March 2024 Edition of The Christian Recorder

A Sensational “Shaw” Pastoral Welcome At First AME Church, Los Angeles

On the 1 st Sunday, January 7 th of the new year 2024, something special happened at the 150 year old and oldest black congregation in the city of Los Angeles, First AME Church. The pews were filled and exuded a sense of excitement for the new season that was happening to its’ congregation. Officers and members of First AME Church Los Angeles had formalized this day with a warm and wonderful welcome for their new pastoral family: Senior pastor, the Rev. Robert R. Shaw II, executive pastor, the Rev. Ann Champion Shaw, and their children Raven and Robert III.

The PASTORAL WELCOME began during the Morning Worship Celebration where various dignitaries came by to visit and offer greetings. These ...continued on p2

AME Church Member Makes History as Revenue Commissioner for Russell County, Alabama

Rev. Alvelyn Sanders-Swafford, 9 th Episcopal District

On February 1, 2024, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey appointed Mrs. Natalie Thomas Kirkland as the revenue commissioner for Russell County, Alabama, making Kirkland the first African American to serve. She was appointed to fulfill the unexpired term of the outgoing revenue commissioner, Mrs. Naomi Elliott, who retired. When Mrs. Kirkland seeks election to the position in 2026 and is elected, she will make history again as the first African American elected. Kirkland joined the staff of the revenue commissioner’s office in 2003; she was promoted to chief clerk in 2014. With 20 years of experience and knowledge of the Code of Alabama, she begins her appointment fully equipped to lead with the necessary acumen and proven integrity. “I welcome this new opportunity to continue my service to the Russell

Now Is the Time for a Sankofa Moment

Rev. Terrence Thomas, 4th Episcopal District

The scene in January at Mother Emanuel during President Biden’s visit was equal parts heartbreaking, disappointing, and infuriating. It was heartbreaking when you consider that the response to peaceful protesting over Israel’s genocide against the Palestinians, in a place that has been repeatedly the victim of numerous hate crimes and acts of genocide throughout its own illustrious history (most recently in 2015),

Forty Foods for Longevity That Increase Physical and Spiritual Well-Being: Part II

Dr. Betty Holley, Contributing Writer

Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, just as it is well with your soul. 3 John 2

6. Rosemary

The carnosic acid found in this spice has been shown to reduce stroke risk in mice by 40 ...continued on p3

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FAME officers L-R: Charlene Cyrus, Marye Barnett, Pastor Rob, Rev. Ann, Jacqueline White-Brown, Dorothy Mallery, McKenzie Neely Wright, Wanda Kwomo.

Pastor Robert and the Rev. Ann Champion Shaw-FAME pastoral welcome reception smiles.

MARCH 2024

dignitaries included the Honorable Karen Bass, mayor of Los Angeles and legendary Congresswoman Maxine Waters (U.S. Representative D-CA, 43 rd district) whom the Rev. Shaw in presenting her fondly referred to her as “Auntie Maxine.” In her response, Congresswoman “Auntie” Maxine Waters said “Giving honor to God on this very special day, I would first like to tell our new pastor, Pastor Rob Shaw, I came here today as your Auntie to welcome you as all the other members of First AME.” The congregation responded with rousing applause and hearty “AMENS!” Congresswoman Waters went on to speak highly of First AME Church and its noted importance. “This is a place that we come to in time of peril and

when we are recognizing and congratulating, and enjoying. The community gathers here no matter what church they belong to so this is a community church .” Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell who authored and passed the CROWN Act, the first state law to ban discrimination in the workplace and public and charter schools based on hair texture and protective styles was also present in worship along with Greater Los Angeles Chief of Airport Police Cecil W. Rhambo. Presiding Elder Allen L. Williams, and Dr. Marcheta Williams of the Los Angeles North District

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Pastor Rob, Robert III, the Rev. Ann and Mr. Jamal Adams, R3s principal and 1 st black principal, Loyola HS in Los Angeles.

Councilwoman and FAME U.S. Member Heather Hutt of LA District 10 presenting honors.

P.E. Allen and Dr. Marcheta Williams, Pastor Rob, and the Rev. Ann Shaw.

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (U.S. Rep. D-CA, 43 rd) district giving an honor at reception.

Shaw Welcome Reception Card.

d’oeuvres, sweet fellowship, and uplifting music, good times were had by all. The future looks bright for this pastoral and congregational marriage as we continue to “lift our eyes to the hills — where does our help come from? Our help comes from the Lord, maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2 ❏ ❏ ❏

Smiles with Dr. Marcheta Williams, Pastor Rob, the Rev. Ann, Airport Police Chief Cecil Rhambo, P. E. Allen L. Williams, LA North District.

Pastoral smiles with LA Supervisor Holly Mitchell, author of the CROWN Act legislative bill.

along with other religious leaders including persons from the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles. Fondly known as “Pastor Rob,” the Rev. Robert R. Shaw II was appointed as the 29th pastor of First AME Church, Los Angeles by Bishop Clement W. Fugh, presiding prelate of the 5 th Episcopal District, and has ushered in a new vision for the church which is popularly known as “FAME.” On his first Sunday as senior pastor, Nov. 5, 2023, Pastor Rob said, “Everyone has their claim to fame… fame is short for famous and guess what I’m looking to be fame us but not in the way you’re thinking— famous but FAME US. We are ALL included in that FAME US!” The magnificent members of FAME Church immediately gravitated to this “FAME US” vision and during the welcome reception highlighted its emphasis with beautiful décor. With loving words, scrumptious hor

The Honorable Karen Bass, mayor of Los Angeles giving words during Morning Worship.

County, Alabama community. I will always embody honesty and integrity as I serve,” says Kirkland. Russell County, with a population of approximately 52,000, is in the south-central-eastern portion of Alabama, bordered by the Chattahoochee River and the state of Georgia on the east boundary. Phenix City, Alabama is the county seat. Russell County includes Ft. Mitchell and a part of Ft. Moore.

Mrs. Natalie Thomas Kirkland, her husband, Mr. Johnathon Kirkland, and their teenage daughter Jasmine are lifelong, active members of Gaines Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Phenix City, Alabama, in the Phenix city district of the Northeast Alabama Annual Conference in the Ninth Episcopal District. Mrs. Kirkland serves Gaines Chapel in many capacities, notably by sharing her artistic creativity and innovation with the Young People’s and Children’s Division (YPD). The Reverend Raymond Swafford and the Reverend Alvelyn Sanders-Swafford are co-pastors of Gaines Chapel AME Church. Presiding Elder Johnny Rutledge leads the Phenix City District; Bishop Harry L. Seawright leads the Ninth Episcopal District. ❏ ❏ ❏

was to silence it. It was disappointing to watch black people, who are all too familiar with acts of violence to maintain white supremacy, cheer on President Biden, despite his is complicity in engaging and endorsing a genocide that has claimed the lives of more than 30,000 Palestinians, many of them women and children, and has displaced millions more. It was infuriating to then watch President Biden hypocritically speak out against white supremacy, in Mother Emanuel no less, while he sits in support of Israel’s genocide towards Palestine, which itself is an act of white supremacy.

Even though our subsequent statement from the Council of Bishops called for a cessation of funding to the Israeli state, I still am troubled by the president’s visit to Mother Emanuel. Considering that we as African Methodists often highlight that we are a denomination rooted in Jesus and justice, perhaps it is now time that we pause and ask ourselves if it is possible to reconcile our proclamations of faith and liberation with silencing dissent as not to offend a sitting president actively pursuing a policy of violence towards other people of color. If those events of Jan. 9th,

2024, are any indication, it would seem to we may have become double minded on these matters.

In James 1:7 we are reminded that double minded people (entities) are unstable in all their ways and should expect nothing from God. Have we become double minded? Is that why we are struggling with growing, attracting, and keeping members under 50 particularly when you consider faith and justice matters to this demographic? Now is a good time for us to engage in a Sankofa moment to answer these questions and see if our words and deeds line up.

In 1811, the Rev. Jerena Lee would challenge the leadership in the AME Church for the right to preach the Gospel as a woman. This battle would continue for the remainder of her life. Though she would not see ordination in her lifetime, the Rev. Lee’s testimony is a reminder that we must confront injustice even within the denomination.

In June of 1822, Denmark Vesey, a free man, and member of Emanuel

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African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, SC, attempted to incite an insurrection to free the enslaved Africans within the city. Though unsuccessful, Vesey’s attempt is a reminder one’s faith should be the impetus for challenging systems of oppression.

In 1895, while speaking at the first meeting of the National Baptist Convention, Bishop Henry McNeal Turner boldly and proudly declared to all in attendance that “God is a Negro.” By making this proclamation, Bishop Turner was inviting black people to not only see God in themselves (ourselves) but reminding them (us) that the work of justice is tied to the presence of God.

In 1969, the Rev. Dr. James H. Cone, an itinerant elder with the AME Church, introduced to the world the concept of Black Liberation Theology. By doing this, Dr. Cone reminds us that God is on the side of the oppressed and fights with us in our universal quest for freedom and justice.

In April 1967 (exactly one year prior to his death) the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., head of SCLC and the most prominent voice in the civil rights movement, broke with the Johnson administration and spoke out

percent, according to a study published in the Journal of Neurochemistry Carnosic acid appears to set off a process that shields brain cells from free-radical damage, which can worsen the effects of a stroke. It can also protect against degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and the general effects of aging.

7. Wild Salmon

A 4-ounce serving of salmon has approximately 2,000 milligrams of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), omega-3 fatty acids that serve as oil for the brain’s hardware by helping nerve cells communicate with one another. Thirty-five percent of your brain consists of fatty acids like these, but they can decline as the years stack up. For instance, a 2008 University of Cincinnati study found that the brain tissue of 65- to 80-year-olds contained 22 percent less DHA than the brain tissue of 29to 35-year-olds. “If you want to keep your wits about you as you age, start consuming omega3s now,” says William Harris, Ph.D., a nutrition researcher at the University of South Dakota.

against Vietnam. Dr. King’s actions articulated the immoral nature of the war and how it drained vital resources from the poor and working poor of this nation. Understanding the consequence of this stance, King’s faith still led him to take this position as he understood that justice movements were intersectional.

When we put these historical lessons together, we have a clear message that is put before us: Our faith requires us to not only speak out against injustice in the world, but also challenge those in leadership to do what is morally right even if it offends tradition, the status quo, or personal relationships. But more to the point, these moments reveal to us that need to own that we have been double minded on justice issues and why we as a Zion have been unstable. If we are to survive into the 21 st Century, we must stop the shift that took us from talking about God of the oppressed to operating as chaplains to the empire. It would have been inspiring and a beautiful thing to see our Zion imitate Dr. King by challenging President Biden on evil being done to Palestine the way Dr. King challenged President Johnson, armed with the knowledge that God is on our side and stands with us as we stand with other oppressed communities here and abroad. ❏ ❏ ❏

Why is wild so important? Because farmed fish, which are fattened with soy, can be as high in inflammatory omega-6 fats as a cheeseburger. If in doubt, opt for sockeye salmon, which can’t be farmed and is always wild. Aim for at least two servings a week, says dietitian Joan Salge Blake, author of Nutrition and You .

8. Blueberries

This potent little fruit can help prevent a range of diseases, from cancer to heart disease. Think of blueberries as anti-rust for your gray matter, too. Besides being rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, they’re also packed with antioxidants— only açai, an Amazonian berry, contains more—that neutralize the free radicals that cause neuronal misfires. Eat a cup daily, and opt for wild blueberries whenever possible, as they contain 26 percent more antioxidants than cultivated varieties.

9. Green Tea

Green tea releases catechin, an antioxidant with proven anti-inflammatory and anticancer

properties. Research found that drinking 2 to 6 cups a day not only helps prevent skin cancer but might also reverse the effects of sun damage by neutralizing the changes that appear in sunexposed skin. Other studies show that green tea—infused with another antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)—can boost your cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of most types of cancer.

10. Dark Chocolate

Flavonoids, a natural nutrient in cocoa, improve blood flow in the brain, which helps boost cognitive function. Plus, dark chocolate contains tannin called procyanidin, also found in red wine, which can keep your arteries flexible and your blood pressure low. It helps on the outside, too. In a study from the Journal of Nutrition , women who drank cocoa fortified with a chocolate bar’s worth of flavonols had better skin texture and stronger resistance to UV rays than those who drank significantly fewer flavonols. Indulge in one ounce a day to get all the benefits.

More foods to come. ❏ ❏ ❏

To Which “Black America” Is the Church Ministering?

Rev. Jason D. Thompson, Ph.D.

In 1976, U.S. President Gerald Ford declared the week-long celebration of “Negro History Week” as Black History Month in homage to Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (Scott, n.d.). This expansion was made to honor the all-too-frequently overlooked achievements of black Americans throughout our nation’s history in every field of endeavor. Nearly 50 years later, c ongregations continue to spend the month of February highlighting the more than 400-year-long history of black life in the U.S. while simultaneously com mitting to fight against systemic issues that greatly affect black and brown people. As we reflect on the hopeful takeaways we might extract from Black History Month, we must ask ourselves, “What do we need to do differently?”

In the book Disintegration: The Splintering of Black America (2010), Eugene Robinson, a Pulitzer-Prize-winning columnist, writes a searing comment in the first chapter, titled “‘Black America’ Doesn’t Live Here Anymore.” Instead of one black America, Robinson argues that now there are four:

❒ a Mainstream middle-class majority with a full ownership stake in American society;

❒ a large, Abandoned minority with less hope of escaping poverty and dysfunction than at any time since Reconstruction’s crushi ng end;

❒ a small Transcendent elite with such enormous wealth, power, and influence that even white folks have to genuflect; (and),

❒ two newly Emergent groups—individuals of mixed-race heritage and communities of recent black immigrants—that make us wonder w hat “black” is even supposed to mean.

When Was the Last Time You Blessed Someone?

Dr. Michael C. Carson, Columnist

The Bing Dictionary defines History as: “What has happened: the past events of a period in time or the life or development of a people, an institution, or a place. A study of past events: the branch of knowledge that records and analyzes past events. A record of events: a chronological account of past events of a period or in the life or development of a people, an institution, or a place.”

Isaiah encourages us to “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like me” (Isaiah 46:9).

I want to share a brief story from the life of an African American that Life Magazine , in their April 6, 1963 issue, named one of the great preachers of the time. It is a wonderful and inspiring story about Howard Washington Thurman at a train station.

Thurman was born November 18, 1899, in Daytona Beach, Florida, and died April 10, 1981, in San Francisco, California. He was an American author, pastor, philosopher, theologian, mystic, educator, civil rights leader, and prominent religious figure who played a leading role in many social justice movements and organizations of the 20 th century. The Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other black and white leaders of the modern civil rights movement greatly influenced Thurman.

The PBS This Far by Faith publication shares, “Thurman was raised in segregated Daytona Beach, Florida. Schools there went only to the seventh grade, so Thurman’s family scraped together the money to send him to high school in Jacksonville. However, at the train station, Thurman was told that he had to pay extra to send his baggage. Buying the ticket had left him destitute; he had no more to ship his trunk. Penniless, the boy sat down on the steps and began to cry. Then, a stranger - a black man dressed in overalls- walked by and paid the charges. The man did not introduce himself, and Thurman never learned his name.”

Thurman dedicated his autobiography “to the stranger in the railroad station in Daytona Beach who restored my broken dream sixty-five years ago.”

What will you do with your days? How will you bless others by becoming part of their history?

When someone writes or recites their autobiography, will you somehow be on their mind and lips because you blessed them in some very major way?

Evangelist Cathy shares, “Beloved, you really have a great opportunity to be a positive ‘landmark’ a part of history, be it for an American Indian or Alaska native, Asian, black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, white, or any other race and ethnicity simply because you simply cared for them!”

Situations in life became better because you somehow served as “a stranger in the railroad station” of another person’s life!

I’m just saying!

You will hit a home run, get on base, or strike out on any given day. The only requirement is that you practice and come up to the plate every day and swing!

Dr. Carson can be contacted at refreshingcoach@gmail.com. This article first appeared at https://www.kokomotribune.com/ opinion/columns/michael-c-carson-become-a-blessing-in-otherpeoples-lives-by-serving-them/article_fc310f64-c774-11ee-a893bf4180c83861.html.

Churches Beware of Your Cash Balances and Banking Relationships!

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

Many of you may be aware of the recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank. It was number 14 on the list of the 15 largest banks in the U.S. Shockingly, they boasted an A rating one day and became insolvent a day later.

The COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on us but also caused irrefutable damage to the commercial real estate industry. Remote work has become our society’s mainstay, with many working remotely full-time or in a hybrid environment. This reality has significantly reduced the demand for office space, resulting in many commercial landlords needing help making mortgage payments, and valuations have fallen as well.

Mike Batts, CPA with Batts Morrison Wales & Lee, a nonprofit accounting firm I follow closely, advises nonprofits to watch their cash deposits in this volatile environment diligently. Silicon Valley Bank was the 14 th largest bank in the U.S.! It was the second-largest bank failure in U.S. history.

Why the alarm? Many banks invest heavily in commercial real estate, a steady and reliable investment for many years. Unfortunately, this shift has significantly harmed many banks and has raised the risk of their loan portfolios. We are at a higher risk of bank failures; consequently, monitoring your bank’s ratings is not enough; please be aware of the following and act:

(1) Avoid keeping more than $250,000 in any one bank! I cannot tell you how many churches I have served that have a lot of money earning zero interest in a checking account. The FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) insurance only covers $250,000 per depositor, not per account. This means the government will only ensure that much, and you will lose the rest if your bank fails!

Buy CDs at 4%+ interest and earn interest on those balances that are sitting idle. This market is a rare opportunity to make money with minimal risk.

(2) Check the ratings of your banks in the Wall Street Journal or Bauer Financial routinely. Ask your bank about their holdings; specifically, ask what percentage are commercial real estate or high-risk industries and markets. Pay attention to any local news about your bank.

(3) This is not to say that regional and local banks are safe or unsafe. Many of them are conservative, and if you are in a small town, your commercial real estate market may be more stable than in many large cities. Knowledge is power. Investigate and pay attention. Please.

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

Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done

Rev. Renita Green, Columnist

Under the leadership of Presiding Elder Aimee Anderson, the Columbia-Xenia-Springfield District of the Ohio South Ohio Conference, a dynamic Founder’s Day forum about the vision of the church was led by Payne Theological Seminary’s president, the Reverend Dr. Michael Joseph Brown. He asked, “What’s missing? What’s needed? Where are we? Where are we headed? Where should we be headed?”

My recent studies help me to understand better some of the strengths and struggles we experience. Matthew 16:18 tells us that Jesus declared, “On this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.” The term “church” in this text is the same word for /ecclesia/—a “called out body” that resists oppression, alleviates the suffering caused by the oppressor, and empowers the people. Jesus taught this as being the kingdom of God—on earth as it is in heaven. The gates of hell will not prevail against this kingdom.

Early church leaders organized the mechanism of the church with Constantine in the structure of and for the benefit of the Roman Empire—the church never became the Ecclesia.

In contrast, the Free African Society was formed as a collaboration of believers whose sense of being a Christian was about resisting oppression, alleviating suffering, and empowering people—they were the contemporary Ecclesia.

They banded together to strengthen the /imago dei/ within those who were targeted by the Euro-centric spirit of dehumanization. They created access to a thriving life through education, economic advancement, provisions, and spirituality. They brought the kingdom of God to earth as it is in heaven. The African Methodist Episcopal Church was born from this foundation, commissioning this spirit of /ecclesia/ to be carried out at every level of the Connection and in every local church.

It is relevant to ask questions about why people are leaving the church, why pastors are resigning, and why the faithful are showing up but not serving. As Dr. Brown said, “We all know the problems, but what is the vision?”

Founder’s Day season is the opportune time to remember our why—why do we exist? Why did God need us then, and why does God need us now? This season is an opportune time to realign our practices with our purpose. Unfortunately, sometimes, the memory of our why is overshadowed by the grief of our losses and our struggle for survival.

I once heard someone lament, “Everything is declining but the budget.” Our focus on the system shifts our work from building the ecclesia to sustaining the empire. While it may seem counterintuitive to do more with less, this is exactly what we must do. The late Bishop Vinton

Anderson said that God is not looking for our “successfulness, but rather, our faithfulness.”

Often, church members are told to let go of the past—and move forward. However, there is some good stuff in the past that we sometimes need to go get so that we can move forward—our past can inform our vision. Who we were by design is who we are now. Our methods must change for this new season, but our mission is the same: To minister to the spiritual, social, and physical needs of God’s people.

We need not lament our struggles as if we are people without a strategy. We are the ecclesia! We know how to “minister to the spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional, and environmental needs by spreading Christ’s liberating Gospel through word and deed.” We can resist the empire, alleviate suffering, and empower people. We are AME!

Our mission lifts Jesus. Jesus said that if he is lifted, he will draw. Thirty years ago, the mission drew me and still compels me to this day. In this season of Founder’s Day celebrations, may we all remember our collective why—and may our why compel us to discover our how.

Happy Founder’s Day, family. Let’s go build the kingdom! ❏ ❏ ❏

Demography, geography, and psychology separate these four black Americas in increasingly distinct ways. They have different profiles, different mindsets, and different hopes, fears, and dreams. There are times and places where we all still come back together—on the increasingly rare occasions when we feel lumped together, defined, and threatened solely based on skin color, usually involving some high-profile instance of bald-faced discrimination or injustice, and in venues like “urban” or black-oriented radio, which serves as a kind of speed-of-light grape vine. More and more, however, we lead separate lives. And where these distinct “nations” rub against one another, there are sparks.

Robinson’s observation struck a deep chord with me because it made me wonder which of these “black Americas” the church—the AME Church in general and individual congregations in particular—is ministering to. Which “black America” comes to our churches and shares and participates in our ministry? What we do here each week or at our gatherings impacts which “black America”? To which “black America” are we relevant or matter—or are we largely ignored as a once viable but now anachronistic institution, useful only for people who have been, as one colleague put it, hatched (born), matched (married), or dispatched (died)?

To get the right answer, you need to ask the right question. There may, in fact, appear to be more questions than answers. In any event, if we are to minister to the wide spectrum of members in our church and communities, we need to carefully consider the purposes and objectives of our ministry and the individuals it serves. We do not always agree on the aims of church ministry or how we should act as a church, but I agree with Amanda Williams, a professional architect and artist from Chicago, that our values show up in the things we choose to care for, maintain, and focu s on.

References

Robinson, E. (2010). Disintegration: The Splintering of Black America . Anchor Press.

Williams, A. (2017). The color)ed theory suite [Exhibition]. Museum of Contemporary Art, Chicago, IL. Scott, D. M. (n.d.). The Origins of Black History Month. Association for the Study of African American Life and History. https://asalh.org/about-us/ about-black-history-month/.

The Rev. Jason D. Thompson, Ph.D., is the pastor of Sacramento’s Historic St. Andrews AME Church, the Pacific Coast’s oldest African American congregation. Additionally, he is the Ducree-Turner Scholar in Candler’s School of Theology at Emory University. ...From To Which p5

Lima Church Shows AME’s Impact on Education

David Trinko, Lima News (February 10, 2024)

A Black History Month display, “We Are AME,” is set up at St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church, 1103 W. Spring St., Lima, Ohio. It is open to the public each Sunday in February following its 10 a.m. services. The exhibit includes T-shirts, hats, and information sheets about various Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including Edward Waters University in Jacksonville, Florida.

Corine Brown does not want to belittle the education a young black person could get at any university. “You could just learn more about yourself at a Historically Black College or University,” she said. “It’s important to get an education from somewhere where you think that you could learn about your heritage, your life, your history, your ancestors’ life,” said Brown, a proud graduate of Mississippi Valley State University, an HBCU probably best known as the place NFL Hall of Famer Jerry Rice attended.

She and her fellow committee members at St. Paul AME Church-Lima especially want to educate young people on the influence of the founder of the AME Church, Richard Allen.

“Allen is right up there with the ‘Three M’s’ of black history,” Brown said, “alongside Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Medgar Evers. He started the denomination after being thrown out of a Philadelphia church for moving from the balcony to the chapel altar rail to pray one Sunday.”

Ms. Brown affirms that “The AME Church has continued to work to educate our ranks. As a black person, you need so much to get so far.

And then you’ve got to push yourself after that. So we want to give them a base that this is where to start.”

The display highlights the seminaries, colleges and universities, and even a high school in Haiti influenced by Allen and the AME movement. Alongside colorful t-shirts and hats for schools such as Edward Waters University is carefully researched documentation explaining the history of these storied institutions.

There are also displays on Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina; Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia; Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas; Shorter College in

Love and Lent: Perfect Companions

Rev. Monica C. Jones, Ph.D.

Rome, Georgia; and Wilberforce University in Wilberforce, Ohio.

It is a labor of love for committee members Joanne Baker, Mildred Jackson, Arthur Pugh, Linda Pugh, and Evelyn Smith. The group is chaired by Charles Brown, Corine’s college sweetheart at Mississippi Valley State and now husband.

The committee also provided its Black History Box Lunch event from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2024. The box lunch price is $12 at the church, led by the pastor, the Rev. Tracy Cross.

There is not a large youth population at St. Paul AME Church, but the church members hope youth will come to learn about this great AME history that has been instrumental in forming their future, whether they know it or not.

“We wanted [our children] to understand how important it is to get an education,” Brown said. “… So that’s what we’re pushing this year. We are AME, and we’re proud of who we are and what we have accomplished and what we have started, and we have continued through the years.” ❏

This year, Lent begins on Valentine’s Day. Ash Wednesday, a day of repentance, reflection, and expression of our humble acceptance of imperfection in the eyes of God, is a sacred event. Valentine’s Day, on the other hand, is a secular event that presents an opportunity for us to share expressions of love and admiration for one another. The two annual occasions on the Christian church and Western culture calendars may have more in common than we would think.

Although February 14 th may be more superficial compared to Ash Wednesday, there may be a deeper relevance and similarity between the two special days.

Unconditional Love

As we approach the altar to accept the disposition of ashes, we acknowledge our sinfulness, but not without the complete faith that the Lord loves us unconditionally. God accepts us as we are through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross.

Forgiveness: We can expect forgiveness when we repent to the Lord for our sins. It is a part of our redemption in Jesus Christ. How sad our conditions would be if we did not have that assurance!

When we intentionally set aside a day to say, “I love you,” we position ourselves to forgive and to be forgiven. It is a perfect opportunity to expand what we might have considered a typical Valentine’s Day.

Although everyone may not have the most sincere intent, the idea on February 14 th is to demonstrate our love for one another and, hopefully, to accept each other despite our failings. In both instances, common elements exist within our relationship to the Lord and one another.

Release: As we pray and begin our journey during Lent, we can release those things in our memory and our past that have kept us burdened. Likewise, as we express our love for one another, we can release the mistakes of the past and look forward to a better tomorrow.

Revival: Through prayer and praise, our spirits are revived! Everyday, as we fast, meditate, pray, and worship, we can feel our most vulnerable spirits begin to heal. In the same way, our relationships can make positive changes. We can prayerfully look toward a stronger and more vital interaction as we leave our concerns in God’s hands.

Valentine’s Day and Ash Wednesday may not seem to have too much in common, but I offer this thought to consider. Love does not have to have limits; it does not have to be restricted to just a romantic expression. Why not consider Ash Wednesday, the day of repentance and self-reflection, also as an opportunity to begin a new journey in love for one another? Why not allow it to be the first day that we commit to do more sharing, caring, and showing compassion for our neighbor? Perhaps the sacred and holy day can be the perfect companion to the secular holiday that is all about love.

The Reverend Monica C. Jones, Ph.D., is Director of Christian Education and a member of the ministerial staff at Big Bethel in Atlanta.

Our Destiny as Directed by God

Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr.

I was lecturing in my African American studies class and began to discuss some noted historical figures. I realized my path was connected to some of these prominent persons. As I lectured my spirit was “strangely warmed.” I reflected on my journey from Jacksonville, Florida to Southern Louisiana. I can frame my journey by saying, “Our Destiny as Directed by God.” People say God can take you places you can only imagine and dream; I am a witness to this in my own experience. Mandela writes, “I have crossed many rivers.” I, too, have crossed many rivers in the hands of a gracious God. In the end, our destiny belongs to God.

As I mature and grow as a seasoned pastor in ministry and age, I reflect and frame my destiny with the eyes of God in focus. As a pastor with 37 years of experience, and 25 years of university teaching experience, I know that my destiny belongs to God. Yes, we trust God, I trust God, I also know God.

First, we must understand and acknowledge the author of the journey. If our destiny belongs to God, then we must allow God to take charge of the journey. I plan all the time. I pack weeks before a trip. I need a road map to clarify where I am going in life. During this present moment in my existential positioning, I am reminded daily that my destiny (and yours) has always been directed by God. As I frame this discussion, I am also looking at my personal struggles in the journey. I struggle sometimes, because I want to be the author of my own journey. I want to be the captain of my soul. However, when we understand that our destiny belongs to God we respond differently regarding problems and challenges. Our trust grows in knowing God.

Second, we must come to know that destiny is not always smooth. Frederick Douglass said, “Without struggle, there is no progress.” Most of our growth happens in the crucible of struggle and difficulties. I have watched God move and continue to smooth the crooked, straight, and rough places in my struggles (Isaiah 40:3). Our destiny is not free from struggle; destiny is composed of the bitter with the sweet. The beautiful roses in my grandmother’s rose garden smell lovely, but they also have thorns that make us bleed. Along our journey, our heart experiences joy, but our hearts also bleed from the meanness of this world.

Last, we must embrace our destiny with confidence and assurance. The assurance comes when we know and belie ve that God controls our destiny. Because I know who oversees my destiny, and ask God to “guide my feet as I run this race.” The assurance is complete when we know who guides our feet and who holds our hands during the journey.

Dr. Herman O. Kelly, Jr. is pastor of Grant Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Amite, Louisiana. He is an adjunct instructor of African and African American Studies/Human Sciences and Education at Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Who said Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees?

The 300-leaf Tree of Life pictured above is a classic design that allows for a wide range of presentation shapes and accommodates a large number of donor names. This carefully crafted Tree of Life can provide the perfect way to:

• Recognize contributors to a building fund or fund-raising campaign

• Honor contributors to an endowment fund

• Salute individuals or groups for outstanding service or achievements

• Create a tasteful memorial

• The Tree of Life is so successful because the donor’s personalized message will be on display forever

Its leaves are miniature brass plaques that we custom engrave for mounting on sculpted plexiglass backgrounds. The result is elegant and economical.

Sell 200 memorial leaves at $500 each and earn $100,000 for your parish.

Will NIL Agreements Create an Uneven System in College Athletics? It’s too Early to Tell

James B. Ewers, Jr., Ed.D.

If you were blessed to have attended college on an athletic scholarship, you did not have to worry about student loans. You did not have to go to the bursar’s office to work out a payment plan because the heavy lifting created by inadequate finances was not a part of your college experience. You may have seen some of your college friends leaving campus because they did not have enough money, but as one attending on an athletic scholarship, you made full use of the scholarship to graduate from college–I know I did.

I enjoyed my time as a student-athlete. Upon reflection, I did not feel any pressure to win. I did my part as a good teammate and conducted myself well when not competing. The key to success was simple: Excel academically and athletically.

Having good grades was important. Without them, you could not maintain your eligibility, which jeopardized your athletic scholarship. There were no add-ons to your scholarship during my time as a scholar-athlete. Of course, that was then; today is quite different.

A breakthrough in financial opportunity for college athletics has been NIL (name, image, and likeness) agreements. Since 2021, these

Unconquerable Spirit

Alfonso Wyatt, Columnist

The thought for this missive came about while counseling one of my mentees who was having a hurtful time coping with the ‘shenanigans’ (mentee’s term) of unscrupulous and crass people in authority. The person I was trying to help was sensitive, giving, non-combative, and hurting. After several coaching sessions, I stated, “Never allow ‘small’ people to shrink you to their size.” Come on, we all have been at the shrinking point via a troubling relationship, dubious friendship, job hardship, being conflict adverse, or out of a twisted sense of duty. Have you ever met someone who graduated with ‘high honors’ from Torment U? They know how to get under your skin— what buttons to push. These Ph.D.s of negativity majored in finding nefarious ways to take real or forfeited power to overpower people raised to treat others fairly. I find tormentors, male or female, black or white, rich or poor, saved or unsaved–all have similar spirit-killing attributes, namely:

• Will never feel remorse for pain caused

• Will never take responsibility for thoughts, words, or deeds

• Will never say “sorry” under any circumstance

• Will never ask the question, is it really me?

In my mid-twenties, I remember going through a particularly draining time. I became the head

agreements have become more widespread and are quite lucrative for college student-athletes. Those who emerge as top-tier athletes will likely get some NIL agreement. As a result, some student-athletes will become millionaires before they complete their undergraduate education. I am happy for them, yet some questions are popping up about NIL agreements. One question is how these agreements will be legislated. At this time, there is no legislation associated with NIL agreements. I suspect it will not be long before the NCAA and Congress step in to review the structure of these agreements and implement some type of check and balance system.

Some critics think that some athletes who get NIL deals will choose not to pursue a professional sports career. Of course, purists will say that elevating to the professional ranks is considered the pinnacle of sports achievement. We will have to see the options that become available.

Another question hovering in the student-athlete air space is about attaining a college degree. Is that still important? In days gone by, college studentathletes did get their college degrees. They did not go to school with the primary goal of going to the professional ranks. Has it changed? The answer is no! According to the standard federal graduation rate, 69% of Division I student-athletes graduate

of an alternative high school and concomitantly inherited castaway teachers because no other schools wanted to hire them. I wore down trying to respond to their constant demands, needs, and complaints. The culture where this group came from was 180 degrees different from the culture that existed. I can still remember many sleepless nights when I was plagued by unrelenting overthinking and angst caused by what I knew I would face day in and day out. I wanted to be fair, unbiased, and accommodating. I wanted to find a win-win solution. Sadly, that never happened.

The more I tried to exhibit the aforementioned qualities, the more I would see that my actions were neither reciprocated nor appreciated. During this tumultuous time, this gift, which I carry to this day, dropped in my spirit: Never take trips that you did not pack suitcases for. This statement freed me from the need to try and please people who would never be pleased—at least by me. I declared from this spirit-revealed insight: No more trips, no more flights, no more carrying other people’s excess heavy baggage. I had to learn not to attempt ‘fixing’ broken people who saw no need to change.

Beloved, is your spirit under attack? Are you losing sleep thinking about what you should have said? Are you contemplating exacting revenge? Are you planning an act that you know will take you out of character? Are you so perturbed that you now

within six years. Less than 2% of NCAA student-athletes go on to play professional sports. However, will these NIL agreements play some role in the graduation numbers in the future? This topic is sure to garner a lot of debate and questions.

Currently, most NIL agreements are with studentathletes who play basketball and football. What about student-athletes who play other sports?

Current records show that Emily Cole (Duke University\track and field), Livvy Dunne (LSU\ gymnastics), Xolani Hodel (Stanford University\ women’s beach volleyball), and Reilyn Turner (UCLA\women’s soccer) have NIL agreements. I predict that college student-athletes in all sports will eventually get these agreements.

There will be plenty of conversations about what is best for student-athletes. It will be vitally important to have them at the decision-making table. They must have a seat at the table and voices that must be heard.

Stay tuned because 2024 may bring many more questions than answers.

find it easy to justify the stance you are about to undertake? Please do not give up your power to be who God created you to be. Your antagonist may mess with your mind, but only you can grant “permission” for your spirit to be conquered.

Your inner spirit is where your “well-water” emanates, powering you to be the greater you. No matter the provocation or circumstance, never allow personal smallness to get in the way of spiritual greatness. So hold fast and remember, when challenged by spirit killers, always pause, ponder, and pray. Say to yourself, I refuse to make other people’s pain my pain by picking up and carrying the heavy baggage of others, and if you find yourself toting their bags out of weakness, you don’t have to accept a tip! ❏ ❏ ❏

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

DuPage AME Church Daisies Honor MLK Day Through Veterans Service Project

Stacey Montgomery, Leader, Troop 56689

On January 15 th, five daisies from Girl Scout Troop 56689 participated in the My Super Powers Foundation’s (MSPF) 4th Annual Valentine’s Day Gifts for Veterans Service Project. On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the National Day of Service, this initiative drew nearly 40 young volunteers, including girl scouts from DuPage AME Church in Lisle, Illinois.

Despite the sub-zero temperatures, the young volunteers made 120 Valentine’s Day cards and enough crafts for the 80+ Illinois Veterans’ Home residents at LaSalle. The young volunteers had fun while diligently working throughout the event.

As the Daisy Troop’s leader and the MSPF’s founder, I was proud of the daisies’ hard work. They made several Valentine’s Day cards and crafts that we gave to LaSalle’s Illinois Veterans’ Home residents.

I was particularly proud of 5-year-old Daisy Ka’Liyah Kay. As the event was ending and I was making my final remarks, Ka’Liyah approached me and told me that she had something that she wanted to say to everyone. A little suspicious, I asked her what she had to say. She told me that it was about Martin Luther King. I gave her the floor.

Ka’Liyah reminded everyone that not only was that event about supporting veterans but that the day was also about honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of kindness and community. Her sister, Ka’Lani, shared

CONNECTIONAL NEWS

additional facts about Dr. King.

Ka’Liyah’s brief address added depth to the day’s activities, underscoring the broader context of service and community values associated with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Participating in service projects is a way to support important causes, and it is a way of embodying Dr. King’s vision of a united and compassionate society.

Shortly after the Valentine’s Day Gifts for Veterans Service Project, the MSPF’s board reflected on the event. We agreed that in the future, we needed to do a better job of emphasizing the significance of holding that service project on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Ka’Liyah exemplified the motto of the MSPF- youth can and do make a difference. ❏ ❏ ❏

Oikos Institute for Social Impact Honored: Traditioned Innovation Award

The Oikos Institute for Social Impact is honored to be named one of the 2023 Traditioned Innovation Award winners by Leadership Education at Duke Divinity. The Oikos Institute is recognized for assisting over 70 faithbased organizations nationwide in implementing their F.I.S.H. (Finance/ Faith, Intellectual, Social, Human) capitals and utilizing their assets to drive communal transformation and economic mobility.

The Traditioned Innovation Award from Leadership Education at Duke University pays tribute to initiatives

that honor the past, envision the future, and inspire leaders to creatively confront social and financial challenges while remaining true to their institution’s mission and convictions. The award encourages Christian leaders to reflect on their convictions and daily activities, aiming to bear witness to the reign of God.

Victoria White, managing director of Grants and Awards at Leadership Education, highlighted the significance of the Traditioned Innovation Award: “The Traditioned Innovation Award recognizes and ...continued on p23

Communicate

The power to communicate is the power to lead. In a business environment, leaders can motivate employees with bonuses, raises, or threats of being fired. We are spiritual leaders in a mostly volunteer environment, so we must appeal to the spiritual interests of our followers, and the way to do so is to communicate. We should take advantage of the many means of communication we have today, including district publications, news bulletins, social media, vide o clips, email, texting, preaching, and teaching. We must continue to cast the vision to our ministers and constituents. We should present opportunities, address concerns in a timely way, and answer questions.

When issues arise, instead of reacting negatively to attack or condemn, responding positively with information and explanation is more effective. If we present as much information as possible and provide the basis for a decision, our constituents will usually understand. If we approach issues in a harsh, partisan, authoritarian way, we set the tone for an antagonistic debate. Instead, it is better to display the following attitude: “We’re trying to work together and make the best decision under the circumstances. We welcome discussion and input. We hope everyone will support the mission and the vision. Even if some don’t agree with a particular policy or a decision, we hope they can appreciate the intention and understand the rationale.”

As ministers and laity, we tend to approach all issues as matters of right and wrong, but for many policy decisions, there are legitimate differences of opinion. While we should unite around our goals, there can be more than one way to accomplish those goals. We should not equate our opinions with God’s will but respect the body’s decision-making process. When scriptural principles are involved, we can explain them and explain the direction we feel from the Lord. This way, we can create a healthy climate for discussion and decision-making. ❏ ❏ ❏

Build Relationships

A leader leads by influence, and influence is built by relationships. A position or title confers authority on paper, and God honors the principle of authority, but a position of authority doesn’t confer ability to motivate people in real life. The most effective means of leadership is not an appeal to authority but the exercise of influence. We are familiar with the spiritual authority of a senior pastor who leads saints in a local church, but organizational leaders don’t have the same type of authority when leading ministers. Pastors and other ministers are spiritual leaders in their own right and expect to participate in decision-making. It’s important for them to share in molding the vision and providing input. We allow them to do so by good communication; by involving as many as possible at various levels including boards, committees, activities, and events; and by building relationships in which we provide personal care, assistance, and support for individual ministers, churches, and ministries. We should show concern and respond to needs, not to be manipulative but because we care about everyone. As a result, people will trust us and won’t be prone to assume that we have an ulterior motive or a political agenda. And of course, we shouldn’t. As leaders build and maintain personal relationships, followers will understand what kind of persons they are and will realize that they are advancing ideas for the sake of the kingdom of God. ❏ ❏ ❏

CONNECTIONAL NEWS: CHURCH GROWTH CORNER

affirms the faithful and innovative work of an outstanding community initiative rooted in Christian practices. This year, the award focuses on catalytic organizations that are effective in their community while also nurturing groups with a similar vision for thriving communities.”

The Oikos Institute empowers faith communities and anchors institutions to harness their assets’ power to become catalysts for communal transformation and economic renewal. Central to their teachings is responsible stewardship of resources and assets, cultivating collaborations

among faith communities, other anchor institutions, and stakeholders, and accessing patient capital and grants for mission-aligned real-estate development projects to serve societal needs. By addressing the needs of underserved communities, Oikos and the congregations they work with actively contribute to mitigating social and financial challenges. This award serves as a reaffirmation of the Oikos Institute’s unwavering commitment to innovative approaches to missional work.

“We are deeply honored as this acknowledgment reaffirms our dedication to Fishing Differently™ –a

The Truth Is the Light

Rev. Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., Retired, Itinerant Elder, Columnist

I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. Song of Solomon 2:1 NRSV

What is a rose of Sharon and lily of the valleys?

The beauty of believers consists in their conformity and resemblance to Jesus Christ.

They are his love, and so they are as lilies, for those are made like Christ in whose hearts his love is shed abroad.

Our text presents a tapestry commonly interpreted to represent Christ’s great love for the church. Christ is identified as the bridegroom, and we are his bride. There are several places in the Word of God where we discover the symbolism of the union between a man and his bride, pointing to the future marriage between Christ and the church.

Beloved, the Word assures us that all who have trusted in the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus as Savior and his glorious resurrection from the dead have this special relationship with our Lord, for Christ chose the church as his bride.

The Song of Solomon, also entitled Song of Songs, is written by King Solomon who represents Jesus after his ascent to the heavenly realm. This scripture is commonly attributed to the beloved and then allegorically applied to Jesus Christ.

commitment to transformative actions that leave a lasting impact on communities,” says CEO and co-founder the Rev. Dr. Sidney Williams, Jr.

“This award serves as a testament to the collective efforts of our team. It encourages us to continue fostering thriving communities through innovative and faith-driven initiatives,” states executive director and co-founder the Rev. Dr. Reginald Blount.

For more information about the Oikos Institute for Social Impact, please visit https:// oikosinstitute.org/. ❏ ❏ ❏ .

Jesus is also revealed as the bridegroom who has given his life for his bride because of his uncompromising love for her. Here, Jesus, our prospective bridegroom, speaks in a melodic song to his bride, the elect. While, for the time being, we are separated from our heavenly bridegroom, we have been promised that a day has been appointed when the Lord Jesus shall descend from heaven with the voice of an angel and the trump of God.

One day, we shall hear the voice of our beloved saying, “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away, come up here.” God’s Word promises a wonderful day is coming when we will be united forever with our heavenly bridegroom, and the marriage of the Lamb will take place, and we shall ever be with the Lord.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that we are your children and accepted into your beloved. God, please help us to be prepared for his return to take us to be with him. Help us, God, to wait patiently and expectantly for the appointed time when the trumpet shall sound, and the Lord Jesus will descend from heaven to take us home to live with him forever. Let us be patiently and, more importantly, expectantly waiting on the Lord. Amen.

The Reverend Dr. Charles R. Watkins, Jr., is a retired itinerant elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church who lives in Summerville, South Carolina.

Dispelling the Zombie Myth of White Evangelical Support for Trump

Robert P. Jones, WhiteTooLong

Against this backdrop of white evangelical support for Trump, a broad, unsupported hypothesis has re-emerged that Trump’s stalwart continued support among white evangelicals can be explained by his strength among what I’ll abbreviate as WEINO’s, or “white evangelicals in name only,” who seldom or never attend church. A version of this thesis appeared recently in a highly-circulated New York Times  article, which made the bold claim that “Trump is connecting with a different type of evangelical voter” beyond “the churchgoing, conservative activists who once dominated the G.O.P.”

Despite its zombie-like resurrections since Trump’s rise to power, the assertion that unchurched white evangelicals are the most supportive of Trump is not supported by the preponderance of evidence.  Broken down, this myth has two components:

1. The overall drop in church attendance in the general population has produced a significant increase in the number of WEINOs, white evangelicals who seldom or never attend church, and

2. Support for Trump is strongest among white evangelicals not connected to churches.

Let’s take each of these in turn.

Myth 1: There Is a Large and Growing Number

of White Evangelical Protestants Who Do Not Attend Church.

The evidence simply does not support the general assertion that church attendance has significantly declined among white evangelical Protestants. In the general population, church attendance levels have been dropping over the last few decades. However, church attendance levels among white evangelical Protestants have remained significantly higher than the general population. While disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the downward church attendance levels among many Christian groups, white evangelical churches were less impacted because many were located in states that did not have strict closure mandates. Many individual churches flouted closure recommendations as Donald Trump politicized the pandemic.

The Power of Showing Up Over and Over and Over Until…

Antjuan Seawright, Columnist

While watching the Grammys, I witnessed the modern-day hip-hop philosopher Jay-Z from the People’s Republic of Brooklyn accept The Dr. Dre Global Impact Award. Instead of giving the stereotypical thank you speech, he took a moment to issue a subliminal clarion call to everyone watching at home.

“You got to keep showing up…just keep showing up. Forget the Grammys. You have to keep showing up until they give you all those accolades you feel you deserve, until they call you chairman, and they call you a genius, until they call you the greatest of all time.” Jay-Z’s remarks can be interpreted in countless ways, applying to everything from business and the arts to marriage and parenthood—they ring true in every context.

When it comes to civic engagement and our continued participation, we have to keep showing up at the ballot box—in every election, to make sure our voices are heard because showing up to vote is the only thing that keeps us moving forward as a nation and a people. It does not just mean a lot. It means everything. “You got to keep showing up.”

For the record, I am not pretending everything is sunshine and rainbows for everyone. Working families and black folks, in particular, face real challenges with real consequences every single day, and anyone who tells you differently is trying to sell you something. Those challenges existed before Joe Biden became president.

We face real challenges, and our reactions to those challenges are often summed up as our experiences. Some of us are frustrated. Some of us are angry. Some of us are confused, and some do not care at all. But facing those challenges, however daunting they may be, is not a reason to stop showing up because they cannot be fixed in one or even a few election victories.

The question, “What did our vote get us?” is often asked. But let us not pretend our votes do not matter. Let us not pretend our voices and advocacy have not permanently moved the needle for our community—because these are the only things that have.

Let us not forget that 12 million black Americans showing up to vote in 1964 helped shape that generation and our nation for generations to come. Since then, we have had even more proof of our advocacy’s net worth and vote.

For example, because we showed up for

President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats in 2020, more black Americans have health insurance than ever. Black folks voted for Joe Biden in 2020, and today, black unemployment is at a 50-year low. The racial wealth gap is at its lowest point in 20 years, and black entrepreneurship is at its highest rate in more than half a century.

Because we showed up for President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats in 2020, $130 billion in student loans have been forgiven for 3.7 million Americans—with 50,000 eligible people seeing their student loans forgiven every two months. President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats are making historic investments to fight the climate crisis and establish environmental justice for all. President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats have prioritized affordable housing with the Housing Supply Action Plan to reduce cost and increase availability nationwide. President Biden, Vice President Harris, and Democrats have invested $65 billion to provide affordable high-speed internet to families everywhere, so kids do not have to sit in the McDonald’s parking lot to do their homework because the WiFi is free.

Remember the $1,400 check your family received during the pandemic? That was the Biden-Harris Administration—no matter what the MAGA bots say on social media. Democrats have capped the cost of insulin and lowered the cost of prescription drugs across America, invested $15 billion to replace lead water pipes in cities like Flint, Michigan, delivered a historic $7 billion in funding to our HBCUs, appointed more black women to the federal appeals court than any other president, and these are just a few receipts.

By executive order, President Biden banned chokeholds and “no knock” warrants from federal law enforcement, signed the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act, and launched a national database to track law enforcement misconduct. So do not tell me or let anyone tell you that our black votes do not matter.

But we have to keep showing up.

I get it. We are not where we want to be. But we’re not where we were either. We have made progress because we’ve been relentless in voting for our interests and against those who have no interest in our interests.

We must keep showing up because what happens

if we do not follow Jay-Z’s advice? We lose it all. We lose our health insurance when extremist Republicans repeal Obamacare and bring back pre-existing conditions. We lost our footing on voting rights when the MAGA mission to dismantle the Voting Rights Act came true, and they are making it even harder to cast our ballot. We lose our lives when they roll back the progress we have made on justice reform. Their efforts to stop a justice department from going after police departments that target us, like in Mount Vernon, Louisville, Phoenix, and Minneapolis, will come true.

Republicans voted to block the child tax credit expansion that cut child poverty in half and fought against the infrastructure plan that’s created countless jobs rebuilding our roads and bridges. The GOP’s activist court struck down student debt relief, gutted affirmative action in education, and took away a woman’s reproductive freedoms. What do you think they would do if they took the White House? This progress and so much more can and will be taken away in one election. We know this because they have said the quiet part out loud.

I understand being frustrated. I understand being confused. I understand being angry or worse. But the answer isn’t to stop pushing America to be a more perfect union. But do not just take my word for it; remember the late, great Joe Madison because when The Black Eagle heard people bringing all the complaints and none of the solutions, he always asked the same question, “Well, what are you going to do about it?”

The simple fact is that bad policies pushed by bad politicians directly result from good voters who do not show up election after election. That is what happens when we do not protect our interests with the strongest weapon we have–the vote. That is what happens when we do not show up, and if we do not show up in this election, we stand to lose all the progress we have made.

Joe Madison asked the question, and Jay-Z gave us the answer.

What are you going to do about it? We have got to keep showing up.

Antjuan Seawright (@antjuansea) is a Democratic political strategist, founder and CEO of Blueprint Strategy LLC, a CBS News political contributor, and a senior visiting fellow at Third Way.

Transition: Eulogy of His Excellency Hage Geingob, Third President of the Republic of Namibia

To the family of this extraordinary man whose life we celebrate today. Madame Monica Geingob, his wife, their sons and daughters, and the rest of their family. To members of the Diplomatic Corps and other distinguished guests assembled here this afternoon. To the people of Namibia, led now by interim president, his excellency Dr. Nangolo Mbumba, and to the ambassador of Namibia to the United States, Margareth Mensah-Williams, and her staff, I greet all of you today with the joy of Jesus Christ. I deem this to be a singular honor and privilege to be a part of this sacred occasion, in which we reflect on the life of a transformative global citizen, national hero, servant leader, and humanitarian who literally helped shape the formation of the Republic of Namibia, and whose legacy will impact lives for many generations to come, not just in his homeland, but in so many parts of the world, including here in the United States. As stated just a few days ago by interim President Mbumba, “It is poignant and reassuring to note that today, even in the time of heavy loss, our nation remains calm and stable. This is owing to the visionary leadership of President Geingob, who was the chief architect of the Namibian constitution.”

I bring greetings and heartfelt condolences to the family and the Namibian people from the African Methodist Episcopal Church, especially the members of the AME Church in Namibia, where the Rt. Rev. Sylvester Beaman serves as presiding prelate and the members of the AME Church in Washington, D.C., and the states of Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina, where the Rt. Rev. James Levert Davis is the presiding prelate. It is my privilege to also convey condolences on behalf of the Pan African Collective, whose mission for nearly three decades has been to promote greater relationships between the people of Africa and the United States of America.

In 1989 it was my honor to visit Namibia one year prior to its independence, meeting with AME pastors, including Dr. Henrik Witbooi, a leading figure of the South West Africa People’s Organization (SWAPO), and then to return on March 19, 1990, to participate in the independence celebration for Namibia, watching from Windhoek Stadium as the South African flag, as described by the Namibian newspaper, was lowered at 17 minutes past midnight, March 21 to roars of “down, down, down,” and then the Namibian flag rose to the top of the flag pole, it was indeed one of the most exhilarating moments of my life. Now, just about 34 years later, here we are to express our gratitude to a great man who spent most of his life providing leadership in so many arenas on behalf of the Namibian people. I would ask, wherever you are, whether in this auditorium turned into a sanctuary or watching through other means, to stand and render a resounding round of applause for Dr. Hage Geingob.

In Psalm 37:23-24, we find these words in the New International Version (1984); “If the Lord delights in a man’s way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall; for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” In the wonderful tradition of many African American churches, would you kindly look at one of your neighbors and repeat these words: “Be motivated by this man.”

There is no doubt that we’ve come to celebrate today, but can I strongly suggest that President Geingob would probably want each one of us to leave this service to be change agents in this world or more effective change agents, helping people to smile because of something we’ve done to make a difference in their lives. Hear the words of the prophet Micah in the Old Testament of the Bible: “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” And then listen to what Jesus declared in the Gospel of St. Luke about his mission, that God had sent him to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and to release the oppressed. Those scriptures embodied President Geingob’s life, and those attributes ought to be essential to every one of us in order for this to be a better world for all of God’s people. In the words of Don Stephens, the founder of Mercy Ships, now with two floating hospitals serving African people, “You may not be able to change the world, but you can change somebody’s world.” That’s a message for all of us! My classmate at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, Joe Madison, an award-winning radio host for many years

who died just a few days ago as well, would always declare, “Everybody can do something.”

Through his life, President Geingob showed us that we should never stop learning! He was expelled from school at the age of 19 because he protested the discriminatory practices of the school, but because his cause was just, he was readmitted. Subsequently, he gained undergraduate and graduate degrees in the United States and Europe. He became a global thinker because of his thirst for continuing education about the world. There is a need, particularly right here in the United States, for citizens to gain more awareness of the larger world in which we live. The late Dr. James Robinson, the founder of Operation Crossroads Africa, a cross-cultural exchange program that preceded the Peace Corps, often declared that the darkest thing about Africa is America’s ignorance of it. There has been some improvement; the life of President Geingob should motivate us to gain an even greater understanding of Africa and its people. His life taught us the importance and benefits of learning about and valuing other people and cultures. With that in mind, be motivated to connect with African people in general and Namibians in particular. Learn of the resilience and resolve of the Namibian people through German and then South African occupation to become a free people and a free independent nation. Go to Namibia and see the beauty of its people there. You can ride in a vehicle from the capital of Windhoek and see the Namib Desert on your left and the Atlantic Ocean on your right. Be motivated to be a global citizen, as modeled by President Geingob. If, for whatever reason, you cannot literally travel to Namibia, the power of the internet will take you there. Let me add that we need to incorporate more information about Africa in our nation’s classrooms than currently exists. With all due respect to the commercial film success of Wakanda, we need to learn more about the real countries in Africa, including Namibia!

Be motivated by President Geingob and get into what John Lewis described as good trouble. During his years in the United States, I am sure he connected with civil and human rights leaders such as the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and others because of the striking similarities he witnessed in the discriminatory treatment of black and brown people in America and how Namibians suffered under colonial rule. His example of pressing for equality for all people should resonate with people here in the United States and around the world. Be motivated that because of President Geingob and others, Namibia has a thriving democracy. Let those of us in America be motivated to maintain and strengthen our own pillars of democracy. Be motivated to follow the plan God has for your life. Notice in the obituary some of us learned that he was a teacher in his early professional life, but he soon learned that the academic classroom was not to be the beginning and ending point of his life’s work; his obedience to God’s calling upon his life led him to ultimately reach the highest elected office of president in Namibia, but he never lost the common touch. The steps of a good man that were ordered by the Lord, ultimately were the steps of a great man because he put his trust and his life into the hands of the very one who created him, almighty God.

Be motivated. Let us propel ourselves to see others as having equal value and worth, to appreciate each other, respect one another. Let there be a greater quest for understanding between people around the world, starting today by getting to know better, the wonderful people of Namibia.

The words of the Apostle Paul to his son in the ministry Timothy can certainly be applied to President Hage Geingob today: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” To everyone who is a part of this great celebration today, be motivated to have the world say that about you. Someday. Dare to believe that the world can and will be made better because of you. As we say farewell to this incredible servant leader, let us welcome a new determination in all of us to believe that through, with, and in us, the best is yet to come for Namibia, the United States, and for this world. God bless you!

Speak Out and Act! Fannie Lou Hamer and Sammy Younge

Rev. Dr. Angelique Walker-Smith

“[I]f you don’t speak out, ain’t nobody going to speak out for you.” Fannie Lou Hamer

Recently I attended a play about one of my extended family members in Tuskegee, Alabama. Remembering Sammy is about Sammy Younge, a freedom fighter born and raised in Tuskegee and later a student at Tuskegee University. He became known for his public voice and organizing against racial segregation. On January 3, 1966, he was fatally gunned down by a racist white man at the Tuskegee Greyhound bus station after he used a “whites only” restroom.

Mr. Sammy Younge is specifically known as being the first African American university student to be murdered in the United States due to his actions in support of freedom for people of African descent during the civil rights movement. He became one of many more freedom fighters whose lives were sacrificed for a more inclusive society after him. One of the opportunities that inspired his courageous life and other students of that time was going to Mississippi to spend

time with Ms. Fannie Lou Hamer, a renowned freedom fighter. In Mississippi, he learned from and worked with Ms. Hamer.

Like Ms. Hamer, Mr. Younge committed to making his message of freedom known specifically among people of faith and the wider community. Predominantly white churches were some of the most fiercely opposed to desegregating their churches and communities. Hamer and Younge were closely aligned with young people of faith who were primarily persons of African descent and whose parentage had been enslaved in the U.S. They, like the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., understood that their fight for freedom meant speaking to the churches, the public and private sectors, and the policymakers. They were motivated by the same strong views that the Rev. Dr. Martin expressed in his “Letter from Birmingham Jail”:

“I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate over the last few years. I have almost reached

the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in the stride toward freedom is not the White Citizens Councillor or the Ku Klux Klanner but the white moderate who is more devoted to order than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice ….”

Mr. Younge and Ms. Hamer understood the ironies of the perspectives of some faith leaders— and their lack of support for a more equitable society. This Black History Month begs the same question that the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. asked in his last book, Where Do We Go From Here? Bread for the World is playing a vital role in addressing this question. Learn about our Offering of Letters and to speak out and act! Angelique Walker-Smith is a senior associate for Pan-African and Orthodox Church engagement at Bread for the World.

Historic Sermon by Gina Stewart at Joint Black Baptist Meeting Draws Cheers, Controversy

The Reverend Dr. Gina Stewart has been known for breaking barriers in black Baptist circles.

In 1995, she became pastor of Christ Missionary Baptist Church and the first African American woman elected to a black Baptist congregation in Memphis, Tennessee. In 2021, she was elected president of the Lott Carey Baptist Foreign Mission Society, marking the first time a woman gained the highest post of a black Baptist organization. And in late January Dr. Stewart became the first woman to preach at the periodic joint meeting of four black Baptist denominations.

Her presence at the National Baptist Joint Board Session on January 23, 2024, attended by thousands of black Baptist clergy and laypeople, was met with much call and response as she spoke, even as rumors and controversy surrounded it. Claims that some regular attendees chose not to be present when Dr. Stewart spoke loomed. As she opened her remarks, Stewart acknowledged three of the four denominations’ presidents and then the fourth, NBCUSA President Dr. Jerry Young, “in absentia” because he was not on the stage with the others.

Most notably, after many in the room cheered her on and stood as she preached, the session featuring her sermon temporarily disappeared from the Facebook page of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc.

Asked about her latest historic moment, Dr. Stewart, who was traveling Monday (January 29), described in a statement to Religion News Service her “awe and gratitude” about the opportunity to preach and the interest the sermon drew — more than 250,000 views on her church’s Facebook page alone as of late Monday.

...continued on p27

The Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart addresses the National Baptist Joint Board Session on January 23, 2024, in Memphis, Tennessee (Video screen grab).

The Rev. Dr. Gina Stewart addresses the National Baptist Joint Board Session on January 23, 2024, in Memphis, TN (Video screen grab).

“This moment amplifies the shared stories of millions of women who daily rise against the crushing weight of patriarchy, misogynoir, and other interlocking systems of oppression that seek to diminish the value of women and marginalized communities,” she said. “January 23 rd opens the door for critical discussions about Jesus and justice, offering a chance to champion women by rethinking our theologies and reshaping our pu lpits, workplaces, and platforms into more equitable spaces as we continue the long quest for gender equality and justice.”

To some, the interest in Dr. Stewart’s sermon and the criticism from those who chose not to attend it demonstrated either the long-standing autonomy of Baptist churches — some with women pastors — or the continuing resistance to acceptance of women in the pulpits of black Baptist churches. In remarks later in the four-day meeting, Dr. Young emphatically denied that he opposed Dr. Stewart’s preaching presence at the meeting and said he intended to visit her to tell her so.

“I did not protest her sermon; I did not boycott being here,” he said, according to a separate video clip posted on Facebook. “I support her, and Baptists are autonomous — you do what you want to do at your own church.”

In an interview Tuesday, Dr. Young said he spent most of the four-day meeting solving disputes over the process to determine the candidates for the office of his denomination’s presidency who will be voted on later this year.

“A lot of the misunderstanding is, I believe, related to the fact that not only was I absent, that I was involved in those meetings, and then, of course, the sermon removed from the website,” he said, referring to the denomination’s Facebook page. “Obviously, that itself apparently led some folks to believe that there was something nefarious going on, but I assure [you] that was not the case” on the part of the denomination.

On Thursday morning, his denomination’s Facebook page included a post that read the morning service that featured Dr. Stewart’s sermon “has been maliciously removed from our page. The video was NOT removed by any of the administrators or the officers of the NBCUSAINC. We have reported the issue and are awaiting the results of the investigation.”

In an interview, Jerlen Young-Canada, media, and press relations director for NBCUSA, said that videos featuring Dr. Stewart’s sermon and other sessions were aired live and then disappeared for reasons yet to be determined.

“No one on our National Baptist media team has removed videos,” she said.

The Reverend Dr. David Peoples, president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention Inc., who invited Dr. Stewart to preach, said the video of her sermon “was always up and never came down” on his denomination’s platforms. He also confirmed that President Young concurred with the invitation.

“All four presidents, all four conventions, we agreed for her to come,” said Dr. Peoples in an interview, adding that he considered her sermon “moving and inspiring.” He said he was unaware of anyone who chose not to attend the session featuring Dr. Stewart because she was preaching. Noting that all four presidents preached during the meeting, he added, “I’m not taking it that people boycotted me because they didn’t hear me preach.”

The Reverend Dr. Young said he could not say whether people did not attend a session because a woman was preaching, but he estimated that as many as 500 people were away at the same meeting he attended at that time.

Dr. Peoples said Dr. Stewart’s historic sermon was not the only notable moment of the National Baptist Joint Board Session’s third meeting—after previous gatherings in 2005 and 2008, featuring leaders of the National Baptist Convention of America and the National Missionary Baptist Convention of America.

“We’re also proud about dealing with issues and empowering our people, dealing with voter registration, dealing with legislation that’s on ballots across the country that affect the least, the lost, and the left out and marginalized, particularly those in the black and brown communities.”

In her sermon, Dr. Stewart spoke of the courage of Claudia, the wife of the Roman governor Pontius Pilate, who, after having a dream, sent her husband a message to leave Jesus, an “innocent man,” alone. Dr. Stewart described Jesus, who was ultimately crucified under Pilate, as someone who got in trouble for breaking traditions and caring for the marginalized.

“Jesus had a whole theological conversation with a woman at a well who was coming to look for water,” she preached, “and then commissioned this woman to go and run a revival in the city, and the folks got saved. Jesus is in trouble. I said

he’s in trouble because he actively sought out and engaged with individuals who were often excluded by society.”

Some PNBC-affiliated clergy watched the sermon online from afar, and at least one, the Reverend Dr. Otis Moss III of Chicago, incorporated some of it in his next Sunday sermon cautioning against, as Dr. Stewart put it, “using your spirituality as a smokescreen” instead of admitting to racism, sexism, or homophobia.

“It was masterful,” said Dr. Moss, senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ and a lifetime member of the PNBC. He said he was told “there were individuals who did not attend,” but he considers Dr. Stewart “one of the most gifted preachers of this generation — period.”

Bible scholar and retired professor, the Reverend Dr. Renita Weems, noted she’s witnessed past incidents of women being cheered and criticized when taking new steps in their established preaching careers. She cited the example of Bishop Yvette Flunder, a black lesbian whom Dr. Weems and others invited to speak during an annual lecture series in 2015 at American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee.

Weems said not much has changed in almost a decade at the denominational level of Baptist life.

“The needle has not moved,” she said, “at all as it relates to sexism and gender discrimination in the Baptist church.”

Dr. Young, who has led a Jackson, Mississippi church for 40 years that has never had women pastors, said the autonomy of the churches can be viewed as a strength and sometimes a weakness.

“The National Baptist Convention has no authority to instruct a particular local church as to how it will or will not deal with that issue,” he said. “It’s a local church issue.”

PNBC President David Peoples. (Courtesy photo) The Reverend Dr. Gina M. Stewart. (Courtesy photo)

...From Historic Sermon p26

The chart in the next column illustrates the relatively stable church attendance levels among white evangelical Protestants, America’s most church-going religious group, across the last decade. There has been a modest seven percentage-point uptick in the proportion of white evangelicals who seldom or never attend church (17% in 2013 to 24% in 2023), but these numbers are far below the proportion of the general population who have opted out of religious services (54%). And while there has been some fluctuation among the “super attenders,” those who attend church once a week or more, a majority of white evangelical Protestants still report attending church this frequently—a rate more than double the general population (54% vs. 24%).

Today, only about one in four white evangelical Protestants report seldom or never attending church—a proportion far too small to move the needle on overall support for Trump, even if they were his greatest supporters. In other words, any explanation of Trump’s continued support among white evangelicals that is based on claims about an alleged “great exodus” of white evangelicals from churches is on thin ice. The numbers simply aren’t there.

Myth 2. Support for Trump Is Higher Among Unchurched White Evangelicals.

More importantly, since Trump first garnered the GOP nomination and was elected president in 2016, there is no basis for the claim that Trump’s support is higher among white evangelicals who are not connected to churches. In fact, the data have consistently shown the opposite: that support for Trump has been  lower  among white evangelical Protestants who seldom or never attend church.

In both the 2016 and 2020 election years, white evangelical Protestants who attended church weekly or more were, by double digits,  more likely  than those who attended seldom or never to hold favorable views of Trump (66% vs. 50% in 2016; 78% vs. 64% in 2020).

Notably, the biggest drop in support for Trump since he left office has indeed come among the most frequent church attenders, where Trump’s favorability has dropped from a high point of 78% down to 60% at the end of 2023. Because of this dip, for the first time since Trump rose to power in the GOP, there is no statistically significant difference in support for Trump between white evangelicals, most tightly connected to churches, and those staying home on Sundays. But it remains true that six in ten white evangelicals continue to hold a favorable view of Trump, regardless of how often they go to church.

Pew’s 2020 validated voters study found that two-thirds of white evangelicals who voted in 2020 attended religious services at least monthly. The study found no significant differences between white evangelical support for Trump by church attendance.  In the 2020 presidential election, 85% of white evangelicals who attended religious services monthly or more voted for Trump, compared to 81% of those who attended less frequently. Moreover, white evangelical Protestants who attend church weekly or more are equally as likely as those who attend church a few times a month or less to:

❖ Believe the big lie that the 2020 election was stolen from Trump (59% vs. 61%);

❖ Disagree that there is solid evidence that Trump committed serious federal crimes (69% vs. 66%), and

❖ Disagree that the 2024 election of Trump to the White House poses a threat to American democracy and way of life (72% vs. 67%).

Stated most conservatively and plainly, church attendance levels make no difference in support for Trump among white evangelical Protestants today. The data also indicates that Trump’s nostalgic appeal to protecting the ideal of a white Christian America resonates strongly with white evangelicals who attend church frequently. As I demonstrated in my book  White Too Long,  among white evangelicals, higher church attendance is positively correlated with core Trump impulses such as denials of structural racism, even when controlling for a range of other factors like education, gender, region, party affiliation, etc. There, I concluded:

There is no evidence that higher church attendance has any mitigating effect on racist attitudes; if anything, the opposite is true: For white evangelical Protestants, holding racist views is nearly four times as predictive of white evangelical Protestant identity among frequent church attenders as among infrequent church attenders ( White Too Long , 176-177).

Among white evangelicals, PRRI research confirms that frequent church attenders are also as likely as infrequent attenders to be attracted to the anti-democratic vision of white Christian nationalism.  Among white evangelicals who attend church at least weekly, nearly seven in ten are Christian Nationalists (33% adherents, 36% sympathizers), compared to six in ten of those who seldom or never attend religious services (25% adherents, 35% sympathizers). similarly, 56% of white evangelicals who attend church weekly or more, compared to 54% who attend less frequently, believe that “God intended America to be a new promised land where European Christians could create a society that could be an example to the rest of the world.”

Strikingly, church-attending white evangelicals are also as likely as unchurched white evangelicals to believe that true American patriots may have to resort to violence to save the country (30% vs. 32%).

After analyzing dozens of questions, I found only one topic where church attendance mitigates Trump’s MAGA appeal. White evangelicals who attend church at least a few times a month are slightly less likely to see immigrants as a threat and to agree with the racist so-called “Great Replacement Theory.” Seven in ten (70%) white evangelicals who attend

church only a few times a year or less believe that “immigrants are invading our country and replacing our cultural and ethnic background.” Fewer, but still a strong majority (58%), of white evangelicals who attend church at least a few times a month hold this belief. However, the differences are more a matter of degree than kind.

Here is the plain reading of the evidence. Historically, when higher church attendance levels have made a difference among white evangelicals, they have been positively correlated with higher support for Trump and his core MAGA appeals. At best, church attendance may modestly blunt the appeal of Trump’s most xenophobic rants among white evangelicals, but it ultimately makes no difference in white evangelical support for his candidacy as president.

What the Myth of Unchurched White Evangelicals Is Protecting

So why does this myth about white evangelical support for Trump, despite the plain evidence to the contrary, continue to be resurrected?  My strong suspicion is that this theory serves a psychological purpose: It subconsciously protects a deeply held American assumption about the positive value of the church.

If church attending is a moral behavior that generates positive civic goods, then it should follow that frequent church attenders should be less attracted to a leader such as Trump, or at least to his most racist and xenophobic appeals. Asserting that those outside the church fold are generating Trump’s white evangelical support simultaneously resolves a paradox and absolves the church.

It’s time for the zombie hypothesis—that Trump’s evangelical support is due to a growing number of unchurched white evangelicals—to be laid to rest finally. Letting that biased theory go will allow us to have a clearer understanding not only of our politics but also of our churches. ❏ ❏ ❏

NECROLOGY LISTINGS

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

The Reverend Susie Johnson Harris, retired itinerant elder in the Central Annual Conference of the Eleventh Episcopal District, the beloved aunt of Bishop Marvin C. Zanders II, presiding prelate of the Sixteenth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, and the Reverend Dr. Ronald Slaughter, pastor of St. James AMEC, Newark, New Jersey, in the First Episcopal District

The Reverend Fred Raggs, retired itinerant elder of the Eighth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

Ms. Andrea Willis, the daughter of the Reverends Andrew and Natalie Willis, Arkansas Annual Conference, and the niece of presiding elder and the Reverend Tyrone and Ina Kaye Broomfield, Twelfth Episcopal District

Dr. Dolly Desselle Adams, retired supervisor, widow of Bishop John Hurst Adams, the 87th elected and consecrated bishop of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; Dr. Adams was a mentor to many pastors and their spouses; she was an educator who served four years as national president of The Links, Inc., and The Links Foundation, Inc., and she served five years as national president of the Black Women’s Agenda, Inc., among her civic and social circles

Mr. Earnest White, beloved son-in-law of the Reverend Willie Bell ColemanSmith, retired itinerate elder in the Central Annual Conference who serves on the ministerial staff of St. Mark AME

Church, Orlando, Florida, Eleventh Episcopal District

The Reverend Joe Louis Gay, Sr., a retired itinerate elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church who served in the Orlando Conference (now known as Central) and West Coast Annual Conferences, the beloved husband of Roslyn Hammond Gay; the father of consultant Kathryn Thompson (Presiding Elder Jimmy Thompson of the Lively Lakeland District); Minister Joe L. Gay, Jr. (Donna); the Reverend Gregory V. Gay, Sr. (Lashunda), pastor of Mt. Olive AME Church, Tampa, Florida, and disaster relief coordinator for the Eleventh Episcopal District, Angela Scarbrough (DuShun)

Mr. Eddie Bill Tyler, Jr., father of the Reverend Mark Kelly Tyler, Ph.D., pastor of Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Philadelphia Annual Conference of the First Episcopal District

Mrs. Virgie Coleman Hughes, mother of Brother Howard Hughes and the mother-in-law of the Reverend Orsella Hughes, pastor of Allen Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church, Hartford, CT, New England Annual Conference of the First Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church

Presiding Elder (Emeritus) Merrell Johnson, who retired from the Northwest Texas Conference, Tenth Episcopal District, the husband of Sister Ruby Johnson, a charter member of Conn-MSWAWO+PK’s of the African Methodist Episcopal Church

FEBRUARY 2024

Mr. Ewart Harrison Joell (age 97), the stepfather of Presiding Elder Lucinda Burgess, pastor of Richard Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church, London, UK; the European Annual Conference of the SixteenthEpiscopal District

Mr. James Edward Rivers, the brother of the Right Reverend Michael L. Mitchell, presiding prelate, Twelfth Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church

Sister Ruth Bell Rhone, the wife of the late Reverend Dr. David Rhone, Sr. and the mother of the Reverend Dr. David B Rhone, Jr., presiding elder of the South Atlanta District of the Sixth Episcopal District; she was first lady to many AME congregations in the West Florida Conference for over 45 years and was a long-standing member of the Women’s Missionary Society and the Minister’s Spouses Alliance of the Eleventh Episcopal District

Elder Willie Kenlaw, Jr., the father of the Reverend William Kenlaw III, pastor of Oak Street AME Church Baltimore, Maryland, Second Episcopal District

Ernest A. Rouse, Sr., retired presiding elder who served faithfully as a pastor and presiding elder in the Ninth Episcopal District for 45 years, 30 years as a pastor and 15 years as presiding elder of the Mobile District; he also served as first vice chairman and chief interrogator of the Episcopal Committee

Condolences to the bereaved are expressed on behalf of Publications Commission chair Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., president/ publisher of the AMEC Publishing House (Sunday School Union) the Reverend Dr. Roderick D. Belin, and editor of The Christian Recorder, Dr. John Thomas III.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (NRSV)

To share or receive information about Connectional clergy family bereavements and congratulations, please contact the AME Church Clergy Family Information Center. Mrs. Ora L. Easley, administrator

• 5981 Hitching Post Lane • Nashville, TN 37211

• 615.833.6936 (CFIC Office)

• amecfic.org

• facebook.com/AMECFIC.

EDITORIAL

Will Parents Be Incarcerated for the Actions and Decisions of Their Children?

James B. Ewers, Jr., Ed.D.

I can say, with certainty, that my parents gave me a foundation built on love. I always felt cared about and safe. They poured their humanity into me every day.

Having a good name was important. Keeping a good name was even more important. As children, we made some immature decisions; however, those decisions did not cause hurt, harm, or danger to anyone. Being mischievous back in the day simply meant carrying out childish pranks. For example, you might leave an empty juice carton in the refrigerator. The question would arise in the house: Who did it?

As a child in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, I remember neighborhoods where everyone knew one another. As children, we were always in and out of someone else’s house. We were all pretty much social, and there were no deep, dark secrets.

With a sense of pride and thanksgiving, I can say we had a caring East Winston community. If something strange or unusual were happening with us, parents would know about it and do something about it.

If you are of a certain age, you probably had similar experiences to mine. The formula was love, caring, and communication. These three traits kept us out of confusion and gave us emotional stability.

My dear childhood friends, William Earl and Bishop Graham, whom I have known since elementary school, often talk about the joys we had simply being kids. Laughing, playing, and joking were things we did in abundance. Our responsibilities were to do our best in school and to act like we had some sense. We managed to do both.

Being quiet and a loner did not happen in our neighborhood. We played outside every chance we had, even in cold weather. Being inside was not appealing to us. Being with our friends was ten times better than watching television or listening to the radio.

Guns were not a part of our community. Deep in my spirit, I do not believe adults owned guns. That was just the way it was. Now, it seems everyone at least knows someone who owns a gun. Suffice it to say, things are just different these days.

Children and teens now have ready

and immediate access to weapons. How can that be? It can be because parents leave guns out and visible, coupled with the fact they are loaded. Restrictions on who can purchase them are weak, too.

Some parents have only minor restrictions on their children, sometimes leading to bad outcomes. The other side of that debate is that you want your children to be responsible and learn to make wise choices. That is the fine line that parents find themselves in today. Some parents become querulous and complain, while others remain silent and still.

I suspect the Crumbley family in Michigan grappled with that question. A few weeks ago, Jennifer Crumbley was found guilty of four counts of involuntary manslaughter. The jury found that she bore some responsibility for her son, Ethan Robert Crumbley, age 15, killing four students and injuring seven other people. This tragedy happened on November 30, 2021, at Oxford High School outside of Detroit, Michigan.

The husband, James Crumbley, is set to go on trial next month. He, too, is charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter. Reports

How to Get Involved With Reproductive Justice

James B. Ewers, Jr. Guest Editorial

say that Mrs. Crumbley is the first person to go on trial for a mass shooting carried out by her child.

This case is reverberating across the country with parents across America. Joe Tamburino, a criminal defense attorney, said, “The case will create a huge precedent for further cases. Think about it: the next time there’s some type of school shooting, they could arrest the parents. This is going to change the landscape.”

Parenting today is both rewarding and challenging. There are no easy answers or solutions. Being thoughtful and proactive can safeguard parents as they raise and rear their children. We are living in perilous and uncertain times. ❏ ❏ ❏

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization’s emphasis on one’s constitutional right to choose brought about a crisis in the pro-choice movement. The language of the pro-choice movement, used for 50 years, became irrelevant, and many historic pro-choice organizat ions began to use the term “reproductive justice.” Many new organizations began to form around the nation, claiming reproductive justice as a framework without ever addressing or acknowledging their own anti-black biases. These organizations have essentially co-opted the chronically underfunded work of black women, overshadowing decades-old work within black spaces and shifting the focus away from the impact of centuries-old oppression on the bodies and lives of black people. By using the language of reproductive justice and diversity, white pro-choice organizations pull from reproductive justice organizations that need your time, your attention, and your donat ions.

One way to tell the difference between reproductive justice organizations and pro-choice organizations using the reproductive justice framework is through their focus and organizational commitments. Reproductive justice organizations are committed to the framework of reproductive justice and to the community from which reproductive justice was born. As such, organizations with roots and presence in black communities, meaningful and long-standing relationships with black institutions, and are led by black people are more likely to be reproductive justice organizations. organizations with a holistic emphasis on the health and well-being of black people, including but not limited to abortion access, are more likely to be reproductive justice organizations. Most reproductive justice organizations are led solely by black people and function within black spaces alongside organizations from other communities.

Here are some reproductive justice organizations around the nation:

Black Mama’s Matter (Nationwide)

Interfaith Voices for Reproductive Justice (GA and Nationwide)

Sister Song Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective (GA and Nationwide)

Black Women for Wellness (CA)

Black Women’s Health Imperative (GA)

Spark Reproductive Justice (GA)

New Voices for Reproductive Justice (PA and OH)

Women With a Vision (LA)

Sister Reach (TN) – offers robust training on reproductive justice available nationwide.

The Afiya Center (TX)

Black Reproductive Justice Agenda: https://blackrj.org/ wp-content/uploads/2021/06/ BlackRJPolicyAgenda.pdf. (2021, updated) ❏ ❏ ❏