Episcopal Districts Resolutions Committee Representatives

Episcopal District	Representative	Presiding 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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

Statement of the College of Bishops

On the 2nd Episcopal District

College of Bishops Calls for Haitian Relief,

Prayer and Understanding

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

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

Theme for 2010 Youth and Young Adult Week

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

Happy New Year 2010 to the CME Church

from

The Christian Index Online

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." --Isaiah 43:18-19

The Passing of Beloved Missionary and CME Leader Mrs. Katie Johnson

Mrs. Katie Mae Johnson, Past President of the South MS Region of the 4th Episcopal District Missionary Society, and a member of the Blackmon Temple C.M.E. Church in Carson, MS passed away this morning, December 30, 2009 at her home. Her body has been entrusted to:

J & M Combined Funeral Home

Director, Mr. Al Gray

732 Dixie Avenue

Mendenhall, MS 39114-3773

(601)847-2911

Arrangements are incomplete at this time.

Please keep the family in your prayers.

Submitted by Pene' Woods

“Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests.”- Luke 2:11-14

NY-Washington Ministers' Spouses' Cradle

Care Ministry

What mother has reconsidered attending Annual Conference because of childcare issues?

The Minister Spouses Department of the mighty 7th district of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church has taken a universal problem and endorsed

an innovative solution by offering Nursery Care services for children from birth to 5 years.

Four years ago, two minsters' spouses, Mrs. Lavett Ballard, director of the Cradle Care, and Mrs. Michelle Bonner, co-director, decided, after another exhausting year with babies and toddlers in hotel rooms, to explore other avenues to assist themselves and other parents with small children. Mrs. Ballard and Mrs. Bonner started a petition that was signed by parents interested in Cradle Care Services. They wrote a proposal and presented it to the Minsters' Spouses. First Lady Ocie Hoyt and the spouses agreed to offer the Cradle Care service. They made plans during the Winter Accounting meeting and Spring Convocation for the first Annual Conference Ministers Spouses Cradle Care in 2007.

The spouses have developed a safe, creative, nurturing and fun environment. By including an area for nursing mothers, a rest area with cots and cribs, a diaper changing area, crafts, snack area and many toys, the Cradle Care has been a haven for parents of young children. Pastors Anthony L. Ballard Sr. and Matthew W. Bonner, the Minister Spouses, and Young Adults have been helpful in staffing the Cradle with trustworthy workers to monitor the children.

In 2009, the Cradle Care was a glowing success at the Annual Conference. Rev. Aaron Donnelly pastor of St. Paul CME Church and Presiding Elder John L. Ghee (Philadelphia District) hosted the New York-Washington Region Annual Conference under the auspices of the Right Reverend Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. in Wilmington, DE, from Sunday July 9 through Friday July 24. The Ministers' Spouses unanimously agreed to finance the Cradle Care room, thus eliminating the need to require a registration fee from the parents.

Overjoyed, Mrs. Lavett Ballard stated, "Thank you, to you all, for this gift to our ministry.

"This gift will allow more parents in these hard times the opportunity to come to conference and not have to be concerned with childcare while they attend the services and meetings expected of them."

Mrs. Michelle Bonner was encouraged by saying, "I hope one day that each Episcopal district will look to our example, and set this ministry up as part of the services offered through the Minister's Spouses."

Loss of the Sister of Dr. Elnora P. Hamb

Dear CME family:

I write to inform you of the death of my sister Mrs. Laura E. Young of Brownsville, Tennessee. She died Sunday, December 6, 2009.

Mrs. Laura E. Young's Family
1016 Jefferson Street
Brownsville, TN. 38012
731-772-0150

Rawls Funeral Home
36 South Jackson Avenue
Brownsville, TN. 38012
Phone Number: 731-772-1472
Fax Number 731-772-5615

Visitation:
Friday, December 11, 2009 - Time 7:00pm - 9:00pm

Home Going Service:
St. Luke Baptist Church
Saturday, December 12, 2009
11:00 AM

Rejoice!

Words of Thanks from Dr. Judith E. Grant

Dear CME Family and Friends,

I thank God for his tender and healing mercies! I also thank God for you, your prayers and your concerns during my recent and unexpected illness.

I am home now, but taking it easy – As much as I would like to multi task, I realize that it will come a little later (smile).

I accept again your prayers, cards, flowers, and other expressions of love during this time.

Please pass the word that God is not finished with me yet!

Blessings

Judith E. Grant

Immediate Past President

Women's Missionary Council

Arrangements for Mrs. Lynn Lakey

(Daughter-in-Law of Bishop O.H. Lakey)

M.D. Walker Funeral Home

103 Joseph E. Lowery Blvd. S.W.

Atlanta, Georgia 30314

(404) 755-0079

Homegoing Services

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Viewing at the Funeral Home - 10 am -8 pm

Thursday, December 3, 2009 11 am

Westside Community CME Church

Pastor, Rev. Reginald G. Barnes

2114 M.L.K. Drive

Atlanta, Georgia 30310

(404) 696-5351

Fax: (404) 691-4099

Please be in prayer for the following:

(1) The sudden passing of the daughter-in-law of Bishop Othal H. Lakey, the wife of his son Brian Lakey. No further details are available at this time.

(2) The loss of the brother of Dr. Elnora P. Hamb (See arrangements elsewhere on this site).

(3) The loss of the father of Montgomery-Phenix City-Opelika District Presiding Elder Dr. Leo Douglass. Service at noon on Thursday, December 3, 2009, Union Hill CME Church, 2029 County Road 25, Opelika, AL.

(4) Immediate Past Missionary Council President Dr. Judith E. Grant, hospitalized in Philadelphia, PA.

(5) Bro. Henry Boyd, Sr. (brother of Editor Dr. Kenneth Jones) who is hospitalized in Oxford, MS.

(6) All others whose names were not called.

Services for Mr. Jimmy W. Palmer,

Brother of Dr. Elnora Palmer Hamb

November 27, 2009


To the College of Bishops, General Officers, Missionaries and Connectional
Members:

Funeral Services for Mr. Jimmy W. Palmer, Brother of Dr. Elnora Palmer Hamb

It is with deep regret to inform you that Mr. Jimmy W. Palmer, the brother of
Dr. Elnora Palmer Hamb, Women's Missionary Council President, has passed
away.

Funeral arrangements and services for Mr. Palmer are as follows:

Saturday, December 5, 2009
Wait: 11:00 a.m.-Noon
Funeral services: Noon

House of Day Funeral Home
2550 Nebraska Avenue
Toledo, OH 43607
Telephone: 419-534-2550 Fax: 419-534-2570


Please keep Dr. Hamb and her family in your prayers. Cards and condolences
may be sent to Dr. Hamb at 11321 South Aberdeen, Chicago, IL 60643. You
may contact Dr. Hamb by telephone at 773-264-2273 or e-mail
.


In His Service,


Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III
Patron Bishop, Women's Missionary Council

Mrs. Princess Pegues
Vice President, Women's Missionary Council

Rainbow Push Honors Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr. at 11th Annual Awards Dinner
Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. and Rainbow Push honored Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr. at their 11th Annual Awards Dinner on Friday, November 13, 2009 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.

Bishop Williamson was honored for his work as past president of Operation PUSH from 1991-1993, founder of One Church One School Community Partnership Program and Chairman of the Commission on Social Justice and Human Concerns of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church. Bishop Williamson is the Presiding Prelate of the 9th Episcopal District of the CME Church.

Bishop Williamson received the honor at the Awards Dinner celebrating the 68th birthday of Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, the founder and national president of Rainbow Push. Bishop Williamson and Rev. Jackson have worked together for more than 30 years to improve the quality of education, fight for racial and social justice, and to provide economic opportunities for minorities.

Bishop Williamson was honored along with legendary singer Sir Elton John; basketball great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar; creator and executive producer of Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice, Shonda Rhimes; recording industry pioneer, Al Bell; and the two journalists who were released from North Korea with the intervention of President Bill Clinton, Euna Lee and Laura Ling. The 25th anniversary of the 1984 Jesse Jackson presidential campaign was celebrated during the event.

Rainbow Push is a multi-racial, multi-issue, international membership organization, founded by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson, Sr. working to move the nation and the world towards social, racial and economic justice.

Loss of Mother of Former DC Mayor Marion Berry
Washington DC—The following funeral arrangements have been made for Mrs.
Mattie Cummings, mother of Councilman Marion Barry.

Saturday, November 14, 2009
Viewing: 9am-11am
Service: 11 AM

Martin Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
65 South Parkway & Kansas Avenue
Memphis, Tennessee 38109

Guest speakers include:
Mr. Willie Harrington, former Mayor of Memphis, Tennessee
Johnnie B. Watson, President of LeMoyne-Owen College

Contributions should be made to:
Marion S. Barry Scholarship Fund
400 Orange Street, SE
Washington DC 20032

Trinity CME (LA) Back to School Picnic

Trinity CME Church located in Lafayette, LA, held its first "Back to School Community Picnic" on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at DeBallion Park from 10 AM to 2 PM. Pastor Leslie Dugas, Jr., along with the Board of Christian Education, Evangelism, and officers and members of Trinity CME Church, spear-headed this event. The theme for the picnic was "Striving for Success (By Doing Your Best). This picnic was another outreach ministry to demonstrate the love of Jesus and to bring His gospel to the community.

Flyers announcing the event were available for members to distribute to family and friends and the media. Pastor Dugas and some members also canvassed the neighborhoods near the park to invite and encourage those in the neighborhood to attend and tell others to attend.

The event opened with selections from Trinity's Praise and Worship Team, under the direction of Mr. James Gee. Then purpose of the event by Pastor Leslie Dugas, Jr.; prayer, Mrs. Kathalee Cooksey; and scripture reading by Cecil Wiltz II set the tone for the beginning of a great fellowship.

The two motivational speakers were Mrs. Theresa Singleton, church member and teacher here in Lafayette Parish, who shared Keys to Success for parents and students. Mr. Brandon Shelvin, the youngest Lafayette Parish Councilman from District III and an associate pastor at a local church in the city, told how he was able to reach his goals through strength he receives from Christ (Philippians 4:13).

Closing prayer and blessing followed the song "The Greatest Love" sung by Mrs. Theresa Singleton.

In the closing prayer by Pastor Dugas, persons present were given the opportunity to invite Jesus into their heart.

After the opening activities, participants enjoyed free hot dogs, chips, cookies and sodas.

Games (football, baseball, basketball and board games) were played for all to enjoy.

There was even a "Go-Cart," compliments of Mr. Cecil Wiltz, Jr. Our prayer is that this Community Picnic will be an annual event among many outreach ministries as we the members of Trinity CME Church support our pastor and his vision to make disciples of not only members but also many "Beyond the Four Walls" of the church.

Submitted by Trinity CME Church; Rev. Leslie Dugas, Jr., pastor; Board of Christian Education, Mrs. Theresa Singleton, president; Mrs. Joyous Landry, director of Christian Education.

Arrangements for Mr. James Jones Funeral services for Mr. James Jones, husband of Mrs. Nancy Thomas Jones, the Missionary President of the Arizona-New Mexico Region and a faithful member of Phillips Memorial CME Church in Phoenix, Arizona, will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2009, 11:00 a.m., at Phillips Memorial CME Church, 1401 East Adams Street, Phoenix, AZ 85034. Telephone: 602 253-7156. Rev. Felix Jones is the Pastor. Please keep Mrs. Nancy Thomas Jones and family in prayer. Mrs. Jones address is 2509 West Minton Drive, Tempe, AZ 85232. In His Service, Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr. Presiding Prelate of the Ninth Episcopal District Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and Dr. Elnora P. Hamb President, Women's Missionary Council Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Loss of Mr. Howard Henry
We regret to inform you of the death of Mr. Howard Henry, the brother of Mrs. Sarah Farris,
Life Membership Chairperson of the WMC. Please pray for the family.

Wake:

Monday October 19, 2009, 4-8pm
Place: Stamps Funeral Home
10834 South Michigan
Chicago, Illinois 60628
Phone Number 773-264-9390
Fax Number 773-785-2523

Funeral:
Tuesday, October 19, 2009 - 10:00 am
Third Baptist Church of Chicago
1551 W. 95th Street
Chicago, Illinois 606431329
Telephone Number 773-445-8500

Condolences can be sent to:

Mrs. Sarah Farris
P.O. Box 1302
Jasper AL 35502
205-221-3559 Phone Number

Special Appeal from

CYAM President Brian Magwood

(Click on image.)

The College of Bishops of the CME Church Congratulates President Barack Obama on Winning the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

The College of Bishops and the Commission on Social Justice and Human Concerns of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church extend our congratulations to President Barack Obama for being selected the recipient of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize earlier today.

President Barack Obama joins a distinguished group of U.S. presidents to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. He is the first president to receive the prize during his first year in office, the third to win it while in office and the fourth to win the prize. By the end of President Obama's term in office, we expect great changes that will benefit the entire world!

President Obama continues to be an inspiration and a sign of hope to persons in America and around the world. President Obama stands ready to forge a peaceful world. The Nobel Peace Prize gives President Obama both a greater opportunity and a challenge to continue encouraging the world to walk towards freedom and peace, healing both old and new wounds, to reconcile and learn to live together in harmony. We are proud that President Obama represents a new vision of what is possible when there is determination to overcome obstacles and to focus on hope.

At this historic moment, we send congratulations and best wishes to President Barack Obama for winning the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009. May God continue to bless President Obama and his family.

The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, under the leadership of Senior Bishop William H. Graves and its College of Bishops, is a 138-year old historically African American Christian denomination with more than 800,000 members across the United States, and has missions and sister churches in Haiti, Jamaica, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. For additional information about the CME Church, visit www.c-m-e.org .

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 Dotcy I. Isom, Jr.

Bishop Marshall Gilmore

Bishop Nathaniel Linsey

The Life of Mr. Robert L. Shaw (Father of Mrs. Loretta Helton)
Funeral Services for Mr. Robert Lee Shaw, age 82, of 1705 Vale Street, Durham, NC will be held Saturday, October 10, 2009 at 2 p.m. at the Russell Memorial CME Church, 703 South Alston Avenue, Durham, NC. Family hour will be from 1:00 to 2 p.m. Interment will follow in the Glenview Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Shaw departed this life on Tuesday, October 6, after sustaining a short illness, at the Pettigrew Rehabilitation Center. He was born June 17, 1927, in Kingstree, SC and relocated to Durham, NC in 1953.
Mr. Robert Lee Shaw has a long-time history as a general contractor in the Durham area. His employment includes work with L. A. Downey, Nello L. Teer and C. C. Woods. Several major projects that include his handiwork are the Blue Cross/Blue Shield Building, the Governor’s Inn, and the Kennedy Building.
He is survived by his spouse of 61 years, Earnestine McClary Shaw of Durham, NC; three sons, Abraham Gilbert (Glendora), Frankie Lee, and Lorenzo all of Durham; two daughters, Judy Ronetta Shaw of Durham, and Loretta Helton (Dr. Ricky Helton, Israel Metropolitan CME) of Washington, DC; 16 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren, and a host of other relatives and friends.
Arrangements are being handled by the Hanes Funeral Services, 460 South Driver Street, in Durham, NC.

Loss of Bro. Charles Henry Isabel, Sr.
We regret to inform you of the passing of Mr. Charles Henry Isabel, Sr. Mr. Isabel was the brother of Mrs. Jacqueline I. Scott, Division leader of Structure for the Women's Missionary Council, and Mrs. Montine Webb, president emeritus of the West Tennessee Region Missionaries. The homegoing service will be held on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009, at Mt. Pisgah CME Church, Memphis, TN, at noon. Mrs. Scott's address is 7255 Richmond Rd., Memphis, TN 38125.

Submitted by Dr. Elnora P. Hamb, Women's Missionary Council President