Saturday, January 30, 2010

ANNOUNCEMENT
New Web Site for
Department of Christian Education




Friday, January 29, 2010

Episcopal Districts Resolutions Committee Representatives

Episcopal DistrictRepresentativePresiding Prelate
FIRST
Note
Changed
Representative
also
corrected
contact info.
Mrs. Debora Gant
712 W. Park Street
Searcy, Arkansas 72143
501-279-2585 williamdebora@att.net
Senior Bishop William H. Graves
SECOND
Rev. Dr. O’Neal Shyne, Jr.
Trinity CME Church
2253 Dr. Andrew J. Brown
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Ojr1809@sbcglobal.net
(317) 496-3948
Bishop Marshall Gilmore
THIRD
Rev. Dr. Phillip D. Washington
625 East Minges
Battle Creek, MI 49015
revdrpdw@aol.com
(248) 497-8242
Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart
FOURTH
Ms. Princess Pegues
2309 Bonnie Ave.
Bastrop, LA 71220
annpegues@bellsouth.net
(318) 281-3044
Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr.
FIFTH
Mr. Lynn Hargrow, Jr.
709 26th Ave.
Phenix City, AL 36869
hargrown@gmail.com
(334) 298-7777
Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick
SIXTH
Ms. Leola Hatcher
3111 Riders Trail
Decatur, GA 30034
(404) 572-4623
(770) 853-4544
lhatcher@kslaw.com
Bishop Othal H. Lakey
SEVENTH
Mrs. Faye McGhee
303 Serena St
Kettering, MD 20774
(301) 249-9251 H & F
(301) 332-0270 C
fayemcghee@hotmail.com
Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt
EIGHTH
Rev. Manuel Henderson
1514 Springwood Dr.
Mesquite, TX 75181
(972) 222-8777
manhen@sbcglobal.net
Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham
NINTH
Rev. Dr. John Deron Johnson
Phillips Temple CME Church
971 East 43rd
Los Angeles, CA 90008
pastor@phillipstemplecme.com
(323) 233-4783
Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.
TENTH
Bishop Kenneth W. Carter

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

THE PASSING OF REV. E.D. HOOKS
Pastor, Marshall Chapel C.M.E. Church
Shreveport District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Homegoing Service
Saturday, January 30, 2010, 11 AM
Williams Memorial Temple CME Church
1501 Peabody Street, Shreveport, LA; Rev. Larry D. Anders, Pastor
Family Hour
Friday, January 29, 2010, 7 P.M.
Lane Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
1007 Norma Avenue, Shreveport, LA; Rev. Arnold Caesar, Pastor
Body has been entrusted to: Benevolent Funeral Home
1624 Milam Street
Shreveport, LA
318-221-1627
Please keep Mrs. Georgia Hooks and Family in your prayers. Condolences can be sent to
Mrs. Hooks at 415 North Circle Drive, Bossier City, LA 71111;
318-742-0273
College of Bishops' Announcement on
"Great Gathering"

January 27, 2010

The College of Bishops of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, under the leadership of Senior Bishop William H. Graves, Sr., is encouraging connectional members to attend the “Great Gathering” in Columbia, South Carolina, March 1-3, 2010.

On March 1, 2010, a historic event in the modern-day annals of American religion will take place. For the first time in more than 45 years, the three major Methodist denominations within the African American community will meet collectively in Columbia, South Carolina. Over a three-day period (March 1-3, 2010), congregations from the African Methodist Episcopal (AME), African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) and Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Churches will convene in Columbia to discuss and address some of the major issues currently plaguing our nation.

There will be many events for our leaders, clergy, lay and missionaries to participate in at the "Great Gathering." We will have powerful preaching, Biblical teaching, intercessory prayer sessions, and mass choirs along with workshops and seminars. One of the major issues to be addressed is the plight of African American Males.

Registration for this event is online and $21. For more information and online registration, please visit the Web site: http://greatgathering.org/

We are encouraging our connectional members to make arrangements for lodging at the Radisson Hotel Columbia, the site of the Women’s Missionary Council (WMC) Executive Board meeting which will convene March 3-6 under the leadership of Dr. Elnora P. Hamb. The hotel is located at 2100 Bush River Road in Columbia. The telephone number is 803-731-0300. For additional information about the WMC Executive Board Meeting and to register online, please visit www.womensmissionarycouncilcme.org

We sincerely hope that you will gather with us in Columbia, South Carolina for these two worthwhile events! Please pass this information on to fellow CME's.
In His Service,
Senior Bishop William H. Graves, Sr., CEO
Bishop Othal H. Lakey
Bishop Edward Lynn Brown
Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr.
Bishop Paul A. G. Stewart, Sr.
Bishop L. L. Reddick, III, Secretary, College of Bishops
Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., Chairman of Social Justice & Human Concerns
Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham
Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Chairman, College of Bishops
Bishop Kenneth W. Carter
Bishop Marshall Gilmore
Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr.
Bishop Nathaniel Linsey
Homegoing Memorial Services for
Mrs. Belva Nelson
Norfolk, Virginia – January 26, 2010 - Mrs. Belva Nelson, a member of St. Paul C.M.E. Church, Norfolk, VA passed away Thursday, January 21, 2010. She was a faithful member of St. Paul, serving as past Chair of the Board of Stewards, Church Conference Secretary, Quarterly Conference Secretary, and member of the following ministries - Lay Council, Missionary Society, and Board of Christian Education. She was actively involved on the Washington-Virginia District, serving as past registrar of the Washington-Virginia District Leadership Training School and member of the Lay Council, Missionary Society, and Board of Christian Education. Mrs. Nelson was a leader in the New York-Washington Region, serving as secretary of the Missionary Society, member of the Lay Council, and as a member of the Board of Christian Education. She was elected as a delegate to the Women’s Missionary Quadrennial Assembly.


The Homegoing Memorial Services:

Saturday, January 30, 2010 at 11 AM
St. Paul C.M.E. Church
310 East Virginia Beach Boulevard
Norfolk, Virginia,
Pastor, Reverend John A. Dillard III, officiating

Condolences and other expressions of sympathy can be sent to her daughter, Mrs. Yvette Spivey, 1518 Morris Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia 23509.

We solicit your prayers for the family and church family of Mrs. Belva Nelson.

Contact:

Rev. John A. Dillard III
St. Paul C.M.E. Church
johndillard3rd@aol.com

310 East Virginia Beach Boulevard
Norfolk, Virginia 23510
Phone: (757) 625-6079

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

Campbell Sends Reminder for General Conference Resolutions

January 26, 2010
Greetings!
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
With this thought in mind, time is drawing near to have all resolutions submitted to your Episcopal Representative. The deadline is January 31, 2010.
Paragraph 206.1 of The Book of Discipline of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church 2006 states that, “All resolutions, memorials, and other materials contemplated for presentation to the General Conference shall be sent to the appropriate Episcopal District Resolutions Committee member on or before January 31 of the year of the General Conference.”
Resolutions will be mailed or sent to the Episcopal District Representative and examined to ascertain if they meet the requirements and if they do not meet the requirements as outlined in the Discipline, they shall be returned for corrections.
Delegates and alternates should receive a manuscript of all resolutions on or before May 15 of the year of the General Conference.
Please consider this communication as a gentle reminder to call your attention to this timeline as well as these guidelines. Your service to God as a Lay person is highly appreciated.
Your Servant in Christ,
Barbara Christian Campbell
President, Connectional Lay Council

Calling on All Believers!

Spread the Word!!

Calling on All People of Faith!

The National Week of Prayer for the Healing of AIDS
March 7-13, 2010
WWW.NWPHA.ORG

We believe in the Power of Prayer, Education, Service and Advocacy to Heal HIV/AIDS!!

The Balm In Gilead is calling on ALL believers of every creed, color and culture to prayer and educate the people of the United States about the major public health crisis of HIV/AIDS in our country.

Join Us!!! Get Information on How Your Faith Community Can Participate!

Register Your Congregation Today!

WWW.NWPHA.ORG
Contact Us To Become A Partner In Prayer And Education
For the Healing of AIDS!
888-225-6243
info@nationalweekofprayerforthehealingofAIDS.org

Friday, January 22, 2010

Loss of Mrs. Marcie Lee Titsworth
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,
It is with deep regret to inform you about the passing of Mrs. Marcie Lee Titsworth, the daughter of Mrs. Eloise Lee, the Missionary President of the Oklahoma Region of the Ninth Episcopal District.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2010, at Christ Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 2802 N. Lewis Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74110. Telephone: 918-425-0222. The Rev. Dr. Stacey L. Cole, Pastor and Presiding Elder.
Please keep Mrs. Lee and her family in your prayers. Cards, condolences and other expressions may be sent to Mrs. Lee at 625 North Xenophone, Tulsa, OK 74127. Telephone: 918-587-3264
In His Service,
Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., Presiding Prelate
Ninth Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
www.ninthdistrictcme.org
Dr. Elnora P. Hamb, President
Women's Missionary Council
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
www.womensmissionarycouncilcme.org

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Loss of Bro. Jesse Ross, Jr.
Dr. Willa Ross, my Executive Assistant, had a brother to die on Wednesday, January 20, 2010. The following are the arrangements. Please pray for the Ross family.
Arrangements for Mr. Jesse Ross, Jr., brother of Dr. Willa Ross.
Family Hour
6:00 PM-7:00 PM Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Mercer Brothers Funeral Home
501 MLK Jr. Drive
Jackson, TN 38301
Funeral
12 Noon Wednesday, January 27, 2010
St. James Missionary Baptist Church
278 Preston Street
Jackson, TN 38301
Willa's phone number is 731-217-5410

Submitted by Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield
General Secretary, Department of Christian Education
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
4466 Elvis Presley Blvd.
Memphis, TN 38116
(901) 345-4109 (901) 261-3289 Fax
www.deptchred.com

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

St. Luke Honored for
One Church One School

St. Luke CME in Champaign, IL, where Rev. Dr. Clarence Buchanan is the pastor, was recognized at the December 14, 2009 Champaign School District Board of Education meeting for its One Church One School initiative at the school district’s Academic Academy.

A certificate designating St. Luke as an A+ Partner was presented to Patricia McKinney Lewis, St. Luke’s One Church One School Coordinator, by Superintendent Arthur Culver.
Pictures of staff members from the Academic Academy attending a worship service at St. Luke were projected on a large screen during the presentation.

Recent OCOS projects at the Academic Academy consisted of St. Luke’s Minister Jacqueline Davis starting a workshop series in November on the topic of “Building Self-Esteem and Character Building.”

On December 17, 2009, Tanya Chillis, a nurse, spoke to female students about respecting their bodies and maintaining positive images. Mrs. Chllis is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, a collaborator with St. Luke’s One Church One School initiative.
St. Luke members with school age children are invited to attended parent meetings in which speakers will speak on topics that may be of interest to them. Students at the Academic Academy are available for service learning projects designed to help senior citizens at St. Luke CME.

Photo shows Patricia McKinney Lewis accepting the A+ Partnership certificate from Champaign School District Superintendent Arthur Culver.

Monday, January 18, 2010

Arrangments for
Glendora P. Ryce
The South Georgia Region extends sympathies to the family of Mrs. Glendora P. Ryce who died Friday, Jan. 15, 2010, at her residence. Growing up in the city of St. Louis, her mother noticed her compassion for others to learn. Thus, it was destined for her to fulfill her calling as a teacher. She was an exemplary educator and humanitarian in the public sector and a celebrated Christian Educator. A keen communicator and compassionate individual, she was heavily involved with youth and adult community programs and will be sorely missed by friends and family. Her husband the Reverend Amos Ryce II, trail-blazing CME preacher and tenured pastor of the Everette Temple CME Church in Tifton, Georgia, preceded her in death. Additional details available on the District Website (www.cmesixthmmb.org).

Homegoing Services:
Saturday, January 23, 2010, 11:00 a.m.
Her body will lie in state from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Williams Tabernacle C.M.E. Church
316 3rd Street NW - Moultrie, GA 31768 - (229) 985-2309
Bishop Othal Hawthorne Lakey, Eulogist & Sixth Episcopal District Presiding Prelate
The Rev. Robert L. Yarbrough, Presiding Elder
The Rev. Connie Scott, Pastor

Interment:
Pinecrest Memorial Gardens

Funeral Arrangements are entrusted to:
Luke Strong & Son Mortuary
20 1st Street Northeast - Moultrie, GA
31768-3939 - (229) 890-1717
www.lukestrongandson.com

Lodging for Out of Town Guests:
Econo Lodge
1300 North Veterans Parkway - Moultrie, GA 31788 - (229) 890-8652
www.econolodge.com
Ryce Homegoing Bereavement Rate: $53.99 + tax

Continued Prayer for Rev. Jerome Price
From: Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham, RMC
To: Presiding Elders, Pastors, and All Eighth Episcopal District Communicants
Re: Update on the Condition of Rev. Jerome Price, Pastor of Carter Metropolitan, Fort Worth
Date: January 16, 2010
Rev. Jerome Price remains in critical condition in the Critical Care Unit of the North Fulton Regional Hospital, 3000 Hospital Blvd., Rosswell, GA. 30076. However, we are rejoicing in the Lord for the miraculous signs of positive change in his condition. According to his brother, Rev. Timothy Price, Rev. Jerome has on several occasions opened his eyes, focused, and moved his eyes in the direction from which the calling of his name has come. We have been told that the medical team is baffled at these and other slight positive signs.
Please continue to keep on lifting up prayers for him, his wife, their sons, the Price family and the Carter Metropolitan Church Family. REMEMBER THIS --Rev. Price’s condition is still critical, but stable and extremely serious.
Let us remember that prayer possesses the power to create new realities and perceptions. Prayer changes the course of life and death. The Scriptures are filled with episodes where prayer transformed incredible situations into unbelievable opportunities. Please join the prayer warriors of the Eighth and the Connection ins non-stop prayer for Rev. Price and family.
Again, while we pray, let us be in prayer for the people of Haiti who have been severely devastated by the amazing earthquake, which took place a few days ago.
PEACE & GRACE

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Haiti … Living Through and
Beyond the Crisis
By Lawrence L. Reddick III
Presiding Bishop, Fifth Episcopal District,
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

There is no mistaking my love for Haiti; I could not deny that love if I wanted to, and no one who has been around me when I have spoken of Haiti could deny it, either. I love Haiti as a land, but moreso I love and respect and admire the Haitian people.

There are many things Americans do not know about Haitians (and I am an American, so there are many things I do not know about Haitians, either). However, one of the things I have come to know about the Haitian people I have seen in Haiti is that they are a people who are industrious and determined. To travel the streets of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, or to travel through the country of Haiti is to see people of great industry selling wares, building edifices, almost constantly in movement doing something.

To worship and work with the Haitians who were affiliated with the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church during my time as presiding bishop of the Tenth Episcopal District was to hear music that was inspiring and to witness preaching with zeal and commitment to duty. Each of the nine churches we shared with were affiliated with schools, one of which served as many as 300 children. Hundreds of children in brown and yellow or blue on blue uniforms attended those schools and were glad to be in school.

My heart grieves at the devastation I hear about in the Port-au-Prince and Petion-Ville areas. The pictures on the news are difficult to see without envisioning the many people I have known there. As former President Clinton said in the news conference that he and former President George W. Bush and President Obama held, I also have dined with many of these people, which means they are dear to me and their plight is heartfelt.

Nevertheless, I believe we must realize that we owe Haiti much more than a quick response of emergency aid. Our adrenalin for emergency assistance will fade. What will we do then? For now and then, let me make four suggestions:

First, let us give our money. It is possible at this time that the dearest and most important thing we can give is our money. I am perplexed by the numbers of people who are gathering items to “send” to Haiti because I know first hand the difficulty of transporting “things” into countries (especially bulky things). On one hand, it is simple to take clothing and toiletries to the Salvation Army down the street, or to Goodwill, or to some other shelter set up in our nation. On the other hand, for any agency to transport those items to another country may cost more in transporting them than they can purchase them and have them transported through some other means. Your money is what the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, Church World Service, CROP, CARE, or the CME Commission on Emergency Relief need. Let us give sacrificially from our pockets so that true missioners on the ground helping can be supported.

Second, let us plan and project for frequent mission trips long into the future. In the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, the Reverend Mary Campbell McKinney of Jacksonville, Florida (afuah@juno.com) has been leading mission trips to Haiti (as well as to other countries) for awhile. The people of Carter Tabernacle Christian Methodist Episcopal Church of Orlando, Florida, led by the Rev. Dr. Vanessee Burns, were channels through a local Florida service group (CAM) for sending food after the hurricanes of recent years. Now is the time for carpenters, masonry teams, plumbers, teachers, retirees, students, preachers, architects – people of all ways of life – to prepare to go and spend 5 days, 10 days, or a time you can spare, with a team of people going to encourage life in Haiti. This requires a “prepare and wait” plan, for this cannot be done right now (the week of the earthquake). But this is important to build the Haiti of the future. So plan your mission trips for March or April, for October or September, and for months before or in-between. In other words, plan a time for the adrenalin you now have to be awakened and used by God to bless a people continually.

Third, let us respect the Haitians living among us in the United States. We must also be sure that Americans respect and build relationships with the Haitians who live in the United States. Brothers and Sisters of African America, we of all people should know the importance of not underestimating people and of not prejudging people. We should lead in building bridges with oppressed peoples from all over the globe, including those Haitians who have immigrated to the United States. How can we have so much pity for the Haitians in Port-au-Prince during a time of earthquake and not speak to our Haitian neighbors in the airports where they work or in the hotels where they serve or even in the neighborhoods where we sometimes live together? What is wrong that we have become as racist as the racism we encountered? If you are truly moved with affection for Haiti, then show it by building bridges with Haitians in America.
Finally, let us learn more about Haiti and let us call upon the American news media to give a more balanced picture of Haiti. Are you aware that the only time we hear about Haiti is when there is something bad? In August 1998, having been elected bishop and having been sent to serve the CME congregations in the Caribbean as well as West Africa, I made an initial trip to Jamaica, and had a ticket to fly from Montego Bay, back to Miami, and then on to Port-au-Prince. Two evenings before I was to leave Montego Bay, my father called me to say, “You cannot go to Haiti; there is a hurricane headed to Haiti.” I watched CNN and listened intently during the weather forecast to see what was going on. There was no mention of a hurricane headed to Haiti. My father knew because he was a Weather Channel buff (because he was, at heart, a farmer, who always wanted to know the weather). I was amazed that there was no word of a hurricane coming to Haiti on the other channels. That was when I began to watch and listen for any word in the news – printed or broadcast – about Haiti; and that is when I discovered that the only time we hear about Haiti is when there is a political coup or some riots or a weather devastation. And so our picture about Haiti is skewed. We need to monitor the news about Haiti, and ask the reporters and networks in 3 months, in 5 months – what can you tell us about progress in Haiti?

From 1805, when Haitians overthrew their white oppressors, those in power in America did not want enslaved Africans in this country to hear about Haiti, and that is, I believe, one reason we have inherited a systemic ignorance of this beautiful place and these industrious people. We would do well to learn more about them … as we learn more about life and living from them.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Statement of the College of Bishops
On the 2nd Episcopal District



College of Bishops Calls for Haitian Relief,
Prayer and Understanding




Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Critical Prayer Request for Rev. Jerome Price

EIGHTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT
CHRISTIAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Office of the Bishop
Bishoprc7302@Aol.com

From: Bishop Ronald M. Cunningham, RMC
To: Presiding Elders, Pastors, and All Eighth Episcopal District Communicants (The CME Church)
Re: Prayer Request for Rev. Jerome Price, Pastor of Carter Metropolitan, Fort Worth
Date: January 13, 2010

Rev. Jerome Price, Pastor of Carter Metropolitan CME Church, Fort Worth, Texas suffered a severe stroke yesterday morning, January 12. He is in the Critical Care Unit of the North Fulton Regional Hospital, 3000 Hospital Blvd., Rosswell, GA. 30076. Rev. Price’s condition is extremely serious.

Please offer special prayers for Rev. Price, his wife Pamela, their sons, Jerome and Aaron, his father, the entire Price family, and the Carter Metropolitan Church Family.

Let us remember that Prayer goes past the dimensions of time and space. Prayer possesses the power to create new realities and perceptions. Prayer changes the course of life and death. The Scriptures are filled with episodes where prayer transformed incredible situations into unbelievable opportunities.

The Apostle Paul instructed us to pray without ceasing. We need non-stop prayer right now.
Please join our Prayer Warriors across the Eighth and the entire Connection as we pray for Rev. Price and family.

While we pray, let us be in prayer for the people of Haiti who have been severely devastated by the, reportedly, 7.0 earthquake, which took place yesterday evening just before sundown.

PEACE & GRACE

Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Passing of Dr. Irvin Hart Naylor, Sr.
Dear Connectional Members and Friends:
It is with deep regret to inform you that Reverend Irvin Hart Naylor, Sr., a faithful servant and retired minister and former Presiding Elder in the Kentucky Region, passed away on Saturday, January 2, 2010.

Funeral Arrangements are as follows:
The Visitation will be held on Friday, January 8, 2010.
Time: 6-8 P.M.
Place: A.D. Porter & Sons Funeral Home
1300 West Chestnut Street
Louisville, KY 40203
Telephone: 502- 587-9678

The Funeral will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2010.
Time: 12 Noon
Place: Phillips Memorial CME Church
3535 Grand Avenue
Louisville, KY. 40211
Telephone: 502-778-7648

You may contact the Naylor family at: 4405 Sussex Court, Louisville, KY, 40241. Telephone: 502-426-6154
Please keep the Naylor family in your prayers.
In His Service,
Bishop E. Lynn Brown, Presiding Prelate
Second Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Monday, January 04, 2010

Theme for 2010 Youth and Young Adult Week

Friday, January 01, 2010

Funeral Arrangements for Mrs. Katie M. Johnson
Homegoing Services:
Monday, January 4, 2010, 1:00 p.m.
Her body will lie in state from 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Blackmon Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
423 South Carson Road, Carson, MS 39427
(601)943-6631 church
Rev. Ernest T. Miller, Pastor

Body has been entrusted to:
J&M Combined Funeral Home
732 Dixie Avenue
Mendenhall, MS 39114-3773
(601) 847-2911
Mr. Al Gray, Director

In lieu of Flowers, the family request donations to be made to the
Katie M. Johnson Scholarship Fund
Address: c/o Mrs. Carol Johnson Burger
843 North President Street
Jackson, MS 39202

If you choose to send flowers, please contact the following florist.
Audrey's Florist - Bassfield, MS
(601) 943-6914 or 601-441-3817