July 2023 Edition of The Christian Recorder

Member of Bethel AME, Knoxville Wins Rhodes Scholarship

Ulystean Jonathan Oates, a member of Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a Yale College senior majoring in Political Science. Jonathan’s academic work engages questions of democracy, justice, and equality, and he has completed recent internships in the office of Representative Jim Cooper and at the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. Jonathan has served in numerous positions in student government at Yale and received multiple campus awards in recognition of his leadership. At Oxford, Jonathan intends to complete a Master of Philosophy in Politics.

The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship award in the world. Each year 32 young students from the United States are selected as Rhodes Scholars through a decentralized process representing the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. Applicants from more than 320 American colleges and universities have been selected as Rhodes Scholars.

Rhodes Scholars are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements but also for their character, commitment to others and the common good, and their potential for leadership in whatever domains their careers may lead. The Rhodes Trust, a British charity established to honor

the will and bequest of Cecil J. Rhodes, provides full financial support for Rhodes Scholars to pursue a degree or degrees at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom in partnership with the Second Century Founder, John McCall MacBain, and other generous benefactors. ❏ ❏ ❏

Proud Boys Ordered to Pay More Than $1 Million for RaciallyMotivated Attack on Historically Black Church

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law

WASHINGTON– On July 1, a judge ordered the Proud Boys and several of its leaders to pay more than $1 million for a racially-motivated attack on the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church in December 2020. The Superior Court for the District of Columbia held that the defendants engaged in an unlawful conspiracy and violated federal and state civil rights laws, including the Ku Klux Klan Act and the D.C. hate crimes statute. During the attack, members of the Proud Boys trespassed onto the 185-year-old black church and destroyed a large Black Lives Matter sign.

2023 Sixth Episcopal District Planning Meeting

Pastor Velma E. Grant, M.Div., Th.M.

The Episcopal Jackson team, Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, and Supervisor Christy Davis Jackson, Esquire, convened the Sixth Episcopal District Planning Meeting in Columbus, Georgia, from Wednesday, May 31, 2023, through Friday, June 2, 2023. The gathering was filled with informative business sessions, plenaries, uplifting sermons, and of course, the event that drew many to the Columbus Convention Center on Friday night–anticipated pastoral shifts and assignments)

The Sixth Episcopal District is moving forward with a bishop that has also changed the political landscape of the state of Georgia. Bishop Jackson has been a vocal advocate for dismantling laws that suppress the voting rights of African Americans in the state, and he has supported

“The attack against Metropolitan AME was an attempt to silence the congregation’s voice and its support for black life, dignity, and safety. It represents just the latest chapter in a long history of white supremacist violence targeting black houses of worship,” said Damon Hewitt, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. “These attacks are meant to intimidate and create fear, and this lawsuit’s aim was to hold those who engage in such action accountable. We also sought to amplify the voices of the Church’s leadership and

The Future Faster

Byron Washington, Columnist

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, has quickly changed how the world operates. From the classroom to the warehouse, A.I. is making the world rethink how we do business, commerce, and education.

Everything is happening faster. Since the world is moving faster, our preparation must differ as we look to the future. I was recently providing consulting services to an organization developing a new paradigm for education. The organization laid out its key goals and plans for the next few years. After they finished, I politely suggested that the metrics they projected and the goals would lag because the world was moving faster than their projections. For example, their program must position itself for three to four years into the future so the students using

congregation–the very voices the perpetrators sought to silence–and to ensure that others give no quarter to this type of racist behavior. Today’s judgment marks the realization of those efforts. The Lawyers’ Committee was proud to answer the call in this case and honored to represent this historic black institution, which sits just blocks from our own office and the area near the White House known as Black Lives Matter Plaza. We will continue to stand up against white supremacy and send the message that this type of conduct will not be tolerated–not here, not anywhere.”

On the night of Dec. 12, 2020, a group led by the Proud Boys rampaged through the streets of Washington, vandalizing four churches, including Metropolitan. Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was convicted of burning another church’s Black Lives Matter banner. The church’s historical expert testified that while attacks on black churches have a long history, accountability for such attacks is rare. Another expert on white supremacy testified that the Proud Boys frequently use violence as a tool to advance their ideological agenda. As noted in Judge Neal Kravitz’s opinion: “The record is replete with evidence that all of the defendants acted with an evil, discriminatory motive based on race and with deliberate violence and a willful disregard for the rights of the church and its congregants.”

“The Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church has a long, esteemed history of standing against bigotry and hate. Our courage and determination to fight back in response to the 2020 attack on our church is a beacon of hope for our community and today’s ruling showed us what our collective vision and voice can achieve,” said the Rev. William H. Lamar IV, pastor of the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church. “While AME refused to be silenced in the face of white supremacist violence, that does not mean real trauma and damage did not occur – merely that congregants and the church have and will continue to rise above it. Our church is rooted in the theological vision that humankind is one family. Institutions like ours must continue to lead the way toward a new narrative and white supremacist institutions must be an erased element.”

“The ultimate goal of this lawsuit was not monetary windfall, but to stop the Proud Boys from being able to act with impunity, without fear of consequences for their actions. And that’s exactly what we accomplished,” said Arthur Ago, director of the Lawyers’ Committee Criminal Justice Project. “Metropolitan AME Church’s support for Black Lives Matter made it the target of the attack by members of the Proud Boys, who traveled to Washington, D.C. that day with the explicit goal of intimidating those who support the struggle for

racial equity. We applaud the Court’s ruling as a crucial step forward in the national fight against white supremacy and racially charged attacks against black and brown communities.”

“We are thrilled that our client, the Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, has received a measure of justice for the Proud Boys’ racist attack against it,” said Daniel J. Kramer, a partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP. “By holding the Proud Boys and its leadership accountable, the court’s judgment should deter others who might consider engaging in racially motivated violence in the future.”

“The Proud Boys’ attack on Metropolitan AME Church is part of a long history of racist violence against people of color,” said Jacqueline KutnikBauder, deputy legal director of the Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Right and Urban Affairs. “Today the court put all groups with violent hate-based agendas on notice – that actions have consequences.”

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Background Metropolitan AME Church v. Proud Boys was filed by the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Washington Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, on behalf of the Metropolitan African

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Methodist Episcopal Church in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia with the purpose to deter the Proud Boys and their leadership from their campaign of racist violence, which they perpetrate with impunity.

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law and co-counsel filed the lawsuit on Jan. 4, 2021 against the Proud Boys and several of their leaders for vandalizing the church. The lawsuit alleged violation of the Ku Klux Klan Act, violation of D.C.’s hate crimes law, violation

candidates that seem to have the best interests of all Georgia citizens at the forefront of their minds and campaigns.

On Thursday of the planning meeting, U.S. Representative Lucy McBath, who serves the 7 th Congressional District in Georgia, greeted the district. Representative McBath shared her quest to eradicate the gun violence that plagues this nation. She shared the horrifying details that led to her fight. Representative McBath recalled the phone call about the death of her only son that changed the trajectory of her life. After the heartfelt words from Congresswoman McBath, Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry (retired) asked Women in Ministry and all clergywomen to surround the congresswoman as Bishop Tyler Guidry covered her with prayer.

United States Representative Sanford Bishop also greeted the body and expressed his appreciation to Bishop Jackson and members of the Sixth Episcopal District for their work in improving voting rights and increasing voter participation of African Americans within the state. Other politicians who addressed the attendees of the planning meeting (both in person and virtually) included Georgia Representative Billy Mitchell, former State Representative Calvin Smyre, State Representative Carolyn Hughley, and State Representative Teddy Reese.

The work of the Sixth Episcopal District component leaders was shared in their annual reports by the respective presidents through videos that detailed the events and activities of each component. Every organization, the Christian Debutante Masters Commission (CDMC), Connectional Lay Organization (CLO), Ministers, Spouses, Widows, and Widowers plus Preacher’s Kids (MSWAWO+PK’s), Richard Allen Young Adult Council (RAYAC), Sons of Allen (SOA), Women in Ministry (WIM), Women’s Ministry Society (WMS), and the Young People’s Division (YPD): shared video reports revealing that each organization is indeed active and making an impact throughout the state of Georgia.

One of the plenary sessions was a presentation by Dr. Monica Wills Parker, director of Emory’s Goizueta Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center. Since Alzheimer’s and other related diseases, such as dementia, disproportionately affect African Americans, the presentation and onsite

of federal law protecting religious property, conspiracy, trespass, and property destruction.

The Proud Boys and their leaders failed to show up and defend themselves in court and the court entered default judgments against the defendants. In April 2023, plaintiffs presented evidence from the church’s pastor, a congregant, and expert witnesses regarding the attack and the harm that it caused.

memory screening were timely and necessary. The memory screening was a simple but important test because it allowed those who did not score at the maximum points level to consider further actions or engage in daily activities that will stimulate the brain (such as crossword puzzles or other games).

The Wednesday night opening service preacher was Bishop James L. Davis, prelate of the Second Episcopal District, accompanied by many pastors and leaders from the Second Episcopal District (the other SED). Bishop Davis previously served as the pastor of Big Bethel AME Church, Atlanta, Georgia. He was elected and consecrated to Episcopal service from Big Bethel and the Sixth Episcopal District. The text and sermon title used by Bishop Davis was John 15:1-8, “Void if Detached!” In his sermon, Bishop Davis preached that, “Whatever God intended back then, it’s still relevant today. When we are detached from God, we ignore the plan of God. You ought to show yourselves as disciples of God. Not trustees but disciples. Not presiding elders but disciples. Not pastors but disciples. Not bishops but disciples. Learn how to abide in me. When you’re down and out, it is hard to be fruitful. I serve a God who looks at the vineyard, comes by regularly, sees you laying on the ground (a dangerous position), and lifts you up.” Bishop Davis also reminded listeners that, “Pruning is uncomfortable. God cuts away the dead stuff [for us] to be fruitful. God cuts back a greedy spirit, cuts back arrogance, cuts back deceit, cuts back self-serving motives. Paul said, ‘I was beaten with a rod, but that didn’t separate me. I was stoned, and that didn’t separate me. I went without sleep, and that didn’t separate me. Neither demons nor hell will separate me from the love of God.’ Make your own list. What was it that was gon’ separate you?”

Two individuals were given the distinct honor of preaching their last sermons as active members of the clergy in the AME Church: Presiding Elder Jacqueline Smith and the Rev. William D. Watley, Ph. D., who most certainly hold a combined seventy-five plus years of service. Presiding Elder Smith, along with her husband Brother Charles Smith, has served the Connectional Church (as a Connectional marshall) and the South Conference and Southwest Conference areas of the Episcopal District very well. Her noonday sermon text and title were, “1 Corinthians 2:916, Church Service Filled With the Holy Spirit

to Witness & to Serve!” Presiding Elder Smith preached, “The Holy Ghost is a teacher. You cannot teach what you do not know. There is no excuse for Christian men and women to live empty lives. God wants each of us to be blessed abundantly.

“You cannot expect God to dwell where sin abides. God cannot pour into our lives until we are willing to share. God blesses us so we can become a blessing to someone else. Love requires that we lose ourselves in service to God. Too many Christian women and men have been caught up in their own selves. A selfish heart will make us spiritually sick. Jesus needs more Christian women and men whose cups are running over. How many of you are witnessing Christ today? I know what it means to witness; the more I give in service, the more I receive from the Lord. We must tell the story of what we receive from the Lord and tell somebody that God turned water into wine, made the lame to walk, and walked on water. Tell somebody that God healed the sick, and tell somebody he’s an on-time God.”

Dr. William Watley and his spouse Muriel served in the Sixth and the First Episcopal districts. His Thursday night sermon text and title were Revelation 22:12-20, “A Word About Grace!” Dr. Watley preached, “When one reads the book of Revelation, sometimes questions arise in the minds of hearers. We think about heaven; we don’t usually think about grace. Yet the book ends with ‘the grace of Jesus Christ be with the saints.’ When we read the Bible, the last word is about grace. Revelation summarizes the Lord’s coming. One would not expect this book to end with grace. For many people, the Bible is a book of laws. The Bible doesn’t end with commandments, but the Bible ends with a word about grace. We enjoy the Bible stories, but it doesn’t end with any great Bible story, it ends with grace. The Bible comes alive with its characters, but the Bible doesn’t end with the great personalities of the faith; it ends with grace. Grace is the unearned, unmerited goodness of God. Grace is what God does for us without our asking or seeking. God did not have to wrap divinity in human flesh, but he did. When people are meeting on you and planning on your downfall, the grace of the Lord is still on your life. Even if you never get elected a delegate, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is still in your life. When you are old and have to

...From Proud Boys p2

...From 2023 Sixth p1

face a new season, your later can still be greater than your past. The grace of Jesus Christ is still operating in your life. The whole Bible is summed up in grace. I am leaving you with a word of grace. Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me–grace will lead me home.”

We are indeed thankful and grateful for the ministerial leadership of Presiding Elder Jacqueline Smith and the Rev. William D. Watley, Ph.D., who both have served the African Methodist Episcopal Church with distinction on the local, conference, Episcopal, and Connectional levels. Their parting words delivered via their sermons should encourage us to continue to be witnesses for God and remind us that God’s grace is the vehicle of transformation in our lives.

Bishop Jackson was slated to preach the Friday night sermon but instead gave that assignment to the Rev. Sheleta Fomby, who preached with power, clarity, and passion. If there was any doubt whether a woman could be a gifted preacher, then the Rev. Fomby’s preaching should dispel any such doubt. The Rev. Fomby’s sermon text and title were Jeremiah 18:1-6, “God Is Not Finished With Me Yet!” The preacher preached that “God is reshaping our being until Christ is formed in us. God chips away at your nasty attitude. God chips away at carelessness because that’s not what you are. What matters is that he has deposited divinity inside of you. God can make your entire life new again. No matter how marred your life, the love of God can turn your mourning into dancing. God puts people through a selection of the clay. The clay is carefully selected; he’s making his selection based on the clay’s potential. The

potter manipulates the condition of the clay–softens the clay. There were times God had to work on the hardness of my life. The potter has to introduce a softening agent. A soft word can turn away wrath. The Word of God is the ingredient to our life. The Word is a healing agent. The Word will strengthen your resolve, separate, and sanctify. The potter removes the impurities, sifts the clay, and demands sanctification. When the clay is in the potter’s will, it is constantly changing; the clay never flies off the wheel because the hand of the potter is on the clay. Don’t give up on the process. The potter does not consult the clay. Stay on the wheel. Stay in position. Stay in his will. He’s not finished with you yet.”

Bishop Jackson laid out the district plans for the Jackson team’s last year in Georgia and shared that the district was in great financial shape because of the dedication and sacrifice of the Sixth District clergy and laity. The news of financial stability was certainly a welcome relief after being notified at least twice at the end of prior general conferences that the district was in arrears with certain general conference obligations. Under Bishop Jackson’s helm, it must also be noted that Morris Brown College is on its way to academic and financial stability. The college’s financial stability and growth will also be good news for those who wish to see donations to the institution become voluntary and not remain mandatory or obligatory.

Throughout the session, Bishop Jackson addressed the theme of Leadership . He shared that leadership is not about popularity and that leadership requires planning on the part of the pastor

this approach can hit the ground running when they graduate in 2026-2027. Their curriculum does not cover A.I., virtual and augmented reality, remote and hybrid learning, or gamification in learning. So, if the students follow the current curriculum minus their independent learning, they will graduate with a degree and arrive at the starting line for their career miles behind their peers. Previously, a student could enter as a freshman and graduate four years later as a senior, and the course of study would have only changed minimally; that is not the case in our current age, where the world can change overnight.

Let us consider these two passages:

and church leaders. He also stated that stewardship should be a critical component of every church, and every church should have a finance committee, develop, and utilize an operating budget. Bishop urged older congregants not to see younger members as a threat.

While the dynamic between old and young can be tense at times, there is still room for everyone to use and share their gifts; we are all working for the same God and building the same kingdom. Yes, there are times that older folks are unwilling to yield a position or leadership role to someone younger, but there are also times when the young are either unwilling or unavailable to assume those roles and positions. An ideal church setting would be one where both the young and old work together with the same divine agenda and purpose, yielding to one who desires to serve and respecting the one who steps aside willingly and yields to someone else. An ideal church setting would be one where those who are the “in-between” folks (not young and far from retirement age) would not feel as if they are overlooked or bypassed because of their age in relation to appointments and positions. One cannot solely focus on a particular demographic while ignoring or overlooking other demographics (age or gender). While it might not be intentional, it is certainly a cause for concern, especially since the church should be operating in a manner unlike the secular world, where nepotism and favoritism are the norm.

Friday night brought anxiety for some and relief for others as both clergy and laity waited with bated breath to hear the names of pastors, presiding elders, and their new assignments. The appointments

and assignments were announced; some left the Convention Center with relief, while others left with apprehension.

Pastoral assignments and presiding elder assignments are never easy, presumably not easy for those making the assignments and have the task of uprooting not only the clergy leaders but their families as well. Assignments are not easy for those congregations who might desire authentic change and those who might desire change but only on the surface level. Nevertheless, change is inevitable, although making at least 40 changes throughout one Episcopal district in one session might seem a bit much. If there is one thing that needs to be shared with those clergy (pastors or presiding elders), it would be this – wherever you go, take the time to love, preach to, and teach God’s people. I would also share with the laity who might be affected by a change in clergy leadership - take the time to love, grow, and learn because if love is present, then there is an opportunity to learn and grow as disciples of Christ.

The soul saving Sixth Episcopal District’s Planning Meeting was executed and attended because of its leadership and those who love and value the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Georgia. The African Methodist Episcopal Church in Georgia is not just for the “Georgia regulars” but for all those who love Jesus Christ, want to participate in the AME Church willingly, and wish to make a difference in the life and survival of the church in Georgia and throughout the world.

Peace! ❏ ❏ ❏

15 Be careful, then, how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. Ephesians 5:15-16

Of Issachar, those who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, two hundred chiefs, and all their kindred under their command. 1 Chronicles 12:32

As we look at the world around us, considering our personal life, the church, and the body of Christ, we must be mindful to maximize our time and use it to its fullest potential. There is also a need for us to be vigilant in prayer because we a preparing to lead our families, children, or churches into areas and territories that are new to us all.

Saving Hope

Rev. Dr. Alfonso Wyatt, Columnist

If I had a business card that accurately captured the full spectrum and dynamic of my work, it would not list my professional titles or religious affiliation. My card would simply read “Merchant of Hope.”

Merchants once sailed the seven seas looking for opportunities to do business. These sailors had to be focused, dedicated, and in many instances, fearless because the seas could become dangerous in the blink of an eye. A Merchant of Hope is a person uniquely prepared for human rescue assignments. This act goes against today’s mindless materialism and suffocating self-centeredness. Merchants of Hope, buoyed by compassion and personal life experiences, sail the sea of life rescuing lost souls that have been hurt, rejected, maligned, and overlooked, as well as helping folk drowning in plain sight.

The passion and calling of Merchants of Hope are not understood by people who have never had their lifeboat rocked, have never been lost at sea, or discovered dangerous leaks in their craft. The self-satisfied discount or ignore the efficacy of hope. They are comfortable, complacent, and clannish. It is hard to move people that refuse to budge, thinking it is someone else’s job to wade in the water. It has been said, “To whom much is given, much is required.” However, this statement is ignored by folk who have been given much but feel no sense of responsibility to give back to others in need.

A Merchant of Hope has a way of rallying people to a cause through sacrifice, not for personal aggrandizement but for the greater good. That is the power of hope. Given the rising hatred that resurrects outmoded social Darwinist-driven policies, more people are feeling a sense of hopelessness. Now hope finds itself a casualty at sea. Even the stouthearted feel an ominous sense of hopelessness in the face of the “social tsunami” heading toward the shore that will eventually drag out to sea babies, youth, poor families, elders, and immigrants.

Look with spiritual eyes so you can see what is happening. Hope is gasping. Hope is drowning. Hope is clinging to floating planks from previous wrecks. Hope is sending out an SOS. Can you hear it? Do you feel it? Will you react to it? Beloved, there is an urgent need for Saving Hope because, without it, existence is hopeless.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1

This poem is dedicated to present-day and future Merchants of Hope:

The Truth Is the Light

Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., Columnist

DO WHAT YOU ARE TAUGHT

Based on Biblical Texts - Colossians 2:6-7

6 As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, continue to walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.

Paul says, since you have received Jesus, live him.

You have established your faith, now do what you have been taught.

In other words, you have studied long enough; it is time to start living your faith. And by the way, let your living spill over into thanksgiving.

Paul says, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord.”

He is obviously referring to folk who know the Lord and who have confessed Christ as their Lord and Savior deciding to follow him.

if we cannot take love truly professed to another then hopelessly we are lost forlorn sister and brother cast adrift on a wide sea sails billowed by hate evil wind forever blow a wider void create can we find together some shelter from the storm rescue the words i love you a new bound form this day into forever we sail this turgid sea who first speaks the words find safe harbor in me.

We need knowledge and understanding about the changes happening in our world. Then we have to allow the Holy Spirit to lead us so that we properly navigate our respective areas.

The future is coming at us at full speed, with private citizens taking trips into space, self-driving cars, and adaptive technology that thinks and problemsolves like humans. There is no space for us to be reactive. Consider this, a surfer swims out into the water, positioning themselves in anticipation of the coming wave. It will be too late if the surfer waits until they see the wave. We know a wave is coming, which is not bad, but if we are not correctly positioned, we will be left looking as the world rides a wave further into the future without us. ❏ ❏ ❏

He is admonishing that we should stop resting on our conversion and start developing some conviction, sincerity, and passion for the cause of Christ.

Conversion is good, but conviction is better.

Conviction is a more complete possession of our Savior, which means we live in constant contact with Christ.

If we have received Christ, we must “walk in him.”

Simply stated, if we claim to be a child of God, we cannot just talk the talk; we have to walk the walk. We love to sing, “When we all get to heaven,” but it’s not just about the destination; it is about the direction.

There are plenty of paths to take, but not all are the right path.

Once we are converted, every precious step we take with

Safe Harbor Alfonso Wyatt (circa 1986)

Christ is one of revelation and fulfillment. Our relationship with Christ is all about “lifestyle”; to choose the correct lifestyle, our heart has to do the walking.

If we have received Christ, we must be “rooted in him.”

We should want to grow in Christ.

We must be grounded in Christ.

We cannot be like a bunch of cut flowers, beautiful to look at but unable to sustain any spiritual life because we are cut off from the root, the body of Christ.

Our faith is only as good as our roots.

As we learn and grow in Christ, our life becomes a reflection of the image of Christ.

Finally, Paul says if we have received Christ, we have to be “built on him.”

Our journey represents a continual process.

We are under construction, a building that is never finished.

Whether our building is a mansion or a mess, we are building on a firm foundation, being “built up in Christ.”

No greater foundation can be laid than that which is laid in Jesus Christ!

Jesus Christ is the cornerstone of our foundation.

If we begin with Christ, every other faith brick we lay will be right with Christ.

If we start right, we will end right.

The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of James Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

Schools Are Banning Diversity Instruction, Is Your 501c3 Status Next?

Rev. Dr. Aaron Treadwell, Contributing Writer

As a child, one of the greatest benefactors of my social growth was the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. For example, the socially conscious Sunday school curriculum at DuPage AME Church addressed my social needs as a minority living in a predominately white environment. The church’s surrounding community refused to mainstream black culture into its school curriculum, so this congregation identified the social and spiritual needs of its membership. In simple terms, if my peers did not get the social uplift at home or church, we never would receive it. And so, when a teacher in a Chicago suburb told me that “most slave owners were kind and the movie Amistad was a lie,” it was my Sunday school that revisioned this historical inaccuracy with a contextualized Bible lesson.

“Lost Cause” White Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) theology has been challenged by Sunday school classes across the connection for centuries. In fact, this season’s Sunday school may need social and political contextualization more than ever. The reasoning for this proclamation is simple: the Florida DeSantis “Woke Bill”; the Tennessee HB2670 bill; the Georgia “Protect Students First Act”; and the Delaware “Loss of TaxExempt Bill.” These bills are all seeking to ban conversations on “divisive concepts” in public schools, as they go against the hagiography (idolizing biography) of American exceptionalism. The Delaware bill even goes as

OVERRATED

Rev. Dr. Barry Settle, Contributing Writer

far as penalizing churches that “get political” and includes the concept of wokeness religiosity as a banned practice. These divisive concepts can include conversations on current racial discrimination, racial privilege, racial oppression, and systematic oppression. Therefore, topics like slavery, lynching, voting disenfranchisement, minority medical malfeasance, and even religious blasphemies by WASPs may be topics many AME Church children will not gain in their educational explorations. Can the same be said for religious exploration as today’s concern?

As a professor at a Tennessee public university, I can attest that conversations are taking place in college departments concerning intellectual freedoms and instructional limitations. Professors are being encouraged to discuss “diversity without saying diversity.” There is literature being distributed encouraging instructors to discuss content that does not make students uncomfortable and what we should do when a red herring disrupts a class. In states like Delaware, church leadership will likely need some training against bullies trying to attack the vein of our existence. Acknowledging the cost of our discipleship is more important than ever within our secular and spiritual spaces. ❏ ❏ ❏

Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

the unwavering strength that God gives us.

This father teaches us to explore moving from our overrated strength into the embrace of weakness and relying on God in all our doubts and fears. The father teaches us this in three ways.

Acknowledging our inability to fix everything

The father declares his faith but acknowledges his weakness – “help me overcome my unbelief!” This highlights a critical aspect of faith – it can only be realized with the assistance of the one, who is the focal point of our faith. That person is Jesus. The size of our faith does not matter; the

person of our faith does. The reality of this man’s circumstance is that his son was convulsing on the ground. Jesus’ disciples could not handle the circumstance, and the father could not. The result was it was too much for the father to handle. What he expected to happen was not happening, and he was not strong enough to handle the matter. So, the father acknowledged he was not able to bear this burden.

Surrender

Jonathan McReynolds, in his song “Overrated,” says, “Strong is overrated; so for once I’ll just lean on you; and I’ll let you do what you do, God; strong is overrated; you show up like I wish I could; maybe weakness is for my good.” Surely this is something that most of us can relate to, fighting through our doubts and pains while keeping composure and holding ourselves together somewhat to display “strength.” Whether it is being strong for family during difficult seasons of grieving, providing emotional support for friends in times of crisis, or advocating for a particular cause, as well as other real-life situations, being strong is overrated –especially in times of doubt. We must move to a space in our faith journey where we release the overrated trait of strength and embrace our weaknesses. This weakness may look like fear, doubt, or giving up control of particular situations. Our text picks up here as this father deals with the circumstance with his son, which he has dealt with since childhood. This father has done his best, holding on to his faith in God but reaches a point where he finally cries out in his weakness, “I believe; help my unbelief!” It is as if this father finally says, “Strong is overrated – so for once, I’ll just lean on you!” The cry of doubt and weakness embraced by this father reminds us that our doubts and weakness do not define us, but they perfect us. These moments of weakness push us to rely on God, who is our strength, and this moves us into a more authentic relationship with God as God transforms our weakness into

By surrendering your weakness to a strong Savior, you are entrusting the circumstance into

the master’s powerful hand. When you surrender, you have given yourself direct access to the power you lack for the occasion. God exchanges our weakness for the power of God. We can then watch God fight for us and work all things out for the glory of God and for our good (Rom. 8:28). However, surrender is never easy. With surrender, we relinquish all control to the will of God, and through this process, God creates an experience for us to draw on that God can do exceedingly and abundantly above all we ask or think (Eph. 3:20).

Relish and appreciate a new relationship with God

This step is often overlooked. Every time God moves on our behalf after we acknowledge our weakness and surrender, God reveals a new aspect of his nature and character. We realize that God loves when we trust and depend on the care, compassion, and love that the Savior has for us. We find ourselves drawn into a deeper intimacy with God because God relishes in our trust and dependency. Our faith grows, and we become a greater witness to the love a power of our God, and we can share that our strength is overrated, but God’s strength is perfect in our weakness (2 Cor. 12:9). Strong is overrated!

Charlotte Maxeke’s Birthday Commemorated at Mount Zion AME Church, 19 th Episcopal District

Brother Onkgopotse Maboe (PK)

Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bloemfontein, commemorated Charlotte Maxeke’s birthday of 7 April 1874 on 16 April 2023. “In 1896, Bishop Turner forged the merger between the Ethiopian Church, founded in 1892, and the AME Church. The young Charlotte Makgomo Mannya, a member of a South African singing troupe travelling in the United States, introduced Ethiopian Church founder Mangena Maake Mokone to African Methodism. Out of South Africa, the AME Church stretched northward into what later developed into the 15 th, 17 th, 18 th, and 19 th Episcopal Districts.”

Sister Betty Mangate, Mt. Zion AME Church’s Director of Christian Education (BoCE), gave a lecture about Charlotte Maxeke’s life. She was:

❖ A teacher in Kimberley,

❖ In 1912 she opened a school in Transkei homeland, now known as Eastern Cape Province,

❖ From 1919 to 1922, she served as the first black native probation office in Johannesburg,

❖ Married to the Reverend Marshall Maxeke; they later both launched the Wilberforce Institute on the donated land by Chief Ramogopa

❖ She devoted herself to gender issues, low wages, pass laws.

Sister Mangate further gave one of Mother C. Maxeke’s Christian principles, “The work is not for yourself. Kill the spirit of self, and do not live above your people but live with them. If you can rise, bring someone with you.”

Unpacking the Christian principle, Sis. B. Mangate said the following:

❖ The work is not for yourself – we are doing all this for the kingdom of God, not to be glorified, but for God that we serve to become glorified.

❖ Kill the spirit of self – Deny yourself and let the spirit of God dwell in you, serve people without any selfish motives “she suffered by continuing to serve the people.”

❖ Do not live above your people but live with them – humble yourself, and I will lift you up, walk in the faith of the Lord and lead by example.

❖ If you can rise, bring someone with you – be able to teach, share knowledge and skills, and create an opportunity for others to be like you; when you get into life, press the letter G.

The Director further gave this character of Mother C. Maxeke as someone who didn’t allow herself to be frustrated and discouraged by limitations

imposed.

Concluded with the phrase “Charlotte Mannya Maxeke, the mother of the African Freedom.”

The day’s exhorter was Sis. Liza Khumalo, with the theme “trust” from scripture II Kings 5: 8-11. She further taught the congregation that Naaman was a king, but he ended up listening to the servant. Naaman showed humbleness, which most people struggle with.

Mount Zion AME Church is one of the richest charges with regards to the history of the church; it was established in 1904, making it 119 years of preaching the word of God, and the Rev. Thabo Matsaseng said, “Charlotte Maxeke did set her foot in this great Zion in her lifetime, we ought to know the history of our charge and embrace it.”

Foundation for Evangelism Selects 3 AME Churches for Grants

The Foundation for Evangelism has selected 51 churches and organizations to receive an “Equipping the Local Church” grant. A total of $350,000 will be distributed through $5,000, $7,500, and $10,000 micro-grants to small and medium-sized Wesleyan-tradition churches and churchbased organizations. The focus of the grant is to launch an experiment or initiative to share the Gospel, tell their faith stories, and invite others into a relationship with Jesus alongside a local faith community. The recipients are from nine Wesleyan-tradition denominations across 24 states. Proposed

projects range from children’s after-school programs to experiments with local community participation.

The AME churches that received grants are:

Abundant Life African Methodist Episcopal Church – Dallas, Texas

Daniel Payne Outreach Ministr ies (AMEC) – Nashville, Tennessee

St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church – Nashville, Tennessee

For more information, visit https://foundationforevangelism.org.

Sis. Betty Mangate

Rev. Thabo Matsaseng

These Bones Can Live!

Rev. Gregory E. Singleton

TEXT: EZEKIEL 37:1-14

With the state of things in our world today, it is without a doubt that something is wrong–very wrong! Besides the usual wars and rumors of wars (please let us add to our prayers the people of Sudan, the 17 th District, and other African nations) and school shootings, we now find ourselves not being able to mistakenly knock on the wrong door or use the wrong driveway without being shot. We even have to be concerned for our children or grandchildren playing in the yard because their ball might roll into their neighbor’s yard. It is also a crying shame that politicians have placed the almighty dollar ahead of people and children being shot down in the streets, malls, schools, and homes.

What has come of the times when we would speak to people, especially young ones, we encounter, and they would actually speak back without acting like you insulted them or they did not even see you or hear you? What has happened is that the church is not respected, homes are not respected, parents are not respected, and people

Seedology

Rev. Dr. Alfonso Wyatt, Columnist

I was skimming through a magazine when an article titled “Seedology” caught my eye. Seedology is the science of sowing and reaping seeds. The survival of the world’s population depends on seeds that are planted, tended, harvested, and can be consumed. I want to talk about a different application of Seedology as it pertains to raising young people from a parent, mentor, teacher, or role model perspective. I was blessed to work with young people for most of my life. I was a public high school teacher at twenty-two (I ran the school several years later). I was a counselor to court-adjudicated and foster-care youth. I was deputy executive director of The Valley, hailed as one of the best youth development programs in the nation. You may be wondering what does this have to do with seeds? With that set-up presented, I want to launch into my version of Seedology related to reaching, teaching, and nurturing youth (your own or other people’s children).

My brothers, sisters, and children of all ages (if you work with young people, you must know how to have fun), I present my youth developmentinspired version of Seedology.

1. Believe in the Seed—If you do not believe the seed you are about to sow has the power

apparently do not even respect themselves. Well, our world is suffering from the condition of “Dry Bones.” Dry bones is the primary symptom of humans having lost faith in God. In our time, being “good church-going Christians” does not exempt us from encountering dry bones in the church. When you see the condition of our town, cities, state, and country, do you speak to the bones? If prophesying worked in Ezekiel’s day, how much more will the power of God work through us? In verse 4, God tells Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones – we are to do the same! The Bible says that the power of life and death is in our tongues. Can these bones live? Oh yes –they can live!

What will we do to lift our less fortunate brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren, and anybody else we know and love, and even those we don’t know? Are we going to do what God told Ezekiel to do after he saw the tendons and the flesh and the skin covering them; God is telling us to prophesy to the breath (Spirit). Say to the Spirit, come from the four winds and breathe into these bones that they may live! And, what happened? The breath (the Spirit of God) entered them; they came to life and stood up as a great army. We have family members, children, and grandchildren, friends that we need to talk to the Lord about – ask the Spirit of God to saturate them, and they will stand up and come

back to the Lord! Can these bones live? Oh yes, and all they are going to know is that God lives – you notice that when Ezekiel prophesied, the bones still didn’t have life, but because we believe, because we prophesy to these bones, the bones of society shall live! Imagine a world and believe toward it! We can see and speak (prophesy) :

High school dropouts receiving college degrees Families moving from homelessness to owning houses and land (v. 14)!

The poor and poverty-minded [becoming] rich in Spirit and economics (money).  Politicians to the state house to serve all of us. A leader to the White House who can lead the country to embrace the possibilities of a strong army of people taught about and living through the power of God!

Can these bones live? OH YES! These Bones Will Live!

Rev. Gregory E. Singleton is the pastor of Pine Grove African Methodist Episcopal Church in Hodges, South Carolina, in the 7th Episcopal District.

to grow into something significant, how can you convince the seed to believe you are believable?

2. Appreciate Your Assigned Ground— Understanding the vagaries of ground that will become home for the seed is essential. Different types of ground need different types of tilling and watering, etc. If you have a oneground-till-all seed mentality, you will fail more than succeed.

3. Cultivate the Seed You Plant—Seeds not only need help going into the ground, but also they require tending once in the ground. A major mistake that some seed-sowers make is thinking their job is over once the seed is buried.

4. Recognize the Seed Transformation Cycle— In order for the seed to live, it must die to its present self in order to manifest its future self. This work is not visible, and a Seedologist may become discouraged, thinking nothing is happening.

5. Keep Up With Seedology Findings—There are people who have a Ph.D. or an equivalent in Seedology. Learn from them—and share what you learn. Never assume what you know is all

you need to know.

6. Tend Your Own Garden—Do not make the mistake of tending to other gardens, and you are ignoring the plot of land that belongs to you. The worst feeling is being a master Seedologist, and you are not reaping what you are sowing at home.

7. Operate From This Essential Seed Truth— Everything the seed is to become is already inside (acorn/oak tree is a wonderful teaching example).

Here is special life fertilizer that must be used at the right time, taken from my book Madd Truth: Lasting Lessons for Students of Life:

❖ You will be older a lot longer than you will be young, so do what you have to do now so you can do what you want to do later.

❖ No one makes a plan to ruin his or her life; in most cases, it is a slow slide down a slippery pole.

❖ You can never give minimum effort and expect a maximum return ...continued on p9

(no deposit, no return).

❖ A true best friend will always want the best for you and the relationship.

❖ No one owes you a living, you owe it to yourself to make a living.

❖ Misery loves company, that is why some people have to love you.

❖ If you do not have the desire to make something out of your life, all of the classes, lectures, and tears in the world will not change your situation.

5“A sower went out to sow his seed, and as he sowed some fell on a path and was trampled on, and the birds of the air ate it up. 6Some fell on rock, and as it grew up it withered

for lack of moisture.

7Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew with it and choked it.

8Some fell into good soil, and when it grew it produced a hundredfold.” As he said this, he called out, “If you have ears to hear, then hear!”

—Luke 8:5-8 ❏ ❏ ❏

One-Issue Agenda: Evangelical Politics the Black Church’s Dilemma

Rev. Monica C. Jones, Columnist

There once was a time when I believed that the word evangelical meant zealous or committed in a godly way to one’s faith. Today, I cringe when I hear the word because, much too often, its sermons preach bigotry and intolerance. For a preacher to say from the pu lpit, for example, that all Democrats are demons is an abomination, not just because it is a lie but also because it is against the biblical principle of not condemning others.

In his book, Inside the Evangelical Movement, Ward (2023) states that some evangelicals have transitioned into a new movement called Apostolic Reformation, where they organize to push and force their political views on others. In recent years, its central focus has been on abortion, and it has remained at the forefront. Waving the “pro-life” flag while using God to justify their anger and condemnation, these Christian nationalist voices have become some of the most destructive to the church universal. Furthermore, and unfortunately for us, in their obsessive desire to bring the entire world to their point of view, evangelicals have convinced some black clergy to join the fray. One consequence is that a wedge has been driven between congregations of various Black Church traditions. We have been distracted by the noise and have lost our focus. In doing so, other vital and more pressing issues, such as the proliferation of assault weapons in our streets, out-of-control policing, and so on, are being ignored.

Whether we agree on abortion or not, we all can agree that too many guns are killing our children; we all can agre e that political racists are a menace to society; we all can agree that our nine brothers and sisters at Mother Emanuel should not have died; we all can agree that no student should be denied a culturally-rich and unbiased education. We ought to be fighting

Wait on the Lord

Rev. Dr. Maxine Thomas, Columnist

to address these and other issues together.

It is so interesting that evangelicals and others who oppose abortion can rarely be found in discussions about capital punishment or a justice system that punishes blacks far more severely for similar crimes as it does their white counterparts. Yet, too many of our faith leaders, in a single issue-minded fashion, jump on the bandwagon to side with to the detriment of our communities.

A More Reasonable Approach

A more reasonable approach would be for us to agree to disagree on whether a woman has the right to decide when and how she should manage her reproductive future and health. Instead, we should collectively, as a people united, speak out and resist every force or voice that would keep us oppressed. Whether it is defending members of a legislative body who have been expelled or marching to a community to call for justice over the lost life of an Ahmaud Arbery, we have too much to lose by remaining stubbornly focused on a one-topic agenda. That is exactly what evangelicals and others want the Black Church to do. If we continue down this road, we will find that after all of our energy has been spent on a woman’s right to autonomy, we have lost on every other front. We will have lost, and it will be our children who will suffer.

The Reverend Monica C. Jones, Ph.D., is director of Christian Education Ministries, and an associate minister at Big Bethel in Atlanta.

1For God alone my soul waits in silence, from him comes my salvation. 2He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall never be shaken. Psalm 62:1-2

Are you looking for a sure thing? The almighty God is able to meet your every need. And guess what: God will never let you down. My friend, you can put your hope in the Lord. You can trust God with everything you have.

The Lord, our God, is faithful. The Lord God Omnipotent is worthy of the highest praise!

The psalmist said, “For God alone, my soul waits in silence”(Psalm 62:1a). Beloved, God wants you to wait on him, knowing he can do anything but fail.

My soul waits upon God. It is easy for us to say that we are waiting on the Lord and trusting God to deliver us from the torment of the prevailing circumstances in our lives. Yet, if the truth be told, in our season of waiting, we are not trusting God. We have not learned to rest in the Lord; we have not learned to take him at his Word.

While we are waiting, sometimes we lose sight of the vision. We find

ourselves embracing a fairytale religion that makes us shout on Sunday mornings but leaves us powerless. Many Christians have a fairy tale religion that allows them to compromise their relationship with the Lord.

It is not God’s will that we live a fairytale; God wants us to wake up to the reality of real issues that we must face. He wants us to wake up to the reality that even as Christians, sometimes we will have to go through the valley. But I am so glad there is nothing too hard for God when we dwell in Christ. And because we dwell in Christ, and he lives on the inside of us, we are more than conquerors! (Romans 8:37) We are victorious!

Did you know the Lord himself is our defense? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is on our side. And because God is on my side, we shall not be greatly moved. When we realize that God is the strength and the joy of our life, we are not moved by the winds of grief and despair. When we stand on the promises of God, we are not moved by the words of adversity and strife.

Waiting for a Blessing

Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr.

In this fast-paced society, we have le arned not to wait. We have fast-paced checkout counters at the local grocery store. We have quick check-in at the airport. We even have quick meals. We do not enjoy waiting anymore.

God does not rush blessings like our new microwave. God does not move on our time or our vibes. We are encouraged to “wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!” (Psalm 27:14) Waiting for a blessing gives us new insight into our faith and assurance in almighty God.

First, waiting means looking beyond ourselves. When we wait for a blessing, we soon understand we are not in control. We understand the blessing is controlled by someone else. This lack of control is problematic for us many times because we always want to direct our destiny and outcome, but God is in control. In this waiting phase of our existential life, we should continue to walk our destiny with faith and assurance in God. Waiting can be a fearful and sometimes painful experience. Yet, waiting for a blessing is

important for the Christian because the essence of our belief system is faith.

Second, waiting means giving God our entire being. It means that we let go of all our fears and uncertainties. It means, like the hymn records, “All to Jesus I surrender, All to the Lord I freely give; I will ever love and trust him, In his presence daily live.” Waiting means complete surrender to powers beyond our mundane existence. When we surrender, God moves on our behalf. I am still learning to surrender my entire being to almighty God.

Last, waiting means being prepared for a blessing. In waiting, we are also in preparation with the Holy One. As Eagle Scouts, we are told, “Be Prepared.” In our preparation, we can experience God moving in Christ Jesus. In our preparation, we can gain strength for the journey. I am waiting for my blessing.

The Role of Local Ministry in the AME Church

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

In the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, the local ministry is designed to complement the itinerant ministry. The 2021 edition of The Doctrine and Discipline of the AME Church defines a local preacher as “A licensed and/or ordained deacon or elder for the sole purpose of ministering in the local church that recommended his or her ordination.” The local preacher serves at the pastor’s pleasure and cannot leave their local church to do ministry in another congregation without the pastor’s approval. A local preacher must embrace the pastor’s vision for the congregation and work within this vision.

Unlike itinerant ministers who are ordained for word, sacrament, and administration, local preachers are ordained to work within a local church context under the supervision of the pastor. To this end, the local congregation must send a letter “on the request of fitness and the local necessity for ordination.” In other words, the local preacher is only ordained to work in one congregation. They have limited sacramental authority within that local church under the pastor’s administration. A local preacher cannot transfer between local congregations without rescinding their ordination. The only way an ordination status can be maintained through transfer is a mutual agreement between the bishop, the presiding elder, and the pastors of both congregations.

Local preachers must answer the roll call at the annual and district conferences. Moreover, they are members of the quarterly conference and honorary members of the official board. Local preachers are often invited to participate in the various worship experiences. Local preachers are often instrumental in visiting and communing with church members who are sick and shutin. In every situation, the pastor determines the duties and expectations of the local preachers within a congregation.

Although the educational requirements differ from itinerant ministers, the AME Church understands the significance of academic preparation for local preachers in our churches. These educational opportunities are coupled with the curriculum for the Board of Examiners. The Discipline states, “It is recommended

that a local preacher enrolls in a two (2) year accredited college for an associate degree or the equivalent.” Under the leadership of Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., the Seventh Episcopal District continues to provide opportunities to make formal theological training accessible for both itinerant and local preachers in South Carolina.

In pursuit of ordination, local preachers may either earn an associate degree in religion from Allen University or complete a Certificate in Theology in conjunction with an associate degree in another discipline from an accredited institution. The Certificate in Theology is a oneyear course of study at Allen University initiated by Bishop Green. This program increases the understanding of scripture, doctrine, theology, and the history of the AME Church. Providing

in-person and online courses provides the local preacher with an essential foundation of resources to be more effective in ministry within the local church context.

As we examine the role of local preachers, we must understand that the AME Church is not exempt from the declining numbers of people entering ordained ministry. The Christian Church is experiencing significant decreases in men and women answering the call to ordained ministry throughout the Western world. As a result, there are times when local preachers serve as supply pastors. While this practice is not normalized, it makes sure that local congregations have clergy leadership. In these instances, the pastoral appointments are placed in the hands of the presiding elder, who provides direct supervision for the local preacher.

When appropriately used, the local ministry is the ideal complement to the itinerant ministry. I have been blessed to work with local preachers who have been significant assets to my pastoral ministry. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty to follow pastoral leadership and assist with the ministry in the local congregation. Nevertheless, local preachers must exercise utmost caution to avoid getting triangulated into differences and divisions within the congregation. Our best days are before us as we keep God first, follow church leadership, and work together. ❏ ❏

An African and African American Perspective on the Importance of the 2023 Farm Bill

Rev. Quardricos Driskell, Columnist

Despite what some people believe, the institutions of slavery and Jim Crow did not subscribe to black people’s relationship with the land and food. These are dual threads in the history of America’s and the world’s food system: stolen land, both from indigenous people and from black farmers, and stolen labor in the form of slavery and sharecropping and, as a result, diseases like pellagra developed from sharecropping. Health disparities continue as a result of these practices today.

From a Pan-African lens, there have been thousands of years of agricultural innovation. The Mande rice people in West Africa did transplanting; the Susu women would share resources by ensuring enough food and other resources for each other in the village. These ingenuities safeguarded food insecurity and a good economy for everyone in the community. But hunger is on the rise in almost all African sub-regions, Latin America, and Western Asia in the twenty-first century.

As people of faith, we are called to care for those in need and be good stewards of everything God has given us. And while we only think of stewardship in terms of financial means, stewardship includes people, the earth, the animals, planets, our bodies, and even the most vulnerable of our society – children.

Child poverty often leads to adult poverty and all of its problems: psychological distress, exposure to crime, and lost productivity. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine estimates that child poverty costs America between $800 billion and $1.1 trillion

annually because of lost earnings and greater chances of criminality and poor health. Moreover, according to UNICEF data, in 2018, twenty-two percent or 149 million of the world’s children were stunted—a condition in which a child does not grow because of chronic malnutrition.

This global tragedy is hard to ignore. Poor children neither vote nor can they hire lobbyists. It is morally senseless, and punishing children for an issue that is not their fault is sinful against God. Thus, it is up to us to protect and advocate for the children, which is why the 2023 Farm Bill is essential and must pass with key provisions.

The farm bill is an enormous legislation, reauthorized only every five years. The farm bill spells out the main ways the United States provides emergency humanitarian support to address hunger and nutrition. It governs U.S. and global agricultural and food policies and programs - the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to administer U.S. global food aid. The aid comes in three forms: in-kind, meaning food shipped from the United States; vouchers to purchase food at local markets; and food purchased from local farmers and distributed to families.

The roadblock to global nutrition is a barrier to building intergenerational wealth. As such, we must illuminate the ways religious and racial hierarchies have wrought great injustice in this world while also creating resources for our ecological imagination and rectifying barriers to agricultural education and disparities in ownership of farmland - reconnecting

communities to the lands they have been disposed of in the U.S. and around the world.

The failure of hunger and global nutrition is not personal but one of public policy – it is systemic. Working out what issues are caused by history and current policies contribute to the analytical paralysis of policymakers. Implicit benefits for minorities are difficult to create and maintain. In all likelihood, the reduction of racial disparities domestically and internationally has to be done through raceneutral means. As policymakers grapple with how to do that and to reauthorize the Farm Bill, there are two major anti-poverty programs – the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), better known for food stamps, and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) need protection and sustainability. However, WIC is not in the Farm Bill.

By praying, collaborating, building, and advocating for Congress, we can distribute life-giving food to end food apartheid and food deserts in this country and abroad. With deep reverence for the land and wisdom of our ancestors, empowered by faith and advocacy, we will work to reclaim our collective right to belong to the earth and to have agency in the food system to end poverty and hunger in the land.

“When the Son of Man comes in his glory and all the angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory” (Matthew 25:31).

Understanding Internal Controls in a Church Environment – Part III

Cynthia Gordon-Floyd, C.P.A., C.F.E.

If any type of entity should be known for its dedication and deep commitment to integrity and accountability through strong internal controls, it is the church. Our previous discussions on this topic covered the control environment and risk assessment. This article will examine another element of the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations (COSO) internal control framework: control activities.

Control activities allow an organization to manage the actions of individuals by establishing clearly written policies and procedures that align management directives and intentions with individual actions while simultaneously

mitigating risk.

Control activities are especially important in finance (including reporting) and ensuring compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Control activities should provide step-by-step directions to safeguard assets (especially all actions related to cash transactions). They should provide requirements for clear, concise, and relevant financial reporting. And they should ensure that the church complies with laws at the local, state, and federal levels.

There are four basic areas where our churches require control activities:

(1) Requesting and Receiving Money –

When the church raises money for numerous purposes, we should not mix various allocations (e.g., love offerings which are compensation versus tithes and offerings, which are used to support the church.) Keeping them separate helps to ensure a controlled environment and supports proper reporting.

Reverend Professor Quardricos Bernard Driskell is a federal lobbyist, an adjunct professor of religion and politics at The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management, and pastor of the historic Beulah Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. Follow him on Twitter @q_driskell4.

(2) Counting and Safeguarding Cash Assets - The basic controls should be in place to ensure no one person has too much access or control. The offering should be collected and stored in a secure location until counted. A group of three or more people should be responsible for receiving and counting all funds. These people should also prepare the deposit.

(3) Expenditures – Payroll responsibilities and all expenditures of the ministry should never be implemented by any one person, including the pastor. The decision to expend church funds should be controlled and clearly agreed to by senior leadership. A voucher process or simply the systematic maintenance of approved invoices and requests should support all expenditures so that a clear audit trail is present for each

expenditure.

(4) Reconciliations and Reporting – The ultimate goal of internal controls is to ensure that all constituents receive reporting that accurately reflects the financial position of the organization. This awareness cannot occur without monthly reconciliations and reporting to all interested parties. Without this final step, there is insufficient transparency and accountability.

Cynthia Gordon-Floyd is a certified public accountant and a certified fraud examiner. She is the founder of Willing Steward Ministries, LLC. Willing Steward Ministries (www.willingsteward.com) is a financial consulting and accounting firm for churches and other faith-based nonprofits, specializing in Bible-focused financial practices, pastoral compensation issues, IRS compliance, and other financial needs specific to churches. Cynthia is a graduate of Lake Forest College and holds her MBA in Accounting from DePaul University. She teaches a certificate program in Church Financial Management at Turner Theological Seminary in Atlanta, Georgia.

Transitions

ELISE JONES MARTIN

Mother Elise Martin—Lived to be 108!

Elise Jones Martin lived well past a century and passed on June 1, in Palo Alto, California, in the loving presence of her family. Mrs. Martin was 108 and had lived through two pandemics and 12 US presidents. She was highly respected for her compassion, wisdom, and accomplishments.

She served on many community, political, and advocacy groups and was a trusted friend of U.S. Representative James Clyburn. Her bedroom held photos of her with former President Barack Obama when he was campaigning at Benedict College and with then Rep. Joe Biden at a Clyburn fish fry.

Mrs. Martin taught Cosmetology at Booker T.

Washington High School and owned several beauty salons, including Elise Beauty Shop on Washington Street, which opened in the late 1930s on what is known as “Black Wall Street.” The shop, with its art deco manicure tables and starched skirts, was cited for demolition, and she next became the first black woman to own a business on Main Street–a wig shop and boutique.

The 2022 African American History Calendar featured her, and she served on numerous local groups, including the Columbia Zoning Commission, the Citizens Advisory Committee for Community Development, the City Beautification Committee, the Drew Park Board, and the Jones-McDonald Community Club, which was co-founded by her mother, Fannie Jones.

She moved to Palo Alto to live with her daughter, Loretta Martin Green, when she was 98 and continued her civic involvement. She stayed connected to Columbia acquaintances through

Published by Palmer Memorial Chapel - Columbia on Jun. 10, 2023.

My Growth and Walk Through Self-Esteem

Angelina Allen, Bethel Tabernacle AME Church

This year has been a year of firsts for me. First time in a new school in a new grade, sixth grade to be exact. Middle school has been both good and bad for me at the same time. I am adjusting to new school rules, new teachers, and making new friends. While all these things have been a challenge, the biggest challenge has been ME!

Everything that I thought I knew about myself, I do not know anymore. My skin, my hair, and the food I like have taken on their own individual changes and seem quite different to me. To make matters worse, I felt like I was “losing me.” I talked to my mom about it, and she made me feel better about these changes. She told me that the “only thing that is constant is change” and “change means growth.” She told me that I am going to change so many times over my life, but if I change in the will of God, then I am right where I am supposed to be. I thought her words and advice were exactly what I needed to hear because of what I was experiencing daily.

long phone conversations and played Words With Friends on her iPad until age 106, when her vision decreased.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, June 17 at 11 am at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, 819 Woodrow St., Columbia. Palmer Memorial Chapel of Columbia is handling arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to a charity to be announced.

Family members left to cherish her memory include her son, Montez “Tommy” (Jacquie) Martin, Jr., Loretta Martin (Bill) Green, her “daughter, by God’s grace,” Sandra Hayes (Archie) Patterson. Also, grandchildren Nicole Elise Green, Inelle Lisa Green, Roderic Martin Green (Tammy), the late Bill Green, Jr. and the late Tanya Elise Oubre (Kent) Pekel, Terrie Lanita (Wendell) Rayburn, Emily-Elise Martin, Montez C. (Angela) Martin III. Also cherishing her legacy are fifteen (15) great-grandchildren.

While I still struggle with not feeling pretty at times or liking my hair or clothes, I remember that these things are only temporary. In the same way that I feel bad in a moment, I can feel good in the next one. Now, I am usually the one that my friends come to when they are down or feel bad about themselves. I talk to them and share with them what my mom told me. I know that God made me in God’s image, and everything that God made is good; so, I am good. I can listen to all the dreadful things people have to say about me, or I can believe what God says about me. I realized that it is my decision which one I choose. However, I also realized that I could grow in self-esteem by surrounding myself with positive people, places, and things. I can read the Bible to learn and remind myself of all the wonderful things that God says about me.

One of the greatest things I learned is that I need to have a relationship with myself, and I do not have to be perfect to do that, and when I do create that relationship with myself, I notice I can change and will continue to change. When I change, it is in certain ways. Sometimes I become closer to God to the point where God becomes existent in me and my heart. And I noticed that God has blessed me with many good things some kids do not notice. Here are some things I noticed about making God a priority as I develop and grow my self-esteem; God has blessed me with good self-esteem to not be depressed or have anxiety, God has always let me know that he is there for me and will always be. I know that God gave me better self-esteem to improve myself, and the other is about how we see ourselves.

One of the many other things I have come to notice is that when people like my friends and family have low self-esteem, they would often share how they feel about what is making them have this type of self-esteem. Additionally, they would often explain why they have low selfesteem and/or why they feel they are depressed or dealing with anxiety. As I am growing and learning, especially from observing my mother, I am confident we can improve our self-esteem and ask God, our church, family, and even friends to help us as we deal with anxiety and depression. It takes a village to build esteem for a young person such as myself. Quite often at church, I hear the preachers speak on confidence and having trust in God. My confidence is in God. In conclusion, I have come to realize that I am not an isolated incident or person. But it is

necessary to speak on what I am experiencing, and because of that, “I believe God!”

Psalm 139:13-14: 13 “For it was you who formed my inward parts; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; that I know very well.”

Bibliography

www. Search.yahoo.www.openbible.info. Topics. God-made-in-his-image.

NIV. Study Bible. Zondervan Publishing House. 2017.

Godin, Seth; Levinson, Jay. Get What You Deserve. 1997. Avon Books. NY. ❏ ❏ ❏

Allen University Will Host High School Students During a Series of Summer STEM Camps

Allen University will host three (3) STEM camps on campus this summer, with the first to begin on Saturday, June 10, 2023. The first camp series is a residential camp open to males only, ages 14-18. According to Dr. Oluwole Ariyo, associate professor of Biology at Allen University, “The students will be able to get a taste of college life by living on campus for one week while they engage in STEM and team buildi ng activities.”

The second STEM camp series will be a day camp sponsored by Allen University, Coca Cola, and Colonial Life. This camp is open to high school juniors and seniors and will run from June 12 th-17 th The summer STEM camp series will be rounded out by another residential camp, open to females only, ages 14-18. Students who successfully complete the Residential Camps (male and female) will receive a $150.00 stipend.

“We look forward to hosting some of the nation’s scholars on our historic campus and introducing them to the idea that all that can be imagined is being achieved at Allen University.”-Dr. Erne st C. McNealey, President.

About Allen University

Allen University is a liberal arts institution located in the heart of South Carolina. The vision of AU is rooted in its commit ment to preparing leaders who are skilled in communication, critical thinking, busin ess acumen, and possess high moral character. Allen Universit y ranked #1 among HBCUs in South Carolina and #8 of the Top 15 HBCU Hidden Gems across the United States (2023 Online Schools Guide). Learn more at www.allenuniversity.edu. ❏ ❏ ❏

Juneteenth: An Invitation to Reparatory Food Justice

Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith

The Rev. Dr. Heber Brown, a new board member at Bread for the World, recently preached on the theme “Where There Is Water, There Is Life” at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia. The service, sponsored by Bread for the World, the Black Church Food Security Network, and Ebenezer Baptist Church, included a teach-in about black farmers, a black farmers marketplace, and two offerings of letters urging members of Congress to reauthorize the farm bill.

In 1868 a 14 th Amendment became necessary to further ensure the citizenship of people of African descent—a law that would support life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness under “the equal protection of the laws.” But this still was not enough. In 1869 the 15 th Amendment was passed and guaranteed men of African descent (though not women) the right to vote.

Together, these Constitutional amendments were acts of reparatory justice that sought to move the United States away from the gross injustice of enslaving people of African descent. In so doing, these laws marked not just a moment of reparatory justice but the beginning of a reparatory journey by the U.S. government. Since then, the nation has made gradual steps

Ezekiel 47:1-2 and 11-12 were the scriptural basis for Dr. Brown’s message that healing waters flowing from our sanctuaries can also replenish our communities with safe water and nutritious food. He linked this vision to equitable contributions of independent black farmers in partnership with black churches. This vision of healing for people of African descent and of a more equitable life for black farmers was inherent to the Emancipation Proclamation, which was not delivered to some enslaved people of African descent until 1865— despite being issued in 1863. We honor that late message of freedom on June 19, the Juneteenth holiday. The Emancipation Proclamation legally liberated people of African descent from enslavement, including forced farm labor on lands settled and owned by white planters. But despite the merited celebration at the passage and implementation of the Emancipation Proclamation—with military protections and a short-lived Reconstruction period—formerly enslaved people of African descent saw the limitations of this law as early as 1868.

towards reparatory justice, impelled by constant demands by people of African descent and their allies. But much more still needs to be done, given the signific ant racialized disparity of generational wealth, the income gap, and the low ownership of lands by black farmers.

Bread for the World celebrates Juneteenth, but we also recognize the continued need for healing— not only in communities of African descent in the U.S. but also within all of us because of these historic and present-day inequities. Advocating for the farm bill is one of the ways Bread for the World supports the legacy and spirit of Juneteenth and the movement for reparatory food justice. You are invited to be a part of this. Please learn more about advocating for the farm bill.

The Call Is Coming From Inside the House: White Christian Churches as Incubators of Anti-Democratic Sentiment

Robert P. Jones, White Too Long

In 1979, When a Stranger Calls became a surprise box-office success. The plot, which drew on a common folk legend, wasn’t original, but the harrowing first 23 minutes of the film created a cult following and is still considered one of the scariest opening sequences of all time.

Jill Johnson has just put the children she is babysitting to bed. As she settles in to await the parents’ return, she receives an ominous phone call from an unidentified man who asks if she has checked on the children. Alarmed, Jill calls the police, who instruct her to keep the caller on the line so they can trace the call. The man calls back, and the call is traced. The police contact her immediately with a terrifying message: “Jill, this is Sergeant Sacker. Listen to me. We’ve traced the call; it’s coming from inside the house.”

nationalism in the United States, they often assume that these forces thrive either outside of or in the wake of the weakening of traditional Christian institutions. But both historical analysis and contemporary public opinion data demonstrate that such anti-democratic views regularly find a comfortable home among white Christians—not only among white evangelical Protestant Christians but also among white non-evangelical/mainline Protestants and white Catholics. Moreover, among white Americans, there is evidence that higher participation in churches is positively correlated with holding more racist attitudes and supporting anti-democratic, anti-pluralist ic ideologies like nativism, white Christian nationalism, and so-called replacement theory. Conventional wisdom, at least in white Christian circles, has assumed that upstanding white churches safeguard democracy. But today, studies that trace anti-democratic sentiment to its source indicate that these threats may be coming from inside these houses of worship.

In my last book,  White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity , I asked a straightforward question: “Does Holding More Racist Attitudes Increase the Likelihood of Identifying as a White Christian?”  To sort this out, I turned to a series of statistical models to examine the relationship between holding racist attitudes and identifying as a white Christian.

When analysts contemplate the rise of forces like white supremacy and

Specifically, I examined how attitudes about a range of issues, such as support for Confederate monuments, denials of the present effects of the history of slavery and racial discrimination, denials of present racial inequalities, and racial resentment (operationalized in a composite Racism Index consisting of 15 questions) predicted three different ...continued on p15

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

white Christian identities: white evangelical Protestant, white non-evangelical/mainline Protestant, and white Catholic. For comparison, I also used a fourth model to predict being white and religiously unaffiliated.

evangelical Protestant identity among frequent church attenders as among infrequent church attenders.

The results were striking. Even with a range of statistical controls in place, the Racism Index (RI) remained an independent predictor for each of the three white Christian subgroups individually and—in the opposite direction—for religiously unaffiliated whites.  In the model, when the RI shifts from least racist to most racist (a move from zero to one on the RI), that shift  independently  makes an average respondent 18 percentage points more likely to identify as white mainline Protestant, 19 percentage points more likely to identify as white evangelical Protestant, and 20 percentage points more likely to identify as white Catholic. By contrast, the corresponding shift in the RI has a very weak negative effect on white religiously unaffiliated identity.

A look at the role of church attendance levels casts further light on the relationship between holding racist attitudes and white Christianity. In defense of white Christian churches and institutions, some have argued that this link is driven primarily by those who claim a Christian identity but have little connection to Christian churches. There’s even an acronym for this theory: Christians in name only (CINO). Those loosely connected white Christians, the theory goes, are more likely to hold racist views. At the same time, those who attend religious services more often—with more exposure to sermons, Sunday school, Bible study, and other forms of Christian discipleship that happen within congregations—are more likely to be in solidarity with their African American brothers and sisters. But we find no evidence that higher church exposure has a mitigating effect on racist attitudes; if anything, the opposite is true.

❖ For white Catholics, there are no significant differences between frequent (weekly or more) and infrequent (seldom or never) church attenders: a move from least racist to most racist on the Racism Index makes frequent and infrequent church attenders nearly equally more likely to identity as white Catholic (21 percentage points and 19 percentage points respectively).

❖ For white non-evangelical/mainline Protestants, infrequent church attenders see a bigger boost in the probability of identification related to holding more racist views (22 percentage points), but the identification boost due to racist views among frequent church attenders is also positive and significant (12 percentage points).

❖ For white evangelical Protestants, there is, strikingly, a stronger boost in the likelihood of affiliation due to racist attitudes among  frequent  church attendees than among  infrequent  church attendees.  A move from least racist to most racist on the Racism Index makes frequent church attenders 34 percentage points more likely to identify as white evangelical Protestants, compared to an increase of only 9 percentage points among infrequent church attenders. In other words, holding racist views is nearly four times as predictive of white

Reversing the direction of the analysis above also helps us confirm the strong relationship between racist attitudes and white Christian identity. Using the same control variables in the models above, being affiliated with each white Christian identity is independently associated with a nearly 10 percent increase in racist attitudes compared to those who do not identify as a white Christian: 9 percent for white evangelical Protestant identity, 8 percent for white non-evangelical/mainline Protestant identity, and 9 percent for white Catholic identity. By contrast, there is no significant relationship between white unaffiliated identity and holding racist attitudes.

Notably, looking at the analysis in this direction, church attendance has no significant impact on the relationship between white Christian identities and holding racist views, generally confirming the findings of the analysis above.  In other words, there is no evidence that going to church every week, at least at the churches white Christians are currently attending, makes a white Christian any less likely to be racist.  Whatever Christian formation and discipleship is happening is not impacting the white supremacist attitudes deeply embedded in white Christian institutions of all types.

The relationship between the Racism Index and white Christian identity is a broad two-way street: an increase in racist attitudes independently predicts an increase in the likelihood of identifying as a white Christian, and identifying as a white Christian is independently associated with an increased probability of holding racist attitudes.

More recent analysis confirms these patterns. The recent PRRI/Brookings Christian Nationalism Survey, conducted in December 2022 and released in early 2023, found similarly that there was a strong positive correlation between holding Christian nationalist views and frequency of church service attendance.  Half of white Christians who attend religious services weekly or more are Christian nationalist adherents or sympathizers, compared to only 18% of whites who seldom or never attend. And white Americans who attend religious services weekly or more are four times more likely than those who seldom or never attend to be Christian nationalist adherents (21% and 5%, respectively).

Among white Americans, those who attend religious services weekly or more are also significantly more likely than those who sel dom or never attend to hold favorable views of Donald Trump, even after his tacit support for white supremacists, election denialis m, and his attempt to hold onto power by encouraging the violent insurrection on January 6th (51% vs. 32% in a March 2023 PRRI survey).

Moreover, as the chart below shows, white Americans who are frequent church attendees are, by double digits, more likely to hol d attitudes supportive of nativism,  white  Christian nationalism (nationalist views tied to an ethnoreligious European Christian identity), and so-called great replacement theory.

These findings suggest that any search for explanations of the rising appeal of anti-pluralistic, anti-democratic sentiment that overlooks white Christian churches will miss an important and troubling source of the threat. If this sentence seems shocking, a sober look at the histor ical record reveals Western Christianity’s vulnerability to this outcome. At least in the U.S. and Western European contexts, where Christianity was intert wined with and provided the primary moral justification for the project of colonialism, a sense of ethnoreligious identity and superiority has been bui lt into its cultural DNA. It has replicated itself across generations via its institutions and practices.

This troubling fact—that the threat is coming from inside the house—is perhaps the most serious challenge for the future of Western pluralistic democracies. ❏ ❏ ❏

You Can Be a Real Live Hero Also!

Dr. Michael C. Carson, Full Columnist

Sometimes the “largeness of life” might overwhelm you. You might feel positive you can never reach the heights and have the impact of your favorite hero!

While injecting some humor, please be clear that I take any tragic event seriously. I grieve what some have to endure because of any affliction.

Given some of the current events in life, if comedian Rodney Dangerfield were living, he might say, “It’s rough, it’s rough, rough I’ll tell you. I flashed the ‘bat sign’ in the sky for help, and the return sign flashing back replied, ‘Gone fishing!’”

Superheroes stand up to evil, defeat evil, and assure that all is well. Superheroes serve others and help strengthen someone’s faith.

Muhammad Ali stated: “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.”

Superheroes come from interesting places.

Mary, Jesus’ mother, was told, 31 And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end” (Luke 1:31-33).

Jesus’ father, Joseph, concerning Mary, was told, “She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21).

Superheroes can come from austere and regal earthly beginnings but not Jesus. Instead, Mary “gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger,

because there was no place in the guest room” (Luke 2:7).

“A hero lies in you” (Mariah Carey). No matter where you are or where you are from, when you look in the mirror, you are looking at a superhero.

Jesus is our ultimate hero, “For the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world” (I John 4:4b).

Jesus, the son of man and the Son of God, will never let you down. He will always exceed all your expectations! (Ephesians 3:20)

Be a superhero! Champion the causes of others, and aid in making someone’s life better. Pray your “daily rent of service” for your existence!

Oh, I can hear Evangelist Cathy declare, “There’s always a moment in the life of a superhero when it seems all is lost, and it appears they have been beaten. On Good Friday, it appeared that Jesus was ultimately defeated and destroyed. But on Easter Sunday morning, Jesus rose with all power in his hand victoriously!”

Whenever you are defeated, look in the mirror, take the hand of Jesus, proclaiming “Still I’ll rise!” (Maya Angelou)

Always use your superpower of prayer!

Help brighten the corner where you live!

Live in peace with justice and mercy. Be blessed. Attend worship. Families matter.

Reach Dr. Carson at refreshingcoach@gmail. com. ❏ ❏ ❏

Acting With Complete Honesty: The Need for a Working Wage

Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, Columnist

I support many, but not all, processes that ultimately result in profitmaking. Essentially, if a salesperson purchases a chair from a supplier for $30 and sells it to a customer for $40, he or she will make a profit (e.g., net revenue) of $10. Congregants are often able to pay tithes or give offerings to their churches because the businesses which employ them have made a profit. When businesses do not profit, they often fire people, furlough people, or lay off people. Profits, at least in theory, are able to improve the lives of people who are committed to advancing the mission of the church. There are times, however, in which there is an abundance of money or revenue associated with businesses (e.g., large profits), and the representatives of those businesses have little to no intention of making profound investments in the people working in these businesses. In 2 Kings 12:1-13, we read of an instance in which King Joash, who did “what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2 Kings 12:2), gave the priests money to repair the temple of the Lord. However, after 23 years of payments, the temple was not repaired. We may infer from the text that the money was spent on “silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets (and) other articles of gold or silver” (2 Kings 12:13) instead of the workers.

COVID-19 Statement

June 1, 2023

The workers were finally paid, and “they did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty” (2 Kings 12:15).

When King Joash invested directly in the workers, the restoration of the temple was completed. Unfortunately, there are far too many businesses in the world that need to do more to avoid the important work or make a profound financial investment in their workforce through their profits. One of the ways an employer can make a profound investment in its workforce is by paying a living wage instead of a minimum wage. A living wage would lift many individuals and families out of poverty while promoting efficiency and profitability.

The people who paid the workers to complete the temple restoration acted with complete honesty. Those of us who love the Lord and God’s people are calling on businesses to operate with “complete honesty” by supporting workers through legislation that promotes a living wage.

AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH – INTERNATIONAL

Bishop Francine A. Brookins, Esq., Chairman

Rev. Natalie Mitchem, Ed.D, RDN, Executive Director

Rev. Miriam J. Burnett, MD, MPH, Medical Director

HEALTH COMMISSION

Although the governmental public health emergency declarations round the globe have been lifted, it is important to note that PHE’s only release resources meant to handle an actual or potential public health crisis. It does not mean that the cause of th e crisis is gone. It does mean that the additional funding and human resources are no longer available. COVID still remains a threat. This is particularly true of the most vulnerable populations. Please continue to remain safe. Therefore, the IHC remains committed to monitoring the prevalence of incidences and providing education and resources. Moving forward, localized outbreaks are still possible and the fact is, COVID-19 is here to stay.

Pertinent Globally

According to the World Health Organization, as of 31 May 2023, globally 179,431 new cases, and 931 new deaths were reported in the previous 7 days. The vaccination rate on the continent of Africa remains moderate to low in many countries.

As reported by the UN, on 5 May 2023, “the head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) has declared ‘with great hope’ an end to COVID-19 as a public health emergency, stressing that it does not mean the disease is no longer a global threat.” He also stated that “Last week, COVID-19 claimed a life every three minutes – and that’s just the deaths we know about,” said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, briefing the media at the agency’s headquarters in Geneva. He further stated that the virus – first made a public health emergency of international concern by the WHO chief on 30 January, 2020 - was here to stay: “It is still killing and it is still changing. The risk remains of new variants emerging that cause new surges in cases and deaths.”...He reminded that as he was speaking, thousands

around the world continue to fight for their lives in intensive care, and millions more will live for the foreseeable future “with the debilitating effects” of post-COVID conditions, or so-called “long Covid.”

Pertinent to the United States

The Fact Sheet entitled: “HHS Announces ‘HHS Bridge Access Program for COVID-19 Vaccines and Treatments’ to Maintain Access to COVID-19 Care for the Uninsured” dated April 18, 2023 reiterates that “COVID-19 remains a key public health priority for the Administration.” It further indicates a goal to ensure that “all Americans have continued easy access to COVID-19 vaccinations and treatments, regardless of insurance status.” Please refer to this Fact Sheet and the most recent FAQ regarding waivers and flexibilities.

Therefore, the AME Church International Health Commission states that the global AME Church will need to remain vigilant and utilize the reopening of church guidelines in its phased approach. Please continue to do all that you

can do to remain safe. That includes wearing masks in spaces where safe distancing cannot be maintained.

The IHC Communicable Diseases and Immunizations Ministry will continue to:

1) update the vaccine/immunization program description for recommended vaccines in an effort to maintain an atmosphere of prevention.

2) Monitor flu, monkeypox, and RSV and any additional diseases monitored.

3) Evaluate and educate regarding local and regional considerations for churches and communities.

4) Stress basic elements that must be undertaken:

a. maintaining good hygiene like proper hand washing techniques

b. keeping up healthy habits that will boost your immune system: keep immunizations current, eat healthy, exercise, rest, and attempt to reduce stress

The Mantle of a Witness

Rev. Dr. Melinda Contreras-Byrd, Contributing Writer

As I age, I am more interested in the world and the meaning of life. I gather with friends I have known over the years, and there is laughter over childhood memories of the outrageous and even inappropriate behavior of grammar school classmates. Too many are no longer here.

I remember the times of joy when family gathered on holidays, sharing experiences, dreams, and outright foolishness. It is good to laugh. It is good to remember. I have found that this COVID era has changed us in many ways. And as quiet as it is kept, many of us are grieving the loss of what we thought would always be: the corner stores for so long, our generational hangouts, and the community memories that unified our neighborhood.

We grieve the loss of the heads of our families who held us all together in times that tried our allegiance and love. In the grieving, we found unity. In the grieving, we discovered strength in unexpected places. In the grieving, we became independent, believing in ourselves, our people–our God. In this grieving, so many of us have finally found our voices, but sadly, we lost our God. Because we have never stayed long enough before the Lord to listen for the answers to our prayers, we are suffering from what I will call “an ambiguous weakening.”

This era has caused us to face what we have never faced--our false selves, our true selves, what holds the center spot in our lives, and what our life stands for. Weather that we have never experienced whirls about us, threatening our possessions, livelihood, and our very lives. We cannot control the flash hurricanes, the fierce ravenous forest fires, the dangerously powerful winds, or the devastating tornados.

We have been quarantined and made to shelter in place. We have donned masks each time we ventured outside our homes. Television, radio, and computerized presentations of terror, injustice, bad news, anxietyprovoking tales, ongoing lies, and God’s people behaving badly have bombarded us.

And it is time to ask the life-saving question that is all too familiar to those of us who are the “churched” people-- “Is there a word from the Lord?”

REV. DR. FLOYD WILSON ALEXANDER, JR.

The Rev. Dr. Floyd Wilson Alexander, Sr., a long-time dedicated servant of Christ, exemplified his devotion to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, to which he showed total commitment, responsibility, accountability, trust, and love.

A native of Middletown, Ohio, Floyd Alexander was born on February 7, 1933, and was reared in a nurturing spiritual family–his mother, the late Ida M. Wilson Alexander, a member of the Bethel AME Church, and his father, the late Harland O. Alexander, a deacon of the Second Baptist Church. He attended public schools and graduated from Middletown High School. Upon graduation from high school, he attended Wilberforce University, where he received a Bachelor of Science in History and Political Science. His spiritual

upbringing laid the groundwork for his acceptance of the call to the ministry. His acceptance subsequently led him to attend and graduate from Payne Theological Seminary, where he earned the Master of Divinity and later received the honorary Doctor of Divinity.

Finding a love for service and love for God’s people, the Rev. Alexander was affectionately known as “Preach” all across the length and breadth of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Having served out his itinerant ministry in the Third Episcopal District, “Preach”

The answer is yes. It is found in a story told over generations that sounds almost too unbelievable to believe. We are made fools for believing it. The story does not fit the criteria for being logical, probable, or truthful. Academics file it along with the myths. Nevertheless, its presence exists in the midst of science and modernity, alongside the stock market, the joys and sorrows of new life, and the death of the innocent. Still, it stands, the unseen presence in a well-organized world of people of different colors, languages, and ways of thinking.

They called it “the greatest story ever told.” It has held its place in humanity since the beginning of time.

If you believe it, it is time to answer the question.

In 2023 there is a story from the creator of all things. If you believe the story, you have been selected to take the “mantle” to live according to the Word. If you believe the story, then no matter what you see, your story is still being written—you have a purpose and a story that never ends.

You have been given night vision, the spiritual authority to unleash, rename, shine a light, forgive, spread love, and dismantle the illegitimate powers of this world.

The word from the Lord, my sisters, and brothers, is this: Assume the position, stretch out your hands, open your mouth, be revived, be restored, be empowered–“fight the powers that be.” You have been enlisted as a kingdom warrior who can change lives.

It is your time to stand.

We are here to tell this story. We are gifted to bear witness to the truth of the story and its work in our lives.

The world is waiting.

So many people have quietly given up hope. The world needs the word of hope that you hold, and “they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.”

Dare to bear witness! ❏ ❏ ❏

is the former pastor of St. PaulMilford; Payne-Kenton; Central Chapel–Yellow Springs; St. JohnWorthington; Delaware–Marysville Circuit (Zion-Delaware and AllenMarysville); St. John-Xenia; St. James-Pittsburgh and Greater Avery-Cleveland. He also served as the presiding elder of the Cleveland District in the North Ohio Annual Conference. At the General Conference in 1988, he was elected to serve as the secretary/treasurer of the Pension Department of the AME Church.

As a statesman in the AME Church, one could always count on “Preach” to be present and an active participant in the life of the church. He was an avid supporter of the Lay Organization and Women in Ministry. “Preach” supported and encouraged many sons and

daughters in the life of the church. Many are preaching and serving the church in multiple capacities across the connection.

Following the 2008 General Conference, the Rt. Rev. C. Garnett Henning, Sr., the newly assigned bishop of the Third Episcopal District, requested “Preach” to serve as the administrative assistant to the bishop. He served in that same position under Senior Bishop McKinley Young. Having served the Third District and the African Methodist Episcopal Church with distinction, the Rev. Alexander requested superannuation under Bishop Errenous Earl McCloud, Jr. in 2021. The North Ohio Annual Conference granted this request under the condition that he always return to answer the roll.

In addition to ...continued on p19

...From Transitions p12

his meritorious service to the church, the Rev. Alexander was extremely active in many social, civic, and professional organizations. These include, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.; Boaz Lodge No. 65 PHA, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; St. Cyprian Consistory No. 4 PHA, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; National Council of Churches; Board of Trustees, Wilberforce University; member of Wilberforce University’s interim administrative team; chaplain of the Wilberforce University’s Alumni Association; Board of Trustees of Payne Theological Seminary; president of Payne Theological Seminary Alumni Association; lead member of the interim administrative team of Payne Theological Seminary; dean of the Board of Examiners for the Third Episcopal District; past member of Afro Heritage Room Committee-University of Pittsburgh; Minority Panel for Cable TelevisionPittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Board of Director for Pittsburgh Opportunities Industrialization Center; Commission of Pan-Methodist Cooperation, past member of the Governing Board of the National Council of Churches, USA; past vice president of the United Pastors in

Mission of Cleveland, Ohio; and has served many terms on the General Board of the AMEC. He also served as the AMEC representative to the World Methodist Council (20112016) and a delegate for the AMEC on the COCU Commission (Church Unity in the USA).

He is preceded in death by his parents, the late Ida M. Wilson Alexander and the late Harland O. Alexander, and siblings Harland, Lawrence, Paul, and Betty.

Leaving to cherish his memory and legacy are his loving wife of 33 years, the former Ms. Sara Margaret Thomas, and children Mark Alexander and Deborah Alexander, born from his union with the late Joyce Barnes Alexander, Floyd Alexander, Jr. (Patrice), and H. Glenn Alexander (Charmaine) born from his union with the late Francina Clay Alexander; Grandchildren: Phillip, Simone, Marissa, Christopher, Amerah, Neriah, Harlen, Khalil, Floyd III, Justice; great grandchildren: Diamond, RayNya, Maya, Skylar, Kaiden; sister: Addiebelle Frazier; a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends, and the members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

ETHEL MARIE WALLACE-JENKINS

Ethel Marie

Wallace-Jenkins

was the only girl of five children born to the union of the late E. P. and Eudora H. Wallace. She was baptized as an infant at the Historic St. John African Methodist Episcopal Church, Montgomery, Alabama, rendering her a 4th generation AME. Educated in the private and public school systems of Montgomery, she participated in the debates on the landmark decision “Brown v. Topeka” and how this decision would affect the educational system in that state.  Her participation was only the beginning of her civil rights activities. She later not only marched with the “Freedom Riders” in Montgomery but was also one of the hundreds locked in the First Baptist Church when United States Attorney General Robert Kennedy declared martial law in the city.

Ethel Marie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and

Sociology from Central Connecticut State University and a Master of Social Work in Administration and Policy and Planning with Certification in Minority Gerontology from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work.  She was a certified hospice volunteer (Hartford VNA), Commissioner on Aging (city of Hartford), and retired geriatric social worker.

She served the Connectional/ Global Lay Organization as chair of the Constitution and By-laws Committee and a former member of the 1 st Episcopal District Self-Help Board. She served as a member of the New England Conference Board of Trustees, former Conference Branch Womens Missionary Society parliamentarian, advisor to the Conference Lay Organization president, and former chair of the Historical Information Committee.  Ethel Marie was the second layperson in the African Methodist Episcopal Church to be awarded the “Living Legend Award”

...continued on p24

As Retirement Nears, Others See Distinct Service in Otis Gordon, Who Cites AMEC’s Benefits

Rev. Rose Russell

A former presiding elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church likens the Rev. Dr. Otis J. Gordon, Jr., to Methodism’s founder, John Wesley, who said, “The world is my parish.” That explains why the pastor of Toledo’s Warren and St. Stephen AME churches is immersed inside and outside the church.

“Otis represents a fine example of that in terms of education, social activism, and religious affairs. He is the consummate AME and a good Methodist,” said the Rev. Dr. Earl G. Harris, who retired from the Cleveland District, North Ohio Annual Conference.

Since his 2003 appointment to Warren, Dr. Gordon has served on various city and Lucas County boards. He has held offices in the Toledo Methodist Ministers Affiliation and Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance and was active in the MultiFaith Council of Northwest Ohio.

The pastor at the oldest black church in the region is well-known and influential.

“Reverend Gordon is one of Toledo’s leading voices of moral leadership,” said Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz. “He’s part of the conscience of our city, and no one does more to promote social justice than he does. He’s a true icon in our community.”

As he and his wife, Lillie Robinson Gordon, look forward to his retirement this fall after 53 years in AME ministry, Dr. Gordon will have served the North Conference as pastor at several churches and presiding elder in the Cleveland District. That much time suggests he has notable views, and one is the need to appeal to younger generations, who constantly face social unfairness.

“Our unique social-economic experience helps us to see that throughout biblical history, God has always been a friend to those subjected to injustice,” he said from his Warren office. He has pastored St. Stephen since 2021.

To be sure, young adults must know that the church comprises “progressive Christians who have contributed to the American experience” and that as a strong proponent of justice, it mirrors Jesus Christ, “the liberator of those disenchanted and disenfranchised.”

But how are younger generations reached? Through social media, he said, then to keep them, respect them. Also, they must be mad e aware of the church’s rich history and that it founded schools and seminaries “to give hope and a sense of purpose” to free Africans, for whom Bishop Richard Allen wanted the church to be “a religious mooring.”

Dr. Gordon is passionate about church leaders establishing authenticity in ministry. After all, “People are not interested in d egrees or what you have accomplished. They really want to know, ‘Do you care?’”

His allegiance to the AME Church includes service at the connectional level on the preliminary inquiry, rules, and Episcopal committees; in the North Conference, he was on the Trustee Board, dean of the Board of Examiners, and treasurer, and he chaired the Board of Christian E ducation in the Third Episcopal District, where Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr., is presiding prelate. The Rev. Dr. LaCreta Clark is Cleveland District’s presiding elder.

Dr. Harris said Pastor Gordon “has been a model to lift up and emulate.” Certainly, younger pastors have sought his guidance; one is the Rev. Brignite Hill, pastor of St. Stephen AME Church, Sandusky.

“Through his patient leadership and guidance, I learned to articulate my call with clarity and precision of language,” said the Reverend Hill. He called his mentor before his first funeral, then said, “As I stepped into the pulpit that morning, I felt thoroughly prepared.”

Dr. Gordon honors ministers who poured into him as a young man. “I see them as transformative in my life, so what I give to any person who asks what I think is what I have experienced as a minister, what others have taught me, and what I’ve gained through my training.”

Surely, this long in ministry means, “You learn something if nothing less than the fact that you learn what you don’t know and that you’re still learning. I’ve always tried to model Jesus. I have tried to live so that if a parishioner saw me, [he or she] would not be ashamed of something I have said or done.”

Dr. Gordon holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Akron, a Master of Divinity from Ashland Theological Sem inary, and a Doctor of Divinity from the United Theological Seminary.

The Rev. Rose Russell is the pastor of Payne Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church in Holland, Ohio.

An Unlikely but God-Ordained Partnership

Rev. Aliston Thomas and Karen-Lee Brofee

It was February 2021, nine months after George Floyd was murdered on May 25, 2020. After conducting a series of conversations between law enforcement, political leaders, churches, and the community entitled “Crucial Conversations That Lead to Sustained Changes” with the objectives of 1). developing or continuing healthy, loving conversations that lead to sustained changes in our thoughts, words, and deeds around racial equality, systemic racism, and overall justice, 2) healing our community (locally and abroad), and 3) ensuring future generations no longer have to deal with racism, an unlikely but God ordained partnership developed. The Chester County Law Enforcement Task Force on Race and Justice held a virtual townhall movie and discussion around “Walking While Black: L.O.V.E Is the Answer” by filmmaker, activist, and U.S. Air Force veteran AJ Ali. We (Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church) received an e-mail through our website from Karen-Lee Brofee of London Grove Friends Meeting (Religious Society of Friends, Quaker) to form a relationship and begin collaborative efforts to understand and defeat racism, as well as learn about the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Six of us making up the core team (three from Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church and three from London Grove Friends Meeting) gathered on Zoom to learn more about each other and explore ways we can partner. We discovered a common thread of belief regardless of our very different forms of worship. Initially, several Quakers attended Allen AME Church worship experience via Zoom. Allen AME Church also joined London Grove for worship over Zoom.

The core team planned a movie and discussion around “The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South” by Robin Bissell, held over two evenings via Zoom. The outcome of these discussions was very fruitful and further built the partnership.

Over the past year, we continued attending each other’s worship experiences, including in-person, once the COVID-19 pandemic receded. Allen AME Church fellowshipped at London Grove on Juneteenth, 2022. This worship experience was held outdoors under their champion oak tree, followed by going into the meetinghouse for singing and meditation. London Grovers joined Allen AME Church in person for the worship experience and attended our 170 th anniversary in the fall of 2022. London Grovers joined Allen AME’s Fall 2022 Revival, where the preacher was the Rev. Dr. Stanley

Hearst II under the First Episcopal District’s theme of “A Transitioning Church” (Philippians 1:6, NKJV, “being confident of this very thing, that he who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ”).

Given the strong partnership that has developed in recent months, we began discussing opportunities for fellowship and living our beliefs in the community. One outreach activity we pursued was assisting Orphan Grain Train with packing boxes for shipment to those in need. Orphan Grain

Train is a Christian volunteer network that ships donated food, clothing, medical, and other needed items to people in 69 countries, including the United States of America.  More information regarding Orphan Grain Train’s vision, mission, ministries, etc., can be found on their website. Allen AME Church’s and London Grove Friends Meeting’s websites contain more information about these churches.

We are exploring other joint outreach ministry opportunities at local shelters, food banks, men’s, and women’s shelters, etc. Our next planned event is a picnic for our two communities in late summer and a joint worship experience in October.

We have a friendship in progress and trust in God to open ways for us to serve together in worship and ministry.

Rev. Aliston Thomas serves as God’s servant as pastor at Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church in Oxford, PA. Karen-Lee Brofee is a very active member of the London Grove Friends Meeting (Religious Society of Friends, Quaker) in Kennett Square, PA.

MS Walk 2023: Walking for Those We Love

Sister Lorraine Parham, St. John AME Church, Huntsville, AL

On 29 April 2023, St. John AME Church-Huntsville members and friends gathered in fellowship to participate in the annual National Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society Walk held on Campus 805, Huntsville, Alabama. The team, MS PAC, consisted of the following participants: Bobby Adkins, Kay Adkins, Samantha Adkins, Phyllis Barrett, Renee Booker, Agnes Gilmore, Patricia Grier (team captain), Thalia Love, Lorraine Parham, Kenneth Parham, Maeola Peoples, Lillie Rivers, Wille Sandifer, Rosemary Wells, and Heloise Wilson.

Throughout the United States (U.S.), the National MS Society holds fundraisers to further research which will one day eliminate

this crippling disease. Multiple sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease affecting approximately 570,000 people in the U.S. and over 2 million worldwide. The disease affects quality of life, employment, social relationships, and patient productivity.

The MS PAC team supports the National MS Society’s vision of one day having a world free of MS. Everything that the MS Society does is focused so that people affected by MS can live their best lives as the organization continues its work; to stop MS in its tracks, to restore what has been lost, and to end MS forever.

The MS PAC team is committed to serving and stands on Matthew

Stupid to Stupendous

The Reverend Dr. Debra A. Whitlock Lax graduated with a Doctorate of Ministry from the University of the Redlands: San Francisco Theological Seminary on May 22, 2023. Dr. Whitlock Lax is the pastor of Bethel AME Church in Sparks, Nevada.  Her doctoral degree track focus is Executive Leadership.  Having a Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary, she also possesses a Bachelor of Science in Christian Leadership and Biblical Theology from William Jessup University.  She admits she is a professional student who likely will die with a book and a laptop on her lap.  A  high school counselor once told her she was too stupid to go to college and not to waste her mother’s money. She believed that lie for quite a while until she did not.

God called Rev. Whitlock into ministry at 28. Most of her ministry training has been in church planting, short-term missions, and youth and young adult ministry. Troubled by the plight of African American emerging men, Pastor Debra’s dissertation centers on restoring the self-image of African American emerging adult men living in impoverished communities.  She writes:

From a theological point of view, all humans suffer from a poor self-image. Sin distorts the divine image of the self, made in the image and likeness of God. Thus, emerging adult African American men (between the ages of eighteen and twenty-four) who live in poverty and volatile conditions are at a relatively high risk of maintaining their poor self-image throughout their lives. If left unaddressed by the church, a deflated, denigrated self can lead to deviant behavior resulting in imprisonment or death. This research explores the negative effects of the misinterpretation of Christian scripture, portrayal of Christ as white, enslavement of Africans, racialized images of blacks, dehumanization tactics of whites, and negative media images of blacks, all of which adversely influence the self, family, society, and institutions. The study explores these issues qualitatively through an online dialogical group interview with four emerging adult African American men living in West Oakland, California. The researcher asked the participants questions,

5:41: “If anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile.” The MS PAC team wishes to thank all who have supported the

team members through the years with donations for this ongoing cause and encourage continued donations.

shared a PowerPoint presentation, and encouraged them to share stories of their lives. Each participant provided insights and personal stories related to how images and stories negatively affect the self, the family, society, and institutions. In addition, they shared their thoughts about factors that contribute to a low self-image and what might strengthen the self. The participants’ insights, supported by the literature review, demonstrate a need for solid biblical teaching and preaching, mentorship, positive storytelling, and depictions of resilient African Americans who contribute to their communities. When an emerging adult African American man learns and practices the Word of God unapologetically, is mentored by resilient men, and can recast himself as the hero of his own story, his self moves toward restoration and is in a better position to surmount racialized oppression. Thus, the restoration of the self begins with a healthy dialogue about what it means to be human as defined by God rather than by humans. The project workshop is a prototype that pastors and church and community leaders may use to engage black young adults in conversation toward the restoration of the self.

African Americans must step up our game and sit in seats within the classrooms of academia; our ancestors fought and died for this right and privilege.  Do not accept another person’s opinion of what you can and cannot accomplish. God desires that we gain as much knowledge as possible to be more effective in serving him. Be stupendous.

ST. JOHN AME CHURCH CELEBRATES MOTHER’S DAY

The Greatness of Motherhood

B. Johnson, St. John AME Church, 9 th District

5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you.

6 For this reason, I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline.

II Timothy 1:5-7

The congregation was thrilled to celebrate Mother’s Day “at home” (back in the sanctuary) after having been out of the church for five weeks due to unforeseen repairs. Members who had been away because of the pandemic made their way back to the sanctuary, as did those who had been away due to the closure. The mere presence of the guest speaker, the 122 nd elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, heightened the excitement.

Prior to the proclamation of the Word, the Reverend Joretha Wright shared a tribute to the mothers, women, and young girls. The tribute was entitled, “A Love Letter to Mothers.” It was a moving and inspirational witness to the emotions of almost every woman and young girl as they navigated this world as a black woman.

The Reverend Maurice Wright II introduced Bishop Guidry, not as the bishop for the day, but as his “Bishop Godmother.” Those in attendance warmly received Bishop Guidry. She greeted the congregation, wished everyone a Happy Mother’s Day, and encouraged everyone to celebrate Father’s Day with the same enthusiasm.

Bishop Guidry preached “The Greatness of Motherhood” from II Timothy

1:5-7. She began by stating, “Greatness is usually measured in terms of the end result. However, as the Lord measures greatness, motherhood is measured by all that goes into making that blessed outcome possible.”

Bishop Guidry used two great illustrations to lead to these three points in responding to the question, “What makes motherhood great?” “Firstly, it is the time, energy, and joy of eternity, not the struggle of maternity which leads to greatness.” What went into Lois also went into Eunice and now into Timothy. In other words, what grandmothers and mothers pour into individuals makes them great. The discipline, spirituality, and love for God poured into their children make mothers great. “Being maternal does not make a mother in the eyes of God. It takes more than that. Secondly, simply being motherly does not always make a mom. Moms of greatness share spiritual growth with their children.”

Finally, true greatness is measured by what is poured into children. Great mothers build a foundation of love and confidence. What kind of foundation are you laying for your children that determines greatness?

The legacy of a godly mother is measured by the countless hours spent at the foot of the cross, the fervent prayers offered in faith, and the devotion to God’s Word displayed in her life. The greatness of motherhood is found in the Savior, who with certainty gives words worth sharing with the children—eternal joy in Jesus Christ.

Two mothers, Lois and Eunice, poured into Timothy to make him a young, faithful preacher of his time. Mothers, what are you pouring into your children? ❏ ❏

Rev. Dr. Lee M. Harvin-Sapp, Greater St. Paul AME Church, 11th District

I am a recent graduate of the Payne Theological Seminary Doctoral Degree program, and the above is the title of my project model. Research for the model revealed a dismal view of mental health among clergy. The model is specific to lead pastors. There is so much autonomy among pastors that no real checks and balances regarding health, mental, physical, or spiritual, really exist. And when the pastor’s health declines, it often goes unnoticed until something detrimental happens, or sadly, it is too late. Even in the best of circumstances, the role of a pastor is extremely pressured-filled. Without purposeful self-care, burnout is almost certain, and depression will soon follow.

The position of a pastor can be extremely stressful. Many are retiring early due to stress. The effects of ongoing stress and mental distress

frequently manifest into hypertension, obesity, and heart complications when pastors do not practice regular self-care. Suicidal thoughts, suicide, and depression drastically increased among lead pastors, especially during the height of COVID, and have yet to decrease statistically.

The greatest thing about building this project model for me was learning that my experience is shared by many, perhaps too many other pastors. Among the regular pressures of the job is the fear of being seen as human by the people they serve. I often tell my members that the church differs from any other business entity. In that same vein, I believe the same is true for the role of pastor. It is different than any other profession. I had to change how I did my job to do my job while maintaining optimal holistic health. Self-care became my top priority. Many pastors

are never off and never take vacations or sabbaticals. This pace is especially true for pastors of smaller congregations because they often operate with no staff or help. I believe many pastors have the mindset that I had to be a super pastor because, after all, the pastor’s boss is God. Who wants to disappoint God? But the reality is that although God calls pastors to take care of the children of God, pastors often forget that they, too, are God’s children.

The model addresses many concerns regarding the holistic health of the pastor and proposes protocols and components to help avoid detrimental issues that adversely affect spiritual, mental, and physical health. Some components are:

1. Mandatory annual ...continued on p24

“Physician Heal Thyself: Developing a Clergy Mental Health Taskforce to Promote and Maintain Clergy Holistic Health and Wellness”

physical and mental health evaluations.

2. Mandatory annual vacation time. This would be accomplished by constructing a task force comprised of retired pastors who could fill in for the vacationing pastor, pastors recovering from surgery, or other reasons to step away temporarily. This is especially helpful for those with no ministerial support staff who avoid their own health to continue the church operation.

3. Mandatory pastors retreat. Not including spouses, exclusively pastors.

4. Peer partnerships. The purpose of a peer partner is to encourage accountability and

CONGRATULATORY Announcements

nurture relationships requiring regular checkin contact to avoid self-isolation.

5. Regularly scheduled pastor fellowship opportunities. A part of my project model tested this component with the pastor’s meeting monthly with no agenda for over a year. Friendships were formed and maintained to this day; thus, support systems developed.

I acknowledge this would not be a cure-all, but it would help to avoid several of the pitfalls that many pastors experience performing the duties of a pastor. I have learned through my personal experience that I am better and happier at my job with these protocols in place.

What can the laity do? Take your pastor off

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

Congratulations to Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness, J.D., D. Min., Pastor, Adams Inspirational AMEC

Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness, J.D., D. Min., pastor, Adams Inspirational AMEC, Washington Annual Conference, 2 nd Episcopal District, received the honor of National Alumni Award in Law and Politics from Clark Atlanta University National Alumni Association “CAU” on May 27, 2023 at the May weekend celebration. This was her 45th reunion as she graduated from Clark College in 1978. Dr. Holness is honored to be honored by her fellow alumnae.

Additionally, on Saturday May 20, 2023, Dr. Holness was unanimously elected chairperson for the Ward One D.C. Democrats, one of the largest and most diverse wards in the district.

Congratulatory messages can be sent to: Dr. E. Gail Anderson Holness, J.D., D.Min. • egailandersonholness@gmail.com

Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Mittie Muse Jr. Who Received the Degree of Doctor of Ministry From Payne Theological Seminary

Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Mittie Muse, Jr. who received the degree of Doctor of Ministry, from Payne Theological Seminary, Wilberforce, OH on May 12, 2023. His dissertation was, “Church Revitalization: Church Members as Returning Citizens to the Kingdom of God.”

The Rev. Dr. Mittie Muse, Jr. is the pastor of Ebenezer AME Church in the Tyler District of the North Texas Annual Conference. He is the proud husband of Lady DeMetruss, the father of Madison, Mittie III, McKenzie, and Curtis, and the son of Presiding Elder Mittie, Sr. and Lady Mavis Muse.

To God be the glory!

Congratulatory notes may be sent to:  The Rev. Dr. Mittie Muse, Jr. • MJR1981@yahoo.com or Ebenezer AME Church • 1101 W. Queen St. • Tyler, TX 75702

the pedestal and see them as human, complete with the same needs we all share. Make genuine inquiries regarding their health. Encourage time off. Perhaps for pastor appreciation, contact a travel agent and purchase a vacation instead of a new suit or designer handbag.

The second great commandment, “love your neighbors as yourself,” is with the assumption that we practice self-care. It has only been in recent modern history that rest was not a socially-expected practice. At the end of the day, even Jesus did not do it all but did everything God asked of him. Pastors should not feel or be made to feel that they must do it all and do it all alone. I pray that all, especially pastors, more formally embrace self-care.

Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Paul A. Cox Who Received the Degree of Doctor of Ministry From Dallas Theological Seminary

Congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Paul A. Cox who received the degree of Doctor of Ministry with a ministry emphasis in General Ministry Leadership; Ministry Leadership, from Dallas Theological Seminary, Dallas, Texas on May 13, 2023. His dissertation was, “An Evaluation of the Bible Study Series No More Excuses  as a Tool for Facilitating Men to Develop Intentional, Biblical, Transformational Living.”

The Rev. Dr. Paul A. Cox is an associate minister at Payne Chapel AME Church in the North Houston District of the Texas Annual Conference. He is employed as an engineering technician with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Galveston, Texas.

To God be the glory!

Congratulatory notes may be sent to: Paul A. Cox, Th.M., D.Min. • paccox@swbell.net

On behalf of Publications Commission chair Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., president/publisher of the AMEC Publishing House (Sund ay 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.

Transitions p19

by the Connectional/Global Organization in

2017.

Her other services included being a member of the General Board of the AME Church, delegate to numerous general conferences, and member and secretary of the “Rules Committee.” She was the first vice president of the Connectional/Global Lay Organization and Director of Lay Activities on all levels of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.  In 1971, Ethel Marie was one of three persons responsible for the third and final reorganization of the New England Conference Lay Organization. As historiographer, she authored the first history of that organization.

She has served her local churches, Bethel AMEC Hartford, Connecticut, and Bethel AMEC Springfield, Massachusetts, in so

NECROLOGY Listings JUNE 2023

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

The Reverend Charles L. Horton, a local minister in the Arkansas Conference, was the spouse of the Reverend Dr. Verlie Horton, pastor of Bethel AME Church, Wynne, AR, Twelfth Episcopal District

Mr. George A. Tellis III, the father of Christopher Tellis and father-in-love of the Reverend Nachia Woods Tellis, pastor of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church in Manchester, Kentucky, Thirteenth Episcopal District

Mr. Toby Temoney, Sr., the brother of Presiding Elder Herbert of the Santee District, Central Conference, the Reverend Abraham Temoney, ret. itinerant elder, and the Reverend Archie S. Temoney, pastor of Millbranch AME Church, Florence-Dillon District, Northeast Conference; the uncle of the Reverend Abraham Temoney, Jr., pastor of St. Luke AME Church, Florence-Dillon District, and the Reverend Samuel A. Temoney, Quinn Chapel AME Church, Sumter District, Northeast Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District

Sister Wanda Faye Young, a faithful servant, and a member of the Sarah McGinnis Missionary Society at New Bethel AME Church (Tyler St.) and an educator in the Duval County public school system; the sister/sister-in-law to our beloved the Reverend Charles S. Young and Mrs. Mary Young (retired), the Reverends George and Leroy Young (both deceased)

Brother Kevin Owens, the brother of the Reverend James E. Owens, a local elder of St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, Alcoa, Tennessee under the pastorate of the Reverend Archie C. Griffin, Jr., Thirteenth Episcopal District

The Reverend Dr. Floyd Wilson Alexander, Sr., a former general officer, secretary-treasurer of the Pension

Department and administrative assistant to the Third Episcopal District, who served the African Methodist Episcopal Church with distinction for many years

Mrs. Vivian Woodhouse, beloved mother of the Reverend Dr. Eugenia Bowser, pastor of New St. James AME Church, Norfolk, Virginia, and secretary of the Virginia Annual Conference, Second Episcopal District; Sister Vivian Woodhouse was a faithful member of St. Mark AME Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia for more than 72 years.

Sister Sharon Bowman-Hilliard, the daughter of retired presiding elder Delano Bowman and wife of Ronald Hilliard, Sr., Fourth Episcopal District

The Reverend Rudolph U. Aaron, presiding elder emeritus of the European Conference and former pastor of Richard Allen AME Church, London, UK

Bishop Richard Franklin Norris, Sr., retired, the 116th elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Mrs. Doris H. Johnson, the mother of the Reverend Albert Johnson, pastor of Mt. Tabor AME Church, Philadelphia District of the Philadelphia Annual Conference of the First Episcopal District

The Reverend LaKenya B. Anderson, the pastor of New Mount Zion AME Church in Eufaula, Alabama; she was a lifelong AME member of Greater St. Matthew AME Church in Brantley, Alabama, both in the Southeast Alabama Annual Conference, Ninth Episcopal District

The Reverend Hubert Harris, retired from active pastoring after serving our Zion for over 40 years; the former pastor of St. Paul, Stuckey, and St. Joseph, Sparr, FL, Eleventh Episcopal District

Mrs. LuEthel Brooks-Morrison, the mother of the Reverend Rhonda Heyward, pastor of St. Phillip African Methodist Episcopal Church, Edisto District, South Carolina Annual Conference of the Seventh Episcopal District of the AME Church

Mrs. Barbara Moss, of Charleston, SC, who is the beloved mother of the Reverend Gerard (Barbara) Moss, the pastor of Saint Paul AME Church, Apopka, Florida, Eleventh Episcopal District

Ilene Loretta Ingram, Ed.D., was an educator who received her Ed.D. from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan and a tenured professor at Oakland University, the sister of Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram (retired) and sister-in-love of the Reverend Dr. Jessica Kendall Ingram

The Reverend Isaac Wayman Wilborn, Jr., retired itinerant elder and pastor. The Reverend Wilborn pastored many churches in the Seventh Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Brother Tyreese L. Pompey, the beloved brother of the Reverend S. Gerrard Lindsey, the faithful pastor of Mt. Zion AME Church, Havana, Florida, Eleventh Episcopal District

Sis. Leonia Butler Holiday, wife of the dearly departed former Presiding Elder J. K. Holiday and former consultant of the Central New Orleans-Bogalusa District, Eighth Episcopal District

Brother King Samuel Reeves, Jr., the father of the Reverend Christopher Reeves, pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Hurtsboro, Alabama in the Northeast Alabama Annual Conference, Ninth Episcopal District

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. 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

Planning and Armed Congregants Top Church Security Measures

Aaron Earls

Most churches have some type of security measures in place during worship services. Pastors point to intentional plans and armed church members more than other measures, but compared to three years ago, fewer say they have plans, and more say they have gun-carrying congregants. Numerous fatal shootings have occurred at churches in recent years. In March, an armed assailant killed six people at The Covenant School, a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee. Shootings have also occurred at other places of worship, like Jewish synagogues and Sikh temples.

When asked about their protocols when they gather for worship, around 4 in 5 U.S. Protestant pastors (81%) say their church has some type of security measure in place, according to a study from Lifeway Research. Still, more than 1 in 6 (17%) say they don’t use any of the seven potential measures in the study, and 2% aren’t sure.

“Churches are not immune to violence, disputes, domestic disagreements, vandalism, and burglary,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of Lifeway Research. “While loving one another is a core Christian teaching, churchgoers still sin, and non-churchgoers are invited and welcomed. So real security risks exist whether a congregation wants to acknowledge them or not.”

Security measures

In terms of security specifics, pastors are most likely to say their congregation has an intentional plan for an active shooter situation (57%). Additionally, most (54%) also say armed church members are part of the measures they have in place.

Around a quarter (26%) use radio communication among security personnel, while 1 in 5 say they have a no firearms policy in the building where they meet (21%) or armed private security personnel on site (20%). Fewer have uniformed police officers on church grounds (5%) or metal detectors at entrances to screen for weapons (1%).

“Most churches are small, so security plans often don’t need to be elaborate or expensive,” said McConnell.

Around half of the fatal shootings in churches since 1999 have occurred in the south. Pastors in that region are the least likely to say they don’t use any of the security measures at their churches (12%). Conversely, they are among the most likely to report their congregation has an intentional plan for an active shooter situation (64%), radio communication among security personnel (34%), and armed private security on site (26%). Additionally, southern pastors are the most likely

to say they have armed church members (65%) and uniformed police officers on site (9%).

More worshipers in attendance often lead to increased security measures. The larger the church, the more likely it is to have armed private security personnel on site and radio communication among security personnel. Churches with 250 or more in attendance are the most likely to have armed church members (74%) and uniformed police officers on site (27%). Those large congregations are also among the most likely to have an intentional plan for an active shooter situation (74%).

Pastors at churches with worship attendance of fewer than 50 people (29%) are the most likely to say they aren’t using any of the methods of preparation considered in this study.

Mainline pastors (22%) are more likely than evangelical pastors (14%) to not use any of the seven potential ways of security preparation at their churches. Denominationally, Lutheran (34%) and Presbyterian/Reformed pastors (30%) are at least twice as likely as pastors at non-denominational (14%), Restorationist movement (13%), Pentecostal (12%) or Baptist (8%) churches to say they don’t use any of the security measures.

African American pastors are three times more likely than white pastors to say they have uniformed police officers on site (12% v. 4%).

African American pastors are also more likely than white pastors to say part of their security measures includes radio communication among security personnel (37% v. 25%) and a no firearms policy in the building where they meet

(34% v. 21%). Meanwhile, white pastors are more likely than African American pastors to say they have armed church members (56% v. 33%).

More guns, less planning

Compared to three years ago, pastors say they’re more likely to rely on armed churchgoers and less likely to have a no firearms policy for their building. Fewer also say they have an intentional plan for an active shooter, compared to a 2019 Lifeway Research study.

Previously, 45% of U.S. Protestant pastors said armed church members were part of their congregation’s security measures. Now, more than half (54%) include that in their attempts to keep churchgoers safe. In 2019, 27% said they enforced a no firearms policy at their building. That has dropped to 21% now.

Churches are also less likely to rely on intentional planning to address potential security threats. In 2019, 62% said they had such a plan in place for an active shooting situation. Since then, the percentage of pastors who say that is the case at their church has fallen to 57%.

“While churches may have different convictions on how to maintain security, it is surprising that fewer churches have an intentional plan for an active shooter than did in 2019,” said McConnell. “As churches cut back on activities during COVID, this may have been one of the initiatives that did not resume for some churches.”

Aaron Earls is a writer for Lifeway Christian Resources.

Report From CONVO XX

Rev. Jazmine Brooks and Rev. Justin Nick, TCR Staff

On July 21, 2023, Bishop Michael L. Mitchell called the 2023 Convo XX meeting to order. He offered a general overview of our collective objectives and introduced the order of the day. Bishop Mitchell was followed by the Rev. Charlene Boone’s soul-stirring devotions that offered a spiritual grounding for the stated objectives and centeral our minds for progressive dialogue. This year’s Convos focused on Oversight and Accountability, and Sexual Ethic Discernment.

Bishop Reginald T. Jackson served as the group leader for Oversight and Accountability- a small group dedicated to a more proficient and integrous approach to church finances and management. The Rev. Dr. Teresa Fry-Brown served as the group leader for Sexual Ethics Discernment-a small group dedicated to creating open and affirming language in our legislation/ discipline as well as generating fruitful dialogue among both clergy and lay.

Each focus group was split into two to three breakout groups in order to create space for effective teaching, learning, and growing together.

The following resolutions were made within those breakout groups and later shared with the larger body:

❖ Accountability and Transparency: Moderated by Bishop Clement Fugh and Bishop Silvester Beaman. Facilitated by Dr. Marcus Henderson. Presenters were Attorney Douglass Selby and Mr. Harvey Hoskins.

◗ The AME Church must create a uniformed chart of accounts and a uniformed system

of recordkeeping that is maintained and monitored by qualified bookkeepers and accountants with training. In addition to the uniformed systems should be a structure of oversight that is regularly engaged with both the reporting and the recordkeeping. This process should include but is not limited to audits, independent inspectors, as well as commission meetings between the on-site meetings.

❖ Communication: Moderated by Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield and Bishop Marvin Zanders. Dr. Aaron Treadwill served as presenter.

◗ The AME Church must invest in expanding its financial communication strategies to be more aligned with the institution as a corporation. Beyond communication regarding finances, the church must invest more seriously in building a brand and messaging that is vetted and streamlined for both Connectional and global outreach. Additionally, the branding must be promoted in a funded campaign and supported by a Connectional tech ministry that serves districts as well as the local congregation.

❖ Sustainability: Moderated by Bishop Reginald T. Jackson and Bishop Ronnie Brailsford. The Rev. Elijah Shafah served as presenter.

◗ Evangelism must be our church’s top priority and the great commission the order of the day across our Connectional body. Every member must be made a disciple and we must place emphasis on

2023 General Board Meeting

Rev. Justin Nick, TCR Assistant News Editor

The General Board was called to order by Bishop Paul J. M. Kawimbe, president of the General Board, at the sumptuous Sheraton, New Orleans, on June 20, 2022. Bishop Kawimbe then presented Bishop Stafford J.N. Wicker, president of the Council of Bishops, for devotions led by 8 th Episcopal District. The Rev. Jivonte Watkins of St. Matthews AME, Shreveport, LA, preached a dynamic message entitled “The Prophets Call” using Jeremiah 1:1-10. Bishop Kawimbe called on Dr. Jeffery B. Cooper, general secretary/CIO of the AME Church, to call the roll.

After the roll call, Bishop Kawimbe presented Bishop Richardson, senior bishop, who addressed the Board with “deliberately brief comments” about “the heavy breath” of the agenda to address the issues of the AME Church, including the issue of retirement. Bishop Wicker welcomed the conference. Bishop David R.

Daniels, Jr., in stand for Bishop James L Davis, acknowledged dignitaries and attendees of the church. Afterward, Bishop Kawimbe called for the approval of the agenda. Dr. J. Edgar Boyd, 5th Episcopal District, motioned that the Department of Retirement Services report be moved to the top of the agenda. The motion carried and the agenda was approved. The minutes from June 2022 were approved. Then the Department of Retirements Services and the legal team offered a status report on the retirement services. After this report, the Board was dismissed to their commission meeting. That evening, the church gathered again for the Council of Bishops Investiture for Bishop Stafford J.N. Wicker as the president of the Council of Bishops. The room, decked with green, purple, and gold, was filled with the rhythmic sounds of the First Line Band and Zulu Dancers. The 8 th District showed all out in sight,

the youth and children.

❖ Biblical Text Addressing Sexual Orientation: Moderated by Bishop Francine Brookins and Bishop David Daniels, Jr. The Rev. Dr. Obery Hendricks, Jr. served as presenter.

◗ Love is central to the Gospel. David says at the death of Jonathan that the love of Jonathan was greater than the love of women which says that the love of same-sex intimacy can be as pure and as holy as opposite-gendered intimacy and is acknowledged in the Bible. Moses when speaking about cross-dressing is trying to get his people to maintain the integrity of their faith by calling it an abomination which is different than sin.

❖ AME Scriptural and Cultural Hermeneutics: Moderated by Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr., Bishop Harry L Seawright, and Bishop Paul J. Kawimbe. Dr. Marshal served as the presenter.

◗ “Stay Woke” is the command given to the disciples in the Gospel of Matthew while Jesus prayed. Stay woke because the 2022 Trevor Project reported that 455 of the LGBTQIA+ community committed suicide because of bullying. Stay woke when ordained clergy cannot marry their brother or their sister, their son or their daughter in fear of having their paperwork taken. We are staying woke when we are inclusive and do what God called us to do which is love.

Following the share-out of each breakout group, the meeting was adjourned in prayer by Bishop Stafford Wicker and words of exhortation by Bishop Richardson. ❏ ❏ ❏

sound, hospitality, and delicious cajun cuisine. Bishop Kawimbe called the second plenary session to order on June 21, 2023. Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath led devotion with the chaplains of the AME Church rendering the service. G. Diane Lewis, chief of Chaplain Services, proclaimed a message entitled “The Time Is Now” using Jeremiah 1:9-10. Chaplain Lewis encouraged the board that “no one knew they were going to change the world…we have been called for such a time as this.”

After the devotion, Bishop Kawimbe called for the commission reports.

Department of Retirement Services: Bishop Marvin C. Zander II, co-chair. Bishop John F. White, co-chair. Darwin Eldridge, Budget Committee chair, gave the report. The premiums received from life insurance participants were less than those paid, resulting ...continued on p28

in a $200,000 deficit in the department’s budget. The recommendations were to increase premiums to $165 for single members and $200 for married members. The premium increase was tabled, but the current policy will be paid to prevent a lapse in coverage. Next, Rev. Jarret Washington, 11 th District, recommended the Investment Sub-Committee encourage salaried servants to register and review their beneficiaries. The Audit Committee will return with a roll purged of non-paying participants. Additionally, the committee successfully entered all of the transactions from the old accounting system into QuickBooks to produce usable financial statements for the audit. Within the year, they expect to have a completed department audit. The Legislation Committee presented Lisa Carrasco, the attorney representing the church. Ms. Carrasco submitted a corrective letter that would update many of the outdated statutes of the current retirement plan. The corrective letter had to be filed before the Legislative Committee could proceed. The Operations Committee will continue to update the department’s operations to help salaried servants. Within the year, all participants will have an updated statement balance of their accounts.

Commission on Statistics and Finance: Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., chair. Presiding Elder Tyronda Burgess, reporter. No recommendations.

Next, Bishop Kawimbe called Bishop Daniels to chair the commissions.

Ministry and Recruitment: Bishop Ronnie E. Brailsford, Sr., chair. Recommendation: invite the lay to attend the three webinars during

Clergy Appreciation Month, October 2023.

Following the Commission on Ministry and Recruitment’s report, Dr. John Thomas III, editor of The Christian Recorder, and Dr. J. Edgar Boyd, 5 th Episcopal District, asked to be recognized. Dr. Boyd commended the board for moving in the direction of culture instead of the direction of cancer regarding the Department of Retirement Services. Dr. Thomas offered the motion, as read by Dr. Cooper, that the General Board instruct the president to begin the formal judicial process against Dr. Jerome V. Harris, former director of DRS, by filing charges listed in the 2021 Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Church . The motion carried.

Global Development: Bishop Sylvester Beaman, chair. Mrs. Ladonna Liggins, reporter. Recommendations: resubmit bills from 2021 to 2024 General Conference, submit redistrict plan, and subsidize Monrovia College for $10,000.00.

Health: Bishop Francine Brookins, chair. Ms. Rhalanda Jackson reporter. Recommendation: fill vacant commissioner positions, provide more grants, and follow CDC/WHO guidelines.

Publications: Bishop Daniels, chair. The Rev. Dr. Willie Barnes, reporter. Recommendations: increase publishing to The AME Review, establish church schools in churches, and establish designated reporters in each Episcopal district.

Chaplains: Bishop Leath, chair. The Rev. Netekia Walker, reporter. Recommendations: will be discussed at the next scheduled Commission on Chaplains Meeting.

Women in Ministry: Bishop Frederick A.

Wright, Sr., chair. The Rev. Dr. A. Qismat Alim, reporter. Recommendations: assign male board members to WIM and advocate for parity in the election of 2024 General Conference delegates.

Christian Education: Bishop Frank M. Reid III, chair. Ms. Chantal Alford, reporter. Recommendations: encourage sign up for the Daily Spiritual Vitamins, gifted writers join the Writer Guild, subscribe to the department’s social media, and purchase the 2023 Advent/ Christmas Devotional.

Seminaries, Universities, Colleges, & Schools: Bishop Marvin Zanders II, chair. Ms. Angela Pettis, reporter. Recommendations: meet by Zoom to share ideas and success stories and assist the Rev. Moobii and R.R. Wright Theological Seminary in getting books for their library.

Church Growth & Development: Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, chair. The Rev. Joelynn Stokes, Esq., reporter. Recommendations: adopt the Church Growth & Development Initiative, announce a desire to reclaim AMEs, and commit to inviting one person to church.

Global Witness & Ministry: Bishop Michael L. Mitchell, chair. Ms. Shante’l Sims, reporter. Recommendations: pray for the department and the director, commit to becoming a mission partner with financial gifts, and become a global witness for missions.

After the commission reports, the General Board adjourned. The next regular session of the General Board will be in June 2024 for consideration of the 2024-2028 Quadrennial Budget. ❏ ❏ ❏

EDITORIAL On the Matter of the Rev. Dr. Jerome Harris

John Thomas III, Ph.D., Editor

At the July 2023 Session of the General Board, the motion was brought to the General Board to file formal charges within the African Methodist Episcopal Church judicial process against the Rev. Dr. Jerome Harris. After a debate on the appropriateness of the venue and the process to file the charges, the motion passed to instruct the president of the General Board, Bishop Paul Kawimbe, to file the charges in the name of the General Board no later than thirty (30) days after the meeting. At the time of writing this editorial, the general secretary’s office indicates that the charges have been prepared for filing.

After the meeting, I heard two reactions from attendees. The first was pride and admiration that someone would stand up with a measure of bravery to openly state the denomination’s law clearly. The second response almost equally heard lamented the futility of the charges and the belief that they

would not amount to substantive action. Both reactions speak to the culture of the AME Church and our need to be accountable and fair in our operations.

It is troubling that comments such as “That sure was brave.” and “Weren’t you scared?” were expressed which affirm that members live in a culture where trepidation and angst exist about doing the right thing. The motion was supported by both the positive law of the church and the clear allegations laid out in the brief presented in the denomination’s suit against Dr. Harris. There was nothing further to articulate regarding the motion. Yet, we still operate in an environment where even the most highly positioned AMEs tread carefully lest they arouse the ire of the powers that be. There is still much to learn from the debacle in the AME Department of Retirement Services.

People also questioned the efficacy of filing charges within the AME

For more information, visit LifewayResearch.com.

Methodology

The phone survey of 1,000 U.S. Protestant pastors was conducted Sept. 6-30, 2022. The calling list was a stratified random sample drawn from a list of all Protestant churches. Quotas were used for church size. Each interview was completed by the senior or sole pastor at the church. Responses were weighted by region and church size to reflect the population more

many official capacities that they are too numerous to name.  Ethel Marie Wallace-Jenkins was an active member of Allen Chapel AME Church in Hartford, Connecticut, where the Rev. Orsella R. Hughes serves as pastor.

A mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, and “Servant Leader” who loved God, the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and enjoyed working in the vineyard.  Her favorite hymn was “Great Is

Church against the accused. While submitting Dr. Harris to the AME Church internal judicial process might not offer any immediate financial relief, it shows that the denomination is willing to hold one of our own accountable. When general officers are elected, they take an oath in front of the General Conference “to perform faithfully their duties” and “be loyal to the church.” If these words have any meaning, we must hold ourselves accountable if laws/policies/ procedures are broken. To levy a suit in a secular venue and not also bring charges within the AME process is nonsensical, particularly when the denomination has a process in place to address such offenses. As painful as it may be, healing can only begin when the we engage our judicial process to uncover the truth and take the appropriate actions.

In the U.S, when President Donald Trump was impeached twice, it was a foregone conclusion that he would not be convicted. Yet,

accurately. The completed sample is 1,000 surveys. The sample provides 95% confidence that the sampling error does not exceed plus or minus 3.2%. This margin of error accounts for the effect of weighting. Margins of error are higher in sub-groups. Comparisons are made to a phone survey of 1,000 U.S. Protestant pastors conducted Aug. 30 – Sept. 24, 2019.

About Lifeway Research Lifeway Research is a Middle Tennessee-based evangelical research firm specializing in surveys about faith in culture and matters affecting churches. For more information, visit

Thy Faithfulness,” and her favorite scripture was Isaiah 40:31, “But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Her daily prayer was that the Lord would bless her to be a blessing to someone every day.

Ethel Marie was predeceased in death by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. E.P. and Eudora H. Wallace; husband, Robert J. Jenkins, Jr.;

the leadership of the House of Representatives and the Senate decided that it was their civic duty to do their best to hold him to account for the acts he committed. Likewise, the AME Church cannot allow personal feelings and relationships to hinder holding Dr. Jerome Harris to account for the allegations against him. Our reluctance to embarrass and harm our friends and colleagues has led us to this crisis. May the AME Church learn from this mistake.

LifewayResearch.com.

About Lifeway Christian Resources In operation since 1891, Lifeway Christian Resources is one of the leading providers of Christian resources, including Bibles, books, Bible studies, Christian music and movies, Vacation Bible School, and church supplies, as well as camps and events for all ages. Lifeway is the world’s largest provider of Spanish Bibles. Based in Middle Tennessee, Lifeway operates as a selfsupporting nonprofit. For more information, visit Lifeway.com.

and brothers: Carl P., Edward C. and Ronald G. Wallace and granddaughter, Shaharia N. Jenkins.  She leaves to mourn her death two daughters: Renee C. Smith and Roslyn M. Cirton of Hartford, Connecticut; two sons: Dwayne G. (Phyllis) and James R. Jenkins of Hartford, Connecticut; brother, Frederick C. (Jayne) Wallace of Alpharetta, Georgia.  She also leaves eight grandchildren: Carla M., Ciara N., and Carl W. Cirton; Angelic Smith and

Dominique Bell; James R., Jr. and Dwayne Jenkins, all of Hartford, and Jasmine Turner (Jaquan), East Hartford, Connecticut; sister-in-law Renee Wallace, Ft. Washington, Maryland; five great-grandchildren; three dear friends, the Rev. Donald L. Tucker, Shreveport, Louisiana; Starr Battle of Raleigh, North Carolina; Herby L. Knight, Hartford, Connecticut, and a grand host of other relatives and friends. ❏ ❏ ❏

Dr. John Thomas III

21st Editor of The Christian Recorder