Jesus Did Not Forgive the Soldiers

By Rev. Renita Green, Columnist

I have had the amazing opportunity to be an inaugural John Robert Lewis fellow at the Faith and Politics Institute. For four days, we gathered in Alabama, traveling to key locations, hearing stories of those who fought the good fight.

Many presenters told one consistent story of Representative John Lewis forgiving George Wallace. I have been thinking a lot about forgiveness, particularly in this season of Lent. Often, I think about the grace and mercy I have received in my own life—spiritually through Christ and personally through others whom I have offended and harmed along this journey. Forgiveness feels like hope—a second chance to do better, to be better.

Extending forgiveness involves grace—as in, giving undeserved gifts of compassion, expectation, understanding, and so much more. The more aware I am that I have received undeserved gifts, the more natural it has felt to be a giver of such to others. It is actually quite liberating to be free of the feeling that I need to punish a person for his or her harm to me or others. Most of the time, the person who harmed me simply has responded or acted from ignorance or personal pain and brokenness. Forgiving—extending grace—feels hopeful.

It is also freeing to believe, to really believe, that when a person harms me intentionally, he or she has actually harmed God. As such, there is nothing I could do, even if I tried, to punish such a deed—that is God’s business. I think about this when I consider Jesus on the cross looking to heaven, calling out, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they are doing” (Luke 23:34 NRSV). Jesus taught us to forgive one another; however, he did not say to the soldiers, “I forgive you.” Jesus did not extend grace for harm done to God.

While on the pilgrimage, each time I heard the story of Representative Lewis’s forgiveness to Wallace, I also heard an audible, subtle, collective exhale. Considering the vast majority of those present were white people, concerns about the meaning of the exhale ruminated in my spirit and mind. The concern I have is that white people felt collectively absolved of the sins of whiteness through Lewis’ extension of forgiveness to Wallace.

Lewis forgave Wallace—Lewis did not forgive the sins against God.

Lewis’ forgiveness to Wallace does not signal that those who participate in egregious and heinous acts against humans are—or should be—absolved of their sins. It is important to understand that Lewis’ forgiveness to Wallace was that of a man to a man—not on behalf of all who were harmed and not to all who harmed. Lewis’ forgiveness also did not extend into the future, nor does it absolve white people of our continued complicity in systemic white supremacy. The agents of white supremacy, systemic racism, and all forms of whiteness are sinners who ultimately can only be forgiven by God—just like the soldiers who crucified Jesus. Scripture teaches us that we must believe, confess, and repent to be born again—forgiven. We can apply the following process to those complicit with (benefiting from) systemic sins: Believe that “the system” is sinful and that we are complicit either by our actions, acceptance of, or silence about the harms. Confess that we benefit from the systems embedded in society’s structure, which has created perpetual harm for black and indigenous people in America (and across the world). “Black Lives Matter” is a confessional statement for those who believe. Repent of our being to compel a change in our doing. Repentance is not a feeling like remorse. Repentance is a change in being—gaining knowledge, wisdom, skill, and competency change what we do—to stop harm and begin repair. Belief brings one to either guilt or remorse, which leads to confession, which leads to repentance. Guilt is feeling embarrassed about being exposed for participating in sin and is characterized by the desire to clean up one’s name. Acknowledging sin from a place of guilt is, generally speaking, to avoid, stop, or lessen the punishment. Remorse is an expression of a sorrowful heart—sorrow over the harm of the sin. Remorse ultimately leads to repentance—a change of behavior— stopping harm and starting the repair. Guilt centers the sinner. Remorse centers the ones harmed by the sin. The only way to overcome evil is with good. For example, we overcome evil policing practices with police reform. We overcome mass incarceration with abolition. We overcome the schoolto-prison pipeline with investment in education for black and indigenous students, teachers, schools, communities, families, and policy reforms that are too numerous to list. Representative John Lewis forgave George Wallace. To be clear, this does not indicate that God forgave Wallace— he appears to have confessed without repenting, from guilt, not remorse. Wallace had years to do better, to be better—to live a repented life. We cannot know if he had peace with God as he made his way from his natural to eternal life. We do know, however, he did not do all the good he could have done while here—we know trees by their fruits. Jesus did not forgive the soldiers, the Jews, or the Romans for their crimes against God. Likewise, Lewis did not forgive Wallace for his crimes against God. The forgiveness of a human extended to a human is for the humans. The forgiveness of God extended to a human is for the kingdom. This passion season, as we reflect on the suffering of Jesus, let us also meditate on the gift of forgiveness. This precious gift is not an item for a shelf to be admired—it is fuel to empower us as we practice ongoing repentance, stopping harm, and beginning repair. Believe, confess, repent—for the kingdom of God is at hand. ❏ ❏ ❏

ST. LUKE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH ST. CROIX, U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS CELEBRATES ITS 102ND ANNIVERSARY

St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal Church—St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands celebrates its 102nd Anniversary on Sunday, March 20, 2022. Guest preacher, the Reverend Dr. Keith Donaldson D. Lawrence, director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio.

On Sunday, March 20, 2022, members and friends of St. Luke African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church are invited to join our pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jermaine Mulley, in our sanctuary to offer praise and thanksgiving to our great and merciful God for his sustaining grace and boundless mercies over our 102 years of existence. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic canceled our elaborate plans to celebrate the 100th Anniversary. So, here we are, two years later, grateful to God that none of our members died due to COVID; we are alive to see each other’s faces! Glory and praise unto Jesus for his redeeming grace.

On March 20, 1920, two years after the pandemic of 1918, former Holy Cross Episcopal Church members, led by Pastor Reginald Grant Barrow, were accepted into the African Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States. They had walked out of Holy Cross Episcopal Church due to the Episcopal Bishop’s demands that Pastor Barrow’s preaching and teaching not include references to the socio-economic and other negative impacts of slavery and racism upon the members of the congregation. These “churchless” wanderers found themselves worshipping under a tamarind tree in Grove Place until David Hamilton Jackson, a local freedom fighter, recommended that they seek to be connected to the AME Church in America. Mr. Jackson and the Labor Union were also instrumental in providing the land upon which the current sanctuary is located. Over our 102 years of service, ten pastors have provided spiritual leadership to the St. Luke AME Church family. Our current pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jermaine Mulley, is the second “son of St. Croix soil” to be privileged to serve for the past three and a half years (the Rev. Dr. Vincent Gordon was the first native son). Pastor Mulley is married to Elect Lady Cliaunjel, and they are blessed with a daughter, Genesis.

The Reverend Dr. Keith Donaldson D. Lawrence, who hails from the island nation of Trinidad, will deliver our anniversary message. He was called to ministry and ordained in the AME Church at the youthful age of 18. He relocated to the United States to further his education and has earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religion and Philosophy, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Ministry. He currently serves as the director of the Doctor of Ministry Program at Payne Theological Seminary in Wilberforce, Ohio, and was recently appointed as the pastor of First African Methodist Episcopal Church located at 2046 Richard Allen Lane SE, Atlanta, GA 30316, where he and his wife continue to follow God’s call to win souls for the kingdom.

Dr. Lawrence will also perform a Doctoral robing ceremony to celebrate Pastor ...continued on p28

LENT CALLS US TO PRAYER, FASTING, SACRIFICE, AND JUSTICE

By Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith

“Go, gather all the Jews to be found in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf, and neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will also fast as you do. After that I will go to the king, though it is against the law; and if I perish, I perish.” Esther 4:16 NRSV

Around 479 B.C., Esther, a teenage Hebrew girl—who later became the queen of Persia—called her Hebrew community to prayer and fasting. Following this, she called on her government to do no harm to her community, knowing that this action could lead to her own demise. Esther’s call reminds us of our ongoing duty to pray and fast for justice.

In 1960, South Africans called on their government to abolish pass laws requiring black South Africans over the age of 16 to carry a passbook at all times. Sixty-nine of them were killed, and the police wounded more than 180 in the black township of Sharpeville, including some 50 women and children. Many were people of faith. It was one of the first and most violent demonstrations against apartheid in South Africa.

In 2020, New York Times journalists Larry Buchanan, Quoctrung Bui, and Jugal K. Patel (2020) reported that the Black Lives Matter protests on June 6, 2020, marked the largest movement in U S. history. Since then, this decentralized movement— with primary leadership of women of African descent—has become global and was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2021. Many members of the movement are people of faith.

In the church year, we are invited this month to a season of prayer and fasting— and of sacrifice. March is also Women’s History Month—and March 21 is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, inspired by the events in Sharpeville, South Africa, in 1960. Both are occasions that remind us of past and present sacrifices.

Bread for the World recognizes the inequities experienced by women and by people affected by racism as hunger issues and matters for prayer and fasting. But Bread is also committed to action to address this. Bread’s legislative agenda of advocating for global nutrition and preparing for the reauthorization of the Farm Bill and the Global Food Security Act includes a lens of gender and racial equity. Go to our website to learn more about how you can be involved.

We close with this a devotional Lenten prayer excerpt from “In Times Like These … A Pan African Christian Devotional for Public Policy Engagement,” written by Father Daniel Wafik Habib of the Coptic Orthodox Church:

O Lord…There are divisive and distracting worldly windows…let us bring our hearts, broken and humbled…let us bring our minds wholly redirected by your Holy Spirit to the throne of Christ. Bring us to that table where all may find a place. For all the races of humanity can be found in your garden, where each of us is one of your beloved flowers. Amen.

Angelique Walker-Smith is senior associate for Pan African and Orthodox Church engagement at Bread for the World.

PRISON MINISTRY OUTREACH AT ST. JOHN AME HUNTSVILLE

By Brother Bobby J. Adkins II

The St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church family, represented by the Prison Ministry, partnered with the Alabama Non-Violent Offenders Organization (ANVOO) and local non-profits to provide Christmas 2021 gifts for the impacted families. Sixty-five families in the greater Huntsville area received winter essentials, such as coats, hats, and gloves. Over 200 individuals benefitted from the benevolence of the St. John AME family and the blessings that God had bestowed upon them. In addition to the winter essentials, families received $25.00 gift cards.

Like the Christmas 2020 event, drive-through locations were set up at the Alabama Non-Violent Offenders Organization (ANVOO) headquarters, located within the United Way building on Andrew Jackson Boulevard, Huntsville, Alabama. The other sites were the Richard Shower Center on Blue Spring Road and the Huntsville Parole and Probation Day Reporting Center (DRC). Many thanks to the individuals responsible for providing access to the facilities and parking to support this ministry event. With the Omicron COVID variant disrupting many indoor activities, all praise to God for allowing access to these safe and blessed events.

The St. John AME family was a blessing to the community, and the benevolence shown was on display and greatly appreciated by all recipients. As Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you’ve also done it for me.”

If members are interested in supporting the Prison Ministry, please contact Brother Bobby Adkins at bjadkins@gmail.com. Also, if there is a desire to give to Prison Ministry activities, please designate funds to the Prison Ministry via online giving or in person.

About ANVOO: The Mission of Alabama Non-Violent Offenders Organization assists those seeking to regain their place in society by connecting them to resources and services to reach their full potential as productive members within their families and community. Call (256) 288-3175, visit the ANVOO website at https://www.anvoo.org, or visit the ANVOO Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/office.anvoohsv.

ANVOO started after one of the founders undertook the process of having a criminal record expunged in Connecticut and discovered that it was a complicated and often costly process. The founder realized that other non-violent felons would face the same obstacles. So, he decided to start an organization that informed non-violent felons how to apply on their own to achieve the restoration of their voting rights, pardons, and expungement of their records. Since incorporation, ANVOO has put together materials to provide to community organizations, churches, educational groups, and businesses about ANVOO’s accomplishments.

Thanks again, St. John AME family, for blessing those in need. All glory be to God! ❏ ❏ ❏

AME CHURCH OPENS NEW CONGREGATION IN COMPTON, CALIFORNIA

By 2urbangirls

St. James African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church will open its new Compton, California location on Sunday, March 13, 2022. Compton native, Pastor Nicolette Birdsong, will head the church at 601 West Rosecrans Ave. The first service will be held at 10:00 a.m., and dignitaries from the faith-based community are scheduled to attend, including Bishop Clement W. Fugh, presiding prelate of the 5th Episcopal District of the AME Church.

This church opening is historic for the city of Compton as an AME denomination church has not opened there in over 30 years. “Although I haven’t been a resident of Compton for quite some time, I can honestly say I never left,” said Birdsong. “Since I was born and raised here, I have a large portion of my family who still reside in the city. Now that I’m a resident again, it feels good to be home.”

Her deep roots in the city made it an ideal location to open the church. “Like many of my classmates at Roosevelt Junior High School, I came from a broken home, but we weren’t just raised in our homes, we were raised in our neighbor’s homes, too, and I never forgot that and have always been blessed and grateful for it,” said Birdsong.

The business community supports the Compton native returning and opening her church in the community. “The Compton Chamber is elated to have Pastor Nicolette Birdsong come back to her roots here in Compton to fulfill a two-fold purpose,” stated Dr. Lestean Johnson, president, Compton Chamber. “She’s not only returning to continue building up the community through faith-based services and outreach to others but also to build affordable housing for the community she was born and raised in. This is an exciting time for the city of Compton and the churches who will be fortunate to be a part of this project.”

Birdsong explained that the strong sense of community in Compton is what St. James wants to continue building on and providing for families in need of affordable housing. “Our next goal is to focus on providing assistance to the families through affordable housing initiatives,” said Birdsong.

“LOGOS Development is excited about supporting Pastor Birdsong and the St. James AME Church Team as they seek to do God’s work in Compton. A ministry of community empowerment,” said Pastor Martin Porter. ti bildi d

Reprinted with permission.

LEAVING COVID-19 BEHIND FOR THE NEW YEAR. THAT’S NOT POSSIBLE.

By James B. Ewers, Jr., Ed.D.

Happy New Year to you and your family! This ageless expression has been with us for many years. According to reports, the New Year was originally celebrated on March 25th. Then, the Gregorian Calendar replaced the Julian calendar, changing the formula for calculating leap years. As a result, the beginning of the legal New Year shifted from March 25th to January 1st. So here we are in 2022, ready to begin new plans and new dreams.

Some years back, like many of you, I made some resolutions. Things that I would and would not do. Maybe unlike you, my resolutions only lasted for one week. In my defense, I had good intentions. Yet, as I am now squarely in the fourth quarter of my life and trying to get to overtime, watching people pass away in my generation is a bit sobering. We should not take life at any age for granted. As a young citizen, I probably took my everyday existence for granted. As a Christian, I have always known that we have what I call an “earthly lease.” However, as a young adult, I always assumed that my lease would be renewed. Perhaps I am on a month-to-month lease.

Thankfully, I have celebrated many birthdays. The keys for me have not been the gifts, ice cream, and cake. Do not get me wrong; I am appreciative of them. However, my blessings have been that I have pretty good health, and I still have my wits about me. Aging brings on health challenges, both physical and mental. My advice is that whatever quarter of life you are in, guard it carefully. To be more specific, watch what you put in your body and the company you keep because bad stuff and questionable people might mean an early exit.

Our 2021 and 2022 started the same way. We still have the Coronavirus. Spikes have occurred recently with the Delta and Omicron variants. No matter how we spin this news story, it is not good. Twenty-four-hour flash sales, parades, and celebrations cannot negate that we are in the biggest health crisis of our lives. The numbers are numbing, and the statistics are frightening. COVID-19 has taken over the world. We cannot pretend it does not exist. Not wearing a mask when in public puts your own life at risk. If you are going to be a part of a gathering, you better have some health and safety guidelines. In fact, if you are in charge of ...continued on p28

NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

By Rev. Dr. Maxine Thomas, Columnist

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

Did you know that Satan is the father of lies? Yes, and it is his job to deceive us, confuse us, and destroy us utterly. The Bible says Satan is roaming to and fro seeking whom he may devour. Satan is your enemy, and he wants to kill you. He wants to kill your hopes and dreams. He wants to break your spirit. He wants to do you in. Maybe “Shoe-Shine” told you that you could not make it on your own. And as ragged as he treats you, he has convinced you that nobody else wants you, that you are no good, that you are ugly as ugly is ugly. And that you are nothing, nobody, and that he is the only one who will tolerate you. Maybe that is not your story, but you know a sister who lives this day in and day out.

My friend, the first place that Satan targets is our mind. For Satan knows that if he can get us to believe a lie, we will continue to live in the bondage of sin. But, Sis, you are not “only” human! That is a lie from the devil! You are a spirit, you live in a body, and you have the soul. Yes, in this flesh, you will stumble now and then. But, remember, you are not only human.

The Bible says, And ye shall know the truth. Beloved, God wants you to know the truth of his Word. When was the last time you thought about giving up on life or going back to your former way of life before you knew Christ? You do not have to give up! You are on the winning team, and the battle has already been won! Act like you know that your Big Brother Jesus Christ whipped the devil over 2000 years ago! You do not have to jump every time the devil says, “Boo!” He is a defeated foe. He is under your feet. In Christ Jesus, you are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37)!

If God be for you, who can be against you! You are healed by the blood of the you know the truth, you will not fall for a lie! You will not pray foolish prayers asking God to give you somebody else’s husband or ask God to do the supernatural when you have not done your part in participating in your healing! When you know the truth, you will pray until times get better! Then, you will hold on and hold out! You will walk together, children, and not get weary declaring: I know who I am. I am a blood-washed, born-again child of God! I have been baptized! I am a new woman in Christ Jesus! I am free to be all that God has called me to be! I’m free to live in the present and not in the past! I am free to speak words that heal and not hurt! I’m free to love and to be loved! Hallelujah! I am free! And I know my Redeemer lives!

Exhale This is the season for going deeper in my understanding of God’s good and perfect will for my life. I exhale misconceived notions and pretense, and I receive the revelation knowledge

of God. ❏ ❏ ❏

REPORT FROM THE MARCH GENERAL BOARD

TCR Staff

On March 4, 2022, the General Board convened virtually to complete the work outlined in resolutions presented in the December and January General Board meetings under the leadership of Bishop Paul Kawimbe, president of the General Board, and Bishop E.Anne Henning Byfield, president of the Council of Bishops.

Bishop Kawimbe called the meeting to order at 11:00 a.m., and Senior Bishop Adam J. Richardson and Bishop Byfield led the body in extended exhortations. Each encouraged all present to remain encouraged and to trust the processes in place to respond to the current situation of the Department of Retirement Services.

Dr. James F. Miller, executive director of the Department of Retirement Services, shared a comprehensive report and indicated that thanks to the General Board’s January actions, the Department was able to make disbursements of required minimum distributions, hardship requests, and full policy surrenders. He also indicated that while the minimum insurance payments for participants had been received, more consistency is needed in how the Episcopal districts transmit the information to the Department. Commission Investment Committee chair, Presiding Elder Troy Thomas (13), updated the Board on requests for authorized proposals for new retirement investment accounts. Commission Stewardship chair, Dr. Reginald F. Blount (4), gave an update on receiving a planning grant from the Lily Endowment to help establish a Department of Stewardship. Commission co-chair, Bishop Marvin C. Zanders II, expressed his appreciation for the Commission’s work and the AME Church’s continued patience and understanding.

Next, the Commission on Statistics and Finance presented its recommendations. Chair of the Commission, Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., gave an overview of the forthcoming presentations. Commission Feasibility Committee chair, Dr. John F. McCormick (10), presented the proposals to address the shortfall in the Department of Retirement Services. After analyzing the alternatives, the Committee recommended to the General Board an immediate liquidation of $1 million in liquid assets with 25% of the General Budget transferred immediately and 25% annually until the Annuity Fund has been restored. The Commission defines restoration as all participant contributions plus 1.5% interest. The Department of Retirement Services will hire an actuary to tabulate the value of the contributions. Commission Implementation Committee chair, Mr. Jerry Turner (4), shared the process to recapitalize the legacy retirement fund with adjustments to the component budgets beginning August 1, 2022. The General Board approved the report from the Statistics and Finance Commission.

In addition to the above-named proposals, the question of legal accountability was raised, to which Bishop Byfield assured the body that the ongoing investigation will reveal with whom accountability lies. After discussion, the General Board approved a moratorium on mandatory payments into the retirement plan pending a declaratory decision from the Judicial Council and withdrew consideration of the promissory note from the January meeting.

The meeting was adjourned with prayer by Bishop Frank Madison Reid III. The next scheduled session of the General Board will be in June in Atlanta, Georgia. ❏ ❏ ❏

CONNECTIONAL DAY OF PRAYER: POWER BELONGS TO GOD

By Rev. Gregory C. Nettles, 12th Episcopal District

“But we have this treasure in clay jars so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NRSV)

In their book We Have This Ministry-The Heart of the Pastor’s Vocation, Samuel D. Proctor and Gardner C.Taylor write about the importance of the pastor as an intercessor. One of the scriptures the Rev. Dr. Samuel Proctor uses is 2 Corinthians 4:7. “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:4-7) In his book Methodist Polity, written in 1884, Bishop Henry McNeal Turner asks a question: What is the church of Christ? The answer: the visible church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men and women, in which the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly admonished, according to Christ’s ordinance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same.

The visible church coming together in a sacred place annually on April 13 invites the power of God through prayer, supplication, and thanksgiving to meet us corporately and individually. According to Bishop Turner, the visible church is “organization, faith in Christ our Savior, a living ministry; plans for perpetuation and ordinances of divine service. The church is visible as far only as men and women see it; it is invisible as it is known by God.”

The visible church is those we see, love, live with, and engage with daily. All who profess and call themselves Christians, having been baptized in the name of Christ, are members of the visible church, but only those who are sincere believers are members of the invisible church. Through prayer, the visible and invisible church, in a spirit of unity, invites God’s power to create an atmosphere of metamorphic change. Transfiguration takes place in the particular geographical area of impartation through prayer.

According to Bishop Turner, when the visible and invisible are linked and in cadence, they are known as “the Church Militant,” which is engaged in constant warfare against the world, the flesh, and the devil, and in that respect, is distinguished from the “Church Triumphant” introduced in Ephesians 6:10-12. Our treasure in earthen vessels, I will describe as the Holy Spirit, which belongs to God, produces rejoicing or praise to God from the Word of God. While praying, we are in a position to receive; we are having a conversation with Almighty God. The “Church Triumphant,” those who have gone on before us, the great cloud of witnesses, and those whose robes have been washed in the blood of the Lamb are reminding us through the memory of how they made it over, through, and out!

Through prayer, those kneeling in St. George Methodist Episcopal Church received the power to walk out because of maltreatment from Christian folks. Their prayers of faith led them to start Bethel Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1787 and build it in 1793. The Rev. Richard Allen and fifteen men (with women who were not listed) believed power belongs to God. These are now, along with others, in the Church Triumphant, are the shoulders and soldiers we have stood on since April 11, 1816. The prayers of the visible and invisible church will sustain us until Jesus Christ’s return. Our prayers lead us to have the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding and will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. The power that comes from God through the power of the Holy Spirit will allow us to maintain and sustain during these perilous times of stress, trauma, and trials.

When we gather 206 years after the first General Conference, on April 13, we come with a spirit of expectancy and knowing the same God will meet us just as God met the group as they marched to Zion. So let us march to Zion on April 13, 2022, the Connectional Day of Prayer! Let us march on ‘til victory is won!