Wednesday, May 30, 2012


FROM THE DESK OF DR. CARMICHAEL CRUTCHFIELD ON CYYAC12

Greetings!  Over the last four years we have been working on the Connectional Youth and Young Adult Conferences.  Of course the intensity of our work has changed month by month and now that we are a month away from July 2, we are sprinting.
The staff has generated numerous emails, made many phone calls, answered many questions and tried to be customer friendly in the process. I think it is now a good time for me to outline some key concerns and give some important reminders.

1. We want to remind everyone that CYYAC12 is a C.M.E. Christian education sponsored event and much energy has been expended to provide an excellent conference.  However, there is one thing we cannot do as planners of the conference.  We cannot guarantee the participation of our youth in conference sponsored events.  We need pastors, chaperones, christian educators, youth directors and all adults on board making sure our youth participate.

2. We have designated Thursday, July 5, 2012, as our day at Magic Kingdom.  We have negotiated a $75 price that includes a ticket to the park and transportation to and from the park.  We want our youth to go together on the transportation we have secured.  Please note these purchases are made via the website www.thecmechurchced.org.  Purchase by credit card or debit card.  If you choose to pay by check, mail to the Department of Christian Education PO Box 16507 Memphis, TN 38186-6507.  These tickets must be purchased in advance.

3. We have secured a method of providing bus transportation from the airport to the hotel.  We need to know your flight numbers, airlines, times of arrival, and departure so that we can plan properly.  We need this information emailed to us immediately.  Flight information should be emailed to lauran.james@thecmechurchced.org.

4. We have a Graduate Luncheon Wednesday, July 4, 2012, and a Praise Fest that evening.  Everyone is invited.  The cost of these two events (meals) is $40 in total.  This is within the $50 estimated for meals.  Please note purchases are to be made via the website www.thecmechurchced.org.  This allows for us to have an accurate count, thus, we can make adequate arrangements for meals.  Purchase by credit card or debit card.  If you choose to pay by check, mail to the Department of Christian Education PO Box 16507 Memphis, TN 38186-6507.

5. If you have not made a hotel registration by June 1, you are subject to a higher hotel cost than the $120 per night conference rate.  Make sure you are registered for the hotel by Friday, June 1, 2012.

6. We have extended the $150 registration fee to June 15, 2012.  After that date registration will only be available on site at a fee of $200.

7. We have two contracted hotel sites, the Rosen Shingle Creek and Rosen Plaza.  All registered participants are expected to stay in these two hotels.  Everyone staying at hotel sites outside of our contract are costing the conference money.  We still plan to charge an additional $50 for those staying at other hotels than the two aforementioned properties.    Please note the conference will not take responsibility for transporting individuals to the conference who are not staying at the Rosen Shingle Creek and Rosen Plaza properties.

8. Remember Chaperones are responsible for Youth.  Youth need to be in all sessions and all events scheduled for the Conference.  We will be on a tight schedule and there will not be time for youth to go off-site for meals.  We have arranged with the hotels discounted prices for meals purchased at hotel restaurants and eateries.   There will not be time for Chaperones to take youth off site and return in time for scheduled events.  REMEMBER THE PURPOSE OF THE CONFERENCE – IT IS A CHRISTIAN FORMATION AND NURTURING MINISTRY PROVIDED BY THE C.M.E. CHURCH  AND IT WILL ONLY BE AS EFFECTIVE AS ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER MAKE IT.  We have included downtime and fun time in the schedule.  The Conference begins at noon July 2 and ends at Noon on July 6.  No other activities outside of Conference activities should be scheduled between these designated times.

9. We have decided to extend the time for submittal of Presentations to June 15, 2012.  We are in need of more submittals for our Orchestra.  If you have youth who play musical instruments, please encourage them to participate in our Orchestra and submit an entry form.

10. Please consult your Conference resource guide to make sure all releases and covenants are properly executed.  This document can be purchased on-line at the Department’s e-store.

11. Children ministry for ages 5-11 is open to all children in attendance. The fee for children remains at $100.00.   Registration can be done on site at the Wekiwa registration desk.

12. The Conference Chaperone Handbook can be downloaded from the Department’s website at no charge.  Go to www.thecmechurchced.org.

13. The revised schedule will be posted on line as we finalize it over the next few days.

Finally, thank you for making the Connectional Youth and Young Adult Conference a priority this summer.  We are looking forward to the experience of once again serving to provide this ministry to the children, youth, young adults, clergy, christian educators, youth directors, and all other adults who are chaperones.  Continue to pray for the conference!

Dr. Carmichael D. Crutchfield
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
General Secretary, Department of Christian Education

Monday, May 28, 2012


Passing of Atty. Abraham Lampkin



Dear Connectional Members and Friends, 
 
It is with heartfelt sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Attorney Abraham Lampkin, the father of Judge Bertina E. Lampkin, a member of the CME Judicial Council. Attorney Lampkin was a long-time member of St. Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Chicago, IL. 
 
Funeral arrangements are as follows:
 
Visitation: Thursday, May 31, 2012, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
A.R. Leak Funeral Home
7838 S. Cottage Grove
Chicago, IL  60619 
773-846-6567
 
Funeral Services: Friday, June 1, 2012
Wake: 9:30 a.m.
Funeral: 10:30 a.m.
St. Paul C.M.E. Church
4644 S. Dearborn
Chicago, IL  60609 
773-536-1723  Fax: 773-536-1838 
Pastor Curlee Adams

Please keep Judge Bertina Lampkin and her family in your prayers.
 
In His Service,
 
Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr.
Presiding Prelate, Third Episcopal District 
 
Rev. Roland Johnson, Jr., President 
The Judicial Council
 
Ms. Jeanette L. Bouknight
Executive Secretary
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
"An Essential Church: Poised for 21st Century Ministry"

Thursday, May 24, 2012




A Statement from The College of Bishops of
The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
May 23, 2012
Palm Harbor, Florida

The College of Bishops is aware and takes note of the interest and concern of the members of the church regarding a civil lawsuit filed against the CME Church in April of 2007.  Because this matter was on-going litigation in civil court, the College of Bishops, upon advice of the General Counsel, adopted the policy to have ‘No Comment’ regarding this or any other on-going legal matter.  As most members of the church realize, such a policy is necessary to protect the legal interests of the church.  The lack of public comment by the College of Bishops may have caused some concerns and even some misunderstanding of the silence of the Bishops of the Church.  But as members of the College of Bishops and the Board of Directors of the CME Church, Inc., we are charged with protecting the overall good of the church against all harm from within and without.  Having made this claim we also take note and are aware of the interests and limited rights of all persons involved regarding such matters as they are concluded in the courts of civil jurisdiction.  On or about January 8, 2012 the Texas Court of Appeals ruled on this matter.  The ruling brings a conclusion to this matter in the courts of civil jurisdiction as it pertains to the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.  Therefore we now make the following disclosure:
On or about March 28, 2007, the Senior Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop William H. Graves, Sr., received a letter of demand from an attorney from Fort Worth, Texas, who purported to represent a person who was a member of the CME Church.  The letter demanded that the CME Church pay a sum of One Million Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars and No Cents ($1,250,000.00) to the Attorney on behalf of his client in exchange for his silence regarding what he stated was criminal sexual activity on the part of Bishop Kenneth W. Carter.  The church was given ten (10) days to pay the sum demanded or the attorney and his client would hold a press conference to publicize the accusations.  The Senior Bishop as was proper under such circumstances, immediately forwarded the demand to the General Counsel.  The General Counsel responded to the attorney of the accuser on behalf of the church, requesting information and details of this alleged incident.  The attorney of the accuser at all times refused the church or its representative, access to the accuser and again gave a deadline of ten (10) days for payment of the sum demanded or he and his client would seek to make their accusations public.  Without adequate and appropriate investigation and corroboration the church, on advice of the General Counsel, refused to meet the demands for financial payment to the accuser.  The attorney then conducted a newspaper interview accusing a Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Bishop Kenneth W. Carter, of inappropriate behavior.  After the press conference the attorney for the accuser again demanded money from the CME Church or he would file a civil lawsuit on behalf of his client.  The church was given three (3) days to respond, again without an opportunity to interview the accuser, or investigate the matter, and with no proof of what had actually occurred.  The church again refused to pay such a claim.  The attorney then filed a civil lawsuit seeking to gain money judgments from Bishop Kenneth W. Carter, Senior Bishop William H. Graves and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.
The matter was set before the Civil Courts of Tarrant County in Fort Worth, Texas.  It is important to emphasize that this lawsuit was brought as a civil matter seeking monetary damages and not as a criminal matter as the Plaintiff had alleged prior to filing suit.  A subsequent attempt by the Plaintiff and his attorney to make it a criminal matter failed.  In addition, it is most important to emphasize, that at no time did the plaintiff bring charges within the church in accordance with the Judicial Procedure of the church as prescribed by the 2002 BOOK OF DISCIPLINE of the CME Church.  The only attempt to involve the church in this matter came from the Plaintiff’s attorney with the demand, as noted, for a monetary award from the church in order to keep the matter from becoming public.  Engagement of an attorney, the monetary demand and the lawsuit against the church that ensued made the issue a civil matter, thereby negating the ability of the church to pursue the matter within the church according to its Judicial Procedure.  Further, and most significantly, given the filing of the civil lawsuit, if the church, then or now, pursued any charges within the church, the church would have assumed responsibility and liability in the civil matter.  The Civil trial was subsequently held and judgment was rendered by the Civil Authority of Tarrant County, wherein, the trial judge, prior to allowing the jury to deliberate, dismissed any and all liability of Senior Bishop Graves, and, after the jury finding, dismissed all liability and responsibility attached to the church.  In an attempt to receive a financial award from the church, the Plaintiff appealed the ruling of the trial court to the Texas Court of Appeals.  On or about January 8, 2012 the Court of Appeals upheld the ruling of the trial court.  As of the affirmation by the Court of Appeals, Senior Bishop William H. Graves and the CME Church were absolved of all liability and all legal issues in the matter of Scott vs. the CME Church were brought to a close.
As Bishops of the church we are aware that some persons in the church, other than the Plaintiff, have demanded that the church, generally, and the College of Bishops specifically, take punitive action against Bishop Kenneth W. Carter.  At no time between 2007 and 2011 were any charges brought nor a complaint made by the Plaintiff against Bishop Carter regarding this matter in accordance with the Judicial Procedure outlined in the BOOK OF DISCIPLINE.  Our DISCIPLINE states specifically (¶803 §4) that complaints/charges against anyone in the church must be brought within one year of the conduct which a complaint intends to address.  Therefore, in accordance with the DISCIPLINE, there are no other matters pending and none to be brought regarding Bishop Carter.
As civil proceedings have come to a close and legal liabilities subside, the College of Bishops would have the members of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church know that through it all it has been prayerful, seeking always the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  The Bishops have been persistently aware that though it might be carried to courts of law, the church is not a court of law.  Though we must uphold its DISCIPLINE, guard as sacred its Due Process and are charged to provide legal protection against civil encroachment on its institutional life, at no time have the Bishops forgotten that it is the Church of Jesus Christ.  We have been ever conscious that faith, love, hope, confession, forgiveness, repentance and reconciliation are those qualities that set the church apart from human institutions.
The College is sensitive to the concerns, theological questions and emotional pain that have accompanied this case and impacted our church at all levels.  The College remains committed to determine the best and most appropriate forum(s) where theologically and biblically-informed discussions can occur at all levels of the church to equip us to continue to model the love of Jesus as we live our faith and uphold our doctrinal beliefs.  We further pray for a spirit of healing for all persons affected by this case, directly or indirectly.  We invite all CMEs to join us in this spirit of prayer as we move forward with the tasks of ministry and witness of the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ.

The College of Bishops of The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church:
Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., Senior  Bishop      James B. Walker, Chair      E. Lynn Brown, Retired
Paul A. G. Stewart, Sr.                      Sylvester Williams, Sr.      Othal H. Lakey, Retired
Lawrence L. Reddick III, Secretary      Teresa E. Snorton      William H. Graves, Retired
Henry M. Williamson, Sr.              Godwin T. Umoette      Marshall Gilmore, Retired
Thomas L. Brown, Sr.          Ronald Cunningham (Recalled)  Dotcy I. Isom, Jr., Retired
Kenneth W. Carter

Wednesday, May 16, 2012


BREAKING NEWS ABOUT THE CME UNITY SUMMIT!

You may now purchase tickets for Special Events at the CME Unity Summit online or by using the revised registration form at the link.
     
The Williams Brothers in Concert: $27
Thursday, September 27 PM

Unity Summit Luncheon: $50
Thursday, September 27

Unity Prayer Breakfast: $40
Saturday, September 29

The Luncheon and Prayer Breakfast are sponsored by the Women’s Missionary Council


If you have already registered for the CME Unity Summit and wish to purchase tickets for these events, please contact the CME Unity Summit staff by e-mail 2012cmeunitysummit@c-m-e.org or telephone 1-855-CME-1870 (PST).

New Registrants:
To register for the the CME Unity Summit, purchase tickets for special events, reserve your hotel room at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel and additional information, visit
www.c-m-e.org/UnitySummit or click on the photo below. You may download a registration form at the above link. Online registration is available if using credit or debit card.

Passing of Mrs. Margaret McDow, 1st President of Presidents
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of one our great missionary pioneers, Mrs. Margaret McDow.  Mrs. McDow was the first President of Presidents.  She served from 1971-1979 under the administration of Mrs. Pauline B. Grant.  Mrs. McDow also served as the President of the Northwest Texas Region Women’s Missionary Society for 11 years.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 17 at 11 a.m. at Kirkwood Temple CME Church in Dallas, Texas, Rev. Dr. Jerry L. Christian, Sr., pastor.  She is survived by five children.

Condolences may be sent to:
The Family of Mrs. Margaret McDow
642 Mary Wilson Drive
Lancaster, TX  75146
Telephone:  972-227-5535

We extend our sincere sympathy to the family and ask that you keep them in your prayers.

With sincere sympathy,

Dr. Princess Pegues, International President
Women's Missionary Council
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Tuesday, May 15, 2012


Birth of Brooke Olivia Magwood!
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

Congratulations to Mr. Brian Magwood, President of the Connectional Young Adult Ministry, and is wife, Jennifer, on the birth of their daughter, Brooke Olivia Magwood. Brooke was born on Friday, May 11, 2012 in Decatur, GA.

May the blessings of the Lord be upon Brooke and the Magwood family!

Submitted by Ms. Theresa Duhart

In His Service,

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

Monday, May 14, 2012



“URGENT CYYAC12 UPDATE”


May 14, 2012—Only 48 days to CYYAC12 in Orlando where youth and young adults will gather from across the Connectional Church for an exciting time of fellowship, learning and worship.  As we prepare to gather embracing the Conference theme Making IT Essential, through Reaching, Teaching, Training and Sending, please note this important VITAL information.
The Hotel Rosen Shingle Creek is the official hotel for the conference.  Please make your reservations by calling reservations 888-697-7997.

The Official Off-Site Event is Disney Magical Kingdom.  Participants will journey on Thursday afternoon after a time of Mission and Service to wind down and celebrate.  The discounted cost of the ticket to Disney Magical Kingdom is $75.00, which includes transportation from Shingle Creek.  Tickets can be purchased by going to www.thecmechurchced.org and clicking on CYYAC12 and then clicking on activities.  All tickets must be purchased in ADVANCE by June 1, 2012.  Tickets must be purchased on-line.  There are two available options for payment:  1) PayPal with credit/debit card or 2) payment by check after tickets are ordered on-line.  All payments by check must be mailed to CYYAC12, P.O. Box 16507, Memphis, TN  38186-6507 and received no later than June 5, 2012.

Tickets for the Graduate Luncheon and 4th of July Praise Fest Meal are also available on-line and must be purchased in the same manner as the Disney Outing Tickets.  All tickets must be purchased by the June 1 Deadline and all payments received by CYYAC 12 no later than June 5, 2012.  The Graduate luncheon will honor high-school graduates from 2009-2012.  The cost of the ticket for the luncheon is $25.00.    The cost of the ticket for the 4th of July Praise Fest meal is $15.00.

Please be in prayer for the Conference and all attendees as we countdown to this awesome nurturing and spirit-filled event of the church.

Please email us at cyyac12@thecmechurchced.org if you have questions.

Feel free to forward this email to everyone in your Christian Education circle.

Remember our MISSION Formula:

Formation + Nurture + Leadership = MISSION

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

Services for Rev. Lena Mae Williams
Funeral service for Retired Minister, Rev. Lena Mae Williams will be held Wednesday, May 16, 2010 at 1 p.m. at Wesley Chapel CME Church, Batesburg/Leesville, South Carolina. Senior Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. will give words of comfort. Rev. Williams was the pastor of Good Hope CME Church in Gilbert, South Carolina and Bethel CME Church in Johnston, South Carolina.  Rev. Williams is the wife former Charleston-Columbia District Steward Board chairman Stan Willliams.  Rev. Williams was the president of the Charleston Columbia District Board of Evangelism.
Amos and Sons Funeral Home, 604 Howard Street, Batesburg/Leesville, South Carolina is in charge.  The funeral home's telephone and fax numbers are 803-532-4239 and 803-532-4234 (fax) respectively.

Friday, May 11, 2012


Passing of Mrs. Bettye Shanklin
It is with deep regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Bettye Shanklin, the wife of Rev. Carston Shanklin, pastor of Parkwood Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 7, 2012.

Funeral arrangements for Mrs. Shanklin are as follows:

Funeral Services - Monday, May 14, 2012  - 10:30 a.m.
Wake: 10 a.m.
Parkwood CME Church
10914 Morison Avenue
Cleveland, OH   44108
Eulogist: Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to:
Thomas G. Smith Funeral Home
14601 St. Clair Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44110
216-249-5000
Fax: 216-761-4163
E-mail: contact-us@smith-funeral-home.com
Internet: www.smith-funeral-home.com

Expressions of condolence may be sent to Rev. Carston Shanklin, 3699 Bainbridge Road, Cleveland Heights, OH  44148 (Carston9@aol.com)

Please keep Rev. Shanklin and the Shanklin family in your prayers.

In His Service,

Bishop Sylvester Williams, Sr.
Presiding Prelate, Second Episcopal District

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

Funeral Arrangements for Mr. Woodrow Keown (Updated)
Mr. Woodrow Keown of Pleasant Hill CME Church, College Station, Ark., a former member of the CME Judicial Council (1990-1994) and former Lay Leader of the North Arkansas Annual Conference, died Saturday night, May 5, 2012.

Funeral arrangements are as follows.

Family Hour - Friday, May 11, 2012, 7:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Pleasant Hill CME Church
3801 East 38th Street
College Station, Arkansas 72053
Rev. Shelby Taylor, Pastor
501-490-2267

Funeral Service - Saturday, May 12, 2012, 11:00 a.m.
Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church
1400 Daisy Bates Dr.
Little Rock, Arkansas  72201
501-372-3717

Committal Service - Monday, May 13, 2012, 10:00 a.m.
Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery
1501 West Maryland Avenue
North Little Rock, Arkansas  72120
501-683-2259

Funeral Arrangements
Ruffin and Jarrett Funeral Home
1200 South Chester Street
Little Rock, Arkansas 72202
501-372-1305
Fax: 501-372-2558

Condolences can be sent to Mr. Keown's widow, Mrs. Mable Keown, at 3124 Frazier Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas 72206 (501-490-0457).

Please keep Mrs. Keown and the Keown family in your prayers.

In His Service,

Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III
Presiding Prelate, 1st Episcopal District

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

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Arrangements for Mrs. Cornelius Powers
The funeral services for Mrs. Cornelius Powers, wife of Bro. Odies Powers, Lay Leader for the North-East Mississippi Region, will be held at Saturday, May 12, 2012, noon, at Knights Chapel CME Church, 2999 Getwell Road, MS 38632. Viewing will take place from 11 a.m. to noon. Rev. Wesley Massey, Jr., pastor.

The wake will be held on Friday, May 11, 2012 at 7 p.m. at Henderson Funeral Home, 2746 South Panola Street, Hernando, MS 38632, (662) 429-9443.

Submitted by Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., 4th Episcopal District

Wednesday, May 09, 2012


Death of Mr. Woodrow Keown - Former Member of CME Judicial Council

Mr. Woodrow Keown of Pleasant Hill CME Church, College Station, Ark., a former member of the CME Judicial Council (1990-1994) and former Lay Leader of the North Arkansas Annual Conference, died Saturday night, May 5, 2012.

Condolences can be sent to his widow, Mrs. Mable Keown, of 3124 Frazier Pike, Little Rock, Arkansas 72206 (501-490-0457).

The funeral service for Mr. Keown is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 12, 2012, at the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, 1400 Daisy Bates Dr., Little Rock, Ark.

A family hour is planned for Friday evening, May 11, 2012, from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. at Pleasant Hill CME Church, 3801 East 38th Street, College Station, Ark. (501-490-2267).  The Rev. Shelby Taylor is pastor.  Pleasant Hill CME Church will also host the repast following the funeral service on Saturday.
The committal service will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 13, 2012, at the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, 1501 West Maryland Avenue, North Little Rock, Ark.

Funeral arrangements have been made with the Ruffin and Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 South Chester Street, Little Rock, Arkansas (501-372-1305).

Submitted by Bishop L.L. Reddick III

CME Judicial Council Declares
Missionary Council President 
Exempt from Automatic Retirement

JUDICIAL COUNCIL OPINION


Justice Lampkin delivered the Opinion for the Council.


                                                                      Jurisdiction

This matter comes before the Judicial Council by way of a petition for declaratory judgment from Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III, presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District and Patron Bishop of the Women's Missionary Council of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.  The petition is submitted in accordance with paragraph 805.2, § § 1 and 2 which state:


§1. Members of the CME Church with a justiciable interest in the meaning and
application of a specific paragraph (s) or section of the Discipline may petition the Judicial Council for a declaratory decision.

§2. Petitions shall specify the paragraph, article and/or section of the Discipline
for which the decision is sought, be dated, signed by the petitioner(s), and forwarded to the President and Clerk of the Council.


Bishop Reddick, however, in both his oral and written presentations made it clear that while he is a bishop in the College of Bishops, he came before the Judicial Council as an individual.  He opined that he believed that the relevant statutes listed below were "open to more than one interpretation" and that he therefore sought clarity from the Judicial Council.


                                                        Issues Presented For Review

Bishop Reddick asks that the following paragraphs of The Book of Disciples, Revised 2010, that relate to the Office of President of the Women's Missionary Council be interpreted:


¶210. The General Conference shall elect General Officers, except the president of
the Women's Missionary Council, who shall be elected by the Quadrennial Assembly of the Women's Missionary Council.

¶1001.1. The General Officers of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church shall
be: ...The President of the Women's Missionary Council.


¶1140, Article III, §8. The Women's Missionary Council shall elect its officers,
secretaries, and chairpersons at the Quadrennial Assembly by ballot.  The President of the Women's Missionary Council shall maintain the status of General Officer.

¶450, §2. Members of the Judicial Council, General Officers, Presiding Elders,
Pastors and all other of the clergy rank shall be automatically retired at the Conference of authority nearest their seventh-fourth (74th) birthday ...


Specifically, Bishop Reddick posed the following question in the petition submitted to the Judicial Council on June 27, 2011, and during his oral and initial written presentation on September 28, 2011: [W]hether paragraph 450, §2 means that a General Officer who is President of the Women's Missionary Council 'shall be automatically retired' at the General Conference nearest that persons 74th birthday, or whether the Quadrennial Assembly should be considered 'the Conference of authority' for retirement purposes." [Emphasis in original.]

In a revised written submission, dated October 13, 2011, Bishop Reddick rephrased his question, as follows: Is the President of the Women's Missionary Council, who is a General Officer, subject to or exempt from being "automatically retired at the Conference of Authority nearest [her] seventy-fourth [74th] birthday," as stated in paragraph 450, §2? [Emphasis in original.] As all of these questions were raised in this petition, our opinion will address all of the questions presented.


                                                                       RULING

In September, 2011, the Judicial Council held a public hearing on Bishop Reddick's petition.  Oral and written presentations were accepted from Bishop Reddick, Retired Bishop Othal H. Lakey, Women's Missionary Council President Mrs. Princess Pegues, Dr. Yvonne Kennedy, Dr. Velma Lois Jones and several other interested persons.  We have reviewed relevant portions of The Book of Discipline, Revised 2010, the Bylaws of the Women's Missionary Council (ratified by the 2006 General Conference) and have considered the oral presentations, the written submissions, and have looked to general rules of statutory construction to arrive at our holdings.

Bishop Reddick's position, in summary, is as follows.

Historically, the records of the CME Church confirms that the Women's Connectional Missionary Council was authorized by action of the 1918 General Conference and therefore the General Conference has final authority over the Council.  He further argues that in 1934, the General Conference adopted a constitution of the Women's Connectional Council.  Paragraph 258 §3 (b), relevant to his position, states, in part:


(b) The Council shall enact its own by-laws, make provisions for a
constitution and for by-laws for Conference and Missionary Circles, all of which shall be in harmony with the laws of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church.  


Bishop Reddick argues that because the Women's Missionary Council is a creation of the General Conference and, in as much as the Constitutions and Bylaws were authorized subject to their being in harmony with all laws of the CME Church, these Constitutions and Bylaws of the Women's Missionary Council have been and always are in deference to the higher authority of The Book of Discipline.

We do not and cannot disagree with this interpretation of our law.  The Constitution of the CME Church provides for a General Conference, for the Episcopacy and for the judiciary.  It does not provide for General Officers.  Article 2 of the Constitution, however, provides that "[t]he General Conference shall have full powers to make rules and regulations for the church ***.  [Emphasis added.] 

Furthermore, the law of the church, as reflected in The Book of Discipline, is a result of the actions (full power) of the General Conference, the legislative or law making branch of government that has the authority to enact rules for the denomination.  As such, no one can contest the fact that the General Conference has the authority to enact legislation and to permit and/or authorize exceptions to any legislative action it chooses.  It also has the full power to delegate authority to other bodies as it chooses. 

Paragraph §210 is a perfect example.  This paragraph mandates that General officers shall be elected at the General Conference, except the president of the Women's Missionary Council, who shall be elected by the Quadrennial Assembly of the Women's Missionary Council. [Emphasis added.]  This legislative enactment indicates a decision by the General Conference to treat the President of the Women's Missionary Council different from all other General Officers as to both the time and place of their election.  The General Conference has the full power to do this.  Additionally, paragraph 1140, article III §8 indicates a legislative decision by the General Conference to have all officers, secretaries, and chairpersons of the Women's Missionary Council elected at the Quadrennial Assembly.  This section specifically provides that the President of the Women's Missionary Council shall maintain the status of General Officer. 

Paragraph 1001.1 provides that the General Officers of the CME Church shall be *** The President of the Women's Missionary Council and paragraph 450 §2 provides that members of the Judicial Council, General Officers, Presiding Elders, Pastors and all other of the clergy rank shall be automatically retired at the Conference of Authority nearest their seventy-fourth (74th) birthday ***


A review of this legislation, adopted by the General Conference, demonstrates several ambiguities.  First, the President of the Women's Missionary Council according to paragraph 1001.1 "shall be" a general officer but under paragraph 1140, article III §8, she "maintain(s) the status of General Officer."  There is a difference in language because, as will be discussed later, as a "General Officer," the President of the Women's Missionary Council, is legislatively treated differently.  This difference in treatment has been by approval of the General Conference.  A further ambiguity is seen when we consider paragraph 210 that provides for the President to be elected by the Quadrennial Assembly (for a four year term), paragraph 804.2 that provides for Judicial Council members to be elected by the General Conference, paragraph 1000.5 that says General Officers are to be elected by the General Conference and compare them with paragraph 450 that provides for automatic retirement at the Conference of Authority nearest their 74th birthday for classes of persons (Judicial Council members, General Officers, Presiding Elders, Pastors & all other clergy rank). 

When there is ambiguity among different sections of legislation covering the same or similar subjects, the first rule of statutory construction is to look at the legislation and to attempt to read it in such a fashion that every portion of the legislation can be read in harmony and can reflect the intent of those who enacted it.  The presumption is that legislators know what they have enacted and meant the enactments to be read harmoniously.  Another rule of statutory construction is that ambiguous enactments should not be read in such a manner as to render an absurd result.  Legislation is looked at in a way to preserve the original intent of the drafters and in consonance  with any subsequent actions that further the consistency in interpretation.  If we read the "Conference of Authority" for purposes of retirement to mean the President of the Women's Missionary Council must retire at the General Conference, then a President of the Women's Missionary Council who was age eligible under this paragraph would always leave office with one year (25%) of her term incomplete.  This would yield an absurd result, and one clearly not intended by the General Conference.

Bishop Reddick argues that the question of mandatory retirement in the CME Church has been settled for all bishops, all general officers and all itinerant preachers without exception.  Our  review of our prior and current Discipline beginning as early as 1914 and continuing until 1978 demonstrates that the question of the retirement age for bishops was constantly in flux.  At various times, even though the General Conference had enacted a retirement age, exceptions would be made on the floor of the General Conference to extend the age of retirement for select Bishops.  We again emphatically state, the General Conference always had and maintains full power to make exceptions.

In regards to itinerant ministers and General Officers, other than the President of the Women's Missionary Council, the law is clear, that is, they must retire at the "Conference of Authority" nearest their 74th birthday, provided, however, that if they are ministers who have been in the itinerant service for 10 years or more and are 65 they can exercise the right to
retirement. 

Ministers upon approaching or reaching age 74 (or qualifying for the 10 year service, age 65 exception) have retired at their annual conferences (the Conference of Authority over them) and General Officers over the years, when they approached the General Conference nearest their 74th birthdays have retired at the General Conference.

In contrast, our research reveals that the President of the Women's Missionary Council has never retired or completed her 4 year term of office at the General Conference.  The questions that are raised by this observation, are these:


(1) What is the "Conference of Authority" for the President of the Women's
Missionary Council;

(2) Is the President of the Women's Missionary Council exempt from the
"automatically retired" language of paragraph 450 §2.


Simply put, the answer to the first question is beyond debate.  If we look at what body has final authority over the President of the Women's Missionary Council, then the Conference of Authority is always the General Conference.  The General Conference created the Women's Missionary Council (as it did all other General Departments of the Church) and has the full authority to do away with it.  However, as stated earlier, the General Conference has full power to make whatever rules it chooses and can make exceptions, modifications, delegations, etc., whenever it chooses to do so. 

The General Conference has the power to and has allowed the President of the Women's Missionary Council to be treated differently from other General Officers.  For example, the General Conference has allowed the Women's Missionary Council to have their own constitution and their own bylaws which have been ratified by the General Conference.  Indeed the Women's Missionary Council's Constitution is included within The Book of Discipline.

By that ratification, the General Conference has determined that instead of being elected at the General Conference like all other General Officers, the President of the Women's Missionary Council will be elected at a different place and time.  The President of the Women's Missionary Council and all other Council officers are elected at the Quadrennial Assembly meeting the year following the General Conference.  Another distinction among General Officers approved by the General Conference, is that a General Officer who is also an itinerant minister and has served 10 years in the ministry can retire at 65.

Another example of an intent to treat the President of the Women's Missionary Council different than other General Officers is the fact that all other General Officers report annually to the General Connectional Board (see Chapter 44) while the President of the Women's Missionary Council has its own Executive Board to which she makes her annual report at a different place and time (see Chapter 51).

A compelling example of an intent to treat the President of the Women's Missionary Council different than other General Officers, is the Retirement Plan of the CME Church.

Paragraph 1039.1 mandates that all active Bishops, General Officers, Presidents & Dean of Theological Seminaries, Presiding Elders & salaried pastors of the CME Church, who are
under 74 years of age shall mandatorily enroll in the CME retirement plan.  However, a President of the Women's Missionary Council cannot enroll in the CME retirement plan because they can never meet the qualifications for retirement benefits, as is illustrated below.

Paragraph 1039.4 provides that a serving General Officer who retires in office, pursuant to the retirement laws of the CME Church, shall be entitled to benefits as follows:


§1. A General Officer who served twelve (12) consecutive years or more, and retires while actively in office as such General Officer, shall be entitled to a sum equal to one-half (½) of a General officer's salary at the time of retirement.

§2. A General Officer who serves a minimum of eight (8) consecutive years or more, and retires while still acting as such General Officer, shall be entitled to a sum equal to one-third (1/3) of the salary of a General Officer at the time of retirement.


The President of the Women's Missionary Council can never retire under subsection one because she cannot serve 12 years consecutively and because she can never serve a minimum of 8 consecutive years or more and retire while still acting as such General Officer, she cannot retire under subsection two.  She can only serve 8 consecutive years.  She cannot ever be "still acting as General Officer."  Therefore, she cannot participate in the pension fund.

Because the President can't participate in the retirement fund, a Special Gift Fund was set up for Past Council Presidents, Treasurers & Editors of the Missionary Messenger, which they are eligible for after 2 terms of office (see page 161, paragraph 1140, Article VII § 2 of the Book of Discipline 2010).  The amount of the gift is subject to a determination by the Finance Committee of the Women's Missionary Council based upon the availability of funds which must be confirmed by the Women's Missionary Council Executive Board.  This allowance or gift was made effective in 2004.  

The answer to the second question flows from our consideration of the first question.  It is the opinion of the Judicial Council that the President of the Women's Missionary Council is exempt from the "automatically retired" language of paragraph 450 §2.

As was earlier stated, the General Conference has full power to enact laws, to modify or make exceptions to them and to delegate authority to other bodies.  An example of General Conference delegation of authority can be seen in the creation of the General Connectional Board (paragraph 1000 through 1000.7) with authority granted to it to act between General Conferences.  Authority was also granted to the Women's Missionary Council to enact its own constitution and bylaws.  The Women's Missionary Council's Constitution and Bylaws were
thereafter ratified by the General Conference.  In fact, the Women's Missionary Council's Constitution has been incorporated in the Book of Discipline.  Furthermore, at the General Conference in 1998, per resolution #98-08-132, the General Conference voted to allow the Women's Missionary Council to amend, add to, delete or modify its bylaws.  Those Bylaws specifically set out the qualifications and terms of office for President. 

They are, in part, as follows:

A.                                                        President
1.                                 Qualifications

a.         The President shall be active member of the Local Church, the District Conference, and the Annual Conference Women's Missionary Society.  She shall have had consistent experience in a comparable office at other levels of missionary work in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.  [Emphasis added.]

b.         She shall not be otherwise gainfully employed.

c.         She shall have a background of higher education, demonstrated administrative ability, organizational skills, a gift of effective human relations, a presence of consistent dedication, and spiritual disciplines.


Section 5:                                 Terms of Office

A.        Council Officers, Department Secretaries, Standing Committee Chairpersons, and the Chairperson of the Commission on Christian Social Relations shall be elected quadrennially and shall not succeed themselves after two (2) terms of four (4) years each, or a
total of eight (8) years.

B.         All vacancies occurring during a term of office shall be filled by the Executive Committee of the Women's Missionary Council.

C.        Should the office of President become vacant, the Vice-President shall assume the duties of the office of President until the next Executive Board meeting, at which time the Patron bishop and the Executive Committee shall recommend an appointee.


A fair reading of these Bylaws as well as the actions of the General Conference in ratifying them, leads to but one conclusion.  Because the President is to have all these
qualifications i.e., served as the president of the local, district and annual conference Missionary Society (clearly an accomplishment that can take years to obtain), not be otherwise gainfully employed (indicating a requirement that the person seeking the office must have completed their professional career), and must have a background of higher education, demonstrated administrative ability, organizational skills, a gift of effective human relations, etc. (again, indicating a person who has spent many years in preparing themself in all aspects of their life, personal, professional and spiritually to serve as President), it is obvious that there was no intent to impose an age limitation on who may serve as President; the limitation on service, as evidenced by the mandated qualifications without regard to age, is a term limitation.  The President is prohibited from serving more than two terms (4 year terms) or a total of eight years.  There is no provision for retirement during a term of office

As was stated earlier, to require a President to leave office with twenty-five percent (25%) of her term left would lead to an absurd result.  This could not have been the intent of the General Conference nor would this tortured reading of all the relevant statutes we reviewed result in giving full effect to all the enactments. 

Finally, to reiterate, the General Conference has full power to enact legislation, to make exceptions to it, to modify it and to delegate authority to other bodies.  It is the Opinion of the Judicial Council that the President of the Women's Missionary Council, who is a General Officer, subject to the final authority of the General Conference, which is her "Conference of Authority" is exempt from being "automatically retired" as stated in paragraph 450 §2.  If the General Conference wants to change this interpretation they have the authority to do so.  The General Conference meets in 2014.  They can either adopt our interpretation or amend The Discipline if they disagree with us.  Our Opinion will be subject to review by the General Conference in two years, before it would affect the President of the Women's Missionary Council.


            Respectfully submitted,


                                                  Justice Roland Johnson, Jr., President
                                                   Justice Pamela Bethel-LeDuff, Clerk
                                                            Justice Barbara Nichols
                                                              Justice Lawson Adjei
                                                               Justice Leo Douglas
                                                         Concurring in the Opinion


                           Justices Bernard Snell and Jerry Woodfolk, Sr., respectfully dissent.

                                     *Justice Kapel Kirkendoll took no part in this decision.

Monday, May 07, 2012

Arrangements for Mrs. Cornelia Powers
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Cornelia Powers, the wife of Brother Odies Powers, Lay Leader for the North-East Mississippi Region. She answered her Lord’s call on Saturday evening after a protracted season of illness. The funeral is tentatively planned for Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 12 Noon. We are not sure of the location of the services at this time, but it will possibly held at Knights Chapel Church, 2999 Getwell Road, Hernando, MS 38632. Further notice will be sent later. Please add Brother Powers and family to your intercessory prayers.

The following is the contact information for Brother Powers:
4531 Byhalia Road
Hernando, MS 38637
(662) 429-5696

Submitted by Pene' Woods

Friday, May 04, 2012

A Message from General Secretary 
of Lay Ministry Dr. Clifford L. Harris
 
Dear Connectional Members and Friends, 
 
Greetings from the Department of Lay Ministry! 
An update on Department of Lay Ministry activities over the past several months is available at www.c-m-e.org/layministry/LayUpdate_May2012.pdf .  A complete report will be given at the General Connectional Board Meeting that will convene during the CME Unity Summit (September 25-29, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana).
 
In His Service,
 
Dr. Clifford L. Harris, General Secretary 
Department of Lay Ministry 
 
Bishop Teresa E. Snorton, Chair 
Department of Lay Ministry
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
"An Essential Church: Poised for 21st Century Ministry"
Arrangements for Rev. Eugene Bowler, Sr.
Dear Members and Friends of the Ninth Episcopal District,
 
Funeral services for Rev. Eugene Bowler Sr. will be held on Saturday, May 5, 2012, 11:00 a.m., at Timothy Baptist Church, 5530 West Okmulgee Street, Muskogee, OK 74401 (918) 682-6130. Rev. Bowler was a former Pastor of Cummings Cole CME Church in Taft, OK.
 
Please visit the following Web sites for obituary information:
-http://muskogeephoenix.com/obituaries/x1585741279/The-Rev-Eugene-Bowler-Sr 
 
Please keep the Bowler family in your prayers. 
 
In His Service,
 
Bishop James B. Walker
Presiding Prelate
Ninth Episcopal District
 
Rev. Fedro Givens, Pastor
Rev. Paul D. Everett, Presiding Elder

Tuesday, May 01, 2012

President's Proclamation of National Day of Prayer