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MARCH 2022
The Christian Recorder
THECHRISTIANRECORDER.COM
TRIBUTE TO BISHOP WILLIAM PHILLIPS DEVEAUX, SR. FROM THE JAMAICA CONFERENCE By Rev. Newton G.A. Dixon, 16th Episcopal District
Bishop William Phillips DeVeaux first visited the Jamaica Conference in 2000 for a familiarization and exploratory tour. Having arrived in Montego Bay, it required that the local delegation which had received him would then escort him to Kingston on a 3 ½ hour ride back to Kingston. What could have been a laborious and languid journey turned out to be an engaging and enjoyable trip of laughter, wit, and wisdom. Thus began the encounter between the 113th elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church and the members of the Jamaica Conference. Shortly thereafter, his effervescent and erudite partner in love and labour, Dr. Patricia (PAM) DeVeaux, joined him. Together they raised the engagement and effectiveness of the work of the Conference. Bishop DeVeaux was an unflappable human being who walked as the epitome of sweetness and grace and possessed a truly convivial spirit. He was decisive, firm, and focused but never crude or hostile. A paternal yet cordial relationship flourished between him and the members of the Conference. This relationship progressively unfolded into a multi-faceted experience of leadership, mentorship, and friendship. Administrative Aplomb Bishop DeVeaux led the Jamaica Conference with aplomb and ease. He was a peacemaker who encouraged and facilitated bridge-building and embodied a superintendency that empowered, encouraged, and affirmed clergy and laypersons. His adeptness with managing conflict, astuteness in guiding procedure, and acute physical and mental agility were hallmarks of his administration. He was not one to prolong debates but was incisive in his ability to pierce through the “husk” to discern the “kernel” of the many issues brought before him. His understanding of the often-troublesome nexus between human nature and divine imperatives was ...From Jesus (The Truth) p8 It hurts me so much when I see my colleagues at the hospital work so hard and risk their own lives and the lives of their families to save those who cared less about their own. In my many years in nursing and medicine, and even now as a medical ethics advisor at Henry Ford Hospital, I have seen firsthand the physical and emotional stress my colleagues have to go through. Sometimes they are not able to go home in fear of bringing the virus home to their children. Still, through all of this, they—we— continue to treat patients because we took a vow to “do no harm.” So why don’t you do likewise and do no harm as well by masking up, praying, and getting vaccinated!
unmistakably potent. Difficult issues would be dealt with and dispatched with an amicable resolution. Approach to Strategic Development Bishop DeVeaux’s contribution to the development of the Jamaica Conference through education was significant. He held the view that competent human capital was a strategic component of church growth. In this way, he encouraged and facilitated theological and secular education and training. Acute Mind The Jamaica Conference experienced the brilliance of Bishop DeVeaux, an attribute that was on full display during a television interview in 2001 with arguably the brightest religious journalist Jamaica has seen. The interview was epic! His command, understanding, and articulation of the issues were masterful. Thereafter the conference was blessed to see his brilliant mind at work up close and from a distance. He was truly gifted and was himself a gift and a treasure to the church. The Presiding Bishop, the Rt. Rev. Marvin C. Zanders II, Supervisor Zanders, the presiding elders, pastors, and the members of the Jamaica Conference mourn his passing but take joy and comfort in joining the members of the 16th Episcopal District and countless sisters and brothers across the Connection in thanksgiving and celebration of his life, work, and memory. We give thanks, in particular, for the many lives he indelibly and profoundly touched and transformed. “Walk gud,” Bishop DeVeaux. Rest in peace. ❏ ❏ ❏
And one more thing, let us do ourselves a favor and stop walking around saying things like “I am not taking the vaccine because I do not know what’s in it.” I can guarantee you that when you go to that major store, go to buy those cigarettes, or go to that liquor store to get that pint of something that you drink, you are not going to say to the clerk, “I really would like to buy that liquor, but I don’t know what’s in it!” Oh no, you will buy it, drink it, and keep on drinking it, and not worry about what kind of poison they have put in it. So let’s wake up and cut the mess out! Pray and ask God for wisdom. How long will this pandemic last? I do not know because more variants are coming. Maybe this
will continue until God sees that we have learned whatever God wants us to learn, and we repent and make a change in our lives (especially those who are Christians), for we are in the last days. Jesus, “The Truth”…is knocking at your door. Please let him in! Blessings to you. Be blessed, be safe, wear a mask, and please get the vaccines! Pastor and founder Deborah SmithSatterwhite serves New St. John AME Church Dearborn. She is the director of Evangelism for the Michigan Conference-North District, chaplain for the Dearborn Police Department, and medical ethics advisor for Henry Ford Hospital-Detroit in West. Bloomfield, Michigan.
BEING HUMAN IN THE TIME OF TRUMP By Rev. Roger A. Sawtelle, 1st Episcopal District
Life isn’t always fair, but God is just. Some people just will not take NO for an answer. The prime example is Satan, who was defeated by Jesus some two thousand years ago, but still keeps peddling his lying ways to anyone foolish enough to listen. For instance, God said NO to Russian imperialism more than 100 years ago, but Vladimir Putin is acting like a tsar. God said NO to racial inequality when enslaved people were freed, but racism seems as blatant as ever. God said NO to the Republicans when Trump lost the election, but they refuse to let go and let God. ...From Kokomo p9 ministry.
Pastor Mike received several pastoral assignments throughout his career, and now he is on loan from the AME Church to First Friends Meeting of Kokomo, Indiana. “Cathy has been everywhere with me, and thank God she was there,” Pastor Mike recalls. “Sometimes I might be ‘flunking.’ The sermon was going south, and I’d begin singing a song and give that microphone to Cathy, and the congregation would be walking out of church saying, ‘We had church today.’ But, I am sure somebody was wise enough to know that she bailed me out.“
God doesn’t like ugly. There is much too much ugly in today’s world because some people refuse to heed God’s NO. These lies are not only sad and ridiculous. They are dangerous to everyone. Life does not always seem fair when we must bear the burden of the lies of others, but we know that God is just. Our hope and faith are in Jesus Christ, not the foolishness of the rich and arrogant. ❏ ❏ ❏
Dr. Carson admits it was much more than just sermons, the “regal, sweet, and still, regular” Evangelist Sister Cathy was his solace and sidekick. “She bailed me out my whole life,” Pastor Mike proudly admits and is advising others to learn from him. “Your significant other, if she’s with you, you better let her bail you out,” he often preaches. “But my wife, my Queen Cathy, lives on. She was no joke.” The family held two services for Evangelist Catherine L. Carson, “A Special Celebration of Life
Service” on January 6, 2022, at First Friends Meeting of Kokomo, Indiana, and “A Celebratory Service” on January 7, 2022, at Wayman Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Kokomo, Indiana, where the Reverend William L. Gary is pastor. In his remarks, the Right Reverend John Franklin White, presiding prelate of the Fourth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, shared the following concerning Evangelist Carson: “We praise God for her commitment and loyalty!” ❏ ❏ ❏
