june 2011 lay notebook

A PUBLICATION OF THE SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LAY ORGANIZATION

Volume 17, Issue 2 June, 2011 Post Annual Conference Edition

LAY NOTEBOOKLAY NOTEBOOKLAY NOTEBOOKLAY NOTEBOOK

THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA

Laypersons and Clergy Building on Our Global Legacy of Christ-Centered Leadership and Training

President’s Message Page 3

Meeting Agenda Page 3

Other Events Pages 3

Around the Sixth Pages 4 & 5

Biennial Schedule Pages 6 & 6

Local Church News Pages 8-10

District & Conference Pages 10 -15

Editorial Page 13 & 14

Photos: We wish to thank all persons who contributed to the photo display in this issue of Lay Notebook. We also thank Gloria Byrd for the photos of the hotel and view of Windsor, Ontario from Detroit, Michigan as well as Phyllis Gwenette Boyd for her assistance with emailing, layout and editing.

LAY NOTEBOOK LAY NOTEBOOK LAY NOTEBOOK LAY NOTEBOOK is the Official publication of the Sixth District Lay Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Articles of interest to the Laity are welcome and should be submitted to the above e mail or mailing address one month prior to our scheduled meeting dates.

LAY NOTEBOOK ONLINE: http://issuu.com/laynotebook

Inside This Issue

June, 2011

SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LAY

ORGANIZATION OFFICERS

President

Gloria T. Byrd First Vice President

Michael Brown Second Vice President

Henry Chavers Third Vice President Dr. Verma Curtis

Recording Secretary Melanie Lucear

Assistant Recording Secretary Robbiestein Stone

Corresponding Secretary Sondra Barnes Treasurer

Maudie Anderson Financial Secretary Waynefield Leonard

Chaplain Ola Irvin

Historiographer Bettye Draper Parliamentarian Geraldine Monroe

Director of Lay Activities Cheryl Robinson

Transportation Chairperson L. Jean Swafford

Director of Public Relations

Robert T. Matthews, III PRESIDENTS EMERITUS Dr. Robert Williams

Morris Hannah


CONFERENCE PRESIDENTS South - Joann Wilson Southwest - Anna Wynn Georgia - Joan Brown Augusta - Eunice Seigle Macon - Latrellis Dent Atlanta-North Georgia

Annette Curry

PRESIDING BISHOP Bishop William Phillips

DeVeaux, Sr. EPISCOPAL DISTRICT

SUPERVISOR Dr. Pam DeVeaux

PAGE 2 L A Y N O T E B O O KL A Y N O T E B O O KL A Y N O T E B O O KL A Y N O T E B O O K VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2


CO�TACT US Mail: Robert T. Matthews, III 811 Sandy Creek Drive, NW Atlanta, GA 30331

E mail: [email protected]

Bishop William P. DeVeaux

Dr. Pam DeVeaux

VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2

As we prepare to leave for Detroit, let’s not forget that we have a tremendous responsibility for 2013. The overall chairs have attempted to meet with sub-committee chairs recently. Thanks to technology, anyone can participate in the plan-ning process, using conference calls and planning at the site of our quarterly gatherings. I am ask-ing those of you who are active in the organiza-tion to reach out to other church members with unique skills to assist us in this planning. Commit-tee members do not have to be active in the Lay Organization. Please recommend them to Sub-committee chairs. Participants will need to start checking emails more often as we start-up this process in order for you to be aware of scheduled conference calls. We have a total of one hundred and twelve delegates regis-tered to attend the 2011 Biennial. I solicit your assistance in getting your areas ready for 2013 by encouraging each church

to start in September raising money to pay for at least one delegate to attend the 2013 Biennial. We are entitled to over 500 delegates not counting the Conference and Episcopal District delegates. I know we do not want to host the convention and have fewer delegates than our guest. So let’s start developing strategies to make this happen for Georgia.

At Greater Allen Chapel in Macon, we will com-

plete our discussion on legislation introducing

some new bills. If you have bills or ideas for dis-

cussion please submit them to our First Vice

President, Mr. Michael Brown, prior to the June

gathering. I look forward to seeing you there.

Please bring a new member with you.

Gloria T. Byrd,Gloria T. Byrd,Gloria T. Byrd,Gloria T. Byrd, Episcopal District Lay President

President’s Message


President

Gloria T. Byrd

LOOKING AHEAD

Quarterly Gathering

Greater Allen Chapel AME Church Macon, GA

Reverend Billy McFadden, Pastor

June 18, 2011

9:00 -10:00 am -2013 Committee Meeting 10:15-10:40am – Devotion 10:45-1:00 pm- Reports & Activities Review of Minutes Treasurer’s Report CLEDC YAR Education Commission Director of Activities: 2013 Committee Report Constitution & Bylaws Legislation 1:00-1:15-Wrap-up/dismissal/ Lunch

OTHER MEETING DATES AND LOCATIONS

TENTATIVE AGENDA AND SCHEDULE FOR JUNE 18, 2011

Sixth District Leadership & Ministry Congress June 14 - 17, 2011, Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites Two Tenth Street, Augusta, GA, (1-800-868-5354)

General Board & Council of Bishops Meeting June 26 - 29, 2011, Columbia, SC Bishop David Daniels - Investiture

WMS and YPD Quadrennial Convention July 21 - August 1, 2011, Orlando, FL

World Methodist Council August 1 - 8, 2011 Durban, South Africa

Connectional Lay Organization 32nd Biennial Convention

August 12 - 18, 2011 Marriott-Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI

Sixth District Lay Meeting September 17, 2011, St. Paul, Clinton, GA,

Dr. Gloria J. Wicker, Pastor

Conn-M-SWAWO Plus PK's 2011 Leadership Planning Retreat December 2 - 4, 2011, Baltimore, MD

L A Y N O T E B O O KL A Y N O T E B O O KL A Y N O T E B O O KL A Y N O T E B O O K VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2

Dr. Cheryl Davenport Dozier Appointed as Interim President of Savannah State University

The Chief Administrative officer of the University of Georgia System has appointed Dr. Cheryl Davenport Dozier as Interim President of Savannah State University. This appointment became effective on May 9, 2011. Dr. Dozier previously served as associate provost and chief di-versity officer at the University of Georgia (UGA), a position she held since 2006. She also served as assistant vice presi-dent of academic affairs at the Gwinnett University Center from 2002-2006. Dr. Dozier is a faculty researcher with the Foot Soldier Project for Civil Rights Studies and Research at UGA and recently served co-chair of the Fiftieth Anniversary Cele-bration of the desegregation of UGA and as the co-executive producer of the Donald L. Hollowell Documen-

tary: American Freedom Fighter, a Georgia PBS Documen-tary Additionally, she has served as the lead co-principal investigator for the Peach State Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, a $4.9M National Science Founda-tion (NSF) program with the goal of broadening partici-pation of minority students in Science, Technology, Engi-neering and Mathematics since 2007. Dr. Dozier earned a Bachelors Degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University, a Masters in Social Work form Atlanta University (CAU) and a Doctorate in Social Welfare (DSW) from Hunter College, at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York. She is actively involved in many professional and civic activities and was recently elected President of the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education. Dr. Dozier is an active member of the Sixth Episcopal District Lay Organization and the Atlanta-North Georgia Conference. She is a member of New Bethel AME Church in Lithonia, GA, Rev. Ronald L. Owens Pastor, where she also serves as Local Lay President.

ROAD TO STABILITY AND ACCREDITATION

The Federal government has made an offer that Morris Brown cannot refuse. They will eliminate the debt of almost 10 million dollars ($9,994,900) if the school can raised $500,000 dollars by July 15th to the U.S. Depart-ment of Education. Debt elimination is of the utmost importance to the College in as much as financial stabil-ity is required to receive candidacy status for accredita-tion. The accreditation application was submitted to Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and School (TRACS) December 2010. The President re-ports that some Alumni have already committed or donated a total $180,000 towards the project. All funds will be deposited in a special account for this debt only. If the college fails to raise the required amount, all do-nors will be given the option to receive a refund or authorize the College to use their donation for other College needs. However, all funds raised in excess of the required amount will be applied to the College’s scholarship program. All donors will be recognized on the “Wall of Donors” in the MBC Administration Building. Please participate in this effort with your generous contribution, and encourage other alumni and friends to financially sup-port this critical initiative as well. Donations can also be

made on line @:www.morrisbrown.edu

“Haven for all hungry souls,

Feeding them shall be our goal.”

Pursue a fully accredited Online Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Organizational Management and Leadership (OML) from Morris Brown College at:

http://www.morrisbrown.edu/02_03_online_a.htm

YES WE CAN SAVE MORRIS BROWN!!

AROUND THE SIXTH DISTRICT

VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2

PAGE 5 VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2 L A Y N O T E B O O KL A Y N O T E B O O KL A Y N O T E B O O KL A Y N O T E B O O K

[email protected]


32nd CONNECTIONAL LAY BIENNIAL SCHEDULE August 12-18, 2011 - Detroit, Michigan

DATE EVENTS

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12, 2011

Golf Outing - 10:00 a.m. Kit Stuffing - 1:00 p.m. Registration Committee Darwin Eldridge, Chair

Richard Bowden, Vice Chair

SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2011

Committee Meetings - 1:00 p.m. Kit Stuffing

Registration Opens - 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Registration Committee

Young Adult Get Together - 7:00 p.m. -9:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 14, 2011

Worship at Local Churches - 10:00 a.m. First Timers Meeting (Suggested) - 3:00 p.m.

Executive Board Meeting – 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Opening Worship and Communion - 7:00 p.m.

MONDAY, AUGUST 15, 2011

Worship/Bible Study - 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Business Session - 9:00 a.m.

Keynote Speaker - 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Carolyn Kilpatrick (4th Episcopal District)

Lunch - 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Business Session - 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Dinner - 5:30 p.m. -7:00 p.m. Welcome & Reception - 7:00 p.m. (Host District) Committee Meetings - 9:30 p.m. – 12:00 Midnight

TUESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2011

Worship/Bible Study - 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Episcopal District Breakfasts - 7:00 a.m. – 8:30a.m.

Plenary 1 & II - 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Lunch - 12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Plenary III - 2:00 p.m. General Session Plenary - Director Cartledge

Young Adult Plenary - YAR John Thomas Connectional Lay Economic Development Corporation

4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. The Jesse L. Burns Black Tie - 4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Kurt Carr Concert - 9:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

Worship/Bible Study - 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Episcopal District Breakfasts - 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Business Session—8:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. Hour of Power - 12 Noon – 1:30 p.m.

Young Adults and YARs

VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2

Darwin Eldridge, Chair

10:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m.

7:00 p.m. (Host District)

Director Cartledge YAR John Thomas

5:30 p.m.


32nd CONNECTIONAL LAY BIENNIAL SCHEDULE CONTINUED

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 17, 2011

Sixth Episcopal District Luncheon -1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Candidate Forum - 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Awards Banquet - 7:00 p.m. Young Adult Reception - 9:30 p.m. - President’s Suite

THURSDAY, AUGUST 18, 2011

Worship/Bible Study - 7:00 a.m. -8:30 a.m. Business Session - 9:00 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Centennial Luncheon - 12:20p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Business Session and Closing—2:45 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

NOTE: Consideration is being given to returning to a five day Biennial so the business of the Organization can be done in the years prior to the General Conference

DETROIT, MICHIGAN, USA/WINDSOR, ONTARIO, CANADA The City of Detroit, Michigan is located on the US/Canadian border and the only place in the United States where one may travel south from the US to Canada.

Please be aware that since the 9/11 event, this is a little more difficult than was once possible and it is now imperative that your credentials as a US Citizen are in order, so that you might return to the United States once you are in Canada. The necessary credentials may be found online from the Department of US Customs and Travel Offices. However, the best method for any inter-national travel is a valid and up-to-date US Passport. Therefore we STRONGLY RECCOMEND that you apply for and update your US Passport immediately, so that you will not find yourself detained at US Customs or making an unexpected, traumatic and ex-tended stay in Canada.

Looking South across the

Detroit River to Canada

NECROLOGY

It is with sadness we acknowledge the passing of the

following persons in this issue of LAY NOTEBOOK.

The list is quite extensive since we devoted our last issue solely to the coverage of Dr. K.M. Brown. Mr. Charles Kendall, the oldest brother of Rev. Jessica Kendall Ingram (Supervisor 10th Episcopal District) on January 1. He was also a close friend and co-worker of Robert T. Matthews, III, who sang with Mr. Kendall in two choirs and taught choral music in the same room as he taught strings in three Atlanta Public Schools, where he also accompanied Robert’s choirs. Mrs. Irene B. Reid, Former Episcopal Supervisor and widow of Bishop Frank. M. Reid, Jr. on January 11. Mrs. Janet Ruth Weddington, mother of Rev. Anthony B. Vinson, Sr., Connectional Director, Music & Christian Arts Ministry on February 4. Mr. Frank Petersen, the uncle of Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot, retired Episcopal Supervisor on February 7. Mr. Rubin James Huckaby, father of Dr. Roberta H.

Hill, father-in-law of Ret. General Officer Kenneth H. Hill on January 21 Mrs. Condami Sepa Daniels, the mother of Bishop David R. Daniels, Jr., on February 11. Mrs. Antoinette Petersen Bolling, the aunt of retired Episcopal Supervisor, Dr. Sylvia Ross Talbot on February 12. Mrs. Hattie Lewis, the mother of Dr. Richard Allen Lewis on February 6, and his sister-in-law, Mrs. Corde-lia Askins Johnson on April 3. Retired Presiding Elder Edsel F. Robinson, Sr. of the Augusta/Athens District on February 19. His funeral was held at Turner Chapel/Marietta on February 26. Mr. William "Bill" Haithco (88), the father of Rev. Jai Haithco, Pastor of Cosmopolitan AMEC on March 17. His funeral was held on March 26 in Saginaw, MI. Mr. Willie James (Pete) Willis, the brother-in-law of Robert T. Matthews, III on March 27. His funeral was held at Cobb Bethel AMEC on April 4.

(Continued on page 15)


Local Church Lay News

THE NEW PASTOR OF SAINT PHILIP A.M.E. CHURCH

Rev. William D. Watley, Ph.D. is the newly appointed Pastor of Saint Philip A.M.E. Church. He was formerly the Pastor at Saint James A.M.E. Church in Newark, N. J. Under his leadership, St. James grew spiritually, numerically, and financially. Membership has tripled, the number of weekly worship services has doubled, and the annual church income has increased by 700%. Dr. Watley’s ministry is characterized by a multifaceted approach that aims to provide holistic care to those he serves. To this end, he established the St. James Social Services Corporation which oversees a daily feeding program and food pantry that dispenses over 89,000 meals annually, a clothes closet that distributes over 20,000 articles of clothing per year, an Intergenerational After School Care Program and Safe Haven Summer Peace Camp for children, as well as various emergency service, mentoring, literacy and employment training programs for adults. Dr. Watley is the chairperson of the Board of Trustees for Visions Academy Charter High School in Newark, NJ. In addition, Dr. Watley is the chairperson of the Board of Directors for the 220 unit St. James Towers. Dr. Watley is an innovative worship leader who has made the Wednesday “Sweet Hour of Praise” Service world renowned for its dynamic worship and inspira-tional messages. This service has become a model for the other ministries across the nation. Now in its

eighteenth year, the service has grown from a one worshipper to nearly eight hundred weekly. Most re-cently, Dr. Watley has launched his 1 church in 2 loca-tions initiative by adding a contemporary, multi-cultural Sunday worship service which is held at the South Orange Performing Arts Center in South Orange, NJ. In addition, a “Dot.com” ministry was implemented to exe-cute Dr. Watley’s vision for a global ministry. “Dot.com” has made weekly worship services, sermons, bible studies, and prayers easily accessible to the masses via the internet where viewers from over 45 countries regularly log on. A preacher par excellence, Dr. Watley’s homiletical abil-ity is both nationally and internationally recognized. He has the distinction of being the Conference Preacher for the Hampton University Minister’s Conference for two consecutive years as well as a Conference Lecturer. At the invitation of the Church of God in Christ, Inc., Dr. Watley preached to over 20,000 people at their annual International Holy Convocation. He was a lecturer for the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church’s Pastor’s Conference held at Philips School of Theology. Dr. Watley has preached at the Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, as well as Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Men Are Builders Conference. Moreover, Dr. Watley has preached on the continents of Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America in addition to the island nations of Cuba, Barba-dos, Bermuda, and Trinidad. A mentor and educator, Dr. Watley has served as a visit-ing professor at the New Brunswick Theological Semi-nary, New York Theological Seminary, and Princeton Theological Seminary as well as a guest lecturer at Har-vard University, Payne and Turner Theological Seminar-ies. A prolific author, Dr. Watley has written and edited twenty-one books and has authored several booklets

Dr. William D, Watley

Saint Philip AME Church, Atlanta, GA

VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2



FAREWELL TO REVEREND RONALD L. SLAUGHTER FROM

SAINT PAUL AMEC IN MACON, GA AND THE SIXTH DISTRICT

On June 9, 2011 at 7:00 p.m., Saint Paul AME Church in Macon, Georgia will be hosting a Farewell Celebration for Reverend Ronald L. Slaughter and the Slaughter Family as they leave Saint Paul and the Sixth Episcopal District for Newark, New Jersey and the First Episcopal District. Rev-erend Slaughter has accepted a transfer to Newark where he will replace Dr. William Watlley as Pastor of Saint James, AME Church. We are grateful for his contribution to Georgia and wish him and his family well as he contin-

ues to serve in his new appointment in the First District.

Saint Paul AME Church, Macon, GA

Rev. Ronald Slaughter

and articles throughout the past two decades. He is the founder and C.E.O. of New Seasons Press, the publish-ing division of William Watley Ministries. Dr. Watley has served as both a member and office-holder for several prominent organizations over the last twenty years. An ecumenical leader, Dr. Watley served as the Associate General Secretary of the Council on Church Union (COCU), a member of the Missions Unit for the World Council of Churches (WCC), and a member of the Governing Board for the National Coun-cil of Churches (NCC). He served on the Board of Di-rectors for Beth Israel and Horizon/Mercy Hospitals, the United Negro College Fund and the Fund for Theologi-cal Education. In addition, he was a member of the Ad-visory Boards for First Union Bank, the African Ameri-can Pulpit, and the Interpreter’s Bible Commentaries. Dr. Watley received his Bachelor of Arts in Theology from St. Louis University and a Master of Divinity from the Interdenominational Theological Center. He re-ceived a Master of Philosophy and his Doctor of Phi-losophy in Ethics from Columbia University. He holds a

Doctor of Divinity from Payne Theological Seminary, and in addition, completed post-doctoral work at the Ecumenical Institute in Celigny, Switzerland and Har-vard’s Institute for Education Management. Dr. Watley comes to Saint Philip as the successor of the Reverend George A. Moore Sr. who retired during the 2011 Atlanta-North Georgia Annual Conference. In 1970, Rev. George A. Moore, Sr. became pastor at Saint Philip AME Church. In 1977, a group of trustees, under Pastor Moore's leadership, purchased a building at the corner of Candler Rd. & Memorial Dr. At this loca-tion, the church membership grew to over 6,000. In 1998, also under the leadership of Pastor Moore, a new edifice was erected to accommodate 2,500 wor-shipers every Sunday at two services at 7:45am & 11:00am. The former sanctuary at the corner of Candler Rd. & Memorial Dr. now serves as the junior church who meets each Sunday morning at 11:00am. Under Reverend Moore’s leadership the church also completed and Family Life and Administrative Facility (FLAC), which will seat 700 persons for dining and 1, 000 persons for stage events.

(Dr. Watley Continued from page 8)

The Slaughter Family Saint James, Newark



BROTHER JAMES LATIMORE RETIRES FROM

WARNER ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE Reported by Broth Aphonso B. Varner

On Nov. 6, 1966, Brother James Latimore started work on the Robins flightline as an aircraft mechanic’s helper and loved his job so much that he stayed at Robins AFB for forty-four years, retiring in December, 2010. He envisioned working at Robbins as a child in Byron, Georgia when he say the planes from Robins AFB fly over head. After he was hired at Robins, he decided to continue his education and so he went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree from Fort Valley State Univer-sity and then a Master’s in Business Administration from Georgia College.

At Robins, he eventually became flight chief of the Production Support Flight, supervising over 200 people in several units that support aircraft operations–guarding America’s safety. When he retired on December 31, 2010, Brother Lati-more was at the longest serving person among the 4,000 who work in the flightline area. Brother James A. Latimore is an active member of Saint Peter A.M.E. Church in Fort Valley, Georgia. He is Presi-dent Pro Tem of the Trustee Board. He is a member of the church’s Financial Committee, Treasurer of the Lay Organization, as well as other auxiliaries of Saint Peter AME Church. Brother Latimore is married to Mrs. Fran-ces G. Latimore. They are the parents of James M. Lati-more.

Atlanta-North Georgia Conference Lay Holds

King /Crown Prince Contest By Willie Hunter

Members of the Atlanta-North Georgia Conference Lay Organiza-tion welcomed a larger than ex-pected attendance for the Annual King/Crown Prince Contest held on Palm Sunday – April 17th – 5:00 PM – at Antioch AME Church on the Atlanta East District in Stone Moun-tain. This annual gathering has become one of the most important ones of the Conference year as the King/Crown Prince Contest is de-signed to showcase the men of the Atlanta-North Georgia Conference Lay along with encouraging them to be more active in Lay activities. Working from the theme “Who will be the earthly King and Crown Prince of 2011” – the event saw lay-persons from all over the Confer-ence come out and fill to capacity the multi-purpose auditorium of An-tioch to cheer on their respective candidates. Guest mistress of ceremonies was former news woman, former Geor-gia State Senator and minister –

Steen Miles. When the time arrived to crown the new earthly king and crown prince, Atlanta-North Georgia Conference Lay president, Sis. Annette Curry, came forward to announce those who would form the royal court for the 2011-2012 Conference year. The Atlanta-North Georgia Confer-ence Lay Organization King is Brother Acelious Hudson, Sr. of Saint Philip AME Church (East Dis-trict). The new Crown Prince is Brother Dwayne Fabian of Knight’s Monumental AME Church (South District). Mistress of ceremonies Steen Miles’ uplifting spirit helped make the pro-gram certainly one to remember. Songs of praise were presented by the contemporary Christian, gospel vocal, musician group Theory. Trum-pet selections were presented by Brother Adrian Sims of Mt. Zion AME Church (Kennesaw, GA - North District). Committee chair Brother Alfornia Leonard thanked all who helped make the event a resounding success raising nearly $10,000 for the Lay Organization. The King/Crown Prince event is the brain child of for-

mer Conference president – Sister L. Jean Swafford as a means to en-courage and motivate men to a greater involvement in the Atlanta-North Georgia Conference Lay Or-ganization. King/Crown Prince committee members also included Brothers Willie Marks, Willie Hunter, James Malone, Fred Mason and Gregory McMichael. Sisters Waynefield Leo-nard, Jean Johnson, Esteller Phillips and Sarah Malone were some of the other key committee members working on the event.

District and Conference Lay News

VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2


District and Conference Lay News

Central District Lay Organization Hosts First “Ministers in Concert” By Jacqueline M. Jennings

The Central District of the Southwest Georgia Conference held its First “Ministers in Concert” program on April 10, 2011 at Greater St. Mark AMEC of Columbus, Georgia. The concert featured selections by the ministers or a representative from the churches. The program participants included Ms Earnestine Perry, and Praise Dancer from Prospect. Churches represented were Rev. O.L. Duncan – Ward Chapel; Rev. Waylon Conner – Allen Temple and Rev. Willie Barber–Prospect. Mrs. Richard Allen Washington represented her husband and St. James AMEC; Grant Chapel Choir, represented their pastor, Rev. Eddie Oliver, Rev. Audrey Edwards – Bethel, Cusseta had her brother, Mr. Samuel Hendricks perform for Bethel; Rev. Richard Yancey for New Bethel; Rev. Shelia White for St. John, Cuthbert and Rev. Henry E Green for Greater St. Mark AMEC. As part of the program, each church was asked to sponsor their pastor with donations and attendance. The winners were Rev. Barber of Prospect for attendance and Rev, Henry Green III for the most finance. Sis. Miranda Meadows was the chairperson and Sis. Jackie Allen was co-chairperson. Central District President, Chinta Richardson gave remarks and light refreshments were served.

Annual Black & White Banquet

The Southwest Georgia Conference Lay Organization held their Annual Black & White Banquet on May 7, 2011 at Seminole County Elementary School. The ban-quet was well attended with over 100 guests, including Presiding Elder Elijah Smith and his lovely wife Janet, and Presiding Elder M.S. Colquitt and his lovely wife Mattie. The R.D. Griffin Choir provided the music for the ban-quet. The Preacher for the occasion was Rev. Millie Rambo, Pastor of Live Oak AMEC in Donalsonville, Georgia. Her text was from 2 Timothy 3rd chapter. Her topic was “Covered in the Mist of Chaos”. She explained that no matter what was going on around us that we are cov-ered by God’s grace & mercy. Rev. Rambo defines chaos as “Christ Has Arrived on the Scene”. It was truly an uplifting message enjoyed by all in attendance. Remarks were given by Sis. Anna Wynn, Conference President. It was a spirit filled afternoon.

Reported by Jacqueline M. Jennings

News From the Southwest Georgia Conference


WHAT SHALL I RENDER?

An Editorial by Robert T. Matthews, III

When we turn to the Lectionary Readings for the Season of Easter, found in Selection #795 of the AME Hymnal or the more recently Re-vised Common Lection-ary, we will find what to many will appear to be a

most unusual and odd discovery. What we discover is that the Scriptural Readings for this seven-week period do not contain any readings from the Hebrew Bible--commonly know as the Scriptural Read-ings from the Old Testament. In other words, with the exception of Easter Sunday and the Day of Pentecost, Old Testament Scriptures are usually not read during the seven week (fifty day) Season of Easter in the Christian Church. The reason for this is that when Jesus was crucified and rose again from the dead, the laws and precepts found in Old Testament Scripture were completely and unequivocally fulfilled. There are only two exceptions to this rule of excluding the Old Testament Reading from the Season of Easter year after year. The first is a reading from the Book of Psalms, which does not contain laws and precepts but songs and poetics works of praise. The other exception is the Decalogue, which are moral and eternal laws, that Jesus expounded upon and raised to a new level of un-derstanding for his followers in His teaching like the Scriptural passage we hear read in the Summary of the Decalogue. Since these are morally eternal laws, not “Mosaic Law”, we still hear them read during the Season of Easter in our church. This then brings us the subject of Christian giving and what is inaccurately called “Tithing” in the Church. The fact is that Tithing is no where taught in the New Testa-ment because it was permanently and forever nailed to the Cross. The following facts will bear this out. 1. The Old Testament concept of tithing was not basi-cally monetary but one of giving of livestock and crops.

2. Tithes could only be made to the Levitical Priest-hood for their own sustenance and support.

3. None of the 'tithing' that occurs now has any con-nection to the definition of tithing contained in the Bible other than to mention 10%. In a nutshell, there were three tithes from some of the Israelites and a 4th from the Levites to the Levitical priests.

4. The Levitical tithe required those who raised crops (not everyone and not all professions--just those who raised crops) to give 10% of that to the Levites. This tithe only occurred 6 years out of the 7 year cycle. It also required those that raised 10 or more animals to give each tenth animal that passed under the rod to the Levites. If a person raised less than 10 animals, they were not required to tithe.

5. From what was given to them, the Levites in turn had to give a tenth of the very best to the priests.

6. The festival tithe required that those who raised crops or animals to set aside 10% for the annual fes-tivals.

7. The poor tithe occurred only in the 3rd year of the seven year cycle. This was set aside for the poor.

8. All tithes were always food and NEVER money and yes, they did have money and silver back then, but everybody did not raise crops for a living so they did not tithe. (Tithing: Kelley, Russell, Ph.D.)

9. They Bible Law stipulated that if one wished to con-vert the tithe to money that a fifth part must be added to it. Thus rendering it to be 12 percent and not 10 percent because the Levites would have to use the money to purchase what would have been provided by livestock and crops (Leviticus 27:3).

That having been said, I cannot ever remember the word tithing being mentioned with giving in my church when I grew up. The term only seemed to have made it way into the church with the creation of the “Mega Churches” and their “Prosperity Theology.” Evangelical churches generally teach their members to give a tenth, or a tithe, of their income to the church and to give offerings above the tithe to special causes within the church or wherever they want to give it to. This be-lief travels well in independent and charismatic churches and crosses denominational barriers. Even the AME Church has become one of them. It is the one thing upon which they all can agree. It assists church boards in preparing balanced budgets in the same manner as profit making corporations and businesses. But is it Scriptural? (R. Kelly) Can it be “read in the (New Testament) Scrip-tures or proved thereby?” (See Article of Religion #5). There are 16 verses from 11 chapters and 8 books from Leviticus 27 to Luke 11 which describe the contents of the holy tithe. However, those contents never included money, silver, gold or anything other than food from in-side Land of Israel! It came from the increase of what God produced in livestock and crops and not from man’s craft or abilities. (Tithing, R Kelly) Although Matthew bridges the gap between the Old and New Testaments,

EDITORIAL

L A Y N O T E B O O KL A Y N O T E B O O KL A Y N O T E B O O KL A Y N O T E B O O K VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2 VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2

the New Covenant did not begin when Jesus was born, but rather when He died. The term tithe is never used in New Testament Scrip-ture--even in the teaching of Jesus--except where it refers to the Old Testament Law, which both Jesus and all who heard Him were obligated to follow until He died on the Cross. You will find examples of this in Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42 or the Parable in Luke 18:12. However Tithing is never mentioned again after Jesus died on the Cross. Like blood offering and animal sacrifice and all other things pertaining to the “Law”, tithing was “nailed to His Cross and we bear it no more” Today even Jews do not tithe and further state that they cannot tithe because they are no longer agricultural and they have on Levitical Priesthood to with they may tithe. This of course, as we Christians know, is because God also removed the Levitical Priesthood with the death of Jesus on the Cross, making Jesus the One and Only High Priest and giving the authority of the Priesthood to every one who believe (I Peter 2:9). That is through The Priesthood of All Believers, as it is know in the Christian Church. So it is not in the least surprising that major theologians throughout the ages have been opposed to tithing or its perceived equivalent being used in reference to giving in the Christian Church. The list of those theologians is quite extensive but it includes Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther, Charles H. Spurgeon, John Wesley, Lewis Sperry Chafer, C. I. Scofield, Theodore Epp, Robert A. Baker, Russell Earl Kelly, Richard Lenski, Zola Levitt, J. Stephen Lang and Billy Graham to mention a few of them. (Tithing, R. Kelly) The thinking of this group of theologians is perhaps best summed up by John MacArthur of the Moody Bible Insti-tute in his Bible Commentary when he wrote: “Christians are not under obligation to give a specified amount to the work of their heavenly Father. In none of their forms do the tithe or other Old Testament levies apply to Christians." With the upcoming General Conference, the AME Church, too, ought to use this opportunity to correct this error and delete any reference of percentage giving or tithing as one form Christian giving from our Doc-trine and Discipline, just as we did when we broke through the almost universally guarded stain-glassed ceil-ing with the election of women to the bishopric. Let us stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ has set us free; and be no longer encumbered with the yoke of it (Galatians 5:1)--lest in our attempt to keep the (Mosaic) Law, we become accursed rather than being blessed by that law (Galatians 3:10). The question might arise, “If that be done; what shall I render; what shall I give? The best answer, perhaps not

only comes from the song to which the title of this arti-cle alludes; but it also comes from John Wesley, Jesus, and Saint Paul. In 1 Corinthians 16:1-2, Paul gives the following instruc-tion for giving in the Church, both for the support of the ministry and the missionary work. “Now about the collec-tion for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made” (NIV). In 2 Corinthians 9:6-7 Saint Paul give us the following standard of how Christians out to give. “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver” (NIV). The ultimate plan for Christian giving come from Our Lord, Jesus in Luke 6:38. “Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again” (KJV). And so from these passages we see that Christian giving is never mandatory, but always based on one’s abilities and free will. Christian giving should always be as one is led by the Spirit and as one desires in his or her own heart. Unlike the Tithe of the Old Testament there is no percentage attached to what one gives. It is, rather, based on one’s ability to give and sometimes might be more or even less than ten percent. Also, unlike the Old Testament tithe, the above passages of Scripture promise a return benefit to the giver according to what he/she gives. “He who sows sparingly shall reap sparingly shall reap sparingly”; “the same measure that you mete shall be measured to you again.” The implication is also that this principal applies to the giving of the individual as well and the corporate giving of the congregation or even a larger division of the church. And so the final answer to our question come from the Expository of the Scriptures by John Wesley and from a sermon he preached in 1744 when he said: “Earn all you can, save all you can and give all you can; or in other words, give all you have to God. Do not stint yourself, like a Jew rather than a Christian, to this or that proportion. Render unto God not a tenth, not a third, not half, but all that is God's (be it more or less) by employing all on yourself, your household, the household of faith and all mankind, in such a manner that you may give a good account of your steward-ship when ye can be no longer stewards.”

“God has everything, Everything belong to Him. What shall I render? Tell me, what shall I give?”


District and Conference Lay News Continued

DURESVILLE WINS LAY ATTENDANCE AWARD By Brother Alphonso B. Varner

Brother Ashley Ballard, President of the Macon District Lay Organization, Sixth Episcopal District, African Methodist Episcopal Church was extremely pleased with the success of the Macon District Annual Lay Banquet and Awards night. Sister Shirley Washington, Chaired the Program Committee which was held at her beloved historic Steward Chapel A.M.E. Church located in downtown Macon, Georgia, Friday evening, March 18, 2011. The Reverend Charles Lewis, Host Pastor and Brother Morris Seltzer, Host Local Lay President. Sister Astra Lisa Freeman performed an excellent job as Mistress of Ceremony. The gathering included clergy and laity from the twenty two churches in the district, which included our distinguished Spiritual Team, Presiding Elder Alan Hale Wicker and First Lady, The Reverend Gloria Wicker, D. Min. The group enjoyed a scrumptious meal prepared and served by the host church. Elder Alan Wicker proudly presented the following Certificates, Plaques and the Attendance Trophy. The "Church of the Year" - Steward Chapel A.M.E. Church, the Reverend Charles Lewis, Pastor. "Layperson of the Year," Sister Dorothy Wiley of Duresville A.M.E. Church, Macon, Georgia, The Rever-end G. Dianne Lewis, Pastor. Attendance Trophy Winner (the church which had the most attendees at regular meetings)-Duresville A.M.E. Church, the Reverend G. Dianne Lewis, Pastor, Sister Renee Singleton, Lay President.

Dr. Odessa McNair initi-ated the Attendance Trophy in 1997 when she served as Macon District Lay President.

Macon District Officers standing with members of Duresville A.M.E. Church.

Pictured from left first row Ashley Ballard, Dorothy Wiley, Renee Singleton (holding trophy), Odessa McNair,

Rosa Veal, Vivian Stephens: Back row left Latrellis Dent, Rev. G. Dianne Lewis, Elder Alan H. Wicker,

Brother Veal and Alphonso Varner

Photos courtesy of Alphonso Varner

DR. McCLAIN PREACHED LAY SERMON

By Brother Aphonso B. Varner

What a time! What a time the clergy and laity had during the Macon Georgia Conference Lay Witness Wor-ship Experience held May 3, 2011 at Saint Paul A.M.E. Church in Macon, Georgia. The Reverend Ronald Slaughter, Host Pastor. Sister Latrellis Dent, Conference Lay President. This worship experience was held during the Macon Georgia Annual Conference, Sixth Episcopal, African Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop William Phillips DeVeaux, Presiding Prelate, Dr. PAM DeVeaux, Episco-pal Supervisor Sister Gwendolyn Phillips. Worship Leader carried out the Order of Service smoothly and in a professional

manner. The service began with Sister Vivian Stephens playing the Prelude. The Doxology was sung followed with the Lay Litany led by Sister Shirley T. Washington. Sister Pamela Y. Veal led the Congregation in singing the Laymen's Hymn. A powerful Invocation was prayed by Brother Larry G. Emery, Sr. The ser-vice proceeded with other Celebrants performing their Christian duties in a masterful manner. The Warren Chapel Circuit Choir used their melodious voices singing several selections. Sisters Carol Davis and Jeanette Sanders read the Scripture and Preface to the Decalogue respectfully. Sister Peggy Israel plead for Gifts for mission. Brother Ashley Ballard uniquely introduced Bishop Wil-liam P. DeVeaux who introduced the Minister of the

Pictured Right: Presiding Elder Wicker,

Rev Gloria Wicker, D. Min., Brother Ashley Ballard and

Sister Latrellis Dent

VOLUME 17, ISSUE 2


hour to preach the Word. The Preparation Hymn was sung and the Reverend W. Jerome McClain gave an electrifying sermon bringing the majority of the worship-ers to their feet in praising the messenger. Reverend McClain used as his text Mark 8:22 and

evolved his subject on "The Ridiculous Way Jesus Heals." Some key points made: Jesus Miracles were a Spiri-tual thing; It was not the spit, but who did the spitting; He spit

on the blindness, not the blind man; Some

places Jesus would go to heal were hostile; He healed the sick, casted out Demons, raise the dead, gave sight to the blind, etc. You got healed when you woke up today. Dr. McClain has a unique way in ending his ser-mons which brings worshipers to their feet. Sister Janie Grayer recognized visitors from out of Con-ference. Historic Steward Chapel A.M.E. Church in Macon Georgia was recognized as "The Church of the Year" in the Macon Conference.

Closing remarks were made by Sister Latrellis Dent. She gave a hearty thanks to the clergy and laity for the splendid support given to her for the success of the Macon Conference Lay Organization. Sister Dent gave credit to her mother, Sister Sara Dent for encour-aging her to become active with the Lay. Sister Gloria Byrd (SED Lay President) highlighted some upcoming Episcopal and Connectional meetings. Dr. Patricia Ann Morris DeVeaux and Bishop William P. DeVeaux extended their thanks to the Macon Confer-ence Laypersons who were well represented at other Conferences Lay Witness Nights. A delicious repast was served to the worshipers after the worship experience.

MORE NEWS

The Sons of Allen of Friendship AME Church, Jackson, Georgia Hwy 16

Rise up, O Men of God! Have done with lesser things; Give heart and mind and soul and strength

To serve the King of kings.

The Sons of Allen held the second annual prayer break-fast under the leadership of the Reverend Doreen

Smalls, Pastor and Brother Joseph Finney President of dedicated men of God. The speaker was the Griffin District Coordinator Sons Of Allen Reverend Ezekiel Powers Pastor of Mathalama AME Church Morrow, Georgia. This friendly atmosphere is where men rededicated their

lives with the motto of the Sons of Allen as they are in-spired through worship, study and prayer to have fellow-ship and relationship with God and their fellow men. The Sons of Allen will build men as providers, protectors, producers, and priests for their families and the commu-nity of the faithful.

Reported by Sister P. Gwenette Boyd, Griffin District

Lay Organization Director of Public Relations

Macon Conference Lay Officers

Retired Presiding Elder Sims Lewis of the South Georgia Conference. His funeral was held at Bethel AMEC/Acworth, GA. where he served as Associate Min-ister on April 9, 2011. Mr. Gary Cousin, the brother of Bishop Philip Robert

Cousin, Sr. on April 12. Mrs. Isabelle Letbetter, the sister of Presiding Elder James E. Taylor, whose funeral was held at the United House of Prayer in Savannah, GA on April 17. Mr. William Monroe Fry, Jr., the oldest brother of Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown, on April 26. His funeral was held at First UMC in Raytown, MO on April 30. Mrs. Mamie S. Hartsfield, the mother of Episcopal Supervisor Penny H. White and the mother-in-law of Bishop John F. White on May 12. Rev. Granville Reed, Judicial Council Secretary on May 21. Dr. Robert Henry Reid Jr., Retired General Officer who served as Editor of The Christian Recorder from 1976 – 1996 on June 2. Mrs. Delores Ford, sister of Supervisor Lola Nixon Cheltenham on June 6. Mr. Claude Horace Dunson, Jr., Retired Organist/Minister of Music Allen Temple AMEC/Atlanta, Retired Atlanta Public Schools music teacher and fellow co-worker of Robert T. Matthews III on June 10.

(�ECROLOGY - Continued from page 7)

Lay Night at Macon Annual Conference


THE SIXTH EPISCOPAL DISTRICT LAY ORGANIZATION THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA - SIXTH DISTRICT

Scenes from Detroit Michigan, USA/Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Looking Towards the Thirty-Second Connection Lay Biennial

Sixth Episcopal District Lay Organization AMEC Public Relations/News c/o Robert T. Matthews III 811 Sandy Creek Drive, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30331


june 2011 lay notebook

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