June 2021 Edition of The Christian Recorder

JUNE 2021

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VOLUME 170, NO. 9

JUNE 2021

BLACK FATHERHOOD: A RADICAL ACT OF RESISTANCE

By Jioni Palmer

Being a father is the best job I’ve ever had.

The wages are low and the hours are long but nothing beats being a dad.

Being a father is nothing like having a job. You can’t show up late, call in sick, or take a vacation. You can’t quit, get laid-off, and collect unemployment insurance.

With a job, once you’re done, your responsibilities cease. However, even if you walk away from your responsibilities as a father, they still exist.

What a father does or doesn’t do matters.

Parents teach us what to do and what not

to t do by the examples they set.

Sometimes we learn bad habits by S observing their negative behavior. o It’s I easy to pick up bad habits this way; w but, it is hard to discern the right thing to do in the absence of r a positive role model.

As a child, I grew up without my dad. d I don’t lament my fatherless childhood because that requires c ignoring the many surrogate dads i who stepped in and stepped up to fill the void. My stepfather, godfather, mentors, and uncles—even the play ones—have and continue to influence my life. They taught me many things that ultimately contributed to who I am and my youngest son is named after two of them.

I don’t know what it’s like to have my dad

read me a story before tucking me into bed and kissing me on the forehead. Rather than dwell on this, I choose to focus my energy on being the best father I can be for my two boys by not only being the kind of father I didn’t have and for which I yearned but more importantly by modeling the examples set by the surrogate fathers in my life and the many actively engaged fathers I encounter today.

While some shirk their responsibilities, most fathers endeavor to play an active and positive role in their children’s lives regardless of their relationship with the child’s mother.

This is especially true of Black men who are often erroneously maligned as deadbeats and absentees. In fact, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Black fathers are just as or even more engaged in the lives of their children ...continued on p3

REV. DR. ELAINE M. FLAKE APPOINTED PASTOR OF GREATER ALLEN CATHEDRAL On May 2, at the 199th Session of the New York S Annual Conference, the A Reverend Doctor Elaine R McCollins Flake was M aappointed the pastor of Greater Allen AME o Cathedral in New York C City by Bishop Gregory C G. M. Ingram. Dr. Flake G ssucceeds her husband, the Reverend Doctor Floyd H. Flake, the church’s long-serving pastor who retired last year after over forty years of service. With over 15,000 members,

GAC is the largest congregation in the connectional AME Church. Prior to her appointment, she served as the church’s co-pastor.

Dr. Elaine Flake was instrumental in developing the Allen Women’s Resource Center which houses women and children who are victims of domestic violence; the Allen Prison Ministry, and many other of the 100 ministries at the GAC that serve both church and community. She acts as Advisor to the Missionary Department and as Advisor/Coordinator of the Allen Women’s Ministry Department. Each year over 1,000 women from across the country and the Caribbean attend the retreats she hosts. In 2006, the conference attendees raised $64,000 for

Women of Darfur; and, in 2010 they raised $20,000 for Women in Haiti..She mentors many male and female leaders in the New York City area and is frequently invited to speak throughout the country.

Dr. Elaine Flake is the author of the popular book, God In Her Midst: Preaching Healing to Hurting Women and has contributed to the Women of Color Study Bible, and Souls of My Sisters: Black Women Break Their Silence, Tell Their Stories, and Heal Their Spirits. She and her husband authored two books, Practical Virtues: Everyday Values and Devotions for African American Families Learning to Live With All Our Souls ...continued on p3

15TH DISTRICT PAYS OFF THE EPISCOPAL EIGHTH DISTRICT RESPONDS TO THE RESIDENCE AND SAVES MILLIONS JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI WATER CRISIS Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., Supervisor Mother Irene M. Daniels, the 15th Episcopal District Team, and the members of the 15th Episcopal District have a reason to thank God and celebrate His intervention and greatness. The 15th District was able to pay off the outstanding debt on the Episcopal Residence and end the quadrennial completely debt-free. To God be the glory!

In 2013, the District decided to purchase a new Episcopal Residence at 40 Duckitt Avenue, Constantia, Cape Town. The initial purchase price was R8,5 million. After negotiations with the owner by Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., the price was reduced to R6 million. The selling price of the old residence of R3,6 million was paid on the present Episcopal Residence.

On December 20, 2013, the Episcopal Residence was dedicated by the then Senior Bishop of the AME Church, Bishop John Richard Bryant. The Episcopal Residence was named after Bishop Bryant and his partner in marriage, ministry, and mission, the Rev. Dr. Cecelia Williams-Bryant. ...continued on p3

Frederick Douglass Memorial Community Park, Port Tampa… p4

Several AME Pastors Share How They Have Been Blessed

by Fathers in Ministry… p10

In mid-February 2021, unprecedented frigid weather swept through Jackson, Mississippi, and surrounding cities and communities, forcing residents to stay in their homes for at least four days because of ice- and snow-packed roads and highways. Weather conditions even forced the closing of parts of interstates 20 and 55.

This ice storm, which also swept through Texas, froze plant equipment and burst many water pipes that lead from water treatment plants, making it extremely difficult to provide water to the homes across the city of Jackson and surrounding communities. The impact this had on the residents was not fully known until the streets were cleared of the ice and snow and some small semblances of daily routines were restored. It was then discovered that most homes across the city had little low water pressure or no water and were ...continued on p2

A Tale of Two Conference Sites: Preserving Legitimacy and Equity at GC2021… p14

Creating Space and Making Room: Our Reasonable Service… p17

The Pain of Racism Through the Lens of Calvary … p22

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...From Eighth District p1 not able to flush toilets.

Jackson established water centers or tanker trucks across the city from which residents could fill their water buckets or flush containers with non-potable water.

Jackson’s Mayor Chokwe Lumumba, responding to critics said this, “was an act of God—extreme weather that sent our old systems into havoc and caused this trauma for our residents. This crisis was not caused through incompetence; it was not a failure to act from any individuals and was not a failure to act from the administration.”

During this month-long water crisis that was punctuated with a boil water alert, faith communities, civic organizations, individuals, and many others responded by donating cases and pallets of bottled water to distribution centers across the city of Jackson. Under the leadership of Bishop Julius H. McAllister, Sr., Water Distribution Centers were established at the five AME Churches in Jackson: Pearl Street, Pastor Samuel H. Boyd, Sr.; New Bethel, Pastor Lorenzo Neal; Bonner Institutional, Pastor Caroline Claiborne; Hopewell, Pastor Karen Porter; and Greater Allen Temple, Pastor Edwin B. Mullen.

The general coordinators were Pastors Boyd and Porter.

Presiding Elder Michele R. Goodloe served as the assistant executive coordinator.

While the presiding bishop did not make any requests to the Connectional Church for assistance, he knew that had he made such a request, the church would have overwhelmingly responded as it has done so many times.

Several bishops, organizations, and churches did send

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donations and we thank them for their thoughtfulness.

After contributing $15,000 to the Texas Ice Storm Relief Ministry, members of the District—the bishop, supervisor, presiding elders, presiding elder districts, pastors, congregations, local missionary societies, Sons of Allen, Women in Ministry, and friends of the Eighth District in Louisiana and Mississippi—responded to the Jackson Water Crisis by donating cases and pallets of bottled water, personal protection equipment (PPE), and financial donations totaling over $12,000. With the Eighth District’s partnership with a food distribution company, they also distributed over 1,200 boxes of food to families impacted by the water crisis.

In addition to the strong leadership provided by the bishop, general coordinators, executive coordinator, water distribution center pastors, persons serving as volunteers

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including the Rev. Timothy Stallworth, who provided outstanding service. Volunteers were in place at all five of the AME Distribution Centers.

A list of donors and their donations from our AME family members and friends beyond the Eighth District follows: Fifth Episcopal District, the Rt. Rev. Clement W. Fugh & Episcopal Supervisor, Mrs. Alexis Fugh ($5,000) First District Lay Organization, Mr. Simeon Rhoden, President ($500) Eleventh Episcopal District, the Rt. Rev. Adam J. Richardson, Jr. & Episcopal Supervisor, Mrs. Connie S. Richardson (Four large trucks with bottled water) Bethel AME Church in Tallahassee, Florida, the Rev. Dr. Julius H. McAllister, Jr., pastor ($2,000) Immanuel Temple AME Church in ...continued on p3

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THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM ...From Eighth District p2 Pembroke Pines, Florida, the Rev. Dr. John White II, pastor (Four pallets of bottled water) Allen Chapel AME Church in Lynn Haven, Florida, the Rev. Darryl Hooks, pastor (24 pallets of bottled water) Connectional Women’s Missionary Society, Dr. Deborah Taylor-King, president ($1,000) Saint Matthew AME Church in East Orange, New Jersey, the Rev. Dr. Melvin

Wilson, pastor (four trucks filled with bottled water via Amazon) Bethel AME Church in Bloomfield, Connecticut, the Rev. Dr. Daylon K. Greer, Sr., pastor (six pallets of bottled water) New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, Georgia, the Rev. Dr. Jamal H. Bryant, pastor ($5,000 with an 18-wheel refrigerated truck of bottled water, large individual boxes of perishable and nonperishable food, cleaning supplies,

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sanitary wipes, and PPE First Baptist Church in Vienna, Virginia, the Rev. Vernon Walton, pastor (24 of bottled water) We appreciate all the donations and so many others for prayers and words of encouragement. We thank the Connectional church for its caring and magnanimous spirit.

Eighth Episcopal District Disaster Relief Ministry Members

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Mr. Melvin Davis, Coordinator Rev. Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr., Vice Coordinator Presiding Elder Michele R. Goodloe Presiding Elder Bland Washington Rev. Dr. Samuel H. Boyd, Sr. Mrs. Brenda Hurst Ms. Earline Blackmore Ms. Della Archie Mr. Robert Chambliss ❏ ❏ ❏

THE DISTINGUISHED JARENA LEE AWARD PRESENTED TO OAKLAND SENIOR PASTOR

By Sir Wellington Brookins & Marsha Luster

Parks Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, located at 476 34th Street Oakland, California is excited to announce that Rev. Dr. Rosalynn Brookins, senior pastor was awarded the auspicious Jarena Lee Award.

Jarena Lee (February 11, 1783 – February 3, 1864) was the first female authorized in the AME Church to preach. History notes she was born into a free black family; Lee noted the immorality of slavery. At a time period of segregation and unequal privilege, Richard Allen, gave her the opportunity for her voice to be heard. Despite the fact that there were no provisions for a female to preach in t he AME Church, Rev. Lee showed determination to let her voice be heard and to share the holy word. She fought through racial and gender issues. Rev. Lee was also one of the first African American woman to have an autobiography published in the United States.

During the 5th Episcopal District Founder’s Day Service, the award was presented to Rev. Brookins by Rev. Carieta Grizzell, President of Women in Ministry and pastor of Murph Emmanuel AME Church, Sacramento, California. This esteemed award is the highest commendation that a female minister can receive

in the AME Church.

There are many parallels between Rev. Lee and Rev. Brookins.

They both blazed a path forward through adverse circumstances and applied the lessons they learned to their spirituality. Their similar experiences as female ministers reinforce their relationship with God. A steadfast hope in and a strong love for his divine majesty. Rev. Brookins is the only Episcopal Supervisor of the Women’s Mission Society for the AME Church to be given a Pastoral Appointment as Senior Pastor.

Rev. Brookins earned her Doctorate Degree from Payne Theological Seminary in 2018, making her the first inaugurated female ...continued on p19

...From Black p1 than white and Latino fathers, whether they live with them or not.

of the prevailing stereotype of Black men as deadbeat fathers. Most Black dads I know, and the CDC study bears this, are actively engaged in the lives of their children. Again, this is true whether they are married to the mother(s) of their children or not or live in the same household.

Being an actively engaged Black father is a direct assault on the long-running, racist, and false narrative perpetuated from virtually every corner of society that Black men are absent. Being a Black father is a radical act of resistance. We know that the margin of error to succeed in almost any endeavor in America is precariously thin and can be hopelessly fleeting. However, we persist in large and small ways because that’s what fathers do. We make our kids dinner, help with their homework, encourage them to be their best, and create nurturing environments for them to succeed.

Let that sink in. Yes, on average, Black fathers spend more time caregiving for their children than any other racial or ethnic group of fathers. That means reading to our kids, bathing them, cooking for them, taking them to school, and doing homework with them.

Black fathers? Yes! We’re talking about that same group that is scapegoated and cast as deadbeats and absentees.

We might not all be doctors like Cliff Huxtable from “The Cosby Show;” an advertising executive like Andre Johnson, Sr. from “Black-ish,” a newspaper deliveryman and security guard like Julius Williams in “Everybody Hates Chris,” or be married to the child’s mother like Furious Styles in “Boyz N The Hood” or Monty James in “Daddy’s Girls.” Most Black fathers are actively engaged in nurturing and mentoring our children.

Often when I make this point, people—including Black folk—respond with an anecdote about how they or someone they know grew up without a father present. I was one of them.

When I respond by asking about the positive male role models in their life, they usually point to another Black man. Let me get this straight: because one Black man fails, we’re going to cast aspersions on the whole lot? That doesn’t seem right.

Regardless of the evidence in media and popular culture, I am struck by the persistence

J. Jioni Palmer is the founder and publisher of “Thinking Good,” a digital media community that helps men be their better selves and is the Men’s Minister at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, DC. A graduate of the University of California at Los Angeles and Howard University School of Divinity, Palmer is a former journalist, Congressional staffer, and Obama administration appointee.

He lives in Washington, DC with his wife, two sons, two cats, and a puppy.

...From The Rev. Dr. Elaine p1 published in 2003 by Harper Collins and African American Church Management Handbook, published in 2005 by Judson Press.

A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Dr. Elaine Flake earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee. She received a Master of Arts Degree in English from Boston University and a Master of Divinity Degree from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. She was awarded the Doctor of Ministry Degree from United Theological Seminary of Dayton, Ohio. She has received numerous citations and awards. Most recently, The Alumni Trailblazers Award was conferred upon her by Union Seminary. She is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated; The Links, Incorporated; and the National Council of Negro Women.

Married for more than 39 years, the Flakes are the parents of four adult children: Aliya, Nailah, Robert Rasheed, and Harold Hasan. She has one granddaughter, Nia Renee. ...From 15th District p1

The bond and mortgage amount was R2, 4 million and was with Standard Bank. Since that time, the 15th Episcopal District paid R2,1 million to the bank, with only R300 000 being paid on principal and R1.8 million to interest.

We are grateful to the Boland Annual Conference Trustees, in co-operation with Mt. Zion AME Church in De Doorns, who made R2,1 million available

from their investment account to pay off the debt. Through this action, we have saved the district more than R6,8 million in interest.

Bishop and Supervisor Mother Daniels, after their tenure of nine years, are leaving the district debt-free. We are grateful to our leadership team, the legal team, and our wonderful people of the Faithful, Fruitful, Focused 15th Episcopal District. ❏ ❏ ❏

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FREDERICK DOUGLASS MEMORIAL COMMUNITY PARK, PORT TAMPA

By Diane Egner, 83 Degrees Media

The senior bishop of the A.M.E. (African Methodist Episcopal) Church Worldwide, the Rt. Rev. Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr., stopped by Port Tampa on Saturday to break ground on a new park and playground where the historic Frederick Douglass Negro School once stood.

The consecration and groundbreaking ceremony took place across the street from the historic Mt. Zion (Port Tampa) A.M.E. Church at 7401 S. Kissimmee St., where Richardson’s father once served as the pastor.

Richardson, a graduate of Florida A&M University who received the Master of Divinity degree from the Turner Theological Seminary at the Interdenominational Theological Center (ITC) in Atlanta and the Doctor of Sacred Theology degree at the ITC through the Atlanta Theological Association, told church members and friends who gathered for the service that he remembers well growing up in the neighborhood that provided the foundation for his global service today.

The church’s current pastor, the Rev. James T. Golden, led the service, which marks the continuation of an effort to build a community center next to the 132-year-old church and open a unique park and playground for neighborhood

children.

Church members are busy planning an anniversary celebration in June and are gathering community support for honoring and preserving the history of the working-class neighborhood that was once home to Port workers in the late 1800s up until recent years when new homes and apartments began to dominate the landscape.

Tampa Architect Jerel McCants is lending his expertise to design the park and playground as well as the community center. McCants, Yvette Lewis, president of the Hillsborough County NAACP, and Clara Glenn, president of the Frederick Douglass Negro School Alumni Association, were in attendance. ❏ ❏ ❏

IN CRITICAL CONDITION: VOTING RIGHTS, EDUCATION, AND AMERICAN DEMOCRACY

By D’Weston Haywood, Ph.D.

Republicans in state legislatures across the country are moving with lightning speed to restrict voting rights and ballot access. This is largely in response to dramatically changing racial demographics and the rise of “woke” voters, as well as recent narrow Republican losses to Democratic candidates. Farright conspiracy theories charging voter fraud, among other things, are also working to drive these efforts.

Their success has been swift. States like Georgia, Florida, and Iowa are leading the way in legislation that limits early voting periods, absentee ballots, and mail-in voting, for instance. In Georgia, even offering food, water, or assistance to voters waiting in line could be prosecuted as a misdemeanor. Tennessee has joined the spirit of these problematic efforts in limiting democracy, though from another, deeply related front.

As Black Lives Matter (BLM) activists lead our modern Black freedom struggle, pushing America to address its racial past and present, the Tennessee General Assembly voted in May to ban the teaching of systemic racism in the classroom and to withhold

funds from schools and districts that do so. The bill does not identify BLM by name but advocates indicated as much in their defense of the legislation, denouncing Critical Race Theory (CRT), one of the key philosophical tenets shaping BLM. CRT began as an academic movement among legal scholars in the 1970s and has since spread beyond the academy to activist life. It rightly argues that racism is embedded in the country’s institutional structures and gets produced and reproduced by those structures pervading American life from the justice system to popular culture down to everyday interactions between people. If you have ever heard the terms “white privilege,” “intersectionality,” or “structural racism,” then you have probably encountered CRT as it has advanced a crucial vocabulary and framework of ideas in understanding and addressing racist thinking, policy, policing, laws, and institutions.

Even Donald Trump had heard of it, repudiating it in an executive order in September 2020, not long after BLM protests had mobilized nationally with great impact in the preceding months. Tennessee is following the former president’s policy trend and

states like Idaho, Utah, and Arkansas may also, given recent debates about similar measures in their legislatures.

These emerging, antiintellectual policies against classroom discussions that could otherwise help cultivate an informed future electorate invested in a civic engagement that helps root out longstanding inequities, in fact, go hand-in-hand with their antidemocratic cousin—the new wave of assaults on voting rights. Indeed, both are growing together, sprouting from the same seeds that are working to advance perhaps a new Republican form of criticality: the process of expending intellectual and institutional energies to devise virtually any means necessary to resist the expansion of democracy. Ironically, such moves affirm the very point that CRT is making, rejecting critical theory to instead embrace conspiracy theories about stolen elections. ❏ ❏ ❏

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI HONORS TOP 30 UNDER 40

By Rev. Dr. Alice Hubbard Crenshaw, 8th Episcopal District

Turner Chapel Ame Church In Greenwood, Ms Proudly Recognizes “Bro. Johnathan Parnell As A Recipient Of Greenwood’s Top 30 Under 40 Honor.” On Wednesday, March 31, 2021 The Greenwood Commonwealth Publication Announced The Annual Honorees For 2021-22 Bro. Johnathan Parnell is a lifelong member of Turner Chapel AME Church, where he has served in numerous capacities. He is the son of a proud mother Sis. Viola Parnell who is also an active member of Turner Chapel. He is an Oracle Application Database Administrator in IT at Viking Range, LLC, where he has worked for 14 years. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering from Mississippi State University. He list his hobbies as playing video games, watching movies and spending time with family and friends.

Growing up in church, Bro. Parnell has worn many hats. He served as Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, Class Leader, Assistant YPD Director, Sunday School Van Driver, and Church Treasurer. He is currently, the Northwest District Sunday School Superintendent in the 8th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bro. Parnell

is currently the social media administrator, ministry of media president and Choir Director for both the Adult and the Youth choirs at Turner Chapel AMEC. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he served breakfast to the Sunday School Department and mentored the youth and young adults at the church by assisting them in their schoolwork, providing advice and guidance, and being like a big brother or father figure that they may have need for directions. He once received an Acknowledgment Honor from Tuner Chapel for his work, dedication and promotion of the church.

Bro. Parnell was led to his career choice because he always loved computers and technology. Seeing as how technology was always going to be a challenging field, he knew that was the arena for him. No matter what career he had, it was going to be related to and working with computers. In addition, he has always loved being a problem solver. He gets a sense of accomplishment when being introduced to a problem and developing a solution to that problem. His current career combines these two passions.

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NEW LAND DONATED TO OAKLEY CHURCH AFTER JANUARY VANDALISM

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PAYNE RECEIVES PATHWAYS FOR TOMORROW INITIATE FROM LILLY

By Rev. Betty Whitted Holley, Ph.D.

By Victoria Bragg, KMIZ

Oakley Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church is planning to move to a new area after January vandalism, MFA Oil Company donated 3 acres for the church’s relocation efforts.

Oakley Chapel was vandalized in January, the Callaway County Sheriff’s Department arrested five teenagers earlier this year for allegedly breaking in and damaging the church. As it was the second time within three months that the historically black church was vandalized.

MFA Oil Company has donated 3 acres of its land near Katy Trail and Highway 94, after hearing about the church’s vandalism in January and the community’s concerns to protect the historical chapel.

“When we found out that you know that there was this community effort to try and find a new home for the church we thought it sounded like a good fit to donate the land,” said Adam Buckallew, the Senior Public and Government Relations Specialist for MFA Oil Company.

Buckallew says the people from the community reached out to the company after discovering it owned land near Highway 94. The company believed it was a great opportunity to give back to the community after seeing how important the church was to local residents and history.

“Giving back to the communities that we serve is always been a part of our culture here at MFA Oil company, we’re well aware of how important small towns are to Missouri and anything that we can do to help out communities like Tebbetts to preserve the history and the cultural significance of the Oakley Chapel we thought that was a great opportunity and it’s something that we’re proud to be able to help with,” said Buckallew.

Residents were seeking to move the church near Highway 94 so that it was more visible to keep an eye on. As leaders of the church say it’s currently located in a remote area where vandalism could easily happen again.

Members frequently check on the 143-year-old church but fear because it is distant from the public eye vandalism could easily happen again.

“Because of the vandalism the church is in pretty much a remote area, and I just don’t want to spend money putting a church back together in that area because it could happen again,” said Rev. Darlene Singer Smith, presiding elder of the AME Church’s St. Louis and Columbia district in its Missouri Conference.

Rev. Smith says she was overjoyed with the news of the company donating the land to the church. As MFA Oil Company signed over the deed to the church last week. Now Smith says, she is trying to raise money and find volunteers to move the church and restore the land it currently sits on.

Smith wants to restore the cemetery that’s currently behind the church as it was also vandalized. She says they are planning to create a historical memorial area where the church currently sits. The new land is near Katy Trail, Smith says they want the new church location to be a peaceful area that people can come to while walking the trail.

“A rest area for when people walk the Katy Trail, they would have a place to come long term goals is to make that property like a retreat area a retreat center, where you can just come to meditate and just have a quiet place to be,” said Smith.

Currently, Smith is raising money to begin working on the project and asks for the public’s help in moving the church and bringing their visions to life.

Smith says donations can be sent to Oakley Chapel Renovations 3101 Wheaton Avenue St. Louis, MO 63114 or Oakley Chapel Renovations P.O. Box 176 Tebbetts, MO 65080. ❏ ❏ ❏ Bro. Parnell cites the most influential person in his career has always been his mother. While growing up he watched her take care of his two older brothers and himself, and she did so on her own. There were days that were tough for her, but she stayed strong and never showed them that those days were tough. He watched her go after the things she wanted in life, and even when

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The Lilly Endowment seeks to assist theological schools in the United States and Canada accredited by the Association of Theological Schools (ATS) in efforts to do the following: explore emerging challenges and opportunities facing their institutions as well as the Christian congregations that they serve; gain clarity about their mission in light of these challenges and opportunities and relationship to the leadership needs of their constituent churches; assess the effectiveness of their educational strategies and financial operations for preparing and supporting pastors and congregational lay ministers; and design and implement plans to launch new or strengthen current projects to address their key challenges and opportunities and to make their institutions more educationally-effective and financially-viable for the continued preparation and support of pastors and congregational lay ministers into the future.

Payne Theological Seminary received a $50,000 seed-planning grant for the research, consultation, and pre-exploration of several prioritized challenges and opportunities.

First, Zoom technology training for Payne’s leadership team is needed for the success of the research, consultation, and pre-exploration of the three listed challenges and opportunities: strategic planning process on important issues of stewardship around mission and money, cultural diversity training for pastors, alumni, faculty, staff, and students. This training will afford the connection needed to receive the ultimate benefits from consultants and workshop presenters to be the reach beyond the seminary walls in fellowship with various groups that are needed to acquire the information to respond to challenges and opportunities.

Second, a strategic planning process on important issues of stewardship around mission and money will be an opportunity for Payne to engage in its own strategicvisioning process. There is a need for Payne to visualize its place in the broader landscape of North American theological education to see the trends in a broad industry context, peer subsets, and institution-specific ways. The Board needs an understanding of the context of theological education, the distinctiveness of Payne as an institution, and the importance of stewardship of the mission and resources to fulfill our mission. Our Board, president, and administration could profit greatly from facilitated conversations around establishing benchmarks and key performance indicators that measure success toward institutional strategic goals.

Third, cultural diversity training for pastors, alumni, faculty, staff, and students is needed if the church is going to continue working and moving into interracial and intercultural engagements. Payne needs to explore opportunities to pursue untapped communities and find ways to serve them beyond classical education. We need to become more expansive in our reach. There needs to be an exploration of ways the church can confront racial oppression through prayer, discernment, and worship-based action and work together as allies with those who have different experiences than we do.

Fourth, the mental wellness of faculty and staff personnel through and beyond COVID-19 has presented a challenge and opportunity. The pandemic has had a major effect on our lives. Many of us are facing challenges that can be stressful, overwhelming, and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Public health actions, such as social distancing, are necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19 but can make us feel isolated and lonely and increase stress and anxiety. Learning to cope with stress healthily will make us more resilient. The Payne community, including staff, administration, and students have experienced, first-hand, this horrible disease, which includes but is not limited to stress, anxiety, and burnout.

Payne will use these funds to envision its mission in a post-pandemic environment.

All of us involved in theological education realize instinctively that the ground has indeed shifted. Our lack of clarity involves how our institutions can and should navigate unknown waters. This seed-planning grant will help Payne find its way. ❏ ❏ ❏

she thought about giving up, she did not. As a result, she got the things she worked so hard towards achieving, no matter how long it took. This influenced him, as he was told that his career choice in computers would be a difficult road. There were times when he wanted to give up, but he always held strong to his mother’s words and her drive, and he continues to pursue what he wants until

he achieves it.

The Turner Chapel Family is extremely proud of Bro. Johnathan “Nick” Parnell for achieving this honor. He continues to live by his favorite Scripture, Psalm 1:3: “And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.” ❏ ❏ ❏

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THE SANKOFA, THE EAGLE AND FRIENDS OF GOLD As Scouts and Scouter’s, it is important that we look back like the Sankofa Bird to see where we have been; to look forward like the Eagle to see what the future brings; and to know that God loves us unconditionally, like a true friend, were “one is Silver and the other is Gold”.

The past 16 months (and longer) ❖ AAMES “Episcopal Patch Series” Emergency Preparedness, Financial com web site and click on Scouting have been a challenge for our ❖ The Dr. Kenneth H. Hill Legacy Awareness and Responsibility, and then AAMES 2021 Camporee Youth, our Families, our Churches, Award Climate Control, Healthy or contact Vivianne Frye-Perry our Country, and our World. But ❖ In collaboration with the AME Lifestyle, and Healthy Eating.

Director of Girl Scouts (emails: vfryechallenges cannot be allowed to define Women in Ministry, the women’s perry@amescouts.org) or Clarence us. We are a people that have survived “History Month Patch Series” was To learn more about AAMES join Crayton, director of Boy Scouts the Middle Passage and made it to the created. us at our Virtual Camporee June (email: ccrayton@amescouts.org) White House. What this pandemic ❖ Continued efforts with the Program 25th -27th . go to www.ameced. ❏❏❏ has done is to confirm that we are all of Religious Activities with a Child of God. Youth (P.R.A.Y.) so our AAMES believes: “We are a global Scouts and Leaders can earn people; Serving an omnipresent their Religious Awards.

God; Developing global citizens.” ❖ AAMES will be working with Challenges are designed to reveal who the “World Organization we are, what we are made of and who of the Scout Movement we really trust. We trust God. and the World Association Over the past quadrennial, plus of Girls Guides and Girl one, Our AAMES Scouts have earned Scouts to get our youth in badges, we have been camping in Districts 14 -20. our back yards, we have been to high ❖ AAMES will be forming Adventure Camps, STEM Camps, a Board with other Youth and advocated for our communities serving organizations and getting people out to Vote, we (i.e., YMCA, 4-H, Junior have started new Scout Units, and Achievement USA, and even sat as board members in our others) so that we can serve local councils (i.e., Girl Scouts of all youth, giving them the Eastern Missouri Council). Some of opportunity to be all that our Girl Scouts have earned their God has intended for them Gold Awards and some of our Boy to be.

Scouts have earned their Eagle Scout ❖ AAMES has already Awards. partnered with the AMEC As AAMES, we proudly look back Health Commission, AME over the past 5 years and look forward Social Action Commission to the future. We have and we are still and AME Women in creating programs to challenge our Ministry to create projects Scouts and all youth. Below is just a to educate and serve our sample of the work we are doing and Scouts and the Youth of the the new opportunities we are creating Church and we are looking for our Leaders and Youth: forward to partnering up ❖ AAMES” Youth Gardening with other ministries of the Contest” Church. ❖ Charles Cleveland and Joyce ❖ AAMES has and will Charles Scholarship be holding Learning ❖ Bishop’s Award of Excellence Seminars on STEM,

ALLEN UNIVERSITY SURPRISES LOCAL MOM Allen University Athletics ended the spring semester with a bang. Celebrating a deserving mother in the community, Academy Sports + Outdoors partnered with Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAC) by way of Allen University to provide a $500 gift card to Adrean Sanders, a team mom, with Columbia Knights Sports Organization.

Dr. Joseph Ray, the Acting Director of Counseling and Placement and Assistant Director of Athletics for Contracts and Compliance, Teddy, were excited to present the Sanders with the $500 gift that will assist her in impacting local youth. “The leadership at Allen University allows [us] to take a hands-on approach to impacting the lives of studentathletes on and off of the field,” Keaton explained. “By assisting our community to cultivate leadership in our future student-athletes from a young age, we are laying the foundation for long term success,” Keaton continued.

The Columbia Knights Sports Organization is a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to developing young athletes and incorporating life skills that promote leadership on and off the field. Sanders’ devotion as a team mom impacts these children in incredible ways and motivates them to achieve their goals.

Academy Sports + Outdoors is the Official Sporting Goods and Outdoor Retailer of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAC). The partnership between Academy Sports + Outdoors and the SIAC focuses on establishing meaningful community initiatives within the SIAC footprint. Specifically, these initiatives will look to activate and amplify grassroots efforts such as youth outreach and mentoring programs that are inclusive of students-athletes and administrators from across the conference. ❏ ❏ ❏ CONNECTIONALNEWS

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CONNECTIONALNEWS

CONGRATULATORY ANNOUNCEMENTS

THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM

NECROLOGY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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

*Sis. Fredia Ann Hanley-Johnson, the Immediate Past President of CONN-MSWAWO Plus PK’S, Celebrates her 60th Birthday on Mother’s Day, May 9th Blessings and congratulations are extended to a phenomenal woman, Sis. Fredia Ann Hanley-Johnson, the Immediate Past President of CONN-M-SWAWO Plus PK’S. She will celebrate her 60th birthday on Mother’s Day, May 9th. Her birthday celebration with family and friends as well as her trip to Italy has been postponed to 2022 due to COVID-19.

Her husband, Rev. Dr. Wayne A. Johnson, Sr., her children, grandchildren and the Shiloh AME Church Family, Morganton, NC salute her and praise God for her love of family and God’s people.

Birthday wishes can be sent to: Sis. Fredia Hanley Johnson • 1293 N Powerhouse Rd • Morganton, NC 28655 • Frediaj2@gmail.com Thank you for helping us celebrate this great woman God.

*The Reverend Dr. Jermaine Mulley Celebrates Two Academic Achievements, receiving his DMin from Payne Theological Seminary and Graduating From The US Army Chaplain School and Center The Reverend Jermaine K. Mulley has successfully defended his dissertation on Good Friday 2021 and has now earned his DMin in Biblical, Political & Social Ethics from Payne Theological Seminary. He is the pastor of St. Luke AME Church, St. Croix, Virgin Islands, the Sixteenth Episcopal District, Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield, Presiding Prelate.

Additionally, he is a graduate of The US Army Chaplain School and Center (22 APR 2021) endorsed by Bishop Frank Madison Reid, III, Endorsing Officer and The African Methodist Episcopal Church Chaplains Commission.

Congratulatory messages can be emailed to: jermainemulley@gmail.com, Rev. Dr. Rev. Jermaine K. Mulley.

On behalf of Publications Commission chair Bishop Vashti McKenzie, president/publisher of the AMEC Publishing House (Sunday School Union) Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Belin and editor of The Christian Recorder Mr. 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

Brother Albert Yarbrough,

former 12th Episcopal District Lay President who led with dignity and quiet strength, gaining respect from the members of the organization, the loving husband of Mrs. Betty Yarbrough

and father of the Reverend Sandra (Stanley) Burton

The Reverend Willie Dell Flowers, age 87, retired af-

ter pastoring several churches across the Ninth Episcopal District for over forty years, faithfully served as the Southeast Alabama Conference Secretary for several years and was actively assisting at St. Paul AME

Church in Brundidge, Alabama until his passing.

Deaconess Dorothy Poston, the mother-in-law of Rev. Clay Holliday, Sr., pastor of Mt. Sinai AME Church and grandmother of Rev. Clay Holliday, Jr., pastor of New Wright’s AME Church, Arlington, TN, West Tennessee Conference, Thirteenth Episcopal District

Ms. Annette S. Chapman,

sister of retired Presiding Elder Clarence G. Robinson, Fourth

Episcopal District

Sister Annie Louise Watkins Woodson, 104, the grandmother of Rev. Dr. Terence L. Mayes Sr., Presiding Elder of the Fayetteville-Pulaski District, Pastor of St. PaulAgnew AME Church, Pulaski Tennessee of the Thirteenth Episcopal District, and the Rev. Keith R. Mayes, Sr., pastor of High Hills AME Church, Dalzell, South Carolina, Seventh Episcopal District First Gentleman Fred Farness, husband of the Reverend Venita Farness, Pastor of Allen Chapel AME Church-Woodlawn in the Northwest Alabama Conference of the Ninth Episcopal District

Mrs.

Martha

Adams, the

mother of Sister Bobbie Nelms and mother-in-law of the Reverend Sammie Nelms, First Lady and Pastor of Ward Cha-

pel AME Church Bessemer, Alabama, in the Northwest Alabama Conference of the Ninth Episcopal District

Reverend Emmanuel Samoma, a minister in the Solwezi

East District of the Zambezi Annual Conference of the 17th Episcopal District, Pastor in Charge of Kajoba AME Church, serving God and the Church for 43 years, from the time he received his first ordination in 1978.

Sister Fay Carol Watkins Oakley, the sister of The Rev. Dr. Cynthia J. W. Bailey, and Sister-In-Law of Brother Hezekiah Bailey, Pastor and First Gentleman of Greater Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church located in Starke, Florida, Eleventh Episcopal District Sister Frances Ann Davis a faithful member of Oak Grove AME Church in Florence, Alabama and sister of Reverend Sandra Anderson, Pastor of Grant Chapel AME Church –

Calera in the Montgomery-Selma District of the Ninth Episcopal District

Sister Verna L. Leslie, the wife of Rev. Willie Lee Leslie, a member of Suggs Chapel AME Church, Dellrose, Tennessee, Thirteenth Episcopal District Rev.

Merilyn

D.

Brown,

pastor of Miller Chapel AME Church/Christ Centered Ministries, in addition to being an itinerate elder who loved her AME Church family, she was an experienced and skillful attorney who worked for HUD.

Reverend Betty Jackson,

the sister of Reverend Lasagne Smith, Pastor, Matthews Chapel AME Church and St. Paul AME

Church & sister-in-law of Reverend Jerry W. Smith, Pastor, Bailey Springs AME Church (St. Florian) in the Northwest Alabama Conference of the Ninth Episcopal District.

Condolences to the bereaved are expressed on behalf of Publications Commission chair Bishop Vashti McKenzie, president/publisher of the AMEC Publishing House (Sunday School Union) Rev. Roderick D. Belin and editor of The Christian Recorder, Mr. John Thomas III. “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (NRSV) To share or receive information about Connectional clergy family bereavements and congratulations, please contact the AME Church Clergy Family Information Center.

Mrs. Ora L. Easley, Administrator • 5981 Hitching Post Lane • Nashville, TN 37211 • 615.833.6936 (CFIC Office) • amecfic.org •facebook.com/AMECFIC

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MORRIS BROWN COLLEGE TO PARTNER WITH THE GEORGIA HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMENCE Morris Brown College (MBC) is proud to announce its partnership with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GHCC). This partnership will allow Latino students to pursue higher education and gain exposure to desired career fields and experiential learning opportunities to enhance their portfolios.

Established in 1984, the GHCC’s primary focus is business formation, business growth, civic and leadership development, and engagement. The GHCC’s goal is to promote and support Latino businesses and individuals’ economic development and serve as a link between non-Latino entities and the Latino market. With over 1,000 members, the GHCC is one of the largest Hispanic Chambers in the United States. “We are excited about this partnership with the Georgia Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. As we fully restore Morris Brown College, it is our goal that we fully support not only the black community, but a major focus will be placed on serving the needs of the Hispanic and Latinx community. As we service a diverse number of majors, it is vital that we begin to develop a talent and supply chain pipeline that is diverse and inclusive by design,” said MBC’s President Dr. Kevin James.

“If we truly want to be inclusive, we have to be purposeful, which is why over the years, we have worked to encourage and promote diversity and inclusion in all levels of our organization. This partnership with MBC will further cement our commitment to ensuring that all communities and businesses are able to thrive together,” said GHCC Board Chairman Antonio Molina. and James Alan McPherson, the first Black writer to win Founded by formerly enslaved religious leaders at Big a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Bethel AME Church in 1881, MBC is the first college in The partnership with the GHCC comes on the heels of Georgia to be owned and operated by African Americans. a rewarding partnership between Chick-fil-A committing The iconic Fountain Hall and the current Morris Brown $500,000 for a leadership development program that campus are where Dr. W.E.B. Du Bois wrote The Souls will prepare students for careers in hospitality and of Black Folk in 1903. Notable alumni include Alberta organizational leadership. CGI Merchant Group, LLC, Williams King, the mother of Martin Luther King, Jr., CONNECTIONALNEWS

a minority-owned global investment management firm with a focus on real estate and private equity will make a $30 million investment in the historic college to convert existing facilities into a 150-key upscale Hilton hhotel and hospitality management training complex. Construction of tr the 90,000-square-foot state-of-the-art th facility is expected to begin in the latter fa ppart of 2021. To learn more about MBC aand the partnership with the GHCC pprocess, visit morrisbrown.edu.

MBC was founded in 1881 by the AME Church. It is a private, th ccoeducational liberal arts college engaged in teaching and public service with a special focus on leadership, management, entrepreneurship, and technology. The institution is the only college in Georgia founded solely by African American patronage.

The mission of the GHCC is to promote and support the domestic and international economic development of Hispanic businesses and individuals and to serve as a link between non-Hispanic entities and the Hispanic market. ❏ ❏ ❏

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SEVERAL AME PASTORS SHARE HOW THEY HAVE BEEN BLESSED BY FATHERS IN MINISTRY

By Sister Angelena E. Spears, Philadelphia Conference Reporter

Behind every successful pastor there is probably a Father in Ministry. Although this title is not found in the Bible, the concept of mentorship is prevalent in both the Old and New Testaments. Jethro was Moses’ spiritual advisor. Peter refers to Mark as his

“son,” and the Apostle Paul refers to Timothy as “my true son of faith.”

Four AME pastors shared how they have benefitted by having Father in Ministry relationships: the Rev. Cindy Carr Rudolph of Oak Grove AMEC, Detroit;

the Rev. Tiffany Lett-Martin of Bethel AMEC, West Chester, PA; and the Revs. Byron and Sharon Moore of St. Andrew AMEC, Memphis, TN.

Rev. Cindy Carr Rudolph – Oak Grove AMEC, Detroit Rudolph’s Father in Ministry is the Rev. Dr. William D. Watley, pastor of St. Phillip AMEC, Atlanta. Rudolph met Watley in the 90s when she was in her early twenties. At that time, he was the pastor of St. James AMEC in Newark, NJ, and a college friend had invited her to attend services.

Rudolph (who was raised Episcopalian) says she was so touched by the preached word, that she kept coming back.

“For me, a Father in Ministry is someone who not only teaches, but leads by example,” says Rudolph.

“I learned just as much from watching Rev. Watley as I did from what he told me.”

Rudolph says that although Watley has always been an “expert” pastor, she observed that he was always striving to improve himself. “He was always learning and always reading. I’ve learned so much from his desire to better himself,” she says.

“This still pushes me now,” she adds. “Doing well in ministry isn’t enough. You must always do more to grow the Kingdom, despite how much you have accomplished.”

“I joined the AME Church because of his leadership,” says Rudolph. “And I remain in the AME Church because of his mentorship.”

“One of the things I admire most about Rev.

Watley, W tl is i his hi desire d i to t train t i and d supportt the th nextt generation,” says Rudolph. “If someone doesn’t have a mentor, I would advise that they think of someone they admire, whose ministry they admire, and reach out to them.”

Rev. Tiffany Lett-Martin, Bethel AMEC, West Chester, PA Martin’s Father in Ministry is her biological father, the Rev. Dr. Charles H. Lett, Sr., who is the senior presiding elder in the Philadelphia Annual Conference. Martin says that in addition to having her dad’s guidance, she was doubly blessed in that the late Rev. Kanice Johns (who was her pastor at Mt. Zion AMEC, Norristown) had been her “Mother in Ministry.”

Martin appreciates that her dad is always there for her as a sounding board, but never tells her what to do. “He shares his wisdom and that guides me to the right direction,” she says.

She says her dad is able to offer her a male perspective on things, which is helpful to her as she ministers to both men and women. She says a good Father in Ministry is also able to help you understand why things are the way they are, and her

dad does this by providing a historical framework of where we have come from [as a denomination] and how we arrived.

Because he is her biological dad, she has been able to observe him operate in ministry from the inside and the outside. He has taught her, through example, how to balance family, the church and a secular job. She remembers that he never missed a sports game she or her two brothers were involved in, even though he was often the one parent who showed up in a suit and tie because he had come straight from his secular job.

Martin says what she admires most about her dad is his genuine love for the people of God. “One of the things that he has always said is, ‘If you love the people of God, they will love you back.’” He also taught her the importance of taking time to

cultivate relationships with the sick and shut-in members, because they are vital members of the ministry.

Martin advises that if someone does not have a mentor, they should not be afraid to reach out.

“I believe in my spirit that especially h many clergy, l ll pastors, want to pour into the lives of someone else. We want to invest in the lives of others, but sometimes people never ask.”

“Just reach out to someone that the Spirit leads and guides you to and maybe they will bless your life,” she encourages.

The Revs. Byron and Sharon Moore, St. Andrew AMEC, Memphis, TN The Moores look to Bishop Gregory G.M. Ingram, the presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District, as their Father in Ministry. Sharon Moore met Bishop Ingram and his wife, Dr. Jessical Kendall Ingram, in 1987 when they were assigned as pastor and co-pastor of Oak Grove AMEC in Detroit.

At the time, Sharon Moore was just 19 years old, and her family had joined the church prior to the Ingram’s arrival. Byron Moore met the Ingrams nine years later when he joined the church.

Sharon Moore says a Father in Ministry is someone who cares for his children in ministry at their weakest emotional points in life. She shared the example that when her biological father had open heart surgery, Bishop Ingram arrived at the hospital at 5 a.m. to pray with the family. He did this even though her father had not been regularly attending services, she says. “This represented shepherding at a whole different level,” says Sharon Moore.

Byron Moore says a Father in Ministry is someone who pours into you with hopes you will be all that

you can be. “They see more in you than you can see in yourself and they desire that you will do even greater works than they have done. And I think Bishop Ingram checks off all of those boxes,” he says.

Both Moores said the quality they admire most about Bishop Ingram is his tenacity. “No matter what he has been faced with, his determination to be excellent has always risen to the occasion,” says Byron Moore.

Sharon Moore says what impresses her is the story Bishop Ingram shares of how long it took him to get through the Board of Examiners – it took him 10 years vs. the standard four years. “That is tenacity,” she says. “He accepted his call while an undergrad in college. He was hitchhiking rides to get to the Board of Examiners classes. Most people would have quit over that time, but his determination is proof of his true calling. And some of the same people who may have erected obstacles [along his way] -- now call him ‘Bishop.’”

Both Moores said they admire Bishop Ingram’s

modeling in Sharon Moore d li off excellence ll i ministry. i i Sh M says Bishop Ingram has always embodied the perfect combination of visionary, administrator and shepherd. And Byron Moore says it has never been difficult to understand Bishop Ingram, because his verbal instruction and guidance are always supported by his non-verbal. He lives by example.

A wisdom nugget both Bishop Ingram and his wife, Dr. Jessica Ingram shared with the young clergy couple was, “Don’t allow people to pit you against one another. You are not in competition with each other, you are in coalition.”

“I would tell anyone that having a mentor in ...continued on p11

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FORD FOUNDATION DONATES $500,000 TO EMANUEL NINE MEMORIAL The Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation Board, which manages the fundraising, construction endowment, and outreach for the Emanuel Nine Memorial, announced the Ford Foundation has donated $500,000 to the Emanuel Nine Memorial. The funding will help the Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation build social justice programs and initiatives to help eradicate racism.

The Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation’s outreach programs will focus on the implementation of anti-racism and racial equity curriculum for adults, school children, colleges and universities; resources to educate and help bridge inequities in our communities; guidance to help advocate for equality and justice; and training to help promote peaceful reconciliation with our neighborhoods.

As a part of its outreach programming, the Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation announced additional plans to introduce its Luminary program, which designates supporters of the Emanuel Nine Memorial who will spread its mission through the advocacy of racial healing to various spheres of influence. “The Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation is extremely grateful for the Ford Foundation and looks forward to growing our partnership by working together to develop social justice programs to help build a more inclusive and equitable society,” said the Rev. Eric S.C. Manning, the pastor of the Mother Emanuel AME Church and the co-chair of the Mother Emanuel Memorial Foundation.

“Mother Emanuel” because it is independent, nonprofit grant-making “The Mother Emanuel Memorial “This generous grant from the the oldest AME Church south of organization. For more than 80 Foundation is building an enduring Ford Foundation highlights the Baltimore. Founder Morris Brown years, it has worked with courageous legacy of hope, justice, and resilience organization’s unparalleled support first opened the Church’s doors in people on the frontlines of social and we look forward to seeing how of programs bringing about social 1818 but the church burned to the change worldwide, guided by its their work transforms our society in justice,” said John Darby, CEO of ground a few years later after plans for mission to strengthen democratic the years to come,” he remarked. the Beach Company and co-chair a slave revolt were exposed. In 1834, a values, reduce poverty and injustice, The design process, led by of the Mother Emanuel Memorial state law making it illegal for Blacks promote international cooperation, Michael Arad who previously Foundation. “We are looking to assemble in places of worship was and advance human achievement. designed the National September forward to working closely with the passed in South Carolina. Following With headquarters in New York, 11 Memorial, began by reframing Foundation to improve communities the Civil War, the Church bought the Foundation has offices in Latin the church grounds to create this across the country for all Americans, the site of the existing structure and America, Africa, the Middle East, and sacred space. The Memorial will have starting right here in South Carolina,” named it Emanuel, meaning “God Asia. three components: The Memorial he added. with us.” The Church was rebuilt, The Mother Emanuel Memorial Courtyard, The Survivors’ Garden, The social justice initiatives will continued its push for equal rights, Foundation Board was established and Contemplation Basin. With a launch in 2021 and the Emanuel and welcomed distinguished leaders as an independent 501(c)(3) fundraising goal of $17.5 million to Nine Memorial, the permanent such as Booker T. Washington and organization to support the mission design, build, maintain, and protect memorial honoring the five clergy civil rights titan Martin Luther King, of the Emanuel Nine Memorial. the Emanuel Nine Memorial as well and four church members murdered Jr. Today, Mother Emanuel is an The Board manages the fundraising, as fund educational outreach and at the Mother Emanuel AME Church established institution in Charleston. construction, endowment and social justice initiatives, the Mother in Charleston, will open in mid- to With seating for 1,200, it has the outreach for the memorial.

Emanuel Memorial Foundation late 2022. “We are proud to support largest capacity of any African The roots of Mother Emanuel relies on individual and corporate the Emanuel Nine Memorial and pay American church in the city. It was AME Church run deep in Charleston contributions that can be made tribute to the Mother Emanuel AME added to the National Register of and its history is one of perseverance online by visiting: www.emanuelnine.

Church members and Charleston Historic Places in 1985. ❏ ❏ ❏ in the face of racial hostility. The org/donate. community,” said Darren Walker, the Church is affectionately called The Ford Foundation is an president of the Ford Foundation.

BETHEL AME CHURCH, VAUXHALL BURNS MORTGAGE THREE YEARS EARLY A sump pump was installed to prevent flooding. A new furnace was installed to replace the original furnace and the longawaited chair lift, enabling all members to worship together as one. A youth church service was planned and the new church directory was released.

The Rev. Hughes and his wife, the Rev. Valerie V. Hughes, continue to provide spiritual leadership and guidance to the ministerial staff, officers, and members of Bethel as well as the citizens and Union/ Vauxhall. His dedication and work are respected and acknowledged by all. Bethel has grown from a faithful few to a dynamic institution in the Vauxhall Community. ❏❏❏ Photo Credit: Jada Cox, YPD

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit were with us. Early one morning in May 2021, Pastor Dennis E. Hughes, officers, and members assembled on church grounds to give thanks and rejoice for what God had done for us. Roman 13:8 says, “Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

Bethel AME Church in Vauxhall, New Jersey, celebrated 100 years of Kingdom-building on June 27, 2021. The theme is “We Have Come This Far By Faith” from Hebrews 11:1-3.

Twenty-one pastors have served Bethel from 1921-2009. The 22nd and current pastor, the Rev. Dennis E. Hughes, was appointed on August 9, 2009. The Rev. Hughes has demonstrated extraordinary ministerial leadership by enhancing the current ministries and establishing new ones such as the Wednesday morning conference prayer, increasing church membership, reinstating the senior lunch program, implementing numerous improvements to the church edifice, as well as other church-owned properties, including the men’s room, altar, and the rehabilitation and renovation of the two-family rental property.

...From Several AME Pastors p10 ministry is essential,” says Byron Moore. “Without the wisdom of those who have gone before, your context in ministry may lack a

certain substance.”

“Our mentor in ministry has blazed a path to show us how far he has been and how much further we can go,” adds Sharon Moore. “So to the person who does not have a mentor, pray for a person who will sharpen you in the areas in which you may be dull and will celebrate you when you surpass them in some areas,” she says. ❏ ❏ ❏

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——TRANSITIONS —— PRESIDING ELDER MALCOLM LAWSON EWE (1934-2021) A former presiding elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Bermuda and pastor of Bethel AME Church in Shelly Bay has died.

The Reverend Malcolm Eve was 86.

He was a champion of traditional values and a strong voice for the church’s roots in the 1700s as a catalyst for freedom from slavery.

Rev. Ewe wrote in The Royal Gazette in 2007: “We have strong sympathy for people who are now suffering what our foreparents once suffered.

“We recall the enormous social and political effort required to achieve liberation.”

He stepped down in 2010 after 17 years as elder and was succeeded by the Reverend Betty L Furbert-Woolridge.

The Reverend Larry Dixon, the AME presiding elder and pastor of St Philip AME Church, Smith’s said his friendship with Rev. Eve dated back to their time in the 1990s as fellow elders, when he was in the New York conference.

Rev. Dixon said: “Reverend Eve was a classy dresser, and I liked to tease him, saying ’I want to be just like you’.

“As fate would have it, I followed in his footsteps as the pastor here at St Philip and presiding here in Bermuda today.

“Certainly he and his wife are a classy couple, and I cherish his friendship and wisdom.

“Both of them have had a lifetime impact here on the island and on the AME church and are well liked and well respected.”

Reverend Dixon added: “He has left a great legacy that will live on in Bermuda.

“When we speak of the AME church’s mission, Malcolm Eve’s name will be a part of it.”

Presiding Elder Eve began his working life as a dockyard apprentice – part of the civilian staff at the West End naval base who serviced Royal Navy ships.

He started aged just 15 as a ship fitter.

Presiding Elder Eve was among a handful of apprentices selected to go to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Portsmouth in the UK in 1950 to complete their training when the Dockyard at Ireland Island was closed by the Admiralty.

Many of the apprentices went on to hold prominent roles in Bermuda.

Presiding Elder Ewe played in a band of others from the island, The Bermuda Four, while in Britain.

He worked in marine technical trades when he returned home before he committed his life to the church.

Presiding Elder Eve was later appointed as pastor at St Philip Church in Smith’s and served the congregation for a decade before he moved to Bethel AME in Hamilton Parish.

Presiding Elder Eve was brought up in the West End along with his cousin, Bishop Vinton Anderson, in the home of Charles Lawson Ratteray and his wife Fanny.

He met his wife, Elvia, at a dance in 1975 and the couple married the next year.

Presiding Elder Ewe is founder of the Mother Eve School for children in the southern African nation of Zambia.

Malcolm Lawson Eve, a former presiding elder of the African Methodist Episcopal church in Bermuda, was born on August 15, 1934. He died in April 2021. Mr Eve was 86.

WILLIAM THEOPOLIS BRIGGS, SR. (1935-2021) Mr. William Theopolis Briggs, Sr, age 85 of Nashville, TN, died April 23, 2021.

Mr.William T. Briggs was born June 17 1935, to Lizzie Wilson and Willie Briggs in Huntsville, Alabama. He was the eighth of ten children. His family moved to Fayetteville, TN when he was three years old. He grew up on a farm his parents proudly owned on Molino Road south of Fayetteville. He received his early education in the Lincoln County Schools graduating from West End High School in 1954, as the Valedictorian of his class.

William attended Tennessee State University receiving a B.S. degree in Biology, and his M.S. degree in Zoology. He later attended Vanderbilt University working toward his Ph.D. in Development Biology; however, he did not finish this degree. He worked as a Research Assistant at Vanderbilt University Biochemistry Department for 6 years; then as a Research Biologist at the Nashville Veteran Administration Medical Center for 28 years. Since retiring from the VA, he has obtained his real estate license and became a relator in residential sales. His greatest disappointment in his career was that

he was not able to gain admission to medical school. He attempted twice and narrowly missed being accepted.

William decided to follow and to make Jesus Christ his choice at a very young age while attending Solomon Chapel A.M.E. Church in Fayetteville.

It was at this church, he learned how to play the piano. He played for the choir until he graduated and left for college. William united with Greater Bethel A.M.E. church in Nashville in 1975. William was a talented musician, he played both piano and organ; he frequently served as pianist and organist for various churches throughout the city, and at one time for the male chorus at Bethel Church.

During his service at Greater Bethel Church, he served in the position of Sunday school teacher; Sunday School superintendent; steward, receiving the honor of steward emeritus after 30 years of service; Vice-Chairman of the steward board; administrative assistant to the Pastor; class leader; director of Christian Education, receiving the honor of Director of Christian Education emeritus after 23 years of service; and served as the South Nashville District Superintendent of Sunday School.

William will be especially remembered for this quick wit of storytelling during his numerous presentations at the church altar call moments. This ability allowed him to bring real meanings to the message that he was trying to convey.

William is survived by his wife, Carolyn Craig Briggs, whom he met in 1955 while attending Tennessee State University. They were married on April 12, 1959. He is also survived by two sons William Theopolis Briggs, Jr. (Madeline) of Bordentown, NJ and Roy Myron Briggs of Chicago, IL; three grandchildren, Anais Briggs, Daria Briggs, and Jonathan Briggs; brother; Milton Briggs (Barbara); Numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, John Byron Briggs.

pastor of St. Paul AME Church, where Duncombe also went on to serve.

An alumnus of Booker T. Washington High and Florida A&M, Duncombe returned to his high school to lead his its band for seven years, before being transferred to Lanier where he served among the district’s first wave of Black teachers to integrate MPS and later became the school’s first Black principal.

During his time at BTW, Duncombe led the school’s Yellow Jackets “Marching 100” band to many awards and adoration from the community.

Outside of teaching, which also included serving as Carver High’s principal, Duncombe served as Grand Chapter Chaplain of Omega Psi Phi fraternity and at the time of his death, as pastor of the First Congregational First Christian Church. Ordained in the AME Church, he had a long career both as a pastor and Presiding Elder before reaching mandatory retirement age.

His other Civic and professional affiliations include memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi Honorary Band Fraternity, Inc.; Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity; American Beauty Lodge F&AM; Board Member, Cleveland Avenue Y.M.C.A; Board of Trustees, Daniel Payne College; and, Board Member, Capital City Boys and Girls Club. Among his many accolades includes being named Man of the Year 2021 by the Emancipation Association of Montgomery.

REVEREND FARRELL JACKSON DUNCOMBE, SR. (1942-2021)

JAMES EDWARD McCOY was born January 28, 1944, the first son and second child of James McCoy and Maeola Hammock McCoy. James was deceased on Tuesday afternoon, April 27, 2021. Both of his parents and a brother, Billy Ray McCoy proceeded him in death. James was born in Warren, Ark., and he spent good quality time in his early years in Wilmar, Ark., with his m a t e r n a l ...continued on p13

Born in Selma on September 17, 1942, Duncombe and his family moved to Montgomery early in his childhood. It was his parents’ dedication to serving that inspired him to do the same, Duncombe’s children said. His father previously served as the

Reverend Duncombe died on June 2, 2021 peacefully in his sleep. He is survived by his wife of over fifty years, Juanita Delores and their two children: United States Army Lt. Col. Farrell J. Duncombe, II (Antoinette), and Dr. Djuana T. Paden (Jerome), and their grandchildren Farrell Jackson Duncombe, III, Loryn Nicole Duncombe and Trinity Wilson.

JAMES EDWARD MCCOY (1944-2021)

THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM ...From Transitisons p12 g r a n d p a r e n t s ,

Law and Gussie Hammock, now deceased, and his uncles.

James received his early education from the Bradley County Public Schools, Warren, Ark. He graduated from Bradley County High School in 1962 as the Salutatorian of the class. He received a Potlatch Forest Foundation Scholarship to attend college. He was a natural leader and quite a popular scholar athlete during his high school years. James played varsity basketball for the Bradley County Lumberjacks and helped the team accumulate an enviable record in Southwest Arkansas.

He remembered fondly the game in which he scored 45 points. In 1996, he was inducted into the Warren Lumberjacks Sports Hall of Fame.

James’s family, friends and classmates of Bradley County called him “Ed” McCoy, and, of course, this followed him in college. After graduation, he went to AM&N College, now UAPB in Pine Bluff, Ark. James received the BSE degree in Biology in 1966.

While on campus, he was very active in intramural basketball, always playing for Alpha Phi Alpha teams. He was the Superintendent of the John Brown Watson Sunday School, and active with the events of the Baptist Student Center.

He served as the Advisor to the Student Government Association President during his senior year of college. He was a member of the “Spotlighters” drama club and a member of Alpha Psi Omega (a national fraternity for drama).

James Edward McCoy and Morlin M. Carlton were married on July 2, 1966 in Marianna, Ark. They are the proud parents of three adult children, James Edward McCoy, Jr., Althea L. McCoy Fulton, and Daven J. McCoy. In 1966, he moved to Marianna, Ark., for employment. He joined the St. Luke AME Church and immediately went to work as a Trustee, Sunday School Superintendent, Lay Organization President, and church announcer. After 30 years of good and faithful service at Saint Luke and the Lee County School District, James and his family moved to Little Rock, Ark., and joined with Bethel AME Church, NLR, Ark., where he was soon made a Trustee, also serving in the Choir, Men’s Ministry, Organized Lay and Church School Superintendent.

While in Marianna, James served as President of the East Northeast (now East) Conference Lay Organization for 13 years. He attended many of the church’s local, district, conference level, episcopal level, and connectional level conferences and meetings. For the 2016 General Conference, he served as a delegate and as a member of the

The Christian Recorder Episcopal Committee. For the 2020 (2021) General Conference, he was elected as a delegate and appointed to serve again on the Episcopal Committee.

James was first employed in the Marianna School System where he taught the physical and biological sciences. In 1969, he was appointed as Associate Director of the Innovative Individualized Science Instruction Center. In 1975, James was appointed as Principal of Strong Middle School, Marianna, Ark., and he worked as an Administrator for 30 years in Marianna.

He continued his graduate work and in 1971 and received the MS degree in Physical Science from Fisk University, Nashville, Tenn. He received a MSE degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Ark., in 1978.

He and his family moved to Little Rock, Ark., in 1999 and he worked as a science instructor in a program at Metro High School for eight years.

He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated. He served as a Consultant via the State Department of Education for Middle School Principals in the 1980’s. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Math and Science School, Hot Springs, Ark., for two terms. James loved working with students and after 42 years in education, he reluctantly retired in 2008.

He leaves to cherish his memory his beloved wife of 54 years and nine months, Morlin M. McCoy; three lovely adult children, James E. McCoy, Jr. (Richelle A. Davis McCoy) of Solon, Ohio; Althea L. McCoy Fulton (Vernon Jamal Fulton) of Atlanta, Ga.; and Daven J. McCoy (Amber Booth McCoy); two brothers, Olen McCoy (Patricia) and Samuel K. McCoy; four sisters, Joretha McCoy Cooley, Betty J. Hudson (Leroy), Ellistine McCoy Alfred (Sidney), and Sonya LaJune McCoy Foote (Lavel); three special aunts, Elizabeth McCoy Baker, Christine McCoy Spencer, and Hattie Lavern McCoy Lewis; four grandchildren, Jasmyne E., Jayla E., Kordae, and Vernon Joshua Fulton; two special nieces, Rhonda and Carmen Ridgell, the McCoy nieces and nephews, the Stephens nieces and nephews, and a host of other relatives.

Services entrusted to G.W. Hammons & Son Funeral Home, Warren, Ark. Public Viewing and Family Hour will be held on Monday, May 3, 2021, at Bethel AME, North Little Rock, Ark., 72114, from 2-6 p.m. The funeral service will be Tuesday, May 4, 2021, 11 a.m. at Second Baptist Church, 1709 John Barrow Road, Little Rock, Ark., 72204.

JUNE 2021

Rev. Tyrone A. Broomfield, Officiating.

LAMAR P. HIGGINS (1959-2021) Lamar Powell Higgins, passed away on Thursday, April 15, 2021 after extended health issues. He was born July 12, 1959 and grew up in Marbury, Alabama. Preceding him in death are his parents, Jessie & Joe Higgins; his brothers and sisters, Gladys Knox, Joe Louis Higgins, Alphanso Higgins, Alfred Higgins, and Lillian Key. Lamar leaves to mourn his passing; his sisters, Annette Hunigan, Chicago, IL; Phyllis Bergen-Jackson (Travis), San Antonio, Texas; and Jacqulyn H. Rich, Chicago, IL; his brother, Dr. Warren Southall, Flint, MI; and sister-in-law, Mildred Higgins, Great Neck, NY. Lamar also leaves a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and special friends, Mildred Riggins, Margie Caffey, Brenda Kahn and Fine Geddie & Associates.

Lamar was a graduate of Marbury High School and attended Troy University as an academic scholar. He served as Student Government Association President in his junior year, and was reelected SGA President in his senior year.

He was a dedicated Trojan and served as Vice President Pro Tempore on the Troy University Board of Trustees for 25 years. He was instrumental in many of the University initiatives during that period, most notably the establishment of the Rosa Parks Museum and John Lewis Hall. He also helped lead the charge for legislation naming Dec. 1 as Rosa Parks Day and for a statute of Rosa Parks and Helen Keller to be placed on the grounds of the state capitol.

Lamar joined the Fob James Gubernatorial Administration as an intern in 1979 and afterwards was appointed as executive assistant on the governor’s staff. He handled every assignment with a work ethic second to none, a “can do” attitude and sheer grit to get the job done on time every time.

He later joined the Space and Rocket Center staff and then became Special Assistant to the Mayor of Huntsville.

Huntsville became his second home and he loved the city and its people. He served on Senator Howell Heflin’s staff and later returned to Montgomery to serve as Deputy Director of the Alabama Department of Economic & Community Affairs, before joining Fine Geddie Governmental Affairs and becoming a partner. Lamar had a genuine love of the governmental and legislative process, and was the “Dean of the African American Lobbyists” in the Statehouse. At his

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passing, the firm issued a statement…

“We all were served well by his wisdom and his perspectives on all issues and life itself ... he always strived to make things better, and Lamar Higgins made us all better along the way.”

Lamar was a community servant and advocate. His devout Christian parents instilled in him principles of hard work and community service. He founded “Twenty Distinguished Young Men” in Huntsville, Alabama, a community service organization nationally recognized for their work with young African American men. NBC’s news program, “TODAY,” spotlighted Lamar and the organization for a program, “Guns For Life,” which took more than 300 guns off the streets of Huntsville and out of the hands of teenagers.

Lamar was an active member of the AME Church. He served as a delegate to the General Conference and the Lay Biennial, and was a member of the Episcopal Committee, the General Board and the General Conference Commission. He was a member of St. Paul AME Church, Montgomery, Alabama, the home church of Mrs. Rosa Parks, where he served as a Steward and Exhorter. Lamar was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.

GERGORY JACOBS (SHOCK G) (1963–2021) Born Gregory Jacobs on August 23, 1963, Shock G became well known under a different alter ego in 1990, when “The Humpty Dance” shot up the charts. Rapping as Humpty Hump and wearing a large fake nose, Shock G taught the world the dance named after his alter ago: “You got it down when you appear to be in pain.” Digital Underground followed “The Humpty Dance” with “Doowutchalike,” which they had previously released independently but rerecorded for their debut album, Sex Packets.” Later singles included “Same Song,” “Kiss You Back,” and “No Nose Job.” Shock G led Digital Underground until the band’s breakup in 2008.

Tupac Shakur got his start as a guest rapper on Digital Underground’s “Same Song,” and Shock G, also a producer, went on to co-produce his debut album, “2Pacalypse Now.” He also produced Tupac Shakur’s 1993 breakthrough single, “I Get Around,” introducing the legendary rapper to a wide audience.

Shock G also produced music for artists including Monie Love, KRS-One, and Bobby Brown. He released the 2004 solo album “Fear of a Mixed Planet.” ...continued on p17

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JUNE 2021

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WHAT NEW PASTORS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CHURCH FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

By Cynthia Gordon-Floyd, CPA

I’m blessed to frequently consult with newly assigned pastors and pastors who are planting new ministries. What I consistently find is a general lack of understanding regarding the best practices for organizing the financial operation of the church so that it meets the needs of the ministry.

First, the role of the financial secretary is pivotal and should be held by a person who meets the qualifications of being a steward. The financial secretary is not required to be a member of the Steward Board, but ideally, the pastor should ensure that they are a part of the critical discussions facing the church, including the negotiation of the pastor’s compensation package.

Second, the Commission on Stewardship & Finance should be comprised of members of the Steward Board, Trustee Board, and the Official Board. Ideally, the Commission should not contain a husband and wife team or siblings, if possible. The Commission is to be responsible for weekly or monthly financial reporting for leadership and Official Board meeting discussions, annual giving statements to members and visitors, ongoing stewardship ministry training and initiatives, and be closely involved in all financial decisions for the ministry.

Fourth, according to The Doctrine and Discipline of the AME Church (2016), the Official Board is the only body in the church to approve the disbursement

of funds. Pastors should use the Official Board to their fullest extent. Convene frequent meetings to discuss any major financial decisions that need to be made for the church. Buy-in is critical, especially as the church relies on volunteer giving. Create an environment where members feel engaged so that the church is heading in a direction led by God, conveyed through the pastor, and carried out by the membership working together.

Fifth, pastors should avoid close interaction with the detailed financial operation. Pastors should not be present in the finance room during counting, write checks, or make deposits. The pastor may be the second signer on a check but should not write and sign checks. Ideally, the pastor should be able to review the results of these operations weekly through reports provided by the Commission on Stewardship & Finance. It can be exceedingly difficult for the pastor of a small church to avoid some of these tasks but it’s important to make every effort to do so. Otherwise, pastors can be in an unfortunate position where their good intentions can appear to be overreaching.

Cynthia Gordon-Floyd is a certified public accountant and 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 non-profits, 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 is a steward and the financial secretary at the First AME Church of Manassas in Manassas, Virginia.

A TALE OF TWO CONFERENCE SITES: PRESERVING LEGITIMACY AND EQUITY AT GC2021

By Thabile Ngubeni, Willem Burger, Katurah York Cooper, and Dimpho Gaobepe

COVID-19 has impacted our approaches to worship and ministry in our local churches. Also, her tentacles have penetrated and changed the conduct of the General Conference (GC). Consequently, the oldest Black Denomination in the world is preparing to hold a Hybrid Virtual General Conference in real-time on the continents of North America and Africa in Cape Town South Africa, in less than 30 days. The AME Church is again at the doorstep of making progressive history.

Delegates are preparing to stake stock of the Church’s achievements, re-evaluate strategy, and elect the highest echelon of leadership of the AME Church. The main purpose is to develop the legacy of our forefathers and ensure the sustainability of this Zion for the benefit of generations to come. Undoubtedly, this Great Zion is on the right track.

To guarantee the integrity of this momentous occasion, delegate participation and candidates for elected office must prevail. Two established seats of the GC2021 enjoy equal access to the proceedings: the functionality of delegates’ committee duties and equal legitimacy of delegates exercise their voting right. Neither of the two GC sites or seats is more important or relevant than the other. Also, cognizance must be had that delegates in Africa are at great risk as the numbers rise in South Africa, the vaccine roll-out will not reach all delegates in a timely manner; and in some of the countries where other delegates reside, vaccines are not available. exposure to all candidates and with lay a candidate for the Judicial The value and validity of a candidate other virtual means has afforded Council from the 19th District; must not be impacted by where that extensive interaction between the Presiding Elder Willem Burger, a candidate is seated. Pre-COVID-19, all candidates and voting delegation. candidate for bishop from the 15th candidates would have been seated at However, there is a disparity District, South Africa; the Rev. Dr. one site. Though provisions have been in campaigning opportunities.

Katurah York Cooper, a candidate made to accommodate candidates Candidates in America may have up for bishop from the 14th District, from outside North America to be to 10 campaign team members on-site, West Africa; and the Rev. Dimpho seated at the Orlando, Florida site, no whereas this privilege is not available Gaobepe, a candidate for bishop from candidate should be perceived as less to the African seating. This is due to 19th District, South Africa. These passionate, qualified, or unserious COVID-19 restrictions but also due candidates will be seated with their about their election because they to venue decisions taken in a short Episcopal district delegations in Cape cannot travel to Orlando. period. In this regard, the playing Town. The remaining candidates will Four candidates live and serve fields are in no way level. be seated in Orlando, along with the in Africa and have been certified We urge the delegates to spend time majority of the voting delegation. by the CIO Office to campaign for doing research on all the candidates, The church, through various election to serve our church. They are especially those that do not live or candidate forums, has provided Advocate Thabile Ngubeni (MBA),

serve in Districts 1-13. Through prayer and wise introspection, vote for those they believe will serve our Zion well at this critical time in our history.

The candidates from Africa are grateful for the work done by the General Conference Commission, the CIO and CFO offices, and the Council of Bishops in an attempt to ensure that each delegate enjoys the right and privilege to fully participate in GC2021. There is still room for improvement.

We are also excited about the new era that our church is entering.

There is no going back. Change is the product of our COVID-19 experience and we must be willing to accept this with a radical thought adjustment.

We call on our brothers and sisters across the Connection to pivot in the direction of change, innovation, equity, inclusivity, transparency, fiscal integrity, progress, and growth. We are praying for safe travel and the protection of everyone as we journey to GC2021 in Orlando and Cape Town, some at more risk than others.

God bless the AME Church. ❏ ❏ ❏

THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM

The Christian Recorder

JUNE 2021

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BARABBAS VS. CHRIST: CHALLENGING THE SUPPRESSION OF VOTING RIGHTS LOUD VOICES THAT MAKE INCORRECT ACROSS THE COUNTRY CHOICES

By Quardricos B. Driskell, Columnist Reverend Dr. Jason Curry, Columnist

Luke 23 gives an account of an interaction between four parties: Pilate, Jesus, the rulers and chief priests and Barabbas. The rulers and the chief priest made a public appeal to a Roman official named Pilate to have Jesus killed. Pilate informed the angry crowd, which included the rulers and chief priests, that, after questioning Jesus, he did not believe that Jesus committed a crime. Pilate was therefore inclined to release Jesus ffrom custody. l d However, the crowd insisted that Barabbas, an accused murdered, be released from custody instead of Jesus. Jesus had not been convicted of any crime, yet the majority of the people present insisted that Jesus be killed. The unorthodox, unchristian, irresponsible, short-signed, illegal and immoral actions of the crowd raise the following questions for members of the Christian community: Are the thoughts and actions expressed by a vocal majority always representative of the “right thing to do?” If the actions expressed by a vocal majority do not square with Christian principles, what should Christians do? majority. In my opinion, these people Even though the scene between necessarily represent “loud voices that the aforementioned four parties are making incorrect choices.” occurred thousands of years ago, the The Apostle Paul provides us with a phenomena of the “vocal majority,” model to address these “loud voices.” which expresses thoughts that are In Ephesians 4:15, Paul encourages the antithetical to the teaching of Christ, is body of Christ to engage in “speaking apparent today. A clear unwillingness the truth in love….” When we speak to support an increase in the minimum the truth in love, not only do we wage, an inclination to challenge and challenge public lies, we also tell the dismiss protocols intended to keep “loud voices” that we embrace their others safe during an interanion pandemic and an unwillingness to personhood in spite of their ideas. see the humanity of others who are Speaking the truth in love provides a hurt or negatively impacted by flawed both context and an opportunity for policies concerning policing and understating and healing to occur so immigration represent a dismissal of that common ground may eventually the Christian mandate to “love thy be achieved. “Loud voices” may neighbor as thyself (Matthew 26:39).” never cease; however, through love, Depending on the context, these they may eventually make “correct “voices” that ignore or challenge the choices.” ❏ ❏ ❏ teachings of Christ, are in the in the

ACCOUNTABILITY VERSUS JUSTICE

By Stephanie Pierson

On April 20, 2021, after a three-week trial and 10 hours of deliberation, a jury found Derek Chauvin guilty of three criminal charges relating to the murder of George Floyd. After a 10-minute video capturing George Floyd’s final moments surfaced online almost a year earlier in May 2020, protests ignited throughout the United States and the world and lasted for months. Although many people celebrated the verdict and pointed to it as an example of how our criminal justice system still works, Chauvin’s guilty verdict is an act of accountability and not of true justice. True justice requires measures that prevent these atrocities and murders of Black individuals from ever happening.

Since 2015, at least 5,000 people have been shot and killed by the police, and almost 1,000 people have been killed by the police in the past year. In the same weeks as the Chauvin trial, police officers killed many other unarmed individuals, including Daunte Wright and Andrew Brown, Jr. These are not isolated incidents; instead, they are an indictment of our current policing system, a system that disproportionately targets Black people and other people of color. Chauvin’s conviction represents only one officer being held accountable despite numerous instances of police brutality over the past decade. We lack historical examples of police accountability because few police officers are even charged when they kill an individual due to doctrines like qualified immunity. We should not expect one guilty verdict to stop the cycle of police brutality, ...continued on p21

Everyone except for Republicans seems to realize that Georgia’s recently passed voting overhaul, S.B. 202 is a racist attempt to suppress voting rights.

Even South Carolina’s U.S. Sen. Tim Scott, who gave the Republican response to President Joe Biden’s address to a joint session of Congress on April 29, included a robust defense of this insidious law. Sen. Scott defended the Georgia voting laws as “mainstream,” noting that he was “an African American who has voted in the South all my life” while claiming Democrats demagogued the issue for political advantage. Echoing Gov. Brian Kemp’s frequent refrain, Scott said Republicans support making it “easier to vote and harder to cheat.”

Yet, Gov. Kemp admonished progressive religious leaders for a boycott of Georgia-based company Home Depot in response to the company’s lack of opposition to the state’s controversial new voting laws. In April, Kemp addressed a coalition of faith leaders who announced the boycott, accusing them of not caring about Georgia workers.

“First, the left came for baseball, and now they are coming for Georgia jobs,” Kemp said, referring to MLB’s decision to move this year’s All-Star Game from Atlanta over the new laws. “This boycott of Home Depot - one of Georgia’s largest employers - puts partisan politics ahead of people’s paychecks.”

Like so many other issues, the simple truth is that the Republican Party and its leadership are a venal racket devoid of any core principles. They squawk about local control – which includes voting when it works for them and ruthlessly decimates the powers of cities to write their destinies when it suits them too.

Democrats need a winning strategy. But more importantly, African Americans need a winning strategy. According to Philanthropy News, dozens of foundation and nonprofit leaders have signed an open letter calling on asset managers to use their influence as corporate shareholders to change “business-as-usual practices” and help advance racial justice.

I wonder if nonprofits and faith leaders, including those within AME leadership, collaborate effectively and strategically and target companies in Georgia and throughout the country who suppress the right to vote. We know the AME church has joined a lawsuit along with other nonprofits against the law. There has also been a letter on behalf of the AME 90,000 parishioners in 534 churches across the state of Georgia calling for a boycott of Georgia institutions - the Coca-Cola Company, Chick-fil-A, and Delta Air Lines.

What’s lacking is a more precise picture vision, a strategic direction for efficiently boycotting these corporations that continue to do business and operate in states that suppress voting rights. These efforts seemed isolated, however. Are the AME Church, the NAACP, ACLU, and the other coalitions not working together to ensure a productive outcome for voting?

As a clergyman myself, I am less concerned that faith leaders lead the boycott, but I am more worried about the strategy going forward and ensuring that the law is repealed either via the legal system or through corporation pressure.

While Georgia’s voting suppression law is perhaps the most draconian, and Flordia’s voting restriction law signed on May 6, a distant second; there are currently, as of March 24, Republican legislators who have introduced 361 bills with restrictive provisions in 47 states fueled by the prevarication that the 2020 election was stolen. These Republicans continued to retaliate against the Democratic victories in November, especially Georgia Senators Jon Osoff and Raphael Warnock, which gave the Senate the 50-50 margin.

Because be clear – these are not individual state strategies – this is a national Republican strategy. Their approach is to win the White House again, the Congress, and stacked the federal judiciary with conservative activist judges.

So, what’s the national strategy? Without one, we will continue to boycott without the right to vote, and white supremacy wins.

Quardricos Bernard Driskell is a federal lobbyist, an adjunct professor of legislative politics at The George Washington University Graduate School of Political Management. Follow him on Twitter @q_driskell4.

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JUNE 2021

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HOW THE POLITICS OF RACE PLAYED OUT DURING THE 1793 YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC

By Alicia Ault

SMITHSONIANMAG.COM MARCH 3, 2021 It was 1793, and yellow fever was running rampant through Philadelphia. The city was the nation’s biggest at the time, the seat of the federal government and home to the largest population of free blacks in America.

Foreigners were to blame, said one political faction, charging that immigrants were bringing the contagion into the country and spreading it from person to person. Another political group argued that it arose locally and was not contagious. A fiercely divided medical community took opposing sides in the argument over where the contagion came from and disagreed on how best to treat the disease. Federal, state and local officials and those with resources fled

the city, while a huge number of people of color—falsely believed to be immune— stepped up to care for the sick and to transport the dead, even as their own communities were disproportionately hit by the disease.

Scholars at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History recently revisited that 1793 outbreak in the online seminar, “Race and Place: Yellow Fever and the Free African Society in Philadelphia,” as part of the museum’s ongoing Pandemic Perspectives. The virtual seminars aim to put today’s Covid-19 global pandemic into context and to give participants a deeper dive and analysis of the museum’s collections.

How the Politics of Race Played Out During the 1793 Yellow Fever Epidemic Free blacks cared for the sick even as their lives were imperiled. ❏ ❏ ❏

IN 1794, ANGERED BY THE INACCURATE REPORTING OF THE WORK BLACK PHILADELPHIANS HAD CONTRIBUTED, RICHARD ALLEN (ABOVE) AND ABSALOM JONES PUBLISHED “A REFUTATION,” DETAILING HOW THE COMMUNITY CARED FOR THE SICK. (NPG. U.S. NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE)

By Alicia Ault

SMITHSONIANMAG.COM MARCH 3, 2021 It was 1793, and yellow fever was running rampant through Philadelphia.

The city was the nation’s biggest at the time, the seat of the federal government and home to the largest population of free blacks in America.

Foreigners were to blame, said one political faction, charging that immigrants were bringing the contagion into the country and spreading it from person to person. Another political group argued that it arose locally and was not contagious. A fiercely divided medical community took opposing sides in the argument over where the contagion came from and disagreed on how best to treat the disease. Federal, state and local officials and those with resources fled the city, while a huge number of people of color—falsely believed to be immune— stepped up to care for the sick and to transport the dead, even as their own communities were disproportionately hit by the disease.

Scholars at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History recently revisited that 1793 outbreak in the online seminar, “Race and Place: Yellow Fever and the Free African Society in Philadelphia,” as part of the museum’s ongoing Pandemic Perspectives. The virtual seminars aim to put today’s Covid-19 global pandemic into context and to give participants a deeper dive and analysis of the museum’s collections.

Curator Alexandra Lord, who moderated a panel of medical professionals and historians, says that socioeconomic and racial disparities were on full display in 1793 as they are during the current pandemic. “Those who could flee tended to escape the disease,” she

says. The political and financial elite picked up and left the city. An estimated 10,000 to 20,000 of Philadelphia’s 50,000 residents fled.

But two free black men, Richard Allen and Absalom Jones, were relentless in their drive to bring humanity to those who had found their way to Philadelphia.

Allen was born enslaved in the city in 1760 and later purchased his freedom.

Jones also had been born into slavery in Delaware had obtained his freedom through manumission in 1784. The two joined forces in 1787 to form the Free African Society, a social welfare organization that provided financial support, sick relief and burial aid.

The Society also created The African Church, which later split, with Allen— who established the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church at Mother Bethel AME—and Jones establishing the African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas.

Yellow fever was not entirely unknown at the time. It originated in Africa with colonizers and slave ships bringing it to the Americas in the 1600s. Most got the disease and survived. But a small percentage succumbed to its toxic form, which caused high fever and jaundice—a yellowing of the skin and eyes—hence its name. Other symptoms included dark urine, vomiting and sometimes bleeding from the mouth, nose, eyes or stomach.

Half of those who developed this form died within a week to 10 days. Yellow fever arrived in the U.S. from the West Indies.

In the 1890s Army doctor Walter Reed confirmed a Cuban physician’s hypothesis that mosquitos spread the disease. It wasn’t until the 1930s that the virus that caused the illness was discovered.

Before the epidemic had run its course in December 1793—mosquitos did not survive the cold—the Irish-born

economist Mathew Carey, who had stayed in the city to help, decided to publish his observations in a pamphlet, A Short Account of the Malignant Fever Lately Prevalent in Philadelphia.

Carey described in vivid detail how the epidemic came to Philadelphia, the symptoms and treatments, how the citizenry fled, and how those who stayed coped—some by constantly chewing garlic or carrying it on their person, smoking cigars (even small children were given cigars), and incessantly “purifying, scouring, and whitewashing their rooms.”

People avoided barbers and hair dressers, they deserted their churches, and they closed libraries and coffee houses.

“Acquaintances and friends avoided each other in the streets, and only signified their regard by a cold nod,” wrote Carey. “The old custom of shaking hands, fell into such general disuse, that many shrunk back with affright at even the offer of the hand.”

“In 1793, there were two leading schools of thought within the medical community about yellow fever,” says David Barnes, a University of Pennsylvania medical historian, who participated in the seminar. Many American doctors—most of whom were centered in Philadelphia—believed it was imported from the West Indies and that it was contagious, spreading from person to person. Others believed it was not contagious and not imported, but that it originated in the city in accumulations of filth, says Barnes. The faction who believed in contagion advocated cold baths and quinine—proven against malaria—and imbibing alcohol, as it was believed to fortify the body.

Philadelphia’s leading physician, Benjamin Rush, was a non-contagion believer. He thought the 1793 outbreak

“originated in a shipment of raw coffee beans that had been left to rot on the wharf near Arch Street,” and that it was the stench, or “miasma” that caused the illness, so he advocated for cleaning up the city instead of closing the port, as the contagion believers desired, says Barnes.

Physicians in the late 18th century weren’t anything like today’s medical professionals. There were no true medical schools and doctors were “often the subject of suspicion and even hostility,” says Simon Finger, a medical historian with The College of New Jersey.

Many of their cures did not work and they were seen as unethical—charging fees that were regarded as extortion—and their practice of digging up bodies in cemeteries for dissection and study didn’t lend them much credibility, either, says Finger, who participated in the talk.

To counteract the negative image and to advance knowledge, Rush and colleagues joined together in 1787 to form the College of Physicians in Philadelphia.

“What’s happening in 1793 is a really delicate moment in which physicians are working really hard to establish the respectability of their profession at a time when the public is skeptical of them,” says Finger.

Rush aggressively treated yellow fever by opening veins with lancets and letting the patient bleed out a pint or more, and by purges, which caused copious diarrhea, says Barnes. The measures were aimed at bringing fever down and depleting the “excesses” that Rush believed accumulated from the disease.

He was rarely questioned, says Lord.

But Rush’s training of volunteers from the Free African Society in how to administer his purported treatment went a step too far. It fractured the College of Physicians. Rush ...continued on p17

THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM ...From In 1794 p16 ended up starting a

rival academy of medicine, Finger says.

It “was controversial at the time, having Africans do blood-letting,” adds Vanessa Northington Gamble, an American studies scholar and medical historian at George Washington University and also a panelist.

Free blacks played a crucial role in the epidemic. Thousands of formerly enslaved people had come to Philadelphia to exercise their newfound freedom.

Gamble estimates that in 1790, some 2,100 free black people made their home in the city, while an additional 400 were enslaved. One of the most prominent slaveholders was President George Washington—even though Pennsylvania had essentially outlawed slavery in 1780.

How the Politics of Race Played Out During the 1793 Yellow Fever Epidemic Free blacks cared for the sick even as their lives were imperiled.

Alicia Ault is a Washington, DCbased journalist whose work has appeared in publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post and Wired. When not chasing down a story from our nation’s capital, she takes in the food, music and culture of southwest Louisiana from the peaceful perch of her parttime New Orleans home.

The Christian Recorder ...From Transitions p13 He was quoted in the New York Times as saying, “Most people have a checklist of what makes a good pop song: it has to be three minutes long, it must have a repeatable chorus and it must have a catchy hook. That’s what makes music stale. We say ‘Do what feels good.’

If you like it for three minutes, then you’ll love it for 30.”

Mr. Jacobs died on April 22, 2021. He is survived by his mother, Shirley Kraft; father, Edward Racker; brother, Kent Racker; and sister, Elizabeth Racker.

He and his family were members of Allen Temple AME Church in Tampa, Florida where the Reverend Glenn Dames is the pastor. The eulogy was delivered by Rev. Dr. Alecia Ford-Burse.

D. LAVEL CRAWFORD, SR. (1963-2021) The prophetic preaching of D. Lavel Crawford, Sr., touches the human condition to challenge the hearer to believe God is able. He is the husband to Stephanie and the father of six children, Dana, Jr., Tangier, Christin, Chelsea, Morgan and Jessica.

Born in Ocala, Florida in a generation

JUNE 2021

which felt the struggle for civil rights, yet understands the struggle of a new generation, he attended Central Florida Community College and then Florida A&M University, where he majored in music and was a member of FAMU’s famous ‘Marching 100.’

Raised in a family with a history in African Methodism, D. Lavel Crawford, Sr., received Christ and accepted the call to preach in February 1992. Having been baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit; and with the guidance of his Father in Ministry and mentor, Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., Rev. Crawford served for five years as associate minister and Director of Evangelism and Membership at St. Mark A.M.E. Church, Orlando, FL. Rev. Crawford has served as pastor of Mt. Pleasant A.M.E. Church in Fruitland Park, FL., 1997 thru 1999, Greater Mount Olive A.M.E. Church, Merritt Island, FL., 1999 thru 2002, Mt. Zion A.M.E. Church, Oakland, FL., 2002 thru 2008 and Mt. Moriah A.M.E. Church, Cocoa, FL, 2008 thru 2010. He has served as the District Secretary of the Daytona Beach District, Conference Secretary of the Orlando Florida Conference and Statistician for the Central Florida Conference. Rev. Crawford has also served as a board member of the Anvil Development Corporation and as an advisory board

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member of the Orlando Neighborhood Improvement Corporation. He is also a member of the NAACP. Rev. Crawford has twice traveled to Africa where he participated in an Evangelism Crusade covering three countries. he has served as Section Leader of Street Evangelism for the Department of Church Growth and Development of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. During his tenure in the 11th Episcopal District, he was recognized as “Pastor of the year” from the Young People’s Division. While serving these past two years at Mt. Moriah, he was recognized for his leadership amongst the business leaders in the August 2010 edition of “Space Coast Magazine” in Brevard County, Florida.

Humbled by the opportunity, Rev. Crawford gratefully accepted the transfer and appointment to serve as Senior Pastor at Bethel A.M.E. Church, Little Rock, AR in October 2010. The assignment given Rev. Crawford for Bethel Little Rock is to”Equip and Empower People for Victorious Living.”

Rev. Crawford was excited to accept the transfer appointment to serve as the Senior Pastor at Avery Chapel A.M.E. Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in November 2014.

Rev. Crawford holds that, “as long as there is breath in your body, there is hope for your soul.” ❏ ❏ ❏

CREATING SPACE AND MAKING ROOM: OUR REASONABLE SERVICE

By Vanessa Anderson

“The doors of the church are now open” is a familiar saying during a sacred time in the worship experience: the invitation to accept Christ. This specific part is for all, whether one is familiar or unfamiliar with church or starting or recommitting their relationship with Christ. All are welcome and accepted.

Heaven rejoices for yet another soul’s salvation-winning experience. The fulfilling and ongoing process of sowing, watering, and planting spiritual seeds into various lives to enhance the Kingdom of God is an unforgettable part of one’s journey.

From the perspective of longevity, how often are we compelled to welcome, invite, and accept others to grow and learn from us for church growth, succession planning, and leadership development? We should have a similar mindset toward future progress. Do we extend our tables with our eyes on the future or continually feast with the few we know best?

COVID-19 showed us the importance of being intentional and intergenerational. The church, as we knew it before, sparkled at the thought of having the same faithful few lead the efforts, remain stagnant to new voices, and ignore opposing methods. The fight or flight mentality produced challenges where changemakers had to stand firm if they believed in the power of progress at all levels of church and leadership. As the body of Christ, it should be our goal to strive for excellence in training younger generations, having strategic plans, and implementing task force objectives that will keep us in the mindset of forward movement. The purpose of intergenerational growth, leadership, and development are not for creating props or puppeteering. It to help spread knowledge and growth potential in safe nurturing spaces that will develop leaders to advance the mission to bring others to Christ. This is important if the church

is serious about creating quality successions to help enhance the future state of the church at all levels.

At my current church, St James AME Church in San Jose, California, my late grandparents, the Rev. Ulysses Allen, Sr. and Sister Irma Allen, were a vital part of the progress and development of St. James’s ministry and growth. This is the same church where my mother, Exhorter Janet Anderson, developed her skills and began efforts to enhance the ministry to thrive in the spirit of excellence. Upon joining in my young adult years, it was laid on my heart to not just be a pew sitter but to be intentional in my service to God and the church. Through development and opportunity, I joined the beginning stages of the Richard Allen Young Adult Council in the 5th District and I was later appointed a steward at my church. Soon after, I was given the opportunity to serve on various levels of the church such as becoming the Director of Digital Communications for the California Conference. These opportunities came because of leaders in the church who felt it not robbery to be intentional about welcoming more intergenerational voices and ideas to various platforms to help build the future development in our Zion.

In summary, as we invite others to Christ and encourage them along their spiritual journey, let us remember to make room at our tables and extend our efforts to be intentional about our future and progress for church growth, church succession planning, and church leadership. Everyone does not have the same calling in life but everyone has a role to play in the continuation of keeping our Zion growing and developing for current and future generations.

Vanessa Anderson, M.A. is a Millennial who serves the Lord with gladness as a steward and as the president of the California Conference RAYAC in the 5th District. She is also the daughter of the Rev. Dr. Carey G. Anderson, the senior pastor of FAME in Seattle, and the youngest granddaughter of the late Anne White, a life-member of both the Lay Organization and Women’s Missionary Society.

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The Christian Recorder

THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM

PRAISE FOR THE 15TH DISTRICT EPISCOPAL TEAM Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr. and Mother Irene M. Daniels arrived in an impenetrable period in the existence of the 15th Episcopal District.

Their vision, a “Brighter Future” brought light to their assigned field of ministry. They found their field of service in a real battlefield zone but the depth of their spiritual lives, relationship, and commitment to God made them survive for almost nine years.

There were turmoil, disaster, separation, and chaos in the 15th Episcopal District. Hundreds of people had left our church, others were on the verge of leaving, and many of our church buildings were captured by so-called “concern groups.” It was no secret that many cases were already against the AME Church in the High Courts of both Namibia and South Africa.

The existing headquarters and car were used for some time. The District agreed that we needed to replace and Ministry during this upgrade our movable and immovable church properties. Bishop and Mother Daniels and the faithful people of the time has been a new and 15th District purchased a new Episcopal Residence in Constantia, Cape Town during their first quadrennium. challenging experience.

In 2012, Angola, Namibia, and South Africa were already over 10 years old as democratic and free countries but To meet these contemporary challenges, the Episcopal the church was still a male-dominated institution. With the assignment of the 124th elected and consecrated bishop, Team based their ministry on his 3-E vision: we have experienced a man who prayed and like Moses, liberated the people, and brought peace and stability to all, Evangelism—Feel It, Education—See It, and Economic irrespective of race, colour, or gender. To God be the glory!

Empowerment—Live It. Bishop Daniels, along with his loving, caring, and philanthropic spirit and heart, reinstated presiding elders Evangelism and discipleship formation are and pastors and reconciled hundreds of people back to the church. Nearly 29 churches were regained through the paramount in the life of the church. All conferences reconciliation process led by our presiding prelate. Through good leadership, inclusivity, and teamwork, the legal were encouraged to embark on church planting by fees funds were instituted. starting congregations in the form of house churches.

Bishop Daniels managed to get the debt of over R4 million (US$300,000) for legal fees raised, including the This initiative was embraced and implemented. On R1,3 million legal fees that he met from previous years. At the end of 2018-2019, all church buildings and some Episcopal and conference levels, spirit-filled evangelistic schools were regained crusades were held and nearly 54 new churches came s back to our Zion in all into existence. The majority of these churches were b three conferences. The dedicated by Bishop Daniels. In addition, many th last parsonages and church buildings were erected or la church we regained is renovated.

Four new presiding elder districts were established. The d new Boland Annual Conference n was w added, increasing the annual conference count to seven. c COVID-19 prayer sessions were C conducted virtually and were c globally supported when the world g and a church functionalities were in limbo by this global pandemic. We li

Mount Olive AME Church in the Piketberg District where more than R1 million was spent in legal fees. The Angola Annual Conference churches are now finally recognized and in the process of final legal registrations. They have received a temporary permit from the Government that enabled all established AME Churches to be operational throughout Angola.

Bishop and Supervisor Daniels made history in African Methodism during his tenure in the 15th District by appointing 11 female presiding elders, 10 of which are currently serving in each of the seven annual conferences.

lost many lives during the pandemic, including some church members and leaders due to the virus.

Despite the many challenges in Angola, we are happy to report that through the encouragement, legal, spiritual, and financial support of the Bishop and Supervisor, many members of the ...continued on p19

THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM ...From Praise p18 Angolan Conference stayed firm in the AME Church. The Angola Annual Conference is no longer facing any challenges with the government.

Currently, they have planted many churches and are focused on aggressive evangelism and attentive church planting. Angola is one of the fasted growing conferences in the 15th District, despite economic challenges.

During Bishop Daniels’s tenure, all legal fees were successfully paid off, a new Episcopal Residence was bought and dedicated as well as a new Episcopal vehicle.

The headquarters were renovated and dedicated.

Subsequently, the outstanding debt on the Episcopal Residence was paid off. The Episcopal Residence has a market value of R10-12 million and is an asset that added extreme value to the District.

The COVID-19 pandemic did not only affect our health but also our economic situation. Our

The Christian Recorder people suffered and poverty was the order of the day. In 2020, Bishop and Mother Daniels initiated a COVID-19 Relief Fund and donated over R100 000. More than R350 000 was used to feed more than 5,000 families in Angola, Namibia, and South Africa. Special attention and care were given to the Angolan Conference because of the economic crisis in the country.

Our District leadership encouraged the youth in all annual conferences, in terms of education, to reach fo the stars in all spheres of for li In each annual conference, life.

B Bishop Daniels focused on the in invitation of the call to Christian d discipleship and to preach. This e encouraged many young people to accept their call to itinerant m ministry.

He assisted some st students in furthering their st studies in the United States and

...From The Distinguished p3 to be conferred with the noted degree. She was the Commencement Speaker during the graduation. Her Dissertation was entitled “The Rebirth of the Woman’s Prophetic Voice: Using Liberation Theology to Impact the Local Congregation.

In 2018 Rev. Brookins presented a pilot program in South Africa and subsequently launched the Global School of the Prophets. While there are many Prophetic Schools, this is the only type of school that ministers to both clergy and lay women. Rev. Brookins, exudes great enthusiasm and passion about teaching and during her courses, she graciously shares her expertise regarding prophecy. Her courses provide an overview and structure that encourage individuals to develop, explore and expand their prophetic knowledge and understanding. The highly organized and comprehensive curriculum includes coverage of the Introduction and Origin of the Prophetic; Prophetic Call; Prophetic Ministry; Prophetic Terminology; Nine Prophetic Traits, and Prophetic Training and the Church.

Students currently participating in the second cohort of the Global School are from the United States, India, Zimbabwe, Jamaica, Belize, and Trinidad.

Just as Rev. Lee showed a drive and commitment to serve. Rev. Brookins

THE TRUTH IS THE LIGHT

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

Second Corinthians 5:17 says, “So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” There comes a time when we should long for the chance to fix what we believe has gone wrong in our lives.

We wish for the opportunity to start over, seeking the reassurance that no matter how much we may have messed up that things from now on might be different. Given another opportunity, somehow, this time we’re going to get it right.

One thing is for sure: we all need correction. Truth be told, some of us need more correction than others, for we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Starting fresh is a good idea for all. We could use a time of reflection when we can take a good look at ourselves in the mirror and ask the Lord to fix our flaws. What one person thinks is a flaw, another person flaunts. That could be because we are not very good at judging ourselves. We tend to see ourselves through rose-colored glasses.

I wonder if there are some among us who are not afraid to stand before God and let Him do the judging. Do we desire to let the Lord purge our soul of all that is displeasing and unrighteous?

I wonder if anyone has given thought to our traits and habits. For example, what if God made a list of the character traits and habits He desired to correct in us? What would God want to remove from us? The truth is that deep inside of all of us are the suppressed sins of a Christian trying hard to get it right every day. That may surprise some folk. However, just because we are all avid churchgoers and committee members does not mean that we are perfect. We would probably not want to share our list with everyone. However, we are all sinners saved by grace. We are striving to press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus. There are times when we find ourselves frustrated and angry.

We get impatient, intolerant, selfish, and a bit self-seeking.

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some have graduated and been ordained.

The legacy in the 15th Episcopal District is the historical E partnership initiated by Bishop p Daniels between the 15th D Episcopal District and Payne E Theological Seminary in Ohio.

T Through this partnership, 17 T clergypersons have obtained their c Master of Divinity degree in 2020 and were also accepted for the Doctor of Ministry program. At present, we have 22 students enrolled in the MDiv program and waiting to begin their studies.

The presiding elders and pastors salute the illustrious and visionary Episcopal leadership of the 15th District.

We can affirm that God truly used them in the fulfilment of the initial vision and scripture as recorded in Jeremiah 29:11, “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.” ❏ ❏ ❏

has the same qualities. She is an honorable, steadfast pastor who is obedient to all that God has called her to do. She is a strong leader, and a visionary who genuinely loves preaching the word of God. Rev. Brookins’ unconditional love and genuine personality has touched the hearts of many. Her prophetic ministry, powerful sermons and prayers consistently instill hope and inspiration.

Rev. Lee traveled extensively preaching the word of God. Rev. Brookins has preached the gospel in multiple pulpits across the country including Canada, Zambia, India, and South Africa.

Regarding this prestigious award, Sir Wellington Hartford Brookins shared as a son, “I am extremely proud of the accomplishments of my mother. She is an example of perseverance and daring determination. She inspires me to move forward every single day and that’s why this award means so much to her and to me.”

Rev. Brookins stated she is “humbled that the men and women of God felt she deserved such an award. I am moved that God saw it fitting for me to receive such an honorable award.”

The Jarena Lee Award is an amazing recognition of the contributions of Rev. Brookins to the theological foundations of the Church as a whole. ❏ ❏ ❏ Thank God there is something we can do about all that.

We can work to keep ourselves pure and undefiled. We can stay connected to our Savior. We can keep checking our mirror’s reflection to make sure that we are looking more like Him than ourselves.

Our text warns that we must “be in Christ.” We must understand that to be “in Christ” is to be completely enveloped and surrounded by the glory and power of Christ. When we are “in Christ,” we are new creatures.

That means the “old self” no longer has power. That old attitude, way of thinking, and dealing with our concerns won’t have a chance to drag us down. Please know that Satan may try! However, Christ has promised that no weapon formed against us shall prosper because we are new creatures in Christ. The preacher in me can’t help but say, “Hallelujah!”

An agricultural reference may be helpful. Imagine that our lives are like a strawberry field. We indend is to produce huge, sweet strawberries; but for some reason, all we seem to be able to do is keep the weeds cut low. Fruit doesn’t appear that often; and when it does, it’s not very good. The reason is that strawberries need good soil. The only way to produce good strawberries is to plow up the whole field and start over with perfect soil and new plants.

That is how it is with us and sin. We have so much difficulty living right because there is bad soil of temptation all around us. Try as we might, we seem only to be able to keep our sins down low and hidden from sight. Living like that will never bear fruit.

We must let Christ “plow our field” and let Him replace it with good soil. Christ in us, and our soil, can make all things new. We will be amazed at the fruit we will bear.

The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is the pastor of James Chapel A.M.E. Church in Charleston, S.C.

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The Christian Recorder

NEWARK REVEREND FUSES FAITH AND SCIENCE TO FIGHT COVID PANDEMIC

By Mark J. Bonamo, Tapinto.com

NEWARK, NJ — The Rev. Dr. Ronald Slaughter has delivered virtual sermons from his empty church h in Newark since the COVID-19 pandemic began.

During that time, he has been trying to address ress not only his community’s ity’s spiritual needs but also his flock’s mental and physical health.

Slaughter said he knows ows that the belief behind ind soothing souls must work together with the logicc of medical science to help save a city ravaged by the pandemic.

The Rev. Dr. Ronald Slaughter, the pastor “Faith is something that of Saint James AME Church in Newark. you can’t touch or prove, Credits: Courtesy of Saint James AME but it includes a belief and confidence in a higher authority. So when we believe in God, we believe in a god that is over science. We believe in a god that heals. That is part of faith,” said Slaughter, pastor of Saint James A.M.E. Church in Newark, whose church has sponsored a series of virtual talks since February focused on mental and physical health in the AfricanAmerican community both during and beyond the pandemic.

“If your mind and body aren’t together, then it’s harder to concentrate on God,” Slaughter said. “So to me, faith and science are more interrelated than separated.” higher risk of being exposed to COVID-19 Slaughter, who is also servers as the due to the nature of their work, and they chair of Saint Michael’s Medical Center are disproportionately representative in Newark, has chosen to take the fight of racial and ethnic minority groups. to COVID-19 by teaming up with local Members of these communities are health practitioners. For the month more likely to use public transportation of February, Slaughter’s virtual bible to get to work, putting them at risk for studies, held every Wednesday, included increased exposure to the virus, and the participation of mental health are more likely to be uninsured or lack professionals who offered help to those a consistent care source, which limits whose psyches have been harmed. access to testing and treatment services.

Since then, the weekly bible studies The fact that people of color in Newark have included the input of medical live in a densely populated area and in doctors, including Dr. Hamid Shaaban, multi-generational households makes the chief medical officer at Saint social distancing practices more difficult.

Michael’s Medical Center; Dr. Norma The combination of all of these factors Rae, an OB/GYN specialist; Dr. is demonstrated by the local death toll.

Cynthia Sutton, a dentist; and coming According to Essex County statistics, this Wednesday, Dr. Franz O. Smith, more than 2,500 people have died from assistant dean of medical education and COVID-19 in Essex County, with more chief academic officer of RWJBarnabas than 900 dying in Newark alone.

Health—Saint Barnabas Medical Center “In the old church, the pastor in Livingston. was the end-all and be-all of —almost Any effort to combine faith-based and like a doctor, lawyer, counselor, and science-grounded initiatives in Newark therapist all at once. You can’t be all of during the pandemic comes in the face those things. You’ve got to know your of serious preexisting heath challenges in limitations,” said Slaughter. “We’ve the community. Research has shown that got to be honest with people as clergy COVID-19 has had a disproportionately because they put so much trust in us. negative impact on people of color, its We’ve got to unashamedly send people damage underscoring the deep racial and to the professionals who can best help socioeconomic divisions in our society. them. I have a master’s of divinity and a African-Americans are at an at doctorate degree, but not an M.D.” increased risk of severe illness if they get Shaaban offered a perspective on how COVID-19 because of higher rates of faith and science can effectively team up existing medical conditions, such as high to fight COVID-19. blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, asthma, “Historically, the civil rights movement and heart, liver and kidney diseases. was driven by men of faith such as Essential workers are inherently at

THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM

VITAL WORSHIP GRANTS AWARDED FOR 2021 BY THE CALVIN INSTITUTE OF CHRISTIAN WORSHIP The Calvin Institute of Christian Worship announced today that it will fund 225 Vital Worship Grants projects to Worshiping Communities for 2021-2022 as part of its Vital Worship Grants Program. Among the churches is Allen Chapel p AME Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan pastored by Rev. Millard Southern III. A These projects have a variety of emphases, many of which have been shaped by a year in pandemic —designing worship for those who suffer moral injury; b an exploration of lament, grief, and resilience; intergenerational worship in the online environment; and pilgrimage through the Christian Year as spiritual th formation—but have as a common purpose a desire to both deepen people’s fo understanding of worship and strengthen practices of public worship and faith u formation. Allen Chapel’s grant is designed to ”enrich worship by engaging fo the arts in order to promote healing and understanding in the midst of social th injustices.” in Kathy Smith, leader of the Vital Worship Grants Team, said, “We are grateful to award these new grants, even in this time of the pandemic crisis, trusting these projects will serve to encourage vital worship in new ways and support th another group of churches, schools and organizations, even in these difficult times.”

This year’s recipients include 15 congregations, two colleges, two seminaries, and six other ministries related to the arts, storytelling, music, volunteers, and history. They also represent 14 different Christian denominations in addition to some interdenominational and ecumenical projects, 16 states and one Canadian province.

Each grant (ranging from $6,700 to $18,000) will fund a year-long project beginning in June that promotes vital worship and faith formation. John Witvliet, director of the CICW, said “We are eager to learn from these programs.

Although these grant proposals were written well before COVID-19 disrupted patterns of congregational life, these grants show remarkable promise for not only serving these communities as they make adaptive changes, but also to a much wider audience of learners. We look forward to sharing this learning over the next several months and years.”

This June, project directors of these grants will interact with and learn from not only CICW staff, but also with directors of the 2020 grants and recipients of grants to Teacher-Scholars via a digital grants event. Learning from the 2020 grants will be shared on the CICW website after the event.

Since it began in the year 2000, the Vital Worship Grants Program has now awarded 969 grants to churches, schools, organizations, and teacher-scholars across North America for projects that generate thoughtfulness and energy for public worship and faith formation at the local, grass-roots level. An advisory board of pastors and teachers from a variety of backgrounds assists in the grant selections, and the program is generously supported by Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. Founded in 1937, the Endowment’s major areas of programming are religion, education, and community development. ❏ ❏ ❏ Martin Luther King, Jr., Jesse Jackson, and Joseph Lowery. In a pandemic like this one, where communities of color are being hurt most, I think it’s important for churches to help lead the movement for better education on health care,” said Shaaban.

Many African Americans have a lingering distrust for the medical profession following the infamous 20thcentury Tuskegee medical experiments involving Black men. Shaaban, knowing these painful memories contribute to vaccine hesitancy, used a visual cue during his presentation to the community to show that times have changed.

“I showed slides so that people could

see the faces of those involved in the development of the vaccines. AfricanAmericans participated in the vaccine experiments, in the regulation process, and are prescribing and administering the vaccines,” Shaaban said. “Now we have to educate people about the vaccines.”

Shaaban is a practicing Muslim, whose family is originally from Zanzibar and who was raised in Dubai before emigrating to America. His work and his faith are fully reconciled in the struggle against COVID-19.

“Some people ignore science for the reason that they think God is going to take care of everything. I believe that we are all agents of ...continued on p21

The Christian Recorder

THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM ...From Newark Reverend p20 a higher power to make sure that education about vaccines goes out to the community to take care of your fellow man,” Shaaban said. “God helps those who help themselves. You’ve got to take action yourself. You need to do the work. We all do.”

At Saint James, the pews are still empty as a skeleton staff helps Slaughter broadcast his sermons.

The reverend knows his work isn’t done. New virus

...From Accountablilty p15 especially when

the systems that enable and perpetuate police brutality are still in place.

Institutions that uphold white supremacy, like the United States’ current criminal justice and policing system, expect the Black community to be satisfied with the bare minimum and

variants threaten the public. Vaccine hesitancy remains stubbornly embedded in the civic consciousness. A recent spike of cases in those under age 60 is attributed in part to relaxation regarding prevention practices.

But for the reverend, answering to both his community and to a higher power fuels his mission.

“In divinity school, we were taught that you need both the Old Testament and the New Testament to do our job. Now, we need both our physical and our

small victories while white supremacy simultaneously continues to choke the Black community and prevent individual and collective flourishing. In the rare instances when accountability is achieved through the criminal justice system, these verdicts often undermine broader efforts for criminal justice

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mental health so we can move forward beyond this trial and tribulation. And we need faith and science working together to do just that,” Slaughter said.

“The Bible gives us the recipe for living godly, but it also gives us the lesson that God creates other resources that we can take advantage of,” he said. “We are here to put people on the right path and in the right direction.

That’s what our calling is all about. ❏ ❏ ❏

reform by reinforcing institutions that are in dire need of restructuring. Many people believe that police brutality can be solved by indicting and convicting “bad apples” instead of focusing on the root causes of police brutality that stem from systemic racism, inadequate training, and absurd power structures

between the police and civilians.

Justice would be George Floyd still being alive today. Although we cannot bring him back, we can celebrate the victory of Chauvin’s verdict while also acknowledging that it is only the first step towards true justice.

Stephanie Pierson hails from Macon, Georgia, in the Sixth Episcopal District. She is a sophomore in the Honors Program at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she is currently studying History. In the past, Stephanie has served as a poll worker and has also interned for a congressional campaign in North Carolina. Additionally, Stephanie has been a contributor to the Women’s Missionary Society Programs for Study in Christian Mission for the past seven years.

STAND WITH PALESTINE! Heal their land Lord. And do it now!

Oh Lord, we pray for Palestine.

Apartheid MUST DIE! We speak it now.

Oh Lord, we pray for Palestine.

Give them strength Lord. Don’t pass them by!

Oh Lord, we pray for Palestine.

We seal this prayer. And it is so! Amen.

Oh Lord, we pray for Palestine.

We cannot be silent. We must lift our voices with the oppressed of the Earth. As a church born out of resistance, we must continue to fight for liberation. We must lift our voices with all who are marginalized by hegemonic and oppressive systems. This includes Palestine!

Israel’s expulsion of Palestinians from Sheikh Jarrah is simply an assault against humanity. The horrendous acts of the Israeli government, evicting Palestinian families from their homes is sinful, unjust, and inhumane. What bell hooks calls the “imperialist white supremacist capitalist patriarchy,” otherwise known as America, continues to

fund the Israeli Apartheid system. We cannot expect America to condemn a system that it supports, especially when it is a system that is the very framework of the nation.

The fight for liberation is a global struggle that should be taken up by all those who are othered and disfranchised by white supremacist powers. As Black people, political prisoners and enemies of the state, we must acknowledge that our plight is similar to that of the Palestinians. We are oppressed by the same racist, capitalist, and militaristic system.

We must strengthen and continue the Black radical tradition of supporting Palestinian liberation, for our freedoms are connected. In fighting for justice, Blacks and Palestinians are resisting the same evils of colonialism and forces of government repression. Our fight is their fight.

Not only must we pray for Palestine but we must also put our “social justice and liberating faith” where our mouth is! We must act by openly speaking out and condemning the acts of Israel. We must also condemn

the United States government for aiding and abetting in crimes against humanity, both domestic and abroad.

Lest we forget our Charleston 9. One of our mother churches, a sacred site, was desecrated by a bloody massacre, her members executed, wrought by an agent of white supremacy. His terroristic act was motivated by hate. The same hate fueled Israeli forces to fire teargas and grenades into the al-Aqsa mosque during the holy month of Ramadan. This is the same hate that emboldened Israel to fire airstrikes on Gaza, killing dozens of Palestinian men, women, and children.

Israel and Palestine are not in conflict. This is not a double-sided story. Only the oppressor posits that there are two sides to every story. For the oppressed, there is only one side. It is a story of struggle, characterized by colonialism, ethnic cleansing, and state-sanctioned violence.

God is on the side of the oppressed. God is on the side of the Palestinians. As a church, we must stand with the Palestinian people. Free Palestine! ❏❏❏

FINDING OUR TRUE NORTH AGAIN

By Thabile Ngubeni

History books are littered with the reason for the exitance of the AME Church.

Our true north is captured in our mission, vision, and objectives resultant from the bitter history of our people across the globe. This is what makes us great.

Finding our true north challenges us to constantly re-evaluate our relevance. This is essential to sustaining our Zion beyond our lifetime. It demands that we reset the compass from the deceptive “magnetic north” of incremental change to radical change. Leaders must distinguish between “magnetic” north and “true” north. The former appears right but can take one way off course in a long journey. Our leaders should be able to decipher whether we are still who we ought to be.

Pursuing our true north means developing sustainability beyond consequential gains. It is the intentional reimagining and innovation of agile organizational structures as well as systems that support the constantly evolving milieu we live in.

Realizing our true north entails transformation. Leaders can formulate, implement, and evaluate strategies that will ensure the sustainability of this great Zion through appropriate programs and processes in our quest to our true north.

A wise woman once said: “We don’t see the world as it is, we see it as we are.”

This remains true to date. Invariably, any leadership comprising similar-minded

people cannot provide comprehensive solutions for a wide-ranging membership such as the AME Church.

This is not because they are unwilling. It is because it is imperative that our leadership, across all levels and structures of the church, be inclusive to ensure we remain on course to our true north. Inclusive leadership is representative of gender, age, qualification, place of origin, ability, and experience.

The General Conference presents a unique opportunity for members of our great Zion, across the globe, to input strategies, processes, and programs. The 51st General Conference is upon us. We would be remiss if we do not take stock of where we are relating to our true north as this will enable delegates to make decisions that will benefit the greater Zion in its pursuit of our true north.

Delegates to the 51st General Conference have the power to influence the trajectory of the church for decades and centuries to come. History made us. Now, we have an opportunity to make history and re-align the compass and set us all on our journey to finding our true north, again. ❏ ❏ ❏

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DR. ORLANDO M.

VOTE #412

CANDIDATE FOR EPISCOPAL SERVICE

ST. MATTHEWS AMEC ❖ DILLION, SC

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THE FIRE THIS TIME: AME SEXUAL POLITICS

By Rev. Dr. Jennifer S. Leath, 5th Episcopal District

In The Christian Recorder’s “TCR Special Dialogue: LGBTQ+ Inclusion and the AME Church,” William Lamar IV stated, “If we say that we exclude these sisters and brothers and those who are not gender conforming because of what the Bible says, then I’ma need those negroes to stop eating ham, cheeseburgers, and shrimp; and wearing polyester; I’m going to need them to send their wives outside of their homes when they are menstruating. Let us be clear that we place varying weight on the text, that we do not give the text similar weight in every word for the ways we live and practice our lives.”

Moreover, Tiffany Willoughby-Herard recalled the teachings of Mark E. Whitlock, Jr. and Hermia Shegog Whitlock saying, “I saw them in the pulpit call homophobia a curse and call it kind of a cult set of thinking that was dividing the body of Christ.” The Whitlocks spoke to Willoughby-Herard’s soul saying “not only should you be serving G*d, but you should be serving G*d in the fullness and truth of everything that G*d has made you into.”

Considering these and other strong points offered during the “Special Dialogue,” I wondered: Why doesn’t the institutional AME Church unequivocally and publicly affirm LGBTQ people and our coequal place with others in the body? Less than a week before this “Special Dialogue,” however, a question was posed to the first of three strings of candidates in the “Virtual Bishops Candidate Forum.”

Each candidate was asked, “How will you address concerns of LGBTQ inclusion in the AME Church?”

The answers the candidates provided in this panel, along with unchecked homophobic vitriol that surfaced in viewer comments, helped clarify why the AME Church does not unequivocally and publicly affirm LGBTQ people within the church. No candidate’s answer was so terrible but all the answers were “safe.” Why did I, a quare AME Church clergywoman and pastor, feel bruised, battered, and muzzled when the “Candidates Forum” was all said and done? I did not feel that my concerns had been addressed. I did not feel unequivocally and publicly affirmed. I did not feel loved the way I know G*d loves me and the way I love me. I felt denied.

I felt like part of “the gay problem.”

Interpreting the dissonance between the “Candidates Forum” and the “Special Dialogue,” one mediating word surfaced in my spirit again and again: politics. Sexuality remains the perennial and consummate political weapon.

Why don’t we read biblical passages spuriously related to contemporary LGBTQ sexualities in the same way we read passages defending slavery or subjugating women? Politics!

Additionally, sexuality is the wedge that drives us to the lukewarm seas of political correctness and keeps us from the

flames of political correction.

“Weaponized” and “sexuality” are shorthand for gender identities, sexual orientations, and intimate relational statuses. It is an effective, but lazy and sloppy, way to promote some and dismiss others. Weaponized, we are encouraged to hide our sexuality as liabilities and “sin” unless our sexuality confirms the dominant hetero-patriarchal single marriage, ever-faithful, and never-divorced model. Weaponized, deception, dissemblance, and silence about sexuality are blasphemously placed on a pedestal as virtuous when the model is not realized.

Our beliefs and practices within the AME Church are not consistent with respect to sexuality but our politics are. Sexuality is leverage. When sexuality is leverage, the “deviance” of LGBTQ people within the AME Church of today becomes an easy target for exploitation.

There is good news. We can choose to do sexual politics differently. Eddie Glaude explains that politics is about how “we as a community of fellows engage in the ongoing work to determine the distribution of resources that would allow us to live a life fully, to flourish together.” When we take up this way of doing politics within the AME Church, we refuse weaponizations of sexuality while establishing equitable distributions of power and resources in our Church, knowing that this is the only way that all of us, LGBTQ and heterosexual, can flourish together.

Dwinita Tyler introduced the “Special Dialogue” with Barbara Love’s “liberatory consciousness,” according to which one is “willing to acknowledge that [they] are—even in a church—in an oppressive system” that must “fight with all [their] might not to be socialized to that system” and “commit to working on the oppressive system while [they’re] in the oppressive system.” Adapting this model, our challenge is to do liberatory sexual politics. What might a liberatory sexual politics platform for the AME Church look like?

First, acknowledgment of the gravity of LGBTQ suffering within and beyond the Church must happen. According to The Trevor Project’s National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health, 40% of all surveyed—and over 50% of transgender or gender non-binary people surveyed—had seriously considered suicide within 12-months before the survey. One in three LGBTQ youth has been physically harmed or threatened due to their sexuality.

Second, acknowledgment of the Church’s mistakes with respect to sexual politics must be made. Such acknowledgment includes supporting legislation intended to remedy our errors, even if the remedy is incomplete.

Third, deference to the leadership and voice of LGBTQ people in the Church on doctrines and policies directly impacting the lives of LGBTQ people must be offered.

THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM Trust that we who have survived the homophobia and heterosexism of our families, friends, colleagues, communities, and churches have done and are doing the spiritual and intellectual work for our soul’s salvation.

Though we have been accused of this, we have not simply decided it is acceptable to be LGBTQ because we are bili off the h experiences i LGBTQ. We honor the credibility andd feelings of LGBTQ people.

Fourth, public and explicit acknowledgement, affirmation, election, appointment, and celebration of out LGBTQ people at every level of the church must happen. The Trevor Project’s Survey, consistent with other sources, also found that acceptance and support dramatically decrease rates of attempted suicide.

Fifth, public repudiations of and admonitions against heterosexist, homophobic, and sexist preaching, teaching, administration, and church participation must begin. We must step up and protect the most vulnerable among us, even when it is not politically expedient. None of us should feel dispensable, disposable, or contingent.

Finally, refusing “dialogue” distractions with respect to sexuality is in order. Calling for dialogue is not the dialogue itself and having dialogue is not tantamount to addressing concerns. Too often, calls for dialogue on sexuality are about delaying difficult decisions, the articulation of unpopular positions, or necessary contests. Too often, calls for dialogue are about maintaining unhealthy weaponizations of sexuality.

G*d, let us courageously take up such liberatory sexual politics, sanctified in the fire this time.

The Rev. Dr. Jennifer Leath is the pastor of Campbell Chapel AME Church in Denver, Colorado, and an assistant professor at Iliff School of Theology.

Editor’s Note: Definitions of Quare and G*d Taking a cue from E. Patrick Johnson in “‘Quare’ Studies, or (Almost) Everything I Know About Queer Studies I Learned from My Grandmother,” quare means “queer; also, opp. of straight; odd or slightly off kilter; from the African American vernacular for queer” and signals a womanist way of being “LGTBQ”— turning the “Q” from “queer” to “quare.”

Taking a cue from Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza in Feminist Studies in Religion and The*logy and Jewish feminists, “G*d” is used to refer to the Divine source. The capital “G” signifies omnipotence; the lowercase “d” signifies “the least” and vulnerability; the “*” signifies that the Divine, and its name, is a mystery beyond what we understand and categories like gender.

TCR SPECIAL DIALOGUE: FURTHER REFLECTIONS On Friday, The Christian Recorder hosted a Special Dialogue on LGBTQ+ acceptance in the AME Church. A timely dialogue it was as Pride Month is underway commemorating LGBTQ+ lives lost to hate crimes and celebrating some advances made in the acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people in society.

The panel was not exclusively American but it was a recognition that the acceptance and inclusion of LGBTQ+ people is a global imperative that affects the Africa continent.

Unfortunately, due to load shedding of electricity outages, our reality of the post-Apartheid South Africa, I was disconnected before I could raise this aspect in the Dialogue. I appreciate that The Christian Recorder’s invitation for participation.

The assertion by the Rev. William Lamar, IV, the pastor of the Metropolitan AME Church in Washington DC, a panellist in the Dialogue, nipped it in the bud, “We have allowed our agenda to be hijacked by white evangelicals. We have allowed those who pervade the curse of Ham and a misreading of Sodom and Gomorrah to set our theological agenda.”

This is true about the African context where the colonisers’ laws and biblical interpretations are glorified by our people.

We play deaf to the apologies of our former colonisers, imperialists who imposed the laws we now use, to demean, dehumanize, and discriminate against LGBTQ+ Africans in

our societies. Similarly, we apply their biblical interpretations to exclude queer Africans from the very unfathomable grace we were freely given through which we were engrafted into the liberating Gospel of Jesus Christ, reconciling us with God. We have, in Africa, become Catholic more than the Pope is, appropriating queerphobia as though we were its originators. Doing so is ahistorical because queerphobia is a foreign imposition to the African heritage. Rather than homosexuality, it is homophobia that is unnatural in Africa and evil for African Christians. Ours, as a people in Africa, is a story littered with queer people who were not abused for being who they are because that runs the grain of ubuntu/ botho. It is not a story of cruelty, violence, and exclusion.

The failure to fully accept and include LGBTQ+ people in our Zion is blithe to the mission bequeathed to us by our ancestors. Instead of building up families, queerphobia destructs them and leaves parents and siblings of LGBTQ+ people to unnecessarily choose between the church and their own. We ought to be proud of the Rev. Dr. Toni Belin Ingram for choosing Omar Ingram, her son. Hers is illustrious leadership as parents and siblings of LGBTQ+ people must appropriate, taking advocacy for transforming both society and the church a step further in the quest for inclusion. Don’t disown and reject your children or siblings because of their sexual orientation and gender identity. Stand with them and

for them, especially when they can’t.

Omar, in a conversation with his mom, hit the head on the nail. He said, “You can’t use folks’ gifts and then tell them they can’t be their whole selves in the space where their gifts are being used.” Inclusion is indivisible and so is justice and love. li on same-sex marriages i The current legislated policy or civil unions in the AME Church violates the sanctity of our pastoral vocation. We “start-stop-restart” pastoring to LGBTQ+ members and it is exclusively towards them that we do this. Repealing it sooner will complete our commitment to wholly embracing LGBTQ+ members. It will not be rhetorical.

The Human Rights Campaign’s documentary was riveting and edifying. The panellists were good AMEs. Thanks to Dr. Alfonso David, Esq. for helping the scales from our eyes to fall. Indeed, we don’t have to be at each other’s throats.

It is not God’s will for us. Dr. Tiffany Willoghby-Herard reminded us so. ❏ ❏ ❏