CME Mary Freeman Receives historic TRA Appointment. Mary W. Freeman became the first African American woman to serve as director of the Tennessee Regulatory Authority. With her appointment on July 1, 2008, Director Freeman will lead an agency responsible for regulating all privately-owned utilities in the state of Tennessee. A joint appointment of Governor Phil Bredesen, Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey and Speaker of the House Jimmy Naifeh, Director Freeman will serve a three-year term.
Director Freeman, a Memphis native, grew up in Mt. Pisgah CME Church where the pastor is Rev. Willie Ward, Jr. and is currently a member of St. Luke CME Church in Nashville, Tennessee where the pastor is Reverend Ronald Powe.
Director Freeman serves in various capacities at St. Luke and very active in her community, serving on the advisory board of the Davidson County Community Corrections program; board of directors of the St. Luke Geriatric Center, Inc.; St. Luke Housing Ministry; Creative Artist of Tennessee, and is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Director Freeman has over fifteen years of legislative and policy experience in state government. Prior to her appointment, she served as legislative director for Governor Phil Bredesen where she assisted the Governor and the Senior Policy Advisor for Legislative Affairs in developing the administration’s legislative agenda. Prior to joining the administration, she served as executive assistant to State Representative Lois DeBerry, Speaker Pro Tempore of the Tennessee House of Representatives.
Director Freeman was born in 1966 and is the daughter of Grace Freeman and the late Wiley Freeman. She graduated from Memphis Central High School and holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communications from Tennessee State University.

September 15, 2008

AN ANNOUNCEMENT CONCERNING AID TO HAITI AFTER HURRICANES

As the bishop presently assigned to superintend the work in Haiti, I am reporting that I have spoken with Reverend Suffrant Vincent, Mission Supervisor, concerning conditions and needs in Haiti.
Food is at a serious shortage. CMEs can help directly with food by sending aid through one of the churches of the Fifth Episcopal District that has direct contact with an agency that delivers food in Haiti. Contributions to Carter Tabernacle CME Church, Dr. Vanessee Burns, Pastor, #1 South Cottage Hill Road, Orlando, Florida 32805. Checks should be made payable to Carter Tabernacle CME Church, marked in the memo "Haiti Support."
If persons would rather write checks to the Tenth Episcopal District, please likewise mark these checks for "Haiti Support" and send to the Fifth Episcopal District Office, 310 18th Street, North, Suite 400-D, Birmingham, Alabama 35203.

For further information you may call the office of the Fifth Episcopal District at 205-252-2587.

Thank you.

Lawrence L. Reddick III
Fifth Episcopal District

Funeral Arrangements for Dr. James Faulk

Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

Funeral services for Dr. James Faulk, who passed away on September 11, 2008, will be held on Friday, September 19, 2008, at 11 a.m. at Beebe Memorial Cathedral, 3900 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA 94609.  Rev. Dr. Charley Hames, Jr. is pastor. Contact information for Beebe Cathedral: Telephone: 510-655-6114 / Fax: 510 655-6170 / e-mail: thecathedral@beebeonline.org
Please keep in prayer Dr. Sylvia Faulk, daughter, Heidi and son, Shannon. You may contact the family at 623 San Fernando Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94707, telephone: 510-526-5536, e-mail hfrann@comcast.net


In His Service,

Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.
9th Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Dr. Elnora P. Hamb, President
Women's Missionary Council
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Passing of Dr. James Faulk
The 9th Episcopal District and the Northern California Region is saddened by the passing of one of it's stalwart leaders, Dr. James Faulk. Dr. James Faulk was a life long advocate for Social Justice and Human Concerns changes. A member of Beebe Memorial Cathedral in Oakland he leaves his wife, Dr. Sylvia Faulk, President Emeritus of the Women's Missionary Council of the CME Church; daughter, Heidi and son, Shannon to mourn his passing and celebrate his life.
Please lift the family up in prayer. Additional information will be passed on as received.

Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.
Presiding Prelate
9th Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Dr. Elnora P. Hamb, President
Women's Missionary Council
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

The Passing of Rev. Wesley Hubbard
We regret to inform you of the passing of a former presiding elder serving in the Mississippi South Region and pastor of the Holly Springs CME Church, Rev. Wesley Hubbard, on September 1, 2008 at the Anderson Memorial Hospital, Meridian, MS.

Rev. Hubbard's body has been entrusted to:
Berry & Gardner Funeral Home
1300 34th Avenue
Meridian, MS 39301 (601) 485-8521

Arrangements are as follows:
Homegoing Service: Saturday, September 6, 2008 at Noon
Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., presiding prelate, 4th Episcopal District will serve as eulogist.
Newell Chapel CME Church
1400 13th Avenue
Meridian, MS 39301
Rev. Troy Miller, pastor
Reviewing of the body from 8 a.m. to Noon

For further information regarding arrangements or hotel information,
please contact Mr. Henry Granger at 601-917-6712, or hgranger2000@aol.com.

Please keep Mrs. Dennetta Hubbard and the rest of the family in your prayers. Expressions of condolence can be sent to her at 4801 23rd St., Meridian, MS 39307.


Submitted by Pene' Woods

Letter to the Editor on Raising Pastors' Salaries

Percy O. Norwood, Jr.
Carrollton, MS 38917
August 11, 2008

Rev. Dr. Kenneth E. Jones
Editor, The Christian Index
P.O. Box 431
Fairfield, AL 35064

Dear Rev. Jones:
Congratulations on the quality of the Christian Index. You and your staff have made significant improvements to this publication during your time as Editor. However, after reading your Editor's message in the June 2008 issue of The Christian Index on "Increasing Pastors' Salaries" I decided to write this letter to help clarify something about responsibilities for setting Pastors' salaries.
As a former steward, treasurer, recording steward and trustee in various CME churches around the United States, I agree that local churches need to increase pastors' salaries. But, you misstated in your editorial how the salary should be set. The Discipline does not call for "consultation with the pastor" in setting his/her salary. Section 511.2.1 of the Discipline states, "It shall be the duty of the stewards to make, in conjunction with the stewardesses, an estimate of appropriations for the pastor." It goes on to spell out what that appropriation shall include where possible. A similar provision is spelled out in 513.1.6 of the Discipline concerning the duty of the Stewardesses. Consultation with the pastor is required when "Educational paid leave for a full-time pastor is being considered." (See section 511.2.16). Since the Church Conference handles the business of the church, the Stewardesses and Stewards bring a recommendation to the Church Conference where it is discussed and-voted on. I have seen several instances where pastors attempted to get involved in setting their salaries. In each of those cases, the process got messy and heated resulting in strained relationships between members and the pastor - to put it mildly. Pastors simply need to stay out of the salary setting business!
Now back to how we can go about increasing Pastors' salaries. I am reminded of something Bishop Thomas Brown said during the Mississippi-South Region Annual Confer'ence this past July. He said that, "we talk a lot about stewardship but we practice ownership when it comes to the resources that God has blessed us with." He went on to say that "our wallet is the last thing that gets converted on our Christian journey." If we, members of the local churches, want our churches to prosper we must become better stewards over the resources that God has blessed us with. We have to teach members how to make personal budgets and how to tithe. We have to teach people that giving more to their local church means paying less in taxes to the federal and state governments. We (officers, pastors and members) have to do a better job of encouraging and teaching people how to give back. If 50 percent of the membership would tithe regularly, most churches can meet their day-to-day operational expense (salaries, utilities, mortgages, etc.) and then some. The church can then supplement these gifts with funds raised from special askings and various programs (Women's Day, Men's Day, Church Anniversary and Homecoming, Family and Friends Day, Youth and Young Adult activities, etc) to meet the church's entire budget. Increasing the number of people tithing increases the amount of revenue that the church receives. Then, and only then, will churches realistically look at substantially increasing pastors' salaries.

Respectfully submitted,

Percy O. Norwood, Jr.
Captain-Retired, U.S. Coast Guard
Member of Helm Chapel CME Church

Editor's Note:  Chapter 30, "Support of Preachers in Charge," Para. 451., Sec.1. The compensation and traveling expenses of Pastors-in-Charge of charges shall be estimated by their respective Stewards and Stewardesses in joint deliberations, with the Minister sitting in for consultation without a vote...," page 133, The Book of Discipline of the CME Church, 2006.

The Curriculum for the 

22nd Annual CME Convocation

September 30 – October 3, 2008

Knoxville, TN

     Senior Bishop William H. Graves (Host Bishop), Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart (Convocation Chairman) and Bishop Thomas L. Brown (Program Chairman) along with the members of the Convocation Committee are working diligently in anticipation of this year’s Annual Convocation in Knoxville, TN. While planning for the many summer activities on our schedule of events, Dr. Tyrone Davis (Convocation Director) is also encouraging early registration for the Convocation in September. In light of the increased emphasis on the curriculum and class topics and themes, Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield (Convocation Curriculum Director) has provided the following overview of what you can expect in the classes.
     The front cover of “Rev!” magazine reads ‘Is the American Church in Crisis’? The article goes on to delineate the decline of the American Church by examining attendance trends in several mainline denominations. It then gives some suggestions for reversing this movement.
     Although the aforementioned article is worthy of consideration, the 22nd Convocation has decided rather than dwell on crisis and decline to offer classes that lift up ideas for transforming our faith. We have chosen a textbook as the basis for our study. It is entitled “Christianity for the Rest of Us” written by Diana Butler Bass.
     The book is a story of the research and findings of Bass as she listened to congregations. She asks the question, “Why do some succeed?” (p. 9) She is interested in spiritual community and the local expression of such community in congregations. Our classes will delve into her interest and look for ways to strengthen our own congregations.
     Bass uses the metaphor pilgrimage throughout her book with the idea that there is a destination. She says on page 11, “Emerging Christianity is about change—about changing from spiritual tourists to pilgrims—about transforming ourselves, our congregations, and our communities.
     Echoing the sentiments of Bass’ book, if you are satisfied with your local congregation, if you like the kind of Christianity that offers certainty and order in an age of change, if you think church is about closing your eyes; then the classes below are not for you. They are not for the comfortable, the certain, and religiously content. You are invited to pilgrimage through the classes at the convocation. You are encouraged to purchase the book that will be available to you at a discounted rate this summer. There are churches finding new life in the face of change.

The Classes

1. Where Everybody Knows Your Name
What are the practices of the local church that welcome others? Hospitality sometimes is relegated to a committee who seems to have as its goal to gain members for the church. This class is designed to examine the local church practice of hospitality and seek ways that improve the practice and lead to renewal and transformation of the local church.

2. Paying Attention
“Discernment requires that we pay attention,” writes Catholic theologian Wendy Wright; it “is about feeling texture, assessing weight, watching the plumb line, listening for overtones, searching for shards, feeling the quickening, and surrendering to love.” You have to pay attention when you are not entirely sure where you are going. This class is designed to visit the ancient church practice of Discernment with the purpose of discovering how hearing, seeing, touching and feeling God leads to church renewal and transformation.

3. Do you want to be healed?
We are all broken and in need of God’s healing. All sickness is not physical. Brokenness comes from the damage and power of sin. Healing is not always instant, but more often takes place over a process of transformation. The design of this class is to delve into the ancient practice of healing and seek ways it has relevance today in the local church in regards to bringing transformation and renewal in the local church.

4. Let all the earth keep silent
In the 21st century we spend a tremendous amount of money, time and energy to be connected. We use the Internet and many technologies, such as Blackberries, I Phones, and wireless networks, to connect with others. But how good are we as people of faith in connecting to ourselves, families, our communities and with God? The design of this class is to investigate the practice of contemplation and being silent and how this practice might transform and renew the local church.

5. Talk it Out
The entire New Testament is a testimony, a record of the experiences that early Christians had with the transformative power of God. Our early church experiences in the United States put great emphasis on testimony. This class is designed to evaluate the power of the practice of testimony to transform and renew the local church.


6. A Piece of the puzzle
As the demographics of our land changes what are we to do in our local churches? Are we to ignore that our neighbors are changing in their cultural outlook and maybe their race isn’t black? How diverse is the local church? Is our local church or denomination the whole puzzle or a piece of it? This class is designed to help us acknowledge the power of diversity in transforming and renewing the local church.


7. Let Justice Roll
Theologian Walter Wink writes, “The Powers That Be are not, then, simply people and their institutions, as I had first thought; they also include the spirituality at the core of those institutions and structures. If we want to change those systems, we will have to address not only their outer forms, but their inner spirit as well.” This class is designed to address how practicing justice, being the hands and feet of Christ, transforms and renews faith in a local church.

8. Merry, Merry, Merry
What is worship? What is its purpose? The design of this class is to look at how “worship needs to be an experience of God, rather than a reflection about God,” and how it moves from the head to the heart. In particular this class is designed to see how worship as celebration transforms and renews the local church.

9. All My Mind
All people of the church are theologians. The trouble comes when we do not activate our theological intellect. This class is designed to see that God calls us to love God with our entire mind, thus, thinking theologically is essential to the transformation and renewal of the local church.

10. Spiritual Revolution

     The summer of 2005 Newsweek magazine claimed in a cover story that Americans are looking for “spirituality” and not “religion.” The design of this class is to flesh out what this means and if it is true, what are the implications for the transformation and renewal of the local church?

You may inquire about additional information at (901) 345-4100.

We look forward to seeing you in Knoxville for the 2008 Annual CME Convocation!

     Submitted by General Secretary of Personnel Services Dr. Tyrone T. Davis.

***** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE *****

Mississippi Industrial College Properties Sold to Rust College

On Wednesday, August 13, 2008, in Holly Springs, MS, the 63-acre plot that formerly housed the Mississippi Industrial College and surrounding properties, was sold to Rust College (a United Methodist institution) by officials of the General Board of Personnel Services, Inc. acting under the auspices of the CME CDC (Community Development Corporation) after holding the property for approximately 25 years.
After soul searching and prayerful consideration, it was decided to sell the property to the 142 year-old Rust College, a fellow institution sharing the same main street in Holly Springs with Mississippi Industrial College for 103 years, which bolsters the opportunities for higher education in the Holly Springs/north Mississippi area. The two colleges, arms of two sister denominations, have shared similar mission objectives for all of the years of their existence. Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Presiding Bishop of the Fourth Episcopal District and Bishop Paul A. G. Stewart, Sr., Chair of the General Board of Personnel Services and a graduate of MI College, have both expressed their desire that these newly acquired properties by Rust College become part of a plan for increased educational opportunities for young people.
The decision to sell the property was influenced by several factors including 1) the continued depreciation, decline and deterioration of the property, 2) the continued cost to service the debt on the property, 3) the inability to continue to secure property and casualty insurance (fire insurance and liability insurance) because of the deterioration of the property, 4) the limitations of the use and restoration of the property because of the historic status of the property, and 5) the inability to generate and/or secure funding for the restoration of the property.
In the early 1980’s, the General Board of Personnel Services (acting on behalf of the CME Church) proceeded to redeem the properties when the College went into bankruptcy and made the first investment in the reclamation of the properties. Several options were proposed for the use of the land such as a health rehabilitation center and, more recently, a housing development plan which would include low and moderate-income single family housing, senior housing, rental housing, and commercial units. After considering a myriad of unsuccessful funding proposals including the sale of Church sponsored bonds, solicitation of a bond proposal through the City of Holly Springs, partnerships with investment entities, and funding from philanthropic entities over this 25 year period, the increased cost of maintaining the property coupled with investments to qualify for certain funding opportunities led to an accumulated debt of approximately $1.8 million (including a $975,000 mortgage with a current balance of $685,811 and accrued interest of $27,752). The $1.1 million sale of the property leaves approximately $700,000 in outstanding unsecured debts owed to entities, Episcopal Districts and individuals.
  Although the property was deeded in the name of the General Board of Personnel Services, the Board, serving primarily as fiscal agent for the properties, lent its financial and credit history to the support of the project, but at the request of the College of Bishops and the Board of Directors of the CME Church, it was delegated to the CDC the responsibility of developing strategic funding proposals and other important decisions regarding the MI College Properties. After considering the magnitude of the potential liabilities that would threaten the CDC and the CME Church because of the insurance exposure, the increasing costs to service the debt and pay down principal, and the additional impact of such losses on the operational ability of the General Board of Personnel Services to perform day-to-day operations, the CDC approved the sale to Rust College and directed the General Board of Personnel Services to conclude the transaction. Both entities, the CDC and the General Board of Personnel Services were pleased that this resulting transaction allows this historic property, which is dear in the memory of the CME Church, to continue to be used for educational purposes for the benefits of persons in the Northern Mississippi and surrounding areas.
At the sale and representing the CME CDC Chairman, Retired Bishop Marshall Gilmore, was Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Vice Chairman of the CME CDC. Signing on behalf of Rust College was Dr. David L. Beckley, President. Signing on behalf of the General Board of Personnel Services were Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr., Chairman of the Board and Presiding Bishop of the Third Episcopal District, Mr. Matthew R. Davis III, Secretary of the Board and Reverend Dr. Tyrone T. Davis, General Secretary of the Board.

Submitted by General Secretary of Personnel Services Dr. Tyrone T. Davis.

Funeral Arrangements for Rev. Dr. Charles H. Belcher

Services in St Louis, MO

St. John AME Church
1908 North Kings Highway Blvd
Saint Louis, Mo 63113
(314) 361-8236

Presiding Elder, C. Jessel Strong, Presiding Officer
Rev. Donald Hunter, Eulogist
Viewing 10:00 - 11:00
Services 11:00 AM

Austin Layne Mortuary
7239 W. Florrissant Ave
Saint Louis, Mo 63113 (314) 382-1214

Services in Berkeley, CA

Monday, August 18, 2008
Family Hour: 6 - 8 PM

CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Services 10:00 AM
St. Paul AME Church
2024 Ashby Avenue
Berkeley, California 94703
(510) 848-2050

Rev. Dr. Allen L. Williams, Pastor
Presiding Elder, Vernon S. Burroughs, Presiding Officer
Rt. Rev. T. Larry Kirkland, Presiding Prelate
5th Episcopal District, Eulogist

Fouches Hudson Funeral Home
3665 Telegraph Avenue
Oakland, Calif. 94609
(510) 654-8558

Cards and correspondences can be sent to
Mrs. Doris Marie Denson-Belcher
4324 W. Pine Blvd
Saint Louis, Mo 63108-2206

Funeral Arrangements for Mrs. Zora Bell Crutchfield

The funeral arrangements for Mrs. Zora Bell Crutchfield, mother of Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield is as follows:

Visitation, Friday, August 8, 2008, from 6 to 8 PM
RAWLS Funeral Home
790 Highway 69 N
Paris, TN 38242
Phone 731-642-1515
FAX 731-642-8368

Funeral is Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Barrs Chapel CME Church
5560 Briarpatch Lake Road
Paris, TN 38242
(actually located about 10 miles west of Paris in Como community with the above listed address)

Mrs.Zora Bell Crutchfield was 79 years of age. She had been ill for the last six months. Dr. Crutchfield is one of seven children (three brothers and three sisters.)

Please keep the Crutfield family in your thoughts and prayers.

Juanita Bryant
Executive Secretary
CME Church

CMES Urged to Be Aware of Money Scam

Dear Colleagues and Members of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church:

Greetings in the Wondrous Name of Jesus the Christ!

This message is being sent to all members throughout our Connectional Church regarding an extortion scam that is circulating around the country.

Please be aware that there is a scam going on at this time requesting money from our pastors and churches to aid family members of the CME College of Bishops. There is no truth to this information. At no time should you send money to these persons. Before you respond to any general request for such aid, please contact your Presiding Prelate or Presiding Elder.

Please pass this information on to as many of our Connectional members as possible.

Your prompt attention to this message is appreciated.


In His Service,


Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.
Chairman of the Commission on Social Justice and Human Concerns
of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Presiding Prelate, Ninth Episcopal District
Telephone: 323-294-3830 Fax: 323-294-4167
E-mail: ninthhq@sbcglobal.net
Internet: http://www.ninthdistrictcme.org

Funeral Arrangements

Mr. Otis Brown, son of Mrs. Evelyn D Brown, SE Missouri, Illinois, and Wisconsin Missionary

Condolences may be sent to the Funeral Home.
Funeral Home
W.H. Mays Mortuary
1221 James Brown Blvd
Augusta, Georgia 30901
Telephone Number: 706-722-64011
Fax Number: 706-722-7018

Visitation Service 6:00-7:00 PM
Friday, July 25, 2008

Saturday, July 26, 2008 – Funeral Service – 1:00 PM
Williams Memorial CME Church
1630 Fifteenth Street
Augusta, Georgia 30901
Phone: 706- 733-3593

Rev. Paul W. Gardner, Pastor

Please keep Evelyn and Toni in your prayers.
Mrs. Evelyn D. Brown – Home Address
1349 Aniwaka Street SW
Atlanta, GA. 30311
404-755-7170

Submitted by Dr. Elnora P. Hamb, WMC President

A General Prayer for the CME Church

Dear Lord:

We come to you for forgiveness and seek the ultimate trust of your will upon our lives. Search our hearts and remind us of our dependency upon you. If we have neglected you we ask for a greater desire and reliance upon you to be our priority as your people. Father remind us through the demonstrations of your divinity that you are still sovereign and your promises are true. If we have dishonored you in any way bring conviction upon us and abolish the pride that has shackled us to the uncertainties of our own agendas. Garner in us a greater resolve to consult you in the matters of our kingdom building and never relinquish our desire to seek your face in all things. Father we need you to be our restorer. 

Please let us recognize your unfathomable presence that is available to be released upon us if we only surrender to you in everything. Direct each and every church in our connection Lord to prioritize your presence in our worship experience in a manner never seen before. May our connection be enhanced by the embodiment of undiluted praise and worship. Wherever their is despondency let it be replaced with the spiritual sightings of your uplifting Grace. Grant all of our leaders the necessary humility and dependency upon you and you alone for direction and guidance in everything they do. Keep us all rooted and grounded in you. 

Place the burden of righteousness upon our shoulders as we seek not to tear down but to build up your kingdom. May the issues of our lives that have become strongholds no longer overpower us but allow us to recognize the strongholds that empower us. Bring us to the point that you are our fortress and refuge and our salvation from the enemies of doubt and fear that assail us (paraphrase Psalm 27:1). Despite what we see and know you are still God let us never, never forget that upon this rock you said I will build my church. This rock we rely upon now and forever more. Bless now all your humble servants and congregations that need to hear from you. We pray with passion and gratitude that you hear us even now.

In Jesus Name we Trust and Believe

Amen and Amen

Dr. Jerome Mcneil,Jr.
Denominational Prayer Coordinator C. M. E. Church

Official Announcement from The College of Bishops

(Double click to expand)

Loss of Rev. Lawrence L. Reddick, Jr.
Rev. Lawrence L. Reddick, Jr., the father of Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick, III and
Rev. Pansy Washington, passed on Tuesday, July 1, 2008. The funeral
arrangements are as follows:
Memorial Service:
Thursday, July 3, 2008
St. Phillips CME Church
1920 Lillie St
Fort Myers, FL 33916
239-334-2987

Funeral Service:
Saturday, July 5, 2008 / 11:00 AM
Phillips CME Church
200 Davis Circle SW
Huntsville, AL 35801
256-534-2007

Mortuary:
Royal Funeral Home, Inc.
4315 Oakwood Avenue
Huntsville, AL 35810
256-534-8481

The family requests that in lieu of flowers any donations should be made to:
Helping Hands Scholarship Fund
in the name of Rev. Lawrence L. Reddick, Jr.
Miles College of Institutional Planning & Development
P. O. Box 3800
Birmingham, AL 35209

Please keep the Reddick family in your prayers.

Passing of Mr. Leonard Hinton
Dear Members:

It is with deep regret that I inform you of the Passing of Mr. Leonard Hinton the husband of the Mrs. Linda Hinton Missionary President - Central Texas Region.

The Funeral will be Saturday July 5, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Benson Memorial CME Church
211 Ellis Street
Jacksonville, Texas 75766
Telephone: 903-568-3331
or 903-592-7037

FUNERAL HOME
Mercy McGowan - 415 North main Street
Jacksonville, TX 75766
Telephone Number: 903-586-4698 - Fax# 903-586-3682

Mrs. Linda Hinton - Central Texas Region Missionary President
404 Selman
Jacksonville, TX. 75766
Telephone Number: 903-586-1389

Please send condolence to Linda and keep her close in your Prayers.


Rejoice,

Dr. Elnora P. Hamb
Women's Missionary Council President

Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.
Philippians 4:4

Congratulations Dr. Stevie McKinney. Dallas, TX—On May 17, 2008, the Doctor of Ministry Degree was conferred upon Rev. Stevie D. McKinney from Perkins School of Theology (Southern Methodist University) in Dallas, Texas. The commencement sermon was delivered by Bishop William B. Oden of the United Methodist Church at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Dallas, TX. Bishop Oden challenged the students in his message to remain faithful and stand strong in the face of opposition.
Dr. Stevie D. McKinney's area of study was Parish Leadership. The title of his professional project (dissertation) was "Are the Leadership Styles of Jesus, as Reflected in the Gospels, Applicable for Christian Lay Leaders that Work Both in Congregations and Small Businesses?" Dr. McKinney's goal is to use this model of leadership as a tool to enhance and strengthen leadership styles within the church. Dr. McKinney's professional team consisted of Dr. Evelyn L. Parker, Associate Professor of Christian Education, Perkins School of Theology (SMU); Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Presiding Prelate of the 4th Episcopal District; Dr. Paul W. Gardner, pastor of Williams Memorial CME Church, Augusta, GA; and Mrs. Delores T. Roberts of Warner Robins, GA.
Dr. McKinney is currently serving as pastor of the Lane Chapel CME Church in Tupelo, MS. On the Sunday following his graduation, we, the Lane Chapel Church family, honored Dr. McKinney with a congratulatory reception to show our love and support in his academic accomplishments. Dr. McKinney has already written one book "When Shepherd and Sheep Walk Together" (2002) and is currently working on a second book. Dr. McKinney is the husband of Deborah (Doss) McKinney and the father of Savannah Renee McKinney.
Submitted by Lane Chapel CME Church family.

CME Calender of Events
June 22-25, 2008: West Tennessee Region Annual Conference, Greenwood CME, Memphis, TN; Dr. Travis Robinson, host pastor.
June 22-25, 2008: South-Louisiana Region Annual Conference, Reeves Temple CME, Lake Charles, LA; Rev. Dr. H. Leon Williams, host pastor and presiding elder.
June 29-July 2, 2008: Arkansas Region Annual Conference, Little Rock, AR.
June 30-July 4, 2008: North Central Alabama Annual Conference Holiday Inn, Sheffield, AL; Rev. David Whittaker, Rev. James Coffey, and Rev. Sarah Williamson, host pastors.
July 7-11, 2008: Connectional Youth and Young Adult Conferences, Orlando, Florida - Rev. Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield, General Secretary.
NEW DATE!! Aug. 3-6, 2008: Louisiana Region Annual Conference, Shreveport, LA.
July 14-15, 2008: Florida Region Annual Conference, Carter Tabernacle CME Church, Orlando, FL - Rev. Dr. Vaneese Burns, host pastor.
July 20-23, 2008: Mississippi-South Region Annual Conference, Regency Hotel, Jackson, MS; Rev. Dr. Charles Holbrook, host pastor (Lynch Street CME, Jackson, MS.)
July 20 - 25, 2008 (New Date) - Michigan-Indiana Region Annual Conference, hosted by The Carter Memorial CME Church, Gary, IN, Holiday Inn Matteson, 500 Holiday Plaza Drive, Matteson, Illinois 60443 (708) 747-3500
July 21-25, 2008: Southeast Alabama Region Annual Conference, Phillips Temple CME Church, Phenix City, AL; Rev. L H. Pitts, host pastor.
July 26-29, 2008: Oklahoma Region Annual Conference, Oklahoma City, OK, Christ Temple, Rev. Stacey Cole, Double Tree Hotel-Tulsa Downtown, 616 West 7th St., Tulsa, OK; 918-587-8000.
July 27-30, 2008: North-East Region Annual Conference, Ramada Summit Hotel, Tupelo, MS; Rev. Stevie McKinney, host pastor (Lane Chapel CME, Tupelo, MS).
July 28-August 1, 2008: Birmingham Region Annual Conference, Anniston City Meeting Center/Murray Temple CME Church, Anniston, AL; Rev. Jermaine Marshall, host pastor.
August 3 - 8, 2008 (New Date) - Southeast Missouri, Illinois, & Wisconsin Region Annual Conference, hosted by The Jamison Memorial CME Church, St. Louis, MO. Held at The Renaissance St. Louis Hotel Airport
9801 Natural Bridge Road, St. Louis, Missouri, Ph. (314) 429-1100.
August 10-13, 2008: Northern California Region Annual Conference, St. Peter CME, El Cerrito, CA; Rev. Frederick Taylor, Hilton Gardens Inn San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge, 1800 Powell St., Emeryville, CA 94608; 510-658-9300.
August 24-27, 2008: Southern California Region Annual Conference, Amos Temple CME, Riverside, CA; Rev. Julio Andujo, Conf. site is Riverside Convention Center, 3443 Orange St., Riverside, CA, 951-346-4700; lodging, Riverside Marriott, 3400 Market St., Riverside, CA; 951-784-8000.
September 30 - October 4, 2008: 22nd CME Convocation, Knoxville, TN.
October 23-24, 2008: One Church One School, 13th Annual Partnership Conference, Sheraton Dallas North Hotel, Dallas, TX, Christian Chapel CME Temple of Faith, host church; Rev. Jerome McNeil, host pastor.
October 31 - November 1, 2008: - Kansas-Missouri Region Winter Council, hosted by St. Peter CME Church, Kansas City, KS
Nov 6-8, 2008: Arizona New Mexico Mid-Winter Meeting, Phillips Chapel, Tucson, AZ.
November 7-8, 2008 - Michigan-Indiana Region Winter Council, Hosted by St. Luke CME Church, Saginaw, MI
Nov 13-14, 2008: Oklahoma Mid-Winter Meeting, St John Oklahoma City, OK.
November 14 - 15, 2008 - Southeast Missouri, Illinois & Wisconsin Region Winter Council, hosted by Coleman-Wright CME Church, St. Louis, MO
Nov 20-21, 2008: Alaska Pacific Mid-Winter Meeting, Allen Temple, Portland OR.
Dec. 4-5, 2008: Northern and Southern California Mid- Winter Meeting, Curry Temple, Compton, CA; Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Westside.