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Title
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December 29, 1986
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wii eS ee eee,
Vol. 136, No. 7
PRICE: 50 CENTS
Tennessee Annual Conference Is Climax
To 13th Episcopal District Series
Of Annual Conferences
Bishop C. E. Thomas
Nashville, TN — The 119th Session of
the Tennessee Annual Conference was
captivating, illuminating. and awe-
inspiring. . .not just the inevitable
“‘ending’’ of the 13th District series.
The ‘‘summit’’—from the trek of
the awakening and arresting Kentucky
Conference—ever onward and ever
higher—until the happy ‘‘caravan’’ of
bishops, general officers, presiding
elders, officers, members, guests and
friends—and ‘‘curiosity seekers’’—
reached the ‘‘Athens of the South’’—
Nashville, the site of the 119th Session.
Specifically, at the primed and ‘‘ready’’
host church, Payne Chapel—one of the
fastest growing (having something over
100 accessions—many of this number
““conversions’’), led on by the princely
pastor, the Reverend Dr. (M.D.) Ken-
neth S. Robinson, and his charming,
talented and well-employed wife, Mrs.
Marilynn S. Robinson.
On Wednesday, the Missionary Con-
vention held the stage, with the con-
cerned and affable supervisor, Mrs.
Susie Thomas, presiding. Mrs. Thomas
was surrounded by a fine court of lead-
ing officers and members of the Con-
Please turn to page 7
Rev. Charles H. Lett, Sr., Pastor, Disney A.M.E.C., Philadelphia, PA. and the
Honoree—Rev. Mickarl D. Thomas, Sr.
A Great Celebration With
International Overtones
Boston, MA — Recently The
Reverend Dr. Joseph L. Joiner, Sec-
retary-Treasurer of the Pension De-
partment of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, was the Keynote
Speaker for a Testimonial Banquet
given in honor of The Reverend Mickarl
Getting Church N
D. Thomas, Sr., Pastor of the Historic
Charles Street A.M.E. Church in
Boston, Massachusetts. He delivered a
profound message dealing with the
meaning of ‘‘five stones’. Dr. Joiner
talked about the stone of love, the stone
Please turn to page 10
SEE YOU IN PRAYER MEETING
Pictured above is Bethel A.M.E. Church, Portland, Oregon.
Oh Come Let Us
Worship Him.
Dr. John R. Bryant
Columbus, OH — The 68th Annual
Ohio Pastors Convocation will be held
February 2, 3 and 4, 1987, at the Hyatt
Regency, Columbus, Ohio.
‘Ohio Pastors Convocation Features
Dr. John Bryant To Speak
John R. Bryant will speak Monday
morning on the subject, ‘‘Proclama-
tion,’’ and will lead the Monday After-
noon interest group on preaching.
Pastor of the 6,000-member Bethel
African Methodist Episcopal Church,
Baltimore—Maryland’s oldest Black in-
dependent church—he has been guest
lecturer and preacher at over 25 colleges
and universities and preached on five
continents.
Dr. Bryant has contributed to four
books and is the author of numerous
newspaper and magazine articles. He
has served on the faculty of Harvard
University School of Divinity, as vice
president of the National Committee of
Black Churchmen, and is the recipient
of many honors. He holds a Doctor of
Ministry degree from Colgate Roches-
ter Divinity School.
ews Into Print During The Bicentennial
by A. Lee Henderson
Have you ever found yourself asking, “Why do
newspapers print so many stories about crime and so
little about the good things people do? If so, ask your-
self another question, ‘‘When was the last time I in-
formed the Editor about some newsworthy event in
my church?’’
The truth is that newspapers do print stories about
people and organizations that have rendered a service
to mankind, Carefully examine the latest issue of your
local paper, and the chances are that you will find an
interesting article about someone who has been mak-
ing pillows for the handicapped or organizing an employment agency for senior
citizens. Crime is news, but so is goodness.
The reader may protest, ‘‘The last time our church held a bazaar we called
the newspaper but did not get a single line of publicity.’’ Reader, there is no
need for your temper to rise. Bazaars are not news. But unusual items sold at
bazaars make news. Did someone make handicraft items that could not be pur-
chased in local stores?
Believe it or not, church events are news material and editors are glad to tell
Dr. A. Lee Henderson
ae ee
your story. On the other hand, newspapers do not exist for the sole purpose of
distributing free advertising. They want to tell a story and the story ought to
have human interest.
What about the sermons? Here again many are missing the good ship Public
Relations. Granted that sermon reviews are not common newspaper copy, the
fact is that readers miss a lot of good homiletical news simply because Editors
are not informed when newsworthy statements are made from the pulpit. Ser-
mons are the good news of God, but not always good news from a journalistic
point of view.
Good editors will take excerpts from the sermon but the minister must know
which sermons would be of interest to the newspaper reader and which would
not. Next the minister or the public relations chairperson should prepare a news
release containing an outline of the sermon and the pertinent excepts from the
sermon. (Someone must see to it that this material gets to the Editor’s desk long
before the event is to take place.)
Editors do not have the resources to send reporters around to check on what
your church is doing. Therefore, the church that keeps the newspaper informed
is more apt to be the church that gets news coverage. This does not mean that
Please turn to page 7
# 2181
NORRIS
F
SINGER ST
RICHARD
BURI
REV.
2235
19119
PA
LPHIA
PHILADE
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Are Things Really That Bad?
A man who was about to commit
suicide was approached by a
hopeful person, willing to help him
change his mind and alter his
plans. He said, “Things can’t be
that bad; let’s talk about it. In fact,
if you give me fifteen minutes, Iam
sure I can get you to change your
mind about jumping.” The
distraught person granted him
fifteen minutes to come up and
talk. After fifteen minutes, they
both jumped.
This story, of course, is not true,
but it points us to a very serious
area of life today that we must
openly face up to, and that is the
issue of suicide. We can no longer
ignore this matter, hoping it just might go away. Suicide among youth
under age 21 is, today, the third leading cause of death. In current
statistics, some 25,000 persons each year commit suicide with some
ten times that number being unsuccessful in their attempts.
Preventing a suicide is, in fact, saving a life, which so often is
contingent upon someone’s being there and available at the time of
greatest need. Romaine Edwards, in her recent book, says, “Suicidal
people generally can’t make up their minds and waiver back and forth
up to the very end. Even in their decision to attempt suicide, they
usually do it ina way that leaves them an ‘out’ with the possibility of a
last-minute rescue. In effect, they ‘gamble with death.’ . . . The fact
that a person with suicidal problems approaches you or someone,
indicates that the part of that person that doesn’t want to do it is the
strongest.”
“Christianity Today,” in its Ministers Workshop, addresses some of
the critical issues involved in the subject of suicide. One thing is
characteristic of every suicide: he has lost hope. The minister may be
in astrategic position to prevent this. However, the pastor or counselor
does the victim a disservice by merely confirming his pessimism. The
typical suicide feels worthless, guilty, lonely, rejected and angry.
Usually, his actions are the result of a series of set-backs that are
ignited by one too many frustrations. The minister can emphasize
antidotes for each of these. He can offer a strong Biblical affirmation
of our personal value, our total forgiveness before God, and our
continued purpose in Christ. The Church can, also, offer friendship
that is accepting, low-key, and available to all classes of people.
“Christianity Today,” in the Ministers Workshop, goes on to speak of
befriending high-risk groups. Although anyone can suddenly commit
suicide, statistics indicate that certain people are more vulnerable
than others. Dentists and doctors are ending their lives at a rate of six
or seven to one over the general population. Lawyers choose suicide
five times as often as others. Among the medical professions,
psychiatrists lead the list in self-destruction. Suicide is, indeed,
increasing among young people who face the pressures of college, and
among women who are confused about their roles in life. Suicides are
now on the increase among minority and poverty groups. American
Indians face a serious problem among their youth; some tribes have
six times more suicides than the national average.
Just stop now and think. How many suicides have occured with
people you know well, or within your general community
acquaintance? Does this not then warrant that we all should face the
ugly problem that is plaguing our society? A problem that is getting
worse and bigger, one that we can no longer hide in the closet?
Our seminaries, our ministerial associations, our pastors, our
associate ministers, and Christian workers, must be urged to prepare
themselves with study and tools sufficient to deal with this delica
subject and situation. It is more realistically suggested by an educatea
projection that 500,000 people in the U.S.A. attempt suicide every
year, and that 90% of the total population will at some time in their
lives consider suicide as a possibility
ROBERT H. REID, JR.
Perhaps, you have not remembered that there are Bible
illustrations of suicide cases. The accounts of Samson, Judges 16:30;
Saul and his armor-bearer, 1 Samuel 31:4, 5; Ahithophel, 2 Samuel
17:23: Zimri, 1 Kings 16:18; and Judas; Matthew 27:5,
interesting stories, but really contribute little to the actual theology of
the matter, So let us face it anew and give healing and relief to those so
entangled. As my new author and friend Romaine Edwards says,
serve as
“One of the greatest rewards . . . is knowing that you were prepared
to deal with a life-and-death situation; and because of you someone is
alive today who might have died had you not been there to help.”
You can relax when you've placed
your order with The AME Christian
Recorder.
The AME Christian Recorder
Publisher’s Opinion
Day One— Year 1987
by A. Lee Henderson
For the New Year, if we lose sight of the goodness in
ourselves we will have lost the battle to make a differ-
ence in our life. We have seen our leaders in grotesque
situations and whether we feel justified in blaming
them or not as individuals and citizens we can look to
ourselves to play an active role reclaiming the power
many of us feel has been stripped from us. The great-
est power to draw from is our Lord, Jesus Christ
who can give us a virility of purpose in our personal
and public life.
Who has not felt inadequate and deprived at a time
when economic opportunities are being swept away and political hypotheses rule
the day. How can one individual make a difference? I say, it takes one individual
to begin to make that difference. Take your Bible in your hand and start the
year triumphantly by rededicating yourself to the Lord. He created you. Who
can insult our Creator by believing less in oneself than He did?
Take responsibility and reconcile yourself with family, with friends and look
toward the mountain without regret or fear. Participate actively, you will
make a difference. Participate actively in the life of the Church, you will make a
difference. Participate actively in the life of the community, you will make a dif-
ference. Participate actively in the political life of the country you live in, you
will make a difference.
A. Lee Henderson
You Can Give
He Who Stands For Without Love
Nothing Will Fall
For Anything
But You Cannot
Love Without
Giving
ee ee eS SS eS Ss SS
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EDITORIAL STAFF
Dr, R. H, Reid, Jr, Editor
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Ministries Editor; Atty. Leroy Nesbitt, Social Action Editor, Rev, W. F. Ball, Jr. Public Relations
Editor, Mrs. Theima A. Wills, Contributing Editor, Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams, General Features
Editor, Mrs. Wilhelmina Lawrence, Senior Missions Editor, Mrs, Ruth Hill Jones, Editor;
Rev. Alonzo Middleton, Regional Editor, Rev, E. L. Blankenship, Regional Editor, Rev. W. J.
Jackson, Regional Editor; Atty, Mary R. Turner, Basic Law Editor: Or. J. W. P. Collier, Overseas
Correspondent; Dr. W. D. Johnson, Roving Photegrapher/Reporter, Or. Kenneth S$. Robinson,
Medical Ministries Editor; Capt. Carroll R. Chambliss, Special Columnist; Mrs. Shendan Reid
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Davis, Archives Editor, Dr, Witkam P, DeVeaux, Career Development Editor; Dr. Dennis C. Dicker-
son, Contributing Editor, Rev. Cecil Murray, Contributing Editor,
The A.M.E. Christian Recorder welcomes letters trom its readers on matters of general interest. All
letters must be signed and contain the address of the writer. The A.M.E. Christian Recorder will occa-
sionally withhold the name of a writer of a signed letter, if there is a valid reason given. No
detamatory, libelous or slanderous letters will be printed: and the A.M.E. Christian Recorder reserves
the right to reject or edit any letter or article to contorm with good taste, style and space requirements.
____ to the Christian Recorder ~
December 29, 1986
Dew ee ewe eR OR RE EER EE oe
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December 29, 1986
The AME Christian Recorder
Bishop D. G. K. Ming presenting Man of Year award to Walter Robinson. L-R: Walter
Robinson, Rev. Donald L. Tucker and Bishop Ming.
Bishop Donald Ming Highlights Bethel’s Men’s Day
Springfield, MA — Bethel A.M.E.
Church and their pastor, the Rev. Dr.
Donald L. Tucker, welcomed Bishop
Donald George Kenneth Ming, Presid-
ing Prelate of the 8th Episcopal District,
to share in their Annual Men’s Day
service as guest speaker.
“The Challenge of the Open Door’’
was the subject used by the bishop to
deliver the stirring Men’s Day message,
which was based on Revelations, Chap-
ter 3, verses 7 and 8. He began by say-
ing this letter could have read, ‘‘...
unto the church at Bethel, Springfield.’”
He declared to the congregation that
there is a challenge of faith, opportunity
and commitment. God knows our
works, our endurance and our opportu-
nities. The letter is very positive and en-
couraging.
Bishop Ming challenged his hearers
on many issues. He stated that:
We must recapture our concern for
mission work in the church. The
A.M.E. Church is spread throughout
the world. He asked, ‘‘Are Missionar-
ies just to hold meetings and dress in
their white?’’ We, as a Black church,
should go out into the world and tell the
people that Jesus cares. We have to
take our religion outside the four walls
of the sanctuaries, lift up Jesus by tak-
ing Him to the highways and byways.
There is the unfinished job of libera-
tion and justice. He said, Pharoah is
still alive and he has a residence right
here in Springfield. We should say to
Pharoah, ‘‘Let my people go.” He
asked us to look at the complexion of
our City Council, for example, and he
related how, in the 8th District, com-
prising Mississippi and Louisiana, they
are gaining political power by waging a
successful battle for district representa-
tion. He cautioned that if we don’t go
out to vote, Pharoah will surely ride his
chariot. There are, he said, two kinds of
justice—one for whites and another for
Blacks.
Economic justice will come when we
can save a penny and, eventually, own
something. If you cannot save a penny,
you will never be liberated. When we
total the income of Blacks in America,
we would have enough assets to make
us the sixth largest country in the world;
yet, we don’t manufacture anything,
and the only Black listed in Forbes Mag-
azine is John Johnson of Johnson Pub-
lishing Company. Something is wrong.
The church should start a program for
economic development for its mem-
bers. Once we have learned to save
some, then we should learn to give
some.
Inspiration and guidance is needed.
There was a time when we could inspire
our young people, but, today, we make
them afraid of us. It is our responsibili-
ty to inspire our little Black children and
to tell them that they can be somebody.
The people of Bethel were, indeed,
given a spiritual feast by Bishop Ming.
He challenged the congregation and
then shared the ways in which the chal-
lenges of the open door might be met.
The entire worship service was rich with
moments of significance. The Sacra-
ment of Holy Communion was cele-
brated with Bishop Ming as Chief Cele-
brant. He was assisted by Pastor Tuck-
er and Rev. Donald Thomas.
Several presentations were made as a
part of the service. Bro. Arthur Jones,
Chairman of the 1986 Annual Men’s
Day, presented Bishop Ming with the
AME anvil, which states, ““Every AME
Must Have An Anvil,’’ The power of
the Word—The strength of the tradi-
tion. Bishop responded by saying this
was a “‘first’’? because he had always
wanted an anvil, and that this award
would have a very special place in his
office. Bro. Benjamin Riley, Vice-
Chairman of Men’s Day, made a pre-
sentation to Bro. Douglas B. Jenkins,
Sr., in recognition of his honored posi-
tion as ‘‘Father of the Church.”’
Bishop Ming installed the officers of
the newly-organized Sons of Allen
Men’s Club, including Arthur Jones,
President; Benjamin Riley, Vice Presi-
Happy New Year
ITcan doall
things through
Christ which
strengthencth me
Rev. W. J. Jackson
Bethel A.M.E. Church
Ye have not
passed this way
heretofore
405 N.W. Esther Rolle Avenue
Pompano Beach, Florida 33060
943-8196
Bishop Ming addressing and greeting memberss at Men’s Day Brunch, L-R: Mrs. Augus-
tina Robinson, ‘‘Miss Bethel,’’ Bishop Ming and Rey. Donald L. Tucker, pastor.
dent; Robert Glasgow, Treasurer; Billy
Jones, Secretary, and Walter Robinson,
Chaplain.
Following the service, the visiting
bishop was the honored guest of the
Men’s Day Committee at a brunch in
the fellowship hall of the church, during
which Bishop Ming presented the
““Man of the Year’’ award to Bro. Wal-
ter Robinson, who will reign for the
conference year.
The successful Men’s Day service
was the culmination of six months of
work during which the men sponsored a
variety of activities, including the Annu-
al Labor Day Barbecue, the Church
School Halloween Party, a Gospel Fest,
the Man of the Year Contest and the
Annual recognition Dinner. Honored at
the dinner for their dedicated service to
the church were Brothers Robert Glas-
gow, Lawrence Bagwell, Willie Good-
man and Arthur Jones. Posthumous
awards were presented to the widows of
deceased brothers who also gave dedi-
cated service, including Rev. L. Mar-
shall Watts, and Brothers Reginald
Mathews, Willie McCall and Codring-
ton Wilson.
The Men’s Day Committee also had
the preasure to host Bishop Ming at a
very fine dinner on his arrival in Spring-
field. Joining the bishop and Pastor
Tucker for the dinner at the church par-
sonage were Presiding Elder and Mrs.
Herbert L. Eddy, Mrs. Willie Good-
man, Sister Rose Watts, Church Secre-
tary Geraline Barber and the chairman
and vice chairman of the Men’s Day
Committee.
Although they are few in number,
the men of Bethel stand tall and strong
in their commitment of meeting the
challenge of the open door, and the
1986 Men’s Day was spiritually and fi-
nancially a blessing. The members of
Bethel extend congratulations to their
men for a job well done.
Submitted by:
Willie A. Goodman, President
Publicity Commission
Happy
New
Year
The New Year
Offers New
Opportunities
For Our Zion
Rev. Z. L. Grady
Presiding Elder
Edisto District
2490 Liverpool Drive
Charleston, South Carolina 29407
766-9569
a
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DR. JOHN E. BRANDON, PRESIDENT
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===== DSC05053.JPG =====
the AME Christian Recorder
December 29, 1986
Bicentennial Celebration Committee of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Vinton R. Anderson
To: The Pastor, Officers, and Mem-
bers
Re: AMEC Bicentennial Celebration
I greet you in the name of our Lord
and Savior, Jesus Christ.
As you know, we, the African Meth-
odist Episcopal Church, will be cele-
brating the bicentennial of African
Methodism in 1987. In preparation for
this celebration, The Connectional Bi-
centennial Committee has prepared ‘‘A
Syllabus for Celebrating the Bicenten-
nial.’’ Our responsibility is to insure
that a unified expression of our remem-
brance, celebration and commitment be
exemplified from the local churches,
district conferences, annual conferenc-
es, episcopal districts, and general and
connectional offices, and related institu-
tions.
Every pastor, every officer, every
organization and auxiliary, everyone
should be involved. We have a story to
tell, from the moment Richard Allen,
Absalom Jones, Jane Ann Murray, and
other persons of color, walked out of
St. George Methodist Church in No-
vember, 1787, to where we are in 1987.
Bishop John H. Adams
We have to tell the story of some
7,000 A.M.E. Churches across the
world, about the colleges, seminaries,
technical schools,, elementary schools,
and high schools that are A.M.E. relat-
ed. We have to tell it for no one else can
tell our story.
We have held two pre-bicentennial
events. The first was a connectional
Evangelism Service and Seminar in New
Orleans, Louisiana, on June 22-23,
1986. Here, we emphasized our need to
make evangelism a top priority for Afri-
can Methodism and shared the ‘‘How
to’’ of evangelism.
Secondly, we convened the Bicenten-
nial Overseas Consultation, in Nairobi,
Kenya. Many of our bishops, general
and connectional officers, and lay per-
sons from across the connection talked
about our work in Africa, the Carribean
and England. Such challenging issues as
the need and the right of our African
districts electing their own bishops,
were discussed. This is symbolic of the
type of examination and discussion that
must take place in the next 18 to 24
months for us to fulfill our bicentennial
challenge.
r
Bishop Rembert E. Stokes
Not only must we celebrate, but we
must examine where we have come
from, where we are, and where we are
going. We must go into our closets and
church basements and find those old
A.M.E. pictures and books and writ-
ings, restore them to their original beau-
ty, and let the world know, ‘‘We are
proud to be A:M.E.’s!’’
We must document where we are
and lay the plans as to where we should
go from here. Everyone has something
to contribute.
If you would like more information
as to who are ‘‘The Four Horsemen’’
of African Methodism, what’s the
meaning of our bicentennial theme and
logo, how do I organize my church or
conference or neighborhood for the bi-
centennial, what worship aids can I use
for the bicentennial, and what events
are planned for the celebration? All of
the questions are answered in the Sylla-
bus. Order your syllabus from your
episcopal officer or write:
Rev. Taylor T. Thompson
A.M.E. Bicentennial Committee
100 Sylvania Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15210
North Louisiana Confe
Bishop Donald G. K. Ming
Monroe, LA — Allen Chapel A.M.E.
Church—the growing city of Monroe—
was the site of the 1986 North Louisiana
Annual Conference. Rev. Robert
Boyd, host pastor, along with Presiding
Elders Clarence Collins, of the Monroe
—Lake Providence District, and G. K.
Tomkies of the Shreveport District, had
meticulously finalized all plans for suc-
cessful entertainment when the episco-
pal leaders, Bishop Donald G. Ming
and Mrs. Edith W. Ming, the delegates
and visitors arrived.
The business sessions and worship
services were enlightening and uplifting
as Presiding Bishop Ming led the con-
ference into areas of study and involve-
ment heretofore unexplored. Of special
interest is the bishop’s concern for re-
tired ministers and ministers’ widows in
terms of monetary contributions
throughout the year, and his continued
quest for church growth and church ex-
pansion.
It is also to be noted that the newly-
elected President of the World Federa-
tion of Methodist Women and 8th Dis-
trict WMS Supervisor, Mrs. Edith
rence In The News
White Ming, an accomplished musician
and born leader, has instilled new vision
and worldwide concern in the member-
ship of the Women’s Missionary So-
ciety.
The conference went on record en-
dorsing a sound stewardship program in
each local church, intensifying minister-
ial training, upgrading ministers’ com-
pensation, assisting the smaller church-
es with a concerted effort in each pre-
siding elder’s district, and observing a
conference-wide ‘‘A.M.E Church Bi-
centennial Celebration’’ in 1987.
Among the out-of-district visitors
present were Rev. James C. Clarke of
the 2nd Episcopal District, who is a pro-
duct of the 8th District, and Rev. Ter-
rence Hensford, pastor of St. Mark
A.M.E. Church in East Elmhurst (Co-
rona) New York, who served as the
“‘Hour-of-Power’’ preacher.
The good members of Allen Chapel
Church and Host Pastor and Mrs. Ro-
bert Boyd are to be extended special
thanks for their warm hospitality.
The 1987 session of the annual con-
ference will convene at the beautiful,
newly-decorated Mary Springhill
A.M.E. Church in the City of Shreve-
port.
Fear Knocked On
The Door, Faith
Answered, No-
body Was There
Enclose $3.00 for each syllabus plus
50 cents postage and handling, Make
check or money order payable to
A.M.E. Bicentennial Committee.
BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Bishop Vinton R. Anderson, Chairman
Bishop John H, Adams
Bishop Rembert E. Stokes
Reverend Taylor T, Thompson, Secretary
Dr. Joseph C. McKinney, Treasurer
Order Blank
Bicentennial Syllabus A.M.E.C.
Name.
Address
Phone:
Church: City.
Send me____ Syllabus at $3.50 $__
(Shipping & Handling)
Total
Check or Money Order ONLY
A.M.E. Bicentennial Committee
God Wants
Witnesses Not
Debators
r>p—-22mMH2m0-9O mI
QO2—-A>DvoOmMemMoO BON HCWYPrr<wn YP
Methodist
Episcopal
Church
1787-1987
Bishop Vinton R. Anderson
LYN Swear Mo RM
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December 29, 1986
Ihe AME Christian Recorder
John Edmonds’
<<)
Gospel Truth
Goes on ‘‘Praise ’86 Tour’’
Los Angeles — Those male dynamos of
gospel John Edmonds’ Gospel Truth,
have been on the road again. Their
‘*Praise *86 Tour’* began November 21
in Louisville and ran through December
7 where it ended in Evansville, IN, tak-
ing the group back to several familiar
churches during this 12-city tour. The
tour included a stop in their hometown
of Bowling Green.
“‘This tour was in response to the
many letters I’ve received over the last
4 years asking about our return,”’ said
leader John Edmonds. He admits the
group was only too happy to give in to
popular demand. ‘‘It’s great knowing
that we were missed and we love tour-
ing,’’ he added.
Always trying to set the pace in gos-
pel with their brand of music, the
JEGT promises some surprises for
their fans in 1987. Although he won’t
go into detail, Edmonds says his ‘‘ Noah
Washington and His Rainbow’’ will be
the gospel musical hit of the year!
The Bicentennial Notebook
From Peggy Pinder’s Pen
This mini history of Campbell
A.M.E. Church is respectfully written
and dedicated to the glory of God and
for the benefit of the members of
Campbell and friends.
In the year 1807, a believing Chris-
tian, Sister Sarah Gongo, invited some
friends to her home at’ 1757 Bowser’s
Lane (Plum St., Frankford, Phila.) for
prayers and to organize a religious
group. That group of 28 persons be-
came the nucleus of Campbell A.M.E.
Church. Sometime between 1807 and
1813, the group purchased a frame
shop on its present site and held services
there. An inscription on the front of the
present building reads: ‘‘Bishop Camp-
bell Chapel—2nd A.M.E.’’ Campbell
is named in memory of Rev. Jabez Pitt
Campbell, a former general officer and
bishop of the A.M.E Connection. He
was editor of the A.M.E. Christian
Recorder in 1856.
Campbell Church buried its dead in
the churchyard. Yearly memorial serv-
ices, which included flag-raising and
gun salute, were conducted there each
May 30th by a marching band and uni-
formed war veterans. One of the grave
sites is that of Sister Agnes Spencer, the
first woman from Campbell licensed to
preach. The graves of the first pastor,
Rev. Richard Robinson and his wife,
Tamer, are located at the right of the
front entrance to the church.
The sanctuary was beautifully reno-
vated in 1975, which helped to enhance
the priceless memorial stained glass
windows. The windows depict many
symbols in the Holy Bible. The lower
portion of the windows identify names
of pioneer members and various church
organizations. The large window over
the front entrance is illuminated at
night by a_ stainless steel floodlight
donated in 1957 by the Campbelites.
The words ‘‘Prayer Changes
Things’’ were installed over the organ
during the pastorate of Rev. Percy L.
Ransome. The lighted cross over the
pulpit was a gift from the Neighbor-
hood Council of Frankford. The pres-
ent electric organ was purchased from
LaMott A.M.E. Church and replaced
the old organ which had to be pumped
while being played by the organist.
Chimes were installed on the organ
March 31, 1957.
The parsonage next door to the
church housed most of the pastors and
their families through 1947 and, period-
ically, between 1952 and 1974. There
have been about 66 different pastors
assigned to Campbell, in addition to
about four assistant pastors. Two of
those are still worshipping with the
Campbell congregation: Rev. Sharon
Wylie Williams and Assistant Pastor
Emeritus Rev. Charles S. Thompson,
who is now close to 100 years old.
Presently serving Campbell A.M.E.
Church is the Rev. Nathaniel L. Wil-
liams. He was assigned to Campbell
May 23, 1982. Great camaraderie exists
among the churches in the Frankford,
Philadelphia area—a section of the city
that has seen an influx of many races
and a deterioration of numerous build-
ings that were steeped in historic values.
Through it all, however, Campbell has
stood proud holding on to the traditions
of our founder, Richard Allen.
Happy New Year
Thanks Be to
God For Another
Rev. Felix D. Dancy
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
Berkeley, California
Best Wishes for
a Prosperous
New Year
Goodwin Douglas, Pastor
Turner A.M.E, Church
Washington, D.C,
PSSVAAANVVALAA VEEL US ELLE LEER EEE TENET DEEN EERE TEE SHEE
Happy New Year
Third Street Bethel A.M.E. Church
614 North Third Street
Richmond, Virginia
SRK M MMMM MGSO SSSSEEEEE ESS SESH
KOKO Na NR OA Na RROD ANNO RE.
-Happv New Year
And a Prosperous Bicentennial Year
Richard Allen A. Lee Henderson, Publisher
Within eleven years after the Bill of Rights and the
Declaration of Independence were signed, Richard Allen
and other free Blacks in Philadelphia realized that the
terms ‘‘created equal’’ and “inalienable rights’’ did not
apply. When Blacks were pulled from their knees while
praying in a white Methodist Church in November of 1787,
they walked out and formed the African Methodist Epis-
copal Church.
A.M.E.C. Sunday School Union
500 Eighth Avenue South
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-4181
615/256-5882
SSS
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The AME Christian Recorder
December 29, 1986
The Second Episcopal District
YPD Director’s Annual Report
|
Mrs. Ora L. Easley
REFLECTIONS 85-86
Membership expansion continues to
be a priority focus of our energies. The
Conference Directors were encouraged
to ‘‘Reach Out’”’ through personal con-
tact and local church visitation to bring
into the YPD fold those churches in
their respective conferences without
YPD organizations. This was to be ac-
complished by (1) securing the aid and
support of the Area YPD personnel,
WMS leadership and the pastors and
(2) distribution of YPD materials for
both training and promotional purpos-
es. Utilizing these procedures a total of
thirty-three (33) new YPD units were
organized and six (6) units were reacti-
vated during this reporting period.
Quite significant also is the total local
church membership increase ‘‘1,451”
new YPD’ers brought into the fold this
conference year. The most notable in-
crease occurred in the North Carolina
Conference where the Conference Di-
rector reported that there were sixteen
(16) newly organized units. Eighty per-
cent (80%) of our churches now have
YPD organizations with a total mem-
bership of 5,691 (a 50% increase during
the past five (5) years. Our goal is to
make it 100% before the end of this
Quadrennium.
Fall Conference Level Workshops or
Institutes were held with capacity at-
tendances and much success; many on
college campus settings, as each con-
ference focused on ‘‘Family Life Is-
sues”’ or ‘Know Your Church Empha-
sis.” The purpose of the former being
to focus on the role of the Black Fam-
ily, in particular as a viable institution
for our young people to offset negative
stereotyping which our youth view at
the movies, or on many local television
media specials focusing on the vanishing
Black Family. The purpose of the latter
being to train our youth in the glorious
traditions of African Methodism.
Spring Annual YPD Days were also
held with record attendances in each
conference. There were many varia-
tions of format style to make each
uniquely different, from a sacred mini
service of worship and praise to a festive
and elegant banquet setting; however, in
each conference, the specified guide-
lines for preparation of the electorate
process was adhered to; credential re-
ports were in order; pre-printed ballots
were available and the voting delegation
was seated in a designated area with
badges. It was delightful to see the
youth being so very serious, displaying
superior leadership skill, as they took
part in the deliberations of the election
procedures. A cadre of mature and
knowledgeable young people were elect
ed as delegates to the 1987 Missionary
Quadrennial Convention. Also, the con-
ference level culminations of the
Prince/Princess Contest (an Episcopal
District Fundraiser) were held amid
much flair and pageantry as each con-
ference vied for the coveted Episcopal
District title. The winner and reigning
Princess for 1986-1987 was LaKosta
Fredlaw from the North Carolina Con-
ference, reporting $5,217.00. Betty Cal-
houn serves as Conference Director.
The total amount raised by the five con-
ference YPD organizations for this ef-
fort was $16,169.46,
Self-Denial, a Connectional YPD
Project, was accentuated again this
year, as Our youth were encouraged and
inspired to take a more participatory
role in the writing of essays on the 1986
Self-Denial Theme, ‘‘A.M.E.’s Retool-
ing For African Methodism’s Third
Century.’ I, enthusiastically, report
that we received essays from each of the
three categories of entry levels and Self-
Denial theme posters from the younger
YPD’ers wishing to exhibit their artistic,
creative skills.
The Second Episcopal District’s Self-
Denial Winners are as follows:
Category I, grades 7-9
Name: Lisa Gilliam
Church: Turner Memorial
Conference: Washington
Category II, grades 10-11
Name: Kimberly Yvette Fox
Church: Bethel
Conference: Western North Carolina
Category III, grade 12
Name: Angela Stephens
Church: St. Luke
Conference: North Carolina
The Poster Contest Winner
Name: Dwayne Keels
Church: Turner Memorial
Conference: Washington
$1,000.00 was submitted to the Con-
nectional YPD Office as an offering for
Self-Denial.
Missionary Outreach has continued to
be emphasized as well as implemented,
mainly through the ‘‘Adopt-A-Grand-
parent Project.’? Senior Citizens and
YPD’ers have received untold benefits
from this Missionary Outreach Project.
Other loving and sharing activities this
year were: providing food pantries and
clothes closets for the needy, visitations
to pediatric wards at hospitals and nurs-
ing homes, participating in ‘‘Toys for
Tots’? programs and ‘‘Crop Walks For
Church World Service.”” Additionally,
the Washington Conference YPD’ers
are extending a hand of outreach to
their sisters and brothers in the 15th
Episcopal District.
Conclusion: We are very happy over
the successes of the Second Episcopal
District YPD program this year and we
are grateful to God for the accomplish-
ments. We express our sincere thanks
to our Episcopal team, Bishop and Mrs.
Adams, for allowing us the opportunity
to serve and for the interest and enthu-
siasm which they generate in the YPD
program through their leadership and
participation. We express our thanks
also to the WMS Leadership for their
support and our sincere appreciation is
extended to the Conference YPD Di-
rectors for their implementation of the
District Projects and for the guidance
given to the work of the YPD Program
in the Conferences of the Sensational
Second. We look forward with great
anticipation to the 86-87 Conference
Year and actively solicit your continued
support and prayers as we strive to GO,
GROW AND GLOW FOR CHRIST!
Respectfully submitted,
Ora L. Easley
Chicago Clergy Endorse Tyson
Chicago, IL The Chicago Ministerial
Alliance, in regular session, met at
Bethel A.M.E. Church, where the Rey.
D, C, Coleman is pastor, and unani
mously passed the motion to endorse
the Rev. A. D. Tyson, Jr., for the of-
fice of the bishopric at the 1988 session
of the General Conference of the
A.M.E, Church,
Dr. Tyson, who was guest of St.
Stephen A.M.E, Church at Sunday
services, attended the Alliance meeting
in the company of his son, the Rev. A.
D. Tyson, III, pastor of St. Stephen.
The Rey. Cornelius Hayes, whose
name is a familiar one in the halls of
African Methodism, president of the
Ministerial Alliance, asked for greetings
trom Dr. Tyson, who addressed the
gathering briefly. Following his re
marks, the Rey, Roy Miller, Presiding
Elder of the North District of the Chi
cago Annual Conference, spoke of his
long standing relationship with the can-
didate, Dr. D, C. Coleman then moved
that the Chicago Ministerial Alliance en-
dorse Candidate Tyson. Many seconds
to the motion were received and the
motion passed with high enthusiasm,
Of additional significance was the
presence of the County Clerk of Cook
County, who promised to assign a spe-
cial person in his department as a liaison
to the A.M.E. Ministerial Alliance to
help to solve problems in the disposal of
tax matters that affect the church,
Rev. Lillie Cullar, Secretary
Subscribe to the
A.M.E. Christian Recorder
for the New Year!
Greetings and Happy New Year
Rev. Daniel W. Pinkard
Grant A.M.E. Church
Los Angeles, California
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oe
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December 29, 1986
The AME Christian Recorder
Continued from page 1
Tennessee Annual Conferences Climax,.......cccscocccsccescsccccsccocececccossccece
ference Missionary Society. Mrs. Ger-
trude Merritt is President of the Con-
ference Branch.
The traditional and historic, the lit-
urgical and ritualistic practices, resident
in African Methodism, were evidenced
in the Opening of the 119th Session,
forwarded by the participation of
bishops, general officers, presiding
elders, elders and visiting dignitaries.
The Payne Chapel Sanctuary Choir
elevated the worship with their fervor,
versatility and praise selectivity.
Presented by host presiding elder, the
Rev. B. R. Booker, the associate pre-
siding elder, the Rev. W. F. Scruggs,
presented Rt. Reverend Cornelius E.
Thomas, who, in turn, presented the
Rev. Dr. Harry L. Wilson, pastor of
Bethel A.M.E. Church, Nashville, to
deliver the Annual Sermon.
Following the preparatory hymn, the
Rev. Mr. Wilson came forward to set a
very high standard for the preaching in
the 119th Session. The preacher select-
ed as textual scripture Acts 9:1-6 and
the subject ‘‘Knocked Down, But Not
Out.’? The speaker saw a parallel in
Saul’s conversion experience and that
of today’s church and not a few of its
members—‘‘Knocked Down, But Not
Out.’ It- was, indeed, a powerful ser-
mon and a thought-provoking ‘‘open-
ing’’ for a series of dynamic sermons of
a great conference.
Holy Communion was to the fore,
with Bishop Thomas and visiting Bish-
ops Hubert N. Robinson (retired),
Frank Curtis Cummins, First District,
presiding elders, elders and visiting can-
didates participating.
Visitors from far cross sections of the
Church were present, including candi-
dates for the bishopric ’88: Drs. Rich-
ard Allen Chappelle, Secretary of the
Church; D. C. Coleman, Bethel, Chi-
cago; C. G. Henning, the Sth; John R.
Bryant; R. W. Hilson, Alabama and
Dr. U. A. Hughey, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Also in attendance were General Offi-
cers Dr. R. H. Reid, Jr., Editor, the
A.M.E. Recorder; Dr. Edgar Mack,
Secretary-Treasurer, Christian Educa-
tion; Dr. Jamye Coleman Williams,
Editor, The A.M.E. Review, and Asso-
ciate Editor, Dr. McDonald Williams,
and Dr. A. Lee Henderson, Secretary-
Treasurer, Sunday School Union.
From Chicago were Dr. Roy Miller,
Presiding Elder, and Dr. A. D. Tyson,
I.
Among those from across the THIR-
TEENTH were Reverend Drs. Elmer
M. Martin, St. Andrew, Memphis; Ro-
bert Keesee (announced candidate for
bishopric ’88); H. L. Parks, Jr., Presid-
ing Elder, Kentucky Conference, and
many others too numerous to list in this
sabrief..
Four bishops elected to grace the
119th Session, including, of course, our
own Rt. Reverend C. E. Thomas (and
First Lady, Mrs. Susie Thomas); Hu-
bert H. Robinson, who preached the
Ordination Sermon (and Mrs. Hubert
N. Robinson); Frank Curtis Cum-
mings, First District; and Robert L.
Pruitt, 17th District.
NOTEWORTHY PREACHING:
As afore intimated, the ‘‘Opening’’ ser-
mon by Dr. Wilson set the tone and
raised the standard for meaningful,
challenging and ‘‘heavenly’’ preaching
for the noteworthy 119th Session of the
series—ending Tennessee Annual Con-
ference, followed by no-mean prophet-
preacher, the Rev. Willie Love, Ebene-
zer, Clarksville, whose homily on Mis-
sions and Missionaries was certainly in
keeping with the Great Preaching Ser-
ies. At the Noon Hour Friday, Chicago-
Bethel’s pastor came forth with a chal-
lenging message, ‘‘Taking God Serious-
ly.’’ Suffice it to say, it was a sobering
occasion. And ‘‘Reverend Dynamic’’
Edgar Mayham preached ‘*God’s Chil-
dren in Exile.’’ The Spirit helped him—
to do so much in such a short time.
On to the climax: The Ordination
Sermon, Saturday Noon. The bishop’s
charge emanating from Chapter 6:18-19
of John The Baptist’s plight in pro-
claiming the ‘‘awful’’ truth to amoral
Herod. His was a telling and cleric
experience-charge, and an expose of
glories and perils of the Christian minis-
Continued from page 1
Getting The News Into Print___E
every item will be published, A lot depends on the kind of material submitted
and space available. The following rules may be useful in getting your church
news before the public via the newspaper.
1. Be sure that your story has human interest. Facts are more interesting than
figures. The story is told of a soloist in a small A.M.E, Church who was singing
‘“‘Bless This House.’’ Just as she came to the words ‘‘Bless these walls,’’ there
was a loud crashing sound heard in the basement of the church. Naturally an
usher was told to investigate the matter and discovered that part of the plaster
had fallen from the walls in one of the classrooms. The minister called the local
newspaper and the next day the story appeared under the caption “The Walls
Came Tumblin’ Down.’’ The article ended with the words ‘‘Next time try
‘How Firm a Foundation’!’’ It was only a small story but it was distributed by
the wire service to other newspapers and the mother of the soloist read about it
in a Chicago newspaper the following day. (Incidentally, the printed story set off
a chain reaction that led to the remodeling of the church.)
2. The second rule concerns the time element. If something is going to hap-
pen in your church, let your Editor know about it in advance. If it is newswor-
thy, he will probably assign a reporter to cover the event and reserve space for it.
If something unexpected happens, call the newspaper as soon as possible.
Nothing is so dead as news that is no longer news.
3. Whenever possible, prepare a written statement or news release.
Newspaper people are human and it is only natural that a reporter is More apt to
write a story from copy that is lying on his desk than to go out and gather
material.
4. USE the four W’s of newspaper reporting: who, when, where and what.
State the facts always whether the material is a written statement or a telephone
conversation, Too many novices in this game assume that the reporter knows
that Mrs, Jones is president of the Missionary Society or that the Church is
located on Louvre and Bradley Avenue.
5, Finally, hold on to your feelings if your story is not printed! To pout and
raise your voice loud accomplishes little—other than ulcers. The law of averages
will show that persistence and good judgment in deciding what is news pays oft
in column inches.
Reverend B. R. Booker
Host Presiding Elder
Dr. Kenneth Robinson
Host Pastor
try. . .strictly in keeping with the better
preaching series—plus a special pinch
of ‘‘Robinsonism.”’
Sunday morning, another sermonic
treat was in store. The Rev. Dr. R. W.
Hilson of Alabama ‘‘put it altogether’’
in his dymanic Conference and series-
ending message: ‘‘The Art of Releasing
Needed Power.’’ His, indeed, was
much ‘‘food for thought’’—palatable,
enriching and benedictory. Ah! what re-
warding sermonic Series!
The Board of Examiners presented a
goodly number of ‘‘Itinerant’’—
“‘freshman’’ persons pursuing the Dea-
conate and Elders Orders. . .evangel-
ists and assistants in local areas. Ex-
aminations and ordinations prevailed, to
the joy of the principals and all con-
cerned,
FRATERNITY AND CONGENI-
ALITY: The firm, but fair and father-
ly’’ presiding by Bishop Thomas, the
queenly stance and example of the First
Lady, Mrs. Susie Thomas, the ‘*prince-
ly’? concern, conduct and ‘‘at ease’’
manner of Host Pastor and his queenly
wife and Payne-Chapelites, the down-
to-earth comraderie and fellowship, the
‘*heavenly’? music from all choirs—
Conference, Payne Chapel and St. Pe-
ter’s Men, among other singing groups,
characterized the Tennessee Annual
Conference.
The 119th Session’s Pastors’ Reports
indicated advances in conversions and
accessions. Finally, it must be said, nev-
er were programmed and responsive
FINANCES of the Conference more
satisfactory and solvent, All told, in
fewest words, the 119th Session of the
Greetings to
Tennessee Conference—Praise God! —
Episcopal Leaders, Field Clergy, Loyal
Laity and Friends, made History and
set even higher goals for the 120th.
E. Paul Beavers, Reporter
Happy|New|Y ear
St. James A.M.E. Church
St. Louis, Missouri
The
AMEC
INFORMATION
SYSTEM
The compi!ete church computer
system designed specifically
for 2 a tire
African Methodist
Episcopal Church
Contact the nation’s leading
Church computer systems:
and
AMEC Jr.
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Nashville, TN 37203-4181
615/256-5882
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the Family
of African Methodism
May you grow in grace through
obedience to God until you attain the
peace that passeth all understanding.
Happy New Year
A.M.E. Pension Department
Oe
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the AME Christian Recorder
December 29, 1986
Order your Sunday bulletins, promotional cards in color.
Personalized for your church, or from samples below.
nt
in veer ine \
a cney sh
Bishop Richard Allen
“Believ
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===== DSC05058.JPG =====
December 29, 1986
The AME Christian Recorder
SSS SSS SSS SSS
Black Press Institute Holds Media
Dialogue on South Africa
The Chicago-based Black Press Insti-
tute held a Media Dialogue on South
Africa, 6 November 1986, al Howard
University. Participants discussed strat-
egies and made recommendations to
keep the issue of South Africa before
the American public and to prod the
news media to avoid language and in-
terpretation biases in reporting on the
accelerating liberation struggle there.
The session opened with a series of
background talks on South Africa news
reporting, from there and in the U.S.,
and updates on the situation in front-
line states.
In his opening remarks, BPI Presi-
dent Edward Palmer reminded the
group that media coverage helped the
civil rights movement in the 1960's. “‘It
is in the interests of fairness and the
liberation movement in South Africa
that we keep South Africa on the tele-
vision and in the newspapers in Amer-
ica,’’ Palmer said.
Speakers at this one-day working ses-
sion included Daniel Schechter, ABC-
TV producer of ‘‘20/20°’; Joe David-
son, a Wall Street Journal reporter who
covered South Africa; and Kenneth
Longmyer, U.S. State Department
Legislative Management Officer for
European Affairs.
Schechter, who helped produce the
record ‘‘Sun City,’’ said he is more
concerned about ‘‘the press ban in the
U.S. and what U.S. people believe than
about the one in South Africa.’’ He
thinks American audiences only see
personalities such as Bishop Tutu,
Winnie Mandela, and Alan Boesak, but
do not hear about grassroots move-
ments.
“How many people know about
COSATU (Coalition of African Trade
Unions), ANC (African National Con-
gress), UDF (United Democratic
Front)?’’ Schechter asked. When these
organizatons are reported on, Schechter
maintains the descriptions are ‘‘never
free from jargon.’’ He contends it is
typical to hear the ANC referred to as
““Moscow-based.”’
Other speakers were Damu Smith,
Executive Director of the Washington
Office on Africa; Cecelie Counts,
TransAfrica; Mark August, a Black
South African reporter for the Dallas
Times-Herald; Jan Carew, chairman of
the BPI Executive Committee and visit-
ing Professor at Hampshire College;
Jacqueline Williams, former Youth Di-
rector, South African Council of
Churches; and Gabu Tugwana, a Black
South African reporter for the alterna-
tive newspaper New Nation, in Johan-
esburg.
Tugwana, who is in this country to
meet with the press, was enthusiastic
about the Dialogue. He said, ‘‘I have
been all over meeting with different
press people, but this is the group I was
looking for.’’
After the morning background talks,
participants met to prepare their recom-
mendations, which were of two types.
One set enjoined the U.S. press to
cover the liberation movement in South
Africa fairly. Typical of this category
was the recommendation to the U.S.
press to interview ANC and U.S. anti-
apartheid representatives on any story
in which South African government
officials are interviewed.
Another in this category said U-S.
journalists stationed in Southern Africa
should be based where they have access
to information from anti-apartheid
sources as well as to South African gov-
ernment sources. A third said the U.S.
press should investigate any sanction-
busting activities and look into the
rumor that South African intelligence
agencies are Operating in the U.S
The second type of recommendation
called on the BPI td initiate a number
of monitoring and resource-sharing ac-
tivities on South Africa, linking them to
issues of concern to African-Ameri-
cans. lt was suggested that information
and speakers on South Africa and for-
eign policy generally, from the Black
community, should be used more wide-
ly.
Commenting on the purpose of the
Dialogue, Professor Jan Carew said,
“*It was an important small conference
to deal with the overt and voluntary
suppression of information on South
Africa. What made it so important were
the positive suggestions that were made,
which bode well for follow-up activi-
ties.”’
The working groups and their chair-
men were: ‘‘Gathering News Under
Censorship,’? Mikel Holt (Editor, Mil-
waukee Community Journal and repre-
sentative of the NNPA) and John
Woodford (BPI board); ‘‘Disseminat-
ing News on South Africa,’? Dennis
Schatzman (Executive Director of the
NABJ) and Professor Carew; ‘‘How
Does This Relate to Us?’’ Professor
Robert Starks (Black Politics Scientists
Association), Dr. Frank Morris (Uni-
versity of Maryland), and Dwight Kirk
(CBTU).
All the working groups agreed that it
was important to develop independent
sources of information on South
Africa.
Earlier in the day, Kenneth Long-
myer told the group that Black Amer-
icans have a duty to help determine how
the U.S. behaves in foreign communi-
ties. ‘‘One of the greatest contributions
Black Americans can make,’’ Long-
myer said, ‘‘is to get U.S. foreign policy
on the right track.”’
Co-sponsors of the Media Dialogue
held in Howard University’s Blackburn
Center were The Nation Institute, the
Association for Education in Journal-
ism and Mass Communications, Citi-
zens Action, the Black Political Scien-
tists Association, and the National
Council for Black Studies.
He Who Loves God
Must Love His
Brother Also
Wishing for you a
blessed Holiday
Season
Rey. John H. Gillison
Mount Pisgah A.M.E. Church
215 W. Bartlette Street
Sumter, South Carolina 29150
803/773-7729
Predicting Our Future
by Bobbye J, Henderson
We claim victory for the future of the
A.M.E Church. Let every loyal
A.M.E celebrate and praise God for
200 years of a glorious past, During our
Bicantennial celebration let us claim
1) God Our Father
2) Christ Our Redeemer
3) Man Our Brother
Victory is ours! God has not brought
us thus far to leave us. The future be-
longs to those who seek it. It is not im-
possible to create the life that we de-
scribed realistically as utopian. . .but it
is so close within our grasp.
Reach out and claim these promises.
The future is not unpredictable when
we follow the precepts of our beautiful
Thanks be to God
for allowing me to
be a Presiding Elder
in the African Meth-
odist Episcopal
Church during the
Bicentennial Session.
Bobbye J. Henderson
and wealthy A.M.E. Church heritage.
Doom and gloom foretellers can
never destroy the future for us unless
we sacrifice our hope to them. The
Church is as strong as the people, and
our people have earned the right to
claim more abundant promises for the
future than ever before in our long and
courageous history.
Greetings And
Best Wishes For
A Successful
Rev. William Jacks
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
San Bernardino, California
THE BICENTENNIAL
BOOK OF DISCIPLINE
aba
A MUST For Every AME Member—The Book of
Laws governing every facet of our Church.
GOLD DISCIPLINE AMEC — 0-415-01232-4 @ $15.00
ORDER FROM THE
AMEC SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION
500 EIGHTH AVENUE SOUTH
NASHVILLE, TN 37203
Please add 13°, postage ana handing
SSS
===== DSC05059.JPG =====
10
Ihe AME Christian Recorder
Continued from page |
December 29, 1986
Charles Street A.M.E. Church Honors Their Pastor For Church, € ommunity and Academic Accomplishments
A Great Celebraton With International Overtones
The Honoree; Police Commissioner, Francis M. Roache; Testimonial Chairperson,
Paul Johnson.
Mayor of Boston, The Honorable Raymond L. Flynn.
of patience, the stone of commitment,
the stone of understanding and the
stone of faithfulness. Dr. Joiner’s mes-
sage was well received by the crowd that
had assembled.
Greetings were brought from the
Commissioner of the Boston Police
Department, Francis M. Roache; also a
citation from the Governor’s Office
was presented to Reverend Thomas by
State Senator Royal L. Bolling, Sr. Sen-
ator Bolling also presented a citation
coming from the State Senate. The first
Black President of the Boston City
Council, The Honorable Bruce Bolling,
presented a letter of commendation
from the City Council. Also The
Reverend Charles H. Lett, Sr., pastor
of Disney A.M.E. Church of Philadel-
phia, PA brought greetings. Reverend
Lett is one of the sons-of-the-ministry
of Reverend Thomas. Presiding Elder
Herbert L. Eddy, the dynamic head of
the Boston-Hartford District gave out-
standing remarks on behalf of the
clergy of the district.
Reverend Thomas was blessed to
have the presence of his mother and
father, Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Thomas of
Detroit, MI; his mother-in-law, Mrs.
Gwendolyn Copeland of Detroit; as
well as Mr. Richard Anderson, a close
friend of the family; and member of his
former church, Mt. Zion A.M.E.
Church in Norristown, PA.
The Chairperson for the Testimonial
was Mr. Paul Johnson, a Steward of
Charles Street A.M.E. Church and
Chief of Police at Harvard University.
The church presented a plaque to Rev-
erend Thomas for five years of dedicat-
ed service.
On Sunday at the 11:00 a.m. Wor-
ship Service, The Rev. Mickarl D.
Thomas, Sr., was hooded and received
his Doctor of Ministry degree from
Boston University School of Theology.
Participating in this special service was
Dr. William Zimpfer, Associate Direc-
tor of Research at Boston University,
and Dr. Simon Parker, Associate Dean
of Academic Affairs. The service was
attended by the Mayor of Boston, the
Honorable Raymond L. Flynn, who
came to offer congratulations and make
a public statement on the ‘‘Mandella
issue’? confronting the citizens of
Boston. The Mandella issue was a ref-
erendum being voted on by the citizens
of Boston regarding secession of Rox-
gury, parts of Dorchester, Mattapan,
the South End and Jamaica Plain from
the city. This was the first public state-
ment made by the Mayor and it was
covered by the national news media. It
was Reverend Mickarl D. Thomas, Sr.,
who stimulated the congregation with
his introduction of the Mayor and
voiced his personal opinion for object-
ing against the city of Mandella. His
statement was covered by the national
press.
Mayor Flynn urged the citizens to
vote against parts of Boston seceding to
form a separate city. He strongly felt
their needs would be best met by re-
maining together and being one strong
city.
Following this service a reception was
held for The Rev. Dr. Mickarl D.
Thomas, Sr. and the fine people who
had come to share in this special occa-
sion. Reverend Thomas thanked the
people who supported him and a special
thanks was given to his darling wife,
Carole, his three children, Lorna, Mick-
arl, Jr., and Michelle.
It was truly the ‘‘best of times’’ in
which a large segment of the Boston
community came together in a spirit of
collaboration and celebration for a man
who truly exemplifies the word, deed
and action of the A.M.E. motto “...
God our Father, Christ our Redeemer,
Man our Brother’’. It was a weekend
that members of Charles Street A.M.E.
Church and the Boston community will
not soon forget.
Article by Mrs, Wilberanne Wells
2s aeteNe
The Honoree; The Rev. Dr. Joseph L. Joiner, Secretary-Treasurer, Pension Depart-
ment of the A.M.E.C.
Dr. William Zimpfer, Associate Director of Research, Boston University; the
Honoree; Dr. Simon Parker, Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Boston University.
We have come this far by faith.
We enter the New Year with
Faith and Hope
Dr. Fred Lucas
Bridge Street A.M.E. Church
New York, New York
ey ee te
===== DSC05060.JPG =====
December 29, 1986
The AME Christian Recorder
Some Eye-Opening Facts About Insomnia
Two published surveys show that at
any given time 32 percent of U.S. adults
report some degree of insomnia. Fif-
teen to 20 percent consider their prob-
lem serious and chronic.
Why do people develop insomnia?
According to the November Reader’s
‘From
A Pastor’s Study”’
THE INEXPIABLE FLOW OF
TIME!. . .tends to set at naught—if
not water down—the zeal and enthusi-
asm of a rising and ebbing tide of hu-
man zest and effort. If we pastors have
reached any plateaus at all, we are not
yet free from the throttle-hold of our
all-too-obvious humanity. ..we are
““human.”’
Yet, we need not be enslaved by the
past—good or bad. The road ahead af-
fords the NEW and exciting, the which
history hardly has a parallel. So, in the
brightness of God’s TODAY, we are
returned. And you and I, here, TO-
GETHER, MUST rise above the bore-
dom and ‘‘dullness’’ of historic rou-
tines.
Let us, indeed, pursue horizons of
height, the which at present we’ve not
reached. Let us make our evangelical
crusade ROMANCE—not just a
drudgery. Let us climb ‘‘mountains’’
yet unscaled. Let us be Christians in a
nobler sense. Let Christ dominate. . .
let us be CHRIST-ians!
This, for all of us, could be—and
probably will, for some—the LAST
YEAR. ..on EARTH. Whichever,
let’s make the most of it!
PLEASED TO BE BACK!!
E. Paul Beavers
Historic St. Peter
Clarksville, Tennessee
wee
Happy}New}Y ear]
A New
Experience
With God
Rev. Theodore Roddy
Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church
609 N.W. Tenth Street
Hallandale, Florida 33009
Rey. H. L. Parks, Jr.
Presiding Elder
Kentucky Conference
Digest, everything from medical prob-
lems to drugs or poor sleep habits can
lead to what researchers now refer to as
‘Disorders of Initiating and Maintaining
Sleep’’ (DIMS).
But there is hope. Psychologist Peter
Hauri, director of the Hitchcock Sleep
Disorders Center at Dartmouth Medical
School, offers the following advice to
insomniacs:
e Never oversleep or nap during the
day because of a poor night’s sleep. If
you are under 40, get up at the same
time every morning. This sets the
body’s sleep/wake clock. If you are
over 60, avoid catnaps during the day
and try to set a regular bedtime—but
delay it if you are not tired.
e If you awake during the night,
relax in bed and let sleep return. Try
reading, listening to the radio or watch-
ing TV.
e Cut down on alcohol, smoking,
chocolate, coffee, tea and caffeinated
soft drinks, especially in the afternoon
and evening.
e Early in the evening, jot down wor-
ries and what you will do about them
the next day.
e Experiment with your bedroom’s
noise level and temperature to find out
what’s best for you.
e Avoid heavy meals close to bed-
time and eating in the middle of the
night.
e Stay fit with regular exercise, but
not too close to bedtime.
e If you tense up at bedtime, learn
LABELS
KEY PERSONS
relaxation techniques such as progress-
ively tightening and releasing muscles or
visualizing peaceful scenes. Turn the
clock toward the wall so you do not
keep checking on the time.
If you still can’t get to sleep, there are
62 U.S. sleep clinics accredited by the
Association of Sleep Disorders Centers
and judged to have expert staffs. For a
list, write to the Association of Sleep
Disorders Centers—RD, 604 Second
St., S.W., Rochester, MN 55902. Or to
find a physician who specializes in sleep
disorders, write to the Academy of
Sleep Disorders Medicine—RD, Penn-
sylvania State University, Box 850,
Drawer G, Hershey, PA 17033.
For a free reprint of ‘‘Insomnia!’’
send a self-addressed, stamped envel-
ope to: Reprint Manager, RI-l,
Reader’s Digest, Box 25, Pleasantville,
NY 10570.
a
NN DE BN cet cet Dll Dt ell Bel
HappyjNew}¥ ear
St. Paul A.M.E. Church
1260 Hamilton Avenue, St. Louis, MO
Thy word is a lamp
unto my feet, and
a light unto
my path.
Psalm 119:105
MEMBER REGISTERS
AT LAST!
C. Garnett Henning, Pastor
DIRECTORIES
SNOWY3S
A.M.E.C. INFORMATION
TIME ANALYSIS
SYSTEM FOR A.M.E.s!
THE computer system designed to get a grip on all
areas of A.M.E. Church Administration.
S3SS3Y00V ONV SSWVN
This comprehensive church computer system was designed
especially for A.M.E. Churches, and runs on IBM and
IBM-compatible personal computers.
the tool for
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A.M.E.C.
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A.M.E.C. Sunday School Union
500 Eighth Avenue South
Nashville, TN 37203
Telephone: 615—256-5882
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===== DSC05061.JPG =====
The AME Christian Recorder
December 29, 1986
NASCD Addresses Major Issues On Sickle Cell Disease
Los Angeles, CA — Three new publica-
tions from the National Association For
Sickle Cell Disease, Inc., (NASCD) ad-
dress major issues which affect persons
with the sickle cell conditions.
They include prenatal diagnosis of
sickle cell anemia, advice for parents
and teachers of children with sickle cell
anemia, and the advantages of summer
camp programs for these children,
Charles F. Whitten, M.D., Detroit,
Michigan, NASCD president, said ‘‘We
took our position on prenatal diagnosis
of sickle cell anemia, because one of the
recent advances in the sickle cell field is
the ability to make this diagnosis early
enough in the pregnancy for parents to
make a judgment as to whether or not
they wish to continue the pregnancy.’’
‘““We are convinced that unless our
position is communicated and adopted,
a vast number of women with sickle cell
trait who are carrying a fetus with sickle
cell anemia, will be advised by their
physicians to have a termination, with-
out receiving any indepth counseling.’’
The NASCD goal for prenatal diag-
nosis is to have all women who are preg-
nant with a child with sickle cell anemia
to be able to make informed decisions
that they believe are in their best interest
with respect to continuing or terminat-
ing the pregnancy.
The NASCD pamphlet, addressed to
individuals with sickle cell trait and to
physicians who provide health care to
the Black population, describes the re-
quired services to achieve that goal, the
nature of the counseling that should oc-
cur, and the appropriate service pro-
viders.
A second new publication, a Parent
Teacher Guide, tells how parents and
teachers can work together to achieve
Happy New Year
school success for children with sickle
cell anemia,
Dr. Whitten said the handbook is an
attempt to resolve one of the major
problems in sickle cell disease—the fact
that the overwhelming majority of
adults with the disease are not self-
sufficient, and many are unemployed,
on public assistance, or being supported
by their families.
‘*We need to break that cycle,’’ he
said. Many individuals with sickle cell
disease are capable of handling any oc-
cupation other than one which requires
heavy manual labor, but there is a
marked discrepancy between their in-
nate abilities and their current status.
**Since there are very few jobs in our
society which do not require an educa-
tion, we must begin with the primary
school education process, looking at
how children with sickle cell anemia can
get the special considerations they might
need to have a successful school experi-
ence,’’ Dr. Whitten explained.
The publication suggests that parents
meet with the teacher to discuss special
considerations the child needs. It also
includes an ‘‘advice for teachers’’ sec-
tion, a review of 12 school-related is-
sues involving children with sickle cell
anemia, that teachers need to under-
stand in order to respond to the children
in an appropriate manner.
The third new publication, which was
underwritten by Ronald McDonald
Children’s Charities, established in
memory of Ray A. Kroc, is a discus-
sion of summer camp programs for
children with sickle cell anemia.
Dr. Whitten said this booklet is de-
signed to address the problem of a par-
ental tendency to over-protect a chron-
ically ill child. Although this may arise
out of a loving concern, he said, it can
also cause the children’s development
of a sense of independence to be
thwarted, and create an inability to
function as an independent adult,
**Our studies have shown that there
are many positive Outcomes for both
parents and children when the child
with sickle cell anemia attends a sum-
mer camp with healthy children,’’ he
said, ‘‘Our publication outlines these
benefits and answers questions parents
may have about sending their children
to camp.”’
Free copies of the new publications
are available from the NASCD, 4221
Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
90010-3503.
Letter
to the Publisher
Dear Rev. Henderson,
My name is Cynthia Parker, age
16 and | would appreciate if you
would send me your book of “The
Silent Moment”. | feel that | really
need a book like this to get me
through the days. | am from
Johnson Chapel A.M.E. Church in
Santa Ana, Ca., and | heard about
your book at Vacation Bible School
from my pastor, Rev. Hill, during
the week of 8-10-86 — 8-17-86. You
can send it to me at:
Cynthia Parker
1303 W. Kreamer Blvd.
Placentia, Ca. 92670
Thank You,
Cynthia Parker
©0OeGeOeOeGeGeGeOeOoGeGeOeOeOeGe
Money Can Buy A
Dog But Only
Love Can Make
Him Wag His Tail
oe
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2
We.
ATO,
‘ZZ Ye
Lovell Johnson,
YOUR DAILY
INVESTMENT
In The Silent
Moment
PAYS WEEKLY
DIVIDENDS
@
eading The Silent Moment not only enriches your
day. It can enrich your weekly Bible study. too—especially
when you're studying with AMEC Sunday Schoo/ material.
Because the daily Scripture readings in The Silent
Moment are the same daily readings recommended by A
Lee Henderson for daily spiritual inspiration. It also ties
into the Sunday School lessons. Which means these few
minutes you spend reading, and thinking. and praying
each day are actually preparing you for a more spiritual
directed day. Also for a more profitable class time on
Sunday.
If you're not already using AMEC Sunday School
literature in your Sunday School Class. try AMEC
literature next quarter and see how well it rewards your
daily devotion.
To order your Sunday School materials or request free
samples, simply call (615) 256-5882, write the address
below, or check with your Episcopal District Bookstore
AMEC SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION
500 Eighth Avenue South
Nashville, Tennessee 37203
St. Mark A.M.E. Church
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sr., Pastor
To Ward A.M.E. Church
Los Angeles, California
Ring in the valiant man and
free,
The larger heart, the kindlier it ae
Hand; | ‘i fl
Ring out the darkness of the NN Zs wo Zi
land, ea\ ae
=
Ring in the Christ that is to
be.
L
——
Sg”
Frank M. Reid, III
