vol. 32, no. 11 women’s home and overseas missionary...

GOOD NEWS—31 Years Page 1 JANUARY 2018

VOL. 32, NO. 11 WOMEN’S HOME AND OVERSEAS MISSIONARY SOCIETY JANUARY 2018

A FIRST AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL ZION CHURCH (BROOKLYN, NEW YORK) MISSION EDUCATION PUBLICATION


Inside This Issue Page

NYC District Mass Meeting 3

Women in History: Ada Battle 5

Y Symbolism 6

Women in History: Willie Heath Bobo 7

Buds Symbolism & My Buddy 8

Mission Education: Mission Education Is... 9

January Days 10

Senior Thing: Before Choosing Nursing Home 11

Life Line / Lay Council Love Feast 12

Upcoming February Days 13

CSW62 Registration 14

Announcing 15

A New Year’s Message

By Cynthia Wilson NYC District Affiliate Representative Church Women United & Treasurer

Excerpted from Happy Holidays 2005 Letter

I look back in amazement at the events of [last] year and I am grateful that many of us are still standing. Hurricanes, earthquakes and war caused hundreds of people to die in the streets. Thousands more were evacuated from what they called home. Our government continues to explain to the public, their reaction or lack of action.

One thing we know for sure, change does not ask permission. The events of this year reminded us that we have to prepare for it no matter how it comes to us. We can embrace, deny or challenge change, ei-ther way it will happen.

This [new year] I will take the liberty of sharing with you some of the things that helped me embrace change.

We cannot choose our circumstances, but we can choose how we react to them. I have decid-ed to see life’s experiences as a new opportunity to help me grow as a person.

I’ve accepted that...there are no mistakes, only lessons. We have to fall forward to succeed.

I learned to...Remember the compliments I re-ceive and forget about the rude remarks; they don’t define me.

I understand...People may not remember what you said, but they never forget how you made them feel. A smile will bring happiness and it makes you feel good, even if the person doesn’t like you.

I know...Doubt and Fear can be conquered by Knowledge. The moment you think you can’t, something else will tell you, you can and you do.

These things have helped me create my own para-digm shift. In the words of Ms. Pattie LaBelle: “I got a new attitude.” If you notice me closing my eyes and perhaps begin to sway, I am listening to the music in my heart and I am dancing like nobody is watching.

As the [new year] comes upon us, I want to en-courage you to listen to the music in your heart. Then we can dance together to the changing tunes provided by life.

A New Year’s Scramble

(Written by Joyce Bond German, January 1990)

Unscramble each bracketed word in the sentence and enter it in the blank to complete the sentence.

(1) I will be a ____ for others. [DIEBGR]

(2) I will trust God with a strong ____. [HFTIA]

(3) In all of my ____ work, I will put more of God and less of ___. [NSISMOI / FMEYLS]

(4) I will have ____, for a stout heart will carry me through many difficulties. [ECGUAOR]

(5) I will be a vessel of _____. [ELOV]

(6) Daily have communication with God through _____ and _____. [RYEPAR / NEMTDIOATI]

(7) The _____ will be my ______, for Iw ill ______ and _____ daily. [EBILB / EUIGD / DERA / UDSYT

Keep this and refer to it daily as a guide

in your mission work.

Answers:

1. BRIDGE; 2. FAITH; 3. MISSION / MYSELF; 4. COURAGE; 5. LOVE; 6. PRAYER / MEDITATION; 7. BIBLE \ GUIDE \ READ \ STUDY


The 2nd Quarterly Mass Meeting (which is part of the district’s new quarterly Tri-Meetings) was held at the Rush Temple A.M.E. Zion Church in Jamaica, NY, where Debra Walrond is the Local WHOMS President, and Rev. Isidoa Branch is Pastor. The Devotion was facilitated by the New York City District youth (Y’s and Youth Coun-cil). Following the devotion, youth and children attended their work-shops aside from the adults.

The Laity opened the Tri-Meeting as Virginia Montague, President of the New York City District Lay Council spoke to the purpose of the Lay Council and the importance of young people joining to serve as activists and to support ecumenical organizations supportive of the A.M.E. Zion platform of liberation and justice for all.

Ruth Young, President of the NYC District Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society introduced the presenters and topics of

two workshops, one on “AAA” All About Affiliates and the other on Fortified Living.

District Affiliate Repre-sentatives Kimberly Doug-las, Balm in Gilead; Joan Capel, National Council of Negro Women; Sis. Edith Mayfield, World Federa-

tion of Methodist and Unit-ing Church Women; and Cynthia Wilson, Church Women United, focused on the origin of each organiza-

tion and its purpose, and that missionaries of the A.M.E. Zion Church are urged to join these bodies and support the causes that build women,

community, family, churches and healthy liv-ing. Joan Capel also in-formed the body that the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Soci-ety, Dr. Sandra Gadson, Internation-al President, will be honored at the May 19, 2018 NCNW Bethune-Height Recognition Program.

For the second work-

shop, Wilhelmina Lee, District Mission Edu-cation Director, gave a workshop on learning more about CPR by attending or hosting classes that teach how to save lives; and also gave infor-mation on learning about the differ-ent levels of autism and its effects. Lastly, we shared information on how Faith-based communities can protect themselves from gun vio-lence or hazards during worship ser-vices. In-depth preparedness cours-es can be found at website: www.dhs.gov/activeshooter.

Dorian Carson, Super-intendent of Buds of Promise, made several announcements as to Buds events: Movie, “Star” about the bibli-

cal account of Jesus’ birth; Buds tee shirt project; and appeal for mission-aries to subscribe or re-subscribe to “My Buddy” publication. Buds out-reach was to make toiletry bags for the District Lay Council Love Feast outreach to a Jamaica shelter, and for wrapped tubes as Christmas gifts.

Edith Mayfield, who also serves

as District Secretary of Youth Mis-sionary Society, encouraged all mis-sionaries to be in attendance at the

2018 New York Conference Youth Retreat to be held on Saturday, Janu-ary 13 at Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church. $20 Adult registra-tion; $15 youth registration.

The NYC District WH&OM Soci-

ety General Committee (Verdelle Cunningham, Edith Mayfield and Wilhelmina Lee) shared the podium to present the elegant and enthralling “Gems and Gents Coronation” to be held on Saturday, May 5, 2018 at First Church. Tickets are $25 Adults; $15 children (12 and under).

The missionary segment closed

with the District Officers wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

The Christian Education Depart-

ment, under the leadership of Cartez Johnson, held a workshop and Rev. A. Alfred Carson, NYC District Pre-siding Elder, spoke on two action steps of Bishop Proctor’s Episcopal Address given at the 2017 Annual Conference. The topics consist of “Believe what you can see” (have faith) and “Have a clear vision for your church” (take a stand).

Presiding Elder Carson presented Cartez and Betty Johnson a gift for celebrating their 50th Wedding An-niversary last week; and the mis-sionaries presented President Ruth Young with a Christmas “love gift” .

The meeting closed with the gath-

ered singing of “Joy To The World” and the benediction.

Most attendees re-assembled up-

stairs in the sanctuary for the annual New York Conference Lay Coun-cil’s Love Feast, Sis Rhandi Stith, Conference President.

By Ruth Young, District President Rev. A. Alfred Carson, Presiding Elder

Kim Douglas

Joan Capel

Edith Mayfield

Cynthia Wilson

Wilhelmina Lee

Dorian Carson

https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__links.govdelivery.com-3A80_track-3Ftype-3Dclick-26enid-3DZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTcxMTA4LjgwNTYzMDIxJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE3MTEwOC44MDU2MzAyMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDY1OTI4JmVtYWlsaW


GOOD NEWS is published monthly [except August and 2 July/s during each quadrennium] by the Mission Education Committee of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society, First African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 54 MacDonough Street, Brooklyn, New York 11216; 718.638.3343; and made available electronically via link on GN website: goodnewsfirstchurch.org.

MATTIE WILSON TAYLOR, EDITOR

Dr. Marvin D. Hooks, Sr., Pastor

Deadline for submission of articles is the 20th of each month. Material may be emailed to Editor: [email protected]. All articles subject to review and edit by Editor.

If interested in access to monthly GN publication, enter email address at goodnewsfirstchurch.org. Send comments/questions to [email protected]. Annual Subscription to GOOD NEWS is $15.00, made payable to “First AME Zion Church” and either mailed to First AME Zion Church at the address listed above (attention GOOD NEWS) or paid via PayPal on the Good News website: goodnewsfirstchurch.org.

From The Editor

Praise God from whom all blessings flow for his grace and mercy that kept us through 2017 and allowed us to begin 2018 — a new year full of hope and challenge, and unique and fresh op-portunities to win the World for Christ. As we enter this new year let us slow down and take stock of who we are, where we are, where we need to go and what we need to do to implement our mission mandate

What lies ahead? We do not know, but one thing is certain — God is with us. Time is rapidly moving forward and we must work with added urgency, zeal, and zest to do God’s will.

We are presented a challenge via our quadren-nial theme: The Great Commission—A Global Outreach: Personal Calling, Personal Transfor-mation, Personal Instruction, Personal Commit-ment. Let us respond by living a spirit-filled committed life, answering the call, witnessing and bringing others to Christ, learning and equip-ping ourselves spiritually in order to reach out to others and win the world for Christ!

Have a glorious, harmonious and spiritual new year.

MISSION STUDY

Building A Foundation

Scriptural references: Psalm 127:1, Matthew 7:24-27, Luke 6:47-49. 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Timothy 6:16-19

As we begin a new year of global missions with God

and building a new era for Christ, have we stopped to examine how solidly our lives are built on the foundation of God’s Word. In Matthew 7:24-27 NIV we read some things Jesus had to say about building on solid foundations: “Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on rock. But everyone wo hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

A building must be built on a strong foundation if it is to stand through storms and years of use. In the same way, we must build our lives on a firm foundation if we expect to withstand life’s struggles, hard times, and temptations. We can build on a firm foundation if we follow Jesus’ teaching. First we must locate the rock—which is truth. And then we must build our foundation on that rock.

Building the foundation for our lives is hard work. In our hurry-up, instant world, we may not want to take the time to build a solid foundation. We would rather get on with building our lives. But without a solid foundation, the lives we build have nothing to hold them up.

We need to take time to build solid foundations. Otherwise, we are like the person Jesus called a fool. That person had heard the Word—the truth—but he did not act on it. He did not see the need to build his house on the solid rock foundation; so he built his house on sand. We run the risk of building on sand, too, if we build our lives on popularity, sports, a house, a car, a romantic relationship, a job, money—or a hundred other things. All these things are temporary—they are sand. When the storms come, the wind and water will wash away the sand we have built on and our lives will fall, as Jesus said the foolish man’s house fell, with a great crash!

In the story Jesus told, a storm hit the house of the man who built on the rock. Even when we build on the solid rock foundation of God’s Word, we will experience storms. God never promised Christians that they would always have blue skies. We will have our share of storms. But if we have built on the solid foundation, our lives won’t blow apart like the foolish man’s. We will be able to ride out the storms.

We must be sure to be like the wise man, building our foundations on the Word of God. Foundation building is important. We must dig deep, sweat, and work hard. We won’t be sorry we did.

(From “Outrageous Object Lessons”)


Ada Harris Battle

2nd General Secretary Youth Missionary Society

Mrs. Ada Harris Battle, the

immediate successor to Miss

Victoria Richardson, was born

June 6, 1886, daughter of Mr. and

Mrs. Charles Harris. She was

converted quite young. Her early

religious training was in the

Presbyterian Church in her home

town.

Upon the occasion of her

marriage to Rev. William D.

Battle, she joined the A.M.E.

Zion Church and became a very

active worker. During the 30

years of her husband’s ministry,

they lived and worked in York,

Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C.,

Boston, Massachusetts and

Pittsburgh, PA. In these

pastorates, Mrs. Battle displayed

an unusual ability to adapt as well

as produce pageants for all

occasions.

Throughout her life, she

devoted much time and energy to

missionary work. She succeeded

Victoria Richardson in 1928, and

served until 1939, as the General

Secretary of the Young Woman’s

Home and Foreign Missionary

Society (as it was then known).

She was a devout Christian and

had great faith in youth. She

believed in giving full service to

the Master, and thought of such

service as a divine privilege.

Consider the closing words of

one of her prayers: “Help us,

Lord, to know thee, that we may

truly love thee, so to love thee

that we may fully serve thee,

whom to serve is perfect

freedom.” A favorite hymn of

hers was “Lord, Speak to Me,

That I May Speak.” She

constantly reminded youth that

“selfishness drives away

Christianity.”

Much progress was made

under Ada Battle’s leadership. It

was she who chose Give of Your

Best to the Master as the theme

song of the Y Society. She

advocated in her Year Book and

Program Guide for 1936 the

following: Mission Study, Bible

Study and Stewardship Study

Classes, Good Attendance at

regular meetings, Representation

at District and Annual Meetings,

the Making of Life Members and

Subscriptions to the Missionary

Seer.

Under the leadership of this

noble soul, young people were

continuously admonished to live

earnestly and follow the Master

in paths of true service.

Ada Harris Battle departed this

life on June 11, 1944 in

Washington, D.C. Her splendid

contributions to the Youth

Missionary Society can never be

forgotten.

Source: “Miscellany A Manual For The Young Woman’s Home & Foreign

Missionary Society” compiled by Hildred

Henry Wactor, The Literature Committee Chairman; First Printed July 1963;

2nd printing July 1975


Do You Know Why the Name of The Society

Was Changed? The name of the “Y” Society

was changed from Young Woman’s Missionary Society to The Youth Missionary Society as a result of a recommendation adopted at the 24th Quadrennial Convention, August 1999, pre-sented by Millicent Thomas, General Y Secretary, 1995-2003.

Many persons, especially the young men, were unhappy with the name of the Society. Some of the reasons cited for a change were that the name, Young Woman’s Society, is gender specific, and the scope and thrust of the ministry of the Y’s Society is inclusive of young women as well as young men ages 13-21.

Delegates voted to change the name to “Youth Missionary Society” with the understanding that the young men would continue as honorary members without voting privileges and without being able to hold an office.

Note: When the Society was first adopted in 1912, the name was “The Young Woman’s Home and Foreign Missionary Society.”

Purpose

The purpose of the Youth Mission-ary Society is to (1) enlist the young people of the A.M.E. Zion church and community in active missionary ser-vice; (2) provide the young people op-portunities to accept Christ Jesus as Lord of their lives and continue to grown into mature Christians; (3) en-courage the study of the missionary message of the Bible and world mis-sions; (4) raise funds for evangelization in the mission fields at home and abroad; and (5) take an interest in the betterment of civic and social condi-tions in the community.

Logo

The emblem adopted at the 24th Quadrennial Convention & amend-ed at the 25th displays the Y’s Watchword circled around the emblem, the name of the Youth Missionary Society along the top of the inner circle, W.H.&O.M. Society and A.M.E. Zion Church in the lower half of the inner circle.

Also in inner circle are: Y’s Motto: Ambassadors for Christ, the year of founding: 1912, and a drawing which displays Y’s holding hands (signifying unity) at the foot of the cross submitted to Christ, following the leadership of the cross of Christ, while reaching up to God.

The Y's holding hands also represent the unity of young people as they support each other while seeking Christ.

The Cross, which is central to the Youth Missionary Society purpose, is in the midst of the Y’s which represents the communica-tion from earth to heaven and from person to person.

The size of the Y’s is in ascending order to represent the different ages of the persons who are members of the organization; The Y’s are standing tall as Ambassadors for Christ united, mentoring each other as they grow in word/foundation of Jesus Christ.

The shadows behind the Y’s represent the manner in which youth lives reflect Christ.

Motto “Ambassadors for Christ”

Watchword “Christ For Every Youth Every Youth For Christ”

Colors Blue And Gold

Theme Song

“Give Of Your Best To The Master”

Chosen by Mrs. Ada H. Battle, Y Sec-1928-38.

Hymn “Take My Life And

Let It Be” Hymn writer, Francis Ridley Havergal

.

Membership There are two age groups of

young women constituting the Youth Missionary Department, Junior Y’s, ages 13-16 and Sen-ior Y’s, ages 17-21.

Young men of the same age levels may become non-voting honorary members.


Willie Belle Heath Bobo

7th General Buds Superintendent Of The WH&OM Society

Willie Belle Heath Bobo was elected the seventh General Superin-tendent of the Buds of Promise Juve-nile Missionary Society in 1967 and served eight years until 1975. It was during her tenure as General Buds Superintendent that she submitted to the Quadrennial Convention the res-olution that the official Buds of Promise theme Song would be “Blooming All For Jesus,” and the Buds Hymn, “I Would Be True.” The Convention adopted both songs. The words to the theme song were written by Mrs. Bobo.

Dr. Willie Belle Heath Bobo, the third child of the Reverend J. H. Heath and Mrs. Eva Young Heath, was born in Union, South Carolina at the parsonage of New Hope A.M.E. Zion Church.

At an early age she joined the Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church in Chester, South Carolina; and later joined the Metropolitan A.M.E. Zion Church of Spartanburg after moving there to work. On April 26, 1947 she was joined in marriage to Ellis G. Bobo, who at the time was Dean of Bettis Junior College, Trinton, SC.

Dr. Bobo received her early train-ing in the public schools of Chester and Bennettsville, South Carolina. The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Ele-

mentary Education was earned at Benedict College in 1947, and the Master of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education was earned at New York University, 1959. After preparing herself for a career in teaching, she gave thirty-nine years of outstanding service to the public schools of South Carolina.

Willie Belle was very active in community and church affairs. She served her community through the activities of the Epsilon Beta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha So-rority, Inc., as a dedicated member and past Basileus, the Spartanburg Chapter of The Links, Inc., the Rays of Sunshine Sympathy club, and the Queties of Phi Alpha Chapter as Co-ordinator. Active membership was maintained in the following national organizations: American Bible Soci-ety, National Council of Methodist Women, National Council of Churches, World Federation of Ne-gro Women and the American Asso-ciation of Negro Women.

As a church leader, she was a prominent figure at the local, district and general levels. In her local church, she served on the Christian Education Board, Trustee Board and as President of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society. She also served as Secretary of the

Y’s of the Spartanburg District and as President of the Palmetto Confer-ence Workers.

Before her election as General Superintendent of the Buds of Prom-ise, she participated in the WH&OM Society’s Summer Conferences and Leadership Training sessions in Mission Education for children, served as director of workshops for workers with Buds, instructor in the Buds of Promise workshops at the 1963 and 1959 Quadrennial Conven-tions. Her prestigious service at the general level also included her dedi-cated tenure as a member of the Common Council of Church Women United representing the A.M.E. Zion Church.

Many awards and honors were received for her Christian commit-ment and creative leadership includ-ing a “Citizen of the Year” Award for outstanding service in church activities. She also was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in Education from Creamer Reli-gious and Educational Enterprises of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Dr. Willie Belle Heath Bobo de-parted this life Monday, June 22, 1987, at the Spartanburg Regional Medical Center. She left a legacy of dedicated service and outstanding accomplishments for the Master.


Did You Know….. Before August 1975, the theme song was “I Would Be True,” cho-sen because it “taught the children integrity and responsibility.”

Mission Statement

To establish Christian learning envi-ronments and experiences for all chil-dren (ages 1-12) through mission edu-cation. These experiences will enable each child to acquire the knowledge, beliefs and attitudes that are essential to her/his spiritual development as an individual and are necessary for the attainment of a meaningful life.

Purpose Create and develop in the children

of the church an interest in mis-sions through juvenile Christian culture

Stimulate the spirit of giving of themselves and their possessions for the good of others, and

Raise money for mission

Group Levels The Buds Society consists of four

age levels:

Readiness: 1-3

Beginners 4-6

Primary 7-9

Junior 10-12 Boys may be honorary members.

Theme Song & Hymn

The 18th Quadrennial Convention, August 1975, was noteworthy for the adoption of the Buds Theme Song, “Blooming All For Jesus”; the Buds Hymn, “I Would Be True;” and the institution of the “Readiness” age lev-el (from birth to 3 years) -- all three recommended by Mrs. Willie B. Heath Bobo, General Buds Superintendent, 1967-1975.

Motto Blooming All For Jesus

Emblem The Buds of Promise Emblem, de-

signed by Mrs. Mary Hicklin Jones McNeely, General Superintendent, Buds of Promise (1991-1999), when she was District Superintendent, Buds of Promise, Rock Hill District, South Carolina Conference, was adopted by delegates at the 21st Quadrennial Con-vention in 1987. The emblem has a Cross with the Bud’s motto, “Bloom-ing All For Jesus”, with a bud in the background of the cross. At the top of the symbol are the words, “Buds of Promise”; at the base of cross is “1904”, which is the year the Buds Department was organized; beneath are the words “Juvenile Missionaries of the W.H.O.M.S., African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.” [Graphic art by Walter Crome]

Anniversary “Marie L. Clinton Day”

The fourth Sunday in January is observed as Marie L. Clinton Day with an appropriate program in honor of the founder & first Superintendent.

Pledge

To be reverent to God, useful to man, do God’s will and strengthen my faith with prayer.

Have You Renewed Your Subscription to My Buddy?

Have you Subscribed to My Buddy?

Have you given a gift subscription to a Bud for My Buddy ?

Have you submitted articles by your Buds to My Buddy?

The latest issue of MY BUDDY, the quarterly children’s magazine published by the Buds of Promise Juvenile Missionary Society of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society (Mrs. Cynthia Revels-Young, General Buds of Promise Superintendent), is off the press. In the issue you will find arti-cles from Buds around the globe, includ-ing Jamaica, West Indies, North Caroli-na, South Carolina, Chicago, Texas. and a message from the Buds Superintendent.

All Buds leaders and others on the local and district levels who work with children should subscribe to MY BUDDY.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! Annual Rate: $14.00

Mail Checks & Subscription Info to: Rosetta Dunham, Executive Director W.H.&O.M. Society,PO Box 26846

Charlotte NC 28221-6846

Download The Buds Connection Subscription Form from.

whoms,org

Send All Articles To: Mrs. Cynthia Revels-Young General Buds Superintendent

31 Doty Street. Hammond, IN 46320

[email protected] (219) 933-9432

(773) 230-1946 cell


The Mission Education pro-

gram in the Women's Home and

Overseas Missionary Society is

structured and designed to flow

as follows . . .

from the CONNECTIONAL

LEVEL (the Executive Board)

Per the WH&OM Society By-

Laws, Part I, Article I, Section

3A "The Mission Education

Committee….shall secure and

distribute methods of

missionary work and develop

plans for increasing interest in

Home and Overseas missions;

cooperate with the Christian

Education Department of the

Church through lecture courses,

mission study, District and

Annual Conferences and

Leadership Training Institutes".

......to the EPISCOPAL

DISTRICT (the Missionary

Supervisor) — Per the

Constitution, pg. 8, Article IV,

Section 2A …."She shall

frequently confer with the

Chairmen of Committees on

Mission Education and

Literature that she may more

effectively promote programs

of Mission Education in the

District...")

…..to the PRESIDING

ELDER DISTRICT (the

District Mission Education

Director, if Bishop appoints

one). She serves as a support to

the District President and

promoter of the District's

mission education program as

directed by the Missionary

Supervisor and the District

President.

…..and to the Society in the

Local Church. If there is no

Mission Education Director, the

local president or her appointee

shares in the promotion of the

mission education program.

The Mission Purpose

Statement of each of the six

departments of the WH&OM

Society supports the program of

mission education and mission

service for that department.

Mission Education is essen-

tial if we are to be prepared to

accept the task Christ has

commissioned us to do. We

have the responsibility of nur-

turing one another in Christian

life, guiding persons to a vital

faith in God, and encouraging

them to grow constantly in

grace and knowledge.

Mission Education Is….


Spiritual Emphasis Week

January 1-6 Sponsored By

The Department of Church Growth & Development Evangelism-Home Mission

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Dr. Otis T. McMillan, General Secretary Director

A Week of Prayer, Praise &

Proclamation The first week of each calendar year

has been designated as Spiritual Emphasis Week throughout the A.M.E. Zion Church.

Spiritual Emphasis Week offers an opportunity for each local church to begin the year on a high spiritual note. The entire membership should be en-couraged to participate as the church gathers Sunday through Friday for pray-er, praise, and proclamation of the word. This annual event should climax with the clergy and laity of the Presid-ing Elder District coming together for a special service on Saturday. The sug-gested theme for Spiritual Emphasis Week 2018 is: Spiritual Directions for a New Generation. 2 Tim. 3:1-13; 4:1-5.

www.beamezion.org

"Epiphany"

January 6 The visit of the Wise Men to the

baby Jesus has been celebrated by the church since the fourth century, twelve days after Christmas, on January 6, a day commonly called "Epiphany."

The word comes from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning "appearance" or "manifestation." Christians regard the Wise Men's visit as a symbol that Christ was born not for one group of people only, but that he was the "Light of the World" (John 8:12). Consequently, the celebration of Epiphany is sometimes called the "Festival of Lights."

The last Sunday of the Epiphany season is known as Transfiguration of the Lord. It points to the revelation of the true nature of Jesus to His disciples (Peter, James, and John) on the Mount of Olives (Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, and Luke 9:28-36).

[Source: "The Christian Book of Why" John McCollister]

Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday

Observance January 15

We remember the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr and his dream on January 15, 2018, the day set aside nationally to observe his birthday (which is January 15th). Although his dream of racial equality remains unfulfilled almost 50 years after his assassination on April 4, 1968, Dr. King's achievements were profound.

Only four men in American history have been honored with national holi-days: Christopher Columbus, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. On Nov. 2, 1988, President Ronald Reagan signed a bill establishing a King holi-day. We remember Dr. King for his leadership on non-violence, concern for human rights around the world and op-position to the arms race.

As Christians, let us do what we can to work for justice and racial equality as we remember Dr. King and his dream.

Annual States Tea

First A.M.E. Zion Church W.H.&O.M. Society

Sunday, January 14, 2018

The Women's Home and Over-seas Missionary Society of First A.M.E. Zion Church will celebrate the 80th Annual States Tea in the fellowship hall immediately after the morning worship service on Jan-uary 14th. The six WH&OM Socie-ty Departments will participate.

All are invited to attend.

Week of Prayer For Christian Unity

January 18-25

Theme for 2018: “Your Right Hand, O Lord,

Glorious in Power” (Exodus 15:6)

At least once a year, many Christians become aware of the great diversity of ways of adoring God. Hearts are touched, and people realize that their neighbors' ways are not so strange. The event that touches off this special expe-rience is called the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. Traditionally cele-brated between January 18-25 (in the northern hemisphere) or at Pentecost (in the southern hemisphere), the Week of Prayer enters into congrega-tions and parishes all over the world. Pulpits are exchanged, and special ecu-menical celebrations and prayer ser-vices are arranged.

Ecumenical partners in a particular region are asked to prepare a basic text on a biblical theme. Then an interna-tional group with the World Council of Churches (WCC)-sponsored (Protestant and Orthodox) and Roman Catholic participants edits this text. The final material is sent to member churches and Roman Catholic dioceses, and they are invited to translate the text and contex-tualize it for their own use.

Materials for the Week of Prayer observance may be obtained from: Week of Prayer, Graymoor Ecumenical & Institute, 475 Riverside Drive Rm 1960, NY, NY 10115 (212)870-2330; http://www.geii.org/wpcu_index.htm.

National Blood Donor Month Hot Tea Month National Oatmeal Month National Soup Month 10th—Take the Stairs Day-2nd Wed 14th—Dress Up Your Pet Day 19th—National Popcorn Day 20th—National Cheese Lover Day 23rd—National Handwriting Day 24th—Compliment Day 26th—Spouse’s Day 27th—Chocolate Cake Day 31st—Inspire Your Heart with Art Day


When you buy a house, you hire a professional inspector to give it a top to bottom review. But usually you have no such resource when shopping for a nursing home. Here’s how to use your multi-hour visit (yes give your-self lots of time) to make sure it’s the best facility for your loved one.

1. Check the grounds. Are there nice sitting areas for residents, and are they being used? Are the garbage dumpsters reasonably cleaned and well concealed? Do you get a sense of security & safety?

2. Schmooze with residents. Try to speak with people already living there when they’re alone or socializing with others. Ask about living conditions and in-teractions with fellow residents and staff. See if they like the food and whether they’re en-gaged rather than warehoused. Find out what a typical day is like. Ask if there are regular events for family members. Eve-ryone tends to look at how pretty a place is, but pay attention to how well the patients are cared for and cared about.

3. Talk with family members. See if visitors are willing to talk for a few minutes, and get their unvar-nished opinions and observa-tions. Ask about why they chose the facility and if they have any regrets, and also if they have any tips for getting the best care and arrangements.

4. Ask tough questions. Don’t be timid. Ask staff about their jobs, how they are managed, if they know residents by name. You don’t want to anger anyone, but you do want to get a real sense of the place and feeling for the culture. How does staff interact with patients, and are they in-vested in them?

5. Check turnover. Heavy turn-over may be an indicator that the culture supporting the care workers isn’t strong. Ask man-agement and staff members about turnover, as well as resi-dents. Also try to get a sense of the camaraderie of the staff; do they work as a team and appre-ciate each other?

6. Have a meal. Nursing homes are not restaurants, but the food still should be fresh, appetizing and healthy. The best way to tell is to have a routine lunch or din-ner with the residents.

7. Give a smell and sound test. A few times during your visit, pause for a moment and engage your other senses. Are the sounds of the place calm and reassuring (be it music, laughter, conversation or activity) or are they worrisome (silence or pa-tients in distress)? Then do the smell test: Is it clean, fresh, well-ventilated? Or do you smell urine, mustiness, or over-powering cleaners?

8. Make a safety check. Start with the everyday needs: Are there hand rails and non-skid floors? Are the walkways clear of wheelchairs and other equip-ment that could cause a fall? Then ask questions about disas-ter planning. What will the nurs-ing home do if a catastrophic natural disaster hits? What is the backup plan if the disaster plan fails? How much food, water and power is available in case of an extended emergency?

9. Visit again during off hours. A scheduled, guided, weekday visit likely will reveal the facility at its best. The real test is whether all your positive observations hold up in the off hours. See if staffing levels seem adequate and whether the same sense of calm and whether the positivity remains when the staff is no longer on alert.

AARP Bulletin—November 2017

IT’S A SENIOR THING

Nine Things to Consider Before Choosing a

Nursing Home

“It’s A Senior Thing” is a regular column on issues of interest to Good News readers 50 years & older (and their caregivers).


Each year the New York Conference Lay Council hosts a LOVE FEAST during the Ad-vent season at one of the churches in the New York Conference. This year’s Love Feast and Fellowship was held on Saturday, December 2, 2017 at The Rush Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, Jamaica, New York; host pastor The Reverend Isidoa Branch, Jr.; host District Lay Council President, Virginia Montague; and host Presiding Elder, The Reverend A. Alfred Carson. Rhandi M. Stith is the President of the New York Con-ference Lay Council.

Reverend Branch brought the inspirational meditation. Afterwards, worshippers, circled the sanctuary to partake of the Love Feast. Each took a piece of bread from the trays and served to the person next to them and passed the tray; later re-peating the process with the water.

At each Love Feast Fellowship members bring gifts to be shared with a designated outreach. This year gifts were given to the Belt Parkway Family Shelter Center. Following announcements and remarks, the annual Love Feast ended. After-wards, attendees continued to fellowship as they dined on a hearty lunch.

Supply Department Supports

Church World Service Kit Program

The WH&OM Society Bureau of Supply continues partnership with Church World Service Kit Program. CWS Kits are small packages of supplies assembled by volunteers and shipped to people in need around the world in the face of natural disasters, violence or grinding pov-erty.

General Supply Secretary, Mrs. Sara Cherrington, en-courages missionaries to get involved and put together CWS School Kits, Hygiene Kits, Baby Care Kits, or Emergency Cleanup Buckets. Information and what goes into each kit can be found on the CWS website:

www.cwsglobal.org/get-involved/kits

Life Line

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A LIFE MEMBER?

When someone decides to become a Life Member, the individual is saying that he or she wants to be a part of the WH&OM Society's program for mission education. We must be careful to note that we do not purchase a stole but we make a statement that we have gone a step further in our dedication and commitment to mission education and evangelism. The stole, a life member pin and certificate are given by the Society to indicate that you are a Life Member, Life Matron or Life Patron, committed to mission education. We achieve a great milestone when we become life members and we become a part of that great tree of hope with its branches reaching up and out in many directions with many blessed through its ministry. The Life Members Council is an integral part of the Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society. Let us continue to build the Council on the firm foundation laid by our illustrious predecessors.

First Church... To become a part of this great endeavor, contact Victoria Robertson, Life Members Chairman. The donation for a Life Members Stole is $45 (plus postage). If you are currently a life member or honorary life member (red/white stole), decide today to upgrade and commit additional funds for mission education. Contribute $100.00 (plus postage) to become a Life Matron or Patron and receive the purple and gold stole.

Don’t try to live tomorrow before you live today. To live each moment as it comes, is far the better way. Tomorrow you may never see, but surely if you do, God, who has helped you live today, will help tomorrow, too.


Agape Luncheon

As a permanent means of raising funds for the Second Mile

Project, Mrs. Mary Gaither Meeks, First Vice President (1971-1978) in 1973, during her first tenure in office, pro-posed the idea for an Agape Luncheon to the Executive Board, which readily adopted the proposal. It was Mrs. Meeks dream that each Presiding Elder District would present one Luncheon a year, with the funds being reported to support the Second Mile program; and that a Second Mile Chairwoman would be appointed in each District. The responsibility of this Chairwoman would be to promote the Second Mile Project and the Agape Luncheon.

In 1979, delegates to the 19th Quadrennial Convention voted to name the Agape Luncheon “The Mary Gaither Meeks Agape Luncheon” in memory of Mrs. Meeks, who had proposed the idea and had been a strong advocate of

sacrificial sharing. Mary Gaither Meeks died May 6, 1978.

Agape

Sunday The Celebration of Agape Sunday was inaugurated the

Second Sunday in February 1982 (the 27th Anniversary year of the Second Mile Offering). This dimension evolved as a result of an idea conceived by Dr. Theodora Shippy Smith, the First Vice President, 1979-1987, and endorsed by the Ex-ecutive Board in 1981, “to increase our giving in this area to better fulfill mission needs and askings at home and over-seas.”

The purpose of Agape Sunday, as proposed by Dr. Smith, is to enhance the Second Mile Offering for the support of home and overseas missions, to stimulate and motivate sacri-ficial giving of our services and substances, and to involve all members in a loving, caring and sharing mission experience. “The celebration has been set during a season of sacrificial love, just six weeks after Christmas Day; thus it perpetuates an awareness and reinforcement of God’s free and uncondi-tional love.

Dr. Theodora Smith

Go Red For Women

Go Red for Women is the American Heart Association’s national call for women to take charge of their heart health and live stronger, longer lives. Heart disease is women’s No. 1 killer—a fact more women don’t know. Go Red for Women was adopted by the WH&OM Society Executive Board to be observed during the month of February, upon proposal by Dr. Barbara Shaw when she was General President. Become a part of the “Go Red For Women” heart disease awareness movement!

Why Go Red? Cardiovascular disease in the U.S. kills approximately one

woman every 80 seconds. The good news is that 80 percent of cardiac events may be prevented with education and lifestyle changes. Go Red For Women advocates for more research and swifter action for women’s heart health. That’s why we are asked to wear red on National Wear Red Day and donate to Go Red For Women. By doing so you help support educational programs to increase women’s aware-ness and critical research to discover scientific knowledge about cardiovascular health.

Go Red For Women is a movement that starts with you. Lead by example and make time to “Know Your Numbers.” It’s knowledge that could save your life. Five numbers that all women should know to take control of their heart health are: Total Cholesterol, HDL (good) Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar & Body Mass Index (BMI). Knowing these numbers can help women and their health-care provider determine their risk for developing cardiovas-cular diseases. It’s time for all women to learn the most critical numbers in their life — their hearts depend on it.

What Can You Do? Plan to wear red on National Wear Red Day for

Women—Friday, February 2, 2018 — or another day of your choice, if your group cannot wear red on that day. Many missionaries wear red at the Agape Luncheon or on Agape Sunday.

The American Heart Association’s pin and the color red are symbols for women and heart disease. By wearing the Go Red for Women’s pin, wristband or other accessories, you will help raise awareness and empower women to take charge of their health, lower their risk of these often-preventable diseases and live longer, stronger lives.”

Why not sponsor a Women in Red event for some time in February, which is quite appropriate for a Second Mile/ Agape project. You may wish to invite a speaker to come in and speak briefly or distribute material pertaining to the risk and prevention of heart disease.

Go Red For Women helps you discover unique lifesaving power by learning about heart disease and stroke and taking positive action to reduce your risk of both. Share what you learn with others. Red is the American Heart Association’s color for women and heart disease. Make it your color, too.

For more information: www.americanheart.org. — goredforwomen.org — shopheart.org

Mary Gaither Meeks

https://donatenow.heart.org/goredforwomen/https://www.goredforwomen.org/know-your-numbers/


Hundreds of women from around the world are expected to gather on Saturday, March 10th at the Church Center in New York City for the begin-ning Orientation to the 62nd Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW62) that will officially start on Monday, March 12th.

Every year, CSW attracts thousands of NGO (Non-Governmental Organi-zations) members and hundreds of country representatives from around the world to discuss critical issues for women, galvanize attention and spur action.

AME Zion members are encouraged to attend the ecumenical women’s Ori-entation, where you will receive mate-rials for CSW62. That meeting will take place on Saturday, March 10th, 8AM-3:45PM. There is a registration fee for the Orientation of $40, which entitles you to attend the Orientation, receive a directory of events taking place during the two weeks session; get an overview of UN processes and structures, theological foundations, the how to’s of advocacy and more. Conti-nental breakfast, lunch and evening reception are also included.

The orientation is coordinated by Ecumenical Women of which the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women is a part (of which the WH&OM Society is a mem-ber). Ecumenical Women is an interna-tional coalition of church denomina-tions and ecumenical organizations which have status with the Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC) or the Department of Public Information (DPI) at the United Nations. Grounded in their faith and commitment to global justice, Ecumenical Women trains and empowers an expanding net-work to advocate for gender equality at the United Nations.

There will also be two evening Ad-vocacy dinners @ $20 each for which you may also register and attend. De-tails to follow.

Although the Commission’s two-week session officially begins on Mon-day, March 12th at the United Nations, numerous parallel events are held in the Church Center (located across from the United Nations building) and other locations. Many of these parallel events will be organized by the NGO Committee on the Status of Women, which is a group of New York-based women’s NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC.

If AME Zion members wish to at-tend, it is suggested that you plan to attend the ORIENTATION; and if in-terested in attending sessions at the United Nations, you must register online. Contact Dr. Brenda Smith (914-428-6008) for information. Regis-tration procedures have changed dra-matically this year and require prior approval from a World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women representative (who happens to be Dr. Smith) — or email her at:

[email protected]

She can provide you with on-line registration procedures and link for Orientation and related events. You may also contact Joan Capel for the Orientation Link: [email protected]. The deadline for Orientation registra-tion is February 5, 2018.

In addition to these events, there will be 8:00 AM morning worship each day presided over by denominations and organizations that are part of “Ecumenical Women”. In the past AME Zion women have been very prominent participants in these worship experiences

We are excited to announce that Zion’s own Star of Zion Edi-tor, Mrs. Addy Lisby, is sched-uled to be the meditation speaker on the day the World Federation is in charge of the morning wor-ship at the chapel in the Church Center across the street from the UN. Date to be announced.

CSW62 Priority Theme: Challenges and opportunities in

achieving gender equality and the empowerment of rural

women and girls

CSW62 Review theme: Participation in and access of

women to the media, and infor-mation and communications

technologies and their impact on and use as an instrument for the

advancement and empowerment of women (agreed conclusions of the

forty-seventh session)

Registration for CSW62 at UN This year, a new platform is being

used for NGO registration to meetings and events at United Nations Head-quarters. The platform is called Indico. In Indico, each CSW participant registers herself/himself individually, for reasons of increased online secu-rity. The individual registrations are then approved by the appropriate NGO designated representative, which for the World Federation of Methodist and Uniting Church Women (and thus the Women’s Home and Overseas Mission-ary Society) is Dr. Brenda Smith, the NGO UN representative for the World Federation..

This new process can be quite chal-lenging and step-by-step instructions, including video, are given in Indico. Please contact Dr. Smith for questions and assistance, if needed. The link to register to attend the sessions at the United Nations is —

https://reg.unog.ch/event/22438/

The deadline to register for CSW62 at United Nations headquarters is Janu-ary 27. You will have to receive writ-ten approval and have ground passes in order to be admitted to the UN head-quarters.

A.M.E. Zion Members Invited To Register For The 62nd Session of the

Commission on the Status of Women

https://reg.unog.ch/event/22438/


Wilhelmina S. Lee

Wilhelmina Singleton Lee, member of The First A.M.E. Zion Church, Brook-lyn, NY, has graduated from The New York State Chaplain Task Forces pro-gram and is now certified as Chaplain.

This is a 50lc3 non-profit organization started by Rev. Marcos Miranda, dedi-cated to training, maintaining and dis-patching volunteer crisis chaplains both clergy and lay persons to provide spiritu-al care services 24/7, 365 days a year.

NEW YORK CONFERENCE LAY COUNCIL Invites You to Join Us As We

Celebrate

DR. DAVID A. AIKEN, SR.

Saturday, April 14, 2018—1 PM

To be held at Jackson Memorial AME Zion Church

60 Peninsula Blvd., Hempstead, NY 11550

Luncheon Donation $50.00

Book of Memories: Back Cover, $200 — Inside Covers $175

Gold Border Page $150 — Silver Border Page $125 Full Page $100 — Half page $60

Booster $10

ADS must be Edited and Camera Ready;

Photo(s) can be submitted within the ad or as an attachment to emails;

Electronic submissions emailed to [email protected]

Or Ad(s) can be sent via US Mail to Attn: Rhandi M. Stith, 33 Lincoln Ave., apt 8H, New Rochelle NY

Photo(s) to be returned must include a self-addressed stamped envelope

No ADS will be processed until Full Payment is received

Direct questions to:

Rhandi M. Stith, Book of Memories Chairperson at 914.235.3596 or email questions to above email address.

Proceeds go to The Augusta W. Printz Scholarship Fund to benefit students attending Livingstone College

WOMEN’S HOME AND OVERSEAS MISSIONARY SOCIETY

LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE

April 26-29, 2018

Camp Dorothy Walls Conference &

Retreat Center Black Mountain, NC

Dr. Sandra L. Gadson, International President Rene Felton Pullen, Dean &

Second Vice President

Registration begins during January


NEW YORK CONFERENCE YOUTH RETREAT

Saturday, January 13, 2018—Greater Centennial AME Zion Church, Mt Vernon, NY

VICTORY DAY — YOUTH MISSIONARY SOCIETY


80th ANNIVERSARY STATES TEA-FIRST AME ZION CHURCH WH&OM SOCIETY

Sunday, January 14, 2018 — First AME Zion Church, Brooklyn, NY

BAHAMAS ISLAND ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Wednesday-Sunday, January 24-28, 2018—Holy Trinity AME Zion Church, Nassau, Bahamas

MARIE L. CLINTON ANNIVERSARY OBSERVANCE


AGAPE SUNDAY

Sunday, February 11, 2018

BOARD OF BISHOPS/INTERNATIONAL MINISTERS & LAY ASSOCIATION MEETING

Monday-Friday, February 12-16, 2018—Norfolk Waterside Marriott, Norfolk, VA

NEW YORK CONFERENCE ANNUAL YOUTH CONFERENCE

Monday, February 19, 2018—First AME Zion Church, Brooklyn, NY

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER

Friday, March 2, 2018 — Theme: “All God’s Creation is Very Good”

UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON STATUS OF WOMEN 62ND SESSION

Monday-Friday, March 12-23, 2018—UN Headquarters, NYC

CELEBRATING DAVID AIKEN, SR. — NY CONFERENCE LAY COUNCIL

Saturday, April 14, 2018—Jackson Memorial AME Zion Church, Hempstead NY, 1PM

2018 W.H.&O.M. SOCIETY GENERAL LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE

Thursday-Sunday, April 26-29, 2018, Camp Dorothy Walls, Black Mountain, NC

NY CITY DISTRICT “GEMS AND GENTS CORONATION”

Saturday, May 5, 2018—First AME Zion Church, Brooklyn, NY — 1pm

NCNW BETHUNE HEIGHT RECOGNITION PROGRAM

Saturday, May 19, 2018,—Russo’s on the Bay, 162-45 Cross Bay Blvd, Howard Beach, NY

HARRIET TUBMAN PILGRIMAGE & SUMMIT

Thursday-Saturday, May 31-June 2, 2018 — Auburn, NY

NEW YORK ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Hosted by Rush Temple AME Zion Church, Jamaica NY

Wednesday-Sunday, June 20-24, 2018 — Westchester Marriott, Tarrytown, NY

CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL A.M.E. ZION CHURCH

Sheraton Birmingham Hotel — Birmingham, Alabama

Wednesday-Saturday, July 18-21, 2018

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION QUADRENNIAL CONVENTION

Sheraton Birmingham Hotel & Birmingham Jefferson Civic Center

Saturday-Thursday, July 21-26, 2018 — Birmingham, AL

NORTH AMERICA AREA SEMINAR— WORLD FEDERATION OF METHODIST AND

UNITING CHURCH WOMEN

Tuesday-Monday, Oct 30– Nov 5, 2018; Hilton Trinidad Hotel & Conference Center, Trinidad, VI

29th QUADRENNIAL CONVENTION—W.H.&O.M. SOCIETY

Monday-Saturday, July 15-20, 2019—Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel, Orlando, FL

Sis. Kisha L. Walker Jan. 05 Sis. Joann Knox Jan. 05 Rev. Betty Lou Carthon Jan. 06 Sis. Carolyn Cunningham Jan. 11 Sis. Essie Curnell Jan. 13 Rev. A. Alfred Carson Jan 16 Sis. April Plana Jan. 19 Sis. Marcia Smalls Jan 19 Sis. Marsha Henderson Jan. 20 Bro. Louis Taylor, Jr. Jan. 21 Bro. Eugene Knox Jan. 23 Sis. Shirley V. Jackson Jan. 26 Sis. Shirley Shelborne Jan. 30 Sis. Ruth Nixon Jan. 31 Bro. Marvin Lee Jan. 31

We pause to remember Sis. Jean Ellerby, daughter-in-law of Sister Darnell Ellerby member of First Church, who passed suddenly on Friday December 1, 2017, and was funeralized at Bell's Funeral Home, Sunday, December 10, 2017. We pray that God will comfort and sustain

the family and all who mourn.

vol. 32, no. 11 women’s home and overseas missionary...

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