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March 24, 2008
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\ THE
JARISTIAN
VOL. 157, NO. 13
THE COUNCIL OF BISHOPS AND THE GENERAL
CONFERENCE COMMISSION SUPPORT A CALL
TO PRAYER ON SUNDAY, APRIL 13, 2008 AS A
CONNECTIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
By The Right Reverend Sarah Davis
Prayer Makes a Difference
Let Us Pray for:
¢QOur beloved “Connection” of General,
Annual, P.E. District, and Church Conferences
* The bishops, general officers, presiding Elders,
pastors, clergy, and lay youth and adult mem-
bers as we prepare for the 48th Quadrennial
Session of the General Conference
* One another as we seek to live ‘saved’ lives
at home, at work, in the community and
everywhere
¢ Salvation in our suffering world’s human
and spiritual conditions
Nature of the Prayer Call:
* Sunday, April 13th - Prayer Worship Service(s)
or Convocations
* Saturday, April 12th - Prayer meetings, vigils,
retreats, walks and related prayer centered,
salvation-centered, Continued on p 10
eee ro cececoscerecceseceerence
_ ST. PAUL A.M.E. CHURCH,
LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY WELCOMES
NEW PASTOR AND FIRST FAMILY
By *Sister Doris J. Coffey
Historic St. Paul African
Methodist Episcopal Church
in Lexington, Kentucky
undergoes a spiritual trans-
formation with the appoint-
: _|ment of the dynamic
_ “4 | ministerial team the Rev-
erends Troy and Maxine Thomas from
Philadelphia, PA.
It happened on Saturday, December 2,
2007 at Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church in
Nashville during the closing of the 13th Dis-
trict Planning Meeting when to the surprise
of some and delight of others the Right Rev-
erend Vashti Murphy
...Continued on p10
THE ALLEGHENY SCRANTON
DISTRICT CELEBRATES FOUNDER'S
DAY, PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA
The Allegheny Scranton District cele-
brated Founder’s Day on Sunday, February
10, 2008 at Calvary A.M.E. Church in
Braddock, PA. The Host Pastor was the
Reverend Lois Thomas.
Due to inclement weather, about a half
hour before the service was to begin, the
electricity in the church went out; but all in
attendance shook Satan off our backs and the
service began with candles being lit in the
sanctuary. This was a surreal experience as to
how Richard Allen and members of the
African Methodist
..Continued on p10 |
The Atlanta North Georgia District Conference was held at Big Bethel A.M.E. Church,
Atlanta, Georgia, with Pastor Gregory V. Eason. This two-day conference of 2008 was a
smashing success with Presiding Elder David B. Rhone, Jr. The Opening Friday Night Worship
Service Sermon was preached by the Rt. Rev. Frank C. Cummings, Retired Bishop of the
A.M.E. Church. The good Bishop preached a powerful sermon on the subject: The Church of
Tomorrow. The points were given: A serving church, an obedient church, and a loving caring
church. The background scripture came from Saint John 13:14-17.
Words from the Elder’s Pen
Dear North Atlanta District Family: “On a Mission to Serve; Economics, Education, and Edi-
fication: Spiritual Transformation 2008” is the theme of this 2008 North District Conference.
As we enter into this new season, let us ever be mindful of the need for us to become spiritu-
ally transformed. Paul, God’s anointed prophet, instructs us that we are not to be conformed to
this world’s systems and thought processes. But rather, we are to become transformed by the
renewing power of the mind of God.
God is moving us into a new harvest of the lost, the last, and the ‘least-of-these’ souls for the
kingdom. We are truly “on a mission to serve.” The hymn writer was correct when he penned
the words ‘To serve this present age, my calling to fulfill...” We are important to the work and
the will of God. Therefore, let us lift up each other, edifying each ...Continued on p4
The Rev. Carl Moore, the Senior Pastor of Allen Temple A.M.E. Church, Woodstock, Georgia, who recently laid the cornerstone of
his fast-growing congregation with Bishop William P. DeVeaux, preached the Saturday Closing Noonday Sermon. The preacher of
the hour preached a powerful sermon on the subject: “Experience God's Deliverance.” Background scripture: Psalm 91:1-14.
Congratulations to the first two first ladies of this North Atlanta District Conference: Mrs. David Rhone (left) and Mrs.
| Gregory Eason.
gs
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— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER » MARCH 24, 2008 —
day’s editorial, in recognition »of
Women’s History, Month (March),
honors Dr. PAM DeVeaux, the convener
of the 2007 Sixth Episcopal District’s Deliver-
ance Conference and the women who were recently honored at the
Deliverance Conference that was held at Turner Chapel Cathedral
A.M.E. Church in Marietta, Georgia where the Reverend Dr. Kenneth
E. Marcus is the Pastor and the Reverend Cassandra Y. Marcus serves
as the Co-Pastor. Dr. Pam DeVeaux was the convener of the Deliver-
ance Conference. The Right Reverend William P. DeVeaux is the Pre-
siding Prelate of the Sixth Episcopal District.
Dr. M. Joan Cousin, one of the honorees at the Women’s Deliverance
Conference, was recognized in the editorial in the last edition of The
Christian Recorder Online.
The Women’s Deliverance Conference honored A.M.E. and non-
A.M.E. honorees.
Dr. Calvin H. Sydnor III
- African Methodist Episcopal Church Honorees:
Dr. Patricia Morris DeVeaux, Convener of the 2007 Sixth Episcopal
District Women's Deliverance Conference:
Patricia Morris De Veaux (“Pam”) was born in Wilmington, Delaware
to Jesse Morris and the late Amanda Morris. She attended Bethel
A.M.E. Church where she was an active member of the Sunday school,
youth choir, orchestra and Young People's Division. She credits her
leadership skills and spiritual foundation to the early nurturing she
experienced at the hands of loving Bethel members.
Her academic background includes matriculation and graduation
from Howard University (B.A.), where she was inducted as a member
of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, George Peabody College (Master,
Library Science) and Vanderbilt University (Ph.D.). Her vocational
background includes positions as a librarian, medical periodical
librarian, university adjunct professor, community college adminis-
trator, program manager, and program director at the United States
Department of Energy. At these positions’ she has held, much of her
focus was concentrated upon developing and implementing initiatives
designed to strengthen Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Since coming to the Sixth District, she has written two plays (The
Loud Silence, 2005; The Preacher’s Son, 2006), and co-authored a
book of poetry entitled Black Church Gems.
Bishop and Dr. Pam have been blessed by the presence of six chil-
dren and fourteen grandchildren.
The Christian Recorder
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SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION OF THE A.M.E. CHURCH,
She strives to magnify God’s greatness through committediservice to
humankind.
- Honoree for Spiritual Growth - Ms. Patricia Raybon, Educator and
Journalist:
Ms. Patricia Raybon has been blessed with many talents that she has
used to further the work of God’s kingdom here on earth. She is an award-
winning author and journalist whose published book, a prayer memoir
entitled J Told The Mountain to Move, was described by Publishers
Weekly as “glorious... a powerful and personal book about prayer.” She
has used her gift as a journalist by writing many personal essays on faith
and family that have been published in renowned publications such as The
New York Times, USA
Today, and Newsweek.
As an educator, Ms.
Raybon inspired young
people for more than 25
years in her role as a
member of the jour-
nalism faculty at the
University of Colorado
at Boulder, from which
she recently retired as
professor emeritus. She
is a motivational speaker
who is sought after by
many organizations to
present keynote addresses
and conduct workshops.
Her academic _ back-
ground which includes a
B.A. in journalism from
The Ohio State Univer- .
sity, and an M.A. in
Journalism from the
University of Colorado
at Boulder, was an excel-
lent foundation for such
SCHEDULE FOR CONVO XI, GENERAL
BOARD MEETING, AND GENERAL
CONFERENCE COMMISSION
CONVO XI:
10:00 a.m., Monday, April 14 thru 5:00
p.m., Tuesday, April 15, 2008
General Board Meeting:
7:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 15 thru 3:00 p.m.,
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
General Conference Commission:
3:00 — 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Accommodations:
Marriott Dallas/Addison Quorum
by the Galleria
14901 Dallas Parkway
Dallas, TX 75254
Group rate: $135.00
To make reservations, call (800) 228-9290
or (972) 661-2800 and ask for
the “A.M.E. Church room block.”
an illustrious career.
Ms. Raybon is married to J. Daniel Raybon and is the mother of two
daughters and grandmother of two beautiful — Cgntinued on p3
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===== DSC03949.JPG =====
FIRST EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP RICHARD FRANKLIN NORRIS
APRIL 8, 2008
WMS Day
APRIL 9-13, 2008
Delaware Annual Conference
APRIL 21, 2008
WMS Day
APRIL 22-27, 2008
New York Annual Conference
APRIL 30, 2008
WMS Day
MAY 1-4, 2008
Western New York Annual Conference
MAY 13, 2008
WMS Day
MAY 14-18, 2008
New England Annual Conference
MAY 19, 2008
WMS Day
MAY 20-25, 2008
Philadelphia Annual Conference
SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP ADAM JEFFERSON RICHARDSON, JR.
APRIL 7-APRIL 12, 2008
WASHINGTON ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Union Bethel A.M.E. Church, Co-Host Church
Brandywine, MD
The Rev. Dr. Harry L. Seawright,
Co-Host Pastor
Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, Co-Host Church
Washington, DC
The Rev. Dr. Michael E. Bell, Co-Host Pastor
Ward Memorial A.M.E. Church,
Co-Host Church
Washington, DC
The Rev. Dr. Conrad K. Pridgen,
Co-Host Pastor
Hemingway Memorial A.M.E. Church, Co-
Host Church
District Heights, MD
The Rev. Samuel Hayward, Co-Host Pastor
Reid Temple A.M.E. Church, Glenn Dale, MD,
Conference Site
Pastor's Phone: (301) 372-6036
The Rev. Goodwin Douglas, Host PE.
The Rev. Dr. Louis-Charles Harvey, Assoc. PE.
APRIL 21-26, 2008
VIRGINIA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church, Host Church
Richmond, VA
Omni Richmond Hotel, Richmond, VA,
Conference Site
Pastor's Phone: (804) 747-6265
The Rev. Daryl K. Kearney, Host Pastor
The Rev. Paul C. Adkins, Host PE.
The Rev. Chester W. Morris, Assoc. PE.
MAY 5-10, 2008
NORTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
St. Philip A.M.E. Church, Co-Host Church
Wilmington, NC
The Rev. DeOther Melvin, Co-Host Pastor
Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Co-Host Church
Wilmington, NC
The Rev. Charles Davis, Co-Host Pastor
St. James A.M.E. Church, Co-Host Church
Castle Hayne, NC
— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER » MARCH 24, 2008 — 3
Ww ye
The Rev. Dr. Roosevelt L. Holmes, Co-Host Pastor
Mt. Olive A.M.E. Church, Co-Host Church
Wilmington, NC
The Rev. Dr. Anthony Watson, Co-Host Pastor
Sea Trail Golf Resort and Conference Center,
Sunset Beach, NC, Conference Site
Pastor's Phone: (910) 762-3573
The Rev. Evelyn Gail Dunn, Host PE.
The Rev. Larry Stanwyk Hinton, Assoc. PE.
MAY 19-24, 2008
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church, Host Church
Greensboro, NC
Sheraton Hotel and Joseph S. Koury
Convention Center, Conference Site
Pastor's Phone: (336) 273-5268
The Rev. Dr. Norman W. Handy, Jr, Host Pastor
The Rev. Benjamin S. Foust, Host PE.
The Rev. J. Bernard Wilder, Assoc. PE.
The Rev. Larnie G. Horton, Assoc. PE.
FOURTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
BISHOP PHILIP ROBERT COUSIN, SR.
AUGUST 3-10, 2008
CANADIAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Host: Grant AMEC, Toronto
Crowne Plaza Toronto
416-449-4111 or 877-474-6835
Room Rate: $129 single; $139 double; $149
triple; $159 quad (Canadian/plus tax)
Reservation Deadline: July 11; Free parking
The Rev. Cory Millben, Host Pastor and P. E.
AUGUST 18-25, 2008
MICHIGAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Host: Ebenezer AMEC, Detroit, MI
Hyatt Regency Hotel, Dearborn, MI
313-593-1234 or 800-233-1234
Room Rate: $109 single/double/triple/quad plus tax
Reservation Deadline: August 8; Free parking
The Rev. H. Michael Lemmons, Host Pastor
SEPTEMBER 7-14, 2008
ILLINOIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Host: Ward Chapel AMEC, Peoria, IL
Site to be determined
The Rev. James Bailey, Host Pastor
SEPTEMBER 21-28, 2008
INDIANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Host: Central Indiana Ministerial Alliance
Site to be determined
The Rev. Samuel Sumner, President
OCTOBER 5-12, 2008
CHICAGO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Host: Coppin AMEC, Chicago, IL
Wyndham Hotel, Lisle, IL
Room Rate: $115 flat plus tax
Reservation Deadline: September 3; Free parking
The Rev. Walter Bauldrick, Host Pastor
OCTOBER 23-25, 2008
FOURTH DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING
Crowne Plaza O'Hare, Rosemont, IL
Room Rate: $99 flat plus tax
Reservation Deadline: October 8
Parking: $5 per day with in/out privileges for
hotel guests only
TWENTIETH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
=
BISHOP WILFRED J. MESSIAH
APRIL 16-20, 2008
MID-YEAR AND CHRISTIAN
Annual Conference Schedules x irx< x3 x97 %
EDUCATION CONGRESS
Gumtree A.M.E. Church
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe
The Rev. Eustace B. Ginya, Host Pastor
...From Women’s on p2...
grandchildren. The Raybons are
long time members of Shorter
Community A.M.E. Church in
Denver, CO.
The philosophy that guides Ms. Raybon’s life on a daily basis is one
of her favorite New Testament Scriptures, Romans 1:16: “For I am not
ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salva-
tion of everyone who believes.”
- Honoree for Health and Wellness - Ms. Ola Smith, CEO of McKinney
Community Health Center:
A native of Charleston, South Carolina, Ms. Ola Smith settled in
Waycross after years of service as the Travel Secretary for Bishop and
Episcopal Supervisor Ming during their tenure in the Sixth Episcopal
District: Ms. Smith’s years of service in the U.S. Army, educational
training at Columbus State and South Carolina State University and pre-
vious experience as a CFO at Southside Health Care in Atlanta prepared
her for her role in Waycross as CEO of McKinney Community Health
Center which she assumed in 1998. As CEO, Ms. Smith provides lead-
ership for five medical sites, two outreach sites and a senior daycare pro-
gram of a staff of fifty-five employees and a budget of more than one
million dollars.
Ms. Smith is a community service activist, belonging to the Kiwanis
Club as Chair of Community Service, Chair of the Board of Okefenokee
Technical College, Vice President for the State Technical College Direc-
tors’ Association, member of the Public Health Board of Directors, Pres-
ident of the M. L. King, Jr. Commission, past President of Leadership
Waycross, member of Waycross Alumni Chapter Delta Sigma Theta
Sorority, and prior member of the State Workforce Investment Board.
She has served on the executive committee for the Georgia Association
of Primary Health Care (GAPHC) since 1997. She is a member of
Greater Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, where she serves as a steward and
Finance Director.
- Honoree for Community Service
The Honorable Georganna T. Sinkfield, Representative District 60,
Georgia House Of Representatives: Representative Georganna T. Sink-
field has been a civil servant to the people of Georgia for more than two
decades. Elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1982, she
is the senior-tenured woman in the Georgia Legislature.
Early in her career Representative Sinkfield established herself as an
advocate for children and youth through her authorship of key legisla-
tion, such as measures creating the Office of the Child Advocate. She
also championed legislation for improvements in education, access to
health care for senior citizens, for the uninsured, and for those with
HIV/AIDS. She has also served on numerous state level task forces,
commissions and councils related to children, education, homelessness,
youth, the court system, and health care reform.
Among the numerous honors, awards and recognitions Representative
Sinkfield has received are citations by Georgia Trend magazine as one
of the Most Influential 100 People in Georgia; The Georgia Gerontology
Society Legislative Award for consistent support of aging issues that
benefit older Georgians, the Council for Children, Inc. Friend of Chil-
dren Award, the Shero Award from the Georgia Women's Legislative
Caucus, the Vision in Action Award from the Georgia Campaign Ado-
lescent Pregnancy Prevention.
The South Carolina native earned a Bachelor of Science degree in
Biology from Tennessee State University and attended Emory Univer-
sity School of Law. A member of St. Paul A.ML.E. Church, Rep. Sinkfield
and her husband, Richard H. Sinkfield, have two children, Rita Denise
and Richard III, and five grandchildren.
- Honoree for Economic Development
Johnnie Lee Clark, Retired Educator: Dr. Johnnie Lee Clark was born
in the small town of Graymont, GA, to the late John Henry Lee and the
late Allie Mae Hubbard Lee. The first of seven siblings, she attended the
public schools of Augusta, GA before obtaining a B.S. degree from
Morris Brown College, the MBA degree from New York University, and
the Ph.D. degree from the University of Georgia. Dr. Clark is a regis-
tered Certified Public Accountant in the state of Georgia.
Dr. Clark has achieved an impressive career in the field of business
education. Her first job after college was as Secretary to the late Dr. John
Lewis, President of Morris Brown College. From that launching pad she
moved on to serve as professor at Morris Brown, Atlanta University and
...Continued on p12
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..From District Conference on p!... other as we build a
Presiding Elder David B. Rhone,
team on a God-sent mission to serve others Jr., the distinguished Presiding
; , ) Elder of the Atlanta North
The Saturday Morning Agenda Georgia District Conference
7:00 a.m. — 7:30 a.m.: Intercessory Prayer. 7:30 a.m. — 8:45 Mlod e ieeutte Plead
ning
a.m.: Breakfast. 8:45 a.m. — 9:00 a.m.: Morning Praise and SiN Friday Night Sermon
Worship by Rev. Mark Harkness and Rev. Jennifer Harkness :
Allen. 9:00 a.m, — 9:45 a.m.: Workshop Sessions. Session One
“Spiritual Transformation and Ministry Opportunities from Bib-
lical Foundations.” Objective: To develop programs and
resources that will help pastors and congregations become spir-
itually transformed, using biblical stewardship principles. Con-
vener: Rev. Dr. Jeffery Streator. Presenter: Rev. Dr. Lugenia
Johnson, Senior Pastor- Mount Zion A.M.E. Church, the Mount
Zion A.M.E. Church Legacy Project Committee.
10:00 a.m. — 10:45 a.m.: Session 2: “Spiritual Transforma-
tion through C ommunity Partnerships. Objective: To encourage The Rt. Rev. Frank C.
pastors and their congregations to meet their ministry needs g | Cummings, Retired Bishop of
through creating covenant relations and community partner- "GUAT TCE TIE
ships that produce economic development. Convener: Rev. very anointed sermon at the
Lemora Dobbs. Presenter: Rev. Jennifer Allen, Gregory and Bubpta Nerh Georgia District
Darlene Green. 11:00 a.m. — 12:00 noon: Session 3: “Spiritual lest sublet, slg
Transformation through a Business Perspective.” Objective: To tae ty oak
help pastors and their congregations become more effective in
ministry through business opportunities; i.e. websites, business
plans, 501(c)(3). Convener: Rev. Dr. McClellan Cox. Presenter:
Rev. Comfort Ellis. Morris Brown College Update: Dr. Stanley
Pritchard, President of Morris Brown College.
An Overall View
Phase 1: Pastoral Care. Purpose: To encourage and minister
to mission and smaller churches in the North Atlanta District
who may be experiencing difficulty in meeting their needs or
obligations. Objective/Goal: To develop a congregational and
pastoral care team who will identify and assess the nurture and
care needed for the pastors and congregations. Duties and
Responsibilities: Each pastor and congregation is asked to adopt
one of the churches on the congregational care list and develop
at least one activity with that congregation during the confer- §
ence year. Each pastor and congregation on the congregational
list will provide a need assessment and a plan of action.
Plan of Action: 1. Congregational Care Committee will get a
list of larger churches that will adopt a smaller congregation
into one ministry of their church. 2. Congregational Care Com-
mittee will get a list of smaller churches that would like to par-
ticipate in the adoption program. 3. Congregational Care
Committee and the adopted congregation will complete a needs
assessment to determine the areas where assistance is needed.
Commitments: 1. Smaller will participate in church growth Ji)
and development programs sponsored by the Congregational
Care Committee. 2. Larger congregation will host at least one
activity to support the smaller congregation. 3. District will host
one event to support the smaller congregations.
Phase 2: Real Estate Development. Purpose: To enlist and bring
together a Statistics Planning Committee of persons interested and
skilled in business, finance, or real estate. To develop programs and
resources to help pastors and their congregation in creating eco-
nomic development opportunities. To train and hold workshops on
church financing and budgeting and establishing church credit
unions, investments, and housing. Objectives/Goals: 1. Community
and land development. 2. Buy, build, and sell houses. 3. Investment
group opportunity. 4. First home buyer workshop. 5. Create amen
realtors (African Methodist Episcopal network of realtors).
Duties and Responsibilities: 1. Each pastor is asked to recommend a
person to work on this committee. 2. Each person is asked to attend the
District Conference and Gathering Forces for Hope Conference. 3. Each
pastor and congregation is asked to supply the mailing address and Ai
email address of their church membership at the District Conference. 4.
Bach member of Amen Realtors will give 1% of his or her commission,
which resulted from the North Atlanta District Base. 5. Develop data-
base with their local church and the North Atlanta District. Activi-
ties/Events: The Gathering Forces Business (business, finance, and real
estate persons are asked to bring their flyer/business cards).
Phase 3: Economic Development through Community
: re oe Pl . ores veanta he Rev. Kenneth Marcus, Worship Leader of the Friday Night Opening Service, and one of his powerful
paras SP IES: gee te Brey e> Onno devel - ees singing choirs from Turner Chapel AME. Church, Marietta, Georgia, getting everything in spiritual order
covenant relationship with the corporate business, banking, ,, Bishop Frank C. Cummings to bring a word from the throne of God
government, and worship centers to Article Continued on p6
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— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER » MARCH 24, 2008 — 5
1) Pastor Gregory V. Eason of Big Bethel A.M.E. Church,
Atlanta, gave a warm and heartfelt welcome to the mem-
bers of the Atlanta North Georgia District Conference. The
mega-church on Auburn Avenue was almost full to hear the
various choirs sing, and Bishop Cummings preach the
Opening Sermon. 2) Principal leaders of the North Atlanta
District Conference, from left to right: Rev. Kenneth Marcus,
the North District Board of Examiners, Rev. Gregory V. Eason,
Host Pastor, Dr. Stanley Pritchard, President of Morris Brown
College, and Presiding Elder David Rhone 3) The pastors
and preachers of the Atlanta North Georgia District Confer-
ence were in full attendance in support of their Presiding
Elder. 4) Dr. Stanley Pritchard, President of Morris Brown
College and Steward Pro-Tem of Big Bethel A.M E. Church,
gave a very impressive update on Morris Brown College. The
President is traveling all ac the state of Georgia telling
the Morris Brown st ruiting new students 5) The
Rev. Dr. McClellan Cox presents ministerial candidates to
Presiding Elder David Rhone for his approval to be sent to
the Annual Conference for further study before the Confer-
Committee. 6) From left to right: Rev. Kenneth E
s Chairman of the Board of Examiners of the North
nference, Presiding Elder David Rhone, and two
distinguished lecturers of the aturday Morning Work-
shop along with Mrs. David Rhone, the Elder's wife
_ ——___ nn
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— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER» MARCH 24, 2008 —
THE BALM IN GILEAD, INC,
MOBILIZES THE 19TH ANNUAL
BLACK CHURCH WEEK OF PRAYER
FOR THE HEALING OF AIDS
March 2-8, 2008
By * Sister Saundra Lucas,
Calls on Leaders and Organizations to Support New Initiative to
Help Fight HIV/AIDS in the United States and in Africa.
Thousands of churches across the country joined the Balm In
Gilead and its esteemed platform of religious and political leaders to
mobilize the Black community in the fight against HIV/AIDS during
the 19th Annual Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of
AIDS, March 2-8, 2008. The week-long event, oldest and largest AIDS
awareness program targeting the Black faith community, mobilized
thousands of faith institutions and millions of churchgoers to cham-
pion AIDS education, testing and compassionate care in the African
American community. Churches and community-based organizations
can find out how to become involved in the Black Church Week of
Prayer by calling 888-225-6243 or visiting www.balmingilead.org.
According to Pernessa Seele, Founder and CEO, The Balm In
Gilead, the Black Church Week of Prayer is the organization's most vis-
ible response to those who have criticized faith communities as being
“silent” in the face of AIDS. “By uniting leaders at the national level
and providing local churches with theologically appropriate methods
and materials for addressing AIDS at the grassroots level, the Balm In
Gilead and its programs empower Black
..Continued on p14
...From District Conference on p4...__ build and maintain strong
community. Objectives/Goals: 1. To develop a team who will
research programs, grants, and investment group opportunities. 2.
To fund small business and support for mission of the A.M.E.
Church. 3. To train, equip, and establish programs in local churches
in needed areas- after school program, housing for the
homeless/single parent/affordable houses, Hope House for people,
feeding the hungry, prison, senior homes.
Duties and Responsibilities: Pastors are asked for resource persons in
the area who are willing to house programs: Events: 1. Workshop: How
to Start Your Own Business. 2. Writing a Successful Grant. 3. Eco-
nomic Development Summit (persons who want to join investment
group). 4. Economic Empowerment Center.
The Closing Worship Service
The Saturday Noonday Recommitment Worship Service started with
the Rev. Jeffery Streator serving as Worship Leader. The Praise and
Worship by Rev. Larry and Allen Temple A.M.E. Choir, the Prayer and
Invocation by Rey. Joseph McKibbens. The scriptures: Old Testament
by Rey. Henry Borbor. New Testament by Rev. Norris Walters. The
Epistle by Rev. Eddie Henley. The Worship through Music, Allen
Temple A.M.E. Church Choir. Worship through Giving by Rev. Gre-
gory V. Eason.
The Offertory Prayer by Rey. William Pope. The Presentation of the
Preacher by Presiding Elder David B. Rhone, Jr. The Worship through
SAGE COMMENTS SHARED BY NOTED AUTHOR AND PASTOR RICK WARREN; HIS WIFE, KAY, WAS TREATED FOR CANCER IN 2003
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Music, Allen Temple Choir, Woodstock, Georgia. The Sermon was
preached by Rey. Carl Moore, Pastor of Allen Temple Church, Wood-
stock, Georgia. The Preacher of the Hour preached a powerful sermon
on the subject: “Experience God’s Deliverance.” The background scrip-
ture was taken from Psalm 91:1-14. The Invitation to Christian Disci-
pleship by Rev. C. O. Adams, Jr.
The Presentation and Approval of the Candidates for Ministry, by
Rev. Kenneth E. Marcus and the North District Board of Examiners.
The Prayer of Commitment by Rev. Michelle Rizer-Pool. The Prayer
of Faith by Rev. Robert Ray. The Conference Resolutions by Rev.
Michael Jones and the Resolution Committee. The Pastor’s Words by
Rev. Gregory V. Eason. The Elder’s Words by Presiding Elder Rhone.
The Doxology, Congregation, and Choir. The Benediction by Rev. Carl
Moore.
Stay tuned with this reporter.
There is more to come.
and onto God and others.
# People ask me, “What is the purpose of
life?” I respond: “In a nutshell, life is
preparation for eternity. We were made to
last forever, and God wants us to be with
Him in Heaven.”
4) One day my heart is going to stop, and that
will be the end of my body-- but not the end
of me.
4 I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but lam
going to spend trillions of years in eternity.
This is the warm-up act-the dress rehearsal.
God wants us to practice on earth what we
will do forever in eternity.
4 We were made by God and for God, and
until you figure that out, life isn’t going to
make sense.
4 Life is a series of problems: you are in one
now, you’re just coming out of one, or
you're getting ready to go into another one.
The reason for this is that God is more inter-
ested in your character than your comfort.
God is more interested in making your life
holy than He is in making your life happy.
#) We can be reasonably happy here on earth,
but that’s not the goal of life. The goal is to
grow in character, and in Spirit likeness.
4) No matter how good things are in your life,
there is always something bad that needs to
be worked on.
4) And no matter how bad things are in your
life, there is always something good you
can thank God for.
4 You can focus on your purposes, or you can
focus on your problems. If you focus on
your problems, you're going into self-cen-
teredness, which is my problem, my issues,
my pain. But one of the easiest ways to get
rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself
4 In Reference to his wife, Kay being treated for
cancer in 2003: We discovered quickly that in
spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands
of people, God was not going to heal Kay or
make it easy for her. It has been very difficult
for her, and yet God has strengthened her
character, given her a ministry of helping
other people, given her a testimony, drawn her
closer to Him and to people.
4 You have to learn to deal with both the good
and the bad of life.
# We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to
live for possessions and/or popularity? Am
I going to be driven by pressures, guilt, bit-
terness, materialism?
4 Or, am I going to be driven by God’s pur-
poses (for my life)?
4 Every moment, thank God! 4 OO
===== DSC03953.JPG =====
— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER » MARCH 24, 2008 —
“HOW MANY TREES WILL DIE
FOR THE 48TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH?”
By “The Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant
Although to date, African Methodism has not been at the forefront of
the call for environmental justice; a thread of eco-spirituality runs
vibrantly through our worship. In our doxology we sing——
“Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures here below.”
In our confession of faith we open with these words——
“I believe in God the Father Almighty
Maker of Heaven and Earth___”
In our hymns, both ancient and modern, reverence for creation is extant:
“O Lord, my God
when I in awesome wonder
consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.”
Or
“T believe for every drop of rain that falls
a flower grows____
Every time I hear new born babies cry
Or touch a leaf or see the sky,
Then I know why I believe.”
Surely, we realize that the God of our redemption is also Lord of all cre-
ation. Yet we too, like other Black denominations, have sat in idle distrac-
tion as our home——planet earth——was being openly and violently
ravaged. We are under-prepared to face the consequences.
The waters, the air, the ecosystem, the forests all that was
“good” in the beginning is now toxic, weak, vulnerable and
endangered.
“Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.”
In his work, The Cosmic Circle — Jesus-and Ecology, Edward P. Echlin |
writes:
“Thirsty Palestinian Arabs and African peasants struggle to survive on
fewer than 30 litres of water per day. In Britain, people consume an esti-
mated 135 litres a day. In Las Vegas, people consume an estimated 1500
litres a day.” What about us? What about the African Methodist Epis-
copal Church? Will we be guilty of perpetuating the holocaust against
the earth? Will indulgence, excess and waste be our global ecological
witness at the 48th General conference in St. Louis? Or will we as “stew-
ards of the mercies of God” initiate policies, practices and liturgies for
the renewal of the earth?
“The earth is the Lord’s
and the fullness thereof.
The world and they who dwell therein.”
(Psalm 24:1)
“They who dwell therein” includes the birds, the butterflies, the
bees, as well as, all lions and tigers and alligators. To our shame,
humanity is on a path that will render “the fullness” a wilderness.
The Hour of Repentance has come. A radically fresh understanding |
of our relationship to planet earth can emerge from prayer, reflection
and honest discussion both locally and connectionally. Psalm 8:6
says that we have been “given dominion.” In humility, let us shape an
ecological witness of grace and sustainability. Let us covenant in all
things to acknowledge, preserve and protect the integrity of creation.
Let us pass on to succeeding generations a legacy of Earth care and rey-
erence that they will faithfully honor.
I would like to offer to those who will receive them, 12 steps to Eco-
logical Compassion, as we worship and witness in this nuclear millen-
nium. May the ancestors, in the “cloud of witnesses” who surround us in
St. Louis, rejoice and be glad!
(Proverbs 3:19-20), (Proverbs 8:22-32), (Isaiah 63:17-18; 21-22)
Bless Creation Daily (I Chronicles 29:10-13) (Psalm 145:6).
Pack with Simplicity (Jeremiah 29:7) (Matthew 6:26-29).
Recycle Daily (Matthew 16:19) (Galatians 5:25).
Conserve Water (Psalm 8:6) (Psalm 23:106) (Matthew 9:13)
Conserve Electricity (Ephesians 3:20) (IJ Corinthians 6:1-7).
No Smoking (Romans 12:1) (I Thess. 1:5).
Use Recycled Paper (2 Chronicles 7:14) (Hebrews 9:14).
Walk (Genesis 17:10) (Isaiah 30:20-21).
Minimize use of cell phones, iPods, computers, televisions, radios (I
Corinthians 4:20) (Revelation 7:15).
Minimize Credit Card Debt (Proverbs 10:4) (Hebrews 18:5).
Portion Control (prevents excess and waste) (Deut. 8:3) (Matthew
6:16-18) (Romans 14:17).
Plant a tree, dig a well, provide seeds, and/or donate a generator!
At the close of the General Conference, give a personal financial gift to:
Rebuild New Orleans (8th District)
Development (Districts 14 — 20)
Bless the Dalits of India (5th District)
II Corinthians 8:1-9, 9:1-7
Colossians 3:8-17
Hebrews 13:16
Whoever in the Redeeming Love of Jesus Christ lives a life of Eco-
logical Compassion will make heaven smile. You will evoke a new
humanity, a more abundant posterity, a song of healing. The 48th Gen-
eral Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is posi-
tioned to be God’s transforming presence in the world. We can
exchange Sacrament for indulgence, simplicity for excess, humility for
chaos, cleanliness for clutter and preservation for duplication as we
struggle to restore the goodness of the planet. Let us make Kingdom
use of all our time and all of our resources.
“Sing, O Heavens, for the Lord has done it;
shout, O depths of the earth,
break forth into singing,
O mountains,
O forest, and every tree in it!
For the Lord has redeemed Jacob,
And will be glorified in Israel.”
(Isaiah 44:23)
*The Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams Bryant is the Episcopal Supervisor of
Fifth Episcopal District
Viewers most affected by the DTV transition will be those who rec
antenna or “rabbit ears” attached to their sets (and not through a pai
tinue watching over-the-air television after February 17, 2009, view
to-analog converter box connected to an analog TV.
Editor’s Comment: More information forthcoming.
CALLING ALL FORMER 6th EPISCOPAL DISTRICT YPD DIRECTORS, PRESIDENTS AND YPDers
Calling all former YPD directors, presidents, and YPDers of the 6th Episopal District, A.M.E. Church from 1966-1980.
A YPD Reunion celebration will be held September 12-13, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. If you plan to attend the Reunion Celebration please
contact Mrs. Jackie Atkins, telephone, (404) 792-2768 or the former Director, Mrs. Helen Booth, telephone, (229) 838-4441 or email: helen-
booth158 @bellsouth.net at your earliest convenenice. Additonal information is forth coming.
THE BOTTOM-LINE FOR THE ISSUE OF TELEVISION BROADCAST STATIONS TO
STOP BROADCASTING IN ANALOG FORMAT AND BROADCAST ONLY IN DIGITAL FORMAT
eive only free over-the-air television through either a rooftop broadcast
d provider such as a cable or satellite TV company). In order to con-
ers will need either a television with a digital tuner (a DTV) or a digital-
===== DSC03954.JPG =====
— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER » MARCH 24, 2008 —
yQ0
~ Faithful, Fruitful, Futuristic ~
Committed to preserving the precious legacy
and tradition of African Methodism through
Evangelism
Economic Development
Equipping the Laity for Ministry
Education
Ecumenical and Global Witness
“But be sure to fear the LORD and SERVE him
faithfully with all your heart; consider what
great things he has done for you.”
— 1 SAMUEL 12:24
> tee 3"
E CHURCH
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
===== DSC03955.JPG =====
THE REVEREND DR. RONNIE ELIJAH BRAILSFORD, SR.
2008 CANDIDATE FOR EPISCOPAL SERVICE
Proven Leadership: Church Growth & Development:
(15 years at Bethel A.M.E. Church)
A.M.E. Church Leadership Ministry and Church Expansion: Evangelism (Beyond the walls):
Credentials Committee (1996) * Established 62 new ministries * Television Broadcasts
Episcopal Committee (2000) * Purchase of a $5,000,000.00 campus Thousands Reached Weekly
General Board (2000-2004) of 1 1/2 city blocks * Radio Broadcast-Thousands Weekly
Ministerial Retirement Board-Secretary 86,000 square feet of building space
General Conference Commission 1407 classrooms and offices Education & Economic Development:
Executive Committee 4 Buildings: Sanctuary, Education, * 52 jobs for Church members and the
Administration and Family Life Center community on Campus
Community Leadership: 4 Houses Real Estate Property
Former Chair of Columbia Urban League Board Chapel Established the Renaissance Foundation:
Trustee, Sisters of Charity Foundation Cafeteria $5,700,000.00 Cultural Arts Center in process
of South Carolina Completely modernized with campus Partners to provide 200 family housing units--
Trustee, Allen University upgrades of $1,400,000.00 generates $1,000,000.00 plus annually
Chairman, Bethel Learning Centers Founded the Bethel Learning Centers:
Board Member, Renaissance Foundation Membership: An accredited school--Presently, 277 children;
* 1,700 plus new joiners new building will accommodate 200 additional
Brailsford for Bishop 2008 * 1,000 plus conversions children
P.O. Box 7004 $3,000,000.00 Project: New School Building
Columbia, SC 29202 Annual Finances: Erected (2007)--Opens January 2, 2008
ay onennr com * From $160,000.00 in 1992 to
‘ : ie Updated 11/9/07
www.brailsfordforbishop.com sean a a : é
u
===== DSC03956.JPG =====
— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER » MARCH 24, 2008 —
...From St. Paul on pl... McKenzie, Presiding Prelate of the Thir-
a mi pt ; re : believe that God is able. Jude brings us to the
teenth Episcopal District, appointed the Reverend Troy I, Thomas as | conclusion to commit to a God who is able to keep you from falling, not
Pastor of Historic St. Paul, Lexington. only physically, but from falling out of spiritual grace and keep our
The spiritual transformation began on Sunday, December 9, 2007 | spirits from falling, No matter what is said: God is Able
when Reverend Troy and his family, the Reverend Maxine, Tricia, and | — February 3, 2008, Reverend Maxine Thomas was appointed as Assis-
their daughters, Traci and Trina, arrived at Historic St. Paul for the first | tant Pastor of Historic St. Paul A.M.E. Church and delivered the
time. He came in reviving, rejuvenating, and uplifting the congregation | morning message entitled, “God is not Through with Me Yet,” taken
with his energizing manner of delivering the Word. As the members sat | from Ephesians 2:10. Rev. Maxine said, “We are all a work in progress,”
in awe of this great transformation taking place, they were compelled to | Founder’s Day was celebrated on Sunday, February 10, 2007 with the
get excited and proclaim that God is still in control and Jesus Christ is | congregation dressed in African attire and bright colors. The sermon for
the King of our life. \
Before his sermon Reverend Thomas announced that
he loves to preach (and preach he does) and he told the
congregation, “If you don’t help me, I will preach all
day.” His first sermon at St. Paul: “There’s a Blessing in |
Pressing.” Philippians 3:13-14; Forgetting those things } i
behind and pressing forward — too many believers give
up, throw in the towel, become negative. Life gets
tough, we all go through some stuff, but you have to
learn how to forget some stuff, the good is in front of
you St. Paul. God wants us to understand this morning | —
that there is a blessing in pressing. i
We are at a new level of worship, praise, celebration
and commitment, pressing our way through believing
everyday circumstances
the celebration was “This Is My Story,” taken from Acts
3:6-10. The preacher focused upon the fact that all of us
have struggled in some form or the other and all of us
have a story to tell, Too often in the church we don’t
know each other’s story. When God steps in our story
gets changed, it is rewritten and new chapters are added.
Whatever your story, it is just a foretaste of God’s love.
If asked to describe Pastor Thomas the response
would be, he is an enthusiastic, energetic, press-for-
ward, spiritual motivator. With the brief sermon
excerpts listed, I cannot begin to apprise you of the
wonderful, motivating, uplifting, spiritually rewarding,
soul-stirring, heart-changing sermons we -have been
blessed to hear, since the spiritual transformation began
that healing, deliverance and financial restoration will L : at Historic St. Paul; rarely do we see such energy, such
come. Pastor Thomas implored us to see a brighter day ahead for St. _ enthusiasm, such excitement about the Word and understand the poten-
Paul, to forget about yesterday and press on, the past is the past. _ tial possibilities of the church.
And so it goes Sunday after Sunday, such sermons as: Where Is Your I feel privileged to see the change in attitudes toward praising. I am
Faith? Hebrews 11:5-6; by faith we believe, we receive, we take back; | blessed by the joyful spirits of the saints, hopeful about the increased atten-
What a Night! Luke 2:8-10, This might remind you of a night that was | dance in worship services, Bible Study and prayerful spirit of the church.
not so holy, but in the Christian church, one night stands out above all | I am thankful for Bishop McKenzie’s foresight to reach beyond the
others — a night God had already preordained — one night when God | boundaries of Kentucky and Tennessee and infuse some “new blood,”
spoke. Every night ends with a day of rising. | with a fresh approach, a willingness to serve all people, and a return to
January 2008, the first Sunday of the New Year the St. Paul Church | what we once knew at St. Paul Lexington. Truly we are experiencing the
Family experienced first hand the realization of just what God has done, | blessings and favor of God.
and is doing for us as a church when the dynamic duo delivered a dual | The Thomas’ are now native Lexingtonians; they reside at 1325
sermon entitled, “Do Something About It,” taken from Nehemiah 2:17- Copper Run Boulevard. On Sunday, March 9, 2009 we celebrated this
18. We have too many excuses — too old, too young, can’t pray, too | blessing of the Thomas Family with a “welcome to St. Paul and the Lex-
busy, etc. The preachers encouraged us to develop a Nehemiah spirit — | ington Community program” and reception at 4:00 p.m. St. Paul
when there is a problem, face it; God will give you the strength. See the | A.M.E. Church extended a welcome to everyone to come and share with
us in welcoming the Thomas family.
|
about It. “My God Is Able,” from Jude 1: 20-25. God is beyond our *Doris J. Coffey is a member of St. Paul A.M.E. Church
need and rise to the occasion. Capture the vision and Do Something |
...From The Allegheny on p1... Episcopal Church worshiped back in subject, “Servants Called to Make a Difference” taken from I Peter
the day when there was no electricity. 4:10-11. He stated “that which we have already, hold fast until I come.”
The ministry of music being provided by various choirs of the Dis- The three things that everyone has are body, soul and spirit. With the
trict, Wayman Chapel - New Brighton; Calvary - Braddock; and St.
John - Bridgewater, the Holy Spirit was in the place. Feet were tapping
and hands were clapping!
Reverend Dr. Eric L. Brown, Presiding Elder of the Allegheny
Scranton District, introduced the Reverend P. Robert Tate, Presiding you. With the spirit - we all can make a difference with God.
body, we can’t make a difference without God. God’s church has many
vessels which are planted but it takes water and cultivation for it to
grow - God will give the increase. With the soul - God breathed life into
Elder of the North Ohio Conference, Youngstown District; the Guest As we celebrate Founder's Day, Richard Allen was a servant who
Preacher for the occasion. truly was called to make a difference!
Presiding Elder Tate preached with power and conviction from the Submitted by — Shelly Brown, Allegheny Scranton District Secretary
...From The Council on p1... oe
evangelical and therapeutic programs or activities
Ad Hoc Prayer Committee for the 48th Quadrennial General Conference Commission:
The Right Reverend Sarah F. Davis — Chairperson; Presiding Prelate, 18th Episcopal District
The Reverend Dorisalene Hughes — Coordinator; Prayer Leader, 5th Episcopal District
Exhorter Dr. T. Carlton Richardson — Assistant Coordinator; Prayer Leader, 2nd Episcopal District
For Prayer Support and Materials: PrayerAMEC2008 @ aol.com or telephone: 202-674-PRAY/202-674-7729.
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
*Submitted by the Rev. Melvin E. Wilson, Pastor/Teacher, St. Luke A.M.E. Church, 1872 Amsterdam Avenue at 153rd St., NY 10031
The Paying for College Student Resource Guide is provided yearly as a courtesy of U.S. Congresswoman Lucille Roybal-Allard
(Congressional District 34-CA). The 2008 edition of the Resource Guide contains info on national scholarships, internships, fellow-
ships, books and web sites. To download the Resource Guide, go to: http://www.house.gov/roybal-allard/2008 Resource Guide.pdf.
Please share this info with any high school or college students with whom you may be in contact so that they can take advantage of these
many opportunities. *Minority and African American Scholarships*
For the young ones you know and love. . =
This site has 5 pages of Minority and African American Scholarships & Internship Opportunities.
http://www. littleafrica.com/resources/scholarships.htm.
===== DSC03957.JPG =====
— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER » MARCH 24, 2008 —
FESTIVAL OF THEOLOGY FEATURED NEW TRENDS IN PREACHING
“Young Voices in Homiletics” was the focus
of lectures, sermons, and master classes during
the three-day 2008 Festival of Theology at
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary,
March 2-5.
The annual Festival of Theology was open
to the public, and the endowed Greenhoe and
Caldwell Lectureships enabled Louisville
Seminary to offer these outstanding learning
experiences free of charge and to bring to
Louisville, KY, nationally recognized theolo-
gians, authors, teachers, and preachers. All
lectures and preaching took place in the
Frank H. and Fannie W. Caldwell Chapel on
the Seminary campus.
“This year’s Festival leans into the future by
featuring four individuals who are breaking
new ground in preaching in the 21st Century,”
says Dr. David Sawyer, an LPTS Professor and
Director of Lifelong Learning and Advance
Degrees, who coordinated this year’s event
with Director of Alum & Church Relations,
Rey. Leah Bradley.
Sawyer says participants thrilled to the
voice of Anna Carter Florence, “Who is
already established as a promising young
leader, teacher and writer in the field of
homiletics. They were inspired by the mes-
sages of Otis Moss HI, admired by young
Christians around the country and coming
into his own as Pastor of the prestigious
Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.
And they were challenged by the visions of
LPTS’ newest professors, Claudio Carvalhaes
and Debra Mumford.”
Each of them preached, presented a lecture
about preaching, and provided a master class
for individuals to explore their own preaching
challenges with them.
In addition to the preaching, LPTS alums
returned for renewing past friendships with
other alums during the annual reunion.
Reunion events included a reflection on the
current state of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
with Stated Clerk Clifton Kirkpatrick, who
spoke at the “Voices of the Church” dinner,
March 4, 6 p.m.
The following is a brief schedule of events. For a
detailed agenda, visit: http://www.l|pts.edu/Alumni/
* Debra Mumford - March 2, 7 p.m. and March 3, 11:15 a.m.
The Frank H. Caldwell Assistant Professor of Homiletics, Louisville
Seminary. She is said to teach and preach with authority, creativity, and
prophetic imagination as she guides future pastors in moving from text to
sermon and from context to sermon in faithful proclamation of the Gospel.
* Otis Moss HI - March 3, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ, Chicago He is the author
of Redemption in a Red Light District (Four-G, 1999), and his essays,
articles, and poetry have appeared in Sojourners Magazine, Urban Spec-
trum, and African American Pulpit, which recently named him one of the
“20 to watch” ministers who will shape the future of the African Amer-
ican church. Newsweek has cited Moss as one of “God’s Foot Soldiers
committed to transforming the lives of youth.”
* Anna Carter Florence - March 4, 10 and 11:15 a.m.
Professor of Preaching and Worship at Columbia Theological Semi-
nary, Decatur, GA. As a scholar and writer, her research interests are
testimony, feminist theology, the role of experience in preaching, and
the history of preaching women. She is the author of Preaching as
Upcoming Reunion.asp.
Testimony (Westminster John Knox, 2007) and the editor of
Inscribing the Text: Sermons and Prayers by Walter Brueggemann
(Fortress, 2004).
“+ Claudio Carvalhaes - March 4, 2:30 p.m. and March 5, 10 a.m.
Assistant Professor of Worship and Preaching, Louisville Seminary
As a theologian and artist his focus on reviving worship for the 21st
century is deeply informed by an understanding of worship around the
world. Carvalhaes began teaching at Louisville Seminary in the Fall of
2007, and as a much sought after speaker, writer, and consultant, he has
served with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in its peacemaking and
immigrant groups ministries.
All lectures, worship services, and master classes were offered free
of charge.
Michelle E. Melton * Director of Communications
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary
1044 Alta Vista Road
Louisville, KY 40205-1798
800.264.1839 * 502.992.9358, direct * 502.609.5697, cell ¢
fe mmelton@Ipts.edu * www.lpts.edu
“Make a difference for future
generations of women.
Get involved with the Sister Study.”
Visit www.sisterstudy.org
or call toll-free
1-877-4-SISTER
(1-877-474-7837).
—Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie
Presiding Prelate, 13th Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church
Did your sister have breast cancer?
Join the Sister Study today
if you are a woman between 35 and 74 years old,
and you have never had breast cancer yourself,
and you live in the U.S. or Puerto Rico,
Deaf/Hard of Hearing call
1-866-TTY-4SIS
(1-866-889-4747).
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH
Conducted by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, one of the National Insticutes
of Health uae U.S. Deparement of Health and Human Services, with additional funding from NIH's
and your sister, living or deceased, related to you
by blood, had breast cancer.
It’s easy! No medicine, medical treatments, or changes to habits, diet, or daily
life are required.
Black women should participate in the Sister Study because we often face the
disease at a younger age and have more aggressive tumors. In fact, we have
the highest breast cancer death rate of women in the U.S.
National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities
===== DSC03958.JPG =====
...From Women's on p3.... Kennesaw State
College. She also served as Dean of the Clark
Atlanta School of Business.
She has served over the years in various
capacities as educator, advocate (for Carrie
Steele-Pitts Children’s Home since 1965),
volunteer, board member, bank president,
business consultant and proprietor, and partic-
ipant in numerous civic, professional, and
social activities.
A member of Allen Temple A.M.E. Church,
she is married to Charles E. Clark, Sr. They
are the parents of Dawn and Charles, Jr., and
the grandparents of Haley and Alex.
- Honoree for Spiritual Growth and Deyvelop-
ment
The Rev. Dr. Jacquelyn Grant, Fuller E.
Callaway Professor of Systematic Theology
and Director of Black Women in Church and
Society, Interdenominational Theology
Center (ITC):
Prior to joining the faculty at The Interde-
nominational Theology Center (ITC), Dr.
Grant taught at Harvard Divinity School. At
various points of her twenty-four year tenure
at ITC, she has served as visiting professor at
Princeton Theological Seminary, Candler
School of Theology, Christian Theological
Seminary, United Theological Seminary, New
York Theological Seminary, Bennett College,
and Berea College. She has worked with the
World Council of Churches, and remains a
member of the Ecumenical Association of
Third World Theologians.
Dr. Grant earned the Master of Divinity
degree at the Interdenominational Theological
Center, Turner Theological Seminary in
Atlanta, Georgia, and the Master of Philos-
ophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees from
Union Theological Seminary in New York.
Payne Theological Seminary at Wilberforce,
Ohio has awarded her the Doctor of Humane
Letters degree; Turner Theological Seminary
at the Interdenominational Center awarded
her the Doctor of Divinity degree.
Dr. Grant is a trailblazer in matters of
women, the church, and religion; and her
innovative work in theology has led to the
— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER’ MARCH 24, 2008 —
development of Womanist Theology. Known
as the mother of Womanist Theology, she has
published many articles and authored the best
selling book, White Women’s Christ and Black
Women’s Jesus; edited Perspectives on Wom-
anist Theology and co-edited with Randall
Bailey, The Recovery of Black Presence.
Dr. Grant is married to the Reverend Dr,
John W. P. Collier, Jr., Executive Secretary,
Department of Missions (retired) of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church.
- Other Honorees
Honoree for Economic Development - Ms.
Ernestine Bennett, President and CEO, E. B.
Enterprise Unlimited, Inc., Wendy’s:
Ms. Ernestine Bennett owns and operates
six Wendy’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers
restaurants in the Metropolitan Atlanta area.
Inspired by her father, who owned a baker
business in Greensboro, North Carolina, Ms.
Bennett embarked on the road to entrepre-
neurship after pursuing degrees at North Car-
olina A& T State and George Washington
Universities and a career in the federal gov-
ernment.
In addition to running a successful business
enterprise, Ms. Bennett has utilized her business
and entrepreneurship skills to develop young
people through her involvement in mentorship
programs at Southwest Atlanta Business Orga-
nization and the development of an entrepreneur
curriculum for Good Choices, a youth invest-
ment organization at Cascade United Methodist
Church. She has also served on the advisory
board of the Westlake High School Entrepre-
neur Department.
The Atlanta Business League honored her
as “Woman of the Year” in 2005 and as one of
the “Top 100 Black Women of Influence” in
2006. She serves on the Board of Trustees at
Cascade United Methodist Church and the
Board of Directors of the Metropolitan
Atlanta Chapter of the National Coalition of
100 Black Women. Her civic involvement also
includes the Advisory Board Member,
Minority Recruitment for the American Red
Cross, Southern Region and Atlanta Suburban
Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
By Mrs. Clara Mitchell
funding and suppott.
gotten place.
Honoree for Community Service
Ms. Janice McKenzie-Crayton, President
and CEO, Big Brothers and Big Sisters,
Atlanta:
Ms. Janice McKenzie-Crayton is President
and Chief Executive Officer of one of the
oldest and largest mentoring programs in the
South: Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Metro
Atlanta, Inc. She has been at the helm of the
organization since 1992, during which time
BBBS has experienced significant strategic
growth and has expanded its reach to ten
Metro counties serving in excess of 2,400
children. Ms. McKenzie-Crayton held several
notable administrative positions prior to
assuming the CEO title at BBBS. She was
Vice President for Development at Spelman
College, and held administrative positions at
Hampton University, and the John Hopkins
School of Medicine. She also held an admin-
istrative position at her alma mater, Howard
University, from which she received both the
Bachelors and Masters degrees.
Ms McKenzie- Crayton has received
numerous honors from groups and organiza-
tions for her exemplary work. Recently she
received awards from the Atlanta Business
League, Concerned Black Clergy, and the
Business to Business Divas Award. She is
actively involved with community organiza-
tions and serves as a board member for the
Atlanta Partners for Education, Saint Joseph’s
Mercy Foundation, and the Community Advi-
sory Board of the Junior League of Atlanta.
Ms. McKenzie-Crayton is married to Pernell
Crayton, and they are the proud parents of two
daughters, Janell and Carrie Rose.
Editor’s Note: In honor of Women’s History
Month, The Christian Recorder would like to
honor other women heroines in the African
Methodist Episcopal Church, especially bio-
graphical sketches of active and retired Epis-
copal supervisors, retired and active general
officer spouses and female connectional offi-
cers’ biographical sketches. Please send the
short biographical sketch in a similar format as
the biographical sketches in this issue. Hi i @
SEEKING JUSTICE AND JOY FOR
WOMEN AND CHILDREN WORLDWIDE
The nation’s premier women in ministry planned a missionary endeavor that
began on February 18th and is scheduled to end on February 29, 2008 to a little-
known town called Wallacedene, just outside Cape Town, South Africa.
The Rev. Dr. Claudette A. Copeland, Co-Pastor of New Creation Christian Fel-
lowship Church in San Antonio, Texas; the Rev. Dr. Elaine M. Flake, Co-Pastor of
the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of Jamaica, New York; the Rev. Dr. Cynthia L.
Hale, Senior Pastor of Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur, Georgia; the Rev.
Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram, Episcopal Supervisor of the 10th District African
Episcopal Church of Texas; and 100-plus doctors, nurses, teachers, ministers and
professionals are traveling to the Motherland in an effort to reopen the Balm of
Gilead Women’s Center that was built by Dr. Ingram in 2004 to serve the local
women and children by offering diagnostic medical testing (especially for
HIV/AIDS), basic job training skills, literacy classes, life skills workshops and
spiritual development but sits nearly vacant, un-staffed and unused due to lack of
These four life-long friends are banding together to move the Balm of Gilead
Women’s Center forward and leave a legacy of caring in this little-known, for-
===== DSC03959.JPG =====
— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER » MARCH 24, 2008 —
ere en INI PPE 1%! 2? °° 7.555.000 8
By “Dr. Manning Marable
In November, 1992, Arkansas Governor Bill
Clinton defeated Republican incumbent Presi-
dent George Herbert Walker Bush for the presi-
dency by running his campaign on a simple
theme: “It’s the Economy, Stupid.” The Bush
Recession of 1990-1991 had largely disap-
peared by late 1992, but millions of manufac-
turing and middle-class jobs had disappeared,
replaced largely by fast-food and service
employment at minimum wages and without
health care for workers. All Clinton had to do
was to call for the federal government to create
employment growth opportunities.
Sixteen years later, we now have another Bush in
the White House, who presides over a failed
economy. What's truly bizarre is that all of the
Republican presidential candidates who are run-
ning to replace Bush are in deep denial that
America has lurched into an “economic recession.”
Technically, an economic recession is when,
over a period of at least several months, there is
a major slow-down or decline across the
economy, which would represent significant
drop-offs in wholesale-retail sales, real gross
domestic production, and in the number of
people employed. Historically, there’s an easier
way to judge whether we’re in a recession.
According to the U.S. Labor Department,
during the past sixty years, there have been nine
times in which unemployment rose 13 percent
or more from year to year. In eight out of these
nine cases, a recession had already begun when
the increase in annual joblessness reached 13
percent. In the other case, the economic reces-
sion started within ninety days.
What’s significant about this is how eco-
nomic history has a way of repeating itself.
Back in December, 2006, the U.S. Labor
Department reported that 6,760,000 Americans
were out of work. Last December, 2007, the
total number of officially jobless Americans
Raising
13 percent annual increase
Of course, that figure does not count the mil-
lions of unemployed Americans who have
dropped out of the labor market entirely, or who
have accepted half-time and part-time jobs at
minimum wage levels because they cannot find
full-time employment. Based on history, as
well as the current economic hardships suffered
by every-day working people, it’s clear that the
“Bush Recession of 2008” is already here.
The continuing crisis in the housing mar-
kets has made matters worse throughout the
economy. Over one million American families
are projected to have their homes foreclosed
in 2008. Predatory lenders and subprime
lenders got millions of people into houses
they couldn’t afford, and now when their
mortgage interest rates are scheduled to
increase, there’s no rescue for most of them.
The growing number of mortgage foreclo-
sures has provoked fears that a surge in home-
lessness will soon occur. There is already
evidence that this is happening throughout
America. The National Alliance to End Home-
lessness estimates that about 1.2 million Amer-
ican families are homeless for some portion of
any year. About one-half of these families,
600,000 households, have a total of 1.35 mil-
lion children. Despite the stereotype that most
homeless individuals are single males with
substance abuse or alcohol problems, the over-
whelming majority of homeless people are in
families who simply cannot afford housing.
Many municipal governments have scram-
bled to come up with solutions — but most lack
the planning and resources to address the
problem. An interesting study at the University
of Pennsylvania may provide part of the solu-
tion. The study tracked thousands of homeless
people in New York City for several years.
Researchers discovered that an average home-
less individual used $40,000 annually in public
services, including hospitalization and jail
LEADERS
ChangingLIVES
CONGREGATIONS that nurture Christian vocation shape young hearts
and minds according to God's call and strengthen the church with gifted
leaders. To support congregations in this work, Calling Congregations
provides a range of initiatives and assistance including:
Coaching, grants and online resources
Matching funds for seminarian support
Workshops, conferences and training events
To learn more or get involved, please visit our Web site:
www.thefund.org/calling
of
@u@ Calling Congregations
An Initiative of The Fund for Theological Education
time. However, when homeless people were
offered free public housing and human services
such as job placement, health care, and coun-
seling, the result was a dramatic improvement
fewer homeless, less crime, at no extra cost,
What's missing from the Bush administra-
tion is a comprehensive federal policy to erad-
icate homelessness. And that can only be
addressed by establishing a federal commit-
ment to provide decent shelter or housing to
every U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Because when markets alone dictate the quan-
tity and price of housing, millions of low
income Americans are confined to sleeping in
the streets and gutters of this country.
The Bush Administration has also recently
proposed a $145 billion “tax relief” package to
stimulate the sagging economy. But the problem
here is that Bush’s paltry proposal doesn’t put
enough money into the hands of low income
people and the working poor, who are the most
likely to spend the money immediately, pro-
viding the greatest stimulus to the economy.
The Center on Budget Policy and Priorities, a
liberal think tank, also has some excellent eco-
nomic ideas for stimulating the economy. For
example, why not give part of the tax relief as
an additional tax credit for children? Or, per-
haps, a tax credit that compensates workers for
part of the Social Security tax deduction that
comes out of their paychecks?
These are the practical economic ideas that
Democratic presidential and congressional candi-
dates must talk about this year to defeat the
Republican Right and the remnants of Bush’s cor-
rupt regime. This election is about “Recession”
and “War” — and what it will take to stop both.
“Dr. Manning Marable is Professor of Public Affairs, History and
African American Studies at Columbia University, where he also
directs the Center for Contemporary Black History. The author and
editor of over two dozen books, Dr. Marable’s most recent
publication is Seeking Higher Ground: The Katrina Crisis, co-edited
with Kristen Clarke. “Along the Color Line” appears in over
hundreds of publications worldwide, and is available at
Attp://www.manningmarable.net.
===== DSC03960.JPG =====
— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER : MARCH 24, 2008 —
(FORTHE Balin Ii Gilead, Inc. Mobilizes the 19th Annual Black Church Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS on pé...
faith communities to respond effectively to this devastating pandemic.”
SIMULTANEOUSLY ADDRESSING AIDS IN THE USA AND AFRICA
To help mark the 19th annual year of the Black Church Week of
Prayer, the Balm In Gilead introduced The Big Coffee Project, a part-
nership between The Balm In Gilead and Sweet Unity Farms Gourmet
Coffee, a Tanzania-based company, to support the elimination of AIDS
both in Africa and the United States.
This partnership will generate funding directly supporting programs
designed to improve HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and care services
among people of the African Diaspora, which includes programs in the
United States and Tanzania.
Seele adds, “The Balm In Gilead, along with its national leader-
ship, is announcing a call to action for all congregations, organiza-
tions and the entire Black community to join the crusade for AIDS
education, prevention, testing and compassionate care and services,
By supporting The Big Coffee Project, we can raise adequate
resources necessary to stop this epidemic among our children and
adults. The Big Coffee Project also helps to provide the continuum of
care to children and adults and bring clean water to poor villages in
Tanzania. The Balm In Gilead has issued a call to action to individ-
uals, organizations and churches across the country to support this
project by purchasing Sweet Unity Farms Gourmet Coffee at
www.thebigcoffeeproject.com. With your next cup of coffee, you can
help save a life!" This is another historic moment for the Black com-
munity in the fight against AIDS,” says Seele.
HIV/AIDS AMONG BLACK AMERICANS
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the
number of Black Americans living with AIDS increased by 33% between
2001 and 2005 and although Black Americans represent only 12% of the
U.S. population, they account for half of AIDS cases, Black women
account for the vast majority of new AIDS cases among women and
while Black teens (aged 13-19) represent only 15% of U.S. teenagers,
they account for more than 70% of new AIDS cases reported among
teens, In Sub-Saharan Africa, an estimated 24.5 million adults and chil-
dren are living with HIV.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
The Balm In Gilead is a 501(c) (3), not-for-profit organization whose
mission is to improve the health status of people of the African Dias-
pora by building the capacity of faith communities to address life-
threatening diseases, especially HIV/AIDS in the United States and in
Africa. Churches can find out how to get involved in The Black Church
Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS and to support The Big Coffee
Project, by logging onto the organization’s Web sites at
www.balmingilead.org or www.thebigcoffeeproject.org. Information
is also available at 888-225-6243. The 19th Annual Black Church
Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS is being supported by Abbott
Laboratories.
Submitted by Sister Saundra Lucas, WMS National Health Director
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL POSITIONS
Cover letter to potential applicants
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is launching an exciting recruitment campaign to hire future air traffic controllers. We are seeking
bright, professional, and highly motivated individuals to fill a number of air traffic controller jobs throughout the country. The air traffic con-
troller occupation is one of the most rewarding and dynamic jobs in the Federal government. We are seeking your assistance to spread this infor-
mation to your readers.
The qualifications for these positions are:
* three years of progressively responsible work experience and/or
+ a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of work experience and college credits
° certain kinds of aviation experience may be qualifying
* applicants must be U. S. citizens
* the maximum entry age is 30
The FAA will train the people hired for these positions. All selectees must spend up to 18 weeks at the FAA Academy in Oklahoma City, Okla-
homa, and meet all other requirements before continuing their training at their air traffic facility.
The vacancy announcements contain all the information on how to apply and will be published on line at http://jobs.faa.gov. At this time, we are
recruiting for positions Nationwide. The vacancy announcement may be found at http://jobs.faa.gov/asap_detail.asp?vac id=102077. All selected
applicants will be administered the AT-SAT examination.
We encourage you to inform your students, community organizations, and acquaintances about these upcoming announcements and job oppor-
tunities.
Sincerely,
Miriam A. Vega
Federal Aviation Administration
EEO Specialist
Office of Civil Rights
Tel: 202-385-8440
Miriam. Vega @faa.gov
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
is soliciting interest for entry-level air traffic
control positions throughout the United
States. The various locations can be found at
http://jobs.faa.gov.
Salary range is based on duty location and
will be determined at the time of placement.
No permanent change of station or relocation
expenses will be paid for initial appointment
to these positions.
Prior experience or training in air traffic con-
trol is not required. You may qualify for these
positions on the basis of work experience, col-
lege education, or a combination of work expe-
rience and college credits. To qualify based on
work experience, you must have three years of
progressively responsible experience that
demonstrates the potential for learning and
performing air traffic control work.
To qualify based on education, you must
have a full four-year course of study leading to
a bachelor’s degree. You may also qualify by
combining your work experience and college
credits. One year of undergraduate study (30
semester hours or 45 quarter hours) is equiva-
lent to nine months of general work experience.
The maximum age for applying to these
positions is 30. You must be hired prior to
reaching your 31st birthday. These positions
are covered by the air traffic controller special
retirement program, and specialists are sub-
ject to mandatory separation at age 56.
U.S. citizenship is required. You will be
interviewed. You must be proficient in English
to speak over radios, intercoms, and similar
communications equipment. You must also
pass a medical examination that includes psy-
chological screening prior to appointment, a
security/background investigation, and a pre-
employment drug test.
FAA will train you for these positions. As a
new air traffic control specialist, you will spend
the first several weeks of employment in an
intense training program at the FAA Academy in
Oklahoma City, OK. While attending Academy
training, you will be on a temporary appoint-
ment. Upon successful completion of the
training program and other employment require-
ments, you will continue to train at your assigned
FAA facility on a permanent appointment.
To apply for these positions, please go to
http://jobs.faa.gov and click on FAA Career
Opportunities. Once there, choose 2152 in the
Series drop-down box. That will take you to
the open announcements. You will see “Click
HERE to Apply Now” on the job announce-
ment for your desired location. Be sure to
include your cell phone number and e-mail
address. You can also find the open announce-
ments on www.Careerbuilder.com.
===== DSC03961.JPG =====
— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER: MARCH 24, 2008 —
THE REVEREND REGINALD T. JACKSON
Candidate for Bishop 2008
First Episcopal District
Church Growth
» From 100 to 2500 members
e Average age from 67 to 41
Children and Youth from 5 to over 250
GAC (Generation for Christ) Youth Church
» Congregation 40% men
» From 67" to 2™ of 104 churches in New
Jersey Conference
Builder
Built two edifices
Administrator
° Budget increased from $50,000.00 to $2.3
million
e Full time Church Administrator
e Full time Business Administrator
» Church Bookstore
25» Pastor'6f St. Matthew/AME
A 2%
’
Church
all Orange, New Jersey
i> dpe
‘af
#6
e
Founder, NIDA (neighborhood
Improvement Development Association)
Berwyn Street Project (affordable housing)
e Hickory Street Project (affordable housing)
° Closed on more than $15 million dollars in
mortgages for first time homeowners
« Handyman Home Improvement Franchise
¢ Work First Job Training
e Assist hundreds of low income families with
utility assistance
» Computer Training
e Purchased headquarters building
Educator
* Chairman, Essex County College Board of
Trustees
» Former Board President, current member of
the Orange Board of Education
Rev. Reginald T.
ACKS@®
BISHOP 2008
Passionate, Prophetic, Productive
Ministries
e “No D’s” (No Debts, No Deficits, No Delinquencies
» Juvenile Detention Center
e Rites of Passage
¢ Lillian’s Closet (Free Children’s Clothes Boutique)
e Food Pantry (open daily)
* Physical Fitness Center (open daily)
e HIV/AIDS
e Health Ministry
» Media Ministry
e Radio Ministry
Prophetic
° Executive Director Black Ministers Council (600
churches)
e Led fight against racial profiling
e Advocated Parity School Funding. State ordered to
pay $8.6 billion
* Organized to end the death penalty. Legislation
signed by the governor
e Leading advocate for Needle Exchange legislation.
New Jersey was the last state in nation to adopt
e Named among 25 Most Influential People in New
Jersey
===== DSC03962.JPG =====
— THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER » MARCH 24, 2008 —
he choice 5 ab dear ws black and white.
ie Bren
ANTIOCH AME
SOUTH HAIRSTON ROAD CAMPUS
STONE MOUNTAIN, GA
+ Administrative and ministerial offices
« 500-seat sanctuary
* 5,000 square foot Fellowship Hall
* Classroom and conference
room space
* Midweek Worship Services
* Tuesday evening bible study
classes
ANTIOCH AME * 8:45 am and 11:00 am weekly
ELAM ROAD CAMPUS worship services
* Sunday School 9:00 am
STONE MOUNTAR * The ROCK Youth Church 11:00 AM
* Renovated sanctuary ¢ 16-acre site
* Fully equipped state-of-the art kitchen
+ Fully operational day care at
center featuring before and
after school programs
* 5 bedroom rental house
* 2 playgrounds
* 9,000 square foot
gymnasium
¢ Computer Lab
* Tutorial Services
* 7:00 am Services weekly
+ 18-acre site
ANTIOCH AME
EBENEZER ROAD CAMPUS
CONYERS, GA
ePurchased October 2007
¢ Newly renovated sanctuary
¢ Fully equipped state-of-the-art
kitchen
¢ Multi-purpose hall
- Nestled in one of the fastest
growing African American
communities in the state
of Georgia
¢ 10:00 am weekly
worship services
* 16-acre site
NICKER, PASTOR
OCH AME CHURCH
TONE MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA
! TELEPHONE 404-299-8423
-
Date
-
2008-3-24
