The Methodist Doctrine Of The Open Table

Rev. Dr. James A. Keeton, Jr., Contributing Writer

When he was running for president of the United States several years ago, President Joe Biden worshiped with us at Morris Brown African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston. In the preliminary meetings leading up to his visit, we discussed his security plan, his addressing the congregation, and the local politicians accompanying him to the church. The last thing that his campaign manager told me was that they would be coming to Morris Brown AME Church on the first Sunday. He went on to say that President Biden is a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church. He asked me if it would be permissible if President Biden would come to the altar and receive a blessing instead of receiving the elements of Holy Communion. I agreed to this request. That worship experience reminds me of the Methodist doctrine of the “Open Table.” This concept of the Open Table means that all Christian believers are invited to come to the communion table and participate in the sacrament of Holy Communion. Unfortunately, most Christian believers do not embrace this doctrine of the Open Table. For example, both Roman Catholics and Eastern Orthodox have closed communion. Closed communion is a term that describes the tradition of restricting elements of the Lord’s Supper to members of certain denominations, particular churches, and congregations.

Consequently, Roman Catholics only commune with other Roman Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox only communion with other

Eastern Orthodox. Some congregations also practice closed communion in the Free Church Tradition. With these congregations being a part of the Free Church Tradition, it is left to the local congregation to determine their doctrinal understanding of Holy Communion.

On the contrary, the concept of the Open Table derives from John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. Randy Maddox says, “The only initial requirement of the [communion] recipient was a desire to receive God’s grace and to live in faithful response, not some prior fitness or assurance” (Randy Maddox, Responsible Grace). This requirement corresponds to the Methodist doctrine that God extends grace to us through the elements of Holy Communion. Methodists believe that when we come to the communion table, Jesus Christ is our host. Only by his invitation can we come and participate in this holiest of meals.

Even though we embrace the doctrine of the Open Table, regarding other denominations and congregations, there are requirements for those we invite to the table.

The Solicitation in our Communion Liturgy reads, “You that do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbor, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways: Draw near with faith, and take this Holy Sacrament to your comfort, and make your humble confession to Almighty God meekly kneeling on your knees.”

Consequently, the invitation to the table depends on four factors. First, we invite those to participate in the sacrament who genuinely repent of their sins. Second, we invite those who have a loving relationship with their neighbors. Third, we invite those who intend to lead a new life by following God’s commandments. Finally, we invite those who intend to walk in the holy ways of the Lord. Additionally, The Doctrine and Discipline of the African Methodist EpiscopalChurch (2021) reads, “No person who is guilty of any practice for which we would exclude a member from our Church shall be admitted to the Supper.”

These requirements come from the desire to protect those coming to the table with the wrong desires in their hearts. We understand that participating in the sacrament is nothing to be taken lightly. It is this understanding that contributes to us having Love Feast. Love Feast is not a sacrament, but it spiritually prepares us to be in the right relationship with God and our neighbors before coming to the communion table. There used to be a requirement in the AME Church that someone must have a ticket from their class leader attesting to their participation in Love Feast before being allowed to receive the Lord’s Supper. The doctrine of the Open Table continues to be a foundational tenet of Methodism. It does not mean we are open to behaviors contrary to the Christian faith. Still, we embrace sharing the table with other Christian brothers and sisters regardless of their denomination or particular congregation.

BISHOP SARAH FRANCES DAVIS COVENANT KEEPERS AND INTERCESSORS

STILL GOOD NEWS: “It Is Time For Rebooting”

Dr. Valeria Eloby-Slade

The World Methodist Organization headquarters affirms that our world is dramatically different from a decade ago. It often appears that the world is less connected to faith and meaningful engagement with the church or respect for humankind. How can we make a difference or have a meaningful impact upon this re-connection in a tangible manner? In addition to a true and real-time SWOT analysis of every district, conference, and local organization within our Connectional church, it is now time for rebooting! How we live and relate to others is at the heart of rebooting. The prayers, presence, encouragement, and support were extremely prevalent at our 35 th Annual Church Growth Conference for 2023. The theme was Church 2.0: Update, Upgrade, Uplift, and it addressed evangelism and church growth for the 21st century. The general officer and executive director, the Reverend Dr. Marcellus A. Norris, our consultant, Mrs. Anethia T. Norris, and Dr. Norris’ staff truly moved the pendulum to the next level. Church 2.0 was successfully organized by updating the attendees with current and real-time information. The upgrading was delivered by having five outstanding sermons by two great bishops and three excellent modernday senior trailblazing clergy leaders. The uplifting occurred as General Officer Norris continuously invited all of the on-site attendees and guests to use the anointed prayer chapel, as well as receive prayer from our Bishop Sarah Frances Davis Covenant Keepers and Intercessors. In addition, a few presenters shared a case study on faith sharing and college campus evangelism. It was evident that each presenter had firsthand experience in their area as each shared innovative, thought-provoking, real-life examples, solutions, and applications to evangelism and church growth.

CONGRATULATORY Listings

Congratulations to Master Jacob Cuthbert III, Son of Connectional Boy Scouts Director Dr. Missiouri McPhee, for Successfully Completing the Eagle Board of Review

On Thursday, February 23, 2023, Master Jacob Cuthbert III successfully completed his Eagle Board of Review, elevating him to the rank of Eagle with the Boy Scouts of America. Jacob’s Eagle Scout Project was completed in the Historic Page Jackson Cemetery, Sanford, FL on behalf of the Goldsboro Museum. Page-Jackson Cemetery is land that was donated to the black people in Sanford, FL by a white philanthropist to bury their dead in 1830. The state of Florida confiscated the land from the blacks in 1917 by authority granted under the Jim Crow laws (1877-1960s) .... blacks could not own land. The state of Florida kept the land for over 100 years. In that century, the land went unkept. A small portion of the land sits in the city of Sanford and is landscaped. The rest of it is overgrown with vegetation and trees so much so that headstones were not visible, and it was unsafe to visit loved ones buried there. It is approximated that over 3,000 (no one knows the exact number) are buried there including former slaves, African American Civil War, WWI and WWII veterans, founders of the towns of Eatonville and Goldsboro, relatives of Zora Neal Hurston’s, and Ebony photographer, Willie Brown.

Jacob, with the guidance of Mr. Harold Goshe of Red Earth Corporation, led a crew over the course of 4 weekends to build an outdoor information center as well as to clean and clear a portion of the cemetery. Jacob has brokered a partnership between the presiding elders of the Central Annual Conference (the Revs. Henry L. Postell II, Milton Broomfield, and Lorenzo Laws) and the Goldsboro Museum to complete quarterly cleanups in the cemetery until July 2024. Jacob’s efforts to retore dignity to this sacred ground has been highlighted by The Sanford Herald (Nov. 20, 2022).

The Bishop Sarah Frances Davis Covenant Keepers and Intercessors extend to each of you a personal invitation to attend our 10th Annual Connectional Day of Prayer. So mark your calendars and save the date for April 13, 2023, to be held virtually and in person in San Antonio, Texas. This gathering will also commemorate the 10th anniversary of inclusion into our book of Doctrine and Discipline and the posthumous transition of Bishop Sarah Frances Davis. Your Connectional offices will provide further details regarding our 10th Annual Connectional Day of Prayer. ❏ ❏ ❏

March 2023

Jacob is the first black scout from Scout BSA Troop 263 (Markham Woods Presbyterian Church, Lake Mary, FL) to attain the rank of Eagle. His Eagle Scout Court of Honor is scheduled for Saturday, April 1, 2023 @ 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church, Sanford, FL. Jacob is the son of Connectional Boy Scouts director, Dr. Missiouri McPhee. He is a member of Saint Mark AME Church, Orlando.

Congratulatory expressions can be sent to: Jacob Cuthbert III c/o PO Box 169

Sanford, FL 32772

Email: missiouri.mcphee@gmail.com

Congratulations to Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr., Pastor of Bethel AMEC Baton Rouge, Who Has Qualified for Third Senior Games and Will Represent the State of Louisiana in Pittsburgh

Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr., pastor of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana has qualified for his third Senior Games and will represent the state of Louisiana in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in swimming. Dr. Kelly is a nine-time state champion in the butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and 100 IM. Presently, he ranked 14 and 15 in the nation in his age group.

He is a member of Crawfish Aquatics Swim Team. A former high school swimmer and a former member of The Legendary Morehouse Tigersharks, the water called him back into competition due to health concerns and by the encouragement of his family. In addition to training for competition, Pastor Kelly teaches private swimming lessons to underserved youth in the community. He also organized The James Haines Swimming Ministry of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, where over 70 youth have been served. He is also an adjunct instructor in African and African American Studies at LSU and in the Arts and Human Sciences. He is a certified American Red Cross lifeguard and CPR/ADA recipient. Dr. Kelly’s first Senior Games was in 2019, Albuquerque, New Mexico; he finished 22 and 18 in the nation. In 2022 he competed in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and finished 14 and 15 in two events.

Congratulatory messages can be emailed to: spidermh7@yahoo.com.

Congratulations to Rev. Dr. Lorenzo and April Neal Who Were United in Holy Matrimony

Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Lorenzo and April Neal who were united in holy matrimony on March 11, 2023 at New Bethel AME Church in Jackson, MS. Dr. Neal is the pastor of New Bethel and April is the YPD director for the North Mississippi Conference of the 8th Episcopal District.

Submitted by:

The Eighth Episcopal District AMEC 5450 Executive Place Jackson, MS 39206

On behalf of Publications Commission chair Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., president/publisher of the AMEC Publishing House (Sunday School Union) the Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, and editor of The Christian Recorder Dr. John Thomas III, we celebrate and applaud your achievements.

“For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NRSV)

To share or receive information about Connectional clergy family bereavements and congratulations, please contact the AME Church Clergy Family Information Center: Mrs. Ora L. Easley, administrator • 5981 Hitching Post Lane • Nashville, TN 37211 • 615.833.6936 (CFIC Office) • amecfic.org • facebook.com/AMECFIC

NECROLOGY Listings March 2023

*Purple font connotes Episcopal Family; Red font, General Officers; and Blue font, Connectional Officers.

The Reverend Amelia Ann Eddy, local elder in the New England Annual Conference of the First Episcopal District; the wife of the Reverend Herbert L. Eddy, retired presiding elder of the Boston Hartford District, and former president of the First Episcopal District Presiding Elders’ Council

Mr. Errol Anthony, father of the Reverend Dr. Wayne Anthony, presiding elder in the Windward Islands Annual Conference of the Sixteenth Episcopal District

Mr. Phemelo Qwane

Makiti, the beloved firstborn son of the president of the Connectional Lay Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Matikane Abednego

Makiti and Mrs. Mma Mohau Cynthia Makiti

Mrs. Barbara Barnes

Washington, age 92, of Bowie, Maryland, the mother of the Reverend Rodney Barnes, pastor of Dickerson AME Church, Frostburg, Maryland, Washington Conference, Second Episcopal District

Sister Shelley Fern Hodges, age 60, the only niece of Bishop Gregory G. M. Ingram (retired) and beloved niece- in-law of Supervisor Jessica Kendall Ingram, supervisor (retired)

The Reverend Dr. David Ulysses Rhone, Sr., a pastor in the Eleventh Episcopal District for over 45 years and the father of the Reverend Dr. David B. Rhone, Jr., presiding elder of the South Atlanta District of the Sixth Episcopal District; and husband of Sister Ruth Bell Rhone, Panama City, Florida

Mr. Royster Jones, Jr., the brother of the Reverend Sherry Miller, itinerant elder in the Kentucky Annual Conference of the Thirteenth Episcopal District

The Reverend Willie L. Arnold,Sr., the brother of the Reverend Dr. Brenda Arnold-Scott, pastor of Mt. Calvary AME Church, Texas Conference, Tenth Episcopal District

Deacon James A. Field, the father of the Reverend Lorraine Fields Bradley, an itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church, pastor of Bethel (Summerville) African Methodist Episcopal Church, Charleston District, South Carolina Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal

District of the AME Church

The Reverend Eleanor Douglas Dawson, an itinerant elder in the Western New York Annual Conference, and the former pastor of St. James AME Church in New York Mills, New York, First Episcopal District

Sister Patrice Bryant China, the former Columbia Conference Christian DebutanteMaster commissioner and the spouse of the Reverend Adam L. China, pastor of Flat Rock African Methodist Episcopal Church, Abbeville-Greenwood District, Piedmont Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

The Reverend Beryl Yvette Days, was a member of Macedonia AME Church, Flushing, New York, where she served as a local elder and superintendent of the church school and Bible study instructor; the daughter of the late Reverend John B. and Rebecca Days, First Episcopal District

Presiding Elder Manuel Esteves Sarmento, age 52 years, an itinerant elder for 33 years in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the administrative assistant to the bishop in the Angola Annual Conference in the Fifteenth Episcopal District and presiding elder of the Guanza Sul District

The Reverend Michael K. King, the pastor of St. Paul AME Church, Mt. Pleasant, Texas, Greater Dallas District of the North Texas Conference, Tenth Episcopal District

Presiding Elder James H. Phillips, retired, of the Texas Conference, elected to the General Board of the AME Church from 1992-1996, and served in 1998, elected treasurer of the Presiding Elder’s Council of the Tenth Episcopal District and was also elected treasurer of the Presiding Elder’s Connectional Council

The Reverend Clarence A. Martin, retired itinerant elder in the Philadelphia Annual Conference of the First Episcopal District, husband of the late Reverend Eva Joyce Martin, the father of Kevin and Bryant Martin and the father-in-law of the Reverend Tiffany Lett Martin, pastor of Bethel AMEC West Chester, PA, and Deidre Martin Mrs. Clara Bell

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Burnett, the widow of the late Reverend William Burnett, they were married for over 46 years and served together in pastoral ministry at many AME churches over the state of Texas and retired in the Northwest Texas Conference, Tenth Episcopal District

Sister Ethel Marie Wallace Jenkins, who served the Lay Organization on all level; local and conference; served as the Episcopal district director of Lay Activities, on the Connectional level as first vice president and director of Lay Activities; and as a member of the AMEC General Board

Condolences to the bereaved are expressed on behalf of Public ations Commission chair Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., president/publisher of the AMEC Publishing House (Sunday School Union) the Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin, and editor of The Christian Recorder, Dr. John Thomas III.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (NRSV)

To share or receive information about Connectional clergy family bereavements and congratulations, please contact the AME Church Clergy Family Information Center. Mrs. Ora L. Easley, administrator • 5981 Hitching Post Lane • Nashville, TN 37211 • 615.833.6936 (CFIC Office) • amecfic.org • facebook.com/AMECFIC the congregation of church school each Sunday morning, using AME Founder Richard Allen’s desire and want to have a church where you could learn and lead. The congregation as a whole was instructed that Leviticus 22:31 reminds us to “Keep God’s commands and follow them” and Leviticus 19:37 reminds us to “obey God’s rules and follow him.”

For the main event of the service, Pastor Wright II introduced Senior Bishop Richardson, telling the congregation that Senior Bishop Richardson “has served the church with class and distinction.”

A favorite hymn of the Senior Bishop, “How Great the Wisdom,” was sung as the sermonic hymn.

Ephesians 4:11-12 was the scripture on which the sermon was based, specifically calling upon the talents of those called into ministry. The subject was “The Spiritual Legacy of Richard Allen.” Senior Bishop Richardson reflected on the watering down of black history month, particularly in an controls us.” The two perspectives hold the city and southern voices of both ancestral presence and future legacy in tandem. In just four days, the convening served as a crucible of justice, culture, intellect, and spirituality that transformed all open to fresh revelation.

Understanding the brevity of the content and its possible impact on individuals, a meditation room was set up for reprieve throughout the day. It was indeed a model for holistic care in the midst of our necessary work. In addition to the space, hosts of the African spirituality session offered a word-of-mouth, open-invitation gathering that became a four-hour deliverance service. Having learned at the feet of the elders, session attendees had an opportunity to gather ‘round the altar of African traditional religion for practical application–a place of refuge, tears, shared stories, and prayer. In the words of Mama area where many states are implementing laws prohibiting the teaching of black history. As such, a history lesson on Richard Allen was provided for everyone.

Richard Allen’s legacy included his being an entrepreneur, with President George Washington as one of his many clients. The key points of the message were Richard Allen’s concern for human suffering, his ability to minister to those in need, and to preach to everyone within the sound of his voice. His resume was sterling, yet he maintained a hunger to serve and make life better for his people, which all can emulate. His legacy of influencing twenty-two Historical Black Colleges and Universities at their inception and his history of championing civil rights are beyond reproach. Senior Bishop Richardson pressed upon those present that Richard Allen was a blessing to all, and that AME’s should give God the glory for all that he authored within the AME Church.

What a wonderful message to support Founder’s Day and to support black history month. What a Fellowship! What a joy divine! Leaning on the everlasting arm! Happy Founder’s Day! ❏ ❏ ❏

Dr. Itihari Toure, “This is only the beginning. We are ever-seeking and ever-growing in our journey.” w we’ve made it bac Wassh h off the

The Proctor Conference serves as our clarion call. “The streetlights are on, and we’ve made it back home. Wash yourself off.

Wash off the grief of black bodies, the stench of oppression, the inability to trust one another–wash off those smells of outside. Come on home and call one another by name so we always know where home is. And you safeguard home with all that you have. Safeguard Proctor. Make it good for trans, poor, women, black people. Call one another by name and declare, ‘I am a link in this chain, and the chain will not break with me.’”

You can support the ongoing work of the conference via the website at https://sdpconference.info/legacy-fund/ ❏ ❏ ❏