Traveling Through Our Pain With Purpose

THE WOMEN’S MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE BOTSWANA ANNUAL CONFERENCE CELEBRATES WMS DAY OF SERVICE

By Potlako Molomo, Contributing Writer

It was all smiles behind the masks, well wishes, praising God, and catching up as the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) of the Botswana Annual Conference reminisced on the blessed hymn of the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, “And Are We Yet Alive,” as they met to celebrate the 2022 WMS Day of Service.

This event is one of the highlights of the WMS calendar and is celebrated annually on the first Saturday of March on a rotational basis in our four areas of the conference. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the WMS did a mini celebration in 2021 with very limited attendance, as opposed to the customary representation from the entire annual conference. Therefore, it was a breath of fresh air and reason to give thanks unto the Lord from whom all blessings flow when the mothers of the church converged again in person on 6th March 2022 to execute their mandate of the ministry in giving at Malokaganyane AME Church.

In attendance were the presiding elder of the Lobatse District, the Rev. Beauty Lekone, our pastors, the Rev. Goitsemodimo Sedietso (supernumerary), the Rev. Selebaleng Gaditshwane (H.B. Senatle AME Church), the Rev. Yola Mosata (Lucas Mhere Mosata AME Church,) the Rev. Ramotantile Nkgelepang (Collins Temple AME Church), Honourable Councillor Kopo Mononi (guest speaker), and mothers from the four areas which make up the annual conference. The WMS Conference president highlighted the reason for the occasion, underscoring scripture, “Blessed is the hand that giveth,” and thanked the mothers for traveling from all near and far to be part of and bear witness to the work of missions.

The WMS donated duvet covers and toiletries to three elderly women in the church. In his address, Hon. Mononi highlighted and cited the wonderful deeds and sacrifices of women in the Bible, such as Esther, Mary Magdalene, Ruth, and others. He especially noted how, throughout history, women had dedicated their time, resources, and energy, experiencing pain, protecting, loving, and caring for their children, the community, and the nation at large. He commended the WMS for this act, which he said may seem small in their eyes, but was a confirmation of Jesus’ parable of feeding the poor and taking care of the needy as found in Matthew 25:35-40. He also cited Jeremiah 29:11 and told the WMS that God had a good plan to prosper them and make them flourish beyond this act of kindness and the challenges of COVID-19.

In response, Ms. Nnanantsi Lekgowe, one of the recipients, thanked the WMS for their love and gifts, which she said will go a long way to alleviating their daily needs, and prayed that God continues to bless them abundantly.

The 18th Episcopal WMS president gave a vote of thanks. She commended the WMS and encouraged them to continue with their good deeds, acts of love, and perseverance during COVID-19. ❏ ❏ ❏

TRAVELING THROUGH OUR PAIN WITH PURPOSE

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

At some point in each of our lives, we experience pain through the loss of a loved one. We experience pain through the end of a friendship; we even experience pain through the mistakes we have made in life. However, the journey is not about the pain we experience but about the purpose it gives to us. Pain can debilitate us and make us helpless victims of its outcome. It is not so much the result we want but that we must travel through our individual pain with some purpose in mind. I have attempted to journey with a purpose in mind during my own seasons of pain.

First, as we travel through our pain, God gives us purpose. As I was swimming one day, God spoke to purpose within my pain, and the pain was not less severe, but now it had a purpose. In your pain, it is important to find purpose. The purpose will give direction to your pain. We all know pain is not easy, nor is it something we look forward to in our lives; however, pain is a reality of our existential experience. Pain is a part of our journey.

Second, we travel through our pain with strength toward our purpose. Pain can make us weak at the knees. It can cause sleepless nights and long days, but pain can also cause us to gain strength we never knew existed. In my own pain, I have found strength and support from my faith. Faith is not faith when we see it. Faith is really faith when we do not see it. Second Corinthians 5:7 reminds us that, “We walk by faith and not by sight.”

Third, we travel through our pain in the community. Only some will understand our pain. Everyone will not be cordial and supportive. In fact, some people may even attempt to take advantage of our pain. Nevertheless, we can find genuine community as we travel through pain with a purpose. We are not created to live alone, but we can decide with whom we want to take this journey. ❏ ❏ ❏

...From TiShaunda McPherson p6 truly excited to partner with her to chart a bold course to make our organization and our work more diverse, equitable, and accessible.”

McPherson earned her law degree from Northwestern, a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Minnesota, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Illinois. She is also an ordained minister with a master of divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. ❏ ❏ ❏

— TRANSITION —

CHIQUITA A. FYE, MD (1952-2022)

On July 17, 1952 God sent Chiquita Agatha Fye to earth with the mission to serve him and others with her dynamic gifts. For sixty-nine years Chiquita worked tirelessly serving God and enriching the lives of others here on earth. On the evening of March 1, 2022, as she peacefully slept at home, she heard the words “well done, good and faithful servant...come and share your Master’s happiness.” Her mission of service had been fulfilled.

Chiquita was born in Dublin, Georgia to the late Rev. and Mrs. Marion Fye, Sr.; the baby sister to her three siblings, Jacintha, Edward and Marion, Jr. She went on to complete her bachelor’s degree and Doctorate of Medicine at Emory University School of Medicine. Her servant’s heart led her to open a private practice in Montezuma, Georgia as the first black physician in the area. Montezuma became her home and she served that community faithfully for ten years. Everyone in Macon County appreciated Dr. Fye’s dedicated service to their community. She also practiced in Columbus, Oglethorpe, and other areas of Georgia prior to her retirement from medical practice in 2017.

Chiquita’s devotion to God through the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church was evident. Dr. Fye served the global AME Church as the fifth medical director of the Connectional (International) Health Commission. As an active member of Bethel AME Church (Montezuma) she served as a steward, former President and Youth Director for the Janie Jolly Missionary Society, church musician, and choir director. She previously served as the area director of the Eastern District Women’s Missionary Society and was also a member of the World Methodist Council; attending conferences all over the world. Her service did not end there. Chiquita pledged her life in “Service to all Mankind” in 1973 by becoming a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. She was also a life member of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

Chiquita is survived by her brother Edward Fye, Sr. (Dorothy); niece Felicia Fye Perry (Lewis); nephews Edward Fye, Jr. (Litisha), James Holloway, and Justin Holloway; cousins James Dawson, Jr. (Arlene), Jasmine Ellis (Alfred), Aja Ellis, and Afton Cowen (Rahmel); a host of other relatives and friends. ❏ ❏ ❏

REV. HENRY E. GREEN III: THE RIGHT PASTOR AT THE RIGHT TIME

By Sylvester “Nunnie” Robinson, Westside Gazette

On March 19, 2022, Bishop Frank Madison Reid, presiding prelate of the Eleventh Episcopal District, under the jurisdiction of the South Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, assigned pastoral charge of Mount Hermon AME Church Fort Lauderdale to the Rev. Henry E. Green III, making him the 33rd pastor in the church’s storied history.

Pastor Trae’s appointment to Mt. Hermon is both unique and timely as he follows his father, the Rev. Henry E. Green, Jr., the dynamic, visionary spiritual leader who pastored Mount Hermon for eight years, and timely because Pastor Trae brings a wealth of experience, a youthful exuberance, and an unquenchable desire to transform the church through Christian conversion.

Manifestations of his sincerity and devotion to Christ’s teachings were succinctly evident to Bible study participants recently when he taught Bible study via zoom in an airport terminal while waiting to board a flight to Atlanta. On a another occasion, having been called to an out of town meeting, he pulled over on the side of the road and conducted Bible study; fervent, passionate examples not lost on his members.

As a member I secretly harbored the thought that Pastor Trae would be chosen to succeed his father as I am certain others did as well. What an honor and privilege!

His father and current presiding elder of the Celebrated Central District stated thusly: “The appointment of pastor to a church with the rich history and legacy of Mount Hermon AME is a tremendous honor and responsibility. I feel very blessed to have the privilege of experiencing it for myself, but also to have my son, the Reverend Henry E. Green III, succeed me as pastor, doubling the honor for me. He is a dynamic, innovative, and intelligent leader who I believe will lead Mount Hermon to unprecedented growth and impact upon the city of Fort Lauderdale. The best for Mount Hermon is not behind us but in front of us; with Jesus the best is yet to come.”

Steward Pro Tem Dr. Judy Johnson witnessed Pastor Trae’s appointments as executive and senior pastor of Mount Hermon Fort Lauderdale, stating with great pride, “I brought the Certificate of Appointment and presented it to the congregation on Sunday, March 22, 2022.”

Although Pastor Trae, as he is affectionately called, was born in Jacksonville, FL, his formative years were experienced in Miami where he attended and graduated from Carol City Senior High School, then matriculated to the University of Florida in Gainesville, earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology. Additionally, Pastor Trae earned his Masters in Theology from ITC (Interdenominational Theology Seminary) in Atlanta and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Theology from the United Theological Seminary in Dayton, Ohio.

However, don’t let his youthful persona deceive you as he has amassed invaluable experience leading several congregations: New Bethel AME in Clewiston, FL; Person Chapel AME in Midway, Alabama; Greater St. Mark AME in Columbus, Georgia; and most recently Payne Chapel AME in West Palm Beach, FL. With every appointment he has left an indelible impact on church, members, and community.

Pastor Trae is presently a board member of the Corey Jones Scholarship Committee, honored with induction in the University of Florida Black Student Alumni “Gator Greats,” inducted in the My Legacy Magazine’s 2021 class Top 40 Under 40 in South Florida, and co-authored a book titled Green Pastures along with three generations of Green clergy family members. He is married to the love of his life, Mrs. Heather Banks Green, and is the proud father of two sons, London and Henry IV.

The investiture service in honor of the Rev. Henry E. Green III was held at Mount Hermon AME Church, 701 NW 7th Terrace, Fort Lauderdale, FL, on Sunday, March 27, 2022, at 3:30 p.m.

NBA ALL-STAR STEPHEN CURRY PICKS AME AUTHOR’S MYSTERY NOVEL FOR HIS LITERATI BOOK CLUB

By Patricia Raybon, 5th Episcopal District

DENVER, CO – When the news came, AME author Patricia Raybon struggled to believe it. Her favorite NBA all-star player, Stephen Curry, picked her new historical mystery novel, All That Is Secret, as March 2022 pick for his Literati Book Club, Underrated.

Raybon, a longtime member of Shorter Community AME Church in Denver, was “over the moon” by Curry’s selection. One of Literati’s original Luminaries, Curry identifies stories that feature diverse protagonists around social justice issues, encouraging readers to push their boundaries. All That Is Secret is the first novel in a new historical mystery series by Raybon, an award-winning Colorado author, journalist, and essayist. The novel centers around a young black theologian, Annalee Spain—a fan of Sherlock Holmes—trying to solve her father’s cold case murder in 1920s Denver, a hotbed of the KKK. The young theologian’s sidekicks include a young AME pastor, whose backstory includes World War I service in the famed 369th Infantry Regiment known as the Harlem Hell Fighters.

Said Curry of All That Is Secret: “I’ve chosen to share this book for many reasons. Mysteries featuring and written by strong, black women are uncommon. This changes the game for good. As theology professor Annalee Spain tries to figure out who murdered her father, she’s honest about questioning her connection with God…but Annalee’s faith shines through, and we get to share not only an exciting mystery, but a vulnerable spiritual journey as well. It’s something special.”

The book was selected by Parade Magazine as a fall 2021 “Mysteries We Love” as well as PBS Masterpiece’s “Best Mystery Books of 2021: As Recommended by Bestselling Authors.” The CrimeReads website also included it as a “Best Debut Novels” pick for October 2021. Upon receiving this honor, author Patricia Raybon shared: “I’m thrilled by NBA all-star Stephen Curry’s selection of my novel. I admire his commitment to faith and family, community and social C justice, and of course, his athletic prowess and achievements. Then there’s his love of books. He ju cares that both children and adults fall in love with reading to learn, grow, find themselves, and ca connect with others. To know he’s sharing my story about a young black theologian–turned–co amateur detective with fellow booklovers is a highlight beyond measure.” a Raybon’s novel was released in October 2021 by Tyndale House Publishers. Senior Acquisitions editor Stephanie Broene offered: “We’re so honored that Stephen Curry has chosen to feature e Patricia Raybon’s All That Is SecretP as a book club pick. We believe Patricia has enormous talent and potential, and we can’t wait for readers to be swept up into this compelling mystery!” p Raybon, a former Sunday contemporary magazine editor at The Denver Post who served on the journalism faculty at the University of Colorado at Boulder, is now a regular contributor at Our jo Daily Bread Ministries. She won a Christopher Award for her racial forgiveness memoir, D My First White Friend W , and her prayer memoir, I Told the Mountain to Move, was a Book of the Year Finalist in Christianity Today Magazine’s 2006 book awards. in For more information on Stephen Curry’s book club, visit https://literati.com/book-clubs/ stephen-curry/. For media information on st All That Is Secret, visit https://mediacenter.tyndale. com/p/all-that-is-secret/9781496458377. co For more information about Patricia Raybon, visit her website at patriciaraybon.com. ❏ ❏ ❏

Thi h h

MOUNT MORIAH AME CHURCH HOSTS FIRST MLK MARCH

By Janice Nichols

To commemorate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Mount Moriah African Methodist Episcopal Church in Rocky Point, North Carolina, launched the first MLK March in Rocky Point. The event encompassed ecumenical togetherness, the march, health and wellness awareness, voter registration initiatives, and On Time Ministries. These activities came to fruition under the leadership of the Rev. Dewey Farmer, pastor of Mount Moriah AME Church, and the Rev. Charles Davis, assistant pastor.

Part of the event emphasized ecumenical togetherness, which bridges communities as a union. Planners invited many denominations to participate, and they responded with interest and enthusiasm – a sign of hope for the Christian Church.

Realizing nothing can materialize successfully without seeking God’s guidance and intervention, the Rev. Charles Davis, founder and administrator of On Time Ministries, fervently prayed for a successful day. The Rev. Farmer and Evangelist Sherman Cooper also prayed, read scripture, and set the tone for a God-directed event.

The MLK March began and reflected the enormous strides and accomplishments of Dr. King. Joy and excitement were evident as the marchers trekked their journey and returned to the church. Participants listened intently as John Batts so eloquently dramatized “I Have a Dream,” one of Dr. King’s commemorative addresses. John’s voice, actions, and emotions kept the audience focused throughout his delivery. He reminded us that we are still seeking justice, equality, and freedom. So, it is time to get up, speak up, and get into some good trouble. What a magnificent performance!

The day continued with emphasis on our health. The Health and Wellness Committee distributed KN95 Protective Masks, Sanitect Hand Sanitizer, and sign-up information about the upcoming Blood Drive. In addition, some attendees signed up to give blood and serve as greeters. Nadine Jordan, chairperson, worked tirelessly throughout the event.

In addition, participants focused on voting rights and voter education. Constant headlines remind us of voter suppression throughout the United States. We made a concerted effort to register as many new voters as possible and distributed voter guides. Voter registration will continue to be a focused effort. Adding to the success of the day was the presence of On Time Ministries. Their informational brochures explained their goals and accomplishments to date. A major part of the brochure included “Steps to Christian Discipleship.” We are extremely grateful for their participation and the leadership of our technicians, John Stringfield and Janice Nichols, for posting the MLK events on Facebook and to reporters from Spectrum and WWAY TV-3, who televised the event.

The event culminated with prayer and a delicious fish dinner. We thank God for all that transpired. ❏ ❏ ❏

THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES CLOSE EVERY YEAR. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEIR BUILDINGS?

By Bob Smietana

When he was named a district superintendent for the Church of the Nazarene, the Rev. Albert Hung found himself facing the same problem many denominational leaders face: Too many churches. Not enough people.

Of the 90 or so congregations in the Northern California district Hung leads, few have more than 100 people, with most drawing around 40 people to worship services in buildings designed to seat far more. Their long-term, viable future is questionable — as those congregations are aging, shrinking, and often disconnected from their neighbors. A number of churches in the district have already decided to close, leaving empty pews in shuttered buildings.

“An empty church building is not just an asset to be liquidated,” said Hung, who insists these [buildings] are still sacred spaces that God can use even if the churches that once worshipped in them no longer exist. That belief led Hung to look for creative ways to use empty church buildings.

In Santa Cruz, the Nazarenes have teamed with a nondenominational congregation to turn a shuttered church building into a community center that will house a number of nonprofits. For years, the building was home to First Church of the Nazarene in Santa Cruz, a small congregation that shut down after its longtime pastor retired. The church also rented space to Faith Community Church of Santa Cruz, a nondenominational church that runs several community ministries.

The decision to close First Church of the Nazarene worried Andy Lewis, pastor of Faith Community. The church had struggled to find a place to worship before renting space from the Nazarenes — and Lewis feared the church would have to leave the space. However, in a new arrangement, Faith Community — which is nondenominational — gets to stay as one of several community partners sharing the space. The idea is to use the space for the benefit not just of the church but the entire neighborhood, he said. For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Faith Community has used the space to run a food ministry and to host mobile medical clinics and a vaccination site in the parking lot. “We have to rethink how we use physical spaces so we can be a presence of love in the community,” said Lewis.

Dominic Dutra, author of Closing Costs, a new book about how church property can be repurposed, says, “There are thousands of churches around the country that have closed or will likely close in the years to come. And too often,” he said, “leaders of those churches put off any discussion about what to do with their building until it’s too late.” As a result, Dutra says, “I’ve had situations where buildings are empty, and they have no plan at all.”

A 2021 study from Lifeway Research, based on data from three-dozen denominations, found that 4,500 churches closed in 2019, while only 3,000 started. The 2021 Faith Communities Today study found that the median worship attendance for churches in the U.S. dropped from 137 people to 65 people over the past two decades. Dutra argues that billions of dollars in church property could be put to work for ministry – if church leaders become proactive about the future. He has worked with a number of religious groups to do just that. For example, in Oakland, Dutra helped the Nazarenes find a new buyer for a shuttered church building on the outskirts of town. A growing Korean congregation, which had a building close to downtown but with no parking, bought the building. As part of the deal, the Nazarenes swapped their building, which had a large parking lot, for the building owned by the Korean church. That downtown church is now home to EIKON — a nonprofit that is part Nazarene church plant, part community organization. EIKON also took over another shuttered Nazarene building, which it uses to store donated furniture and appliances for a program called “Infinite Christmas.” Those donated goods, which are brand new and come from major manufacturers, are distributed by other local churches and nonprofits. “EIKON is the kind of experiment that denominations like the Church of the Nazarene need to try,” said Hung. “Many churches still cling to old ways of doing ministry, which often involves waiting for people to show up on Sunday.” Instead, he said, “in the future, churches will have to find ways to get out into the community and prove their worth.” Hung also hopes congregations will develop what he called “kingdommindedness” — looking at the biggerpicture ministry of the Christian church rather than their own interests. “Now is the time for bold experimentation,” Hung said. “We have so little to lose at this point.” When he talks with a church about closing — and what will happen to their buildings — he begins with a “posture of success,” giving thanks for all the congregation has accomplished in its history. He also gives thanks to those who gave generously to support the church’s mission in the past and encourages the church to bless future generations in the same way. Finally, Hung asks, “What is the most loving thing we can do for our kids and our neighbors?” Not all churches are open to that kind of thinking. Pastor Albert Lee of Regeneration Church in Oakland recalls how his nondenominational congregation rented space from an older Baptist congregation. When that church closed, Regeneration bought the building at top dollar though Lee had hoped the denomination that owned the building would be willing to bless his church rather than seeing the sale as just another transaction — especially in the Bay Area, where property values are sky-high. “I felt they could have partnered with us to bless the community and do some good things together, but they just had money on their mind,” he said. “When a new church starts up,” Lee said, “they are keenly aware of God’s provision for their needs. However, when churches close, they often don’t think about what God is doing and instead hold on tight to their material assets.” Lee, whose congregation bought their building just before the pandemic, has mixed feelings about the whole process. On one hand, owning the building has allowed them to run a homeless ministry and offer English as a Second Language and other programs for refugees. But, on the other hand, the church spent months unable to meet in the building due to COVID and, as of February, was still meeting on a limited basis. For Sister Gladys Guenther, president of the Fremont, California-based Sisters of the Holy Family, planning for the future has been a blessing and a time of grief. Like many orders of Catholic nuns, the Holy Family sisters have been aging and declining in numbers. At their peak, there were about 250 sisters. Now there are just over 40. In recent years, the sisters worked with Dutra to sell their motherhouse, which was outdated. They used those funds to build senior housing. Members of the order live there now, and when they are gone, the buildings will likely be sold to a nonprofit that works h f d d N d h h b ld h h F ll H k “Wh with seniors. Sister Gladys, who at 76, indicates that she is “one of the younger sisters,” explains that in planning for the future, members of the order had two goals–to care for the sisters as they grew old and to ensure the legacy of the order would live on even after they were gone. Gladys said there has been grief in watching her order plan for shutting down. When she joined in the 1960s, the future looked bright. Now, she said, “There’s grief” in watching an organization she loved die. “The hardest part,” she contends, “is saying goodbye to sisters” she has known for decades. “One would presume that all of this change is part of God’s plan, too. It might not be my preferential plan if I were informing God of what I would like to see happen,” she said. “But you know what — life is filled with things you thought you could never do or even imagine.” ❏ ❏ ❏

H151ST CELEBRATION OF CHARLOTTE MAXEKE’S BIRTH

By Rev. Gaborone P. Lesito, 19th Episcopal District Field Representative

The year 2021 was a great year to celebrate 150 years of Charlotte Makgomo Mannya-Maxeke since her birth. rth. The year 2021 was a great year to celebrate 150 The African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC) and the ANC NC The Women’s League, the Charlotte Mannya Maxeke Institute (CMMI), MI),Wom and the community converged once again on 7 April to celebrate rate and this great stalwart, educator, liberator, political activist, and many any this other titles she has been awarded due to her selfless work. The The othe activities went on from 8h30am to just after 3pm having allowed wed activ the clergy, members of the AME Church across the 19 the th Episcopal opal District, representatives from the South African government, the the Dist president, and members of the Women’s Missionary Society (WMS) MS) pres of the 19 of th th Episcopal District, president, and members of the ANC Women’s League, and the Charlotte Mannya Maxeke ANC Women’s League, and the Charlotte Mannya Maxeke Institute (CMMI) to relive the legacy of this great icon. Insti As all roads led to a portion of SOWETO, Kliptown, the house where Charlotte Maxeke lived, guests and dignitaries A included the ANC Women’s League president, Bathabile Dlamini, president of the 19 inclu th Episcopal District WMS, Reshoketswe Mosuwe, and the chairperson of the CMMI, Thulasizwe Makhanya. While everyone recognised the urgency to complete the Mos programme at Charlotte Maxeke’s home and travelling across the province for over 45 minutes to Atteridgeville, this could prog not have happened without devotions led by the Rev. Gaborone P. Lesito, pastor of Darie Mae Robinson AME Church and pp ynot dean of the M.M. Mokone Memorial Board of Examiners. Olga Sema, granddaughter to Charlotte Maxeke welcomed all M. Mokone Memorial Board of Examiners. Olga Sema,n oof the M.dean and introduced the three branches of the Mannya family and who were in attendance. Thulasizwe Makhanya, the who great-grandson to Charlotte Maxeke and nephew to Olga grea Sema, outlined the programme for the day. Sem The entourage then left for a short visit to a smallT scale garden project run by CMMI and the Kliptown scale community. com Next was a stopover at the grave of Charlotte Maxeke N for a wreath laying ceremony, and here too, in true for AME tradition and conviction, the event was opened AM with a devotional exercise with the hymn “Lizalis’ idinga with lakho” and a prayer offered by l khho” and a prayer offered byholakh the the ...continued on p12