Bishop Clement W. Fugh, Presiding Prelate 5th Episcopal District Mrs. Alexia Butler Fugh, Episcopal Supervisor
Reverend Sheriolyn Curry Hodge Presiding Elder, Rocky Mountain District
To the Pastors, Officers, Members and Guests of the Rocky Mountain District, greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ! Uncertainty. Unrest. Boredom. Dissatisfaction. A hankering for something more. All can be precursors to the soul’s warning that it is time to move from the place you are currently in. It may be a tug, a pull, a compelling feeling that something is on the horizon. Perhaps you need to go in another direction. To do something else. Something big. Oftentimes it is a very uncomfortable place. So much so that it takes outside circumstances or situations to interrupt where we are, so we have no choice but to move from that place. A God-force, if you will. You either experience resistance in an area, or a tugging, or inspiration on the other end of the spectrum. Either way, it’s time to make a move, to pivot. Ideally, we rarely pivot via WANTING TO, but rather HAVING TO. Something happens in life that forces a pivotal event or choice upon you. It can be something obvious like being asked to get up off your knees while praying, but often, we just feel off, or unsatisfied. Perhaps out of alignment. We just know that we must do something. And so we pray. God is the fulcrum upon which the lever of prayer is placed, and by which people and things are mightily moved. A move of God in situations/circumstances that, through discomfort, move us for kingdom purpose into our greater. This interplay between the sovereignty of God and human responsibility, is the divine fulcrum upon which life hinges. And when we trust that the nudge to move is from God, we move. We make a triumphant exodus, resting on God, the Divine Fulcrum. It is then that we see the divine plan of God unfold before our very eyes. The founding of the AME Church was a result of such movement. So, on this Founders Day 2024, we celebrate and honor our beginning. Grateful that Richard Allen and others dared to get up off their knees, focused on God’s direction and follow God’s leading to start the African Methodist Episcopal Church. We honor the sacrifices and celebrate the victories. As The Rocky Mountain District presents THE DIVINE FULCRUM: BEGINNINGS OF AFRICAN METHODISM in three parts, we invite you to draw near to listen. This is a call to enter a space where God is Sovereign in the midst of uncertainty. A call to see how God is leading, nudging and undergirding in the midst of unrest. And where Trust in God, Obedience to God, and Faith in God is what fulfills the Divine plan of God for Mankind. For God is our Divine Fulcrum!
Reverend Sheriolyn Curry Hodge
Rocky Mountain District Founders Day Celebration
The Divine Fulcrum: Beginnings of African Methodism Saturday, February 10, 2024 11:00am MST VIA ZOOM: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/6240525693?omn=82470184339 Meeting ID: 624 052 5693
Order of Service Saxophone Prelude........................................................................................... Mr. Randy Corinthians Doxology ...................................................................................................... Reverend Everett Fletcher The Call to Gather ...................................Reverend Sheriolyn Curry Hodge, RMD Presiding Elder Prayer ............................................................................................................. Reverend Charles Wright Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church, Colorado Springs, CO Scripture: Exodus 6:6-8 ............................................................................... Reverend Brenda Hector First A.M.E. Church, Pueblo, CO Selection ...................................................................................................... Swing Low, Sweet Chariot Litany ............................................................................................................ Reverend Daryell Jackson Historic Trinity A.M.E. Church, Salt Lake City, UT Offering ................................................................................................................... RMD Finance Team Cash app - $Joyfulstill Zelle – PECurryRMD@gmail.com $150 per Pastor, $25 General appeal Thank you for your stewardship!
Selection ......................................................................................................... Evangelist Peggy Wright Payne Chapel A.M.E. Church, Colorado Springs, CO Occasion ............................................................ Reverend Sheriolyn Curry Hodge, Presiding Elder
The Diving Fulcrum: The Beginning of African Methodism in three Parts Part 1:The Interruption .................................................. We Were Interrupted While Praying
We were interrupted while praying, We were interrupted while praying, We were on bended knees, our hands outstretched. We were interrupted while praying. Guitar Solo: Nobody Knows the Trouble I See/Steal Away ................................... Mr. Cory Young Presentation ....................................................................................................... Rev. Dr. Timothy Tyler Shorter Community A.M.E. Church, Denver, CO Part 2: The Pivot .................................................................................... Get Up Off Your Knees Get up! Get up! Get up off your knees. I said get up. Get up. You can’t pray here. You can’t pray here. You can’t pray here. I said, get up. Get up! Get up, now! GET UP! Presentation ........................................................................................... Reverend Dr. Jovetia Watson Jordan Chapel A.M.E. Church, Denver, CO
Mime Dance: Praise Him in Advance ...................................................................... Mr. Jace Lindsey Part 3: The Triumphant Exodus ..........................................................Let’s Build Us a Church Richard Allen and the saints of God got up off their knees. And when they walked out of the Church, they prayed Lord, have mercy please! Because they were ‘buked and scorned, prayerful plans to organize our Church were born! By God’s grace, we were born! Presentation ........................................................................................... Reverend Donna Maria Davis Campbell Chapel A.M.E. Church, Denver, CO Song ..................................................................................................... Hallelujah, Salvation and Glory Invitation .......................................................................................................... Rev. Dr. Vada Southern Embry Chapel A.M.E. Church, Ogden, UT Life Application Reflections..................................................................................................................... Remarks ..................................................................................................................................................... Benediction ........................................................................... Reverend Dr. Hilton J. McClendon, Sr., Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church, Cheyenne, WY
Founder’s Day Litany By Rev. Garland F. Pierce, Executive Director, AMEC Department of Christian Education Inspired by Psalm 138 (Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C)
Leader
On this day, we pause to remember, reflect, reclaim, and recommit. We gather in your holy temple to worship you for your steadfast love and faithfulness to us, your children who bear witness under the banner of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
People
We give you thanks, O Lord, with our whole hearts.
Leader
With thankful hearts, we remember the life, ministry, and vision of the founder of our church, your servant, Bishop Richard Allen, born a slave yet his freedom bought by his will, determination, giftedness, and hard work. His spirit set free years before through the liberating gospel of Jesus Christ and God’s grace and mercy. Whom the son sets free is free indeed. We remember and we give you thanks, O Lord, with our whole hearts.
People Leader
While, we make no claim to be the one, true church, the best, or even the greatest, we give you thanks for this African Methodist Episcopal Church, a faithful part of the Church Universal founded by Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. We reflect on the rich legacy, which we have inherited from the leaders and countless dedicated members across the globe who you called to bear witness to your light and love. For the institutions, which they built, the lives, which they changed, the sacrifices, which they made, we are thankful. Reflecting on this heritage, which has been gifted to us, we worship you as the way making and miracle working God who is worthy of our praise and our service.
People
We reflect and give you thanks, O Lord, with our whole hearts.
Leader
Where we have strayed, God return us to the path of righteousness. When we falter, please hear our cries and increase our strength of soul. When we would hesitate, make excuse, or say no to your call, remind us that your call is not dependent on our worthiness but on our willingness. We reclaim the call to live lives worthy of the name, “A liberating and reconciling people.”
People
We reclaim our name and give you thanks, O Lord, with our whole hearts.
Leader
God, all you have created you called “good.” Yet sin and evil seek to contaminate and destroy. Haughtiness, greed, and the false belief that the creatures can be the Creator have wreaked havoc in our communities, countries, in creation, and even in the church. We hear these words, “For though the Lord is high, God regards the lowly; but the haughty God perceives from far away.” We also hear your call to us to holiness, both personal and social, that we might be partners with you in justice and peace, not because you need us; but, because you love us and have chosen us.
All
We recommit our whole selves to your purpose, knowing your purpose will be fulfilled. Your steadfast love endures forever. Your name be praised, hallelujah, salvation and glory, honor and power unto the Lord our God. Amen.
Acknowledgements We take time to thank Rev. Timothy Wright, Rev. Dr. Hilton J. McClendon, Sr., Evangelist Peggy Wright for their contributions to the curation of today’s experience. A special thanks to the Pastors and congregations of the Rocky Mountain District for serving well, staying the course and trusting God to know when/where to pivot. Rev. Dr. Timothy Tyler, Shorter Community AME Church Rev. Charles Wright, Payne Chapel AME Church Rev. Donna Maria Davis, Campbell Chapel AME Church Rev. Dr. Jovetia Watson, Jordan Chapel AME Church Rev. Brenda Hector, First AME Church Rev. Daryell Jackson, Historic Trinity AME Church Rev. Dr. Hilton J. McClendon, Sr., Allen Chapel AME Church Rev. Dr. Vada Southern, Embry AME Church To our guest musicians, thank you for sharing your gifts with us. - Saxophonist, Mr. Randy Corinthians - Guitar/bass, Mr. Cory Young - Mime Dance, Jace Lindsey - Singing Group, Sisters and Family of Evangelist Peggy Wright To Rev. Everett Fletcher, Pastor – Historic St. Paul AME Church, Independence, MO, for your technology assistance.
Finally, to General Officer Garland Pierce and the AMEC Christian Education Department for the excellent resources you continue to provide our Zion.
Founders Day Resources Richard Allen Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SPuu7urlfM This short video tells the story of Richard Allen and the founding of the AME Church. There are also versions with Spanish, French, and Portuguese subtitles. The Torchlighters The Richard Allen Story | Episode 22 by Vision Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57r70TrrjLg Songs for Founder’s Day These three original pieces, created by Ms. Florine Pernell Herron (8th Episcopal District), Connectional MCAM Director of Instruments and Connectional WMS Worship Leader, each tell the story of the African Methodist Episcopal Church’s founding: 1. We Were Interrupted While Praying https://ameced.wpenginepowered.com/wpcontent/uploads/2021/02/WeWereInterruptedWhilePrayingFHerron.pdf 2. Get Up Off Your Knees https://ameced.wpenginepowered.com/wpcontent/uploads/2021/02/GetUpOffYourKneesFHerron.pdf 3. The Dignified Triumphant Exodus https://ameced.wpenginepowered.com/wpcontent/uploads/2021/02/TheDignifiedTriumphantExodusFHerron.pdf Activities for Founders Day Richard Allen faux Stained Glass Activity https://ameced.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/AME-Founders-DayRichard-Allen-Faux-Stained-Glass-Activity-Sheet-and-Instructions.pdf AME Church Word Search - This activity is for youth and the young at heart. https://www.dropbox.com/s/sg82wlxcsxrtqw0/AME%20Founders%20Day%20Word%20Searc h.pdf?e=1&dl=0 Answer key https://www.dropbox.com/s/cxgdqnbu546ec5c/AME%20Founders%20Day%20Word%20Sear ch%20Solution.docx.pdf?e=1&dl=0