Bishop Garnes is saluted by his daughter
Bishop Garnes is saluted by his wife
the new presiding bishop of the United Covenant Churches of Christ...
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Bishop Eric Garnes
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Bishop Garnes in praise with assistant, Bishop McCarter on left
The United Covenant Churches of Christ (UCCC) has a new leader in the person of Bishop Eric D. Garnes, the senior pastor of Tabernacle of Praise (Brooklyn, NY). Bishop Garnes succeeds Bishop Larry D. Trotter of Chicago, Illinois in office after his resignation in April of this year. The Service of Installation was held on Friday, October 30, 2009, and hosted by Archbishop Eugene J. Blount, Senior Pastor, at The Elim International Fellowship located in Brooklyn, New York.
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Archbishop-Metropolitan J. Delano Ellis, spiritual father to Bishop Garnes and establishmentarian of UCCC, served as the chief installer. Archbishop Alfred A. Owens delivered the homily. Over 200 bishops, pastors, deacons, ministers, and adjutants attended the service. Pageantry and excellence were the hallmarks of the celebration. The defining moment was the crowning of Bishop Garnes by his predecessor and spiritual father, Archbishop Ellis who called Bishop Garnes faithful, humble, and a true son. Tears of joy could be seen streaming down the faces of those who looked on while Archbishop Ellis laid hands and invoked the blessings of God upon his son’s life. The new Presiding Bishop and General Overseer selected Bishop Sheldon Mandel McCarter of North Carolina who took an oath to assist him in fulfilling his vision for UCCC. Bishop Garnes is celebrated internationally as a prolific preacher, teacher, and scholar of the Gospel. His succession in ministry and the episcopacy has been unique. He has served in
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Bishop J. Delano Ellis installs Bishop Garnes
Garnes, UCCC...cont
every capacity from deacon to senior pastor and from adjutant-general to assistant presiding bishop. He is a highly accomplished visionary.
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United Covenant Churches of Christ’s mission is: -To build an innovative ethnically, culturally, and racially diverse organization through which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed. -To promote the growth of local churches and to create a resourceful and meaningful networking environment for pastors. -To support and foster theological and secular academics.
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Among the organizational goals are: -Designing programs to foster higher learning in order to cultivate well-rounded clerical leadership world-wide. -Develop “oneness” in the body of Christ based on biblically sound teaching and the principles and culture of God. gt
The People Have Spoken...
Maine Overturns Gay Marriage By Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min
Last week, Maine dealt a severe blow and setback to the “gay marriage” movement in the northeast sector of the country; 53 percent of Maine voters decided to repeal the provision.
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The defeat of the measure “I am demonstrates that in every instance where the question has been put to a delighted to see popular vote or referendum, it has been that those who embrace family soundly defeated. values have “I think that made a stand in actions of the the backyard of liberal’s citizens of Maine the Pastor & Mrs. points to the fact s t r o n g h o l d ” Justin Cohen Pastor that there are still stated some old- Justin Cohen (Philadelphia, PA). fashioned values The contest had been viewed by and beliefs that reside at the both sides as certain to have national Bishop Aretha Morton center of people’s repercussions. Gay-marriage foes minds and desperately wanted to keep their feelings in this country” said Bishop winning streak alive, while gay-rights Aretha Morton (Wilmington, DE). “The activists sought to blunt the argument vote in the state of Maine shows that that gay marriage was being foisted on God is still on the throne and is still in the country by courts and lawmakers control.” over the will of the people. g
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First Lady Michelle Obama Launches Mentorship Program
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By Bishop Andy C. Lewter, D. Min.
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I n Titus 2:3-5, Apostle Paul wrote, “...the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.” It appears that the message of Paul has not fallen on deaf ears. According to BlackVoices.com, First Lady Michelle Obama made news this week independent of her
husband and the world of politics, when she launched a mentoring program that would give girls access to women at the White House. Thirteen young women joined the first lady and 18 White House staffers, including advisers Valerie Jarrett and Melody Barnes, in the State Dining Room to kick off the program, which Mrs. Obama said was one of her top goals on becoming first lady.” reports blackvoices.com. With her voice filled with emotion, the First Lady went on to say how important she felt this effort will be. “We thought, what can we do to make the White
House different, to make kids in our own new neighborhood know that the White House is a place for them?” she said. The program is aimed at 10th and 11th grade girls from both public and private schools in Washington D.C., Maryland and Virginia. The goal is to inspire participants in the initiative by giving them access to accomplished women. The First Lady advised the girls that the program is not a one way street. “We have some expectations from you as well,” said Mrs. Obama, “...that when you get to this position in your life that you do the same thing for somebody else.” Reportedly, a similar program for boys is also in the works. gt
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Roland Hairston Pastors