Living and Ministering Through Two Enemies

LIVING AND MINISTERING THROUGH TWO ENEMIES PAIN AND AGONY! BUILDING AN ENVIRONMENT OF TRUST

By Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr., Columnist

Our lives have been turned upside down by an invisible pandemic. We are also on voter alert regarding efforts to limit our ability to vote and exercise our Godgiven right. We think we have overcome, as we sing during African American celebrations, but we now understand that to be fully recognized as complete citizens is still a fight we must be engaged in. So how do we minister through these two enemies, one we can see and the other attacks without sight or warning?

First, to combat the invisible enemy of COVID-19 and its variants, we must all use common sense and look out for each other. The biblical mandate reminds us, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Mk. 12:31), which means being educated and vaccinated and wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. In addition, we must live exercising common sense. We should be careful in crowded spaces and be concerned with the physical greetings we share. “The life we save may be our own.” As our lives change, we must continue to be mindful of our mind, body, and spirit. I call this “The Triangle of Life.” We must engage our minds with positive thoughts and energy, our body must exercise, we must eat healthily, and God’s Word must nourish our spirit.

Secondly, our ancestors suffered and died for the right to vote and participate in the election process. One of the images I shall never forget is my 90-year-old father voting for what was to be his last time and our 18-year-old daughter voting for the first time. This image encouraged me to continue the fight for voter participation and registration. I encourage my students to register and participate in the voting process. The enemy of voter suppression is a serious threat to liberty and justice as we know it. We minister through this by “Cosmic-Companionship,” as Dr. King once stated. It is knowing the power of God and God’s companionship with us.

Lastly, we minister through these two enemies by waiting for God to direct us and to give us strength for the journey, remembering that “but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31).

The eagle does not fly but instead soars above the circumstances. Like eagles, we soar with the majesty of God. We find the wind currents of justice and righteousness, and we allow the currents to get beneath our wings of change for a better society for our children yet unborn. ❏ ❏ ❏

By Cynthia Gordon-Floyd, MPA, Columnist

BETHEL CATHEDRAL – INDIANAPOLIS LIVING OUR RESURRECTION STORY

It can be agonizing and painful to learn that the church is not using funds for its intended purpose. A breach of trust among God’s people is serious, and leaders must address it appropriately. Why is it so important to build a solid foundation of the church so that breaches of trust do not occur? Simply stated, if we have not built a solid foundation, we dishonor the Lord and his standard of holiness. We must rebuild and confront failure without compromise. We can learn and grow from failure, but we should never try to build on failure. Failure makes a great teacher, but it is a rotten foundation.

First, we must face the reality of our situation. Are we being proactive to avoid failure? We do not want to offend, so we often give without ever knowing how much the church raised or if the church used the funds for the given purpose. We remain quiet, and we think it is unloving to question our leaders. Yet, there is a respectful way to ask questions. Transparency should be the standard for God’s people. All should have access to accurate, timely, and consistent financial reporting.

We cannot continue the same processes and expect a different outcome. We should not be ignorant about how money is used and reported at the connectional, district, conference, and local church levels. We should not assume that proper stewardship will occur without accountability. If we accept the lack of accountability in many areas of ministry, we will continue on this path.

Here are a few steps we can take to build a stronger foundation in our Zion: (1) Ensure that those charged with fiduciary responsibility for monies, governance, and financial reporting have the qualifications necessary to be given the responsibility of their position. Our Doctrine andDiscipline should be rewritten for all components to revamp our position qualifications. (2) Develop and implement proper internal control mechanisms in every aspect of our ministry so that an individual does not have control of receipt, custody, and disbursement of funds. (3) Create internal audit and quality control committees at all levels of the Connection consisting of independent, qualified African Methodist Episcopal Church members to monitor compliance with our stated policies and procedures for all levels of responsibility. (4) Use external fiduciaries with the needed expertise to assist with management reporting, oversight, and maintenance and who will be responsible for routinely reporting to all stakeholders.

By L. Kay Kirby, 4th Episcopal District

Bethel Cathedral African Methodist Episcopal Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, under the pastoral leadership of the Rev. Dr. Carlos Wesley Perkins and first lady, the Rev. Carla S. Perkins, celebrated 185 years of service to God and the Indianapolis community during three days of worship, fellowship, and revival on December 10-12, 2021, and January 15, 2022, at the former historic site at 414 West Vermont Street. This historic celebration helped complete the circle of returning to the former Bethel site, which the church occupied for more than 169 years. Since selling the landmark site to SUN Developments in 2016, Bethel Cathedral has relocated to the northwestern region of Indianapolis in Pike Township, where a new 13-acre campus includes a new worship center, an early childhood development center, and a community resource center. The historic site at 414 West Vermont Street is now the home of Hilton’s newly constructed Hampton Inn and Homewood Suites. In purchasing the former Bethel property, it was required for the developers to adhere to Bethel’s confirmed listing on the National Historic Registry and the Indiana State Historic Registry. By incorporating much of the original structure, décor, and history of the 185-year-old edifice, the joint hotel venture secured the facility’s future, repurposing the building while cementing its historicity for visitors to learn from and enjoy during their stay. Under the theme, “Enduring Faith in Faithless Times,” the 185th Anniversary commenced on Friday, December 10, 2021, with a cultural kickoff at Bethel Church, 6417 Zionsville Road. The evening was a gathering of descendants whose ancestors had migrated from Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio, the Carolinas, Virginia, and other eastern states to settle in Indiana. We gathered honoring ancestors from the Motherland and the Caribbean whom slave traders brought shackled to a strange place that our ancestors would later call home. The evening was a remembrance of the founding of their 1836 Dwelling Place. The evening’s celebration: “Tulikotoka: From Whence We Came,” focused on our African Methodism across the diaspora through the spoken word, music, history reviews, drumming, cultural dance, delicious dining, and beautiful table displays. Brother Derrick Slack, an educator from the Metropolitan School District of Pike Township School District, ministered culturally relevant spoken word. The congregation viewed “The Spirit of African Methodism,” a documentary produced

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.

re c S n H fo fo c R R o 1 se th fo th ...continued on p19

...From Bethel p18 by the AME Church. Sister AshLee Baskin, a performing artist, presented a multi-sensory, multimedia celebration of blackness triumphs, setbacks, perseverance, and resilience experienced by people of and community guests included: Bishop John Franklin White, presiding prelate of the 4th Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; presiding elder, the Rev. Leonora G. Williams, North District, Indiana Conference; the Rev. Henry Peterson, Sr., pastor, Warmack Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; the Rev. Charles Gaines, pastor, Legacy of J Jesus Christ Church; the Rev. John Russell, pastor, University United Methodist Church; Ms. Annette Johnson, trustee, Pike Township; Ms. Catherine B. J Woodard, president of Indiana Conference Lay Organization; Mr. Bharat Patel, President and chief executive officer of SUN Development & Management Corporation, and Ms. Dellyn Williams, Indiana Conference choir director.

The full-circle experience of this gala held at the historic Bethel sanctuary solidified the congregation’s resolve to honor its roots. The occasion would not seem like a big deal unless one knew the history, but for those who grew up in God’s house, Bethel, the experience was tremendously significant. The Rev. Louis S. Parham and Bethel’s Board of Trustees sold this original church property in 2016 to Mr. Bharat Patel, who agreed to maintain the integrity of the historic church building’s physical structure. All attendees were able to see the renovation and restructuring of the former sanctuary, fellowship hall, and office space.

During the event, the Rev. Dr. Perkins led the dedication of the Rev. Louis Sidney Parham Room, which was the original balcony level of the sanctuary but now serves as a banquet and conferencing space. The Rev. Parham pastored Bethel Cathedral from 2014 to 2018. The hotel’s two main ballrooms are named in recognition of the work and contributions of Bishop Richard Allen and Bishop William Paul Quinn. The History Frame is affixed to the wall outside the Parham Room and dedicated to the memory of church historian Frances Connecticut Stout who served from 1944 to 2004. The original stained glass windows of the church have been restored and installed in their rightful place. The gala’s evening entertainment included music by Sound Table Productions and Church b Comedy from Mr. Robert Day. In addition, C Indianapolis native Minister Keisha D. In Ballinger shared her call to minister to B God’s people through praises, song, and G the spoken word. Although the landmark th site is now a hotel complex and displays s some of Bethel’s legacy, Bethel Cathedral so AME Church continues to thrive at its A present location, 6417 Zionsville Road. p Under the dynamic leadership of the Rev. U

color in the United States. The buffet included African, l i h Ui dS Th bff i lddAfi Caribbean, and “Down Home” cuisine. The evening’s activities closed with a liturgical dance from Jesus’ Anointed Messengers (JAM), Miss Jemila C. Perkins, and Brother Angel Madlock, a dance duo.

On Sunday, December 12, 2021, the congregation came together virtually and in-person to celebrate God’s continued faithfulness. High praise and worship, reflecting African Methodism’s rich history and legacy, filled the sanctuary and the virtual space. The 59th elected and consecrated bishop and the first female bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton, served as the guest speaker. Her partner in ministry and marriage, Presiding Elder Dr. Lawrence Jefferson-Snorton, was also in attendance. Bishop Jefferson-Snorton preached from the anniversary theme, “Enduring Faith in Faithless Times,” from Hebrews 12:2, encouraging the congregation to keep our eyes on God. She reminded us that while the times are uncertain, our faith has always been certain in God.

On Saturday, January 15, 2022, the Bethel Cathedral AME Church greeted family, friends, and neighbors to the Black Tie Anniversary Reception and Gala at the former site of Bethel (414 W. Vermont St.). Ecumenical i ffi fSUND l &M

Dr. Perkins and the ministerial staff in its fourth year, D P k dh l ff f h the congregation has embraced the significant legacy of Bethel AME Church, with great expectations, and in the spirit of elevation, rejoices in what is yet to come.

Carole Ervin-Brown, steward pro-tem, and Olivia J. McGee-Lockhart, keeper of Bethel History, contributed to this article.

BE PREPARED—KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

By Robert Barton, Scout Master Troop 487 and 3347

In preparation for the January District Winter Camporee, we held our usual Troop 487 Camping Planning Meeting at Lions Camp Merrick, in Nanjemoy, Maryland, about 30 miles from our home church, Ebenezer African Methodist Episcopal Church, Ft. Washington, Maryland.

Leaders met before Christmas and planned for the Camporee. I had a roster with all scouts and leaders’ names, addresses, phone numbers, medical records, and permission slips. We reviewed the scout’s planned activities and our camping, cooking, communication, and weather requirements. The weather forecast did not call for snow.

We had 25 scouts and three scout masters, all planning to spend Friday and Saturday nights. Our caravan arrived at the damp around 7 p.m. on Friday. Two AST SMs, Rogers and Johnson, drove 2 of the church’s 12 passenger vans, loaded with scouts and camping gear. The driver dropped off the scouts and gear at the camp, and the vans returned to the church for use on Saturday.

We scheduled the vans to pick up the scouts on Sunday. One parent dropped off two scouts whom he expected to recover on Sunday. ASM Lane and I had driven our SUVs with five scouts and gear. Brother Lane and I had the only Troop 487 vehicles available to us in Camp.

Around 10 a.m. Saturday, it began to snow. I called Brother Rogers and informed him that the camp might shut down. He informed me that there was no snow in the Washington area, but he would recover the keys to the vans before the church shut down at 2 p.m. At 3 p.m., the camp director called for a leaders’ meeting, and we decided to shut down the camp. Snow continued to fall heavily. The weather forecast had changed to an expected five to six-inch accumulation at the camp and one to two inches in the Washington area. The main concern was vehicles departing the camp’s dirt road in six inches of snow.

I called him back after the 3 p.m. meeting and requested the vans. He and ASM Johnson picked up the vans and headed to the camp. When the vans arrived at camp, we loaded, policed the camp area, prayed, and headed home. We were the last group to leave the camp. Coming up Indian Head Highway in Charles County, Maryland, about 20 minutes from Ebenezer AME Church, we called every parent on the roster but could only reach two. Traces of snow began falling as we approached Ft. Washington and fell more heavily as we arrived at the scout shed at the church.

Upon arrival, the vans were quickly unloaded, cleaned, and returned to their parking place, and the troop circled up, conducted a reflection, thanked God for the safe and wonderful experience, said a departing prayer, and headed home.

The reflection revealed that this was a great learning experience for our scouts and the adults. In addition, it shed great light on the scout motto, “Be Prepared.”

Bob Barton

Scout Master

To learn how to start a Girl Scout or Boy Scout unit at your church, please contact Vivianne Frye-Perry at vfrye-perry@amescouts.org for Girl Scouts or contact Clarence Crayton at ccrayton@amescouts.org for Boy Scouts.

Go to the AME Christian Education Dept. website, www.ameced.com. Also, please visit us on Facebook at AAMES Scouting Connection. ❏ ❏ ❏

REPORT FROM THE JANUARY 2021 GENERAL BOARD

By TCR Staff

On January 31, 2022 the General Board reconvened virtually to complete the work outlined in resolutions presented in the December General Board meeting. Under the leadership of Bishop Paul Kawimbe (president of the General Board) and Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield (president of the Council of Bishops and host), the various departments, agencies, and Episcopal districts of the AME Church gathered to hear and share updated reports from the Nominating Committee and the Department of Retirement Services respectively.

The meeting was called to order at 11:00 a.m. by Bishop Kawimbe and devotions were led by Bishop Wicker and members of the 8th Episcopal District. The opening scripture was read by the Rev. Moses Sims and the opening invocation was shared by the Rev. Dr. Regina Stovall Robinson. Shortly thereafter, the body was encouraged by the remarks of Senior Bishop Adam J. Richardson and Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield reminding us of their collective commitment to repairing, restoring, and reviving that which may have been lost.

As requested and promised in the December meeting, the Nominating Committee reported their work in ensuring a balanced membership representation based on gender and other identity markers relating to equitable representation of the body. The Rev. J. Edgar Boyd stated that while the committee did its best, they were faced with the challenge of having a limited number of female clergy on the General Board. The Rev. Boyd asked that the committee be granted until June of 2022 to establish a more balanced makeup within the Commission on Statistics and Finance and the Board of Financial Management. The committee was commended for their excellence in the ongoing efforts toward equity within the committees and the report was distributed for review before being approved by vote.

The final 3.5 hours of the gathering were dedicated to the Commission on Retirement Services and addressing concerns related to the distribution of funds to retirees and contributors to the retirement plan. Dr. James F. Miller, executive director of Retirement Services, introduced the Rev. Dr. Matthew Watley who made the report on behalf of the commission. Dr. Watley stated that there are 3 recommendations to distribute funds and they are as follows: Recommendation 1: The General Board approves the valuation of 30% and allows the unfreezing of the funds to move forward with needs of distribution of funds as needed. Recommendation 2: New Life Plan-The Department of Retirement Services and its commission will identify, engage, and establish a new annuity program with one of the ten top 403(b) provider companies that will provide for direct payments from churches and management of his/her investment account by June 8, 2022. Recommendation 3: The African Methodist Episcopal Church will assume responsibility for restoration up to the amount of $45,000,000 to the Legacy Plan which includes the interest on the unpaid balance to accrue to the Legacy Plan at 1.5% per annum.

Proposals to secure the $45,000,000 are as follows: 1. The General Board would incur a $3.5 million budget cut every year for the next 13 years. 2. The church would sell properties up to the amount required. 3. The church would take out a $45,000,000 loan to fund the losses.

The body agreed to an amended promissory note of $45,000,000 and the commission will meet again prior to the next General Board meeting to take place within 30 days. The Department of Retirement Services will be the order of the day. The meeting was adjourned and the body will reconvene to complete the work outlined in the resolutions and recommendations presented on January 31, 2022, in February. ❏ ❏ ❏