Message From Bishop L.L. Reddick III

As I went through the Litany on Sunday prepared by the Department of Christian Education for Youth and Young Adult Week - a litany that emphasized the ministries that are made possible by digital advances and technological awareness - I realized how short-sighted my "Thanks" were at the end of Bishop Isom's funeral.  I thanked the ushers, the stewardesses, the missionaries, the choir, the clergy, Greenwood Church ... and others for making the service possible.

Forgive my short-sightedness.  I also thank you - Ms. Duhart, Dr. Jones, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Bouknight - for making use of the CME Church's web page, the Christian Index blog, the internet in general to communicate with the CME Church throughout the world, and for the live-streaming of the service made possible by CME-TV.

Also, I erred in stating that "all" of the bishops of the CME Church were present. Bishop Godwin T. Umoette of Nigeria was not able to attend.  (Had I simply read my written "script" before me, I would have said that.)

Thank you.

Lawrence Reddick
Presiding Bishop, 1st Episcopal District

Funeral of Bro. Clarence Melvin Heath
The funeral service for Bro. Clarence Melvin Heath, father of Rev. Clarence K. Heath, pastor of the Greenwood Cathedral CME Church, Memphis, TN, and president of the Alumni Association of Phillips School of Theology, is Saturday, February 1, 2014, at 2 p.m. at Miracle Fellowship, Woodbury, GA.

Passing of Mrs. Minnie Thomas Brown
We are saddened by news of the loss on Thursday evening of Mrs. Minnie Thomas, mother of Dr. Marvin Frank Thomas, President-Dean of the Phillips School of Theology/ITC (Atlanta, Georgia), the CME seminary. Arrangements are pending.

Mrs. Brown was member of the Bailey Tabernacle CME Church, Tuscaloosa, AL. Dr. W. Clyde Jones is the pastor.

Submitted by Bishop L.L. Reddick, III, secretary, The College of Bishops

TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS FOR HOME GOING CELEBRATION FOR

RETIRED BISHOP DOTCY I. ISOM, JR.

(Please click on the link below.)

http://www.thecmechurch.org/Announcements/TransportationArrangements_HomegoingCelebrationBishopDotcyIsom.htm

Statement and Prayer Regarding Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr.

The Connectional Prayer Ministry of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church is calling all members and friends to join together in prayer for the family of Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr., after his passing this week.

Bishop Isom passed from labor to reward on Monday, January 20, 2014.  Our thoughts and prayers for strength and grace continue now for his beloved wife, Mrs. Esther L. Isom; his sons Dotcy (Vanessa), Jon (Tonya), and David (Stephanie); and his grandchildren and extended family.
Bishop Isom was the 43rd Bishop of the CME Church.  He presided over the Fifth Episcopal District and the Third District during his episcopal ministry.  He was beloved in a very special way across the Church for his humor, generous spirit, gregarious wit, and practical wisdom.  He will be dearly missed, but he leaves a legacy of indefatigable love for God and God’s people that will live on in us.

We offer this prayer on behalf of
Mrs. Esther L. Isom and Family:

“Gracious God, we thank You for Your love and faithfulness, and for blessing us to know, love, and be loved by Bishop Dotcy Isom.  We commend into Your divine care his wife, Mrs. Esther Isom, and his family for healing and comfort.  Please shed abroad Your miraculous love into all our hearts by the power of the Holy Spirit, and turn our sadness to joy as we realize his present peace with You.
Thank You now God in Jesus’ Mighty Name.  Amen.”

THE CONNECTIONAL PRAYER MINISTRY
Rev. Kwesi R. Kamau, Coordinator

Update of Bishop Dotcy I. Isom's Funeral Arrangements

CME Church Family:

The following is my most current information on the funeral arrangements for Bishop Isom.

FUNERAL HOME:

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to M. J. Edwards Funeral Home, Whitehaven Chapel - 5494 Elvis Presley Blvd., Memphis, Tennessee  38116 - 901-332-3164.

WAKE:

There will be a wake on Friday night, from 5:00 PM until 7:00 PM, January 24th, at Zion CME Church, 4183 Hickory Hill Road, Memphis, Tennessee  38115 (telephone 901-365-0135). 

FUNERAL SERVICES:

          Saturday, January 25, 2014
          10 a.m.
          Greenwood CME Church
          3311 Kimball Ave.
          Memphis, TN

HOTEL ARRANGEMENTS:

Persons needing rooms should contact the Memphis Marriott East, 5795 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee  38119.  Call 1-800-228-9290 or 901-682-0080.  Ask for the CME Church Room Block.  The rate is $89.

FAMILY:

Mrs. Esther L. Isom's address is 4326 Richwood Place, Memphis, Tennessee  38125.

Thank you.

Bishop L.L. Reddick, III

Arrangements for Mrs. Sarah Washington
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

I regret to inform you of the passing of Mrs. Sarah Washington, the sister of Mrs. Elizabeth Coleman and aunt of the Rev. Dr. Daryll Coleman on Thursday evening, January 16, 2014.

Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to:
J.F. Brittenum & Sons Funeral Home
125 North Memphis Street
Holly Springs, MS 38635

Homegoing Services:        
Thursday, January 23, 2014, Noon
Greenwood Baptist Church
4854 Lamar Road
Lamar, MS  38642

Please keep Mrs. Coleman and family in your prayers. Mrs. Coleman can be reached at: 8172 Walnut Knoll Cove, Memphis, TN 38018; (901) 754-8563 or (901) 484-2849.

In His Service,

Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III
Presiding Prelate of the First Episcopal District

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

Services for Bishop Dotcy I. Isom

Funeral services for Bishop Dotcy I. Isom will be held Saturday, January 25, 2014 at 10 a.m., at Greenwood CME Church, 3311 Kimball Ave., Memphis, TN. Information on room block is pending.

Submitted by Bishop L.L. Reddick III, for the  College of Bishops

Passing of Bishop Dotcy I. Isom

Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

It is with deep regret that we inform you of the passing today of Retired Bishop Dotcy I. Isom, Jr.  Bishop Isom was elected the Forty-Third Bishop of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in 1982 at the General Conference in Memphis, Tennessee.

Bishop Isom was married to Mrs. Esther L. Isom, and was the father of three children, Dotcy Isom III, Rev. Jon M. Isom, and Rev. David C. Isom.

Additional information regarding arrangements will be disseminated when they are completed.
Please keep Mrs. Isom, their children and the members of the Isom family in prayer.

In His Service,

Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr., Senior Bishop and CEO
Bishop Teresa E. Snorton, Chair
Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III, Secretary

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

CME Church Mourns Loss of Bishop Dotcy I. Isom
More information later.

Information Concerning the 2014 General Conference

Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

The 37th Quadrennial Session and 38th General Conference of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church will be held June 28 through July 4, 2014 at the Baltimore Convention Center located at 1 W Pratt St in Baltimore, MD.  Bishop Marshall Gilmore and the members of the Seventh Episcopal District will host the General Conference.

Delegates and alternates to the General Conference are requested to arrive on Friday, June 27, 2014 in time to pick up registration materials and check in their hotel room before the Episcopal District Caucus meetings at 7:00 p.m.

This announcement will provide information about registration for the General Conference and hotel lodging. Additional information about the General Conference will be forthcoming.

Registration and Hotel Reservations
Registration is now available for the General Conference. The registration fee for the General Conference is $100.  Many hotels in the local area of the Baltimore Convention Center will be used for housing. Please carefully read information about registration processes.

Registration for Delegates and Alternates
The Presiding Bishops will register delegates and alternates from their respective Episcopal Districts and reserve hotel rooms for them.  Delegates and alternates do not have to register for the General Conference or reserve their hotel room.

Registration for All Other Persons (CME Members, Visitors, Guests and Observers):
CME members, visitors, guests and observers may register for the General Conference.  You may register online and immediately reserve your hotel room.  Or you may download a registration form and mail it in. A hotel registration form will be mailed to you.

Online registration is available at www.thecmechurch.org/GeneralConference2014


Additional information about the General Conference will be provided as it becomes available and posted to the official CME Web site at www.thecmechurch.org/GeneralConference2014 , and sent via e-mail to our connectional members and friends.

Please pray for the planning and the success of the General Conference!
 
In His Service,

Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Senior Bishop and CEO

Bishop Teresa E. Snorton, Chair
College of Bishops

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

Question: What does the Ninth Episcopal District have In
common with the NFL Playoffs?
Answer: Chris Harris, Jr., #25 starting corner back for the Denver Broncos! Chris is one of the Young Adults members of Pettie Chapel CME Church in Bixby, Oklahoma. He is active and involved in his church, the same church as Or. Cliff Harris, (they are not related), our own General Secretary of Lay Ministries.

Chris Harris was one of the speakers for the 2013 9th District Spring Convocation Webcast.
So, as you cheer for your favorite team this playoff season, remember Chris Harris in your prayers. He was born in the CME Church and continues to remain active and loyal 10 Christ and his church family.

To learn more about Chris Harris, visit http://www.nfl.com/player/chrisharris/2530510/profile

Note: If you know of other members of the 9th doing great things in other fields, please let
us know the details. Thanks.

Submitted by Bishop James Walker, 9th Episcopal District

Rev. David Isom Elected President of Fairfield, CA Board of Education


Rev. David C. Isom, Senior Pastor of the St. Stephen CME Church (Fairfield, CA) has been elected to the Office of President of the Board of Education for the Fairfield Suisun Unified School District. His responsibilities include leading the Board of Education and overseeing the operations of the district including a 180 million dollar annual budget, 22,000 students and 3,500 faculty and staff.

Other responsibilities of the Board of Education include the power and authority to develop policies, rules, and regulations to control the operation of the schools, including system organization, school site location, school finance, equipment purchase, staffing, attendance, curriculum, extracurricular activities, and all other functions essential to the day-to-day operation of schools within the district's boundaries.

He is also responsible for insuring that state and federal constitutions, legislative enactments, rules and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Department of Education and the state board of education, and legal interpretations by judges, attorneys general, and administrative agencies are followed.

While the school board functions locally, within the confines of the state's delegation of power and the geographical boundaries of the district, it is a legal agency of the state and thus derives its power from the state's constitution, laws, and judicial decisions.

Rev. Isom's obligations to the constituents and stakeholders are vast but he believes that his many years of service on Boards, Commissions and within other Public and Private institutions will help him to be effective.