The Pain of Racism Through the Lens of Calvary

GREATER BETHEL AME CHURCH, CHARLOTTE, HOSTS VACCINATION CLINIC

By Angeline Pugh, 2nd Episcopal District

Greater Bethel AME Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, in conjunction with Atrium Health, hosted a community-wide COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic on March 12, 2021, in the main parking lot at 5232 The Plaza, Charlotte, North Carolina. The goal was to vaccinate 300 individuals on a first-come, first-served, no appointment necessary, basis between the hours of 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dr. Abdue Knox, the pastor, and Brother Neal Green, the chair of the Social Action Commission, worked tirelessly with the Mecklenburg County Health Department, Atrium Health, and Novant Health to offer the Greater Bethel campus as a vaccination site. Atrium Health responded first.

At 7:00 a.m., an hour before the first shots were to be given, over 100 cars of individuals lined up, into six lines, to receive their first Moderna vaccination. Over two dozen volunteers from the Greater Bethel AME Church assisted Atrium Health at the Vaccination Clinic as well as neighbors from the Shannon Park Neighborhood Association and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. To ensure that this would be a successful and targeted event, the Greater Bethel Public Relations Commission spearheaded getting the word out. The church handed out flyers at the hundreds of weekly visitors of the food pantry, shared it on social media networks, and performed good oldfashioned word of mouth by calling members, friends, and informing the community regarding the Clinic.

Many Greater Bethel members and various community neighbors attended the Clinic. In addition, the First Family (Pastor Knox and Sister Rashida Knox) and Sister Vanessa Byrd, the daughter of Retired Supervisor Theora Byrd, received their first vaccination. Atrium Health administered 279 vaccinations and several people were rescheduled because they arrived after closing.

Atrium Health returned for the second Vaccination Clinic on April 9 and 281 second doses were administered. This was an excellent showing. Kudos to the Social Action Commission and Pastor Knox for planning and providing leadership, guidance, and orchestrating a successful COVID-19 Vaccination Clinic. “We are grateful for our partnership with Greater Bethel AME Church to provide access to safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines that will protect our community,” said Trent Legare, the Director of Community Care at Atrium Health. “Greater Bethel AME Church is a trusted community voice and with their support, we have been able to vaccinate hundreds of members of their congregation, network of friends and family,

THE PAIN OF RACISM THROUGH THE LENS OF CALVARY

By Rev. Dr. Versey Williams, Contributing Writer

Navigating racism in the 21st century means Eastertide 2021 holds an even deeper significance for me. Termed “Jim Crow 2.O,” I have always known God grieves when we are marginalized, ridiculed, and murdered at the hearts and hands of those who live out Satan’s decree to kill, steal, and destroy. God Incarnate, in the person of Jesus, gives us hope.

Although it is difficult to stomach, racism has gotten better for us as a people. However, better is not good enough. We deserve to be valued and respected for who we are. We are good enough and lacking nothing in our personhood. Racism is evil personified to destroy us (John 10).

I heard only a few minutes of the trial for the police officer who murdered l ff h d d the late Mr. George Floyd. I became so angry! When I was a little girl, I recall traveling to Mississippi with my parents. It was a somber trip. I learned someone was lynched. When I saw, again, the picture flash on the television with the officer’s knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck, I wanted to scream! Yet I know those who kill us could care not less about my cries.

As I cried out, this time was different. I know that by Jesus’ strips I and we are healed. This time, God opened my eyes with deeper meaning and purpose. My insight brings me no joy or excitement, only the assurance that the person killed was held in the heart of a loving God.

God knew people of African descent, and others, would suffer at the hands of evil. Every time Jesus was beaten, spit upon, ridiculed, stripped naked, and ultimately killed, God was bearing the unbearable for us.

If I had another message to black men and women, it would be that God has not forgotten us. God could have opted a means to bear the unbearable another way but God chose Calvary. God gives us free will and we have a human responsibility to be good stewards of our life. Maybe that’s where justice comes in. We judge each other but Calvary welcomes our brokenness. He bore our iniquities, grief, and sorrows. Yet, the fact remains that life has been cut off.

I remember feeling so broken that I became bitter. I was faithful but someone hurt me beyond what I could bear. I felt hopeless but I also trusted God. That night and several months after, I prayed a psalm. The same psalm might help others as they live with injustice. As people of God, we must trust God; and within our integrity, we must seek change. We are God’s righteousness and our prayers avail much.

Vengeance indeed belongs to God. I get it. Sometimes the pain makes us react in unhealthy ways. God wants us to ask for God’s help. I leave you with the 137th Psalm. ❏ ❏ ❏

and neighbors. Thanks to Greater Bethel AME Church and our faith community partners serving as vaccination host sites, we can safely get back to being with others, back to work, and our children back to school,” he added.

Special thanks to all the volunteers for their assistance as well. Due to the efforts of Dr. Knox and Brother Green, the Mecklenburg County Department of Health is planning another vaccination clinic to be held at Greater Bethel in May. These efforts embody the motto that Dr. Knox has adopted for the church, “Love God, Love the People, Do the Work!” ❏ ❏ ❏

...From Congratulatory p12 social justice and equality.

Pastor Jay received his undergraduate degree from the prestigious Howard University in Washington DC. Following his graduation, he served in the military. After decorated military service, he earned his Juris Doctorate from Tulane University and served as a law clerk to Louisiana Supreme Court Chief (then Associate) Justice Bernette Joshua Johnson. He later earned his Master of Divinity degree from United Theological Seminary, as a Beane Fellow and National Rainbow-PUSH Foundation Scholar, before completing a fellowship at Princeton Theological Seminary. Pastor Jay earned his Doctor of Ministry degree at Duke University in 2020.

As a practicing attorney, Pastor Jay worked on many cases, a lot of them having to do with social justice. He successfully represented a class of plaintiffs in Carter v. St. Helena Parish School Board, one of the oldest federal desegregation cases in the United States, originally filed by Thurgood Marshall, then-counsel for the NAACP. Following this, he spent time teaching as an adjunct professor at Southern University Law Center and Jarvis Christian College. He served in the administration of Louisiana’s governor as executive counsel and director of legislative affairs for the Louisiana Workforce Commission. All this experience has heavily influenced his time as a senior pastor. He served as the senior pastor at the historic St. James AME Church in New Orleans, the oldest predominantly Black, Protestant church in the city. In his role as senior pastor in both St. James and St. Joseph, he has often drawn from ...continued on p22

The Christian Recorder

THE TRUE NATURE OF EVANGELISM

By Rev. Dr. Mark Crutcher, 11th Episcopal District All across our Zion, church leaders have been struggling to resolve the membership retention problems which most churches have been experiencing. Members are taken into the church and often disappear within the first five months. Church leaders from all denominations are experiencing the same problem and searching for different techniques to solve the retention problem in the body of Christ. Perhaps the answer to the problem has been in our grasp all along and we have been overlooking its simplicity. The problem could be embedded in the way that we look at membership and evangelism.

Could it be that we are taking the wrong approaches in evangelizing lost and confused people? There are a multitude of evangelism techniques and strategies being utilized that are effective in getting people into the church. However, it takes more than these techniques to keep them committed to their Christian lifestyles and actively engaged in their church. The answers to the church’s retention problem can be found in the gospels, which is Jesus’ blueprint for evangelizing the world and making disciples.

Contrary to the blueprint of Christ, we focus on membership and not on discipleship. We assist people in the salvation and baptism process and ensure that they join a congregation. However, we seem to forget that once we bring them into the church, we are mandated to help them get the church in them. Consequently, it is much easier for Satan to separate members from the church than it is to separate disciples from the body of Christ. Furthermore, discipleship engagement must shift its emphasis from making disciples of denominations, churches, or ministry personalities, to making disciples for Christ.

The true nature of evangelism and disciple- of God to the lost and confused. Evangelism has making is revealed in the gospels through the person to be kingdom-focused and Spirit-led if we are to of Jesus Christ calling and nurturing his disciples reach our goal of leading people to Christ. Once and teaching them how to present the kingdom people accept the love of God and are led to Christ, the biblical mandate for the church is to make disciples through teaching obedience to God’s Word and living a life in submission to the Holy Spirit. That should take precedence in our evangelistic practices.

The evangelism and disciple-making efforts of the church cannot be undergirded with the cognitive knowledge of Christ alone. The Bible reminds us that the demons know Christ to the point of trembling. However, they have no intimacy with Christ even when they are forced to do what the Word of God says. Christ demonstrated how to evangelize and make disciples by building intimate relationships, e.g., giving yourself to Christ, and obedience to the Word and Spirit of God. The true nature of evangelism means that we have truthfully surrendered ourselves and can truly say, “not my will but yours be done.” ❏ ❏ ❏

CHARLOTTE MAXEKE LADIES FELLOWSHIP (CMLF) AND SONS OF ALLEN (SOA) COMMEMORATE THE LIFE OF CHARLOTTE MANNYA-MAXEKE

By Rev. Lerato Motsoaledi, 19th Episcopal District

Since the launch of the Charlotte Maxeke Ladies Fellowship (CMLF) in the 19th District in 2014, the auxiliary has declared the month of April as Charlotte Maxeke Month. In the M.M. Mokone Conference, the CMLF has since celebrated the life of its namesake stalwart with all-night praise and worship experiences on the Fridays closest to her birthday, 7 April. This was our flagship programme until COVID-19 disrupted our worship traditions. However, every loss represents an opportunity; and during the lockdown restrictions, we commemorated our heroine differently.

Charlotte Mannya-Maxeke was a living embodiment of many values we strive to actualise, one of which is gender equality. From the infancy of the South African liberation struggle, she ensured that women’s emancipation was mainstreamed into the liberation agenda. Impressive gains have since been made towards women’s empowerment. Yet, more remains to be done. Today, her country has been infamously dubbed Femicide Nation. In keeping with honouring her legacy, the CMLF has committed to addressing the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV), ravaging the fabric of our society.

Many women and children privately and publicly bear the scars of traumatic abuse, both in the CMLF and the broader AME Church. The time to heal is now. Healing these deep-rooted wounds and dismantling structures of toxic patriarchy will only happen when women and men earnestly hold hands. Indeed, some men too have fallen victim to this GBV pandemic. Consequently, the CMLF saw it fit to partner with fathers of the church, in the form of the Sons of Allen (SOA), on this GBV initiative.

During the Episcopal Joint CMLF-SOA webinar on GBV, hosted by the Board of Christian Education, on 6 March 2021, Bishop E. Earl McCloud, Jr. intimated that our conversations ought to leave the head and enter the heart zone in order for meaningful transformation to happen. This resonated and to commemorate what would have been our stalwart’s 150th birthday, on 7 April 2021, CMLF-SOA hosted another GBV webinar. Athlete, rape survivor, and author of Yoyisa (Overcome), Ms. Ntombesintu Mfunzi was invited to share her journey of being victimised, surviving, and thriving with us. We thank God for her courage and for using her to give a face to unspeakable tragedies which continue to haunt us.

Especially heart-warming was being graced by the presence of a direct descendant of Koko Charlotte Makgabo Mannya-Maxeke, Advocate Modidima Mannya. His impassioned plea to the SOA for more meaningful conversations gave us hope that together we can heal our sometimes embittered gender relations and thereby claim our divine heritage of harmonious co-existence. Acts 2:1 says, “When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.” ❏ ❏ ❏

AME MINISTER ANNOUNCED AS WESLEYAN INVESTIVE AWARD RECIPIENT

Wesleyan Investive announced today its Tom Locke Innovative Leader Award honorees. Jennifer Bailey, of Nashville, and a member of the AME Church is one of five recipients of this inaugural award.

Bailey is an ordained minister, public theologian, and national leader in the multi-faith movement for justice. She is the founder and executive director of Faith Matters Network, whose mission is to catalyze personal and social change by equipping community organizers, faith leaders, and activists with resources for connection, spiritual sustainability, and accompaniment.

The Tom Locke Innovative Leader innovative spiritual leadership and event on May 16. Event details can be Award recognizes five individuals missionally driven entrepreneurship. found at award.wesleyaninvestive.org. from across the country who exemplify Recipients will be honored at a virtual ❏ ❏ ❏

GROUNDBREAKING FOR THE NEW ST. JOHN AME CHURCH EDIFICE

By B. A. Johnson, Ninth Episcopal District

Hosea 10:12 says, “Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break Glover; and the scripture read by Presiding Elder Bruce W. Hunter of the Ninth up your fallow ground; for it is time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain Episcopal District. righteousness upon you.” The St. John AME Bishop Reverend Harry L. Seawright led the Church congregation in Huntsville, Alabama, congregation in the “Responsive Expression c assembled on Sunday, March 14, 2021, the of Commitment.” During the commitment o 136th anniversary of the church, to break response, Steward Pro Tem, Marcus Hill re ground for the new edifice. represented the Board of Stewards; Mr. re

After a joyous worship service had been Bill Williams spoke for the Trustee Board; B preached by the Rt. Rev. Harry L. Seawright, Miss Martinee Hill represented the youth; M the presiding prelate of the Ninth Episcopal Sister Adrienne Pope-Kelly Washington, the S District, the congregation proceeded to the Committee Co-chair, represented the Building C site of the groundbreaking. All city, county, Committee; Brother Rufus Gilmore, the C and state dignitaries were present as well church treasurer, stated the commitment on c as ministers and clergy from neighboring behalf of the Finance Committee; Dr. Thalia b churches and the Episcopal District. As a hush Love-Brown spoke on behalf of the Christian L fell over the crowd, the Rev. Maurice Wright, II, the servant pastor of St. John, approached L-R: Miss Madison McCall, the granddaughter of the Rev. Dr. Homer L. McCall; the Rev. Maurice Wright, II, the Education Department; and the pastor closed the commitment response with prayer. The E the podium and lead the assembly in singing servant pastor of St. John AME Church; the Rt. Rev. Harry “Breaking of the Ground” was the final act of the hymn, “We’ve Come This Far by Faith.” L. Seawright, the bishop of the 9th Episcopal District. commitment performed by Bishop Seawright;

Greetings were brought by the Honorable Presiding Elder Bruce Hunter; Pastor Wright; P Tommy Battle, the mayor of Huntsville, the Brother Marcus Hill; Brother Bill Williams; B Honorable Devyn Keith, City Councilman Sister Adrienne Pope-Kelly Washington; Miss S (District 1), the Honorable Laura Hall, State Madison McCall, the granddaughter of the M Representative (District 19), the Honorable Rev. Dr. Homer L. McCall; and the Rev. Robert R Anthony Daniels, State Representative (District Hereford, Sr. (retired), the son of the late Rev. H 53), and the Honorable Violet Edwards, Madison Samuel S. Hereford. S County Commissioner (District 6). Also present The location at 4600 Blue Spring Road will were the Rev. Don Darius Butler, the pastor of be the third location of St. John AME Church. b First Missionary Baptist Church, St. John’s future St. John held its first services in a barbershop in S neighboring church, and Dr. Andrew Hugine, downtown Huntsville in 1885. The first structure d Jr., the president of Alabama Agricultural and was built in 1900 at 217 Church Street and was w Mechanical University. utilized until 1971. In 1971, under the pastorship u

The program proceeded with the Call to of the Rev. Hereford, the congregation moved into o Worship; an invocation by the Rev. Charles St. John AME Church the second church at 229 Church Street. th ❏ ❏ ❏

PAIN AND SUFFERING IN THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY AFFECTS ALL

By Dr. James Ewers, Columnist

What does it mean to be our brother’s and sister’s keeper? Is that an expression that sounds good but has little to no meaning? Are we so caught up these days in “me” that we cannot see someone else?

While some may think it strange, I believe we are responsible for each other. We should want what is best for each other in every way, every day. Such responsibility has been stretched to the limits. We say it proudly but we do not practice it.

If you are Black like me, your mind immediately goes to Breonna Taylor and George Floyd. Both were killed by the police. If cooler heads had prevailed, their deaths could have been avoided.

Now, another group in our beloved community is experiencing pain and death. Asian Americans are now the targets of violence and intolerance. Sadly, there is a link to this violence with the COVID-19. Reports say that since the pandemic, there has been a 150% increase in crimes against Asian Americans.

Unfortunately, some Americans have been referring to COVID-19 as the “China virus.” Some of this distasteful and inflammatory rhetoric started with the previous administration. If you recall in his press conferences, Mr. T referred to the coronavirus as such. This dangerous assertion has caught on and now Asian Americans are in physical danger. Even more so, they are afraid. They are afraid to go out and be seen.

Recently, six women of Asian descent were killed at three spas in the Atlanta, Georgia area. These were senseless and mindless killings and did not have to happen. The shooter was identified as Robert Aaron Long. He is 21 years of age.

Long was arrested and reports say he was on the way to Florida to commit more killings. Long is young and white.

There is growing speculation that this was a hate crime. Long countered and said he has a sex addiction and that was the reason for the killings. Experts disagree with his statements.

Dr. Douglas Weiss, psychologist and president of the American Association for Sex Addiction therapy said, “Most sex addicts are not murderers or thieves or embezzlers or criminal types.” He added, “There is a difference between addiction and these types of behaviors.”

The sadness felt by these families is unspeakable. Hearts are broken and families are broken up.

These killings show us just how fragile and tenuous life is. We wake up and start our day, not knowing what lies ahead. These victims left their homes but did not return.

America, this is sad and tragic. People come to this country filled with hope and enthusiasm.

The axiom is that if you work hard and do what is right then good things will happen for you. What is the psychic of people who hate other people because of looks, national origin, and religion? Maybe Long can answer that question.

This was a crime of hate. How does the nation pick up the shattered pieces again?

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris were in Atlanta last week. President Biden said, “The conversation we had today with the [Asian American and Pacific Islander] leaders, and that we’re hearing across the country is that hate and violence often hide in plain sight. It’s often met with silence.”

America, we can no longer look the other way. This is us and we need to fix ourselves. Hate will not help us be a better country, only love will. We cannot give in to hate. Let us give in to love. ❏ ❏ ❏

LONGTIME HOUSING ADVOCATE IS HOPEFUL FOR THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING TASK FORCE

By Hannah Herner, The Contributor

Paulette Coleman advocates for affordable housing—that is housing that costs no more than 30 30 percent of your income. She knows well that wages haven’t kept up with housing costs, and in a n a city like Nashville, the right to invest in property and the right for people to have adequate and safe safe housing collide often. Coleman now brings her years of advocacy work with Nashville Organized for for Action and Hope (NOAH), experience as a chair of the Metropolitan Development and Housing ing Agency, and in international development and urban planning as a member of the mayor’s new new Affordable Housing Task Force.

Q. Can you tell me about the work you’re doing with the Affordable Housing Task Force? allowing multiulti-

A. One is to come up with some recommendations for addressing the unit housing, ng, affordable housing crisis that can be implemented in one, two, or three years. instead of single ngle Now, given that the challenges of affordable housing intersect with many, many f family, you get all kinds of protests from law-abiding, sometimes progressive, llk d f l bd components, we also have a charge to think longer term. And even if we’ve done people who support affordable housing. The phenomenon of NIMBYism, not these things in one, two, or three years, what is the larger, broader ecosystem in my backyard, is very, very real. that needs to exist here in Nashville to mitigate against homelessness, or lack of Q. What are some of the new issues you’re addressing? affordable housing? A. I mediate with the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center, and we got some

I’ve been working on housing issues here in Nashville since 2014. This group of the CARES Act money to mitigate people who were behind in their rent. It perhaps represents the most comprehensive amalgamation of people addressing was a win-win because the landlords got their money but people got their rent the problem. So, I’m very hopeful about this. The other thing that I think is paid and it bought them time. I’m concerned about that. The problem is, unless good is that the work of the committee is timebound, we’re supposed to have the tenants have some new sources of income, they’re going to be back in the our recommendations in April. same predicament in a few months.

Q. What are some of the same old problems that keep coming up over the years working Q. What inspires you to keep working on affordable housing? on affordable housing? A. I graduated from college in three years and the fourth year, I went out to

A. Money. NOAH worked very hard to get a commitment from Mayor [Megan] Denver, and I was a fellow at The Center for International Race Relations. This Barry that we would have at least $10 million a year [in the Barnes Housing would have been in the ’70s. I remember the general wisdom was that we would Trust Fund]. We need predictable, recurring funding, and that isn’t the level we not see apartheid end in South Africa in our lifetime. I mean, every scholar, need but you have to start somewhere. every activist, everybody, that’s what they were saying. Then comes 1996 and it

The second thing is most people behave as if the nonprofit sector is the ends. So that’s why I know you have to keep fighting no matter what. Because only one responsible for solving the problem. And I think that’s just very, very the victories aren’t gonna come tomorrow, and I might not even live to see them, mistaken and misguided. The for-profit sector has a role and we need to structure but you still have to keep advancing the charge. programs and policies that would encourage them to be involved. Note: “This story first appeared in The Contributor, Nashville’s

Another problem—and this is a problem across the country—people will say that street newspaper sold by people experiencing homelessness. Visit they’re for affordable housing. But then if you talk about increasing density, or thecontributor.org to learn more about The Contributor’s mission.”

REMEMBERING ONE HUNDRED YEARS: BLACK WALL STREET AND THE 1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE

By Rev. Jerrolyn Eulinberg, Ph.D., 4th Episcopal District

This year marks 100 years of a well-kept secret in our American history and the ethical challenges that still surround the “value” of Black bodies as equal in this country. When we reflect on the history of Black Wall Street, we celebrate the most successful Black business district of this nation and the awesome accomplishments of remarkable African Americans in an unprecedented time of racism, white supremacy, and public lynching. Concomitantly, when we reflect on the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, we lament, remembering that white racial hatred and jealousy of Black success terrorized and burned Black Wall Street to the ground, killing hundreds.

The Greenwood District of Black Wall Street began around 1905. O.W. Gurley, a wealthy entrepreneur, is considered the founder of Black Wall Street. He began selling land in 1906 to African Americans in Tulsa. On the other side of town, white Tulsa was exploding from the oil boom, which propelled Tulsa into an oil capital. Everyone benefited from the massive influx of people: whites worked the oil rigs and Blacks migrated from the South and other places to the burgeoning Black Wall Street. Although separated and isolated by the extreme racial divide of Jim and Jane Crow laws, Black people prospered.

According to the Tulsa Race Riot Commission’s report, there were over 190 businesses at the time of the massacre. African Americans had over 13 Black churches, including three historic mother churches that remain today, two Black newspapers, two Black hospitals, two Black schools, a public library, law offices, doctor’s offices, dentists, grocery stores, beauty shops, three fraternal lodges, two movie theaters, and more.

Vernon AME Church, my home church, was founded in 1905 in the Greenwood District. The early church services were held in one of Gurley’s businesses. Gurley was a founding member of Vernon. When the massacre occurred, only the basement of the church was completed. In 1921, Vernon’s membership numbered 700.

Today, Vernon is still a thriving congregation on Greenwood. The current pastor, the Rev. Dr. Robert Turner, has been a strong advocate for social justice and reparations. He has placed a church marker identifying the Historic Vernon tifi th Hit i V AME Church. The church is the only business currently on Greenwood that existed in 1921. Mt. Zion Baptist Church and First Baptist Church are two other churches from 1921 that exist and provide worship services. These three churches represent a long and powerful history of strong faith in God and the resilience of the African American community.

As Tulsa, Oklahoma prepares for the 100th Remembrance, the Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission has many activities planned. A new museum will open in the Greenwood District in August 2021 named, “Greenwood Rising.” While I am excited to see all the celebratory events, nothing speaks quite as loud as the beautiful temples of God that still stand in the Greenwood District.

The Rev. Jerrolyn Eulinberg, PhD, is on the ministerial staff at Greater Institutional AME Church in Chicago, Illinois. She is a womanist ethicist and theologian.

The Christian Recorder ecorder

1921 TULSA RACE MASSACRE CENTENNIAL COMMISSION DONATES $200K TO VERNON AME CHURCH

By Matt Trotter, Tulsa Public Radio

The 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission on Saturday donated $200,000 toward renovations at Vernon AME Church. Commission Chair Senator Kevin Matthews said that Vernon AME Church is the only structure on Greenwood that matches the plaque on the sidewalk out front that says what was there before a white mob destroyed the prosperous, Black community. “Not only did they survive 100 years, but they survived still doing the same work; still doing the same ministry; still providing food, home, shelter and prayer to people in this area,” Matthews said.

Commission fundraising Co-Chair Glenda Love-Williams agreed with Matthews’ assessment, describing the church as “resilient.” “They have just continued to work and have been tireless in a small congregation. They never miss a beat, every day. And so, to give them $200,000 is just

a [pittance] of what they deserve,” ve,” Love-Williams said. Vernon AME Church is is currently in the first phase of a $1 $1 million renovation, which includes des restoring stained glass windows ows and replacing bathrooms. The The Rev. Dr. Robert Turner said the the Commission’s donation will go go toward work in phase two, which hich includes a prayer wall, new roof, oof, and improvements compliant with with the Americans With Disabilities ties her 30s,” Turner said. “And so, that’s why it takes her 30s,” Turner said. “And so, that’s why it takes Act. He described the improvements as an arduous mentsasanarduous a lot, but this really helps out immensely for us in ltbtthi ll hl ti l f i undertaking. “It’s akin to if you had a 115-year-old getting that. And it’s very encouraging,” he added. grandmother, trying to get her to look like she did Turner said plumbers working on a bathroom when she was 35, and how much cosmetic work that renovation recently stirred up the smell of a fire would be. And so, that’s kind of similar to what when they broke through a floor. He had to tell we’re trying to do, get this church that was built in them there had never been a fire at the church other 1925, finished in 1928, to look like she did back in than during the massacre. ❏ ❏ ❏ ...From A Historical p5 Steyn Motlhabane Koloi, who held the first woman to head the institution, who served for its centenary. What will be celebrated? With such a a Bachelor of Theology degree. While in this role, the four years. She was followed by the Rev. Themba Abram rich history and time span, the institution should have Rev. Koloi got a scholarship to further his studies at Payne Mandlakayise Mbambo, who served until 2018. The Rev. produced at least 50 graduates with PhDs and 100 Seminary in Dayton, Ohio. Ntiti Jacob Sefatsa served as the dean until November graduates with master’s degrees. Even so, it is not all

Bishop Donald G.K. Ming then recalled the Rev. 2020. Presently, the school is headed by the Rev. Lekubela doom and gloom, RR Wright has produced a host of Lethoba to head the institution one more time in 1977, Simon Moobi, since December 2020. important clergy throughout Southern Africa. A host of a job he did excellently until his retirement and death The constant changing of leadership caused great bishops from the African Independent Churches passed in 1997. A new era then emerged where the position instability and did not help the institution in its growth. through RR Wright Theological Seminary, including our of dean would co-exist with a new role of president of It also did not help with its registration and accreditation very own Bishop Senatle. the school. As deans were appointed, the Rev. Wilfred with the Department of Higher Education. The RR Wright needs the support of its alumni and the Jacobus Messiah was appointed the president from 1998 dependence on Episcopal leadership, whose focus rarely business sector to move to higher heights. Times have until he was elected a bishop in 2004. The Rev. Koloi becomes ministerial training, has added to the woes of changed. The cost of education and standard of living returned to the seminary for a short while, taking over RR Wright. has changed. It is no longer possible for the school to be from Dean Lethoba in July 1998, until the next dean, the The doors were closed during the administration of solely supported by the AME Church with our students Rev. Dr. Frederick Harrison, was appointed in 2001 by Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath (2008-2012) on the reason that paying nothing towards their training. The need for both Bishop Harold Ben Senatle. Dr. Harrison, who was the RR Wright was in operation without being registered financial—internal and external—and moral support has former Secretary of Missions, served for three years. He with the Department of Higher Education. Though the become crucial. Until such time, the school is registered was succeeded by the Rev. Jeremiah Frans Lesshope, who diploma in theology was still being issued by the Joint with the Department of Higher Education and offers an stopped there for a few months between the end of 2004 Board and quality ministers were being produced, it was accredited curriculum. We will still be in the storm. and mid-2005. At the close of 2005, Bishop James Levert not convincing that the only reason the administration Davis assigned the Rev. Phafane J Mengoai to close the closed it was because it was not registered with the gap. The Rev. Mengoai served for two years and then Department of Higher Education. the reigns fell on the Rev. Mary Morongoe Senkhane, In about 15 years to come, RR Wright will celebrate Sources for this article include the Rev. Phafane Jan Mengoai, the presiding elder for D.S Modisapodi District, East Conference, 19th Episcopal District.

LOSING WITH PEOPLE, WINNING WITH GOD: NAVIGATING GOD’S ZERO-SUM GAME

By Rev. Dr. Jason Curry, Columnist

When we shop at grocery stores, clothing stores, or other establishments to purchase goods or services, we are looking to encounter and embrace a win-win scenario. Businesses make a profit and we are satisfied with our purchases.

To say the least, win-win relationships are often viewed as the ideal relationships between people and institutions. However, the Christ that we preach, follow, and embrace in our hearts often encourages us through scripture to refrain from embracing the values of the world which are antithetical to God. In other words, biblical teaching sometimes discourages worldly, win-win scenarios. For example, the world may encourage us to alienate, dismiss, harm, or hate our enemies, e.g., certain nations, or neighbors, e.g., immigrants, so that we may gain something.

The teachings of Christ don’t always promote win-win scenarios. They sometimes promote a zero-sum game, e.g., to win as a Christian is to lose standing, power, respect, or influence in the world. The question that sometimes confronts earnest Christians seeking to follow Christ is: “How should successoriented individuals navigate the Christian, zero-sum game?”

As one who has sought to embrace and promote win-win scenarios within my church, family, colleagues, and friends, I would like to share a passage of scriptures that have assisted me in navigating and embracing the zero-sum game which is sometimes advocated by Jesus the Christ.

In Matthew 6:33, Jesus states: “But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” This speaks volumes about the faith that is necessary to please God and encourage yourself as you strive to reach both secular and spiritual goals. Jesus presents his audience with an implicit “if-then” statement. If you follow God, then you will have success. If you follow God, then you will have purpose and influence. If you make the teaching of Christ a priority in your life, God will do God’s part and grant the success or “increase” that

A PSYCHOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW OF THE PROMISES WE CAN KEEP

By Rev. Dr. Melinda Contreras-Byrd, Contributing Writer

After much research and reading, I have come upon a few hard truths. Most people devote little to no time to self-exploration unless they find themselves confined! We come to know deep truths by experiencing confinement be it to a hospital bed, lifesustaining machine, prison cell, or room on a psychiatric or detox ward. A recent confining catalyst is shelter-in-place rules that have kept us from work and spending time with others. I learned some of these hard truths that I later passed on to my psychotherapy clients.

Hard truths are learned by experiencing times of disappointment, anger, regret, betrayal, and a startling realization. Without time given to self-examination, you may find that you have turned into someone you do not recognize—someone distrustful, guarded, angry, and perhaps even reclusive. You have a chip on your shoulder or a tape playing in your head that constantly warns, chides, and reminds you of negative past experiences. Since we do not take the time to examine our humanness, we often fall prey to situations that if not checked will create personality traits that cause pain to ourselves and our families.

The hard truth is that people have issues and Christians are people. Many difficult people are not evil or born naturally distrustful, vindictive, or loners. They are not psychologically broken and in need of medication. They are us—burdened and struggling—and shaped by experiences.

Due to their unacknowledged need for security, praise, or connection, people in our lives may place unfair, overly burdensome expectations upon us that are impossible to meet. Some folks demand an excessive amount of personal attention and become angry and accusing when they do not receive it.

As Christians, we try to follow Jesus’ example of love and selflessness. However, the trouble with this seemingly praiseworthy attempt is that we are not Jesus and do not have the emotional and physical stamina of the Son of God. Many of us wish that we could—and berate ourselves when we realize we can not—always be there for everyone who needs or wants our support, attention, and demonstrated love. All Christians struggle with this issue.

The hard truth is that we cannot, in good faith, promise to always be there for others. There are some people whose needs are so great that no one person can meet them. What is needed is not for someone to burn out trying to do this but to set limits and help that person find a vehicle by which they can get their needs met without harm to someone else.

The hard truth is that we, too, are hampered by our human frailties and must learn them. As much as I want to follow Jesus in my behavior, depending on my spiritual maturity, I may find myself unable to do so sometimes. Christians are also quite apt to be less than patient, attentive, or kind when things in our own lives have gone haywire. We are apt to not be able to easily find forgiving love or a gentle spirit when interfacing with others who are persistently and publicly disrespectful, threatening, or physically violent.

There may be times when it is more advantageous to move into a protective, limit-setting, and even legal stance with someone who is out of control or behaving badly. Yet, this stance is often in stark contrast to our and others’ expectations of us as Christians.

The hard truth is that we cannot, in good conscience, promise others that we will always act in a way that is selfless and seemingly loving. Many a friendship or other relationship is ended because of unfair or impossible expectations. The hard truth is that we cannot promise that we will always act in gentle ways that do not cause just or unjust conflict. Nevertheless, James Brown says “Don’t start none—won’t be done.”

We need to learn triggers. They are the things that drastically change our mood or put us out of spiritual or emotional control. We need to take some time to think back to those traumas in our lives that have defined us in ways that we may not like or deny.

Lastly, we will interact with people who have fallen under the control of the powers of darkness, generational genetic traits, or the outcomes of human imperfection. Too often, our expectations of ourselves have not considered these hard facts.

Our churches are filled with broken people hoping to be fixed. Sadly, in an attempt to model Jesus, Christians make unspoken promises that we cannot keep; consequently, others believe that we will be able to fix them. Of course, we say it will be God but our words and actions say otherwise. The question is, “What are the promises you can keep in Jesus’ name?” ❏ ❏ ❏

WHY WE SHOULD SUPPORT STATEHOOD FOR DC

By John E. Warren, Publisher, The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

Once again, the idea of statehood for the District of Columbia has not only come before the US Congress but has also passed the House of Representatives. Most of us know that the more than 700,000 residents of DC have lived under taxation without representation, the very thing that was at the heart of the Boston Tea Party of 1773. That event objected to the British taxing the colonists on tea when they had no representation in the British Parliament. While the original idea for creating DC as a district was that no state would house the national capital, the idea should not have survived the right of the people of the district to have representation since they pay taxes.

Like Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam as US territories, DC should be granted statehood in this enlightened age if so desired. The major opposition to DC statehood is the fact that such a state would be granted two US senators and possibly two representatives in Congress. The Republicans opposed statehood because those two senators would most likely be Democrats. That would change the balance of power in the Senate, as we saw with Georgia electing two Democratic senators this year.

In every state, “we the people” should be taking a very close look at all our Republican elected officials. It has become very clear that those persons have betrayed their oath of office when they swore to “protect and defend” the Constitution of the United States. Well, the Constitution contains the Bill of Rights. It contains the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, which promised “equal protection” under the law, the right to vote, and the obligation to defend America “against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” With the guiding language of that document, there is no reason that every Republican in Congress should be voting against the interest and will of the people they are supposed to represent.

Statehood for DC should not be an issue. On April 26, 1982, DC convened the District of Columbia Statehood Constitutional Convention which held 28 drafting sessions and met through May 27, 1982, formally shaping a Constitution that was submitted to Congress but was never approved. The fact that a Constitutional Convention was held and a Constitution was drafted, as required under the Enactment Clause of the US Constitution, certainly meets the requirements of statehood.

It should also be noted that our late publisher of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint, Gerri Warren, was a resident and an elected delegate from Ward VI of the District of Columbia to that convention. She was also the one who offered the motion to name the new state “the State of New Columbia.”

This is a year in which African Americans and Black people, who are now citizens of this great country, must work harder than ever before to protect democracy and our rights which are now under so great an attack. Yes, we need to be concerned about DC Statehood and lobby our elected members of Congress to make this a reality. 271982f ll h ...From Losing With People p18 you truly desire.

The word of Christ can assist in navigating the zero-sum game that is sometimes presented within the Christian message. God loves us; and ultimately, God wants us to be successful people. Lastly, Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25:23 that if we are faithful over a few things, God will make us master over many. ❏ ❏ ❏

John E. Warren is the publisher of The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint.