THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/31/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor


1. THE SEVENTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH 2005 - 2006 SCHEDULE OF ANNUAL CONFERENCES AND OTHER EPISCOPAL DISTRICT MEETINGS:

Theme: “Empowered To Serve”

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION CONGRESS
April 24-28, 2005
Northern Technical College
The Rev. Ida Simukwai, Host Pastor
The Rev. L. Chola, Host Presiding Elder

NORTH EAST ZAMBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
August 4-7, 2005
Bonner Chapel AME Church - Mbala
The Rev. C. Silupya, Host Pastor
The Rev. C Silupya, Host Presiding Elder

NORTH WEST ZAMBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
August 11-14, 2005
Nchelenge AME Church - Nchelenge
The Rev. P. Mwila, Host Pastor
The Rev. J. M. Chiwele, Host Presiding Elder

SOUTH EAST ZAMBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
August 25-28, 2005
Bethel AME Church - Chipata
The Rev. C. Saizamba, Host Pastor
The Rev. LD Zulu, Host Presiding Elder


ZAMBEZI ANNUAL CONFERENCE
September 8-11, 2005
Allen Temple AME Church - Solwezi
The Rev. D. Sakwai, Host Pastor
The Rev. D. Kapepa, Host Presiding Elder

SOUTH WEST ZAMBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
September 15-18, 2005
Bright Chapel AME Church - Kitwe,
The Rev. A. Mulapwa, Host Pastor
The Rev. HC Alimasi, Host Presiding Elder

DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING
December 15-17, 2005
Quinn Chapel
The Rev. W. Walima, Host Pastor
The Rev. M.P.P. Mwenya Host Presiding Elder

KINSHASA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
February 20-23, 2006
Les saints de Dieu AME Church
The Rev. Caleb Ilunga, Host Pastor
The Rev. Andre Mputu: Host Presiding Elder

CONGO BRAZZAVILLE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
February 24-26, 2006
Katubwe AME Church
The Rev. M. Kande: Host Pastor
The Rev. B. N. Floribert: Host Presiding Elder

TSHIKAPA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
February 28-2, March 2006
Berrees AME Church
The Rev. M. Gamaliel, Host Pastor
The Rev. H. Mudipanu, Host Presiding Elder

KANANGA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
March 4-6, 2206
Christ Notre Paix
The Rev. DM. Kasonga Host Pastor
The Rev. G. Muana Host Presiding Elder

MBUJI-MAYI ANNUAL CONFERENCE
March 9-11, 2006
Source Du Saut, Host AME Church
The Rev. K. Sombolayi, Host Pastor
The Rev. O Lutumba, Host Presiding Elder

KATANGA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
March 13-15, 2006
Sinai AME Church
The Rev. M. Waseya, Host Pastor
The Rev. T. Kafand, Host Presiding Elder

RURUNDI ANNUAL CONFERENCE
March 23-25, 2006
Bujumbura AME Church
The Rev. Charlotte Nindorera, Host Pastor; the Rev. Marc Nzikobari,
Host presiding Elder

RWANDA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
March 27-29, 2006
Caramel AME Church
The Rev. M. J. De Dieu, Host Pastor
The Rev. F. Uwamahoro, Host Presiding Elder

2. UPDATED SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FATHER OF DR. PAM DEVEAUX:

A memorial service will be held for Mr. Jesse Morris, 98 year old father of Dr. Pam DeVeaux, and father-in-law of Bishop William P. DeVeaux, on Friday, April 1, 2005, at 11 a.m. at:

People's Independent Church of Christ
5856 West Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90043
(323) 296-5776 Phone
(323) 296-3371

Fax Flowers may be sent to the church for the service. Donations will be given to Mr. Morris' church.

Condolences may be sent to:
People's Independent Church of Christ
5856 West Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90043
(323) 296-5776 Phone
(323) 296-3371 Fax

Pastor William A. Naylor

or expressions may be sent to:
Bishop William P. & Dr. Pam DeVeaux
402 Oak Brook Ct.
Smyrna, GA 30082

or to:

6th Episcopal District AME Church
2900 Chamblee-Tucker Road
Building 3
Atlanta, GA 30341-4156

770-220-1770 - Phone
770-220-9996 – FAX

3. THE HOMEGOING SERVICE FOR THE NIECE OF THE REVEREND KEITH OGDEN WILL BE ON MONDAY @ 11:00 AM:

The cause of death was a misdiagnose blood clot in her foot!

First Baptist Church of Mandarin
3990 Loretto Rd.
Jacksonville, FL 32223
ph: (904) 268-2422
fax: (904) 268-5321

Please be in prayer for my brother and sister-in-law, Alfred and Shirley Ogden, my niece (Taneita) passed away on last evening, she was 31.

Alfred and Shiley Ogden
8768 Falcon Trace Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32222

Keith A. Ogden, Pastor
135 Hill Street
Asheville, NC 28801

(828) 254-4646 Office
(828) 350-8025 Direct Line
(828) 242-8357 Mobilehttp://www.hillstreetbaptistchurch.org/


4. MAINLINE PROTESTANT CHURCHES NO LONGER DOMINATE NCC YEARBOOK'S LIST OF TOP 25 U.S. RELIGIOUS BODIES:

March 30, New York -- Pentecostal and historic African American churches are increasingly visible on the U.S. religious landscape and mainline Protestants no longer dominate a list of the 25 largest American churches, reports the National Council of Churches' 2005 "Yearbook of American & Canadian Churches."

Three of the largest 25 churches in the U.S. are Pentecostal and six are African American, the yearbook reports.

The list includes the rapidly growing Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Greek Orthodox Church, the Orthodox Church in America, Jehovah's Witnesses, and -largest of all - the Roman Catholic Church.

"The Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches" is edited by the Rev. Dr. Eileen W. Lindner, NCC Deputy General Secretary for Research and Planning, and published by Abingdon Press, Nashville, Tenn.

Included in the $50 cost of the print edition is a year's subscription to the "Yearbook Online," featuring regularly updated searchable data, accessible from any computer with Web access.

Now in its 73rd year of publication, the "2005 Yearbook" may be ordered online at http://www.blogger.com/www.electronicchurch.org. The yearbook also may be ordered through local bookstores or from Cokesbury, which is offering a 10 percent discount.

The Catholic Church remains the largest faith group in the U.S. with 67,259,768 members and a growth rate last year of 1.28 percent. The second largest denomination in the U.S. is still the Southern Baptist Convention with 16,439,603 members and a growth rate of 1.18 percent. The United Methodist Church is third largest with a reported membership of 8,251,175 and a growth rate of .002 percent.

The Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints, with a reported membership of 5,503,192, rose from the fifth to the fourth largest church in the U.S. The yearbook noted that the church "continues to grow remarkably" at a rate of 1.71 percent last year.

A reported surge in membership of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) has placed the communion on the list of the largest American churches. The Syosset, N.Y., based church grew 11.11 percent to 1-million members, according to the yearbook.

Other churches in the top 25 that continued to grow in 2004 are the Assemblies of God, 2,729,562 members and a growth rate of 1.57 percent; the Episcopal Church, 2,320,221 members and a growth rate of .57 percent; the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 1,432,795 members and a growth rate of .14 percent; and Jehovah's Witnesses, 1,041,030 members and a growth rate of 1.82 percent.

Churches that declined in membership in 2004 are the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 4,984,925 members, down 1.05 percent; the Presbyterian Church (USA), 3,241,309 members, down 4.87 percent; The Lutheran Church (Missouri Synod), 2,488,936 members, down .95 percent); American Baptist Churches in the USA, 1,433,075 members, down 3.45 percent; and the United Church of Christ, 1,296,652 members, down 2.58 percent.

The data is gathered by the churches in 2003 and reported to the yearbook in 2004.

The 2005 Yearbook reports on 217 national church bodies with 150 million members in the U.S. Reports include brief church histories and contact information for church leaders. The yearbook also analyzes the financial data from 63 churches representing almost 50 million members and more than $32 billion.

Mission Trends

Until 1968, the yearbook published statistical data of American home and foreign missionaries. That information has not been reported for 36 years, and editor Lindner decided to take a look at how mission has been faring.

In an article, "Whither Global Mission?" Lindner reported that mainline Protestants have increased their mission activity for the first time in a quarter century. That, combined with the still vigorous mission impulses of evangelical and Pentecostal churches, shows that American Christians are "attempting great things" in mission, Lindner said.

Mainline church agencies reported an increase of 600 missionaries over the number reported in 1966, Lindner noted, citing a January 2005 article in the International Bulletin of Missionary Research.

Agencies affiliated with the Interdenominational Foreign Mission Association gained about 1,400 missionaries since 1966, and agencies affiliated with the Evangelical Fellowship of Mission Agencies gained about 8,000 missionaries in the same period, the article said.

Of the estimated 6,453,628,000 persons on earth in mid-2005, about 33.1 percent consider themselves Christians. The percentage is expected to rise to 33.6 percent in 2025.

In mid-2005, most of the world's Christians - 1,118,992,000 - are Roman Catholics. Independents account for the next largest group of Christians (426,672,000), followed by Protestants (375,814,000), Orthodox (219,501,000), Anglicans (79,710,000) and "marginal Christians" (34,150,000).

Editor’s note: "The Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches" is a must resource for pastors’ library.

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/30/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor

1. THE REVEREND WILLIAM F. SCRUGGS GIVEN THE LEGEND AWARD BY THE WILLIAMSON COUNTY-FRANKLIN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE:

The Reverend William F. Scruggs, retired Presiding Elder of the South Nashville District of the Thirteenth Episcopal District, was honored last night at a gala event attended by 500 persons. The event was held at the Marriott Hotel in Cool Springs, Tennessee. Reverend Scruggs was completely surprised by the award. The Chamber of Commerce made sure that he was going to be there by scheduling him to do the invocation. He and Mrs. Scruggs had no idea that he was going to be honored. The following was the award citation:

“The Reverend William F. Scruggs attended Franklin City Schools, Tennessee State University, Indiana University School of Religion, the Nashville School of law and Pearl Vocational School of Business.

In 1940, this man married Jessie Marie Patton. That same year he helped build the Tuskegee Army Flying School that produced the famous Tuskegee Airmen. A year later he was in the service of the United States Army, seeing duty in England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany.

With World War II behind him, he launched a tireless devotion and dedication to the AME Churches, including Franklin’s Limestone Primitive Church and those he built in Nashville, Columbia, Murfreesboro, Waverly and Erin.

His life has been one of finding timed to address needs. In the effort to make classrooms open to children of all colors, he chaired the Civil Rights Committee for desegregation of schools in Franklin, and he helped promote the building of subdivisions for blacks in Franklin and Columbia. He was among the many who marched with Dr. Martin Luther King in Memphis.

This man’s strong character and sense of right and wrong have not gone without notice. In 1981, the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity named him Citizen of the Year, Business Minority Recognition Day honored him in 1995, and there was acclaim from the Jefferson Street United Merchants Partnership in 2003. He has been recognized by the Limestone Primitive Church, and a street in Rolling Meadows subdivision here in Franklin bears his name.

In 2004, he retired as AME Presiding Elder; however, he has continued to be an active person, and his concern for community, pride of country and service to God continue, along with his deep respect for family.

The Chamber has been honored by this man’s service on its board of directors and commends him for his contributions.

It is a pleasure to recognize the Reverend William F. Scruggs with this presentation of the “Legend Award.”

His wife Jessie and daughter Wilma are with him here tonight.”

Editor’s note: On behalf of the Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, Chair, Commission on Publications, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher, congratulations to the Reverend William F. Scruggs, retired Presiding Elder of the South Nashville District of the Thirteenth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

2. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

Dr. Sydnor:

I received my Christian Recorder this week. I need to impress upon you the importance of correcting the Judicial Council information. I am the President of this body. I am the voice of the Judicial Council. The Secretary is Rev. Franklin Breckenridge. All petitions are sent to him. Rev. Granville Reed, III is the Assistant Secretary. He also receives petitions on behalf of the Council. The manner in which you continue to list us is extremely misleading. Once again, I propose we be properly listed as follows:

Atty Patricia Mayberry-President
Atty Priscilla Green-Vice President
Rev. Franklin Breckenridge-Secretary
Rev. Granville Reed, III-Asst Secretary
Dr. J. B. Flowers-Treasurer
Rev. Leeomia Kelly-Chaplain
Atty Rosemarie Rhodes-Miller-Member
Atty Benjamin Edwards-Member
Rev. Vonciel Jones Hill-Member

Editor’s Comment: Your letter will help us to make the corrections.

- Dr. Sydnor, I have to let you know that your remarks on the Itinerancy were inspirational to say the very least. The challenge of leaving our comfort zones and going where we are sent takes a lot of faith. As one who feels the call to pastor, I needed that lift. Thank you for your words and your testimony. Also, thank you for the way in which you responded to the good bishop. Keep up the good work!

Blessings,

The Reverend Donald Garner

- Dear Editor Sydnor,

I commend you for taking the Christian approach to the Grace Ministries situation that has saddened my Zest to reach out to help others. This past week has transported tremendous light on the area of participation in ecumenical ministry.

I pray that The AME bishops, episcopal supervisors, general officers, presiding elders, elders, deacons, and the church-at-large realizes no AME elder in good standing and of high integrity of being children of the King as well as members of our Connectional church, would bring harm to our Church or themselves knowingly in any form or fashion.

As we transcend into broadening our horizons let us create larger channels of combinations to aid one another from stepping into questionable areas of ministry.

May God bless you in your great efforts to continue to create a positive avenue for us to communicate across the globe of Christian Brothers and Sister and African Methodism.

Sincerely,

TRS Concepts in Ministry
The Reverend Dr. Tonya R. Spellmon, D. Min

3. THE GLOBAL CORNER - A MESSAGE OF THANKS FROM THE REV. ROYD MWANDU, CHINGOLA, ZAMBIA, AFRICA:

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor

Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Allow me to disclose my sincere appreciation to the whole connectional AME Church for the kind generosity of Professor Bill Dickens, The Clergy and membership of Bethel AME Church in Tallahassee, Florida. Having made a public request on the online AME Today to USA based AME Churches to consider sending their second hand literature and material, Professor Bill Dickens responded by saying “consider it done.” He single handedly took it upon himself to mobilize material and never rested until he saw to it that my church was assisted. I am glad to inform you all that, yesterday, Tuesday, March 29, 2005, I had the honor of receiving a package by FEDEX weighing 25 lbs containing the following brand- new items for St Thomas AME Church:

- The Improved Adult Teacher Church School, Spring Quarter 2004. March, April May – Qty 20
- Junior Church School Quarterly, Spring Quarter 2004. March, April May – Qty 20
- Senior Church School Quarterly, Spring Quarter 2004. March, April May – Qty 20
- Sunday Church School T-Shirts – Qty 23

The T-Shirts will be given distributed to the St. Thomas AME Church School members to be used during the 2005 Annual Convention to be hosted by Quinn Chapel AME Church. I have forthwith decided to share by distributing the Sunday School booklets with all churches in my Presiding Elder’s District known as “Copper belt West.” This will be officially done at the seat of the forth coming District Conference to be held from April 14-16, 2005 to be hosted by Holy Temple AME Church, in Chingola Zambia. This will be the first time the whole PE district will use indigenous AME Church material for learning and teaching in Sunday Church School. My Presiding Elder, the Rev. M P P. Mwenya as well as my Bishop is the Rt. Rev Paul J M Kawimbe have been informed about this development and are excited about the whole plan. Apart from St Thomas AME Church, the following churches will benefit from this precious gift pack from Bethel AME Church in Tallahassee, Florida.

1) St Thomas AE Church – Rev. Royd Mwandu (Distributing)
2) Allen Temple AME Church – Rev. J Mwenyo
3) St Paul AME Church – Rev. Mwewa
4) Jordan AME Church – Rev. Kombe
5) Luansobe AME Church – Rev. Kombe
6) Chambishi AME Church – Rev. C Ilunga
7) Brookins AME Church – Rev. Amigo Mwansa
8) Quinn Chapel AME Church – Rev. W Walima
9) Kabundi AME Church – Rev. E Mwansa
10) Noah Temple AME Church – Rev. Mwaba
11) Emmanuel AME Church – Rev. J Lengwe
12) Holy Temple AME Church – Rev. J Lengwe

On behalf of St Thomas AME Church, I am glad to welcome Bethel AME Church in Tallahassee, Florida for joining a list of friends of St Thomas AME Church in Chingola Zambia, Africa. Other Churches that have partnered with my Church are St. Paul Community A.M.E. the Rev. Denise Rogers is pastor, Bethel AME Church in Dallas Texas as well as Metropolitan AME Church in Austin Texas, The Rev N Jordan Mkwanazi, Senior Pastor. All our churches listed above are in dire need of effective partnership and adoption. Pastors do not have appropriate gowns and look like cluster of “rainbows” when meeting in conferences. Indeed, you can make a difference.

To Professor Bill Dickens and the Pastor of Bethel AME Church, Tallahassee Florida, the Presiding Elder and Bishop I say, may God continue to bless and keep you. We appreciate you for you true “Missionary Spirit.” I am appealing to more and more churches to sign up for operation Queen Esther spearheaded by Rev. Denise Rodgers. This is a sure way of adding value to all overseas districts and will promote Spirit of true “Connection” in the AME Church.

Kind regards

The Rev. Royd Mwandu
St Thomas AME Church
82-14th Street,
Nchanga South
P O Box 11125
Chingola
ZAMBIA, Africa

4. MID-YEAR CONVOCATION IN LOUISVILLE REVIVES 13TH DISTRICT:

Louisville, KY – The 13th Episcopal District held its Mid-Year Convocation March 17 -19 at Quinn Chapel AME Church in Louisville, Kentucky. Presiding Elder Linda Thomas-Martin and Rev. Dr. Pedro Basdin, pastor of Quinn Chapel, hosted the three-day event. They set the stage for an unforgettable convocation revival.

Presiding Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie arrived along with her husband, Supervisor of Missions, Stan McKenzie. She was bubbling with great anticipation to continue to promote her vision and agenda –“You’ve God to Believe,” and her convocation theme, “Revive Us, AGAIN!”
The bishop and the supervisor met with Louisville’s top city officials, Mayor Jerry E. Abramson and Police Chief Ron White. “We want to partner with those in leadership positions to make a difference in the communities where our churches are,” Bishop McKenzie says. Mayor Abramson presented her with a key to the city. However, Bishop McKenzie was just fulfilling scripture by accepting the key. She knows that God has given her the keys to the kingdom, and he opens doors that no man can shut.

A grand opening worship and communion service took place Thursday night. Dr. William Whatley, pastor of St. James AME Church in Newark, New Jersey, cracked a few jokes at the beginning of a two-night preaching revival, but was serious as a heart attack when he took his text from St. Matthew 5:14-16. He spoke from the depths of his soul from the subject “You Are the Light of the World.”

“I’m amazed at this one truth,” Dr. Whatley said with strong religious convictions. “God has a vision for our lives – a vision of light. God believes we can be light despite our hang-ups and idiosyncrasies.” On Friday night, he preached about “What it Means to be the Salt of the Earth.”

A Friday morning plenary was conducted by Hugh Marriott of Mt. Moriah AME Church in New York. He lead a discussion from the best-selling book, Good to Great by author Jim Collins, which focused on how to collectively move from being good churches, good pastors and good lay members- to great churches, great pastors and great lay members.

The Rev. Charlene Boone, pastor of Warren Chapel AME Church on Chattanooga, Tennessee preached a soul-stirring, evangelistic sermon entitled, “I Want Something Even with My Issues.” She took her stand and ran with the Word as fast as a horse in the Kentucky Derby.
Her text came from Mark 5:25, about the woman who had spend all of her resources to be free of her sufferings. “Issues are all around us,” Rev. Boone said. We all have issues. We seem to want to hide from folks when we know we have issues. She pointed out that there are issues in the church, issues with our children, our marriages – issues with gender, race, health, and even wealth. She even made referenced to high-profile people with issues, including pop star Michael Jackson, actor Robert Blake, NBA superstar Kobe Bryant, Little ‘Kim,’ President Bush and alleged murderer, Bryant Nichols.

Philanthropist Charlie and Bettye sponsored a luncheon at the elegant, membership Jefferson Club for Bishop McKenzie and her “Believe Board Members.” They dined on an exclusive entrée with all the trimmings. Prior to the luncheon, Bishop McKenzie conducted an interview with the editor from the metropolitan newspaper, The Courier-Journal. The next morning she graced the front page of the metro section, urging churches to assist and improve communities that are struggling economically.

Bishop McKenzie practices what she preaches. She led a Saturday morning march from Quinn Chapel with the men and young adults of the Nehemiah Nation to nearby Asbury Chapel AME Church. They painted and cleaned the church and made much needed improvements. In addition, a donation from sales of the Nehemiah Nation’s logo shirts and caps went to Asbury Church to help them financially.

Retired senior Bishop John Hurst Adams preached during the closing worship service at noon on Saturday. His sermon, “Tears Do Talk” included a lot of imagery and illustrations. “Tomorrow is Palm Sunday,” Bishop Hurst said with a loud voice that echoed throughout the sanctuary. “When Jesus approached Jerusalem he wept for it,” he said. “They brought a dumb man to Jesus and all he could do was to point to his mouth. He couldn’t talk. He couldn’t tell Jesus what he wanted.”

Bishop Adams explained that Jesus understood what he could not say. “Life is so heavy,” he added. “Burdens are so big. Language has no words to embrace your predicament and your tears speak. Maybe it was Louisville. Jesus observes what is going on and he cries.” He wrapped up his sermon on a high note for his listeners to be a faithful watchman and endure sufferings. “Sacrifice perhaps even the cross,” he concluded.

On Palm Sunday, Bishop Vashti McKenzie, made her triumphant entry into the pulpit of Quinn Chapel, similar to the way Jesus did with his triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The palms were scattered throughout the sanctuary. An anxious crowd of parishioners, including some of the bishop’s Delta Sigma Theta Sorors and Louisville’s Chief of Police, waited patiently for her entry. Her arrival was a few minutes late, but she was right on time with her message entitled, “It Doesn’t Make Sense, But It Works.”

She asked the question, “Are you living the life you expected you would be living five, ten, 20 or 30 years ago? She focused on her text from Isaiah 54: 2-3. “Sing, O barren woman,” she shouted. “The women were summons to sing. They sang when the grapes matured. They sang expressing grief and sorrow. Now God wants you to sing a new song.”

Bishop McKenzie preached parishioners out of their seats. “Why would God tell a barren woman to get ready to get pregnant?” She answered her own question, “Because she’s pregnant with possibilities. God has found out that you are ready for the greater blessing. God has been trying and testing you. You are about to burst loose.”

The preacher down in her spirit erupts. She twists and she turns. “Somebody ought to praise God up in here. Restoration is on the way. The season of lack and famine is over. You can sing a song of praise and victory.”

5. MINISTRIES IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MEETING, NASHVILLE, MUSIC CITY USA, WELCOMES YOU TO THE ANNUAL MINISTRIES IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TRAINING & PLANNING MEETING:

Theme: Nurturing Christians for 21st Century

The Rev. Marvin Zanders, Opening Worship Preacher
Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield, Teaching Moment Leader
The Rev. E. Ann Byfield, Closing Worship Preacher

Bishop Robert V. Webster, Chair, Commission on Christian Education
Dr. Daryl B. Ingram, Executive Director

Where: Marriott Airport Hotel, 600 Marriott Drive, Nashville, TN 37214
For room reservations call: 800.770.0555, or 615.889.9300
Rate: $105 per night for Single, Double, Triple
Cut off date: April 1, 2005
Parking: Complimentary
Airport Transportation: Complimentary to hotel
Registration: $125 before April 1, 2005; $150 after April 1, 2005

Christian Education Motto: Light, Freedom, Truth, Light to see the truth,Freedom to make it known.

Schedule (Subject to change)

Wednesday, April 20, 2005

3:00 – 7:00 PM Registration
7:00 PM Welcome Fellowship

Thursday, April 21, 2005

8:00 – 9:00 AM Registration
8:00 AM Newcomer
:00 AM Morning Devotions & Study
10:00 AM Plenary Session
11:00 AM Workshops A
12:00 HN Lunch
2:00 PM Plenary Session
3:00 PM Workshops B & C
5:00 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Opening Worship Service

Friday, April 22, 2005

8:00 AM Chat with the Director
9:00 AM Morning Devotions & Study
10:00 AM Teaching Moment
11:00 AM Workshops
12:00 HN Lunch
2:00 PM Plenary Session
3:00 PM Ministries Meetings & Workshops
5:00 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Plenary SessionSaturday, April 23, 2005
9:00 AM Ministries Meetings & Workshops
11:00 AM Ministries Report
12:00 HN Closing Worship Service

6. SERVICE ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE FATHER OF EPISCOPAL SUPERVISOR PAM DEVEAUX:

Date: 3/29/2005 10:29:06 PM Central Standard Time
From: jwill05@emory.edu To: Amespouses1@aol.com

A memorial service will be held for Mr. Jesse Morris, 98 year old father of Dr.Pam DeVeaux, and father-in-law of Bishop William P. DeVeaux, on Friday, April1, 2005, at 11 a.m. at:

People's Independent Church of Christ
5856 West Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
Flowers may be sent to the church for the service.

Donations will be given toMr. Morris' church.

Dr. "Pam" is with her sister, Ms Yvonne Simpson
601 Loyola Dr. Carson, CA 90746
310-719-9504 (phone)

7. DEATH NOTICE:

The Reverend Michael D. Washington, Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Huntington, NYannounces with regret the death of Mrs. Mamie Kay Spencer, mother of the Reverend Dr. William R. Spencer, Ministerial Assistant. An edition of "The Christian Recorder Online" included an article detailing Rev. Dr. Spencer's sermon regarding Bethel's "Health Awareness Sunday." The full article will appear in the next hardcopy edition of The Christian Recorder.
Condolences may be sent to:

The Rev. Dr. William R. Spencer
23 Ft. Salonga Road
Centerport, NY 11721-1603

Mrs. Spencer's death occurred quite suddenly on March 26th. As God would have it, Rev. Dr. Spencer had visited her just the week before to celebrate her 60th birthday. Please keep The Spencer Family in your prayers during this period of extraordinary bereavement.

8. FUNERAL NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Aleane White. She was the wife of the late, retired Rev. A. McNeil White, Presiding Elder in the Philadelphia Conference of the First Episcopal District. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.

Viewing - Saturday, April 2, 2005
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
St. Matthew AME Church
57th & Summer Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19139
The Rev. Ellis L. Washington, Pastor

Funeral - Saturday, April 2, 2005
Service - 10:00 a.m.
St. Matthew AME Church
Rev. George T. Sims, Officiating Minister

Condolences may be sent to:

Family of Mrs. Aleane White
c/o St. Matthew AME Church
57th & Summer Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19139
Burial - Ivy Hill Cemetery

Congleton Funeral Home, Funeral Director

Please remember the White family in your prayers during this time of their bereavement.

9. DEATH NOTICE:

Please be in prayer for my brother and sister-in-law, Alfred and Shirley Ogden, my niece (Taneita) passed away on last evening, she was 27, cause of death is unknown as of now...she lost her vitals while at the hospital. Arrangements are pending! Alfred and Shiley Ogden8768 Falcon Trace DriveJacksonville, FL 32222

Forwarded by the Reverend Keith A. Ogden
135 Hill Street
Asheville, NC 28801
(828) 254-4646 Office (828) 350-8025
Direct Line (828) 242-8357 Mobile
www.hillstreetbaptistchurch.org

9. ALL DEATH NOTICES AND FUNERAL INFORMATION IS RECEIVED FROM:

Ora L. EasleyEmail: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, TN Contact)
Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781
(Memphis, TN Contact)
(901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'SWEB SITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/http://www.connmswawo3.com/
CONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S June 2005 Events

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/29/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor

1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:

I received a negative letter from “Bishop” Robert L. McKenzie, which I wouldn’t even dignify by placing it in The Christian Recorder. I have forwarded the letter to all of the Bishops, whose email address I have, and to the General Officers. I am appending my response to the “good bishop.”

My response

Dear Bishop Robert L, McKenzie:

Thank you for your kind note. As far as I am concerned this matter with Grace Ministries International Fellowship and Grace Seminary is “laid to rest.” Praise God!

You have listed a number of negative things about the AME Church, but in the Spirit of Christ, I will not attempt to respond, in kind. Instead, I am responding in the Spirit of Christ and on behalf of the Church. We will “Turn the other cheek.” The Bible, quoting Jesus says, “Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you.” (Matt. 5:11, 12) I am rejoicing because of your letter and I praise God for your letter. Thank you for all of the negative statements you said about the AME Church and its leadership. I am rejoicing! I rejoice because, you said that you, “…almost died laughing” because of what one of our bishops said. I rejoice because you found some humor in his statement. I rejoice, in the Name of Christ, because of all of the negative things you have written about the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Please accept this note as our way of “turning the other cheek” to your negativity and venomous statements.

May God bless you and your ministry and may the love and peace of Christ be yours!



2. UPDATE OF MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE

The Morris Brown College Board of Trustees has selected Mr. James E. Young, President and CEO of Citizens Trust Bank of Atlanta, Georgia, as its Board Chairman on September 13, 2004. The board is comprised of representatives from the corporate world, alumni of the college and concerned persons from the Atlanta community. At the time of the vote, there were no ordained African Methodist clergy serving as members other than Bishop DeVeaux.

Under the new model, Bishop William P. DeVeaux, the presiding bishop of the Sixth Episcopal District will serve as Board Vice Chairman. He has agreed to support all programs of the Board as it seeks to restore and revitalize the college. The trustees believe that this governance program will provide greater access of the corporate community, enhance the strategic planning process, and increase funding.

The Trustees will depend on the consistent and faithful support of the entire constituency of the African Methodism as its primary building block for insuring the future of Morris Brown College.

3. THE GLOBAL CORNER: NEWS FROM THE 20TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:

Malawi North Annual Conference - August 3rd - 7th 2005
Host Church - Boma AME Church - Chitipa, Malawi
Host Pastor - The Rev. B. M. K. Siyeni
Host Presiding Elder - The Rev. W. M. Ngulube

Malawi south annual conference - august 10th - 14th 2005
Host Church - Nalikata AME Church - Mulanje, Malawi
Host Pastor - The Rev. S. Manyera
Host Presiding Elder - The Rev. Lewis Mwenye

Northeast Zimbabwe annual conference - august 17th - 21st 2005
Host Church - Sakubva AME Church - Mutare, Zimbabwe
Host Pastor - The Rev. Lovemore Machivenyika
Host presiding Elder - The Rev. O. T. S. Sanhanga

Southwest Zimbabwe Annual Conference - August 24th - 28th 2005
Host Church - Jordan Temple AME Church - Gwanda, Zimbabwe
Host Pastor – The Rev. Freeman Nhlazo
Host Presiding Elder - The Rev. John Makgatho

Central Zimbabwe Annual Conference - August 31st - September 4th 2005
Host Church - Mt. Zion AME Church- Gweru, Zimbabwe
Host Pastor - The Rev. David M. T. Muravu
Host Presiding Elder - The Rev. David M. T. Muravu

Malawi Central Annual Conference - October 5th - 9th 2005
Host Church - Mdabwi AME Church - Kasungu, Malawi
Host Pastor - The Rev. J. A. Kambanizite
Host presiding elder - The Rev. N. Chamamba

With kind regards,
Bishop W. J. Messiah

4. GOOD NEWS FOR THE UNINSURED SUBMITTED BY THE REVEREND DR. MIRIAM BURNETT:

Millions of people across the country and in our state have difficulty affording health care, including prescription medicines. They lack health insurance and simply do not have the money to pay for the medicines they need.

But there is good news

The Partnership for Prescription Assistance can help low-income, uninsured patients access the free or nearly free, brand-name medicines they need. The Partnership for Prescription Assistance brings together America’s pharmaceutical companies, doctors, patient advocacy organizations and civic groups. The African Methodist Episcopal Church Connectional Health Commission (AMEC CHC) is proud to be a part of this effort.

By calling 1-888 - 4PPA -NOW, patients can learn whether they may be eligible for one or more patient assistance programs. A trained specialist will ask a series of short questions and help identify the right patient assistance program for them. Patients can also visit the program’s interactive Web site, www.pparx.org, which will guide them through the application process.
The patient assistance programs available through the Partnership for Prescription Assistance offer prescription medicines to treat a broad range of illnesses and conditions, including, but not limited to, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, HIV/AIDS, depression, seizures, heart disease, arthritis, skin conditions, thyroid disease and high cholesterol.

Though each patient assistance program has its own eligibility criteria, the Partnership for Prescription Assistance encourages anyone who does not have prescription drug coverage and has trouble affording their medicines to call 1-888-4PPA-NOW or log on to www.pparx.org to see if they may qualify for one or more programs.

Helping the uninsured is a top priority for African Methodist Episcopal Church Connectional Health Commission, and we will continue to advocate for those in need. If you are interested in learning how you can help support the Partnership for Prescription Assistance, please contact Mrs. Gwen Williams, Executive Director (telephone: (504) 482-6053) or Rev. Dr. Miriam Burnett, Medical Director (email: mailto:mburnett@itc.edu). We are pleased to be a partner in the effort to bring free to those in need.


5. LETTER TO THE EDITOR

I thank you for bringing up the issue of Itinerancy. It is a topic that is worth discussing. I do not think one can discuss Itinerancy without discussing what it means to be called by God to be Pastor. For when God calls us he has a plan and it may mean moving.

I have had the pleasure of serving in the United Methodist and the A.M.E. church. As a United Methodist, I was taught we serve at the pleasure of God and the Bishop. In other words when the Bishop assigned you somewhere, even if you did not like it, you said "Thank you sir, for using me" then cried when you got home, if it was not an assignment you liked.

When I answered my call to serve God, I knew he wanted me to do a different type of ministry and I was excited! I never felt called to an urban church. And like you Dr. Sydnor, I was in a prize conference, the New York conference of the United Methodist Church in New York City.

While attending Princeton Seminary my last year, the Dean of placement called me and said he had the perfect position for me. As a United Methodist Campus minister in Bozeman, Montana!

I thought he was crazy. The position wanted someone with a social work degree which I had. That was 13 years ago I took the position and I am still in Montana. Now I am doing rural ministry in the A.M.E. church which I love. I am a church planter which is my heart's desire and I am now an Itinerant elder in the A.M.E. church. It has been an amazing journey. I still say I serve at the pleasure of God and the pleasure of Bishop Bryant. For being an Itinerant pastor is like being a fire fighter, we can not pick and choose which fires to put out; we must always be ready and go where we are needed.

Lastly, I am so proud to be A.M.E. for if I had not been in Montana, I would not be A.M.E. Though my work is small, it is important to God, Bishop Bryant. God needs some of us to venture from the safe and comfortable. For there are so many longing to hear his word. Dr. Sydnor, you have been such a wonderful mentor to me and so many others. I thank God for your wonderful work on the Christian Recorder.

The Rev. Denise Rogers,
St. Paul Community A.M.E. Church
www.forministry.com/59715spcac

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/28/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor

1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:

The Itinerancy in the African Methodist Church is not well…

In years past, the issue of the itinerancy was a part of any discussion about ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. I remember hearing the old folks talking about the itinerant ministry when I was growing up. Upon acknowledging my call to the ministry, among the first questions that I had to answer was whether I wanted itinerant or local orders. I was given the AME Discipline and told to study and to make sure that I made the decision about the itinerancy or local orders that was right for me. I was told that once I started on the track I selected, I could not change.

I started the journey of the itinerant ministry in the New Brunswick District of the New Jersey Annual Conference at Ebenezer AME Church in Rahway, New Jersey. I transferred to the Philadelphia Annual Conference and I recall Bishop John D. Bright constantly telling us, young ministers, if we wanted to pastor a church that we needed to be willing to leave the Philadelphia Annual Conference. He spoke that over and over again at each annual conference.

I was ordained an Itinerant Elder at Greater St. Matthews AME Church in Philadelphia and Bishop Frederick D. Jordan visited the Philadelphia Annual Conference. I remember going up to him at the end of one of the worship services and told him that I wanted to pastor a church and finish seminary. He asked me if I was willing to move to the Thirteenth Episcopal District and I responded that I was willing to move. He gave me a date and told me to meet him in Kentucky. My wife, Charlotte and our two children drove to Kentucky in our “Volkswagen bug” and met Bishop Jordan in the parsonage of Quinn Chapel AME Church, Lexington, Kentucky; and the rest is history. I pastored and completed my seminary education.

So where am I going with this? When I left the Philadelphia Annual Conference in 1966, there were folks who thought that my wife and I were crazy. One pastor told me, “You don’t trade the Philadelphia Annual Conference for the Kentucky Annual Conference; that’s going backwards.” It may have been a “backward move,” but it was the best “backward move” I ever made. I was like a young bird on its first flight. I took off, floundered a bit, and then began to fly with the Spirit of God beneath my wings. I was an itinerant.

What has happened to the itinerancy? Let me use the Second Episcopal District as an example. The applicants for ministry, especially the women, are pursuing their academic training with vigor. I believe that there are as many trained clergy in the Second Episcopal District as anywhere in the church. And, I suspect that the same demographic can be found in other Episcopal Districts.

So, we have trained clergy, but my casual observation tells me that a number of the trained clergy in the Second, and other Episcopal Districts, are not willing to trust the AME Church’s itinerant system. As a result we have highly trained Itinerant Elders who are willing to serve as assistant pastors and, in reality, are serving in a “local” relationship capacity. They do not want to risk losing their good jobs so they are satisfied with bi-vocational ministry. We have pastors who are more interested in setting up and nurturing a “nest egg” for retirement than risking and “giving up all to follow Jesus.”

The Itinerancy is a risk and it is not easy. It may be that some of our “best and brightest” are “bunched up” in large urban churches because they have gotten comfortable and acquired things and don’t want to risk losing their possessions. It might be that they are “waiting for their ship to come in,” in the district where they presently serve. It might be fear. And, it might be a lack of trust.

I can tell you from experience that the Itinerancy is a risk. When I arrived at Shorter Chapel AME Church in Paris, Kentucky in July 1966, it was a rude awakening. I was ready to go back to Bethel AME Church in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania and be an assistant pastor for the rest of my ministry. I was ready to acknowledge that the people, who told me that I was crazy for trading the Philadelphia Annual Conference for the Kentucky Annual Conference, were right.

As bad as I thought that it was, it didn’t take me long to find out that God’s Grace was sufficient and I was in God’s favor. The people at Shorter Chapel and later at St. James AME Church, Danville Kentucky provided me an opportunity for ministry and growth that has carried me from then to now. The move from Philadelphia to Kentucky was blessing for me and my family.

So what’s the bottom-line? The African Methodist Episcopal Church needs inspired, Holy Spirit-filled, trained ministers all over the AME Church. Trust the system and, if you are an itinerant, be an itinerant in the fullest sense. If you want to finish your education, speak with a bishop and convince him or her that you are willing to move. It’s a faith venture and God still makes a way! “It doesn’t make sense, but God works it!”

2. LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Dear Editor: Thanks for calling to our attention the fact that some A.M.E. ministers were listed in the category of "Bishop" by a “Bishop” Robert L McKenzie who also claimed to be president of a "Grace Seminary" in Lubbock TX. A pastor from the Eighth District was included on that list. I called it to her attention and she acted on it immediately and with great integrity. I also think it is interesting that as soon as I (and the other bishops who took action) began to inquire about the site, it came down. To my knowledge, no other names from the Eighth District appeared on the site.

Again thanks for your timely action.

Bishop Henning

Editor’s Comment: You AME Bishops and General Officers took expeditious action against this intrusion by the Grace Ministries International Fellowship. The website http://www.graceseminary.org/ is dismantled.

Again, thanks to the Reverend Dr. Joseph Darby who had the presence of mind and the courage to expose this proselytizing agenda of Grace Ministries International Fellowship.

3. DEATH NOTICE:

We are sorry to report that our Episcopal Supervisor, Dr. Pam DeVeaux, the wife of Bishop William P. DeVeaux, lost her father, Mr. Jesse Morris, on Sunday March 27, 2005. He was 98 years old.

Condolences may be sent to:

Ms. Yvonne Simpson
601 Loyola Dr.
Carson, California

Dr. Pam will be staying with her sister in California, Ms. Yvonne Simpson, whose telephone number is (310) 719-9504.

Joanne Williams-Cooper, SED 1st VP
Shirley Taylor, SED President

Please remember the family in your prayers.

God Bless!Ora L. Easley

Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Nashville, TN Contact: Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781

Memphis, TN Contact: (901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)

4. MEDICARE AND YOU: IMPORTANT 2005 DATES FOR YOU TO REMEMBER:

The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 has many changes to the Medicare Program. Important dates for persons with Medicare to remember prior to implementation of the Prescription Drug Program in January of 2006 are:

January 1, 2005 – the Medicare Prevention and Screening Services offers a “Welcome to Medicare” physical examination to new persons with MedicareCholesterol, cardiovascular, and diabetes screening as preventive services are also offered.

March 31, 2005 – Persons desiring the full $600 technical assistance for 2005 with Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card must apply no later than March 31, 2005 for credit. Those applying between April 1 and June 30, 2005 will be eligible for $450 technical assistance. Those applying July 1 – September 1, 2005 are eligible for $300 credit, and those applying October 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005 are eligible for only $150 technical assistance.

October 2005 – persons with Medicare will also be receiving their “Medicare & You” handbook in the mail. Persons with retiree health benefits should, watch for information from their former employer or union.

October 13, 2005 - persons with Medicare will be able to compare the benefits of the various Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.

November 2005 – Starting November 15, 2005, persons with Medicare may Enroll in the Medicare Drug Plan that fits their needs.

For more information visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov or call: 1-800 Medicare (1-800-633-4227).

Teresa Zayas
Health Insurance SpecialistCMS Atlanta (404) 562-7220

5. CONN-M-SWAWO + PK'S CLERGY FAMILY EVENTS, WYNDHAM ANATOLE HOTEL, DALLAS, TEXAS:

Sunday, June 26, 2005

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.: PK Forum
8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.: .Election of Officers for 2005-2009,

Monday, June 27, 2005

7:00 - 9:00 a.m.: Clergy Family Awards and Installation Breakfast

Mrs. Ora L. Easley, President, CONN-M-SWAWO + PK’S
Dr. John Q. Owens, Director of Social Action
Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Social Action Commission Chair

HOSTS:

Mrs. Verdene K. Austin, Episcopal M-SWAWO President
The Rev. Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram, Episcopal Supervisor
The Right Reverend Gregory G. M. Ingram, Presiding Bishop

6. UPDATE ON THE REVEREND DR. HENDERSON DAVIS, RETIRED GENERAL OFFICER (HISTORIOGRAPHER) OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH:

My father, the Reverend Dr. Henderson Davis, is a retired General Officer of the AME Church; he served as Historiographer from 1980 -1988. Prior to being elected a General Officer, he was a presiding elder and pastor mostly in the 4th district, but also pastored in the 3rd district and taught at Wilberforce University and was dean of the seminary at Allen University in the Seventh Episcopal District. He is 91 years old and had a pacemaker put in last month. After he got out of the hospital, he went to the rehabilitation center and was discharged this month.
He is home recuperating and I know there are many in the Church who still know and love him. I don't know how many more precious days he has left - hopefully many, many more! But I would like for him to “smell his flowers” while he is still here. I would like people to know that they can send him cards at his home in Indianapolis: Dr. Henderson Davis 3773 Manor Court Indianapolis, Indiana 46218 I think it would lift his spirits and be of comfort to him. I am his youngest daughter - and understand information and media as I have had a long career as V.P. at Johnson Publishing / EBONY/J ET and just recently started my own media, marketing and special events company. I've attached my info. Again, thank you for anything that you can do. God bless you!

Lydia Davis EadyPresident
Joy Communications
Cell:312-656-0305
mauilde@yahoo.com

Editor’s Comment: The letter above was sent to the Reverend Dr. Clement Fugh, General Secretary and CIO of the AME Church, who forwarded, and requested that it be published in The Christian Recorder. Let’s show Dr. Henderson Davis some AME love and inundate him with cards and best wishes. He was a superb Historiographer.

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/26/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor


1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:

- Update on Grace “Seminary” and Grace Ministries International Fellowship

The first letter appended below was sent to the Reverend Dr. Joe Darby and to pastors of AME Church by Robert l. McKenzie, “Presiding Bishop” of Grace Ministries International Fellowship. “Bishop" McKenzie invited AMEs to join his fellowship and to attend his seminary. The second letter appended below is the response that Dr. Darby sent to “Bishop” McKenzie and to the AMEs on “Bishop” McKenzie’s list. The third note was provided by Dr. Darby and the fourth response is from a pastor whose name appeared on the good “Bishop's’” website.

(1) Dear Pastors of the AME Church,

On yesterday, March 23, 2005, I sent out an invitation for pastors of the AME, CME and AME ZION to consider becoming a member of Grace Ministries International Fellowship. The intent of the letter was to create a fellowship of pastors and churches to assist each other in leadership and growth skills. Grace Ministries is not a subtle attempt to create a denomination but to give people an opportunity to do special ministry in special areas to create holistic growth in the local church.

In the course of me sending out invitations to pastors just to view what we are about an AME pastor by the name of Rev. Dr. Joe Darby, took issue with what we are doing and with malice branded our attempts at seminary education as “Academic Shortcuts.” Well first of all I have come to understand that what man does not understand man fears. We have taken three long years to develop the program and classes of Grace Valley Theological Seminary and for someone who knows nothing about what we doing in this manner acted immaturely and ignorantly, just to simply put it.

Dr. Darby has never taken a class and knows nothing about the program but if he wanted to know all he could have done was to either emailed me or called me and I would have been glad to discuss with him what we do. Another serious accusation that he made was that we are not accredited and that was not true as well. We went to great pains and toils to get accreditation and for him to say that reeked with slander and malice and he did not act with great responsibility. Now our accreditation may not be what the AME Church accepts and that is their option, but to slander our learning institution like this hurts me dearly.

Our goal in creating Grace Seminary was to assist pastors and ministers in obtaining a seminary education that was accessible and affordable. After being a graduate of Criswell College for Biblical Studies in Dallas, Perkins School of Theology on the campus of Southern Methodist University and Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, I clearly understood the high price of education. Dr. Darby never took one single course at Grace Seminary so therefore he does not know if we promote “Academic Shortcuts” or not. As a 41-year-old black man with 7 earned degrees I have fully come to understand the term, “Crab Mentality.” If this attempt and seminary education was about making money then I would have gone broke months ago. We have give scholarship after scholarship and allowed students to seek their education without worrying about cost. Once again, “That which you don’t understand, you attack and fear.”

Therefore I challenge Dr. Darby to send this letter to the AME Recorder in order to clear up the apparent misquotes that he has leveled at Grace Seminary. Also for the record, no one is now able to go to the seminary website and view what we have to offer and see for themselves is not available at this point. Mainly because those who you are the victims of a witch hunt to not be exposed as Bishops in our ministry and who were consecrated by us and who are AME pastors have conspired to steal and hold hostage our seminary website as to not be exposed. Once again “FEAR.”

So I challenge those who stole our hard work to put it back and let the record speak for itself. Grace Seminary is not an easy run but takes three years to complete a degree. In the beginning we made several mistakes in getting started, which gave the impression of a “Paper Mill”, but those issues have now been corrected and the seminary has become a vital and viable tool in theological education. Several Methodist have come through our system and will continue to come as we offer them a challenging education with amazing quality.

I plan to send this letter to the Bishops of the AME Church in order to demand an apology for the slander that was leveled at our seminary concerning our lack of accreditation. I also challenge Dr. Darby to offer an apology for his slander toward Grace Seminary and to offer an apology to the Administration and students as well. If we did not have accreditation that is one thing but to say we don’t is blatant disregard and irresponsibility. I will be having a meeting with our board to determine the legal ramifications of Dr. Darby’s statement and if need be prove that we have accreditation.

Grace and Peace,B
ishop Robert L. McKenzie,
Presiding BishopGrace Ministries International Fellowship
pastormckenzie@gsbclubbock.org

Dr. Joe Darby’s response to “Bishop” Robert L. McKenzie

(2) Good Morning, Dr. McKenzie. This is to acknowledge and respond to your pointed note that I just received. Let clarify what I said and did and why I said and did it. I am also forwarding your letter and my response to the Editor of the AME Christian Recorder.

I did receive and review the original note that you sent me, hold no malice toward you, and wish you well in your endeavors. I did bring your letter to the attention of some in the African Methodist Episcopal Church because of my concerns (1) as an ordained itinerant Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and (2) as a member of the Board of Examiners of my Annual Conference.

As an ordained Itinerant Elder, I vowed at ordination to accept the supervision of those in positions of authority in our Zion, which includes - by implication and practice - acceptance of the doctrines and polity set forth by our Zion, and to defend those doctrines and practices.

I would in no, way, shape or form challenges to your doctrines, beliefs or teachings, and would in fact defend your right to hold them. I do so as one who has chaired two interdenominational ministerial alliances and one interfaith and interracial clergy association, who served as vice president of our state's ecumenical organization, and who served as a member of the Center for Religion in the South. I served in those positions, however, as an ordained itinerant elder in the AME Church - respecting the beliefs of others but holding fast to, embracing, and - when necessary - defending the polity and Articles of Religion of the AME Church.

My concern, which I shared with others and stand by, is that while you have created a "fellowship" and not a "denomination," your fellowship does consecrate Bishops and does have creedal statements and articles of faith, as is the case with many denominations. My concern was, and is, that ordained clergy who have taken the aforementioned AME Church ordination vows may jeopardize their standing in the African Methodist Episcopal Church by either the open or implied acceptance of a second set of articles of faith, and by accepting consecration to an Episcopal office that has not been affirmed in the positive law of the AME Church.

As a member of my Conference Board of Examiners, I have a particular sensitivity to that. I do discuss and promote ecumenism when instructing candidates for admission to AME ministry. I also make it plain, however, that their admission to an AME Annual Conference means that they will embrace and defend the doctrines and polity of the AME Church and cannot be "a little bit AME." We have had problems with others whose intent is not as worthy or God inspired as yours - those who tell those "young" in ministry that when it comes to denomination and acceptance of polity, you can be more than one thing at the same time, and that is contrary to the teachings and practices of the AME Church.

I would, indeed, commend you if you have managed to bring the cost of professional theological down to a total investment of $1,500. Please be informed, however, that the Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, as set and approved by the General Conference of our church, says, "A candidate for ordination as itinerant elder must be a graduate of a Seminary accredited by the Association of Theological Schools or similar accrediting agencies." In practice, accepted "similar accrediting agencies" have been the regional associations of colleges and schools that have been approved by the U.S. Department of Education and listed at:

http://www.ed.gov/offices/OPE/accreditation/natlagencies.html and http://www.degree.net/guides/non-gaap_listings.html

I hope that you'll consider taking the necessary steps to see that your seminary's accrediting agency is so listed and endorsed. I realize and affirm that no agency can ultimately endorse what God has blessed, but the standard does protect prospective students from those whose motives are not as God inspired as yours and who have not taken the steps that you have taken to assure that your seminary is not a "paper mill."

The bottom-line, my brother in Christ and in ministry, is that I have not and did not intend to slander you. I have, however, done what is in line with my ordination vows - shared my concerns with others, and exercised my right to free speech. I wish you well in your Christian service and hope that you'll be blessed to press on. I'd also encourage you to do so without taking easy offense at questions, but in the spirit of what Gamaliel told the Sanhedrin with regard to their fear of the Apostles in Acts 5:38,39 - "Therefore in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."

If God is blessing what you're doing, then you need not fear what I say or what anyone says, for God will give the increase and grant you victory.

Finally, your note was sent to an e-mail address of mine that is being phased out. Should you feel the need to contact me again, do so at josephdarby@bellsouth.net I'm now off to start my pastoral day, but I will respond tonight if you write.

May God's grace, peace and mercy be yours, and have a wonderful Sunday celebrated of the risen Christ!

Joseph A. Darby, Senior Pastor
Morris Brown AME Church
Charleston, SC

Note to The Christian Recorder from the Reverend Dr. Joe Darby

(3) I did a "Reply All" when I answered him and got a couple of thank you notes from AME clergy who now have better understanding.

Message received from the Reverend DeLishia Boykin-Wilson

(4) Greetings in the name of our Lord! We mark your progress as the Editor of the Christian Recorder, and thank God for your labors in his vineyard.

I do have a comment in reference to the recent article in the online Christian Recorder. After reading the article and viewing the site for Grace Ministries, I have found that my name and a couple of others are contained therein. Therefore, I would like to make it known that I do not share any connections with Grace Ministries or its Fellowship. Our names have been listed without our consent, participation or notification.

I have already written Dr. Robert L. McKenzie, as have others that I have spoken with, in the last two days, and we conclude this ministry is not legitimate. In fact, when you call the number associated with "Grace Ministries", it is a residential number for a Robert and Tawanna McKenzie. It says to “Press 1 for them, press 2 for the ministries or 3 for their daughter.” This type of system lacks professionalism, which is a necessary part of ministry, as I have learned from our denomination.

Dr. Sydnor, I do ask that you publicize the fact that preachers' names have been used to validate this ministry when in fact we are not a part of such ministry, if the ministry even exists outside of the World Wide Web at all.

I am a life-long member of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, stemming from a generational background of African Methodist Episcopal ministers. This church is my family, and all of the fellowship that I desire is contained within its structure, membership and constituents. Thank you for your time and attention in this matter. May the Lord continue to bless your efforts, family and ministry.

In his service,
DeLishia Boykin-Wilson

Editor’s note: Thanks to the Reverend DeLishia Boykin-Wilson for the clarification and for helping us to understand this distraction on the ministry of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Thanks also to the Reverend Dr. Joe Darby for sharing the letter, who somehow was sent the message from Grace Ministries International Fellowship inviting him and other AMEs to join the fellowship. Kudos to the AME Bishops and General Officers who followed-up and took action to "clip this proselytizing enterprise in the bud.” The ministry site for Grace Ministries International Fellowship, http://www.graceseminary.org/, has been dismantled.

2. MEDICARE AND YOU - IMPORTANT DATES FOR YOU TO REMEMBER. THIS MESSAGE PROVIDED BY THE REV. DR. MIRIAM J. BURNETT:

There are many changes to the Medicare Prescription Drug Plans. Deadlines are approaching quickly. As a faith community we are expected to assist in helping those who are affected by these changes make informed decisions about their healthcare. The Connectional Health Commission therefore provides you with the timeline supplied by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Please contact them or access the website for further information. Even if you are not a Medicare recipient yourself, I am sure that you know someone who is; just look in your congregation. CMS has also agreed to come and present this information to our congregations and organizations. You may contact me via email (mjbamehealth@yahoo.com) to make those arrangements for you. Please include the time, date, location, and anticipated number of attendees in your email.

The Rev. Miriam J. Burnett, MD, MPH, M. Div.
Medical Director, Connectional Health Commission

March 23, 2005

MEDICARE AND YOU: Important Dates for You to Remember!

The Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) of 2003 has many changes to the Medicare Program. Important dates for persons with Medicare to remember prior to implementation of the Prescription Drug Program in January of 2006 are:

January 1, 2005 – the Medicare Prevention and Screening Services offers a “Welcome to Medicare” physical examination to new persons with MedicareCholesterol, cardiovascular, and diabetes screening as preventive services are also offered.

March 31, 2005 – Persons desiring the full $600 technical assistance for 2005 with Medicare-Approved Drug Discount Card must apply no later than March 31, 2005 for credit. Those applying between April 1 and June 30, 2005 will be eligible for $450 technical assistance. Those applying July 1 – September 1, 2005 are eligible for $300 credit, and those applying October 1, 2005 to December 31, 2005 are eligible for only $150 technical assistance.

October 2005 – persons with Medicare will also be receiving their “Medicare & You” handbook in the mail. Persons with retiree health benefits should, watch for information from their former employer or union.

October 13, 2005 - persons with Medicare will be able to compare the benefits ofthe various Medicare Prescription Drug Plans.

November 2005 – Starting November 15, 2005, persons with Medicare may Enroll in the Medicare Drug Plan that fits their needs.

For more information visit the Medicare website at www.medicare.gov or call: 1-800 Medicare (1-800-633-4227).
______________________________________Teresa ZayasHealth Insurance SpecialistCMS Atlanta (404) 562-7220

3. RUBY CHANDLER HOKE: 100 YEARS OF LIVING A GOOD LIFE:

Ruby Chandler was born 100 years ago on February 22, 1905! She was the eighth of twelve children born to Rev. Henry Claude Chandler and Ida Chandler, in Winder, Georgia. She learned to love the Lord and received her Christian salvation at a very early age.

Ruby Chandler Hoke is a member of Antioch AME Church, Stone Mountain, Georgia and has been a member of that church all of her life – 100 years! The Reverend Stafford J. Wicker is the pastor and Antioch AME Church.

In 1916, Ruby’s Mother took ill and died suddenly when she was just 11 years old. A responsible and sensitive child, she competently and lovingly took over the care of her infant baby sister, Mary, and raised her until adulthood. She and her sister Mary, now known as Mary Randall have been best friends since childhood. They are extremely close and often dress alike, as if they were twins.

Ruby attended school in Winder and later in Decatur where the family relocated in the early 1920’s. She graduated from Sylvia Brown High School and received her High School Diploma. She united with the Antioch AME Church in Decatur, Georgia and began her faithful and long stewardship as a member of the A.M.E. Church.

Shortly, after graduation from High School, she met the Rev. George Clinton Hoke of Antioch AME Church and experienced very nearly, love at first sight. After a whirlwind, three week courtship, Rev. Hoke asked her father, Rev. Chandler, for her hand in marriage. Her father, because they had known each other for such a short time, was reluctant, at first, to give his permission. He finally agreed, telling the young Reverend “O.K., but make sure you treat her right!” And he did just that for over 30 years. They had a baby daughter who, largely because of the inexperience of the midwife assisting her, died at birth. The loss of her child was a great disappointment to Ruby, who never conceived again, but her faith in God never wavered. By placing God at the head of her life and believing and knowing that He was always there for her and knew what was best for her, she was able to withstand her sorrow.

Shortly after their marriage, Reverend Hoke went on to pastor many A.M.E. churches during their life together. Ruby served faithfully by his side, working in the church and serving the Lord, doing whatever she could to help her husband. They served together at churches throughout the state of Georgia in such places as Kennesaw, Woodstock, Louisville, Greensboro, Douglasville, and Cartersville. They made a definite impact on every place they served.

In 1964, Ruby lost her husband who died as a result of complications in an automobile accident. After his death, she returned to her home church, Antioch AME and took up her service in the church where she left off. She is a Stewardess and served as president of the Stewardess Board at Antioch for over 20 years. During her earlier years, she was also a dynamic and knowledgeable Sunday School teacher. There was hardly ever a Sunday when she was not in Sunday School doing what she loved best, teaching others about the Lord. She was a favorite teacher because of her dedication and readiness to serve. If there was ever a question that couldn’t be answered, everyone knew to go Mrs. Hoke, because she would know or if she didn’t know, she was sure to find out.

Ruby is a devoted member of the Antioch Women’s Missionary Society where she served for many years. She was recently honored by the naming of the Society as the “Ruby Hoke Women’s Missionary Society.” She is also a member of the Ministers' Widows and Spouses Alliance of the Atlanta North Georgia Conference.

As her name implies, Ruby is truly a jewel in God’s kingdom here on earth. She has a gentle anointed spirit that radiates around her. To know her is to truly love her! Men and women alike are drawn to her because of her unique aura of goodness.

Ruby states that she loves all people but she has a special love for her pastor, Rev. Stafford Wicker of Antioch AME, and his family. And be assured, they love her too! A good cook and a cake specialist, Pastor Wicker has enjoyed many opportunities~ to appreciate her culinary skills.
A devout Christian lady, Ruby loves to share the good news about our Savior to whoever will listen. She wants everyone to know, especially young people, that the only way to make it into the Kingdom is to do it for yourself.

In the first 99 years of her life, she has never been bedridden nor been hospitalized. Unfortunately a few weeks ago, Mrs. Hoke suffered a fall in her home and it has affected her ability to get around as well as she would like. However, she praises God through it all, saying she has made peace with Jesus, and is thankful to Him that He has kept her in her right mind and has blessed her with a long life. She frequently states “not many people get to live this long.”

She attributes her long, healthy and happy life, to the fact that she never smoke or drank, has always tried to live right and to treat other people right, and a strong and abiding faith in her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her favorite song: “Woke Up This Mornin’ With My Mind Stayed on Jesus” and her favorite Scripture: Psalm 121.

She has made many friends throughout the years. It is no wonder that she is cherished by her family, church, and community.

Ruby will spend her birthday relaxing at home, receiving family and friends throughout the day and plans to enjoy eating some ice cream and cake to celebrate. When asked what she will wish for on her 100th birthday, she says “I will wish for my Church, Antioch AME, to be blessed and to move on in the name of the Lord.”

4. EXCUSES, EXCUSES, EXCUSES BY THE REVEREND DONALD G. GARNER:

As a young minister, I have attended various annual, district, and connectional meetings and met and gotten to know some of my contemporaries. We have been able to talk about everything from clergy gender issues to the art of preaching in African Methodism. Most conversations go extremely well until the subject of “seminary” comes up. Somehow the thought of pursuing a theological education conjures a host of excuses.

“I’m too old.” “My church is too small.” “I don’t have enough time.” “I don’t have enough money.” The seminary I want to attend is too far away.” “I don’t need a seminary degree to pastor an AME Church.” The most consistent of all excuses has been, “You don’t need a degree to practice ministry if you are called by God.” I have heard all of those excuses; and I have used some of them myself.

Now I am not condemning my colleagues in ministry because I, too, have been an “excuse-maker.” Last year I paused in the middle of an M. Div. program at The ITC in Atlanta, GA, sighting lack of monetary resources as my reason. I must admit that was a poor excuse.
Seminary is not a new thing for candidates of ministry for African Methodism. Daniel Alexander Payne was seminary trained long before he ever became a Bishop and he was one of the pioneers of education for our church. If Payne in his day could make the sacrifice and commitment to earn the proper credentials for ministry, there is certainly no reason why we cannot do the same. My contention is that if God truly calls us, then we will do all that we can to insure the fulfillment of that call. Not only is seminary essential, but also it is also practical for the practice of ministry.

At the Thirteenth District Mid-Year Convocation, the President of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary spoke of full tuition scholarship for members of the clergy and candidates for ministry for The African Methodist Episcopal Church…

(Read the complete article in The Christian Recorder)

5. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

The Reverend Bobby Cox, pastor of St. John AME Church in Birmingham, Alabama lost his grandmother Sunday night and his Mother on Monday.Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Bobby Cox & FamilySt. John AME Church708 15th Street NorthBirmingham, AL 35023205-251-3764

Please remember the family in your prayers.

From:

The Rev. Michael. D. Washington, PastorBethel AME ChurchHuntington, New York.

6. Happy Easter from Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher, the Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor and the entire Christian Recorder staff!

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/24/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor

1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:

- Yesterday, The Christian Recorder Online featured a letter received from a bishop who said that he was the Presiding Bishop for Grace Ministries International Fellowship. He went on to share that the fellowship “assist those churches in reaching the next level in ministry” by offering a fully accredited seminary where persons can earn the M. Div., D.Min., Th. D., and Ph. D by seminary extension. The seminary is not fully accredited by the American Association of Theological Schools (ATS) and in looking at the requirements I am utterly amazed that any minister would attempt to circumvent the requirements of the AME Church by matriculating at an unaccredited institution.

The letter also quotes the bishop as writing, ”You may have a concern about being connected to a connectional church such as AME, CME and AME ZION and being a part of this fellowship. Well, that is exactly what it is, A FELLOWSHIP, not a denomination. We have in our fellowship Bishops who are AME but not Bishops in the AME church system.” I am equally amazed that any AME who has studied AME polity, or who has been in the Church “a week or more, would know that we follow the Bible and the Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.” From that “bishop’s” standpoint, just because he says what he has is a fellowship and not a denomination and therefore ministers in the AME Church can become “bishops” in his fellowship does not make what he says as a rule for members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We must follow the doctrine and polity of the AME Church. The African Methodist Episcopal Church elects and consecrates bishops to superintend the work of the Church. The AME order of ordained ministry is deacon and elder; that’s it! We don’t have apostles, prophets and prophetess as a part of our ordained ministry.

The AME Church also has clear requirements for ordained ministry and one of the requirements is graduation from ATS accredited theological seminaries. Grace Valley Theological Seminary is not accredited by ATS and therefore students who attend and graduate from that institution would not fulfill the academic requirement for ministry in the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Candidates for ministry in the AME Church should do in consultation with their pastor, presiding elder or bishop.

We also have a system of ministerial Boards of Examiners. The Reverend Dr. Joe Darby wrote, “The Boards of Examiners should be about the business of making sure that those who go into ministry in the AME Church know what it means to be an AME in polity and doctrine. I'm fond of telling Admissions classes in the first session, ‘Being admitted on trial means that we're trying you and you're trying us. If you eventually realize that your call to ministry is not in the AME Church, then leave now - no harm, no foul!’"

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram of the Tenth Episcopal District commented. “The clergy of the African Methodist Episcopal Church must learn to follow the polity of the Church.” He went on to say, “The polity of the church takes precedence over what someone outside of the Church says. Our clergy should know that.” General Officer, the Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour said, "Something has to be done about this. AME ministers are going to be AMEs or they are going to be something else. They can't be both."

I read the letter that the good “bishop” wrote the Reverend Joe Darby today in which he wrote: "I sent out an invitation for pastors of the AME, CME and AME ZION to consider becoming a member of Grace Ministries International Fellowship. The intent of the letter was to create a fellowship of pastors and churches to assist each other in leadership and growth skills. Grace Ministries is not a subtle attempt to create a denomination but to give people an opportunity to do special ministry in special areas to create holistic growth in the local church.” Sounds innocent enough, but the invitation sounds to me that it smacks at, “wolves in sheep clothing.”

I was amazed at the number of AME email addresses to whom the good “bishop” sent his response. Imagine a seminary degree that you pay $1500 and write a 50 page paper, and that includes the bibliography. Wow! The good “bishop” should at least have “a blush of shame.” Those preparing for ministry should be willing to sacrifice and “sweat” in preparation for the ministry. You don’t get a seminary degree overnight! It takes hard work! The Church needs ministers, who are legitimate, not “fly by night ‘jack-leg’ preachers.” The AME Church is a legitimate Church that requires legitimate academic preparation.

The Reverend Joe Darby, the scholar, responded to the “good “bishop, in part, - “As a member of my Conference Board of Examiners, I have a particular sensitivity to that (AME ministers being a member of ‘fellowships’). I do discuss and promote ecumenism when instructing candidates for admission to AME ministry. I also make it plain, however, that their admission to an AME Annual Conference means that they will embrace and defend the doctrines and polity of the AME Church and cannot be ‘a little bit AME.’ We have had problems with others whose intent is not as worthy or God-inspired as yours - those who tell those ‘young’ in ministry that when it comes to denomination and acceptance of polity, you can be more than one thing at the same time, and that is contrary to the teachings and practices of the AME Church…”

(Read all of this in The Christian Recorder)

- I am still requesting news articles from all of our Episcopal District. I believe that the news I the Christian Recorder should be balanced and balance can be achieved if Episcopal Districts will send their news items to, Editor, The Christian Recorder chsydnor@bellsouth.net or mail to 512 Eighth Avenue South, Nashville, TN 37203-4181.

Some of the Episcopal Districts are doing very well and you see their news. The Christian Recorder readership wants to read about what’s happening in all of the Episcopal Districts. Help us to become a better paper by sharing with us what is happening in your Episcopal District!

Color pictures are $35 for the color separation fee. Black and white photos are free.


2. BISHOP PHILLIP COUSIN TO JOIN HEADS OF FAITH COMMUNITIES IN CALLING FOR POLITICAL WILL TO END HUNGER:

Bread for the World Organizes Historic Gathering at the Washington National Cathedral

WASHINGTON—“As Christians worldwide observe the season of Easter, religious leaders from many different faiths are planning a historic gathering to celebrate the triumph of life over death,” says Rev. David Beckmann, President of Bread for the World. “When all of these leaders come together and commit to help end hunger in our nation and our world, they will be creating the potential for life to flourish in places where before there has only been despair.”

Bread for the World is organizing the first-ever Interfaith Convocation on Hunger, which will bring together prominent religious leaders from around the nation, including Bishop Phillip Cousin, Senior Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, to address the scandal of hunger in the U.S. and around the world. Held at the National Cathedral on June 6, the event will include a call for the president and members of Congress to join with Christians, Jews, Muslims and people of other faiths in a new national commitment to end hunger.

Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane of Cape Town, South Africa will preach at the Convocation. He will urge U.S. policy makers to address the needs of the over 36 million people who struggle to put faiths. On the eve of National Hunger Awareness Day, this Convocation will usher in scores of observances around the United States.

This event will be the culmination of One Table, Many Voices: A Mobilization to End Poverty and Hunger. Bread for the World, with partners Call to Renewal and America’s Second Harvest, will host the conference from June 4-7. Held in Washington, DC, the national gathering will include food on the table in America. People of faith concerned about hunger will raise their voices in song and seek guidance from the sacred texts of many faiths. On the eve of National Hunger Awareness Day, this Convocation will usher in scores of observances around the United States.

This event will be the culmination of One Table, Many Voices: A Mobilization to End Poverty and Hunger. Bread for the World, with partners Call to Renewal and America’s Second Harvest, will host the conference from June 4-7. Held in Washington, DC, the national gathering will include workshops, plenaries, and a lobby day on Capitol Hill. (For more conference information, visit www.onetableconference.org)

Other denominational leaders, in addition to Bishop Cousin, represent, The Wesleyan Church, The Salvation Army, Bible Way Churches, Worldwide, Christian Reformed Church, Episcopal Diocese of Washington, United Methodist Church, Allianza de Ministerios Evangelicos Nacionales (AMEN), Buddhist Vihara, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Reformed Church in America, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ, Presbyterian Church USA, American Friends Service Committee, Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, DC, Church of the Brethren, The United Church of Jesus Christ, Apostolic, Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, Evangelical Covenant Church, National Baptist Convention of America, and United Church of Christ.

3. DEVOTIONAL: GOING FORWARD WITH GOD SEEKING LIFE AMONG THE LIVING THE PASTOR’S CORNER:

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb…But when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus…Suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them…The men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!” Luke 24:1 - 6

The words of the two angels present to us the very essence of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of the resurrection. “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!” The resurrection story is the story of the power of the Living God to bring life to that which was once dead. The women who went to the tomb early Sunday morning were the same who “saw the tomb and how His body was laid in it.” (Luke 23: 55) Jesus was dead!
The circumstances these two women encountered were real. Their perceptions were accurate – Jesus was dead.

Too often, we counsel others and tell ourselves that the things we encounter are not real. To ignore the realities we face can lead us to place our hope in improper sources and deny the power of God. How futile it would have been for the women and the Eleven to say of the pierced, scourged, beaten, dehydrated, and blood drained body of their Messiah, “Jesus isn't really dead. He’s just unconscious. I'm sure He'll wake up any minute now.” They would have been seeking life among the dead.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is the story of the power of God to bring life to that which is dead. It is the story of the Living God’s power over death. The Living God gave Abraham and Sarah a son, Isaac, even though their reproductive capacities were dead (Genesis 18: 11-12). The Living God, through the prophet Elijah, brought life to the son of the widow of Zarephath even though the child was dead (I Kings 17: 7-24). The Living God, through the prophet Elisha, brought life to the son of the Shunammite woman even though her child was dead (II Kings 4: 8-37). The Living God commanded Ezekiel to prophesy over dry bones, that they would live, even though the bones were dead (Ezekiel 37: 1-15). The Living God, through His Son, Jesus Christ, called Lazarus from the grave even though Lazarus was dead (John 11: 1-45).

Faith in God is trusting in the Living God to bring life to that which is dead. The marriage that ends in divorce court is dead, but the Living God can bring new life re-establishing the marriage. The congregation that has dwindled to two or three members and a dilapidated facility is dead, but the Living God can plant the seeds of His body and bring new life through a new congregation. The person who continually denies the saving grace of God is dead, just as we once were. But we know “[we] were dead in [our] transgressions and sins…And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches in His grace.” (Ephesians 2: 1, 6-7) Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the Living God was dead. But He has risen. He is alive. And because He lives we have hope - hope in the Living God. He is the source of all life. And we can seek life among the living.

Pastor James Moody
Quinn Chapel AME, Chicago

4. LETTER TO THE EDITOR:

Dear Editor:

This is in reference to the article on page 4, Bereavement Announcements in your January 17, 2005 issue of The Christian Recorder regarding Mrs. Dollie Doctor Brown, wife of Presiding Elder George Brown, Sr. [Ret., Beaufort District, SC]. While I appreciate reading about my mother, I would be remiss if I said I was not heartbroken first, because of this great loss that has put a permanent pain in our hearts; and second, to read that she was the mother of only five children (Delores Richardson, Lila Nedd, George Jr., Phoenicia Flowers and Nathaniel). Suffice it to say, there were 11 children born to this union - NOT FIVE as you reported and 10 are alive and well! If you don’t believe me, just ask the other five (including myself): Frances Pinckney (San Diego, CA); Roxcena Rozier (College Park, GA); Kenneth Brown (Charleston, SC); Michelle Brown (Valdosta, GA), or even yours truly, Margie Brown (Washington, DC). By the way, this beautiful lady also had 15 grandchildren and 5 great grands.

Sincerely,

Margie Brown
922 Ingraham Street, NW
Washington, DC 20011
202/616-0421

Editor's comment:

We offer our deepest apologies to the Brown family!

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/23/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor


1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:

Reference the Question, Which bishop in Methodism in a three day period was ordained a deacon one day, an itinerant elder the next day, and set aside for the bishopric the next day.

Editor’s note:

- No one answered the question. The correct answer is Francis Asbury. The answer can be found in the book, The Romance of African Methodism by the late Dr. George A. Singleton. It’s an excellent book and most of the question asked can be found in that book, since it covers the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

- This past weekend a minister opined that my questions were too hard. I apologize for that. After Stephen Green, a 13 year-old answered several questions I thought that the questions were too easy and thought that I would raise the bar, especially since I was giving away a prize.

2. BE CAREFUL ABOUT TAKING "ACADEMIC SHORTCUTS" SUCH AS IN THIS MESSAGE BELOW WHICH WAS SHARED BY THE REVEREND DR. JOE DARBY. THIS IS AN UNACCREDITED PROGRAM AND THE AUTHOR OF THE MESSAGE SAYS THAT, “THEY HAVE BISHOPS WHO ARE AME BUT ARE NOT BISHOPS IN THE AME CHURCH SYSTEM.” ESPECIALLY CHECK OUT THE BOLDED COLORED PRINT IN THE MESSAGE BELOW:

My name is Bishop Robert L. McKenzie and I am the Presiding Bishop for Grace Ministries International Fellowship. GMIF is the fastest and most progressive fellowship in the nation at this point and we are expanding our operations and leadership. At this this time I would like to invite you to take a look and see what GMIF has to offer you and your church.

1. We provide a fellowship of churches where we can worship together inspite of race, gender and denomination.

2. We assist churches in programs of church growth, leadership development, evangelism training and much more for FREE.

It is our main focus to assist those churches in reaching the next level in ministry. We also offer a fully accredited seminary where you may earn your M.Div, D.Min, Th.D. and Ph.D all by seminary extention. Just by becoming a member of the fellowship as a pastor you will recieve a fully scholarship to attend seminary in order to be able to fully equip your congregation and enhance your ministry overall.

You may have a concern about being connected to a connectional church such as AME, CME and AME ZION and being a part of this fellowship. Well, that is exactly what it is, A FELLOWSHIP, not a denomination. We have in our fellowship Bishops who are AME but not Bishops in the AME church system. It is not our desire to pull away churches from thier denomination but to only get those pastors in the fellowship who have a vision of being a part of a growing ministry to assist smaller churches who struggle with doing ministry but cannot afford the price tag of growth.

We are also at this time looking to bring on pastors who feel the call of greater leadership in thier lives. You may now apply for the positions of State Bishops, Jurisdictional Bishops and Regional Overseers. Also I still have some positions on my National Executive Staff still available for those interested. I believe that becomeing part of Grace Ministries would be a great experience for you and your church or ministry.

I clearly need you to understand that we are not a paper mill for a seminary and nor or we begging for memberships. We are simply saying that if this fits your vision for ministry and advancement this here is an option for you to view.

You may view our seminary site at: http://www.graceseminary.org/ and you may apply for ministry positions at: http://www.gsbclube_Ministries.htm and you may also apply to join the fellowship as well. If you have any questions then you may contact me at: 806-744-7466 and I will be glad to take and talk to you.Grace and Peace, Bishop Dr. Robert L. McKenzie, Presiding BishopGrace Ministries International Fellowship and Grace Valley Theological Seminary

Editor’s note: Check out the bold colored print. Please do not "illegitimize" yourself by being a part of this “ministry.” The African Methodist Episcopal Church does not recognize the institution listed in this message. I made numerous spelling corrections in the message above and got disgusted and quit making corrections. I would hope that we do not have any ministers passing themselves off as bishop.

3. SEVEN AME PASTORS HONORED AS MILLENNIA WOMEN BY OUR TEXAS MAGAZINE:

DALLAS, TEXAS (March 22, 2005) - A special reception was held at the Comer Cottrell Center on the Campus of Paul Quinn College, Dallas, Texas on March 11, 2005 honoring Twenty Female Pastors from around the State as Millennia Women. The Pastors chosen were from the AME, CME, Presbyterian, Baptist, Full Gospel, Lutheran, UMC and non-denominational Churches. Seven of the senior pastors honored are Pastors in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The reception coincided with the March release of the Our Texas Magazine article highlighting these trailblazing pastors. The AME honorees are the Reverends Delphine Lynetta Vasser, pastor of St. James AME Church, Terrell, Texas; Ella Mae McDonald, pastor of Agape Temple AME Church, Dallas, Texas; Beverly Sherri Freeman, Victory Temple AME Church, Duncanville, Texas; Gloria Porter Cash, pastor of St. James AME Church, Dickinson, Texas; Dr. Jacquelyn Donald-Mims, pastor of Imani Community AME Church, Austin, Texas; Brenda Beckford Payne, pastor of Reedy Chapel AME Church, Galveston, Texas and Patricia Wilcox Smith, pastor of Allen Chapel AME Church, Beaumont, Texas. Three of the seven pastors, Freeman, Donald-Mims and Payne are also church planters and Pastor McDonald is nearing the completion of the building of a new edifice.

Another article in this issue of Our Texas entitled “Passion” featured Bishop Sarah Frances Davis, the Presiding Prelate of the 18th Episcopal District and the former senior pastor of Bethel AME Church, San Antonio, Texas.

In addition to being presented copies of the publication each pastor was also given a citation from the Governor of the State of Texas, a State Senate Resolution honoring their recognition, and a commemorative plague with pictures of all the honorees.

The Honorable Maryellen Hicks, former Appellate Court Justice served as Emcee. Greetings were brought by Dr. Dwight Fennell, President of Paul Quinn College; Charles O. Neal, Vice President of The Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, the Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Dallas Alumnae Chapter, State Senator Royce West’s Office and Mr. General Berry, Jr., Publisher of Our Texas Magazine. Dr. Meta Carstarphen, Associate Professor of Journalism & Mass Communications at the University of Oklahoma, gave the keynote address.

The evening closed with a Fashion Show presented by Forty Plus Models-Inc., of Houston, Texas.

Jesse McCauley, Saturn Territorial Manager and Jim Smith, Saturn Dealer of Lewisville, Irving, and Plano, Texas sponsored the catered affair.

Congratulations to Millennia Women!

Article submitted by Brianna Foley

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/22/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor


1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:

Feedback and information sharing

- The Christian Recorder has been receiving positive feedback from our online subscribers. We appreciate your feedback because it helps us to share articles that are helpful to you. This venue posts information and events that might “spark” an idea for your church. Yesterday we put in an article from Johnson Chapel, Santa Ana, California where that church is implementing an online website with its own on-line interactive web community through a ministry called “Member Connect, where members and friends of the church and community can connect with each other anytime. The site will post church announcements, provide for group discussion, prayer requests, photo albums, and the possibilities for the church’s ministry are endless.

Some of our Churches are even putting their Bible studies online. Everybody cannot get to church, and if churches are going to reach them, then the church must find creative ways to do so. Brother Hugh Marriott, a young man who is a member of Mt. Moriah AME Church, NYC gave a presentation and led a discussion on “Good to Great” at the 13th District churches are going to move from “good to great” then churches must be courageous enough to explore new ways of doing ministry.

It is hoped that the sharing done in The Christian Recorder will help to precipitate some of our churches to attempt new ways of doing ministry. Sometimes, just seeing what others are doing can be a motivating factor.

Bogus and pirated DVDs and CDEs should not be sold at AME sponsored meetings

- I attended a connectional meeting recently and among the vendors were persons obviously selling bogus CDs and DVDs. I believe that the church should not allow vendors who sell pirated CDs, DVDs, books, clothes, etc. at any of the meetings sponsored by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Selling pirated materials is illegal and it is “stealing.” If the AME Church wants its members to live on the “high moral ground” than activities sponsored by the African Methodist Episcopal Church on every level must be operated on the “high moral ground.”

Get permission before reprinting articles

- In that same vein, when churches or agencies within the Church use published materials form other sources, permission should be acquired and proper credit must be given. That same rule applies when using the written materials from The Christian Recorder or from any other church periodical. All materials in all AME periodicals are copyrighted. I can speak for The Christian Recorder and say that the process is simple – a telephone call or email message will take care of the request in less than a minute.

2. LITURGICAL COLORS FOR THIS WEEK AND EASTERTIDE:

The altar hangings for the altar should be “red” through Maundy Thursday. Friday and Saturday the color should be black or without any altar linen.

Beginning Easter Sunday the altar color and pastoral stole should be white and white is the appropriate color for the altar and stole throughout Eastertide, which lasts until Pentecost Sunday.

3. WATTS CHURCH HOSTS HOLY WEEK SERVICES MARCH 21-24; PLANS UNIQUE RESURRECTION SUNDAY SERVICES, MARCH 27 AT 5 A.M., 8 A.M. AND 11 A.M.;

LOS ANGELES — (March 21, 2005) — On Sunday, March 27, parishioners around the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday promises to be exceptionally special at Grant A.M.E. Church in Watts as congregants will be favored with three unique and inspiring dramas from the resurrection narratives.

“The members of Grant have banded together to present the Easter story in such a way that every parishioner will leave renewed and encouraged by Jesus’ triumph over death,” said the Rev. Leslie R. White, pastor of Grant for 10 years.

Watts’ largest congregation will open its doors at 5 a.m. for Sunrise Service themed, “News that Couldn’t Be Silenced,” followed at 8 a.m. with “Celebrate Life,” and the 11 a.m. service entitled, “Reigning with Christ.” All three services feature singing by the Grant Mass Choir, liturgical dance by the Joyful Praise Ministry and preaching by White.

The Resurrection Sunday services are a fitting culmination to a powerful “Holy Week” celebration that began Sunday, March 20. Highlights include:

· Palm Sunday, March 20: Bishops John R. Bryant and Samuel L. Green, Sr., repeatedly brought the congregation to their feet with ovation for their expert explanation and anointed articulation of “A Model for Manhood” and “Why Men Should Praise God” at the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services, respectively.

· Monday through Thursday, March 21 through 24. The Rev. Vernon S. Burroughs, presiding elder of the San Francisco/Sacramento District of the California Annual Conference, joins Bishop Green for sound teaching and powerful preaching beginning at 6 p.m. nightly at the Church. Holy Communion will be served on March 24 to coincide with Maundy Thursday.

· Good Friday, March 25. African Methodists throughout the region gather at noon at First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles where the Revs. John J. Hunter, Sylvester Laudermill, Najuma Smith, Lewis Logan II, Carolyn Habersham, Kelvin Calloway and Bishop Bryant will present “The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross.” The event is sponsored by the A.M.E. Ministerial Alliance of Southern California, of which White is the president.

For more information about the Holy Week or Resurrection Sunday activities, please contact the Grant A.M.E. Church office at (323) 564-1151. Visit www.GrantAMEChurch.org.

4. NEW CHURCH PLANTED IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE:

The Reverend Roderick Belin has already planted Kairos Community AME Church, 4506 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, Tennessee 37211. Holy Week revival services are being conducted this week beginning at 7 p.m. I believe, with prayer, that this church will be one of the premier churches in the Nashville area. The contact information for the Church: 615-332-3320 fax: 332-3324, rdwayneb@aol.com. Keep Pastor Belin and his leadership in prayer.


5. NEW CHURCH PLANTED IN CASTAIC, CALIFORNIA:

Pray for the Rev. Latisha Stewart Smith with the growth and development of a new church work in Castaic, CA. This is a small, yet rapidly growing, multi-ethnic community, in northern-most Los Angeles County. Please pray that the Pastor Smith and people taking part in this church planting will boldly receive the power of the Holy Spirit and move boldly according to God's will. Pray for the Fruit of the spirit to become more evident in our efforts; pray for our passion to be incessant; pray for our financial and spiritual growth to be exponential; and pray for our families to be strengthened.

Thank you.Rev. Latisha Stewart Smith

6. ARE THERE ANY OTHER NEW CHURCHES PLANTED:

Please let The Christian Recorder know if new churches are being planted. The Christian Recorder wants to help “water them.”

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/21/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor


1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:

An editorial

How could any Bishop…!

I want to how any bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church could allow any itinerant elder, local elder, local deacon, licentiate, exhorter, deaconess under his, or her supervision to be in good and regular standing in the Church who does not maintain biblical and theological proficiency.

I want to how any bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church could any person in the profession of ministry under his or her supervision to be in good and regular standing in the Church who does not subscribe to the periodicals of the African Methodist Episcopal Church!

Bishops would not allow any itinerant elder, local elder, local deacon, licentiate, exhorter, deaconess under his or her supervision to be in good and regular standing in the Church who do not maintain biblical and theological proficiency. And in that same vein, our bishops should insist that every minister subscribe to periodicals of the Church!

I want to know how any presiding elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church could allow a candidate for ministry or pastor under his or her supervision who does not have a plan for becoming and maintaining proficiency in the profession of ministry...

Presiding elders would not allow candidates for ministry or pastors not to have a plan for becoming or maintaining proficiency in the profession of ministry. And in that same vein, presiding elders should insist that every candidate for ministry and every minister subscribe to all of the periodicals of the Church!

I want to know why any pastor would allow any steward, trustee and other officers to serve in leadership positions in the local church who do not seek spiritual growth and development...

(The full text of this message ran in this venue for 48 hours. The full text will appear in The Christian Recorder. )

Question: Which bishop in Methodism in a three day period was ordained a deacon one day, an itinerant elder the next day, and set aside for the bishopric the next day.

Prize: A free one-year subscription to any periodical in the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Rules: I must receive your answer within 24 hours of when this edition is posted and you must be an AME or attend an AME Church. Find the answer anywhere you can; ask your pastor, presiding elder, or bishop.


2. HERE’S WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT- A GREAT IDEA WORTH SHARING! JOHNSON CHAPEL ON-LINE:

On April 1st 2005, Johnson Chapel will launch its own on-line interactive web community at http://www.johnsonchapelamechurch.com/ through a new Ministry called “Member Connect”. Members and Friends of Johnson Chapel will be able to access at anytime, their own unique church calendar, announcements, discussion groups, prayer requests, photo albums and much, much more. In addition each Ministry/Auxiliary Leader will be able to communicate directly with those within their organizations to remind them of up coming meetings and events, assign or receive progress reports or follow up tasks and so much more. Watch your bulletin and e-mail for more details on this exciting new ministry tool designed to help us remain connected as a church family and improve communication and information flow.

3. ANOTHER GREAT IDEA FROM JOHNSON CHAPEL AME CHURCH IN SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA – AN EVENING WITH THE PASTOR WITH A MOVIE IN THE PASTOR’S HOME WITH MEMBERS BRINGING A COVERED DISH:

“The movie “Woman Thou Art Loosed”, based on Bishop TD Jakes book, will be shown in my home Saturday March 26th at 6:00 PM. This is a time for women ages 18 and older (please no children) to fellowship. Bring your favorite dish with you that we might all enjoy. See me for directions to my home.” Rev. Juanita Dennis.

4. BEWARE OF EMAILS THAT PROMISE TO NET YOU A LOT OF MONEY. SISTER JEANETTE JOHNS CAUTIONS OUR READERSHIP:

Just as a reminder to people who may be new to the Internet or who are not as computer-savvy as those who have more of this experience of people offering to let you in on making some money, and those who are a bit "greedy" and would jump at $10,000,000. Or those who would, just out of curiosity, respond and be r-e-a-l sorry later! They might not know that they should simply delete those kinds of messages and be on the lookout for the next one to come through -- and deleted any follow-on messages also.

The letters usually start out in this fashion…

“I am the above named person from NIGERIA. I am married to Mr. BENSON ADAMS, who worked with NIGERIA embassy in SOUTH AFRICA for nine years before he died in the year 2002. We were married for eleven years without a child. He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days. Before his death we were both born again Christian. Since his death I decided not to remarry or get a child outside my matrimonial home which the Bible is against. When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of $4.5 Million (Four Million five hundred thousand U.S. Dollars) in a local bank here in NIGERIA…”

Editor’s Comment: Never respond to these types of email messages! Nobody is giving away free money. They ARE trying to get a little, or a lot of money from you!


5. THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICTED CELEBRATED “AME WORKDAY”:

Members of the 13th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church participated in a community service workday on Saturday, March 5, 2005. All across the states of Tennessee and Kentucky members of the 13th Episcopal District were actively involved in community service. Pictured above are Rev. Paulette Woodard, Pastor of Sulphur Spring AME Church, Cunningham, TN and members of her congregation. Pastor Woodard and her members spent Saturday picking up trash along Southside Road and portions of Old Highway 48 in Cunningham, TN. The day concluded with members doing some house cleaning around their church. “Lifting in Love” is the motto of this congregation and their efforts on this community workday demonstrated their love for God and the community.

Submitted by A. Ivery, President of Lay Organization, Sulphur Spring AME Church, Cunningham, TN

6. SAINT PAUL AME CHURCH, VALDOSTA GEORGIA WILL CELEBRATE COLLEGIATE SUNDAY:

St. Paul AME Church will host Collegiate Sunday on April 17, 2005 during the 11:00 a.m. service. Students from Valdosta State University, Valdosta Technical College, and Georgia Military Academy are invited.

Guest speaker will be Bro. Nathaniel Robinson. He is a student at Turner Theological Seminary, Atlanta, GA. and serving at Flipper Temple AME, Atlanta, GA. Gregory V. Eason is the pastor.

Women and Men's Day Celebration will be held on April 24, 2005. Services at 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Guest preachers: the Rev. Cassandra Marcus at the 11:00 a.m. service and Pastor Kenneth Marcus at 4:00 p.m. They are the Pastor and Wife team of Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia.

Bruce Leon Francis, M.Div., Pastor
Saint Paul AME Church
419 S. Ashley St.
Valdosta, GA. 31601
(229) 244-8065 (Church)

7. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE IN DONALDSON, GEORGIA LAST WEEK:

The Ordination service was awesome. Dr. Anne Lightner Fuller was the preacher. She brought a powerful message. After the preaching the spirit of the Lord came down and Dr. Pam DeVeaux took us higher singing and dancing to Gods glory. Host pastor is Millie Anne Smith Rambeau, Live Oak AME Church. Bishop and Dr. Pam DeVeaux are doing well.
Bishop Robert Thomas preached the Commissioning Service. More later.


8. QUINN CHAPEL, CHICAGO AND PASTOR JAMES MOODY FEATURED IN BLACK AMERICAN WEBSITE:

The Reverend Jim Moody, author of the "Pastor's Corner" and pastor of Quinn Chapel, Chicago wrote to share that Quinn Chapel is featured in an article in the “BlackAmericaWeb.com” website. The story addresses "Divine Restorations," a new make over show targeting African American churches in the U.S. and Canada. Quinn Chapel will be featured in the opening episode to air Sunday March 27, 2005 at 7:00 p.m. (CST) on the "TV One Network." The article can be found at http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/divine321, today, March 21, 2005.

9. THE PASTOR’S CORNER: “GOING FORWARD WITH GOD THE WAY TO JERUSALEM:

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again He took the twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to Him. (Mark 10:32)
The passage above describes those who were going forward with God on their way to Jerusalem. Jerusalem is the place of “PURPOSE” in the earthly life of Jesus Christ. Jerusalem is the place of the suffering, death, burial, and resurrection of the Christ of God. Jerusalem is the place of exchange – where “God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (II Corinthians 5: 21). All believers are on their way to Jerusalem. It represents the place of “PURPOSE” in the lives of those who are the members of the body of Christ – the Church. The way to Jerusalem is the journey of life.

There were three different groups who were on their way to Jerusalem. Each of the groups displayed its own response to the journey that Christ was leading them on:

1. The Disciples were those who chose to pattern their lives after the life and teachings they observed and received through their contact with Christ. Their response to the journey to Jerusalem was that of astonishment and was the product of limiting a limitless God. Their expectations of Christ were too low because they were based on their personal experience and not the “unlimited, Almighty, All- knowing” nature of God.

2. The Followers were those who, short of patterned living after Christ, chose to come along with Jesus and accompany Him. They sought the benefit of being in His presence. Their response to the journey to Jerusalem was fear and was the product of not trusting fully a trustworthy God. They desired to control the outcomes of their lives and to use God to simply facilitate the achievement of their personal interests. They exalted themselves as little gods and diminished the role of the Christ to that of a servant of their wishes.

3. The Twelve were those chosen by God and set aside for the spread of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the building of the kingdom of God. Their response varied – at times fear (Mark 10: 10), at times astonishment (Mark 10: 24-26), at times selfish ambition (Mark 10: 35-45), yet in all their failings there was total abandonment to God (Mark 10: 28).

Obviously to be chosen by God does not require perfection because the Twelve’s failings were evident throughout their ministry. Nor does it require a full understanding of God’s plan, because even though Jesus took the Twelve “aside and told them what was going to happen to him,” they didn’t begin to understand it until after the Cross. What distinguished the Twelve was their willingness to trustingly place themselves in God’s hands to be used to accomplish God’s will (John 21: 3-6).

God takes our failings, past sins, and our lack of understanding and uses them to touch the lives of those with whom He brings us in contact. The fulfillment of His “PURPOSE” for our lives rests in our lives being placed in His hands, not our personal goodness, ability, or knowledge. As the story goes of the old violin that no one chose to buy at the auction:
No one wanted to bid even five dollars for the dusty old instrument until a master violinist grasped the instrument and played with it the most beautiful music anyone had ever heard. At once the bidding began at five hundred dollars and rose from there. When asked what elevated the value of the item that was once considered of no value, the auctioneer replied, “It was the touch of the Master’s hand.”

As we go forward with God, let’s cast aside our desire to control the outcomes God has for our lives. Let’s disregard the limits we’ve previously placed on a sovereign and all-wise Creator. Let’s trustingly place our lives in the hands of the Master as we travel on “The Way to Jerusalem.”

Pastor Moody

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/15/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor

1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:

- Below are three links appended below about AME’s. The first link is an article that appeared in The Washington Post about the Reverend Dr. Lee Washington and the second link is an article that appeared in the DelMarVa Daily Times about Miss Lisa Wilkes, “Miss University of Maryland Eastern Shore 2004-2005” and who is a member of Union Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Ranbdallstown, Maryland which is in the Washington Annual Conference of the Second Episcopal District. The third article, which appeared in the Washington Post, is about Ebenezer AME Church, Fort Washington where the Reverends Grainger and Joann Browning are co-pastors and gives an account of the message that the Reverend Dr. Jesse Jackson’s message gave at Ebenezer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A32382-2005Mar13?language=printer

http://www.delmarvaheadlines.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050314/NEWS01/503140312/1002

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A32264-2005Mar13.html?sub=AR

Editor’s Comment: Open and read the links as soon as possible because some newspapers remove access to online news stories after several days. Today’s news links were shared by the Reverend Leslie White and the Rev. (or Bro.?) James H. Smith. The third link was shared be Brother Eric and Sister Stephanie Stradford. To open the third article you may have to sign up for the Washington Post Online. It’s free.

- The most efficient and preferred method to send articles for The Christian Recorder is via email: chsydnor@bellsouth.net . You may FAX articles to me: (615) 658-5552. You may mail articles to me: The Christian Recorder, 512 Eighth Avenue, South, Nashville, TN 37203-4181.

- Reminder: This Sunday is Palm Sunday, next week is Holy Week which culminates with Easter. The celebrations are early this year!

2. NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ELEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE BISHOP:

For immediate release —

Federal Judge Grants Edward Waters College (EWC) A Preliminary Injunction Against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Ruling means EWC retains its accreditation

JACKSONVILLE, Fit, March 11, 2005 — A federal judge ruled today that Edward Waters College (EWC) will remain accredited through its pursuit of a lawsuit against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. College leaders and its attorneys held a press conference this afternoon on the steps of the U.S. Courthouse to discuss the ruling.

Judge Timothy Corrigan, after hearing evidence and arguments from both EWC and SACS, ruled that “the college has shown a substantial likelihood that it will prove at trial, that die association denied the college due process in the procedures the association employed to expel the college from association membership.”

“This is an important victory for EWC,” said Bishop McKinley Young, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “It is now beginning to be understood that EWC has been denied its due process.”EWC filed the request for a temporary injunction, a preliminary injunction and a lawsuit against SACS on Monday, February 28 after learning its internal appeal to SACS had been denied. EWC was granted the injunction that afternoon and argued later in the week in a three-hour hearing that the injunction should remain in place through conclusion of the lawsuit.

The ruling forces SACS to keep EWC as a member (remaining accredited) until and throughout its lawsuit against the accrediting association. It also directs SACS to mediate with EWC in mediation to be presided over by U.S. District Judge Harvey Schlesinger and Attorney and Interim Supervisor of Elections William Scheu. The judge also ruled that under the Higher Education Act, federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions involving the accreditation issue and he denied SACS’ request to have the case dismissed.

Edward Waters College was established in 1866 to educate the descendants of African Americans, newly emancipated from slavery. Today, its enrollment continues to be substantially African-American students from the Southeast and Northeast regions of the United Stares, while also welcoming students from all racial and ethnic groups within the United States and from around the world. The College is a private, four-year, liberal arts, coeducational, residential institution, committed to Christian principles which emphasize high moral and spiritual values, as a result of its close affiliation with, and support from, the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It offers baccalaureate degrees in the arts and sciences and other career-based professional fields.

Editor's Comment: Kudos to Bishop McKinley Young and his legal staff. Please keep Edward Waters College in your prayers!

3. NEWS FROM THE 93RD SESSION OF THE SOUTH GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

March 9, 2005: Bishop DeVeaux hears reports from pastors on the Albany-Valdosta District under the leadership of Presiding Elder Jacqueline D. Smith. As with those of the Thomasville-Bainbridge District, lead by Presiding Elder David L. Moore, all reports were well received by Bishop DeVeaux and conference attendees.

The Conference was led in a spirited worship break by our Episcopal Supervisor, Dr. Pam DeVeaux who led the Conference in singing "I got a new name over in Zion." Not only did Dr. Pam lead us in singing, but she showed the Conference that she knew how to dance in the Spirit of the Lord. The Rev. Dr. Kenneth C. Williams was the Hour of Power preacher. His text was taken from Psalm 127.1; sermon subject, "A house not made by human hands."

The Women in Ministry conducted the evening worship service. The preacher was the Rev. Mary C. Groomes of the Thomasville-Bainbridge District. Her text was taken from Mark 4.39-40. The subject was "Weathering the storms of life."

March 10, 2005: After hearing the conclusion of pastoral reports the Conference prepared for the Hour of Power service. The preacher was the Rev. Carla Carter Jordan, pastor of St. Phillip AME, Valdosta. She preached a powerful message which left the congregation praising God. When Bishop DeVeaux stepped to the pulpit to make remarks, the Spirit of the Lord came down in St. Timothy and people were being prayed for and anointed with oil.

March 11, 2005: After hearing the final reports and directions from Bishop DeVeaux in regards to how the conference will close, the Sons of Allen held their service at noon. The preacher was the Rev. Claude Ray James, pastor of Allen Temple, Atlanta, Georgia.

The ordination service was held at 7:00 p.m. The guest preacher was the Rev. Ronald Boykins of Manassas, VA. His sermon was well prepared, and informative about the dynamics of pastoral leadership. Pastor Boykins and the message were well received by the South Georgia conference.

March 11, 2005: Bishop DeVeaux heard reports from several components. Bishop DeVeaux thanked the Annual Conference for all of its gifts and acts of kindness extended to him and Dr. Pam since their arrival in the Sixth Episcopal District.

The Commissioning service was held at 7:00 p.m. The Conference was blessed to have the former Bishop of the Sixth Episcopal District, retired Bishop Frank C. Cummings and Mrs. Martha Cummings as guests.

Bishop Cummings preached about "A Divine Appointment." He preached with power and anointing. The South Georgia Annual Conference ended on a high note.

Bishop & Dr. Pam expressed their gratitude to the Rev. Terry McCreary, host pastor and Saint Timothy, host church, along with the presiding elders, clergy, and lay for how the 93rd Session was held. Bishop DeVeaux stated that he felt that he was off to a good start in his first series of annual conferences in the Sixth District.

Bishop DeVeaux's next conference , the Southwest Georgia Annual Conference, opens on March 15, 2005 at Love Oak AME Church, Donalsonville, Georgia. The Rev. Millie Rambeau is the host pastor.

4. THE THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT MIDYEAR CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD THIS WEEK AT QUINN CHAPEL, LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY:

The 13th Episcopal District Mid-Year Conference will be held at Quinn Chapel AME Church beginning Thursday Evening, March 17, 2005 with the Reverend Dr. William Whatley being the keynote preacher. Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie is the presiding prelate and Brother Stan McKenzie, the Episcopal Supervisor are excited about the Mid-Year celebration. Dynamic preaching, teaching and spiritual formation will be the central foci of the 13th Episcopal Mid-Year Event.

Bishop McKenzie recently chartered the Thirteenth Episcopal District School of the Prophets (SOP) who will finalize its work for the quadrennium. The SOP oversees institutes for continuing education at each annual conference and at district-wide meetings. Ministers and laity will be able to earn continuing education units.

Bishop McKenzie is publishing a “Devotional Guide: From the Cross to Pentecost,” a daily devotional for clergy and laity that covers the period from Easter to Pentecost. She is hopeful and in prayer that every person in the 13th Episcopal District will read and pray, using the devotional guide during the period between Easter and Pentecost, which will be celebrated this year on May 15.

The devotional booklet will be sold for $2.00 onsite at the Mid Year Conference and can be ordered for $3.00 (cost of booklet and 1st class mailing) for anyone wishing to purchase a copy of the devotional guide. To order the devotional, you may email: 13th_episcopal@bellsouth.net or call 615. 242-6814.

The celebration, “From the Cross to Pentecost, “ will culminate with geographical Saturday afternoon district-wide revivals. The Thirteenth Episcopal District is striving for spiritual renewal and spiritual excellence. The District is attempting to move from “good” to “great!”

5. MEDICAL UPDATE FROM PASTOR MIKE BARTA, JOHNSON CHAPEL AME CHURCH, SANTA ANA, CALIFORNIA:

Just a brief note to give you a progress report my gastric bypass surgery this past Tuesday. All appears to have gone well in the three hour surgery and I was released from the hospital at 5 p.m. yesterday. I am in minimal pain considering the fact that I believe that they marched the entire US Army through my stomach in the process. I will be taking it slow for the next couple of days but hope to be back up on a modified schedule by the end of next week. I know that the Church is in wonderful hands in the meantime, given our excellent team of Associate Pastors and Lay leadership. As for food, I am on special liquid shakes for the next four weeks. I have not had regular food since 11 a.m. on Monday and I am not yet in the least bit hungry. I solicit your continued prayers for my recovery and my journey toward better health.Please accept my heartfelt thanks for those who were there to pray with me on the morning of the surgery, those who made the journey to visit following the surgery, those who tried but were encouraged not to by hospital staff, those who called, sent flowers and cards, and mostly for all who PRAYED. I

Yours in the Joy of Jesus,
Pastor Mike Barta.

BREAKING NEWS!!!!! EWC RETAINS ACCREDITATION

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE ELEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT OFFICE OF THE BISHOP:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE —-

Federal Judge Grants Edward Waters College (EWC) A Preliminary Injunction Against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Ruling means EWC retains its accreditation
JACKSONVILLE, Fit, March 11, 2005 — A federal judge ruled today that Edward Waters College (EWC) will remain accredited through its pursuit of a lawsuit against the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. College leaders and its attorneys held a press conference this afternoon on the steps of the U.S. Courthouse to discuss the ruling.

Judge Timothy Corrigan, after hearing evidence and arguments from both FWC and SACS, ruled that “the college has shown a substantial likelihood that it will prove at trial, that die association denied the college due process in the procedures the association employed to expel the college from association membership.”

“This is an important victory for EWC,” said Bishop McKinley Young, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “It is now beginning to be understood that EWC has been denied its due process.”
EWC filed the request for a temporary injunction, a preliminary injunction and a lawsuit against SACS on Monday, February 28 after learning its internal appeal to SACS had been denied. EWC was granted the injunction that afternoon and argued later in the week in a three-hour hearing that the injunction should remain in place through conclusion of the lawsuit.

The ruling forces SACS to keep EWC as a member (remaining accredited) until and throughout its lawsuit against the accrediting association. It also directs SACS to mediate with EWC in mediation to be presided over by U.S. District Judge Harvey Schlesinger and Attorney and Interim Supervisor of Elections William Scheu. The judge also ruled that under the Higher Education Act, federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over civil actions involving the accreditation issue and he denied SACS’ request to have the case dismissed.

Edward Waters College was established in 1866 to educate the descendants of African Americans, newly emancipated from slavery. Today, its enrollment continues to be substantially African-American students from the Southeast and Northeast regions of the United Stares, while also welcoming students from all racial and ethnic groups within the United States and from around the world. The College is a private, four-year, liberal arts, coeducational, residential institution, committed to Christian principles which emphasize high moral and spiritual values, as a result of its close affiliation with, and support from, the African Methodist Episcopal Church. It offers baccalaureate degrees in the arts and sciences and other career-based professlonal fields.

Editor's Comment: Please keep Edward Waters College in your prayers!

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/11/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor



1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:

I have been out of the office all week. I am now back in Nashville, Tennessee.I was waiting for the correct answers to the questions asked in The Christian Recorder Online and I am not certain if the questions were too hard or if the members of the clergy and adult laity might be afraid that I would post their names if they gave incorrect answers. I would not post the names of persons who respond with incorrect answers. If I hadn’t been looking for questions to post, I would not have been able to answer some of my own questions. Finding questions to post has motivated me to read more about our Church.

Remember, “Not knowing the answers to some of the questions is not shameful, but continuing in ignorance is shameful.” Let’s all of us make a concerted effort to know our Church. I was going to ask some biblical and theological questions… Do I dare? And, certainly you may search your books or go to the Internet to find the answers to the questions. Or you may ask knowledgeable people who may be able to help you. I will give the questions a couple of days rest.

Thirteen yearold Stephen Green has answered correctly again! He’ll soon have free subscriptions to all of the periodicals. Congratulations to Stephen Green who answered all the questions 1-3(youth) and 2 of the adult questions.

(1) Supervisor Claytie Davis served in the U.S. Army.

Editor’s Note. Supervisor Donovan Guidry also served for many years in the military service.

(2) Supervisor Stan McKenzie has the record for Most Free Throws in a quarter and he played for the Portland Trailblazers, the Baltimore Bullets, the Phoenix Suns, and the Houston Rockets.

(3) Bishop T. M. D. Ward stands for Bishop Thomas Myer Decatur Ward. Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols is named after him. (4). Three bishops born in PA: Bishops Thomas M.D. Ward, Benjamin W. Arnett, and Josiah H. Armstrong.

Editor’s Comment: Bishop Benjamin T. Tanner, and Bishop Philip Cousin were also born in Pennsylvania. I certainly thought that someone from the Fourth Episcopal District would have come up with Bishop Cousin’s name. Of course Bishop Richard Allen was also born in Pennsylvania.

The question, “Which elected official of the AME Church was born in the 8th Episcopal District, served the Church only in the 8th Episcopal District, ran for election from the 8th Episcopal District and that person was elected at the General Conference the second time that person ran for office? was answered by one person, who was from the Eighth Episcopal District. The answer correct is Dr. Johnny Barbour.

2. DR. DEBRA GRANT DEVELOPED HOLY HUSH - A CALL TO PRAYER AND FASTING:

The Purpose: To achieve the Spirit of Christ in our homes, on our jobs, in our communities and in the body of Christ as we seek unity and opportunities to exercise the fruit of the Spirit.

The Plan: To abstain from any negative words, talk and conversation for the next 30 days.

The Promise: “You will keep in perfect peace whose mind is steadfast...” Isa. 26:3

WEEK ONE - “Do not speak manner evil to or about others…” Ephesians 4:29-32
Day One: A day of separation – Prayer & Meditation
Day Two: I will abstain from cursing & using hurtful words.
Day Three I will abstain from untruthfulness to and about others.
Day Four I will abstain from screaming and yelling at others.
Day Five: I will abstain from arguments and gestures that condescend.
Day Six: I will abstain from gossip.
Day Seven Pray & Journal

WEEK TWO - “Do not criticize and judge others.” Romans 14:1-4
Day One: A day of separation - Prayer & Meditation
Day Two: I will abstain from discouraging others.
Day Three: I will abstain from condemning self & others.
Day Four: I will abstain from passing judgment on self & others.
Day Five: I will abstain from complaining about things I cannot change.
Day Six: I will abstain from criticizing family, friends and the church.
Day Seven: Pray & Journal

WEEK THREE – “Don’t be a stumbling block or obstacle.” Romans 14:13-14
Day One: A day of separation – Prayer & Meditation
Day Two: I will abstain from coveting what belongs to others.
Day Three: I will abstain from blaming others for my mistakes.
Day Four: I will abstain from rejecting others.
Day Five: I will abstain from accusing others for my misfortunes.
Day Six I will not cause another to stumble or fall.
Day Seven Pray & Journal

WEEK FOUR – “Commit your way unto the Lord.” Psalm 37:5
Day One: A day of separation – Prayer & Meditation
Day Two: I will confront my issues in prayer.
Day Three: I will allow myself to feel pain to begin my healing.
Day Four: I will forgive my self & others as I seek forgiveness.
Day Five: I will the fruit of the Spirit ( Love, Joy, Patience, Peace, Kindness, Self-control, and Temperance).
Day Six: I will keep my attitude positive and move in a positive direction.
Day Seven: Pray & Journal

Editor’s Note: This is a great family or congregational fast if you are strong enough to follow it. I tried, but I am going to try again!

3. THE GLOBAL CORNER – THE FIFTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT:

- Namibian Midyear “Restored God’s Altar!”

Rev. Willem Simon Hanse

Namibian’s from all walks of life met for the Midyear Convocation 2005 at the Ebenezer AME Church, Katutura from 3-6 March 2005 with the Rt. Rev. Samuel L Green Sr., Bishop of the 15th Episcopal District presiding. The air was thick with expectancy, because the marketing of the Midyear Convocation, including full-colour posters and media announcements on the private and public broadcasters, made it clear that the African Methodist Episcopal Church was not going to do business as usual with the launch the God First Evangelistic Crusade in the Namibian capital, Windhoek.

The Spirit of the Lord was already visible in the hospitality extended by the Rev. Victor Helu and people of the Ebenezer. The royal red carpet was rolled out for the delegates and visitors. The host church left no stone unturned to make arrangements smooth and did everything in their power to make life easier for those of us arriving from smaller towns and rural areas outside Windhoek.

The Rev. Neels J Simon, Presiding Elder of the Gibeon District, conducted the Devotion of the Business Session on Thursday, 3 March 2005 @ 18h00 at the St. Andrews AME Church, Khomasdal. He focused the meeting on the biblical theme that we must collectively and individually seek God First and all other things will be given unto us.

The reports of the Presiding Elders were carried, reflecting good and accountable stewardship. Thanks be to our God that over 75% of the projected budget income was raised irrespective of the bad economic situation due to delayed rains. The Presiding Elders offered firm commitment that outstanding budgetary items will be fully covered at the 48th Session of the Annual Conference later in the year.

The Midyear Convocation was characterised by 5 outstanding Evangelistic Crusade Services and 4 inspirational Evangelistic Crusade Workshops. When Bishop Green announced the vision of the Crusade at the 47th Session of the Annual Conference held during September 2004, it was already crystal clear to many of us that we had to prepare for a Florida-tornado. That Conference’s Commissioning Sermon, A Fresh Anointing already hinted that Namibian AME’s are going to be nourished with a fresh anointment at the promised Crusade.

The Evangelistic Crusade preachers and teachers were (1) Rev. Dr. James Wade, the Director of Church Growth and Development, who preached about Moving to a New Place, (2) Rev. Marcus Green, pastor of Allen Temple AME Church in Columbus, GA, who preached about Making a U-turn for Christ and that only 3 steps are needed to make that u-turn: the first for the Father, the second for the Son and the third for the Holy Ghost, (3) Rev. Dana L Crawford, pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church in Oakland, Fl, who preached about Maximizing your Potential, and again (4) Rev. Dr. James Wade who returned to emphasised the Power of Prayer, and finally (5) Bishop Samuel L Green Sr. who delivered a very classic-Green inspirational sermon from 1 Kings 18:30b “…and he repaired the altar of the Lord that was broken.” The sermon received a standing ovation throughout as the bishop was moving the worshippers to a new spiritual level, boldly proclaiming that dignity will be restored to the altar of God.

The meeting ended with the reading of pastoral appointments, whereby the Rev. Daniel Schmidt has been appointed to St. Peter’s AME Church, Maltahöhe and the Rev. Neels J Simon was appointed Presiding Elder of the Keetmanshoop District.

We thank God for the spirit-filled leadership of Bishop Samuel L Green, Sr. as time is no longer wasted on administrative routine, but teaching and preaching elements supersede everything at these meetings. We thank God for our clergy, laity, missionaries and youth for the attendance and for making a resounding success of Midyear Convocation 2005. May the Lord’s name be praised, all the time, everywhere!

Publicity Report submitted by the Rev. Willem Simon Hanse, Pastor of the St. James AME Church, Dean of the Namibian Board of Examiners and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia.Windhoek, Namibia.

- The African Methodist Episcopal Church - The Fifteenth Episcopal District:

The Rt. Rev. Samuel L Green Sr., – BishopRev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi – Advisor
Presiding Elders: Rev. Dr. Andreas Biwa, Rev. William A Balie, Rev. Paul Fredericks + Rev. Neels J Simon.

Office of the Administrative Assistant: Rev. Dr. Andreas BiwaP O Box 798, Keetmanshoop, Namibia, Tel. +264 81 127 8124

- The African Methodist Episcopal Church Fifteenth Episcopal District Remains United:

Christian greetings are extended to readers in the blessed and wonderful Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ. Together with other churches in the Christian Church we exalt and magnify the name of Jesus, shouting Hosanna in the Highest, as we prepare for Christ to ride into our hearts. May the spirit of Palm Sunday be forever on our lips.

Connectionalism

Recent unfortunate developments within the Namibia Annual Conference are misconstrued as threatening the unity of the African Methodist Episcopal. This missive serves to inform and confirm that members of the Namibia Annual Conference still affirm Connectionalism as manifested in the present configuration whereby Namibia is part of the 15th Episcopal District under the leadership of Bishop Samuel L Green, Sr. . During the 2000 – 2004 quadrennial, the Namibia Conference, at its AJC Preparatory Meetings, have affirmed our membership and the said affirmation was conveyed to the just concluded African Jurisdictional Council and the 47th Session of the General Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Against this background, we are sensitizing all members of the AME Church in Namibia that “false prophets” are spreading messages all over this country that the Namibia Annual Conference is preparing to leave the Connection. This is devoid of any truth and is hereby rejected with the contempt it deserve. The rank-and-file of the AME Church members are hereby advised to refrain from attending any so-called information meetings called to discuss disaffiliation from the AME Church Connection.

Pastoral Appointments

The bishop of the 15th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church has revoked the pastoral appointments of the Reverends Hendrik /Gariseb (St. Peter’s AME Church, Maltahohe) and the Petrus Simon Moses Kooper (Immanuel AME Church, Hoachanas) at the closure of the Midyear Convocation 2005 held at the Ebenezer AME Church on Saturday, 5 March 2005. The Reverend Hendrik /Gariseb has also been suspended as the Presiding Elder of the Keetmanshoop District. Consequently, the Rev. Daniel Schmidt has been appointed to St. Peter’s AME Church, Maltahohe and the Rev. Neels J Simon has been appointed Presiding Elder of the Keetmanshoop District. All administrative necessitating these changes will be dealt with at the 49th Session of the Namibia Annual Conference to be held at the Bethel Memorial AME Church, Luderitz from 24-28 August 2005. Until this conference, the Reverends PSM Kooper and Hendrik /Gariseb remain silenced and suspended from performing any ministerial privileges.

End

“And now abideth faith, hope, charity; these three, but the greatest of these is charity.” May the God of peace, love and joy bless you and yours abundantly.

Rev. Dr. Hendrik Witbooi
Consultant to the Bishop 081 124 4003
Rev. Dr. Andreas Biwa Presiding Elder & AA081 127 8124
Rev. Neels Johannes Simon Presiding Elder 081 284 9231
Rev. Paul FredericksPresiding Elder
Rev. William A Balie Presiding Elder 064-20 4430
Bro. Alfred Goliath, PresidentNamibia Lay Organization081 128 9727
Signed hard copy available upon request from Rev. Dr. Andreas Biwa081 127 8124Namibian Midyear “Restored God’s Altar!”

4. THE 93rd SESSION OF THE SOUTH GEORGIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE:

Monday: WMS service at 9:00 a.m.. Mrs. Sandra Lewis, Conference President. The Rev. Bruce L. Francis was the Missionary Day preacher. The business session and elections were held after the morning worship service.

Tuesday’s : Opening Worship was held at First United Methodist Church, downtown Valdosta. The Rev. George Vereen, pastor of St. John, Valdosta, delivered the opening sermon. Over 50 visiting clergy from the Sixth Episcopal District were in attendance. Bishop DeVeaux organized the 93rd. Session of the South Georgia Annual Conference after lunch. T

he Lay Organization presented Spoken script presentation on the founding of the AME Church and the court case that ensued upon Richard & Sarah Allen, Absalom Jones and other's leaving St. George Methodist Episcopal Church.

Bishop DeVeaux heard reports from the pastors of the Thomasville-Bainbridge District.

Wednesday: Bishop heard the remaining reports from Thomasville-Bainbridge District and several pastoral reports from the Albany-Valdosta District. The reports from both Presiding Elders' Districts were good and well received by the Bishop and Conference.

The Noon Day Preacher was the Rev. Dr. Kenneth C. Williams, pastor of St. Thomas, AME, Thomasville, GA. Bishop DeVeaux heard more reports from Albany-Valdosta District. Rev. Mary C. Grooms was the preacher for the Women In Ministry service. A combined Male Chorus provided the music. The service well attended.

DEVOTIONAL: GOING FORWARD WITH GOD:

So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5: 16, 22-25)

God is telling His disciples that the “Fruit of the Spirit” is produced in our lives as we “live by the Spirit.” To live by the Spirit is to be controlled by the indwelling Holy Spirit as we yield to and depend on Him each day of our lives. James, the half-brother of Jesus asks, “Can a fig tree bear olives?” (James 3: 12a) The type of the tree determines the fruit of a tree. The fruit is the product of the nature of the tree. No matter how hard one may try, one cannot get olives from a fig tree. So it is with the Fruit of the Spirit. This fruit can only be produced when the nature present in the believer is that of the Holy Spirit.

While in Summerlin, Nevada, I had the privilege of spending time with a man of God who truly exhibits the fruit of the Spirit - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. His Christ-like nature led me to ask God to “Please help me to bear the fruit of the Spirit more prominently in my life.” God’s response was confirmed by a daily devotional and the passage of scripture listed above. I realized that I was not to focus on attempting to bear the fruit of the Spirit in my life. I am to focus on my relationship with God. By doing so, the fruit will be produced.

“So”, you’re asking, “How do I focus on my relationship with God so my life will bear the fruit of the Spirit?” I’m so glad you asked!

By accepting Christ as Savior in the forgiveness of my sins. Jesus died so we might have new life, a new start, and a clean slate. This newness is present in us allowing the Holy Spirit to dwell in every believer.

“Have you ever asked Christ to come into your life and forgive you of your sins?” By asking the now indwelling Spirit to fill me – to be in control as I yield to and depend on Him each day (Ephesians 5: 18) By cultivating my relationship with God through proper:

- Watering – prayer (Philippians 4: 4-7). “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanks giving, present your requests to God.”

- Feeding – study, sermons, books (Matthew 4: 4). “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”

- Sunlight – good works (Matthew 5: 14-16). “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

- Pruning – scripture (Hebrews 4: 12-13). “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”By doing the above, we are inviting the Holy Spirit to have His way so our lives can be lived in the Spirit, bearing fruit.

Pastor Jim Moody

5. HOMEGOING SERVICES FOR MRS. ANNA MAE WADE

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Anna Mae Wade, mother of Reverend Dr. Robert C. Wade, Presiding Elder of the Camden-Trenton District, New Jersey Annual Conference.

The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements. Services will be held Monday, March 14, 2005
Funeral Service - 12 Noon
St. John Baptist 2
025 West Central Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32805
Phone: (407) 422-5725
Condolences may be sent to:
Presiding Elder & Mrs. Robert C. Wade & Family
c/o Postell's Mortuary
811 North Powers Drive
Orlando, Florida 32818 I
nterment: Washington Park Cemetery
2700 Bruton Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32802
Please remember the Wade family in your prayers during this time of their bereavement.

6. FUNERAL NOTICE:

We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Marian Sawyer, mother of Reverend Frances Benson, pastor of John Wesley A.M.E. Church, Dover, Delaware. The following information has been provided regarding funeral arrangements.
Viewing - Friday, March 11, 2005
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
103 West Mispillion Street
Harrington, DE 19952

Funeral - Saturday, March 12, 2005
Service - 11:00 a.m.
St. Stephen Episcopal Church
Raughley Hill Road
Harrington, DE 19952
Condolences may be sent to:
Rev. Frances Benson
142 W. Milby Street
Harrington, DE 19952
Home: (302) 398-8561
or

Fax condolences to (302) 284-8848, in c/o Mrs. Doris Palmer, Wednesday to Friday
For direction to St. Paul A.M.E. Church or St. Stephens Episcopal Church, please call Mrs. Doris Palmer, (302) 331-9354; (cell) or Rev. Benson.
Please remember the Benson family in your prayers during this time of their bereavement.

7. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Mrs. Priscilla Hunt, beloved sister of Presiding Elder Samson M. Cooper,Pittsburgh District, Pittsburgh Annual Conference, and aunt of Dr. Gerald Cooper and Rev. Kevin Cooper passed and will be eulogized on Wednesday, March 9, 2005.

Viewing: 6-7 p.m. The services: 7 p.m.
Brown Chapel AME Church
2804 Alms Place
Cincinnati, OH 45206
513-281-1189

The Committal service will take place on Thursday, March 10, 2004, at the Smithfield Cemetery at 2 p.m.

Condolence may be sent:
c/o Brown Chapel AME Church
2804 Alms Place
Cincinnati, OH 45206
or to:
Presiding Elder Samson Cooper and Family
Park Lane Apartments - #12035700 Bunkerhill Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15206(412) 441-9240

Please remember the family in your prayers.

8. ALL BEREAVEMENT ANNOUNCEMENTS PROVIDED BY SISTER ORA L. EASLEY:

Ora L. Easley, President
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, TN Contact)Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781(Memphis, TN Contact)(901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)
WEB SITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/
http://www.connmswawo3.com/
CONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S June 2005 Events

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/4/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor

1. BREAKING NEWS!

A federal judge in Jacksonville, Florida heard arguments Thursday, but made no decision on whether to let Edward Waters College remain accredited. Edwards Waters College is suing the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SAC) that stripped its accreditation. Bishop McKinley Young is quoted as saying, "We're not going to be stomped into the ground, disrespected…"

Edward Waters College is one of our great institutions of higher learning. Four private historically black colleges have lost accreditation since 1994.

Read an account in the link below of the news coverage in this morning’s edition of The Florida Times-Union.

http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online
/stories/030405/met_18126136.shtml

2. EDITOR’S CORNER:

We have had persons to attempt to answer the questions posed in this venue. We hope that more of you will “take a shot “at answering the questions. Don’t worry; I will not be posting the names and answers of incorrect questions. Let’s have some fun. The answers can be found in books that can be purchased from the AME Publishing House, telephone (800) 648-8724; in the Discipline, The A.M.E. Church Review, telephone number (615) 248-0905, The Christian Recorder (800) 648-8724 and the Internet. We also invite responses from our youth.
Typically, I would like attempted responses back within 24 hours, unless it is an unusually hard question. You may reply to: chsydnor@bellsouth.net

Today’s Questions - Know your Church!

Please give your full name, address and telephone number with your responses.

Youth Questions:

(1) Name the Episcopal Supervisor who served as a soldier in the United States Army.

(2) Name the Episcopal Supervisor who played professional basketball. Which teams did he play for and what basketball record does he hold?

(3) What do the initials stand for in Bishop T. M. D. Ward's name? Which elected official in the AME Church was named after him?"

(The youth who correctly answers all three questions within 24 hours will receive a copy of Bishop Nichols’ book: The Upward Journey: A Centenarian's Chronicle - Personal Stories of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols, Revered Clergyman of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, or a subscription to the AME periodical of his or her choice)

Adult Questions:

(1) Which elected official of the AME Church was born in the 8th Episcopal District, served the Church only in the 8th Episcopal District, ran for election from the 8th Episcopal District and that person was elected at the General Conference the second time that person ran for office?

(2) Name three bishops, other than Richard Allen, who were born in Pennsylvania.

(3) What do the initials stand for in Bishop T. M. D. Ward's name? Which elected official in the AME Church was named after him?

(The person who correctly answers all three questions within 24 hours will receive a copy of Bishop Nichols’ book: The Upward Journey: A Centenarian's Chronicle - Personal Stories of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols, Revered Clergyman of the African Methodist Episcopal Church or a subscription to the AME periodical of his or her choice)

If you can’t find the answers in about 5 – 10 minutes, please call (800) 648-8724 and ask which books you need to purchase so that you can reacquaint yourself with the history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. There is no shame in not knowing. The shame is in not doing anything about what you don’t know.

3. THE BLACK CHURCH WEEK OF PRAYER FOR THE HEALING OF AIDS MARCH 6-12, 2005:

The Black church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is observed around the world. It focuses on HIV/AIDS and the impact it will have without prevention education and compassionate care efforts from all segments of the community, including the faith communities.

The Week of Prayer begins on the first Sunday in March and continues for seven days (March 6-12) in African American communities across the country as well as in Africa and the Caribbean. The Black Church Week of Prayer is a vehicle for spiritual renewal and transformation, and HIV prevention education for every individual and faith community that participates. The purpose of the Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is to bring National attention to the role the Black churches are playing in the AIDS crisis. It paves the way for continuous mobilization and education for the implementation of AIDS prevention and support programs in our churches.

In Oklahoma, AME churches who are members of The African American Faith Community for AIDS Prevention (AAFCAP) will participate in several Ecumenical events to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and the organization’s programs. For more information about the Coalition, visit the website at www.aafcap.org

Mrs. Saundra Lucas
Davis Chapel AME Church
Oklahoma Conference-
12th Episcopal District

4. THE REVEREND DR. CLYDE W. ODEN, JR., ENCOURAGES US TO OPEN THE LINKS BELOW AND READ ABOUT HIV/AIDS:

The challenge of HIV/AIDS is facing our people and our world. The burden of HIV/AIDS is ours, first. It is unacceptable for us to approach the HIV/AID epidemic from a parochial perspective; rather we should approach it from a global perspective. HIV/AIDS is not just another issue. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is our issue.

This is for the Black Church, the “Week of Prayer” for the healing of AIDS.

http://www.unaids.org/unaids_resources/
HomePage/images/AIDSScenarios/
AIDS-scenarios-2025_section1_en.pdf

Daily HIV/AIDS Recent Reports - Kaisernetwork.org

The Rev. Dr. Clyde W. Oden, Jr.
Senior Pastor
Bryant Temple A.M.E. Church Los Angeles, CA

5. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:

Dr. Sydnor,

I enjoyed reading your Editor's Corner about "If I were starting my ministry over again.” Your points are right on target as Pastors and their families’ need some "me" time to refresh, reflect, and to rejuvenate themselves. And so it is with each of us as we all should step back from the rush and grind of our daily lives and take it easy. Let us be reminded that the Lord made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

Thanks,

The Reverend Beverly T. Goines
St. James AME Church
Memphis, TN

Dear Editor -

More of us should accept your priorities as our own. Thanks for the focus on a needed discipline. Pray that I might move in that direction. The Reverend Sidney W. Williams, P.E.

Editor’s comment:

I would add this to my list of, If I were starting my ministry over again: “I would, from the beginning of my ministry, contact a trusted financial planner and develop an investment portfolio and a college fund for my children.”

- Dear Rev. Editor,

Can't resist this opportunity to check in with you once more, this time about your Priorities list. Naturally, I read this with focus on my own husband's years of ministry. So much of what you said struck home. For instance, it took a lot of years for us to realize that he/ I / we NEEDED time away from the stress of ministry. I finally had to take that over and "dictate" -- according to what I observed about his schedule, feelings, difficulty of duties at a given time -- that we make a point to get away for a few days. He soon learned to agree with me. :-) Even two to three nights away mid-week could yield such a blessing. He'd come back ready, willing, and able to put out all the little "brush fires."

Here is what I would like to share about my husband: C. B. Johns read the Holy Bible through every single year of his life, starting with somewhere during his college years. He died at age 78, so that's a mighty lot of reading, if you ask me!!! During his last 10 years or so he would complete the full reading of The Bible in LESS THAN A YEAR and start another version immediately. He read scads of different versions in his lifetime and studied constantly. The Bible was God's Word and it was his main ministry "tool"; it was his life.

Even when we started going on cruises, he always had religious reading with him and it was nothing for him to come home with a new sermon or two, completed. For him, this was a part of his "vacation." I couldn't understand this at first, but I finally did. He was reading and preparing under different circumstances. If he could read a while and look up and see God's beautiful ocean waves passing by or some beautiful scenery from the stateroom window, and then get back to his writing, was that not a "difference" from how he usually wrote? It took me a while, but I finally understood. To each his, or her own.

In addition to all this, though, he certainly knew how to enjoy life and take advantage of all God put in his path to learn about and to love. We particularly spoke about how fortunate we were to be able to learn first hand about our wonderful world which included God's natural wonders (waterfalls, mountains, valleys, glaciers, Grand Canyon, etc.) AND the marvelous projects that God had allowed man to create (Panama Canal, Hoover Dam, huge towers, etc.). As we traveled a bit, these things came to mean so much to us. God was, indeed, EVERYWHERE!

Okay, on to something else. I haven't commented on your editorials and other information included in your Online Edition and the hard copy "CR". I have a young church friend (one of the "daughters" I've collected) who told me how very grateful she was to you for your articles regarding colors used in the pulpit and the meanings of each at their time of use. I've been meaning to tell you about that. Further, I find that I am so eager now to read your on-lines. I can hardly wait to open them because I know there will be something interesting and timely for my consumption. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! My ambition now is to eventually get to all the back editions that appeared online before I subscribed recently.

May God continue to bless you as you perform this service for His people. You are a blessing to us and I hope that you can continue this work for a long, long time.

Jeanette T. Johns

Editor’s Note:

Jeanette Johns is author of the book about Bishop Nichols: The Upward Journey: A Centenarian's Chronicle - Personal Stories of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols, Revered Clergyman of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

6. I RECEIVED THIS NOTE OF THANKS LAST NIGHT FROM THE REVEREND SHELDA HERRING AND THOUGHT THAT THIS WOULD BE AN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ALL OF OUR READERS. THIS PRAYER IS ENTITLED, “THANKING GOD”:


Dear GOD:

I want to thank You for what You have already done.
I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards,
I am thanking you right now
I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better,
I am thanking you right now
I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me,
I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears,
I am thanking you right now.
I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves,
I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until the children are asleep and the house is quiet,
I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I get promoted at work or until I get the job,
I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief,
I am going to thank you right now.
I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed.
I am thanking you right now.
I am thanking you because I am alive.
(Author unknown)

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/3/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor

EDITOR’S CORNER:

I review my ministry on a regular basis and this morning I looked at my list of priorities of, “If I were Starting My Ministry Over Again” list, and re-prioritized it.

If were starting my ministry over again today, these would be my priorities:

Priority One: I would commit to pray, that is to talk with God each day before talking with anyone else. I would awaken with the prayer, “In the Name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Priority Two: I would commit to read the Word of God, with comprehension and focus, every day before reading anything else. I would fix it in my mind that “feeding” on the Word of God is as important as eating natural food because the Word of God is food for my soul. . I would develop a daily disciplined time for devotion and spiritual formation. The Word of God before the newspaper or the television news programs.

Priority Three: I would spend more time each week with my family, especially my wife and children.

Priority Four: I would take a Sabbatical rest every week. I would take time out for “me.” I would also give myself several days of “retreat,” several times a year where I would spend time with “me.”

Priority Five: I would periodically attend worship services, alone or with my family, where I could sit in the congregation, without recognition, and be “fed,” even if I had to visit a church where no one knew me.

Priority Six: I would insist that my wife spend several days of retreat away from the family several times a year where she could spend time with” herself,” and I would take care of the kids. She could spend time alone or with friends. My wife needs a “break” from the stress of ministry and from the stress of the home.

Priority Seven: I would take a family vacation, without preaching, several times a year. The family needs a rest from the stress of ministry.

Priority Eight: I would develop the discipline of daily journaling. In a sense, journaling is connected with the prayer priority. Journaling helps one to develop the discipline of putting your thoughts down in writing.

Priority Nine: I would start out in ministry by setting up a physical training program. I would do some physical exercise, at least, several times a week, i.e., jog, walk, join the YMCA or some other athletic facility.

Priority Ten: I would schedule annual physicals and dental care. I would be more intentional in finding a medical doctor, dentist, podiatrist, and someone in the area of mental health. I now know that I, and my family, need regular medical care.

Priority Eleven: I would understand the church meetings, i.e., and especially, General Conferences and Annual Conferences are not vacations!

Priority Twelve: I would fast at least one meal a week and periodically for more lengthy times.

Priority Thirteen: I would be intentional in reading books, in addition to reading the Bible. I would commit myself to read at least a chapter from some worthy book each day, beyond the required or usual reading for sermon preparation. I now understand that if I am going to preach relevant sermons and to be a relevant pastor I need to be well-read.

Priority Fourteen: I would find a hobby and devote time to it.

Priority Fifteen: I would develop healthy eating habits.

Priority Sixteen: I would remember that education is an ongoing activity. I would be more intentional in taking advantage of learning opportunities, workshops, retreat and conferences.

Priority Seventeen: I would remember that lay members also love the church. I would not be so quick to “eliminate” or shun those who do not agree with me. My philosophy would be, “Thank God for the ones who agree with me because they would be and encouragement to me, but I would also thank God for those who disagree with me because they are the ones who keep me “sharp” and keep me in prayer.

Priority Eighteen: I would trust more, be more open, and develop friendships with laypersons. I now know that it’s alright for them to get to know me as a person and I now know that when they get to know “me,” their loyalty will not dissipate. Familiarity does not always breed contempt.

Priority Nineteen: My daily mantra would be to “Pray, read the Bible, love the flock” - on good days and bad days; – every day! I understand that the shepherd’s job is to lead and feed the flock – lead every single one of them and feed all of them!

Priority Twenty: I would remember and the poem, “Only a Minute!

”We only have a minute,
Sixty seconds in it,
It's forced upon us,
We can't refuse it,
We didn't seek it, and we didn't choose it
But it is up to us to use it
Give account if we abuse it.
Suffer if we lose it.
It is a tiny little minute, but eternity is in it!

I would attempt to make the best of each day, living it as, “This is the Day that God has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it.”

THE FLAG

Aboard the USS SHREVEPORT (LPD-12)
2002
North Arabian Sea

Today, the entire crew had the opportunity to have their picture taken with the flag. The Captain even made an announcement to the crew on the 1MC (ship’s intercom), encouraging us to do so. Many Sailors had already taken his advice and had posed for individual and group photos so I thought it best to have a personal one as well. I needed to change, though, from my work coveralls into my Service Dress Blue uniform. It would not only make for a good picture but was the appropriate decorum for a pose with the Stars and Stripes.

The flag was on display in Damage Control Central or DC Central, as Sailors know it. DC Central was the place where the ship’s firefighters were based. I got dressed—ribbons, shiny brass, shoes, and all—and made my way three decks down from my Stateroom to DC Central. When I reached the hatch (door) at the front of the office, I noticed two hooks were embedded in a steel beam that ran the length of the overhead (ceiling), which suspended the flag. The stripes ran vertically and the field of stars was positioned at the upper left side. There was a Petty Officer seated at a desk nearby who was designated as “Flag Watch” for this afternoon. The Captain created this Watch to provide ‘round the clock security for the flag.

“Are you here for a picture, Sir?” the Petty Officer asked. “Yes, I am.”“Well, Sir, the digital camera is being used at a pinning ceremony in the Wardroom right now. It should be back soon. Why don’t you have a seat in the meantime?”“OK.”

I took a seat on the bench and rested my cover by my side. I found myself starring at the flag looking it over closely to see if I could detect something distinctive. It was an American flag, no doubt about that, and it seemed to be four feet in width and nine feet in length. The longer I stared I began to get a “response” but too faint to satisfy my search for meaning. So, I arose and approached it believing that perhaps handling it would allow me to connect with its symbolic essence.

To the touch, I could detect that it was made of nylon except for the off-white canvas border at the top and the stars, each one sharply embroidered and equidistant, neatly arranged in the background of blue. Early in life, I learned that the flag represented my identity as an American, though not the sole representation but nonetheless an inescapable one.

I began to ponder the most outstanding memories that I have had with the flag over the course of my life. I believe that my initial encounter with the flag was in the first grade when I learned to recite the Pledge of Allegiance. When I was ten, I purchased my very first flag, which was an old 48-star one at a garage sale (It’s probably worth something today). By the sixth grade, I had met the “pain” of the flag; history classes taught that African-Americans hadn’t received their freedom along with the Declaration of Independence. It was granted almost ….

(Read the complete article in The Christian Recorder)

THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT RETREAT:

The Thirteenth Episcopal District WMS / Clergy/Clergy Spouses will be held April 22—23, 2005 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel, 777 McGavock Pike, Nashville, Tennessee. Retreat Registration: $40.00 due by April 1, 2005.

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/2/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on Publications
The Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., Publisher
The Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor


1. EDITORIAL:

The African Methodist Episcopal Church has a rich history and an endearing legacy. The Church has it genesis in the rejection of the status quo and of being treated as second-class citizens. Bishop Richard Allen was a man who did not acquiesce to the prevailing social and religious winds that were blowing against equal treatment for all of God’s people. All of the blacks did not leave St. George Methodist Episcopal Church and a significant number remained with the Methodist Episcopal Church. They accepted the status quo. But those who left, our forefathers chose to stand up for their belief that they were equal partners in the Kingdom of God and they rejected second-class treatment. And, it wasn’t long afterwards that the Church began to establish institutions of higher learning. We were a church that valued education. The AME Church is steeped in a rich history!

The African Methodist Episcopal Church has as its foundation, the Bible as the Word of God, and the ministry of caring for all of God’s people. Richard Allen and those who followed him to Bethel were courageous and had the wherewithal to take a stand against racial and religious prejudice.

The AME Church, valued education and that is evident when one reads about the ministry of Bishop Daniel Payne who insisted and led the Church to make provisions for a trained clergy. We were a Church that focused upon evangelism and carrying the Gospel message to “all the world.” Read the evangelistic ministry of Bishop Henry McNeal Turner and Bishop Paul Quinn.

We are a Church steeped in intellectual and spiritual pursuit. Look at the writings of retired and active bishops and General Officers. Read the works of Bishops Joseph Gomez, Eugene Hatcher, John Hurst Adams, Vinton R. Anderson, John Richard Bryant, Vashti Murphy McKenzie, and General Officers John P. Collier, Jr., A. Lee Henderson, Robert H. Reid, Jr., Jamye Williams Coleman, George L. Champion, and Dennis Dickerson and other leaders in the Church; not to mention the AMEs in academia who have written scholarly articles and who have participated in scientific research. The rich history and legacy of the AME Church is ongoing and is continuing today.

We have bishops who are trying to bring change and are trying new ways of doing things and modeling accountability. We need to affirm them. I have heard a number of people say and write that they feel that the AME Church is “on the right track” and that they are excited. I, too, am excited!

But, I am saddened when I hear unfounded criticism about what the Church has failed to do, and what the Church is failing to do today; and how people are leaving and going to other churches. People are leaving and moving from church to church because we live in a mobile society. But people are coming into the Church; and that’s what we need to be celebrating.

AME Churches that are adjusting to the changes in society are growing while those who are resistant to change are stagnant or showing a decrease in membership. People today are hungry for the Word and relevance in worship. People are excited about a Church that meets the needs of youth.

Conversely, people are tired of the same old sermons and the same old songs; where preachers haven’t developed fresh relevant sermons. People are tired of listening to choirs that haven’t rehearsed and Sunday School teachers who haven’t prepared their Sunday School lessons. People are tired of pastors coming to business meetings without an agenda and talking about the same of stuff for two hours or more. People are tired of church folk fussing over money and other trite issues that keep churches in an uproar. People are tired of Quarterly Conferences that “bore to the bone” and tired of the same old annual conferences that leave people exhausted and physically spent by the time the appointments are read. So, there is room for change and improvement. I know that we can and I know that we will!

I said all of the above to say this: "Those who fail to learn from history are destined to repeat the failures of it." We need to insure that we continue to learn from our founder, Richard Allen, and from the zeal of the fathers and mothers of our Zion. Certainly we need to keep the Bible in the center of our faith, but we also need to re-read and to be saturated in the history of our great denomination. We need to insure that the morals, values and faith of our ancestors are "living still in spite of dungeon, fire and sword.” Our hearts should still “beat high with joy whenever we hear that glorious word!” We should learn from our history! We should be steeped in our history! We can do that by supporting the Church by "thought, word, and deed." We need to support our Church periodicals, every single one of them!.

For the past several days, I have been putting in some questions in The Christian Recorder Online. If you didn’t know the answers to the questions or couldn’t find the answers in less than five minutes, you need to rediscover your history and your denominational heritage. You need to “crack the books” and do some study.

Here is a question: Name three bishops, who were born in the same state and served in the same Episcopal District when they were elected at the same General Conference.

Here is another question: Name three bishops other than Richard Allen who were born in Pennsylvania.

You may not have the answers on the "tips of your fingers," but you ought to be able to find the answers and about 5-10 minutes. If you are having trouble, than you need to subscribe to the A.M.E. Church Review and /or order some books from the A.M.E. Publishing House. Call 800-648-8724 and order some books for yourself and for your church and encourage your members to read them; and read them yourself!

2. EDITOR’S CORNER

The trivia question posed yesterday was answered correctly by Sister Ruth Ann Bryant, St. Peter AMEC, Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

Question: Who was the first elected Bishop of the AME Church?

Answer: Daniel Coker. He was instrumental in the establishment of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He planted churches in the city of Baltimore. He was elected and declared the Bishop-elect on the 9th of April 9, 1816. He resigned the next day and deferred to Richard Allen.

Bishop Richard Allen was the first elected and consecrated Bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Something I found out in my conversation with Dr. Dennis Dickerson

I am the 20th elected Editor of The Christian Recorder


3. HERE IS A WEBSITE WHERE YOU CAN FIND THE WORDS AND HEAR THE GREAT HYMNS OF THE CHURCH:

http://www.cyberhymnal.org/index.htm#lk


4. NOTE OF THANKS FROM THE FAMILY OF BISHOP DECATUR WARD NICHOLS

The expressions of sorrow and sympathy, care and concern, following the death of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols have been almost overwhelming. In view of the fact that it is virtually impossible to write each individual, this message comes to say “Thank you!” to all.

The fact that twenty-one Bishops, seven General Officers, and countless numbers of ministers from near and far, and hundreds of other friends were able to come to the homegoing service did much to ease our pain and suffering.

“Papa Nick” lived to be 104 years old. Not bad for a mere mortal! We who survive him have no complaints. We are privileged to be his family. Clearly, the legend of “Papa Nick” will liven many stories and the legacy of Bishop Decatur Ward Nichols will be long-lasting.

Sioux Nichols Taylor and the entire Nichols family


5. BISHOP VASHTI MURPHY WILL BE IN A 2-NIGHT REVIVAL IN BIRMINGHAM BEGINNING TONIGHT:

St. John AME Church, Downtown Birmingham, will host the Fresh Anointing Revival on March 2 and 3, 2005 at 6:45 p.m. nightly. Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Presiding Prelate of the 13th Episcopal District will be the Fresh Anointing Revival Preacher at St. John African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church, 708 15th Street North Birmingham, Alabama Wednesday March 2nd and Thursday, March 3rd 6:45 p.m. nightly.

The Fresh Anointing Revival will conclude on Thursday night, March 4 with an evening of worship featuring Birmingham’s own Eric Essix on, at 7 p.m. For more information contact the church office at 205-251- 3764.

Submitted (3/1/04) by Nicole Slater Ministerial Staff, St. John AME Church

6. ANOTHER SCAMS STORY:

About two weeks ago on a Wednesday night following Bible study, Bethel Chapel AME Church received a call from a man asking to speak with the Pastor. I came to the phone and introduced myself. He said that his name was Rev.? and that Bishop Richardson wanted him to call the church because a lady and her family were relocating from Dallas, Texas to Columbia, Tennessee. He stated that, “Bishop Richardson had given her a letter of transfer from her church in Texas to Bethel in Columbia." He went on to say that "she was a musician and had three kids." I was suspicious so I asked him the name of her church and why Bishop Richardson gave a letter of transfer instead of the pastor. He hesitated and then said that he was calling on Bishop Richardson's behalf and hung up. I tried to dial *69 to get the phone number he was calling from, but the number was blocked. The man never asked for any money, but I could tell something was not right from the very beginning of the conversation. I have not received any other calls since that time.

Rev. Trent Ogilvie, Pastor
Bethel Chapel AME Church
Columbia, Tennessee

7. TURNER THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY NATIONAL ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ELECTS NEW PRESIDENT

Submitted by the Reverend Kyle C. Gibson


On February 1, 2005 The Reverend Ammie L. Davis of the 8th Episcopal District took over as the new President of the Turner Theological Seminary National Alumni Association. Reverend Davis followed Reverend Dr. Debra Grant who did not seek to serve an additional term. Reverend Davis was born on Christmas Day in 1965 to Mrs. Thelma Butler and Mr. Charles Lee Davis, the second child of seven brothers and sisters.

As a youth, she joined Zion Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi where she was active in the Young People’s Department.

Reverend Davis graduated from Forrest County Agricultural High School in 1983 where she earned a basketball scholarship to Clark Memorial Junior College. After two years of studies at Clark College, she transferred to William Cary College on a basketball scholarship where she remained until enlisting in the United States Navy in 1988.

Reverend Davis served her country as Hospital Corpsman, Emergency Medical Technician, Physical Therapy Technician and member of the All Navy, All Marines and All Armed Forces Women’s Basketball Team. While in the Navy, Reverend Davis completed her Bachelors of Science degree in Business Administration and Human Resource Management from Southern New Hampshire University. After fourteen and one-half years of enlisted service, Reverend Davis was commissioned in the United States Navy Reserves in April of 2002. In August 2002, Reverend Davis graduated from the Navy Chaplains School in Newport Rhode Island.

Reverend Davis was ordained an Itinerant Deacon and Elder in 2000 and 2002 respectfully by Bishop Cornal Garnett Henning, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the 8th Episcopal District.

In May of 2004, she graduated with honors from Turner Theological Seminary of the Interdenominational Theological Center. While a student at Turner Theological Seminary, she was elected to serve as President of the Turner Fellowship, inducted into the International Society of Theta Phi and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and College. While serving as President, this woman of God remolded the student’s lounge and created the Turner Store. Her major accomplishment while President of the Turner student body was the establishment of the Charles Hurley James Resource Center and Computer Lab. In addition to all of these accomplishments, she acquired over $10,000 in funding to furnish the lab.

Currently, Reverend Davis is the Senior Pastor of Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church in Columbus Mississippi, serves as a trustee for her conference and Turner Theological Seminary. She a member of the Board of Examiners, 8th Episcopal District AME/WIM Public Relations Representative (Mississippi), an Instructor at Bonner Campbell Institute, and has recently begun a certificate program for the Interdenominational Theological Center at her local church. In addition, Reverend Davis currently serves on the Strategic Planning Team of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. On September 15-18, 2005, Reverend Davis will be host pastor for the North East West Mississippi Annual Conference.

Reverend Ammie L. Davis has an aggressive agenda for the National Alumni Association to assist in the growth and development of Turner Theological Seminary. With Reverend Davis at the helm of the Alumni Association, the legacy of Turner Theological Seminary will continue to make major contributions to the African Methodist Episcopal Church and to the religious community around the globe.

(The Reverend Kyle C. Gibson is the pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Moore Haven, Florida)


8. THE THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT MIDYEAR CONFERENCE:

The 13th Episcopal District Mid-year Conference will be held March 17 – 19 at Quinn Chapel AME Church, Louisville, Kentucky. The Theme of the conference is, “Revive us Again.” Preachers will include the Rev. Dr. William Watley, pastor, St James AME church, Newark, New Jersey; Bishop John Hurst Adams.

All District and Conference leaders are asked to read the book, Good to Great by Jim Collins prior to coming to Mid Year Conference. Mr. Hugh Marriott, from Mt. Moriah AME Church - New York, NY, will facilitate the discussion of the book during the Mid Year Plenary sessions.

Editor's Comment: The book, Good to Great is a a great book! A great sermon can be extraced just from the title. Many of us are satisfied with "good"and that keeps us from being "great!" Tell me that won't preach! Read the book! Come on out to Louisville and join in on the discussion!

9. AME ENDORSED CHAPLAIN DAVID BROWN HAS AN ENTRY POSTED ON THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS WEBSITE:

AME Chaplain, Lieutenant Commander David Brown has entry from his Enduring Freedom (war) journal posted on the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) website.

http://www.arts.gov/national/homecoming/submissions/brown.html


9. REMINDER:

There is a $35.00 for color pictures that appear in The Christian Recorder (hardcopy). Black and white pictures are free. If you email pictures with articles and you want us to use color pictures, please indicate that to us and forward the color separation fee of $35.00 per picture.

10. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICE:

Regretfully we share news of the passing of Rev. Cheryl Lewis, associate minister at Mt. Zion AME Church, Long Green, Maryland, Dr. Joan L. Wharton, Pastor.

Reverend Cheryl Denise Johnson Lewis (December 8, 1958 - February 26, 2005)

Saturday, March 5, 2005
Family Hour 9:00 a.m. Service of Celebration 9:30 a.m.
Epworth United Methodist Church
600 Warren Road
Cockeysville, Maryland 21030
Service of Tribute
Friday, March 4, 2005
5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.March Funeral Homes
4300 Wabash AvenueBaltimore, Maryland 21215
Interment

Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens, 200 East Padonia Road, Timonium, Maryland 21093
Immediately following the Homegoing Service

Rev. Dr. Joan L. Wharton
Mt. Zion AME Church
"I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength."

God Bless!

Ora L. Easley, President
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
(Nashville, TN Contact)Phone: (615) 837-9736
Fax: (615) 833-3781(Memphis, TN Contact)(901) 578-4554 (Phone & Fax)

WEB SITES

http://www.amemswwpk.org/http://www.connmswawo3.com/
CONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S June 2005 Events

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER ONLINE (3/1/05)

Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram - Chair, Commission on PublicationsThe Reverend Dr. Johnny Barbour, Jr., PublisherThe Reverend Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III, Editor

THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER CELEBRATES WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH!

1. THE EDITOR’S CORNER:

Just a reminder, there is a $35.00 for color pictures that appear in The Christian Recorder (hardcopy). Black and white pictures are free. If you email pictures with articles and you want us to use color pictures, please indicate that to us and forward the color separation fee of $35.00 per picture.

2. THE REVEREND GILBERT HARPER SHARES - SCAM ARTIST TRIED BUT FAILED AT MT. ZION AME, ROANOKE, VIRGINIA:

“These scam artists tried it with me but got nowhere. The person that called the church after Sunday worship about 2 months ago identified himself as Rev. Davis of Philadelphia and said that he was with Bishop Richardson. I asked him why Bishop Richardson was in Philadelphia and he got real confused and hung up. A few days later the same voice called my home number and said that he was a (AME) pastor in Atlanta and that he was with Bishop Richardson and he had his niece on the other line. I questioned him. I asked him if Bishop Richardson was his bishop and his response was "isn't he everybody's bishop. When he attempted to connect the niece, the phone was disconnected. I was trying to see how far he was going, but I've not heard back from them.”

The Rev. Gilbert Harper
Mt. Zion AME Church

3. OKLAHOMA CITY STUDENT ACCEPTED INTO “PEOPLE TO PEOPLE” ACADEMIC PROGRRAM:

Kentrell Pierson, a student at St. John Christian Heritage Academy, has been accepted into the People to People World Leadership Forum. Kentrell will join a select group of students in Washington, D.C., March 20th-27th, to earn high school credit while studying leadership and exploring some of our nation’s most prominent monuments and institutions.

From Capitol Hill to the Smithsonian Institute, and from Colonial Williamsburg to the National Museum of American History, Kentrell will examine the characteristics of American leadership during times of national challenge and prosperity. Forum delegates will also participate in small-group discussions and exercises to experience first-hand how successful leaders develop strategies, make decisions, build consensus, and foster change.

Kentrell was nominated and accepted for the honor based on outstanding scholastic merit, civic involvement and leadership potential.

The program is coordinated by People to People Student Ambassador Programs to fulfill the vision Dwight D. Eisenhower had for fostering world citizenship when he founded People to People during his presidency in 1956. Kentrell is a member of Avery Chapel AME Church, where the Reverend Dr. Lonnie Johnson is his pastor. Kentrell serves the church as Junior Church School Superintendent, YPD member, Choir member, Junior Usher Board member, and Sons of Allen member. His hobbies include: playing golf, chess, and video games, reading books, and scientific experiments.

Have a wonderful day
Efia N. Pierson

4. BETHEL, HUNTINGTON, NY OBSERVES “HEALTH AWARENESS SUNDAY”:

Submitted by Jeanette T. Johns

February 27 was declared “Health Awareness Sunday” by Pastor Michael D. Washington. In preparation for this observance Pastor Washington met with a representative of the American Heart Association and also secured materials prepared especially for the Black population regarding Diabetes. During the morning service a member of the Steward Board, Sis. Victoria Motley presented a talk which emphasized the major indicators that one is at-risk for Diabetes which affects a disproportionate number of Blacks, many of whom are not even aware that they are victims of this insidious disease.

When it was time for the preached Word, Pastor Washington introduced the speaker for the day, Rev. Dr. William R. Spencer, Jr., a member of Bethel’s Ministerial Staff. Rev. Dr. Spencer’s medical specialty is Pediatric Otolaryngology and in addition to his practice his duties include lecturing as a Professor, while his religious duties include preaching as a minister. On “Health Awareness Sunday” Bethel members were privileged to see both styles in action. Bethel is fortunate to have this Man of God in their midst as he has previously delivered health-related sermons to this congregation. Last year’s message relating to Diabetes is well-remembered by the members of Bethel and they were eagerly looking forward to what he had to share with them on this particular occasion.

Rev. Dr. Spencer’s text was “What About Me?” and he spoke from Luke 22:39-46 and Luke 23:39-43. Interspersed within his message there were also references to Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service, and 3 John 2 - Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth..
Rev. Dr. Spencer related that his young son, Robbie, becomes jealous when his father spends time with his younger sister, Hannah, or their baby sister, Ava Reese. No matter how much time he spends with Robbie, whenever his dad spends time with the girls, Robbie says, “What about ME?” Not only children, but adults seek attention. Like Robbie, we all need attention. Who can drive the fanciest car? Who can display the most “bling-bling”? Even in church we sometimes notice that after a testimony is given, another member will get up and try to give a better, stronger testimony. And with the Academy Awards ceremonies only hours away, he said that even the stars are competing as to who can wear the fanciest dress. People everywhere seem to be asking “What about ME?”

A more important thing, says Dr. Spencer would be to ask “What about OTHERS?” The greatest blessing is not taking care of your own needs but caring for the needs of others. And if we could think, “What about JESUS?” that would be even better. If we could think in terms of “not my will but thine be done”, this would please God.

Proceeding with the theme, “What About ME?” Rev. Dr. Spencer stated that we should strive to make God, not man, notice us. And one of the best ways to do this is to simply present your body as a living sacrifice. It was at that point that Rev. Spencer moved smoothly into the health phase of his sermon. Emphasizing the benefits of diet and exercise, he stated that in order to be effective we must make lifestyle changes that we can work with. Success depends upon making small changes that will eventually become habit and thus become permanent changes in your life. Regarding such diet changes he says, “If you go to McDonald’s every day and have two Big Macs, next time have just one Big Mac. Or you can just hold the French fries. Small lifestyle changes are what will make the difference.” Likewise, exercise must be on a continuous basis in order to achieve the desired effect, so it is best to choose an activity that you will be willing to repeat daily or several times a week.

Another important subject covered by Rev. Spencer was how to handle stress in our lives. He explained that God, in His wisdom, made our bodies in quite remarkable fashion. For instance, blood vessels that are blocked 70-80% will continue to function; however, stress will cause swelling around those vessels rendering them 100% blocked. It is up to us to manage the stress in our lives so that this will not happen. Smoking and drinking add stress to the body. He admonished the members to curb those habits and to tackle that job in small steps. About smoking he said, “If you now smoke 20 cigarettes a day, cut it back to 19 and move on from there.”

During the course of his sermon, Rev. Dr. Spencer related to his listeners a very personal story regarding a 17-month-old patient. A tonsillectomy had been performed on the baby and although Rev. Dr. Spencer’s surgery had been done exactly right, other factors came into play and the baby became very ill. It developed into a life-threatening situation and he was gravely concerned about the baby’s welfare. For two weeks this doctor-minister was painfully distressed by the baby’s circumstances. After explaining in great detail the day-by-day occurrences that affected him so personally, he told how he had turned wholly to prayer, knowing that he had done all that he could possibly do for the child. “Prayer changes things” was his thought. His prayer asked God to prepare him to deal with whatever happened to the child while also asking that He deliver the child back to his family. “Thy will be done”, were his final words. The hair-raising details of this medical/spiritual encounter were relayed in an unusually forthright way. From the comments heard throughout the congregation and the number of tissues that were forced into use, it was clear that his entire church family was placed in the position of experiencing the agony and pain felt by this caring and loving physician.

The preacher concluded by saying that in order to give God our best bodies we must eat right, exercise right, and take the stress out of our lives. We must do all we can with those tasks, remembering that we can’t do it all by ourselves. We are to do our very best and realize that we need to be in constant prayer about taking the best care of our bodies. We must constantly seek God’s help. The thief on the cross turned to Jesus and asked for help. He said, “What about ME?” And Jesus said to him, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.” The preacher for the day urged that if we believe that “Prayer changes things” and we seek God’s help, today could be the day for the beginning of important life changes for each of us.

Rev. Dr. Spencer has expressed his interest in sharing his medical expertise with other churches in the area by conducting seminars or lectures on various medical topics. Surely, God must be pleased with the way in which His servant is utilizing his God-given skills.

Following this dramatic and compelling sermon, those in attendance were invited to further participate in “Health Awareness Sunday” activities. “Body and Soul” is a 12-14 week program designed especially for African-American churches. The goal of the program is to encourage church members to eat more fruits and vegetables in order to reduce their risk of cancer and other diseases. At the close of the service, Bethel members gathered in the Lower Auditorium where a Mini-Health Fair was in progress. They were given an opportunity to sign a pledge to work with this program in an effort to improve their individual lifestyles as related to health issues. Also, there were neatly packaged materials relating to various health issues for members to take home and peruse as they contemplate various ways to implement ideas for health improvement. These were distributed by Bethel members Carolyn B. Bentley and Marian Hendrickson, both nurses by profession. A representative of the American Heart Association was present to give blood pressure examinations and advice as needed. Further information will be supplied to the church periodically by “Body and Soul” in order to help members achieve the desired changes in their lifestyles. Also, in the future there will be opportunities for Diabetes examinations conducted by Bethel’s resident health professionals.

In observing “Health Awareness Sunday” Bethel took advantage of several available community resources. Each community across the nation probably has people and facilities that are anxious to supply current health information. Bethel, Huntington recommends that these be sought out and utilized to the fullest in order to help God’s people maximize their efforts toward better health.

(Read more in The Chrsitian Recorder)

5. MARCH 12 PRAYER BREAKFAST HONORS SERVICE AND SACRIFICE; KICKS OFF 2005 MEN'S CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES:

LOS ANGELES - (February 28, 2005) - In his sermon, "The Drum Major Instinct," the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said "If you want to be important - wonderful. If you want to be recognized - wonderful. If you want to be great - wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That's a new definition of greatness."

Dr. King's poignant words are especially true of the men and women who are being recognized for their great service and sacrifice during the 2005 Men's Conference sponsored by the Grant A.M.E. Church of Watts.

Junelle Moore and Navy Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Walter Woods have prepared hearty meals for the less fortunate of Watts for more than 10 years; Dexter Moon was the principle planner and catalyst of the 80th Session of the Southern California Annual Conference; Ron Nagai was instrumental in liaising between the mayor's office and the Grant Economic Housing and Economic Development Fund; and 11-member Stewardess Board of Grant plays a pivotal role in the worship experience each Sunday.

"Dr. King was absolutely right," explained the Rev. Leslie R. White, pastor of Grant A.M.E. Church. "You only need 'a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love' to be that servant. And that is what makes these honorees so special: their awesome sacrifice and service to the community by putting others before themselves. Dr. King would surely be proud."

* Junelle Moore - A native Texan, Moore is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement in the County of Los Angeles and is the Vice-President of Grant's Brotherhood ministry. Along with Woods, Moore serves nearly 100 needy residents and senior citizens a four-course meal each first Sunday.

* Navy Chief Petty Officer (Ret.) Walter Woods - Woods served during World War II, the Korean Conflict and completed two tours during the Vietnam War before retiring with 24 years of service in 1968. Nearly 20 years later he retired from the U.S. Postal Service as Supervisor of Mail Delivery in Venice.

* Dexter Moon - This 2002 "Grant Man of the Year" is no stranger to organizing important events. Moon served as a past organizer of the Fifth Episcopal District Mid-Year Convocation, coordinator of three charity golf tournaments (Golfing for Higher Learning) to raise funds for Grant's Scholarship program and, most recently, coordinator of the 80th Session of the Southern California Conference that made history as the first in African Methodism to broadcast via the Internet.

* Ron Nagai - Nagai Senior Project Manager in the Mayor of Los Angeles'Office of Economic Development. Nagai was instrumental in helping GHEDC secure the monies necessary to begin construction on the $30 million Imani Fe development. The project, the largest development of its type in South Los Angeles in more than two decades, boasts 65 multi-family four-bedroom apartments and is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2005.

* Stewardess Board - The 12-member Stewardess Board is responsible for serving Holy Communion, assisting with baptism, tending the altar during the invitation to Christian Discipleship and serve as role models for the women of the Church. They have been very supportive of the men's ministry.

The great servants will be honored Saturday, March 12 at 9 a.m. during the Men's Conference Prayer Breakfast at the Sheraton Hotel, 12725 Center Court Drive in Cerritos. Tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for youth (age 12 andyounger) and include a delicious breakfast and spirit-filled preaching by the Rev. John J. Hunter, pastor of First A.M.E. Church, Los Angeles.

According to Prayer Breakfast planner Don Scott, the prayer breakfast is the perfect way to kick off the 2005 Men's Conference, themed "There's hope for men...hope for boys...hope for today."
"The Prayer Breakfast is going to set the stage for the entire Conference,"Scott said. "Those in attendance are sure to leave inspired and encouraged that regardless of the situation, there is always hope."

The Conference continues on Saturday, March 19 with a fun-filled afternoon of video, board and card games, and food and fellowship on the lower level of the Church centering around the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. The preaching and teaching follow on Sunday, March 20 at both the 8 a.m. and 11 a.m. services and again Monday through Thursday, March 21 through 24 at 6:30 p.m. nightly.

For Prayer Breakfast tickets or for more information about the 2005 Men's Conference, contact the Church office at (323) 564-1151 or visit the Church Web site, www.GrantAMEChurch.org.

6. ANNUAL MEN'S CONFERENCE OFFERS HOPE; FEATURES PRAYER BREAKFAST, "MARCH MADNESS" GAME DAY, WORSHIP SERVICES AND LIFE-CHANGING MESSAGES FROM SOUGHT-AFTER SPEAKERS:

LOS ANGELES - (February 28, 2005) - In a community ravished by poverty, hopelessness and despair, there is an institution offering a viable alternative to the status quo.

Grant A.M.E. Church of Watts is offering hope: "hope for men...hope for boys...hope for today." That's the theme of the 2005 Men's Conference, the tenth installment of the popular men's ministry, which includes worship services, a prayer breakfast, and this year, a "March Madness" game day.

Featured speakers are Bishops John R. Bryant and Samuel L. Green, and the Revs. John J. Hunter and Aaron J. McCleod.

"We've assembled an anointed cadre of speakers, teachers and ministers of the liberating Gospel of Jesus," explained the Rev. Leslie R. White, pastor of Grant and the impetus behind the Conference. "We believe that older men, young men and our boys who are maturing toward manhood will be enriched and empowered through this conference."

The conference kicks-off with a spirit-filled Prayer Breakfast on Saturday, March 12, at the Sheraton Hotel, 12725 Center Court Drive in Cerritos from 9 a.m. to noon, and continues on Saturday, March 19 with fun-filled afternoon of video, board and card games, and food and fellowship on the lower level of the Church centering around the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.

The preaching and teaching follow on Sunday, March 20 at both the 8 a.m. and11 a.m. services and again Monday through Thursday, March 21 through 24 at 6:30 p.m. nightly. A 100-voice Men's Chorus, under the direction of musical mastermind Theresa Jones, will minister through song, along with a special presentation by holy-hip-hop rapper, TripLL-H.

Conference organizer and Church trustee Ron Edison is confident that the array of activities will appeal to men and women of all ages.

"From the inclusion of youth in our theme to the addition of the game day to our conference schedule, we are prayerful that God will speak to the men and women of Watts," Edison added. "We need for God to show them that there is hope for today. They don't have to become a statistic, but instead they can be counted in the number of God's faithful and elect children."
And faithful men of God have been selected to proclaim His Word.

Before being elected Bishop in 1988, Bryant shepherded congregations in Massachusetts and Maryland and earned a reputation as an anointed preacher and adept leader. Recently, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson jokingly described Bryant as a "Pentecostal Baptist preacher in exile," a humorous reference to Bryant's powerfully unique preaching style.

The Los Angeles resident is presently the presiding prelate of the largest Episcopal District of African Methodism, geographically speaking, with oversight of all A.M.E. Churches west of the Mississippi River.

Bryant's cohort, the Rt. Rev. Green, was elected Bishop in 2004 and was appointed to the Fifteenth Episcopal District, which comprises South Africa.There Green draws upon his inspirational pastoral experience at St. Mark A.M.E. Church in Orlando where the congregation grew from less than 200 parishioners to more than 3,600 in under eight years.

As with the Black community of the U.S., South Africa has been severely impacted by the incidence of HIV/AIDS, poverty and political oppression. The situation requires a unique approach to be effective in ministry. That concept is not new to Green, considering while at St. Mark he implemented several specialized ministries to meet the needs of the congregants, including a church credit union, a child enrichment center and a ministry for the hearing impaired.

Bryant and Green are the speakers for the worship services at 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively, on Sunday, March 20.

Green teams with Harvard-educated preaching dynamo Aaron McCleod for teaching and preaching, Monday through Thursday, March 21 through 24, at 6:30 p.m. nightly.
An associate minister at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, McCleod is a law student at the University of Iowa College of Law, and a Thurgood Marshall Fellow and Chair of the campus' chapter of the National Black Law Student Association. McCleod's jurist doctorate will be his second terminal degree; the first is the master's of divinity from the Harvard Divinity School, where he focused on leadership, public policy and community-based ministry.

Like McCleod, John J. Hunter earned his baccalaureate degree from Morehouse College with aspirations of a career in law, and like Bryant, Hunter is the son of a legendary Bishop of the A.M.E. Church. Moreover, like Jesus, Hunter believes he has been anointed to preach "good news to the poor...recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

In November 2004, Hunter was reassigned from First A.M.E., Seattle - the oldest congregation established by African-Americans in the Pacific Northwest - to the pastoral charge of First A.M.E., Los Angeles - the oldest congregation established by African-Americans in California's largest city.Hunter's experience in Seattle as chair of both the FAME Housing Corporation and FAME Family and Child Development Center with five sites across the city, and service as an adjunct professor of theology at Seattle University, is proving invaluable as he now leads the Fifth District's largest congregation.

Keynote speaker Hunter and the Men's Chorus of FAME, Los Angeles are certain to leave the 300 expected guests at the prayer breakfast inspired and encouraged.

For Prayer Breakfast tickets or for more information about the 2005 Men's Conference, contact the Church office at (323) 564-1151 or visit the Church Web site, www.GrantAMEChurch.org.

7. CLERGY FAMILY BEREAVEMENT NOTICES:

The Reverend Archie C. Griffin, Sr. died at Health Care at Sanderfur Place,Chattanooga, Tennessee, on the night of Sunday, February 27, 2005. He was a Superannuate of the East Tennessee Annual Conference of the 13th Episcopal District, a former pastor of St. Paul AMEC, Chattanooga, TN, and a former Presiding Elder in the East Tennessee Conference.

The Family will receive friends on Wed. March 2, 2005, from 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. at Frankland-Strickland Funeral Home, Chattanooga, TN. The Funeral Service is scheduled for 12:00 Noon Eastern Standard Time at Warren Chapel AMEC, 503 N Market Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

Rev. Charlene Boone, Pastor
Eulogist, Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie

Burial: National Veterans Cemetery, Chattanooga, TN
He was the father of these AME Ministers:
Rev. Etta Garth our pastor in Owensboro, KY
Rev. Archie C Griffin, II our pastor at Berry Chapel-Lynchburg, TN
Rev. Verissa Cora Griffin Stovall, an Associate Minister at Bethel AMEC, Chattanooga, TN
The late Rev. Phillip Bruce Griffin, Sr., who died in 2004

Arrangements are being handled by:
Franklin-Strickland Funeral Home
1724 McCallie Avenue
Chattanooga, TN 37404
Phone: 423-267-2654 Fax: 423-265-9997

Condolences may be sent to his wife: Mrs. Georgia Griffin
2168 Shepherd Rd
Chattanooga, TN 37421
Phone: 423-894-9789

8. LICENTIATE BLAINE CUMMINGS FUNERAL:

The services for Licentiate Blaine Cummings will be held Thursday, March 3, 2005 at 2:00 at Saint James AME Church in Cynthiana, KY.

Condolence Messages may be sent:

Sister Vesta Cummins
128 Federal Drive
Cynthiana, KY 41031

859-235-9551

Ware Funeral Home
846 US Hwy 27 North
Cynthiana, KY 41031

859-234-4000
St. James AME Church
312 West Pleasant Street
Cynthiana, KY 41031

9. ALL BEREAVEMENT NOTICES ARE SUBMITTED BY:

God Bless!Ora L. Easley, President
CONN-M-SWAWO +PK'S
Email: Amespouses1@aol.com
Phone: (615) 837-9736Fax: (615) 833-3781

WEB SITES
http://www.amemswwpk.org/CONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S Home Page
http://connmswawo3.com/AME Church Clergy Family Forum
http://connmswawo3.com/membership.htmlCONN-M-SWAWO + P.K.'S Membership Listing

Please remember these families in your prayers.

God Bless!