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November 13, 1989
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Vol. 139, No. 4
Bishop Henry Allen Belin, Jr.
Holds Landmark Christian
The AME Christian Recorder
November 13, 1989
Leadership Congress
Bishop Henry Allen Belin, Jr.
Oklahoma City, OK—The Twelfth
Episcopal District of the African
Methodist Church, presided over by
the Rt. Rev. Henry Allen Belin, Jr.,
held its Annual Christian Leadership
Congress session at the Lincoln
Plaza Hotel. Activities, events,
programs, and component interests
sessions were multi-faceted in out-
reach, targeting with evident impact
that defies qualitative inventory.
Quadrennially, the 12th Episcopal
District segeneralijitheme. is
“GROWTH,” and the 1989 annual
conference year’s theme is “growth
through prayer.” Thus, our Congress
theme. The total physical, social and
spiritual environments, whether it
were delegates crowing into elevators,
or the Congress engaged in formal
ritual worship sessions, the spirit of
fostering the theme pervaded the
Congress constituency.
The keynote sermon was preached
by the Reverend Dr. W. G. Wynnn,
pastor of Ward Chapel A.M.E.
Church, Prescott, AR. Preaching on
the test, “But when the fullness of the
time was come, God sent forth His
Son, made of a woman, made under
the law” (Galatians 4:4) and using for
his subject, “Timing the Eternal,” Dr.
Wynn, in five major outlines strove to
assure the congregation that for each
Please turn to page 3
Reverend H. Michael Lemmons Named Executive Director of the
Congress of National Black Churches, Inc.
A.M.E. Clergyman Heads
NCBC, Incorporated
Reverend H. Michael Lemmons
Washington, DC—Reverend Dr.
Charles W. Butler, chairman of The
Congress of National Black Church-
es, Inc. (CNBC), today announced
that Reverend H. Michael Lemmons
has been appointed Executive Direc-
tor of The Congress.
Lemmons, former pastor of the
Mount Moriah A.M.E. Church in
Annapolis, Maryland, had been serv-
ing as Interim Executive Director of
CNBC since May of 1988.
In making the announcement, Rev-
erend Butler said, ‘‘Reverend Lem-
mons brings a wealth of experience to
the position having served CNBC as
both Deputy Director of Economic
Development and more recently as In-
terim Executive Director. He is a min-
ister who also has earned a law degree
which makes him eminently qualified
to manage the day-to-day operations
of CNBC. We are very pleased to
have him on board in a permanent ca-
pacity.’”
Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and
raised in Detroit, Michigan, Lem-
mons has distinguished theological
and legal background. He did his un-
dergraduate work in Sociology at the
University of Detroit. He earned his
Master of Divinity degree from the
Interdenominational Theological
Please turn to page 7
Leg eeu te
Psalm 145:10
SOR SE RRR
5 Successful African American
Need to Take on Teens
6 Convention Becomes A
Revival
12 Law Professor Practices
What He Preaches
12 Life’s Pressures Eased by
Listening Peers
‘ 3 ys ‘
3 Wid “iy Ni Tan
5 i ae i li" 7 nt
, Wy *
Lg ea
O Lord, We eee You!
| ae take no thought,
saying, What shall we eat?
or, What shall we drink?
or, Wherewithal
shall we be clothed
For after all these things
do the Gentiles seek: for your
heavenly Father knoweth
that ye have need of
all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom
of God and His righteousness;
and all these things
shall be added unto you.
Matthew 6:31-33
Long-time Friend of Editor Reid to be Signally Honored
Dean of Black Broadcast
Journalism Honored
The faculty of the University of
Missouri’s School of Journalism, con-
sidered the finest journalism school in
the country, overwhelmingly voted to
award Mal Goode the Missouri Honor
Medal for his lifetime achievements in
journalism. The award ceremony
took place on November 10, 1989.
Mal Goode became the first
African American network cor-
respondent when he was hired by
WABC-TV in 1962, also making him
the first African American to hold
membership in the National Associa-
tion of Radio and Television News Di-
rectors and the Association of Radio
and TV News Analysts. In 1972 he
served as President of the United Na-
tions Correspondents Association
which has members around the
world.
In 1949, while working for
America’s largest African American
newspaper, the Pittsburgh Courier,
Mr. Goode began his illustrious ca-
reer as a broadcast journalist. He
hosted a fifteen minute news and
commentary program two nights a
week.
Mr. Goode, a well-known public
speaker, has appeared before audi-
ences in more than three hundred
cities since 1962. He covered the riots
which plagued the nation during the
Civil Rights Movement, and was cited
by several radio and TV editors as the
only African American newsman to
cover Dr. Martin Luther King’s
funeral. In fact, a list of his interviews
would read like a movers and shakers
who’s who for the past quarter cen-
tury.
Honored with several awards,
among them the Mary McLeod Be-
thune Medallion presented by Bethune
Cookman College, Mr. Goode is fea-
tured in the ‘1987 Gallery of Greats”
co-sponsored by the National Associa-
tion of Black Journalists.
Currently, Mr. Goode is a UN Se-
nior Correspondent and consultant for
National Black Network.
National Black Network was the
nation’s first Black owned and
operated line-connected radio net-
work in the U.S. NBN is headquar-
tered at 10 Columbus Circle in New
York City.
ee ee a eee
Ecumenical Sunday Theme for 1990 Celebrates ‘Witnesses to Unity’
New York, NY—New materials for
use on Ecumenical Sunday, which
next falls on January 21, 1990, high-
light the role of ecumenical agencies
around the country as ‘‘witnesses to
the unity for which Christ prayed.”’
The National Council of Churches
sponsors Ecumenical Sunday, en-
couraging congregations to celebrate
the range of ecumenical efforts in
which they participate. Many congre-
gations are a part of local ecumenical
agencies and have links to wider net-
works such as state and regional
councils of churches, the NCC, the
World Council of Churches, Church
Women United, the Consultation on
Church Union, and other groups.
The 1990 materials point out that
whenever people participate in the ac-
tivities of these groups they become
“witnesses to unity’? and ‘‘in some
way, however large or small, help to
fulfill Christ’s prayer recorder in
John 17, ‘that they may all be one...
so that the world will believe.’’’ By
working together through ecumenical
agencies, people demonstrate the de-
gree of unity that exists among Chris-
tians and carry out programs of ser-
vice and advocacy for the renewal of
the whole community.
Ecumenical Sunday occurs during
the Week of Prayer for Christian
Unity, an international celebration
observed annually January 18-25.
During the Week of Prayer Christians
explore Scriptural themes on Chris-
tian unity through Bible study and in
worship services. Ecumenical Sunday,
which is a U.S. observance, has an ed-
ucational focus. Suggested activities
include an ecumenical fair following
Please turn to page 7
———EEEESS OO __.____
Sue gk Lage cebe.
~All ie ibis pte give thanks to thee, oh Lord. ~
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2 The AME Christian Recorder
November 13, 1989
The Official Beauty Representative of the Stars and Stripes is
Talented, Black, Beautiful... anda Member of the A.M.E. Church
The American standard of beauty
for 1989 is the talented, beautiful,
Black Miss America, Debbye Turner,
a twenty-three-year-old college senior
student of veterinary medicine. For
thirty years of the first sixty-two years
of the Miss America Pageant, Blacks
were excluded from the competition.
Then, in 1983, the first Black Miss
America won the title. She was from
the State of New York. Her runner-
up, who also became Miss America,
as you may recall, was Black and was
from New Jersey.
Now, the third Black woman to win
the Miss America title is Miss Missou-
ri from Mexico, Missouri. Her run-
surely did not escape those five lovely granddaughters of mine. I have not
heard what their parents, and particularly the mothers, have had to say
about the contest, but I am sure it was spoken with pride.
While I was writing this editoirial late Sunday night, Dr. Floyd W. Alex-
ander, the Secretary-Treasurer and Director of the Pension Department
walked into my office.I said to him, ‘‘What about the new Miss America?’’
He said, ‘‘She is a charming sister, and she stood head and shoulders over all
the other contestants.’’ I responded, ‘‘Vhat’s a very strong statement, don’t
you think?’’ He said, ‘‘That’s the way I saw it. She is a gifted, attractive,
and very charming lady.’’
I said again to him, ‘‘You know there were fifty-one young women in the
contest?’’ He said, ‘‘That doesn’t make any difference, she was way out
front of all the others, through I didn’t expect the judges to select her.’’
Well, the judges must have also seen it the way Dr. Alexander saw it,
because they crowned Miss Missouri the new Miss America. Yes, by
American standards Debbye Turner is everything she needed to be to
become the official beauty representative of the ‘‘Stars and Stripes,’’ the
ROBERT H. REID, JR.
ner-up is Miss Maryland, the twenty- land of opportunity, the land of the free and the home of the brave . . . and
five-year old Virginia Cha from Frederick, MD. By contest standards and the ‘‘beautiful.’? The nation will benefit as much as will the new Miss
the decision of the judges, the 1989 winner of this 68th beauty pageant America.
becomes the most beautiful and talented young woman in America.
I confess that I am pleased and filled with ‘‘Black pride.’’ Likewise, I am
happy for anyone who can walk away with a beauty trophy and the
generous benefits of the Miss America Contest and reign for one year.
Debbye Turner is the youngest daughter of Mrs. Gussie L. Turner of
Jonesboro, Arkansas, where they are long-time members of St. Paul
A.M.E. Church. Mrs. Turner is a counselor at Arkansas State University
and in her church. Debbye’s military father is a retired Lieutenant Colonel
of Austin, Texas. He is a supervisor in the Texas Employment Commission.
Not only can her parents, other members of her family and the citizens of
Missouri, of Texas and of Jonesboro, Arkansas, be proud, but all of the
world can be justly pleased and proud of Miss America, 1989. Let’s hope it
will help the cause in South Africa and all other places where oppression
reigns because of race.
The standards that Debbye Turner, the new Miss America, brings to the
pageant as the reigning American beauty, are not to be ignored. Among the
titleholders of the past, non has been a doctor. Miss Turner, a senior student
When I spoke to my officer manager, Mrs. Doris B. Cobb Reid, about
the winner, she said that somehow she thought that the runner-up, Miss
Cha, another American minority, would have won this year’s competition,
but she was very happy with the results. The news media referred to Miss
Turner as America’s newest ‘‘sweetheart.’’ I, as a media judge editorializing
her win, again say that she is one whom all of us should be justly proud of as
the official 1989 beauty representative of the nation.
Beautiful, yes she is; Black, too, but more than than, she has brains with
her beauty and poise plus. It is conceded that Miss Turner is a very decent
human being and a woman of multi-faceted makeup. She makes for a gen-
uine role model. One of the contestants, however, did as, ‘‘What did Deb-
bye have that we didn’t?
A Letter to the Editor
I READ OF YOUR FATHER’S
DEATH IN THE
homburg hat, a black coat, and black
patent leather shoes. When Bishop
at the University of Missouri-Columbia Veterinary School will graduate as a
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine.
Many of us who were watching the 1989 pageantry are yet holding our
breath, and yet a little dazed, that in six short years—from 1983 to
1989—another Black, yes an identifiable Black, has been awarded the honor
coveted by the average young American girl. It was gratifying that Phylicia
Rashad and her sister Debbie Allen, the two Black judges, were on that
select blue ribbon panel that voted Debbye Turner the new Miss America. It
is a fact that Miss Turner earned that title and those judges had the courage
and the mind to award her with she, in equal competion, had fairly won.
A young mother told me that her eight-year-old daughter Missy, who had
been watching the contest with her, had fallen asleep, but, upon hearing
that Miss Missouri had won the Miss America title, said, ‘‘I am going to
compete for that title when I get old enough.’’ That moment of joy and in-
CHRISTIAN RECORDER
Editor Reid:
I was sorry to learn about the pass-
ing of your father. Surely, we have
lost one of the best of African Meth-
odism. I met Dr. R. H. Reid, Sr., in
1954 in my home Annual Conference,
Savannah, GA. I think he was a can-
didate for the bishopric leading up to
the 1956 General Conference in
Miami, FL.
I shall never forget his appearance;
Dr. Reid was very ecclesiastical and
clerical in his dress. He had on a black
Green introduced him for remarks to
the conference, he introduced him as
the prince of preachers.
Editor Reid, I pray God’s richest
blessings upon you and the family
that Dr. R. H. Reid, Sr., that prince
of preachers, left behind. Surely, Dr.
R. H. Reid, Sr., has planted his foot
tracks in the sand of time in African
Methodism. His name shall never die,
because his sons are carrying on in a
mighty way in this church of Allen.
Rey. Solomon Giles
Atlanta, Georgia
spiration that came from the crowning of the third Black Miss America
“Tf all our misfortunes were laid in one common
heap, whence everyone must take an equal portion,
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November 13, 1989
The AME Christian Recorder
Continued from page |
BISHOP HENRY ALLEN BELIN, JR. HOLDS LANDMARK CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONGRESS
of us there are absolutely no alter-
natives to vital appointments with
eternal destiny, which Almighty God
has structured in His own timing
Indeed, to say the least, during the
sermon delivery, the Holy Spirit was
our Chief Visitor
Guest lecturer and preacher for the
Congress was the Reverend D1
George Moore, pastor of St. Phillip
A.M.E. Church, Decatur, GA. In
three sermons and two formal lectures,
Dr. Moore took the Congress to the
mountaintop spiritually; and in Chris-
tian Education and Fellowship in Pas-
toral and Laymen Practical Innova-
tive Theology, the guest cleric poured
out his heart, reserving nothing.
Among a galazy of major points,
Rev. Moore emphasized the
following: (1 sit with someone in your
church whom you do not know, or not
not accustomed to sitting with; 2)
Open the front doors and close the
back doors; keep the new and old
members in your church; (3 Insist ona
praying church program. Statistics
show, said Rev. Moore, that the
average Christian prays about 15 min-
utes weekly, while the average minis-
ter prays, on the average, 21 minutes
per week.
Among 24 ways to increase the
numbers of members in our churches
include:
a) Write pastoral letters; b) change
up services activities; c) expand the
roles of the youth, children, and young
adults; d) expand your Wednesday
and Friday night services; e) change up
your sermons and service methods; f)
invite people—members to stay for
church meals; and g) plan for the
summer attendance slump by inviting
family reunions to be observed at the
church.
Dr. Moore said that a survey shows
that 70% of all A.M.E. Churches have
less than 200 members. His strong
stand on increasing the numbers is
supported biblically. He cited the Acts
of the Apostles, chapter 2, and verses
41 and 47.
Rev. Moore cited page number 127
of the 1988 edition of our A.M.E.
Discipline as a very great step forward
in that all-out emphasis is given to
membership growth. He noted that the
average church size in the State of
Georgia as reflected in statistical data
authorized by Bishop John Hurst
Adams, is only 158 members. This
release also set up a practical measur-
ing graph with respect to classifica-
tion of membership according to
numerical size. The table graph
follows:
From 0 to 199—small congrega-
tions;
From 200 to 499—mid size
congregations;
From 500 up—large congrega-
tions.
Two growth factors determine
possibilities of church growth in every
community, explained the lecturing
cleric:
1. Contextual—conditions affecting
the church that are municipally, politi-
cally or governmentally oriented.
2. Institutional—these factors are
socially, historically and family
oriented causes.
Indeed, the 12th Episcopal District
is indebted to our Chief Spiritual
Father, Bishop Henry Allen Belin, Jr.,
for bringing in sucha resourceful giatn
as is Dr. Moore.
Too much cannot be said about the
total Curriculum of Study courses as
prepared and written by one of the
A.M.E. Church’s most able Laymen,
Dr. Levenis Penix, who is Director of
Thousands attended the ‘Christian Education Congress in Oklahoma Ci City, Oklahoma.
Mrs. Lucinda (Mother) Belin is seen here congratulating the Queen.
ae
Dr. George Moore being congratulated for a job well done.
Christian Education for the Central
Arkansas Annual Conference, and
Superintendent of Public Schools in
the Thornton-Bearden School Dis-
trict.
The Curriculum and Faculty were
as follows: 1. Bible Study, the
Reverend Russel Cephas; 2. Mass
Seminar, Dr. George Moore; 3. Chris-
tian Stewardship, Dr. W. G. Wynn; 4.
The Urban Mission of the Church, Dr.
N. C. Irving, Dean of Jackson Theo-
logical Seminary; 5. African Method-
ism: Our History and Our Heritage,
Dr. Levenis Penix; 6. The Be see!
gle for Political Equality, the Rever-
end H. O. Gray; 7. Church Growth
and Lay Ministries, the Reverend
John Williams; and 8. Christian
Education, the Reverend Cliet
Wilburn.
The Reverend Drs. Leotis Strong
and W. R. Norful, Co-Directors of
Christian Education for the 12th Epis-
copal District, more than proved to be
worthy of the trust placed in them by
Bishop Belin and the district as a
whole.
Dr. Strong’s youthfulness was put
to acid test and passed with flying
frequently the
confused
colors when
hotel's
management scheduled
meeting places for various groups, At
one given moment, the young pastor
of Avery Chapel A.M, E
at point “A”
when,
Church was
in context of his work
at point “B,”
many
two stories higher
and dimensions
across,
something went wrong in the areas of
accommodations, and before a split
second could escape into eternity Rey.
Strong was there, indeed.
Now all that we have said about
everything prior to now really has no
official and permanent meaning
without an awareness and an apprecia-
tion from when it came to be. The
password term is a name: “Henry
Allen Belin, Jr.” Yes, it is a name, but
it, too, is more than a name. It is an
African Methodist Episcopal Bishop
with a solid conviction to answer to
Almighty God for the Christian
Mission of the Church Militant until
Wee Xperience at he Chuan
Triumphant.
Only in one full year of his new
General Conference Episcopal Assign-
ment, the Chief Servant of the Church
in the 12th has literally transformed
the atmosphere of Ministerial and
Laymen concern over church growth
and the responsibility to study con-
stantly to fulfill the high calling of God
in Christ Jesus. Bishop Belin has
teplaced interest emptiness with
vitality fullness. Where-there were no
personal libraries, every minister and
most church laypeople have begun
libraries featuring books suggested by
Bishop Belin, and more besides. May
God eternally endow Bishop and Mrs.
Lucinda Crawford Belin to continue
such noble work begun here in the
Great 12th Episcopal District. Be-
cause of his keen interest, the 104th
Bishop of the African Methodist Epis-
copal Church, the 1989 Youth
Congress was history-making in study
format and theologically magnani-
mous in its divine inspiration.
Mrs. Lucinda Crawford Belin, wife
of our bishop and the epitome of all
that is graciously superlative, digni-
fied the Congress with her angelic
personality and talented leadership
ability. Mrs. Henry Allen Belin, Sr.,
mother of our bishop, and members of
the extended family were very knowl-
edgeable in reflected interests,
amicable in dialogue, and unlimited in
sessions participations.
Finally, when we here in the 12th
boast of the prettiest and most intelli-
gent women that can be found any-
where, you had better believe it! With
our W.M.S. on Tuesday evening, and
our Y.P.D. Debutante/ Master Cotil-
lion on Wednesday evening, all one
can say is that none of the splendor of
the Hanging Gardens of Babylon of
ancient civilization, nor Medieval
Victoria Falls of Rhodesia, Zambia
Borderline, could even compete with
the mere beauty and glorious charm
which indexed the combined gala of
ceremonial symmetry.
‘‘The Greatest
Of Faults Is
To Be
Conscious
Of None. ’’
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4
The AME. Christian Recorder
A CONCERNED CITIZEN SHARES LETTER WITH A CONCERNED PEOPLE
Have You Heard of Ecstasy and Ice
Drugs of the 90's and 21st Century?
With his “War on Drugs,” Presi-
dent Bush is attempting to mow down
the wild, ugly bush that is strangling
our country. The President's tactics,
however, are like those of an amateur
gardener; Bush is cutting the deformed
bush while leaving the rotten root
intact to spring havoc at a later time.
Furthermore, if the leaders of our
nation, along with the majority of
mainstream America, had tended their
yards better, they would have realized
that cocaine was like a “snake in the
xrass”—it was there all along, but you
just didn’t see it.
1 am a 34-year-old recovering dope
addict. I started smoking pot in my
mid-teens. At 18, | was snorting and
injecting heroin. Since then I’ve
abused the drugs of acid, mescaline,
hashish, opium, THC pills, valiums,
and numerous downers to name a few.
In my late 20's, I started a six-year
foggy roller coaster ride, snorting,
injecting and smoking cocaine. I know
about drugs. | especially know about
the destructive force of cocaine and
what has commonly been called
“crack.” Not an applause, but a stand-
ing ovation should be given to anyone
who speaks out negatively against
cocaine use.
1 am baffled, however, as to why all
the sudden media attention and
government focus now in the late
eighties. Why didn’t mainstream
society and our national leaders cut
some of the wild weeds earlier, so all
America could see the snake of co-
caine?
The week the President officially
launched his drug war, I watched an
Atlanta television news program
where every other story was about
drugs or drug related. After this hour
of crack attack, I then watched Dan
Rather continue along this same
theme for 20 minutes or more. Rather
then stated the entire week would con-
centrate on the “war.”
There’s nothing wrong with this
type of media attention, but where has
everyone been for the last fifty years?
I'll tell you where, someplace not
observing the inner city. Though | am
afraid the problem is deeper than that.
The answer must lie within the differ-
ent lifestyles of the various societies
that make up our country. Societies
that are only miles apart in distance
but world’s apart, not in values, but in
realizing these values.
In his autobiography of growing up
in Harlem, Manchild in the Promised
Land, noted author and lawyer Claude
Brown stated that the number one
influence on his generation was drugs.
This was 1967 and Brown was talking
about a world he grew up in of the late
40’s and 50’s.
Now, decades and decades later,
mainstream America wants to declare
a “war” on something that has been
killing minorities in the inner city for
years.
Better late than never, you say. I
agree. This country finally woke up to
what Hitler was doing after the snake
of aggression bit Pearl Harbor and we
came out of that battle okay. We can
win this war against cocaine, but if we
want to wipe out drug abuse so it won't
pop its ugly head up again, we must dig
up the roots and get at the cause of why
people would choose to kill them-
selves in the first place.
More specifically, mainstream,
well-educated, upper, upper-income
society must attempt to gain a deeper
understanding of the poor,
uneducated minorities of the inner
cities
President Bush has some good
Strategies in his invasion on drugs. |
particularly like his emphasis on more
financial support for treatment
centers. | have been through such pro-
grams. For the most part these clinics
work at the “why” in the personality
and social circles that makes a person
choose an addictive lifestyle; how-
ever, as stated earlier, drugs have
always been an abusive element in
poverty-stricken communities, It is a
way of life.
A way of life that includes a preju-
dice toward them as a_ whole,
deplorable living conditions, no father
at home, mom getting by the best she
can, welfare recipients, and a cycle of
hopelessness that has gripped them for
generations. A way of life that includes
high unemployment. Black youth
unemployment rates hovered just
under 50% this summer.
In all the media blitz about Colum-
bian drug kingpins, | may have missed
something, but I don’t recall Bush
saying much about erasing these
problems that plague our inner cities.
It sounds uplifting and courageous
for Nancy Reagan and President Bush
to urge minority school children to
“just say no,” but what happens when
this kid goes back to the projects and
the landlord is constantly telling his
mother, “No, I can’t fix that leaking
faucet today” (because the govern-
ment hasn’t allocated enough funds)?
Or what happens to that kid when un-
employed mom and unemployed dad
have heard “no” all day long when
seeking a job?
The same kid that you want to “just
say no” looks around his crowded
community and realizes that the only
one who appears to have steady money
and employment is the crack dealer.
The only one with the fancy cars is
your local pusher.
Mom has told that kid “no” a thou-
sand times, there just isn’t enough
money to waste on an afternoon at
the movies. But Leroy, with all the
gold chains and white powdered
bags, will give the kid enough money
to go to the movies and ice cream, too.
All the kid has to do is stand on the
corner for a couple of hours and watch
out for the police. Gradually that “no”
that sounded so right when Nancy and
Bush spoke them in school, now trans-
lates into a yes.
It’s all about survival. The inner city
wants the big bank accounts and the
two-car garages, too. Generation after
generation of well-to-do families
usually create an atmosphere of moti-
vation and high achievement stand-
ards. Likewise, years of poverty,
dispair and neglect among the inner
cities have created an attitude of
people just surviving from day to day,
and conflicting interests on how to get
out of their drowning existence.
I haven’t heard any of the generals
of this war tackle any of these defenses
that the drug front is putting up daily.
These are some of the spoiled roots of
the problem. I’ve heard plenty of talk
about building jails and throwing
away the key on the users and dis-
tributors of dope. Again, for the root
problem I fear jail is nothing but an
occupational hazard.
My grandfather and uncle once had
a lucrative construction business. My
grandfather now has a bad_ back,
partly from the years of bending while
laying bricks. Uncle used to keep a
running nose in the winter; however,
this was their world. They were
making huge amounts of money and
anyone warning them about the cold
weather and future bad back would
have been looked upon as fools. | feel
for the most part this is how the drug
pusher views incarceration, especially
those from the inner cities where dope
is not an eighties phenomenon, The
drug trade is a profitable business and
jail is an occupational hazard
| have been fortunate enough to
have been somewhat of a social worker
in low-income areas, I have also been
the unfortunate resident of both state
and federal prisons. I’ve talked long
hours with businessmen who set up
huge drug important deals, pilots and
ship captains who transport it in,
upper level distributors who pick the
dope up, lower level distributors who
handle kilos, street dealers and teen-
agers who stand on the corner and sell
$10 bags. Not many of them expressed
to me that they were afraid of spending
time in jail. All of them knew the con-
sequences if they were caught. More to
the point, the majority of the ones who
said they would do it again came from
the hard core poor neighborhoods.
The drug scene is not all about jobs
either. Another value that poverty-
ridden dwellers share with mainstream
society is respect and individual rights.
Poor Blacks and other minorities see
the hatred and racism hurled toward
them daily.
Remember the movie, Lady Sings
the Blues? We saw Diana Ross (Billie
Holiday) eat on the bus while the rest
of the White band went inside of the
“white only” restaurant. This was
before she filled the syringe up with
heroin. We watched her tremble and
cry at the sight of a lynched Black body
before we saw her inject the poison in
her arm. In this autobiographical
movie, members of the KKK busted
her jaw open not after but before the
acclaimed singer fell prey to the jaws of
drug addiction,
Again, just like the rest of the
country, minorities Want respect and
the right to be treated like a human
being. What war plans do you have for
that, mainstream America?
Racism may not be as open as it was
say 50 or even 20 years ago, yet it still
runs rampant when the two societies
clash, The minorities of this country
(which we often forget includes white
females) did sit defenseless as the
Supreme Court of the eighties set them
back years in their fight for equality in
housing and in the job market hiring
practices. It was the eighties and not
the sixties as Blacks watched New
York Whites kill a Black youth
because he was dating a White girl.
I've seen cocaine addicts from all
walks of life to include teachers,
judges, and policemen. | realize the
addition is not limited to the ghettos of
this country. But the low-income
valleys is where the dead root can be
found beneath the surface. America’s
mainstream abusers are the wild
bushes that the Bushes of our nation
may have success attacking. When this
society stops using drugs and only
Claude Brown’s Harlem are the only
ones smoking crack, what happens
then? Where will all the media atten-
tion be then?
As I stated earlier, cocaine is such a
mind killing disease that any effort to
eliminate its epidemic use should be
praised; however, unless we pinpoint
and combat the inner city blues, this
war may turn out to bea surface battle
that leads to spoiled, untouched roots
springing up again.
Have you heard of ecstasy and ice,
drugs of the 90’s and 21st century? The
inner city has.
Concerned Citizen
Just Say No To Drug
Peddlers And Stay Free!
ANNOUNCING THE
RETREAT
945 Donaldson Highway
Erlanger, Kentucky
Phone: (606) 371-4224
6 meals and 2 nights lodging.
Dr. Edgar L. Mack
Secretary- Treasurer
Department of Christian
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Special Christian Education
Announcement
3RD CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Noon, Wednesday, December 13, 1989
to Noon, Friday, December 15, 1989
MARYDALE RETREAT CENTER
The flat rate at Marydale is $83.20
per person. This rate includes
A WONDERFUL PLACE FOR
_ PRAYER, STUDY AND REFRESH-
wie Bishop Vernon R. Byrd, Chairman
Commission on Christian Education
Dr. Edgar L. Mack, Executive Secretary
Department of Christian Education
Retreat Registration: $20.00
MARYDALE IS CONVENIENTLY
¢ only 4 miles from the Greater Cincinnati
International Airport
¢ only 9 miles south of Cincinnati, a half-mile
from I-75 and I-71 and close to the 1-275
Circle Expressway. (Take Exit 184 off I-75 and
1-71, and then turn onto Kentucky Route 236 West.)
EO ULLAL LALLLALI LLU LLLLL LLU ULLAL LLLLLL LULU LL LL LLLLLL LLU MALLU LLL Lt dis lslaniilrmmma
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The Rt. Rev. Vernon R. Byrd
Presiding Bishop
13th Episcopal District
Chair, Commission
on Christian Education
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===== DSC05934.JPG =====
November 13, 1989
The AME Christian Recorder
Turner's Dean Jacobs Inspires Class of 1992
by Edrena Houston Brown
Public Relations Director
Atlania, GA—The beginning of a new
and exciting semester for many first-
year seminarians, as they arrived on
the campus of Turner Theological
Seminary at the 1.T.C. Center, was a
rewarding and challenging experience.
Students traveled from various parts
of the United States and abroad to
begin their studies. For many semi-
narians, it was a joy to meet with pro-
fessors and attend the orientation to
campus life and residential facilities.
Above all, the cordial, spirit-filled
welcome by the Administrative Dean,
Daniel W. Jacobs, Sr., and _ his
charming wife, Mrs. Mary Jenkins
_ Dr, Daniel W. Jacobs
Jacobs, provided the greatest inspira
tion to the Class of 1992
Dean Jacobs and members of the
Turner Theological Fellowship Or-
ganization sponsored a reception for
new students, where Dr. Jacobs chal-
lenged the Class of 1992 to continue
to build and lift up the kingdom of
God by ‘‘studying to show thyself ap-
proved.’’ In his conclusion, he stated
that ‘‘education is a continuous jour-
ney, and we must continue to prepare
to go forth in spreading the Gospel
through the many diversified minis-
tries of theology.’’
The enrollment for the Fall semes-
ter has continued to increase among
African Methodist Episcopal stu-
dents, The overall total enrollment of
1.T.C, students, effective September
15, 1989, was two hundred-seventy-
six, according to the registrar's office,
Dean Jacobs extended congratula-
tions to the renown and illustrious
Bishop John H. Adams, Presiding
Prelate of the Sixth Episcopal
District, and to the lovely, dynamic
Dr, Dolly D. Adams, Episcopal Su-
pervisor and Professor of Communi-
cations at 1.T.C., for their outstand-
ing leadership and spiritual guidance
rendered to students of Turner Theo-
logical Seminary.
LELLLLLE LEED
Women in Ministry (AME/WIM)
Congratulations to the Women in
Ministry (AME/WIM) officers. Our
great African Methodist Episcopal
Church has finally come to terms
with sexism. I applaud our Bishops
for affirming the Women in Ministry
and making it a Commission with a
voting seat on the General Board.
The church of Richard Allen has
been in the forefront of Christendom
for over two hundred years, and God
has blessed us with excellent leader-
ship over that period. Let us not fail
to elect a woman to the Bishopric in
our church. Other denominations
have taken the step to elevate women
to high office. Let us not remain be-
hind.
Reverend Elizabeth Scott, 3rd Epis-
copal District, has been an active can-
didate in the last two General Confer-
ences. In her quest for the esteemed
position of Bishop, she needs support.
Let us, the Daughters of Allen, give
her the support she so richly deserves.
Jane E. Rhodes, Steward
Third Episcopal District
North Ohio Conference
Successful African-Americans Need to Take on Teens
A Letter from an Inmate of a
Reformatory
LaGrange, KY—This memory has
haunted me for months: We all know
about the lure of Crack. It seems that
every week there’s a new report say-
ing how many African-American kids
are being consumed by poverty, ig-
norance, teen pregnancy, AIDS, or
just plain lack of motivation. There’s
a school of thought that it may be too
late for many of today’s African-
American teens. Even I was starting
to buy into that view. But then I
started talking to a friend, Willie J.
Stewart.
Stewart is a minister of the A.M.E.
Church. And he preaches a gospel of
African-American success. Rev. Ste-
wart knows about the dismal sta-
tistics, but he refuses to be shackled
by them: ‘‘The future for African
Americans is great . . . as soon as we
get rid of the slave mentality and start
making our impact FELT on the
world scene.’’ Rev. Stewart and I
have plans to enlighten young Afri-
can-American people they can be
WINNERS. Some may think that is
easier said than done.
But Rev. Stewart and I are men
with a plan and that’s what African-
Americans need: An agenda. A key
item on that agenda is the need to save
our young African-American peoples.
““We have a generation that’s out
of control.’’? We are afraid to push
our youth. When you look at Afri-
can-American politicians, very
seldom do you see them surrounded
by young brothers. We have a gene-
ration of young people who are not
We are clever individuals, practiced at the
art of self-deception when it is too painful ¢
to face or own inner truths.
being pulled up by their ELDERS.
For instance, it’s also time for
“teens’’ to do things, like turn off the
videos. Turn down the music and just
watch the behavior on the videos. It’s
Uncle Ben Behavior.
Why are our young people going
insane? Because their role models are
insane. Instead of watching the televi-
sion and blasting stereos, ‘‘We need
to open Churches on Saturdays for a
Cultural School.’’ Such schools could
immerse African-American youths in
their history, culture and responsi-
bilities.
I am very concerned that too many
African-Americans lack a positive
attitude. For example, among some
African-American people a common
greeting is: ‘‘What’s Happening?”’
More often than not, the response is:
“Ain’t nothing going on.”
“Listen to how negative that is; we-
need to start using words that are
positive. We need a_ success
mentality.”
The gospel Rev. Willie Stewart
preaches is not new. The foundations
are from African American intellec-
tuals—Malcom X, Martin Luther
King, Jr., Minister Louis farrakan,
and Frederick Douglass.
“7?m following a trail,’’ he says
many times to me. Share your
thoughtful opnion on this subject.
Mr. Allen Barnett
87329 Dorm One
Kentucky State Reformatory
3001 West Highway 146
LaGrange, Kentucky 40032
—A. Lee Henderson
A. LEE HENDERSON
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===== DSC05935.JPG =====
The AME. Christian Recorder
Northeastern District Church School Convention Proves Exciting
A Convention Becomes A Revival
:
———
Mika
Rev. Dr. L. O. Saunders, with Ist runner-up, Keisha Edwards; 2nd runner-up, Kimberly
Moore, and (center) LaToya Solomon, Queen.
November 13, 1989
Presiding Elder L. O. Saunders and Committee
Kenley, NC—Continuing the great
theme ‘‘We Are Family,’’ the North-
eastern District Sunday School Con-
vention, under the direction of the
presiding elder, the Rev. Dr. L. O.
Saunders, held its ‘‘revival’’ at St.
Paul A.M.E. Church. Host pastor
Rev. Dorothy Richardson graciously
welcomed everyone warmly.
Friday’s opening worship began
with the host pastor presiding, and the
opening hymn, ‘‘All Hail the
Power,’’ got us on our way. Dr.
Saunders gave way for the visiting
presiding elder from the Central Dis-
trict, Dr. H. L. Ingram, to introduce
the speaker of the hour, the Rev.
Shirley Hines, who delivered a dy-
namic sermon—so much so, that we
were all prepared to ‘‘Slay Our Go-
liath.’’
Before the closing of the morning
service, Dr. Saunders, allowed for the
introduction of the various visitors,
including the Presiding Elder of the
Southeastern district, Dr. W. T. Hol-
land.
Business resumed following lunch,
and workshops were in place, the first
of which consisted of ‘the A.M.E.
Youth Self-Esteem question, ‘‘Who
Am I? Rev. Dr. A. M. Witherspoon
and Sis. Della Bridges were speakers.
Dr. Witherspoon proved to us that we
should be proud of our heritage,
which goes all the way back to the
Book of Genesis. He showed various
slides of architectural and historical
proof of our great heritage and line-
age. Other workshop topics were Do
You Like Yourself? Why Not? and
Building the A.M.E. Youth Church:
Negatives and Positives.
Recreational time was provided
after the workshops, along with a tas-
ty dinner, which set us on our way to
the 7:30 welcome program, where va-
rious community leaders, including
the Mayor, welcomed us in Christian
fellowship to ‘‘Friendly Kenly,’’
North Carolina. After such a warm
welcome, we were all geared for
another great worship experience.
Rev. Dr. R. L. Holmes, St. Mark,
Smithfield, NC, led us to the moun-
tain top as he asked the question,
““Are You Sure?’’ The sermon was so
inspiring that three youths gave their
lives to Christ that night. Praise the
Lord!
P.M. Saturday, we were led into
our Model Sunday School, followed
by the annual Queen Contest. There
we were graced with a vast display of
youth talent. The winning church for
the second consecutive year was Way-
man A.M.E., Enfield, NC. The win-
ning youth was Miss LaToya Solo-
mon from that church. Her pastor the
Rev. Deother Melvin, was bursting
with pride that day, Runner-ups were
Keisha Edwards from the Rich
Square Circuit, Rev. W. J. Stewart,
pastor, and Kimberly Moore, Bethel
A.M.E., where Rev. J. Richards is
pastor.
Workshops continued with a dis-
cussion on the disease A.I.D.S., led
by Sis. Cynthia Toudle of the John-
ston County Health Department. She
helped us to dispel many of the
‘‘myths’’ about the disease.
The sermon for the closing wor-
ship, which followed the inspiring
workshops, was delivered by Rev. D.
C. Farmer of St. Peter’s, Warsaw.
Rev. Farmer truly left us all so deeply
Rev. Doether Melvin, pastor, Wayman
A.M.E. Church, winning church, and the
winner, Queen LaToya Solomon.
inspired with the ‘‘Bread of Life,’’
that we were all prepared to leave that
place as glorious witnesses and shin-
ing beacons.
We look forward to another
glorious year, where we can say that
our Sunday School Convention was
truly a ‘‘Revival.’’
Miss Regina Seabreeze, 16 years old
Reporter
Learning the Golden Keys to Unlock Doors
Fayetteville, NC—‘‘Learning the
Keys That Unlock the Doors of Life’’
was the theme for Sunday morning
Annual Youth Day Services at St.
Luke A.M.E. Church, held under the
direction of Mrs. Katherine Jackson,
Y.P.D. Director of the church.
With Miss Tracie Swygert, presi-
dent, presiding, services began on a
high note. Renditions of ‘‘Lord, I’m
Available to You’’ and ‘‘I Am So Sat-
isfied’’ were performed by the Youth
Gospel Choir. Miss Michelle Mc-
Laughlin, newly-elected president of
the North Carolina Conference
Y.P.D., delivered the Children’s Mes-
sage, using the subject ‘‘Sacrifices.”’
Special presentations were made to
Mrs. Francis Jones of the local
W.M.S., by Miss Semetris McKin-
ney, and to four high school gradu-
ates and three college graduates by
the local Board of Christian Educa-
tion.
Miss Coretta McLaurin, speaker
for the morning, was presented by
Miss Tryphina Wiseman, Connec-
tional Y.P.D. program committee
chairperson and a member of St.
Luke. Coretta is a nursing student of
Fayetteville Community College, a
member of the choir and the usher
board at St. Luke, and the Financial
Secretary of the North Carolina Con-
ference Y.P.D.
The congregation was taken to the
mountain top as Miss McLaurin
spoke on the subject ‘‘Learning the
Golden Keys That Unlock the Doors
of Life-Loving, Giving and Serving.”
Dr. J. A. Humphrey, pastor of St.
Luke, extended the invitation that fol-
lowed.
Special guests in attendance includ-
ed Mrs. Marion C. Howard, North
Carolina Conference Y.P.D. Direc-
tor, and Mrs. Betty Calhoun, Second
Episcopal District Y.P.D. Director.
Special award certificates were pre-
sented to Michelle McLaughlin and
Coretta McLaurin by Mrs. Calhoun.
After a highly successful and spi-
ritually enriching service, the guests
were taken to dinner, compliments of
the local Y.P.D.
The Lord’s Name Be Praised!
Marion C. Howard, Reporter
NC Conference Y.P.D. Director
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===== DSC05936.JPG =====
November 13, 1989
The AME Christian Recorder
So You Are A Church Member
by Charles S. Spivey, Jr.
This meditation seeks to stimulate
careful examination of what is in-
volved in membership in the African
Methodist Episcopal Church. The
lesson came from the Book of He-
brews, a text reflecting the concerns of
an early Christian community strug-
gling to prepare for its future. There is
great gain to be found in the study of
that Book and in applying its message
to our present and the future which
will follow. All Scripture references
are to the Book of Hebrews—Revised
Standard version.
Chicago, IL—During our Bicenten-
nial Year, we called the former days
of our history, looking back to those
who had faith and kept their souls
(Hebrews 10:32,34). We remember
the important dates, names and places
of our past. More important, how-
ever, is the faith of our forebears. It
was their faith which sustained their
hope and gave them strong encour-
agement (Hebrews 6:8,12). That faith
is an abiding possession for us and
our future.
We are part of the Methodist fami-
ly whose beginning goes back to the
Holy Club at Oxford Unviersity, or-
ganized by John and Charles Wesley.
Weare heirs of the faithful witness of
Black preachers such as Richard Al-
len, Harry Hoosier, Peter Spencer,
Daniel Coker, and others. These laid
the foundation for the reformation of
American Christianity. They translat-
eda faith, subordinate to slavery, into
an indigenous religion, proclaiming
deliverance from slavery, freedom
from injustice, and liberation from
inequality.
We are bearers of this tradition
and, therefore, responsible for the
manner by which it is expressed in the
life and lifestyle of the A.M.E.
Church. Ours is to sustain the quali-
ty, character, and integrity of this
heritage in our own lives. We need the
robust faith of our forebears so as to
live out a positive, conscious, inten-
tional Christian life in an alien, hos-
tile world. Black families, Black chil-
dren, Black poor, Black men and wo-
men, and Black communities hunger
for the good news of the liberation,
justice, and equality belonging to all.
They expect our active participation
in the struggle to bring these to pass.
Membership in the church means per-
sonal and collective responsibility for
witness and service in the present. Let
us hold fast the confession of our
hope without wavering and stir up one
another to love and good works (He-
brews 10:24). This we will do if God
permits (Hebrews 6:3), for we are not
of those who shrink back and are
destroyed (Hebrews 10:39).
WHAT DO YOU EXPECT
FROM THE CHURCH?
A devout church member, attend-
ing a General Conference for the first
time, left in disgust after observing
the boisterous, often heated discus-
sions. A friend to whom she related
her feelings responded, ‘‘That was a
business meeting, not a prayer meet-
ing!’’
Many Christians find difficulty
with the way churches ‘‘carry on’’
whether it be worship or business. For
them, the problem of credibility, thus
raised, cannot be resolved by pious
words or scripture-laden helpings of
good advice. They seek and search to
discover what the church lives by, not
what is said.
There is more to declining church
Dr. Charles S. Spivey, Jr.
membership than population shifts,
changing socio-economic and politi-
cal conditions, competition with
other religious groups, or the general
catchall ‘‘spirit of the times.’’ The
church’s credibility is under test. In
South African the Bible is read and
interpreted to justify apartheid. Radio
and TV hucksters of religion have au-
dience appeal but seldom pass the cre-
dibility test. More orthodox churches
find their credibility challenged when
stressing dogmatic literalism, insist on
doctrinal correctness, the authority of
the hierarchy or religious experience
as they define it, or the subordinate
role of women.
The early church established its cre-
dibility through the interior life of the
member and congregation and their
work in the world. Their joy and en-
thusiasm made them as a ‘“‘hungry
man telling other hungry men where
to find food!’’ They did not neglect to
do good or share what they had. They
were alive with hope and confidence
that they were equipped with every-
thing good and could do the will of
God through Christ. They surrender-
ed no space to despair, for they knew
the freedom and power of a new life.
Theirs was a life and death commit-
ment to hold fast their faith. More-
over, they received a good report.
Because of what they did, they were
believable. It is too much to expect
such credibility of the church and its
members today?
** ee *
Thank you, Lord, for the founda-
tion of faith affirmed by our fore-
bears whose heritage we nurture and
hand on to our children that they,
too, may know your deliverance,
freedom, and liberation. AMEN.
O, God, grant unto us both will and
power to do your will that by our witness
and service we may bear faithful witness
and thereby stir up one another to love
and good works. AMEN.
Let Us Come Before
His Presence With
Thanksgiving—
Psalm 95:2
Continued from page 1
A.M.E. Clergyman Heads
NCBC, Incorporated
Center in Atlanta, Georgia. At both
schools he was an academic standout
making the Dean’s List on numerous
occasions. He later earned his Juris
Doctorate degree from’ Howard Uni-
versity School of Law in Washington,
DC. While attending Howard, he dis-
tinguished himself once again by serv-
ing as vice president of the student
Bar Association, associate editor of
the Howard University Law Journal,
and student member of the Law
School Admissions Committee.
Lemmons, a member of the Ebene-
zer A.M.E. Church in Detroit during
his early years, united with Alexander
Memorial A.M.E. Church in Atlanta,
Georgia, in 1975 while in seminary
and served as assistant to Pastor An-
drew T. Holtz, Jr. In pursuit of a life-
long desire to study law, he then moy-
ed to Washington, DC, to attend Ho-
ward University School of Law and
was appointed assistant pastor of Dr.
Robert L. Pruitt of the Metropolitan
A.M.E. Church.
Recognizing his ability to inspire
people and to manage programs,
Bishop Henry W. Murph asked Lem-
mons to pastor a church while he con-
tinued his law studies. In 1977, he was
appointed pastor of the Seaton Me-
morial A.M.E. Church in Lanham,
Maryland. For the next seven years,
he ministered to the needs of his con-
gregation. Under his leadership, the
church completed a half-million dol-
lar building project which resulted in
a new house of worship for Seaton
Memorial.
In 1984, Reverend Lemmons joined
CNBC as Deputy Director for Econo-
mic Development. He served as assis-
tant to the Executive Director and
was responsible for managing
CNBC’s insurance program and ex-
ploring strategies to better leverage
the assets of the Black church. While
functioning in this capacity, Lem-
mons was appointed by Bishop John
Hurst Adams to pastor the Mount
Moriah A.M.E. Church in Annapo-
lis, Maryland. For the past five years,
he has worked with this five hundred-
member congregation to break unpre-
cedented ground for the Annapolis
community. With Reverend Lem-
mons at the helm, the church opened
a branch of a federal credit union
—the Allen-Adams Federal Credit
Union—to provide an economic base
for members of Mount Moriah, In
addition, the church established a
citywide, after school, tutorial pro-
gram for youngsters in grades three to
six—the first ever such program for
this historic seaport community,
In his new position as Executive
Director of CNBC, Reverend Lem-
mons will serve as chief program and
fiscal officer responsible for the daily
operations of The Congress. He also
will serve as chief spokesman for the
organization,
The Congress of National Black
Churches is a voluntary, nonprofit re-
ligious organization designed to pro-
mote Christian unity, charity and fel-
lowship among the member denomi
nations. At present, CNBC includes
representatives from Six historic
Black denominations, including Afri
ean Methodist Episcopal, Christian
Methodist Episcopal, Church of God
in Christ, National Baptist Conven-
tion of America, Inc., National Mis
sionary Baptist Convention of Ameri
ca and the Progressive National Bap-
tist Convention, Inc. Founded in
1978, CNBC represents fifteen mil-
lion church members nationwide
Continued from page 1
Ecumenical Sunday Theme for
1990 Celebrates
‘Witnesses to Unity’
the Sunday service, a special emphasis
in the church school, an evening
speaker and similar activities.
The National Council of Churches
distributes a one-color church bulletin
insert highlighting the 1990 theme
‘Witnessing to Unity.’’ It also helps
congregations plan for the day by
providing background on Ecumenical
Sunday, suggestions for celebrating
the day and a list of organizations
whose interpretive materials would
make good resources for an obser-
vance.
For a free sample packet of these
items, contact the NCC Communica-
tion Unit, Room 850, 475 Riverside
Drive, New York, NY 10115. Tele-
phone 212-870-2227.
Saint Phillip Moves
Ahead
Members of St. Phillip A.M.E.
Church of the Tallahassee District en-
thusiastically joined with the choir in
singing ‘‘A Charge To Keep I Have,”’
as the First Quarterly Conference
began with devotions. The pastor of
the church, Rev. R. L. Pandley, gave
the Call to Worship and Bro. Richard
Robert prayed the opening prayer.
Rev. R. L. Wilson, Presiding Elder
of the Tallahassee District, was pre-
sented to deliver the sermon, an in-
spiring message based on First Kings
18:21.
Reports from the organizations of
the church were made in the business
session that followed, and received
approval. The financial report was ex-
cellent.
Bro. Freddie Glenn, a candidate for
license to preach, related his experi-
ence and call to the ministry, and a
motion was carried for him to be ac-
cepted by the District Conference and
referred to the annual conference.
Bro. Leon Hightower was elected
delegate to the District Conference.
The St. Phillip membership is hap-
py for the return of Presiding Elder
Wilson to serve another year.
Sister Sarah A. Simmons, Reporter
Prayer Is The
Mortar That
Holds Our
House Together
— ———————
===== DSC05937.JPG =====
the AME Christian Recorder
November 13, 1989
St. Mark A.M.E. Church Celebrates Its Sixty-First Men’s Day
Moving Forward to Recapture the Heritage
Atlanta, GA—Men'’s Day Sunday,
1989, will go down in the annals of St
Mark’s history as one of spiritual
renewal and challenge
On this memorable day, the men of
St. Mark A.M.E. Church, under the
capable and efficient leadership of Dr
T. Nathaniel Hercules, accentuated
their 61st Men's Day with a celebra-
tion aimed at “Moving Forward to
Recapture Their Heritage.”
At the 8:00 a.m. service, in the form
of a Prayer Breakfast, the Reverend
Earle Ifill, pastor of Cosmopolitan
A.M.E. Church, Atlanta, reminded us
that “this is a year for greatness,” as he
admonished those in attendance that a
person can only be great by the grace
of God. His timely message was
heartily received by the capacity crowd
in attendance.
Activities continued into the 10:50
a.m. hour with an overflowing crowd
and a reverent worship service in
which the presence of the Holy Spirit
was very much in evidence. A pro-
foundly powerful and dynamic
sermon was fittingly delivered by the
Reverend Dr. Robert H. Reid, Jr., the
Editor of the A.M.E. Christian
Recorder, who was caught up in spirit-
ual ecstacy as he answered for his audi-
ence the question, “What Is Man?” He
admonished them that man was made
in God’s image and likenss and, con-
sequently, should act in such a
manner. As a result, a very fine adult
man, accepting the challenge of the
message, came forward to join the
church.
Dr. Robert Reid, Jr. (Center) after delivering an inspiring and stirring message at 11:00
a.m. for Men’s Day pauses for pictures with Pastor Nathaniel Hercules (Right) along with
a dedicated layman.
The Reverend Earle Ifill was the 8:00 a.m.
speaker for Men’s Day.
Savannah Area Missionary Society Holds Mother and Daughter Banquet
Empowered Through Family Ministry __
Savannah, GA—The Women’s Mis-
sionary Society of The Old Georgia
Conference of the A.M.E. Church
chose a Monday night to host their
first Mother and Daughter Banquet at
Carey Hilliard’s Restaurant. Their
theme for the festive occasion was
‘“Empowered Through Family Minis-
try.”
Dr. Ethel P. Stokes, an educator
and retired principal of the Public
School System of Savannah, Chat-
ham County, was speaker for the
event and was introduced by her
daughter, Mrs. Ethel Bowers. Music
was furnished by Mrs. Mildred W.
Williams and Mrs. Ruth Polite was
program chairperson.
Other program participants includ-
ed Mrs. Phyllis P. Spann, Mrs. Ruby
Youngblood, Mrs. Daisy Mills, Mrs.
Corine Roberts and Mrs. Rose Ark-
wright. A duet was rendered by Mrs.
Williams and her daughter Loretta.
Mrs. Tena Butler, Area Chairperson,
gave concluding remarks.
An enjoyable meal was served and
the evening proved to be a most.
rewarding one.
Dr. Dolly D. Adams is Supervisor
of the Missionary Society of the 6th
Episcopal District, which is presided
over by the Rt. Rev. John Hurst
Adams, Senior Bishop of the A.M.E.
Church.
v Qh Oa
The First Thanksgiving
Faith and courage carried the Pilgrims through their
first hungry year. Almost half of them died in the terrible
winter of 1621, but no one returned to England
when the Mayflower sailed for supplies.
After a summer’s hard work, they harvested their
crops, and Governor William Bradford declared
a day to rest and to feast and to give thanks
for the harvest, enough corn to see them through
the winter ahead. So they prepared for a
celebration and invited their neighbors, the
friendly Wompanoag Indians, to join them.
That first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims and their
friends enjoyed a feast of wild turkeys and
corn bread and fish and fresh berries. We celebrate
Thanksgiving today in gratitude for our good
lives and in remembrance of the Pilgrims
who celebrated so long ago.
The AMEC Sunday School Union
A. Lee Henderson, Publisher
= = :
Owe Awe
Dr. Reid was particularly
complimentary of Pastor Hercules,
describing him as a man with a beauti-
ful spirit, who was an alert, sensitive,
loving, and caring pastor. He praised
him for the many ministries being
implemented at St. Mark, and
predicted that his chances of be-
coming one of the bishops in 1992
were probably as good as any.
Throughout the day it was
abundantly clear that the primary
focus of our celebration was not to
raise funds, but to afford all an oppor-
tunity to experience spiritual fellow-
ship, nurture and growth in the name
of Jesus Christ our Savior.
Men’s Day at St. Mark proved to be
a wonderful day. May God’s name be
praised. To Him be the glory!
Mrs. Narvis McPherson, Reporter
‘A Friend Is
Someone Who
Understands Your
Past, Believes In
Your Future, And
Accepts You
Today Just The
Way You Are.’”’
First Quarterly
Conference Held
rhe first Quarterly Conference of
Bethel A.M.E, Church was held Oc-
tober 13th - 15th,
Presiding Elder C, E. Nichols was
in high spirit, as we had a very spi-
ritual opening, after which business
was handled in a Christian like man-
ner. All auxiliaries proved to have
been working dutifully, as they all
made splendid reports, and received
praise from Presiding Elder Nichols,
It was with Pastor McNealy’s re-
gret to report the Homegoing of two
members since the last conference,
however, God blessed us with a mem-
bership increase of eight.
The meeting was adjourned with
prayer followed with a fellowship
period.
Sunday, 11:00 a.m.: Regular wor-
ship service was held, with the very
timely singing of ‘‘Praise God From
Whom All Blessing Flow.’’ Pastoral
Prayer and Responsive reading by
Pastor McNealy, followed with con-
gregational Hymn #299 ‘‘O Master,
Let Me Walk With Thee,”’ Scripture,
preparation Hymn #183 ‘‘How Sweet
The Name of Jesus Sounds.
Rev. McNealy presented our Pre-
siding Elder, the Rev. C. E. Nichols,
for the morning message. His message
was titled ‘‘Name Change.’’ His se-
lected scripture was Genesis 23:28.
His point of emphasis was: Let people
know that you have had a name
change. When you change your name
you are a new person. Things you use
to do you don’t do any more; places
you use to go you don’t go any more;
Because Jesus have changed your
name.
The Nu Sigma Beta Chapter of Al-
pha Ci Pi Omega Sorority and Frater-
nity worshiped with us as a body, as
well as many other visitors. Bro. Ellis
Gainey extended words of welcome,
with an open invitation at any time.
It is with mixed emotions that the
Church family extends farewell
words to a very noted member, Mrs.
Valerie Billings, who will be relo-
cating this month. We wish her God’s
best, as she settles in Trenton, New
Jersey.
Presiding Elder Nichols gave clos-
ing remarks and the Benediction.
Sister I. M. Blackmon, Reporter
Reverend W. E. McNealy, Pastor
===== DSC05938.JPG =====
November 13, 1989
SEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICI
AME CHURCH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
EIGHTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
AME CHURCH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
ve
‘y
ay
P
BISHOP R. A. CHAPPELLE, SR.
W.M.S. CONFERENCE
November 13-14, 1989
Emmanuel A.M.E. Church
Maseru, Lesotho
The Rev. S. M. Rafube, Host Pastor
The Rev. M J. Sepitla, Host P.E.
BISHOP F. C. JAMES
The 1989-1999 SEVENTH EPISCOPAL
DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING
November 24-25, 1989
ELEVENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
AME CHURCH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
LESOTHO
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
November 15-19, 1989
BOTSWANA
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
December 8-10, 1986
W.M.S. CONFERENCE
December 6-7, 1989
Gaborone A.M.E. Church
Gabarone, Botswana
The Rev. J. M. Mbulawa, Host Pastor
The Rev. L. M. Mbulawa, Host P.E.
BISHOP PHILIP R. COUSIN
PLANNING CONFERENCE
November 17-18, 1989
11th Episcopal District
Planning Conference
Place to be announced
SWAZILAND/MOZAMBIQUE
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
December 14-17, 1989
W.M.S. CONVENTION
December 12-13, 1989
Collins Chapel A.M.E. Church
P.O. Box 276
Mbabne, Swaziland
The Rev. L. B. Dlamini, Host Pastor
The Rev. I. S. Motsa, Host P.E.
THIRTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
A.M.E CHURCH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
18TH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
POST PLANNING MEETING
December 29-31, 1989
Emmanuel A.M.E. Church
Maseru, Lesotho
BISHOP VERNON R. BYRD
DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING
November 16-17, 1989
St. James A.M.E. Church
Danville, KY
a NINETEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
AME CHURCH
ae ANNUAL CONFERENCE
ANNUAL CONFERENCE UAL CON NC
pai
BISHOP HAROLD B. SENATLE
NORTH TRANSVAAL
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
November 15-19, 1989
Lebowa-Kgomo
Church Phone: (01529) 2210
The Rev. S. P. Chesane, Pastor
BISHOP ROBERT THOMAS
CAPE
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
December 6 - 10, 1989
Metropolitan Mitchell’s Plain 7785
15 Kruisduinen Close, P.O. Box 772
Westridge, 7802
Church Phone: (021) 32-2317 P.O. Box 154
Pastor’s Phone: (021) 593-1224 or 593-1283 Chuenespoort, Pietersburg 0745
The Rev. Peter M. Mentoor, Host Pastor ORANGIA
The Rev. H. A. Joubert, Host P.E. ANNUAL CONFERENCE
November 22-26, 1989
Xaba Memorial A.M.E. Church
Heilbron
Church Phone: (01614) 2-1510
The Rev. J. B. Mbalo, Pastor
PLANNING MEETING
December 19 - 20, 1989
Bonner Chapel 2 Ntshinga Street
New Brighton 6200
Port Elizabeth
Church Phone: (041) 44-2115 pe hin Mie
The Rev. W. Guwa, Host Pastor
The Rev. E. A. Plaatjies, Host P.E. EAST TRANSVAAL
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
December 6-10, 1989
Emmanuel A.M.E. Church
Ermelo
Church Phone: (0139) 2511
The Rev. J. W. Dlamini, Pastor
P.O. Box 180
Ermelo 2350
WEST TRANSVAAL
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
December 13-17, 1989
Mmbatho, Mafikeng
Church Phone: (0140) 2-1768
The Rev. E. R. Lechoti, Pastor
P.O. Box 300
Mafikeng 8670
SEVENTEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
AME CHURCH
ANNUAL CONFERENCE
BISHOP R. A. CHAPPELLE, SR.
17th Episcopal District
Post Planning Meeting
November 24-26, 1989
Bright Temple A.M.E. Church
Matero-Lusaka, Zambia
The Rev. F. Sikizwe, Host Pastor
The Rev. D. K. Sifukwe, Host P.E.
Attend Annual
Conference
The AME. Christian Recorder
NINETEENTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
PLENARY MEETING
January 5-6, 1990
St, Francis A.M.E. Church
Potchefstroom
Church Phone: (0180) 5529
The Rev. M. D. Phetlhu, Pastor
P.O. Lesedi
Tkageng, Potchefstroom 2520
CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP CONGRESS
Qwa-Owa Witsieshoek
Date to be announced
Pelting Rains,
Thunder Storms
and Earth-
quakes Are
Things Of The
Earth But A
Rainbow Is An
Affair Of
Heaven.
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gation near you.
Please Check your telephone
directory for the number and give
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The Manual Includes: Orders of Service, Calls to Worship, Litanies,
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tations, Bible Study Outlines, Appropriate Music, Thanksgiving
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DeSeGeGeSeQeGe@SeGoGeGeSeGeGeHeS1Go Ge GoGo O2GlGH9G2G0H2GH9H2GeG0G0HOSHeSeSeGeGoGeGeGHeGeGeGoG
BO0Ge GeO OeGeG0G0O0G0GeG0G0O0GeGeGeGeOeOeOeOeGeOeGeOeOeGeGeGeGoGeOeGoGeGeOeGoOeOc@c@cecec
===== DSC05939.JPG =====
10
The AME Christian Recorder
SOCIAL ACTION CORNER
St. Louis, MO—l\t was my privilege to
attend the National Council of
Church U.S.A. Conference on rural
Crisis On Hunger in St. Paul, Min-
nesota, at Mary Hill Renewal Center,
at the request of Dr. John Q. Owens,
Director of Social Action of the
A.M.E, Church.
1 was truly grateful for the oppor-
tunity to represent the A.M.E.
Church at this important meeting.
Many judicatories were presented
with the exception of Black Baptists
because most of their conventions
were in session in different parts of
the U.S.A.
As a practicing clergyman for for-
ty-three years, it was really exciting to
have recited statistics for me that
Black farmers in America have owned
up to fifteen million acres of land. We
now own less than seven million, and
we are losing it at the rate of five hun-
dred thousand acres per year. Blacks
are no longer wanted nor encouraged
to own or stay on the farm. The farm
crisis, of course, did not exist until
White farmers were also being pushed
off the land.
It is a fact that those who produce
the food of the world run the world.
They control the government, the
labor force, the prices, and the raw
materials. They are robotizing the
farms to the point of mechanical
monsters programmed by computers
to plow, plant, and harvest, package
and deliver from their offices in ma-
jor cities.
They don’t need laborers, farmers
or owners. Ten major corporations
now control the world food market.
FDA is supposed to tell them what’s
what, but they elect the heads of these
government agencies. So, they are in
control of regulations and production
records.
Food has always been the major
product to determine what happens to
our world. Yes, weather, natural di-
sasters, drought, soil erosion and
heating up of the planet so that it will
be warmer in Canada, Minnesota,
than it used to be in Florida, sounds
good for farmers, except there won’t
be any top soil to grow any food.
We are, apparently, draining off
our fossil fuel supply faster than
nature could ever replace it. We think
we can replace it with agriculture sup-
plied fuels, corn, soybeans, etc. This
may be soon the only answer. But
without local farmers with ownership
and interest in the land, the great
damage is being done not only in
foreclosures on farm land, but the
farm bills which would help relieve
some of the pressure on bankrupt
farmers have come too late to restore
their economic stability so they can
hold on to their land.
Farmers need help. Black farmers
are destitute. They need help to get
the money that is available to help
them hold on. What strategies do we
have as a denomination? How do we
plan to get the word out to Black
farmers in our constituency that they
represent a tremendous valuable asset
to our people as they produce food
stuff and raw material from their
farms to make the American econo
my stable.
We are ill-advised that it is more
practical to spend a million dollars to
transplant a heart to one person to
preserve his/her life possibly a few
months of years as compared to
spending a million dollars in distribu-
tion of surplus food to Third World
countries to save thousands of people
from starvation. We were program-
med to not eat apples because of the
allar scare, and who can count the
millions of dollars and people hurt by
the one grape found which was sup-
posed to have been injected with cya-
nide?
Food farmers, production, conser-
vation supply and demand, the con-
trol of stock market prices on futures,
the new trade laws which permit the
sale of food to Third World coun-
tries, must be a part of our program,
and we cannot exclude the suffering
of the world from our concerns; for
soon, if we do not hear their cries for
food, the crisis will knock louder
upon our doors. We cannot pretend
not to hear, nor to see, those who
have so much need, while we sit com-
fortably believing everything is all
right because we have bread on our
table today. God is not pleased with
our disinterested and business-as-us-
ual attitude, our all-consuming occu-
pation with self-perservation and per-
sonal ambition.
We can make a difference if we
take a stand even with Black (minori-
ty) farmers to help save their land so
we can eat tomorrow. I want to say
that in spite of the article in News-
week, September 18, 1989, Page 38,
“Harvest of Red Ink,’’ that federal
subsidation was a ticket to success, we
need to see and talk to the real farm-
ers who have gone through this
drought and lack of FMHA support.
You will also find scandal exciting,
and it covers over the real issue of
food control. It points out one or two
persons got easy credit and never
repaid the government for farm
loans.
We understand, of course, our
government wanting to spend billions
to subsidize farmers in Bogata, Col-
umbia, so that they will stop growing
coca plants to make cocaine and
money. They want to encourage these
farmers to change crops and not lose
their crops. We will subsidize some
crops 100%-plus to insure they do not
flood the market and we can keep the
prices high.
Farm management is also steward-
ship responsibility. Salvation versus
Social Righteousness in our day is an
issue whose time has come. We need
more people on the farms. We need
land reforms; we need an annual peo-
ple-of-the land gathering. I would like
to suggest that the Council on Social
Action of the A.M.E. Church take an
indepth look at the plight of the Black
farmers.
W. F. Dancy, Mid-West Representative
to NCC
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===== DSC05940.JPG =====
November 13, 1989
The AME Christian Recorder
eS
A Case of ‘Severe Bias’
by Patricia Raybon
Denver, CO—This is who | am not. I
am not a crack addict. 1 am not a
welfare mother. I am not illiterate. I
am not a prostitute. I have never been
in jail. My children are not in gangs.
My husband doesn’t beat me. My
home is not a tenement. None of
these things defines who I am, nor do
they describe the other Black people
I’ve known and worked with and lov-
ed and befriended over these forty
years of my life.
Nor does it describe most of Black
America, period.
Yet in the eyes of the American
news media, this is what Black Ameri-
ca is: poor, criminal, addicted and
dysfunctional. Indeed, media cover-
age of Black America is so one-sided,
so imbalanced that the most victi-
mized and hurting segment of the
Black community—a small segment,
at best—is presented not as the ex-
ception but as the norm. It is an insi-
dious practice, all the uglier for its
blatancy.
In recent months, ...1 have observ-
ed a steady offering of media reports
on crack babies, gang warfare, vio-
lent youth, poverty and homelessness
—and in most cases, the people fea-
tured in the photos and _ stories are
Black. At the same time, articles that
discuss other aspects of American life
—from home buying to medicine to
technology to nutrition—rarely, if
ever, show Blacks playing a positive
role, or for that matter, any role at
all.
Day after day, week after week,
this message—that Black America is
dysfunctional and unwhole—gets
transmitted across the American land-
scape. Sadly, as a result, America
never learns the truth about what is
actually a wonderful, vibrant, crea-
tive community of people.
Most Black Americans are nol
poor. Most Black teenagers are nol
crack addicts. Most Black mother are
not on welfare. Indeed, in sheer
numbers, more White Americans are
poor and on welfare than are Black.
Yet one never would deduce that by
watching television or reading Ameri-
can newspapers and magazines.
Why does the American media in-
sist on playing this myopic, inaccu-
rate picture game? In this game,
White America is always whole and
lovely and healthy while Black Ameri-
ca ever depicted in the media as func-
tional and self-sufficient. The free
press, indeed, as the main interpreter
of American culture and American
experience, holds the mirror on Ame-
rican reality—so much so that what
the media says is is, even if it’s not
that way at all. The media is guilty of
a severe bias and the problem screams
out for correction. It is worse than
simply lazy journalism, which is bad
enough; it is inaccurate journalism.
For Black Americans like myself,
this isn’t just an issue of vanity—of
wanting to be seen in a good light.
Nor is it a matter of closing one’s eyes
to the very real problems of the urban
underclass—which undeniably is dis-
proportionately Black. To be sure,
problems besetting the Black under-
class deserve the utmost attention of
the media, as well as the understand-
ing and concern of the rest of Ameri-
can society.
Twilight zone: But if their prob-
lems consistently are presented as the
only reality for Blacks, any other ex-
perience known to the Black commu-
nity ceases to have validity, or to be
real. In this scenario, millions of
Blacks are relegated to a sort of twi-
light zone, where who we are and
what we are isn’t based on fact but on
image and perception. That’s what it
feels like to be a Black American
whose lifestyle is outside of the aber-
rant behavior that the media repre-
sents as the norm.
For many of us, life is a curious se-
ries of encounters with White people
who want to know why we are ‘‘dif-
ferent’’ from other Blacks—when, in
fact, most of us are only ‘‘different’’
from the now common negative im-
ages of Black life. So pervasive as
these images that they aren’t just per-
ceived as the norm, they’re accepted
as norm.
I am reminded, for example, of the
controversial Spike Lee film, ‘‘Do the
Right Thing,’’ and the criticism by
some movie reviewers that the film’s
ghetto neighborhood isn’t populated
by addicts and drug pushers—and
thus is not a true depiction.
In fact, millions of Black Ameri-
cans live in neighborhoods where the
most common sights are children
playing and couples walking their
dogs. In my own inner-city neighbor-
hood in Denver—an area that the lo-
cal press consistently describes as
“‘gang territory’’—I have yet to see a
recognizable ‘‘gang’’ member or any
“‘gang’’ activity (drug dealing or drive
-by shootings), nor have I been the
victim of ‘‘gang violence.’’
Yet to students of American cul-
ture—in the case of Spike Lee’s film,
the movie reviewers—a black, inner-
city neighborhood can only be one
thing to be real: drug-infested and
dysfunctioning. Is this my ego talk-
ing? In part, yes. For the millions of
Black people like myself—ordinary,
hard-working, law-abiding, tax-pay-
ing Americans—the media’s blindness
to the fact that we even exist, let alone
to our contributions to American so-
ciety, is a bitter cup to drink. And as
self-reliant as most Black Americans
are—because we’ve had to be self-re-
liant—even the strongest among us
still crave affirmation.
I want that. I want it for my
children. I want it for all the beauti-
ful, healthy, funny, smart Black
Americans I have known and loved
over the years.
And I want it for the rest of Ameri-
ca, too.
I want American to know us—all
of us—for who we really are. To see
us in all our complexity, our subtle-
ness, our artfulness, our enterprise,
our specialness, our loveliness, our
American-ness. That is the real por-
trait of Black America—that we’re
strong people, surviving people, capa-
ble people. That may be the best-kept
secret in America. If so, it’s time to
let the truth be known.
Raybon, a former editor of The Denver
Post’s Sunday Contemporary magazine,
is a freelance writer and media-relations
consultant,
Se i.
“All Of A Sudden \
My Dungeon |
Shook, My
Chains Flew
Off, And,
Glory To God,
I Cried.”’
<_< ee ae ae aes as a
\
\
’
;
i
;
\
|
Se es ee
ONI
I dreamed | was walking along the
beach with the Lord, and across the
sky flashed scenes from my life.
For each scene I noticed two sets of
footprints in the sand. One belonged
to me, the other to The Lord.
When the last scene of my life
flashed before us, I looked back at
the footprints in the sand.
I noticed that many times along the
path of my life, there was only one set
of footprints.
I also noticed that it happened at
the very lowest and saddest times in
my life. I questioned the Lord about
ry
NIGHT IT HAD A DREAM
“Lord, you said that once I decided
to follow you, you would walk with
me all the way, but I have noticed that
during the most troublesome times in
my life, there is only one set of foot-
prints,
I don’t understand why in times
when I needed you most you would
leave.”’
The Lord replied, ‘‘My precious
child, I would never leave you during
your times of trial and suffering.
When you see only one set of foot-
prints, it was then that I carried you.”’
—Author Unknown
Third Annual Seminar
on Church Growth and
Evangelism to be Held
Bishop H. H. Brookins and Direc-
tor, Dr. Y. Benjamin Bruce, Sr., an-
announced ‘‘The Third Annual Semi-
on Church Growth and Evangelism,”
to be held January 15-19, 1990, at the
Orlando Twin Tower, Orlando, Flori-
da.
Registration $50.00 prior to De-
Dr. Y. Benjamin Bruce, Sr.
Bishop H. H. Brookins
cember 1, 1989. Late registration
$60.00. All pre-registrations will be
handled through and by the Bishops
of each Episcopal District. Late regi-
trations will be sent directly to the
Department of Worship and Evange-
lism, 8128 Banyan Blvd., Orlando,
Florida 32819.
i
1 F
The African
| s
; Methodist }
: 1
Episcopal
Church
| . . . |
Discipline !
j 1
cris etaame |! \. © |) Mammmmetere es were bers $16.50 |
Dyes cust con aac Grr: ce
Name : Title !
Church |
Address
City ;
State Zip Code
Phone
|
| PLEASE ADD 13 PERCENT POSTAGE AND HANDLING — MAIL TO:
The Book of Discipline—1988 |
AMEC PUBLISHING HOUSE
500 Eighth Avenue, South Nashville, Tennessee 37203
———————
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===== DSC05941.JPG =====
‘
Rn
The AME. Christian Recorder
November 13, 1989
PART-TIME
IN ORGANIC
MINISTER
INTELLECT
AND |
AW PROFESSOR ENGAGES
ALISM
UF Law Professor Practices
What He Preaches
Gainesville, FL—As racism rears its
ugly head throughout the nation, the
need for compassionate and enlight-
ened thinking swells. Incidents such
as those in Bensonhurst and Howard
Beach, New York, and the formation
of groups like the Skinheads and neo-
Nazis have intensified the commit-
ment of civil rights proponents every-
where.
At the University of Florida Col-
lege of Law, Professor Anthony E,
Cook is researching and advancing
the causes entrenched in the hearts
and minds of Black Americans
through his scholarship and ministry.
“The life of an African-American
is one of perennial struggle in which
one is always attempting to transcend
the limitations imposed by a racist
and hierarchical society,’’ Cook said
in a recent interview at his law school
office. ‘‘African-Americans simply
have to commit themselves to further
the struggle for political and eco-
nomic empowerment, as well as equal
respect and dignity.””
As a professor and part-time minis-
ter who is actively engaged in commu-
nity service, Cook is committed to
merging the realities of daily life with
his legal research; a concept he calls
organic intellectualism. ‘‘There is an
interplay between what I do as a legal
scholar and what I do as a minister. I
try to see how my activities in the
community can inform my legal scho-
larship and how legal scholarship can
inform my community activities.”
In a recent article to be published in
the Harvard Law Review, Cook
presents the life and work of Dr. Mar-
tin Luther King, Jr., as the paradigm
example of an organic intellectual. He
said the article attempts to advance
the concept as a way of approaching
the problems of racism and inequali-
ty.
“Legal scholars must apply their
theories to the concrete struggles of
the people they are writing about by
involving themselves in the organiza-
tions that desire and promote
change,’’ he said. ‘‘Theory is at its
best when informed by the experi-
ences of practice.”
At Mount Carmel Baptist Church
in Gainesville, Cook preaches once a
month, counsels young adults and or-
ganizes youth projects. He also is a
member of a local anti-drug task
force and the Coalition Against
Bigotry.
In all his activities, Cook aims to
raise consciousness concerning the
problems of racism, poverty and
crime. ‘‘We need more people think-
ing about the problems facing poor
people, the African-American com-
munity and other oppressed groups in
our society. Individuals who can
transcend those limitations should
take advantage of opportunities to
serve as role models or moral leaders
to assist others.’
Cooke, 29, said, the concept of role
model is thrust upon him in his
capacities as professor and minister.
“‘Counseling students and being there
for them comes with the turf. I try to
provide good, positive examples that
will inspire students to make it
through institutions that are in many
ways hostile to them.”
Born and raised in a small rural
Mississippi town, Cook overcame pre-
conceived notions concerning his des-
tiny. Despite discouragement from
some school personnel, he applied
and was accepted to Princeton Uni-
versity to earn his law degree in 1986.
Cook said two institutions—church
and family—provided the determina-
tion, courage and commitment to
“beat the odds.’
“Growing up across the road from
a country church instilled a lot of
values in me,’’ he said. ‘‘And my
parents really expected a lot and en-
couraged me in every way. Conse-
quently, I was a hard worker.”’
To aspiring Black Americans,
Cook advises hard work and commit-
ment to excellence and social commit-
ment that accompanies their desire to
have a certain kind of status in socie-
ty. And as we climb the ladder of suc-
cess, we must take the time to pull
others up with us. The view from the
top is always better when shared with
friends.’’
bLeEbELELLELELS
aes 5S SS ee
STUDENTS AT BLACK COLLEGES WIN
FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS
New York—Twelve students at five
predominantly Black colleges have
been named winners of Metropolitan
Life Foundation Future Teacher
Scholarships. All twelve are entering
their junior or senior years in college.
This is the fourth year that the
foundation has awarded scholarships
to students attending historically
Black colleges. The winners are
chosen competitively for their aca-
demic ability and commitment to the
teaching profession. Since the pro-
gram began, forty-eight students have
been awarded $1,500 scholarships
each year to assist them with their tu-
ition and personal expenses.
“Pollster Lou Harris reported in a
1988 Met Life teacher survey that
most (67%) minority teachers agree
that increasing minority presence in
the profession is very important,”
said Sibyl Jacobson, president and
chief executive officer of the Metro-
politan Life Foundation. ‘‘We hope
hat these Future Teacher Scholar-
ships provide students with an added
incentive to persist in pursuing teach-
ing careers.”
The scholarship program is admin-
istered by Citizens’ Scholarship Foun-
dation of America, Inc., a national,
nonprofit scholarship organization in
St. Peter, MN.
The Metropolitan Life Foundation,
established in 1976 by Metropolitan
Life Insurance Company, has contri-
buted more than $60 million to sup-
port health and education activities,
as well as civic and cultural affairs
throughout the United States.
EE eet ete |
f Sympathy Is Never
| Wasted Except i
° When You :
h Give It To ]
Yourself j
Life’s Pressures Eased by
Listening Peers _
Dallas, TX—Caring people can be
found in all walks of life and in every
church pew. Trained to respond ap-
propriately to others in need, these in-
dividuals can extend the compassion-
ate reach of overworked pastors and
mental health professionals in church
and para-church organizations by be-
coming ‘‘peer counselors.’’
The terminology may sound new.
But the concept is rooted in the
history of the church and operative in
numerous contemporary society and
educational institutions, according to
authors Joan Sturkie and Gordon R.
Bear. In their comprehensive, instruc-
tive and inspiring book entitled Chris-
tian Peer Counseling: Love in Action,
Sturkie and Bear trace this ‘‘legacy of
caring’? and offer guidelines for
establishing and maintaining an effec-
tive peer ministry to hurting people.
‘‘There are many advantages of go-
ing to a peer who understands. A rap-
port is quickly established, and a
thrust is built,’’ the writers explain.
“Not only do the peer counselors
represent more hours of available
counseling time, but they also provide
a wider variety of life experiences’ to
which the counselee can relate.
The book outlines eight major
components of a quality peer counsel-
ing program, discussing areas of ac-
c/o BISHOP F. C. JAMES
P. O. Box 4837
countability, leadership, professional
consultation, scope of service, docu-
mentation and affiliation. Thirteen
models of ministry from representa-
tive churches and organizations pro-
mise more practical insights, along
with sample forms, program ideas,
and an extensive bibliography.
Christian Peer Counseling, while
written in concise non-technical lan-
guage, offers readers the benefit of
the authors’ combined experience, re-
search, and interviews concerning the
effect of peer counseling on the lives
of individuals. Joan Sturkie is a regis-
tered nurse, former high-school coun-
selor, peer counseling teacher, con-
sultant and author. Gordon R. Bear is
a licensed clinical social worker and a
psychotherapist.
As the authors define it, ‘‘Christian
peer counseling is support and assis-
tance given by a Christian, in service
to Jesus Christ, to another person in
need. The primary focus is on truth-
ful and empathic communication
along with appropriate use of spiritual
resources such as prayer and the Bi-
ble.”
COOHCHEOEHSOCHSOOHOH OOO ESHOOE SHEED
e
God Is Only A
Prayer Away
COCHHOHOSCHSOHEOHOHHOO HHO HHSHCOSS
ececcecece
eecocecoeoce
Columbia, South Carolina 29240
Send Your Financial Assistance Today!
by
Basic Sunday School
Growth In Black
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A. LEE and BOBBYE J]. HENDERSON
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This Book is an excellent resource for teacher training. j
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