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May 16, 1988
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— Ss Sees
Vol. 137, No. 17
May 16, 1988
PRICE: 50 CENTS
Times Change, but
not Chureh’s Heart
By Jorge Casuso
Bishop S. S. Morris
Dr. D. C. Coleman
It was 70 years ago, but Elizabeth
Myrick can still remember the street-
car emptying every Sunday and the
mob of passengers rushing toward the
old Bethel African Methodist Episco-
pal Church on Dearborn Street.
“There was a packed house every
Sunday,’’ Myrick recalled. ‘‘Many
times they had to have a second service
downstairs for the overflow crowd.”’
Things have changed. A new con-
crete structure at 4448 S. Michigan
Avenue has replaced the old red brick
church on Dearborn, and parishioners
do not dash to its arched modern
doors. But Myrick, 95, religiously at-
tends Bethel every Sunday. ‘‘In a way,
the church hasn’t changed,’’ she said.
“The rules and beliefs are still the
same.”’
For 200 years now, the African
Methodist Episcopal Church has
preached ‘‘self-help, self-reliance and
self-determination for Black Ameri-
cans,”’ said Bishop Samuel S. Morris.
He presides over the A.M.E.’s fourth
Re-Elect Joseph C. McKinney Treasure
Bishop Richard Allen Hildebrand
Chairman of the Board of Incorporators
Bide ole pe: Sipe eee ee aaa aR
Bishop Philip R. Cousin
Finance and Statistics Chairman
Episcopal District, which includes six
Midwestern states and Canada. ‘‘Our
church emphasizes complete freedom
for Blacks. That has always been our
focus.”’
Bishop Morris said there are 60
A.M.E. congregations in the Chicago
area, with more than 50,000 of the
district’s 100,000 members. The
liturgy are from the Methodist tradi-
tion despite its hybrid name, has 2
million followers worldwide, he said.
Bethel, like many of Chicago’s
A.M.E. congregations, continues to
draw longtime parishioners like
Myrick, Bishop Morris said. Most of
them live outside the city, and many
trek from the south and west suburbs
to the heart of the inner city every Sun-
day.
“These people have deep roots in
these churches from way back,”’ said
Bishop Morris, whose grandmother
was a member of the A.M.E. ‘‘The
strong roots in these churches brings
Please turn to page 7
Dr. Joseph C. McKinney
Treasurer
HE SEEKS YOUR SUPPORT
Joseph C. McKinney has given his
best as treasurer of this great church
since 1972. He has worked with the
leadership of the church in managing
the budget, improving the quality of
service to and for the entire A.M.E.
Church as well as starting many in-
novative programs. McKinney does
not just assume that he will be elected
for another four year term, SO he is
asking for your support in placing him
into the office that he has worked so
hard to make available for the church.
Third Episcopal District Salutes
Bishop Richard A. Hildebrand
Cincinnati, Ohio—The people of the
Third Episcopal District, embracing
the states of West Virginia, Western
Pennsylvania and Ohio, met together
in Mid-Year Convocation in the City
of Cincinnati, Ohio, April 7-8, this
year. A major item of the agenda was a
program in tribute to the distinguished
leadership of the bishop of the district,
Richard A. Hildebrand.
The well-deserved salute to our epis-
copal leader was planned and managed
by both the clergy and laity, and was
highlighted in the form of a banquet _
held in the Main Ballroom. of the Cla
The gala and beautiful affair was
uniquely designed to the demure per-
sonality of an outstanding churchman
and leader. Congenial expressions were
made from allied communities such as
the Mayor of the City of Cincinnati,
the Governor of the State of Ohio, the
United States Congress and the Ohio
Legislature.
In addition were those from the field
of education and from throughout the
levels of the pastoral ministry, and the
ministry of the Laity, who brought
greetings of love to Bishop Hilde-
brand, and thanks to God for his lead-
ership and contribution to the Third
Episcopal District. A number of visi-
tors were present from across the con-
nectional church to share in the salute
to the bishop.
The theme, ‘‘Claiming the Legacy:
Envisioning the Future,’’ seemed most
appropriate to a leader in the African
Methodist Episcopal Church at this
EG Mie
rion Hotel, the evening of April 7th...
Dr. U. A. Hughey
time, whose name is Richard Allen, in-
deed; for not only has Bishop Hilde-
brand been the epitome in his work
and ministry to rightfully claim the
legacy of our blessed founder and first
bishop to serve, but, also, Bishop Hil-
debrand shares a vision tht projects the
mission of the church far into the fu-
ture. Members of the Third District
are grateful to have the inspired lead-
ership of Bishop Hildebrand for the
Please turn to page 7
r—A.M.E. Church, July 1988
¥
A large crowd of A.M.E. members from across the Connectional Church participated in
the dedicatorial services of the new building which will house the Financial Department of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church located at 1134 11th Street North West,
Washington, D.C.
A new financial department building
was dedicated on April 26 in Washing-
ton, DC as a result of his leadership.
This new office building was a dream
of Joseph C. McKinney, and he work-
ed hard to make that dream come
true. In the new building will be hous-
ed the Allen Travel Agency, A Gift
Shop, Book Store, a Museum/Gal-
lery, Conference Room, Chapel, Com-
puterized Offices, Telecommunica-
tions System, and offices for several
General Officers, Missionary Society
Please turn to page 7
a
srehio Bishop R. A. Hildebrand
10-88
LS
RR
s
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The AME Christian Recorder
May 16, 1988
The National Democratic Convention May Need To Seek Divine
Guidance
Jesse Jackson has done so very well
in his bid to become President of the
United States of America, by winning
so many of the primaries, that the
National Democratic Party is in a
quandary over the National
Democratic ticket. I hear political
questions being raised: Will it be a
Mike Dukakis and Jesse Jackson
ticket, as the Democrats seek to
reclaim the White House from the
Republicans? | hear political pundits
asking, What if Jesse Jackson comes
into the Democratic Convention with
the majority of the Convention
delegates? Then, again, I hear the
question, What does Jesse want?
Why not ask, What do the people
Do I need ask you why there are major concerns about not just Jesse Jackson
but any black citizen becoming President of the U.S.A.? In 1988, as in times past,
there are differences of opinion between those who contend that this is not the
time, and those who feel that the time has never been right for minorities to
challenge and defeat the demeaning double standard that keeps them fractional
Americans,
I remember being told this story, on one occasion, A white male adult visited a
segregated school for black children. He asked one little fellow, “What do you
want to be when you grow up? The student replied, “I don't want to be nothing.”
The white visitor said to the teacher, “This child is under-motivated.” He asked
another boy, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” He piped up, “I want
to be the President of the United States.” The black teacher said to the visitor, “I
suppose he is over-motivated,”
I suppose a lot of people are saying that Jesse Jackson is over-motivated
because he wants to be President of the U.S.A. On the other hand, a great number
ROBERT H. REID, JR. of eee Seah seussiees and primaries are saying that he ought to be
; ational Democratic Organization is not certain as to
whether they can win the White House or not with Jackson, a black man, on the
want? The people who are voting in ticket, they need to hasten to get guidance, Divine or otherwise. The voters are
such surprisingly large numbers for the Rev. Jackson to become the party saying, we are a government of the people, by the people, and for the people, and
standard bearer must want what Jesse Jackson is talking about. I believe it is called we want Jesse Jackson on the national ticket, either as President or Vice President
“The American Dream.” Apparently, the people want a change in the White and we will live with the results. ;
House. They want jobs, homes, health care, education, a higher minimum wage, a It is rather strange that while the news media and political analysts are saying
drug-free society, and peace in the world, to name a few of the issues that yes he can, no he can’t, Jesse Jackson is still winning popular votes and delegates,
Candidate Jackson is addressing. as if he knows something that the rest of the nation does not know. Jesse J ackson,
The Reverend Jackson tells the eager listeners of America, The problem in the in one campaign speech, said to the people, “You think I can’t win because you've
United States is poverty, not welfare. Too much of President Ronald Reagan’s been convinced you can’t win. ‘We the people can win.’ ” Indeed, thus far, the
welfare reform is directed at ending welfare, not poverty. Let us deal with the people are voicing their concerns and out of the ballot box, the primaries and
reality of poverty in this nation. Get American “udustry back on its feet; put our caucuses, Jesse Jackson is becoming the party’s top man and the conscience of the
farmers back in the business of producing products for the market. In order to nation.
turn our economy around, we must also deal with bread-and-butter issues, as well :
as bombs and bullets. .
see as = as Re ae es ae blue iis ais feel they 7 h Cc C onscious M in d C an M a ke & h oices
ve not fared too well at the hands of white candidates and a party that has been : : : ,
long and loud on promises and short on rewards for loyal support» Many are The Consciou S Mind W 1 th G od S Help
convinced that no white candidate is likely to be able to feel and to articulate the {
objective needs and the pain of blacks, the handicapped, hungry and homeless, as C an M a ke MIR ACL E S :
keenly and insistently as would Jesse Jackson because of his personal experiences k —A. Lee Henderson
in America.
Far too long the trumpets of many white candidates have sounded an uncertain
note; or they have been totally silent on concerns critical to blacks and the nation’s
many minorities.
CSSBSET) | COMOSTTT | CORNBSET |COSOBSETE | CSIOROET | COMOSEST CSSSRP,
Financial Department Of The
Someone has aptly pointed out that a black candidate will need no interpreter
to express the hurt and anger of a black American ravaged by lost jobs, homes and ; AFRICAN METHOD IST EP ISCOP AL
businesses, food for families and schooling opportunities for the young. As has ‘ CHURCH sade
been true for other racial and ethnic groups, the presence of a black candidate has ; Aapee }
almost always served as a catalyst to bring out black voters, especially among the A.M.E. Church Building —
ranks of those who too often feel it is hopeless and useless to register and vote.
Many news commentators who ask, What does Jesse Jackson want? in a sense,
[CoeeeeSS) [CCsseRS
Reservation Form for Commemorative Book
suggest that he is campaigning for something other than the White House. Many Yes, I would like to have my commemorative message included in the
of the Democratic leaders felt Jesse Jackson’s popularity and influence would f publication, Legacy of Sacred Trust for the dedication and relocation of the
fizzle. Then, they could have offered him an important position within the party. + Financial Department of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Now, however, they may have to seek Divine Guidance at the convention in order Please reserve:
to avoid losing Jackson’s followers, without whom the Democrats would surely
lose the White House. Conversely, many speculate that with J ackson on the ticket r $500.00 or more—Honor Roll “‘Le
as Presidential nominee, or as Vice-Presidential nominee, it will absolutely ip Stee ae: st d
guarantee the Republicans and Vice-President George Bush four more years in Full Page
the White House. The nation, however, and the world, should be given an = $300 Full Page
opportunity to know what would happen.
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===== DSC05509.JPG =====
May 16, 1988
The AME Christian Recorder
General A fumni Association of Allen
University Resolution Honoring
or Frederick Calhoun James
Bishop F. C. James
Dr. William Crews Brown
Presiding Prelate of the
Seventh Episcopal District
African Methodist Episcopal Church
and
Chairman of the Board of Trustees
of Allen University
Whereas, when Bishop Frederick Cal-
houn James was assigned to the
Seventh Episcopal District of the
A.M.E. Church he automatically be-
came the Chairman of the Board of
Trustees of Allen University;
Whereas, upon assuming the Chair-
manship of the Board of Trustees he
assumed responsibility for an_ insti-
tution for which a president had to be
appointed and which was $3.8 million
in debt, and whose physical plant was
in despair;
Whereas, Bishop James immediately
attracted to the University a capable
president;
Whereas, over four years Bishop
James has provided the leadership in
raising, through the A.M.E. Churches
in South Carolina, $3.2 million;
Whereas, these funds have been used
to retire debts, including back salaries
owed faculty and staff, refurbish
buildings, beautifying the campus,
etc.;
Whereas, Bishop James’ stewardship
in providing published reports of the
funds raised for Allen University has
restored faith in the University and in
giving to support the University;
Now, therefore, be it known that the
General Alumni Association of Allen
University presents to Bishop James a
plaque, on this 27th day of February,
1988, in recognition of his outstanding
leadership and achievements on behalf
of and contributions to our alma
mater, Allen University;
Now, be it further known that the
General Alumni Association of Allen
University goes on record as praying to
the powers that be in the African
Methodist Episcopal Church to return
Bishop James to the Seventh Episcopal
District for the 1988-1992 Quadren-
nium.
Another School
Is Born In West
Africa—Liberia
Bishop V. R. Byrd
14th District
Sister Beverly Pitts
Special Missionary to
14th from Memphis
Dr. William Crews Brows" Piberia, West Africa—March 7, 1988,
President" snags new school opened its doors in
3/27/88
RESOLUTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
The 1988 General Conference
Delegation
Thirteenth Episcopal
District
African Methodist Episcopal
Church Goes On Record
WHEREAS the Rt. Reverend Cor-
nelius Egbert Thomas and Mrs. Susie
Thomas were assigned to the General
Superintendency of the Thirteenth
Episcopal District by the Forty-Third
General Conference Session of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church,
and
WHEREAS they have made full
proof of their stewardship through the
development of men and women for
the high calling of Christian ministry
and mission, and
WHEREAS under their capable
leadership a district budget was in-
fe
c
“The
RICHARD ALLEN
STORY”
in VIDEO
The Richard Allen Story/Color Videotape
on VHS or Beta Videotape
Narrated by Dr. Edward W. Robinson, Jr.
Noted Historian, Author and Lecturer
Bishop C. E. Thomas
stituted, taking the guess work out of
the operation of District Projects and
affording the Thirteenth the dignity of
assembling at a meal in nearly all Con-
nectional meetings, and
WHEREAS the invitation of the
Episcopal District Expansion Fund
with nearly one hundred thousand
dollars on hand and at work for the
Thirteenth has resulted in a deep sense
of pride and true Economic Develop-
ment, and
WHEREAS for the first time in
nearly thirty years, the Thirteenth
Episcopal District has a leadership
team that is not subject to the retire-
ment law and are eligible to return and
whose work begun would warrant its
completion;
BE IT RESOLVED that the 1988
General Conference Delegation, meet-
ing in Nashville, Tennessee, this 16th
day of April during its ‘‘Organization-
al’? meeting, go on record as request-
ing the return of Bishop and Mrs. Cor-
nelius Egbert Thomas to the general
superintendency of the Thirteenth
Episcopal District for the 1988-1992
Quadrennium, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED-
that the Episcopal Committee elected
to carry out the wishes of this body be
instructed to speak with one voice and
to work to one end in Fort Worth,
Texas, that of bringing Bishop and
Mrs. C. E. Thomas back to the Thir-
teenth to complete the work they have
begun, and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that
a copy of this resolution be filed with
the General Secretary of the A.M.E.
Church, the Chairperson of the Epis-
copal Committee and all others to
whom this intelligence would be of
benefit to achieve our end—the return
of Bishop and Mrs. Cornelius E.
Thomas for the 1988-92 Quadren-
nium!
Respectfully
A NEW CONCEPT IN UNDERSTANDING AND The Duly-Elected Delegates
APPRECIATING AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY.
AUTHENTICATED AS TO HISTORICAL ACCURACY
BY THE HISTORICAL COMMISSION OF
MOTHER BETHEL CHURCH.
For more information and free brochure send your name,
address, zip, phone number to:
“This Week in African-American History’’
Box 19024 ¢ Philadelphia, PA 19138
Also available on video:
Mother Africa Story, Part I
Mother Africa Story, Part Il
How African-American Soldiers Won the Civil War, Part I
How African-American Soldiers Won the Civil War, Part I
For phone orders ONLY call (215) 548-5897 (incoming calls only)
W.E.B. Dubois (The Souls of Black Folk) ‘The A. M.E. Church is the greatest Negro organization in
the world and its bishops among the most powerful Negro rulers in the world.
aeeePeeele
Pictures
Sent For
Publication
Cannot Be
Returned
Grand Bassa River Cess County.
Beverly Pitts and Kenneth Brown, a
member of Susan Brook A.M.E.
Church, 3ojourned in the county about
130 miles from Monrovia to establish
the Leapart School of Mission. The
fact that there were no schools within a
10-mile radius, no regular, reliable
transportation, and that the average
salary for people of the area was
$100.00 per year, was cause for the
youth to seek education elsewhere,
never to return to River Cess; there-
fore, it was mandatory that a school be
established.
Beverly and Kenneth did it, by
God’s help. The school was a pre-
enrollment of 79 students, including
14, 15 and 16-year-old students, many
of them first-timers in school. This is
the kind of Christian leadership in-
spired by Bishop Byrd and Mrs. Byrd.
Sister Pitts hails from St. James
A.M.E. Church, Memphis, Tennessee,
where the Rev. Charles Jones is
pastor. The Rt. Rev. C. E. Thomas is
Presiding Prelate of the 13th District.
Mrs. C. E. Thomas, 13th Episcopal
District Supervisor, has been most
supportive.
Rev. G. Franklin Holt
Liberia Conference Secretary
Dr. U. A. Hughey
Leadership
for the
THIRD CENTURY
— Elect —
Him Bishop in
iS
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The AME Christian Recorder
May 16, 1988
Special Request Asks
lection of Rev. Robert
Thomas to Bishoprie
by Attorney Herbert L. Dudley
Dr. Robert Thomas, Jr.
An open letter to the ministerial and
lay delegates to the 43rd Session of the
General Conference of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church:
Within a few weeks the 43rd
Quadrennial Session of the General
Conference of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church will convene in Fort
Worth, Texas. The men and women,
both ministerial and lay, who have
been elected delegates to this Quadren-
nial Session will have thrust upon them
the grave responsibility pertaining to
the episcopacy that will affect the lives
and fate of millions of our consti-
tuents throughout the domain of
African Methodism, but let me hasten
to say that there will be other cogent
matters that will claim the attention of
our delegates as they ponder the future
of African Methodism, such as pro-
viding greater financial support to our
educational institutions, and further
the great need to encourage, extend
and expand our appeal to young men
and women who have manifested and
felt a divine call to the ministry.
Secondly, its program of social, educa-
tional and economic aid and assistance
to the community which it serves.
It is in this context that I call atten-
tion to the great strides, progress and
development taking place at Ebenezer
A.M.E. Church in Detroit, and the
various aspects of its outreach
ministries:
I. Social Service
A. Food and Friendship — 40 to 50
Senior Citizens are provided a
free meal daily at the Church,
B. Free Health testing periodically
at the Church.
C. Counseling services are
provided for Seniors concerning
taxes, Social Security and legal
problems.
D.Food pantry and clothing
closet. Indigent persons and
families are provided emergency
rations and clothing on site.
II, Educational
A. Skill classes in upholstery,
sewing and millinery are offered.
B. Adult education classes are
offered in cooperation with the
Detroit Board of Education
C.A Tutorial Program This
program offered for both grade
and high school students. Some
of the instructors are corporate
officers of large companies.
These tutorial classes are
designed to motivate black
youth as well as for preparation
in academic disciplines
Ill. Athletic:
Ebenezer Church sponsors two
basketball teams, two baseball
teams and a bowling league with 20
teams. A large gymnasium on the
Church premises is used daily
IV. Correctional:
Ebenezer Church sponsors a
substance abuse fellowship and
alcohol anonymous group. Youth
are organized in a “Team Against
Drugs Association.”
V. Traditional Church Activities:
Ebenezer has one of Detroit’s larger
inner-city Church schools. There is
an effective scouting program with
girl and boy scout troops. The
Church has two morning worship
services, three prayer services and
Bible class each week.
The Church is open seven days a
week with many activities
throughout the day and evening
hours.
Ebenezer is a large Church edifice
and educational building that
contains a large sanctuary, chapel,
gymnasium, fellowship hall, two
dining rooms and 46 class rooms.
This great cathedral of African
Methodism stands out in its financial
support to our Connectional needs.
The records and files of the Financial
Department will bear witness to the
fact that Ebenezer A.M.E. Church in
Detroit contributes the largest finan-
cial aid to the treasury of our church.
The outstanding success attained at
Ebenezer A.M.E. Church of Detroit
attests to the dynamic leadership and
divine direction provided by our
pastor, Dr. Robert Thomas, Jr., who
has pastored this congregation for six-
teen (16) years. He is no stranger to
African Methodism. He was born in
an A.M.E. parsonage. His Reverend
Father, the late Reverend Robert
(Bob) Thomas was a Presiding Elder in
the Chicago Conference for more than
sixty (60) years. His son has followed
in the footsteps of His Illustrious Dad
by devoting his life to the ministry.
The ministerial and lay delegates are
urged to consider this servant of the
Church. On two previous occasions he
was on the threshold of election and
withdrew in favor of others at that
time. The ministerial and lay delegates
are urged to cast your vote for
Reverend Robert Thomas, Jr. for
Bishop of the A.M.E. Church,
Plan To
Attend The
General
Conference
This Year In July
U. 8S. Senate, House Overrides
President’s Civil Rights Veto
Washington, D.C.—Both the U. S.
Senate and House of Representatives
rejected President Reagan’s veto of a
bill that would require institutions
receiving federal aid to obey an-
tidiscrimination laws. The President
vetoed the bill, which stems from a
1984 Supreme Court case. (The Senate
voted 73-24 to override the veto and
the House voted 292-133.)
The Civil Rights Restoration Act
stems from the 1984 Supreme Court
decision involving the Grove City Col-
lege. The Supreme Court ruled that in-
stitutions would receive federal aid in
spite of illegal discrimination within
some of their departments.
President Reagan argued that in
spite of his support to overturn the
decision, the legislation went too far in
correcting the decision and said that
the measure was a threat to ‘‘religious
liberty.’’
The President also said that Con-
gress was attempting to expand federal
power over ‘‘decisions and affairs of
private organizations by approving the
measure.’”
Both the Senate and House approv-
ed the legislation in January of this
year. Before the vote on the veto in
Congress, several lawmakers debated
the pros and cons of the issue.
Republican Senator Strom Thurmond
of South Carolina argued that the
measure was not a ‘“‘civil rights bill’
but an ‘‘extension of federal authori-
ty”
Republican Senator Lowell
Weicker, Jr., of Connecticut, a co-
sponsor of the bill, said the legislation
was important in that there was a time
in America when mentally ill persons
were “‘relegated by our prejudices to
the darkness of despair and when
Blacks were servants in their own
country.”’
The Pastor Speaks
by Reverend Casey Childs, II
Fountain Inn, S.C.—One of the com-
pelling issues that faces our church as
we proceed into the third century of
African Methodism will be the
challenge of resurrecting and fully
working in the area of the salvation of
African-American men.
Recent statistics from The State of
Black America 1988 from an article by
Dr. Lee P. Brown entitled, ‘‘Crime In
The Black Community,’’ points out
that in 1986, we comprised 12 percent
of the United States population.
“*Yet, during that year Blacks ac-
counted for 27 percent of all arrests
reported to the FBI, 33.7 percent of all
index crime arrests as defined by the
Uniform Crime Reports, 46.5 percent
of all arrests for violent crimes, and
30.2 percent of all arrests for property
crimes. Of the persons arrested for
murder in 1986, Blacks accounted for
48 percent of the total. That same
year, Blacks accounted for 46.6 per-
cent of all arrests for rape, 62 percent
of all arrests for robbery, 39.8 percent
for assault, 29.5 percent for burglary,
30.1 percent for theft, and 34.7 percent
for auto theft.
Also, out of 428,179 prisoners in
state institutions, 198,887 or 46 percent
were Black. As of December 31, 1984,
there was a total of 462,422 prisoners
in state and federal institutions. Of
that number, 209,673, or 45 percent,
were Black.”’
As one can see, these are alarming
figures that affect our race in a
negative sense. As we celebrated the
Lenten Season and prepared for
Easter, we were reminded of why Jesus
came to seek and to save the lost
(Luke 19:10). In Luke 4:18, Jesus says,
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me to preach
good news to the poor. He has sent me
to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind, to
release the oppressed, to proclaim the
year of the Lord’s favor.’’
We too must seek to reach out in
the service and work of the church to
those who are oppressed, victims of
unemployment, underemployment, in-
adequate or incomplete education,
social pressures, substandard housing,
minimal health care, and other social
ills.
If we are to really celebrate that
Christ arose to conquer the death of
the cross, then we must be empowered
by God to make a difference in the
lives of the poor, the captives, the
hungry, the homeless, the naked, the
mentally ill, and all who were created
in the image of God. God is no respec-
tor of persons, and therefore, he sent
his only begotten’ Son that whoever
would believe in him would have eter-
nal life!
The church is to be a caring and
sharing community where a helping
hand is not only extended to those who
feel that nobody cares.
“Field to Factory: Afro-American Migration, 1915-1940”
Exhibition Extended for an Indefinite Period at the National
Museum of American History
Washington, DC—The major exhibi-
tion ‘Field to Factory: Afro-American
Migration, 1915-1940,”’ originally
scheduled through February at the
Smithsonian’s National Museum of
American History, has been extended
indefinitely.
In making the announcement, mu-
seum Director Roger Kennedy said
that the level of public interest in the
exhibition has been extremely gratify-
ing. ‘‘It gives us great satisfaction to be
able to present the story of such an im-
portant occurrence in the development
of our national character,’’ he said.
The exhibition examines the period
in history when more than 1 million
Black Americans left the rural South
in search of a better life in urban areas
of the North. This movement, called
the Great Migration, led to the emer-
gence of large, predominantly Black
urban enclaves in the North and set the
scene for modern life in most
American cities.
Featured in the 7,000 square-foot
exhibition are a late 19th century ten-
ant farmhouse; a recreation of the
Ashland, VA, train station; a 1920s
beauty parlor, and a Philadelphia row-
house. More than 400 objects and pho-
tographs, as well as an audio-visual
presentation, are used to depict the
lives of the migrants.
‘*These artifacts reflect part of our
American culture,’’ Spencer Crew, ex-
hibition curator, said. ‘*] hope the ex-
hibition will serve to get people think-
ing more about their history and the
relevance of preserving those materials
that make statements about the
unique qualities of their lives,’’
A catalog produced in conjunction
with the exhibition is available in the
museum shops and bookstore.
The exhibition, as well as related
educational programs, are made pos-
sible through the support of Pepsi-
Cola Company.
A traveling version of the exhibit,
sponsored by the Smithsonian Institu-
tion Traveling Exhibition Service
(SITES), recently began a three-year
Please turn to page $
ee
===== DSC05511.JPG =====
May 16, 1988
The AME Christian Recorder
The State of Child Care
Gainesville, FL—Jeremy Bryant, left, shares a book with Tony Sowers during recess at
Baby Gator South, one of the University of Florida’s three day care centers. Baby Gator
staff and children will participate in a host of activities planned to celebrate The Week of
the Young Child, sponsored by the National Association for the Education of Young
Children. Tom Logan, Baby Gator director, said the week is designed to acquaint the
public with the state of child care today and the need for improvement. Child care is one
of the prevalent issues for parents today, as evidenced by a recent survey that showed that
65 percent of the Alachua County children under age 5 are cared for outside the home,
Logan said. ‘‘Most people are not aware of how widespread and costly child care outside
the home is,’’ Logan said.
POWER—GRAM
Update Report
The Department of Christian
Education of Martin Memorial African
Methodist Episcopal Church invited
The Rev, Dr. Edgar L. Mack, Ex
ecutive Secretary of the Connectional
Christian Education Department in
Nashville, Tennessee, to speak at the
Black Heritage Celebration in Miami,
Florida.
The gala event was held at Signature
Gardens before a capacity audience.
Dr. Mack spoke on the theme ‘‘/f You
Are Really Serious About ‘Keeping Our
Black Heritage.’ ’’ The capable, il-
lustrious pastor is The Reverend John
L. Bodison. Mrs. Wilhelmina Rhetta,
a dedicated and hard-working servant
of Christ, served as chairperson of the
Christian Education Committee.
Yes, ‘‘you ought to have been
there!’’ The menu was a real treat:
Caesar Salad, Roast Prime Ribs Au
Jus, Vegetable Medley Du Chef,
Talbot A.M.E. Academy Holds
Annual Benefit Banquet
Savannah, Ga.—The long-awaited
hour had arrived—the Annual Benefit
Banquet celebration for which Talbot
African Methodist Episcopal Academy
had yearned and had anticipated eager-
ly for two years. The reality was a
glorious day in the religious and social
life of the historic church school.
Every interest had been pointed in that
direction and the occasion was surely a
night to remember.
It was a joyous and momentous
event that brought together all
segments of the community: parents,
teachers and pastors, with the Chief
Pastor of the 6th Episcopal District,
Bishop Frederick H. Talbot delivering
an inspiring message that motivated
and challenged the audience with his
subject, ‘‘What Do You Have in Your
Hand?’’
Bishop Talbot reminded an attentive
audience that oftentimes too much
time is spent looking for answers that
one already has in his hands. ‘‘We
have the key to Talbot African Meth-
odist Episcopal Academy’s future in
our hands. What are we going to do
with it? This was the question asked by
the bishop concerning the school. At
that point, his challenge drew positive
reactions from the audience, with
some pledging to do more to assist the
school.
Prior to the soul-stirring message
from the 6th District’s prelate, a
delightful repast was served, while the
audience enjoyed music rendered at
the piano by the president of the
P.T.A., Mrs. Regina Green, followed
by a duet from Carmen Rivers and
Telanna Kelly on the clarinets. Alonza
McCoay later delighted all with a
selection on the piano. All are
justifiably proud of these students of
the Academy and those who make up
the school choir that sang so beautiful-
ly.
The exciting night of events was
climaxed with the presentation of
awards by Rev. Dan Stevenson, direc-
tor, who was assisted by student Tracy
Seabrooks. Receiving awards were
Bishop and Mrs. Talbot, Reverend
James Taylor, pastor of Townesley
Chapel African Methodist Episcopal
Church, Savannah, P.T.A. President
Green, and teachers Mesdames
Darlene Ward, Hattie O’Neal and
Geraldine Hamilton, for all of their
outstanding contributions and services
given the school.
Deepest thanks from Talbot
African Methodist Episcopal Academy
go to Mrs. Rosemary Banks for being
a delightful mistress of ceremonies,
Mr. Walter Simmons for video taping
and pictures, and to the many pastors
and friends who took the time and had
the patience to assist in the effort. May
God bless all!
WA Greetings !IXA
Dr. David C. Coleman
Candidate
for the
Bishopric
Key Lay People Share in A.M.E.
Third Cent
Dr. Y. B. Bruce, Sr.
peers a ee eee
While we greet you in the narne of
The Father, The Son, and The Holy
Spirit, we are grateful and full of
ecstasy as a result of the very suc-
cessful First Annual Seminar on
Evangelism and Church Growth, spon-
sored by the Department of Worship
and Evangelism, Orlando, Florida.
As we escalated into higher realms
of the seminar daily, the magnetic
forces of Love and Harmony that
draw the ministry and the laity of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church
together, binding us with a friction that
causes us to all spin around in the
same direction, was uttermost present
as some of our key Laymen expound-
ed on the topic, ‘‘Equipping Layper-
sons for Evangelism in the Third Cen-
tury.”
Dr. Kathryn Middleton Brown,
more affectionately known to us as
ury Evangelism
“‘Kay,’’ who, in her very eloquent and
efficient manner serves as President of
the Connectional Lay Organization,
and Dr. Samuel Hunter, served as con-
veyors. Dr. Joseph C. McKinney was
Presenter, and Mr. Tyrone Presley and
Mrs. Marion Bacon-White were
reporters. The audience was held in
awe as these great Laymen captivated
our minds.
The presentation was €x-
emplificative of good and sound pro-
fessional training, dedication and a
love for humanity and God’s church,
for which we live. To ‘‘Kay’’ and all of
the Laymen of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, without you we are
not complete. Thank you and keep up
the good work. God bless.
Dr. E. L. Mack
Quartered Red Bliss potatoes, Straw-
berry Mousse with Fresh Whipped
Cream, Coffee, Tea and Rolls.
The Christian Education Depart-
ment of Martin Memorial A.M.E.
Church continues to strive for great
heights in the pursuit of excellence.
The banquet closing was the center-
piece of Allen Jubileer Week.
It is impossible to go to the South
Florida area without feeling the in-
fluence of the Rt. Rev. Philip R.
Cousin, Presiding Prelate of the
Eleventh Episcopal District. His
leadership is needed in these changing
and challenging times.
“The objective of Christian educa-
tion is to help persons to be aware of
God’s self-disclosure and seeking love
in Jesus Christ and to respond in faith
and love — to the end that they may
know who they are and what their
human situation means, grow as sons
of God rooted in the Christian com-
munity, live in the Spirit of God in
every relationship, fulfill their com-
mon discipleship in the world, and
abide in the Christian hope.’’ (Com-
mission on General Christian Educa-
tion, National Council of Churches of
Christ in the U.S.A.).
The occasion lifted up the task of
Martin Memorial ‘‘to develop a new
generation of Christian excellence in
the Church, the Body of Christ.’’ Each
one in attendance went out into the
church, community and world feeling
confident that YOU can make a DIF-
FERENCE now — “‘For Christ and
the Church.’’
Continued from page 4
“‘Field to Factory: Afro-
American Migration
national tour. During 1988 the exhibit
will be shown in Pittsburgh, PA, Jack-
sonville, FL, Fresno, CA, Baltimore,
MD, Birmingham, AL, and State Col-
lege, PA.
The National Museum of American
History, located at 14th Street nd Con-
stitution Avenue N. W., is open from
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily, except
December 25. Admission is free.
i
‘“‘God’s Part We
Cannot Do,
Our Part He
Will Not Do.”’
===== DSC05512.JPG =====
6
The AME Christian Recorder
ee May 16, 1988
Hunter Seeks General Office
Reverend Carl F. Hunter
Reverend Carl F. Hunter has
announced his platform in his campaign
seeking the office of Secretary-Treasurer
of the Church Extension Department of
the A.M.E. Church. His main thrust is to
bring to the Church an enlightened
economic development program which
utilizes its own resources to the fullest
extent. By enlightened, Reverend
Hunter means a program that is based
on full comprehension of the problems
involved.
Hunter’s primary development goal
for the A.M.E. Church, which bears the
strategy of a development team effort, is
income generation for the production of
well-needed revenues for new church
construction, and/or their acquisition as
well as rehabilitation of existing
churches. Such revenues can aid the
Church in its program for the
construction of affordable, low-income
housing complexes consisting of garden
apartments, low-rise and townhouse
buildings. Hunter is also proposing a
church-wide, owned and operated
insurance company and credit union.
These should provide employment
opportunities for church members after
undergoing an internship on-the-job
training program to fill the necessary
requisite skills.
Hunter’s team members are: Dr.
Robert T. Freeman, Jr. of Washington,
D.C., a banking and insurance specialist,
Founder and Managing Director of
Ghana General Insurance Company,
Founder and Director of Great Nigeria
Insurance Company, Lagos, Nigeria,
Insurance Consultant to the
Governments of Ethiopia, Liberia, and
Guyana, and the Director of the Ghana
National Investment Bank; Honorable
Livingston L. Wingate of New York
City, practicing labor lawyer and
recently retired judge in the judiciary
system of New York in the Civil Court of
the City of New York and Justice of the
Supreme Court of the State of New
York; and Richard P. Jones, Esq. of
New York City, practicing lawyer in the
New York City financial district for
fifteen years specializing in Corporate,
Real Estate and International Law.
Reverend Hunter brings a long and
impressive career to this campaign. For
32 years he has pastored A.M.E.
Churches, presently pastoring at Israel
Memorial A.M.E. Church, Newark,
New Jersey, in the First Episcopal
District. In the world of business, he built
the first low income housing
development in Asbury Park, New
Jersey known as ‘‘Vita Gardens,’’
During the years 1975 to 1980, he own-
ed and operated two major auto park-
ing systems in New York City, and was
selected to receive a contract with the
Port Authority of New York and New
Jersey serving as Executive Vice
President of the Auto Host System, Inc.
which managed and operated PATH’s
new parking garage at the Downtown
Journal Square Complex. He has been
presently involved with an on-going
team of housing experts for the
construction of low-income housing
throughout the State of New Jersey.
Proposals have been submitted and have
received preliminary approvals from
municipal, city and state agencies.
Targeted areas for development have
been identified and community based
groups together with architects,
engineers, contractors, and financial
institutions have been mobilized for this
effort.
Hunter’s activism includes serving on
the Mayor’s Human Rights Commission
in Monmouth County, New Jersey. He
also served as a Delegate to the
International Brotherhood of the
Teamsters of the World, and on the
Pension and Welfare Board of the
International Teamsters Organization.
Hunter serves on the Curriculum
Committee at Rutgers University,
Newark, New Jersey. He is a member
of the New Jersey Branch of the
NAACP, Southern Christian Leader-
ship Conference, and a host of A.M.E.
Church organizations and inter-related
community institutions.
Please turn to page 8
Dr. J. S. Benn III Announces
For Office Of Historiographer
Of The a M.E. Church
Rey. Dr. J. S. Benn Ill
Dr. J. S. Benn III, connectionally
well-known as a national publisher and
author, researcher and writer of 14
books announced recently at the urging
of many delegates, friends and
supporters to aspire for this office.
Dr. Benn serves on the General Board
of the A.M.E. Church, pastor of St. Paul
A.M.E. Church, Springfield, [linois,
Capitol City of Illinois; Director of
Leadership Training, A.M.E. Church.
He has participated in several research
projects for the University of Michigan
and University of Indiana. Dr. Benn is
actively engaged in the work of
Committee on Uniform Series,
Education for Christian Life and
Mission, National Council of the
Churches of Christ, U.S.A.
Dr. Benn is a fourth generation
A.M.E. preacher, and builder of 2
A.M.E. Churches in Peoria, IL and
Indianapolis, IN. He has taught school
and served as a professor. He is a well-
known lecturer and continues to pursue
excellence in the field of religion,
education and ecumenical work.
“If You Would
Avoid Criticism
Say Nothing,
Do Nothing And
Be Nothing”
IBRBBBBERAE
The First Episcopal District
Supports Dr. Ifill For
General Secretary 1988
by Vivian Williams
Dr. O. U. Ifill
In a grand demonstration of support
for the candidacy of Dr. O. U. Ifill, Sr.,
for General Secretary at the forthcoming
General Conference in Fort Worth,
Texas, the First Episcopal District,
headed by Bishop Frank C. Cummings,
the Presiding Bishop, sponsored a public
Service of Appreciation and Support for
Dr. O. Urcille Ifill, Sr., at African
Methodist Episcopal Union Church,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Friday,
March 25, 1988.
On hand were members of the laity
and clergy from across the District and
the Connection, as well as high
government officials and community
leaders.
The choirs of Allen AME Church
(Rev. William H. Smallwood, Pastor);
Hickman Temple AME Church (Dr.
Joseph D. Patterson, Pastor); Mt.
Pisgah AME Church, Dr. James L.
Dandridge, Pastor), and the Cathedral
Concert Chorale of AME Union Church
(Dr. O. Urcille Ifill, Sr., Pastor and
Director) furnished beautiful music for
the occasion.
Voicing high commendation of Dr.
[fill’s abilities in community affairs and
pledging their support of his aspirations,
representatives of the religious, business,
educational and community groups,
joined the First Episcopal District in
lauding and encouraging Dr. Ifill in his
campaign for the office of General
Secretary.
The Honorable W. Wilson Goode,
Mayor of the City of Philadelphia,
praised Dr. Ifill’s community service and
rejoiced in his quest to become the next
General Secretary of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church, and
offered his support in every way possible
to encourage Dr. Ifill’s election.
Dr. Mickarl Thomas, Pastor of
Charles Street AME Church, Boston,
Massachusetts, superbly stated the
Purpose of the Occasion:
“We have assembled here this evening
because one: of our colleagues, friend,
pastor, laborer in the Holy Vineyard,
desires to serve the Church of Allen, and
more importantly to launch his ship on
one of the ecclesiastical tributaries
emanating from the one Holy Church
River which Jesus established with His
own precious blood; this tributary is The
African Methodist Episcopal Church.
“Now there are several boats in the
water. Some are aspirant Bishop boats,
aspirant Evangelism boats and others.
However, our concern is the aspirant
Secretary boat. The particular boat we
are concerned with is the one named the
O. U. Ifill Express. t
“Now in Hebrew the verb Sapar
means to write or count. The derived
noun sopér is commonly translated
scribe. Many of these persons were
professional writers and recorders.
“Tt is believed men such as Seraiah,
Sheva, Thebna and Shaphan we read
about in II Samuel and II Kings were
secretaries.
“Baruch was the private secretary of
Jeremiah and Silvanus served as a
secretary to Peter.
“In July, O. U. Ifill will be recorded in
the annuals of history as Secretary of the
A.M.E. Church. What we are saying is
that - yes - there might be other boats
with the label “secretary” in the water,
but the Ifill boat will get to port first. O.
U. Ifill is an
O Organizer
U_ Understanding
I Intelligent
F Friendly
I Involved
Liberated from Satan - been born
again
L_ Loves the Church of Allen
“Javier Pérez de Quellar is called Mr.
Secretary in the United Nations.
“George P. Schultz is called Mr.
Secretary in the United States.
“And, O. U. Ifill will be called Mr.
Secretary in the African Methodist
Episcopal Church.”
Other dignitaries bringing words of
support and encouragement were:
Dr. O'Neil Mackey, Pastor of Bethel
A.M.E. Church, New York City, on
behalf of Dr. William Lee Freeman,
President of the Presiding Elders
Council of the First Episcopal District,
and pastors of the District;
Bro. Joseph Inabinet, President of the
First Episcopal District Lay Organiza-
tion;
Dr. Lorenzo M. Shepard, Pastor of
Mt. Olivet Tabernacle Baptist Church,
immediate past president of the
Progressive Baptist Convention, and
member of the Board of Directors of
Partners In Ecumenism (P.I.E.);
Mr. Robert Bogle, Executive Vice-
President of The Philadelphia Tribune,
on behalf of the Black Media;
Dr. William B. Moore, Pastor of
Tenth Memorial Baptist Church, and
President of The Black Clergy of
Philadelphia and Vicinity;
The Honorable C. DeLores Tucker,
former Secretary of State for
Pennsylvania, currently President of The
Philadelphia Martin Luther King, Jr.
Association;
Dr. Patrick Swygert, Vice-President,
Temple University;
The Reverend Arthur White,
President of the Baptist Ministers
Conference of Philadelphia and Vicinity;
Mrs. Onah Weldon, President of the
National Political Congress of Black
Women of Philadelphia;
The Honorable James Wade,
Chairman of Wade Industries, Inc.,-on
behalf of the Business Community of
Philadelphia;
Dr. William D. Shaw, President of the
Metropolitan Council of Churches;
Attorney Gene R. Johnson, Esquire,
of the Second Episcopal District,
representing “The Friends of Dr. Ifill
Across the Connection”;
Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, President,
Opportunities Industrialization Center,
Congressman William H. Gray;
Congressman Floyd Flake;
The Honorable Lucien E. Blackwell,
Chairman, Finance Committee of the
City of Philadelphia;
The Honorable David P. Richardson,
Jr., President, National Black Caucus of
State Legislators;
Dr. Harry J. White, Sr., Presiding
Elder, Philadelphia District; Dr. John R.
Ragin, Pastor, St. Luke A.M.E. Church,
Newark, New Jersey;
Please turn to page 7
————————
===== DSC05513.JPG =====
May 16, 1988
The AME Christian Recorder
:
Continued from page 1
Times change but. . .
them back, even though there have
been a lot of changes in the neighbor-
hoods since these churches (first
started.’*
Only two blocks from Bethel is a
grim reminder of how much this once
stately middleclass Black community
has changed. Standing in a stiff row are
the uniform towers of the Robert
Taylor Homes, the nation’s largest
housing project, considered the most
poverty stricken residential strip in the
country. The church is helping to meet
many of the immediate needs of this
poor community, said Rev. David C.
Coleman, the church’s presiding elder.
It has a food pantry, soup kitchens and
clothing banks, he said. But, according
to Rev. Basil A. Foley, Sr., Bethel’s
pastor, the church is having a hard
time recruiting neighborhood resi-
dents.
“‘There was a time when anybody
who was anybody was a member of an
A.M.E. Church. It was the elitist seg-
ment of the community,’”’ said Rev.
Foley, who has also been minister of
three other A.M.E. churches in the ci-
ty. ‘‘We have a pretty even mixture of
professionals and blue-collar workers.
We have judges, attorneys, bank
workers and janitors. But we still have
that [elitist] image, unfortunately. And
our efforts to reach out into the com-
munity is made difficult because of
that.”’
Rev. Foley said the church has can-
vassed the area to recruit new mem-
bers, and ‘‘when the weather breaks,
we hope to attract young people from
the neighborhood.’’ But the tradi-
tional, highly ritualistic church is hav-
ing difficulty competing with the ‘‘glitz
and appeal’’ of television evangelists
and street-front Pentecostal churches,
Bishop Morris said.
“*We recognize we’re not reaching
youth as we should,”’ he said.
The A.M.E. Church was founded in
1787 when the mostly White members
of St. George Methodist Episcopal
Church in Philadelphia tried to segre-
gate the growing number of Blacks in
the congregation by ushering them to
the gallery. Richard Allen, a preacher
and former slave who had bought his
freedom, was caught praying in front
of the church and was assaulted.
Allen organized a protest march that
led to the formation of the Free Afri-
can Methodist Society, which officially
became the A.M.E. Church in 1816.
From the start, the church set out to
meet the spiritual, material, educa-
tional and cultural needs of Black
Americans. Today, it operates five
Black colleges and universities around
the nation.
Since Chicago’s first A.M.E. Church
was founded in 1847, the denomination
has played a key role in Chicago’s
Black community, Bishop Morris said.
The churches have spearheaded voter-
registration drives, and it was on the
grounds of Bethel Church that Black
leaders caucused to launch Harold
Washington’s first mayoral campaign.
“‘Traditionally, [A.M.E.] churches
have been meeting places where disci-
sions have been made that affected the
destiny of the Black community,”’ Bis-
hop Morris said. Today, the church is
faced with the problems of high unem-
ployment and low education among
Black inner-city youth, he said.
“‘Chicago can be a frustrating place
with all the problems it faces,’’ said
Bishop Morris, as he stared out his
window at the looming towers of the
Taylor Homes. ‘But if the church can
change with the times and continue to
be relevant, I think it has a great
The Memories Linger On
Montgomery, AL—Some_ expe-
riences are not soon forgotten, So en-
joyable was the Second Annual Picnic
for the Sunday School of Greater St.
Paul A.M.E,. Church that many of
those fortunate enough to attend the
fun-filled event yet recall the activities
that were held lakeside at Maxwell Air
Force Base.
The main event was the baseball
game, with Gene Johnson, assistant
superintendent, and Brenda Kahn serv-
ing as team captains. Brenda’s team,
elated over their victory, were winners
of the trophy, The Johnson team,
however, is looking forward to next
year’s rematch,
PCC Announces New Director
The Reverend Debra L. Moody has
joined the Pennsylvania Council of
Churches as Director of the Office for
Ethnic Cooperation and _ Institutional
Ministries. She is a pastor of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
A graduate of Drew University (BA in
religion) and Princeton Theological
Seminary (M.Div.), she is a Ph.D.
candidate in Biblical Studies at Drew
University, Madison, New Jersey.
Reverend Moody has represented her
communion in the governing board of
the New Jersey Council of Churches,
and is statistician of the New Jersey
Conference. She continues as pastor of
St. Thomas AME Zion Church,
Somerville, New Jersey until May.
Her portfolio includes educing and
Continued from Page 1
Third Episcopal District Salutes Bishop Richard A.
Hildebrand
past four years, and we look forward
to four more years together.
The magnificent salute to Bishop
Hildebrand was scheduled to come at
the time of the Mid-Year Report Meet-
ing. In the business session, the
District voted unanimously to request
the 1988 General Conference to return
Bishop Hildebrand to the Third Epis-
copal District for the next four years.
In addition, the 3rd District en-
dorsed the Rev. Ulysses S. Hughey as
the Candidate for the office of Bishop
from the Third District. Another im-
portant endorsement is that of Rev.
Floyd Alexander to the office of Secre-
tary of the Pension Department. The
District supports Rev. Elizabeth Scott,
pastor of Quinn Church, Steubenville,
Ohio, in her bid to become the first
female bishop in the A.M.E. Church.
The district also recognizes the can-
didacy of Rev. Louise Harris, pastor
of St. Paul Church in Smithfield, for
bishop.
It is always good to welcome Editor
Robert H. Reid, Jr., and his beautiful
wife, Doris, back home to the
‘Mighty Third.’’ From far and near,
enabling cooperative ministries, public
policy advocacy and networking within
the minority church community, and
supervision of the contract chaplaincy
program of the Council. Reverend
Moody’s chaplaincy experience includes
a general hospital, county jail for women
and the Trenton State Prison (New
Jersey).
She will provide staff support to the
Executive Director of the Council, and
to the Committees on Ethnic
Cooperation (chaired by Bishop Frank
C. Cummings, Philadelphia Conference,
African Methodist Episcopal Church)
and Institutional Ministries (chaired by
the Rev. Canon Kermit L. Lloyd,
Rector, St. John Episcopal Church,
York).
Rey. Floyd Alexander
across our denomination, there are
more and more positive expressions of
appreciation for The Recorder, the
quality of the news and helpful infor-
mation. We are grateful to Editor and
Mrs. Reid for this progress. The Third
District endorsed the position to re-
elect Robert H. Reid, Jr., as Editor of
The Recorder for the next four years,
and we invite other delegates to the
General Conference to join us in this
effort.
After completing the business of the
Mid-Year Conference, the district con-
vened to organize for the upcoming
General Conference, and members to
various committees were recommend-
ed.
Submitted by: Thomas L. McCray
Presiding Elder, Cleveland District
eS SS
Continued from page 1
Re-Elect Joseph C. McKinney, Treasurer A.M.E.
Church, July 1988
Offices, the Service and Development
Agency (SADA), and the Bishop of the
Second Episcopal District.
His performance
ae
rz
quired for the financial department.
and his dedication
is worthy of your support. Re-Elect
Him!
Submitted by the Committee
“To Elect McKinney”’
McKinney explains how the space will be used in the new 32,000 square foot building ac-
Continued from page 6
First District
Supports Ifill
Rey. David Randolph, Pastor, Tyree
A.M.E, Church, Philadelphia; Rev.
Rudolph W, Coleman, Pastor, Mt. Zion
A.M.E. Church, Dover, Delaware; Dr.
Herman Rhodes, Pastor of Ward
A.M.E. Church, President of the
A.M.E. Preachers’ Meeting of
Philadelphia and Vicinity; and Dr.
George T. Sims, Pastor of St. Matthew
A.M.E. Church, and Campaign
Manager for Dr. Ifill.
Telegrams from across the
Connection in support of Dr. Ifill's
candidacy were read at the Service.
Bishop Frank Curtis Cummings,
presiding, assured the members of the
First Episcopal District and host of
community supporters that he was
“behind Dr. Ifill’s candidacy all the way”,
and urged the total support of the First
District Delegation to the General
Conference to give top priority to the
election of Dr. Ifill for General Secretary
at Fort Worth, Texas, at the 43rd
General Conference in July.
The Honorable David P. Richardson,
Jr., presented a Certificate of
Appreciation and Commendation to Dr.
Ifill from the Pennsylvania House of
Representatives; and the Honorable
Lucien E. Blackwell presented a
Certificate of Recognition and Support
from the City Council of Philadelphia.
The officers and members of African
Methodist Episcopal Union Church
paid high tribute to Pastor Ifill and
presented him with a beautiful plaque,
designed by Bro. Robert Stanfield, in
honor of the occasion. Sis. Frances
Archer, Church Clerk and Lay delegate
to the 43rd Session of the General
Conference, with the Church Officials
standing, read the plaque on which was
inscribed the following:
Presented to
DR. O. URCILLE IFILL, SR.
In grateful recognition of
His leadership and care
As Our Pastor, Mentor, and Friend
1978 - 1988
and as a Symbol of our
Total Support of His Candidacy
For, and His Election To,
The Office of General Secretary
of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church
at Fort Worth, Texas, 1988
The Officers and Members of
African Methodist Episcopal Union The
Officers and Members of
African Methodist Episcopal Union
Church
Philadelphia, PA
Bro. James Stokes, Vice-Chairman,
Board of Stewards
Sis. Evelyn Hampton, Secretary,
Board of Stewards
Sis. Anna Ray-Louis,
Chairperson,
Board of Trustees
Sis. Dianne Hickson, Secretary,
Board of Trustees
Sis. Arlene Dargan, Secretary, Official
Board
Sis. Frances Archer, Church Clerk
Vice-
Dr. Ifill, in thanksgiving, expressed
his gratitude to the great assembly of
friends and supporters gathered for
the special service and stated most
eloquently his reasons for aspiring to
the Office of General Secretary:
“I am not running against any
one. I am running for the Office
of General Secretary because I
believe I can continue to serve
my Church with my God-given
skills which are uniquely suited
for the General Secretaryship. I
Please turn to page 8
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The AME Christian Recorder
May 16, 1988
Robert V. Webster Hosts Bishop
H. B. Senatle In Jacksonville, FL
Dr. Robert V. Webster
Bishop Harold B. Senatle’s message
at the 11:00 a.m. Worship Service on
April 24, 1988, at St. Stephen A.M.E.
Church, Jacksonville, FL, ignited a
greater fire of concern in the congre-
gation as he delivered an account of his
ministry in the 18th and 19th Episcopal
Districts, and solicited their prayers
for God’s help to remove the state of
emergency from his country.
In his opening remarks, the people
were moved to sheer compassion as he
reported on his Capetown arrest. He
stated many religious leaders were
recently jailed because they marched in
opposition to the laws of South Africa
that disbanned the seventeen organiza-
tions that were the ‘‘mouth-piece’’ for
the South African Blacks. According
to Bishop Senatle, the church is now
the only organization to speak on
behalf of Black Africans. The A.M.E.
Church is a definite forerunner in this
movement. It is the wish of the Blacks
to be a free part of the whole adminis-
tration of the country. Presently, the
government has chosen the Indians and
the ‘‘coloreds’’ to participate, but the
Blacks are prohibited from becoming a
part of the Parliament. ‘‘This will be
rectified,’’ Bishop Senatle retorted,
“for we will fight until we get our
rights!’’ His text, taken from Haggai
1:2-5, further expounded upon the
problems in South Africa; using as a
subject, ‘‘Consider Your Ways.’’ The
essence of the message included ways
to become successful. In order to be
successful in any endeavor, God must
be included in the program. If God is
left out, man will not succeed.
Pastor Robert V. Webster, a candi-
date for Bishop in July 1988, expressed
his concern for the plight of our frater-
nal sisters and brothers in South Africa
because he and the congregation
believe in extending aid to Missions.
St. Stephen led the congregations of
Florida in giving aid to Ethiopia and
felt this cause necessitated our spirit-
ual and financial support in relieving
the oppression of people in South
Africa as well.
Pastor Webster believes in doing
church work as well as the work of the
church, for the work of the church is
going beyond the boundaries of the
church building to offer help to the
needy everywhere, while church work
is taking care of local congregational
needs. He firmly believes that Mis-
sions is Christology, not geography.
Those in need are not always peoples
in distant lands, but those surrounding
the community in which one serves.
St. Stephen and its many friends feel
that Pastor Webster, with his global
Please turn to page 13
Where is my Income Tax Refund?
Nashville, TN—‘‘Where is my
refund?’’ is the most often asked ques-
tion received at the Internal Revenue
Service’s Toll-Free information
number. The IRS has a solution to this
question and it is available Monday
through Friday from 6 a.m. to mid-
night for individuals with push-button
telephones.
By dialing 1-800-554-4477 anywhere
in Tennessee, taxpayers can actually
check on the status of their elusive tax
refund. All that is needed is the Social
Security Number, filing status and
amount of the expected refund; the
computer will handle the rest. Tax-
payers can find out if the tax return
has been received and when to expect
the refund. The IRS does ask the tax-
payer to give the return a chance to be
processed before calling—usually five
or six weeks.
Larry Hyatt, Assistant District
Director in Nashville, recommends
that Tennessee taxpayers wait until 7
or 8 p.m. to call. ‘*The phone lines are
very busy during the day and especially
busy on Mondays. If you call during
the evening hours you have a better
chance of getting through on the first
try.””
St. Matthews Church Holds Quarter
St. Matthews A.M.E. Church held
it’s Third Quarterly Conference,
March 27, 1988, with Presiding Elder
Ralph Wilson presiding. The Elder’s
inspirational sermon ‘‘Can You
Stand’? was taken from Mark 10:38-
39,
The Elder opened the business ses-
sion with questions regarding the
church’s progress. Followed with the
reporting of each Auxilliary Board. All
Boards had written reports and all
characters were passed.
The Elder updated events of the
General and Annual Conference and
other news of interest of the A.M.E.
Church.
The Elder concluded the Conference
with comments and thanks for a very
fine Conference.
Terry Mutch, Reporter
nn NE
Continued from page 7
First District Supports Ifill —_————————_—————_-
believe that I have the perception
of reality, team building skills,
decisiveness, tempered by
balanced judgment, strategic
focus, and tenacity, which makes
me capable of doing an excellent
job in this office. I love the Lord,
and I know and love the African
Methodist Episcopal Church,
and, under God, I will endeavor
to serve our Church with a high
honor.”
At the close of this magnificent
Service of Appreciation and Support,
the Officers and Members of African
Methodist Episcopal Union Church
hosted a fantastic reception in Dr.
Ifill’s honor for all persons who
attended,
Toasting the Honoree they shouted:
“IFILL FOR GENERAL
SECRETARY IN 1988!"
“Read the Recorder”
Keep up with the Church
Dr. R. H. ‘‘Rabbi’’ Reid, Jr.
Editor, A.M.E. Christian Recorder
Within just a few months, the
A.M.E. Church will be in the General
Conference, held in Fort Worth,
Texas, July, 1988. All General Officers
of the A.M.E. Church will be submit-
ting their voluminous reports.
Were it not for just General Officer
routine, these two General Officers—
Reverend R. H. ‘‘Rabbi’’ Reid, Jr.,
Editor of the A.M.E. Christian Re-
corder, and Dr. A. Lee Henderson,
Publisher of the A.M.E. Christian Re-
corder—would not submit reports.
All along, through their routine of
work, they both have made reports.
From the beginning of Quadrennium
1984, and down to the end of the Qua-
rennium, their works and publication
productions have been submitting
serial reports of publication account-
tability to the entire reading clientele
of the whole A.M.E. Connection.
Dr. A. Lewis Williams’ famous
statement concerning ‘‘Christian Re-
corder Accountability,’ through its
production staff, was: ‘‘They have the
Council of A.M.E. Bishops; they have
the corporate General Officership;
they have Connectional constabu-
lary—But they have just one Christian
Recorder, produced by Officership
elected by the A.M.E. Church to do the
job.”
Never in the history of the organized
A.M.E. Church has the Christian Re-
corder been possessed of such arduous
and herculean publication dexterity as
during the 1984-1988 Quadrennium.
This is due to the fact that during this
present Quadrennium, the ACTS of
the Bicentennial have had to be a
Christian Recorder compendium of
production, editorial and journalistic
craftsmanship and adeptness of inge-
nious publication mastery. Theirs has
been a day-by-day production and
writing achievement. They do not have
to wait until Fort Worth to prove, on
the written page, their credibility and
A.M.E. stewardship. They—Rever-
ends Reid and Henderson—Have paid
their dues already, And in the words of
the spiritual song, “They done paid
their vows to de Lawd.”’
If the A.M.E. conscienteous would
sit down and peruse and read EVERY
SHEET of a Recorder issue, the reader
would keep abreast of what is happen-
ing in the A.M.E. world; thereby, the
reader would know and keep up with
what is happening in the A.M.E.
Church. And, in the midst of bicenten-
nial plannings, display, and church per-
sonality confluence, the church reader
would be alerted to it all.
From the articles of a quarterly con-
ference and the presiding elder at his
post, up to the uttermost “top brass’’
activity of A.M.E. participation, the
Christian Recorder Aas been there, giv-
ing credence and full faith and credit to
each release.
Dr. A. Lee Henderson
Publisher
Not to read the Recorder is to do
oneself a grave injustice. A prominent
and affluent pastor, when making his
pastoral report at his annual con-
ference, when asked the question,
“How many papers?,’’ used to
answer, ‘‘I take all the papers . . . But
read none!””
Receiving releases (many having to
be re-written and/or editorialized in
order for the released article to the
Recorder to ‘‘make good sense”’ to the
church readers, is an awesome and ar-
duous task. Everybody, no matter
how enthusiastic, is not endowed with
the ability to write and compose. I am
not talking about submitting minutes
of a meeting, or incident, and construe
this to be writing. Silent hours, late-at-
night periods must be brought into
measure to bring out a release com-
parable to the prowess of the official
journal of the A.M.E. Church—The
A.M.E. Christian Recorder.
Much sympathy and praise should
be extended the editor of the
Recorder. The late Dr. J. L. Glover,
author of ‘‘Straight From The Shoul-
der,”’ used to say, ‘‘Writing is a thank-
less job.”
Just one note of mention on ‘‘keep-
ing up with the church’’: if for no
other reason, to read the Recorder in
these times will enable the reader to
know who the candidates are, their
propositions and their proposed
obligation to the church in their pro-
nouncements for whatever office they
aspire to.
The next time you go into a bank,
look upon the desks of the bank of-
ficers and you will note the following
papers: Wall Street Journal, New
York Times, U.S.A. Today, and other
notable papers of the bank officers’
section. Note. Occasionally, you will
detect a bank officer (during his spare
time) looking into his paper, turning
from page to page. He is keeping up
with the ‘‘day-to-day’’ America.
So, when your Christian Recorder
comes to you, don’t lay it aside, feel-
ing you have satisfied your annual con-
ference requirement to ‘‘How many
>?
Read Editor Reid’s A.M.E. Chris-
tian Recorder and his editorials. “Keep
up with the A.M.E, Church!”
Dr. J. W. Yancy, I
The Roving Editor
Continued from page 6
Hunter Seeks General
Office
Reverend Hunter, a native of
Donaldsonville, Georgia, was educated
at Morris Brown College, Turner
Theological Seminary and the Atlanta
University Graduate School of Social
Work. He is married to the former
Virignia Blake, a schoolteacher, and they
have two sons Carl II and David.
degree of professionalism and
===== DSC05515.JPG =====
May 16, 1988
Mother Bethel A.M.E. Church—Philadelphia, PA
First District Resolution Shows Unity
Bishop F. C. Cummings
Mrs. Martha Cummings
Whereas: In 1984, in the City of Kansas City, MO, the Episcopal Committee assigned to
this First Episcopal District the Rt. Reverend Frank Curtis Cummings, the 95th Bishop
of the church;
And Whereas: He introduced to this District an attitude of Christ-like love and concern
for all the sheep, as both he and his queenly wife elected not to be satisfied with written
nor verbal reports, but, in the spirit of our sainted founder, Richard Allen, embarked
upon a campaign to visit every church in each of the six Annual Conferences, from
BERMUDA, the land of pink sands and azure blue skies, to the New England
Conference where, in the fall, the foliage speaks in tones comparable to the multi-
talented servant of the church of whom we speak, to the EMPIRE STATE OF NEW
YORK, which, under his undaunted leadership and guidance, gave to this country a
Congressman, to the Garden State and the NEW JERSEY ANNUAL
CONFERENCE where the grass is greener and the constituents of African Methodism
have elected to adapt the state’s slogan to express their affection and esteem for this great
leader, “FRANK CURTIS CUMMINGS, NEW JERSEY AND YOU, PERFECT
TOGETHER,” to the GREAT FIRST STATE OF DELAWARE, where that patriot,
Richard Allen trod, likewise this matchless leader leads a great host of African
Methodists during our Bi-centennial year in a motorcade which planted markers for
generations of African Methodists yet unborn to witness, that not only such notables as
Absalom Jones and Francis Asbury would have their names etched in the annuals of
history, but that history would be incomplete until the name of Frank Curtis Cummings
is inscribed, and, finally, on to the cradle of African Methodism, the PHILADELPHIA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE, the Mother Conference, where this indomitable leader
dared to dream of a Headquarters for this District which will be second to none; also,
under his supervision, the restoration of Mother Bethel, the cathedral of African
Methodism, is a reality;
And Whereas: Let the record show the many new churches, parsonages, and other
church-related properties acquired during this quadrennial;
And Whereas: From the inception of his administration to this present moment, this
Spirit-Filled Leader has not conducted the affairs of his office with an iron fist, but an
attitude of love and compassion and peace, admonishing us at times to “BE SWEET—
IT’S NICE TO BE NICE”;
And Whereas: His capable consort, Mrs. Martha C. Cummings, has graced the many
pulpits of this district, exuding her charm and grace as she has allowed the Lord to use
her to challenge both youth and adults to strive for masteries through Jesus Christ;
Be It Resolved: That the First District Delegation of the 43rd session of the General
Conference, meeting in Fort Worth, Texas, carry the following message to the full
legislative body:
1. We, the constituents of the First District, are, unequivocally, unalterably opposed to
any proposed movement geared to moving ALL OF THE BISHOPS
2. We, in the First District are a family of believers who seek to build bridges, and wish
not to be divided by chasms. Hence, we voice our opposition to any plan to
redistricting which is bent upon disrupting the present family structure of this district.
Be It Further Resolved: That this District is satisfied with its plan of operation and
firmly committed that the man to guide this ship for the next four years, as we turn the
corner into the third century of African Methodism, is Bishop Frank C. Cummings
Be It Further Resolved: That this district charge the representatives elected to represent
them at the General Conference (and especially those representatives to the Episcopal
Committee) with its primary concern and task being to work for the return of the
Cummings Team for four more years of continued, superlative leadership in this
First Episcopal District.
Be It Finally Resolved: That we praise Almighty God for an unselfish bridge builder
named Frank Curtis Cummings who continues to labor with a PLAN, a PURPOSE
and a PASSION, summed up by the words from the pen of Will Allen Dromgoole
“The Bridge Builder”
An old man going on a long highway came at the evening, cold
and gray, to a chasm vast, and wide, and steep, with waters rolling
cold and deep. The old man crossed in the twilight dim, for the
sullen stream held no fears for him; But he turned, when safe on
the other side, and began to build a bridge to span the tide
“Old Man,” said a fellow pilgrim near, “you are wasting your
strength with building here. And your journey will end with the
fading day, and you never again will pass this way, You've crossed
the chasm, deep and wide, so why build you this bridge at
eventide?”
Then the builder lifted his head, “Good friend, in the path I have
come,” he said, “there followeth after me today a youth, whose
feet must also pass this way. The chasm that was nought to me to
that bright-eyed youth, may a pitfall be; He, too, must cross in the
twilight dim, good friend, | am building this bridge for him,”
Respectfully submitted,
(Rey.) Charles E, Martin
Resident Minister
Monumental AME Church
Steelton, Pennsylvania
Gen. Conf, Delegate
The AME Christian Recorder
Connectional Christian Debutante—
Master Dedication Commission
TO: Presiding Elders, Pastors, Directors of Christian Education, Y.P.D. and
W.M.S. Presidents, Sunday School Superintendents and Teachers, Youth
Choir, and Youth Usher Supervisors, Youth Lay Organization Leaders,
Other Youth Group Leaders of the A.M.E. Local Church, Concerned
Parents, Relatives and Interested Friends of Young People.
FROM: Dr. Julma B. Crawford, Connectional Administrator, Connectional Chris-
tain DMC, 1744 East 73rd Place, Chicago, IL 60649 (1-312-752-6199).
The Connectional DMC Planning Committee is requesting your cooperation in
the presentation of the Tenth Quadrennial Christian Debutante-Master Dedication
Ceremony on Sunday July 10, 1988 at the seat of the 43rd General Conference of the
A.M.E. Church. The location is Fort Worth, Texas and the hour is 5:00 P.M.
: The purpose of this activity is to afford a Christian Church setting, whereby young
ladies and gentlemen entering adulthood may be introduced to church society and
dedicate their lives to continued and greater service for Christ.
PARTICIPANTS AND FEES
Group |: Debutantes, Exemplary unmarried young ladies between the ages of
17 (by December 1988) and 20. Their attire must be traditional long
white formal gowns, white gloves, pearl button earrings, and a single
strand white pearl necklace. Dresses must have the ‘‘covered look’’
(i.e., no plunging necklines, backless creations or ‘split’ skirts in
front or back, and certainly no trains or head attire). Sponsors are re-
quested to check their Debutantes to avoid problems. Debutantes do
not need escorts because they enter the auditorium following the
procession of the Masters. Each Debutante will have a floral bou-
quet provided by our DMC Committee.
Registration Fee: $85.00. In addition to the flowers, the fee includes
all study materials, gifts, leather bound
gold inscribed certificates, several meal
functions and many extras.
Group 2: Masters, Exemplary unmarried young men between the ages of 17
(by December 31, 1988) and 20. They are to wear white formal attire
with cummerbunds (color choice to be decided upon) and matching
bow ties. The Masters begin the ceremonial procession of honorees.
They do not accompany the Debutantes.
Registration Fee: $85.00. 1n addition to their boutonniere, study
materials, leather bound gold inscribed cer-
tificates and meal functions, they also
receive a unique keepsake.
Group 3; Subdebutantes: Exemplary young ladies between the ages of 15 (by
July 10, 1988) and 16. Their attire is pastel colored dresses (no mini
skirts and preferably no prints). Short white gloves should also be
worn. Their corsages are supplied by the committee. They also
receive unique leather bound certificates, meal functions, study
materials and a special gift.
Group 4: ; Exemplary young gentlemen between the ages of 15 (by
July 10, 1988) and 16. Their attire is dark suits, white shirts and
neckties. (No bow ties, please). Their boutonnieres are supplied by
are a part of the Subdeb package.
Registration Fee: $70 90. = -
All of the above young people will march in the processional and have group par-
ticipation on the program. Their songs, pageantry formations, tableaux and choral
readings will be an inspiration to all who witness this moving demonstration for Christ.
CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS
Church organizations are encouraged to sponsor at least one young person in each
category by helping to defray their expenses and putt an article of F in
feature a picture and profile resume of each young person.
BOOK LISTINGS (812"" x 11” pages) are:
Poll Page... i. .056 $150.00 (Picture, glossy black & white—$10.00 extra)
aE PORE iiss a0 55 Sas 85.00 (Picture, glossy black & white—$10.00 extra)
Quarter Page........... 45.00 (Print only—no picture)
Sponsor Listing......... 10.00 and up
Please Note: No church listings only—or candidates seeking A.M.E. Offices. That
material should be in the General Conference Souvenir Journal only,
DUTIES OF CHURCH SPONSORS
1. Provide transportation and housing for your young people Saturday and
Sunday, July 9 and 10, 1988.
2. Check their processional attire for complete conformity with guidelines,
3 Encourage others to attend the ceremony, 5:00 P.M., Sunday, July 10, 1988
in Fort Worth, Texas.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY NUMBER ONE
Last quadrenaium at the New Orleans General Dedication, a
queen were crowned and monetary U. S. Savings Bonds presented to them. This is a
fund raising feature provided only for the young people who wish to compete. Credit is
given to them for all ads and sponsor listings sent in their names. Interested persons are
invited to participate. The deadline date for all funds is May 4, 1988, Monies received
after that date cannot be counted in the contest.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITY NUMBER TWO—“Distinguished A.M.E, Ladiex and
Gentlemen of the Bicentennial’
This is a processional category for adults who wish to help underwrite the cost of
the Youth Reception which follows the ceremony, and the cost of a professional video
taping of the entire program. They will escort the A.M.E.
Episcopal etc.) to seats in a reserved section
Identified by beautiful ribbon sashes (women) and boutonnieres (men), they will play
an important role prior to the entrance of the honorees. More details on requext. '
Make ail inquiries in writing to; DMC Headquarters
1744 Bast 7ird Place
Chicago, IL 60649
Make all checks payable ta: DMC-AME Church—and send to the above address.
Dr, Julma 8, Crawford, tional Administrator, Debutante-Master
Commission (DMO), 1744 East 73rd Place, Chicago, II. 60649
Mrs. Sally B. Coleman, 10th District, Director YPD-AMEC
2129 Avenue N, Galveston, TX 77580 :
Mrs, lzean F, Davidson, 10th District Director of Christian Education
4809 Rolling Hills Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76119
For 6th District contact:
Mrs. Estoria H Lae, 6th Enplacopal District Conbectional Dasicaicn StF
, Post Office Box 19673, At 6 oss .
Please help ws make this oecasion & grandeur “mountain Lop experience to be
long remembered!
_——
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10
The AME Christian Recorder
May 16, 1988
Rev. James L. McIntyre
As our General Church was taking
great pride in celebrating its 200 years
of Christendom, so was Bryant Chapel
A.M.E. Church taking equal pride in
reflecting on its founding and
celebrating 100 years of serving the
people in and around the Birmingham
area.
Bryant Chapel had humble begin-
nings in 1887 and was located at three
different sites before being erected
under the pastorate of the late Rever-
end J. Thomas Jamar at its present
site, 3125 Spaulding Street, S.W., Bir-
mingham, Alabama. Major strides and
accomplishments were made under
past ministries with its present pastor,
Reverend James L. McIntyre, realizing
even continuous achievements and
greater service.
Organization of the church for its
Centennial Celebration was done very
early in 1987, and the month of No-
vember was designated as the time for
a concentrated launch of programs
celebrating our ancestry of the church,
our present acknowledgments and our
future opportunities. Thusly, Govern-
or Guy Hunt proclaimed ‘‘the month
of November, 1987, to be Bryant Cha-
pel A.M.E. Church Month in Ala-
bama’’ and set his signature and seal
to the proclamation he issued on the
first day of October, 1987.
Committees met, teams organized
and plans began to evolve. The entire
membership was spirited to celebrate.
From the general theme “One Hun-
dred Years: A Commitment of Chris-
tian Service’’ came various subthemes
commensurate with the different fa-
cets of programs, speakers or types of
presentations to elucidate the themes.
Each Sunday morning during the
month of November, Reverend McIn-
tyre conducted the eleven o’clock wor-
ship hour, contemporizing his sermons
with Biblical concepts and fundamen-
tal principles. Each Sunday afternoon
featured a differential segment of the
theme. Each night during the week of
November 16-19, a program was done
by members of the boards/organiza-
tions of the church. Marked by variety
but with the same general focus, the
members enthusiastically presented
recognitions, memorials, discourses,
skits, playlets and refreshments.
The first Sunday afternoon Dr.
Leroy Johnson, president of Miles
College, gave the keynote address in
which he historically out-lined the
issues, course of action determined,
resolvability attended upon in our
church of the past; concluding with
challenges, stimulations and our sum-
mon to action in our second century.
/ The Honorable Richard Arrington,
Jr., Mayor of the City, furthered the
discourse the second Sunday after-
noon with an in-depth depiction of “‘A
Century of Politics: Progress and Fu-
ture Challenges.’’ After projecting the
role of the Black church in politics
historically, Mayor Arrington explain-
ed vividly the relationship of the pre-
sent-day church to politics—strides
made and future possibilities.
There was a celebration of ‘‘A Cen-
tury of Praise’? with An Evening in
Songs/Musical Extravaganza presented
the third Sunday afternoon by the
Greater Bethel A.M.E. Allegro Choir
of Nashville, Tennessee, accompanied
here by its pastor, officers, members
and Presiding Bishop families,
Recollections of our ancestors’ en-
treaties and days of reverent petitions
were brought to mind through the
Saturday morning ‘‘Old Fashion Cen-
tennial Prayer Brunch’’ with local
guests and The Prayer Band. Members
dressed fashionably as our forefathers
may have, and the Youth Adult
Church purchased, prepared and serv-
ed the breakfast.
The weekly night programs ended
on November 20 with the Centennial
Banquet/Hall of Fame at the Hilton
Hotel. ‘‘Retooling for our Second
Century’’ was the theme. Special
recognition was given to 34 members
who have been in service at Bryant
Chapel for 50 years or more. Special
tributes were programmed for each
honoree. A framed service certificate
and a City of Birmingham Official Seal
lapel pin, compliments of the Mayor’s
office, were presented to each honoree
by Reverend McIntyre. Additionally,
the two members with the most years
of service (63 years each) were
presented yellow roses. We were hon-
ored with the presence of Reverend J.
F. Holmes, Presiding Elder, West Bir-
mingham—Ensley District; Mrs.
Holmes, and Bishop Frank M. Reid,
Jr. Presiding Elder Holmes presented
to Pastor McIntyre the engraved pla-
que with the names and dates of mem-
bership for 34 honorees. This engraved
plaque will be in constant display at
the church. Presiding Elder Holmes
congratulated not only the honorees
but also the church for such a celebra-
tion of recognitions. Bishop Reid gave
some very inspirational and compli-
mentary remarks before giving the
benediction. Door prizes and center-
piece auction were added attractions.
The Centennial Celebration was
brought to a dramatic climax the last
Sunday in November by Bishop Frank
M. Reid, Jr., Presiding Bishop of the
Ninth Episcopal District, who sum-
marized the theme in a perspective of
historical past, influencing develop-
ments, and historical present. His
repeated call to the church for
“‘What’s next?’’ was one focus of his
message as he challenged and sum-
moned the members to retool for sec-
ond century progress and productivity
through a more dynamic outreach pro-
gram.
Bryant Chapel is thankful for our
Centennial Year, having become a
stronger membership through its cele-
bration. While much was accomplish-
ed during the past 100 years, many
challenges remain. It is with hope for
the future and confidence in our ability
to meet these challenges that we retool
for our second century continuing a
philosophy with a foundation in ser-
vice.
IF FOLK DID
NOT CARRY
GOSSIP
IT WOULD GO
SO FAR
SDE —"
BEARING THE CROSS: Martin
Luther King, Jr. and the Southern
Christian Leadership Conference is the
most comprehensive book ever written
about King—a compelling personal
narrative of the man who became the
international symbol of the American
civil rights movement.
David J. Garrow explains the in-
tensely emotional spiritual growth that
King experienced as he found himself
transformed from a twenty-six-year-
old pastor of a modest church in
Montgomery, Alabama, into the fore-
most spokesman of the Black freedom
struggle. He details King’s ambiva-
lence about being cast in the role of
leader and his realization that as he
was drawn more deeply into the civil
rights movement of the early 1960’s,
control of his life was effectively being
taken from him. Martin Luther King,
Jr.’s mission and life were to be his
fate, and his remarkable public role in
the struggle against those three prin-
cipal evils—discrimination, poverty,
violence—meant not only giving his
life to the movement, but giving it for
the movement.
Based on more than 700 recorded
conversations, including interviews
with all of King’s closest surviving as-
sociates—among them Andrew
Young, Jesse Jackson, Ralph Aber-
nathy, and Coretta Scott King—as well
as with dozens of his former col-
leagues and a number of people who
worked against him, this powerful ac-
count is also enhanced by Garrow’s
use of King’s personal papers, the ar-
chives of dozens of organizations and
individuals, and by tens of thousands
of pages of newly released FBI docu-
ments detailing the activities of King
and his closest colleagues, including
hundreds of wiretapped, transcribed
phone conversations between King and
his advisors.
BEARING THE CROSS received
the 1987 Pulitzer Prize for Biography
in addition to the Seventh Annual
Robert Kennedy Book Award.
About The Author:
David J. Garrow is a graduate of
Wesleyan University and received his
M.A. and Ph.D. from Duke Universi-
ty. He has held appointments at Duke,
The University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, and the Institute for Ad-
vanced Study at Princeton. He is pres-
ently professor of political science at
the City College of New York (CCNY)
and the City University Graduate
Center. He was senior advisor to the
PBS TV documentary history of the
American civil rights movement, Eyes
on the Prize and is the author of the
highly acclaimed The FBI and Martin
Luther King, Jr.: From Solo to Mem-
Dhis as well as the prize winning Protest
at Selma: Martin Luther King Jr., and
the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
We are clever individuals, practiced at the
art of self-deception when it is too painful
to face or own inner truths.
—A. Lee Henderson
===== DSC05517.JPG =====
May 16, 1988
The AME Christian Recorder
Annual Conferences Schedules
FIRST EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
BISHOP FRANK C. CUMMINGS
PHILADELPHIA ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
May 17, 1988
WMS Conference
May 18-22, 1988
Hickman Temple A.M.E. Church
Baltimore Ave. at 50th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19143
The Rev. J. D. Patterson, Host Pastor
Church Telephone: (215) 476-5340/747-0881
Pastor’s Telephone: (215) 472-5905
The Rev. A. McNeil White, Host P.E.
SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E. CHURCH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
BISHOP JOHN HURST ADAMS
WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
May 24-27, 1988
Bethel A.M.E. Church
200 Regan Street
Greensboro, NC 27401
The Rev. M. T. Wilson, Host Pastor
Church Telephone: (919) 273-5268
Pastor’s Telephone: (919) 852-0731
SECOND EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
PLANNING MEETING
June 16-18, 1988
Bethel A.M.E. Church
Druid Hill & Lanvale Streets
Baltimore, MD 21217
The Rev. John R. Bryant, Host Pastor
Church Telephone: (301) 523-3273
Pastor’s Telephone: (301) 542-2902
SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
AME CHURCH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
BISHOP F. H. TALBOT
MACON GEORGIA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
May 25-29, 1988
Wesley Chapel A.M.E. Church
Milledgeville, GA
The Rev. C. H. Boddy, Host Pastor
The Rev. William Carter, Host P.E.
ATLANTA-NORTH GEORGIA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
June 1-5, 1988
Big Bethel A.M.E. Church
Atlanta, GA
The Rev. McKinley Young, Host Pastor
The Rev. W. L. Scarbrough, Host P.E.
POST CONFERENCE
CONVOCATION
June 18, 1988
Steward Chapel A.M.E. Church
Macon, GA
10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
The Rev. C. E. Shepherd, Host Pastor
The Rev. R. H. Martin, Host P.E.
FOURTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E CHURCH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE SCHEDULE
BISHOP S. S. MORRIS
CANADIAN ANNUAL
CONFERENCE
‘ August 11, 1988
WMS Conference
August 12-14, 1988
Tanner A.M.E. Church
727 McDougall Street
Windsor, Ontario, Canada
‘ Pastor's Phone; (517) 752-0474
The Rev. McKinley F. Tyler, Hast Pastor
The Rev, Lloyd O. Jenkins, Host P.E.
INDIANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE
August 16-17, 1988
WMS Conference
August 18-21, 1988
Bethel A.M.E. Church
200 South 6th Street
Richmond, IN 47373
Church Phone: (317) 962-7241
Pastor's Phone: (317) 962-6763
The Rev. Larry J. Bell, Host Pastor
The Rev. William S. Nelson, Host P.E.
The Rev. Handley A. Hickey, Assoc. P.E.
ILLINOIS ANNUAL CONFERENCE
August 30-31, 1988
WMS Conference
September 1-4, 1988
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
1130 South 16th Street
Springfield, IL 62703
Church Phone: (217) 522-4769
Pastor’s Phone: (217) 529-4053
The Rev. J. S. Benn III, Host Pastor
The Rey. Ivan J. Johnson, Host P.E.
The Rev. Richard D. Smith, Assoc. P.E.
MICHIGAN ANNUAL CONFERENCE
September 6-7, 1988
WMS Conference
September 8-11, 1988
St. John A.M.E. Church
505 Beechwood Street
River Rouge, MI 48218
Church Phone: (313) 386-2288
Pastor’s Phone: (313) 861-0281
The Rev. Armistice R. Polk, Host Pastor
The Rev. Martin L. Simmons, Host P.E.
The Rev. J. Allen Parker, Assoc. P.E.
CHICAGO ANNUAL CONFERENCE
September 20-21, 1988
WMS Conference
September 22-25, 1988
St. John A.M.E. Church
142 South Fourth Street
Aurora, IL 60505
Church Phone: (312) 898-5333
Pastor’s Phone: (312) 896-0696
The Rev. Jesse Hawkins, Host Pastor
The Rev. W. D. Davis, Jr., Host P.E.
The Rev. Roy L. Miller, Assoc. P.E.
The Rev. David C. Coleman, Assoc. P.E.
PLANNING COUNCIL
October 14-15, 1988
Bethel A.M.E. Church
414 West Vermont Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Church Phone: (317) 634-7002
Pastor’s Phone: (317) 2514777
The Rev. W. W. Reid, Sr., Host Pastor
Attend
Annual
Conference
Dr. R. J. King
9th District
Dr. Robert Phillips
4th District
Dr. A. D. Tyson
Ist District
4
Dr. G. E. West
12th District
Dr. Thomas Brown
8th District
Dr. G. L. Champion
14th District
F a
Dr. D. C. Coleman
4th District
Dr. John H. Gillison
7th District
Dr. R. J. Hampton
12th District
a)
Rev. Louise Harris
3rd District
Dr. Ira Hinson
11th District
Dr. U. H. Hughey
3rd District
Dr. Robert Keesee
13th District
Rev. Elizabeth Scott
3rd District
Dr. Jno. Walker
10th District
Dr. Preston Williams
6th District
Dr. John R. Bryant
2nd District
|
Dr. Richard Allen Chappelle
General Officer
Rey. Albert Dunn
10th District
Dr. Z. L. Grady
8th District
Dr. David F. Harris
10th District
Dr. C. G. Henning
Sth District
Rev. Carrie Hooper
Ist District
Dr. Lovell Johnson
4th District
Dr. E. E. McAshan
Ist District
Dr. Robert Thomas, Jr.
4th District
Dr. Robert Webster
11th District
Dr. McKinley Young
6th District
===== DSC05518.JPG =====
hn
The AME Christian Recorder
May 16, 1988
VA Budget Request for Fiscal Year 1989 Totals $30.1 Billion
The Veterans Administration’s bud-
get for fiscal year 1989 asks for $30.1
billion in new budget authority to fund
medical, compensation, and other pro-
grams for the nation’s 27.5 million vet-
erans, eligible members of their fam-
ilies, and survivors of deceased vet-
erans.
Included in the total is an appropria-
tion request for $27.9 billion, a net
amount of $1.5 billion related to pro-
posed legislation and $694 million in
permanent authorizations and offset-
ting receipts. The appropriations re-
quest is an increase of $865 million
over funds appropriated for fiscal year
1988.
Noting that the President’s budget is
in compliance with the bipartisan bud-
get agreement, VA Administrator
Thomas K. Turnage said, ‘‘the VA’s
share will allow us to provide full ben-
efits to those eligible as well as quality
medical care to America’s disabled
and needy veterans in keeping with
one of this Administration’s highest
priorities.”’
The $27.9 billion appropriations re-
quest provides $16 billion for benefits
programs, $10.6 billion for medical
care and $501 million for construction.
Total Agency full-time equivalent em-
ployment is expected to be 219,830,
down 2,439 from that currently esti-
mated for 1988 as productivity is in-
creased, in part, through the introduc-
tion of new technology.
Proposed legislation includes $361
million to fund a 4.2 percent compen-
sation cost-of-living increase, $19 mil-
lion for an increase in per diem rates
for the State Home Program, and $5
million to provide tuition reimburse-
ment for nursing personnel taking
nursing degree-related courses. Also
included under proposed legislation, as
part of the Administration’s Credit
Reform proposals, is an appropriation
request of $1.3 billion which is an esti-
mate of the subsidy value of VA home
loan guarantees expected to be made
in 1989.
Veterans’ Benefits
VA’s $10.7 billion request, under
existing law, for compensation pay-
ments is based on estimates that 2.2
million veterans with service-connect-
ed disabilities will remain eligible for
monthly payments, along with 323,000
survivors of veterans who died of serv-
ice-connected causes, This funding re-
flects the full year impact of the 4.2
percent compensation rate increase
provided all recipients effective
December 1, 1987. Another 4.2 per-
cent increase in compensation pay-
ments proposed to be effective De-
cember 1, 1988, would bring the total
to $11.1 billion.
Legislation will be reintroduced to
index compensation payments to the
annual change in the Consumer Price
Index (CPI) to guarantee a full and
timely cost-of-living adjustment to
compensation beneficiaries, protecting
them from the erosion of their benefits
by inflation and the uncertainties of
annually legislated COLAs.
The budget requests $3.9 billion to
provide pension payments, based on
financial need, to 597,000 permanently
and totally disabled wartime veterans
and 564,000 survivors of wartime vet-
erans. The funds include the 4.2 per-
cent cost-of-living increase provided to
Improved Law recipients in December
1987 and an estimated 4.2 percent in-
crease to be effective in December
1988. These COLAs are based on the
actual change in the CPI and are auto-
matically applied at the time Social
Security payments are raised.
An appropriation of $598 million is
requested for readjustment benefits
for veterans education and training
programs. It is estimated that due to
fewer veterans having eligibility under
old GI Bills, obligations for these
older education programs will decrease
by nearly $98 million in 1989. How-
ever, this decrease is more than offset
by two increases. Funding for the basic
benefits of the Montgomery GI Bill,
also included in this appropriation re-
quest, would increase by $35.5 million
to $55.9 million. In addition to these
funds, $203 million, an increase of
almost $71 million, would be trans-
ferred from the Department of De-
fense to provide supplemental educa-
tion benefits to 41,500 veterans and
185,300 reservists training under the
Montgomery GI Bill.
A request for $658 million is includ-
ed to support operations of the Home
Loan Guaranty Revolving Fund, to be
reduced by $246 million when the Ad-
ministration’s proposed Credit Re-
form is implemented. The VA also
proposes to sell $561 million in port-
folio loans and nearly $780 million in
current vendee loans, without re-
course.
Legislation again is being proposed to
allow veterans to negotiate the interest
rate on VA-guaranteed mortgages,
providing maximum flexibility to vet-
erans to structure the financing of their
home purchases. It is projected that
232,600 loans worth a total of $17.9
billion will be guaranteed in 1989.
Medical Care
The budget will allow the VA to
provide quality health care to an esti-
mated 1.2 million inpatients treated
and for an estimated 23.1 million out-
patient treatments. The VA’s nation-
wide medical care system includes 172
hospitals, 235 outpatient clinics, 126
nursing homes and 27 domiciliaries.
The VA is requesting $10.3 billion
for direct medical care, an increase of
$208 million over the fiscal year 1988,
with an average employment level of
192,358 in the health care system.
The budget provides for the effects
of expected inflation, for the funding
and staffing requirements associated
with opening new facilities, for in-
creased payroll costs, and for several
new and expanded initiatives. The in-
itiatives involve areas such as the De-
centralized Hospital Computer Pro-
gram (DHCP); redesign of the VA’s
personnel accounting and information
system called PAID, initiation of an
Integrated Supply Management Sys-
tem (ISMS); enhancement of the Med-
ical District Initiated Peer Review
Organization (MEDIPRO), and in-
creased funding support for the state
King Commemorative Poster to
Feature Withers Photographs
Five historic photographs of Dr.
Martin Luther King, Jr., taken by well-
known Black photojournalist Ernest
Withers, Sr., of Memphis, Tennessee
will be featured on a commemorative
poster. The poster will be released to
commemorate the twentieth anniver-
sary of the death of Dr. King and the
struggles of the Civil Rights Move-
ment. The poster’s theme is ‘‘Lest We
Forget... The Movement..The Man. te
The poster was developed by the
Civil Rights Research and Documenta-
tion Project of the Afro-American
Studies Program at The University of
Mississippi. According to Dr. Ronald
Bailey, program director, ‘‘this poster
is a reminder of the important con-
tributions of the Civil Rights Move-
ment and the role played by Dr.
Bailey added that the poster also
highlights ‘‘the unheralded work of
Mr. Withers in documenting the move-
ment for the benefit and enlightment
of many generations to come. These
pictures are important texts for the
, study of Black history and the history
of the United States.”
Five photographs are featured on
the poster. They portray Dr. King tak-
ing a ride with Rev. Abernathy after
the desegregation of Montgomery,
Alabama, city busses in 1956 and ad-
dressing a Senatobia, Mississippi, rally
after an assassination attempt against
James Meredith in 1966. King is also
pictured in 1968 speaking at Mason
Temple rally in Memphis and march-
ing with striking AFSCME sanitation
workers. A photo of the mass march
escorting Dr. King’s body during
funeral services in Atlanta is also in-
cluded.
Bailey said the photograph of the
funeral march shows Reverend Jesse
Jackson carrying a flag at the forefront
of the march. ‘‘Jesse Jackson’s cam-
paign for the Presidency of the United
States is a direct outgrowth of the ad-
vances of the mass struggles of the
Civil Rights movement,’’ he added.
“This photograph, like many in Mr.
Wither’s collection, represents links
between the past, the present and the
future.”’
The two-color poster, which
measures 22 inches by 34 inches, is be-
ing distributed by Heritage Posters,
P.O. Box 1668, Oxford, MS 38655.
According to Dr. Bailey, most of
the proceeds from the sale of the
poster will be used for educational
projects, including preserving Mr.
Withers’ collection and documenting
other important events of the period.
Born in Memphis in 1922, Mr.
Withers picked up his camera at the
age of fourteen or so. His photographs
have since appeared in Time,
Newsweek, Ebony, People, Jet, New
York Times, Washington Post, and
many Black newspapers, and in such
video productions as ‘‘Eyes on the
Prize.’’ In 1968, he received an award
from the National News Association
for the ‘‘Best Photograph of the
Year.’’ In addition, his work has ap-
peared in numerous exhibits and
books. Mr. Withers operates a
photography studio in Memphis, Ten-
nessee.
G2 «OHO? ALON? “AOHO?
Don’t Give a
Piece of Your
‘ Mind Unless ;
You Have
Reserves!
Ou” AON” “OHO”*
and community pursing homes pro-
grams,
The budget also includes funding, to
be formally requested when authoriz-
ing legislation is enacted, that would:
(a) increase per diem rates paid by the
VA for the care of veterans in state
veterans homes by 22.9 percent and,
(b) fund a program of tuition reim-
bursement for VA nurses in degree-
related programs.
Medical and prosthetic research
would be funded at $204.2 million, an
increase of $11.3 million over 1988.
The funding will support research pro-
grams for important areas, such as
AIDS, Agent Orange, aging, health of
former prisoners of war, women vet-
erans, alcoholism, spinal cord injury,
preventive health activities, pros-
thetics/amputations, and Post Trau-
matic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Construction
The 1989 budget requests $367.8
million for major construction pro-
jects, $123.9 million for minor projects
and $9 million for the Parking Garage
Revolving Fund.
Among the major medical construc-
tion projects are $63.2 million for a
clinical addition and parking garage at
the Atlanta, GA, VA medical center,
and $52 million for a replacement fa-
cility at the Pittsburgh (Aspinwall Di-
vision) VA medical center. Design
funds are requested for clinical im-
provements and a mental health and
behavioral sciences center at the Indi-
anapolis VA medical center ($8.4 mil-
lion), and modernization of the New-
ington, CT, VA medical center ($5.3
million).
A replacement 600-bed domiciliary
at the Mountain Home, TN, VA med-
ical center ($32 million), and a 120-bed
nursing home care unit at the Tampa
VA medical center ($6.7 million), are
also included. Clinical improvements
are planned at the VA medical centers
in Beckley, WV ($15.7 million), Nash-
ville, TN ($42 million) and Pery Point,
MD ($12.2 million). A 30-bed spinal
cord injury unit will be built at the San
Antonio, TX, VA medical center ($8
million).
Funding is also included for grave-
site development at the Calverton Na-
tional Cemetery on Long Island, NY
($12.5 million), and the relocation of
the VA Regional Office in Montgom-
ery, AL, to the VA medical center
grounds ($6.6 million).
Under the Grants for Construction
of State Extended Care Facilities ap-
propriation, $42 million has been re-
quested to provide for 732 new nursing
home beds, 22 domiciliary beds and
nine nursing home renovation pro-
jects.
General Operating Expense
The General Operating Expenses ap-
propriation request is for $771.3 mil-
lion and 17,494 full-time equivalent
employees. This funding would sup-
port 12,308 full-time equivalent em-
ployees in the Department of Veterans
Benefits (DVB), 1,203 in the Depart-
ment of Memorial Affairs, and 3,983
in the staff offices. These levels will
allow VA to continue to provide qual-
ity services in a timely manner.
Also requested under this heading is
$9 million to revitalize the program of
grants for the construction of state vet-
erans cemeteries.
DVB will begin a Loan Guaranty
Property Management Pilot Project to
evaluate the feasibility and cost-effec-
tiveness of contracting out the acquisi-
tion, management and resale of the
Please turn to page 13
===== DSC05522.JPG =====
May 16, 1988
The AME Christian Recorder
Connectional WMS President Williams OK with Okies
by Hortense McCullough
Oklahoma City, OK — Mrs. Delores
L. K. Williams, WMS Connectional
President, was greeted at the Will Ro-
gers World Airport with all the pomp
and circumstances befitting her office.
She responded with the sincere warmth
and goodwill that touched everyone
who was fortunate enough to be in her
presence, at any time during her week-
end visit as guest of the Lucy M.
Hughes Missionary Society of First
A.M.E. Church of Oklahoma City
where Crystle Gabriel is local WMS
President and Rev. Charles T. Carring-
ton is pastor.
Mrs. Williams seemed genuinely im-
pressed as she disembarked and Ger-
trude Newsome, chairperson of the
event, dubbed her Honorary Mayor
presenting her with the certificate sign-
ed by Mayor Ron T. Norick of Okla-
homa City and presented her with a
cowboy hat and bandana, true sym-
bols of the great state of Oklahoma.
Representatives of local Missionary
Societies in the Twelfth Episcopal Dis-
trict greeted her with blazons of blue
and white slogans while local YPD’ers,
all dressed in green and white, wel-
comed her with flowers and banners
that they themselves had made.
Donning their glittering finery and
Sunday best, a host of Officers,
Pastors, Laymen, and friends of the
A.M.E. Church came from far and
near to meet and greet Mrs. Williams
at the Get-Acquainted affair held in
her honor in the beautifully decorated
Stars Room of the Lincoln Plaza
Hotel. Among those to greet Mrs.
Williams at this gala affair was Mrs.
Flossie Walker, Episcopal Supervisor
of the 12th District. Accompanying
Mrs. Walker from Arkansas was an
entourage of WMS ladies among
whom was Mrs. Phyllis Lamb, the
12th District WMS Episcopal Presi-
dent, who in celebration of Mrs.
Williams’ recent birthday presented
her with an autographable stuffed
animal that all Missionary Women in
attendance signed before the evening
ended.
A gift in the name of the Y.P.D. was
presented by Mrs. Cordelia Bennett,
Y.P.D. Director of the 12th District as
well as presentations made by Confer-
ences throughout the District. Thank-
ing God and all her benefactors, Mrs.
Williams graciously accepted the
momentos of her visit and appealed to
the animated audience to ‘‘make the
difference that makes a difference’ by
also giving, praying and working to
ease the burdens of the less fortunate.
The evening activities were punctuated
with a delicious dinner, warm
fellowship, beautiful music provided
by Cory Gibson, an Episcopal Y.P.D.
Officer, and his guest soloist, Miss Liz
Vaughn, and it ended with a showing
of fashionable spring attire with Gloria
Hall, chairperson of area II of the
Oklahoma Conference, serving as
commentator. Cherri Brown, First
Vice-President of the Lucy M. Hughes
Missionary Society said, ‘‘We wanted
to make Mrs. Williams’ first visit to
Oklahoma City one that would show
her how much we love and appreciate
her and one that she could always
remember as a heartwarming experi-
ence with people of Oklahoma.
State House Representative Freddye
Williams best summed up the
welcome that President Crystal
Gabriel and all other members of Lucy
M. Hughes Society wanted to convey.
In her opening resolution at this Satur-
day evening social event, Represen-
tative Williams, borrowing from poet
;
,
el §
go.
Heading the line to congratulate Mrs. Williams after the morni ices i
I y : i rning services is Mrs. Grace Carr-
ington, First lady of First A.M.E. Church. On the platform with Mrs. Williams is Mrs.
Flossie Walker, 12th Episcopal District Supervisor.
i
FIRST A.M.E.
Oklahoma YPD’ers greet Mrs. Williams at Will Rogers World Airport.
Arthur Chapman, resolved:
We welcome you to Oklahoma,
One of the youngest of the fifty states.
Out where the skies are a little bit
bluer,
Out where the hearts are a little bit
truer,
Where the more the laughter
And the less the sighing,
And a man makes friends without half
the trying.
That’s where the west begun.
Land of teepees,
Land of towers,
Black Gold,
Wheat and Chattel;
But most of all,
A land of beautiful people.
The beautiful First Lady of Mission
responded in kind.
On Delores Williams
Truly a woman of God has passed
our way and left in her wake a clear
direction that maps out the purpose of
mission for all women missionaries
and all of God’s people. This seems to
be the prevailing impression left by
Mrs. Delores L. K. Williams, Coin-
nectional President of the Women’s
Missionary Society of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church on the
hundreds who met her in Oklahoma
City January 30th and 31st.
Mrs. Williams was the guest of the
Lucy M. Hughes Missionary Society
of the First A.M.E. Church of
Oklahoma City where Crystal Gabriel
is WMS President and Reverend
Charles T. Carrington is pastor.
The first Connectional WMS Presi-
dent ever to honor a local society in
the Twelfth Episcopal District, Mrs.
Williams took on the supreme mission
of bringing God’s message to remind
all Christians what quality of mission
work would make a difference.
“(Make a difference that makes a
difference’? was the challenge of her
brief message that highlighted the gala
get-acquainted dinner given in her
honor Saturday evening. ‘‘Even at an
affair such as this, imagine how many
hungry people we might have fed had
we each brought just one can,’’ was
just one example of several of her
practical suggestions for immediate
implementation of this mission. She
suggested that many A.M.E. Church
gatherings should double as an op-
portunity to feed the hungry, clothe
the children of unwed mothers, help
provide warmth and shelter for the
homeless. Her reminder to her listen-
ers was that God could use whatever
talents and services they had, and she
appealed to them to sign up for prayer
bands that she is in the process of
organizing. She challenged them to go
out into the field wherever there is a
need whether it be in Africa or Mis-
sissippi.
Mrs. Williams’ message of mission
was continued as she addressed the
congregation at the First A.M.E.
Church Sunday Morning Worship Ser-
vice. Mrs. Grace Carrington, the first
lady of First A.M.E. Church in-
troduced Mrs. Williams as ‘‘One who
communicates and promotes Christian
ideals; one who is applauded in Ameri-
ca as a spiritual leader; a beacon light
of leadership for the Women’s Mis-
sionary Society.’’ Such an apt de-
scription of this First Lady of Mission
became apparent to all who heard her
as she eloquently expanded on her
message that appealed for mission that
makes a difference. In her message,
“‘We are empowered by Christ for
Change in Jesus’ Name,’’ Mrs. Wil-
liams pronounced that the love we
have for one another must take a
rather concrete form such as clothing
the naked, feeding the hungry, visiting
the imprisoned, and setting free the
downtrodden. We must listen and
hear, in a sobbing world, the voices of
depression. We must avoid indif-
ference, an attitude that she believes is
the opposite of love and one that
shows a lack of concern for others as
long as all is right with us. We must
not lose sight of the inherent worth of
all souls. If we are to be empowered,
we must create a more just and pas-
sionate society. We are empowered to
do the work of justice by working to
change the system. Change cannot
come about if we conduct business as
usual. We must pray, ‘‘Here am I,
Lord, send me.”’
Thus was the message Mrs. Wil-
liams ended, ringing in the ears of the
Twelfth Episcopal District. It was a
challenge for all to heed.
Continued from page 8
Robert V. Webster Hosts
Bishop Senatle
concept of missions, administrative
skills, love for people and belief in the
principles upon which the A.M.E,
Church was founded, possesses those
attibutes that qualify him to serve as a
Bishop in our great Zion. We, there-
fore, most respectfully request of the
Church, to elect Robert V. Webster,
with his ecclesiastical insight, Bishop
of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church in July 1988, Ft. Worth, TX.
Candidate Webster agrees with
Bishop Senatle that since we are a
Connectional Church, every link of the
Denominational Chain must connect
wherever A.M.E.’s reside.
Dr. Beatrice Finn, Professor
Florida Community College
Jacksonville, Florida
Continued from page 12
VA Budget Request
VA’s property inventory.
Also included are the continuation
of the automated Personnel and Inte-
grated Date (PAID) redesign project,
the financial management system pro-
ject (FMS), and the conversion from
the existing telecommunications net-
work to the new Integrated Data Com-
munications Utility (IDCU).
Rev. Lewis E.
Grady, Jr.
B.S., M. DIV.
For
Cecil W. Howard
IS
The Choice
For General
Secretary
EEE
===== DSC05523.JPG =====
14
The AME Christian Recorder
Tennessee Student Really
Appreciates All Mom Does
Seeing everything that her mom does
gave ll-year-old Stephanie Bister of
Nashville, Tenn., the idea of a winning
Mother’s Day card. Stephanie has
been named the Tennessee State win-
ner in the sixth annual Kentucky Fried
Chicken/Good Housekeeping ‘‘All-
American Salute to Mothers’’ national
Mother’s Day greeting card contest,
Her card was selected from more than
half a million entries for its design,
concept and originality.
Stephanie, a sixth grader at David
Lipscomb Middle School, says she no-
ticed all the things her mom does for
her, then drew her award-winning card.
Since Stephanie’s mother is a social
worker, Stephanie depicted an office
and wrote these words on the front of
her card, ‘‘I see you in the morning go-
ing out the door, I see you in the office
typing up a storm.”’ Inside, she wrote,
s . I see how much you love me in
everything you do, I hope you know
that I love you too!’’ In addition to
drawing and writing, Stephanie enjoys
playing first base on her city league
baseball team,
To honor the state winner, Ken-
tucky Fried Chicken will award Ste-
phanie a Commodore C64 home com.
puter with disk drive and a special cer-
tificate of merit.
Stephanie’s card will be displayed in
a special exhibit in the lobby of the
Empire State Building in New York
City from May 2 through May 13,
1988. The exhibit will also include the
other 50 winners’ card (one from each
state plus the District of Columbia).
Fourth, fifth, and sixth grade teach-
ers in the nation’s 68,000 public,
private, and parochial schools received
free educational lesson plans designed
to teach children about creative ex-
pression as they enjoy making their
own Mother’s Day cards. More than
500,000 students participated in the
contest this year.
. -And The Beat Goes On’’
“Tribute to Black Women Today”
Charleston, WV—Allen Chapel Afri-
can Methodist Episcopal Church, un-
der the leadership of their new
pastor, the Reverend Vance L.
Milligan, sponsored the Charleston
area’s First Annual Black History
Banquet. The affair was held at the
Wilson Student Union on the campus
of West Virginia State College, under
the theme ‘‘Tribute to Black Women
Today.”’
The purpose of the banquet was to
recognize the successes and
achievements of Black Wonitr o# the
present. Critieria for selecting reci-
pients included their outstanding con-
tribution(s) in some area(s) to the
community. Keynote speaker for the
occasion was Mary Snow, principal of
Glenwood Elementary School and the
first Black principal in West Virginia
public education.
Receiving Brotherhood awards were
Mrs. Josephine Rayford, retired
educator, for excellence in civic service
and education; Mrs. Ethel Caffie-
Austin, director and educator for ex-
cellence in musical contributions to
the community; Ms. Nellie Walker,
Assistant Director Registration and
Admission, West Virginia State Col-
lege, for excellence in civic and philan-
thropic service; and Mr. Gaston
Caperton, founder and owner of
Caperton Insurance and WV
Democratic candidate for Governor,
for excellence in civic and philan-
thropic contributions to the communi-
ty.
Others recognized for their valuable
services to the community were Ms.
Patricia Petty, Mrs. Ruth Norman,
Mrs. Mary Snow, Mrs. Gloria Stewart,
Mrs. Regina Lipscomb, Mrs. Nancy
Starks, and Mr. and Mrs. William and
Annor Berkley.
Black women, obscure and famous,
have always been at the forefront of
the struggle to obtain equality and
freedom. When the annals of history
are written, reflected will be the tears,
the heartaches, the agonies, the
ecstasies and the glories of all Black
women. Until then, the march must
continue until the beat is made steady
for all.
— Re-Elect —
May 16, 1988
Pacific Southwest Conference on world
Christian Mission holds Conference
Seventy-five years ago hardy pio-
neers of the mission movement pitched
their tents on the sand dunes at the site
now known as Asilomar Conference
grounds and held the first of what has
evolved into a long series of World
Mission Conferences, Those are the in-
troductory words to the summer con-
ference brochure for the Pacific
Southwest Conference on World
Christian Mission.
The special anniversary emphasis
will give an overview of the changing
patterns of missionary thought and ac-
tivity during the last 75 years with vig-
nettes of people who have attended the
Conference at Asilomar—special mu-
sic— vespers on the dunes—celebra-
tive occasions.
Of prime importance will be the em-
phasis on the two ecumenical study
themes for 1988-89—‘‘South Africa’
and ‘‘Face of Poverty in Our Midst.’’
Continuing PSCWCM’s tradition of
bringing speakers from the area of the
world being studied, Dean Pattie Stern
announces that the Keynote Speaker
for South Africa will be the Rev. Nka-
tazo Ernest Baartman, Regional Su-
perintendent of the Methodist Church
in South Africa. Another South Afri-
can, Dr. Bonganjalo Goba will also be
on the faculty. Dr. Goba is the Assis-
tant Professor of Theology and Ethics,
Chicago Theological Seminary and pri-
or to that he served a United Congre-
gational church in Soweto.
In an interview format, the Rev.
Gene Boutilier will acquaint the con-
ferees with several persons who from
firsthand experience will share what
poverty can do to people and some of
the ways that changing systems will
help. Boutilier is the Director of the
Planning Department of the United
Way in Los Angeles.
The Rev. Harland Hogue will be the
Conference Preacher. Professor
Emeritus of Church History at the
Pacific School of Religion, Dr. Hogue
has authored many books and articles
and will bring personal experience to
this 75th anniversary year Conference.
Cynthia Felder-Wilson, Director of
Music, Grace United Methodist
Church, Arlington, Texas will be the
Music Director. She is a professional
performer, skilled in leading music,
and was the Music Leader for the 1986
United Methodist Women’s Assembly
in Anaheim, CA. She holds a Masters
of Sacred Music from Perkins School
of Theology and served on the com-
mittee which prepared The Songs of
Zion.
Programs for children, intermedi-
ates and youth will be provided, as well
as child care for toddlers and infants.
Insight Seminars related to the study
themes are planned and a Continuing
Education course will be led by the
Rev. William Creevey, Sustaining a
Prophetic Ministry in the Local Congre-
gations. Creevey is Pastor of the First
Presbyterian Church, Portland, OR.
The work at the Sunday School
Union speaks for itself.
Not only does it speak,
but it screams.
Re-Elect
DR. A. LEE
HENDERSON
en 2 sagt
in Methodist Episcopal
Dr. Joseph L. Joiner
Pension Department
‘(4 Faithful Servant’’
_ FAMILY BANQUET —
aN July 5, 1988 — 7:00 P.M
Perea County Convention ‘Center:
1111 Houston Street _ Ft. Worth, Tans
ELECT
Z. L. GRADY
The Record Shows That
HE IS ASERVANT PREACHER
Ready For Service As Bishop
In The Third Century
Please plan to stena this Seton: feature. We're ooking
forward to seeing you.
Reservations are already being made. Tickets are in the®
eres of each Episcopal District Bret, Ticket donation
$50.00.
Mrs. Izean F. Davidson, Chatejarsel
4509 Rolling Hills Dr., Ft. Worth, Texas 76119
Reverend W. D. Turner, Co-Chairperson
Mrs. Nancy P. Stokes, Advisor
The Right Reverend R. E. Stokes, Bishop
Tenth Episcopal District
ELECT
===== DSC05524.JPG =====
May 16, 1988
The AME Christian Recorder
=
an
The Woman Beside the Man
Mrs. R. J. King
Meet the Ninth Episcopal District’s
candidate’s wife! Time is running out
and, almost before we know it, all
members of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church will be heading to-
ward Texas—by plane, auto, train,
boat...in fact, by any type of transpor-
tation available—just so they can
reach the seat of the General Confer-
ence, especially, in time for passing
legislation and for the election of offi-
cers—and bishops, in particular.
The Ninth Episcopal District has
eyes on one individual to make it on
the first ballot. That individual is the
Reverend R. J. King, the esteemed
pastor of St. Luke A.M.E. Church,
Birmingham, Alabama. Why does
Alabama feel that their attention
should be focused on “the Kings?”
Well, members of the A.M.E. Church
around and across the connection
know “R. J.” very well. They know
his qualifications as a well-trained
minister. They know his friendly atti-
tude. They know that as a minister he
can set one’s soul on fire as he preaches
the Word. With all of his attributes,
however, Alabama is well aware of the
old, true saying, “Behind every great
man there is a woman.” Alabama
wants the connection to know that the
Reverend R. J. King has that type of
woman as his spouse, help-mate, wife,
friend, mother, loved one, in the
person of Jerry Hooks King.
Jerry is ready to assume her duties
as the supervisor of any episcopal dis-
trict in this great Church of Allen. Her
educational background is of the type
which has prepared her to “teach the
word” in any type of workshop or
mission meeting, as well as hold tutor-
ing classes. Her background is one of
spiritual training. The first child of
three to Mr. and Mrs. Elna Thon
Hooks, in Lauderdale, Mississippi,
Jerry attended the public school
system of Bessemer, Alabama. She re-
ceived her baccalaureate degree from
Daniel Payne College at Birmingham,
Alabama, with further study at Tuske-
gee Institute (University). She has also
studied at Alabama State University,
Samford University and the Univer-
sity of Alabama in Birmingham.
Jerry has taught in the Birmingham
City Schools System at the Huffman
Middle School, being one of the first
chosen to teach in the integrated
schools at the very beginning of inte-
gration, and has continued until the
present.
Mrs. King’s activities in the field of
religion have been many and varied.
From early childhood, she could be
found serving as youth delegate to
Sunday School Conventions and
Episcopal District Leadership Train-
ing Institutes. As an adult, she was in-
volved, serving as an area chairman-
director of the East Alabama Confer-
ence YPD, chairman of Committee on
Overseas Mission, West Alabama
Chairman of the Handy Simmons
Scholarship Committee, Historiogra-
pher-Statistician of the Ninth
Episcopal District and, presently as
chairman of the Episcopal District
Nominating Committee of the
Women’s Missionary Society, as well
as participation in the Birmingham-
Florence District’s program for chil-
dren-under-twelve during the conven-
tions.
She is a member of the A.M.E. Min-
isters’ Wives Council of Birmingham,
the National Education Association,
Birmingham Education Association,
Church Women United and the Alpha
Sigma Zeta Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta
Sorority. She has served as First Lady
at Jones Chapel A.M.E. Church,
Fairfield; St. John A.M.E. Church,
Birmingham, and, presently, at the St.
Luke A.M.E. Church, Birmingham.
Her interest in Missions has found her
active in the local Missionary Society,
as well as in conference and area
groups.
Her husband declares her a “good
wife.” One writer has said, “A good
wife is Heaven’s last, best gift to man—
his gem of many virtues; his casket of
many jewels...her industry his surest
wealth, her economy his safest
steward, her lips his faithful counsel-
lor, her bosom the softest pillow of his
cares,” thus says Jeremy Taylor.
Surely, he must have known Jerry
King as a wife today.
Jerry has displayed her love, loyalty
and faithfulness to her parents by her
endeavors to make the days of her
Please turn to page 16
MINISTER
pees ONS xs CNG
ex
Hercules Miles
The Best Man For
The Job Is On The Job
— Re-Elect —
fokL XL XE KE
For
The Church Extension
Department
Zo?
Sp ecial Announcement —
The Cc Ba Church
Will Pay A Grand Tribute to
Ezra M. Juhnson
With Love
June 3, 1988 — 7:30 P.M.
BETHEL A.M.E. CHURCH
Little Rock, Arkansas
Your Contributions For A Truly Noble Sere Of The
Church Should Be Sent To
THE TREASURER’S OFFICE
c/o Dr. Joseph C. McKinney
2311 ‘‘M’’ Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20037
Make Your Hotel Reservations Through The Host Bishop’s Office
(501) 375-4310
Bishop C. E. Thomas, Chr., Minimum Salary
Bishop Frank M. Reid, Chr., General Board
Bishop H. Hartford Brookins, Host
Dr. Joseph C. McKinney, Pres., General Officers Council
Outstanding Black Sermons
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===== DSC05525.JPG =====
16
The AME Christian Recorder
May 16, 1988
Black Population Has Grown By 11 Percent
Since 1980, Census Bureau Says
The nation’s Black population grew
by 3.1 million or 11 percent from 1980
to 1987, according to the Commerce
Department’s Census Bureau.
The bureau's latest annual popula-
tion estimates by age, sex, and race in-
dicate that Blacks totaled 29.9 million
in 1987 compared with 26.8 million in
the 1980 census. Only 19 percent of the
growth was from immigration.
The Black population has been
growing faster than the total popula-
tion and its proportion of the total
rose from 11.8 percent in 1980 to 12.2
in 1987.
The report shows the White popula-
tion grew from 195.1 million to 206.2
million during the period, an increase
of 6 percent. Most of the gain also
came from natural increase.
Here are other findings from the
report for 1987:
e@ The Black population’s median
age was 27.2 years compared with 33.0
years for Whites. The six-year dif-
ference has remained fairly constant
since the 1970s,
e Black females outnumbered
Black males 15.7 million to 14.2
million, Males outnumbered females
only through age 18.
e White females totaled 105.3
million compared with 100.9 million
White males,
Copies of United States Population
Estimates by Age, Sex, and Race: 1980
to 1987, Series P-25, No. 1022, are
available from the Superintendent of
Documents, U.S. Government Prin-
ting Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.
a Plan Now *y
Ne To ¢
Attend The
General Conference,
July 1988
In
Fort Worth, Texas
THREE TERM VETERAN OF GENERAL CONFERENCES
Patterson Seeks Treasurer Position
Enancial Secretary) in A.M.E. Church
Mr. T. J. Patterson
A veteran of three General Confer-
ences of the African Methodist Episco-
pal Church, T. J. Patterson announc-
ed his intentions to seek the Office of
Treasurer (Financial Secretary) to
members of Bethel African Methodist
Church, Lubbock, Texas, recently.
“This is an opportunity which must
be addressed by me at this time; and I
shall work hard and apply myself, as I
do what is required to win such a posi-
tion,’’ said Patterson.
One member asked why he chose to
seek this office in the General Church,
and Patterson answered, ‘‘Having par-
ticipated as an alternate delegate in
1976 in Atlanta, GA, delegate to the
General Church in 1980 in New Or-
leans, LA, and in 1984 as delegate to
Kansas City, MO, and anticipating
now the summer ahead in Ft. Worth, I
feel my past efforts have served as a
catalyst for me to do what I can to
help the Church of Allen.”’
In the past, Patterson has had an op-
portunity to visit with many officers in
the connectional church and they have
encouraged him to get involved in the
church on a broader scale.
“Knowing some of the political
ropes of the General Church, I am
aware that it will be a challenge; but,
with God on my side, anything is possi-
ble,”’ he continued.
A native of Waxahachie, Texas,
Patterson was graduated from Bishop
College, May, 1958, and has done
graduate work at Texas T: ‘ech Univer-
sity, Lubbock, Texas, in the area of
Marketing in the College of Business
Administration.
In addition to his academic involve-
ment at Texas Tech University, he
served as Assistant Dean in the College
of Business Administration for twelve
(12) years, becoming the first Black
chosen for this position in the history
of the University. His duties included
the establishment of a freshman
course for 2,000 students, as well as
other programs which would enable a
young person to complete his under-
graduate program in the COBA.
Prior to joining the COBA, Patter-
son was Executive Director of the
Community Action Board, an arm of
the Office of Economic Development
and Opportunities, where he adminis-
tered a $300,000-a-year program, in-
cluding Headstart and various out-
reach programs in the poor commu-
nities of Lubbock and West Texas.
The 50-year-old Patterson has de-
voted most of his life working with
people and has taught in Lubbock’s
only Black-owned private school—
Mary & Mac Private School—which is
35 years old.
A veteran of the South Vietnam
Conflict, Patterson served there from
1962 until 1963 as a part of the Military
Advisory Assistance Group (MAAG).
He holds a top/secret crypto clear-
ance, and taught communications for
the U. S. Army while stationed in Ft.
Gordon, GA. Currently, he is a Com-
mander in the U. S. Navy Reserve
Unit, and is Chairman of the RDAC
program in Region 7. He began serving
as a Lt. Commander in 1976.
A veteran of the newspaper in-
dustry, as well, he is co-publisher and
co-founder of the Southwest Digest.
He also serves as editor of this publi-
cation, which has a readership of
20,000, weekly, in Lubbock and West
Texas. The publication was organized
in 1977 and is a member of NNPA and
Black Media, Inc., known now as
Black Resources, Inc., of New York,
NY.
Patterson is presently serving as City
Councilman, and was recently ap-
pointed to a task force to establish
better programs and communications
for all minority elected officials in
Texas. He is a member of the National
Black Caucus/Local Elected Officials
Elect A Man Who
Is On The Job
Dr. Y. Benjamin Bruce
Director, Worship and Evangelism
Dr. Y. Benjamin Bruce
MEEEPERE EERE EEE RENEE EERE EEE EE ER EEE E REE EERE EERE EEE EERE EES
Re-Elect
Dr. Joseph C. McKinney
Treasurer
The Financial Affairs
of the
A.M.E. Church
have always been handled
in a business way.
Joe McKinney
is aman of integrity,
honesty and is accountable.
(NBC/LEO), and a member of the
World Conference of Mayors.
As a City Councilman, he was the
first Black elected to this office in the
history of the city. Since 1984, Patter-
son has been a part of providing the fi-
nancial integrity of the City of Lub-
bock, with over $100 million in operat-
ing budgets for all facets of city gov-
ernment, as well as 12 to 14 million
dollars annually for capital improve-
ments.
Patterson has very diligently and
conscientiously done his homework,
contributing to the financial soundness
of the City of Lubbock, with the city
having an AA bond rating for financial
credit. There are 1,750 employees
working for the City of Lubbock, and
Patterson has shown equal care and
consideration in the annual budgeting
as well as in the day-to-day operations
for their general welfare.
A member of many, many organiza-
tions, including the NAACP, Omega
Psi Phi Fraternity, Knights of Pythias,
and others, of all his accomplishments
he will most quickly boast about his
efforts in the work of the church. He
has been superintendent of the church
school since 1966, and has served as
District Superintendent, working dili-
gently on the various planning efforts
of the Northwest Texas Conference
Church School efforts.
T. J. Patterson is married to the
former Bobbye Bailey, an honor gra-
duate of Paul Quinn College in 1959,
and they are the parents of three chil-
dren: Avis Elise; T. J., Jr., a law stu-
dent at Texas Southern University; and
Shelia, who is in a nursing program.
They have two grandsons, Zairrieus
and Marcus.
“‘T’m just willing to do what I can to
help upgrade our church in the finan-
cial area. It is just a pleasure for me to
be able to submit my name as a seri-
ous candidate for the position of Trea-
surer,’’ concluded Patterson.
FOI ICI III IR RRR RR TTR RAIA IIIA
C U In Conference
PRIA IR IIIA IIIA AIA AA AAI IN
Dr. Joseph C. McKinney
Dr. James Baldwin
Candidate for
Worship and
Evangelism
Alwywwwal
Continued from page 15
The Woman Beside the
Man
mother’s illness as comfortable as pos-
sible. Fordyce has said, “When a
young woman behaves to her parents
in a manner particularly tender and re-
spectfully, she will treat her fellowman
the same way.” Her compassion is
notable, in visiting the sick and in pay-
ing special attention to children, as she
works with her own son, Roderick Da-
mon. The Ninth Episcopal District has
always had good, kind, influential
leadership in the Episcopal Supervi-
sors, who have come with their
husbands to serve; thus, the Ninth
Episcopal District says to the connec-
tion: “Elect R. J. King as a Bishop of
this great Church of Allen in 1988, at
Texas, and he will bring along with
him a spouse competent in every
respect. JERRY HOOKS KING, we
want you to know.”
ee SSS oeemwuees_eomw
-
Date
-
1988-5-16
