The 12th Episcopal District Celebrates Mortgage Burning Years Ahead of Schedule

A mighty spirit-filled “Celebration of God’s Faithfulness” took place Saturday, April 23, 2022, on the campus of Bethel AME Church, North Little Rock, Arkansas. Bishop Michael L. Mitchell, presiding prelate, Supervisor Cordelia D. Mitchell, along with members of the 12th Episcopal District joined together in recognizing Psalm 118:23, “This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes,” with a mortgage burning worship service for the Episcopal Headquarters, which also houses Jackson Theological Seminary. Attendees gathered for an occasion that signifies the realization of a vision guided by a dedicated, benevolent, and selfless leader in the person of Bishop Michael L. Mitchell and documents the committed and faithful follow-ship of the people of the 12th Episcopal District. This mortgage burning is significant because the 12th Episcopal District was able to satisfy all debt and obligations associated with a potential thirty-year mortgage in five short years. General co-chairman set the atmosphere, Presiding Elder Tyrone Broomfield, serving as worship leader, and the general chairman, Sister Melanie A. Hillard, extended a warm and heartfelt welcome to all in attendance. The 12th Episcopal District presidents of the Lay Organization and the Women’s Missionary Society, Sister Natalie Horton and Sister Thelma Denton, respectively, participated by leading the litany and scripture reading. Representatives from every conference were also included in the worship experience. The 12th Episcopal District choir offered beautifully befitting musical selections, further ushering in God’s presence. However, the congregation simply could not contain their praise as Bishop Mitchell spontaneously began singing a cappella, “Father, I Stretch My Hand to Thee!” The worship experience was taken even higher as retired Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie preached a powerful word, “Be the See Something and Say Something AME Church,” taken from the combined texts of Psalm 34:8, “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good” and Matthew 16:16, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.” Indeed, the works of the talented and dedicated Mortgage Burning Celebration Committee, as well as the support of the members of the 12th Episcopal District, were acknowledged as instrumental in executing a celebration honoring the marvelous thing God has done for the people of the 12th Episcopal District.

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The mortgage burning celebration was the culmination of the 12th Episcopal District’s Called to Serve Holy Convocation, which began April 21, 2022. Bishop Mitchell assured those in attendance were spiritually fed through powerful preaching and teaching by the Reverend Dr. Patrick Clayborn, pastor, Bethel AME Church, Baltimore, Maryland. Throughout the convocation, dynamic messages were also given by the Reverend Tom Scott, pastor, St. Paul AME Church, Arkadelphia, Arkansas, and the Reverend Elijah Shafah, pastor, Avery Chapel AME Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In addition, it was a blessing to have guest psalmists, the Reverends Patricia and Tracy McGeathey, St. Stephen, Jacksonville, Florida; Chief Financial Officer Marcus and Yolanda Henderson, executive director of Global Witness and Ministry the Reverend Dr. John F. Green, president/dean, Turner Theological Seminary, the Reverend Dr. Ammie Davis, and Connectional

...From The 12th p28 Women in Ministry president the Reverend Dr. Erika Crawford, to come and share. Truly this historic occasion in the life of the 12th Episcopal District was an exemplary celebration of God’s unyielding faithfulness to his people, and we look forward to the wondrous works he has yet to perform. ❏ ❏ ❏

— 19th Episcopal District —

In April of this year, the Kwa-Zulu Natal province of South Africa was impacted by heavy flooding that killed at least 435 persons across the province and caused more than 17 billion South Africa Rand (US$1 billion) in damages. The 19th Episcopal District under the leadership of Bishop Ronnie E. Brailsford, Sr. engaged in relief efforts through the Women’s Missionary Society, Sons of Allen, and Lay Organization. These are photos from the donations made throughout the province. ❏ ❏ ❏

...From 200TH p25 existential deadline for the planet to reduce carbon emissions, end deforestation, and transition to a clean energy economy. We are in rage because the state of our country is in disrepair. Yet, we, the 200th Session of the New York Annual Conference, believe in the power of holy rage to transform society, as evidenced by the witness of Jesus Christ turning over the tables of money changers in the temple. It is with righteous indignation that we commit to bringing forth revolutionary witness during these unprecedented times. We must resist through committing ourselves to radical love in action through the power of non-violence. We must recommit ourselves to training our youth, congregations, and communities on the power of our history as change agents who have braved slavery, Jim Crow lynchings, segregation, and the great migration to resist mass incarceration, anti-critical race theory, voter suppression, and economic inequity. Therefore, we, the members of the 200th Session of the New York Annual Conference, proudly proclaim the Renaissance is NOW as we redeem the soul of America. We recommend that each church engages in the “Resurrect the Vote” campaign to register, educate, and mobilize voters leading to the midterm elections on November 8, 2022. We recommend that each church hosts a freedom school to train youth and young adults in the history and struggle for black liberation this summer during Vacation Bible School or Church School. Humbly Submitted, Reverends: Stephen A. Green, Kahlil James, Tamoya Buckley-David, Tyra Frazier, Sanayi Beckles Canton, Anna Marie Posey Delegates: Vanessa Sherwood, Dianne Mack, Denise Badger ❏ ❏ ❏ fact book, also known as the Annual Statistical Abstract and the

Fact Sheet of quick data. ❖ Coordinate data collection for national and international research and related studies; and ensures compliance with requirements of the National

Commission on Higher Education. ❖ Provide consultation to relevant University faculty and staff on research methodology, data management, and data analysis and interpretation and advise relevant bodies, including the president’s cabinet and Council, on data assessment trends. ❖ Coordinate continuing research studies in conjunction with relevant faculty and administrators and present research results to appropriate bodies. ❖ Establish and maintain an integrated working relationship with other colleges and universities and the National Commission on Higher Education. ❖ Perform other tasks as assigned by supervisor. III. EDUCATIONAL AND WORK EXPERIENCE ❖ The candidate should have a Terminal Degree in research or related discipline with 5 years of working experience with a recognized university. ❖ The candidate should demonstrate computer proficiency, including the use of

Microsoft, Excel, PowerPoint, and others. IV. OTHER SKILLS AND PROFICIENCIES ❖ Innovative and equipped with analytical, technical, and critical thinking skills. ❖ Attention to detail. ❖ Written communication skills. ❖ Act with honesty and integrity. ❖ Ability to develop and maintain a strong professional relationship with internal and external stakeholders and work effectively with all categories of employee. ❖ Very good presentation skills. V. OTHER REQUIREMENTS Occasionally required to ❖ Work outside normal working hours to meet the deadline of crucial projects. ❖ Carry out physical or light field duties. ❖ Provide support for meetings after normal working hours. ❏ ❏ ❏

...From Vacancy p8

EDITORIAL

Smoke in the Room

John Thomas III, Editor

Enron. Bernie Madoff. Stanford Investments. Fyre Fest. Theranos. The last 20 years have been filled with examples showing how corporate governance structures can be manipulated to hide fraud and perpetuate schemes stealing millions upon millions of dollars. In each of the instances cited, gaps in corporate oversight led to executives being able to defraud consumers and clients. Board members did not have sufficient skill sets to supervise the executives adequately or were not given all the information to make the appropriate judgments. These examples of corporate greed continue to have repercussions to this day.

When we see these issues in the secular world, we immediately wonder why no questions were asked and if people truly did not know what was going on. “How could someone take (insert amount here) and no one know anything?” In each of these stories, one learns of whistleblowers at all levels of the company who saw red flags and warned of the potential consequences—but they were ridiculed and silenced by a culture that would not tolerate dissent because the image had to be preserved.

Manipulation of governance structures not only happens in the secular world. Recent revelations regarding maladministration of the Department of Retirement Services and the Connectional Lay Economic Development Corporation (CLEDC) should give us all pause. While the amount impacted is smaller than the corporations I have mentioned, the behaviors are sadly the same. We find poorly supervised executives with boards who were given insufficient information and misled into authorizing actions that led to massive losses of capital and confidence. Across the breadth of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, from the local to Episcopal District levels, we have heart-breaking stories of properties being lost and monies being misappropriated due to a culture that does not question leadership but simply follows.

“You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” (John 8:32 NRSV). These are the words of Jesus Christ, and we know that indeed there is freedom in truth. Yet, what happens when the truth is that the financial actions being taken are improper and unwise? We cannot talk about symptoms without attacking the larger issue in the AME Church culture of equating legitimate questions with obstructing leadership. We have confused respectful dissent with rebellious discord. To be sure, there are those who do not want to see progress and are more concerned with earthly power than Kingdom building. Yet, more often than not, the questions come from loyal clergy and laity who rightfully want to protect the assets of their congregation and Annual Conference for future generations instead of seeing them siphoned off for current gain.

As heirs of the Free African Society, the Connectional AME Church is imbued with a spirit of economic empowerment and community uplift. We are to be our brother’s and sister’s keeper. The culture of silence that reigns throughout our church must be repudiated. There is smoke in the room, and unless the fire is put out, everyone will suffocate. ❏ ❏ ❏

John Thomas III 21ST Editor of The Christian Recorder

...From The Truth p21 Christ should be moved to action. The church must take the lead as we see our neighbors pouring into the streets with lighted candles, searching for answers and not knowing where to look. The church must be at the forefront as we witness our communities forced to their knees by overwhelming circumstances, yet many do not know how to pray or to whom. Our country, our community, and many times even our homes are being attacked by those who despise our God, and still, on Sunday morning, many of our churches remain half-full as they were before COVID-19. Has the church of Jesus Christ lost its influence and impact on America? It is time for the church to rise and be the leaders God has called us to be. We must make clear our vision and realign our priorities. We are challenged to revive our hearts and remold our attitudes. It is time for the church to submit to God’s authority with unyielding faith. We must rekindle our flame and boldly stand in the face of lies threatening our relationship with God. We are challenged to trust in God’s Word, believe in God’s power, and surrender to God’s will.

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

closely at who is running for what offices around this country and in our own backyard. “We,” the people, must not lose control of the U.S. House of Representatives nor the U.S. Senate. The Senate hangs on “one” vote tied at 50/50 because of the two Independents that vote with the Democrats. We now know that what we saw with voter suppression laws in over 22 states was just the beginning. Roe v. Wade is the second step in the attack on Civil Rights following voter suppression. Next, we see references to changing such Constitutional rights as the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection and Due Process guarantees and provisions of the Civil Rights Act. We should not get overwhelmed by the magnitude of the attacks but rather understand and remember that our votes represent the solutions to preserve our rights. Using the legislative process, Congress can reverse and codify any decisions made by the United States Supreme Court. But we must have the votes in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Suppose we return to the idea of killing the “Filibuster Rule” in the Senate, making it no longer necessary to have 60 votes instead of 50 plus one, with the vice president as the tiebreaker. In that case, we could get about the business of governance. President Biden did not fight hard enough to break the filibuster, and he

...From Roe v. Wade p16 knows better than most, having spent 38 years in the U.S. Senate. Moreover, the Democrats in the Senate cannot be so afraid of losing control of the Senate in the next election that they allow McConnell, the Senate Minority leader, to continue to control the Senate because he controls the filibuster. “We,” the people, must follow the example of the people of the state of Georgia and realize that “All Black Votes Matter” and must be voted and counted if we are to survive the lynching and extermination a few have planned for so many of us. Where do you stand? ❏ ❏ ❏