptist Church
808 West Hickory Street
Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
Phone: (931) 455-0645
Fax: (931) 393-0440
Professional services provided by:
J. A. Welton & Son Funeral Home
715 S. Jackson Street
Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
Phone: (931) 455-2723
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The family of Mrs. Mary Hickerson
c/o Vorketta Braston
204 Lynn Street
Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
Phone: (931) 393-2845
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce that the Reverend Dr. Alex Holloway departed this life on Christmas morning, December 25, 2009. Reverend Holloway pastored the following churches in the 12th Episcopal District: Metropolitan AMEC, Ardmore, OK; First AMEC, Oklahoma City, OK; St. John AMEC, Tulsa, OK; Davis Chapel AMEC, Lawton, OK; and Presiding Elder of the Lawton District in the Oklahoma Conference. Reverend Holloway was also a retired US Army Veteran. Reverend Holloway leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife, Mrs. Burnece Holloway.
The funeral has been held.
Messages of Condolence may be sent to:
Sister Burnece Holloway
9122 Orange Drive
Midwest City, OK 73130
Phone: (405) 736-0094
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce news of the passing of Mrs. Bernice R. Mason. Mrs. Bernice R. Mason, a former Second Episcopal District WMS Officer, was the wife of the Rev. James F. Mason who served the Church in the Second Episcopal District before retiring and relocating to South Carolina.
Home going services were held for Mrs. Mason on Saturday, December 19, 2009, 1:00 PM at Ebenezer AME Church in Mullins, South Carolina.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. James F. Mason
219 East Marion Street
Mullins, South Carolina 25954
Phone: 843-464-2837
19.CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce news of the passing of Mrs. Lorraine Mangrum Davies-Webb, the sister of the Rev. Elaine P. Walters, Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Marion, Indiana. Mrs. Davies-Webb, who made her transition on Christmas Eve, was the mother of two sons, and a grandmother. She was a member of West Los Angeles Church of God in Christ.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Elaine P. Walters
5966 Maple Forge Court
Indianapolis, Indiana 46254
Email: waltersrevepw@aol.com
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with regret, that we announce the passing of Sister Beatrice L. Thompson on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2009. Sister Thompson was the mother of the Rev. Mae H. Smith, Pastor of Mt. Olive AME Church, Mineral Wells, Texas.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Mae H. Smith
4145 Hawthorn Lane
Fort Worth, Texas 76137
Phone: (817) 966-8295 - Mobile
Online Guest Books for Beatrice L. Thompson:
http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000137882057X
Click on the above link or cut and paste the URL into your browser's address bar.
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you that Mrs. Roslyn Olivia Lindsey Hassain, the wife of Mr. Bobby A. Hassain and the mother of Becca Hassain, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, died on Tuesday, December 29, 2009. She was the sister-in-law of the Rev. Dr. Taylor T. Thompson, pastor, St. John AME Church in Cleveland, Ohio and Dr. Barbara H. Thompson.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:
Mr. Bobby A. Hassain and Family
308 Newbury Drive
Monroeville, Pennsylvania 15146
412-373-1016 (Home)
bobbyhassain@verizon.net
The Rev. Dr. and the Rev. Taylor T. Thompson
P.O. Box 613
Berea, Ohio 44017-0613
216-214-6886 (Phone)
revttthomp@aol.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of the Late Roslyn O. L. Hassain may be made to the Negro Educational Emergency Drive (NEED).
Negro Educational Emergency Drive (NEED)
Warner Center
332 Fifth Avenue, 1st Floor
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you that the Rev. Credell Kemp, retired preacher serving on the staff of Greater St. James AME Church Gary, Indiana died on Monday, December 28, 2009. He leaves to mourn his wife, Juanita Kemp and other members of his family. The services are as follows:
The funeral has been held.
Expressions can be sent to Mrs. Juanita Kemp:
3612 Polk Street
Gary, Indiana 46408
(219) 884-7403
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with regret, that we inform you of the passing of Mr. Clarence Butler, age 95, the father of Mrs. Leonia Holiday and father-in-law of Presiding Elder John K. Holiday of the Central New Orleans-Bogalusa District. Mr. Butler passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2009.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to his family:
Mrs. Leonia & Presiding Elder John K. Holiday
14174 Highway 10
Greensburg, Louisiana 70441
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Brother Floyd Narcisse, the father of the Reverend Floyd L. Narcisse, pastor at First AME Church in Lockport, NY (Western New York Annual Conference). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
The funeral has been held.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a scholarship fund in his remembrance (The Floyd Narcisse Scholarship Fund). Check should be made payable to:
Allen AME Church - Floyd Narcisse Scholarship Fund
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend Floyd L. Narcisse and Family
131 South Street
Lockport, NY 14904
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. June Forman, the wife of the Reverend Lawrence E. Forman, retired pastor from the New Jersey Annual Conference, Camden/Trenton District.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend Lawrence E. Forman
631 Walton Avenue
Beverly, NJ 08010
26. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
27. CONDOLENCES TO THE BEREAVED FROM THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER:
The Chair of the Commission on Publications, the Right Reverend Richard Franklin Norris; the Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour and the Editor of The Christian Recorder, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III offer our condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones. We pray that the peace of Christ will be with you during this time of your bereavement.
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, the 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
1. EDITORIAL – A GREAT WORD AT THE ANNUAL CHURCH GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR:
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III,
The 20th Editor, The Christian Recorder
I am sorry that I didn’t arrive at the Annual Church Growth and Development Seminar in Little Rock, Arkansas in time to hear the sermon that was delivered by that the Right Reverend C. Garnett Henning. I heard positive comments about it and how he raised the issue about Christian commitment and accountability. I heard that it was a challenging message and I wish that I could have heard it.
I didn’t hear Bishop Henning’s message, but I did hear the dynamic sermon delivered by the Right Rev. Sarah Francis Davis at Tuesday Night’s Service of Word and Sacrament; and what a message!
The Department of Church Growth and Development Seminar began on Monday. The Seminar is holding its 2010 Annual Seminar at the Peabody Hotel in Little Rock and will close tomorrow, Friday, January 8, 2010. The Rev. Dr. James C. Wade is the Executive Director of Department of Church Growth and Development; the Right Rev. Wilfred J. Messiah is the Commission Chair; and the Right Rev. Samuel Lawrence Green, Sr., the host bishop for the event.
Most of the bishops and most of the general officers were in attendance at the Church Growth and Development Seminar, including, the Right Rev. John Richard Bryant, the Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; the Right Rev. Carolyn Tyler Guidry, the President of the Council of Bishops; and Dr. Richard Allen Lewis, the President of the Council of General Officers.
Those attending the Annual Church Growth and Development Seminar were excited and vocal about their participation; the Praise team exuded energy; and the musical presentations and the choir were excellent. The participation and attendance of the 12th Episcopal District was evident by the participation of the laity and the clergy. When Bishop Green asked the members of the 12th Episcopal District to stand there was a roar of enthusiasm throughout the auditorium.
Ah, but I need to get back to the powerful sermon of Bishop Sarah Francis Davis.
Oh, but before I do that, certainly mention needs to be made about Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry’s introduction of Bishop Davis, which was warm and delivered from the heart. Bishop Guidry said Bishop Davis was a friend, that she was competent, intelligent and woman of God and was proud that they were both elected and consecrated in the class of 2004. The congregation warmly received Bishop Guidry’s introduction of Bishop Davis and Bishop Davis was visibly appreciative of Bishop Guidry’s introduction.
But now I do need to get back to Bishop Davis’ sermon. Bishop Davis acknowledged the AME protocol, a tradition among AMEs. She also took time to recognize her husband, Mr. Claytie Davis and acknowledge that they were celebrating their 40th Wedding Anniversary.
Before I get to Bishop Davis’ sermon I have to mention the presentation made by the Rev. Francis Murat who was born in Haiti, reared in Chicago, and has now returned to Haiti to minister to his people. He gave up the comfort of the United States to return to his native country. His comments were well-received. He was introduced by Bishop John Bryant.
Getting to the sermon
Bishop Davis began her message with an apology. She told the congregation that her sermon was going to be a hard sermon, a type of sermon people didn’t like to hear. She pointed out that people need to hear the truth. She selected 1 Thessalonians 1: 1-7 as here text, with a focus on verses 4-6. Her subject was, “Observation Overlooked.”
She wanted to know if the African Methodist Episcopal Church is serious about evangelism and if we cared for the souls of those around us. Bishop David said we are living in an age of urgency of needing to share the Word with the world because there is no news more important than sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ. She wanted to know if we cared about the souls of those we worked with, those with whom we had relationships. She also asked if we cared about the souls of those we lived with. She asked the congregation, “When was the last time you witnessed to a family member; to your husband, to your wife, to your children?” She was concerned that we, who call ourselves Christians, have overlooked our obligation and responsibility to evangelize; both preachers and laity have overlooked the obligation to evangelize.
Bishop Davis pointed our that there are 190 million non-Christians in the United States and that we, in the AME Church, have more preachers than we have churches; the implication being that we have preachers who are “sitting on their obligation” to witness for Jesus Christ.
Bishop Davis shared that 85 percent of denominations, including the AME Church, have the concept of “evangelism” in their mission statements, but churches, and especially, mainline churches are losing members because we are overlooking evangelism. Bishop Davis said that it is time to get urgent about evangelism and “stop playing church.” She pointed out that we have not only abdicated our corporate responsibility to evangelize, but that we have also abdicated our personal responsibility to do personal evangelism. Bishop Davis forcefully stated that before we can do personal evangelism or witness to others, we have to do internal evangelism. She went on to explain that we don’t have to “quote scripture,” we have to “live scripture.”
Bishop Davis said the AME Church and other denominations have only themselves to blame for any membership losses and diminished numbers in the pews.
Ignoring evangelism is the most effective way to lose church membership.
Bishop Davis said that we fail to do evangelism because we don’t want to study and we don’t want anyone else to “show us up.”
She brought her message home with an enthusiastic delivery and by the time she concluded, people were on their feet.
It was a hard message but it was a message that we all needed to hear.
The AME Church needs to hear the message and we need to ask ourselves if we are overlooking our obligation and responsibility for evangelism.
2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:
To the Editor:
Re: Challenge III
I just wanted you to know that the Lee Chapel AME Church (Nashville, Tennessee Lay Organization is reading the Bible (The Story) taking about 8 months, taking a chapter a week beginning January 1, 2010. It is a challenge, because we only meet once a month; answer the questions independently; and discuss four chapters during our one-hour monthly meetings.
If you or any of our readers have any other ideas, please let them know that they can email me Saico7@aol.com.
Paulette Coleman, Ph.D.
NCRC Certified Mediator
- To the Editor:
I am ardent follower of The Christian Recorder. Never in my history of ministry and membership in the AME Church have I been so keen to read The Christian Recorder since you were overwhelmingly elected to the position as Editor and have delivered on your election promises.
The Christian Recorder is such a powerful tool, a must-read, for every member of the AME Church. It is so timely and so relevant, especially The Christian Recorder Online, keeping the AME membership abreast concerning new developments in and across the Connection. You have made a powerful tool since you were first elected into the Editorial Command thereof.
I pray an increase for you, your ministry and The Christian Recorder this year.
For all communication, henceforth, especially concerning Church matters, this is the new address I will be using for as long as I will be shepherding this congregation while I will retain my work address for receiving The Christian Recorder Online.
The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas, Pastor
Allen Temple A.M.E. Church
188 Ingedezi Street, Zone 7
1852 MEADOWLANDS (Soweto)
The Republic of South Africa
Tel.: +27 11 536 2249 (a/h)
Tel.: +27 11 241 7811 (office)
Mobile: +27 76 692 9583
Email: atamec.188@gmail.com
- To the Editor:
AME-India wishes the African Methodist Episcopal Church a Happy New Year and greetings to all of you in the matchless name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
We sincerely thank you for all your prayer support and help that you extended to us last year in all our efforts. We look forward the same kind of support from you even this year also. By the grace of God and the able guidance of Bishop John and Rev. Cee this year, God willing we will be having the India Convocation in the month of April-May 2010. We hope and believe God will do wonders and reveal His glory during this occasion. We sincerely request you for your prayers for this.
We also request you for your valuable prayers for the ministry of AME-India for this year so that we may do a greater ministry than last year in reaching out to more people with the gospel of Jesus. We sincerely believe that whatever we could do last year was because of your earnest prayers for us. We have seen and felt the power of your prayers in our lives and ministry over here.
We do look back the way Lord protected us and our pastors. Last year in India some of our Pastors and friends had gone through different kind of persecutions, struggles, starvation, various crises. Yes, we Praise God for all the experiences; we can’t buy them; God has enabled us to stand and enter into the New Year to bear fruits for the Kingdom.
We hope you will be able to join us for the India Convocation. It might be an opportunity for us to fellowship together after a long time. Do write to us when time permits you.
Praying for you all. Thanking you once again. We Love you all.
Yours Sincerely,
The Rev. Sarah & the Rev. Abraham Peddiny
PE, AME-India
- To the Editor:
I read with excited interest the meeting of the 11th District at Our Lucaya Resort! That brought back such pleasant memories. I chair a fundraising event with Bloomingdale's stores for the benefit of the agency that cares for my super wonderful special son! For two months it is a hassle selling tickets and urging persons to just walk in the store on benefit day! The first year I chaired the event in support of my son's care there were many giveaways and among them was a week's stay at Our Lucaya Resort with roundtrip airfare included. I spent 8 hours in Bloomingdale's that day as a volunteer and a shopper and recruiter for shoppers. I was stunned when several weeks later I was called and told my daughter and I were winners! Among our many travels we will never forget that week!
Hey, let’s bring the General Conference to Grand Bahama Island, Our Lucaya, summer rates are great. (I was there in December and I am from Chicago!).
Glad you had such a memorable time. Isn't it great being a Christian? This was a fringe benefit our Lord provided!
Julie Hagwood
4th Episcopal District
Bethel, Evanston, Illinois
3. AME CHURCH'S CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL WILL MEET DURING TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY'S FOUNDERS DAY AND ISAAC R. CLARK PASTORS CONFERENCE:
The African Methodist Episcopal Church's Connectional Council will meet during Turner Theological Seminary's Founders Day and Isaac R. Clark Pastors Conference held at Saint Philip A.M.E. Church, 240 Candler Road in Atlanta, Georgia where Dr. George Moore, Sr., is pastor.
All pastors, presiding elders, and ministers of our Zion are welcome to join us from 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 3, 2010.
We look forward to continuing to build a solid, strong and committed Connectional Council.
The Rev. Dr. Gregory V. Eason, Sr., President
4. AME YOUTH TO RECEIVE EAGLE SCOUT AWARD:
*Patricia Chisom
Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “Scouting has been and continues to be a very important part of my life starting as a Tiger Cub” says Montrell Edward Williams, who is now a freshman at Marquette University. Montrell earned his Eagle Scout rank from Boy Scouts of America, November 22, 2008, and will be honored at a special Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony, Saturday, January 16, 2010; at St. Mark A.M.E. Church, 1616 W. Atkinson Avenue. Attendance is by invitation only. The Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor is the Eagle Scout Award.
To earn Scouting’s highest award, Montrell earned 25 merit badges, served as a leader in his troop in various positions, and completed a major community service project.
Montrell’s service project took place at St. Mark AME Church – Quality of Life Center where he developed and coordinated a tutoring and mentoring program for diverse students in the local community. Montrell’s goal was to help students get a fast start in school given the educational gap among minority students. He and his volunteers contributed some 653 hours towards the completion of this project. Over 47 students of all backgrounds participated.
Montrell has been a member of Troop #445 chartered to St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal Church for eleven years. He served the troop as Senior Patrol Leader, Assistant Patrol Leader, Quartermaster, Scribe, Chaplain and Assistant Patrol Leader for the Raven Patrol during Powerhorn BSA Leadership Training, and has served Troop #1305 as leader during the BSA Jamboree 2005 in Virginia.
Montrell is a graduate of Rufus King International Baccalaureate High School where he was an honor roll student for all four years. Montrell is majoring in Biochemistry at Marquette University, as he prepares for his future goal of earning a Degree in Physical Therapy and to own a physical therapy clinic to employ Milwaukee County residents.
Becoming an Eagle Scout is a remarkable achievement. Two years ago, Montrell’s brother, Lamont Williams, currently a junior at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, also received this high recognition. Montrell is the son of Lamont and Delois Moore-Williams.
*Patricia Chisom is the Public Relations Director at St. Mark African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (USA)
5. THE 134TH SESSION OF THE EAST ANNUAL CONFERENCE:
The 134th Session of the Electrifying East Annual Conference convened October 17-23, 2009, under the very proficient and dynamic Episcopal leadership team of the Right Reverend McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate, and Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor. The conference was graciously and superbly hosted by Saint Stephen AME Church, Jacksonville, Florida, the Reverend Michael L. Mitchell, Host Pastor, and Mrs. Cordelia Mitchell, Host First Lady.
The Young People’s and Children’s Division of the Women’s Missionary Society convened on October 17th, under the energetic and competent leadership of Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor, Mrs. Sandra Burke, Episcopal YPD Director, Mr. Jon Ingraham, Episcopal YPD President, Mrs. Lemmon Wright, Conference YPD Director, and Miss Felicity Price, Conference YPD President. The business session included: devotions; election of officers; workshops and update of activities. A “Talk Show” was presented, highlighting young, bright males in the community. Tony DeMarco Hansberry, II, a high school student, the son of the Reverend and Mrs. Tony DeMarco Hansberry, Sr., Greater Grant Memorial AME Church, Jacksonville, was recognized and applauded for his brilliant medical development of a procedure called the endo stitch, used in hysterectomies. Dallas Garmney, of Historic Mount Zion AME Church, and student at Santa Fe College, was the recipient of the Barbara Jackson Healthcare Scholarship. Garmney expressed how the scholarship has been of great assistance to him in his college education.
Amid an excited, supportive, capacity audience, the 2009 Christian Debutante-Master Commission Dedication Ceremony was eloquently presented on Sunday evening, and appropriately themed, “Daily Magnify Christ As We Strive for Excellence in Character and Service.” This Christian ceremony of brilliant pageantry, under the direction of Ms. Sharon Sheffield, Episcopal DMC Commissioner, Mrs. Patricia C. Shehee, East Conference DMC Commissioner, and Reverend Michael L. Mitchell, East Conference DMC Associate Commissioner, afforded thirty (30) Debutantes, ten (10) Masters, Twenty-five (25) Sub-Debutantes and Sub-Masters, forty-six (46) Allenites, the opportunity to model Christian experiences received in preparation for this Christian Ceremony. During this extraordinaire Christian setting, Debutantes and Masters were introduced to church society, and dedicated their lives to continued and greater service for Christ.
The Women’s Missionary Society’s convention convened on Monday, at 9:00 AM, under the very capable and energetic leadership of Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor, and Dr. Cora H. Reed, Conference President. Reports were presented and received from Presidents, Officers, Commissioners, Directors and Area Chairpersons. The election and installation of officers for the ensuing conference year was conducted by Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young. Beautiful prelude music set the tone for the Women’s Missionary Society’s Annual Awards Luncheon, Ms. Rhonda Boyd, presiding. Conference President, Dr. Cora Reed, made presentations for meritorious service and appreciation to a young, enthusiastic group of emerging leaders. Mrs. Janice Robinson, of New Bethel AME Church, Tyler Street, was graciously and majestically given a stole as a Life Member, by Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young. Bishop McKinley Young offered remarks of commendations and congratulations.
On Tuesday morning, the opening business session was called to order, with directions given by Bishop McKinley Young. The Reverends Ronald Nelson, Johnny Smith, Mandella P. Smith, and Jesse L. Steele were transferred into the conference and added to the conference roll. Presiding Elders Joseph E. Sanchez, Robert L. Mitchell and Jimmie B. Keel read the organization of the 134th Session of the East Annual Conference, followed by the organization of committees.
Attorney Ava Parker Gibbons received commendations for facilitating a most informative training session on Sexual Misconduct, as presented in the 2008 Book of Discipline, of the AME Church. All participants were required to sign the Sexual Misconduct Certification Form.
The Board of Examiners, under the leadership of the Reverend Michael L. Mitchell, Chair, and the Reverend Charletta C. Robinson, Dean, presented the Board’s report to the Conference. Recommendations and approvals were made for names presented for Class placement, or ordination. The Reverend Lorenzo Laws was elected and ordained an Itinerant Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The adoption of the Board of Examiner’s report was motioned, seconded, and adopted.
In keeping with the mission of the Commission on Health, which is to “promote the health concerns of members of the AME church,” Bishop McKinley Young, presented to the Conference, the Reverend Dr. James M. Proctor, retired Presiding Elder, and Dr. Floyd Willis, Physician at Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida. Their health presentation was, “Memory Loss and Alzheimer’s Disease.” Pertinent and timely information was shared. Some of the areas addressed:
1) Definition of Alzheimer’s disease,
2) Ways of keeping your brain/minds healthy,
3) How the health of your brain is connected with your soul, and
4) The health of caregivers.
The Reverend Dr. James M. Proctor made the appeal for qualifying persons to participate in the ACTS (African-American Alzheimer’s Caregivers Training and Support) project.
Presiding Elders’ and Pastoral reports were read to the conference in accordance with the procedure and format outlined by Bishop McKinley Young. The Bishop commended the Elders and Pastors for their hard work and dedication during this conference year.
“We’ll Praise the Lord,” majestically rendered by the Annual Conference Choir, provided the processional music for the Opening Worship Service. The annual sermon entitled “The Haters’ Mentality,” was ably delivered by the Reverend Tony DeMarco Hansberry, pastor of Greater Grant Memorial AME Church, Jacksonville, Florida. His text was taken from Genesis 37:24. Reverend Hansberry proclaimed that when you’re disliked by others, you must always, keep the faith, wait for help, and when you get to where God has sent you, don’t forget why God placed you there.
Powerful and timely sermons were delivered by various clergy of the conference. The Reverend Ron Rawls, Pastor, St. Paul AME Church, St. Augustine, Florida delivered the sermon for the Women’s Missionary Society’s “Annual Night In White,” entitled, “I Just Wonder.” Selected scripture, II Chronicles 23:1-13. The Reverend Rawls urged the congregation to consider whether we are placing limits on ourselves by not keeping our part of the covenant.
“The Legacy Began … The Heritage continues,” was the selected theme for the Sons of Allen Witness Service. The Reverend Patrick Sasnett, pastor, Mt. Pisgah AME Church, Lake City, Florida, proclaimed the Word, from the message, “Keep Showing Up.” The Scripture was taken from John 5:1-9. He began his sermon, with the singing of, “The Lord Will Make a Way Somehow.” Reverend Sasnett emphasized that, “Jesus went out of his way to deal with the invalid man at the pool.” Sometimes we have to go out of our way, in order for God to do what he wants to do in our lives.
On Thursday night, the Annual Lay Organization Witness Sermon was delivered by the Reverend Karl V. Smith, Pastor, Greater Bethel AME, Gainesville, Florida. The Reverend Smith’s selected text was, Joshua 6:20, and his sermon was entitled “Shout It Out,” The Reverend Karl Smith cautioned the congregation to “know what you are shouting about,” that, worship always comes prior to warfare, quiet praise is not always enough, and we should always, let God do it.
Black and Red were the dominant colors that adorned the setting for the Annual Ministers Spouses Alliance (MSA) Annual Luncheon. Words of welcome were graciously extended by the host first lady, Mrs. Cordelia Mitchell. President Maggie L. Jones extended recognition and commendations to the 2008-2009 MSA officers for their outstanding leadership and support. Pastors’ kids, Tony DeMarco Hansberry, II, Tyler Sloan Hansberry, Gloria Rose Lockley, Quanterria Aalyah Thomas, Marvin Frank Curtis Zanders and Micah Van Zanders were honored and thanked for their active participation in the 2008-2009 Annual projects. Bishop McKinley Young and Supervisor Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young extended words of greetings, commendations, appreciation to the alliance.
The Women In Ministry continue to honor women in various ministries, at all church levels, for their contributions and dedication to the AME Church. The 2009 honoree is Mrs. Inez Sanchez, Consultant, and wife of Presiding Elder Joseph E. Sanchez.
The Women in Ministry presented a check of $1000 for Edward Waters College to Dr. Claudette Williams, President of Edward Waters College.
In an atmosphere of solemnity, the Conference memorialized Bishop James Haskell Mayo, Presiding Elder Demone A. Anderson, The Reverend Pharis Gibson, The Reverend Michael Baker, and Dr. John W. P. Collier. Prayers, hymns, scripture, words and music called to remembrance those individuals who have transcended this life, for life eternal, “Where saints immortal reign.” Their Christian witness and dedication have left indelible marks in our lives.
The Conference reverently and with much dignity, celebrated the retirement of Presiding Elder Joseph E. Sanchez of the Alachua-Central District, of the East Conference, 11th Episcopal District, and Reverend Wilbur P. Jackson, of the Suwannee-North District, of the East Conference. All praise was given to God for the life and labor of these preachers, as the Conference gratefully acknowledged their service in the ministry to the AME church, having faithfully fulfilled their Vows of Ordination. The church looks forward to the years yet to be, and rests assured that these years will be filled with good works, and become the crown of their ministry.
The Reverend Elizabeth E. Yates, Pastor, New Bethel AME Church, Jacksonville, served as Superintendent for “The Model Church School.” The lesson “The Gain in Giving” was competently taught, discussed and reviewed by assigned Pastors, Ministers and Lay Delegates.
The Right Reverend Richard Norris, Presiding Bishop, 1st Episcopal District, delivered the ordination sermon, entitled, “Authentic Authorization,” selected as his text, Jeremiah 21:21. Bishop Norris pointedly addressed the candidate for ordination, the Reverend Lorenzo Laws, and the congregation; the following recommendations and challenges:
- You must love people
- Assure our people that God has not left us alone
- Even when times get hard, wait on the Lord
- Minister to our people
- Visit the sick
- Recapture and reclaim our young people
Bishop Norris reiterated, if you are indeed called by the Lord, your ministry will enfold with great success. If you are faithful to God, God will be faithful to you.
“Come, Thou Almighty King,” heralded the processional for the Closing Convocation. The Right Reverend McKinley Young, Presiding Prelate of the Eleventh Episcopal District, electrified the capacity congregation with his spirit-filled, awakening sermon, entitled, “We Are More Than Conquerors.” His selected text, Romans 8:28-29. Bishop Young reminded us, that we will face many challenges and difficulties, but if God is for us, who can be against us, for “We are more than Conquerors.” This is meaningful for us as a people. It is the essence of our story and struggle. God has helped us to be “more than conquerors.” Following the Commissioning service, Bishop Young conducted the reading of appointments.
Bishop McKinley Young, Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, and the East Annual Conference welcomed and acknowledged, with much appreciation, Retired Bishops Richard Allen Hildebrand, and Robert Vaughn Webster, (who addressed the conference); Bishop Richard Franklin Norris and Supervisor, Mrs. Mary Norris; the Rev. Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson; connectional officers, pastors, ministers, and laity from throughout the Connection.
Dr. Claudette H. Williams, 28th President of Edward Waters College, Jacksonville, Florida, was presented a gift of $150,000.00 from the 11th Episcopal District. Brother James L. Williams, President Emeritus, Connectional Lay Organization, was recognizing for originating the Theological Scholarship. Congresswoman Corrine Brown, and Congressman Kendrick Meeks, candidate for the U.S. Senate were introduced by Bishop Young.
Bishop McKinley Young presented to the Conference, the following pastors, who are candidates for the Episcopacy: the Reverend Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson, the Reverend Michael L. Mitchell and the Reverend Dr. Marvin C. Zanders, II. The Conference applauded the candidates.
Bishop McKinley Young and Episcopal Supervisor, Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young extended the highest of commendations, accolades and appreciation to: Presiding Elder Joseph E. Sanchez, Senior Presiding Elder, the Reverend Dr. Robert L. Mitchell, and the Reverend Jimmie B. Keel for their hard work and dedication over the course of this Conference Year; all Pastors and Ministers; the East Conference Choirs for their magnificent renditions of anthems, hymns, gospel, spirituals, and contemporary music, sung to the “Glory of God;” the East Conference ushers for their warm, friendly, hospitable and most helpful service to the conference; the committees of the conference; all components; all delegates; and all attendees. Special recognition and thanks were extended to the Reverend Michael L. Mitchell, Host Pastor, Mrs. Cordelia Mitchell, Host First Lady, and the great members of Saint Stephen AME Church for their superb hosting of this 134th East Annual Conference. The Reverend Michael L. Mitchell, Host Pastor, extended words of appreciation to Bishop McKinley Young and Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young for their excellent leadership of this session. The Conference congratulated and thanked our Episcopal Leaders with a standing ovation.
Reporters:
The Reverend Marian Gibbons
The Reverend Sandra Stevens
The Reverend Mary Alice Murphy
Mrs. Loretta S. Coppock
Compiled and Submitted by: Mrs. Loretta S. Coppock
6. RESPONSE TO TCR ONLINE ARTICLE, “A TRIBUTE TO BISHOP JOHN BRYANT":
*The Rev Suzanne Membe Matale
The article entitled, “A tribute to Bishop John Bryant” which appeared in The Christian Recorder Online Edition of 18 November, 2009 written by Brother Charles Hallman, St Paul-Minneapolis Reporter makes interesting reading.
I was an eye-witness to Bishop Bryant’s election and consecration as the 106th Bishop of the AME Church at the 1988 General Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. I want to agree that Bishop Bryant is one of the most vibrant, intellectual and spiritual Fathers of the Church and no doubt has made good contributions to the growth and well being of our Zion, the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
What prompts me to write this article is the paragraph on how the West created a “beggar mentality” in Africa. I am so glad that he boldly mentions this at this time. He commends India for having a “Can-do attitude” as opposed to the beggar mentality. I am not even trying to be apologetic about the Bishop’s analysis of the two scenarios. What I would like to point out, however, is that it is only the AME Church in Africa that functions with the “beggar-mentality.”
I work as a General Secretary of the Council of Churches in Zambia with a membership of twenty-four denominations in Zambia comprising of large, medium and small denominations of which the AME Church is a member.
My experience over the many years I have worked with the various churches is that the Anglicans, the United Church of Zambia, Brethren in Christ Church, Presbyterian Church, Reformed Church, Lutheran Church, United Methodist Church, just to mention a few, who like the AME Church still have connections with the various countries in the West, have moved miles ahead of the AME Church in terms of “liberating” themselves from the ‘beggar-mentality’ in which the AMEC in Africa still wallows.
Many reasons can be attributed to this state of affairs in our Church in Africa and these reasons have for many, many years been advanced at different times and different **fora. Unfortunately the AME Church leaders, as it were, are not very good listeners. They have decided that they will do things as they want them and as they have always been done.
There is a need for continual changes in the administration of the Church to take account of the changes taking place in the environment in the world. There is a strong lack of will for change in the Church.
The Church in Africa has great potential to grow like many other denominations which are now growing at such a speed they cannot even contain the growth. Some of them were far behind the AME Church in terms of membership and leadership even at the National level. Alas, now we are lagging behind and God knows where this “Connectionalism” will take us if it is not reformed.
The one thing I know is that the West invested in a very meaningful and productive way in their mission stations in Africa. They invested heavily in education of the African people by building schools. They invested in health services for their members. They trained their leadership properly. They build churches in good areas. They saw and acted on the need to build capacity of Africans in their churches even during the colonial era. When time came for change the Church in Africa was well prepared for self-rule but they still maintained healthy connections with their counterparts in the West up to today. The AME Church on the other hand, and I speak perhaps only for Zambia, my country; no such thing ever happened. No physical infrastructure can be pointed to as belonging to the AME Church in Zambia other than poorly constructed churches around poor areas of the country. There had been no deliberate attempt or effort to systematically empower the people with education and training.
Most progressive churches in Zambia have fully fledged and fully funded theological training institutions for their leaders, both clergy and lay, from as far back as the 1960s, supported by their colonial masters, but the AME Church in Zambia has had no such experience, hence the “beggar mentality.”
The African initiative of an Africa Jurisdictional Council was skillfully high-jacked and transformed as a global initiative and has so far failed to achieve the originally intended goals.
We all believe in being one connectional body of Christ celebrating our rich heritage, but it is also important to take into account the different geopolitical and socioeconomic landscapes. The homogeneity with which the AME Church is run may be detrimental to the very essence of God’s plans for prosperity of all his people, including Africans. It may be necessary to write a much longer article in order to explain some of the “riddles” in this article but for now suffice to say that Zambians as a people, outside of the AME Church, no longer have the “beggar-mentality.”
May I take this opportunity to wish my fellow readers of The Christian Recorder a blessed festive season and may the Lord prosper your families.
**Plural of “forum”
*The Rev Suzanne Membe Matale is the Pastor in Charge of Bright AM E Church, Matero, Lusaka, Zambia, Southern Africa (17th Episcopal District)
7. EASTERN DISTRICT CREATIVE IN ITS EFFORT TO HELP THE CHURCHES OF THE DISTRICT PAY ASSESSMENT SPRING GALA 2009:
The Rev. Sherryl H. Sneed
The Eastern District (Southwest Georgia Conference) in the Sixth Episcopal District has been creative in helping the churches of the district pay some of their annual assessments.
In the spring of each year, the churches of the district come together for a night of superb entertainment, good food, and great fellowship. The Rev. Elijah Smith, Sr., Presiding Elder notes that the affair is designed as an evening to dress up and step out. Each church is given a number of tickets and advertisements to sell to raise funds for the district. The funds raised are used to assist in paying district assessments.
In addition to musical groups, youth from across the district provide entertainment, including praise dancing, singing, and dramatizations.
Each year, a “Pastor and Layperson of the Year” are selected and honored.
The 2009 “Pastor of the Year” was the Rev. Curtis Frazier, pastor of Bethel AME Church in Montezuma, Georgia. The “Layperson of the Year” was Ms. Pansy McLendon of Mayfield Zion AME Church in Alamo, Georgia.
The first Spring Gala was held in 2005 when the District roasted and toasted its Presiding Elder, the Rev. Elijah Smith. The District is already making plans for Spring Gala 2010.
8. TRYING TO FIND YOUR PURPOSE:
*The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr.
“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139 a)
You may be wondering what your purpose in this life is. Your New Year’s resolution may very well be that you will find your purpose and strive to achieve it. Well, it would be a tremendous help if you would come to understand why you were created. Realizing how God wants to use your life and work before you set goals will help you to avoid frustration and disappointment. Being confident in just why God created you could help you avoid banging your head against the wall and running in circles as you get caught up in the mundane routine of just doing the things you do, as the basis for fulfillment in your life, which will inevitably leave you feeling like you have not achieved a thing.
We love to pat ourselves on the back. We love to “blow our own horn” highlighting our successes in life. God encourages us that, if we must boast about anything in life then boast, “that He (God) understands and knows me." We can boast; if we must, that God created us to know Him and to have an intimate relationship with Him. That intimate relationship was put in jeopardy and eventually lost when Adam and Eve disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden. However, if we must boast, we can certainly boast that our intimate relationship with God was restored with Jesus’ death on the cross. Now we are once again able to have intimate fellowship with God.
In establishing a relationship with God we must put aside some of the rather foolish ways we go about trying to find purpose in our life. “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” In other words, to find our purpose we must know Christ personally and to accomplish that task we must give up that “inferior stuff” that so easily bogs us down and wastes so much of our time.
We must be found in Christ. Our purpose is found, not in our own righteousness, stemming from our adherence to the law, but in our belief in Christ and the righteousness which is from God by faith Establishing and maintaining a close relationship with God is vital to understanding our purpose. Without this critical relationship at work in our lives we will find ourselves constantly off track as we seek to fulfill our purpose stimulated by the wrong motives. Void of the power that comes to us through an intimate relationship with God we may seek our purpose motivated by fear, insecurity, pride or guilt. It is not unthinkable that without having established a relationship with God we would seek our purpose urged on by financial gain, unhealthy relationships or even unresolved anger.
The irrefutable truth is, God desires for us to be motivated out of love for Him. God is pleased by our desire to worship Him in all that we do. As we are faithful and obedient to allow our love for God to guide what we do and where we go, God will begin to reveal His purpose for our life. Developing an intimate relationship with God as we seek our purpose will help us avoid the missteps and the mistakes that come with us trying to guess where we are going. We are able to more efficiently move toward what God has purposed for our lives by listening to God as He has certainly admonished us, "For I know the plans I have for you.”
*The Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr. is the pastor Bethel AME Church (Downtown) St. George, South Carolina
9. DEAF, HARD OF HEARING WORSHIP SERVICES AND BIBLE STUDY CLASSES:
The Reverend Dr. William E. Scott, Jr.
Fifth Episcopal District’s New St. John Community Fellowship AME in Chandler, Arizona begins Deaf, Hard of Hearing Worship Services and Bible Study Classes, “Sign through the Words of the Bible.”
New St. John Community Fellowship AME Church presents Bible Study for the Deaf and Hearing Impaired Saturday will begin on January 16, 2010. Church Service through sign and voice will be held each Sunday at 1:30 P.M.
We are a diverse church helping those in need, and sharing the word of God. Those in this area who desire knowing more of Jesus through sign (American Sign Language) (ASL) and (Sign English) (SE) are welcome to be a part of this ministry. Those who have had strokes and can no longer speak may find that this is an excellent way to communicate with family and friends.
Those who have knowledge of sign language are welcome to help with our afternoon Bible study each Saturday and our Deaf and Hearing Impaired Church Service on Sunday at 1:30 PM. Those who are deaf or hearing impaired, there is a place for you to share your talents by becoming a part of this diverse church you are free to express and experience all. There is no limit to what God can do.
Our Regular Sunday morning worship service begins at 11:00 AM. All are welcome to become a part of this growing new church, located at 900 West Chandler Blvd Suite A-2 in Chandler, Arizona.
For further information call Pastor William E. Scott, Jr.; telephone 602-237-7504, or email scottwm3@aol.com. Transportation will be provided.
10. BISHOP MCKINLEY YOUNG APPOINTS NEW PASTOR FOR HISTORIC CHURCH:
The Rev. Edrena Houston Brown, MACE
The Reverend Willie J. Cook, Sr., has been appointed as the pastor of Mount Hermon AME Church in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Bishop McKinley Young the Presiding Prelate of the 11th Episcopal made the pastoral appointment at the 2009 Planning Session in Freeport, Grand Bahama.
A native of Lakeland, Florida, Rev. Cook was an active member of Bethel AME Church in Lakeland, Florida. He is a 1972 graduate of Kathleen High School, Lakeland, Florida. He matriculated at Florida A. and M. University on a football scholarship and graduated in 1976 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and Management. After graduation he was employed as a Manager of Accounting for Yellow Pages Sales Department, Co-Founder of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Leadership Academy for Miami-Dade County Public Schools and was employed by the Metro Miami Action Plan (MAAP).
Pastor Cook answered the call to ministry and was ordained as an Itinerant Deacon and Itinerant Elder.
He graduated from Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Georgia and earned the Master of Divinity Degree, with honors, concentrating in Biblical Studies. He was elected as the Turner Fellowship President and was a recipient of the Bishop Hilborn Talbot Scholastic Scholarship Award, The National Dean’s List and a member of Who’s Among Colleges and Universities.
He has served as pastor of St. James AME Church, Inverness, Florida; Mt. Zion AMEC, Homestead, Florida; Mt. Olive AMEC, Gainesville, Florida; and as Pastor of the Historic Allen Temple AMEC in Tampa, where congregation completed a $1.75 million Family Life and Community Center.
He served as Vice-Chair of the Board of Examiners of the West Coast Annual Conference, Vice-Chair of the Board of Christian Education, Historiographer and Statistician of the Tampa Conference, Vice-Chair for AMEC Ministries, Inc. and Vice-Chair for the Board of Trustees.
In the community Pastor Cook served as a member of the Pastors on Patrol Commission, NAACP, Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality, Inc., Pastors Caucus, FAMU Alumni Association and numerous other civic and community organizations.
As a spiritual leader, pastor, teacher and administrator he is known for his humbleness and exceptional gift of bringing congregants together in unity throughout his ministry in working for the Glory of God.
He is the husband of Mrs. Dorothy Dupree Cook, an educator in the Miami-Dade County public school system and they are the parents of four children and two grandchildren.
He is pursuing a doctorate of ministry degree from United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.
11. KNOCK ON ANY DOOR:
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts
Several months ago I wrote an article entitled, “From Fame to Shame.”
I wrote about those who had risen to the zenith of their profession and then made bad decisions and ended up in the house of shame. These last several weeks, like buzzards descending upon a dead carcass, the news hounds and the gossip-seekers have descended upon the infidelity of a world renowned sport figure by the name of Tiger Woods. Some have camped all night and others have driven miles just to take pictures of his house and others are digging for more, salivating like hungry hounds.
What Tiger did was nothing new, but because of his status in the world of golf he is being held to higher standard than the average citizen; and therefore more attention is being given to his indiscretion.
Infidelity is prevalent in our society. What bothers me most is the news media is spending more time seeking to know what they don’t know than covering what really needs to be known. Let Mr. Woods work on his family problem.
The news hounds will feed and feed until they reach the point of diminishing returns on that carcass and then seek other carcasses to feed on. What they do not realize is there are a number of Tiger Wood’s out there, both men and women. If they are pursuing this act of infidelity for the purpose of addressing the infidelity problem, I could understand it, but all they have to do is to knock on any door and they will find similar situations.
Knock on any door and you will probably find a spouse who has kept silent, and whose eyes have dried in their sockets, for the sake of pride and the protection of the children.
Knock on any door and you will probably find a house divided and children caught in the middle having the unpleasant task of choosing sides. Knock on any door and you will probably find an abused wife, physically and emotionally; and afraid to tell someone, even family members about her marital problems. Knock on any door and you will probably find parents spending more money on themselves than they spend on their children, not providing them with proper clothing and nutritious foods. --Knock on any door and you will probably find a pugnacious promiscuous kid who has no respect for parents, teachers, law or self. Knock on any door and you will probably find a hard working husband working two jobs trying to make ends meet comes home just to be given a frozen dinner by a wife who stayed in the streets, watched television and spent hours on the telephone. Just knock on any door and you will probably find a father teaching his son more about guns than about goodness. Yes, knock on any door and you will probably find a married couple living single under the same roof sleeping in different bedrooms.
We must not get all worked-up over a “fallen star,” for there will be more. Success has its liabilities. Once you are in the limelight, your life is no longer private. There is one star that will never fall and that star is the “Bright and morning Star.” Look to the Star; look and live.
A Little Humor
A mother called her son into the house and said to him Jimmy, you stop telling your teachers that you live in a broken home. Just because there are a few cracks in the wall our home is not broken.
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts, author, teacher, counselor, and humorist is a retired AME pastor who resides in Eatonville, Florida
12. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENT:
- Darryl Jacob Narcisse started his college education with a Presidential Scholarship at Morehouse College where he studied Pre-med Biology. In his junior year Darryl received a scholarship in the MARC (Minority Access to Research Careers) Program funded by NIH (National Institutes of Health) at Arizona State University.
At ASU Darryl received a scholarship and participated in the SOLUR (School of Life Sciences Undergraduate Research) Program while studying Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology. Darryl graduated on December 17 & 18, at the Fall Commencement and Convocation 2009 with a Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biosciences and Biotechnology.
His future plans are medical school, focusing on research and emergency room medicines. Darryl Jacob Narcisse is the son of Rev. Margaretta S. Smith Narcisse and Rev. Darryl J. A. Narcisse of the Desert Mountain Conference, Fifth Episcopal District.
Congratulations may be emailed to:
Darryl Jacob Narcisse - jnarcisse@gmail.com
The Rev. Margaretta S. Smith Narcisse-revsmithnarcisse@yahoo.com
The Rev. Darryl J. A. Narcisse - djnarcisse@gmail.com
13. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with regret, that we inform you of the passing of Mr. Freddie Kimble, age 82, on Friday, January 1, 2010. Mr. Kimble was the father of the Rev. Dr. Gregory H. Kimble, pastor of Rice Chapel AME Church, Dallas, Texas (Tyler District-North Texas Conference).
The following information has been shared regarding Homegoing Celebration for Mr. Freddie Kimble.
Homegoing Celebration:
Friday, January 8, 2010
11:00 A.M.
Cage Memorial Chapels, Ltd.
7651 S. Jeffery Blvd
Chicago, Illinois 60649
Phone: (773) 721-8900
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Dr. Gregory H. Kimble
1612 Deer Creek Drive
Desoto, Texas 75115
Phone: (214) 376-6527 (Church Office)
Or condolences may be emailed to: drghkimble@msn.com
- The family is requesting in lieu of flowers, that contributions be made to the American Cancer Society in honor of Mr. Freddie Kimble.
14. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce that Mrs. Jessie Dedmon, the mother of Mrs. Mozell Elliott; the mother-in-law of retired Presiding Elder Marcus Elliott, and the grandmother of the Reverend Bill A. (Sandra) Bowers, pastor of Holly Grove AME Church in North Little Rock, Arkansas. She passed away on, Friday, January 1, 2010.
Services for Mrs. Jessie Dedmon:
Saturday, January 9, 2010
12:00 noon
Macedonia Baptist Church
Sparkman, Arkansas
Professional services entrusted to:
Mark's Funeral Home
501 West 1st Street
Fordyce, Arkansas 71742
Phone: (870) 352-3298
Fax: (870) 352-7869
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. and Mrs. M. H. Elliott and family
1000 Dennison Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
Phone: (501) 376-7609
15. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of the Rev. Lank H. (L. H.) Cole on Monday, January 4, 2010. Rev. Cole was a retired pastor in the Greater Fort Worth District-Northwest Texas Conference of the 10th Episcopal District and at the time of his death served on the pastoral staff at Baker Chapel AME Church in Fort Worth, Texas where the Rev. Walter R. McDonald is the pastor.
The following information has been shared regarding Rev. Cole's Homegoing Celebration:
Wake: Friday, January 8, 2010
7:00 P.M.
Baker Chapel AME Church
Fort Worth, Texas
Homegoing Celebration:
Saturday, January 9, 2010
10:00 A.M.
Baker Chapel AME Church
1050 E. Humbolt Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Phone: (817) 336-5326
The Rev. Walter R. McDonald, Pastor
Rev. Lank H. Cole's final earthly care has been entrusted to:
Historic Baker Funeral Home
301 E. Rosedale Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Phone: (817) 332-4468
Fax: (817) 339-1443
Condolences may be sent to:
Ms. Julie Cole (Daughter)
901 E. Broadway Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76104
Phone: (817) 727-1520
16. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Mary Hickerson, aunt of the Rev. Deborah Peppers, pastor of Roundhill AME Church, East Tennessee Annual Conference, and the grandmother of Vincent Peppers, the East Tennessee Annual Conference YPD President.
Service Arrangements for Mrs. Mary Hickerson:
Family Visitation:
Friday, January 8, 2010
6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Shorter Chapel AME Church
402 South Atlantic Street / P. O. Box 371
Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
Phone: (931) 393-3028
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Family Visitation: 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Funeral: 2:00 PM
Highland Baptist Church
808 West Hickory Street
Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
Phone: (931) 455-0645
Fax: (931) 393-0440
Professional services provided by:
J. A. Welton & Son Funeral Home
715 S. Jackson Street
Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
Phone: (931) 455-2723
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The family of Mrs. Mary Hickerson
c/o Vorketta Braston
204 Lynn Street
Tullahoma, Tennessee 37388
Phone: (931) 393-2845
17. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce that the Reverend Dr. Alex Holloway departed this life on Christmas morning, December 25, 2009. Reverend Holloway pastored the following churches in the 12th Episcopal District: Metropolitan AMEC, Ardmore, OK; First AMEC, Oklahoma City, OK; St. John AMEC, Tulsa, OK; Davis Chapel AMEC, Lawton, OK; and Presiding Elder of the Lawton District in the Oklahoma Conference. Reverend Holloway was also a retired US Army Veteran. Reverend Holloway leaves to cherish his memory, his devoted wife, Mrs. Burnece Holloway.
The funeral has been held.
Messages of Condolence may be sent to:
Sister Burnece Holloway
9122 Orange Drive
Midwest City, OK 73130
Phone: (405) 736-0094
18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce news of the passing of Mrs. Bernice R. Mason. Mrs. Bernice R. Mason, a former Second Episcopal District WMS Officer, was the wife of the Rev. James F. Mason who served the Church in the Second Episcopal District before retiring and relocating to South Carolina.
Home going services were held for Mrs. Mason on Saturday, December 19, 2009, 1:00 PM at Ebenezer AME Church in Mullins, South Carolina.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. James F. Mason
219 East Marion Street
Mullins, South Carolina 25954
Phone: 843-464-2837
19.CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce news of the passing of Mrs. Lorraine Mangrum Davies-Webb, the sister of the Rev. Elaine P. Walters, Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Marion, Indiana. Mrs. Davies-Webb, who made her transition on Christmas Eve, was the mother of two sons, and a grandmother. She was a member of West Los Angeles Church of God in Christ.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Rev. Elaine P. Walters
5966 Maple Forge Court
Indianapolis, Indiana 46254
Email: waltersrevepw@aol.com
20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with regret, that we announce the passing of Sister Beatrice L. Thompson on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2009. Sister Thompson was the mother of the Rev. Mae H. Smith, Pastor of Mt. Olive AME Church, Mineral Wells, Texas.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to:
The Rev. Mae H. Smith
4145 Hawthorn Lane
Fort Worth, Texas 76137
Phone: (817) 966-8295 - Mobile
Online Guest Books for Beatrice L. Thompson:
http://www.legacy.com/Link.asp?I=LS000137882057X
Click on the above link or cut and paste the URL into your browser's address bar.
21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you that Mrs. Roslyn Olivia Lindsey Hassain, the wife of Mr. Bobby A. Hassain and the mother of Becca Hassain, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, died on Tuesday, December 29, 2009. She was the sister-in-law of the Rev. Dr. Taylor T. Thompson, pastor, St. John AME Church in Cleveland, Ohio and Dr. Barbara H. Thompson.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to:
Mr. Bobby A. Hassain and Family
308 Newbury Drive
Monroeville, Pennsylvania 15146
412-373-1016 (Home)
bobbyhassain@verizon.net
The Rev. Dr. and the Rev. Taylor T. Thompson
P.O. Box 613
Berea, Ohio 44017-0613
216-214-6886 (Phone)
revttthomp@aol.com
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in honor of the Late Roslyn O. L. Hassain may be made to the Negro Educational Emergency Drive (NEED).
Negro Educational Emergency Drive (NEED)
Warner Center
332 Fifth Avenue, 1st Floor
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15222
22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to inform you that the Rev. Credell Kemp, retired preacher serving on the staff of Greater St. James AME Church Gary, Indiana died on Monday, December 28, 2009. He leaves to mourn his wife, Juanita Kemp and other members of his family. The services are as follows:
The funeral has been held.
Expressions can be sent to Mrs. Juanita Kemp:
3612 Polk Street
Gary, Indiana 46408
(219) 884-7403
23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
It is with regret, that we inform you of the passing of Mr. Clarence Butler, age 95, the father of Mrs. Leonia Holiday and father-in-law of Presiding Elder John K. Holiday of the Central New Orleans-Bogalusa District. Mr. Butler passed away on Wednesday, December 30, 2009.
The funeral has been held.
Condolences may be sent to his family:
Mrs. Leonia & Presiding Elder John K. Holiday
14174 Highway 10
Greensburg, Louisiana 70441
24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Brother Floyd Narcisse, the father of the Reverend Floyd L. Narcisse, pastor at First AME Church in Lockport, NY (Western New York Annual Conference). The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
The funeral has been held.
The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to a scholarship fund in his remembrance (The Floyd Narcisse Scholarship Fund). Check should be made payable to:
Allen AME Church - Floyd Narcisse Scholarship Fund
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend Floyd L. Narcisse and Family
131 South Street
Lockport, NY 14904
25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:
We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. June Forman, the wife of the Reverend Lawrence E. Forman, retired pastor from the New Jersey Annual Conference, Camden/Trenton District.
The funeral has been held.
Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
The Reverend Lawrence E. Forman
631 Walton Avenue
Beverly, NJ 08010
26. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES AND CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY:
The Clergy Family Information Center
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Commission on Social Action
Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
Email: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Voice Mail: (615) 833-6936
Fax: (615) 833-3781
Cell: (615) 403-7751
27. 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.
