Louisiana Pearl Harbor Survivor Honored

As the nation remembered the 68th Anniversary of the Pearl Harbor Attack, Trinity CME Church in Lafayette, Louisiana honored their member, Mr. Alex Taylor, a Pearl Harbor Survivor. Local Lay Leader and grandson of the honoree, Mr. Kevin Green, made the presentation along with Rev. Leslie Dugas, Jr., pastor.

The attack on Pearl Harbor was an unannounced military strike conducted by the Japanese navy against the United States naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on the morning of December 7, 1941. It resulted in the United States' entry into World War II.

Mr. Taylor was on the USS Dobbin, a Navy destroyer ship. At the time of the attack the ship was moored northeast of Ford Island with five destroyers, the Phelps, Macdonough, Worden, Dewey and Hull. At the time of the attack, Mr. Taylor was on deck having a conversation about one of his favorite subjects, baseball. The crew members were discussing the baseball game later that day with hopes of beating the other team and winning the Hawai

ian Championship.

The crew of the USS Dobbin watched helpless as Japanese planes targeted Battleship Row, but as the battleships each took heavy damage the Japanese pilots looked for other targets. The aircraft seeing that the ship had admiral flags tried to bomb the Dobbin but the ship only took shrapnel damage.

At eighty-eight years of age, Mr. Taylor remains active in his church. He has served Trinity as a steward and trustee. He still serves as an usher and is a trustee emeritus mentoring the younger trustees. He is an at home political analyst, an avid viewer of CNN and a dire hard fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Team. Mr. Taylor is a retiree of Bell South/AT&T with 331/2 years of service.

He is married to Mrs. Hazel M. Taylor, has two daughters, Patricia T. Green (Charles A. Green) of Lafayette, LA and Gail T. Anders (Rev, Larry D. Anders) of Shreveport, LA, a grandson, Kevin V. Green; a granddaughter, Jamie A. Webb (Darrell) and a great-grandson, Drayden Alexander Webb.

Mr. Taylor was presented with a plaque and given much applause for his bravery in serving our country in the time of war and in the U.S. Navy.

Submitted by Patricia T. Green and Gail T. Anders

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR MR. WILLIE D. BROWN

(Brother of Bishop E. Lynn Brown)

Funeral Home:

Stephenson-Shaw Funeral Home Inc.

807 N Hays Avenue

Jackson, TN 38301

731-427-7411

Church:

Salem Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

2624 Ashport Road

Jackson, TN 38305

(731) 422-5246

Service Date(s) & Time:

Calling, Friday, February 26, 2010

Stephenson Shaw Funeral Home (See Address Above)

6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Funeral Services, Saturday, February 27, 2010

Salem Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

1:00 p.m.

Hotel lnformation (for those staying overnight)

Econo Lodge Inn & Suites

1963 US 45 Bypass, Jackson, TN, US, 38305

· Phone: (731) 668-4100

· Fax: (731) 664-6940

*Ask for Jeremy to get the discount rate of $49.99 a night

Condolences may be sent to:

Bishop E. Lynn Brown

5115 Rollman Estates Drive

Cincinnati, Ohio 45236

Message from the

President of the WMC Dr. Elnora Hamb

February 20, 2010

Dear CME Members, Missionaries and Friends:

Greetings in the Name of Jesus Christ!

We are rapidly approach the convening of the Executive Board Meeting of the Women's Missionary Council in Columbia, South Carolina, March 3-6, 2010. This will be the last Executive Board meeting before our Quadrennial Assembly in 2011.

Here is some important information to help you prepare for the Executive Board Meeting.

Online Registration

Online registration is available at the Women's Missionary Council Web site: www.womensmissionarycouncilcme.org

Hurry to purchase your banquet tickets for the President's Supper, Legacy Award and the Prayer Breakfast! Today (February 20, 2010) is the deadline to pay for all food events!

Schedule of Activities

The schedule of activities (and appropriate dress attire) for the Executive Board meeting is available at: www.womensmissionarycouncilcme.org/announcement.htm#SCHEDULE_OF_ACTIVITIES

Hotel Information

Our site hotel, the Radisson Hotel Columbia, has completely sold out of rooms! Here is a list of overflow hotels.

Sleep In Hotel (next door to the Radisson Hotel Columbia)

1901 Rockland Road

Columbia, South Carolina 29210

Telephone Number: 803-731-9999

Room rate: $75 + tax

Best Western Hotel (two blocks away)

1720 Bush River Road

Columbia, South Carolina 29210

Telephone Number: 803-561-9027

Room Rate: $79.99 + tax

Courtyard Hotel (four blocks away)

347 Zemal Crest Drive

Columbia, South Carolina

Telephone Number: 803-731-2300

Room Rate $89.00 + tax

Thank you for your support of the Women's Missionary Council! I look forward to seeing you in Columbia for the Executive Board Meeting. Please pray for the success of the meeting and safe travels for our connectional members and friends.

Rejoice,

Dr. Elnora Palmer Hamb, President

Women's Missionary Council

Service of Mrs. Kay Lewis

The Home Going service of Mrs. Kay Lewis, wife of Rev. Dr. Roderick Lewis, will be held Saturday, February 20, 2010, at the Parkwood Institutional CME Church, 802 Tom Hunter Road, Charlotte, NC (704-951- 4915Fax - 704-921-4917).

Cards and other messages can be sent to The Lewis Home, 6524 White Plains Lane, Charlotte, NC 28262.

Long and Son Mortuary, 2312 Beatties Ford Road, Charlotte, NC (704-394-1111)

Viewing of Remains at 1 PM

Home Going Service at 2 PM

Please keep the Lewis family in your prayers.

Loss of Mrs. Ila Simon

The homegoing services for Mrs. Ila Simon will be held Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at

First United Methodist Church

201 Hospital Street

Nacogdoches, Texas 75961

936-564-8308

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to:

Sadler Funeral Home

210 South Shawnee Street

Nacogdoches, TX 75961

936-564-4491

Condolences may be sent to the funeral home or to:

The Simon Family

P. O. Box 630357

Nacogdoches, TX 75963

Mrs. Simon was the President Emeritus of the Southeast Texas Region WMS and Past President of the Southeast Texas Conference WMS.

Message from General Secretary

Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield

February 13, 2010

Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

The Lenten Meditation books are available from the Department of Christian Education.

The Lenten Meditation book is a joint effort of the Departments of Christian Education of the

AME, AME Zion and CME denominations. This year's meditations feature the Episcopal leaders

from the three denominations.

The cost per booklet is $2.00. Orders of 50 or more are $1.80 and can be drop shipped to your location. Quantities are limited!

Please do not hit the reply button when placing your order. Place your order today by

e-mailing willa.ross@thecmechurch.com .

Dr. Carmichael D. Crutchfield

General Secretary

Department of Christian Education

Prayer for Methodism's 'Great Gathering'

Dear Lord,

We pray a divine move upon the Great Gathering in Columbia, SC. We seek your presence and order as we come before you with a mission in mind. Grant our respective denominations a special positioning before thy throne of mercy and receive the confirmation of being in your will. We speak blessings upon all the disciples of AME, AMEZ and CME as we gather to pray, worship and meditate upon directives that will be pleasing in your sight. Touch each of us as we declare the best to come out of this fellowship of saints. Intercede on the behalf of your Episcopal District, pray for the many congregations, lift up the sacrifices made and commitments to come forth. Call upon the grace and mercy of our Father for our great histories and the stories yet to be revealed and the miracles to come forth. We pray that we may represent and support this endeavor by the power and purpose of his promises. In Jesus name.

Amen

Dr. Jerome McNeil,

Denominational Prayer Coordinator CME Church

Co Leader, Intercessory Prayer Team, Great Gathering

Arrangements for Mrs. Wardna Polk

Dear CME Members, Missionaries and Friends:

We are saddened by the passing of Mrs. Wardna Polk who was a Christian servant, faithful missionary and loyal CME. Mrs. Polk served as the Secretary of Hunger and Meals for Millions of the Women's Missionary Council of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and maintained the Missionary room at the CME Headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee where she also served as a receptionist. Mrs. Polk was a devout member of Greenwood CME Church in Memphis.

The Homegoing services for Mrs. Polk will be held tomorrow (Saturday, February 6, 2010) at 10:00 a.m., and the Viewing will be held from 9:00-10:00 a.m. at Greenwood CME Church, 3311 Kimball Avenue, Memphis, TN 38311. Telephone: 901-744-7531. The Rev. Dr. Travis Robinson is the pastor. Senior Bishop William H. Graves is the presiding prelate of the First Episcopal District.

Funeral arrangements are by R.S. Lewis & Sons Funeral Home, 374 Vance, Memphis, TN. Telephone: 901-526-3264.

Cards and condolences may be sent to the family in care of Mr. Garland Hawkins, the brother of Mrs. Polk, at 1115 Shadowline Drive, Memphis, TN 38109. Telephone: 901-785-3872.

Mrs. Polk requested that donations be made to the Polk Project at Greenwood CME Church in lieu of flowers. Please make checks payable to Greenwood CME and designate the Polk Project.

In His Service,

Dr. Elnora Palmer Hamb, President

Women's Missionary Council

ANNOUNCEMENT

New Web Site for

Department of Christian Education

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