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May 3, 2010
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ee
VOL. 159, NO. 16
CELEBRATING THE “A” IN A.M.E. -
CONNECTION, COMMUNITY, AND COMMITMENT
By Rev. Linda E. Mouzon*
Words cannot always convey the dynamic flavor of an event.
Such is true of the Second Episcopal District Founders’ Day
convened by Bishop and Mrs. Adam J. Richardson, February 18
— 20, 2010 at Reid Temple A.M.E. Church in Glenn Dale, MD.
The Rev. Jonathan Weaver and the planning committee led this
spiritually uplifting experience.
The theme, “Celebrating the “A” in A.M.E.,” engendered a
greater appreciation for our history and heritage, increased our
commitment to extending our ministry internationally, and re-
energized our yearning for a more glorious future for the church
of Allen. As Bishop Richardson sagely averred, “At some of our
churches in Africa the name that appears on the cornerstone is
African M.E. Church. Framing our name in this manner, |
African M.E. Church gives credence to | Continued on p4-5
BISHOP SARAH DAVIS, PRESIDING PRELATE,
16TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT, MAKES FULL HAITI EARTHQUAKE UPDATE/REPORT
Memorandum
To: Council of Bishops, African Methodist Episcopal Church
Date: Wednesday Evening, April 14, 2010
Re: Haiti Update and Recap of Travel March 23-27, 2010
Greetings, from Port of Spain, Trinidad
where we are in Annual Conference:
Included are (1) Post Haiti Earthquake Onsite
Visit No. 002 [Travel Narrative] and (2) Notes
from our Post Haiti Earthquake Steering Com-
mittee Meeting No. 01.
During our initial session with the civil engi-
neer we learned two things which could have
significant financial implications for us in the
“GOD OUR FATHER = CHRIST OUR REDEEMER - THE HOLY SPIRIT OUR COMFORTER = HUMANKIND OUR FAMILY”
U.S. Senator Barbara Mukulski,
Bishop Adam Jefferson Righardson
e Whether a building can be
rebuilt on its current loca-
tion is a decision the govern-
ment makes. No buildings
can be rebuilt or renovated
at its current location within
the city limits of Port-au-Prince without first
receiving the Government’s approval.
HCONDEN
MAY 3, 2010
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THE BLACK AMERICANS FOR
ABSTINENCE AND PRO-LIFE
TEENAGERS PROJECT (FOR GIRLS)
By Kim Wilson*
The Rlack Americans for Abstinence and
Pro-Life Teenagers Project (for Girls) located
in the Atlanta, Georgia area has helped many
churches and ministries to increase their out-
reach by implementing effective projects to
help others throughout the United States and
around the world, such as Goodwill/Jane
Fonda Outreach Project; Atlanta Homeless
Shelter for Women and Children; Christian
Women’s Home Business Network; God’s
Active People Anti-Drug Project (“Get High
Bishop Sarah H. Davis
months and years ahead:
+ None of the standing, yet damaged buildings will
be approved with only renovation work being
done to them. All post January 12, 2010 built
buildings “must” be built to seismic specifications
(ie., all of the yet standing A.M.E. churches and
schools will have to be torn down and rebuilt).
Accordingly, even after we receive the civil engi-
neer’s report (projected for May), we still will not
be able to move forward if the Government has not
yet given us approval to build in the same location.
Once the engineer’s report is in hand, we will pro-
ceed to prepare a projected budget.
To date we have disbursed $62,139.51 US dol-
on Jesus; Crack the Bible”) and many others.
The Black Americans for Abstinence and
Pro-Life Teenagers Project (for Girls) pro-
vides an effective workshop to help them
avoid the negative consequences of pre-mar-
ital sex (such as unwanted pregnancies,
STDs (sexually
lars of the $122,748.16
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS
MOURNS THE LOSS OF
SOCIAL WORK PIONEER AND CIVIL
RIGHTS ICON DR. DOROTHY I. HEIGHT
Pending National Social Work Reinvestment Bill is named in her honor
WASHINGTON — Today, the nation lost one of the foremost leaders of the
Civil Rights Movement and the social work profession. Dr. Dorothy I.
Height was a renowned civil rights leader and a vital force in the struggle for
human rights and equality in the United States for more than half a century.
She most recently presided as Chair and President Emerita of the National
Council of Negro Women, a position she held for more than 40 years.
A proud social worker, Dr. Height earned her graduate degree at the
New York University School of Social Work and began her career as a
caseworker in the New York Welfare Department. Dr. Height went on to
hold several leadership positions with the Young Women’s Christian
Association (YWCA), where she led a national campaign to integrate all
YWCA facilities. ...Continued p10
...Continued p7 ...Continued on p10
PEW STUDY RAISES QUESTIONS
FOR METHODIST LEADERS
A UMNS Report
By Marta W. Aldrich*
Mirroring most other mainline U.S. denominations, United
Methodists are generally older, whiter and wealthier in a nation that is
increasingly populated with young adults, people of color and families
with modest incomes.
The United Methodist Church also is losing more members than it’s
gaining, with its parishioners increasingly moving to evangelical
Protestant churches or choosing not to affiliate with another religious
group at all.
That portrait of United Methodism was presented in a landmark
study of religion in America released Feb. 25 by the Pew Forum on
Religion and Public Life. Based on interviews with more than 35,000
Americans age 18 and older, the study found that U.S. religion is
increasingly diverse and fluid--"a vibrant marketplace where individ-
uals pick and choose religions that meet their ...Continued on p9
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===== DSC03976.JPG =====
2 THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
MAY 3, 2010
AN AFFORDABLE EVANGELISM RESOURCE FOR THE
px caivin. syanorm ~SMALLEST CHURCHES AND FOR LARGE CHURCHES, TOO
The 20th Editor of The
Christian Recorder
he A.M.E. Church has got to keep rolling forward and The Chris-
tian Recorder is committed to sharing information with its readers.
The technology is in place; we just have to use it. So many things are
available to us, i.e., conference calls, video-taping worship services,
PowerPoint presentations, less paper, the use of MySpace, online Sunday
School classes and online Bible Studies, whatever it takes to communi-
cate the Gospel of Jesus Christ, should be utilized. If we hope to main-
tain relevancy, we have to use a new paradigm
of A.M.E. Church outreach-thinking.
The address below allows readers to view
the 36-minute video-clip of the worship ser-
vice that was held at the A.M.E. Sunday
School Union on February 20, 2008. The Rev-
erend Roderick Belin was the preacher, Dr.
Daryl Ingram was the worship leader and Dr.
Richard Lewis introduced the preacher. The
Flip video-camera http://www.theflip.com/
was easy-to-operate and purchased for $199
and the website http://www.vimeo.com/ that
converted the file was free. The video camera
takes two AA batteries. After the file is con-
verted, voila, you have a link that can be
emailed or posted on a website.
Go here: http://www.vimeo.com/748675
And then click on the video to start the
video-clip. You may need to install Adobe
Flash 7; just follow the instructions on the
opening page.
There are other websites that convert files and if any of you discover
additional sites and insights into the video-tape ministry, please share
them with The Christian Recorder, chsydnor@bellsouth.net, so that
we can share the information with others - “Alone, we can do little;
together we can do much.”
The Rev. Darryl Ford sent me the website http://www.vimeo.com/
that he uses to download his sermons.
aad nae ite
The Christian Recorder
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SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION OF THE A.M.E. CHURCH,
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The technology is in place;
we just have to use it. So
many things are available
to us, i.e., conference calls,
video-taping worship ser-
vices, PowerPoint presen-
tations, less paper, the use
of MySpace, online Sunday
School classes and online
Bible Studies, whatever it
takes to communicate the
Gospel of Jesus Christ,
should be utilized.
Here is my experience: | downloaded the video, and that was easy,
but then I inadvertently made the file a “private” file instead of a
“public” file that everyone could view; and of course I would think that
churches would use the “public” settings. The private settings allow
designated persons to view the video-tapes.
I didn’t do any editing of the video-clip, and I am sorry to say that I
didn’t read the directions. If you read the directions, your video-clips
will be even better. Titles can be placed with
the video-clips and other “bells and whistles”
added such as zooming in and out. One down-
side was that converting the video took a long
time; a couple of hours.
I have also done some further research and I
believe that there are other video recorders that
can do the same thing as the Flip, but I have
not tested any of the other video recorders.
In taping the service at the Sunday School
Union, I just handed the video-recorder to Mr.
André Wright, who works in the front office
of the SS Union and asked him to video-tape
the service; no tripod, no speakers, just hand-
held. I returned home and downloaded and
converted the video clip without any editing.
Video-clips can be edited.
The Flip has its own built in USB port and
can video-tape 30 and 60-minute segments
with the Flip. I purchased the 60-minute model.
The website, http://www.vimeo.com, is a great start-up site, but there
may be other sites and certainly other sites that may be purchased.
As an evangelism tool, you can send video-clips to the sick and shut-
ins, to college students, members in the military, members who are out
of the area, and to people who may have missed attending worship
because of work or because they just didn’t get out of bed to attend
worship. % % %
SUBSCRIBE!
to The Christian Recorder
Keep yourself informed
about your church for
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Send Check or
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The Christian Recorder
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Nashville, TN 37203-4181
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downloading..video-clips..is..very..simple.You_
===== DSC03977.JPG =====
MAY 3, 2010
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
Ww
FIRST EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP RICHARD FRANKLIN NORRIS
MAY 13-16, 2010
: NEW ENGLAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE :
MAY 12, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Bethel A.M.E. Church
1154 Blue Hills Avenue
Bloomfield, CT 06112
Church Phone: (860) 243-5778
Pastor's Phone: (516) 771-8250
The Rev. Ron McCune, Host Pastor
The Rev. Herbert L. Eddy, Host PE.
MAY 20-23, 2010
: WESTERN NEW YORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE :
MAY 19, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
First Israel A.M.E Church
381 Hamilton Street
Albany, NY 12210
Church Phone: (518) 463-8779
Pastor's Phone: (518) 427-6769
The Rev. Edward B. Smart, Host Pastor
The Rev. Carlton Gibson, Host PE.
MAY 26-30, 2010
: PHILADELPHIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
MAY 25, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Bethel A.M.E. Church
450-512 E. Strawberry Street
Lancaster, PA 17602
Church Phone: (717) 393-8379
Pastor's Phone: (717) 392-8559
The Rev. Edward M. Bailey, Host Pastor
The Rev. Lawrence C. Henryhand, Host PE.
SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP ADAM JEFFERSON
RICHARDSON, JR.
MAY 4-8, 2010
VIRGINIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Emanuel A.M.E. Church
Portsmouth, VA
> Renaissance Hotel and Waterfront Conference:
Center, Host Site
425 Water Street
Portsmouth, VA
Host Site Phone: (757) 673-3000
The Rev. Granger Flythe, Host Pastor
The Rev. William A. Dyson, Sr., Host PE.
The Rev. Chester W. Morris, Assoc. PE.
MAY 18-22, 2010
: WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE :
St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Co-Host Church
Chapel Hill, NC
: The Rev. Thomas 0. Nixon, Co-Host Pastor :
: St. Matthew A.M.E. Church, Raleigh, NC, Co- *
Host Church
The Rev. Marion Robinson, Co-Host Pastor :
Hilton North Raleigh Hotel and Conference :
Center, Host Site
3415 Wake Forest Road
The Rev. Larnie G. Horton, Host PE.
The Rev. J. Bernard Wilder, Assoc. PE.
JUNE 1-5, 2010
. NORTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
McCormick's Chapel, Co-Host Church
Lumberton, NC
The Rev. Dr. Judy Johnson, Co-Host Pastor ?
Mt. Horeb A.M.E. Church, Co-Host Church
211 Clubhouse Road
Sunset Beach, NC
The Rev. Evelyn Gail Dunn, Host PE
The Rev. Larry Stanwyk Hinton, Assoc. PE
SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP PRESTON WARREN WILLIAMS II
AUGUST 23-27, 2010
PALMETTO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Greater Goodwill A.M.E. Church, Host Church
Mt. Pleasant, SC
The Rev. Herbert Temoney, Host Pastor
The Rev. Charles Graves, Host PE.
The Rev. Rosalyn Coleman, Co-Host PE.
The Rev. Dr. Allen W. Parrott, Co-Host PE.
AUGUST 30-SEPTEMBER 3, 2010
NORTHEAST ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Bethel A.M.E. Church
Conway, SC
The Rev. Richard W. Crummy, Host Pastor
The Rev. Dr. William Smith, Host PE.
The Rev. Robert Cooper, Co-Host PE.
The Rev. Dr. Robert McCants, Co-Host PE.
SEPTEMBER 13-17, 2010
COLUMBIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Emmanuel A.M.E. Church
Columbia, SC
The Rev. Reginald Morton, Host Pastor
The Rev. Sandy Drayton, Host PE.
The Rev. Dr. James R. Glover, Co-Host PE.
The Rev. Joseph Postell, Co-Host PE.
SEPTEMBER 20-24, 2010
SOUTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE :
St. Stephen A.M.E. Church
Hardeeville, SC
The Rev. Jonathan Roberts, Host Pastor
The Rev. Samuel Myers, Host PE.
The Rev. John H. Gillison, Co-Host PE.
The Rev. Malachi Duncan, Co-Host PE.
OCTOBER 4-8, 2010
PIEDMONT ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Long Cane A.M.E. Church
Abbeville, SC
The Rev. Julius M. Johnson, Host Pastor
The Rev. Samuel L. McPherson, Host PE.
The Rev. Judy Richardson, Co-Host PE.
OCTOBER 11-15, 2010
CENTRAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Butler Chapel A.M.E. Church
Orangeburg, SC
The Rev. Helen Zeigler, Host Pastor
The Rev. Barbara Chisholm, Host PE.
The Rev. Dr, Juenarrl Keith, Co-Host PE.
The Rev. Harry Wilson, Co-Host PE.
EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP CAROLYN TYLER GUIDRY
AUGUST 18-22, 2010
NORTH MISSISSIPPI ANNUAL CONFERENCE
AUGUST 17, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Faith Community A.M.E. Church
7340 Greenbrook Parkway
he Rev. Johnn hn
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é nev. William Hardima,
SEPTEMBER 22-26, 2010
SOUTH MISSISSIPP| ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Zion Chapel (Natchez)
228 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive
Natchez, MS 39120
Church Phone: (601) 442-1396
The Rev. Birdon Mitchell, Host Pastor
The Rev. George W. Tyler, Host PE.
OCTOBER 6-10, 2010
CENTRAL/NORTH LOUISIANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 5, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church
510 North 11th Street
Monroe, LA 71111
Church Phone: (318) 323-6382
The Rev. Cynthia Harris, Host Pastor
The Rev. Michele Goodloe, Host PE.
OCTOBER 20-24, 2010
LOUISIANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 19, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church
6175 Scenic Highway
Baton Rouge, LA 70805
Church Phone: (225) 356-0719
The Rev. Bland Washington, Host Pastor
The Rev. David J. Campbell, Host PE.
SIXTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP SARAH FRANCES DAVIS
MAY 6-9, 2010
EUROPEAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE
MAY 5, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Grady’s Chapel A.M.E. Church
The Netherlands, Holland
EIGHTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP ERRENOUS EARL MCCLOUD
AUGUST 19-21, 2010
BOTSWANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
AUGUST 18, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Motsweli wa Botshelo A.M.E. Church, Host Church
PO. Box 601693
Gaborone, Botswana
The Rev. Mpho Moruakgomo, Host Pastor
The Rev. Mpho Moruakgomo, Host PE.
SEPTEMBER 16-18, 2010
MOZAMBIQUE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 15, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Grauziwe Chapel A.M.E. Church, Host Church
Shipping Account Department
Rua de Poder Popular 216
Beira, Mozambique
The Rev. Flora Manuel, Host Pastor
The Rev. Jose Bussane, Host PE.
SEPTEMBER 23-25, 2010
SWAZILAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE
SEPTEMBER 22, 2010
tities ANNUAL CONFERENGE SCHEDULES tok kk eke kee
Heed CONVENTION
lo, Host Pastor
The Rev. Sib é
The Rev. Solomon J. Nxumalo, Host PE
OCTOBER 14-16, 2010
NORTHEAST LESOTHO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 13, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Botha-Bothe A.M.E. Church, Host Church
PO. Box 730
Botha-Bothe 400
The Rev. Solomon Libete, Host Pastor
The Rev. M. T. Machefo, Host PE.
OCTOBER 14-16, 2010
LESOTHO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
OCTOBER 13, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Agnes Ball A.M.E. Church
C/0 PO. Box 223
Maseru 100, Lesotho
The Rev. Beatrice Motokoa, Host Pastor
The Rev. D.FM. Rafube, Host PE.
TWENTIETH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP JULIUS HARRISON MCALLISTER, SR.
JULY 28-31, 2010
MALAWI NORTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
JULY 27, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
lkama AMEC, Host Church —
Buyonde
Kyera, Tanzania
The Rev. Dauden Mwaipinga, Host Pastor
The Rev. Wilson M. Ngulube, Host PE.
AUGUST 4-8, 2010
: MALAWI CENTRAL ANNUAL CONFERENCE :
AUGUST 3, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Mdabwi AMEC, Host Church
Kasungu, Malawi
: The Rev. Manuel M. Chamamba, Host Pastor & PE. :
AUGUST 11-15, 2010
MALAWI SOUTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE
AUGUST 10, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Thomas Chapel AMEC, Host Church
Salima, Malawi
The Rev. Davison Moyo, Host Pastor
The Rev. Vorster Nkhoma, Host PE.
AUGUST 25-29, 2010
SOUTHWEST ZIMBABWE ANNUAL CONFERENCE :
AUGUST 24, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Ball Tabernacle AMEC, Host Church
Nketa Drive, Mpopoma
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
The Rev. Phillip S. Gava, Host Pastor & PE.
SEPTEMBER 1-5, 2010 :
CENTRAL ZIMBABWE ANNUAL CONFERENCE :
AUGUST 31, 2010 :
WMS CONVENTION
Gow Temple AMEC, Host Church
Mucheke A. Mabyira 5
Masvingo, Zimbabwe
: The Rev. Piet Muparuri, Host Pastor and PE. :
SEPTEMBER 8-12, 2010
: NORTHEAST ZIMBABWE ANNUAL CONFERENCE :
SEPTEMBER 7, 2010
WMS CONVENTION
Phillip Life Centre AMEC, Host Church
New Marlborough
Harare, Zimbabwe
The Rev. Israel Chimuse, Host Pastor
The Rev. Dereck Mapanga, Host PE.
===== DSC03978.JPG =====
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER MAY 3, 2010
AY 35/2
CELEBRATING THE “A” IN A.M. -
CONNECTION, COMMUNITY, AND COMMITMENT
ight '
-
7OONS » CONTURDNCAS » a
A. Bishop Adam Jefferso
Richardson, Mr. Martinho Bachi
Codo, First Secretary, Embassy
of Angola to the United States;
B. R.E.D. Presentation;
C. Bishop Richardson, Rev.
Weaver and Ambassador Oguin;
D. Episcopal Supervisor, Mrs.
Connie Speights Richardson;
E. Ambassador Cyrille Oguin;
F. Kan Kouran West African Dance
Company;
G. Maryland Lt. Governor Anthony
Brown and Rev. Jonathan
Weaver;
H. Ms. Abiodun Koya;
|. Mr. Johnny Moloto, Deputy
Chief of Mission, Embassy of
South Africa, Mrs. Pamela
Moloto
===== DSC03979.JPG =====
MAY 3, 2010
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER 5
..From Celebrating on pl... the significance of acknowledging our
oneness and the pride in our roots that was emphasized by Richard
Allen in advancing our Zion’s name.”
The Rev. Harold Mayberry, of First A.M.E. Church of Oakland, set
the stage during the opening worship. Our hearts were set ablaze by a
relevant and powerful word. Scriptures were read in four languages.
The Founders’ Day Symposium featured two prolific scholars. Dr. Cain
Hope Felder of Howard University, and Second District resident bib-
lical scholar, offered thoughtful insight into geographical, historical and
archaeological evidence of the inclusion of Africa and African peoples
in the scriptures. Dr, Dennis C. Dickerson, the A.M.E. Church’s Histo-
riographer and Executive Director of the Department of Research and
Scholarship, offered a comprehensive examination and critique of the
life of Richard Allen, other early leaders, and the historical and con-
temporary relationship of the African Methodist Episcopal Church on
the African Continent.
It would have been counterintuitive to celebrate the “A” without the
inclusion of our siblings from African and Caribbean nations gracing
the occasion. Ambassadors from several nations were recognized at a
reception, followed by a banquet to the benefit of the Kittrell Develop-
ment Initiative and the Religious, Educational, Charitable and Devel-
opment Projects, Inc, (aka RED, Inc.). The event featured the KanK-
ouran Dance Company that had us moving to the rhythms that have
united us across the ages; and Nigerian singer, Ms. Abiodun Koya,
whose melodious soprano in the operatic genre, lifted praise and
thanksgiving to God. Our keynote speaker, His Excellency Segbe
Cyrille Oguin, ambassador of Benin, spoke of a cooperative future in
which peoples of color will help chart a better future for the world,
Desiring the celebration to be memorable, Pastor Weaver spear-
headed a shoe collection benefitting the peoples of Haiti, and outlined
next steps to include on-going dialogue with ambassadors, establishing
collaborative projects to promote somatic and emotional wellness, eco-
nomical and spiritual growth, and infrastructure development. Since
globalization is more than a byword, it is necessary that we build upon
the foundation inherent in our name and celebrate the “A” in A.M.E. As
Bishop Richardson pointed out, “Many people still don’t know that
Africa is a continent with 50 countries and that the Middle East is
located, in part, in Africa.”
*The Rev. Linda E. Mouzon [revlindamouzon@verizon.net] is Asso-
ciate Minister, Union Bethel A.M.E. Church, Randallstown, Maryland.
A.M.E. ASTRONAUT STEPHANIE WILSON A CREW MEMBER ON NASA MISSION
STS-131 TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
By Rev. Salatheia Bryant-Honors
Texas Conference reporter
Houston, Texas — On April 21, 2010, hundreds of family and friends
went to Ellington Field to welcome NASA Astronaut Stephanie Wilson
and other astronauts who flew on Space Shuttle Discovery.
Wilson is a member of Reedy Chapel A.M.E. Church located in
Galveston, Texas. Reedy Chapel is the “Mother Church” of African
Methodism in Texas. The Rey. Reginald Honors is the Pastor of Reedy
Chapel and the Rev. Salatheia Bryant-Honors is the Co-Pastor.
Wilson and the other crew members entered Hangar 990 to the loud
cheers of family members. The crew — dressed in their NASA uniforms
— waved at the guests as they took their seats on the stage with a large
American flag draped behind them. Each astronaut addressed the-crowd _
during the ceremony.
The 15-day mission to the International Space Station was Wilson’s
third trip into space. The mission brought together the largest number
of women — four — in space at one time. STS-
131 was the 33rd mission to the space station.
The mission launched on April 5 from Kennedy
Space Center in Florida. It safely landed on
April 20, after a day’s delay because of poor
weather conditions.
On STS-131 were Shuttle Commander Alan
Poindexter, Pilot James Dutton, mission special-
ists Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger, Wilson,
Japanese astronaut Naoko Yamazaki and space
walkers Rick Mastracchio and Clayton
Anderson. Wilson flew on STS-121 in 2006, and
STS-120 in 2007.
Commander Poindexter thanked each crew
member individually for their work. He called
Wilson “a robo pro” in reference to her robotics
work during the mission. Wilson served as the lead robotics officer.
“Stephanie was a mentor to all of us,” Poindexter said. “This was her
third mission on Discovery so she knew the ship inside and out.
Stephanie is a detailed-oriented person. She had great command and
The 15-day mission to the
International Space Sta-
tion was Wilson’s third
trip into space. The mis-
sion brought together the
largest number of women
— four — in space at one
time. STS-131 was the
33rd mission to the space
Station.
executed as a pro. Stephanie, you were awesome, thanks very much.”
Wilson acknowledged her parents who were in the audience and also
thanked those in the NASA family who helped prepare the crew for the
mission.
“We wish we could have taken all of you with us,” she said.
The Rev. Salatheia Bryant-Honors, a co-pastor at Reedy, and other
members attended the welcome home ceremony at Ellington Field.
Reedy Youth members Bryant and Kennedy Honors waved signs hon-
oring Wilson’s return. Pastor Salatheia Honors wore a blue cap with the
words: “Stephanie Wilson’s Ground Crew” on it.
The Principal of Ambassador Preparatory Academy, Dr. Patricia
Williams, also a Reedy member, along with a group of students
_from the Galveston-based charter school, attended the welcome
home gathering.
Wilson was able to greet her Reedy members and students from APA
following the ceremony.
During the mission, Pastor Reginald Honors led
directed prayer gatherings. “We are grateful to
have the opportunity to participate in her launch
and safe return,” said the Rev. Reginald Honors.
“Tt is good to have her back. Prayer works.”
Wilson has been a member of Reedy for about
10 years. She sings in the choir and is a member
of the Steward Board. Wilson has also served as a
Trustee.
Reedy Chapel is the “Mother Church” of African
Methodism in Texas. Slaves were given the prop-
erty at 20th and Broadway in 1848 to begin a
church. After the end of slavery, Reedy was used
as a school for freed slaves. The church is listed as
a Texas Landmark and is on the National Registry
of Historic Places for its Gothic architecture.
Reedy was flooded with about 3 feet of water from Hurricane Ike,
forcing its closure for more than 300 days. Wilson was among the vol-
unteers who worked early on to clean the sanctuary of mud and debris
left behind by the storm.
A.M.E. IS STANDOUT BASKETBALL PLAYER AND HONOR STUDENT
Late A.M.LE. pastor’s son, Ronald Nored, is basketball star for Butler University. Basketball star Ronald Nored is the son of the late Rev. Ronald
Nored, who served as the Pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church in Ensley, Alabama and Attorney Linda Williams Nored. Butler University played in the
NCAA Men’s Final Four tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
The Tuesday, March 30, 2010 issue of The New York Times identified Ronald Nored as one of the players to watch in the Final Four. The article
described Ronald as a “lock-down defender who will harass Michigan State’s hobbled backcourt.”
His grandparents are former Presiding Elder Leonard Williams and Mrs. Deloris Kennedy Williams, former Connectional WMS President. They
reside in Indianapolis. His grandmother, Sister Deloris Kennedy Williams, said of her grandson, “Ronald is also an honor student and a wonderful
Christian” and went on to ask that we keep Butler University and Ronald in prayer. :
Butler University was founded in 1855 by attorney and abolitionist Ovid Butler, and is located in Indianapolis’ Butler-Tarkington neighborhood.
Editor’s Note: I didn’t know of any other A.M.E.s playing in the F inal Four, so I pulled for Butler University because of Ronald ae ie
because his late father was an A.M_E. Pastor, his grandmother was the Connectional AMEC WMS President and his grandfather is a retired
A.M.E. Presiding Elder.
_————————— SSS.
===== DSC03980.JPG =====
6 THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
MAY 3, 2010
A.M.E. CHURCH AND THE CITY OF DETROIT - PANIC OR PLAN
The city of Detroit, once a mighty capital of
modern industry, has come to the reality that it
must downsize its physical size to save itself.
Dave Bing, Mayor, announced plans which may
include moving residences and services to more
populated areas. The vacant areas will be used
for urban farming, industry and future develop-
ment. The major challenge Detroit faces is that
the most populated areas are located in the center
and portions near the borders. The middle and
east side areas of the city are virtually deserted.
Why should the A.M.E. Church be concerned?
There are twenty A.M_E. churches located within the
city of Detroit. Of these churches, approximately
75% are located in areas potentially impacted by the
planned changes. This represents almost a third of
the churches in the Michigan Conference. Similarly,
within the same Conference, the City of Flint is plan-
ning a downsizing of city services as well. Three
AME. congregations are located there. Moreover,
these churches represent a large portion of the
A.ME. Church’s budget, especially the Fourth Dis-
trict. The financial impact can be catastrophic.
This matter is only a symptom of the current
state of our denomination; not only the prob-
lems facing the congregations in the city of
Detroit. The authors of “Legacy Churches,”
Stephen Gray and Franklin Dumond wrote,
There is no doubt the church in America is
experiencing a crisis. We really have only two
choices in the midst of this crisis: panic or
plan. The crisis we face as a church can be
viewed as a sign of the times, or as an opportu-
nity to reengage the culture through the
strategic, purposeful planting of new churches.
It could be that we do a little of both by
allowing our panic to force us to make good
plans. We are at the crossroads over the next
decade that could propel us into the future with
greater effectiveness or cause us to fade away
with nothing more than a quiet little whimper.
The choice is ours, but we must make the
choice with a great sense of urgency.
Hopefully, the A.M.E. Church will not cede to
panic, but develop proactive, soul-searching
solutions. Instead of focusing upon the chal-
lenges, this can be the potential starting point of
future greatness. An opportunity to restructure
our congregations with thoughtful transfers,
mergers and yes closures is at hand. This will
require brave leadership and not simply knee
jerk reactions to a crisis due to external forces.
The Book of Discipline of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church 2008 does have a process for
church development. The process is more grass-
roots and does not have the macro-level processes
and procedures needed for this type of project.
What is needed are research and analysis done on
the Conference and/or District level to provide
prudent recommendations that will help the whole
area and be the best use of resources. Local pas-
tors and congregations should not have to face this
crisis or make decisions on their own.
This challenge can be considered a call to
action to the Connection towards Church
Development particularly in the United States
and Canada. If the situation is handled prop-
erly in the Michigan Conference, the lessons
learned can be used as a model.
We should not fear the changes because God
promised in Jeremiah 29:11, “Pll show up and take
care of you as I promised and bring you back home.
I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—
plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to
give you the future you hope for.” (The Message)
Sources: Legacy Churches (2009) by Stephen
Gray & Franklin Dumond. Publisher: Church
Smart Resources; Understanding Church Growth,
3rd Ed. (1990) by Donald A. McGavran. Pub-
lisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.; The
Detroit Free Press/Detroit News.
Orletta E. Caldwell
St. Stephen A.M_E., Detroit
LAISSEZ LES BONS TEMPS ROULER
By Rev. D. Sinclair Forbes
A Celebration of all celebrations in Key West, Florida as Bethel African
Methodist Episcopal Church under the dynamic leadership of the Rev. D.
Sinclair Forbes celebrated the completion of a rededication of the church.
The great officers and members celebrated in grand style as they wel-
comed guests to an endless weekend of festivities.
The Celebration began on Saturday, January 23 with the Junkanoo
Parade from the Martin Luther King Pool to the newly renovated and
refurbished church which was reconstructed from the rafters to the floor
and from the choir loft to the vestibule.
During the rededication worship service, Bishop McKinley Young, Pre-
siding Prelate of the 11th Episcopal District, electrified the attendees from
the South Conference with his homily from Acts 2 which was entitled
“The Ideal Church.” Bishop Young reminded us that “Only God is Awe-
some, Infinite, and Omnipotent.” We serve an awesome God. If we
remain in God’s favor, we will be blessed.
In this ecumenical worship service, Dr. Randy Becker, who addressed the
congregation, reflected on the fact that the original church downtown was
burned by members of his race who did not want a black church downtown
in the tourist metroplex. But the members of Bethel African Methodist
Episcopal Church had the courage and conviction to reconstruct Bethel
from the ashes of racism and the smoldering fires of apartheid segregation.
Pastor Forbes and the members of Bethel received the flag of the
“Conch Republic,” which has as its motto: “We [Succeeded] Where
Others Have Failed.”
Bishop Young, the 109th Elected and Consecrated Bishop of the Church,
led the congregation in the rededication ceremony: “In the Name of the
Father, of the Son, and the Holy Spirit, We Rededicate Bethel African
Methodist Episcopal Church to the Glory of God and the Service of His
Kingdom and the Human Family.”
Attending this rededication ceremony were Bishop McKinley Young and
Dr. Dorothy Jackson Young, Episcopal Supervisor of the 11th Episcopal
District; Host Presiding Elder John L. Bodison; Presiding Elder Jimmy
James Thompson; and Presiding Elder Vincent Floyd Mitchell. Other guests
included: Presiding Elder Ralph Wilson and Presiding Elder James Oscar
Williams; and a great host of clergy and laity from the South Conference and
members of the community ecumenical body of Christ.
Afterwards, a scrumptious meal in the style of the “Conch Republic” was
served by the members of Bethel under the leadership of their erudite pastor,
the Rev. D. Sinclair Forbes, who proved to be a gracious and humble host at
the rededication of his charge at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church
located in Key West, Florida.
THE HISTORIC EBENEZER A.M.E. CHURCH PREPARES WOMEN TO BE “POSITIONED FOR HIS PURPOSE”
The Reverend Sharon D. Moore, First Lady
and Assistant Pastor of Historic Ebenezer
African Methodist Episcopal Church in Detroit,
will spearhead the 2010 Journey toward
Women’s Day with two exciting months of activ-
ities with shared experiences that will encourage
and train women to be “Positioned for His Pur-
pose.” The Reverend Byron C. Moore is pastor
of Historic Ebenezer A.M.E. Church.
Reverend Sharon, who also facilitates the
E.A.G.LES. (Expectations As God Leads Each
Sister) Women Ministry at Ebenezer, says the
theme “Positioned for His Purpose”, will offer
insight regarding the necessity of spiritual posi-
tioning to cultivate the God-daughter relationship.
The spiritual relationship of each woman will
inevitably be impacted by the intentional engage-
ment in efforts that encourage spiritual growth, a
ministry that will provide an atmosphere for
women to be developed within the walls of the
church. Women will then be equipped to minister
to women inside and outside of the church.
The journey toward Women’s Day began on
Friday, March 26, 2010 with “Marathon March
Friday.”
The Women’s Retreat that was held at the
Colombiere Retreat and Conference Center was a
two-day event (Friday and Saturday April 9-10)
that offered workshops, meditations and opportu-
nities for women to bond and grow spiritually.
Friday, April 23, 2010 was “The Women’s
Preach Fest Service,’ where Detroit area
women preachers provided ministry.
On Saturday, May 15, the 4th District Super-
visor of Missions, the Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams
Bryant, wife of Bishop John R. Bryant, Senior
Bishop of the A.M.E. Church and Presiding
Prelate of the 4th Episcopal District, will hold a
“Sisters Summit” at Ebenezer A.M.E. Church.
The summit will be a version of the International
Women’s Prayer Convocation which was headed
by Dr. Bryant, Reverend C, as she is affectionately
known, that was held in Toronto, Canada last year.
The journey will end culminating with a
Women’s Day Celebration of historic propor-
tions at Ebenezer.
For the first time in history, the only two Epis-
copal supervisors who are ordained clergy will
be ministering on Sunday, May 16, 2010. The
7:30 a.m. sermon will be delivered by the Rev-
erend Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant and the 10:30
a.m. sermon will be delivered by the Supervisor
of Missions for the 10th Episcopal District, the
Reverend Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram, wife of
Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram, the Presiding
Prelate of the 10th Episcopal District.
The Reverend Sharon Moore is excited by
the choice of speakers for Women’s Day. We
are honored to have them deliver the word of
God to the people of God.
The experience, no doubt, will leave women
empowered, humbled and “Positioned for His
Purpose.”
===== DSC03981.JPG =====
MAY 3, 2010
..From Bishop Sarah Davis on p1...
received in the 16th District directly from donors
(As of March 31, 2010). We have not made any
request for funds received in the CFO’s Office.
These funds will be needed (and more) for the
work ahead of us for construction of our
churches, schools and multipurpose centers.
I am preparing a complete report for presen-
tation to the General Board in June 2010 with
recommendations.
Post Haiti Earthquake Onsite Visit No. 002 -
Travel Narrative:
Bishop Sarah Davis
Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
Tuesday thru Saturday, March 23-27, 2010
Travel to Haiti
Commercial airlines are now flying into and
out of Haiti and thus our flight canceled on three
previous occasions prior to March, 2010, was
on time and arrived safely at Toussaint Louver-
ture International Airport, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti
([ATA:PAP), March 23, 2010. IATA: PAP is
still under the control of the United States Air
Force and yet serves as one of two operational
airports near the epicenter of the earthquake
(Jacmel Airport is the other airport in service
and is under the control of the Canadian
Forces). IATA: PAP is also serving as the Air
Force camp, storage facility for shipments and
control site for air operations.
The movement of the hundreds of persons
flying into to Haiti on Tuesday, March 23rd,
was commendable. While the receiving and
processing of incoming passengers through
immigration and the handling of all luggages
from plane to owners was being conducted in a
~ make-shift warehousé, the process took less
than one hour once bused to the area from the
air plane. It was crowded and hot, but surpris-
ingly, the process moved quickly. American
Airlines has done much to have adequate
number of personnel on hand to give direction
and to handle the processing of its passengers
once they are at the airport in Haiti.
Accommodations and Food in Haiti
While much of life appears to be moving
along with as much normalcy as can be expected
with buildings still crumbled in places and
debris everywhere and streets crowded, there
still were no public living accommodations that
we could find in Port-au-Prince. Some persons
traveling to Port-au-Prince are staying in the
homes of residents of Port-Au-Prince whose
homes were not destroyed (example: Reverend
Francois Murat’s aunt’s home still stands while
his neighbors on either side of his aunt’s home
were destroyed). However, power and water
supplies remain issues for everyone in Haiti.
Supervisor Claytie and I secured housing in
Petionville in the eastern suburbs of Port-Au-
Prince at one of several hotels which are open.
[It should be noted that the prices of hotels,
food, rental cars and supplies everywhere have
been unbelievably inflated.]
In Petionville, grocery stores are open and in
full swing. In Port-au-Prince the street markets
and vendors are as busy selling whatever they
can. If the destroyed buildings, tent communi-
ties and all the debris were not in front of you
as reminders, one would think that all was as it
was prior to January 12, 2010.
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER 7
LSS SSS
Ground Travel in Haiti
Traffic has always been challenging, both in
how persons drive and in the volume of traffic
on the poorly maintained streets. In a post-earth-
quake context, the traffic is three times as bad;
the streets have pot holes the size of ditches and
many streets are impassable due to brick, mortar
and building debris which has been dumped on
to the streets. Two lane streets have “four lane”
traffic. Pedestrian traffic is almost as chal-
lenging as the automobiles, busses and United
Nations military patrol vehicles.
The Mission on this Second Post Earth-
quake Visit
The purpose of this second trip to Haiti (first
trip was February 15th by vehicle from Santo
Domingo, Dominican Republic) was to visit each
of the eight churches damaged or destroyed; to
talk with the members of the congregations at the
various sites; to meet with engineers, agency vol-
unteers and NGO’s on behalf of our 398 families
who have been displaced since January 12, 2010;
to meet for a brief Annual Conference session to
make presiding elder and pastor appointments for
the 2010-2011 church year and resolve out-
standing property issues; and finally to meet with
persons named to the Steering Committee (Haiti)
to plan our way forward and to discuss immediate
needs now that the emergency phase of the
recovery is behind us.
Mission Activities Tuesday — Saturday
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Visit with SADA Staff at SADA office; met
with Mr. Don Tatlock of Church World Ser-
vices who had just delivered the four (4)
boxes of medical supplies which we had
requested of Church World Services after our
visit February 15th through Dr. George
Flowers, Director of Global Witness and Min-
istry. Delivered to SADA were medical sup-
plies which, in normal circumstances, would
take care of 1000 families for over a four
month period. Mr. Tatlock indicated that the
35 tents which were promised to 35 of our 398
A.M.E. families who have been displaced
from their homes were still held up in the
Dominican Republic, but should be delivered
during Holy Week.
Later that evening we arrived and met with
Presiding Elder Mehu of the St. Paul P.E. Dis-
trict and Reverend Francois Murat to review
the agenda for the week of travel and meetings.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
9:00 a.m. — 1:30 p.m.
Our first stop was at Mary Beckett A.M.E.
Church. At 9:00 a.m. we met with members of
the Haiti Annual Conference. The two pre-
siding elders and 12 pastors were present along
with approximately 50 lay members from the
13 churches of the Haiti Annual Conference.
Following devotion the Bishop greeted the
congregation and explained the purpose of the
weeklong visit. Members were invited to share
the status of their current situations. All were
grateful for the emergency assistance given to
heads of households (398 families) for
food/medical and hygiene supplies/water fol-
lowing Bishop’s February 15th visit.
Presiding elders and pastors were given their
2010-2011 appointments back to their churches.
Bishop emphasized that these appointments
Were now current should any of the pastors need
to present verification of their positions with the
A.M.E, Church in carrying out the business of
the Church during this post earthquake time.
Bishop and Supervisor were given a very thor-
ough tour of Mary Beckett A.M.E. Church,
Croix-des-Bouquets, with Pastor Robert Petit
pointing out the damage done by the earthquake.
1:30 — 3:00 p.m. Travel
We arrived at our second church site: Christine
Smith A.M.E. Church, Petionville around 3 pm.
The Church and grounds are all damaged
and the building and parsonage which was
incomplete will all have to be rebuilt.
About 30 members of the Christian Smith
A.M.E. Church came to meet us at the Church;
seven members and Pastor traveled by
Bishop’s vehicle to the Church from the
meeting at Mary Beckett A.M.E. Church.
Bishop met with Reverend Murat and Sis.
Elvire Douglas that evening to get an assess-
ment of the emergency procedures, hear about
the state of affairs of the church community
from their perspectives and to receive input for
the agenda for Friday-Saturday’s Steering Com-
mittee meeting.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
6:30 — 8:45 a.m. Travel
Canaan Christ, Tombe Gateau, Rte. Jacmel
Once at Tombe Gauteau, we were shown the
damages of the Church and then taken to the
two plots of land which were purchased prior
to the earthquake for the Church, where the
rebuilding of the Canaan Christ Revient
A.M.E. Church might be realized.
Next stop was at John Hurst A.M.E. Church,
Gressier, where the entire roof and back wall
were completely destroyed. The Pastor’s home
and fencing are severely damaged and will also
need to be rebuilt. The fence will need to be
built post haste to protect our property from
persons currently interested in claiming it.
Loula Brokentong A.M.E. Church, Mariani, was
the last church visited before traveling back to the
St. Paul A.M.E. Church site in Port-Au-Prince to
meet with the Civil Engineer. Pastor Marc shared
with us that the congregation had grown almost
25% since the earthquake and even though they
are meeting outdoors, the people are still coming.
This church has major structural damages.
2:30 p.m. Meeting with Civil Engineer, Mr.
Tommy Galbaud, at St. Paul AMEC Port-Au-Prince
¢ Mr. Galbaud explained that all post-earth-
quake building work in Haiti will have to
meet seismic specifications. It is doubtful
that any of our churches will be able to be
renovated as none had seismic specifications
met in the initial building of the churches,
thus it is suspected that not only the
destroyed churches would need to be rebuilt,
but also those which have been damaged.
The Bishop inquired of the work done by
Mr. Tommy Galbaud and whether he would
be able to give the attention needed to do
the work of the African Methodist Epis-
copal Church in Haiti. He responded that he
would be working primarily with the reli-
gious community in post earthquake engi-
neering and construction and could service
the needs of the A.M.E. Church. He indi-
that he had :
...Continued on p10
cated
——
===== DSC03982.JPG =====
8 THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
MAY 3, 2010
eee rr
THE FREE AFRICAN SOCIETY
Director of Public Relations of the Sixth Episcopal District Lay
Organization of the AM.E. Church
Local Lay Vice President of Cobb Bethel A.M.E, Church; West
Atlanta District Lay Historiographer
By Mr. Robert Thomas Matthews III"
Every A.M_E. is, or should be, familiar with the Mission, Vision, Purpose
and Objectives Statement of the African Methodist Episcopal Church,
which states that we should be engaged in carrying out the spirit of the orig-
inal Free African Society, out of which the A.M.E. Church evolved. But
what do we do not know of the Free African Society is how it originated;
what were its objectives, and what contributions it made.
This treatise will attempt to answer these questions for our under-
standing and clarity.
The Free African Society was founded on April 12, 1787—approximately
seven months before Allen and others left Saint George’s Methodist Epis-
copal Church. It was a non-denominational organization which was formed
to elevate the spiritual, economic and social status of the Philadelphia
African American Community.
Its principal founders were Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, but it
also included other prominent black leaders as well as persons such as
Joseph Clarke—a white Quaker who became its treasurer.
The organization’s charter also mandated that Quakers would always
occupy the office of treasurer in order to make the Society’s dealing with
financial institutions easier. Each member of the Society was required to
contribute one shilling per month to the organization’s treasury and support.
The Society, though not religiously affiliated, proved to be much like
a church in serving the black community. It gave aid to the widowed,
the sick, and the jobless. It regulated marriages and kept record of mar-
riages, since they were not recorded for blacks at the time by the civil
government. The Society also taught thrift, censured drunkenness, con-
demned adultery, and attempted to improve the morals of its members.
It also established schools for blacks in the Philadelphia area, since at
that time none existed for blacks and there were no provisions made for
public schools for blacks in Philadelphia until 1839. Thus, one of the
earliest Sunday Schools in America was begun at Mother Bethel Church
in 1795 to teach blacks how to read and write. Cyrus Bustill opened a
school for black children in his home in 1803 and Absalom Jones
enlarged Bustill’s school and opened another one in 1804.
Since its charter stipulated that the Treasurer would always be a Quaker,
who was most often white, the society eventually began to take on a
Quaker form of worship which deeply disturbed Richard Allen, since he
preferred that the worship he attended be by and large the one which he
knew to be Methodist. Being unable to accept these practices and verbal-
izing his concern eventually caused him to be “Read Out” of the Free
African Society on June 20, 1789.
In 1791, the Society also decided to purchase a permanent place of wor-
ship for its “African Members” with which Allen also agreed. History
records that Dr. Benjamin Rush (a signer on the Declaration of Indepen-
dence), Robert Ralston and even President George Washington supported
this effort and made financial contributions to Richard Allen in support of it.
Even though he was now disassociated with the Society, it appointed
Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, William Grey, and William Wilcher with the
task of locating and purchasing the property on which this church would be
built. They purchased a plot of land from Mark Wilcox located at 6th and
Lombard Street, which then was a very over-populated black community,
Members then decided they wanted a church built at 5th Street, south of
Walnut Street—a white community. Also, the church’s denomination was
still uncertain; members voted to be Episcopalian, though Allen and Jones
desired to be Methodists.
As we often find today, Allen once again found himself parting ways
with the Society over the appropriate worship style that was not Pente-
costal, not Anglican, Baptist or Roman Catholic, but distinctly and
unequivocally one that was Methodist.
Allen was “stuck” with the property at Sixth and Lombard Streets.
Using his own money and perhaps that of his first wife, Flora, whom he
married in 1790, Allen bought this property and hauled the famous
blacksmith shop to the site, were he fitted it for the a place of worship
now know as Mother Bethel, and dedicated it on July 29, 1794.
The Free African Society eventually decided that their church would
become affiliated with the Episcopal Church and asked Allen to accept
the role as its pastor. He declined the offer stating that he was, and
would forever be, a Methodist. Absalom Jones accepted the offer and
Saint Thomas Episcopal Church was born—the first “African” Epis-
copal Church in America, with its first “African” pastor— which opened
its doors on July 17, 1794 and still exists to the present day. Even
though he disagreed with this group over the choice to become a part of
the Episcopal Church —Richard Allen, with a spirit of good will, par-
ticipated in the ground breaking ceremony of Saint Thomas Church.
The Free African Society ceased to exist around 1885, though the rea-
sons why it ceased to exist are unknown. One of the reasons is believed
to be that it never quite recovered from the Yellow Fever Epidemic,
during which it amassed a substantial debt. Additionally, it is also
believed that the Society eventually ran out of dues-paying members
and that its work was by and large replaced by other benevolent soci-
eties and fraternal organizations such as the “Prince Hall ‘African’
Lodge #459” —to which many of its founding member belonged.
Today the spirit of the Free African Society still lives and operates
through the Mission, Vision, Purpose and Objectives of churches such
as Saint Thomas African Episcopal Church and our own African
Methodist Episcopal Church, as well as the schools, colleges and other
institutions which would be subsequently founded by them.
For more information and credits please see:
“» http://www.motherbethel.org/museum.htm
> http://www.docstoc.com/docs/2197296/The-Free-A frican-Society-
of-Philadelphia-The-History-of /
The Life Experience and Gospel Labors of the Rt. Rev. Richard Allen:
To Which Is Annexed the Rise and Progress of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church in the United States (1800; repr. 1960),
+ Wesley, Charles H. Richard Allen, Apostle of Freedom. Washington:
Associated Publishers, 1969.
*Mr. Robert Thomas Matthews, III is the Director of Public Relations
of the Sixth Episcopal District Lay Organization of the A.M.E. Church,
Local Lay Vice President of Cobb Bethel A.M.E. Church, and the West
Atlanta District Lay Historiographer.
PAIN AND DEVASTATION
AT THE COURTHOUSE
By Rev. Gloria L. Sydnor Smith*
As atrial lawyer, it is fun doing trial work. I get
to meet new people through jury selection. I get to
paint a picture during opening statements. I get to
ask the tough questions to police officers. I get to
do a lot of fun things. But it is not fun to witness
the pain and devastation at the courthouse.
There is too much crime in the African Amer-
ican community. It looks like we hate each other.
Instead of blaming the white man, we need to
take a serious look at ourselves. It is black on
black crime that not only kills but separates black
people from each other. So instead of being a
community based on love and cooperation, we
have become a community based on hate and
paranoia. This is very painful, and we need to
help ourselves because the judicial system was
not designed to help us. It is designed to resolve
conflict, plain and simple. We will never find true
justice in a judicial system. The first priority is
clearing the docket, not justice. The system does
not care about who’s right and who’s wrong. It
only cares that the case is resolved, right or
wrong. That’s why innocent people are incarcer-
ated and why guilty people go free. True justice
only comes from the Almighty and Eternal God.
We can’t get justice anywhere else, no matter
how hard or how long we try.
The judicial system attempts to provide for
and be sensitive to everyone’s needs. Prosecu-
tors are there to seek justice for the victim. The
prosecutor’s office hires people to provide moral
support to the victim and their families. Defense
attorneys are there to represent the defendant
and to make sure that his or her rights are pro-
tected. There is no one there to help the family
members of the defendant. They did not do
anything wrong, yet they are treated like they
are the defendant. But for all the things that the
judicial system attempts to provide, it falls short.
Everyone is overworked because of all the vio-
lence and some people that work in the judicial
system just don’t care. They don’t feel the pain
because it is not happening to them.
There is plenty of pain to go around in the
African American community and only one solu-
tion. We need to seek God with our whole hearts
and truly turn all of this mess over to Him. There
is no system that is greater than the Creator of the
Universe. God loves justice (Psalm 11:7). There-
fore, if we truly want justice, we will only find it
by faith in Christ Jesus. And when that is done,
what we will come to understand is that we need
mercy more than we need justice. Lord, please
have mercy on the African American community.
*The Rev. Gloria L. Sydnor Smith, Esq. is the pastor
of Whitman Chapel A.M.E. Church in Belpre, OH.
ee Ng oan eem
===== DSC03983.JPG =====
MAY 3, 2010
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER 9
Sesh
..From Pew Study on pl... needs,” leaving
religious groups to compete for members.
“There is no future for The United Methodist
Church in the United States unless we can reach
more people, younger people and more diverse
people,” the Rev. Weems, a
researcher and Professor of church leadership at
Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington,
regarding the study’s findings.
“It’s not that we’re not making the efforts or
spending the money to reach younger and more
diverse people, but we're not focusing our
efforts on outcomes.”
Nearly half of American adults say they have
left the faith tradition of their upbringing, either by
switching to a different religious group or
choosing not to affiliate with a faith tradition at all.
Of the 53 percent who left the Methodist faith
tradition of their childhood, the survey reports
that 19 percent went to evangelical churches, 11
percent to other mainline Protestant churches and
three percent to historically black churches that
are not Methodist. Another 12 percent say they
no longer are part of any faith group, and eight
percent moved to a non-Protestant religion.
“We found that people have choices when it
comes to religion, and they’re ready and willing to
exercise them,” said Gregory Smith, research fellow
at the Pew Forum and one of the study’s authors. “...
It’s a very dynamic climate that presents opportuni-
ties for various religious groups--and for nonreli-
gious groups as well.”
said Lovett
‘Important foundational work’
The survey confirms much of the data collected
in previous studies about both The United
Methodist Church and religion in general in the
United States. However, the breadth and depth of
the survey provides a more detailed glimpse into
trends that appear to be accelerating.
The U.S. Religious Landscape Survey
(http://religions.pewforum_.org/reports) estimates
that, of the nation’s 225 million adults, 78 percent
are Christian, five percent belong to other faiths
and more than 16 percent are unaffiliated. Of
those who profess to be Christians, 18 percent
identify themselves with mainline Protestant
churches, including 5.4 percent with the
Methodist tradition.
“This is important foundational work,” said Scott
Brewer, director of research for the United Methodist
General Council on Finance and Administration, which
collects statistics for the denomination. “It’s really the
most comprehensive study of individual religious
adherence that’s been done in a long time.”
As aresearcher, Brewer said he is pleased that much of
the church’s previous data is being confirmed with a
larger study. However, as a United Methodist, he is trou-
bled by many of its findings.
“For whatever reason, a sizable population
raised in the Methodist tradition is no longer
Methodist. Maybe we haven’t done a good job of
showing what is unique and special and important
about being a United Methodist.”
The study shows that every major religious
group is simultaneously gaining and losing mem-
bers, and that those that are growing are simply
gaining new members at a faster rate than they are
losing them.
Mainline denominations have generally experi-
enced across-the-board losses, with the Methodist
tradition suffering a net loss of 2.1 percent. The
United Methodist Church’s own statistics show the
denomination has 8 million U.S. members, a measure
that has declined steadily for at least four decades
even as membership has grown in Africa, the Philip
pines and elsewhere
The Pew study says the group experiencing the
greatest net loss by far is the Catholic Church at 7.5
percent, but its decline has been offset by the large
number of Catholic immigrants coming to the
United States. The survey identifies nondenomina-
tional Protestants as a “net winner” in the changing
marketplace, more than tripling its population.
Believing without belonging
A significant finding is that one in six American
adults today say they are not affiliated with any
religious group, making them part of the fastest-
growing segment of today’s religious landscape.
More than 16 percent say they are unaffiliated,
which is more than double the number who say they
were unaffiliated as children. Among Americans ages
18-29, one in four say they are not affiliated with any
particular religion.
“We need to be cognizant of the fact that
increasing numbers of people are choosing ‘none
of the above’ when it comes to religious affilia-
tion,” Brewer said.
“It’s not really that we’re seeing agnosticism
growing by leaps and bounds as it is that we’re
seeing disengagement. It raises the question: Is our
time and energy best used in competing with other
faith traditions for the same decreasing share of
active participants that go from one denomination to
another? Or is our time and money better spent
reaching out to those people not being reached by a
faith community at all?”
Of the 16 percent who are religiously unaffiliated,
only about a fourth describe themselves as atheist or
agnostic. Of the rest who describe their religion as
“nothing in particular,” half say religion is not impor-
tant in their lives, and the other half say religion is
either somewhat or very important in their lives.
Although The United Methodist Church works to
attract “seekers,” some spiritually inclined people
are also “institutionally suspicious” and wary of
religious organizations that use such data to target
them, said the Rev. Taylor Burton-Edwards,
Director of worship resources for the United
Methodist Board of Discipleship.
“Every time we do that, we miss the point,”
Burton-Edwards said. “Instead of adjusting our mes-
sage to get those people with us, we should be
working to be in mission with people, whoever they
are, wherever they are.”
Burton-Edwards said the study’s data is useful but
shouldn’t be the focus in measuring the church’s
vitality. It takes more than numbers, he said, to address
the core question of whether the church is following
Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
“We've got the paradigm turned around. ...It’s not
about getting people inside of the church; it’s about
getting Christians out,” he said. “It’s not how many
people are in our organization, but what level of spiri-
tual impression people are experiencing. How are they
being imprinted with the likeness of Jesus Christ? And
what is the impact crater around them as a result?”
Demographic snapshot
The study offered a demographic snapshot of
United Methodists as mostly educated and married.
There are more females than males, and a higher con-
centration of United Methodists live in the South and
the Midwest, followed by the Northeast and the West.
Fifty-seven percent have an annual income of
$50,000 or above.
Though the vast majority of the U.S. population
is under age 50, United Methodists are overrepre-
sented in every age category above 50 (55 percent)
and underrepresented in every age category below
that,
Approximately 1] United
Methodists are ages 18-29, Seventy-two percent say
percent ol
they do not have children under 18 living at home.
The 93 United
Methodists are white. Two percent are identified
study says percent of
as black, 2 percent as Latino and | percent as
Asian, with the rest being of other or mixed racial
backgrounds.
Church leaders, particularly with mainline
Protestant denominations, have puzzled for
decades over the shifting religious landscape.
According to Weems, the pathway for choosing a
church home has changed significantly in the days
from the American frontier to the 1960s, when such
denominations thrived.
“Traditions and denominations don’t tend to be
the beginning point for people today when they
select a church,” he said. “The pattern today is
belonging before believing. People have to feel
like they belong first. It’s the sense of belonging
that opens the door for people to move closer to
beliefs. It used to be the opposite. A person
believed and then they found a community of
believers where they could belong and grow.”
Belonging, he said, involves questions such
as: Can I experience community here? Does this
church help me connect with God? How does it
meet my needs and give me an opportunity to
serve others?
“A lot of people say denominations and tradi-
tions don’t matter any more, but I don’t think
that’s the case. I think it’s just no longer the
deciding point and often not the beginning point
when people select a church,” he said.
Mark Chaves, a sociologist at Duke Divinity
School, noted that Americans have become increas-
ingly tolerant of other cultures and other faiths.
“Large percentages of Americans today say there’s
truth in every religion and that one can achieve salva-
tion through religions that are not their own,” he said.
‘A new thing’?
While Protestantism has long dominated the reli-
gious landscape and served as a driving force in
American politics and culture, the United States is
on the verge of becoming a minority Protestant
nation, with barely 51 percent of Americans
reporting they are members of Protestant denomina-
tions. Moreover, the Protestant population is charac-
terized by significant internal diversity and
fragmentation, encompassing hundreds of denomi-
nations that include evangelical Protestants, main-
line Protestants and historically black Protestants.
“Maybe what is happening ... is that God is leading
us to an opportunity to learn to work with others in a
way we have not contemplated before,” said the Rev.
Jerry D. Campbell, President of United Methodist-
related Claremont (Calif.) School of Theology.
“In the mid-20th century, we thought it was a
pretty good thing for Christians to learn to talk
with one another, and that was the ecumenical
movement. Now, we assume that Christians
should talk with one another, and God is saying
that the conversation should be even larger.”
Campbell views changing religious affiliations
as a God-given opportunity for people of a variety
of faiths to work, learn and grow together. “We’ve
got to get comfortable with change because God
apparently doesn’t like static environments,” he
said. “I think we have to realize that the fate of
God’s future for humanity is not limited to the suc-
cess of the institutional
...Continued on p10
===== DSC03984.JPG =====
10 THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER
MAY 3, 2010
SSSR
...From Pew Study on p9... church. Even it
the church dies, God doesn’t die.”
Whatever follows the “era of denomination-
alism,” Campbell hopes the Methodist tradi-
tion continues to be part of it.
“Scripture in Revelation tells of the new
Jerusalem, where God says, ‘Behold, I am
making all things new.’ That’s a pretty expan-
sive idea, and I think we’ve had ample warning
and lots of signals that God is making things
new. Perhaps this study is showing us just part
of that.”
INITED ME DIST
RA SS
Gender
Female, 57%
Male, 43%
Age
30-49, 34%
50-64, 29%
65+, 26%
18-29, 11%
...From National Association on p1..._ Her
tireless efforts on behalf of others exemplified
the social work commitment to social justice and
advocacy. In 2009, the Dorothy I. Height and
Whitney M. Young, Jr. Social Work Reinvest-
ment Act was introduced into the 111th Congress
by U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD) and
U.S. Representative Edolphus Towns (NY). The
bill would create a national commission to study
the impact of social work interventions and fund
social work training and research grants.
When the Social Work Reinvestment Bill
was introduced in Congress, Dr. Height said,
“We take social work and social workers for
granted. Social workers know firsthand what
the issues are. We are prepared, but we also
need support to keep contributing. What we
need are more people with skill and commit-
ment to help us deal with the nation’s prob-
lems and to help us move forward. The
...From Bishop Sarah Davis on p7...
refused the Government job offer in order
to work with the religious community.
Bishop Davis promised to send a formal letter
requesting Mr. Galbaud’s services.
Attending this meeting were Bishop Davis,
Supervisor Davis, Presiding Elders Reverend
Mehu and Reverend Maurice, Pastor Jean Bap-
tist and Reverend Murat.
Friday, March 26, 2010
7:30 — 9:30 a.m. Travel
We arrived at Bethel A.M.E. Church, Cabaret
at 9:30 a.m. to a crowd of more than 100 persons.
Pastor Jacky Pierre gave Bishop the amended list
of persons who lost everything they had due to
the earthquake, but who were not on the initial
list. Members of the congregation voiced their
pleasure that the A.M.E. Church responded so
timely after the earthquake. Many said this type
of response helped them not to feel alone in their
helplessness. Bishop canvassed the congregation
to get a sense of where they were all staying
since their homes were destroyed.
Tents, medical attention and child care are
immediate needs of people in the Cabaret area.
Agriculture is the way of life in the Cabaret area
and all is gone again. Help in getting the land
back for farming and farming tools and seeding
Race
White, 93%
Black, 2%
Latino, 2%
Other, mixed, 2%
Asian, 1%
Educational Level
High school graduate, 34%
Some college, 23%
College graduate, 21%
Post-graduate, 14%
Less than high school, 8%
Marital Status
Married, 62%
Widowed, 12%
Never married, 12%
Divorced or separated, 11%
Living with partner, 4%
Number of Children
(under 18 living at home)
No children, 72%
proposed Social Work Commission provides a
way for us to do just that—move forward.”
“Words cannot express our sorrow in learning
about Dr. Height’s death this morning,” says
Elizabeth J. Clark, PhD, ACSW, MPH, Execu-
tive Director of the National Association of
Social Workers. “She, like pioneer social
workers Jane Addams and Frances Perkins,
made lasting change in the lives of thousands,
while shaping some of the most important
social shifts in American history.”
Dr. Height was mentored by some of the
most accomplished women of the Progressive
Era, including Mary McLeod Bethune and
Eleanor Roosevelt. And she mentored many
of the nation’s most recognizable female
leaders today, including Former Secretary of
Labor Alexis Herman, Secretary of State
Hillary Clinton, media mogul Oprah Winfrey
and poet laureate and author Dr. Maya
are absolutely necessi-
ties now.
Before leaving the
Bethel AMEC, the
Pastor and people took
Iwo children, 12%
One child, 11%
Three children, 4%
Four or more children, 1%
Income
Less than $30,000, 23%
$100 000+, 22%
$30 ,000-49 999, 21%
$50 ,000-74,999, 19%
$75 000-99 999, 16%
Region
South, 46%
Midwest, 29%
Northeast, 16%
West, 8%
SOURCE: Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life
*Aldrich is News Editor of United
Methodist News Service.
News media contact: Marta Aldrich, Nashville,
Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
Used with permission of the United Methodist
News Service
Angelou. Dr. Height also remains the longest
serving president (1947-1957) of Delta Sigma
Theta Sorority, an international public service
organization.
The vast scope of Dr. Height’s many accom-
plishments has earned her repeated national
recognition. In 1989, President Ronald Reagan
presented her with the Citizens’ Medal Award and
in 1997 President Bill Clinton awarded her the
Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 2004, Presi-
dent George W. Bush awarded her with the Con-
gressional Gold Medal and she was inducted into
the Democracy Hall of Fame. Most recently, Dr.
Height served as an advisor to President Barack
Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.
Dr. Height’s legacy was celebrated by the
social work profession at the 2010 Social
Work Congress (April 22-23). She is the
recipient of NASW’s 2009 Lifetime Achieve-
ment Award.
...From The Black Americans on p1... transmitted diseases), abor-
tions and low self-esteem and experience God’s Best for their lives.
I travel to churches and various locations/events throughout the
United States and overseas to conduct workshops.
I would welcome the opportunity to share this information with the pas-
Bishop and Supervisor tors and denominational leaders of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
about 500 feet from the
church up the mountain
to a plot of land which
the Church could be
I am excited to share about this project with A.M_E. churches, as well as
an opportunity to help the teenage girls in their communities to experience
God’s best for their lives through abstinence and Pro-life.
For additional information, contact Kim Wilson, 121 Ardenlee Drive,
built, on should the peachtree City, Georgia 30269; Phone: (678) 491-8583; Email:
owners sell. The Bishop im wilson@atnex.net; Website:http://new.vchurches.com/blackamericans-
and people prayed over forlife/home.aspx2iid=126958.
the land asking God’s
favor with the owners.
Around 11:30 a.m.
we headed back to the
Port-Au-Prince area to Rosetta-Lee A.M.E.
Church.
Pastor Jules Andre’ Pierre met us at Rosetta-
Lee A.M.E. Church, Petite-Place-Cazeau, Port-
Au-Prince, just before 1:00 p.m. We observed
the damages to the church, school and the living
quarters of the founder, Missionary Rosette lnees
which was the Pastor’s home prior to January
12th. The Rosetta Lee A.M.E. School building
including the second floor which was never com-
pleted is damaged and will need to be rebuilt.
The fence which provides security to the prop-
*Kim Wilson is the Director of Black Americans for Abstinence and Pro-
Life Teenagers Project (for Girls) located in the Atlanta, Georgia area.
erty (school and church) was completely dam-
aged and will need to be rebuilt immediately.
Pastor Jules Andre’ and his family are back
living in the tent in the back of the church and
school as the tremors of the week of March 17th
shook the bedroom so badly, they are fearful of
returning to the house for any sleeping.
We left Rosetta-Lee for St. Paul and the Steering
Committee Meeting scheduled for 2:00 p.m. (See
Steering Committee Meeting Report below)
St. Paul A.M.E. Church, Port-Au-Prince is
completely destroyed f
..Continued on p11
===== DSC03985.JPG =====
MAY 3, 2010
THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER 11
..From Bishop Sarah on p10...
and was visited during Bishop and
Supervisor’s February 15, 2010
Visit to Haiti.
Saturday, March 27, 2010, 8:30
am. — 12 Noon, Steering Com-
mittee Meeting, at St. Paul A.M.E.
Church location, Port-Au-Prince
Steering Committee Report:
Steering Committee Haiti Members
Bishop Sarah F. Davis, Presiding
Prelate - 16th Episcopal District African
Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC)
Mr. Claytie Davis, Jr., Episcopal
Supervisor of Missions — 16th Episcopal
District AMEC
Sister Elvire Douglas, Connectional WMS
Officer/Treasurer of Haiti Annual Conference /
16th District Disaster Relief, Coordinator/
Official Interpreter of 16th District
Reverend Joel Mehu, Presiding Elder,
St. Paul District, AMEC
Reverend Joel Maurice, Presiding
Elder, Mary Beckett District, AMEC
Reverend Francois Murat, Haiti
Conference Director of Youth
Ministry/16th District Official Interpreter
Reverend Jean Baptiste Jean,
Attorney/Pastor St. Paul A.M.E.
Church/Conference Trustee Chairperson
Reverend Jacquet L. Michelet Mars,
Educator, Pastor, Lula Brokentong A.M.E.
Church
Reverend Jacky Pierre, Pastor of
Bethel Cabaret/Educator
Sister Carolles Milburn, Educator -
Office of Minister of Education/Haiti
Conference WMS President
Brother Claudy Philoma, Civi/
Engineer/Trustee Board Loula Brokentong
Actions Taken
e Three bids are currently being
solicited for fencing John Hurst
A.M_E. Church and property; the
Trustee Board of the Haiti
Annual Conference is in charge
and will advise Bishop Sarah of
bid selected so that funds can be
released for the work.
A Memorandum of Under-
standing between the current
John Hurst member who is
staying on property to guard it,
and John Hurst Church, speci-
fying when he is to vacate the
premise after the fence is con-
structed is being drafted by
Pastor Jean Baptiste Jean
(Attorney). Once the MOU has
been approved by Bishop Sarah,
Pastor Maurice and Trustees will
meet with the resident.
Civil Engineer, Mr. Tommy Gal-
baud, ARCHICODEC, 127, Ave
La Hatte, Petit-Goave, Haiti, has
been sent a formal letter of
engagement from Bishop Sarah
Davis, requesting an engineering
evaluation of our churches which
were destroyed and/or damaged
by the January 12, 2010 earth-
quake. Mr. Galbaud estimates
that the work can be completed
with 22 days of receipt of
engagement letter
May 15, 2010).
¢ Presiding Elder Wayne Anthony
(16th District, Windward Island)
has offered the use of one of his
(Estimated
ships to pick up and deliver
goods collected around the Con-
nectional Church to Haiti. We are
waiting on him for the green
light to make the announcements
concerning which ports of call
the ship will make and details
concerning the logistics for those
wishing to ship goods to Haiti
via the ship.
On-Going Work:
Shelter: 35 tents from Church
World Services were to arrive
during Holy Week or week after;
Presiding Elder Mehu is fol-
lowing-up and will make distrib-
ution as soon as the tents arrive
in Port-au- Prince and will advise
the Bishop of the shipment.
Plans for other tents to be
donated and / or purchased.
Bishop to have persons check
with those who have promised
tents for Haiti to determine if
we need to purchase tents for
the families still without ade-
quate shelter.
Some church persons voiced
desire for tarps vs. tents, and
large plastic sheets.
Food: Until jobs opportunities
are available again and until
farming-agriculture are restored,
families will need some financial
assistance for purchasing the life
sustaining requirements. Lines
are still very long; rice is the
commodity being distributed
daily.
Water: Need large plastic con-
tainers for storing water.
Medical
Mobile Clinics needed in inner
city area of Port-au-Prince (St.
Paul A.M.E. Church) and in our
outlying church communities.
Christine Smith A.M.E. Church
— Kenscoff
e Canaan Christ Revient A.M.E.
Church — Tombe Gateau
¢ Bethel A.M.E. —Cabaret
e Psychological /Social
seling
e Trauma Counseling
¢ Grief Counseling
Coun-
Concerns
(1) Financial Assistance: Families
have no income; stipends will be
needed until jobs are available
again and/or the farms are pro-
ducing crops;
¢ Stipends for basic necessities
*Stipends for light farm equip-
ment and seedlings
(2) Youth Idleness:
months of May, June, July, August
with no schools, the young chil-
Summer
dren and youth need activities to
keep them focused.
¢New Skills (training classes)
"
DRIFTING CHRISTIANS
By Rev. N.T. Pitts*
Some years ago there was a song in the secular market entitled,
“I’m drifting and drifting like a ship out on the sea.” I remember the
days in my childhood when I used to throw things into the lake in my
neighborhood just to see where things I threw into the lake would go.
I saw them being tossed to and fro, bobbling as they drifted away
from shore, destination uncertain.
Drifting is a dangerous thing. If you are in a boat and if it is not
anchored you will look up just to find that you have drifted out in the
middle of nowhere. :
A drifter has no control. When you drift you have no precise desti-
nation. Even a lighthouse is of no importance to a drifter. There is an
old spiritual entitled, “My soul’s been anchored in de Lord.” The
trouble with some church folk is that they come to church, join, but
they never anchor themselves to the Lord. When you are not
anchored, you drift. ;
Ihave often observed folks who attend worship services, but it seems
that their minds are somewhere else; just anywhere except in the spirit
of worship. They mentally drift; they are distracted by the vibrations of
their cell phones; and by mentally planning what they are going to do
after the worship service. Often I have seen some get up and tip-toe out
of service just to answer their cell phones even in the middle of a
sermon. I have seen pastors leave the pulpit to answer cell phones. _
Worship drifters sing with their lips but their heart is far removed from
the lyrics. Some look as if they are-in-a strange and-unfamiliar- place —
When you allow yourself to drift, you will wake up one day just to
find that you have been marooned on islands of self-pity, self-right-
eousness, criticism, skepticism, no fellowship and no compassion.
And, there are those who drift from church to church, so much so
that their families have a hard time determining from which church
they should be funeralized.
Drifting Christians are vulnerable to every wind and doctrine; they
have no stability.
The songwriter penned it well:
Life’s sea oft-times is dark and dreary, _
And maddening billows loudly roar
Oft hope is faint, oft trust is weary,
I lose the light-house on the shore.
But Jesus Christ is still my pilot
I seek His face and learn His will.
And then, I hear His voice so gently,
Trust me, my child, I’m with thee still
I cannot drift, I cannot drift,
His love attends me every where.
I cannot drift, I cannot drift,
I cannot drift beyond His care.
*The Rev. N.T. Pitts is a retired pastor who lives in Eatonville, FL.
Computers/Music/Dance
(3) Adult Encouragement/T raining:
Ideas for Action: Revivals/Evange-
lists/Services of Encouragement
(People need to be reminded that
Ideas for Action:
Vacation Bible Schools
¢ Teams could come in for one/two God does love them)
weeks periods of time and pro- ° New Skills (training classes)
vide VBS Computers/Music/Dance/Sewing
/Crafts
as
===== DSC03986.JPG =====
12. THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER MAY 3, 2010
PHN ‘si
Sunday, May 4 2010
ALL CHURCHES IN A BAMA
Will Close their Doors at kl 00am.
We are taking the Witness to the Streets in@utr Own Communities
from 11:00 a.m, - 3:00 ims
BISHOPS’ COUNCIL AND GENERAL BOARD
& MEETING JUNE 27 - 30, 2010
O
fy THE INVESTITURE BANQUET
For more information : B Pe Se
contact the 9th Episcopal ‘ . WI TH 1.
District Office at 5 - Je - ba:
205.326.4499 or | ee SPECIAL -
et
www.ninthamec.org =) x y*
GUESTS
ae DR. ROBERT MICHAEL FRANKLIN KURT CARR
PRESIDENT OF MOREHOUSE COLLEGE AND THE KURT CARR SINGERS
S
ATLANTA, GA
vy BIRMINGHAM JEFFERSON CONVENTION COMPLEX
iy 2100 RICHARD ARRINGTON JR. BLVD. NORTH * BIRMINGHAM, AL
BLACK TIE AFFAIR - TICKETS $75.00
James L. Davis, Servant Bishop -- Arelis B. Davis, WMS Supervisor
-
Date
-
2010-5-3
