Dr. Kenneth E. Jones Announces Candidacy for Bishop

Greetings My CME Friends and Colleagues:

After a great deal of thought, prayer, and consulting with family members and close friends (as well as powers that be), I am hereby announcing my candidacy for the Episcopacy in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in 2014. This is my third attempt to seek this high office, so you can be assured that I am doing it not without knowledge of how the political system works in our church.

Some of you will question why I am “throwing my hat into the race” at this stage of the process—considering we are only one year out from next year’s General Conference. Some perhaps will say it’s too late—that the Church has already made up its mind. To these things I can only say that a man or a woman can only move when they feel the stirring of the heart inside of them. Without that stirring, declaring openly a weighty decision such as this is only a “resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” Today, my words are not empty. They are strong and true.

I have no idea the decisions the church will make next year. I only know that my work, serving as editor of our historic The Christian Index speaks for itself. You have elected me four times to this coveted position—in 1998, 2002, 2006, and in 2010.  Now fifteen years into this ministry, I am the second longest serving editor in the history of the 146 years of this publication. If I am so blessed to make it to the General Conference in 2014 as editor, my tenure of service will tie that of only Bishop L.L. Reddick III, as the denomination’s longest serving editor.  Only Dr. Joseph C. Neal, Jr., Chief Financial Officer, exceeds me as a General Officer in the CME Church in tenure.  So, quite honestly, I am very proud of my record, and I am very humbled to have served the Church for so long.

I believe it is this kind of seasoned experience, knowledge of the CME Church, longevity as a pastor, and as a well-noted educator, that can serve our Church very well on the Episcopal level moving forward. Your continued support of my work as editor over the years says that you trust my judgment and leadership.

My loving wife, former Vice President of the Connectional Ministers’ Spouses, Widows and Widowers Department Mrs. Frances Washington Jones and I are both well known throughout the Connection. We have worked side-by-side and proven ourselves to be strong, loyal CMEs who are time-tested, persistent, and accomplished.  We make a formidable team. We were on the trail for Bishop in 2006 and 2010. We are coming before you again in 2014. We solicit your prayers, your support, and of course your vote. We look forward to hearing from you.

Trusting God,

Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Jones
Editor of The Christian Index, The Daily Index and The Christian Index Online
Candidate for Bishop 2014

Pastor Johnathan Bass (third from left) and scholarship recipients.

Mt. Nebo (Ms.) Oratorical Scholarship Contest

              Baldwyn, MS—Mount Nebo CME understands that preparing students for the future takes a community effort.  On Saturday, April 27, 2013, the church sponsored its first Oratorical Scholarship Contest.  The contest was open to all graduating seniors from Mount Nebo, and the students were given the topic “My Future Looks Brighter Because...”   Students were required to write a 4 to 5 minute speech, memorize it, and present it to an audience.  
    “We believe in investing in our kids,” said Pastor Johnathan Bass.  As graduating seniors prepare for college and life, Mount Nebo views the oratory experience as another opportunity to develop future leaders by fostering their ability to be prepared, to think, and to speak clearly.  For participants Faith Shelley and Antonio Price, it was their very first time to present a speech from memory.  Kelsey Agnew said, "Mount Nebo's Oratorical Contest was a wonderful experience to improve my public speaking ability, and this experience will have a major impact on future speaking endeavors.”  Other seniors who participated in the contest were Dominique Hicks, Shantierra Eades, and Krissa Grice.  
With 11 graduating seniors in the 2013 class, Mount Nebo is proud of each one, and has already begun planning to make the Oratorical Scholarship Contest an annual event.  

Arrangements for Ms. Susie A. Owens
Funeral Service for Ms. Susie Owens
Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at 1 p.m.
Lane Chapel CME Church
Rev. Dr. Cheryl Penson, pastor
1509 North Madison St.
Tupelo, MS 38801

Visitation
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
5-7 p.m.

Greyson-Porter’s Mortuary
401 N. Spring
Tupelo, MS 38802
662-842-4748

Please send condolences to the Funeral Home
or the home of Ms. Susie Owens
609 N. Green St.
Tupelo, MS 38804

Please keep the Owens Family in prayer

Thomas Louis Brown, Sr., Presiding Bishop
4th Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church (CME)
5417 Robinson Road Extension
Jackson, Mississippi 39204
Office: (601) 373-0075
Fax: (601) 373-0997
Email: Fourthdistrict_cme@att.net
Webpage: 4thdistrictcme.org

THE PASSING OF MS. SUSIE A. OWENS

A Committed and Passionate Woman of God

Arrangements are incomplete. Please keep her family

in your prayers.

We regret to inform you of the sudden passing of Ms. Susie Ann Owens earlier this

evening (May 7, 2013) in Tupelo, MS. She was a member of Lane Chapel CME Church,

Tupelo, MS. She served as chairperson of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee of the

Women’s Missionary Council of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church; former

Director of Christian Education for the North MS Region. Ms. Owens was a retired

educator but continued to mentor and guide young people.

Submitted by Pene' Woods

Passing of AMEZ Bishop Roy A. Holmes

It is with great sadness that I must share this email with you. The A. M. E. Zion Church has lost another episcopal leader in Bishop Roy A. Holmes. The home going celebrations are described below:

The Service of Triumph for Bishop Roy A. Holmes will be held on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 at the:

Metropolitan AME Zion Church
2051 Main Street
Hartford, Connecticut   06120
860-527-7087
Public viewing will be 4 p.m. - 7 p.m., and service will be 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, etc. the family is requesting donations be made to the:

Hood Theological Seminary
1810 Lutheran Synod Drive
Salisbury, North Carolina  28144
704-636-7611

The family will establish the Bishop Roy A. Holmes Scholarship Fund at Hood Theological Seminary.  Gifts will be acknowledged by the Holmes family.


The Service of Triumph will be held on Monday, May 13, 2013 at the:

Greater Walters AME Zion Church
8422 S. Damen Avenue
Chicago, Illinois   60620
773-779-8400

Visitation hour will be at 9:30 a.m. and service will begin at 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, etc. the family is requesting donations be made to the:

Hood Theological Seminary
1810 Lutheran Synod Drive
Salisbury, North Carolina   28144
704-636-7611

The family will establish the Bishop Roy A. Holmes Scholarship Fund at Hood Theological Seminary.  Gifts will be acknowledged by the Holmes family.


God's peace and blessings,


Bishop George E. Battle, Jr.
Senior Bishop of the AME. Zion Church