THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (4/1/10)

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


Happy Easter! Christ is Risen; Christ is Risen indeed!

1. EDITORIAL – THE PASTOR IS NOT THE TEAM CAPTAIN, PART 2:

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

I said in last week’s editorial, “Too many pastors function as team captains. They lead Trustee and Steward Board meetings, take over the choir, take charge of the Church School, lead youth meetings, sign all of the checks and actively involve themselves in the details and in every activity of the local church.” The reason some pastors/coaches join and play as an active player on the church/team is because the church/team is not very good and if the church/team is going to be successful, the pastor/coach has to function as a church/team member as well as a pastor/coach. I suspect that Michael Jordan was the coach, player and team captain for the Washington Wizards because, at that time, the team was not too good; and without Jordan, the team would have been more dysfunctional.

Too many “pick up basketball games” type local churches

It seems to me that too many churches function like pickup basketball games. Everybody seems to want to do his or her own thing and the actions of individuals take precedence over teamwork. Organizations in the local church function independent of each other. Team captain/ officers and pastor/coach are often in adversarial relationships, rather than in a complimentary relationship, which results in a lack of loyalty to the church/team.

There is very little, or no authority in a pickup basketball game. In a pickup basketball game, there are no referees or coaches. There is not a de jure team captain, except that the “baddest and best” player usually serves as the de facto team captain; the position to function as the captain is not formalized, just understood to be so. Whatever fouls a player can get away with is the rule of the game. Fouls are committed and arguments and even fights start over an excessive foul or fouls that cannot be resolved. Whoever shouts the loudest or whoever is the “biggest and the baddest” usually prevails in disagreements over fouls in pickup games. Pickup basketball games tend to create conflict rather than order.

Some churches function as an ad hoc organization

Unfortunately some churches function like pickup basketball games – whoever is “biggest and baddest” prevails; sometimes it is the pastor and at other times it’s an influential member or members who might be reinforced by a large number of family members who belong to the church and/or by his or her relationship with the membership that developed over a number of years.

Effective organizations have to have someone in charge. A successful team needs a coach, a team captain or captains and members of the team must be committed to the team, respect authority and follow the leadership of the team captain and the coach, and when those three entities work together, the result, most often is a winning team!

Winning teams have players who are committed to winning and winning teams know the importance of leadership and authority. I disliked my first football coach at Rahway High School. I knew he was a racist; no doubt about it. Other team members knew it too, but that didn’t stop us from giving our best because we wanted to be winners and we couldn’t be winners if we were whiners.

You see a lot of whiners in pick-up basketball games and so often pick-up basketball games turn into melees and many of the games end abruptly. Player often quit in the middle of pickup basketball games.

Players that work together as a team become committed to the team and know the importance of team loyalty. Successful teams have few quitters because quitters are viewed as losers; and winners do not like to be viewed as losers. There were many cold and snowy football practice days at Rahway High School and I wanted to quit, but quitting was not an option because the peer pressure would have been too great and besides, I wanted to be a winner.

Winners and losers

There is a vast difference between effective churches and ineffective dysfunctional churches. Effective churches’ leadership and membership function as teams and experience growth; ineffective churches’ leadership and membership function like “pickup basketball games” and are most often dysfunctional and lack growth.

There are warning signals for dysfunctional churches. If a church as been in the same community for 50, 70, or 100 years and its membership, is less than say 100 and it is struggling to make ends meet, and other churches in the area are growing; something is terribly wrong.

There are a lot of large churches that are dysfunctional as well and there are warning signals for them too. Churches riddled with conflict, excessive membership turnover, high turnover of church officers, a lack of young people in the congregation, a history of not accepting pastoral leadership, uninvolved lay participation, low-energy pastoral leadership, Sunday-only ministry, and sanctuary-limited ministry are a few of the warning signals for smaller and larger churches.

Some large and small churches are so conflict-infected that church growth and ministry are severely inhibited and without outside intervention; will continue dysfunctional ministry.

Change – Yes churches can change, if they want to change

Dysfunctional churches need to face and admit their dysfunction and seek ways to reverse their dysfunction. Dysfunctional church with dysfunctional leaders cannot continue functioning the same way and expect difference results. It takes a strategy to reverse dysfunction and it takes a radical strategy to reverse or turnaround long-standing dysfunction. The strategy has to have the active involvement of the pastor/coach, the officers/team captains, and the members / players and often involves bringing in outside team-building experts. I am afraid that many churches do not want to change because they have become comfortable with their dysfunction. A church that wants to honor the Great Commission must be Christ-centered and focused upon ministry.

Anyone or any organization can change if they have the mind and will to do so.

The coach, team captain, and team model works at all levels

On the Episcopal District level, the bishop is the coach, the presiding elders are the team captains and the clergy make up the team.

On the presiding elder district level, the presiding elder is the coach, the pastors are the team captains and the clergy and presiding elder district officers make up the team. The local congregation is not the presiding elder’s team. The local congregation is the pastor’s team.

As sport leagues have divisions and divisions of responsibilities, so the church has divisions and levels of responsibilities and it is important that each level of responsibility knows its boundaries.

2. TODAY IS CENSUS DAY:

Today is Census Day. Be sure both to return your Census Form and encourage your family, friends and neighbors to do the same. If you haven’t already turned in your census form, please do. It’s a simple way to bring thousands of dollars to your community. Completing the Census Form takes only about ten minutes and all of the information provided is confidential.

If you have not received a form in the mail, promptly contact the Census Bureau at 866.872.6868.

3. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:

- To the Editor:

RE: "The Pastor is not the Team Captain''

In your article "The Pastor is not the Team Captain'', why is it that you did not include the Class Leaders? It seems to me that we under estimate the importance of the Class Leader, when discussing the officers of the church.

Vertie J. Young
Bethel AME Church
San Antonio, Texas

Editor’s Comment: Thank you for the reminder, class leaders are an important part of the team. Sorry for overlooking the class leaders.

-To the Editor:

RE: "The Pastor is not the Team Captain''

I really enjoyed reading your editorial, “The Pastor Is Not the Team Captain.” I can’t wait to read “Part 2”

I must take issue with you, however, when you say in Part 1 that a person appointed by the pastor to serve as pro tem of the Steward or Trustee board becomes the team captain. I think such an appointee would more accurately be called an assistant coach. I say that because, as you say in Part 1, the captain is a member of the team. But more importantly, the captain typically is (s)elected by the team,--not the coach—based on the team’s trust of and respect for that individual.

Some might say any “team captain” who is a pastoral appointee is a captain in name only and can be expected to perform the functions and do the bidding of the coach (the pastor) rather than lead the team (the congregation).

Although elected by the congregation, there are times when Trustees seem to act more like assistant coaches than team captains. I believed that Trustees have a hard job if they function as The Discipline defines their responsibilities. .

Carol Bowie
Director of Lay Activities
Oak Grove - Detroit

Editor’s Comment: On my basketball and football teams, the coach(es) selected the team captain; the selection of the team captain was not done by the vote of the team. The team captain seemed to have executed the wishes of the coach and that’s what was expected. Most times it was, “Coach said…” Pastor may have failed to articulate the vision and failed to take the time to insure team ownership. In sports we all wanted to win; we had a common goal. Now, I am getting ahead of myself – Ever watch a pick-up basketball game, the fussing, the cussing and disorganization? A lot of our churches function like a pickup basketball game rather than an organized game of basketball. Let me stop here, lest you see Part 2.

4. AME IS STANDOUT BASKETBALL PLAYER AND HONOR STUDENT:

Late AME pastor’s son, Ronald Nored, is basketball star for Butler University. Basketball star Ronald Nored is the son of the late Rev. Ronald Nored, who served as the pastor of Bethel AME Church in Ensley, Alabama and Attorney Linda Williams Nored. Butler University will play in the NCAA Men’s Final Four tournament on Saturday at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010 issue of The New York Times identified Ronald Nored as one of the players to watch in the Final Four. The article described Ronald as a “lock-down defender who will harass Michigan State’s hobbled backcourt.”

His grandparents are former Preside Elder Leonard Williams and Mrs. Deloris Kennedy Williams former Connectional WMS President. They reside in Indianapolis. His grandmother, Sister Deloris Kennedy Williams said of her grandson, “Ronald is also an honor student and a wonderful Christian” and went on to ask that we keep Butler University and Ronald in prayer.

Butler University was founded in 1855 by attorney and abolitionist Ovid Butler, is located in Indianapolis' Butler-Tarkington neighborhood.

Editor’s Note: I don’t know of any other AMEs playing in the Final Four, so I am pulling for Butler University because of Ronald Nored and because his late father was an AME pastor, his grandmother was the Connectional AMEC WMS President and his grandfather is a retired AME Presiding Elder.

5. AME CHURCH AND THE CITY OF DETROIT - PANIC OR PLAN:

The City of Detroit, once a mighty capital of modern industry, has come to the reality that it must downsize its physical size to save itself. Dave Bing, Mayor, announced plans which may include moving residences and services to more populated areas. The vacant areas will be used for urban farming, industry and future development. The major challenge Detroit faces is that the most populated areas are located in the center and portions near the borders. The middle and east side areas of the city are virtually deserted.

Why should the A.M.E. church be concerned? There are twenty AME Churches located within the City of Detroit. Of these churches, approximately 75% are located in areas potentially impacted by the planned changes. This represents almost a third of the churches in the Michigan Conference. Similarly, within the same Conference, the City of Flint is planning a downsizing of city services as well. Three A.M.E. congregations are located there. Moreover, these churches represent a large portion of the AME Church’s budget especially the Fourth District. The financial impact can be catastrophic.

This matter is only a symptom of the current state of our denomination; not only the problems facing the congregations in the City of Detroit. The authors of “Legacy Churches”, Stephen Gray and Franklin Dumond wrote,

There is no doubt the church in America is experiencing a crisis. We really have only two choices in the midst of this crisis: panic or plan. The crisis we face as a church can be viewed as a sign of the times, or as an opportunity to reengage the culture through the strategic, purposeful planting of new churches. It could be that we do a little of both by allowing our panic to force us to make good plans. We are at the crossroads over the next decade that could propel us into the future with greater effectiveness or cause us to fade away with nothing more than a quiet little whimper. The choice is ours, but we must make the choice with a great sense of urgency. (p.32)

Hopefully, the AME Church will not cede to panic, but develop proactive, soul-searching solutions. Instead of focusing upon the challenges, this can be the potential starting point of future greatness. An opportunity to restructure our congregations with thoughtful transfers, mergers and yes closures is at hand. This will require brave leadership and not simply knee jerk reactions to a crisis due to external forces.

The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2008 does have a process for church development. The process is more grassroots and does not have the macro-level processes and procedures needed for this type of project. What is needed are research and analysis done on the Conference and/or District level to provide prudent recommendations that will help the whole area and be the best use of resources. Local pastors and congregations should not have to face this crisis or make decisions on their own.

This challenge can be considered a call to Action to the Connection towards Church Development particularly in the United States and Canada. If the situation is handled properly in the Michigan Conference, the lessons learned can be used as a model.

We should not fear the changes because God promised in Jeremiah 29: 11, “I’ll show up and take care of you as I promised and bring you back home. I know what I'm doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.” (The Message)

Sources: Legacy Churches (2009) by Stephen Gray & Franklin Dumond. Publisher: Church Smart Resources; Understanding Church Growth, 3rd Ed (1990) by Donald A. McGavran. Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.; The Detroit Free Press/Detroit News

Orletta E. Caldwell
St. Stephen AME, Detroit

6. LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER:

The Rev. D. Sinclair Forbes

A Celebration of all celebrations in Key West, Florida as Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church under the dynamic leadership of the Rev. D. Sinclair Forbes celebrated the completion of a rededication of the church.

The great officers and members celebrated in grand style as they welcomed guests to an endless weekend of festivities.

The Celebration began on Saturday, January 23 with the Junkanoo Parade from the Martin Luther King Pool to the newly renovated and refurbished church which was reconstructed from the rafters to the floor and from the choir loft to the vestibule.

During the rededication worship service, Bishop McKinley Young, presiding prelate of the 11th Episcopal District electrified the attendees from the South Conference with his homily from Acts 2 which was entitled “The Ideal Church.” Bishop Young reminded us that “Only God is Awesome, Infinite, and Omnipotent.” We serve an awesome God. If we remain in God’s favor, we will be blessed.

In this ecumenical worship service, Dr. Randy Becker, who addressed the congregation, reflected on the fact that the original church downtown was burned by members of his race who did not want a black church downtown in the tourist metroplex. But the members of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church had the courage and conviction to reconstruct Bethel from the ashes of racism and the smoldering fries of apartheid segregation.

Pastor Forbes and the members of Bethel received the flag of the “Conch Republic,” which has as its motto: “We [Succeeded] Where Others Have Failed.”

Bishop Young, the 109th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the Church, led the congregation in the rededication ceremony: “In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, We Rededicate Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church to the Glory of God and the Service of His kingdom and the human family.”

Attending this rededication ceremony were Bishop McKinley Young and Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor of the 11th Episcopal District; host Presiding Elder John L. Bodison; Presiding Elder Jimmy James Thompson; and Presiding Elder Vincent Floyd Mitchell. Other guests included: Presiding Elder Ralph Wilson and Presiding Elder James Oscar Williams; and a great host of clergy and laity from the South Conference and members of the community ecumenical body of Christ.

Afterwards, a scrumptious meal in the style of the “Conch Republic” was served by the members of Bethel under the leadership of their erudite pastor, the Rev. D. Sinclair Forbes, who proved to be a gracious and humble host at the rededication of his charge at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church located in Key West, Florida.


7. CELEBRATING THE “A” IN AME - CONNECTION, COMMUNITY, AND COMMITMENT:

*The Rev. Linda E. Mouzon

Words cannot always convey the dynamic flavor of an event. Such is true of the Second Episcopal District Founders’ Day convened by Bishop and Mrs. Adam J. Richardson, February 18 – 20, 2010 at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Glenn Dale, MD. The Rev. Jonathan Weaver and the planning committee led this spiritually uplifting experience.

The theme, “Celebrating the “A” in A.M.E.”, engendered a greater appreciation for our history and heritage, increased our commitment to extending our ministry internationally, and re-energized our yearning for a more glorious future for the church of Allen. As Bishop Richardson sagely averred, “At some of our churches in Africa the name that appears on the cornerstone is African M.E. Church. Framing our name in this manner, African M.E. Church gives credence to the significance of acknowledging our oneness and the pride in our roots that was emphasized by Richard Allen in advancing our Zion’s name.”

The Rev. Harold Mayberry, of First AME Church of Oakland, set the stage during the opening worship. Our hearts were set ablaze by a relevant and powerful word. Scriptures were read in four languages. The Founders’ Day Symposium featured two prolific scholars. Dr. Cain Hope Felder of Howard University and Second District resident biblical scholar, offered thoughtful insight into geographical, historical and archaeological evidence of the inclusion of Africa and African peoples in the scriptures. Dr. Dennis C. Dickerson, the AME Church’s Historiographer and Executive Director of the Department of Research and Scholarship, offered a comprehensive examination and critique of the life of Richard Allen, other early leaders, and the historical and contemporary relationship of the African Methodist Episcopal Church on the African Continent.

It would have been counterintuitive to celebrate the “A” without the inclusion of our siblings from African and Caribbean nations gracing the occasion. Ambassadors from several nations were recognized at a reception, followed by a banquet to the benefit of the Kittrell Development Initiative and the Religious, Educational, Charitable & Development Projects, Inc (aka RED, Inc). The event featured the KanKouran Dance Company that had us moving to the rhythms that have united us across the ages; and Nigerian singer, Ms. Abiodun Koya, whose melodious soprano in operatic genre, lifted praise and thanksgiving to God. Our keynote speaker, His Excellency Segbe Cyrille Oguin, ambassador of Benin, who spoke of a cooperative future in which peoples of color will help chart a better future for the world.

Desiring the celebration to be memorable, Pastor Weaver spearheaded a shoe collection benefitting the peoples of Haiti, and outlined next steps to include on-going dialogue with ambassadors, establishing collaborative projects to promote somatic and emotional wellness, economical and spiritual growth, and infrastructure development. Since globalization is more than a byword, it is necessary that we build upon the foundation inherent in our name and celebrate the “A” in AME. As Bishop Richardson pointed out, “Many people still don’t know that Africa is a continent with 50 countries and that the Middle East is located, in part, in Africa.”

*The Rev. Linda E. Mouzon [revlindamouzon@verizon.net] is Associate Minister Union Bethel A.M.E. Church Randallstown, Maryland

8. ALLEN CHAPEL AME CHURCH CELEBRATES CENTENNIAL:

Pam Hamlin

Allen Chapel AME Church, 580 George W. Engram Blvd., Daytona Beach celebrated its centennial anniversary on Sunday, March 14, 2010.

Under the leadership of Pastor Nathan M. Mugala, co-chairs, Sister Nella Roberts and Brother Tyrone Presley, committees were formed to plan the celebration. The theme chosen was, “We’ve Come This Far by Faith - From Vision to Victory 1910 - 2010.

“A lot of good things happen here,” said Bro. Presley. The community is reached through various activities. We have ministries for college students as well as adults.” According to Sister Roberts, who has been a member for 60 years, recalls “the hard times, how the cash-strapped congregation would pray. It didn’t matter about the time or day. They would turn to God and their faith. They had love for their church, “she said.

The church celebrated its centennial with a weeklong event beginning Monday March 8 with nightly worship services that were led by area pastors, and their congregations. It culminated on Sunday March 14 with services at 7:45 a.m. and 10.45 a.m. The Rev. Henry E. Green Jr. Presiding Elder, Tampa District, West Coast Conference, preached “Going to the Next Level”, Luke 5:1-10 at 7:45 a.m. He said that, he recalled stories on TV had theme songs. For example, The Beverly Hillbillies: “Come and listen to a story about a poor man name Jed, a poor mountaineer, barely kept his family fed, …the next thing you know ol’ Jed’s a millionaire and the kinfolk said Jed move away from there…”. He then talked about The Jeffersons and the theme song “Movin on Up.”

These two families Rev. Green said, “We are going to the next level. God has expectations of Allen Chapel to go to the next level.” He told the congregation, “Move out of your comfort zone to go to the next level; not only walk by sight, you got to walk by faith.”

Bishop McKinley Young, Presiding Bishop, 11th District that includes Florida and Bahamas, preached to a packed congregation at the 10:45 a.m. service. He told them, “This is truly a day of remarkable celebration; one hundred years. You didn’t get here by being careful. We are standing on the shoulders of black men and women who knew who they were and whose they were. We come from good stock.”

Pastor Mugala said, “We are truly blessed to witness this Centennial Celebration. This Celebration is significant in that it allows us to go back down memory lane and tell our story of how we made it over.”

Centennial events included: a commemorative church shaped magnet given to all that attended the service; a limited edition commemorative plate that showed the former and current church for sale; a painting of the former church for a donation. A fellowship dinner followed the 10:45 a.m. service in the dinning hall and a photo show was seen.

9. LOCAL CHURCH ADDS ANGEL FOOD PROGRAM:

Murph-Emmanuel AME Church in North Highlands, California, for the past several months, has distributed free food and clothing to as many as 300 families residing in and around the working class North Highland neighborhood.

Beginning this week, the 200 member congregation has taken steps to add an additional dimension to that outreach effort by becoming a host site for Angel Food Ministries, a national non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing affordable high quality food to individuals and families.

First established in 1994 to provide relief to struggling families in the Macon, GA area, Angel Food Ministries serves hundreds of thousands of families across 42 States. In 2008, the Angel Food Program provided $120 million in direct food assistance to American families by providing fresh, brand name food for a fraction of the retail price. By purchasing food in bulk directly from some of the top suppliers in the country, food is discounted by up to 50% of retail. A standard medium - sized box of food may be purchased for $30 and contains top quality food staples from every food group including chicken or beef, milk, eggs, vegetables and fruits. The menu selections vary each month and consist of both fresh and frozen items, helping individuals and families to save money without sacrificing quality. Participation in the Angel Food Program is open to anyone and, according to the Rev. Michael Barta, Senior Pastor of Murph-Emmanuel, there are no income requirements, limits on the quantity of boxes that can be purchased nor are there any applications or qualifications for eligibility. The program is also equipped to accept participants from S.N.A.P. (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

According to Pastor Barta, the Murph-Emmanuel Congregation is committed to continuing both its free food distribution ministry as well as Angel Food, its reduced cost grocery distribution program, to the residents of North Highland and the greater Sacramento area.

"The two programs serve different segments of our community" Barta said. "The free food program is designed to help folk with few, if any resources while Angel Food is there for folk with access to some resources who just need a little help in getting through the month. Both needs are real given today's tough economic climate and both groups deserve our help."

Murph-Emmanuel AME Church is located at 4151 Don Julio Blvd in North Highlands, California. Persons interested in obtaining more information about either of its food distribution programs may call the Church at 916.332.7749 or in the case of the Angel Food, go online to www.angelfoodministries.com

10. THIRD EPISCOPAL DISTRICT MID YEAR CONVOCATION COLUMBUS OHIO MARCH 18-20:

*The Rev. Gloria L. Sydnor Smith, Esq.

The Third District Mid-year/Founder's Day Convocation, hosted by Bishop C. Garnett Henning, Sr. and Episcopal Supervisor Ernestine Henning, focused on social justice issues within the African American Community. Presiding Elder Wilton I. Blake (Cincinnati District) conducted an early morning Bible Study class that addressed social justice issues from a Biblical viewpoint and also discussed the social justice issues that we face today; poor education, single parent households, ex-con re-entry, addictions, employment, and economic development.

The Reverend Dr. Mark Kelly Tyler, Pastor of Mother Bethel presented a workshop on the history of Social Justice within the AME church, entitled, "Richard Allen, Apostle of Freedom - A Model for Social Justice & Ministry." Rev. Tyler pointed out that the AME Church began with the activism of Richard Allen and Absalom Jones for walking out of St. George's when the Methodist Episcopal Church decided that African Americans should be subject to them rather than to God. Rev. Tyler effectively argued that church ministry is not limited to "preaching Jesus" in the pulpit. But the church must go outside the walls of the church to address social justice issues in this nation and the world.

There are social justice issues in our community that cannot be ignored. And African American churches need to do everything they can to address these issues.

Later, there was a panel discussion (Rev. Earl G. Harris/Rev. Madonna Gray/Rev. Dale Snyder/Rev. Shane Floyd), entitled "A Ministry of Social Justice," on ways that the AME church and its leaders can address social justice issues. There was a lot of discussion on jobs, improving education and the plight of African American children in the foster care system throughout the United States. African Americans need to invest its time and money in our children. We can create our own agencies and 501(3)(c) corporations rather than rely on others to "help" our children.

Instead of reacting to social justice issues, we need to take action and do something. As Rev. Gray stated, "It takes a village to raise a village."

*The Rev. Gloria L. Sydnor Smith, Esq., is the pastor of Whitman Chapel AME Church in Belpre, Ohio

11. THE 8TH YPD RETREAT THAT WILL BE HELD APRIL 16-17 AT BONNER CAMPBELL:

It is not too late to sign up for the Gospel Explosion. Please email Eighth Episcopal District YPD [ypd8th@yahoo.com] for further information and if you would like to participate.

Registration for the retreat is $15 in advance and $20 on site.

Rooms are available at the Comfort Inn in Clinton for $80. Please let them know you are with the AME Church.

Comfort Inn & Suites
5010 Hampstead BLVD
Clinton, MS 39056
601-925-8250
"AME Church"

Ritney A. Castine, Eighth Episcopal District YPD President

12. THE AMEC HIV/AIDS INITIATIVE:

The AMEC HIV/AIDS initiative was the fulfillment of a dream and answer to the prayers of the Rev. Bernard Smith. After numerous meeting with Bishop McKinley Young, members of the State of Florida Department of Health Bureau of HIV/AIDS, and the then active HIV/AIDS Action Committee of Greene Chapel in Largo, Florida and the future began to unfold.

Originally, seven churches within Hillsborough and Pinellas County Florida participated in a pilot program, which offered education and free testing to their communities. This program was very successful and was funded by Abbott Pharmaceuticals. The evidence of this pilot was presented to Bishop Young and the Westcoast Annual Conference. The Bishop McKinley Young then met with Tom Liberti, Chief of the Bureau of HIV/AIDS for the Florida Department of Health. The result of this meeting was the co-signing of a Memorandum of Agreement between the two. The purpose of the agreement was to establish a minimum of 1-AME Church in every county in the State of Florida. The HIV/AIDS Action committee began contacting the AME churches and disseminating information. By the end of the Annual CEC Conference, held during the month of July, 2009, a total of 80 churches signed up to be a registered test site or test location.

WAD 2009 was celebrated by all the Churches this is what we can do when GOD show his FAVOR upon his work.

Submitted by The HIV/AIDS Action Committee Pinellas County Florida
Edith Ellerson
The Rev. Bernard Smith

St. James A.M.E.
1436 South Madison Ave.
Clearwater, Fl. 33756
727-442-2336
727-480-6830 Cell

13. THE BLACK AMERICANS FOR ABSTINENCE AND PRO-LIFE TEENAGERS PROJECT (FOR GIRLS):

*Kim Wilson

The Black Americans for Abstinence and Pro-Life Teenagers Project (for Girls) located in the Atlanta, Georgia area has helped many churches and ministries to increase their outreach by implementing effective projects to help others throughout the United States and around the world, such as Goodwill/Jane Fonda Outreach Project; Atlanta Homeless Shelter for Women and Children; Christian Women's Home Business Network; God's Active People Anti-drug Project ("Get High on Jesus; Crack the Bible") and many others.

The Black Americans for Abstinence and Pro-Life Teenagers Project (for Girls) provides an effective workshop to help them avoid the negative consequences of pre-marital sex (such as unwanted pregnancies, STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), abortions and low self-esteem) and experience God's Best for their lives.

I travel to churches and various locations/events throughout the United States and overseas to conduct workshops.
I would welcome the opportunity to share this information with the pastors and denominational leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

I am excited to share about this project with AME Churches, as well as an opportunity to help the teenage girls in their communities to experience God's best for their lives through abstinence and Pro-life.

For additional information, contact Kim Wilson, 121 Ardenlee Drive, Peachtree City, Georgia 30269; Phone: (678) 491-8583; Email: kim.wilson@atnex.net; Website: http://new.vchurches.com/blackamericansforlife/home.aspx?iid=126958 http://new.vchurches.com/blackamericansforlife/home.aspx?iid=126958

*Kim Wilson is the Director of Black Americans for Abstinence and Pro-Life Teenagers Project (for Girls) located in the Atlanta, Georgia area

14. THE 143rd SESSION OF THE ALLEGHENY SCRANTON DISTRICT CONFERENCE CHURCH PRESS REPORT– CLAIRTON, PENNSYLVANIA

*Miss Shelly Brown

On Thursday, February 18, 2010, pastors, delegates, evangelists, presidents of missionary societies, presidents of lay organizations and youth representatives were received with the Joy of the Lord and with open arms by the host pastor, the Reverend Dr. Judith C. Moore, her husband, Mr. Leo Moore, and the members of First African Methodist Episcopal Church in Clairton, Pennsylvania.

The Reverend James E. Murray, Jr., pastor of St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania led Bible Study which was taken from I Corinthians 12:27-31. In this chapter Paul begins to address the issue of spiritual gifts and that spiritual gifts, though diverse, come from the same Spirit and are to be used for the benefit of all
.
The Reverend Dr. Eric L. Brown, Presiding Elder (candidate General Secretary/CIO 2012), called the 143rd Session of the Allegheny Scranton District Conference to order. The theme for this District Conference was “Moving toward Christian Excellence in Service” I Corinthians 12:31.

The Reverend Linda Moore, pastor of St. John AME Church – Bridgewater, Pennsylvania was the preacher for the Opening Worship Celebration. Reverend Moore utilized Mark 5:21-35 as her text. The theme was “Clear the Room”. Sometimes we have to show up where Jesus is. Jairus’ daughter was dying and he went to met Jesus. On the way to Jairus’ house, Jesus was touched on the hem of his garment by the woman with the issue of blood. Jesus is a multitasked (he can work on more than one situation at a time). As Jesus approached the house, people were weeping said and that the child. Jesus told them that she is just sleeping and they laughed at him. Jesus “cleared the room” of all distractions so that he could work a miracle.

The Reverend JoElla Williams, pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church – Tarentum, Pennsylvania conducted Workshop #1 entitled “Planning the year in the local Church”. It is very important that every church follow protocol. It starts with the Bishop providing his calendar; then the Presiding Elder, and finally the pastor of the local church. Plan your work and work your plan. A church violates The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2008 if a monthly official board meeting is not held.

The Reverend Dr. Helen M. Burton, pastor of New Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church – Aliquippa Pennsylvania conducted Workshop #2 entitled “Evangelism: How to Catch Fish and Clean them”.

The Ecumenical Worship Celebration commenced Thursday evening with the Reverend Dr. William Calloway, First Mt. Olive Baptist Church – Clairton, Pennsylvania whose theme was “He may not come when you want him but He’s always on time.” The sermon was taken from John 11:21. Reverend Calloway compared the church with Mary, Martha and Lazarus. He expressed how they represented what every church needs; a worker, a worshiper and a witness. He also used the phrase “stay in your lane”. i.e., complete your work and allow others to complete theirs.

Friday, February 19, 2010: The morning business session began with Dr. Brown introducing Reverend Dr. Eugene Schoolfield, II, Pastor, St. James African Methodist Episcopal Church – Erie, Pennsylvania. He conducted Workshop #3 –“Is Ministry a Calling or a Career?” Reverend Schoolfield declared that ministry must be a calling and not a career. Romans 1:1 states “ministry is by invitation only”. God will equip you for the job you need to do. You must meet these qualifications and prove the validity of your calling.

Workshop #4 - “Where Do Our Conference Claims Go?” was conducted by the Reverend Kary Williams, Jr., - pastor Payne Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church – Duquesne, Pennsylvania. Our Conference Claims pay Mid-Year and Annual Conference Assessments, Presiding Elders’ salaries, pastors and delegates’ travel, and other district and conference requests.

God’s messenger for the Hour of Power Worship Celebration was the Reverend David W. Bethea, pastor Park Place African Methodist Episcopal Church – Homestead, Pennsylvania. He referenced Luke 13:1-9. His sermon “A Servants Plea – There is still time” calls for us to allow divine justice, divine mercy and divine grace in all that we do and ask for.

The conference was blessed to have the following persons visit from outside of the Allegheny Scranton District: Presiding Elder Percy Tate, the Youngstown District; Presiding Elder James Harris, the Cleveland District; Presiding Elder James McLemore, the Pittsburgh District; Brother Bert Odgen, a member of the General Board and Campaign Manager for Dr. Eric L. Brown’s quest to become the 6th General Secretary; Miss Lauren Bethea, a member of the Episcopal Committee and Park Place AME Church in Homestead, PA; the Reverend Arthur Doctor, pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Washington, PA.

Friday afternoon’s Business Session began with Committee reports on the 7 Point Plan for Growth:

Evangelism: The Reverend Acquanetta Osborne
Education: The Reverend Dr. Judith C. Moore
Evaluation: The Reverend Melva Hartzog
Expansion: The Reverend Kary Williams, Jr.
Emphasis on Youth: The Reverend Cheryl Ruffin
Empowerment: The Reverend Dr. Helen M. Burton
Economic Development : The Reverend James E. Murray, Jr.

The 6th Annual Musical Extravaganza certainly had everyone’s feet tapping and hands clapping as pastors and guests rendered Spirit filled selections.

Saturday, February 20, 2010: The 3rd Annual Sons of Allen breakfast meeting was called to order by the Allegheny Scranton District Sons of Allen Director, the Reverend Kary Williams, Jr. He explained the structure of the Sons of Allen in the African Methodist Episcopal Church which is to bring other men to Christ.

The organization of the 2009-2010 Sons of Allen of the Allegheny Scranton District is:

District Coordinator: Reverend Kary Williams, Jr.
President: Reverend Samuel Chambers
Vice President: Brother Samuel Chambers
Recording Secretary: Rev. Lawrence Haynes. Jr.
Correspondence Secretary: Brother Vernon Kelly
Treasurer: Brother David Moore

Morning Business Session Saturday, February 20, 2010: Greetings and updates from the following: Pittsburgh Conference Y.P.D. Director, Gwendolyn Cooley; Pittsburgh Conference W.M.S. 2nd Vice President, Barbara Lyles; Allegheny Scranton District Church School Superintendent, Valerie McElvy, Allegheny Scranton W.I.M., Reverend Cheryl Ruffin in behalf of Reverend Melva Hartzog.
The Board of Examiners Committee made the following recommendations:

2nd year course study: Licentiate Orbelle Henderson, Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church – Duquesne, Pennsylvania

The Memorial Service chaired by the Reverend Samuel Chambers who paid tribute to those who left the church militant and entered into the church triumphant. Those names were Wynon Chaplin – St. Mark AME Church, Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania; Delphia Hughes – Bethel A.M.E. Church, Tarentum, Pennsylvania; Dina Gran Creighton, St. James AME Church – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Michele Day Moore, St. James A.M.E. Church, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Presiding Elder Eric and Lady Margo Brown expressed sincere appreciation to the Allegheny Scranton District pastors, officers and laity. They both expressed gratitude to the pastor and members of First African Methodist Episcopal Church for their willingness to serve and hospitality shown this District Conference.

The Spoken Word for the Closing Communion Worship Celebration was given by the Reverend Dr. Darlene Jenkins, pastor St. Paul African Methodist Church – Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. Reverend Jenkins text was Philippians 2:5-11. Her theme “Utilizing the name of Jesus” taught us regardless of your circumstance Jesus is able to break barriers.

The Resolutions Committee chaired by the Reverend Dr. Helen M. Burton marvelously entertained us as usual.

Presiding Elder Brown was the Chief Celebrant of the Holy Communion. He was assisted by retired Presiding Elder Samson Manoah Cooper.

All hearts and minds were clear as we were dismissed from this 143rd Session of the Allegheny Scranton District Conference.

*Miss Shelly Brown is the Allegheny Scranton District Administrative Assistant

15. THE HISTORIC EBENEZER A.M.E. CHURCH PREPARES WOMEN TO BE “POSITIONED FOR HIS PURPOSE”:

The Reverend Sharon D. Moore, First Lady and assistant pastor of Historic Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church in Detroit will spearhead the 2010 Journey toward Women’s Day with two exciting months of activities with shared experiences that will encourage and train women to be “Positioned for His Purpose.” The Reverend Byron C. Moore is pastor of Historic Ebenezer AME Church.

Reverend Sharon, who also facilitates the E.A.G.L.E.S. (Expectations As God Leads Each Sister) Women Ministry at Ebenezer, says the theme “Positioned for His Purpose,” will offer insight regarding the necessity of spiritual positioning to cultivate the God-daughter relationship.

The spiritual relationship of each woman will inevitably be impacted by the intentional engagement in efforts that encourage spiritual growth, a ministry that will provide an atmosphere for women to be developed within the walls of the church. Women will then be equipped to minister to women inside and outside of the church.

The journey toward Women’s Day began on Friday, March 26, 2010 with “Marathon March Friday.”

The Women’s Retreat that will be held at the Colombiere Retreat and Conference Center is a two-day event (Friday and Saturday April 9-10) that will offer workshops, meditations and opportunities for women to bond and grow spiritually.

Friday, April 23, 2010 is “The Women’s Preach Fest Service,” where Detroit area women preachers will provide ministry.

From Sunday April 25 through Sunday, May 16, all women are asked to participate in a 21 day fast for spiritual positioning, purpose and promise.

On Saturday May 15, the 4th District Supervisor of Missions, the Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant, wife of Bishop John R. Bryant, Senior Bishop of the AME Church and presiding prelate of the 4th Episcopal District will hold a “Sisters Summit” at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church. The summit will be a version of the International Women’s Prayer Convocation which was headed by Dr. Bryant, Reverend C, as she is affectionately known that was held in Toronto, Canada last year.

The journey will end culminating with a Women’s Day Celebration of historic proportions at Ebenezer.

For the first time in history, the only two Episcopal Supervisors who are ordained clergy will be ministering on Sunday May 16, 2010. The 7:30 a.m. sermon will be delivered by the Reverend Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant and the 10:30 a.m. sermon will be delivered by the Supervisor of Missions for the 10th Episcopal District, the Reverend Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram, wife of Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, the presiding prelate of the 10th Episcopal District.

The Reverend Sharon Moore is excited by the choice of speakers for Women’s Day. We are honored to have them deliver the word of God to the people of God.

The experience no doubt, will leave women empowered, humbled and “Positioned for His Purpose”

16. BODACIOUS ROBBERS:

*The Rev. N.T. Pitts

There are numerous references in regard to thieves and robbers throughout the Bible.

There is a difference between a thief and a robber. Their MOs is different but their goal is the same. The goal of a thief and a robber is to take the property of others by force and intimidation. The thief waits for the right time when he/she thinks that there is no one around or nobody is looking. He/she does not anticipate hurting or killing anyone but circumstances may impel them to do so. A robber has no reservations when it comes to killing or hurting an individual; he/she is prepared to do whatever it takes, and that includes killing to get what he/she wants.

The Old Testament book of Malachi asks the question, “Will a man rob God? Malachi 3:8. Will a man/woman be foolish enough even attempt to rob One who is omnipresent, omnipotent and omniscient?

One has to be awfully foolish or totally insane to even think about robbing such a one with such great attributes.

Many of us will hasten to say, ‘I have not, and I am not robbing God.

Malachi said, “You have robbed God through tithes and offerings.”

Many of us may boast that we have never robbed anybody, but don’t be too hasty in making such a declaration. In the Ten Commandments God gave humankind six days to do whatever he had to do, but one day he set aside to worship Him in Spirit and in truth. We have taken the six and most of the seventh and have reluctantly given God a couple of hours of His day; and we have the audacity to boast that we have not robbed God. How bold can we be?

We have robbed God by not acknowledging His graciousness and we are taking the credit for our accomplishments.

We have robbed God by failing to present our bodies as living sacrifices holy and acceptable according to His will.

We have robbed God by not using the time he gave us to teach our children His laws and statues and using it for our own selfish purposes while our children are being led away captive by the temptations of the world.
We rob God when we spend time talking about our good luck rather than about His good love. We are quick to say “I was lucky” rather than, “I was blessed.”

We must keep in mind that the things we do may surprise some people, but we can never surprise God. Using the phrase used by some athletes we are saying to God, “In Your face.”

Are you a bodacious robber? Think about it.

*The Rev. N.T. Pitts (Ptaegar@aol.com) is an author, teacher, counselor, humorist, and retired AME pastor who lives in Eatonville, Florida

17. EPISCOPAL FAMILY WEDDING ANNOUNCEMENT:

Brother Stan McKenzie, Episcopal Supervisor of Missions of the Thirteenth Episcopal District and Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate of the Thirteenth Episcopal District, proudly announces the marriage of their daughter, the Reverend Vashti-Jasmine Murphy McKenzie to Amos Phénix Saint-Jean.
Wedding Ceremony: Saturday, August 7, 2010, 4:00 PM

Venue:

Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church
7707 Allentown Road
Fort Washington, Maryland 20744
Link to their wedding website: www.jasmineandamos.com

The Bride
The Reverend Vashti-Jasmine Murphy McKenzie, affectionately called Jasmine, was born September 14th and is the second born to Episcopal Supervisor Stan McKenzie and Bishop Vashti McKenzie. A wonderful woman after God's own heart, Jasmine is caring and giving woman who is always determined to contribute to leaving a legacy. A product of Baltimore School for the Arts, Howard University (B.A. in Administration of Justice), Garrett-Theological Seminary (Masters of Divinity), Princeton Theological Seminary (Certificate in Youth and Theology), she currently serves as the Youth Coordinator at The Empowerment Temple African Methodist Episcopal Church. She is the former Corporate Travel Coordinator for Black Entertainment Television Networks.

Jasmine is also an Entrepreneur. She started her own company in 2007, The Soirée Firm, LLC which is an Event Planning and Logistics Management Company from which she has thoroughly enjoyed planning her big day along with her wedding events and aspires to offer her services to the world. She also enjoys working for her future husband's Independent Record Label, FamousAmos Music, LLC as the General Manager. She is a freelance photographer who's photo of our 44th President, Barack Obama being prayed over by the A.M.E. Bishops has been seen all over the internet and has been displayed in Museum Exhibits Nationwide.

The Groom
Amos Phénix Saint-Jean, was born September 4th to Mr. Amos Saint-Jean and the Late Altagracîa Saint-Jean. Amos is first generation American, the first of his six siblings not being born in Haiti, being the product of a Dominican mother and a Haitian Father. Amos is a determined individual who truly cares about the well-being of the people who are connected to him. Amos is the product of Maynard Evans High School and took a break from College studying Electrical Engineering following the passing of his mother.

Amos has been working in full-time music ministry for the last sixteen years. Amos serves as the Minister of Music at the Breath of Life Seventh Day Adventist Church and the Music Director at Evangel Cathedral. Amos has recorded two independent albums of great Inspirational music, In The Secret Place: Journey of the Soul, Vol. 1 and Tell the World. He has produced music for various award-winning Gospel artists. Amos is also the CEO of an Independent Record Label that he started in 2008 called FamousAmos Music, LLC and the owner of FamousAmos Music Recording Studios.

18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Theodosia Claitt, aunt of the Reverend Miyoshi Taylor-Schenck, wife of the Reverend Dorrian Schenck, pastor of Bethel AMEC in Passaic, New Jersey (Newark District, New Jersey Conference) and the Godmother of the Reverend Calvin W. Jackson, pastor of Thornbury AME Church, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Viewing, Tuesday, March 30, 2010 - 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
A. B. Coleman Mortuary
5660 Moncrief Road
Jacksonville, Florida 32209

Homegoing Service, Wednesday, March 31, 2010
11:00 A.M.
Saint Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church
6910 New Kings Road (US 1 and Richardson)
Jacksonville, Florida 32219

Reverend Dr. Marvin C. Zanders, II, Senior Pastor, Officiating

Interment will be in Jacksonville National Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Rev. Dorrian & the Rev. Miyoshi Schenck and Family
232 Howe Avenue
Passaic, New Jersey 07055

Email: BigBethel1@AOL.COM

Or

The Rev. Dorrian H. Schenck, Pastor
Bethel AME Church
145 Myrtle Avenue
Passaic, New Jersey 07055


19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mother Annie Grace Patrick, the mother of Mrs. Sylvia P. Lett, the Consultant for the West Mainline District of the Philadelphia Annual Conference and the Mother- in-law of Presiding Elder Charles H. Lett, Sr.

The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Viewing and Funeral - Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Viewing - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Funeral Service - 11:00 a.m.

Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church
1312 Willow St.
Norristown, PA 19401
Phone: 610-279-8313
Fax: 610-279-6548

The Rev. Kanice D. Johns, Pastor

Viewing and Funeral - Saturday, April 3, 2010
Viewing - 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Funeral Service - 11:00 a.m.

New Spirit United Methodist Church
1380 Donald Lee Hollowell Parkway N.W.
Atlanta, Ga. 30318
Church: 404-876-6554
Fax: 404-524-5648

The Rev. Hubert Brown, Pastor

Professional services entrusted to:

Congleton Funeral Home of Germantown
67 West Logan St.
Philadelphia, PA 19144
Phone: 215-849-7327
Fax: 215-849-4782

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Rev. and Mrs. (Sylvia) Charles H. Lett, Sr.
245 Horseshoe Road
West Norriton, PA. 19403
Phone: 610-630-8913
Fax: 610-630-4447
Email: lettsr@comcast.ne t


20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of the Rev. Kenneth A. Christmon, who passed away on early Thursday morning March 25, 2010. Rev. Christmon was the immediate past pastor of Providence AME Church Indianapolis, Indiana serving there for 19 years and had pastored for a total 25 years. He was married to Carolyn Christmon for 51 years and had three children: Darlene Christmon Washington, Marie Christmon and the Rev. Kenneth C. Christmon, Pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Indianapolis, Indiana.

The funeral has been held.

Family Address
Mrs. Kenneth A. Christmon
4304 South C Street
Richmond, Indiana 47374
kadmit1@aol.com
(765) 966-4751

You are welcomed to send flowers but in lieu of flowers, the family asks your consideration in supporting the following causes:

IVY TECH: In the name of Kenneth A. Christmon
Attn: Diana Pappin, 2325 Chester Boulevard, Richmond, Indiana 47374

For the work of advancing scholarships and institutional program support to assist students who are historically underrepresented in higher education or qualified as low income and first generation college attendees; and, for programs that advance the work of diversity and inclusion throughout Region 9.

IU Simon Cancer Center Research Fund
Gifts support cancer research by Indiana University Simon Cancer Center physicians and researchers. IU School of Medicine, Office of Gift Development, 1110 W. Michigan Street, LO 506, Indianapolis, IN 46202-5100

Memo: Urological Research - Dr. Thomas Gardner, M.D.

Please pray for the entire family. This is the third death in this family in 3 months. A brother died in December and his brother in law died in early January.


21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Annie McKormick, the mother of Mrs. Annie R. Dockery, 1st vice president of the North Carolina Conference Ministers' Spouses; the mother-in-law of the Rev. John E. Dockery (retired), associate pastor of New St. John AME Church, Goldsboro, North Carolina, and the grandmother of Annette Dockery, the North Carolina Conference YPD Director.

Service arrangements for Mrs. Annie McKormick:

Sunday, March 28, 2010
Family Visitation: 2:00 PM
Funeral Service: 3:00 PM
Temple Memorial Baptist Church
1458 Cedrow Drive
High Point, North Carolina 27260
Phone: (336) 883-7023

Professional services entrusted to:
Gilmore Funeral Services Incorporated
1235 Montlieu Avenue
High Point, North Carolina 27262
Phone: (336) 882-8333
Fax: (336) 722-2884

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

The Rev. and Mrs. (Annie) John E. Dockery and Family
205 Mossburg Drive
Goldsboro, North Carolina 27530-9045
Phone: (919) 920-9386

Condolences may also be emailed to: Annette.Dockery@att.net

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

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

Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/
Phone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751

BLOG: http://ameccfic.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220

23. 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 CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE ENGLISH EDITION (3/25/10)

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 –: THE PASTOR IS NOT THE TEAM CAPTAIN:

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

I never mastered the rudiments of basketball because all of the running around confused me. The first high school I attended, Arts High in Newark, New Jersey did not have a football team so I tried out for the swimming team and the fencing team, but they were not a good fit for me; so I played basketball by default. Arts High had a so-so basketball team; we won some games, but we lost more than we won.

When my family moved to Rahway, New Jersey, Rahway High School had a championship football team and finally I had found my niche and football was a game that I understood. I played first-string offensive guard and defensive end. I was on my way to a college scholarship until I suffered a knee injury. As good as I was, I was never selected or appointed as the team captain. In the two sports that I played in high school, we always had a team captain; one of the super-star players was selected to be team captain. In Rahway, the team captain was the star player, fullback Joe Williams; he was the most athletic player on the team and went on to play at Iowa and played a short time with the New York Giants.

A team captain, with strong leadership skills can make a difference in any sport; a team captain with strong leadership skills can motivate and lead a team to success, and sometimes can lead an average team to success and can even motivate average players to excel.

The team captain has to be a member of the team. An All-American, blue chip basketball player, if he or she is not on the football team, cannot be the captain of the football team and an outstanding football star, who is not a member of the basketball team, cannot be the captain of the basketball team.

A strong team captain is an important part of any team or organization.

I think that we have confusion in many of our churches, and many of our churches see the pastor as a “team captain.”

Nope, the pastor is not the team captain

If the team captain has to be one of the team members, selected or appointed from among the team, the pastor cannot be the team captain because in the African Methodist Episcopal Church the pastor is a member of the annual conference, not the local church. The pastor cannot be the team captain in the local church.

The pastor is the coach

When I played sports, as important as the team captain was, the coach was the person who directed the team, developed strategies, formulated plays, directed the execution of all facets of the team and even selected or approved who was going to be the team captain. The coach trained and worked with the athletes to prepare them for competition, and helped athletes to play their best individually or as a team. The coach was in charge of the team and the “buck stopped with the coach.” In high school or college, if a coach does not meet the expectations of the athletic director or the school district, the coach has to bear the consequences.

The “pastor as coach” is the spiritual leader whose responsibilities includes preaching and teaching the Word of God, administer the Sacraments, officiate at weddings, funerals, and other worship events; and oversees the administration and management of all areas of the ministry of the local church in coordination with the Stewards, Trustees and presidents of organizations.

The “pastor as coach” is a trainer to other clergy on the ministerial staff who have primary responsibility in the various ministries of the church; those clergy persons on staff who have ministerial responsibilities may be designated as team captains. The “pastor as coach” has the responsibility to support, supervise, manage, evaluate, and oversee the various ministries of the church. The “pastor as coach” is expected to build a sense of teamwork among the leadership, coordinate the ministries of the church and facilitate open communication. The “pastor as coach” provides pastoral care, pastoral visitation, counseling, and prayer and to make appropriate referrals when necessary and quickly respond to crisis situations which arise in the congregation. The “pastor as coach” has the responsibility to build the team, that is, select stewards, nominate trustees, and to organize the ministry teams of the local church. The “pastor as coach” has the responsibility to instruct candidates for church membership and to prepare them for full membership and to seek out those persons who have not made a decision for Christ. (See The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church 2008, hereinafter The Discipline 2008)

The “pastor as coach” has a great responsibility and with all that’s required of the pastor, he or she cannot, at the same time be the team captain and the coach.

The leadership responsibilities of the two positions are inherently different. While leadership does come from coaches, the real leadership comes from within the team itself; so the team captain is critically important.

A weak captain with poor leadership skills can hinder a team’s chances of competing and bonding successfully.

I suspect that some of the officers of the local church have not understood the delineation of the “pastor as coach” versus the “pastor as team captain” and some pastors have not delineated the difference.


The problem

Too many pastors function as team captains. They lead Trustee and Steward Board meetings, take over the choir, take charge of the Church School, lead youth meetings, sign all of the checks and actively involve themselves in every activity of the church. Dr. Joel Gregory recently said, “What most pastors need to do is to get some rest.”

The Discipline 2008 might precipitate some of the ambivalence that blurs the line between the “pastor as coach” and the “pastor as team captain.” The Discipline 2008 says on Page 113, “The pastor shall call and preside over the Boards of Stewards and Trustees and all meetings for the transaction of spiritual and temporal business in the charge…” In some situations, such as in an aggressive building or stewardship program, a pastor could spend an inordinate amount of time in meetings to the neglect of his or her pastoral duties.

On the other hand, The Discipline 2008 on Page 65 gives the pastor permission to appoint a chairperson pro tem to act in his or her absence. In essence with the appointment of a pro tem, that person becomes the team captain. The next sentence in the same paragraph states, “All business conducted in his or her absence shall be subject to veto by the pastor,” which clearly characterizes the “pastor as coach.” In athletics, the coach can veto the actions of the team captain. The team captain might tell the members of the team that they can stay out until 3 a.m., but the coach can veto that decision and lay down the rule that the team curfew will be 11 p.m.

Many AME Churches utilize Steward pro tem and Trustee pro tem. Pro tem is a Latin term that means, “Temporarily” or “for or ‘instead of,’” which allows pastors to absent themselves from meetings and function as a coach. The AME Church also says that pastors are ex officio members of all organizations, which also follows the model of “pastor as coach.”

Ideally, a pastor should function as the coach and not as the team captain. The Steward pro tem and the Trustee pro tem are the team captains of those organizations. The presidents of the organizations are team captains. The pastor should designate either, the minister of music, the organist, the pianist, the director of the choir – one of those, depending upon the size of the congregation, to be the team captain; somebody has to be in-charge.

Let me say this; if the pastor is present at the Steward Board Meeting, the pro tem does not function “in place of” and the pastor functions as the team captain. I would go so far as to say if a pro tem is designated, then the pro tem should be allowed to function as the team captain and if the trust level is where it should be, there would be no need for the pastor to be present. As the “coach,” The Discipline 2008 states, “All business conducted in his or her (the pastor’s) absence shall be subject to veto by the pastor.” There is no need for the pastor to be present at every meeting, but the operative words are, “trust” and “competence in the ability” of the pro tem.

When the Steward or Trustee Boards meet, the pastor could be doing something else like making pastoral visits, working on a sermon or doing some other pastoral function, in other words, functioning as a coach and not as a team captain.

A successful team needs a coach and a team captain. Members of the team must be committed to the team, respect authority and follow the leadership of the team captain and the coach. When those three entities work together, the result is a winning team!

Next Week - Part 2: The Team

2. READER RESPONSE TO EDITORIAL AND OTHER ISSUES:

To the Editor:

RE: Editorial, “Meetings, Meetings, Meetings

While I agree that meetings are important and no organization can function without them, I am of the opinion that we do have more unnecessary meetings.

Economically, many organizations have had to make serious concessions everywhere; public institutions are experiencing significant cutbacks.

Now in our case, the AME Church, where do we draw the line? I agree that we need to conduct training, education/information sessions and yes, the business of the church in small, large and of course the en mass gatherings; biannually, quadrennially and annually.

We do however, need to look more at the feasibility for those most affected/effected now. I listen to many people who simply cannot send young people and delegates to functions without major fundraising efforts or choosing not to attend at all. Although the body of Christ should not be in such a state, it's a reality more now that ever.

I thought technology was the great solution to the "too many meetings" syndrome (thank you for the information on social networking and its evils). We do need to make better use of conference calls, teleconferencing and websites more now than before. I believe they are good interim tools. I have attended fewer meetings in the last 3-4 years than ever for personal reasons, but thanks to the TCR, video streaming and other "sources", I still feel connected. For the short term, we need to be more apt when it comes to consolidating as much as possible.

- To the Editor:

RE: News Break: Message from Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Presiding Prelate of the 18th Episcopal District

I am, through a witness of the fabulous work and ministry going on in the 18th Episcopal District. Spending a day with fellow brothers and sisters at the 18th Episcopal District Midyear Session last week in Maseru (Lesotho), I heard their enthusiasm and saw their excitement. They are excited about the ministry taking place in the district and the visible signs the ministry evidences through the leadership and encouragement of the episcopal team, Bishop and Supervisor McCloud.

Both the material and prayerful support Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr. and Supervisor Patricia McCloud are asking for is will produce both spiritual and physical results.

The FC James in Maseru is standing tall over the Basotho capital city. AMEs in that city must be proud about the development in that property from which ministry is prayerfully conceived.

Thank God for the Rev. Dr. Eric Brown and the Rev. Dr. George Flowers’ preaching! I didn’t hear Bishop Sarah Davis’ sermon the previous night because I had not arrived at the meeting venue, but I heard the reverberations of her proclamation. God deserves our praise for her ministry and delivery of the Word!

Because He Lives, I am

The Rev. Teboho G. Klaas


- To the Editor:

Re: Bible Reading Challenge IV: Update - 2010 - Reading the Bible from Cover to Cover

Reference your Bible Reading Challenge IV, I think you are probably beyond reading the Bible in one year simply because you have done it before. A beginner would likely find the one-year reading plan the easiest to do, whereas you struggle with "the slow pace" of reading 3 chapters a day, That would be a huge challenge for most people, trying to get 3 chapters into their busy day. The use of Miller's The Complete Guide to the Bible sounds like an effective biblical tool, as you use it.

God bless you as you “pick up the pace.

Name withheld

- To the Editor:

Re: Bible Reading Challenge IV: Update - 2010 - Reading the Bible from Cover to Cover

Thanks for these tips! I regret to say that I did not get started like I should have, and now I am going to have to make it a fiscal year or bump it up to the 90-Day plan starting April 1, 2010. I am leaning to this because the year plan tends to tempt me to miss a day.

Sister Billie Irvin

3. THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH RAISES ALMOST $1.5 MILLION FOR DISASTER RELIEF:

All of the churches have not reported; we are not finished yet!

Dr. Richard A. Lewis, Sr. Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer, AMEC Finance Office reported that $1,454,909.16 has been received for AMEC Haiti/Malawi Disaster Relief as of March 24, 2010.

The African Methodist Episcopal Church designated two Sundays, January 17 and January 24, 2010, for every AME Church in the twenty Episcopal Districts of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to collect funds for Haiti/Malawi Disaster Relief and to date, $1,454,909.16 has been collected.

Dr. Richard A. Lewis, Sr. Treasurer/Chief Financial Officer, AMEC Finance Office wishes to thank all of the Bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church for their hard work, coordination and generosity in collecting the funds for this Herculean endeavor. Dr. Lewis and the Bishops of the Church also extend thanks to the presiding elders, pastors, and laity for their hard work and responsiveness to the call for stewardship above and beyond the normal stewardship required of the members of the AME Church. Special thanks to the AMEC General Officers, anonymous donors, AMEC endorsed Chaplains and the generous donation of $100,000 from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.

Updates from the 16th Episcopal District can be found on its website: http://ame16th.com/haiti and updates from the Department of Global Witness and Ministry can be found on its website: http://www.ameglobalmissions.org/.

Updates for the Haiti/Malawi Disaster Relief can also be found on the AMEC Official Website: http://www.ame-church.com/

4. THANK YOU FOR BEING AVAILABLE AND FAITHFUL TO THE WORK OF THE AME CHURCH:

Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Director-Consultant

Dear Leadership, Members, and Friends of the AME Church,

Thanks for being available! Thanks for being faithful and committed to making a difference!

Since last year, we've been working together. From the THOUSANDS of people you helped turn out to listen to the faith community's health care call with President Obama, to the information sessions held to help provide correct information to the community, to the miles you walked as testimony to lives lost and sojourners you welcomed along the trek from Mother Bethel to the Nation's Capital, to the phone calls you made, to the family- neighbors- and friends that you convinced to get involved, to the tens of thousands of calls and emails you sent to Senators and Representatives -- the faith community has been recognized on Capitol Hill and in the media for playing an indispensable role in moving health care reform forward.

And in the last hours, in spite of continuing with the regular work of the Church, our Episcopal leadership responded over and over again to appeals for calls to legislators who needed to hear from their constituents. We know "up close and personally" what impact no medical coverage or costly medicines have had on us, our loved ones and those who need vital medical care.

While the work on health care is not quite done, what we have already achieved together is historic. Today, our work was recognized with an invitation to be a part of a private briefing with President Obama at the Dept of the Interior so that we can obtain information to help you understand the CHANGE that has been "hard won" over these last 14 months. While we were unable to attend, the mere invitation puts the AME Church on the cutting edge of helping to make a difference in the lives of so many and in the communities where we minister to all humankind.

We can't thank you enough for all your hard work. With God, and together, this is our victory!! Be well...

SIStah "Jackie"
Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Director-Consultant
Social Action Commission - AME Church
JDUPONTW@aol.com

Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Chair
Social Action Commission/
President Council of Bishops
eighthdistamec08@aol.com

Note: A Summary of the benefits of the Healthcare Reform will be forthcoming

Message from Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Presiding Prelate of the 18th Episcopal District

5. MESSAGE FOR SUPPORTERS OF THE 18TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:

Greetings in the precious name of Jesus!

It has been a few months now since we have written to you.

Our second series of Annual Conferences ended prayerfully on October 10, 2009. Supervisor Pat and I continue to be excited about the work and we measure regularly what should and can be accomplished next.

Bishop Adam J. and Supervisor Connie Richardson are helping us to build our first church in Beira, Mozambique. The AME Church came to Mozambique in 1955 and we have one church building in this country to date.

In Swaziland, at the Selulasandla, Vashti AME Village we have completed the Bishop John H. and Dolly Adams Administration Building with compliments.

Because of the falling US dollar exchange rate Bishop McKinley and Supervisor Dorothy Young generously contributed so we could finish the building and purchase furniture for the administration building.

Unfortunately, we had to close Hillsdale Primary School in Manzini, Swaziland for seven days because twenty three (23) of our students became ill with the H1N1 virus. Gratefully the children are fine and the school has reopened. We are thankful to the medical personnel from the Swaziland government hospital in Mbabane, Swaziland for serving the citizens and the school. The Episcopal residence has been completely renovated and the F. C. James Center work continues.

We are thankful for your financial gifts, although some have stopped and others who have promised are having difficulties following through. We really need your continued support. The work we have started will falter without your financial support. Please, help us to keep the 18th Episcopal District Dream alive.

A report of the donations made to our $75K Appeal will be posted on our website (www.18thdistrictamec.org) in the near future.

As always, we invite you to become a part of the work of the 18th Episcopal District by becoming a “Covenant Partner.”

Please review the information in the 18th Episcopal District Website:
www.18thdistrictamec.org

We invite you to plan a trip to Southern Africa during our sojourn here and include the 18th Episcopal District in your itinerary. We are excited and hope that you are excited for us.

Please add us to your prayer list and keep us and the work lifted up to the LORD.

Warm regards,

E. Earl McCloud, Jr.
Resident Bishop, 18th Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church (Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Swaziland)

P. O. Box 310043
Atlanta, GA 31131-0043
011-266-2232-0869 Office
404-691-1091 Home
011-266-2231-1801 Episcopal Residence

6. NORTH MISSISSIPPI ANNUAL CONFERENCE CONVENES IN GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI:

Mrs. Janet Brown

The convening of the 135th Session of the North Mississippi Annual Conference was historically significant. This 135th Session marked the first annual conference meeting of the merging of the former Central North and North-East-West Mississippi Annual Conferences into the North Mississippi Conference. Under the leadership of the spirit filled presiding Prelate of the Exciting Energetic Eighth Episcopal District, the Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tyler-Guidry, Supervisor Lola Nixon-Cheltenham, Host Presiding Elder, the Rev. James Holmes and Associate Presiding Elders, the Rev. William Hardiman and the Rev. J.L. Moore, members from across North Mississippi descended upon Greenwood, Mississippi.

The WMS conducted its annual meeting Tuesday. The morning session began with Sister Adrienne Marshall-McNeal, president, presiding. Following the greetings extended by Sister McNeal, Sister Ethel Morrison, Eighth Episcopal District WMS President; Dr. Shirley Hopkins-Davis, Connectional WMS 1st Vice President and Sister Lola Nixon Cheltenham, Episcopal Supervisor, the Tanner Turner Memorial Service was held. The business session featured highlights / reports from Area Chairpersons, Treasurers, Historiographer / Statisticians and YPD Directors from the two merging conferences. The morning session ended with exciting reports from Commissions in Flight.

Sister Beatrice Peace, outgoing president of the former North-East-West MS Conference, presided over the afternoon session. President’s reports were received from Sister Peace and Sister McNeal. A very informative health awareness workshop on HIV/AIDS was conducted by Mr. Mark Vortice, Director of the Ryan White Program, Marks, Mississippi. The remaining committee reports were received, and the installation of officers for 2009-20011 was held.

The Night-in-White experience featured a dynamic proclamation of the Word by the Rev. Nida Pittman, London Chapel AME Church. The service ended with the capping and pinning ceremony and remarks by the Presiding Prelate of the Eighth Episcopal District, the Rt. Rev. Carolyn Tyler-Guidry.

The North Mississippi Conference opened with worship service with Presiding Elder William Hardiman Jr. serving as worship leader. The conference choir provided music and the annual sermon, “Here Am I, Send Me”, was delivered by the Rev. Larry Story. Bishop Tyler-Guidry, presiding elders and pastors led the celebration of the Lord’s Supper. Visitors included presiding elders and their spouses and pastors from the South Mississippi Conference, Central North Louisiana Conference and the Louisiana Conference of the Eighth Episcopal District.

The first day afternoon session began with devotion after which Bishop Tyler-Guidry called for roll call of the New, Noble and Naturally Beautiful North Mississippi Conference. Following roll call, the chair called for organization of the conference. Following the reports from presiding elders, the class on Admissions, First, Second, Third and Fourth year studies was called. Committees and trustees were appointed. Two deaconesses, Sister Berry Niece Stigler and Sister Hattie Watson, were confirmed.

The first day evening service was led by the Sons of Allen with the theme “Men Making a Difference” (Ezekiel 22:30). Words of inspiration, “Stand in the Gap” were given by Brother Melvin Pitts. Guests included representatives from the Grenada Police Department, Mayor of the City of Greenwood, Administrators from the Leflore County School District, Senator Willie Simmons and Senator Johnny Walls. Senators Simmons and Walls presented Bishop Tyler-Guidry with a Proclamation Plaque and host pastor the Rev. Ray Jackson with a plaque of recognition. Bishop Tyler-Guidry was presented a bust of Richard Allen from the Rev. Sutton, which she stated would be placed in the Episcopal Residence.

The second day began with devotion followed by conference institute sessions on Lay Leadership. Pastoral reports were called for and presented at both the morning and afternoon sessions. The Hour of Power sermon was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Jo Baldwin entitled “The Power of the Word”.

During pastoral reports, the delegate from London Chapel explained how St. John, London Chapel and Hunter Chapel had been working together on a trial basis and has the desire to merge into one congregation. The second day evening session was an ecumenical worship service. The message was delivered by the Rev. Dr. Calvin E. Collins “Try it Again”.

On the third day business session Sweet Home became a station church and the merged congregations of St. John, London Chapel and Hunter Chapel would be Trinity AME Church. Committee reports were presented. The Hour of Power sermon was delivered by the Rev. Herbert Spears “How to Lead from Behind”. Committee reports were continued in the afternoon session. The third day evening session was Lay Witness Night. Theme: Refocusing Our Ministry to Serve the Present Age. Presentations were made for Dedicated Services, Lay Person of the Year, Most Supportive Pastors and Educational Scholarship.

Disciplinary questions were called for during the fourth day morning session, followed by the Ordination-Memorial Services. The Word was proclaimed by Presiding Elder J.L. Moore. The YPD met during the same time to conduct their business session. The youth attended the Ordination-Memorial Service and provided the music. The afternoon workshops were Sexual Misconduct Workshop and Key Person Life Insurance. The Young People and Children’s Division presented the evening session. The messenger was Dr. LaShaunda Massey.

The Conference closed out on Sunday with Bishop Tyler-Guidry delivering the message, preaching on Inheritance-My Grand mommy’s Religion. Under the leadership of our determined Episcopal Leader, Bishop Carolyn Tyler-Guidry, our conference leadership and our membership, the North Mississippi Conference is committed to spreading the Word of God and facing and meeting the challenges that we face with faith, perseverance and love.

*Mrs. Janet Brown is the North Mississippi Conference Reporter; Email: alphanease@hotmail.com

7. BIBLE READING CHALLENGE IV - UPDATE 2010, READING THE BIBLE FROM COVER TO COVER:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

I started out 2010 with the One Year Reading Plan of reading the Bible from Cover to Cover. I actually started the journey on December 27, 2009 reading the New Revised Standard Version (The New Interpreter’s Study Bible – NRSV with the Apocrypha).

On January 1, 2010, I switched to the King James Version (The Scofield Study Bible), but I wasn’t happy with the King James Version, especially with the notes in the Scofield Study Bible, so on January 25, 2010, I switched back to the NRSV. I still had some discomfort. I have now decided that that the issue is my difficulty with the Year-Long Reading Plan. It was easy to miss a day because in the back of my mind I was thinking that I could easily catch up – what’s three chapters. My experience with the intense 90-Day Bible Reading Plan was that there was no way that I was going to miss a day because 12 pages is a lot more than three chapters.

So, I decided a couple of days ago that I am going to transition to the 90-Day Reading Plan because the Year-Long Reading Plan is not intense enough for me.

So, you can see that I have been struggling with the slow pace of reading about three chapters a day. I am going to “bump it up” and finish the reading of the Bible from Cover to Cover using the 90-Day Reading plan.

For some of you, the Year-Long Plan of Reading the Bible from Cover to Cover might be doable, but for me it is not comfortable. I hope to finish reading the by the middle of May, or sooner.

Helpful Hint: the most helpful resource for me in reading the Bible from cover to cover is the book, The Complete Guide to the Bible (ISBN 978-1-59789-374-9) by Stephen M. Miller. It gives a synopsis of each book of the Bible and each time I start a new book of the Bible I read the short chapter in Miller’s book, which has a book-by-book background and explanation of each book in the Bible. It has a lot of fascinating details about the Bible.

8. THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER UPDATE - COMPUTER ISSUES RESOLVED:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

Technology is wonderful and adds convenience, when it works properly, but when it does not work properly, technology can be frustrating.

As some of you know, The Christian Recorder experienced serious computer issues. The computer issues have been resolved and TCR is back up and running. The bottom-line is that we need to add more memory to the computer, which has been ordered; and TCR needs to think seriously about getting a new computer, which TCR plans to do in the near future.

Thank you for your patience. We will answer inquiries and acknowledge receipt of articles.

9. JUDGE PENNY DELIVERS A DYNAMIC BLACK HISTORY MESSAGE:

*Dr. Monica McIntyre

Knights Monumental AME Church in Stockbridge, Georgia where the pastor is the Rev. Philip A. Bannamon held its Annual Black History Program on February 28, 2010.

The theme was “African Americans Continuing to Run the Race of Faith," and the Honorable, Rev. Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, host of the Emmy-nominated show, Family Court with Judge Penny spoke about her personal struggles as well as the struggles of so many of African Americans past and present who have paved the way “for all of us.”

The Rev. Shirley Daniels, first lady of the South Atlanta District served as worship leader.

Judge Penny, Presiding Elder Walter Daniels, and The Gladys Adams Ensemble favored the congregation with soul-stirring songs and Yulani Johnson, age 10, the granddaughter of Clifford and Adoracion Ball performed a ministry in dance.

Afterwards, Judge Penny held a book signing for her new book, 7 Steps to Peace of Mind (Brentwood Christian Press).

It was a wonderful evening filled with poetry, dance, singing, reflecting, and celebrating the accomplishments and the rich heritage of African Americans.

For more information on Knights Monumental AME Church, visit their website at www.knightsmonumental.org.

*Dr. Monica McIntyre served as the Chairperson of the Knights Monumental AME Church Annual Black History celebration.

10. BENEDICT COLLEGE CONCERT AT BETHEL AME CHURCH,

Friday, March 5, 2010 Bethel AME Church in Pennsauken, New Jersey was blessed for two hours by the singing of 38 angelic voices of Benedict College, directed by Dr. Linda Kershaw. The Benedict College choir was their spring concert/recruiting tour.

They open this concert with “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and sang a full array of music from Negro Spirituals to contemporary gospel, most notably the gospel song, “Total Praise.” Songs sung included, “We are Climbing Jacob’s Ladder”, “Who will be a Witness”, “Wade in the Water”, “A Balm in Gilead”, “Fairest Lord Jesus”, and “My Soul has been Anchored in the Lord.”

Benedict College choir ended the concert with a recessional and singing, “We are Marching.”

After the concert, the choir members were served a meal and they thanked the cook by singing, “Bless these Biscuits.”

A wonderful part of the evening was that two teenagers requested Benedict College admission applications.

Submitted by, Reverend Lanxton L. Washington

11. MANY MORE PERSONS ARE USING THE INTERNET AND IT’S IMPORTANT TO BE CONSTANTLY UPDATED:

Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III

Many more persons are using the internet and it’s important to constantly be updated. Please remember that technology is great and technology is convenient and makes life simpler. But the internet can also cause problems and make life more complicated.

Many of you are still sending emails with exposed email addresses. Multiple addressed email messages should be sent Bcc (Blind Copy) so that email addresses are not able to be viewed.
All forwarded messages are not bad, but some are bad and we need to stay away from the bad ones. In many instance your gut can tell you when you have received a bad one.

Good Advice

1) Any time you see an email that tells you to forward the message to “10” (or however many) of your friends; to sign a petition, or you'll get bad luck, good luck; you may see something funny on your screen after you send it. Many of those types of messages almost always have tracker programs attached that tracks the “cookies” and emails of those folks you forward to. The host sender is getting a copy each time it gets forwarded and then is able to get lists of active email addresses from your email messages to use in SPAM emails, or sell to other spammers.

When you get emails that demand or encourages you forward an email “If you're not ashamed of God/Jesus…that message is most likely email tracking and the originator of the message is playing on your conscience. Unscrupulous persons don’t care how they get your email address - just as long as they get it.

Emails that talk about a missing child or a child with an incurable disease and, "How would you feel if that was your child" again, email tracking. Ignore those kinds of messages and don't participate!

2) Almost all emails that ask you to add your name and forward a message to others is a way to get names and “cookie” tracking information for telemarketers and spammers and to validate active email accounts for their own profitable and sometimes duplicitous purposes.

3) Do yourself a favor and STOP adding your name(s) to those types of listings regardless how inviting they might sound or how guilty they make you feel. You may think you are supporting a great cause, but you are NOT! Instead, you will be getting tons of junk mail later and very possibly a virus!

Those types of message of “Send this message to 10 (or however many friends)” messages is all about getting email addresses!

An Important Reminder: Email petitions are not acceptable to Congress or any other governmental organization. Petitions to be acceptable must have a signed signature and full mailing address of the persons signing petitions, so forwarding petitions is a waste of time and remember you are only helping email trackers who do not have your best interests in mind.

You can do your Friends and Family members a GREAT favor by sharing this information to them and you will be providing a service to your friends, and you may be rewarded by not getting thousands of spam email messages in the future!

And, one thing – Bill Gates is not giving away money nor is he, or anyone else, giving away free computers!

12. CHRISTIAN THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY PRESIDENT EDWARD L. WHEELER TO BE NAMED PRESIDENT EMERITUS:

Christian Theological Seminary to begin search for new president immediately

The desire for a smooth presidential transition has prompted the board of trustees of Christian Theological Seminary to accelerate the search for a candidate to succeed the institution’s current leader, President Edward L. Wheeler. Hoping that the new president can assume the office by July 1, 2011, Wheeler has been named president emeritus by the board effective July 1, 2011. Wheeler has agreed to serve until a new president assumes the position.

Wheeler will retire on June 12, 2012, the final day of his third five-year contract leading the school, as he and the board had previously announced. Wheeler has been the longest-serving president in CTS’s 50 year history.

“This plan provides for a smooth transition to new leadership that will hopefully allow CTS to continue to move forward without a break in its momentum,” Wheeler said in a statement he made to CTS faculty, students and staff at a meeting held on March 15. Both the board and Wheeler envision that the new president will be able to draw on Wheeler’s expertise and experience during the year of transition.

The process of searching for a new president has already begun. A transition committee formed by the board of trustees will be working with the CTS faculty; staff and students to determine what qualities are needed and desired in a new president. A search committee, yet to be appointed, will be made of up to seven trustees as well as representatives from the faculty, student body, business community and leaders of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the denomination most closely associated with governance of the ecumenical seminary.

No timetable has been identified for the search committee, except for Board President David Herzog’s stated desire for the new president to begin service in July, 2011.

“It has been a wonderful privilege to serve this community and I look forward to continuing my presidency through next year as well as serving in the role of President Emeritus,” said Wheeler. “ I want to thank the Board for the respect they have shown for my years of service by the way they have worked with me to develop a way to meet the institution’s needs. Most of all, I want to thank this community for the love, support and encouragement you have extended.”

CTS is a fully accredited ecumenical seminary and is affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). It offers eight graduate-level degree programs, including theology, ministry and counseling, with specializations in ministries that emphasize the arts and programs for life-long learning. More than 25 denominations are represented among faculty and students.

13. SENATE UNANIMOUSLY PASSES COCAINE SENTENCING LEGISLATION:

WASHINGTON - The Senate this evening voted by unanimous consent to pass a bill that would make crucial changes to current cocaine sentencing laws. The bill, the Fair Sentencing Act, was originally introduced by Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL) to eliminate the discriminatory 100-1 disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentencing under federal law. During the bill's markup last week, however, a compromise was reached with Republican Judiciary Committee members that reduce the disparity to an 18-1 ratio. A bill addressing the disparity in the House, the Fairness in Cocaine Sentencing Act, was passed by the House Judiciary Committee last year and currently awaits a vote by the full chamber.

More than two decades ago, based on assumptions about crack which are now known to be false, heightened penalties for crack cocaine offenses were adopted. Sentences for crack are currently equivalent to the sentences for 100 times the amount of powder cocaine, and the impact falls disproportionately on African Americans. In recent years, a consensus has formed across the political and ideological spectrum on the crack and powder cocaine sentencing disparity issue with both Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama urging reform.

The American Civil Liberties Union believes the Fair Sentencing Act is a step toward a fairer system but falls short of adequately fixing the existing unjust sentencing gap.

The following can be attributed to Laura W. Murphy, Director of the ACLU Washington Legislative Office:

"The Fair Sentencing Act is an encouraging step toward eliminating the sentencing disparity between crack and powder cocaine but still allows for a needlessly unfair sentencing framework. The unanimous passage of this bill speaks to the understanding across the political spectrum that this disparity is unjust and in need of reform. Years of research have yielded no evidence of any appreciable difference between crack and powder cocaine and yet we continue to inflict this disparity on Americans.

"For over two decades, this sentencing disparity has been a stain on our justice system. Though this bill's passage is long overdue, it does not go far enough. Without a simple and fair 1-1 sentencing ratio for crack and powder cocaine, we cannot say that these sentencing laws meet constitutional muster."

Contact: Mandy Simon, (202) 675-2312 or media@dcaclu.org

14. THE 20TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT 2010 ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE:

The Right Rev. Julius H. McAllister, Sr., Presiding Prelate
Mrs. Joan McAllister, Episcopal Supervisor

MALAWI NORTH
July 27, 2010
Women’s Missionary Society Annual Convention
July 28 - 31, 2010
Ikama AMEC, Host Church
Buyonde
Kyera, Tanzania
The Rev. Dauden Mwaipinga, Host Pastor
The Rev. Wilson M. Ngulube, Host Presiding Elder

MALAWI CENTRAL
August 3, 2010
Women’s Missionary Society Annual Convention
August 4 – 8, 2010
Mdabwi AMEC, Host Church
Kasungu, Malawi
The Rev. Manuel M. Chamamba, Host Pastor & Presiding Elder

MALAWI SOUTH
August 10, 2010
Women’s Missionary Society Annual Convention
August 11 – 15, 2010
Thomas Chapel AMEC, Host Church
Salima, Malawi
The Rev. Davison Moyo, Host Pastor
The Rev. Vorster Nkhoma, Presiding Elder

Rest Week August 16 – 22, 2010

SOUTHWEST ZIMBABWE
August 24, 2010
Women’s Missionary Society Annual Convention
August 25 – 29, 2010
Ball Tabernacle AMEC, Host Church
Nketa Drive Mpopoma
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
The Rev. Phillip S. Gava, Host Pastor & Presiding Elder

CENTRAL ZIMBABWE
August 31, 2010
Women’s Missionary Society Annual Convention
September 1 – 5, 2010
Gow Temple AMEC, Host Church
Mucheke A Mabyira 5
Masvingo, Zimbabwe
The Rev. Piet Muparuri, Host Pastor & Presiding Elder

NORTHEAST ZIMBABWE
September 7, 2010
Women’s Missionary Society Annual Convention
September 8 – 12, 2010
Phillip Life Centre AMEC, Host Church
New Marlbrough
Harare, Zimbabwe
The Rev. Israel Chimuse, Host Pastor
The Rev. Dereck Mapanga, Host Presiding Elder

15. NEWS AROUND THE AME CHURCH:

- Bishop McKenzie is preaching at Young's Chapel in Louisville, Kentucky on Monday, March 29 at 7:00 p.m.

- New pastoral appointments in West Tennessee:

The Rev Darrell Scott appointed to Wilson Chapel AMEC, Memphis, Tennessee
The Rev. David Yancey appointed to New Lewis Chapel AMEC, Lexington, Tennessee

Submitted by the Rev. I. W. Booker

16. SIMPLE SERMONS SAVE SOULS:

*The Rev. N.T. Pitts

The acquisition of knowledge is a wonderful thing. It is good to acquire all the education and knowledge that is available, but it is not how much education and knowledge you acquire, but what you do with it, is essential.

It is good to know Latin and Greek and to know the derivatives of words and terms. It is a good thing to have exegetical and hermeneutical skills.

You may be capable of remembering and reciting scriptures and you may be historically astute when it comes to biblical history, but when it comes down to it; clear, simple and straightforward sermons save Souls.

We must keep in mind that the Bible cannot be improved upon and it needs no defending; the Bible does not contradict itself.

Of all of the names that have been attributed to God, God said, “I am,” and so, we must preach, “God is!” It is as simple as that!
We often proclaim that God is omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient; all we are saying is that God is all-powerful, God is everywhere and God is all-knowing; it is as simple as that! That cannot be improved upon, no matter what language / tongue you may speak.

John 3:16 cannot be put any plainer, no matter how astute you may be; “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” It is as simple as that; that verse saves souls. Anyone could understand that regardless of his or her academic level.

Preachers must not squander their time trying to impress their listeners in an attempt to show they have acquired a little theological knowledge by using theological terms and big words. If your sermon is simple it will reach those from Kindergarten through Ph.D.

We must preach Jesus and Him crucified. The Bible does not mandate us to do anything that is impossible or impractical.

“Love your enemies; bless them that curse you, Do good to them that hate you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you.”

The Ten Commandments that God gave to Moses are plain and simple and surely no interpreter is needed. You don’t have to be a Rhodes Scholar to understand that; it is the straightforward sermons that saves souls.

When Philip saw an Ethiopian sitting in his chariot reading the passage from Isaiah, the Spirit directed him to go closer to the chariot. Philip asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The Ethiopian responded, “How can I except some man guide me?” Philip, keeping it simple, clearly explained the passage and. And the man did not hesitate but requested to be baptized right then and there all because Philip provided the Ethiopian with a straightforward message from God.

Jesus made it simple for the Disciples to remember Him and His sacrifice. He simply took bread and wine and gave to them and said, “Do this in remembrance of me”; it was as simple as that.

One of the most effective sermons I have ever heard was ‘God is.” When the preacher finished the sermon and with his style of celebrating - the message was clear and plain about the “Is-ness” of God.

*The Rev. N.T. Pitts, author, teacher, counselor, humorist, is a retired pastor who lives in Eatonville, Florida.

17. CLERGY FAMILY CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS:

- Dr. Monica L. Dillihunt received Tenure with promotion on March 9, 2009, at The University of Alabama Huntsville. Dr. Monica is the daughter of Mrs. Gwen Dillihunt, member of the General Conference Commission of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the cousin of Dr. Clement W. Fugh, Chief Information Officer, African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Monica L. Dillihunt is a graduate of Howard University, where she received her degree in Educational Psychology and a subspecialty in Educational Leadership and Administration in 2003. She also received her B.S. in Psychology from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and a M. Ed in Education from Mercer University in Atlanta. Dr. Dillihunt has broad areas of research interests that include culture, multiple intelligences, differentiating instruction, learning and socialization processes, motivation and classroom management, and minority student achievement. Dr. Dillihunt's current work focuses on measuring the degree of alignment between home and school cultures of minority student populations and understanding its link to academic motivation and performance. Dr. Dillihunt's professional memberships include American Educational Research Association (AERA), National Staff Development Council (NSDC), American Psychological Association (APA), and National Association of Black School Educators (NABSE).

Congratulatory responses can be emailed to:

Dr. Monica Dillihunt: dillihm@uah.edu
Mrs. Gwen Dillihunt: Gdillihu@aol.com

- Piccola Ann Bright-Washington was recognized by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated at their twenty-second Annual Finer Womanhood Observance Banquet held on March 6, 2010 at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. She was honored for Dedicated Service in Education. Piccola recently retired from teaching after 36 years in public education. She is a member of the Arkansas Education Association, the Jefferson County Retired Teachers Association and she has served as a Board member of the Arkansas Education Association.

Piccola Ann Bright-Washington is the spouse of the Rev. W. T. Washington, who retired after 53 years of ministerial service in the 12th Episcopal District. The Rev. and Mrs. Washington have been married for 45 years. They have two children and six grandchildren. Piccola has served as Conference Branch President of the Central Arkansas Conference and as the president of the 12th Episcopal District M-SWAWO. She currently serves as the Treasurer of the ENE Conference Lay Organization.

Congratulatory responses can be emailed to: washingtor@sbcglobal.net

- Brother Carl Jackson and the Reverend Karen Jackson, pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church in Monticello, Arkansas, will celebrate their 25TH wedding anniversary on March 26, 2010. Brother Carl Jackson and the Reverend Karen Jackson are the proud parents of two children, Je'Taime and Jordan.

Congratulatory responses can be emailed to: revkarenjackson@yahoo.com

- Mary Watson Hawkins has been named the 2010 Special Area Teacher of the Year for her work as a speech and language pathologist in the Kenosha, Wisconsin Unified School District. This is the highest honor awarded to any staff member in the district. In 1991 Mary also received the Distinguished Service Award for her district. It is very unusual for any one person to receive both of these honors! The award was presented at the Recognition Banquet on Monday, March 15, 2010, at the University of Wisconsin - Parkside. Mary is the wife of the Rev. Jesse Hawkins, Jr., pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church in Aurora, Illinois, and they have one son, David.

Congratulatory responses can be emailed to: mhawkins@kusd.edu

18. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Sister Madeline Spann Freeman. Sister Freeman was the wife of the Rev. Ronald Freeman, the pastor of the New Zion Hill AME Church in Thomson, Georgia. New Zion Hill AME Church is situated in the Sixth Episcopal District, on the Augusta-Athens P. E. District.

Sister Freeman passed on Saturday, March 20, 2010, in the South Fulton Hospital in Atlanta Georgia, following an extended illness. She is survived by, her husband, the Rev. Ronald Freeman, Sr.; 4 children: Ronald Jr., Angelita, Chandra, and Demitrius Freeman; her mother, Sister Lillianan Spann, and four brothers. Her father, Mr. Charles Anthony Spann, Sr. and two (2) brothers preceded her in death.

Service Arrangements for Sister Madeline Spann Freeman:

Funeral Services:

Saturday, March 27, 2010
11:00 a.m.
St. Paul AME Church
1540 Pryor Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30315
Dr. Thomas Bess, Pastor
Phone: 404-622-9711

Condolences may be sent to:

The Rev. Ronald Freeman
3557 Windemere Drive
Hephzibah, Georgia 30815
Phone: 706-267-3007

The funeral services are entrusted to:
Murray Brother Funeral Home
1199 Utoy Spring Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30331
Phone: 404-349-3000
Fax: 404-349-5001


19. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We are saddened to share news of the passing of Sister Dorothy Haslerig on Saturday, March 20, 2010.

Sister Dorothy Haslerig is the mother of Sister Delores Hodges, First Lady of Allen AME Church, Baltimore, Maryland, and the mother-in-law of the Rev. Robert L. Hodges, Sr., Pastor, Allen AME Church, Baltimore, Maryland - 2nd Episcopal District.

Service arrangements for Dorothy Haslerig:

Wake:

Thursday, March 25, 2010
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
John P. Franklin Funeral Home
1101 Dodds Avenue
Chattanooga, Tennessee 37404
(423) 622-9995


Homegoing Service
Friday, March 26, 2010
11:00 a.m.
Bethel AME Church
2000 Walker Avenue
Chattanooga, Tennessee
(423) 622-1261

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Sister Delores Hodges & Family
1457 S HWY 341
Chickamauga, Tennessee 30707
(706) 375-6227

20. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Glenn D. Sampson, who was the son-in-law of Presiding Elder Herbert L. Eddy and the Rev. Amelia Eddy of the New England Conference.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

Mrs. Leslie Eddy-Sampson or Rev. & Mrs. Herbert L. Eddy
1587 Bay Street
Springfield, MA 01109


21. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mrs. Eunice Ford, the aunt of the Rev. Dietra C. Bell, pastor at Bethel Tabernacle A.M.E. Church (New York Conference, Brooklyn/West Chester District).

The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to:

Greenidge Funeral Home
301 Absecon Boulevard
Atlantic City, NJ 08401

The Rev. Dietra C. Bell
90 Schenectady Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11213
Email: REVDVB123@aol.com

22. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Godfrey Story, the brother of the Rev. Larry L. Story, pastor of Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church, Columbus, Mississippi. Godfrey Story, a life-long member of New Bethel A.M.E. Church in Jacksonville, Florida, passed on Monday, March 15, 2010.

The funeral has been held.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be sent to:
Rev. Larry L. Story and family
827 6th St. South
Columbus, Mississippi 39701
Phone: (662) 327-8573

Condolences may also be emailed to: LLANDLSTORY@yahoo.com

23. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Celebration of a Leader, Laborer and Legend: Homegoing Services for Brother Thomas Edward "Peter" Greene, First Vice President, Connectional Lay Organization.

The funeral has been held.


24. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to announce the passing of Mr. Charles Pringle, Jr., son of Mr. Charles and the Rev. Georgeann T. Pringle, pastor of Saint James AMEC in the Marion District of the Northeast South Carolina Conference. Mr. Pringle died Friday, March 12, 2010.

The following information has been provided regarding funeral

The funeral has been held.

Expressions of Sympathy and Condolences may be sent to:
Mr. Charles and Rev. Georgeann T. Pringle
123 Violet Lane
Ridgeville, SC 29472

Phone: (843) 688-4072
Fax: (843) 688-4766
Email: gapringle@homesc.com


25. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

We regret to share news of the passing of Mrs. Dorothy Hicks, mother of the Reverend James (Naomi) Thomas, pastor of Bethel AME Church, Little Rock, Arkansas.

The funeral has been held.

Condolences may be sent to:

The Thomas Family
Post Office Box 911
Mabelvale, Arkansas 72013

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

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

Ora L. Easley, Administrator
AMEC Clergy Family Information Center
E-mail: Amespouses1@bellsouth.net
Web page: http://www.amecfic.org/
Phone: (615) 837-9736 (H)
Phone: (615) 833-6936 (O)
Cell: (615) 403-7751

BLOG: http://ameccfic.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AMEC_CFIC

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-AME-Church-Clergy-Family-Information-Center/167202414220

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.