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JULY 2021
The Christian Recorder
THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM
OPENING WORSHIP SERVICE 51ST QUADRENNIAL SESSION OF THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH By Rev. Betty Holley, TCR Contributing Writer
The Opening Worship began with our Senior Bishop and host, the Right Reverend Adam J. Richardson, Jr., with the familiar words, “This is the day that the Lord has made,” followed by “The Fanfare of Trumpets and Cymbals” that commenced the great processional of the leadership and the Council of Bishops of our great Zion. The singing of the Doxology was followed by the Call to Worship by Bishop Gregory Ingram. Bishop Jeffrey Leath led us in the opening hymn, “And Are We Yet Alive.” The Invocation was by Bishop Messiah, followed by the MCAM Connectional Choir singing, “Psalm 117.” The Old Testament reading, read by Bishop McAllister, came from Isaiah 40:28-31. Bishop Wicker read the Epistle, II Timothy 2:11-15, followed by the Gospel from John 13:22-27, read by Bishop White. A Summary of the Decalogue was shared by Bishop James L. Davis. The MCAM Connectional Choir shared a well-known gospel, “Total Praise.” Bishop Byfield read the powerful litany followed by the mission offering conducted by Bishop David Daniels. The MCAM Connectional Choir blessed our hearing with the singing of “How Excellent Is His Name,” which was followed by the introduction of the preacher of the hour by Bishop Bryant. In Bishop Bryant’s introduction of our preacher, the Right Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie, he gave a chronology of her ministry in the episcopacy and pastorate. After the introduction, guest soloist, Crystal Aikin, sang the sermonic hymn, “That’s Why I Praise You.” Our preacher, the Right Reverend Vashti Murphy McKenzie, shared her text-two pieces of scripture, Habakkuk 1:5 and Mark 6:36-38. The theme of the Quadrennial Sermon was “Between What is and What Could Be.” Just a few highlights from Bishop McKenzie’s sermon include the following: She shared in her sermon that we all have had and are still having challenges of “five loaves and two fish days.” Since the global pandemic showed up, we have seen cancelled cultures, cancelled graduations, cancelled family reunions, cancelled church as we know it, cancelled General Conference of the AMEC. Every generation can change the trajectory of their day. None of us are exempted from a “five loaves and two fish day.” The Gospel of Mark revolutionizes the idea of God. God is unchanging, ...From The Digital p13
awesome, and Markk shows us not d understanding. d d h only what Jesus said in the text; but what Jesus did. Jesus will locate us out of sight when he is ready to handle that enemy in our lives. God does not always send our problems away. When we find ourselves in “five loaves and two fish days,” we need mustard-seed faith, two mites, the fringe on the helm of Jesus’ garment, the jawbone of an ass, a stick to part the water, or a stone to bring down a giant. Let us imagine the possibilities of God. If God has God’s way with the church, what would the AMEC look like? We could arrive at new levels, potential for greatness will be realized, gaps will be closed, resources will multiply. Finally, we need to get in the practice of acknowledging the presence of others. At the close of this powerful message, Bishop McKenzie asked all to engage in an ancient African tradition: Say, “I am here to be seen.” Response from the person you are acknowledging: “I see you.” Then say, “I am here to be heard.” Response from the person you are acknowledging should be: “I hear you.” Bishop McKenzie extended the Invitation to Christian Discipleship. We thank God for the 51st Quadrennial Sermon from Bishop
the church did not prepare adequately for the digital
Vashti h Murphy h McKenzie. The Opening Service closed with the investiture of Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield as the new president of the Council of Bishops. Other officers of the Council of Bishops are Bishop Ronnie Brailsford, secretary and Bishop Stafford Wicker. After the presentation of the medallion, the anthem, “O Come Give Thanks,” played and Bishop Byfield gave her electrifying response and charge to the church to shift into a new age. After the benediction, the South African struggle song, “Siyahamba,” played as the bishops recessed. ❏ ❏ ❏
ever made an attempt to make digital divide hay while the sun shined.
divide. In spite of technical advice for the church not to proceed with in-person
To this end, notwithstanding, in the GC2016, all accredited delegates were
gathering, we insisted on swimming against the current of COVID-19. Simply
provided with electronic tablets irrespective of the district of their origin. In
stated, we did not prepare adequately and we failed to invest heavily in the much
contrast, in 2021, delegates from the continent of Africa were requested to
needed necessary information and communication technology (ICT’s). Clearly,
provide their own pieces of electronic gadgets whether they liked it or not. As
there were pockets of laxity in closing gaps of the digital divide between Africa
a result, at the time of this write up, some delegates on the continent of Africa
and the USA. At the end of the quadrennium, we should have been boasting of
who do not have their own laptops and tablets told their bishops they would not
having state of the art Episcopal computer laboratories and ICT war rooms in
participate in the GC2020. Some of these are presiding elders and that tells a
Africa. Apart from a few districts that have institutions of higher learning, none
story, the situation among the clergy and laity is worse off.
It is hoped that, in the GC2020, we will take the Episcopal address seriously so that we do not find ourselves in the same situation we found ourselves on the issue of the digital divide. We wish all ourbishops, general officers, connectional officers, delegates, and the whole AME Church family success in the GC2020. ❏ ❏ ❏
