Loss of Mrs. Melissa Fox
My dear Missionary Sisters,

We regret to inform you that Mrs. Melissa Fox, mother of Mrs. Doris Boyd, has passed.
The arrangements are as follows:

The body will lie in State Sunday, October 14 at Featherstone Temple CME Church, 3304 Rangeline Road, Memphis, TN 38127 from 12:30–2 p.m. The funeral services will begin at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that gifts of remembrance be made to the Save Our Sons Scholarships Fund in care of Dr. Princess Pegues, 2309 Bonnie Avenue, Bastrop, LA 71220.

Please keep Doris and her family in your prayers.

With heartfelt sympathy,

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

Service for Mr. Paul Moody, Jr.
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

Regretfully we inform you of the passing of Mr. Paul (Booker T.) Moody, Jr., father of Mrs. Linda Whitlock, president of the Connectional Ministers' Spouses, Widows and Widowers Department and father-in-law of Rev. Q. H. Whitlock, presiding elder of the St. Louis District, Southeast Missouri, Illinois & Wisconsin Region, 3rd Episcopal District.

Arrangements are as follows:

Viewing - 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Homegoing Service at 10:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Greater Exodus Baptist Church
704 North Broad St
Philadelphia, PA 19130
Phone: 215-235-1394
Fax: 215-235-6435

Arrangements entrusted to:
Price Funeral Home
Philadelphia PA  19104
Phone: 215-222-6538
Fax: 215-222-2031

Interment:
Washington Crossing Military Cemetey
830 Highland Road
Newtown, PA 18940
(215) 504-5610

Condolences may be sent to:
Mrs. Linda K. Whitlock & Family
9739 Halls Ferry Road
St Louis, MO 63136
Email:  whitlk@sbcglobal.net

Please keep Rev. and Mrs. Whitlock and the Moody Family in your prayers.

In His Service,

Bishop Godwin Umoette, Chair
Connectional Ministers' Spouses, Widows and Widowers' Department

Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr.
Presiding Prelate, Third Episcopal District

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

CME LEADERSHIP COMMITS TO CONTINUING VOTER EDUCATION, REGISTRATION, AND  GET OUT THE VOTE INITIATIVE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NAACP

(September 28, 2012 - New Orleans, LA)  We have gathered in New Orleans, LA sharing a spirit of unity and common purpose. In this setting, and back home we are compelled to say, “We cannot allow our votes to be stolen.” It is imperative that we protect the right to vote. In fact, this is our nation’s most important Civil Rights issue.

The Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church has partnered with the NAACP in the continuing struggle for justice, equality and fairness in the United States of America. We owe it to those who marched, sat-in, were beaten, and died for equal rights in the 1960s to assure that every voter can freely cast a ballot. We must pledge to work together with the NAACP, and other equal rights organizations to defend the right to vote, and simultaneously enable and empower our communities to vote in all of the 2012 elections. More than a dozen states have passed laws requiring voters to show state-approved ID at the polls in the November 6, 2012 elections. The reality is these laws unfairly harm minorities, poor people, and college students. Let us as a denomination commit ourselves to partner with the NAACP to combat these attacks, and make certain we experience record-breaking voter participation. We must continue to organize voter registration and “Get Out the Vote” endeavors that awaken and reach millions.

Voter registration, voter education, and voter protection is the historic commitment of the CME Church. It is critically important that we increase our commitment to engage our congregations in the electoral process.

CME Senior Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr., the College of Bishops, and the entire denomination stand together with the NAACP, and the many other “Voter Rights” advocates to ensure that we register masses of eligible voters leading up to respective state voter cutoffs. Did you know that over 8 million eligible African Americans are not registered to vote? Did you know that of the 12 million African American registered voters 45% did not vote in the 2008 elections?

We encourage all CME Churches to immediately partner with your local and/or state NAACP chapters, and conduct voter registration drives until the cutoff dates. Additionally, the NAACP will distribute alerts on changes in local voter laws; educate congregants on legislative matters that affect their communities; and ensure that church-goers turn out to the polls and are protected on Election Day.

The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, under the leadership of Senior Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr. and its College of Bishops, is a 141-year old historically African American Christian denomination with more than 1.2 million members across the United States, and has missions and sister churches in Haiti, Jamaica and fourteen African nations. There are four CME related colleges, Lane College (Jackson, TN), Miles College (Birmingham, AL), Paine College (Augusta, GA) and Texas College (Tyler, TX).  There is additionally a CME sponsored seminary, Phillips School of Theology, which is an affiliate member of the Interdenominational Theological Center (Atlanta, GA).  For additional information about the C.M.E. Church, visit   www.c-m-e.org .

W Hotel of New Orleans is overflow for CME Unity Summit 
September 11, 2012

Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

In two weeks, the first CME Unity Summit will be held Tuesday, September 25 through Saturday, September 29, 2012 at the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel located at 500 Canal Street in New Orleans, Louisiana.  We have obtained an overflow hotel since our room block at the Sheraton New Orleans became completely full. The overflow hotel is the W Hotel of New Orleans located at 333 Poydras Street in New Orleans.  This message will provide you with important information regarding how to make your room reservation at the W Hotel.

Please know that transportation will be provided between the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel and the W Hotel, thanks to the Fourth Episcopal District.

To Make Your Hotel Reservation at the W Hotel of New Orleans:
Please contact the W Hotel directly at 1-866-961-3321 and identify yourself as a member of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.

You may reserve your hotel room online directly at:  www.c-m-e.org/UnitySummithotel.  The link to the W Hotel is available on the main page of the official CME Web site.

We will do our best to reach all persons who registered for the CME Unity Summit to provide them with information concerning the overflow hotel.  A telephone broadcast message regarding the overflow hotel and how to make room reservations will be sent today to persons who registered for the CME Unity Summit.

If you recently registered for the CME Unity Summit and paid by check, the registration receipt will be sent via postal mail along with instructions on reserving your hotel room at the overflow hotel site.

If you have not registered for the CME Unity Summit, please do so as soon as possible. All members of the General Connectional Board and Women's Missionary Council Executive Board are expected to register for the Unity Summit and reserve your hotel room.

Thank you for your patience as we worked through many challenges.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.  We look forward to seeing you at the first CME Unity Summit in New Orleans!

For registration and additional information about the CME Unity Summit:
www.c-m-e.org/UnitySummit   2012cmeunitysummit@c-m-e.org  1-855-263-1870 Pacific Standard Time

Sincerely,

The CME Unity Summit Executive Committee
Bishop Thomas L. Brown, Sr., Chair
Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr., Program Chair
Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr., Finance Chair
Ms. Jeanette L. Bouknight, Executive Director
Ms. Theresa Duhart, Registrar
Senior Bishop Thomas L. Hoyt, Jr.

Services for Mr. Bobby Cross Fields
Funeral services for Mr. Bobby Cross Fields the brother of Rev. Maggie C. Banks have been set following release next week from the Detroit, Michigan Coroner's Office, services will be as follows.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 1, 2012, at 11 a.m. at the Jackson Memorial Funeral Home Chapel, 922 Woodrow Wilson in Jackson, MS  39213; phone (601) 969-9457.  Florals may
be sent to the Funeral Home.

Cards and condolonces may be sent to Rev.  Maggie C. Banks, 615 West 4th Street, Crowley, Louisiana  70526.  Email: mcbcme@yahoo.com Ph. (337)785-1883 or (337) 581-0885 or to her daughter, Tracy B. Weathersby, 2028 Southland Ct., Baton Rouge, Louisiana  70818. Ph. (337) 739-1870.

Please keep the family in prayer as they go through this trying time.

Fire Destroys First CME Church in Anchorage, Alaska
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

We are saddened to report that the First Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Anchorage, Alaska, under the leadership of Pastor Jerry Webb, was destroyed by fire the morning of Friday, August 17, 2012.

The local newspaper Anchorage Daily News reported that, “A fire that authorities say started early Friday morning ripped the roof off of the church, in its third location since its founding in 1959, leaving the sanctuary a charred and gutted mess of soggy insulation, overturned pews and ash.”

First Christian Methodist Episcopal Church has faced catastrophe on many occasions.  Its original location was destroyed by the 1964 Good Friday earthquake.  The church’s later location was purchased by the City of Alaska to build the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts.

In August 1985, under the leadership of then pastor Rev. Claude Johnson, First CME Church broke ground on its current location.  The building and land cost approximately $1.2 million.  The church was built from the ground up and was a beautiful architectural structure, the first of its kind in Anchorage.

First CME Church, a diverse congregation, has been a blessing to its members and the local Anchorage community, providing key ministries and services.  Once a quadrennium, First CME Church hosts the Annual Conference of the Alaska-Pacific Region and it is a tradition to invite our connectional leaders, members and friends to visit us in the Land of the Midnight Sun.  This past May, the Alaska-Pacific Region's Annual Conference was held and attended by many of our connectional leaders.

In the days ahead, First CME Church will begin to develop a planning strategy to relocate and rebuild the sanctuary.

You can help us rebuild by keeping the First CME Church family in your prayers and making a contribution to the rebuilding effort. You can make donations at any Wells Fargo branch in the country to the First Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Fire Donation Account. For additional information, please contact Pastor Webb at 1-907-563-7044 or e-mail jamm42@msn.com.

In His Service,

Bishop James B. Walker
Presiding Prelate, 9th Episcopal District

(Update) Arrangements for Mrs. Pearl Bentley, mother of Mrs. Donna Graves

Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

We are saddened by the passing of Mrs. Pearl Bentley, a faithful member of Phillips Temple Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Los Angeles, California, and the mother of Mrs. Donna Graves (wife of Retired Bishop William H. Graves), Mrs. Renee Woodruff (The Women's Missionary Council's Division II, Program Leader), and Mr. Ken Bentley.

Funeral services for Mrs. Bentley are as follows:

Saturday, August 4, 2012, 12 Noon PST
Phillips Temple C.M.E. Church
971 East 43rd Street
Los Angeles, CA   90011
Telephone: 323-233-4783
Fax:  323-233-3661
Rev. Joseph C. Gardner, Sr., Pastor

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to:
Angelus Funeral Home
3875 Crenshaw Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA   90088
Telephone: 323-296-6666

Lodging:
Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport
9750 Airport Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA  90045
Room rate:  $99 per night plus tax
Reservations must be made by Wednesday, August 1, 2012. Contact Sofia at 310-649-7048 and provide the code Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

In lieu of flowers, the Bentley family is requesting that donations be made to: James Bentley Education Fund, Inc., 5021 Inadale Avenue, Los Angeles, CA   90043.

Condolences may be sent to the Graves family, 5021 Inadale Avenue, Los Angeles, CA  90043.

Please keep in prayer the family of Mrs. Pearl Bentley.

In His Service,

Bishop James B. Walker, Sr.
Presiding Prelate, Ninth Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church  

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

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

Williams Brothers at CME Unity Summit

Funeral Arrangements for Mrs. Pearl Bentley
Services for Mrs. Pearl Bentley Saturday, August 4, 2012, 1 p.m.
Phillips Temple CME
Los Angeles, CA

Funeral arrangements are being handled by
Angelus Funeral Home
3875 Crenshaw Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90008
323-296-6666

Mrs. Sue Henderson Called Home
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

We regret to inform you that Mrs. Sue Henderson has passed. Mrs. Henderson was a dedicated missionary and a past treasurer of the Women's Missionary Council.  She was the daughter of the late Mrs. Cortez Washington, who also served as treasurer of the Council.

Funeral arrangements are as follows:

Sunday, July 22, 2012,  6-7:30 p.m.
Visitation:
New Hope CME Church
901 East 21st Street
Pine Bluff, AR  71603

Monday, July 23, 2012, 10 a.m.
Funeral Celebration:
St. James United Methodist Church
900 North University Drive
Pine Bluff, AR  71601

Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Henderson's home address:
3120 S. Missouri
Pine Bluff, AR  71601

Please keep the family of Mrs. Sue Henderson in your prayers.

God's blessings,

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

Passing of Rev. Johnnie L. Quinzy
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

Rev. Johnnie L. Quinzy went to his heavenly home on Wednesday, July 18, 2012.  He was a retired minister of the 5th Episcopal District, Birmingham Region and the Anniston District.

The funeral service will be held Monday, July 23, 2012 at St. John CME Church, 825 Avenue C, Gadsden, Alabama 35901.

Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Ninna Quinzy at 1211 Mountain Brook Drive, Gadsden, AL 35901.

Please keep the Quinzy family in your prayers.

In His Service,

Bishop Teresa E. Snorton
Presiding Prelate, 5th Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

Rev. Anthony Thompson Services

The Services of Thanksgiving for the Life of the Reverend Anthony Thompson, longtime pastor in the Georgia Region of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, will be Monday, July 23, 2012, 11 a.m., at St. James Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, 348 Bethel Saint James Road, Damascus, GA  39841.  Telephone: 229-725-4004. 
His family may be reached at 229-524-5347, 1002 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, Donaldsonville, GA, 31745.
Please share with them your prayers and other expressions of support.  In His Service, Bishop Kenneth W. CarterPresiding Prelate, 6th Episcopal District Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

 

Live Streaming of Service of Dr. Jerome McNeil, Jr. 
View The Celebration Of Life Services for Pastor Jerome McNeil LIVE from Christian Chapel on CME TV @ http://www.streamingfaith.com/Christian-Methodist-Episcopal-Church/ Saturday Morning 7/21/2012 starting at 11:00 AM  .. #Good News. You can also go to our church website, http://www.cctof.org/ and find more information.   Also, for those who would like to make donations: We are asking in lieu of flowers for mourners to contribute to the Jordan CDC Scholarship Fund. Pastor McNeil was a strong supporter of the Jordan which is a non-profit that works closely with Christian Chapel.
Our pastor had a concern and passion in helping deserving high school graduates with college tuition costs. Please make checks payable to : Jordan CDC 14120 Noel Road Dallas, Texas 75254 In your memo field, just write in "Scholarship."
Please call The Temple of Faith Christian Chapel CME Church at 972-239-1120.

Funeral Arrangements for Dr. Jerome McNeil, Jr. (UPDATED)
Dear Connectional Members and Friends,

It is with heartfelt sadness to announce the passing of Rev. Dr. Jerome McNeil, Jr., the Senior Pastor of Christian Chapel Temple of Faith CME Church in Dallas, Texas for twenty-one years.  Dr. McNeil passed on Sunday, July 15, 2012.  He was the Denominational Prayer Coordinator, and a visionary, charismatic, anointed spiritual leader, teacher, mentor and friend.

The Homegoing Celebration for Rev. Dr. Jerome E. McNeil, Jr. is as follows:

Public Viewing:
Friday, July 20, 2012, 3:00-6:00 p.m.
Black & Clark Funeral Home
2517 E. Illinois Avenue
Dallas, TX   75216
Office: 214-376-8297
Fax: 214-376-1288

Saturday, July 21, 2012
Lying in State:  9:00 - 10:30 a.m.
Funeral Service:   11:00 a.m.
Christian Chapel Temple of Faith (CCTOF)
14120 Noel Road
Dallas, TX 75254
(972) 239-1120 Office
info@cctof.org
Eulogist: Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.

Hotel Accommodations:
Hyatt Place Dallas-North/by the Galleria
5229 Spring Valley Road
Dallas, TX 75254, USA
(888) 492-8847 Toll Free
(972) 716-2001 Direct
(972) 716-4054 Fax
Rate: $72 per night for those who plan to stay overnight.
Please request the Christian Chapel Temple of Faith group rate.

Words of comfort and expressions to the family may be sent to the Christian Chapel Temple of Faith CME Church. Please keep in prayer Mrs. Billye McNeil, their adult children, grandchildren, and the Christian Chapel Temple of Faith family.  

In His Service

Bishop Henry M. Williamson, Sr.
Presiding Prelate, 8th Episcopal District
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church

"Hallelujah! the race is run!
Eternal life is gained,
My happiness has just begun,
The crown of life obtained!"

The Sudden Passing of Dr. Jerome McNeil, Jr.

We mourn the loss of scholar/author/pastor/lecturer/counselor/evangelist

Rev. Dr.Jerome McNeil, Jr., pastor of the Temple of Faith CME Church

Dallas, Texas

(More information as it becomes available)

NEW CYAM OFFICERS 2012-2016

Paige Perry, Newly Elected Vice President 

Connectional Young Adult Ministry
Rev. Keenan Winters, Newly Elected President

Connectional Young Adult Ministry

More CYYAC '12 ORLANDO

Kayeen Thomas (white t-shirt) presents new novel

"Antebellum" to Senior Bishop Hoyt, flanked by his wife and dad,

Rev. Weldon Thomas, and CME Publisher Dr. Roderick Lewis, Sr.

Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield

General Secretary of Christian Education 

7th Episcopal District Choir

8th Episcopal District Choir

 Some of the faces at CYYAC'12

High School Graduates Luncheon at

Connectional Youth and Young Adult Conference

Dr. Twana Harris, worship leader and MC

Micah Carter

Young Adult Oratorical Speaker

Shady Grove CME, Fairfield, Alabama

Guest Speaker, Actor Robins Givens

Miles College and Dr. George French present Ms. Givens

Dr. French and Ms. Givens with College of Bishops and Spouses

Dr. and Mrs. French, Ms. Givens and General Officers

2012 CYYAC, Orlando, Florida

1st Episcopal District Choir at Communion Service

Some of the 4,000 in attendance at CYYAC

Communion preacher Bishop L.L. Reddick III

Senior Bishop Hoyt prepares to celebrate Communion

CYYAC12 Makes Appeal to Support Mission Project
The 2012 Connectional Youth and Young Adult Conference will incorporate an
onsite mission project on Thursday, July 5.  The CYYAC12 will partner with
“Stop Hunger Now”, a non-profit, faith based organization that provides
assistance to those less fortunate in countries such as Africa, Jamaica
and Haiti where there are CME Churches.  “Stop Hunger Now’s”  vision is “A
world without hunger.”  It is a meal packaging program that to date has
reached over 76 countries and packaged 68,051,415 meals that consist of
dehydrated, high protein, and nutritious meals that are used for various
situations such as feeding programs, crisis situations, and orphanages.

We are excited to take part in this collaboration and seek to package over
100,000 parcels and need you to make this a success.  Your participation
in the 10 for 40 Campaign will help us to touch over 600,000 people.
The Campaign asks each member to donate $10.00 which will sponsor 40
packages. However, any amount above the Campaign is welcomed. To learn
more about “Stop Hunger Now" at www.stophungernow.org.

The Department of Christian Education is donating $2,500 to the “Stop
Hunger Now,” project.  This will go to feed 10,000 people.  The General
Secretary, Dr. Carmichael Crutchfield, challenges all CME’s to participate
in the project as a way of Reaching, Teaching, Training, and Sending as we
continue in our goal of Making “IT” Essential.

A donation from each of you would go a long way in helping us reach our
goal.  You can make your check out to the Department of Christian
Education.  We will then give it all to the Department of Finance for a
check to be written to Stop Hunger Now.  See wwwthecmechurchced.org for
more information.

Thanks for your help.

Carmichael Crutchfield, Ph.D.
General Secretary, Department of Christian Education
Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
4466 Elvis Presley Blvd. STE 300
901-345-4109
901-261-3289 Fax
www.thecmechurchced.org