Live Streaming of Bishop Linsey Services
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

Live streaming will be available for the funeral services of Bishop Nathaniel L. Linsey courtesy of Mr. Wayne Linsey, the son of Bishop and Mrs. Linsey. You may view the Visitation on Friday, May 27, 2011 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. EST, and the Celebration of Life services on Saturday, May 28, 2011 at Noon EST.  To view the services, go to the official Web site of the CME Church at www.c-m-e.org and click on the section under the Live Broadcast Schedule.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to Mrs. Mae C. Linsey at 190 Squire Lane, Fayetteville, Georgia 30214, or through the link provided on the CME Web site.

Please continue to keep Mrs. Mae Linsey and the Linsey family in prayer.




Jeanette L. Bouknight
Executive Secretary
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
"An Essential Church: Poised for 21st Century Ministry"

Preparing for the CYAM FOCUS RETREAT in Atlanta, GA
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

As the 2011 FOCUS Retreat approaches, we invite you all to review the "Schedule of Activities" which includes the 2nd Annual Day of Service Project as well as the fabulous Awards Banquet/Black Tie Gala (formal attire suggested)!  If you have any questions regarding registration, vendor space, etc., please email cme_cyac@yahoo.com .

In addition, we are looking for dedicated gospel singers to lead in nightly Praise and Worship and to perform as an Ensemble to conclude the week. If you are on fire for the Lord and have the gift/passion for music, please contact Minister Maria Muse for additional details via email at m_muse02@yahoo.com .

See you at the FOCUS Retreat!

Mr. Bryan Magwood, President

Notice of Passing of Elder Raymond McKeever, Jr.
This is to inform you and the CME Connection that Presiding Elder Raymond
McKeever, Jr. passed away on Tuesday night, May 17, 2011. He was the pastor of
St. Mark CME Church, Pampa, Texas, and the presiding elder of the
Abilene-Wichita Falls-Amarillo District, Northwest Texas Region, 8th
Episcopal District, Bishop Henry M. Williamson, presiding prelate.

The Homegoing Celebration was held on Saturday, May 21, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. at St.
Mark CME in Pampa, Texas with Presiding Elder Andrew Nance of the
Lubbock-Midland District (Northwest Texas Region) officiating.

To send condolences, please contact the family at:
DeAnnettia White
5421 Valencia Drive
Rowlett, Texas  75089
(214) 693-0287

Submitted by Jacqueline Nance Cockerham

Hotel Arrangements for Funeral of Bishop Nathaniel Linsey
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

The room block for the Connectional Young Adult Ministry FOCUS Retreat 2011 at the Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel is being extended to persons attending the funeral services of Bishop Nathaniel L. Linsey.  Rooms are available for $95 per night plus 13% tax and includes breakfast.  The hotel is located at 4736 Best Road in Atlanta, GA.  Please make your reservations by contacting the hotel at 404-762-7676 and requesting the room rate for the CME Church.


Jeanette L. Bouknight
Executive Secretary
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
"An Essential Church: Poised for 21st Century Ministry"

Funeral Arrangements for Bishop Nathaniel L. Linsey
Dear Connectional Members and Friends:

The arrangements for Bishop Nathaniel L. Linsey, the 39th bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, are as follows:

Visitation and Celebration of Life will be held at:
West Mitchell Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
560 Martin Luther King Dr. S.W.
Atlanta, GA  30314
The Rev. Frederick Braddock, Pastor
Telephone:  404-525-2337
Fax: 404-525-1575

Visitation:
Friday, May 27, 2011, 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Celebration of Life:
Saturday, May 28, 2011, Noon

Arrangements have been entrusted to: 
Murray Brothers Funeral Home
1199 Utoy Springs Road SW
Atlanta, Georgia  30331
Telephone: 404-349-3000
Fax: 404-349-5001


Travel Arrangements
Discounted airfare and hotel rates for travel to Atlanta established for the Connectional Young Adult Ministry (CYAM) FOCUS Retreat 2011 with Delta Airlines and the Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel will be extended to persons attending the funeral services of Bishop Linsey.

Delta Airlines:
Please contact Delta Airlines at 1-800-328-1111 for reservations and ticketing assistance.  Refer to Ticket Designator/NM7F3 to purchase your ticket and your negotiated discount may be applied. You may begin travel as early as May 23 and end your travel by June 1. You must call the Delta Meeting Desk to make reservations.  Reservations cannot be made using the discount at Delta.com.

Westin Atlanta Airport Hotel:
Information regarding hotel accommodations will be disseminated on Monday, May 23 after the room block has been re-established.


Please continue to keep Mrs. Mae C. Linsey and the members of the Linsey family in prayer.
 

In His Service,

Senior Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., CEO
Bishop Paul A. G. Stewart, Sr.
Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III, Secretary
Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.
Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr.
Bishop Kenneth W. Carter, Host Bishop
Bishop James B. Walker, Chair
Bishop W.E. Lockett (deceased)
Bishop Sylvester Williams
Bishop Teresa E. Snorton
Bishop Godwin T. Umoette
Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham
Bishop Edward Lynn Brown, Retired
Bishop Othal H. Lakey, Retired
Bishop William H. Graves, Retired
Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr., Retired
Bishop Marshall Gilmore, Retired


Jeanette L. Bouknight
Executive Secretary
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
"An Essential Church: Poised for 21st Century Ministry"

Trinity CME presents 'The 12 Tribes of Israel'

           Toccoa GA—Trinity CME of Toccoa, GA, Rev. Ricky S. Hammond, pastor, kicked off its spring fundraiser with the presentation of  The Twelve Tribes of Israel program.  Every member of  the church was systematically recruited to participate, resulting in an awesome time for everyone as well as their best fundraiser of the conference year.  The members both in the congregation and those participating in the skit wore afgans, caftans, and other African attire.  They also sat in groups under flags representing their respective tribe.

       The tribe of Naphtali, consisting of Sis. Stephanie Green (captain), Sis. Carmelita Hammond (coordinator), Sis. Elaine Tobias, Sis. Estelle Jones, Sis. Hazel Jones, and Sis. Winnie Jarrett, raised the most funds and celebrated by screaming, shouting, and moving in a way resembling the holy dance.  Captains Sis. Mary McCurdy and Arnethia Tate came in 2nd and 3rd respectively.  To be fair, Rev. Hammond made  himself a member of each tribe through donations and attached himself to the tribe with the least funds to boost their offering.

          Rev. and Mrs. Hammond were excited from the start to bring this interesting and educational program to Trinity; and because of its success members are already talking about next year’s program.  Rev. Darryl Johnston of Dear Court CME was the guest speaker.  To God be the Glory!

           Submitted by Carmelita Hammond, 1st Lady, Trinity CME, Toccoa,GA.

We Mourn the Loss of Bishop Nathaniel L. Linsey

The 39th Bishop of The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

College of Bishops Solicits Feedback on 2013 Convocation Planning
Dear Connectional Members,

The College of Bishops is conducting a survey to seek valuable feedback from our connectional leaders and members to assist with planning for the 2013 Annual CME Convocation and Consolidated meetings.

The survey is available at:  www.c-m-e.org/convocation/convocationplanningsurvey.htm.  Please take the time to promptly fill out the short online survey. You may share this survey widely and encourage the members in your congregation and Region to respond as soon as possible.  Your participation is needed and appreciated!


In His Service,

Senior Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., CEO
Bishop Paul A. G. Stewart, Sr.
Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III, Secretary
Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.,
Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr.
Bishop Kenneth W. Carter
Bishop James B. Walker, Chair
Bishop W.E. Lockett (deceased)
Bishop Sylvester Williams
Bishop Teresa E. Snorton
Bishop Godwin T. Umoette
Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham
Bishop William H. Graves, Retired
Bishop Othal H. Lakey, Retired
Bishop Edward Lynn Brown, Retired
Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr., Retired
Bishop Marshall Gilmore, Retired
Bishop Nathaniel Linsey, Retired


Jeanette L. Bouknight
Executive Secretary
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
"An Essential Church: Poised for 21st Century Ministry"

2011 CME Convocation (25th) in Atlanta, GA

(Click on image to expand)

Passing of Ms. Elvira McGowen
Elvira Guyton McGowen, sister of Helen Grantham, passed on Thursday, May 5, 2011. Mrs. Helen Grantham is the wife of Rev. Joseph Grantham, presiding elder of the Holly Springs-Oxford District of the North-East MS Region.

The body has been entrusted to:
Watkins, Garrett & Woods Mortuary Inc.
1011 Augusta St.
Greenville, South Carolina

Phone: 864-242-1144
Fax:     864-232-4636

You may contact Mrs. Helen Grantham at:
137 Ben Morgan Dr.
Columbus, MS 39701
662-327-8883

Submitted by Mrs. Linda Whilson

Communion Service at 2011 General Connectional Board

Memphis, TN

(more photos to come)

CME Christian Education Certification Available Online

CED102 CLASS REGISTRATION DEADLINE 05/14/2011

May 5, 2011—The Department of Christian Education presents a new series of online course aimed towards Christian Education Certification.  We have created this Online Christian Education Certification Program for Pastors, Christian Education Leaders, Teachers in the Church, Young Adult Leaders, and Children and Youth Leaders.

REGISTER NOW for our First Offering of this Class in the Series:
"CED102 - Understanding CME History and Polity"
Successful completion of CED101 "Christian Education in the African American Church" is a prerequisite for enrolling in this class.

Upon completion of this certification program, the learner will be able to:
* Understand Principle-Centered Leadership
* Practice effective personal and interpersonal leadership skills
* Explore the meaning of leading from within
* Examine personal and interpersonal leadership skills
* Improve overall personal and interpersonal leadership skills

Our online courses are designed to provide Theory, Knowledge, and Skills.  This Class will be offered May 2011 through June 2011 and the Certificate of Completion will be recognized at the Annual C.M.E. Convocation in September for those persons completing all six modules (CED101-CED106).   This six-session online courses will cover topics that are important to the design, process or evaluation of efforts to improve the quality of Christian Education in our local churches. The learning modules include:
    * CED101 - Christian Education in the African American Church
    * CED102 - Understanding C.M.E. History and Polity
    * CED103 - Providing Age-Appropriate Educational Ministry
    * CED104 - The "Graying" Church Through Educational Ministry
    * CED105 - Identifying Leadership Skills
    * CED106 - Creating Christian Education Project
Students will access the course information remotely, and will need access to a computer with 32 MB RAM and at least 28.8 kbps modem, an internet connection, and an email account.  The registration fee for the course is $50. There may be additional costs for text and materials. Register online from the Department of Christian Education eStore
http://thecmechurchced.org/eStrRegistrations.aspx

We must receive your registration prior to May 14, 2011, in order for your name to be included on the class roster for the class CED102 which begins May 16th.  Upon successful completion of the course, students will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.

Questions may be directed to Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield, General Secretary, CME Department of Christian Education at carmichael.crutchfield@thecmechurch.com.

Join us as we focus on the "FORMATION" element of the MISSION Formula:

Formation + Nurture + Leadership = MISSION

Our goal is to make disciples through "events that form and transform."