Volume 8 / Number 3
13th Episcopal District Lay Organization
The Lay Chronicles Kentucky, East Tennessee, West Tennessee, and Tennessee Conferences
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Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath 13th Episcopal District
Ms. Dorothy Ealy 13TH Lay President
The Official Newsletter
CONVENTION EDITION OCTOBER 2018
The Lay Chronicles Volume 8 / Number 3/ 13TH LAY CONVENTION EDITION, JUNE 2018
____ON radar____ "The Lord now chose seventy other disciples and sent them on ahead in pairs to all the towns and villages he planned to visit later. 2 These were his instructions to them: “Plead with the Lord of the harvest to send out more laborers to help you, for the harvest is so plentiful and the workers so few. 3 Go now, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. 4 Don’t take any money with you, or a beggar’s bag, or even an extra pair of shoes. And don’t waste time along the way. 5 “Whenever you enter a home, give it your blessing. 6 If it is worthy of the blessing, the blessing will stand; if not, the blessing will return to you. 7 “When you enter a village, don’t shift around from home to home, but stay in one place, eating and drinking without question whatever is set before you. And don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, for the workman is worthy of his wages! 8-9 “If a town welcomes you, follow these two rules: (1) Eat whatever is set before you. (2) Heal the sick; and as you heal them, say, ‘The Kingdom of God is very near you now.’ 10 “But if a town refuses you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We wipe the dust of your town from our feet as a public announcement of your doom. Never forget how close you were to the Kingdom of God!’ 16 Then he said to the disciples, “Those who welcome you are welcoming me. And those who reject you are rejecting me. And those who reject me are rejecting God who sent me.” (Luke 10:1-11 TLB)
The Good News Of Christ Is Too Good To Keep To Ourselves!
We wish to thank all persons who contributed photos in this issue of THE LAY CHRONICLES. We also thank all Directors of Public Relations for their article submittals. THE LAY CHRONICLES is the Official Publication of the Thirteenth District Lay Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
LAY PRESIDENTS OF THE 13TH: KY CONF – CHRIS WILSON EAST TN CONF. – CHARLES MOORE WEST TN CONF. LOVIE JACOCKS TN CONF – DARWIN ELDRIDGE
Amanda Johnson
13th District Director of Public Relations CONTACT US: Mail: AMANDA JOHNSON P. O. Box 2176 Louisville, KY 40201 E mail: westkyced@hotmail.com
THIRTEENTH DISTRICT LAY OFFICERS 1 Vice Pres. James Darden 2nd Vice Pres. Hardin Franklin rd 3 Vice Pres. Rita Nelson Lay Activities Dir. Priscilla Sullivan Recording Sect. Brenda Odell Asst. Rec. Sect. Michele Carter Corresp. Sect. Mary Raglin Treasurer Retha Newsom Financial Sect. Clifton Campbell Parliamentarian Roxie Ball Chaplain Pauline Guyton Historiographer Ron Mitchell Pub. Relations Dir. Amanda Johnson Young Adult Rep. Melinda Robinson
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE FEATURES 4
13th District News
9
CONFERENCE NEWS: East Tennessee
11
CONFERENCE NEWS: Kentucky
17
CONFERENCE NEWS: West Tennessee
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CONFERENCE NEWS: Tennessee
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CHURCH NEWS: Kentucky
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“Get Out The Vote”
REAL LAY 8
The Good News ~ Calendar Dates
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CLO Executive Board
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Support “THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER”
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SAC: ‘Climate Change’
27
AMECTravel
ALL EDITIONS 5
13TH District President Message
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13th District Public Relations Report
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The Lay Organization History
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YES, JESUS! 2
ON radar
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Infusing Evangelism
29
2018 ADVENT Season
SEASONED! SPIRITED! DYNAMIC!
We wish to thank all persons who contributed photos in this issue of THE LAY CHRONICLES. We also thank Directors of Public Relations for their article submittals. THE LAY CHRONICLES is the Official Publication of the Thirteenth District Lay Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
13TH DISTRICT news!!!
Bishop Jeffrey N. Leath, Presiding Prelate 13TH DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING October 25-26, 2018 Warren Chapel AME Church 501 N Market Street, Chattanooga, TN 37405 Dr. Pedro Basden, Host Pastor Dr. Eva M. Settles, Host Presiding Elder MEETING HELD AT: Hawkinsville Missionary Baptist Church 7463 Pinewood Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37421
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PLAN NOW TO BE IN ATTENDANCE!!!
13th Episcopal District African Methodist Episcopal Church
From the Presidents’ Pen… The 13th DISTRICT LAY ORGANIZATION CELEBRATED Its 21stAnnual Convention The 13th District Lay Organization convened at the Double Tree Hilton in Murfreesboro, TN, on May 31, through June 2, 2018 to host the 21st Convention and Annual Business Meeting. We are blessed with the Visionary Guidance of our Presiding Prelate Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath. Prior to the District Convention, President Dorothy Ealy facilitated the training of new 13thDistrict Lay Officers, Emerging Leaders from all conferences along with the recently elected Director of Lay Activities, Priscilla Sullivan. Participants were challenged to embrace their duties and responsibilities as servant leaders. Then a review of the objectives of the Lay Organization led to the thought provoking assessment of the extent to which they were implemented at the local, conference and district levels. Participants were provided the opportunity to reflect on the objectives that were least implemented in the Lay Organization and then strategized means to accomplish improve implementation. All participants were able to leave with nuggets to share at their Local Churches. After the Thursday training, the Executive Board meeting of the 13th District was held. The Thursday Evening Worship Celebration which was planned by the Young Adult Representative, Melinda Robinson, was a mountaintop experience. Traditionally, we extend an invitation to the Pastor Friend of the Lay Organization. This year Rev. Randall Webster, the Pastor of Woodfork Chapel in Shelbyville, TN, served as the Messenger for Worship Celebration. He sang melodious hymns and preached a powerful message on the CLO Theme, where he challenged us to “not only have a Commission, but the knowledge and understanding to have the Presence of God in us.” We were spiritually fed with melodious hymns and gospel music from Daryl Chaney and Christ Fellowship Chorale. We were spiritually blessed during the Worship celebration! Registration for the Convention began on Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. After the spirit-filled Devotion by the Chaplain and the Welcome/Occasion by District President Ealy, The Laity Workshop Sessions began with “Refocusing our Purpose” facilitated by Sister Amanda Johnson, the 13th District PR Director. The 13th District DOLA presented a session on “Faith Based Initiatives and Developing Partnerships”. After a delicious lunch, sponsored by Mr. Jeffrey Webster, an employee of the Nissan Dealership in Shelbyville, Tennessee, was served at the Academy Museum, we resumed the Workshops.
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The Afternoon Sessions were just as interesting as we were featured with a Panel Discussion ‐ “50 years Later” Reflections on the Ills of Social, Economic, Environmental and Political Justice. Bro. Hardin Franklin discussed “The Affordable Health Care System and its Challenges under Trump-ism.” Bro. Darwin Eldridge discussed “The Income Tax Revision” and Bro Daniel Lewis discussed “The Civil Rights Movement and Immigration under Trump-ism, 50 years later. Finally, the Young Adult Representative, Sister Melinda Robinson, closed the training with AME V-Alert. She challenged us to be proactive in holding registration drives and volunteering to offer services to mobilize our people and get them to the polls. The Annual OLP Banquet provided the opportunity to give accolades to those individuals who have provided dedicated service to their Local Churches. Additionally, persons who were Environmental Justice Honorees served as special honorees, as well. On Saturday the Annual
Business Meeting of the 13th District Lay Organization was held. To God Be the Glory for the Things He Has Done!
President, 13th District Lay Organization
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PHOTOS ( L to R, Top To Bottom) of The 13th District Annual OLP Banquet: Reverend June Anderson-Dorsey (center), 13th Pastor of the Year 2018 with Local Lay President, Sister Joann White (right) and KY Conference President, Bro. Chris Wilson (Photo1); Bro. Clifton Campbell (center), with ETN President, Bro. Charles Moore (Photo2); !3th District President Ealy, KY President Wilson, and 13th DOLA (Photo3); Rev. Sherri Cowley-Scott, TN Pastor of Year, with 13th Lay Officers (Photo4); and Sister Mae Pegues (center), 13th OLP 2018, with President Ealy and DOLA Sullivan (Photo5). The13th District Lay Organization Celebrated!!!
The Director of Public Relations Report October 25, 2018 To: Bishop Jeffrey Nathaniel Leath, 13th District Presiding Prelate, Dr. Susan Leath, M.D., Sister Dorothy Ealy, 13th District Lay President, Connectional Lay Officers, 13th District Lay Officers, Conference Lay Presidents, Lay Delegates, Laity, and Clergy. “Do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God” It is with a humbled spirit that I make this Lay Planning Meeting Report as the elected Director of Public Relations to the 13th District Lay Organization, serving from 20172021. I am grateful to God and the Lay Organization to have the opportunity to serve. It is here we acknowledge the Conference Lay Presidents and Conference Directors of Public Relations and their Local Church counterparts. Thank You as Servants of God. The Work is ALL Divine. Information from the Local and Conference Lay Organizations, along with photos of Laypersons honored or organizational events and written information are being sent. We continue to disseminate news items of interest received from the Connectional Church and the Episcopal Districts through Newsletter and/or multi-media processes. The Office of Public Relations is involved in publishing and outsourcing publication of materials represented, used, and disseminated in the 13th District Lay; and will offer Writer’s Training across the District. We continue an official publication of the Organization, editing, and publishing a quarter periodical containing news of general interest to the Laity and news regarding the Organization. And, we continue to remain a Working Department of the Thirteenth District Lay, and visible to the Connectional Lay Organization by submittals to the CLO “We Speak.” There is a way forward, and we bring those opportunities to the 13 th Lay in a Spirit of Excellence. Recommendations: I Funding for set-up/ production/ and publishing of ‘THE LAY CHRONICLES’ and other tinformation on a website. Annual Funding of $300 (see Proposed Budget). All Lay Members of the Lay Organization subscribe to the WE SPEAK Magazine and to THE CHRISTIAN RECORDER Newspaper, as they are available to order. Always In His Service,
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Amanda Johnson
THE GOOD NEWS
Calendar Dates OCTOBER 25-26
13TH DISTRICT PLANNING MEETING
OCTOBER 27
BISHOP JEFFREY N. LEATH PREACHING @ MISSOURI ANNUAL CONFERENCE, 5TH DISTRICT, CHRIST OUR REDEEMER AMEC, ST. LOUIS
NOVEMBER 6
GENERAL ELECTION __ V-O-T-E!!!
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NOVEMBER 29DECEMBER 1
CONNECTIONAL MCAM EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING, HUNTSVILLE, AL
DECEMBER 5-6
AMEC CONVO LEGISLATION SESSION, ATLANTA, GA
DECEMBER 8
KENTUCKY LAY EXECUTIVE BOARD AND PLANNING MEETING, QUINN CHAPEL AMEC, LOUISVILLE, KY
The East Tennessee Conference Lay Organization
Congratulations to all the newly Elect Officers for 2018-2019 Annual Conference Year "ETN Lay Organization": President, Charles Moore; 1st Vice, Hardin Franklin; 2nd Vice, Jarman Watts; 3rd Vice, Florence Smith (not pictured); Recording Sec. Marlena Tony; Corresponding Sec., Lynda Croom; Treasurer, JoAnn Gaunt; Financial Sec., Retha Newson; Chaplain, Charles Shelby (not pictured); Historiographer, Robin DeHart; Parliamentarian, Reginald Stewart; DOLA, Tarra Simmons; and DPR, Audrey Coleman.
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President Charles W. Moore
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“Kentucky Lay Witness Night 2018”
The Reverend June Anderson-Dorsey (13th Pastor of the Year 2018) preached Lay Witness Night
The African Methodist Episcopal Church The Kentucky Lay Organization
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Officers 2018-2020 PRESIDENT 1ST VICE PRESIDENT 2ND VICE PRESIDENT 3RD VICE PRESIDENT RECORDING SECRETARY ASST. RECORDING SECRETARY CORRESPONDING SECRETARY TREASURER FINANCIAL SECRETARY CHAPLAIN HISTORIOGRAPHER PARLIAMENTARIAN DIRECTOR OF LAY ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS YOUNG ADULT REPRESENTATIVE
…… …… …… …… …… …… …… …… ....... …… ……. ……. …… …… ……
CHRISTOPHER WILSON MYRNA HERRON ROBIN HARRIS AMANDA JOHNSON JOANN WHITE BETTY MORTON YOUNG SUSIE BATES ERICA LEE THERESE BAKER ANNA JOHNSON SHEWONA LOVE BRENDA PALMER LATANYA GERMANY CAROL BARBOUR MELINDA ROBINSON
Chris Wilson, President
The 151stSession The Kentucky Annual Conference Date of Annual Conference: September 27-30, 2018 Number of Members in the Annual Conference: 150 Number of Conference Meetings held: 3 Average Attendance at Conference Meetings: 50 Number of Executive Board Meetings: 1 Average Attendance at Executive Board Meetings: 30 Dates and Locations for Conference Meetings: Date Location Dec. 9, 2017 Quinn Chapel AMEC, Louisville, KY Mar. 10, 2018 Bethel AMEC, Shelbyville, KY July 7, 2018 St. Matthew AMEC, Midway, KY Goals for the last conference year: More Training on the conference level, the revision of the Kentucky Conference Lay Organization Constitution and Bylaws, and more participation from churches that have Lay Organizations.
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Accomplished on the Annual Conference level: We were able to have 3 Mini workshops on Membership Growth and Retention, Succession Planning and Personal Evangelism. We were able to have our 2 Lay Clusters; 7 Ups in Lexington at Quinn Chapel AMEC, April 29, 2018; and Those Singin Pastors on July 29, 2018 at Embry Chapel AMEC, Elizabethtown. We had our Prayer Breakfast at Ralph Avenue AMEC, Louisville, with Rev. Dujuana Wilson as the Speaker on August 11, 2018. We had a very successful Lay Honorees Luncheon on June 9, 2018 in Elizabethtown. We hosted the 2018 13th District Lay Convention in Murfreesboro, TN. While there the Conference was able to capture the 2018 Pastor of the Year in Rev. June Anderson-Dorsey, Pastor of Ralph Avenue AMEC, Louisville, as well as the 13th District YAR (Young Adult Representative) in Dominic Collins of Quinn Chapel AMEC, Louisville. Both displayed their preaching and liturgical dance abilities at the Lay Witness Night on September 21, 2018 at St. John AMEC, Frankfort. Goals for this coming year: We will have the 3rd and final reading of the Constitution and Bylaws. We will finalize all plans to attend the 37th Biennial in Seattle, WA, as well as begin a Training Institute where we can have a more comprehensive training session.
The Quinn Chapel Lay Organization
Advent 2018 Prayer Brunch! “Yearning For Jesus’Love Within Us” 1901 WEST MUHAMMAD ALI BOULEVARD LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY 40203
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2018, 12 PM
GUEST MESSENGER: MRS. ANNA JOHNSON
(13th District President Emeritus/ KY Conference Lay - Chaplain) Tickets: $10, adults/ $12, Parent and Child/ $25, Family of 4. Tickets Available October 28 - December 2, 2018.
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Faith, Food, Fellowship Come Dine With Us! Come Pray with Us! All Welcome!
For Tickets Please Contact Amanda Johnson, Quinn Lay President, westkyced@hotmail.com
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INFUSING EVANGELISM INTO THE DNA OF CHURCHES The solution to growing a church that has evangelistic vision is to practice infusion in the very heart and every aspect of the ministry. This does not happen by accident, and it can’t be sustained by desperation. For a church to continue on a trajectory of health and growth, outreach must be organic and engrafted in the very soul of the ministry. Live and Lead Outreach. Great preaching and strong leadership will not be enough to propel a church forward. The Pastor must humbly and consistently reach out to lost people. Personal evangelism through genuine friendships and engagement in the community is essential. The Pastor will be the first evangelist and the one who models and equips others for the work of the Gospel. If the Pastor cannot or will not do this, there is very little chance the congregation will step into the harvest field. Before you decide to grow a church, be sure you are living an evangelistic lifestyle. When you are appointed a Pastor, make sure that outreach is a shared passion and practice. Grow Teams That Embrace Evangelism. Don’t allow anyone on your board or core team who is not willing to learn how to share their faith. Too often we look for good givers, strong leaders or community influencers. These are not bad qualities, but make sure all of your team members are ready to be equipped to reach out to lost and broken people. Be certain that they love people who are far from Jesus and are ready to walk with people toward the Savior. Build in evangelism training and accountability in every one of your meetings, from the day you begin until Jesus returns. If anyone on the team pushes back and does not want to be trained and held accountable in outreach, you have a problem. Do a Self-Examination Every 30 Days. From the beginning, commit to a monthly infusion of four essential things in every team meeting. 1. inspiration. Take time for storytelling. Share how individuals are engaging in evangelism. Also tell stories about how the church is connecting in the broader community and bringing the love, grace and message of Jesus. 2. Accountability. Ask every member of your leadership team about their outreach passion, practice and plans. Who are they reaching? How are they walking with nonbelievers? When are they articulating their story of faith and God’s story of grace? 3. Learning. Take time to teach a new outreach approach, help people articulate their testimony, equip your leaders with the tools they need to share faith naturally. 4. Planning. Take time to strategically discuss what is coming up in the life of the church that will help you reach your community with the gospel. Discuss how you will work together to accomplish the mission of Jesus through your church community. This sounds intense and rigorous. It is the only way to keep the outreach fires burning bright in your church through the beginning, sustainability and for years to come. Innovate Always. Never fall into a rut. Keep trying new things. We live in a rapidly changing world, and doing the same things the same way will never bear maximum kingdom fruit.
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Try new ways of reaching out and connecting with people in your community. If something is working, build on it but feel free to vector it in new directions. If something is not working ‌ Bury What Has Died. Sacred cows graze on the lawn of every church, new and old. When an outreach ministry, program or approach has died, give it the dignity of a decent burial. If someone is trying to keep a dying evangelism program alive, have the courage to enter into a critical conversation and talk about why the time, money and energy can be invested more wisely in a new approach. Some programs and events have grown old and even died. Acknowledge it and try something new. It takes a huge commitment of people, time, financial resources and spiritual energy. Make sure these investments have the maximum impact by building evangelism into the leadership, culture and life of the church. Then, you will continue to reach out because organic outreach is the vision and practice of your Pastor, Team and Congregation. (Kevin Harney)
The 143rd Session The West Tennessee Annual Conference Date of Annual Conference: ___October 4-6, 2018 Number of Members in the Annual Conference……115 Number of Conference Meetings held……………..…12 Average Attendance at Conference Meetings …..…..25 Number of Executive Board Meetings …………………1 Average Attendance at Executive Board Meetings… 15 List Dates and Locations for Conference Meetings Date Location November 18, 2017 Bethel AME Church (Planning Executive Board) December 10, 2017 Ward Chapel AME Church (Christmas Fellowship) January 27, 2018 Providence AME Church February 24, 2018 St. Andrew AME Church (Parade of States) (List any additional as needed) March 24, 2018- New Allen AME Church, April 28, 2018-St. James AME, May 19, 2018- Crown Plaza Banquet, June 16, 2018- Whites Chapel AME, July 23, 2018Greer Chapel AME, August 25, 2018- Noah Chapel AME, September 22, 2018Ward Chapel AME, October 3, 2018-Mt. Zion (Lay Witness Night).
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What were the goals for the last conference year? • Shared voter’s information and concerns • Elected Conference Officers and Chairpersons • Increased the monthly amount of the “Humanian’s Choice” (Snack or personal items) What was accomplished on the annual conference level? • Monthly increase in presentations of workshops and pertinent information that affect laymen health, safety, financial planning and do’s and don’t for Young Adult Representatives with law inforcement. Elected General Conference Delegates and attended conference. • Conference 3 annual fund raiser • United with other components and their projects and activities • Held Lay Witness Night Service. • Send letters and communicated with all local churches to participate in collecting its church history, submit it to the conference Lay History Room. • Attended the 13th District Conference in Murfreesboro, TN. Winner of the Adult Outstanding Lay Person of the year, also presented Environmental Representatives for the Banquet. • Local church workshop “How to Organize You Local Lay Organization” • Voter Registration, Condition Forum, distribution of campaign material, poll workers.
Do you have your goals for this coming year? If so, please list. • To continue to collect information for the West Tennessee History Room. • Schedule 1 day pre quarter for visitation to the History Room. • Consider one more fund raiser for 2019 Biennial Session in Washington State • Complete all quarterly workshops indifferent areas of West Tennessee. One especially scheduled for September (Christian Education Month). • Share information with the Daniel Payne Connectional Archives in Birmingham, Alabama. • Organize the YAR (Young Adult Representatives) in all local churches.
Newly Elected West Tennessee Conference Officers President: First Vice President: Second Vice President: Third Vice President: Recording Secretary: Assistant Recording Secretary: Corresponding Secretary: Financial Secretary: Historiographer: Treasurer: Chaplain: Parliamentarian: Director of Public Relations: Director of Lay Activities: Young Adult Representative:
Lovie Katrina Jacocks Mae Pegues Wanda Brown Freda Dotson Verda Phipps Gloria C. Foster Rochelle Pirtle Joseph Martin Daniel Lewis Edward L. Smith Katherine McDaniels Cheryl Love Donna Owens Michael Steward Sidney Williams
Lovie Jacocks
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WTN President
The Tennessee Conference Lay Darwin K. Eldridge, Lay President
THE ANTHONY D. SHANKLIN LEADERSHIP ACADEMY “DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND PUTTING THEM INTO ACTION”
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On Saturday, April 28, 2018, members of the Tennessee Annual Conference Lay Organization gathered at Kairos Community African Methodist Episcopal Church, pastored by The Reverend Garrett Copeland, for the Anthony D. Shanklin Leadership Academy. The Academy was coordinated under the direction of Wanda Grandberry, DOLA, and Paula Holmes, Chief Training Officer. The One-Day Seminar was entitled, “Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts and Putting Them into Action.” The presenters were Reverend W. Antoni Sinkfield, Pastor of Payne Chapel AMEC, Nashville, and General Officer-Retired Paulette Coleman, Ph.D. All sessions were well-attended and well received by all. The first portion conducted by Reverend Sinkfield addressed the following objectives: Understand why it is important in the life of the church to focus on Spiritual Gifts Understand what a Spiritual Gift is Gain a better understanding of what your Spiritual Gifts are and how to you might use your gifts in service to your church Reverend Sinkfield defined and explained each of the Spiritual Gifts by relating them to the scriptures. After much discussion and explanation, each attendee took the self-scoring assessment to determine their preferences toward particular gifts. Needless to say the Laypersons and Clergy present were surprised by what they discovered. Reverend Sinkfield closed his session by challenging us to consider the following: 1. Are we locked into worn out or irrelevant traditional ways of activating our Church for Ministry that we’re willing to consider revising?
2. Are we open to fresh new ways for activating our Church for Ministry by using the Ministry of Jesus as our model? 3. How can we use the Model of Jesus’ Ministry to activate our church to…? a. Start new ministries b. Build vital and viable ministries in areas that are underdeveloped or undeveloped c. Explore and give credibility to forms of ministry beyond the pastoral ministry The afternoon session, led by Dr. Coleman was entitled, “What is Lay Ministry and How to develop it in Our Churches?” Her highly charged session defined Lay Ministry and the importance of laity utilizing their Spiritual Gifts to ensure we are “meeting people’s needs with love, humility, and a genuine concern on Christ’s behalf.” Dr. Coleman reminded us that Lay Ministry goes beyond and is larger than the Lay Organization. It encompasses all to include “Ushers, Christian Educators, Trustees, Missionaries, Stewards, Class Leaders, etc.” Dr. Coleman’s closing provided us with pointers of how we do Lay Ministry through the following: 1. Prayer 2. Bible Study and Application 3. Consultation with the Pastor 4. Careful Preparation 5. Effective Communication 6. Positive Action Evaluation and Assessment
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During our June 30, 2018 Quarterly Meeting, the Reverend Alexander Gatson, Presiding Elder of the Tennessee Conference North District, conducted a follow up session entitled, “Do You Know God’s Purpose for Your Life?” Reverend Gatson reviewed our self-assessment results with us to determine if we are moving into the gifts we have a preference towards. He also helped us to realize the importance of understanding how critical our Spiritual Gifts are to kingdom building. He closed his session by challenging us with, “It’s Your Move.” He provided us with scripture references that we need to study in order to strengthen our Spiritual Gifts.
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The Lay Organization’s History The Lay Organization of the African Methodist Episcopal Church is one of the newest in our church relative to our total years of existence. The Organization, like many in our church, at any early age, did not keep official records that would serve as reference material. Research started with a brief history as given by former president, Attorney Herbert L. Dudley of Detroit. He used as his first pamphlet - History and Official Guide of the Lay Movement - by Professor R.J. Gardner of Cleveland, Ohio. In this pamphlet, Professor Gardner states that the "Organized Lay Movement" started at the General Conference in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1912, with Professor Charles H. Johnson of Wilberforce as the first president. It was known as the "Laymen's Missionary Movement." Our organized lay movement has, therefore, had three (3) significant stages of growth and development. First, the early formative years under the Laymen's Missionary League organized in 1912 by Professor Charles H. Johnson, Wilberforce University; second, Connectional Lay College, organized in 1916 under the leadership of Dr. Carl V. Roman of Fisk University; and finally in 1946 in Connectional Laymen's Organization organized by the delegates from the Lay College who were meeting in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1946. It was discovered early in the history of the Lay College that an organization that met only every four years, and composed of a constantly changing membership or personnel, could not do a good job of mobilizing the laity for effective service in the church, and so the laymen in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1946, abolished the old Lay College which met every four years at the seat of the General Conference with a constantly changing membership, and organized the Connectional Lay Organization on Episcopal District levels down through the Conferences to the local units and churches. It meets biennially and has a permanent membership that reaches down to the grass root level of the laity. It has held biennial meetings since 1949 in Chicago. There are those who think that the organized lay movement just recently came into existence when the General Conference of 1948 passed a law giving laymen the right to organize in the local church and make the lay organization a part of the organic law of African Methodism. This, you will see, is merely the culmination of a long and gigantic struggle which had been waged by a large number of courageous laymen over the years. It is noteworthy to observe that some of the most significant, progressive and constructive legislation enacted by the various General Conferences of our church has taken place since the laymen have acquired equal representation. This has not been just by accident or mere coincidence. It has been true because the influence, prestige and voting strength of the laity have been thrown behind very constructive and worthwhile movements in the church. Today, the organized Lay Movement in the African Methodist Episcopal Church operates as a vital force for good because it is free, independent and unmotivated by any desire, motive or purpose other than the general welfare of African Methodism. We find Episcopal District Lay Organizations organized in every Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church from the first Episcopal District down through and including the Twentieth Episcopal District.
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An important witness in these critical times is the exercise of our vote. Voting, and encouraging others to do so, is a priority over the next three months. Please see these important announcements from the Council of Bishops and the Social Action Commission. In addition, pray for the people of your community, the nation and the world! Jeffrey N. Leath, 13th Presiding Bishop
COUNCIL OF BISHOPS AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH September 8, 2018 (Updated) Dear African Methodist Episcopal Church Family: THANK YOU!!! Thank you so much for your support of the “Call to Conscience – Forward to Action” Rally in Washington on September 5th and 6th. The Bishops, General and Connectional Officers, pastors and laity supported this effort, and brought together the leadership of the Black Church. National Park authorities estimate we had 2,000 people at the rally. We made a statement and got the attention of the powers that be. We have already been informed that the White House has expressed an interest in meeting with us. If they offer an invitation be assured that it will not be with preconditions, but will be a “come to Jesus meeting” where we speak truth to power. I am not confident the White House will agree to meet under these terms. We also had a good meeting with Congressional Leadership where we discussed issues and sought their support on issues important to Blacks.
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Now the hard part begins. It is not enough for us just to meet and rally, now we must go to work. The most important work must be done in the local church. Pastors your leadership is essential. If you don’t lead, the work will not be done, and we will not succeed. Pastors please lead. This year’s Mid-Terms Elections are critical. It is often said that “this is the most important election in our lifetime.” This year’s election probably is. There is so much at stake, in a word the future of our democracy. Black Churches have made a commitment to help register and produce a
massive Black turnout. To do this we must register hundreds of thousands of unregistered Blacks, and then get them to vote. There are millions of unregistered Blacks, and even more who are unregistered and don’t vote. We must change this reality. Let our passion lead us to work and to produce. Below is what we are asking each local church to do, to register and motivate our people to vote. Each local church should organize a “Election or Voting Committee” to do the following: 1. Each church is requested to print out Absentee Ballot applications for the November 2018 election. Pass them out in congregation beginning September 16th. Have members, especially seniors fill them out in church and collect them. Record the names of all those who request Absentee Ballots. Request them to bring completed Absentee Ballots back to the church no later than November 4th. Church will designate someone in church to mail them or return them personally to county election office. Church will cross off names of those who return Absentee Ballots, and follow up with those who have not returned completed Absentee Ballots. Procedure should be followed every Sunday up to November 4th. Absentee Ballots collected on November 4th should be taken to the County Registrar’s Office on Monday, November 5th. 2. Goal is for 80% of our congregants to cast ballots in early voting before November 6th Election Day. Find dates when Early Voting begins in your state. Early voting dates should be published in bulletin or printed on screens in sanctuary every Sunday. Pastor should emphasize and encourage early voting each Sunday. 3. In those states or counties where early voting includes a Sunday, churches should organize “Pews to the Polls” to make sure congregants go to their polling site and cast their ballots early. Following the Benediction ask each registered voter to go vote.
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4. Church should schedule a “I Voted Early” Party or event for the church and community on Sunday, October 28th after church. 5. Organize for Election Day, where the Election or Voting Committee in the local church calls each member who is registered to vote, to remind and see if they have voted. If needed arrange transportation for those who need it. Now, let’s go to work! Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, President, Council of Bishops Bishop Frank Madison Reid III, Chair, Social Action Commission
LIVE FREE / RIGHTEOUS VOTE Initiative Register, Educate, and Mobilize! Goal: To build local based teams of AME, COGIC, COOLJC, PAW and other Black Church
congregations to engage in voter registration, voter education and voter mobilization in September & October 2018 Black Church Integrated Voter Engagement (IVE): Our voters need to be engaged THREE TIMES
REGISTER: 1. 100% Voting Congregations: Our congregations will activate 100% of membership of voting age in our congregations using the VAN and other specialized tools a. We will train an appointee from congregation on how to use the VAN tool b. Register at least 25 NEW voters before voter registration deadline
EDUCATE: 1. Voter Sabbaths (WEEKLY emphasis from pulpit (Preach, Pray and Act about voting) 2. Promote Weekly Webinars sponsored by LIVE FREE /Righteous Vote every Thursday 3. Share Key Dates on social media platforms and toolkit (Share info with congregation about early voting, polling places, and voting guides) 4. Host Candidate/issue forums
MOBILIZE: 1. Phone Banking: Our congregations will host phone banking/text message sessions every week on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday a. We need 10 sessions with 10 people over the next 8 weeks 2. Door Knocking / Canvassing: Our congregations will knock on 100 doors on Saturdays a. We will have volunteer and paid opportunities for young people
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3. Souls to the Polls: Our congregations will participate in a Souls to The Polls event, targeting the elderly and youth voters on voting weekend with free rides with our vans and vehicles
Key Dates: Aug 23: LIVE FREE Righteous Vote Press Launch Sep 3: Full daily voter contact program moving (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday program begins) Sep 21-23: National Voter Registration Sabbath Sep 25: National voter registration day Oct-Nov 5: GOTV & Early voting Nov 6: Election Day
TEXT “VOTE� to 228-466 to join the Righteous Vote initiative
We are reaching out to invite your participation in the American Climate Metrics Survey. To help shape the AME Church’s position on and response to our changing climate, we want to better understand your attitudes and awareness and what we can do as faith leaders. As a valued member of the AME Church, we want to make sure that we count your voice in this research, which is conducted by our partner ecoAmerica. Below you will find a link to complete this easy 15-minute survey. The survey must be done in one sitting, as you are unable to save and go back. Your individual answers are confidential and will be aggregated for analysis by ecoAmerica. The survey can be completed by ALL members in Districts 1-20. Please complete the survey. Please paste the following address into your browser: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AME_2018_American_Climate_ Metrics_Survey Should you encounter any problems or questions while taking the survey, please contact the administrator of the survey, at research@ecoAmerica.org.
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With gratitude, Bishop Frank Madison Reid III, Social Action Commission Chair Mrs. Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Director/Consultant
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION SUMMIT February will be here before you know it! We know that some CE summit participants will choose to make their own travel arrangements. The Department of Christian Education has partnered however with Xodus International Group, LLC to offer a travel package for those who would like the convenience of having these arrangements made for them. If there are those who will be attending the GDC, WIM, or CLO meetings that are interested, you are welcome as well to take advantage of the convenience of the package. For more information on the travel package, hotel arrangements, and summit registration, please visit https://ameced.com/cesummit/. If you have any general questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact 615.242.1420. For specific questions and concerns regarding the travel package, please contact Xodus International Group, LLC at (703) 971-9660 or travel@xodusint.com.
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Yours in His service, Rev. Garland F. Pierce Executive Director Department of Christian Education, AME Church
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THE SEASON of
Advent
BEGINS DECEMBER 2, 2018
Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundown.
The Meaning of "Advent" The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is preparation to celebrate the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God. That is a process in which we now participate, and the consummation of which we anticipate. Scripture reading for Advent will reflect this emphasis on the Second Advent, including themes of accountability for faithfulness at His coming, judgment on sin, and the hope of eternal life.
The Spirit of Advent Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation, of longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of the world, first expressed by Israelite slaves in Egypt as they cried out from their bitter oppression. It is the cry of those who have experienced the tyranny of injustice in a world under the curse of sin, and yet who have hope of deliverance by a God who has heard the cries of oppressed slaves and brought deliverance!
The Colors of Advent
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Historically, the primary sanctuary color of Advent is Purple. This is the color of penitence and fasting as well as the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the King. Purple is still used in some traditions (for example Roman Catholic). The purple of Advent is also the color of suffering used during Lent and Holy Week. This points to an important connection between Jesus’ birth and death. The nativity, the Incarnation, cannot be separated from the crucifixion. The purpose of Jesus’ coming into the world, of the "Word made flesh" and dwelling among us, is to reveal God and His grace to the world through Jesus’ life and teaching, but also through his suffering, death, and resurrection. To reflect this emphasis, originally Advent was a time of penitence and fasting, much as the Season of Lent and so shared the color of Lent. Both the season of Advent and the season of Lent are about hope. It is not just hope for a better day or hope for the lessening of pain and suffering, although that is certainly a significant part of it. It is more about hope that human existence has meaning and possibility beyond our present experiences, a hope that the limits of our lives are not nearly as narrow as we experience them to be. It is not that we have possibility in ourselves, but that God is a God of new things and so all things are possible (Isaiah 42:9, Matthew 19:26, Mark 14:36)
"Laity Walking Humbly With God, To Do Justice And To Love Kindness.� (Micah 6:8)
13th District A.M.E. Church
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The Lay Chronicles Newsletter Post Office Box 2176 Louisville, Kentucky 40201