Passing of Rev. Ernest Wayne Hammick (Connectional Young Adult Ministry Chaplain). After celebrating his 28th birthday on Tuesday, Rev. Ernest Wayne Hammick went home to be with the Lord on Saturday June 23, 2007 in Los Angeles, CA.

Arrangements are as follows:
Viewing
Thursday July 5th from 9:00am - 9:00pm
Harrison Ross Mortuary
436 E. Compton Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90221
(323) 584-1225

Homegoing Celebration
Friday July 6th
11:00am
Lewis Metropolitan C.M.E. Church
4900 S. Western Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
Rev. Peris Lester, Pastor

Cards/resolutions and acts of kindness should be sent to his mother:
Rosa Crothers
12916 S. San Pedro St
Los Angeles, CA 90061
(310) 532-7618
**in lieu of flowers, please send monetary donations to his mother


Submitted by Rev. Cyreeta Collins
CME CYAM President

Rev. Roderick Lewis Earns Doctorate from Hood Seminary. On Saturday, May 12, 2007, the Hood Theological Seminary Salisbury, NC, held their 2007 Commencement. Among the 51 graduates were four recipients of the Diploma in Christian Education, three recipients of the Master of Theological Studies Degree, thirty-five recipients of the Master of Divinity Degree and nine recipients of the Doctor of Ministry Degree. Among the nine recipients of the Doctor of Ministry Degree was Roderick Darnell Lewis Sr., Pastor of Parkwood Institutional CME Church, Charlotte, NC. The Commencement followed an early morning service of Holy Communion for the graduates, giving the academic community at Hood opportunity to share in the sacrament once more before leaving the institution as graduates. During the very moving service, Bishop Violet L. Fisher, Resident Bishop of the New York Area of the United Methodist Church, offered a challenging and moving Commencement address, entitled, “A Tassle, A Title, A Testimony.”
Following the Commencement, a reception was given in Dr. Lewis' honor by his wife, Sandra “Kay” Lewis and their children, R. Darnell and Allasyn D. Lewis, at the Parkwood Institutional CME Church Fellowship Hall. Family, friends, members of the congregation of Parkwood and other churches where Dr. Lewis has served as pastor were there to greet him and share in this celebration. Several members of the congregation at Parkwood presented a skit highlighting Dr. Lewis’ journey in the ministry, reflecting his spiritual growth from his early days in ministry to the present. It was a joyous day of praise and thanksgiving.
Rev. Dr. Lewis is a faithful servant of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church on all levels and is noted for his involvement in facilitating the growth of many across our Zion. This accomplishment of Rev. Dr. Roderick D. Lewis Sr. exemplifies determination, a sincere quest for knowledge, perseverance, and commitment to his “calling.” We, the members of the Parkwood Institutional Christian Methodist Episcopal Church share with him in this accomplishment and consider ourselves blessed to be on this spiritual journey with him. We congratulate him as he continues to serve and be a “witness for Christ.”
Parkwood Institutional Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is a part of the Durham District of the Carolina Region of the 7th Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. Louvenia Coleman is presiding elder and the Right Rev. Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. is the presiding bishop. Submitted by Catherine M. Felton of the Parkwood Institutional CME Church.

6th District Holds Ministry to Men Retreat at St. Paul, Savannah (GA)
Savannah, GA—Under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Henry R. Delaney, Saint Paul Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, has become one of the places in Savannah, GA, where community leaders and other citizens assemble to seek guidance and strategize about community issues.
April 27-29, 2007, the 6th Episcopal District of the CME Church Ministry to Men Program held a two-day Men’s Retreat at St. Paul. Leaders of the church came together to worship and discuss issues facing African-American men in areas such as education, the legal system, health care, financial management, sports in the local church and ministering to youth. As needed, professionals and specialists were invited to serve as discussion leaders and speakers. The 6th Episcopal District, encompassing the state of Georgia, and Connectional leaders who participated in the conference included Bishop Othal H. Lakey, prelate of the 6th Episcopal District; Cliff Harris, president of the Connectional Lay Institute; Leo Pinkett, General Secretary of the Department of Ministry to Men, and Dr. Robert Robbins, Sr., Atlanta-Rome Region, 6th Episcopal District Ministry to Men coordinator.
The host church was well represented at all of the sessions, and among the St. Paul men who played a leadership role at the retreat were Horace Magwood, III, Arnold Singleton, John Pryor, Ralph Johnson, Jeremiah Williams, Thomas Cornelius, Tony Wright, Sr., Tommy Cooper, Brian Salters, Min.Cameron Jordan, Dr. Kenneth Jordan, Edward Smith, and George Jackson. St. Paul’s Men’s Chorus provided the music. Brian Magwood, a former member of St. Paul who now attends Good News Community CME Church of Lithonia, GA, also played a leadership role in this highly successful retreat. Pictured are (l-r) Dr. Robbins, Sr., General Secretary Pinkett, and Mr. Magwood.